AJC article 9

My name is Doug Heckman, and I need your vote.

Last week I wrote about our country’s need for a comprehensive National Energy Plan. Such a plan will provide an essential avenue for economic growth, promote energy independence, lessen our impact on the environment, and lessen our contributions to global warming. John Linder still believes humans are not affecting global warming, and he still opposes all renewable energy programs. This week I want to discuss a promise my opponent once made to his constituents, a promise he has broken and continues to break every day.

Soon after Mr. Linder was elected to the US Congress in 1992, he made the following statement:

“Congress is overwhelmingly controlled by a small group of people who are insulated from political damage. If we had term limits, which I support, they wouldn’t have such a vested interest in staying there the rest of their life. They would start thinking about some of the things that they have passed that they are going to have to live under when they leave in 12 years.”

Later, Mr. Linder reiterated in USA Today, “I’ve pledged to come home after 12 years.” That was in 1993, fifteen years ago. I completely agree with his judgment that career politicians tend to make poorer public servants the longer they remain in office. Nothing about that truth has changed– except that today, it is no longer politically expedient for Mr. Linder to support term limits.

John Linder exemplifies our dysfunctional Congress: he makes too many empty promises and he is out of touch with voters in his district. This November, you can help Mr. Linder keep his promise by finally voting him out of office. I respectfully ask that you consider this option. We need new people with new ideas circulating into Washington or we will continue to get the poor results we have seen over the past few years.

I hope you will visit my website (www.DougHeckman.com), learn more about me, and contact me with your ideas and concerns (Doug@DougHeckman.com).