One of our own, one of our progressive E's, has announced they are a candidate for Congress. Jeff Reed, the king of Facebook Status updates, is in the arena. His face will certainly be marred by dust and sweat and blood over the next nine weeks or so. Jeff seeing a void in MO-09 on the Democratic side has offered himself for service as a write-in candidate.
Jeff had this to say on his facebook page earlier today
My goal is to simply win Randolph County. At the end of the night, I want Blaine Luetkemeyer and the Republican Party going, "geez, who the hell was that guy"? I want to send the message the Democrat Party is here in Mid-Mo and we are VERY much alive and well.
I am a Congressional candidate, that is getting ready to go to my 8 to 5 job selling windows and garage doors. Damn, ain't that America. John Mellencamp
Update: Jeff wrote about why he was voting no on Missouri Prop C ,which was being pushed and touted as a referendum on Obamacare
I am part of what you might call "The American Middle Class." I am in my late 20's. I have worked for a great, local building supply company going on five years now. My girlfriend and I are paying on our first home that we purchased a couple of years ago. I save for future home renovations, retirement, and vacations that I dream of taking someday. I was fortunate to make it thought this recession with my job and a further appreciation for what is really important in life. I have also used this downturn to become more knowledgeable of what is going on around me and to also become more fiscally responsible in my life. The recession has taught me a few lessons. I consider myself not as the middle class, but as the back-bone of America. The first to suffer when things go south, and heavily relied upon to help pick America back up.
This past year, the health insurance that I have had at work since I have been employed there went through a massive rate increase. Our company was left scrambling to try to find its employees coverage. Luckily, I work for a company that cares deeply for its employees and their families’ well being, and they were able to find another company to pick us up for the same rates we were paying before. I have to wonder, will we be as fortunate next time?
As I said, I am in my late 20's, I am healthy, shoot, I have never even had to use my health insurance for anything, yet I was close to seeing a massive increase in my monthly premiums, or worse, being dropped all together. I have a feeling this was going to continue to be the norm, unless something was done. Something was done. And I am not going to stand in the way of that.
People being uninsured or just not carrying insurance, either through their own decision or because they simply can't afford it, is part of what is driving the costs up for folks like me and countless others. The Affordable Care Act expands coverage to millions, it stops denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, and yes, it does require people to carry health insurance. I say it is about time. People have been cavalier with this for far too long. I personally was against the mandates without the presence of a public option or some sort of extension to Medicare, but I understand why we have them and I am not going to submarine what I feel is a pretty decent bill and even better, a good building block for the future.
You see, as someone who works hard, saves hard, and plays hard when he can, I am tired of seeing my rates go up continually, for nothing I have done. I am tired of the buck being passed onto me for people not carrying health insurance, seeking care, and being unable to pay for that care. Extending coverage to more folks and ending practices like denial of care based on pre-existing conditions is a giant step in the right direction. Adding a low cost, public option for folks to buy into is the final piece of the puzzle. It is the only chance people like me have. If we continue on the path we are on, the working poor and the middle class like me, have a less than snowballs chance in hell of actually owning our share of the American Dream. The Health Insurers are going to make sure of that. People more interested in playing partisan politics are going to make sure of that.
So, on August 3rd, I ask you to forget the Republican talking points and buzzwords like "infringe" and "Obamacare" which are used only to create anger and paranoia. Forget what Peter Kinder told you to think and what the Tea Party thinks they stand for, and vote for yourself, vote for your future, vote for a college education for your child, vote for a home you might own in a few years, vote for your retirement, VOTE FOR YOU. Because the next hardworking, middle-class American that might lose their health care due to costs just might be you. I am asking you to Vote No, on Missouri Prop C on August 3rd.
Jeff R.
Moberly, Missouri
Ain't that America. Yes it is. And Jeff we salute you for answering the call and making sure that Blaine Luetkemeyer does not go unopposed. . Even if you are a Florida Gators fan, you get my support and I hope the support of every Democrat that reads this.
Blaine Luetkemeyer only won MO-09 over the Democrat with 50% in 2008. It is amazing that nobody stepped up to run in this district. So we should commend Reed for taking this on.
More on Luetkemeyer
During his time in the state legislature, Luetkemeyer co-sponsored the statewide constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman, which was overwhelmingly approved by Missouri voters statewide in 2004 by a margin of 71-29.
Jeff's campaign slogan
WE NEED REED - This is a 50 State Strategy. Make the Republicans defend every freaking seat.
cross posted at Progressive Electorate