Last night I had the pleasure of attending the annual Thomas Jefferson Dinner, presented by the Mariposa Democratic Club and Mariposa Democratic Central Committee. When I arrived I didn't know a soul, but the Chairperson of the Central Committee made sure that I was introduced to several lovely people and seated in a core group of real talkers. Later I spotted an old acquaintence that I had no idea was involved in local politics, and between him and my new friends, I had an absolutely delightful time.
After a lovely dinner prepared by the head of the Mariposa County Democratic Club himself and served by the other club officers, we listened to TJ Cox speak. He is running against Rep. Radanovich, who not only took dirty Delay money and didn't give any of it back, he's working with Pombo to crush the endangered species act.
More below...
TJ was inspirational, and of course had his priorities right -- education, health care, peace and prosperity. But what struck me most was how he speaks to everyone as individuals. The health care example he gave was actually from a man who was forced to go without insurance because he simply couldn't afford it. The education examples were from teachers who had decided to quit teaching because of the impossible to comply with and unfunded "No Child Left Behind."
HE. GETS. IT.
HE'S. FOR. REAL.
But I think what amazed me most of all is his approachability and desire to truly represent his constituency. His publicist Pheobe, who was incredibly kind and genuinely interested in what I had to say, told me that he had just been to a coffee shop and met with five people, and before that had been to a luncheon at someone's house in a very tiny foothill town. Pheobe told me "set up a time and a place and we'll be there, even if it's three people."
I was at a loss for words... a congressman who wanted to meet with three people? WTF? Was I hearing her right?
Yes, and she encouraged me to contact her soon with a day and place for a local meeting. No politician had been to my town in local memory, and I found myself nodding and mumbling something similar to "I think I can set that up..."
At the end of his speech, TJ said something extraordinary. I'm paraphrasing here as I did not record his speech, but in essence he said, "it is my job to come out here and get to know you, not your job to chase me down and try to be known."
Imagine that... a representative in Washington who is passionate about knowing and understanding everyone in his district, not just the numerous city voters. He actually cares about the rural voters in his district, he is learning all he can about our unique needs, and he's doing all he can to reconcile the needs of both Big Ag and environmentalists. (As Al Franken reported when he visited here recently, the central valley of California from which TJ hails is probably the #1 producer of food in the world, and ag chemicals pollute the entire watershed including the Sierra Nevada mountains, so this is critically important.)
He also has a 9 year old daughter, so he understands the current education system nightmare that's been foisted upon us. HE GETS IT. AND HE'S MAD AS HELL.
Well that's about it from me for now. I just wanted to report on the event I went to last night with THE NEXT DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN FROM CA-19, TJ COX!!! I had a wonderful time, and hopefully with the contacts I made last night I will be able to report from within his campaign a little bit more in the future. TJ, his publicist, and his campaign manager are all so incredibly nice, I can't wait to work with them during the campaign.
I think we may just pick up another seat in the House this fall, guys!!
PLEASE send his campaign a donation, and please tell the Progressive Patriots Fund to include TJ in their slate!