F2B EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Lucky Narain

In recent days, Independent Lucky R. Narain officially became a candidate in the Dec. 11 special election to fill the vacant House seat in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, joining Democrat Phil Forgit and Republican Rob Wittman. There’s been a lot of speculation as to who Lucky is, what he stands for, and what impact he may have on the race. (And in case anyone’s wondering, I strongly support Forgit for Congress, and encourage others to do the same.)

Briefly, can you tell us a little about yourself? How do you think your background and life experience have prepared you for the House of Representatives? 

As a graduate of local schools, Tabb High School (go Tabb) and Christopher Newport University, I was shown the importance of community. I learned the importance of thinking about people in terms of family. As a US Peace Corps volunteer and a US Army Reservist, I understand the balance between diplomacy and the need for a soldier’s protection.  

In the Peace Corps, I lived on the border of Haiti in the Dominican Republic.  Sleeping on the dirt floor in a wood house with a tin roof for almost three years, I learned to appreciate the gift of opportunity that living in America offers.  The privilege of serving those in need was my passion.  It continues to be my passion.

In my studies of public policy and management at Carnegie Mellon University, and law at Fordham University School of Law, I learned that education is most valuable when it is used to make life better for hard-working families.  

Why did you decide to run for this seat? Is this about a dissatisfaction with Forgit, Wittman, or the two-party system? Or is it bigger than that? 

Phil Forgit’s candidacy concerns me.  As a military serviceman, why doesn’t he talk about taking care of Veterans? As a teacher, why doesn’t he talk more about taking care of teachers (or our education tax dollar)?  How can a man run for Congress and avoid talking about issues that have a measurable impact in his life?

When I saw that Rob Wittman signed a pledge not to increase taxes and then supported legislation to raise taxes on gasoline, to raise taxes on selling your home and to raise taxes to rent a car, I knew that he could not be trusted.  You have to be true to your word. After all, it’s the only thing we have.

If a person supports establishing the completely unconstitutional abusive driver fees – these are fines as high as $3,000 for common traffic violations – then I can only imagine how bad their leadership would be in Congress.When you run for Congress, you have to want to do something for the people. You have to have the desire and determination to be responsible and accountable to the citizens of the district. To be a leader.  I am running for Congress because want to make life better for hard-working families.  

If you have to choose a label…which do you think best applies to you, politically speaking? Liberal, Conservative, Centrist, Progressive, Libertarian, Populist, etc.? Who are your biggest influences in the world of politics? 

Label me how you will. I support a small government.  I support conservative values.  I support states’ rights.  And I support thinking about the people we care about in terms of family.  If we thought about our Veterans in terms of family, maybe then almost one third of the homeless population would not be Veterans.  If we thought about our Veterans in terms of family, maybe then it would be easier for them to claim disability benefits.  If we thought about all children and teachers as family, maybe we would not have the crisis we are currently experiencing in our education system.

My biggest influences in the world of politics have been our Forefathers, who framed a document that has created the foundation on which this country has been built.  It has withstood Civil War, two world wars and an incredible amount of change.  The Constitution has seen this country through its darkest days, and has inspired me to be true and effective representation of the People, for the People.   

What do you think are the major challenges facing Virginia’s 1st District right now? 

There are Veterans in every region of the First District. The fact that they are not receiving the care they are entitled to is shameful.

That my opponents are focused solely on making sure that our bases will be protected is not enough.  Protecting our bases, our Veterans, our military and our families who support them is one of the most important issues facing the First District.There is an almost incredible dissatisfaction with the current representation in Congress, nationwide. 

The most important issue facing the District is that we do not currently have responsible and accountable representation dedicated to serving the hard-working citizens of the First District.  I am the true Conservative choice for Congress.  My name is Lucky Narain, and I am your best choice for Congress.  

The big question…what’s your assessment of the situation in Iraq?  

I am encouraged by the recent progress made by our soldiers in Iraq. It is imperative, however that we hand over more responsibility to the Iraqi government and withdraw our forces soon – in a structured manner. We are in a precarious situation in Iraq for many reasons, including the fact that the role of our military is not that of a nation building force. We are in a region of the world where our soldiers are constantly in life-threatening danger. Yet, if we extract our entire armed forces right now, I believe Iran or terrorist groups would seize the opportunity and move in. We do a disservice to all of the soldiers who have lost their lives if we withdraw now. We need to pull out our forces soon and in a structured manner.    

In 1994, many feel that former Republican Marshall Coleman’s entry into the US Senate Race effectively ruined any chance that Oliver North (R) had of defeating Charles Robb (D). What do you say to people who accuse you of playing the “spoiler role?” 

I am the best choice for Congress in this race. I care about making life better for the hard working families in this district.  It is my impression that the other candidates are self-serving individuals without any real drive for enacting legislation that improves the quality of life for residents of the District.  Wittman signed a pledge not to raise taxes and ended up raising taxes.  He supported the abusive driver fees – that’s highway robbery. WITTMAN CANNOT BE TRUSTED.  Not that you have to be in the military care, but Wittman never put on a military uniform – I doubt he really cares about our military.   

If elected, would you caucus with the Democrats or Republicans? 

The Bush administration has not been supporting our military the way they should be treated. For example, Bush did not support giving our troops a 3.5% pay raise. I will adhere to the Constitutional principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility, but never at the expense of our soldiers or our veterans. If caucusing with Democrats means that our military will be properly funded, then I will do so. Generally though, I am conservative – and I will be accountable to my conservative base.