OPINION: NJ-03’s Tom MacArthur is a dictator, not a public servant.

ABOVE: Derived (cropped) from Wikipmedia Commons, by ROverhate (license)

A letter to the editor by Kerry Douglas of Mt. Holly, NJ

This week I attended one of the many events introducing Andy Kim to voters. Mr. Kim is running for Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional district, looking to unseat current GOP Congressman Tom MacArthur.

The fundamental difference between Andy Kim and Tom MacArthur is not one of party, but of vision. Kim believes that a Congressional Representative is a public servant, working for the people of his district. MacArthur believes a Representative is a ruler, dictating to his constituents what he thinks is best.

Some of MacArthur’s fiats so far:

• He abandoned the Armed Services Committee, despite our district having one of the largest joint military bases and percentage of veterans in the country.
• He is the only NJ representative to vote for the tax plan, in spite of economists warning that it will ultimately lower our property values.
• He single-handedly resurrected Trumpcare by gutting pre-existing condition protections and Medicaid, despite the fact that Medicaid is often key to fighting opiod addiction.
• He co-sponsored the Concealed Carry Reciprocity bill that would allow guns from states with weak gun laws to be brought into New Jersey, overriding our state’s rights and ignoring the will of the people.

Andy Kim has repeatedly criss-crossed CD3, talking with and listening to the people in this district. MacArthur has not met with constituents in a year – unless you could afford $5,000+ to get into his elite fundraisers.

Andy Kim will be guided by his constituents’ needs, not by lobbyists, special interests, or personal political ambition. He has pledged to hold at least one town hall meeting a month when he is elected. A Congressperson who actually listens to his people…what a refreshing change.

Editor’s note: The opinions in this letter are the author’s only.

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