But what’s worse is that, even though all of us can easily identify these problems, our country still stumbles.
We can’t seem to have a conversation about universal health care much less find a way to implement it.
We can’t seem to lead by example on the environment much less convince other countries to change their practices.
Our brave soldiers in Iraq, who we should withdraw and who should return home and share in the security and freedoms they were sent to protect, face an uncertain future exemplified by the scandal of Walter Reed Hospital and the fact that, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, their peers account for 23% of all homeless people in America. Almost 200,000 veterans go without a home every night.
This is not the more perfect union I have worked for. It is not what many of you have worked for.
But I know that all is not lost.
My life has given me a deep and personal understanding of the power and purpose of public service, of what can be accomplished when those of us who are committed to good causes decide to work together for the betterment of ourselves, our family, our community, and our world.
I am the proud daughter of an Air Force Colonel and grew up on air bases all across the United States, Germany and Japan–an experience that taught me about service and sacrifice, the importance of family, and the need to understand and listen to cultures and ideas that are not always my own.
I am the mother of three, wonderful daughters, who, like their parents, have also answered the call of public service.
I am an activist who has continually worked for progressive change. In fact, I worked for progressive change long before the word “progressive” was needed to distinguish one type of Democrat from another. From 1968 when I went door-to-door with Gene McCarthy in New Hampshire to the time I returned to the Granite State to work for Paul’s presidential run, I have held sacred the importance of community organizing, of listening and being principled.
I am a lawyer who opened the first female law practice in Lowell.
I am a dean at one of our state’s community colleges where I have seen first hand what happens when public education is properly supported and what happens when it is not.
I believe strongly in equal marriage and a woman’s right to choose.
I support gun control and oppose the death penalty.
Now I know you have questions: about who I am, about what I stand for, and how I plan to accomplish change. And I have questions for you too–about finding solutions, about who you are, and what we are facing that I might not know about. Not all of these questions can be answered in this short post, but I look forward to answering them over the next few months, either here on Blue Mass Group, or in person as I travel the 5th Congressional District.
I also hope that if you are supportive of this cause, you consider joining our efforts.
Thank you so much for your time and your consideration.
Niki Tsongas
Candidate for Congress
PS: We have a website: www.NikiTsongas.com. It’s in its early stages, but we hope to build it out over the coming weeks to make it a centerpiece for your participation. Also, rather than hosting our own blog, we decided to do something a bit different and use a diary on Blue Mass Group to keep people engaged on what is going on in the campaign.
…Now let me ask you a question that I have asked of another candidate here. What is your position on Marty’s bill to repeal Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell.
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I am not in your district, so I can’t vote for, or against you. I am just wondering.
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Your resume is very impressive, I’ll admit.
It is discriminatory and hurts our military.
I still won’t be able to vote for you, or anyone else in your district, but thanks for the response.
I may have differing opinions with you on matters of individual personel conscience but I cannot seem to find a more worthy candidate at this time for this open Congressional seat. Having been involved as an elected and appointed official in the district for most of the past 25 years I find your candidacy a breath of fresh air. Having supported Father Drinan over Philip J. Philbin I know all too well the need for change for the 5th District . As an Independent aka “unenrolled” voter I look forward to hearing from your campaign in the months ahead.
Best of Luck..you just may be hearing from me as well !
Do you believe you are a credible candidate and if you believe so do you think you would be a credible candidate if your resume was the same without the Paul Tsongas connection.
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I don’t mean to sound flippant, but i believe this ia a legitamate question.
I’m proud of all the work Paul did for the District, the State, and the Country during his time in the House and Senate.
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Does name recognition help? It can, but I also think the people of the 5th are smart enough to be interested in more than that, and I hope that after they examine who I am and what I want to accomplish in Congress, they find me the best person to represent them.
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So yes, I’m proud of what Paul has accomplished, but I’m proud of what I have accomplished as well.
Is money comingfrom your husband’s contribution lists?
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Where do you expect to get money and where does your organization come from.
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Most respectfully.
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Have you ever heard of the phrases:
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1. ‘Once you’re out, you’re out’; and
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2. ‘What have you done for me lately?’
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I am afraid to say that you are about to get one hell of a kick in the stomach. Be prepared to hear the word “no” from many you thought were an automatic yes.
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Live and learn
because you can spell legitimate?
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I’ll have you knw that it is my spelling skills that make me cute and adorable.
Just how far up your asses is that Koll-Aide bug?
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And Charley, I’m so disapointed in you. Giving me a zero for heaven’s sake.
Can you really go ahead and legitimately say what you’ve said when you’re name is Ernie Boch III. In otherwords, would you be who you are today without Ernie Boch I and Ernie Boch II?
And if you only created that name for email purposes, EB3, still you probably gain something in life out of being an Ernie Boch in Massachusetts.
Ernie Boch III
Congratulations on your decision to run. I think you are going to be a fantastic, progressive candidate!
I am thrilled to see you are seeking this seat. I cannot think of a more qualified candidate. It is only fitting that you pick up where Paul left off, but, as you say, from your own unique perspective. How lucky are we to have such talented people as yourself willing to represent us in Washington! Go Niki Go!
Why did u answer the ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ question and not mine?
How are you goint to answer it when asked by a member of the mainstream media or at a debate or at a town hall meeting, or by a voter, or….?
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You have to address it head on and put it behind you.
What is your response? If I may ask?
(I was going to tell her how much I enjoyed meeting her late husband in Chatham and what a great guy he was right up until her Bush diatribe)
You expected a love letter from her to Commander Bunnypants, perhaps? Then you have the wrong blog.
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Sheesh. They just don’t make spiny rodents the way they used to.
I hope you run a good campaign and may the best person win. (This blog is a very good start to showing that you are, indeed, the best person.)
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One piece of advice, though… This writing is a little choppy and difficult to read. I don’t mean to be nit picky; I want very strong candidates and a great race (so Massachusetts gets the best possible representation). I’d hire an aide or grab some interns (perhaps from UMASS Lowell) who could help edit these kinds of things, with your guidance. That way, you can spend more time on reaching out to even more people, instead of staying trapped away writing perfectly. That said, I do appreciate when politicians themselves are doing the writing, but understand that there’s a happy medium.
How exactly does this blog demonstrate that she is the best person in the race?
Here
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(Interview starts exactly 5min into the broadcast.)
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Props to our very own Lynne!
Would you elaborate on this, please?
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It seems that Massachusetts’ gun control laws have not worked to reduce crime, so what would you propose to reduce the use of guns during crime?
Crime has not been eliminated for sure, but perhaps there would have been more crime with looser gun control laws.
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Even the strictest state gun laws cannot totally prevent guns from coming onto the streets as long as people can freely buy them in other states.
How can someone take this kind of candidacy seriously, unless they are “opting out of the system”, because of prior corruption and problems, which is not the case here.
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That may have been the case in CA, where an actor got elected Governor, or in the Midwest where a wrestler won the same way, but where we have good candidates here who can show a strong track record, why should people vote for someone who can only make claims to positions that may or may not be supportable?