Special interests in the form of lobbyists and wealthy campaign donors are, by definition, different than the common interests of the American population. One need look no further than this difference to explain why our borders were not secured with dispatch after the 9/11 attacks. The majority of Americans assumed border security after 9/11 would be a no brainer. Yet, more than 5 years after 9/11, we have borders which are still as insecure and porous as on Sept. 10, 2001.

Wealthy special interest lobbyists and campaign donors influenced the vast majority of public office holders in our Congress. Securing our borders is Not what agricultural, construction and the service industries wanted. Securing our borders is Not what unions wanted. Securing our borders is Not what the American Chamber of Commerce members wanted. Securing our borders IS what the majority of Americans wanted. Americans lost, the special interests won.

The political truth has been: as long as politicians remain the puppets of wealthy special interests, the politicians are not free to act in the interests of the public good and future of America, unless they are willing to accept being a one term politician. We must change this political truth.

Meaningful ethics reform has not occurred despite promises by Democrats.

A change in direction in Iraq has not occurred, despite the demand for it by a majority of Americans.

Illegal immigration reform died in the Senate this week, though everyone agrees it is a serious problem.

The national debt will pass 9 Trillion Dollars this year, despite its 5.65 trillion amount in 2001. All agree this mounting debt must stop, but, it doesn't.

Solving the Social Security and Medicare entitlement crisis which threatens to cripple our nation economically and lower the quality of life for our children is one of the greatest challenges facing our nation over the next few decades. Yet, action on this issue which addresses and resolves it, is not forthcoming.

America is transferring more than 750 Billion dollars per year overseas to foreign corporate organizations through our annual trade deficit. China and India are on a path to become the new economic giants of the 21st century as America continues to grow its status as the greatest debtor nation the world has ever seen.

America's educational system continues to drop in rank compared to foreign nations, which is resulting in the need to import foreign engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and inventors. And the number of graduates from our colleges and universities reflect a growth in percentage of foreign students, as the percentage of American students who enter, but fail to graduate from college, also grows.

The reason for all this bad news for America's future can be traced directly back to the influence of wealthy special interests. These interests pull the puppet strings of our politicians. They dissuade politicians from acting in a manner which could solve our nation's problems by persuading them to compromise in favor of the special interest's profitability and short term interests. The special interests accomplish this magic through legal bribery (reelection campaign donations and support), and legal blackmail (threatening to withhold campaign donations or support).

All reforms in government are a charade of false campaign promises if campaign finance reform isn't the first and foremost reform, cutting the strings between politicians and wealthy special interests. But asking politicians to voluntarily bite the hands that feed their reelection campaigns is like asking an alcoholic to stop drinking. It just won't happen unless a greater force and motivation is leveraged against the politicians than that of the wealthy special interest lobbyists and donors.

The only force and motivation potentially great enough to override a politician's dependency upon special interest money, is the voters themselves, in an overwhelming anti-incumbent movement that unseats politicians election after election, until the politicians see the wisdom of true and effective campaign finance reform that removes influence money as the foundation for reelection.

The anti-incumbent sentiment was reborn after the 2004 elections, and caused the Republicans to lose control of Congress in 2006. All signs indicate the anti-incumbent sentiment is still growing, as polls continue to show public opinion of Congress at, or below, that of the current White House administration: below 33%. There is a lot of room for hope in that.

But, hope that does not act, changes nothing. We must grow the numbers of voters willing to vote out incumbents in 2008, 2010, and 2012. A critical mass must be reached at the polls that results in an unprecedented number of incumbents being unseated, with no other apparent reason to the analysts, than the American people have had enough and demand an end to the legal bribery and blackmail of politicians by our current campaign finance system of privileged influence.

If incumbents become an endangered breed over the next few election cycles, the freshman politicians who replace the incumbents will be NOT repeat the actions which got incumbents booted out of office. That is the wisdom, the power, and the hope of the Vote Out Incumbents Democracy (VOID) movement. This can only happen if we who see the wisdom and truth of this, spread this word and understanding to our fellow voters, and keep the anti-incumbent movement growing election after election.

We must ask Democrats to vote for Democratic challengers instead of incumbents. We must ask Republicans to vote for Republican challengers instead of incumbents. We must ask third party and independent voters to vote for challengers instead of incumbents. No one needs to cross party lines to achieve far more responsible and effective government. It will only take true campaign finance reform motivated by an overwhelming anti-incumbent movement.

We must explain this to our friends, family, and co-workers. That is vitally important. But, it is not sufficient. Word of mouth, one to one, could mean 6 or 10 or more election cycles before the critical mass is achieved to change things around. Our nation, our children, our future do not have that kind of time to continue on the path our current system is taking us down. We must provide the Vote Out Incumbents Democracy movement with the funds to reach millions of voters through the media, through campaign literature, through local organizations, through public speaking tours, and direct mailing if, we are to achieve the change we seek in time to save our nation and children's future.

Surely, all of us who see the reason and truth of what is said here, can afford the $15 individual, or $25 family membership dues to become an official member of Vote Out Incumbents Democracy. Your annual membership dues will go directly to spreading the word to as many voters as possible. No participant of VOID is paid, we are all volunteers. We want every penny raised to be used toward spreading the message and growing the anti-incumbent movement. Those of you fortunate enough to afford more, can surely see that this is one of the most important causes in which to invest a donation this year, and we ask you to do so.

Time is short. The debt, the trade deficits, the Iraq war, our declining educational quality, health care inflation and entitlement spending will bury America's future. We may be enjoying the last stage of the good life in America if we do not act now. It is extremely important that we speak now with our dollars and voices to all who will listen and are capable of understanding. We must do this for our country, our children, and their children. There simply is no other alternative.

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