I wanted to take this opportunity to express to you, a bit more about me, who I am and the values I carry with me each moment of every day. I’m not interested in negative campaigns against other candidates, and if I earn your vote, I want to earn it because I have the principles and values you feel our community’s leadership needs.
Before I’m a candidate, and before I’d ever claim affiliation to any political party, I’m an American. I’m a former U.S. Marine, and my allegiance is to our Constitution. Even today, I’m amazed by the “complexity of the simplicity” of our founding fathers. One of my campaign slogans is “freedom and liberty first, politics second.” And I’ve stated numerous times that “I’m not running for the recognition, or the title; I’m running to protect your interests, and do what’s right for our community.”
I’m a husband to a lovely wife and father of two beautiful children. At 38, I’m the only member of my family who has ever received a college education. I left home, Buffalo, NY, at the age of 19, and, since then, I’ve never asked my family for a single penny. I’ve been proud in that I did it on my own, and I’ve accepted personal responsibility for every decision I’ve made. I hold only myself accountable for my actions; as in life, the only thing we’ll truly ever have control over is our own actions.
I didn’t have much growing up, and I wouldn’t say my life is “rags to riches,” but I would characterize it as “rags to middle-class.” I believe if there’s something you want in life, you need to go and get it, unless we win the lottery, or receive some kind of inheritance, it’s just not going to fall in our lap. “No American is entitled to an American Dream, but every American is entitled to the opportunity to pursue it.”
I’m a strong supporter of our Bill of Rights and believe there’s no reason why any law-abiding citizen should ever have their constitutional rights violated. I believe America is truly the melting pot of the world, and that race should never play any role in the judgment of another’s character. Each of us is to be judged by our own actions, but each of us must exude the character to accept responsibility for our actions. I also serve truth, and feel each of us must live our lives with honor and integrity, as when we depart this earth, we’ll be judged by what kind of person we were and how we lived our lives.
When you exercise your right to vote, don’t ever cheat yourself. Remember, there are still places in the world today where citizens risk their lives, out of fear of reprisal or death, for the right to walk into a voting booth and have a voice. Research the issues, and those running for office, and make sure you exercise 100 percent of your right to vote.
Respectfully, Alan Marchione, Candidate for YOUR Maricopa City Council.
Submitted photo
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