Personal Statement of Principles
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The individual is sovereign, not the state. The purpose of government is to provide a framework within which individuals can exercise their rights with the maximum amount of freedom without forcibly imposing on the equal rights of others. Government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed. Government cannot legitimately exercise powers that would not be legitimately exercised by an individual.
The Secretary of State of Oregon has two primary duties, to manage the electoral process and to keep the records of the Governor and Legislature. The electoral process must be free, fair, open to all, and without special privilege to any particular party. The records of the Governor and Legislature should be open and available to the public as quickly as possible. Government must be conducted in the sunshine.
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The 2000 elections offer an unique opportunity for candidates and voters in Oregon. The new Secretary of State will start to serve in the first year of the third millennium. In addition to the normal duties, the Secretary of State will be responsible for drawing the district boundaries in 2001 if the governor and legislature cannot agree. I offer a new, sensible, fair viewpoint on this and other issues of concern to the citizens of Oregon. A viewpoint based on principle not political convenience or partisanship.