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PUNK ROCK THE VOTE

Amplifying the People's Voice

Richard T Whitney

My name is Richard T. Whitney, and I am a disabled United States Marine Corps Vet. You may know me as the Chair of the Salt Lake County Democratic Disability Caucus or as the Vice Chair of the Salt Lake County Veteran's Caucus. Over the past ten years, I have been deeply involved with both caucuses as well as with the local Democratic Party.

My commitment is to represent those who cannot stand and speak for those who cannot speak. I believe in amplifying the voice of the people—your voice—not the legislature, not the church. Currently, we are witnessing one of the biggest offenses against that voice with Proposition 4. We paid for, signed, and voted for Prop 4, but the legislature has decided they do not like the outcome because they want to continue uninterrupted gerrymandering. They are now using OUR tax dollars to try to overturn OUR collective decision. The legislature wants to choose their voters, but it should be the voters who choose their representatives.

· .

I am Richard T. Whitney—a Marine, a punk rock kid, and your candidate running for Utah Senate District 13. I am here to fight for you and to make sure your voice is truly heard!

-Clean air and water

· Green energy

· Pro-choice policies

· Equality and equity for all

· Protection of the environment and the wild spaces of Utah

 

However, what matters most is what YOU stand for. YOUR voice will be the one I represent in the Senate.

Frankly, I am tired of the "nice guy" approach. The idea that "we go high when they go low" has only served to encourage bullies. Bullies thrive when there is no resistance—they talk over you, push and shove, and ignore you. Our legislature is full of bullies. I despise bullies and make it

my mission to fight against them. If they go low, then it is a race to the floor.

Meet Richard

A Proven Leader. A True Neighbor. Your Voice.

This is Punk Rock Time

Henry Rollins uses the phrase "This is what Joe Strummer trained you for" to mean that, during chaotic, uncertain, or politically difficult times, it is time to act with integrity, strength, and punk-rock ethos. It encourages individuals to be "thunderous" in their own lives, spread goodness, and fight injustice, embodying the socially conscious, "people can change anything" message of The Clash vocalist Joe Strummer.

BE THUNDEROUS

The Great Salt Lake is very important. It's key to the ski industry/tourism. The big thing is the dust from dried up lake bed being toxic and the health issues it will cause to the residents of the Salt Lake Valley. Veterans and Disability are the main issues I have been working on for the last 10 years. Education, we are among the lowest states on spending per pupil in the US, and it seems every time we turn around, they are trying to pass legislation to sabotage the public school system. One of the most recent attacks is the voucher system. Complaints are coming out about low reading ability in public schools. They don't have the money for reading programs, libraries and librarians, but they have the money for vouchers, which could go to enhance the public education system, instead of pulling funds and enrollment away from public schools, allowing segregation in private schools, and ultimately being another vehicle of wealth distribution upwards. Affordable housing, the amount of Air B&Bs i run into going door to door is insane. Empty properties being held till the price goes up and house flipping all add to the cost of housing. We live in a valley where space is becoming increasingly rare, these actions need to be looked at for serious regulation. I also care about equality under the law. That all people, are treated fairly and equally under the law regardless of socio-economic background, being rich doesn't make one innocent. I could continue on, but, it's the constituent voice that matters, and representing that voice is supposed to be the job description which many on Capitol Hill seem to have forgotten.

Issues I care about,

As a Marine, I take my oath to defend The Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, very seriously.

The way the situation is in the State Legislature, you need a fighter, someone that will take issues head on, that will be transparent, and push back.

The people's voice needs to be heard, not ignored.

 

Aren't you tired of bullies and bloated politicians that enrich themselves at the cost of the people they should be listening to?

You need a fighter,

You need to be heard,

You need to vote.

This is the Way

Stand with Richard T. Whitney

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