Massman headed to Democratic National Convention

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Julia Massman will head to the Democratic National Convention for a second time.
~ Photo by Tom Murphy

By Tom Murphy
Special to the Caledonia Argus

“Mitt Romney does not answer questions about his policies because he is not in charge.  Citizens United is really Corporations United. If that organization continues, we will lose our vote,” Julia Massman predicts.

Massman is returning as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.  It was more of a challenge this time around than her selection in 2008. “It was easy the first time,” she said as she prepares for the trip with her husband, Laverne, to Charlotte, N.C. in early September.

Massman was initially passed over because of requirements for balance in the delegation.  “I genuinely wanted to go back,” she said of her decision to seek one of two at-large seats available at the state convention.

In addition to the preparation of flyers, she found strong support from others in the Houston County delegation as well various groups from other congressional districts.

The Caledonia resident’s theme was, “Obama for America. Democrats from the State House to the White House.” Now she is joining the 107 member Minnesota delegation at the convention.

Massman’s name has long been associated with the Pro-Life movement. “It really does not matter what we have for issues if we lose the vote in the November election,” she said of her views. “Pro-Life is not just anti-abortion. It is respect for all life from conception to death. God does not turn His back on the needy. You feed the hungry, care for the sick and elderly or you don’t call yourself Pro-Life.”

An Obama supporter from the beginning, she said “Obama is the best president for the country since Franklin Roosevelt.  One can’t expect to agree 100 percent with a presidential candidate. We need to think for ourselves.”

She agrees with the Affordable Care Act. “I have always looked at it as constitutional. What it will do for people is important to me.”

She is aware of her representation from this district and Houston County. Her focus remains on senior citizen issues. Massman’s pragmatism prevails.

“Get to the facts and not to whether an issue is Democratic or Republican,” she said.

Julia says the economy is really a big issue. “Those who have retired on certificates of deposit have found that interest rates have not kept pace with inflation,” she said. She flatly states, “They have been robbed.  Investments in stocks have dropped, too.”

“I believe in President Obama’s policies,” Massman said.