This weekend we celebrate more than just about any other. It is the birthday of our country and there is truly cause to celebrate. It was the signing of the Declaration of Independence that was put forth to make our country great – a country of liberty and freedom for every individual.
As we all know, there have been tremendous challenges, opportunities, and victories since 1776. More often than not there have been challenges in the past several decades – on the federal and state level.
While we celebrate through parades, barbecue, and some of us working on the 4th to pay Uncle Sam, it is essential that we remember what it all means. It is imperative that we get back to the meaning of Independence Day. True freedom. True liberty. True free markets. Government as a servant and never as the master or ruler of any decision we make.
We have an opportunity to make all of that happen this year. With great candidates from the top of the ballot downward, it can happen in New Hampshire. It can happen in any state. It will happen when everyone reading this commits to involvement in working to get there.
I look forward to continuing to keep your support and earn that of your friends and family over the next several months. I look forward to being a leader in New Hampshire in such a way that many years down the road we look back at 2010 and say, “Wow, this was a great election where we reshaped the meaning of liberty to its truest form.”
Join me. Join those around you who respect liberty. Let’s make it happen today in Manchester New Hampshire and throughout all of New Hampshire and the United States!
Here are upcoming events I’d love you to know about:
Meet Cam In Your Neighborhood!
Cam and volunteers will be walking throughout Ward 2 to meet voters and to get input on the issues important to you. Following are scheduled neighborhood walks. If you’re interested in walking, please choose a date below (or two!).
Sunday July 11th 1pm-4pm – Wellington Hill Road, Whittington Road, Heathrow Avenue, and more. Sign up to walk with Cam and friends at http://www.facebook.com/camelon#!/event.php?eid=130899623608856&ref=ts or if you do not have Facebook you can e-mail me at cameron@camstaterep.com
Sunday July 25th 1pm-5pm – Currier Drive, Burnsen Avenue, Tennyson Drive, Smyth Road, and more. Sign up to walk with Cam and friends at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139544352726778&ref=mf or if you do not have Facebook you can e-mail me at cameron@camstaterep.com
If either of the dates are not available in your calendar, I have literature and can have maps/lists produced on the fly for you. Please let me know!
Cam’s Summer BLAST! Concert on Wednesday August 11th is going to be just that, a BLAST – Hear Cam and other great individuals discuss how they are going to work towards more liberty. Even more exciting is listening to the great entertainment (music with [voluntary] audience involvement and more) with Adam Payne, and more. Tickets include light appetizers. Additional food available on the Murphy’s Taproom menu. Visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=131918030171139&ref=ts to RSVP today. If you’re not a Facebook member, visit http://camconcert.doattend.com.
Again, THANK YOU ALL and HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! Remember the meaning of the holiday and you’ll ALWAYS be free!
Cam
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Cameron DeJong
Republican Candidate for State Representative
Manchester Ward 2
http://www.camstaterep.com
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I am very thankful for the following statement of support from Manchester Mayor and fellow Ward 2 resident Ted Gatsas. Mayor Gatsas has served Manchester extremely well as an alderman, State Senator, and more recently as mayor.
“I’m supporting Cam DeJong for State Representative because I know that he’s a fiscal conservative and he will fight for us in Concord to control spending. Join me and vote for Cam DeJong on Election Day – he will represent us with honor and integrity.” – Mayor and Ward 2 resident Ted Gatsas.
Our hard work continues to pay off. I am proud of the respect we continue to earn from outstanding leaders like Mayor Gatsas.
Cam DeJong
This past week has been one of great excitement. On Sunday the 6th we had a great turnout for our kickoff barbecue. Despite the flooding rain conditions, we had over 50 individuals come out to show their support for my candidacy and perhaps more so for the great food catered by KC’s Rib Shack. Kudos to Kevin Cornish for putting together some outstanding food. Further thanks to go Keshia Alicea, Cassie Novak, Jonathan Forehand, Wilhelmina Alicea, Mrs. MacNeil (MacNeil’s Banquet Room) and many others for making this event the success that it was.
I was honored by words of support from many in attendance. Ovide Lamontagne and Jim Bender were very supportive of our efforts in Ward 2. (I remain undecided in the US Senate race, but am leaning towards both of these gentlemen). Frank Guinta, who is my choice for US House in CD-1, was extremely supportive and I look forward to working together to meet the voters and find out what we need to do in both Concord, NH and Washington, DC to get our government under control.
During the program, Mayor Ted Gatsas came in and offered his support. Mayor Gatsas has done a tremendous job in Manchester and has done more for the city in a short time than mayors in most cities can do during an entire term. I am appreciative of his support and for all the great work he has helped lead in Manchester.
As we move forward, we’re going to continue to promote a message of liberty and limited government throughout Manchester Ward 2. We will have more great, fun events. A couple of events for you to keep in mind for the campaign are going to be a concert with a great friend of mine from college. I won’t leak too many details out on it yet, but look to keep the early portion of your August calendar open. In addition, a friend of mine offered a great suggestion of having a neighborhood “competition” of sorts. Again, until we finalize details, just know that it is a very good idea that I can’t imagine has been tried before. I know everyone in Ward 2 is going to have a blast with this.
As of the filing deadline on Friday, there are four Republicans and one Democrat in the race. This is not necessarily a final list. I hope to receive that on Monday. I look forward to meeting voters and knowing that if we do indeed have a Republican primary that we are all able to promote ideals of liberty and less government spending to all of the voters.
I look forward to seeing many of you again in the coming weeks. And for those new to the blog and to the “new look” web site (Click here to check it out), I look forward to meeting you soon.
Cam
I was very happy and excited to officially begin our quest to restore sound, constitutional government by filing for State Representative on Wednesday. Along with Win Hutchinson, I look forward to running a great race in Manchester Ward 2. I appreciate the great support I have received from friends, family, and other supporters throughout this great state that I am very proud to call home. I look forward to representing the Manchester Republican Party and New Hampshire GOP well – and more importantly, making those who respect constitutional and limited government proud of my efforts.
This Sunday is what is looking to be a huge barbecue fundraiser/kickoff. It all really started to come to fruition several weeks ago when Kevin Cornish, the owner of KC’s Rib Shack, made a suggestion that we allow him to supply the great bbq that his restaurant makes for our event. Fast forward several days later and we have a great catering operation supplying food to an event at a great venue – Macneil’s Banquet Room on 2nd Street in Manchester. If it’s not 2pm on Sunday June 6th, you still have time to come.
We’re not only going to have a great menu (Eastern NC pulled pork, chicken salad, baked beans, cole slaw, hushpuppies, sweet tea, and homemade desserts [cupcakes, gooey butter cake, and more!), but the speakers taking part are excellent. Running for US Senate and speaking will be Jim Bender and Ovide Lamontagne. Bill Binnie will have a campaign representative at the event. Running for US House in District 1 and speaking will be Frank Guinta, former mayor of Manchester. Bob Giuda may stop by for a few moments. He is an outstanding candidate in CD-2.
We are very excited about the 60/40 raffle and about the scavenger hunt contest. I look forward to revealing the prize for this on our invitation page, which you can access at http://tinyurl.com/cambbqfacebook/
I really hope that we can continue to build upon our already great turnout. We’re going to have many great events scheduled for the summer.
We have seen great successes with Rand Paul in Kentucky winning against an establishment opponent by over 20%. Let’s see the same things happen in New Hampshire this year. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing you on the 6th!
Cam
I am very excited to have the help of some great individuals in organizing the kickoff for my State Representative campaign. We will kick things off on Sunday June 6th from 2pm-5pm with a BBQ plate fundraiser. There is a lot of excitement for this and I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about it and a few other upcoming events.
The idea for the food at this barbecue traces back to my upbringing in eastern NC. As you can see on my campaign site biography, I moved to New Hampshire for the “Live Free or Die” spirit. I moved here with full respect for the freedoms appreciated and enjoyed by everyone. Many people have moved to North Carolina from states such as Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Jersey, and New York – all “fleeing” in the name of cost of living. However, the increase in the cost of living is staggering. We see people moving from these states to New Hampshire and the same thing is happening. Many of these people are certainly authentic in their desire for less government. However, others do not realize that the services they demand require an increase in spending. It is getting out of control and I am proud to offer myself to help fight the growth of government here.
That said, I know everyone is going to enjoy pulled pork BBQ. KC’s Rib Shack is outstanding, but they do not offer much (if anything) in regards to vinegar based BBQ. In addition to pulled pork we will have hot dogs, hamburgers, cole slaw, potato salad, sweet tea, and an array of desserts and other drinks. Through May 15th, a plate is only $15 with benefits going to the campaign. There are discounts for multiple plates. You can RSVP or get additional information here (Facebook) or here (E-Ticket site). This event is being held on June 6th (a Sunday) from 2pm-5pm at my home in Manchester.
In addition, there is a huge Liberty Candidate Money Bomb scheduled for April 16-18. You may click here for more information. Joining me in New Hampshire is Jenn Coffey Jenn Coffey is a great State Representative who also deserves everyone’s support during this money bomb. I hope that you’ll show your support for New Hampshire candidates and reveal that New Hampshire is the place to be in the support of liberty. None of this would be possible without the help of Gigi Bowman, who has done a tremendous job helping shape these money bombs for liberty candidates.
I continue to be impressed with the work of John Stephen in his run for Governor. Against Governor Lynch, John Stephen is polling 37% against Lynch’s 47%. The fact that Lynch is under 50% is great news. I will continue to work with John Stephen to ensure his election – through the primary and general election.
I am hoping to have other candidates for various offices attend the barbecue. We have a lot of great work to do to ensure a message of freedom for everyone. I appreciate everyone’s support with these efforts. Special thanks to Keshia and Cassie for volunteering to put together this great event on June 6th. I look forward to seeing many of you again or meeting you for the first time.
Let’s rock and roll!
Cameron
In my field of work, I keep politics outside. It is not appropriate and it is not fair for me to bring politics into the workplace.
Recently, I have had several customers talk about their disdain for the government takeover of health care and also the commercials promoting the Census. While there is certain temptation for me to get into conversation with everyone about these issues, I find this blog to be a better avenue for discussion.
I recall writing an article in 2000 about the Census, calling it “senseless.” A google news search now reveals a lot of sources calling it the same in 2010. I am often irritated by the commercials that are played in every town in the United States. They proclaim that it is important to send your form in right away to ensure that your town gets its “fair share” of funding from the federal government. Not only do they have goofy actors doing their bidding, but politicians (i.e. I have seen the Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin on television) as well.
Let’s look at the idea of “Fair Share” for a moment. The Census recognizes 25375 “places” in the United States. Places consist of towns, cities, villages, etc. If every one of these places got a “fair share” of $1000, that would be $25,375,000 in “fair share” spread around. Tell me how a country that is trillions in debt can give a fair share of that amount? Of course $1000 for a city like Manchester NH would amount to “only” a penny per person. So it’s not even realistic.
To me, it is a total outrage. The intend of the Census is not to find out how many toilets you have in your house. It’s not even to find out how many males, females, whites, Hispanics, African-Americans, etc live in your house. It was put together to count people, simply people, in an effort to appropriate US House seats. There very well may be 120,000 PEOPLE living in Manchester NH in 2010. That’s all that matters for Congressional representation.
I hope to see a continued outrage at the way the Census is being administered. I hope to see people fill out one question – how many people live in your household. That’s it. Nothing more. I also hope to see a stop to the millions being spent on “crafty” commercials trying to entice people nationwide to get their “fair share.” Remember, your fair share takes away from my fair share and my fair share takes away from your fair share. So let’s be truly fair and cut the mess out with this entire bogus concept put forth by our federal government when it comes to the senseless Census.
Cameron
Friends -
I don’t have all the answers, but I can say one thing – more government regulation is NOT the answer to our health care crisis.
The ultimate problem with government intervention comes down to the backroom deals that never have the interest of we individuals in mind. It was a number of backroom deals that led to the crafting of legislation that was pushed through our federal government this past weekend.
There are many things wrong with the health care legislation. When a congressperson can say with a straight face that a trillion dollar bill will help reduce the deficit over a ten year period, we are all in trouble. The truth is the costs will be passed down to the states.
To me, we need more choices in health care. We need less regulation in medicine. Our government is in the process of trying to regulate natural substances – which may impact your choices in things as simple as multivitamins.
I can assure you that Nancy Pelosi does not know how to best run your life – including your healthcare choices. I can assure you that Carol Shea Porter does not know how to best run your life – including your healthcare choices.
You ultimately best know the greatest decisions when it comes to your health and the care thereof.
As a state representative in New Hampshire, I will work with Jeb Bradley and others who support health freedom in ensuring that your bests interests are always understood and respected. To me, your best interests are your freedoms. I will always stand for your freedom.
Cameron DeJong
PS – Please support me and other like minded candidates. Visit http://www.camstaterep.com/donate.html to help financially today. Now is the time for us to come together as a state and show the federal government what the Constitution means!
For weeks it had become strongly rumored that John Stephen was going to enter the Republican primary for Governor of New Hampshire. It was exciting news to me as John is someone I have really come to respect – a lot.
Two years ago when I thought about running for the state legislature, John Stephen was one of two politically active individuals (Joe Briggs being the other) who showed a great deal of moral support towards my efforts. This is while other candidates I have supported were much more reserved in supporting my ideals and what I was doing.
John offered to put a sign in his yard during the 2008 primary and his campaign manager at the time was looking at ideas on cross promotion of campaigns had we won our respective primaries. We had several great conversations and I could sense a certain authenticity in John Stephen that I didn’t see every day in politics. Perhaps most disheartening to me at the time was not my failure to advance to the general election in 2008, but it was John Stephen’s loss to Jeb Bradley in the Congressional primary. I believed in John and was behind more as much as I have been behind any candidate for public office.
In 2009, John Stephen continued to be supportive of my efforts. Always complimentary of my efforts, it led to my ultimate excitement to support him for Governor.
Don’t get me wrong, just because John Stephen is a “nice guy” and supports what I have done does not automatically equate to an endorsement. John also has the right views on the issues for New Hampshire. He has worked in state government and knows the ins and outs of the process. He wants to return New Hampshire to the state that it once was. A state where there is no threat – ever – of a state sales or income tax. A state where spending is understood as the real problem and that we need to cut spending in order to survive. John deserves everyone’s support today. His campaign web site is up at http://www.johnstephen.com
Yes, I would agree with my friends that Jack Kimball is an outstanding messenger for smaller government. I would agree that either he or John Stephen would make an outstanding governor. However, John Stephen has proven to me personally that he is a person of integrity and is an individual of great principle.
Please join me in wholeheartedly and enthusiastically supporting John Stephen for Governor of New Hampshire in the September primary.
Thank you!
Cameron DeJong
I believe that people can change. I further believe that in order for us to see liberty succeed in our society, some individuals will have to change their mindsets on a variety of issues.
When I was 16 years old and a junior at Northside High School, I discovered liberty in politics for the first time. It was financial guru Harry Browne’s articulate message of liberty that took me from being a Freshman/Sophomore fiscal liberal to fine tuning my message towards one of consistent freedom.
I recall my United States history teacher telling me that I would grow out of my constitutional Republican ideals as I matured and got into the so-called “real world.” Here I am today, as consistent in liberty as ever. I still believe through all the change in the world that the best ideas are founded in individual freedom – socially and economically. I believe that the best vehicle with which to spread the ideas and to reach those means is through working with like-minded individuals in developing plans of action to show voters how liberty is indeed the best answer.
That said, we sometimes get very excited when a new person or idea comes forth. Scott Brown comes immediately to mind. He was an afterthought when polling well behind Martha Coakley. Then he jumped into a pick up truck and said the buzz words “Tea Party.” During this time, his poll numbers increased. As a state political figure in Massachusetts, Mr. Brown supported the government-run health care system that is in place today. He was moderate on a variety of other issues. However, the excitement of his polling increases were minimal in the minds of activists who wanted to see the seat formerly held by the late Ted Kennedy go to a Republican.
Excitement is a great thing and we should all be forthright in expanding our energy when the causes are right. We must be careful in the meantime. We must take a more diligent approach to ensuring that the candidates we support support the principles of freedom. Scott Brown has already proven that he does not subscribe to the principles of freedom by supporting a billion dollar job bill in Massachusetts. His moderate stance on this and other issues may win him new fans, but we must remember those he was “preaching” to in order to get elected. But still I say, we must take individual responsibility to know our candidates philosophical viewpoints and know if they are or are not consistent before jumping on their bandwagon.
To me, the principles of freedom and individual liberty can and must not be compromised. Sure, we may have a variety of means with which we present our message of liberty. Debra Medina in Texas and Rand Paul in Kentucky are suggesting liberty in a variety of terms that I believe will lead to the same, beneficial end result.
That result, must however, be the same. Maximizing liberty and freedom should be forthright in the minds of anyone who subscribes to the true, original meaning of our founding fathers. We must be philosophically consistent and know those around us and know if they are preaching a bad gospel or are really on our side.
Further, we must continue to work without delay in helping everyone share our belief that a society where individuals are truly free is a society that is most prosperous for all.
Cam DeJong
“Wow!”
That has been my expression since the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts. In a prior post, I stated my reasons for where Brown is not necessarily liberty-friendly. However, the winds of change have blown him into office.
Reflecting on 1994 again, it is essential that in 2010 we elect authentic lovers of liberty to office in New Hampshire, in your state, and to represent us in Washington, DC. I do see many individuals picking up the “tea party” banner who are not necessarily in step with the principles of liberty. The good news is that it is easy for us to pick off those individuals and call them on the spot.
“Wow! Wow!”
Another expression after yesterday’s Texas polling results. This is a key point to being able to tell who is truly a tea party patriot and who is not. Rick Perry tried to appeal to a group of voters last year by saying he would consider secession if the federal government didn’t find its way out of Texas. He has tried to embrace the Tea Party movement and was endorsed by Sarah Palin, who has taken on in the eyes of many the de facto leader of the tea party movement. Kay Bailey Hutchison is clearly seen as the Washington insider and has been dropping in the polls. However, the voters of Texas are showing that they understand the true patriot movement. Debra Medina has gone from 12% a few weeks ago to 16% and then yesterday up to 24%. Hutchison is at 28%. When you consider the margin of error, Medina could be in second place. Perry is far away from the 50% needed to avoid a run off.
So what is being seen here? Voters who are anti-Washington are burying Hutchison’s prospects of getting into the run off. In fact, Medina polls best amongst those who do not trust the politicians in Washington, DC. So Perry’s attempted use of the tea party movement is not fooling anyone. The Texas election is March 2, 2010. If Medina can continue to spread her message, I am confident we’ll see a “Scott Brown-like” result. The difference is that Debra Medina is a TRUE patriot and stands for the principles of liberty and the principles of the Constitution. Please offer your support to her at http://www.medinafortexas.com today.
In New Hampshire, the winds are certainly blowing in the right direction. On February 16th, several New Hampshire liberty lovers will have an opportunity to elect David Boutin to the NH Senate. If you live in Hooksett, Bow, Candia, Dunbarton, and Manchester Wards 1, 2, and 12, make sure you get out and vote on February 16th. David Boutin’s web site can be found at http://www.boutinforstatesenate.com.
Just as exciting, liberty candidate for NH Senate Jim Forsythe is having a kickoff event on February 25th in Laconia, NH. Jim is an outstanding individual and has the right message to win his Republican primary in September. You can find out more about Jim’s campaign at http://www.jimforsythe.com/In addition to Jim, I am confident we’ll see more work in the coming days and weeks from even more liberty friendly candidates for Governor, Senate, and House.
Here in Manchester’s Ward 2, I look forward to working with one or two other candidates to reach the voters in our ward with the best message ever – that of liberty.
While I talk a lot today about other states and the national level, I believe in my heart of hearts that all politics is indeed local. I look forward to the good and strong wind continuing. That, my friends, is the wind of liberty!
Cam