Update from the Washington Democrats Central Committee Meeting
Firstly I want to congratulate Patsy Whitefoot as the newly elected Representative of Congressional District 4. Patsy brings knowledge, relationships, expertise and passion to this role. We are grateful to have you, there is no one better for this role. Thank you.
Secondly I want to thank all the State Committee Members and other attendees from Central and Eastern Washington that voiced their concerns that our specific needs require attention and for the response from the newly elected leadership that we are heard.
During open mike I gave a short speech that went something like this:
As Tina mentioned earlier we may have the same goals but that does not mean we take the same path to reach them. This is true of us in Central and Eastern Washington. When I think of climate change I think of the 10, 20, 30, 40% crop loss our famers suffer and the financial impact it has on thousands of families. When I think of access to healthcare I think of the long drives to reach a doctor. And if there will be a doctor because our lower medicare reimbursement and other factors make the better paying jobs in cities like Seattle and Spokane attractive. But my biggest anguish is what Alison Dabble shared earlier; LGBTQ+ kids in the Tri Cities are under attack. I walk as a proud gay 61 year old man. My childhood was difficult. I was raise in a loving family, but outside was bad. It disturbs me greatly that 60 years on the LGBTQ+ youth have it harder than me. They have adults fighting everyday to remove the legitimacy of their existence. This can not be. As democrats we always listen with compassion but I need you to now take action. We need your help now, please.
Thank you
