Sunday, May 30, 2010

Memorial Day is NOT Just the start of Summer

It's been a busy weekend and we drove to Dover to be with some family Sunday afternoon. The traffic was heavy and my youngest daughter was describing some traffic woes she encountered earlier in the day when she visitied Ocean City.

I hope our State and our Country never move away from taking a few minutes to remember those whom have fought and those whom have died in defense of our freedoms.

To ALL who have served our Country please accept the sincere thanks from Cindy and I for your service. Writing to a mother whom had lost multiple sons during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln referred to "the sacrifice laid upon the altar of freedom". Most of us will never fully realize the sacrifice our military and their families make to keep us the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Thanks to All our Veterans and Troops this Memorial Day!

Steve and Cindy Rust

Friday, May 28, 2010

Our Youth and the Future

Just finished teaching over 20 young people a 3 Day Police Bicycle Course. It was great to see young people of various backgrounds and ethnicities pursuing a career in law enforcement. It resounded around the group however, they all fear finding jobs after college, and many who recently graduated are worried over paying back school loans.

I can't help but think that our Government Leadership is out of touch with the mainstream of Delaware. Especially lower Delaware. Where are the jobs we are being told are being created?

It's a sad day when 20 and 21 year olds have more fear of entering the working world than they do excitement and anticipation. It's even worse that they have spent thousands to equip themselves for their career and have anxiety over whether they can pay their debts, much less support themselves.

We need change. Not just a little, but a whole lot. We need everyday people to represent us in Dover and Washington DC. That's why my campaign slogan is "Dedicated to Public Service not Politics". I am one of the thousands of Delawareans who worry about the debt my children are accumulating. I get angry when I realize that our Government leaders are putting them deeper and deeper into debt with every fee and every tax hike that gets whizzed through. Enough is enough and it's time to freeze Government spending in Dover, talk to the tax payers and find out what their priorities are, and cut the excess. I am running for office to start the process and I want to be held accountable! I again ask you to research the candidates and choose the one who demonstrates common sense spending and accountability by government officials.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Raising Support For My Campaign

Just a reminder that as we get into June, the Primary is only 2 months out. I need to raise the funds to keep building momentum. If you are in any way able to help, please consider a donation:

Friends to Elect Steve Rust
P.O. Box 40
Lincoln, DE 19960

Any amount you can give will help send me to Dover in November. I want to thank everyone, especially my lovely wife and 3 kids for their support and encouragement

Friday, May 21, 2010

Tomorrow I will turn 47. I remember when I thought people didn't live to get that old!! Had a great evening with my kids, 2 of whom are home from Virginia to celebrate Cindy's birthday as well as mine. Looking forward to hitting the road with the Campaign. Planning on the first door knocking trip Monday!!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Saturday Cindy and I went to the Delaware Republican Convention In Rehoboth DE. It was a very interesting event as the heart and soul of the Delaware Republican Party converged to nominate the candidates to seek Federal elective office. I met some great people there, and received a great deal of encouragement and support for my campaign.

Seeing these men and women come together caused me to think:

When our Founders signed the Declaration of Independence, they pledged their life, fortunes and their sacred honor to the cause of Independence from Tyranny. By signing that document, they in essence signed a warrant for their own death. They knew the consequences, they knew what was right and just, and they did what they could for Liberty and for the Country that they believed in. Some died, many lost their fortunes and a few lost their honor.

What would our current leaders do today. They get elected to get fortunes, and the compromise their sacred honor in the process. Few, if any would lay down their life in the defense of liberty or freedom. Most would compromise or run away altogether. Does anyone see Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi leading a Calvary charge or Company of Marines into battle? We need new leadership now. I'm not saying I would be the greatest at leading either but I guarantee I would stand with my fellow soldiers and do the best that I could to accomplish victory.

Many are calling 2010 the year of the educated voter. Please take the time to get educated. Use the internet examine candidates, and ask questions. I invite everyone to google my opponents and also me. The names are Robert E. Walls, Harold E. "Jack" Peterman, and Steven W. Rust. If you put the word Delaware in the search box it narrows it quite a bit.

I also invite you to learn about the candidates families, speak with their friends and co-workers, and get educated.

I will proudly stand on my record of 24+ years as a police officer. I have been a SWAT Team member and I have led that TEAM as its commander. I have led a Shift of Patrol Officers and I have been a Patrol Officer, I have worked through complex criminal and narcotics investigations to which I have testified in Court and received convictions for dangerous criminals. I have brought professionalism to my department by instituting Community Policing, Bicycle Patrol, State of the art Accident Investigations, Training to become one of Delaware's top SWAT Teams,
and I continue to lead one of Delaware's finest law enforcement agencies. Through all this I have many times been faced with tough ethical and moral issues and I believe I have acted in the appropriate manner to resolve these issues in a ethical and professional manner. My kids will tell you that they have heard me say many times, "Do the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do". What this means to me is that it is far more important to act on ones convictions without regard for praise, criticism, personal gain, or loss. Just do what is right. I have tried to live by this statement personally and it has built me into the person I am today.

Please, ask my friends, family, co-workers, and associates what type of person that is. After you become educated, support the candidate whom you feel will represent you best. If you support me, I will ask that each and every time I run for office, use the same analysis regardless of the candidate. I believe you will learn that I am the best candidate now, and I will represent you by the same standard of doing what is right only because it is right. Not what is right for me personally, not what is right for my political party, and not what is right for my political career.

As Robert E. Lee departed Appomattox Courthouse after surrendering the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant, he rode amongst his men and declared "I have done for you, the best I could". I am committed that at the end of this adventure into political office I will be able to walk amongst those who supported me and those who didn't and honestly proclaim those very words.

Monday, May 10, 2010

I had a novel idea today. I drove down Maple Avenue in Milford and there are literally hundreds of State owned vehicles in the parking lot near God's Way Thrift Shop. They are all cars that are newer than mine, and probably yours too.

What if we purchased new Police cars for our Troopers every year and retired the ones with near 100,000 miles into service with other state employees. I don't know about you but I expect my car to run 150,00-200,000 miles and buying a new engine when needed is certainly cheaper than buying a new Dodge Caliber or Chrysler Mini-Van.

Obviously there will be some exceptions as we have a need for different vehicles in some State agencies but really, does every state employee have to drive a brand new car?

Having seen some of the older DSP cars, they are kept in great shape and would make great state employee cars.

Common sense says that we would give the new vehicles to our Troopers who respond to emergencies every day. My idea would keep new cars where they are needed most and stop the tradition of buying cars for every state agency under the sun!

But, come to think of it, common sense is exactly what is lacking in State Government these days.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Last Thursday was an awesome day! I filed my candidacy with the State Election Commissioner as an exploratory committee. This means I have to raise the funds to run a primary against another candidate and file for ballot status (get my name on the ballot) by late July. I am leaving my campaign finances to prayer and if it is to be, the funds will come. My lovely bride and I were introduced Thursday evening at the Kent County Republican Committee meeting. I received alot of encouragement and support. I also met a lot of people running in their Districts who are fed up with the high taxes and big government mindset of the party now in power. I have a meeting this week and the State Convention next weekend and I will begin to campaign full throttle! Please keep me in your prayers and if you wish to contribute, the campaign address is :

Friends to Elect Steve Rust
P.O. Box 40
Lincoln, DE 19960

Any amount you can give will help send me to Dover in November. I want to thank everyone, especially my lovely wife and 3 kids for their support and encouragement.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

This is an amazing journey. About a year ago I thought about running for the Senate Seat in my District. I contacted my Senator who is running for State Treasurer and through a series of events only Providence could orchestrate, I am on the brink of running for the 33Therd Representative District.

The calls pledging support, prayers, and encouraging me to run have been tremendous. Stay tuned to my blog as an announcement is coming in the near future and then.....The Fun Begins!!!!