Let's talk about politics

 Let's talk about politics. 

The more I work in this space, the more I appreciate the sheer courage and commitment it takes to run for office - any office. 

The hours are long and there is little financial support (with some exceptions). Candidates have to recruit volunteers, manage campaigns, make their case, raise money, travel on their own dime, connect with voters, understand all the issues (no easy feat here), decide on technology, knock on doors, schedule and attend events, and make it all look seamless. Seamless. 

Let me say this again: understand ALL THE ISSUES. The expectation that any one person can have a comprehensive understanding of all the issues is, well, insane. Except Callie Barr, who really truly has an exceptional understanding of the issues, as does Barb Byrum and so does Mark Totten.  

Okay, so maybe it's just me.  But seriously, it takes SO MUCH WORK to get there. These are really smartt people and I am so glad they are running. 

If you are deeply distraught in the direction of this country, please give serious thought to getting involved. Most candidates will appreciate any help - from technology to phone banking to writing letters to reaching out to friends to help with their ground game.  

If you want to get involved but can't affiliate with a party, please consider these non-partisan organizations - League of Conservation Voters, League of Women Voters, and Voters Not Politicians.  

Reach out to me if you need help connecting with candidates or have any questions.  

And if your have run in the past or are running now, thank you. Truly, thank you.

My thoughts on things

 Many of you, over the past two days have asked for my opinion and perspective of recent events. These are my personal opinions.

The Gun Violence Archive reports 715 teen (ages 12–17) deaths from gun violence as of mid-September 2025, bringing the total number of youth fatalities to 883. Reports from early 2025 indicate a continuation of the trend of gun violence being the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens. It’s the guns.

The death of Charlie Kirk is tragic. He wasn’t just some “conservative commentator;” he was a pipeline of weaponized ignorance and hate. He was racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, transphobic,and homophobic and he used rage as a business.

To those writing about his role as a husband and father, it is again tragic that his children will grow up without a father. Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Putin, hell, even the First Felon were/are husbands and fathers. The role or title doesn’t magically diminish or eliminate the vile words and horrific acts attributed to them.

And the Hortmans. Assassinated in their own home for simply being Democrats. Where was the outpouring for them? For those of you writing now, where were you then?

I don’t glorify violence; the number of children dying is unacceptable. The fact that I personally may be a victim of this kind of assault because I am a Democrat is unacceptable. The fact that the Hortmans were killed is unacceptable. But I will not whitewash Kirk’s words nor will I pay tribute to his legacy of hate.

We must do better. Everyone, starting at the top.

We deserve representation for everyone!

 

Callie Barr Launches Campaign for Congress in Upper and Northern Michigan

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Facebook.com/callie4congress
(231) 224-6040         Twitter.com/callie4congress

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Callie Barr Launches Campaign for Congress in Upper and Northern Michigan

“Fighting for a future we can actually afford”

GLEN ARBOR, MI – Callie Barr, a veterans’ advocate, educator, and proud fifth-generation Northern Michigander, officially launched her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan’s First Congressional District today. Barr is running to bring integrity, accessibility, and common sense back to representation in Congress.

Kicking off her campaign, with anticipated events throughout the district to follow, Barr emphasized the core of her candidacy: fighting for a future we can actually afford.

“Upper and Northern Michigan deserve a representative who listens — a trusted leader who will work hard and put the needs of the people here first,” Barr said.

“How has Jack Bergman made our lives better these past 8 years? He hasn’t. Everything still costs too much. It seems what we need gets buried under what Washington wants. I want every voter in MI-01 to know that they matter — that their hopes and fears for the future matter. My goal during this campaign is to have real conversations with Michiganders so we can plan for a future together that makes sense for us - real solutions, not just soundbites.”

Born and raised in Traverse City and Cheboygan, Barr has deep roots in the region. Her great-grandmother once taught in a local one-room schoolhouse, and Barr, a basketball and track star, graduated Valedictorian of Cheboygan High School before earning her degree in secondary education from Central Michigan University. 

Barr’s personal journey has been shaped by service and sacrifice. After her husband, Matt, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps post-9/11, the couple moved five times in 15 years while raising two daughters. Matt deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. When Matt returned from combat with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress, Callie became his primary caregiver and began advocating for veterans and military families. That path led her to law school at the University of Michigan and a career helping veterans access free legal services.

Now, she’s ready to take that fight to Congress — with a focus on rural healthcare, veterans care, affordable housing, and protecting programs like Medicaid that many Michiganders rely on to survive.

Michigan’s First Congressional District is the largest district east of the Mississippi, covering 36 counties and home to more than 775,000 people. Barr believes its unique strengths — from tourism to agriculture to small-town entrepreneurship — deserve a representative who shows up and takes the job seriously.

The incumbent, Jack Bergman, has come under fire for his absence in the district, lack of town halls (he has not had a public townhall in 8 years), and alignment with extreme party politics, such as voting for Medicaid cuts which will devastate rural hospitals in both the UP and Northern Michigan. 

“Michigan’s First deserves someone who’s rooted here, not someone who lives in Louisiana and forgets who he’s supposed to represent,” said Barr. “Too much is at stake to sit on the sidelines. We’ve got work to do, and I hope you’ll join me.”

For more information, visit CallieforCongress.com

Callie Barr for Congress

Info@callieforcongress.com

(231) 224-6040

I am not sitting this election out

And here's why.

We deserve hope. We deserve representation. We deserve a Democracy. We deserve government and a representative who works for US and meets with US and doesn't hide. We deserve better. 

Dump Traitor Bergman 

Stay tuned. More coming soon.