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To make your choice heard in the Democracy For America contest "Grassroots All-Star." Anyone can go vote. So go RIGHT NOW!
www.democracyforamerica.com/gras
As a former intern for DFA I think a man by the name of Roy Carter best embodies their ideals and traditions.
To best put it, picture a handful of good ole' boys, country folk, sitting in rocking chairs on a porch, conversing over a variety of subjects from sport, and local social gossip to finally politics. The discussion then began to center around Rep. Virginia Foxx (R) and the despicable job she's done representing the fifth district (voting against giving aid to Katrina victims, etc..).
Roy and his buddies speculated as to who would have the courage to step up and run against Foxx in 2008. But none of them could really think of any worthy names who would consider it.
So there, sitting in that rocking chair, at his farm high up in the mountains of North Carolina, Roy Carter made the decision of his life.
"I'm a gonna do it," announced Roy to his friends.
"Do what," responded one man.
"I'm gonna run for Congress," said Roy.
"But you have no experience in that politics," retorted the man."
"Don't have to. I know the difference between right and wrong, and that's all that should matter," Roy proclaimed.
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The rest as they say is history.
Here is a man, who has never run for any office in his life, weeks away from retirement following a proud career of service in the classroom and on the football field, laying everything on the line. And he's doing that because he grew tired of watching his students end up either in poverty or in a desert foxhole.
He has no career aspirations, and wouldn't use this as a stepping stone.
He's told his staff that this is about principles. If he wins he's going to vote with his conscious: to bring the troops home, take on corporations, clean up campaign finance, bring back paper ballots, push for minimum wage increase, and college for everyone.
He won't let a president, a speaker or even a majority leader tell him how to vote. He's doesn't want to go to Congress to make friends, he has enough back home in the sticks of NC, he only wants to go to Congress to look out for them. And to prove that an average man, with no money, no law degree, who taught high school science, can still win an election in this money/media driven political spectrum.
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Roy Carter, the youngest of three children, grew up in rural North Carolina and has lived nearly all of his life in various North Carolina mountain communities.
The son of Marion "Bill" Carter, a tobacco farmer, and Jessie Buckner Carter, an assembly-line worker, Roy was raised in a home that valued strength of character above worldly possessions.
Poor in almost every other way, Roy Carter had a childhood rich in the traditional Democratic values of hard-work, fellowship, love and prayer.
Politics and the Democratic Party have always been integral to Roy's life. With his father passionate about politics and actively involved with his local Democratic Party, Roy learned early on the importance of participating in our political process and the responsibility that comes with that.
It is that same sense of purpose and responsibility that now calls Roy Carter into public life.
Family, faith and athletics played key roles in Roy's upbringing, providing him a solid foundation on which to survive tragedy, achieve his goals and grow into a man of character and integrity.
Roy regards his mother, his older brother Billy and his high school football coach Clyde Peek, as the greatest influences in his life. Roy was only ten years old when Billy, an outstanding high school athlete, died tragically of cancer at the age of seventeen. Although his life was short, Billy inspired his little brother to work hard at achieving his goals, persevering through tough times while appreciating each day.
Despite working on the family farm, Roy was a three sport letterman in High School and excelled on the football field. The teamwork, discipline and brotherhood of football appealed to Roy and it quickly became his passion.
On the advice of his mentor, Coach Peek, Roy followed his passion to East Tennessee State University. At that time, ETSU offered lower tuition than in-state schools, thus affording low- income students like Roy the opportunity of a college education.
Roy worked his way through school, often commuting over the mountain in an old car, determined to fulfill his dream of earning a college degree. His determination was further fueled by the prayer and encouragement of his mother Jesse who believed Roy capable of achieving anything that he set his mind to. Sadly, Jesse did not live to see her youngest son graduate in 1968 as a brain aneurysm claimed her life midway through Roy's college career.
Informed by his experience, Carter strongly believes that low interest loans and need-based grants must be expanded in order to allow all young people the opportunity of a higher education.
In 1965, Roy married Patricia Burleson of nearby Barnardsville, N.C. Upon graduation Roy embarked on a coaching and teaching career that has spanned forty years.
Pat, also a career educator, recently retired after twenty-two years as an elementary school teacher.
Married forty-three years, Roy and Pat have three children: Todd Carter, Andrea Carter Gimlin, Stacey Carter, and son-in-law Wiley Gimlin. They have a grandson, Tristen Carter Gimlin and will be welcoming a granddaughter to the family in December 2007.
Roy has dedicated his life thus far to educating young people, motivating them to achieve their goals and being a positive, affirming influence in their lives. Throughout his career as Educator, Football Coach and Athletic Director, Roy has always considered community involvement crucial to student success.
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Why YOU should make Roy Carter Democracy for America’s Grassroots All-Star
Vote Roy Carter on www.democracyforamerica.com/gras
Far too often Washington politicians use fear and divisiveness to distract the electorate and avoid talking about the real issues. In this critical election, I believe the American people will discover more that unites rather than divides our communities. A single mother living in a rural community and a college student in a small town are united by their struggle to afford a quality education. A factory worker and a small business owner share the same concern about the outrageously high cost of healthcare. I am running for Congress in the North Carolina 5th District and, when elected, I will work to bring our district and our country together while we tackle the tough issues. I will always be truthful about where I stand.
The Roy Carter for Congress campaign slogan, "People Above Politics," is not just a marketing phrase. It is a principle that has guided my life and a belief that drives my passion for public service. I believe that the measure of a good member of Congress must be more than just an accounting of votes cast. What matters most is what those votes stand for and whether or not they were used to better the lives of people.
My Republican opponent, Virginia Foxx, has failed to provide the independent and constituent-centered leadership that our district deserves. She is proud of the fact that she is the most conservative member of congress, and never misses an opportunity to blast even the most moderate of Democrats on Capitol Hill. Rather than defending special interest groups like Big Oil and Big Pharmaceutical companies, I will use my vote in Congress to support people-based initiatives that have a real impact on the working families of America. Unlike my opponent, I will work to strengthen and expand health coverage through programs like SCHIP. I will continue to be a champion for education and young people by fully funding Head Start and low interest loans for college students. I come from a farming family, and I will never turn my back on the farmers and workers in rural communities. My only obligation in Congress will be to represent the needs and best interests of the people who elect me to serve. I grew up in the North Carolina mountains, have raised a family there, and when it comes down to a difficult vote, I will put people above politics every single time.
My opponent voted against giving aid to victims of hurricane Katrina, against expansion of SCHIP, against the Voter Rights Act, and for escalating the War in Iraq. You can help put an end to the special interest politics of people like Foxx, by voting for me, Roy Carter, as Democracy for America’s Grassroots All-Star (www.democracyforamerica.com/gras).
• Roy J. Carter
Vote Roy Carter on www.democracyforamerica.com/gras
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