The State of The Union

I enjoyed President Obama's speech this week. He seemed relaxed and in good humor. I've never agreed with everything he has tried to do, but for the most part, I still believe in him.

In his speech, he talked about how The Affordable Care Act has brought health care to many who did not have it before. He also said "We've got to make it easier to vote, not harder." And "We have to reduce the influence of money in politics, so that a handful of families or hidden interests can't bankroll our elections." While the Democrats applauded this line, the Republicans sat on their hands. I guess the "hidden interests" and "handful of families" are the people who run the Republican Party.

I love that he said "...we secured the freedom in every state to marry the person we love." I've been with my Joe for ten years now, and we have been married for more than seven. I know it's hard for people to accept that two men or two women can be married, but we are, and Republican candidates for president who would annul our marriage are only mean and hateful. Religious arguments do not trump my freedom.

Our junior Senator Shelley Moore Capito, and our Congressional representative, David McKinley, have voted time and again to overturn the Affordable Care Act, and expressed disappointment at the Supreme Court decision forcing West Virginia to recognize our marriage. They have fought the EPA on clean air, supposedly because of the potential loss of coal mining jobs, but they have allowed mining companies to get out of pension and health care obligations for retired miners. It seems they care about the coal mine owners, not the actual workers. Local politicians like to deny climate change. Scientists, even here in West Virginia, have noted changes in the plant and animal life in our state with alarm.

The Republicans from our district in the State Legislature promised to provide jobs and fix the roads. In the current legislative session, which just started yesterday, they have already proposed bills to limit abortions, to repeal prevailing wage and make West Virginia a "Right to Work" state. They say the last two will mean more jobs in West Virginia. The truth is it will line the pockets of corporate CEOs at the expense of workers, and will ultimately hurt the state's economy.

Last session, our local Republicans proposed charter schools, asked for a US Constitutional Convention to ban same-gender marriages, introduced a voter ID bill, and passed a bill to ease safety regulations in coal mines. None of these will fix the roads or provide jobs.

That's what made me sad about the President's speech. He is compassionate and progressive, wanting to really do something good for average Americans. I only get fear and loathing from the Republicans.

My candidacy for West Virginia State Legislature is a long shot. It would be great if I could bring some of President Obama's leadership to West Virginia, to defend his legacy in a state where he is often vilified, to conquer fear of the future. I want to respect West Virginia's legacy, but I want to move our state forward.