Bill Hedrick for Congress, 44th District, California

Background:

A native of Los Angeles, I was born in 1952. The son of a Teamster and a teacher, both from the South, I absorbed the lessons of hard work, common sense, and tolerance modeled by my parents. After church, Sunday dinner table conversation always centered around current events, politics in general, and the Democratic Party.

Through annual summer visits to east Texas, I learned firsthand the value of tradition, but also the human cost of segregation and poverty. The contrast between middle class Los Angeles and the deep poverty of the rural South left an indelible impression on me and a desire to change the world one student at a time.

A product of public schools, I received my BA in Social Science and MA in Education from CSULA. I began teaching elementary school in Hollywood in1974, and have spent 34 years in education in Southern California, the last nine years serving as president of the Rialto Education Association, an NEA/AFL-CIO affiliate.

My wife of 28 years, Beth, and I have lived in Corona since 1981, and have five children. Our sons Adam and Jess have now served multiple tours in Iraq as have their spouses.

In the 2008 election, we took a district that was lost by 23% two years earlier and came within 2% of unseating a 16 year incumbent.

With your help, I know my campaign will be successful in 2010.

Goals:

As a father, an educator, and a locally elected official, I understand that by putting families first, we ensure our homes are secure, our schools are advancing, and our community is thriving.

When partisan politics override what is best for our families, our homes, schools, and communities suffer – as we unfortunately see today.

When I am your representative in Washington, every vote I cast will be made with your family’s interests first on my mind!

Issues:

1) The war has been damaging to long term American interests, and has proven to be politically, militarily, financially, and morally ruinous. Our troops need to be withdrawn from this quagmire. Our fighting men and women have performed admirably in a tremendously challenging environment. But, it is clear that this intervention has been directed by leaders more concerned about oil and profits than freedom and democracy. This ill-advised mission needs to end before more lives are lost and further damage to our national interest and prestige is incurred.

2) The health care crisis must be resolved, and I will support plans to do so. It is morally unacceptable as well as financially irresponsible to ignore the human cost to families and fiscal consequences to taxpayers of the current broken system.

3) Trade policies must be adopted that safeguard the interests of working Americans. Current trade agreements, with completely ineffective environmental and labor requirements for foreign-based manufacturers, have placed American workers at a tremendous competitive disadvantage. The out-sourcing of America needs to stop, and fair markets established for the exchange of goods and services. Conservatives complain about "class war," yet seem to have no problem with the current war on the American middle class that their trade policies have incited.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots support is critical to success in this race. The best way to combat “organized money” is through “organized people.” Volunteers will provide the muscle for this campaign, both in precinct work, voter registration, and fundraising. “People power” is the pathway to an upset win, and neighbors walking and talking with neighbors will be among the most potent tools for victory. Beyond traditional outreach, grassroots, web-based support and efficient use of social media tools will allow effective and frequent contact with voters in our community.

DFA Values:

As a member of a Board of Trustees with a $400,000,000 annual budget, I have learned well that you cannot spend the same dollar twice. However, our dollars need to be wisely spent rather than squandered on an occupation of Iraq where our presence is not welcome and on congressional earmarks that enrich cronies at public expense. Re-prioritization of tax receipts to reward individual initiative through increased small business loans, education grants, and revamped health care are goals that will strengthen the American middle class.