MISSISSIPPI FOCUS: Recovering from Katrina

Ran this one a couple of weeks ago, but it really is one of the most important state-level things going on this year. So I repeat it.

When Katrina hit, we all watched the Bush Administration celebrate McCain's birthday party, Condaleeza Rice shop for shoes in NYC, and, of course, New Orleans flood in a comlpetely avoidable disaster that happened as a direct result of Republican "Drown Government in a Bathtub" policy.

But what most people missed is that Mississippi got hard hit as well. Back then, one of my coworkers had grown up in Mississippi and her family is still in rural Mississippi. She didn't talk about Katrina much, but once I asked her and the devastation to her family, financially, emotionally and psychologically, had been enormous. And the insurance companies were dicking everyone around, refusing payouts if people had gotten a single cent of help from the government.

Americans died needlessly and the survivors are now being screwed by the same right wing extremist policies that let the disaster happen in the first place.

Democracy for America, one of the more effective progressive organizations around, is eyeing the election for Mississippi Insurance Commissioner to get someone on the ground in Mississippi who might actually HELP people rather than hurt them. From DFA:

The fight to bring health care to every American is not just a national issue. It is a local one too. Governors, state legislators, and insurance commissioners are taking the lead on health care, often making a difference when no one else will.

Gary Anderson is taking the lead in his state. That's why he's our candidate for Mississippi Insurance Commissioner.

Contribute $20.07 today to put Gary over the top:

www.democracyforamerica.com/anderson

As you might imagine, insurance is a big deal in Mississippi. Almost two years after Katrina, many residents are still waiting for insurance payments to begin rebuilding their lives.

As a key member of the State Health Insurance Board and the sole insurance rate-setting authority in the state, Gary will find ways to help pay for annual physical exams, periodic screenings, and preventative education and care.

When we win, Gary will be the first African American elected to statewide office in Mississippi in over a hundred years. Gary's victory on August 7th will prove a Democrat can win in the Deep South and set the national stage for Democrats to win so-called red states across the country. Please contribute $20.07 and help Gary make history:

www.democracyforamerica.com/anderson

Democracy for America is not waiting for 2008 to make change happen. Gary's race is happening right now; victory in 2007 is ours to win!

Thank you for moving America forward.

Sincerely,

Jim Dean
Chair

Not only is this election, which is happening now, important because of the need for a fair and progressive Insurance Commissioner in Mississippi, but did you notice that part that says if Gary Anderson wins, he will be the first black to win a statewide office in Mississippi in more than 100 years...that means since Reconstruction. Well, with a good, progressive candidate running for this important office, maybe it's time for a black to be elected to a statewide office in Mississippi again.