Not on the sidelines anymore! - New Candidate for AZ CD 8

I am an avid DKos reader and respect the discourse on this site. I've come here to share my  news and ask for your help.

Since the 2000 election, I have been increasingly agitated, waiting for things in my America to improve - but I have waited in vain - things just go from bad to worse. As a life-long Democrat, active in party politics, I am deeply dedicated to creating a world where there is civility, opportunity, and trust in government as an agent for good. After volunteering tirelessly for decades in local and national campaigns, I said: "Enough already!"  As Paul Wellstone said "The future will not belong to those who stand on the sidelines."

I'm not on the sidelines any more! On Monday, I declared my candidacy for Congress in the 8th Congressional District of Arizona, which includes Tucson and Pima County.  People say that an incumbent can't be beaten, but I don't believe that.  With your advice and support, I hope to retire our Republican representative, Jim Kolbe.

I intend to post more extensively on the issues, here at dKos and on my website (http://www.francineshacterforcongress.com), about national issues and the issues important to us here at home in Arizona's 8th Congressional District.
Briefly, I believe the following:
We are a tragically divided nation, often at each others throats on issues where consensus could be achieved by people committed to solving problems rather than inflaming passions.  
1) We must eliminate the tyranny of the majority.  

I believe in a government which is of the people, by the people and for the people - all of the people - not just Republican people or rich people or religious people - but all of  the people. Since the Republicans have controlled the Presidency and the Congress, they have shown a flagrant disregard for the basic tenets of fairness, of comity which should exist between the parties. They have been willing to break their own rules to get their way. This is not democracy!

2) We must bring our brave women and men home from Iraq, alive.

Our troops are dying and being hideously injured in Iraq yet the President says we must stay the course - a course that was based on lies and deceptions, has killed more than 2,000 Americans and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis.  It is time to stop the lying, end the killing and bring our brave troops home.

3)  We must restore fiscal responsibility in the government.  We must not balance the budget on the backs of the poor. Tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans must be eliminated.

•  Recommed this diary!

  Way to go Francine!  You deserve kudos for putting it all on the line and tossing your hat in the ring.  

  I hope we at dKos can provide you the feedback and support you need to win.  

  Borrowing from Harry Reid...Give 'em hell Francine!

  by amiller920 on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 09:23:25 AM PDT

•  Not on the sidelines any more

  Thanks for the good wishes!!! I'll do my best!!!

  by skilfor on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 09:46:23 AM PDT

•  Kolbe is a contradiction in thought

  A Republican, yet gay. The standard bearer for Len Munsil in the Arizona legislature, yet subject of his ire.

  Kolbe has been a stain long enough.
  

  by becca00 on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 09:53:42 AM PDT

•  Not on the sidelines any more

  Kolbe may be a stain - but remember what someone said about Francine Shacter: If Francine is elected we won't be embarrassed by anything she does! I hope you'll support my candidacy!!

  by skilfor on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 10:33:51 AM PDT

•  What differentiates you

  from Jeff Latas who is already a Democrat running against Kolbe?

  by Newsie8200 on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 11:42:51 AM PDT

  •  I haven't heard of Latas.

    Who is he?  Superribbie has a diary outlining all the races for 2006 and originally listed AZ-08 as having no challengers for Kolbe.

    I've added Francine, but you might want to post a link to confirmation for Latas.

    Diary is here.

    by rigger on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 10:19:11 PM PDT

•  Aloha, Francine, from here in the Further South.

  This is excellent news.  Best wishes for success in your run.

  by blogpotato on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 12:08:42 PM PDT

•  Good luck

  Diaries scrolled off at warp speed today, but I look forward to hearing more about your views and your stand on various issues.

  by rigger on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 10:20:56 PM PDT

  •  Good luck

    This is from the flyer I handed out when I announced my candidacy.

    Democratic Congress - The vote that organizes the House of Representatives is the most important vote of all. Democratic control of the Congress can only be achieved by electing a Democratic majority.

    War in Iraq - Investigate the validity of the intelligence used to go to war in Iraq. Plan and execute a speedy withdrawal. Provide generously for our brave soldiers who have served as well as those who have been wounded. Provide support and assistance to returning vets.

    Fiscal Responsibility - Balance the budget. Reinstate taxes on incomes over $200,000 a year. Eliminate pork, such as the Alaskan "Bridge to Nowhere". Maintain vital services to the poor and to children, such as school lunches, food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid.  

    Economic Fairness -  Demand changes to preserve retiree's pensions of bankrupt companies.  Investigate profiteering by oil companies, defense contractors.

    Education - Refuse to enact unfunded mandates for the No Child Left Behind Act.

    Illegal Immigration - Treat incoming illegal aliens humanely.  Punish businesses and individuals who hire illegal immigrants. Establish guest worker programs

    Social Security - Raise or eliminate the cap on taxable wages.

    Government Regulation - Get the government out of the bedrooms of Americans; Government should not make personal medical decisions.

    Abortion - Safe, legal and rare. Ready access to contraception and educational programs for sexually active persons to reduce the incidence of abortion.

    Culture of Life - Restore the US public health system.  Prepare for flu pandemics, reduce infant mortality (US now 41st in the world), address growing obesity issue.
    Health Care -  Expand access to affordable health care for all Americans using targeted, affordable and practical initiatives. Create a national reinsurance pool to reduce premiums and stimulate demand for insurance by employers.  For older Americans, permit the government to negotiate prescription drug discounts and pass these savings along. For those without insurance, permit them to enroll into a health plan similar to the one offered to federal employees.
    

    by skilfor on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:55:19 AM PDT

    •  francine

      Have you set up a website yet?  I'd highly recommend it.

      Also, send an e-mail to [e-mail] (his name is Ron Gunzberger) to get yourself listed there as a candidate.  It's one of the most highly trafficked sites on the Net.

      And be prepared to answer some tough questions about your candidacy -- Latas has a lot of support here.  I'm not even sure who I'm supporting yet.

      by Nonpartisan on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:21:19 PM PDT

•  Jeff Latas

  http://www.jefflatas.com/

  by James Stewart on Mon Nov 14, 2005 at 05:35:20 AM PDT