My Response to Freedom's Heritage Forum Candidate Survey

I recently received a candidate survey from Freedom's Heritage Forum of Louisville, KY.

Like so many "surveys" from issues groups, the FHF survey was composed entirely of one-dimensional leading questions stemming from inflammatory wedge issues, used to cynically manipulate "values voters" into supporting the kind of right-wing agenda that works against their own economic interests and endangers the future of our Country.

I declined to complete and return the FHF survey, and because I think it's highly unlikely that my views will be shared in any unbiased way with those on the FHF mailing list, I'm blogging my reply to Mr. David Logsdon of FHF. Here is my response to FHF:

Attn: Mr. David Logsdon, Freedom's Heritage Forum February 14, 2010

Hello Mr. Logsdon,

Thank you for your interest in my campaign to bring better representation to Congress for Kentucky's 5th District, and for America.

I will not be participating your organization's candidate survey for the reasons stated below. However for the record I would like to make a few statements to you about where I stand, what I believe, and why I believe it.

My background is that of a teacher by education and training, a career military officer in two of the armed services, and a working person. I am acquainted first-hand with the military and economic issues we face today, and I stand for common-sense action to solve these real and pressing problems, not manipulation of the voters with wedge issues.

For the last thirty years, we have seen partisan political battles and distraction of the voters and cynical manipulation of issues pass for leadership in our region and our Nation. The results, I think, speak for themselves, but for anyone who hasn't noticed, our Nation is at its lowest ebb since the Great Depression and we are mired in two politically mismanaged and apparently endless wars that are grinding down our military, bankrupting our Country, and strengthening our enemies. And the economic well-being of our once-strong middle class and once-prosperous working people has been sacrificed for political power and enrichment of elites who care nothing for America.

I refuse to get bogged down in frankly useless wrangling over wedge issues that have been used to distract the voters, without any action to address the concerns that were used to inflame, divide, and polarize.

It's well worth pointing out--in case you hadn't noticed--that the so-called "conservatives" supported by your organization, and other organizations like yours, have bloated the size of government, run up huge national debt and budget deficits, involved us in endless wars, and brought us to the brink of another Depression, all the while refusing to take any real action on the issues you're so concerned with. And this inaction has occurred, most recently, when these so-called "conservatives" not only held power in both the White House and Congress, but were able to appoint a number of Federal Judges at all levels who openly held to their viewpoint.

Let me speak plainly: I stand for an immediate end to foreign wars and a drawdown of the military establishment, in order to provide the funds we need to help our our people and our own Nation. I stand for reversing the policies that have sent American jobs overseas. And I stand for establishing energy and economic policies that will serve our Nation's future, create jobs, and remove us from entanglement in Middle Eastern political conflicts.

I feel sure that FHF will not endorse a candidate with my frankly stated viewpoint in the Democratic Congressional Primary, and that you will again endorse Hal Rogers in the November General election. And that you will do this despite the fact that after 29 years of Hal Rogers in Congress, southeast Kentucky remains at rock bottom economically and in terms of the education, health, and well-being of its citizens.

You will endorse Hal Rogers because he has given lip-service to the wedge issues that concern you (though he and others like him have failed to bring about any of the changes you claim to desire), while I prefer to focus on the real problems that are destroying America.

It's really too bad that the voters who will receive your sample ballots and your voting guides won't hear what I have to say. I think your organization does a great disservice to our democracy and our electoral process by your process of filtering information and precluding an open, honest, and direct debate of the real and serious issues that are holding southeast Kentucky back and bankrupting our Country.

Sincerely,

Jim Holbert
Democratic Primary Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Kentucky 5th Congressional District
189 Clay Lucas Drive, London, KY 40744
Telephone: 606-682-9337
Website: www.holbertforcongress.com
Paid for and authorized by Jim Holbert for Congress Committee