Independent for a Reason

When I turned 18 years old, I registered to vote. I indicated on my registration form that I was a Democrat. I stayed a registered democrat until 2004. That’s when I became an officially designated “non-affiliated” voter. In truth, I was just this kind of voter all along.

I was raised to believe that if you were going to judge someone it should be based on their deeds and their integrity. Even if you did not follow the same drummer down every path, so long as no one was harming someone else and so long as people used common sense, people should be afforded the same respect you would want for yourself.

I was raised in a Democratic family, more in name than in absolute doctrine though. I was taught to respect all people who treated others well. I was taught that religion or race were insufficient to judge a person. I was taught that sexual preference was irrevelant. I was taught that government should look out for the people first and foremost. And I was taught that politicians often were not what they pretended to be. But I was also taught that crime should be punished with more than a slap on the wrist. I was taught that taxes were not meant to be frittered away, but should be spent judiciously. I was taught that citizenship means more than just sitting around complaining.

I am proud to see that the ideals that I was taught took root and sprouted into a citizen who would be able to weigh the politics that guide our country by their merit and not by their label. Even when I was a registered Democrat, I voted for Republican candidates when I thought they had more common sense than the Democrat candidate. But as I grew older, it became clear to me that neither party had a lock on rationality. Neither party was immune from the virulent politics of today. And neither party represented who I was.

The Republican party has long been the party of corporate interest and restrictive social policy. Their tendency to view things in black and white (and mostly White) left little room for imaginative government and social growth. But their traditional sense of a less intrusive federal government, fiscal restraint, and individual rights appealed to my sense of common sense. I could identify with these characteristics as an American citizen. It was their primary ideology of “us vs. them” though that kept me out of their ranks. And their leadership in Congress over the past decade has managed to erode the values they once had that I identified with. I think that they are increasingly marginalizing even their own base as they embrace a purely corporate philosophy where one man calls all the shots and the only thing that matters is improving the bottom line. Money and power are the new Republican gods and the average American is merely a pawn for the slaying.

The Democratic party has long been the party of the common man. Or at least that was their claim. Professing to stand up for the rights and freedoms of Americans while ensuring that the standard for a quality life was an even playing field, I could identify with their social stances and ability to see the nuances in life. With this party, the possibility for mutual respect and effective but fair legislation seemed possible. And then they began to overreach. 40 years of control in Congress turned our government into a morass of bureaucracy that often hampers the ability of average citizens to live a relatively free life. The belief that every problem can be solved with money and a creative study meant that we were losing our ability to find our own way while the money that could really help those in need was wasted away on feel good politics. By embracing every fringe ideology to increase their inclusiveness, the Democrats diluted their power and became paralyzed. Too afraid to hurt anyones feelings, I guess.

They choice was clear. I could embrace the social aspects of the Democrats and the former fiscal policies of the Republicans, but I could not embrace either party for neither party would embrace me. And they don’t embrace you either.

I know you probably want a government that is less intrusive to individuals while protecting all of us from abuse. I know you want a government that spends your money wisely while promoting social interests. I know that you were taught that integrity counts and honesty is important. We may not agree on all the same things, but I know we can agree that this government is broken, the parties are broken, and Americans don’t fit into neat little labels.

You’re already an independent. Why not make it official and break the stranglehold the parties have on our government?

A Little Housekeeping

Just a short note to let those of you who have me on your blogroll or other link that Common Sense now has it's own URL. This will make Common Sense less succeptible to blogger downtime and should also make loading time even quicker.

The new web address is www.commonsenseworld.com

YOu can update your information if you choose, but it is not completely necessary. You can still reach Common Sense through the old blogger address that you've come to know and love.

And now, back to regular posting.

Help Put Ken Grandlund In Congress

This Post Will Remain At The Top Until Further Notice- Please Scroll Down For Newest Posts- Thanks For Your Support

I'm running for Congress as an independent candidate in California. As an independent candidate, I'll need all the help from I can get from people just like you. To volunteer, donate, or offer support, visit www.ken4congress2006.com

Ken Grandlund For U.S. Congress

In January 2005, I began this website called Common Sense with the intention of examining my own political beliefs and formulating them into a cohesive personal platform. In my writings, I approached various issues not from a strictly liberal or conservative mindset, but from what I consider to be a more reasoned, rational frame of mind. By focusing on the issues without infusing religious doctrine or party ideology, I created a platform that reached out to both sides of the aisle while thinking outside the box of current political doctrine. In some cases, I embraced some of the tenets of conservative politics, especially concerning matters of fiscal responsibility, smaller and more efficient government bureaucracy, and the protection of society from dangerous criminals. In other areas, I took a more liberal stance, primarily on matters of the environment, individual freedoms, and social concerns. The final result, I think, is a well-balanced, reasoned approach to government and social issues. In just a year, my website has gained a popular following, with over 100,000 hits and averaging 200 readers each day.

Along my journey into political writing, I became a strong proponent of independent politics, individual action, and a shared responsibility among all citizens to become engaged in the struggle to maintain the principals of the American experiment. I frequently advocated the need for more ‘regular people’ to get involved in politics, at any level, to combat the highly partisan political gridlock that we face in our government today. I implored people to seek out candidates who were not entrenched in the corrupt system of politics as usual, and to help get those people elected. Time and time again, I espoused the virtues of citizen legislators who would stand honorably for the American people first and not be beholden to corporations or unions or special interest groups that have bought our political process away from the common man and woman in this country.

With each new essay I wrote, I received more support from readers who seemed to appreciate my non-partisan approach to politics and the problems of the day. It seemed that there was a silent groundswell of American citizens who, like me, had grown weary of the partisanship and bickering coming out of Washington D.C. and state capitals and were looking for a fresh, honest voice to start a new era in American politics; an era that saw enlightened change for the benefit of all citizens, not just the vocal minorities who had hijacked the daily workings of our government. As I continued to receive support for my thoughts and ideas, I became even more convinced that there was a growing need for politicians who would work for the people instead of for the parties. And so I began to become even more vocal about the need for independent candidates and a non-partisan government. I began to implore people to seek out such candidates, to give up the party affiliations, and to put America back on the track our founding fathers envisioned for us.

And then one day, I realized that it was time to put my money where my mouth was. Telling people to find independents to champion was easy. But just writing about the virtues of independent candidates was not going to make them magically appear. Simply writing about the problems or offering solutions to the problems was not enough. Asking people to step up to the plate and take back our government from the corporations and unions and political parties was not enough. If I truly believed in what I was saying, and I do, I knew that I had to take the next step. I realized that I had to throw my own hat into the ring.

I have decided to run for U.S. Congress for the 49th Congressional District in California as an independent candidate. And today, I am asking for your support.

As an independent candidate, the road to success is more difficult than if I were to run as either a Democrat or a Republican. I will not have the support of a political party or the money they can throw behind a candidate. I face a larger hurdle just to get my name on the ballot. But in the increasingly corrupt and partisan political atmosphere today, I feel that the average voter is looking for someone who is not beholden to the status quo. America is about choice, and I intend to offer a choice to the people of my district that better reflects the concerns of average people. I offer integrity and honesty and dedication to the American ideals that are sorely missing from our politicians today. I stand for the common citizen. As such, I will not accept contributions to my campaign from any company or union or special interest group. I will get my name out by talking with people and giving speeches, but I will also need volunteers to help me along the way and I will need money to spread my message effectively.

I’m all too aware that for most people, money is tight these days. That is why I am only asking for a small donation from each of my supporters. Federal law permits me to accept personal contributions only up to $2,100 per individual, but I don’t expect to get that much from any one person. For the price of a Starbucks coffee or a lunch at McDonald’s, your donation will help me in my efforts. Or perhaps you are able to help print campaign materials on your home computer that I can leave with people in my district. Maybe you are able to help as a volunteer collecting signatures or registering voters or making phone calls for my campaign. Whatever you can do will be greatly appreciated. (To assist with signature gathering, you do have to live within my Congressional district.)

Many of you reading this letter do not live in my Congressional district, but I would like to remind you that as a Congressman, I will represent all the people of America with each and every vote I make. If you yearn for a day when politicians once again represent the people of our country instead of the corporations or the special interests, then I ask for your support. If you long for politicians who aren’t looking to be elected simply because they crave power and status, then I look for your support. If you want the people who make the laws in this country to make laws that honor freedom and common sense, then I look for your support.

Thank you.

Ken Grandlund

Independent Candidate for U.S. Congress



P.S. If you are able to make a financial contribution to my campaign, I ask you to please visit www.ken4congress2006.com and follow the instructions on the "Donate Page". Also, if you know of someone who may be interested in helping or donating to my campaign, please forward a copy of this letter and the attached form to them on my behalf. Thank you again for your support.