This is the question I have asked myself since I started seriously thinking about this.

Nothing gets done when two sides are so opposed to one another, when all we see is us vs them. I really looked at myself and thought if I have complex opinions on issues so might others. I have voted Republican, and I have voted Democrat in my life, but I have never shared every viewpoint that a specific party had.

I feel that making a target of other people in our country is wrong. That is just a core of who I am full stop. I am wired to treat others how I would want to be treated, I want to lend a hand, and weirdly I never want to be a bother to others.

That is me at my core.

The idea of America is so powerful, and when we attack our fellow Americans, when we single someone out because they are different from us it feels to me like we are trying to strip them of that American ideal.

I want to help bridge the middle and find common ground. Protect the rights of every American, preserve all of our freedoms, and work together to tackle our actual problems. I see policies that aim to make life harder for us that live paycheck to paycheck, while making things easier for those who have vast sums of money to just keep making more.

Why should either political party care about us, when most of our politicians are worth millions. We need a handful of independents to take back the middle, to force compromise, and to prevent the wild extremes that take place on both side of the political aisle.

If I get a chance to represent Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional district, I want to listen to what my district needs, not just repeat the political talking points I was emailed that morning. You may not agree with me on everything, and that is OK. We are still neighbors, we are still proud of our state and out place in it, and we are all still Americans.

How can I help?

If you want to know more or just have a question for me: questions@justmrmartin.com