Oconee County Democrats

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It Was A Dark And Stormy Night ...

...but that didn’t stop Oconee Democrats!

Almost 200 people braved the downpours and lightning Sunday night to greet SC Senator Vincent Sheheen on one of his first campaign stops at South Cove Park in Seneca. Sheheen is seeking the South Carolina governorship in the 2014 election.

Other speakers supporting Sheheen were Rep. Walt McLeod of Newberry County and Melissa Watson, 2^nd Vice Chair of the SC Democratic Party.

“We were thrilled with the turnout,” said Rosellen Aleguire, OCDP chair. “People were energized by the speakers’ motivational words … and by the fact that Vincent Sheheen is such a fine candidate … and will make an even finer governor!”

Sheheen ran against Nikki Haley in 2010, and lost by a few percentage points. Haley, an unknown that year, was swept in on the Tea Party coattails; now she has to contend with her sinking poll numbers, the SC Revenue hacking scandal, and a legislature unhappy with her leadership.

As reported in the Anderson Independent, “The gubernatorial candidate said that the measures (his several administrative improvements’ legislations) could pass this session because he has been ‘working with Republicans and Democrats in the spirit of cooperation to change the state for the better. Let’s face it, that’s what we need in the governor’s office and that’s what we haven’t had for over 10 years now,’ alluding to the frosty relations Hale and her predecessor Mark Sanford have had with the legislature.”

The crowd enjoyed the music of two bands: the Wobblers and Paula and Jorge as well as American picnic fare of fried chicken, ham sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

Many thanks to all volunteers who donated time, energy, skills and talents. And, a special thanks to Event Organizer Paulette Keffas-Chassin and Chair Rosellen Aleguire for their dedicated work!

All proceeds from this event will be used for OCDP’s 2014 election campaign efforts.

Check this link for more photos (2013 Spring FORWARD FUN-draiser album under the Photo Gallery tab):

http://www.oconeedemocrats.com/PhotoGallery/tabid/61/AlbumID/381-21/Default.aspx

News Reports:

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2013/jun/02/sheheen-campaigns-in-seneca/

http://wgog.com/sheheen-for-governor-arrives-in-oconee/

https://upstatetoday.com/2013/06/sheheen-rips-haley/

SC Senator and 2014 gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen arrived early enough to talk and answer questions of Oconee Democrats.

Letter to Editor: Keffas Takes On Sandifer

Way to go, Paulette!

To The Editor, Seneca Journal

Re: Bill Sandiferʼs column, “House passes several key bills.”

In a four column article, Mr. Sandifer devotes only a fragment of a sentence to an extremely important bill which will affect the health and lives of South Carolinians for years to come. He proudly announces how he voted against the Medicaid Expansion option of the Affordable Care Act.

What does that mean? It means he voted against affordable health care for all.

It means he voted against the growing need for children, seniors living in nursing homes and people with disabilities to receive healthcare through Medicaid. It means he voted against 329,000 South Carolinians who earn under $15,000 per year, receiving health insurance for the first time. It means Mr. Sandifer voted against helping older Americans, whoʼve lost their jobs or are struggling in jobs without health benefits, to get healthcare.

Mr. Sandifer, do you have health insurance? Are you able to buy prescriptions and keep yourself healthy? Millions of South Carolinians can not and do not.

Medicaid Expansion is targeted to the working poor: people whose income forces them to have to decide - should they buy food for their family or blood pressure medicine? They choose food and sacrifice their health. It is despicable that, in the USA, our citizens are faced with these choices. If this person has a heart attack three months later, who will pay for that? We all will in higher costs and premiums.

It is insane to reject millions of dollars in Federal Medicaid money when SC ranks 46 in healthcare. The Feds will bear 93% of the costs of the Expansion for the first nine years!! How crazy can you be, Mr. Sandifer to reject that? SC does not have 7%?

In the Journalʼs editorial, “SC canʼt afford to reject Medicaid,” editors noted that other states will benefit in jobs and healthcare by accepting these billions. Once again, South Carolina is at the bottom of the barrel. We deserve the benefits of Medicaid Expansion - and a better representative.

Paulette Keffas, Seneca

Volunteers Work Hard At SenecaFest

Our Oconee Democrats' booth was right in the center of the SenecaFest action May 25. Our

volunteers made sure that festival-goers knew we were here!

And they did notice. At day's end when our gang was packing up, the vendor next to our booth

came over to Anne Constantinos and said, "Thank you for being here."

People pay attention when you stand up for what you believe.

Thanks to all! Anne and Harry Constantinos, Wallace and Joyce Peebles, Gene and Todd Moore,

Joel Arnold, Rosellen Aleguire, Bruce Marshall, Paulette Keffas-Chassin, Bob Ashcraft,

David Harshbarger.

More photos under Photo Gallery tab -- 2013 SenecaFest Or click on link: http://www.oconeedemocrats.com/PhotoGallery/tabid/61/AlbumID/381-20/Default.aspx

Oconee County Democratic Party

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night ...

Letter to Editor: Keffas Takes On Sandifer

Volunteers Work Hard At SenecaFest