Though we lost the election in the 5^th Pennsylvania, our campaign succeeded in giving many of our fellow Americans a voice in the process. Over a 100,000 people, 37 % of the electorate voted pulled the lever for Dumas and showed their support for the President.  We visited every one of the sixteen counties many times and made good friends and colleagues in each. We made sure that the issues in this election were clear to the voters. We tried to hold a referendum on the incumbent’s record of supporting the tea party agenda over the interests of his constituency. We engaged our incumbent in dialogue about the problems in our communities.

But, we cannot stop now.  As the President made clear, the process of Democracy does not stop with casting your vote.  We must stay involved and engaged. After the 2008 victory in the general election, we, Democrats, went home. The Republicans did not.  They put together a strategy which won the 2010 elections and take over a majority of seats in the House.  In Pennsylvania they won control of the Legislature and Governor’s mansion. The state government drew up the redistricting plans, which lost us seats in both Congress and the Legislature.

We cannot make that mistake again.  We must keep supporting the President.  Write letters to Rep. Thompson about the issues that matter to us, education, the environment, the economy, health care, voter suppression, women’s reproductive rights, support of working people. Right now taxes are in the spotlight. The President would like the one percenters, those who make over 250,000 a year, to start paying their fair share.

Brothers and sisters, again, I thank you for your support. Again I say we have the right to celebrate. But, that being done let’s roll up our sleeves and continue to struggle to bring our vision of America to fruition. You know – Don’t Quit!

Charles Dumas
Proud to be A Democrat

Our campaign was always a big challenge demographically, so we are not surprised that we did not win. This was about standing up for the democratic process and fighting for core values, and we did that, and are so proud to have been part of this election and to have served the people of the 16 counties of the Pennsylvania 5th District.

More to come – but now it’s time for everyone to take a rest and enjoy the larger victories!

Our excited and happy congratulations to President Obama, Senator Casey, and all the outstanding progressive Democratic candidates that did win this election!

Charles Dumas, Democratic candidate for U. S. House of Representatives, 5th PA District will visit poll locations in all 16 counties of the 5^th PA district on Election Day 11/6/12. Dumas will bring his message of Jobs and Economic Fairness, Environmental Responsibility, Affordable Education and Healthcare for all citizens and support for our President to 5^th PA voters. Dumas will thank voters in person at poll sites from Tioga County in the morning to Huntingdon County in the evening. Dumas’ vision for government interaction with citizens is in sharp contrast with his opponent.  Voters can see welcome to meet with Mr. Dumas, and engage in dialogue about their concerns for the direction of both the 5^th District, and the nation in whole.  See schedule below. For more information Contact: Micheil Yohannes 814-321-1834

DUMAS 11/6/12ELECTION DAY SCHEDULE (times/locations subject to change):

 6:30 AM – TIOGA COUNTY:

Gaines, PA

 7:00 POTTER COUNTY

Gunzburger Building

1 N. Main St. Coudersport, PA  16915

 8:00 AM – McKEAN COUNTY:

Smethport Fire Hall

109 South Nelson St

Smethport, PA  16749

 9:15 AM – WARREN COUNTY:

Holy Redeemer W. Penn. & Russell

Courthouse, 204 Fourth Ave, Warren, PA  16365

 10:15 AM – ERIE COUNTY:

Community Center

15 S. First Ave, Corry, PA  16407

 11:10 AM – CRAWFORD COUNTY:

1st Presbyterian Church

216 N. Franklin St & Walnut St.

Titusville, PA  16354

 11:50 AM – VENANGO COUNTY:

OC 4 Free Methodist Church

206 Wilson Ave, Oil City, PA 16301

 12:30 PM – FOREST COUNTY:

Tionesta Fire Hall

116 Walnut St, Tionesta, PA  16353

1:10 PM – CLARION COUNTY:

Leeper Fire Hall32787 Route 66, Leeper, PA

 2:00 PM – JEFFERSON COUNTY:

Heritage House

4 E. Sylvania St, Brookville, PA  15825

 2:45 PM – CLEARFIELD COUNTY:

John Dubois Hose House No. 3

301 First St, Dubois, Pa  15801

 3:30 PM – ELK COUNTY:

Weedville Wesleyan Church

18945 Bennetts Valley Hwy

Weedville, PA  15868

 4:30 PM – CAMERON COUNTY:

Gibson Township Building

7657 Bridge St, Driftwood, PA  15832

 5:30 PM – CLINTON COUNTY:

Emerald Hose House Building

230 11th St, Renovo, PA  17764

 7:10 PM – CENTRE COUNTY:

Church Of Christ  – 405 Hillcrest Av State College, PA 16801

 7:50 PM – HUNTINGDON COUNTY:

Stone Valley Fire Hall- 5470 McAlevys Fort Rd, McAlevys Fort, Petersburg, PA  16669

We are off to our Election Day trip through all 16 counties of 5th PA district. We are energized and encouraged by the tireless efforts of our Charles Dumas for Congress Team and all Democrats working nonstop for our President and candidates who stand for the good of all the people poor and rich, male and female, gay and straight, able and ability challenged of all beliefs and ethnicties. This resurgence of citizenship and hope in our Democracy has already moved our country…

FORWARD,  DON’T QUIT!

Charles

An Interview with Charles Dumas, Democratic Candidate for District 5

Do you support the Afforable Healthcare Act? What, if anything, you change about it?

Yes, I support it. I would have gone for single-payer, but this is one of the most progressive acts in my lifetime. FDR with his New Deal couldn’t do it. Johnson with his Great Society couldn’t do it. And it’s constitutional. The court that decided that is was constitutional wasn’t a friendly court, either. That’s a major progressive move. Again, I would have gone to the mat for single-payer. But it’s nice to know that people will have coverage. It’s nice to know that people like me who had pre-existing conditions—I had cancer—would not be denied coverage.

Democracy is like a muscle. If you don’t use it, it will atrophy. I am running for Congress because I believe that the incumbent was not representing our best interests. Congressman Thompson, is an honorable man, who stepped up to be a public servant at a critical time in our country’s history.

When he was first elected four years ago we were in the worst recession of our lifetime, headed toward a depression, as a result of the policies of President Bush’s administration. The net worth of middle class America had declined forty percent seemingly overnight. Our auto industry was about to disintegrate taking thousands of jobs with it. Major financial institutions were in shambles. Our country was involved in two major wars. Our public schools and colleges and teachers were under siege. Organized labor was under attack.

Fortunately the country elected President Obama and a Democratic controlled Congress. They began to set the ship right. They saved the auto industry and the financial institutions, ended one war and are winding down another.  They established the framework for universal health care. They invested in developing a sound energy policy, which rests on renewable, sustainable energy sources.

Two years later the country elected a Republican controlled Congress, which committed itself to one primary agenda, to defeat the President of the United States and his policies. My opponent was part of that process. He twice supported the Ryan Plan. He was part of the fiasco of voting 33 times to rescind the Affordable Health Care Act when there was no chance it could pass the Senate or be signed by the President. He voted against the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which mandates equal pay for equal work for women workers. Congressman Thompson voted with his Tea Party led Republican Party over 91 % of the time

This election is a referendum on President Obama, whether we should continue to move forward or go back to the disastrous policies of the Bush administration. But, it is also a referendum on the record of Congressman Thompson, a good and honorable man, but one who has put the policies of his party above the interests of the people he represents. If elected I promise to work with the President, other Democrats and Republicans to seek solutions for the challenges which face our community. Fellow Citizens it is in your hands. Please exercise your rights – vote next Tuesday.

I was a Fulbright Fellow in South Africa. I was a legal research assistant at the United Nations and have taught and performed in Africa, Asia, and Europe many times over the last 25 years. I have presented at conferences in Egypt, Brazil, Czech Republic, and Spain. I was honored to be a delegate-at-large representing our country at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

After the 9/11/2001 attacks we seemed most vulnerable but ironically by the world we were most admired. Our ability to come together as one people to meet the crisis was inspiring. Even the French President said  “We are all Americans, today.”

We squandered much of that international goodwill on an ill-conceived war in Iraq and a long protracted war in Afghanistan . It sacrificed thousands of American lives and  cost billions of dollars, which is the primary cause of our economic deficit and a major contributor to the Great Recession of 2008.  President Obama, seeking solutions to those problems, ended the Iraq War and is drawing down in Afghanistan. He is pressuring China to deal fairly in the world’s markets.  He is using sanctions to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons. He is using less invasive but effective military techniques to track and destroy Al-Qaeda operatives. He is using the United Nations to bring pressure in Syria.

The President can’t do it alone. The Tea Party led Republican House of Representatives has committed to just one agenda – the removal of the President by sabotaging any programs he proposes.   I believe the refusal of Republicans in the House  to work with the President borders on an intolerance which violates our sense of fairness and respect.  If I am elected I pledge to work with the President and with Republicans and Democrats in the Congress to help maintain our leadership in the world. More info at:  www.charlesdumasforcongress.com Paid for by Charles Dumas for Congress