Fresh air on the political scene

Friday, April 2, 2010

Collins Bailey, a self-employed businessman for more than 30 years, spoke to a group of concerned citizens at a meeting March 26. There were gasps of disbelief when he declared to those present that he was a candidate for the congressional seat held by Steny Hoyer.

However, that bit of information did not cause the surprise. The surprise came when he announced: "I will not accept any pay, health care benefits or retirement benefits after being elected. Furthermore, if re-elected, I will serve only two terms. I believe serving my country is a privilege, not a career."

He then told the group that when elected, he would vote to raise personal income tax exemptions to $15,000, vote to balance the budget, vote to cut government waste on unconstitutional programs, using half the savings from these actions for tax relief and the other half to reduce the national debt.

He firmly said he would vote against raising taxes, refuse to vote on any bill he had not read, vote against raising congressional pay and would not support amnesty for illegal aliens.

Mr. Bailey fielded several questions from his audience; the answers to which brought forth his consistent support of conservative values and goals. His apparent deep belief in God, the Constitution of the United States and the dire need for the winds of positive change to sweep through the government and the way it is run energized those present and brought a breath of fresh air onto the political scene.

He can be contacted at www.baileyforuscongress.com or 301-274-4116.

James H. Hilbert, Mechanicsville