U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross announced plans to run for re-election Jan. 21, speaking to a crowd at American Legion Post 26, in Plant City.
“As I look back at my history, it’s like in that Rodney Atkins song: ‘These are my people, this is where I come from,’” Ross said.
After a brief introduction by state Rep. Dan Raulerson, Ross stepped behind the podium and advocated for change in Washington based on his beliefs and ideas.
“Another fiscal crisis stands before us,” Ross told the crowd. “If my party won’t act, I will act.”
Ross mostly spoke about the effects of the Affordable Care Act and his Patient Health Care Act — which he has proposed as a means to replace Obamacare. He also said Obamacare has affected personally him since its passing; he recently was denied coverage by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
He cited a “crisis of ideology” as the government’s biggest problem and said it was time for the internal structure to change.
“We should not be out there redistributing wealth; we should be out there giving equal opportunity for success, and failure,” Ross said. “The government should not be the quarterback for the opposing team. It should be the referee.”