Campaign for Geneva City Council, 4th Ward

Geneva, NY (September 12, 2007)

Ken Camera for Geneva City Council, 4th Ward. Ken wants to protect our finanical security, our neighborhoods, our lake, our lakefront access, our traditional urban downtown, and the regional environment that affects us all.

Click on the header above to return to the home page and my platform for City Council.

Campaign for the 24th District of Congress (archives)

Geneva, NY (October 23, 2006)

CANDIDATE PLEDGE OF HONOR

As a ________________________________ (insert name of party) candidate for the House of Representatives  or the Senate  (check one) I _________________________________________ (insert your name) promise that I will place the interests of my country and my constituents ahead of those of my party. I further affirm that I believe in the old adage "it is not whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game " and will accordingly in all my campaigns and legislative work make a best faiths effort to understand the facts about critically important issues facing our country. After understanding the information, I will further pledge that I will make an effort to be an honest and accessible conduit of this information to my constituents, fellow legislators, and the public. Finally, during campaign debates and dialogue regarding important issues of the day, I pledge to refrain from impugning the patriotism of fellow candidates or members of the public.

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Signature of Candidate

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Date

Geneva, NY (July 13, 2006) - Sorry folks, but i couldn't get enough signatures on my petition to force a primary. So like the Democrats there will be no Republican primary in September for the 24th Congressional District. It is kind of sad what this says about the parties. I suppose we know what the parties stand for, but we also know what they don't stand for: they don't want their members to have a choice and they don't want their members to hear or listen to a conversation between candidates to better understand the issues.

I personally will continue to follow and monitor the issues that would be important to a Camera campaign - the war in Iraq, the war on the low and middle class, the war on the truth, the war on our financial security, and the war on ethical behavior by government officials.

I am also, not ruling out another try in 2008. I will start sooner to configure a campaign committee to collect the needed signaturess and i will stay abreast of the activities of the winner of the 24th District seat in November regardless of who it is.

A complete copy of the press release is available at Signatures.

Below was the opening appeal for Republicans to join my campaign.

24th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPUBLICANS!

"HAD ENOUGH?"

Do you think this country can stand more of the same: special interest politics and favoritism, an endless war in Iraq, more saber-rattling that stokes international tensions, deficit spending that our children are going to have to pay off, an ineffective energy policy and higher oil prices, and dishonest dealings?

Do you agree with me that Republicanism means a strict adherence to the Constitution and Bill of Rights? Are your concerned about the drift toward an all-powerful president and the loss of checks and balances? Do you worry that Washington is using fear tactics to strip us of our individual freedoms and weaken local control? Are you concerned that the government listens to corporations more than it does to its citizens?

The next election is a chance to lift the cloud hanging over this country.

I am running for Congress in the 24th Congressional District. I am trying to force a primary election between Ray Meier (a career politician chosen by the Republican Party) and myself - a grass roots campaigner - so that we can have a conversation about where this country should be going.

My press release (below) shows some of the directions and policies that I plan to pursue, if elected. Ray Meier's positions include: full backing for an indefinite Iraq war schedule, support for big business over working people and small business, and "lip-service" reform of campaign finance and lobbyist activities. Ray doesn't see the connection between the waste and cost of Iraq and the impact on our local economy and the national debt and our moral authority in the world. Worst of all, Ray's positions are intentionally vague. And, without a primary, Ray will not discuss the real issues that are troubling Republicans. Unless he has a primary opponent, he doesn't have to.

Please sign my petition to get my name - "Ken Camera" - on the ballot and force a Republican Primary on September 12th so Republicans in the 24th have a choice (for a change). Better yet, contact me and help me - with a contribution or collecting signatures on my petition (needs to be completed by July 9th).

PRESS RELEASE

Robert K. Camera (Ken)
Geneva, NY 14456

Geneva, NY (4/13/06) -- Today I am announcing my intention to run in the Republican primary for the New York State 24th Congressional District. I am running because this country is at turning point. As our forefathers originally envisioned, honest men and women need to periodically leave their farms and estates and serve in the government of their country. We have left it to career politicians too long and this, accompanied by the Administration's bad policy choices, is why this country is in big trouble. Incumbents and other professional politicians across the land have put their job security and the competition for power ahead of the national interest so that elections are no longer really about crafting ideas and policies to solve problems for the common man.

Politics is now almost exclusively about winning and holding on to power. It's about the short-term rather than the long term. It's about "me and now" and not about our children and their future. Many people say that they want to leave this world in better condition than they found it. Career politicians and the competition for power have transformed our country into what someone recently called a "democracy theme park." This is a place where the US political process unfolds while appearing to have the trappings of a democracy. But, in actuality it is more akin to a video game simulation. Incumbent politicians control the process, corrupt the factual record, and spin and demonize their competition. At the same time, the electorate plays into the "politicians' games" by digesting 10 second sound bites. In most cases the results have been worked out before hand and the number of candidates has been restricted to tip the scales. And we can no longer call ourselves a model for the rest of the world.

My candidacy is pure grassroots and hopeful. I am hopeful that the Republican Party wants to see a primary that is competitive and about important issues. I am hopeful that there are Republicans that still want to field candidates who have ideas and integrity. I believe almost of us want legislators who are looking for solutions to peoples' problems and will listen to constituents rather than lobbyists and big business. These are the values that I will bring to the position. It will only take 1,250 signatures by registered Republicans in the 24th Congressional District to achieve this goal - to get my agenda into the primary.

So what is my agenda/platform? My main positions in a nut shell are as follows:

• Leave Iraq before the summer of 2007 with the exact timetable and orchestration to be decided in collaboration with the Iraqi government.
• Realign our foreign policy to be consistent with the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution so we can reengage the world with new strategies to address international terrorism, climate change, energy security, human rights, and trade.
• Develop and enforce new rules that govern lobbyists, campaign contributions, and the general code of conduct. Guidelines will be written by a commission of non-partisan citizens rather than by legislators.
• Create a non-partisan Federal commission that will expose to the people the shameful history of gerrymandering practices in all fifty states in the Union in order to encourage reform of our legislative system.
• Develop a national energy policy that will be a "win-win-win" for the people rather than a corporate welfare delivery mechanism. Win-win-win means we must create an energy policy that reduces environmental degradation, increases our energy independence, and moderates the cost of fueling our economy.
• Eliminate all earmarks for Congress and get legislators back to the business of passing legislation that addresses national and/or major regional problems. Earmarks are the way elected representatives maintain incumbency and job security.
• Separate the Federal Emergency Management Agency from the Department of Homeland Security to assure that future disasters are handled professionally and create some needed redundancy in our national security network.
• Apply competency principles (under the principle "mal administration") to the expected impeachment of George Bush and his administration.
• Apply "the pay as you go" approach to government spending and start reducing the financial burden to future generations created as a result of the Iraq War, the failed drug prescription bill, and Katrina reconstruction, by repealing the 2003 Bush tax cut for families with incomes over $200,000/year.
• Given that we are supposed to be a participatory democracy, fulfill the following promise to the American people: You deserve to have the facts regarding important issues facing our country. We will not corrupt or alter scientific research or legal records to suit our political agendas. The point of departure for debate on any issue should be complete compilation of known facts and making them accessible to the electorate.

I look forward to adding to and expanding these positions over the next couple of months. More about my background and orientation on various topics can be found at my website at www.kencamera.us

I can be reached by email at rkcamera@gmail.com. If you wish to help me in my efforts, please contact me. Yes, I will gratefully accept donations which will be used to mount a successful petition drive so that I can participate in the Republican primary this fall.

According to the Democrat and Chronicle, (4/13/06, Page A9) the 24th Congressional District Seat is going to be worth $5 million or more in this election. Thats how much all candidates are expected to spend to win this trip to Washington.

Announced candidates so far include:

Republicans:

State Senator, Ray Meier, 53;

Bradford Jones, 54, Auburn; (dropped out 6/2/06)

Ken Camera, 56, Geneva

Democrats:

DA, Michael Arcuri, 46, Oneida;

Les Roberts, 44, Chenango County (dropped out ~5/17/06)

Iraq - Four Wars for the Price of One!

Our military is doing a wonderful job in Iraq. But, it is very hard to fight Al-Quaida and also deal with an insurgency, sectarian violence, and organized crime while in the midst of a non-combatant population.

Iraq War - Facets of Iraqi Violence

The Cost of the Iraq War

There is no need at this point to categorize or rehash the misguided policies and execution blunders that we have experienced related to the Iraq War. With the current scope of our mission and leadership in Iraq we have reached an equilibrium point that could go on for many years. Those who want the US to stay in Iraq to "finish the job," to make the death and expense so far somehow mean something more than it already does are misguided. Those that want us to stay in Iraq must start looking at the picture in terms of the lives and the cost of this effort.

I know many people in this district who are not willing to sacrifice anymore American and Iraqi lives in this fight. As this effort continues it is straining our national defenses and compromising our economic well-being. It is taking troops away from national and internation relief efforts, humanitarian causes, and stabilization efforts. And besides the official dead and wounded, it is sending home many more soldiers with significant emotional and readjustment problems.

American Casualties in Iraq as of 6/15/06 (Reuters)

• American Deaths since the beginning (3/9/03) - 2,500
• American Wounded since the beginning - 18,490

Iraqi Casualties in Iraq as of 10/29/04 (Lancet Study)

• ~100,000 + civilian deaths.

This war is also is wasting needed funds and resources for addressing a myriad of other issues that relate to our financial and physical security at home.

Based on authoritative research we have seen, it is estimated that we are spending more than $1 Billion a week on the War. And with the help of the National Priorities Project (NPP) we have costs that have been translated down to some of the communities in our own 24th Congressional District. See below...

Cost of the Iraq War as of 6/15/06 - ~ $288 billions (National Priorities Project - nationalpriorities.org)

• Cost for Oneida County - $240 millions
• Cost for Herkimer County - $60 millions
• Cost for Rome - $33 millions
• Cost for Utica - $42 millions

These costs are simply a bad deal for Americans now and for our children who will have to pay for them in the future.

Economy

Today's Federal Spending (from National Priorities Project)

Today, federal spending accounts for more than 20% of GDP. About one-third of that spending, $818 billion in FY2005, is devoted to Social Security and Medicare - programs aimed at senior citizens, the disabled and children and spouses of deceased workers (see chart below).

Spending on 'national defense' (a government definition) amounts to 20% of total federal spending. This does not include, however, foreign military financing grants, other military assistance, or other military-related expenditures.

The high deficits in the 1980s accelerated the accumulation of federal debt. Servicing this debt now consumes approximately 7% of spending, or about $180 billion. This amount would actually be much higher - around $270 billion - except that it is off-set by interest earned on the Social Security trust funds.

The federal government contributes very little to education, contributing only about 8% of total spending (local, state and federal) on elementary and secondary education. Total education spending, including higher education, consumes less than 3% of the federal budget.

Other includes general science, space and technology; energy; agriculture; commerce and housing credit; community and regional development; general government; allowances; and undistributed offsetting receipts.

Sources: Office of Management and Budget, Budget of the U.S. Government, FY2006, Historical Tables and Mid-Session Review.

Power and the Major Parties

Energy Policy

Distortions of the Record

There is an old adage that says "the facts speak for themselves." The way the world is today facts are on there own. Facts may be folded, spindled, concealed, spun, replaced, or simply lost in the shuffle of political expedience. People forget that one of the most important functions of government is the collection and compilation of data. This data is used to manage and distribute the wealth of the nation (government programs) to the populace. Through the courts, the government creates factual records of events and information in order to assign criminality, assess damages and compensate victims. For some reason however, the legislature and the executive have completely forgotten this duty to the American public of assuring accurate information for the public debate.

Baseball, our national pastime, provides the concept of the box score. Based on the thousands of box scores of games, division and league pennants are won and world series participants are chosen. Dedication to the accuracy of the box score is critical. Without it the game is meaningless. The same goes for government. Every civil servant and aspiring politician in the country should dedicate themselves first and foremost to the compilation of accurate fact sets on which to base discussions, debate, and form policy. Today, we are not even close..

Grass roots campaign for signatures falls short

Press Release from Ken Camera

Geneva - July 13, 2006 - Some people may be aware that I have been making an attempt to have a Republican primary between myself and Ray Meier, the chosen party favorite, for the 24th Congressional District. This required that our committee obtain the mandatory 1,250 Republican signatures needed to get my name on the ballot. Unfortunately, I was not able to secure the number needed to do this. The reasons include the following:

• The decision to run a little too late to get the organization in place.
• I also was not able to organize the effort or expand my committee as rapidly as was needed to be successful.
• Funding for the effort was very modest.

Although prominent local Republican Committee members were quick to tell me that it takes a great deal of money to mount a successful primary campaign I felt strongly in the principle of having contested primaries and because I believe that the next election is a chance for us to lift the cloud handing over this country. And, I tried because I believe that career politicians can only offer us more of the same:

• special favor politics
• continuation of the Iraq War without a firm schedule
• inept and inconsistent foreign policy that exacerbates international tensions
• deficit spending for our children to pay off
• and dishonest dealings.

That being said, the reasons behind running are valid regardless of my failings as a potential candidate. Career politicians will always have an edge on grassroots campaigns until the electorate gets wise to what is going on. Both parties' sole purpose is to pick and elect their candidate and then control them with payback strategies that assures the candidate of job security. Neither party is interested in presenting to its membership a choice or enhanced review of the issues.

During my petitioning efforts, I spoke to hundreds of Republicans in the Geneva area. From them I learned a number of things which will guide my future efforts:

1. Republicans want a choice in the primary.
2. There are a significant number of Republicans who want the party to move back toward the center
3. Republicans are discouraged and angry about the direction the Administration has taken this country...

As for my opponent Ray Meier, I wish him well, but regretfully cannot at this time offer my support. I believe that his record as a New York State senator is hardly special. During the last couple of years, he has seen the recommendations of the Brennan Law Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law ("The New York Legislative Process - An Evaluation and Blueprint for Reform") and has hardly given these suggested reforms more than lip service. Ray wants to talk about job creation, welfare reform, and opposition to Indian land claims which is designed to keep constituents' eyes off the ball. The place where the money is really being flushed down the toilet is Iraq and the cadre of private contractors who are milking the system in the name of "troop support," "reconstruction", and "infrastructure improvements." The Iraq War is killing this country financially (and probably morally and ethically), but all Ray and the Republican Party can call honest efforts to establish a timetable for withdrawal is "Cut and Run" (per Karl Rove and other Bush political aides in Washington).

What we really have if you want a two-second, opposing sound bite is we are "Anchored to a failed policy." The only reason to stay the course from the perspective of the incumbents is for their own job security which brings us back to Ray Meier. Ray is attempting to transition from a state-level legislative job to a legislative job in Congress representing the 24th Congressional district of New York.

The Republicans in the 24th district would have had a better chance to keep Sherwood Boehlert's seat had they embraced an independent candidate who wants to schedule a date to leave Iraq before next summer, will take an oath to speak out against "pork," who is willing to align with anyone (regardless of political affiliation) who will put the common man ahead of big business and someone who understands that we have energy and environmental problems that are intertwined and demand a simultaneous and long-term solution.

I would like to thank all those who supported the concept of having competitive primaries between candidates (which expand the public discussion of important issues) and me personally for their signatures and efforts along the way. Open and contested primaries make the voters the winners and enhance our democracy and the issues should be what elections are about, not who has the most money.

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