While I'm sure that everyone here is still paying most of their attention to the healthcare reform debate, we find outselves creeping up on another one of those bits of inconvenient life. To wit, the preparations for the 2010 election cycle are underway, and cannot be ignored: we can't pass bills without votes.
Fortunately, despite the ongoing propaganda efforts, the environment is still ripe to produce victories. A week ago, we proved again that even against the might of the national Republican party, and the smear machine they've brought to bear over the past year, we can continue the winning streak we've had for the last three election cycles.
We've removed 80% of the former Republican representatives from this state, electing open, accountable, and progress friendly legislators in their place.
There are now only two congressional seats left in New York held by regressives. NY-03, occupied by Peter King, whom most people here already know and despise. And NY-26, held by Chris Lee, a man with the intellectual prowess to rival of bag full of dried ferret droppings.
These two men continue to be a thorn in the side of all efforts at reform and fixing our national problems, and in my opinion they should both be prime targets in 2010. We in New York can do the same thing that our neighbors in New England did: kick the bums out. All of them.
As of today, it's 355 days until Election Day 2010. As the DFA trainers will tell you, the one thing you never have more of is time. That's why we need to start planning and preparing right now.
We in the GLOW Democratic committees recently have come into possession of some juicy material on Lee which you'll be hearing about in the future, but even so, it's going to take the combined efforts and support of people all across New York and the country if these efforts are going to have a chance.
That's why I'm asking everyone reading this to chip in, one way or another. Provide ideas. Volunteer time. Look for candidates. Contribute to the ActBlue nominee funds.
But we need to get mobilized. Healthcare reform is important, but so is insuring a healthy and growing progressive majority in Congress.