Candidate for
United States Representative; District 49

Politics in a democracy is not a spectator sport. Safeguarding our way of life requires the participation of all of us. Unfortunately, however, as our country grew from its agrarian roots into a wealthy industrial nation, politics evolved into a full-time career for many, who became increasingly dependent upon moneyed patrons to remain in office. As that happened and as policy makers became further removed from the people who elected them, voters often felt their government was less responsive and their representatives, less interested in constituents' concerns.

There was good reason for voters to feel that way: They were becoming, in fact if not by law, disenfranchised, cast aside by both major political parties who have allowed our democracy to be hijacked by wealthy individuals and corporations.

The good news is that we can change this, but only through our own determined efforts to make our voices heard. With the growth of the Occupy movement, it became apparent to me that the electorate has become more aware of how their interests are being not only ignored, but actually subverted by representatives in Congress.

I have been a political activist since my undergraduate days, continuing through law school at UCLA and then working in several areas of human rights during my practice of law. Seeing what is happening in our government and seeing large groups protesting against the status quo, I felt the time was right to offer voters a nonpartisan alternative to the two major political parties. Hence, my decision to run as a progressive independent, seeking to put forth sensible solutions in a country beset by unprecedented financial and political problems.

I believe the purpose of government is to serve 100 percent of its populace. This requires from those elected an openness to others, independence of thought, and willingness to work with those whose opinions and priorities are different from our own. The job of political leaders is to find solutions, not to create gridlock which merely compounds problems.

Accordingly, if elected, I would support an agenda which focuses on meeting our pressing domestic needs, such as job creation, infrastructure upgrades, and education, as well as humanitarian needs around the world. Much could be accomplished with a rational reduction in defense spending and the use of those funds to relieve suffering and make positive improvements at home and abroad.