I guess everyone here on Young Philly Politics today is now wondering, "Just who is this kid who, out of nowhere, wants to run for mayor?" I spent a lot of time trying to think of the best way to tell everyone on here who I am, and decided that the best thing to do is just to simply post my original announcement speech and a link to my website. I feel that my speech will address everything you want to know about why I'm running and the link to my website will tell you everything about me and my platform.

But before we get to the meat and potatoes of that, let me just address two misconception about my run for mayor: No, this is not a joke or a stunt. If it was, I would not have gone to the length of trying to change the City Charter so I can run.

Secondly, while I will admit I dislike Milton Street and, yes, seeing that he was allowed to run for office angered me to the point where I said I should run, I want to state that I had considered running in 2007 for a few years now. I was going to wait until 2011, but considering the candidates we have now, and the direction the election was headed, I knew we would be stuck with 2 people who no one really wanted or, in the case of the Republicans, voted for. I looked at their platforms, didn't see much that I liked or thought would make things better, and decided to go ahead and, as they say, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

So why am I running? Because Philadelphia needs some form of radical change in the next 4 years. We can't sit back and simply allow people who are supposed to work for the people simply become workers of their biggest contributors. We can't allow criminals to run City Hall. If we do, how are we any better than the criminals on the street? We need to end corruption, find realistic solutions to the murder rate, reduce the number of illegal guns on the streets, and give people a greater say in their government!

With all that said, I sincerely hope you enjoy my announcement speech. Thank You.

For those of you who came out today... I wish to thank each and everyone single one of you. To everyone who is watching this, be it on TV or the internet... thank you. You have all made a decision by even listening to me today that you want an alternative to the way things are done in the City of Philadelphia. You have agreed that you are fed up with "business as usual", that the way things were done in the past are not what you want, let alone what you see, as the future or a way to make Philadelphia better.

We are gathered here today in front of Independence Hall because this is the same place where, over 230 years ago, our forefathers demanded an end to the way things were handled in their time. They wanted an end to the oppressive laws and unfair treatment given to them by the British Crown, and in Philadelphia today, we are not much different! While King James and the British Army may no longer be the enemy, they have been replaced. The Red Coats are now the thieves, murders, and petty criminals that roam the street. We are now under their rule, and not that of our own appointed troops! We hide away in our homes out of fear! Fear that these "bad men" will harm us if we cry out against them dealing their drugs in our neighborhoods, against murdering our friends and family! We simply hide and cower while an army of criminals laid siege to our great, noble city of Philadelphia!

Today, I declare independence!

Today, I say that we as a city have had enough! We have held rallies, we have complained to our leaders, to our police, to the world. The results have been non-existent! The crime rate is still rising, our citizens are still being killed daily in the streets, and all we have done is simply stand around and look at the decay! It is time for change! It is time for someone to truly step forward, to cry out, and do something!

Ladies and gentlemen of the great City of Philadelphia, that is why I am now running for Mayor! My name is Lawrence West, and I am the dawning of a new age!

The politics and politicians of the past have failed you, and I am here to lead Philadelphia into its next golden age; an age where we end corruption, stop crime, and improve our communities. The politics and policies of the past dictate more laws and more police; if I am elected, we will have more officers, but we will also reinforce the laws we currently have! I offer you an age where we help our fellow citizen by giving them not only the hope of a new tomorrow, but give them an active chance by giving them the tools needed to have a greater say in their government! If this truly is a government for the people and by the people, then by all means, give the people the ability to exert more control!

The rights to recall elected officials must be returned! The right to know what your city council is doing must be more accessible! The right to live in a society where you feel safe! These are the rights Philadelphians are entitled to, not by their leaders, their government, or even their constitution; these are rights given by birth. They are the rights of any truly righteous and just society. They are the hopes and ideals of any country, of any being, that has every yearned to truly be free. And it is these very same rights that have been taken away or not even offered to you. Why? Because of the thieves, crooks, and murderers that plague this city! Because of the crooks who have been allowed to take away the respectability of the very office of Mayor!

Under my leadership, we will end the corruption that plagues City Hall by televising all City Council meetings, only approving City Contracts through City Council, and dedicated campaign and donation reform. We will attract new businesses to Philadelphia by letting existing businesses stay open later, work with businesses to create a tax system that works, and build incredible new buildings and skyscrapers to reach the very heavens we deserve! I see a Philadelphia where we help the homeless, give treatment to drug abusers instead of scorn. An image of a great and mighty city on the Delaware River! A place where the people feel free and safe to walk the streets, where trash is non-existent, property values are good, and skateboarders can skate in peace! A city where the smog of the past is replaced with fresh air thanks to a better public transportation system, lower fares, and more fuel-efficient cars roam the street. Where children are happy, free to be themselves, and well educated! Where the people, not corporations, control the media.

The terrorists in this city come in the form of those who wish to instill fear in us. They are the drug dealers, the pimps, and the criminal element. They are the people in highest forms of city government who will openly admit and flaunt the fact that they will gladly take a bribe, tell you about it, and wave it in your face knowing you will do nothing to stop them! You can't kill terror, but you can stop criminals!

As your mayor, I will make Philadelphia one of the top cities in the world! We will no longer live by a 7PM curfew, where it's impossible to shop or do anything after dark. If anything, we need more people out there shopping and filling the street to deter criminals from committing crimes! If the people of Philadelphia are happy, murder will go down, crime will decrease, and the quality of life will go up! Give the people jobs, a voice, and a way to express themselves, and you have a content public!

It has been written that those who have the youth have the future. I may be young, but I am the future. The future of Philadelphia.

If you would like to learn more about me, Larry West, and why I'm running for Mayor of Philadelphia, as well as my platform, than please visit my website at the link below. I'm sure that once you see why I'm running and what I want to do, you will see that I truly am the best choice for mayor. Thank you.