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Braleys explains Obama’s rural policies
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| Congressman Bruce Braley (standing) visits with area Democrats (l-r) Richard Machacek of Winthrop, a super delegate for Buchanan County, and Duane and Dee Brandt of Oelwein. |
BY DEB KUNKLE
OELWEIN “ In recent weeks leading up to the Democratic National Convention, which opened today in Denver, Colo., the Obama Iowa Campaign for Change held roundtable discussions on Senator Barack Obama’s plans to strengthen rural communities.
Senator Tom Harkin, Lt. Governor Patty Judge and Representative Bruce Braley were among the policy advisors and elected officials leading the discussions in various towns across the state. Rep. Braley led the discussion held in Oelwein Thursday, Aug. 21, at Luigi’s Restaurant where more than two dozen listened and shared comments on rural and other concerns in this year’s presidential race.
During the past 18 months, Sen. Obama held town hall meetings across rural Iowa and talked to Iowans about the challenges they face and his plans to revitalize rural communities. Braley re-enforced Obama’s commitment to help Iowa farmers make a good living, raise healthy and secure families and leave a future for their children.
Braley said the Democratic candidate for president will help family farms and rural small businesses find profitability in the marketplace through fair access to markets, control over production decisions and transparency in prices. He said Obama supported the Farm Bill and was in favor of helping family farmers, not giant agribusinesses.
Braley pointed to Obama’s support of ethanol incentives, which he said Sen. John McCain called highway robbery.
“What would that do to rural Fayette County if we didn’t have those incentives for Hawkeye Renewables?” he asked the audience.
Braley said Sen. Obama is a strong supporter of increased use of Iowa-based renewable energy like wind and biofuels. He added that renewable energy projects have helped create more than 96,000 jobs throughout the state.
One of Braley’s main points was Obama’s stand on ending tax breaks for big oil companies, saying Obama’s plans to invest in renewable energy sources like biofuels, wind and higher mileage cars will save three times more oil than Sen. McCain’s ideas.
Braley talked about Obama’s record of expanded health care coverage to 154,000 parents and children in his home state of Illinois. He said as a fellow Midwesterner, Sen. Obama understands the need of rural families to have access to affordable health care options. Braley said Obama’s plan would save a typical American family up to $2,500 each year in health care costs. Included in Obama’s plan is the creation of incentives for doctors and nurses to work in underserved rural areas and help for small businesses to provide health care benefits for employees.
State Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington joined Braley in support of Obama’s rural policies. Schoenjahn said he has talked with Obama on policies and says the Illinois Senator understands rural America.
“He understands how important it is for us to compete on an international scale,” Schoenjahn told constituents. “He is also on the cutting edge when it comes to education via Internet, long-distance and wireless access. The wireless revolution is here and Obama is very enthusiastic. He has said he would put federal resources behind this effort to reach more of the rural Iowa population with this technology.”
“I really feel he is the man for the job,” Schoenjahn said.
Obama has a slight lead in national polls, but electoral votes will be the deciding factor. The upper Midwest is said to be the swing battleground for the presidential race and the rural roundtable discussions were geared toward influencing undecided voters.
Senator Tom Harkin, Lt. Governor Patty Judge and Representative Bruce Braley were among the policy advisors and elected officials leading the discussions in various towns across the state. Rep. Braley led the discussion held in Oelwein Thursday, Aug. 21, at Luigi’s Restaurant where more than two dozen listened and shared comments on rural and other concerns in this year’s presidential race.
During the past 18 months, Sen. Obama held town hall meetings across rural Iowa and talked to Iowans about the challenges they face and his plans to revitalize rural communities. Braley re-enforced Obama’s commitment to help Iowa farmers make a good living, raise healthy and secure families and leave a future for their children.
Braley said the Democratic candidate for president will help family farms and rural small businesses find profitability in the marketplace through fair access to markets, control over production decisions and transparency in prices. He said Obama supported the Farm Bill and was in favor of helping family farmers, not giant agribusinesses.
Braley pointed to Obama’s support of ethanol incentives, which he said Sen. John McCain called highway robbery.
“What would that do to rural Fayette County if we didn’t have those incentives for Hawkeye Renewables?” he asked the audience.
Braley said Sen. Obama is a strong supporter of increased use of Iowa-based renewable energy like wind and biofuels. He added that renewable energy projects have helped create more than 96,000 jobs throughout the state.
One of Braley’s main points was Obama’s stand on ending tax breaks for big oil companies, saying Obama’s plans to invest in renewable energy sources like biofuels, wind and higher mileage cars will save three times more oil than Sen. McCain’s ideas.
Braley talked about Obama’s record of expanded health care coverage to 154,000 parents and children in his home state of Illinois. He said as a fellow Midwesterner, Sen. Obama understands the need of rural families to have access to affordable health care options. Braley said Obama’s plan would save a typical American family up to $2,500 each year in health care costs. Included in Obama’s plan is the creation of incentives for doctors and nurses to work in underserved rural areas and help for small businesses to provide health care benefits for employees.
State Sen. Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington joined Braley in support of Obama’s rural policies. Schoenjahn said he has talked with Obama on policies and says the Illinois Senator understands rural America.
“He understands how important it is for us to compete on an international scale,” Schoenjahn told constituents. “He is also on the cutting edge when it comes to education via Internet, long-distance and wireless access. The wireless revolution is here and Obama is very enthusiastic. He has said he would put federal resources behind this effort to reach more of the rural Iowa population with this technology.”
“I really feel he is the man for the job,” Schoenjahn said.
Obama has a slight lead in national polls, but electoral votes will be the deciding factor. The upper Midwest is said to be the swing battleground for the presidential race and the rural roundtable discussions were geared toward influencing undecided voters.
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