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James Ogonowski, R-Dracut, left, is running for Congress in the 5th District, which includes Lancaster.
Letter from Ogonowski: No more ‘gotcha’
By James Ogonowski/Congressional Candidate
Thu Aug 09, 2007, 12:03 PM EDT
Lancaster -The following is part of a series of letters to 5th District voters from the candidates in the Sept. 4 primary election. Letters from all five Democrats, and both Republicans, will be printed and posted on our Web site. For a full list, visit our Race for 5th Web page.
In Washington, what seems more important is playing political “gotcha games” with the big issues of the day — and both parties are guilty of it. In these standoffs, nobody wins and everybody loses. It’s time for a revolution of new ideas and thinking in Washington.
I’ve served my country for 28 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard. Now, I am ready to serve my country again in the United States House of Representatives.
When I go to Washington, I’ll work with people to turn the best ideas into good legislation that meets our nation’s interest. My priority will be what’s best for the Merrimack Valley and what’s best for the United States.
America faces many challenges. We need someone of character and courage. We need bold leaders who are not afraid to make tough choices.
I believe border security and true immigration reform does not include amnestyfor illegal immigrants. Leaving our borders unprotected threatens our national security and strains our schools and hospitals. We must first secure our borders, reaffirm our legal pathways to citizenship and penalize employers who break the law by hiring people who are here illegally.
I believe that both Republicans and Democrats in Washington have betrayed the public trust with their excessive spending. I will work to end wasteful government spending and pork barrel legislation. I’m devoted to restoring that public trust and will represent the public interest, not special interests.
Next, we need to fix the tax code. Our current tax system is unfair to working families. They work and work to get ahead, sometimes working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. The tax code needs to be overhauled and replaced with something that is fair, simple and equitable to give working families the break they deserve.
Congress must lead Americans down a more efficient path toward energy independence. The best way to lower energy and gas prices is to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. As a farmer, I say we must tap America’s energy and ingenuity by investing in research and development of alternative means of energy.
Many will tell you that this can’t be done. But I am used to facing challenges. As one of the organizers of the largest airlift in New Hampshire National Guard history, at a moment’s notice, I helped deploy 1,000 soldiers and airmen to provide relief during Hurricane Katrina.
I am not a partisan politician and will work with both Republicans and Democrats to get things done. We are patriots, we are Americans, we have faith in our future and love for our country. It’s that spirit that we need to renew: Patriotism before partisanship. People before politics.
It’s time to end the “business as usual” mentality in Congress. Thank you in advance for all your support. Together we will help make America a stronger and safer place for our families.
Please visit my Web site, JimOgonowski.com, and sign up to be a part of my campaign. On Sept. 4 and then again on Oct. 16, please vote to send Jim Ogonowski to Congress.
