Donald K. Allen for President

Top of the Week

April 7, 2008

INDEPENDENTS

Presented at the Independents' Day forum at the University of Cincinnati April 5 & 6

 

What’s wrong with our government? We have two major political parties that believe they have an exclusive mandate to run Washington and make decisions that affect us all. It is government from the top down, but it should be from the bottom up. Our elected leaders should be listening closely to the will of we, the people, but it seems they do not. In a democracy, our representatives are expected to obey the will of those who elected them, regardless of their own personal beliefs. In a republic, those elected to government are free to act on their own, doing what they feel is right, and not necessarily following what their constituents wish. We are definitely leaning toward the latter.

Many Americans, roughly 40 percent, simply do not vote, either from apathy, disappointment, or just from overall disgust with our political system that seems out of control and unaffected by the common person’s input; their vote. So they ignore the whole matter and just go on with their lives. As with most people throughout the world, they want as little interference from government in their lives as possible, and they no longer care who gets elected, because nothing really changes.

A similar percentage of Americans have registered as “independents,” probably for a variety of reasons, but most logically because they do not fully agree with either party’s platform. They do not vote a straight ticket and never will. And then there are 40 percent of Americans who simply do not like any of the choices from either party, and that is the way many of us have voted during presidential elections. We try to decide which of the two major party candidates we dislike the least.

Is that how we should pick our leaders? Is that how we select the person who will represent and lead this country for the next four years? How do these career politicians get to the level of presidential candidate, and who puts them there? Obviously, the candidate’s party has a lot to do with it. You just can’t get there without the support of the party. Or can you?

The major party leaders simply want a candidate who will win by attracting the most votes. In the past, the parties have overlooked candidates’ well-known character flaws in favor of winning. Winning is everything, because it means jobs for the party faithful, power, and control. And lots of money for those in favor of the ruling party. The petroleum industry, for example.

National commentator Lou Dobbs, who wrote, “Independents’ Day,” stated he believes that this may be the year that an independent candidate could take the White House. I agree. So does Douglas Schoen, who wrote “Declaring Independence.” The mood throughout our country is one of political fatigue. Americans yearn for a new voice, someone they can trust, someone they can honestly respect. Someone who represents a clear choice for President.

In January 2007 I felt compelled to act upon the words of Edmund Burke, the 18th century Irish statesman, orator, and writer. He said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” The American patriot of the same era, Thomas Paine, believed that, “Anyone could grasp the nature of politics and government; all that is required is common sense.”

Believing in them, I filed with the Federal Elections Commission to run as an independent for president of the United States of America.

How would I, as an independent president, make a difference in the executive office? First of all, if the phone rings in the Oval Office, and it’s the head of the Democratic or Republican Party, I don’t have to answer it. The parties themselves would have no real influence on my decisions. Secondly, as a party’s president, I would have a list of people that I would need to find jobs for. As an independent, I would select the most qualified people for any particular position, without concern for political background or party influence. The best person for the task. Thirdly, there would be virtually no party opposition due to bipartisan resistance, and I would be better able to bring both factions together to work for the betterment of the country. As it is now, more effort and time is spent in Congress battling the opposition than in cooperation to achieve needed goals.

Electing an independent for president would send a clear message to Congress and the Nation: We the people are in charge, and it’s time to clean house. It would also open the door for countless other people who would run for public office as independents, but decided the system was too corrupt or controlled by party politics. The two-party system in this country has made it very difficult for third parties or independents to enter mainstream politics, and they want to keep it that way to maintain their supremacy. It’s time we broke this monopoly on our government, from the top down.

I would standardize the petition requirements to run for Federal office, with a maximum of 5,000 signatures needed to get on a state’s ballot. State office requirements would not be affected due to states’ rights. As it is, all states have different laws governing ballot access for president, with California requiring 158,372 signatures, Florida 104,334. and Texas 74,108. Six states ask for only 1,000 signatures and two states simply want a check for $500.

What qualifies me to be your next president? I have no political experience and have never served in a public office. If “political experience” means putting time in a job and making decisions, I’ve certainly done that. If it means learning who the wealthiest lobbyists are and how to build my campaign fund for the next election, then, no, I haven’t done that. In fact, I consider having no political experience to be a plus in this situation. It will allow me to view problems and decisions with totally unbiased motives and permit me to assess both sides of an issue and not just take the lobbyist’s opinion.

I have worked hard throughout my life. For physical labor, few jobs can match nine years as a horseshoer. For the past 27 years I have had to make life-or-death decisions on a routine basis. Some of you might chuckle and think, “He’s talking about dogs and cats, not human lives.” That’s true, but for the 63 percent of American families who own pets, those lives are as precious to them as any two-legged variety, and sometimes more.

I have run successful businesses — small businesses, which are the backbone of this country. I know the problems and challenges small business owners have today, and I know how to help them. I am familiar with farming, having served farmers as their large animal veterinarian while living in rural communities, and I understand their needs and concerns. I also know the fringes of poverty, having been raised primarily on Social Security death benefits from the age of six, and believe strongly in social services and programs.

I have voluntarily served my country four times. First as an enlistee in the Air Force for four years, achieving the rank of staff sergeant as a military journalist. Then, after completing my veterinary degree, I’ve served in both the Army and Air Force Reserves as a public health officer, currently in the rank of lieutenant colonel.

No presidential candidate is totally qualified to accept the office. How can they be when each president faces new and often unique challenges and crises? Even an incumbent president may not be qualified through experience in the job to successfully perform through a second term. Personal looks and charisma are also no substitute for logical, intelligent, and compassionate decision-making. You can’t have someone who waffles and stalls, either, when the tough decisions need to be made. I’ve been through many of life’s crises as a common American, and have shared the seemingly insurmountable obstacles encountered along the way that many of you face today. No private schools, no family wealth, no political connections or advantages. I’m here before you today simply due to hard work, persistence, perseverance, and a positive mindset. I am fully ready to accept the awesome commitment and responsibility of being your next President of the United States of America.