Jesse Colvin: Country Over Party

I was lucky enough to have known both of my grandfathers. They were each hard working men who believed in personal responsibility, taking care of family, and giving a damn about one’s community.

They were veterans of the Second World War; one in the army and the other the navy. Neither talked much about their war experiences. The men of that generation just didn’t.

They were working class and not extensively trained or skilled. One worked as a janitor and one worked the parts counter at a car dealership. Yet they were able to afford their own homes and cars. They supported wives and children. Both of my grandfathers had medical insurance through their jobs.

These men lived in a world where anyone who was willing to work forty hours per week could have their own piece of the American Dream.

Times are different now. Colder. Darker. The cost of housing has skyrocketed and minimum wage has all but stagnated. Millions of people are without health coverage.

How did this happen?

There’s lots of ways to spread the blame around, but I don’t think that’s helpful anymore. What’s helpful is moving forward. What’s helpful is putting country over political party and giving a damn about society as a whole.

We need leadership, vision, and action—and we need it right now.

And Jesse Colvin is the candidate most capable of bringing these things to Maryland’s 1st District.

But who is this guy?

Jesse Colvin is a father, a husband, and businessman. Jesse Colvin is a veteran who served four tours in Afghanistan.

Four tours!

While so many of us were just arguing with each other on social media, Jesse Colvin was out in the world doing things. Real things. As an Army Ranger. Few humans have the strength and tenacity to graduate from ranger school, and Jesse did.

Jesse Colvin believes that health care is a right. Because when every American has high-quality, affordable, and accessible medical care, society as a whole is better for it. We don’t miss work because of illness. We can take a risk and open a new business. We can live long enough to mentor our children.

Jesse knows the importance of a healthy environment and recognizes that the fate of our great state rests on the health of the Chesapeake Bay. When we invest in environmental restoration, we protect and create jobs.

The bay is beautiful. And watermen make a living bringing in today’s fresh catch so that restaurants and grocery stores can serve customers. Tourists from all over the world visit and spend their money in our enchanting Ocean City every year.

And let’s never forget our farmers. Not only are they an important part of our economy, but they feed us. They literally grow and produce the nourishment we need to survive. We must not allow unfair trade policies or an unhealthy environment to hurt them.

And we must create a tax system designed not only to help the rich, but a system that looks out for regular people like you and me. People like my grandfathers. A tax system that supports teachers who buy supplies for their students, working parents, farmers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed. A system that does not encourage corporations to hire overseas, but rewards them for investing in our communities.

It’s time to make sure that we take care of those that have taken care of us. We wouldn’t be here without our senior citizens. They have raised children and grandchildren, fought wars, and paid a lifetime of taxes. They have built our social fabric and it’s time to make sure that they have what they need.

We cannot allow cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare to offset the tax reform bill. We cannot allow the elderly to go without food and necessary healthcare. They paid in!

We must demand responsiveness, transparency, and accountability from our Department of Veterans Affairs. And demand a strengthening of Social Security and Medicare to ensure sufficient care for those who need our help.

Our veterans and our elderly fought for us. It’s time we fight for them. Jesse Colvin will be on the frontlines to make sure we do.

We can return to the values and common sense of my grandfathers’ era while still moving forward into a bright future for both the citizens of Maryland and for the entire United States.

We can and must do better.

Please vote for Jesse Colvin in District 1.