MEET DARRELL CASTLE
Religion :
Darrell has a strong Christian religious ethic . He has served as a deacon and deacon chairman in his local church . In 1998 , Darrell and Joan stretched out their hand to serve others , and founded Mia ’ s Children Foundation ( www . miaschildren . org ), a Christian mission in Bucharest , Romania which ministers to homeless gypsy children .
NACBA Interview
( NACBA ) Can you tell us a little bit about your history with NACBA , and your career as a bankruptcy attorney ?
( Castle ) In about 1988 I converted exclusively to bankruptcy practice although I had some experience during my years in solo practice before that . The practice grew and beginning in 1994 I had the opportunity to open bankruptcy offices in Milwaukee , Detroit , St . Louis and Kansas City . I sold the last of those offices about four years ago so I ’ m exclusively in Memphis now .
( NACBA ) How did your legal background and bankruptcy work lead to an interest in national politics ? Was there a pivotal event in your life that led to your interest in running for political office ?
( Castle ) The practice of law gave me the income and time to become one of the founders of the Constitution Party in 1992 . There were five of us who founded the Party around the inspiration of one man . All of the other four are dead now so I am the surviving link to the founding of the Party . My interest in national politics came about from a love for the U . S . Constitution and the rule of law in general . I saw the rule of law slipping away and so I joined with the four gentlemen I mentioned to found a new political party that would uphold the original intent of the Constitution .
There was no single event but I would have to say that my experience with the War in Vietnam changed me and eventually led to my belief that the nation would not be taken in the correct direction by the two mainstream parties .
( NACBA ) How did your work as a bankruptcy attorney prepare you for a run for President ?
( Castle ) My work as a bankruptcy attorney showed me what life in middle and lower America was really like . When the politicians in Washington tell us how the economy is booming I usually say , why don ’ t you come and spend a couple of hours in my office and you ’ ll see what its really like .
( NACBA ) What is the “ Constitution Party ” and how does it differ or lineup with mainstream political parties on some of the key policy debates of our time , Wall Street reform , health care and national security , etc .?
( Castle ) The Constitution Party believes that the U . S . Constitution is the supreme law of the land in America . States can do what they want within the boundaries of the Bill of Rights , etc . but the federal government is limited .
( NACBA ) What is the take of the Constitution Party on such thinks as student loan debt relief , more latitude for individuals faced with enormous financial pressures due to catastrophic medical bills ?
( Castle ) In my campaign , I took the position that student loans should be dischargeable in bankruptcy like any other unsecured debt and that all government guarantees of loans should be halted . That would bring education costs in line with reality very quickly .
( NACBA ) What was the process that led you to decide to run for President of the United States ? How did that come about ?
( Castle ) My party nominates its candidates for President by national convention . Our convention was held in April and I was nominated from the floor . There were eight candidates and I won on the first ballot . Many people in the Party obviously thought that I would be the best candidate and I agreed to accept the nomination and do my best .
( NACBA ) Did you talk on campaign trail about your experiences as a
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys Winter 2016 CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY JOURNAL 23