Campaigning on behalf of the common man
As I watch the endless political ads on television I am reminded of why I started this journey in the first place. One word in particular is extremely troubling to me. One word that every “politician” seems to utter over and over. A word that is an abomination to every American that understands his role and responsibilities as a Citizen of the United States. That word is Leadership. We are NOT a nation that is “led” by our elected officials. At least that was not the original intent. As a Constitutional Republic built upon the idea of Representative Government we are to be “Represented” by our elected officials. That is to say our elected officials should come from among the people, and represent the will of the people. Never are We the People to be led by anyone or anything other than our own individual interests, goals, aspirations and beliefs. This truth lies at the core of our system of governance and it must always be so.
Those who would dare refer to themselves as leaders are, by its very definition, the antithesis of what American government is supposed to be. Especially in this time of a bloated and irresponsible federal government, a growing police state and an increasing sense that not only is tyranny emerging in this country, but it is, in fact, already here. It has yet to reveal its full power and intent, but make no mistake, tyranny is alive and well in modern America and if We the People don’t rise up and be heard now, we may never have another chance to do so.
Let us not forget that in Montana we are guided by our State Constitution, the legally binding agreement by which we joined the Union in 1889, which clearly states the following in Article II
Section 1. Popular sovereignty. All political power is vested in and derived from the people. All government of right originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.
Section 2. Self-government. The people have the exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent state. They may alter or abolish the constitution and form of government whenever they deem it necessary.
My intent with regards to this election is to provide the people of Montana with an alternative option. A candidate that comes from among the common men, who is himself a common man, with common ancestry, seeking to work for, and fight on behalf of, the common man. If we cannot make a paradigm shift in our way of thinking and break the chains of political bipartisanship we will be forever lost in a future of great uncertainty. Only by asserting our collective will here and now do we stand a chance of preserving the principles upon which we were founded and in turn be spared the fate of so many other states.
If you seek a future of freedom for your children, and your children’s children I implore you with all that I have to join me in this fight for the future. Now is the time. Montana is the place. Perhaps we can set an example to other states and provide them with a hope and a future as well. Only by working together can we hope to secure a future for our people, and protect what seems to be the last remnant of what this country stands for.
Lyman Bishop, of Kalispell, is a Libertarian candidate for Montana governor.