CLYDE

WELFORD

FOR

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

DISTRICT 7
VILLAGE OF BALDWIN

There's Only One Way Up!

Republicans were once the party of Abraham Lincoln in the nineteen hundreds. What happened to change their position and politics? President Lincoln through the act of abolishing slavery, absolved the nation of the burdensome guilt they felt and endured over the legalized institution of “Slavery.”

The chronicle of oppression and disenfranchisement of African descendants is recorded. The states that fought the idea of freedom of every born citizen and rights inherent therein, is still being fought by descendants of the same originators of the sinful, evil acts of the past. To be sure, a bloody Civil War was fought to maintain a way of life that elevated whites to the upper level of society, when in the realist sense, the misguided insurrectionist had not earned that position exclusively, nor ethically, or morally.

Most will agree that when people work hard, pay their fair share of taxes, fight and die in wars for this country, all the while facing both overt and hidden discrimination, they should be rewarded and their votes counted. It shouldn’t matter whether they are a minority or majority. Demographics often change over time, but the fundamental principles of a fair and equitable society should not.

In essence, many Republicans are willing to swap Democracy that has been a beacon of light to the world. They’ll swap it for any Stalinist, Marxist or fascist ideology as long as they maintain the governing power. They must be reminded that only the people have that power.

Donald Trump’s presidency was arguably the most perilous in U.S. History. After four painful years of grueling hysteria, the people said we need a change of direction. Apparently most Republicans on Capitol Hill didn’t get the memo. Even with it’s flaws Democracy when practiced in its purest form could catapult the United States into an age of unseen prosperity for everyone, and provide benefits from technologies yet to be discovered. To get there, we must invest in all Americans with resources, opportunities and full rights. It’s good policy for everyone.

From 2016 to 2020 American leadership abroad suffered. Though hard to accept, rest assuredly, that leadership vacuum is being filled. The question is, “By whom?’ No matter one’s personal feelings for the man, his lack of leadership failed the world. The United States took a hit as is inevitable when we fail to be an honest broker in resolving conflict abroad with alliances, friend and allies. We should not fail ourselves here at home.

We need an all hands on deck approach, and re-awaken to the challenges we face from adversaries internationally and stop fighting wars amongst ourselves. Our adversaries will be looking to take advantage of a nation that insists on exporting Democracy abroad, while falling embarrassing short on that measure at home. “Something is rotten in Denmark,” as the old expression goes. Let it not be said of America.

Become a Biden/Republican. Simply change party affiliations the way millions of Obama/Republicans did in 2008 and 2012, after which they aligned themselves in 2016 with Mr. Trump. When you come back to your former beliefs that reflect the majority sentiment, absent of hateful rhetoric, I think you’ll sleep better. There’s only one way up!

Let’s make hating expensive

From: Kofinsia Clyde A. Welford

To: Senator Gary Peters

Re: Gun Legislation

Cc: Governor Gretchen Whitmer

April 17^th 2023

Dear Senator Gary Peters,

Firstly, I want to thank you for all that you do, especially in your fight to preserve Democracy. The issue I am primarily concerned with is guns. Every other issued in my opinion is in danger of not getting properly addressed because of the constant and eminent threat guns pose, the lives they shatter and the spiraling chaos that seemingly never end. That is why I am formally asking you to present in a bill the following.

Every registered fire arm has to be insured for liability purposes. Every individual owning a fire arm shall be required to insure every firearm that they possess. The reasoning is based on the premise that only the possessors of the weapon are the ones who will destroy the innocent while wreaking havoc on societal norms.

The insurance premiums would go to a newly created governmental entity/agency that’ll decides on the rate and payout for the victims and families. Such a policy would be a cost benefit for individual’s hospital stay, medication, rehabilitation, prescriptions drugs and mental health counseling. Payment for funeral arrangements would also be covered within this bill. If more feasible however, insurance companies might like entertaining the idea of administering similar programs. particularly since if passed, the bill could generate billions, maybe even trillions of dollars.

Weapon manufacturers, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other gun right groups will also have to pay tier one premiums, because they are the catalyst behind mass shootings which in effect are destabilizing the country. Long guns, or rifles would be more expensive than hand guns to insure. If gun owners pay their premiums without any illegal activity involving their insured firearms, at the end of the year, they’ll get half of their premiums back.

If passed, Second Amendment Activists may possess guns that are legal, they’ll just have to pay the cost in advance of the carnage that they and their free-arms baring constituents will potentially leave in their wake. They can have their proverbial cake and eat the cost too.

In principle, this idea is no different from motorists being required to have insurance on a mechanical instrument/device (automobile) capable of causing injury or death to oneself and others. And since weapons of war are produced to do exactly its purpose, which is, namely to kill human beings, it seems logical to presume that more and more injury and death will result. In one very real way, the intended result is unlike accidents associated with automobiles, because shootings and especially mass shootings involves premeditated calculation, decision and intention, all of which are executed by the operator(s). Mass shootings are not accidental.

The 2^nd Amendment guaranteeing individuals the right to own and possess firearms does not protect citizens from divulging the number of fire arms they have, the make and model included. Failure to disclose such information would be illegal, just as it is illegal to conceal from an officer when stopped that you’re riding with a registered weapon, even though you may have a permit to carry.

We know that passing any gun bill, popular or not, will still be an uphill battle in Congress. That of course is because of the other major party’s resistance, but Governors from states that have a majority in state houses can implement the new law. In time, as gun crimes come down as a result of the new gun law, perhaps more and more states will adopt the approach.

Let’s make hating expensive. Let’s make hating so expense that haters bare the economic brunt that only they have the power to initiate. Hopefully, we can tire, and slow the demonic yoke that is physically assaulting and placing undue burden on people in places where humanity gathers. It’s like a bad science fiction movie, only it’s real.

Sincerely Yours,

Kofinsia Clyde A. Welford

1^st Chair’s Report September 1, 2022

Congratulation to Mark and Mary on the Call to Convention on Zoom last month. I had a prior commitment with Ms Bulah’s “Back to School Free Give-a-Way” in Idlewild, otherwise I would have surely attended.

The Midterm Election is 68 days away. I feel optimistic about Democrats holding on to the Senate and possibly the House. Biden’s legislative agenda has caught fire with the passing of important constructive bills ranging from Guns, Climate, Prescription Drugs, Inflation, Student loan Forgiveness etc.. Not to mention shots in the arm curtailing the spread of Covid-19 and checks in the mail.

On the local front. I’m please to announce that my campaign is progressing positively. The money awarded to my campaign thus far has helped me establish a website “clydewelford.com”, purchase more yard signs, print fliers, attend state candidate’s functions, and sponsor a future “Meet & Greet” to be called “Cookin with Clyde.”

I am also honored and fortunate to get Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Endorsement. I want to thank everyone that have given support, and I also welcome anyone willing to work the phone bank, canvas or make donations supporting my candidacy.

1^st Chair’s Report

October 6, 2022

Good evening, The midterm Elections are 33 days away. Mostly everyone I’ve talked to realizes or has expressed their concerns about whether we the Democratic Party will hold on to, or maintain our majority of the upper and lower chambers on Capitol Hill. As we are all aware, the model has been that the Party occupying the White House during the midterms usually loses more seats allowing the other party to control one or both of the Houses of Congress.

However, that does not have to be the case in 2022. While the Democrats control both the House of Representatives and the Senate by the narrowest of margins, we still have a good chance to prevail, citing the up tick in voter registration across the country. This trend was especially evident among women voters in the Kansas Election in August of this year. Currently five States have abortion on the ballot this November. They are California Proposal 1, Kentucky Amendment 2, Michigan Proposal 3, Montana Legislative Referendum 131, commonly referred to as (LR-131) and Vermont Article 22.

In addition 12 States have restrictive abortion measures, or have ruled abortions illegal. The key to keeping both Chambers is voting. If we show up to vote we can advance the Biden’s Administration agenda. That will ease the cost on consumer spending that effects everyday needs from healthcare and prescriptions to gasoline and global warming. Not to understate the rights and freedom of every American citizen, whether it’s the right to marry, or love who you want, or choose the official of your choice, unfortunately these issues of fairness and equity will be on the ballot as well this November 8^th.

On the local front, I appreciate the effort of Suzanne Breniser and committee for the article submitted in the Lake County Star highlighting each Democratic Candidate’s information along with voting venues in each district. I’ve canvassed door to door in much of District-7. The response has been encouraging. I sat in on a Commissioner’s Meeting in September. It was enlightening. Also, I attended a Garland Gilchrist Meet and Greet in Fremont, MI this past Sunday where Amanda Siggins, hopefully our next State Representative, introduced our LT. Governor. When you get the chance. check out my website at www.clydewelford.com Thank you again for remaining true blue.

Kofinsia Clyde Anthony Welford

1st Chair’s Report

November 28, 2022

The National Democratic Party performed marvelously during this month’s
Mid-term Elections. The party as a whole maintained the majority in the
Senate. That majority may even increase the current 50 to 49 lead. Georgians can do this by voting for and re-electing incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock. Warnock will face Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a run-off election 8 days from today on December 6.

If Warnock is defeated, the Democrats would still control the Senate with Vice-Present Kamala Harris holding the tie breaking vote. if Warnock wins the Dems will have a 51 vote majority. Not only would a 51-49 Senate allow for more committee-chair assignments, it would also diminish the role of two rouge Democratic Senators known for hampering legislation on important bills that President Biden ran on.

Republicans did however re-take the House of Representatives by a slim
margin gaining the 218 seats minimum required. The final tally was Democrats 213 – Republican 221. Many had expected a Red Wave with Democrats poised to lose dozens of seats. That did not happen. Instead the Republicans managed to gain control of the House with a ripple.

The Party of Biden is presently in great position to regain the House in 2024 as the Biden Administration continues to work and produce meaningful legislation to help all Americans. The Mid-term election of 2022 was a repudiation of Trumpism/Fascism. It was however an affirmation for Democracy and the rule of law.

Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Joycelyn Benson, and Attorney General Dana Nessel were all re-elected. These women are the newly elected Charlie’s Angels of Michigan. Speaking of women, let’s give them the credit they deserve for standing up for their rights of bodily autonomy. We could not have won in so many big races without your say. Congratulation to all of you.

The Lake County Democratic Party owe a debt of gratitude to all party
members and personnel for their tireless work of promoting our Candidates. Thank you. Now give yourselves a hand of applause!

That brings me to the final phase of my report. I am happy to announce that I am the new Commissioner Elect of District-7 Lake County Michigan. I want to thank each and every member of the party and all of the citizens that have supported and voted for me. We shall continue to work and grow our party with the continued help and dedication you all have shown.

Thank you so very much!