Month: July 2018

What do you want?

What’s your favorite song? Right now I can’t stop listening to Tool’s ‘Lateralus’. The complexity of the time signatures is hypnotic and the message of “keep going” drives me on some mornings.

On my way home from Costco this morning, I realized something important about what I’m doing in politics right now. I’ve written a ‘new song’ in essence. When an artist has the spark within that moves them to create something never heard before, it is only existent in the artists own mind. Think about it… the moment when Mozart started to compose The Requiem, it was already complete and playing on repeat, perfection in his mind.

The moment the SPARK hits, the composition exists in perfection in the artist’s mind.

As beautiful as that initial composition is, the composed reality is usually different. Especially if the composition process is done with other musicians contributing, and that process leads to collaborations that lead to something even more amazing than first envisioned. That’s what makes a supergroup like Queen so much more incredible, all contributing to make something no one individual could.

The rare exception occurs. The spark gives light and the artists sits and creates, as if in one breath, perfection in reality, where any addition to the creation makes it somehow less than it is alone. The story behind the creation of this song is a great example-

I believe I have done that with my Constitutional Amendment.

But I am not sure. Even if I am, it is not up to one individual, as it should be. It is a collaborative process that will involve shaping an imagined idea, existing in perfection only in the minds of a few, but ultimately be something even more amazing than any ONE person can see.

I believe I am justified in my request for an open discussion of this idea, and am currently searching every fiber of my make up to be sure I am correct. I constantly ask myself if I am missing a piece of the puzzle, or if I am worthy of even attempting to run for President. Rehashing every bad decision I’ve ever made. Every person I have wronged in my life. Every heart I have broken. Every illegal act I’ve ever committed… the ones I’ve been caught doing and the ones I have not.

As I weigh all of my actions against a feather, I find I am not pure. As a recovering addict, ten years sober, I know my years as a child bled over into my adult life. I believed the life of drugs and alcohol could coexist with family life. As a child who grew up in the homes of addicts, my frame of reference was skewed. I had never lived in a sober family before I got married and had kids. I went through life believing everything to be a party, and I thought NOT drinking and partying everyday would be ‘good enough’.

Rarely is someone successful aiming for par.

By becoming a husband and a father, I’ve become a partner in a successful team. We own our own home, our boys are getting the best education we can provide, and we are working our way slowly out of debt, even if our home mortgage is STILL underwater from 2008. Our financial plans for the future are tenuous since I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2016. My body has changed a lot since the auto-immune reaction that causes loss of insulin production started. My body is not in “mint condition”, and my stamina for physical activity has diminished.

My wife, being an ICU nurse who specializes in pediatric CRRT, doesn’t work a set schedule, and she works 12 hour night shifts. A long time ago I figured out the best way for me to do something I would enjoy and be a contributor to the family. After my job as a “housewife”, I would need to start my own business so I could have the flexibility her schedule would require. I planned on going back to school and learning how to install residential solar and wind electricity production and tap into an untouched market here in KC. Energy independence is a must for everybody for many reasons. I am passionate about that.

But now… I just had my 39th birthday yesterday, and my body feels like it’s almost 60. Knees are stiff, back is sore, I am sensitive to heat, and my skin is more sensitive. Appearantly type 1 diabetes gives you the odd superhero ability to feel a piece of dog hair anytime it gets between your cloths and your skin…

After dealing with the horrifying reality that my body is no longer compatible with life on this planet, I realize I will continue to live. Mary Tyler Moore was 80 when she died. So long as I constantly think about my insulin, I will live. What I can do, physically, has changed. I am less productive in general because of the hormonal and chemical differences due to lack of beta cells. And the amount of time I must now dedicate to self maintenance limits what I can accomplish in my spare time. But I know I can still contribute!

I will not continue to fight for this campaign if I am convinced I am wrong. I do not want to waste my time fighting for a flawed idea that is not what people want. That is insanity. I have little time to waste chasing fairies, when I could be using my talents to do what’s necessary for my family. But if I am correct, I am doing what is necessary for my family RIGHT NOW. And what’s necessary for every family in this country. And if I am correct, and everyone starts to hear what I have to say, and begins the process of debate…

I believe I am justified because it is the best idea, not because it is MY idea. I only ask that it be allowed a full and open discussion. Let the chips fall where they may.

JC

 

 

Been there, done that.

We stand poised, on the EDGE of history. Right now, what we do will echo throughout time. Choose your words wisely…

Marching armies stand at the ready as we bicker about taking a knee. Children scream for their mothers, while ‘leaders’ are in bed with spies. Thousands have died and thousands more suffer, in the wealthiest country in the world, due to our inability to prepare for a storm.

When asked to do our duty, to god and our country, leaders point out the faults of others, to justify themselves. When criminals are made to stand for their actions, our leaders say “Well I barely knew him.” When the story is written about how our enemy penetrated our system, after LIES become known, and corruption is aired, how will they be portrayed?

How will YOU be portrayed?

NOW is that time. Here… THIS is that place. Tomorrow, when they ask “Where did you stand? What did you do?” What will you say?

How can people defend the indefensible? Why would someone believe the path to success is found by holding others back? How can leaders speak of making things better when they dehumanize our sisters? How can they promote safety for a country founded by immigrants escaping persecution, by imprisoning children seeking safety?

President James Buchanan sat and watched as State after State walked away from Our Union. He believed the secession was illegal, but he ALSO believed the fight to preserve the Union was illegal.

Our Country is drowning in a flood RIGHT NOW, but leadership points out, “The sign says ‘No Swimming’.”

History is replete with stories of ‘blind ignorance’. The smokestacks billowed while neighboring towns claimed they had no idea. The memo said terrorist determined to strike in America, yet no one could have anticipated an airplane being used like that. 5000 people died because NO ONE could foresee a tropical island nation being devastated by a hurricane.

And NOW, a mother screams “Where is my baby?” and the response is Make America Great Again. Young Black men are shot dead by a man with badge, and the response is All Lives Matter. High school children go to school in fear of another mass shooting, and all we hear is “We should not act while emotions are so raw.”

BULLSHIT! NOW is the time for action. BEFORE the shots are fired, BEFORE another Kent State Massacre, BEFORE the marching in the street becomes mourning in the sanctuary. BEFORE we are forced to take whatever ‘they’ wanna give us… then cast us aside with all the ‘others’ they have forced before.

Heed the warnings of thousands of lost souls… “THIS FAR AND NO FARTHER!!” We know how this story plays out, we have seen this tired plot. The story ends exactly how it has before- GOOD TRIUMPHS OVER EVIL…  every time! We do not need to watch this movie again, WE can fast forward to the good part.

We have paid for that shared history in blood. We treasure the unity we have gained in shared loss. We’ve strived, for a full century, to achieve lasting peace in unity, sharing the fruits of our grandparents’ legislative and diplomatic accomplishments. And now, some question if all of that was in vein.

We CAN learn that lesson again… OR we can honor their memories in the way they would have wanted us to-

By standing FIRM and defending the Rights of ALL who wish to live free. By being the example that lights the way for others to follow. By showing strength, and heeding the call of wisdom, to speak truth to power, to ensure true evil is never allowed to flourish again.

JC

Yup…

So… yeah. I was the only one who showed up to my “press conference”. I thought I had convinced at least one person I had the right idea. IDK… maybe I haven’t communicated clearly? Maybe I overestimated Twitter. Maybe I have a bad idea. I would have thought by now someone would have said so.

But it is a BEGINING, and in no way THE END. I was giving myself pep talks, to build my confidence, thinking the same thing. So, now I’ll use that as a comfort. It was not my last event. Hopefully next time, I won’t be there alone.

I just wanted to provide an end goal everyone could rally around. An alternative to what is happening right now. I felt it could sway opinions since there would be a solution to support, instead of just fighting AGAINST…

I’m not going away. I’ll be here. Patients is a virtue. I wish I had it.

keep your head up.

JC

Campaign Press Conference Announcement

Jack Charbonneau 2020: Political Revolution

Declaration Press Conference

Eagle Scout Memorial

July 20, 2018, 10:00 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

ATTN: PRESS AND PUBLIC, ET AL.

OPEN INVITATION TO THE FIRST PRESS CONFRENCE FOR THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN Jack Charbonneau 2020: Political Revolution. START TIME: 10:00 AM AT THE EAGLE SCOUT MEMORIAL, E 39TH ST AND GILLHAM RD, KC, MO.

A BRIEF STATMENT WILL BE MADE BY MR. CHARBONNEAU, FOLLOWED BY Q & A, AS TIME ALLOWS.

 

-end

A Moment For Clarity

 

I was hoping my campaign rollout speech would be a lot flashier than this. Possibly a celebration. After all, no matter what I want to change, the fact is- campaigns run on donations. Without money, you cannot run.

But, I am motivated today for reasons, no one celebrates. I made my first campaign video on February 17, 2018, three days after the shooting at MSDHS. On that day, I decided to fully commit to a wild-eyed, half baked notion, that humanity CAN GOVERN ITSELF.

The idea was not mine, but it has become more and more obvious, since I first contemplated what a Presidential run would look like, for a “housewife” like myself.

Who would vote for “some guy” from Kansas?!!

Each day I have asked myself that question, and each day I find, more people than I thought the previous day, would entertain that idea. It is an explosive idea, and NOT to be toyed with. It is, in a sense, a “sacred” honor for Citizens of this Nation. The penultimate embodiment, of “American Exceptionalism”.

And I choose to pursue it, NOW.

I am Jack Charbonneau, and I am running for president, as an Independent candidate, in 2020. Funded ONLY by individual contributions, NOT beholden to any entity, other than my political campaign named “Jack Charbonneau 2020: Political revolution”. JackCharbonneau.com

And as I said, I would have preferred balloons… maybe a band? Definitely a BANNER. being the soul contributor to my campaign makes that difficult. And I feel my hand has been forced. Someone said, “Call.” Since I’m already “all in”… it’s time to lay ’em down.

On Monday this week a man, named Donald Trump, CAPITULATED to a hostile foreign adversary. BOTH Leaders stood, speaking of uniting our countries’ counter-intelligence services, to help stop terror. Working with Israel, and Iran, to further peaceful use of radioactive materials, and spoke NOTHING of the MURDER of dissidents, the SILENCING of opposition, or the MURDER of journalists reporting the TRUTH.

ALL of which effects EVRY SINGLE PERSON in this country, but seemingly, only on some far distance scale. I should be more worried about putting food in front of my kids, than I am some Billionaire Strongmen, profiting off of Our National Security… as it should be!

The Leadership of the United States Congress, and The President himself, DO NOT represent the ideals of the majority of the country. From Statehouse, to The House, the candidates presented are on the ballot because of ONE REASON- they have received money, from an organization or group, with a particular agenda and, money to BURN.

These candidates seek office to legislate for the DONORS, NOT the VOTERS.

RED or BLUE… they are BOTH the same.

When We choose to STAND UP and DEMAND corrupt money is removed from Our elections, and create an election system that is 100% Tax Payer Funded, our elections will start to focus on the candidates’ IDEAS, not on their bank accounts.

… On VOTERS, not DONORS.

… On SOLUTIONS, not DECEPTION.

… On the Rule of Law, not LIES.

Because it is obvious, our elected officials seem to side with special interest groups over voters EVERYTIME.

I humbly ask every voter one question: “Would you sign a petition to allow an Independent, third candidate on the ballot for President in 2020?”

Ours is a government Of The People. As such, we OWN every action taken by OUR Government. In OUR name, we give OUR Blessing, each time We vote. The power of the vote is expressed clearly in a winner-take-all system, with only the rare exception.

The President of the United States has been chosen 45 times now, with a clear majority of voters being represented by the winner. Only a small number of times has the vote been split, by three or more candidates, leading to a President without a clear majority, and still FEWER have won the Popular Vote, only to loose the Electoral College.

And in the clear cut elections, the numbers match the intentions of the electorate. When our system of governance works as intended…

When the American people UNITE behind a President, we visit other worlds in Peace, for ALL Mankind.

When the American People come to the defense of Liberty abroad, CONTINENTS remain FREE.

When We Stand for the idea that ALL Mankind is created EQUAL, we are UNSTOPPABLE!

The Office of the President has changed dramatically, since first held by Washington with, 4 cabinet positions. The responsibilities of our Nation, have grown in number and importance, and today the Office of our Chief Executive holds the responsibility, of safeguarding every living being on this Earth.

Our scientific achievements are the direct product of the greatest, democratic “Experiment” ever undertaken. We are here today as testament to that fact!

After forty-five elections, we can conclude unequivocally, the Experiment IS A SUCCESS!  Mankind CAN govern itself IN PEACE! The “safeguard” put in place, over two hundred years ago, to protect our elections from interference by foreign enemies, has proven to be it’s fatal error. It is the weakness our enemy exploits for victory. Our Electoral College has been exploited, twice now in 20 years, to bring to power a minority opinion. A brand of governance that has produced two wars, trillions in debt, an economic disaster, and the undermining of our faith in government.

And now, we see, by not taking full responsibility for the Power of our vote, by NOT owning the Office that represents the People, of the Last Best Chance for Humanity on the Face of the Earth, we have lost Our voice in governance. We have allowed ‘others’ to decide our fate.

We MUST take control BACK, and control our SHARED DESTINY. We must SPEAK OUT, in unison, before that Right is TAKEN AWAY.

-100% tax payer funded elections.

-ONE CITIZEN=ONE VOTE, OPEN and SECURE voter EMPOWERMENT, safeguarding our Right to vote.

-Primary Elections with MULTIPLE ballots by the National Electorate.

All of this will create a legislature that governs with the People’s interests in mind. Once the corruption is removed, fair and just Laws will replace Laws that keep others down, Laws that hold US ALL back, from discovering TRUTH.

The politics of FEAR and DIVISON is over. Everyone should STAND UP and SPEAK CLEARLY. These are NOT times to be SILENT. The enemy we face today thrives in SILENCE. OPEN and HONEST debate, in ‘good faith’, will show everyone exactly where you stand. And regardless what your ideology is, when you stand for Equal Justice Under Law, We ALL stand on the winning side.

We must END the Electoral College.

JC

 

 

Official Campaign Statement: The Reason for Ending The Electoral College

“Selling The Drama”

The message of the People was spoken loud and clear in 2016… The System is BROKEN. It must change from WITHOUT. Hold your nose, here we go.

Because we were given, once again as it has been in so many past elections, the choice between the “lesser of two evils”. But BOTH candidates this time around were ‘evils’, none the less! With “encouragement” on one side, and the other side… an “elitist mentality” in charge of the execution of a political campaign, we have elected a TRUE catalyst of Change. Our in-fighting and distrust of our countrymen led us to elect a morally bankrupt President. It’s not a shock, because the runner-up was thoroughly vetted in 2008, and the voters decided then that her vote in favor of war in Iraq was a disqualifier for the Presidency.

IF we negate everything… the constant lies, the racism, the uncaring attitude toward those in need, the collusion, the criminal acts… the other candidate was still Hillary Clinton. Our system, as flawed and corrupt as it is, STILL produces the best candidates available, even if it is only the best from a small, stagnated political pool.

Karma knows no race, no creed, and no sex.

Hillary sealed her own fate when she tilted the playing field in her favor in the primary elections against Bernie Sanders. By removing the blindfold, by intentionally manipulating the system to her advantage, the more appropriate candidate for THAT period of time, was cheated out of his chance to defeat Donald Trump.

I have no doubt Bernie would have SMOKED Donald Trump in the debates.

Slowly, or maybe not as slowly as it seems, Republicans are realizing what Democrats knew all along… Donald Trump is not ‘Of the People’ as he claimed to be. He is not on the side of “Working Class” Americans. He is of the same “class” we voted against in 2012. The people who shun the “47%” of citizens who “sponge” off the system. The “power hungry” men with a binder full of sexual harassment lawsuits… and future targets.

I believe that, if given a CHOICE between the divisive, corrupted, self-indulgent political candidates from our PAST; or a “clean slate”… a genuine man ‘Of the People’, who possesses the characteristics ALL Americans believe a President should have, who has no corrupt financial agenda, who is presenting a SOLUTION to the societal division that has brought our Legislature to a STANDSTILL…

I believe The People will make the right choice. I believe the People are longing for a candidate who is “clean”. Untouched by a swamp filled with corrupt money burned to fuel ego and power, as well as corrupt money dedicated to subverting the truth. Obfuscating our unity. Belittling compassion as anti-American. I believe we are more united than we let on, because I am a Progressive from Kansas. PROOF that tolerance exists… I have not yet been kicked out!

And this same mindset of ‘funding the subversion of truth’ exists in our political discourse. BOTH sides believe the opposition is attempting to take away their rights! Our guns, our religion, our identity, and now children… where does THAT go? How does THAT EVOLVE? We allow these divisive ideas, these occult agendas, to spark our imaginations because we can plainly see, CLEARLY, the SYSTEM is NOT WORKING. Something is not functioning as it should when established, precedented LAW is publicly broken… and NOTHING happens.

A black man is shot dead in front of his young daughter… and NOTHING happens.

A black man is shot dead in his BACKYARD unarmed… and NOTHING happens.

An old white man promotes sexually violating a woman, and brags about it being acceptable… they let you do anything… and NOTHING happens.

When we start a war to defeat an organization that seeks to spread their ideology via terror, to keep ourselves and others safe from terrorism… BUT we start another war, with another country that has NO known ties to our current enemy, and The President says OUT LOUD, in front of a camera “I really don’t think about him(osama bin laden).”

… and NOTHING happens.

An old white lady tortures a Man for DAYS WITHOUT END, to justify the unjustifiable      … and NOTHING happens.

When all around us we see the details of devils profiting off of the sorrows of our friends and family, we suddenly see EVERYONE as the “devil”. IF no one is living within the rule of Law, then EVERYONE is the enemy… EXCEPT people on “my team”.

Now that the anger and lies have trained our sights inward, the last piece falls into place- “No one follows the Law.” “The other side wants to take away what’s left of my rights.” “I cannot trust anyone.” “EVEN IF their argument is the Truth and the answer, it MUST be corrupted and unlawful.”

Our Constitution provides the structure, within which our Rights EXIST. Without it, our Rights DO NOT EXIST. To disregard one is to throw away another. The ONLY truth is WITHIN the Constitution. The immovable rock ALL is built upon. Our faith in this Document is unwavering because it is our DUTY to defend it. The Law presents the method for our government to function, and when our government is functioning poorly the remedies are written within as well.

The “Checks and Balances” will correct! If they do not, then NO PROBLEM existed to begin with. IF there WAS a problem and the Law could not fix it, that would suggest fault with OUR system, and those who are suggesting legal subversion of the Constitution are just as TREASONOUS as those who colluded with the enemy…

BUT WHO IS THE ENEMY?!!

Others… who don’t “look like me”, who don’t “speak like me”, who don’t “worship the same god”… who I cannot prove belong here.

BUT WHO BELONGS HERE?!!

I can discredit your arguments with ‘But IFs’ and ‘Whatabouts’ all day long, and we would go ’round and ’round, back to where we started. As our arguments have gone and come ’round full circle, we stand pointing a finger at “others”. “So he did it, that means I can, too.” “But why didn’t we investigate her? Why does she get away with obvious crimes?” “I’ve been wronged by society, by corrupt laws, so now I will manipulate Law to bring ‘justice’ for myself, as ‘others’ seem to be doing.”

If We want to change an unjust system, we MUST look forward to what CAN BE. If we legislate with our hearts focused on the PAST, we will fall back into the tainted cycle of the political pendulum.

Our problem is ‘dilution’. The power of the ballot box is extraordinary and can effect the destiny of every living being on this planet. Yet, it is “watered down” by the Electoral College. No matter the strength of support for, or opposition against a candidate, the outcome of our election is decided WEEKS AFTER the ballots are counted. And EVERY voter knows the Electors have the Liberty to choose whomever they “feel” should be president. We HOPE they do as the voters decide! We can only hope, though.

The fate of Nations decided on a cold day in December, behind closed doors, with little regard for the People who are effected most by the outcome, all firmly based on a “hope”.

That’s NOT a very Pride-inspiring description!

When We chose to take responsibility for the POWER of our vote. When We OWN the awesome power of Our Commander-In-Chief… a CITIZEN, from among ourselves, picked to be elevated as a representative of our Nation… we will see that “hope” vanish, to be replaced with JOYFUL HUMILITY!

100% Tax Payer Funded Elections

ONE CITIZEN=ONE VOTE Nationwide OPEN and SECURE voter empowerment

Debates focused on SOLUTIONS and IDEAS, not FUNDRAISING and DONORS

By taking PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for the POWER of Our Vote, we ensure that Right CANNOT be taken away from us. We ALL must understand the consequences for our carelessness, not to punish ourselves or others, but to LEARN from mistakes and GROW to be better than yesterday. Stronger tomorrow.

End The Electoral College!

-end

Keep your head UP!!

JC