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America's Third Party (ATP) is a political party in the United States, founded in 2008 by David Jon Sponheim. ATP is a centrist, fiscally conservative and socially liberal party. David Jon Sponheim is currently running under the ATP ticket for President of the United States in the 2012 general election. Mr. Sponheim ran a write-in campaign in the 2008 general election.

Principles
America First- They believe in investing in the citizens of America, before they involve themselves in the policies of other countries. They want to address the housing issues and high unemployment rates. They want to build a sustainable society so the nation can survive and thrive regardless of the global economy. This will take time and effort by the American people, but they believe the people are capable of anything. It’s time for US to get back to the basics and focus on America.

Budget & Spending- They support reforming the government to make it more efficient. They support making the government more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the American citizen. They support fiscal responsibility at every level of government within the United States. Our governments at the local, state, and federal level must practice fiscal responsibility to be effective and stable. Citizens must live within their means, as must the government. They support balanced budgets and saving for future needs and emergencies when possible. They support efficient spending and investment by the government.

Energy- Energy is a driving force in the American economy. They support a national energy plan that reduces American dependence on foreign sources of energy. They support a transition to a national energy plan that relies on clean and renewable sources of energy. The process of clean energy and energy independence will take time to accomplish. Government, private business, and American citizens must work together. With the strong work ethic, innovation and education in America we can achieve this goal.

Economy- They support a strong economy where American businesses and American workers thrive. They support an economy that is a conduit for prosperity for all Americans. They support an economy that innovates, creates, and produces both quality goods and quality services. They support continuing the transformation into a 21st century economy that puts American workers and businesses first and enables them to compete domestically and globally. They support continuing innovation in the American economy to make it the most competitive and prosperous in the world.

Education- Education is a key part, if not the backbone of the American economy, and future of our nation and health of our democracy. Education can open personal, cultural, and economic doors for all Americans. We must improve and preserve the best educational system in the world for America. They support education that gives all Americans, especially our youth, the tools they need to make their American dream come true.

Public Servants- They encourage personal responsibility of each and every American. They support developing citizens to serve as public servants, not as politicians. They expect the highest ethical standards from all candidates, elected officials and all public servants at all levels of American government because it is the correct action to take and they set an example for our youth. They support statesmanship, cooperation, and solutions oriented approach to issues over ideology. They support all citizens taking action and responsibility within our democracy.

Immigration- They support an immigration system that promotes and encourages legal immigration while discouraging illegal immigration through immigration reform and law enforcement.

Defense- A strong and capable national defense is the foundation that makes America and the American way of life possible. Without a strong defense we cannot focus on internal development. They support a strong national defense and strong diplomacy in foreign affairs. They respect, honor and will keep our national promises to our active duty military, veterans, and their families.

Foreign Policy- A strong, sensible, and pragmatic foreign policy is a must for the United States. They support a foreign policy that promotes American security and American interests. They support a foreign policy that promotes the strength of the American values of freedom, responsibility, equality, and respect. They support a foreign policy that works with other nations and people in the world who uphold and strive for these same ideals. They support a foreign policy that is strong diplomatically that works with other nations for a peaceful and prosperous world.

Ideas
ATP and Mr. Sponheim have innovative ideas that would lead to millions of jobs in the United States, as well as, aid in the lowering of the national debt and lead the country and its citizens to a more prosperous and sustainable future. Some of their ideas include:

Comprehensive Energy Plan: In 4 Years time, we can eliminate our reliance on foreign oil by creating Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles that cost under $15,000 and get 100 MPG. This would involve creating the US auto Corp. owned by all US citizens. Additionally, we support responsible domestic Oil Drilling and creating burner nuclear reactors located at existing nuclear waste sites. This will create much needed clean energy and eliminate 97% of the dangerous nuclear waste in the country, without having to transport it.

Ocean Pipeline: An original idea where we can build a pipeline that uses passive desalination to create fresh water. This will broaden our ability to have arable and livable land. This pipeline can also prevent the ravaging effects of any droughts due to global climate change. We estimate an ocean pipeline from LA to Las Vegas could generate 253,000 Gallons of fresh water in a day!

Mobile Medical Units: We propose building 200 large 2 Trailer 18 wheel units that can service 200 of our Nation's cities with triage, diagnostic and preventative health care. This will be a virtual bypass to our health care crisis. The projected cost is $2 Billion to build and deploy these units. People will need to pay a small Co-Pay when visiting the MMUs, or they can have that waved if they are unable to pay it.

National Opt-In Health Insurance Plan costing $6 Billion: this will provide full basic coverage for only $50 per month. It will add 3,000 new public doctors to the work force, thereby lowering medical costs. It will not be mandatory. If you can't afford it, the option of Medicaid and Medicare is available. We will also allocate $1 Billion to monitor and audit fraud and waste in the health care industry. This fund will also serve as an additional support for unforeseen costs.

Solar Rooftop Program: This is a massive installation plan where the Govt supplies the infrastructure for Solar Panels on rooftops in America; virtually leasing the space on your roof, by offering you a kick back on your electric bill. This plan will create 1 Million jobs Nationwide. It will help electric companies meet their green energy requirements by 2020. The govt will earn a percentage of incme from the energy produced. All of this could be funded with our idea of Renewable Energy Savings Bonds.

Homestead Renewal Plan: This plan will take money allocated with HUD to purchase toxic assets, like foreclosed properties. We can then provide "sweat equity" jobs where people earn a living wage and earn credit toward owning their own home. It's all about fixing up all the empty homes in America and reviving the dream of home ownership.

More Transparency in the White House: Imagine a Web Cam in the oval office! David Jon Sponheim will have a morning chatroom for 1 Hour everyday, where the American people can air their views, ideas and recommendations.

David Jon Sponheim
David Jon Sponheim was born in Los Angeles, California -the youngest child in a family of four. His parents were both World War II veterans and educators. They had both signed a pact to protect and defend America against the great threat of Communism during the McCarthy Era, a pledge they strongly believed. When he was three years old, David remembers watching little Jon Jon saluting John F. Kennedy’s casket on television and feeling extremely sad.

At seven, David argued with Dow Chemical employees who came to his school to give a presentation. Even then, he felt that chemicals and pesticides were ruining the land we live in. This event had a profound affect on David and later in life led him to start an Organic Food Sales business in the 1980s, before the movement toward organics became popular. David’s mother was a professor of nursing. When he was young, she gave him a test she normally reserved for her college students, on which he scored very high. He skipped a grade in middle school. In high school, his IQ was tested as high as 185. David scored 5 on the BC Calculus AP Exam and took college courses while still attending high school. David graduated as the #1 valedictorian of his high school at age 17. This was one year before the Bakke decision, and Universities had instituted quotas for underrepresented minorities. Therefore, David was turned down with straight A’s from institutions that were accepting B-average minority students. David ended up attending UCLA, which was not his first choice.

David was disheartened by professors in the Political Science department who were teaching the benefits of communism. David was raised to believe in the Cold War and believed that communism posed a great threat to America. Therefore, David chose not to continue education at an institution of higher learning. This was at a time when a college education did not have the impact of earning potential as it has today. David went to work for Natural Trading Company for a lady who was suffering from cancer. He helped her in her business until she passed away.

David’s father was a high school History and Politics teacher. David enjoyed discussing current events with him. One of the most heated discussions he remembers was about Jerry Brown, who ran a populist campaign. They were excited when Jerry Brown got 8% of the vote. However, both David and his father were extremely disappointed when Jerry Brown wasn’t even allowed to speak at the Democratic convention! Although David remained a loyal Democrat for 30 years, he looked back at this occasion as one of the deciding factors that led him to leave the party.

He then pursued TV Production and Voice Over. He helped his parents extend their lives by moving with them out of Los Angeles to Whidbey Island, Washington. He served his community as the News Director for a local Radio Station. David continued to pursue his small advertising business while caring for his parents. Both of his parents passed away in 2001. When he lost his parents, he began to question the world that he lived in and strove to make it better. David developed ideas for the future of mankind and attempted working through the traditional means to bring these ideas to fruition. After facing a brick wall in the traditional system, David decided to start America’s Third Party and run for President of the United States.

In addition to being a candidate for President, David Jon Sponheim is an advertiser, web-site designer, archivist and entrepreneur. He currently resides on Whidbey Island in Washington State.