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RESTORING FAITH AND BALANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS |
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Written by Scott Brown
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Friday, 15 January 2010 |
I didn't grow up with all the advantages in life. My mom was on welfare for
a time, but I had the support of a loving family and good friends and
neighbors. I don't have all the advantages in this race either, and that's fine
by me.
Being the underdog has taught me to work harder, and to appreciate the
opportunities of our state and our country.
I'm running to represent Massachusetts
in the United States Senate because more of our people are unemployed today
than ever before. Public debt has reached $12 trillion and counting, and Washington
politicians want to borrow trillions more. Terrorists want to strike our
country again, and they will do so if we let down our guard. We have fighting
forces in two theaters of war, and those men and women need our support.
Like everyone else, I want to see more Americans with good health care
coverage. I like what we achieved in Massachusetts.
It's not perfect, but nearly everyone is now covered by a private insurance
policy - not a government policy. I hope other states follow our example.
But the healthcare bill under discussion in Washington
is not good. It will raise taxes and increase spending. If you are a senior on
Medicare, it will lead to a half trillion dollars in cuts to your care. Since
we are way ahead of the rest of the country with our own state reforms, we will
get nothing in return. My opponent, Martha Coakley, will vote yes on this bill.
I will insist we start over.
Failure should be admitted in Washington,
and not repeated. With last month's news that we lost another 85,000 jobs, and
with unemployment stuck in the double digits, it's time to admit that while the
$787 billion stimulus had the best of intentions, it failed to create one new
job. We shouldn't pass yet another stimulus that adds to the debt without
adding jobs.
My plan for the economy is simple: an across-the-board tax cut - in the
tradition of John F. Kennedy - for families and businesses that will increase
investment and lead to immediate new job growth. More tax increases will hurt
our recovery. That's why I have taken a no-new-tax pledge. My opponent will
raise taxes.
Amid all our domestic challenges, our nation is still at war with radical
Islamic terrorists determined to destroy our way of life. The Christmas bombing
attempt on a Northwest Airlines plane is a
wake-up call.
But instead of being interrogated by military professionals at Guantanamo,
the plane bomber has been given taxpayer-funded lawyers in a US
courtroom. Because he's been granted constitutional rights, he's invoked his
privilege to remain silent. Would-be killers should be treated for what they
really are: enemies of a country at war, not ordinary criminals.
My opponent would accord such terrorists all the rights our Constitution
grants to citizens. I will treat them as enemy combatants who should face
military justice.
As this special election draws to a close, the enthusiasm from everyday
citizens has been remarkable. To those who have lost faith in their elected
leaders, I say: Don't lose heart. One-party dominance in our state has led to
bad decisions and a culture of corruption, but we can restore people's faith by
restoring balance to our political system.
They call me a long shot. But I'm betting that a new day is coming in Massachusetts.
I am running in the name of all independent-thinking citizens, whether they are
Democrats, Republicans, or unenrolled, to take on one-party rule, and the Beacon
Hill bosses, and their machine, and their candidate. With your
help, I intend to win.
Scott Brown's website, through which you can volunteer or donate
support, is brownforussenate.com. The special election is next Tuesday, January 19.
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