From: Richard Kissack [rkissack@cis.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 7:46 AM
To: DEMOCRATS OF CLINTON COUNTY
Subject: CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS' NEWSLETTER

 

RETURN to Home Page                           CLINTON COUN TY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER

RETURN to Newsletter Archive                                                                   “Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”

 Abraham Lincoln July 18, 1864)

http://www.clintoncountydemocrats.org

October 3, 2005

 

 

 

COMING EVENTS

 

THE CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET

Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30 P.M. in the

Democratic Headquarters at 224 22nd Place.

 

 

“THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS”

 

v      “We know where the WMDs are.”  (Donald Rumsfeld  3-30-03)

v      “We found the weapons of mass destruction.”  (George W. Bush  5-29-03)

v      “We will in fact, be greeted as liberators…I think it will go relatively quickly…in weeks rather than months.”  (Dick Cheney 3-16-03)

v      “We do know that Saddam is actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.”

       (Condoleeza Rice  9-10-02)

v      “We believe Saddam has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons.”

            (Dick Cheney  3-16 03)

[Win Without War -  www.winwithoutwarus.org]

This from an Administration that constantly touts its moral values!  Do they know what Jesus Christ said to the hypocrites?  {hypocrite = one who pretends to be pious and virtuous without being so.  (Webster)

 

WE MUST ELECT A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN

 

The First District’s Democratic Congressional candidate has a great chance, possibly the best in the nation, to win a seat in Congress in 2006.  We are pledged to do our part in that effort.  The district is legally allowed to contribute $10,000 to the candidate.  We intend to raise $3000 to add to the current balance of $2000 on hand in order to raise the first 50% before the end of this year.  Please join us in paving the road to victory.

 

THIS IS YOUR CHALLENGE

 

We are requesting the eight smallest population counties of the district, i.e., Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Jackson, and Jones, each raise $200.  The four largest counties, i.e., Black Hawk, Clinton, Dubuque, and Scott, are asked to raise $350 each.  A tank of gas right now would cost you $40.  Instead of asking everyone to attend an event and pay $25 for a dinner plus travel expenses, we are suggesting a “non-event” in which you stay home, continue your other activities and make a donation.  (Jean Pardee)

 

Write your check to:  Clinton County Democrats and send it to P.O. Box 1713, Clinton, Iowa 52733-1713.  Indicate it is for the First District Congressional election.

 

INCOMPETENCE!  INDICTMENTS!  MISGUIDED POLICIES!  MISPLACED PRIORITIES!

Hour by hour the Republicans who control Washington give us more reasons to pour our hearts and souls into winning the 2006 elections. The bottom line: If we want to change America's course, we've got to change the face of Congress.   (John Kerry)

 

 

A CLEAR RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT FROM IOWA’S DEMOCRATIC LEADERS

 

SAFETY:

 

Ø       Strengthening the State’s sex offender laws

Ø       Passing the toughest ant-meth law in the nation

We will continue to make progress if we elect another Democratic Governor and a Democratic Legislature.

 

HELP US BUILD A STRONGER DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN CLINTON COUNTY

 

We have been receiving many favorable comments about our newsletter.  Many Democrats have expressed appreciation for the reminders of coming events.  We have received many contributions or suggestions for things to use in the newsletters.  The newsletters go to many Clinton County Democrats, the County Chairs in all eleven counties in the First Congressional District, all candidates for Congress, and the staffs of Senator Harkin, Governor Vilsack, State Party Chair Sally Pederson, Chet Culver and Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell.  It has helped draw together through frequent communication many people in the Democratic Party.  You can help to expand the list by having Democratic friends send us their email addresses so that we can add them to the list of informed Democrats.  THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

 

WE CAN BE A MAJOR INFLUENCE

 

AMERICA HAS TO CHANGE!  We can’t continue to tolerate a high percentage of poverty while we give large tax breaks, lucrative contracts and other incentives to the very wealthy.  We need to put everyone to work and give them a sense of self esteem.  Many of the problems of our society - drugs, robberies, assaults, murders, abortion – are associated with poverty.  What happened to President Lyndon Johnson’s ‘War on Poverty”?  (Answer: It fizzled out with Nixon, Reagan and a disconnected Bush.)

 

 

SEPTEMBER CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Sharon Reed was elected to fill the 2-1 Clinton vacancy.
  • We recruited volunteers to help at a work day at headquarters on the  21st.  The volunteers cleaned up both inside and outside. The air conditioner was removed and cleaned and replaced. Old broken equipment was junked and materials were sorted and destroyed or filed.
  • Senator Roger Stewart, Representative Polly Bukta and Sheriff Rick Lincoln gave reports on their current work.
  • Rick Dickinson staffer, Sandy, spoke on his behalf.
  • Roger talked about his trip to Taiwan and said the island is only about one-fourth the size of Iowa but has many more people (22 million). Trade was the focus of the trip.  Our products are of great interest there. Roger discussed democracy in Taiwan and how strong it is, but the mainland Chinese government is closely watching Taiwan. More information about the trip will be found in Roger’s weekly newsletter that can be accessed on his website  http://www.rogerstewart.org/
  • We spent most of our time discussing the five State party goals.  Each County Democratic Party will select and complete two next year.

We will review our two goals in detail at the next meeting.  The goals will be printed in the next newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Richard Kissack [rkissack@cis.net]
Sent: Saturday, October 08, 2005 4:28 PM
To: DEMOCRATS OF CLINTON COUNTY
Subject: CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS' NEWSLETTER

CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER

“Teachers are tired of elected officials ‘acting’ like they care about students when it’s election

time and then turning their backs on campaign promises later.”

 (Reg Weaver, President of the National Education Association)

http://www.clintoncountydemocrats.org

October 10, 2005

 

COLUMBUS DAY

 

 

COMING EVENTS

 

THE CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET

Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30 P.M. in the

Democratic Headquarters at 224 22nd Place.

 

The Iowa Democratic Party's
Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner  Saturday evening, November 5th

at Hy-Vee Hall, part of the new Iowa Events Center, in Des Moines.

Featuring Senator Tom Daschle
Dinner Will Also Feature 2006 Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates, Senator Tom Harkin, Governor Tom Vilsack,

First Lady Christie Vilsack, Lt. Governor Sally Pederson and Congressman Leonard Boswell.
For more information or to order tickets contact Molly at molly@iowademocrats.org or 515-974-1690, you may also order tickets on-line:
http://www.iowademocrats.org

 

An Invitation

 

The Democratic Party of Fayette County invites you to the

2005 Sustaining Fund Dinner

Featuring Special Guest and Speaker Senator Tom Harkin

and a host of Democratic Candidates

 Friday, October 14th, 2005

 Luigi’s Restaurant and Lounge

1020 South Frederick Ave.

Oelwein, Iowa

Happy Hour – 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Buffet Dinner – 6:30pm

$ 20.00 per meal (tickets are available at the door)

Each candidate will be given time to speak. More importantly, they will get the opportunity to listen and learn from the voters who will make Democrats successful in Northeast Iowa.

If you have any questions please contact Sara Gonzales (319-283-3340, sarajac00@yahoo.com), Chuck Taylor (563-380-6885, aleclint@earthlink.net) or Jake Blitsch, (319-283-4546, jakpeg@msn.com) Chuck Taylor,Chairman, Democratic Party of Fayette County

Please send your checks supporting this dinner to:  Democratic Party of Fayette County, c/o Chuck Taylor, 2057 Neon Road, Oelwein, IA 50660

 



 

 

 

 

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL UNITED WAY

 

Members of the Democratic Party recognize that community organizations depend upon all of us for support.  All citizens have a responsibility to support their community with their fair share of contributions.  There is a corollary here in our expectation that the very wealthy fulfill their responsibilities by paying their fair share of taxes. 

 

A BATTLE FOR WOMEN’S FREEDOM

 

“The great success of the Western woman is a formidable threat to Islamist extremists.  The battle for women’s rights lies at the heart of colossal struggles over the future of great religions and civilizations.  Our half-century of stunning economic growth owes much to the expansion of opportunities for women.  No civilization that excludes half its population from full participation in society and the economy can compete with the United States and its key allies.  Islamist terrorists have formed the last, great boys’ club, meeting in caves and warning girls to stay out.  Their vision offers women fewer rights by far than those enjoyed by the wives of the prophet Mohammed.  They are women-hating sadists for whom faith is an excuse.”  (Ralph Peters in the U.S. News & World Report, September 27, 2005)

 

STATE PARTY CHOICES FOR BUILDING STRONG COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS FOR 2006


1. New 2005 Registered Voter Contact Project:  Send thank you cards to all newly registered Democrat and Independent voters from November 3, 2004 to the present.
2. County Party Community Outreach Committees:  Form community outreach committees that will focus on continuously engaging constituency groups.

 3. Precinct Team Building:  Focus on filling all precinct committee slots and have precinct committee chairs recruit and build active precinct committee teams.
4. County Party Volunteer Building: Call all 2004 volunteers and invite them to become active in one of the following activities: writing letters to editors, attending CCM, community service project, etc.
5. County Party Community Service Day: Participate in a community service activity that will raise awareness and promote the values of the Democratic Party.

 

We will be discussing these five State goals at the next Central Committee meeting and selecting two that we plan to accomplish in Clinton County.

 

 

THE $10,000. CONTRIBUTOR TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS ONLY ONE VOTE.  THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS MANY CONTRIBUTORS OF LESS THAN $100 ALL OF WHOM ALSO HAVE ONE VOTE EACH.  DEMOCRACY CAN BE THE GREAT EQUALIZER!

 

A CLEAR RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT FROM IOWA’S DEMOCRATIC LEADERS

 

ECONOMIC GROWTH:

 

Ø       creating the Iowa Values Fund, the most successful jobs creation program in the State’s history

Ø       creating economic programs that helped Iowa become the nation’s leader in economic development

Ø       promoting economic development programs that build on our agricultural strengths

 

If we want to continue the progress we’ve made, we must elect a Democratic Legislature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Richard Kissack [rkissack@cis.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 7:54 AM
To: DEMOCRATS OF CLINTON COUNTY
Subject: CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS' NEWSLETTER

 

CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER

“Nobody hears the cries of the poor or the sound of a wooden bell.”

(Haitian proverb – from Catholic Relief Services)

http://www.clintoncountydemocrats.org

October 17, 2005

 

NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY DAY

 

 

COMING EVENTS

 

THE CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET

Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30 P.M. in the

Democratic Headquarters at 224 22nd Place.

 

We will have a discussion of the five suggested State Democratic Party goals.  More information will be given for each one.  We’ll choose two that we will accomplish in the next year as a County organization.   The Clinton County Democratic Party has been becoming stronger with each election and we’re dedicated to continuing this trend.

 

The Iowa Democratic Party's
Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner  Saturday evening, November 5th

at Hy-Vee Hall, part of the new Iowa Events Center, in Des Moines.
Featuring Senator Tom Daschle
Dinner Will Also Feature 2006 Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Senator Tom Harkin, Governor Tom Vilsack, First Lady Christie Vilsack, Lt. Governor Sally Pederson, and Congressman Leonard Boswell.
For more information or to order tickets contact Molly at molly@iowademocrats.org or 515-974-1690, you may also order tickets on-line:
http://www.iowademocrats.org

 

 

POVERTY IN AMERICA

 

“A major contributor to poverty in America is low wages – a reflection of a federal minimum wage that has remained unchanged for eight straight years.  Today, the minimum wage is roughly two-thirds less than the wages of all private-sector, non-supervisory workers.  That’s a 56 year low, down significantly from the 1950s and 1960s, when the minimum wage was between 50 and 60 percent of private-sector levels.  Raising the minimum wage should surely be considered by this Congress.”  (Mortimer B. Zuckerman, Editor-in-Chief, U.S. News & World Report, 10-3-05)

 

Democrats believe that in order to successfully tackle poverty in America we have to go to the basic cause of the problem.  Giving tax breaks and lucrative contracts to the wealthy with the idea that the benefits will trickle down to the peons is a Republican myth.  The Bush clan and their rich friends need to share the fruits of America with all the citizens who have helped to make this a Great Nation.

 

 

 

THE CHASM GROWS EVER WIDER

The Roots of George W. Bush's “Compassionate Conservatism”

Former First Lady Barbara Bush visited with hurricane evacuees at the Astrodome in Houston on Labor Day.  Commenting on the facilities that had been set up for the evacuees -- cots crammed side-by-side in a huge stadium where the lights never go out and the sound of sobbing children never completely ceases – Mrs. Bush concluded that the poor people of New Orleans had lucked out.  

"Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway.  This is working very well for them," Mrs. Bush told American Public Media's "Marketplace" program, before returning to her multi-million dollar Houston home.

“As thousands of victims of the hurricane continued to plead for food, water, shelter, medical care and a way out of the nightmare to which federal neglect had consigned them, Mrs. Bush chuckled audibly as she observed just how great things were going for families that were separated from loved ones, people who have been forced to abandon their homes and the only community where they have ever lived, and parents who are explaining to children that their pets, their toys and in some cases their friends may be lost forever. Perhaps the former first lady was amusing herself with the notion that evacuees without bread could eat cake.  At the very least, she was expressing a measure of empathy commensurate with that evidenced by her son during his fly-ins for disaster-zone photo opportunities.

“The comments by the mother of President George W. Bush have fueled the ire of some Americans, who see the Bush family as out-of-touch patricians.  Did she really say that?  My God!  What or who have we become?"   (Based on an article by John Nichols in The Nation on Tuesday, September 6)

WHAT ARE THE PROPOSALS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

“Today’s Democratic agenda is somewhere between hate for George W. Bush and disdain for George W. Bush.  That’s not enough for a party looking to revive itself as a governing entity.  People already know what they are voting against; they need to know what we’re voting for.”  (Gloria Borger, U.S. News & World Report, October 10, 2005)

Candidates could start by looking at the Democratic Party platforms that have been developed by ordinary citizens at the precinct, county and State levels.  The people in the precincts have spoken.  We already have sent the message.  Now we need to insist that our candidates pay attention.  We’ve worked hard to get people involved and to convince them that they have a voice in their government.  If our candidates want guidance, we’ve already provided it at the grassroots level.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS PLEDGED TO CONTINUING PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON’S  WAR ON POVERTY AND RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

HELP BUILD A STRONGER CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Join A 2006 Club!

_____   $25.00  Give ‘em Hell Harry Good Old Boys and Girls Club

_____   $50.00  Andrew Jackson Cabinet

_____  $100.00  Thomas Jefferson Cabinet (includes a ticket to the Hall of Fame Dinner)

Send your checks to Clinton County Democrats, P.O. Box 1713, Clinton, Iowa 52732.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Richard Kissack [rkissack@cis.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 7:19 AM
To: DEMOCRATS OF CLINTON COUNTY
Subject: CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS' NEWSLETTER

CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER

“An effective leader begins with questions not answers and

engages in dialogue and debate not coercion.”

 (Jim Collins in ‘Brutal Facts’)

http://www.clintoncountydemocrats.org

October 24, 2005

 

 

COMING EVENTS

 

FALLON FOR GOVERNOR

State Representative Ed Fallon, candidate for Governor, will be at the Clinton County Democratic Headquarters, 224 22nd Place, on Thursday, October 27 from 11:00 to 12:00 A.M.  This is a good time to meet the candidate and have your views heard.  See Ed Fallon’s presentation showing the bone-chilling connection between wealthy special interest cash and a government that refuses to address issues that are important to you.  Visit Ed’s website at www.fallonforgovernor.org

 

HARVEST SOUP SUPPER

Fund Raiser for Senator Roger Stewart

Friday, November 4, 2005  5-8 P.M  Speeches at 6:00 P.M.

Grossman Hall  -  Delmar, Iowa

Donation $10.00

Roger works hard for Eastern Iowa.  Let’s show our appreciation by supporting this fund raiser.  You may order tickets from Dick Kissack at rkissack@clinton.net or from Roger at  rstjls@netins.net

 

The Iowa Democratic Party's
Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner  Saturday evening, November 5th

You may also order tickets on-line:   http://www.iowademocrats.org

 

 

POLLY BUKTA’S ANNUAL CHILI SUPPER

Thursday, January 5  -  4:30 – 7:00 P.M.  Lyons Depot

Fund Raiser - Donation $10.00

We’re preparing for a tough campaign.

All the chili (mild, moderate or hot) you care to eat plus many toppings, corn bread,  dessert, coffee, milk, beer etc.   Polly will give her assessment of the 2006 Iowa Legislative session which starts Monday, January 9.

 

2006 DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT CAUCUSES

Monday, January 16, 2006

We encourage citizen participation to honor the memory of Martin Luther King.  Our most important function will be to write the planks for the 2006 Democratic Party platform that express the values and beliefs of the Democratic Party.  The party platform is the work of ordinary citizens at the grassroots level. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE OCTOBER MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

The Clinton County Democrats are dedicated to increasing participation in the political process and making the voices of ordinary citizens heard in Des Moines and Washington.

 

Ø       We had an excellent attendance at the October meeting.  Almost every precinct in the County was represented.

 

Ø       The Central Committee chose the following goals:

1.       We will create a list of the categories of voters to increase participation.  We’ll find a chair who isn’t a member of the Central Committee for each category.  Working from the County Auditor’s voter registration list we’ll mail cards encouraging their participation in the Democratic Party.

2.       We’ll develop a calling list from the Voter Activated Network (VAN).  We’ll call all 2004 volunteers and invite them to work on one of the listed activities.

 

ACTION:  We’re asking each precinct committee person to identify at least ten solid registered Democrats in their precinct and to either email or deliver these names to Dick Kissack or Jean Pardee.  We want to develop a mailing list of at least 200 Democrats who are not receiving this email newsletter.  Dick will cross check it with our email list.  We will mail a monthly newsletter to these Democrats.

 

Ø       Bruce Braley, Rick Dickinson and Roger Stewart each addressed the assembly.

Ø       Roger has been working to get State tuition help for students at Ashford University made permanent.  He continues to help improve the staffing at the Clinton office of Work Force Development.  Fifteen years ago when cuts in welfare benefits were planned they were balanced with an appropriation of $14 million in funds for Work Force Development in Iowa.  Those funds have now been cut to between $6 to 7 million.

Ø       Bruce Braley commented that this is just one more example of Republican hypocrisy.  Among the many funds that have been cut are those for welfare and the NCLB program.

 

WARNING:  Be cautious about signing up for for the Medicare Plan D (prescription drugs coverage).  There are many schemes out there to cheat you.  Rick Dickinson and Bob Soesbe advise you to take your time and get considerable information.  Many plans will try to rush you into making a decision.  Don’t be in a hurry!  You have until May 15 before there is a penalty in the premium.  Ron Garrison and Dick Cook have received special training to be able to give you advice.  RSVP has been holding workshops.  The Clinton County Democrats are planning to hold workshops throughout the County.  Make an appointment with RSVP for advice on your specific prescriptions.

 

v      In order to pass the Prescription Drug bill and keep control in the hands of private insurance companies the Republican controlled Congress has made the law ridiculously complex.  They have also prohibited the Government from negotiating lower prices.

 

PHARMACEUTICALS

 

“The cost of the direct marketing of drugs to the consumer through television, newspapers, magazines and radio is not trivial.  It costs as much as research done by the industry and it is paid for by the public.  This is the major reason for the loss of confidence by the public in the industry.  You can’t act like a snake oil salesman and expect to be treated like a medical savant.”  (Donald G. Kubler in Chemical & Engineering News, 10-12-05)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Richard Kissack [rkissack@cis.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2005 8:16 PM
To: DEMOCRATS OF CLINTON COUNTY
Subject: CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS' NEWSLETTER

CLINTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER

“The Bush Administration is quietly putting radical new policies in place that will let its corporate allies poison our air, foul our water and devastate our wildlands for decades to come.””

 (Natural Resources Defense Council)

http://www.clintoncountydemocrats.org

October 31, 2005

 

 

COMING EVENTS

 

HARVEST SOUP SUPPER

Fund Raiser for Senator Roger Stewart

Friday, November 4, 2005  5-8 P.M  Speeches at 6:00 P.M.

Grossman Hall  -  Delmar, Iowa

Donation $10.00

Roger works hard for Eastern Iowa.  Let’s show our appreciation by supporting this fund raiser.  You may order tickets from Dick Kissack at rkissack@clinton.net or from Roger at  rstjls@netins.net

 

The Iowa Democratic Party's
Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner  Saturday evening, November 5th

You may also order tickets on-line:   http://www.iowademocrats.org

 

CITY ELECTIONS

Tuesday, November 8

Democrats always vote – it’s a great habit!  City elections will be held in the 14 city and towns of Clinton County.   A list of polling places and other information can be found at the County Auditor’s website:  http://www.clintoncountyiowa.com/auditor

 

POLLY BUKTA’S ANNUAL CHILI SUPPER

Thursday, January 5  -  4:30 – 7:00 P.M.  Lyons Depot

 

2006 DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT CAUCUSES

Monday, January 16, 2006

We encourage citizen participation to honor the memory of Martin Luther King.  Our most important function will be to write the planks for the 2006 Democratic Party platform that express the values and beliefs of the Democratic Party.  The party platform is the work of ordinary citizens at the grassroots level.  There are people who complain about everything but never take the opportunity to influence future events.  Many never even bother to vote.  Sixty percent of the eligible voters in Iraq voted in the face of possible violence.

ENCOURAGE THE COMPLAINERS TO GET INVOLVED!

REMINDER to Precinct representatives to the Central Committee:  Please forward to Dick or Jean a list of ten registered Democrats from your precinct who should be receiving our monthly newsletter by U.S.P.S. mail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Ritter: "Iraq Confidential" (Nation Books)
Iraq Confidential : The Untold Story of the Intelligence Conspiracy to Undermine the UN and Overthrow Saddam Hussein

A former UN weapons inspector talks about looking for WMDs in Iraq. He also explains how much of the intelligence used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq was discredited by work he and fellow inspectors conducted in the 1990s. Scott Ritter, was a top UN weapons inspector in Iraq between 1991 and 1998. He is a former Marine.

(From a Diane Rehm’s Show interview on National Public Radio, October 11, 2005, 11:00 A.M.  For more information go to http://www.npr.org)

 

VOTERS GET A THUMBS DOWN FROM THE CLINTON HERALD

 

“To lousy voter turnout—again—in local school board elections.  In Clinton only 1,480 voters showed up, less than 9 percent of the registered voters.  To see this kind of apathy toward public education is nothing short of appalling.  Everyone is at fault – parents, school employees and the general public – and very few people earned the right to complain.”

 

Almost everyone I meet has opinions about the schools, yet when we have an election with five candidates running for two offices and two important tax levies on the ballot, most of them don’t show up.  The ‘people who are against almost everything’ get their voters out.  The election resulted in the Clinton School District being left desperately short of money to keep school buildings in good condition.  Does the safety of our children mean so little to them?  Did all the school employees vote?  Did all the parents of students who participate in school activities vote?  Did all members of the PTA vote?  NO!!   If they had, the PPEL fund levy would have easily passed.

 

One of the top priorities of the Clinton County Democrats should be to assist schools in teaching the responsibilities of citizenship.  This doesn’t just involve textbook memorization or awareness.  It involves actual participation in community organizations.  Involvement in politics is the way we get things done in a democracy.  But, how can teachers and administrators teach the importance of community involvement and civic responsibility when they themselves are not involved?

 

IS ANYBODY IN WASHINGTON LISTENING?

Ø       65% of Americans said they favor providing health insurance to all Americans, even if it means raising taxes.

Ø       86% said they favor raising the minimum wage.

Ø       77% said they believe the country should do whatever it takes to protect the environment.  (A May survey published by the Pew Research  Center for the People and the Press)

Ø       59% consider the Iraq War a mistake.

Ø       63% agree that U.S. forces should be partially or completely withdrawn.  (A September Gallup Poll)  (Eric Alterman in The Nation)  This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051107/alterman