A Message to all Oregon Citizens

I have been asked several times if I am a conservative or a liberal. I am an American.

Salem-News.com

(BEND, Ore.) - I am calling upon all Oregon Citizens to write in the name, Richard Esterman for Governor. If there are any errors in my grammar or spelling, I apologize for the inconvenience. It shows that I am human.

I am not a career politician or some rich tycoon. I use to consider myself a middle class citizen. I am now poor. My adventure began last February, when I refused to run as a candidate for Governor under the Republican or Democratic Parties.

I admit today, it would have been easier to run affiliated to one of the major Parties. If I had done that, I would not have been able to live with myself knowing I had sold my soul.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve, no where in the Constitution, State or Federal does it say Career, Money, Republican or Democrat are requirements for election. It is about the people, something that we have all forgotten.

I believe in our State Constitution. The foundation of our State Constitution begins in Article 1 with the “Bill of Rights.” Our Service men and women have made the ultimate sacrifices to preserve our constitution. I personally will not tolerate legislature or any branch of government that thinks they have the right to manipulate or pass laws that contradict our Constitution, especially when they have sworn upon an oath to uphold it.

Section 20, Equality of privileges and immunities of citizens, with four other sections in our State Constitution begin with the words; No Law Shall Be Passed. Yet our State legislature, past and present, has ignored these words, passing laws that violate our rights as Oregon Citizens to run for political office equally.

I have personally spoken with our Secretary of State in regards to being discriminated against and violations to Section 20 in our constitution. She told me in a phone conversation; “In theory you are correct,” and to “file a suit against the State.” In my opinion, that is a poor excuse for not addressing what she swore an oath to uphold in the first place.

Thirty percent of the Oregon population that could be registered voters is not. At least 54% of registered voters in our State do not vote. The other 46% usually vote for the lesser of the two evils or vote by name recognition, if not on party lines.

There is no such thing as a wasted vote unless you do not vote. It is your privilege an inalienable right to vote for whom ever or what ever you want.

I made a choice earlier this year to put my financial situation in jeopardy. I take full responsibility for my actions. The reason we always see the wealthy running for the office of Governor is because Commoners like you and me are prisoners to our debts.

I believe that our State is in financial debt because we keep electing these people that have no concept of what debt and the real world is like.

Picking money off our Capital’s Money Tree is raising taxes and that is not the answer. Government has to start taking responsibility and stop catering to the corporate giants and make it possible for small businesses to thrive in Oregon. I promise accountability and a reduction of government red tape to move our economy forward.

I have been asked several times if I am a conservative or a liberal. I am an American.

This has been a great learning experience, as well as a long road. Every obstacle possible has been placed in my path, and I am still here. I do not give up easy and rarely take no for an answer.

I received an email after my first radio talk show interview that stays on my mind on a daily basis. The person stated that I sounded like a good guy, but, there will come a day where I would have to compromise to get ahead. What would you do?

On the evening of August 17, I received a phone call from one of the minor parties offering me a guaranteed spot on the ballot if I would run for Treasurer or Congressman instead. I refused the offer.

The two major party candidates are not the answer for Oregon. While one is waiting for his plan from his coach, the other created the mess we are in today. Just look at how much special interest money is backing both of them. I have no obligations to the special interests, just the Citizens of Oregon.

Several dollars are wasted on campaigns every year while there are those that have no choice but to live on our streets. I add up those dollars to figure how many mouths we could feed. I have been trying to prove that you do not have to be rich or a career politician to be elected. I feel that campaigning for all candidates should be limited to public forums and the voter’s pamphlet. This way running for office would be fair to any Oregon Citizen that wanted to serve.

It is time, we as a people; send a message to our Capital by writing in the name Richard Esterman for Governor.

Please take the time to review my web site and please pass this on to as many Oregonians as possible.

Thank you for your time,
Richard Esterman
Commoner for Governor
richardesterman.com/governor