Today, you’ll go to the polls or to the ballot boxes and cast your votes for the individual you believe deserves the opportunity to represent you as the next Senator of Washington. As I reflect on the numerous calls and emails that I’ve received from voters, I’m humbled and truly grateful for your support, your encouragement, and your votes.

I’ve come to realize that the people of Washington want nothing more in a Senator than someone who will honestly represent the people of this State; to serve as a voice for those who have never had one, to uphold and protect the rights and freedoms of each and every American, and to restore the promise and commitment of the American Dream.

I know that each of you casting a vote during this primary election cares about our State. You care about our Nation. And you care about the direction our country is headed in, and the leaders we’ve elected to provide that direction.

Never before in our Nation’s history have we faced the enormity and difficulty of the challenges that lie before us. Think about your family. Think about your friends. The people you see on the bus, and the people you go to church with. Each of you probably knows someone who has lost their job, lost their home, or is struggling to make ends meet. Or maybe you’re the parent, friend, or neighbor of a brave American Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, and have watched that brave military man or woman deploy to a far off land, never to return. Or perhaps you’ve watched over the years as pristine bodies of water, such as Puget Sound, have slowly become a man-made toilet and toxic dumping ground for storm water runoff and other industrial pollutants.

What I’ve just mentioned— these are but a few of our problems. And we’ve seen nothing over the last several years that indicate that anything is getting any better. We’ve seen the constant and bitter cycle of infighting that has gripped Congress, and our political system today has become a mess of entrenched politicians who are largely ineffective at getting things done, and only concerned about one thing—reelection. Your voice— the voice of the citizen, the voice of the voter, has been drowned out by the smooth talk and financial backing of special interests. Not too long ago, you — I— we were all promised that action was being taken to save and create jobs, ensure healthcare for all, and were promised transparency and openness in government. But I think that all we’ve been left with is nothing more than hollow rhetoric, and a false sense of hope.

So today I ask you– who will you choose? Who do you believe can rise to meet the extraordinary challenges that each and every person in this State has a stake in?

I seek to bring jobs back to Washington; restore our manufacturing base, connect our agriculture industry directly to consumers, encourage the next wave of technological innovation, and spark the creation of hundreds of thousands of green jobs from Seattle to Spokane, and every city in between.

I seek to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, bring all of our troops home, and ensure that we take care of all those who have sacrificed themselves for a country that they call Home.

I seek to clean and protect our environment and outline a bold new energy policy; to commit this nation, before the end of the decade, to ending our dependence on fossil fuels and helping transform our nation into one powered by the sun, wind, and other renewable energy sources.

But most of all, I seek to be a truly independent voice that represents, connects with, and SERVES the people of this state. Money doesn’t, and shouldn’t, have a place in politics– constituent concerns, vigorous debate, and the voice of voters does, and always will. And I’ll continue to stand by my pledge to not take any campaign contributions so that accountability to voters is the only deciding factor when it comes to an election.

Today I offer openness, and a commitment to work with each and every citizen in this state to listen, propose solutions, and take action to get things done. I’m not a career politician– I’m just an ordinary person with dreams and aspirations who believes in the extraordinary ability and vision of each and every one of you. I’ll provide you with the transparency and accountability that each of you rightfully deserves, and what our Government is badly in need of. I won’t operate in secret, in silos, or solo. I’ll rely on each and every one of you to provide your ideas and input into legislation that is going to affect your life. I’ll stand up and fight for the weak, provide a voice for the helpless, and bring our nation together in ways that have never been tried before.

So today I’m asking you to cast your vote and make your choice.

A choice between the broken politics of yesterday, and the collaborative politics of tomorrow.

A choice between empty rhetoric and political posturing, or a new voice who is willing to listen.

A choice between hidden agendas, loss of liberty, and no accountability, or a genuine care and desire to see our nation flourish, our communities connect, and our economy grow.

Today YOU have a choice.

YOU have a vote.

And YOU have a voice.

So let yourself be heard, and let me lead you on a new path of promise, healing, and prosperity.

Humbly and sincerely asking for your vote,

Charles

Spread the word! Tell a friend, tell a family member about my campaign. But most of all, take the time to read through the Voters’ Guide, ask questions, and VOTE!

You can’t change anything in Washington if you don’t vote, so this year, MAKE IT COUNT!

I’m challenging you both to a public, televised debate. How about Monday night, 6PM?

Do you ever wonder why it seems like nothing ever gets done in the Senate? Read this and you’ll see why.

Archaic rules and procedures and old ways of thinking are a poor excuse for letting Americans continue to lose their jobs, spending until we’re broke (Oh wait — we’re already there), ensuring that healthcare remains unaffordable and out of reach, and failing to address funding education so students don’t go in debt up their eyeballs just from going to school. If you want things to be different, you need to elect people who are different.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/09/100809fa_fact_packer?currentPage=all

PRINCETON, NJ — Gallup’s 2010 Confidence in Institutions poll finds Congress ranking dead last out of the 16 institutions rated this year. Eleven percent of Americans say they have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in Congress, down from 17% in 2009 and a percentage point lower than the previous low for Congress, recorded in 2008.

The Gallup poll was conducted July 8-11, shortly before Congress passed a major financial regulatory reform bill, which President Obama signed into law this week.

Underscoring Congress’ image problem, half of Americans now say they have “very little” or “no” confidence in Congress, up from 38% in 2009 — and the highest for any institution since Gallup first asked this question in 1973. Previous near-50% readings include 48% found for the presidency in 2008, and 49% for the criminal justice system in 1994.

This year’s poll also finds a 15-point drop in high confidence in the presidency, to 36% from 51% in June 2009. Over the same period, President Barack Obama’s approval rating fell by 11 points, from 58% to 47%. However, confidence in the presidency remains higher than in 2008 — the last year of George W. Bush’s term — when the figure was 26%.

Military Still No. 1

The military continues its long-standing run as the highest-rated U.S. institution. Small business and the police occupy second and third places, respectively. These three top-tier institutions all earn high confidence from a majority of Americans, something no other institution achieves this year.

The military has been No. 1 in Gallup’s annual Confidence in Institutions list continuously since 1998, and has ranked No.1 or No. 2 almost every year since its initial 1975 measure.

The high level of confidence in small business contrasts with the low level of confidence in big business; the latter is tied with HMOs at 19% for next-to-last place. Confidence in organized religion is similar to where it has been since 2002, but is significantly lower than in prior years.

Forthcoming articles on Gallup.com will review the trends for these and other institutions in greater depth.

In his December 1st, 1862 Message to Congress, President Abraham Lincoln made the following remark in his concluding paragraphs:

Will not the good people respond to a united, and earnest appeal from us? Can we, can they, by any other means, so certainly, or so speedily, assure these vital objects? We can succeed only by concert. It is not “can any of us imagine better?” but, “can we all do better?” The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise– with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.

These words are so fitting and so aptly describe the challenges that our nation faces today. We need bold leaders who are willing to think differently about issues and find solutions. The question is– who will you choose?

Thanks to every voter in this state who has taken the time to send me a question via email or voicemail. Ever since the ballots were mailed and voters’ guides have been released, I’ve been absolutely inundated with calls and emails. I just wanted to post a quick note letting you know that I am doing my best to respond to each and every one and apologize for any delay that you might experience. In the meantime, continue to check my Facebook page for updates as I post them!

Thanks to everyone who has voted, called, “liked,” emailed, or told someone about my campaign. Your support is truly humbling and I cannot begin to express how thankful and inspired I am by so many people who are looking for someone to bring a fresh perspective to the US Senate.

With hard work, some faith, a lot of prayer, and a little luck, we’ll make our way to the General Election in November!

Today, WikiLeaks released over 91,000 classified and unclassified military documents that shed light on the war in Afghanistan. My takeaway from this massive release and a question that ALL Americans should ask– what are we really fighting for? What are we spending YOUR taxpayer dollars on? Take a look at some of the source documents, analysis on various media sites, and decide for yourself.

http://wardiary.wikileaks.org/

Take a look at the US Senate Candidates on TVW’s Video Voters’ Guide!

Aren’t you frustrated with the culture of secrecy in Washington? Not really knowing what is going on behind the scenes when legislation is being crafted or Senators and Representatives are meeting together to “make deals?”

If elected I will give people an inside look into how Washington really works. I’ll enable real-time, full access to my email, the email of my staff, 24/7 streaming video and audio of what is going on inside my office, and live updates during events and meetings of what is being said and discussed by me or anyone I’m working with.

You may not agree with every viewpoint I take or every vote I cast, but I’ll want you to know what is happening in Congress. I want you to be informed on the issues. I want you to know what I’m planning, who I’m talking to, and what people are asking about. You have every right to analyze, question, agree with, or disagree with my actions or views. I won’t be afraid of opening up to the American people, nor will I be intimidated into not being 100% transparent by any person, interest group, or colleague. It’s your government and you have a right to know what your elected officials are doing.

Politics today is filled with debate about serious issues that matter. But what type of access do you really have to your Senators or Representatives? Are you really satisfied with getting an answer from a staffer or the media outlet of your choice? How about a new concept–A direct connection to your Senator. My vision is to give each and every citizen a voice, and a direct line to me. You can ask what I think about a particular issue, talk or debate my choices and actions, and provide me with suggestions on how you think we can work together to make our State, and our Nation, better.

One thing that I can guarantee is that you’ll always have access to me, 24/7/365. If you wake up in the middle of the night concerned about something happening in Washington, it’s your right to talk to the person that is representing you. And it their job to listen.

Voters– want to contact me directly? Send me an email at charles@charlesallen2010.com.

For press inquiries, please contact press@charlesallen2010.com.