Topic: Government Accountability
MAYDAY! Jake Towne for US Congress, Pennsylvania 15th District (UPDATED 5/30) "Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it." - Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independenceby Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution
(libertarian)
Friday, May 1, 2009
The reason this column exists because I am passionate about restoring freedom and liberty in America. After today, and after the next 19 months, let it not be said that I held back from entering the arena.
I am running for US Congress, and am both willing and capable to represent the citizens of eastern Pennsylvania's District 15. I have been personally outraged by what Congress, our Presidents, and the Federal Reserve has done over the last few decades and I deem their collective actions as oppressive and tyrannical. As there is no hope for my concerns and grievances to be addressed by the current government, I've decided to make myself available and talk and discuss ideas with whoever wants to consider me to represent them.
Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our country was conceived in liberty as promised in the rebellious Declaration of Independence sent to a tyrannical King. This promise was fulfilled by the Constitution. We have forgotten that just a hundred years ago the only contact many Americans had with their government was at the post office. Now?
Now, the government leaches away a majority of our paychecks and has launched a military empire so vast Caesar would be jealous! The federal government literally stole and outlawed lawful money - gold and silver coin - from the people and has insidiously lessened its purchasing power by replacing it with irredeemable scraps of paper. Furthermore, all of our currency is simply debt, and by forcing Federal Reserve Notes to circulate as legal tender, a yoke of servitude has been placed over the necks of our children. Thirty years ago, the federal government overrode state and local usury laws, resulting in insane 20%, 25%, 30% interest rates. The unelected central banking cartels have manipulated interest rates and enriched themselves, Government Sachs, and much of Wall Street at taxpayer expense. This parasitic process has continued for decades, and has only become plainly apparent to the public in the last year or so.
Complicit Congresses and power-grabbing Presidents in league with the Federal Reserve have grown Eisenhower's military-industrial complex into an out-of-control war machine that does not heed its constitutional limits. The so-called Department of Defense is instead the Ministry of War, and our national defense is instead entrusted to a gigantic bureaucracy named the Department of Homeland Security, led by those who label dissidents such as myself who recognize a better path for our country - freedom - as dangerous domestic terrorists, or rightwing extremists. (photo)
Now, the federal government has seized prisoners on suspicions of terrorism and repeatedly denied natural rights that are explicitly protected in the Bills of Rights - a speedy and public trial by jury, no unreasonable search and seizures, and no infliction of torture - and held them for the better part of a decade. The government can intercept your private communications and papers and examine your credit card bills. The IRS lauds your "voluntary compliance" while instilling fear in every honest American that they can be hauled to prison or ruined for failing to obey a complex, 7,500 page tax code. This continues on and on - they infringe upon the right to bear arms, specify which brand-new molecules with long lists of side effects you can imbibe, outright forbid some drugs, while heavily taxing yet other drugs like alcohol. It is ridiculous that the very last grievance I will list is billions upon trillions of wasteful and irresponsible federal spending of our taxes, as well as non-stop deficit spending.
As a first-time candidate for political office, I am fairly unknown. To introduce myself, I was born and raised in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. I attended Nazareth High where I was active in sports and spoke at my class's graduation. Then-US Congressman Paul McHale awarded me the annual Citizenship Award. I attended Lehigh University and graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a minor in the classics. Following college, I moved to California and worked at a supplier in the semiconductor industry. After three years, I was promoted to process engineering supervisor and helped this company expand its production overseas to Asia where almost all of our customers now are. After nearly four years of living outside America in communist China, besides learning to speak a fairly decent Mandarin, I lost my political apathy in 2007 when it became quite apparent the 2006 Democratic Party victory in Congress did not result - as the majority of voters demanded and expected - that our armies set a timetable for vacating Iraq.
That fall, I became familiar with presidential candidate Ron Paul, whose policy on the War of Terror was a breath of fresh air - the troops should "just come home." In the beginning of 2008, I began writing mostly antiwar articles. Like a well-trained engineer I sought the root cause, which I now firmly believe is our country's monetary and foreign policies. In March 2009, I resigned my job and repatriated home to live with my family and have some fun by running for Congress.
This campaign will not be typical.
I am running as a citizen, not as part of the Duopoly - As I am highly critical of how both Republican and Democratic politicians have behaved over the past decade, I cannot associate myself as a candidate with either party. What I offer to the citizens of the 15th district, and many do belong to the main parties, is a true independent voice and ear. Whatever your age, gender, political party, or beliefs are, we are all citizens, and most of us are quite interested in a better country for ourselves and future generations. As I learned a year ago, the very terms "conservative" and "liberal" are just verbal terms used to divide.
Focus on Votes and Education, Not Raising Money - Actually, I am not even accepting donations at this time. (UPDATE 8/09 - TowneForCongress.com is now accepting donations from individuals.) I feel the most important task at hand is meeting people, discussing and presenting my thoughts. Besides winning, the intent of my campaign is to educate, discuss, and reach as many people as possible with my ideas, as well as listening and collecting ideas from everyone.
Not a Career Politician - Unless there is an earlier special election, I will stand for the 2010 election. If elected, I would plan to run again in 2012, but following this I would most likely not run again. I harbor no intentions of becoming a "career politician." My aim is to serve as a temporary statesman and representative and then get the heck out of government. I am more mindful than most of the sad truth behind "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." As collateral for this assurance, if elected, I will not enlist in the Congressional pension plan, which guarantees members up to 80% of their salary in annual pension. I believe this is fiscally irresponsible and too lucrative. The current salary for a seat in the US Congress is $174,000, which I also view as too lucrative given the current purchasing power of the dollar, so obviously I would act to reduce Congress's salary - how can the people believe Congress will tighten the purse-strings on government if Congress fails to start with itself?
I am perfectly fine with speaking to either individuals or groups. Within the district, feel free to invite me to speak to yourself, or your group - colleagues, students, neighbors, clubs, church, sports team, political gatherings/meetings, assisted living centers or nursing homes, teachers, PTAs, chambers of commerce, even high schoolers (Obviously check first with your school officials to make sure this is permitted, and the subject matter can be solely factual and solely educational - like how the Federal Reserve works, or the origins of money and credit, or heck I like kids - I can teach them some basic Chinese :) I will make these talks as engaging and entertaining as I can!!
My preferred method is one of the following presentations (each is probably 30-60 minutes) followed or preceded by speech about my platform - I hope to get this to about 5-10 minutes. Any topic can be discussed of course from social security to health care, but the below are topics where I have the most understanding. It is my hope that these discussions will be two-way learning sessions - by no means am I an expert on everything, I am just a person like everyone else!
Re: My Personal Experience of Living in China - Church-going, Freedom, One Child Policy, Thoughts on Economy and Relations with the USA, Taiwan, and Japan
My campaign is quite literally a one-person show at the moment, so free help and ideas will be gladly accepted. I can be reached here and please let me know if you would like to join my mailing list. If you like, please join the campaign's Facebook page here. If you would like to assist me by emailing any of the following local media (or recommend any others), feel free!
I strongly believe that disrespect for the Constitution and the rule of law has no place in a free and open society. If you would like to meet someone who will champion the Constitution and act to restore the Republic, just ask!
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
As always, unlike the NFL, the author grants full permission to allow any accounts of, rebroadcasts, retransmissions, repostings in part or full of this article to your blog or anywhere else in order to promote the Restoration of our Republic.
Veritas numquam perit. Veritas odit moras. Veritas vincit. Truth never perishes. Truth hates delay. Truth conquers.
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito. Do not give in to evil but proceed ever more boldly against it.
The views expressed in this
article are those of Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Congratulations. Hey, my family roots are from the 15th. I should do a complete family search and get them to vote for you! Best of Luck. Are you running against that Dent guy?
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-05-02 08:59:45
Jahfre -
Maybe it will! I am well aware of your views from your column, and also the marginalization effect outside of the Rep/Dem parties. Having principles makes things a bit tougher, but on the bright side I will make it by the primaries. If you have any advice, feel free to write it or email me.
gene -
Yes, from the FEC documents it looks like Congressman Dent will run again as a Republican.
Too bad I don't live in Pennsylvania, or I'd vote for you and maybe even campaigne for you, Jake. Hey, as long as we can do even more damage to the dying Republican Party, I'm all for it!
Posted By: Rhode to Surfdom
Date: 2009-05-04 12:51:48
Jake-
Knowing is half the battle as G.I. Joe would say and your education should serve you well in your campaign. It's good to see that some individuals haven't accepted the status quo and are willing to get up and work for a better future.
I would recommend accepting donations as it may help spread your message and I'm sure people have some fiat currency they would be willing to part with in order to spread the truth.
The people of the 15th are lucky to have you.
Good luck and let us know what we can do to help out!
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-05-04 14:15:50
Dear Rhode to Surfdom -
Thanks man, perhaps I will later on. I've read through the FEC docs and since I do not have a website or anyone else to help out, taking donations isn't a good idea at the moment.
Besides, after they hear what I have to say, they'll probably just buy silver and gold with it, which is fine by me!
Posted By: Sonic Ninja Kitty
Date: 2009-05-09 20:21:14
Hi Jake,
I have been reading your excellent articles for a few weeks now. You are exactly the type of representative people need. I wish I lived in your area so I could campaign and vote for you--perhaps ACORN can register me there a few times so I can, lol!
Best of luck--you would be an awesome representative!!!
Posted By: From Your Neighbor!
Date: 2009-05-17 17:33:22
Jake,
Congratulations to you! The 15th District needs someone to spear head the preservation of the Constitution and America. Call me so we can get together and look at how I can help.
I envy your district for having a truly Constitutional candidate!
No donations? Let us know if there is anything we can do to support your efforts.
Until then will keep fighting for our Constitution at home.
Should you be one of the few who can truthfully utter the words of the oath of office- your constituents will be near your home- but there are many others across our nation who would gladly claim you as representing them in our government process also.
What passion and honesty! I am saluting you right now.
Every single one at work that made comments about you has always been how caring and helpful a person you are - totally proven by me and Arbett when we were in China. I know literally a handful of people so caring, so real and down to earth - one of the few is YOU. It's truly a privilege to have known you.
Jake, so glad to see you run for Congress!!!! The system today is one big web of compromised scum!!! so glad you are not in either party because that is how we the people extricate ourselves and our posterity. So sad can't vote for you.
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-06-15 08:19:24
Nenette and Eugene -
Thanks a lot for your comments!
Eugene -
The decision to stay not affiliated with either major party was well thought out with a list of pros and cons. One of the cons was that being unaffiliated hurts my chances of winning and I lose the services of the party election personnel.
The fact that I can't live with being (grin) a piece of "compromised scum" is a big reason I stayed away. If I do win, it will obviously be solely because of the message I have and my principles
Posted By: No Name Supplied
Date: 2009-10-15 04:07:38
Simply put, I am for liberty. I also care very much about my family and home. I believe all individuals have the right to live their own lives in whatever manner aquarium light they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the rights of others to live in whatever manner they choose. I view economic liberties and personal liberties are indivisible, parts of a greater whole. America’s history is certainly not unblemished, but, having traveled over much of the world, the values of peace, prosperity and freedom originating christmas lights from the Founding Fathers is unlike anywhere else (though my hunch is we will need many “Founding Mothers” this time around!). We are free. Or rather,Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our country was conceived in liberty as promised in the rebellious Declaration of Independence sent to a desk lamp tyrannical King. This promise was fulfilled by the Constitution. We have forgotten that just a hundred years ago the only contact many Americans had with their government was at the post office. Now?
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Simply put, I am for liberty. I also care very much about my family and home. 
Complicit Congresses and power-grabbing Presidents in league with the Federal Reserve have grown Eisenhower's military-industrial complex into an out-of-control war machine that does not heed its constitutional limits. The so-called Department of Defense is instead the Ministry of War, and our national defense is instead entrusted to a gigantic bureaucracy named the Department of Homeland Security, led by those who label dissidents such as myself who recognize a better path for our country - freedom - as dangerous domestic terrorists, or 
What is Money?