Politics is about debate. It is about sharing ideas, expressing opinion, presenting possible solutions to the critical problems facing this country. Each of the five candidates seeking to represent you stand together in trying to solve these problems, each with their own ideas, their own solutions. Campaigns should be about sharing ideas, sharing beliefs, sharing opinions. They should be about allowing all voices to be heard, allowing all candidates to be heard. By allowing this we allow all voters to be heard, whether a majority or a minority, and allow the voters to decide for themselves what ideas to support and, in the end, who to vote for.

But the level of negativity and partisanship in our government often puts political party interests above national interests and the interests of the citizens. Voters don't like it, and the whole country suffers because of it.

I am seeking to represent the people of District 2 because I want to rise above the negativity and partisanship. I want to stand with the other five candidates in trying to solve these critical problems. I want to be able to present my ideas and the ideas of the Natural Law Party because I believe these solutions are constructive, life supporting, and come from a place of understanding, compassion and respect. These solutions look to co-create with everyone, positive solutions that can benefit us all by providing people with the tools necessary to become more self-governing.

Surely if the Democrats and Republicans had the solutions to the critical problems facing this nation, you think we would have heard about them by now. But we haven't. Health care costs continue to rise, more and more people have inadequate or no insurance, and Americans endure some of the poorest health of any developed nation. Educational outcomes continue to decline despite the United States spending more per student than any other nation in the world. Crime continues to be a problem, especially in our schools, with the United States having the highest percentage of its population in prison than any other nation. The government continues to subsidize the pollution of our environment through unsustainable agriculture, the support of biotechnology despite continued scientific concerns and public outcry, and the support of non-renewable energy sources. And the United States continues to sow the seeds of hatred, violence, death and destruction all around the world through our foreign and military policies. Is it a wonder that crime is so high in this country? As we sow, so shall we reap.

I represent change, fresh new ideas to solve these problems. I represent common-sense solutions, forward looking and prevention oriented solutions. I represent a shift away from crises management, reactionary government and towards a more preventative paradigm. Prevention-oriented, holistic health care that can, and is, helping to create a healthy population. Consciousness based education, proven to greatly increase educational outcome by allowing the student to take full advantage of the full creative intelligence. Prevention-oriented crime policies that focus on the root cause of crime, the reduction of individual and societal stresses. Policies towards agriculture, energy and the environment that work in harmony with nature, that co-creates with nature and all that exists a healthier, more sustainable future by supporting organic agriculture, renewable energy, and pollution reduction technologies. Foreign policies that work in harmony with developing nations to co-create a sustainable future, ending corporate control and the destructive policies of the World Bank, the World Trade Organization and the IMF. We need to create harmonious, life-supporting international relations, creating Peace through scientifically proven technologies that create coherence in the collective consciousness, preventing terrorism from ever occurring.

By co-creating with nature, with everyone and everything, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future. I invite you to learn more. I invite you to get involved by volunteering and contributing to my campaign. I invite you to create with me a better tomorrow. Vote for Patrick West on November 5th and begin to create a brighter future for yourself, and for our children.