Running for Congress

[qixlqatl]

Good luck with with the election.

[Tiny1]

Tiny1, in answer to the question you posed at the bottom of your comment, yes, I will. I have a frame with a paper in it that I carry with me to all my events which outlines some specific pledges I have made in addition to the ones I agreed to in the 9-12 group. I won't tolerate lobbyists and I will expose anyone regardless of party affiliation who works to circumvent our Constitution and acts in a manner that is illegal. That is one of the main reasons I want to slash my salary and the rest of the 434 serving in both houses of Congress (most are wealthy anyway) and build a barracks or dormitory or apartment for us all to live in. I want to start taking away the power lobbyists have over government. 1 out of every 6 private sector employees in DC work for lobbyists. I've never run for office before, never held office before. I'm a regular guy with a wife and kids and mortgage. But, I live within my means and I expect government to do the same. I outline reforming the tax code because I think it pretty much goes without saying we expect integrity and accountability from Congress. The tax code is where most of the abuses from Congress occur, also. There are a few that are doing a good job that I'd like to work with. So, sure, exposing corruption and all that is on my list. The first step to doing that is electing the right people. I feel I am one of those people. Like most conservatives, I believe I understand the role of government and will act accordingly. This doesn't have to be astrophysics. By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass.

Of course, You know that you will be met with the most venom of any politician in history? These elitists will never submit to your terms. They don't want to live in a dorm situation. They want 5 stars and room service. How do you plan to put this before the people? How do you plan to serve notice on Congress Critters that have been there 20-30 years?
Obama, Pelosi and Reid are, IMO, guilty of heinous crimes against America. How do you expect to circumvent that kind of power?
Cut their wages? You know you'll need 60 Senate votes to assure that and many more in the House. They'll never go for it.
Pardon my blunt nature, but do you really expect to get any of this done? It seems that those who try to do the right thing in Washington, are seldom successful. Have you gotten with any other politicians to garner their support? You are, afterall, only one man, and you'll be fighting 534 people.
I hope you can accomplish your goals. You seem to be an honest American, and I wish you the best. Pardom my skepticism, but I really have a problem trusting people in politics.
Good Luck.

[AndyGoss]

Tiny1, of course, I expect it. The thing is, I don't care. I'm not running to please any of them or fit in with them. I will be the first to admit the things I propose may never happen. A lot of it depends on making huge gains in the House in 2010. Regardless, I will put it in a bill and try to get as much attention for it as possible. If Americans hear about it, they may just put their representatives' feet to the fire and get it done. Your skepticism is warranted. I would remind you, however, I am not a "politician"; never done this before. By definition, I suppose running for office makes me one but I don't play their silly games and I won't give you silly answers. If I'm fortunate enough to get elected and Reid, Pelosi, Frank, Dodd, etc are still around, I will unload on them. I tell folks around here I will probably be the most censured Congressman in history because my tolerance for bovine excrement is at an all-time low. I will in fact sleep in my office until that apartment or dorm or barracks is built and I will in fact call these liars, crooks and thieves what they are to their faces. Yes, I am just one man. But, there are 435 seats up for grabs in November and if we can find more good people, we have a good chance at getting some of my goals accomplished. I don't come to you just to identify what the problems are. I have solutions to the a lot of these problems. I won't go there for a career. 4 terms maximum. I have a wife and kids I'll be away from and I don't want to be. But good grief, somebody has got to do something and it might as well be me. I have sat across an interrogation table from al Qai'da, Palestinians, ISI, Jaysh al Mahdi and numerous other terrorists. I've looked evil in the face. These clowns in Washington don't scare me a bit. They should be scared of me. I am as skeptical as you are of politicians. I won't be one. I will be my district's advocate with Washington, not a self-important bureaucrat.

[qixlqatl]

Tiny1, of course, I expect it. The thing is, I don't care. I'm not running to please any of them or fit in with them. I will be the first to admit the things I propose may never happen. A lot of it depends on making huge gains in the House in 2010. Regardless, I will put it in a bill and try to get as much attention for it as possible. If Americans hear about it, they may just put their representatives' feet to the fire and get it done. Your skepticism is warranted. I would remind you, however, I am not a "politician"; never done this before. By definition, I suppose running for office makes me one but I don't play their silly games and I won't give you silly answers. If I'm fortunate enough to get elected and Reid, Pelosi, Frank, Dodd, etc are still around, I will unload on them. I tell folks around here I will probably be the most censured Congressman in history because my tolerance for bovine excrement is at an all-time low. I will in fact sleep in my office until that apartment or dorm or barracks is built and I will in fact call these liars, crooks and thieves what they are to their faces. Yes, I am just one man. But, there are 435 seats up for grabs in November and if we can find more good people, we have a good chance at getting some of my goals accomplished. I don't come to you just to identify what the problems are. I have solutions to the a lot of these problems. I won't go there for a career. 4 terms maximum. I have a wife and kids I'll be away from and I don't want to be. But good grief, somebody has got to do something and it might as well be me. I have sat across an interrogation table from al Qai'da, Palestinians, ISI, Jaysh al Mahdi and numerous other terrorists. I've looked evil in the face. These clowns in Washington don't scare me a bit. They should be scared of me. I am as skeptical as you are of politicians. I won't be one. I will be my district's advocate with Washington, not a self-important bureaucrat.

I like your spirit. Wish I could offer you more than good wishes...

[AndyGoss]

Well, that's better than bad wishes. My primary is next August so I have a lot of work to do. I really cannot do more than my best and pray that God will inspire the people in my district to inquire about me and learn more about me. The rest is up to them. I just want them to know they have an alternative who doesn't owe anyone anything and will do what he says he will do. I know how hollow that sounds; nobody trusts people running for office and quite honestly, they have no reason to. If I were picking a candidate for Congress to support, I would be asking why they think they are different and why they should be trusted. I hope when people meet me, they can discern that. I will give it my best shot and hopefully, I will win. If not, I'm only 39, I'll try again if I need to.

[Tiny1]

I have gained respect for you from your answers. Sorry about being so difficult, but I would expect anyone searching for my vote to be upfront and honest.
I will now contact everyone in your area that I know, and ask them to support you. Good Luck.

[AndyGoss]

Tiny1, no need to apologize for being difficult. People have reason to be skeptical and I expect it. I hope as a result of the last 10 months, more normal, regular people decide they've had enough and run for office. Some of us may just win. If we do, I think we can not only save our Republic, we can improve it for everyone. I appreciate you caring enough to find out for yourself. We need more people to do that and to back it up with action. I am grateful for shows like Glen Beck and Hannity and radio shows like Levin, Savage, Ingraham, etc. Even if people don't agree with them on everything or think they are over the top, they are helping to wake people up. Better late than never.

[MrViews90]

Hello, my name is Andy Goss. I'm a conservative Republican running for Congress in Arizona CD8 against Gabrielle Giffords. I'm a veteran and I'm sick of this administration and Congress. I'm tired of the lies and I'm tired of Congress thinking they know what is best for me. I want to shrink our government by abolishing the Education Dept, Homeland Security, Dept of Energy, the EPA, HUD and IRS. We must reform our tax code. My views on issues and plans for action can be seen at www GossforCongress.com.

I cannot do this alone. My message has been very well received during the campaign but I need your help. I am running a grassroots campaign. Please visit my site and support me. Email me your questions. Tell people about my candidacy. Contribute to my campaign. Every little bit helps. I have no paid staff and I absolutely REFUSE to go into debt to campaign. I need your help and financial support. I know times are tight for a lot of people, myself included. But you can contribute some now or pay with your freedoms later. We can take back the House in 2010. I can beat Gabrielle Giffords with your help. Thank you for all you do.

Andy Goss
Candidate for Arizona CD8

Thank you for reaching out, I wish you all the best. I like your platform except for eliminating the department of homeland security, which has defended our nation through the USAPatriot Act.

I am happy to see someone running for congress who seems open to fair taxation.

[AndyGoss]

MrViews90, the main reason I want to eliminate the Dept of Homeland Security is because it is an amalgamation of 22 agencies that already existed. They still don't get along or talk to each other. This department did nothing but create more bureaucracy and waste of our tax dollars. We existed over 200 years without it and we can live without it now. There are very few provisions of the Patriot Act I can live with. I'm fine with the tools it gave us to catch terrorists but I'm not fine with with the authority it gives to intrude into the lives of Americans who have nothing to do with terrorism.

[JewishConservative]

MrViews90, the main reason I want to eliminate the Dept of Homeland Security is because it is an amalgamation of 22 agencies that already existed. They still don't get along or talk to each other. This department did nothing but create more bureaucracy and waste of our tax dollars. We existed over 200 years without it and we can live without it now. There are very few provisions of the Patriot Act I can live with. I'm fine with the tools it gave us to catch terrorists but I'm not fine with with the authority it gives to intrude into the lives of Americans who have nothing to do with terrorism.

Sorry, but I dont support people who are against the PATRIOT Act