WHY SUPPORT CHRIS PANAYIOTOU FOR CONGRESS?
Here's why:
While recently watching YouTube, I came across a speech by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges, of whom I have been a long-time admirer. He spoke in-depth of moral courage, of which he described as, “The courage to act; the courage to speak the truth.” That 20-minute or so speech inspired what has always been inside of me, and I knew it was time to put into place something that would change my life. At the time, I wasn’t quite sure what that was, and coming from a media background, I thought it would be taking my platform to the next level, sticking my chin out, telling the truth, and to welcoming whatever blows came my way. I began writing my thoughts in a notebook every night before I went to sleep, loading the ammunition for what would be a series of articles and videos. I had always immersed myself in current events and in the news, mainstream and independent, and having gone to school for Journalism and Political Science, I was confident in navigating through propaganda on my journey to find and speak truth. Studying politics, reading books on the driest of subject matter, and watching congressional hearings, I would stay up to date with much of what was going on in the world, as my original goals were to be a political columnist and later a politician. This was my space.
Several months ago, it dawned on me where to apply the moral courage Hedges spoke of. Having spent the last 35 years living in the same community, I've watched it grow and change, sometimes for the better, and lately for the worse. At some point along the way, I realized that our entire system was far more corrupt than I had ever known. I lost faith in both Journalism and Politics, but gained the ability to view things objectively, as they are, not as they are presented to me. This moment comes at different times for everyone, sometimes never at all for some, but having lived through various crises that ushered us into a surveillance state, forever wars, and a perpetual state of fear, I could see that politics had devolved even further into control and corruption. And then the incumbent announced that he would pursue the Senate, and I knew that now was the time.
I’m a concerned citizen, still with a day job. I’m not in the upper tier of income, I am not a doctor, lawyer, real-estate investor or career politician. I work a full-time job and write for and edit a magazine in my spare time. I'm not looking to advance a career, I’m looking to help my community, and to throw a wrench into any plans that exploit it. It's the next step in my progression as a citizen, I want to represent the people, I want to be the voice in the room for working class Americans, when the important decisions are made. This is “My why.” The status quo isn’t working. I am running on a populist pro-worker, pro-working- and middle-class platform, in which my primary focus is the constituency. I’m also running as THE anti-war, anti-corporate capture, anti-corruption, anti-establishment candidate.
The cost of living has skyrocketed, rent prices have become ridiculous and entry to home ownership has become impossible for far too many. Wages have not kept up with inflation, we’re still having the same wage fights from three-election cycles ago, there are far more people sleeping on the street than there was even just a year ago, and now there are predictions of artificial intelligence putting millions out of work. Without a voice in powerful places, the people will further fall victim to all these things, and a dark future awaits us. I am running for U.S. House of Representatives of Texas’ 32nd Congressional District to be that voice.