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The candidacy of Marcy Winograd means more than just the possibility of electing a good progressive to congress. It means more than just electing a good person to Congress. Not that the breakdown of her person isn’t impressive, in and of itself – it is. She is instantly engaging, empathetic, charismatic, extremely smart, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the issues. Her candidacy and eventual election, with the corresponding ouster of Blue Dog Jane Harman, means not only the victory of people over corporations, but of reality over propaganda.
So many of the self-destructive actions taken by our government during the last ten years have not been done by Republicans alone. There have been certain Democrats willing to help push through whatever legislation would aid in filling their coffers, and Jane Harman is one of those Democrats. The Iraq War, the Bankruptcy Bill of 2005 and support for illegal wiretapping are a few of the events that we as a country will be paying for - for some time to come. Jane Harman’s support of then President Bush’s illegal wiretapping was the proverbial straw that prompted Ms Winograd into action. When questioned on what congress should do about the recent revelations concerning Bush’s bypassing of FISA laws, Ms Harman said we “need to make it legal.” That spurred Marcy Winograd to take on Jane Harman in the 2006 Democratic primary. The Constitution was damaged by actions like illegal wiretapping throughout the Bush administration, and the insulting talking points used to prop up public support of those dealings hurt more than just what is seen on the surface; they also served to further divide the country.
Marcy Winograd was an educator in 2003 and had the same access to information as any layperson. Yet she was able to see the folly of a war of choice with Iraq. Jane Harman was the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee and parroted talking points that she knew to be false. And people do better as a community when their elected officials tell them the truth on important issues. Ms Winograd would be an honest official. On all of the matters of significance, she is not afraid to stay on the side of reality and speak the truth. And when a community is told the truth by its leaders, the divisions in that community do not run as deep, and the atmosphere is much less toxic. Whether it is the environment, war and peace, labor, trade, health care or education, Marcy lays out plans that will benefit the country as a whole, not just the segment of the country that writes the talking points. Her honesty and commitment to reality - not only her stances on important issues - are major contributors to the strong dedication of her many backers. As San Pedro teacher, Rachel Bruhnke says, “Her commitment to an economy built on the bedrocks of peace and rational sustainability, makes her the champion we've all been waiting for.” It also makes Winograd’s election to congress significant to the country as a whole, and not just Southern California. If Marcy Winograd can win against the richest Democrat in congress - one who has the backing of the largest corporations - then other politicians who do the bidding of lobbyists rather than what is good for the country, can also be taken down by someone who has a commitment to reality, as well as to doing what’s right.
Filmmaker and actor, James Parris, is also dedicated to putting Marcy Winograd in congress. “ I volunteered for Marcy after hearing her first interview on the Mike Malloy radio show. She sounded like me - my beliefs about healthcare, green energy… I knew I had to help this woman. I don't have a ton of money, but I do have a set of skills that I am using on Marcy's behalf (as a volunteer filmmaker). I really don't want to go another term with Jane Harman as my representation in Washington,” Mr. Parris stated. That type of enthusiasm about the Winograd campaign is not uncommon. Jack Finley of San Pedro is a very devoted veteran’s activist who has put aside all other projects to work on Winograd’s campaign. “She is the only politician that I’m even aware of, that I would do this for,” said Mr. Finley.
The whole of the Winograd campaign is more than just the sum of its parts. While it does represent someone in congress that will fight for the middle class, for sane energy and health care policies, and someone who will fight to restore the Constitution, it also means more than that. It is proof that a change in direction is possible. After decades of a steady decline in the living standards of the middle class and a steady decline of journalistic standards during the same time period, many have given up hope and resigned themselves to the metaphorical notion that, “you can’t fight city hall.“ Marcy turns that metaphor on its head.
J. Mathieu
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