Posted on 11/20/2003 3:23:07 PM PST by Kuksool
BANNER ELK, NC (Talon News) -- Last month, Talon News reported on the candidacy of Vernon Robinson, a conservative black Republican running for the 5th Congressional District seat in North Carolina in 2004. In continuing coverage, Talon News recently spoke with candidate Virginia Foxx in an exclusive interview.
In a positive, calm manner, Foxx says she realizes criticisms levied against her from other candidates vying for the congressional seat are all a part of the "dirty process" of running for political office.
"This is one of the most painful things about politics," Foxx told Talon News. "However, I believe that troubles are ways that God fashions us for bigger and better things. Adversity only makes me stronger, and I have faith that the truth will prevail."
Foxx grew up in an extremely poor family in Avery County, North Carolina. She said that her family was so poor that they did not have indoor plumbing or electricity in her home until she was nearly an adult.
To help her family survive financially, Foxx took on the menial job of being the high school janitor while still attending school herself. She also helped grow crops so that her family could eat.
Her dream to attend college came true when she committed to working several full-time jobs while also taking a full load of classes. But through it all, Foxx says she saw these difficulties as valuable life lessons.
"Being poor as a child taught me the value of education and hard work," Foxx explained to Talon News.
She eventually finished college, then received her master's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and finally her doctorate from UNC-Greensboro.
Foxx says her humble upbringing helped mold the conservative beliefs that she holds today.
"My family never collected a welfare check," she told Talon News. "Instead, we believed in hard work, personal responsibility and having strong faith in God."
Foxx added that the lessons she learned through her difficult childhood have helped her become a better representative of the people. In fact, her work ethic in the North Carolina legislature earned her the title of the "hardest-working legislator in the General Assembly." She often shows up for work while it is still dark outside in the morning.
As someone who has been through a lot of adversity in her life, Foxx says she can relate to the people she represents much better than most politicians.
"Many politicians are privileged and out of touch with the people of this area," she said to Talon News. "They cannot adequately represent people with whom they cannot identify."
Relying on the strength and talents she receives from God, Foxx says she has always been gifted with the desire to serve others.
"I am in politics because I want to use my talents to serve others," she said to Talon News. "I feel this is what God intends for me to do."
She admits that many politicians forget who they work for once they get elected.
"All too often, people go into politics to serve themselves or the special interests that put them in office," Foxx admitted to Talon News.
She adds, "I have my heart in this for the right reasons."
Representing the people in her state senate district, Foxx has won many state and national awards, including the Alan-Keith Lucas Friend of Children Award, the Guardian of Small Business Award, the N.C. Distinguished Women's Award and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is the highest honor given by the Governor for dedication and service.
Foxx says she is ready for the challenge of going to Washington. But first she must defeat a slew of Republican challengers.
Nevertheless, Foxx says she is not worried because she believes her background and experience sets her above the rest.
"I am the only candidate with significant legislative experience and a solid conservative voting record to stand on," Foxx exclaimed to Talon News. "I have already done what other candidates can only promise to do."
As a former teacher, community college president and small business owner, Foxx has a diversified background in many different areas that will help her if she becomes a member of the U.S. Congress.
Confident that it was the right thing to do, Foxx willingly gave up her state senate seat to run for Congress due to the tremendous outpouring of love and support from friends, family members, constituents and newspaper editorial staffs.
Although some have said that her presence in the State Senate will be sorely missed, Foxx responds by saying her impact can be so much greater on Capitol Hill.
"I will have the opportunity to help even more people," Foxx explained to Talon News. "And you can rest assured that my votes in Washington will be consistent with the way I have voted in Raleigh for nearly a decade."
Foxx said she fundamentally believes that the size of government is overgrown and needs to be trimmed.
"My record proves that my fundamental philosophy is that government is too big and needs to be reduced in scope," she said to Talon News, echoing the conservative view of the need for less government.
On the issue of tax increases, Foxx said she has voted against statewide tax hikes every time they came up. In fact, she supported the largest tax cut in North Carolina history during the 1995-96 General Assembly session.
North Carolina State Sen. Patrick Ballantine, who serves as the Republican leader in the state Senate, called Foxx "an expert on rules and regulations" because of the way she has worked to get government out of the lives of people through her service on the Administrative Procedures Oversight Committee.
On social issues, Foxx has shown herself to be just as conservative as she is fiscally. She has co-sponsored bills in the General Assembly opposing abortion and has been endorsed by the North Carolina Right to Life. She believes in the Second Amendment right to bear arms and is a member of the National Rifle Association.
"In Congress, I will be an advocate for the core values the people of this district," Foxx concluded to Talon News.
Describing herself as "misunderstood in the same way Jesse Helms was," Foxx said she will stand up for what is right and will refuse to be swayed by lobbyists for special interest groups.
Her top priorities if she is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives are the economy and jobs.
"Our Federal Government's policies have permitted three of our state's major industries to be gutted: textiles, furniture and tobacco," Foxx lamented to Talon News. "In Congress, I will advocate policies that do not sell our industries short."
Noticing a trend that she says hurts the people of her state, Foxx said invasive government regulations on companies have caused them to go overseas.
"We should not make it more profitable for our major companies to move abroad," Foxx exclaimed to Talon News. "We should not permit China and other nations to trade unfairly with us. And we should not permit some industries to be over-regulated and overtaxed."
Foxx says she will stand side-by-side with President George W. Bush as a strong ally in Congress.
"President Bush places a strong emphasis on national security, conservative values and creating a favorable tax structure for individuals and businesses," Foxx told Talon News. "In doing so, he looks out for our country's best interests. But just as important, he is a good man who does what he knows is right."
In order to get to Washington, though, Foxx realizes she has a major challenge to face.
"The road ahead will not be easy, but my life has taught me not to throw in the towel when things get tough," she concluded to Talon News, adding that she is not concerned about the criticisms she receives.
For more information on the Virginia Foxx for Congress campaign, her website is located at www.virginiafoxx.com.
Conservative values?!?!
Banner Elk is pretty posh these days.
My family has had a home in that area for 20 years now.
These days, the Accetero branch of the Luchesse crime family control the area along with Wayne Huizanga.
The Acceteros are all snitches now btw.
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