No matter what anyone tells you,
No, not Dems and Reps. You could squeeze all the locally elected Republicans into a phone booth and if you check out polling, you can see why.
The few right-wing Republicans that we do have running loose around Little Rhody are only so because of some deep emotional disorders. Not to worry, once
The two parties that we do have in our little state are the "Establishment Dems" and the "Anti-Establishment Dems".
The Establishment people are the business-as-usual political-machine smiling men that are groomed early and spruced up with tons of cash.
The anti-Establishment folks are the sometimes sloppy and not-so professional but very passionate and committed ground warriors of societal progression.
Back in the good ol' days before Dubya, the anti-Establishment folks were secure enough in being to start to leave the Dems and go to independent third parties. Back in 2000, the debate was not Gore or Bush - it was Gore or Nader. Anti-Establishment folks flourished back then, we had the Cool Moose Party, Greens and others popping up.
After Dubya, the anti-Establishment folks realized that the anemic Establishment Dems could lose power and allow the emotionally disturbed to win elections. After the shock and horror has worn off, the anti-Establishment Dems are back in the fold and this time we aren't leaving!
Register to vote for the September 12the primary because in
2 comments:
You have hit the nail on the proverbial head and with humor, too! Let me know when you announce.
Well done and good luck. Here's a sample of the "establishment" Dem. doings....
Authenticity & Likability Can't Be Bought
Last evening I spoke before the Providence Democratic Committee. Given there are 15 wards in the city, the turnout was significant. Usually, I'd talk about bold visions to stimulate the state's economy, increase housing affordability, access to quality health care and education for all families and communities. By in large, with some personal edits, many of the Democratic candidates express similar sentiments and wishes to end the war in Iraq and foreign oil dependence.
It occurred to me after a DC representative working at our State Democratic Party HQ stated before I spoke he was among eight paid organizers to help get Charlie Fogarty and Sheldon Whitehouse elected there wasn't even the semblance of democracy in this process to help many other local and state candidates in their races. It's referred to as "a fix" by any other name. Sheldon was in another state raising funds. He did not have to be there to get the nod. I'm guessing this is one reason why the state party executive director has chosen to leave her post. She is a hard working and very, very ethical woman.
Instead it was more important to share what people want from their elected - hope, compassion, understanding and action. I don't think you can buy that no matter how many commercials you pay for with wealthy contributors' funds. Being real is the "connection" or the glue that keeps us united. It's why people like people and why we trust them.
So I honored, Ezekial and Maria from St. Fatima in Cumberland a couple with 63 years of marriage under their belt I met on Sunday before the Portuguese parade. I honored my Director of Community Women and Minority Issues, Ingrid Ardaya, for her courage to come here from Bolivia with her two young children over 20 years ago and raise them struggling to keep them safe. It's why I go to so many churches because we all want to keep and restore our faith. Faith and life are fragile.
This past year I have had the privilege to see our Venezuelan foreign exchange student, Estephania, show the kind of courage to transition and learn our culture and master our language and be an honor student and well regarded among her peers in anything but a diverse part of the state. She inspired me.
So does Jim D. who introduced me to the exchange program. He had the recent misfortune of a student after many years accuse him of a felony theft causing him to lose his job, be removed in cuffs from his home with not even a previous parking ticket and to spend thousands in legal fees. Then there's Billy, a very good friend of mine whose mom was just discovered to have a fatal bone cancer and has days to live in excruciating pain. She will be living with Billy, who is himself impaired from a tragic accident.
This is just how fine the line can be in our lives - whether it's one paycheck short of financial distress or one's reputation or physical health. The real question is when it's all that fragile who'd really care for you and your family? That's who I'd like. That's who'd get my vote.
Carl,
I have come to the conclusion that the only way is to change the system from within.
We must field as many people as possible for all the city and town party committee seats.
Bottom up change, maybe less revolution and more evolution of the political power structure.
~Andre
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