I am running for office because I truly believe that leaving our government and it’s institutions in the hands of the Republican and Democrat parties is unsustainable and destructive. Together they have polarized our nation, corrupted and eroded our foundational principles and institutions, and have made it clear there is nothing they won’t sacrifice in their pursuit of power. Together with the SAM Party I seek to change the current political paradigm.
Both parties have failed us. Choose any issue and the underlying story is the same. Identify it, polarize it, capitalize on it. This paradigm of division works well for agitating the electorate every two years and for raising funds, but it is in fact the antithesis of what is required to govern. They have cultivated a brilliant system, one in which they have convinced so many that there are only two choices, and where even when one loses they are still “in the game”. Furthermore, the success of each requires the elimination or at least silencing of the other. Make no mistake, the evidence already exists that we have begun to walk down that treacherous path. Nothing will improve unless and until both parties are meaningfully rebuked for their self-serving and toxic conduct. It is time to make it clear that what they offer is beneath us.
Even the staunchest Republican and die-hard Democrat must by now see that their respective parties routinely cripple their own ability to achieve even their most prominent objectives. We are a nation that ventured to the moon and back, and yet today we can’t accomplish even the routine and mundane.
The overarching theme of my campaign is the restoration of trust and integrity in our government and institutions, because without it government loses the ability and authority to function. Major focuses of the campaign include Education, Immigration, Government Reform, and Justice Reform.
Our education system is failing. It has been corrupted by our politics and many of its worst practices and ideas. Politicians and those around them realize they have exhausted their audience, that there are few adults left to persuade, and so they have turned to our children. We must expel the politician’s tentacles from our schools. I support more freedom in education as well as the reinstatement of a robust civics education program, the absence of which is being observed daily. Further I would like to explore the possibility of a youth service program, somewhat like the G.I. Bill designed to repay service to community with funding for college.
Immigration, although it has fallen out of the spotlight, is a critical issue, especially given how it impacts so many other areas of concern from education to healthcare to economics right down to the foundational concept of the rule of law. I have provided an outline of my perspective on immigration on my website for consideration.
Government reform is absolutely essential, not in the vein of replacing our system of government, but rather in returning to it. Politicians have come to believe that they are so important that their ends justify their means. What has been forgotten is that the means are what validate and sustain the ends. We must restore a respect for our uniquely American system of government.
Reforming our justice system has been at the forefront of our national consciousness for some time, and yet when I look at the political landscape nearly everything the politicians have done on the issue has made things worse. From the Bail Reform fiasco to Mayors abdicating their duties to District Attorneys ignoring the laws they’ve sworn to uphold, all of it undermines justice and our civil society. If the elected do not adhere to the law, then why should the governed? We all believe in and desire to see justice done, but you cannot serve a principle by sacrificing it. Anyone seeking or serving in office must lead by example to restore these essential principles. I will.
Every single time the elected place their political objectives above the oath they swore, above the constitution they serve, and the people they are meant to represent, they do irreparable harm to our nation, harm that echoes for eternity and which will ultimately accumulate to a point that it ends the American experiment. We must begin to escape this, we must choose a place to start to do so, and I along with the SAM Party humbly offer that opportunity in New York’s 18th Congressional District.
PAST IS PROLOGUE, PRESENT NEED NOT BE FUTURE
As I listen to the opening of the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) it highlights how all-consuming and all-corrupting our politics has become. The main themes of the argument against the nomination appear to be the timing of the nomination and the impact that it may, or may not, have on the survival of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
In regard to the timing, it is entirely a political argument, not a structural or procedural one. It exists in large part because of the cancerous divisions that our politics have created in our institutions, our government, and in our public discourse. In large part the Republican Senate created the argument itself in its chosen course of action when Merrick Garland was nominated by then President Obama. At that time the Senate and the Presidency were divided and the Senate chose, within it’s rights and authority, to not hold hearings on the nomination. This was a political choice, one which the Republicans wanted to escape the political responsibilities and consequence of by making the argument that the hearings should not be held in the final year of a President’s second term. Let’s wait for the voters to speak, they said. They handed the Democrats the argument they level today. Yes, the circumstances are somewhat different, but the drive-by appearance is the same. Now those words come back to bite them, just as Harry Reid’s elimination of the 60 vote threshold for approval of other judicial nominees has returned to bite the Democrats. The Republicans should have had the courage and conviction to stand firmly in their position without employing what they knew were arguments of appearance rather than substance. However, had they simply said we are within our constitutional rights to not hold the hearings they knew they would likely pay a price at the ballot box that November in many races, and they sought to dodge that cost. The fact is that costless courage is not courage at all, but rather cowardice, and cowardice carries its own price.
Regarding the impact that the nomination may or may not have on the ACA, it is in fact a misguided argument and one by which the elected yet again seek to shirk their own responsibility and the consequences of their inadequate work. The argument is framed as such, the ACA does good things so we must keep it. The SCOTUS’ job is not to evaluate a law’s “goodness” or to apply public opinion, but rather to evaluate the appropriateness of its content and construction within the bounds of the US Constitution. Democrats it would seem, if taken at their words, would have us keep a law that should be struck down because it yields worthy ends, while ignoring the corruptive and destructive nature of the means that produced it. A justice who rejects the ACA isn’t ending it, but rather returning it to the hands of the politicians who did not properly honor its content and their own sworn duty in the first place. SCOTUS, if it intends to keep with its appropriate and essential role, must objectively evaluate the Act against the Constitution and proper legislative procedure and if it is found deficient, then it must be returned to the Legislative branch. The elected must then do their job and act upon it, and finally, the people must bear their responsibility and have their say in response to those actions. If any of us are willing to concede to keeping ill-prepared law because it does good things, then we have sacrificed America on the garish blood-soaked alter of politics.
And so a new political theme emerges: If you wish to avoid scrutiny and consequences for your own poor labor, then work to direct that scrutiny elsewhere. So many in the legislative branch seek to push their responsibilities upon the judicial branch. That is improper and a shirking of their own duties. You cannot hastily pass flawed legislation, count on the bureaucracy and administrative behemoth of government to keep it alive, and then blame others for its failings. In doing so the people who govern us announce themselves as the scoundrels they are. Legislators who are scared that their work will not survive, should invest more of their effort in producing better work product. Even at this moment, the Congress and those who wish to see the ACA and many of it’s worthy objectives live on, are they working to develop improved legislation that achieves the ends but this time by means that will sustain it? No, and why should they, there are political games to be played and an election on the near horizon. Don’t worry though, they will get to the real work after the election. Hold that thought, the next election is a mere two years away, the real work will again have to wait.
Every single time that the elected place their political objectives above the oath they swore, above the constitution they serve, and the people they are meant to represent, they do irreparable harm to our nation, harm that echoes for eternity and which will ultimately accumulate to a point that it ends the American experiment. If you want a preview of our governance for decades to come simply watch these hearings. We must begin to escape this, we must choose a place to start to do so, and I humbly offer that opportunity in New York’s 18th Congressional District.
(Originally published on Facebook, 10/13, 9:17 AM)
Scott Smith Holds Campaign Kick-Off (Full Video)
Scott Smith holds a Campaign Kick Off Event at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery, NY, September 8, 2020. Smith is the Serve America Movement (SAM) Cand...
Scott Smith holds a Campaign Kick Off Event at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery, NY, September 8, 2020. Smith is the Serve America Movement (SAM) Candidate running in New York's 18th Congressional District. The candidate explains why he is running and elaborates on the priorities of his campaign. Learn more at www.MrSmithForCongress.com
In this video I describe the dangers of our current division-based political paradigm as well as highlight some very concerning facts about my opponents.
Smith Shares Stance on Term Limits
Candidates for office are quick to voice their support for term limits without offering broader discussion or perspective on what it really means or how it would function in practice. I would also remind people that in recent history many candidates and the elected proclaimed they would among other things, “Stop Common Core," or “Repeal and Replace the ACA," or “Limit the influence of big money in politics”. These and so many other pledges share the distinction of having gone unfulfilled. Words are easy.
In regard to the Term Limits pledge, examine what it says. The pledge reads as follows: “I, __________, pledge that as a member of Congress I will cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits Amendment of three (3) House terms and two (2) Senate terms and no longer limit.”
If you have paid any attention to congress over the years one thing that is glaringly apparent is that they vote on all kinds of things, over and over again, more often than not to no actual consequence. Show votes or votes of political theater are the norm, not the exception. Therefore, to pledge to “co-sponsor and vote for” an amendment is largely inconsequential. Granted, making the pledge is in the scheme of things better than not making it, but recognize it for what it is. The substantive pledge would be to impose a term limit upon oneself regardless of whether Congress and those who embody it ever develop the will to legislate such. I don’t recommend holding your breath while waiting for such a bill to become law.
I have proposed term-limits since I first declared my candidacy in the 2104 race and further pledged to never work as a lobbyist. Not only have I said such things, but I have previously acted in accord with them. While serving on the City Council in Middletown, I opposed the removal of voter implemented term limits by the Council (1). It is instructive to note that the ability of the council to remove the term-limits by mere council vote was a by-product of then NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s shenanigans in pursuit of a 3rd term (2). It is a rare thing that politicians will limit themselves; it is more commonly the opposite.
Another, and perhaps more important consideration, is the notion that limiting the “professional politicians” to a certain number of terms will necessarily have a large impact on governance. Perhaps many people are not familiar with the inner workings of the electoral process, particularly in terms of ballot access and candidate selection, or the degree to which it is monopolized by the two Major political parties. Already in NY efforts are underway to further inhibit access to the ballot and to thwart electoral competition. To get straight to the point, the candidates for office are selected by the party infrastructure. Removing candidates by way of term limits will not change the fact that their replacements will then be selected by the same party infrastructure. It is highly optimistic to believe that the resulting “new” candidates will not be selected to serve and advance the parties interests just as the “old” candidate had done. Again, term limits should be implemented; however, people must temper their expectations as to their efficacy.
Although candidate Farley states “Term limits will make members of Congress accountable to the people they represent, instead of to Washington insiders,” she must recognize that it will take much more than that including broader honest competition. Similarly, Congressman Maloney speaks often of the competitive nature of the 18th District and how he welcomes open competition. In addition, he has on more than one occasion stated that he believes there should be more policemen, firefighters, and teachers running for congress. However, when he had the opportunity to act on those proclamations his deeds fell far from his words.
In light of all of this I make the following challenge to Ms. Farley and Mr. Maloney: Make and stand by the pledge that I have made. Pledge to adhere to a self-imposed term-limit AND to never work as a lobbyist following your service. In addition, endeavor to have your actions align with your words.
(2) https://www.recordonline.com/article/20100828/NEWS/8280326
Scott Smith, Candidate for Congress in New York's 18th Congressional District Discusses Commitment.
The Top 10 Reasons I Am Your Candidate
TAXES
If you believe that the tax code is meant to be a tool to be used to reward and persuade those who you favor or to punish and silence those you oppose, then you already have the Republican and Democrat Party Candidates to choose from.
If instead you believe that the tax code should exist for the sole purpose of raising the funds necessary to fulfill the essential, and limited, responsibilities of the Federal Government as defined by the Constitution, then I am your candidate.
QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT
If you believe it is acceptable to be governed by scoundrels, so long as they are “your” scoundrels, then you already have the Democrat and Republican Party Candidates to choose from.
If however, you believe that those who we empower to govern should not need a committee to tell them right from wrong, and that they should promote and exemplify our best qualities, then I am your candidate.
IMMIGRATION
If you believe that America's immigration policy exists to be milked for political purposes for decades, then you already have the Republican and Democrat Party Candidates to choose from.
If you believe that our current immigration policies are an existential threat to our Country and must be addressed in a straight-forward, honest, unapologetic manner, then I am your candidate.
JUSTICE SYSTEM
If you believe the Criminal Justice System and the rule of law are merely a field upon which to play a game of emotion and half-truths, then you already have the Democrat and Republican Party Candidates to choose from.
If, on the other hand, you believe that they are in fact part of the very bedrock of our civil society and that they should embody the protections guaranteed to all of us by the Constitution, then I am your candidate.
THE CONSTITUTION
If you desire a candidate who champions the 10th Amendment when it suits them and ignores it when it hinders them; or who supports or opposes the 2nd Amendment based on who they are speaking to; or who generally treats the Constitution and its Amendments as garments to be adorned and shed at will, then you already have the Republican and Democrat Party Candidates to choose from.
If instead you desire a candidate who respects these foundational principles irrespective of the circumstances of the moment, then I am your candidate.
HYPOCRISY
If you believe that hypocrisy is a virtue both in principle and in practice, then you already have the Democrat and Republican Party Candidates to choose from.
If you prefer, just as I do, a candidate that is genuine in word and deed, then I am your candidate.
FOCUSED EFFORT
If you seek a candidate that will devote 40-50% of their time to raising funds for their party, who will blindly run with whatever their party hands them, and will then give their remaining time to represent you, then you already have the Republican and Democrat Party Candidates to choose from.
If you would rather have a candidate that commits 100% of their time and effort to representing you and to studying the issues at hand with no distraction or confliciting interests, then I am your candidate.
RADICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
If you desire a candidate who believes that they and their party alone are the sole source of good ideas and virtue and that anyone who disagrees with them is evil, unintelligent, or both; a candidate who will discard the rules to achieve their "virtuous" ends or to hinder their opponents "evil" designs, then you already have the Democrat and Republican Party Candidates to choose from.
If you instead want a candidate who will value the merits of an idea over its source, who will work with anyone who has shown themselves to be of good faith to seek solutions to the many problems we face, then I am your candidate.
REALITY
If you prefer a candidate who believes that simply by speaking that the words they utter create reality, then you already have the Republican and Democrat Party Candidates to choose from.
If you seek a candidate that speaks about reality and has no illusions that their words alone make anything so, then I am your candidate.