Political Philosophy for Kenneth J. Thomas

Candidate for
State Representative; District 17

Political Philosophy/Approach

I am a candidate for state representative in the Arizona Legislature because the people of this area must have an alternative to the incumbents at the state capital. For the past two elections, there has been no real choice of candidates in Legislative District 17. The incumbents have been unopposed. A careful look at their records in the legislature convinced me that they have not represented the interests of regular people. The failure of the incumbents to address the needs of Arizona's children is particularly alarming. It took four years for the incumbents to finally pass a law which meets constitutional requirements set by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the meantime, we saw corporate tax relief bills disguised as school funding bills. These sort of political maneuvers made me vow to throw my own hat into the ring and campaign for an effective state government which actually solves problems. For all Arizonans, the goals I will stand up and fight for include:

1. Safe, effective public schools which respond to local citizen involvement.
2. Healthy, safe, homes for families and children.
3. Neighborhoods where crime and illegal drug use are not tolerated.
4. Respect for the liberties of each citizen and the rights of all individuals.
5. Individual control of quality health care and regulation of the power of HMOs.
6. Protection of citizen's retirement security and military veteran's hard-earned benefits.
7. Open land around our communities where farms and wildlife can prosper.
8. Reliable supplies of pure water for homes, business, schools and recreation.
9. New technologies and level-headed approaches for cleaner air.

I have been told that my background and stances on issues sometimes don't appear to be those expected from Democrats. The question I hear sometimes is "Are you sure you're a Democrat?"

The answer is that I certainly am. But I hope that citizens who are registered Republicans or independents will decide that I am a candidate they would like to vote for. Many political concepts have been distorted over the last decade or so. Talk-radio personalities, right-wing politicians, and other pundits have encouraged divisive attitudes and somehow sold a very unfavorable image of Democrats. This image is very false, of course. There are Democrats serving in the armed forces, volunteering for community programs, owning small businesses, investing in corporate stocks, holding strong feelings about individual liberty, and wanting to see the United States remain a strong, vibrant nation, just as most Republicans and independent voters do. These are American goals, not just goals of a particular party. The party affiliation is important primarily when looking at a candidate's comprehensive approach to achieving goals. I have always felt that in general, the Democratic Party represents this nation's working families and promotes the concept of Americans caring about and helping each other when needed. I usually feel most at home with the programs advocated by Democrats. Still, in past elections, I have occasionally voted for individual Republicans whose integrity and ideas I respected. Most of my family and many of my friends are Republicans. But this is Arizona, and I know that party registration doesn't always determine how Arizonans really vote or feel about an individual candidate. If elected, I will work with both Democratic and Republican legislators to solve problems and to get the job done in the most efficient, effective way.

Civic renewal is the theme of our legislative campaign. It is a focus on reviving a civic approach to life and government in Arizona. The emphasis is on personal invovlement within the community, individual responsibility, concern for others, a desire for excellence in public service, cooperation, volunteerism, and programs to promote the improvement and progress of our state, communities, and families. This contrasts with approaches by so many politicians today, who reinforce and promote negative trends in our society:

• divisiveness & exclusiveness
• a shift towards handing over public programs and tax money to profit-making contractors
• unconcern for neighbors and others around us
• a retreat from problem-solving
• indifference towards the poverty and problems of children & the elderly
• an unwillingness to compromise or listen
• a focus upon ideology rather than practical solutions that are fair & effective
• emphasis on special interests instead of the community & society as a whole.