Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

I know my race is not one of the top 10 races to watch in 2006, but it should be. Joe Barton has been in Congress for over 20 years and instead of representing his constituents, he has been the voice and the legislative bankroll for many large oil and gas industries. Joe Barton is EXACTLY what is wrong with government today; a career corrupt politician that has abandoned his district long ago to cater to K street lobbyists instead of the average, hard-working American down on Main Street trying to earn a living in places like Waxahachie or Corsicana, TX.

Joe Barton is dirtier than Tom Delay's money and Tom DeLay himself is second to Joe Barton in the amount of money that the oil and gas industry puts into his campaign fund. Joe Barton also is a top contributor to the DeLay defense fund, giving $5000 of his own money in addition to soliciting contributions from corporate energy firms on his behalf.  Joe Barton's abuse of corporations for political gain is sickening but his continued support of a corrupt politician that symbolizes everything that is wrong with Congress today. Now is the time for change.

The negligent environmental policy that Barton has pursued in his own district is criminal, and his blatant disregard of scientists trying to provide research and documentation on the effects pollution right here in District Six has been nothing short of preposterous.  He has been called the Clean Air Villain of the Month and didn't earn the name "Smokey Joe" for nothing...

In his position of power - sitting as the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he has the ability to influence just about every aspect of American society, yet for the past 20 years he has not voted in the best interest of Americans - here are a few highlights:

Most recently he voted for the Budget Reconciliation Bill that gutted social programs in favor of more defense spending; Student Loans, Agriculture, and Medicaid programs all took hits to finance the never-ending Global War on Terror. We cut Student Loan programs, yet the President was just here in Dallas, TX promoting his "ideas" for investing in our future by backing Math and Science programs in schools - a clear demonstration of contradiction in policy vs. reality.

He voted to "streamline" Medicaid by raising co-payments for the poorest people in America - saying that these cuts were necessary in order to "encourage" individuals to have more "personal responsibility."  The program serves about 53 million people in America, who can't afford standard healthcare insurance but somehow this going to save money in the long run - I think not. An article posted yesterday after the Budget Reconciliation Bill vote says "The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that 80 percent of the savings resulting from increases in co-payments by poor people will come from their decreased use of medical services." Nothing like the feds pawning off the problem to hospital emergency rooms that are already operating under-funded and under-staffed.

When one of the largest natural disasters to hit America was over, hundreds of thousands turned to the Federal government for help, Joe Barton was there to vote "NO"  on the Katrina funding bill in Congress - only 1 of 11 members to do so. He stated that the reaction by other members of Congress was a "knee-jerk reaction" and he had done the "dedicated research" on the funding bill. Dedicated research? Maybe on how to further line his oil and gas buddies pockets. On his website he expressed his "deep sorrow to the families and friends who are experiencing such unimaginable loss from Hurricane Katrina." Then just a day later, he voted against the funding - real compassionate Joe. The Dirty "Almost" Dozen they shall affectionately be known as forevermore.

During one of his last town hall meetings, Representative Barton passed out a survey that he sent out to his constituency. Here is a snapshot from 3 of the 5 issues - should he get involved in legislation like the Terry Shiavo case, should he get involved in steroid usage in professional sports, and should entertainers be fined (not just the networks) if they commit a indecent act on television. Now really...don't you think we could be trying to fight bigger and better problems in government? Like...48 million uninsured Americans without healthcare, we have 2000+  dead in a war that we didn't need to fight, we are losing the education battle with our youth, and we have a full on assault against every civil liberty gained in the last 50+ years.  

In the town meeting prior, he referred to me as the "guy in the Army costume" when I attempted to ask several questions about his votes about the Iraq war, an experience that was still fresh in my mind. Let me give that one to you again..."THE GUY IN THE ARMY COSTUME." One, it's called a uniform...one that I have been proud to wear for the last 14 years...hr would know that if he gave a damn about our military veterans and their families...enough said!

His "fiscal responsibility" prompted him to conduct a "comprehensive review" into the "deeply flawed" BCS standings of college football in the latter part of last year. If that isn't a good use of taxpayer dollars and legislative time, I don't know what is.....

Oh, how could we ever forget the train!

Now to the numbers....

660,000+ people in District Six.

The district has been trending upward (for Democrats) in the last 3 elections. Joe Barton had his smallest margin of victory over a challenger to date in the 2004 election.

2004        Joe Barton        66.02%
        Morris Meyer        32.70%

2002        Joe Barton        70.34%
        Felix Alvarado    27.67%

2000        Joe Barton        88.10%
        Frank Brady        11.89%

During the 2002 election cycle only 110, 000 people came out to vote in an off year election.

In 2004, Joe Barton's challenger received 80,000+ votes in the general election.

Do the quick math...110,000 people in an off year election like 2002, minus out the 80,000 we still have good ties with and viola, a win in 2006 for the good guys!

We are making progress chipping away at the foundations his throne sits upon. His arrogance and his complete disregard for his constituents will be his downfall in 2006.

This is a race that can be won, not just with money but with hard work.

I've got the hard work covered...I need you to do the rest - money and messaging. Help spread this word. This is your call to action on my behalf, the behalf of Texas, and on behalf of this Nation. It is time for US to restore true representation to District Six and I am the right person for the job - I know I can do it.

The campaign has been overwhelmed with requests for information and interviews, both locally and nationally.  I am honored to be traveling to Washington, DC tomorrow to participate in a historic press event on the Capitol steps Wednesday.  There I will join former Sen. Max Cleland and fellow Veterans running across the country to send a message to the Administration.  With over 50 Veterans running in this election cycle as Democrats, the Republicans can no longer state that they are stronger on defense and have the best interests of troops in mind.  I continue to be featured on a number of online blogs and several articles going out on the AP wire.

I want to personally thank the online community that has embraced my campaign and encouraged Michelle and I over the past few months.  It is going to be a long road to 11/2 and I know we will make it with you behind us!

And as always, I hope you will FOLLOW ME TO DC.

David T. Harris

Veteran, Citizen, Leader

A few months back I signed up for LD volunteer duty with the Dave Harris campaign.

Cross-posted by Dave at DailyKos.