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My commitment is to serve the people of Oklahoma. We must get back to the needs of the people. I am a progressive Democrat with a passion for people's issues. I have spent over 20 years advocating on behalf of youth and families in both Washington, DC and in Oklahoma. I am committed to working on affordable health care and making it available to everyone. I believe in a livable wage. Preserving Social Security is a priority (it is not too late if we get on it now). The current deficit (including trade deficits to China and Japan) must be eliminated and a solid plan must be in place to stop this runaway train. This spend and borrow trend is not a legacy we want to leave for our children and grandchildren. I have a serious burr in my saddle concerning the budget passed by the House on February 1, 2006 particularly as it pertains to cuts for the most vulnerable of our population, e.g. children and seniors. This budget reflects the true values of our current administration and the majority leadership. There is much talk from the right about Family Values, but I ask, "Do they value our families?" I don't think so. Therefore, much of my focus will be toward fiscal responsibility and even more concrete: Fiscal Leadership and Accountability. I will join with other Democrats in Washington to secure financial reform and debt reduction while preserving Medicare and Medicaid. The Third District is located primarily in Western Oklahoma where there are a number of issues concerning our farmers and the cuts set forth in the current budget. We need a true friend to the farmer and I will fight to keep food on their tables as they help grow food for ours. I will support all our heroic firefighters, working to reclaim the monies cut for rural firefighters by our current representative. We cannot sit by and let Oklahoma burn while cutting the necessary funds to help fight the grassfires we?ve experienced this year. Another serious issue, close to my heart, is fighting the cuts to our veterans. I have a brother who is retired military. He served in the first Gulf War. He volunteered even though he was due for retirement. He came home sick with what the government then denied was Gulf War Syndrome. He, like thousands of others was, denied health care by the VA. Had it not been for my mother's family doctor who treated him at no charge and made cost free arrangements at the hospital it is likely he would not have survived. We have many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who will eventually feel the brunt of the cuts in veteran benefits. These are people who, despite anyone's belief or support of this war, have fought for us and should be cared for because of their sacrifice to our country. The families of our soldiers abroad should be cared for while their loved one is fighting for our country. The many voices of Oklahoma's third district have been silenced by large special interests. This is not right. This is not the product that democracy should yield. |
2006 Barton for Congress | Endorsed and paid for by Barton
for CongressPO Box 27062 | Tulsa, OK 74149-0062 |
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