I believe most of us in Vermont want decisions made on our behalf in Washington to be  thoughtful, even-handed, fair and to reflect long-range thinking.

Many of us feel there is far too much partisanship in Washington these days and that it diminishes the effectiveness of our national political and legislative process.  Senators and Representatives of both political parties are demonstrating increasing partisanship.  Many are making personal attacks and speaking from only one point of view without recognizing the interests of their colleagues or engaging in constructive debate on issues.  Some are not making an effort to speak to or get to know their colleagues from the other party.  This results in less respect and less trust.

It is important to ask whether these partisan actions are the most conducive to achieving consensus to pass necessary legislation in a timely manner.  Said differently, do these partisan actions serve the best interests of all Americans, or do they simply attempt to benefit members of one political party or another?

 We all know from personal experience that it is easier to reach agreements if we have good working relationships and if we respect each other as individuals as we negotiate on issues. A goal of my candidacy is to give Vermont voters a way to show their support for an approach in Congress that allows advocacy for our interests while building relationships and trust.

As we head into a new century and a new millennium, we in Vermont have a choice, both in our own lives and in electing those who will represent us in Washington.  We can advocate primarily for our own benefit or we can engage in debate as neighbors, working together to build and preserve a country that we will be proud to pass on to our future generations.  I believe that all Vermonters will benefit as members of Congress build relationships and trust with others with whom they must negotiate, and understand and develop those interests and solutions that are common to both sides.  I pledge to follow this approach.

Accordingly, I have deliberately not yet selected a party so that I may speak out on behalf of all citizens.  I will strive to be non-partisan, to work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents to improve the democratic process and the quality of legislation being enacted into law. 

Running more independently as a Vermonter is not easy to do under current Vermont law.  Our law requires that for our primary election in September of 2000, "a person's name shall not be listed as a candidate on the primary ballot of more than one party in the same election". However I believe there is a way, with your support, to show  that Vermonters of all parties want our next U.S. Senator to act in as non-partisan a manner as possible and instead to focus on improving the democratic process and the quality of legislation being enacted into law.

You will find on this website, a petition to place my name on the Primary Ballot of the Democratic Party, a petition to place my name on the Primary Ballot of the Republican Party and a petition to place my name on the General Election Ballot as an "Independent Vermonter". Feel free to copy or download them, circulate them as you feel necessary and sign them and return them to me for my filing with the Vermont Secretary of State. Your signature on my petitions does not necessarily indicate that you support me in the election - only that you support my nomination for the office of U.S. Senator with the Democratic or Republican Party or as an "Independent Vermonter".  PLEASE SIGN ONLY ONE PETITION OF YOUR CHOICE.  To place my name on the Primary Election ballot of either the Democratic or Republican Party, a minimum of 500 valid signatures are needed. To place my name on the General Election ballot as an "INDEPENDENT" Vermonter, a minimum of 1000 valid signatures are needed. 

If I receive sufficient signatures to be place my name on the Primary Election ballot of both the Democratic and Republican parties, I will be required to select to be placed upon the ballot of only one of the parties. Vermont law does not allow me to be placed upon the ballot for both. I will make that selection, based upon the backing I have received from you and my evaluation of how I may best give you the best choice in the November general election. However, whichever party I select, you will still know that my primary obligation is to represent you as a Vermonter in as non-partisan a manner as possible.  Although I am required to choose a party for the primary election, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WRITE ME IN AS A CANDIDATE ON OTHER PARTY BALLOTS. This way the primary election totals will more accurately reflect your true support for my approach. If, in the Primary Election, I am not selected as a candidate for either the Democratic or Republican Party, I will run in the General Election as an "Independent" Vermonter.

If elected I will strongly advocate for our Vermont interests, not simply at the expense of others, but in a manner that recognizes the value and importance of our Vermont interests, together with the valid interests of individuals in other parts of our country and throughout the world.  I will work to provide you with opportunities to show your support for values and interests which are of broad public value. While your financial support is needed, your personal support and participation are most important. 

I'm not interested in repeating to you what the polls indicate I should tell you. I will expend great energy traveling about our state listening to your concerns and learning from your experience. I will also tell you what I believe and where I think our country should be heading. I believe that if each of us is given clear, accurate and balanced factual information, we have the ability to deal with the complexity and uncertainty of our lives today in a way which allows us, our children and our upcoming generations to have a better future.

Obviously, my individual approach and my positions on issues will be important to your decision whether to support me with your vote in the primary and general elections. Accordingly, in the months ahead, I intend to prepare and present periodically and in considerable detail my positions on specific issues so that, over time, you will have enough information on my positions to make an intelligent decision on whether to vote for me.

During my campaign, in my interactions with you and with others, and in my overall approach to life, I make the following pledge:

MY PLEDGE TO YOU

	I will strive for openness, honesty, active and reflective listening, empathy, truthfulness, trustworthiness, responsibility, ethics and integrity in my daily professional and personal life.
	I will engage in collaborative behavior wherever possible and exhibit leadership to encourage others to use collaborative behavior in their personal and professional lives.
	I will look for the good in others and acknowledge, support and affirm this good.
	I will strive to exhibit tolerance and lead and encourage those around me to seek to understand and accept the customs, beliefs, appearance and interests of others while working to achieve consensus.
	I will strive to build relationships and trust with others with whom I must negotiate.
	I will strive to define problems in a positively framed and neutral manner and to seek agreement of others to do the same.
	I will stand up strongly for the values and interests that I hold and feel are of broader public value. I will negotiate in a principled but firm way to identify and understand the interests of others and find acceptable solutions to issues where others have differing opinions and positions.
	I will work for a better world, country, state and community based upon principles of democracy, sustainability, equity, tolerance and economic progress balanced with support for the environment in which we all live.
	I will strive to exert leadership in selected issues which I feel are in the larger public interest.  In exerting this leadership I will strive for resolutions that I deem to have longer-term substantive value. I will try to avoid working for short term, "cosmetic" decisions.
	I will strive for excellence in all that I do.
	I will strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to inspire others to value fitness and good health.

In the more immediate future, I hope you will print and sign the petitions to nominate me for United States Senator from Vermont. Looking further ahead, I hope to earn your trust and your vote in the primary and general elections ahead in year 2000.

Thank you!               Rick Hubbard

P.S.   You are welcome to visit my web site at www.rickhubbard.org as often as you like for updates on my activities, positions on issues and current campaign plans.