I wrote this letter to the editor of the Post today. We'll see if it ever gets published. The research and inspiration came from Andrea Chamblee, who writes for both Raising Kane and DailyKos and had some excellent diaries lately about Andy Hurst. I added some of my usual corny sayings just to make it more "of the people" which is what I am.
Dear Sirs,
In July the Washington Post published an article explaining in depth the relationship between Representative Tom Davis (R-11th District, VA) and a lobbying firm called ICG Government. ICG Government is a consulting company for technology firms seeking government contracts. It was founded in 2002, by Donald W. Upson, a close friend of Davis. Tom Davis’s future wife, Jeannemarie Devolites, was one of the first people hired by this lobbying firm. Tom Davis is literally in bed with a lobbyist!
In the course of their association together, ICG has scheduled meetings, dinners and receptions with the Congressman for its clients. Amazingly, the House Committee on Standards and Official Conduct has stated that Davis’s wife can continue working for the firm, as long as Davis and his wife don’t personally benefit from the relationship! Well what about that House Committee on Standards and Official Conduct, huh? What do they know that we can’t see with our own eyes? Well just keep in mind that House Republicans now require a majority to even initiate an investigation into possible ethics abuses. And how will anything ever be investigated as long as they are the majority in power? Even if you thought you liked Republicans, this has got to bother you.
By the way, Davis is the Chairman of the Government Reform Committee and one of the twelve counsels for oversight and investigations on that committee is Jennifer Safavian, wife of David Safavian, the first person convicted in the Abramoff lobbying scandal. Wonder what the Safavians discuss at the dinner table. Is this the fox’s bride in the hen house, or what? The 11th District has a viable alternative to Tom Davis. Andrew Hurst is running as a Democrat for Congress. Andrew Hurst has a history as community political activist, smart lawyer and defender of the innocents involved in the Whitewater scandals. Andrew Hurst has some pragmatic ideas on how to deal with everything from the Iraq war to Government Reform. If you want to throw out the old corrupt government of the past and usher in something different, I suggest you take a look at Andrew Hurst. At least you won’t have to worry about who owns Andrew Hurst. His campaign is b uilt from grassroots organization and the work of volunteers, not PAC money.
So the next time you’re driving down Route 123 or some other local road snarled in traffic, just count all the Tom Davis signs you read, and wonder who bought them. Then maybe you’ll vote and contribute to Andrew Hurst.
Sincerely,
