Fwd: Rural Caucus Newsletter

[Darrell Martin]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rural Strong <modemsru...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Nov 3, 2023 at 3:37 PM
Subject: Rural Caucus Newsletter
To:

Happy Friday, Rural Democrats!

November is Native American Heritage Month. National Native American Heritage Month. There are currently no federally recognized tribes in the state of Missouri but we want to acknowledge the traditional land of the Indigenous people past and present. Most of the Indigenous people who once inhabited Missouri were forced to leave and resettle in Indian Territory during the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This LibGuide gives a great overview of the original seven nations of Missouri: Missouri's Native Peoples - Indigenous Tribes of Missouri - LibGuides at Jefferson College (jeffco.edu)

As we've shared in the past, the MDP Rural Caucus Community Outreach Forums in 2024 will revolve around our candidates. This week, we sent out the following email to all the candidates: MDP Rural Caucus Community Forum - Candidate Engagement - Google Docs. Districts without candidates are definitely on our radar as well! Folks...rural and small-city voters are key to winning statewide races, controlling legislative chambers, and making progress are the big challenges facing our families and communities. Let's work together to flip Missouri!

The economy is a big issue in rural communities: Biden launches ‘Investing in Rural America’ push with cabinet officials • Missouri Independent. As you can see, Missouri is not slated for a visit so our vice chair, Jacqueline Farr, emailed the White House and asked them to consider Missouri. It's a long shot but worth a try.

Ashcroft loses at every turn in the courts, but he won't stop wasting our tax dollars with more lawsuits. Appeals court swats down Ashcroft arguments on Missouri abortion rights petitions • Missouri Independent. The MO GOP knows what will happen if abortion rights are put on the ballot. They will lose again. And Ashcroft said he'd have to quit if abortion rights is passed: Ashcroft Says He'd Quit If Abortion Rights Issue Passes | 94.7 Country (ktts.com). Y'all heard the man. Let's shove him out the door!

Great "scream-worthy moments" compiled by Progress MO It’s Always Spooky Season | ProgressMO. Bet you can add to the list!

In 2022 during the pandemic, Missouri fell to No. 38 on the list of states with good health outcomes: Rural Missourians had less medical care during the pandemic | News | columbiamissourian.com. But this is a bit of good news: MU School of Medicine receives $16 million to address rural physician shortage // Show Me Mizzou // University of Missouri.

Missouri is one of four states to show the largest increase in infant mortality rate - a 16% increase. Report unveils troubling trend about infant death rates (usatoday.com). Any time there's a trend in the wrong direction, alarm bells should be going off. In Missouri, it's not been bells, it's been Big Ben for the past 20 years.

Yet another big drug company is bragging of huge profits after price-gouging seniors on life-saving medicines. Bristol Myers Squibb is among the Big Pharma companies suing to stop Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices. Drug Company Suing to Stop Biden Medicare Rx Cost Saving Effort Enjoyed $1.9 Billion in Profits in Q3 - Accountable US

Folks...write a Letter to the Editor. Here's a great resource to find a newspaper: Missouri Newspapers - Newspapers.com. Writing a letter to the editor is one of the most efficient ways of reaching your community. Your newspaper might not have a large circulation but you can bet your bottom dollar, readers will include members of local government, who we especially want to reach.

Upcoming meetings/events (Don't forget to let us know about events/meetings: Event - Google Forms):

• Election Preparation hosted by the Vernon County Democrats, Sat., Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m., The Eagles Lodge, 3313 E. Austin Blvd., Nevada. Plan for a night of entertainment, food and discussion as we prepare for the 2024 election cycle. More information: Vernon County - Google Docs or go to: Vernon Co. Missouri Democrats - Tickets (vernoncomodems.com)

• Johnson County Democrats Soup Festival, Sat., Nov. 4, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Warrensburg Senior Center, 445 E . Gay Street. Great soups, chilli, breads, salad, drinks and desserts - $10 donation at the door with children eating free. They will have a silent auction, candidate speeches and conversations. For more information contact Ray James, 660-441-2090.

• Senate Dist. 10 Virtual Meeting, Sat., Nov. 4, 5 - 6 p.m. Contact Jessica Slisz, jessic...@gmail.com, if you'd like to attend.

• Boone County Democrats Calendar:  Upcoming - Boone County Democrats (boonecountydems.org) There's some great events listed.

Save The Date:

• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Women's Democratic Club, Mon., Nov. 6, 5 - 7 p.m., Primas Mexican Kitchen, 3662 S. Glenstone, Springfield. Guest speaker will be 135th Dist. House Rep. Betsy Fogle. 
  

• The Cedar County Democratic Committee will host an afternoon get-together on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2:00- 4:00 p.m., Hopewell Bridge Winery, 8402 E.1320 Road, Stockton. Snacks will be served and the bar is open for both alcohol and non-alcohol drinks for purchase. For more info, contact Darrell Martin, 417-309-0693, droari...@gmail.com
  

• Miller County Democratic Committee Meeting, Mon., Nov. 13, 6 p.m., Central Bank of Eldon. 611 E North St. Guest speaker will be MO Congressional Dist. 3 candidate Bethany Mann. Snacks will be provided. 

• Ste Genevieve County Democratic Club Monthly Meeting, Wed., Nov. 15, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., 950 S. Gabouri. 

• Phelps County Democratic Club November General Meeting and Potluck Dinner, Thurs., Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., Phelps County Courthouse multipurpose room, 200 N. Main, Rolla. Please bring a Thanksgiving side dish and/or dessert. The club will provide the turkey. For more information, contact Kari Craun, jkc...@demclubphelps.org

• North Missouri Progressives, Thurs., Nov. 16, 6 p.m. Blackwater Restaurant, 612 1st St., Chillicothe. Guest speaker is John Hickey, Climate Action Instructor, Washington University, St. Louis.

• Holiday Dinner and Silent Auction hosted by the Phelps County Democrats, Sat., Dec. 9, DiTrapani's On The Square; 400 E 6th, Rolla. Doors will be open and drinks available beginning at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at approximately 5:30 p.m. People with Silent Auction items are asked to bring those items at 4:30 if at all possible. They are needing Silent Auction items. If you have items to donate, contact jkc...@gmail.com.  

We have created a cool shirt for 2024: Rural Caucus Shirts - Google Docs. We plan to create a "Group" order so each person can order their own. We estimated that 50 shirts will be sold which makes the price of each shirt $16.52 + shipping. Calculated in the "50" estimation, are 35 shirts the Rural Caucus will buy to sell at events which brings our total to $578.20 + shipping. We will be discussing/voting on the proposed expenditure during our Nov. meeting on Sat., Nov. 18.

Don't forget, Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. Nov. 5. Don't forget to "fall back" an hour.

Joshua Dunne

Chair

Jacqueline Farr

Vice Chair

Meg Edwards

Secretary

John Parks

Treasurer