Communication is more than just a Buzzword

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:34:27 EST

Communication is more than just a buzzword for me. I have repeatedly invited you- my neighbors in District 7- to go to my website, examine my positions, and email me with your ideas and concerns. If a Congressman forgets that his primary responsibility is to stand up for the beliefs of his constituents, then he is not doing his job.

My opponent, John Linder, disagrees with that statement. Last year, during a town hall meeting, Mr. Linder called upon one woman-a Democrat-who said: "I'm one of the people from the ‘other side' who I guess you don't represent, because you keep making fun of the way I think and some of our leaders think, and I think if you are going to have a town hall meeting, you need to recognize the fact that you do represent all of us. You're calling us zealots, you're calling us crazy people, and I happen to know I am not crazy."

After she finished, Mr. Linder replied: "You can vote against me if you want to vote against me. I don't come here to reflect your views or anyone else's views. I reflect my own views."

Does that sound like something a public servant should say?

Mr. Linder's actions speak as loudly as his words. His only major project other than the Fair Tax has been promoting a national Water Policy, so you may expect that he would have participated in the Lake Lanier Association's Political Forum three weeks ago. Twenty-two candidates from around the state attended, and many more submitted written positions- but Mr. Linder did neither. This suggests his Water Policy may be more a political stunt than a sincere endeavor.

Recently, the AJC teamed up with the League of Women Voters to assemble a Georgia Voter's Guide. This Guide was published two weeks ago, and it is truly a thoughtful public service. Candidates from all over the state participated, but once again, your Congressman did not. This failure reflects the rule, not the exception, with Mr. Linder: he has repeatedly failed to answer the most broad-based, nonpartisan surveys designed to help voters learn about candidates. You have a choice to make in November. Ask yourself why- as he said explicitly in public- your Congressman thinks he does not need to represent anyone's views but his own. I think a Congressman should try to represent all his constituents, and that is one reason I am running. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you in the coming weeks.

Doug Heckman is candidate for U.S. Congress. I am asking for your vote to send me to the United States Congress. To find out more why you should vote for me, please visit www.dougheckman.com.

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Communication is more than just a Buzzword