Politics1 - American Politics, Elections, Candidates & Campaigns
A reply to a short, nasty Politics1 article about a hard-working Reformer in my party, from another Reformer:
Ahh, time for a rebuttal. Funny, I never thought my personal
comments meant to be a scathing response to the owner/editor/publisher of a "I think I'll rehash political news without being too hard on the corrupt, inept, lying, 'my political party comes before my country and is always right,' vote selling, 'it's not my fault more American citizens don't go and vote on election day, that's just the way our democracy operates' (all the while putting severe restrictions on political parties to be on the ballot in the states, and purposefully making it almost impossible for any contender for POTUS who is not in one of the two major political parties to appear in the presidential debates,' bureaucracy growing (without improving results), 'to hell with what the American people want, I know what is better' (for my pocketbook, and my re-election bid coming up) politicians (not all, but, many) who seem to dominate the political landscape in America today", would become" Front page" news on this highly esteemed, politically groundbreaking, and illustrious website. Yes, the "crude, ranting" response I left was merely meant as a harsh (harsh in the absolute worst sort of way) rebuke to a person (and a few quasi-literate readers who posted comments on his story) who seems to find it amusing to deride (in deference to the editor, he has written that it was "good natured fun") a disabled war veteran who, has volunteered 1000's of hours to a cause with the simple aim of making this country better for all Americans. The editor, having "gone there," left himself open for an attack against himself for his choice in asking himself "what is 'REALLY' important on the political landscape today? What issues are NOT being addressed by the major news media, to which the public has a right (and definite need) to know about so that they can be informed as to what is the proper course of action to take to rectify the situation(s)?" Of course I, being the being the faithful defender of those who ARE attempting to make this country, and their communities a better place to live in by volunteering their Very valuable time, came to the defense of such an individual.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Saturday, May 22, 2004
The Reform Party of Texas
Petition season ends tomorrow, and RPTX will not meet the deadline with enough signatures, in order to get our statewide candidate Ivan Stober on the general election ballot. Expected to join RPTX on the bench will be the TX Libertarians and TX Greens. Let the gladiator games begin!
Petition season ends tomorrow, and RPTX will not meet the deadline with enough signatures, in order to get our statewide candidate Ivan Stober on the general election ballot. Expected to join RPTX on the bench will be the TX Libertarians and TX Greens. Let the gladiator games begin!
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Grand Forks Herald | 05/20/2004 | COLUMNIST DAVID BRODER : Campaign finance reform didn't take long to fail
Instead of trying to plug more and more holes in the campaign finance system, the reforms should be on the candidate himself-- he is truly an "independent voice" concerned about his district, state or country, if he doesn't succumb to the inordinately large offers of finanancial support from corporations, unions and wealthy individuals. Elected officials are included, as they raise money continuously.
Instead of trying to plug more and more holes in the campaign finance system, the reforms should be on the candidate himself-- he is truly an "independent voice" concerned about his district, state or country, if he doesn't succumb to the inordinately large offers of finanancial support from corporations, unions and wealthy individuals. Elected officials are included, as they raise money continuously.
Friday, May 14, 2004
Lowell Sun Online - Today's Headlines
It looks like some of the battles have moved into the citizenry, with hundreds
of millions of dollars [over $100 million already, most of which is
ideological/single issue] in 527s being poured into mostly attack ads on the Dem/Rep
presidential candidates. This is not political activism; that is citizen
mobilization in phone calls, letters to the editor, financial contributions,
polling, door-to-door canvassing, placing signs, hats and bumper stickers.
It looks like some of the battles have moved into the citizenry, with hundreds
of millions of dollars [over $100 million already, most of which is
ideological/single issue] in 527s being poured into mostly attack ads on the Dem/Rep
presidential candidates. This is not political activism; that is citizen
mobilization in phone calls, letters to the editor, financial contributions,
polling, door-to-door canvassing, placing signs, hats and bumper stickers.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Nader for President - Reform Party Endorsement - www.voteNader.org
It's official! Ralph Nader has been endorsed by the Reform Party. He stands for the many of the same old-line issues as the party does (reforming government and trade). By showing the Reform Party's support, Ralph will have cut into the Republicans that were weary of supporting Bush a second time.
It's official! Ralph Nader has been endorsed by the Reform Party. He stands for the many of the same old-line issues as the party does (reforming government and trade). By showing the Reform Party's support, Ralph will have cut into the Republicans that were weary of supporting Bush a second time.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Barnes�&�Noble.com - Henry Adams: Selected Letters
A letter from Henry Adams To Carl Schurz, Boston. 14 Feb. 1876:
...The public is fairly determined to wait for the action of the parties. But if we can make the public at large feel in advance that they are certain of having an alternative in case the party conventions are unsatisfactory, we shall sap the foundations of party discipline beforehand without exposing ourselves to any possible attack.
I hope these tactics will coincide with your views. Otherwise I shall wait with great anxiety the decision you shall make. But in any case believe me
Very sincerely Yours
Henry Adams.
Hon. Carl Schurz.
[Draft of circular letter.]
-- March. 1876.
Sir
The present condition of political affairs is such as to create grave concern in the minds of all reflecting men.
The great party conventions are soon to meet. As yet there is no indication that the choice of these conventions will fall upon persons in whom independent voters can place confidence. All the indications of the time point to the possibility that, in the conflict between personal interests, the interests of the nation may be overlooked, and either a combination of corrupt influences may control the result, or, as has so often happened, the difficulty of harmonising personal claims may lead to the nomination of candidates whom you cannot support with self-respect.
Against such a possibility it is our duty to take every precaution. The Republican Convention will meet on the -- of June. We have the honor, therefore, respectfully to invite your attendance at a conference of gentlemen independent of party ties, to meet at the city of on the day of June, to decide whether we can support the nominations made by the Republican Convention, and if not, to place before the people candidates of our own selection.
We have the honor &c &c
A letter from Henry Adams To Carl Schurz, Boston. 14 Feb. 1876:
...The public is fairly determined to wait for the action of the parties. But if we can make the public at large feel in advance that they are certain of having an alternative in case the party conventions are unsatisfactory, we shall sap the foundations of party discipline beforehand without exposing ourselves to any possible attack.
I hope these tactics will coincide with your views. Otherwise I shall wait with great anxiety the decision you shall make. But in any case believe me
Very sincerely Yours
Henry Adams.
Hon. Carl Schurz.
[Draft of circular letter.]
-- March. 1876.
Sir
The present condition of political affairs is such as to create grave concern in the minds of all reflecting men.
The great party conventions are soon to meet. As yet there is no indication that the choice of these conventions will fall upon persons in whom independent voters can place confidence. All the indications of the time point to the possibility that, in the conflict between personal interests, the interests of the nation may be overlooked, and either a combination of corrupt influences may control the result, or, as has so often happened, the difficulty of harmonising personal claims may lead to the nomination of candidates whom you cannot support with self-respect.
Against such a possibility it is our duty to take every precaution. The Republican Convention will meet on the -- of June. We have the honor, therefore, respectfully to invite your attendance at a conference of gentlemen independent of party ties, to meet at the city of on the day of June, to decide whether we can support the nominations made by the Republican Convention, and if not, to place before the people candidates of our own selection.
We have the honor &c &c
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=O9t1n2mGhI&isbn=0674387570&itm=5
The public is fairly determined to wait for the action of the parties. But if we can make the public at large feel in advance that they are certain of having an alternative in case the party conventions are unsatisfactory, we shall sap the foundations of party discipline beforehand without exposing ourselves to any possible attack.
I hope these tactics will coincide with your views. Otherwise I shall wait with great anxiety the decision you shall make. But in any case believe me
Very sincerely Yours
Henry Adams.
Hon. Carl Schurz.
[Draft of circular letter.]
-- March. 1876.
Sir
The present condition of political affairs is such as to create grave concern in the minds of all reflecting men.
The great party conventions are soon to meet. As yet there is no indication that the choice of these conventions will fall upon persons in whom independent voters can place confidence. All the indications of the time point to the possibility that, in the conflict between personal interests, the interests of the nation may be overlooked, and either a combination of corrupt influences may control the result, or, as has so often happened, the difficulty of harmonising personal claims may lead to the nomination of candidates whom you cannot support with self-respect.
Against such a possibility it is our duty to take every precaution. The Republican Convention will meet on the -- of June. We have the honor, therefore, respectfully to invite your attendance at a conference of gentlemen independent of party ties, to meet at the city of on the day of June, to decide whether we can support the nominations made by the Republican Convention, and if not, to place before the people candidates of our own selection.
We have the honor &c &c
The public is fairly determined to wait for the action of the parties. But if we can make the public at large feel in advance that they are certain of having an alternative in case the party conventions are unsatisfactory, we shall sap the foundations of party discipline beforehand without exposing ourselves to any possible attack.
I hope these tactics will coincide with your views. Otherwise I shall wait with great anxiety the decision you shall make. But in any case believe me
Very sincerely Yours
Henry Adams.
Hon. Carl Schurz.
[Draft of circular letter.]
-- March. 1876.
Sir
The present condition of political affairs is such as to create grave concern in the minds of all reflecting men.
The great party conventions are soon to meet. As yet there is no indication that the choice of these conventions will fall upon persons in whom independent voters can place confidence. All the indications of the time point to the possibility that, in the conflict between personal interests, the interests of the nation may be overlooked, and either a combination of corrupt influences may control the result, or, as has so often happened, the difficulty of harmonising personal claims may lead to the nomination of candidates whom you cannot support with self-respect.
Against such a possibility it is our duty to take every precaution. The Republican Convention will meet on the -- of June. We have the honor, therefore, respectfully to invite your attendance at a conference of gentlemen independent of party ties, to meet at the city of on the day of June, to decide whether we can support the nominations made by the Republican Convention, and if not, to place before the people candidates of our own selection.
We have the honor &c &c
Friday, May 07, 2004
Opensecrets.org--Money in politics data: "'For a person of average means to get into this business is extremely difficult, because where do you go to raise that money?'
� Rep. Bob Borski (D-Pa.) ('Speaking Freely, 2nd Ed.' by Larry Makinson (Center for Responsive Politics, 2003))" You can now get campaign finance data updates via email from opensecrets.org. An interesting form of financing is being tracked, what they call "Indirect Expenditures":
"In addition to direct contributions to federal candidates, many party committees spent money on their own to influence elections. Federal rules govern these expenditures, and they must be reported to the Federal Election Commission. There are two kinds:
Independent expenditures are ads that expressly advocate the election or defeat of specific candidates. There are no dollar limits on independent expenditures, but in order to be independent, they must be made without any coordination with the candidate.
Party expenditures that are coordinated with candidates are coordinated party expenditures.
� Rep. Bob Borski (D-Pa.) ('Speaking Freely, 2nd Ed.' by Larry Makinson (Center for Responsive Politics, 2003))" You can now get campaign finance data updates via email from opensecrets.org. An interesting form of financing is being tracked, what they call "Indirect Expenditures":
"In addition to direct contributions to federal candidates, many party committees spent money on their own to influence elections. Federal rules govern these expenditures, and they must be reported to the Federal Election Commission. There are two kinds:
Independent expenditures are ads that expressly advocate the election or defeat of specific candidates. There are no dollar limits on independent expenditures, but in order to be independent, they must be made without any coordination with the candidate.
Party expenditures that are coordinated with candidates are coordinated party expenditures.
Thursday, May 06, 2004
The Buying of the President 2004 - The Center for Public Integrity: "WASHINGTON, May 6, 2004 � More than 1,300 registered lobbyists have given slightly more than $1.8 million to President George W. Bush over the last six years, according to a Center for Public Integrity study comparing the donations of all registered lobbyists from 1998 through March 2004. Sen. John Kerry received $520,000 from 442 lobbyists during the same period. "
There are several points in the Founding Principals of Reform of the Reform Party USA that addresses lobbying; how can there be any doubt, that lobbyists should not contribute to candidates, who will be subject to those same lobbyists if they are elected? Money donations say, "I think you will probably win, and I want you to remember that I helped you win. Therefore, in order to pay me back, you need to give my issues due consideration!"
Is this the business of the day for the world's only superpower? I believe our elected federal officials should be independent of contributors, lobbyists and advertisers in their deliberations over the good of our country. The same principal obviously applies to all other levels of government.
There are several points in the Founding Principals of Reform of the Reform Party USA that addresses lobbying; how can there be any doubt, that lobbyists should not contribute to candidates, who will be subject to those same lobbyists if they are elected? Money donations say, "I think you will probably win, and I want you to remember that I helped you win. Therefore, in order to pay me back, you need to give my issues due consideration!"
Is this the business of the day for the world's only superpower? I believe our elected federal officials should be independent of contributors, lobbyists and advertisers in their deliberations over the good of our country. The same principal obviously applies to all other levels of government.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Good Politics Radio - Real Issues, Real Candidates, The Hype Stops Here Here is radio-free politics-- only the candidates and government officials, and the listeners. Most broadcasts (paid) currently are 30-minute and 60-mins. -- no ads -- no mud-slinging (that's the rules!) -- and no hype. What a breath of fresh air! Listen in (if you don't want to broadcast yourself) live on the Internet!
Monday, May 03, 2004
t r u t h o u t - ISSUES Well, I was tripped; after taking a look at the "Links" section of WAC, Inc., they are decidedly Democrats! I apologize for recommending WAC earlier-- I am more concerned about the People's right to vote, not just one party's! Reformers are independent of the establishment, fighting the corruption inherent in today's system of government. We want to pave the way for the people to have a free path to their representatives, the people they decided to elect. There is no "left" or "right", but a system of accountability and responsibility in our governement.
Welcome to We ALL Count Inc.!: "WAC, Inc and the We All Count web site was created to serve as an online resource center to provide unfiltered information to voters about organized efforts to ensure that every vote is counted!
No more politicized purges of the voting rolls.
No more post-campaign machinations and legal shenanigans to manipulate and de-legitimize election results
No more polling places where citizens can't immediately verify and validate their votes. "
WAC is especially timely today, in its fight against non-verifiable electronic voting systems. Individual voters have a right to receive a receipt of their votes, as a check against the high technology of voting machines currently being considered regionally, across the United States.
No more politicized purges of the voting rolls.
No more post-campaign machinations and legal shenanigans to manipulate and de-legitimize election results
No more polling places where citizens can't immediately verify and validate their votes. "
WAC is especially timely today, in its fight against non-verifiable electronic voting systems. Individual voters have a right to receive a receipt of their votes, as a check against the high technology of voting machines currently being considered regionally, across the United States.
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