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Climate Change and the Democratic Platform
While the main purpose of the upcoming Democratic Convention is to elect a nominee, there is also the task of writing the platform. I believe that the DFA should concentrate effort into the climate change section of the Democratic Platform. Perhaps we in the DFA can arrive at a formal committee of people to draft private text to be used in the platform. A well-researched and well-written document has the best chance of getting accepted. The question for everyone is: what would you like to see in a DFA position paper on climate change? Perhaps there are some energy experts out there reading this. I would like to see support for telecommuting and flexible hours as part of the platform. These actions require no funding, no research money and no waiting for futuristic technology. They can be implemented now and would alleviate the current situation of people idling in traffic lines at rush hour. The only change needed is a change in outdated customs and modes of thinking.
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Linda,
You may want to check with a DNC member from your state, the DNC Platform Committee Chair or the DNC Secretary to find out the process and/or procedure for writing and then submitting for this type of proposal. You don't want to spend the entire convention running around just to find out the how-tos. It may need to be submitted before the convention or by a DNC member. Ask the DNC to send you copy of their bylaws on platform submissions.
---Susan
But Fred has a foul mouth when it comes to John Huron, so John is OK, and Fred is bad
Well said, Fred!
There seems to be a lot of denial among BFA bloggers regarding the total and absolute mess the congressional Dems have made of the mandate they were handed a year ago.
I'm sorry folks, but blind loyalty to that sorry lot of blundering fools will not bring victory in 08!
THERE IS NO OPPOSITION PARTY IN WASHINGTON
http://www.scholarsandrogues.com/2007/11/19/there-is-no-opposition-party-in-washington/
Time and time again, on critical issue after critical issue, the Democrats fall in line with their Republican leaders and do what they’re asked. They do the will of the GOP instead of the will of the people. They act in the interests of the nation’s narrow power elite instead of in the public interest. They follow instead of leading. And they do so because - they don’t object.
Some examples illustrate the point.
- Despite winning a majority in both houses of Congress largely on America’s unhappiness with our open-ended occupation of Iraq, and despite controlling the pocketbook needed to extend that involvement further, the blank-check Dems bankrolled over and agreed to continue funding Bush’s Folly.
- Thanks to the help of 3/4 of the Senate Democrats, the flagrantly anti-liberty “Patriot Act” was renewed last year.
- The Dem-controlled Congress voted to extend the extremely problematic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) just like Bush told them to.
- Although there’s still some hope on this one, there remains a great chance that the Dems are going to help the GOP grant retroactive immunity to the telecoms that helped the NSA conduct a massive illegal spying campaign on American citizens.
- Teddy Freakin’ Kennedy, of all people, made sure the Dems were doing their part in Bush’s War on Education by helping extend No Child Left Untested, an epic trainwreck that our nation will still be paying for three generations from now (and that’s the best-case scenario).
- Key Democratic “leaders” like Feinstein and Schumer helped assure that we now have an Attorney General who can’t say for sure whether or not waterboarding is torture. Schumer seems to have been the Kabuki-master all along, but what do we expect from a guy who thinks Newt Gingrich is a “great thinker” who’s “trying to find a way to bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans.” (I can maybe give you the first part - even if he’s pure evil Newt has given us evidence that he possesses a shrewd mind. But if you buy that last part you shouldn’t be entrusted with anything more dangerous than lint.)
- The Dems rolled over on Alito and Roberts, two Justices who now give the social reactionaries a dangerous edge on the Supreme Court. Could they have stopped those appointments? Hard to say for sure because they didn’t even try.
We could go on here, I suppose, but what would be the point? Let’s sum this all up with a simple question: What has Bush asked for that the Democrats have not given him?
Linda...it's a great idea!
It doesn't need to be made so difficult, however. The ideas and research papers are already there, we just need a couple people to coordinate their research, put something together, and we can all start framing the debate in accordance with the plan.
Personally, I think the economic plans are the most well-resonating. Touting the economic boom from environmentaly sound policies. Tax incentives for private enviroronmentally sound infrastructure development, tax penalties for companies that don't conform to environmental regulations. Shift the economic burden instead of pulling the rug out from under existing industries. Pulling the rug out...I'm afraid...will just lead to more wars over energy. We can fix things as gradually as we ruined them.
Environemntal healing MUST be inextricably connected to economic benefit if the message and ensuing results are to have any chance of traction. We can wave our fists in the air abouttheenvironment as much as we want, but until there is clear economic incentive to make it a reality...it will still only be fist waving.
4.
Huron John
Mon, 11/19/07
10:05 pm
Sir, if you think you can do a better job of cleaning up the mess they were handed. Then please do run for political yourself.
Caution: First you'll need to get elected. In order to do that you'll to nice to a lot of people.
I'm sorry folks, but blind loyalty to that sorry lot of blundering fools will not bring victory in 08!
There are only a few on blog who are blindly loyal to DCDems.
What has Bush asked for that the Democrats have not given him?
He's been begging to be impeached for years.
The two interesting things I heard on the (I use the term loosely) news tonight were that Obama was ahead in Iowa and Lou Dobbs is on a 'listening tour.' Other than that, that Helio guy on Dancing with the Stars is a fox. Nitie all.
Well, well , well
Here is the link:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_eHEN07S7bjk/RtH6Zd_12QI/AAAAAAAAABE/d3dsLGmMUrA/s1600-h/DSC04198.JPG
What is the Democratic Congress doing for us?
The DNC compiled the following information.
What the new Democratic Congress has accomplished.
Strengthening National Security
The first bill passed by the Democratic Congress made the 9/11 Commission recommendations law. These important guidelines help win the war on terrorism and protect American families.
Expanding College Aid
With an overwhelming bipartisan majority, the Democratic Congress passed the largest expansion of higher education aid since the GI Bill. It’s estimated this new law will save the average student $4,400 on his or her student loans at no cost to taxpayers.
Raising the Minimum Wage
The Democratic Congress passed the first increase of the minimum wage in a decade. The result was a raise for 13 million hard-working Americans.
(BUSH VETO)
Expanding Life Saving Medical Research on Stem Cells
Stem cell research is a new frontier in medical research, giving hope to those suffering from debilitating illnesses. The Democratic Congress passed legislation to expand this critical research. Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed this bill.
(BUSH VETO)
Providing Health Care for 10 Million American Children
The Democratic Congress sent President Bush a bipartisan bill that would have provided health care for 10 million American children. The bill was “pay as you go” compliant and supported by most Americans. Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed this bill.
Fighting Global Warming and Promoting Energy Independence
The House of Representatives passed historic energy legislation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create new jobs, and reduce carbon emissions.
Investing in Good Paying Jobs for Today’s Economy
The America Competes Act is the first part of the Democrats’ innovation agenda to prepare the next generation of American workers for today’s global economy. It invests in scholarships and training for math and science teachers and doubles research funding.
Restoring Public Trust
The Lobbying and Ethics Reform bill broke the link between lobbyists and legislation. Independent ethics reform groups called it “sweepting, fundamental” and “landmark” reform.
---
At least Congress is not a total rubberstamp for Bush any more. They're having oversite hearings on just about everything you can think of. They're finding out all damage that was done so they can clean it up. Bush and his rubberstamp congress has made a total mess of everything. He's the worst President this country has ever had.
I'm starting to be more sympathetic towards Obama.
I like to see some teeth. Who likes a toothless politician?
At least Congress is not a total rubberstamp for Bush any more.
When we accept the least, it's the best we'll ever get.
I'm starting to be more sympathetic towards Obama.
Hopefully Democrats will or won't support candidates based on their records and proposals rather than Novak's and Rove's machinations. Always consider the force.
But it is good that Democrats are letting Republicans know that the old days of blithely accepting whatever garbage is thrown at them is over. Now if they would only stop blithely assuming that voters want them to be like Republicans.....
I heard on the (I use the term loosely) news tonight were that Obama was ahead in Iowa....
I'm not an ABHer, but it's good to see that Hillary's annointing as the nominee-apparent is being rejected (Dean's revenge?) And it's good that an anti-war Dem is the one cutting her down to size.
....techniques of deception have undergone enormous improvements since Orwell's time.
Many of these techniques were developed in connection with the advertising and marketing of commercial products and services, and then adapted to politics.
Their distinguishing feature is that they can be bought for money. More recently, cognitive science has helped to make the techniques of deception even more effective, giving rise to political professionals who concentrate only on "getting results."
"The reason democratic politics leads to manipulation is that politicians do not aspire to tell the truth. They want to win elections, and the best way to do that is to skew reality to their own benefit. "
Hardball showed Mike Huckabee's new ad with Chuck Norris. It was stupid, but just what a GOP primary voter would find amusing and likeable. Matthews then said it wasn't serious and intelligent enough for someone who wanted to be president. After witnessing 7 years of Bush, I had to wonder what planet Matthews thinks he lives on.
The Commission on Presidential Debates has picked Oxford, Miss.; St. Louis; Nashville; and Hempstead, N.Y., as the sites of the presidential and vice-presidential debates in the general election campaign next year.
...acting as host of a presidential debate is “an expensive proposition,” he told The Associated Press, “and presents enormous strategic challenges. All things considered, New Orleans did not measure up.”
“Politics trumped the correct moral decision,” Ms. Milling said. “Supposedly, many people said that they would not be comfortable coming here,” because New Orleans stands as a rebuke to the federal government’s response to the hurricane.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/us/politics/20debate.html?ref=us
“Supposedly, many people said that they would not be comfortable coming here,”
Let me guess...."many people" means "Republicans."
Linda
The platform is decided by the person that wins the most nominating convention delegates in the allocation process that is about to begin.
Here in Iowa if Out.Now.. is your number one position you are leaning Richardson.
If Universal Health Care makes your top concern Kucinich if single payer; Edwards if other.
Climate Change has no similar champion so can be set more easily from the grassroots if a change election because we got where we are through the status quo.
so we are looking for a candidate that sees the need for a course correction, a new way of doing business, and a popular win that gives enough political capital to force Congress to ratify the Climate protocol treaty
Several of the candidates seem to think that the new direction means changing the partisan tone by accomodating Republicans and pursuit of bipartisan compromise,
CAFE STANDARDS can't make it by Michigan Democrats so the fight for environmentalists should perhaps be primary fights in Michigan to actually make the most global difference over the next 10 years on carbon, then we need an insurgent candidate to do well in the early states and spur that effort.
to answer your question what should the DFA position be? support for every chance to make a difference through Congressional act by supporting candidates that make the biggest difference running on a platform that simply elevates climate change as issue
I think a President gets to do three things tops from personal momentum by winning. I'm looking for the candidate who puts climate change on that list.
If restoring America's standing in the world is the route to getting the American people on board to accepting different ways of doing things, you could make the argument that leaving Iraq and restoring American adherence to the rule of law might well be the route to the ratification of a treaty.
bushco has blown off treaty after treaty so a new one on climate without cleansing the neo-cons from the halls of Congress and White House would be an exercise in futility
("what treaty? didn't you read my signing statement?)
Dodd looks good on that scale even if he doesn't personally seem to make climate change one of his top three concerns. With him in the White House you might get to a treaty.
as someone with much platform experience getting language adopted is just a first baby step to getting changes in laws, but you can't run til you walk
get the process right, get delegates who care, support candidates who will deliver, it is the whole political ball of wax
Good morning, everybody
While I certainly think that humans should not befoul the air and water and land with wastes that other organism can't use and find poisonous, I'm not convinced that humans can effect climate change intentionally. Thinking that they can do so simply satisfies their hubris.
What we need is a little humility, modesty and prudence.
Sorry to be preachy. I've been looking into a fellow named Ted Suhl who runs some sort of psychiatric ranch for youth in Hot Springs, Arkansas and who gave a free plane ride to Huckabee. There's damn few Suhls in the U.S. it seems. He's also identified as a manager of Southeaster Asset Management which is supposedly a NH outfit, but I can't verify that. And then theres's a company Suhl supposedly works for, according to FEC reports, which doesn't seem to exist either. There's something fishy about these Arkansas people.
Private corporations and religious organizations are simply being used as fronts for illegal government functions. The whole "faith-based" movement is a scam comparable to "privatization" that's designed to evade the requirements of democratic government.
Ted Suhl's school for children is called the Lord's Ranch.
26. It's my impression, Phil, that there are some Democrats and Republicans in Congress who feel that they've been unnecessarily divided so an unholly agenda can be shoved through. I use the word "unholy" advisedly because, as I mentioned, the "faithbased" program appears to be just another strategy to promote authoritarian rule--better suited because religious institutions are even harder to democratize than corporations. Shareholder law suits have really begun to make a dent in corporate autonomy. Shareholder law suits are doing the same thing we're trying to accomplish by burrowing into the innards of the Democratic party.
I think I'm going to encourage our progressives to attend the delegate caucuses, even if they don't want to be delegates, so they can help in the selection process. Our party chair has been good about following up with emails about the process. And I'm putting the caucuses on all the calendars.
CATAPULTING THE PROPAGANDA!!!
Dodd and Family to Distribute Boxed Lunches
Wednesday, 21 November 2007 - 12:00pm Central
at Iowa Homeless Youth Center in Des Moines, IA
Holiday Food Box Packaging
Wednesday, 21 November 2007 - 3:00pm Central
at Hawkeye Area Community Action Program in Hiawatha, IA
Heartland Presidential Forum
Saturday, 1 December 2007 - 1:30pm Central
at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, IA
more details »
The Brown & Black Forum
Saturday, 1 December 2007 - 6:00pm Central
at North High School in Des Moines, IA
NPR News-Iowa Public Radio Debate
Tuesday, 4 December 2007 - 1:00pm Central
at State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines, IA
Des Moines Register Democratic Presidential Debate
Thursday, 13 December 2007 - 1:00pm Central
at IPTV's Maytag Auditorium in Johnston, IA
My LTE to Iowa papers. The zip code is 50265
If you're a public official and you don't want the public to know what you're up to, where do you hide? Private corporations seemed like a good place, especially if the public could be sold a bill of goods about "privatization" bing a guarantee to better service at a lower price. We know how that worked out. Besides, it turns out that corporations have to be accountable to their shareholders and those people can be just as bothersome as ordinary folk.
So, where else is a good place to hide? Why, the churches, of course. Not only are church-going folk often oblivious to what their ministers are up to, but there's this wonderful presumption that churches are into doing good. So, churches are a good place to send lots of money and there's no need to follow up. That's the beauty of faith-based programs. Nobody even expects them to be accountable. Besides, wouldn't making them accountable be a violation of the separation of church and state?
Which leads me to the thought that if our faith-based programs, despite the inflow of federal bucks, haven't produced the results we expected, maybe it's because results weren't wanted to begin with. Maybe the goal was to make some people feel more important handing out money for which we the people get taxed.
If the money's going to get wasted on buying influence and friendship, then promising to collect a little less isn't going to help us, is it?
Beware of politicians bearing gifts or tax cuts.
Monica
Since the Dodds have temporarily moved to Iowa they will be celebrating in an Iowan tradition of being run over by early Christmas shoppers Friday morning like very other part of the country I suspect.
A game of touch football, and Packers/Lions are on tap at our gathering. political talk is of the primary variety as we're a bunch of democrats, unlike deer camp the next weekend where both parties are represented an the arguments run to general election variety
With supporters of Obama, Edwards, Dodd, Richardson for sure to be there we will have a mini caucus Thursday
with the next generation of wide receivers having a step on me, I'll be stuck playing defensive line
Beware of politicians bearing gifts or tax cuts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obama raised eye brows throwing a thousand dollar one out in his new ad.
I miss Howard Dean. never once heard him pander for votes.
my last few cows are in the maternity pen amd another calving season is about to end til late Feb.
I'll miss the overnight crew but as long as I'm a dairyman and probably for years after I retire I'll watch the sun come up after doing it for 40 years plus
catch you later Monica, because I disagree with you about humanity and the ability to act on climate change and will be posting a response
carbon is a tiny fraction of the atmosphere or I might agree the task too daunting
Hardball showed Mike Huckabee's new ad with Chuck Norris. It was stupid, but just what a GOP primary voter would find amusing and likeable. Matthews then said it wasn't serious and intelligent enough for someone who wanted to be president. After witnessing 7 years of Bush, I had to wonder what planet Matthews thinks he lives on.
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sitka,
After carefully researching and comiserating with many republicans and Bushies since 2000, I have reached the conclusion that amajority of these dumbells like that sort of stuff and gravitate toward it..............its really that simple..........the smart republicans (money) simply go along with it too, because they get the tax cuts................
..........the smart republicans (money) simply go along with it too, because they get the tax cuts................
~~~~~~~~~~~~
they outsmarted themselves and ruined the value of the dollar as the world's reserve currency
they have a dying last gasp chance to get richer selling off America's physical assets to suckers stuck overseas holding dollars trying to get a little something for their money
Obama's tax cut. I see nothing wrong with it. Being middle class I llike it. I have thought for a long time the tax code should change.
I don't believe Obama panders for votes. Perhaps people are so jaded about the insider Washington candidates that they cannot believe there is actually an honest candidate.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/18/obama.taxplan/index.html
Perhaps people are so jaded about the insider Washington candidates that they cannot believe there is actually an honest candidate.
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sm,
LOL.............these are politcians...an "honest" candidate? Please dont insult my intelligence thank you.............you may be right, but I doubt it very much........they all have their own hidden agendas and most if not all are coerced by big money and foreign infuences, something your Founding father would vomit at if they were alive today..............dont paint these guys/gals as something more than they really are................like Norman Bates said, "she(they) could have foled me, but they didnt fool my Mother"....................
LOL, Phil. Have been looking up pastor Huckabee who's referred to in Arkansas as Huckster. Seems he's got a close relationship with a guy named Ted Suhl who runs the Lord's Ranch for troubled boys, but is also a registered agent for Southeastern Asset Management in New Hampshire which has a subsidiary Longleaf Partner Fund.
It's my guess it's all a shell game.
I'm going to put together some excerpts from a legislative look-see into the Lord's Ranch for our Bluehampshire flock.
My sudden realization that the purpose of privatization and the faith-based movement is simply as a strategy to evade public inspection is finding confirmation.
Damn, wrong browser again.
The President can't cut taxes. He can browbeat the Congress. How good is Obama going to be at that?
The blog clock keeps getting fooled by our computers. LOL
a tax cut with huge deficits, and a falling dollar, is pandering and politics as usual to be charitable
as policy it is a lot more questionable
All you Dodd fans need to read this diary from KOS on Monday.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/19...
Where Chris Dodd (may have) Lost My Vote
by Devilstower
Mon Nov 19, 2007 at 05:10:41 AM PST
although to be fair there's also this for further discussion.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1...
42.
Yeah I guess I'm wide eyed and innocent - at 63 years of age. I'm idealistic. I believed Bobby Kennedy, I believe and adore Al Gore, as well as Howard Dean. I look into Obama's eyes and I see truth and caring. After the MSM and establishment Dems screwed Howard over, I thought I was through with politics, it broke my heart when he didn't get the nomination. I was drawn to Obama but kept my distance, then one day in Park City, UT, he stopped to give a stump speech before he went on to a fundraiser, I watched the way he took extra care with the elderly, and the tenderness with children. Someone fainted in the audience, he was so concerned he went over to try and help them, much to the chagrin of the secret service. His speech was great too, I was hooked. Once again a politician had given me hope. Hope for the future of my grandbabies.
Laugh your socks off if you want, I don't care, I have hope.
43
We all have our differences don't we.
I'm glad Obama wasn't part of the group who voted for the Iraq war that has caused this massive debt.
given the fact that the war hasn't been paid for, why isn't a tax cut proposed during a market crisis caused by a falling dollar not as questionable as a test of judgement as a vote that lead to a war
Phil I nosed around on the Iowa/Barack site and cannot find the ad with the tax cut - was it a print ad or a tv ad? The closest I've seen is a referral to how he worked in Illinois for tax relief for 'lower income' Americans. I'd like to know what he said about the tax cut.
45. s m -- I'm 65 -- maybe it's a generational thing -- lol. We were so idealistic when we were young and we have watched some good things happen like integration in the south and the revolutionary changes in computers and music, but we've also been sheeple and disengaged with the wider good in many ways. My heart's w/ Obama too and I enjoyed your post.
Clinton Obama Edwards Richardson
Attended previous caucus 21 27 26 11
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from yesterday's poll numbers
the second choice of Richardson voters would decide the caucus if held today
Obama's call for a $1000 tax cut is on TV in Iowa
s m
Tue, 11/20/07
8:48 am
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At 63 I am amazed at how you come up with your candidate of choice............oh well, in 2000 and 2004 America put Bush in office because the aveage gink thought they would feel more comfprtable having a beer with him.........................God help this place.
The California Democratic Party and Dianne Feinstein
By Frank D. Russo
There are many different stories connected to the attempt yesterday to have the California Democratic Party "censure" Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein for her votes to confirm Michael Mukasey as the United States Attorney General and her vote to confirm Leslie Southwick as a Federal Court of Appeals Justice.
Some of these may be teachable moments and in my opinion the resolution that got sidetracked at the Executive Board meeting is just the tip of the iceberg. There are fundamental issues about who exactly the Democratic Party is in this state, what the role of those who are elected and selected to represent it are to play, and what kind of a two way street exists between the party faithful and their elected Democratic officeholders. And there's a lot of spin as to what happened with some themes or memes repeated in public comments and picked up by the mainstream media and others that is not factually accurate--or at least subject to different interpretations rather than being solid facts. ...full article: http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/...
51. I do not see it on any of the websites Phil -- even Iowa for Obama -- not that I think you are fibbing it's just that Obama doesn't give simple answers to stuff and it would be nice to know the background of the ad.
only one in five previous caucus attendees backs Hillary
an Edwards/Obama ticket would be very strong
Dodd compliments Obama
Richardson would wear well as a VP candidate
a strong field but not a true progressive in the bunch in Iowa since Kucinich was a no show here as an organized campaign
since something like a third of those that show up would be classified as progressives there will be a whole bunch of flux during the re-alignment period
Feinstein Frees Fresno from Toyota Torture: http://tgangale1.blogspot.com/2007/11/fe...
Our California Progressive Coalition: http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/...
52. Michael Ellis - who is your choice at this point? I find fault with everyone to some degree.
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By Annilow on Nov 19, 2007 9:26 PM ESTHoward Dean is first.