Bitterness, you say? How about a Unity Ticket and Cabinet to solve America's biggest problems.

John Edwards knew the way to One America. Would either of the remaining candidates please consult him?


by Karita Hummer

Cross-posted from: EENR Blog

http://www.eenrblog.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=922

Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 16:59:17 PM EDT
[edit diary]
The more I think of the conversation about Obama "bitterness" statements, about economically deprived Americans from small towns that have been forgotten, the more "bitter" I feel about my fellow Democrats, and the remaining Candidates included.

And, yes, Barack Obama, I did grow up in Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, on the edge of Appalachia. I worked for Bobby Kennedy in 1968, indeed, helped draft him, and I worked for John Edwards, exactly for the same reason. Because they cared and realized about the economic problems of Western Pennsylvania, the Rust Belt, and Rural and Urban American small towns all over America, West, East, North, and South (as in New Orleans), and they didn't need to go on a campaign trail to discover it. No, they went on the campaign trail to solve it and to reach out to the people, with utter respect and empathy.
Karita Hummer :: Bitterness, you say? How about a Unity Ticket and Cabinet to solve America's biggest problems.
Like John Edwards, I have been dismayed that Democrats have not had the backbone to solve poverty and economic woes in America, because largely both parties are too beholden to mega-corporations. Think of it, Richardson, now an erstwhile supporter of Barack Obama, chided Edwards for fomenting class warfare! Class warfare, you say, Richardson!! No, John Edwards truly empathized with the economically disadvantaged of our country, and came up with the programs to solve their problems. He knew the Democratic Party, the Party, folks, needs as much transformation as does the Country, and he was ready to deliver it. Now, Obama is making some discoveries about the conditions of economically disadvantaged Americans. Better late than never, I say, but give some credit, where credit is due, and maybe we can all join in the solution.

How about a Unity Ticket, calling it a Unity Cabinet Ticket, that includes all the candidates who worked so hard in this last campaign, two candidates at the top and identified cabinet candidates, as well. A real ticket that would include Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Biden, Dodd, Kucinich, Gravel, and yes, Richardson, too. And even Gore and Kerry, two winners of the two past elections, called as "lost". A place for everyone in the administration. Each has something to contribute, and each brings an important perspective. Give credit where credit is due, and maybe, just maybe, we can win and start solving the problems in America.

Let me see, it has been since 1968, that I have been waiting. That's too long and I am getting too old for this Western Pennsylvania born American!

Karita Hummer
Edwards Democrat

I call an Edwards Democrat, a Democrat with backbone.

Down ticket all the way down, building the Progressive Movement (and the Democratic Party) from the ground up!!

Cross-posted from two sites:
EENR Blog and Hobbs Community

http://www.eenrblog.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=751

http://hobbscommunity.ning.com/

Down ticket, way down, building the Progressive Movement (and Democratic Party) from ground up! (+)
by: Karita Hummer
Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 13:49:58 PM EDT
[edit diary]
Down ticket all the way down, building the Progressive Movement (and the Democratic Party) from the ground up!!

Today, is a quite lovely day in San Jose, CA, and I am preparing a fundraiser for one of the best down ticket candidates one could find, for Santa Clara County Supervisor, Richard Hobbs..

Now, Santa Clara County is known world-wide for the Silicon Chip and all that has gone with it. (Sadly, forgotten are the old orchards that made it the Garden of Heart's Delight some years ago.) What is not known maybe as widely is that we have lots of poverty here, too, many, many in the working poor (right alongside and in the shadow of the Silicon Valley giants) as well as discrimination, high rates of incarceration, pollution, and too much civic disengagement as well, because of how busy people are here running around in this valley industry, where the working poor hold two jobs (to the detriment of their children) and the working affluent work 60 - 70 hours + (to the detriment of their children.)

Now, here comes Richard Hobbs, running because of his strong advocacy for the working poor, for human rights and justice in all matters, the celebration and protection of diversity, for clean campaign money and transparency, for cleaning up our environment and for being a voice for peace in the world, from a County pulpit. In other words, Richard is for the common good. (Sound familiar, Edwards Democrats?)

It is imperative to get Richard Hobbs elected as County Supervisor in Santa Clara County, and all the other Richard Hobbs running for local offices, and on up the ticket. That is the way to build our progressive movement and to take our government back for the common good. Therefore, I encourage all Edwards Democrats, to look around at what (true) progressives might be running for City Council or County Supervisor or even County Party Councils and give them a boost by helping their campaigns. Thus, will we begin to take back our Party, and our Country. Think globally, act locally, and eventually, I believe we will prevail.
Karita Hummer :: Down ticket, way down, building the Progressive Movement (and Democratic Party) from ground up!

http://api.ning.com/files/JjPnuAgyZvXTohC*Glt-47WU7MnGgiG4HotVSmAgXFhprqkV99bk8aZg-9tLqQ9IdyBT913huZvCY*L5j9ayS9yFTRgJMbik/hobbs_logo.jpg?width=595&height=217&xn_auth=no&type=jpeg

Here is a recent Press Release from Richard Hobbs campaign:

Cesar Chavez Post-Holiday Alert:

Dolores Huerta, United Farmworkers Co-Founder
Endorses Richard Hobbs for County Supervisor

Community Leaders Follow Suit; Hobbs Leads in Finances

(April 1, 2008 -- San Jose, CA) - Richard Hobbs, a San Jose/Evergreen Community College Board Trustee running for the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County, announced today that legendary UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta has endorsed his candidacy.

Hobbs has met several times with the recipient of the United States Presidential Eleanor D. Roosevelt Human Rights Award and has championed the rights of farm workers, the working poor, women, minorities, immigrants and all residents of Santa Clara County for several decades.

He is the Director of the Office of Human Relations of Santa Clara County, replacing the late Jim McEntee who also supported farm workers and marginalized communities.

Hobbs Scores Community Support
Just as Mr. Hobbs is not new to community advocacy, grassroots community leaders are lining up to support him. These include community advocates in the spirit of Dolores Huerta like Jaime Alvarado, Sal Alvarez, Barry del Buono, Chava Bustamante, Martha Campos, Hon. Laura Casas-Frier, Tak Chang, Rosylin Dean, Marta Donayre, Akemi Flynn, Hon. Paul Fong, Hon. Jorge Gonzalez, Hon. Autumn Gutierrez, Amanda Hawes, Sam Ho, Raj Jayadev, Lisa Jensen, Dennis King, Richard Konda, Father Bill Leininger, Terry MCaffrey, Randy Okamura, Rosa Perez, Jim Potterton, Ted Smith, Emy Thurber, Terrry Trumbull, and Andrea Villasenor-Perry.

States Ted Smith, Founder of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition: "I've known Richard for more than 25 years and he is one of the most passionate, honest, and dedicated advocates for justice that I know. It is rare that someone of his integrity and guts agrees to run for office. We need to support him so that we don't miss this rare opportunity to elect a community activist who will make a terrific Supervisor."

Hobbs Leads in Fundraising
According to the latest finance reports filed last week, Hobbs leads District Two challengers in available funds by a nearly two to one margin. Hobbs is respected for his decades of community involvement, honest leadership and cultural sensitivity. Election Day in June 3, 2008.