Ass-Hat

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Ferrell Blount is the Chairman of the NCRP, a.k.a. The Evil Empire. He is downright nasty, both inside and outside his own party. But, this is just funny, and what makes Ferrell Blount the proud recipient of my Ass Hat award. You see Tim Dunn just signed up to run against Robin Hayes in the 2006 election. Robin Hayes is dirty. He has lied to his constituents and voted for CAFTA. Robin Hayes is going down. So, what is Ferrell's response:

I read with great interest your announcement to enter the race for Congress in the 8th District...After a quick review of your Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports from the last time you ran, I see that you have not filed any reports since 1999. However, the final report you filed did not indicate that you were terminating your committee. You reported cash on hand and more than $18,000 in debts. Presumably, you are aware that “[d]ebts and obligations owed by or to a political committee which remain outstanding shall be continuously reported until extinguished.” 11 CFR § 104.11(a)...As an attorney, you should know that candidates and citizens don’t get the luxury of following the law only so long as it is convenient. As someone who said, “What Congress needs is more North Carolina values and less Washington politics,” you should stop talking to people about values until you at least come into compliance with the basic laws of the nation. As a native North Carolinian, I can assure you that your actions do not reflect the values of this state.

Ass-Hat. Your best response is to dredge up $18,000 in debt that may or may not have been paid for by now. Dunn's camp has denied the charge and, correctly, interpreted this as an attack to take away notice from the recent CAFTA LIE by Hayes. Let me tell you what North Carolina values don't include.

* Shifting the tax burden onto working people and off of wealth gatherers.
* Sending troops into harms way without the proper equipment or a plan to win.
* No-bid contracts to Halliburton.
* An Energy bill that gives big-time handouts to OIL COMPANIES that are collecting record profits.
* No Child Left Behind, being left behind because of a lack of funding.

NC gets a Lottery Like It Or Not

The North Carolina Assembly just voted 24-24 to have a lottery, with Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue breaking the tie in favor of Governor Easley.  The vote is normally 24-26, but two Republican Senators were not able to make the unusual session (sickness and HONEYMOON).  The Progressive Viewpoint on the lottery is something I just don't get.  Let me begin by saying I'm not sure how I feel about the backdoor politics played here to get the lottery in North Carolina.  This is exactly the sort of thing that Republicans do to win ALL the time, so perhaps it is long overdue for Democrats to win at all costs.

I'm against raising the sales tax because it is regressive, you have no choice but to buy in our economy.  Poor people pay more of their salary in sales taxes than rich people, so that isn't fair.  But, the lottery is a choice.  On the conservative side, I can understand those that think gambling is a mortal sin, so they oppose it on those grounds.  

But, the argument from Progressives that we shouldn't have a lottery because it is regressive doesn't work for me.  Ignore how the lottery income is spent for a minute, which I don't agree with (based on previous attempts, still looking for the wording of what passed), and focus on the lottery itself.

It is a sticky wicket being a Progressive.  Our pro-life movement (vs. the Conservative pro-birth movement) insists that a woman's body is her own and that she has the free will to make her own choices.  Our Human Rights movement (vs. the Conservative Gay Bashing movement) insists that government has no business interfering in the private lives of others.  Yet, when it comes to the lottery, Progressives feel that the poor need protecting, because the lottery takes advantage of them.  Where is the free will and private lives for those people?  Or, do WE know better than THOSE poor people, so they need our protection.

What arrogance, what stupidity.  I don't think this is an issue you can pick and choose - CHOICE.

This is a topic larger than abortion or the lottery, it is about personal responsibility and how much say government should have over our lives.

On a more local note, I recently got some gas out in the country here in North Carolina.  I asked the attendant what he thought about the lottery.  His reponse was that it would be good for business and it would mean he didn't have to drive to Virginia anymore to buy tickets.  We're two hours from Virginia!  The people want the lottery.  If you are against gambling as a mortal sin, that I can at least understand.  But, if you are for free will and personal choice, then how can you be against the lottery?

Hurricane Katrina, Life, Death, Poverty

Hurricane Katrina has made landfall in Louisiana and is tearing up New Orleans. The prayers of millions are with those unlucky hundreds of thousands that remain in the storms path of destruction. The Superdome has become home to a largely minority population of 30,000 or more. The latest news is that the roof is coming off the Superdome - this could be the greatest tragedy in American history. If the Superdome fails and 30,000 poor people are left open to the wrath of Katrina...

Pray for these people.



The death and destruction will not occur only as the storm passes over, but also as it passes beyond, up the Tennessee Valley. The continuous rain will pour into the Mississippi, carrying along toxic waste, trees, crocodiles, snakes, rats, you name it. All of this will rush down and if the dams and levees don't hold, into New Orleans. The punch bowl, waiting at the bottom.

There are many rural residents with no way out, who hang on to their lives by a thread at this moment. All we can do is hope that the storm will dissipate quickly and that death will be averted.

The Best We Have To Offer

From the Raleigh News & Observer .

CHERRY POINT MARINE CORPS AIR STATION -- Earlier this month, a pair of hulking transport planes touched down and disgorged the newest additions to the Marine Corps helicopter fleet: three MH-53E Sea Dragons that had been sitting in an aircraft "boneyard" in the Arizona desert for about a decade...Restoring the helicopters, which have been out of production since 1999, is an extraordinary step; but the Marines have little choice: They're running out of big choppers...At least part of the solution to the Super Stallion shortage, Milliman said, could involve the Cherry Point depot and the 14 other rebuildable helicopters sitting in the Arizona boneyard, formally called the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center. The boneyard is a combination junkyard and storage lot for military and Coast Guard aircraft that can be brought back into U.S. service or sold to allies.
There are 4,300 aircraft there dating to 1957, and most are suitable only for parts, said Terry Vanden-Heuvel, a spokeswoman there.

I can see the ads now.

Republicans spent billions on tax breaks for tycoons and heiresses...

While our troops made due with Hillbilly Armor...

and equipment sent to a desert junk yard 10 years ago.

What I find fascinating about this is JUST what an egregious example it is of Republican Abuse of Power. There are so many examples to pick from, lack of armor, lack of body armor, etc.  But, there is something special about this one.  It tickles the fancy.  The Republicans buy big fricking SUVs for the private contractors, lose billions of dollars to Halliburton, give no-bid contracts that cost billions more than competitive bids, and then come up short when it is time to support the troops.  What a load of hoo-ey.

The article goes on to give some reasons for the shortage that is starting and which will continue to grow worse in 2010.

It will probably be at least 2015 before the replacement choppers are deployed, he said. But the service life of a Super Stallion is 6,120 hours in operation, and current estimates are that the Corps will have to start parking about 15 copters a year in 2010.

That leaves five years in which the Marines' fleet of heavy lift helicopters will dwindle before replacements start coming into service...Asked whether the helicopter supply would have lasted through that gap without the wars, he said: "That is a reasonable supposition"...Aboulafia, the analyst, said the wars are not the only cause of the chopper shortage. He also blames the long-troubled V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor development program, the costs of which have soared.

That aircraft -- which can take off like a helicopter, then rotate its engines to go forward like an airplane -- has been in development since 1983. Its setbacks include two crashes in 2000 that killed 23 Marines and a scandal over falsified maintenance records. The program has repeatedly seemed close to being canceled, but now appears on track for full production.

The Osprey is designated a "medium-lift" aircraft, meaning it carries fewer troops and less cargo than the Super Stallion. It is planned as the replacement for the smaller CH-46 chopper.

The Marines have spent $13.4 billion on the Osprey, said Ward Carroll, a spokesman for the program. They have spent or obligated $111.8 million for the replacement for the Super Stallion, Milliman said.

"The Marines have put all their lift eggs in one basket, the V-22," Aboulafia said

So, while this is the Marine's poor planning coming home to roost, it is also irresponsible for our government NOT to get them new helicopters up and running NOW.  No one even knows how these old copters will function, if at all.  Nor, how long.  The Republicans love to spend money on defense research and things like Star Wars, but when it comes to things that will actually make a difference on the ground, to the troops, they come up short.

IF State and Church are not Separate, Then Which Church Rules?

This is a compelling argument that I continually make to myself, without any data to support it.  So, I am mining web pages, thank God for the internets to find out exactly which religion George and company want to saddle us with.  The president and others continually discuss the fact we need more religion in our society, in our schools, in our workplace, in our government.  The big problem with this, the one the Founders saw coming WAY back, was - which religion?  What about those who don't believe or agree with that religion?  Forget all the talk about Family Values, this is about setting up an American Religion one baby step at a time.

Okay, so here are the facts.  There are about a million ways to read the various statistics, but this is one of them.  

George, Jerry, Pat, and Rick should quickly agree on the following premises (denotes percentage of Americans STILL represented by our National Religion based on the following premises):

• Our National Religion will NOT be Judaism (98.6)
  
  
• Our National Religion will NOT be Islam (98)
  
  
• Our National Religion will NOT represent Atheist, Agnostic, Buddhist, anything but Christianity (79.8)
  
  
• Protestant teachings believed by Bushco insist that the Pope is the antichrist, therefore, Our National Religion will NOT represent Catholics (54)
  
  
• Oh hell, let's get to the point, if you aren't Protestant, your burning in hell. (42.5)
  
  
• The Episcopalian/Anglican church has a gay bishop, and the UCC allows gay marriage (40)
  
  
  

Okay, here is where it gets difficult.  How do you cull down the remainder?  I'm looking for votes that show a trend opposite what the right-wingers would want.

• Methodists - Despite opposition from approximately one-third of the church's members, the General Conference of 2000 upheld the ban on gay and lesbian marriages.  (38)
  
  
• Presbyterian - / Leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have voted overwhelmingly to overturn a ban on ordaining homosexuals as ministers of the church, by a 317-208 vote/ (36)
  
  
• Now, to be lazy, I'm going to take the average of the 33% and 60% from above and lump that onto all the other denominations, even the Baptists (16.74)

  
  
  

Okay.  It got kind of iffy there at the end, but it is hard to find statistics for this kind of data.  Pam in Durham has a diary, which suggests I might be too kind with my numbers.  Only 22% of Evangelical Christians believe you will go to hell without Christ in your life.  

The long and the short of it is this, if people accept that there should be no split between Church and State, then the Church State we will end up with might represent less than 20% of the American people.  This is exactly why the Founding Fathers declared a separation between the two, because THIS was to be a country where every person had their voice heard and every idea could be debated, no matter WHAT a certain religion might think.

To those who go along with the flow NOW because they aren't gay, or they don't like abortion, I will close with this life lesson.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.

- Martin Niemoller

Don't doubt that your day is coming.

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When Terror Comes, Don't Forget Who Failed Us.

Every couple of months I like to post a diary on this issue, here there, or anywhere.  You see, terror will come to the United States, and it will kill lots of innocent men, women, and children.  When it comes, I believe two lamps will be lit, as it will come by Sea.

Site Link

So, who failed us?

Poor man's missile.

In the aftermath of 9/11 attacks, container security has become a fragile thing because of its potential in being used as a weapon-delivery device for explosives and hazardous materials. A single incident triggered from a conventional weapon going off in a box can literally bring worldwide intermodal transport to its knees, said US Homeland Security director Jeane K. Kirkpatrick.

Container security is making sure goods loaded in a box are legitimate and authorized from its point of origin to final destination. Ninety percent of the world's freight move in containers but its vulnerability remains a worldwide dilemma.

Would-be terrorists have all the opportunity and motive to tamper and load containers with weapons of mass destruction. Kirkpatrick said the almost complete absence of security oversight in loading and transporting a box plus the growing volume and velocity at which containers move, give terrorists ample opportunities to tamper or load boxes with destructive material. Scenarios of explosive and weapons-laden containers are conceivable and real in Cebu with the absence of security measures at the port or the intermodal transport industry that screens container integrity.

While containers have been considered a "poor man's missile," what motivates terrorists to use these are its profound effect on economic disruption. Kirkpatrick said that other than the substantial loss of life from attacks done in containers, it also puts much of the freight movements that make up international trade at the mercy of terrorists.

In other words, 90% of the worlds trade is done in containers.  WHEN the terrorists blow up a container it will mean all container traffic will be halted for some period - just like airline traffic.  Say hello to the Great Depression, Part Deux.  When will you be ready to have a container travel down your street?  

You see, that is the scary thing about containers, they are everywhere.  Start looking as you drive and you'll notice them.  At the grocery store, on the highway during rush hour, in downtown Manhattan, in downtown Punxsutawney.  They are everywhere.  Millions of them are in the United States everyday and we check almost NONE OF THEM.  And so it goes, one day a container will be loaded with explosives, shipped overseas, loaded onto a truck and driven into downtown (insert your city here) and exploded.  

If we are lucky it will only be an explosion.  If we are unlucky it will be a dirty bomb, or will target a bridge

Or a large building.

Or a high school football game.

No matter what it targets, we can't forget who failed to protect us.  Every single elected official in Washington.  Yes, it is largely the Republicans fault for not sponsoring and funding a law that requires some type of screening for ALL containers.  But, if Democratic Senators had any balls, they could shut down the Senate until such a bill was introduced, passed, and funded.  What American would not stand behind that action.  It isn't about Supreme Court Justices, or U.N. Nominees, it is about American safety.  

Not to say that Homeland Security hasn't beefed up its staff.  My own Senator, Elizabeth Dole, has seen to it that Homeland Security is spending more money searching containers with agents who are specially trained to find dangerous...

Senator Elizabeth Dole - "I am pleased that the Administration now recognizes the problem of transshipment and is hiring Customs agents to focus specifically on keeping out illegal textiles, as directed by Congress," said Senator Dole. "Especially with the expiration of quotas, our textile industry needs trade agreements to be strictly enforced."

On March 7, 2005, Senator Dole wrote Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff calling for the department to explain why money Congress appropriated specifically for hiring Customs agents assigned to keep out illegal textile transshipments was not being used for that very purpose. During the past two years, Senator Dole has helped secure congressional funding for the hiring of these agents...

So, how about some agents to check out containers for bombs?

President Bill Clinton, 2004 Democratic Convention - On homeland security -- on homeland security, Democrats tried to double the number of containers at ports and airports checked for weapons of mass destruction. It cost a billion dollars. It would have been paid for under our bill by asking the 200,000 millionaires in America to cut their tax cut by $5,000. Almost all 200,000 of us would like to have done that, to spend $5,000 to make all 300 million Americans feel safer. The measure failed. Why? Because the White House and the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives opposed it. They thought our $5,000 was more important than doubling the container checks at our ports and airports.

There are nearly 300 million Americans.  We all want to feel safe.  How about a $5 tax on all Americans, across the board to secure our ports and borders?  How about a $50 tax on all businesses to secure our ports and borders?  

When the time comes and the bomb explodes, I will forgive no one.  Senators and Representatives alike are responsible for the terror that will hit our shores, yet they do nothing to stop it.

Support Jon Tester - MT Senate

I ran a bake sale over at DailyKos some time ago to see whom the grassroots would support. Well, they voted overwhelmingly for Jon Tester. But, only two people other than myself contributed. A shame.

Jon Tester was born in Havre, Montana on August 21, 1956, and raised near the town of Big Sandy, Montana, (population: 710) on the same family land that his grandfather homesteaded in 1916.

Tester grew up in Chouteau County, where the rich landscape and life as a farmer’s son instilled in him a deep-rooted conviction to Montana, family, faith and hard work.

Today Jon Tester continues to honor the agricultural roots his grandfather planted in Big Sky Country by continuing the Tester family dry-land farming operations. Tester also was a custom butcher operator.

A respected member in the community, Tester served for five years as chairman of the Big Sandy School Board of Trustees, is a past master of Treasure Lodge #95 of the Masons in Big Sandy, and served on the Big Sandy Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Committee and the Chouteau County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) Committee.

Tester is a former music teacher in the Big Sandy School District and holds a bachelor’s of science degree in music from the University of Great Falls.

Since the late 1980s Tester has put his stamp of leadership on the family farm by moving toward organic farming. The Tester family now grows organic wheat, barley, lentils, peas, millet, buckwheat, alfalfa and hay.

I recommend supporting Jon and giving the Senate Democrats a strong Western Voice:

My contribution: $

European Style Vacation

For years now we have heard from the Neoconservative Republican Movement that Old Europe gets it all wrong. They are lazy, they have bad habits, and they do not share our work ethic. Well, as our parents always told us, actions speak louder than words. None other than our own Republican President, George W. Bush, is taking a European-style 5-week vacation from his place of work. Five weeks! That is more vacation than most of us get in a year. The Presidency is a harrowing job, and as such no one should deny the President his due R&R. But, five weeks away from his job in the midst of a war, isn't that odd?

How does our Commander-in-Chief plan on explaining this to the troops, that his job is "hard work"? In fact, this President has spent more than 20% of his time in office at his ranch in Crawford. Thus, if you add in his time in Kennebunkport and elsewhere on vacation, the man has spent well over 20% of his Presidency just chilling. This is yet another example of Republican lawmakers being two-faced. They rail against minimum wage hikes, and then give themselves a big pay raise. They rail against healthcare for all, yet have the greatest healthcare plan in the world. They decry vacation time and overtime as a waste of productivity and harmful to good business practice, then sanction the longest Presidential vacation in 30 years.

The American Dream Rediscovered

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I grew up in a poor rural area.  Coal mines dominated the landscape and the houses carried a gray tint from tri-axles spewing coal dust throughout the day.  The mines left in the era of Reaganomics and so did the jobs.  My dad was a foreman at a mine when it closed in 1985 making $33,000, he made $5000 the next year selling tires. He now runs a logging equipment company and if he's lucky he MIGHT be back up to $33K after 20 years.  


I went to a small school, graduated 63 people, of which over half went to college.  Parents knew that you HAD to get your kids into college and you HAD to get them out of town.  Not one parent in my town had a college education, not one.  The American Dream is for every child to have a better life than their parents - it's that simple.  In my town that meant getting out and getting educated.  

Many of my friends didn't take the opportunity.  When I go home I see them.  I see them going into bars at lunchtime, I see them driving 30 miles to the nearest Wal-Mart to make $9 an hour, I see them out in the snow patching up broken-down cars.  They are lost and they know it.  No future.  The 1000 mile stare.  

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In an urban area they probably would have turned to drugs and gangs, but in the country they turned to McDonald's and cheap beer.  They don't think they are going to end up in jail, but I don't think they plan for a future either.  When you have no future, to what do you turn?  

In our American Society there is always a quest to get ahead, a quest to be more, be better.  There is no satisfaction with today, there is only longing for the better tomorrow.  In part, it is this drive that has made the U.S. so competitive and so successful over the years.  But, the result of this societal drive is that those who feel they have reached their limits are driven to distract themselves from reality.  Lottery tickets, alcohol, drugs, crime - all ways to ignore the future.

My wife was in the Peace Corps in Morocco, where she lived in a throwback town high in the Atlas Mountains.  These people had NO future in the American sense, and yet they were happy.  Why?  Because their thoughts were on the day, on the crops, what needed to be done today to survive through the harsh winter?  There was a real sense of community because they shared everything, their fields, their orchards, their animals, their chores, their love, their sadness, their religion.  Don't scoff at the religion you non-believers!  Ask yourself this, what would America be like if EVERY citizen took five 15-minute breaks throughout the day to silently pray or meditate on the world at large?  Your first thoughts of the day and your last would be of peace and hope - not a bad idea, huh?  They were happy because they were focused on LIFE, real life right there in front of them.  With no future but survival they were content.  Content equals happy.  

Economists today think that we are on the right track - that we are heading in the right direction.  They don't understand the pessimism, because they have never reached the point of having no future.  Wages are growing at their slowest rate in a generation and minimum wage is well below a living wage, so now more people are falling into poverty.  Health care costs are out of control and as such, more people can't take care of their basic health needs.  Jobs are moving overseas or being cut to improve Wall Street expectations, which means more citizens can't rent a movie for their kids, go to the local amusement park this summer, or buy decent back-to-school clothes.  Have you been the kid in the pleather sneakers from Payless?  Who did you take it out on, your friends or your parents?  There is no future for America's workers, and because of this there is no hope in America.

The American Dream is dead and gone.  No longer do citizens dream of a brighter future for their children, instead visions of the Lottery, American Idol, and Survivor fame float through our children's heads.  And, we let it.  Why not, what did the American Dream get us?  Poverty, hunger, strife.  The Republican Party has done a good job convincing people that if you have not achieved the American Dream then you are weak and lazy, morally bankrupt.  Moreover, they have redefined the American Dream for adults, so that it is not about your children, it is about your possessions.  In their Dream everyone can have a new set of fancy-looking steak knives from Wal-Mart and a new lawn mower every few years from Lowe's, everyone can have 300 television channels, and everyone can lease a new car.  In exchange, all they ask is that you give them the American Dream.  Turn over your future and the future of your children in exchange for these magic beans - and pay no mind to the man behind the curtain - even if they are just cheap plastic knock-offs made in Sri Lanka.  You there, textile worker in North Carolina, have another cheap NASCAR shirt made in China, never mind the loss of your job, Wal-Mart has a sale on real, imitation, leather suitcases for when your house is foreclosed.




The role of the Democratic Party that is too avoided or overlooked is to win back the American Dream.  Taking back the ideal that each generation can be better off than the one before.  Isn't that what we are up against?  Do we not face a party that is in search of Aristocracy, a party that wants a wealthy ruling class and an impoverished working class?  Will new members be welcome to the Aristocracy?  Not likely.  You will be smashed out of existence by Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble's, and Starbucks.  The Democratic Party must fight for the American Dream, that is our framing, that is our message, no half-measures.  

Look no further for your message Democrats, whether DNC, DLC, NDN, or NPA, this is what America expects from you.  The lack of any real effort to make our lives better on a day-to-day basis is why no one trusts or cares about government anymore.  If you want to make America better, then do it.  Stop talking about it, stop framing it, do something about it.  Something real.  Reach out to your fellow citizens with real change, reach out to them with a new American Dream that this next generation will have a better life than ANY previous generation.

• We fight for a living wage for all Americans that work a 40-hour week.  
  
  
• We fight for access to health care for all Americans.  
  
  
• We fight for freedom of small businesses to flourish under the heat of competition.  
  
  
• We fight for the future, we fight for hope, and we fight for the American Dream.
  
  
  

Hayes in Hot Seat

This article does a good job of pointing out why Robin Hayes is in the electoral hot seat. I have other articles here and here that also show why we should be gunning for Hayes. The CAFTA vote will do nothing to endear him to his District voters either.




Hayes' seat a battleground again
Both parties already pouring cash, attention into 8th District race
TIM FUNK
Observer Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - A re-election bid by GOP Rep. Robin Hayes of Concord is again shaping up as one of the 20 or so House races both parties will be watching -- and trying to shape -- as they fight for control of the House in 2006.

The signs aren't hard to find:

Hayes is getting money from corporate PACs...Hayes is on both parties' lists mostly because he's a Republican representing a district with many more registered Democrats (195,452) than Republicans (118,069). Unaffiliated voters in the 8th District total 71,963...On top of the discontent with Bush, Democrats hope to use Hayes' recent votes and comments -- including his assertion on CNN that Saddam Hussein had a role in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks -- to cast him as an out-of-the-mainstream Republican.

...Hoping to scare away any formidable Democratic opposition, national Republicans and their allies have already begun funneling money to Hayes' campaign. He is among 18 House Republicans receiving contributions from the so-called "Million Dollar Club" -- a dozen business PACs representing Wal-Mart, R.J. Reynolds, UPS, Pfizer and others.

...Those at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, meanwhile, have sent a barrage of news releases saying Hayes' votes and comments place him far to the right of even fellow Republicans.

One highlights his June vote against a measure to block the United States from transferring prisoners to foreign governments that may torture them. The amendment to an appropriations bill passed 415-8.

"A lot of these (Hayes) votes we've questioned are not Democratic or Republican issues," says Bill Burton, a DCCC spokesman. "Take the torture vote. More than 99 percent of the members disagreed with Hayes on that. ... It just shows that he's out of the mainstream."

Hayes says he's "obviously against torture," but considered the amendment -- from Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. -- a "very poor political effort to embarrass" U.S. troops.

Why did so many other Republicans -- 215 -- vote for it?

"It was the easy way to go," says Hayes. "Stay out of controversy."

Deadbeat Parents

Johnston presses for payment
Sheriff's deputies rounded up two dozen parents who have not paid child support
I was just reading this story in the News & Observer about Johnston County Sheriff's rounding up deadbeat parents. As is so common in today's media, the story gives equal weight to both sides of the issue and fails to reach any conclusions.

Armed with arrest warrants for 185 moms and dads who have skipped out on child support payments, deputies knocked on doors before folks began stirring for the day. By 2:30 a.m., deputies hauled 24, including six women, to the county jail to settle their tabs.

"It's amazing how they can't come up with the money until they get behind bars," said Sheriff Steve Bizzell, who called for Sunday's roundup after the delinquent accounts started piling up at the county child support enforcement office.

OK, so I agree with this. That is why we call them Deadbeat Dads, and from the looks of it, Deadbeat Moms. But, then comes this story aimed at tugging at your heartstrings.

Carolyn Best, wiping sleep from her eyes, shuffled to a holding cell and stretched out on a belly swollen with ovarian tumors. Best, of 827 Ward St. in Smithfield, owed $548 to the grandmother of her 14-year-old, who had custody of the child for a while in 2004. Currently out of work to care for another sick child, Best couldn't figure out how she would settle up.

"Every time I go to court, I tell them I can't pay for it, but they just keep demanding it," said Best, a 34-year-old mother of five.

She'd pay this time with her freedom. Failure to comply with court orders to pay child support will keep her in jail for 30 days. She hoped a friend would look after her toddler until she got out.

Well, it worked. I feel sorry for this woman and it makes me wonder about the jaded nature of the night's work and our system. But, you know what. I'm not going to wuss out like that. What these Sheriff's did was a good thing. If you have a child, you have a moral and legal obligation to take care of that child. Ms. Best is an exception to the rule, perhaps given her healthcare issues she should be let off the hook. But, then who takes care of her other child? A grandmother? How is she to pay. She is "hoping" that a friend will look after her toddler? I'm certainly hoping that child services keeps tabs - what exactly does she think will happen to her toddler if her friend doesn't help?

If it takes getting thrown in jail or threatened with that action to get parents to pay, then so be it. Are there exceptions to the rule, of course. Ms. Best is one such exception, she should not be in jail given her condition. But, that does not detract from the overall good that comes from waking up Deadbeat Parents to the fact that they must pay for the children they brought into this world.

Easley Moves Ahead on Education

Governor Mike Easley (NC) sent $75 Million to the state's schools today without legislature approval - Good For Him! The legislature has been caught up in a fight between Democrats and Democrats. The sticking point appears to be taxes, Democrats want tax breaks for the rich and corporations with savings through Medicaid cuts, while Democrats want no Medicaid cuts nor tax cuts for the rich. It appears everyone wants tax cuts for corporations. Go figure.

The Republicans? They don't care, we're killing ourselves, why should they bother.

The state is under a court order to make schools better for the poor and not just for the wealthiest North Carolinians. The Easley money goes to:

* $22.5 million to continue a fund for disadvantaged students in 16 of the state's poorest districts. Easley initiated funding for that purpose last year, after the legislature adjourned without acting on it.

* A $16.6 million increase in money the state distributes to about 70 "low wealth" school districts, where local resources for schools fall below the state average. Last year, those districts got $109 million, and Easley has proposed that the allocation be raised in the 2006-07 fiscal year by $42 million.

* $16.6 million to expand More at Four, increasing enrollment capacity for 4-year-olds by 3,200. Last year, the program received about $49 million and reached about 13,600 children.

* Nearly $6 million on high school reform projects, including 15 small-scale "Learn and Earn" schools that will be cooperative ventures with community colleges. There will also be 11 other smaller high schools oriented toward particular economic-development themes, such as health science.

* $11 million for an initiative to open 100 school-based child and family support teams through the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Political Parties

This is a great feature in the Raleigh News & Observer.

NO CALORIES CONSERVED

Lawmakers supportive of the Conservation Council of North Carolina were treated to crab cakes, sushi, cheese ravioli and beer and wine at a reception Wednesday night in the Raleigh home of council president Nina Szlosberg.

The reception listed Speaker Pro Tempore Richard Morgan, Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, House Majority Leader Joe Hackney and Rep. Jim Harrell, a Surry County Democrat who leads the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, as special guests.

During the day, the N.C. Dairy Producers Association provided ice cream to lawmakers and their staffs as part of the annual milk chugging contest.

It's interesting. Normally the column covers gifts from major corporations and business interest groups, yet today the focus is on the Conservation Council. Look for an update on this page of what the Conservation Council is, what bills it supports, and the vote tallies.

Elect Paul Hackett (OH-2) - Watch Commercial

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Neocons Lie About PBS...on PBS

I saw this interview on Lehrer last night, another one of those with an interviewer, a neocon nut job, and a moderate.  The interview, on PBS, revolved around PBS, its funding and whether or not it was worth having around.  The guests (as you already know if you clicked above) were George Neumayr, executive editor of the American Spectator Magazine and neocon nutjob extraordinare, and KCPT in Kansas City President and C.E.O. Bill Reed.

The gall  of the neo-con was in clear view, but what was most intriguing was the absolute idiocy of his attack.  If anything, his ridiculous theatrics would only embolden the viewers.  One of the more telling exchanges is quoted en masse below, and links to all the relevant information to show just how ... relevant, PBS is today.

JEFFREY BROWN: Sorry, I was going to ask the broader question, because some people have raised whether there is a role for public broadcasting at all today.

GEORGE NEUMAYR: Well, I think the question should be raised. Why are the American people financing with their tax dollars programming that offends them? Why are they picking up the tab for Bill Moyers? I've never heard a good answer to that question.

JEFFREY BROWN: Mr. Reed.

BILL REED: You know, Bill Moyers is -- Bill Moyers is not even on the air anymore, and you keep saying, you know, Pick up the tab for this liberal broadcasting network, when study after study has shown otherwise, and you can't put anything forward except your opinion about --

GEORGE NEUMAYR: Well, study after study shows the American people aren't watching PBS.

BILL REED: No, that's not true. At any given night, all the 500 channels you talk about on cable if you want to measure any one of those channels against public broadcasting, you'll see their audiences are minuscule.

But let me answer the question about why we need public broadcasting. I think if you ask parents of young children that question they'd give you a lot of reasons. We still have the best non-commercial, nonviolent, educational children's programming anywhere on television.

And secondly, in our prime-time schedules and our public affairs -- including Now -- Frontline may be the best documentary series on television ever, American Experience, this program - the NewsHour - Nature, Nova, all these programs, you cannot find them anywhere else on the commercial dial. But let me tell you one other thing that makes us distinctive from all the other program services.

They do not have a presence in Kansas City. We are a local community asset. We provide programs and services to the community -- for example, we serve 200,000 K-12 students in Kansas and Missouri. We have a collaborative effort with nine area colleges and universities that result in 50,000 people getting distance education every year.

We're currently doing a demonstration with data-casting with our digital transmitter, with homeland security. And you don't have enough time on this program for me to tell you all the other local programs and services we have here. Those are big reasons why this country still needs public broadcasting.

In addition, I couldn't find a good link to this information, so I will post it here piecemeal.  

The total viewer numbers for the evening news...

A description of PBS viewership...

PBS

The audience trends for the The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, which started in 1973 as The Robert MacNeil Report and later became the half-hour MacNeil/Lehrer Report, stand in striking contrast to those of commercial network television. Data published in the PBS National Audience Handbook show that NewsHour ratings were remarkably stable over the five years from 1998 to 2003, averaging a 1.2 household rating. According to PBS, that translates to roughly 2.7 million viewers each weeknight and more than 8 million different or "unduplicated" viewers who watch at least one night a week.15 That is still significantly smaller than even third-place CBS. But the NewsHour's ability to hold its audience distinguishes it in network nightly news.

...

At a time when Nightline and other magazine programs are having difficulty, and commercial nightly newscasts are hemorrhaging audience, the NewsHour's numbers suggests a health that is unusual.

Is Charles Taylor Responsible for Slashing NPR and PBS?

The House has just voted to slash Public Broadcasting funding by $100 million, which is 25% of the total funding. This cut is MUCH larger than the cuts that are occurring in other areas of the budget, and as such represent a partisan attack against our national broadcasting system.
No other station has educational programs for your children, especially without the constant advertising breaks that destroy their ability to focus and learn.

For WUNC, the loss would amount to $400,000 less in CPB grants, general manager Joan Siefert Rose said. That represents 6 percent to 7 percent of the station's budget.

Rose said conversion to digital programming as well as capital improvements to the station probably would feel the biggest pinch. Spokespeople for the Triangle's other NPR affiliates, WSHA and WNCU, could not be reached for comment.

UNC-TV would lose $750,000 in CPB grants, spokesman Steve Volstad said.

Volstad said the station would also lose $60,000 in "Ready to Learn" program funding. The funds pay outreach workers to travel around the state and educate day care workers on how best to use UNC-TV as an educational tool.

North Carolina Representative David Price condemned these actions, however his counterpart on the committee, Republican Charles Taylor did nothing to end the cuts.

UPDATE: Funding for PBS has been added back to the budget by a bi-partisan vote of 284-140. Bipartisan everywhere but in North Carolina. Right-wing(nut) Howard Coble was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for restoring Public Broadcasting.

Don't fall for Charles Taylor's new act as Moderate voice, he remains a right-wing(nut) Neocon who votes lock-step with Tom DeLay and his master Grover Norquist.

Who is Bill Faison, and when did he become a Republican?

I was just reading through a legislative roundup over at the Raleigh News & Observer, when I noticed something unsettling.

Bill Faison (D) from Orange County voted against EVERY Democratic agenda item mentioned, and WITH the Republicans on every item. The Democratic voters are italicized.

STATE BUDGET ACT (Senate Bill 622, House Version): Makes base budget appropriations of $17.1 billion for current operations of state departments, institutions and agencies. Introduced by Sen. Linda Garrou, D-Forsyth. Adopted 62-58. Returned to the Senate for concurrence.

VOTING YES: Bernard Allen (D-Wake), Lucy Allen (D-Franklin, Halifax, Nash), Linda Coleman (D-Wake), Joe Hackney (D-Orange, Chatham, Moore), Verla Insko (D-Orange), Paul Luebke (D-Durham), Grier Martin (D-Wake), Mickey Michaux (D-Durham), Paul Miller (D-Durham), Deborah Ross (D-Wake), Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake), W.A. "Winkie" Wilkins (D-Durham, Person)

VOTING NO: Russell Capps (R-Wake), Leo Daughtry (R-Johnston), Nelson Dollar (R-Wake), Rick Eddins (R-Wake), Bill Faison (D-Orange, Caswell), James Langdon Jr. (R-Johnston, Sampson), Paul Stam (R-Wake)

* BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 6: Eliminates additional funding for the Global Transpark through 2007. Offered by Rep. Nelson Dollar, R-Wake. Failed 37-82.

VOTING YES: Capps, Dollar, Eddins, Faison, Martin, Stam

VOTING NO: Bernard Allen, Lucy Allen, Coleman, Daughtry, Hackney, Insko, Langdon, Luebke, Michaux, Miller, Ross, Weiss, Wilkins

* BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 9: Provides funding to counties to offset their share of Medicaid expenditures. Offered by Rep. Julia Howard, R-Davie. Failed 58-61.

VOTING YES: Capps, Daughtry, Dollar, Eddins, Faison, Langdon, Miller, Stam

VOTING NO: Bernard Allen, Lucy Allen, Coleman, Hackney, Insko, Luebke, Martin, Michaux, Ross, Weiss, Wilkins

So, who is Bill Faison and exactly why is he a Democrat? I can understand ONE vote here or there, but all of these votes? Isn't he also the man who was behind restructuring Orange County's Commission without the input of the county itself? A restructuring that would lead to more Republican input in the county? If Bill Faison wants to jump ship and become a Republican, more power to him, but he is obviously not a Democrat.

Last Undecided Race in America - Welcome to Carolina

--posted at Kos as well--
The Republicans may have given up in Washington State, but they are still at it in North Carolina.  NC has an elected position for Superintendent of Public Institutions.  In the last election, the race was won by Democrat June Atkinson, but 11,000 provisional ballots have been the cause of a long drawn-out court case that continues today.

What is most interesting about this case is that because of the battle, the position has had almost all of its power stripped away and there is talk that it should be abolished.  The Republican Supreme Court sided with the Republican that 11,000 ballots from a Democratic County should be thrown out, while the Democratic General Assembly passed a law that voided that ruling.

This is why all politics begins at the grassroots, this could be a Senator race that we are talking about instead of a Super race.  It could be Erskine Bowles instead of Aaron Burr Richard Burr that we were picking in this election.  We've seen how county commissions rob us of elections when they are controlled by Republicans, and how Republican school boards throw out junk science (Evolution) while focusing on good science (Creationism).  Is there any doubt that your Republican dog-catcher would rather kill your lost dog as a stray than cost the county money feeding and keeping it healthy?  No position too small, no cause too great.

Bill Fletcher and June Atkinson are still fighting over who won the race for State superintendent of public instruction.

Now some lawmakers say neither one should be elected.

The say the position, charged with making sure North Carolina students are learning, has little power and should be taken off the ballot and eliminated or appointed by the Governor. (link)

RALEIGH - The school year is ending, Election Day was seven months ago, and the race for N.C. school superintendent has yet to be decided.

A legal battle is raging over at least 11,000 provisional ballots, leaving the superintendent's job the last statewide or federal post in the nation on last fall's ballot to be filled...Democrat June Atkinson, a former schoolteacher, has scolded Republican Bill Fletcher for keeping her from taking office.

"He has shown a disrespect for North Carolina's children by denying the inevitable and being a sore loser," Atkinson said. "Bill Fletcher has failed to use two important words that should be in his vocabulary -- `I concede.' "

Fletcher, who trails by 8,535 votes out of more than 3.3 million cast, does not apologize for a legal fight that even has some fellow Republicans privately questioning why the election has dragged on.

"We filed this protest based on principle and the principles haven't changed," Fletcher said. "We've never dreamed it would go on this long."

In Washington state, where a courtroom dispute is under way over GOP allegations of fraud and bungling, Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire still managed to take office in January. She was pronounced the winner by 129 votes out of 2.9 million cast.

But Atkinson was never sworn in. The N.C. Supreme Court blocked her inauguration even though the State Board of Elections declared her the winner in late November.

The superintendent's race could finally end in the coming weeks. A panel in the Democratic-controlled legislature is collecting evidence, and the outcome of the contest will be voted on by the whole General Assembly, which under the state constitution has the authority to decide disputed elections.

Fletcher's beef primarily involves provisional ballots cast outside a voter's precinct. These ballots, which historically have favored Democrats in North Carolina, are included in the current vote totals. Fletcher has consistently said state law does not permit them to be counted.

The state Supreme Court, on which the Republicans hold a majority, agreed with Fletcher in February. But the General Assembly -- where 92 of the 170 seats are held by Democrats -- passed a law that essentially voided the ruling and intends to pick a winner itself.

Fletcher argues the legislature's actions are a power grab by the Democrats. But the state Supreme Court has declined to get involved further. (link)

A Wallis Quote Transmogrified, Reclaiming Democrats

I have been reading God's Politics by Jim Wallis recently.  I came across the following passage:

The root of the terror attacks is not a yearning for economic justice for the poor and oppressed of the world.  It is motivated rather by the ambition of a perverted religious fundamentalism for regional and global power; one that rejects the values of liberty, equality, democracy, and human rights.

What struck me is how this quote could be slightly changed to describe the Republican party here in America.

The root of the Republican law making is not a yearning for economic justice for the poor and oppressed of the world.  It is motivated rather by the ambition of a perverted religious fundamentalism for regional and global power; one that rejects the values of liberty, equality, democracy, and human rights.

This weekend I heard two young politicos bemoaning that if we could just get the facts out there, people would vote for Democrats.  I am no longer under the illusion that this will sway the voters.  I believe there is only 6% of the population that is not dedicated to one party or another, and perhaps only 1% of these actually make up their minds based on hard facts.  

However, I am left to wonder if there exists a large population of former Democrats that could be wooed back to the light.  In other words, can we move people from the hardcore Republican group into the hardcore Democratic group?  I think we can, and you might be surprised who they are.

Jim Wallis and the left-wing evangelical movement is sloughing off support from the radical right-wing evangelicals, which is where many of our former Democrats have fallen.  There is a core of evangelicals that are not just serving their immoral, earthly masters (Dobson), but whom are focused on the common good.  These people are the ones who are reachable, that care about what Christianity actually speaks to, compassion and caring for our fellow man.  Not same-sex marriage.  

This wing of our party could end up being a major factor in winning the next election.  But, just as importantly, it provides us with insights on how to win back voters that have become dissatisfied with the Democratic Party.  Impossible?  In a day and age when the war and House Ethics rules are being denounced by North Carolina's own Freedom Freak Walter Jones, anything is possible.

At what price Democratic?

This should be a year of rejoining for Democrats throughout North Carolina. Though, we lost the national battle against radical neo-conservatives, who hold theology in higher regard than morality, at least here on the homefront we won the war. A Democratic Governor, a Democratic House, and a Democratic Senate, what more could a Democrat ask for?

Well, for its representatives to act like Democrats for one thing. In the last few weeks, the Democratic majority in the Senate has pushed through legislation that seems more in line with neo-conservative Republican policy than with Democratic morality, while blocking legislation that falls inline with Progressive principles. These un-Democratic policies include:

Cutting approximately $2 Billion in Medicaid spending for 65,000 aged, blind, and disabled people who are most in need.  Yet, what do our Democratic Senator have to say about Medicaid for the old, blind, and disabled?

"Many of the complaints that have been filed against us by business and industry and other folks is that we're too generous in Medicaid, and it's been very, very costly."  --  Senate Leader Marc Basnight, D-Dare.

"We've got a lot of non-mandated services that we provide. It's a Cadillac health program." -- Senator David Hoyle, D-Gaston.

"Medicaid is what's driving the budget and we've got to control it."  -- Senator Kay Hagan, D-Guilford.

Our Democratic Senators support a bill that will cut Workers' Compensation Benefits for injured workers, even though fair analysis suggests that our plan is one of the nation's LEAST costly.

Our Democratic Senate has chosen to block decent healthcare for 12,000 children a year from working homes.  These are children whose parents work hard, but who do not bring home enough money for healthcare.  Our Democratic Senate has decided that child welfare is less important than corporate welfare.

A cut in teen drug courts that help keep kids out of jail and are also LESS EXPENSIVE than old-fashioned prison time.

A permanent half-penny sales tax increase, which when proposed nationwide by Republican last year was labeled as a poverty tax.

A minimal cigarette tax that does not offset the damage done by smoking to our personal or economic health and which still leaves North Carolina close to last among states with cigarette taxes.

Reduction in the income-tax bracket for tycoons and heiresses collecting an average of $800,000 a year.

Reduction in the tax-rate for Mega-Corporations in the state.

The Democrats in the Senate need to learn a lesson from George W. Bush about mandates.  We won the Governorship and widening margins in the House and Senate this year and deserve to have a budget that is Progressive in its principles, not neo-conservative.  We deserve equity for the working family, equality for all North Carolinians, a progressive and fair tax system that lifts the burden off the working class and distributes it evenly, and a better life for all children.

The budget battle is not over, far from it, and the Democratic House and Governor have signaled that they do not support many of the proposed neo-conservative positions.  So, please, all North Carolinians, contact the Governor , and your local House Rep, but also PLEASE, email or call your Senator and let them know that these changes are unacceptable and that they will not be tolerated in the future.  Thank you for your time.

Child Survival Initiative

This is an initiative that I have put together. The purpose is to offer Democrats a cohesive pro-life, pro-infant, pro-child strategy to offer the American people. Other bills that are already in consideration could be added.

The Infant & Child Well-Being Program
Infant and Children Survival Bill.
Under Republican leadership infant and child mortality has risen every year, the first increases in infant death for 43 years. Yet, instead of remedying the problem, the latest Republican budget will continue to increase the number of infants and children that die in our country. We must not forsake the welfare of our children for the welfare of MegaCorporations.

•Infants and Children in our society have been relegated to second class citizen status behind Mega-Corporations and their interests. Infant mortality had decreased for 43 years until 2001. Under the Republicans, infant mortality and child mortality has begun to rise again. We rank behind such “Super Powers" as Italy, Norway, and Poland in the most vital statistic – keeping our children alive. Republicans will counter that we try to save more preemies than any other country, which is why our rates increase. To counter that, we also rank 24th in the world in Child Mortality, which is defined by the death of children between the ages of 12-59 months.

•The new Republican budget cuts Medicaid benefits. As pointed out by the March of Dimes, THE organization responsible for stopping polio, THE organization that has done more for children’s health than any other; “Medicaid is the single most important source of coverage for maternity services, accounting for 1.4 million (37%) of births in hospitals.”

•This bill should seek to increase funding for any program that might increase the chances of survival for infants and children. Opposition to this bill would place Republicans against saving babies.


Ending Curable Childhood Diseases Bill.
The budget of the Republican Party will result in an increase in preventable childhood diseases. We must not ignore preventable childhood diseases for the sake of larger deficits and more handouts to Mega-Corporations.

•The Republican budget cuts all funds earmarked for neonatal testing. In case you are not aware, there are 29 tests that all neonates are recommended to receive. This takes a few heel pricks of blood. These tests are all for metabolic diseases.

•Why test? Because if you find out that a child has the disease you give them supplements and they live a perfectly normal life. What happens if they are not tested and you don’t find out until later in life? Too late, they will grow up to be mentally retarded, physically retarded, or dead.

•This bill would fund half of the monies required for states to test every newborn for metabolic diseases. Opposition to this bill would require Republicans to defend increases in PREVENTABLE childhood diseases, which will result in more healthy children becoming mentally and physically retarded or dead. In addition, this would allow state Democrats around the country to argue for preventing childhood diseases, while their Republican counterparts must argue AGAINST preventing childhood diseases.


No Homeless nor Hungry Children
The number of children in poverty decreased every year under Democratic leadership, and has increased every year under Republican leadership. While we continue arguing over the causes of poverty, children go homeless, hungry, and die on the streets. No child has a choice in being homeless, but we adults have the choice and the responsibility to care for these children. (This argument makes a good segway when the Republicans try to move the argument to choice/abortion.)

•In this country, right now, 27 million children are growing up in low-income families. Of these 27 million children, 83% of them have at least one working parent. These numbers are not evenly divided either, with 42% of children under age 6, nearly 10 million, living in poverty.

Buried within the thousands of pages of the Republican budget are two important features. First, more program benefits for MegaCorporations; second, cuts in program benefits that feed our nation’s hungriest children. When will the party of Aristocrats and Tycoons be honest about their priorities? Corporate welfare over child welfare (repeat ad nauseum).

•Millions of children in our country suffer from hunger, while millions more suffer from chronic undernutrition, the under-consumption of essential nutrients. This nutrient deficiency can lead to serious health problems, including impaired cognitive development, growth failure, physical weakness, anemia and stunted growth. These problems lead to irreparable damage to our children. The number of Americans who were hungry, at risk of hunger, or food insecure rose in 2001 to 33.6 million. This includes over 6 million households with children.

We must stop ignoring children who, through no choice of their own, are thrown into homelessness. When families fall into homelessness because of economic downturns, the result is the dissolution of the family, as children are torn from their parents and forced into foster homes. Fighting child homelessness is a win-win situation for society; you end up with a more successful child and it costs less than the alternatives.

•Over one million children will experience homelessness this year. Can you believe that? Can you imagine the fear, anger, and shame you must feel if you bring your child into homelessness? According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, one of the major reasons for homelessness is the disparity between the minimum wage and home costs. “In no jurisdiction does a minimum wage job provide enough income to afford the rent of a modest apartment. In 1970, there were 300,000 more affordable housing units available than there were low-income households in need. In 2001, there were 4.7 million more low-income households in need than there were affordable housing units. Housing vouchers have been shown to end family homelessness. Nationally, the average cost of placing the children of a homeless family in foster care is $47,608, while the average annual cost for a permanent housing subsidy and supportive services for a family of equal size is about $9,000.”

•This bill could include a number of programs. Increasing the minimum wage would be an immediate winner because so many Republicans voted against it. Even Wal-Mart employees are starting to organize for higher pay. Housing vouchers would be a very effective tool, because you could clearly state that it saves the Federal Government $36,000 a year for one child, and $84,000 a year for two children. In addition, children that grow up homeless are more likely to enter the welfare roles, they are more likely to have mental problems, and they are more likely to burden society than to help it. Thus, putting them in houses is cheaper and makes the world a better, safer place.

•Feeding hungry children and getting them out of poverty should be a priority, but it may prove hard to sell by itself – it seems that our opponents believe the churches will take care of everybody. In the context of these other programs, it should be possible to sell food and shelter for infants as children (Democrats) vs. Corporations (Republicans).

Excommunication of Democrats

A group of 20 Democrats have been excommunicated from the East Waynesville Baptist Church in North Carolina. The excommunication was based on their failure to support George W. Bush, as stated by the priest. So, two questions.

1. What is excommunication?
2. What is a church?

1. What is excommunication? Definitions can be found throughout the internet, but I like this one - "Excommunication implies that the privileges of church membership are so high that to be expelled is the ultimate tragedy. In the close brotherhoods of some Protestant groups exclusion from the bread and wine meant the censure of friends, the loss of sweet fellowship, the consciousness of being out of favor with God and man." Ok, so it fits that these people have been excommunicated from a Baptist church. They have been deprived of the ability to worship, they have been censured by their friends (clapping as they left), and lost fellowship.

2. What is a church? Here, I would like to focus on the IRS definition of a church. The IRS has a list of criteria, not all of which have to be met in order to be a church.

* A distinct legal existence.
* A recognized creed and form of worship.
* A definite and distinct ecclesiastical government.
* A formal code of doctrine and discipline.
* A distinct religious history.
* A membership not associated with any other church or denomination.
* A complete organization of ordained ministers ministering to their congregations.
* Ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed courses of study.
* A literature of its own.
* Established places of worship.
* Regular congregations.
* Regular religious services.
* Sunday schools for the religious instructions of the young.
* Schools for the preparation of its ministers.

The point to note is highlighted. What is ecclesiastical? "Of or pertaining to the church; relating to the organization or government of the church; not secular"

What is secular? "Of or pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to temporal as distinguished from eternal interests; not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly."

So, this organization fails on this count. But, do they fail on the others? Probably. I think that A formal code of doctrine and discipline should be looked into by someone. Because if such a code of doctrine and discipline exists, then I bet it doesn't say anything about excommunication based on political party.

Alan Gell and the Death Penalty

In a case that hits close to home, if your home is in NC, Alan Gell provides the best reason yet for a death row moratorium. Alan Gell was set up for a murder he did not commit by two 15-year old girls, who were making deals with the prosecutor.

The prosecutors had Gell arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. All the while, they hid evidence that GELL WAS IN PRISON DURING THE MURDER!!!

What kind of evil bastard does this to another human?

Maybe Gell wasn't an angel, but he sure as heck didn't deserve to be killed for a crime he didn't commit.

Romans 2
God's Righteous Judgment
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?

Is the death penalty an appropriate penalty? Perhaps. Perhaps there are cases. Those who would use the Bible as their law see many cases where Death is appropriate, as would be the cutting off of hands, the plucking of eyes, etc. Many in our country have come to see the Death Penalty as cruel and unusual punishment. Others have merely come to see it as a crime itself, as is the case for Alan Gell. Where are the prosecutors who lied and sent Alan Gell to die an innocent man in the throughs of agony? They have been "reprimanded" by the State Bar. OOOooooooh, I'll bet their wrists hurt.

Death to an innocent man = A slap on the wrist

Yeah, that's fair.

Take Down Robin Hayes

Okay Folks. It is time to take down these "Republican DeLites", who have no ideas of their own, but only tow the DeLay line. We are unfortunate enough to have one of the worse offenders here in our state - Rep. Robin Hayes.

Robin Hayes took almost $43,000 from Tom DeLay, and in return he helped pay for his legal funds and voted in lock-step with his anti-American legislation. We must start now, before the rush, we must raise money and raise awareness. We must get men like Robin Hayes out of office before they do any more harm.

I propose that we bring Beth Troutman back for another go at this office. I don't know Beth personally, but a tour through her biography reads like this:
Growing up, I waited tables at my family’s restaurant, Troutman’s Barbeque.

In my younger years, I had the honor of serving as spokesperson for First Lady Nancy Reagan’s ‘Just Say No to Drugs’ program

I became active in the Cabarrus County D.A.R.E program and worked with local law enforcement officials to reach children in my community.

I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, paying my way with scholarships and part-time jobs waiting tables and managing a clothing store.

I began the ‘Build A Dream’ foundation to help underprivileged children set goals and realize their dreams.

I spent a decade of my life working with kids to help them overcome drug addictions, low self-esteem issues, and bad home lives.

I was fortunate to get a ‘behind the scenes’ job with the television show ‘The West Wing’.

Coming home to run for Congress was an easy decision. Cabarrus County is, and always has been, my home.

The interests of the people of our district are being replaced by the interest of big business.

The needs of our constituents have taken a back seat to the personal gain of our elected officials.

Here at home, we believe in hard work, integrity, and standing up for what you believe in. Send me to Washington, and the values of the Eighth District will be well represented.

Why should we send Beth back to the plate? Let's look at some facts. In the last election, Beth won 45% of the vote against Robin Hayes. Not bad, considering that Hayes has been in office since 1998. He has a strong ground game and lots of favors owed him you can be sure. So, 45% is a pretty good showing.

US CONGRESS DISTRICT 8
Name on Ballot.............Party........Ballot Count
Robin Hayes.................REP...........125,070 (55%)
Beth Troutman............DEM.........100,101 (45%)

But wait, there is more. What kind of campaign did Beth get to run? A big high-budget affair like we expect in such a competitive race? No, afraid not. Hayes raised almost $1.7 million, while Beth only raised $231K.

Why? Huh? Where was the party? I don't know. But, I do know this. Hayes needs taken down and perhaps Beth Troutman, with a few million in her coffers, could do the job. IF, we start now.

HAYES,ROBIN...............REP.....$1,693,680
TROUTMAN,BETH.......DEM.......$231,263

Social Security for the "Deal-Maker"

OK Mr. President, I have an offer. I'm not even sure my Democratic brethren will agree to this plan, but what the heck. Let's do your privatized/personal accounts. Let's do it. But, let's do it without cutting any benefits and without causing a huge deficit.

Let's put taxes back to where they were in 2000 for the next three years. But, keep spending JUST WHERE IT IS. No new spending except for 3% inflation per year. Take every extra penny and put it into a true "lock-box" for Social Security. This will save the solvency of Social Security, while at the same time allowing folks to invest a part of their Social Security.

I'm sure there are problems with this plan, but you know what? It doesn't matter. Republicans would never agree to a plan that didn't cut benefits. Republicans would never agree to a plan that didn't run the government into a deficit.

Because their goal is an end to all Government programs save Homeland Security and Defense.

Never Forget That.

My opinion? Well, since you asked Mr. Begala, I think... 

Standing in the Pews, The Laity Speak on the Failings of Radical Religion

I need your help. Recent events have culminated in my decision to jump off a cliff. I have no parachute, I have no training, but jump I must. Four events have occurred, which lead me to believe that we, the Democratic Party, could benefit from an idea that has percolated into my head. Trying to remove this idea has been as futile as scrubbing up red wine on a white carpet. Only makes it spread wider and deeper.

My idea is to have you, the Democratic faithful, describe in a series of essays how the radical religious ideas of the right have lead to a failure of faith. From time spent here, I know that there are many among you who are religious, and I know that you have issues with various religious organizations. What I am asking is not easy and what I am proposing is just hard enough to make me crazy. I am asking the willing to spend some serious time dissecting your beliefs, your favorite religious texts, and the words of those who oppose you; then, I ask you to describe why their fanaticism has failed their religion. In each of these "essays" I would ask you to share your personal experiences as they relate to the specific topics you are addressing.

As an example, in Christianity, it is clear that Jesus means for us to care for the poor. That is his prime mission in teaching, yet the radical right care nothing for the poor, as is found in their writings and in their actions.

What will be done with these essays? I can only say that I will work without fail, without ego, without fear, to make sure that these essays appear to the public before the 2006 election. These essays need to stand next to religious vitriol that is funded by the CorporaCons. We must fight lies with truth, deceit with clarity, and hate with love. We must show that our faith, the faith of all progressives, even those that do not partake of specific religions, we must show that our faith is based on compassion, equality, opportunity, and caring.

So, please, email me if you have any interest in joining with me in this task (chucklesthedem@hotmail.com). And, also, please send this email to any and all friends and acquaintances who might be interested in participating.

Thank you.

Democratic Agenda

We are always accused of having no agenda. Well, that is true in some part. We need to create an agenda and couch our votes in terms of that agenda.


asthmastuff.com

1. The Health of our Children Will be Considered First.




My Dad (with shirt) in Vietnam.

2. We Will Protect This Country.



www.americanrevolution.com

3. We Will Uphold the Constitution of the United States of America Against all Threats, Internal and External.

knobboy: Et Tu, Gilbert ?

There is a great write-up over on knobboy about Reps. eating their own. Who else would eat them? They probably would taste good with fava beans, thlip-thlip-thliiiiiiiiiiip

knobboy: Et Tu, Gilbert ?

Pork Barrel Projects are UnAmerican

CAGW press conference

How can Republicans support these programs, Democrats I understand, but Republicans? This is America, which made its place through survival of the most fit. Republicans are responsible for supporting this profit at all costs policy, while Democrats are responsible for keeping these barons from killing too many workers in the process.

Pork makes no sense.

Pork projects do not go through the funding process. As a scientist, I cannot understand this. We have to apply and reapply for funding until we are found to be among the most competitive. Only competitive, well-presented, well-thought out projects survive the funding process. Pork projects can be poorly planned, poorly executed, and without merit. Their only strong suit being that they have the ear of an influential politician.

Some highlights from the Citizens Against Government Waste:
-13,997 pork barrel projects, an increase of 31 percent.
-$27.3 billion in pork barrel funding, an increase of 19% since last year.
- $212 billion in pork since 1991
-206% increase in Homeland Security Pork
-Alaska lead the nation with $985 per capita or 30-times the national average.

Robin Hayes, Bought and Paid For

I am saddened to discover that Rep. Robin Hayes of the NC 8th Congressional District is a member of Tom DeLay's bought and paid for gang. According to information collected by the DNC, Robin Hayes has collected over $42K from Ken DeLay's fund-raising machine.

Given the allegations that the money is tainted, it would behoove Rep. Hayes to give BACK that money until it is shown to be clean. Better to be safe than to be sorry when it comes to morals and your immortal soul, eh Rep. Hayes?

Of course, it doesn't stop there. What makes this worse is that given all the allegations and investigations into shady deals, our Rep. Hayes has decided to help protect Ken DeLay by contributing to his legal defense fund! Did that money come from his salary? Because I sure don't like to think that my tax dollars are paying for Ken DeLay's defense fund.

Shame on Robin Hayes, shame on Ken DeLay, shame on all these Republicans with low moral standards.

A Forward From Lynda

Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?
The torrential rains of a mother's weeping will never be done
They call him a hero, you should be glad that he's one, but
Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?

Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?
He must be brave because his boy died for another man's lies
The only grief he allows himself are long, deep sighs
Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?

Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?
They say that he died so that the flag will continue to wave
But I believe he died because they had oil to save
Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?

Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?
The leaders want to keep you numb so the pain won't be so deep
But if we the people let them continue another mother will weep
Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?

My Alternate Self 

Are the Republicans Crazy?

Republicans just won the last election by energizing their base, which includes the wealthy, religious senior citizens, and rural whites. In addition, they pulled some minorities to their side based on religion and their "pro-life" stance (read: Pro-Embryo). So, now that they have complete power what do they intend to do?

1. Destroy Social Security with a plan that most Americans hate.
2. Attack the AARP, accusing this Seniors organization of being pro-gay marriage and anti-military. The AARP is the most influential lobbying group in American by he way.
3. Turn down a moderate increase in the minimum wage, which hasn't been increased since they took control of Congress in 1996.
4. Give themselves another pay raise ($28K in 7 raises over 8 years).
5. Give more tax breaks to wealthy individuals and corporations.

So, you are left to ask yourself, are the Republicans crazy? And, can we take advantage of it in 2006?

Lacking Worth

The Buck Stops Here - Remember That?
Donald Rumsfeld is a complete and utter loser. A man of decrepit moral values and an unwaving ability to say, "Not my fault." Who are these idjits that think they can hold the torch of moral values while refusing to take personal responsibility for their actions? George Bush as much as blames God for his actions, you know, he speaks with the Lord and gets direction from him. In other words, God made me do it.

And Rumsfeld?

“What was going on in the midnight shift in Abu Ghraib prison halfway across the world is something that clearly someone in Washington, D.C., can’t manage or deal with,” he said, adding: “I have no regrets.” Donald Rumsfeld

"The Buck Stops There" - A Republican Motto to Live By.

Tough Choices?

In a recent article on MSNBC, Which way ahead for Democrats?, several key issues were raised.

1. The War in Iraq, should Democrats call for the withdrawl of U.S. Troops?

2. The Bush Supreme Court Nominees, should Democrats filibuster?

3. Social Security, what should Democrats do?

My responses:

1. We should call for the Internationalization of Iraq following elections, including equal business contracts for troop involvement.

2. We should filibuster the hell out of them. President's come and go, but the Supreme Court is for life.

3. We should point out the real costs of privatized Social Security at every point. We should call for realistic accounting practices for the U.S. Government now, while we are not in control. Let America see the real budget shortfalls, let them see the real costs of Social Security.

The Party of "No" or "Know"

To my way of thinking, the Democratic party has sat back long enough and responded No. The time has come for Democrats to lead, in the way that only they can. We must leave behind the politics of confrontation, we must leave behind the politics of the antagonist, even when our numbers have reached their nadir. America has long been the land of hard-work, ingenuity, and common sense solutions. This is the well from which we must draw. Who better represents these American values than Democrats?

We must become the party of Know. We must show a better way by leading.

Can politics be avoided if both sides don't show up to play? Can we avoid the pettiness of politics by simply rising above? Can we talk directly to the American people? Is it possible to ridicule the policies of the Republican leadership while remaining cordial with our neighbors who are Republicans?

Many Americans want Statesmen to reappear in America, is there any way that the Democratic Party can become the party of Statesmen and not the party of special interests and polls? The party of America?

Republican Mouthpiece Disses Private Social Security

Joe Scarborough , a former Republican Congressman and now MSNBC host, has written a wonderful blog entry on the privitization of Social Security. It is something every young person should have to read.

County Issues

Feel free to post any local (county, city) issues that might help inform others.

State-wide Issues

This is an open post to discuss any state-wide issues that might come up.

Logging-In

Greetings to any and all new CountryCrat readers.

I did not realize that you had to log-in to post comments. You are welcome to post anonymously with your name and/or email in the message. Or, you can go through the several minute set-up that is required.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Letter to the Editor - Fight for Life

An Open Letter to Republicans:

For the last four years we have had a Republican Senate, House, and President. The party of "Life" has controlled our country for four years. I challenge you now to live up to that motto. Since 1993 the Infant Mortality rate in the United States had steadily declined, throughout the Clinton years. Since Republicans have gained control, that number has begun to rise again. That number represents living infants versus dead infants and it is rising. The United States ranks 40th in the world in Infant Mortality. That means 39 other countries do a better job of keeping infants alive than we do - that is a crime against innocents. So, I challenge you to truly be the party of Life and not just the "pro-Birth" party that many believe you to be.

Pro-Life vs. Pro-Birth

The other day, someone at the DNC Blog posted an interesting point about who is truly pro-life and who is pro-birth. This relates back to the child health post I made earlier. Republicans should be categorized by Democrats as pro-birth, their only concern is about abortion. Democrats are truly the party of pro-life because we care about the entire life of a child.

Who wants to improve healthcare for children? Democrats.

Who wants to improve pre-K programs for children? Democrats.

Who wants to focus on abortion and discard the lives once they are born? Republicans.

Who wants tax cuts for the rich while our infant mortality rate drifts higher? Republicans.

Who wants welfare for corporations while children go hungry and malnourished in our own country? Republicans.

We are clearly the party of life, while Republicans can only claim to be the party of birth.

NC Goes Blue - 2006

Governor - Democratic Party

Lt. Governor - Democratic Party

Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, - Democratic Party

State Senate - 29 Dem vs 21 Rep (from 27 to 23)

State House - 63 Dem vs 57 Rep (from 58 to 62)

County Commisions - 57 Dem to 43 Rep

I predict and would love to see, the U.S. House seats go from 6 Dem and 7 Rep to 7 Dem and 6 Rep with the removal of Virginia Foxx and Dems retaining every other seat. Ultimately, it would be nice to remove Elizabeth Dole in 2006 as well, but that is not as likely.

That would put NC in a good position to go Blue in 2008.

Learned Behavior

I just finished raking up a big pile of pine needles (Southern leaves). After I had a nice big stack I called my son over and told him his leaf pile was ready. He is three and this is his first Fall to remember. So, he jumped on top of the "leaves" and just kind of sat there. I went on with my other business and next I knew he was jumping in the leaves, tossing them in the air, and his bike is now covered in a leaf igloo.

Playing in leaves is NOT a learned behavior, it is something kids just know.