Dr. Mary Headrick, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 3rd District, issued a ringing reproof to big-money-dominated politics Monday in front of a full house at the JFK Club meeting at Blue Orleans restaurant.
Saying that as she tours the 3rd District, “voters want to talk about issues,” she decried both media focus on fundraising, and political decisions such as Citizens United that allow unlimited, unregulated funds to flow into campaigns in attempts to “buy elections.”
The candidate also noted that the Romney/Ryan statement of “let them seek their students loans from their parents” smacks of the arrogance of “let them eat cake.”
Pointing to 2010 census figures that showed 48 of every 100 Americans living in low income, she urged focus on programs that support working and middle-class families. “I disagree with the push to privatize everything,” Ms. Headrick said. “There are some things federal government does well, such as Social Security and Medicare. These middle class programs are not welfare. They are are part of our social contract.”
Additionally, she called for closure of both the “Enron loophole” and the “Halliburton loophole.” The latter, in the Clean Water Act, helps contribute to pollution. “I must counsel my pregnant patients not to eat fish more than once a week because of the mercury content.”
She reiterated her call for raising the minimum wage, and also advocated that local Democrats turn out in force to support state-level candidates.