It’s Time for a New Style of Leadership
Note: Luke was asked by the Pharos-Tribune to write a brief op-ed about why he was running for Congress. Below is what he wrote.
By: Luke Puckett
My name is Luke Puckett and I’m running for Congress in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District. As a small businessman, father, and citizen I’m running for Congress because I believe that we need common sense solutions to the challenges facing our country. The status quo in Washington needs to change and the actions of this Congress offer us no hope that real change is imminent.
(Read the rest below the fold)
As I’ve traveled this district and talked to people I’ve found that there are three very important issues that many of them are thinking about: the first is the economy, the second is health care, and the third is our national security.
Perhaps nothing illustrates the seriousness of the current economic uncertainty like the rise in gas prices. According to AAA, since the start of 2007 gas prices have risen 50% and Hoosiers, myself included, are feeling this increase every time we fill up at the pump.
Unfortunately, as Americans have been faced with higher and higher gas prices, politicians in Washington have continually failed to push for policies that will bring both immediate and long-term relief.
Recently, Congress passed legislation giving a tax credit to the producers of cellulosic alcohol fuel. There are zero gas stations that sell this fuel. This same Congress has refused to pass legislation that would allow for environmentally friendly oil drilling to take place in Alaska and elsewhere.
As the next congressman from Indiana’s 2nd District, I’ll fight to open up domestic energy sources and I’ll advocate for real solutions that will lower gas prices for Hoosiers.
Another concern that many people have today is the rising cost of health care. Rep. Joe Donnelly’s party believes that the best way to solve this problem is by having the government take over our health care system. Why would we want the same people who couldn’t get water to the Louisiana Super Dome in charge of our health care system? Europe and Canada have already found out that nationalized health care is a boondoggle where only the bureaucrats win.
Our national security is very important and I firmly believe that we need to give our military and intelligence agencies the tools they need to keep us safe.
It is an honor to be an average citizen running for Congress. I’m confident that together we can dream big dreams about America’s future and work to solve the problems that we face.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:35 am
Good to see you here. I pray God will give you success!
May 14th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Go get ‘em Luke. So far, from what I’ve read, you’ve hit one the hot button issues with deadly accuracy. I look forward to learning more about you and your commitments to represent us in Indiana’s 2nd US District. God speed.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:20 am
This Fall will be a completely new experience for me. I am a lifelong democrat and have never voted for a Republican for either Congress or President before. But I will do both in November.
Due to the autocratic ways of the Democratic National Committee, In general, Howard Dean in particular, and the decision by Joe Donnelly that my vote, as well as the majority of the 2nd district as well as the majority of Indiana democrats for Hillary Clinton wasn’t important and therefore because he is a “superdelegate” (which is not anything that resembles democracy, but a dictatorship) he is supporting Obama. I have come to the conclusion that Joe Donnelly needs to be voted out of office since he doesn’t have the majority of his constituents best interests at heart, especially when saying that those who voted for Hillary needed to “get over it”
I have been voting since the fall of 1971 when the 26th amendment to allow 18 year old tto vote and have voted in every presedential election since 1972, which means that this fall’s election will be my 10th presidential election,and my 20th congressional election. The democrats have done much to alienate those that support and vote for them, and I can assure you I am not the only registered democrat who feels totally abondoned by the party and its leadership
I would like a sign to put in my yard for Luke to let everyone know what happens when you show nothing but contempt for the people who elected you in the first place, and you have someone who does care
I am not in a financial position to be able to contribute to Luke’s campaign, but I am letting all my friends know that I am supporting him, and I have emailed Joe Donnelly to let him know he lost my vote, but he doesn’t care about me or my vote anway