TJ Hawthorne

 District 44B

TIME TO END TWO PARTY RULE

"I don't consider myself a Republican or Democrat, but we can't let _____ win!" 

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard this sentence, I wouldn't have to try to get one of these government jobs! 

My name is TJ Hawthorne and I want to represent District 44B in the Great State of Minnesota. I am a second generation NSP Polar and have been residing in Oakdale for the last 16 years until recently moving back to North St. Paul. 

I am a member of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota and have been a libertarian as long as I can remember. I have never believed someone, anyone, should have the right to tell anyone else how to live their life. As long as you're not committing an act of violence or theft, I think you should be able to live FREE in America! Life and society are definitely a whole lot more complicated than that, I know. I do believe 'we' have been guilty of electing the lesser of two evils for too long. The two parties have gained complete control of the political spectrum and WE ARE FED UP! 

I was living a wonderful and fulfilled life with my two young boys and my lovely wife until it became apparent to me that the 'democratic process' is a complete SHAM! Politicians seem to live above any laws that the regular population have to follow, or else... Or else WHAT?!? The government creates arbitrary lines with laws that make things "Legal for a Price". This keeps us separated and fighting with each other. 

Our representatives should be normal citizens with normal problems.  

Government Has No Business in Business 

The last few years have shown us what our political 'leaders' are capable of when it comes to taking control of someone's livelihood. Countless small business entrepreneurs were forced to close their doors and lose everything they have been dreaming about their whole lives! I would like to introduce legislation that removes the ability for the Governor to utilize these "Emergency Powers" so easily...if not altogether. 

I would like to review, or eliminate, many of the 'licensing' mandates for operating businesses in Minnesota. When someone has a great idea or wonderful product they would like to bring to market, they have to be prepared with a Red Tape Machete! This doesn't need to be that complicated! 

Food Sovereignty is an issue I love to discuss. I don't think the state has a right to prohibit someone from growing, canning, packaging their own product(s) to sell on an open market. The regulations in the agriculture industry need to be reviewed and many eliminated, to allow small farmers to grow what they want and how they want.  

I will be working on introducing many NEW ideas about how the FREE MARKET could help with almost all of our state's economic and even social issues. 

US Navy Veteran

I enlisted in the Navy in May of 2001 and spent five years as an active duty sailor. During my time on active duty, I was stationed at NATTC Pensacola, NAS Oceana (Virginia Beach), MCAS Miramar (San Diego), NAS Whidbey Island (Washington State), and MCAS Iwakuni Japan. I was an Aviation Electronics Technician and made it to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. As a 22-25 year old AT2, I was charged with quality assurance & supervision of the equipment leaving our shop and going into FA-18, EA-6B, and AV-8B aircraft. 

When I returned home to Minnesota in 2006, I joined the Navy Reserves in Minneapolis. I spent most of 2007 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait for Navy Customs Battalion Sierra as a Navy Reservist.

I have come to realize that the 'conflicts' our military is getting involved in overseas, have little to do with keeping Americans safe, and more to do with keeping a class of individuals in power. I will never take away anything from the life experience and true friendships I made while serving. I just hope we can all understand that our military is NOT meant to be the enforcment arm of a group of 'elites' that have their own goals for their own self interests.