Democratic News ColumnNews Column
2004-09
Week of June 21, 2004
Congressional Candidate Addresses Democrats
CANTON--More than 40 Democrats from throughout Van Zandt County
gathered for the regular monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of Van Zandt
County last Tuesday.
Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett delivered the invocation. Tax
Assessor/Collector Vicki L. Looney led the group in the pledge to the United
States flag, and Albert H. Willingham, candidate for Precinct 1 Commissioner,
offered the benediction at the close of the meeting.
County Chairman Vince Leibowitz (D-Canton)d the meeting
with a welcoming address. Leibowitz addressed the inroads the party continues
to make at the national, state and county level and addressed the state of the
nation and state under Republican domination.
"In the 1980s, a common campaign slogan was that it was
"morning in America," again. Right now, with record unemployment, a sour
economy, and corporate corruption at all time highs, it is no longer, "morning
in America." The sun seems to be setting, and we're in difficult times. As
Democrats, we need to restore trust in our national institutions and once
again make it "morning in America." We can do that by electing candidates to
all offices who have the people's best interests at heart and are willing to
serve the people and not special interests," he said.
Bill Bernstein, candidate for Congress for the Fifth District,
was the keynote speaker for the meeting.
Bernstein addressed a number of issues and discussed how his
opponent, Congressman Jeb Hensarling, was voting in Congress.
"He claims to want to have a balanced budget and sponsors
legislation to that effect, but he's voted for budgets with huge deficits,"
Bernstein said.
Bernstein also noted that Hensarling has cast votes that were
very harmful to Texas teachers including his votes relating to public school
teachers and Social Security spousal death benefits. He noted that the "No
Child Left Behind" act was more along the lines of the "no school left
standing act," and that it hasn't provided much relief to CD5 educators or
schools.
He noted that his opponent was nothing more than a "lap dog"
for controversial House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Sugar Land), and that his
votes were cast not in the best interest of the citizens of CD 5, but rather
in the best interests of his party's agenda.
"When I am your congressman, I will cast votes that reflect the East Texas
values of this District," he noted to thunderous applause.
The party also voted to sell watermelon slices during the July 4 Celebration
in Canton on Saturday, July 3 as part of the party's booth on the square. All
candidates will also be taking part in the parade and other activities that
day.
The General Party Meetings of the Democratic Party of Van Zandt County are
held the third Tuesday of each month in the Community Room of the American
National Bank of Canton at 7 p.m. All people with a strong desire to elect
candidates who truly represent the values of East Texas and Van Zandt County
are invited to attend the meetings. The Democratic Party is the oldest
political party in the nation and has led the fight in Texas and the United
States for better public education, a fair tax system, and living wages for
all American workers.
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Van Zandt
County Democratic Party