e-mailed to Fl. Dems. Jan 2nd;
To Dems:
I have e-mailed and written your office many times, urgently during Kerry's campaign in 04', trying to explain what was, and wasn't happening out here in rural Putnam County! I've written about the same problem to the National Dem. Hdqt. in D.C. and to Dean directly, without ever a response. That was after well over a year of e-mails, and at least 14 hand written letters! So when the time comes when you need 'grunts' to do the real work your DEC won't do, grasroots organizing, volunteers to drive and phone bank, and people to contribute, don't call, write, or e-mail me!

here are two recent articles, I could send many more all of a similar tone and nature, which although in a less personal manner then my earlier letters, based on my personal experience, they and the comments that follow, express REAL peoples opinions! Read them if you dare, or care!

WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
Jim Hightower, Hightower Lowdown
Santa, don't bring me any stuff. The one and only thing I
want is this: A real Democratic party, alive and kicking!
http://www.alternet.org/story/29788/

BRING ON THE REBELS
William Greider, The Nation
Challenges from within by a few insurgent Democrats may be
the only way to save the party from the ineffective
big-money beast it's become.
http://www.alternet.org/story/29953/

jj,

sounds like you have had a frustrating time, but I don't believe Howard Dean and his 50 state strategy was in place last year for that election, and if you remember , the recommended strategy was that the Democrats should concentrate their money and efforts only in those areas that they felt they could or must win.

I know other Dems from the blog, in Indiana for example, who begged for help and direction who did not get any because they were considered a lost cause.

that is why Howard's New stategy, of including Each and every state, and building offices and staff there is going to be a success. You should have a local office and staff who can help you and understand what is going on.

Tim,

I almost wish we could have kept our money chests a secret from the Right! Let them keep chuckling and snickering that we have no cash to fight with, and then keep hitting them with ads, showing the TRUTH out there.

Makes me laugh at all these Republicans having to send back money they took from these dirty lobbyists, DeLay's PAC and Abramoff's contributions. There is going to be quite a dip in Right Winger's money available to get their Distorted and lying messages out!

Response to PAM:

Sorry, I guess I should have included the year on that e-mail, Jan. 06. The last set of seven letters, including Dean, who by the way I suported for Chairmna, went out in Nov. 05. I contributed to the DCCC, in Sept. when N. Polise sent out her survey, and never got a thank-you, or the results of her survey!
Florida, was hardly like Indiana, in reality, Kerry would have won Florida, if it wasn't for the rural area's. The 'local' DEC wouldn't do a thing to support him! I was here, working our fingers to the bone, I know!

Seems like all of these articles have nothing to do with Dean, but instead speak to the ineffectiveness of the Democrats in Washington. I think it's been made pretty clear over the years that those Democrats in Washington have gotten more than a little far away from our values because of groups like the DLC. But I'm not clear how that's Howard's fault. This problem existed years before he took over the DNC and his work in the field has infuriated the DLC, which I bet if you were able to find the sources for these quotes that Tim is mentioning you'd find DLC at the other end of it. There are basically two classes of Democrats, those in the DLC who have embraced the pay-to-play Republican philosophy and the rest of them that are still trying to represent the American people.

To Pam: Does it really make a difference who gives the money back? Who are they going to give it back to anyway? Can they take back the influence, and votes that money bought? Those votes, were or should have been 'ours', these Congressmen are voted in to represent their constiuents interests, not some Lobiests!

You talk about a big 'War Chest', and hiring professionals. That's the problem not the solution! How about worrying more about all the "PEOPLE" and ex-party members you've disenfranchied, with your 'Closed', 'Private Party' attitude!

Money representing (buying) votes should be a Republican Party attitude, not a Democratic one!

jjgudat,

I can tell you what Howard Dean would say to you. He would say that you have to be change you want. You have to do it locally. That is not his style to wave a magic wand, and it would not work in rural Putnam County. I don't live there, but I know a lot about some areas like that. DECs in some areas of rural Florida profit so much from the GOP incumbent that they support them. Sad, but true.

We are having to work within our local party here in Florida to change things. They want to keep going to the right, and we just said no...enough is enough. It can get very involved. They are not very fond of those of us they call "activists."

Unfortunately, the stories that have played themselves out in beltway publications or on page A1 are more fitting of Grimm's fairy tales, or authored by Aesop, not writers like Cilliza (whose blog, The Fix, is a daily read of mine).

It was Chris Cillizza who wrote that front page story you refer to at the top of your post ("Democrats Losing Race for Funds Under Dean," Nov. 12, 2005). He's not a writer; he's a stenographer for the Democratic establishment.

5.) Governor Dean has traveled to 34 states and territories during his first year as chairman to talk about Democratic values and raise money for the local parties.

How much money? What is the total? This is an important figure that is absent from the comparative analyses and should be reported to adjust the distortion in these stories.

You talk about a big 'War Chest', and hiring professionals. That's the problem not the solution! How about worrying more about all the "PEOPLE" and ex-party members you've disenfranchied, with your 'Closed', 'Private Party' attitude!
Money representing (buying) votes should be a Republican Party attitude, not a Democratic one!

Posted by jjgudat on January 4, 2006 at 01:02 PM

uhhhm, I'm not sure what closed, "private party attitiude" you are referring to, jj.

And MONEY is always one of the most important tools in any campaign. If the Democrats cannot compete on the airwaves and with ads, both offensively and defensively, then we are lost.

The only people I know that the Dems 'lost' last election, were those who were easily duped by what the Republicans were airing, both politically and religiously. The Republicans cleverly put Gay Marriage on 11 Important State ballots ! That MADE a huge difference in who came out to vote and how they voted ! Religious leaders telling people a vote for Kerry would be a Sin!
The Money spent on ads by Swift Boat vets maligning Kerry's service.

These are the things that lost that election! Not because the Dems turned their backs on anyone. There was another example of needing cash. If the Dems COULD have had offices, supplies, yard signs, people in other areas, it would have made a difference, too.

Money does not buy Votes ! It buys exposure for the candidates and their platforms!

I knew 2 Democratic bloggers here from FL during last election, who were very active. Also a gal I connected with who worked in one of the Attorneys offices which was hired to watch for fraud. all of them knew of election fraud, but also knew it was difficult to prove to the public.

Don't let your location and experience color your view of what REALLY happened during that election.

And like Sunny says, then become part of the change! Unite your own group of Dems and work towards November in a different way, than waiting for National Dems to come in and do it for you! I have a friend in deepest Reddest Indiana, who fights the fight every single day. Put your actions where your mouth is.

Tim, is this the guy whose article you are defending in the OP above? Why? It was an unfair article at the WP.

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2005/11/deans_fundraisi.html

And to jjgudat, what closed stuff are you talking about?

Dear Healthy Democrats Fighting for the Cause on hoof and heel!

THANK you!

From:

a now disabled Vet, Mother and person who only wishes she had more to give! But a BIG pat on the back to those that CAN! And HUGS more to those that can and DO!

Peace!

First, this is excellent news, a huge "in your face!!" to the pundits.

Having said that, I do have three technical questions about the hard numbers that I'd like to have cleared up:

1. According to the official FEC reports at the link below (via PDF):

http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00010603

...the actual numbers add up slightly differently by my calculations; by tallying the (amended) individual monthly revenue amounts throughout 2003, I come up with $43.8 million, which would make the 2005 $51 million figure only 16.4% higher. I'm not trying to rip on the good news (hell, I donated several hundred of that myself via the Democracy Bond program!), but did I calculate the 2003 numbers wrong, or were you just rounding up?

2. Guys like Kos have pointed out that *2001* is really the more appropriate year to compare 2005 with (first year *after* a presidential election). According to the same FEC reports, the DNC raised $40.3 million in 2001 ($23.7M + $16.6M for the first & second six-month periods). This would mean that the DNC raised 26.6% more in 2005 than in 2001, which is even more impressive.

So, my second question is, did you use 2003 instead of 2001 due to the inflation issue, or because of changes in the campaign finance laws between 2001 and 2003 (which would make the 2001 comparison less credible)?

3. Finally, could you clear up the question of whether the DNC, under Howard Dean, has a policy of letting state parties keep funds raised at events that they sponsor (as opposed to the tendency in the past for the DNC to put that money in its' own account instead of the states')? If this is true, it makes Chairman Dean's fundraising numbers even *more* impressive!!

Just wondering. Either way ,this is still excellent news!!

You know all this misinformation about Dean's success, and having had the exceptional experience of volunteering on his Presidential and DNC Chairmanship campaigns, makes me want to donate some money right now to the DNC. Here I go! I know my $50 donation will help Dean combat the radical right criminals who are holding our government hostage. I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK AND I'M WILLING TO WORK FOR, AND PAY FOR IT! Are you?

Brainwrap wrote:

Guys like Kos have pointed out that *2001* is really the more appropriate year to compare 2005 with (first year *after* a presidential election).

Could it be because 2003 is the first year after McCain-Feingold went into effect? Kos may be wrong about 2001 being the better comparison year.

Finally, could you clear up the question of whether the DNC, under Howard Dean, has a policy of letting state parties keep funds raised at events that they sponsor (as opposed to the tendency in the past for the DNC to put that money in its' own account instead of the states')?

I understand that it is true; I believe the DNC raised an additional $1M in the states.

Sunny;

I don't know what part of Florida your from, I know PamB is from CT., where I was born and raised. It's a very small state by comparison.

I'm referring to the Demicratic Party in Florida.
I know some area's are very active, mostly the southern counties, and big cities.

PamB is very critical of my writting here, but she's never seen, what goes on down here! Every time 'we' Kerry supporters tried to organize anything, (like meet-ups) in support of Kerry, the DEC would show up, arbitraialy change the date, or put down and demorilize anything we wanted to do, such as getting list of Dems. to go call or visit! After the election, when the DFA tried to start meet-ups, the DEC showed up, and put us down for not being 'fourth generation' Democrats!

We did go out and 'do it on our own'. Both of us disabled and living on fixed incomes. We bought little flags, and tootsie-roll pops, attached a msg. about Kerry we wrote and reproduced on our own, wearing t-shirts we had made, at our own expense, and got permission to March in the Catfish Festival Parade, on April 1st. We drove over an hour to vounteer in Volusia county, the closest county with an active Headquarters. Leaving our hurricane damaged house un-repaired!

As I have repeatedly said: Why doesn't our party at least have the common courtesy, to respond to people who REPEATEDLY write, call, and e-mail with a serious REAL concern!

Until I removed my name from the party list, I routinely got requests for donations! But, when the State Party, who's volunteer list I had to be on, was getting ready to hold a 'State Convention' did I get an e-mail? NO I'll bet all the 'local' DEC members who wouldn't do a thing to support Kerry, or the rest of "OUR" canidates, I bet they not only were invited, by their way was paid for 'them'!

By the way, I know all about the Election Corruption, here in Florida. Saw it first hand, thank-you very much! I belong to Common Cause, Move-On, and worked with Florida Fair Elections and Susan Pinchion, to expose Diebold, and prevent Volusia from going Electronic! My partner and I were the ONLY two who actually marched and protested at the Diebold demonstration, at the Elections Office. Both of us handicapped!

Sorry to go on so long, but those DEC members that won't work for the PARTY, should be removed! Going to conventions, ect. should be dependant on 'How Much You've actually DONE', not just Donated, or how old your family line is.

PamB; Keep thinking your Parties the Cats Meyow, (and eating your ice cream), But give some thought as to why the number of Independants keeps going up? I think there are a lot of "people' out there who are as disenfranchized as I am with "YOUR" party, I just have the guts to tell you so! Try listening to Mike Molloy on Air America sometime!

Wow ! I am critical of your writing here?
Since when? I personally, could not care less about anyone other than trolls who's hatred overcomes any reason they bring here.

And now this is MY party, and I believe it is the cat's meow? You obviously don't read me much, because I have been just as critical of many aspects of this party, and I have posted several times today on various threads, if Democrats are involved in this scandal, I have no sympathy, and expect to hold them to higher standards in the future. No more power abuse by ANY politician in my book! I just finished working locally for a politician who would not use any smear or dirt in her campaign, wanted nothing but a clean one.

If you are disenfranchised with the party, then so what are we, bloggers, supposed to do about it?
Perhaps you want me to fly down to DC, and go the the DNC and tell them they should answer your letters? Give me a break, buddy, don't come taking your frustrations out on a blog that the DNC personnel probably don't even read!

(and I don't get air America here in Hartford, but it wouldn't make any difference to me anyways. I was an un-affiliated party person up until 2000. I always kept an open mind and voted for whomever I thought would be the better man. And I hope you do the same. If you want to vote republican now or maybe green, because DNC wouldn't send you a letter, be my guest.)

jjgudat,

It is hard to be grassroots in Florida. You are right about that. And though we all want Karen Thurman to succeed in rebuilding the state party, we are not blind. We do know that she is not that interested in hearing from the grassroots. Maybe she will in the future, not sure. She and Bill Nelson appear to pretty much decide things. I guess that is how things have always been done here.

In our county, our DFA leader became the party chair for the county. He is much respected, and he will do a good job. But the old guard want it all done their way, they keep wanting to go to the right on issues.

Many of us realize that Florida Democrats have effectively been Republicans for a decade. It is sad, but it is true. Those of us who are outspoken scare them a little, but we figure they will get over it in time.

Changing things in Florida will not be easy, I agree with you. I truly do not believe the DNC realizes just how things have been. A progressive who wanted to run for state chair was blocked by the ones holding power now. There was nothing we could do really, other than complain.

I understand your frustration, and I think Florida may be one of those states where the 50 state strategy, using what works locally, may require some interference by nationals. People are far too comfortable with being Republican, and we are just going to have to fight that.

We keep trying, and we try to remind ourselves that we just have to keep pushing. Yes, it is pretty bad here. Karen Thurman does need to listen to the people in the party more than she does. But that is just how things have been done here for so many years.

sunny,

can I make a suggestion. Please go to the Contact section on the blog. Put ATT; Howard Dean in big letters at beginning.

Then explain what is happening in FL that you are talking about.

I know this, that you may not get an answer, but I believe Howard reads every correspondence addressed to him. I met him in New Haven, and he told me he did.

And I saw Tim of the DNC address a concern once of an Indiana Democrat who was frustrated. he listed his email address as: tagarist@dnc.org

Send him one and ask him to forward it to Howard too.

Just knowing Howard is aware of your problem, should be a relief.

respectfully,
Pam

PamB; Get your friends involved too. The more the merrier when it comes to complaining, because then the DNC will see that there is a real problem and not just one or two complaining. Also any other Florida Democrats who've had problems need to join in too.
The grass roots needs to be standing up and demanding attentention right now. We have legislative elections coming up throughout the country, and we need to get this whole party to wake up and get back to its base.
They need to get out of the world revolves around Wasington and K Street mentality.
Hey DNC! Wake up! There's a whole world out here!

All corporate Democrats should resign. The corporate money makes us look like hypocrites.

And let us not forget about the liberal infrastructure. We have to use every tool possible to get the proper information to the people. We should be thinking of ways to bypass the MSM. I think MoveOn.org should send 30-minute documentaries on dvd by direct mail instead of buying t.v. ads.

And to the anti-Dean machine: Cut the crap! If you do not want Dean to succeed, you do not want the Democratic party to succeed (and for that you are traitorous). Your days of bribery, corruption, and sell-outs will come to an end one way or another.

GIVE 'EM HELL HOWARD!

A HUGE SCANDAL DUBBED "THE STATE DEPT'S KATRINA" WILL BE REVEALED BY 2 PROMINENT NEWS ORGANIZATIONS (1 NATIONAL -1 INTERNATIONAL)
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLES WILL REVEAL THAT THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION KNOWINGLY ALLOWED AFRICAN AMERICANS TO GO INTO HARMS WAY, ALTHOUGH THE SEC. AND OTHER HIGH RANKING OFFICIALS ADMITTED THEY SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A WARNING

Chairman Dean is out there in the open and doing a great job as a spokesperson in addition to his gift for fundraising.

Every time I hear he is going to be on TV, I watch, and I watch hoping that some fence-sitters and disillusioned Republicans are watching as well. Every vote counts, and I am glad that Chairman Dean is out there talking about the values of the Party and giving the minority party a strong voice in the media.

I feel very privileged to be one of the 30,000 people who have bought Democracy Bonds. It feels good to know that my $20 a month contribution is going to help rebuld the Democratic Party from the ground up. The good Dr. has reminded us that we can hope because, collectively, "we have the power" to take our country back. And, if we have eyes to see, that is just what is beginning to happen. Right on, Howard! You're doing a great job and a lot of us out here are grateful. Van Parker

It was bound to happen, just as many of us predicted,a Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld et al are teetering under the weight of their own arrogance. Even so, we can't sit by and wait for them to fall, we must push them over, one phone call, one door-knock ,one vote and one precinct at a time. If we do, we can take back the House and Senate and give Bush/Cheney an early retirement via impeachment.

Thanks to Howard Dean, we're mobilizing and we'll be ready.

Great job DNC and Chairman Dean- hopefully this money will be used to elect Democrats in 2006 and build strong state and national parties

Now just don't give any of it to the DINOs. We want a reformed Democratic Party.

Now just don't give any of it to the DINOs. We want a reformed Democratic Party. Take our country back from the corporations.

Hopefully this money will help Democrats to overcome the Republicans, to win a majority, then put Bush into proper focus... you know, actually holding hom accountable and being able to do something about it instead of rely on an unreliable Republican Majority.

Much damage has been done by Republicans and the Bush Administration.

***I hope someone of influence reads the following and takes it into consideration***

The elimination of Personal Bankruptcy Protection was outright WRONG. While repeated bankruptcy is also not right... EVERY AMERICAN DESERVES ONE OPPORTUNITY TO PULL HIM OR HERSELF OUT AND GET ON TRACK.

Like clockwork, the Credit Card Industry doubled the minimum payments afterward. This was a COORDINATED EFFORT that directly eroded the solvency of probably MILLIONS OF AMERICANS... all in a single day.

DEMOCRATS can put some UNBIASED SANITY back into bankruptcy options for work-a-day Americans.

...and there's so much more to do.

It's time to look beyond possible victory and plan for what happens afterward.

Unlike the Bush Administration.

I also have to add that Credit Card companies are like the Tobacco Industry... or worse.

At every opportunity, they push their product. They forge partnerships to wedge themselves in virtually everywhere. Their advertising is undaunted and pervasive. American culture is that revolving debt is okay, even expected.

Miss a payment date or two... stop playing the introductory balance shift game... the interest zooms up.

I tossed mine 5 years ago... never to return... ever. The interest rate on my largest balance was 27%... that's TWENTY SEVEN PERCENT for the visually impaired.

Just like smoking... credit card debt can ruin lives. Just like the Tobacco Industry... Credit Card Companies are churning away, unfettered.

Got a problem with either? It's not their fault. It's yours... right?

Not entirely, for sure.

The last word on debt:

When was the last time there was an advertising campaign promoting saving money instead of going into debt?

Is saving month and budgeting given enough consideration in our schools?

If Republicans are so gung-ho about Americans not being able to go bankrupt, what legislation have they proposed to promote saving money and budgeting to the American public or at least school kids?

Where is that needed influence? Don't blame parents for this one, because they were raised in an environment of debt. The environment is tainted with little support for good spending practices and preparing for the future.

See the picture yet?

This is an honest-to-goodness issue. An important one.

Of course... We have a deficit of how much? I guess our leadership hasn't been fit to set an example.

The Patriot Act will devour our civil rights and civil Liberties. In an attempt to squash any further attempts of Terrorism, has unleashed a opportunity revert our civil Liberties to the Bidding of King George of the United States.

Our Forefathers had fought this oppression and exploitation by the English King George in the Eighteenth Century. Outraged by governmental intrusions and taxation without representation, these ordinary citizens fought back and took on the Most Powerful Nation of its time. England!

Now, King George of the United States wants to use the Patriot Act to trample on your civil liberties and hard fought Protections! Once thought to be a right for every citizen, will now become a privilege for a few.

Did you know the gross national debt is $8 Trillion, or $27,000 for each American?

“This President has borrowed more money from abroad than all 42 of his predecessors combined, including billions of dollars from the Central Bank of China."

Korea has in reserves of foreign exchange of US$207 billion.

The Bank of Japan holds reserves of US$823 billion.

The People's Bank of China holds US$769 billion.

Taiwan's central bank holds US$252 billion.

“The vast bulk of those reserves are invested in U.S. Treasury bonds and other U.S. securities, such as bonds issued by the mortgage finance company Fannie Mae.”

China is using some of their large reserve for building up their military. Could this military someday be used against the United State?

China makes the largest number of (knock offs) of American patented products. China is the cause of many lost jobs in the United State.

I am only one person, but I have a personal policy of checking where any product I consider purchasing was made, and putting it back, if made in China. If I really need it and cannot find one made in the United State or elsewhere, I will not deny myself.

If enough people would adopt this policy, maybe some companies in this country would get the message and bring some the jobs back they have outsourced

Mr. President; There you go again!

Everyone Else is responsible but You! Great Job on shifting all the Blame on everyone Else. Its amazing that You do not take these charges seriously. After all no one dares to Challenge the Monarchy as the King is the Final rule of Law.

We the Common people of this Land are not sending Mixed Signals, but rather a clear and concise message that we will not allow any elected official to contort the facts , deceive the Nation and apply military force for profit. The Invasion of Iraq was a Unnecessary use of Resources,with No signs of Weapons Of Mass Destruction, except for the 2000 soldiers that have died based on a willful lie.

These soldiers are not the young naive children that you perceive them to be, but rather grown adults, that are being held against their will thru your stop Loss provision. Furthermore, they have the common sense and the moral fiber that is absent from those within the White House. We support our Troops , not just with flags ,signs, prayers and Lip service. We support them by insuring that they have the Proper equipment to achieve their tasks. We support our troops by demanding that Congress, the DoD and the VA holds up their end. Foremost, It is our duty as citizens of this Country,to stand against abuse of power!

Congratulations Medmbers of Congress,

You have voted yourselves Pay Raises, Provided Further Increases in Corporate Welfare and ensured that the Wealthiest of Americans have a free ride.

Providing the Largest deficit in United States History; Average Americans are being used to bear the Burden of Wealthy Americans as they Horde their billions.

Corporate America's exploitation of Desperate Foreign Workers and the unethical use of sweat Shops shall not only threaten wages and benefits in the United States, but it will divide the Nation into two Classes and enslave most of this country.

Government has become the Corporate Lap dog as many of our Representatives have been bought and Bribed by special Interests Money. Even the Congress has proven its inability to police their own. Corruption is rampant and those who are to represent the best interest of the People; have chosen to ignore their request!

Instead Many have decided to serve their own self Interest and Leave the Rest to the Highest Bidder.

Class warfare well bring civil unrest in this country as the poor and Middle Class are Harvested to fight Wars for ungrateful corporate Giants and the Government Lapdogs who continue to sell our soldiers out!

Soon our Country will rank Among the highest among third World Nations as a retreat for the wealthy! Returning to the eighteenth century.

Remember the Boston Tea Party! How about taxation Without Representation! The People of this country will not allow our government to return to a Monarchy and appoint a despot to rule.

Yes,History does repeat itself and we will fight to keep this country Free!@!

I've lost count of how many people I've personally heard to declare they have seriously considered leaving the country, to live elsewhere permanently, because of what is going on in this country. They feel it is bigger than all of us, and that nothing can or will be done about it. These from a range of socio-economic and political backgrounds, including a good number of "law-abiding, flag-waving Republicans."

I can't blame them. Of course it would do nothing to curtail the problem, but rather they will just be told "good riddance" by the very villains they wish to escape. No, I'm afraid there will have to be some kind of r evolution, hopefully by vote and prosecution, and not the old-fashioned kind.

There's a slogan for ya: The New American Revolution: Revolt With Your Vote.

:-) Maybe I'll suggest it. Oh, I just did.

Blogs and email are part of a new kind of above-ground revolution: eVolution: Stating our will electronically. Here's hoping it will work...

Copyright 2006 :-)

J,

What has happened in FL is not Gov. Dean's fault.

I wrote you a long response, clicked my mouse in the wrong place, and lost the whole damn thing. I am too tired now to rewrite it. Suffice to say: when you are attacking an entrenched enemy on all fronts, you don't put most of your forces where he's strongest. FL is presently a Bush stronghold, because, as you and I are painfully aware, Jeb has taken control of our elections, turned FL from a state into a personal fiefdom, and deprived Floridians of their birthright as Americans.

The Dems are to blame for not doing something about this in 2000, when they had the power to do so.

After 2000, the story is not the same.
Now the Bush faction is entrenched in all branches of government. Gov. Dean--and all of us--are facing a difficult fight. I'm not saying this to encourage despair. I'm saying that to save Florida, we may have to save the nation. We may need to win in other places first, in order to win back our state.

My home, where I and my mother and my grandmother were all born, may be the last place to be--well, "liberated" is actually the correct word to use here, given what I've seen the last three election cycles.

This is painful. I know it. But the most important thing to do is to keep working, and moving forward together. I *know* this is hard. I walk with the pain every day. I cry because I watched votes get stolen in front of me and had no way to stop it--other than physically attacking the man committing the fraud. I had to make a choice between attacking someone and allowing the votes I had promised to protect get stolen. I let him steal the votes. Either way, I would have felt guilty for the rest of my life. I carry that guilt and grief every day. So I know very well how much it hurts and how abandoned you must feel by the party. But I believe with all my heart that Gov. Dean has not forgotten you. It's just that we may not be able to save Florida until we have reclaimed much of the rest of the country.

Keep working. Keep moving forward. We will walk out of this together.

My wife and I are small contributors to the Democratic Party - perhaps $300 in a regular year to $500 in a Presidential year.

What we've learned from the past few Democratic candidates is that they are not relevant to our upper middle-class existence here in Southern California.

Therefore, we have decided that we will NOT, under any circumstances, donate funds for a Democratic Party that puts forth yet another East Coast, Ivy League, effete elitist for a candidate. No more Skull and Bones, buddy-buddies.

If the Democratic Party cannot find, create and promote privileged individuals with more diverse backgrounds than Georgetown, Yale and Harvard from the East Coast prep schools and colleges then it simply is irrelevant to us. We want people who, at some point in their lives, have actually worked for a living.

Thank all Democrats everywhere and even those Republicans that have had a dose of uncontrolled
power the Republicans have imposed on the American people and want a change.

I don't want to hear another critical word toward our working Democratic Officials! They are doing too good a job and if you are inclined to critize them instead of giving them postive suggestions you are thinking like a Republican of hate and destroy.
While we need you if you are ready to think outside yourself and embrace the DNC Platform. We don't need your intemidating criticism.

On Tuesday, January 17 @ 10:15:33 EST in Thomas Paine's Corner an Excellent article by Gerald Rellick: 'George W. Bush's father complex'

We as Democrats need to right this wrong to the troops in the following quote from this article. Last week, two soldiers who had purchased their own armor were not allowed to take it with them - ridiculous! They deserve the prevention as well as all the necessary care when they return.

"And yet as the New York Times' Michael Moss reported last week, a secret Defense Department study conducted by the military's chief medical examiner concluded that as many as 80 percent of the marines who have been killed in Iraq from wounds to the upper body could have survived if they had had extra body armor. [my italics] Such armor has been available since 2003, but until recently the Pentagon has largely declined to supply it to troops despite calls from the field for additional protection. The ceramic armor plates in question cost about $260 a set."