Adam Lang will work as hard as you do.

Hello my fellow Philadelphians.

We are here today because you share the same belief I do – our government has been failing us and it is time we do something about it.

We see frequently in the news about the ongoing financial crisis. We hear how those in office are supposed to be helping us. We are to feel concerned about how things will get tougher in Philadelphia.

They want us to forget that things were already tough in Philadelphia before all of this happened.

They want us to believe in change while they stay the same.

My opponent, Chaka Fattah, tells us to vote for Barrack Obama because it is "The Change We Need".

This is coming from a man who has been in Congress for over 13 years including some of the poorest areas of the city. A man who has been absent from 10% of the votes in Congress, which is the most in the area. A man elected in a City with an atrocious murder rate and he even missed a vote to put more cops on the street.

If this is the type of person that is telling us about "Change We Need", then Senator Obama needs some new friends.

Let’s talk about Philadelphia. Even when things are good nationally, we have had the same recurring problems with no solutions in sight. We don’t feel safe to walk our streets. We don’t feel comfortable sending our children to public schools and we have difficulty finding a good job in the City.

That is unacceptable and this is what I propose.

First, we need to allow parents to choose the school best for their children and the information to choose it wisely. It is unfair for them to tell parents "they’re working on it" while year after year goes by with children graduating high school illiterate... if they graduate at all. This way, while the public schools are being fixed, our children can still have the option for a good and safe education.

Second, we need to create an economic environment where business and families can prosper. We should stop taking money from the families that need it and at the same time stop penalizing businesses that want to hire workers. Living in Philadelphia, we see first hand how bad taxes drive jobs away and the families right along with them. This translates to the federal level as well. Bad tax code contributes to driving jobs to Mexico, Asia and Europe.

Next, we need to have the streets safe for the people and families going to school and work. We must enforce the laws that will keep violent criminals off the street. Too often the police successfully catch someone performing a crime with a gun, only to end up having the gun charge dropped, which puts them back on the street in under 2 years. We need to devote resources to prosecuting the current gun laws – not creating new ones that will be ignored.

So how does my opponent compare?

For crime, he had the opportunity to enhance the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program. I could tell you he voted on the wrong side of that issue, but I can't. He didn’t show up to vote.

For education, Fattah touts his education grant program, GEAR UP... which wasn’t renewed for Philadelphia students. He also had the opportunity to ensure access to student loans. Again, he didn’t vote yes... he didn’t vote no... he didn’t show up to vote.

And then there is the economy. He had an opportunity to address housing foreclosures. Take a guess what he did. That’s right. He didn’t show up to vote.

The thing is, this list goes on and on.

A bill on energy? Missed it.

Environment? Missed a bill to protect our beaches.

He even missed the vote to pass the budget.

Shouldn’t your Congressman work as hard as you do?

Let me tell you a bit about myself.

I grew up in a working class family. My dad was a laborer and chose a union job whenever he could. My mom picked up jobs as well to help make ends meet. I didn’t always get to see my dad while growing up, but I knew he was doing what he needed to so that food was on the table and a roof was over my head. My parents showed me that if it is important to you, you work hard for it. My brother, sister and I... we were important.

My neighbors are important to me. Philadelphia is important to me. The United States of America is important to me and that is why I will work hard for you.

That isn’t all that my parents taught me.

Back in the 80’s, times were tough for my family as it was for many that relied on manufacturing for jobs. There was a time when we were on food stamps and government food. I can still remember that the canned beef, with some bar-b-q sauce, wasn’t too bad.

Things got better. Dad found a good job as a tool machinist.

One of the first things my parents did when they knew dad was going back to work was to go down to the government office and try to return the remaining food stamps they had. They were told once they were given out they had no procedure to take them back, but at least my parents tried.

Even at a young age, no older than 10, I remember asking them why they tried to give them back. They told me "Dad has a job now and we figure someone else could use them". My parents taught me to not take more than you need because there are others in need too.

Unfortunately, the United States now has a financial situation because people in government and people in Wall Streettook more than they needeed. The immediate solution from Washington is the infamous bailout bill, which my opponent voted for – twice.

The hypocrisy of this legislation during the campaign season is staggering. In debates and campaign material, we constantly hear talk about "fair taxation", "paying one’s fair share" and even the "redistribution of wealth".

With the Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, Congress has accomplished one of the largest redistributions of wealth in the history of the United States. Rep. Fattah and the other supporters of this bill have taken money from hard-working Americans and have redistributed it to Wall Street executives; executives that are still taking half a million dollar corporate retreats on our dime.

How does Rep. Fattah think that taking money from hard-working families across Philadelphia and handing it over to reckless bankers means "paying one's fair share"? Apparently, Rep. Fattah thinks that "fair share" means that it's "fair" for the citizens to "share" in his mistakes.

This type of behavior and poor decision making needs to be removed from our government.

I will work hard for you in Washington and Philadelphia to bring the word "people" back into "servant of the people".

I will work hard to be a leader in our Republican Party to help bring forward the reform and policies needed to make our City a better place. Policies like ethics reform that our own Councilman Rizzo is fighting for in City Hall.

I need you in the coming months and years, to stand with me in this endeavor. We must work hard to take back our City from those that are doing it the most harm.

Trust me when I say this, I WILL work as hard as you do.

Adam Lang