DO WHAT IS RIGHT, LET THE CONSEQUENCES FOLLOW

  The 48th district faces the clearest political choice in its history.  This year the choice is not between two candidates, or between two parties.  The voters must choose between two fundamentally different visions of America.

STEVE YOUNG'S VISION:   IT BEGINS WITH FAMILY

    One choice this year is Steve Young.  His personal slogan, "Do what is right, let the consequences follow" comes from a song he learned in church.  He says, "That song, and my family's motto 'never give up' directed my life." 

    Steve worked to support his family while he attended college and law school.  Steve says, "I learned something from the birth of each of my children.  My first child was born  in a car, on the 5 freeway, in a rain storm, seven weeks prematurely, between semesters of my first year in law school.  Having a child changes your life for the better.  I did not know the meaning of happiness until the feelings I experienced when the doctors finally released my son from neonatal intensive care and I could hold him in my arms.

    My second child's birth was not as traumatic, but still memorable.  She was born the day after I completed the bar exam.  We named her Courtney because we wanted her to remember the challenge she created for me studying for the bar exam.  When my wife went into labor with our third child, I was out of town on a court appearance.  I learned that no obstacle can impede a father who wants to see the birth of his child.  

    My fourth child's birth taught me perspective.  During the pregnancy she did not move much.  Several times we went to our doctor worried that something was wrong.  Each time the doctor inserted a fetal monitor and told us she was all right.  When she was born, I saw her umbilical cord had a knot in it.  Her stillness, which caused me such concern was a blessing because the knot never tightened down.  Seeing the knot, all of my concerns and worries became thankfulness and appreciation.  Perspective matters.  Oh, and she is definitely a Young.  Since her birth, she has not stopped moving. 

    With each birth, friends and neighbors delivered meals, cared for our children, celebrated with us, and cried during our trials.  I learned family, friends, and community matter as we face individual and collective challenges.   Everyone has challenges and struggles, many of them unseen by the rest of us.  I have had my share that I overcame through faith, determination, the support of others, and a sense of humor.  Just like the 'Little Train Who Could,' if you never give up, if you are honest, and you keep trying, you can overcome anything.
 

A PLATFORM BASED ON OUR COMMUNITY'S VALUES

   From all of this I learned the lessons that I want the voters to think of when they think of Steve Young, and that I believe all Americans want to live by: 

    1.    Be a good person,

    2.    Don't put yourself above others no matter how rich or strong you are,

    3.    Understand that you are part of a community,

    4.    Show your appreciation for what you have by sharing your blessings with others who are less fortunate,

    5.    Achieve so that you build on all the gifts God has given you, and

    6.    By so doing, you will not only become strong and virtuous, but you will contribute to the strength of our community.

If these are the values you embrace, you can help my campaign. Please contribute at my online site at [Values Matter!]

    Bush and Campbell prefer boardroom ethics instead the traditional American values of fairness, honesty, brotherly kindness, and compassion.  For seven years,  Bush and the Republican Congress sought to scare Americans for political ends.  Campbell denigrates judges and lawyers who protect our rights and excuses his vote to cut veterans’ benefits “because veterans do fraud.”  Under the banner of “unburdening business” he undermines our democratic government “of the people” and rails against laws that give us clean drinking water, safe work places, and a retirement safety net.  

STEVE YOUNG WANTS ALL AMERICANS TO PROSPER IN THE AMERICAN DREAM

   I offer the alternative.  I want America’s house in order again.  Together, we can do better.  Before the Democrats left the White House in 2001, America was a beacon on a hill.  We had enjoyed the longest economic expansion in history.  We had the strongest economic growth, one of the lowest inflation rates, the fastest rate of job creation, and the largest real increase in real, after-tax personal income since World War II.  We enjoyed the highest level of business investment in history, and America had renewed its leadership in developing the vast new opportunities in science and technology.  America was on the move during an era of opportunity for everyone.  

We are coming to the end of one of the most destructive administrations in American history.  Bush and Republican Congress took America into a disastrous adventure in Iraq, allowed a major city to drown and remain in disrepair, plundered our national treasury, trampled on our Constitution, destroyed our prestige abroad, and increased the number and plight of the poor.

SIX COMMITMENTS TO THE MIDDLE CLASS.

      We must return to the values that made America great if we are to repair the damage of the last 7 years.  I commit to work in Congress to give every American 1) a quality education, 2) equal opportunity, 3) real wages from real jobs, 4) fair taxes, 5) a secure retirement and 6) a health care system that works for America – not just the top 1%.  I want our future to be as bright and hopeful as any time in our history, and it can be if we have the courage to change the old style Washington politics.  America must be a country of opportunity for all, responsibility from all, and a community of all.

    I believe the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have others do unto you - did not come with a presidential signing statement.  America is still a country of the people, by the people and for the people.  I believe that giving people a chance to work and feed their family and provide for their children builds initiative.  Hunger destroys initiative. Hopelessness destroys initiative.  Ignorance destroys initiative.  A cold and indifferent government destroys initiative. 

    Mr. Campbell is frigid and uncaring. He unashamedly favors Wall Street over Main Street, is hostile to our strong federal government, and yet has proven himself a rubber-stamp for President Bush.  A vote for someone cold and indifferent, like Campbell, is a vote against the initiative of individual Americans.  John Campbell doesn’t understand what America stands for and you doesn’t care about us.

    I believe in our Constitutional form of government.  I believe in checks and balances, but more so, I believe in the initiative of the American people.  I care.  Vote Steve Young for Congress.

If these are the values you embrace, you can help my campaign. Please contribute at my online site at [Values Matter!]