Teddy Kennedy's seat should be filled by a Democrat

Call Massachusetts for Martha Coakley! Go to: http://www.marthacoakley.com/get_involved/Neighbor-to-Neighbor


Getting Martha Coakley elected is paramount on my mind this weekend. Isn't it unthinkable that Scott Brown, committed to blocking health care reform could have even the remotest chance to fill Teddy Kennedy's seat in the U.S. Senate. Right wing extremists are said to be putting tons of money in tho this race against Martha Coakley. We can't let them get away with their false tea party antics. For real democracy, and real social justice let's ensure a win for the Democrat, Martha Coakely.


http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs042/1102051919009/archive/1102945783472.html

Karita Hummer
San Jose

On Unity: My Letter to Howard Dean

Coss-posted from EENR Blog
http://eenrblog.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1872
On Unity: My Letter to Howard Dean
by: Karita Hummer
Fri Jun 27, 2008 at 13:25:55 PM EDT
Gov. Howard Dean is coming to San Francisco, apparently hoping to find and encourage unity for the Democratic Party. This is an admirable goal, I believe, but in my opinion, unity has to be inclusive to really work.

Here is my letter to Howard Dean.

Dear Gov. Dean,

United, as Democrats, we could not only win, but even more importantly, govern together, admirably. However, in Party unity, there must be true inclusion, of ideas and positions and leaders, the strains of which I hope would be accepted as strong, viable, identifiable and vibrant themselves, each capable of adding and contributing much to the whole. We need not only a Unity ticket, but a Unity Cabinet and a Party Unity Council of some sort. A united Party leadership should include and make room for wise, experienced, knowledgeable and capable Party Elders and contributors and thinkers like: John Edwards, Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, T erddy Kennedy, Governor Howard Dean, Al Gore, Mike Dukakis, George McGovern, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson, Mike Gravel, Donna Shalala, David Bonior, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Russ Feingold and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.. Such a list of recognized leaders with their own following is at once respectful and potentially a harmonizing force for the country.

Also, there should be room for true grassroots inclusion, with a real vehicle for democratic participation at the grassroots level. John Edwards had marvelous ideas in his Initiative for Democracy, that he had in his platform during his run for the presidency this past year. The Party should make room for our grassroots, populist, input, because we can be the heart and soul of the Party.

Such inclusiveness, in unity, is what I most ardently hope for for the Democratic Party.

Unity, based on inclusion, not simply on supporting a particular ticket, has the best potential for success.

Karita Hummer
Edwards Democrat, strong, identifiable and vibrant, in Unity
Close Window

Reform the Democratic Party, fight lobbyists plus dissemblers of the Constitution, then....

Democrats should always be on the side of the people. So when the Party begins to stray, we should bring them back to their roots. As John Edwards says, our party is the Party of the People. ; it should be a first line defense party for the Constitution + Economic Justice

And John Edwards and we are just the people to do it!

Yes, by all means, to reform the Party, we must focus on the influence of Lobbyists and insiders on the party - way overdue.

But in the wake of this disastrous Wiretapping Bill for which the Democrats rolled over, with barely a whimper, it it is clear we have to teach the Democrats something about keeping their solemn oath to defend our Constitution and forsaking tepid and weak-kneed defenses of that Constitution. It is critical that they learn the most basic self-defense against real spoilers of the Constitution. We have to help Democrats resist being stampeded in to supporting outrageous encroachments on our civil liberties.

I applaud the challenge Senator Edwards posed to the Democratic Candidates and the Party this past Saturday at KOS on ridding the Democratic House of influence peddling by Lobbyists.

Now, let's similarly call on Democrats of Congress to do the right thing for our Constitution and way of Democracy, stand firm against fear and intimidation and begin by repairing the damage Democrats participated in this awful weekend. From there, we can go onto other reforms for the Party.

Congressional Democrats have nothing to lose but their reputations as being concerned more about protecting themselves than they for the people who elected them.

Just as John Edwards is sending copies of the Constitution to Gonzalez, let's start this part of the Democratic Party reform by sending copies of the 4th Amendment to those who voted Yes on the Wiretapping bill. How about setting up a Congressional School of the Constitution to which all Congressional representatives would be expected to attend.

Karita Hummer San Jose, CA