One of the most common questions I am asked is, “So, are you a Republican or Democrat?”. And most people are astonished when my response is, “Neither, I am Independent.” Amid the confused stares and perplexed gazes, almost everyone utters the most natural follow-up question, “Why?”
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          My answer lies within their initial question. I do not want to be identified by a party affiliation. That is not what defines me. What should define a person is their Morality, Integrity, and Core Values. The letter beside a person’s name does not – or at least should not – compose the fabric of one’s character.
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          I am campaigning as an Independent because I refuse to be judged by the letter that follows my name. I would rather have nobody vote for me because they don’t like me for who I am and what I believe, rather than win an election because the people prefer the party I am affiliated with – but know nothing about me.
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           Now, this begs the question, “Who are you, and what do you stand for?”
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           I am TJ Thompson, I am 26 years old, and I am campaigning for U.S. Congress in the 6th District of Indiana. I am tired of our voices being ignored by the Washington Career Politicians. My goal in Washington D.C. will be to restore the principles this nation was founded upon. I will fight to restore the full faith and validity of the long-ignored Constitution. Finally, I will answer to YOU, and take responsibility for my actions.
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           In a recent radio interview I was asked, “What will be your first order of business when you get to Washington?” As a United States Congressman from Indiana, the first bill I propose will be to reduce the base salary of the Congress Member from $174,000 per year to $50,000. This will put Congress at the Average American Salary. We work for you – do you make $174,000 per year? Most don’t – why should we?  You get a raise based on Job Performance, and Congress should too. 
          You can see my proposal here: http://bit.ly/16CbQV
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          With this 71.25% reduction in pay, every decision Congress makes regarding taxes, wages, etc. will affect them just as it will the people they work for – YOU. Finally, this will save roughly $53.9 Million per year in Federal spending on Congressional pay in The House.
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          Immediately following the almost $54 Million in Federal Savings, I will address the Fair Tax. This piece of legislation will eliminate the over 60,000 pages of US Tax Code, and replace it with one Federal tax rate across the board for ALL Americans. No more deciphering the confusing tax code to file Income Tax returns. Most importantly, those politicians in the pockets of Lobbyists and Big Corporations will no longer be able to manipulate the Tax Code to benefit their contributors.
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           I will also fight for an extremely important issue: instituting Term Limits on Congress (my proposal: http://bit.ly/3JNSpz).  Other issues include Education, the Federal Reserve, True Transparency, and many others.
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           Finally, I want to address personal responsibility. In the unlikely event I am found to favor Special Interest Groups, Lobbyists, or Big Corporations – I will resign immediately.
           If I am found guilty of voting for legislation that strips, limits, or minimizes your Constitutional rights – I will resign immediately.
          If I write or support legislation that favors myself or Congress over the people of Indiana and America – I will resign immediately.
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          I hope that you can get to know me in person, on the telephone, or through online communication.  Please do not hesitate to call or E-mail me.  I will update my website with public appearances when they arise.
—————–

–TJ Thompson–
Phone – 317.426.VOTE
http://www.ThompsonForCongress2010.com
thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/ThompsonIN2010

          During his primetime TV news conference on July 22nd, Barack Obama was asked his opinion about how much racial motivation played into the arrest of Henry Louis Gates; a black Harvard Professor.  Needless to say, Mr. Obama’s response was less than stellar.  The President stated that he “did not know all of the facts” and that he “didn’t know what role race played”.  Following these two comments, Obama then stated the following

“I think it’s fair to say, No. 1, any of us would be pretty angry; No. 2, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home; and, No. 3, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there’s a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. That’s just a fact.”

          Wow, Mr. Obama.  That was a perfect squandering of a golden opportunity.  You had the eyes and ears of the world, yet chose to pass on this issue.  Perhaps because you felt that, no matter what you say, one race would be angry with you.  If you said “too much”, white people could grow angry with you.  If you said “too little”, black people may feel that you didn’t say enough.

          As I have mentioned before, I grew up in a small town of 95% white people.   I never experienced the racial bias that exists throughout the nation.  As I have moved from that town and experienced more of the world, I am understanding this sentiment more.
          Sadly, there is still deep racial divisions throughout this nation.  These racial divides were exposed during the 2008 Presidential election to a level, I feel, that had not been seen since the days of segregation and Dr. King.   This was an awakening for me.
          This was my first – and possibly my generation’s first – large-scale exposure to precisely how ingrained racism is in America.  The topic of racism and racial bias has been highlighted in TV shows, movies, books, and many other forms of media over the years.  Looking back, I don’t think i was old enough, mature enough, or experienced enough to fully understand this issue.
          I will use two quotes from from the movie “A Time To Kill” that, as I have grown, unfortunately ring truer and truer in life.  The first quote is by Samuel L. Jackson, and the second by Matthew McConaughey.

Samuel Jackson:  ”When you look at me, you don’t see a man, you see a black man … It’s how you was raised. Nigger, negro, black, African-american, no matter how you see me, you see me different”

Matthew McConaughey:  ”What is it in us that seeks the truth?  Is it our minds?  Or is it our hearts? … ‘We are all equal in the eyes of the law.’  That’s not the truth.  Because the eyes of the law are human eyes.  Yours and mine.  And until we can see each other as equals, justice will never be even-handed.  It will remain a reflection of our own prejudices.”

          First, I understand that my inclusion of the racial terminology in the quote above may not be looked upon favorably.  I sincerely believe that it was necessary for me NOT to edit the direct quote, or to omit the language.  I believe this because it is the unfortunate truth that these are the terms that are the seeds of our racial divisions in this country.  I mean no offense to anyone.
          In the case of Professor Gates, we may not know for a 100% certainty if this was racialy motivated.  What we do know is that this raises more questions than it answers:  ”Would this happen to a White man?”  ”Is the arresting officer known for, or does he have a record of racial bias?”  ”Why didn’t Mr. Obama flatly, blatantly denounce racial profiling and injustice on this worldwide stage?”

          Regardless of the answers to those questions, the bottom line is that we need to STOP judging people based on race.  The only race we need to recognize is the Human Race.  No colors, no divisions, no barriers: Just people.  This is a war that has been waged since the birth of our nation.  This is not easy to overcome, but overcome we must.  This starts with me, and it starts with you.  Practice it, preach it, encourage it.

          Let us truly judge men and women by the the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.  Let us judge men and women by their level of integrity & morality and not by their nation of origin.  Let us judge men and women by their charity & compassion and not by the religion they practice & preach.  Let us judge men and women as human beings; no more, no less.  Let us judge men and women as simply, men and women.

TJ Thompson

Phone — (317) 426-VOTE
http://www.thompsonforcongress2010.com
http://thompsonforcongress.wordpress.com
http://www.twitter.com/ThompsonIN2010
thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com

     I have grown to the point where I believe that reading words just is not enough.  I cannot express my passion, emotion, and emphasis properly in text form.

     I have decided that hearing is better than reading.  Therefore, I have inserted an audio clip – I guess ‘podcast’ is the common nomenclature.  This way, I think that my true message will be conveyed.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

    Please let me know if this is effective or not.

Thanks

TJ Thompson
www.ThompsonForCongress2010.com
http://ThompsonForCongress.WordPress.com
–Thompson.ForCongress.2010@Gmail.com

     Our nation has an epidemic of failing public schools.  This is not confined to urban schools either.  My alma mater, Shelbyville High School, in Shelbyville, Indiana was profiled in a Time Magazine article titled “Dropout Nation”, as well as on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’.  You can read that article here: http://bit.ly/S0QVx and the Oprah segment here http://bit.ly/IbcoT.

     Shelbyville is a small town of roughly 18,000 people – about 30 miles Southeast of Indianapolis.  In a town with over 95% of the population White, 1 of every 3 kids will not graduate High School.  One in Three!!!  This contradicts every major stereotype portrayed on TV and broadcast throughout society.

     Sadly, too many people across this nation believe that the educational crisis is limited to the Urban, Black, or Latino populace.  This couldn’t be farther from the truth.  This epidemic is a national catastrophe.  We are in an Educational State Of Emergency.

     I believe that we cannot pass legislation and laws to curb this outbreak.  The cure starts in the home and in the school.  It is imperative upon the parents of our children to take charge.  If there are no parents available, then the responsibility falls upon aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and even teachers.  These children need role model to encourage, nurture, and help them succeed.

     I understand that there are cases in which one or both parents did not complete high school or receive a GED.  This is one case where I feel that governmental measures could be necessary and useful.  Programs that aide and encourage parents to advance their education will create an environment where parents and children can learn together.  Parents and children helping each other will create a bond between them that may not exist presently.  This will strengthen the family bond in this nation along with the educational advancement of our citizens.

     If you are an adult, find a child in need.  Nurture that child, embrace that child, help that child.  Do not say that you “do not have time”, because you do.  Turn off the TV, put down the video games, skip your ‘night out’, and pick up a book and a child.  There is not one kid in this nation who “is a lost cause” - that attitude is what put us in this detrimental state. 

     I was one of the lucky kids who had Ms. Kris Schwickrath (Ms. S) as a Latin teacher at Shelbyville High School.  In my four years in her class, I was a lazy student.  I refused to do work, I was a punk, and I was difficult – as were others.  In those four years, Ms. S never gave up.  She continued her efforts to nurture and teach me.  She retained that hope that I would prevail.  Sadly, my immature attitude remained over four years time. 

(more on Ms. S http://bit.ly/krf8h)

     Now, as a 25 year old adult, she has my utmost respect, and is truly one of my heroes.  I maintain contact with her, and if I can get back into college, I will study to be a Latin teacher just as she is.  I now see what it means and what it takes to be an educator.   We need EVERYteacher in America to learn from Ms. Schwickrath.

     Our teachers must look at their occupation as more than a paycheck.  They must view their roles as a Duty To Their Country.  They must not flee from inner-city schools because of difficulty, but instead rise up and fight for change.  No matter how hard your life is inside the walls of the classroom, these children have a much harder life outside of the school.

     An educated population can only advance the progress of our country.  Educated people can make educated decisions about careers, finances, politics, etc.  Knowledge is power.  Together we can make this nation powerful once again. 

     I will close by simply reiterating Hon. Sonia Sotomayor’s quote of her mother during her opening statement of her confirmation hearings:

“The key to success in America is a good education.” 

    

TJ Thompson
http://www.thompsonforcongress2010.com
http://thompsonforcongress.wordpress.com
http://www.twitter.com/ThompsonIN2010
thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com

     Have you watched the proceedings in The House on C-Span?  I am about to throw up my lunch watching the grotesque display of arrogance and butt-kissing that occurs.

     Everyone is referred to as “Gentleman”, “Gentlewoman”, or as a “Distinguished” something or another.  WOW! 

     The actions of a great majority of these people are in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM “Distinguished”.  The actions are not those of a “Gentleman” or “Gentlewoman”.  These are actions of leeches, predators, and cannibals.

     Congress has sucked our wallets dry, preyed on our Liberties, and devoured the People.  They have grown fat and happy living off of our blood, sweat, tears, and money.  This disgusts me, as it should you!

     Lets not forget the amount of time they waste introducing each other with vibrant and colorful adjectives, adverbs, and various other descriptions that would sicken the strongest of citizens.

    It is time to eradicate Congress of these Powerless Puppets.  It is time to bleed our government of Infected Incumbents.  It is time to recapture the Reigns of Power.

     It Is Time To Clean House!!!  

Scheduled Date of House Sanitation:  11-2-2010

TJ Thompson
htp://www.thompsonforcongress2010.com
http://thompsonforcongress.wordpress.com
http://www.twitter.com/ThompsonIN2010
thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com

..

      Ladies and Gentleman, we find ourselves at perhaps the most critical crossroads in the brief history of this nation. I believe that the 2010 and 2012 elections will be either the final nails in the coffin of America, or the fuel that propels us back to prosperity. There is no middle ground; no room for error. The American people have a simple decision to make: Freedom or Failure.
 

     The time to revolt has come. I am not shouting a call to arms, nor am I endorsing violence. The Second American Revolution is a call to vote. Eliminate the Destroyers Of Our Constitution. Remove those who have plundered Liberty. Remind the world that the American People rule this nation – not corrupt government. We have celebrated and assisted many nations achieving Freedom and Independence, and lost our own in the process. It is time we get ours back! 
 

     The Socialist Regime that presently resides in Washington is a product of our own failures as a nation. Time after time, we have elected the same people to the same office. These perennial politicians are as much to blame as the voters for the detrimental State Of The Union. We kept electing them, and they kept looking out for themselves.

 
     As campaigns arise and November 2010 draws near, take the following to heart:
 

     Party affiliation, if any, means nothing. Absolutely nothing. What matters is the values, principles, and judgement of a candidate. Are you thinking, “How do I determine the true values of a candidate? Aren’t all politicians liars anyway?” The answer to the latter is “Absolutely not!” Regarding the former, ‘Glenn Beck’s Common Sense’ is 100% accurate in describing how to spot the true values and beliefs of a candidate:
  

People who know they are right about an issue will never back down from a debate”
  

     You may disagree with some, most, or all of a candidate’s views; but would you rather have an honest Representative that you don’t see eye-to-eye with, or a silver-tongued snake who only tells you ‘what you want to hear’? Personally, I’ll take an honest person with passion, conviction, and integrity over someone who possesses none of the above. High moral character trumps necessary rhetoric.
   

     We The People, the time has come to unite as Americans. Unite together with the passion and Patriotism that brought us together after 9/11, and let your voice charge upon Capitol Hill. Muster your Courage, Anger, Love, and Pride. Unite as Human Beings. Remove the labels and barriers that divide us. Be not Democrat or Republican, Black or White, Liberal or Conservative, Rich or Poor – Be Americans. Take back your nation!

——

TJ Thompson — July 1st, 2009 3:41am
Candidate for Indiana’s 6
th Congressional District

..

      I wish I could launch a plethora of attacks against Congressman Mike Pence about his incompetence, inaction, and inability to serve the people. But I can’t. I wish that I could sit here and hurl pile after pile of his lies and his poor decisions back into his face. But I can’t. There are many things that I am unable to say about Congressman Pence. I am unable because they would be borne of dishonesty and laced with lies.

     In our political climate, We The People need honesty. We need a leader. We need someone who truly represents the people. Spewing inaccuracies would benefit neither the people, the nation, nor myself.

     While I do not agree with everything Congressman Pence says or does, he has proved to me that he possesses the heart, passion and ability to fight for the American People – not just Hoosiers. He proved his leadership qualities with his speech on the House floor last week (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRk78mvgGwI) His words are what needed to be said. His points were obvious ones that were being ignored. But pay less attention to the words said, and more to the way he said them.
Mr. Pence spoke with intent and passion. He blatantly expressed his emotion and desire to do the right thing. He showed his sincere concern for the well-being of the American people. This, my friends, is what an experienced leader looks like.

     Now, you might be thinking, “if he is such an impassioned leader, then why are you challenging him?” His speech on the House floor ignited this question in my own mind. And I have an answer to this question.

     I am challenging for Mr. Pence’s seat in the House for three reasons. First, I am a person Of the people. I am an average man. I do not have a law degree, a Masters, or a PhD. I wear boots and jeans, not an expensive suit and tie. I do not make a minimum salary of $174,000 per year. I feel the same economic effects as the average voter.

     Second, I agree with Barack Obama that Washington DC needs change – you, Mr.Obama, are not the change that is needed. The change that Washington needs is for the House of Representatives to represent the people once again. We The People need fair representation in the federal government. Fair representation will be achieved when one of We The People take a seat in Congress.

     My third and final reason for supplanting Representative Pence is one that has less to do with me, and more to do with America. Mr. Mike Pence is a shining star within a Party bearing a tarnished image. The GOP is scrambling for a leader and a name to take them into the 2010 mid-term elections and the 2012 Presidential race. I believe that person will be, and should be Mike Pence.

     I believe that Mr. Pence will be a strong voice for the American People. As he displayed in the video linked above, he spoke for the people and directly to the people. He urged the people to get involved with decisions that affect their lives. I feel that an America led by Mike Pence will place the nation back in the hands of the people – supported by Pence’s quote of Alexander Hamilton, “Here, sir, the people govern.”

     I feel that his reference to Hamilton is not simply brilliant rhetoric, but a display of Pence’s beliefs. I believe that Mike Pence truly wants to serve the people of Indiana and America. I believe that Mike Pence wants to bring this nation back to prosperity and respectability. I believe that Mike Pence has the fortitude and ability to do these things. These beliefs are why I think that Mike Pence should be, and will be the GOP candidate for the 2012 election. Yes, it is extremely premature, but Liberty should not have a time limit. Unfortunately it does. With our current leadership speeding towards Socialism; Liberty and Freedom need a voice. And that voice is Mike Pence.

     When Mr. Pence abdicates his seat in the House, I will be a competent successor. It will be a natural, seamless progression. I believe this because he is a representative of the people, and I AM one of the people. I will bring reality to ideas that have been empty rhetoric to many in Washington. Mr. Pence has spoken about the trials and tribulations of the American people.I will succeed him with a voice OF The People, acting FOR The People, chosen BY The People.

TJ Thompson
Thompson.ForCongress.2010@gmail.com
http://www.twitter.com/ThompsonIN2010
http://ThompsonForCongress.webs.com

..

     Please do me a favor, tune your television to any cable news channel. If you pay enough attention you will hear one word over and over and over again. That word is “Bi-partisan”.

Congressman Mike Pence used the word 5 times in approximately 8-9 minutes of TV interview time from June 19th and June 23rd. That means he said “Bi-partisan” roughly twice every three minutes. I didn’t bother counting the times that the news commentators uttered the word.

Why is this such a “Buzzword”? (to use more popular lingo that I cannot stand!)

In my opinion, politicians use this word to broadcast the supposed co-operation between Republicans and Democrats. But this is not the case. If Congress truly has co-operation between the two parties (non-partisan politics), why insist on labeling it? Co-operation is what The American People expect from you!!

The ongoing political vomiting of the word ‘Bi-partisan’ only shows proof that Partisan politics is alive and well. If the two parties were wholly working together, then there would be no need to regurgitate this word over and over again.

Congress bragging about working together is the equivalent of John Doe bragging about breathing air — THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO!
 
 Knock it off and get to work! This is, yet another reason, why We The People are sick and tired of the same old wolves working in Washington and wasting resources.

TJ Thompson
thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com
http://www.twitter.com/thompsonIN2010

Find me on Google Talk – thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com
 
.

     Indiana Congressman Mike Pence has a stance on National Security that is detrimental to the security of the US and economically feeble. I will address each point separately:

  • Pence On The War On Terror – “It is my firm belief that we must take the fight to the terrorists overseas so we don’t have to face them here at home”

     The past 6-8 years have proven that we are at a gross disadvantage fighting in unfamiliar territory. We should have learned this lesson from Vietnam, but we did not. I prefer that the nearly 3 million individuals that comprise US Military Personnel ALL be stationed right here in the United States. Would the USA allow a foreign country to install and maintain military bases on American soil? I think not. So why should we do this to them? With all of our military personnel in America, they will be able to do their job: Defend & Protect America.

     In the unlikely event that the USA is militarily invaded, how can we defend ourselves with huge numbers of our soldiers overseas? We can’t. Bring them ALL home and allow them to defend our nation in the manner that best suits the USA.

 

  • Pence On Immigration – “Any plan to reform immigration policy in the United States needs to be just, sensible and humane. It needs to puts border security first and crack down on those who knowingly hire illegal workers. But it should also recognize the unquestioned need for a temporary worker program that operates without amnesty”

     I agree that any plan needs to be humane, just and sensible. But it must be just and sensible for Americans. Too often in today’s political and judicial environments, the criminals are given more rights and freedoms than the victims or citizens.

     Border security should be first, I agree. And with bringing ALL of our military personnel back to America, the National Guard can live up to its name and patrol our borders and defend America by keeing out law-breaking illegals and potential terrorists. National Guard members are already being paid with taxpayers dollars, so they can actively protect America 24/7 and 365 days per year. This will cut Federal spending on equipment and training because thousands of National Guard members are already trained and equipped to perform the job.

     The second priority should be deportation/prosecution of illegal immigrants currently in the US. Asking someone for their immigration paperwork is NOT ‘discrimination’ or whatever descriptive word associated with this. Personally, I think that ALL Americans should have valid Government identification to verify citizenship (i.e. Passport) and can be asked to provide this at ANY time. Therefore, nobody can claim discrimination, profiling, or anything else. It is a level playing field.
    
     Mister Pence, I sincerely hope that your view on a Temporary Worker Program has changed in the first 6 months of 2009. With national unemployment rates dancing at 10%, now is the time to STOP a Temporary Worker Program! Even without high unemployment, American jobs should be given to Americans! Yes, it is the fault of the Employers for hiring illegals. But it is also the fault of the Federal Government for having weak immigration defenses to begin with.

     I do, however, wholeheartedly agree that there should never, EVER be an amnesty program adopted by the government. We have a legal immigration process for a reason, and this process should be followed by everyone.

 

  • Pence On Presidential Power – “One of my top priorities in Congress is to strengthen national security and defense by giving the commander in chief all the tools he needs to fight and win the war on terrorism”

     Congressman Pence, YOUare one component of the most powerful weapon that the President Of The United States (POTUS) has to protect our nation. That weapon is Congress. The POTUS does not need everything handed to him on a silver platter so that his power expands.  That is borderline Totalitarianism.  Congress can approve or deny just about anything that the POTUS desires to protect this nation. Why just hand him more & more power?

     Don’t you see that you do NOT need to be “giving the commander in chief all the tools he needs” because Congress is the ONLY tool that the POTUS needs.

 

TJ Thompson
thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com
http://www.twitter.com/thompsonIN2010

Find me on Google Talk – thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com

.

     Does Indiana congressman Mike Pence think you are “unqualified” to express your own opinions? How does that thought make you feel? Does Pence believe that it is his duty – and the Federal Government’s duty – to express opinions for you, on your behalf? Does Pence think we are ‘unfit’ to draw our own conclusions and decisions? Again, how do these questions make you feel?

     As for myself, I am angered that these questions have even arisen. Speaking about Iran in an interview with FoxNews Channel on 6/19/09, Rep. Pence stated that we had, quote, “Yet to hear the President express the unqualified support of the American People.”

     Unqualified support? Mr. Pence, we as Americans are VERY qualified to express our support, or non-support, of Iran. That is our individual viewpoint and belief. What makes you think that we need you, the President, or any other government official to speak on our behalf? Your House Resolution was constructed to speak for us, but who asked you to do this?

     You did this because, for you, this is the political thing to do right now. You are a leading Republican in the House. You are the potential face of the future for the GOP. Your name has been thrown around in possible Presidential hopefuls in 2012, A potential run for Indiana Governor in 2012, and/or a possible Senate campaign in 2010. Also, your attempt to displace John Boehner in 2006 as House Republican Leader shows your desire and ability to attain these higher positions.

     You are a rising star. We cannot question that. You are a fantastic politician. Again, we cannot question that. I feel that you have become so engrossed in polishing your resume and image that you have forgotten about the people who put you in these prominent positions. And this is the precise reason that I am seeking your seat in the House.

     I have recently come out as a staunch critic of you on Twitter and here as well; and you and I have had some exchanges, too. I do not mean these as disrespectful statements, but more as fierce reminders that “We The People” are still here, and we have the power to take back our government.
If you choose to regain your seat in the House in 2010, I look forward to running a respectful campaign against you. If you choose to abdicate the seat and seek a spot in the Senate, I will support you completely. Should you seek the Senate, I would like to see if I could gain your support for the House seat.

     However the future plays out, I look forward to sharing friendly communication, debate, and campaigning with you.

TJ Thompson
thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com
http://www.twitter.com/thompsonIN2010

On Google Talk – thompson.forcongress.2010@gmail.com

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