The Presidential Candidates: Jon A. Greenspon

"I'd like to do something completely un-politician in style," Greenspon introduces himself, "I am going to tell you up front what I'm not going to do during this campaign. I'm not going to promise to cut taxes, or anything that CANNOT be accomplished by the President himself. I'll be happy to work with Congress, but ultimately it's their show. Campaign promises should be made that can actually have a chance of being kept. "

So why become President, apart from restoring modesty to the office? Greenspon, a former Marine and truck driver, and presently CEO of StarGate Research, he tells Project VoteSmart, "My primary focus and priority would be on returning the control of the United States to its citizens - not special interests, political action committees, the ACLU, or foreign agents. This is our country, yours and mine, not big business and the offshoring brigades." Again with the ACLU! People who oppose the organization ought to clarify their position on "civil liberties" in general.

Greenspon seems to be particularly concerned with making sure that the ordinary soldier or national guardsman gets better compensation for the work they do. As for work prospects, Greenspon concedes that the U.S. presence in Iraq probably has to continue for a while until the Iraqi government stabilizes itself, but he does want to start reducing that presence. On the other side of foreign policy -- trade -- he writes: "I will not support any agreements or organizations that supplant America's control of its economic surety and viability with that of a foreign entity or multilateral commission."

Despite his comment on the ACLU, Greenspon doesn't fit your image of the typical opponent of that organization. On same-sex marriage, for instance, he says, "Presently, 25 states have enacted legislation regarding same-sex unions/marriage. The Federal Constitution doesn't have any need to enter into the fray. Similarly, I would veto any legislation regarding this matter - regardless of it's direction."

On economic issues, Greenspon advocates a flat-tax for incomes over $48,000. He'll restrain spending by encouraging a "one-issue-per-bill" rule for appropriations apart from the annual budget, to end earmarks being attached to other legislation.

As any independent candidate should, Greenspon addresses the campaign-finance question. His main proposal is to allow individuals only to make campaign contributions. In addition, in part to eliminate the advantage of incumbency and in part to ensure that politicians do their jobs, he advises the states to pass legislation along these lines:

Any person actively serving in public office, whether a citizen of __(your state)__ or of any other state or territory of the United States, may not have his or her name placed upon a ballot for election to any position within the government, state or federal, without prior resignation of the office they are currently occupying.

Greenspon doesn't seem to be doing much to promote himself. His one active webpage lists his sole activity as an April 2007 internet radio interview. He secured a domain-name for another campaign site, but that one remains "under construction." Nevertheless, he invites people to contribute to his campaign via PayPal. I would give him a pass, due to lack of effort, but I will say that, though he may not make an ideal president, he makes an exemplary citizen.