It is very important to underscore Critz’s life and contribution to Pennsylvania. Critz spent more than a decade working on behalf of western Pennsylvanians as a congressional staffer for Congressman John P. Murtha, first as his Director of Economic Development and then as District Director. He has been selected to be the representatives of Pennsylvania 12th district since 2010. He made significant contribution throughout his life. First, Mark was recognized for his excellent service to American military when he was awarded the Patrick Henry Award by the National Guard Association of the United States in 2008. It is the highest civilian award issued by the National Guard. Beside, as a dedicated member of the Congressional Task Force on seniors, Mark has protected and strengthened Social Security and Medicare. Critz also support small business community by delivering ideas and concerns of small business owners to Washington D.C. He did a lot of works throughout years, but we still have to continue to run on his ideas and principles that will be focus on in the near future. The concepts and ideas will be discussed in the following:
1. Energy: Critz should focus on energy policy in Pennsylvania 12th district because we own great mining and steel resources in our district and the entire United States. Critz have to talk about improvement of mining and steel making, such as equipment improvement; the benefits those industries can gain from government, such as tax cut for the businesses; and development of energy independent, so that people and companies in this district could end buying energy from those who do not share same values.
2. Jobs and Economy: As member of Democratic Party, Critz might confront the questions every Democrat face, how to increase more jobs, and how to reboots the shrinking economy. As many working class and middle class family live in 12th district, Critz should talk about how to protect jobs in Western Pennsylvania by fighting to eliminate tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. As energy industry highly dominates the district, Critz should take advantage of natural resources like coal and natural gas to create jobs here. He can also talking about provide tax cuts to small businesses and energy industry that will result creating new high-paying jobs. Besides, as many middle class and working class families lives in this district, Critz should concentrate on tax policies, and talks about tax cut for middle class and low-income families, not the wealthy.
3.Wedge issues and social issues: Although the people in district mostly support Democrats, they are not as liberal as ones in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Most of them are conservative on social issues, particularly abortion and gun control. Therefore, Critz should strongly support pro-life and opposes taxpayer funding of abortion. He should talks about his contribution, which he has been fighting for policies that standing up for the sanctity of life. Besides, by talking about controlling of gun usage, Critz will become a stronger candidate as well.
4. Education: Because of the college town in Indiana, Critz should talk about educational improvement. He should focus on improving quality and facilities of college education, reducing tuition, providing more scholarships and fellowships for outstanding students, and creating more education programs for younger people.
5. Veterans: Because of his award of Patrick Henry Award by the National Guard Association of the United States in 2008, he is credible for supporting military improvement. Critz should talk about his past contribution to veteran society, such as extending Tricare coverage to veteran’s dependent children up to age 26, increasing imminent danger pay for $7.2 billion for new, state-of-the-art equipment. He also should talk about his future action on how to ensure veterans have the training they need to get high paying jobs when they re-enter civilian life, and the benefit the government can bring to them when they return home after their duty.
6. Opponent: The biggest opponent is a Republican representative Keith Rothfus. First, Critz should attack him about his millionaire “wall street lawyer” image by announcing that he cannot stand for middle and low-income class. Secondly, Rothfus worked for a law firm that had a "strategic alliance" with a Chinese firm. Critz should criticize Rothfus on his protective tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas rather than creating jobs for America. Finally, by attacking Rothfus’s ideas of raising Medicare fee for seniors, and cutting tax on the wealthy will resonate emotion of middle class people and senior, and gain more votes from them.
by
sxu0501 (student)
