912Candidates.org has gotten some internet attention recently when someone “tipped off” a rather prominent blogger.  Then the article got the attention of another blog.  This lead salon.com to include my humble opinion on the subject of the NY 23rd race where 9-12 Candidate, Doug Hoffman is showing a lead in the polls.  I’d recommend reading the full article, but before you do I’d like to comment on the author, Mike Madden.  Mr. Madden was a consummate gentleman while conducting the interview.  I was impressed by his professionalism.  His article reflects his skillful mastery of the art of journalism that he has honed over years of practice, patience, and study.  Should he ever call on my again, I would be happy to contribute to any piece he writes.

In his article he uses my perspective to help present his understanding of the situation.  The following paragraph appears:

Other activists say they feel like they’re just coming into the height of their influence. Jacob Roecker, the founder of 912candidates.org, one of the groups that endorsed Hoffman, said other Republicans could be in trouble next year — look at Florida, where conservative Marco Rubio is picking up energy the way the movement that powered Hoffman did, or Roecker’s own Oklahoma, where conservatives hope to challenge longtime Rep. Tom Cole, a member of the GOP House leadership. “It’s not the third-party candidate spoiling the race — it’s the traditional candidates who are spoiling the race for those who actually believe in something,” Roecker said about Hoffman and Scozzafava. Though the name of his group was inspired by Beck’s own 9/12 Project, Roecker said it’s gotten better than just one talk show host. “[Beck] can’t put in enough hours during his week to keep up with what all of us are doing,” he said. “I don’t think it’s his anymore. We still look up to him, but I don’t think it’s his anymore — I think it’s ours.”

I may need to clarify a point in the final quote for some readers.  As the founder of 912Candidates.org I represent some of the best volunteers in that movement.  I represent them when making statements.  Knowing that I don’t represent everyone is sort of the point behind the quote.  Beck, although a great man, whom I appreciate for codifying a series of principles and values, has no more ability to control this movement then he does to stop the Hudson river with his hand.  That’s no slight on him, but really, he can’t keep up with all of the different 9-12 groups doing all of their different activities to promote these principles and values.  In fact, he can’t even acknowledge them! And that’s the way it should be.

If this is going to be OUR country it needs to be OUR movement, and while we are creating a movement made by citizens we need to be ever conscious to allow others with differing views to create their movements based upon what they believe in.  So no, I don’t entirely agree with Mr. Madden’s take on things, but I hope our differing perspectives don’t hinder a possible friendship of mutual understanding that compliments our nation.

Thank you for allowing me to participate in your work.

We’ve just announced three 9/12 Candidates, with more coming this week.  The three latest announcements come from several different states:

• Oregon: Jaynee Germond
• Illionois:  Rosanna Pulido
• Massachusetts:  Earl H. Sholley

We’re very grateful that these, and other candidates are stepping forward to the task, and look forward to hearing more about them in the future.  If you want to stay abreast of every post on this website, our twitter feed is a great way to do jus that.

This week, we NEED your help. Glenn Beck’s producers at FoxNews are interested in having some of our 9/12 Candidates on the show, but they’re unsure of whether or not America sees them as part of the solution. Three of our candidates are pushing full-throttle to write, email, and call the Glenn Beck program. They need your help.

One campaign recently sent out an email that listed the addresses, and explained the importance of having principled government officials representing us. I won’t pretend to be so eloquent, so I’ll let you read the message here:

__________________________

I need to start off by saying thank you to Mr. Glenn Beck.  In the many conversations that are swirling around about him I would like to add my voice:  “Thank you!  Sir, you and your family are a welcome addition to our home.  We would be honored to have you to share a meal with us.”

Thank you for articulating, formulating, and packaging the American Values I grew up with in such a fashion that they can be exported not only to the next generation of Americans (three of which live in my home), but also to our policy makers and representatives.  This site is designed to help take those packaged principles and values and send them across the world where they can function to provide a better tomorrow.

These values and principles need to not just have meaning in our homes, but have meaning in our government.  Now is as good a time as any to act.

912candidates.org’s purpose is to communicate the commitment of any candidate for any office to the 9 principles and 12 values that have helped make America great. This program is not based on any party.  This site will turn into a “gold-list” of those candidates for office who support the 9 principles and 12 values of our nation.

________________________

How it works:
________________________

You send a three page document (downloadable here) to your representatives or potential representatives and ask them to sign.

They sign and send one copy to you, one copy to 912candidates.org. The letters will appear as PDF documents on this website and will be annotated for the geographic area of representation.  For security reasons candidates signatures will NOT be published online.  They will be retained on file.

________________________

More Info:
________________________

Why not 912politicians.org? The word “politician” has a negative connotation in today’s language. It might be considered slander to attribute such a word with someone willing to commit themselves to these values. Until the word “politician” has earned a more trusted meaning, it will not be used on this site. Those that are willing to commit to this, are better than that. There is no such thing as a “912politician.”

All representatives are candidates for office. They may currently hold an office, but it is not theirs. It belongs to the people. No matter how many terms someone might have served, they will always be a candidate for the office they seek. They are placed there by public trust—a fragile commodity that must be earned.

________________________

Moving Forward:
________________________

It’s time to take the next step.  Please take the time to download the letter.  Change the information in RED to reflect you, and the representative you’re addressing. Below is the title information for representatives in Congress.  You can find out who your representatives are by visiting:  The Senate or The House’s websites.

To Your Senator:

The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

To Your Representative:

The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

When writing to the Chairperson of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, address them as:

Dear Mr. Chairman
Dear Madam Chairwoman

Dear Mr. Speaker
Dear Madam Speaker

The above addresses should be used in email messages, as well as those sent through the Postal Service.

________________________

Stay Informed:
________________________

Be sure to sign up for the RSS feed.  This site will be updated as candidates sign on–Stay Informed!

________________________

Spread the Word:
________________________

Do you blog or Comment in political discussion groups?  Please considering adding this site to your links, or post the following as a blog entry:

Values Based Government:

It’s time for values based government to take a foothold in American Politics and many been wondering just exactly where our representative’s values are. What if we had a “Gold List” of candidates that signed a “morally binding contract” letting their constituents know they held the same values as we do?

Now it’s time to take a roll call and that’s going to take some help.

912Candidates.org has created a three page letter that asks your representative or candidate to sign a simple contract: “I pledge my sacred honor to representing my constituents by upholding these principles and values:”

It sounds a bit far-fetched, but if enough people send this letter to their representatives this government which has forgotten that it’s supposed to be “of the people, by the people, and for the people” can’t ignore the people forever.

If you’re willing to take this movement to the next level, if you’re tired of your tea bags not being noticed, maybe we should give this a try? http://912candidates.org

Thanks to all who read this.

-Jacob

My Constitution, my country, my vote. Join the 912 Project.