As Memorial Day nears and the death toll continues to climb in Iraq, most Democrats are united in our determination to extract our troops from Iraq safely and swiftly.  As important as withdrawing our troops is how we care for the troops upon their return home.  Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking with retired veterans at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown about exactly that – how America should, and can, honor our veterans.  

At one point in my career of working with nonprofit organizations, I estimated having assembled and submitted close to 2,000 grant applications.  Through this process, I learned some important lessons that have helped prepare me for service in Congress.

Some thoughts to mark Earth Day:  As the energy experts remind us, greater efficiency is far cheaper than fuel.  In fact, energy efficiency is the cheapest, cleanest, fastest way to reduce energy consumption and energy costs.  Accordingly, my primary energy focus in Congress would be on greater energy efficiency. 

I recently spoke with a former client colleague who I assisted in a hospital expansion project.  Although it’s been several years since I worked with this organization, the project stands out in my mind as a very gratifying professional experience.

The challenge for this hospital was to generate the philanthropic funding required to build a new and expanded Emergency Room.  They needed $3 million to make this happen.  As I recall, their capital campaign generated $3.3 million and a terrific new ER opened 18 months ago.  It’s a handsome facility… but more important, it brings a much higher level of emergency care to an entire community.

One reality of healthcare today is a significant number of people coming to an Emergency Room do so without insurance and without ability to pay, knowing (hoping?) they won’t be turned away.  To address this situation, hospitals expand their emergency facilities.  Often, additional space is NOT driven by an increase in medical emergencies but rather the need for a universal healthcare plan, one that covers every man, woman, and child in the United States. 

I’m proud of this hospital… for the care they provide, for their commitment to the community, and for their many dedicated employees.  It was a pleasure to work with them and a good example of the positive results that can be brought about through a community-wide collaboration. 

But expanded facilities won’t solve our nation’s healthcare dilemma.  This will require positive results coming out of Washington, which in turn is likely to require a Democratic President and increased Democratic margins in the House and the Senate. 

Like many 4^th district Iowans, I am committed to meaningful healthcare reform.  I anticipate working hard to generate the desired results when a new congress convenes next January.  Of course, other changes must take place in the next 9 months for me to have this opportunity, including a change in our congressional representation.  I’m committed to helping make this change too!

Until next time, 

Kurt Meyer         

Congressional Candidate for Iowa's 4th District

I first met Mike Blouin in the spring of 1974, when he came to KWLC, the campus radio station at Luther College.  He participated in a half-hour interview program and I was the person asking the questions.  He was an easy interview, with a winning personality, a friendly demeanor, and an open, candid approach to the media (or at least to this young, inexperienced student reporter).  

 For a congressional candidate seeking to represent a 28-county district, county convention day – March 15^th this year – is a considerable challenge… of scheduling, of logistics, and of volunteers just to cite three of the key challenges.  Of course, it is also a terrific opportunity.

 The Kurt Meyer for Congress campaign has always set out to have a presence in all 28 counties.  Why?  Because in each and every corner of the 4^th district, people are hungering for change.  And not merely incremental change, but rather transformational change.  And every person in this district deserves to have a chance to speak out on this campaign and have an opportunity to help defeat an incumbent who has neglected the needs of the entire 4th district. 

Slowly but steadily we’re opening our central campaign office, located at 600 5^th Street in Ames.  For those involved in Dr. Spencer’s campaign in 2006, it’s the same office suite.  I use the word “slowly” to acknowledge that creating the necessary office infrastructure – such mundane but essential matters as desks and chairs, working space and storage space, networks and systems – requires time and patience.  Often, the press of schedules, deadlines, and emerging priorities intervenes and interrupts efforts that might otherwise be directed to settling in.  The good news:  we now have an office and it’s opening up deliberately…  like a flower.  Soon we’ll be in full bloom.  And, yes, we’ll schedule an open house and invite everyone to stop by and say hello.

Mention of infrastructure reminds me of the need for Washington leadership to ensure that our country is making wise, long-term investments in the infrastructure required for life in the 21^st century… roads and bridges, of course, but also an electricity transmission grid and a high-speed Internet infrastructure to ensure modern telecommunication benefits for Iowans.

Running for public office is a terrific way to encounter your past… ready or not.  And yes, in my case, I’m ready, willing, and able.  I say this because in the process of campaign-related activities, I’ve had occasion to meet individuals with shared interests, shared backgrounds and, in some cases, shared histories. 

I grew up in Mitchell County, near where author Hamlin Garland lived as a young man.  I’ve read and studied Garland for many years and occasionally meet someone who shares my interest.  Last week, in Ames, I met a woman who not only knew about Garland but had stayed frequently at the Garland homestead northeast of Osage...

Meetings with previous candidates, with long-time, active Democrats and with Democratic county chairs are great listening and learning opportunities.  

Many thanks to everyone who has shown interest in my campaign for Iowa's 4th Congressional District.  I'm eager for the campaign to get going and invite you all to meet me and my family at my formal announcement for candidacy this Friday, February 15th at 9 a.m.  We'll be getting together at the Cerro Gordo Court House's Director's Board Room. Hope to see you there!

My name is Kurt Meyer and I am proudly seeking the Democratic nomination for the Iowan 4th Congressional District. My wife and I are fifth-generation Iowans. My roots are in Mitchell County in north Iowa, where members of my family have lived for 154 years. 

I grew up on a family farm in a union household. My siblings and I graduated from St. Ansgar High School, after which I attended Luther College in Decorah, where I met my wife, Paula.

My life has been dedicated to serving my community. Since 1981, I have worked with and for hospitals and nursing homes, schools and colleges, congregations and human service providers…helping them plan, helping them tell their stories effectively, helping them secure the resources they need to better serve their communities. For 16 of those years, I owned and operated my own company, the Meyer Heykes Nonprofit Partnership, serving nonprofit clients throughout the Upper Midwest.

I have never shied from hard work. A strong work ethic is part of our district's bedrock values and we deserve a congressman who reflects the values and character of our district. Citizens with drive, skill and talent are obligated to roll up their sleeves and pitch in…something encouraged by my family and reinforced by the rural community where I grew up and now reside.

A positive, results-oriented, forward-thinking approach to public service can make a difference. It is not too late to make essential course corrections. Despite our current national trajectory, future generations will not inherit a world with less promise and fewer opportunities than the one inherited by current generations, if I have anything to say about it.

Many issues we face as a country converge as we stop to think about the kind of legacy we want to leave our children. The common goal shared by those in community service and those in public office is to create a better world for future generations. That is why I am running for Congress.  I am committed to changing our current course and improving the lives of people in the 4th Congressional District.

Clearly, there is a great deal at stake. To learn more about how you can be involved in my campaign, visit my website at kurtmeyerforcongress.com. I look forward to earning your support.