Political Junky 2006
This midterm election has me on edge. The Democrats really need a big win in order to take over the House of Representatives, and hopefully, the Senate of the USA's federal government. Normally, I'm more interested in state and local politics, but the Iraq War, the federal budget deficit, and a whole host of "value" issues really need my attention at the national level. For those reading this post, please consider going to the website of Jim Web who is running neck and neck with George Allen, a long time Republican politician in Virginia who's has one of the most conservative voting records even among the Republicans. The state of Virginia and the nation need Allen replaced.
Also, consider a visit to the website of Harold Ford, who is in a toss-up race for the Tennessee Senate race. Americans really would benefit by solid wins in the south where populist politics by the Republicans have created a dangerous shell game of "values" extremism. African-American needs have been almost completely forgotten and brush over with a neo-Anglo morality that is corrupt and marginalizing of other citizens.
Meanwhile, in the center of the nation, the bellweather state of Missouri is also up for grabs. Here, stem cell research is a big issue, and Missouri needs to join the mainstream thinking about this. Go to Claire McCaskill's website and learn about how you can support her grassroots effort there. Similarly, it seems like the entire state of Ohio is up for grabs again, so please stop by the Ohio Democratic Party website.
Keep in mind that Ohio is using in many districts those awful Diebold electronic "black box" voting machines that don't provide a receipt. This can mean real potential for manipulation in a tight race where the losers are Republican incumbents. To illustrate the possibilities, consider the case of a Tennessee precinct where a lawsuit was file after it was learned that illegal and uncertified Lexar Jump Drive software was loaded onto the Diebold GEMS central tabulator, enabling secretive data transfer on small USB "key chain" memory devices. This blocked election transparency and raises questions as to whether hidden vote manipulation may have taken place. It also raises questions as to the privacy of individual ballot information. Since the Republican campaign machine under Carl Rove have built up a huge national database of voter information based upon purchased consumer preference information, there's no telling what the conservatives will do to remain in control of the government.
If you read and agree with the sentiments of this blog, and want to make a sympathy contribution to support the race in my own California district #11, I would be grateful. Here six term Republican Pombo, a certified anti-environmentalist and Abramoff scandal money guy, is in a surprisingly tight race with a Democratic candidate named Jerry McNerny. McNerney is definetly short of cash and Pombo has managed to saturate the television media with ads showing him to be a hard working rancher and businessman--but he's mainly a realestate salesman in the central valley. Until recently, the Stockton Record and KCRA in Sacramento consistently referred to McNerney only as "the challenger" and deleted any reference to his name. In spite of all this, traditionally Republican District #11 appears fed up with Pombo and is beginning to lean McNerney's way. In any case, go to these websites and make a small donation now!
These races are very important for those who want the USA out of Iraq. Even if you were for the war in the beginning, I can assure you that Iraq is virtually guaranteed to descend into civil war, regardless of whether or not the USA stays there. The sooner the USA pulls out, the sooner that process will unfold, and the sooner the USA can return as friends and supporters of whoever wins the military and political contest. For those who fear increased terrorism or expansion of Iran. Don't worry about these things. First, the focus for Iraqi terrorists will be on Iraq, not the USA. Second, Iran, a nation of only slightly larger size and population would be loath to invade Iraq, and in particular, Bagdad. The Shiite population of Iraq share only the religion with Iran, but are separated by language. The Shiites of Iraq are mostly Arabic speaking, and would not want Iran to try any manipulations. Besides, the Syrians, Turkish, and Saudi Arabians are certainly not friends of Iran, and would support Iraqi opposition to such an invasion for sure.
Worried about "cut and run" or "saving face"? Forget it. The USA is still the most respected world leader with no other power even competing for our spot. While Bush is hated, American's are loved--even in the Middle East. But, as long as America exercises the policy of occupation, we can't be improving our relations with such a disturbed nation as Iraq. We want our soldiers to return home and be properly integrated back into society. The last thing this nation needs is another generation of men disturbed by the horrors of war. Besides, this monthly expense of maintaining our soldiers in Iraq is taking away from the retirement plans of the baby boomers of America. Vote Now!
Also, consider a visit to the website of Harold Ford, who is in a toss-up race for the Tennessee Senate race. Americans really would benefit by solid wins in the south where populist politics by the Republicans have created a dangerous shell game of "values" extremism. African-American needs have been almost completely forgotten and brush over with a neo-Anglo morality that is corrupt and marginalizing of other citizens.
Meanwhile, in the center of the nation, the bellweather state of Missouri is also up for grabs. Here, stem cell research is a big issue, and Missouri needs to join the mainstream thinking about this. Go to Claire McCaskill's website and learn about how you can support her grassroots effort there. Similarly, it seems like the entire state of Ohio is up for grabs again, so please stop by the Ohio Democratic Party website.
Keep in mind that Ohio is using in many districts those awful Diebold electronic "black box" voting machines that don't provide a receipt. This can mean real potential for manipulation in a tight race where the losers are Republican incumbents. To illustrate the possibilities, consider the case of a Tennessee precinct where a lawsuit was file after it was learned that illegal and uncertified Lexar Jump Drive software was loaded onto the Diebold GEMS central tabulator, enabling secretive data transfer on small USB "key chain" memory devices. This blocked election transparency and raises questions as to whether hidden vote manipulation may have taken place. It also raises questions as to the privacy of individual ballot information. Since the Republican campaign machine under Carl Rove have built up a huge national database of voter information based upon purchased consumer preference information, there's no telling what the conservatives will do to remain in control of the government.
If you read and agree with the sentiments of this blog, and want to make a sympathy contribution to support the race in my own California district #11, I would be grateful. Here six term Republican Pombo, a certified anti-environmentalist and Abramoff scandal money guy, is in a surprisingly tight race with a Democratic candidate named Jerry McNerny. McNerney is definetly short of cash and Pombo has managed to saturate the television media with ads showing him to be a hard working rancher and businessman--but he's mainly a realestate salesman in the central valley. Until recently, the Stockton Record and KCRA in Sacramento consistently referred to McNerney only as "the challenger" and deleted any reference to his name. In spite of all this, traditionally Republican District #11 appears fed up with Pombo and is beginning to lean McNerney's way. In any case, go to these websites and make a small donation now!
These races are very important for those who want the USA out of Iraq. Even if you were for the war in the beginning, I can assure you that Iraq is virtually guaranteed to descend into civil war, regardless of whether or not the USA stays there. The sooner the USA pulls out, the sooner that process will unfold, and the sooner the USA can return as friends and supporters of whoever wins the military and political contest. For those who fear increased terrorism or expansion of Iran. Don't worry about these things. First, the focus for Iraqi terrorists will be on Iraq, not the USA. Second, Iran, a nation of only slightly larger size and population would be loath to invade Iraq, and in particular, Bagdad. The Shiite population of Iraq share only the religion with Iran, but are separated by language. The Shiites of Iraq are mostly Arabic speaking, and would not want Iran to try any manipulations. Besides, the Syrians, Turkish, and Saudi Arabians are certainly not friends of Iran, and would support Iraqi opposition to such an invasion for sure.
Worried about "cut and run" or "saving face"? Forget it. The USA is still the most respected world leader with no other power even competing for our spot. While Bush is hated, American's are loved--even in the Middle East. But, as long as America exercises the policy of occupation, we can't be improving our relations with such a disturbed nation as Iraq. We want our soldiers to return home and be properly integrated back into society. The last thing this nation needs is another generation of men disturbed by the horrors of war. Besides, this monthly expense of maintaining our soldiers in Iraq is taking away from the retirement plans of the baby boomers of America. Vote Now!
