Debra Meyer's Blog

Keeping Palin from the Press

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:38:56 EDT

It is a mistake to keep Palin from the press, or more accurately, from We, the People. We've had secrecy for the last 8 years and look where that brought us. We are the employers. We have the right to ask and he/she/they have an obligation to answer. This is a job interview, plain and simple.

Stand up against Republican bullying and rhetoric. Every day. Whenever possible.

As we have already learned, our silence can and will be used against us.

We've lost a lot today

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:59:15 EDT

I am, as so many others, a Tim Russert fan. Always tough, always fair, always quick to remind us its the issues that matter, not the rhetoric, not the mud slinging, not the anger and disappointment that accompanies every election year. He was the voice of reason when things got crazy. and the first to get to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I cannot imagine what its going to be like without him. He made politics palatable.

Republicans Facing Defeat

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:41:39 EDT

From the Huffington Post: For four months John McCain had a clear field while Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were at each other's throats. Given the opportunity, the Arizona Senator failed to define the debate in favorable terms, spending much of the valuable primary months defending himself on charges that his campaign staff was top heavy with lobbyists. Conversely, McCain has so far eluded the anti-Republican tidal wave that threatens to sweep away the party's candidates at every level, from county councils to the U.S. Senate. Amid the early wreckage -- GOP partisan identification in the tank, three defeats in rock-solid GOP House districts, and the National Republican Senatorial and Congressional Committees scratching for cash -- McCain stands competitive with Obama in national polls, running just 2.5 points behind. The McCain campaign to date lends itself to contradictory assessments. The odds makers are leaning decisively in Obama's favor but McCain is not out of the running.

A House Divided

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:49:22 EDT

You know what? We are adults, here. And listen to us. Like kids in a school yard. What chance have our real kids when us adults are behaving so badly? We got some real problems out there. Ones that McCain would perpetuate. Others he would just out and out ignore. And even more that he would call something other than what they are. Like it or not, we have our candidate. If we think caucuses are unfair and not a true reflection, then let us move to making all states one voice, one vote. But let us also all acknowledge that even the one voice, one vote is flawed. Remember hanging chads? Missing ballots? Rigged machines that would only register Republican choices? Votes uncounted because of busloads of opposing rioters? And a right-wing supreme court handing the election over to a man who has brought this country to its knees? We're barely a democracy as it is. And here we haggle to split it even further. I'm appalled. Yet I'm only one voice, one vote -- and a caucus one at that!

Republican Fear

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:43:46 EDT

You'll like this. This morning someone forwarded me an email sent by the arm of the Republican Party that raises money for their Senate candidates. The subject of the message was "Democrats Win Landslide Victory," and the writer, Republican former Senator Bill Frist, admits: "I have a real fear of waking up to this headline after the elections this fall." He goes on to explain fears among Washington power brokers about Barack Obama's grassroots support and voter registration efforts. Here's a little bit more from Frist's email: From: Senator Bill Frist, M.D. Date: Thu, May 29, 2008 at 3:59 PM Subject: "Democrats Win Landslide Victory" Dear Republican Supporter, I have a real fear of waking up to this headline after the elections this fall. [...] In key states, news accounts indicate Democrats are outpacing Republicans registering voters. We also know Barack Obama's campaign is utilizing the Internet to raise record amounts of money to support his campaign and Democrats nationally ... all in the hope that new voters and record resources will produce a Democrat landslide victory this fall. There's so much at risk, and conservatives I talk with from all across the country are feeling the rumblings of "what could be." [...] [...] I ask for your immediate help in supporting Republican candidates running for U.S. Senate by making a contribution of $10, $25, $50 or even $100 to the NRSC [...] What's amazing about this message referencing Barack Obama is that it's not from the McCain campaign. It's not even about the presidential race. It's about the forces of the status quo, who don't want to change the way Washington works, worried about the prospect of ordinary people taking their rightful place in a political process that is too often dominated by lobbyists and special interests.

Just another gaffe

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Sat, 24 May 2008 07:50:22 EDT

After a good night's sleep and some good old retrospection, I'm seeing things a little differently today.

Maybe the best point of Hillary's misspeak is simple. They all make gaffes. They all say things that are taken out of context, or twisted beyond reason. And the rest of us out there, we grab the gaffes that make the other candidate look weak, hateful, inexperienced, you know the drill. And we use those things as barbs against each other.

If we took both candidates gaffes and traded them it wouldn't have made a difference. We're fierce for our candidates because we're scared of what has been done to our country and we fear more will happen. But when it comes right down to it, both candidates have the same agenda. And its the agenda we all want as well.

We're lucky this time round. Can you imagine being a Republican? Knowing your guys really messed it all up? I mean, for a long while they had the Administration, the House and the Senate. They had complete control over the whole shebang and they drove it into the ground, isolated us from the rest of the world and are still out there looking for another fight to wage. Their poor constituency -- and I mean the every day people -- the farmers, the construction workers, the factory workers, the lab technicians, the school faculty, the small business owner, and on and on and on. No wonder so many of them are looking for a reason to leave their party behind.

Maybe we should be inviting them in instead of fighting with each other. Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, just labels for We, the People. And the people are the backbone, no matter which party or candidate you affiliate with. We are the ones who earn and raise the monies our country uses. We are the glue that holds the whole thing together and makes it possible.

Maybe we could remember that when we start dividing against each other over which candidate is better. Neither one of them will be going it alone. Both will be surrounded by people we recognize and respect and trust to get this nation back on its feet. We're going to be ok. If we can just hold it together for a little bit longer.

The Insensitivity of Misspeak

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:03:48 EDT

No matter how each of us feels on this blog site, no matter how voraciously we want to protect our candidates, there are times when we simply need to take a step back and reassess.

Regardless how you or I or anyone else here feels about Hillary, or what we perceive her misspeak to mean, there are consequences for statements like the ones she made today. We all know that there are VERY racist, white supremists living in this country that would love to take Obama down, simply because of the audacity of a black man running for President of the most powerful free nation in the world. In the midst of their own insanity they could take Hillary's comment as an invitation to do just that. And then we have the fact that she's made this reference at least three or four times during this campaign (and don't tell me she didn't because I just saw the film clips). When is enough enough? How insensitive can we be?

How do you think Michelle Obama feels right now? What kind of horrific thoughts must be running through her mind? Her husband! Her children! Its obscene.

And what about the Kennedy's? Two beloved family members gone. Personal pain we will probably never know. Or any American that lived through that tragic time? It's like ripping open a wound that devastated a nation. I know. I lived through it. John, Bobby, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Medgar Evars, all political assassinations. Now, more than ever since that time, race has reared its ugly head. Now, more than ever since that time, is this the most inappropriate moment to reference those tragedies, in any way, shape or form.

Perhaps the sniping between bloggers here is harmless and inconsequential, and never really intended to grow anger or sow the seeds of hatred, but when more and more and more people are slain by disgruntled workers, disturbed children, and and out-and-out lunatics, we need to rethink how we treat each other. When does it become one remark too many?

Its not that I believe Hillary was actually wishing for and hoping for such an event, its the fact that she could be that insensitive to even draw that contrast -- EVER. It is simply not Presidential behavior. This is a mistake or a misspeak that makes Americans feel vulnerable. Fearful. It perpetuates division. It incites tensions. It tears apart and disenfranchises.

It is anything BUT Presidential.

What about in office, if elected President, and she's tired, worn out (as she is now) and she says something equally insensitive to someone else, like a foreign dignatory or the leader of a hostile nation?

We need to be more mindful. Each and every one of us. The stakes are just too high and the wounds run far too deep.

Republicans Terrified

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:14:20 EDT

Dear Democrats, Independents and all those tired of the status quo:

The Republicans must be terrified of Obama! All the insidious ways they've tried to disguise themselves and create discord amongst Democrats and Democratic bloggers.

Someone who doesn't play their games! Oh my, what are they to do? All that's left them is innuendo and mean-spirited rhetoric!

They've got to be in a panic after McCain's message to Obama after he challenged his vote against the GI Bill.

Can you spell I-M-P-L-O-S-I-O-N???

Can you feel it all unraveling?

Being A Woman

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:58:42 EDT

To "The Truth Will Absolve Me,"
As a woman of maturity and experience (50+ yrs.), I stand with you. On so many levels I admire and respect Hillary. But not on the "good ol' boys" campaigning tactics. It is a turning away from everything that makes women unique. Most especially the capacity to stand in the midst of incredible pressures and with every ounce of integrity and courage, refuse to sink to less-than-honest-game playing to get the desired results.

Because of sexism, women every day and in every way rise above the gutter hardball, low road choices that men repeatedly make -- the very choices that ensure women are not treated equally or equitably. Yet still we rise.

Every day there are women on this planet that are dismissed, disregarded, shut down, held back, overlooked and demeaned at work, at home and at play. Simply because they are women. Since the beginning of recorded history we have been beaten, maimed, murdered, raped, tortured and forced into submission. Yet, here we stand. And stand we do because we refuse to relinquish our integrity.

My father (who raised 3 daughters) explained to us all that like it or not, it was still a man's world out there and it was his responsibility to teach us how to survive within it. He accomplished that the moment he said, "You do not have to answer to any man. You have only to answer to God. Let that be your source for support, advice and survival. No matter how many times the world knocks you down, you hold your head high and get right back up. No one can lay claim to your dignity but you." Thank you, Dad.

And to Hillary, I would say, "Get back up, girl! Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and remember there are some things out there that are far more valuable than even the highest office in the land. We might not be able to support your campaign choices, but we support you in your womanhood and applaud you for every human being you have helped along the way. You are still a United States Senator and there is still much to do. Never again allow any man, no matter how well connected or worldly, ever again hold sway over what you know in your heart to be true: Once we have relinquished our integrity and dignity for the promise of a 'sure thing', we have failed ourselves."

You, Hillary Rodham Clinton, have paved the road for women in more ways than any of us can probably count. For that we thank you. And in that we support you.

And as every woman out there understands, tomorrow is another day.

A Moment of Your Time

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:29:08 EDT

I have read these comments, and it is so beneath all of us to treat each other this way. It doesn't matter if you're Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, or any other party. We are, first and foremost, (and most undeniably) Americans.

We can have discourse and disagreements without dissing each other. In fact, differences of opinions, religions, belief systems, ethnic backgrounds, and socio-economic circumstances are all part of the wonder of this nation.

As Hillary once said, "It takes a village ..." And sometimes, it takes a nation. We are together in this, regardless the outcome. And we will probably have as many outcomes in our lives as the number of our days. The issues, the challenges, the struggles, they will change. But one thing always remains constant. And that is our union.

I ask only that you keep that in mind before responding to someone whose opinion you do not share.

Thank you for your time

Compliance

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:29:01 EDT

To those like George Bush, John McCain, Rush Limbaugh, or anyone else who seeks to invoke fear so as to plant the seeds of doubt into our collective (We, the People):

You can no longer frighten us into compliance!

UNITED WE STAND.

The New Face of America

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:10:43 EDT

I am a 52-year-old white woman who is an ordained minister. I make under $50,000 a year and I live in rural America. I support Obama. I doubt I fit in anyone's demographics. I can pretty much guarantee I'm not the only one.

What I find distressing is not the candidates. Its the in-fighting amongst the constituents. We're made of better stuff, you and I. And we have some serious problems to solve. Both Barack and Hillary agree on most issues. There are so very few differences between them. And both are leagues above and beyond anything the Republican Party offers.

No matter what the pundits say, no matter what the polls show, no matter which candidate you support, its all about us! We, the People. And in this case, We, the People need to cease fire on each other and come together en masse to defeat the machine we know to be the Republican Party. They are the masters of divide and conquer politics. And you cannot beat a master at its own game. The only way to beat them back is to unite, stand strong and refuse to cave to their divisive rhetoric.

Its not the candidate that matters as much as we, ourselves; all the Citizens of these United States. It will take all of our resolve to ensure that America never again falls victim to the likes of Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz. Before them, could any American have ever imagined the United States could be felled in less than 8 years? It boggles the mind what this administration (and its minion) have done to undermine and all but destroy this country.

Let us not forget that. And let us not forget the only way to beat them is to unite: Black American, White American, Latino American, Asian American, Native American, educated, uneducated, white collar, blue collar, ecumenical collar. The time for special groupings is over. From here on in there should be only one group: We, the People of these United States. And we have had enough! Enough! More than enough!

Our time has come to reclaim our homeland. And we need each other to do that. I stand with you. You. My neighbor. My friend. My country(man and woman).

Thank you for listening.

Voices of Reason

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:26:08 EDT

It is possible to state an opinion without denegrating another. It is also possible to discuss our fears and misgivings without threatening to leave the party. We are perfectly capable of focusing on the areas where we stand in union. In fact, that unity would be a perfect lens through which we explore the choices that will affect all of us for the next 4 to 8 years.

We have had the distinct (and sometimes painful) privilege of having two very impressive candidates for the presidency. On most issues they are carbon copies of each other. Either would make a fine Commander-in-Chief, and both are superb alternatives to what the Republican's are offering.

Last night I heard both candidates publicly state that the course of this country is far more important than either of the candidates, and that they would (regardless who gets the nomination) stand firm and solid, shoulder to shoulder, with the Democratic Party and the Democratic cause.

These are our chosen leaders. We would do best following their lead, taking their advice, and remain as one -- united in our true purpose here -- to make sure that we do not have another 4 years of Bush policies.

We are close to becoming like family members contesting a will -- infighting with each other -- overlooking the fact that we have much more to lose than haggling over who gets the fine china. For when push comes to shove, there is no disputing the fact that we'll all be eating off the same plates for some time to come. At the very least we should remember that we are, after all, invited to the same table. We should be grateful that we have such a fine table to set ourselves down to -- so much better than being forced to wait in breadlines.

Let us protect each other from that ever having to happen to any one of us. Let us remain, proudly and decisively, the only true choice for the next election.

A Fellow American

To Those Superdelegates Yet Undecided

Democrat in Oelwein, IA — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:36:42 EDT

I am a 52-year-old white woman who believes deeply that Barack Obama is our best choice for President of the United States. I have lived through the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. I've seen America and Americans at their best and at their worst. I have seen us young and idealistic, and more mature and paralyzed by fear. And I would hate to have history repeat itself. Let me explain.