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Wait!
says Democrat. Race for Congress
is not over until the general election!
By Mike Berlon
Duluth
Special to GwinnettForum.com
SEPT. 6, 2002 - - I could be the best-kept secret in politics.
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Mike
Berlon |
For months, the media shone its spotlight on Bob Barr and John
Linder, as the two incumbent Congressmen waged a heated battle for
the new seat in Georgia's 7th district. Now that Linder has won
the Republican primary, some people may think that the election
is effectively over. But it is far from it.
I am the Democratic candidate who will face Linder in November.
I understand that the district is heavily Republican (which is why
some people have told me that running here as a Democrat is the
political equivalent of having a front row seat on HMS Titanic).
But my goal over the next few months is to get people to move past
political labels and listen to my position on the issues.
Recently I have had the opportunity to see how the political game
is played. I have watched Barr and Linder talk around issues, promote
individual agendas that have no relationship to the district and
attack each other personally and professionally. I have also listened
to Linder fail to give an opinion on issues that directly impact
the district, such as the Northern Arc. People deserve to know where
their Representative stands on all issues - from local to federal.
While the Republican primary was about style, I want the general
election to be about substance.
So why am I running for Congress? Because I think our government
can better serve the people of our district. I have watched our
seniors struggle with retirement benefits and prescription drug
costs. I have seen urban growth strangle our water supplies and
natural resources. I have seen patients wait for weeks or months
to get medical treatment and doctors leave the profession because
of the problems with managed health care.
I have seen some clients lose much of their life savings in 401(k)
investments and face the specter of returning to work full time
when they thought they were retired. I have seen our Representatives
become increasingly reactive, instead of being proactive in resolving
problems before they reach the crisis stage. In short, the time
has come to bring some common sense back to government.
The message behind our platform is simple. Government must work
for the people and serve their needs - not those of the politicians.
It must also be fiscally responsible, not spending more than it
makes, and should be accountable for its actions.
I am not interested in being a career politician. I am just someone
who wants to make a difference. Since September 11th, America has
been forever changed. Now more than ever it is important to recognize
the power and responsibility of your vote and to use it wisely.
I hope that you will challenge both John Linder and me on all of
the issues during the course of the campaign, insist on direct answers
and then make an informed decision on election day. The quality
of life and the future of this district depend on it.
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Number
2.44, Sept. 6, 2002
