Electoral Values and Campaign Reform

Traditional politicians and their supporters like to label and divide people. So you're either a Democrat or a Republican, a liberal or moderate or conservative.

I think such labels are out-of-date and meaningless. The real division is one of values. I can support anyone, Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, if they share certain core values. Those values are:

1. West Virginia and the people of West Virginia come first, before one'e personal political career.

2. The governor, legislators and other public servants should consult the people and listen to the people, not lobbyists.

3. It's OK to disagree on issues. It's not OK to stand for nothing except political expediency and self-interest.

4. Elections are elections, not coronations. The people, not party leaders or wealthy donors, make the decision.

I will incorporate these values in my own campaign. And I will also bring these values to the governor's mansion. Here are some of ways this would happen.

My conscience and personal beliefs will affect the stands I take on issues. That doesn't mean I'm always right and others are wrong. It DOES mean I will take stands. I will not base my decisions on pollsters or political spin doctors but on what I believe to be right.

I will keep a close watch on the way the state spends money. The needs of our people come first. In a Denise Giardina administration, we will prop up broken desks with piles of books before we will spend money on fancy office furniture. Until the basic needs of our state are met, frills are out.

I will appoint a member of my staff whose primary responsibility will be overseeing government expenditures. And I will also create an independent, volunteer panel of citizens to examine and rule on government ethics. This panel will include people from all walks of life -- teachers and clergy, business people and laborers -- and from across the political spectrum. Their meetings will be open to the public and they will keep the public informed of their findings. Misdeeds by appointed officials will result in firing.

If a member of my administration makes a decision which seems ill-advised, I will not hesitate to reverse it.

I will require all lobbyists to disclose their incomes, so that the people of this state know who is paying exorbitant salaries to influence their legislators.

I will oppose any unwarranted privilege. For example, no longer will license plates with low numbers go to the supposedly most powerful people. I'll be creative. How about an auction of license plate numbers with the proceeds to go to West Virginia's children? That way the people with the lowest license plate numbers will be the most generous people in the state, not the most powerful.

My campaign is on its own a challenge to a misperception held by our current political establishment. The Democrats and Republicans assume they are the government. They are not. They are private organizations. The people are the government. Anyone should be able to run for office.

The Democratic and Republican leadership believe it is they who should decide who the next governor shall be. They make this decision before an election is ever held. That must change. This is the people's decision. Participation in elections by a wide variety of people should be encouraged, not discouraged. That's what democracy is all about.