Posted by Jacob Roecker on November 4, 2009 under INSPIRATION | 
James “Jim” Trautz, Jr.
2010 Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 10th District of Virginia
9-12 Candidates’ Platform Statement
Principles
America Is Good.
The long track record of American generosity is well-documented and has long been a fundamental principle of the American experience. I will work to further our standing as a generous nation, not only here but abroad through a plan that fosters giving through the established, extensive networks of helping foundations across this country.
I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
My actions as a person are centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the will of my Lord God Almighty. My faith is my source of personal grounding; and, while I believe all who have faith have the right to practice that faith, I make neither excuses nor apologies for my own faith and its role in my life.
I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
I recognize I am continually evolving and growing as a person of faith. I believe honesty and integrity are integral ideals to this faith. I live each day for the gift that it is, and act accordingly.
The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
I believe strongly that the family is the root of our society, and the family unit should be held in the greatest esteem possible. While my own children are grown, I believe that families must be free to exercise their own judgments within the constraints of the Constitution and local law.
If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
With my father in law enforcement, I was reared on this concept. I believe that our judiciary must be led back to the “justice is blind” principle upon which the equal protection standards were enacted. No perpetrator of a crime should think he or she will receive differentiated treatment, because of any life, financial or positional standing.
I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
There are so many examples from prior and current generations of how the freedoms offered in our great country have given the most unlikely among us tremendous results. Ask any of those exemplary people how they did it, and to a person, each would offer that they seized opportunities and worked hard to achieve their goals. All citizens have the same opportunities to be successful and to fail, at their choosing. I believe the freedom to pursue opportunity—as well as to elect not to—is the essence of a free America. I reject the notion that someone at this time in our history lacks opportunity; thus, I support personal freedoms without guaranteed outcomes.
I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
I’ve stated that my faith is Christian-based. As such, I believe I have a higher calling to ensure (a) I do not become a burden for others to bear; and (b) I pay forward what I feel called in my heart to share. I believe people should be strengthened in resolve to help themselves, and the purpose of collective charity should be to assist those who are truly in need and unable to fend for themselves. This is the job of humanity, not government. To quote Abraham Lincoln, “You cannot make a weak man strong, by making a strong man weak.”
It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
Our founders forged this country from disagreement with leadership that had devolved into tyranny. They cogently set forth the basis of their agreement in a number of attempts with the British Crown in advance of declaring their sovereignty. I believe firmly that the heart of American freedom is the ability to express peacefully disagreement, and to seek redress of grievances in an equally peaceful manner.
The government works for the people. The people do not answer to the government, the government answers to the people.
One of the cornerstones of our country is the notion that government officials are elected to terms through the free and fair election process. While we might not always like the outcome, we have always respected that tradition. One notion that seems to be getting lost is that many in our government today believe their position gives them empowerment over the very lives of the citizenry, even as they exempt themselves. It astounds me to watch, listen and read some of the comments made by these so-called leaders! I believe that we must return our country to the foundation of responsive representation. In fact I feel so strongly about the need for our representatives to remember “who’s the boss,” we made responsive representation one of our 3 platform tenets, with fiscal responsibility and proactive leadership.
Values
Honesty
I believe strongly that, “that which is not the truth is a lie.” There can be no courage without honesty. I consider myself a highly courageous person.
Reverence
I am a man of faith, and I believe that respect for life is tantamount to living in a civil society.
Hope
Because I have great faith in our country and its citizens, I value the vision our founding fathers had for our country and believing returning to those principles is still possible. I believe in the inherent good of this country’s citizenry and its commitment to the tenets of the country’s founding.
Thrift
Our government is obligated to use wisely the funding given by its people. I believe we must not squander our children’s futures in order to have what we want now. Governance through fiscal responsibility means we provide only the necessary services the government must provide, at the best possible value, using the most efficient means available. This means stimulating innovation and individual prosperity, and abandoning the cycle of dependence on government to solve all the ills of the world.
Humility
Those who know me well, know that I am not a person running for office in order to call attention to myself. I truly want to make a difference for my prospective constituents; and, with the help of Almighty God will endeavor to do so.
Charity
I firmly believe that charity is a requirement of all who believe in God, regardless of religion. I believe the prosperity of this great nation has been a blessing from God, because we as a people have long recognized that we are called to be generous and to look after those in need.
Sincerity
As a non-career politician, I pledge to be forthright in my dealings with my constituency. I believe sincere messages, even when not positive ones, are better appreciated than messages founded in expedience or self-interest.
Moderation
Moderation is a principle that guides my life. I have a belief that excesses break down the ability of a person to be selfless, and I strive to be a selfless person.
Hard Work
One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me was the doctrine of a strong work ethic. I believe that self-esteem is rooted in hard work, selflessness and determination.
Courage
Having spent more than twenty years serving this country in the United States Navy, I have a deep sense of courage. Courage is a trait formed from having to make decisions literally of life and death with only moments to spare and limited information.
Personal Responsibility
With honesty, courage and faith I believe in taking personal responsibility for all decisions and actions I make. Have I always made the right decision? No, to be sure I have not! Still, I accept the results and consequences of my actions, and I believe we all must do so.
Gratitude
I pray daily with tremendous gratitude in my heart. I’ve lived in non-free countries, and I well understand the insidious ways in which government intrusion in the lives of citizens leads to tyranny. I know personally how we are viewed by common people around the world. I am grateful to be a citizen of this land, and to have had the privilege of rearing six children in it. My goal in my candidacy is to encourage pride in our country; restore the principles of our founding; and ensure the safety and liberty of our now and future generations!
PDF Platform
Posted by Jacob Roecker on November 2, 2009 under 9/12 CANDIDATES |
912Candidates.org is pleased to announce Jim Trautz, running for U.S. Congress from Virginia’s 10th District. The following information has been provided by the campaign to accompany this announcement:
After careful consideration and many hours of prayer – and at the urging of many of you – I have decided to run for Virginia’s 10th Congressional seat in 2010. As many of you know, unlike a lot of politicians who enter public service for the purpose of bolstering their own ego, my sole purpose is simply to serve. I need no accolades and seek no fame. Instead, my earnest desire is to serve the people of the 10th Congressional district as a true public servant..
As you know, there are literally hundreds of thousands of people across the nation today disgusted with our country’s current direction and its representatives leading that direction. Fiscal irresponsibility, lackluster leadership, and non-responsive representation are just a few of the things that need to be changed. My candidacy will seek to reverse the course of those things we find unacceptable by promoting fiscal responsibility; providing proactive (versus reactive) leadership; returning to the basic precepts of our Constitution; and implementing common-sense solutions to the problems we face today.
An old friend once told me, “if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always had.” It’s obvious that in order to effect the kind of change we’re seeking, we need our leaders to do more than simply occupy a seat in the House of Representatives. We rely on them to vote the will of the people they are charged to serve, not merely pursue party recognition or specialized interests. And we expect them to be receptive to their constituents at all times – not just before elections.
Our goals are simple: to provide a voice for the people of the 10th Congressional district that will lead; to provide leadership that is fiscally responsible and proactive; and to always remember and act in a way that reflects that we live in a Republic where representative government means that your Congressional members work for you – not the other way around.
I hope you’ll join me in reversing the course of always doing what we’ve always done. That doesn’t seem to be working, but together, there’s nothing that “We, the people” can’t change.
Learn More about Mr. Trautz
Contract || Official Site || Twitter
All readers are welcome to comment on this particular announcement or offer further information using the comment feature below. Often times (though not always) the candidate will also use the forum to respond. Please express yourself with civility, read the comment guidelines, and we look forward to hearing from you.
After careful consideration and many hours of prayer – and at the urging of many of you – I have decided to run for Virginia’s 10th Congressional seat in 2010. As many of you know, unlike a lot of politicians who enter public service for the purpose of bolstering their own ego, my sole purpose is simply to serve. I need no accolades and seek no fame. Instead, my earnest desire is to serve the people of the 10th Congressional district as a true public servant..
As you know, there are literally hundreds of thousands of people across the nation today disgusted with our country’s current direction and its representatives leading that direction. Fiscal irresponsibility, lackluster leadership, and non-responsive representation are just a few of the things that need to be changed. My candidacy will seek to reverse the course of those things we find unacceptable by promoting fiscal responsibility; providing proactive (versus reactive) leadership; returning to the basic precepts of our Constitution; and implementing common-sense solutions to the problems we face today.
An old friend once told me, “if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always had.” It’s obvious that in order to effect the kind of change we’re seeking, we need our leaders to do more than simply occupy a seat in the House of Representatives. We rely on them to vote the will of the people they are charged to serve, not merely pursue party recognition or specialized interests. And we expect them to be receptive to their constituents at all times – not just before elections.
Our goals are simple: to provide a voice for the people of the 10th Congressional district that will lead; to provide leadership that is fiscally responsible and proactive; and to always remember and act in a way that reflects that we live in a Republic where representative government means that your Congressional members work for you – not the other way around.
I hope you’ll join me in reversing the course of always doing what we’ve always done. That doesn’t seem to be working, but together, there’s nothing that “We, the people” can’t change.
Posted by va on August 24, 2009 under 9/12 CANDIDATES, E-Z News |
Christopher Merola is the son of Italian immigrants, whose lives were saved by the US Army during WW II. He grew up in Western Pennsylvania in a blue-collar, working class family. His father was a steelworker and his mother a seamstress.
At the age of 17, after graduating high school, Chris joined the US Army in order to earn tuition for college and give something back to the organization that made his life possible. Upon returning to Western Pennsylvania after his enlistment ended, Chris joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard where he became a Sergeant (E-5) and a team leader at the age of 22.
Chris put himself through college attending part-time for ten years, while working and serving in the Army National Guard. He earned a bachelor of science and masters of arts degree from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He is the first and only person in his family to earn a post graduate degree.
In March of 2009, Chris and his lovely wife, Tressa Harper Merola, purchased a home in Fairfax, VA. They moved from Arlington, VA. with hopes of having children soon and a desire to live in a family friendly community. After finding out that there was no Republican challenger to run against entrenched 18-year incumbent and tax and spender, Jim Scott, Chris seriously began thinking of running for the 53rd state delegate seat. After more than a week of thoughtful consideration and contemplation, Chris filed to run as the Republican candidate in the 53rd district.
In all, Christopher Merola has worked on a total of nine political campaigns at the state and federal levels and for two Members of Congress; one as a district staffer and the other as a Hill staffer. He is committed to the free market system and a business friendly Virginia where all people have the opportunities to fulfill their dreams. After all, he is living the American Dream as a first generation Italian-American.
http://www.merola09.com Jim Hoeft interviews Chris Merola from Beehive Video on Vimeo.
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Jim Hoeft interviews Chris Merola from Beehive Video on Vimeo.
Posted by va on July 12, 2009 under 9/12 CANDIDATES |
Bradley Rees- the Common Man
The Commonwealth of Virginia’s first 912candidate is no stranger to political activism, yet states he “dislikes politicians”. Bedford County’s self-described typical working guy, 31 year old father of 2, Bradley S.Rees, has been employed in manufacturing for years, and has seen the effects of government on industry first hand. Mr. Rees, a Reagan inspired candidate, vows to work to reestablish trust in government as our present path has him fearing for the future that will be left to his children.
This “Reluctant Republican” runs to unseat his Democratic first-term incumbent opponent in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District in the 2010 elections. Mr. Rees has previously acted as a Community Coordinator for Americans for Fair Taxation for four years, until moving to his creation, Operation: Bullhorn, exposing political hypocrisy to citizens at large. He points out “Americans are tired of the same old choices” and states his message to opponents and voters is “Either stand on principle or stand aside!”
Bradley speaking at the Lynchburg Tea Party:
Bradley Rees’ platform is built on these issues: Reforming and simplifying our tax code by moving to the Fair Tax, restoring Constitutional values, returning to basics by focusing on accountability, trust with constituents, working to remove the lobbyists influence including restoring the opportunity for the working man to participate in government at all levels, instead of the monopolization of government by attorneys. He supports researching the Federal government to identify where it has ignored the 10th Amendment and promises to work to restore those rights which should rightfully have been retained by states and the people.
Mr. Rees can be followed on the Internet, and many social networking sites.
He stands up for the working man and makes it clear to long-term politicians
“Either stand on principle, or stand aside!!”
Additional Information
Official Campaign Site || Twitter || Contract
Posted by va on July 4, 2009 under INSPIRATION |
It is now evening on the Fourth, and I hear the distant sounds of fireworks. Our travels today included a drive through the Yorktown historic district near the battlefields of Washington and Cornwallis. As I think about previous 4th of July holidays, I recall parades, cookouts, trips to the beach, camping fun and carefree times with family and friends. We would fly the colors with pride and with the freedom our forefathers gave us, go about our holiday with patriotic music and fun.
On Independence Day 2009, as we face so many challenges to our liberty, it is with sadness that we nostalgically look back and smile at the precious times we enjoyed before our country was so changed. We clearly see the erosion of our liberties today, that we incrementally lost over the years, but were blind to. We long for the carefree years, but just as 9/11 did, we know we can no longer go back, but only move forward without the lack of attention of the past.
Today, I choose to remember Independence Day 2009, as a turning point and as a amazing opportunity to restore this great land, the beacon of freedom and hope for the world, to it’s former glory. It will not be easy. It will take a Herculean effort from all Patriots to hold back the tide, and restore the values and principles that each of us were given by our creator.
Instead of being nostalgic, and mourning the past, choose to see this Independence Day as the beginning of our American reawakening, and be determined that we will not sleep again. Bring others with you. 912candidates.org efforts can go a long way to restoring those values in America. Think of this as our Second Independence Day, which will never again be called simply the 4th of July.
Posted by va on June 21, 2009 under E-Z News |
Norine in Virginia
Hello Patriots! 912candidates efforts have begun in the great Commonwealth of Virginia! I am Norine Holland, an RN by profession, state leader by choice, and I am honored to work with such a team of dedicated, principled and patriotic individuals. I have been hanging around for a month now, and your efforts over a short period are truly impressive.
We, as Virginians, are surrounded each day by many reminders of our American heritage. Everywhere are daily reminders of those who built America, on the shores of Jamestown, where in 1607, our earliest pioneers set foot on American soil and created the first settlement, the Colonial Capitol of Williamsburg where our first government was built, or exploring the remaining earthworks of Yorktown battlefields where our Revolutionary War heroes gave their lives to give their countrymen the first birth of freedom. We can visit historic Mt Vernon, our first President’s home, the monuments of DC, or the mountain heritage of the Blue Ridge, Jefferson’s Virginia, or the Tidewater shores of Virginia Beach.
We live amongst our military heroes of the 21st century at Langley AFB or Norfolk Naval Base, Fort Monroe, Fort Story, Fort Lee, Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, Fort AP Hill, and Fort Eustis, reminding each of us of the sacrifices that continue to be made for our American liberties.
We are again confronted by threats to those liberties and find ourselves defending the values of our Founders and our Judeo-Christian heritage that have been slipping away. We can do no less as we see the deterioration of our society and we feel the effects of those in government who ignore the God given right of freedom to all.
Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, “Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God”. The nationwide ranks of new patriots are growing as Americans awaken to the reality of the actions of those in DC today. We find ourselves fighting again after years of citizen neglect and value of possessions over values and principles. We rededicate ourselves to those values upon which America was founded and reflected in Mr. Beck’s 912project, as we work tirelessly to restore the Constitution to it’s rightful place.
Mr. Jefferson also stated “Nothing gives a person so much advantage over another as to always remain cool and unruffled under all circumstances”. We must reflect the values as 912candidate representatives that we expect from those who will become 912candidates themselves. Being someone who, in the past, has been very impatient and quick to respond, I hope to use this experience to learn the lessons that our Creator teaches us all, reflected in the 912 project.
If you wish to join us at 912candidates.org/va in this cause to recruit those who will pledge their sacred honor to upholding the 912project platform, we welcome you! We also encourage you to pass the 912candidate.org web address to any and all who may be like-minded. Thanks for listening, I’m looking forward to the ride and working with y’all!
