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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Orange County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
Smart Voter Political Philosophy for Michael A. Burns

Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Yorba Linda

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

The Declaration of Independence states:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

The statement above forms the basis of our republican government and my political philosophy which consists of following:

  • The individual, not the government, can best make decisions for their personal lives.
  • The government, whose members are selected by the body of citizens, merely provides support for the individual.
  • The governmental body closest to home is better equipped to meet the needs of the citizens it represents.

Our government is instituted to protect our rights, secure our liberty and provide services that allow us to pursue happiness.

  • Once the government becomes the arbiter of rights, we, the citizens, lose our rights.
  • Once the government begins to restrict our freedoms, we, the citizens, lose our liberty.
  • Once the government regulates services to ineffectiveness, we, the citizens, lose our ability to pursue happiness.

The layers of government provide a support system for the citizen that allows the citizen to experience life, enjoy liberty, and pursue happiness.

  • The Local Government supports the individual directly.
  • The County Government supports the Cities within its boundaries.
  • The State Government supports the Counties that make up the state.
  • The Federal Government supports the States that make up this great Country of ours.

The separation of these layers is required. Once an upper layer takes on the role of a lower layer, the further government is removed from the citizens. Once the government is removed from the citizens, the government will become an arbiter of rights, restrict our freedoms, and regulate services to ineffectiveness.

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The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.
Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 23, 2004 22:06
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