I am a Democrat who believes the government of Colorado belongs to the people. Our government must work to protect citizens and to provide the legal structure that protects us. We cannot permit Payday Lenders to victimize our most vulnerable citizens with predatory lending. A new Colorado law, sadly with the help of a few Democrats, has made it possible for payday lenders to charge as much as 800%. Outrageous! We all share this life together. We citizens must work to better our state, our country, and our world. Our parents did it and we need to let them be our inspiration. Business must also work towards the betterment of our society. We cannot favor businesses to the detriment of the citizens. Big business must shoulder its burden to society just like we all do. Fair is fair. We must all have quality health care. We must assure complete coverage and cost control thru fair competition. Fair completion requires a “public option”. If Colorado, along with other states, is asked to manage a public option, I will move swiftly to make this happen. This is my stand on this very important issue. No waffling. I believe that Colorado should be free to negotiate with drug companies for fair prices so that we all may pay less. Other states do; Federal employee health plans do; private health plans do; other countries do. And why not Colorado? Sadly, it's because a misguided handful of our fellow Democrats are more sympathetic to drug manufactures profits than they are to the rest our well being. Inexplicable and unacceptable! I will work tirelessly to allow Colorado to negotiate favorable prescription drug rates. Health reform should not be a give away to drug manufactures. Nor should it be a welfare program for insurance companies. I pledge that I will not take contributions from drug companies. Period. This is my clear, unequivocal signal to the people of Senate District 20 that I will not be influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.