I’m running for Congress because the culture of corruption in Washington is weakening our democracy and making life harder for working families. I am proud to still wear our nation’s uniform and of my military service, including as a submarine warfare officer deploying across the globe. The flag we defend means something to me that many politicians in Washington have forgotten.
People are angry that there are two sets of rules: one for the rich and powerful, and another for the rest of us. There are no kings in America, but politicians in Congress enable the wealthy, connected and elite to act as if there are no consequences. And there’s no doubt that the affordability crisis we are facing is tied to this scheme. Americans young and old, of every political stripe, are losing faith in our institutions. Only a new generation of leadership can put an end to this crisis.
A prime example of this: While most Americans are struggling, some elected officials, who swear an oath to the Constitution, use their positions of power to enrich themselves. It is common sense that members of Congress, with access to information and influence that everyday Americans do not have, should not be allowed to trade stocks. In any other job, this type of behavior would get you fired. A commitment to vote for legislation ending this practice is the bare minimum for anyone running in this district. This is a moral issue that can unite Virginians across the political spectrum. As your representative, I’ll prioritize your welfare over my own and never break your trust.
In addition to political self-dealing, special interests influence our elections and our democracy by donating massive amounts of money to politicians in order to grease the wheels of the legislative process — such as when pharmaceutical companies rammed through an exemption for the cancer drug Keytruda from Medicare price negotiations in President Donald Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill,” increasing costs for those that are already suffering. “We the people” have less of a say in how our government works than do the giant corporations who are using their Republican tax breaks for bonuses, not to hire American workers. I’ve taken a pledge not to accept corporate PAC money, and I’m calling on every candidate in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District to do the same.
Congress must also act to end the disastrous tariffs and sweetheart deals that are crippling our economy. If we can find $40 billion for Argentina, we can bring down skyrocketing health care costs for the American people. Similarly, when we allow the agriculture industry to consolidate to just a handful of massive corporations, we force out the farmers and small businesses that uplift our communities and force families to pay higher prices in the checkout line. And while Virginians continue to see their household expenses on the rise, the ultra-rich get tax breaks they don’t need. It’s time for a fresh start, because the politics of the past won’t save us.
I’ve never been a politician, but I know what it means to serve our country. This moment demands uncompromised leadership and a clean break with the political establishment that got us into this mess. Putting an end to the culture of corruption will make life more affordable for everyday Americans while restoring trust in our democracy.
James Osyf of Virginia Beach is a Democratic candidate in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. A first-generation Ukrainian American, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy, the Harvard Kennedy School and Georgetown Law. His Navy career began in Virginia Beach, where he deployed twice to the Persian Gulf aboard the fast-attack submarine USS Norfolk and he continues to serve today out of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, supporting U.S. Second Fleet operations as a commander in the Navy Reserve.
