Monkey-brained Musings
Monday, September 25, 2006
Fair Weather Friends
Will Rogers famously said "I don't belong to an organized political party; I'm a Democrat." You would think that we would learn something, but his words are still all to true today. From trial lawyers for Strayhorn, to liberals for Kinky, to Dems for Bonilla, there are Dems who seem to be interested in supporting anybody but other Dems.
I've talked to folks from the NW Hills who whine about the Dems having no one for 2008, even though they know nothing about Warner, Bayh, Richardson, Vilsack or even the previous candidates Edwards and Clark. NEWSFLASH: It's 2006, and we have great chances for electing Dems statewide and for gaining seats in the Legislature and in Congress.
Folks in the southeast part of the county, where there are no locally contested races, are feeling ignored and wondering why they should vote. Three reasons: Bell, Coronado, bonds.
This could be a great year for the Dems, locally, statewide, and nationally. But, we have got to hang together, be optimistic, and get rid of some old, bad habits. The Republicans have retooled and now have a very effective GOTV effort. The Dems can win, and win big, but we're going to have to work together to do it.
Will Rogers famously said "I don't belong to an organized political party; I'm a Democrat." You would think that we would learn something, but his words are still all to true today. From trial lawyers for Strayhorn, to liberals for Kinky, to Dems for Bonilla, there are Dems who seem to be interested in supporting anybody but other Dems.
I've talked to folks from the NW Hills who whine about the Dems having no one for 2008, even though they know nothing about Warner, Bayh, Richardson, Vilsack or even the previous candidates Edwards and Clark. NEWSFLASH: It's 2006, and we have great chances for electing Dems statewide and for gaining seats in the Legislature and in Congress.
Folks in the southeast part of the county, where there are no locally contested races, are feeling ignored and wondering why they should vote. Three reasons: Bell, Coronado, bonds.
This could be a great year for the Dems, locally, statewide, and nationally. But, we have got to hang together, be optimistic, and get rid of some old, bad habits. The Republicans have retooled and now have a very effective GOTV effort. The Dems can win, and win big, but we're going to have to work together to do it.
Comments:
I'm a Republican, but I can say your post makes sense. I sure wish my Democrat friends would control their anger. We know you hate Bush. Fine, that's your right. Try to not to let your hate overcome your brain.
But please tell us exactly what you would do differently. And if possible, please find a fresh face in 2008.
But please tell us exactly what you would do differently. And if possible, please find a fresh face in 2008.
# posted by 
: 9:44 PM
: 9:44 PM
This was a comment for inside the Dem family.
Dems have plenty to be angry about. We are tired of the lies, and we aren't going to stand by and be Swift-boated again.
As for a different approach:
- paying the nations bills
- hunting down Osama bin Laden
- pursuing the war in Afghanistan
- stabilizing Iraq
- support for our armed services and veterans
- health insurance for children
- real ethics in government
- an end to cronyism
- constructive engagement with other nations to address terrorism and the spread of nuclear weapons
- sustaining an educational system that will make America competitive in a global economy
- making sure that every vote counts
- nonpartisan and equitable redistricting carried out only once every ten years.
That's a start.
Dems have plenty to be angry about. We are tired of the lies, and we aren't going to stand by and be Swift-boated again.
As for a different approach:
- paying the nations bills
- hunting down Osama bin Laden
- pursuing the war in Afghanistan
- stabilizing Iraq
- support for our armed services and veterans
- health insurance for children
- real ethics in government
- an end to cronyism
- constructive engagement with other nations to address terrorism and the spread of nuclear weapons
- sustaining an educational system that will make America competitive in a global economy
- making sure that every vote counts
- nonpartisan and equitable redistricting carried out only once every ten years.
That's a start.
Jeb, thanks for your comment. I'm all for Mom and Apple pie also. Even El Diablo likes pie.
That's a nice wish list, but I wish I knew what you guys would acutally do differently.
Will you raise taxes, or cut spending? If so what taxes, and/or what spending? What will you offset to pay for free health insurance?
How will you 'stablize Iraq' ?
Will you disown William Jefferson, (D-LA) as part of "ethics in goverment"?
Will you bring us school choice as part of "sustaining an educational system", or doesn't "sustaining" really mean "paying teachers more with no other changes in the present broken system"?
I hope you get my drift here. It's find to make a wish list, but how do you get there from here?
That's a nice wish list, but I wish I knew what you guys would acutally do differently.
Will you raise taxes, or cut spending? If so what taxes, and/or what spending? What will you offset to pay for free health insurance?
How will you 'stablize Iraq' ?
Will you disown William Jefferson, (D-LA) as part of "ethics in goverment"?
Will you bring us school choice as part of "sustaining an educational system", or doesn't "sustaining" really mean "paying teachers more with no other changes in the present broken system"?
I hope you get my drift here. It's find to make a wish list, but how do you get there from here?
# posted by : 1:34 PM
: 1:34 PM
Some specifics:
- A more progressive tax system would help. The big message is that there is no free lunch, and the cut taxes and increase spending approach taken by the Republicans has to end. Certainly, actually collecting on the oil and gas royalties owed for federal leases would be a good start.
- Chris Bell's proposal for children's health insurance is to allow annual sign-up, cutting red tape, instead of the six-month sign-up supported by Perry.
- Stabilize Iraq by opening up our contracting process and encouraging other nations to participate in rebuilding. Its a small step, but a crucial one.
- Our school system has got to produce qualified graduates and citizens. Reducing the drop out rates is one measure. Encouraging people into technical fields such as nursing and IT is another. Again, there is no free lunch here.
- My understanding is that Jefferson has already been disowned.
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- A more progressive tax system would help. The big message is that there is no free lunch, and the cut taxes and increase spending approach taken by the Republicans has to end. Certainly, actually collecting on the oil and gas royalties owed for federal leases would be a good start.
- Chris Bell's proposal for children's health insurance is to allow annual sign-up, cutting red tape, instead of the six-month sign-up supported by Perry.
- Stabilize Iraq by opening up our contracting process and encouraging other nations to participate in rebuilding. Its a small step, but a crucial one.
- Our school system has got to produce qualified graduates and citizens. Reducing the drop out rates is one measure. Encouraging people into technical fields such as nursing and IT is another. Again, there is no free lunch here.
- My understanding is that Jefferson has already been disowned.
