Letter To Thaddeus

Dear Thaddeus,

Thaddeus, thank you for giving me the opportunity to post my views on your website, to address the people and to answer your specific questions.

WHO I AM and WHAT I HAVE DONE: I am Steve Cohen, candidate in the Democratic Primary for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District. For the past few decades, I have been devoted to serving this community and standing up for what is right. As a county commissioner, I cast the deciding vote to build the Med that now provides essential health services to this community. As a state senator, I led the push for the lottery that has provided more that half a billion dollars for education in Tennessee. I have also championed many other causes when no one else would only because it was the right thing to do, like easing the process to restore voting rights for felons and naming a section of I-55 in honor of Coretta Scott King. I hope to continue that service in the United States House of Representatives. "Real leadership with Real results" is not just my campaign slogan; it is a statement of fact, based on my long career of standing up for what is right and getting things done. Bar none, I have the best record of any legislator in the history of Tennessee on civil rights issues, as well as being a voice for the least
fortunate of our community. I have fought hard to bring state dollars to communities like Orange Mound, to improve its neighborhoods and create opportunities for youth and the elderly. So, just as I worked hard to secure dollars at the state level, I will also work hard to bring home federal dollars to the 9th district, which will increase economic development and create employment.]

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WHY ME: These are critical times for our community and our nation. The national debt is out of control and threatens our children's future. Our environment is in danger on a global scale, and the current administration and congress have shown they are either too blind or too corrupt to address these serious issues. The stakes are too high to risk untested leadership. I will be ready the moment I take office to work to rebuild America, by improving the lives of our citizens at home, restoring honor and accountability to our government, and improving our standing in the eyes of the world.

ACCESSIBILITY: My local offices and frequent town hall meetings will insure that I will be as accessible to the 9th district constituents, as I have been to the constituents of my senatorial district. In addition, I will be sure that the congressional and district offices are staffed by people who understand the issues and who can connect to and work with the voters compassionately, efficiently, and effectively.

VOTING - I will hold a town hall meeting once each quarter. Each quarter the meeting will be held in a different part of the district (South, North, East and Midtown). This will enable me to provide congressional updates to each community as well as the opportunity to discuss pending and upcoming legislation with all my constituents. This will also allow them to voice their views so that I will be able to properly represent them when voting. As I am now, I will be accountable for each vote I cast, and I will cast each vote in the way I believe best serves the citizens of the 9th district, not the lobbyists. If you are happy with the way things are going in our nation's capital, then please support the candidates that are bought and paid for by the special interests running things now. If however, you believe as I do, that it is time for a real change; that the government we
have now does not serve the people; that we need a representative that cannot be bought or silenced, then I ask you to join me.

As always, I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. I am grateful for this
opportunity and I thank you for your consideration.

Best Wishes,
Steve Cohen

http://www.thaddeusmatthews.com/ThadResponse.pdf