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The federal government must regain control of immigration policy by controlling our borders, improving record keeping for visas, requiring businesses to comply with legal hiring practices, and introducing legislation that will allow working immigrants to follow a clear and fair process.

Those who simply say, “We cannot reward bad behavior”, do not understand the complexities of placing the burden of immigration enforcement on state and local governments. The concept of “rounding up” 17 million immigrants would be another costly and ineffective response to the problem that would be passed on to local property taxpayers and local law enforcement.

I propose that we:

• Invest in border and port security.

• Promote an effective e-verify system for employers and raise penalties on employers who ignore the law.
• Create a payroll deduction system for workers who are earning citizenship status that would shift the burden from the general fund to cover immigration enforcement. They pay for the cost of their processing, a paycheck at a time!
• Enforce the laws and when a person who is arrested for a serious crime is found to be here without proper immigration status, he should be deported.
• Evaluate federal support for local schools which have been financially impacted.

Find the Solution on Main Street

The real estate slowdown hit Main Street two years ago, but President Bush did nothing, and even threatened to veto Democrat-sponsored legislation that would have helped homeowners. Now, when the meltdown is hurting millionaires on Wall Street, President Bush wants immediate action with no strings attached. Already, in the last few weeks, he’s spent hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars protecting a selected few corporate lenders from their bad investments.

No one can be sure of the next best step. People in Washington and New York, wanting to protect their own hides, want immediate and dramatic action. People in the 6th Congressional district want something more. I am not sure that I trust many in Washington right now. The past 8 years of no regulation and no oversight have left us with terrible choices. No one wants to avoid action, but we want to take the right steps.

President Bush wants $700 billion more of taxpayer dollars to bail out Wall Street banks, and even foreign-owned banks, so they can just keep selling mortgages. Even worse, President Bush says: “Don’t clutter the bailout bill with foreclosure protection for homeowners, or salary cuts for millionaire CEOs, or measures to ensure that taxpayers don’t get cheated. Just give us the money and go away.”

Read the Dougherty Plan

Dear friends,

This has been a long and hard campaign. I've driven thousands of miles across 8 counties, eaten dozens of hot dogs, hamburgers and funnel cakes at fairs and festivals, and most importantly, met thousands of citizens across the 6th District.

I just received this message through our website from Tara, and it is because of people like her that I am running this challenging race against Roscoe Bartlett:

"Just wanted to say Jennifer is one of the nicest ladies I have met. I met her briefly at the Frederick Fair last night while with my two children, husband and mother. I got stickers for my family, and picked up an Obama yard sign and bumper sticker. I also read about Jennifer visiting my town of Hagerstown, and going door to door to meet residents. I wish I could have met her then as well. You have my support Jennifer, and the support of my family. When I was down, because of all the dirty looks and remarks about our Obama signs we walked around with last night, I could always count on walking by the Democratic station and seeing Jennifer smiling and cheering me on. GO Jennifer."

Thank you, Tara. And I hope to see you soon,

P.S. We had a wonderful summer meeting the people of the 6th District and hearing about the issues that are important to them in this crucial election. Click here to view pictures from our recent events.

The incumbent congressman has given 50 speeches on Peak Oil in Congress but has done nothing to help lower gas or home heating oil prices. He has had 16 years to make his mark and that's enough.

In Congress, I will promote solutions like a bio-fuels refinery in the 6th Congressional District. Switchgrasses or algae - all-American alternatives for our cars and trucks. I will promote pilot programs for renewable energy supplies for local communities to "get off the grid". In Congress, I will stand up for the 6th District, not just stand up for politics as usual.

The Congressional election is less than 8 weeks away and the Carroll County League of Women Voters is sponsoring a Candidates' Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7PM in the Community Media Center in Westminster. Please join us and decide who has the energy, ideas and commitment to serve the 6th District. I ask for your vote on Nov. 4th.

Wow! The two conventions paint a clear choice for the next four years - a plan for a stronger America or four more years of the divisive and destructive politics of the Bush years.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden are a great combination of vision, hope and pragmatism. Millions of Americans - not just Democrats -- are excited about turning the page on politics as usual. They want to avoid personal attacks and get to a discussion of real issues.

I need your help right now to make sure we take back the 6th Congressional District in Maryland and can help Obama and Biden deliver results for America. Please take 5 minutes and make a contribution to my campaign by CLICKING HERE NOW!

Your contribution of $ 100 pays for 20 yard signs. $ 50 pays for a 30-second radio spot or 100 direct mail postcards. Whatever you can give will be greatly appreciated.

The recent Supreme Court ruling that recognizes the right of law-abiding Americans to own guns is important in several ways. First, it recognizes that the people have a constitutional right to defend themselves. Second, it resolves the argument about who makes up the militia – it is the people! Finally, it recognizes that the people, through our government, can decide who cannot have a gun, like convicted criminals, habitual drug abusers, the mentally ill and non-citizens.

In Maryland, we will likely have legal debate about one of the provisions in our State law that requires a person to show “good cause” for getting a carry permit. I think the Supreme Court ruling could cause that requirement to be declared unconstitutional.

While some lawyers and lobbyists on both sides want the battle to continue, I agree with most Americans who believe in our right to “keep and bear arms”. Most of us want to focus on other important issues.

The Presidential Race for ’08 is set – Obama vs. McCain. The historic Democratic Primary was energizing and fascinating in so many ways. More people registered, more people voted in Democratic primaries and more people contributed to the Democratic nominees than ever before. People across party lines have decided it is time to move forward by supporting Senator Barack Obama for President.

I am proud of the campaign waged by Sen. Hillary Clinton and I am proud to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for President of the United States. My vote counts the same as yours, being a candidate does not change that, but I believe that the choice is clear – “Hope for the Future” with Obama or “More of the Same” with McCain. The issues are too important and the problems too serious, I know you want solutions. I believe that when elected, the Obama Administration will lead the nation to rational economic policies, thoughtful environmental and energy policies and a responsible way to end the War in Iraq.

Now, I need your attention back in the 6th Congressional District, because it will be more of the same if 8-term incumbent Roscoe Bartlett returns to Congress. I need your financial support. You can contribute online by clicking here. Yes, times are tight, gas prices are through the roof, but contribute what you can – and then tell your friends to do the same. Every $25 or $50 helps to buy a radio ad or a block of yard signs. If you have the means, knock it out of the park and contribute more – the limit is $2,300 per election (and no corporate checks, please)! This election is important, let’s get the job done!

We have a great opportunity in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. Marylanders are telling us that the economic issues have jumped to the front of the line. They are making tough choices about the simplest things because gas and food costs have cut into their spending power. The home mortgage crisis and real estate problems continue and the stalemate on the War in Iraq nags at every family who has someone serving and every family who worries about the next war. At this point, no one can predict the true cost of the war, but we know that more than 4,100 are dead and more than 30,000 are injured. The $2-3 trillion in costs is probably another low estimate. Things have to change!

I want to work for solutions in the 6th District – we need job creation, energy options and health care choices. Americans want us to return to the world stage as leaders in international diplomacy – working for peace in the Middle East, Africa and North Korea. Americans want us to return to the world stage as leaders in environmental and trade policies that protect our citizens, our environment, and our economy. I believe we can be leaders in the technologies that transform energy production, but it takes a commitment to action. I believe in action.

Now, I need you to act! I need you to make a contribution and send that link to your friends. This election can restore Maryland’s 6th Congressional District to Team Maryland. We can have our voices heard in Congress, but it won’t happen without your help.

Outside of the 6th District, we may be seen as “underdogs” in this race, but I have never heard so many people say “this is the year” and we “will win in November!” I believe it, you believe it and we will make them believe it, but we have to do it together!

Thanks for your help!

Today, Americans pause to honor those who have died in the service of our nation. From the founding of the republic, citizens have found ways to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the service of our nation.

Typically, communities have an All-American Parade with marching bands and Scout Troops. Others have patriotic remembrances at town cemeteries or Memorial Parks. Like you, I will pause today to offer my quiet thanks for their service and sacrifice.

When the day is done, Congress must decide how to best keep the promise made to today’s soldiers. The New G.I. Bill is a step in the right direction. The enhanced benefits for soldiers are a step in the right direction for service men and women who have earned the benefit.

When you see a service man or woman – thank them and then tell them you support the enhanced benefits contained in the new G.I. Bill.

I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day celebrating with family and loved ones. What is more all-American than celebrating Mothers (except maybe apple pie)?

Well, my opponent, Roscoe Bartlett, feels differently. On Wednesday, he voted AGAINST H. Res. 1113, "Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day."

The MD Democratic Party sent us the message below. Read the story in the Washington Post, check the vote record, then join with me in making sure Rep. Bartlett is voted out in November.

From the Maryland Democratic Party:

Roscoe Bartlett
Entrenched, Ineffective and, throwing Mothers under the bus just before their Big Day

You should know the lengths to which some members of Congress will go to play partisan politics in the nation's capital, including your representative from Maryland's 6th Congressional District.

Read the story and know how far millionaire Roscoe Bartlett will go to play ball with the right-wing to keep health care from children and seniors, destroy Social Security and keep America embroiled in an endless and costly war that fails to keep Americans safe.

Click here to read the Washington Post article

Click here to read the House vote record

Just when families finish juggling last year’s taxes, Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain supports a plan that places a larger tax burden on American workers. Just today he said, “We need tax policies that respect workers” and encourage work, but his plan for reforming the nation’s health care system sends a chilling message to working Americans who would lose employer-provided health benefits and pay more in taxes.

The Republican plan would:

• Make health benefits a taxable benefit requiring working people who get their health coverage through work to pay higher taxes

• Encourage employers to discontinue offering health care benefits
• Force people to negotiate with big insurance companies on their own
• Support the creation of Health Savings Accounts with high deductibles
• Offer a tax credit $2500 (individual) and $5000 (family) to offset insurance costs
  • Average cost per individual almost $6000/year

  • Average cost per family almost $7500/year

I agree that we need to reform our nation’s health care system and soon. We cannot allow 47 million Americans including nearly 9 million children to go without adequate health care. I support universal health care coverage that is fair and allows choice, but on a day when most Americans are focused on paying their taxes, I want to state my opposition to a plan that increases taxes on working people. I will work to:

• Maintain employer-sponsored health care benefits

• Allow individuals to buy from the federal employees’ plan
• Provide tax credits to small businesses offering health care benefits
  • address need to access affordable plans

  • provide credits up to 50%
  • complement tax credits to individuals/families
• Limit premiums to percentage of income
• Strengthen Medicare to protect Seniors and allow early retirees to buy-in
• Strengthen Medicaid and SCHIP to provide adequate health care to lower-income families, especially children