In Pennsylvania, politicians are salivating over the possibility of opening slot parlors. For the state legislature, it means possibly balancing the budget without having to make tough choices. For my District - which has been chosen to house one or even two of the casinos - it means complete altering the character of unique neighborhoods, increased traffic and crime, and disrupting communities that have existed since the formation of the country.

Politicians in Harrisburg refuse to listen to the neighbors' concerns. The state's Gaming Commission time and time again stifled efforts to get true neighborhood input and has rejected the call from neighbors for studies of the casinos' impact on the community.

My opponents, the owner of a window company and a real estate developer, are both telling the community that casinos are coming no matter what. Neither of them bothered to show up at Gaming Commission Hearing to hear the concerns of District residents. Neither has canvassed District and spoken directly to the voters. Instead, my opponents are content to have the support of the City's party machine.

If citizens want their government to respond to their concerns, they need to elect people who are willing to listen. In my District, I am the only candidate listening to neighbors, utilizing the power of volunteers and direct democracy rather than fundraisers and party endorsements.

Running for office without the party machine poses unique challenges. To win an election without organized labor or committee members, a candidate needs to devote thousands of hours efficiently spreading the message directly to the voters. In my case, I have been fortunate to have the support of hundreds of volunteers who have contributed their time going door-to-door to educate voters and bring them into the process.

After a month of campaigning, my volunteers and I will have met twice as many people as usually vote in the primary. On May 16, my opponents have the support of the party machine, but I will have support of the voters.
After all of our hard work, our reward will be that we will go to Harrisburg without owing favors to anyone. I will make decisions shaped only by my principals and by the needs of the people of my District.

If you'd like to help take on the party machine and help bring the political power back to the people, e-mail Josh at volunteers@annedicker.com.

Anne Dicker
Democrat for State Representative in PA
www.annedicker.com

My name is Anne Dicker, and I am candidate for state representative in Pennsylvania's 175th District. I want to give my perspective on why I am running.

The past 5 years have obviously been trying times for liberals in this country.  But arrogance abroad and regressive domestic policy have made Republicans as unpopular as they have ever been.  Americans are ready for a drastic change in policy, and liberals must be ready to capitalize.

As voters, we have to ensure not only that Republicans are toppled, but that they are replaced with the type of leaders who will bring lasting change to this country.  We need leaders with a full grasp of public policy, not knee-jerk Democrats who think in soundbites - just like Republicans.  We need people who stand up for what they believe in rather than pandering to the right because their afraid they won't get elected.  We need people who care about making our country stronger, not politicians who want power and influence to make their friends rich.

Just a few short years ago, we could only vote for the candidates that the parties had anointed.  Individuals couldn't mount a serious challenge unless they had the money and support to spread their message.  But now we have the power.  If President Bush has given us anything, it's that he has inspired hundreds of thousands of motivated Americans to stand up and demand change.  In Pennsylvania alone, PA for Democracy has 20,000 grassroots volunteers.  

In my district, my volunteers and I have knocked on 5,000 doors offering my vision for the future.  I want to bring progressive policies to this state.  I believe all people should have access to decent education and decent health care.  I believe women have a right to  choose when they want to have a child, or not; and gay men and women have the right to marry who they love.  But this race isn't about the issues.  This race is about electing politicians who care about the needs of the citizens rather than their own greedy self-interest.  It's about standing up for what we believe in and earning the respect of the electorate.  It's about building the party so that we can make lasting changes to this country for the next two decades.  And it's about earning support through direct democracy, by going door-to-door and showing people that we are committed to making their government more responsive to their needs.  

If you'd like to help me, contact Josh at volunteers@annedicker.com.  You can meet progressive young people like yourself.  You can experience the satisfaction of bringing more people into the political process.  And, most of all, you can do your part to change the direction of this country for decades to come.

Two weeks ago, at Philadelphia's Blarney Stone, I announced that I would be running for State Representative in Pennsylvania's 175th District. And as there was a huge rush to get petitions signed, there was no time to talk about why I was running. On Monday afternoon, I handed in 850 signatures at the Board of Elections making me an official candidate.

As I now have a second to draw a quick breath, I'd like to start telling you why I am running, and why winning this particular seat is important step in transforming the district, the city, the state, and the eventually the country.

Some background:

Pennsylvania's 175th district lies in the heart of Philadelphia. With an eastern boarder of the Delaware River, a southern border near the historic Gloria Dei Church, encompassing  all-American sites such as Liberty Bell and South Street, and embracing Philadelphia neighborhoods from Queen Village up to Fishtown - the 175th District is a microcosm of America's rich urban history.