If you can't get up for voting in this election, you'd better check your heartbeat. What a joy to see unprecedented thousands of citizens standing up to be counted, and FINALLY saying "enough!" And their voices will be heard this time. No more elections stolen by voter purges and disenfranchisement tactics.
...no more buying off the middle class with a few bucks in tax cuts while the rich get huge tax breaks and insider access to government policy making.
...no more government to the highest special interest bidder.
...no more lying, fear mongering and trumped-up unprovoked wars.
...no more torture disguised and trivialized by euphemistic terminology (e.g., "enhanced interrogation techniques").
...no more suspending our Constitutional rights for "security reasons" (real or imaginary)....no more trickle down economy while jobs are shipped overseas.
...no more ignorant fiddling while Rome burns from global warming and myopic energy policies....and the list goes on.
In 8 short years, the neo-conservative overlords of the GOP have taken over a principled and venerable political party and savaged America - and in the process left this generation - and probably the next - in a hole from which we will be fortunate to extricate ourselves. America is seriously wounded. But we can't afford to simply bemoan these dire straits. WE, THE PEOPLE, must act NOW to reverse the damage the Neo-Con GOP has done to our economy, our environment, our Constitution, our Federal budget and our international reputation. We must not get complacent in these last days of the 2008 campaign.
Don't think that Obama has this election in the bag. Please vote!! Vote Barack Obama for President and, yes, vote the entire Democratic ticket to send a message that hard working Americans are committed to rising from the ashes of the Bush-McCain National Morass, to restore American values, prosperity and strength...and to regain our formerly respected position in the community of nations. Your vote is the first and most important step in that direction.
Republican 2008 election season tactics have sought to cash in on the notion that Senator Barack Obama might somehow not be American, Christian, or patriotic enough.
From Fox News to Sarah Palin rallies, these themes have hauled the snide and nasty spirit of McCarthyism into the 21st century. Let’s send it back to the days of poodle skirts, where it belongs.
It’s worth confronting the Orwellian abuse of language behind the snearing, and finger-pointing, to examine a fundamental issue at the very heart of American democracy: the right to vote.
How patriotic is it to undermine American democracy?
Chest-thumping Republican patriots in battleground states have announced that they plan to impede American democracy and seek to disenfranchise voters at the polls—by contending that anyone who has lost a home to mortgage foreclosure has forfeited their residency status.
They are betting of course, that those folks who have lost their homes to mortgage foreclosure aren't Republicans. For anyone who really wants to talk about "anti-American" behavior, let’s suggest this might be a mighty fine place to start.
In tonight’s final debate, John McCain should be challenged on this point, and asked whether he is prepared to publicly call back his party thugs from attacking Americans who seek to exercise their right to vote.
Unfortunately: that won’t happen.
So please: it is imperative that we all summon the best of American neighborhood spirit to combat these tactics aimed at subverting democracy.
Use this website’s Speak Out tool, and write to your local newspaper:
Insist that the struggling folks who have lost their homes should not lose their right to vote as well.
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Here is an excerpt from a New York Times editorial on the subject, with the link to the full article below:
The foreclosure crisis could do considerable damage to the nation’s voting system. More than a million people have lost their homes in the past two years. And because voter registration is based on people’s residences, they could face politically motivated challenges at the polls.
The problem may be especially acute in the presidential battleground states. In Ohio, more than 5 percent of home mortgages are seriously delinquent or in the foreclosure process, and there were more than 67,000 foreclosure actions in the first half of 2008. Michigan and Florida have also been hard hit.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/opinion/05sun2.html
The Republicans have sunk to a new low in Michigan. The Michigan GOP are planning on blocking people whose houses are in foreclosure from voting in the Presidential election. These homeowners are breaking no laws, they have just fallen upon hard times like many Americans in the current rocky economic climate.
Apparently it is an attempt by the GOP to disenfranchise African American voters in the state, many of whom have been affected by the housing bubble. It's another prime example of the Republican style of dirty politics as usual.
Learn more:
http://www.michiganmessenger.com/4076/lose-your-house-lose-your-vote
Those before us left a blueprint.
For example, Desmond Tutu enabled a peaceful and prosperous South Africa after the fall of Apartheid. As the "moral conscience" of South Africa, he made sure those recently deposed still had a voice in the debate. The Bishop coined the term “Rainbow Nation”, to describe the new multicultural South Africa.
We're in a similar situation here as they were in South Africa in 1994. We're about to transfer power in a very basic and fundamental way, and we're ready to embrace our differences and stop allowing them to wedge us apart.
Men and women of color, and women in general, have not held an equal place in American society, ever.
It's very easy, if you're a white male, to think your life as you know it is going to end in a thrashing of retribution. "You're the minority now, tough guy. How does it feel?" has to have a bunch of guys in a hunkered down state, especially given the economic conditions in this time when all our money is going to ExxonMobil, Northrup Grumman, and Bechtel.
So how do we convince the media's “White Working Class” voter that He will not be disenfranchised?
(This is important to me, because this constituency looks like me.)
We hear a lot these days in the national media from Hill and Bill and their supporters that the Michigan and Florida delegations should be seated according to how the votes were cast earlier this primary season -- else, their argument goes, Dems risk alienating and disenfranchising fellow Dems in two battleground states. And we hear a lot from Camp Obama that to seat the delegations according to such unauthorized elections would not be playing according to the rules established and agreed to by all involved well before the primaries began.
Well, I'd like to make make two points that are not being so well articulated by our often attention deficit and learning disabled national media.
First, to seat the delegations "as is" would also risk alienating and disenfranchising fellow Dems in both states who DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN EITHER OF THE FLORIDA OR MICHIGAN PRIMARIES DUE TO THEIR BEING TOLD THE ELECTIONS WOULD NOT COUNT.
And second, and more importantly to the matter of why candidates bother to campaign in primaries at all, is that the entire history of this year's Dem primary season has revealed the interesting fact that while Hillary has begun every contest with a commanding lead over all challengers due to her national name recognition, she has lost her lead in EVERY contest in which Barack has campaigned. If none of the candidates had challenged her by campaigning anywhere she would have won each contest by a landslide (20-30 points). But she hasn't. In almost all of the states where Barack has campaigned he has quite handily prevailed or closed the gap considerably on all comers -- Hillary included. What would lead anyone to think this would not also have been the case in Florida and Michigan -- other than willful blindness to the facts?
To permit the Hillary fog machine to claim the votes/delegates from states where Barack chose to follow DNC rules and NOT campaign (both Michigan and Florida) would put the lie to the entire Democratic Party process of campaigning, and deny that the party is actually interested in engaging in much more than a contest to coronate the Establishment-Democrat who was best known to the public at the beginning of primary season. To do so would be a gross injustice -- effectively disenfranchising the millions of Dems, Indies and others who chose to cast primary ballots for the most inspiring presidential candidate in either party in at least a generation.
My first blog. Maybe my only one. But I saw this a few days ago about the latest Michigan delegate-splitting plan...
CNN: New Michigan Plan Proposed
...and I feel like I haven't heard a whole lot of talk about it, here or elsewhere. So I wanted to get this off my chest.
I would love to see the Obama campaign get behind this idea. It's a safe bet that these delegates are going to be seated at the convention one way or another. In this scenario, the Clinton campaign would walk off with a net gain of no more than 8 delegates. Nothing we can't absorb. It allows some of the January vote to be reflected -- fairly or unfairly -- going a long way to quiet those who argue against "disenfranchising" Wolverine Staters. Above all, it shows a graciousness on the part of the Obama campaign, a willingness to put the party first.
It's not the most desirable plan, and it's not the most fair. Preferable and maybe worth pushing for would be the same scenario with the delegates split evenly -- 78 according to the January vote, 78 according to the popular vote. But the loss of 8 delegates is a small price to pay for the good PR.
A similar scenario in Florida -- assuming both candidates evenly divide the 17% that went to Richardson and Edwards -- would result in a net gain of only 11 delegates for Clinton.
To put the Michigan/Florida question to rest -- and come out looking very much the good guy -- at a cost of only 19 delegates...this is a bargain.
The only reason I can think of that the campaign wouldn't be all over this is that it legitimizes the popular vote in FL and MI. But Obama would still be up -- as of now -- by a couple hundred thousand. And it seems like a risk well worth taking.
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A final thought on FL and MI, a sort of rebuttal to those who plead (often sincerely, I think) against "disenfranchising" voters. Here in Montana, a bill was introduced last year to move our Democratic primary up from June 3 (when it "would never count") to February or March. And it was shot down. Not by some off-limits party process, but by people -- citizens of the state -- acting via their state legislators. I feel for people in Florida and Michigan, to some degree. It's a lousy scenario. But folks in Florida and Michigan had control over this to the same extent they have control over every other decision their representatives make. These states' legislatures defied party rules in a quest for cash. Rewarding the people that couldn't or wouldn't keep them in check...this disenfranchises me, as well as the other 48 states worth of us who played by the rules.
The new Michigan plan is an honorable compromise that would "enfranchise" all of us.
THERE WILL NOT BE A RE-VOTE. NEVER HAPPEN.
Mark these words: There will NOT ever be a re-vote in MI & FL. No way. Not politically or legally possible. Too dangerous to touch. Can't be made to fly. This was my opinion in posts made a month ago. Hillary and all the insiders knew this all along. The thing is, Hillary's kicking up dust about these two states for use as a consideration bargaining chip with the DNC. AND, no one want's to touch this very hot potato (or more acurately, be on record opposing a revote), because that of course, would be politically lethal. So everyone is posturing and tap dancing, with half-hearted gestures, whistling and looking at their shoes, waiting for the clock to run out, so the subject can then finally die a natural death. Insidiously, every time we participate in this debate, we play into Hillary's plan.
Frankly, this is all silly. Those paying close attention knew that Hillary was toast somewhere between Wisconsin and Texas. I believe the Clinton team knows the game is lost. I'm guessing they're either waiting to see if something left-field blows up on Barack, or they're otherwise going to fold soon. Anyone want to guess the date? I get dibbs on May 10th. I think they're giving themselves till then, to see if the winds change. The only Clinton friendly state after PA is Puerto Rico, and maybe WV. She's toast folks! Everyone knows she simply can't overcome the math, and everyone is watching way too closely, for anyone to get away with underhanded back-room manipulations.
Make no mistake, media is business, that business is sponsors, and sponsors are happy when people tune in, and people tune in when a race is neck and neck. So they knock the winner down a peg, boost the loser up a peg, and if one side dies, like the movie Weekend At Bernies, they'll prop up the dead corpse for as long as possible. In short, it's in the media's best interest for this thing to go on into the sunset. Hoping and carrying on for Hillary to win, means one hasn't done their homework, or doesn't have the integrity to face facts.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS
Yes, we all feel bad for disenfranchised Michigan & Florida voters. Voting is a snapshot in time. And timelines should not be corrupted. If you break a cherished glass, you can repair it or replace it, but it's not the same. The original is irreplaceable. A revote would be tainted, because voters would be influenced by different dynamics, with different understandings and consequences that did not exist in January. For one thing, Edwards is no longer the factor that he was. Independents & Republicans who wanted to vote blue, but voted red cause a blue vote wouldn't count, are now locked in and stuck. The Limbaugh plan of vote tampering, Republicans disingenuously voting for Hillary, did not exist before. Those who were able to vote before, because they planned for it, particularly "snowbirds", may not be able to vote now. People who knew their vote would not count, responded a certain way to that. Collectively, they would clearly respond differently if they know their vote WOULD count.
As they stand, Michigan's results will never be counted. With Barack & Edwards not on the ballot, it'd be WW III and everyone knows it.
All the good boys and girls knew the rules going in, and were treated equally. Now the loser wants to wangle a change of the rules. The entire blame lies with the party officials in those two states. They wanted the power of a higher voting date profile so bad, that they gambled people's votes, and lost. Trying to rig something else up now, one way or another, would just be wrong, prolong the nomination nightmare, incur insurmountable legal hurdles, and leave one faction feeling cheated. As the phrase goes "No good can come from this". It would insure what the DNC was trying to stop, initiating an endless pattern of states leap-frogging primary dates for a higher profile.
The right thing is to let it go. Seat those delegates 50/50 out of respect and deference to the voters, and otherwise drop it. Chalk it up to lessons learned. You can be sure that all the states WILL obey the rules next time.
Let's take a look at the upcoming primary calendar shall we.
Apr 22 - Pennsylvania 158 (Probably Clinton by 8 to 10 points)May 3 - Guam 4 (tough call, I'm guessin Obama)May 6 - Indiana 72 (I figure a tie, or Obama by a point or two) - North Carolina 115 (need you ask, OK, Obama 61, Clinton 39)May 13 - West Virginia 28 (Probably Clinton by 10 to 12 points)May 20 - Kentucky 51 (Obama for sure, by 8 or 10 points) - Oregon 52 (you guessed it, way Obama, by say 10 points)Jun 1 - Puerto Rico 55 (probably Clinton, by say 14 points)Jun 3 - Montana 16 (Obamarama, by 15 points) - South Dakota 15 (Obamaville, by 12 points)
Things look good! To better days!
The Clinton campaign has continually changed it's story to match where it stands in the race for President fully knowing that the electorate has a short-term memory. Lest we not forget:
Every Vote Counts - Only primary states count & pledged delegates can reverse the will of the voters
Wrap it up by Feb. 5th - In it until August
Don't court conservatives - Why not?
It's not about gender - Yes it is!
I promised that I would no longer attack the Clinton campaign, her supporters, and the mainstream media that is single-handedly keeping her campaign afloat after Senator Obama weathered the Reverend Wright storm according to the current polls.
BUT SHE MAKES IT SOOOOOOO TEMPTING!!!
Electoral votes should matter in a Democratic Primary? We are to believe that she will carry Texas, New Mexico and Arizona in the general election but Barack Obama will lose New York, California and Massachusetts?
The one thing that really gets under my skin is her argument that the 10 largest states in population are more important than the other 40 combined.
Apparently the only Democrat voting rights the Clintons are interested in "protecting" are in Florida and Michigan. They're now making mass challenges to Obama delegates in key districts in Texas:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/28/6743/74922/196/485932
I understand the aggravation of the voters of MI and FL. I do. What I don't understand is why they are pitching a fit NOW. Why didn't they go after the Democratic Party Leadership when this brilliant maneuver was announced? Dean was good to his word. He got pledges from the candidates, he has consistently said that the delegates would not be seated... the Democratic Party HAD and HAS to work together if we truly want the White House back and yes, I know that FL and MI wanted to be part of the decision. Of course they did.. WE ALL DO! Because my state towed the line I couldn't vote for my original candidate of choice - Edwards (I'm quite happy that I researched Obama further and had I done that before Edwards left the race I would have been left with a great conflict but that is another topic).
But to cry disenfranchisement? Give me a break! Do you think that the voters in Primaries in May usually feel like there vote has any impact? Granted, this year is different. Do you think the supporters of the Republican party feel they have a vote this year? It's decided. Do you think the people in caucus states are always thrilled? Because of the limited aspect of their selection process if you can't make it to the gym by 3pm on Thursday - you simply don't participate. If your car breaks down, odds are you don't even have time to call a friend to help you get over there! I don't hear them complaining!
A backlog processing naturalization applications could keep over a million immigrants from voting this fall.
The huge jump in applications also increased the time normally needed to process them from about seven months to as many as 18 months.
Serena Perez moved to the United States from Ecuador more than 10 years ago after marrying an American citizen. She applied for citizenship in May, thinking she would have plenty of time to become a citizen and be granted the right to vote. But now, she probably won't get that chance. Watch how the backlog affects voting »
"What is the reason for this backlog when there are so many people in an election year that are willing to participate?" Perez asked.
Immigrant advocate Jose Lagos is furious at the slowdown.
"They say they are doing what they can, but we think they can do more," Lagos told CNN.
Immigrant rights groups estimate as many as 200,000 legal residents in Florida alone are waiting to learn if they'll become citizens in time to vote. And in Florida, where the results of the 2000 election hung in the balance, thousands of new voters could swing the 2008 vote.
Historically, Florida immigrants -- many of them Cubans -- tended to vote Republican. But as more apply for citizenship from other countries, experts say, the immigrant vote is now up for grabs.
Mitch Ceasar, a Democratic party chairman in South Florida, says there are suspicions about the delay.
"Conspiracy theorists may say this is grinding to a very slow movement or halt specifically to disenfranchise these new legal citizens from finishing their process and becoming voters," Ceasar said.
That view is dismissed by Jose Riesco, the Republican party vice chairman in Miami-Dade County.
"We don't have voter suppression here," Riesco said. "That is ludicrous. It is an election year, and that is political rhetoric."
"I'm going to feel I'm missing an opportunity to change the way the government is running this country. ... And I really feel that I want to be able to be part of that change," Perez said.
