Nixon speaks at local committee meeting

Above, the Democrat mascot welcomes visitors to a luncheon at the community center on Saturday. Democratic candidate for Governor Jay Nixon, who is currently serving as Missouri Attorney General, stands with local Vernon County Representative Tim Wells and wife, Sonia Wells, on Saturday, April 22.

Nevada Daily Mail

On April 22, the Vernon County Democrats hosted a luncheon meeting at the City/County Community Center in Nevada, featuring Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, who has his eye on the governor's seat.

Nixon's personal biography reads that he was raised in DeSoto, Mo., and both of his parents were involved in public service. His mother, the late Betty Wilson Nixon. was the first female president of the DeSoto school board while his father, Jerry Nixon, now of St. Louis, was a Jefferson County lawyer who served in a variety of civic positions, including mayor.

Nixon was elected as attorney general in November 1992. His platform included crime fighting, cleaning up government corruption and protecting consumers. Nixon has been well known for his No Call program, which has served as a model for other state programs as well.

On Saturday, he began his speech with an explosive, "The Republicans that we have now are not your father's Republican party."

Nixon went on to announce his platform for the Governor's seat in 2008. His main focus on the Public Health care situation in Missouri drew the groups attention and allocation.

Nixon stated that Gov. Blunt asked the wrong questions when approaching his health care program.

Nixon said, "They asked 'how do you slash the budget?' Instead of asking 'how do you provide the maximum level of healthcare while balancing the budget?'"

Nixon also stated that when the announcement for the new health care program came out it included a number if there were questions, the phone number said Nixon was for a travel agent in Montana. The "Welfare to Work" program was cut off, stated Nixon which did not allow for the healthcare of Missourians to become stable. Citizens at the meeting voiced their concerns over the future of their state with the current Governor and some spoke of their feelings toward the Republican party.

Nixon's platform also includes public education. "They are pushing a way to defund public education and make it tax credible," he said.

When asked about the Democratic disparity in the "red" state, Nixon answered, "We have to work harder to make sure we win!"

Nixon stood before the group and took question after question regarding his initiative towards Medicare, he told the group that Missouri should watch Massa-chusetts's Care program and see what happens. Massachusetts has recently passed a Health Care Reform Bill that is slated to become an amendment which states "... No Massachusetts resident lacks comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed health insurance coverage for all medically necessary preventative, acute and chronic health care and mental health care services, prescription drugs and devices."

Nixon's platform, is that, by focusing on healthcare and public education, he plans to steamroll some of the current programs and again place the government in the hands of the people.