Monday, July 27, 2015
Book Appearance Today
I'd like to invite you to my book appearance today at 6:30 P.M. in Visalia at Congregation B'nai David, 1039 S. Chinowth, in the Education Room. It's being hosted by St. Paul's Episcopal Church. I'll discuss my book "Liberally Speaking," including a power point and some excerpts, have some question and answer and do signings. Light refreshments will be served. Books will be available for purchase for $21.60, including tax.
Monday, July 20, 2015
GOP Racism Revealed in Fox Poll
The most recent Fox News poll shows Donald Trump the current front runner among the Republican candidate field and an alarmingly high level of racism among the Republican electorate. Trump, who has gained notoriety among the general public for his characterizations of Mexican immigrants as "rapists and murderers" is the choice of 18% of Republican voters in the survey. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker comes in second with 15% and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush stands in third place with 14%. None of the other galaxy of GOP candidates registers in double figures. The poll was jointly conducted by Anderson Robbins, which usually surveys for Democrats, and Shaw & Company, which usually surveys for Republicans.
To show where the minds of voters are, 59% of all those polled felt Trump is "just a loud mouth," but among Republican primary voters, 59% said they admire the Donald. The main reason? Because "he's got guts." While 64% of all those polled support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, 68% of Republican primary voters say that Trump is "basically right" in his views about Mexican immigrants. The picture of GOP voters that emerges is that of a bloc sorely out of touch with the general public and infected with admiration for those who spew racist invective, so long as it is done emphatically.
The first Republican debate is in three weeks and will feature the ten candidates who score highest in an average of popularity polls. Recent results practically guarantee Trump will be on the stage.
To show where the minds of voters are, 59% of all those polled felt Trump is "just a loud mouth," but among Republican primary voters, 59% said they admire the Donald. The main reason? Because "he's got guts." While 64% of all those polled support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, 68% of Republican primary voters say that Trump is "basically right" in his views about Mexican immigrants. The picture of GOP voters that emerges is that of a bloc sorely out of touch with the general public and infected with admiration for those who spew racist invective, so long as it is done emphatically.
The first Republican debate is in three weeks and will feature the ten candidates who score highest in an average of popularity polls. Recent results practically guarantee Trump will be on the stage.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Make a Difference: Call the White House
One of the greatest threats to our democratic system is the presence of unlimited and untraceable special interest campaign cash. It's a theme I've returned to often in these pages. I also address the subject in detail in chapter 14 of my book, Liberally Thinking. The goals of the plutocrats are twofold. First, they wish to make candidates dependent upon their "contributions" to gain and hold their elected seats. This also serves to render the politicians pliable to supporting legislation or executive actions that cater to the special interests' priorities rather than those that would serve the general public interest. Issues like wages and environmental concerns come readily to mind.
Second, by removing any spending restraints and keeping their political spending secret, they assiduously work to propagandize the electorate to support their corporate or personal agenda against the public's own interest. They turn an election, which is supposed to be a contest of votes, where they are weak, into a contest of money, where they are strong. By flooding the media with one message, they drown out countervailing views. This is the essence of the effect of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
Now there is something you can do that can make a difference on this. Daily Kos sent out an email today appealing for people to call the White House to register their opinion on the matter, and to ask President Obama to issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose an all their political spending. He can do this without congressional approval. To get the message out, click on this link. It will take you to the Daily Kos page instructing you how to call the White House and what to say to urge the president's action.
Disclosure can make a difference. In 2010, California Proposition 23, sponsored by Valero Oil, Tesoro Oil and Koch Industries, would have gutted the state's climate change efforts. Oil companies outspent their political opponents 20-1 in the campaign, but because of the Golden State's strict disclosure requirements, the people knew whose money was behind the advertising and weren't fooled. Prop 23 lost by 2.2 million votes.
So give it a try. It's a way you can help to have an impact on a matter that is vital to preserving fairness and balance in the democratic process.
Second, by removing any spending restraints and keeping their political spending secret, they assiduously work to propagandize the electorate to support their corporate or personal agenda against the public's own interest. They turn an election, which is supposed to be a contest of votes, where they are weak, into a contest of money, where they are strong. By flooding the media with one message, they drown out countervailing views. This is the essence of the effect of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
Now there is something you can do that can make a difference on this. Daily Kos sent out an email today appealing for people to call the White House to register their opinion on the matter, and to ask President Obama to issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose an all their political spending. He can do this without congressional approval. To get the message out, click on this link. It will take you to the Daily Kos page instructing you how to call the White House and what to say to urge the president's action.
Disclosure can make a difference. In 2010, California Proposition 23, sponsored by Valero Oil, Tesoro Oil and Koch Industries, would have gutted the state's climate change efforts. Oil companies outspent their political opponents 20-1 in the campaign, but because of the Golden State's strict disclosure requirements, the people knew whose money was behind the advertising and weren't fooled. Prop 23 lost by 2.2 million votes.
So give it a try. It's a way you can help to have an impact on a matter that is vital to preserving fairness and balance in the democratic process.
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