Standing Tall for True Political Reform

By Michael Patrick Murphy

Because unethical activities will find their way around all reform legislation, reform must be offered by the candidates themselves and then supported by a responsible and informed electorate.

Instead, voters must choose candidates that "Stand Tall." They must refuse endorsements and contributions from all special interests. They must post their record and campaign funding information on their website. In my case, it will be my job to represent the people of District 4 and vote accordingly, something that has not been done since the State was founded and run by the Railroad magnates. Since that time, big business, big government and big special interests have literally been running our great state, which I understand was at one time the 3rd largest economy in the world and now has fallen to the 5th to 7th largest economy in the world.

The challenge will be to get my message to the people of District 4 without using the massive funds that will be offered and accepted by most candidates. This year, I assume new records will be hit in the contribution arena. I don't want to be beholden to such contributors. In addition, for the same reasons, I will not accept endorsements of any kind.

Regardless of my own thoughts and feelings, I realize that it is ALL the people of my district that will be paying my salary, which, thanks to a raise that the Assembly has given itself, will be well over $100,000 per year. I owe it to ALL the people of District 4 to give them true representation and return last year's Assembly raise seeking voter approval of all future Assembly raises.. Should I win, it will be a lesson to other candidates and hopefully start a trend in honest, transparent and accountable campaigns.

In the end, It is literally up to the people of District 4. They must choose to break with tradition and "business as usual" to "Stand Tall" and take responsibility for their government by backing those that don't take the money. Either way, in the end, we will get exactly the kind of government we deserve.