Win, Place or Show -- and Steev RamsDell

Steev RamsDell

The filing deadline passed this afternoon; our next congressional representative's name is somewhere on the list at the bottom of today's post. Silly Season is nigh; let us now pause to consider Steev RamsDell, with whom I spoke this evening.

Steev RamsDell has filed for US Congress as an Independence Party [MNIP] candidate, challenging David Dillon in the September 9, 2008 primary. RamsDell tells me he is 52--and married to a woman from Korea who is the mother of a 19 year old daughter from a previous relationship. While the candidate does not adhere to any organized church, he admires the spiritualism of Dr. Wayne Dyer.

RamsDell doesn't sound particularly incisive or ideological, nor does he sound crazy, though he acknowledges ownership of ShowMeTheCure, a website advocating a boycott of drug companies and medical research charities--so as to force them to cough up cures for the various maladies they claim to seek to end. The day before yesterday, RamsDell bought a domain for his congressional campaign (which remains undeveloped, in both senses), using an address at which he does not reside. In addition, he owns San Mei Rejuvenation Center, a fact unlikely to help him with the MNIP's muscular 'Dobson in muttonchops' wing. (He also owns something called 7HeavenOrientalSpa. Ouch.)

RamsDell tells me he's from Florida but has lived in Eden Prairie for almost three years. Like the endorsed MNIP candidate David Dillon, RamsDell has no history of involvement with the Independence Party and doesn't care for political parties. RamsDell paid the $300 filing fee to run for US Congress. On the form, he lists an Eden Prairie address, but the homeowner at that address insists Steev RamsDell no longer lives there--but did--more than three months ago. ('He's a friend of my wife's. Nice guy.')

In September 2007, RamsDell heard that Ramstad was retiring. The entrepreneur reflected upon a wondrous similarity: RamsDell...Ramstad. (Clearly a sign.) He thought about running for Congress, but didn't participate in the MNIP's endorsement contest, as he didn't understand the process and was busy with his various commercial endeavors.

RamsDell supports alternative energy and opposes an expansion of domestic drilling. He opposes the legalization of marijuana but would permit those afflicted with serious illnesses to use it under medical supervision.

RamsDell would prefer a ban on abortions during the third trimester of pregnancy. He would like all other women seeking abortions to undergo compulsory dissuasive counseling and a required 48-hour 'cooling off' period between signing on the line and actually undergoing any abortion. (While many readers may perceive this position to be an astoundingly lackadaisical assault on women's rights, let the record note its extreme liberality in comparison with the probable position of the Republican standard-bearer.)

'What's your position on gay marriage?' I ask. The candidate pleads, 'Do you have any softball questions?'

RamsDell plans no strenuous effort at fund-raising, other than the occasional purchase of Powerball tickets. He suggests pro-Dillon voters ought to welcome his entry, as it might ignite interest in Dillon. Beating RamsDell in September will bolster Dillon's reputation as lion-killer--RamsDell implies--paving the way for a November Dillon shocker.

Got it in you, Dillon?

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