 |
| Jared Hockema, Cameron County Democratic Chair |
For 2018, the theme of the Texas Democratic Party is “building together.” As Democrats, we recognize the importance of the individual, and the power of working together. That philosophy is reflected in our platform, in the way we work and in good things that are in store under Democratic leadership.
The cornerstone of our platform is equal opportunity, and access to education is key. As Democrats, we support expanding higher educational opportunities, including making college more affordable and improving access to vocational education. Under Republicans, in-state tuition has almost quadrupled in the last 15 years. Democrats want to reverse this trend, slowing the growth of tuition and providing programs that assist with its cost.
Meanwhile the cost of housing has increased faster than growth in wages, making it harder and harder for families to make ends meet. Democrats here in Cameron County have worked to expand the availability of affordable housing, address quality of life problems and promote sound development that protects homeowner’s investments. Because of their efforts, thousands of homeowners have benefited from road, drainage and utility improvements, while others have been able to move into a decent home or apartment for the first-time. Democrats are fighting efforts by Republicans in Washington and Austin to dismantle these programs.
Republicans in Austin have spurned the opportunities presented by healthcare reform to make healthcare more accessible, denying medical care to many of the most vulnerable in our society, while pushing increased costs onto our local providers and consumers. This short-sighted policy hurts patients, hospitals and doctors.
The efforts of Democratic leaders here in Cameron County during the past two decades show us that there is a different path. The success of the gatekeeper system, which improved healthcare and reduced costs for the county’s indigent population demonstrates that investments in healthcare make good economic sense. Likewise, more than 18,000 Cameron County residents have been able to obtain quality, affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, many for the first time.
History shows us that the promise of freedom is only fully realized when there is fairness for all. Our platform of building together recognizes the importance of treating every person fairly. Under Republicans, wages in Texas have remained stagnant, while the cost of everything from housing to basic necessities has risen. Democrats are leading with proposals to treat our workers fairly by adjusting the minimum wage, and to give workers a fair shot a higher earnings by expanding job training and workforce development. At the same time, we’re fighting to stop the unfair treatment of workers because of their race, gender or disability.
Democrats recognize the importance of the environment in generating good jobs and treating our community with fairness. Democratic leadership in Cameron County has restored the Bahia Grande and successfully turned back efforts to build oil wells and landfills in environmentally sensitive-areas. Today, Democrats are leading the charge against efforts to develop Liquefied Natural Gas facilities adjacent to a wildlife refuge.
Democrats support efforts to strengthen families and communities. Democrats support quality public education, including providing adequate funding to schools and teachers. Republicans in Austin have pillaged our Teacher’s Retirement System, and stripped state funding from public schools, robbing our students of resources and inflating the tax bill for local taxpayers. These monies taken from public education have been used by Republicans to finance tax cuts for large businesses that make more than one million dollars a year or which own large commercial properties.
Similar harm is threatened by Republicans to Social Security. Democrats are fighting to preserve benefits that working people have earned, and to ensure that the security of the elderly and the vulnerable is not sacrificed to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
Transportation is another area of vital importance to our county. Democrats have fought to bring increased transportation funding to our area, and to jumpstart transportation projects, such as the East Loop, that have suffered under Republican neglect. In contrast, with the consolidation under Democratic leadership of the road and bridge system, the county paved more road miles each successive year. Now, Democrats are working hard to improve drainage in our county and to continue expansions of our road system.
It’s no secret that Texas and Cameron County have suffered during the past two decades of Republican rule from Austin. We’ve been treated as the back door to the United States, rather than the front door, and have been burdened with misguided policies such as the border wall. Our problems were compounded during the period that our county was led by a Republican, who jacked up property taxes by 14.7% and pushed unpopular projects such as a toll road through West Brownsville.
As Democrats, we’re proud to have had a part in many of America’s greatest moments, and to have shared in our country’s achievements. Social Security, Medicare and the Voting Rights Act are just a few. We’re also proud of our ability as a nation, and as a party, to know when we’re on the wrong track, and make corrections.
Republicans have lead our nation and state down the wrong path. Basic rights are at risk, and our American values are under attack. Our national and economic security is threatened. Democrats are ready to fix those mistakes and get things back on track.
The cornerstone of our platform is equal opportunity, and access to education is key. As Democrats, we support expanding higher educational opportunities, including making college more affordable and improving access to vocational education. Under Republicans, in-state tuition has almost quadrupled in the last 15 years. Democrats want to reverse this trend, slowing the growth of tuition and providing programs that assist with its cost.
Meanwhile the cost of housing has increased faster than growth in wages, making it harder and harder for families to make ends meet. Democrats here in Cameron County have worked to expand the availability of affordable housing, address quality of life problems and promote sound development that protects homeowner’s investments. Because of their efforts, thousands of homeowners have benefited from road, drainage and utility improvements, while others have been able to move into a decent home or apartment for the first-time. Democrats are fighting efforts by Republicans in Washington and Austin to dismantle these programs.
Republicans in Austin have spurned the opportunities presented by healthcare reform to make healthcare more accessible, denying medical care to many of the most vulnerable in our society, while pushing increased costs onto our local providers and consumers. This short-sighted policy hurts patients, hospitals and doctors.
The efforts of Democratic leaders here in Cameron County during the past two decades show us that there is a different path. The success of the gatekeeper system, which improved healthcare and reduced costs for the county’s indigent population demonstrates that investments in healthcare make good economic sense. Likewise, more than 18,000 Cameron County residents have been able to obtain quality, affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, many for the first time.
History shows us that the promise of freedom is only fully realized when there is fairness for all. Our platform of building together recognizes the importance of treating every person fairly. Under Republicans, wages in Texas have remained stagnant, while the cost of everything from housing to basic necessities has risen. Democrats are leading with proposals to treat our workers fairly by adjusting the minimum wage, and to give workers a fair shot a higher earnings by expanding job training and workforce development. At the same time, we’re fighting to stop the unfair treatment of workers because of their race, gender or disability.
Democrats recognize the importance of the environment in generating good jobs and treating our community with fairness. Democratic leadership in Cameron County has restored the Bahia Grande and successfully turned back efforts to build oil wells and landfills in environmentally sensitive-areas. Today, Democrats are leading the charge against efforts to develop Liquefied Natural Gas facilities adjacent to a wildlife refuge.
Democrats support efforts to strengthen families and communities. Democrats support quality public education, including providing adequate funding to schools and teachers. Republicans in Austin have pillaged our Teacher’s Retirement System, and stripped state funding from public schools, robbing our students of resources and inflating the tax bill for local taxpayers. These monies taken from public education have been used by Republicans to finance tax cuts for large businesses that make more than one million dollars a year or which own large commercial properties.
Similar harm is threatened by Republicans to Social Security. Democrats are fighting to preserve benefits that working people have earned, and to ensure that the security of the elderly and the vulnerable is not sacrificed to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
Transportation is another area of vital importance to our county. Democrats have fought to bring increased transportation funding to our area, and to jumpstart transportation projects, such as the East Loop, that have suffered under Republican neglect. In contrast, with the consolidation under Democratic leadership of the road and bridge system, the county paved more road miles each successive year. Now, Democrats are working hard to improve drainage in our county and to continue expansions of our road system.
It’s no secret that Texas and Cameron County have suffered during the past two decades of Republican rule from Austin. We’ve been treated as the back door to the United States, rather than the front door, and have been burdened with misguided policies such as the border wall. Our problems were compounded during the period that our county was led by a Republican, who jacked up property taxes by 14.7% and pushed unpopular projects such as a toll road through West Brownsville.
As Democrats, we’re proud to have had a part in many of America’s greatest moments, and to have shared in our country’s achievements. Social Security, Medicare and the Voting Rights Act are just a few. We’re also proud of our ability as a nation, and as a party, to know when we’re on the wrong track, and make corrections.
Republicans have lead our nation and state down the wrong path. Basic rights are at risk, and our American values are under attack. Our national and economic security is threatened. Democrats are ready to fix those mistakes and get things back on track.
In doing so, we’ll be guided by the cherished values of this country, the principles of our party and the example of achievement set by those who came before us.
Rarely have the stakes been higher. In order to be successful, to reverse these dangerous trends and to get good things done for the people of the United States, Texas and Cameron County, we need to elect people of like mind, who share our values and commitment to positive change. I hope you’ll join us in this effort on November 6th.
Rarely have the stakes been higher. In order to be successful, to reverse these dangerous trends and to get good things done for the people of the United States, Texas and Cameron County, we need to elect people of like mind, who share our values and commitment to positive change. I hope you’ll join us in this effort on November 6th.
No comments:
Post a Comment