By David Swanson
California’s 24th District is grotesquely misrepresented by Cheney-Bush rubber stamper Elton Gallegly, who is ready to start his lobbying career on K Street but who was talked into running again by the Republican Party. People are energized to unseat him, and three Democrats are running in the primary. One of them stands out, and is standing next to me in the attached photo: Mary Pallant.
Pallant is for single-payer health coverage:
“The only way you can be sure to get great affordable health care is to go to prison or go to Congress because the government subsidizes both. But assuming you and your family don’t want to do either, we need to understand that it is almost impossible for us to continue on the current path we are on of rising insurance premiums, less coverage, 1000’s uninsured here in our district. Single Payer will return the care back over to your doctors and hospitals and away from administrators sitting miles away in a cubicle making decisions about your health and well being. Single Payer is comprehensive coverage for all and will greatly reduce the financial burden on businesses and families who struggle to pay insurance premiums.”
She’s for withdrawing from Iraq completely:
“It is time to bring our troops home: combat, support and private contractors. Mary wants all bases closed and turned over to the Iraqi Government and the rebuilding efforts must be turned over to the people of Iraq. We must also set aside adequate funds to rebuild what has been destroyed while calling upon the neighboring countries to be engaged and involved members of the rehabilitation process to stabilize, revitalize and formalize Iraq and its political structure.”
She’s for shifting our priorities:
“The 2 to 3 billion dollars a week we are spending in Iraq will get a much better return on investment if we invest here in our infrastructure, create green collar jobs, boost manufacturing, and assist with the sub-prime loan debacle. Wages have stagnated over the last several years, our dollar has declined, while our debt has risen to record levels. We are in an unsustainable downward spiral and we must act fast. We have witnessed the impact here in the district with falling or stagnate home sales, Amgen laid off 100’s of employees, Countrywide’s fall to near ruin, which affected 100’s of people who live here in Ventura County. The cost of goods and services has far outpaced inflation. For America to be a beacon of hope again in the world, a model of democracy, we must restore our middle class and become strong and secure again here first. It begins in our own back yard.”
This is an easy one. GIVE MARY SOME MONEY.