The Democratic voters in the First Congressional District have a candidate to be proud of. Mayor Alex Morse is leading an inspiring campaign to become our Representative in the United States Congress. I’ve met him, quite a few times as a matter of fact, and have come to believe that Alex Morse is our kind of public servant. Like many of us in Western and Central Massachusetts, Alex aspires to a forward thinking and progressive agenda.
For instance, Alex has endorsed the Green New Deal. It’s a bold initiative to empower and employ American workers while seeking to reverse the devastating effects of climate disruption. His opponent has refused to endorse the Green New Deal, instead walking a line that seeks to both appease his big money donors and fool his constituents. Our current representative stands out as the only delegate in Congress from Massachusetts who is too milk toast to get on board with a full-throated cry of support for the proposal. And he has the fossil-fueled money to prove it. Let’s replace that with the bold, sure leadership of Alex Morse.
Alex Morse demonstrates a desire to improve the health care options for all citizens in Western Massachusetts. It’s an issue so very important to us, especially now during the spread of COVID-19. Alex Morse supports a single-payer health care system open to all of us, for he believes that we must care for each other in order for us all to rise. That’s no surprise when you know Alex Morse.
What is a surprise for some citizens is the bill that arrives in the mail after a visit to the hospital. Out-of-pocket fees not covered by health insurance are billed directly to the recovering patient and their family. Those surprises are not pleasant ones, often pushing families to bankruptcy. And this surprise comes with a nice bow on top, tied by outgoing Rep. Richie Neal. You see, our current representative single-handedly stopped the passage of a bill that would have ended the practice of surprise medical billing. Instead he proposed that his buddies in the medical billing industry be allowed to claw their way into our wallets and keep their fingers in the till.
You know something that would be a pleasant surprise? Seeing our congressional representative actually show up in our communities. Make no mistake, our current rep knows where Springfield is, but we in the hill towns and upper valley seem to be the forgotten fillers. To him, perhaps we are just a bunch of population numbers that fill out his congressional district. This writer has tried repeatedly to go to local meetings with Rep. Neal. Those meetings are rare opportunities.
My most irksome non-interaction with Neal was during a so-called “district work period” a while back, so named because it can give members of Congress the chance to get back in touch with the people they represent. For the weeks before the work period I called his offices in Springfield and Washington in order to get a clue as to which location I would travel to meet my representative. Each call yielded a vague assurance that a schedule of events would be forthcoming. I gradually concluded that my hoped-for meeting would not happen. Only later did I hear that Neal had been a bit confused. He showed up in Mexico during the district work period. I bet those “constituents” at the beach were happy to see him. I never did hear back from our Congressman or his staff.
In contrast, Alex Morse has been a contributing guest in our town on multiple occasions. He’s taken the time to listen, think, and react to us. We like that. We like thoughtful answers to curious questioning. If our fellow citizens are interested, we can regularly seek and find many elected officials who visit where we live. Look all you want, but it’s awfully hard to find Neal. Maybe he prefers the boardrooms rather than our living rooms.
We deserve responsive representation. We need Alex Morse. Vote for Alex Morse in the Democratic Primary on Sept. 1.
Bob Anson lives and votes in Leyden.