By Ricky Dana
Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Missouri-4
Original policy concept publicly posted on this blog: July 31, 2025 at 10:35 AM CST
Our family farms are the beating heart of Missouri’s economy—but too many of them are struggling to keep the lights on, keep the land in the family, and keep food on the table for the rest of us.
As your next Congressman, I’ve been working on a farm tax credit plan designed to ease the burden on family farmers and help protect Missouri agriculture for future generations. I’m keeping the specifics locked down for now—for a very good reason.
Too often, good policy ideas get hijacked by politicians who had nothing to do with creating them. This post is here as a digital marker: a public timestamp to show who was working on this first. Remember this date: July 31, 2025. If others start parroting this idea later, you’ll know exactly where it came from.
This policy is built by and for rural Missourians. It’s not about giveaways. It’s about fairness—helping farmers who work hard every day and ensuring our food systems stay local, strong, and rooted in family-owned land. No handouts for corporate megafarms. No favors for foreign land buyers. No patience for lobbyists writing the rules.
It’s about time we had someone in Congress who’s actually from here—someone who knows the difference between a tractor and a talking point. I’m that person, and I’m not waiting around to bring real change home.
If you’re ready to fight for Missouri’s farmers with someone who’s lived that life, I’d be proud to have your support.
– Ricky Dana
Candidate for U.S. House, Missouri’s 4th District
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Missouri-4
Original policy concept publicly posted on this blog: July 31, 2025 at 10:35 AM CST
Housing costs are skyrocketing. Wages aren’t keeping up. And in too many Missouri towns—rural or urban—families are struggling to find a safe, affordable place to call home.
The worst part? We keep hearing there’s no solution unless we raise taxes or add to the national debt.
I don’t buy that—and neither should you.
That’s why I’m proposing the Build Missouri First initiative: a real plan that delivers housing for working Missourians without borrowing a dime from our kids’ future.
Here’s how we get there:
🏡 Unlock Public Land for Housing
Missouri counties hold thousands of vacant, tax-delinquent, or federally owned lots—just sitting there. No homes, no tax base, no purpose.
We can work with HUD, the Missouri Treasurer, and local land banks to repurpose that land for housing. No purchase cost. Just smart use of what we already have.
It’s time we put that land to work for the people.
🏗️ Build Modular—Faster, Smarter, Cheaper
Traditional construction is slow and expensive. But modular housing—factory-built and assembled on site—is:
✅ Up to 50% cheaper
✅ Built in weeks, not months
✅ Easier to scale in rural areas
Missouri can create local modular housing plants by repurposing old warehouses or unused factories. That creates jobs and homes at the same time.
We also partner with community colleges and trade schools to train workers for these high-demand jobs—boosting our workforce while solving the housing crisis.
🔑 Lease-to-Own Instead of Handouts
We don’t need more dead-end rent traps. We need ownership.
This plan uses a lease-to-own model:
Residents pay below-market rent
After 10–15 years, they own the home
Their payments help pay back construction costs and fund maintenance
It’s sustainable. It’s fair. It works.
🏘️ Modernize Zoning for a Modern Missouri
Outdated zoning rules drive up home prices. Let’s fix that.
With state incentives and infrastructure grants, we can help towns update their zoning to allow:
Smaller lots
Accessory dwelling units
Duplexes and triplexes
Faster permitting
That means more housing, less red tape.
🤝 Power of Partnerships (Not Federal Debt)
We don’t need more bloated federal programs. We need partnerships.
We’ll bring in private foundations, local credit unions, community banks, and major retailers to help with zero-interest loans and rural housing grants—especially for seniors, veterans, and working families.
No national debt increase. Just neighbors helping neighbors.
🔨 Labor for Housing
Many Missourians are willing to put in the work.
That’s why we’ll launch a sweat equity program—where residents can earn down payment credits by helping build or maintain their future homes.
Paint it. Landscape it. Live in it.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t a handout. It’s a hand-up.
We can solve Missouri’s housing crisis without raising taxes, increasing the debt, or waiting on Washington to get its act together.
We just have to build smarter—and build for us.
I’m Ricky Dana. I’m not a career politician. I’m a Missouri-grown problem solver. And I believe we can build the future our families deserve—starting with a home they can afford.
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House – Missouri’s 4th District
Listening First, Then Acting
I was born and raised right here in rural Missouri. I know what it means when the local hospital closes down, when the bridge to town gets shut down, or when the only factory in town lays folks off. Our district has been left behind for too long—but I’m here to change that with practical ideas and Missouri-grown common sense.
Since day one, I’ve been listening to farmers, teachers, veterans, and small business owners. I’ve walked your roads, stood in your fields, and sat at your kitchen tables. I know the problems we’re facing—and I’ve already started writing the legislation to fix them.
I’m proud to say that I’ve drafted several bills ready to go on Day One. These cover:
Expanding rural healthcare access
Strengthening local agriculture and protecting family farms
Fixing broken roads and bridges
Boosting trade with smart, Missouri-first export programs
Bringing reliable, fast internet to every rural household
Keeping our water clean and our land protected
Real Work, Not Just Talk
I’m not waiting to get elected to start working. I’ve already met with local leaders and ag experts to make sure what we’re doing matches what our district truly needs. From flood repair programs to new farmer training, we’re laying the groundwork right now.
Jobs, Broadband, and Local Infrastructure
I believe in investing in our people—not in padding Washington’s pockets. That means:
Creating local jobs by repairing infrastructure and expanding clean energy options
Helping small towns qualify for federal broadband grants
Cutting red tape so family farms and local producers can compete
Working for All of Us
Some folks in Washington forget who they work for. I haven’t. I believe in representing every voice, every farm, every small town in this district. No matter who you voted for, I’ll work hard for you. Because that’s the Missouri way.
We can’t wait around for someone else to fix things. We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and do it ourselves—together.
Let’s Rebuild Rural Missouri
This campaign isn’t about politics. It’s about purpose. And my purpose is clear: get rural Missouri back on its feet and moving forward. With your help, we’ll make that happen.
Republicans in Washington are working quietly to change Social Security as we know it. Their goal? Hand parts of it over to Wall Street and private investors—without telling the public what’s really happening.
Secret Commissions to Cut Benefits
Republicans in Congress want to create a closed-door commission that would come up with changes to Social Security and Medicare. This group would meet in private, then send their plan to Congress for a vote—with no public hearings or changes allowed. It’s a way to cut benefits without voters noticing until it’s too late.
Service Cuts Make the System Harder to Use
Trump’s administration has already cut over 7,000 jobs at the Social Security Administration. That means fewer workers, longer wait times, and worse service. These cuts hurt seniors and people with disabilities—and make it easier to argue the system isn’t working.
Risky Private Investment Accounts
Some Republicans are pushing plans to move Social Security money into private accounts—similar to a 401(k). Instead of a guaranteed monthly check, people would be forced to gamble their future on the stock market. These plans don’t protect you—they protect the profits of big financial companies.
Scare Tactics and Confusing Language
Republicans often say Social Security is “going broke” or full of “fraud.” These scare tactics are used to make you believe the system can’t be fixed unless we turn it over to private businesses. But that’s not true. Social Security is still strong, and we can strengthen it without cutting benefits or privatizing it.
They Know It’s Unpopular—That’s Why It’s Secret
Even Senator Joni Ernst said they need to talk about cutting Social Security “behind closed doors” because it’s not something people want. If the plan was good for Americans, they wouldn’t be hiding it from us.
Why This Matters to You
You could lose your guaranteed retirement check.
Your future income might depend on risky stock investments.
Big Wall Street companies would take fees from your retirement.
You’d be left with fewer protections and more uncertainty.
We should be improving Social Security—not tearing it apart in secret. I believe in protecting the benefits you’ve earned, not turning them into a gamble. I’ll keep fighting to stop these efforts and make sure Social Security stays strong for every Missourian.
Mark “Awful” Alford claims he’s “the most accessible Member of Congress.” But if that were true, where was he before I started calling him out?
Now, with the clock ticking, he’s scrambling to put on a 15-county “town hall tour.” That might sound impressive—until you realize Missouri’s 4th District has 24 counties.
So why leave out 9 of them?
Maybe he’s avoiding places where folks know how badly he’s been voting against their interests. He’s ignored regular town halls for nearly two years—until now.
He’s Not From Here—And It Shows
Mark “Awful” Alford is not from Missouri. He built his career in big-city Texas newsrooms, not in the fields or small towns of this district. He may live in Missouri now, but he doesn’t live the life of rural Missourians.
He’s not a farmer. He’s not rural. And he hasn’t been representing you.
Now that the election’s near, he’s pretending to care. But he’s not showing up because he wants to listen—he’s showing up to make you think he cares. Big difference.
And if the questions get hard? Bet he’ll duck out early. Just watch.
Let’s Look at His Record
While he’s been out chasing cameras and cozying up to national donors, here’s what Mark “Awful” Alford has actually done in Congress:
Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 – putting SNAP benefits at risk and nearly shutting down the government
Backed GOP budget cuts – threatening $400 million in food assistance for Missouri families
Zero meaningful legislation passed – nothing to support small farms, rural clinics, or working families
This isn’t leadership. This is campaign theater—because I exposed how out of touch he really is.
My Promise Is Different
I won’t stage photo ops. I won’t duck hard questions. I’ll show up, listen, and do the work—year-round, not just at election time.
I’m Ricky Dana. I was born and raised right here in rural Missouri. I’ve raised livestock, worked with farmers, and lived through the same challenges you have. I read every email. I take every message seriously.
We don’t need a suburban talker with a TV background. We need a Missouri-grown doer.
Let’s bring honest, accountable representation back to Missouri’s 4th District.
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 4th District
Donald Trump isn’t just arguing with the press—he’s using the full power of the federal government to punish any outlet that tells the truth about him.
He’s trying to defund NPR and PBS. He’s suing the Wall Street Journal for $10 billion. He’s made one thing clear: if you hold him accountable, he’ll come after you.
This is not just unfair. It’s wrong. And it may be unconstitutional.
🎯 1. Defunding NPR & PBS
In May 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14290 to cut all federal money from NPR and PBS. He called them “woke” and “anti-American.”
But public stations help keep rural families informed. Now, PBS and NPR are suing, saying Trump broke the First Amendment by punishing speech he doesn’t like.
Trump’s FCC chair started political investigations into ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR, and PBS—but not FOX News. They even talked about taking away licenses and stopping media mergers.
This is not normal. It’s a direct attack on the First Amendment.
Reports say Trump used the Justice Department and IRS to go after his political enemies and journalists. Some actions were kept secret, but leaked memos showed they tried to “name and shame” critics.
They Found Money for Trump’s Jet—But Not for Hungry Kids
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House, Missouri District 4
Turns out the Pentagon can find almost a billion dollars for a jet—but not for hungry kids or freezing women and children stuck in cages at a swamp detention camp. Let’s talk about it.
🚨 Nearly $1 Billion Secretly Diverted
According to multiple reports, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth secretly diverted $934 million from the Sentinel nuclear modernization program. That money went to help pay for a Boeing 747-8 plane—Trump’s new version of Air Force One, which he calls part of his presidential library.
Problem is, that transfer happened with no approval from Congress. That’s a big legal no-no. Federal law says the Pentagon has to inform Congress and get approval when shifting this kind of money. But they did it anyway.
💔 Meanwhile, People Are Freezing and Starving
Down in Florida, over 1,000 people—many of them women and children—are being held in a facility called “Alligator Alcatraz.” It’s a detention center in the middle of the Everglades, and conditions are inhumane. Reports say:
People are being fed food with worms and maggots
They sleep on wet floors with sewage nearby
No hot food, no medical care, and no privacy
Lights are kept on 24/7, causing stress and sleep issues
Mosquitoes and snakes crawl into sleeping areas
One woman said they only get to shower once every few days, and that guards even took her Bible. There are reports of tents flooding, medicine being denied, and kids left cold at night.
📢 So Where Are Our Priorities?
If we have nearly a billion dollars for a luxury jet that Trump wants to show off, but can’t give kids warm beds and a hot meal, something is deeply wrong.
As your next congressman from rural Missouri, I won’t stand for this kind of cruelty or misuse of our national defense dollars. I’ll fight for working families, for human dignity, and for honest budgets that reflect our real values—not Trump’s ego.
Mark “Awful” Alford, the incumbent U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 4th District, often frames himself as Missouri’s champion. But when we break down his fundraising, a different story emerges: most of his individual supporters live beyond our state lines.
Overall Fundraising Overview (2023–2024)
In the 2023–2024 election cycle, Alford’s campaign committee raised $1,303,886, with 45.63% ($594,939) from PAC contributions and 43.44% ($566,512) from large individual donations.
Individual Contributions by Geography (2023–2024)
Of the itemized individual donations (over $200), only 43.46%—or $271,742—came from Missouri residents. A majority, 56.54% (or $353,487), came from out-of-state individuals, while 2.21% ($14,140) didn’t list a state.
District vs. Outside Support (2023–2024)
Just 20.59% ($131,662) of itemized donations came from within Missouri’s 4th District. A striking 70.70% ($452,042) originated outside the district, suggesting many donors don’t live in the communities he represents. 8.71% ($55,665) didn’t specify a district.
This data reveals that Alford relies heavily on out-of-state and out-of-district donors—both individuals and PACs—to fund his office. That raises a key question: whose interests come first—Missourians’, or those of distant contributors?
Conclusion
I, Ricky Dana, believe representation should start at home. Voters deserve a candidate funded by—and accountable to—the people of Missouri’s 4th District, not by special interests from elsewhere.
Donald Trump is once again doing what he does best—pretending he has powers he doesn’t and threatening to use them for revenge. This time, it’s about media licenses. But here’s the legal reality:
The President cannot revoke broadcast licenses. Only the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)—an independent agency created under the Communications Act of 1934—has the authority to issue, renew, or revoke licenses. These licenses are only for broadcast stations (radio, local TV affiliates), not cable networks like CNN or Fox News, which aren’t licensed at all.
FCC licenses are not political weapons. Federal law says licenses can only be revoked for:
Technical violations (wrong frequency, improper power use)
Criminal activity
Fraud in applications
Failure to meet public interest standards
That’s it. You cannot yank a license because you don’t like a station’s politics. That would be a direct violation of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of the press from government retaliation.
But Trump—ever the strongman in training—is pushing his new FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, to revive investigations into outlets like NBC, CBS, PBS, and NPR, while ignoring conservative outlets like Fox. He’s made wild claims that these stations are “illegal,” and has even suggested they should lose their licenses for criticizing him.
In April 2025, the Los Angeles Times reported that Carr is trying to “upend the media status quo” by reviving politically motivated bias probes and placing ideological conditions on media mergers. One condition of the Skydance–Paramount deal? Terminate CBS’s DEI programs and add “editorial balance.” In plain English: make the news friendlier to Trump, or risk FCC trouble.
This is censorship-by-regulation. It’s banana republic nonsense wrapped in a cheap flag.
And let’s be honest—this isn’t about fairness. It’s about fear. Trump doesn’t want oversight. He wants obedience.
This is just one more sign that Donald Trump is an authoritarian wannabe—and three more years of this are three years too many. The FCC was created to serve the public interest. Under Carr, it’s becoming a blunt instrument of political payback.
I want to ask my neighbors in Missouri’s 4th District something straight-up:
Did you know your current Congressman isn’t even originally from Missouri? Not our part of Missouri. Not rural Missouri. And that might explain a lot.
He flies in for a photo op when it’s campaign season, maybe writes a “show pony” bill that doesn’t go anywhere—but when it’s time to stand up for farm families, rural roads, or our local hospitals? He’s nowhere to be found.
Also—take a hard look at who’s paying for his campaign. A large chunk, if not the majority, of his donations come from PACs and out-of-state special interests. Not your neighbors. Not our local small business owners. Not the folks raising cattle and crops in Missouri soil.
So the question is: If he’s not from here—and he’s not funded by us—who’s he really working for?
We deserve better.
I’m Ricky Dana, your Rural Missouri Grown Candidate. I was born in Waverly and raised in Marshall. I’ve worked the land, worked in public service, and worked to bring research and resources back to Missouri farms and families.
And if I’m elected, I won’t just represent the people who voted for me. I’ll represent all Missourians—because that’s the job. That’s the oath. And it’s long overdue.
If you’re tired of business and politics as usual, then join me. Let’s bring rural Missouri’s voice back to Congress—loud and clear.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
