by Jeff Kurzon, candidate for Congress in New York’s 7th District

The incumbent does not get it. Being on the House Financial Services Committee and taking money from bank PACs is a huge conflict of interest. We have bailed out the financial services industry, but New York’s 7th Congressional District – in the heart of New York City – still has close to 30% of its residents living at or below the poverty line. Our unemployment rate is also higher than the national average. After twenty-two years of service, it is time to elect someone else who will work to create jobs and improve the economy for everyone. It is time our economy works for us all and we regulate the Wall Street speculation that drives up the price of oil, food and housing making our seniors and others living on a fixed income suffer.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Washington has literally been bought by all sorts of other special interests. Big food, big weapons manufacturers, big oil, big pharma, big telecoms, big healthcare and big sugar. The list goes on and on and that is why I am running this grassroots campaign – to get our government back in the hands of real people. But I need your help to end the “good for some, bad for all” style of legislating that has plagued Washington for too long and made Congressional approval rating below 10%.

When big corporations do not pay their fair share of taxes – thanks to winks and nods from lobbyists and their corporate PAC donations, we do not invest in our schools, our hospitals, our teachers, our libraries, our police and our fire departments. Our public infrastructure suffers (yes, there are too many damn potholes in NYC – I know because MTA bus drivers tell me), our economy suffers and our people do not compete globally. But we can change this misaligned course.

We are going to change the status quo in Washington. Campaigns cost money – staff, consulting, printing, rent and advertising are just some of the expenses. It is nice to feed our volunteers too who have been working so hard. March 31 is the end of the last reporting period before the June 24 election. I need you on my side now to show how strong we will be in getting out the vote.

No SuperPAC Money Needed

When I raised $45,000 online (and $105,000 offline) for President Obama in 2007 and 2008 I did it because as a Citizen I wanted him to be President. Now I am asking you for your help – if you want me to represent New York’s 7th Congressional District I need your help now. When I am elected I will work to pass legislation that creates matching public funds so that those with the best ideas to govern get elected rather than those with the most access to money or those who have sold-out to special interests. Just recently Rep. Sarbanes of Maryland has introduced such a bill. I will also work to repeal Citizens United so that big corporations cannot define the agenda in Washington.

I am encouraged every day when I meet voters who nod when I say that I believe Washington is broken because our leaders are taking money from PACs and lobbyists working for big corporations. With the March 31 FEC deadline fast approaching, I need your help today.