By way of introduction, my name is Sean Ryan. I’ve lived in the 11th district for two years. After graduating from Harvard, I came to Cleveland to earn my masters degree in orchestral conducting at the Cleveland Institute of Music, one of the finest conservatories in the country. Over the past year, I have become more and more dismayed by the state of our nation. As I watched the presidential debates, I realized that most politicians either have no faith in the power of truth, or are simply too lazy to search for the truth at all! I found only two candidates for whom I could consider casting a vote -- Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul. I researched some of the issues advocated by these two men, and was intrigued by the facts I uncovered, especially concerning the issue of monetary policy. Last winter, I began writing a pamphlet on our money system, and for two months this summer, I traveled the United States distributing the book I wrote, and talking to people about their concerns about our country’s future. You can read about my trip on this website: the FreedomRide.

I am not a politician. I am a patriotic citizen who feels an urgent duty to help protect the way of life that we as Americans are in danger of losing. I am not a part of any party establishment, I am not beholden to special interests, and I couldn’t care less about getting rich. If you elect me, it’s possible that I will only be in office for a few weeks. But I want to make the world better, and help to spread crucial information that I hope will allow Americans to start thinking for themselves again, instead of letting politicians think for them. Our founding fathers envisioned a political system within which an actively engaged citizenry controlled their own affairs, not one in which an entrenched and corrupt political class ruled essentially by decree. I hope you will help me undertake this fight. As your congressman, I will be guided by three loyalties:

1. To the dictates of my own conscience: whether you believe in God, Truth, or Love -- however one chooses to describe the presence of a power infinitely greater than one’s self -- I will adhere to a moral code that is derived from the basic belief that I should treat others -- ALL others -- the way I myself would like to be treated.
2. To the principles outlined in the constitution: our founding document was crafted specifically to restrict the powers of any central authority, to let the most crucial policy decisions be made at the local level, and to protect the rights and freedoms of EVERY individual.
3. To my constituents, who have agreed to delegate some of their governing powers to me, and have trusted me to act in ways that promote their best interests. I will do my best in this regard, but I will not be a mere tool through which my constituents grab the biggest possible share of goodies from the federal grab-bag.

I will not accept any corporate donations, I will not meet with the lobbyists of any industry, and I will base my votes purely on the loyalties stated above. I will not vote for a bill without reading it and understanding fully its implications. I will never support any law that restricts the freedom of Americans to live law-abiding lives, free from unnecessary government interference. I will do my utmost to restore this country to its proud classical liberal traditions. I will work harder than the politicians, and adhere to principles of good government they’ve either forgotten or in which they’ve lost faith.

I believe that non-violence (the renouncement of force in settling disputes), a re-emphasis on the inalienable rights of the individual, and a renewed American confidence in the positive value of free market competition, are the keys to a just future. In addition, I bring to the table an issue that is now virtually ignored in national politics, and that I doubt any of the other 11th district candidates will be interested in discussing -- the economically unjust effects of the Federal Reserve System, and how our use of debt-based money has, since 1913, resulted in a massive transfer of wealth from working men and women to bankers, government officials, and well-connected corporations.