American freedom comes in many different forms to many different people. As stated in the Declaration of Independence, "All men are created equal." I believed this with all my heart until recently. As an American-born citizen I believed that this also included politics.

After long thought on the matter, I made up my mind that by becoming involved I could make a difference, so I announced my candidacy. A vacancy in the state Assembly would be my choice.

Here started the problem. I chose to run as an independent. Conveying that to the paper I realized that without a major party endorsement I would certainly be at a disadvantage. I had to get an early start for the general election.

The disadvantage I knew of would be that without a party endorsement I wouldn't have the huge amounts of financial party backing and the large amounts of party campaign workers to do the foot work. This I fully understood. So the only thing I could think of to even the playing field was to start early. Never did I imagine the other disadvantages.

I followed all the rules with the state Board of Elections and filed my campaign financial reports and set up a campaign checking account (with my own money). This makes my campaign official. Then comes the part when I ask, "Are all men created equal?" With a party's endorsement, 150 signatures are required to get on the ballot. As an independent, you are required to get 1,500 signatures. Doesn't sound equal to me.

But, to make this more difficult, as an independent, you can't obtain a single signature on your petition until the two major parties have completed getting theirs. If you ask someone to sign yours and they have already signed someone else's, they can't sign another, even if they think you are a better choice!

I have been on the road for almost two months, as far away as Sackets Harbor, and have been putting in 14-hour days. I am committed to doing this for another seven months meeting with civic groups, senior citizen groups, veterans, sportsmen's groups, Chambers of Commerce and anyone who will extend an invitation to speak. This has been at my own expense, and then I look at the advantage that will be had with a major party endorsement.

Let's all stop and think, "Are all men created equal?"

I would sincerely appreciate an invitation to speak to any individual or group. I can be contacted at home at (315) 769-7683 or by e-mail at muskieny@twcny.rr.com.

Donald J. Lucas

Massena

The writer is a candidate for the 118th Assembly District.