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September 20, 2007

A call to the average Massachusetts citizen

We must do better with our national politics, and it is up to each one of us to do his part to improve things.

Do we want the best politics that money can buy, or do we want the best policies in the interest of the common man?

If it's money, leave the job to the lobbyists, they have plenty. If it is for our interests, we must work for it.

Are we satisfied with listening to sound bites to get our information, or do we have the perseverance to dig deeply and evaluate the policies the candidates are promoting? If it is only sound bites, stop reading here. If it is substance you seek, then search it out.

I have been pleasantly surprised with the wise policies and depth of conviction of Independent congressional candidate Patrick Murphy. You can find much more on his Web site, but I will try to summarize how I interpret a few key items from his proposals.

In improving education, we must consider the total environment of learning -- educators, classrooms, health and family support. Federal government support would be best applied in early childhood.
He recognizes the perils of the proposals to "save" Social Security, and how the current funding for it most harshly affects low- and middle-income workers, and he proposes a solution that remedies these ills.

He has a well-thought-out approach to restructuring the health-care system to incrementally provide universal coverage, while achieving the cost savings through a well-managed single-payer system.

In reference to the most critical issue facing our nation, he postulates that the ultimate solution to the problem must come from within Iraq, and he defines a wise strategy to accomplish that -- neither "cut and run" nor "stay the course." He also calls for a "shared sacrifice," wherein all citizens must share the responsibility for the solution, and in doing so, force Congress to assert its constitutional responsibility with regard to this, or any future wars.

I encourage everyone to take a serious look at this unique candidate. Then do your part to spread his message, and the average citizens of the 5th District might just start a needed revolution of the politics of this country.

JOSEPH SMITH

Lowell

Posted by Admin at September 20, 2007 12:36 PM