A wise man once warned, “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism.”
— George Washington, Founding Father, USA
Washington despised the idea of political associations, formed in such a way as to pit one group of citizens against another (i.e. Democrat vs. Republican).
As he neared his resignation, George Washington wrote a letter to the nation. He warned of the danger of political parties and how they would turn the government from a group of independent, free, people interested in their nation’s future, to a rambling mob of power hungry professional politicians. In short, he opposed political parties because of their potential to bring harm and even destruction.
Each person in this county, state and country, as a natural born citizen, is an American. Yet, I am grieved to see the inability to separate party affiliations in friendships, work places, church memberships and other relations. It seems we have forgotten that each person is a fellow citizen and instead, associate one another as Republican or Democrat. I have repeatedly witnessed people getting along in a healthy, happy relationship until there is a mention of political preference. Then a subtle distrust begins to permeate the relationship and people begin to view one another with contempt. Friends, this should not be.
I have talked to several people on both sides of the fence regarding political affiliations, and it disturbs me to see families, friends and neighbors pitted against one another because of the person they voted for. Voting is a right, a privilege and a private treaty, which should be respected by all. I, myself, am a product of this divisive repression Washington wrote about, based on my previous primary vote. In lieu of my desire to run a transparent candidacy, for which I can be proud to walk with integrity before the District 8 constituents, I choose to share this private information … that having voted for Clinton in May and McCain in November of ‘08, (in a state where Indiana law does not permit a person to indicate their party affiliation, if any, as part of their registration record) … I am being disallowed to run on a mainstream party ticket. This is to me, a poor depiction of the freedom of intimate and expressive associations our First Amendment of the constitution lends to each American. Technically, my vote is not private, nor free. However, in hindsight, I see this as a great opportunity and a situation that may turn out for the best, rather than the worst. Having family, friends, and acquaintances in both political mainstream parties, I see the ability to reach each sect as a repairer of the breach; a breach that has been caused by years of polarizing arguments and corrupted agendas. Regardless of party affiliation, all elected officials should be representing the citizens of America, instead of the affiliated party, which is exactly the goal set before me … to be a voice for all people and to return the ownership of government to the people.
The federal government has evolved into a game of chess with carefully manipulated and calculated moves taking place. Sadly, the American people are the ones caught in check as elected officials ignore the voice of We The People in order to pursue the best strategic move in winning their party’s “game.” There are good officials and bad officials on both sides, but most all officials have lost touch with the reality that they are to be servants to the people and reflective voice in government, not lone vigilantes. We, Americans, should work toward the good of the nation, not a particular party’s platform.
In view of these disturbing facts, I have elected to run Independent with an objective hope of bridging the gap that divides Republicans and Democrats, in an effort to unite District 8 under the voice of We The People, not the voice of, We the Democrats, or, We the Republicans. My desire is to give District 8 a candidate who cares for the people, is concerned for the people’s future, and who is willing to be a spokeswoman on behalf of all the people in the District 8 counties. Washington needs to hear our voice.
Friends and family have asked me, “How can you run, it takes millions of dollars?”
To which I reply, “No, it only takes millions of dollars if you are not willing to get out amongst the people, if you don’t want to take time to talk to people on the phone and if you want to rely solely on TV and newspaper ads.” I cannot justify accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to convince you to vote for me, while people are struggling with layoffs, heating bills or feeding their families. I will campaign the old-fashioned way, hand-to-hand and door-to-door. While it will take some funding, I do not believe it takes the projected estimations. In addition, when I am elected, you can rest assured that a great deal of the money allotted to the position of representative will be coming back into District 8. That is a personal promise because I am not in this for myself; I am in this race for the future of Hoosiers and the American people abroad.
All District 8 Hoosiers (Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or independent) deserve a fair and equal representation in Washington, a goal I am devoted to.
— Kristi Risk
Spencer
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: Independent voice needed to bridge gap between parties
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FLASHPOINT: Is this really the best we can do?
As you know if you pay attention to national affairs, the United States faces a perfect fiscal storm at the end of this year.
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FLASHPOINT:Bipartisan vs. Nonpartisan
During the primary election season there was much discussion regarding whether bipartisanship is a positive or negative attribute as it relates to the work of the United States Congress.
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FLASHPOINT: School libraries essential for reading achievement
If the situation were not so serious, it would be laughable. How can we improve reading achievement if we make it more difficult to put books in the hands of our children?
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FLASHPOINT: Lugar warns of 'unrelenting partisan mindset'
I would like to comment on the Senate race just concluded and the direction of American politics and the Republican Party.
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FLASHPOINT: Is money a problem in politics? Depends on where you sit
The role of money in politics needs to be better understood. Does it make the political system work better, or is it a problem — and if so, how much of one?
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FLASHPOINT: ‘Private’ clubs should be exempt from smoking bans
Over the past several years I have watched the Vigo County Council, followed by the City Council, and lastly the legislature of the great state of Indiana, wrestle with a smoking ban.
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FLASHPOINT: Downtown developers should share more details on project
With all of the opinions being expressed about the fate of the 500 block of Wabash Avenue, one element is sorely missing: the details.
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FLASHPOINT: Be careful when making accusations of ‘racism’
Perhaps, in a way that he doesn’t understand, Attorney General Eric Holder is correct in accusing America of being cowardly about discussing issues of race.
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FLASHPOINT: Historic hotel demolition was shameful day for Terre Haute
In an April 13 article on the potential demolition of historic buildings at Fifth and Wabash for student housing, Mike Ellis says, “I love the old historic buildings and have always had a passion to see them saved and restored. I was an opponent of seeing the Terre Haute House come down and the new hotel go up,” he said. “I have been proven wrong with what that would do for Terre Haute.”
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FLASHPOINT: Notes on saving structural history
There are several reasons why the historic buildings adjacent and west of Roger’s Jewelers should be saved, and why our downtown needs to protect and embrace our remaining historic fabric. First and foremost, rehab and reuse saves our historic buildings for future generations to experience, and the more architectural authenticity our downtown preserves, the more admired and “walkable” it will become.
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FLASHPOINT: Can anyone hear the call from Farrington's Grove
On Friday, March 30, a dear friend was brutally attacked in broad daylight in an alley in the neighborhood I grew up in, on the edge of Farrington’s Grove.
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FLASHPOINT: We have the power to co-exist without violence or prejudice
Innumerable forces in our lives, and throughout our society, seem to have convinced us that immediacy is best. We have to do it now. We have to have it now. We must go there now. We need it now!
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FLASHPOINT: Issue surrounding Florida shooting fueled by race
I am writing as a mother and as president of the Terre Haute branch of the NAACP because there may be some who wonder why the shooting of Trayvon Martin has created such an uproar: “What exactly is the issue?”
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FLASHPOINT: Indiana — open for business
With the 2012 legislative session in the rearview mirror, the two-year work of the 117th General Assembly elected in November of 2010 is complete.
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FLASHPOINT: The Constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act
On March 26, the United States Supreme Court will begin three days of hearings with six hours of oral argument on the constitutional challenge filed by Indiana and 25 other states against certain sections of the federal health care law: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often referred to as “Obamacare.” This historic lawsuit will explore the limits of the power of Congress under the U.S. Constitution.
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FLASHPOINT: The burning questions of ‘Fahrenheit 451’
“Remember the firemen are rarely necessary. The public stopped reading of its own accord.” — Ray Bradbury, “Fahrenheit 451”
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FLASHPOINT: Wonderful place to be during a very hard time
University Hospital (Indianapolis), part of IU Health Group, is a wonderful place to be if you are seriously ill.
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FLASHPOINT: America’s energy brings America jobs
The increase in fuel prices affects many aspects of our daily lives.
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FLASHPOINT: Change coming to the Indiana Statehouse
The General Assembly is about to undergo a major face-lift. I’m not talking about new construction. I’m talking about destruction — partisan destruction, in fact.
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FLASHPOINT: White House rejects Keystone XL: Sad day for U.S. workers
Imagine a project that could create 20,000 American jobs during construction, and as many as half a million longer-term positions.
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FLASHPOINT: Graduation rates are up; great news for Indiana
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride.
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FLASHPOINT: Tech trail leading us into a dense, digital forest
It seems the Southwest Parke schools are the latest to play the laptop lottery game.
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FLASHPOINT: Republicans enable war on middle class, unions
About six years ago at the pinnacle of the Bush/GOP Dictatorship, I began telling you that the wealthy and Corporate America were laying the ground work to politically, financially and physically take over America.
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FLASHPOINT: Howey ignores truth to advance his agenda
Brian Howey’s Jan. 8 column about the U.S. Senate race proves once again that he will not allow the facts or journalistic ethics to get in the way of attacking Richard Mourdock and promoting his chosen candidate, Dick Lugar.
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FLASHPOINT: Putting fairness first
This time of year, with chords of Auld Lang Syne still ringing in our ears, it’s not uncommon or unnatural to think of days gone by as being more desirable than the era we live in today.
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FLASHPOINT: What really motivates right-to-work proposal?
You may have heard about the upcoming “right-to-work” legislation before our lawmakers in the next session of “law making.”
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FLASHPOINT: The right-to-work debate: ‘Devil at Our Doorstep’
As the 2012 Indiana Legislative Assembly convenes, January will represent a tipping point for all Hoosiers’ individual freedoms as politicians and Big Labor draw battle lines to determine if Indiana will become the 23rd right-to-work state.
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FLASHPOINT: State’s House Democrats will offer alternative for job creation
As the leaders of single-party control in state government outline their agendas for the 2012 session of the Indiana General Assembly, it is easy to be cynical about their intentions in the months to come.
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FLASHPOINT: Community colleges must lead way in reshaping higher education
In the 1970s, I began what was three decades in the automotive industry. ... Today, in my position as president of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, I see higher education confronted with some of these same challenges.
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FLASHPOINT: There’s little right about ‘right to work’ proposal
The danger contained in these three simple words – “Right to Work” — is that they sound so innocent.
- More Flashpoint Headlines
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FLASHPOINT: Is this really the best we can do?
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