Recently, I received a fancy mailer from Rep. Rob Wittman, who is currently campaigning to keep his seat in Virginia's 1st district. It speaks about job growth and time for fiscal responsibility:
"Government spending is out of control. It's time to restore fiscal responsibility in Washington. I'm working to make Washington live within its means the way families and businesses do.-- Rob Wittman"
But when I turned the page, I saw this notice: "This mailing was prepared, published, and mailed at taxpayer expense."
This is fiscal responsibility? I see why he voted against HR 5175, a bill that would establish new disclosure requirements for political advertisements and other regulations for the financing of campaigns and political advertisements.
The mailer also speaks of creating tax incentives to encourage hiring of new workers, yet he voted "no" on HR 2847, which would have done exactly that. He voted against the jobs bill and HR 4213 to extended tax credits and unemployment benefits.
Mr. Wittman has voted against equal rights, equal pay, employment discrimination, and against a hate crimes extension bill to protect against prejudice based on national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
He's voted against renewable and alternative energy tax credits, environmental issues, children's health insurance programs, GI bill provisions for education funding, and student aid programs.
This is not what we need for Virginians, particularly not for women. The only thing he has ever voted for on women's issues is a bill that requires girls entering the sixth grade to receive an HPV vaccine.
Thanks, but no thanks. My vote goes to Krystal Ball. She'll fight for Virginia, for energy independence, and for equal rights for all.
Paula Neustatter
Caroline