BLUEDONKEYS
A big-tent website serving all Democrats in Clark County
What about Trump?! Fix the 3rd CD!
Trump is awful and unqualified, for sure. The Republicans own him in party name but not much else. They can't or won't take any control. As long as he halfway pushes their agenda, they go along.
What are normal, intelligent people to do? In 2020 we can vote him out. But before that we can change the majority in both houses of Congress and we have that opportunity in November 2018. Run electable Democrats for the Congress and the Senate in every Congressional District in every State.
In Washington state, we already have two wonderful Federal Senators: Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Patty was reelected in 2016 for 6 years and Maria is running in 2018 for re-election. She should do well. Just keep in mind that it is your duty to pay attention and electioneer for Maria and vote for Maria. A seemingly simple race in the face of apathy can go sour. Democrats must vote. Remember, when we got stuck with Trump, almost 40% failed to vote.
First step - VOTE. But for whom?
Easy peazy! Vote for Carolyn Long! Carolyn has been a part of our community fabric for 22 years teaching political science at WSU-Vancouver to more than a generation of area residents. She has the understanding of government, she has the understanding of politics. She cuts a smart figure when she talks and can think on her feet. She is extremely well qualified.
It should be noted that the incumbent has a lot of money to spend on publicity, but only holds the republican line without real regard for her constituency. Of the two remaining Democratic candidates in the race for the 3rd Congressional District, it can only be said that this race for the 3rd CD seat had zero excitement until Carolyn declared.
What are normal, intelligent people to do? In 2020 we can vote him out. But before that we can change the majority in both houses of Congress and we have that opportunity in November 2018. Run electable Democrats for the Congress and the Senate in every Congressional District in every State.
In Washington state, we already have two wonderful Federal Senators: Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Patty was reelected in 2016 for 6 years and Maria is running in 2018 for re-election. She should do well. Just keep in mind that it is your duty to pay attention and electioneer for Maria and vote for Maria. A seemingly simple race in the face of apathy can go sour. Democrats must vote. Remember, when we got stuck with Trump, almost 40% failed to vote.
First step - VOTE. But for whom?
Easy peazy! Vote for Carolyn Long! Carolyn has been a part of our community fabric for 22 years teaching political science at WSU-Vancouver to more than a generation of area residents. She has the understanding of government, she has the understanding of politics. She cuts a smart figure when she talks and can think on her feet. She is extremely well qualified.
It should be noted that the incumbent has a lot of money to spend on publicity, but only holds the republican line without real regard for her constituency. Of the two remaining Democratic candidates in the race for the 3rd Congressional District, it can only be said that this race for the 3rd CD seat had zero excitement until Carolyn declared.
CHECK OUT the articles about Trump 0n the 'OUTSIDE SOURCES' page
CHECK OUT the Senator Maria Cantwell page.
CHECK OUT the Senator Maria Cantwell page.
Vote Don Orange for Port
Don Orange is running for Port of Vancouver Commissioner in District 1. He is the right person for the job. He is committed to a better Vancouver and a better Port of Vancouver. The big-deal issue is the proposed oil terminal in downtown Vancouver. The Port has leased Terminal 5 to Tesoro Savage, or Vancouver Energy, or Andeavor - they keep creating plausible sounding names for the project to disguise the awfulness of it. The oil companies plan is to build the nation's largest oil terminal in downtown Vancouver. There are at least a dozen reasons not to do that, and locally the most obvious is the inevitable spills and smells emanating from such an oil terminal. The oil is sourced from the Bakken oil field in North Dakota and is fracked oil. We should not be fracking - ever. Fracking messes with the local water supply and causes unstable soil and subsequent earthquakes. The oil would be brought to Vancouver via rail car, and you've likely observed over the last few years the seriousness and frequency of rail car problems manifesting in major spills, pollution and fires. Much of the rail car passage would be along the Columbia River. Locally, the terminal would face the inevitable oil spill to the Columbia River, and the inevitable smell of oil throughout downtown Vancouver. Columbian Article LINK. Don Orange Website LINK
Denny Heck Info Session in Camas
Congressman Denny Heck was in the area Saturday 09/23/17 to bring us information from the House of Representatives. Denny talked about his concerns, his roles, his attitude, and the future. He brings us this type of update perhaps twice a year. It's important because our official congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler does not do so. Be reminded that Denny is the Congressman in the adjoining 10th CD, and we're in the 3rd CD.
Probably the most penetrating thing he said was that impeachment is not expected. The Russian election -interference probe is not nearly completed, and the House and Senate are both Republican. Impeachment would install Pence as President in place of Trump, but it seems that might be acceptable in light of the death-defying posturing is carrying on with Kim Jong Un of North Korea. Pence at least would have some diplomacy and is more apt than Trump to keep us out of nuclear war, even though Pence has a terrible, Republican agenda.
Probably the most penetrating thing he said was that impeachment is not expected. The Russian election -interference probe is not nearly completed, and the House and Senate are both Republican. Impeachment would install Pence as President in place of Trump, but it seems that might be acceptable in light of the death-defying posturing is carrying on with Kim Jong Un of North Korea. Pence at least would have some diplomacy and is more apt than Trump to keep us out of nuclear war, even though Pence has a terrible, Republican agenda.
Denny Heck and some Clark County Democrats
Looks like Trump is in his own crosshairs
Not much question our president is a man-child, narcissistic sociopath who loves no one but himself. And Robert Mueller is taking a calm, step-wise approach to uncover Trump's collusive ties with Russia. But here at home he may have overloaded his own ability to lie. He has threatened to let the government go into shutdown if he does not get funding for his boondoggle wall on the Mexican border. The money he is looking for - somewhere in the range of $40 billion - has been earmarked by him to come from Homeland Security funds especially FEMA. Now FEMA is in the years-long business of serving and resurrecting the Gulf Coast - again. Oh, if it were only possible that he could think strategically and decide that the wall is out because the money is so much more necessary for the humanitarian efforts in Texas and Louisiana. There's some unfulfilled hope for ya!
Put some cream on the Bern and get real
Here's a Blog piece by Marcus Silva who is very concerned about how Democrats and the Democratic Party needs to act to stay in the game and win Congressional races in 2018. The message is stop worshiping the past and stand up and act like strategic Democrats. LINK to Article
Wake Up Bernie-or-Bust People: You were Conned
A worthy article from the Democracy Guardian, J. Nori, May 04, 2017, that says Bernie is a grump, and is not the messiah his followers blindly adore. A good read. LINK
Something to consider when told that "Bernie could have won over Trump". That is that Bernie was\n't in that race - he'd already LOST.
Something to consider when told that "Bernie could have won over Trump". That is that Bernie was\n't in that race - he'd already LOST.
A good article on why tax cuts are wrong...
The Columbian Opinion Editor makes it clear why tax cuts for the rich don't do anything for the middle class, and "given that Trump has only a passing acquaintance with reality', clarifies where we're headed. Read the piece by Greg Jayne, The Columbian, 04/23/17
Paul Ryan - "Destroy Healthcare"
Thanks for being honest, Paul Ryan! PLAY VIDEO HERE
Congressman Denny Heck -
- visited Vancouver Saturday. He did a fundraiser at the home of Jim & Liz Luce. Denny calls Clark County home. He is currently the US Congressman for the 10th Congressional District in the Olympia area. Denny is now on the House Intelligence Committee - a 20 person, bipartisan oversight committee with oversight over 20 Executive branch agencies including the FBI, CIA, NSA, DOJ, and DOE. It's reassuring to have person with Denny Heck's integrity on this important committee. Denny offered reassurance that we were not alone in feeling hamstrung by the current Trump administration, and he and others were doing everything they could to maintain equilibrium.
Doug Lasher (Clark Co Treas), Congressman Denny Heck, Host Liz Luce
Strategy has to supersede idealism
Pursuit of ideals requires victories. Victories come from employing strategy. Talk against Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell or lack of appreciation for Gov Jay Inslee is not strategic. Every seated Democrat has to be judged on their overall batting average. Over the course of their office, anyone can pursue a result that is not popular with every citizen. Electeds were elected to enact the will of the people and one misstep does not defeat their purpose for being in office.
Some folks are still sore over the term super-delegates which gave high visibility electeds like Murray, Cantwell and Inslee the opportunity to stump for their presidential candidate of choice from a bully pulpit. They all opted for Hillary Clinton for President much to the chagrin of the Sanders supporters.
Sens Murray and Cantwell also indicated a positive position on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), and recently they voted against an apparent opportunity to import drugs in the US at lower prices via a Sanders supported amendment. Further investigation reveals first that Hillary Clinton had opted against TPP which surely would have changed everything, and the cheap drug amendment was not a good choice. There were good reasons to reject the drug amendment that wasn't going to pass anyway, was non-binding, and would have undermined some ACA provisions.
Subsequently, Inslee, Murray and Cantwell have all stood up -loudly- for continued immigration of Muslims. This is why they are there in office as strong Democrats. Anytime good, strong Democratic candidates are opposed by their own party, bad things happen. Very simply, the seat holding a person positive to our wants and needs is lost and replaced by a Republican who will devastate our agenda.
The message is "Keep Cantwell".
Some folks are still sore over the term super-delegates which gave high visibility electeds like Murray, Cantwell and Inslee the opportunity to stump for their presidential candidate of choice from a bully pulpit. They all opted for Hillary Clinton for President much to the chagrin of the Sanders supporters.
Sens Murray and Cantwell also indicated a positive position on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), and recently they voted against an apparent opportunity to import drugs in the US at lower prices via a Sanders supported amendment. Further investigation reveals first that Hillary Clinton had opted against TPP which surely would have changed everything, and the cheap drug amendment was not a good choice. There were good reasons to reject the drug amendment that wasn't going to pass anyway, was non-binding, and would have undermined some ACA provisions.
Subsequently, Inslee, Murray and Cantwell have all stood up -loudly- for continued immigration of Muslims. This is why they are there in office as strong Democrats. Anytime good, strong Democratic candidates are opposed by their own party, bad things happen. Very simply, the seat holding a person positive to our wants and needs is lost and replaced by a Republican who will devastate our agenda.
The message is "Keep Cantwell".
Did you March Saturday?
Do you feel better having done so? Many who marched, or just appreciated the happening of the marches, felt unified, uplifted, out of the doldrums, re-purposed and other such positive reactions. There were many principles expressed on the signs being carried; abortion, personal rights, anti-Trump, Planned Parenthood, I'm with Her, all the freedoms, etc. But the bottom line is that if there was no Trump in the White House, there would have been no marches.
A million people around the world marched against Trump. More people marched in DC on Saturday than attended the inauguration on Friday. Sorry, Donald, but that's the way an awful lot of people feel...about you.
It's hard to put a finger on any one thing that got us to this point; Bernie Sanders weak endorsement of HRC, Bernie followers voting for third-party candidates, unhappiness among moderns that this is first new generation making less than their parents, the Electoral College, and so forth. A very good exploration of attitudes that led us here is portrayed in the 01/11/17 episode of "Blackish". Here's a link to it. It's reviewed as the "most comprehensive examination of the election that pop culture can provide" (Link). Check out the Lucy character's logic that led her to vote for Trump - scary, but viable, and perhaps sums up how he got elected. Enjoy.
But here we are. The dominant theme in the local and national editorials is to resist loss of rights at every turn of the road. Check out the Sun 01/23/17 Columbian Editorial praising the marches - "extraordinary" - and worrying about our future under Trump. The final message - be watchful.
And read WA Post writer Leonard Pitts, "Proud to be maladjusted to President Donald Trump". It is clear that this new circumstance is different and cannot be allowed to be accepted.
A million people around the world marched against Trump. More people marched in DC on Saturday than attended the inauguration on Friday. Sorry, Donald, but that's the way an awful lot of people feel...about you.
It's hard to put a finger on any one thing that got us to this point; Bernie Sanders weak endorsement of HRC, Bernie followers voting for third-party candidates, unhappiness among moderns that this is first new generation making less than their parents, the Electoral College, and so forth. A very good exploration of attitudes that led us here is portrayed in the 01/11/17 episode of "Blackish". Here's a link to it. It's reviewed as the "most comprehensive examination of the election that pop culture can provide" (Link). Check out the Lucy character's logic that led her to vote for Trump - scary, but viable, and perhaps sums up how he got elected. Enjoy.
But here we are. The dominant theme in the local and national editorials is to resist loss of rights at every turn of the road. Check out the Sun 01/23/17 Columbian Editorial praising the marches - "extraordinary" - and worrying about our future under Trump. The final message - be watchful.
And read WA Post writer Leonard Pitts, "Proud to be maladjusted to President Donald Trump". It is clear that this new circumstance is different and cannot be allowed to be accepted.
Read A Guest Article about Olympia Lobby Day. It's got insight, and info.
Unify or Fight!
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Like some wag said, "It all depends..."
It's not possible to unify behind Donald Trump. When George Bush was President and we were in the Iraq War signs popped up that said, "Bush Lied". It seemed terrible denounce America's President with such rhetoric, but it was the truth and with the situation so blatant about the lies told by Bush, and Cheney to justify the Iraq War, it became ok to speak the truth about the situation. The President was wrong. The nation was on the hook for mid-east unrest, dead Americans, dead Iraquis, and a mountain of cost (debt) for a wrongful war.
Now we have Trump. The things he said about minorities, women, and his opponents during the campaign were really things he believed in and would stoop to do. He followed that up with all of his cabinet nominations with people who do not believe in public schools, climate change, organized labor, honest banking, or minority equality. These nominations lend credence to the awful campaign statements he made. Those people are there to carry out their agendas that left unbridled will set this nation backwards by decades.
We don't need to march in protest of Trump - that is just so much posturing. Rioting and broken windows will make us look foolish. But we must be watchful of the abuse of the basic rights we fought so hard to win. When that happens we must be quick and sure in proclaiming the injustice via letter, word, and action.
It's not possible to unify behind Donald Trump. When George Bush was President and we were in the Iraq War signs popped up that said, "Bush Lied". It seemed terrible denounce America's President with such rhetoric, but it was the truth and with the situation so blatant about the lies told by Bush, and Cheney to justify the Iraq War, it became ok to speak the truth about the situation. The President was wrong. The nation was on the hook for mid-east unrest, dead Americans, dead Iraquis, and a mountain of cost (debt) for a wrongful war.
Now we have Trump. The things he said about minorities, women, and his opponents during the campaign were really things he believed in and would stoop to do. He followed that up with all of his cabinet nominations with people who do not believe in public schools, climate change, organized labor, honest banking, or minority equality. These nominations lend credence to the awful campaign statements he made. Those people are there to carry out their agendas that left unbridled will set this nation backwards by decades.
We don't need to march in protest of Trump - that is just so much posturing. Rioting and broken windows will make us look foolish. But we must be watchful of the abuse of the basic rights we fought so hard to win. When that happens we must be quick and sure in proclaiming the injustice via letter, word, and action.
What now?!
The President-Elect, Donald Trump, is a mess. He's up and down on his own issues, he's hiring totally unsatisfactory Cabinet members that hate labor, disavow climate change, and believe fake news stories, to mention a few. Republicans have some separation from Trump, and visa-versa, but the Republican control of the House and Senate means they can run over Obamacare, Planned Parenthood, and entitlements in general while granting more tax cuts to the rich. It's all shaping up for an inglorious, horrifying four years for Democrats, for civil rights, for womens' rights and the progress of the country in general.
Mid-term Congress elections will occur in November 2018, less than 2 years away. It's predictable that the electorate, including Hillary voters, Bernie voters and, especially, disillusioned Trump voters. The electorate will be ready to elect some Democrats for office by that time based on the expected ravaging performances by the Republicans and Trump.
The midterm elections are a real chance to get back the House and Senate for Democrats. To do so Democrats MUST have viable, electable candidates. It's up to all of us to consider whether we should be running, or encouraging people to run that can win, or to support candidates that are declaring to run and are capable of winning. Winning is stressed here because it is often, but naively, thought that the candidate to support is the one with the best ideals; the most left, the one with one hand on the Dems platform. That is a good starting place but not a winning scheme.
If the candidate is scary to the average voter because of their appearance, or their inflammatory rhetoric, or extreme left promises, then they won't get votes. So look at all aspects of the candidate, and choose, and make, a winner. It ain't easy, but it often happens that the one the we'd most love to win is not really capable of winning when you consider the emotional structure of the general electorate.
Remember that voters don't vote with their heads, they vote with their hearts. They don't study the candidates, they don't take any time to understand the candidates, they just vote the one with the best, most fun, rumors, circulating around them. Look at the horrifying influence that Fox News has with their ability to lie, and infer, and lie again. Their forte is to knowingly tell a lie and then the viewers believe it and pass it on to their friends and family as if it was true, and spread the lie-as-truth further..
Look at Trump - he doesn't even really want, or understand, the Presidency. But his phony rhetoric and his ability to use reality TV sound-bite style made him have appeal to the emotional voter . The picture the voters made up in their heads of what a "Great America" looks like was never defined by Trump, but was only what a Great America implied to the listeners' imaginations - one listener imagined their dream house, another their dream boat, another their dream job. Hillary was a liar and grifter and never did anything, but Trump, like our Madore, had caught their imagination. He appeared to be a 'change agent'. That's emotional - voters believe in magic.
We do not have to accept the dceimation of rights and relinquish fairness and equality while Trump holds office. There are myriad ways to protest. Trump is not presidential and he's not our president. A fact proven by the popular vote where nearly three million more voters voted for his opponent.
Mid-term Congress elections will occur in November 2018, less than 2 years away. It's predictable that the electorate, including Hillary voters, Bernie voters and, especially, disillusioned Trump voters. The electorate will be ready to elect some Democrats for office by that time based on the expected ravaging performances by the Republicans and Trump.
The midterm elections are a real chance to get back the House and Senate for Democrats. To do so Democrats MUST have viable, electable candidates. It's up to all of us to consider whether we should be running, or encouraging people to run that can win, or to support candidates that are declaring to run and are capable of winning. Winning is stressed here because it is often, but naively, thought that the candidate to support is the one with the best ideals; the most left, the one with one hand on the Dems platform. That is a good starting place but not a winning scheme.
If the candidate is scary to the average voter because of their appearance, or their inflammatory rhetoric, or extreme left promises, then they won't get votes. So look at all aspects of the candidate, and choose, and make, a winner. It ain't easy, but it often happens that the one the we'd most love to win is not really capable of winning when you consider the emotional structure of the general electorate.
Remember that voters don't vote with their heads, they vote with their hearts. They don't study the candidates, they don't take any time to understand the candidates, they just vote the one with the best, most fun, rumors, circulating around them. Look at the horrifying influence that Fox News has with their ability to lie, and infer, and lie again. Their forte is to knowingly tell a lie and then the viewers believe it and pass it on to their friends and family as if it was true, and spread the lie-as-truth further..
Look at Trump - he doesn't even really want, or understand, the Presidency. But his phony rhetoric and his ability to use reality TV sound-bite style made him have appeal to the emotional voter . The picture the voters made up in their heads of what a "Great America" looks like was never defined by Trump, but was only what a Great America implied to the listeners' imaginations - one listener imagined their dream house, another their dream boat, another their dream job. Hillary was a liar and grifter and never did anything, but Trump, like our Madore, had caught their imagination. He appeared to be a 'change agent'. That's emotional - voters believe in magic.
We do not have to accept the dceimation of rights and relinquish fairness and equality while Trump holds office. There are myriad ways to protest. Trump is not presidential and he's not our president. A fact proven by the popular vote where nearly three million more voters voted for his opponent.
IT's OVER
Yes, the 2016 Presidential Election, that we wished weeks ago would be over, is over. But what an outcome. President Trump was never the outcome in any poll or in the imagination of Democrats.
Nationally, the House and Senate are Republican controlled
Statewide, things went largely satisfactorily:
Governor - Jay Inslee
Lt Gov - Cyrus Habib
Secty of State - Oops, Tina P. didn't make it.
State Attorney - Bob Ferguson
Treasurer - Duane Davidson
State Auditor - Pat McCarthy
Commissioner of Public Lands - Hilary Franz
Supt of Public Instruction - Chris Reykdal
Swept the 49th with Annette Cleveland, Sharon Wylie, and MONICA STONIER.
Initiatives, etc.
732 - Carbon Tax - No
735 - WAmend on corporations - Yes
1433 - Minimum Wage increase - Yes
1464 - Campaign Finance Reform - No
1491 - Prevent firearm access to dangerous people - Yes
1501 - Protect seniors from scams - Yes
Advisory 14 & 15 on legislated taxes - both Repealed
8210 - Amendment to move earlier the redistricting decisions - Yes
It's expected this election will live in memory as very strange.
Nationally, the House and Senate are Republican controlled
Statewide, things went largely satisfactorily:
Governor - Jay Inslee
Lt Gov - Cyrus Habib
Secty of State - Oops, Tina P. didn't make it.
State Attorney - Bob Ferguson
Treasurer - Duane Davidson
State Auditor - Pat McCarthy
Commissioner of Public Lands - Hilary Franz
Supt of Public Instruction - Chris Reykdal
Swept the 49th with Annette Cleveland, Sharon Wylie, and MONICA STONIER.
Initiatives, etc.
732 - Carbon Tax - No
735 - WAmend on corporations - Yes
1433 - Minimum Wage increase - Yes
1464 - Campaign Finance Reform - No
1491 - Prevent firearm access to dangerous people - Yes
1501 - Protect seniors from scams - Yes
Advisory 14 & 15 on legislated taxes - both Repealed
8210 - Amendment to move earlier the redistricting decisions - Yes
It's expected this election will live in memory as very strange.
