13 Questions for Ray McKinney

1. What defining moment compelled you to run for office?
   Hillary Clinton stating that middle class America was invisible to the GOP.
   That Frosted my Flakes!
2. What's been the most significant discovery for you out on the campaign trail?
   The disconnect between Washington and the Grassroots.
   After I had walked 450 miles through this district, I received a survey from Washington. There was nothing on there about energy prices, food costs, jobs; they are just so off base.
3. How would you apply the role of government in the office you are seeking?
   I would look at it from a strict Constitutional standpoint.
   I would look at the actual cost and see how it applies to my district; I would represent my district and national interest. I'm not touching it if it's not cost effective and is against my personal values.
   [I'd have to ask] Is it the right thing to do?
4. If you could wave a magic wand, what issue would you resolve, and why?
   Unleash the private sector to deal with the energy situation.
5. What's the best advice your parents ever gave you?
   If you don't like something, shut up or do something about it.
6. If you could pass on only one value to your son, what would it be?
   Walk Worthy.
   From Ephesians 4:1
   Whatever you do, you give it your best!
7. What is one thing from your childhood that you really miss now?
   When you're a child, you don't care, you get up, you play. You're safe, you're protected, and you live life. Then you grow up and life hits you smack in the face.
8. What's unique about your district?
   It's like a sandwich.
   We have a major metro on one end, another major metro on the other.
   In the middle we've got the bread basket.
9. What book have you recently read and would recommend to others?
   "Ender's Game", by Orson Scott Card
   It's the story of a little boy going through Battle School. On the face of it, it's sci-fi, but the story of a little boy and how he learns to adapt. It has so many applications in life.
10. What's your favorite quote?
    "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
    Edmond Burke
11. If you could pick a theme song for your campaign, what would it be?
    Theme from "Rocky".
    We're the underdog!
12. If you could be a part of any past moment in history, what event would you choose, and why?
    Back when they were first hammering out the Constitution. You had shopkeepers and merchants that were under the possibility of death and built a nation. That truly was the audacity of hope, that was good men doing something, that was the birth of our nation.
13. How do you define liberty?
    The ability to fail.
    If you live in a world of safety nets, with no risk and success is guaranteed, when failure is not an option, how can you be free? How can you truly succeed if the ability to fail does not exist?

For more information on Ray and his campaign, please visit:

http://raymckinney.org/