An Idea to Foster Financial Literacy to Americans; One Community at a Time

This past November I ran as a write-in candidate for the U.S. Senate from Colorado. I'm an Autistic Savant. I ran my campaign as a political organization of "one". Not by choice, but because I did not have an established political network or group of friends available to help on short notice (decided to run August 11, 2010). Because of a nasty Work Comp injury and lawsuit in 2004, I lost my health, friends, family and nearly everything I owned, except the hope and faith in myself and God. Because of this, I have overcome phenominal obstacles. On my campaign cards, and on most of my campaign literature I used Helen Keller's poem, "Power of One". The poem goes like this

I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything,

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.



I've decided since 2004, and because of everything I've been through, to devote my life to God's original plan for me. He blessed me with so many wonderful talents and abilities (as a high-functioning savant) that can benefit so many of the people I encounter, and offer my services & talents to. Even though I'd had many episodic experiences of training towards politics & public service throughout my life; at age 55, and being on SSDI, never in my wildest dreams did I ever see myself running for public office. However, I had what could only be explained as a Spiritual Calling, and found myself running for the U.S. Senate for my very first attempt at public office.

I ran as a write-in for the 2010 mid-terms just to get my feet wet and learn the ropes, & get my name out there. I felt good when I finally learned that I'd received 19 votes, especially since I hadn't gotten a chance to contact anyone I'd known prior to 2007 (a lot of friends & professional acquaintences) that I was running. A lot of work goes into running a federal political campaign by yourself, especially when it's self-funded, and your only income is a Social Secuirity check.

The intent is not to write this blog entry about losing my run for office, but what I've done afterwards. A major part of my platform was that much of this nation's Economic Instability has to do with Financial Illiteracy of the citizens AND the politicians running the country. The Pepsico company has been running an online grant program for a year now where they've funded $1.3 million to project ideas every month. Individuals & non-profits won their funding by popularity vote. With their ideas they wanted to better different aspects of America, its communities or their citizens in some micro or macro way...all beginning with an idea.

I've taken an idea from my campaign and turned it into a proposal for a community pilot program to foster financial literacy. It was accepted as a $50K grant submission for national online voting. There are 1151 different grants being voted on this month (January 2011). This is the last month of Pepsi's Refresh Everything grant program. To be awarded my $50K grant, I must be one of the top-10 vote getters in the $50K proposal category. Being ONE person with a SINGLE idea and the faith of the Lord on my side and my increasing knowledge of social networking; I'm sure I can get the necessary votes I need, despite the fact I have a very, very limited network of friends & a long way to go being at a present rank of 380th in the voting (as of 1/4/2011).

I would ask, pray, and empower everyone reading this blog, to click the button that links you directly to my funding idea (below my blog title at top of page). Check it out and give it careful consideration. It is the idea of one person to take an idea to spread financial literacy & economic stability in one community. This idea will, hopefully, spread to adjacent communities, then statewide. My dream is that this whole nation becomes financially literate and fiscally responsible. I have the faith that this movement CAN happen and SUCCEED! Won't you help at the grassroots level by voting every day in January and spreading the word to ALL your friends about this movement?

Or just go to the Pepsi Refresh site at http://www.refresheverything.com/. Mine is a $50K Educational grant for Creating a Community-wide Pilot Program to Foster Financial Literacy. Thanks and have a productive and rewarding 2011!!!