Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "...In matters of principle, stand like a rock."
I agree with Jefferson.
We have, all across the political landscape, a problem: a lack of principled leadership. A leadership that believes pragmatism, to ensure re-election, is more important than principle. This must change. Folks are hungry for honest leadership that will tell the truth - even to their own hurt. Leadership that will take the unpopular stand when necessary. Leadership that is willing to sacrifice position in pursuit of truth.
That is why I chose to run for and serve as your State Representative in the 42nd District in 2010. And that is why my family and I have decided to seek my re-election in 2012. Continuing the principled fight for less government, lower taxes and more freedom is worth the sacrifice.
Advocating for less government means taking an honest look at the out-of-control regulatory environment that I addressed with the first bill I worked on in the legislature: The Regulatory Reform Act of 2011 (HB 1671). This simple bill attempts to hold elected officials accountable, instead of unelected state employees, for the crushing regulatory web that stifles innovation, creativity and job creation. Less government means leading the way for the production and sales of local foods without arbitrary income restraints (HB 2551) placed on the families and farms of the 42nd District. It means supporting the Washington State Healthcare Freedom Act (HB 1946), intent on blocking the unconstitutional mandate (tax) to purchase health insurance while fighting for more options, leading to lower costs.
The fight for lower taxes simply acknowledges what everyone understands: that when families, individuals and businesses keep more of what they earn, they prosper. Lowering taxes will mean a stronger economy for Washington, spurring investment and unleashing pent-up entrepreneurial potential. Lower taxes can begin with lowering the state portion of the sales tax by one half of one percent. Ironically, in 2012 Governor Gregoire proposed increasing the state sales tax by one half of one percent. A tax considered by her colleagues to be one of the most "regressive," hitting the lower income earner the hardest. Let's lower it! Doubling the small business tax credit to encourage small business job creation (HB 1672) is a part of the solution to getting Washington back to work again. Let's phase out the estate tax. This tax reaches beyond the grave, taxing the fruits of the deceased person's labor, after a lifetime of taxation. Bottom line: Whether it's declining my legislative pension benefits ($6,105), returning a large sum of my communications budget ($17,700) to the taxpayer, or holding the line on tax increases: I will continue to lead the way in the judicious use of taxpayer dollars.
More freedom means restoring state government to its rightful role: that which empowers people, not government. Limiting the size of state government means more freedom for the folks of Whatcom County's 42nd District to pursue the American Dream ... life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Freedom begins with the protection of innocent life (HB 1656, HB 1442), without which liberty and happiness cannot logically follow. Freedom means honoring Article I, Section 16 of the State Constitution as well as the fifth amendment to U.S. Constitution by requiring compensation for government-required actions on private property (HB 2552), and that only after due process of law. Protecting freedom means acknowledging and acting to protect the constitutional rights afforded to every citizen by attempting to block the federal government's attempted overreach involving indefinite detention of American citizens (HB 2759).
"So we have come to a time for choosing."
It's been a privilege to work for the people of Whatcom County's 42nd district. I would be honored to have your continued support, and ask for your vote in the Nov. 6 election. With your help, I will continue to bring a principled voice to Olympia, standing for less government, lower taxes and more freedom. Please visit my website at VoteOverstreet.com.
Jason Overstreet is the incumbent and Republican candidate for District 2 commissioner for Washington State House of Representatives, District 42, Position 1. Each of the 49 state legislative districts is represented by one senator and two representatives who vote on state laws and budgets. State representatives are elected every two years and are paid $42,106 annually. The state representatives from the 42nd District represent about 137,000 people in the northern half of Bellingham and Whatcom County north to the Canadian border. One candidate will win election in the Nov. 6 general election.
