There is something inspiring about meeting  people who actually care. I don't mean people who pay lips service to an idea, but people who are passionate enough to give up time and energy to do something to help make that idea a reality.  On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of meeting a group of people who care. They took time out of their busy lives to attend one of our neighborhood Meetups. I have to say that after meeting such committed people, I have a renewed hope for our country.

It's no easy feat to get people to come to a campaign even this early in the election cycle. I was impressed by the number of people who turned out on a dreary Tuesday evening during holiday season.  People from all over District 8 got the chance to sit down with Alan and just talk. There was no speech, no campaign-stop pageantry, just a circle of chairs filled with people who wanted to share their concerns about the country. We sat in that circle and shared with Alan what we wish someone in government would do to help make the world better. Unlike other candidates I've met in the past, Alan listened. Actually he more than listened; he  talked with everyone instead of talking to them.

The issues raised by the group echo the issues most American's want real leadership on: healthcare, the environment, energy independence and restoring America's credibility around the world. They were substantive issues (unlike say last nights Republican debate) and Alan offered substantive answers. He's like that. He discussed with people real ideas to tackle those problems. If you're expecting a sound-bite machine, you'll be dissappointed. Personally I think it's refreshing to have a candidate who can actually think through the issues and articulate a real position.

It struck me while sitting there that this was what democracy was all about. People discussing issues and offering solutions. Those chosen to serve listening to those that chose them. It was common sense. Sometimes you just need an uncommon candidate to point that out. Alan is that candidate. Let's help him win.

One day after voting against helping homeless veterans, improving our roads and helping Florida families struggling with the foreclosure crisis, Ric Keller smacked Central Florida in the face again with his NO vote on H.R. 3915 - the Mortgage Reform and  Anti-Predatory Lending Act. The Act, designed to put a stop to the predatory practices of unregulated sub-prime mortgage "originators" was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support on November 15'th. In an area of the country that is at the top of the list in foreclosure, one has to wonder why Ric Keller would vote against a bill that:

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  • Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and other specified federal banking regulatory agencies to prescribe jointly regulations to prohibit mortgage originators from steering any consumer to a residential mortgage loan that is not in the consumer's interest (loans with predatory characteristics).
  • Sets forth licensing and registration requirements for mortgage originators.
  • Sets forth minimum repayment standards for residential mortgage loans. Requires creditors to determine, based on verified and documented information, that a consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the loan, according to its terms, and all applicable taxes, insurance, and assessments.

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  • Sets forth defenses to foreclosure.
  • Proscribes certain practices, including: (1) certain prepayment penalties; (2) single premium credit insurance; (3) mandatory use of arbitration; and (4) negative amortization mortgages.
  • Redefines high-cost mortgages. Prohibits balloon payments for such mortgages.
  • Revises requirements governing prepayment penalties. Prohibits lending without due regard to repayment ability.

Last week the House voted overwhelmingly in favor of support for H.R. 3074. What is H.R. 3074? It's the funding bill for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and related agencies for 2008. The money will be used to improve our roads and bridges; provide housing assistance for those in need; provide funding to help families caught in the foreclosure crisis; and help fund housing for 10,000 homeless Veterans who desperately need a hand. 

 Ric Keller voted NO.

 Yes that's right, Ric Keller voted against helping homeless veterans get back on their feet. I guess it's Ok to vote them into combat, but it's too much bother voting to help them when they are back. To me that's just appalling.

 Now some of you may say "Tom, Ric may have had other reasons to vote against the bill, like its impact on the business community." I'm not really sure who you people are, but to you I say hogwash. Not only did Ric Keller vote against helping veterans, he voted against the best interests of America's business community. Just look at the letter the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent to the House asking them to support H.R. 3074:    

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of ever size, sector, and region, strongly urges you to support the conference report for H.R. 3074, the "Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008." This bill provides the necessary funding to ensure that the U.S. transportation system is the safest and most efficient in the world.

 The business community depends on a safe and reliable transportation system to remain competitive and efficient. The nation's transportation system is the foundation of the nation's economy. If the investments necessary to maintain this foundation are not made, the U.S. economy win suffer. The inadequate surface transportation system costs the economy $63 billion annually in lost time and fuel.   

 

 

Make no mistake, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is about as liberal as Barry Goldwater yet they wanted the bill passed. But no, Ric Keller didn't think it was important to help America's businesses I guess. It's amazing that instead of trying to help our economy save SIXTY THREE BILLION dollars annually (which by the way  is far more than the entire Bill) he choose to vote NO. Way to go on that, Ric.  

But wait folks, there's more. He said no to our roads, no to our vets - but he also voted no to all of his constituents that are struggling because of the mortgage crisis. The bill would have provided 250 million dollars to help people keep the homes they worked so hard for. When you consider that Florida is one of the hardest hit states from foreclosures, his no vote was a slap in the face to Floridians across the state.

 Maybe Ric doesn't think fixing America's roads are important. Maybe he doesn't think that helping families keep their homes is important. Maybe Ric Keller doesn't think helping homeless veterans find a home is important. I do. I think you need to know about what our Representative in Congress is doing to "serve" our interest. We need to change the direction of this country and getting rid of Ric Keller is a great place to start. Replacing him with Alan Grayson is the right place to finish.