Politics and m&ms have a lot in common. In the world of candy you
start with the foundation (chocolate or a peanut) and put a candy
coating on top. Not many people are going to buy nuts and chocolate
without the pretty coating and the trademark stamped on the outside.
At least thats what weve been taught.
In the political world the m&m stands for Message and Money. Again,
the foundation is what the campaign is made of and the candy coating
is all that marketing, management and money it takes to sell the
product.
I talked with a lot of people on the streets of Eugene today. We were
shooting video to put on the website. I was asking them what they want
from a politician. All said something about truth, honesty and
listening. To me, thats the message, the inside, and the milk
chocolate. Not one person said they wanted more candy coating. In
fact, most said, they would just as soon do without.
Are voters sick and tired of the trappings and ready for a simple
message? If given a chance would they really buy it or is that wishful
thinking? Im new to this political insiders world. Ive played on the
outside as a former Television Journalist for 23 years. But its much
different when you are actually in the sandbox. I like it. I know that
sounds crazy to some but when people get a taste of your message,
coating free, they really respond. Will that win an election? . I
think Oregonians are ready for a new kind of campaign. Perhaps one
that melts in your mouth, not in your hand.
Wow I could not agree more. Here is the way I see the current political climate, and there is alot more then M and Ms in there. Some of the candidates think they know whats right becasue they started out with 100 GRAND, but they are not intouch with what is going on down on 5TH AVENUE. It is gonna take some political courage to step back and say ABA ZABBA look what that BIG HUNK has done to the sos office. We need some on in the office with not such a BUTTERFINGER when it comes to getting rid of peoples signatures on petitions. I think we need some one who wont play so many TWIX on us little guys. Thats the CRUNCH though, where do we find one.
Well I say you are that guy Rick. You answer the questions as they come, and dont act like you have some GOBSTOPPERS in your mouth when a hard one hits. I like how you went to see KITYKAT at the mayoral debate in Eugene, and that you can hear the other side. I feel as though some of these people attacking you are from MARS, but hey maybe thats just Lars.
In fact I heard a guy talking about you the other day. He said Oh HENRY what MOUNDS if joy i have that Rick is running. I said ya know he is just like the OLD FAITHFUL we need in that office. Maybe if we got some one in there to do some preformance audits, us taxpayers might just get an extray PAY DAY once in a while. Nah I said that Ricky D… he is not gonna ROLOver, he is gonna stick up for all of us. I would agree the man said, what a SWEET TART
Not to be too korny but your comments give me Mounds of Almond Joy. (ha, ha, ha) No more from me.
Rick, I’ve watched you for 10 years, I’ve read what you’ve had to say and what others have said about you (no worries, it’s all good :). You also want the office that you are running for to be nonpartisan. Now, I’m quite intelligent, live on logic and cannot for the life of me, nor could I in a million years, figure out why you are running as a Republican. It’s like if Jay Leno sold meth, it just doesn’t fit, I don’t get it.
You don’t look, sound or act anything like a Republican (That’s a VERY GOOD thing) so why would you want to don such a filthy hat? The only logical conclusion I can come up with is a combo of the sayings “Dismantle From Within” & “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” as well as an experience of my past. Simply for having a long pony-tail I was being harrassed constantly by the law and anybody in a suit basically. So, I became a ‘cop’ for a year in 1980 to learn how they ‘work’ and to learn laws & proceedures. They don’t screw with me any more. I hope that’s your goal, to erase all of the left/right, blue/red bull crap and just ‘BE HUMAN’.
You COULD be the FIRST Republican I have ever voted for in my 30 years of voting. My ONLY, and I repeat, ONLY hesitation is the fact that you are running on the party’s ticket that only cares about money and hiding their shortcomings and sins behind organized religion (I’m an artist & you’d like some of my Christan art that aren’t on my websites).
So please Rick, could you PLEASE explain to us WHY Republican? WHY RICK, WHY? It would have been a no-brainer otherwise….
John T
http://www.OregonTshirtsAndGifts.com
http://www.LiberalTshirtsAndGifts.com
JOhn, it was great talking with you on the phone. I’m honored that you would break the record to vote for me. This will be an amazing race. It’s said the money talks. In this case it may finally be the voter who gets the final say.
Rick
I can’t say that I blame John for his opinion on the Republican party as a whole. I’m not a Republican, but I’m not a Democrat either. When you look at the two major parties, you see two fractured entities that meant well when they were originally formed but have somehow devolved into forgetting what democracy is all about. These two parties have been fighting with each other for generations now, and the result is two parties that look like the end of a 12-round heavyweight fight where the winner is unclear, but it is obvious that both fighters are bruised, bloodied, and beaten half to death. Yes John, you just threw a few more punches for the democrats, but I can confidently say that modern Democrats are no better than modern Republicans.
I certainly don’t want to speak for Rick (and I imagine he will correct me if I’m wrong) but the modern Republican Party doesn’t represent Rick, and Rick is not responsible for representing the modern Republican party. The party was founded on the principals of limited government that are the very basis of the US Constitution. Limited government means personal liberty; government playing as limited a role in citizens’ lives as possible. With personal liberty comes personal responsibility; the responsibility to use one’s freedoms wisely and make decisions that will not harm yourself or others, nor jeopardize the freedom of any citizen.
So why is Rick running as a Republican? I believe that he believes like me in that there is no better time for Republicans to seek change in the party. Specific facts and opinions aside, the perception of the American people (including Oregonians, of course) is that Republicans have lost touch with the common man. It’s subjective, but it is the perception, and perception is an individual’s reality. Rick believes in the basic ideals of the Republican Party, and doesn’t necessarily agree with all the decisions Republicans make. He more closely fits the number one belief of the Republican Party (i.e. small government and individual liberty). He certainly isn’t “anti-Democrat” because he is running as a Republican. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. He’s pretty moderate, and that is exactly what Oregon needs for an agent of change. He will listen to all sides of an argument. He has met people from all political persuasions and listens to what all of them have to say. He hasn’t been out fighting this heavyweight fight for years and years like so many other politicians. Rick can bring a fresh perspective and therefore genuinely represent the citizens of Oregon as a “political outsider.” Why any voter seeking change would want to elect someone who has sustained a “politics-as-usual” way of doing things is simply beyond me.
Bottom line: Let’s work together as citizens to move away from politics as usual, which includes two parties frivolously beating each other to a pulp, and move toward citizens putting their minds together to fix the problems that plague Oregon state government. Let’s move away from voting along party lines and toward voting for the candidate that is best suited for the particular job. This means it is our responsibility as voters to educate ourselves about the issues, the candidates, and the job responsibilities of the positions for which these candidates are running. We as voters and citizens can end bipartisanship. In fact, we are the only ones that can do so.
And, stepping off of the soap box…
*end partisanship, rather.
“The party was founded on the principals of limited government that are the very basis of the US Constitution. Limited government means personal liberty; government playing as limited a role in citizens’ lives as possible. With personal liberty comes personal responsibility; the responsibility to use one’s freedoms wisely and make decisions that will not harm yourself or others, nor jeopardize the freedom of any citizen.”
Jessi, I couldn’t have said it any better. John and I had that conversation over the phone.
Rick, it was literally a real pleasure to talk with you on the phone today. It’s SOOOOO refreshing that someone like yourself is running for an important position in the state that I’ve adopted years back and have really grown to love.
As a whole, I think that the Republican party nowadays is how I described it earlier, money FIRST (and hide behind God), which is why the GOP wants less government. Sure, they want a smaller govt, but that’s only because less regulation means it’s easier to exploit people and the environment.
I’ve even gained a little inspiration from you. I’ve become a semi-recluse over the years as I’ve given up on most of the human race as a whole. But, people like you, Obama, Michael Franti, the Dalai Lama, etc., do give me a smidgen of hope (now don’t get a big head but I am catorgizing you among fine people in the extremely small minority catagory of people that actually ‘GET it’…lol). A drop in the ocean, but as they say, a long journey starts with the first step. I truly hope that more people with our understanding of what’s REALLY important come out of the woodwork and really DO the right things. (and Kerri BETTER have your poster on her coffee shop!
I am thoroughly satisfied with your answers and like I said to you, after 30 years, you will be the VERY first republican that I will vote for. I have already begun ‘plugging’ you even though I’m getting odd looks as well as ones of disbelief. I still wish that you were registered as an Independant so it wouldn’t be so painful…lol
I look forward to seeing your name on the door in Salem as S.o.S. (the first step?)! I also hope that afterwards you change to Independant as you certainly are an independant thinker and you don’t need to begin your political trip with so much baggage. (Not to mention that it would look better for you if you want to make that position nonpartisan, right?)
My best wishes to you and yours Rick…
-John T
PS I know that you have limited resources, so if you need any design work done (logo/posters/pamphlets, etc), I’d be happy to donate my time for you (but shhhh, don’t tell my friends! lol)