I love hard work. It's our promise in that great agreement that is the American Dream. But too often I feel like our politicians are coasting while we're trying to make ends meet. Remember when Jack Kingston complained after the 2006 election that the new Democrat controlled House was going to have a 5 day work week which would "make Congressional marriages suffer"?
I'm tired of Republicans (and Congress in general) appearing to be on vacation more often than President Bush. That's why watching Tom Perriello accept the Democratic nomination in the Virginia 5th was so exciting. I've found someone who is committed to working long hours to actually serve the people he represents!
This segment of Perriello's Democratic acceptance speech revealed to me that his promises are more than rhetoric, they are conviction and truth.
Unfortunately, the what Tom describes here is far too common in Southside Virginia. This area has been economically devastated over the last decade. There is 35% poverty rates in some of the counties here and 24% dropout rates in our local high schools. And despite having a veteran Congressman in Virgil Goode, the district is not getting the aid it needs, nor is developing businesses for the future, nor is it educating its young people appropriately.
Sadly this story from Nelson County is all too common. Congressman Goode has not done enough for people like this and he doesn't have the initiative or the ideas to turn the 5th around. Tom Perriello does.
How is Perriello working hard for his district? Well first he has started an amazing "tithing" campaign where he, his staff, and his volunteers donate 10% of their time to local charities instead of campaigning. aznew and teacherken have both written about it. This campaign really seems to be more than about just getting elected, it's about doing right in the District and in Washington for all of the people of the 5th.
As he says in the clip he will be unveiling an Economic Revival Plan in a couple of weeks, but already he has championed EnergySmart Policies using alternative fuels, supported increased funding for skills training and greater support for vocational education, and has promised to hold corporations and CEO's accountable for unscrupulous practices and shipping jobs overseas.
I don't actually want Perriello to work double shifts throughout his time in Congress. The human body requires rest and that kind of physical toll is not healthy. But it is also not healthy for the millions of Americans that are economically forced to work two or three jobs to support their families. The fact that Tom realizes this and is willing to stand with those in his district who face these hardships is the kind of leadership by example this district, this state, this country needs. What I want is someone who understands what average Americans deal with, not allies of Rep. Kingston who think that being elected warrants a 3 day workweek.
If you have some extra cash, show Perriello that you agree in his calls for economic justice and making Washington work as hard as we do.
Goode works hard on scapegoating. Tom will work hard getting things done for Virgina.