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POLITICS: Missionary experience provides unique perspective, Dahm says

By Bryan Smith

Senior Reporter

(POL) As a former missionary in Romania, Congressional District 1 candidate Nathan Dahm said he gained valuable perspective on the pains and perils of socialism that has helped him see potential dangers for the United States.

During his stay in Romania as general manager and then dean of students for a bible school in Bucharest, Dahm, a Republican, said that he had a chance to see the evils of socialism first hand. The experience has been a driving force in his campaign for Congress, as he seeks to avert what he said is America's slide toward socialism and fascism.

"I feel America is going toward socialism and fascism," he said in an interview. "And, I am trying to save my country."

The evidence of such a slide lies in the expansion of government spending and the deterioration of the nation's infrastructure, Dahm explained. In order to stop that slide and restore the republic, he said it is necessary to get back the founders' idea of a limited government.

And, that is what he said distinguishes him from incumbent Congressman John Sullivan, R-Tulsa.

"A true Republican does not grow government," he said. "One of my main reasons for running is that he voted for the bailout. I would never vote for any bailout."

Dahm said that his message has won him favor among constituents and strong support within Oklahoma's Tea Party movement. That support has translated into a strong grassroots campaign with a significant volunteer base.

Dahm also released what he calls his "Oath to Oklahoma," which he described as a "Contract with America II."

The signed document states that as the people's representative, he will commit to several key principles.

Dahm said he pledges to:

" Serve for only six years;

" Deny congressional benefits;

" Never commit troops to war without a declaration of war;

" Join the armed forces if he votes for a declaration of war;

" Protect the right to bear arms;

" Vote against all tax increases, including fees, fines and penalties;

" Work to eliminate the Federal Reserve and the system of legal tender;

" Work to repeal the 16th Amendment and the income tax;

" Vote against bailouts, debt increases and unbalanced budgets;

" Fight for unborn children; and

" Work to remove all federal mandates and laws not expressly listed in the U.S. Constitution.

"Why should we wait for the Republican D.C. insiders to create a new 'Contract with America' and have them ask us to sign onto it, when the vast majority of them broke the first contract!" Dahm said in a related press release. "I am giving my word and pledging to the people of Oklahoma the top 10 priorities of what I will do and will not do, while serving in Congress."

"I am taking the lead and presenting a plan of attack for when they send me to the Capitol," he added.

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"OATH TO OKLAHOMA" BRINGS CONTRACT WITH AMERICA HOME

NATHAN DAHM'S CAMPAIGN FOR U.S. CONGRESS REVEALS HIS OATH TO OKLAHOMA AND HIS PLEDGE TO THE PEOPLE WHILE SERVING IN D.C.

Nathan Dahm, Republican candidate campaigning in the 1st Congressional District to unseat John Sullivan in the July 27th primary, has just released what many are calling a "Contract with America part II". This contract, however, is written directly for the people of Oklahoma.

When asked about these pledges, which he calls his "Oath to Oklahoma", Dahm had this to say: "Why should we wait for the Republican D.C. insiders to create a new 'Contract with America' and have them ask us to sign onto it, when the vast majority of them broke the first contract! I am giving my word and pledging to the people of Oklahoma the top ten priorities of what I will do and will not do, while serving in Congress. I am taking the lead and presenting a plan of attack for when they send me to the Capitol."

He continued and said: "The people of First District want someone to speak out and provide leadership in Washington. Unfortunately, we haven't had that for the last 8 years. In fact, when the incumbent was asked about what we can do regarding Obama's healthcare legislation, his response was 'we just have to wait until 2012'. I fully disagree with that opinion and think that we should do all that we can. We elect someone to represent us and work for us, and we better send someone who is willing to try everything they can and not just sit it out until 2012!"

Included in his list of pledges are a self-imposed term-limit of 6 years, defense of the right to keep arms, repealing of the 16th amendment income tax, auditing the Federal Reserve, tax cuts, and a commitment to enlist in the military upon his vote to go to war. He also mentions voting against all bailouts, whether for banks, corporations, or bankrupt governments; which is a clear difference from John Sullivan who angered many conservatives when he voted for the $700Billion TARP bailout for the bankers.

When asked to give one final comment, Dahm stated: "I am applying for the job of serving the people of Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District; and in order to represent them, I ask for their vote on July 27th, 2010 so that I can bring this plan to Congress. It is my hope and prayer to help better the lives all Oklahomans through less government and more freedom. It is time for a man of action. I am that man, and I look forward to fighting for them and serving the people of 1st District."

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Nathan Dahm, a young Republican with an engineering background, will challenge U.S. Rep. John Sullivan for his party's nomination for Congress in 2010.

Dahm made his official announcement last Wednesday at the monthly luncheon of the Tulsa Men's Republican Club.

"Challenging an incumbent in the primary is no small task," Dahm said. "People have told me repeatedly that this is a 'David versus Goliath' match. But David won that match."

Dahm said his campaign won't be an attack on Sullivan, who is a recovering alcoholic."I don't believe in negative ads and campaigns," Dahm said. "I refuse to participate in such dirty politics and I have no evil to say of Congressman Sullivan.

"I have entered this race to serve the people and am not running against him, but rather am running on my convictions and what I believe I can do to serve the people."

Dahm spent his childhood years in Broken Arrow while his parents attended Bible school. In 1994, the Dahm family moved to the Eastern European nation of Romania as missionaries to the former communist nation. Upon graduating high school, Nathan returned to Romania to serve as a missionary.

During that time he actively served in each department of his local church and designed the 65-acre Bible school campus being built a few miles outside Romania's capital city, Bucharest, while serving as the general manager. In 2003, Nathan stayed on as general manager and added the position of dean of students for the Bible school's charter class, serving as dean for four years until returning to Broken Arrow.

Upon returning home to Oklahoma, Dahm quickly noticed the changes facing America and the many challenges lying ahead.

He became actively involved in the Tulsa County Republican Party (www.tulsagop.org) and currently serves on the Executive Committee, as a precinct chair and as a house district captain. He is also the vice-chair of the Tulsa County Alliance of Young Republicans (www.thealliancetulsa.org).

Dahm is a founding member of Raffstar (www.raffstar.com), a website which generates charity awareness by offering prizes and giveaways absolutely free of charge. He currently works as an engineering technician for a local municipality, and has worked in the past as a producer for a local production company.

As a constitutional conservative, Dahm said he draws heavily from his experiences in the formerly communist- and currently socialist- nation of Romania to inform people of the failures, perils and evils of socialism. His desire is to serve the people, whether it is the impoverished people in Romania, or the Oklahomans of First district.

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Former missionary running for Adkins' House seat (By Candice Adson - 6.5.08)

(OK) A former missionary from Broken Arrow has filed candidate documents with the State Election Board to run for House District 75, a seat currently held by Rep. Dennis Adkins, R-Tulsa.

Republican Nathan Dahm, who just returned from Europe where he was participating in a mission trip, said he returned to the United States and quickly noticed the state of the nation and felt a need to try to make a difference.

"When I got back from Europe, I just noticed how things had become and decided to try to do something about it. I felt it was a part of my constitutional duty to run for this office," said Dahm. "More specifically, I want to see some changes done in our state's school systems."

Dahm, a home-schooled student, said he believes that the school systems have lost sight of what is truly important - learning and pride.

"I would like to see the federal government less involved in our school systems," said Dahm. "Coming from a home-school system, I am an advocator of providing incentives and rebates for parents who choose to home-school their children.

"I would like to see the schools operating more as free markets, rather than all being exactly the same. It's my belief that giving schools more room to breathe could attract better teachers, instill a sense of pride and promote a healthy competitiveness among both students and educators."

Three other Republican candidates are running for the seat: Greg Chapman, Dan Kirby and Dennis McIntire, along with a lone Democrat, Ephraim Alajaji. Adkins is not running for re-election to the House District 75 seat.