Vote Independent
by Dan Frank

The latest NBC/WSJ poll has Congress's job approval rating at 13 percent. As I write, the market is in turmoil, gas is $4.00 a gallon, government spending is at record levels, and our trade deficit is hovering at an alarming $700 billion. In fact, the national debt is $9.5 trillion and is financed entirely by borrowing, and if the $9.5 trillion doesn't scare you, perhaps the trend of (US Government) borrowing from foreign countries and international investors will. According to the GAO, "reported in the September 2007 Treasury Bulletin, Treasury Securities held by foreign countries and international investors has increased $837 billion, from $1,383 as of June 30, 2003, to $2,220 billion as June 30, 2007."

Most Americans feel they are not represented in Washington any longer, and for good reason, they aren't. Thus, is it any wonder in these times of uncertainty, we fine ourselves in a unique place in this time of history? The importance of this upcoming election cannot be understated; taking corrective action is an absolute must in this election if we are going to regain our country from special interest and self-serving politicians. Constitutional representation takes ethical responsible people to serve their country, not career politicians. As usual, on a national level we hear the usual "Hope", "Change", "Reform", Prosperity, and then cute slogans like, "Hope We Can Believe In", and "Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago?" (Do they really want to go there?) On the local level, sadly, it doesn't get much better. Thus, is it any wonder Congress has a dismal 13 percent job approval rating?

The political machine that masquerades as a two party system with little to no difference has high-jacked our political system and has made it extremely hard to beat an incumbent and all but impossible for an Independent to win. However, many have had enough of politicians that are beholden to the 15,665 lobbyists in D.C. that spent an astonishing $2.81 Billion dollars in 2007.

The polls are telling us that people are fed up with the lack of representation, and are ready for some fresh independent Constitutional thinking folks, that will represent their constituents as our founding fathers envisioned. Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney taught us one thing, money doesn't always buy your way into office, while Former Governor Jesse Ventura proved that not only isn't a third party vote a waste, we can win. Stated Todd Paulson, executive director for Minnesota's Common Cause, "I hope that this will show people what can be achieved when you can pare down the influence of money on the political system, it's the closest thing I've ever seen to a revolution."

Not only has Congressman Joe Pitts drawn fire for abandoning his pledge to serve no more than ten years, he has also received $1,133,982 in contributions from some of the largest corporations. Speaking of large corporations, Congressman Joe Pitts has sided with them every time when it comes to so-called free trade. In his "Free trade is diplomatic engagement," notice NO mention of the 20 plus years of consecutive trade deficits, no mention of the countless of jobs moving offshore, "just zero sum understanding," states Pitts. One would think with a $700 billion trade deficit, jobs outsourced at an alarming rate, perhaps it's time for a responsible trade policy and it is Mr. Pitts with zero sum understanding. I believe this begs the question, a man that has broken his pledge, received over a million dollars in corporate contributions, his lack of concern for our out-of-control trade polices, who is Congressman Joe Pitts representing? Do we really want our congressman in the 16th District to be a career politician that is beholden to corporate America, or to ALL citizens of our district? Washington is severely broken, it's time to clean house, and it's time for true representative government once again. We should expect no less from our representatives.

It was a revolution that founded this country and we are at a time it will take a revolution to recapture this country. Voting for the same political parties has taken its toll on our Constitutional Republic; we certainly need change, however, not just a change of party, but a change in character, a change for representative government. I am running as an Independent with the Constitution Party, if you feel I am worthy of your vote and trust me in this important position, and I am blessed to be the next Congressman of the 16th District of Pennsylvania, I will pledge the following:

1. I will serve only four terms.

2. I will Vote according to the Constitution (America's Interest) to the best of my ability.

3. I will never vote for a congressional pay hike


Signed

Dan Frank
October 1, 2007