Election 2010: Who to choose?

Democrat: Tom Perriello

Congressman Tom Perriello represents Virginia’s Fifth District as a true man of courage, valor, and integrity. Before becoming involved in politics, Perriello served as a national security consultant, working in Afghanistan, Darfur, Kosovo and Liberia with child soldiers, amputees and local pro-democracy groups. He also founded many nonprofit organizations aimed at bringing together faith communities. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University.

When Perriello was first elected to Congress in 2008, he started helping Americans right away. He co-authored the American Opportunity Tax Credit. This bill created a tax credit of $2,500 for the cost of college tuition and related expenses. Tom has also supported the largest middle-class tax cut in American history — 98 percent of working families in the district got a tax cut while he has been in office and taxes in the 5 District are also at their lowest levels since the 1950s. He also secured federal funding to support manufacturing in Central and Southern Virginia, including infrastructure upgrades in industrial parks and educational programs.

While Perriello has done much to help Virginia in a short time, this article would not be complete without addressing two of Perriello’s controversial votes. Perriello voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and also voted for the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The Recovery Act of 2009 brought over $350 million in public-private investments to the district and $35 million to bring broadband internet to areas with no high speed Internet, including 120 schools in the district.

While some people may say that Perriello is “out of touch” with the people of his district by making these two votes — that is simply not the case. The fact of the matter is that our country was on the brink of going into a huge economic depression, one that if not for the Recovery Act could have possibly led to a situation much worse than the current economy. It is also worth noting that the Recovery Act was supported by both Republicans and Democrats.

Regarding Perriello’s vote for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — he made a very courageous vote. While he could have taken the easy way out and voted after taking an opinion poll to see which way the wind was blowing for his re-election chances,  like so many politicians today do — he didn’t. He didn’t do it because after weighing all the facts he knew in his heart that voting for it was the right thing to do, not just for Virginians but for Americans everywhere.

To be clear, this article is not an endorsement of Congressman Perriello but is only a personal opinion regarding the upcoming elections. Perriello has demonstrated and proven that he has the conviction and the heart to do the right thing no matter what that may cost him. One can only wonder what Washington, D.C. would be like if we had more people like Congressman Perriello that stay true to their convictions and stand up for what they believe in always.

Republican: Robert Hurt

The Fifth Congressional District of Virginia needs a change. A real one this time.  Current Congressman Tom Perriello’s (D) liberal agenda has truly squelched the voice of the Fifth Congressional District.  Tom Perriello voted for three items that have helped damage our economy the most: Obamacare, trillion dollar stimulus and Cap and Trade.  Obamacare has famously brought nothing but higher prices, fewer options and minimum coverage exemptions for corporations big enough to buy them.

The effects on small businesses and individuals will soon start to pour down and decimate the economy of the 5th District. The Democrats trillion dollar stimulus bill has had zero positives for Americans, but it has increased the national debt, leaving a crippling legacy for the next generation.  Cap-and-Trade is widely regarded as a massive energy tax that will increase the electric rates paid by every Virginian. This will ensue massive cost increases for businesses in the 5th district and across Virginia. Perriello is out of touch with the people he represents, and his constituents deserve a representative who fights for them, not the liberal and elitist policies of Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi whom he supported 97% of the time.

It is no secret that Robert Hurt supports increasing jobs and is in favor of repealing ObamaCare.  He knows that excessive government regulation is the natural enemy of small businesses.  He believes, as Ronald Reagan did, that when run by liberals our government has three rules for dealing with business: “If it moves, tax it.  If it keeps moving, regulate it.  If it stops moving, subsidize it.”  Hurt believes that Virginia can do quite well by itself without the federal government stepping in to limit the potential of Fifth District entrepreneurs. Hurt will cut government spending and increase opportunities for small businesses.

Robert Hurt is also a defender of the social values that made this country great. He is well-known for his pro-life stance and believes that marriage between one man and one woman is the base on which civil society rests. Robert Hurt is the prime example of the type of politician that this country needs to get back to the founding principles and the values that Americans hold dear.

On November 2, Virginia’s in the Fifth District need to ask themselves if they want to continue with tax increases, and increased government regulations or do they want to vote for jobs, lower taxes and individual liberties. If Virginians want the latter option, vote for Robert Hurt for U.S Congress, it’s that simple.