50 state strategy blog

Merry Christmas

Percy H Florez — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:18:19 EST

I love you all Democrats

Percy & Maria Florez

Democratic Talk Radio 2008 Villain & Hero Awards

Stephen Crockett — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:40:50 EST

Political villains were rampant in 2008. It was impossible to give a single award for the injustices committed for solely political reasons this past year. For the first time ever, Democratic Talk Radio was unable to even narrow the infamous winners to just two. We have selected three “Villains of 2008” to share the award.

Our first choice is obvious. Fox News wins the first 2008 villain slot for their disinformation campaign against ACORN. The efforts of Fox News to provide political cover for Republican efforts at voter suppression during the 2008 elections were, in the opinion of Democratic Talk Radio, the lowest thing ever done by Fox News.

The second winner for 2008 political villain is George McGovern. Fans of Democratic Talk Radio may be surprised by this choice. Frankly, we never expected to be giving a former Democratic Presidential candidate a villain of the year award. However, McGovern has lent his name to the Right-Wing, corporate effort to undermine workers’ right to unionize. George McGovern has allied himself with the anti-worker efforts to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act. His TV commercials are frankly an open act on working Americans. McGovern has disgraced himself by joining with the most anti-working class political forces in America and misleading the American public on the nature of the Employee Free Choice Act.

The Senate Republicans out to destroy the American auto industry and the United Auto Workers union are our third villainous winners. Senator Corker of Tennessee, Senator Shelby of Alabama, Senator McConnell of Kentucky, Senator Vitter of Louisiana and their fellow Senate Republicans put the interests of foreign corporations over the interests of the American economy. Since all were opposed by the United Auto Workers in previous elections because of their militantly anti-worker voting records, their efforts are obviously motivated by personal political considerations that directly undermine the national interest. These Senate Republicans have sided with foreign companies to drive down the wages and healthcare benefits of American workers.

The hero of the year selected by Democratic Talk Radio is Al Franken. The American nation should be delighted at his political courage and determination. By insisting that all the votes be counted in the 2008 Minnesota Senate race, Franken has set a good example for all candidates running for office and for American voters. American Democracy has been strengthened by his resolve.

Al Franken will be a great asset should he eventually prevail when all the votes are finally counted. Norm Coleman has been very aggressive in his attempts to undermine a free and fair counting of the ballots.

For more information, contact Stephen Crockett at 443-907-2367.

AP: Turnout in presidential elections hit 40-year high

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:38:34 EST

Turnout in presidential elections hit 40-year high
37 mins ago [Dec 14th, 2008 at 5:57 pm EST]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081214/ap_on_el_pr/voter_turnout

WASHINGTON – Enthusiasm among blacks and Democrats for Barack Obama's candidacy pushed voter turnout in this year's elections to the highest level in 40 years.

Final figures from nearly every state and the District of Columbia showed that more than 131 million people voted, the most ever for a presidential election. A little more than 122 million voted in 2004.

This year's total is 61.6 percent of the nation's eligible voters, the highest turnout rate since 1968, when Republican Richard M. Nixon defeated Democrat Hubert Humphrey, said Michael McDonald, a political science professor at George Mason University.

States finished certifying their election results this weekend, including California on Saturday. The Electoral College was scheduled to elect Obama president on Monday, with electors meeting in each state to vote in a largely ceremonial procedure.

Turnout increased for the third straight presidential election, encouraging news for those who have warned about voter apathy. Four years ago, 60.1 percent of those eligible voted. ...

The number of registered Democrats jumped in many states, helping to propel Obama to a larger share of the vote than Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee, in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Early voting hit a new high, with about 41 million people — or more than 31 percent — voting before Election Day, either by mail or at designated sites, according to returns compiled by The Associated Press. Early voting accounted for 22 percent of the votes cast in 2004. ...

Voter turnout increased substantially in newly competitive states such as Virginia, Indiana and North Carolina, which all went for Obama after decades of favoring Republican presidential candidates. Turnout also increased in some Republican states with large black populations, such as Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia.

North Carolina, which had competitive elections for president, governor and Senate, had the biggest increase in turnout, from 57.8 percent in 2004 to 65.8 percent this year. ...

Minnesota, with a competitive Senate race that still hasn't been decided, had the highest turnout rate, even though it dropped slightly, to 77.8 percent. It was followed by Wisconsin, Maine, New Hampshire and Iowa.

West Virginia and Hawaii tied for the lowest turnout rate, at 50.6 percent. Arkansas, Utah and Texas came close.

In all, the turnout rate increased in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

Turnout dropped in some states that did not have competitive presidential contests, such as Utah and Oregon. Oregon had been a battleground in previous presidential elections and the state had a competitive Senate race. ...

War on Christmas

Al Garman — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:55:10 EST

I had a response to the Seattle Times report on the holiday displays in the Washington State Capitol: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/reader_feedback/public/display.php?thread=41004, go down to kciad response.

The last part of it was printed in the Northwest Voices section (Page B7) of the Friday 12/05/08 paper.

Is Senator Shelby a Threat to American Economy?

Stephen Crockett — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:44:15 EST

Senator Shelby (Republican-Alabama) has a very negative record when it comes to protecting the economic health of the American nation. He has routinely endorsed every major, so-called “free trade” deal that has been proposed for decades. Shelby has routinely stood in the way of government provided, universal healthcare proposal for decades. Now, Shelby (like most other Republican Senators with similar voting records) is blocking the federal bridge loans to the American auto companies designed to save the American auto industry.

The stakes are huge. A million auto worker retirees have their healthcare and pensions put at risk by Shelby’s unpatriotic and reckless actions. The ripple effect of not approving the loans could destroy one out of ten jobs in the American economy.

Political and economic pundits along with most officeholders have refused to link the economic crisis facing the auto industry to government policy. The situation facing the auto industry is more a result of bad government policy than bad management decisions. The attempt by politicians like Shelby to blame labor unions is factually wrong and, in my opinion, intentionally dishonest. Shelby and his Senate allies created this auto industry crisis by adopting economic policies that have crippled the American economy.

All industrialized nations except the United States has government provided, universal healthcare. Only in America, do we place the costs of workers’ healthcare and their families’ healthcare on the backs of employers. This puts our employers at a huge competitive disadvantage with foreign corporations.

Obama Cuts Radio Ad for Carmouche [LA-4th]

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:34:37 EST

Obama Cuts Radio Ad for Carmouche
By Chris Cillizza | December 2, 2008; 12:30 PM ET
Washington Post, Politics blog
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/12/obama_cuts_radio_ad_for_carmou.html

President-elect Barack Obama has recorded a radio ad that will hit the airwaves today in support of the Democratic House candidate in a Louisiana runoff, a sign, his advisers argue, that he is using his political power to help expand the party's majority in Congress.

In the ad, a copy of which was obtained by The Fix, Obama urges a vote for Caddo Parish District Attorney Paul Carmouche who is facing off against physician John Fleming in a runoff this Saturday for the Shreveport-area seat vacated by Rep. Jim McCrery (R).

"To change America and to get Louisiana's economy back on track -- I need leaders like Paul Carmouche working with me in Washington," Obama says. "Paul Carmouche is the kind of leader we need in Washington...to make a difference for the people of Northwest Louisiana." (Full script is after the jump.)

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complete copyrighted story at link above

The Auto Companies Must Be Destroyed

Frank Lynch — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:11:27 EST

The system of Corporate Governance in America is broken. We must destroy the auto companies as the only way to fix the problem. read more at http://blog.franklynch.org/2008/12/03/we-must-nationalize-the-auto-companies-because-sneaky-auto-executives-cheating-on-bailout/

Bonus Time in Detroit: How Many Hundred of Millions Will the CEOs Pay Themselves After Destroying Their Companies ?

Frank Lynch — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:41:51 EST

Notice the rush of the Big Three Auto companies' executives to collect the bailout from Congress in time for them to pay themselves hundreds of millions in bonus for Christmas!!

Barack Obama must require that none of the auto companies' executives receive any bonus this year.

Further, Barack must require that they all work for $1.00, One Dollar annual salary in 2009.

Anything else is a total rape not just of the taxpayers, but a rape of all America.

USA is in recession | PERIOD

Percy H Florez — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:42:29 EST

To many times this year I said the economy is in CONTRACTION.
On March 27 I published one post with the following name: It looks like the Titanic's History! The Economy
Everywhere outside the inner circles of Washington are talking about the economy is in recession, economists around the country are talking with data in hand and statistical methods and models, sustaining the economy is in recession.
But only the lurid government of George W Bush and his political puppets of both parties won’t to acknowledge this irrefutable reality.
One main principle in economy is the fact first and foremost recognize the crisis in the exactly magnitude where is it, with this data you can structure a plan capable to reverse this economics behaviors, otherwise any false analyze could worsened the crisis.
At this point here is is the majuscule irresponsibility of the government and the political statement of both parties, when they do not want to recognize the economy is in recession. As Germany did few weeks ago.
Now the National Bureau of Economic Research is recognizing the economy is in recession.
Yes the economy is in recession heading very fast to the worst depression ever, as a consequences of this stupid behaviors of not admit the reality and try to hidden the true of the crisis.
Nothing could be very worst than the lack of admit the realities in economic terms.
These entire politicians in charge are sinking this country in to the most catastrophic economic downturn; they are playing and buying time instead made structural correction to the economy.
They irresponsible bailout and send billion of inorganic and unproductive money to the markets.
All are accomplices of this charade of print inorganic money and send it to the market in the most regretfully method of bailing out institutions who are per se out of business.
Here is now the new reality, banks are failing, big manufactures are failing, small businesses are failing, the construction industry is failing long time ago,
Means, two of the biggest employers of this country are failing (Construction & Smalls business).
Yes, if you think the automakers or the business associates with the markets are the biggest employers you are dead wrong and this is exactly this politician of the status want to sell in order to continue putting inorganic money at the expense of the taxpayer.
These actions now are compromising at least the next two generation of Americans and they are going to pay huge for this government irresponsibility.
No one can assume this crisis is going to be resolved by any means in the next ten or fifteen years if “only if” the next administration took the necessary structural steps of corrections.
In terms of UNDO this economic crisis: “the fail of one year represent 10 years of setting back”
With this equation, President Elect Barack Obama has to deal. He has no choice! And there are not excuses about the world are in crisis or so on.
Yes, the world is in crisis, and this crisis is the failure of this ECONOMIC MODEL.
The new realignment if underway, now depend of each government how to handle the situation to prevail or to fail.

Percy H Florez

RED ALERT | something stinking is behind the MARCH (LA MARCHA) on DAY ONE

Percy H Florez — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:48:28 EST

Since the last weekend just am participating in the fiercest battle against those groups who are trying to organize a big Rally on day ONE against Barack Obama in the issue about immigration.

The list serve of many Hispanic groups in the Barack Obama web site is flooding profusely in message about this MARCH!
The organizer has nothing to say about it.

Suspicious:

I just am wondering why suddenly too many born American citizen are behind this March and are pushing our community to do so.
The answer for many Hispanic people in this group is prudence and organization before doing something like that. 85 percent or more of the participants in this discussion are Hispanic people talking and pressing for measure and organization, the others (few) are in favor of the MARCH and these unknowns born American citizens are vehemently pushing for the MARCH against BARACK OBAMA.

My questions are:

Why this MARCH on day ONE?
Why this fellow Americans are very interesting in this action against Obama?

Why they are pushing our community to do something like that on day ONE?

Who they are?

Why this March against a government who don’t address the immigration issue at this time and the Hispanic community don’t know exactly wish one is the real position of the new administration?

Why the RUSH of this organizer for this so called “LA MARCHA”

Who’s behind scene?

It’s something planned by the groups anti immigrants like the MINUTEMAN group?

Or it’s something planned by THE REPUBLICANS?
After all the only beneficiary of the negative consequences of this extemporary pressure against the new administration in our community could be the Republican Party and the anti immigrants groups, like the MINUTEMAN!

Percy H Florez

supporting President Obama

Matt Nisenoff — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:57:18 EST

Hi,
I have started a group on facebook and myspace to encourage interation with the new administration. The facebook group has begun to build up and I would like to encourage a Democratic base in the group. May I ask that you take a moment to check it out and if it is interesting to you please consider joining?
It is a bottom up group and the membership that votes in the weekly votes will set the agenda for the group.
It might also require giving your opinions on the issues.

The group is called Political Interaction and can currently be found on facebook and at

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=58474123272

or myspace at

http://groups.myspace.com/PoliticalInteraction

Please sign this petition to eliminate tax exemptions for churches that lobby for state propositions...

Gretchen — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:15:23 EST

Sign this petition to support the legal effort to amend our tax laws such that the Mormon Church, and other transgressing churches, would lose tax-exempt status if they continue lobbying for state propositions.

http://www.mormonsstoleourrights.com/#petition

US Senate Races: Georgia, MN and Alaska

Jim Callahan — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:55:41 EST

US Senate: HELP IN Georgia and Minnesota!
Keep your fingers crossed for Alaska recount and help out if you can in Georgia runoff and Minnesota recount.

BAILOUT the VETERAN’S ADMINISTRATION (VA) | URGENTLY |

Percy H Florez — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:12:36 EST

On Wednesday I receive one of the most heartbreak emails ever. A Heart Break E-mail and I posted the entirely email as it, as a proof of what is happen in the VETERNAS ADMINISTRATION (VA).

VA literally is broken in his finances and the bureaucracy in this department follow a steady course, those facts are the principals cause of dissatisfaction for many VETERANS who are rightfully entitle to receive the assistance they deserve from the VA.

This soldiers practically are begging to the VA for solutions, THE ONLY THINK THEY WANT is receive a respectfully treatment, They want his payments on time and the necessary medical assistance they need, They want to be loved by his country as they much loved it.

Not enough was the discovering of the disastrous mistreatment they suffer in the Walter Reid Hospital, they receive promises and some improvement, just the necessary actions to calm down the media, but the really true is nobody is talking about the continue injustice this proudly HEROS receiving every single day from the VA.

If there is some institution in this country need a BAILOUT is the VA, they has the great responsibility of taking care of all VETERANS?

Of course at this point there are not EXTRAORDINARY session of the CONGRESSMAN favoring any solution in this mess of the VA, NOT special declarations of the Speaker of the House, or the Majority Leader calling for immediate and expedite solutions of the SOLDIERS problems dealing with the VA, as they did easily in FAVOR of the corrupted institutions in wall street.........NO, there are NOT prefabricated NEWS CONFERENCE voicing for a quickly and smart solutions for the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION , there are NOT RUSH to solve his problems, NO pressure to the people and fancy explanations to secure VOTES.

At the end of the day nothing is going to happen, may be they think …….. THEY ARE TOO LITTLE AND TOO POOR.

It’s incredible and hard to believe, these two young soldiers practically begin for money because the VA unwariness’.

I can't visualize how this kind of differences could happen in this country?

Lawmakers know what happen in the VETERAN ADMINISTRATION, this is nothing new, this problem coming from years before. But always they couldn't find out the right solution, only promises and long time lapses and debates, until something special come out trough the media like this issue of the Walter Reid. I just wondering if someone of these busy lawmakers of Washington are going to read this: A Heart Break E-mail.

Why does the Congress ISSUE a rush and fair “BAILOUT” to the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) solving definitively and permanently all the PROEBLEMS THEY SURELLY HAS, as a real signal of gratitude for all what this soldiers did, after all is his responsibility's to do so.

Just am calling for some justice and sensibility to the attention of the President-Elected Barack Obama, I do not expect nothing being solve by the Bush Administration.

Just am calling to the leaders of the Congress for an EQUAL TREATMENT for these citizens, who with his WATCHS and exposures in dangerous way are granting the LIBERTY AND SECURITY of his countryman and them as congressmen’s they fully enjoyed.

This proudly man’s and women’s of the United States Armed Forces, HERO’S of the past and present wars, deserved nothing less than EQUAL TREATMENT, quickly and expedites solutions for the VETRANS ADMINISTRATION (VA), as others entitlements or institutions recently receive from the United State Congress.

Percy H Florez

Democrats Why the Democrats didn't Win in 2008

Andrew Stergiou — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:42:23 EST

We donâ��t need politicians with ideas imported that are more pertinent else where, nor the self-serving blue dogs nor red dogs dogmas though there is need for proactive Democratic Party presence. A proactive Democratic Party presence that is not confined but is regional and permanent in nature which will not be achieved with any short term approach.

Dean on What's the Matter With Oklahoma, Post-Bush Truth and Reconciliation

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:46:29 EST

Dean on What's the Matter With Oklahoma, Post-Bush Truth and Reconciliation
by Glenna Goldis
The New York Observer
November 12, 2008
1 hour, 37 minutes ago
[Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:55 pm EST]
http://www.observer.com/2008/dean-whats-matter-oklahoma-post-bush-truth-and-reconciliation
or
http://tinyurl.com/DeanOnOklahoma

“What are we going to do about Oklahoma?" an audience member asked Howard Dean last night at the 92nd Street Y on the Upper East Side.

Actually, Dean explained, Oklahoma is a lot like New York. "But New Yorkers are quicker on their feet about cognitive dissonance."

Everyone picks a candidate according to his or her instincts but coastal types rationalize it better than others. "We're all values voters,” he said. Also, though, "I don't know when we're going to win Oklahoma."

The former Vermont governor, who recently announced he would stepping down as chair of the Democratic National Committee after a second successful election cycle, gave a brief speech and then fielded audience questions read by a moderator.

Most of his remarks addressed strategy, for example advising Democrats to declare their anti-poverty, pro-fairness values proudly. On matters of policy, he did what chairmen do, relentlessly plugging President-elect Barack Obama's plans.

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complete copyrighted story at link above

If President-Elect Barack Obama.....

Percy H Florez — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:08:52 EST

Succumb to the immense pressure of the lobbyist companies in favor of the automakers he probably loose the great opportunity he has now to reshape the country and all this mess in to successfully and productive economy.

When I see Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and all this lawmakers make pressure in favor of this incense policy instead have measure due to the big failure of the previous bailout they craft in the most irresponsible act of congress since the great depression. I have not doubt how much power this industries have.

In conclusion is time for real change instead throwing the money to the trash using this money for companies who already are dead because they fail to be competitive and productive.

I am not against these companies, I like the GMC Subaru, but in terms of competitiveness they are out of the market; they can’t compete in any way with his close competitors like Toyota or Honda. These two foreign automakers as an example invest a lot of money in this country, building lines of production that send to the market products made by Americans hard workers full of competitiveness among of quality and price.

By the way I just heard today this automaker from Detroit who are begin for government bailout using the taxpayer money, have a huge investment in the markets; they are bankers too, and they profited for a lot in this business, then now this is one of the reasons they are in troubles. They want easy money and they playing hard in the game of taking risk instead of made real changes in his line of production and adequate his products according to the new reality.

I just wondered if the new administration can resist such behavior and temptation instead made structural correction to the economy.

I hope Barack Obama don't loose the great opportunity he receive clearly form the people of this country and don't defraud the next generation of Americans who are watching very close what his going to do.

It's about time, let's see what happens

Percy H Florez

The Future of Democratic Talk Radio after the 2008 Elections

Stephen Crockett — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:38:40 EST

Future of Democratic Talk Radio after the 2008 Elections
November 10th, 2008

Dear Friends,

Democratic Talk Radio wants to thank everyone for their support of our mission. We have been devoted to bringing the Democratic message to America’s airwaves since I first bought airtime the night that the US Supreme Court imposed the Bush Presidency on our nation in December of 2000.

The show went on the air in January 2001 in Tennessee on a small AM station and soon moved to a more powerful FM station reaching a much larger audience in both northern Alabama and central Tennessee. I largely funded the effort out of personal resources. I invested over $35,000 keeping Democratic Talk Radio on the air in Tennessee.

Briefly, we broadcast nationally on the now defunct i.e. America Radio Network which was backed by the United Auto Workers union.

Our show is available free of charge to any radio station in your area that wants to broadcast it.

In the early Spring of 2008, we moved Democratic Talk Radio to the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. Our show broadcasts Thursday mornings on WGPA SUNNY 1100AM in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sponsors paid the majority of the costs although I did invest nearly another $4,000 personally.

I want to thank all our sponsors.

The Mailroom union print shop in Allentown has been hugely helpful and supportive. I am going to be working with them as a new addition to their sales team on a commission basis. I exclusively use them for all my printing needs. The prices, service and quality are just excellent. Please let me know if I can connect you with them to meet your printing needs. We all need to print union.

My Campaign Bag....

Lee — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:22:03 EST

Here is a pic of my campaign bag...My Campaign Bag

The Name's of The Fallen / Part 18 / Total Count as a today @ 6:03 PM 11/6/2008 4192 Soldiers are Dead / Names In Reverse order from: 4177 to 4192

Percy H Florez — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:04:58 EST

The Name's of The Fallen / Part 18 / Total Count as a today @ 6:03 PM 11/6/2008 4192 Soldiers are Dead / Names In Reverse order from: 4177 to 4192

4192 29-Oct-08 Private 1st Class Bradley S. Coleman 24 Martinsville VA
4191 29-Oct-08 Sergeant Scott J Metcalf 36 Framingham MA
4190 24-Oct-08 Private 1st Class Cody J Eggleston 21 Eugene OR
4189 23-Oct-08 Staff Sergeant Brian P Hause 29 Stoystown PA
4188 19-Oct-08 Lance Corporal Stacy A Dryden 22 North Canton OH
4187 16-Oct-08 Specialist Heath K Pickard 21 Palestine TX
4186 15-Oct-08 Specialist Justin A Saint 22 Albertville AL
4185 14-Oct-08 Specialist Christopher A McCraw 23 Columbia MS
4184 07-Oct-08 Sergeant Michael K Clark 24 Sacramento CA
4183 12-Oct-08 Specialist Geoffrey G Johnson 28 Lubbock TX
4182 11-Oct-08 Sergeant Reuben M Fernandez III 22 Abeline TX
4181 05-Oct-08 Colonel Michael R Stahlman 45 Chevy Chase MD
4180 05-Oct-08 Sergeant William P Rudd 27 Madisonville KY
4179 02-Oct-08 Private 1st Class Tavarus D Setzler 23 Jacksinville FL
4178 30-Sep-08 Private 1st Class Christopher A Bartkiewicz 25 Dunfermline IL

Total Count as a today @ 6:03 PM 11/6/2008 : : 4192 soldiers are dead
More Information please visit our data base: : The Name's of the Fallen
Or you can visit the DoD web site: : US DoD News Release

S T O P T H E W A R

Stop the War & Bring Troops Home

Percy H Florez