GUEST EDITORIAL: Clough writes of support for veterans

KENNEWICK — There have been a number of contentious issues in this campaign. I’d like to take this chance to explain exactly where the contention comes from on a couple of these issues.

First and foremost, both me and my opponent are running as supporters of our veterans. I back this up with the fact that I am a veteran and come from a family of veterans. Mr. Hastings backs his claim up with his record.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America 2010 Congressional Report Card just came out. Mr. Hastings received a grade of “D.” That is simply unacceptable. If I am elected not only will I vote for every veterans bill, I will co-sponsor every single one of them.

The other issue on which I believe there needs to be more clarity is the issue of Social Security. I want to make this entirely clear: I want to save social security and not raise the retirement age. My opponent wants to privatize social security, robbing our seniors of the benefits they have long been promised.

The voters have a choice right now while filling out their ballots. They can choose to send Mr. Hastings again, for a ninth time, and roll the dice on what he’ll actually do. Or they can send me, for one term, and know exactly what I will do.