CLINTONCOUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER   --  RETURN to Home page

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Friday, July 22, 2005

CLINTON COUNTY FAIR

July 23 - 27

We need volunteers to help at the Democratic booth. --  Please call Clinton County Democrats 242-9064 or contact Jean Pardee jmpardee@mchsi.com for a time to work.

It's important that the Clinton County Democrats maintain a high profile if we are to help elect a Democratic Governor, a Democratic Legislature, a Democratic First District Congressman, a Democratic Representative to the Iowa 83rd District and reelect Polly Bukta, Tom Schueller, Roger Stewart, Rick Lincoln and Grant Wilke.

QUAD-CITY PROGRESSIVE ACTION FOR COMMON GOOD

Saturday, July 23 --Pot-Luck Picnic

5:30 - 9:00 P.M. Middle Park (VeteransMemorial Park), Bettendorf

Concert by Meridian Green

For more information go to their website www.qcprogressiveaction.org

PUBLIC SERVICE RETREAT

The BethelA.M.E.Church is sponsoring a retreat and brunch at the Frontier, Sunday, August 7, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.   The retreat will feature Carl E. Officer, former mayor of East Saint Louis, Illinois.   In 1979 at age 26 Mr. Officer made American history by becoming the nation's youngest mayor, a position he held for 12 years.   He attended the prestigious Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government for State and Local Officials.  Mr. Officer is rooted in the values of generosity, compassion and civic duty.   For more information about the retreat call Vince Jetter or the BethelA.M.E.Church.

CAMANCHE DAYS PARADE

Saturday, August 13

Meet at the funeral home at 10:00 A.M. -- The parade starts at 11:00 A.M.

POLLY BUKTA'S ANNUAL CORN BOIL

You'll enjoy an evening of good food and conversation with good friends at Polly Bukta's Annual Corn Boil. --  This super Democratic event will be on August 13 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Bukta 'Ranch', 604 South 32nd Street (on the road that goes north from Valley Oaks).   The Democratic elected officials from Clinton County, the State Legislature, three candidates for Congress and several candidates and elected officials from the State level will all be there.   Funds raised will help elect a Democrat controlled State Legislature.

LABOR DAY PICNIC

Free beverages! --  Free food! --=  Free prizes! -- Fun for the entire family! --  Sponsored by the Clinton Labor Congress.  -- Eagle Point Park Lodge. --  Sunday, September 4th --  12:00 - 4:00 P.M.

FRAMING THE ISSUES WORKSHOP SUCCEEDS BIG TIME

On Tuesday, July 19 more than fifty Democrats took part in the 'raming the Issues'  workshop at ClintonCommunity College.

Dr. Patrick Lennon gave an outstanding interactive presentation based on George Lakoff's work. He showed the DVD 'How Progressives and Democrats Can Win' and talked about the book "Don't Think of an Elephant". Dr. Lennon's professional work in psychotherapy gives him special insight into Lakoff's ideas. The workshop was a huge success and gives the CountyDemocratsencouragement to plan more issues oriented workshops featuring authorities in their fields.   We strongly recommend that all Democrats read Dr. Lakoff's book.

Union Head Wants Democrats To Speak Out More On Values.  One of the largest financial backers of the Democrats wants the party to better address values issues currently on the minds of voters. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, meeting with reporters, said that the party needs to handle values issues better if the Democrats are to mount a real bid to win the White House or Congress. Without elaborating, he said, "Democrats certainly have to do a better job in terms of message."  He did not fault 2004 presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, though he made it clear that the choice of many in big labor would have been former House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt.   (U.S. News & World Report Bulletin  -  July 13)

LAKOFF'S INSIGHTS INTO THE USE OF LANGUAGE

"By defining a concept such as tax relief, the right wing of the Republican Party not only set the terms of the debate, they seized the high ground.   By defining tax cuts as tax relief, the right also defined those who were against tax cuts as essentially bad people. --  (Governor Howard Dean)

TAXES ARE THE WAY THAT ALL OF US INVEST IN AMERICA

Tax investments have provided the interstate highway system, the internet, medical research, parks, police and fire protection, public schools, consumer and worker protection, social security, Medicare and crop subsidies to farmers.   The Republican Party by associating taxes with evil apparently has taken a position against all of these public programs.   Corporations that move their headquarters off shore are deserting America by not paying their fair share of taxes and yet reaping the benefits of living in this free democratic society.  Republican tax policies have left the United States weak militarily, diplomatically, economically, environmentally and in homeland security.   (Based on Dr. Lakoff's philosophy.)

WHO SHOULD BE ON THE BENCH?

The White House is focused on expanding the diversity on the Supreme Court as openings occur.   With this in mind who did

Mr. Bush appoint?   Was it a woman, or a Hispanic, or an African-American, or a Jew, or a Moslem or a gay?  Judge John Roberts is a white, conservative Christian man who is pledged to controlling women's personal lives.   Wasn't Governor Howard Dean strongly criticized for telling the truth by making a statement about who is represented by the Republican Party?