Location: Kent, OH
My Story: Born in Portland, Oregon. Moved to Palm Springs, CA, then Tempe, AZ, then Hayward, CA, then Torrance, CA, then Anchorage, AK. Graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1982, including a year abroad in Angers, France. Philosophy degree -- don't remember any of the content, but learned to analyze, express myself clearly, and defend my positions. Holy Cross Associate in Chile, discovered Liberation Theology (don't overthrow those who dominate in order to become those who dominate -- eliminate the structure of domination). My relationship with God was about doing -- Denouncing injustice, giving voice to the voiceless. Experienced community living among the Chilean marginalized. Came back to the USA with my wife (going on 23 years), 3 month old daughter, no savings, no job, and moved to Ohio (where my parents supported us for 8 months...). Still in Ohio, added two sons and a granddaughter. Interacted with the missionary community, Verbum Dei, which focused on falling in love with God, with the same excitement, passion and emotion usually experienced when falling in love. Understood that my "Doing for God" was essential, but missing "Being with God". Discovered the Rosary. Experienced community at St. Bernard's Parish in Akron among people who serve the poor, denounce injustice and know the names of the people sitting around them at Sunday Mass. Dedicated my professional life to transforming workplaces into communities of employee owners organized through open book management. Collected Masters degrees at Kent State: Political Science -- Thought about better ways to structure communities, but had no skills to actually lead people to form such structures. Community Counseling -- Finally learned to listen to others, the key to helping them organize around their goals. MBA -- stopped throwing (imaginary) rocks at the business school and learned the dynamics of business so I could help employee owners gain the knowledge they need for becoming proactive owners. Was arrested May 4th, 2003, for accompanying those whom the Kent City police sought to prevent from denouncing the invasion and occupation of Iraq. For the first time in 43 years, experienced police abuse first hand (and I lived in Pinochet's Chile for two years, participating in a number of protests...). Witnessed George Bush become the first and second unelected US President. Gave up hating George Bush for Lent (but did not give up denouncing the evil that his government continues to carry out). Looking forward to tomorrow! : )
Birth Date: May 26th
Issues: peace & social justice; economic fairness / security; environment / conservation; good government / ethics; electoral reform; affordable health care
Registered to Vote: Yes
Party Affiliation: Unaffiliated
Political Identification: All over the board

On January 3rd, 2007, I was sitting at Angela’s Jack in the Box (corner of West Park and Hampton, St. Louis, Missouri), one of the last before heading back East across the Mississippi. I had just crossed the Ozark mountain tops through the heart of the so-called conservative Christian base. God spoke to me. Here is what I think I heard God say about a new political vision for those in search of a new political choice. Hopeful Choice Progressives: Helping men and women make the right choices since 2007. Helping men and women choose peace. Helping men and women choose life for the unborn. Helping men and women choose nutrition for the hungry. Helping men and women choose housing for the homeless. Helping men and women choose health care for the sick. Helping men and women choose fair wages and safe working conditions for the worker. Helping men and women choose broadened capital ownership for all. Helping men and women choose education for those eager to learn. Helping men and women choose liberty for the political prisoner. Helping men and women choose recovery from, rather than criminalization of drug addiction. Helping men and women choose a clean environment. Helping men and women choose enough, rather than the most. Helping men and women choose hope for the future. I do not intend to impose upon you my faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ, only to offer you the same hopeful choices He made possible for me. Choose peace. Choose life. Choose hope.