My Aspirations For Change:

Leading the movement of #TakingPoliticsOutOfPolitics.

I am running for U.S. Representative in Congress for Michigan’s 3rd District. The district in which I am a native to and part of a country I am proud of. I am seeking this position in order to support the community I came from as well as America.

I am a proud American. This country has blessed so many lives with opportunities beyond our wildest dreams.

As Lincoln once said “The government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth”. We can all agree this has already happened.

The majority of these politicians are so far out of touch with reality, even with their undivided attention, will not be able to keep our best interest at heart.

We have recently suffered a catastrophe at the hands of ill-advised decisions made by the elected leaders in our state of Michigan. This now nationally known Flint Water Crisis is such a tragedy for thousands of human lives. The men, women and children of this city have put their trust in the hands of these leaders, only to have their lives shattered and forever impacted. They will have life long impacts as a result of this abuse of power and lackadaisical leadership. Transparency, accountability and stringent expectations are a necessity for our government.

As much as some of us would like to blame and point fingers at our leaders, I have come to this conclusion. The high rate at which these calamities occur are a result of the distance transpiring between politicians and people--this has to cease. The optimal method in which this transpires is through the restoration of normality to our elected positions. Individuals whom share the same communities, amenities, schools, walks of life, etcetera.

How can you sincerely show empathy for those you have never shared these walks of life with? While this behavior is unfathomable for us, this is due to divergence between the common American and our elected leaders. We don’t need elected officials with the belief they are imperious to the constituents who elected them, nevertheless we need civil servants who feel they are indebted to the residents of this country.

How long must us Americans sit in stoicism while this contingent of elected leaders quarrel with policies, laws and rights that this country desperately needs addressed. Our government can no longer administer without prioritizing the essential and vital tasks at hand. We need leaders with a sense of urgency--not complacency.

All too often we are looking at very similar candidates running for office-- disconnected from reality, entitled, puppets for special interest groups and lobbyist. We must free ourselves of this preconceived notion that we can only elect officials with name recognition by ways of money, advertising and political backgrounds. Our awareness to this political inclination is at an all time high. We can see where traditional politicians and their antics have brought us and what outcome we have come to expect as the result of this. How has this worked for us thus far?

We have to wake up and use our inquisitive minds we were blessed with, something they are trying to suppress. Led by us millennials we are not as willing to comply to an idea that is preposterous. Raised in one of the most influential, self liberating, equality driven, humane eras in history, I am a proud millennial.

Do not let anyone pull the wool over your eyes. Look into the eyes of potential political candidates as they speak, to authenticate their sincerity and genuineness--eyes never lie.

We have to change this--we can change this. Support candidates that share the walks of life with you. It’s imperative to vote and let our voices be heard, before voter suppression antics take this birthright away from us.

There is not enough emphasis within the ideology of “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”. We must reincorporate these ethics.

We need to, as invested Americans give our best effort into either running for these elected positions, endorse those who are true advocates of us or inspire everyone to get involved. I am opting for all of these options. I will run to become a civil servant, endorse only those who wish to encourage a thriving livelihood and inspire full participation from everyone. Our government is to be comprised of civil servants, there is little reflection that this is currently the case.

We so desperately need change in the dynamics in which we are governed. Through the likes of support for our senior citizens, homeless, working class, veterans, minorities, youth and college students, in addition to others that are in need of attention. We also need innovation in our transportation, job development, educational and technological infrastructure as well as a wide array of other areas.

I am not your traditional candidate, this is true. I have no formal political background or part of a well-connected family. I am a father, son, brother, committee member, community activist, mentor, peer and volunteer who walks among the members of this district and has a true understanding of the struggles we all face. I am a product of my environment, an environment that promotes equality, independence, morals, values, family support as well as many other fine attributes.

I am no stranger to struggle and hardships. I was the oldest of eight children, one of them severely handicap with hydrocephalus, raised in a single parent home by our mother. As a young man this brought perspective as to what trials and tribulations truly meant. While I was the eldest I learned to take on an abundance of responsibilities, as all I ever wanted to do was lift the burden of worrisome from my mothers shoulders. This keen sense of leadership has transpired into why I will make a proficient U.S. Representative in Congress.

My mother did a prestigious job instilling morals and values imperative to becoming a genuine, sincere and compassionate person. Some of these I have incorporated into my daily approach in life are, treat others how you want to be treated, imagine yourself in the other persons shoes, be sincere and genuine. Now as these, accompanied alongside others seem simple, they are far too often not exhibited by our government. We need these morals and values restored, as this is what our country was built on.

I have recently journeyed up and down the streets of this district securing the signatures needed to get on the ballot for this upcoming election. This has been through the blistering cold, snow, rain and sunshine. Although I could have stood behind a volunteer group, which in due time I will require and rely on, I chose to take on this endeavor in hopes this would validate the integrity of my character. This has also presented an opportunity to bond with some of the residents of this district. I am inclined to work through any challenges and opposition, to stand up for and behind the people as well as what is equitable. I feel indebted to the preservation of humanity.

We have all heard numbers do not lie, this is true. Here is an intriguing fact for you. Those who say things like “what does my one vote count”or “it’s only one vote it won’t make a difference”, belong to the largest voting faction of voters out there--non-voters! We have to curtail this mindset. There are power in numbers, let that number be in voters, not dollars. You can be a millionaire or billionaire but when it comes to the voting booth we all have this in common--we are impartial. We are all equivalent to one vote.

We will all have moral obligations to contribute to this change as it would be unfeasible for any one individual to change this political regimen. Together with the right mindset, the right passion, the right leadership and the right ethics, it is inevitable that we can change the trajectory of our governments focal point.

Once the task of securing placement on the ballot is achieved. I will focus on laying out my policy platform for this district and the country, as well as convey the visions we all see in America’s future.

I would consider it an honorable duty to become a civil servant to the residents of this district and most importantly America.

It takes a lifetime to earn trust and only a second to lose it! I will not, in any way imperil this trust once you have bestowed it in me.

I treasure the opportunity to earn your trust, support and vote.

If you would like to learn how to support this movement, click here.

Your contribution is essential in supporting this movement, click here.

Together let’s initiate and establish real change!

Sincerely Yours,

Douglas Smith [The Peoples True Advocate]