Griznog For President, 2012

To whom it may concern,

Today I am formally launching a 2012 write-in candidacy in a bid for President of the United States.

"Who the hell is griznog?" you may be asking yourself.

Nobody of any importance. Let's expand on that a bit.

I have no political experience, none. Even office politics befuddle me. Have never taken a bribe, neither legal (as a campaign contribution) nor illegal. Not interested in a political career, just want America and the planet to hold together for my kids and grandkids. Not wealthy but have earned enough in the course of my life to know that being wealthy won't make a person truly happy. Have a little bit of education, was fascinated by bugs and frogs and fish so I got a few degrees in Biology when I was younger.

Inevitably you'll want to know about my relationship with God so let's tackle that up front. A side effect of a good science education is an aversion to supernatural explanations for the world and what's in it. And I have no interest in mucking around in your relationship with God, Allah, fairies, or whatever you hold dear as you struggle to find meaning in your life. One of the great things about America is that, at least for now, there is technically no oppression of religion or oppression of a lack of religion. I like that. I hope to help keep it that way. Free for you, free for me. Respect for your views, respect for mine.


When I was 5 I stole a piece of bubble gum. When getting out of the truck at home later, I got out my gum and started unwrapping. My dad asked where I had gotten that gum and I told him. He IMPRESSED upon me the error of my ways using methods that might raise some folks eyebrows, then took me back to the store to apologize and return the gum. This experience impressed upon me a healthy respect for the property of others. Throughout my childhood he would IMPRESS upon me many other lessons. Honesty. Fairness. Work ethic. Let's be clear about this, we didn't sit around and discuss politics at dinner at our house. He worked hard to take care of his family, taught me to work hard so I could take care of mine.

Once when I was about 10 or so I had the flu and he took me to a doctors appointment. This would have been mid to late 70s. When we got to the doctors office, there were two waiting rooms, one for whites and one for non-whites. I asked the obvious naive question, "why?" He explained the reality of how things were as best he could, and then added his own perspective. "Son, if a man works hard, makes an honest living and takes care of his family it don't matter what color his skin is." This statement became the foundation of my views on equality. I would put it this way, if a person works hard, makes an honest living and takes care of their family, it doesn't matter what their race, gender, sexual orientation or religion is. I believe what makes us American is rolling up our sleeves and working hard, being honest, treating each other with respect and dignity and stepping up to help each other when things go wrong. It's a shame these qualities don't make it all the way up the chain to our political leadership.

The foundation of my platform is this simple fact:

• The earth is a finite resource.

The undeniable truth of that statement shatters the fantasy of an economy, culture and society based on consumption and perpetual growth. We can either start being responsible now or we can have our children's children's children look back on us as the fools we have allowed ourselves to be.  If they remember me at all, I'd like it to at least be a memory of me having tried to leave the place better than I found it.

Look around you, look at what passes for leadership in America today. Puppets with strings pulled by bankers, insurance companies, drug companies, CEOs... We can do better than this. To that end, I'm asking for your help and your vote. Let's return control of America back to the people upon whose backs it is built and carried.

Thanks,

griznog