Tamyra d'Ippolito: a last minute push to replace Evan Bayh with a real Democrat

t0dd

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Mon Feb-15-10 01:28 PM
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Tamyra d'Ippolito: a last minute push to replace Evan Bayh with a real Democrat

Edited on Mon Feb-15-10 02:27 PM by t0dd

A cafe owner from Bloomington, she is seeking to be the Democratic candidate for Evan Bayh's senate seat.

The deadline to complete the filing process is this week. She needs 500 petition signatures in each of Indiana's nine House districts and is 1,000 votes short according to http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/another-dem-already-in-race-for-bayhs-seat----but-doesnt-have-the-needed-signatures-yet.php#more">TPM.

The Party Machine in IN is actively working against her signature efforts just to elect someone similar to Bayh that will have no chance in November. If elected, she might actually represent the people of Indiana instead of corporations. That concept is foreign to the blue dog infested establishment.

Just so you know, the Democratic heads in Indiana, there are 92 counties, they have been working against us all this time because they have been for the incumbent, Evan Bayh," said d'Ippolito. "So we are calling on them now - it was only Evan Bayh running as the Democratic candidate - and asking them what will they do now. So this does not give us much time.

On why she got involved with politics: "I became especially interested when I noticed how few women and minorities are involved in Indiana."

Let's look at her platform (http://tamyraforsenate.com):

Environment
Indiana is the most polluted state in the country. Lung cancer is rising among non-smokers. If you fish Indiana�s waterways you have to worry about feeding your catch to your family due to mercury contamination. We must do better. The solution is the greening of Indiana. This will create jobs, improve our health and leave a better world for generations to come. We must harness the winds in the north and solar energy in the south. We must encourage conservation and alternative energy use through tax incentives and rebates for homes and businesses.

Real health care reform is an important issue for her. She was diagnosed with colon cancer five years ago and could not obtain health insurance because of a pre-existing condition: "As a cancer survivor and small business owner, health reform is an issue that directly affects me like many Indiana residents."

Health care
As of now, the final provisions of the Healthcare Bill are being negotiated. Let�s hope that we all benefit by lower costs and improved quality. But if this is just another give away to insurance and pharmaceutical companies, I will not rest until we have a healthcare system that works for all of us.

Concentration of Wealth
The bank bailouts and the healthcare debate highlight a dangerous threat to American democracy and the American way of life. Those who spend millions to buy politicians call the shots. Any real reforms are gutted or stopped. You think a $45.00 fee is too much for being $1.00 overdrawn? Thank the banks your tax dollars saved from oblivion. You think you should be able to order prescription drugs from Canada? Thank the pharmaceutical companies who are making deals with your elected representatives. I am not opposed to wealth but I am opposed to the misuse of wealth. I am committed to an American democracy that works for all of us, not just a few.

Poverty
Poverty is a huge issue I hold close to my heart. One third of Hoosiers live in poverty. In some pockets the rate of poverty is even higher. In Bloomington, Indiana, where I live, 41.6% of people live in poverty. I created www.thepoorclub.org to address the problems caused by privatization of services to poor Hoosiers. We must create and strengthen programs for job creation, low income housing, and legal and medical services to the poor.

We need a real Democrat like this in Congress. She has until tomorrow to gather enough signatures to make the primary. Unfortunately, Indiana Democrats are seeking to nominate another worthless blue dog like Bayh. You can download a petition for state primary ballot placement http://www.bloomingtononline.net/directory/docs/413.pdf">here.