It seems I accidentily over-wrote my original reply, so re-typing.

First, thanks for the feedback!

You are correct that my positions currently listed are a little short, and I'm working on getting more in-depth position descriptions written up. I wanted to get -something- up sooner, if that makes sense.

I would -strongly- encourage folks to challenge me or give me feedback, I want to make sure my responses/positions are articulate and follow logically.

On the specific issue you mentioned of unreasonable restrictions on the right to bear arms, NH has a pretty effective state-level position at the moment. I list it on my site as it's an important local issue, and people want to hear from someone who's more “on the left” that I don't want to take their guns. In this context, I'd consider an “unreasonable” restriction as something that prevents a law abiding citizen from responsible posession of a firearm in general. I don't have any issues against things such as waiting periods, trigger locks, and the like. They may be unpopular among gun owners, but don't restrict the right to own a firearm in the first place, so I see no conflict.

On the specific issue of healthy lunch, I've read a few case studies which showed healthy menus to cost less for schools then the current junk-food. My main priority is to focus on efficiency rather then cuts. There -are- some areas in the NH budget that are prioritized a little strange (public works going to under-used roads rather then highly-used, etc) but unlike conservatives I'd rather see such priorities sorted out rather then just “cut the spending”. I'm not sure if that really answered your question very well, I guess the main point is “the answer isn't always cuts” in my opinion.

The partisan issue is an -excellent- topic, and I think a good opinion on it might be better served by a stand-alone write up rather then a chunk in a comment. Check my site out in a few days, I think it's an important issue to talk about (speaking as an independent rather then a party member). In general, my “gut instinct” is that I feel personal priorities should trump party-line loyalties. My reason for being upset about the pay-go vote as an example is that some of those republicans who voted against it have been on the record supporting it in the past. Their party loyalty forced them to vote no, which forced all the democrats to vote party-line regardless of individual support, and the problem perpetuates itself.

Rail Rail Rail against corporations, lobbyists, and special interests groups.

Campaign on a mandatory 5 week~ paid vacation for all working Americans in companies with over 100 employees. The idea here is family over corporate profits.

Campaign to move state funds from large banks to small banks and credit unions. "Community oriented"

Campaign to increase the minimum wage which has been stagnant for decades. "Appeal to young voters"

Campaign on passing a luxury tax for products like yachts, mansions, 6 figure cars, etc and use that revenue to do something in your community.

I'm actually working with my local friends who are helping with the campaign to keep detailed journals/etc of our work .. going to try and get video footage as well .. the idea is, regardless of the outcome, we want to put together some kind of book/presentation/movie/wha tever about our experience with running a small scale independent campaign "from scratch". Hopefully we will learn a thing or two, good or bad, that others can benefit from when they get up off the couch too. :-)

Thanks for the words of support. :-)

 I'm not sure how much attention it will get here, but regardless the TYT crowd is certainly in the correct "camp" for people who would be interested in my campaign. With that in mind, I'll be sure to post updates here as things develop as well as on my campaign site.

This is slightly off-topic, but I'd like to clarify that when I complained about the lack of protests by Progressives, I didn't intend to snipe at people in this forum in particular. Rather, it was the observation that the Left in America seems to be sitting on their hands, or engaging in ineffective efforts that aren't changing anything. TYT has organized small protests at the doors of CNN, so that's already more than the average progressive organisation has done.

Running for office on an independant platform is a great thing you can do. I hope you'll be successful, Tim, and that you'll expand on your campaign even if you don't win the seat. There should be a lot of potential in pointing out the flaws of the big two parties, and maybe you could even snag some lines off of Cenk's daily rants on what's wrong in politics. I'd write more, but because I broke my right hand it's getting a little difficult. Anyway, all the best! I bet some TYT'ers will support you if needs be.