I am launching my campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Representative in the 13th. Congressional District of Texas. I can't believe with approval ratings for Congress running at an historic low, that people will vote for the status quo and "more of the same old thing". It's time for a change!
The theme of my campaign is "Your Voice Matters". I hope to focus attention on the plight of those who are living paycheck-to-paycheck whose needs are being ignored by our current Congressman, who seems to consistently vote for the interests of the wealthy few and big corporations who fund his campaigns, while ignoring the majority of his constituents.
With public opinion running strongly in favor of withdrawing our troops from
Iraq,
Mac Thornberry has continued to support "the surge". With thousands of our college students strapped with loan debt,
Mac Thornberry voted against the Student Loan Bill. And with thousands more of our citizens unable to afford health insurance for their children,
Mac Thornberry voted against the SCHIP Bill, thus denying health insurance to an additional 200,000 Texas children who would have been covered by the Bill.
Despite hundreds of phone calls and letters to his office pleading with him to support legislation that would give relief to his constituents, by his votes in Congress,
Mac Thornberry has said 'Your Voice Doesn't Matter to me.'
Well, my message to the majority of people in the 13th Congressional District is "Your Voice Matters!" In Congress, I will be a "peoples' advocate", rather than a voice for corporate special interests and the wealthy few.
Iraq, Health Care, Clean Renewable Energy, Fair Trade and Securing our Borders will be the issues of this campaign, as well as making the Social Security System and Medicare Program solvent.
The focus of my campaign will be: 1. An end to the war in Iraq and the Billions of dollars we are wasting on this un-winnable religious civil war with no military solution.
2. A program of providing affordable health insurance to the 47 million Americans who face financial disaster and/or death without health insurance. 3. A program to develop renewable sources of clean energy in order to stem the threat from global warming, while creating new "green" jobs to improve our economy. 4. Prorgams to improve Public Education without forcing our school systems and teachers to just "teach the test". and, 5. Campaign Finance Reform to end the un-due influence on Congress by Corporate Special Interests and the wealthy few.
My campaign will forcus on issues that contribute to the "Common Good" and that reflect the best interests, dreams and aspirations of the "Little Guy".
While the rich are getting richer and the middle class is shrinking, those at the bottom are in danger of losing our social safety net. Our Congressman, Mac Thornberry, has voted for tax cuts for the wealthy, continued barrowing to fund an un-winnable religious civil war in Iraq, and against programs to assist our most vulnerabe citizens. He has done this despite clear public opinion to the contrary, while ignoring the needs of his constituents.
Thornberry has voted to restrict our civil rights by his votes against renewal of the Voting Rights Act, and for the Patriot Act which denies our right of Habeus Corpus.
He has repeatedly used his position as a member of the minority party in the House of Representatives as a vehicle to obstruct progress and to thwart the will of the public.
After seven un-remarkable terms in office, its time we un-seat Mac Thornberry and replace him with someone who will listen to his constituents and who will tackle the diffucult questions we face as a nation, while showing sensitivity to the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.
If elected, I will fight to keep our promises to our veterans, work tirelessly for our senior citizens, support our children's need for improved educational opportunities, and take the lead in developing our North Texas resources for clean, renewable energy.
During this campaign, I will refuse financial support from Corporate PAC's, which means I must depend upon the financial support of individuals, labor groups, and advocacy groups who are in agreement with my progressive political stands.
As we come to the end of this disasterous eight-year reign of the Bush Administration, let us send a Representative to Congress who will fight to clean up the mess he and his rubber-stamp Congressmen have created.
Let us renew the fight for economic and social justice that has made America the greatest country in the world, while we re-kindle the light of moral leadership that will draw the admiration, respect and support of all those who love freedom around the world.
Roger Waun
To understand the true costs of America's continued presence in the Iraq War, please take the time to watch the video at the following link:
