I’m very excited about the opportunity to be part of the panel discussion entitled "Lessons from a Blue State: Progressive Politics in a Democratic State," and hope you’ll be able to attend. I’d also like to take a moment to introduce myself to the DailyKos community and to those of you attending YearlyKos here in Chicago. Currently, I’m the Alderman of the First Ward in Chicago and a candidate for the 4th Illinois Congressional seat being vacated by the retiring Representative Luis Gutierrez.
The First Ward is one of the most economically and ethnically diverse wards in the city. Some of the fastest growing and appreciating neighborhoods in the city, if not the nation, are contained within the boundries of the First Ward. Because of this I’ve often had to work with competing interests and find solutions that go beyond simple compromise. This, I believe, is one of the hallmarks of being a progressive. To see an issue and how it may be interconnected with other issues, and finding a resolution that can address each of them in a constructive manner.
As an example, one of my concerns is the decline of household incomes during the Bush administration and the impact it has had on families trying to save for their children’s education, on healthcare, and on the family unit itself. We also know that our country’s dependency for foreign oil poses a direct threat to our national security. The interconnectivity of these two issues led me to work for the creation of the Green Exchange. The Green Exchange will be a 250,000 SF adaptive re-use building that will provide space for green businesses and the blossoming "green collar" industries. By becoming more energy efficient we decrease our demand for foreign sources of energy, provide greater stewardship of our environment, and jobs are created not just in developing the new technologies, but also manufacturing the products and retro-fitting existing buildings and equipment with these new energy saving technologies. Two different issues – one interconnected solution.
I find the passion exhibited by the DailyKos diarists a great inspiration and a source of hope for the re-emerging progressive movement in this country. I hope you’ll take a moment to attend the panel discussion I am a part of. I also invite you to visit my campaign website at www.FloresforUS.com to learn more about my campaign. Thanks! See you in August.