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Can a Democrat be Pro-Life?

Twenty years ago I would’ve considered myself a hard-core Democrat, but since then I have felt that either party represents me or my interest. I feel that the middle class have been all but forgotten by both of the parties, and that greed and corruption have taken over! I was a man without a party. Leading into the 2016 general election I had a hard choice to make. Did I want more of the same, or was I really wanting to throw a wrench in the system? I really did not like Hillary Clinton as the Democrat nominee and I despise Donald Trump as a person. After the 2016 general election all the crazy started happening and the polarization just increased. I am an independent, so both extremes bother me, but I wanted to throw my hat in the ring and see if I could help bring the focus back to “We the People”. Every since Citizens United claimed that corporations had the same rights as the people. Politics has become even more corrupt! Our elected officials seem to care more about their next
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Government Shutdown or Strike (Maybe Lockout?)

I guess it’s time for me to add my two cents on this partial government shut down. First, this is in no way partisan and is totally fair. I don’t care about the Trump wall, or as in reality the new fencing. I do think that there is a compromise to be made. The Democrats could agree to his 5.7 billion dollars in funding, but they could also ask for 5 more billion to go towards a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, infrastructure, immigration reform, campaign reform, and the humanitarian needs at our boarder. No, I don’t think that real conservatives would go for that option, because it would become a deficit issue. Then we could go back to the table and offer 3 billion to the boarder, and 2 billion towards my previous request.  In real life negotiations that’s how these things work. What we have here is a political game of chess, where government workers are being used as pawns and that disgust me! Of course Trump won’t open the government without his requested wall funding. Th
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Advancing Education in Missouri

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I am a huge proponent of giving our students the means to further their education. I also feel that corporations are drawn to states with a more educated workforce. In Missouri, we have a fantastic program called the A+ program. What it does is allow a student, that meets the requirements, to go to a junior college for two years free. These requirements include having a 95% attendance record through grades 9-12, perform tutoring for younger students for 50 hours, and graduate with a 2.5 or higher gpa.  I would like to expand this already wonderful program to more trade schools and four year universities. Trade schools are a great option, for those that have no interest in college. With robotics taking over the manufacturing industries, it would be great if we had trade schools that offer students the ability to learn to operate, install, and program those robots. Automation and  autonomy are the  future in the United States.  For the four year university option, the requirements would
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Can medical marijuana solve the opioid crisis?

There have been many studies that show a reduction in opioid hospital related stays, and even deaths, in states that have legalized medical marijuana. Researchers from the University of California San Diego found hospitalization rates of people suffering from painkiller abuse and addiction dropped on average 23 percent in states that offered medical marijuana. Opioid overdose cases at hospitals in states with legalized marijuana also dropped by an average of 13 percent, after analyzing hospitalization records from 1997 to 2014 in 27 states, nine of which legalized medical marijuana within that timeframe. There is no doubt that medical marijuana is less addictive and much safer than traditional painkillers. Of course, there are many other health related benefits to the legalization of medical marijuana. Will people abuse the use of medical marijuana? Yes, of course people will abuse medical marijuana, but the side effects are fewer than other medications and much less addictive. 
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My Journey Begins Here

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My name is Travis Hagewood, I am a Autoworker/ Realtor in the Blue Springs, Missouri area. I would like to tell you what made me decide to run for Missouri State Representative in the 31st District (Blue Springs).  I have never been a super political person, and quite frankly never had much interest in politics. I was just a struggling member of the working middle-class. I felt like, with the electoral college, my vote didn't mean much anyway. You see in 2000, I voted for Al Gore for President of the United States. Of course he won the popular vote, but not the electoral. I felt defeated, and only voted in the Presidential elections.  Looking back I know that was a defeatist attitude, because every election mean a great deal to our nation, and out state and local elections are probably even more important truth be told. Our state and local officials have a great deal to do with our quality-of-life, and the civil liberties we experience.  Shortly after November of 2016,
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