Congressman Eric Cantor – Virginia’s Mister No

Last week there were four important votes in Congress:

A bill intended to implement the remaining 9/11 Commission homeland security recommendations – Eric Cantor voted NO.

A bill that would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 over the next two years – Eric Cantor voted NO.

A bill that would expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research – Eric Cantor voted NO.

A bill that would require the government to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies - Eric Cantor voted NO.

Is Eric Cantor actually representing the approximately 700,000 residents in Virginia's 7th congressional district? Or is he just another lawyer type Republican propelled into office by the local Republican king makers? How many in his district could actually pick him out of a line up or offer one thing they can remember this Congressman actually accomplishing for his district, state, or nation?

Try calling his office and getting the monotonous voice of a staffer who has become inured to the growing groundswell of citizen based movements like MoveOn.org. Or try and get a response by mail and receive his standard boilerplate “You may be assured that I will keep your concerns in mind should legislation pertaining to this matter come before me . . . “

What can be done? Well here are two suggestions. First, get involved. This is a democracy, we govern ourselves and that takes a stewardship to our citizenship responsibility. And second, support a newer approach to spanning the representational divide that makes it inefficient and almost impossible for the needs and values of the electorate to percolate from the 700,000 up to their Congressional representative. This divide, it seems to me, only creates apathy, cynicism, and frustration by ordinary citizens and as these citizens back away from their citizenship responsibility, the void left is gladly filled by special interests – interests of the rich and powerful who often are not aligned with the interests of the populace at large.

What has Congressman Cantor done to attack illegal immigration, outsourcing of American jobs, the growing deficit, rising medical and education costs, reform of the tax code? I know of nothing – Mr. Cantor can you respond – or will I just get another NO!

Comments

Terry Carter said…
In a Republican party where party loyalty comes first and foremost BEFORE doing what's right, this isn't surprising, especially from Cantor who is one of the biggest lapdogs to the Bush admin. in Congress.
Pumps said…
The Dems spent their money last
year to get Allen out of office...
In 2008 they can spend it on Cantor
but please find an opponent that
says something important or wears
clothes....Pumps
Anonymous said…
Eric Cantor also voted NO on the Federal ban on Animal Fighting. Makes you wonder whose pocket he has his hand ....................Michael Vick's?

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