| Running for the US House of Representatives gives a candidate a unique perspective on challenges facing American families today. The weak dollar and failing housing market have given working Americans a sense of unease about the future – and union workers, seniors, and veterans have been particularly hard hit. As an active army reserve officer, I have gotten this picture in high-definition. I’ve been able to see first hand the challenges faced by these hard working Americans.
When I grew up in Southwest Chicago every organization started their meetings with the pledge of allegiance. Today it would be a shock to even see a flag in a boardroom, much less hear the pledge. But the same cannot be said for the union halls. The union meetings I have regularly attended always begin with a flag salute. Union members know who among them has served their country in uniform, and they understand the sacrifices being made to keep their country great. The gap between the powerful and those who built and sustained our communities continues to grow.
It is sad that we seem to have lost the flame of patriotism that once united us. While there are places where the embers continue to glow, places like the churches, schools, and union halls of Southwest Chicago, places which shaped my childhood and gave me a sense of shared responsibility, those places are becoming increasingly rare. But I’m determined to reignite the patriotism we all felt in the months following the attacks of 2001. During my campaign I have reached out to the groups that are equally determined to rebuild our nation, and as a congressman I will work with these organizations to revitalize our neighborhoods and communities. I am committed to making the concerns of the working families of Southwest Chicago the priorities of Washington DC.
But it won’t be easy. Rebuilding a sense of community and patriotism require us to put aside differences and focus on the things that unite us. It requires us to accept that the hardships facing a child struggling in a school in Southwest Chicago is a challenge to us all. But as I visit organizations and families in our district, I believe our community is ready to accept that challenge, ready to spread the burden, and ready to share the privileges promised to every American. To find out more visit my web site at capparelliforcongress.com
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: (312) 603-6769