March 29, 2024

Presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbard stops in Newton for a pint

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Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard stopped at the Gezellig Brewery taproom in Newton to share her message on why she should become the first female president.

Among many of her main points was the fact the country is divided and her campaign is built around the need for bringing everyone together again through many changes.

“Where I think we need to go as a country and that is to unite,” Gabbard said. “We are facing incredibly divided times.”

There was reference to the speech that Abraham Lincoln gave at Gettysburg and Gabbard said to move forward in the U.S., the country needs to be brought together to work together.

“For us to be able to move forward together ... We can only do so when we stand together,” Gabbard said.

In talking about the divisiveness, Gabbard made note of how this specific town hall meeting with the public was a good example of how the country could work together on making the necessary changes.

“I think today is especially symbolic of how this unity is possible that we are gathered here in Newton with both Iowa and Iowa State fans,” Gabbard said.

Gabbard addressed the essential stalemate in government where members of congress haven’t been able to get major changes enacted. She mentioned specific examples like the criminal justice and health care systems and the country’s failing infrastructure.

“We have a government that is of, by and for the very few the very rich and the very powerful leaving the rest of us behind,” Gabbard said.

The next piece of her speech dealt with the state of health care in the country and how many families cannot afford medical bills if a major emergency were to arise.

“Eighty percent of people in this country are living paycheck to paycheck, which means if you don’t have great health insurance you are one health care emergency away from total financial disaster,” Gabbard said.

Another main point with health care that was met with applause, was the idea that Medicare would be able to negotiate lower prescription drug prices from the pharmaceutical companies.

“This will bring down the cost for everyone ... It is the most unfortunate example of the corruption within our own government,” Gabbard said.

Gabbard continued by discussing the need for reform within the criminal justice system from the private prisons there are today. She spoke about overcrowding and marijuana leading to the decrease of opiate abuse in states that have legalized it.

“This is the central part of the change that we are seeking to bring about, an end to private prisons,” Gabbard said. “Their business model is built on keeping those beds full.”

Gabbard had other points such as immigration but the major point Gabbard closed with had a personal connection. She drew on her experience as a combat veteran to address the cost of the war.

“Since 9/11 alone, we as taxpayers have spent over $6 trillion dollars, going to pay for wasteful regime change wars in other countries around the world,” Gabbard said.

With this Gabbard led into the fact there is a vast amount of money taxpayers spend every month to fund these wars and how that money could be better used at home.

“If we look at Afghanistan right now, we as taxpayers are spending $4 billion every month ... That has a direct impact on the kinds of nation building we could be doing right here at home,” Gabbard said.

The point of ending these wars was Gabbard’s main point at the end of her speech. She touted her military experience as an advantage to bring the White House to bring these resources back home.

“We stop nation building overseas and instead nation build right here at home,” Gabbard said. “It is only we the people who have the ability to bring about a government of, by and for the people.”

There was plenty of applause throughout her speech in the taproom as attendees were agreeing with what Gabbard was saying and plenty stayed around for the opportunity to take a photo with her.

“I think she did good. I was happy to see the different type of people she drew out,” Jasper County Democratic Chair Michelle Smith said.

Stephanie McCumber of Newton added, “I haven’t committed to any candidate yet I have to hear it all but she had good points.”

Gabbard is the representative for Hawaii’s Second Congressional District and has been since 2012. She is also the first female combat veteran to ever be elected to congress as she served two tours of duty in the middle east and is currently a Major in the U.S. National Guard.

Gabbard moved to Hawaii with her family when she was 2 years old and went on to join the Hawaii National Guard, the Hawaii State Legislature and the Honolulu City Council.

Gabbard has served in congress for the past six years and has served on the committees for Armed Services, Homeland Security and the Foreign Affairs.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com