Moving Forward!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Garthwaite) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:45:00 +0000

I know it has been a while since the last entry, but I am happy to report that this campaign has been keeping busy. My greatest thrill came this past March when I married my best friend, Brooke. It has been a blessing being her husband.
A big thanks goes out to those who contributed and attended our Fund Raiser in Bellevue. The rainy weather didn't keep you away, and we appreciate all your support.
I also commend the Bellevue Fire Department on a great picnic this year. Despite the down pouring rain, the Fire Department toughed it out and put on a spirited picnic. It was an honor to meet with many of the members.
I also had the pleasure of attending the All Saints Picnic in Denmark. I enjoyed helping the crew stock the beer tent. It was great getting a chance to meet the residents of Denmark while eating grilled burgers and brats.
Our campaign has been knocking on doors and listening to the concerns of citizens in the district. People are overwhelmingly hungry for change this fall. The enthusiasm of the people I meet keeps the fire going! I am sure I will be seeing many of you this summer.

Kevin

Opponents of Health Care Reform Offer Nothing.

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Garthwaite) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:13:00 +0000

If you are like me,you hear a lot of criticism of reform plans (Healthy Wisconsin or Universal Healthcare). We continue to hear the same tired rhetoric for objecting progress. Here are some of my favorites...
"It is a government takeover of health care." "It is socialized medicine." "We will wait in line and die waiting for care." You get the picture. I hear so many talking heads and politicians condemn every attempt at progress, but offer nothing as a solution. It is very easy to just sit and criticize something without offering a solution. Unfortunately, we have a lot of legislators who subscribe to that theory. They throw out tired rhetoric and baseless OPINIONS that keep us from moving forward to a realistic plan or solution.
I also find it very interesting that we have elected officials who get a very nice taxpayer funded, comprehensive health plan yet these elected officials are against ANY plan that gives taxpayers a similar plan. I find that to be arrogant, condescending, and most of all, shameful. But don't worry, Health Savings Accounts are the answer(according to them). Although they have been on the market since 2003, very few people use them. According to the Government Accountability Office, over half of HSA participants have adjusted incomes of over $75,000(that represents 18% of taxpayers). Only 16% of HSA users make less than $30,000. That income level represents half of the taxpayers. HSA's do not increase the number of uninsured or the under insured. How are people who already can't afford comprehensive insurance supposed to save more money for a Health Savings Account? You never hear that question answered. How is kid fresh out of college, who has to pay rent, pay their loans, buy a car, buy groceries, and pay their utilities supposed to save enough money for a HSA? Will they go to the doctor if they are sick, despite not having enough money in their HSA to pay the bill? Or will they neglect their health care until it becomes so urgent that they finally go to the doctor and their illness becomes more expensive and catastrophic because they neglected going to the doctor in the first place?
This does not sound like a very popular choice to help solve our health care crisis. So how come we keep hearing about these wonderful HSA's and why are politicians jamming them down our throats, despite having evidence of them not being a popular choice for average taxpaying citizens? How come we don't see or hear our state legislators who are such advocats of a HSA taking their taxpayer funded health plan and converting it to a HSA? I keep hearing "let the market decide." These same legislators would have you believe that "consuming" health care is like going to the grocery store to buy cereal. Let's get real! In a free market we have winners and losers, which is fine, IF we are talking about goods and products(electronics, clothes, hardware, etc). However it is shameful to apply that theory to people's lives. Health and life should be respected, not used for some market theory. Is dying just another way of marking down "loss of inventory?" Please tell me these legislators are smarter than this.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has reported that Assembly Republicans(the same people who don't want taxpayers who fund their health plan to get a similar one) have accepted over $4.4 million dollars in campaign donations from special interest groups who oppose comprehensive health care reform. To them, $4.4 million dollars from special interest groups means more than the 2 billion dollars that would be saved under Healthy Wisconsin.
So let us sum this up. Assembly Republicans take hoards of campaign cash and do the talking for special interest groups, not people. These same people champion Health Savings Accounts, but there is no record of them giving up their taxpayer funded health plan to get a HSA. And while all of this goes on, our health care costs are skyrocketing, infant mortality rates have not improved, the number of uninsured continues to rise, and jobs pack up and go to countries that have a universal health plan. Now you may be wondering what is my plan?
Well, I would support the Healthy Wisconsin Plan, but I would be open to ways to improve it so our farmers and small business owners can participate fully. Those details can be discussed, but they won't get addressed if we keep ignoring our health care crisis. I will also move forward towards real Campaign Finance Reform/Public Financing of Public Elections. We are long overdue for a political process that talks about what is in the best interest of people, not rich special interest groups. That is why I am running for Assembly. I believe we need to put the focus on people, not special interest groups. Real elected officials work for the people. Those who don't are merely puppets and have no backbone.

Greetings From Kevin Garthwaite

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Garthwaite) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 23:01:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to my blog! The credit for the web page goes to my cousin Marla, who has put in a lot of work. Thanks, Marla! I have received some nice emails from people who are encouraged about the campaign and have offered their support. This web page and blog is a great tool for keeping in touch with the public. I will also use the blog to post my thoughts on issues, update you on appearances, and keep you informed about the campaign. This race is not about me, it is about the people of this district and the people of Wisconsin. I hope to hear from many of you as time goes along. Thanks for stopping by the blog and the web page. Don't be a stranger!

new blog

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Garthwaite) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:32:00 +0000

testing the blog to see if it is working.

thanks!

Kevin Garthwaite for 2nd Assembly

Moving Forward!

Opponents of Health Care Reform Offer Nothing.

Greetings From Kevin Garthwaite

new blog