Brock Olivo: Football Star Turned Politician

TheRelevantElephant.com: Brock Olivo: Football star turned politician

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Brock Olivo: “It Takes Political Will”

07/16/08

Columbia, MO-At the 9th Congressional District Republican Candidate debate on July 14th, Brock Olivo stood out from other candidates with an aggressive and passionate display of a deep understanding of the issues facing the people of the 9th District.

Answering a question on federal earmarks, Olivo acknowledged his history with and allegiance to the University of Missouri – the largest recipient of earmarks in our state – while declaring they will have to justify their requests just as any other constituent when he is serving as Congressman.

Olivo announced his support of the Fair Tax initiative and commended the grassroots effort that will bring change to our antiquated taxation system. He also touted an increased effort to increase financial literacy among all Americans.

“In the U.S. we tend to live beyond our means, on the credit card, in this era of the virtual dollar,” Olivo said. “We need to get back to teaching financial literacy, from balancing a checkbook to deciphering loans so our future generations can be smarter consumers before they even get out of high school."

Brock had his strongest comments of the night discussing Social Security and Illegal Immigration, calling for an end to the federal double taxation of Social Security Benefits and Public Pensions and increased funding for border security.

“It’s more than passing new immigration laws…that is simply sticking the finger in the dyke…our people on the ground need four things: they need training, they need more boots on the ground, they need equipment, and they need money…it takes political will to help law enforcement to enforce the laws that are on the books,” said Olivo.

Brock also scored points answering questions on whether or not to bail out the mortgage industry, how best to end deficit spending, and how to address the current energy crisis.

“I had hoped we would have discussed healthcare tonight as well. I promise to work for a healthcare delivery system that is available and affordable, has transparency of costs, and increases competition by allowing health insurance to be managed by individuals making investments and decisions that directly benefit them,” said Olivo in comments afterwards. “I also wanted to discuss my campaign to decrease childhood obesity and the life threatening illnesses it can cause.”

The candidates will face off next week in a second event in Kirksville, on July 22, beginning at 7 PM and hosted by Truman State University. This will be held at the Baldwin Auditorium.

Follow the news coverage of the debate:
Columbia Tribune Politics Blog http://blogs.columbiatribune.com/politics/
9th District candidates debate http://www.krcg.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=159219
Republicans show common ground http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Jul/20080715News007.asp
Republicans square off on issues in Ninth District race http://www.fultonsun.com/articles/2008/07/15/news/169news01race9.txt
Candidates debate in crowded 9th District race http://www.joplinglobe.com/statenews/local_story_196232724.html
Ninth District candidates debate energy, immigration, health care http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/07/14/ninth-district-candidates-debate-energy-immigratio/
Full video and photos of the event will also be on BrockOlivo.com very soon.

Let the Debates Begin

In the next two weeks, my fellow candidates and I will take part in two televised discussions regarding the campaign for the 9th District Congressional seat.

On Monday, July 14, KRCG , the Columbia Daily Tribune , and 93.9 The Eagle will host a forum beginning at 5:30 PM. It will be held at Windsor Auditorium on the campus of Stephens College in Columbia. The public is welcome to attend and has been invited to submit questions for the forum. You can do so at the respective media outlet links above. There will also be a live broadcast of the forum on 93.9 The Eagle.

We have also been invited to a second event in Kirksville, on July 22, beginning at 7 PM and hosted by Truman State University. This will be held at the Baldwin Auditorium.

Both events will be televised at later dates and feature all the candidates from both parties. If you are available, I invite you to join us in person to hear a lively discussion of the issues that are important to you and see where we all stand on them.

It’s Still the Economy

07/08/08

1. It's Still the Economy
2. Gas Prices
3. Campaign Update

I don't align myself with the democrat James Carville politically, but I do agree with his familiar phrase, "It's the economy, stupid."

Missourians are facing tough times. They deserve to know where candidates stand on how they will turn around the economy. 9th District residents are affected with the idling of 2,400 jobs at the two Chrysler plants in Fenton, located in St. Louis County. This distressing economic news affects residents in other counties, in particular Franklin, St. Charles, and Warren.

There are private and public programs that help employees affected by Chrysler's decision to cut jobs, and I hope you use them. The Missouri Department of Economic Development offers the Rapid Response Program for displaced workers. There are also other federal and state unemployment programs along with private, faith-based initiatives. When I am in Congress, any constituent of mine who has difficulty getting the benefits they have earned will have me as their greatest ally. There will always be an open line of communication between my constituents and me.

Fortunately, the 9th District has a diverse economy. Our largest employers are agriculture, tourism, and education. Other strong areas of employment are manufacturing, construction work and, in the western counties, state government.

However, when it comes to the economy, I believe big government control is not the answer or the place to look for long-term solutions. We must turn to the free market and apply those principles to keep industry running forward in America.

I return to comments I made in April regarding the economy and what I believe should be the direction of our government:
* Americans need to have a hand up, not a hand out, in times like these.
* Government must put an emphasis on job training and re-training for displaced workers.
* Higher education must be affordable for all legal citizens that want to learn and achieve.
* A focus needs to be placed on personal financial responsibility, preferably through required education classes at the high school level regarding how to manage personal finances.
* Our food and energy supplies must return to affordable prices, keep up with growing demand, and be secure.
* Business needs to have fewer and simpler taxation and regulation.
* Healthcare coverage must be available, affordable, and portable in the event of job change.

Gas Prices
The issue on everyone's mind is gas prices. Basically, we need more supply to meet greater worldwide demand. Therefore, I support repealing the ban on offshore drilling, as this will help to eventually decrease our dependency on foreign oil.

Many in this election cycle have decried foreign oil imports as being from enemies of ours or from foreign dictators. But I would like to remind everyone that the largest two countries of origin for U.S. oil imports are Canada and Mexico. According to the Energy Information Administration [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_ep00_im0_mbblpd_a.htm], of the OPEC nations, only Venezuela falls under the 'dictatorship' label and our imports from that country have fallen 13% between 2005 and 2007, so we are headed in the right direction.

Like many Americans, I want to see as much domestic oil and energy production as possible. I look forward to the day when removing the cost of international transportation, refinement, and tariffs reduce the price we pay at the pump.

My question is this: Do we simply want lower gas prices, or do we want real, comprehensive energy reform? Today, we have so many viable options in alternative energy: clean coal, cleaner and safer nuclear energy, solar/geothermal/wind, and hydroelectric energy, and bio-fuels. We should be working to make these options eventual sources of energy as each of them play vital roles in energy independence.

While oil will continue to play a role in the near future, I believe we need to put our focus into further developing alternative energy. Not only is this crisis a question of high costs and energy reform, it's a question of national security; the fact that we import about 60% of our oil could create problems and make us vulnerable if those suppliers should decide to cut off supplies. I have no doubt that we will find solutions. As Americans, we have always answered the call, and the current energy crisis is no exception.

Campaign Update
While we continue to visit with 9th District residents at fairs and festivals, this week Team Olivo also continued to go directly to the voters on their doorsteps in order to earn their support.

We attended events in New Melle, Williamsburg, Warrenton, O Fallon, Sullivan, Washington, Kirksville, and Moberly. I also did media interviews in Kirksville and Columbia. If there are events you would like to invite me, no matter if it is a dozen folks or a couple of hundred folks, please feel free to email me an invitation.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail this week!

Brock

PS
If you haven't yet gotten a Brock Olivo yard sign to show your support for our campaign and the issues for which we stand, reply to this email and let me know. It will soon be there.

If you would like to show your support through an endorsement, by volunteering, or by making a financial contribution, you can do that on our website as well. [http://www.BrockOlivo.com]Your kind words and support mean the world to my wife, Samuela, and me!

Former NFL Player Running For Congress

07/01/08

By Brian Entin
Tuesday, July 01, 2008 at 10:44 p.m.

KIRKSVILLE, MO. --
Brock Olivo, a republican running for Missouri’s ninth U.S. Congressional seat, held an open forum in Kirksville on Tuesday night.

If you recognize Olivo’s name, it’s probably because he was on the Mizzou football team and later played for the Detroit Lions.

He says he’ll take his values from the football field to Washington. “The leadership, the work ethic, dedication, and selflessness and ability to make decisions under extreme pressure. They are the same qualities that took me to the highest level of professional sport and they're the same qualities that I'll take with me to the halls of congress,” Olivo said.

Olivo also says he think the only way to solve the energy crisis is to find fuel at home, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The River is Going to Run

06/23/08

Vote Olivo in the August 5th Republican Primary!

The River is Going to Run

Where I Stand - Part One

Campaign Update


As you know, large sections of the 9th District have again been affected by Mother Nature. Many Missourians in other parts of our state are still suffering at her hands.

The near-record floods that struck the residents of the Mississippi River valley displaced residents, destroyed any chance at a profitable year for some farmers, and put historic tourist areas at risk. Earlier this year, the floods that struck the areas surrounding the Missouri, Meramec, and Osage Rivers did the same.

I spent many hours last week working in flood relief efforts and learning from the people who actually live in the affected areas. I did so without drawing attention to myself or my campaign because it was the right thing to do. Being able to talk to fellow rescuers over a pair of shovels provided me with an insight that you may not have seen in the national drive-by media reports. As one gentleman told me, "The river is going to run where it wants, but we should do a better job of guiding it."

It is unacceptable that 15 years after the Great Flood of 1993, a better levee system has not been put in place. Advisories and warnings have come from different levels of government and private groups to improve the levee system of the Mississippi River basin. Whether it is our town of Louisiana, Missouri, or the state of Louisiana, we have to take action. All levees should be built to withstand 500 year flood levels. All private landowners should be compensated for their losses due to this inaction and for property that would need to be used to build a better system of protection.

Be it the broken levee system, the broken healthcare delivery system, or their out of control spending habits, many in Washington, D.C. would rather talk and debate than take action.

When I am elected to Congress, I will aim to cut through the red tape holding up action. I will challenge the decision makers to come get their wingtips dirty in Missouri to see what inaction can cause and I will cross party lines to find like-minded elected officials who actually want to take care of their constituents instead of just talking about it.

Where I Stand

I have been open with my positions on all topics in public appearances, newsletters like this one, and the media since the beginning of my campaign. As we move into the last six weeks of this primary, I would like to talk in greater depth on some topics. Keep an eye on my website as I will be updating it frequently with more issues and my positions. If you would like to discuss any particular issue with me, just drop me an email and I will be happy to have an open discussion with you. Don't worry, I will address in-depth the energy crisis and health care in my next newsletter. I look forward to your feedback.

International Relations
I support the War on Terror. I believe one of the most important objectives of government is to protect its citizens. I support our troops and will listen to our military leaders whose boots are on the ground. I realize that Missouri has one of the largest numbers of actively deployed National Guardsmen, and a very high number of deployed men and women in the armed forces. I also respect the ultimate sacrifice that so many Missourians have made in order to serve our nation. Our military personnel will have no greater ally in Congress than Brock Olivo. I will do everything in my power to ensure that our troops have every means necessary to get the job done. I will also encourage an investment for increased access to mental health training and therapy before, during, and after active duty for soldiers and their families.

Our friends and allies in other nations across the world should always be able to trust America. The leaders of rogue nations where citizens suffer from oppression, hunger, and disease should also trust that America will not tolerate or condone their actions.

Immigration
I am three generations removed from my great-grandparents who left Italy to come to America. My wife, who is a native Italian, is now following the proper procedures to become a naturalized American citizen, so I bring a more personal approach to this issue. If immigrants come here legally, they should be allowed to stay and learn, work, or live as they have applied to do so. If they choose not to play by the rules, they should be treated like anyone else who has broken the law. The laws are in place and we need to enforce them. I favor a strong border patrol on all of our borders. We need to be aware of the fact that illegal immigrants are coming from all over the world.

The problem with border security goes way beyond just building a fence or a wall. We can't put a finger in the dike and expect the problem to go away. The saying "where there's a will there's a way" is a reality that we must address. We must support our border patrol - the boots on the ground. They need to know they can do their job without the fear of being prosecuted for taking action when needed. We also need to recognize the porous areas of the border that fall within our Native American reservations. These areas are vast and offer very little security due to a lack of resources, not a lack of will. I have met with military personnel that have decades of border patrol experience and every one of them points out the lack of security within the Indian nations. We need to implement immediate action to collaborate with the various reservations on the borders.

I do not condone amnesty, the guest worker program or social services for current illegal residents. I believe we should work to utilize and improve upon the temporary visa worker program. We should also turn some of our Homeland Security efforts towards maintaining a vigilant eye on visitors here on visa. These people can no longer be unaccounted for and as a result, stay here past their permitted time. Let us not forget which legal loopholes the 9/11 hijackers exploited. I am against sanctuary cities and support any means or funding that federal, state, or local law enforcement need to do their jobs.

Economy & Jobs
As the only candidate in this race with international business experience, I would bring a unique perspective to breaking down trade barriers and finding even more markets for our American products.

I will always support a tax cut, be it targeted or far reaching. I support the proposed federal tax waiver on gasoline for this reason. I support the repeal of the death tax. I also support the repeal of the corporate tax. I would also encourage a focus on training students and adults to strengthen their personal financial literacy.

I believe businesses create jobs, not the government. I would work to lower taxes and eliminate the bureaucratic burdens on entrepreneurs and small business owners to allow them to create more jobs. Business owners should be investing in and expanding their businesses, not making up the deficit Congress created.

Two issues that need immediate action with regard to business owners:

1. Make tamper-proof the E-Verify system so that business owners can make new hires without having to worry about fraudulent documents on illegal aliens slipping through the cracks.

2. Make health care affordable and therefore available for employees. 90% of Americans are employed or dependent upon small business, therefore, if we fix health care for small business, we fix health care for America.

I will address health care in-depth in my next newsletter in which I will propose some common-sense solutions. I look forward to your feedback.


Campaign Update
Team Olivo continues to lead the way with our aggressive ground campaign. We have knocked on thousands of doors, attended hundreds of community and political gatherings and we have participated in numerous parades around the district.

In addition to our flood relief efforts over the last week we have continued our door-to-door and personal phone-calling efforts, participated in the Fulton Street Fair parade, and attended the Scotland County Fair and the Clarence Homecoming.

This week brings a candidate forum in O’ Fallon, fairs and festivals in Vandalia, Sullivan, Williamsburg, and New Melle, and several other community organization meetings that we will be attending.


If you would like a yard sign to show your support for the campaign, just email us and we will deliver to your door. While on the website, please consider making an online contribution to help our campaign and to get us to the finish line.


Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you soon,


Brock

Hard Work, Faith, and Family

06/12/08

Hard Work, Faith, and Family
Fried Foods and Ferris Wheels
Olivo Events are Everywhere

I speak often about what I perceive to be the values of the 9th District: hard work, faith, and family. Maybe you have noticed these same words in our advertising, but they are more than words to me. They are the values I choose to carry through life, and they are the touchstones I refer to daily as I seek election to the United States Congress.

Hard Work
Engrained in me at a young age was the importance of hard work. Often I helped my grandfather, who owned a cattle farm in Gasconade County, with mending fences for hours on end, bucking bales in the hot summer sun, and delivering calves in the late winter cold. My first boss, Quentin Starke from Hermann, drove the point home even further, having me pull thistle stumps by hand every day during the summer I was 13. I learned a lot about my character that summer; mainly, I was not afraid of hard work (or thorns).

Whether you are a farmer, a factory worker, own your own company, or are employed in some other field, I respect you. I respect the many hours you work in order to pay your bills and provide for your family.

Faith
As part of my upbringing, I was raised in the Catholic faith, attending high school at St. Francis Borgia in Washington, MO. I believe in God and respect all His creations. Therefore, I am pro-life and need to address a choice that is often overlooked: adoption. Not only should the adoption process be made easier, but also the fees incurred in doing so should be considerably lower, especially in the case of special needs children. We need to start by loosening the qualification criteria so more parents can adopt. Did you know that according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, an adoption can cost up to $40,000.00?
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/s_cost/s_cost.cfm) The federal government does offer tax credits (http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html) to qualifying adoptive parents and some employers are even offering adoption benefits as part of their health plans to cover part of their employees expenses, but we can do more.

I suggest that employers, and perspective parents, should be rewarded with greater tax incentives for adoption planning. Making it easier and more affordable to adopt will save lives.

Family
Like most of you, I cherish my family. My mother is an ex-real estate agent has a passion for old architecture and design. My father is an ex-pro quarterback and current high school teacher and coach who spends his free time remodeling homes. I have a sister and a brother with whom I love to visit as often as I can. But, my wife is my heart and my love. Samuela is from Italy and speaks five languages. She is a talented artist and is nothing short of brilliant in the kitchen. Of course, Italian food is her specialty. She is the reason I wake up with a smile each morning and rush home at the end of the day. I include my friends as part of my family as well. The guys I grew up with in Hermann and Washington and played football with at Mizzou are still the closest friends I have.

Fried Foods and Ferris Wheels
This past week, Team Olivo furthered our door to door efforts in several counties of the 9th District, meeting voters on their doorsteps. It's the best way for me to know what you want in your next Congressman. We also ventured down to Miller County to enjoy all the fried delicacies offered by the Olean Jaycees. I was able to meet new supporters, share stories with fellow Mizzou alums, and see awesome custom motorcycles.

Fair and festival season gets into full swing this coming weekend with the Scotland County Fair. We will be out and about in Memphis, so be sure to say hi when you see us.

Olivo Events are Everywhere
We have a busy month in June with fundraising events throughout the district. If you would like to be invited to attend one of these events, drop us an email, and we will be happy to send you a schedule. If you would be willing to host a small gathering or a large event, please feel free to contact my event coordinator, McKenzie Koch, via email at .
Finally, if you would like to support the campaign with a contribution, you can do so online at BrockOlivo.com.

I hope to see you soon on the campaign trail.


Brock

Paycheck to Paycheck

06/05/08

1. Paycheck to Paycheck

2. Campaign Update

3. A Pledge or Three to You


When I was a rookie in the National Football League, my friends would often give me trouble about all the ‘money and the toys that money brings’ they thought I was enjoying.

When those same friends came to see me play in Detroit, they were surprised to see my sparse one bedroom apartment in a rough part of town and the air mattress I was sleeping on.

I knew that a professional sports career and the salary that came with it would not last very long, so I had better save all I could. I played 5 years for the Lions, which is 4 times longer than the average NFL career, but I had been David and Vicki Olivo’s son for more than two decades at that point. They had done a great job raising me as the fiscal conservative I still am today.

As we all adapt to today’s changing economy, I know that many of the residents of Missouri’s 9th Congressional District are living paycheck to paycheck. Some of us are living in more dire straits than that.

Truthfully, the only thing a Congressman, or a Congressional candidate like me, can do to change things is to get government out of the way of individuals and business owners that truly create jobs. We can do things like reducing regulatory paperwork, simplifying the tax code, and opening trade relations with foreign nations that want our American products.

Government can also do something by learning from our educators in some public, most private and all home –based schooling environments: return a focus to personal financal literacy.

Education decisions should always be made at the local level, but the Department of Education should encourage a national focus on developing a skill that seems to be sorely lacking. According to just released U.S. Commerce Department figures, the personal savings rates of Americans dipped to 0.7% of income. http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/pinewsrelease.htm

Even the President’s cabinet gets it. Last week, Treasury Undersecretary Robert Steel said that many Americans, “lack the requisite understanding to utilize financial tools and products to manage their financial affairs properly.” http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp998.htm

Here in Missouri, we now have a one semester graduation requirement for our high school seniors, but it is the only required subject students can test out of. There is also no qualification as to who can teach the class, meaning many times financial professionals and experts aren’t allowed into the classroom.

Many local educators are trapped by red tape from teaching students about the financial life skills they need. We need to arm our students with knowledge now to prevent them from beginning life on their own with student loan and personal debt loads equivalent to a mortgage. And we should do this without creating another big government program that hands out items from the cradle to the grave.

Statistics show most Americans today don’t know how to say no to unlimited credit offers. It’s difficult to teach the next generation to live debt free when they are surrounded by horrible examples like the deficit spending by our federal government.

That’s why we have a responsibility to educate students about financial literacy. A young person armed with the right knowledge can avoid multiple credit card offers their first day in college or a subprime home loan that may cause them to lose the roof over their head when the interest rate is adjusted.

Americans need to be encouraged to save more money for their futures and rainy days. Our local schools should be allowed to do a better job teaching financial literacy. And adults who want help to turn their money skills around should be able to turn to free courses at our community colleges or places of worship offered by certified financial professionals.

These are items that I will work on as our next Congressman to give a hand up to those in need as we get through trying economic times.

Campaign Update
This past weekend, after spending time in Fulton and participating in the Anchorfest in Centralia, I served as a delegate to the Missouri Republican Convention in Branson. It was a good experience filled with lively debate. We then rushed back home to spend all day Sunday in Franklin County at events in Krakow and Villa Ridge. Thank you to all of you who came up and offered your support and well wishes this weekend. Your kind words and contributions mean the world to me.

Team Olivo and I are now several weeks into our door to door effort. In a short time we have talked about the campaign with thousands of people in different areas of the district. Maybe we have even talked to you at your front door or on the phone with a live caller. It has been fun and rewarding for me to meet folks on their home turf and discuss the issues of the day and what they want in their next Congressman. Look for yard signs to start popping up very soon. If you would like one to show your support for my campaign, drop us an email.

A Pledge or Three to You
You may have heard about a letter I recently mailed to 9th District Republicans where I made two campaign pledges:

1. I will never use the “Barack/Brock” joke to open my stump speech again.

2. I will continue to run a clean and positive campaign. You won’t find me or my team running down our opponents or slinging mud. My opponents deserve better, and most of all you deserve a clean campaign.


Running a clean campaign doesn’t mean that I am afraid to take or deliver hits. There are some former kick returners whose bells are still ringing from my tackles in the NFL.

The residents of the 9th District don’t need to be bombarded by all the negative political campaigning to come this summer, and I am happy to do anything I can to prevent mudslinging.

I also will not be using automated phone calls to contact you about my campaign. I find those calls intrusive and, frankly, and a waste of contributors’ money. I look forward to a good personal discussion of the issues with my fellow candidates and- most importantly- the voters of the 25 counties in the 9th District.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to talking with you soon,

Brock

PS
Please don’t for get to mark your calendars to vote in the August 5th Republican primary. I ask for your vote and I appreciate any support you can give our campaign before then.

Heathcare for All?

05/29/08

1. Healthcare for all?

2. Parades, parties and festivals

3. Happy Anniversary!


It is my belief that America has the highest quality of healthcare in the world. Having lived abroad for some time, I feel comfortable making this statement.

Our historical problem has always been the availability of our healthcare system. Likewise, our cultural problem has been living healthy lifestyles that would enable us to live longer.

Access to affordable healthcare is the number one issue people discuss with me as I travel across the 9th District with my campaign. It is the first thing that comes up with business owners. It is usually one of the first topics that comes up with individual Missourians, and to no surprise, it is a hot topic with those in the healthcare profession.

As a former scrawny kid, who through hard work and dedication rose to the highest levels of professional sport, I understand how healthy choices can change a life. I realize it will be hard for a rookie member of the minority party to advance legislative change. However, I am no stranger to adversity. I was told that I would never play running-back in high school, much less college football or in the NFL. While I recognize the uphill battles that lie ahead, if you elect me as your next Congressman I will promise to address the following:

· Employers should not be the only source of healthcare insurance. Individuals should be active participants and investors in our own healthcare plans. The government should be there as a safety net and traffic cop only.

· Healthcare costs should be openly available for consumers. Emergency and planned procedures should not bankrupt Americans.

· Providers must be encouraged to adopt Electronic Medical Records. Too many patients are suffering from errors in paper records. Time and money is too often wasted in re-creating patient records that already exist. Most importantly, electronic medical records can save lives.

· Insurance competition must be increased. This includes creating plans where big companies, small companies, and private individuals can buy the same policies across state lines in a nationwide market. If it works for car insurance, why shouldn’t it work for healthcare?

· Individuals must be able to take their policy coverage with them in the event of a change of employment. We should also be able to compare costs and performance ratings of providers.

· Working with Americans to plan for the future through savings and insurance plans for long term care.

· We must inspire a cultural change towards preventive measures and healthy lifestyles. This should begin at home with our younger Americans and be followed throughout our lives.

I would prefer to see a healthcare system that offered products to incentivize healthy lifestyles and wellness.

The fact is that roughly a third of our children less than 18 years of age are considered obese and are at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and many other issues. We should require physical education no less than 3 days a week in our learning institutions at all levels. We should calculate our student’s body mass index and waist measurements to share with parents. If a student is on the right track, we should reward them with an investment into their Health Savings Account. If a student is falling onto a wrong track, then steps to encourage improvement should be taken. The ancient Greeks and Romans understood the correlation between a healthy lifestyle and academic performance: mens sana in corpore sano - from a healthy body comes a healthy mind.

For employers, and to benefit their non-student employees, we can reward companies that implement healthy living incentives. I would also like to see tax benefits for companies that contribute or match employee contributions to Health Savings Accounts similar to a 401(k).

Regarding the costs of healthcare, there has to be a new business model of transparency created. Consumers should know what it will cost them – or their insurance provider – before they treat the local emergency room as a walk-in clinic. Likewise, patients should know the costs of medical services to make an informed choice for required procedures.

While I believe strongly in personal freedoms, many smokers I personally know are gripped by an addictive habit and would love to quit. The government can work with these folks individually or through private employers and insurance companies to promote smoking cessation programs and tools to reduce the chronic diseases attributed to smoking.

With healthier individuals, the government will have to spend less and less in treating illness and can focus more and more on preventing illness.

I do not pretend to have all the answers in addressing our current healthcare predicament. I do believe I am offering some interesting ideas and I would like to hear your opinions. Please feel free to drop me an email at to share your thoughts and suggestions.

Parades, parties and festivals

The greatest part of my job as a full time candidate is meeting the people of the 9th District and hearing directly what you want in your next Congressman.

You may have noticed on my website, BrockOlivo.com, several photos of Team Olivo at different local events. We were recently in my hometown of Hermann for the Maifest Parade where organizers said we made “a big presence…more than any other candidate.” This past weekend we attended by invitation Memorial Day services in New Melle and Warrenton after having spent last Saturday in Novinger with the large crowd at Coal Miners Days.

If there are any events, no matter if the crowd is 2 people or 2,000 people, you would like to invite Team Olivo and myself to attend please feel free to contact us through the website and we will make plans to be there. This spring and summer when you see us out and about in your community, be sure to come up and say hi and share some of your ideas with me.

Happy Anniversary

It was on May 26, 2007, when Samuela Matani and I were married. She has been through a lot with me over the last year as my wife, and I wanted to take a moment to let her know how much I appreciate her and her support. I have the easiest job in this campaign as the candidate and she probably has the toughest as the candidate’s wife.

If you would like to share in my appreciation of Sammy, I ask you to consider supporting my campaign.

On the front page of the website, just above the welcome video, you can volunteer to help with grassroots activities, you can endorse my campaign, and you can make a contribution. We would like to see as many new members of The 27 Club – those making a $27.00 contribution – and even some new members of our Hall of Fame – those making a maximum contribution of $2300.00 – as we can!

Thank you for your time and I hope to see you on the campaign trail soon!

Brock

Learning from our Seniors and Veterans

05/20/08

1. Learning from our Seniors and Veterans
2. Many miles to go
3. Brock on the air

Learning from our Seniors and Veterans

I recently completed an important tour of the 9th District visiting with seniors and discussing ending the double taxation of their Social Security benefits.

This double taxation also affects all public pensions, so our retired teachers, soldiers, and government workers feel the pinch too. This is not good public policy and I aim to make it one of my priorities in Congress to end this double tax. My new friend Mike, a retired tire shop owner from Warrenton, agreed with me when he told me “I had no idea this was going on, but it shouldn’t be this way, especially in the United States of America.”

As I have said before, The Internal Revenue Service guidelines show that up to 85% of a senior citizens social security income can be taxed based on their total yearly income. According to the Internal Revenue Service, the federal government began taxing Social Security benefits in 1984. The taxable amount was increased up to 85% beginning in 1994 following the Deficit Reduction Act of 1993.

Along the tour I visited with folks in Columbia, Kirksville, Macon, Hannibal, Washington, Union, New Haven, Cuba, Hermann, Warrenton, and St. Charles County. I had the pleasure of meeting with many World War II and Korean War veterans who attended our visits. They shared with me the concerns they have for their own treatment by our government, as well as for the men and women currently serving our country in a time of war.

The men and women of our armed services will find I will be their greatest friend in Congress. If veterans need help battling red tape at the VA, I will be there for them. If a returning hero requires assistance returning to their professional or educational career, I will be there for them. If the family of a deployed soldier needs anything, even just someone to listen to them and respect their sacrifice, I will be there for them.

Many miles to go

As we lead up to the August 5th Republican primary election, I have covered the 25 counties of the 9th district many times. In recent weeks, we have racked up more than 10,000 miles on our vehicles traveling to meetings, events, and contacting voters. At today’s gas prices that adds up to more than $1750.00.

Soon we will be purchasing signage, media ads, and mailings. I bring this up because, as always, your support in volunteer efforts, votes, and financial contributions is requested and appreciated.

For example, your contribution of $100.00 will help us buy 33 yard signs. Your contribution of $500.00 will help us run one large newspaper ad in a local newspaper. Your maximum contribution of $2300.00 will pay for part of a day of television commercial production.

We have been gaining the support of many voters in the 9th District who are stepping up with contributions, and I humbly ask you to consider doing the same. You may either contribute financially or in volunteer commitments on my website, BrockOlivo.com.

We have many miles to go in the 70 some days before August 5th, won’t you join us on our journey?

Brock on the air

I recently sat down for a 30 minute interview on KTUI radio in Sullivan. MO. ‘Little’ John Rice and I covered many topics in that time including my background, my reasons for running, and the major issues of the day. I have posted an MP3 of this interview on my website and I invite you to take a listen.

If there is a question you have that we didn’t cover on KTUI, feel free to email me and I will be happy to discuss your interests with you.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail,


Brock

Congressional Candidate Brock Oliva (sic) visits Hannibal

05/02/08

By Melissa Shriver KHQA TV

Posted: Friday, May 02, 2008 at 5:37 p.m.
A republican candidate for Missouri's 9th Congressional District made a campaign stop in Hannibal today.
Brock Olivo visited the Hannibal Nutrition Center to talk with folks about issues facing them as part of his Senior Tour around the district.

He wants to go to Congress to stop the double taxation of Senior citizens throughout the nation.

Olivo says all taxpayers should be appalled at the pork barrel spending and earmarks taking up tax dollars on Capitol Hill.
He'd like to fix that problem by holding officials accountable for the dollars they earmark.

He says he may be younger than other candidates but he's the one with the freshest ideas and no ties to special interest groups.

Oliva said, "I'm a fiscal conservative who's going to cut through red tape and stand up to special interests. I'm a product of the 9th district so I learned first hand the core values of the district; faith, family, community, hard work and I believe my background lends itself to public life as well."

You might remember Olivo as Missou's record-setting running back on the University's football team.

He also played for the Detroit Lions as special teams captain.

He hails from Hermann, Missouri.