Declaration of Candidacy
(This is an unpublished Letter to the Editor of the Opelika-Auburn News, submitted 30 November 2005. It is published here for the first time.)
Dear Editor,
As the Washington Post reported on 29 November, the recent indictments of at least seven federal lawmakers from both parties have had some role in bringing public approval ratings of the Democrat and Republican parties to unprecedented lows. The American public is beginning to realize, now more than ever, that Democrats and Republicans alike are interested in enriching themselves at the expense of taxpayers. Charges including bribery, conspiracy, and other corrupt acts are being levelled against these very individuals who are entrusted with our country's governance.
According to the Washington Post-ABC survey cited in the Post article, 59 percent of the public disapprove of the job that congress is doing. The president's approval rating is worse still. The American public clearly needs an alternative to the Democrats and Republicans.
The Libertarian Party is the largest third party in the United States, and stands for lower taxes, more personal liberty and responsibility. While the D's and R's are all too happy to accept bribes from corporate cronies in exchange for special favors, libertarians want to see individuals in greater control of their lives and property. Unfortunately for Alabamians, the Heart of Dixie has some of the most restrictive ballot access laws in the nation.
I plan to run against Mike Hubbard for the District 79 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. I will be running in an uphill race, and it does not help matters that I am faced with the added hurdle of paying for ballot access. I am, nonetheless, confident that Alabamians are interested in smaller, more accountable government. I believe that Alabama taxpayers would be better at allocating their hard-earned dollars than the politicians in Montgomery, and I think most taxpayers agree. I believe that each person knows his or her own needs better than any government ever could.
The voters of this state have defeated two potential state tax increases at the ballot box. By casting a vote for me in the District 79 race, they can rest assured that in me they will have a champion of the individual businessman and his right to enjoy what he has created, and to not face unnecessary obstacles to building or expanding a business responsibly. They can be certain that I will be a defender of the individual worker's right to bargain for his or her best possible compensation. In short, voters who choose to support my candidacy can do so knowing that I will defend them against career politicians who wish to drain honestly-earned money from Alabamians to line their own pockets.
Dick Clark
2006 Candidate, District 79, AL House of Representatives
Auburn District Chairman, Libertarian Party of Alabama
http://www.auburn.edu/libert
