Better Democrats! (with Poll)
Sat Nov 03, 2007 at 10:41:30 AM PDT
Hoo boy. I was going to write an angry diary. I worked hard last year to elect Democrats, any Democrats, because I believed that the Republican party would never protect the Constitution, and democracy, from corruption and disgusting political power-mongering. I believed that the Democrats were the only hope.
Let's just say that the Dems in the House and Senate have not given me much about which to be hopeful. What I have realised, though, is that Progressive Democrats, not just any Democrats, are what this country needs. Progressives, or Better Democrats, do not help Republicans legislate away the inherent rights of American citizens out of fear of terrorists, fires, or terrorists-who-breathe-fire-and-shoot-laser-beams-out-of-their-eyes. Better Democrats don't spy on American citizens, don't codify their religious beliefs into law, and save the world from global climate change.
Better Democrats are awesome. Do you know any?
I am not (as) angry anymore, because I have decided to spend my time and energy working to get Better Democrats into our government. I officially don't care which Democrat gets the nomination for President. They all have issues, but one issue they don't have is being Republican. The last 7 years have taught me that no Republican can be trusted, and not all Democrats are bad. So Hilbarack Doddwards, I will vote for you. And I will do everything in my power to stuff the Senate, House, and local offices with Better Democrats who will force you to do the right thing every single time, consultants, "strong on terror," and "values voters" be dammed.
Here's what I did today. You can do it, too, or come up with your own three-point-plan to get Better Democrats save the country.
1. Contribute to Donna Edward's campaign. She almost beat corrupt Bush Dog Al Wynn in 2006 (MD-04), with no help from the leadership. She's got a great shot at winning this time, too, and she's a real progressive. Nancy Pelosi is holding a fundraiser for Wynn, her opponent, this weekend. Why don't you show Nancy what you think of her incumbent Bush Dog? How much can we raise for Donna this weekend?
2. Draft Scott Kleeb. Kleeb is pondering a 2008 Senate run in Nebraska. He ran as a Dem for Congress in 2007, and narrowly lost, and now a movement to get him to run for Senate has emerged. Electing Kleeb as a Democratic Senator would effect the entire Nebraska ticket, and could help turn Nebraska blue. draftkleeb.com has a modest fundraising drive to get Kleeb to commit to the Senate race. They're looking for 100 donors and $1,000. I just gave $100, and right now there are 5 donors. How many could he get by tomorrow?
3. Help your mayor turn your city green. The NYTimes has an article detailing the major role cities and their mayors) must play to turn our country green, since the Federal government won't do it. Whether your mayor is a Dem or Repub, getting them to commit to stopping global climate change will make them an honorary Better Democrat.
The mayor of Fayetteville, Ark., gushed through a slide show about how his city was in the midst of great change. Bleak roads and bland shopping strips were being redrawn to a more human scale. Downtown condominiums were going for a million dollars. Streets once silent at night now bustled.
Besides being great for the local economy, the mayor, Dan Coody, told his counterparts from other cities gathered here, the redevelopment is also helping Fayetteville go green.
“I’m so excited to be here and talk about this I can’t stand it,” Mr. Coody said at the end of his presentation on Thursday. “Let’s all go save the world!”
They settled for lunch, at least for the moment, but the 100 or so mayors who attended the two-day Climate Protection Summit, convened by the United States Conference of Mayors, heard a clear message: Cities that are “walkable,” workable and livable add up to the “s” word: sustainable. Cities that are centered on people and public transit, not cars, and built to higher standards of energy efficiency will save money, hum with new development and create jobs to suit a greener way of life.
What is your mayor doing in your city about climate change? How close is your city to meeting the Kyoto Protocol standards? Find out. Call the mayor's office, and write a letter to the editor of three local papers, all of which express your wish that your city become green. Use specific examples. Speak to them in language they will understand: (green collar) jobs and revenue for the city, and re-election. Throw in "save the world" for extra effect, but don't forget to whom you are talking.
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