Today, we're looking for 1,000 charter contributors to the Halter campaign, so if you're angry at our corrupt, corporate-owned government, strike a blow by helping rid the Senate of one of its worst corporatists. Join this movement, even if it's with just $5. Let's channel our anger and frustration into something productive.
Saving our government from insidious corporatist forces is a long-term project. We started the process early last decade, but we're nowhere near being done. We've got to keep up the fight, because the second we stop fighting, is the second bad government wins.
Contribute to Bill Halter
Bill Halter for Senate
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Update: Transcript below the fold.
"Today I'm announcing that I will run in the Democratic primary for the United States Senate. Washington is broken. It’s working for the special interests, not Arkansas families. Bailing out Wall Street with no strings attached while leaving middle class Arkansas taxpayers with the bill. Protecting insurance company profits instead of protecting patients and lowering health costs. Bickering and engaging in partisan games while unemployment is at a 25 year high. Enough is enough. It's past time to put more Arkansas values in Washington.
This is not a decision I make lightly. Serving Arkansas as your Lt. Governor for the past three years has been an incredible honor. Shanti and I have carefully considered the implications for our family and we appreciate the encouragement we have received from every corner of the state.
In the end I cannot stand by while jobs are shipped overseas, seniors are pushed to the brink and big banks and insurance companies get bailed out while Arkansans are left to pay for a mess we didn’t create.
We know it is possible to stand up for Arkansas values and Arkansas families and get things done, because we have done it right here in our state.
Our toughest fight was to establish the scholarship lottery. Most believed it couldn't be done. But I took a principled stand that Arkansas voters should decide this issue for themselves and Arkansans approved the scholarship program by almost two to one. This year alone we'll help over 20,000 Arkansas families pay for college - without raising taxes. Working in President Clinton’s budget office, I helped balance the federal budget for the first time in 40 years. As a leader of Social Security I helped fight off the Republican and Wall Street schemes to privatize it. When the legislature moved to increase their pay in these tough economic times, I gave my increase to charity.
Creating good paying jobs. Providing education and opportunity for all who work hard and play by the rules. Protecting seniors and families. Fiscal responsibility. Standing up to the special interests. These are my principles I’ve stood up for here in Arkansas — and these are the principles I’ll take to Washington."