My name is Gretchen Clearwater. I am running for Congress to represent you, the people of Indiana’s glorious ninth district.
My campaign is about putting people first! It is about treating people fairly and justly: with dignity and respect.
After the horrendous loss of life at the Battle of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln spoke of the great task ahead for the nation and about those who perished in the war. He said,
"… we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."
I am running for Congress to return our government to its rightful owners: you, the people. It's time someone took down the for sale sign that's posted in front of the Capitol Building.
Your leaders in Congress should have courage and common sense, and should know the meaning of the word decency. Decency means to do unto others as you would have them do unto you! It means providing health care to everyone, especially to poor children. It means not going in and out and then back in the revolving door that leads to the lobbyists of K Street.
As many of you know, I ran for Congress in 2006. I did not make that decision lightly then, and I don't this time either. In 2006 I was, like you, deeply concerned, frustrated, and disgusted with the disastrous policies and incompetence of George Bush. I'm running again this time for many of the same reasons.
- The war in Iraq still rages, while the threat of war against Iran looms.
- We are trying to define the meaning of the word torture instead of seeking decency.
- 47 million Americans still have no health insurance, and record numbers of people are losing their homes due to unscrupulous lending institutions and outsourcing of jobs.
Little if anything has been accomplished since 2006! Instead, it has gotten worse, and it will continue to worsen if the wrong people are elected in 2008.
The Judicial and Executive branches of our government have been blurred. The system of checks and balances, that so long protected us from tyranny, barely exists now.
Congress has the power to stop the reckless spending on the unending war in Iraq, but yet it refuses to do so. Congress, and Congress alone, controls the purse strings. The war could and should have ended long ago, if only the people we elected had any courage.
Too many Democrats and Republicans alike in Congress are cowering in fear. They worry that if they do the right thing they will be labeled unpatriotic. They have allowed and continue to allow President Bush to get away with impeachable crimes. The war in Iraq weakens us militarily, financially and spiritually. It has aided and comforted our enemies more than any dissenter ever could. We have to leave this quagmire before it destroys us.
Our nation's vital interests are on the line. Mr. Bush will leave us in a very deep hole when he departs in 2008. We must repair the grave damage Bush has inflicted on our nation with his reckless foreign policy. We must repair the damage of his legacy of fear and incompetence. We must reestablish our reputation in the world as a strong, moral and civilized nation.
We could accomplish great things if we stopped wasting our resources on foreign misadventures, corrupt Iraqi politicians, larcenous contractors and war profiteers. Which would you rather have: a grandiose embassy in Iraq, or bridges you can cross safely? Would you prefer to continue paying contractors hundreds of thousands of dollars for doing what our soldiers do for a fraction of that cost, or would you prefer to treat our veterans with respect and proper medical care when they return with their injuries?
When elected to Congress I pledge to support:
- The complete, prompt and safe withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq.
- Civil liberties, civil rights, equality and justice for all
- Single payer universal health care
- Jobs for American workers that provide, at minimum, a living wage.
- Affordable, quality education for all
- Strong environmental protection and the use of renewable energy; curbing the greenhouse effects of ever more expensive oil and other fossil fuels
- Support for local businesses and family farmers.
- A stronger election process ensuring fair elections
My opponents will erect many roadblocks to keep me out of Washington. I face a well-known incumbent, with a proven track record for fundraising and winning elections. I will be going up against my own party’s state and national leadership. I will be dismissed as not viable. I will be derided for my inexperience. I will be accused of hurting the Democratic Party’s chances in the general election.
To those who say I am not viable, I believe my views are more in the mainstream of the Democratic Party than those of my opponent.
- Unlike my opponent, I would have voted for S-CHIP the first time.
- I would have supported higher fuel efficiency standards for cars.
- I would not have given financial institutions any help in bankruptcy proceedings when those same institutions continue to gouge us with their outrageous fees and interest rates.
- I would not have voted to authorize the war in Iraq, and you can count on me to oppose a war with Iran.
- I would not have voted to give the executive branch more power to violate your rights through warrantless wire-tapping.
Who is more viable?
To those who say I am inexperienced, I believe I have already shown far greater wisdom and more common sense than the experienced politicians, who foolishly trusted and continue to trust President Bush.
To those who fear that I will hurt the Democratic Party’s chances of winning in the November general election, I say that the failure of the Democratic leadership in Congress to confront President Bush has done far more damage to the party’s reputation and chances of winning than anything my presence on the ballot could ever do.
I invite you to go to my web site at www.ClearwaterForCongress.com to learn more about who I am and what I think about issues relevant to our district and to our nation. Unlike the politicians you are used to, I hide nothing. I want you to know me. And I hope to meet and get to know you. Unlike the politicians you are used to, I know you can handle the truth. I encourage you to learn more about my opponent – check his voting record. Go to Project Vote Smart.
To those of you who supported me in my last run for Congress, Thank you! To those of you who wanted to vote for me last time but were reluctant to do so, ask yourself: are you satisfied with the outcome of the election? I welcome you into my campaign. Together we can put America back on the right track!
Back in 2006, I said that I was not afraid of George Bush; I won’t be afraid of the next president either, whoever he or she might be. Send me to Washington D.C. I have courage. I have common sense and not only do I know the meaning of the word decency, I try to practice it daily and will put it to work when I vote on the floor in Congress.
My campaign is about putting people first! I offer you a genuine choice between the failed policies of the past and a progressive vision for the future that takes our country in a new direction! It is time that we return to “government of the people, by the people, and for the people!”
