FOCUS: Cherny asks what would make your life better

EDITOR’S NOTE:  First District Democratic congressional candidate Dimitri Cherny, above, has been biking the Lowcountry this summer during his campaign to talk with voters across the region.  We asked him what he’s learned. 

By Dimitri Cherny, special to Charleston Currents |  What one or two things could the federal government do to make your life better?

That’s the question I’ve been asking everyone I meet on my www.BIKINGtheLowcountry.us adventure. I’ve now traveled, by bike or canoe, more than 550 miles over 47 days and asked hundreds of people that question. We’re a very diverse group here in the Lowcountry — racially, ethnically, religiously, politically, ideologically, economically, educationally, and of all ages.  But after asking this question of hundreds of people, we ALL seem to agree on five things.

1. Universal single-payer healthcare. Why can’t America have a healthcare system even better than the 30-plus countries around the world in which no one goes bankrupt from healthcare costs and everyone gets treated for every medical issue as a human right, not a privilege?
2. Quality debt-free public education.  Pre K-16 is a big concern for people wanting to go to college, people still paying their student loans, young parents with kids about to start school, grandparents concerned about their soon to be college-age grandkids, and nearly everyone else.
3. Strengthening Social security, with increased payments and no fear that the fund with ever “run out” is a big concern for everyone nearing old age, and those already in it, many of whom are struggling to survive in their golden years.
4. Improving the veteran’s support system is top of mind for every veteran I meet and for everyone with veterans in their family. No one disagrees that our vets need better support.
5. Getting money out of politics is the underlying problem everyone wants to solve — ending the apparent corruption in Washington. Everyone knows we must get the money out of politics if we want to get any of the four previous things  implemented and make life better for ALL of us.

Cherny

The people I’m meeting on the road have previously voted for Republican candidates, Democratic candidates, never voted before or have been too disgusted by politics to ever vote again. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who, after a short conversation, get a renewed interest in what Washington can do for them, and feel hope for their future when they learn someone running for office is honestly concerned about making their lives better.

I contend that making life better for the most people possible is the daily job of the federal government. History shows that federal legislation, always passed during a social upheaval, is the ONLY thing that has ever made life better for the average American. I will go to Washington to ensure we don’t miss THIS period of social upheaval to implement the federal legislation we all agree will make ALL our lives better. Isn’t that what our elected representatives should be doing in Washington – chipping away at the easy stuff we all agree on?

I also contend that our federal government SHOULD be the one institution that always takes the long-view, weighing all decisions made today against our vision for where we want our civilization to be 500, 100, 50, and even just 10 years into the future. Unfortunately, our current election system has forced our elected representatives and political parties to look no further into the future than just the next election. Congress people now spend four hours every day on “call time.” It must be very difficult to focus on ALL your fellow citizens while spending half of every working day schmoozing campaign donations out of just a tiny wealthy minority of Americans.

If we want America and all of civilization to survive and thrive, the needs of the many must outweigh the needs of the few. As your elected representative in Washington, I will spend my time working on federal legislation that will make ALL our lives better, not dialing for dollars for my next election campaign. Unfortunately, until we get money out of politics, political campaigns still require dollars to run. Please make a contribution to help get me to Washington. www.CHERNYforCongress.us

I have another 30 days and 400 miles to go on my http://www.BIKINGtheLowcountry.us journey. I’d love to hear what you think the federal government could do to make your life better. Come find me, bring some friends, and let’s talk.

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