Here is the text of an email I just sent out:


A message from Jef Hall, candidate for Congress,

As you probably heard, Leach announced they would be moving 190 manufacturing jobs to Canada. While company statements indicated that the Oshkosh plant produced a higher-quality product, the cost savings in Canada made it not feasible to stay in Oshkosh.

Cost savings in Canada, why? Canada provides a national healthcare plan. 9 out of 10 Americans receive healthcare through their employers. Skyrocketing costs have weighed down the bottom lines of business. If we were to offer a healthcare plan for all, allowing business to buy-in for their employees, the savings from this group purchasing would be huge. The government has a place as the negotiator and administrator of this plan.

Who knows, healthcare savings may have saved these jobs. While it is too late to save these, we can save others. And create many more jobs by offering a national health benefit. I know several small business owners who would hire, if they were able to offer healthcare.

I spoke last weekend with the wife of a small business owner, she was very concerned about their ability to stay afloat. They currently pay over $500 a month for health insurance. As these costs rise, they may be forced to close their business and go to work for someone else. Not because they failed in business, but because their healthcare costs, now that they have four children, have grown to fast to keep up with their ability to pay them.

The inability of Congress to come up with a meaningful health benefit has been a drag on the economy too long. When elected, I will make it my top priority to ensure that no one misses out on a shot at the American Dream because of unnecessarily high health insurance costs.

Also, no American should ever skip needed treatment because of cost concerns. There should be an option other than no treatment or lifetime debt. The under- or uninsured deserve treatment. They are not second-class citizens simply because of employment status.

Please help me fight for the rights of the uninsured and to keep Americans working by contributing today at:

http://jef4wi.com/contribute.html

Thank you.

I have added an events page to www.jef4wi.com. I have also acquired www.jefhall.com (it re-directs to www.jef4wi.com). Please feel free to send people to my website for questions or to contact me.

Some upcoming events to highlight:

Monday, July 12, 2004 – 7:00PM
Meet the Candidate Fund-raiser
Kathy’s Stage Door Pub
701 Franklin St, Manitowoc.
I will be saying a few words and answering questions.

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 – 6:00PM
Winnebago County Labor Council Candidates Forum
Columbus Club
1821 Jackson St, Oshkosh
I will be on at 8:00 – giving a statement, and answering questions

Sunday, July 18th – 2:00PM
Backyard BBQ and Fund-Raiser
My House
224A Scott Ave, Oshkosh
Come out for a burger and fellowship

More at:

http://jef4wi.com/events.html

If you would be interested in hosting an event as either a fund-raiser or to help me get my name out, please contact me at jef@jef4wi.com.

Please forward this email to anyone that you feel may be interested. If you have been forwarded this, please signup for updates at:

http://jef4wi.com/contactinfo.html

Thank you,

-jef-


Jef Hall
Democrat for Congress
Wisconsin's 6th CD
Jef for Wisconsin
224A Scott Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54901
920-203-6883
jef4wi.com
jef@jef4wi.com