Scott Rupert I

Scott Rupert believes it’s time to return to our roots — the U.S. Constitution.

The Independent candidate for U.S. Senate is a firm believer that the Constitution spells things out the best as to what Congress is supposed to do for Americans — be the voice of the state.

“The idea that the Constitution protects us is very appealing to the average citizen. It makes it possible for an ordinary individual to play a role in the government,” Rupert said. “We’ve kind of given away our Constitutional authority to what’s essentially, a ruling class. ... The problem in politics is the federal government has taken away the sovereignty of the state. That’s why I am running for the U.S. Senate. To accomplish the goal of bringing politics to the arena of ideas, I could have run for any office. I’m running for U.S. Senate because that’s where the real problem is.”

Rupert is a truck driver by trade and feels his year’s of experience solving real problems would go a long way in the Senate.

“My goal is to solve problems, not to be a politician,” Rupert said. “I believe there are a number there that who would like to be doing the job like they are supposed to. But, because of the political process we have now, they really can’t because they are bound up by party politics or the money that got them elected.

“I think that by electing a true independent to the Senate, there are a number of them who would like to point to me and say there’s our future if we don’t start doing things the right way.”

One of Rupert’s first priorities if elected would be to repeal the patient protection and affordable care act — or Obamacare. He said that 26 states have already sued to get out from under the mandate, so he believes if the senators from those states had done their jobs correctly, the legislation would have never passed.

Another is a balanced budget and a better taxation system.

“A balanced budget is a good place to start, but we need to do more than just that,” Rupert said. “We need to spend less than the federal government takes in.

“I’d like to see us go to a consumption tax instead of an income tax. It’s a more even tax. The wealthy would pay more because they consume more.”

Rupert also believes that regulation is killing jobs in the U.S.

“We have more regulations in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world. You expect business to go elsewhere. If labor costs are the only variable in the equation, most of them would be here,” said Rupert.

Because he is an independent candidate and not funded by a large political party, Rupert has spent a good portion of his time raising money and awareness for his campaign by traveling around the state. He’s also taken to social networks to help get his message to the masses.

“The system is very rigged against an outsider. But, we’re doing everything we can. We’re going places and handing out information, asking people to tell their friends. I feel a good idea will sell itself,” Rupert said. “The fact that I’m an ordinary guy — a truck driver taking on the big parties, is very appealing as well.”