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With the Press, Again

As long-time readers of my blogs know, my relationship with the media has been acrimonious at times, though I realize, of course, that the press is an essential part of politics and democracy in our nation, and of course the relationship between politicians and the press is going to be often disharmonious because they have distinctly different interests.  That doesn't mean that one or both sides cannot be at fault at varying times, and both sides often are.

So with all that in mind, my first thought today is, though I am sure that the H-1B system for hiring temporary foreign workers has been widely abused, there is a big distinction between that system and the system for permanent residents being in the job market.  In the interest of my views being as publicly accurate as possible, I'll say this: I more or less support the law that infers that official permanent residents should be treated the same in the job market as citizens are. 

In a completely separate earlier interview, regarding the one at the little news weekly for 9th Congressional District Congress candidates on July 7th, Rep. Adam Smith was civil and gentlemanly in meeting me and the other candidate, Don Rivers, that attended, and in answering the interviewers' questions.  As for Rivers, however, nobody could go into the U.S. House of Representatives with his disposition and tone, and get things accomplished.

Regarding the interview at the Seattle Times that same day, I was forthright and determined in standing up for the standard that a candidate for representative should aspire to; namely, actually representing the wishes of your constituents while still defending core beliefs of your own that may not necessarily be the majority opinion.  The Times' interview of the 4 Ninth Congressional District candidates for representative was an immensely fair process.  No earthshaking new information about the other candidates came out of the interview, except that I would say, in regards to Rivers, that being a former resident of a city a continent away from Seattle is not a qualification for the office.

By the way, I went to the 2 interviews (the aforementioned H-1B discussion was by phone), not really expecting the endorsement of these particular newspapers that have expressed viewpoints in their respective commentaries in the past that are diametrically different from my own.  I went, basically, because I think it shows civic faith for candidates running for office to show up for just about any media or civic forum in which the public at large can know more about us and our views.

-- Mark Greene, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional District 9

[revised on 7/16/14]

Post-script:  Bellevue Candidate debates have been canceled, but there will be a Q & A.  Smith and Basler declined because of work or scheduling conflicts.  Rivers did not respond to the invitation.  The forum will still be held this week and called "Question & Answer Session," introducing myself with an introductory speech.  Bellevue Library, July 11, 2:30 - 3:30.

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