I've been told that an African American will never represent the 180th District as an elected official in any capacity.
It has been mentioned to me that the Latino community in the 180th
District, which accounts for about 64% of the population, will never
elect an African American against a Latino American because it would be
considered an "act of betrayal."
If we continue to make an individual's ethnicity a prerequisite and the
deciding factor in electing public servants, we will continue to receive
the type of corrupt, incompetent and weak government the 180th District
has endured for decades. Continuing to vote for Angel Cruz, the
incumbent State Representative from the 180th District or Jonathan Ramos
who has lost to him on two occasions based upon his being Latino is as
flawed as Mitt Romney's view that a corporation is an individual or the
misguided opinions that say Barack Obama is not fit to lead the Republic
because of his African American heritage. This kind of thinking has
held the 180th district back for far too long; we can do better.
Fact: As a resident I've witnessed very little of the legislative
successes of Mr. Cruz and I'm deeply troubled by his lack of effective
governing. One thing is clear however--Mr. Cruz has won re-election
several times, so defeating him will not be an easy task.
Since his second straight defeat to Mr. Cruz, (2008 and 2010) Jonathan
Ramos has been nonexistent in the community. He hasn't produced any plan
on how to revitalize the 180th District. Mr. Ramos, as you will
remember in 2010, was involved in attempting to unseat Angel Cruz by
cheating. He received resources from Ms. Renee Tartaglione, a city
worker which she and Mr. Ramos knew was "highly inappropriate."
Tartaglione would eventually resign from her post.
In my opinion, neither Mr. Cruz or Mr. Ramos represent the needs and
concerns of more than 50,000 residents composed of Puerto Ricans,
Colombian Americans, Dominican Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian
Americans, Caucasian Americans and African Americans residing in the
180th District. It appears that the only action plan that has been acted
upon has been based on "unethical violations and arrogance".
I do believe as an African American, a resident of the 180th District
and a candidate for state representative in 2012, I can win. I have a
plan--a written initiative that can improve the 180th District. There
those who may not agree with my "Vision" plan and "Feed the Children"
bill and that is to be expected. However, there is a stark contrast
between empty rhetoric and policy that will garner results.
Conversely, I issue a challenge to the incumbent, Mr. Cruz, candidate
Jonathan Ramos and anyone else seeking the office of state
representative for the 180th District to a series of public debates and
let the residents decide which one of us is worthy to lead the community
to prosperity.
I am also asking that the residents of the community in which I wish to
serve carefully weigh the character, integrity & willingness to work
for the people as a measure of standard when voting in the 2012 primary
election for state representative. It is time we vote for an
individual, not an ethnicity. I am committed to serving my community,
not my own self interests.
"Progressives will bring balance to the Republic"
Anthony P. Johnson, Candidate for State Representative 180th District, 2012
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