Open letter to Paul Broun

I saw in the news you're seeking donations of $15,000 to pay off your campaign debt. I must admit I'm a bit shocked at the disconnect you seem to have with the real world.

Surely, you must be aware, after serving the people in your district over the last several years, that many of us out here have had financial challenges as great, or even greater, than yours. The difference between you and the rest of us is that, as adults, we realize it’s necessary to work harder to overcome them. Whether it’s taking a second (or even third) job, eliminating unnecessary spending, or even digging into savings, we’re willing to make sacrifices in order to meet and defeat the challenges that face us.

For most of us, these challenges aren’t a result of voluntary conduct. Yours is. You made the decision to abandon your house seat in hopes of the bright lights of the Senate. No one forced that upon you. Using God-given wisdom, a responsible person would’ve recognized how the Senate race was going early on, and made the decision to halt their campaign. You did not.

In looking back over your years of service as my representative, I couldn’t help but notice the house votes you cast in opposition of unemployment benefit extensions, during which time the country was going through the worst financial disaster since the 1920’s. It’s difficult to compare and contrast your votes with your plea for donations, and not see you as a coward and hypocrite.

Knowing you currently have a full-time job paying at minimum $174,000 makes it even more difficult not to see you in that light. And finally, knowing your educational background, and the unique benefits provided to you by the federal government, it makes it downright impossible.

I challenge you to do what the rest of us have to do on a daily basis – suck it up, and do what you have to do to get out of the “mess” you, and only you, created. If you do that, you’ll experience what many of us who have been forced to do the same have learned: it’s called becoming a stronger and better person.

Be a man, Paul, it’s not too late.