We have the unique opportunity in Iowa to hold the first in the nation caucus, a responsibility we take seriously. I started paying attention early to the 2020 Presidential candidates knowing I needed to be prudent with my choice. Important qualities I look for in a leader are integrity, intelligence, confidence, midwestern values and love of country; someone who cares about the most vulnerable amongst us and believes every life matters.
After much deliberation, because of these qualities and the fact that Pete served our country as a Navy intelligence officer in Afghanistan, I will be caucusing for Pete Buttigieg on Feb. 3, 2020.
Issues important to all of us include:
Economy
Pete realizes 90 percent of the workforce has fallen behind with stagnant wages and he proposes a shift back to empowering the middle and working class by helping them become more resilient and flexible to the everchanging economy by focusing on growing incomes for the 90 percent. Workers should have an equal seat at the table by strengthening the very unions that gave us a 40 hour workweek, safe working conditions and livable wages. Pete knows this is a vital component to accomplishing these goals.
Health care
Pete promotes Medicare for all who want it, as a buy-in option. His plan lowers the cost of healthcare while giving people the option to keep their existing insurance.
Mental Health
It is unacceptable in Iowa to have only 64 public mental health care beds. In our everchanging world, almost 450,000 people have died in the US in the past 20 years due to suicide and drug and alcohol addictions alone. This crisis is a result of years of neglect by our political leadership by closing mental health facilities and limiting monies available for mental health care. The end result is additional burdens on local law enforcement and hospital emergency rooms as people wait for a bed. Pete’s vision for the future of mental health and addiction care is rooted in embracing prevention and insuring that every person with a mental illness or a substance use disorder has the resources and support they need to begin to heal.
For more information on Pete’s platform including women’s health, environment, guns, veterans’ issues, etc.: Headquarters: 207 First Ave W, Newton. (Staffer Ben Osterlund). 847-508-8822. Website: peteforamerica.com
Pete is the candidate of commonality. He is the candidate who can bring us together and usher in a new era of American leadership.
Nancy Parrott
Newton