What could be better than Meta Monday? This week we bought a vowel (Kyrgyzstan exports theirs) and begin a new series: Meet-a Monday!
Please meet Jim Piccillo, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House from Florida's 5th District. We asked him some questions, and he'll try to answer yours as well.
More below the fold....
First our customary thanks to last week's guest lecturers. Last Tuesday Hill Jill stepped into the Things I've Learned About Disasters. And last Wednesday rb137 made her BPI debut to share thoughts on Galileo in A Starry Messenger. Both were excellent discussions and worth reading if you missed them.
Professor of Neuroholdemology Caractacus returns tomorrow with his Things We Learned This Week series to discuss the plans for OPERATION TO BE DETERMINED. You'll need the secret password ("If he specified a topic") and the secret response ("I missed it"), but don't tell anyone. On Wednesday our Professor of Topofclassclownistics, JanF, will escape the HEMMED lab to discuss voter enthusiasm in 2010. As always, Chef will around with coffee and bagels, and the Professor of Astrology Janitor will be about two brooms shy of a closet.
Note: We have guest lecturers for the rest of this month, but we have openings starting Wednesday, June 2nd. If you would like to guest host Morning Feature, please volunteer in the Tuna Can, below.
Also: Please share your stories of offline political activism in Things We Did This Week!
Oh, And: The resident faculty muttered something about planning, adapting, prophecy, and leadership, so we think that's what they plan to discuss later this week.
Which brings us to Jim Piccillo, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Florida's 5th District. This is an open seat, as Tea Party Republican Ginny Brown-Waite will retire at the end of her term. Raised by a strong single mother, Jim has a broad background in public service. He served six years in the U.S. Army, and was decorated for his role in responding to the 9/11 tragedy. After leaving the Army in 2002, Jim organized statewide food drives in the wake of Hurricanes Charlie and Katrina, and donation drives for Sunrise of Pasco County to help victims of domestic violence. He became active in politics as a staff volunteer for the Obama campaign in 2008. We caught up with him by email to ask a few questions:
- At Morning Feature we summarize the Democratic Party's message in three sentences: (1) People matter more than profits; (2) The earth is our home, not our trash can; and (3) We need good government for both of those. What will you do in Congress to advance this core Democratic message?
One of our main campaign messages is to spread our belief that here in our district we have a wealth of opportunity to increase jobs, drive economic development and increase our national security. Our "Jobs for Main Street" program, which we are currently implementing, holds tightly to the most core vision that I have for our district; Florida’s 5th District will become the Silicon Valley for clean energy and nanotechnology manufacturing. We don’t have to put a solar panel on everyone’s roof or a wind turbine in each backyard but there is no reason why we can’t put the 14% of our citizens back to work building them.
- At Morning Feature we discuss the progressive movement in terms of six overlapping issues: Privilege, Education, Civil Liberties, War, Corporatism, and the Environment. Which of these were most important in your decision to seek political office?
Each of these issues leads to or encompasses the others. It would be impossible to pick just one of these main categories was the main reason for my decision to enter into political office. It has always been my firm belief that we need to be preparing our children for 21st century opportunities which must begin with a 21st century education. That reform of the education system must also be tied into education about equality and ensuring civil liberties are provided to all citizens as well as how environmentally sound sustainable growth will be the main economic driver of this century.
- At Morning Feature we suggest that the Bush administration marked the depth of a Conservative Autumn and Winter that began in 1969, and that Democratic victories in 2006 and 2008 began what we hope will be a Progressive Spring and Summer over the coming decades. What are your top priorities to help Americans see that Progressive Spring and Summer?
From Day One I have said that we need to focus on issues and problems instead of simply political party. The worst economic disaster since the great depression, the spilling of millions of gallons of crude oil into the gulf and the infringement on personal rights which state governments across the nation seem bent on destroying are far too grand for talking points and finger-pointing. As a Member of Congress I pledge to lead by example for my constituents; to be a member of the party that is trying to make this nation back into the economic, moral and humanitarian leader for the world instead of just saying "NO."
Jim strongly believes:
- In fiscally responsible, efficient, and effective government where elected officials are accountable to the voters they serve.
- That it's time for renewable energy to be discussed in terms of "How" and "How much," not "If."
- That fair wages and economic development begin with small business innovation, and unions help strengthen the middle class and American families.
- That unemployment and foreclosures are not segregated by political parties, and neither should their solutions be.
- That a woman should have the right to choose her own health care decisions, and equal rights should apply to ALL American citizens.
Jim faces a difficult challenge in Florida's 5th District, and he needs your help. Please visit
his ActBlue page, and post your questions for him below.
+++++
Happy Monday!
Crossposted from Blogistan Polytechnic Institute (BPICampus.com)