Standing Tall for Responsible Citizenship

By Michael Patrick Murphy

When we ask government to do something for us, please consider the cost of the request and then consider the total value.

To date, the average American family owes $500,000 or more to the government. I know it doesn't show on your credit report, but you still owe the money and if you could pay off your portion of the debt today, what would you really have left? Would you have the car you're driving or the home you live in? Wouldn't you start to look a little more like a third world citizen?

From cities to counties to states to the federal government, we Americans are all living off of the proceeds from a giant credit card. Our percent of Gross National Product that is debt is greater than the total Gross National Products of many countries combined and far greater than the percents of GNP owed by 90% of the countries on the planet despite our government's efforts to create debt in those countries.

This is why I urge Alpine, El Dorado, Placer and Sacramento voters to consider the costs, debt and value before urging me to charge your government credit card for "pretty, nice and fun things," especially during this time of war. Please pay attention to your candidates at every level and consider their records on social spending.

In the assembly, I will vote as you decide I should. However, I guarantee a better result if you stay informed and act accordingly.

I recommend that you ask me to vote towards a more responsible state government that does a few things well rather than so many things badly.

I will keep my record, from campaign funding to voting, on my website so you can see what I'm doing at a glance. Look at the other candidate websites and encourage them to do the same, even after they get in office. My priority is to keep my door open to your input as a citizen over the wishes of developers and other special interests. It's your District and I intend to put "You the People" in charge of it. This will create a more responsible and connected electorate. It's like the difference between owning your own home and renting. When you own, you have pride of ownership. You feel like taking more care of the yard. You get to hang your own pictures on the walls. You're more careful with money because you don't want to lose your equity. Taking ownership of your district is similar. You will care more about it. After years of feeling that your government is out of control, becoming an informed and active electorate will mean a few hours less television and a few more hours becoming responsible for your world. I'm not saying that it will be easy to change. Change never is. But when we "Stand Tall," we'll feel better about ourselves and those that represent us. I hope you'll join me in this effort to give you more say in the direction our District goes.