Joseph Oddo for Congress, 11th CD

Elect Independents

More Candidates Less Apathy
Fiscally Conservative
Socially Responsible

Join our Independents running for state and local office in 2010.

Our statewide petition drive begins anew in January and we need your help. Please contact us to offer your assistance.

Last year in Virginia, Independent candidates gathered over 70,000 signatures, and 150,000 in 2007, all of which required talking to over 700,000 people. That is what lays the groundwork. Now we must ensure that NO election goes unchallenged! Most General Assembly, municipal and school board elections offer only name - that's one candidate - on the ballot. We need you to fill these vacancies by running for office. Start planning for 2009 now!

??? Why? Who cares?

We Care! Take the example of Virginia’s Independent Party – the Independent Greens (not affiliated with the national Greens) are conducting campaign activity all across Virginia designed to help turn voters into candidates and contest every election. We campaign on the simple theme that More Candidates yields Less Apathy. Our platform consists of a call for Building Rail Now. More Trains Less Traffic. Linking the urban areas in Virginia with rail is a logical solution to our traffic and land-use problems.

We can apply this formula nationwide connecting the ten largest urban areas by rail so that we can travel faster by train than by plane. Modern rail does not take land, it uses existing right-of-ways. Modern rail does not pave the planet. It saves energy, and reduces the burning of fossil fuels – which in turn means we won’t have to go to war to secure resources.

Reducing the need for the world’s largest and most aggressive military can pay for rail. If we fund defense – instead of offense – we could cut the Pentagon budget in half. If we audit Pentagon spending to stop the billions that are leached by no-bid contracts and “improper payments” (formerly called waste, fraud and abuse), then we would have plenty to invest in rail and national infrastructure which will put people to work and shore up our national security.

Government decisions made today shape the world we leave our children. Considering that around 40% of our hard-earned dollars go toward taxes, we must pay closer attention to how government spends OUR money, and to ensure that it is on realistic, long-term solutions.

Now is our chance to restore the optimism and promise of a world for all to live in peace. Join us. Become diligent. Play a direct role in the important issues in life. Our Independent candidates come from diverse cultures and occupations. They ARE extraordinary folks from all over this great land, and we applaud them for making the sacrifice in the name of civic duty.

We realize that all politics are local, which is where we target our resources. Those of us with the fewest resources can still have an enormous impact. As Independents we are not beholden to any group or major donor.

We are building a socially responsible and fiscally conservative network that gives everyone the opportunity to a) play a more active role in the decision-making of the government; b) increase personal commitment to the political process and; c) challenge each incumbent in every district. Success results in achievement and recognition by the community.

??? That's great, but I've never done anything like this before.

Don't worry, the only requirements are only that you MUST be:

1) 18 years old;

2) A resident of the County in which you wish to run (Congressional District rules are more flexible);

3) Willing to be on the ballot for public office, and serve the public when you get elected.

??? I thought you needed lots of money?

True, you will need money to get elected (we are seeding candidates with your donations here. But running is winning. Effective campaigning relies on doing the fundamentals: petition gathering, press releases, door knocking and public addresses. This is where the rubber meets the road. Those of us who have done it can attest to how rewarding the experience is. Hearing from the electorate is an educational experience as well as fun. You’ll never meet so many people, get to know their motivations, or formulate solutions any better than being THE candidate. It also demonstrates your level of interest and willingness to participate

The first step usually requires gathering petition signatures to get on the ballot (as little as 125 for House of Delegates). Then you assemble a team to begin campaigning. You will develop a network of leaders in each precinct to provide the groundwork. Your organizers will come from a variety of professions. Building your campaign team generates excitement, rekindles interest in the political process and encourages others to Join & Run themselves.

You play a vital role, and gain a sense of reward for your efforts. You expand the agenda, sway public opinion and affect the outcome of government decisions. You may even sway the outcome of who controls the power in Congress or your state. For instance, during the last thirty days of the 2006 campaign Independent Green US Senate candidate in Virginia, Gail “for Rail” Parker was entertaining proposals from the Big Two (who refused to debate her even though she was on the ballot) to ask her supporters to cast a vote for one of them. However neither of the candidates would agree to adopt Gail’s rail platform. Finally one week before the election, Gail did make a statement in favor of the challenger that simply stated, “If you can’t vote for me, vote for change.” It appears that many swing voters did just that. The incumbent was defeated by 9,000 votes while Gail picked up 26,000. The result: the US Senate changed hands.

Our call for independent candidates is targeted toward all voters, but we especially appeal to activists to raise your voice to the next level. On the ballot means that incumbents and the media have to pay attention. YOU can make a bigger impact on the decision-making by introducing legislative proposals that influence the agenda.

??? OK, OK. I'm sold. Where do I sign up?

Our network is growing stronger every month. We have web space reserved for you here. See a sample of candidates in Virginia at votejoinrun.us.

Our Independent mission is to empower, excite and invite the community. Develop your skills as a leader. Help people become active. Connect with other leaders and activists and recognize their achievements.

Contact me right away to get started on your campaign.

State Campaign Coordinator

Joseph Oddo

(703) 338-0200 / E-mail

Contact us to discuss your interest and determine your eligibility for these crucial positions. Also, sign up for free membership in our Coalition at VoteJoinRun.us.

??? Wait a minute. That's all I have to do to get this started?

You betcha. We're counting on you! The most important element of success is based on how dedicated you are to your goals. Remember this equation:

TALK minus ACTION equals ZERO.

Click Here to Donate

We welcome your organization - join our coalition now!

Gail Parker Op-ed in Fredericksburg Freelance Star

Independent Greens of Virginia make final appeal for votes.

Fairfax -- It's going to be a blowout. All the polls predict it. There is a landslide underway for one of the big two parties and that allows you to vote your conscience. Vote Independent Green in Virginia. Vote for positive solutions that the not being offered by the big two nominees.

Led by US Senate candidate Gail Parker, and congressional candidate in the 11th District of Northern Virginia Joseph Oddo, they offer a platform of expanding passenger rail to reduce dependency on oil, balancing federal budgets, paying off the federal debt and installing an auditable accounting system at the Dept. of Defense to stop the wanton waste of our tax dollars. They also urge a drawdown of American military presence in Iraq, as well as many other regions of the world to rechannel our tax dollars into productive domestic job creation.

They urge voters not to underestimate the power that a third party movement can have on the system. As Oddo puts it, “Remember it was winds of change from outside the establishment that succeeded in ending slavery and child labor, securing equal rights for all races, and expanding voting rights to woman and minorities.”

An NBC poll on Sunday night showed up to 9% not choosing the big two parties. “We can push that to 10% with your help,” urges Gail Parker, who was excluded from debates while on the ballot for the US Senate both in 2006 and 2008. “Citizens should no longer tolerate being taken for granted. Now more than ever we need an independent voter rebellion.”

Already gearing up for the 2009 campaigns, Oddo adds, “All 100 House of Delegates seats will up for election in 2009 and we hope that with 5 million registered voters in Virginia, we can find 100 citizens to run for office and end the 50% rate of unchallenged races. Having only one name on the ballot is very detrimental to democracy.”

Parker and Oddo are joined by their 8th District candidate for congress Ron Fisher declaring that the need has never been so critical to make a statement to the powers that be. “In the past year, the Congress of the United States defied American voters speaking out 10 to 1 against the Wall St. Welfare. Instead my incumbent opponent and members from both major parties voted for the bailout and in turn a massive increase on the debt inherited by our future generations.”

In a candidate forum last Thursday, Oddo reiterated that “the big two parties refused all attempts to balance the federal budget. They refuse to even clearly state the deficit. Besides the stated $454 billion, the surplus Social Security funds that total $225 billion are folded into the general fund, due to be paid in future obligations. Plus they refuse to include the $195 billion defense supplemental, a trick they pull every year. That racks up our true deficit to nearly $1 Trillion – in one year!”

In summary, Independent Green candidates intend to improve the economy by ending the reckless overseas military adventures. Fisher urges that we bring our troops home to good green jobs that are vital to our national security. Parker insists on building high-speed passenger rail across Virginia connecting Roanoke, Richmond, Virginia Beach and the DC area. Oddo advocates developing an alternative energy infrastructure using solar, wind and hydrogen to clean our air and reduce greenhouse gases.

Run in 2008

We need candidates for Congress in 2008,

Ron "for Jobs" Fisher

Thomas Jefferson once said “A little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.”

I invite you to join our independent voter rebellion. 2008 is the year to not waste your vote on either of the big two parties.

Five years ago, I formed the independent greens of Virginia because I was sick of seeing fifty percent of all elections go uncontested.

It will happen again next year unless you join us and run for office. Take an active role in helping us get government right. We offer positive solutions that the two parties won’t address.

We are the greens who advocate for personal and corporate responsibility.

We are the ones who insist on balancing the budget now. Paying off the federal debt in five years.

We are the greens who understand the business side of being green. Which means encouraging free enterprise to develop solar, wind, geothermal and hydrogen technologies.

Locally we advocate building a lateral rail system around the capitol beltway. Instead of more toll roads, we need more trains, less traffic.

Weaning ourselves off oil expands employment and strengthens our economy. Plus we can stop using war as a foreign policy to secure resources.

Notice how there is no substance to this year’s election. I ask you, what real liberal or conservative would ever sanction the Patriot Act? The Military Commissions Act? Presidential signing statements? Or telecoms spying on Americans?

How do we correct all this? By running for office. By getting involved in our community. By taking Action Against Apathy.

So I ask you, please DO NOT waste your vote on one of the big two parties. Cast your vote for the independent. Ignite the rebellion.

Visit my website: vote join run dot us

I’m Joe Oddo, Independent Green candidate for Congress – seeking your vote... Thank you.