The decision to be made on Saturday determines whether the Democratic Party will throw its rules out the window to favor the candidate who has by all accounts lost by the rules which she signed a pledge and agreed to play by over a year ago.
The rule is that states who do not hold their primaries according to the Democratic Calendar will not have their votes counted nor will their delegates seated.
[There are all kinds of very good reasons for this rule that states follow the primary calendar—whether they like it or not. But the main reason is that it protects the democratic process for ALL democrats in ALL states. It is not just the voters of Florida and Michigan whose interest is at stake here. It is the democratic voters of ALL the other 48 states who are disenfranchised when states like Florida and Michigan hold their primary out of turn. And not only do they disenfranchise the voters, they also disenfranchise the candidates by doing this.]
Read More »This is the title of a short article written by Paul Kemp that appeared in The Populist Party Magazine--a rag read by real populists.
It may be a bit harsh by most standards, but I did like its closing remarks which I'll quote here:
"It is a religion cloaked in mystery, but President Bush recently let slip a clue to what it is all about. He made a remark to the press, defending his latest Festival of Sacrifice, saying words to the effect that the Iraq war is good because it creates jobs. Ah! War is all about stimulating the economy! . . .
The old religion has failed us. War has not brought us prosperity, but poverty for the many and wealth for those closer to the King. It is time to renounce this false religion that has failed us."
Here is a link to the Populist Party site. Although Hillary presents herself as someone who is "for the people" and leaves the vague impression that she embraces the populist ideology, after reading a few articles from this site, you can easily see how misguided those statements are.
If Hillary is a populist, the George Bush is a communist.
http://www.populistamerica.com/our_national_festival_of_human_sacrifice
Hillary, who throughout her entire career in the senate has been what many have labeled as a "hawkist corporate centrist who thinks that lobbyists are just dandy" has now in the last two months of this campaign emerged as a "populist" who is fighting for the people.
This might be laughable except for the fact that we are a nation who has shown our utter gullibility by voting for George Bush twice.
Hillary Clinton is no populist. Hillary Clinton has been for a number of years a member AND officer in the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). This is not an official DNC group. Here is an excerpt from its platform: ". . .argues that the United States Democratic Party should shift away from traditional populist positions."
Now how do you reconcile the fact that Hillary is not only a member but an officer in an organization that is anti-populist and her claims to be one? A true populist would have NOTHING to do with the DLC.
Democratic candidates with John Edwards populist message abound on the primary ballot this season in Texas.
In my own Congessional district here in Texas, the 3rd Congressional district, we have for one of our choices a fellow named Tom Daley. Read his message below. I have to start checking into things in my own political backyard. Sam Johnson, McCain twin (about same age and Johnson was a prisonor in Hanoi longer than McCain. Johnson was a POW for 7 years. He is awful, but I thought he was not running this season. He said last year that he was not. I write Sam and Kay and John at least five emails a month about something that they have not done.
The prospects of a Democratic Senator and a Democratic Representative from my congressional district would be wonderful.
THIS FROM TOM DALEY Democratic candidate from the Texas 3rd Congressional District.
Yet there are solvable problems we can no longer ignore.
Too many people do not have reasonable access to quality healthcare. Our national treasure--people and money--is being consumed by war. Our economy is on the brink of recession. Congress has allowed many of our civil liberties to be destroyed, yet we hardly enjoy greater security today than we did seven years ago. Our environment strains to support us.
We can solve these problems--the time is now and it's up to us! All across America, voters are speaking: Change is Coming.
Will YOU be represented?
I have broad experience in building coalitions, constructing and running businesses, participating in community service projects, and finding creative, workable solutions to long-standing problems.
I will represent YOU.
You are an important part of the solution! I invite you to sign up as a supporter and make a contribution to help us spread the word of broader prosperity, effective government, and a better future!
Together, we can change our world!
First, I like Barack Obama; I think he has done some good as a senator both in Illinois and Washington. It is also great he was able to convince his neighbor, Oprah, to campaign for him. I might listen to her about shopping tips and recognize her as a voice for social awareness, but not about a president. I also thought it was great he introduced a bill that lobbyist can no longer sit our elected representatives down for a dinner; I'm sure the Finger Food Bill will make inroads in limiting the input of lobbyists and PACs. However, I believe Obama also voted for the Patriot Act that some have so relentlessly castigated Hillary over. Although if anyone actually read the Rolling Stone article about what went on during the actual authorship they would realize we were all screwed by a few Republican extremists. He also voted with drug manufacturers to limit the sale of generic drugs. Missed an SCHIP vote. Didn't vote on the Iran Guard resolution. The list goes on and on. The adolescent drug use will be a big factor among the Republicans and in the South. Even if he wins the nomination and general he will wind up neutered by the same old Republican tactics…basically too naive and principled to beat the Republicans at their own game. And some non-verbal body language tells me he has issues with women.
Next is John Edwards. Well, we are now considering electing a glorified ambulance chaser. Everyone complains about Hillary serving on the Walmart board of directors but ignores this fact completely. All Mr. Edwards has done in his life is sue the medical establishment for CP (Cerebral Palsy) related issues claiming the medical establishment did not do enough to prevent CP. Want to know why your doctor’s bill is so high, it’s gentlemen like this one. It's unfortunate that these children are saddled with this debilitating disease, but there has never been a recognized treatment for preventing CP. It was impressive that he authored the Patient's Rights Bill...but it never reached the desk of the President. It's also great that he now feels wrong about voting for the War in Iraq. It's great that he feels he can completely ignore the entrenched establishment to make sweeping social changes across the board. Here’s a reality check, its not going to happen. The only way to remove the corporate influence from American government is by incremental change. They didn't show up overnight, so they won't go away overnight and they will fight. First start with health insurance but with regulations, including the ability of a government agency or recognized authority to override a treatment decision to save a life, imagine the AMA saying bone marrow transplants are a recognized and valid treatment for leukemia. This would start to erode the stranglehold the insurance industry has on America. It would also be interesting the find out exactly how much of his own money he has invested in improving the lifestyle in his area. Shutting off congressional health care will not happen, that will alienate the people he needs to work with the most. Last item, his attack ads are a mirror image of Mitt Romney's ads.
Bill Richardson, all I will say is I hope if a Democrat wins the White House they should definitely tap this man to serve in some capacity. It would be criminal not to, same for Kucinich, Biden and Dodd.
Last is Hillary. The only good argument that has merit is she had her eight years as First Lady. All of the rest of them are either wrong or just echoes of Republican garbage. If Bill Clinton had not admitted he used pot but didn't inhale (we all knew that was a lie but I viewed it as a start towards the idea of telling the truth), Barack Obama would never be able to write about an adolescent drug use then run for President. If Bill Clinton had not started the ball rolling with the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy America would not be considering allowing gay people to openly serve in the military. Hillary’s one failing was she didn’t campaign for the Democratic Party in the last election. Yes, incremental change sounds slower than we would like but as you see once you start the ball rolling its hard to stop. If Hillary wants to really get nasty she can change her campaign theme to The Audacity of Hype.
I still have no idea who I am going to vote for, although I will vote. No matter who wins the primary I am voting for the Democratic Party, I will not childishly waste my vote on some independent with a snowball's chance in hell. Whoever wins the primary has to be ready to fight for the fight of their life and Americas. I also feel if there is anyone who has to pay taxes this year file for an extension until you have to pay interest and penalties, just to cut the amount of money going into one of the most corrupt administrations America has known.
From New Democrat corruption to progressive populist ideals - Edwards takes the high road to the White House.
A lot can change in 3 years. When John Edwards and John Kerry failed to win the election in 2004, I felt it was vindication of the failed DLC's "New Democrat" propaganda and a direct indictment of corporate-owned politicians in the Democratic party. As part of the failed Kerry campaign, John Edwards was not my kind of Democrat.
When Howard Dean wrested control of the party chairmanship away from the DLC, it gave me hope that progressive populism would make a re-appearance on the national political stage. Sure enough, in 2006 progressive candidates won critical elections all across the country. They ran campaigns based on populism, which I believe is a message that concerned, conscientious voters can understand and support.
With Republicans at their lowest approval in decades, I looked forward to the '08 presidential elections as a great chance to change the balance of power in America by putting a progressive Democrat in office and ending the 28 year reign of corporate sell-outs. I didn't expect John Edwards to be that candidate, but a lot can change in 3 years. Whatever the reason, Edwards is clearly the leading progressive in the race -and he needs our activism and support now, before its too late!
Our current corporate masters are not weak and they are certainly not stupid. This election is a rare opportunity to change the power structure in America and get our government back in the hands of the people. At this moment, people of all political persuasions are feeling the oppression of our American government squeezing us for every last dollar of profit for its corporate masters. Repubicans, Democrats, Greens and Libertarians are all asking why our government doesn't work for anybody, and we're all coming to similar conclusions: Its working against us because it's been hijacked by corporate profiteers!
Although people may be finding common ground on what's wrong, the incessant blaring of mis-information from the corporate masters is sowing the seeds of confusion and distrust daily, and its not going to stop as long as they are in power. Their strategy is simple: Divide and dissuade. Our political enemies are not the opposing parties - its America's silent Third Party - The Corporate Party. With an army of lobbyists, well-funded think-tanks, and paid-off politicians willing to enact their legislation and rule in favor of their lawyers, Corporate interests have taken over our government. The losers in this takeover are the 90% of us who make up the American middle and lower classes! This truth can be agreed upon by citizens from all political parties, and we need a President who will not continue to sellout our interests to the Corporate Party.
John Edwards must have had an epiphany. For whatever reason, he is clearly the most progressive candidate in the race from either party, and he is making promises based on his populist campaign to listen to and protect us from corporate tyranny. For a guy who started out as a "New Democrat", John Edwards has come a long way. This presidential primary is a rare opportunity for real change.
We must work together to elect a non-corporate sell-out to be President. John Edwards is the only Democratic candidate who fits the bill. Hillary is clearly the Corporate party's candidate this year, and she is the odds-on favorite to continue the special interest's reign of power. Obama is not far behind, although his allegiance is more cleverly masked in his propaganda. For example, Hillary and Obama both came out in support of NAFTA and CAFTA - both corporate sponsored pieces of legislation that squeeze Americans and enrich multi-national corporations. On healtcare, both Obama and Clinton favor schemes that will enrich insurance and drug companies before providing any better care for our citizens. On every issue, these candidates side with the corporations who stand to benefit, and put the screws to the 90% of us who will directly pay the price of their greed and corruption.
In the Democratic Party, Hillary is still the leading face (along with Joe Lieberman) of the DLC and "New Democrats" - which is nothing but a front group for Corporate party lobbyists. Despite progressive gains, "New Democrats" in the US House and Senate are still one of the largest voting blocks, which explains why our newly elected majority party has done virtually nothing for the Americans who voted them into power on the promise of change.
This primary election is our chance to send a real progressive, populist candidate to the White House, and unite the country to fight back against the greed and corruption that are ruining America. John Edward's campaign is running in direct opposition to the silent third party of corporate lobbyists and special interests. Please support me in voting for our national interests as fellow Americans: Vote John Edwards for President.
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I just got back from an advance screening of Michael Moore's new movie "SiCKO". Ostensibly about the American health care system, it also touches on larger and more profound subjects related to our national identity and priorities. I realize this movie is biased; any act of artistic creation is, to one degree or another. That does not discount what it has to say, and I urge whoever might read this to see the movie. Go to a matinee, wait for the DVD if you must, but please see it.
We all know someone who is now or has been in dire straits due to healthcare costs or restrictions - sometimes that someone is our own selves. Approximately 1/6 of the country is without health insurance, and as the movie goes to great lengths to point out, even those with good insurance are susceptible to financial ruin. A fine point is made about the shackles of debt and its effect on our lives; if you owe a lot of money and are dependent on the health insurance you receive through your job, you are much less likely to make any waves that might disrupt anything. Longer hours, no pension, lower pay, poor working conditions? OK, just please don't fire me. An indebted, demoralized workforce is much easier to control... Read More »
He is no friend to the right wing of the GOP, so he will be a tough sell for their nomination but if he were to get the nomination he will be a more compelling choice for voters than the current frontrunners. He does not come across as social conservative in his rhetoric, while I am sure he is one however this is not his priority. He is a fiscal conservative and has libertarian tones in his stands on individual liberties. The comparisons to President Reagan are appropriate, I see a little of a later years Barry Goldwater as well.
I mentioned the word populist, it would be interesting to see him and John Edwards debate the issues if they were the respective choices of the Democrats and GOP. Both seem to be positioning themselves as the "populist" choice for their party's nomination.
Whoever the nominees and whoever wins in 2008, this presidential election will be good for the political process after eight years of President Bush and the lackluster campaigns of V.P Gore and Sen. Kerry.
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