"Do what you can, with whatever you have, where you are" ~ Teddy Roosevelt
There's not a better quote, to sum up the living philosophy of the "heart of the Ozarks" or "neighbors helping neighbors".
I’m a lifelong Missourian and Ozarkian, and my experiences have shaped me into being a lot of different things: daughter, sister, wife, blogger, avid outdoorswoman, and grassroots organizer. But most importantly, a mom.
Being a mom is what led me to become more engaged with our state government, understand the value of that engagement, and be a part of the change we need. While I’ve always been politically opinionated, it wasn’t until Roe fell in the Supreme Court that those opinions started to become actions through organizing.
As a mom with school-aged children, there is a sense of “forward thinking” that comes with the territory, and that thinking is what makes me look at the very vast issues not only the state has but the ones we have here at home.
We, unfortunately, have more “have nots” than “haves”
Because our lawmakers in the Super Majority would rather focus on the imaginary problems to ignite “culture” wars, and spew rhetoric that divides and sows mistrust among neighbors; instead of delivering on their campaign promises like access to health care (especially for mental health care), funding for our public schools, reinvesting in our small communities’ critical infrastructure (911, first responders, fire departments, law enforcement,) or fixing our roads that have potholes the size of the entire continent of Asia.
Instead, the Mo GOP passes legislation that tries to legislate folks out of existence, attack our libraries through bureaucratic rules, or try to trick folks into giving up their vote, voice, and direct way to engage with their state government.
Of course, that’s not when they don’t outright ignore their constituents and override our votes–putting party over people. When they’re not passing laws that are unconstitutional and know they won’t hold up in court to waste our tax dollars to build their campaign material on.
And that’s not even mentioning that they want to restrict our access to reproductive health care-like screenings for cervical cancers, contraceptives, IVF, and sexually transmitted diseases. All of this after the fact, the state stripped Missourians of their body autonomy! Fellas, this affects you too in the long run.
While these are a few reasons I’m running, the main reason I chose to run is to give folks a choice at the ballot box. Something we have been deprived of since 2016. That’s far too long, and a sign of an unhealthy “Constitutional Republic” and just unAmerican, and very undemocratic.
It’s time for our communities to thrive; we have to start reinvesting back into our communities; and have representation that will vote on legislation that serves the district’s interests and delivers instead of catering to the “needs and wants” of corporate donors and “Think” tanks out of DC.
As your state representative I will be focused on revesting back into our district that will improve it, vote for legislation that serves our district’s interests, and not putting party over people. And I will be held accountable to you; the constituents of 154 and that’s one campaign promise I can keep.
It’s also time to bring bipartisanship, civility, and common sense back into Jeff City. Let’s bring the “neighbors helping neighbors” a thing again.