Posts with the tag Democracy

URGENT: Protect Your Right to Vote Now

Anita Perkins — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:01:08 EDT

Attorney General Mukasey and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are walking away from their sacred responsibility to guarantee smooth and fair elections.

While the government is engaged in a highly-publicized attempt to raise the specter of voter fraud against groups who have been working hard to register poor and minority voters, DOJ is doing little -- if anything -- to deal with the real problem -- hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of registered voters who may turn up on Election Day just to be turned away.

I just asked the DOJ to take decisive action before Election Day to protect the right to vote for everyone. You can do the same, by signing the ACLU petition today:

http://action.aclu.org/protectthevote

Election officials should concentrate their limited resources on expanding access to the ballot box and protecting voters.

Demand that the Department of Justice act to protect voting rights.

http://action.aclu.org/protectthevote

Let's work together to keep America a true democracy!

Time to take the gloves off with the religious right wing.

terrybankert — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:19:50 EDT

* * * * *
REFLECTIONS:
Bible thumpers are fair game in this election. They put themselves forward politically. They are an identifiable constituency that intends to elect a president that will promote their position on national issues. That is their right. It is our right to defeat them. We should take the gloves off. They are not involved in a political debate. They are in a war to impose their view of the world on us. Palin ,a self described agent of GOD, intends to make her theological conservatism your new law when she is elected. What are you going to do today to defend Democratic values and our countries founding principals of the Separation of Church and State. Take one action today to support the Obama/Biden ticket.
* * * * *

Pelosi - Using War to Win Election

Gene Madison — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:55:57 EDT

It is nothing more than an abuse of life and power to state that you only fight the fights that have the best oppurtunity for winning. She doesn't feel an exercise of impeaching the President is wise Politically. Politically? I'm all about being polite but WTF is wrong with you? What a disgraceful adherence to party partisanship. The strongest branch in the Government is the Legislative. Are you telling me that if you stand up and tell the American public that your are proceeding with Impeachment because the security of the United States IS more important, and the breaches by the President of the U.S. Constitution are outrageous, and you would rather proceed with an impeachment hearing, where Due Process rules, and it has never been considered unfair in its final decision.

So are you really saying to the american people that you expect all Americans (assuming they have no direct political influence) are expected to follow the laws of this Nation, pay taxes, and ignore the man behind the curtain?

I am sorry if it sounds like I care too much about the entire world, and the true meaning of our Constitution and Declaration of Independence. I cannot comprehend how horrible of a choice we have this year for an election. What choice do people have who realize that a 'constitutional scholar' should have never voted for FISA, because it is an obvious violation of OUR rights. And as it was said by Alexander Hamilton...

[QUOTE]I go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and in the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers which are not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do?[/Quote]

Which unfortunately, he was correct. American Citizens are forced to pay taxes in order to be employed, and those with some sense of honor and loyalty, lose some of the best qualities you can find in a person all because the crooks can go free, and with them goes our liberty!

You are a disgrace to mankind, and whatever species you belong to!

Democracy Wins One in Pakistan

Armen — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:31:10 EDT

Pakistan is still a country in the infancy of its accession into democracy and the wonders of a democratic state and economy but today they made a huge first step in that process, the removal of Musharraf. Too often countries elect leaders that hold onto power against the will of the people and those leaders destroy government and the citizens' faith in it. This was about to happen in Pakistan, but due to the unity of the people behind a common goal they were able to rid themselves of the corrupt leader and start anew. This is an amazing feat and I congratulate all those in Pakistan for having faith in your country, and your government to build a better society. Even though there is still much to do in Pakistan I believe that they have take the righteous first step on the path to democratic salvation.

Democracy is not a Spectator Sport

Liz — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:51:03 EDT

Even after we elect our Democratic President and Overwhelimg Democratic Majority in both Houses of Congress, we still need to stay plugged in. Why? Because the special interest groups will.

WE NEED TO KEEP UP WITH CURRENT LEGISLATION! Democracy is not a spectator sport. We should be aware of the legislation that is before our Congress every single day that they are in session. We should know what this legislation would mean to our quality of life should it be passed and we should have an opinion “aye” or “nay” regarding its passage. And more! We should call all three of our elected officials in DC to let them know how we feel about this legislation BEFORE it is passed. I also call them after it is passed to either tell them how pleased I am with their vote, or how displeased I am with their vote. Follow-up is always important.

Act Now!
1. If you don't have them, get the phone numbers for all three of your elected DC officials. Write them down and keep them handy.

2. Sign up to be automatically notified via your email regarding legislation that is before Congress AND how your elected officials voted. Free!

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote/

Thoughts on Democracy

Rob-33704 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:26:09 EDT

Plato actually opposed Democracy because he thought that the inevitable result would be anarchy.

Madison Avenue has greatly increased this danger by their division of people into consumer groups.

They sell politicians the same way they sell cat food and everything else.

The electorate will have to demand better before they will ghet better.

Who is going to benefit from a war with Iran?

Al Garman — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:41:57 EDT

Another fantastic article by Chris Hedges; if you have not read it yet, please take a few moments and do so: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080804_a_war_of_self_destruction/

A Story about America's First Funny Man--Mark Twain

Liz — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:49:32 EDT

I bought a great issue of Time Magazine on a whim at the grocery store tonight and I’m so glad I did. While reading one of the articles, I had a small epiphany (tiny actually hardly worth mentioning, but I will, you know me. . .) regarding the ongoing battle between the super Hillary supporters and the super Obama supporters.

As far as the posts on this blog are concerned, I’m somewhat in the middle—going back and forth between a part of me thinking that things should settle down and we should unite and then crossing over to the other side that says “what the hell, in the grander scheme of things, is it really that important either way?” [Note: I’m not in the middle regarding whom I support. I support Obama, the presumed nominee.]

But back to that magazine: It is really a great issue. It is titled “Annual Making of America” issue and there is a photo of Mark Twain on the cover. (It has several articles in it and I’ll report now on the first one that I read. It is by Richard Lacayo and is titled: the Seriously Funny Man.)

As Lacayo points out, Mark Twain was our first great political wit and a dogged defender of racial equality. Jon Stewart, Barack Obama and the rest of America are in his debt.

Following is a hilarious story from that piece. I will tell it and then you draw your own conclusions.

I want to be your 2nd Vice Chair of YOUR Democratic Party in Nevada

Michael Knight — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:06:39 EDT

Dear Democrats in Fallon and Churchill Counties. My name is Michael Knight and I am running for 2nd Vice Chair for the Nevada State Democratic Party. If you are coming to Las Vegas in August and attending the General Meeting, I'd like to meet you and find out your views and goals for the Nevada State Party. I want to Unite the Party and need the help of all Democrats in every county. Thank's for reading this and I look forward to meeting you in Las Vegas on Aug. 16th. (a notice of the meeting will be sent out to all Central Committee Members) You must be a member of the State Democratic Party Central Committee to vote.
Thanks for everything you all do.
Michael Knight

Karl Rove's Crap: Are Democrats Ready to GAMBLE???!!!

dcperdueusmc — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:42:15 EDT

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he's doing this. I mean, afterall, the Bush presidency, for the past 8 years, has been full of "create-it-as-we-go" government antics. This presidency has foolishly deceived the American people in ways I once thought only capable of the corrupt governments in the emerging African nations! I think I'd be more surprised if Former White House Advisor Karl Rove HAD shown up this morning! Talk about audacity!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25622771

As a nation, we have begun to make headway to reach across partisan lines and build something for which we can be proud. Unfortunately, there are these little people like Rove with whom we must contend. Just what should WE do with them? Should we gamble and let the cards fall as they may?

It's amusing, one must laugh to avoid the anger, that the case may not be resolved before Bush's term ends in January. How convenient! Executive privilege, my butt! Frankly, I'm quite tired of government saying/arguing that internal administration communications are confidential and that Congress cannot compel officials to testify. Says who? This is OUR government! We are the PEOPLE! WE pay the TAXES! We vote the laws! WE run this ship!

We have got to take the helm from those who would otherwise turn us into a form of totalitarian government. We may have invaded Iraq to bring in democracy and bring down a totalitarian regime, but in the process our own system may be moving closer to the latter and further weakening the former.We are often referred to as a "superpower" which accurately symbolizes the projection of American power abroad, but it obscures internal consequences. Just imagine how odd it would be if we were to refer to the "Constitution of the American Democracy superpower." We know that "constitution" refers to the limitations of power, while "democracy" addresses the active involvement of citizens in government and how the government responds to its people. To even consider ourselves a "superpower," we'd be recognizing the surpassing of constitutional limitations and actual dwarfing of our citizenry. Is that what we've allowed Bush's presidency to do to our nation?

Consider this...The increasing power of the state and the declining power of institutions intended to control it has been in the making for some time. The party system is a notorious example. The Republicans have emerged as a unique phenomenon in American history of a fervently doctrinal party, zealous, ruthless, antidemocratic and boasting a near majority--till now (and Democrats haven't been able to really flex their majority muscles as we'd hoped). As Republicans have become more ideologically intolerant, the Democrats have shrugged off the liberal label and their critical reform-minded constituencies to embrace centrism and footnote the end of ideology. In ceasing to be a genuine opposition party the Democrats have smoothed the road to power of a party more than eager to use it to promote empire abroad and corporate power at home. Bear in mind that a ruthless, ideologically driven party with a mass base was a crucial element in all of the twentieth-century regimes seeking total power.

Representative institutions no longer represent voters. Instead, they have been short-circuited, steadily corrupted by an institutionalized system of bribery that renders them responsive to powerful interest groups whose constituencies are the major corporations and wealthiest Americans. The courts, in turn, when they are not increasingly handmaidens of corporate power, are consistently deferential to the claims of national security. Elections have become heavily subsidized non-events that typically attract at best merely half of an electorate whose information about foreign and domestic politics is filtered through corporate-dominated media. Citizens are manipulated into a nervous state by the media's reports of rampant crime and terrorist networks, by thinly veiled threats of the Attorney General and by their own fears about unemployment. What is crucially important here is not only the expansion of governmental power but the inevitable discrediting of constitutional limitations and institutional processes that discourages the citizenry and leaves them politically apathetic.

In the United States it is with the people where democracy is most alive--while the real danger lies with an increasingly unbridled government. The basic elements are in place: a weak legislative body, a legal system that is both compliant and repressive, a party system in which one party, whether in opposition or in the majority, is bent upon reconstituting the existing system so as to permanently favor a ruling class of the wealthy, the well-connected and the corporate, while leaving the poorer citizens with a sense of helplessness and political despair, and, at the same time, keeping the middle classes dangling between fear of unemployment and expectations of fantastic rewards once the new economy recovers.

What's more, the whole scheme is fueled by an increasingly concentrated media and a well-funded, conservative propaganda machine. If we're not careful, our current tolerably free society will transform to something reminiscent of the extreme regimes of the past century. Are we ready for that? Are we going to hold Karl Rove's feet to the fire? Bush's? Our own? Are we going to take our government back? Or, are we simply going to fold our cards and cash in our chips already!

Watch Bill Moyers: Our Media, Not Theirs

Liz — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:25:55 EDT

Bill Moyers spoke to an audience of more than 3,500 journalists in Minneapolis on Friday. He called the media reform movement "the most significant citizens' movement in this new century."

Go here to watch it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y0r71L7cojE

Rid our country of the caucus process, please!

CarolJean — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:02:41 EDT

The whole primary process is a joke. I did go to the WA caucus in my district. I think all states should have a primary vote on Supper Tuesday. That way, people do not have to show up at caucuses just to give our candidates delegates. At my precinct, Obama beat Clinton 2 - 1. But the primary vote was very close. The discussion at the caucus was absurd...the "last name card" was played becuse of the ignorant people in attendance. These people decided for all of WA how many delegates each cadidate was to receive. This is no way a democratic process. Please note...democratic process is flawed and needs an overhaul!! CarolJean

We Need Time to Heal

dcperdueusmc — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:17:14 EDT

Dammit! Most Democrats are still seething about 2000, when Al Gore won the popular vote but lost to George W. Bush after a Supreme Court ruling...the recount that resulted in another recount! They're still irked, too, about 2004, when many think that their nominee John Kerry should have won at a time when the nation was split over whether Bush was managing the Iraq war wisely. I keep thinking about the horrendous lines of voters (seen from above by helicopter cameras at 11:30 p.m. that November night!) in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Columbus, and Toledo...so few voting machines for and underestimated turnout! Ohioans still claim it was fixed by the Republicans! By the numbers, everything points to a big Democratic rebound in 2008. President Bush's approval rate, as well as the numbers of Americans who think the country is on the right track, has hit historic lows. The War in Iraq is a Republican mess! People everywhere are ready for Change! Ah, that word "Change" brings a warm rush of hope. The nation is reeling from a sluggish economy and mired in a deeply unpopular war, two factors that usually have turned voters away from the incumbent White House party. In addition, the presumptive Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, who'll turn 72 in August, is the oldest major party candidate ever to seek a first White House term. I did say OLD! That plus the fact that he's got enough baggage to keep the Democrats busy trying to figure out just which item to reserve for their "Swiftboat" attack! Still, Democrats enter the general election less than confident that their party can heal the wounds of the long and divisive primary battle between Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York in time to defeat McCain. Part of the concern stems from what's been evident in primaries throughout the winter and spring. Obama routinely won big majorities of votes from black people, younger people and higher income voters. Clinton got white conservatives and the majority of women, however, and exit polls in state after state found that big chunks of her backers are inclined to support McCain in November. Obama, they said, is too liberal and too inexperienced. What the party must do, and they haven't yet, is recognize quickly and demonstrate that it understands the needs of the Clinton constituency. I can't see that as an easy task until we know what Clinton's intentions are...we have to wait till this Saturday. We must realize NOW that we'll have a tough time selling the party if that group feels underappreciated/under-represented. Sure, if Clinton embraces Obama and stumps vigorously for him and the party this summer and fall, many of her supporters will rally. I was reminded earlier today that they're not just puppets on a string. Some Democrats are demoralized by past defeats. Others, however, think memories of 2000 and 2004 will motivate the party faithful in an extraordinary way and allow the wounds from the Obama-Clinton duel to heal quickly. I certainly hope so! www.uniteddems.com

Chill out already! (By Marie Goodwin)

dcperdueusmc — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:04:13 EDT

If Barack Obama chooses Hillary Clinton as his Vice President I would support that ticket and work hard to win the General Election. I dont think its our place to urge Obama to pick Clinton by petitions or an email campaign. I sure dont believe that Obama needs to put her on the ticket to appease the angry woman who voted for her and now feel dissed. Both Obama and Clinton are very smart people who know what they want. Obama has run an excellent campaign. They know the numbers and what they are looking for in a Vice President. Clinton needs to fully support Obama and campaign for him across the country. She needs to say she will not contest Florida and Michigan at the Convention. Additionally, she should not hold her army hostage from Obama for the Vice Presidency spot. Clinton should lead by example. The party will unify if she does what is right. I say chill out and let them work this out. We are Democrats before we are supporters of one candidate.

What is Fair?

Terry — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:12:38 EDT

What is Fair?

This question has been ponder in the literal sense for ages.

What is fair to one is not to another

What we really are debateing are rules.

Not solutions

but rules

What It Is Ain't Exactly Clear

Terry — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:14:19 EDT

For the west coast

There is Something Happening Here

Why are you all Scared?

Must be Senator Clinton has a large closing surge in the nomination. For the ones who think it is over, then Why, bother with posting negative articles and implying innuendoes?

Have I missed something here?

Are counting the votes scaring you or just the results? To those of you who have decreed over the past two months for Senator Clinton to get out, I say you are scared of losing the nomination and not the General Election.

To those who continue party divisiveness, I say 17 Million plus voters are at stake.

FYI It is not over.

It is Not Over We still do not have a nominee.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton 08 The Inclusive Choice

Paranoid strikes deep, into your life it will creep

Everybody look what's going down ...

Obama has Shattered the Highest Glass Ceiling of All--Class

Liz — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:15:22 EDT

The highest glass ceiling in this country is neither a woman running for president, nor a black man running for president, nor a 72 year old man running for president.

The highest glass ceiling that has been shattered is class and the political financial powerlessness of the poor. Throughout the history of our country, our politics have been commanded by the rich. Whatever they wanted, whatever legislation that benefited them is what was passed. This election has finally wrenched that power from their hands.

There is no way that they can compete with the powerful financial machine that Obama has built. Obama has taken what is the only power that the poor have--numbers--and maximized it. The wealth of few cannot compete with the wealth and energy of the many. Obama’s financial system has a data bank of over 1,500,000 donors. None of them are even close to being tapped out. All Obama needs to do is ask at least 1,200,000 would donate $20 and within 24 hours he would and could raise $24,000,000. That is power that no other candidate in the history of our country has ever achieved—the power of the people.

D Tree's recent great post setting the record straight recording Murdoch's contributions brought to mind how much the rich and the upper 5% of this country have influenced politics in the USA and how this primary campaign, thanks to Obama, has changed that landscape forever. Now for the first time in the history of this country, we might have a democracy that indeed reflects the will of the people and not just the will of the rich people.

http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/dtree/CnV7

Why are you all Scared?

Terry — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:05:30 EDT

Why are you all Scared?

Must be Senator Clinton has a large closing surge in the nomination. For the ones who think it is over, then Why, bother with posting negative articles and implying innuendoes? Have I missed something here? Are counting the votes scaring you or just the results? To those of you who have decreed over the past two months for Senator Clinton to get out, I say you are scared of losing the nomination and not the General Election. To those who continue party divisiveness, I say 17 Million plus voters are at stake. FYI It is not over.

It is Not Over

We still do not have a nominee.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton 08

The Inclusive Choice

Electable in the General Election

Experienced

Beloved by the International Community

The People's Choice

Paranoid strikes deep,

into your life it will creep

Everybody look what's going down ...

Hang onto Democracy--a New Decider is being suggested to replace George

Liz — Thu, 29 May 2008 08:02:21 EDT

Talk about stealing democracy! Hillary doesn’t even bat an eye while she claims that it is just fine to count the votes from an election where her opponent’s name was not even on the ballot. Shades of a banana republic!

After that one, I thought that Hillary could not possibly demonstrate a more complete disregard for the democratic process in order to try to wrange the nomination, but she out-did herself yesterday. I heard that her campaign is now circulating a letter to super delegates suggesting that we let corporate owned pollsters be the new deciders. In other words, she is suggesting that we disregard the voters and instead follow the predictions of corporate pollsters.

I hope that the super delegates are all intelligent enough to realize who own and control these polls. It is the same people who control mainstream media—Republican neocons.

So what Hillary is actually asking us to do is to let Republican neocons choose our Democratic candidate. If the people in my Democratic Party prove themselves to be such fools as to follow the advice of Republicans, I will be very sad over it. These polls are not “independent”. They are run by people just like Mark Penn. Do you want someone like Mark Penn choosing the Democratic candidate instead of the people? I don’t.

McCain Moves to Organize His Own "UN"

smffy — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:45:18 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/17/opinion/17collins.html
See this article re John McCain's plan to organize democracies world wide.

Since the United States, under the Bush administration, has abandoned the Geneva convention and resorted to using mercinaries (Blackwater), a practice denounced by the United Nations, it is no wonder he wants to start his own UN.