Thursday, November 1, 2007

The Hillary locomotive

Yesterday we attended the Chamber of Commerce Economics Club meeting at which Bob Jensenius from the Chamber did an informal poll on the presidential election.

Fascinating. Jim and I get into discussions all the time about whether Hillary Clinton is electable, even though she has been the frontrunner among the Democrats so far. On the plus side there's the perception that she's the most Republican Democrat running, and the Republican pickins are slim this go-around. On the minus side there's the whole legacy from Bill Clinton's administration that had its victories, but also its share of icky (that's the technical term) publicity.

Back to the informal poll. This was a group of businesspersons, and the tone of the room said they were mostly Republicans. When the whole room was asked by show of hands who would be the Republican presidential nominee the majority clearly said Rudy Giuliani. When asked who the likely Democratic nominee would be they raised hands for Hillary's name loud and clear. And when asked who they thought would be the next President of The United States the group said resoundingly Hillary Clinton.

I've been hopeful before (Al Gore, John Kerry) about getting another Democrat in the White House. If yesterday is any indication it sounds to me like the Hillary locomotive is genuinely under way even outside the Democratic Party and it'll take a big event to derail it.

Friday, October 19, 2007

York County Dems sponsor showing of Sicko!

The Democratic Party of York County has stepped up and sponsored a showing of Sicko! the Michael Moore film about the abominable state of health care in the United States.

The movie will be showing at the Capitol theatre downtown on Friday, October 19th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 20th at 3:00 and 7:30 p.m.

It's recommended that you reserve tickets ahead of time - turnout could be pretty strong. I must admit that I can't wait to see it!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Requiem for a trickster

OK, OK, I'll admit straight out that I'm way beyond biased on this, but...

Whatever will King George do for a brain now that Karl Rove won't be around? Our own Axis of Republican Evil Acts will be spending more time with his family - at least until the other shoe drops on some of the illegal activity in our current administration that he masterminded.

Yesterday while being interviewed on CNN Bill Bennett commented that there are five rooms lined with books floor to ceiling in Karl Rove's house. He's been a self-educated guy. While I'm generally a big fan of bootstrappers, perhaps there's a bit of breadth that has been missing in his choices of reading that has obscured his perception of ethics. Maybe he's just been reading tome after tome that reinforces his own worldview. Would be interesting to see a reading list...

Did you know that Rove's reputation for dirty tricks started way back in 1972 with a contested election among the College Republicans? According to Wikipedia, Terry Dolan of California (one of the other candidates) went anonymously to the Washington Post with recordings of several training seminars for young Republicans where Rove discussed campaign techniques that included rooting through opponents' garbage cans. On August 10, 1973, in the midst of the Watergate scandal, the Post broke the story in an article titled "Republican Party Probes Official as Teacher of Tricks."

Former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean, who was implicated in the Watergate break-in and became the star witness for the prosecution, has been quoted as saying that "Based on my review of the files, it appears the Watergate prosecutors were interested in Rove's activities in 1972, but because they had bigger fish to fry they did not aggressively investigate him."

The Karl Rove-Dubya affinity began in this same timeframe. In November 1973, Bush Sr. asked Rove to take a set of car keys to his son George W. Bush, who was visiting home during a break from Harvard Business School. It was the first time the two met. "Huge amounts of charisma, swagger, cowboy boots, flight jacket, wonderful smile, just charisma - you know, wow", Rove recalled years later.

The flight jacket comment is particularly interesting considering that King George walked away from his obligation to the National Guard and, in effect, turned in his wings. All flight jacket, no plane.

By the way, Jim just asked me, "Did you ever notice that George H. W. doesn't allow his son to pilot the family boat?"

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The '08 presidential race - in search of global leadership

I know it's really early in the 2008 presidential race but I'm really betwixt and between (as my mother used to say) about who I support in the Democratic race. To be really committed to a candidate I need to agree with their views. I need to like the way in which they communicate. But I also add track record into the equation -their experience at operating on a global level.

By global I'm referring to a holistic perspective. I guess other people might agree with that perspective and that's why a lot of governors have beaten senators in the race for President. They've got experience running their states as a microcosm of a national government, balancing their revenues and expenses and protecting their interests in the larger national stage.

Or perhaps the governors have simply avoided the downside of having a national track record in the spotlight and under the magnifying glass. The only way for a legislator in either house to avoid being wrong on a position is simply not to have taken one.

The other way that I view global experience as important is that our national leader needs to understand what's going on around the world and have an appropriate (as defined by me of course) perception of the United States' role in it. This has been the most frightening piece of the Bush administration to me. Our president has displayed a shocking ignorance of the longstanding conflicts in the Middle East, and even an inability to name key world leaders accurately.

No wonder that Bush has resorted to the global strategy of a seven-year-old - punch them first so they'll be too woozy to punch you back. Oh, and don't worry about whether they're actually the one who pantsed you in gym class - if they're not the guy who did it they'll get the message from seeing the other guy's bloody nose that they'd better back off. Yeah, right. And I won't even get into the fact that he didn't personally have to do the punching. He sent his loyal citizens to get broken knuckles on his behalf.

I think we should learn from the many mishaps of the current administration when we choose the next one, but this situation is sort of like applying for a new job or thinking about dating a new person: it's risky to choose something or someone just because they're NOT what you've had. We need to be choosing someone, not just avoiding someone else.

At times I like Hillary the best. She's got the experience on the largest stage and I think she has the gonads to stand up to bullies, domestic or international. I don't think she's under any illusions, and yet sometimes I think that interferes with her ability to be inspirational. Barack has it in the inspiration department in my opinion. And I really like how Joe Biden calls it as he sees it.

It'll all reveal itself in time, but we need a Democrat who can put these last two terms of foolishness behind us and get on with the real work of being the America we can be.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Are enough Americans listening?

Thought all of you would want to listen to this essay from MSNBC, if you have not already. Use your browser and go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aCNFDdZ0uc

As we proceed in our local elections on our local voters' issues and concerns, are enough local citizens really listening to who will do what about local issues?

Are all the local citizens that are eligible to vote, also registered to vote?

Do they go to the polls on primary and general election days and actually vote?

Ask your family members, good friends, and neighbors whether they are active voters.

Encourage and support them in discussing the issues of concern to them (even if they are not the same as your opinions/views) because healthy dialogue is a VERY good thing.

Share this YouTube link with them and with everyone you know.

Are enough Americans voting? Voting to protect their children, their parents, and their wallets from those who believe themselves above the Constitution, from those so wealthy that they distain the middleclass, the working class and poor of America?

Are enough Americans even listening?

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Candidates speak at Grassroots Series

I have to say that I'm pretty psyched about the field of Democrats running for York County Commissioner. I saw the three of them last night at the most recent Grassroots Speaker Series, this one held at York Little Theatre.

Doug Hoke, Doug Kilgore, and Ned Grove spent about an hour responding to questions on numerous issues impacting York County, and on their perspectives on county government's role.

Kilgore is the lone Democrat incumbent (of three positions) and spoke most memorably about just why it was important for the county to take possession of the Highpoint property. A former dairy farmer, Kilgore said it's important to always be looking ten years out, at what we want our county to look like. His point in supporting Highpoint as park area has two major areas of emphasis: the preservation of the Susquehannock Indian site there and the importance of conserving the delicate ecosystem that borders the Susquehanna River and eventually impacts the Chesapeake Bay.

Doug Hoke's experience in managing large construction projects came through in a question asked about the significant cost overruns in the new County Courthouse building project. Hoke grew up in a household of public service - his father was a supervisor in West Manchester Township. He owns a small farm and is part owner of two businesses housed there, but will be retiring from his job in December after he wins a commissioner seat.

Ned Grove's main message was that there's no way to achieve tax savings without making cuts - saving on expenses, removing unnecessary personnel from county payrolls, etc. Grove is a real estate agent, but plans to let his license lapse once he's elected commissioner.

Democrats can only move two of these candidates forward to the general election by their vote in the primary May 15. This field of candidates provides a great opportunity for York County Democrats to regain a majority in the Commissioners' Office.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

County Commissioners Forum

This Monday, April 23rd, at 7pm you can hear and meet the Democratic candidates for York County Commissioner at York Little Theatre. This is another of our Party’s Grassroots Speaker Series programs.

The forum will begin with a Question & Answer session led by yours truly and followed by an informal Meet and Greet that will provide audience members the opportunity to talk with each of the candidates one-on-one. (Be advised that this event is not a “debate” between candidates)

York Little Theatre is located at 27 S. Belmont Street near the intersection of Route 83 and E. Market Street. A map is available using this link: click here for travel guidance to the event

You will then want to mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 22nd to join us at the York College campus . . .

“PROJECT CLIMATE” IS THE TOPIC OF THE MAY EVENT OF THE GRASSROOTS SPEAKER SERIES

The DPOYC’s Grassroots Speaker Series is co-hosting its May 22nd program with the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women. The program will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, May 22, in Wolf Hall’s Recital Hall at York College of PA. The program should conclude by 8:30pm.

The program presenter is Lance Simmens. He has been chosen as one of 1,000 Climate Change messengers worldwide to help promote awareness and education on the issue of climate change, and has successfully completed training that will allow him to present the scientific evidence that forms the basis of the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”

Mr. Simmens is currently Special Assistant to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. He has held senior public policy positions stretching back to the Carter Administration. For over 30 years he has served in a variety of positions at the Federal, State and local levels of government. His service includes six years on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, six years with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and eight years in the Clinton Administration.

See the attached files that were provided to us for more detailed information.


Go York Dems . . . Go York Dems . . . Go York Dems ! ! ! ! ! !

Monday, March 26, 2007

Enough is enough

I'm not typically one for diatribes, but I've had it with our current administration. This Gonzalez affair is only the most recent in a seemingly unending chain of events that demonstrate an attitude of "we know better than our constituents and we'll do as we please" mentality in the White House. I don't believe that our fearless leader does know better - he's evidenced that he doesn't believe it himself with the level of authority he's bestowed on Dick Cheney and - heaven forbid - Karl Rove.

I wasn't a fan of Bill Clinton's inability to keep his trousers zipped, and I think his past escapades will still haunt Hillary in her campaign for president. But holy cow! Our Congress was willing to seek impeachment on those flimsy grounds and yet hasn't called George onto the the same carpet. I don't get it.

W has gotten us into a war founded on falsehoods, sending our sons and daughters into harm's way. He's sent them understaffed and underequipped with naive platitudes about their reception in Iraq. He put more people at risk when he revealed Valerie Plame as a CIA operative. He's ignored or has been grossly unaware of conditions at Walter Reed so that after their sacrifice our troops return home only to get treated in a no-star facility. Then he has the unmitigated gall to say that anyone not in support of the war isn't supporting the troops. Balderdash! Look in the mirror, George, to see who's not supporting the troops.

Let's see - falsely elected, budget surplus to budget deficit, ruination of the United States' moral leadership on the global stage, torture, privacy invasion from the Patriot Act, politically motivated firings of competent people, felons in his senior staff (Scooter Libby,) tax cuts for the most wealthy citizens, attempts to pull the rug out from under Social Security, ignorance and/or lack of action on the health care crisis - this is some track record. C'mon, Congress. We've got to do something about this guy.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Hear from the true roots of grassroots Democrats

Join fellow Democrats on Monday, March 26 at 7pm at the headquarters of the Democratic Party of York County. That evening you will hear from a panel of representatives of several of the Democratic Party clubs and societies describing what Democrats are doing in the neighborhoods and communities around you.

Do you worry that you do too little while talking too much about the state of American politics, the war in Iraq, the sleaziness of Karl Rove’s tactics that he learned as a White House junior staffer during Nixon’s presidency? Then don’t delay . . . opportunities abound for you to make a difference.

Join your fellow Democrats and learn how to you can become part of the Democratic Party solutions that our county and our great nation need at this critical time. Learn how to become actively involved on your own street, your own neighborhood to ensure your values are represented in your municipality’s elected leadership in 2007.

Let’s get York County ready to help Democrats reclaim the White House in 2008!

See you at 275 W. Market Street in York City at 7pm this Monday, March 26, for learning and sharing with your fellow Democrats and Progressives. Email me at jimpoland@jimpoland.com if you need directions for that evening

Thursday, March 1, 2007

New connections for you

Would you like to keep up with the current postings on The Kicking Donkey without taking any extra steps? Take a look at our sidebar - you can now have every posting automatically forwarded to your email address via Feedblitz. Enter the requested info and you can be among the first to read up on the latest.

Also, if you're thinking about taking a greater leadership role in the Democratic Party, you're considering running for office, or if you simply want to take your performance to the next level of excellence, check out my blog, Peak Performance - From the Coach's Desk at http://worldaccordingtojulie.blogspot.com. The blog contains tips, stories, inspiration and some fun to get you revved up and moving forward. If you like it you can subscribe there too.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

What's next ?

Last night a dentist shared his frustration with the dental health insurance environment that he must function within. He declared that his frustration is intense, but minor when compared to what his peer physicians must feel being squeezed between health insurers, malpractice premiums, and the government. For him, at times he feels like he should just conclude . . . “Close the doors. Turn out the lights. You’re done!”

Over thirty folks participated in a very lively program about health care coverage for every resident of Pennsylvania. Governor Rendell’s approach includes the health insurance companies as part of the solution and HELP Fund PA proposes removing those insurers from the solution because they have identified those very insurers as the root cause of the lack of affordability of health care coverage for us.

Great turnout, great event, exciting time had by all ! ! Thank you to all who participated and to Bob Kefauver for his assistance and his videotaping of the program for submission to our local public access tv folks.

Participants were asked what they’d like to experience in the future programs presented as the Grassroots Topics series at the Democratic Party of York County Headquarters. Their responses were exciting:


- Education Reform, including funding
- Fair Trade
- Consolidation of municipalities
- Immigration issues
- ACLU – the war on our civil rights – Patriot Act – Guantanamo
- Women’s issues
- Oil – money to the Middle East – oil pipeline
- How to run a tight, well organized campaign
- How to pick winning candidates
- Establishing a county-wide Human Relations Commission
- Joint meeting with all the other Democratic Party clubs, associations (Young Dems, Southern, etc.)
- Use the wall in there in the headquarters of the Party to provide photos and biographies of our leaders of the Democratic Party of York County
- Identify the elected positions that we need to recruit Democratic Party candidates for . . . in the current election cycle and the near future
- Defining ourselves and who we are and where we stand as the Democratic Party of York County for recruitment of Dem voters and candidates

Obviously, it was a fantastic night of lively interaction by your fellow Democrats and Progressives. Join your neighbors and your peers next month for the next Grassroots Topics program. Watch for details.

In the meantime, find a military service veteran (current service or years ago), his/her family members, and even those who grew up as military “brats” and thank them for their sacrifices and their loyal service to us all, to our great nation ! ! !

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Join your fellow Dems ! !


Feeling like your Mondays
in York County are too dull, too quiet,
too ordinary?


Not this Monday, February 26th!


Event #1 - First DLA Luncheon of 2007
We want to remind you of our first Democratic Leadership Alliance luncheon of 2007;
at noon, Monday, 2/26/07, at the Harp and Fiddle Irish Pub (upstairs) on S. George Street in the city.

There will be a "State of the County" address by Mayor John Brenner, County Commissioner, Doug Kilgore and State Rep. Eugene DePasquale.
Cost is $25.

For reservations or more information, contact Mary Ann Bacas, 663 Madison Ave, York, PA 17404. or email her at: MA@Bacas.com

Event #2
“Health Care For Every Pennsylvanian”
is the topic of this month’s grassroots session
at 7PM on at the Democratic Party HQ in York City
at 275 W. Market Street.

Feb 26th The Democratic Party will have 2 speakers discussing Health Care in Pennsylvania.
  • Chuck Pennacchio, the exciting and forward thinking US Senatorial candidate, is coming to York.
  • Abe Amoros, or a representative from the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform (OHCR), is also coming to YORK!!

The speakers are presenting competing Bills on Health Care for Pennsylvanians.
This unique opportunity to hear and question BOTH Plans also means we can INFLUENCE how our Representatives vote! Each speaker will take 15 minutes to share their point. There will be a question and answer period after we have heard from both.

Please join us at 7PM on Feb 26 at the Democratic Party HQ, 275 W. Market Street.

Additional information:
OHCR is presenting a plan called the "Prescription for Pennsylvania" or "Rx for PA". This Plan is a series of 47 Bills that will hold down escalating costs such as the uninsured using Emergency Rooms as their primary care system. The Governor has been traveling the state seeking support for the Plan.

The competing Plan is a Single-Payer Bill. HELP Fund PA or the "Family and Business Healthcare Security Act of 2007". HELP Fund PA on Feb 27th (10 AM - Noon) is in Harrisburg making a presentation before Democratic legislators. HELP Fund PA is hoping for grassroots support from every citizen to pack the House Caucus room with more than one hundred supporters. Keep that in mind while listening and questioning the speakers on Monday night.

Overall Agenda for evening of Feb 26th:
7 PM: Welcome and Announcements by Jim Poland, Vice Chair Finance of the Democratic Party of York
1. Upcoming Training & Events
2. Deadlines for the Primary
3. Call for Volunteers
7:15: "Rx for PA" by Abe Amoros
7:40: "HELP Fund PA" by Chuck Pennachio

Q&A Time: 20 minutes

Announce Next Meeting

Social Time

Adjournment

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

York County Federation of Democratic Women set to grow

I just received a membership application from the York County Federation of Democratic Women. They have an upcoming meeting Saturday, March 31 at 2p.m., at a location to be announced.

The purpose of the organization is :

Dedicated to the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party and to the promotion of Democratic Women to leadership in government and in the Democratic Party. The YCFDW shall support the election of Democratic candidates throughout Pennsylvania.

Membership in YCFDW is open to any person who is registered in the Democratic Party, and annual dues are $10..

There are to be five committees:

SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE: This committee shall be responsible for the development of activities to promote the participation and election of Democratic women in York County. The committee shall also develop and recommend events and/or activities to increase voter registration and voter participation in York County.

WAYS AND MEANS: This committee shall be responsible for the development and implementation of events to fund club activities with the approval of the membership.

BUDGET AND FINANCE: This committee shall be responsible for the preparation of the annual club budget. The committee shall also review the financial records of the club annually

MEMBERSHIP: This committee shall be responsible for the recruitment of new members...
Political Action Committee: This committee shall make recommendations for the expenditures from the PAC fund.

Dues may be sent to Carol Downs Brady - Any questions call Colleen Burkett 600.0105 or email to colleen@burketts.org.

Interesting info on the impact of social networks on politics

Ben McConnell at the Church of the Customer Blog did a post titled Social networks and politics:
"Social networks are the new grassroots organizing force for politics.
The first-week numbers for Barack Obama's presidential campaign website illustrate why:
70,000 members signed up
4,000 blogs started
3,000 fundraising pages
started
2,400 groups started
Social networks for grassroots campaigns
give the true believers more of what they want: a voice, a vote and a vocation. "

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Dentists with a heart

Thank them, today!

Reliable research shows that poor oral health . . . a.k.a. plaque build up . . . can cause heart disease. We all know that it is hard to look straight at someone we’re talking to who is missing one or more of their front teeth. Now, imagine interviewing and hiring a job applicant with mission teeth, Imagine that same toothless applicant who is finding it hard to get hired for a job paying a “survive & thrive” wage feels the pressure of knowing they are totally relied upon by one or more young children to provide the food, shelter, clothing, and health insurance.

Dental health is IMPORTANT ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

So, call these folks and thank them today for what they do for York: Steven, John, Ed, Jim, Rob, Sarah, Doug, Rina, Gary, Jim B., Jill, Jeff, and Joan.

These business owners and career professionals are providing
DENTAL CARE for FREE
FOR THOSE IN FINANCIAL NEED

Here in York, Pennsylvania.

You have to love that.

The York County Dental Society and these dentists are participating in the 21st annual “Dentists With A Heart”.

If you are avoiding oral care because of limited finances, then contact one of these folks right away to schedule an appointment for your children and yourself. If you know of a neighbor in this situation, print out this blog, give it to them and encourage them to get the care they or their kids need.

Even if you are not faced with severe limited financial means, remember to call one or more of these dentists to thank them and their staff for their loving, quality service to your neighbors. Better yet, mail them an honest-to-gosh handwritten thank you note as a nearby neighbor. If your dentist isn’t participating, consider mailing a copy of this blog commentary to them (email it to them if they have a website).

Honor Roll:
Feb. 14 Shrewsbury 888-287-6453 Dr. Steven Haywood
Feb. 15 Shrewsbury 227-9959 Dr. James Boyle
Feb. 16 Hanover 633-5874 Dr. Joan Werleman

Mar. 10 Spring Grdn 846-2900 Dr. James Coll & Associates
Already held their event and deserve a “thanks”:
Feb. 9 Dallastown 244-4094 Dr. Edward Roth
Feb. 9 Sprngtssbry 848-1463 Dr. Robert Bury & Dr. Sarah O’Sullivan
Feb. 9 Spring Grdn 854-9821 Dr. Douglas Schmitt, Dr. Rina Singh, Dr. Gary Kaplowitz
Feb. 10 New Salem 792-0484 Dr. John Blevins


Remember to floss daily
and brush your teeth for 2 minutes
at least twice every day.

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Ding Dong redux

“Ding, dong the witch is dead, the wicked witch, the witch is dead. Ding, dong the wicked witch is dead.”

Every American baby boomer who faithfully watched the annual rerun of The Wizard Of Oz every Easter weekend in the 1960s remembers this refrain sung by the Munchkins of Munchkinland upon the arrival of Dorothy, her dog Toto, and her Kansas farmhouse that landed on top of the Wicked Witch of the East. So began the Technicolor portion of the epic tale of Dorothy’s quest to return to her home, family, and friends by conquering the Wicked Witch’s more wicked sister.

Recently the wicked witch of Iraq (and some of his henchmen) was finally put to death for his crimes against his own citizens. America overthrew this evil despot in order to free ourselves from the fear that he would supply weapons of mass destruction to our enemies. Weapons never found. We then justified the continued risks to our men and women, their deaths and maiming and the burgeoning expense of billions of taxpayer dollars because he was an evil dictator who committed despicable acts of murder upon his repressed masses and was destabilizing the entire Middle East. Next, we justified our bungling efforts by declaring that America was delivering the freedom of democracy to the peoples of Iraq (our Democracy came from our own internal revolution, by the way).

Well, the witch is dead . . . let’s go home to Kansas, Toto!

Oh no. It’s not that easy. Now we must tolerate our President hocking his and his Veep’s “Gird Your Loins” plan to send more of our women and men, America’s mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers into the Land Of Oz. Messrs. Rove, Bush, and Cheney propose to us that although we have achieved our Primary Goal of having the evil dictator and his evil sons deposed and/or dead, achieved our Secondary Goal of freeing Iraq’s repressed, tortured populace by introducing a Westerner’s edition of a free democratic government duly elected by confidential ballot that now we have to pull from their homes, their children 20,000 plus of our neighbors (perhaps your family members) to quelch the sectarian civil war and destroy the jihadists funded by Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Syria. The reasoning we are expected to tolerate is that America has “broken it, so we own it.”

Mr. President, like a good used car salesman asks us to join him in supporting the “winning of the war on terrorism” by massing more American citizens in the very killing fields that we created in Iraq for those extremists who have twisted their faithfulness into a justification to live as serial murderers. The advisers of Mr. President and those in the Houses of the Senate and Congress who support this “surge” are the flying monkeys of Oz. You know, the monkeys that deliver us to the Wicked Witch of the West who seeks revenge for our arrival in her land when we dropped that house on her wicked sister. Only this time there are no magic slippers protecting us. Nor is there a simple bucket of water that can be tossed on the wicked creature to cause the evilness to shrink away.

I suggest that you call and email your Pennsylvania Senators and your local Congressperson, Mr. Platts here in York, to CLEARLY STATE THAT AS THEIR CONSTITUENTS YOU DO NOT SUPPORT AN INCREASE IN COMBAT FORCES SPECIFICALLY IN IRAQ ! ! ! !

Then relax and contemplate the words of the Scarecrow
in L. Frank Baum’s original fairytale novel:

“There is only one thing in the world I am afraid of.” “What is that?” asked Dorothy. “The Munchkin farmer who made you?”

“No,” answered the Scarecrow. “It’s a lighted match.”

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

What's at stake in this year's elections

In the York County, PA community here is what is at stake for this year’s primary and general elections:

1 County Commissioner seat
3 York City Council seats
City Controller
City Treasurer
County Treasurer
County Sheriff
County Clerk of Courts
County Register of Wills
County Clerk of Orphans
County Prothonotary
District Justice 19-1-04 (in York)
District Justice 19-1-05 (in York)
Plus seats for various borough councils, township supervisor boards, and school boards throughout York County

So, how are you going to improve your community this election cycle ? ? ?

Sure, sure, sure - - - these local Democratic Party election opportunities are NOT going to directly change the course of the White House and Pentagon’s actions (or misguided actions) in Iraq. However, these officials will impact your moment-to-moment lifestyle in our lovely Central Pennsylvania community.

Supporting the election of grassroots Democrats will continue the momentum throughout our great nation that was evidenced by the November, 2006 Congressional and Senatorial election outcomes. Begin with your City, Borough, County, and School District offices and watch the influence grow toward the more sensible values and precepts of the Democratic Party’s members. . . you ! ! !

Click here to visit the local Democratic Party of York County website to learn how you can make the difference that leads the way.

Ask me how you can help in your immediate neighborhood and who you can reach out to in order to become involved. Email me at JimPoland@JimPoland.com or call #870-5070.

Don’t be shy, give it a try ! ! !

Monday, February 5, 2007

New group for teen Democrats forming

I'm so pleased to hear about the formation of a Teen Democrats chapter here in York. It's important for young eligible voters to become active in the process early on and to understand what's really going on so they can cast informed votes. Grooming energetic new Democrats is great for the vitality of our county party.

The first meeting of the Teen Democrats will be held February 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the Democratic Headquarters. For more information, contact Brittany Preston at flagchicbrit19@aim.com.

Saturday, February 3, 2007

How to get involved in this election cycle

It's time for you to help the process of democracy. Consider running for office, or helping someone who is doing so by helping him or her obtain signatures on a petition. Visit the York County elections office for petition forms, and to find out any specific requirements for the office for which you're running.

You can start collecting signatures no earlier than February 13. The number of signatures required depends upon the office for which you want to be a candidate. It's recommended that you get extra signatures just in case some of your signers aren't eligible to sign for you (for example, if you're a Democrat and they are a Republican they are not eligible to sign for you.)

Your petition must be received by 4:30 p.m. March 6 - no exceptions - at the elections office. Candidates also have to submit a financial interest statement that details the sources of their money.

Even if you're not running and you're not helping someone else get their petition in you can help register voters in time for the May 15, 2007 primary. Go to http://www.pa.lwv.org/voting/votingfaqs.html#VR and follow the links to obtain a voter registration form. These must be received by April 16 for the voter to qualify to participate in this year's primary.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Kudos to Gov. Rendell on his Rx for Pennsylvania!

Kudos to Gov. Rendell !

It is time to bring some sanity into what is an otherwise insane system. The healthcare insurance system of our great nation is sick . . . a chronic disease that, like many, can be controlled and managed with proper treatment and routine consumption of a strong, beneficial prescription. Or, if left untreated to progress as it is, will very likely lead to the death of healthcare insurance coverage for all Pennsylvanians . . . all Americans.

Last night, I had the privilege of personally hearing Governor Rendell review the multiple causes of his patient’s chronic illness . . . of Pennsylvania residents’ health care cost crisis.

There are 767,000 adults in our commonwealth presently forced to go without healthcare insurance. And for those PA workers who are insured, the cost of continuing their coverage has risen 5.6 times faster than the increases in their wages between 2000 to the close of 2006. During the past six years the increase in median wages of Pennsylvania’s workforce has only been 13.3%, inflation drove up the prices we pay for goods and services by 17%, but health insurance premiums skyrocketed 75.6% ! ! ! !

Pennsylvania and York County families, employers, and the self-employed have all been sliding down a slippery slope of lower income and reduced quality of life due to this outrageous, insane, and inappropriate explosion in costs. Huge premium increases that are harming the bottom lines of our local businesses and leading those employers to share those cost increases with their workers or face the prospect of dropping their group-based health insurance policies entirely. Sharing the premium increases and redesigning health benefits plans to have much higher deductibles, coinsurance, and co-pays in order to reduce future premiums has led every employer in our community to feel significant demands for corresponding wage increases from even their most loyal employees. I personally know of an employer who received an 84% annual increase to their employees’ health insurance premiums (imagine a$12,000 annual family premium jumping to $22,080 just 13 months later) ! ! ! And so the chronic disease feeds itself through out of control costs.

Last night, I learned that 71% of the uninsured in PA are actually employed, with 77% of those uninsured earning less than 300% of the ’06 Federal poverty level, or $60,000 for a family of four ($29,400 for individuals). The most scary data is that 27% of our uninsured Commonwealth residents have been WITHOUT INSURANCE FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS ! ! !

Governor Rendell and his team have proposed a sane Prescription for Pennsylvania . . .a prescription for improving affordability, quality, and access for all Pennsylvanians.

The RX for Pennsylvania sure sounds like a sane initiative for integrating practical strategies for improving health care and containing costs for York Countians and all our families and friends in Pennsylvania.

Tell your State Senator and State Representatives to engage in valid, mature, intelligent, and sane dialogue with Governor Rendell about quickly implementing the steps to properly manage this chronic health care cost illness in PA that is clearly ruining our economy and quality of life. Go to: York County’s legislators

Click here to learn more about your Governor’s Rx for Pennsylvania

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

You go, Eugene!

Last year when we elected Eugene DePasquale to the State House we knew we were sending him to a place with a history of financial self-dealing. Pennsylvania residents were ticked off that our state representation chose to circumvent the intent of the law and take advances on the pay raises they voted for themselves. Some of the folks we drummed out of office in the November elections took their last swipes at our wallets by taking tens of thousands of dollars in "expenses" on their way home.

Well, Eugene has provided an itemized list of his expenses right out of the gate - what a concept! At last somebody understands the accountability we want to see from the legislators who work for us. None of this tiptoeing out the door with a check in hand. Full accountability. Way to be a role model, Eugene!

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Welcome to The Kicking Donkey!

My dad was a dyed-in-the-wool Massachusetts Democrat who taught me a lot about speaking my mind even when my views were unpopular. Little did he know just how much my perspective on government and its proper role in our lives would indeed reflect the minority view in my community - at least until now.

We have a resurging Democratic party now in York County, with strong leadership and a growing Grassroots effort. Just last night we brought our local Grassroots organization under the official party umbrella to enable its energy to continue to move us forward. Kudos to Ron Toomey, Mary Toomey, and Betty Marshall for providing that place for like minds to gather. During the past three years we've organized to better promote candidates, and we've gotten more informed about the issues that are affecting us at a national, state, and local level. We've had more solidly competitive candidates in more races. And we're building our network of community volunteers to get people registered and participating in the process of democracy.

If things go according to plan you'll see posts from various members of our York area community of Democrats - some to inform you, some to inspire, and some to do some ranting and rabble-rousing. Please add your voice to the mix - this is what the American way of government is all about!