Tuesday night the 2008 election came to historic end. Over the last ten months we worked tirelessly and diligently to get our message out to the voters of the 2nd district. Although a nomination did not result from our hard work, I am proud of the way we ran the campaign and we learned a lot about the process to lay the ground work for the next election.

I greatly appreciate everyone that contributed to the cause through your time, donations, encouraging words and prayers. I know that each of you and your families have many activities that tax your time and pocketbooks, and I can't thank you enough for the sacrifices that each one of you made to further the campaign efforts. I am humbled by the outpouring of support that everyone has given me and my family during these long months and I am eternally grateful.

Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Thank you for joining me in this first step toward cleaning up our government. With your continued support we will bring the needed change to Congress, it is only a matter of time!

As an independent, my candidacy is different than the others. It is rooted in basic American values that are first and foremost non-partisan, and it is premised on the belief that Americans are ready to rise above partisan politics and really accomplish something positive for America.

I believe that voters are seeking a new kind of representative – one that takes an objective view towards our most difficult problems, who proactively seeks to address America's challenges before they become a crisis, and who tells them the truth without regard to political consequences. They seek a representative that has a strong work ethic and a basic sense of fairness. In short, they seek an everyday Iowan who is committed to putting the interest of the people first. I am that candidate.

By way of introduction, I am a long time Iowan living in North Liberty with my wife, Alicia, and three children, Aidan, Alex, and Caityln. I work as legal counsel at the University hospitals and teach Masters students as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the College of Public Health. My key objectives are very straight-forward.

First, we must pass real governmental reform by outlawing PAC campaign contributions, supporting transparency and public financing of campaigns, and using term limits to weaken the entrenched interests. Only an independent can truly pursue these objectives and advocate on behalf of the people regardless of the effect on the political parties.

Second, we must establish a comprehensive clean energy policy rather than just talk about it. For decades Republicans and Democrats alike have promised to end our dependency on foreign oil, but our dependence has grown dramatically during that time. We must act now.

Third, we must repair our standing in the world by re-building our international relationships. We cannot afford a continuation of current policy.

Fourth, we must control spending. Our national debt exceeded $10 trillion dollars this year under the control of a party that promised fiscal responsibility. That equates to $135,000 of debt for a family of four. I believe it is a moral obligation to defend our children against this reckless spending, and we can only do it if we elect representatives that are committed to fiscal responsibility.

Fifth, we must save our social security system and reform our health care system. It is common knowledge that the solvency of the social security program is in jeopardy, yet Congress does nothing. Soon, it too will become a crisis of an even greater magnitude and we will once again be forced to bail out a Congress that didn't act sooner.

I encourage you to visit my website at www.brianwhite2008.com to learn more about my background and my position on the issues. There, you will also find a link to the only debate that included all four candidates on the ballot and judge for yourself which of us is best suited to be your representative.

As you go to the polls on November 4th, I hope you consider the strength of the candidates' messages rather than their party affiliation. As an independent, I am under-funded and without a pre-existing network of ground forces, but I am also an American optimist and an everyday Iowan that wants to see a bright future for our children. I want to make a difference in the lives of Americans and in how history perceives us, but I can only do this with your vote. Please consider voting for an independent this election, and spread the word to your family and friends. I welcome your support!

To celebrate the end of the campaign and the beginning of a new democracy, we are going to gather at the Vine in Coralville on election night. Anyone and everyone is welcome – Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens and the independents in all of us! The festivities will begin around 6PM and last until everyone leaves or they kick us out.

In these last days, remember to keep spreading the word about the campaign and directing people to the website: www.brianwhite2008.com. Thank you!

What: Election Party – Brian White 2008
Where: The Vine (on the Coralville strip)
When: 6PM …
Who: Family event – all ages welcome

Representative David Loebsack
610 3rd Avenue, NW
Mt. Vernon, Iowa 52314

Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
11674 90th Street
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501

Dear Dr. Miller-Meeks and Representative Loebsack:

In a few days, voters will make their decision about which candidate to send to Washington DC to represent our district. While our policy differences are important, I expect that we can agree that when the voter steps into the voting booth this November 4th, he or she is reminded of the greatness of our country, the values that it espouses, and the seriousness with which they cast their vote. We the candidates should also be reminded of these things as we campaign, and I am greatly disappointed by recent events involving both of your campaigns.

By letter dated September 3, 2008, I proposed debates involving all of us and Wendy Barth, the Green Party candidate. Congressman Loebsack, you never responded to my request. Dr. Miller-Meeks, your campaign responded only after some prodding by saying that you did not have time to debate. This was particularly troubling in light of the constant refrain from your campaign calling for debates in all 15 counties in the district. Your own website currently quotes you as saying that we "owe it to the voters" to have debates and references a recent article by the Press-Citizen criticizing Congressman Loebsack for his failure to debate.

In the AARP forum two weeks ago, the issue of debates was raised once again, this time by the moderator. Both of you gave answers that suggested you were willing to engage in further debates, and Congressman Loebsack referred to the then upcoming KCRG debate (which until then had not been made known to me). I could have explained to the audience that both of you had rejected my debate proposal, but I instead decided only to request inclusion in full view of the public. Both of you clearly led me and the viewers to believe that you supported my inclusion. I then contacted KCRG, who responded by saying that both of you denied supporting my inclusion, and the debate was held without me. Voters in the district were misled.

Because of your actions supporting KCRG's exclusionary debate, voters were again left uninformed on a number of key issues, including the issue of PAC contributions. They did not hear that, of the three of us, I am the only one that has pledged not to accept PAC contributions and has treated them as the corrupting influence that they are. What they did hear was Congressman Loebsack defending his acceptance of $498,000 in PAC contributions as being "legal" (this is hardly a satisfactory answer in light of the fact that Congress itself writes the laws) and Dr. Miller-Meeks' portrayal of herself as anti-PAC by attacking the Congressman's PAC contributions. The truth is, Dr. Miller-Meeks, that you too accept PAC contributions. Both of you misled voters in the district, and denied them the opportunity to choose between rhetoric and commitment.

From the time I announced my candidacy for office, I committed to running a campaign, under-funded or otherwise, that fights against the empty political rhetoric aimed only at winning votes. Both of your campaigns have not only engaged in this empty rhetoric but you have misled the public, and it underscores the message of my campaign. It may be true that voters have come to expect this from their politicians, but it is only because of the lack of choice they are given, and Iowans deserve better.

Brian White
P.O. Box 545
North Liberty, Iowa 52317
Email: brian@brianwhite2008.com

The reason we continuously fail to enact legislation our country desperately needs is rooted in the entrenched special interests that set the agenda in Washington. Those interests promote the lobbyist agenda until a crisis point is reached. Only then do politicians pursue solutions – but those solutions are reactionary. One need only look at the energy and social security crises for an example of this, and both Republicans and Democrats are to blame. We must elect politicians who have the courage to address these problems before they become a crisis regardless of the political consequences to their re-election. We must vote for independents that will follow the lead of the voter, rather than the leadership in their party.

Below are my responses to the issues that were raised in Tuesdays debate.

Campaign Finance – I do not accept PAC money. I am disappointed in both candidates for participating in this process of legalized bribery by interest groups. Dr. Miller-Meeks said tonight that we need to elect politicians that do not accept PAC money. A quick look at the FEC website shows that both Dr. Miller-Meeks and Congressman Loebsack have received PAC Money. Congressman Loebsack excused his engagement with PAC's as being "legal". It may be legal but it is unethical.

Economy – The solution to our economic crisis cannot be more government spending. As evidenced by the bailout plan, Congress' solution is to throw more money at a problem that comes at a high cost to tax payers without guaranteed results.

Flood – Congress' approach to flood assistance is reactionary, and it takes too long for the aid to reach those affected. We have natural disasters every year and yet Congress fails to budget for them. Rather, those affected must wait for Congressional action and then for the regulatory agencies to release the money that they desperately need. Congress should budget for these disasters so the funds are ready to be released immediately. If insurance companies can estimate the potential loss to their insureds in a given year, the government should be able to do the same. Finally, I believe local agencies are better equipped to make decisions on how to allocate the money.

Iraq and Afghanistan - The Iraqi government has recently signaled that they favor a phased withdrawal of American troops. This is a clear opportunity for America to remove itself from the sectarian violence in Iraq and refocus its military in the fight against al-Qaida, especially in Afghanistan. It is important for the next administration and Congress to present a new foreign policy to the world - one that relies more heavily on coalition building and international diplomatic pressure in the fight against Islamic extremism.

Energy – The focus should be on long-term solutions to the energy crisis through renewable sources and conservation. Both steps will bring down the cost of energy.

NCLB – I support the continued use of standardized tests; however, when evaluating the success of schools, this should be done at the state and local level and must consider successes in the arts, social studies, foreign languages, and physical education.

Social Security – I support lifting the cap on Social Security contributions. Currently, no one pays social security tax on income over $102,000 which leaves 20% of wages earned by the wealthiest Americans untaxed. By lifting the cap, we would immediately inject $150 billion annually into the fund. We must also bring social security funds back into the trust fund out take it out of the general budget.

Immigration – I favor a comprehensive approach to immigration reform that addresses the long and burdensome application process, the need for quick and thorough background checks, and the need for immigrant workers in our economy. We must also hold employers accountable when they knowingly violate the law.

Health Care – Health care must focus on both reducing the rising cost of healthcare and making coverage available to those that need it.