One year later: Where has the magic gone?
At a time when the Democratic Party is taking a lot of heat from the left I felt it an appropriate time to state why the party still has my support. On the local level, we have just this year narrowly elected a democratic, progressive, & first openly gay mayor of Chapel Hill by about 100 votes (& there were other democratic wins across the state in November). On the statewide level the Democratic Party fought off the anti-marriage equality constitutional amendment keeping North Carolina as the only southern state without one. On the back of democratic legislators & signed by the governor we passed the anti-bully bill (which included lgbt kids, something the republicans strongly opposed) by just one vote, & we passed the comprehensive sex ed bill. And the governor used her first veto to keep transparency in government. On the national level it’s a little more dicey, but given the options, the democratic party is the better one. Sure my preference is to end the wars sooner than later without more troops, but the building capacity plan to get out on the 2011 time-table (a word progressives fault for & conservatives opposed during the last administration) isn’t completely unreasonable.
And I prefer stronger health care reform, but 30 million new people insured, more focuses on preventative medication, letting young adults stay on their parents insurance so they don’t lapse with college/finding work/probationary period, & other reform parts is still a step in the right direction. And I’d like more to be done on the national level for lgbt equality, but we’ve had proclamations, appointments, efforts related to immigration & HIV, and hate crimes legislation passed, with legislators likely to take up ENDA next year & a very public promise from the President to end DADT. Under this administration we’ve got a president that respects international climate change and environmental efforts & and EPA willing to regulate towards that end. We’re respecting the Geneva Convention again, not torturing any more, & Guantanamo Bay is being closed.
When I compare this to the options on the other side, like republican Senator Burr who is anti-choice & pro-constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, who voted against the anti-rape amendment & considers domestic violence a pre-existing condition, then I feel strongly that I have picked the right party and that now is the time to pressure & support our elected officials to do the right thing. With a little hope & a lot of hard work, I think we can keep our party not perfect, but striving towards its better self. The hope we experienced last year was something that came from us, not from candidates, and it is up to us if we want to feel it again. Last year it involved a lot of hard work campaigning, now the hard work comes in the form of making calls, writing letters, and speaking out to both pressure & support our party to move it in the right direction. If we want the magic back, we have to make it, and be willing to accept it.
With such a close mayoral vote by a margin of only around 100 votes, with statewide legislative votes that hang by the thread of a single vote, and with the republicans being one vote shy of being able to hold up absolutely everything in the US Congress, now strikes me as a time where losing any democratic supporters could cost dearly.
I’m sure we could make a list of bad things and corporate influences for both parties too, but I feel like there is only one party where you can make such a long good list, and for that, I still have hope. I know by writing such a diary I'm inviting responses to become a list of those bad things, but I'd ask each responder to think of & post at least one action of their democratic representatives from anywhere in the local, statewide, or national level that you do feel good about. I’m looking forward to seeing President Obama’s first official State of the Union address, and I’m excited about the upcoming 2010 senate race with possibility of Elaine, Ken, and Cunningham bringing out that best Democratic spirit once again.
BlueNC is dedicated to making North Carolina a more progressive and prosperous state. If your intention is to disrupt this effort, please find somewhere else to express your opinions.
Like?
Comments
I liked the diatribe, Jake
Is it just me or does there seem to be a general distain now in just about all of America for politics in general? With all of the fierce rhetoric and political battles that we have seen this past year from cap and trade to tax reform to marriage rights to the mother of all issues (health care reform), news media and commentary and blogs all across our nation teem with negatives about all politicians from both parties. There seems to be a feeling that we are not getting much bang for the buck from any of our leaders, especially in Washington. And, after watching what happened in the Senate during this health care reform mess, I can not defend against that feeling. We have the "party of NO" on one side and the "party of get it done at all cost even if it means shady deals and ignoring what the people in America want" on the other side. I fear that if this mood progresses, we will see a great deal of apathy in the next election and like it or not, that could be a problem for the democratic party in North Carolina.
Democrats who have stood out
I can't point to specifics, these are just my positive impressions
Good list
I think if we make lists of negatives we'll see people from both sides of aisle, but if we make lists of positives that we can feel good about, then we'll find a lot more D's beside the names than R's. And I think that can help us rediscover the magic.
My Problem
Jake, my problem is with this: "On the local level, we [the Democratic Party]have just this year narrowly elected a democratic, progressive, & first openly gay mayor of Chapel Hill by about 100 votes"
I think that the parties ought not be involved in these non-partisan local races, especially since it was clear that the Democratic Party did not support ALL Democrats running in the non-partisan race. Sure, do GOTV activities, but the all parties ought to stay out.
Second, you laud a double standard. Did Mark or his opponents make being gay a campaign issue? I don't think there was any mention of it, other than the flier one opposing candidate had that made an indirect reference. If it was not part of the campaign as an issue, why do you point it out now as a victory? Let's move beyond it.
fhblack
Not so indirect
it lists all the candidates and has check marks besides names for which ones are a "gay rights activist" & only Mark is checked. And a list for which one have families and Mark's wasn't checked, which yeah he doesn't have any kids at this time, but his husband, mom, dad, were all helping out, his sister was his treasurer, his brother-in-law was canvassing with us and going to campaign events, & Elmer is dog posed for photo ops that made it into the paper, but of course he doesn't have a real family. And the flyer wasn't self contained, it started getting discussed by people, maybe on the local radio, on blogs like orange politics & pams house blend, and was even mentioned in a national lgbt paper The Advocate. If Mark doesn't have a family, then who is that standing by him during the swearing in ceremony?
During the campaign Mark gave a speech at Pride, passed out campaign stickers, and was the parade marshal, and during the campaign supported the idea of diversity in government leadership. But even if Mark hadn't supported equality, and an opponent hadn't tried to point out that he is gay/doesn't have a real family, I would still consider electing someone that is progressive and openly gay to be a good thing. Chapel Hill is the largest city in NC to ever elect an openly gay mayor which is a big deal considering the general attitudes in NC & the south as a region, big enough to get mentioned on national news like the advocate and the Rachel Maddow show... so I'm not going to just "move beyond it." I know you supported a different candidate, but can you think of an example of positive actions taken by the democratic party on any level? I did ask in the opening blog post that anyone who wants to respond negatively to at least include on positive example if they could: "but I'd ask each responder to think of & post at least one action of their democratic representatives from anywhere in the local, statewide, or national level that you do feel good about"
And maybe I wasn't clear before on this point, but I am happy we elected the democratic & progressive candidate, not the democratic party got involved in local politics because they weren't directly involved. They did post a list on their website of who the democratic candidates were, but they did that for every local race in town, even when there more democratic candidates than seats available.
Thanks,
but you are missing the entire point. Did Mark ask voters to elect him to be the first openly gay mayor of Chapel Hill? Of course he didn't. He is a friend, and yes, I supported a different candidate. That's possible to do without it being personal, by the way. It is a victory for Chapel Hill that voters (small number that participated, sad to say) elected someone because they felt he would be the best mayor, not to prove a point related to his sexual orientation. That's the "victory" you ought to be praising.
When Howard Lee was elected mayor of Chapel Hill in May, 1969, his race was a major campaign issue, and an obvious fact. Very different circumstances in 2009.
As for the Democratic Party support, it was significant, especially on the campus. Call it what you want but the party support made a difference.
fhblack
I'll give you that one
the UNC Young Dems did endorse Marks campaign, and some of them attended events organized by the campaign to rally students, and some of them did their own thing to support the campaign. But they did so after hosting a debate with all the candidates, and using that to make their decision. And UNC Students are hardly party elite given that most of them have only been young adults for a year or two, and while it may be some level of partisan politics, I still like the idea of more student interest and involvement in elections.
Endorsement
I'm pretty sure that the Orange County Democratic Party did not endorse anyone in the Chapel Hill election. At our annual breakfast, Czajkowski spoke, as did Kleinschmidt. Personally I think that our local party is pretty good at following rules, and that was supposed to be a non-partisan race. I did hear several of the candidates speak at a neighborhood meeting, where they self-identified as independents or Democrats. The party did disseminate information and some GOTV, I believe, but there were no endorsements to my knowledge.
And, Jake, I love your original post!! Thank you.
-- ge
Besta é tu se você não viver nesse mundo
https://plus.google.com/101467996658104595560/about
Well,
one Democrat, one unaffiliated and two Republicans; is an endorsement necessary?
So why is Mark's election a victory for the Democratic Party and the Gay Rights movement? That was the original question. His election was a victory for our process and that's what the story should be.
fhblack
Can't it be both?
This was posted by Mark on his blog which became his campaign website a while back, but I feel that he was following in the foot steps of a local civil rights leader:
I think everyone is missing the point here
Who really believes that the voters that did vote in this election in Chapel Hill did not know that a gay person was on the ballot?
Isn't that the real point here?
Why does anyone have to put their sexual preference in the front and center when running for political office?
Ability and qualifications are the reason to vote for a candidate whatever party they lean toward.
I agree that qualifications
are what should be and what was actually voted on, but can still celebrate this rare occurrence of having such a person with a voice in a position of leadership.
But I understand if this isn't something everyone counts as a personal win, as someone who worked on the campaign though it was to me (nor was it my intent to make this thread about a single election). And that is why I asked everyone in this thread to share thoughts one democratic elected officials and their actions that they have been proud of anywhere from the local to national level.
No doubt, Jake
I wasn't taking away from the importance you put on his sexual preference and the significance of the fact that he was elected regardless. Sorry if I came across that way.
I totally agree with what you're saying.
No worries
your message came through clear =)
The Dems didn't endorse
The Dems didn't endorse anyone, however Mark's victory is a victory for the LGBT community and progressives as well as Dems. It is a victory for all because 1, it is hard for gay men and women to get elected should it be no, but it is look at the DSCC snub to Jim Neal in the primaries. 2 he is a Democrat any Dem who is elected regardless if the election was partisan or not is a victory and he is a progressive (the most important part) so a victory there as well.
He isn't the right choice because he is gay a dem a progressive however, he was the right choice because he was the best choice.
The First Year
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/1/1/820494/-Where-we-were,-and-where-...
Thought this was a pretty good overview of what has been accomplished in the first year.
President's First Year
accomplishments:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/19/805925/-90-Accomplishments-of-P.......
"Professor Watson writes
Hi friends,
I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.
As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
Robert
1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51. Lower drug costs for seniors
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54. Improved housing for military personnel
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57. Increasing student loans
58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60. Established a new cyber security office
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66. Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
86. Held first Seder in White House
87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!
b
Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.Coordinator of American Studies
Lynn University"