“Common Sense for the Common Good”

As an Independent Democrat, I will fight for progress on the issues that matter most to workers and families. We must invest more in America to create more opportunity and security—creating more good jobs, a living wage, healthcare as a right, making childcare and education better and affordable, restoring reproductive rights, while protecting our environment.

Mal Hyman Announces his Candidacy for Congress,

Representing the SC 7th Congressional District

Everything sacred is on the ballot - our democracy, our dignity, and the sustainability of the earth. We must regain our moral compass, with a commitment to honor and to common sense - this is why I am hereby announcing my candidacy for the United States Congress.

I’ve taught for 50 years – in public schools, prisons, and the last 37 years at Coker University. My grandmother taught in the public schools in Pittsburgh. My dad grew up in a boarding house, served as a tail gunner on a B-17 in World War II, and went to Ohio State on the GI Bill. He overcame PTSD and became a small town newspaper publisher. My folks taught me civility, resilience, and hard work. Even though my dad was an Eisenhower Republican and my mom a Kennedy Democrat, we always had civil discussions.

I worked my way through UCLA doing factory work, farm work, and as a commercial fisherman. In my first teaching job I had six classes, forty per class, without even a classroom set of books. When I taught in a medium security men’s prison, the inmates talked about losing hope at the ages of 10, 11, and 12. As someone who has taught in both, I seek to serve as the first member of Congress to confront the “school-to-prison pipeline.” I have done human rights work and monitored elections with the U.N. in seven countries, served on a range of community boards from my county Community Action Agency to Genesis Healthcare, and published a book, Burying the Lead: The Media and the Assassination of JFK.

I will not accept a dime in campaign contributions from corporations since no one can serve two masters. I will fight for people over profits, people over party, and common sense for the common good.

Our country must become a place where Democrats and Republicans respect each other, respect the Constitution, and respect the Golden Rule. Where equal opportunity is honored as much as hard work, and where no one is unseen or unheard. Where all children have a right to food, healthcare, housing and safe streets, better and safer schools, and clean air and water. A place where we invest more in America to create greater opportunity and security, and where we honor the wonder and glory of God’s creation by protecting it, rather than destroying it. Above all, we must seek to become a nation at peace with its own conscience.

We need to confront the old poisons of money and partisanship. The wealthiest 1% put 90% of the money into elections and turn democracy into an auction. We need to confront huge corporations and banks, which often pledge allegiance to the best investment and not to the next generation. We must also confront our addiction to materialism, where the rich have more wealth than biblical kings, while half of our country lives paycheck to paycheck.

Over the last few years, I’ve listened to thousands of people in the Seventh Congressional District and the majority want our government to:

• Tax the wealthy elite their fair share to responsibly invest in the American Dream

• Strengthen Social Security, as well as support for our veterans

• Make healthcare a right, not a privilege

• Make public colleges and quality childcare affordable

• Make the minimum wage a living wage

• Protect our borders

• Strengthen public schools and make them safer

• Protect our electrical grid – for security as well as efficiency

• Create a family leave policy

• Restore women’s rights to make their own medical decisions

• Invest more in research & development to regain our competitive advantage

• Cautiously create gun laws that balance the second amendment with public safety

• Protect the safety of our food and water

• Establish term limits

If our churches and our communities cannot meet the public need, the government – in a strong Democracy – responds to the people. This country was formed by patriots who risked their lives, their fortune, and their sacred honor, and these are the values that will restore trust in government.

I see these policies and actions as Common Sense for the Common Good.

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