There are only two members of Congress who have a lifetime rating of 100% by the American Conservative Union.
Scott Garrett is one of them. He represents NJ-05 in the congress and has won three terms in a row since his district was redistricted to make it impossible for Democrats to win.
His very first vote set the stage for all of the others. He voted for the interstate trafficking of dogs to be used in fights and then killed afterwards.
He voted against any aid at all for Katrina victims.
He voted against safety locks for guns where children are living.
He voted to allow born-again Christians to proselytize troops in the Air Force including mandatory attendance at fundamentalist religious services at government expense and on government time.
He has always put his born-again Christian faith before anything else and is proud of this.
He has received tons of money from anti-Choice groups to keep him voting against womens rights.
If you want to see his voting record you will not find it on his own congressional site. He has never really wanted his constituents to learn any of this.
Here's where you will find the info:
http://www.votesmart.org/...
Here is a summary of the more bizarre votes:
http://shulmanforcongress.com/...
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Dennis Shulman, a blind psychologist and rabbi, is running against Garrett.
I am devoting my entire diary to him since I believe him to be one of the most imaginative, resourceful and progressive people running for congress this year.
I used to live in NJ but don't anymore. However, I have sent him money and try to do what I can from far away to keep his light aloft.
Today The Record, one of New Jersey's largest papers, endorsed Shulman. Here is some of what they wrote.
SCOTT GARRETT is afraid. And he wants voters to be afraid. But the only thing voters should fear is Garrett's reelection to the House of Representatives.
Republican Garrett is seeking a fourth term in Congress, and he is facing a surprisingly strong challenge from Rabbi Dennis Shulman, a blind psychologist.
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But the race in the 5th District is less about who is challenging Garrett and more about what Garrett is challenging. He is challenging the basic tenets of common decency. The high-minded, fiscal conservative has resorted to the lowest form of campaigning. In a post-Sept. 11 world, Garrett is shouting "terrorist" in a crowded room.
The congressman has been running television ads, in addition to sending out a direct-mail campaign piece, that link Shulman to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Garrett wants voters to believe that Shulman, a rabbi, would sell out Israel. It is beyond the pale.
Before this campaign, we would have argued against Garrett's reelection because the congressman's strident fiscal ideology hampers his effectiveness as an advocate for North Jersey. We do not expect to agree on all issues, but Garrett votes consistently against almost all government funding. It doesn't matter whether it's disaster relief aid or funding for health insurance for children. Garrett votes no.
There are legitimate arguments to make about runaway federal spending, but there are human consequences to "no" votes. Being in Congress is not an abstract, intellectual argument over the role of government. A member of Congress is elected to represent all the people within a district, not a personal ideology.
And we differ with Garrett on social issues: We believe a woman has a right to make her own reproductive choices and that all citizens are entitled to equal rights, regardless of sexual orientation.
The 5th District is changing. While it remains a Republican stronghold, it has never been a homogeneous right-wing district. But in the absence of credible Democratic challengers, Garrett has continued to win reelection.
There is much work to be done in Washington. Garrett is not the man for the job. He alienates Republicans and Democrats. That is not the bipartisan résumé for a federal legislator.
Across the nation, voters want change. In New Jersey, that desire for change may propel Barack Obama to win the state and take other Democrats with him. Garrett may fall victim to Obama's coattails.
http://www.northjersey.com/...
Please help Dennis Shulman who is putting everything on the line to win one for the good guys, to give us even more clout in the congress.
Even a few bucks will help out. If you can help to get out the vote, they will love you to help out.
http://shulmanforcongress.com/