The Anson Record
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
www.ansonrecord.com

Democratic challenger makes run at congressional seat

BY THOMAS THACKER

Despite being a relative newcomer to politics, Larry Kissell campaigns in the old style.

The Democrat challenging for the Eighth District Congressional seat has spent all of his days and most of his nights for the last eight months meeting and listening to voters.

"If I had the time, I'd talk to every person in this district, Republican and Democrat," Kissell said in a recent interview. "In this age of expensive media campaigns and wholesale politics, average working people have lost their voice. No one listens to them anymore, and my campaign is all about changing that."

Kissell's resume includes 27 years as a textile worker. Now he teaches at East Montgomery High School.

He feels the careers in which he has worked make him capable of representing the Eighth District.

"For much of my adult life I made my living in the old economy of the Eighth District, textiles," he said. "Unlike so many others however, I did not lose my job. I left when I just couldn't keep watching good, hardworking people get fired as their jobs were shipped overseas. Their sweat and heart built the economy and prosperity others enjoyed, and then they were cast off for cheaper, not better, labor. What happened to them wasn't fair. And things haven't gotten any better for them."

Kissell said he went into teaching to try to be part of the solution to what he described as the failing economy in the district.

"I wanted to be part of the future. I want to help prepare young people for the road ahead," he said. "Education is the key to that future, and I wanted to be involved in that."

Kissell's main criticism of his opponent, Republican Congressman Robin Hayes, is that Hayes has lost touch with the struggles of working families.

"People in Washington, D.C. talk about how great the economy is. But when you look at the pressures on middle class families, it is obvious they are struggling just to get by," Kissell said.

Kissell sees the lack of a national, comprehensive, coordinated economic strategy as the main cause of poverty and the dwindling economic stability facing the middle class.

"Everything that goes on in Washington is done piecemeal," he said. "The energy lobby and the corporate and special interest groups all get their say. But then nobody listens to or cares about the folks who have to live with and pay for those decisions.

"There is no coordination, no strategy. There is only politics. And that approach ignores the best interests of the people."

Kissell's most pointed criticism of Hayes concerns the congressman's breaking a pledge to oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

After vowing not to support the measure, Hayes cast a crucial vote to helppass the bill Kissell said devastated a troubled Eighth District economy.

"Robin put party loyalty ahead of the interests of the people," Kissell said. "He is not the first person to do so. But I believe since he has gotten to Washington, he has forgotten who he was sent there to represent.

"Last year the congressman got angry because a school superintendent from this district questioned the effectiveness of federal education policy. Our congressman actually told this career educator, 'you need me more than I need you.' I think that is clearly a man who has lost touch with who he represents."

Kissell said illegal immigration, under-funded schools, outsourcing jobs and ever-higher energy prices are applying constant downward pressure on working families.

"Outsourcing has robbed millions of jobs from this country. The people who do have jobs must compete with millions of illegal laborers for artificially deflated wages, all the while watching resources siphoned out of public education, denying their children hope of a better future. These factors are linked. But government doesn't attack them as if they are linked. Politics has replaced planning and working people are paying the price for it," he said.

Kissell said he supports strict enforcement of immigration laws and points to the crisis on America's border with Mexico as a major failure of government.

"Keeping people safe and protecting our borders is a primary function of federal government," he said. "This is an area where it has failed in a major way."

Of his chances in the upcoming election, Kissell knows he fights an uphill battle against a well-funded incumbent from the majority party. But he said his message resonates with voters and has garnered national attention.

In recent weeks national figures from both parties have shown interest in the race, Democrats rallying to Kissell's grassroots effort and Republicans likewise coming to Hayes' support.

"People understand that I am not about politics," Kissell said. "I am not concerned with the political games in Washington. This campaign isn't about the Democrats taking congress back, it's about the people taking our country back."