This diary was cross-posted to Teachers For Balderas.
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That felt so good to type, I think I'll type it again:
Draft Balderas for Governor 2014!
Hector Balderas is the only person that can take on Susana Martinez for Governor of New Mexico in 2014. He has the intelligence and integrity needed to do a great job as Governor. Best of all, he would have the backing of ALL Progressives in New Mexico. As a Progressive, and a teacher, I appreciate his stance on education, among all the other issues he embraces, such as corporate accountability, fiscal responsibility, and strengthening our social safety net.
Follow me below the Orange Cloud of Rebellious Progressive-ism for more good stuff like this...
In support of my argument, let's just go to the Balderas website and take a few quotes out of context, shall we?
Corporate Accountability:
Hector rejects the failed approach of the past that bailed out the mega banks with taxpayer funds—with no requirements mandating that they invest that money back into the economy, even after some engaged in predatory lending and deceptive practices, and gambled on our homes and retirement savings like game pieces
Fiscal Responsibility:
Make no mistake, we need to get our fiscal house in order. But Hector knows that we cannot balance our checkbook on the backs of New Mexico’s—and America’s—most vulnerable citizens.
Strengthening Our Social Safety Net:
Protecting our safety net for seniors is a moral imperative, as well as smart fiscal and economic policy. Not only does the federal government have an obligation to uphold its sacred contract with our citizens, but any threat to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will have a devastating impact on our economy.
Wow! Using words like "game pieces" and "moral imperative" and "sacred contract" to describe policy. What kind of politician talks like that? You go, Hector!
Draft Balderas for Governor 2014!
His website has 6 Points on Education. I'm especially fond of bullet point number 4 for some strange reason:
4. Respect Teachers As Community Heroes: There is nothing more insulting than vilifying our children’s teachers. We need to attract the best and the brightest to the front of our classrooms. We can start by raising salaries for teachers and increasing tax credits in order to provide them the resources they need to succeed.
Holy Toledo, Batman! He had me at "4. Respect." With teacher-bashing so popular in our country, it sure is nice to hear a major politician saying something like that. Treating teachers with just a modicum of respect is a mark of an advanced civilization, IMHO. This isn't rocket science.
Draft Balderas for Governor 2014!
His most recent loss to future Senator Martin Heinrich (future congratulations, BTW!) was actually a blessing in disguise: Mr. Balderas is now in a perfect position to defeat a sitting Governor. There is no way that the current Governor can even compete with Mr. Balderas' stance on all the issues, including the most important issue of all: educating our children.
Draft Balderas for Governor 2014!
What's that you say? It's waaaay too early to be drafting anybody for anything? I mean, isn't there an election coming up this November, let alone 2014? My answer is: point taken. However, I would also say that it's never too early to wake up and smell the coffee. Especially when the coffee smells like victory!
The best part about all of this is that once elected we will truly be living in the Era of Bald (Get it? Bald-era-s? Mr. Balderas is sexy bald in the new era(s)? Oh never mind.).
Still not convinced? Then try to contemplate this nightmare scenario: if Mr. Balderas doesn't run, wouldn't Hollywood then be free to pick him up to do a Star Trek prequel featuring Mr. Balderas as a young Jean-Luc Picard? Well, OK, so actually that would be kinda cool, but never mind. What about our state? Think of the children! We must be willing to make some sacrifices for the sake of the children.
Draft Balderas for Governor 2014!
So no matter what the reason, helping Hector Balderas get to the Governor's Mansion in 2014 will surely be the best thing that ever hit this great state of ours. Do it for the state. Do it for the teachers.
Do it for the children.
Draft Balderas for Governor 2014!
The floor is yours...
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