Democrat runs to represent Cass in Congress

March 04--A Democrat running for Cass County's Congressional district adamantly bills himself as anti-U.S. President Donald Trump.

"I am ashamed of my country and what he's done to it," Roger Day said. "This is a nightmare we have to stop."

The Avon resident and one of the state's 4th Congressional district contenders described himself as a progressive, a liberal and "a bull in a china shop."

Day said he used to work as the regional vice president of a health insurance company. When a larger company bought it, he said communication with superiors and colleagues became difficult and he could no longer "strong-arm" for his clients to ensure they got the coverage he felt they deserved. His clients were no longer getting good insurance plans at prices they could afford, he added.

Day supports "Medicare for All," a single-payer health care plan U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, has advocated.

Much of Day's support for such a system comes from the fact that Medicare charges less for administration costs than insurance companies.

"The only way to give health care for all and be very inexpensive -- you got to cut out the money man," he said. "There's no reason to make money on people's illnesses in health care."

An insurance pool that takes in everyone in the country would be financially strong enough to offer affordable rates and cover preexisting conditions, Day said. The government could keep insurance companies involved by enlisting them to administrate the plan, he continued.

Day said education is also important to him, as he studied it at the University of Evansville and his wife along with two of their daughters are teachers.

He balks at the idea of deporting immigrants living in the country illegally, adding he thinks many help the U.S. economy by paying sales taxes and by doing "the work Americans won't do" like harvesting crops.

Day went on to weigh in on gun control, particularly regarding assault rifles.

"There's no reason for anybody to have a weapon designed to kill people," he said.

He also said he supports labor unions, the middle class, correcting income inequality, a $15-an-hour minimum wage and strengthening Social Security.

The primary is May 8.

Other Democrats seeking the position are Tobi Beck, Roland Ellis, Darin Griesey, Joe Mackey and Veronikka Ziol.

U.S. Rep Todd Rokita, R-Indiana, currently represents the state's 4th district and is running for the U.S. Senate. Republicans vying for his seat are Jim Baird, Steve Braun, Kevin Grant, Diego Morales, James Nease, Tim Radice and Jared Thomas.

Reach Mitchell Kirk at mitchell.kirk@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5130

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