Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 70

I believe in the principle that Americans are gradually losing the liberties our founders gave us by not vigilantly cherishing the ones we still have. For example, from the perspective of my years behind the wheel, Americans should have the freedom to use a cell phone while driving just as long as people are allowed to distract themselves by talking to passengers in their vehicles (or by daydreaming, for that matter!). Motorcycle riders should be allowed to ride without helmets as long as they are able to pay for their injuries without government assistance. And our lives should not be constrained by the penalties of traffic infractions in cases where no other citizen was affected: speeding CAN be done safely (on a 3am smooth freeway, for example), accidentally running a "pink" light rarely causes the accidents supported by today's whopping fines, and carpool lanes and toll roads are a waste of space and concrete -- especially during off-peak hours.

From another angle, the criminality of smoking a cigarette in a bar should not be determined by those trying to protect the health of saloon employees; the popularity of smoke-free rooms and the wishes of the patrons should guide whether our lives shall be denied yet another pleasure. In all of these examples, there should be no crime until victims are identified in each instance, and I assert that willing participants cannot justly be called "unwitting victims" later.

Though "campaign finance reform" doesn't seem to curry much excitement with the voting populace, it is the root of what ails all the movements to improve our lives through government. Taxation with representation demands that solutions to our problems be based on what the frugal majority of citizens might suggest rather than the big-spending ideas of those who have money to throw away on political campaigns and the politicians it buys. Candidates' ideas should be publicized equally no matter how much money they have; there are worse things than poverty, and a cash-poor candidate could the best values and qualities toward casting votes in our legislatures. Once candidates are identified as being qualified for a particular ballot, each should have the same ability to participate in debates, voter guides, and advertising. The dictum that "money is free speech" is grossly false since speech is an infinite resource. Once money is required to reproduce that speech in the finite arena of advertising, "buying time" replaces someone else's ability to speak. And the opinion of those that sell the advertising space seem to have the final word on who gets to speak!

I doubt that I will be submitting any position papers to this wonderful forum because I believe in being more read-worthy by being brief. I invite any voter having questions to call me at 714.731.1311. As a cab driver, I sleep odd hours, but calling this number never disturbs me unless I'm available. Thank you for your time!

Ray Mills (aka in taxis as "The Joker" -- since 1992)