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It's That Time Again
I used to post a lot on politics. Back during the last presidential cycle. Then Bush won. I went on to other things and other than the occasional outburst, I've kept politics back burnered for the most part.
But we've got midterm elections coming up in a month and it's crunch time. The Democrats have a good chance at taking control of the House and Senate for the first time since they lost it in the midterm elections during Clinton's first term.
This is an important moment. Regardless of where you sit in the politcal spectrum, we can all see what a one party system has done for this country. We need some balance.
The Gotham Gal and I have been doing our part for the past couple years and have focused our time, energy, and money on the DSCC and several important Senate races.
Now it's time to do more. We are going to do whatever we can to get out the word. Everyone needs to vote this year. Get people energized. If you don't have an important race in your state, go somewhere that there is one. Get involved. Make a difference.
One way to make a difference is by running some of these badges that I've featured in this blog post. You can get the badges at Word of Blog.
A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
UPDATE: Thomas Friedman in today's NY Times:
The Republicans must lose, or our democracy will.
Comments (11) | Posted October 4, 2006 in Bling , Politics
Comments
Fred,
While I am not a Democrat (I label myself a libertarian, but my guys never win), I understand your frustration with the current political situation.
But Bob Menendez??? Isn't he under investigation by the feds for steering federal funds to a company he does business with? And if the NJ Dems switch him out at the last minute just to get a win (ala Lautenberg in 2004) that will be big machine politics at it's worst.
The others are ok picks, but I think most will lose...
Ford will probably pull out a squeaker in Tennessee.
Conversely, Webb will lose a squeaker to George Allen (the ugliest race this year, "you said the N-word in 1971!", "No, you said the N-word in 1967". Who cares!)
Talent holds off McKaskill in Missouri, but it will be a nail biter.
Brown/DeWine race is too close to call right now.
It's gonna be a fun month!
Posted by: jmb | Oct 4, 2006 10:11:38 AM
Too bad you vetoed the "You Don't Know Jack" ad that I tried to run in your feeds (via the Feedburner VC Ad Network). It would have been perfectly timed!
Posted by: Rick | Oct 4, 2006 11:09:58 AM
I wouldn't vote for Bob Menendez if my life depended on it. The man epitomizes corrupt machine politics and has spent his entire career playing quid pro quo with every questionable subcontractor north of the Passaic River.
The balance you seek should be between corrupt and decent politicians, not Republicans and Democrats. Both parties have their share of cronies; blind loyalty to one side makes you no better than your couterparts because absolute power corrupts both sides absolutely. This is not a Republican only trait.
Term limits for Congressmen is something we should all agree on. Let's rid the government of the Menendezes and DeLays...
Posted by: Josh | Oct 4, 2006 12:04:04 PM
Fred wrote, "Regardless of where you sit in the politcal spectrum, we can all see what a one party system has done for this country. We need some balance."
What a great suggestion! So, let's say theoretically that Democrats take over both the House and Senate. Will you vote for a Republican--regardless of who it is--in the next Presidential election, because "we need some balance" and shoudn't have a "one party system" in this country?
Right.
Posted by: Brian Jones | Oct 4, 2006 12:18:29 PM
brian (if that is your name):
i may well vote for John McCain in the next election if the Republicans have the wisdom to nominate him.
but i will not do that if they still control both parts of congress.
one party rule is not for me!
fred
Posted by: fred | Oct 4, 2006 12:24:33 PM
I think the problem that the Democrats have is that most people just don't share the Democrats' "progressive" vision for what they want the country to be. That said, they will probably take the House this year, given the Republicans' problems. Probably not the worst thing in the world. Gridlock in Washington = fewer useless, expensive federal programs.
Posted by: Rockwell | Oct 4, 2006 12:54:05 PM
When you say:
UPDATE: Thomas Friedman in today's NY Times:
The Republicans must lose, or our democracy will.
Well... one could say that democracy always wins, when there are free elections.
I´m not a Republican by any mean (hell, I´m not even American... but if I were, I´d vote democrat for sure), but if 51% of your countrymen decide that they want them to win, how is democracy losing?
This could be true in a "partial" democracy, one where electors are not completely free to cast their vote, or excessively influenced. But I dont think you can say that of the US of A... at least compared to everywhere else I lived :)
Posted by: Giordano | Oct 4, 2006 2:15:45 PM
Thomas Friedman is an idiot; it is sad you draw political inspiration from him.
If you want a Friedman to follow, follow Milton Friedman.
(Neither Friedman is a relation to me.)
Posted by: dave | Oct 4, 2006 9:57:30 PM
Fred, regardless of some of the witless comments here, you're on to something. I think you should go a step further and say that it goes beyond balance at this stage. We know we have a corrupt, immoral regime tat has sold our country down the river. First things first - throw the bums out, and issue subpoenas for the executive branch en masse. That's reason enough this year to vote Democratic.
Posted by: Tom W. | Oct 5, 2006 10:26:50 AM
As one of my New Jersey friends put it recently, NJ Democrats may steal money, but the Republicans steal the Constitution. Which is worse? Not to mention the Republicans have made stealing money (no-bid contracts, Abramoff) an absolute art form!
No matter what you think of the petty hyjinx Menendez is rumored to have engaged in, it's incredibly short-sighted not to see that sending a Republican to Congress from New Jersey is exponentially worse for our country at this point in history. Fred, Tom W. and Friedman are right. We need a restoration of checks and balances in order to restore the rule of law to our government and hold people accountable for the larceny and incompetence of the national Republican party WRIT LARGE. Fred, thanks for the word of blog link, I've added some banners to my blog as well.
Posted by: Brouhaha | Oct 5, 2006 1:33:43 PM
Freezing Pensions is Cold
In recent years, many financially troubled U.S. Corporations have successfully transitioned defined pension obligations to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PGBC). Of late, many financially sound companies are also seeking to exit their defined pension obligations by freezing defined pension plans. Research on the topic clearly shows that mid-career employees face a disproportional loss resulting from pension freeze decisions.
All would agree that U.S. companies must take steps to be competitive. We should also agree that the sacrifice necessary to achieve a competitive business model is best shared evenly by all company employees, executives and shareholders.
WHAT IS SENATOR DEWINE’S STAND ON FIGHTING FOR U.S WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES? Financially sound NCR Corporation just announced a freeze on defined pension plan benefits that will leave thousands of mid-career employees facing severely reduced retirement income.
Can legislation be structured to protect mid-career employees as healthy U.S Corporations position themselves competitively? Companies could be legally required to make special annual pension contributions to mid-career employees impacted by a pension freeze decision.
Action needs to be taken to protect American workers who have dedicated 25, 30 and 35 year careers building U.S. Corporations. The move to freeze pension plans is beginning to accelerate, now is the time to give this unethical practice proper oversight.
Noah W Poor
Dayton, OH
Posted by: Noah Poor | Oct 25, 2006 8:51:10 PM
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