I am supporting Chuck Fleischmann because he has earned our support. His representation of our district is honorable, principled, and necessary. Our Founding Fathers established a Constitutional Republic with the primary goal being individual liberty and freedom. The best way to ensure and maintain individual liberty is to limit the power of the federal government. Of course, now we are virtually upside down.
We need people who understand and will work to achieve limited government and Chuck Fleischmann understands this core principle.
While we’re on the subject of effective representation, it is my personal belief that our elected representatives should consider their job as a brief interlude and privilege - not a career.
Chuck Fleischmann’s opponent in the Republican primary is the son of a man who represented this district for a long time, longer than he promised.
Our former representative is a man who expressed his strong belief in term limits
and ran on the promise to serve no more than six terms. Why did he do this? Most people realize (or should) that career politicians are a major part of the problem we have in Washington. Career politicians get ensnared in a complicated web of money, outside influence, and a DC favor bank. "If you vote for my bill, I’ll vote for yours." Effective representation gets watered down. It’s a sad state of affairs.
What was our former representative’s solution to breaking his campaign promise? He decided to run for Governor. When he was not elected, he became a lobbyist. Now, his son is running to represent the Third Congressional District. His son has said that he does not believe in term limits. He sure as heck won’t make that mistake. After all, he’s 27.
Do you see a pattern here?
I’m sure they're nice guys, I just happen to believe that this scenario is a microcosm of the mess we have in our great country.
I’d hate to think our district would help enable this process to continue, because our representatives should serve and go home. They should not view their job as a career, or worse, a family affair.
Elected representatives in the local, state, and particularly, federal government - in my opinion - should not consider their position (as our servants) as a winning lottery ticket comprised of a fat salary, benefits, power and influence.
This is just a simple concept to think about when you vote.
Semper Fi,
Deborah Rhea
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Thank you for your service in the Marine Corps, but your condemnation of former Congressman Zach Wamp is disgraceful. First of all, he is not a lobbyist. Secondly, he is not on the ballot and finally, Chuck Fleischmann has told many people he would like to serve in Congress for the rest of his career. Hopefully, the voters will reject his totally negative and untruthful campaign tactics and send a strong young candidate to represent the Third District with respect, dignity and honor. That candidate is Weston Wamp.
Greg Butcher