Tracy Talk

We are now officially in the home stretch for the Pasco County Primary Election.  On August 24, I, along with many other local candidates will be on the ballot.  It is very exciting to see our campaign building steam as more and more people connect with our conservative family values platform.

The local newspapers have been working hard to publish information on the school board candidates.  There are twelve of us running in three districts, so I’m sure that they have had a difficult job to keep up with all of us.

Having said that, I was taken back by the grossly exaggerated description of my comments at the Pasco County Chamber of Commerce school board candidate debate which took place on Thursday evening, August 12, 2010.

It is important that YOU, the voter, know what I really stand for and believe, and what I really said.  Please take a few minutes to read my response to Jeff Solochek’s August 14^th article in the St. Petersburg Times.

Printed Saturday, August 14, 2010, in the Pasco Times section of the St. Petersburg Times:  John Tracy’s comments at Pasco School Board candidate debate offend his rivals

First, I must be mistaken, but I thought Mr. Solochek was at the candidate debate to report on the subjects that were debated by the candidates.  There is little, if anything, in this article about that.  In fact, you would not know it from this article, but there were actually three full hours of debates featuring all twelve candidates for the Pasco County School Board.  No doubt, an article like this will certainly sell more papers than simply reporting the factual content of the evening.  So, allow me to set the record straight.

Here are the facts:

I came to this event ready to “debate,” not just answer questions.  It was a debate, not simply a candidate forum.  The purpose of a debate is to point out those areas that you are different from your opponent(s) and to distinguish yourself so that the voters can make an informed decision.  This may be a novel thought to some, but when five people are running for the same seat, they probably have varying beliefs on any given subject!  They probably do not all think alike.

In the course of the evening we discussed several topics: taxes, curriculum, charter schools, budget deficits, solutions to the economic crisis, etc.  It was apparent that there are some clear differences between the candidates on each of these subjects.  We’re not all the same.

For example, one candidate believes that the answer to our budget problems is to give a 10% pay cut only to those employees who make more than 100K per year.  That is not fair!  That is a modern day Robin Hood who takes from the rich to give to the poor.  That is classic redistribution of wealth.  I am not for that!  If we have to cut salaries, it should be an equitable cut for all, starting with the school board.  I pointed that out in the debate.

Another candidate is unwilling to rule out the possibility of raising taxes to cover our budget shortfalls, and has even gone so far as to say that those of us who refuse to consider that as an option are not being honest.  Really?  In this economic climate with such high percentages of unemployed people and houses in foreclosure, can you not emphatically state that raising taxes is a terrible idea?  I AM telling the truth when I say that to even talk about raising taxes right now is absurd!

It was in the spirit and context of this debate, which had virtually nothing to do with family values, that each candidate was given the opportunity to make one final closing remark.  I made the following 90 second statement:

“What sets me apart from my opponents is my long-term investment in the lives of families.  I’ve been on the frontlines for family values for a long time and so serving the students, parents, and teachers on the school board would be a natural extension of who I already am.

I’m not running for this position because it is the next convenient step, or for some kind of personal achievement, or like one of my opponents has said “I just think I would like to do board work”.  I don’t have some ulterior political motive.  This isn’t about me!  This is about the families of Pasco County.

I believe that, like never before, we need men and women of character in public office on the national, state, and local levels:  People who will say what they mean and do what they say.  People who won’t lie, cheat, or steal, even when it is hard to take a stand and do the right thing; People who will not flip-flop on their values.

A person’s moral character far outweighs his resume accomplishments, the amount of money he can raise as a politician, or even the political friends that he has.

Character is what matters most.

I want to be that kind of person for the families of Pasco County: a man of integrity and honesty who will work hard for our schools.

Frankly, I have great concerns with the direction that our nation is headed, and I intend to do everything that I can to make a difference in my lifetime so that I can leave a better America for your children and mine.

I’ll work hard, I’ll be a team player, and I’ll listen.  Let’s work together!”

Nowhere in that statement did I attack the values of my opponents.  I did not say that they were not people of integrity. I cannot comment on their personal values.  I do not know them well enough to do that.  I can only state that my intent is to be a man of character who represents the families of Pasco County.

It is always funny to me how the press will twist an event to create something in the minds of the public that did not actually take place.  This particular article misrepresents my statements and fails to accurately set the context of the debate forum.

Lesson learned.  Voters beware!  Do not trust the press.

Hi, I’m John Tracy.  I am a Christian conservative, a small business owner, and a community servant.  I have spent my life pouring myself into families while on staff at two local churches and three summer camps.  I’ve had the opportunity to mentor and counsel hundreds of young people and parents.  I was a classroom teacher on the elementary, middle, and high school levels and I know the joys and the frustrations of our teachers in Pasco.  In fact, both of my parents were teachers and I consider excellent teachers to be among our nations heroes!  Currently I do a lot of private music teaching at a Fine Arts Academy where I am also the director.  It is my privilege to serve as the president of the Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County and I am on the campaign team, as the Pasco church outreach leader, for my friend, Marco Rubio, in his US Senate campaign.

I believe in school safety, student equality, fiscal responsibility, and family values.  I’m for smaller government, fewer taxes, and basic freedoms.

I’m only one voice, just like you.  I don’t have all the answers, and I can’t fix all the problems by myself.  But I promise that I will work hard to do my part, I will listen to the students and parents, I will be a team player with my fellow board members, and I will be a voice for conservative families.  Join me, and together we can make a difference.

I invite you to get to know me by visiting http://www.JohnTracyForSchoolBoard.com.  I would also appreciate your help in spreading the word.  The biggest thing that I need right now is simply to make contact with as many residents of Pasco County as possible in order to spread our conservative message to likeminded friends.  If you find that our values are closely aligned, would you please forward this email to all of your Pasco friends and family.  Thank you!

The First Amendment of the Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” The two parts of that statement, formally known as the “establishment clause” and the “free exercise clause”, provide the foundation for the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the “separation of church and state” doctrine.  The First Amendment, as it reads, is in line with the teaching of Scripture.  God has ordained the government of the church as well as civil government.  Each has a distinct sphere of operation.  The purpose of civil government is stated in Romans 13:1-7.  The purpose of the church is declared in Matthew 28:19-20.  As stated in the First Amendment, I do not believe that the government should control the church.  Neither do I believe that the church should be in power over the affairs of civil government.

Unfortunately, the First Amendment is often interpreted in a way that attempts to drive religious principles and morals out of government and even to limit the role of religious individuals, particularly pastors, from being involved in civil government and community service.  I believe that every individual American has a responsibility to seek to have as great of an influence in society as possible for the good of the nation.  A church employee (i.e. a pastor, priest, rabbi, mullah, etc.) should be no less engaged in current affairs and community service individually than a person representing any other profession.  What should not take place is for a particular church or denomination to be placed in a position of power in government.  In other words, I do not believe in a theocracy, where a particular religion is required for all citizens.  That is an entirely different matter from that of an individual Christian (regardless of profession) who serves in a political office, and is the exact concern of the First Amendment.

I believe in religious freedom.  Religious belief is a personal matter of the heart.  What you and I believe will certainly influence our decisions, or morals, our judgment, and our behavior, all of which will bear specific consequences.  You cannot separate one’s beliefs (religious or other) from their actions.  The one will inevitably influence the other.  It is for this reason that I believe that people with character and Christian beliefs and values are exactly the kind of people that are needed to lead our nation.  They are the ones who founded our nation.  Almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as most every Founding Father graduated from orthodox Christian teaching seminaries and were pastors, church elders, and church officers.  Here is a sample:

Samuel Adams: Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Father of the Revolution, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Hancock: First signer of the Declaration of Independence, Acting President of the United Sates, Started the “Minutemen,” commissioned George Washington as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Governor of Massachusetts, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Quincy Adams: Sixth President of the United States, Vice-President of the American Bible Society, Vice-President of the Massachusetts Bible Society, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Robert Treat Paine: Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Military Chaplain, Helped write the Massachusetts Constitution, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Rufus King: Signer of the Constitution, Selected as manager of the American Bible Society, Signer of the Constitution, Ratifier of the Bill of Rights, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Bushrod Washington: U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Vice-President of the American Bible Society, Vice-President of the American Sunday School Union, Attended William and Mary (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Lowell: Revolutionary Officer, Member of the Continental Congress, Member of the Society for the propagating of the Gospel among the Indians and others, Authored Article I in the Massachusetts Constitution of 1779 and insisted that it be adopted into the Bill of Rights—“All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties…”, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Jonathan Trumbull: Governor of Connecticut, Ordained Pastor, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Timothy Pickering: Revolutionary General, Secretary of State, His ideas formed the Northwest Ordinance, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

William Samuel Johnson: Signer of the Constitution, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Zephaniah Swift: Author of America’s first legal text, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

James Bowdoin: Governor of Massachusetts, Member of the Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the Indians and Others, Attended Harvard (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

James Kent: Father of American Jurisprudence, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

Joel Barlow: Diplomat under Washington and Adams, Chaplain in the American Revolution for three years, Did not become liberal until 1794, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Cotton Smith: Governor of Connecticut, U.S. Congressman, Puritan Minister, President of the Litchfield County Foreign Missionary Society, First President of the Connecticut Bible Society, President of the American Bible Society, President of the American Board of Foreign Missions, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

John Treadwell: Governor of Connecticut, Member of Continental Congress, Member of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, Attended Yale (an orthodox Christian seminary at that time)

These men, and others, are the same ones who declared that all Americans are free to practice religion in whatever way that we deem best.  Our country was founded by religious men, but they recognized that government cannot require religion or disallow it, it can only protect religious freedom.  Who better to do that, than those who are religious?

In Romans 13:1-3 the Bible also uses similar terms to make it clear that a Christian individual seeking to be an influence in politics is not the same as a denomination or group of churches running the government.  Thus, I do believe in the separation of church and state as originally presented in the First Amendment of the Constitution.  I do not believe that statement to in any way be in conflict with my personal desire to serve my community and country in the realm of politics.  My beliefs and values certainly shape the decisions that I make, and have led me to my current role of a minister.  Those values and beliefs have also driven me to step out and lead in the arena of politics.  Again, I believe strongly that religious people with character and integrity should not be excluded from political leadership, but I do not believe that religion should be regulated by the government whether it is done so in a positive sense by requiring a particular system of belief, or done in a negative sense by denying religious freedoms.  Both are an infringement upon Constitutional rights.  I will not seek to use any political platform to regulate religious belief and practice.  At the same time, I will stand up for religious freedom and the individual’s right to make whatever religious choice that he deems best, so long as it does not hinder another’s equal rights and freedoms.

I am proud to support a fellow conservative for U.S. Senate, former Speaker of the House, Mr. Marco Rubio.  His values closely align with my own.  I have enjoyed getting to know him over the last year, and having several opportunities to work along side of him.  If you believe in conservative family values, and you want your country back from the liberals, vote for Marco Rubio in 2010!  You can learn more about him at:  http://www.MarcoRubio.com.

America…The land of the free and the home of the brave.

In case you have not noticed, that is a statement, that, as modern day Americans, we cannot take for granted.  Nearly every freedom that we value as American citizens seems to be up for grabs.

Let us take a moment to ponder…What is Freedom?

Freedom is the most cherished of all American principles.

Freedom was the dream of our founding fathers as they birthed our nation.

Freedom is the prayer on all of our hearts when we think of our children’s future.

Freedom is the hope that gets us out of bed and sends us off to work every morning.

Freedom is the cause that countless American heroes have given their lives for.

Freedom is the unique, defining characteristic of America.  It is our freedom that is envied by the nations of the world.

Our freedom has overcome turmoil at home and abroad.  It has persevered through the darkest of days.

For you and me, and for any red-blooded American, freedom, quite simply, is who we are.

We are a free people!

Our freedom, though, is not the product of chance, but has been carefully crafted over hundreds of years.  You do realize that when our founding fathers first scrawled their declarations of freedom by dim candlelight, they were, in a very real way, committing treason.  But, loving liberty and freedom more than life, they took up pens; pens more powerful than any sword and called a fledgling nation to a revolution—not with a trumpet and bayonet, but with parchment and ink.  There have been hundreds of other freedom lovers who have followed in their footsteps over the years—brave men and women whose words, faith, and courage give us strength for today and inspiration for the future.  The key is that all of these patriots did not limit their convictions to words on a document; they lived every sentence that they wrote!  Their convictions were seen in the character of their lives.

Many have died at home and abroad to defend our freedoms.  Freedom has always come at a great price.  Ever since that first battle summons went out in Lexington, Massachusetts, Americans have always answered the call to defend freedom.  Even today, although their lives are interrupted, their families separated, their dreams put on hold, the brave members of our armed forces continue to display personal sacrifice for the greater good of our Nation.  For every Husband, Wife, Father, and Mother serving our Country on the other side of the world:  We love you and we are praying for your safe return.  Your courage keeps us strong.  For every son and daughter who has answered the call of our country, to take your place in the ranks of our military, may God protect you.  We could not be more proud of you.  You are our heroes.  You are the protectors of our freedom.

But, our freedoms are not defended solely by our nations military.  There has never been a time in American history when our freedoms were under greater attack within our own borders.

On January 6, 1941, America stood poised on the brink of another worldwide conflict.  In his State of the Union address before Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt identified four fundamental freedoms that are universal.  His message was, in essence, a prayer—that our children, our children’s children, and all future generations of Americans might live in freedom.  He said, “Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere.  Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights and keep them.  This is not a vision of a distant millennium.  It is a world attainable in our own time and generation.  In the future, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential freedoms.”  He went on to say, that…

The first [freedom] is the freedom of speech and expression.

The second [freedom] is the freedom of every person to worship God in his own way.

The third [freedom] is the freedom from want.

The fourth [freedom] is the freedom from fear.

In light of Roosevelt’s definition of freedom, are we a free people today?

At the founding of this nation, our forefathers placed our destiny in the hands, heads, and hearts of the millions of free men and women who would follow after them; those free citizens who would be willing to do whatever it took to defend their freedom, and who would graciously recognize the good hand of God, governing in the affairs of men.

It is with great sadness and sobriety that I say, that is not the way of government today.  There are those in elected positions right now, ruling in the highest offices of our land, who would strip us of our core, foundational, God-given, freedoms.  We have people representing the American people in Congress who, in contrast to the efforts of the founding fathers, really do not care what you and I think.  They would script our destiny for us without even considering our input.

Just last month Representative Eric Massa of New York went on record saying,

“I will vote adamantly against the interests of my district if I actually think what I am doing is going to be helpful.  I will vote against their opinion if I actually believe it will help them.” (CLICK HERE for video of this statement)

Hold on Mr. Massa!  Before you applaud yourself for taking a stand, let me remind you that you are in office to represent the opinions and interests of those in your district.  If you are not going to do that, what are you doing in Washington?

Maybe you are thinking, “But, wait, John.  Should an elected official vote his conscience or the popular opinion?”  This question assumes that a person will arrive at a one-time moment when he is forced to face that proverbial fork in the road.  It rarely happens that way.  Here is how I see it:  if you are an honest person with integrity, and vote your conscience all along the way, and one day acquire a public office, then you will have been placed in that position to represent your values that the voters on the ground share.  Doing so will not be a big shock to those who have supported you up until that point.  If you one day wake up in office and only then decide to suddenly “vote your conscience,” and in doing so alienate the people that you represent, I would question how honest you have been with them all along the way.  Certainly you cannot please everyone, but if the majority of the people are concerned with your public policy decisions, you are most likely the wrong person to represent those people.

You see, as free citizens, our founding documents afford us the liberty to elect men and women from among us, to represent us, not to lord over us.  The more our elected officials make decisions without listening to the opinions of the people on the ground, the less free we really are.

What about the freedoms detailed by President Roosevelt?  How do we measure up in 21^st Century America?

Freedom of speech and expression?  UNDER ATTACK by the current Administration.

Freedom to worship God?  UNDER ATTACK as seen in numerous legislative rulings in recent months and years (see THIS VIDEO for a small sampling).

Freedom from want?  Freedom from fear?

All of these freedoms are literally slipping through our fingers.

Hear me well, if we will continue to be free men and women, the time to act is now!  The clock is ticking.  We are quickly running out of time.  I fear for the future of America.  What kind of nation will we pass to our children and to our grandchildren?  Will they know anything of a free America?

My friends, the days of standing on the side-lines of this battle are over!  All passivity must be cast aside.  The question is, “Do you love America?”  Do you want to remain free?  Do you want the next generation of Americans to live in freedom?

Then, you must act now!

What will you do to ensure that those freedoms are maintained, not only during your lifetime, but for generations to come?

I cannot do everything to turn things around, but I can do something; and so can you!  How that specifically plays out may look different for every one of us, but are you doing your part to defend our freedoms?

We must stand together in the face of those who would shred us of our freedoms.  We must stand up, speak out, push back, hold the line, and work hard for freedom.  It will require our time, our energy, and our money.  It may cost a dear price!

We must live moral, upright, responsible lives that are consistent with the beliefs and ideals that foster freedom.

We must never forget that the greatness of America is the direct result of Divine Providence, and we must pray earnestly for God to continue to bless America.

I say often, work like it’s all up to you, and pray like it’s all up to God!  That has always been the American way!

My prayer is that after reading this brief article, you will have a renewed conviction to advance the cause of freedom, deeply rooted in faith and dependence on God.  What will you do to make a difference?

Thank you to Ronnie Blair for an excellent recap in the Tampa Tribune on our July 23, 2009 Faith and Family Values Republican Club meeting.  It was a great night, with the highlight being the speech from guest speaker, Marco Rubio, 2010 U.S. Senate Candidate.  We really appreciate the good press coverage from the Tribune and the support!

To read the article, entitled “Rubio champions family values,” CLICK HERE

Thanks to Jodie Tillman, staff writer for the St. Pete Times, for a great article on July 22, 2009, featuring me and the Faith and family Values Republican Club of Pasco County.  I really appreciate the support and exposure for the Faith and Family Club.

The article is entitled “Republican party endorses countywide faith and values club in Pasco.”

I love that title because it simply states the message that we are sending out from the Republican Party of Pasco County.   As I have said repeatedly to various members of the press in the last few weeks, the Republican Party is the party that will stand up for the issues that Christians care deeply about.  There are three groups of people that should always vote Republican:  Christians, Gun Owners, and Veterans.  You will not find a refuge in the Democratic Party if you represent any of those three.  Now, I know that as soon as I say that, many will immediately scoff and utter the names of some of the party’s embarrassing examples of failed leaders.  Further, I hear far too often, and even feel myself, the great disappointment with those in office who would call themselves Republicans, but not represent the historical party values.  As a result, there is a huge movement of people that would abandon the Republican Party and form a new independent group of voters who are true to their values and morals.  While I am very sympathetic to the frustrations with some of our elected officials, and can certainly relate to the motivations of these conservatives who are fed up with that see in Washington, let me say that desertion from the Republican Party is a grave mistake for Americans!  Like it or not, there is not a day in the foreseeable future that a third party will have a chance at winning a major election.  That is a fact.  We must unite and rally as conservatives under the umbrella of the party that has stood, historically, for conservative values and moral principles.  Splintering the conservative vote by dismissing the Republican Party will only hand over our country to the liberal left and contribute to our moral demise.  Granted, there are a lot of guys in office who have an “R” after their names, who need to be kicked out because they do not represent what we stand for, but do not cave in to them by handing over the party and losing your power as a voter by alienating yourself.  Now is the time for us to unite!  Now is the time for us to make a stand!  Now is the time for us to take back, not only the Republican Party, but also the United States of America!  We must take it back, as conservative people who hold to our Faith and Family Values, from those who would depart further from morality.  If we will not do it, who will?  This is the real issue in America that is at the root of all of the surface problems that we are facing.  Our government has no moral compass.  Together, we can change that.  Don’t leave us.  Like never before, JOIN US!

To read Jodie Tillman’s article in the St. Pete Times please click HERE.

Thanks to Tom Jackson for featuring me and the FFV Club in his Tampa Tribune column on Sunday, July 19, 2009:

“Faith warrior urges others off sidelines.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article.