My name is John Roger Miller and I am running for Congress because I love this country, and I am sick and tired of politics as usual in Washington. I have long considered running for office because I believe that it is our duty and obligation to make this world a better place.  I am fed up with the lies and corruption of both the Republican and Democratic parties. They no longer represent the will of the people, but instead cater to special interests and giant corporations. They should put partisan politics aside and cooperate to PUT AMERICA FIRST. This does not mean that I am an isolationist and that we should forget about the rest of the world. On the contrary, I have a degree in International Relations, and I want to see America leading the way toward international cooperation in solving the serious problems facing our planet. Through my travels, I have met people from all over the world, and I am lucky to have many friends from other countries.

Like most Americans, I am fiscally conservative because the government spends taxpayer’s money (yours and mine), and I am progressive on many social issues. You may not agree with all of my positions, but I will try to serve honestly. I am proud to be a conservationist, because a healthy environment is critical to us all. If we don’t take care of the land, we will not be able to take care of the people on the land. I also believe in the biblical interpretation that we should be stewards, not masters, of God’s creation – the Earth. I am also a scientist, a geographer, so I believe in the scientific method. We may find it difficult to define just exactly what God is. but I realize that what befalls the fate of the Earth befalls humankind. We are all citizens of this planet, along with the lowliest insects to the greatest trees.

I have complained about politicians for years. I vote, write letters, talk to people, and have contributed time and money to causes that I believe in. Still, it is not enough to stand on the sidelines, so I decided to put up my own money and run for office. I will gladly accept donations as long as there are no strings attached and contributors realize that I will serve all of my constituents, not just campaign donors and lobbyists. I am a former Republican, but I have been a Green Party member since 1988.  I have not been involved in Green Party affairs until just recently. I accept most of the Green Party platform and its ten core values, and I appreciate its help, but I am running of my own accord. I would rather work on my farm this summer, but I feel that I must take the opportunity to get the important issues addressed and try to make a difference.

I read a quote from Plato that goes something like, “The price that good men pay for indifference to civic affairs is to be ruled by evil ones.” Well, we here in the USA have been indifferent to political affairs for far too long, resulting in the mess we are now in. We are supposed to be a government for, of and by the people. Instead we have created false people in the shape of corporations and big business and other special interests, and the average American citizen gets the shaft.