My name is Gilda Reed. I am a life-long resident of Louisiana’s Katrina-burdened First District and a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Fifteen months after Katrina, I was powerfully moved to enter the political arena to make a positive difference in the lives of fellow Louisianans. There was still destruction all around me and so many people in all 6 parishes (counties) in District 1 were desperate. I am not at all happy with the Iraq War, the Katrina insensitive fiasco, the unfair shake that our working men and women receive, the reality that the richest nation in the world has so many medically uninsured citizens, the travesty of "No Child Left Behind", the disregard for protecting our environment, the band-aid approach to rebuilding our levees or restoring our wetlands, the erosion of our Constitutional rights, our border insecurity, and fiscal irresponsibility. This disdain compels me. It is time for a change.
We Democrats can definitely win back this seat!
Aug. 29th was an especially meaningful day, the second anniversary of the worst disaster to hit an American city in all of U.S. history. And I am not talking about Hurricane Katrina which gave us a glancing blow. I am talking about the failure of the levees to protect us. I am talking about government's failure after the catastrophe to meet our most basic needs of food, water and refuge. I am talking about the continued neglect and roadblocks to our recovery. I am talking about a mindset of those in charge at the federal level which believes we must not rely on government for help. We are not asking for a hand-out—just a hand up.
Realistically, candidates need name recognition, press, man power, donors and endorsements. My grassroots campaign has been full-speed ahead for months in all 6 parishes (counties) of District 1. I meet great people every day, public officials as well as everyday folks—people who deserve better representation in Washington. My district has been held by Republicans for a number of years. The ongoing neglect of our citizens, before and after Katrina, has made many voters more receptive to a change.
Howard Dean:
Yet two years later, people are still suffering, and the Bush White House's incompetence remains. Just a few weeks ago we learned that the Bush Administration knowingly left Katrina survivors in toxic trailers. When does this stop? The people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast deserve better and are still waiting for help.
This seat is ours if we want it!
Yes indeed, Mr. Dean, my people do deserve better, that is why I am a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. I am FEC registered and have raised more in my first quarter than any of my Democratic predecessors. My large signs are popping up throughout the district, my website receives thousands of hits monthly, MySpace and Facebook friends number in the thousands, and my revamped, professional, state-of-the-art website is up and running. Republicans have asked for yard signs and two of my hardest workers are Republicans.
Ethics rather than corruption should be expected and demanded. The great state of Louisiana has been looked down upon too long. It is no longer acceptable for the nation to view us as corrupt. I want better documented funding at all levels—local, state and federal. Business as usual is over. It is time for a change.
As I travel through my 6 parishes, I hear story after story of a resilient, proud people who are tired of being neglected and forgotten. The flood waters that ravaged New Orleans and Slidell and parts of Jefferson, did not reach Franklinton and Bogalusa, but they were hit hard all the same. These communities are gasping for air, too. My people are hurting and it is high time for a change.
I am not going away!
I will NOT stand by and watch our freedoms, protected by our Constitution, erode further. I will NOT stand by and watch fellow Americans suffer needlessly because those elected to protect and defend are too busy protecting their own profits. I will NOT cave under pressure. Our working men and women, our small business owners, our veterans, our senior citizens, our children need me to fight for their interests. Big business should not take precedence over the pulse of the people.
This strong lady is quite used to adversity. I have never run from a fight, and I am not about to start now. If I can keep on ticking with a lifelong polio disability, if I can fight for years for the rights of my 2 adopted children with disabilities, if I can survive the inhumane rigors of graduate school while raising 7 children, if I can teach thousands of college students and more classes than any of my colleagues while spoiling 11 grandchildren, then I am up for anything that an election or Congress can hurl my way. I am determined to make this world a better place in which to live and work and dream—for me, for you, for my family, for your family. It is time for a change.
Though I have already proven my candidate viability, I am light years away from the millions that Bobby Jindal, our current Representative now running for Governor, and the Republicans spent to win this seat using big pharmaceutical, insurance and oil company donations. The money blitz won't work this time if I have the hearts and minds of the people. This is where you can be of invaluable assistance. I am fighting a wealthy, ruthless machine and need to advertise to reach everyone. You can deliver the message that there is an exemplary candidate who will be the voice we need in Washington. You can shout that there is a lady who will stand up for us, one who is not afraid, a newcomer who does not owe anybody anything. Democracy in action!
TAKE ACTION
Please, take a moment, to deliver this message to Mr. Dean; there is a strong, viable Democratic candidate for LA 01. My district remains Katrina-burdened and funding for my campaign, by necessity, must come from outside of the area. With the proper financing and support, I can win this district and be a part of his 50 State Strategy!
Howard Dean, Chairman
DNC
430 S. Capitol St. SE
Washington DC 20003
Deanh@DNC.org
Fax: 202-863-8174
Phone: 202-863-8000
My website: WeNeedReed
Phone number: 504-287-4328
ActBlue
A reminder:
Please support the other Kossacks running for Congress in ’08. We all need your assistance to win. Take a moment, and visit the campaign websites for Ron Shepston and our possum. Thank you!
Please, tune in next Sunday!
So many of us believe that we can help our Democratic leaders with their political strategy, legislation or campaigns, if only someone would listen.
But what if a Democratic candidate was listening? What if he or she was asking you to become an integral part of their campaign? What if you could write a candidate's campaign ads?
That's exactly what Gilda Reed is asking of Daily Kos in next Sunday’s diary, "Write My Campaign Ad, Kos!", by blueintheface