Independent Thinking

In 495 days, we will have our first opportunity to go into the voting booth and voice our support or complaint with the way our government handled the financial meltdown that occurred in the fall of 2009. Although congress has tried very hard to deflect the blame to Wall Street, the Bush Administration, Financial Regulators, former Fed Chair, Alan Greenspan and anyone else in sight, most people who are paying attention know it was congress who was “asleep at the wheel.” Certainly, these others share some responsibility, but Congress wrote the laws, oversaw the regulators, and pushed home financing for those who were not credit worthy.

A large number of Republicans and Democrats are so mad they are leaving their respective parties over what has happened and is happening in Washington. Independents, as a group, are also upset with this mismanagement. All of this creates the environment where, the 2010 mid-term election might well be a "woodshed" moment for the incumbents in both parties.

If enough non-politicians run for office as Independents on the platform with the key issues listed below we can send an important message.

Here is what the independent candidate should focus when running against incumbents in either party.

7 Tenants for Independents running against Incumbents in Congress

1. Set Congressional Term Limits, Oppose the repeal of 22nd Amendment. Both of these are very hot issues. Term Limits to counter the career politician. (2 or 3 term maximum) Keep 22nd Amendment because 8 years is enough of any president.

2. Fiscal Responsibility (Do the math and stop spending). Give honest budgets, and projections that include the $40 + trillion in future entitlement obligations. It really isn’t that difficult to summarize this information in a way Americans can understand.

3. No Special Interest Money (REAL Campaign Reform). The last campaign finance reform legislation was a disgrace. Candidates must vow not to take special interest money, (and then keep their word).

4. Constituents First (before party, donors and self). Enough said.

5. Distinguish Small Business from Big Business These too groups have very little in common with one another. Most small businesses are owner operated or privately owned and are often treated poorly by large financial and insurance business segments. Big business has a great deal of support from politicians because of lobbying groups and special interest money. Small business creates most of the new jobs. Small business was, for practical purposes, ignored in the Stimulus Plan.

6. Eliminate Conflicts of interest practices such as examples below:
a. Using inside information to trade short-term stock options.
b. Getting sweetheart deals from companies groups that are vying to influence legislation.

7. Be a "change agent" - Tell the truth - even if is cost you the seat in congress in the next election. We are experiencing a credibility gap with our politicians mainly because they have no fear of losing their office. Therefore, they will not level with the American people and continue to “kick the can” to future generations instead of solving the problems we have created.

We need responsible Americans to get involved at a grass-roots level and offer up quality independent candidates to run against the incumbents whether Democrat or Republican. If enough people will get involved in this effort we can make a difference and send a message to the inside-the-beltway, east-coast and west-coast, Ivy-League or Berkeley elite.

This message: The center of the country is what makes this nation work and the independent middle is the only group who can pull American out of this current economic disaster. Join me in doing our part to make this happen.

Peace & Progress,

Clinton Bennett