Progressive Democrat Issue 97: DEMOCRATIC VISION: IOWA'S NEW GOVERNOR

Continuing my celebration of the Democratic victory of 2006, and starting to look to the future and what Democrats want to accomplish, I present to you the words of Governor-elect of Iowa, Chet Culver:

As your next Governor, I pledge to be true to our Iowa values, and to meet our many challenges by applying a little Iowa common sense every day.

I have said throughout the course of this campaign that Iowa is at a crossroads. Tonight, Iowans have spoken loudly and clearly!

They want to continue on the path of progress set by Governor Vilsack and Lt. Governor Pederson.

Iowans believe as I do, this is no time to slow down, to stop or retreat.

It is time to build on our strengths in education, agriculture and manufacturing to create jobs in every part of the state.

It’s time to make Iowa the national leader in all forms of renewable energy and alternative fuels.

We can literally help fuel the world.

Throughout this campaign I have been inspired by the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, who said “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Well, I believe, as former Governor Harold Hughes did, that Iowa’s future is unlimited.

I believe we can give 250,000 hard working Iowans the raise they haven’t had in 15 years by raising the minimum wage.

I believe we can raise teacher pay to at least the national average and begin to pay our teachers across this state what they are worth.

I believe we can lift the ban on stem cell research and give hope and potentially lifesaving cures to countless Iowans who are suffering today.

And finally, I believe we can fight for our seniors and veterans and allow them to retire with the respect and dignity they deserve by finding a way to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

One of my political heroes, President John F. Kennedy, often quoted the Irish writer George Bernard Shaw, who said, “some people see things as they are, and say, ‘why?’ I dream of things that never were and say – ‘why not?’”

Well, I agree.

Why can’t we create the Silicon Valley of the Midwest and bring the jobs of the future here to Iowa?

Why can’t we become the first state in the nation to declare our independence from foreign oil?

Why can’t we find a way to provide health care coverage to the 58,000 kids and and nearly 250,000 Iowans who don’t have it tonight?

Why can’t we help our young people achieve their God-given potential here in Iowa? Let’s reduce the cost of college and give every high-school senior in our state the opportunity to earn a year of college credit before they graduate from high school?

Iowa’s future and our dreams belong to all of us. We are all in this together.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a Democrat, Republican or independent.

It doesn’t matter whether you live in rural Iowa or urban Iowa.

It doesn’t matter whether you live in the eastern, central or western part of the state.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a senior citizen or the youngest person in the state.

And it doesn’t matter what you do for a living.

What does matter, however, is that we work together to build One Iowa.

That’s why tonight I am inviting all Iowans, young and old, Democrats, Republicans and independents, to help us tap our state’s unlimited potential.

It is important to remember, if we hope to accomplish our collective dreams and fulfill Iowa’s potential, we must lock arms, come together as one, and begin the work of leading this state we all love forward!

I know that together we will put our Iowa values and Iowa common sense to work and achieve the greatness we all know is possible in Iowa.

Thank you very much!

And let me remind you that the Iowa Democratic Party actively encourages you to express your opinions in the media. Become a member of the Iowa Democratic Party Alert the Media Team! ALL state parties should have this kind of system.

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