WESTERN WASHINGTON STATE, WA -- Geology professor Ben Paulson, widely known by the nickname "One With The Tao" on the message forums, formally announced his candidacy for Hair Consultant in the upcoming April 2005 election. A regular visitor and consistent writer on the Religion, Politics and Science Forums since 2002, Ben is running the most unorthodox candidacy in Hair Consultant history by embracing a stance of doing nothing.

Although Ben meets the minimum requirements for running for Hair Consultant - he supports Steve's efforts in growing his hair long and is willing to be publicized on this web site - Ben has shared no specifics whatsoever on how he could actually help or encourage Steve in his hair-growth plans. Furthermore, Ben knows practically nothing about caring for "high maintenance" naturally curly hair, which has led to some to wonder if Ben's entire campaign is driven by a desire for attention, or even worse, an attempt to make a mockery of the long-standing system of deciding who should be Steve's Hair Consultant.

"If elected, I will do nothing to help Steve grow his long and curly locks." wrote Ben in a press release below.

"He sounds like a pretty bad candidate to me." said Steve "ColoradoGuy" Garufi, "He says he'll do nothing for my hair. Great! That's just what I need. I'm staying neutral (in the campaign), but I think you know where I stand with Ben."

Beth W., a regular visitor on the Friendship Board in Falcon, Colorado, said she is disturbed about Ben's "lack of interest in taking care of (Steve's) hair ... That is what a Hair Consultant should be concerned with."

Some however, are very supportive of Ben's candidacy. In fact, his campaign is attracting web site visitors who are seemingly wary about another dramatic Hair Consultant election followed by Steve firing the winner for incompetence soon after.

"This is exactly why Ben currently has my vote." wrote Maryland Guy on the Friendship Board, "Every year I always publicly threaten to boycott the whole thing ... but in the end I always seem get caught up in the hype like everyone else and end up voting ... I figure that, at least for now, I will be voting for Ben."

Ben attended the 2003 ColoradoGuy Summer Barbeque in Falcon, Colorado, and is probably best known for being photographed with a critical look (see adjacent photo) when then-Hair Consultant Alissa shamefully did not attend the annual web site function.

Steve created the position of Hair Consultant in 1998, when he decided he needed one committed person to coach, encourage and help him in his effort to grow his hair really long. Originally, Hair Consultants principally functioned as a sponsor available "24-7" (just like an AA sponsor), whom Steve could communicate with if he ever had the really stupid temptation to cut his hair short.

When this web site was created in 2000, Hair Consultants have become highly scrutinized public figures with the job becoming quite politicized by annual elections every April. (See the Hair Consultant history page to learn more. Voting this year takes place from April 13 to 16, 2005.)

Hair Consultant candidate Ben issued a press release explaining the rationale for his candidacy.

One With The Tao's Official Press Release

During my three plus years on Steve’s website, I have had the joy of watching the election, and the eventual firing, of many so called hair consultants. In fact, 11 out of 14 hair consultants have been fired by Steve. The reason for the termination? For being dead-beat do-nothings. Let’s face it folks, the Hair Consultant position is an empty promise to Steve. These candidates run on the platform of, “If I am elected I will do this…” or “If I am elected I will do that…” and the end result? Nothing. Never do they act on their campaign promises. So I am the candidate who, pardon the pun, will be candid about where I stand, and the fact of the matter is, if elected I will be a “dead-beat, do-nothing” hair consultant. If elected, I will do nothing to help Steve grow his long and curly locks.

It is also with great pleasure that I announce my official dead-beat, do-nothing, campaign manager, Sarah, known on the forums as “Gods Chosen Angel.” I have told Sarah that her responsibility as campaign manager is nothing; however, just because you have zero responsibility does not mean things won’t be done. Sarah, a member of her school debate team, has the skills (if needed) to quickly de-bunk any false accusations that may arise over the course of this campaign. I personally will run a clean campaign, but if another candidate feels that they must play low ball, with Sarah’s master debating proficiency, I am not in the least bit concerned.

Let’s face it folks, I am willing to fulfill the martyr position (that is what it really is) and I have built up the psyche to endure the criticisms.

Speaking of criticism, Steve warned me before I finalized my decision, “You must be open to the possibility that you might be criticized.” Not a problem. As an outspoken liberal, I tend to shoot my mouth off on the politics board, and the majority of responses come from people on the other side of the fence, thus criticism is nothing new to me, and for those of you thinking, “I am not going to vote for him because of his liberal tendencies” I leave you with this question:

“What the heck does politics have to do with hair?”

Ben “One with the tao” Paulson

Vote Dead-beat, do-nothing in 2005, vote for Ben