A negative note and my reply

I got this negative note from a voter that I hope to serve as constituent in just over a year. You might be interested in his words and my reply. His name is removed for privacy.

"Dear Mr. Lineberger,

I read your letter.   Your are sadly mistaken.   We are NOT losing our democracy with Mr. Trump and the current administration.   We are getting it back.    The Biden group of losers tried to ruin this country and give it away.   What a terrible 4 years of misery.   No country has ever been able to survive without borders.   This country is much better off with Republicans running the show.  You say that Trump is only trying to benefit the wealthy and hurt families.   You are wrong.    I’m not wealthy and I am better off with Trump in the Oval office and I feel totally secure….  Instead of the mess that we endured the previous four years.  

Give it up sir.   You are in a losing battle!"

And my Reply

"Hi,

        Thank you for sharing your opinion.  Back in the day, Republicans used to be more moderate and very pro-defense.  Even as late as the 1990's, we passed a lot of bills with deep bipartisan support, like the voting rights act and the assault weapons ban.  Republicans were always very pro-business.  Recently, the influence of big money has taken serious hold on their values.  The number one thing they support is tax breaks for billionaires.  Since there aren't a lot of votes from billionaires, they have resorted to using cultures wars to divide Americans and get votes.  We could easily work together and resolve immigration and border issues, among other things, but they need to keep them as wedge issues.

I'm running to flip this seat from serving only the wealthy to one that serves all Americans.  One that addresses the real issues of our daily lives, follows the Constitution, and makes life better for Americans at every level.  Imagine the possibilities if the economy, costs and wages, allowed everyone working full time to pay their bills and have a good quality of life.  Plus, we could actually balance the budget and not pass down a huge debt to our children.

     I know that this is hard to hear (or read) if you believe the lies they have been constantly publishing.  Try to take a new look from a new perspective.  In spite of all of their patriotic words, they are taking us down an authoritarian path.  We need to reassert the Constitution and work to serve all of the people. 

      My guess is that you won't be able to do this.  But I hope you can.

Good luck.

Putting People's Needs First!

Ernest Lineberger 

Democratic Candidate for US House (Texas CD26)"