Put Ken Balut on the Democratic primary ballot

Written by: Ken_Balut on Feb 7, 2009 6:08 AM EST

Linked to groups: NJ for Obama, Essex Freeholder Watch, Framing Committee, Ocean County DFA/PDA, Hudson DFA

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America, Balut for Governor

Go to http://balut4governor.blogspot.com/

Download a petition to put Ken Balut on the ballot in the June 2 Democratic primary election.

Circulate the petition among friends, neighbors & any other Democrats registered to vote in New Jersey.  Be sure to read the directions and closely follow all instructions.

When the petition is complete, the person who circulated it must sign a certification in the presence of a notary (TD Commerce Bank provides notary services free). 

Completed petitions, signed by the circulator and notarized, may be returned to Ken Balut at 359 Bruck Ave, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861.  We are asking volunteers to return completed petitions by February 15.

If you require assistance, please call the campaign headquarters at 732-762-8455 or send an email to kenbalut@gmail.com.

A message from a four-legged friend.

Written by: Commissioner Richard Renner on Jan 20, 2009 7:28 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Louisiana, DFA Passaic County , Democracy for Riverside, SW Portland DFA (Downtown), J&S Bean Factory

Mitzy is a two year old Brittany Spaniel/Chocolate Lab mix.  She is a wonderful dog who loves to play, especially fetch, and loves to go for rides in the car.  She knows how to sit, shake and heel. 

Mitzy's family loved her very much.  They had her spayed, as all responsible pet-owners should, and took her to the Vet for the least little problem.  Mitzy was a member of the family, and when a member of your family is sick, you take them to the doctor.

However, about six months ago, the father of Mitzy's family lost his job.  The result was so financially devastating that they could no longer afford to care for Mitzy and were forced to surrender her to the Missaukee Humane Society.

Given the exponential descent of our economy, Mitzy's story has become all too common.  But, there is something you can do to help.  Missaukee Humane Society (MHS) is a small shelter in rural northern Michigan, dependent on contributions to continue their mission of mercy.  They are one of the only no-kill animal shelters left in Michigan, and are currently running on a deficit, at full capacity.  Many mornings, the staff arrives to find abandoned pets, left overnight by owners who can no longer afford to feed or care for them.

Right now, MHS is attempting to win a $10,000 prize from Adopt-a-Pet.com.  Please, can you spare 30 seconds of your time to vote for MHS, by clicking on...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

$10,000 could save literally hundreds of abandoned pets - Pets that give us nothing but unconditional love in exchange for an occasional pat on the head, a squeaky toy to play with, and a couple of bowls filled with food and fresh water.

Because MHS is in a rural, sparsely populated area, they need as many votes as possible from all across the state, and all across the country.  Please vote now at...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

Time is running out, so please don't wait.  The contest ends January 31, 2009, at 11:59pm.  After you vote, you will have an opportunity to forward information about the contest to as many people as possible so that they can join you in this worthy cause.  Vote, spread the word, be a voice for the voiceless...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

I thank you, and Mitzy thanks you.

The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world—the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous—is his dog…

 - George Graham Vest, American lawyer and politician, 1830-1904

Can you spare 30 seconds of your time to help save abandoned pets?

Written by: Commissioner Richard Renner on Jan 4, 2009 10:30 PM EST

Linked to groups: Progressive Democrats of Cambridge - DFA, Minneapolis Democracy for America, Atlanta DFA, DFA Miami Valley, Democracy For Arizona

As our economic crisis continues to worsen, some of the most vulnerable among us can not speak for themselves - Unwanted and abandoned pets.  Missaukee Humane Society (MHS) is a small shelter in rural Northern Michigan, dependent on contributions to continue their mission of mercy.  MHS is one of the only no-kill animal shelters left in Michigan.  They are currently running on a deficit, and at full capacity.  Many mornings, the staff arrives to find abandoned pets, left overnight by owners who can no longer afford to feed or care for them.

Right now, MHS is attempting to win a $10,000 prize from Adopt-a-Pet.com.  Please, can you spare 30 seconds of your time to vote for MHS, by clicking on...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

$10,000 could save literally hundreds of abandoned pets - Pets that give us nothing but unconditional love in exchange for an occasional pat on the head, game of fetch, and a couple of bowls filled with food and fresh water.

Because MHS is in a rural, sparsely populated area, they need as many votes as possible from all across the state, and all across the country.  Please vote now at...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world—the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous—is his dog…a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that had no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

 - George Graham Vest, American lawyer and politician, 1830-1904

Happy Thanksgiving from Missaukee County (Michigan) :)

Written by: Commissioner Richard Renner on Nov 26, 2008 7:30 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy 4 The Palm Beaches, L street Progressives, DFA Film Club, Democracy for Riverside, DFA HQ Grassroots

To all my friends at Democracy for America,

May your Thanksgiving be filled with Love, Faith and Laughter.

Best wishes,

Richard Renner

Missaukee County Commissioner-elect

Membership Chair, Missaukee County Democratic Party

“Strange is our situation here upon earth.  Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose.  From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know:  That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy.  Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”

 - Albert Einstein

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices..." - Democrats.com

Written by: Commissioner Richard Renner on Nov 17, 2008 9:41 PM EST

Linked to groups: State of Oklahoma DFA, Mercer County Democracy for America, Henderson NV Democracy For America, Emerald City DFA, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP)

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices...Local and state offices have an enormous impact on our lives, and also produce our future national leaders..." - Democrats.com

CHALLENGE: ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT to raise $380! Help the only Democratic County Commissioner in Missaukee County (Michigan).

On Tuesday, November 4th, history was made in Missaukee County. I was fortunate enough to defeat a Republican incumbent for County Commissioner in the second most Republican county in the state of Michigan. However, as with many campaigns, I have debt to pay off, and several final expenses to pay. I need to raise $380 in 3 days. Can I count on you? Making a contribution is easier than ever. Just click on the link below, and make a secure, online contribution using PayPal...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=rrenner%40core%2ecom&item_name=Friends%20of%20Richard%20Renner&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY MID-MICHIGAN DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA (MMDfA)!

“Richard REALLY knows his stuff and has specific plans for improving his county.”

As I was quoted in our local daily, the Cadillac News, following my victory...

"The voters...have made a determination that the status quo is no longer acceptable, that we expect more accountability, greater openness, and transparency in county government."

Please, help me pay off my debt by raising $380 in 3 days. Just click on the link below, and make a secure, online contribution using PayPal...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=rrenner%40core%2ecom&item_name=Friends%20of%20Richard%20Renner&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

Victory '10,

Richard Renner

Missaukee County Commissioner-elect

"...public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people...with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration."

- Margaret Chase Smith, U.S. Senator from Maine, 1949-1973

Symbols to the World

Written by: Eric Weis on Nov 7, 2008 12:27 AM EST

Linked to groups: Pequannock DFA, DFA County Committee Project, The Passaic County Green Party, DFA Passaic County , DFA New Jersey

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Millions of words, media images and ideas are in the ether.  Americans have been asked to rate what President-elect Obama should do first.  On the theory that lives count more than words, here are two big ideas.

1.  Send Joe Biden to Egypt and the Sudan, along with a team of selected Grassroots activists.  Deliver a clear message to the family of Ahmed Al-Mirghani, Sudan's former President who died yesterday in Egypt.  Express the condolences of the American people.  Then meet with Sudan President al-Bashir and promise aid if the Darfurian aggression is stopped in 100 days, or promise military intervention (with a beefed up African Union) if hostilities continue.  The Janjaweed are troublemakers and can be snuffed out - and stabilize an oil supply at the same time.  In other words, America can deliver a message immediately that the USA will no longer countenance genocide.

2.  Send Colin Powell to Cuba, along with a team of selected Grassroots activists.  Open negotiations on the normalization of relations between America and Cuba.  Go to Guantanamo and deliver a closing plan to the base commander.  Transfer the inmates to US prisons in Florida, and convene trials with legal representation.  Apply "triage" - execute or incarcerate the criminals, release and repatriate those judged innocent.

These two actions will not bankrupt the US treasury, will not empower our enemies, and will remove some of the talking points used by terrorists.  They are symbols much like the Boston Tea Party, the Emancipation Proclamation, or the launch of the first Mercury missile with Alan Shepherd riding in a small capsule on top.

An Obama administration would get much "bang for the buck" by starting out in this manner.

- Eric

The Train is Not Far From the Station, Now

Written by: Eric Weis on Oct 30, 2008 2:55 PM EDT

Linked to groups: BlueWaveNJ, DFA County Committee Project, DFA Passaic County , The Passaic County Green Party, Pequannock DFA

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

If you are like me, you are a nervous wreck approaching Election Day, now 113 hours away as I write these notes.

The polls have consistently been showing a red, Democratic advantage. But somewhere down deep, after two nail-biting (stolen?) elections, it is hard or impossible to believe that the American neo-Conservative agenda that has held the world hostage is now on the verge of going down to defeat.  The ghosts of Alf Landon, Tom Dewey, and yes, even John Kerry, haunt this election.

For a historical perspective:

1936, Alf Landon was predicted to beat incumbent FDR by a whopping margin, 57 to 43 points.  That poll was published on October 31st, based on 2,000,000 postcards submitted to The Literary Digest.  The poll was wrong.  FDR was returned to office.  Remember that it was the time that storm clouds were brewing in Europe.

1948, NY state Governor Thomas E. Dewey was ahead of unpopular incumbent Harry Truman by 5 - 15 points leading up to the election. And yet on election day, Truman eked out a 5% win against Dewey (with Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond collecting 2% of the national vote).

2004, John Kerry.  The polls and predictions gyrated in the week leading up to election day.  In the four days leading up to 11/2/2004, the lead changed two times with Kerry on the bottom on 10/30, then on top 10/31 - 11/1 and then losing by a hair on 11/2.  But a close analysis of the strength of Kerry's support reveal that the states clearly in his column never exceeded 146 electoral votes.  Bush maintained a consistent and growing lead in "strong" EV throughout the entire period.

What lessons can be learned from these ghosts?

(1) The incumbent has fantastic power and appeal, when people go into the voting booth on election day.  The incumbent represents safety and security in an electoral process that always reaches the height of argument on Election Day. It is easy to revert to casting a vote for the President you know.  In 2008, there is no incumbent in the race (not even a Vice President, nor a President's son).  So throw this effect right out of the window. It is not relevant now.

(2) The strength of EV (based on predicted vote margin) can be a good measure of outcomes.  At the moment, Obama is considered to have 254 "strong" electoral votes, not quite enough to get to 270 (only 16 away) and down from his peak of 264 strong EV.  The difference is Wisconsin, where the race seems to be tightening (10 EV).  It is now in the "leaning Democratic" column. Obama's strong numbers have been fairly consistent for the past week (254 - 264). On top of his strong numbers, there are 121 weak or barely Democratic EV to be collected from nine states.  McCain would have to "run the table" of these states to take away the 16 needed by Obama to get over the top.

On the other side, McCain's strong EV has been trending down over the last week, from a high of 134 to 118 as of today.  He has lost Arizona and Mississippi, now leaning Republican, but not sure.  Who, in their right (Republican) minds would ever have imagined close races in McCain's home state, or in the heart of the Red South?

Well, I am the eternal pessimist. I have to force myself to adopt an optimistic viewpoint.  But with 113 hours to go, unless a huge late October surprise erupts to unsettle Americans and take their minds off the economy, it sure looks like the Blue Train is going to get into this station first, on Track #1.

Meanwhile, for a look at how the Conservative punditocracy is reacting, here is a Huffington Post column featuring George Will.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/george-will-castigates-mc_n_139210.html

Tonight, I make phone calls to Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado or wherever else the campaign wants me to call.  I hope that readers of these blogs, essays, are going out to do the same thing.  Keep your head down and pump for the finish line like you are Usain Bolt trying to set a new world record. 

And if you by any chance remain undecided, just imagine what your children will say when they ask who you voted for.  Our kids, the young of America, strongly want Barack Obama to be their next leader.  A Presidential poll by the Weekly Reader (which has been successful 12 out of 13 times in the past) shows that kids in grades K - 12 believe Obama will win in a landslide, 55 to 43%.  That poll has been said to reflect the views of people in their own homes, speaking in front of their children.

Think positively.  Reject fear. Isn't that how kids naturally act?  We could take a lesson from them.

- Eric

The Tax Attack - Deja Vu All Over Again

Written by: Eric Weis on Oct 28, 2008 12:20 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Pequannock DFA, The Passaic County Green Party, DFA County Committee Project, DFA New Jersey, BlueWaveNJ

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

This evening, listening to the rain-delayed World Series game, a McCain campaign ad played on the radio.  It ought to make the middle class shiver with fear. Of course, that is its purpose.

In the ad, the two principal claims made are that (1) Obama is going to tax anyone earning $42,000 or more, and that (2) Obama and his liberal cabal are getting ready to spend $1 trillion and drive our country further into economic hell.

So, I researched it and here is what I came up with on the $42,000 claim.

So, John, please run that by me again. Who is going to be raising taxes on the middle class? 

As for Obama's dreaded $1 trillion dollar spending binge....

Gee, John, where are you going to find this money?  You aren't going to tax the wealty or business, are you?  Perhaps a national sales (VAT) tax?  Middle class, forget about Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.  Hang on to that coal around Halloween. We may need it to heat our homes.

Whoever the next President is, he is locked into a federal government which is already spending way beyond its means.  And who got us into this pickle?  A 40 year graph of national debt as % of GDP, shows that our debt% increased under Reagan, Bush41, declined under Clinton and then resumed its climb under Bush43.  It is now approaching 72%, rivalling the post World War II levels around 1950.

The debt will continue to increase.  One candidate (the blue one) is saying that he won't tax the middle class and the facts seem to bear him out. The other nominee (the red one) is saying that the opposing candidate (the blue one) will rape the middle class, because he (the red one) cannot talk about his own disastrous economic policies. Finger pointing is the only strategy left.

It's really just the old shell game.  Is McCain moving those shells quickly enough, or can we still tell which shell has the nut under it? I've been watching the shells, and am picking the blue one, because it seems to have stayed in pretty much the same place during the entire game.

- Arctic Eric

Security and Compassion, Who's On First?

Written by: Eric Weis on Oct 24, 2008 11:53 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Pequannock DFA, BlueWaveNJ, DFA County Committee Project, The Passaic County Green Party, DFA New Jersey

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

It may surprise you to know that I am not a total progressive, if by that term is meant having an almost total aversion to war.  I believe in justifiable war.  I despise wars which are executed poorly.  We had no business getting into Iraq, but once we were there, we should have done the job right.  Get in, get out and have a Marshall Plan with plenty of chocolates and chewing gum.

So now McCain is focussing again on the security issue.  It may be the only card with any value left in his hand.  Here is my take on it.  It is my belief that Barack Obama will be a Richard Nixon in reverse.  Nixon was able to open up China, despite his personal flaws (which in retrospect pale in comparison to present administration).  I believe that Obama will be surprisingly tough.  His father, grandfather, mother and maternal grandparents were all made of very stern stuff.  So is he. Otherwise Obama would not be in the position he is in.  Unlike midshipman McCain, Barack Obama had no father or grandfather to pave his way.

McCain's latest attempt to exploit Joe Biden's comments on security are just that - an attempt.  Biden could be right about a possible challenge to our security in the first term.  But it is equally possible that there will be no challenge as the world catches its breath. And it is also possible that an Obama presidency would start off with a demonstration of toughness (in Afghanistan, Pakistan or elsewhere). 

The presence of an ex-Navy flier in the White House does not in and of itself preclude a challenge.  It can be argued that there are forces in the world which would be happy to force limited conventional war upon the US, to stretch our already strained military as a way to bring the Empire down more quickly.  In any case, our allies have clearly demonstrated a preference for an Obama administration.  It is logical that they too want improved global stability and security.  A volatile, argumentative, irritable US President is not reassuring, and may well be an ingredient for reduced security.  If you are a terrorist and want more war, and if you feel that you are winning the war of will, then an impulsive fighter in the White House is an answer to your prayers.

Security is only part of the current news cycle.  The Palin/McCain campaign is exerting pressure on the old theme of compassionate conservatism.  It is said that they will repair the failed Bush agenda by funding it.  Hmmm, and just how does that impact a federal budget? So it is not only the Democrats who will spend us into silly oblivion, now we can rest assured that the compassionate GOP will also go for the gold.   But if you shout DEMOCRATIC SPENDERS long enougn and loud enough, the mud sticks.  We just need to hose it off and, with it, expose the rust underneath the new Republican facade - just a re-run of old tactics.

Those tactics intertwine with Sarah Palin's baldfaced attempts to exploit her own child. This has accelerated in the past few days.  It used to be that pols kissed the babies in the crowd. Now she sells her own baby to the crowd.  Words cannot express my feeling about that.  Family ought to be private and insulated.  Do we see Obama milking his grandmother's ill health, speaking to the press?  There is SUCH a difference.  One is cheap.  The other is class.

And why was Palin not talking about autism on day one of the campaign?  Why must she show her Toddler at every photo op?  Mention their love at every speaking opportunity?  I want to see Sarah and Todd Palin in 10 or 20 years, as they deal with the problems of autistic teenagers and young adults.  Tell us how much you know about this subject then.  Not now. Sarah, you don't know jack. Not yet.

Returning to policy, when Palin says they will spend $3 billion a year for five years - does that not fly in the face of John McCain's contention that he will take a hatchet to the US federal budget?  What is the McCain position on health care in general?  It preserves most elements of a private system, one that is not working for millions of Americans.  It is nice to see some compassion emerge from the McCain/Palin ticket, but it is too little, too late, and certainly ingenuous.

What's more, Palin is only now parroting Obama when she says, this is not a matter of budget, it is a matter of priorities.  She has finally got something right, but why vote for the copycat when you can vote for the original on the other ticket?

Finally, John McCain is trumpeting his defense of the middle class to just about every person in Pennsylvania.  He says that Obama will put the middle class through the wringer.  The Keystone State should be filled with sensible folk who can figure out who the true members of the middle class really are.  Hint:  It is not the ones with eight houses/investment properties, private jets, $150,000 wardrobes and $20,000 in cosmetics on the campaign trail.

For my money, this is turning into John the Obfuscater talking to Joe the Plumber.  John's reality is stuck somewhere between his head, his heart and his mouth.  Somewhere down deep, he knows how many houses they own, and how nice it is to fly in the private jet.  But these facts are frozen way down deep so that they never come out into the open.

It is my hope that a lot of plumbers know a clogged drain that is backed up with sludge when they see one.

- Arctic Eric

Dismal Science Blues - Whose Economy Do We Want?

Written by: Eric Weis on Oct 22, 2008 3:10 PM EDT

Linked to groups: BlueWaveNJ, The Passaic County Green Party, DFA County Committee Project, Pequannock DFA, DFA New Jersey

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Economics, also known as the “dismal science” is a subject of consternation to many.  The word economy conjures up notions of a grand financial scheme, or some idea of thrift, cheapness or efficiency of action.  My very first economics course (40 years ago) defined economics as the study of the allocation of scarce resources to the satisfaction of infinite demands.

For example, there is an infinite demand for health because human beings wish to live as long as possible.  Some even dream of immortality through cloning, cryogenics or other means.  But the resources are finite.  Our bodies wear out and our life-spans are not limitless.  Medical science resources allocated to satisfying this infinite demand are also not infinite.  There are a certain number of doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals, and a limited number of clinics, hospitals and drugs.  So, ultimately, healthcare must be allocated.  The entire healthcare debate can thus be viewed as a subset of economics.

In the setting of this definition, our current Presidential choices offer very different views.  One pretty much parrots the old “supply-side” school of economics based on the Laffer curve (google it) and the disciples of Milton Friedman.  The emphasis is placed on monetary (not fiscal) policy, and goodness trickles down from the wealthy to the rest of us.  Among a growing number of economists, who have been studying mountains of data, this approach has largely been discredited.

The other fellow is focused on the distribution of income, how it has become skewed towards (tilted in favor of) the wealthiest segments of society.  History has shown, time and again, that horrible imbalances in wealth tend to unglue civilizations.  At some point, the more numerous have-nots rise up and re-balance the scales of wealth in some manner.  Often, violence and revolution is involved.  Ask the House of Romanov, if you can find anyone left these days.

If you cannot tell which candidate reflects the old way of thinking, and which one points to a true change in economic policy which returns power to the middle class, then just click the link below to see Barack Obama addressing an audience in Florida on the economy yesterday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7682664.stm

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