We need a new "New Deal".

In 1932, the Great Depression had been raging on for three years. Many people felt that then President Herbert Hoover was clueless about how to deal with the economic crisis that has hit our country so hard. Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided to run for President with "The New Deal" as his platform. He was elected President and incorporated The New Deal into action. The proposition and implementation of The New Deal had accomplished two things. For one, provided economic relief during a very trying economic crisis for America. Another thing is that it had united many disparate factions under a progressive ideal that was put into action by the Democratic Party in 1932. Why these points are resonant today is because many people are predicting another depression. No doubt in large part because of the policies of one George W. Bush. A man who has made economic policies that are both counterproductive and counterintuitive. It is important to do anything in our power to make sure that this does not happen. America cannot afford another depression. We got through the last one through the innovation and we should try to avoid the next one through the same kind of intelligence and innovation.

What's more is that we need to unify all the factions of the Democratic party both within the party and with many independents that are disaffected with the direction that the Republican Party has taken. Many people are looking for a change and they are looking to the Democratic party. Reading "Crashing The Gates" by Markos Moustalita and Jerome Armstrong talks about how the Democratic Party seems to have become broken up into special interest groups that care entirely about their single issue and don't want to work for progressivism beyond their issue. NARAL endorsed pro-choice Republican senator Lincoln Chaffe over two pro-choice Democrats. Despite the fact that the Democratic party platform includes ensuring a Woman's Right to choose, whereas the Republicans are opposed to abortion. Granted there are a few Republicans who are pro-choice and some Dems that are not, but what they are doing hurts their cause. We, as Democrats and as Americans need to look at broader issues and at the big picture. Another new deal would help to facilitate a unifying message. The New Deal coalition is dead, but that doesn't mean that we can't create a new one. Will it be like FDR's new deal? In many ways, no. It needs to reflect the 21st Century. In many ways these times are very different from 1932. But the basic idea can be updated and utilized again. Our country is depending on us to do it.

Meeting Kos last night.

Having been a major poster to his blog for some time, I got to meet Kos last night and got him to sign my newly-purchased copy of "Crashing the Gate". After that, our Jefferson County You Democratic group got a picture with him at Drinking Liberally. Got to talk to Bill Winter, Kos, State Representative Morgan Carroll, and State Representative Angie Paccione. It was one interesting night. I look forward to reading the book. It should be a very interesting read. I am curious to see all that he has to say about how to win back control of our great country. If you haven't read it anywhere else, Drinking Liberally Denver had a record turn out. Many people who came had never been there before and the crowd took up almost all of Double Daughters.

TV politics versus Real Life Politics. Spoilers

The two TV shows that I watch that involve political intrigue are "The West Wing" and "24". Both are very good contrasts to each other and to real life. The West Wing has had the kind of Presidents that we in reality wish we could have. At least that is the case with Jed Bartlett and the now recently elected Matt Santos. Hell, even Arnold Vinick, the Republican who ran against Santos would have been a decent President. One I could respect. All three of these characters showed honesty, integrity and the morality to make good Presidents. They also have the political know-how and smart people around them that help them get things done. The West Wing is America as it should be. Where while both sides have their differences, neither is really evil. Granted, there are things on the West Wing that reflect some of the problems that we have in our world, yet it seems like the characters get through them intact.


24, is a totally different story. 24 deals with a lot of hyperbole in a heightened reality. Through the course of the show, we have seen three Presidents, but only 2 of them have really been thoroughly examined. President David Palmer and President Charles Logan. David Palmer was a Democrat, and an honest man. Not to mention the first Black President according to the 24 timeline. He is a West Wing President in a 24 world. A great man surrounded by at times less than ethical people who have tried to take him down. In season 2, he was temporarily removed from office because he would not go to war with a foreign country who he did not know was responsible for a nuclear attack on American soil. When the country was found not to be responsible, he was reinstated and exonorated. In Season 3, because of some unfortunate events, he decided not to run for re-election. The other major President in 24, Charles Logan, stepped into the Presidency by accident when his predecessor was incapacitated. Wheras Palmer had been resolute, Logan was a moral coward of the worst order. Afraid to do anything. During Season 5, a nerve gas threat occurred on US soil. In the process of it, former President David Palmer was assasinated. As the day progresses, we see that Logan is complicit with all of this. He was behind the nerve gas threat. All in effort to shore up his power base under the guise of "making America safer". Sound familiar? It's a little scary to me that our world is closer to the 24 type than The West Wing type. He orchestrated the invasion of Iraq based on lies, which I find appalling. He outed a secret agent in revenge for her husband refuting his claims about Iraq getting Uranium Yellowcake from Africa. While this is not nearly as appalling as what Logan was doing on 24, it is illegal.


It is amazing to which the level of distrust in our government can shift. Before Watergate, Presidents have lost the respect of the people. Truman in 1952, for example. Ironically one of our most revered Presidents now. But Watergate was certainly a watershed moment in terms of how we view our Government. After that we started to mistrust them. America loved Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, but didn't always trust them. While Bush seemed to be leading the American people along during the early part of his Presidency after 9/11, those days are long gone. Good riddance too. But if the truth were known, the damage in the trust of our government would be irreparable. Potentially anyway. When Logan is brought down at the end of this season of 24, the damage to the trust of the government will be catastrophic. The point is, while we need to always question our leaders, we also need to trust that they have our best interests at heart in the decisions they make, even if we don't like those decisions. As we watched The West Wing progress, people came to trust Jed Bartlett. They will come to trust Matt Santos. They trusted David Palmer. Charles Logan will break the trust of the people on 24, like Bush is breaking our trust in reality.

2006, the year that the Democrats turn it around. I certainly hope so. Living in Colorado, I have seen some serious changes these last few years. I couldn't believe we took the state house and State senate from the Republicans in 2004. Ken Salazar won the senate race. Referendum C passed in 2005. Nationally, the Republicans are vulnerable. We could easily win so many races this year.

At the same time, I wonder if the Democrats will do what it takes to win. While I have a keen interest in politics, I get annoyed by two things in the Democratic party. I say this as a Democrat mind you. On one hand, there are politicians that act wimpy and never stand on principle. It is easy for someone like me to see that they can and should stand up for themselves and for what is right. Yet they continue to let the Republicans have their way when they should be fighting back. There have been some strong signs of that changing, but not quite enough. I was quite unhappy with the overwhelming support of Democrats for renewal of the Patriot Act. Why they do that, I do not understand. But the other thing I have a problem with is activists who care about their issue and get obstinate when they don't get their way on their issue. In order to win the race, we all need to come together and stand up as a party. Politicians and people alike. We won't always get what we want and we will lose a few battles, but we need to stand firm and be pragmatic.

This is my first post. Sorry if it sucks. I'll do better next time.