This is about what we as Kentuckians want and deserve; to know that our taxes and our efforts are being used for the greater good of Kentucky; for Kentucky to be an innovator in the way it takes care of its own people; for us to feel like paying taxes is the least we can do for what we get in return.

There are things we all want from our government and we should no longer wait for those things to come from the federal level. We can achieve those goals quickly and efficiently in Kentucky. Our Commonwealth has more resources than many small countries who are able to provide a higher standard of living for their residents. Let's do the same for ourselves.

In a perfect world, it wouldn't be necessary for me stand up and say anything on this web site. The United States is the richest country on earth, and yet I see homeless and hungry people in my Louisville neighborhood almost every day.

There is absolutely no reason why anyone – especially in America – should have to live without sufficient food, housing, or health care.

For those who now live in these hellish circumstances, there is rarely an easy route out. Food, housing, and medical care are the very least of what should be available to every Kentuckian.

If there are hungry, homeless, or helpless among us, how proud can we really be?

It has been said that we are only as great as the way we treat the most vulnerable among us. If that is true, we have failed as a society to be our best.

I'd like to think that the people we have elected to represent us would do just that: represent us. Unfortunately, our district's current state senator has collected money from giant corporations whose interests are not those of most Kentuckians. Furthermore, she has squandered time on the senate floor by sponsoring resolutions to honor football teams, golfers, and cheerleaders.

I have nothing against recognizing the achievements of Kentucky's citizens, but come on, do we really have the extra time for that at the moment? I'd argue that it's a slap in the face to Kentucky's unemployed, under-insured, under-fed, and under-educated people for our legislature to waste its time and money with such frivolous matters.

While countless Kentuckians struggle with expensive medical bills or no health care coverage at all, our district's senator has accepted campaign contributions from Humana and Anthem insurance companies and Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals. While energy prices are at record highs and we continue to burn fossil fuels, she has taken money from LG&E and Columbia Gas. And while the banking industry has seen unprecedented increases in profits from outrageous, unregulated fees, our senator has been in the pocket of Citigroup, Fifth Third Bank, the Kentucky Bankers Committee, and BB&T.

How can the interests of ordinary Kentuckians possibly be represented fairly when our elected officials ride into office with money from corporations who have so much to benefit from the suppression of the people's voice?

That is why I am doing this. I may not be the most qualified person who ever ran for office, but what use is hiring the most qualified applicant if they have no intention of doing their job? People have been voting for "qualified" politicians since I was a kid, and yet the same problems persist. What use is being qualified if you don't care what you're supposed to be doing at work? What do you have to do to be considered "qualified" anyway – raise a lot of money from corporate interests and ignore the needs of the people who voted for you?

This is why I take pride in being more passionate than qualified. More angry than qualified. More willing to do whatever it takes to put Kentuckians and Kentucky's government back on the same side. Government and the people should be on the same side, helping each other, but too often we're fighting against each other.

A lot of people have asked me during this campaign to explain what our state senators do. If our legislature actually did what they're elected to do, I don't think people would have to ask. Recently, it seems that any number of answers could apply to that question: The state legislature collects hundreds of millions of dollars from us in taxes and hands it over to the world's biggest coal company so they can further pollute our state. The state legislature decides for itself what is best for Kentucky and blocks efforts to let the people vote on major ballot issues. The state legislature takes half the day off because there is a basketball game on TV.

If you elect me, I promise to make the biggest stink in Frankfort on behalf of every one of us who has ever felt that our government could be so much more than what it has become. I promise to scream at the top of my lungs until the silence and monotony in Frankfort have been shattered. Our state government must realize it has an obligation to help those who cannot help themselves. Kentucky must take better care of its people. Even if these objectives require small sacrifices of some, the benefit for the greater good of our society will be incalculable.

I promise to introduce as much of the legislation on this page as is humanly possible, and to fight for it on the senate floor, or to be dragged out kicking and screaming. As your state senator, I promise to be the most vocal and memorable advocate of statewide universal health care, election reform, workers' rights, living wage, equally fair taxation, ethics legislation, and the elimination of paid lobbying.

Having healthier and more educated Kentuckians benefits everyone. Having more people engaged in these processes and feeling like they're being treated fairly is even better.

Please join this Ballot Revolution. I need the help and contributions of ordinary individuals like yourself in order to make this happen.

I will not disappoint you if you send me to Frankfort as your state senator on November 4, 2008.

Thank you for your support,

Scott Ritcher

A Census Bureau study determined that 20% of Americans (about 49 million people) lived in a household that had financial difficulty meeting their basic needs. That was back in 1995 and things are much worse now.

The annual cost of Bush's 2004 tax cuts, designed to benefit the richest 10% of Americans, is equivalent to the cost of feeding the 35 million Americans who live in poverty for 3 years and 10 months.

The cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (through 2005 only) could provide health care for America's 45 million uninsured people for a year, feed our 35 million hungry people for three years, shelter our 3 million homeless people in public housing for five years, and still have billions of dollars left over.

It's time for us to do something about it.