Strauss: So many reasons for running

I am running for Congress because of issues around the world that are affecting every American today, and will do so even more in the near future.

Artificial intelligence and robotics are advancing at a rate that our economy will literally be taken by surprise, reducing the need for workers like never before in history.

Chemicals are widely used - like Corexit, which soaks up oil spills in our oceans, and Roundup, which kills weeds in our fields - but do we really know their long-term effects? Because short-term exposure is showing terrible health problems, our government is fighting to protect the responsible industries.

We feed our agricultural livestock antibiotics, which we then ingest. Our fresh water is dwindling because of pollution and misuse such as fracking, in which billions of gallons of water annually are mixed with horrible chemicals and pumped deep into the earth, never to return as usable water, but instead to pollute the bowels of our planet. And who really thinks we can drill millions of holes deep into the earth crust, fracture the bedrock beneath our feet and never face any consequences?

This is not a 'bridge technology.” The earth is warming, the poles are melting. Overfishing and plastics are affecting the future of our oceans. And what about Fukushima? What effect is the radiation having in the Pacific?

There are so many reasons why I am running that I cannot fit them all in one statement.

See more of my positions at straussforhouse.com.

I'm an average American, and I've decided to put my life experience to work. I'll never be bought, I'll never sell you out and, most importantly, I'm not a Democrat or a Republican. I'm an American just like you!

' Mark Strauss is the Libertarian candidate in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.

All candidate guest columns in Iowa's 2nd District race:

' Daniel Clark

' Dave Loebsack

' Christopher Peters

' Mark Strauss