Washington Agenda verse People's Agenda

A Video On The Subject:



A Citizen's Letter To Both Sides of Congress:

This email is being sent out to members of Congress on BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. We the American People voted for change on November 7th, spoke loud and clear that we are tired of business as usual, tired of STAY THE COURSE, in Iraq, and in our Federal Government. It is time to return to a government run BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE, not a government run for and by the rich and elite.

One week into the new Washington, and it is already starting to SMELL like the old one did. So, since none of you seem to have a clue about what most Americans (which means the lower and middle class) want, we'll give you a clue. The peoples AGENDA.

1. Iraq War-Stop stalling, bring out Baker's report, and let's change the course. Changing the course does not mean changing the slogan, and letting Bush maintain the Status Quo there. There is a civil war raging, and our troops are caught in the middle. Regardless of what some think, Murtha had it right...it's time for a NEW PLAN.

You Tube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7MDs7lhzxA Soon to be posted on a slew of political blogs.

2. Illegal Aliens...yes, ILLEGAL ALIENS. We do not care how hard working they are, they are stealing our jobs, depressing our wages, and in many cases they are ruining our neighborhoods and lowering our property values...maybe some of you should get out into your districts and SEE what it is like to live next to a house with 30-40 illegal aliens living in it. We want our fence, we want ARMED troops on the border, we want ANYONE hiring illegals severely punished...no exceptions. We do not want Catholic Charities using OUR TAX money to run job centers, and we OPPOSE amnesty by any label including Earned Citizenship or a liberal Guest Worker program. It's TIME WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. Immigration Reform should not be about winning over the Latino Vote, it should be about what is best FOR MOST AMERICANS.

3. Tax Cuts...we oppose of of them that have benefited the rich and elite, which is almost ALL OF THEM. Trickle down economics did not work under Reagan, and it is not working now. Stop saddling our children and their children with an out of control national debt.

4. Social Security...first, repay ALL THE IOU's! We want it SAVED, not privatized. Do not tell someone who has paid into the system for 34 of their 50 years of life that they ARE OUT OF LUCK.

5. Medical Coverage...it should be available for all LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS.

6. Prescription Drugs for our seniors...we want competitive bidding.

7. Minimum Wage...raising it to $7.25 and hour should be just the start. Ireland now has a minimum wage of $9.50 and hour and is thriving! The concept of a living wage has arrived, and Congress needs to make it happen.

8. Estate Tax....KEEP IT. Stop trying to throw millionaires and billionaires a bone.

9. Earmarks...get rid of them COMPLETELY.

10. Term Limits...we want them, and you people need to ENACT THEM.

There is more, but like Letterman, we'll start with the top ten. The Republican Dynasty collapsed in this election, and the Democrats are now on probation. If both sides of the aisle stop their infighting, and learn to work together FOR THE PEOPLE, there is a good chance that most if not all of you will be re-elected in 2008. However, stay the course inside the beltway, and we will toss ALL INCUMBENTS OUT, regardless of the party they claim as theirs.

Respectfully,

Porgie Tirebiter

TIme For Grass/Netroots to Start New Party?

Any one who followed this past election cycle knows that the grass/netroots was instrumental in seeing the Democrats into power. Yet, as the power pie is sliced and handed out, once again we are pushed under the table, denied a chair, told to accept the few crumbs that fall our way. The only group getting any real attention from the new Democratic Majority is MoveOn.org who has used our efforts, and our money to become a power player with their own agenda.


Groups like the Daily Kos, DD, Swingstate Project and Move On managed to raise over 17 Million dollars for their candidates, that money coming out of the pockets of the grassroots. This does not count money that many of us gave directly to campaigns, or raised on our own small fund raising pages on the Democratic Web Site. No one has put a value on it, but most of us in the grassroots were out putting up campaign signs, knocking on doors, making phone calls, donating time at campaign headquarters acorss the land, running attack blogs, and putting up attack video's on You Tube...in short, we were the foot soldiers that made this Democratic Victory happen, yet where is OUR PRAISE, where is our seat at the table?


We have almost two full years before 2008, and looking at this reality, looking at how we are always taken for granted, I am wondering if the time has come for us to seriously consider forming a third party? Or, creating some grassroots PAC's to force our own agenda, rather than always supporting someone else's in the hopes that one or two campaign promises will actually be kept. Imagine for a moment a Bloggers PAC, or You Tubers for Change PAC, with all of us tossing our small donations into one big communal pot. Every one LOVES US on the path to election night, but seems we are pushed aside the next morning like a bad hangover, and this might be just what the doctor order to get us the respect we deserve from those we got elected.

Republican Ponies Lining Up For 2008

Right at one week after the decisive elections of 2006 held last Tuesday that swept Democrats into the drivers seat, Republican Presidential hopeful are rushing to officially form exploratory committees so they can begin raising serious amounts of dollars. A Republican Pundit on CNN tonight said the winning candidate in the Republican Primary will need to raise 100 Million dollars just to win the primary...that's some serious cabbage, and means any one winning the nod is already in the pocket of the rich and elite.

McCain was the first out of the gate, officially tossing his hat in the ring over the weekend. Not far behind him was THE RUDI, famous mayor of New York who declared his intentions today. Though not officially in the Race, former governor of New York, Pataki is openning up an office here in the Peekskill area, so you can look for him to officially declare within days.

Bush Supporting, war mongering, stay the course McCain...forget about it. Iraq is not going to turn around soon, if at all. McCain does not support troop reductions and bringing our troops home, but instead wants to greatly increase the troop strength there, and that is not a winning position and makes him unelectable in 2008, not to mention the fact that he's getting very long of tooth...we do not need another episode like Dole's infamous falling off the stage routine.

The RUDI...OK, lets be honest here. He did a MAGICAL JOB during the aftermath of 9/11 but was not really a good mayor, let alone a great mayor before that disaster fell upon our shores. His positions on key issues are all WRONG for the majority of Republicans, and once things start getting closer to the primaries you can look for some serious swift boating to sink his run. PAtaki...he is a sleeze, and not even going to discuss his run. I lost all respect for the man when I saw him attending an event in upstate NY at the old Plattsburgh Air Base...he was off to the side speaking to his cronies and made a very derogatory comment about what he REALLY though about the people of the area.

So, three major hats in the ring, and my money say NONE of them can get elected. So, who else will toss their hats into the Republican Ring, and for that matter who is going to go up against Hilliary...not talking a great pretender in a second tier governor, talking serious contenders here.

Freshman Elects-Take A STAND, Return Gift Baskets

Again, it was just on MSNBC...Freshman Congressional Elects arriving in Washington DC are checking into their rooms only to find NOT ONE, but TWO rather lavish gift baskets waiting for them. These are not WELCOME TO WASHINGTON baskets, but give me your vote baskets. It's influence peddling at its worst, it is the VERY THING we voted against on November 7th. These freshman need to stand in unity for change by RETURNING these freebies that have but one intent...to buy their loyalty and vote this Thursday in the race for the Majority Leader.

My Challenge to Nancy Pelosi Answered, Now I CHALLENGE THE HOUSE

On Veteran's Day, I saw Nancy Pelosi's letter to the editor of "The Hill" blog, and challenged her on this blog, and via her Congressional email to show her words were not empty rhetoric, prove her support for a deserving Veteran by openly throwing all of her support behind John Murtha. It's refreshing to see she's decided to do just that...not saying my challenge to her tipped the scales, but John Murtha has earned her support in his quest to be Majority Leader. With this endorsement, I would now challenge her fellow Democratic members of Congress to END THE IN FIGHTING, and stand behind her in supporting Congressman John Murtha as the next Majority Leader. It was his bravery in speaking out again George Bush's failed "Stay the Course" policy in Iraq that made last Tuesday's sweeping victory possible, it was his voice that contributed to Bush firing Donald Rumsfeld on Wednesday morning.


Pelosi supports Murtha for majority leader
Sides are being drawn in the Democratic battle over who will fill the position of majority leader in the House. Likely House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has given her support to prominent Iraq war critic John Murtha over her current deputy, Murtha's office announced Sunday. Murtha faces a strong rival in Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, now the minority whip.

Impeach Bush? or Not?

Opening up my email today, I found a letter from a citizen's group who has an impeachment petition up and running online...link to be posted further down. Now, as one of the grassroots activist who worked very hard in this past election, I have to admit to some disappointment after the fact. First, as everyone in Washington goes about warring for their share of the credit, many of us grassroots activists who ran blog attacks, put political video's up on You Tube, and donated our time, effort, hearts and cash to local races are being left out of the equation, pushed to the sidelines, denied a seat at the table of input...I suppose on some level that was/is to be expected. What I think most like myself find ever so frustrating though, is the willingness to break promises made to us in the name of appearing as centrist in the new Democratically controlled House and Senate.

Nancy Pelosi ringing the bell of bipartisanship, and wanting to silence the voice of the liberal left on the subject of investigations, prosecutions, and even impeachment of Cheney and Bush. In short, the red meat many of us fought so hard for has been replaced with a cold, day old porridge. It's the war stupid...bring our troops home is the call of the day, and yet a report out this weekend says there will be no troop reductions in the next two years. Bush and Cheney while pretending to embrace the reality of a Democratically controlled House and Senate are still touting a "Stay the Course" policy wrapped in different phrasing. Forget seeking criminal charges against Bush and Cheney, and simply impeach them for incompetence, but to abandon the reality of impeachment all together is an unacceptable reality for a major part of the whole of the Democratic Party who brought this victory home.

How many remember the Iraq Press Gate that got swept under the rug? How is it that a small little company (Lincoln Group) run by a scarcely known personage by the name of Christian Bailey end up winning Department of Defense/Pentagon contracts worth over 100 Million dollars, and how did he get such open access to people like Condi Rice? I want answers. Were we sold a bill of goods in going into Iraq, did Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and others know before hand their claims and allegations were over stated? If so, should they be impeached? Maybe 12 years of living under the thumb of Republican rule has jaded me, or perhaps I just want some answers, and where it should be doled out, just a little bit of justice and accountablity. Either way, it would be interesting to know what some of you think on the subject of Congressional investigations, and the possiblity of impeachment.

For those wanting to sign a petition to Impeach George Bush, you can find out more about it here: http://www.democrats.com/impeachforchange-plan

Veterans Day Challenge to Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi, I have taken the liberty of posting below some of your words shared today on, "The Hill" blog concerning your sentiments on Veterans and the debt we owe them. In light of those words, I would now CHALLENGE you to do the right thing for one of our veterans in the Congress. It is time for you to come forward PUBLICALLY, and support John Murtha's efforts to become the next Majority Leader. John Murtha is a true American hero who served his country, and he had the guts and integrity to publically speak up against George W. Bush's failed Stay The Course policy in Iraq when most everyone else was afraid to take a stand. He took the heat, and energized many of us in the Democratic Grassroots. It is because of him that grassrooters such as myself plugged in, got involved and won Congressional seats in Districts such as New York's 19th District where no one gave us a chance. You, and the Democratic Party owe us, and you owe John Murtha. You resolved one leadership problem, and the time has come to resolve another by standing behind John Murtha with every bit of clout and persuasion you can muster. To do anything else would see your words printed to day ringing hallow and untrue.

http://blog.thehill.com/

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi-from her comments in The Hill Blog

How we repay the service of our veterans speaks volumes about our national character. That is why Democrats will continue to work to honor our national promise to our veterans. We will work across parties to ensure the VA health care system receives the funding it needs and that veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. Providing for our military veterans and their families is a continuing cost of war and should be a central component of our national defense policy.

In the 110th Congress, we will be proud to welcome five new Democratic Members of the House who were elected Tuesday and have served in our military and have chosen to continue their public service in Congress: retired Navy Vice Admiral Joe Sestak, Patrick Murphy, and Chris Carney, all of Pennsylvania; Tim Walz of Minnesota and Phil Hare of Illinois. We will look to them and many of their Democratic colleagues who are veterans for their advice and leadership on how we can best support those who wear, and those who have worn, our country’s uniform.

Investigate Republican Robo Calls

Living in the 19th District here in New York, I was invaded by the attack of the Robo calls on the Friday-Sunday before the election at my home in Peekskill. Also, as a volunteer supporting the campaign of John Hall, I experienced first hand the anger of some voters upset at the incessant calling. The phone attacks had an impact, but did not keep John Hall from marching to victory...but, those calls were unethical, dishonest and perhaps illegal. Below is a list of some of the money spent in the Republican Robo Calls attacks on Democratic candidate, and as you can see, John Hall was ON THE LIST.

NRCC Has Spent $2.1 Million on Calls, Nearly $600,000 on Attack Calls in the Last Week Alone. As of last week, the NRCC had spent $2.1 million on phone banks. From 10/30 to 11/3, the NRCC spent $597,232.75 on phone calls solely designed to attack 46 Democratic candidates. [www.fec.gov]
Last week alone, the NRCC spent the following money on attack phone calls on the following Democratic candidates. One news report estimated each call costs only 5 cents each.

AZ-05: Harry Mitchell: $8210.76
CA-04: Charlie Brown: $16,617.24
CA-11: Jerry McNerney: $4120.28
CA-50: Francine Busby: $2641.68
CO-04: Angie Paccione: $10,456.32
CT-02: Joe Courtney: $12,844.56
CT-04: Diane Farrell: $44,964.56
CT-05: Chris Murphy: $17,494.08
FL-13: Christine Jennings: $24,638.82
FL-16: Tim Mahoney: $16,428.72
FL-22: Ron Klein: $3813.36
GA-08: Jim Marshall: $10,546.68
GA-12: John Barrow: $16,087.86
IA-01: Bruce Braley: $8386.26
IA-03: Leonard Boswell: $13,812.12
ID-01: Larry Grant: $23,752.26
IL-06: Tammy Duckworth: $11,474.31
IL-08: Melissa Bean: $14,134.38
IN-03: Tom Hayhurst: $13,746.88
IN-09: Baron Hill: $12,852.36
KS-02: Nancy Boyda: $4,093.74
KY-02: Mike Weaver: $1,510.74
KY-04: Ken Lucas: $15,242.10
MN-06: Patty Wetterling: $21,053.90
NC-11: Heath Shuler: $11,843.70
NE-03: Scott Kleeb: $3,492.66
NH-02: Paul Hodes: $19,321.98
NM-01: Patricia Madrid: $6,702.42
NV-02: Jill Derby: $10,934.16
NV-03: Tessa Hafen: $12,197.70
NY-19: John Hall: $16,123.62
NY-20: Kirsten Gillibrand: $11,143.38
NY-24: Mike Arcuri: $6,824.82
NY-25: Dan Maffei: $17,183. 46
NY-29: Eric Massa: $10,855.26
OH-01: John Cranley: $9,236.64
OH-02: Victoria Wulsin: $7,953.84
OH-15: Mary Jo Kilroy: $11,826.84
PA-04: Jason Altmire: $23,111.61
PA-06: Lois Murphy: $14,253.66
PA-08: Patrick Murphy: $18,969.36
PA-10: Chris Carney: $3,942.00
TX-22: Nick Lampson: $2,258.61
VA-02: Phil Kellam: $14,345.58
WA-08: Darcy Burner: $14,992.80
WI-08: Steve Kagen: $20,794.68

Hannity and Right Wing Nuts Seething

First up...Rumsfeld is GONE! In honor of the out of power and out of luck religious radical right wing of the Republican Party, let's have and AMEN on that one. Now we have Bush wanting to replace this villian with another evil character, one of his Daddies hand picked cronies ,in Gate's, who headed the CIA under Bush 1's enept term in the White House. Has Bush learned nothing in Tuesday's defeat...America wants to see change, and change does not mean going BACKWARD in time to his father's previous administration. How about some new FRESH faces in the Cabinet, instead of trying to foist off a has been retread from ancient times?

It's Friday night, and for amusement I am watching Hannity foam of the mouth on the FOX pro-Bush channel with his mental midget twin Michelle Malkin, both of whom are whining incessantly about the Democrats decisive win in Tuesday's election. Poor old Hannity just cannot stand that he and his party are slipping out of the lime light. With the radical rightwing zealots agenda officially rejected, he is ON HIS WAY OUT, and cannot stand it. He and Michelle Malkin are incapable of toning down their rhetoric and moving towards the middle, and in their stubborness they are becoming obsolete. It is time for Colmes to find a new partner, and time for Michelle Malkin to get a life and lose her blog. With any luck, Ann Coulter's criminal problems in Florida will have short circuited her potty mouth...find it funny she of all people is suspected in voter wrong doing.


Hannity is also beating the publicity drums for John McCain who announced today that he is forming a committee to run for president in 2008...let me give Hannity and the Republican Party a clue. Any candidate they put up who stood firmly behind the Bush policy of "Stay The Course" in Iraq does not have a chance in hell in 2008, and on the top of that list are two people...John McCain and Joe LIEberman. Democratic Senators in Washington may think it smart to welcome Joe back to the party with open arms, but for those of us in the grassroots, he's a turncoat who should sell his soul out to the Republicans, as we do not need him. Hannity needs to find someone else to support as a candidate, and needs to wake up to the reality that his own base is rapidly vanishing, and he either tones down his rabidly obvious hate of Democrats, or he will soon be off the air and out of the national spot light he so craves and adores.

Liberal Far Left Being Pushed Aside?

It's three days after the election, and for this somewhat far left voter, the writing seems to be on the wall...we were good enough to carry the Democrats into power in Tuesday's election, but now that the dust is settling, we are being pushed off to the side, ignored as the party tries to embrace a centrist image. We rapidly are becoming the fraternal ugly twin of the Republican Party's Religious Right who were given promises during the campaign, but tossed aside and ignored once election day had come and gone. They found themselves without a true voice in the process, and early signs indicate the liberal left will suffer a similar fate.


The earliest sign of this reality came in news articles aimed at denying bloggers and You Tube video makers their share of the credit, and with that credit, access to our elected officials.


Many of the local Congressional races were tough, hard fought battles with razor thin wins. In New York's 19th Congressional District for instance, it was a 51-49 percent ordeal with less than 10,000 votes separating the two candidates. Democrat John Hall is going to Congress having upset favored six term Republican Sue Kelly. One You Tuber loaded up numerous video's attacking Sue Kelly's record, and just one of those video's had just short of 3,000 views just ten days before the election. That same You Tuber had various attack blogs that received well over 30,000 hits in the months just before election day. One group of grassroots folks put up and maintained the Take 19 blog for 18 months, being in the fight for at least six months before John Hall even entered the race. Yet, three days after the election, there is NO EFFORT to reach out to these folks, no plans to give them a seat at the proverbial table. None of us are reaping the rewards of our efforts, while others who apparently are more politically correct are already seeing benefits...being brutally honest, where is OUR PLUM? Where are some of our faces as new staffs are put together, where is our seat at the strategy table?


In his public messages since the election, Dean seems to be sending out to all of us a clear signal that there will be NO INVESTIGATIONS of the Bush administration, and that bipartisanship is the new BUZZ WORD of the party. HELLO...many of us worked our buns off to put Democrats in power because we wanted investigations, wanted the true tale of the corruption brought out into the light of day. What, the Foley scandal now gets swept under the rug, Gitmo has become a mute issue? Bush fires Rumsfeld and Mehlman steps aside at the RNC and we all make nice? Do the Democrats now in power think this is what we fought so hard for? Bolton being pushed out come January the icing on the cake as our new Democratic leaders give us a wink and a nod and turn their backs on us...is that what we fought so hard for?


The Liberal Left was marginalized and insulted for 12 years under Republican dominance of Washington. When the time was right, we stepped up with our time, money and hearts and carried our party into control. Now, we seem to be hearing the beat of ugly drums, the message beating into our heads...you have served your purpose, been good foot soldiers for the cause, but now you need to step aside and be silent as we drag our party into the center and secure our new found gains. What about OUR GAINS, what about our voice here on the left? We came together as a team to win a majority in both the House and the Senate. In sports, you do not abandon what brought you to the big game, you go with that winning strategy...I'd caution the Democratic Party to heed that advice, would suggest there is a great deal of peril in 2008 if you snub the liberal left, fail to give credit to the bloggers and grassroots activist that got you to where you stand now. Defeat in large numbers if you fail to give us seats at the table of power...we brought you back into power, and we can see to it you are taken out of power as well.

Will Liberal Stance on Immigration Cost Democrats The Majority in 2008?

Two days out from a decisive election sweep of both the House and the Senate, the issue of illegal aliens and immigration reform is BACK IN THE NEWS. Mexico's President Elect Calderon is decrying the fence, and demanding OPEN BORDERS. In short, the issue is a perfectly laid trap which could snare the Democrats, and see their victory a short lived majority.

Our Southern Border with Mexico must be secured, the fence must be built, and the time has come to put military troops on the border to stop not only the flood of illegal aliens into America, but to end the illicit and burgeoning drug trade from Mexico, which is now their third largest income producer behind oil and remittances from illegal aliens living here in America. We need stiff penalties for any one hiring illegal aliens, or aiding and abetting their stay in America, and this includes landlords, and the Catholic Church. Herein lays the snare for the Democrats...if they grant anything remotely resembling Amnesty, if they trash a fence to secure our Southern Border with Mexico, if they slap lower and middle class Americans by allowing illegals to continue their stealing of our jobs, and the lowering of our wages, they will suffer one of the worst election defeats in the history of America in the 2008 election cycle.

Democrats were sent to Washington to send a clear message that Americans were tired of Stay the Course in Iraq, and tired of a scandal ridden Republican Party...BUT, we as a whole favor BORDER SECURITY, strong criminal sanctions against those who hire illegals, and are against Amnesty and a liberal Guest Worker Program. Will the Democrats be SMART ENOUGH to know this, smart enough not to put their foot in the snare? Sadly, I am afraid they will play right into the Republicans hands on this one, be foolish enough to set aside the fence, set aside border security, and welcome illegal aliens with open arms, and in that one move lose every gain they have just made.

Calderon to meet with Bush on Thursday; cites need for bridges, not walls
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15634189/


Updated: 2 hours, 6 minutes ago
Ahead of a meeting with President Bush, Mexican President-elect Felipe Calderon is acknowledging his unhappiness with U.S. border security measures, saying the two countries need “bridges for progress and not walls that isolate and divide.”
U.S. steps to stem the flow of migrants across the border were expected to dominate Bush’s discussions on Thursday with Calderon, who takes office on Dec. 1.
Mexico has been highly critical of the U.S. plan to build a 700-mile fence along the border. The law authorizing the fence was signed by Bush on Oct. 26.

Cheney Just Got Castrated

It's official...Dick Cheney has just been castrated, and can no longer play TIE BREAKER in the United States Senate.

With Allen officially conceding that Webb won the Virginia Election, Democrats now hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate which now makes Cheney nothing more than a figure head with greatly diminished power. Perhaps he'll now have more time to go hunting?

Personally, I'm more than dissappointed that the Democrats are shying away from opening up investigations, as I think both Cheney and Rice need to follow Rumsfeld into retirement. Not saying impeachment proceedings, but using some well placed investigations to force them to offer up their resignations for the good of America. Cheney has been evil personified since he took his oath of office, and a believe a large portion of the blame for the mess in Irag rightfully falls at his feet.

John Hall's Letter To Faithful

The day after the day after, and we have our first word down from on high, so thought I would share it here. One interesting note about the letter...seems Sue Kelly is wanting a recount, and has withdrawn her concession.

John Hall's Letter to the Faithful

Dear Sherwood,
By now, most of you have probably heard the good news, but for those of you not glued to the TV news ...
WE WON!!
Our amazing campaign ended last night with amazing, suspenseful, ultimately jubiliant victory party. With 97% of the precincts reporting, we've earned 51% of the vote. (The rest of the votes are coming in from heavily Democratic areas). You can watch part of my victory speech on the Times Herald Record website.
There are hardly enough words to thank you for supporting me in this race. Six months ago, the pundits said the 19th was a "solid Republican" district. The powers-that-be wrote us off, from both parties. The media treated us like a novelty.
But you believed. You had faith. You could see what the "experts" could not: That people power can still triumph in America. That small donations can beat $2 million in corporate lobbying money. That one motivated volunteer is worth 1,000 attack ads. That hope and truth can still overcome fear and lies. That the good guys do, in fact, win in the end!
Despite Sue Kelly retracting her concession and asking for a recount, you and I and everyone in the Hudson Valley knows that we won. I should note that I agree with Sue Kelly's statement that every single vote should be counted. This is America, and if any election proves the power of one single vote in our democracy, this is it. We are confident that when the ballots are tallied, our margin of victory will give me a clear mandate to represent New York's 19th District.
I, for one, will not let this legal wrangling cloud our celebration. Instead, I will offer you my sincerest, warmest thanks. This campaign was nothing without supporters like you. I hope you feel incredibly proud of this historic victory. It is mine. It is yours. It is OURS.
You fought hard for me. Now it's my turn to go to Washington and fight for you. Because our fight for change, and justice, and truth has only just begun. Stay with me as we take our dreams to Washington.
Most sincerely yours,
John Hall

Democratic Majority...the First 100 Hours

Today, the big news coming out in the press is a bold agenda for the first 100 hours of the Democratically Controlled Congress come January of 2007...first on the list for Nancy is raising the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour. Let's be HONEST HERE...it's NOT ENOUGH! Ireland now has a minimum wage of $9.50 per hour, and that amount in Ireland provides its citizens with close to a living wage, and it is time for America to pay its citizens just that...A LIVING WAGE.

The War in Iraq...Rumsfeld is gone as of this morning...heard the breaking news first on the BBC and it was verified by an announcement on CNN shortly thereafter. Question is, do we want Mr. Gates replacing this man, and should it be accomplished during a LAME DUCK session of the house between now and the end of the year? For those with short memory, Mr. Gates is one of those throw back cronies Bush loves to surround himself with...Gates served the first President Bush, is another in a long line of OLD GUARD REPUBLICANS.

Next on the list...Healthcare, and I already have a problem with what is being discussed. The proposed goal...provide health coverage for all Americans UNDER 25! There is a RED HERRING if there ever was one. For the most part, those under 25 need health coverage the LEAST. I was without major medical coverage myself until my mid 30's...the joys I suppose in being a self employed business owner trying to build a new company. Luckily, other than a couple of visits to the emergency room, nothing serious cropped up for myself and family during that time in my life. How can you provide something for ONE GROUP of Americans, and leave another group out? Should someone who is 32 be told, "Sorry, for right now we are only giving coverage to those UNDER 25, and you sadly are TOO OLD"? Curious here...how many Americans could be given medical coverage if we had 12-20 million FEWER illegals here stealing our jobs, and lowering our wage base?

OUCH...I know, tough one, but I am noticing that Illegal Immigration, and SECURING our Southern Border have not been mentioned as a part of this miraculous 100 hour Agenda. Let's not forget, that for many of us in the lower and middle class who voted for Democrats this is an important issue, if not one of the top TWO ISSUES. I for one am tired of hearing the lie, that illegal aliens are only taking jobs we Americans are too proud to take. I am one of those that would support a 2200 mile long wall along our Southern Border with Mexico to stop the tsunami of illegals and drugs coming in through Mexico, and if Mexico does not like it, that is THEIR problem, not ours.

There is just under two months before the new Democratically Controlled Congress takes over the House, puts their people in the Committee Chairs...based on that reality, what would you like to see put on that list of things to accomplish in the first 100 hours?

Gather Democrats Goes National

Follow the yellow brick road, or Gather Democrats goes National by claiming this blog over on the Technorati blog tracker site...a must for ALL SERIOUS BLOGGERS. So, skip this post, as it is meant for the spiders.

Technorati Profile

Offensive Fund Raising...Enough Already

OK, I've plugged into the process, have spent many months now working on bringing change to Washington, DC by working to get my Democratic Candidate of choice elected to the new class of Freshman Members of Congress. I have given generously of my time, energy, heart and money since choosing to support John Hall's run for Congress.

Last night, my efforts, and the efforts of literally thousands of people just like me were rewarded with a shocking John Hall victory over incumbent Sue Kelly. It is and should be a time to savor our victory...right? So tell me why it is, that not even one day later I find myself being HOUNDED for a donation from the National Democratic Committee and our own lovable Mr. Dean. Sorry, but I find it offensive, so posting a portion of his note below.

You can commemorate these historic wins and lay the groundwork for a generation of victories ahead of us by joining the Democracy Bond community now:

http://www.democrats.org/2006victorybonds

It's been a big Election Day, and every Democrat has earned the right to celebrate today. We won elections up and down the ballot tonight because Democrats are ready to lead.

There's one more thing anyone watching the Democratic Party should know today:

We're only getting started.

Thank you.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

Open Letter to Congressman Elect John Hall

Dear John Hall:

You WON...we won! In less than two months, you will be sworn in as a part of a large new class of Freshman members of Congress. We here in the 19th District are proud of you, and excited about your future in Washington, DC. There are LOTS of issues that will need to be addressed upon your arrival in the capital, issues that have divided our district, and divided our nation. I want to discuss those issues, give you one simple citizen's views on some of those issues.

Iraq War-Stay the course verse Cut and Run. If only it were actually that simple of a choice. One thing is crystal clear...Bush's failed Stay the Course plan is not working, and Rumsfeld needs to go (IS GOING....great news!) at all cost. Question is, where do we go from there, and what is going to be the Democratic Plan to effect POSITIVE change in Iraq, and see our efforts properly focused on the War on Terror. Obviously, as one lone citizen, I am limited in what I know on Iraq, much of what goes on hidden from my eyes. Based on what I have been able to discern, seems we only have two viable choices.

1. Greatly increase our troop strength in Iraq, and get back on a war footing until we actually weed out and defeat the insurgency, and as a part of that, we have to defeat and disarm the local militia's. I do not see this as a viable reality unless we are willing to put at least 400,000 troops on the ground in Iraq who are properly trained and equipped. Is this a viable reality without re institution of the draft? Are we as a nation willing to make that large leap away from our all volunteer military, do we even have a choice at this point?

2. Embrace many of the concepts and ideas expressed by Congressman Murtha, and redefine our entire involvement in Iraq. If a civil war is unavoidable in Iraq, we cannot leave our troops stuck in the middle of it, and cannot afford to chose sides in such a fight.

There are NO PRETTY CHOICES. We want our troops home, and sooner than later...the question becomes, how to do it in a way that still makes political sense, not just here at home, but on the larger global stage. Which leaves us still with the war on terror. I think we owe Afghanistan more of a commitment, and think we also owe our own citizens far more than we have gotten so far from President Bush and his administration. First thing on the home front has to be TRUE BORDER AND PORT SECURITY...which in turn brings us to what I feel is the second biggest problem on the laundry list of items needing immediate attention, what to do about illegal aliens, and the 12-20 million already here, the majority of them being from Mexico.

Early on in the primary it was apparent you and I saw this issue from different perspectives, but I was/am impressed that you were willing to openly discuss the issue, and were willing to LISTEN...something few in office seem capable of doing, and it was that willingness to listen and discuss such a hot button issue that impressed me, and won me over to your side. Now you are Congressman John Hall, and will be dealing with this issue, as our nation depends on Washington finding solutions. This contentious issue, perhaps more than any other is the key to Democrats holding on to the important gains they made in last nights elections. The only workable solution I see, is dealing with the issue comprehensively, but singularly.

1. Secure our border, stop the influx of NEW BODIES illegally entering our nation. Yes, we have to figure out what to do with those already here, but we cannot really deal with that problem until we solve the more immediate problem, which is the ever growing number of illegal aliens in America. With each passing day, week, month and year that the federal government ignores this problem, the larger the number grows, and as that number of illegal aliens grows, so grows the cost being paid by those of us in the lower and middle class sectors of American society. Don't try to tell us our jobs are not being stolen, or that our wages are not being depressed, as they are. I know it first hand, have watched my own chosen livelihood slowly disappear like vapors burned away by the suns early morning rays. Further, local police and governments refusing to be involved in finding workable solutions are negatively impacting many of us...I would encourage you to speak to families, homeowners who have the misfortune of owning houses in neighborhoods being taken over by illegal aliens, take a serious look at the declining values of our homes because of neighboring homes that now have 30-40 people living in them. These problems will only grow worse if we refuse to secure our Southern Border, and stop the flow of illegal aliens coming into America.

2. Shut off the JOBS MAGNET. Honesty and integrity in government...that's a part of what this new sweeping Democratic Majority is supposed to be about. Well, a big part of why we have 12-20 million illegal aliens here, is BIG BUSINESS has a love affair with cheap wages, and this large pool of illegal aliens provides that huge pool of bodies that allows these corporations to keep our wages down. It's a basic rule of economics called supply and demand. A large supply of ready and available workers allows companies to offer less in wages, and less in benefits such as major medical coverage, and retirement benefits. So, it is time to create SERIOUS sanctions against any one who hires an illegal alien. More importantly, these new enforcement measures are meaningless if A) the money is not budgeted to actually enforce the sanctions, and B) if government at all levels (local, state and federal) do not play an active role in finding, identifying and prosecuting everyone and any one who employees an illegal alien.

3. Close the anchor baby loop hole that sees illegal aliens doing whatever it takes to give birth to a baby on US soil. Right now, by conservative estimates America has over 4 million anchor babies who's parents are here illegally. This was not the original intent of the 14th Amendment, and this law needs changed to shut down this additional magnet. Those already born here should be allowed to have US Citizenship, but the policy has to be changed.

4. What to do with those already here is a difficult problem, and solving it requires hard choices, and not everyone is going to be happy, no matter what approach is taken. Allowing all those already here to stay is simply not acceptable, and would be patently unfair to legal American citizens in the lower rungs of our economy. Sending all 12-20 million back home also is not acceptable, though could be workable...the solution is to be found somewhere in the middle, and I would suggest that middle ground is found with the cut off date of January 1st, 2001...we have to draw a line in the proverbial sand, and then stick to it. If you were here before then, you would qualify for some kind of a pathway to citizenship (barring any criminal prosecutions or a criminal record), but if you arrived here after that, sorry but you have to go back to your home country, and stand in line.

5. Chain immigration...when a person decides to migrate to a new country, that is a personal decision. It is unfair to America and our citizens to have artificial limitations on our immigration policy by allowing immigrants to use the backdoor to bring more people here. Family unification is something that should be thought about and decided on before someone decides to migrate, and it should not be our responsibility to MAKE EXEMPTIONS in the name of said family unification's.

6. Guest Worker Programs...this always has been, and will be a very slippery slope. How many illegal aliens who are here now came in to work as migrant farm workers? How many already here came in for one job, and then moved into another? Further, is it fair to bring in certain workers (IT comes to mind) because they will take a starting salary which is lower than the prevailing wage of an American worker in that industry?

The whole issue of wages brings us to minimum wage. The Democrats are promising to raise the minimum wage to $7.50 and hour in their first ONE HUNDRED HOURS...so what, the minimum wage in Ireland is now $9.50 and hour. At 7.50 and hour, working a forty hour work week, a minimum wage worker grosses only $300 a week. Take out all the deductions for social security, federal taxes, state and local taxes, unemployment, workers comp and the like, and that three hundred drops quickly, and we still have not factored in sales taxes on goods purchased, state and federal taxes piggy backed onto gasoline, and you can quickly see that raising the minimum wage to $7.50 an hour is inadequate at best.Being generous, take home pay at $7.50 an hour would net someone $13,000 a year...can we say POVERTY?

We can do better than that! How much has the wage of a Congressman/woman gone up since say 1996?

Cheap wages, cheap prices...it's a TRAP! Like it or not, we are a consumer driven society, and until or unless we change that reality, cheap wages risk killing our economic machine and throwing America into a depression as you wipe out the middle class, and the ability for our citizens to better themselves. The rally cry for some seems to be a chiding, "Go to college, better yourself, make yourself more marketable." Have we as a country become so callous as to believe those without a college degree are somehow less deserving of a living wage, and some respect for their contribution to the whole? Further, how can someone struggling to get by on slave wages realistically afford a college education?

There are so many areas of our government that need addressed, so many problems that need to be solved, and I cannot begin to touch on all of them (such as Social Security) in one open letter, but shall bring up one more....campaign finance reform, and TERM LIMITS. This American is tired of the special access given to BIG MONEY brokers. When Sue Kelly was in office, she did not have TIME to meet with people like me, I was a nobody, along with around 95 percent of the district. No money, no access was/is the rule of the day. It was a bit disheartening last night to see you make a BEE LINE to one small circle of men hiding over in the corner after you finished your interviews last night. Even more disturbing to see you rush off, guarded by huge menacing body guards, sad watching you hide behind the curtains, then rush out and leave without taking the time to move around among those who GOT YOU THERE, it smacked of BUSINESS AS USUAL with many of us feeling dismissed and once again removed from the process...not saying it was or is so, but telling you how it felt. We support(ed) you because you seemed to be one of us, and made us believe that our voices would be heard in Washington...for that to happen, we need serious limitations on PAC Money, and on money doled out by lobbyist and other special interest groups....one man one vote SHOULD MEAN SOMETHING inside the Washington Beltway. Further, we need TERM LIMITS...back in 1994 we had been promised term limits, Sue Kelly herself said 12 years, or six terms...that promise was not kept, and I would encourage you and the new Democratic majority to fulfill that promise made to Americans in that last revolution.

I congratulate you on your remarkable win, and am proud to have played a small part in making it happen. If I can be of any help, feel free to contact me, and I will be at your disposal. It's my greatest hope that you will make all of us in District 19 proud of you and your accomplishments as our Congressman. It's my greatest fear that I'll wake up in two years and realize that nothing changed, and that Washington, DC is still the same old same old.

Respectfully,

Porgie Tirebiter

Thoughts and Musings The Day After Victory

John Hall, Congressman elect for New York's 19th district. Sure if you would have asked the political pundits about John Hall's chances to unseat Sue Kelly just 48 hours ago, you would have found some serious doubters. Yet, his staff (Amy, Beth, Jonathon, Tate, Emily, Vane and so many others) and their tireless rag tag group of dedicated activists never gave up, never stopped believing, and have pulled off a stunning upset of 6 term Republican Sue Kelly.

I was there, was a small part of the whole that made it all happen. Was in the audience last night when John Hall (and his family) stood up on the stage to give his acceptance speech to all those who had worked so hard to effect change, toiled into the wee hours of the night to send a new voice, our voice to Washington, DC. We did it! John Hall is going to Washington, DC...he will be sworn in January 3rd, 2007. The party broke up at just after midnight, and with the fog settling in I drove home through spitting rain wrapped in the warmth of our collectively hard fought win, high on the reality that the Democrats had WON BACK THE HOUSE. Home, I could not sleep, did not want to sleep. So, I turned on CNN to get the latest news on the fight for the Senate and enjoyed a three fingered glass of Single Malt Scotch, falling off into dreamland at around 2:00 in the AM.

Now, it's the next day and I find myself sitting here happy, yet sad as emails trickle in. Our man won! Yet, now what? The urgency is gone, that adrenalin which kept me up until 2 and 3 in the morning making video's for You Tube still lingers, but there is no place to put it. As reality settles back in, there's this sudden void where the campaign had been. No need to scour the Internet looking FOR STUFF, any stuff that might help out. No pressing deliveries to be made, no phone calls to make, no fellow conspirator's with whom to speak with about our chances, or lack there of. We won, but now where do we go, what do we as individuals do with that energy we'd harnessed for the election? I'm happy, but a part of me wants to cry at the loss that is just now settling in.

There are some options...out on the porch of the Victory Party last night, hanging out with my fellow smokers, I heard that Pataki is opening up and office here in Peekskill to explore a run for President in 2008. For many of us, he's as HATED as Sue Kelly was. Maybe I should put up a Pummel Pataki Blog, get my attack program up and running early, as I do not want him in this town. I already have some DIRT on the man that could come in handy. Do I want to use it now, and try to blow him out of the water early, or keep my powder dry for use should he win the Republican Nomination. Maybe for now, should just seek out some fellow partisans, and maybe picket outside his office once it's officially up and open. I want to be a part of the process, but still want to do it ON MY TERMS. That reality comes with its own set of problems...one thing I learned in this race...as a lone rider with your own agenda, you can play a role, but you'll never be truly ON THE INSIDE. Do I want on the inside? If I do, could I ever really change enough to play by the rules I've spent most of my life avoiding like the plague? I thought at 50 these self discussions were over and past.

Shades of the Beatles as bits and pieces of old lyrics drift in and out of my reality, the proverbial No Where Man, or perhaps the fool on the hill. What to do, and where to go as I search for yet another great adventure, always the adrenalin junkie looking for that next fix, while at the same time not wanting to commit to a system I've never really trusted. Think I'll post this on both my John Hall and Gather Democrats Blogs, and then go make a fresh pot of coffee.

John Hall Part of NEW Democratic House MAJORITY

WOW, WOW, WOW...what a night it was last night here in Peekskill, New York as hundreds if not over a thousand grassrooters waited to hear the news we had worked for and waited on for quite some time...the Democrats HAVE TAKEN THE HOUSE, and John Hall is a part of the new freshman class of Congressmen going to Washington, DC in January 2007!

That's right, former Rocker, activist, and father is going to Congress! Congressman ELECT John Hall! I was a part of it all, at fifty can say I helped get a Congressman elected to Congress against overwhelming odds! It feels GREAT!

Now the hard work begins for John Hall, his and his family's life forever changed, as many of us witnessed last night. Let's just say our ability to be close to John seems to have ended. As our Congressman Elect, he was steered to key constituent groups to shake hands after the win, even though some of those groups did not come on board until the very last second, literally endorsing John Hall the night before the election. Just when it seemed life a few of us who were there for the long haul would get a chance to shake his hand, an important phone call came in and he was whisked off to hide behind the drapes while some rather LARGE body guards stood watch over him, and then still on the phone, our candidate was whisked out of the celebration hall and out of our site...it was a bitter sweet moment as the harsh reality crashed down on us. We'd won, but in winning we in some small way had also lost.

I am happy John Hall won. I'm happy to know that the Democrats now control the house, and may control the Senate. Yet, as time rolls by, it's my hope that myself and hundres of others like me who made this dream happen are not pushed off to the sidelines, once again the forgotten masses left behind until the next time our help is needed.

Sue Kelly-Humorous Political Short

Click to Play

If you don't have a sense of humor, best skip this Sue Kelly/Dick Cheney SMACK DOWN.

November 7th, Vote Your Heart

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Remember the numbers, and vote your heart on November 7th. Do we stay the course?? What does your heart say where Iraq is concerned. Please help get this message out to a million people by election day by sharing a link.

Sue Kelly, The Ugly Truth

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From marrying her Real Estate Tycoon husband, to increasing her own wealth by MILLIONS while in Congress, Sue Kelly is all about, "SHOW ME THE MONEY."? It's time she is sent packing this November 7th.

Sue Kelly Needs To Go!

I am a citizen and voter in New York's 19th District, home of despicable Tom DeLay, George Bush Rubberstamper, Congresswoman Sue Kelly. In 12 years, the only thing she has accomplished in congress, is to make herself far wealthier than she was when she arrived as part of the Newt Gingrich freshman class of 1994. In this election cycle, she has run from debates, run from her record, and run from local News Reporters, but then had the audacity to write out false accusations against John Hall in the form of a letter to the editor. It is this last egregious act on her part that has led to me deciding to TAKE THE GLOVES OFF, and confront Sue Kelly in a video that I will upload to YouTube and other sites later this afternoon. This lady is nothing short of a skank money whore, and I am not going to sit silently by while she uses DIRTY special interest PAC CASH to wrongfully smear her opponent in this race.

Stay tuned...

Ann (Potty Mouth) Coulter on CNN

Ann (Mouth Mouth) Coulter is on CNN spewing forth her usual right wing radical horse dung on Democrats...I'll be so glad to see the Democrats back in power, as it will see a demise in her God forsaken popularity among the Religious Right-Wing Redneck zealots of the Republican party who would never have a chance of getting her in stanky pants. However, I brought her up for another reason...seems she is in trouble with the law for voting in the WRONG precinct.

Now, by her own admission, she's a supposedly bright woman, and her family history tells us she is a spoiled rotten Daddy's butch-girl raised in New Canaan, Ct who attended the best of schools. Which leads us to believe her wrongful FRAUD of the electorial process was DELIBERATE. They should throw the book at this venemous snake and give her some serious time behind bars to think about her wrong doing...maybe she can be placed in Martha's old cell out in West Virginia, though I doubt any one there would knit her a poncho.

Coulter voting case could go to prosecutors

from Alexander Mooney

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) -- Conservative columnist Ann Coulter has refused to cooperate in an investigation into whether she voted in the wrong precinct, so the case will probably be turned over to prosecutors, Palm Beach County's elections chief said Wednesday. Elections Supervisor Arthur Anderson said his office has been looking into the matter for nearly nine months, and he would turn over the case to the state attorney's office by Friday.

Coulter's attorney did not immediately return a call Wednesday. Nor did her publicist at her publisher, Crown Publishing.

Republicans Lost Compass, Morally Bankrupt

I have been working diligently to unseat Tom De Lay Republican Sue Kelly here in New York's 19th district, and feel I am more plugged into the elections nationwide than most are. As this election cycle has unfolded, it is obvious that the Republican Majority has lost it's moral compass, and has nothing left in their bag of tricks but lies, deceits, and if necessary the actual brutal beating up on and attack on a Internet Blogger using his Freedom of Speech to ask a Republican Senatorial Candidate a question he would rather not face. Let's Look at what the Republican Party now seems to stand for in America.

In Tennessee, Corker has shown his true tighty whitey bigoted racist inner-self by allowing a racially toned attack piece to run against his opponent Harold Ford. Corker seems willing to stoop to any trick, any lie to win this seat, but if the people of Tennessee have any self pride and dignity, the racially toned commercial should be enough to send this bigoted white boy (Corker)back to the mountains where he can beat his wife, smack his children, and have sex with his sheep...WHAT?... cannot stand having the tactic reversed, cannot stand those stereotypes? Then don't vote for Corker, as the man has shown he is a world class sleaze ball.

God FORBIDE the Republicans lose one of their firewall Senate seats, so they figured out a way to top the dirty tricks of race bater Corker in defending Talent out in Missouri against a fine candidate in McCaskill...what did they do you might ask? They send Pillsbury Dough Boy, Rush Limbaugh to the airwaves to accuse Michael J. Fox of FAKING his Parkinson's disease, and even worse, this drug addicted fat pompous ass had the audacity to mimic Michael J Fox's twitches on the air. Stick a fork in that oversized druggies fat ass, his career should be done and over with...by the way, rumors stake that Melman, king of the Republican Machine leans in Mark Foley's direction, and not trying to cast dispersions here, but if it were not for his wife and kids, I'd have some serious reservations about Talent...WHAT, you don't like me giving you a taste of the Republican tactics? Then show some outrage at some of the horrid and socially unaccepted attacks your party candidates are using in this campaign.

OF course, Virginia's George Allen has stooped to more low life gutter behaviors than a Swamp Rat on steroids, with not one, but three separate actions that rise to a point of having his career ended, him being sent packing in disgrace along with Mark Foley, Duke Cunningham and Tom DeLay. First, he tosses out racial epitaphs at his opponents staffer, then pretends he MADE THE WORD UP! As the scandal broke across America, further developments showed us he had a penchant in his college days for using the N word. In the closing weeks of the election, and fighting for his job, he decided to ATTACK his opponents morals because of passages he'd (James Webb) written in published books. Surprised that George Allan's staffers did not include a book burning in the commercial attacking Webb, but then once they had gone that far, might as well have burned a few crosses.

Perhaps George Allen should look at the lusty lesbian overtones of Mrs. Cheney's early published work. Then there is the daughter-in-law (Francine Torres-Kelly) of Republican Congresswoman Sue Kelly of New York (more on her in a bit) who as an actress with the American Repertory Theatre has played some parts, spoken some words that would make even James Webb (decorated war veteran, and George Allen's opponent) blush. Using George Allen's measuring stick, perhaps we should stone Sue Kelly's daughter for being involved in such TAUDRY productions? Using George Allen's Republican thinking process on all things moral, we would all know that most artists, actors and actresses are of low moral character, use drugs, drink to excess, and are sexually promiscuous, and if that is true, what kind of values was/is she (Sue Kelly) teaching her children, for her son to have married an ACTRESS? GEE, maybe it was no accident that Sue Kelly was in charge of the Page Board after all when Mark Foley, drunk, was trying to force his way into the Page Dorm back in the year 2000!

Yet, George Allen was not finished, his staff yesterday showed us they were not finished when it came to dirty deeds done dirt cheap when they ATTACKED a blogger who wanted to ask Senator Allen about the accusation that he had SPIT on his first wife. I've not met George Allen, but the more I read about him, have to wonder if his knuckles still drag the ground when he walks. Mike Stark, a first year law student and citizen of Virginia tried to use his first amendment rights when he was BRUTALLY ATTACKED, and thrown viscously into a plate glass window by members of George Allen's staff. Keep in mind, Senator Allen saw himself as a Presidential Candidate in the 2008 elections. I called Senator Allen's office this morning after reading their press release, explained that said press release made it sound as if George Allen condones attacking people wanting to exercise their Freedom of Speech, and when I asked them for a comment, was told..."That's our statement, and if you read that into it, we are fine with that." OK...they had their chance.

Here in New York, several Republicans seeking re-election have a host of ethics problems, including our own Sue Kelly. First, we have Congressman Sweeney, who has his own mini-Mark Foley moment when he was photographed DRUNK at a college frat party with his arm lovingly around the shoulder of a young man...hmmmmm. In late breaking news on this man, it seems that his wife may have CALLED POLICE on him, claiming spousal abuse! GREAT, another knuckle dragger that thinks nothing about beating women while espousing STRONG Republican Family Moral Values...tell me Republicans, is WIFE BEATING a Christian Republican value you embrace in your candidates?

Now, with our own Sue Kelly and Tom Reynolds, we have a host of Republican members of Congress who KNEW about Mark Foley, but chose to HIDE HIM, and his CRIMES AGAINST OUR CHILDREN. We have Boehner from Ohio who when confronted by the press said he PASSED IT OFF to Tom Reynolds, his Boss. Not wanting the hot potatoe to burn his political chances, Tom Reynolds said he did what any employee would do, and gave it to his Supervisor! Sure, Congressmen and women see other members of Congress as their supervisors....who are we kidding? Reynolds has raised 100's of millions of dollars, and now he suddenly claims employee status and says he passed it off to his boss, one Dennis Hastert, the Speaker of the House! Hastert claimed faulty memory, then blamed the whole public mess on the Democrats.....oh, and Sue Kelly....she claimed NOTHING HAPPENED ON HER WATCH as Chairwoman of the Page Board, then when that was proved untrue, she claimed NO KNOWLEDGE of the events! Sure Sue, we believe you....NOT. When the press tried to speak further to Sue Kelly on this matter, she was seen RUNNING AWAY, which is what her whole re-election campaign has been about. Running away from her declaration that the War in Iraq was over, and we had won. Running away from questions about her close ties to the same pool of PAC money that made Jack Abramoff infamous, and running away from having a debate on the real issues of this campaign.

These are all new and recent scandals, examples of a morally bankrupt Republican Party, but not the only ones. Cunningham is in prison, Robert Ney has been sentenced to prison, Tom DeLay is under indictment, and when Mark Foley comes out of hiding, he'll also be under indictment. Two members of White House staff have been convicted for crimes in office, and Scooter Libby is under indictment for outing a CIA agent. The blood of almost 3,000 American fighting men and women are on the hands of Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush for their MAJORLY FLAWED "Stay The Course" policy in Iraq. Many may have missed it last night in the whirlwind of Kerry's statements, but Rumsfeld and Bush officially admitted defeat in Iraq when they caved into radical cleric Sadr's demands to lift the blockades...in doing so, they have walked away from the search for one of our missing heroes, shown themselves to be devoid of a backbone.

The winds of change are blowing throughout America, and we have a chance this November 7th to send a strong clear signal to Washington, that business as usual is over, and that we want a change in course.