November 21st 2007
Seth Steele and then myself at my press conference on November 15th, 2007. Seth was reading a statement from Sgt Brandon Bean who had fallen very ill and was bed ridden. Seth also read Sgt Bean’s prepared speech in his place. Then it was my turn to make it official.
November 15th 2007
I attended The 16th Annual Feast of Caring supporting the Greensboro Urban Ministry this evening. What a wonderful event. The First Baptist Church on Friendly Ave was packed. The soup was really good. I had the potato and corn chowder. I will certainly continue to attend this wonderful event.
We need to do more as humans to help those in need. Homelessness is a serious and often overlooked problem that needs to be addressed. A staggering 1 in 4 in the homeless community are Veterans. It is a crime not to do something to help.
November 15th 2007
The incumbent Congressman called my campaign line and officially welcomed me to the race. We agreed we are both nice guys and both will run clean races. He complimented my Yes Weekly article. I told him I look forward to spirited debates.
November 15th 2007
Today at noon at the Phill G McDonald plaza in Downtown Greensboro, I formally announced my bid to unseat a 24 year incumbent. Binker at the Greensboro News and Record has the speech here. The Fox News and Channel 14 News 14 Carolina reporters were there too. Fox News at 5:30. Channel 14 News 14 Carolina at 5. The race begins.
November 15th 2007
Jordan Green does a fair job on my run for Congress and who I am. I will tell you that it is a little surreal seeing yourself all over town staring at yourself. The story is here.
November 13th 2007
I spent this past weekend in Washington, DC. My first Veterans Day in Washington, DC. The sights and sounds were remarkable.
I saw groups of Vets that had not seen each other for long periods of time having reunions. I saw widows and parents of soldiers who have fallen fighting for our freedoms speaking about their loved ones. It was hard to choke back the tears at times.
I had the chance to talk with several Vets while walking the mall and the overwhelming issue of concern was Health Care for Vets. There was a booth that had a petition to sign for Mandatory Health Care for Vets. At that booth I met a Vet named Michael, who is the President of the Vietnam Veterans of America (Martha Raye Chapter 541) out of New Windsor, NY. We talked about the current pieces of legislation that have been introduced on Veterans Health Care and every one of them, according to Michael, has stipulations. After I researched this, the only one with the word “mandatory” is HR1382 and it only addresses mandatory funding for Veterans Affairs not mandatory coverage for Veterans.
I told him about a draft for a bill I have ready to introduce that will give Vets the Health Care they deserve without any stipulations. I went into further detail with him and he was choked up. He shook my hand, thanked me and asked how he could help me help them. I simply responded, “keep doing what your doing and spread the word.” He also told me that the Vets feel like 2nd class citizens. I think that is wrong. These men and women are no different then anyone else. They should not be slighted for the risks they have taken to protect our rights and freedoms.
The draft of the bill I want to introduce includes free and mandatory health care for veterans (class E6 and down), the ability to go to private doctors and hospitals instead of the VA and the formation of a Veterans Committee on Health Care that meets every 3 months with members of the Veterans community to keep discussing the ongoing crisis with Veterans Health Issues.
I had a wonderful time and met some wonderful Patriots. I plan on going back next year to continue to support the Vets and their cause.
To all the Vets out there, thank you for your service, thank you, thank you, thank you!
November 12th 2007
Welcome to my campaign blog.
These are the blog ground rules. This blog will be an open debate on the issues. We will moderate comments. Your post will be approved if it helps move the discussion forward, is focused on the topic and contributes to the debate. We will not always agree but we can discuss politely without personal attacks. Opposing views are welcome. I enjoy a good conversation and invite you to participate!
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I look forward to writing here throughout the campaign. Posts here will be updated frequently - be sure to grab the RSS feed.
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