| Why Run As An Independent |
Running as an independent certainly comes with many inherent disadvantages. It has made the challenge greater, but I felt like it was necessary to establish that Tennesseans do not have to settle for the best Democrat or best Republican. They should expect and demand the best person for the job. I also believe that in the current environment that real solutions are more likely to be found outside the two established parties. It is my belief that our political landscape is broken. Both parties have long ago dropped any pretense of representing the people. They only care about expanding their political power and being reelected. The Republicans oppose any idea championed by the Democrats no matter its merit. The Democrats likewise oppose any proposal brought forth by the Republicans. The resulting deadlock is in no ones best interest. It would almost be humorous except for the fact that these two sides are responsible for running our government and passing a strong nation down to our children. The ill will the two parties direct at each other is also ironic if you examine how they conduct themselves. While they are perceived by their adherents to have radically different agendas, when you examine their policies they are actually very similar. Tennesseans, as well as Americans, are expected to choose their leaders from between a party that stands for big government, high taxes, and corruption and a party that stands for bigger government, higher taxes, and corruption. In the past we have not been given a real choice. No matter how well intentioned candidates have been, when they achieve office they are seemingly forced into being party puppets. This is especially disappointing when you consider the elected office of governor. The framers of the constitution envisioned the state government as being able to be a bulwark against the inevitable growth in both power and size of the federal government. When we are forced to elect a party puppet it diminishes us and it diminishes our democracy. It is a two party system and they desperately want to keep it that way. They do not want you to have a choice because they realize instinctively that people would rather choose someone who would serve their constituents and not a party. Both parties have mistakenly come to the conclusion that people exist to provide them with budget dollars that they can squander as they please. When they burn through that, they cry out for more taxes so they repeat the process. As a result our spending power diminishes, businesses are being forced overseas, and our society is declining before our very eyes. They have only themselves to blame for the mess this nation is in because they created it. As citizens it is naïve to have any remote hope that they could find solutions when they are the problem itself. We no longer have statesmen; we have politicians. We no longer have representation; we have exploitation. That is why I am running as an independent and why I want to serve our Tennessee homeland.
Brandon Dodds
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" Tennesseans, as well as Americans, are expected to choose their leaders from between a party that stands for big government, high taxes, and corruption and a party that stands for bigger government, higher taxes, and corruption. "
Brandon Dodds
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
Winston Churchill