The Party of All the People!

We are an active and vibrant party, committed to preservation of the environment, openness and accountability in local government, and to working hard to represent all the people of Watauga County.

Use the menu to the left to discover more about Watauga County's Democratic Party. You can also search our site, send comments to us, and volunteer your time and services.


Guest Columns

Guest Columns

Something’s Been Missing in the Health Care Debate

By Herb Hash Jr.

Along with many other folks in Watauga County, I’ve been thinking a lot about health care reform now being discussed and argued in Congress. And I am disturbed because I believe that something of great importance is either being left out or pushed to the sidelines -- the Jewish/Christian values which have had so much influence on our nation since its inception. I am referring to biblical values such as the love of God and neighbor as highlighted in both the Hebrew Scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18) and the New Testament (Mark 12:29-31).

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Make Sure Americans Have Real Choice in Healthcare

By Marsha Walpole

Like many of you, I’ve been watching the health-care debate very carefully. I’ve either been self-employed or worked for other people’s small businesses for most of my adult life, and I’ve seen first-hand what a huge struggle small businesses and individuals have paying insurance premiums. For many years, my own business paid more in health insurance premiums than we did to rent our storefront. In fact, for many businesses, health insurance is the single largest non-salary expense they have.

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Virginia Foxx Comes Clean

By Diane Tilson

We thank Representative Foxx for coming clean (guest editorial, Winston-Salem Journal, 19 Aug. 2009) and admitting that what she said in the past about the proposed health care reform plans was not true. We are glad Ms. Foxx is now willing to confess that the health care plans currently being considered do not pay for abortions or euthanasia and are not plots to put seniors to death.

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We Need a Public Health-Care Plan

By Pam Williamson

Janet works full time and has employer-sponsored health-care insurance. When her son was diagnosed a year ago with leukemia, she figured the last thing she had to worry about was paying his costs, but she soon found out her insurance benefits were capped at $1 million. The cost of her son’s care reached that figure in less than one year. The family has now drained its savings and is filing for bankruptcy.

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Read the latest in the Watauga County political BLOG maintained by J.W. Williamson.



WataugaDems News

News

Democrats Pitch in to Help the Watauga Community

 12/20/09

Whether it’s driving a weekly Meals on Wheels route, or providing a monthly dinner at the local homeless shelter, or helping out with Habitat for Humanity and the Hunger Coalition, the Watauga County Democratic Party has a tradition of volunteerism.

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The Movement to “Draft Billy Kennedy” for Congress


 12/18/09

Old-school politics usually involved lots of backroom maneuvering of candidates, with a small party core deciding which candidates to put forth in coming elections.

That grooming process has been tossed out like punch-card ballots and train-whistle stops by Democrats who are lining up behind their favored candidate to take on incumbent Republican Virginia Foxx for the Fifth District U.S. Congressional seat next year.

A public campaign is underway called "Draft Billy Kennedy," with party faithful hoping to gently pressure Kennedy into entering the race. What makes the draft attempt different is that the momentum is gathering in the virtual world, driven by a younger pool of voters.

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Events

Events


8 January 2010
Young Democrats Meet & Greet

Char Restaurant (179 Howard St., Boone), 6:30 p.m., annual Winter Mixer for state-wide YDs and others.  For additional info, stay tuned to Watauga County Young Democrats on Facebook, or contact club President Jeanie Futrelle: jeaniejf@hotmail.com

11 January 2010
Young Democrats of Watauga County

Meets at 5:30 p.m., Galileo's (1087 W. King St., Boone), for a program on electoral prospects in 2010. Guest Speaker: Boone Town Councilman Andy Ball. Open to everyone. For more information, contact club President Jeanie Futrelle: jeaniejf@hotmail.com 

12 January 2010
Democratic Executive Committee Meeting

Meets at 7 p.m., in the Boone Town Council Chambers on Blowing Rock Road. Open to all members of the "Democratic family"

27 January 2010
Democratic Women's Club Luncheon

Meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center for dutch-treat luncheon. Speaker at noon. This month: "Electoral Prospects in 2010," with Watauga Co. Democratic Party Chair Diane Tilson and Boone Town Councilman Andy Ball. For more information, contact Ann Pace: paceaj@umkc.edu

8 February 2010
Filing Period for Public Office, 2010

Filing period to get on the Nov. 2010 ballot opens today state-wide. Filing period ends February 26

9 February 2010
Democratic Executive Committee Meeting

Meets at 7 p.m., in the Boone Town Council Chambers on Blowing Rock Road. Open to all members of the "Democratic family"

24 February 2010
Democratic Women's Club Luncheon

Meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center for dutch-treat luncheon. Speaker at noon. For more information, contact Ann Pace: paceaj@umkc.edu