Posts with the tag Change

Religion vs. Parties

Gene Madison — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:33:25 EST

Seeking Thoughts… Please, respond if you have the opportunity.

What is the Difference between a Government whose laws do not respect religion, and a Government whose laws respect religion?

It would seem that the laws need to be broken down in order to determine the truth. Between those who do, and those who don’t. Sounds pretty simple, except there are a lot of Governments who do respect religion, and very few that do not. (Including our own)

Religion isn’t just about what God you believe in. If that were the case, then I think it would be obvious to say that everyone believes in God, and some do not believe a God exists. But if you think of God as nature itself, then everyone would believe in God, because I don’t think nature is a deniability. So now, assuming God IS nature, responsible for life itself… Creating the heaven and the Earth, animal and man, etc. etc.

What is Democracy

The Grassroots Democracy Group — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:34:41 EST

So...what is “Democracy”? The literature postulates that ancient Athens, Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the Mayflower Compact, and John Locke are the sources of the US constitution. Moreover, the British philosopher, John Locke (1632-1704), among other notables, has postulate that people are the driving force of nations, not the rulers. He contended that people are born with inalienable rights, such as “life, liberty and property.” How is it then that government and others are allowed to oppose or challenge said rights of consensual beings? Although I object to the comparison of humanity (i.e., Slavery or The Holocaust and the right to exist in equality of other beings), the rights of consensual adults choosing their mates is simply that…their right. Don’t we have pressing issues to tend to in our Nation???? Let’s pursuit the “change” this nation needs with a vengeance, and stay out of the bedrooms of others. -The Grassroots Democracy Group - Vera

Moving Forward, Next Steps

Democrat in Corsicana, TX — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:18:49 EST

Weeks have now passed since the historic election between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. Through the course of twenty-one months, Americans seemed to become more aware of their rights, and the responsibilities of their government. Those who felt that their voices could not be heard were vindicated on election night by one Senator, and to those who felt their voices were ignored listened to the concession speech of the opposing Senator. Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of many Americans, and the world appeared to take a sigh of relief as the final tallies came in.

Now, weeks later, the media is flooded with reports of transition teams, bailouts that have received makeovers, and two parties not sure where to go from here. Yet, the American people have gone back to their lives, turning off CNN & Fox News Stations as they pass by the newsstands in the mornings, focusing their attentions on what their lives were â��Pre-Electionâ��. Meanwhile local governments are having their city council meetings, county commissioners meetings and playing again to pre-election crowdsâ�¦empty houses.

I pose this question: Will Americans take care of business, and take back an active role in their local governments.

As I worked through the election, I met so many people who had never voted before, did not know who their local Representatives were, and at times were not even aware what precincts they lived in. One might wonder, are all the mishandling in Washington only the faults of the Representatives their, or is the constituents who have neglected their responsibilities of staying informed & staying involved. With the wide use of the Internet, and information fingertips away, it is brought to my attention that over the last eight years, the American people have purposely neglected their responsibility of staying abreast of the actions regarding the local governments they elect. As a result, the local leaders have no way of accurately representing their constituents, thus you have a massive amount of neglect within several sectors of the cities accross America.

Consequently, this creates a trickle-up effect, of misrepresentation. Those elected to the county, state, and federal positions, only speak for those who have allowed their voices to be heard through their votes. With the battle-cry of â��Changeâ�� coming from both sides of the isles, it was difficult to understand the change that was promised. Whereas â��Changeâ�� taking place in Washington, I am a staunch believer that â��Changeâ�� must take place in the City Halls and Soup Kitchens all across America. Whereas people once questioned the purpose of the Electoral College, we saw in this election, that if the constituents play an active role in being informed and involved that the Electoral College correlates with the voice of the American People.

So, now that the anticipation of election night is gone, will Americans go back to the complacency of yesteryear which has consequently landed us in the worst shape this country has seen in decades, or will Americans take care of business, and hold up to their responsibilities of being informed and involved? You be the answer! Vote for Democracy

Congress needs to help auto industry but...

Democrat in New York, NY — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:22:45 EST

...they also need to pass a "public works" bill right away so that we can start on the road to recovery. Also, presz-elect needs to stop worrying too much about SoS position and start announcing economic and treasury sec. positions right away. He needs to start announcing a fiscal policy agenda that he will put in place once he is in office. These things needs to be done right away or we will be in a "depression" by xmas! This isn't fear mongering but real world situation. Current prez has checked-out and punted already, so the ball is the Obama team territory now. And the Bush team has downed the ball at the Obama team's 1 yard line. Now Mr. quarterback (Prez Obama) it is up to you to lead team U.S.A. up the field with :30 on the clock. Can you do it, Sir? I believe you are the only quarterback in the world who can! Please make it happen.

Moving in Right Direction

Gabriel Felix — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:21:52 EST

Let's put aside political differences for one moment, and forget the historical significance of race in the election results. What we have collectively accomplished as a country is beyond comparison to any political move in the history of this country. Seems a little drastic right? Nevertheless, how else can you explain bring ing in youth and intelligence into the highest office in the nation for the first time since the 1960's? Even then we were still taking baby steps towards change and hoping that we would make ripples in the water, not tidal waves. That is precisely what we have accomplished with the election of Barack Obama. Positive change that will ripple through the social establishment and bring forth the dawning of a new era of political representation in this great nation. Power no longer rests in the hands of the "old guard" who has for too long ruled this nation with great disconnect and disregard for the common people. President Obama is just the beginning, the face of the revolution. The great changes are still yet to come, in development, and on its way. We are finally on our way to establishing rule OF the people. The right direction is not somewhere you turn, but the direction you follow a great leader in; that leader is Barack Obama.

Democrats Why the Democrats didn't Win in 2008

Andrew Stergiou — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:42:23 EST

We donâ��t need politicians with ideas imported that are more pertinent else where, nor the self-serving blue dogs nor red dogs dogmas though there is need for proactive Democratic Party presence. A proactive Democratic Party presence that is not confined but is regional and permanent in nature which will not be achieved with any short term approach.

Building a Blue Tennessee

Matthew — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:20:49 EST

First off, to kick things off at my new home here at Democrats.org... WOOHOO! A little late in my cheers for President-elect Obama's victory, but I suppose it's better late than never. I'm late to the game here, and besides, I've had school work to do. Reading to do. Which I'm still catching up on. Ah ha...

Unfortunately, the news was tempered here in Tennessee with the news that the Republicans steamrolled their way into winning majorities of both houses of the state General Assembly. When the 107th General Assembly convenes, it will consist of a 19-14 Republican majority in the Senate and 50-49 majority in the house.

Ouch.

PA-05: McCracken for Congress -- Staying Positive with a Message of Hope and Change

Victor M. Ordonez — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:48:33 EST

There really isn't a lot left to say as we head into the final 24 hours of the campaign. First, and most important, Kelly, Amanda and I want to thank everyone who has helped in any way with the campaign. The one thing I will take away from this experience, regardless of the outcome on Tuesday, is the people I've met, the communities I've visited and the stories we've shared.

It has also been encouraging how many people have stepped up over the last 2 weeks to help with donations to the campaign. Once our opponent got desperate and decided to go negative there were many people and organizations who stepped up and sent in late donations. These late donations allowed us to expand our media advertising and create a second TV ad to combat the distortions coming from our opponent's campaign.

How To Stop Voter Suppression

Tim — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:59:18 EDT

1. If you have voted early or voted absentee, call your county Board Of Elections and make sure your vote will be counted.

2. If you plan on voting November 4th, make sure that your precinct and your voting location is running smoothly.

3. If the Board Of Elections is lying to you or you feel like they aren't being 100% honest, ask them again the previous questions of whether your vote did come in, ask if they have it on record.

4. In light of point 3, if they hesitate or deny, it helps to reference the ACLU and say ( and know) you will be taken seriously.

5. If you encounter a glitch with your voting machine, report it to your poll workers. It is their job to fix it and steer you out of it.

6. If the poll worker refuses to do their job, then, by all means, talk to their supervisor and call your county.

These points will help stop voter suppression. We let it get away with us in 2000 and 2004, and accountability must be respected and preserved for the sake of democracy.

Oh, I forgot to mention, if you know how to contact your state's electoral college, remind those who belong to it of their Constitutional duty. They seem to have forgotten about that recently.

VOTE FOR CHANGE!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08!

The Beginning of the End

Democrat in Louisville, KY — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:09:22 EDT

What am I? Am I really (GASP!) a democrat?

My story begins 12 years ago on a wood porch, overlooking an Indiana sky.

"Rebuke the devil and all his works! Cast the spirit of Jezebel out of you!", my mother screamed at me.

This is how I was introduced to God. My mother was in mortal combat with my soul. I had to sit, terrified that I would go to hell, promising that I would accept God into my life and that I would no longer go down the destructive path of my former days. At 14. The week before, I had gotten in trouble for smoking on school campus. My best friends proceeded to tell my mother that I had also been smoking pot that day, before class. I was still not used to my mothers fairly recent alliance with Jesus.

I sat, with tears streaming down my face, next to my mother, and a gentleman that was a deacon at her new church. A church that had people rolling on the ground and jumping in the air for Christ...not the Presbyterian and Methodist influence that my grandmothers had introduced me to at a young age....but something quite....different.

And thus it began. I started my 10th grade year at a Christian highschool (it was either that or an all girls school). The 25 people in my class were very welcoming. They even said "hello" to me. I finished my highschool career with out one real acquaintance from the three years I spent there. It always struck me that out of 25 people in our graduating class, how 3 girls were pregnant. Seemed a strange ratio at the time. And not at all conducive to the strong conservative viewpoints of the baptist minister that ran the school.

I thought that I was right for assuming that now, since God was on my side, I was supposed to walk in his ways. I did. I tried. I wanted to. But, the question always came back to me-"Why am I the only one that cares?"

I moved out of my parents house and moved in with two older girls. One in college, and one teaching 10th grade English. I went to school, I worked 60 hrs a week, and I went to church 2 times a week. I also still wasn't a true enough Christian, in my parents eyes. I tried to shrug this off, and foraged my way through my new adulthood with my still rooted values of "do good, think good, be good". I voted for Bush in 2000 (at the behest of the church), and in 2004 (at the behest of myself...I thought we needed a "real man" in the office, not some liberal French guy), and thought I finally understood my values and opinions.

Until I met my husband. At first, I thought he was a liberal hottie. I knew he was intelligent, but my Bush loyalties ran deep. I would run to Bush's' defense every time it was brought up. Political values were not the biggest part of our relationship, and we married last October. That November, though, my eye was drawn to several members of the democratic party that were vying for the presidency in 2008.

"Why do these people speak to my situation????", my head screamed. The more I watched, the more the Bush facade crumbled around me.

It was then I realized-I wasn't following my own ideals. I was following the ideals of that terrifed 14 year old on the porch of her parents house.

Slowly, but surely, I started realizing that my values, morals, and beliefs were not solely tied to "Christian", or "Non-Christian". Those arguments didn't even hold water now. I was an adult, with adult responsibilities. I realized that my whole set of core values was false. I did not put enough faith into my own ideals, so I leeched off of a scary moment in my life that "brought me around".

I felt free. I felt hope. I felt pride in myself...for the first time in my life.

I know that a certain amount of sneaky underhanded-ness comes with any person elected into official office. (Thank you, Doug) But, I am tired of trying to please my parents, my church and my false sense of "belonging". I know that Mr.Obama and I do not agree on everything...he is not me. Nor do I want Jennifer to run for the presidency. She is not smart enough. She has not been enough places, met enough people, or done enough for her country that this great man has done. I don't want to look at a candidate and see a mirror image. I want to look at the future president and see hope..life..the bright future for our (not yet born) children.

And with some humbleness, I finally found out who "Jennifer" is....

She is a proud democrat.

Is a Black President Too Much Change for America to Bear?

Eric Wattree — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:43:42 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

Is a Black President Too Much Change for America to Bear?

Ok, let’s drop the nonsense and be real, here. If Barack Obama was White, he’d be at least twenty points ahead of John McCain in every major poll in the country. His election would have been so certain by now that Michelle would have already been sent the keys to the White House--and we all know it.

By any indicator--intellect, character, prudence, demeanor, or competence--Barack Obama is clearly not only head and shoulders above John McCain, but he’s one of the most impressive presidential candidates in the history of this nation. So what American voters have to decide at this pivotal point in our history, is how much do they truly love America. It’s time that we really embrace this question, instead of simply paying lip service to it.

CHANGE | The Oxford English Dictionary – 2nd ed.

Percy H Florez — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:51:06 EDT

1. The act or fact of changing.
2. Substitution of one thing for another; succession of one thing in place for another.
3. Substitution of another conditions or circumstances.
4. The act of changing; alteration in the state of quality of anything; the fact of become other than it was; variation, mutation.

In my humbling opinion: (applying to politicians)

1. The act of talking straight
2. The act of being honest
3. The act of assume the consequences
4. The act of believe in CHANGE

It means:

I f you want to talk about CHANGE, talk straight, be honest, assume the consequences of your words and your promise and believe in the CHANGE of your proposals.

So, who’s really for CHANGE?

Percy H Florez

STAND UP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Micheal DeCoria — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:29:14 EDT

It is go time, we have less than two months until the election's.

Your County Democrat's office needs your help.

1. Making Phone calls.
2. Canvassing.
3. Data Entry.
4. Poll watchers
5. Putting packets together.
6. Driving seniors and disabled to the polls.

DO YOUR PART AND WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!!!!....

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH THIS GROUP. LINK BELOW.

http://www.democrats.org/page/group/PartyBuilderVolunteerActionGroup

Thank you
Micheal

A Rant about "Education Issues" in my reply in Matt Nisenoff's Blog

BobBl — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:14:51 EDT

I posted this today in Matt

Nisenoff's Blog:http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/mattnisenoff/CCsv

I applaud Matt for his posting about "holding the other side responsible."

But as some of you will remember, I'm IRATE because the Bush Administration's Educational Policies still aren't being held accountable for the grevious damage they've done to ALL OF AMERICA"S SCHOOLS under lies and deception the USDOE continues to perpetuate about the "purpose" behind educational choice initiatives.

So I hope Matt will forgive me for hijacking his blog to rant about how Bush and McCain's educational programs and policies favor selling about America's public educational system to VESTED INTERESTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR!!!

On another completely related subject:

I LOVE the new "look and feel" of the revision done on this DNC website. GEE WHIZ!! It finally looks and acts as PROFESSIONALLY IMPLEMENTED as SENATOR OBAMA"S HAS ALL ALONG!!

But IMHO what this country needs isn't simply CHANGE... just to be changing any ole' thing.

What this country needs is PROFESSIONALIZATION!

Senator Obama is much more than an ideologue or political pundit merely calling for change out of desperation to grab national sound bytes. (like John McPain)

Senator Obama IS a visionary leader and a powerful "project manager" who is showing us all EVERY DAY how TRULY proficient he as at manageing and directing THIS complex enterprise called a PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN!

HEll's Bells! He's even got the DNC website looking PROFESSIONAL! It's been good fun for all of us who've used it earlier this year. But HONESTLY, I didn't think I'd live long enough to ever see it looking this good!

IT HAPPENDED BECAUSE HE DELEGATED THE JOB TO THE PROFESSSIONALS AT FACEBOOK WHO ARE SUPPORTING HIS CANDIDACY!

And, in that Ohio Education speech I ranted about in Matt Nisenhoff's Blog, he makes it very clear that he's planning to turn educational policy and practive BACK OVER TO EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS TOO!

PEOPLE... that was music to my tired old ears.

LETS PROFESSONALIZE THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT!

LET"S GET ALL THE DAMN POLITICAL APPOINTEES OUT OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OTHER CURCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES!!

LETS TURN THE PAGE AGAIN TO BEING A GOVERNMENT RUN BY PROFESSIONAL CIVIL SERVANTS DULY ELECTED OFFICIALS, not lobbiests and political appointees!

Every time I hear McPain and Sarah Barracuda talk about "change"... I know what they mean. They mean firing more experienced civil servants in Government Offices & Entitlement Programs.

Anyone who need an "example of what I'm talking about doesn't need to look much further than the very successful US Department of Veteren's Affairs that President Bush is now determined to PRIVATIZE!

US Department of Veteren's Affairs

Our Government (and schools) should be operated by well credentialed and service-oriented professionals.

Not private sector operatives overseen by political appointees, which is the "change" McPain and Sarah Baracudda are crowing about.

WE NEED PROFESSIONALIZATION. ... not change without socially and morally accountable direction from a qualified leader.

We've had eight years of that already and it doesn't work!

BobBl

This Ain't Change

Rob-33704 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:52:50 EDT

Friends - no disrespect intended toward anyone but wanting to maintain the status quo on:

1. Abortion rights
2. Social Security funding
3. Offshore drilling

is not the samething as advocating change and those dogs will not hunt this year.

No disrespect toward dogs either but pigs are taboo for now.

Catalyst For Change

Democrat in Westmoreland, NH — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:01:52 EDT

Join the movement for change with this new design. Don't delay! The race for the White House is on - stronger than ever! Be part of history! Go to www.cafepress.com/shopforcatoons today!

Change According to McCain

Liz — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:48:11 EDT

This cartoon by Tom Toles says it all and it reminds me of the power of humor. Maybe Obama and Biden need to tap into humor more to get their points across to low information voters. Humor says a lot in a few words. As long as the humor is true, we like it. However humor that is not true (not based on fact) is mockery and sarcasm and that is rarely funny or an effective tool for convincing others. Humor that is not based in truth is little more than a format for hatred. More often than not it flies back in the face of the messenger.

Calling All Americans

Mark — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:59:52 EDT

Fellow Americans, the saying is true.

ITS TIME FOR CHANGE.

Mccain and Palin offer nothing but the same, albeit with minor changes. But the message they send is loud and clear!

They want to maintain the status quo and give us 4 more, and even, founding fathers help us, 8 more years of Bushonomics!

I have friends that are uninsured, because they just cant afford it. I have friends that have to put their head down and keep going when theyre sick or hurt because they cant go and be treated.

And ladies and gentlemen, there are 47 MILLION more uninsured Americans!! 47 MILLION!!! 18 MILLION women! 9 MILLION CHILDREN!!!

CHILDREN!!! UNINSURED and UNPROTECTED!!!

This is NOT acceptable! What has happened to America!?

We know the answer! BUSH AND MCCAIN!!!

They have worked against progress at every turn and led us to ruin!

Now Mccain wants to take over and lead us further down the path to ruin!!

Enough is enough!!

This November we will face a choice... But when you compare Mccains record to Obamas, there is no choice! it is clear and undeniable!!

We must elect Barack Obama president, and put an end to this needless suffering of 47 million Americans! We must protect womens rights, as Mccain has voted against them for nearly 30 years! We must STOP the oil madness and pave the way to the future with investment in alternative energy! We must withdraw from Iraq, an unauthorized, mismanaged drain on our resources and most importantly our FINEST, BRAVEST and BRIGHTEST! Who even now fight, bleed and DIE for a war that is based on a LIE!!!

We MUST make changes! We MUST elect Barack Obama not only for ourselves, but for our CHILDREN, and for WOMEN!!!

Women will suffer with Mccain as president!! His record on womens rights reminds me of Chinas record on human rights!!

We must stop funding aggression and start funding our future!

Men EVERYWHERE, vote for Barack Obama! Not only for yourselves, but for your children! Your daughters, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, friends, aunts, nieces, cousins!

VOTE FOR REAL CHANGE!!

Stand together, unite for change, spread the word and elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States!

http://www.democrats.org/page/group/STOP

Another Reason We Need Change

Frank Lynch — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:04:27 EDT

One of our Party Builders, Robert Brooks, has written an excellent article on his blog at http://thewildernessvoice.blogspot.com/

I am not duplicating his excellent article, but making a major correction. As shocking as his article is, and with great respect to Mr. Brooks, he understates the problem.

He uses the example of the year 1967 for his computations that the dollar has lost 80 percent of its value in forty years, compared, among other things to the price of gold.

I beg to argue that the two most relevant benchmarks are the price of oil, and the median homeprice, since those two items determine the price of almost everything else we spend our money on.

In 1967 a barrel of oil was $2.90 a barrel. Today, Sept. 2, 2008 oil closed at a five year low of $105, which indicates a loss of 97 percent in the value of a dollar.

National figures on median home prices are subject to manipulation, so I will use my home.

My home was built in 1967, coincidentally the same base year used as a base by Mr. Brooks.

The current market value of my home indicates a 92 percent loss in the value of the dollar. People are mistaken when they think they have made money when a homeprice goes up. What you are really seeing is inflation: it takes more dollars to buy the same thing.

In the 39 or 40 years since 1967, Republicans have controlled the White House most of the time, but there is plenty of blame to go around for both parties.

What this really means is that our government has stolen 92 to 97 percent of the life savings that people had in 1967.

And every year they are stealing more of our life savings. Greenspan is a traitor who belongs in jail, because the statutory job of the Federal Reserve is to preserve a sound dollar.

Greenspan only missed the mark by 95 percent.

We need CHANGE

In case I did not state it clearly, WE NEED CHANGE

Remembering Why We are Here

Liz — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:19:17 EDT

I'm here because I'm committed to making my country and the world a better place for my children, my grand children and all children--not only of this country, but the world. They deserve it and so do I. And if you don't think that I'll be on Obama's case day and night after he moves into the White House, then you don't know me. He WILL be progressive.

I want nothing less than a REAL democracy that represents ordinary Americans and I'm not about to settle for anything less.

Here is part of my latest screen saver to remind me in case I forget--a drawing that children of parents who are working at the Obama Dallas center drew.