What America needs more of

This statement is copied from http://timruskforcongress.com/ - the site of Jim Rusk, a Democratic candidate for Congress from Texas:

Like many Americans, I did not start out with a silver spoon in my mouth. I was raised by a single mother, and I never met my father. We moved frequently. I remember attending at least six different schools from kindergarten through third grade. I also remember coming home from school and finding eviction notices on our apartment door.

     I worked my way through high school to help my family pay rent. I started as a dishwasher and busboy at a local restaurant when I was 15. I quickly found a better paying job as a sacker at a grocery store. I was not treated with dignity or respect at either job. At that time, I made two vows to myself: First, I was going to escape poverty. Second, when I got into business, I would treat my employees and coworkers the way that I want to be treated.

     I earned a degree in Finance from the University of Colorado. I graduated in 1981, which was the beginning of a severe recession. Unemployment soared and times were the worst I had ever experienced. I was not offered a job when I graduated.

     After suffering through months of unemployment, I hit rock bottom. I was angry, depressed, and I had lost hope. When you hit rock bottom, you only have two choices. You can give up or you can look up to God. I chose to look to God, and that is when I had my epiphany. I realized that life was not about getting the good job and living the comfortable life; life was about service. I became a Christian, joined a church, and my spiritual development began.

     Like today, The U.S. Army was hiring even in hard times. I enlisted and served two years active duty in the Infantry. The Army can be a trial, even during peacetime. Three men died during my basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. A Drill Sergeant was fatally shot; a trainee fell on his bayonet, and another trainee committed suicide. Conditions were also severe during my deployment to Germany. During my first six months, three soldiers in my company of 50 men attempted suicide. I saw firsthand what happens to human beings when they lose hope, and I realized that one of our most important duties as human beings is to instill hope in others.

     After the Army, I attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. After a year of seminary, I realized that I would be effective serving God and others as a lay minister, and so I obtained a law degree from Texas Tech University.

     I opened The Law Office of Tim Rusk in 1993. I am currently in my 19th year of practice. My business card identifies me as “Attorney and Counselor.” This reflects the philosophy of my practice. Clients who are facing the most difficult trials in their lives—bankruptcy, divorce, death of a loved one, terminal illnesses, etc.—ask for my advice. They often need more than legal advice: They need hope. And I have counseled many clients of all faiths and beliefs to take their focus off their circumstances and begin to focus on God. I believe that if you have a strong spiritual foundation in your life, then everything else will work out. If you do not have a spiritual foundation, then nothing is likely to work out. I am strongly convicted in my beliefs, but being convicted in my beliefs does not mean that I am intolerant or dogmatic. I respect the faiths and beliefs of others. I also believe in the Constitutional separation of church and state.

MY HOBBIES

     When I am not working, I am usually working out at the gym. I lift weights three nights a week and do a cardio workout three nights a week. I also love a good movie. I consider time enjoying my close friends well spent.

VOLUNTEER WORK

     Volunteer work for a lawyer is called pro bono work. I do pro bono work on a regular basis for clients who cannot afford legal counsel.

WHY I AM RUNNING FOR CONGRESS

Efficiency and Integrity

     Texans want more integrity and efficiency in government. I have managed a very high volume and high-pressure law practice for 19 years.  My primary area of practice is traffic ticket defense. If I make a mistake and I do not deliver an item to court on time, my client could go to jail. I estimate that I have represented well over 20,000 clients. During these 19 years, I have never had a client file a grievance against me with the State Bar of Texas. That is extremely difficult to achieve with a high volume practice. I would bring this efficiency and integrity to Congress.

What I Stand For

     I am one of the most straight-talking, no-nonsense people you will ever meet. I pledge to you the following:

1. I will vote for legislation that is in the best interests of the country and not the best interests of the lobbyists.

2. To be open, honest and transparent.

3. All my votes will be based upon core values that I believe are the foundation of good government. These values include duty, responsibility, accountability, fairness, justice and compassion. I will lose an election before I will cast a vote that violates my conscience.

Common Sense Solutions for the Difficult Choices Ahead

     I love America and I love Texas. I am running because I am extremely concerned about Republican policies at both the state and federal level. I do not believe these policies are in the best interests of Texas or America. My concerns are specifically addressed in my list of issues on this web site. I invite you to examine each issue and compare my common sense solutions with Mr. Marchant’s positions on the issues.

     I would suggest starting with the issue of taxation. I believe that our economy will not recover until we return to a sound, principled foundation for our system of taxation. I would next examine the issue of federal spending. Currently we have 1.2 million children in Texas who do not have health insurance. Forty percent of Texas mothers receive little or no prenatal care. The Republican solution has been to cut funding for Medicaid. I believe our economy can recover without sacrificing the health of our mothers and children.

     Thank you for your consideration! I look forward to serving District 24 in Washington and bringing integrity and common sense back to Congress!