Kenneth A. Capalbo
Candidate for the Office of President of the United States
By Kathy Ward
Party: Democrat
Email: kcapalbo@aol.com
“Separation of Church and State. Faith absent reason is terrorism”
Our country was founded on the principles of free speech; our government was formed by the people for the people. Kenneth A. Capalbo is a true American who is using his right to participate in the electoral process. Whether he is elected is inconsequential, the value of his message is derived from his desire to inform the public and offer other options.
“There is no major candidate who I can support and no candidates support me,” Capalbo says. He is anti-war and pro-life, a view no major candidates hold. Capalbo embodies the nature of democracy by adding his voice to the system; it is highly significant that Americans have the right to become so politically active.
Capalbo is one of 5 siblings, one brother and four sisters. He is married and has two children, a son and a daughter, and one granddaughter. Although he did not formally attend a university, he received an associate’s degree through the criminal system and the organization he worked for.
His political career began in 2000 when he decided to run for president. He spoke at a minor candidate debate organized by a union and covered on CSPAN. He also ran for congressman and received 8 percent of the votes, meaning that his message is strong enough to impact voters. In the 2008 election he is only running in New Hampshire and is providing all his own funding. So far, he has not made any public appearances in New Hampshire. He funds his own campaign and does not have anyone else working for him. His campaign strategy consists of reporters calling his house phone and questioning his motives for running.
While he has a 10 point platform like most candidates, Capalbo emphasizes two distinct issues. The first is his strong disapproval of in the Iraq war; he strongly advocates for our immediate withdrawal. Capalbo stresses his distaste in American foreign diplomacy by asking a rhetorical question.
“How many people would you be willing to kill to maintain our standards in this country?” he says. The war continues because of powerful religious groups.
“These people,” Capalbo says, “will send your children to war at the drop of a hat.” He says he hopes his views on this issue will be heard by the public and will have a serious impact their voting.
Capalbo highlights his views on abortion as an equally important message to his campaign. He is pro-life in every scenario.
“I believe that a woman has the legal right to chose to engage in sexual activity” he says. His views are not influenced by religion, rather his personal views on the political standing of the issue.
Christian and Jewish fundamentalists also impact Capalbo’s views of the present government. He says these groups provide the funding for major candidates and therefore push their own agendas into the government. He uses the example that Pat Robinson now publicly endorses Rudolph Giuliani.
“The Fundamental Jews,” Capalbo says, “are responsible for getting us into this war.” According to Capalbo, these groups have too much power and want to return to the biblical land of Israel; as a result they support candidates who will continue the war in Iraq.
As seen in his slogan, the separation of church and state is highly significant to this candidate, particularly in the Supreme Court. He believes there should be more judges elected and they should be representative of the demographics of the nation.
When addressing the impact of a minor candidate such as Capalbo, one has to recognize the significance of democracy. Regardless of one’s personal views on Capalbo’s issues, he represents the power of the people within this nation. If you are brave enough to take a stand and attempt change, then you should be unconditionally respected for your strength in character. According to David Green, a history and political science high school teacher from Massachusetts, Capalbo embodies a greater message.
“Whether or not he is effective, it is very important that people feel free to run for president – as long as they fit the constitutional criteria,” says Green. “Our country is founded on principles of free speech and participation in government, and to an extent, this extends to the highest levels of government. So, love him or hate him, Capalbo’s candidacy symbolizes a much larger and more important point about living in the USA.” Green’s opinion drives home Capalbo’s overall impact on the public, that the common American has the right to a voice in government.
“His points allow people to be both liberal and conservative,” says Green. “Many people bemoan the idea that it’s all or nothing in the Republican Party. Can one be pro-life but anti-Iraq? Can one be pro-Iraq but pro-choice? In theory the answer is ‘yes’ – but it isn’t easy sometimes because party lines are powerful. Whether or not you agree with Capalbo, he does cover a gray area.” Capalbo is attempting to give the public different options and allow for multiple perspectives, one should not have to settle for the candidate who comes closest to their views; there should be a representation of all standpoints.
“All people,” says Capalbo, “have the right to vote on the major decisions of our country.” He is taking the government into his own hands and living the deeper meaning of democracy. This country prides itself of the voice of the people and Capalbo is exercising this right by passionately conveying his beliefs and attempting to make this nation better for its citizens.