Dear friend,

Recently, Mississippi made headlines and not for good reason: it was discovered that state and local officials embezzled millions of dollars from a program meant to help vulnerable Mississippians.

Unfortunately, Mississippi continues to remain among the poorest states in the nation. Our median income still tracks among the bottom five in the nation, and almost 21% of our citizens are generationally poor: they are white and black; young and old; and thousands of them are dependent infants and children. All of them at one time or another depend on 'welfare programs,' like SNAP, subsidized housing, and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) for their very survival.

TANF helps the poor become employable by providing job preparation and training, and then opportunities for good-paying jobs. But over recent years, program administrators appallingly rejected 98% of TANF applicants so that they could “repurpose” millions of dollars for their own personal benefit.

I trust that the culpable officials will soon be convicted and sent to prison. However, more should be done to protect the federal taxpayers and those harmed by this fraud. I call upon our Senators to officially request the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services to thoroughly investigate this matter, and let the chips fall where they may.

Recipients of 'welfare' have always been subject to considerable stigma: they have been called 'lazy' or worse. We all can remember the historic references to the 'welfare Cadillac' -- the undeserving recipients who exist just to 'scheme' the system. Through this DHS debacle we have seen who the schemers really are. It is these DHS Administrators who deserve the most shameful stigma: they are Mississippi’s true 'poverty pimps.'"

This disgraceful scandal further exemplifies why Mississippi needs a strong leader in the U.S. Senate willing to stand up for EVERY Mississippian, especially those who’ve fallen on hard times and rely on a helping hand from our social safety net.

I guarantee I can be that leader, and if you’re ready for a Senator from Mississippi who will fight for accountability and work to end the poverty plaguing our state while helping those in need, please make a contribution of whatever you can afford to support my campaign before our big deadline this Wednesday.

Thank you,

Mike