I am Ben Quelle and I am a Republican running for State Representative for the 12th Plymouth District. This year, more than any other, is so important to the voters of Massachusetts. The balance of power on Beacon Hill has become so out of whack that there is no true debate on any of the issues that are important to the people of Massachusetts and especially those of us in the 12th Plymouth District. It is clear that there are staged arguments between Governor Patrick and the 90 percent Democratic legislature, but generally, the Governor and the Legislature can and do pass any law without fear of recourse or veto override.

Most people disapprove of the state of the state but somehow are mislead to believe that their current legislator is different. Because of this, we end up with more of the same; high taxes on the middle class, increasing regulation and fees on small businesses with an overall disregard for the wishes of the voters. We the people are the ones who fund all of the waste and overspending on Beacon Hill. Spending that has put this state into a functional deficit of two to three billion dollars.

I am a member of the middle class, a father of four, a concerned taxpayer and a proud combat veteran of the war in Iraq. I began this campaign because I am tired of the government taking so much of our hard earned income and showing little by way of results.

I believe that people of the 12th District want to bring balance and accountability back in Boston and having listened with over 1,500 of you in my campaign, I promise to help balance Beacon Hill. I ask you, to please vote during the Tuesday, Sept. 14 primary and I ask for your vote.

Remember, without checks and balances, we just keep writing the checks.