Many of you know me. I'm a veteran. I'm a union member from a working family. For more than 23 years I've worked serving this community alongside Congressman Lane Evans.

I'm running for Congress because I want to continue to work for each of you and for our community's future.

My top goals include:

-- Health care for every American

-- A real prescription drug bill for our seniors

-- An increase in the minimum wage and living wages

-- More jobs for this district

-- Safeguarding Social Security

-- Fully-funded veterans' benefits

-- Support for our farmers

-- Improved homeland security -- implementation of the 9/11 Commission

recommendations

-- Immigration policy that works

-- Success in Iraq

I support universal health care. I believe health care is a right, not a privilege. I believe government should negotiate for lower-cost drugs, just like the VA does. Democrats have vowed that if the majority in the House shifts, one of the first votes will be to repeal the Republican prohibition on Medicare negotiating for lower-cost drugs for our seniors. I'll proudly join that effort, and oppose more drug company giveaways.

I'll work for a better economy with better jobs for the working people in our area. We need living wages, an increase in the minimum wage, and policies that encourage companies to stay in this country and employ Americans. Democrats have promised an increase in the minimum wage will also be among the first votes members of a Democratic House cast. I will never take a raise or give the wealthy a tax break before working Americans get a raise.

I know how to get things done. Working with Congressman Evans, I helped secure millions in federal dollars for three health clinics that serve thousands of people in this district each year. We successfully secured millions for transportation projects that will improve our quality of life and create jobs. And we provided great constituent services.

My opponent claims has nothing but criticism for Congressman Evans and for me. She wants us to take all the blame for any disappointments but refuses to give us any credit for the progress we've made and the achievements we've all celebrated together.

This district deserves better. And if we change the direction of this country and bring some balance to the Congress, we'll soon see better days.

If elected, I will strongly support and work to pass the Patriot Corporations of America legislation, introduced by U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Dick Durbin of Illinois in the Senate and Rep. Schakowsky. The bill gives incentives to companies to stay in this country and hire U.S. workers. It rewards good corporate citizens who offer health and retirement security and allow union organizing, rather than giving them tax breaks that they pocket before closing shop and heading overseas.

We need to have the funds to pay for the goals we all support. All told, Andrea Zinga is pushing permanent tax breaks for the wealthy that will cost our nation about $3 trillion but will benefit roughly one percent of the population. She supports the status quo in Iraq, which costs this nation $11 million an hour. And she supports privatizing Social Security, which will take over $700 billion out of the system and jeopardize retirement security for those in this district who depend on it. She hasn't said how she'll make up for the lost revenues.

She cannot have it both ways. Members of Congress must make tough choices about how we spend resources. My priorities lie with the working people of this district. We need money to accomplish the goals we all share. Giving it away to the wealthiest Americans is not the wisest policy.

I'll oppose tax and trade deals that kill jobs and send them overseas. I understand the sacrifices our veterans have made. I will work to reverse the Bush budget that cuts Veterans by $1 billion.

I want better security for every American. I'll work in Congress to improve homeland security, including border security, port security, rail security and commercial air travel security. The 9/11 Commission's recommendations should be the law of the land. That's another vote Democrats have vowed to schedule among the first of the new Congress.

I'll support a tough immigration plan, better border control, and more enforcement of our laws.

I'll work to improve education. That means more funding for local schools and teacher salaries, and more affordable student loan programs. I'm proud to have worked with so many of you, and I would be *honored` to have *your* vote for Congress on Nov. 7.

Phil Hare, former district director for U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, is the Democrat candidate to fill his seat.