Endorsement: Mac D'Alessandro for Congress

Mac D'Alessandro (right) and me

June 26, 2010

The anti-incumbent mood has struck close to home. I am not supporting my incumbent Democratic Congressman this year. No, I am not even close to becoming a tea party advocate; no worries there. I am not voting for my Congressman because of decisions he's made that I do not agree with. Instead, I am voting for another Democrat in the primary.

My Congressman voted against health care reform. He sent me a letter saying the bill wasn't progressive enough, which I find funny, as colleagues of his that are far more liberal thought the bill was worth voting for---some even thought it was good enough to fight for.

My Congressman voted for the Stupak Amendment, which would have significantly impacted a woman's right to choose.

My Congressman voted for the current Iraq War. I thought it was a bad idea from the beginning.

It's time for change.

I have been volunteering for Mac D'Alessandro, a Democrat challenging my Congressman (MA 9th Congressional District). I intend to vote for Mac in the Congressional Primary, scheduled for September 14.

Mac has spent his entire life, including a substantial time in Massachusetts, working hard for families. He would have voted against the Stupak Amendment and the Iraq War and would have voted for health care reform. For those reasons alone, he has my support.

His district is wide and diverse, including parts of Boston (Beacon Hill, South Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, and sections of other neighborhoods) and several suburban towns. I have no doubt that when people meet him and hear what he has to say, he will connect with many across all of those areas.

Mac is fundamentally a caring person. He came out to Beacon Hill a few weeks back with his daughters ("I am on duty," he said.). At a time when even the most optimistic among us (namely, me) are somewhat skeptical of Congress, he's a face we need.