Posted by permission of sarahlane
EENRblog.com
In just a few minutes Democratic candidate Kevin Miskell running for IA-4 C.D. will join us for a live blog here at EENRblog.com! Before we get going on our conversation with Kevin, I want to tell you a little about what Kevin Miskell.
Kevin Miskell is a fifth generation Iowa farmer from Story County, Iowa. When family farmers were facing an economic crisis under Reagan, Miskell became very involved in his community working to help save family farms.
More below the fold:
Here's a snippet from Miskell's website about his backround as a family farm advocate:
For the past 21 years, he has been active in grassroots politics across the state, promoting sustainable agriculture and fighting to protect the environment. During these past two decades, Kevin has worked with elected officials on both the state and national level on legislation relating to agriculture, rural economic development and renewable energy.
During the past four years, Kevin served as Vice President of Iowa Farmers Union, a grassroots organization that promotes the viability of small family farms and sustainable agriculture.
Since 2003 Kevin has worked on the staff of three presidential campaigns. In 2003, he worked for Senator Bob Graham. When Graham dropped out of the race, Kevin was hired by Senator John Edwards' campaign to serve as his Midwestern Director of Rural Policy and Outreach and worked again in this capacity in 2008.
Miskell on Iraq
Kevin Miskell believes we need to start bringing our troops home from Iraq and end the war. Here's a snippet from his website:
When elected to Congress, I pledge to bring home America's troops from Iraq as quickly and safely as possible. The war in Iraq, from its inception, has been poorly planned and poorly executed by George Bush and his administration.
Rather than secure Afghanistan and capture Osama Bin Laden as he so publicly promised, George Bush chose to plunge into an unnecessary war that has cost the United States the lives of over 4,000 American soldiers and more than 60,000 wounded.
Miskell has pledged that his first priority in Congress will be to end the Iraq War. I don't know about you, but we sure need more Democrats who are 100% committed to ending the occupation in Iraq.
Miskell on the Economy
In the past couple decades Iowa family farmers have been struggling to compete with the corporate agri-business. Here's a snippet about what Kevin will do for the economy:
I promise, if elected, I will help return America to an era of fiscal responsibility, making sure that the Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy are repealed and that U.S. tax policy favors the average American and not just those at top.
By cutting taxes in a time of war, Bush has done the unthinkable and driven our economy to the brink of disaster. The best thing for Iowa's economy would be to get out of this war as quickly and safely as possible and start investing that money in building our state's infrastructure and doing what Iowa does best.
Here's a snippet from Miskell about why he's running for Congress:
I am running for Congress because I want to help create an America where all can share in the prosperity of the American Dream and have equal access to quality education, affordable health care and economic security.
For too long I've seen people run for office say one thing to get elected and then abandon those principles once they are in office. Today, America needs leaders who have a track record of working for the good of their neighbors and will keep their word once elected.
For the past twenty-one years I have been active in grassroots politics here in Iowa, fighting to preserve the viability of the family farm, protect the environment, promote sustainable agriculture and expand the rights of all Iowans.
In entering this race I am dedicating myself to representing the values of Middle America, where hard work, integrity and a person's word are as strong as the land and common sense of community that holds us together.
Please join us at EENRblog.com for this informative live blog with Kevin Miskell.
Get Your Questions Ready!
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