As a writer, philosopher, and now, a political candidate, I have little interest in the shallow thinking that defines most political pursuits. My interest is exploring the deep, underlying truths that determine the nature of our society. Since childhood I was full of questions that shallow thinking and shallow answers could not satisfy. One basic question has guided my life. I've always wanted to know why things are as they are.

I learned at a very young age that people in positions of power and authority do not like to be questioned. The more illegitimate their authority the more they dislike being questioned. I learned that people more or less satisfied with the status quo do not like questions, especially questions that challenge the status quo. I learned that many people, for a variety of reasons, accept or are resigned to the social engineering of the elites who control the political and economic system and the media.

As one who seemingly was born to ask questions and seek logical answers, the sort of answers rarely offered by those who rule our society, I'll likely offend many people as I conduct this campaign. It is not my intent to offend and I apologize in advance to those I may offend or annoy.

I believe our society is falling far short of its potential as a nation "with liberty and justice for all." We will not approach that potential without dramatic and fundamental change. Examining that need for change and suggesting public policy and life style changes may offend many. It is not my intent to offend. My intent is to help create a more equitable, humane and democratic society. And that cannot be accomplished without asking difficult questions and seeking fundamental change.

During the past year many politicians half -heartedly sought to bring half-hearted change to our failed and costly health care system. Other politicians, bought off with campaign contributions, placed their ideology before the facts and the well-being of the American people and worked to keep the dysfunctional health care system in place. Discussing the most humane and cost effective solution to the failure of the American health care system, a single-payer system based of prevention and corporate and individual accountability, was said to be "off the table." One might as well take truth, logic and reason "off the table."

Indeed, truth, logic and reason are off the table for most politicians and the corporate media when it comes to examining the problems facing our nation. From health care to spending more than the rest of the world combined on military violence to being the world leader in locking up human beings as the solution to underlying problems to systemic unemployment to blatant political and defense industry corruption truth, logic and reason in American politics and the media are off the table.

Though it will not be welcomed by some, particularly those in positions of power, privilege and authority, it is an important goal to bring truth, logic and reason to American political debate. If I offend some in so doing, again, please accept my apologies.

Perhaps it is also necessary to apologize for my lack of interest in popular culture, particularly communications technology. I find talking on a cell phone and looking at a computer screen to be very unpleasant. Cell phone connections are vastly inferior to land lines and I no longer have a cell phone. And the garish busyness of the internet, let alone the millions of pounds of hazardous waste generated each year by the computer and communications technology industry, repels me.

I know this campaign has an internet site, seemingly a necessity in these times, particularly as the media becomes concentrated into fewer and fewer corporate hands that increasingly censor ideas that challenge the status quo. I'm thankful for those who have translated my written words to electronic words.  

I realize that modern communications technology does have many benefits. However, perhaps one can never change their essential nature and I have always loved books and letters and post cards and in person conversations. Besides, it seems there is a correlation between advances in communications technology and our inability to deeply communicate and connect with our fellow human beings, especially in regards to problem solving.

Modern technology is great for speed and volume of communication but somehow not so good for depth of communication. Probably I am overly sentimental and nostalgic but I can't imagine saving an email. I can easily imagine saving a letter or post card or book for decades and I have done so.

I apologize for my lack of interest in cell phones, the internet and the ever changing communications technologies that captivate so many. But please know that my unrelenting passion for the pursuit of that which has always been central to the dream of being fully human--truth, justice, beauty and the creation of the ideal society--will not be hampered by my avoidance of email and cell phones. Indeed, I believe it is improved.

I realize that asking potential supporters to contact me via United States mail (or telephone for urgent matters) will be off-putting to some. But an essential part of my philosophy is the belief that our society would be better off if we all slowed down a little. Using the U.S. Postal Service is both a symbolic and practical way to do that. Furthermore, picking up a pen or typing a personal letter seems to allow us to more easily tap into that which makes us most human, and most humane: our innate desire to engage in reflection and contemplation.

And so, I apologize for pursuing deep truths and avoiding modern communications technology. But if you carefully and objectively examine the ideas I present throughout this campaign I think you will find much to support, ideas that will literally change the world from one ruled by violence, the threat of violence and corporate and political corruption, to a world ruled by logic, reason, contemplation, compassion, cooperation and all that makes us most human and most humane.