Progressive Update--03/01/2007--Time to get back to work!

You may have thought that I dropped off the face of the earth, as I haven’t issued a progressive update for almost four months. It took awhile for me to return from cloud nine. Progressives had a slew of victories last November, however it is time to get back to work.

I asked two friends to share some information on the presidential candidates that they are helping, with their reasons, and with an invitation for how you can help:

Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is the most progressive candidate campaigning for the Presidency. More important, he is the only candidate so far to respond with definitive answers to the crisis that America and the world face today. He is the only candidate with the courage to favor an American single-payer health system despite opposition from powerful special interest groups. He is the only candidate with a realistic and comprehensive plan to end the war in Iraq. He is the only candidate with a vision for a world in peace - without war, poverty and hunger - taking the first step by establishing a federal department of peace to promote human rights, social justice, humanitarian aid. All of this could be done by proposing new policies and a change in direction for America. And this is not just campaign jargon -- it is evidence-based. To learn more and why we need your help and support, please contact Dr. Philip Pollner at leadcoal@aol.com or the Kucinich campaign at info@kucinich.us

In the middle of the recent snowstorm, two dozen hardy souls gathered at the first Delaware For Obama meeting. The immediate goals of Delaware For Obama are to publicize the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama for president, to connect with the national campaign, and to begin fundraising. For more information about Senator Obama and his innovative approaches to the challenges facing our nation, visit www.barackobama.com To find out about Obama events in our area, Sign Up and join in!

There are a host of top issues in Delaware state politics. One leading one is the resignation this week of the House Majority Leader, Wayne Smith. He plans to resign on March 12^th and start work as a lobbyist on March 13^th. That’s how Republicans work in this state. There will be a special election for his Brandywine Hundred district (the 7^th RD) as soon as March 22^nd, an extremely short timeline. As such, volunteers and contributions are needed quickly and desperately. To volunteer, call the DE Democratic Party at 328-9036, email Delaware@deldems.org. Checks should be made out to New Castle County Democratic Committee, and mailed to DE Democratic Party, PO Box 2065, Wilmington, DE 19899—you know that the Republicans are shoveling money into this race. We picked up three seats in the House from the Republicans last November, and we could really use this seat to get progress on issues such as healthcare in DE. The challenge is large, as the gerrymandering makes this district Republican-heavy, so your help is necessary.

Wind Power—Protests of ‘skeptic’ state climatologist notwithstanding, Delawareans know that global climate change threatens the planet, and we can make a giant step forward, with the possibility of approving a large wind-power farm off the DE seashore rather than yet another natural gas or coal plant. A public hearing is set for 7pm on Thursday the 8^th at the Carvel office building (and also 7pm on Tuesday the 6^th at Legislative Hall) for the Public Service Commission to discuss the three proposals. The decision is in the hands of three state agencies, and this could be your last chance to be heard on the issue before the decision is made.

Open Government—As a supporter of John Kowalko, I feel the need to respond to the accusations that John opposed open government by voting against House Bill 4. Knowing John, when I heard that he voted against an open government bill, I concluded that either 1) John lost his mind, or 2) the bill is not an open government bill. Looking at the details, I was comforted that John is still on the top of his game, and that HB 4 is what Republicans call an open government bill, just as President Bush has provided Clean Air and Iraqi Freedom and an act for patriots—yeah, right. House Bill 4 does not open a single meeting to the public—it is a feel-good bill, not a do-good bill. John voted against it to maintain the pressure on the legislature to pass real open government laws. Shame on the media, and most especially shame on a few blogging progressives for falling for the Republican spin—just because Republicans call HB4 ‘open government’ doesn’t mean that it is, and recognize that if HB4 was passed in January, it would enable the Republicans to resist any true open government legislation later this year..

Yesterday the House Republicans introduced House Bill 60, which rambles for four pages of legalese, and is supported by fewer than half of the House Republicans. Of course the House Democrats wrote the one-sentence House Bill 70 weeks earlier. This wonderful bill simply removes the exemption that the General Assembly has from the Freedom of Information Act. This is true open government bill, and is sponsored by two Democratic state senators and every single House Democrat, but not a single Republican. Please urge your state representative and senator to push for the passage of House Bill 70.

Lobbying Reform—The Wilmington News Journal has been reporting on the egregious state of lobbying in Delaware, with state Republicans monopolizing the wall of shame. Then just as John Kowalko introduces a House Bill 68 bill that, if passed, will bar a retiring state legislator from lobbying for one year, Republican state Representative (and Majority Leader) Wayne Smith retires and avoids the restriction. Of course John is not getting much help from fellow legislators in his efforts to restrict lobbying. At this point there are only two co-sponsors, state senators Peterson and Still. Please urge your state representative and senator to push for the passage of House Bill 68.

Equality—Senate Bill 10 would provide health and retirement benefits to domestic partners of state employees. Given that Delaware prevents committed same-sex couples from marrying, this is a necessary step towards equality. Please urge your state representative and senator to push for the passage of Senate Bill 10. Senate Bill 9 is still being worked on before its introduction. It is designed to make it unlawful to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation. It is astounding that it isn’t already illegal to fire someone in Delaware based on their orientation, and so this bill is necessary. Please urge your state representative and senator to co-sponsor, and push for the passage of Senate Bill 9.

Prison Reform—House Bill 71 today emerged from the House Judiciary Committee, and is designed to return the discretion of proper sentencing to the sentencing judge, repealing mandatory sentencing for drug law offenders. Mandatory sentencing was well-intentioned, however it has resulted in prison overcrowding, and the inability of the system to direct the best solution for each person (some need to go to prison, some to substance abuse programs, etc). For more information, go to www.surj.org. Please urge your state representative and senator to push for the passage of House Bill 71.

Holding Elected Leaders Accountable—Rebecca Young of the Progressive Democrats of Delaware shared the following. “DFA is offering another in their series of training programs, this one aimed at holding our elected officials accountable. I've taken several of these courses and I find them very worthwhile. You only need to spend an hour of your time, at home, in front of your computer. It's fun and you will learn something. So here's your invitation to Holding Elected Leaders Accountable: http://www.dfalink.com/register.php?c=e&id=&eid=18353 and the session is Tuesday the 6^th at 8:30pm.”

I’ll close with comments from Villanova professor Matt Kerbel, who offered the following comments to me after January’s State of the Union speech (he gets points for being able to watch Bush speak for so long without vomiting): Hi, Paul. Good to hear from you again! If Bush didn't have to speak last night, I'm sure he would have avoided it. He had nothing new to say about the one issue people are most concerned about and no accomplishments to flaunt. His speech, like his administration, was fundamentally dishonest. How can you talk about the state of the union in 2007 without putting Iraq front and center? Yet he waited until two-thirds of his speech was over, until he had plowed through a laundry list of domestic themes, before even mentioning the war. And when he finally got around to mentioning it he had nothing new to say, apart from acknowledging that this wasn't the war he wanted but we have no choice other than to see it through. There was no acceptance of responsibility for mistakes, no acknowledgment of the message of the last election -- that the public has given up on his war leadership. He ended by saying the state of the union is strong. An honest president would have acknowledged what people know anyway: that close to 70 percent of the country feels we are on the wrong track and that we have to change course. If people tuned in they would have immediately tuned out. But I suspect that many people stayed away, because the country has stopped listening to him.

I thought Jim Webb's response was on point. He essentially said the Republican Party has lost its bearings and if Bush doesn't change course, the Democrats will do it for him. It was a nice contrast to Bush's unrealistic statement that the state of the union is strong, and it foreshadows strong Democratic leadership in the months ahead. The new political balance of power was on display last night, and -- although we're about to enter a dangerous and difficult period -- it bodes well for a progressive future.

Progressive Update--11/09/2006--Great Job!!!

What a great week for this country. The entire country, liberals and conservatives, Dems, Republicans, Greens, Independents, etc, stood up and said that we do not accept corruption, incompetency, an imperial presidency, the status quo in Iraq, and an administration of lies.

This didn’t happen because the moon was in the right phase; this happened because of the time, talents, and treasure that we provided to many, many campaigns. Great job!!!

The campaign that I worked the most on was John Kowalko’s (www.johnkowalko.com) for the 25^th Representative District of the Delaware House of Representatives. He beat 12-year incumbent Stephanie Ulbrich, who beat him by 16% in 2004. John, who worked his tail off for two years, beat her by 4%. By the way, you can not find a more progressive candidate (now politician) than John Kowalko. His victory enables the Democratic party to come closer to reclaiming the lead in the Delaware House (we already have the majority in the state Senate).

I will finish with thoughts shared with me yesterday morning by Villanova Political Science professor and all-around nice guy Matt Kerbel, whom many of us heard provide a wonderful analysis in 2004. He frequently provides political analysis for Philly TV and radio stations. It is worth reading and savoring every word, several times:

Some sleep deprived thoughts the morning after. Our democracy works. They tried hard to break it but they couldn't. For all the resources the Republicans had, and for all their dirty tricks and lies, we won a sweeping victory with a governing majority in the House larger than anything the Republicans had during their 12 year run, and a majority of governors and state legislatures that will serve as our talent pool for a generation. When all is said and done, we're going to have the Senate too.

The House majority is large enough to be a governing majority and large enough to endure. A lot of Republicans have never experienced life in the minority. Look for more Republican retirements next cycle leading to more open seat opportunities. Combined with a favorable Senate map the next two rounds, we should be able to keep our majorities for a long time.

I believe this marks the beginning of the end of the Nixon-Reagan-Bush regime that has dominated our politics for two generations. For the first time since the Republicans briefly ran everything in the early 1950s, the governing majority in congress does not include the South. I believe we are seeing the emergence of a progressive governing coalition that will unite the coasts and upper midwest with the libertarian great plains and mountain west. It will take at least two more cycles to consolidate it. But it's starting to come together.

I was very disappointed about Lamont, but let's not forget that it was his primary victory over Lieberman that got DC Democrats to recognize that, you know, people are unhappy about Iraq. Only then did they start talking about it and drawing distinctions with Bush. That nationalized the election and made yesterday possible.

My strongest hope, and my firm belief, is that we will now have the national discussion about Iraq that was denied us by Republican rule. We will have hearings where the architects of this war will be compelled to testify under oath and in public about the way intelligence was manipulated to achieve a political end so that Americans can begin to accept this was an unnecessary war of choice thrust upon us by a corrupt and dishonest leadership. Because until we have the conversation about how we got into Iraq we cannot have the conversation about how to get out. There hasn't been much honesty in government over the past four years. That's about to change.

And as I watched us win across the country last night, vindicating Dean's 50-state strategy, I thought about the doors I knocked on in New Hampshire in 2003, the meetups, and all the grassroots work so many of us have been doing for so long now. You can trace yesterday's victory directly back to the day Howard Dean got up in front of the other presidential candidates in California and asked why his party was afraid to stand up to power. This isn't the end by a long stretch, but it is a turning point.

Paul S Baumbach

http://paulprogressive.blogspot.com/

Progressive Update--11/03/2006

Only four days to go until Election Day on Tuesday the 7^th. Please find out how you can help a particular candidate’s campaign over the next few days, or help Delaware’s Democratic Party (kdwyer@deldems.org). Kristin Dwyer at HQ can provide you with contact information for whatever campaign that you would like to help with, and opportunities for work for the entire party.

John Kowalko for 25^th RD State Representative—John’s staging area for volunteers is the UAW complex at 698 Old Baltimore Pike. Since polls open at 7am on Tuesday, poll volunteers are needed at—are you ready?—6:15-6:30am. John is looking for folks, even if they can best handle a two hour shift. The 25^th RD has five polling locations. John also needs phone bank volunteers on Tuesday, to call Democrats who have not yet voted. There are shifts from 10:15a-2:30pm and 2-6pm. You can also email John at kowalkoforthe25th@verizon.net to ask for other volunteer opportunities.

John Kowalko and other candidates need ‘poll checkers’, folks inside the polling stations who keep track of voting Democrats. This enables campaigns to call Dems who have not yet voted later in the day. To do this, you will need to go through training, which is on Saturday at 6pm at Del Dems HQ at 19 E. Commons Blvd, 2nd Floor, New Castle, DE 19720, (302) 328-9036, near the News Journal building near Basin Road.

Dennis Spivack for US House of Representatives—I am certain that they need volunteers, however I did not get information from them. For such information, contact Glenn Shipley at glenn@spivackforcongress.org, 153 E Chestnut Hill Rd, Suite 104, Newark, 302-479-7748

Beau Biden for DE Attorney General—Contact Sarah Gallagher at sgallagher@bidenag.com or cell phone 302.545.4365 if you can help. There are lit drops on Saturday from 9a-1p, and 1-5pm, also on Sunday at the same times. There is door-hanger hanging on Monday at 5:30pm, and a need for volunteers for 4 hour shifts on Tuesday. Biden HQ is at 918 S Madison St, Wilmington, at the Riverfront Shipyard Shops.

MoveOn has phone volunteer opportunities that Karen, a friend of mine, says is really snazzy. Go to pol.moveon.org/phone/volunteer/c4c.html for more information.

Donate—It is not too late to donate to your favorite candidates. Last minute contributions can help with last minute advertisements and phone banking. In addition to supporting Delaware candidates, consider helping Tester (Montana), McCaskill (Missouri), and Webb (Virginia). In each of these US Senate races, the Democrat is currently within 3 percentage points of the Republican candidate.

Yellow Dog Democrats—I recently heard this phrase as describing folks who would vote for a yellow dog who is a Democrat over a nice person who is a Republican. I can understand how this can be intended as an insult, however I feel that six years of W has effectively turned me into a proud Yellow Dog Democrat. To those who look down their noses at such partisan hacks such as me, I would point to the White House. How many moderate Democrats up for re-election is Dictator Bush helping to campaign? W, Rove, Cheney, Frist, Hastert and other have created this extremely divisive environment. Hastert and others covered up sexual abuse of Republican Rep Mark Foley, following the past lead of the Catholic Church (see no evil, …). Rep Castle and other Republicans backed a House rules change that would permit Republican Rep Tom Delay to remain Speaker despite his indictments of campaign finance lawbreaking. Republicans have circled their wagons tightly for six years. It is time to reap what you sow.

No honest Republican can fault Yellow Dog Democrats this year. Actually many Republicans are deserting the party in droves (either as candidates who are running as Democrats, or as voters who support new and old Democrats and reject today’s corrupt Republicans), as they recognize that the current Republican party has lost all moral direction and fiscal responsibility.

Keeping Track—I re-discovered the website www.electoral-vote.com, which does a wonderful job of keeping up with the surveys and projecting results (current results is 49/49 with 2 unknown in the Senate, and a whopping 241 Dems 193 Rep’s, and 1 Tie in the House, for a unbelievable pickup of something like 38 seats in the House by the Dems. Remember that the Republicans have been gerrymandering the districts and still are losing 9% of their House seats—what a revolt! Karl, how are you going to spin this?

Paul S Baumbach

Go to my blog at paulprogressive.blogspot.com for all of my past postings. I learned this week that the ultra-conservative folks at WDEL (on the ‘right side of issues’) and in Ulbrich’s campaign are reading my blog—I am honored. Read on—you might actually learn something, such as how fed up people are with commentators and professional politicians who have no idea how government can serve people.

Progressive Update--10/30/2006--LTE Anyone?

Only one weekend and one week to go until election day on Tuesday the 7^th. Please find out how you can help a particular candidate’s campaign over the next 8 days, or simply help Delaware’s Democratic Party HQ (kdwyer@deldems.org). Kristin Dwyer at HQ can provide you with contact information for whatever campaign that you would like to help with, and opportunities for work for the entire party.

I have an urgent need for someone, preferably in the 25^th RD (Stephanie Ulbrich/John Kowalko’s district) to submit a letter to the editor supporting John. I have a fully developed letter, if you are interested in submitting it (and you of course are welcome to customize it to your liking). Given that the election is only 8 days away, however, I need someone to come forward today or tomorrow for this.

If you like a particular candidate, submit a letter to the editor today or tomorrow, sharing in a short/sweet way why that candidate has earned your vote. You can make a big difference in swaying fence-sitting voters in the next 8 days. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=OPINION includes a section towards the bottom to submit a letter to the editor (LTE). I usually compose mine within a word processor (Word), until I like it, and then I go to the website and cut/paste it into their form. I would be happy to work with anyone to provide a second set of eyes for a LTE that you are working on—just send me an email.

Donate—It is not too late to donate to your favorite candidates. Last minute contributions can help with last minute advertisements and phone banking. In addition to supporting Delaware candidates that I like (and there are several), last week I contributed to Virginia candidate James Webb online in his Senate battle against George Allen. The House seems to be Blue on the 9^th, but the Senate is unknown, with four ‘too close to call’ races determining the balance.

Paul S Baumbach

Progressive Update--10/18/2006--Three Weeks and Counting

Forum—In a week, on Tuesday night from 7-9pm, our church (www.uufn.org) is hosting a forum for candidates for Delaware’s Senator, Representative, and the state Representative from the 25^th Representative District (John Kowalko versus Stephanie Ulbrich). I would really appreciate it if you are able to attend, and/or if you can spread the word. These forums work best when the audience is packed with good questions. This also provides you with a way to help your independent neighbor make their decision of who to vote for on November 7^th.

Countdown—The mid-term election is 21 days away. What will you do in the next 3 weeks to help Democrats reclaim the state House, the US House, and the US Senate? Do you have time to volunteer? Can you contribute some money to pay for signs, literature, advertisements? Do you have a yard in which to put up a sign? Times a wasting!

The New Castle Democratic Party is holding literature drops on October 19, 21, 24, 26, and 28, and phone banking on October 17, 23, and 29. For more information, contact Kristin Dwyer at kdwyer@deldems.org Kristin also has a signup sheet for many, many opportunities from November 4^th to 7^th, which I have attached. If you are able to help out, provide your interest and availability to Kristin. By the way, ‘drive time visibility’ is going to areas with high traffic during rush hour and displaying effective campaign signage (and a smile).

For information of how to help Dennis Spivack defeat Mike Castle for US Representative, contact Glenn Shipley at Glenn@spivackforcongress.org

For information on how to help Beau Biden defeat mud-slinging never-a-fresh-idea-in-his-life Ferris Wharton for Delaware Attorney General, contact Missy Owens at mowens@bidenag.com.

For information on how to help Mike Dalto defeat master-opportunist state Auditor Tom Wager, contact Mike at acrossthestreet2@juno.com

For information of how to help John Kowalko defeat lobbyists-best-friend Stephanie Ulbrich in the 25^th Representative District, contact John at kowalkoforthe25th@verizon.net

You can also contact Kristin, provide your home address, and have her let you know which county and state races directly impact you, and who to contact to help out.

Yes, I know that Democrats Tom Carper, Jack Markell, Terry Schooley, and Stephanie McClellan are running for election. I don’t consider any of them to be in danger of losing (two have no opponents), so I’d rather direct my efforts elsewhere.

Current Expectations—The New York Times current projects that the election will bring 49 Republicans in the Senate, 48 Democrats, with 3 undecided races (including New Jersey). It calls for the House to have 209 Republicans, 210 Democrats, with 16 undecided races (including two in nearby Pennsylvania (where Democrats Joe Sestak and Lois Murphy are working very hard). The ‘Iowa Electronic Markets’ makes a market in the odds for the houses of Congress changing hands. They currently project a 40% likelihood of the Republicans losing the US Senate, and a 65% likelihood of the Republicans losing the US House.

Contributions—If you haven’t yet contributed to a candidate’s campaign yet, why not? They only have three more weeks to get their message out, and this costs money. You can use the email addresses above to ask about contributing. It will be greatly appreciated. Last night I read one person explain that they voted ‘because Pat Robertson votes’. Why do I contribute to campaigns? Because Rush Limbaugh contributes to campaigns.

Films—My church (www.uufn.org) is running a film series. We will be showing TransAmerica at 7pm on Saturday 11/4, and What the Bleep Do We Know on Sunday November 19^th at noon (there is a chance that we’ll show Iraq for Sale in its place).

Global Water Needs--Troubled Waters, an hour-long documentary, will be aired nationally on ABC television beginning on October 22, 2006. It portrays some of the challenges faced by people and nations everywhere with regard to access to clean, safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. The film addresses the increasing privatization of water resources around the world and raises disturbing questions about who has access to this precious resource. "Water is a gift from God and a human right," affirms executive producer Wally Ryan Kuroiwa, "not a commodity available only to those who can pay for it."

This provocative film was shot in Africa, South America, the Middle East, and the United States, and is narrated by the legendary actor Lynn Redgrave. Some of the major air times are available at http://www.troubledwatersdoc.com.

Paul S Baumbach

Progressive Update--09/05/2006

Primary Election in a Week—Please vote in Tuesday’s primary election (9/12). One critical race for progressives is the race of Dennis Spivack against Karen Hartley-Nagle for Delaware’s long US Representative office. Karen is one of those ‘fusion’ candidates who has decided that even if she loses a Democratic primary, she will find another party to put her on the November ballot (echoes of Joe Lieberman). I strongly support Dennis, and am hopeful that enough Delaware Democrats vote for Spivack on 9/12 to convince the DNC that Dennis can seriously threaten Bush-backing Mike Castle in November that the DNC will throw its full support behind him, so Delaware can get three Democrats into Congress. Please vote and urge all of your friends to turn out next Tuesday for Dennis. To find out more about Dennis, go to www.spivackforcongress.com, or …

Progressive Barbeque—Join fellow progressives on Saturday afternoon (2pm to dusk), September 16^th, at Rockford Park, for live music, guest speakers, food, fun, and games. Dennis Spivack will be present to speak and to hear from you. Bring friends and family. I’ve attached a flyer to share.

Election in three weeks—If you live in Newark’s 3^rd district, please vote for your next city council person. I serve as treasurer for Sue Eggert. Sue needs your vote on the 26^th. Find out more at www.susaneggert.net.

Candidate Help—We hope to regain leadership in the Delaware House of Representatives by gaining six additional seats in November (six in ’06). Candidates who could use your support include whoever wins the three-way primary in the 4^th RD, Becky Walker (9^th RD), Francis Murphy (10^th), Michael Barbieri (18^th), John Kowalko (25^th), Robert Price (downstate in the 30^th), Robert Walls (33^rd), and Jeanine Kleimo (34^th RD). This is a great opportunity to find a progressive candidate in one of these close, critical elections, and pitch in and contribute to make a real difference.

I am supporting Beau Biden based on a single factor—the Florida 2000/Ohio 2004 presidential elections, when we saw what a Republican Attorney General can do to the electoral process. His run for attorney general could be close. To help, contact Missy Owens at mowens@bidenag.com.

State Volunteer Opportunities—Contact Kristin Dwyer (kdwyer@deldems.org) to find out opportunities to help in the next two months. There will be phone-banking, literature drops, events (parades, tailgates, etc) where support is critical.

Contributions—It is no surprise that Republican candidates outspend their opponents. We can help turn this by talking with our wallets, an uncommon progressive activity. Find a candidate that you believe in, and donate your time, skills, and money. It will be greatly appreciated.

Candidate Forums—My faith community (www.uufn.org) is sponsoring two candidate forums next month. On Tuesday 10/11 from 7-9pm, candidates for state Attorney General, Auditor, and Treasurer will participate in a forum. On Wednesday 10/24 from 7-9pm, candidates for State Representative (from the 23^rd and 25^th representative districts), for US House of Representatives, and US Senate will participate in our second forum. Please plan to attend and spread the word (see attached flyer).

Climate Change—Next Wednesday, 9/13, from 3-5pm Dr. Stephen Gardiner is giving a (free and open to the public) seminar at the UD Trabant Center room 010 titled A perfect moral storm: climate change, intergenerational ethics, and the problem of moral corruption. To find out more, go to www.dbi.udel.edu/ethics.html

Films—The 2^nd annual Newark Film Festival is later this week. Go to www.newarkfilm.com for more information. My faith community (www.uufn.org) is also running a film series. I’ve attached a tentative schedule.

Paul S Baumbach

paulprogressive.blogspot.com

Progressive Update--06/30/2006

A friend shared an article by Boston College political science professor Alan Wolfe in Washington Monthly, titled “Why Conservatives Can’t Govern” which can be found at http://www.washingtonmonthly.com The Cliffs Notes version notes that conservatives don’t believe in government, but worry about what government led by liberals would achieve, and so are committed to leading (and destroying) government. Wolfe cites 3 obvious examples of current conservatives’ hallmarks of breaking government: FEMA, Medicare, and Iraq. In each case it is hard to fathom how the mission could be f***ed up more than by this Administration. He notes that conservatives have been in the awkward position of leading institutions whose very existence they feel are illegitimate, and this is clearly a recipe for disaster.

Wolfe goes further to say that when liberals lead government, while they enjoy the fruits of power, they also try to use government to solve problems. Conservatives work to ‘build a political machine in which business and the Republican Party can exchange mutual favors; business will lavish cash on politicians (called campaign contributions) while politicians will throw the money back at business (called public policy).

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

On Saturday, July 29^th, we will have 100 days before the November 7^th election. I am hosting a Democrat Reunion, and I would welcome you to attend. I am hopeful that several candidates will stop by. Please RSVP at http://www.democrats.org/page/event/detail/thedemocraticreunion/4vxz7 . (If you don’t live near Newark, you can use the site to find an event near you.) I need everyone who plans to attend to RSVP, so the state Democratic Party can prepare a personalized packet for each attendee. It will include information that you can use to contact 100 households, 33 in person, 33 by phone, and 33 by mail (with the hundredth thrown in somewhere). My Reunion will be held from 1-2pm on Saturday July 29^th at Barksdale (Handloff) Park. You will be able to take your list and begin to contact voters that day and in the days ahead, going door-to-door in your own neighborhood, making calls, and writing notes. This is a national event, and it requires your help. It’s time to step up to the plate and help get the country back on track. Please sign up!

Liberals typically talk, write, read, and act freely, but give hesitantly. Campaigns require money, for mailings, signs, ads, and staffing. Please find one or more campaigns that matter to you, and give not only your time but also your money to help the campaign succeed. My last posting, from late May, included emails and websites for many Delaware races. I won’t repeat them here, however you can find them at my blog paulprogressive.blogspot.com You can of course also give to the national or state Democratic Party (or to political action committees such as MoveOn.

In the coming weeks I will obtain training and materials for letter writing to voters in Southeastern PA, to help the campaigns of two US Representatives and one US Senator candidates. When I know more I will pass it on.

I will also be looking for opportunities to go door-to-door in Chester County, again to help those same candidates. Again, when I know more I will pass it on.

If you live in Delaware, you can contact Kristin Dwyer (kdwyer@deldems.org) at the state Democratic Party headquarters, to find out how you can help Democrats in Delaware. She is very helpful

PARTING SHOTS

If you are like me, and occasionally flustered by the constant barrage of Conservative-Speak (war-on-terror, cut-and-run, etc), I encourage you to occasionally go to http://www.frameshopisopen.com which offers constructive, frames to use. I like the ‘stay and pay’ alternative to ‘cut and run’. They suggest focusing on the Waste in Iraq, an invasion which is horribly planned and executed by the Administration, and a tremendous Waste of our country’s assets (financial and human). The State Department in mid-2001 created a map of countries with active Al Quaeda activity. Guess which country wasn’t on the map—Iraq. We don’t have a War in Iraq, we have a Waste in Iraq. If the President and Congress cared about our soldiers, they would develop a strategy of intelligently deploying them.

I also like the rejection of the frame ‘war on terror’. Jeffrey Feldman (FrameShop author) celebrated Senator Russ Feingold noting that Presidents see themselves as protecting the Constitution, while Rulers see The Constitution as a challenge to their authority. That’s powerful. Yesterday the Supreme Court affirmed that the President, even in the time of a so-called-war, is not above the Constitution.

Let’s work on a simple campaign cry for November. How about: “Republicans, You Failed Us: in Iraq, with Katrina, and with Medicare—Step Aside!”

Keep the faith, and we will be able to make some strong progress this fall, with your help!

Progressive Update--05/26/2006

Things in the US often look quite bleak. What can YOU do? There are a lot of important races this year, both in Delaware and nearby, that can use your help.

In Delaware, there is a State Primary Election for candidates from the Democratic and Republican Parties for offices in county and state government. Races I keep an eye on include state Attorney General (Beau Biden), state Treasurer (Jack Markell), and Auditor (will someone PLEASE run against Tom Wagner, the opportunist jerk who is part of the problem in Christina School District?). Also, I’d like to see the Democratic Party maintain its majority in the State Senate, and would like to see it grab a majority in the State House of Representatives. This latter achievement will require a LOT of work.

Each campaign needs time, talent, and treasure. I have listed several area campaigns with contact information. Please consider how you can help in the coming months.

John Kowalko is running to be the 25^th District state representative (in the House), by running against Stephanie Ullbrich. For more information, email him at kowalkoforthe25th@verizon.net.

Pat Morrison is running for the Senate seat in her Brandywine Hundred district, against Catherine Cloutier. For more information, write to Friends of Pat Morrison, PO Box 755, Claymont, DE 19703.

Terry Schooley is running for re-election to her (and my) 23^rd district in the House. For more information, contact her at TerrySchooley@state.de.us or go to www.terryschooley.com .

Beau Biden is running for state Attorney General. There are three kickoff events on Thursday June 1^st to celebrate his announcement, as described in the attached invitation. Please RSVP if you wish to attend the one nearest you. You can also go to www.bidenAG.com .

Jack Markell is running for re-election as our State Treasurer. You can find out more at www.markell.org.

Diane Clarke Streett is running for re-election as county Register of Wills. Diane has done a wonderful job of spreading the word of how this department can help out, and has some wonderful resources. Go to www.streett2006.com for more information.

Dennis Spivack is running against Mike Castle for Delaware’s lone US House seat. Clearly the House needs such a strong progressive as Dennis. While Castle has helped Delaware in many ways over the years, his record of support for many of the White House’s agenda means that he has to go, and Dennis needs our help to make this happen. For more information, go to www.spivackforcongress.org .

Across the border, Bob Casey is running for the US Senate seat currently held by, brace yourself, Rick Santorum. For more information, go to www.bobcasey.com. While we would love Bob to have a more progressive view on reproductive rights, he is centuries ahead of Santorum.

If you live in Delaware, you can contact Kristin Dwyer (kdwyer@deldems.org) at the state Democratic Party headquarters, and provide your address, and she can provide you with a ‘walk list’, a list of your neighbors who are registered Democrats, and the materials to bring with you when you go to their doors, spreading the plans of the Democratic National Committee—a wonderful plan that stands in sharp contrast to the ‘crony capitalism’ program of the Republicans. The major platform for Republicans at this time is to ‘keep the Democrats out of control so we don’t have to answer subpoenas and tell the truth of the corruption in the past 5 years—the last thing the country needs is to know the truth!’

For a kick, go to http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html and find out where you stand on the political spectrum. Guess what—I’m a Liberal!

Keep the faith, and we will be able to make some strong progress this fall.

Paul Baumbach

Progressive Update--04/17/2006

Democratic Party—In about 2 weeks, on Saturday the 29^th, the Democratic Party is holding a National Neighbor to Neighbor Organizing Day. There are four events within 15 miles of Newark, including one that I am organizing. To find one near to you, go to http://www.democrats.org/page/event/search_simple, and enter your zip code. You can use that site to signup for any event, including mine. We are meeting at 1pm at Barksdale/Handloff Park, and will be going door-to-door in area neighborhoods, distributing materials from the DNC (Democratic National Committee), including a wonderful door hanger (see attachment). I also hope to have information on Kat Hutchison’s and Terry Schooley’s campaigns for distribution.

The country is finally recognizing the disastrous effects of W’s Crony Capitalism (compassionate incompetence). The country is now thirsting for an alternative vision, and this Organizing Day is a wonderful opportunity to help share this vision! Please sign up—we need you!

Katrine Hutchison—I am the treasurer for a good friend who is running for re-election to the Christina School Board. I am attaching a brochure with her vision and views of district matters. If you have any questions for her, you can email her at hutch60hook@comcast.net

Let either of us know if you would like a yard sign. If you would like to contribute for her campaign (we need to raise money for signs and brochures), mail checks made out to Committee to Reelect Katrine Hutchison to me at Paul Baumbach, 273 E Main St, Suite E, Newark, DE 19711-7331. Anyone in the Christina School District can (and should) vote on May 9^th. We appreciate your support!

Delaware Democrats—To keep up on news with the Delaware Democratic Party, including how they plan to gain six House seats (and the majority) in this November’s election, go to www.deldems.org regularly.

Terry Schooley is the DE State Representative from the 23^rd Representative District (on whose committee I serve). She is up for re-election this fall. If you would like to know more about her views, and opportunities to help her campaign, contact Mary Herr at mherr@udel.edu.

There is a fund raising reception and auction on April 30^th from 4-7pm at Timothy’s in Newark. Tickets are $35, and includes hot hors d’oeuvres & soft drinks (cash bar). The live auction begins at 5pm. Please see me for $35 tickets. This is run by four local representative districts (15^th, 23^rd, 25^th, and 27^th).

Kennett Area Democrats—For more information on this area group, contact Mark at ixtla_i@hotmail.com

Delaware Progressives—Joe Rupert’s group is gearing up to help with three US Congressional races, two in PA (“Kick Rick (Santorum) Out”) and one in DE (Dennis Spivak). This group meets on the 4^th Thursday at Newark’s Brew Ha Ha at 7pm. You can find Joe’s website at http://home.comcast.net/~jlarupert/ .

Progressive Democrats of Delaware—Their site is http://www.progressivedemsdel.com/. They meet the first Wednesday of the month at Dem HQ on Basin Road, and have wonderful speakers, and are also working hard for Dennis Spivak’s campaign to win the seat currently held by Republican Mike Castle.

Progressive Line—Ernie Lehman has a wonderful site at http://www.theprogressiveline.com/.

Blog—All of my postings are at paulprogressive.blogspot.com I will get this posted within a week.

Paul Baumbach

Progressive Update--03/18/2006

Katrine Hutchison—You know how sometimes karma bites you in the posterior? Well last year there was an opening on the Christina School Board. I have a good friend (her husband was my best man twenty years ago), Kat Hutchison, who lives in the sub-district with the opening, so I suggested that she throw her hat in the ring. Well, she was elected by the school board, and has been working her tail off ever since, including searching for the new superintendent (and voting against the recent poorly planned referendum). She is up for re-election this May 9^th, and I “volunteered” to be treasurer for her campaign.

If you have questions for her, email her at hutch60hook@comcast.net. If you would like to contribute for her campaign (we need to raise money for signs and brochures), mail checks made out to Committee to Reelect Katrine Hutchison to me at Paul Baumbach, 273 E Main St, Suite E, Newark, DE 19711-7331.

Anyone in the Christina School District can (and should) vote on May 9^th. We appreciate your support!

Delaware Democrats—To keep up on news with the Delaware Democratic Party, including how they plan to gain six House seats (and the majority) in this November’s election, go to www.deldems.org regularly.

Terry Schooley is the DE State Representative from the 23^rd Representative District (on whose committee I serve). She is up for re-election this fall. If you would like to know more about her views, and opportunities to help her campaign, contact Mary Herr at mherr@udel.edu.

The Nth annual 23^rd RD Democratic Spaghetti Dinner and Auction is THIS FRIDAY, the 24^th from 6-9pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark (www.uufn.org). Please see me for $10 tickets. Chris Coons will again be emcee’ing the auction. Having seen him emcee several of these, I consider his auctioneering to be on par with Robin Williams stand-up. Come join the fun and help raise money for the Democratic Party in Delaware in 2006!

Kennett Area Democrats—This group was very helpful in enabling us to help Kerry win in PA. On April 6^th, they are having their spring social featuring a talk by Russell Peterson, former governor of DE. For more information, contact Mark at ixtla_i@hotmail.com

Delaware Progressives—Joe Rupert’s group is gearing up to help with three US Congressional races, two in PA (“Kick Rick (Santorum) Out”) and one in DE (Dennis Spivak). This group meets on the 4^th Thursday at Newark’s Brew Ha Ha at 7pm. You can find Joe’s website at http://home.comcast.net/~jlarupert/ .

Progressive Democrats of Delaware—Their site is http://www.progressivedemsdel.com/. They meet the first Wednesday of the month at Dem HQ on Basin Road, and have wonderful speakers, and are also working hard for Dennis Spivak’s campaign.

Progressive Line—Ernie Lehman has a wonderful site at http://www.theprogressiveline.com/.

Delaware Liberty Fund—This political action committee surveys candidates on GLBT (gay lesbian bisexual and transgender) issues. On April 9^th from 4-6pm they are hosting cocktails with guest Lt. Gov John Carney. For more information, contact RobertDMartz@comcast.net

Molly Ivins—At http://www.progressive.org/mag_ivins0306 writer Molly Ivins shares a pointed view that the Democratic Party has a lot of work to do, with little progress so far.

Bill Moyers—He writes at http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/printer_022406A.shtml about what needs to be done to Restore the Public Trust.

Progressive Update--02/23/2006

Meet Your State Representatives—One of the foundations of the progressive movement is that government is accountable to the people (notice a slight deviation from the Bush Administration?) Well this is a two-way street—it requires that public officials are accessible, and that the citizens show up. I need YOU to show up.

Please try to join me on Thursday (the 2nd) at the Unitarian church in Newark (www.uufn.org) from 7-9pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only hear from some key state officials including the Lieutenant Governor and State Treasurer, but also interact with them face-to-face as humans, not as politicians and voters—no baby-shaking and hand-kissing here!

Lieutenant Governor John Carney, Treasurer Jack Markell, State Senator Liane Sorenson, and State Representative Terry Schooley will take part on a panel moderated by the Newark Post’s editor Jim Streit. There is a chance that Stephanie Ulbrich and Steve Amick will also join us. The panel will be followed by ‘meet and greet’ time. Do not miss this!

Both the Newark Post and Wilmington News Journal are likely to be there. There is a writeup on page 16 of today’s Newark Post.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE personally invite and urge your friends and family to attend. Thank you very much for helping us make this a success.

Election Year Update—I will be providing opportunities for you to help with three local national-level races this year, two for US Representatives and one for US Senate. This will include letter writing as we did in 2004 to Nevada (this time to PA and DE), door-to-door canvassing, and editorial writing. I have enclosed a handout with tips for successful editorial writing.

Enron Showing—The movie Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room will be shown on Sunday the 5^th at noon at the Newark Unitarian church (www.uufn.org ). Please join us.

Stem Cell Research—I understand from Representative Schooley that due to the pressure from the ‘a Rose and a Prayer’ group, the bill’s sponsor found that they did not have enough votes for passage, so the sponsor voluntarily gutted the bill. Democratic Representatives (such as Terry) had no real choice but to support the gutted bill (the little it accomplishes is better than nothing). We really need to get Democratic control of Delaware’s House!

Delaware Democrats—To keep up on news with the Delaware Democratic Party, including how they plan to gain six House seats (and the majority) in this November’s election, go to www.deldems.org regularly.

Kennett Area Democrats—This group was very helpful in enabling us to help Kerry win in PA. They are getting things started in 2006. On March 9^th, they are hosting PA State Representative Michael Sturla and Chester County Commission Andy Dinniman in a Town Hall style meeting. They will be discussing hot issues at the State and County levels, such as a marriage protection amendment and legislation disenfranchising voters. On April 6^th, they are having their spring social featuring a talk by Russell Peterson, former governor of DE. For more information, contact Mark at ixtla_i@hotmail.com

Delaware Progressives—Joe Rupert has a new website with a strongly progressive and national focus. You can find it at http://home.comcast.net/~jlarupert/ . Sandy Crossman has a posting discussing Framing developments (a link to “Time for Progressives to Grow Up”—how’s that for a teaser?).

Progressive Democrats of Delaware—Their site is http://www.progressivedemsdel.com/.

Progressive Line—Ernie Lehman has a wonderful site at http://www.theprogressiveline.com/.

Progressive Update--01/20/2006

DC Road Trip—Local activist and doctor Philip Pollner is helping to organize a bus trip TOMORROW to DC to talk with two US Representatives. They plan to meet with Rep. Castle in a last attempt to convince him of the necessity to vote against the budget cuts on Wednesday. They also plan to meet with Rep. Conyers to support his legislation for universal health insurance and new legislation for an affordable Medicare prescription plan for seniors. If you wish additional information on this please call Dr. Pollner ASAP at the following numbers: [removed for privacy reasons, contact me directly if you need it].

AfterShock Showing—The documentary AfterShock (www.aftershockthemovie.com ) will be shown on Sunday at noon at the Newark Unitarian church (www.uufn.org ). It covers the protests that accompanied W’s 2^nd inauguration 12 months ago. Please join us.

State of the DisUnion—The only way I can watch W speak is with kindred spirits (or with a barf bag). Consider hosting or attending a ‘Watch Party’ tomorrow night to watch the State of the Union speech with other progressives. Go to http://www.dnc.org/a/2006/01/watching_the_st.php to sign up.

Stem Cell Research—(Prepare for Paul’s ranting)—This month the Delaware House of Representatives showed that they have no backbone. Senate Bill 80 was the most reasonable and ethical bill you could imagine, carefully setting out guidelines for human embryonic stem cell research, to ensure that Delaware could be one of the leaders in this promising medical fields, with potential to find cures for such awful illnesses as Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis. The guidelines forbid embryos from being sold, and requires that only those embryos developed in fertility clinics, which would otherwise be destroyed could be used. Makes sense, right? It passed the Delaware Senate in June 14 to 7. Enter a lobbying group called a Rose and a Prayer which distributed roses to our Representatives, who apparently felt that it would be bad PR to vote in favor of a bill that helps our children and grandchildren. Clearly the Hare Krishnas missed out passing flowers to passengers at airports—to change minds they should have passed out roses in Dover! The House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 80 was approved 38 to 0, and so Democrats were as guilty as Republicans of caving to the lobbyists’ intimidation.

If you are as fed up as I, let your Representative know that they must represent Delaware better than their abysmal behavior this month if they would like to get your vote this fall. I believe that there is an opportunity when the House and Senate work on a compromise bill for the Representatives to step up and do the right thing here, and support ethical medical research to help cure diseases, and ensure that Delaware does not lose jobs in this industry to neighboring states New Jersey and Maryland who have approved such ethical standards.

Delaware Democrats—To keep up on news with the Delaware Democratic Party, including how they plan to gain six House seats (and the majority) in this November’s election, go to www.deldems.org regularly. By the way, they are now asking committee members to share what it means to be a Delaware Democrat. My first answer is to put ethical science, and our grandchildren’s future ahead of roses.

Delaware Progressives—Joe Rupert has a new website with a strongly progressive and national focus. You can find it at http://home.comcast.net/~jlarupert/ .

Progressive Democrats of Delaware—Their site is http://www.progressivedemsdel.com/ . They host monthly meetings, and also put candidates through an endorsement process to identify which Democrats are progressive (no DINOs for us, Democrats In Name Only).

Progressive Line—Ernie Lehman has a wonderful site at http://www.theprogressiveline.com/.

Blog—All of my postings are at paulprogressive.blogspot.com I will get this posted sometime this week.

Progressive Update--01/03/2006--Quick Update

Newark Home Depot—The Newark City Planning Commission is holding a public meeting tonight at 7:30 to discuss a change to the zoning of the land behind Fulton Paper in the Suburban Plaza shopping center, to permit a Home Depot. True Value in the Park n Shop center has a petition to sign if you are opposed to this change. Otherwise, show up tonite!

Progressive Democrats of Delaware—This group will be meeting on Wednesday night at 7PM at the DE Dems HQ in New Castle. Lt. Governor John Carney will be speaking, and after this there will be a 2006 Election Volunteer Training Program, to explore how we can prepare to be more effective with our time and talents in 2006. For more info, contact Rebecca at createrhy@aol.com

Stem Cell Research—Delaware Senate Bill 80 bans human cloning but promotes the ethical research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells. This type of bill has been defeated in the past in Delaware due to extensive lobbying by representatives of the Catholic Church. The only way to get this bill turned into law is to contact your representatives and newspapers by the January 12^th hearing date. Let me know if you would like to testify before the Delaware Senate on the 12^th. It won’t take much effort to be heard on this topic, and your voice can truly tip the balance!

AfterShock Movie—There is a free screening of documentary AfterShock which covers the protests that accompanied Bush’s second inauguration earlier this year. It will likely be held at the Newark Unitarian church (www.uufn.org) on (SuperBowl) Sunday 2/5/2006 at noon. Go to http://www.aftershockthemovie.com/ for more information.

January 11^th Forum—Due to scheduling conflicts, the forum initially planned for January 11^th has been postponed until February. At the forum we hope to see area state-level elected officials including legislators.

Paul Baumbach

Progressive Update--12/19/2005--Bush for Dictator?

Secret Wiretapping—Wow—what hubris! Our President has convinced himself not that he is above the law, but rather that he is the law. He feels that checks and balances may have been fine before 9/11, but are now archaic. We have learned of the US condoning and conducting torture, establishing secret prisons overseas, transferring prisoners to countries which specialize in torture. How is this possible? By the President considering himself to be our benevolent dictator!

Please contact your senators and congresspersons, and write to your newspapers. Demand that this President be subject to the same checks and balances as every US President since George Washington. Demand that US citizens receive the same due process that Bush claims our soldiers are fighting for in Iraq.

*** PLEASE DO THIS NOW! ***

Supreme Court –We have known clearly that Supreme Court nominations are extremely important. In addition to critical issues such as the constitutional support for reproductive freedom, the proper balance of corporations’ power (labor laws, environmental laws, anti-discrimination statutes, …), states’ rights (the right of Florida to miscount votes resulting in the installation of George W Bush as the current President), and several other top issues, we now see clearly that the US requires that Supreme Court justice nominees demand that the three branches of federal government are fully able to balance each other. Let us urge our Senators to add this to the list of questions for Samuel Alito. Also, let your Senator know that you expect (demand) their participation in a filibuster should it be necessary to block the nomination of a justice that will turn the clock back fifty years on citizen’s rights.

Almost There—In two weeks, 2006 will begin, and with it many important elections. Democracy is not a spectator sport. It requires your time, talents, and treasure. There are wonderful candidates, and rotten ones. Find out which is which, and help the good ones spread their word, and win in November. This email/blog will strive to keep you informed as to opportunities to help with progressives, and most often Democrats, in 2006.

Progressive Democrats of Delaware—Go to www.progressivedemsdel.org for more information on this group that is dedicated to helping progressive candidates advance within the Delaware Democratic Party. One such potential candidate is Dennis Spivak, who is contemplating a run for Republican Mike Castle’s Congressional seat.

Framing—I continue to monitor Jeff Feldman’s site www.frameshopisopen.com . I typically post under PaulB. The articles continue to be quite interesting, and Jeff has been adding more content lately.

Citizen Training—My church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark (UUFN), is hosting a monthly ‘citizen training’, at which we will jointly explore how to better learn about current events, and how to share our views with the media, and with elected and appointed officials. We are planning a Meet Your Representatives forum on Wednesday night 1/11/2006 from 7-9pm with representatives of state government (senators, representatives, and state-wide elected officials). We’ll let you know when the full slate is set. We are also exploring a bill in Dover on ‘open air redistricting’.

Progressive Line—Ernie Lehman maintains a great clearinghouse of local progressive news. Go to www.theprogressiveline.com for more information.

AfterShock Movie—There is a free screening of documentary AfterShock which covers the protests that accompanied Bush’s second inauguration earlier this year. It will likely be held at the Newark Unitarian church (www.uufn.org) on (SuperBowl) Sunday 2/5/2006 at noon. Go to http://www.aftershockthemovie.com/ for more information.

Stem Cell Research—Delaware Senate Bill 80 bans human cloning but promotes the ethical research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells. This type of bill has been defeated in the past in Delaware due to extensive lobbying by representatives of the Catholic Church. The only way to get this bill turned into law is to contact your representatives and newspapers by the January 12^th hearing date. Let me know if you would like to testify before the Delaware Senate on the 12^th. It won’t take much effort to be heard on this topic, and your voice can truly tip the balance!

Blog—All of my postings are at http://paulprogressive.blogspot.com/. I will get this posted sometime this week.

Paul Baumbach

Progressive Update--11/04/2005--It's Time To Stand Together

Please join us at my home on Tuesday the 15^th from 6-8pm for the Democratic Party’s National Organizing Kickoff.

For two hours you will be joined by others who are tired of President Bush’s ‘leadership’, promoting incompetent cronies, delegating decision making to lobbyists, party leadership by the ethically bankrupt, forcing our soldiers and intelligence agencies to conduct, and to outsource torture, fabricating a justification for the country to go to war, …, the list goes on and on, as you well know.

Whining about it won’t change a thing. Come to this meeting to learn of the Democratic Party’s plans for turning the tide in the US, to grab back the Senate in 2006 from Bush’s Yes-men. There will be a conference call with Governor Howard Dean at 6:30pm.

Bring a beverage, or some chips, and plan to have a great, energizing evening.

Go to http://www.democrats.org/page/event/search_simple to find an event near you. To sign up for my event, go to that site and enter 19711 (my zip code) and you’ll find it. If you can’t make the drive to west Newark, ORGANIZE ONE YOURSELF by going to http://www.democrats.org/page/event/create

I will also happily accept and pass on donations made out to the Democratic Party on that evening.

Progressive Update--10/21/2005

Approval Ratings—Yes, America hates Georgie, and feels hoodwinked into having believed that he had some leadership skills. I read that some moderate Republicans consider W to be ‘radioactive’, and are working hard to distance themselves from the White House (and DeLay, and perhaps Frist). As a strategist, I would have preferred the Republicans to have taken longer to see how awful this President and party leadership has been, and to have a wonderful tailwind for a Progressive advance in the 2006 Congressional elections. Oh well.

Harriet Myers –I am so torn here. I think that she would be an awful Supreme Court Justice, for many reasons. However, as a pragmatic progressive, do I think that we’ll get a superior choice should she be shot down in the Senate? Actually, I think that it is time for progressives of both parties to stand up and say Enough is Enough, President Bush. Stop sending us your buddies who are not qualified for the post. Send us someone who can do the job. Send us someone other than Harriet Myers. If indeed she is voted down and Georgie nominates a more qualified, but even less progressive candidate, then we can let the American public judge, and let the Republican Party decide whether they can risk being associated with such a divisive candidate.

2K and Why—Vigils are planned to mark the 2,000 US soldier’s death in Iraq (tracked at icasualties.org). Go to www.paceminterris.com for information on local vigils (no information is there yet as there have only been 1,993 deaths so far.

What Next—Be asking yourself how involved you want to be in 2006, as we grab seats in Congress from Republicans who have rubber-stamped the awful policies of this White House. If we do nothing, we will be telling Congress that we don’t care about the crap that they have been doing, and I care. How about you?

Progressive Democrats of Delaware—They meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm at the Delaware Democratic HQ. Go to www.progressivedemsdel.org for more information.

48% Club—Their Yahoo Group’s calendar lists the monthly Common Cause of Delaware meetings. The next one is 11/14/2005 from 7-9pm

Framing—I continue to monitor Jeff Feldman’s site www.frameshopisopen.com . The articles continue to be quite interesting, and Jeff has been adding more content lately.

Citizen Training—My church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark (UUFN), is hosting a monthly ‘citizen training’, at which we will jointly explore how to better learn about current events, and how to share our views with the media, and with elected and appointed officials. If you are interested, the next session is at UUFN (420 Willa Road, Newark, Delaware) from 9-11am on Thursday 10/27 (next Thursday). We are hosting a Meet Your Representatives forum on Wednesday night 11/9/05 from 7-8:30pm with representatives of Newark City Council, Christina School Board, and New Castle County Council. We are also exploring a bill in Dover on ‘open air redistricting’.

Progressive Line—Ernie Lehman maintains a great clearinghouse of local progressive news. Go to www.theprogressiveline.com for more information.

Walmart Movie—There is a free screening of ‘the Walmart movie’ at UUFN (www.uufn.org) on 11/13 at 12:30pm. Go to http://action.bravenewfilms.org/event/wm_screening.jsp?event_KEY=5916 for more information.

What it Means to be Progressive—There is a free speech by Ruy Teixeira (Center for American Progress) on 10/25 from 6:30-8:30pm in Wolf Hall room 100 at the University of Delaware, sponsored by campusprogress.org.

Blog—All of my postings are at http://paulprogressive.blogspot.com/. I will get this posted on Monday.