Petition writing - 101

Draft a generic letter/petition to be presented to a specific, local office seeker stating that he/she will secure votes only by demonstrating that he/she can campaign and serve without the backing of business/corporate money; PAC money; or, Special Interest money.

By demonstrating this to a “group” (block) of like-minded voters, he/she will get the grassroots, boots-on-the-ground, door-to-door campaign support he/she would need to win. This may take the form of demanding a maximum dollar amount be arrived at as a cap. It will definitely take the form of a very firm, demonstrative local voice.

This proposal is definitely “local” in nature. It will be designed, planned, and executed on that basis, because small steps such as this are what WE can get done and have the best chance for success.

There are State legislative openings next Fall (2012), and a few dedicated campaigners in the right spots can get things moving in the right direction without the need of “big” cash.

We all have computers, e-mail, printers, and two feet that need some exercising. If group “B” sees group “A” getting motivated, group “B” is more likely to fully engage. From there it’s a matter of the domino effect, and needs only to be kept on target through the election cycle. Keeping things “simple” seems produce desired results fairly efficiently.

 letter / petition:

 Dear  (Candidate)

We, the undersigned, will promise to vigorously campaign for you in your candidacy for (Specific Position). We will do this at no charge to you, or any of your representatives, and/or Political Action Committees.

We will ask from you, in return, that you will run a campaign devoid of any Corporate donations; devoid of any general fund, or Political Action Group/Committee donations; absolutely devoid of any Special Interest group donations that you may have traditionally relied on for funding. We will garner the strength of your constituency in raising enough monetary funding to get the job done.

We will definitely set a cap as to just how much we will commit to raise, and, thereby, also set a cap that we would expect you to limit your spending to. It is our contention that, if enough of your constituents contribute time, transportation, desktop publishing, campaign literature distribution, and cash, you will be sufficiently represented in your campaign for (Specific Position).

We hope that in agreeing to run such a campaign, you can prove that a true “grass roots” organization can get you elected to the office you seek. This is an attempt/proposal that will lead to getting the big money out of campaigning for public office. It will show that, if you can do it, then it is possible for anyone else to follow in your footsteps. We will get your constituency to sign on. Can we get a similar commitment from you?

We would very much like to hear your thoughts on this avenue of approach. Please get back to us via which ever means is convenient for you.

Thanking you in advance & looking forward to opening this discussion,

This is the message we want to send to your opponent:

“Get the money out of politics and keep it out….or you’ll be out!”

Two Lesbians Raised A Baby And This Is What They Got

What's the reason for opposing this again?

{click this link to watch the vidoe}

http://front.moveon.org/two-lesbians-raised-a-baby-and-this-is-what-they-got/?rc=fb.fan.2

My comment on the content of this video. Also, realize that this guy is 19 years old!

“And, here I'm looking at the last five postings in "comments" saying they are "flagged for review". Folks, its 2011. Can anyone tell me why we're even having this conversation anymore? Anyone??

Are we not all simply human beings? As such, I have the understanding that we all think a little differently; we all worship a little differently; we all have varying political views. This is what makes us all wonderful creators. And, in the end, don't we all have share some things in common that really need our undivided attention right now? I think we do, and I hope we can put diversions like "same sex marriage" in the "DONE" file, and get on with righting that which is really wrong in our society and politics. We owe our kids, and their, and all the kids to come our very best efforts to hand down a legacy of society, economics, and politics that works for them.”

Okay, one last rant before tasting the turkey!

"Picking bones......."

Now, I’ve got a bone to pick with what is undoubtedly my favorite cable news outlet. MSNBC has held itself as close as possible to the true meaning of Journalism as any of the popular cable news outlets (yes, including CNN). It hurts the eyes and ears to witness a gradual drift away from Journalism into the the realm of tabloid style reporting. Spread the blame evenly from the producers, the editors and down to the delivery units; aka, Chris Mathews, Rachel Maddow, Dylan Ratigan, Ed Schultz, Lawrence O’Donnel, et. al.

At a time when our National house of cards is tumble down around us, there seems to be an awful amount of air time devoted to truly secondary and tertiary issues. Not that Women’s rights and the proper categorization of pizza vise-a-vie school lunches are not real and important issues, I simply feel very strongly that there are a few more pressing issues to deal with and to report on. And, I don’t mind these outlets for self promoting their content and celebrity presenters. But, when Chris Mathews has the gall to say that, of course, reporters don’t want to be regulated, they just want everything and every body else to be regulated, I have to shake my head and say to myself, “What the f#*k?”

I tell you what, Mr. Mathews, how about we regulate news casters, news presenters, talking heads, etc. by separating the true Journalists from from the likes of you and a handful of your cronies there at MSNBC, and elsewhere. In the true sense of adherence to Journalistic credo, let’s regulate the categories by which your “news” is produced, edited, and delivered. A quick trip to the dictionary will solve this argument without doubt. And, while I’m on the subject, let me remind everyone that Journalist are only supposed to report the news, not actually BE the news. Secondly, a true Journalist will allow those being questioned to actually answer the question without being interrupted by a self-promoting talking head. You simply cannot have this issue be a one-way street. Plus, its damn rude to interrupt and/or shout over someone trying give a cogent answer to a question from a “reporter”/ “journalist”. Didn’t your Mother tell you its not nice to interrupt? I’m most certain she did, as did mine.

And, where is it written that your questions have to include a complete encyclopedic preface? Please, God, keep it simple and you’ll be surprised at wealth of information you get in return. I know you love to hear hear yourself pontificate, but please confine it to privacy of your own environment, and don’t waste our time having to hear it ‘ad nauseum’.

At a time when we all need to get back to the basics, you have a bully pulpit from which you can make a positive difference. Please use it toward that end.

Call me old fashioned, but what the Hell has happened to the GOP of old? The GOP that always seemed to have a firm grip on foreign affairs and foreign policy has totally disintegrated; vanished into thin air. I have seen no evidence of anyone related to the Republican Party who has a clue to what’s going on in the rest of the world. I’ve got to say that the Democratic Party has “eaten your Lunch”. And, what is with this three ring circus being offered up as the best of in show now running for the Presidency? You have got to be kidding me. There simply has to be some deep, dark reason for all this buffoonery! There must be a “snake in the Grass” just waiting until the very last moment to come riding in on a great white steed to save the the day ( and the Party). For the life of me I can’t come up with just who that might be. Does the Republican Party really think they can rally popular support for any of these clowns? I can only guess that these so called candidates didn’t get the memo on “no kid left behind”. Maybe they thought that pizza really was a vegetable in the school lunch program. That deep, dark, bottomless abyss I have been referring to is looking more like our new reality every day now.

<a little drum roll, Maestro?>

My street “cred” has peaked! I foresaw this popular uprising we now know as “OWS” a year and and a half ago. The fact that it has remained relatively peaceful is a great testament to the true meaning of the movement. Whether you agree with it, or not, you cannot deny it is starting to have the desired effect. Sure, its going to take some more time, but I get a very strong feeling that the 1% have felt a disturbance in the force. The walls of their universe have been breeched, and some very arrogant, powerful folks are starting to feel the heat coming off the street. ‘Viva la revolution!’ Its been a long time, but we finally know who the enemy is and we have engaged them. Its going to be fun watching them fall.   

TRULY GREAT GOVERNMENT IN ACTION!

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE OUR WONDERFUL “GANG OF 12”, “SUPER COMMITTEE”, “DEFICIT REDUCTION SUB COUNCIL TO THE VICE ADJUDICATION CAUCUS OF THE ENTIRE CONGRESS OF US” IN WISHING THEMSELVES THE HAPPIEST OF ALL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS. IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT THEIR GREAT WORKS IN RECENT DAYS AND WEEKS DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED, OR UNREWARDED. TO THIS END, I IMPLORE THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE,  FORTHWITH,  TWELVE CHEQUES, NOT LESS THAN $1,699,000.00  (DOLLARS, U.S.),TO EACH VOTING MEMBER OF THE AFOREMENTIONED GROUP AS A BONUS STIPEND FOR THEIR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

HAVE A NICE DAY!     

P.S.: IF ANYONE OF THESE TURKEYS GETS RE-ELECTED, I WILL PERSONALLY OPEN A CAN OF WHOOP-ASS ON ANYONE WHO VOTED FOR THEM!

In Response to All Those Bent On Grading Our President.

“Grading Obama”: I have had the opportunity to live my past sixty-two years under thirteen Presidents. The first three Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy, I really have to discount due to my age. That leaves ten men who felt very strongly they could and would make a difference in our American way of life. I have had the benefit of hearing what they needed to say to get elected, and what they ended up saying once they assumed the Office. In each, and every, case the campaign rhetoric was vastly different from the actual day-to-day words and direction.

The truth of the matter is that politicians, at any level, will say what he/she feels necessary to win their election. Our Current President is no different, and for any of us to expect differently is a mistake in judgment on our part. Perhaps, instead of destructive, negative criticism, we owe it to ourselves and our President to make certain that people in this Country, and around the World, know the incredibly difficult tasks President Obama has had to undertake, and how successful he has been.

Obama’s first three years have been frought with obstacles; all of them legislative in nature. He has been able to overcome a Legislative Branch full of “nattering nabobs of negativism” (S. Agnew), and pass into law items that his predecessors never could. If he is defeated next November, he will be be remembered as a President who actually got things done.

Has he accomplished all that he promised on his campaign trial? No! Has he tackled agenda that does now and will affect most of what he promised on his campaign trial? “You betcha”(S. Palin). This is 2011. I can’t believe that we are having anything close to a conversation regarding the color of anyone’s skin; let alone that of our President! Unfortunately, we do still have to endure the curse of racism in this Country. I don’t think we have the luxury of dwelling on that right now. Our Ship of State is taking on water, and our Captain needs all of us to get with him and bail it out.

Posted  @ The Root.org, 11/22/2011, in response to an article by By: Alexander Heffner|Posted: November 20, 2011 at 12:18 AM, an interview with Princeton Proffessor,Eddie S. Glaude Jr.