Elaine Marshall visits Jane's Salon tonight at 7
Submitted by James on Sun, 03/21/2010 - 7:45am
As many of you know, my wife Jane has been hosting a monthly political salon for more nearly 20 years. This spring, we've had the privilege of visits from candidates for the US Senate. Ken Lewis was invited in January ... you can read my report on his visit here. Cal Cunningham was our guest in February, where we captured much of the discussion on BlueNC Radio, which was downloaded nearly 100 times.
Tonight we have the honor of meeting Elaine Marshall.
There are a couple of long gaps here ... technical snafus on my part ... but if you can hang on and get toward the end, you'll hear a great stump speech.
I will cover as much of the event as I can on BlueNC Radio, but will not be live-blogging the discussion. Also, I will be happy to ask questions that you have if you'll post them here before six o'clock.
- James's blog
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I'd love to get Elaine on the record
on Voter Owned Elections/Public Financing of Campaigns
and
on the Uniting American Families Act which would allow bi-national gay couples who are married or "permanent partners" the same ability to be together and to obtain lawful permanent resident status as straight married couples are allowed.
Live blog pick up
I'll get the podcast from Blog Talk Radio up soon, but in the meantime ... here are some notes from the conversation.
To a question about mountaintop removal:
I'm not keen on that. It's not the right way to go. Folks are talking about nuclear. I don't like that either, but it's not an option that should be taken off the table right now.
I'm not sure we can "reduce our way" out of the problem. America has to have incentives beyond "it's the right thing to do."
(Elaine got a good education on the topic of green energy from some of the salon regulars. She was an eager and gracious listener ... and understand the emerging role of the green economy.)
Cap and trade
I support it in concept, but am concerned about the people who would be adversely affected by the imposition of C&T policies. (She told a fascinating story about hog waste-to-energy patents ... very knowledgeable about this.) Would add incentive money to cap and trade legislation.
How would you deal with the deficit
We may need to increase the deficit in the short range in order to grow our way out of recession. Has proposed financial tax on certain transactions (flipping, hedge funds, etc.) ... this would generate $150 billion a year.
Entitlement
We have to look at SS retirement age. We have to have an honest conversation about the whole range of so-called entitlement programs.
Jobs
We have to protect public jobs. Department of State is up in terms of revenue, but in the broader sense, we're losing public jobs right and left. This has to be part of the safety net, since 1 in 7 families in NC are on food stamps now.
That's why I have proposed this financial transaction tax needs to go to rebuilding schools, infrastructure, construction. NC is among the best states and a willingness of collaboration for business incentives.
On farm subsidies
The subsidy system needs a big lookin' at. Our values are in the wrong place, subsidizing foreign corporations, and a ton of special interests. We need a farm bill that supports the values of this country ... sustainable, conservation trusts. There needs to be floor for certain crops. (Farm bill only comes up every four years.)
One person said he heard Burr talk recently and had no idea what the Senator was saying.
Conversation to shifts to education
Elaine's big on early childhood education. Big emphasis on teacher pay.
"We need a serious revision of our tax code. We're out of balance. The system to solve this problem is already in place in the GA ... but the GA doesn't have the will to do it. They're dancing in front of Judge Manning. I have seen Senators in caucus hear lawyers saying "we are going to lose this case." There is a disdain in the GA for judges. But the GA won't put money into this mechanism of their own free will.
Redistricting
Elaine called for redistricting. Says elected officials are greedy. No district should have a 65-35 split. We need more toss-up districts. When the election outcome is determined on the day filing closes, democracy is lost.
I don't see a lot of hope.
Voter owned elections ... public financing
I support this. There are still some things that need to be worked out. Need to rationalize Council of State and Judicial races.
How to make a dent in corporate funding
Change the Supreme Court. Require shareholder approval. Stand by your ad.
Overall impressions
Elaine is fantastic. High energy, smart, articulate, experienced. She took on a tough crowd tonight in Chapel Hill and held her own perfectly. A good listener, good stories, knows what she's talking about.
If she can beat Lewis and Cunningham, she can beat Burr.
She continues to impress
Could not agree more..and that comes from a Cal supporter. She does continue to impress, doesn't she?
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“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an exchange of ignorance" __ Robert Quillen
Glad to hear it went well
If folks missed it, Elaine had a diary on Daily Kos this morning:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/21/848552/-NC-Sen:-Finishing-th...
Awesome
Just went and added my rec & tip.
I'm listening to the blue nc radio right recording right now whilst working on a project from grad school. Most of my professors seemed to see spring break as an opportunity to assign even more homework/big projects... kind of missing the point of having a break, but so goes grad school.
I read James' summary and was happy to see Elaine supporting Public Financing of Campaigns. I hope she can ad a section on her website. As I said I'm still listening through on the radio recording, so I'm looking forward to listening to her specifics. I'm hoping I'll hear public financing addressed more broadly for elections at all levels when it gets to that part of the recording.
And I'm still looking forward to hearing back about Elaine's thoughts on UAFA as we discussed over on Pams House Blend. It was definitely nice to see campaigns participating over there too.
Finished listening
Didn't hear anything on public financing of campaigns, I guess that came in the after the recording. I must say that I am continually more and more impressed with her campaign.
While listening I was working on an assignment in my public budgeting class, and I came across in the budgeting course pack a chart called the "Organizational Chart of North Carolina State Government" and I noticed in bolded looking letters across the bottom it reads Issued by: Elaine F. Marshall, NC Secretary of State. And I thought I can't even do my homework without hearing about Elaine, so she must be doing something right! ;)
Ha!
That just made my morning!
It did come up later
After my allotted time on Blog Talk Radio had expired. She was clear in her support for VOE, but also said some changes needed to be made. She said differences between Council of State and judicial elections, for example, needed to be resolved.