PARKER KICKS-OFF SENATE CAMPAIGN
Supporters & volunteers cheer Olive Branch optometrist & small businessman Dr. David Parker as he kicked-off his campaign for a conservative Vision for the Future
OLIVE BRANCH (September 6, 2012) – Surrounded by dozens of campaign supporters, volunteers, family and friends, Dr. David Parker kicked-off his campaign for state Senate today in Olive Branch.
Parker, an optometrist and small businessman, spoke to the crowd in front of his Olive Branch Eyecare clinic at noon. Parker spoke about community and families and pledged, “I will work to ensure this community and our families have safer streets, better schools, more job opportunities, lower taxes and a responsive government.”
He discussed his experience as a proven job creator and told the crowd, “And yes, if anyone wonders, like a good Republican you can tell the President that I did build this business. I did it with you, my customers, my partners, my employees and my family. Government didn’t build it; we did. And I believe we need more people in government service who understand business.”
Parker discussed policies to promote a strong economy to maintain current businesses and attract new opportunities. He urged lower taxes, less wasteful government spending and a government more accountable to families and employers. He said he would protect conservative family values and never shy away from his Christian beliefs.
“I’m not a career politician,” Parker said, “I am an eye doctor, a small businessman, a husband and a father. I’m part of your community and serving you in the state Senate is a calling placed on my heart.”
Parker was joined at the announcement by his wife Ashleigh, and their two year old son, Jude. The other Parker children were attending school.
(A copy of Parker’s remarks as prepared follows this release. Photograph Attached)
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Paid for by Friends for David Parker
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September 6, 2012 – Parker for Senate Campaign Kick-Off Speech
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Thank you all for coming out today to join in being a part of this vision for the future of our community.
When I say our community, I mean you and your family, and my family, and the people and families that work and shop and live in this area all around us.
I am part of this community. I went to elementary school at Greenbrook Elementary and graduated from Southaven High School. My wife Ashleigh grew up in Southaven and our four children Allie, Jack, Luke and Jude have attended school at SBC and DeSoto Central and Pleasant Hill Elementary. Well, Jude actually doesn’t go to school yet – he is two years old and so he is here today but he isn’t playing hooky. We’re active members of Getwell Road United Methodist Church.
And when I think of our community I think of my family, the families of my employees, the families in my congregation, and your families.
I will work to ensure this community and our families have safer streets, better schools, more job opportunities, lower taxes and a responsive government.
We’re used to growth in DeSoto County. Over the past thirty years our population has grown, we’ve brought in new business, we’ve built new schools and we’ve experienced prosperity. But things have slowed down. And unless we’re able to grow our economy, our community will suffer. I believe we need to send someone with proven job creation experience to the state Senate to represent our county.
So today, I’m glad you’re here for this kick-off of my campaign for Senate District 19.
I founded this business behind me in 1995 with one employee and with honest partners, skilled employees, excellent customer relations and professional eye care services it has grown to 15 full time employees. They are part of this community, too.
And yes, if anyone wonders, like a good Republican you can tell the President that I did build this business. I did it with you, my customers, my partners, my employees and my family. Government didn’t build it; we did. And I believe we need more people in government service who understand business.
I’m an optimist. I believe our best days are ahead of us. And I’m investing in our community again with a development in Horn Lake with an additional eye care clinic and other businesses. Building a business takes hard work and dedication. Building a successful business takes competence and the ability to make difficult decisions. With your help, I will take my conservative business experience to the state Senate. I will work hard for DeSoto County for our conservative values.
I will promote a strong economy to maintain our current businesses and attract new opportunities to Mississippi. That means responding to the needs of small businesses and families. That means lower taxes so you keep more of your hard earned money and businesses are able to reinvest and expand.
I will eliminate wasteful government spending and ensure our state government lives within a balanced budget – just like our families do.
I will streamline government to make it more open, honest and accountable to us. We don’t belong to the government; the government belongs to us. We need to remove unnecessary job-killing bureaucracy and regulations. I will be accountable to you and we will keep all our elected officials accountable to the people of Mississippi.
I will protect our conservative family values by defending life, preserving our Second Amendment rights, and respecting traditional beliefs and our Christian heritage.
This week our federal debt topped $16 trillion. Senator Roger Wicker explained it this way: if you spent one dollar every second, of every minute, of every day for 32,000 years, you will have spent just one trillion dollars – you’d have to do that another 15 times. That is disgusting and it threatens our economy, and when foreign governments hold our debt, it threatens our freedom. I’m glad Senator Wicker is working hard to hold back spending in Washington.
We’re doing our part in Mississippi, too. Under the leadership of Governor Phil Bryant and Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves and Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn, we’re fighting excessive government spending.
In my position with fellow optometrists I’ve testified on public health issues in the state Senate and have traveled to Washington to meet with Senator Wicker, Congressman Alan Nunnelee and the rest of our federal delegation.
I understand the legislative process and as your state Senator I will stand with our Republican leadership to stop wasteful spending and support conservative policies to help DeSoto County and all of Mississippi.
Well, Ashleigh reminded me this morning that there is no bad, short speech so I’ll end with these two points.
First, I’m not going anywhere. Mississippi legislators work in Jackson during the session which most years is January, February and March. I’ll still be Dr. Parker; I’ll still be serving you and this business and the new Horn Lake business will still be open to serve our patients.
Second, I need your help. In my Church, we are asked for support in the form of our prayers, presence, gifts and service. Today I ask you:
• Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers
• Please vote for me on November 6th and encourage your friends and family to join you
• Please consider donating toward my campaign
• And please consider volunteering to help. You can sign up over at that table, pick up a bumper sticker and yard sign, and get involved.
I’m not a career politician. I am an eye doctor, a small businessman, a husband and a father. I’m part of your community and serving you in the state Senate is a calling placed on my heart.
Thank you for coming here today and thank you for your support – together, we can promote a vision for the future of Mississippi and DeSoto County. God Bless you and I look forward to serving you in the state Senate.
