Our Democracy Needs a Re-Boot

Post date: Sep 04, 2012 1:57:38 AM

There are so many political issues that divide Americans today, and politicians love to use them to try to get your vote. But I want to talk about an issue that I believe most of us agree on: the undue influence that lobbyists and special interest groups have over our government and thereby, our lives.  I think most of us don’t like the idea that lobbyists and special interest groups influence our public officials whom we elect to represent us.

These groups have influence because elected officials believe that without endorsements and money from such groups, they can’t get elected. Any politician who believes that they owe their election to the help of special interest groups has no choice but to try to make those groups happy by the way they choose to govern. This is why we see our government passing laws that help special interests rather than our interests.

We don’t like this situation because we understand that it flies in the face of democracy. Democracy is supposed to give every citizen an equal voice by giving every citizen an equal vote. Elected representatives are supposed to represent us rather than some interest group.

The only way out of this mess, as far as I can see, is for us to stop giving our votes to those who play the game of raising lots of money and soliciting lots of endorsements. Politicians aren’t stupid; they know history, and history teaches that you can’t get elected without money and endorsements. Anyone in politics will tell you that if you aren’t out there begging for money and endorsements, then you’re not a serious candidate.

I’m ignoring that history because I want to change it. I refuse to take anyone’s money or accept anyone’s endorsement to help me get elected. I refuse to owe my election to anyone except you, the voters and citizens. If I am elected I will represent you, the voters, not a special interest group.

Democracy is out of whack right now because of this problem. It’s not working like it is supposed to. Just like what we do with a computer that has stopped working, we need to re-boot our Democracy. We need to make it work again like it is supposed to work.

We have an opportunity this November to send a message at the ballot box.  Tell your friends and neighbors to cast their vote for someone who is refusing the “help” of special interest groups to get elected.  Ask them to vote for John Hester. Let’s reboot our democracy; let’s make it work for us again.  I promise that as your representative in Columbia, I will seek to make laws that are in your best interest—you, the citizens of Oconee County.