Aren't there only two Senators per state? That's it. That's the one. November 5th, 2002, is the voting date. I am a Libertarian Candidate.

This speech is for freedom-loving Americans who believe in personal responsibility -- those of you who think the federal government is too big, too costly, too intrusive -- those of you who think the government is violating our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. You're concerned about much-too-high taxes that degrade our quality of life. You think our government is turning this country into a police state. You ALL have valid concerns.

You need to vote for me -- and for every other Libertarian candidate as well -- because we think that way, too. Period. End of story.

To those of you who want to use the government to further a political cause that requires government to abuse its authority and violate the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights: I'm NOT your man. If you are a major left wing psycho-liberal, a right wing psycho-conservative, someone who wants to use the government to push your religious or social causes, or someone who has your hand out for the government to fill it up -- again, I'm NOT your man.

Let me tell you a little story. I ran this speech past my secretary at the office. She said, "Rick, you're going to embarrass some people with this speech!"

Do you know what I told her? "You're right. I am!" You know what else? They should be embarrassed. I'm embarrassed that there are Americans who want to use the system for their own personal gain. I'm embarrassed not only that these people are self-serving, but that they are dishonest and unpatriotic. They violate everything this country stands for -- everything I hold dear.

So to those of you who are embarrassed: Good-bye and good riddance! I'm looking for real Americans

THE AMERICAN DREAM

As a private businessman, it has always been my desire to pursue the American dream of opening a business, working hard, and succeeding because of that hard work. But as a Citizen of this great nation it has become increasingly clear to me that it is now nearly impossible for hard working, freedom-loving Americans to live such a life, seeking and working for success, in a world of daily government intervention in our personal lives. They think of us as taxpayers -- serfs, and slaves of the state -- NOT as Citizens.

In recent months I've traveled the mile-high state of Colorado speaking with ordinary, hard working, freedom-loving people who have confided in me their frustration, and their fear that the government has grown too large; that it has created a system of rules and regulations to prevent them from exercising their freedom of choice; and that this nation's system of taxation has become oppressive.

From my own personal experience, I must absolutely agree that these people are right. Our federal government has grown fat. It needs to go on a diet. Our elected officials promise they will work toward decreasing the size of government, but they're lying about their true intentions. They continue to ignore this burning issue.

For all these reasons, I am announcing today my intention to run for the United States Senate. I need your support.

MY MOTTO

I've chosen as my campaign motto, "This time make your vote count!"

I'm doing that for a reason. The Democrats and Republicans have run this country for 150 years. No matter which party was in power the government got bigger, taxes increased, and our Constitutionally guaranteed rights were ignored. This time, make your vote count! Start changing the direction our country is headed. Vote Libertarian! Wake up! and see what the two-party system is doing to your America.

Every day additional legislation is being passed that interferes with our natural right to live the way we choose and to be what we want to be. We witness the commonplace, senseless arrests of people exercising their right to make personal choices for themselves, of determining what they take into and do with their own bodies, and what they do to become somebody. People are being thrown in jail for reasons as innocent as wanting to protect themselves from harm. Our government -- supposedly dedicated to the right of privacy -- is plotting to videotape everyone on a busy city street. Yet not one of our current political leaders is willing to step forward and protect basic individual freedoms. Certainly not Senator Allard.

Even the Supreme Court has joined this denial of our rights. That is why I'm proposing a Constitutional Amendment to set up a court of review, called the Citizens' Constitution Court. Empowered to review and repeal any law that violates the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights.

The message of my campaign is simple. The people of Colorado will elect me by voting for someone who is dedicated to the idea of removing government interference from everyone's lives. I believe we should all "live and let live" by allowing the greatest possible freedom for everyone.

"This time, make your vote count!" means that you can count on Rick Stanley to fight for the freedom the Constitution promises. I will not let you down. I will always defend those freedoms.

GETTING DOWN TO BRASS TACKS

Let's get specific. What will Rick Stanley stand for when you elect him United States Senator from Colorado? In short, I stand for removing the oppressive police state from our everyday lives. I stand for removing laws, regulations, executive orders, administrative rules, and legal precedents that prevent us from pursuing the American dream.

First, I stand for ending the drug war. According to the Department of Justice, more than one and a half million Americans were arrested for drug violations in 1999 alone. That's about three times more people than live in Denver. Hundreds of thousands of them are non-violent offenders. Yet they have been given obscenely long prison sentences for doing something that has no effect on anyone else.

Will Foster is such a person. Will, a first-time offender, was sentenced to 93 years in prison for cultivating and using medical marijuana. Think about Douglas Gray, a Vietnam veteran who sold $900 worth of marijuana and was sentenced to life in prison.

I read a story about a 59-year-old man who was sentenced to life in prison for possessing a quarter-gram of cocaine with a street value of $20. Some judges sitting on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Little Rock finally got it. That sentence was thrown out for violating the Eighth Amendment, which does not allow such cruel and unusual punishment. This man spent seven years in prison before the system let him go. Seven years in prison! For possessing $20 worth of cocaine! This man is considered a menace to society. He must be locked up. Meanwhile child molesters, rapists, and murderers - people who prey on and harm the weak and defenseless - spend a lot less than seven years in prison.

I will put a stop to this offense against the American people.

It is wrong for the government, which pretends to stand for law and order, to promote the seizure of homes, cars, boats, and cash belonging to innocent people who have worked hard to earn that property. I will put a stop to unconstitutuional "asset forfeiture" laws. I will work to eliminate ineffective programs, such as D.A.R.E., designed to intimidate our children. I will seek to free a million innocent people from our prisons. I stand for freeing all those who have been imprisoned for their private personal choices -- choices that did not hurt others. I stand for the complete overthrow of all the unconstitutional, and therefore illegal, federal drug laws.

Second, I stand for the drastic reform of our nation's tax system. have any of you recently seen a phone bill? Total up your charges, then look at the bottom line. Tax, upon tax, upon tax. Check out the gas pump. There's a 41.3 cents-per-gallon tax. The average American pays over 50% of his income for all the various taxes we're faced with. The American taxpayer is gouged over, and over, and over again. The Internal Revenue code is full of deductions, exemptions, and tax shelters which only those in special posititons - or who can afford expensive accountants -- can qualify for.

The government is ripping you off. What's your favorite federal program?

I stand for a drastic change in the Social Security scam that plagues the people of America. Those who have retired should and will receive what they have been promised. Young people are wising up to the notion that the current system will not help them when they're older. Why prevent them from investing their retirement savings in something that would earn a more profitable return? Americans have been told they will benefit by investing in Social Security -- only to learn too late that it will never be enough.

I stand for the complete eradication of the Social Security scam, as we know it today. The government must repay every penny the rest of us have paid so each on of us can put our own money in our own personal, private accounts for our own individual retirements.

I stand for the personal freedom to choose. And every vote I cast in the U.S. Senate will defend that freedom.

Third, I stand strongly behind your right to keep and bear arms. I will rightfully stand behind the Constitutionally protected right of gun ownership. The gun control lobby is too strong in Colorado, and across the nation. Gun control laws protect criminals, NOT law-abiding citizens. If someone breaks into my house, and threatens my life, I have every right to defend myself. But thanks to the gun control lobby we receive the impression that gun control will produce peace throughout every community. That's a lie. I won't fall for it. Never! End of story. We will not put ourselves at the mercy of those not willing to obey the laws.

I will supoprt the confirmation of federal justices who themselves recognize the need for governmental non-interference, not only with respect to the Second Amendment, but also with respect to all our liberties, personal and Constitutional.

A FINAL EXHORTATION

Do not fall for the government-controlled liberal media position on anything. Dig deeper. Check out the Internet, and the think-tank groups. Be aware. Be informed. Protect America!

In announcing my candidacy today, I ask for your support so Americans can become whatever they wish to be, and live the way they want to live. In exchange for your votes I extend my pledge to represent your right to Liberty and Freedom, the principles which made America strong, and allowed her people to prosper as Citizens of the greatest nation on earth.

"This time make your vote count!" means that I commit myself to those principles. And with this commitment I ask for your support.