Issues of Concern to Democrats
This page offers some statements, resources, and links to resources that express perspectives on issues from Democrats and the Democratic Party.
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The main policy platform of the Democratic Party is developed every four years, prior to the national Democratic Convention. The preface to this platform states:
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Democrats across the country are working hard to build a better America. We’re fighting to build an economy that works for everyone by lowering costs for working families and investing in the middle class. Democrats are dedicated to ensuring a stronger and more just future for every American.
https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/issues-2024/ ​​​​
Why You Should Vote in the Democratic Primary
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Determine who the candidates will be for county, state, and national offices
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Establishes the Democratic voting bloc. Voters do not register as Democrats or Republicans in Tennessee. Their political leanings are determined by how they vote in the primary.
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Strong turn-out in the Democratic primary demonstrates an interest that encourages more Democratic candidates to enter future races.
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High Democratic primary election turn-out encourages donors to contribute to Democratic candidates in the general election.
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Loudon County Democratic candidates need your support:
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Brock Bigsby – County Commission, District 1A
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Nikki Calvano – County Commission, District 1B
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Wendy Tittsworth – County Commission, District 3
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Andrew Bennett - County Commission, District 5
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Mark Gregory - County Commission, District 7
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Voan Stone – Loudon County School Board, District 6
Learn more at the Candidates Page.
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There are contested Democratic primary elections for state senate, state representative, governor, US Congress, and US Senate that need to be resolved in the primary election.
Early Voting Begins April 15
Republican Destruction in Our Neck of the Woods
The pdf available here describes the negative impacts to our community under the current Republican administration. The pdf includes information about Medicaid, Women's Healthcare, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Department of Agriculture Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA), Libraries, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Education, and the University of Tennessee. Below, the information is also available.
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MEDICAID​
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In the 2nd Congressional District, represented by Tim Burchett (R), 18% of the total population receives Medicaid benefits, totaling 147,000 people.
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In Tennessee, Medicaid covers 46% of all births, 42% of all children, 57% of all nursing home residents.
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6,250 people are projected to lose Medicaid coverage in the 2nd Congressional District.
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Tennessee has the highest number of hospital closures per capita in the US.
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WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE
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Maternal mortality in Tennessee is the worst of all 50 states in the US.
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In the 2018-2022 timeframe 199 mothers died delivering babies in Tennessee.
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Cutting Medicaid will lead to fewer doctors and fewer hospitals providing women’s healthcare.
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SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)
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In Loudon County, 7,089 citizens, 11.7% of the total population, receive SNAP benefits (food stamps).
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1,400 of these recipients are projected to lose their subsidy.
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Of Tennessee recipients, 66% are families with children, 33% are seniors or disabled, and 33% are working families.
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Each recipient’s benefit is $6.25 per day for an average of $320 per family a month.
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE ASSISTANCE (LFPA)
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In Tennessee 12% of the total population is food insecure.
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In Tennessee, LFPA was providing $4.1 million for school lunches and $8.2 million for food banks, all of which is being terminated.
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All purchased food came from local farmers, denying them this income.
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In Loudon County, local food pantries have cut food distribution by half.
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LIBRARIES
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Loudon County has five libraries – Greenback, Lenoir City, Loudon, Philadelphia, Tellico Village.
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A significant portion of federal assistance to Loudon County libraries was for technology and computer services.
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Library computers are used by individuals without internet access for job searches, employment applications, and tax preparation and filing.
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Youth without internet access use library computers for schoolwork.
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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
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The Department of Interior is cutting budgets of all national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited park in the US
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Currently, 6 of 10 campsites are closed
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7 of 11 picnic areas are closed
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Staff has been reduced by 10% with more cuts to come
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EDUCATION
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(Loudon)) Tennessee 2nd Congressional District is in jeopardy of losing $5,258,000 of federal support for K-12 education.
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Loudon County School District has lost $95,000 of federal support for the after-school program LAUNCH providing extended learning, STEM education, tutoring, and arts enrichment.
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
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The University of Tennessee has lost 42 federal grants totaling $37.7 million.
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Terminated grants were addressing pesticide safety, HIV research, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, Covid-19, rural mental health, and climate change among many other critical areas.
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Stop Work Orders have been issued for many projects, including a $30 million climate change-smart agriculture initiative by the UT Institute of Agriculture.