Introducing Andrew Gall: Democratic Challenger to Steny Hoyer

by: AndrewforCongress

Fri Sep 03, 2010 at 16:15

My singular professional goal is to create as much positive change as possible. This goal is what led me to join AmeriCorps and work to make the lives of impoverished Americans a little bit better. This goal is what led me to work on President Obama's campaign staff. This goal is what led me to pursue my Master's in Public Policy. And this goal is what leads me to run for Congress today.

I see a number of significant challenges looming on the horizon that will take true leadership- the leadership of people more concerned with making America's future brighter than poll numbers or re-election. Standard politicians who rise through the ranks in standard ways turn into standard, hypocritical, spineless, poll following politicians. I certainly have my faults and my deficits, but being a standard politician is not one of them.

These challenges we face as a nation are epitomized by the need to transform our energy sector. In this time of high unemployment, we most importantly need a green energy economy to create the jobs of today and tomorrow. However, the need for a green energy economy goes well beyond employment; in fact, it goes well beyond the vast environmental necessities. A green economy goes to our fundamental economic and national security needs (more on this in a later blog posting). We can change our reliance on foreign oil, and we can do it in a way that keeps more dollars at home, creates more jobs, and protects our single greatest asset- our ecosystem.

We also face a tremendous challenge in reinvigorating our education system. America pioneered public education, and it is a travesty that we now are in a position of looking up at much of the industrialized world. We need politicians who not only pay lip-service to education, but who will truly dedicate their time and effort towards improving the system because an investment in our country's children is an investment in our nation's future. Moreover, while improving the education system is the foundation to leveling the playing field and offering an opportunity to climb out of poverty, we also need to look at the larger community in which students are falling behind and how to revitalize these communities. This means investing in non-profits, alternative learning programs, and youth employment opportunities that help spark curiosity, confidence, and hope for a brighter future; because without hope, there is no desire for learning.

Another challenge that is looming increasingly large on the horizon is our national debt. Deficit reduction must be prioritized, and this means being unafraid of speaking truth to power (e.g., voters). This means saying yes we need to raise more revenue and yes we need to cut spending- including in the big three entitlement programs that are quickly driving our fiscal balance the way of Greece. I know that most politicians will say that you can never say such things to voters- you can never be so forthright, but I firmly believe that, if you treat voters with the respect they deserve they will reciprocate such respect at the voting booth.

However, to effectively accomplish any of these objectives (or any other for that matter), we first have to address the role of money in politics. It is the reform that makes all other reforms possible. The quid pro quo politics of privately funded elections skews our free market system toward wealthy entrenched interests, limits the opportunities for regular working people to hold elected office, and costs American taxpayers billions of dollars through paybacks to corporate donors via subsidies, no-bid contracts, pork, regulatory loopholes, and tax breaks. To get politicians to serve the public interest, we need public financing of elections.

I have a firm belief in the possibility for a brighter future, but we need government to work with this nation's great people instead of working against us. We need politicians with the backbone to stand up to special interests and politics of the moment to fight for our nation's long term prosperity. If the voters of Maryland give me the tremendous opportunity to serve and fight for you, I will do everything in my power to limit the influence of special interests, return power to the people, and ensure every child- no matter the circumstance they are born into- has as close to an equal opportunity to succeed in life as possible.

www.andrewforcongress.org

Would YOU step up to help a progressive challenger to Specter?

by: AdamGreen

Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 20:29

On the very day Arlen Specter became a Democrat, he lamented that not enough right-wing Bush judges got confirmed, he opposed workers' right to organize, and he compared himself to Joe Lieberman. The DSCC and Pennsylvania Democratic Party will be supporting Specter in the primary.

If there is a potential progressive challenger to Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania, they are probably scratching their head right now asking, "Would I have any chance at all if I ran, or is the fix in?"

What can progressives to do create an environment where this person feels they can run?

Legally, we can't put money in a pot for a fictional candidate. But we can pledge now that if a real progressive steps up, we'll get their back.

So, here's a little experiment. I just created a Facebook fan page (like a Facebook group) called "I support a real progressive against Arlen Specter."

People who join are pledging to give at least $25 to a credible progressive challenger who steps up. It'll either succeed or flop -- and that will solely be determined by whether the energy is there for people to join and pass it along to their friends. 

If enough folks join, media will probably pay attention -- but more important, a progressive challenger would be paying attention. If not many people join...same thing. The destiny of a "challenge Specter" movement is in your hands. And the window to make this idea credible is likely short.

So, what say you? Click here or on the image above if you want to join.

(Not on Facebook? You can sign up to support a progressive challenger here.)

Let's see what happens...