Indiana Democratic Party 12-29-18 Weekly Radio Address Podcast

Chairwoman John Zody with the Indiana Democratic Party 12-29-18 Weekly Radio Address Podcast:

TRANSCRIPT:

This is Chairman John Zody, bringing you the weekly podcast for the Indiana Democratic Party.

As 2018 comes to a close, it is important that we reflect a bit – as we always do – on the year past and where we are headed for 2019. We’ve talked a lot in 2018 about what Indiana Democrats stand for – and hopefully you’re saying to yourself some of those things right now…or maybe thinking I’m sounding like a broken record. I hope you are!

It is critical that we continue to talk about these things not just during an election season, but also during a legislative session and into the municipal election season in 2019, where we will have mayoral, council and clerk races on the ballot across the state.

As President Trump continues to spread a divisive message while the federal government remains shut down, we MUST continue to talk about what our Democrats in office – as well as our candidates – are doing and talking about. And those things are livable wages; protecting early childhood and public education; protecting access to affordable healthcare; having free and fairer elections – and making sure every Hoosier feels safe, secure and protected EQUALLY under the law in our state.

We have to keep talking about these things next year because not only is it important that we have a unified Democratic message, but because these are all areas where our state could be doing better – and whereDemocrats have taken action in each of these areas that have made a difference for Hoosiers.

For example – while Gov. Holcomb and Statehouse Republicans continue to kick the can down the road on expanding the state’s Pre-K program – Democrats have continued to advocate for a statewide program that serves the 80,000 four year-olds in Indiana. What else could be a higher priority when it comes to making sure kids get the best start to their education? You don’t get those years back — you are only four years-old ONE TIME. JUST ONE.

And healthcare? Well, it’s no secret our own Republican Attorney General was a party to the lawsuit that seeks to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. We cannot forget that while Democrats have continued to advocate for healthcare for millions of Americans over the last decade – Republicans have simultaneously and systematically tried to take it away.

There will be a lot to talk about for sure in the 2019 legislative session, but when we, as Democrats, agree to agree on our message – we have a better chance of Hoosiers in all parts of the state understanding what it is – and what it is Democrats here stand FOR. Because we do stand FOR something – we did it in 2018 where we had some historic victories at the Statehouse, and we will do it again in 2019.

Please follow the IDP on Facebook and Twitter. Simply search INDems – that’s I-N-D-E-M-S on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us to get the latest news about our candidates and what we’re doing to hold our counterparts at the Statehouse and in Washington accountable.

Thank you for listening, and all the best for a safe and Happy New Year.