A Southern Indiana Gen-Xer who, as my username suggests, is an opinionated Democrat.
I'm a volunteer for the campaign and have been doing calls and envelope stuffing at HQ here in Seymour, IN and things are looking great. Of course, this is the district of the Honorable former Representative Lee Hamilton, and we've been a Democratic district since my parents were kids.
The beautiful thing about this district though is that we're a black hole for RNC funding. Two years ago they had then Gov. Bush come and promote Mike Sodrell and the overall Republican campaign cost some 5 million dollars. We thought that they would give up this last time, but they keep coming and we keep beating them... Granted, Baron doesn't have the power that Lee Hamilton did (who ran unopposed on many ballots over the years), but he's getting there. Being born and raised here, a "blue dog" Dem, and in the Indiana Hall of Fame is all massively helpful.
I was speaking with Representative Hill the other day and despite all the history and polling, he's strongly of the Lee Hamilton camp that says you need to campaign every day until election day as if you're one vote down. We're here and we're plugging away at it. We're not laying down for the RNC and we'll keep sucking up their money as long as they send it! Of course, it really helps that the guy they're running against us is such a jerk that his own sister isn't even voting for him!
I'll be posting up as news comes about on the campaign...
-The Arrogant Ass
http://thearrogantass.blogspot.com/
That's right, I'm ripping on middle class (and up) Americans. I'm one, my parents are, most of my friends are, and we are the most powerful constituency in the United States. We have enough to live on and so we can focus on issues that, frankly, amount to a hill of beans in the overall scheme of things.
Why is this? Are Americans so greedy and self-centered that they can't realize that other people need other programs much more? I do not think so. We as Democrats do not challenge the republicans with the charges I am levelling and so the republicans can make a sideshow of the political process.
Guns: I believe that guns are intended to be in the hands of the people as per the Constitution. I think that rifles and shotguns are part of many family traditions and should not be regulated. I think that handguns are only meant for inflicting harm on others, but they are part of the subconscious fetishistic need for some people to feel empowered and taking them is a non-issue because they are so easy to get. Beyond those three areas, however, how in the hell can you make an argument that a reasonible person would accept as a valid point for legalization? Assault rifles? Roomsweeper shotguns? Body armor penetrating bullets (aka copkillers)? Ridiculous. These weapons should never be found on the streets unless they are in the hands of law enforcement and if they ARE found then the penalties should be severe (conspiracy to commit murder is a good start). People say that they feel safer with guns around, but in our nations history political figures were assassinated while guarded by the best trained bodyguards in the history of the world all carrying guns.
God: Are we for equality or not? If we are then keep things neutral. If you want to have God in politics then elect a Christian president... oh wait... they've ALL been Christians. This is such a inane issue. The church and the state are meant to be separate because when the church is overly involved in the state then persecution is the next step. Atheists, gays, muslims, jews, and many other groups would find themselves at odds with the very government sworn to protect their rights. They aren't hurting anyone and if a person can't handle having someone disagree with them then that is not only not Christian, but it is also unpatriotic! What Would Jesus Do I ask you all... Having lived in a state where the church ruled with an iron fist and religious disagreements led to real political repercussions (all of you harping on this issue saw The Passion).
Gays: This is the issue I understand the least. The Constitution and Declaration of Independence give rights to everyone. Period. Can you really not handle someone disagreeing with your world view? This is similar to someone saying vegetarians are evil because they do not eat meat when they are convinced in their heart that killing another living creature is evil. Gays aren't people indeed. I'm glad I'm in support of guns cause people this biggoted need to be shot.
Abortion: Abortion will always be legal. That's it. Everyone runs on the goal that abortions will be outlawed and stopped, but an amendment will never pass, and the Supreme Court won't overturn itself on this major issue no matter how crazy a judge is put on the bench. Here's a kicker for all those anti-choice people out there: Before Roe v. Wade thousands of women died or were permanently damaged by having "back room" abortions in horrible conditions, and rich people, Dubya's "base", sent their "wayward" daughters to other countries to have them. A ban won't stop abortions they will just send them underground where more people will die horribly and painfully.
Anyway, that's all for today. I'm copying this post before I send it so there isn't a similar issue as last time.
Peace,
-The Arrogant Ass
Okay... so I was once again watching my favorite TV show, "The West Wing", and they were discussing a pipe bomb attack at a University swim meet:
"Three swimmers from the men's team were killed and two others are in critical condition, when, after having heard the explosion from their practice facility, they ran into the fire to help get people out. Ran into the fire. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels but every time we think we've measured our capacity to meet a challenge we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars. God bless their memory, God bless you and God bless the United States of America."
On hearing the emphasis he put onto the part in bold, I misted up. I just thought about those planes hitting the World Trade towers. They ran into the fire...
You know, the demagogues and extremists in the Middle East who send their pawns and minions out to murder under a banner of martyrdom and truth are so afraid of us because there are always those in this country who set out to prove them wrong. They run into the fire...
The true definition of a martyr after someone who dies before renouncing his or her religion (not applicable to these killers even under the most extreme circumstances), is that of "a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle" (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). Our principles are what the preachers of hate and divisiveness speak out against. Yes, there are popular culture bombs that go off that they don't approve of, but we have those same people here. Yes, we give aid to their perceived enemies, but there weren't any Russian terrorists in the same sense during the cold war. Our economic power dwarfs theirs and they feel slighted, but I don't know of any Mexican or South American terrorists intent on attacking us. It is our principles they fear. They preach of a utopia and a loving god, but they cannot allow their people to have freedoms. They send out their killers and thugs to harm us, but it will never work. We sacrifice our lives in order to save and not kill. We die protecting the principle that life is sacred and they die besmirching it. We run into the fire...
America is still the great experiment. More than two-thirds of the world faces governments that they see as opposed to them philosophically, economically, and socially. America is a magnificent place and it is our principles that can either make it shine or make it dull. We must not only hold these dear, but show them to the world. America is a beacon to everyone...at least it should be... I know that some who read this may disagree with the common interpretation of the day that we have lost that luster, but please... consider who we want to be and what we want to become. We can preach hate and fear that is all to common in the areas of the world where men have hated us for decades. We can become the darkness that the terrorists describe us as. We can even do it more effectively. When you are sitting there assured in the peace of mind that we did the right thing, remember that our shortcomings magnified have been turned against us by the extremist teachings of a very scared and hateful faction of Islam. This is the ammunition those who can see the world tell those who can't why they should hate us use against us. Why should we strive to be better? Because all around this country, since its inception, men and women have been the targets of hatred and the acts of evildoers and they ran into the fire...
Throwing out votes
So I'm fucking pissed to put it mildly. I've been steaming for quite a few weeks, but today it's really getting to me. My votes for the past two presidential elections (my only two) were not counted! This will be my third presidential election and you know what?? THIS ONE WON'T COUNT EITHER!!!
Why, do you ask? The reason if you haven't already figured it out is because I live in Indiana. Yes, Indiana, land of corn, a top notch interstate system, the 12th largest city in the United States, and oh yes...a bunch of ignorant voters and their ultra-rich bourgeoisie taskmasters!
The bourgoisie I can understand their desires... I mean they are inherently selfish and the idea of helping others that the "evil liberal" supports through equality in taxation and funding of programs that he or she will never have to use such as the school lunch program, is abhorrent to them.
The ignorant voter syndrome is what really raises my ire, however. These are people who have been told something once by someone like a Matt Drudge, Ann Coulter, or Rush Limbaugh and take it as part of their identity, OR they have been tricked into thinking that a candidate thinks or will act in one way or another.
An example you ask? Take this:
Abortion. It is one of the most hotly debated issues in the Bible Belt, but nobody realizes that it is almost impossible to change. Not only does the Supreme Court hardly ever reverse itself, but even the most conservative court would not be fools and realize that there is no constitutional basis for their decision and even if they didn't then they'd surely not want to become synonymous with being partisan hacks as soon as their decision was once again reversed.
Next, people actually think that presidents and legislators can make progress on this issue. Excluding the Supreme Court, a Constitutional amendment would give the "movement" legs, but such a thing could never happen since well over 33% of both houses of Congress will always contain pro-choice legislators!
Ths point? Many Hoosier republicans vote solely on this non-issue! The sheer ignorance that is forwarded by their "handlers" at higher levels to keep them voting down the party line is astonishing. These are good people barring this one character flaw and if they could break loose of their small mindedness then they would see that they are supporting people who are greedy (tax cuts for the wealthy), wrathful ("He had a plot to kill my daddy!"), and prideful (WE'RE the true Americans those others are traitors!).
The Indiana 8th
I'm looking for information on this race. Can anyone comment here as to where I should look?
Blogging
My blogging project goes well... I'm still an amateur, but I'm really enjoying it. Check out my blog here.
Just a short entry to start (I'm just on break at my job), but I wanted to log my experience here. Now to check out the outlook predictions...
-AA
· WI-08: Wingnut plans to run as "conservative independent" (desmoinesdem)
· 50 percent of southerners say Obama better president than Bush (desmoinesdem)
· What Yesterday Says About Young Voters (Mike Connery)
· Max Blumenthal on the dysfunctional movement driving the GOP (Mike Connery)
· IA-Gov: Culver launches second tv ad (desmoinesdem)
· Hilarious Vid On Why We Must Vote No On Issue 2!! (Cliff Schecter)
· NY-23: Scozzafava Drops Out! (lipris)
· NY-23: Pataki Goes Rogue, Endorses Teabagger Darling Doug Hoffman (lipris)
· Dunne Considering Run For VT-Gov (Nathan Empsall)
· McGovern Grandson Looks to Challenge Thune in 2010 (Jonathan Singer)
· IA-03: Two potential challengers for Boswell (desmoinesdem)
· NJ-Gov: Daggett Goes After Christie and Corzine (Jonathan Singer)
