WILLIAMSON
FOR
U.S. CONGRESS

DEMOCRAT

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6

“The Future Can Be Ours.”

480-607-9726

Dear Friend,

Unlike my opponent David Schweikert, who voted against it, I support the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. (“Inside Congress:
House Vote 55–Passes Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act,”
New York Times, Feb. 28, 2013, www.nytimes.com).

“The newly passed legislation creates and expands federal programs to
assist local communities with law enforcement and aiding victims of
domestic and sexual abuse. Most notably, the bill goes further by offering
protections for gay, bisexual or transgender victims of domestic abuse, as
well as allowing American Indian women who are assaulted on reservations
by non-Indians to take their case to tribal courts, which otherwise would
not have jurisdiction over assailants who do not live on tribal land.”
(“House Renews Violence Against Women Measure,” by Ashley Parker, New York
Times, Feb. 28, 2013, www.nytimes.com).

Since Rep. Schweikert voted against the Reauthorization Act that passed,
he was presumably in favor of a previous alternative bill that had failed.
“The alternative unveiled by the House last Friday immediately came under
sharp criticism from Democrats and women’s and human rights groups for
failing to include protections in the Senate bill for gay, bisexual or
transgender victims of domestic abuse. The House bill eliminated ‘sexual
orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ from a list of ‘populations’ that face
barriers to receiving victim services — and also stripped certain
provisions regarding American Indian women on reservations.” (Same source
as above.)

Evidently, Rep. Schweikert does not believe that gay, bisexual or
transgender victims of domestic abuse have the same right to protections
as others. Further, he does not seem to think American Indian women on
reservations deserve adequate protections, either. This latter point is
critical to recognize since a large portion of the eastern part of
Congressional District 6–from Pima Road east to State Route 87 (the
Beeline Highway)–consists of the Pima Indian Reservation.

This is not the first time that Rep. Schweikert has been associated with
an apparaent lack of respect for the dignity of Native American women. In
my blog entitled “The Future Can Be Ours:: Schweikert to Loan Sharks: Let
Us Prey,” of Oct. 7, 2014, I refer to Schweikert’s support of the
“Consumers for Choice” website which backs the activities of predatory
lenders. On that website, a company called Western Sky Financial is
referenced. This company featured loans with interest rates of 355
percent.

A single $5,075 loan from Western Sky cost $40,872.72 to pay back—more
than eight times the original amount.

But here’s the kicker: A commercial from the company featured a Native
American woman exclaiming, ‘Making the six monthly payments is good for
your credit profile!’” (“Predatory Lenders Fight Regulators With Offer of
$500 Visa Gift Cards,” Lee Fang, The Nation, October 28, 2013,
www.thenation.com).

Again, Rep. Schweikert appears to have no qualms about letting Native
American women–people indigenous to Arizona–not only have limited
recourse against violence but also it does not seem to bother him that a
Native American woman might be presented in a commercial in a compromising
light.

I might add that about three years ago, I took a course at Scottsdale
Community College called “American Indian Law.” It was taught by Professor
Manuel Pino, and was completely fascinating.

Further, regarding women’s issues, I am a Pro-Choice candidate. I support
Planned Parenthood, and I believe women have the right to make their own
decisions about their healthcare concerns. Moreover, I would support the
Equal Rights Amendment–ERA–if it were to come to a vote in the House
during my tenure. I also believe in equal pay for women, absolutely.

My Mom was a Democratic activist for years; and I have been a single dad
to my daughter since she was six years old. So I have had a chance to gain
a strong awareness on these issues.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to my campaign, check
out my website at williamsonforuscongress.com. Click on “Make a
Donation” and, by means of safe and secure PayPal, donate to your
dedicated Democratic candidate. If you wish to send in a check, the
address for that is also on the “Make a Donation” page. Please provide, in
accordance with Federal Election Commission requirements, your name,
address, employer and occupation. If you would like a yard sign, please
let me know.

The Future Can Be Ours if, unlike our current congressman David
Schweikert, we respect the rights of women, Native Americans, gay,
bisexual, and transgender persons. A human being is a human being,
regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or racial group; and deserves to
be respected as such. When I am your member of Congress, I will not
discriminate against these groups, but treat them with the dignity and
respect they are entitled to. That’s the only way to run America in the
U.S. Congress, that’s for sure. As Thomas Jefferson said:

“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction,
is the first and only object of good government.” (www.brainyquote.com)

Please vote for me on Tuesday, November 4th, Election Day. You’ll be glad
you did.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
John

W. John Williamson

Scottsdale, Arizona