Today marks 28 days until the the primary election day. Yes, that does make me think of a certain underappreciated Sandra Bullock movie. It also means that if I'm ever going to become a good blogger/Web guy, it had better start pretty soon. A friend of mine jumped on me about not being good about these things -- I'm going to do my best to listen to her.
Walking is tough these days, but also still wonderful. Five or more hours walking in 90+ degree heat can be hard on a guy. But the people at the doors make up for it.
I had two particularly interesting conversations yesterday. The first was with a 70+ year-old-woman who is really struggling to make it in retirement. Between the normal bills of life and the eleven perscriptions she takes, it gets tough, ya know? We spent over a half-hour on her doorstep -- culminating in two hugs (yes, this was an incredibly sweet woman).
Helping someone like Amy is exactly why I'm running. She's worked hard her whole life, raised a family, tried to be a good person -- and now skyrocketing gas and prescription prices are slowly killing her.
The other conversation was with a guy who wanted to talk about the Bible. Now, I grew up in the church and can talk Bible with just about anybody, but I try to keep my Bible and my politics as separate as possible. Not so for this guy. So we talked Bible -- agreeing on a few things and disagreeing on a few others. He won't be voting for me because I'm pro-choice, but I can live with that, and I'll still represent him as best I can.
Right now I'm getting ready for a phone conference, then I'll be walking until dark. Thank goodness for longer days!
See ya.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (cell)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Democracy for America Endorsement
Hi Everybody!
Last night was the endorsement for the Columbia chapter of Democracy for America. They endorsed me, so I'm feel pretty warm-and-fuzzy toward them this morning.
Honestly, it feels like the meeting has been a long time coming! I've been working for the endorsement since I entered the race, back in January -- there were lots of hoops to jump through. First, there was the on-line application. Then there was the candidate forum for their members (which was particularly fun, I must admit). Then there was last night's meeting, which involved candidate speeches in front of the membership.
Mary and Bob both did good jobs at the forum and last night. I felt pretty sure that I could get a plurality of the vote, but the kicker was that the winner had to get at least 60% of the vote or there would be NO endorsement. Ugh.
Thankfully, I ended up with 65% of the vote on the first ballot (leaving just 35% to be split between Bob and Mary), so it was over pretty quickly.
DFA is important to me because they are so grassroots -- and the endorsement should go along with quite a bit of volunteer support (a key to my winning).
Below is the release we sent about the endorsement. This is definitely an important step for our campaign.
Take care.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (mobile)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008
CONTACT: SEAN SPENCE
573-823-1308; seanspence@earthlink.net
DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA OF COLUMBIA ENDORSES SPENCE ON FIRST BALLOT, WITH AT LEAST 60% OF THE VOTE
“All three of us pursued this endorsement with vigor because it represents the progressive, grassroots base of our party,” Spence said. “There was an application, a two-hour debate, and then another meeting with speeches in front of 44 members of the organization. With so much effort on all of our parts, it is particularly gratifying to receive such an overwhelming majority on the first ballot.”
(Columbia, MO) Today Sean Spence, Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 25th legislative district, announced his endorsement by the Columbia branch of Democracy for America, an organization whose mission is to elect progressive Democratic candidates.
The endorsement process included online applications, participation in a two-hour public debate, and candidate speeches in front of 44 of the organization’s members. Endorsement required a yes vote from at least 60% of the members in attendance, which Sean received on the first ballot, leaving Mary Still and Bob Pund to split the remaining votes.
“This is a particularly important endorsement because DFA is about everyday people getting together to make our world a better place,” Spence said. “I look forward to working with the organization’s membership as we continue to take our messages to the voters of Columbia. DFA’s grassroots support will make a difference in this race that no amount of money can match.”
Spence, a 1993 graduate of the University of Missouri, runs a public relations and political consulting practice in Columbia. A part-time state employee, Spence is an advisor to State Auditor Susan Montee.
Spence is a progressive Democrat whose experience with the legislature and work with such leaders as State Auditor Susan Montee and former Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell will quickly position him for a key role in Jefferson City. His innovative approach and commitment to protecting MU and providing access to healthcare for all will make him a powerful asset for Columbia. More information is available at www.SpenceCampaign.com.
####
Last night was the endorsement for the Columbia chapter of Democracy for America. They endorsed me, so I'm feel pretty warm-and-fuzzy toward them this morning.
Honestly, it feels like the meeting has been a long time coming! I've been working for the endorsement since I entered the race, back in January -- there were lots of hoops to jump through. First, there was the on-line application. Then there was the candidate forum for their members (which was particularly fun, I must admit). Then there was last night's meeting, which involved candidate speeches in front of the membership.
Mary and Bob both did good jobs at the forum and last night. I felt pretty sure that I could get a plurality of the vote, but the kicker was that the winner had to get at least 60% of the vote or there would be NO endorsement. Ugh.
Thankfully, I ended up with 65% of the vote on the first ballot (leaving just 35% to be split between Bob and Mary), so it was over pretty quickly.
DFA is important to me because they are so grassroots -- and the endorsement should go along with quite a bit of volunteer support (a key to my winning).
Below is the release we sent about the endorsement. This is definitely an important step for our campaign.
Take care.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (mobile)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008
CONTACT: SEAN SPENCE
573-823-1308; seanspence@earthlink.net
DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA OF COLUMBIA ENDORSES SPENCE ON FIRST BALLOT, WITH AT LEAST 60% OF THE VOTE
“All three of us pursued this endorsement with vigor because it represents the progressive, grassroots base of our party,” Spence said. “There was an application, a two-hour debate, and then another meeting with speeches in front of 44 members of the organization. With so much effort on all of our parts, it is particularly gratifying to receive such an overwhelming majority on the first ballot.”
(Columbia, MO) Today Sean Spence, Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 25th legislative district, announced his endorsement by the Columbia branch of Democracy for America, an organization whose mission is to elect progressive Democratic candidates.
The endorsement process included online applications, participation in a two-hour public debate, and candidate speeches in front of 44 of the organization’s members. Endorsement required a yes vote from at least 60% of the members in attendance, which Sean received on the first ballot, leaving Mary Still and Bob Pund to split the remaining votes.
“This is a particularly important endorsement because DFA is about everyday people getting together to make our world a better place,” Spence said. “I look forward to working with the organization’s membership as we continue to take our messages to the voters of Columbia. DFA’s grassroots support will make a difference in this race that no amount of money can match.”
Spence, a 1993 graduate of the University of Missouri, runs a public relations and political consulting practice in Columbia. A part-time state employee, Spence is an advisor to State Auditor Susan Montee.
Spence is a progressive Democrat whose experience with the legislature and work with such leaders as State Auditor Susan Montee and former Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell will quickly position him for a key role in Jefferson City. His innovative approach and commitment to protecting MU and providing access to healthcare for all will make him a powerful asset for Columbia. More information is available at www.SpenceCampaign.com.
####
Saturday, May 3, 2008
USSR yesterday. Iraq today?
Running for state representative here in Columbia, there won't be many opportunities for me to influence foreign policy. But, as a citizen, I feel moved from time to time to address non-state issues. And, well, I do have this blog...
Do you remember the economic strategy we employed to cause the downfall of the Soviet Union? Basically, we accelerated the arms race and forced the Soviets to spend too much of their money on their military. It took a while, but economic collapse became an inevitability.
Notice any similarities with the present day?
According to the National Priorities Project (www.nationalpriorities.org), over half a trillion dollars has been spent on this war. Over $8 billion of that has come from Missouri taxpayers.
What could we do with the billions of dollars we are spending on this war?
In Missouri, alone, here's what we could have with our portion:
2,991,751 People with Health Care for One Year OR
6,956,094 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year OR
203,713 Public Safety Officers for One year OR
148,340 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year OR
1,090,274 Scholarships for University Students for One Year OR
885 New Elementary Schools OR
80,003 Affordable Housing Units OR
2,874,524 Children with Health Care for One Year OR
1,181,453 Head Start Places for Children for One Year OR
158,090 Elementary School Teachers for One Year
Beyond what we could do with the money, do we really believe we have a bottomless pit for war expenses? Can we continue to spend billions (even trillions), financed by the Chinese and other foreign nations? Am I the only one who thinks we may be falling victim to the strategy we used so effectively against the Soviet Union?
We all know what happens to those who don't know their history.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (mobile)
Do you remember the economic strategy we employed to cause the downfall of the Soviet Union? Basically, we accelerated the arms race and forced the Soviets to spend too much of their money on their military. It took a while, but economic collapse became an inevitability.
Notice any similarities with the present day?
According to the National Priorities Project (www.nationalpriorities.org), over half a trillion dollars has been spent on this war. Over $8 billion of that has come from Missouri taxpayers.
What could we do with the billions of dollars we are spending on this war?
In Missouri, alone, here's what we could have with our portion:
2,991,751 People with Health Care for One Year OR
6,956,094 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year OR
203,713 Public Safety Officers for One year OR
148,340 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year OR
1,090,274 Scholarships for University Students for One Year OR
885 New Elementary Schools OR
80,003 Affordable Housing Units OR
2,874,524 Children with Health Care for One Year OR
1,181,453 Head Start Places for Children for One Year OR
158,090 Elementary School Teachers for One Year
Beyond what we could do with the money, do we really believe we have a bottomless pit for war expenses? Can we continue to spend billions (even trillions), financed by the Chinese and other foreign nations? Am I the only one who thinks we may be falling victim to the strategy we used so effectively against the Soviet Union?
We all know what happens to those who don't know their history.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (mobile)
Monday, April 28, 2008
Bob Onder's Anti-Choice Legislation
Hi Everybody!
I don't usually post about a woman's right to choose because it is not an issue in which people are typically open to changing their minds. I suppose this includes me -- I am the first to admit that I am not willing to compromise a woman's right to choose in any way, to any degree.
I am willing, though, to talk about ways to reduce and even eliminate the need for an abortion. In my experience and from everything I've learned about the issue over the last 19 years -- the best way to reduce abortions is through birth control and comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education. These are the keys to reducing and eventually eliminating abortion.
Today, though, I got into the issue, and also violated my rule against blogging (on sites other than my own) at the same time (which I try not to do because so many in the blogging community are completely unreasonable and the majority insist on hiding themselves in anonymity).
Anyway, I got mad about the latest attempt by the anti-choice movement to encumber the process of getting an abortion, and posted on the Columbia Tribune's blog. Basically, I just said that I oppose Rep. Bob Onder's proposal to modify Missouri's "informed consent" law, but didn't give my reasons.
In the spirit of making myself more clear, here are my thoughts:
I don't usually post about a woman's right to choose because it is not an issue in which people are typically open to changing their minds. I suppose this includes me -- I am the first to admit that I am not willing to compromise a woman's right to choose in any way, to any degree.
I am willing, though, to talk about ways to reduce and even eliminate the need for an abortion. In my experience and from everything I've learned about the issue over the last 19 years -- the best way to reduce abortions is through birth control and comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education. These are the keys to reducing and eventually eliminating abortion.
Today, though, I got into the issue, and also violated my rule against blogging (on sites other than my own) at the same time (which I try not to do because so many in the blogging community are completely unreasonable and the majority insist on hiding themselves in anonymity).
Anyway, I got mad about the latest attempt by the anti-choice movement to encumber the process of getting an abortion, and posted on the Columbia Tribune's blog. Basically, I just said that I oppose Rep. Bob Onder's proposal to modify Missouri's "informed consent" law, but didn't give my reasons.
In the spirit of making myself more clear, here are my thoughts:
- In theory, it probably it sounds pretty good to make "coercing a woman to have an abortion" illegal. That sounds like a good thing, right? Of course it does, on the surface. But the fact is that most of the issues addressed by this legislation (coercion by stalking, assault, kidnapping, etc.) are already illegal. The real reason for passing this part of this largely redundant legislation is to provide one more tool to threaten physicians, other health care providers, educators and others who women might consult when making these decisions.
- Even more importantly, I oppose this legislation because it addresses much more than the coercion issue. Beyond using the boogeyman of coercion to frighten people, it proposes a variety of measures designed to make women change their minds (looking at pictures of unborn fetuses, offering anesthesia for the fetus, etc.).
Setting aside the question of constitutionality, Hank Waters is right in the most important ways (see his article at http://www.showmenews.com/2008/Apr/20080421Comm002.asp). This legislation is one more effort, in a long line of efforts, to undermine women's ability to choose abortion.
I'm ready to talk about reducing and eliminating abortion through education and birth control. To that extent, I'm excited about working with both Republicans and my fellow Democrats who are committed to this same end. And we will find wasy to compromise from time to time if we are willing to have reasonable discussion. But I will not support legislation designed to intimidate women, health care providers and others. And I will steadfastly and respectfully disagree with anyone who does, regardless of party.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
573-823-1308 (mobile)
100 Days Remaining
Hi Everybody!
It is hard to believe that I've been campaigning for four months. On one hand, it feels like there's no way it could be that long; on the other, it feels as though I've been campaigning for this seat my entire life.
Forgive me for being just a little sentimental today. Every part of running this campaign really is an honor (well, maybe I could have done without some of the nasty blog postings...).
It is amazing to meet my neighbors across Columbia and talk with them about important issues. This happens every day, often on people's front door steps. Let me assure you, if you are standing at someone's front door and they are in the mood to talk, there is absolutely nothing they won't say. I've had people tell me about their health problems; about lost jobs; one woman told me about her daughter dying after losing her Medicaid coverage; and another told me about lead poisoning her entire family is suffering and her resulting concerns about environmental safety regulations.
Mostly, though, I've heard reasons for optimism -- stories about hopes and joys and all of the things that make Missouri great.
Just 100 days remain in the primary campaign. I can't wait to see what they have in store.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (mobile)
It is hard to believe that I've been campaigning for four months. On one hand, it feels like there's no way it could be that long; on the other, it feels as though I've been campaigning for this seat my entire life.
Forgive me for being just a little sentimental today. Every part of running this campaign really is an honor (well, maybe I could have done without some of the nasty blog postings...).
It is amazing to meet my neighbors across Columbia and talk with them about important issues. This happens every day, often on people's front door steps. Let me assure you, if you are standing at someone's front door and they are in the mood to talk, there is absolutely nothing they won't say. I've had people tell me about their health problems; about lost jobs; one woman told me about her daughter dying after losing her Medicaid coverage; and another told me about lead poisoning her entire family is suffering and her resulting concerns about environmental safety regulations.
Mostly, though, I've heard reasons for optimism -- stories about hopes and joys and all of the things that make Missouri great.
Just 100 days remain in the primary campaign. I can't wait to see what they have in store.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (mobile)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Director of Sustainability
Hi Everybody!
Here is a press release I sent last week about creating a Missouri Director of Sustainability.
To me, this is an example of the kind of legislation that both parties should be able to support. The key is to create a position whose job is to save the state money by being smarter about the way we use our resource. Doesn't that just make sense? Universities and companies are saving billions (I thought it was hundreds of millions, but have been informed that it is much more) by doing exactly this. Shouldn't Missouri have the same opportunity?
My proposal is for a cabinet-level position -- someone who can really have the ear of the governor and with enough weight to interest the press corps.
Done even sort of right, this is the sort of proposal that will be worth far more to the state than what it might cost us (Duke University, for example, saves millions with a $30,000+ position).
Have a great Thursday!
- sean
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2008
CONTACT: SEAN SPENCE
573-823-1308; seanspence@earthlink.net
EARTH DAY -- SPENCE PROPOSES MISSOURI DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY
“In the name of saving money and saving our planet, Missouri should create a cabinet-level Director of Sustainability,” Spence said. “My favorite example of success in this area is MU, which saves over $2.2 million annually through energy conservation alone.”
(Columbia, MO) Today Sean Spence, Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 25th legislative district, proposed the creation of a cabinet-level Director of Sustainability, reporting directly to the governor. This position would be tasked with identifying “green” measures that would save the state money and contribute to environmental preservation.
Spence said that universities across the country are creating positions of this kind and should set an example for states. He pointed to the University of Missouri as paving the way for statewide programs.
He said the following quote from a 2004 article about MU’s cost-saving programs should be an inspiration to Missouri:
"Turning off a typical computer every night and weekend saves $60 annually, amounting to thousands when applied to the many computers used across campus," says Paul Hoemann, MU’s director of Energy Management. "Efforts like this don't cost anything."
“MU saves over $2.2 million every year because of the steps it has taken to conserve energy,” Spence said. “This doesn’t even address such areas as paper management, transportation, waste management and purchasing.”
Spence said that merging environmentally friendly policies with cost-savings is also taking hold in corporate America. “Companies ranging from Coca-Cola to Walt Disney are saving millions of dollars every year through their green efforts,” Spence said. “Shouldn’t Missouri have at least one high-level person who focuses exclusively on doing the same?”
Spence, a 1993 graduate of the University of Missouri, runs a public relations and political consulting practice in Columbia. A part-time state employee, Spence is an advisor to State Auditor Susan Montee.
####
Here is a press release I sent last week about creating a Missouri Director of Sustainability.
To me, this is an example of the kind of legislation that both parties should be able to support. The key is to create a position whose job is to save the state money by being smarter about the way we use our resource. Doesn't that just make sense? Universities and companies are saving billions (I thought it was hundreds of millions, but have been informed that it is much more) by doing exactly this. Shouldn't Missouri have the same opportunity?
My proposal is for a cabinet-level position -- someone who can really have the ear of the governor and with enough weight to interest the press corps.
Done even sort of right, this is the sort of proposal that will be worth far more to the state than what it might cost us (Duke University, for example, saves millions with a $30,000+ position).
Have a great Thursday!
- sean
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2008
CONTACT: SEAN SPENCE
573-823-1308; seanspence@earthlink.net
EARTH DAY -- SPENCE PROPOSES MISSOURI DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY
“In the name of saving money and saving our planet, Missouri should create a cabinet-level Director of Sustainability,” Spence said. “My favorite example of success in this area is MU, which saves over $2.2 million annually through energy conservation alone.”
(Columbia, MO) Today Sean Spence, Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 25th legislative district, proposed the creation of a cabinet-level Director of Sustainability, reporting directly to the governor. This position would be tasked with identifying “green” measures that would save the state money and contribute to environmental preservation.
Spence said that universities across the country are creating positions of this kind and should set an example for states. He pointed to the University of Missouri as paving the way for statewide programs.
He said the following quote from a 2004 article about MU’s cost-saving programs should be an inspiration to Missouri:
"Turning off a typical computer every night and weekend saves $60 annually, amounting to thousands when applied to the many computers used across campus," says Paul Hoemann, MU’s director of Energy Management. "Efforts like this don't cost anything."
“MU saves over $2.2 million every year because of the steps it has taken to conserve energy,” Spence said. “This doesn’t even address such areas as paper management, transportation, waste management and purchasing.”
Spence said that merging environmentally friendly policies with cost-savings is also taking hold in corporate America. “Companies ranging from Coca-Cola to Walt Disney are saving millions of dollars every year through their green efforts,” Spence said. “Shouldn’t Missouri have at least one high-level person who focuses exclusively on doing the same?”
Spence, a 1993 graduate of the University of Missouri, runs a public relations and political consulting practice in Columbia. A part-time state employee, Spence is an advisor to State Auditor Susan Montee.
####
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
My letter to the editor -- Columbia Daily Tribune
Okay, in terms of blogging, this is cheating a little bit, because I've already written about my prescription drug plan. But here is the letter I wrote to the Columbia Daily Tribune about it. Enjoy!
- sean
Missouri should negotiate better prescription deals
Published Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Editor, the Tribune:
Hundreds of thousands of Missourians are being crushed under the weight of uncontrolled prescription costs. Other states are finding market-driven solutions to this problem. It is time for Missouri to help our residents save money on their prescriptions.
One solution does not have to include lots of money. All we must do is look to Maine - as well as California and Hawaii, which followed Maine’s lead - and leverage the buying power of Missouri’s Medicaid program to negotiate better prescription drug prices.
Doesn’t that make sense? Isn’t negotiating better prices always a good idea? It almost seems un-American to suggest otherwise.
Missouri could negotiate better prescription drug prices. Maine does it every day. It tells drug companies, "Cut your profit margins on Drug X, or we won’t put it on Medicaid’s preferred drug list, which means fewer people will buy it and you will make less money."
The result is that hundreds of prescription drugs are discounted by an average of 25 percent for brand-name drugs and an average of 50 percent for generics.
In the "Maine Rx Plus" program, residents who make as much as 350 percent of the federal poverty level and don’t have prescription drug coverage qualify for the program. More than 100,000 Maine residents enjoy the program’s benefits.
The program has proved itself since 2004, when the U.S. Supreme Court declared it constitutional.
Doesn’t Missouri deserve a program that will cut drug prices without a massive outlay of taxpayers’ money? Don’t we need to do something?
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (mobile)
10 S. Ninth St.
- sean
Missouri should negotiate better prescription deals
Published Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Editor, the Tribune:
Hundreds of thousands of Missourians are being crushed under the weight of uncontrolled prescription costs. Other states are finding market-driven solutions to this problem. It is time for Missouri to help our residents save money on their prescriptions.
One solution does not have to include lots of money. All we must do is look to Maine - as well as California and Hawaii, which followed Maine’s lead - and leverage the buying power of Missouri’s Medicaid program to negotiate better prescription drug prices.
Doesn’t that make sense? Isn’t negotiating better prices always a good idea? It almost seems un-American to suggest otherwise.
Missouri could negotiate better prescription drug prices. Maine does it every day. It tells drug companies, "Cut your profit margins on Drug X, or we won’t put it on Medicaid’s preferred drug list, which means fewer people will buy it and you will make less money."
The result is that hundreds of prescription drugs are discounted by an average of 25 percent for brand-name drugs and an average of 50 percent for generics.
In the "Maine Rx Plus" program, residents who make as much as 350 percent of the federal poverty level and don’t have prescription drug coverage qualify for the program. More than 100,000 Maine residents enjoy the program’s benefits.
The program has proved itself since 2004, when the U.S. Supreme Court declared it constitutional.
Doesn’t Missouri deserve a program that will cut drug prices without a massive outlay of taxpayers’ money? Don’t we need to do something?
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th House District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308 (mobile)
10 S. Ninth St.
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