My father recognized the promise of Sunnyside and had the confidence in this town to invest his life savings in pursuit of his dreams. But while building his own business, he saw around him the disintigration of Sunnyside’s base of established retailers who, hobbled by hidebound local regulations, were unable to adapt to changing realities. My father managed to navigate around whatever regulatory barriers were thrown his way and went on to grow a series of businesses that succeeded beyond all expectations. Many of his colleagues were not so fortunate, however, and were forced to move their businesses to cities with a more receptive business environment or to give up on their dreams altogether.
...my core beliefs were formed watching how my father reached his dreams through hard work, and by witnessing how well intentioned government interventions derailed the American dreams of so many others.
When I look at my hometown today, I see the same boundless opportunites my father found, but I also see even more regulatory barriers that grow and multiply with each year. Most members on the Sunnyside city council portray themselves as “conservative”, but in reality their actions promote social ownership and a centrally planned economy via bloated government and a heavily regulated, highly taxed private sector. They are conservative by identity only, wearing the term like a tribal tattoo, but void of philosophical substance. Socialist strategies in support of extremist right-wing goals are the worst of both worlds.
On the other hand, my core beliefs were formed watching how my father reached his dreams through hard work, and by witnessing how well intentioned government interventions derailed the American dreams of so many others. I became conservative by pragmatism, not dogma.
America’s capitalism runs on individuals pursuing their separate interests, the agglomeration of self-interests being what moves society upward. Mere benevolence, therefore, should not be a sufficient qualification for your vote. I want to be on the city council for selfish reasons:
- as an employee of a local small business I want my company to thrive in the kind of pro-business environment that once made Sunnyside the retail center of the lower valley.
- as a commercial property owner I want to clamp down on the torrent of capricious regulations that have crushed property values and disincentivized business investments.
- as an entrepreneur I want to bring an appreciation for the wisdom of free-markets and displace the delusion that our city officials can centrally plan the economy.
- as a taxpayer I want at least a minimal amount of due diligence done before the council hires another retail recruiter, marketing consultant, or media firm who prey on the naivete of small towns and dysfunction of local governments.
- as a member of a multigenerational household I want to be free from fear for the safety of my children and their grandparents.
- as a lifelong native of Sunnyside I want to make it easier to justify the pride I feel for my hometown.
These personal objectives will remain aligned with Sunnyside’s collective self-interests only insofar as I am able to stay connected with the people of Sunnyside. I promise to speak with our community and listen to our local businesses so together we can work to prepare for our future.
