Ex-hostage Terry Anderson's reflections lead to politics

Copyright © 2004 AP Online
This story was published Thursday, May 6th, 2004

By JOHN McCARTHY, Associated Press

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) - Terry Anderson had a recurring thought during 6 1/2 years as a hostage in the Middle East: He had spent his career being a watcher, not a doer.

"One of the things I kind of decided in captivity is that I'd been an observer for too long and it was time to participate," said Anderson, who spent 18 years as a journalist.

Those reflections ultimately led him to politics, first on the fringes and now as a Democratic state Senate candidate in Republican territory and one of Ohio's poorest regions.

Anderson, 56, was chief Middle East correspondent for The Associated Press when he was kidnapped in Lebanon by Iranian-sponsored terrorists in 1985. He was freed in 1991.

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/05/06/politics1238EDT0597.DTL
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I met Terry Anderson yesterday, and I have to tell you, I am really impressed.

He has passion, enthusiasm, and intelligence. His personal story is compelling, but quickly fades to the back of your mind as he chronicles the devastating impact of single-party control of Ohio's statehouse.

He speaks of Athens County's 5% unemployment rate and 27% poverty rate to demonstrate the fact that under Republican control, working people can no longer hope to lift themselves out of poverty. The state treasury that once got 16% of it's money from corporate taxes now relies on corporate taxes for 4% of revenue, with the working class making up the 12% difference.

I found in him not only a Democratic candidate who should win, but a Democratic candidate who CAN win. Perhaps most importantly, he isn't in the race just for his own victory. His goals include strengthening the party state wide, and he's working to achieve that.

If you get the opportunity to meet Terry Anderson, please do. You won't be disappointed.

http://www.voteterry.com

DISCLAIMER:
I am not affiliated with the Terry Anderson campaign. I'm just a newly enthusiastic supporter.

You can get a 100% tax credit on your Ohio taxes for a contribution of up to $50, so it costs you nothing.

In all fairness, it does decrease the amount of state taxes you can deduct in the next years' federal tax cycle if you itemize. Therefore, if you give $50, it moves you up one tax bracket and costs you $14 on your federal taxes if you are in the 28% bracket. It costs you $7 if you are in the 14% tax bracket. Does that make sense?

Terry's worth $14 to me. Anybody else care to contribute?

Thanks for reminding us.

http://www.terryandersonforohiosenate.com/contMgr.cgi?SPEECHDETAIL+

excerpt

Our schools, for the most part, can't educate our children properly. There are fine people there, and they try their best. But they just don't have enough money. We're losing jobs. No sector has been hit harder than the manufacturing sector. Over the past year we have lost 39,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector alone. The jobs we do have get less rewarding every day -- no benefits, minimum wages, no job security.

Over 19% of our children are living below the poverty level. That's 14,000 children. 30,000 children are receiving welfare benefits. Why is that? Why does Southeast Ohio remain poor? We do we consistently get less back from the state that we pay in taxes? Why are so many of our schools inadequate? We are we losing industries and jobs?

The main reason? The leadership in Columbus, and Washington, doesn't care about us. They'd rather spend their time making sweetheart deals with their friends, sending our money to their favorite special interests, and thinking up tax breaks for millionaires and big corporations. I can't promise you that if you elect me, I will change all that by myself. But I can promise you that if you vote for me, and the other fine Democratic candidates running in this election, that we will go to Columbus and work for you. Not for the rich, nor the corporations, nor the special interests. For you, the people of the 20th District. We will be your voice, and it will be a loud one.