Here's the second of seven columns published in the local newspapers.

On the Campaign Trail
( No. 2 ,  June 27th)
I’ve been accused of being a tree hugger.   I wonder … I’m a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Forever, Missouri Trappers Association, Conservation Federation of Missouri, NRA, and the Missouri Prairie Foundation.   Does that make me a tree hugger?
Maybe it’s because I am passionate about scientifically based conservation.  Maybe it’s because I believe we should be good stewards of the land and our land use practices should be ethical and renewable.  Missouri’s diverse resources should be considered an intricate part of our natural heritage to be shared with future generations.
Last year over 3000 people visited our 120 acre Prairie Star Restoration Farm.    If each of the visitors that witnessed our restoration efforts wanted to call me a tree hugger, I guess that would be OK.
Missouri is a diverse matrix of urban, rural, agricultural, industrial, and natural areas. We are all connected, every piece and part, and every individual in it … even the tree huggers.
My name is Bruce Sassmann, I care about our natural resources, I will work for the common good of all men, and I will pray for a healthy and prosperous future.

On the Campaign Trail

(Intro, June 2Oth)

Here the first of seven columns I mentioned.   They will be published each week between now the the Primary election.   This first column is an introduction.   Next week the title of my column is "Tree hugger".

My name is Bruce Sassmann.   I am a republican candidate for a seat in the Missouri House of Representative from the 62^nd Legislative District.   For the next seven weeks I’ll share a little about the process and myself as we prepare for the Primary Election on August 7^th.

Every 10 years, after the census, the State legislative boundaries are redrawn.  The 2012 election process marks the beginning of those new legislative districts.   District 62 now includes all of Maries County and a portion of Gasconade, Osage, Crawford, Phelps, Miller, and Cole.   The north and south boundaries stretch from Highway 50 in Linn to I-44 between St. James and Rolla.   The eastern edge is the county line between Gasconade and Franklin counties.   The far west takes us to a corner on Highway 54 between Jefferson City and Eldon.

Tom Loehner, the representative of this district has reached the end of his term in the House of Representatives.  Now nine others, including myself, are working to fill the void.

Follow me, in this column or on the web, friend me on Facebook, or check out my blog post.   It’s going to be an interesting ride.   It will be a campaign to find the common good for the 62^nd legislative district.

A couple of items worth mentioning.
First, during a funeral the other day, Fr. Jeremy mentioned in his message, "the common good of man"   I kept thinking about the common good and realize how important that message is to our government leaders.   The common good should be the barometer we use to measure the value of any government program, spending, action, etc.   If it's not for the common good of all men, then it must be pork barrel special interest legislation and spending.    I believe our government could be so much simplier, smaller, and less expensive if we simply avoided the trap of helping every special interest group that asked.   Mitt Romney said something about saying Yes wins votes, saying no ends in concession speeches.   Maybe I should start writing my concession speech, but if I'm elected as state representative, I'm only interested in serving the common good of all men.
Second, one of the many items on my bucket list is to be a syndicated column writer.   Another is to be involved in state government.   Well, I've married the two.   I have started a column that will appear weekly in the Unterrified Democrat, Belle, Bland, and Vienna papers, and the Gasconade County Republican.   The column is titled, "On the campaign trail"   Please tell me what you think