As I write this there are less than 3 months until the primary election and I’ve been at this campaign for nearly 6 months now. It seems like a good time to renew my focus on the central principles of the platform on which I’m running.

That focus is, simply, the dignity of and respect for individuals. Everything else stems from that simple basis. Government must respect individuals when filling its role to protect citizens. Many times I’ve used the image of a referee at a game as an example. The federal government should provide a level playing field and ensure fair play between citizens, not compete with them or pick the winners.

To the extent that government shapes a process it also influences the outcome, and the federal government produces poorer solutions than the combined power of entrepreneurs and innovators working freely. No business is too big to fail – our system has healthy ways for new businesses to grow from the failures of others. In this way the government will foster long-term opportunity.

The results of a controlling government are why I am opposed to a public option for health care. I am willing to look for ways of serving people though healthy competition and greater choice for customers while reducing the burden imposed by litigation and malpractice insurance.

The national government also needs to protect citizens from foreign dangers. Today key weaknesses are our dependence on energy derived from foreign sources and illegal aliens. These are issues that must be addressed and I’ve proposed solutions on my website.

Finally, our government should serve our current needs with a view to respecting the needs of our children. This perspective shapes my view on the debt and the environment, two topics that are very different.

To the extent that we have federal entitlements that exceed our current revenues we are mortgaging our children’s future. It’s something like the reverse mortgage programs advertised on TV without the backing of a larger organization.

With respect to the environment, campers have it right: Leave it better than you found it. Any harvesting we do of natural resources must be balanced by environmental restoration, reforesting, or similar programs to maintain natural habitat.

My platform is about dignity and respect. These are principles all Americans can embrace. The goal is renewed opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If you’re on board with these ideas I welcome your support. Join the resistance. Set America free.

Sincerely,

Doug Keller