Husband, Father, Neighbor, Leader
I have lived in West Kendall since I was three years old. I've seen it grow and change throughout the years. I strongly believe that we need better representation from our elected officials, in particular those in our state legislature. If we are going to change the tide of a majority/super-majority MAGA-Republican legislature and a MAGA-Republican governor, we need to organize, unite and get out the vote.
We need to register new voters. We need to renew absentee ballot requests. We need to increase our visibility in the community and deliver the message that the Democratic Party is the party of the middle class and for the middle class. The ONLY party that protects civil liberties, freedom of the press, intellectual freedom, diversity of ideas and cultures. The ONLY major political party that supports ethnic, racial and gender diversity; that supports free exercise of ALL religions - without encroaching on the separation of church and state. The ONLY party that respects a woman's reproductive and health care decisions. We support the right of ALL PEOPLE to vote and participate in our democracy.
We denounce racism, bigotry, anti-Semitism, and misogyny. We believe that global warming is scientific fact; that human industrial activity has resulted in climate change, including rising global temperatures and rising sea levels. We believe in protecting the environment. We believe climate change can be avoided and we're willing to make the changes necessary to protect our planet and its rich biodiversity.
We believe that criminal justice reform is needed to make our criminal justice system more equitable and just. We support the police while opposing police practices that needlessly endanger members of our community and other members of the law enforcement community. We believe in holding rogue actors responsible for their actions.
We believe in fair labor standards, and in the right to unionize to get better pay and benefits through collective bargaining. We believe in jobs that pay at least a living wage. We want Florida's economy to embrace the high-paying jobs of the future. We want to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, like wind and solar power.
We believe that health care is a basic human right. We believe in preserving or expanding Medicare and increasing access to Medicaid. We support the Affordable Care Act. We believe that no veteran should be homeless. We believe that addiction to alcohol and drugs is a medical condition and not a crime. We need more mental health providers and greater access to mental health services. We acknowledge the need to reverse the trend of increasing gun violence in the country. We believe that marijuana has medicinal uses and that it should be removed as a Schedule I drug.
We believe the immigration system is broken and it needs to be fixed. We do not fear those who come to this country in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families. We believe DREAMERS should be given a legal pathway to citizenship.
We believe in public transportation. We all know rush hour traffic sucks and that building more roads alone will not solve our commuting problems. We believe in light rail for local commutes and high-speed rail to connect South Florida to Central Florida and beyond.
In short, we believe that we can make the world we live in a better place. A kinder, gentler place. A place where we can all share in the American dream, where everyone has a seat at the table of plenty. Where everyone is welcome.
We have the higher ground on ALL of these issues, so let's get out there and advocate for a better Kendall and a better Florida. If you want to work with us to make Kendall and Florida a better place to live, join us in making positive change. Don't delay! Join today. Thank you for your support.
-James A. Cueva