Today, I took a break from the campaign trail to volunteer as a seamstress for the Baton Rouge Cinderella Project, a new group in Baton Rouge that provides free prom dresses to girls in the East Baton Rouge Public Schools.
Founders Shelton Jones and Sarah Dupree and their team of Fairy Godmothers put together a first class store at the Living Faith Christian Center. The racks were full of over 750 stunning gowns donated from the closets of local residents and from stores throughout Baton Rouge. Macy's, the main sponsor provided racks, bags and other items to make the store complete.
It was so much fun to watch all of the girls try on the dresses as their mothers, sisters, boyfriends and aunts gave advice. Since I love to sew, I brought my sewing machine, thread and pins and tried my best to custom fit the dresses for the girls. All of the girls I visited with had great plans for after graduation -- joining the Navy, going to Massage Therapy school, training for a well-paying refinery job -- and they were so patient with me! I hope they have a great prom!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
TV Ads Launched!
Ashley Casey is pleased to announce that her television ad campaign will be launched next week to coincide with the start of early voting on April 19th. "We want to make sure that everyone in the 6th District who isn't satisfied with the Republican or Democratic candidate knows that they have another option in this race, and the only way to do that is to get up on television." Casey said. "We're going to be on every major network in the Baton Rouge area, plus cable. We're very excited about this next step in our campaign!" The ad campaign will being this weekend and run till election day.
"System" :30
"Change" :30
"System" :30
"Change" :30
Ashley Casey on Health Care
I will not join the Congressional Health Insurance Plan until every American can purchase their choice of private health insurance policies through large community group pools and fully deduct it on their taxes, including refundable tax credits for those who cannot fully afford insurance.
Ashley Casey Questions Bill Clinton on Donahue
It has been sixteen years since I was a Columbia University Student who questioned Bill Clinton on the Phil Donahue show about health care. The exchange went on far into the break and after the show. Even though I disagreed with his plan, I thought that the dialogue would lead to change.
Today, the health care crisis is worse than ever. Complex plans that reek of special interests have gotten us nowhere. We need a simple, common sense solution: Ensure that every American can purchase their choice of private health insurance policies and fully deduct it on their taxes, including refundable tax credits for those who cannot fully afford insurance. I won't take the Congressional Health Insurance plan until this happens.
And as your Congresswoman, I promise to keep asking tough questions -- whoever the President is -- McCain, Obama OR Hillary Clinton.
Here is the video!
Today, the health care crisis is worse than ever. Complex plans that reek of special interests have gotten us nowhere. We need a simple, common sense solution: Ensure that every American can purchase their choice of private health insurance policies and fully deduct it on their taxes, including refundable tax credits for those who cannot fully afford insurance. I won't take the Congressional Health Insurance plan until this happens.
And as your Congresswoman, I promise to keep asking tough questions -- whoever the President is -- McCain, Obama OR Hillary Clinton.
Here is the video!
Early Voting in May 3 Election April 21-25
Early Voting is Saturday, April 19 and Monday, April 21 - Saturday, April 26 from 8:30am until 4:30pm at your parish wing Registrar of Voters' offices. You don't need a reason to vote early -- just show up with a picture ID and vote for Ashley Casey.
Ascension: 828 S. Irma Blvd., Room 205, Gonzales
East Baton Rouge: 222 St. Louis Street, Room 201 (Downtown), 10500 Coursey Blvd, Room 203 (Coursey Clerk of Court building) and 2250 Main Street, Baker.
East Feliciana: 11048 Bank Street, Clinton
Iberville: 58050 Meriam Street, Plaquemines
Livingston: 29840 S. Magnolia Street, Livingston
Pointe Coupee: 211 E. Main Street, #103, New Roads
St. Helena: 369 Sitman St. Room 104, Greensburg
West Baton Rouge: 880 N. Alexander Ave., Port Allen, LA
West Feliciana: 5932 Commerce Street, St. Francisville, LA
Debate Scheduled Monday, April 28th
The Baton Rouge Press Club will be holding a debate for the 6th District Race on at noon on Monday, April 28th at 320 Third Street in Baton Rouge, suite 201.
"We're looking forward to addressing the concerns of the people here in the 6th District." Casey said "I hope the other candidates are as excited about it as I am!"
"We're looking forward to addressing the concerns of the people here in the 6th District." Casey said "I hope the other candidates are as excited about it as I am!"
Media Outlets Recognize Momentum
The Baton Rouge Advocate and the popular political blog Bayou Buzz have both released articles within the last 24 hours noting the positive momentum the Casey campaign is experiencing in the run up to the May 3rd election.
http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/insidereport/17890764.html
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Candidates_Face_Challenges_in_Louisiana_6th_Congressional_Race__6243.asp
http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/insidereport/17890764.html
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Candidates_Face_Challenges_in_Louisiana_6th_Congressional_Race__6243.asp
Casey Promises Not To Accept Congressional Benefits
Casey Promises Not To Accept Congressional Benefits
Baton Rouge, LA (April 14th, 2008)-Ashley Casey, the 6th District's Independent candidate, promised today that she would not accept the Congressional benefits package if elected.
"I want to be a representative of the people, but I can't do that while accepting the exurbanite benefits package currently afforded to members of Congress," Casey said "To do so wouldn't be consistent with the values that I share with every hard working American."
Lawmakers do pay 8 percent of their salaries into their pension system, although this only compensates for about 1/5 of the typical lifetime benefit. The rest is covered by taxpayers.
Member of Congress began to pay into Social Security in 1983, as part of a government-wide pension overhaul.
In addition, Members of Congress do not draw the "same pension" as their pay in the last year of office as suggested in a rumor circulating on the Internet; only federal judges do that under the term "retirement pay." Still, the formula is quite generous, and, with 20-25 years, a Member of Congress could retire with up to 80 percent of his or her salary replaced. The only cap on how fast their benefits rise is the rate of increase in CPI. For this reason, Congressional pensions can and frequently do exceed a Member's final salary, but only after a few years in retirement, when COLAS begin to kick in.
"In the final analysis, Congressional pension benefits are 2-3 times more generous than what a similarly-salaried executive could expect to receive upon retiring from the private sector. That ought to be enough to concern any taxpayer." Casey said.
Casey Challenges Republican and Democrat to Run Race in Baton Rouge
Casey Challenges Republican and Democrat to Run Race in Baton Rouge
Independent Congressional Candidate Ashley Casey today challenged Republican Woody Jenkins, Democrat Don Cazayoux and any other FEC qualified candidates to reject assistance from the national parties and run this election in Baton Rouge.
"It is up to the people of Baton Rouge to elect our next Congressman, not the political parties in Washington, DC. I challenge my opponents to reject financing from the parties and run this election on an even playing field," said Casey. "I look forward to debating them anytime, anywhere and hope that the news media will give us the opportunity to do so."
Estimates are that the two parties and special interest groups trying to influence the race are spending over $500,000 on the 6th district in less than a month. Additionally, through the national party campaign committees, the Republican and Democrat candidates receive non-profit postage rate that are half of what independent and other party candidates pay.
"The people of 6th District must elect a Representative who works for them, not special interests and checks their personal agenda at the door. We cannot address the fundamental issues of health insurance availability, ending the war in Iraq and strengthening our economy until we fundamentally reform the way Congress does business," said Casey.
Casey Signs Change Congress Pledge
Casey Gains National Recognition for Being First Independent Candidate To Sign Change Congress Reform Pledge, Challenges Republican and Democrat Opponents to Join Her in Supporting Reforms
Independent Congressional Candidate Ashley Casey was recognized today by the national, grassroots organization Change Congress (www.change-congress.org) for her pledge to (1) Reject all donations from PACs or lobbyists (2) Vote to band earmarks (3) Support total Congressional transparency.
"I signed the Change Congress pledge because I believe this should be a government of the people, not a government of special interests, and I want to send that message to the leaders on Capitol Hill," said Casey. "The people of Louisiana's 6th district have an extraordinary opportunity to send that same message on May 3rd."
Change Congress is a grassroots organization founded by Stanford professor Lawrence Lessig and designed by Joe Trippi that seeks to end the era of corrosive influence of money on government. Launched on March 21, Change Congress has already gained the support of Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee and Congressional candidates from both parties.
"The most exciting idea in this political season is changing how Washington works, which means changing the influence of money in Washington," Lessig said. "Change Congress will help build support to solve this first problem in Washington, which is the distorting influence of money. Other problems may be more important. But no problem will be solved until we solve this problem first."
Through technology, Change Congress will work with other reform organizations to show the breadth of existing support for fundamental reform, the new movement hopes to inspire and enlist many more to get involved in the bi-partisan efforts of like-minded organizations to Change Congress.
"The people of 6th District must elect a Representative who works for them, not special interests and checks their personal agenda at the door. We cannot address the fundamental issues of health insurance availability, ending the war in Iraq and strengthening our economy until we fundamentally reform the way Congress does business," said Casey. "I challenge the Republican and Democrat candidates in this race to join me in taking this pledge to show they work for the people, not the special interests."
Casey, a 1994 graduate of Columbia University, mother of two and New Media consultant, has promised to bring an independent perspective to the partisan bickering and special interests that have defined Washington recently. Since the announcement of her candidacy, Casey has promised that, if elected, she will work with leaders of both parties to come up with real solutions for difficult problems like Health Care, Immigration, the Economy, the Environment, Education and National Security. For more information, go to www.ashleycasey.com.
Independent Congressional Candidate Ashley Casey was recognized today by the national, grassroots organization Change Congress (www.change-congress.org) for her pledge to (1) Reject all donations from PACs or lobbyists (2) Vote to band earmarks (3) Support total Congressional transparency.
"I signed the Change Congress pledge because I believe this should be a government of the people, not a government of special interests, and I want to send that message to the leaders on Capitol Hill," said Casey. "The people of Louisiana's 6th district have an extraordinary opportunity to send that same message on May 3rd."
Change Congress is a grassroots organization founded by Stanford professor Lawrence Lessig and designed by Joe Trippi that seeks to end the era of corrosive influence of money on government. Launched on March 21, Change Congress has already gained the support of Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee and Congressional candidates from both parties.
"The most exciting idea in this political season is changing how Washington works, which means changing the influence of money in Washington," Lessig said. "Change Congress will help build support to solve this first problem in Washington, which is the distorting influence of money. Other problems may be more important. But no problem will be solved until we solve this problem first."
Through technology, Change Congress will work with other reform organizations to show the breadth of existing support for fundamental reform, the new movement hopes to inspire and enlist many more to get involved in the bi-partisan efforts of like-minded organizations to Change Congress.
"The people of 6th District must elect a Representative who works for them, not special interests and checks their personal agenda at the door. We cannot address the fundamental issues of health insurance availability, ending the war in Iraq and strengthening our economy until we fundamentally reform the way Congress does business," said Casey. "I challenge the Republican and Democrat candidates in this race to join me in taking this pledge to show they work for the people, not the special interests."
Casey, a 1994 graduate of Columbia University, mother of two and New Media consultant, has promised to bring an independent perspective to the partisan bickering and special interests that have defined Washington recently. Since the announcement of her candidacy, Casey has promised that, if elected, she will work with leaders of both parties to come up with real solutions for difficult problems like Health Care, Immigration, the Economy, the Environment, Education and National Security. For more information, go to www.ashleycasey.com.
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