Charlie Wilson offers no new solutions

[irishbobcat]

Charlie Wilson offers no new solutions

October 26, 2008

In a recent article regarding the race for the 6th Congressional District, Incumbent Charlie Wilson continues to offer no new solutions to issues facing the district.
Is this the type of leadership we want and need in Washington? Read the article and tell me what solutions Charlie Wilson will bring to the 6th District? Then ask yourself what solutions Dennis Spisak will bring to the district? Charlie Wilson is not worthy of re-election to Congress this year. Dennis Spisak is worthy of representing the 6th district in 2009.



Wilson challenged by Spisak, Stobbs
By PAUL GIANNAMORE, Business editor- Steubenville Herald Star
Voters will choose among three candidates for the 6th House District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives Nov. 4. Incumbent Democrat Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville faces a challenge from Republican Richard "Dick" Stobbs of Dillonvale and Green Party candidate Dennis Spisak of Struthers.
The candidates responded to an e-mail questionnaire.
Experience
Wilson, 65, was elected to his first term in Congress in 2006. Prior to that, he was a state senator from 2004-06 and a state representative from 1996 to 2004, serving as minority whip in 1998 to 2000 and assistant minority leader from 2000-02. He was president of Wilson Funeral and Furniture Co. Inc. from 1966 to 2006 and served as a welder, painter and assembly line worker from 1961-65.
Stobbs, 62, is a past Belmont County sheriff and served 13 years in federal government, including three years with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington as a criminal justice specialist. He also cited a lifetime of public service including service as a volunteer firefighter and member of emergency squads, and various civic and community activities. He earned the Bronze Star for service with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam.
Spisak, 49, was one of the first Green Party members elected in Ohio to the Struthers board of education in 2005. He has served as principal of Southern Local High School in Columbiana County among his 23 years of experience as an educator.
Why cast a vote
for you?
Spisak: "I am not afraid to call for health care for all Ohioans, economic justice and nothing less than a renewal of America's sense of community and promise of equal opportunity for all citizens."
Spisak said the area's representative must address "the issues facing regular citizens, not lobbyists or corporation PACs."
Stobbs: "I believe my record of service and honesty, along with my desire to 'change business as usual in Washington' makes me the best suited to represent the 6th Congressional District."
Wilson: "My goal is to always do whatever I can to stand up for working families. To that end, the focus of my first term in Congress has been the economy, energy and health care."
Wilson pointed to his vote in favor of the first minimum wage increase in more than a decade, as well as hard work to be sure the nation's energy plan includes "our area's most vital resource - coal."
Wilson said he will continue to fight for common sense health care policies including support for children's insurance, despite two vetoes by President Bush.
What is the most pressing need for the district, and what can you do to see that this need is met?
Stobbs: "I propose initiating a Jobs Action Team, composed of members from chambers of commerce, industry, agriculture, labor organizations, clergy, local government officials and interest citizens. As U.S. representative, I would seek out CEOs and corporate executives to visit the district, meet with the Jobs Action Team, encouraging them to locate in the 6th District."
Wilson: "The best service I can provide as a member of Congress is to help foster an economic environment that will lead to business expansion and job creation. Our current economic crisis has come home to roost on Main streets all across the Ohio Valley, and I am proud that I stood up to do something about it."
Spisak: "Democrats and Republicans legislate for corporations. I would legislate for the American citizen. The Democrats and Republicans got $120 million from CEOs and corporations last year. Incumbent Congressman Charlie Wilson got over $450,000 from lobbyists and corporate PACs last year. Who does Charlie Wilson truly represent in Washington? The time has come for a candidate that cares less about corporations and more about you. I am that candidate that is concerned about regular Americans and will make this country a better legacy for our children."
Spisak said he will not accept lobbyist or corporate PAC money if elected.
Wilson has spoken often about making the Ohio Valley the new energy corridor for future employment and to serve the nation. The three men presented their responses to that concept.
Wilson: "Alternative energy is not only a challenge, it's an incredible opportunity for our region. I work every day to make sure that the rest of the country understands that we have two resources in abundance: A dedicated work force and coal that can be cleanly used. I firmly believe these resources are key to creating an energy corridor along the Ohio River."
Wilson said an energy corridor would not only provide jobs and boost the local economy but also would provide "domestically produced energy to a country eager to wean itself off foreign energy."
Stobbs: "I do not agree with the 'energy corridor' concept, that is just a 'political buzz word' to distract voters from the incumbent's non-action as a legislator for the past 12 years. That approach is too narrow-focused and seems designed to take credit for the two significant energy projects currently under development in the southern part of the district."
Stobbs said steel and transportation, as well as agriculture, all present potential for the district.
"The future depends on the leadership of community and government leaders marketing the skills and resources of the district to bring in new business and industry to revitalize the district," he said.
Spisak: "I believe our area can become an energy corridor except I disagree with the way Mr. Wilson wants to do it."
Spisak accused Wilson of being paid $18,000 by the coal industry to support the plant.
"Burning coal-to-liquid fuel is arguably the dirtiest, most expensive energy gamble we could take. The truth is that liquid coal is plagued with economic and environmental downsides from the time the coal is mined until long after the liquid is removed from the coal," he said.
Spisak said nearly twice the global warming emissions are emitted by liquid coal than by gasoline and huge inputs of energy are required to make coal into a synthetic fuel.
He also said replacing just 10 percent of the nation's transportation fuels with liquid coal would require a 40 percent increase in coal mining, which would jeopardize long-term prospects for coal including its use as a major electricity source.
"I believe in building an energy corridor based upon renewable energy companies and manufacturers who will build and produce green jobs such as solar and wind component plants. Blue-collar jobs - to put our people back to work," he said.
Spisak described the New Apollo program (put together by the Apollo Alliance, a group of business, labor, environmental and community groups) which calls for a $500 billion over 10 years with the potential to create more than 5 million green energy jobs.
"It will accelerate the development of the nation's vast clean energy resources and move us toward energy security, climate stability and economic prosperity," Spisak said. "And it will transform America into the global leader of the new green economy."
(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

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Spisak for Congress
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Struthers, Ohio 44471

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