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"We do have a crisis," Bill Maske told Emmet County Democrats Wednesday at Mother Nature's in Estherville.

That crisis, said Maske, was "the crisis of ineptitude on the part of the representation of this district."

Maske, originally from Peterson in Clay County, is seeking 4th District Democratic nomination and looks to challenge Rep. Tom Latham in the 2010 election. In his campaign, Maske seems to be echoing the need for change pushed by President Barack Obama in his campaign. However, Maske underscored that in order to change, people need to realize there is a crisis in our nation.

While Maske had scheduled his Estherville stop sometime in advance, he just recently decided to formally announce his candidacy.

"This is my formal announcement tour," Maske said, noting that Wednesday was the day of his formal announcement.

"I stand before you today on the shoulders of giants," Maske said. He then spoke of his father and his generation that had helped fight and win World War II.

With one foot in the past, honoring those who have come before, Maske then looked toward the future- the children of Iowa and of the nation.

Maske noted the 34 years he had spent in education, most recently as superintendent of Intestate 35 Community School in Turow, 13 miles east of Winterset in Madison County. Maske will resign from his position Jan. 25 to campaign full-time.

Targeting Latham, Maske said he would outline his plan for "bringing government to people that need it the most."

"I've seen what social injustice can do to families with children," Maske said. He said he wanted to make sure every child has equal opportunity to education.

Health care, education, the environment, human rights and foreign affairs are all important to his agenda, Maske said.

Latham, said Maske, "has conducted business as usual on the easy side of the street." He said the congressman has "little regard for the hardworking men and women of the 4th District."

Maske then listed how Latham had voted on issues such as fair wage laws, job creation, the unemployment relief act, the credit card holders bill of rights, stem cell research and full equity for mental health.

"The fact of the matter is that Tom Latham votes on the far conservative right," Maske said, adding, "That is wrong."

"I am solidly grounded on a life based on personal and professional experience," Maske said. "I am a product of hardworking parents."

Those were the character traits necessary to deal with today's problems, Maske said.

"We are confronted with challenges that require leadership," Maske said. "What we need are leaders that lead with inspiration. We need to rise about those who market fear. In this country there is no room for one person to live without health care much less 43 million."

Maske called for massive federal works projects - similar to the Works Projects Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s - to get the country moving again. He said workers could repair national monuments and the national park system.

Maske targeted bank CEOs whom he said benefitted handsomely from the TARP bank bailout.

He also addressed education.

"No Child Left Behind may be well intended but it is not working," Maske said.

"It is the hardworking men and women in this country who need a voice in our government," Maske said. "Together we can and we will work together."

In the question-and-answer session that followed his remarks, Maske addressed a number of issues:

n Maske said he would stand against his own party, if necessary. "What I stand for is my beliefs," Maske said.

n On cap-and-trade, said Maske, "I think they've got it backward. They've got to make green energy cheaper, not fossil fuel more expensive."

n Eyeing a large number of independents, said Maske, "They're the objective group out there."