Matesz For Ohio

Going Cold Turkey

By Ken Matesz

“House Republicans are leading the drive for smaller, more accountable government and better solutions to the challenges facing our nation.”

-Website of the Office of the Republican Leader (John Boehner) from Ohio’s 8^th District 

As the November election closes in, activists, some newly inspired, some enduring ones, are chomping at the bit to get to the polls and “get the liberals out.”  This is a phrase I have heard or seen in one form or another dozens of time in the last year.  I know that I have gotten numerous mailings from Republican Congressman John Boehner’s office decrying President Obama and the presumed march toward socialism he has initiated.

An incredible surge of interest has occurred learning about the founding principles of our nation as well as the founding documents - the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  People who thought this was boring stuff when they were in school have now found it inspiring, rejuvenating and empowering to really know what this country is supposed to be all about.  They have come to realize that, indeed, this country was built upon a foundation of limited constitutional government, free markets, and liberty.

As a “third-party candidate,” I get to hear this one phrase so many times I practically hear it in my sleep: “A vote for a third party is a vote for the ___________________(insert party name).”

Funny thing about this is that my third party had no hand in the current economic mess. Libertarian policies did not produce the Federal Reserve Bank that slashed interest rates making the housing bubble possible.  Libertarian philosophy or policies did not encourage banks to lend to those who can’t really pay back their mortgages.  Libertarian philosophy would NEVER have bailed out Wall Street or car companies the way Republicans and Democrats did.  Libertarian philosophy and policies do not allow spending to exceed revenues.  Libertarian policies are always 100% anti-tax to the highest degree possible.  Libertarian policies did not drive the deficit to nearly $2 Trillion and the national debt to nearly $14 trillion.  Libertarian policies would not allow a congress to regularly increase the debt ceiling as both Republicans and Democrats have done for decades.

Electing the Next Statist

July 15, 2010 by Ken Matesz

Many supporters of my campaign are aware that I teach classes about the US Constitution. In fact, my first public announcement of my candidacy for Governor of Ohio occurred at the very end of one of my classes last winter. A month or so later at a tea party gathering where I briefly spoke, one of my students came to me and said, “I really appreciate your class and everything you are doing, but I will not be voting for you. I have to cast a vote for the Republican candidate. We can’t let the Democrats stay in office.”

This makes me wonder about the value of the tea party groups. If their only goal is to prevent Democrats from being elected, then why all the education? Why bother with learning the Constitution? Why bother circulating petitions for health-care amendments? Why bother calling and writing to congressmen and senators? Why bother learning more about free-market economics? Why study the founders and our founding principles? If the solution lies in electing Republicans, then there is no more you need to know. Just show up and vote Republican and all will be well.