Bryan County is growing and changing. We have a lot to be proud of — good people, strong communities, hardworking families, small businesses, and neighbors who step up when someone needs help. But we also know there is more work to do. We need good jobs, strong schools, affordable health care, safe communities, and opportunities that allow our children and grandchildren to build their futures right here at home.
Too often today, we are told to look at our neighbors based on whether there is an “R” or a “D” beside their name. We hear that Democrats are somehow against Oklahoma values or do not love this country. But that is just not true.
Democrats in Bryan County are your friends and neighbors. We are teachers helping educate our children. We are nurses and health care workers caring for our families. We are small business owners creating jobs. We are veterans, farmers, workers, parents, and grandparents. We volunteer, support our schools, cheer for our local teams, and care deeply about this place we all call home.
We want many of the same things our Republican neighbors want. We want our kids to get a good education. We want families to be able to afford groceries, housing, and utilities. We want good jobs that let people build a decent life. We want our seniors cared for and our communities to keep growing stronger.
We may disagree sometimes on how to get there, and that is okay. That is what democracy is about. But we should not let politicians and TV personalities convince us that our neighbors are our enemies. If you have never talked with local Democrats, I invite you to give us a chance. Come to a meeting. Have a conversation. Ask us what we believe.
You might discover something important — we love Bryan County, we love Oklahoma, and we love America, too. We are not here to tear anything down. We are here because we want to help build something better for all of us.
Mike Simpson bryancodemocrats@gmail.com