A Common Man's Point Of View

In 2006 I ran for the Florida State Legislature.  I ran again in 2008 and then in a special election in 2009.  I am a regular working man so not being wealthy nor well connected, not surprisingly, I lost each time.  Despite offering honest, common sense, centrist ideas to address the problems of our state, I lost to candidates with more money, but not better ideas.  Without the, "price of admission," or well-connected friends, I understood my chances were slim, but I stood up and spoke out for what was right, and have no regrets. 

I believed then, as I do now, that working men, women, and small business owners are the keys to restoring the business and social cornerstones of our nation.  Unfortunately, working men, women, and small business owners are the most ignored people in America.  We all desire the same things, equality, liberty, peace, and prosperity, and more, but we will not have any of these things if we continue as a nation divided.

We must set aside our small differences and recognize the bigger issues affecting us all, and which are being used to turn us against each other.  We must care for our environment because this planet is all we have.  We must turn away from coal and oil as our primary energy sources and use natural gas as a transitional energy source while we make the critical investments in clean, renewable energy that we must make.  Finally, we must get corporate money out of our political processes so we might be able to finally find the answers. "We the people," need to finally and fully address the issues affecting us all.  

I do not know if I will ever run again.  I do know that I cannot stay silent so am contemplating turning this site into a blog about the issues affecting us.  If I do turn this site into a blog, I will invite all to visit and share their opinions.  In any case, we the people must set aside the small differences between us, solve the big issues affecting us all, and find ways to coexist with those we disagree with.  We must solve our problems and find a peaceful middle ground to govern from; we have no choice.

 -Bill Ramos