• Why Run? • Veterans Affairs • The Economy • Tax Fairness • Health Care • Financial Reform • Immigration • Women’s Rights •
WHY AM I RUNNING FOR SUCH A SHORT TERM?
was in disbelief when I heard that Thaddeus McCotter resigned from office and abandoned the citizens of the 11th District without representation in Washington. He broke a sacred trust. There is very important legislation that will be dealt with in the next few months, particularly in the lame duck session of Congress where crucial legislation is often settled yet he chose to walk away.
To make matters worse the state of Michigan will now have to spend nearly a million dollars, dollars that could have been used for our police or firefighters or schools or state services or so many other sources desperate for the necessary monies to provide Michigan’s taxpayers services they deserve and expect.
Every day that I go to work I sit across the table from those that usually have philosophical differences than I do, yet I’ve had the ability to work through those issues and come to literally thousands of resolutions that met both parties’ needs. That is the art of negotiations and that is how government used to work, and is supposed to work. In today’s political world there is no middle ground, there is no hard work to share facts and opinions to seek an agreement that meets the needs of all concerned. Washington is in gridlock and the public suffers on nearly every issue. It’s no longer what’s best for the country, it’s now what’s best for the politician or party.
I have worked in or around the political arena my entire adult life, working for issues that directly impact the people I have represented for the last 39 years. I couldn’t just sit back and allow the party that McCotter belongs to, the party that has only served as obstructionist, to have a free ride to his vacant seat to just give the residents of the 11th District more of the same. I believe I can make a difference.
The last session of the 112th Congress will act on numerous important issues including jobs, health care, medicare and Social Security issues. The lame duck session of Congress is usually a productive session because those leaving Congress often vote their conscious rather than along party or personal political lines. As John Dingell said to me, “Every vote in Congress is an important vote because that vote may directly impact many Americans for the rest of their lives”. I believe the votes that I will cast are important and will positively affect the citizens of the 11th District.
• Why Run? • Veterans Affairs • The Economy • Tax Fairness • Health Care • Financial Reform • Immigration • Women’s Rights •
