The following is a press release from a Mason City citizen announcing his candidacy for mayor in this year’s elections:
My name is Alex D. Klein, and I am running for mayor of Mason City. I’ve grown up in Mason City for all my nineteen years, and I love it here. Throughout my life I’ve seen many wrongs go uncorrected, and words can only do so much, it is for this reason that I am running. I’m tired of real issues being ignored, and I intend to do something about said issues. I will talk about police relations, ending the drug trade, and increasing population, but for now I will discuss my background.
I was born January 4th, 1998 to Terry and Lisa Klein, my loving parents. My parents unfortunately had a problem with alcohol when I was four, and, because of their alcoholism, I was placed in a foster care home. This temporary placement lasted for one year before my parents gave up alcohol in order to raise me. This experience cemented in me the influence of alcohol, and turned me away from use of any and all recreational drugs.
Fast forward to my high school years and my mother had developed early onset dementia. During this time I had got my first job at McDonald’s, I was acting a semi-caretaker for my mother, and was maintaining my grades in high school. I also managed to lose seventy pounds over the course of four months working at a fast food place. This time in my life instilled a strong work-ethic in me.
During my senior year I was chosen for the homecoming court. It was a great time. During the court games I ripped off a pair of tear-away pants to reveal my signature hammer pants beneath, earning a great amount of laughter from the school. I was also chosen to give a speech for the distinguished alumni of Mason City High School, leading me to speak in front of over one thousand of my peers. Finally, during my senior year I came out of the closet as gay. I dreaded the day I would have to do it, but I did it. These experiences lead to my courage and force of will.
While many of my friends were worrying about gossip and dating, I was looking to politics. I’ve always been interested in the effects that political ideology has on people and nations, so much so that I wrote a research paper on the two-party system. Currently I attend NIACC with social science education as my major. My interests in politics are deep and ingrained, and I plan on teaching political theory and other social sciences as a teacher one day.
I really am a nineteen year old gay man looking to become the mayor of Mason City, and I will do my best to ensure that I perform the job to the best of my ability and the best of your expectations. This isn’t a joke, Iowa has had at least two mayors who were both younger than I, and I take this opportunity very seriously. Thank you for reading.
I know Alex very well, for many years now and I can surely say that he would make an awesome mayor. He is very mature and a great student with genuinely positive ambitions. He has my vote.
“He is very mature”
Really?
So on his Facebook page he posted:
“I’m nothing but an overly emotional fag**t who can’t do anything right.”
https://www.facebook.com/alex.klein.10236
You call that mature?
Alex may well be a fine young man but he has a lot growing up to do yet.
Best wishes! Anyone but king bookmeier & I’ll be happy!!!
look at Jolas, he is gay and he got elected
19 years in this world you are far from being responsible. As a matter of fact, your brain is still developing. Let’s be reasonable here. You are seeking attention. I was 19 once a time ago. Being honest, you will never be elected. But, maybe someday when you are a bit older. How about you go to college first, get involved while at college in groups and political groups, then try this in a few years from now. Just being honest.
I’ll be honest. How could it possibly hurt to elect this youngster as mayor? There is nowhere to go but “up” in Mason City these days. How quickly we forget the fiasco in city hall we have been put through for 7 + years by a parade of asshats. Just frank talk here. I have dealt with these people, mind you, since 2010 until present day. They are vicious, hateful and nasty – not all of them, but many of them. Never mind completely incompetent, slanderous, and down right dumb. So, measure your words, please, and think about the fact we are at rock bottom as it stands now.
Bullshit Matt. You are truly telling me that you would vote for a 19 year old to run this city? Come on man, be serious and real without your grudges and hatred toward our current local government. I hate them as well, but would never vote a 19 year old in. Let’s be realistic here, and not fake news.
Fake news – I agree with your post, in my view a 19 year old does not have enough life experience to manage a city the size of Mason City, also an 18 year old was the mayor of Aredale population 74, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aredale,_Iowa, not sure what kind of job he did, curious if the mayoral candidates have to take a test of any kind for the position as mayor, in my view 30 years or older would be more realistic.
Yeah look what life experience got us, Bookie!
I don’t see any bullying here, just conversations. Don’t use bully card.
Good luck Alex we look forward to hearing much more about your campaign we will consider voting for you.
So the dems are saying if you don’t vote for him your a racist – you now most racists have and IQ above 90. The ones calling them racists have a normal IQ avg.of 45.
Race has nothing to do with sexual preference, I think you meant discrimination. Average IQ is anywhere from 90-110, so i dont disagree with the first part of that statement. Fearing things you don’t understand seems to be normal, so to say the average racist has an IQ of 90 seems reasonable. Those who stand up for others are not lacking an IQ, they are just more willing to show compassion, or feel like they are doing something of purpose when they stand up for others. I hope some day you will be able to show compassion towards others who you deem unfit, or unequal to yourself. Letting go of hate was one of the best things i ever did, you wont regret it.
Win or loose it is GREAT to see younger people involved in politics!
What party demorat (anti American) or the Save American patriots. No whimps please. I see where a transgendered girl on steroids just won the girls state wrestlleing championship in some state – probably Kalifornification – is the demononic party crazy or what?
Why disclosure of personal sexual preference, does personal sexual preference have anything to do with a mayors daily responsibilities, in my view emotional integrity is priceless.
He is addressing an issue that would probably be controversial with the Republicans in town
Anonymous, Assuming and speaking for others is not an attribute, in my view the time given for personal background needed to be what pertains to the job of being a mayor 1.) What classes were taken in or out of school, 2.) What were the grades, 3.) What experience working in the private sector and or elsewhere would pertain to the daily job of mayor, 4.) What other skills acquired would be beneficial, 5.) His understanding of the role of a mayor, addressing the Republicans in town comment that would fall under assuming and falsely accusing, personal note I am not a Republican or Democrat or an Independent i.e I am not in the fake reality/Matrix created by the elite for the Goyim.
The “JAMA”, i.e. (The Journal of the American Medical Association), https://www.researchgate.net/journal/1538-3598_JAMA_The_Journal_of_the_American_Medical_Association, has this report these Doctors who do these studies have their P.H.D.S, http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/205342, these reports have not changed in the 60 plus years they have been studying this topic.
If you don’t vote for him, you must be anti-gay correct? Maybe candidates should promote what they do and will do as potential elected officials and leave sexual preference, favorite color, and other things that don’t matter as available information if asked.
please do not try to act like there would not be a handful of trolls on this site that would start bashing him and if elected anyone against him wouldn’t use his sexuality as a slur
My point is proven. I have been accused of having a bias against gays; being a man; being upset; that “I am hiding something inside myself.”. All because I simply stated how I felt in regards to the way this gentleman made his announcement. I can tell by Marks comments and the ones by Ray, I would not care to be associated with either one whether you were straight or gay. I don’t think there will ever be a point where some on both sides of this issue will agree to disagree. It’s evident from the posts that there are nasty people on both sides. Sad!!! In case you didn’t notice, I did wish the young man good luck in his endeavor.
Oh so you really are a man!
Please don’t bully Carly for having a different viewpoint, that’s not how you convince people that you are correct. Carly I apologize for the way you’ve been treated, I hope that you think my ideas are sound when you see more about them.
Alex, if you are serious about running for mayor i would recommend not commenting on stuff like this. Your introduction was done by north iowa today. Everything after that will only be used to discredit you. Ignore the comments, its in your best interest.
Fact Check is right.. It is best not to comment as these people will just keep on coming and come after you on every detail. You can’t win on here.
On the contrary. I’m enjoying his replies. The way a person responds to people in an online forum (or any forum), especially trolls, speaks volumes regarding their character. So far, he seems like he’s got a good head on his shoulders. Without even hearing his stance on any issues, he’s already got my vote.
Have some class you pile of sh.t
I personally would look for a candidate with more experience and knowledge. This will be a very important election and we need someone with the strength and wisdom to turn things around.
This town needs a fresh perspective. You want young people to want to come here to grow the city? Why would a wiser/older know what would bring the next generation here and keep them?
I had hopes for Bookmeyer that were dashed when it became apparent he was only going to cater to the nouveau riche in this town
To for it going man !
Good for him! ♡
glad this kid is running instead of fecalmeyer … f*ck that guy
Alex is a good guy he’s got my vote.
Obama says go for it.
Having met Mr. Alex D. Klein at caucus, I’m confident in saying that he would make a wonderful mayor. He’s mature beyond his years, but young and full of hope. He has my vote!
I was there too. Wish I would have been more excited for politics when I was his age! I’m going to support him.
As stated by Carly; who cares if you are gay?
It is so tiresome listening to “everyone” of preference or religion or color or “anything” that seems different, be presented out as a “you’d better notice this!!”
QUALIFIED PEOPLE to do the job, that’s all. Once you start pushing something else other than your abilities, you are lowering yourself to the prejudices that look for reasons to spew hate
Well said. I would rather judge someone on how they present to me so I can form my own opinion on whether I like them or not. I don’t want nor need labels.
Carly is a man.
Nice try
Sorry you feel that way, I mentioned that I’m homosexual to show that I’m not trying to hide anything. This press release was just meant to tell some of my background. I have uploaded a post on Facebook detailing my political views for Mason City if you’re interested.
You don’t have to feel sorry for me and I don’t do facebook.
Over the next few weeks you’ll see more about my policies and less about me, I hope that I can earn your respect with my ideals. Thank you.
Then want do you do?
I laud his ambitions, but I am concerned by anyone that would post this on his Facebook.
“I’m nothing but an overly emotional fag**t who can’t do anything right.”
Those are his own words, not mine.
https://www.facebook.com/alex.klein.10236
OK Matt, was he for or against the pig plant?
Maybe I’ll ask him about that if/when we hold a candidate forum.
There was a young man that ran before, but his platform was ice cream, so he did not do so we!l. I think this guy has a chance, come people let’s support him!
This isn’t the first time that someone 19 and gay has ran for mayor of Mason City.
To ray I can handle people being gay but what bothers me is when gay people think they are superior to straight people. You have a right to be who you are but straight people also have a right to be who we are. we all have a right to agree and disagree. When gay people destroy the livelihoods of businesses that disagree with their lifestyle, that’s not right. I can assure you there is nothing “hiding inside myself” and I’m not “upset” just stating a fact. Since you have the right to get married and if your picture was in the paper, I’m pretty sure I could figure out you were gay without you having to state ” gay man gets married” and if you are out with your partner I could probably figure that out also. If I am out having lunch with a girl friend, I don’t feel the need to proclaim I’m straight. Get over your selves and start to understand that most people don’t care what you are.
No, you certainly don’t have to tell us what you are. Your comments make it all too obvious.
My point exactly. It sounds like you are judging me. It’s never okay for someone like me to express my opinion because it does not agree with yours.
Hi, Alex D. Klein here, and let me assure you that I, in no way, think that I’m superior to straight people. I think that if a business doesn’t want to serve me then they shouldn’t, it loses them money and a customer. The only reason that I mentioned my sexuality is to make sure the people of Mason City are informed in their choice.
Good luck!
Alex, I’m proud of you and hope you do well in your election endeavor. As to those who are jumping on you for disclosing your sexual orientation, I have this to say. Having spent close to 70 years on this planet as a out and proud gay man, I have seen a major turn around in the public’s attitudes towards gay people. To Carly, there are many reasons so many of us gay people mention our sexual orientation. Among them are pride in ourselves, and an unwillingness to let the fact of our being gay hide in the background only to resurface later when someone wants to ‘get’ us. People will jump at the chance to charge us with hiding said orientation. We’ve all seen the media slurs on people who were ‘discovered” to be gay and the campaigns to tear them down, ridicule them, blackmail them and paint them as disgusting, heinous and revolting. It’s a catch-22. You’re damned if you don’t let people know, as being secretive, ashamed, deceitful, etc., and damned if you do. So, Carly, there are many good reasons to state proudly “I am gay” and if you can’t handle that, you need to examine what is hiding inside yourself that gets you so upset. By the way, I’m sure you have seen people who have posted photos of themselves getting engaged, getting married, with their children, bragging about their newest boy or girl friend, etc. (assuming you are straight and married, you’ve probably broadcast your sexual orientation, too.) What are those statements if not statements saying “I’m straight”? The hypocrisy is, I doubt you have ever challenged a single one of those postings as ‘throwing” their sexual orientation in your face. You broadcast your sexual orientation every day, so lay off Alex.
♡
Love this. Thank you for sharing your perspective and for being supportive.
Personally, when I look for qualities in a potential candidate, I could care less of their sexual orientation.
Trump bragged about being a muff diving twat grabber. I didn’t notice any dismissive comments from you regarding his orientation.
I have never been able to figure out why someone who is gay, feels the need to broadcast to the world that fact. I do not feel the need to broadcast what my sexual background is. That is personal and I’m pretty sure people around you know what you are. Quite frankly, most people don’t give a d… what you are and I’m tired of having that fact thrown at me. If you want to run for mayor do so, but leave your sexual preference out of it.
Carly, not everyone who is gay “feels the need” to share that fact with the whole world, much less with the people they know. And there are many reasons why a gay person might wish to tell others; conversely, there are many reasons why a different gay person might NOT. It’s a very personal decision. Frankly, it’s not for you to decide, although clearly you have a certain bias against gay people. Your comments and choice of words – “preference” for example, instead of “orientation” – make this very clear. You have the right to your opinion, of course, and to share that opinion. Just as any gay person has the right to share his or her orientation with others, or not, as the case may be.
In a free and democratic society, everyone has the right to run for political office no matter who they are. For too long an unconscious “straight jacket” has been applied to the minds of citizens pre-determine who can and cannot run for office. It is only assumed that a felon or a drug user cannot or should not run for office, or that someone with no political connections or affiliations with the military or police. I say SCREW THAT. The problem our society faces is precisely because of these assumptions. As a result we are deprived of some really dynamic and forward looking individuals. I say GO FOR IT…to this young man. And while we are at it…let’s completely dismantle political parties and vote for only the individual and not their political party color. Good luck Mr. Klein.
Why would you bring up military or police? Why would you bring up political party? He didn’t mention it. That is the problem. The young man may be fine but at his age people like you will try to force him into your way of thinking.
Did you not comprehend my broader point? My point is that politics typically is an insider game which focus on cookie-cutter templates as to who can or cannot run for political office. The bottom line is ANYONE can run for political office…and this includes Felons, Pedophiles, Flying Nuns, and people missing their nut sacks. But before Trump came along it was presumed that only military guys, pro-police with squeaky clean criminal records, religious zealots, or professional politicians with the right higher education and pedigrees could realistically get elected to office. Klein is GAY, and he barely has hair on his balls. He breaks the typical mold for Mason City, and I applaud that. Can you sense the resentment in my tone? You should.
Interesting. Pretty young to run for mayor. Maybe he should learn to walk before he tries to run.
I disagree. I think it is fantastic a young man is throwing his hat in the ring like Mr. Klein is. We need youthful leaders, just as we need leaders from all walks of life to step up and try to better our town. Whether he wins or loses, he will gain valuable experience (hence, learning to walk) and knowledge. Kudos to Mr. Klein, I hope he does well.
I didn’t say he shouldn’t run. I simply said he was pretty young, and he is. The problem I see is he can get discouraged at his age if he doesn’t win and not try again. If he had some experience he would stand a better chance. I have nothing against the young man at all but he needs to learn where to go for information so he can function. At his age the vultures will be all over him.
You can’t get experience without practice. Being young is a problem, but being a drunk slob isn’t? Someone other than bookmeyer needs to step up and take a shot at mayor.
Now, that I agree with.
Thank you for the concern, but I assure you that I will be prepared whether I win or lose. The core of my campaign is going to be focusing on the issues I feel aren’t being properly dealt with, and bring them to light. I want to win, but I know that I will have done my job if those issues are being discussed.