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Tom Wyka took the 6:33 a.m. Morris & Essex Train from Dover to Summit on Tuesday to talk to voters about public transit and a green economy. Wyka for Congress volunteers were at the stations to hand out literature to commuters who were waiting for the train. Wyka, a Democrat from Parsippany, is challenging 7-term incumbent Rodney Frelinghuysen for New Jersey's 11th district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Diane Burns, of Hanover Township, wore a full-size Wyka for Congress lawn sign hung on a cord around her neck "which caught people's eye. I just said, 'Here is information about Tom Wyka, who is running for Congress in our district. He will be riding on your train this morning introducing himself to people, and answering any questions you may have.' All but one person took the flyer."
Geoffrey Thomas of Madison was handing out literature at the Madison train station. "You can't really expect to have a political discussion with many people before 7 in the morning, especially on a cold rainy day like today, but most people accepted the literature to read on the train. Several people said that they knew about Wyka and are going to vote for him."
Eric Carlson, a Wyka for Congress volunteer from Harding Township who rode the train with Wyka, said, "A few commuters huddled together waiting for the train to New York in the dark, on the cold and rainy morning were asked by Wyka what their biggest worry was, and they answered in chorus 'MONEY!' Tom Wyka cheered some folks up, and received a few smiles, after explaining that they had a choice for a change come November. For some, it was an easy sell once they realized that Tom Wyka was running on the same ticket as Obama."
Public transit development is an important part of the new "green" economy that Wyka advocates. Wyka says, "When it comes to energy efficiency, nothing beats electrified rail transit. This year, a lot more people have wanted to ride the train. But New Jersey Transit has actually been cutting service, because of budget problems. When we can't afford to do the single most effective thing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and avoid global climate change, it shows that our government hasn't been spending our money on the right kinds of things. So far, the taxpayers in this district are stuck with a bill of $3.2 billion for the Iraq War. Just think of what we could have done locally to reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil for that amount!" According to recent estimates from the National Priorities Project (www.costofwar.com), taxpayers in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District will pay $3.2 billion for total Iraq war spending approved to date.
Link:
http://www.tomwyka.com
http://www.nationalpriorities.... |
