Sanford Bishop takes stand against Tea Party

From the staff at the Americus Observer


Never before in Congressman Sanford Bishop's career has he seen the political climate the way it is today. Despite all the jobs he has helped create, the monies and projects he's helped bring to southwest Georgia, the issues he has fought for on behalf of his constituents in the Second District, there is an assault nationally on all incumbents in Congress.

The timing of this attack cannot be missed as it comes at the same time of the rise of Tea Party movement, and during Barack Obama's election as President of the United States. It is evident that the political progress made, and the hope instilled in America by the election of Obama, was interpreted by those within this movement as a major threat to our country's future. Oddly, their fears with the direction our country was going seemed to manifest on January 20, 2009.

The timing of this attack cannot be missed as it comes at the same time of the rise of Tea Party movement, and during Barack Obama's election as President of the United States. It is evident that the political progress made, and the hope instilled in America by the election of Obama, was interpreted by those within this movement as a major threat to our country's future. Oddly, their fears with the direction our country was going seemed to manifest on January 20, 2009.

Their mindset is shared by the candidates they support, and by those candidates who beg the movement's blessings. What they are all about can be summed up by one of their shining stars, Rand Paul, A Republican Senate candidate in Kentucky. Paul created a stir last month when he repeatedly said he thought the Civil Rights Act of 1964 went too far in telling businesses they could not discriminate against black people. Again, this was said last month, but it felt like the 1950s or 1960s all over again.

We know the people of the Second District are wiser than that. They have shown that because they have in place Congressman Bishop, who continues to do an outstanding job on our behalf. Momentum is building to make this nation even better for the American people than it is now. Congressman Bishop stands along side President Obama to help see not only that our country continues to move forward, but for him to personally that the Second District moves forward as well.

Just as President Obama has made history, Congressman Bishop has a long history of service to the American people and the Second District. The vote you have entrusted him with, and the legislation he sponsors reflects how entrenched in our history he is. He voted to have June 19 - Juneteenth - recognized as the official end of slavery. Also, Congressman Bishop has fought to end racial profiling. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he has fought to end the racial disparities in sentencing for both drug offenses and death penalty cases. He has fought for equal protection under the law for all people. Understanding fully what would happen if it were not in place, Congressman Bishop staunchly maintains a pro-affirmative action position to protect all Americans.

And let's not forget that Congressman Bishop was instrumental in the Justice Department's Pigford case that resulted in $1.25 billion to settle all claims stemming from the civil rights suit filed by group of black farmers against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The farmers alleged that USDA had willfully discriminated against them and other black farmers by denying their applications for farm loans and benefit programs, or by delaying the processing of their applications, and had failed to properly investigate and resolve their complaints of discrimination.

Congressman Bishop's hard work on behalf of the people of the Second District has helped him steadily rise through the ranks to become a powerful voice in Congress. So much so it has earned him a position on the Appropriations Committee, one of the most influential and powerful appointments in Washington

Our values, our concerns and our needs are top of mind and top of agenda in Washington for Congressman Bishop. Simply put, you have a proven leader on the job that is looking out for you.

That also means Congressman Bishop will not be afraid to go against party leaders when your best interests are not served. Already you've seen Congressman Bishop stand with you by his support of the Second Amendment, supporting a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, supporting allowing prayer in public places and banning flag desecration. When the people of the Second District speak, Congressman Bishop listens intently.

He works tirelessly to find ways to restart our local economies and help every able bodied person find work. He works to ensure our accessibility to quality healthcare, to fight fiercely to protect the livelihoods of farmers, and help us maintain a strong defense against enemies.

Quality of life is just as important to Congressman Bishop. That is why the passing of the recent healthcare package was not just politics as usual for him. As a man of God, it was his moral obligation. With its passage 181,000 southwest Georgia households will be provided tax credits to help them purchase insurance and make employer-provided coverage more affordable to small businesses. By helping passing this bill, denial of coverage to children with pre-existing conditions is a thing of the past. And through the bill, a measure of peace of mind has been provided, knowing that this legislation will help keep kids on their parents' insurance, and it plugged the Medicare "Donut Hole," helping 6,600 seniors able to afford their prescription drugs.

But there is much, much work to be done and so many challenged ahead of us. That is why want to so much to continue to build on what is already going on and to keep Sanford Bishop representing the people of the Second District.

Bottom line: He's going to need our vote in November to continue to be OUR VOICE in Washington