We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Governments exist to secure the unalienable rights of the people. The people possess these rights from our Creator. Government does not possess these rights and then extend them to the people. What do the people do when our government and our political parties seem to get it backwards?

Many across our nation are wrestling with that question. Many today are looking at the Constitutionally-defined structure of political authority, and they are responding through the grassroots movement we see arising across America. Everyone you look, you see the growing national urge to return to citizen-driven government.

This is historic. It is a proper course correction, for the tension faced in our nation's founding was not that different than what we see today. Our Founding Fathers responded to the tension by stating unequivocally that America's citizens should set the agenda and the direction of government.

Is that the case today? Are the people or leading the way, or has the role of government exceeded its proper limits? To answer this, we all must go back to square one and discuss as a people how we want to govern ourselves, constrained by our Constitution and by the realities of our present challenges.

Look closely. Running through all the issues of the day, one will see two grand challenges emerging to create a single tension line now wrapping all of America in its grip. This tension between rising federal government overreach and rising discontent among the people constitutes the major narrative in politics today. Do you see it, too?

This situation calls for bridge-building leadership that shrinks the gap between We the People and our representatives in Washington. Jim Trautz is heeding that call to help resolve this tension. This site describes Jim's view of the issues, the goals of this campaign, and our commitment to the voters if elected. It also invites open and full participation of all Americans, especially the fine folks of VA-10 whom Jim is eager to represent.

What's at stake if this tension is not resolved--if we let the government grow unchecked and the discontent of the people boil over? May each of us look past our own self interest for just a moment. Do we not see that nothing less than the preservation of our Constitution, our rich civil rights tradition, our liberty as men and women of conscience, and the future prosperity of our children is at stake in this present moment in history?

These are the questions we want to discuss with you in the Trautz campaign. We hope you will be persuaded to vote for Jim on election day. But even if not, please consider these questions and engage in the debate with us on this site, at campaign stops, and across the Internet.

If we the campaign can help we the people be more active to think, listen, and openly discuss the difficult issues of the day and the deep tension underlying them, this campaign will have been a success.