My name is Chris Smith, and I would like to welcome you to this discussion of ideas... Forward Thinking for a Better America. As an Independent, I want to end partisan distractions with new common sense ideas:
- Protect Americans from terrorists and those who threaten freedom
- Honor Veterans and provide them, and the families of fallen soldiers, with respect and support from a thankful nation
- Clean Energy Independence with Renewables like Solar and Hydrogen
- Teacher = Hero: Double the number of qualified teachers in schools and improve education
- Fix Healthcare by reforming medical insurance and putting patients in charge of choosing higher quality at lower prices
- Lower Taxes and Balanced Budgets with a Progressive Flat Tax
- Reform the Patriot Act to protect America and our Civil Liberties
- Reduce Concentrated Power in Government and Corporations to restore freedom
This is a "blog" or a web site in a journal format. This page is related to Showtime's original American Candidate television show. Chris Smith is not a candidate for President and cannot accept campaign contributions.
Friday, April 30, 2004
Listen Sunday...
On Sunday, I will be on a call-in program to discuss issues concerning our nation and Showtime's American Candidate show. I will be on the air beginning at 11:30AM Pacific / 2:30PM Eastern.
You can listen live, over the internet here:
http://www.newblackcity.com/radio/
During the show, you can call in with your questions on their Toll Free On-Air Number at 1-877-969-2004
Or while we are on, you can email questions to the host of the show at
jbordoe@yahoo.com
The program is hosted by Joe Caulfield and John Bordeaux.
In addition to questions, the host of the show welcomes phone calls of support during the program. (I appreciate it, too.)
You can listen live, over the internet here:
http://www.newblackcity.com/radio/
During the show, you can call in with your questions on their Toll Free On-Air Number at 1-877-969-2004
Or while we are on, you can email questions to the host of the show at
jbordoe@yahoo.com
The program is hosted by Joe Caulfield and John Bordeaux.
In addition to questions, the host of the show welcomes phone calls of support during the program. (I appreciate it, too.)
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
American Voices: Wilbur
"Chris Smith is a unique Candidate in that he does not fit into any convenient preconception of a politician. I have known this free-thinker for 5 years now and his devotion to our country and to the common person is admirable.
Chris Smith's priorities are exemplary of this devotion:
- an appreciation of the families who sacrifice time
and energy to the service of our country.
- an awareness of the importance of education
culminating in some innovative plans to restore our
students to international academic prominence.
- an understanding of the healthcare and medical
insurance issues resulting in common sense approaches
to preventive health maintenance and affordable health
care."
Wilbur
Software Engineer
Northern California Bay Area
American Voices is a new feature that provides an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about Chris Smith and his ideas for America.
Chris Smith's priorities are exemplary of this devotion:
- an appreciation of the families who sacrifice time
and energy to the service of our country.
- an awareness of the importance of education
culminating in some innovative plans to restore our
students to international academic prominence.
- an understanding of the healthcare and medical
insurance issues resulting in common sense approaches
to preventive health maintenance and affordable health
care."
Wilbur
Software Engineer
Northern California Bay Area
American Voices is a new feature that provides an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about Chris Smith and his ideas for America.
American Voices: Dan Pilkenton
"Chris was my manager for many years at Tenth Planet (an educational curriculum software company). He was, without a doubt, the fairest, most diplomatic manager I've had. All issues were given careful consideration and his goal was a win-win for everyone. He was expert at finding a solution that left all sides feeling good. Another strength is his passion. He must believe in any task he undertakes. So if Chris has taken something on, you know he believes wholeheartedly in it and he will give total devotion to the task. And, his word is his bond. You can believe everything he says!"
Dan Pilkenton
Software Engineer
Taos, NM
www.encantada.com/WorldMusic
American Voices is a new feature that provides an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about Chris Smith and his ideas for America.
Dan Pilkenton
Software Engineer
Taos, NM
www.encantada.com/WorldMusic
American Voices is a new feature that provides an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about Chris Smith and his ideas for America.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Listen Live... Call In With Questions
Late word that I will be discussing issues concerning our nation and Showtime's American Candidate show today on a call-in program. I will be on the air beginning at 3PM Pacific / 6PM Eastern.
You can listen live, over the internet here:
http://www.newblackcity.com/radio/
You can call in with your questions on their Toll Free On-Air Number at 1-877-969-2004
The program is hosted by John Bordeaux.
(In case you miss this one, I am scheduled to be on the channel again Sunday, with host Joe Caulfield. The Sunday program is broadcast from 11AM - 1PM Pacific. I will post updated program details for the Sunday show as I receive them.)
You can listen live, over the internet here:
http://www.newblackcity.com/radio/
You can call in with your questions on their Toll Free On-Air Number at 1-877-969-2004
The program is hosted by John Bordeaux.
(In case you miss this one, I am scheduled to be on the channel again Sunday, with host Joe Caulfield. The Sunday program is broadcast from 11AM - 1PM Pacific. I will post updated program details for the Sunday show as I receive them.)
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Patriot Act
On Monday and Tuesday, President Bush joined his administration's campaign to renew and broaden the powers of the Patriot Act. In his remarks, Bush emphasizes the benefits of Patriot Act provisions that no one disputes, like stiffer penalties for terrorists and allowing information sharing between agencies, such as the FBI and CIA. However, Bush avoids discussing controversial provisions that weaken civil liberties for American citizens.
For example, supporters claim that the Patriot Act requires court oversight. However, what they fail to mention is that the Patriot Act allows the government to seek this "oversight" 72 hours after a search has already occurred. They also forget to mention that the Patriot Act lowers the standard from showing evidence of probable cause to a simple "I say so" assertion of "relevance to an investigation." Somehow, Patriot Act supporters also forget to mention that in many instances, this special "court oversight" has no power to deny a request and is only permitted to acknowledge that a request has been made. This type of "court oversight" is not a very strong protection of your Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure.
This is not a partisan issue. When President Bush signed the Patriot Act into law on October 26, 2001 both Republicans and Democrats had voted in favor of it. However, the Patriot Act was passed without customary Congressional hearings. In fact, many members were asked to vote for the legislation before they had a chance to review it. Since then, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to reform the Patriot Act over the objections and veto threats of the White House.
Underlying the Bush administration's argument in favor of the Patriot Act is their assertion that the security and intelligence agencies cannot defend the nation without it. However, we all remember that in the weeks following the 9/11 tragedy, those agencies did successfully defend the nation, identifying and arresting suspected terrorists, even though the Patriot Act had not yet become law. Their success is the best evidence that those pieces of the Patriot Act that threaten the civil liberties of American citizens are not required for the nation to be protected.
As testimony from the hearings of the 9/11 Commission makes clear, the attacks on 9/11 automatically set in motion the most important reform required to defend the nation. Even without a new law, the attacks of 9/11 focused the nation on the threat of terrorism and placed our security and intelligence agencies on a "war footing" in the battle against terrorism.
Unless new legislation is enacted, the most controversial parts of the Patriot Act are set to expire under a "sunset provision" on December 31, 2005. This will leave the remaining 90% of the Patriot Act in place. Do not allow supporters of the Patriot Act to scare you into sacrificing your freedom.
President Bush's Recent Remarks on the Patriot Act:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040419-4.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040420-2.html
Analysis of the Patriot Act
Slate: A Guide to the Patriot Act
Electronic Frontier Foundation's Patriot Act Analysis
ACLU Patriot Act Resources
For example, supporters claim that the Patriot Act requires court oversight. However, what they fail to mention is that the Patriot Act allows the government to seek this "oversight" 72 hours after a search has already occurred. They also forget to mention that the Patriot Act lowers the standard from showing evidence of probable cause to a simple "I say so" assertion of "relevance to an investigation." Somehow, Patriot Act supporters also forget to mention that in many instances, this special "court oversight" has no power to deny a request and is only permitted to acknowledge that a request has been made. This type of "court oversight" is not a very strong protection of your Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure.
This is not a partisan issue. When President Bush signed the Patriot Act into law on October 26, 2001 both Republicans and Democrats had voted in favor of it. However, the Patriot Act was passed without customary Congressional hearings. In fact, many members were asked to vote for the legislation before they had a chance to review it. Since then, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to reform the Patriot Act over the objections and veto threats of the White House.
Underlying the Bush administration's argument in favor of the Patriot Act is their assertion that the security and intelligence agencies cannot defend the nation without it. However, we all remember that in the weeks following the 9/11 tragedy, those agencies did successfully defend the nation, identifying and arresting suspected terrorists, even though the Patriot Act had not yet become law. Their success is the best evidence that those pieces of the Patriot Act that threaten the civil liberties of American citizens are not required for the nation to be protected.
As testimony from the hearings of the 9/11 Commission makes clear, the attacks on 9/11 automatically set in motion the most important reform required to defend the nation. Even without a new law, the attacks of 9/11 focused the nation on the threat of terrorism and placed our security and intelligence agencies on a "war footing" in the battle against terrorism.
Unless new legislation is enacted, the most controversial parts of the Patriot Act are set to expire under a "sunset provision" on December 31, 2005. This will leave the remaining 90% of the Patriot Act in place. Do not allow supporters of the Patriot Act to scare you into sacrificing your freedom.
President Bush's Recent Remarks on the Patriot Act:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040419-4.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040420-2.html
Analysis of the Patriot Act
Slate: A Guide to the Patriot Act
Electronic Frontier Foundation's Patriot Act Analysis
ACLU Patriot Act Resources
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Earth Day
Today is Earth Day... a good time to pause for a moment to remember the importance of protecting our planet to pass on to future generations. With that in mind, I urge you to continue to stand against proposals to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (You may have heard this referred to as ANWR by those pressed for time... or not wanting to remind you that they are proposing to drill in a Wildlife Refuge).
Adjacent areas of Alaska's north slope are already open to oil exploration. Now the oil industry wants more. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was set aside to preserve the environment, not to serve as a placeholder for the oil industry to get around to later. Rather than planning new drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, let's plan new ways to use less oil and fossil fuels.
Supporters of drilling say that they have new methods for drilling that will protect the environment. If that's true, I encourage them to drill using those new, more environmentally friendly techniques at their existing drill sites... we don't need to drill in the Wildlife Refuge to test them out.
Supporters of drilling say that we need to produce more oil in the United States so that we can import less. However, over the course of 50 years, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would only provide a 6-month oil supply... that's like a "mosquito bite's" worth of oil in the big picture. Is six months worth of oil worth destroying the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? I don't think so.
Finally, are we going to trust a Bush Administration, overflowing with oil executives and Enron campaign contributions, to get the balance right on oil production vs. the environment? When the White House has closed-door meetings with oil industry representatives for their Energy Task Force, is it not wise to suspect that the environment is not getting a fair hearing?
When $40 Million in campaign contributions leads to an Energy Bill that "pays off" for campaign contributors, do we have any reason to believe that this is not more of the same old, status quo, politics as usual?
I leave you with this chart from the NRDC and some Alaska wildlife photos. Click the pictures to visit the NRDC and the Sierra Club web sites.
Adjacent areas of Alaska's north slope are already open to oil exploration. Now the oil industry wants more. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was set aside to preserve the environment, not to serve as a placeholder for the oil industry to get around to later. Rather than planning new drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, let's plan new ways to use less oil and fossil fuels.
Supporters of drilling say that they have new methods for drilling that will protect the environment. If that's true, I encourage them to drill using those new, more environmentally friendly techniques at their existing drill sites... we don't need to drill in the Wildlife Refuge to test them out.
Supporters of drilling say that we need to produce more oil in the United States so that we can import less. However, over the course of 50 years, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would only provide a 6-month oil supply... that's like a "mosquito bite's" worth of oil in the big picture. Is six months worth of oil worth destroying the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? I don't think so.
Finally, are we going to trust a Bush Administration, overflowing with oil executives and Enron campaign contributions, to get the balance right on oil production vs. the environment? When the White House has closed-door meetings with oil industry representatives for their Energy Task Force, is it not wise to suspect that the environment is not getting a fair hearing?
When $40 Million in campaign contributions leads to an Energy Bill that "pays off" for campaign contributors, do we have any reason to believe that this is not more of the same old, status quo, politics as usual?
I leave you with this chart from the NRDC and some Alaska wildlife photos. Click the pictures to visit the NRDC and the Sierra Club web sites.
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Meetup Pictures
The good news is, the photos Kristina snapped came out good (thanks again). The bad news is, there are only three. You'll see each photo twice. One with names of candidates and then one without names.
You can click on an image to see it larger.
I have a handful of other candids I shot around the table, but, I think you will find them too blurry to be useful. (If you want to see a blurry shot of yourself, drop me an email or post a comment and tell me if you want it posted here or emailed directly to you. Maybe you are a PhotoShop expert and can unblur it.)
You can click on an image to see it larger.
I have a handful of other candids I shot around the table, but, I think you will find them too blurry to be useful. (If you want to see a blurry shot of yourself, drop me an email or post a comment and tell me if you want it posted here or emailed directly to you. Maybe you are a PhotoShop expert and can unblur it.)
Monday, April 19, 2004
Fantastic Meetup
I just returned home from the Meetup, which moved from a Starbucks on the Santa Monica Promenade to a conference room in an office in Marina del Rey. My rough estimate is that we had about seven people who were not candidates and then around nine candidates. Somewhere between 16 and 20 people I think.
I am so excited that people are concerned enough about the nation to take the time to participate in this type of event. I am also VERY impressed with the level of discussion we had and that the people there were willing to let everyone have a chance to express their point of view. I call that a good time!
Now I'm going to get started on resizing and uploading the pictures from the event. They should be posted in the next hour or two. (My thanks to Kristina, a generous non-candidate, for snapping some of these photos).
Thanks again to everyone who took the time to come to the Meetup. Please post your comments by clicking the comments link below this post.
A Little Light Reading
Before I upload the pics, I thought I would post some quick links to some books that people might be interested in reading... some of which came up in the discussion.
Natural Capitalism by Amory Hu Paul/Lovins Hawken
Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich - and Cheat Everybody Else by David Cay Johnston
Out of Gas: The End of the Age of Oil by David Goodstein
I am so excited that people are concerned enough about the nation to take the time to participate in this type of event. I am also VERY impressed with the level of discussion we had and that the people there were willing to let everyone have a chance to express their point of view. I call that a good time!
Now I'm going to get started on resizing and uploading the pictures from the event. They should be posted in the next hour or two. (My thanks to Kristina, a generous non-candidate, for snapping some of these photos).
Thanks again to everyone who took the time to come to the Meetup. Please post your comments by clicking the comments link below this post.
A Little Light Reading
Before I upload the pics, I thought I would post some quick links to some books that people might be interested in reading... some of which came up in the discussion.
Natural Capitalism by Amory Hu Paul/Lovins Hawken
Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich - and Cheat Everybody Else by David Cay Johnston
Out of Gas: The End of the Age of Oil by David Goodstein
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Learn about Tax Policy
Our current tax system is in need of major reform. As you know, I support a Progressive Flat Tax to cut taxes and return fairness to Americans. A Progressive Flat Tax will help the poor and middle class build wealth and save more of what they earn, while closing the loopholes for the wealthiest Americans. By simplifying the code and ending confusion, it will also make it much more clear to Americans how much of their money the government is collecting in taxes.
If you are interested in learning more about Tax Policy, I encourage you to watch Booknotes on CSPAN this Sunday 4/18 at 8PM ET. It reairs at 11PM ET and will also be available on the CSPAN web site for viewing.
http://www.cspan.org/
Booknotes: ''Perfectly Legal''
Pulitzer-prize winning New York Times reporter David Cay Johnston discusses his book, "Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich and Cheat Everyone Else."
http://www.booknotes.org/Program/?ProgramID=1776
Amazon: Perfectly Legal
If you are interested in learning more about Tax Policy, I encourage you to watch Booknotes on CSPAN this Sunday 4/18 at 8PM ET. It reairs at 11PM ET and will also be available on the CSPAN web site for viewing.
http://www.cspan.org/
Booknotes: ''Perfectly Legal''
Pulitzer-prize winning New York Times reporter David Cay Johnston discusses his book, "Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich and Cheat Everyone Else."
http://www.booknotes.org/Program/?ProgramID=1776
Amazon: Perfectly Legal
Friday, April 16, 2004
Welcome
My name is Chris Smith, and I would like to welcome you to this discussion of ideas... Forward Thinking for a Better America. As an Independent, I want to end partisan distractions with new common sense ideas:
Protect Americans from terrorists and those who threaten freedom
Honor Veterans and provide them, and the families of fallen soldiers, with respect and support from a thankful nation
Clean Energy Independence with Renewables like Solar and Hydrogen
Teacher = Hero: Double the number of qualified teachers in schools and improve education
Fix Healthcare by reforming medical insurance and putting patients in charge of choosing higher quality at lower prices
Lower Taxes and Balanced Budgets with a Progressive Flat Tax
Reform the Patriot Act to protect America and our Civil Liberties
Reduce Concentrated Power in Government and Corporations to restore freedom
Join me on April 19 at 7PM in Santa Monica at the American Candidate Meetup or find a Meetup near you:
http://americancandidate.meetup.com/512/
Protect Americans from terrorists and those who threaten freedom
Honor Veterans and provide them, and the families of fallen soldiers, with respect and support from a thankful nation
Clean Energy Independence with Renewables like Solar and Hydrogen
Teacher = Hero: Double the number of qualified teachers in schools and improve education
Fix Healthcare by reforming medical insurance and putting patients in charge of choosing higher quality at lower prices
Lower Taxes and Balanced Budgets with a Progressive Flat Tax
Reform the Patriot Act to protect America and our Civil Liberties
Reduce Concentrated Power in Government and Corporations to restore freedom
Join me on April 19 at 7PM in Santa Monica at the American Candidate Meetup or find a Meetup near you:
http://americancandidate.meetup.com/512/
Thursday, April 15, 2004
American Voices
American Voices features thoughts from supporters like you, from around the nation, about Chris Smith and his ideas for America. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to write. Your support is overwhelming... and deeply appreciated.
Note: These have been contributed over time, but, are collected here with this post date to put them all in one place for you.
"Chris was my manager for many years at Tenth Planet (an educational curriculum software company). He was, without a doubt, the fairest, most diplomatic manager I've had. All issues were given careful consideration and his goal was a win-win for everyone. He was expert at finding a solution that left all sides feeling good. Another strength is his passion. He must believe in any task he undertakes. So if Chris has taken something on, you know he believes wholeheartedly in it and he will give total devotion to the task. And, his word is his bond. You can believe everything he says!"
Dan Pilkenton
Software Engineer
Taos, NM
www.encantada.com/WorldMusic
"Chris Smith is a unique Candidate in that he does not fit into any convenient preconception of a politician. I have known this free-thinker for 5 years now and his devotion to our country and to the common person is admirable.
Chris Smith's priorities are exemplary of this devotion:
- an appreciation of the families who sacrifice time
and energy to the service of our country.
- an awareness of the importance of education
culminating in some innovative plans to restore our
students to international academic prominence.
- an understanding of the healthcare and medical
insurance issues resulting in common sense approaches
to preventive health maintenance and affordable health
care."
Wilbur
Software Engineer
Northern California Bay Area
"Chris has outstanding talents and leadership abilities.
He is intelligent, open to new ideas, works well with people, well respected by his co-workers and passionate about his beliefs. All that and a great sense of humor!"
Jamie
Art Director
Salt Lake City, Utah
"As a business associate and friend, Chris Smith has a sincere honesty and integrity that is not often found in this culture. His ability to problem solve is always well thought out, equitable, objective and able. Chris is generous with his ideas and open to all possibilities. He is enthusiastic in his outlook and his personality offers a welcome warmth to all . A person with thoughtful respect and unimpeachable honesty.
If there were a dictionary definition:
Chris Smith: One who is true and sincere. A person of honor; one in possession of great intelligence and honesty . A person who can articulate equitable solutions with a keen sense of humor , incredible insight and generous heart."
Catharine Miles
Dana Point, CA
"Of all those I have worked with, or for, in 25 years in business, I've not met anyone as fit for leadership as Chris Smith. He is intelligent, well-informed, and fair. After spending many a lunch hour talking politics, I can say he is unpredictably independent. And while we don't agree on every issue, I have enormous respect for him."
Richard
Filmmaker
Northern California Bay Area
"Chris Smith should be a role model for future leaders in our country. Chris was my direct supervisor for 4 years and in that time I had the pleasure of witnessing his excellent and patient management and leadership skills when dealing with complex issues, people, and environments. He holds up well in stressful situations and makes an impossible situation a win win for everyone."
Shanti Minkstein
Photographer
Northern California Bay Area
www.portraitsbyshanti.com
"I have known Chris Smith for 10 years and have had an opportunity to see him in many leadership roles. Ever since I have known him, I have thought he would make a good political candidate. He has the ability to see issues from all angles and uses research as well as counsel from others to make a decision using all the information. He is cool under pressure and always fair. There is no one I trust more."
Kristi Leonard
West Hartford, CT
www.presentsofmind.com
"As I scanned the long list of candidates in the last California gubernatorial election, I was disappointed that Chris Smith's name was not to be found.
Chris has always been a politically charged person with strong interests in government and its role in our society. His knowledge of American systems and policies rivals or surpasses that of any candidate (or actor, or porn star, or magazine publisher...) you might find on the ballot.
His ideas are well-thought and practical. I especially like his take on environmental and energy issues. No one else is as progressive yet practical about making America energy self-sufficient while at the same time conserving the environment for future generations.
Chris embodies everything we want from one of our representatives in public service. The next time I see a list of candidates I want to see the name Chris Smith."
Dan Chadwick
Small Business Owner
Southern California
"Chris is my political encyclopedia. If there's a political issue, subject, or person that I want to know about, I turn to Chris. He's that knowledgeable.
Bottom line: Chris' platform is rock solid and he's a good guy with the right agenda. I'm voting for Chris Smith! Some day, I hope to be able to do it for real."
Brian Leonard
Connecticut
Note: These have been contributed over time, but, are collected here with this post date to put them all in one place for you.
American Voices: Dan Pilkenton
"Chris was my manager for many years at Tenth Planet (an educational curriculum software company). He was, without a doubt, the fairest, most diplomatic manager I've had. All issues were given careful consideration and his goal was a win-win for everyone. He was expert at finding a solution that left all sides feeling good. Another strength is his passion. He must believe in any task he undertakes. So if Chris has taken something on, you know he believes wholeheartedly in it and he will give total devotion to the task. And, his word is his bond. You can believe everything he says!"
Dan Pilkenton
Software Engineer
Taos, NM
www.encantada.com/WorldMusic
American Voices: Wilbur
"Chris Smith is a unique Candidate in that he does not fit into any convenient preconception of a politician. I have known this free-thinker for 5 years now and his devotion to our country and to the common person is admirable.
Chris Smith's priorities are exemplary of this devotion:
- an appreciation of the families who sacrifice time
and energy to the service of our country.
- an awareness of the importance of education
culminating in some innovative plans to restore our
students to international academic prominence.
- an understanding of the healthcare and medical
insurance issues resulting in common sense approaches
to preventive health maintenance and affordable health
care."
Wilbur
Software Engineer
Northern California Bay Area
American Voices: Jamie
"Chris has outstanding talents and leadership abilities.
He is intelligent, open to new ideas, works well with people, well respected by his co-workers and passionate about his beliefs. All that and a great sense of humor!"
Jamie
Art Director
Salt Lake City, Utah
American Voices: Catharine Miles
"As a business associate and friend, Chris Smith has a sincere honesty and integrity that is not often found in this culture. His ability to problem solve is always well thought out, equitable, objective and able. Chris is generous with his ideas and open to all possibilities. He is enthusiastic in his outlook and his personality offers a welcome warmth to all . A person with thoughtful respect and unimpeachable honesty.
If there were a dictionary definition:
Chris Smith: One who is true and sincere. A person of honor; one in possession of great intelligence and honesty . A person who can articulate equitable solutions with a keen sense of humor , incredible insight and generous heart."
Catharine Miles
Dana Point, CA
American Voices: Richard
"Of all those I have worked with, or for, in 25 years in business, I've not met anyone as fit for leadership as Chris Smith. He is intelligent, well-informed, and fair. After spending many a lunch hour talking politics, I can say he is unpredictably independent. And while we don't agree on every issue, I have enormous respect for him."
Richard
Filmmaker
Northern California Bay Area
American Voices: Shanti Minkstein
"Chris Smith should be a role model for future leaders in our country. Chris was my direct supervisor for 4 years and in that time I had the pleasure of witnessing his excellent and patient management and leadership skills when dealing with complex issues, people, and environments. He holds up well in stressful situations and makes an impossible situation a win win for everyone."
Shanti Minkstein
Photographer
Northern California Bay Area
www.portraitsbyshanti.com
American Voices: Kristi Leonard
"I have known Chris Smith for 10 years and have had an opportunity to see him in many leadership roles. Ever since I have known him, I have thought he would make a good political candidate. He has the ability to see issues from all angles and uses research as well as counsel from others to make a decision using all the information. He is cool under pressure and always fair. There is no one I trust more."
Kristi Leonard
West Hartford, CT
www.presentsofmind.com
American Voices: Dan Chadwick
"As I scanned the long list of candidates in the last California gubernatorial election, I was disappointed that Chris Smith's name was not to be found.
Chris has always been a politically charged person with strong interests in government and its role in our society. His knowledge of American systems and policies rivals or surpasses that of any candidate (or actor, or porn star, or magazine publisher...) you might find on the ballot.
His ideas are well-thought and practical. I especially like his take on environmental and energy issues. No one else is as progressive yet practical about making America energy self-sufficient while at the same time conserving the environment for future generations.
Chris embodies everything we want from one of our representatives in public service. The next time I see a list of candidates I want to see the name Chris Smith."
Dan Chadwick
Small Business Owner
Southern California
American Voices: Brian Leonard
"Chris is my political encyclopedia. If there's a political issue, subject, or person that I want to know about, I turn to Chris. He's that knowledgeable.
Bottom line: Chris' platform is rock solid and he's a good guy with the right agenda. I'm voting for Chris Smith! Some day, I hope to be able to do it for real."
Brian Leonard
Connecticut
