The Harvard Press - Fifth Congressional District Race: Guest Commentaries

Statement

The Harvard Press - Fifth Congressional District Race: Guest Commentaries

Niki Tsongas: Time for a New Direction

On October 16, the eyes of America will be on us as we choose a new member of Congress from the Fifth Congressional District of Massachusetts. I believe we must send an unmistakable message to America and to the White House: it is time to change the direction of our country and it is long past time to change direction in Iraq.

Like most Americans, people in the Fifth District are frustrated and dissatisfied with the direction of our government, especially with the devastating war in Iraq. No longer can we afford to accept the failed policies of the Bush administration.

We cannot accept a policy of neglect that leaves 47 million Americans uninsured, including nine million children, and tens of millions more facing high health-care costs. We cannot accept a policy of denial on global warming that threatens the safety of future generations. We cannot accept a policy of irresponsibility when it comes to providing our young people with the tools to compete in a global economy.

In the Fifth Congressional District, voters have a clear and important choice. George Bush and my Republican opponent, Jim Ogonowski, both believe the Iraq war is heading in the right direction. According to their plan, 140,000 of our troops will remain in Iraq after the President's so-called drawdown—but this is actually a higher number than existed before the surge.

We need a new direction and a new strategy to bring our servicemen and -women home quickly, safely and responsibly. I believe the best way to do this is to set a fixed timetable, forcing the Iraqi government to take responsibility for its future and engaging the international community to help make political progress.

We also need change when it comes to providing affordable health care for all Americans. Recently, Congress passed a bill to provide health care for 10 million children, a bill the President vetoed. Whether or not the bill can survive the veto will come down to only a handful of votes on October 18, when the House of Representatives will vote on overriding the veto. This may well be the first vote cast by the Fifth District's newly elected representative. It would be my great honor to go to Washington and vote to override the President's veto of this important legislation.

Finally, I believe we must take action on global warming, protect our environment and invest in alternative sources of energy and new ideas. We also need to make quality education a building block of a vibrant economy. And, economic development and the creation of new jobs must be our focus here in the Fifth District.

I am running for Congress to bring change and help facilitate the solutions our country so desperately needs.

I hope you will consider joining me on October 16 in sending a clear message to the White House. To learn more, you can visit www.NikiTsongas.com.

Niki Tsongas is the Democratic candidate for the Fifth Congressional District seat.

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