Restoring America to what it once was

U.S. House candidate Ryan Zinke made the following remarks during a campaign filing event at the VFW Hall in Whitefish on Feb. 8, 2014.

Friends, thank you for joining me this morning for what I believe is a very special day as I officially file for the U.S. Congress.

Twenty-nine years ago today, fresh out of college, I embarked upon a journey that would shape my life and make me the person I am today. It was then, on a cold February morning, that I raised my hand, took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and proudly became a United States sailor.

Now I stand before you, a little older, a little less hair on my head, but just as proud of my country and the 23 years I served as a U.S. Navy SEAL. I’m ready to accept a new challenge, and continue to dedicate myself to public service.

I ask you today, what’s happened to America? What’s happened to Washington?

It seems like the downward spiral can’t be stopped no matter whom we send to Washington. Democrats haven’t fixed it, Republicans haven’t fixed it, Tea Partiers haven’t fixed it, and that’s why I’m running.

In our military, when all else fails, we send in the Navy SEALs to get the tough jobs done. It’s time to send a Navy SEAL to Washington.

I was a Navy SEAL for 23 years and served as Commander of Seal Team 6. I was also the Deputy and Acting Commander of Special Forces in Iraq and have fought in conflicts around the world, including Bosnia, Kosovo and the Pacific theater. What the SEALs do best is define and complete a mission.

My mission is to restore America to the country it once was and to build a better future

My mother was born in Glasgow, my father in Glendive. My grandmother was a one-room school teacher in Richey, my grandfather helped build Fort Peck Dam, and my father was the youngest master plumber in the state’s history at 17. I was born in Bozeman and grew up in Whitefish when it was a small railroad and logging town.

All of us grew up in an America where self-reliance, determination and innovation were valued. If our neighbor’s barn was on fire, we didn’t ask whether he was a Republican or a Democrat, we just put it out. Our government was trusted, and when it came to welfare, the government was the last option rather than the first. America was the land of opportunity and the American dream of having a good job, owning a home and putting the kids through college was real.

How do we fix America? It’s time for less politics and more leadership.

First, let’s abandon Obamacare. It’s a train wreck, and we need to empower the states to find the right fix to that lets you keep your doctor and insurance.

We need to stop spending money we don’t have by reducing the size of our overreaching government.

Let’s create jobs and grow the economy by getting the government out of the way. We need to unleash the power of American business and create good jobs at home.

We also need to work on becoming energy independent, stopping the war on fossil fuels and investing in our infrastructure. Imagine the geopolitical implications of not being held hostage to foreign oil? We can’t power this nation and bring back manufacturing on pixy dust and hope.

Most of all, we need to bring truth, grace and honor back to Washington.

When I served as a Seal Team 6 Commander, I learned the real reason our enemies feared us. Yes, we had great equipment, training and leadership, but our enemies knew we fought for the American people. They knew we fought to defend our American values, freedoms and the American way of life.

I fought to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, and I believe in American exceptionalism. America should never bow to foreign leaders, and we should never apologize for being great.

I have rallied my men behind our flag, I have successfully led them into harm’s way, and I can and will do the same in Congress.

I believe Washington can be fixed because the true strength of America is not in the government but in the resolve and character of our people. I reject the premise that the sun is setting on America.

I’ve been in far tougher battles than this one, but none more important.

I cannot accomplish my mission alone. I need your help, your prayers and your vote. Join me in restoring American exceptionalism and building a better future in America. Thank you and God bless America and the troops who defend her.