Candidate for
United States Representative; District 8

My political beliefs are centered upon one firm foundation: that the United States represents the best, not only of what the world has to offer, but of what the world has, except for Eden, EVER offered. Our Founders had the experience, knowledge, wisdom and political skill to bequeath us a form of government that allows both individuals and institutions to develop to their utmost capacity. Does this mean we can't do any better? NO! It means we MUST do better because we not only have the framework, but the obligation, to do so.

In making our country a better place we must first realize that it's OUR country. New Age and Utopian philosophies aside, we do not yet live in a world unified either by language, moral standards or purpose. The reality, now and during our lifetimes, is that the United States leads the world in economic, military and moral might. It is no crime or failure that other nations lag behind, unless by corruption or other misdeeds their leaders chose to bring them there. We have the most tolerant society ever seen on this planet, the strongest and the most advanced in all areas of commerce. As Americans, we are charged with the obligation of maintaining our superiority in these areas, not surrendering it to others less equipped or less nobly motivated. If nothing else, the events of September 11th should have convinced anyone who thought otherwise that there is evil in the world and that evil does not come from within the U.S. While we offer our friendship freely and without expectation of gain, we recognize that we neither can nor should interfere in the inner workings of other countries by trying to solve all their problems. Except to prevent other nations' actions and policies from harming us or our allies, we have enough to keep us busy here at home.

Because of this, we as Americans must accept the responsibility for keeping our nation great. Merely accepting responsibility is not enough, though; we have to actively work at it! We do so by becoming involved in the daily workings of our society, whether through seeking elected office, as I do here, or in any one of the other ways in which we conduct ourselves as responsible citizens. In short, we stay informed and we make informed choices about the direction in which our country will go.

We also stay involved and do so at all levels. We stay involved by keeping abreast of the important and wide-ranging issues affecting all of us to the local concerns impacting our daily lives. We vote in elections and urge everyone to do so by our personal conduct as well. We try to set an example, because we appreciate that our values are exemplary. We appreciate what we've achieved in this country and hold it up for other nations to emulate as much as we seek to protect and improve it ourselves.

There's a common thread here: responsibility, on both the personal and corporate level, and not just in the business sense, although that is certainly a part of it. We have responsibilities as individuals to conduct ourselves as befits the citizens of the greatest nation on earth, and we have a group responsibility to ensure that we maintain that position as a unified nation, not a collection of diverse, competing special interests. We have a responsibility as a nation of business people to ensure that we produce the best products and services as efficiently as possible, and not just because it leads to higher profits, but because that too sets an example for others, and then again us, to profit from. We have a responsibility to maintain a strong defense because we have important values and institutions worth defending.

We have a responsibility to maintain the world's fairest legal system and keep it open to all who work within it in good faith. We do so by discouraging frivolous lawsuits, whether they be commenced by misnamed and misguided "pro bono" groups, whose work benefits only themselves and not the public at large, or selfish organizations and individuals who seek to manipulate business through the courts instead of through its proper forum, the marketplace. We craft our laws to encourage both sides to any suit to settle it instead of rushing off to court to litigate it, and we ensure those laws give both sides real incentives to settle, not just toothless ones. We also show our respect for and responsibility in maintaining this legal system by cooperating with those who are charged with enforcing it, and actively participating in bringing to justice those who would abuse and demean it.

In concrete terms, terms that directly affect San Francisco, the one flaw underlying our urban ills is the lack of oversight. From the top down, from Congress, throughout City Hall, to the lowest rung of the governmental ladder, San Francisco is a one-party town where the same politicians have promoted and protected each other for decades. Thus it's no surprise that the SF Housing Authority frequently makes news with financial and managerial scandals. With a D.A. in office who ignores laws on the books and refuses to prosecute quality of life crimes, it's no wonder that entire neighborhoods have become dangerous and unhealthy preserves for criminal predators and San Francisco stands last among major California cities in solving crimes. With a mayor safe from investigation by that D.A. or from state or federal oversight by members of his own machine, he can and continues to to make ridiculous appointments of completely unqualified people to mismanage key components of our government. That's why when we find ballot boxes floating in the bay, her department exceeding its budget by millions of dollars, and disappointingly low voter turnout, the head of the Department of Elections says "not to worry" and goes her merry way without fear of accountability. As your Congressman, I will work closely and aggressively with federal and state officials to promote the oversight and strict accountability that San Francisco so sorely needs if it is to be reformed. At the same time, I will provide my own oversight over our Republican Congress and Administration to see that they do not exceed their authority or disparage or deny San Franciscans the rights and privileges we have come to accept as our own.

As you can see, my political philosophy is grounded upon a deep sense of personal responsibility. JFK indeed got it right when he admonished us to "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country." I remember watching him on TV as he spoke boldy and bareheaded that January day in 1961 when I was eight years old. I took his message to heart then and I've kept it alive within me since. I now offer it to you as the basis for how I would serve you and our country in the future, just as I offer my record to date for how I have in the past.

Please click on the blue "More Biographical Information" star to learn my position on specific issues. If you're interested in contributing to my campaign, please do so! Make checks payable to "Mike German for Congress" ($1,000.00 limit per donor per campaign) and mail them to:

"Mike German for Congress" 1839 15th Street - #451 San Francisco, CA 94103-2280

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