Independent Campaign for Governor of Indiana 2008

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http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806070328

http://purdueexponent.org/?module=article&story_id=10621

http://politics1.com/in.htm

http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G08/IN.phtml

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=109652

http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/ELECTION01/80819033

Citizens of Indiana,

I am running for Governor of Indiana in 2008 as an Independent Candidate. I am
originally from South Florida and I am a Junior who is a double major in
Communications and Political Science at Purdue University.

I am running as an Independent because it will allow me to be myself and to
speak my mind without having a party telling me what to say or do. This
campaign is all about Independence, freedom, and liberty which this country is
based on. Political parties were not even in the constitution and only cause
division. Every person is an independent, you cannot simply paint everyone
with the same brush. People are Republican on some issues, while Democratic on
others. There are more than just two sides to an issue.

I think it is time we put an end to bitter partisanship in order to get things
done for the people of Indiana. The best way to truely unite the state is to
elect an Independent Governor. A member of a political party cannot do this
because in order for them to suceed the other party has to fail which paralyzes the
process and system. An Independent Governor with a Democratic House and a Republican
Senate is the perfect structure for a Government. We will not only set an
example for the state, but for the country. Also, my mom is a Democrat and my
dad is a Republican and I love both of them. I could not choose one over the
other.

The top issue in this election is Property Taxes. There is a major crisis
going on right now especially in the Marion County/Indianapolis area. Rates
have zoomed up causing people not to be able to pay their bills and
mortgages forcing them to foreclose their homes and leave the state. I would
provide much needed property tax relief to these people without raising the
sales tax and without cutting much needed programs. Governor Daniels is raising taxes
again which can only stunt economic growth. He has constantly raised taxes
over and over again in this state.
 
I have a television show titled "Full Stried Ahead" which the title also
serves as my campaign slogan as well. The TV show airs Monday nights at 10pm
through the cable company Comcast on channel 13 in Tippecanoe County and on
channel 3 in Howard County.  It also airs in Monroe County on Thursdays at
10:30pm. I have been doing the show for over a year and a half now.

If elected I will become the youngest Governor in the history of America. Now
I am only 21 years old and have only been a resident for 4 years. In the
Indiana Constitution it says you have to be 30 years old and atleast a 5 year
resident to become Governor of Indiana. So I am going to need two
Constitutional amendments changing the age from 30 years old to 18 years old
and residency from 5 years to 4 years in order for me to get sworn in.

Now if I am elected and the two Constitutional amendments have not passed then
the vacancy would be filled by the elected Lt. Governor who is eligible and he
would serve until the amendments pass.

Thank You,
Christopher Stried


Property Taxes:

I would like to repeal property taxes without raising taxes elsewhere and without cutting much needed programs. With the elimination of property taxes, people will have a lot more money to spend with in which the government will get back through the sales tax. Also with the mortgage crisis going on in the country, a state without property taxes would be very attractive and enticing for people and businesses to move to the state of Indiana which can only contribute to the state economy. We need to turn the state of Indiana where people drive to, instead of through. Governor Daniels' property tax plan was nowhere near enough and on top of that he is raising the sales tax which stunts and thwarts consumer spending which is the biggest source of income for the government. Homeowners and business owners are tired of property tax assessors pulling numbers out of the thin air telling them how much their rates have increased. Homeowners are at the beckon will of property tax assessors, they are helpless and vulnerable to them. Property tax payers need someone to come to their rescue, and I am that person. The mortgage crisis going on in the country is more of a state issue than a federal one. The federal government does not deal with property taxes, the states do. If I am elected, we will take the lead and set an example for the country.

Education:

Indianapolis has one of the worst if not the worst graduation rates for high schools in the country. Only 30% of students who start out as freshman graduate. That is 3 students for every 10. Hang your head in shame Governor Daniels, that is atrocious and despicable. Now a dropout doesn’t necessarily forebode a person being a failure in life. Bill Gates dropped out, and Steve Jobs who created Apple was apart of the hippie movement and smoked a lot of marijuana dropped out.

As far as school is concerned, you have your elementary where you learn the basics of reading and math which is fine. But after that, students are memorizing their way through school, instead of learning. I can't recall how many students use the notecard method of memorizing. Students memorize answers to questions, when they couldn't tell you anything about those answers. As fast as students cram it in, it's just as fast to leave the brain as soon as that test is over. Teachers spit the information to the student, and they spit it back. We need to get back to learning and getting the students thinking instead of just focusing on grades. Kids spend all their stress and worrying on grades, instead of having a relaxing mindset that has a thirst for knowledge. Students need a better layout, students dont know how the material they are being taught helps them later in life. High schools should start getting more career oriented with construction, cooking, and other hands on activities. Just because someone can't understand calculus or algebra, does not mean they will be a failure in life. Just because a student isn't good in calculus or algebra, does not mean they do not have strengths and talents in other areas. They should be rewarded in those other areas, and not kept behind because they don't do well in one area.

Other info:

The Lt. Governor is Fallon O'Brien, a military veteran who served in the Air Force. He is 48 years old, married to a woman who also served in the Air Force, and father of a son and a daughter. His daughter currently serves in the Air Force. He is currently involved with a business that recycles old cell phones and batteries and 100% of the profits goes towards disabled veterans.

Now if I am elected and the two Constitutional amendments have not passed then the vacancy would be filled by the elected Lt. Governor who is eligible and he would serve until the amendments pass.