PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2000 - OFFICIAL CANDIDATES

JOE BELLIS

Joe Bellis is "Not a Lawyer! Not a Washington Insider! Not a Politician! Just an American, like you". Joe seems to be basically a happy guy from Kansas who had a happy childhood and is now happily married, with a happy family.

He is the founder of America's Party and defines himself as a conservative, born-again Christian - but unlike the usual self-righteous, bible-thumping variety of conservative Christians who condemn everything that doesn't align with their beliefs, Joe goes on to explain, "I also believe that every man has the right to believe what he may. Where we differ, both beliefs matter. To this end, religion, faith or lack of faith are not matters for the government to involve itself with." Joe even makes it a point to define America's Party as "non-theocratic", which makes him an ok guy in our book.

Bellis is a strong supporter of the Constitution, and says that "Everything needed to make our country great again is found in that document." In 1997, he founded Americans for Restoration of Constititonal Government, an organization that lobbies Congress on behalf of the Constitution. He sums up his political position with simple eloquence: "America is crying for change, 'Less government, less interference, less intolerance and less taxes.' The voice of the people is not heard on these matters. Instead our elected leaders listen to influence peddlers, other politicians and the media. Their attention is piqued only by campaign contributions. The purpose of government is now to create more government."

Joe also believes in the power of the Internet and thinks that it's "...a great tool and a growing form of communication." When asked for his reaction to the popular view that third-party or non-mainstream candidates are cranks, Joe replied, "Some people hold this opinion because this is what the media tells them. They are spoon fed by the media everyday and only know what the media wants them to know."

He may not be rich, famous or well-connected, but his ideas and ideals are honest and practical, and having a nice, uncorrupted, uncorruptible guy like Joe in the White House just might be one of the best things that could happen to America.

- RA