Time to set the record straight on J.J.

Written by: Evan Tribley on Jul 21, 2006 12:30 PM EDT

From the Findlay Courier:

Siferd touts military service record

The Findlay Courier
By MIKE SOBCZYK

Staff Writer

Richard E. Siferd, the Democratic candidate seeking the Fourth District seat in the U.S. House, believes the district "needs a war veteran in Congress."

And he just happens to fill the bill.

Siferd, a Lima attorney, and Republican State Sen. Jim Jordan of Urbana will square off in November's general election. The winner will succeed Rep. Michael G. Oxley, R-Findlay, who is retiring at year's end after a 25-year stint in Congress.

Siferd was unopposed in May's primary election, while Jordan defeated five other Republican candidates.

"I volunteered. I served. I fought and I led," Siferd told a small gathering of supporters Thursday at the Hancock County War Memorial located at North Main and Center streets. "My opponent (Jordan) has never served in the military."

Siferd, 61, served in the U.S. Army from 1965-1969. He received an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant in the field artillery, with combat service in Vietnam.

Siferd noted that in 1971, "three-quarters of our representatives had military experience." Today, that number has shrunk to fewer than one-third.

Siferd said that during World War II, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt "would not think of sending the young men and women of America off to war, unless their own children also served -- and served they did, unlike the current generation of politicians who protect their children from serving."

In addition to citing the importance of being a war veteran for a leadership role in Congress during time of war, Siferd also pointed out that he is a small businessman, having been the owner of a business for nearly 30 years. "My opponent has never run a business," Siferd said.

Licensed since 1973 with the firm of Siferd & McCluskey, Siferd also served as Lima's law director from 1980-1984.

Siferd said while he and Jordan both have law degrees, he has practiced law for 30 years, while Jordan has never practiced law. "I have seen how the law affects the citizens of this district," Siferd said.

He added that while Jordan "constantly" criticizes government, the "only job he (Jordan) has ever had has been a government job."

Siferd noted that as the November election approaches, "the war talk will be dragged out again."

He said, "They want to create fear and talk about the flag and patriotism rather than a sinking economy, jobs gone to Mexico and China, pensions pawned off on the taxpayers, and a collapsing health care system, and inadequate veterans benefits."

The 1962 Lima Senior High School graduate said as the Fourth District representative, "I will fight for the jobs this district needs and to find solutions to the problems eating at the soul of this country. I know the sacrifice of war and do not approach that sacrifice with the flip and easy answers of the Washington politicians who have never worn the uniform."

Asked about the current conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah in Lebanon, Siferd said while he thinks Israel "has the right, the duty to defend itself," he thinks its response has been "disproportionate" to the threat by Hezbollah. Calling the situation a tragedy, Siferd said there needs to be a diplomatic solution.

Siferd said the United States' role should be to actively work with other countries in getting a diplomatic response.

As for his congressional campaign against Jordan -- where his financial warchest substantially lags behind that of his opponent, Siferd said, "I always figured from the outset it would be about 10 to 1 ... he has 10 times more than me and that's about what it is." According to the latest post-election campaign reports, Siferd currently has about $10,280 in his warchest compared with Jordan's $135,198.

Despite that, Siferd said, "I'm still going to win. Voters are dissatisfied with the economy and the national debt. People sense it's time for a change."

Siferd added that his campaign is receiving "a lot of Republican support." He also said winning the independent vote will be crucial.

Contact staff writer Mike Sobczyk at:

(419) 427-8421

mikesobczyk@thecourier.com

Time to support a minimum wage increase

Written by: Evan Tribley on Jul 12, 2006 1:31 PM EDT

Members of the United States Congress will be enjoying a nice pay raise come next term while Americans most in need will be left to suffer yet another year. For the ninth time in a row, the Republicans have blocked an increase to the minimum wage all while passing pay increases for themselves. It is time to send leaders to Washington who have common sense.

Republicans will argue that raising the minimum wage is bad for business and hurts the economy. They will also argue that cutting taxes is good for the economy because it puts more money in people's pockets--more money to spend. So which is it? Is putting money in people's pockets good for the economy or bad for the economy? You can't have it both ways--if it's good for the economy to cut taxes then it's good for the economy to raise the minimum wage. Either way you look at it, it's more money in people's pockets.

Still, those tax cuts are predominantly going to the wealthier people of America who will spend regardless. In other words, there isn't a whole lot more money in the pockets of most Americans. And what do they think raising the minimum wage will do for Americans who are strapped for cash? Well, I'll tell them, unlike the tax cuts that benefit those who don't even need it, it puts more money into more people's pockets--which is good for the economy.

Contrary to what they lead Americans to believe, states with higher minimum wages have consistently created more jobs. As Lou Dobbs recently wrote on CNN.com "The myth that raising the minimum wage will lead to job cuts is just that: a myth. In fact, research suggests just the opposite. According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, since 1998, states with higher minimum wages experienced better job growth than states paying only the federal minimum wage. Among small retail businesses in those higher minimum-wage states, job growth was double the rest of the country."

The GOP argument is bogus. There are many more reasons to raise the minimum wage than just the economy. Quite frankly, this is America and people deserve the opportunity to make enough money to survive. The current minimum wage provides nothing of the sort, leaving poor families even poorer and thousands short of the poverty line. With increases in gas by over 100% percent in just the past few years, families living on minimum wage will soon be unable to even afford to get to work.

It is time for a change of leadership in Columbus and Washington D.C. The Republicans are the roadblock to better wages for Americans. It is time to reopen the roadway to opportunity for all Americans, not just the ones who have enough money to influence politicians. If elected to Congress I will join a new Democratic Majority that will quickly push for minimum wage increases. There is only one candidate in the 4th District race that will really fight for families by providing better wages and he is not from Urbana.

Please help support my campaign for honest leadership in Ohio's 4th District by volunteering, sending in a contribution, and spreading the word about my Campaign. Please visit my website for more information.

Rick Siferd,

Democratic Candidate for Ohio's 4th Congressional District

Enough is Enough, Support our Veterans

Written by: Evan Tribley on Jul 5, 2006 2:27 PM EDT

President Bush sent our troops to Iraq to stop the spread of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Mission not accomplished, as we have not found the WMDs and we have actually spread terrorism into Iraq. President Bush said he would support our troops, but that is just another mission failed by the Bush Administration and the republican controlled Congress.

As reported in a recent AP article by Verena Dobnik, the US Government is not supporting our troops when the get home. When veterans like Herold Noel, Nadine Beckford, or J.B. White get back to the US, they find that they have no home to live in. After spending months and years overseas to defend our country the have come to find their country's government will not defend them. Bush budgets and the GOP Congress have slashed funding across the board for veterans' benefits all while pretending to support the troops. To add to the disgust, on July 4th Bush used military servicemen and women as a backdrop for his photo shoot and speech. The President has no problem taking political advantage of our troops all while emptying their pockets for tax cuts for the wealthy and wars that do not make sense. As Iraqi war veteran Herold Noel said in reference to coming home homeless, "This is not what I fought for, what I almost died for. This is not what I was supposed to come home to."

Not only are our veterans coming back homeless, they are also not receiving the proper support for health coverage. Time and time again we have been seen stories of veterans not receiving the health coverage, and veterans being ignored when requesting assistance. Families and soldiers have not been prepared for the mental stress of war. Whether it is a soldier coming home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or a family grieving the loss of their family member, the government has not been there. Even worse is when we lose our soldiers overseas because the government has not been compensating families the way they should be. When Lila Lipscomb's son Michael Pederson was killed in Iraq they sent her his paycheck- cut three days short for the days he did not work because he was dead as chronicled by Michael Moore in his documentary. This is a normal occurrence.

We desperately need to change the leadership in Washington D.C. starting with the Congress in 2006. Richard Siferd is a Vietnam War Veteran running for Congress (OH-4) and he understands the issues veterans face in combat and returning home. It is time to put someone in office that will stand up for the veterans and give them and their families the support they deserve, and at the same time, work feverishly to find an end to this war that is effective and safe for our country. Richard Siferd will be that someone.

Please visit www.SiferdforCongress.com for more information on how to support, contribute, or volunteer!

Volunteers!

Written by: Evan Tribley on Jun 30, 2006 10:42 AM EDT

The Rick Siferd for Congress campaign has had great success canvassing in Ohio's fourth district. It is very evident that voters want a change from the GOP status quo. We need to expand our canvassing and volunteer efforts to get Rick's message out to as many residents as possible. The Allen County area has been extensively covered but we need help in other critical counties across the district. In all, Ohio's fourth includes Allen, Augliaze, Champaign, Hardin, Hancock, Logan, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Shelby, and Wyandot Counties.

If you are interested in supporting Rick Siferd's campaign for a change as a canvasser, contributor, or as a coordinator for your county, please contact our office at 419-224-7200 or email rsiferd@siferdforcongress.com. It is essential that every door that can be knocked on is knocked on. While it is certain that we will be beat in fundraising efforts, our message and our determination for change is much more important than any dollar of GOP money.

Rick Siferd is a strong and principled candidate who is fighting the real fight for families; he is fighting for better health care, a fair tax system, a real living wage for all Americans, and government spending that makes sense. He is a veteran, and he is running because he believes so deeply in this country and the constituents of Ohio's 4th district. It is time for a change, please help us in our campaign for a better Ohio.

Please visit our website for more information

www.SiferdforCongress.com

Support Rick Siferd!

Written by: Evan Tribley on Jun 20, 2006 3:01 PM EDT

Support Rick Siferd!

Written by: Evan Tribley on Jun 20, 2006 3:01 PM EDT