From here, it looks like a long, winding road from Big Sandy to Washington, D.C. We've got quite a ways to go, but there are many unique places and remarkable people to see along the way. I've already started traveling across Montana, from the mountains to the plains, to talk with everyday folks from all walks of life about our shared values and vision for Montana and America.
You probably won't be too surprised about something I've been hearing:
It turns out that I'm not the only person in this state who thinks things could be going better for us in our nation's capital.
The fact of the matter is that politicians in Washington, D.C., aren't focusing on the right issues. Some of them want to privatize Social Security while most Americans face skyrocketing health insurance premiums. But when they finally do try to tackle an important issue, like rising gas prices, they do it by giving a break to some of America's wealthiest corporations at taxpayer expense. Our representatives should focus on issues that matter - like affordable health care for families, jobs, education and our economic and retirement security.
I'm running for U.S. Senate because I think before our government signs off on a bankruptcy bill that gives creditors the green light to go after working families, the government should fix its own financial house of cards. I think its about time to remind people in Washington, D.C., about what people out here in the rest of the country are worried about. These kitchen-table issues matter. And Conrad Burns and the current administration aren't getting the job done for Montana families.
For the past seven years, I've served in the Montana Legislature in both the minority and as the President of the Senate. We've accomplished a lot since winning back the Senate in 2004, from strengthening Montana's privacy laws to increasing funding for education, making health care more affordable and accessible and producing some serious plans for rural economic development.
I'll bring my experience as a citizen legislator and the beliefs we share as Montanans to the U.S. Senate. My first duty will be to represent the people I meet each and every day on the road to Washington.
It's going to be a long - and fun - trip. I hope you'll join me by visiting TesterTime.com and joining the campaign.
[Note: This entry was written by Jon but posted by campaign staff, and cross-posted at the campaign weblog, TesterTime.com. We'll be checking the thread for your comments, but please understand that we're busy in Missoula today with the Pearl Jam concert, and might not have a chance to respond until tomorrow. Thanks!]