CLINTONCOUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER --- RETURN to the Home Page
http://www.clintoncountydemocrats.org
June 20, 2005
THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET TUESDAY
Tuesday, June 21 the Clinton County Democratic Central
Committee will meet at 7:30 P.M. at Democratic Headquarters.  Bring your ideas for the parade and a slogan to express support for your most pressing issue.  Everybody is welcome to attend.
ENJOY A STEAK FRY WITH THE JACKSONCOUNTYDEMOCRATS
Sunday, June 26 theJackson County Democrats with whom we work closely will hold their annual steak fry at Kalmes Restaurant in St. Donatas.  The time is 4:30 - 7:00 P.M.  For more information and reservations contact Jackson County Chair David Kunzueiler   
DK872@iowatelecom.net
MARCH WITH THE DEMOCRATS
Friday, July 1 we Democrats will have our red, white and blue float and many walkers in the Riverboat Days Parade.  We will also take part in parades in DeWitt on July 5 and Low Moor on July 9.
We will be promoting Democratic values such as Patriotism, Affordable Health Care for All Americans, Equal Education Opportunities for All Americans, Social Justice for All Americans, Retirement Security for All Americans, ProtectingPublicLands from Indiscriminate Private Exploitation.  Wear your patriotic shirts and hats.  There will be more details of times and meeting places in the newsletter next week.
Make your own sign with a slogan that effectively expresses your concern.  Example:  Support Our Troops - Bring Them Home Reduce Abortions - Help Mothers
Card board and lathes for signs can be obtained at Democratic Headquarters or by contacting Dick Kissack  rkissack@clinton.net
We'll plan an evening at Headquarters to make signs.
A WINNING GAME PLAN FOR DEMOCRATS WORKSHOP
A group of Clinton County Democrats joined with representatives from the twelve counties of the First Congressional District in Peosta Saturday.  It was a great opportunity to visit with the four candidates for Congress, members of the State Legislature and candidates.  We reviewed the philosophy of George Lakoff  "Know your Values and Frame The Debate". The training should translate into effective strategies to improve our ability to elect more Democrats and successfully promote Democratic values. 
SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTS LEARNED THE ART OF COMPROMISE
Many of President Bush's programs are in jeopardy because he refuses to compromise.  He comes up with shaky ideas based on fuzzy statistics and won't budge from his position.  He thinks he's being clever.  The more intelligent people are the more able they are to recognize their intellectual limits.  President Bush knows no limits.
Some Republicans are arguing (privately, of course) that Bush is stubborn and arrogant.  "His act is wearing thin," says a top-drawer GOP adviser who is influential in Washington and on Capitol Hill.  "It's always: 'I'm right. You're wrong.'  Bush needs to respect other points of view, especially from those within his own party," says the advisor.  "I don't mind people having convictions, but there is another side to every argument." --  (US News and World Report - June 13, 2005)
Isn't it interesting?  We Democrats always knew this.  Our hope is that his arrogance and stubbornness (like his unwavering support for Congressman Tom DeLay) will drag down the entire Republican Party. He has created a great opening for the Democratic Party.  The train of opportunity is pulling out of the station.  Let's be on board.
THE NEXT STEP FOR CHENEY-RUMSFELD-BUSH
CONTROL THE MEDIA
A House panel has voted to eliminate all public funding for NPR and PBS, starting with "Sesame Street",  "Reading Rainbow", and other commercial-free children's shows. If approved, this would be the most severe cut in the history of public broadcasting, threatening to pull the plug on Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch.

The cuts would slash 25% of the federal funding this year'$100 million-and end funding altogether within two years. The loss could kill beloved children's shows like "Clifford the Big Red Dog"; "Arthur",and "Postcards from Buste". Rural stations and those serving low-income communities might not survive. Other stations would have to increase corporate sponsorships.
The Republicans also want their people at the commercial stations to control all news dissemination.   If you read history, does this sound familiar?
IS LITERACY REALLY IMPRORTANT TO MR. BUSH?
Clinton area employers recognize the importance of reading among their employees.  Clinton Community College, which serves the needs of the community, continuously has more than 250 students enrolled in literacy and GED programs.   These programs have been made possible by grants from the Federal government.  Yet, Mr. Bush while demanding literacy competency with a great deal of public fanfare, quietly presents a budget that cuts the funding for literacy programs by 66%.