DEM ISSUES

WARREN IS BEST "FACE" FOR PROGRESSIVES SAYS D.I.

2011-12-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

DEM ISSUES agrees with one main belief of the Occupy movement.
Unlimited amounts of $s which went toward bailing out wealthy bankers and funding the inappropriate wars in Iraq and Afghanistan SHOULD HAVE BEEN used for social programs and to correct social injustice and economic disparity here in the United States.

ELIZABETH WARREN, running for EMK's U.S. Senate seat in MA, also agrees with that, too.

DEM ISSUES would like to see Ms. Warren run for President in 2016...perhaps become our first woman President.

D.I. disagrees with the current Occupy protesters because of their unattractive stunts in parks (leaving urine bottles, used condoms, fecal matter, etc by the dumpster load, disobeying orders by both campus and city law enforcement) and especially the two most visible "faces" of their movement, who are expected to be in the Pasadena post-Rose Parade on January 2, 2012...Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore.

Both Sheehan and Moore, while we agree with the majority of where they stand on the issues, D.I. believes sadly that they personally both TURN OFF middle America and those undecideds that progressives NEED on our side to implement the change our country needs.

We know Gold Star Mother Sheehan actually met Bush Jr. in a face to face meeting after her son died.

But her insisting on a second bite of the apple to meet him AGAIN and camping out outside his ranch, did NOT help the cause of progressives and turned off middle Americans with her behavior.

Sheehan also ran for U.S. Congress in CA and lost.

D.I. believes she is now damaged goods.

While we like Moore 's views on the issues and actually bought his latest book, to D.I. he comes across as shrill, too hot, unappealing, and D.I. believes is NOT the right spokesman for the causes that D.I. advocates.

ELIZABETH WARREN seems to connect to regular America and we believe is the best face for our progressives.

D.I. endorses her for U.S. Senate, and gives a four year EARLY ENDORSEMENT for her running for the Presidency and White House in 2016 if she chooses to.

Of course, if Warren does NOT run for the White House in 2016, D.I. will endorse another candidate at that time.

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D.I. SMELLS A RAT

2011-11-03T05:28:00.000-07:00

In 1971, when the editor of this site was in college, a popular motion picture about...a RAT...named "Willard" was on silver screens across America.

Fast forward 40 years to 2011.

A one-time corporate buy out player, "Willard" (Mitt) Romney, appears to be one of the frontrunners for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, to deny President Obama a second term.

This best friend of the boardroom who recently said "corporations are people" is completely out of touch on real, struggling Americans today.

Willard in 1971.

Willard in 2011.

Both in 1971, and in 2011, DEM ISSUES smells a rat.

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D.I. IS PART OF THE 99%

2011-11-03T05:09:00.000-07:00

While DEM ISSUES supports the "Occupy" movement spreading across America, D.I. is not sure that camping out in public places, creating traffic tieups, and getting arrested is the best course of action.

D.I. has deep concerns about a Kent State-style confrontation happening this winter, as some pundits have predicted.

DEM ISSUES also doesn't want the "Occupy" movement to hurt the re-election chances of President Obama.

While D.I. has been very critical of President Obama for not giving us "single payer," (or at least PUBLIC OPTION!!!) or bold FDR-style New Deal or LBJ Great Society programs (which our country badly needs), an Obama/Biden second term is certainly better for our country than Clarence Thomas-esque Herman Cain, Reagan wannabe Rick Perry, or "corporations are people" Willard Romney.

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D.I. LIKES PLASTIC BAGS

2011-08-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

D.I. is against the banning of plastic shopping bags.

They are convenient and can be reused over and over, especially by the poor.

Forcing the poor to have to "pay" for easily torn and clumsy paper bags is unfair.

The problem is those who litter w/ plastic bags.

NOT the plastic bags themselves.

D.I. wants to see any "bans" on plastic bags repealed at once.

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NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO D.I. ON THE ISSUES

2011-07-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

New to this site?
Here's a quick guide to where D.I. stands on some of today's ISSUES.
The ISSUES....

Single payer national health insurance - FOR (D.I. prefers government run health care)
Gay marriage - FOR
Re-elect Obama in 2012 - FOR, but w/ a tear in our eye (due to no public option on health care)
Living Wage for all Americans - FOR
Property Tax for churches - FOR
Finish LBJ's Great Society & WIN the War On Poverty- FOR
Guaranteed Public Sector Job for any American who can't find one in private sector - FOR
Evaluating Teachers By Seniority Only - FOR
Unionizing all private businesses - FOR
Legalizing Marijuana for adult recreational use - FOR
Carpool lanes on freeways - AGAINST
Sales Tax For Items Bought On Internet - AGAINST
Decriminalizing Prostitution - FOR
Legalizing certain drugs for medicinal adult use - FOR
Nationalizing oil companies - FOR
Nationalizing utilities - FOR
Aggressive, intimidating picketing by strikers - AGAINST
Free internet for all Americans - FOR
Nationwide Rent Control - FOR
Massive National Public Housing Programs - FOR
Advertising on U.S. Postage Stamps - FOR
National I.D. card - FOR
Gays/Lesbians Openly Serving in military - FOR
Therapeutic Abortion On Demand - FOR
Voting Machines - AGAINST unless ATM-style receipt can be printed out
Iraq Occupation - AGAINST
Afganistan conflict - AGAINST
Libya conflict - AGAINST
Exit Exams for high schools - AGAINST (Graduation should be based on GPA 2.0 & above)
Busing to achieve racial/economic equality - FOR
Private handgun ownership - AGAINST
Cafeteria approach to cable TV (pick & choose ONLY channels you want) - FOR
Electric automobiles - FOR
Hybrid convertible automobiles - FOR
1960s-style FCC regulation on TV & Radio - FOR
Massive New Deal-style public works programs - FOR
Massive monorail-style rapid transist along freeway meridians - FOR
Nuclear power - FOR, but w/ tougher safeguards
Alaska oil drilling - FOR but w/ tough environmental safeguards
Lowering alcohol drinking age to 18 nationally - FOR
Lowering age of "consent" to 16 from 18 nationally - FOR
National regulation on excessive banking fees - FOR
Gated communities on public streets - AGAINST

Please check out this site's ARCHIVES VAULT for D.I. positions on "the issues" from past years.
And THANK YOU for surfing into D.I.

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BOYCOTT DODGERS UNTIL McCOURT IS GONE

2011-06-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

D.I. is urging baseball fans who are unhappy w/ the McCourt ownership at Dodger Stadium to boycott Dodger games until Frank McCourt is gone from the Dodger ownership.

And D.I. urges both announcer Vin Scully and V.P. Tommy Lasorda to RETIRE from the Dodgers at the end of this season to protest the McCourt ownership.

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NEW LOOK & MORE DIVERSE ISSUES FOR D.I.

2011-06-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

You've probably already noticed our freshened up home page.

As D.I. moves into its 5th year, get ready for commentary on more DIVERSE issues, local and national, as well as our traditional political op/ed.

Every day it seems there are more issues in our increasing complicated society.

Not only does D.I. hope to tackle those issues, but we also encourage YOUR FEEDBACK by sending an e-mail to our editor at EARLWMF@aol.com.

We thank you again for surfing into D.I.

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CLARENCE THOMAS MUST RESIGN...NOW.

2011-06-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

And we thought Anita Hill's allegations were bad.

The latest controversy over U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is too much.

He needs to resign NOW.

DEM ISSUES is formally calling for the resignation of Thomas immediately.

Either he resigns, or even-handed investigations into the latest controversy will oust him.

Either way, our U.S. Supreme Court will be a better place WITHOUT Clarence Thomas.

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MINOR REFORM NEEDED TO PROP 13 IN CA

2011-06-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

To help solve California's budget crisis, DEM ISSUES believes that minor reforms to 1978's Proposition 13 can be made.

> First, and most important, any current homeowner living in their home assessed under Prop 13 should be LEFT ALONE...let them live under the 1978 assessment until they die...PERIOD.

> However, COMMERCIAL property owners under Prop 13 should be reassessed at this time.

> And CHURCHES need to pay their fair share of property taxes here in CA, which they currently do not.

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DEM ISSUES: YES, WE'RE "IN"

2011-06-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Last month, D.I. posted an op/ed item recommending that progressives who are unhappy w/ President Obama and his failure to include a public option for health care reform, plus adding another overseas war to the two inherited from Cheney/Bush Jr., can express their dissatisfaction by not voting for BHO in the primaries or caucuses, on the basis that he is going to be renominated anyways, and that would be a way to send a message.

Since our op/ed item posted, we have had feedback from many various pundits, fellow progressives, and Democrats who have now convinced us that sitting out the primaries and/or caucuses would not be in fact helpful to our progressive cause in the big picture ahead.

D.I. decided then to retract that editorial, for the first time in the four-year history of this site, and instead at this time, June 1, 2011, officially endorse President Obama for re-election.

While we still are unhappy w/ no public option and three overseas wars, we have been convinced that our progressive goals can best be achieved by getting on board now, over a year away from our CA primary, and uniting behind our prospective Obama/Biden ticket.

Better late than never, D.I. is now "in."

SOME SPRING 2011 ISSUES ON D.I.'s DESKS

2011-05-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

Some of the issues that have crossed the desks of D.I. here in Southern California.

> Public Employee Pensions. If one is currently retired on a pension, leave 'em alone. But a cost of living raise would be decent. (Our editor is drawing a very minimal CALSTRS monthly pension) Any "reforms" should start with NEW HIRES only. Don't "reform" those who are currently drawing them...unless a cost of living raise COULD be added...but NO subtractions of ANY kind.

>Gay/Lesbian Marriage. Good lord. Let those consenting adults have their official government-issued marriage certificate. Many have been in long term relationships...some lasting for 40-50 years. How can Gay/Lesbian marriage be any kind of "threat" to straight marriages. Let them live in peace. They don't harm anyone. Evangelical Fundamentalists don't like them, but their "religion" ain't ours....this country is NOT THEIR "theocracy."

>Merit Pay for Public School Teachers. We are AGAINST it. Why should a teacher who gets stuck with 5 bonehead dummy math classes, where students do poorly on tests, get paid LESS than a comfortable veteran teacher who teaches All-Honors or All-Advanced Placement classes, where they score A + or higher on everything. Pay should be based on seniority and level of education (degrees etc.).

>Substitute Teachers. Most districts have an unfair "Sub Finder" system, where the computer generates work assignments. Those can be programmed to have certain "subs" the districts like get more work than ones they don't. Not fair. "Sub Finder" systems should call out on their sub list by seniority...first hired..first called...all the way down to the new hires at the bottom of the list. And that "list" and call out print-outs should be monitored by some kind of independent teacher's rep who can make sure the call out and posting of jobs are available by SENIORITY, not political favorites.

>Electric cars. C'mon Toyota. Make an all-electric CONVERTIBLE. The editor of D.I. drives a 4-cylinder gasoline fuel Toyota convertible. How about a Toyota Prius all-electric convertible or even a HYBRID convertible?

That's all so far....

Have a happy Memorial Day weekend 2011!

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LEGALIZE MARIJUANA TO BE SOLD LIKE CIGARETTES

2011-05-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

The editor of D.I. is not a frequent, or even infrequent, marijuana user.

His college days of passing around water pipes and alligator clips w/ buddies are in the rear view mirror, further back every year.

But if marijuana were sold in packs (Soft packs? "Flip-top" boxes?) like cigarettes at liquor or convenience stores, that might be an option over another calorie-loaded six-pack.

D.I. has never heard of any adult under the mellowing influence of marijuana beating up their wives, kicking their dogs, or violently flogging their kids (as the D.I. editor's father did after downing his endless Heublins.)

Most who indulge in marijuana actually get more mellow, or relaxed, and yes, more HUNGRY. :)

D.I. belives that marijuana should be processed and packaged by reputable United States cigarette makers and sold ONLY TO ADULTS, as alcohol now is.

Even though at age 16, and even with a "little help from my friends" in 1967, the D.I. editor, in retrospect, wasn't mature enough to handle it then, even though he might have THOUGHT he could at the time.

So this is NOT for teens.

They DON'T have the judgement to handle it.

D.I. believes adults should be allowed to purchase packs of marijuana just like cigarettes or six-packs are sold today.

TO ADULTS ONLY.

After all, six packs can make one fat....marijuana MAY make one hungry, but munchies are easier to pass on instead of another ice-cold Guinness.

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BYE BYE BAYH

2011-01-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

Former U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) was rumored to run for Governor of Indiana in 2012, a job he previously held for two terms.

If successful, he would have a very strong base to run for President in 2016.

Last month, Bayh announced he would NOT run for Governor, we think scared off by U.S. representative Mike Pence (R-IN), the GOP frontrunner for that job.

Without any political base, DEM ISSUES cannot see Bayh running for President in 2016 or beyond.

As much as D.I. supported Bayh in the past, we feel he will no longer be a formidable player on the national stage.

Sad, because he COULD HAVE BEEN a great President.

Unless, Bayh chooses to run for Indiana governor many years from now (he's still only 55) to HAVE a political base, we feel he will go down in history books as Hubert Humphrey, Sargent Shriver, Henry Jackson, Edward M. Kennedy, and his own father, Birch Bayh, before him...men who SHOULD HAVE been President but never were.

The Evan Bayh era appears over.

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THE ARIZONA MASSACRE

2011-01-10T04:53:00.000-08:00

DEM ISSUES has seen the ads put out by former Alaska governor Sarah Palin showing literal gun cross-hairs aimed at U.S. Congress members that she does not like and wanted out.

One of those cross-hairs was aimed at U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ).

Though the imagery used in those ads was symbolic, a psychopath took those images literally last Saturday.

Up to now, DEM ISSUES believed that Sarah Palin's charisma and Reaganesque optimism might propel her to the Presidency...not something WE wanted, because her political views do not match those of D.I.

However, after the Arizona Massacre, once decent Americans see those very ads put out by Palin, they SHOULD, and D.I. believes WILL, turn on her just like they did a bullying U.S. Senator back in the 1950s.

And her political future will have ended, as D.I. believes it SHOULD at this time.

Her quip, "Never Retreat. Reload" was Reaganesque and John Wayne-ish.

Some thought it was clever, cute, or even patriotic.

Not to D.I. after Saturday's massacre.

Palin crossed the decency line with those ads.

Those ads need to be seen by every thinking American.

And those Americans should unite behind THIS question for the former Alaska governor:

"Have you no sense of decency, Sarah Palin?"

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GRAYSON FOR PRESIDENT

2011-01-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

There is chatter that outgoing U.S. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL) of Florida MIGHT challenge Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2012 primaries.

If he does, expect DEM ISSUES to endorse Grayson's candidacy.

D.I. WANTS AN OBAMA PRIMARY CHALLENGE

2010-12-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

In D.I.'s opinion, Obama has been a failure.

The "no public option" of health care reform is unforgivable.

DEM ISSUES urges a progressive Democrat to come forward and challenge Obama in the primaries like McCarthy did to LBJ, and EMK did to Carter.

We recommend Gore, Dean, Hillary, Kucinich, Franken, or Frank to take on that role.

Obama does not deserve a cakewalk to a second term.

He has long forgotten WHO put him there.

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MANDATORY RAIN CHECKS WILL PREVENT BAD BEHAVIOR

2010-11-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

No wonder other countries hate us.

The videos yesterday of horrid bad behavior of shoppers on "black" Friday only confirmed that our current system of "free enterprise" is broken and needs to be fixed by regulation.

WHY are there lineups for 4-5 days BEFORE "black" Friday store sales?

Because those customers are afraid that if they don't get into the stores early, what they want will run out being in short supply and at a deep discounted price.

DEM ISSUES believes that as a condition of their business licenses, retailers should be required to offer mandatory RAIN CHECKS for their heavily discounted items that causes stampedes and near riots in stores.

So if the store DOES "run out", no problem, a rain check can be issued for that same item at the same "black" Friday price within a reasonable wait time.

D.I. believes that regulations like this will help society from the bad side of ourselves that seem to happen every "black" Friday under the current "free enterprise" system.

The videos of people being trampled and stampeded in stores, like the one from Target in Buffalo yesterday, can be avoided by mandatory rain checks.

Retailers may not like this, but the current way they do business...having items in short supplies...will only cause more stampedes...and needless deaths.

D.I. SUPPORTS AIRPORT BODY SCANS & AGGRESSIVE PAT-DOWNS

2010-11-20T07:56:00.000-08:00

D.I. believes, that even though perhaps a somewhat nuisance, that anonymous airport security full body scans and alternative aggressive patdowns are indeed necessary for safe airport transportation. As for this once-a-year-flier, my biggest problem is standing in lines due to arthritic gout. But if they want to strip me naked, if THAT is what it takes for me to get on an airplane, then I say let's get it over with. I believe that there is no "sexual" contact when body searches are done. The contact is to detect explosives. The TSA agents most likely dislike it as much as we do, and it is unlikely that they get any sexual pleasure from it. I would think that most of them have no interest in sex when they are trying to get many, many travelers through security checkpoints. If we want to board an airplane, then D.I. supports the anonymous full body scans and "aggressive" pat downs.

Bill Earl
D.I. Editor

IF BAYH LOSES TO PENCE, FORGET THE WHITE HOUSE

2010-11-10T04:50:00.000-08:00

It looks like it will be U.S. Representative Mike Pence (R-IN) running as a Republican against former Democratic U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) for the vacant Governor seat in Indiana in 2012.

Bayh needs to win back his old job IF he is to ever run for President again...especially in 2016.

Pence would be the toughest opponent Bayh ever has faced.

And if the election were held today, conventional wisdom would give the edge to Pence.

Bottom line: If Pence beats Bayh, then Bayh will have no elected base to run for President, and will most like retire from elected office.

If Bayh BEATS Pence, he'll be looked upon nationally as a giant killer and have a decent shot for the Presidential nomination.

Bayh has never lost an election.

But neither has Pence.

Bayh's entire political future is on the line in this race.

He MUST run.

And WIN.

Or count him out for the Presidency in 2016.

But if he LOSES to Pence, count Bayh out forever.

And being one of the original leaders in the Bayh For President grassroots movement from 2004-2006, that is hard words for me have to say.

For the sake of our country's future, Bayh MUST whip Pence.

Bill Earl
DEM ISSUES

BAYH FOR PRESIDENT IN 2016

2010-09-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Evan Bayh for Indiana Governor in 2012?!?

Can it be? Is it possible? Are the rumors true? It is looking more apparent that Indiana Senator Evan Bayh will be running for his old position in 2012: Governor of Indiana. Given his name recognition and how much he does not enjoy the Senate these days, I am not surprised one bit.

Moreover, for the 2016 presidential race, he could run for President as Governor Bayh, a possible three-term governor with two terms of foreign policy experience. That's what people like. Politicians with executive and foreign policy experience.

The Journal Gazette reports:

Will the 2012 gubernatorial campaign look a lot like 1988? The chairman of the Marion County Democratic Party says it will quite likely include the same Democratic nominee, Evan Bayh.

Ed Treacy told the Indianapolis Business Journal that Bayh’s appearance at the annual Indiana Democratic Editorial Association event in French Lick last month was a clue to the senator’s intentions.

“That speaks volumes for him about his priorities,” Treacy said, noting that Bayh hasn’t attended the party event in years.

Another clue might have come much earlier. When Bayh announced in February that he would not seek re-election to the Senate seat he won in 1998, his prepared statement emphasized his accomplishments as governor – working “with an outstanding team to balance the budget, cut taxes, leave the largest surplus in state history, create the most new jobs during any eight-year period, increase funding for schools every year, make college more affordable, and reform welfare to emphasize work.”

A JOB IS A RIGHT

2010-08-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

Our government must be the employer of last resort.
The 99ers who have exhausted all unemployment benefits need to be placed in a New Deal-style government job WITH a living wage.
When the U.S. economy again can offer decent middle-class jobs, then those workers could move into those.
But until then, our country is experiencing a waste of talent by allowing unemployment levels to grow, while outsourcing continues, something the government needs to strongly discourage.
There's enough work that needs to be done, such as modernizing the nation's infrastructure, as an example. D.I. believes that a decent job and middle-class living is a RIGHT and NOT a privilege.
If a person wants to be wealthy, then they can move into the private sector when work that offers that lifestyle becomes available.
D.I. believes that bills of the past such as Humphrey-Hawkins needs to be dusted off and targeted toward today.
D.I. calls upon progressive Democrats to pick up where Humphrey-Hawkins left off. D.I. calls upon U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) to bravely lead such a movement, something the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, also from Minnesota, would have led.

DEM ISSUES ON TODAY'S ISSUES

2010-08-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

On some issues in the news today:

MOSQUE ISSUE - Our country is based on religious tolerance.
The mosque should be built wherever the property owners want to put it, whether we all like it or not.

CA GAY MARRIAGE - We have yet to hear any rational argument on this issue that explains just HOW gay marriage will harm traditional marriage or make our society go to hell.
All we hear are religious arguments.
D.I. sees no logical reason why gay marriage should be opposed.

NOVEMBER ELECTION IN CA - Democratic slate (i.e. Brown, Newsom, Boxer, etc.) plus YES on the marijuana proposition.

OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING - No offshore oildrilling should be allowed unless there is solid proof that the well can be firmly capped solidly.
No exceptions.

PUBLIC SECTOR SALARIES - D.I. agrees that many public service jobs are way overpaid.
And D.I. favors reasonable rollbacks, but not rolled back to BELOW a to be determined "living wage."

2012 - D.I. believes President Obama should reconsider running for re-election.
D.I. believes that there are other Democratic leaders who would be more effective such as Vice-President Joseph R. Biden Jr.,U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), or U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio).

Continuing.

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AZ SB1070

2010-05-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES is against AZ SB1070.
D.I. believes that it is a racist bill that would be selectively targeting Latinos, many who are American citizens.
But most of all, D.I. believes that giving more power to police authorities can result in bulliness, harassment, and selective "enforcement" against those that the police just happen not to like.
A Gestapo-like police force with additional powers as AZ SB1070 allows is un-American and should make all Americans shudder.
D.I. calls on our federal judicial system to immediately override that law and declare it unconstitutional as D.I. believes it is.

D.I.'S CA JUNE 2010 PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS

2010-04-16T04:51:00.000-07:00

> Governor - Jerry Brown

> Lt. Governor - Janice Hahn

> Attorney General - Kamala Harris

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JANICE HAHN FOR LT GOVERNOR OF CA

2010-04-16T04:44:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES endorses Los Angeles City Councilwoman JANICE HAHN for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in the June 2010 primary. D.I. has long respected the Hahn family's contributions to Los Angeles, and even though we wanted Janice to run for MAYOR of Los Angeles, the state of California will benefit from her contributions in this statewide office. A BROWN/HAHN ticket would be a winner!

D.I. ON U.S. HEALTH CARE

2010-03-19T18:10:00.000-07:00

(On United States health care, our preferences in order)

> FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RUN

> SINGLE PAYER

> PUBLIC OPTION

Anything less is NOT GOOD ENOUGH...as far as D.I. is concerned...and should be SCRAPPED in favor of one of the above.

OUR SLOGAN FOR BROWN VS. WHITMAN

2010-03-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

(As D.I. anticipates a Brown vs. Whitman race for CA Governor in November 2010)

MAKE HER SPEND IT ALL, JERRY!

DEM ISSUES ENDORSES BROWN FOR CA GOVERNOR

2010-03-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

The longtime op/ed blogsite, DEM ISSUES at http://demissues.blogspot.com, endorses Jerry Brown for CA Governor. While we know that the "religious ultra-right" will bring up the Medfly, Adriana Gianturco, Edison Miller, and Rose Bird, WE will be defending Jerry every step of the way. Jerry Brown is a visionary who was ahead of the curve 30 years ago....and still is today. The editor of this site personally went door to door for his dad in November 1966 and expects to table for Jerry this year. Californians are lucky to have this outstanding public servant. JERRY BROWN FOR GOVERNOR!

(From Jerry Brown's FACEBOOK "fans" page)

THE "LAST CHANCE" OF EVAN BAYH

2010-02-15T16:46:00.000-08:00

Today, U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) announced he would NOT seek re-election in November.
He's a very savvy politician who probably KNEW if he ran for re-election and got "beat up" but still won, he'd be in a weak position.

And if he LOST this year (like EMK's seat in MA) he would be damaged goods.

But, it's not over...yet.

Bayh still has ONE LAST chance.

He MUST run for Governor of Indiana in 2012 (he already served two terms in that job years ago) and WIN.

Then he can run for President as a sitting Governor.

Bottom line: If he runs for Governor and LOSES, it's all over. And if DOES NOT run for Governor in 2012, he will soon be forgotten, as he will have no political base as an elected official.
DEM ISSUES URGES Bayh to run for Governor in 2012.

If he DOES, and he WINS, WE all will win.

And a Bayh Presidency can happen in 2016 or 2020.

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A PRESIDENT NEEDS TO KNOW "HOW" TO GOVERN

2010-02-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

From the 2-1-10 issue of NEWSWEEK.

"There's going to be a tendency on the part of our people to be in denial about all this...If you lose Massachussetts and that's not a wake-up call, there's no hope of waking up. The only way we are able to govern successfully in this country is by liberals and progressives making common cause with independents and moderates. Whenever you have just the furthest-left elements of the Democratic Party attempting to impose their will on the rest of the country, that's not going to work too well."

- U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)

Evan Bayh KNOWS HOW TO GOVERN.

Two-term former Democratic Governor of ...REPUBLICAN...Indiana.

He's never lost an election.

And each election, he wins by a greater percentage.

Oh, how we so badly need a leader like BAYH in the White House who would know just HOW TO GOVERN from Day One.

And sadly, THAT is what our country is missing right now.

THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING

2010-01-08T04:27:00.000-08:00

It was in the fall of 1978, that D.I. remembers the late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the cover of NEWSWEEK magazine, strongly criticizing the presidency of Jimmy Carter, especially on....health care reform.

DEM ISSUES saw it coming back then.

Carter, as Obama today, appeared to be in over his head in 1977, and by 1978, the liberals in our party were smelling blood.

Carter was impotent in getting Congress to carry out his agenda.

Sound familiar?

Carter needed to be challenged for re-election.

THIS time our party has put itself in a very tough position...Democrats nominated and elected the first black president, and NO DEMOCRAT wants to DARE criticize him or take him on for HIS also appearing to be also in over his head, and NOT getting Congress to implement his vision, just like Carter was unable to do.

But OUR PARTY has only itself to blame.

DEM ISSUES sees no one who wants to "take on" the first black president.

Obama's skin color has more Teflon on it than ANY of Ronald Reagan's brown suits.

DEM ISSUES believes that President Obama has let down the liberal wing of our party, and in their hearts, the liberal wing KNOWS IT.

But the liberal wing is too afraid to come out and say it.

They know it.

They feel it.

But they just can't come out and say it.

Many of the younger voters of Obama only voted for him because it was trendy, high PC, and the cool thing to do.

They've moved on.

We never really had them in the first place.

They voted for A FAD.

A CULT figure.

A "cool" image on those red, blue, and beige posters all over town.

Some may actually have believed that he would save the country.

But he HAS NOT.

Middle America is angry.

The charismatic Sarah Palin is riding those waves.

WILL a gutsy Democrat like Howard Dean, Russ Feingold, or some gutsy Democratic governor or U.S. Senator whose name we haven't thought of yet, take on Obama or even CRITICIZE him?

Doesn't look that way.

The Democratic Party made it's bed.

And it looks like until our party wakes up and nominates the Congress-savvy and HIGHLY EFFECTIVE Evan Bayh in 2016, we are stuck with a man that we CANNOT criticize....oh, no, it just wouldn't be politically correct.

Carter in 1978 and 1979 was a Southern conservative.

And white.

Fair game for Ted and the liberal wing, even though events in Iran suprisingly changed everything.

But Carter WAS "taken on" by the progressive wing.

And it is sad to see progressives in our party THINKING EXACTLY what D.I. is SAYING HERE, but are too scared to say ANYTHING critical of the first black President.

Their SILENCE, to DEM ISSUES, is deafening.

///

BILL EARL GUESTS ON KPTR-AM THIS SATURDAY

2010-01-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

Head's up!

This Saturday January 9, 2010, DEM ISSUES editor BILL EARL will be JONNY BRUCE's in-studio guest on KPTR-AM's (Palm Springs CA) "Coachella Valley Reports" during the first 1/2 of the show.

For the second half of Jonny's show, Democratic Party activist AARON ZOBER will be Jonny's in-studio guest.

Contact KPTR-AM in Palm Springs for the exact showtime this Saturday morning.

WE GET E-MAIL

2010-01-04T04:43:00.000-08:00

"Dear D.I.

If President Obama DOES run for re-election and IS the 2012 Democratic nominee, would you vote for him?"

J.D.
Fallbrook CA

Dear J.D.,

Yes. But maybe with a tear in our eye.

Ed.

THE "POCKET" STRATEGY

2009-12-31T22:05:00.000-08:00

President LBJ once said of those in Congress, in rather crude, and perhaps (to some) vulgar terms,

"I want his pecker in my pocket."

Meaning, he wanted to make sure that those in Congress WOULD implement his vision such as Medicare and the Civil Rights Acts without any question.

LBJ had many in his pocket, too.

Fast forward to 2010.

Just HOW many in Congress that President Obama can say that he has figuratively a private part of a Senator or Congressman in HIS pocket?

DEM ISSUES can't think of any, except perhaps the always-loyal legislative black bloc vote.

And that is EXACTLY why President Obama's "change" vision is NOT coming true.

The MAJORITY in Congress does NOT fear him, as they did LBJ.

They barely know him (like Clinton and Carter before) as he served in the U.S. Senate so briefly.
On another issue DEM ISSUES actually feels BHO has moved our U.S. Supreme Court further to the RIGHT by appointing a Roman Catholic former prosecutor to replace the more liberal David Souter.

Sotomayor may yet equal Souter's liberalism, but D.I. does not see it.

On still ANOTHER issue, the recent airplane "terrorist" incident further shows weaknesses in Obama's administration.

Look at the backpedalling by Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano.

Again, Obama appears to be in over his head.

D.I. would feel much more SAFER if Vice-President Joe Biden assumed the presidency upon an Obama resignation, and DEM ISSUES has NO enthusiasm to re-elect our sitting President at this time.

2009 appeared to show Obama has bitten off more than he can chew.

If 2010 is more of the same, or God forbid, worse, we hope BHO does NOT run for reelection in 2012, and let a Congressional VETERAN such as Biden...or even better...EVAN BAYH...lead our country.

Bayh's pockets just may even be...DEEPER...than LBJs.

DRAFT DEAN IN 2012?

2009-12-23T03:36:00.001-08:00

President Obama is too arrogant to see his incompetence, impotence, and inability to get his vision through Congress, unlike LBJ.
He won't resign, even though Vice-President Biden would be 1000% more effective in dealing w/ Congress than BHO.
His narcississtic tendencies keep him from seeing that he is in way over his head.
DEM ISSUES is suggesting that HOWARD DEAN (former Governor of Vermont) consider challenging President Obama in 2012.
DEAN, a physician, had the balls to say that the health care reform bill should be SCRAPPED as it is NOT a "starter home", it is a return to Hooverville.
D.I. does have concerns that a Dean challenge (or Feingold, Kucinich, etc.) might divide the party (except for President Obama's devout black bloc vote) and cause someone like Sarah Palin to slip on through.
Sometimes PRINCIPLE is bigger than PARTY.
DEM ISSUES is urging those disappointed with BHO to weigh over the pros and cons of a progressive challenge to our struggling President in 2012.
And right now, HOWARD DEAN, a physician who's an expert in health care looks like a horse that D.I. might want to bet on if we see HIM chomping at the bit in the starting gate.
Question: When will someone OTHER than D.I. just come out and say that "the Emperor has no clothes?"

D.I. AGREES w/DEAN: DUMP BILL

2009-12-22T04:47:00.000-08:00

The editor of DEM ISSUES was a huge Howard Dean supporter beginning in 2003.
When Dean talks, WE listen.
Dr. Dean has recently said that the current "health care reform" bill should be dumped.
Without a public option, single payer, or even lowering Medicare age options, this bill is
totally inadequate to what D.I. advocates.
DEM ISSUES agrees with Howard Dean.
This bill should be SCRAPPED.
It is NOT the "reform" that our country so badly needs.
President Obama: DON'T sign it...DUMP it!
And start showing some LBJ-style leadership in getting your party to implement the "vision" that those who voted for you THOUGHT you'd push for.
If not, resign, and let Vice-President Joe Biden handle Congress.
Apparently, Mr. President, you are just NOT able to.
And THAT is so so SAD.

REID: STEP DOWN NOW!

2009-12-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

Just in from our DEM ISSUES contributor Aaron Zober:

"...Biden would definitely be much better at running the country. I think
right now the big thing should actually be asking Harry Reid to step
down from Senate Majority Leader and not run for re-election. Dick
Durbin or Chuck Schumer should be running the Senate..."

-Aaron

DEM ISSUES FULLY ENDORSES MR. ZOBER'S WELL THOUGHT OUT OBSERVATION AND SUGGESTION.

STEP ASIDE FOR VICE-PRESIDENT BIDEN IN 2012

2009-12-14T16:45:00.001-08:00

DEM ISSUES has deep concerns that the job of President of the United States (and arm-twister of Congress to get his vision accomplished) may just be took big for President Obama to fill, and that he may just be in over his head.

On the contrary, nobody ever doubted that LBJ filled it.

Birch Bayh easily COULD have in 1976.

The one Democrat that the Republicans fear the most, Indiana's EVAN BAYH CAN whenever he's ready to carry on his father's ideals into our White House.

DEM ISSUES respectfully urges President Obama to "rethink" running for reelection in 2012.

DEM ISSUES recommends that President Obama perhaps NOT run for re-election, and instead endorse our United States Vice-President JOE BIDEN for the Presidential nomination.

A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN like Vice-President Biden may be more suited to get Congress to GET THINGS DONE.

With all respect, President Obama, for the good of the country DEM ISSUES asks you to please THINK OVER about turning over the White House nomination to your own Vice-President JOE BIDEN.

"GOVERNOR" FEINSTEIN CAN PICK BROWN TO FILL HER SENATE SEAT

2009-11-01T01:07:00.000-07:00

If U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) jumps in to the CA Governor race for 2010, and WINS, as D.I. believes she would, she can appoint her own replacement in the U.S. Senate.

She won't have to resign her U.S. Senate seat until being sworn in as Governor, and at THAT time can choose who will fill her seat.

For the sake of party unity, DEM ISSUES urges Jerry Brown to DROP OUT of the Governor race on the "promise" condition that "Governor" Feinstein appoint BROWN to her U.S. Senate seat, a job he once ran for back in 1982!

A backroom deal?

Yes, of course, but THAT way Brown can become a U.S. Senator without all the negatives (see last item) being brought up by the Republicans which we know they will if he stays in the Governor race....which by the way, he hasn't officially announced for yet.

All the money he raised can be transferred to "Feinstein For Governor," giving her an unbeatable edge.

And when it is time to run for re-election, "U.S. Senator" Brown could retire, OR run on his own as an incumbent....a tougher position to beat than where he appears now.

D.I. urges Feinstein & Brown to meet privately to discuss and CUT such a "deal," that D.I. believes would be a win-win situation for our state, our party, and our country.

D.I. URGES NEWSOM BACKERS TO DRAFT FEINSTEIN

2009-10-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES urges backers of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to work toward the goal of drafting U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), a former San Francisco Mayor herself, to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor of California next year in 2010.

D.I. is worried that the Republicans will once again taint Attorney General JERRY BROWN with negatives from his last go-round as CA Governor such as the controversies involving the Medfly, Rose Bird and her unfortunate casualties Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin, Jane Fonda crony O.C. Supervisor Edison Miller, and our "favorite" (sarcasm intended) Caltrans leader Adriana Gianturco and her hare-brained "diamond lane" in 1974 on I-10 when she took away AN EXISTING LANE for her "diamond lane" fiasco.

Feinstein does NOT have that baggage of Jerry Brown.

Maybe most CA voters have forgotten the above faux pas's of former Governor Brown.

DEM ISSUES knows that the Republican party will bring up each and every one to dog Brown with them wherever he goes.

Feinstein is a SAFER bet for our Democratic party.

However, if Senator Feinstein does NOT run, D.I. will back Jerry Brown.

And DEFEND him wherever he goes.

THAT'S our promise.

BRAVO: U.S. CONGRESSMAN ALAN GRAYSON (D-FLA)

2009-10-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES salutes the gutsy and highly articulate U.S. Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FLA) of Florida who had the guts to say what Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Max (No Public Option) Bug-Ass WON'T:

The Republican Party IS "The Selfish Party," and Grayson is RIGHT ON on the insensivity the Republicans have on health care.

DEM ISSUES supports social justice and will fight from this blogsite to CORRECT any social injustice.

D.I. sees Alan Grayson as a HUGE STAR on the rise in our party and want him to run for Governor or U.S. Senate in Florida at BEST opportunity.

And D.I. also is looking forward to the day when President Obama will allow gays and lesbians to serve OPENLY in the U.S. military.

"PUBLIC OPTION" : A MUST !

2009-09-25T17:40:00.001-07:00

Head's up!

On Saturday, October 10, Editor BiLL EARL and longtime contributor AARON ZOBER will BOTH be guesting IN-STUDIO on the JONNY BRUCE "Coachella Valley Reports" talk show on KPTR 1340 AM from the Palm Springs CA area.

Both Zober & Earl feel "public option" MUST BE included in ANY President Obama health care reform....or there IS NO "reform."

For exact air time of the show, please contact KPTR-AM 1340 in Palm Springs CA.

D.I. WANTS "SINGLE PAYER"

2009-08-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES is unhappy with President Obama's insurance industry-friendly health care plan.
D.I. believes that the insurance companies do not operate in the greater public interest and are concerned about only one thing...their excessive profits.

We need an LBJ-style President, who is tough enough to BREAK THEIR BACKS.

We don't see that so far with President Obama.

At this time in 1965, LBJ was much more successful in pushing through Medicare and the Civil Rights acts, than Obama at THIS time in 2009.

DEM ISSUES believes the only decent long-range health care plan is a Canadian-style SINGLE PAYER plan.

Even though, President Obama's plan is better than the status quo, DEM ISSUES feels it is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

SINGLE PAYER is the ONLY way to go.

And D.I. will not settle for anything less.

Invitation To The W.H. For A Beer

2009-07-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

Bravo, President Obama.
The President's inviting the policeman and the professor to the White House for a beer, and to walk away friends is common sense diplomacy.
In my life, anytime I had a beef with someone,well, after the first pitcher of beer, we both forgot what we were ever having a tiff about.
And after the second, well, we usually ended up buddies for life,
^5 to you, Mr. President, for understanding that two guys having a beer (or two) together is the cheapest and most effective way to come together.

NO On VILLARAIGOSA For U.S. SENATE IN 2012

2009-06-24T12:38:00.001-07:00

D.I. is unhappy that L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is positioning himself to run for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinsteins's seat if she retires, as expected, in 2012.

D.I. believes that the embarrassing revelations about the married Villaraigosa and his several extra-maritial girlfriends have made him damaged goods for higher office.

D.I. believes a Latina woman, such as U.S. Representatives Loretta or Linda Sanchez, and Obama's Labor Secretary Hilda Solis would be BETTER candidates to replace Feinstein in 2012.

If Villaraigosa runs, we hope one of these women also enter the primary and defeat Villaraigosa at the ballot box.

Obviously, D.I. would prefer Villaraigosa to a Republican in the November 2012 general election, but there are other better choices to be our U.S. Senate nominee, and we hope we won't have to vote for "Mayor Don Juan" over the Republican nominee in November 2012.

Perhaps Feinstein will decide to run for ANOTHER term in 2012.

She will be in her late 70s then, but if she (looking much younger than her years) can still do the job, then perhaps Feinstein SHOULD seek re-election.

KAMALA HARRIS FOR CA A.G. IN 2010

2009-06-23T22:34:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES endorses San Francisco prosecutor KAMALA HARRIS, the first woman and first African-American District Attorney in San Francisco's history, to be California's next Attorney General in 2010.

Ms. Harris would be replacing Jerry Brown, who is running for Governor....and who DEM ISSUES has ALSO endorsed (unless U.S. Senator Feinstein unlikely jumps in, where we would rethink that endorsement), to replace termed out Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Brown for Governor.
Harris for Attorney General.

More endorsements for CA in 2010 will be coming from D.I. as the state primary, and general election, becomes closer.

Just WHO Is Saying "Get Out From Under!"?

2009-06-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

On DEM ISSUES home page side bar, there is an image of a man saying "Get out from under!"
D.I. has gotten e-mail on just WHO is that man.
Good question.
He's the late PAUL JACOBS, who ran for the U.S. Senate from CA in 1968 under the Peace & Freedom Party.
While our editor HAD to support the Democrat in that race, Alan Cranston, to defeat the ultra-conservative Max Rafferty (the Religious Right puppet that Nixon personally wanted in our U.S. Senate) it was Paul Jacobs that our Editor, then a high school senior at that time in 1968, saw eye-to-eye with on all of the important issues of that campaign.
The distinguished Mr. Jacobs wrote several poly sci-related books that can still be found on the internet thru book search engines.
Mr. Jacobs came in "show" (3rd place that year) but even though he only "won the bronze," his ideas were FIRST PLACE and shining, glittery GOLD for the future Editor of D.I. during that contest, and STILL need to be heard today, as they are as relevant in 2009 as they were 41 years ago.
Maybe even MORE so.

DON'T BE FOOLED By NIXONIAN DIRTY TRICKS

2009-06-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, July 14, 2009, here in the 32nd U.S. Congressional District of Southern California, the "CHU" that DEM ISSUES has endorsed, and urges district voters to vote for, is "JUDY" Chu, NOT "Betty" Chu.

D.I. wants to make crystal clear that "Betty" Chu is in reality, a conservative Republican "ringer" that the Religious Right and ultra-conservatives specifically planted into this race for the sole purpose of wanting to confuse the predominately "English-as-a-second language" Asian-American and Latino voters, hoping they will get mixed up in the pressures of the polling place, and vote for THEIR "ringer," NOT the candidate with the BEST interests of this district.

The ultra-conservatives even had their "ringer" Betty Chu CHANGE her publically recognized name for the ballot from "Betty Tom-Chu" to "Betty Chu" to further muck up this election with the same kind of dirty pool that came right out of the Tricky Dick playbook.

Tricky Dick must be smiling from his rightful place in the bowels of Hell.

DON'T BE FOOLED by the Nixonian dirty tricks of the Religious Right and the ultra-conservatives.

Remember...it's JUDY Chu.

DEMOCRAT on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.

VILLARAIGOSA = FAILURE. HAHN IN 2013

2009-06-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

The current cover of LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE shows a photo of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa superimposed with the word "FAILURE."

In this site we have already shown our unhappiness with Villaraigosa, and hoped L.A. City Councilwoman JANICE HAHN would have challenged Villaraigosa this year.

She did not, and he won a second term.

THAT should be enough.

DEM ISSUES is now URGING Janice Hahn to run for the office of L.A. Mayor in four years, irregardless as to whether Villaraigosa runs for a third term or not.

Hahn needs to set up the groundwork NOW.

D.I. formally urges, and endorses, JANICE HAHN for L.A. Mayor in 2013.

Racist Cartoon: D.I. Wants Apology To Sotomayor

2009-06-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

The editor of this site is happily married to a Latina woman, and has been for almost 23 years.

So, as one who has a personal first-hand knowledge, for almost a quarter of a century, of the Latino culture and struggles, the editor of D.I. finds both racist and offensive the recent syndicated Chip Bok political cartoon that depicts Judge Sonia Sotomayor strung up by the neck as a Mexican pinata, and President Obama wearing a Mexican sombrero.

First of all, Judge Sotomayor is American-born of Puerto Rican descent.

The Caucasian Midwest-based Mr. Bok may not realize that in Puerto Rico there are no sombreros and pinatas.

In this "artwork," he is showing his ignorance by thinking that all "Latinos" are the same.

So untrue, Mr. Bok.

The wife of D.I.'s editor once went to a party of mostly Cubans, and not only did not understand the Cubana dialect, and, even though an American-born Latina of Mexican descent, found herself in a very different culture.

Pinatas are part of the Mexican culture, and bring joy to children.

Sombreros?

Well, the editor of this site and his wife have been to Mexico many times, and have never seen an ordinary Mexican male wearing a sombrero.

And we have never seen President Obama wearing a sombrero, and doubt that he even owns one.

Bok (a white male) has shown insensitivity to the cultural differences between Latinos, insensitively lumping those with Puerto Rican descent with offensive Mexican stereotypes, and we believe has personally insulted a brilliant legal scholar, Judge Sotomayor by his unfunny and racist "artwork."

D.I. believes that Mr. Bok needs to formally apologize to Judge Sotomayor.

She deserves better.

And D.I. urges his syndicate to SUSPEND Mr. Bok without pay until Judge Sotomayor is seated on the U.S. Supreme Court, as a just punishment for his insensitive and racist cartoon, that D.I. finds personally offensive.

Shame on you, Chip Bok.

2010: Repeal Prop 8, BROWN for Governor

2009-05-31T14:08:00.001-07:00

Unless U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) unlikely decides to jump in the California governor race for 2010 (where we may rethink our endorsement) DEM ISSUES is today (Sunday, May 31, 2009) officially endorsing Attorney General Jerry Brown to be nominated for Governor in the CA primary of 2010, and then ELECTED Governor in November 2010.

DEM ISSUES also urges the voters repeal Proposition 8, so same-sex partners can legally marry freely here in CA, and join those same-sex couples who are already legally married in this state.

Even though the editor of this site is a straight man happily married to a wonderful woman for the past almost 23 years, we have not been convinced by arguments from the Religious Right and the ultra-conservative "fear agenda" that same-sex marriage is a threat to heterosexual marriage, and that our society will come falling apart at the seams.

As the 2010 election gets closer, DEM ISSUES will issue further endorsements.

JUDY CHU FOR CONGRESS

2009-05-28T15:56:00.001-07:00

On July 18th, 2009 DEM ISSUES urges voters of California's 32nd U.S. Congressional district to elect Dr. Judy Chu, Democrat for Congress. D.I. urges supporters of Gil Cedillo who lost in the May special election to rally behind Dr. Chu. While Chu is not as liberal as we would ideally want, she still will be a moderate-to-progressive vote that we can live with. JUDY Chu for Congress on July 18. (NOT the Republican with the same last name.)

To Our Readers & Viewers

2009-05-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

Because we have exhausted our 1024 MB image display space on our other non-op/ed blogsite, DEM ISSUES will be unable to display any further uploaded image displays on this blogsite.

However, DEM ISSUES will periodically continue to issue endorsements and op/ed items and columns in TEXT ONLY and WITHOUT added uploaded graphics.

We appreciate your support, and hope you continue to log onto DEM ISSUES for progressive op/ed commentary.

Bill Earl

Editor, DEM ISSUES

EARLWMF@aol.com

President Obama...

2009-05-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

Don't "blindfold yourself" to the major problems facing America.

DI urges you to confront these issues head on. Use FDR and LBJ as role models on getting things done.

For starters:

>The War On Poverty needs to be won.

>FINISH LBJ's Great Society.

>Allow Gays & Lesbians to serve openly in the military.

>Don't bail out any auto manufacturer unless they agree to make HYBRIDS ONLY. Or, even better, electric cars that can be cheaply charged.

>Make the internet FREE to all Americans.

>Implement SINGLE PAYER national health insurance.

>Create massive "New Deal"-style jobs program.

>Create massive "New Deal"-style public works programs.

>Normalize ALL relations with Cuba.

>Pull out of Iraq...NOW.

DI urges President Obama to act on ALL of the above.

He HAS the mandate from the American People.

Now just DO IT.

2009-05-17T14:06:00.000-07:00

GIL CEDILLO FOR U.S. CONGRESS

2009-04-26T18:42:00.001-07:00

For OUR own U.S. Congressional district here (32nd) in Southern CA., D.I. endorses Cedillo for the May 19, 2009 election to replace Hilda Solis.

Granted, there has been reported controversy over his rumored lavish personal spending habits and his expensive tastes for fine dining and gifts for his staffers.

But the bottom line is this: as a U.S. Congressman, HOW would he vote?

Our concern is HOW he would vote.
NOT what restaurants he prefers.

We are confident that he would be a CONSISTENT 100% LIBERAL VOTE that would see eye to eye with DEM ISSUES on the issues before Congress.

Therefore, D.I. continues to endorse and support Gil Cedillo for U.S. Congress.

Obama & Chavez

2009-04-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES wholeheartedly APPROVES of the recent POSITIVE relationship we see between President Obama and Venezuelan Leader Hugo Chavez.

Our nation MUST get along with other leaders in the world.

We don't have to see eye to eye, but a healthy diplomacy is a GOOD THING in OUR book.

Bravo to both Obama & Chavez!

DEM ISSUES AGREES WITH SANTANA

2009-04-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

Carlos Santana Tells Obama to Legalize Marijuana

Carlos Santana is calling for President Obama to make marijuana legal. During a junket to promote his upcoming residency at Las Vegas' Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, the legendary guitarist asked the president to give it serious consideration.

"Legalize marijuana and take all that money and invest it in teachers and in education," Santana told the Huffington Post. "You will see a transformation in America."

Santana said making marijuana legal is "really way overdue, like the prohibition with the alcohol and stuff like that," adding, "I really believe that as soon as we legalize and decriminalize marijuana we can actually afford a really good governor who won't keep taking money away from education and from teachers and send him back to Hollywood where he can do 'D' movies and we can get an 'A' governor." Santana was, of course, referring to former movie action hero and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Santana's remarks were in response to a question about legalization that were raised to Obama during his online town hall on March 26. At the time Obama fielded a question about whether legalization of the illicit drug would help pull the nation out of recession. Obama said he didn't think it was good economic policy, and also joked: "I don't know what this says about the online audience."

DEM ISSUES agrees and endorses Mr. Santana's position.

GIL CEDILLO For 32nd U.S. Congressional District In CA

2009-03-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

Which happens to be the very district our editor, Bill Earl, and his family reside in.

As much as D.I. likes Judy Chu, D.I. believes that in this mostly Latino district, Cedillo would be more effective than Chu in representing the populace with a greater sensitivity to the needs of this district, vacated by Hilda Solis, now Secretary of Labor.

Cedillo is about 100% "progressive" in his voting, which brings him closest to D.I.'s philosophy.

DEM ISSUES urges those in the 32nd district to support and vote for Cedillo this May 2009 for this currently vacant U.S. Congress seat.

A "Five-Cigarette" Job

2009-03-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Our President has an awful lot to get done.

DEM ISSUES asks Americans to stand behind our President, and support what he's trying to do.

Yes, there's a hell of a lot on his plate.

But DEM ISSUES thinks he's up to the task, and with Americans backing him up, he just might be able to make some progress in making this a better country for all of us.

I'm Actually Closest To Kucinich.

2009-02-14T16:34:00.000-08:00

(From the DEMS 2010 Yahoo! group)

Me, a "centrist"?

I don't think so.

A few years ago, I took one of those anonymous Q & A's to see which
Democrat I am philosophically closest to, amd it turned out it was
Dennis Kucinich...by a big margin!

If you read the site I edit, DEM ISSUES, my positions on the issues are
very much to the left, except for my reservations against public
employee strikes because that borders to ME as, "The Sin Of Greed."

You see, the "family business" in MY family were Roman Catholic
priests, and had I had better math grades, I too, would have been the
NEXT "Father Bill" in my family.

It was what I SUPPOSED to do.

"The family business."

But it got derailed, I went a different way, got into performing arts,
archiving and history, and borderline "field of education", and I've
been happily married to the same woman since since April 1987.

I've always been a liberal, but I think of myself as a Hubert
Humphrey/LBJ/JFK "liberal" that I call a "Great Society Democrat" as I
totally supported the War On Poverty and a renewed Great Society,
perhaps under President Obama, if not Bayh in eight years.

My first vote was for McGovern in 1972, I became an activist for Howard
Dean in 2003, and the reason I was so much behind Evan Bayh is HE TOO
IS a "progressive" (liberal) Democrat," but is a MASTER at governing
and being liked by all sides.

Bayh is beloved by all.

And he CANNOT be beaten.

Never has.

NEVER.

Bayh would govern as a liberal if elected President,just like his
father would have.

I believe that the Republicans, if they truly believe that President
Obama is wacked, then GIVE HIM all he wants, and if he gets it and
fails, then they can say I told you so.

But I feel that if we give President Obama what he wants, it WILL work.

He's just been playing "Mr. Nice Guy" too much, and I want to see "Mr.
Hardball" to shut the obstructionist Republicans DOWN.

Now I'm going back to being under "my rock" for a while until something
brings me out that I need to comment on.

(How about allowing gays & lesbians to serve openly in the military
with a stroke of the Commander-In-Chief's pen?

And if the bluenose "generals" don't like it, FIRE THEM, just like Truman did
MacArthur for insubordination, or even better, bust their butts back to
Private.

My military academy background taught me you don't talk back
to RANK without consequence punishment.

And President Obama can sign
such an order with one stroke of the pen.

Like Truman when he integrated the military.

He WON'T. But he SHOULD.)

Bill Earl
Editor, DEM ISSUES

A Menthol Cigarette In A FDR-Style Holder

2009-02-12T15:45:00.000-08:00

(BiLL EARL'S COLUMN 5.1)

The American public seems to want to be duped.
Example: They turned on Carter after his truthful "malaise" speech, and embraced Reagan and his fairy tale imaginary in his own Alzheimer's mind "shining city on a hill."
President Obama's most memorable words so far has been, "I screwed up."
The American people don't want to hear their President talk negative, even if they ARE telling the truth like Jimmy Carter ALWAYS did.
DON'T say "I screwed up," for Christ's sake.
Just DON'T screw up anymore.
Period.
President Obama had better start showing some sunny optimism FDR-style, even if it means putting one of his unphotographed menthol cigarettes in a FDR-style cigarette holder and jauntily tilt up his head with a confident FDR smile.
Because if he doesn't, mark my words, the evangelical extremist with the big smile, Sarah Palin, is gonna be back in 2012, and HER "You betcha" is gonna be the sweet talk America will WANT to hear, just like Reagan's fantasies in 1980, while President Obama will join Jimmy Carter in the political dustpan.
But it doesn't HAVE to be this way.
President Obama is smart and still learning on-the-job.
But he's got to show America that HE'S DA MAN and that he's got balls that CLANG.
I don't see that yet.
Be honest with yourselves.
Has anyone?
Sadly, first impressions are lasting.
And so far President Obama is not showing the ballsy toughness that our country needs.
My advice: Ask Vice-President Joe Biden what HE would do.
And then DO THAT.
That's a good first step that I think all us Democrats can agree on.
(Except the guy with the Kucinich in 2012 sign in our back row. Okay, I'm KIDDING, here!)
Seriously, I want to see this Presidency successful.
Because our country CANNOT allow the religious right evangelical extremist Sarah Palin to charm, sweet talk and smile her way into the White House in 2012, Reagan-style.
God help us if that ever happens.

Bill Earl
Editor, DEM ISSUES
http://demissues.blogspot.com/

"I Want To Have His Pecker In My Pocket."

2009-02-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

President Obama better start letting Congress know that he's the President with a huge mandate for change, and start LBJ-style arm-twisting, back room dealing, and smoke-filled room hardball.

All I've seen is borderline whining, complaining, and telling us, "I screwed up."

You'd never hear Harry Truman or LBJ talk that way...showing WEAKNESS.

Even during the Bay of Pigs affair, JFK showed steely toughness.

The kind of steely toughness I personally saw in the eyes of U.S. Senator, and former two-term Governor Evan Bayh (D-IN)

No wonder Bayh was such a successful Governor of Indiana...he KNEW how to govern.

NOT on the job training as it seems we're seeing now from a man who may just be the ultimate Peter Principle example....rising to the level of incompetence.

LBJ used to say about members of Congress, "I want to have his pecker in my pocket," meaning he'd want total assurance that they'd see things and do things HIS way.

Maybe President Obama never heard that expression before.

Maybe he'd BETTER....right NOW.

President Obama needs to be MORE like LBJ and LESS like the impotent Carter & wanting-to-be-loved-by-all Clinton.

Damn it, get mad, President Obama, or go over the heads of Congress like Reagan used to do, and get the public angry about THIS "do-nothing" Congress.

Show Chicago-style toughness....give 'em hell Harry Truman-style.

(Unless Reverend Jackson already "got to him" first.)

Bill Earl

Editor, DEM ISSUES

http://demissues.blogspot.com/

Maybe Jackson DID "Cut (Them) Off."

2009-02-10T18:20:00.000-08:00

President Obama has a HUGE amount of supporters who waited HOURS to vote for him.

(My wife and I waited over three hours.)

But I'm beginning to see a weakness that may bring him down just like others before him.

For example, Jimmy Carter wanted to be all things to all people.

And believed that as a Christian, others would just see his way.

He actually told Barbara Walters that he was shocked and just couldn't believe that the Russians would "lie" to him.

Bill Clinton wanted to be LOVED by the masses.

Clinton could have allowed gays & lesbians to openly serve with the
stroke of a pen like Truman did in intergrating the military...no
matter what the generals thought.

(President Obama COULD too sign such an order. And then not even take
questions about it. Do it because it's the RIGHT thing to do, and
move on. )

Truman pulled rank on all of them.

And fired "the general" who dissed him.

Clinton wussed out and didn't.

And unlike Harry Truman who didn't care WHAT they thought, if Truman
felt he reached the right decision, he sucked it up, and didn't lose
a night's sleep.

Unless President Obama starts emulating Truman and ESPECIALLY LBJ and
starts playing hardball with Congress, (show us that intensity that
I've seen him play basketball with) I'm beginning to think that maybe
the Reverend Jesse Jackson actually DID cut, uh... "them"...off.

Show 'em, President Obama that you play pool with a stiff cue, and
not a limp rope.

(Thanks to George Burns for that paraphrased analogy.)

Bill Earl
Editor
Dem Issues
http://demissues.blogspot.com/

If President Obama Wants To Be Successful....

2009-02-10T17:07:00.000-08:00

....then he needs to study just HOW this past President was so effective in 1965 with his massive legislation he was easily able to get Congress to pass. Evan Bayh knows how. Now we need President Obama to do some LBJ arm-twisting. And he better start doing it fast. WE gave him a mandate. Just like LBJ. DEM ISSUES is willing to be patient. But we need to see LBJ-like results. President Obama needs to play hardball.

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (4.1)

2009-02-09T09:21:00.001-08:00

If former two-term Governor of Indiana, and two-term U.S. Senator EVAN BAYH (D-In) , the son of the highly respected "Great Society Democrat" BIRCH BAYH, was President of the United States instead of our current one, ask yourself this...don't you think Bayh would be a hell of lot more effective getting things done than our current President who each day seems to reinforce that he is in a job way way over his head?

Would a "President Bayh" be able to get the stimulus package through Congress?

You're damn right that he could.

We here at DEM ISSUES are willing to give President Obama a little more time, but each day we are seeing a President who is reminding us more and more of Jimmy Carter than the arm-twisting, highly effective LBJ.

Remember, had Jimmy Carter NOT have projected the image of a weak, impotent leader, we would NOT have gotten Ronald Reagan.

And if President Obama continues to address the American people in a pessimistic way (we're just waiting for him to say "malaise"), guess who will be the next Ronald Reagan...someone who tosses their head, smiles, and says everything is going to be okay..."you betcha" and then "wink" with sunny optimism as Reagan?

Yep.

Governor Sarah Palin (R-Alaska).

She's just waiting for more of Obama's haggard, gloomy, expressions, while she's practicing her sunny smile, and getting ready to FOOL the American people just like Reagan did about us being a shining city on a hill.

Bottom line: A "President Evan Bayh" would be as effective as LBJ was in 1965, his best year.

And if Obama IS way way over his head, he should reconsider running for re-election which would allow OUR optimistic Democrat, Evan Bayh, take the nomination in 2012 as HE can BEAT Sarah Palin.

A Jimmy Carter-esque, gloomy, Barack Obama CANNOT, even though he may be telling the truth.

The election of Ronald Reagan proved one thing.

Americans LIKE being fooled into thinking that everything is gonna be okay.

Correct?

"You betcha."

Worth Buying...Now WHEN you CAN

2009-01-27T19:10:00.001-08:00

Available at all the usual places or on EBay.

Ethnic Stereotypes: NOT Cool

2008-12-24T03:30:00.001-08:00

Back in the summer of 1984, our editor, Bill Earl, taught Communication Studies at a private Chinese-American academy ("East-West Academy") using the buildings of Garvey Middle School in Rosemead CA under the supervision of Ms. Loretta Huang.

We understand that THAT particular private school closed shortly after that summer.

Since then, OTHER Chinese-American private schools and learning facilities have come and gone in the San Gabriel Valley.

There are MANY "East-West" outfits out there including banks, finance companies, etc.

Recently, we noticed a NEW (to us) outfit that has picked up the name "East-West Academy," the same name as the defunct 1984 one.

What we find inappropriate is the "mascot" of the school (pictured), which looks like an Asian stereotype of 60 years ago.

The school might be using "humor", but ANY ethnic stereotype, in OUR book, should try to be avoided such as this one.

We are assuming this "school" has Asian-American administration, and hopefully soon someone will take them aside and let them know, while somewhat CUTE, the image is NOT a good thing and even though possibly and most likely drawn by an Asian, STILL could be found offensive to Progressive thinking Americans.

Pearl Harbor Day...67 Years Later

2008-12-08T02:08:00.000-08:00

December 7, 1941 to December 7, 2008.

The OFFICIAL release of Volume 3 of the classic "Popeye the Sailor" cartoons that were screened during our war with Japan have now been released.

Some have been banned from television (i.e. children's cartoon shows) for over 60 years due to the un-PC content (see pic.)

But for history buffs and how pop culture was used to keep up public morale, they are a priceless look at contemporary American history.

D.I. feels they are worth buying.

PRIUS CONVERTIBLE?

2008-12-07T03:07:00.000-08:00

ONLY if "The Big 3" make a model COMPARABLE to this one-of-a-kind custom PRIUS CONVERTIBLE, should they be bailed out.

DEM ISSUES says...NO American-made hybrid convertible at a popular price...NO bailout.

Not even one dollar.

Sorry UAW.

DEM ISSUES advocates PLANNED, SOCIAL ENGINEERING designed for the long-range public interest.

(Until that day comes...if ever...we're gonna drive our 4-cylinder Toyota Solara convertible.)

BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR +

2008-12-06T09:40:00.001-08:00

DEM ISSUES Aaron Zober & Bill Earl went to the opening day of this film at the legendary Cinerama Dome in Hollywood CA last night, Friday December 5, 2008.

Our editor Bill's impression of the film?

"An absolute MASTERPIECE. Deserves the Oscar for Best Picture. Both Sheen & Langella should be nominated each for Best Actor. Probably cancel each other out (like Voight & Hoffman in 1969) but they DESERVE it. Ron Howard has overwhelmingly earned the Oscar for Best Director. It's the BEST film Howard has every made! Ranks up there with "The Candidate" and "Good Night & Good Luck" as one of the best...if not THE BEST...politically themed movie I've seen. Can't wait until it gets on DVD. Not ONE boring moment. Edge of my seat interest every moment. Best performance by two male leads since Jon Voight & Dustin Hoffman in "Midnight Cowboy." I never realized how powerful an actor Langella is. He was a...different...Claire Quilty....in Lolita, his strongest role before this. Sheen would make a good Roger Moore-esque James Bond. They BOTH were TOTAL MASTERS in this must-see film. Sadly, we only has 403 people in the huge Cinerama Dome. Too bad the public isn't gonna make this the classic it SHOULD be, but it's not commercial crap that most mall theaters USA show week after week. It's TOO good. By the way, the CINERAMA DOME (now called Arclight) has been restored to all the splendor it had when I first saw a "cinerama"-style movie there in the early 60s."

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM DEM ISSUES :)

2008-12-04T05:32:00.000-08:00

As Americans, Let's Support PRESIDENT OBAMA All The Way!

2008-11-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

Let's give PRESIDENT OBAMA as long a "honeymoon" as he needs, to turn OUR country around.

Let's put aside politics for a while, (including this net site) , take some time off from the op/ed salt mines, stand together as united Americans, and give PRESIDENT OBAMA a chance!

Let's OBSERVE how he does.

We can BEST be Americans by stepping back and giving him as much "free rein" as we can to let him attempt to enact his vision.

For readers of this site, we recommend you go back and read (or re-read) our archives from the beginning, back when we backed Evan Bayh in 2005, and re-live OUR journey that has gotten to this historic time in American history.

We'll be back.

But we don't expect to for a while, simply because we need to give President Obama the TIME he needs, AND the opportunity he requires, to do the job we elected him to do, and for us to observe (and cheer him on) as to how he does it.

(Dem Issues WILL return.)

/////

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (3.1)

2008-11-08T03:50:00.000-08:00

(From http://demissues.blogspot.com/)

////

Now that Obama has been elected President, where does D.I. go from there?

We intend to issue endorsements for various offices, mostly here in CA, and comment on controversial issues of the day.

Since we printed our "future endorsements flyer", we need to make some clarifications.

Here in Los Angeles, Harbor area city councilwoman JANICE HAHN would make an awesome mayor of L.A. in the March 2009 election, but she is NOT going to take on Mayor Don Juan (Villaraigosa...or is it just Villar...now?)

D.I. wants to see JANICE HAHN as L.A. mayor in the future, and she'd be AWESOME in that office.

In 2010, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer is expected to run for re-election and her opponent appears to be her toughest one yet...termed out CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

D.I. wants the Democratic Party to put heavy resources into THIS tough race to whip Arnold.

Also for 2010, the CA governor seat will be open, and at this time, we would rather see former Governor JERRY BROWN back where he can have a "third term."

SanFrancisco Mayor Gavin Newsom with his shrill shouting "whether you like it or not" rhetoric, we believe will hurt his chances statewide, and we feel that Brown is a proven winner.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is rumored to be thinking about jumping in, but she's 75 years old NOW, and might be more effective in the U.S. Senate with Obama as President.

We hope Dianne stays in the Senate, but if she wants the Governor chair, Brown may not run, and she'll be a shoo-in.

We'd then back Feinstein for Governor but we just don't see that happening.

In 2012, Feinstein's U.S. Senate seat will be up for re-election, and as she will be 79 then, we feel she will probably retire.

But if she wants to run again, we will back her.

But if she DOES retire then, we support our own town Congresswoman HILDA SOLIS to run for her seat.

If Solis does NOT, one of the two Sanchez sisters, Linda or Loretta, both Congresswomen from here in CA would be acceptable to us.

In 2012, we expect to support a President Obama re-election.

If Biden retires as Vice-President, we hope Obama replaces him with U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)

We also support GAY MARRIAGE for CA, and hope the U.S. Supreme Court (or lesser court) will throw out Proposition 8 which "won" last Tuesday, but which we feel is unfair.

And very locally, we support and ENDORSE HENRY LO to oust Margaret Clark as a City Council member of our hometown, Rosemead CA.

Please share with us YOUR comments by clicking on the "COMMENT" link under this item, or e-mail D.I. at EARLWMFataoldotcom.

(BiLL EARL'S COLUMN will return.)

////

D.I.'s "Expected" EARLY ENDORSEMENTS For CA

2008-11-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

("Expected" = subject to change if candidate is unavailable.)

This is ANOTHER D.I. flyer that will surface on election night, Tuesday November 4.

2016 Is Just Around The Corner

2008-11-02T08:45:00.001-08:00

A D. I. flyer that will surface on election night, Tuesday November 4.

KPTR JONNY BRUCE Pre-Taping...This Morning

2008-10-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

Pictured is our own DEM ISSUES editor BILL EARL (holding up "predicted" news magazine coverartwork) from earlier this morning (Tuesday 10/28) during the pre-taping of the upcoming Saturday morning JONNY BRUCE show (Saturday 11/1) , and the mighty 1340 AM KPTR transmitter tower in Cathedral City where it all "pumps out" from.

Call KPTR for exact time Bruce's show will be airing this coming Saturday morning.

During Campaign 2008, Earl has guested FIVE different times on Jonny Bruce's program, FOUR in-studio, and ONE via-telephone when Earl was unable to get to the KPTR studios from his San Gabriel Valley home base.

D.I.'s BiLL EARL Talks With KGO's RAY TALIAFERRO

2008-10-24T03:32:00.000-07:00

This morning, DEM ISSUES (http://demissues.blogspot.com/) Editor BiLL EARL was an on-air caller to the RAY TALIAFERRO show on KGO 810 AM (Transmitter: Newark CA) San Francisco.

KGO comes into ("on skip") the Rosemead area of Southern CA very clearly during Taliaferro's 1-5am shift, and Earl listens whenever he is up early enough at his townhouse.

Earl briefly talked to Taliaferro about "The Bradley Effect."

Pictured above: Mayor Tom Bradley (D-Los Angeles)

Earl reminded Taliaferro that he had phoned Talliaferro back in 2006 when Earl was a founding member of the grassroots campaign to "Elect U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) President in 2008."

Taliaferro admitted he has not yet met Evan, but had very kind words about his memories of interviewing Evan's legendary father, Birch Bayh, former U.S. Senator from Indiana who wrote the ERA, Title IX, etc.

Earl told Talliaferro that Evan is still a young man (53) and WILL be President someday, but may have to wait until 2016.

Earl asked Taliaferro if he felt that "The Bradley Effect" STILL exists, 25 years later, and if it WILL indeed defeat the Obama/Biden ticket, as Earl believes nothing else possibly can with the election just a week or so away.

Taliaferro says no, that our world has changed, and after being reassured that by Taliaferro, Earl told Taliaferro that he'll now will be getting ready to buy the champagne for victory night, November 4.

Pictured below Taliaferro and Earl is the powerful KGO transmitter site in Newark CA.

The show is in the KGO "archives" for today, Friday October 24, 2008

Click on download for the 2-3am hour and you should see

50300,mp3,59:57

Earl's call went from 51:27 to 54:32.

MEET BILL EARL SUNDAY 3-6pm

2008-10-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Meet DEM ISSUES Editor BILL EARL as he co-mans an Obama/Biden table at the Montebello Mall this Sunday afternoon, October 12, 2008, from 3-6pm.

The table will be near the Burger King on the second level of the indoor shopping mall, right off the Pomona freeway (60) at San Gabriel Blvd.

Give Bill a Barack "fist bump" this Sunday afternoon.

MEET DEM ISSUES BILL & ROSE TOMORROW!

2008-09-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES Editor Bill Earl, and his wife Rosemary, will be tabling (top level adjacent to Burger King) in The Montebello Town Center Mall (Pomona freeway at San Gabriel Blvd, in Montebello CA, just east of downtown L.A.) from 10am to 1230pm tomorrow, Saturday September 27, 2008, for United Democrats and voter registration.

MEET Rosemary & Bill and be sure to give them the Barack & Michelle "fist bump."

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (2.1)

2008-09-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

As Democrats do we want to be on the OUTSIDE looking in?

Or in The White House.

I volunteered time to work for our Obama/Biden ticket this weekend and I hope the rest of you did something, too.

I am working for a Nov 4th win.

But I'm in CA.

It will take more than just us.

There is one UNDISPUTABLE fact.

Former Indiana governor and current two-term U. S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) a DEMOCRAT and son of the legendary Birch Bayh has never been beaten.

Never even came CLOSE to losing an election.

And for FIVE times, Hoosier Republicans have tried, only to see what I SEE...Evan Bayh, when nominated, CANNOT BE BEATEN.

And the Republicans even ran a black man against him, only to see HIM whipped, too.

I'm gonna do my fair share to see that Obama/Biden carries CA.

But we are up against a meddling U.S. Supreme Court, Republican Diebold machines with NO paper receipt, "The Bradley Effect", and the unspeakable....Obama's race.

If we win, let's celebrate big time.

But if we don't, we have an UNDEFEATED WINNER in the batter's box for 2012.

Bayh/Hillary looks very good.

Bayh/Warner.

Bayh/Sebelius.

Bayh/Schweitzer.

IF we lose, or they steal it from us again, we MUST look at our bench for 2012.

We HAVE a winner.

He has never been beaten.

He won THREE CONGRESSIONAL SEATS in Indiana for us in 2006.

As I said almost four years ago....we HAVE a Democrat who can WIN....we just have to nominate him and watch what happens.

But for NOW, I urge all of us to get into the trenches where I have been and get our Obama/Biden ticket ELECTED.

Bayh can wait until 2016 if he has to.

////

(BiLL EARL'S COLUMN will return.)

D.I. In SOUTH PASADENA Tomorrow From 10-Noon!

2008-09-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES editor Bill Earl will be "tri-manning" a Democratic "table" at the South Pasadena Arts & Crafts "flea market" (street festival) from 10:00am to 12:00Noon tomorrow, Saturday September 20, 2008 near the corner of Mission and Meridian (by the Gold Line route.)

Joining Bill will be fellow Democratic activists Rosemary Earl (Bill's wife) and Aaron Zober (an

entertainment industry producer.)

Meet Bill, Rosemary, and Aaron TOMORROW morning in South Pasadena....and give 'em all an Obama "fist bump"!

BARACK & BILL (At The L A County Fair)

2008-09-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

D.I. Editor BiLL EARL (L) next to a lifesize cardboard cutout of 2008 Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in the Dem booth at the Pomona Fair. Bill helped "man" the Los Angeles Democratic Party booth at this year's fair for several days.

Bill strongly believes that both "boothing" (and "tabling") are the best way to connect to potential voters.

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (1.1)

2008-09-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

This is my first "formal" or "official" op/ed column since U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) dropped out of the 2008 Presidential race in December 2006, and my last op/ed column 101.0 boosting a Bayh candidacy.

We expect Americans will want CHANGE so much from the Cheney/Bush Jr. years that Obama/Biden will be elected in November.

But because of our concern over the "Bradley Effect" which we will NOT know until AFTER election day, we have a "Plan B" already in place...a Bayh 2012 Yahoo! group.

But THAT is in the deep freeze as of this posting.

We expect to WIN on November 4.

The evangelical Palin and elderly McCain, D.I. believes are out of touch with REAL America, and will lose.

What brought this periodic op/ed column out of "retirement" was the local train accident here in Los Angeles County which took 25 lives as of this morning.

This train accident made national news....even those in South Succotash USA have heard about it through CNN or the mainstream news media.

We are saddened by the 25 deaths.

What we have deep concerns about is the very nature of the METROLINK train itself.

For years we have believed that the Metrolink train system is an enabler of "white flight."

The San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County where I have grown up and am currently a homeowner used to be white majority.

My high school class at Arcadia High School...class of 1969...was almost 100% white...the only "ethnic" students were a few Hispanics that had family connections to the Santa Anita Race Track....horse exercise workers, etc.

Arcadia High is now Asian majority....approaching over 90% the last time I checked.

The suburb, Rosemead, where the Earl family are homeowners, is Asian majority.

Most of the San Gabriel Valley is either Asian majority or Hispanic majority, depending on the suburb.

Where did the whites go?

"White flight."

A term coined back in the 70s to show the exodus of white families from once white majority neighborhoods.

The Metrolink train can be viewed from the I-10 interstate, as it runs along the middle island of that freeway.

Sometime look at the faces that can be seen from the train windows....smugly looking at the neighborhoods of color they are speeding by.

Almost all-white.

The train accident took place in a mostly white area (Chatsworth) en route to an even MORE "whiter" area...Ventura County and Santa Clarita Valley.

The Metrolink train has allowed racist adults to work in Los Angeles, but allows them to RESIDE in areas where their white children don't have to sit next to children of color in schools....or where their neighbors are NOT those of diversity but the color of homogenized milk.

While D.I. feels the pain of 25 people killed in this accident, this accident should open the eyes of those here in Los Angeles County and see exactly just WHO ARE those "commuters" and just why are they not living in the San Gabriel Valley anymore.

This area is not a wealthy area...my townhome village is middle-class.

But out of 169 units, only a handful of homeowners here are white, and most of those are married to spouses "of color" as myself.

We hope the Metrolink accident opens up the not talked much about topic of "white flight" that D.I. believes Metrolink is nothing more than an ENABLER of...in a huge way.

Had those "commuters" lived closer to their worksites and not afraid to live in a diverse neighborhood, they'd be alive today.

"White Flight" has it's price.

In this incident...a deadly price.

////

(BiLL EARL'S COLUMN will return.)

D.I. AT POMONA FAIR 2008 (Part 3 of 3)

2008-09-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

Part 3 of 3.

Pictured is DEM ISSUES editor Bill Earl, who co-manned the L A County Democratic booth during weekend shifts along with Canyon County Democrat Steven Winkler, Rosemary Earl, and Maryann Aparicio Morales, all under the supervision of Azusa Democrat Nancy Gibson, supervisor of the booth.

D.I. AT POMONA FAIR 2008 (Part 2 of 3)

2008-09-07T20:12:00.001-07:00

Part 2 of 3.

D.I. AT POMONA FAIR 2008 (Part 1 of 3)

2008-09-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

Three Democratic activists Rosemary Earl, Maryann Aparicio Morales, and DEM ISSUES Editor Bill Earl were booked into a top floor suite (Suite # 818) at the Sheraton Fairplex hotel on the grounds of the 2008 Los Angeles County Fair where they manned the L A County Democratic Booth in one of the buildings in the fair itself, during the weekend of Friday September 5, thru Sunday September 7 working for the Obama/Biden ticket.

Here is Part 1 of 3 of the first pics from that weekend.

POMONA FAIR ON FRIDAY

2008-09-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

Just added...MRS. ROSEMARY EARL (our editor's wife) will be joining BILL in the L A County Democratic Booth in Building 5 at the Los Angeles County Fair..OPENING DAY, this Friday September 5, 2008...$1.00 admission!...from 3-7pm! Give Rosemary & Bill a Barack & Michelle "fist bump" THIS FRIDAY!!

DEM ISSUES At The L A County (Pomona) FAIR !

2008-08-28T17:33:00.001-07:00

DEM ISSUES editor, BILL EARL, has just been signed to "man" the official Los Angeles County Democratic Party "booth" at this year's Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona CA.

The "booth" should be where you always EXPECT TO find it...inside Exhibit Building 5.

Bill Earl will be there during two high-profile "opening weekend" shifts...

> Friday, September 5 (Opening day) from 3:00-7:00pm

> Saturday, September 6 from 6:00pm to 12:00 Midnight

On a personal note: the Earl family will be HOTEL GUESTS at the L A County Fair high-rise Sheraton Hotel on both Friday night 9/5 and Saturday night 9/6 (checking out after breakfast on Sunday 9/7) so Bill might be making surprise drop-ins at the booth during that opening weekend, so if you see Bill be sure to give him the Barack/Michelle "fist bump"!

Mr. Earl looks forward to meeting you and having friendly conversations with interested fairgoers on just WHY we must elect our Democratic ticket in November!

Please MEET Bill at the fair!!!

OUR EDITOR-SPECIAL GUEST-KPTR 1340 AM

2008-08-28T06:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Wednesday August 26, 2008, DEM ISSUES Editor Bill Earl was the in-studio special guest on Coachella Valley's KPTR 1340 AM (Palm Springs CA) Jonny Bruce Show.

Mr. Earl heartily backed and boosted the Obama/Biden ticket, and tore into GOP's John McCain and the Republicans big time.

The show was pre-taped for airing this coming Saturday, August 29 from 10:00 to 11:00am.

DEM ISSUES asks all readers to try to hear an airing of this show this Saturday morning.

This was Earl's 4th time as Bruce's special guest.

OBAMA/BIDEN Veteran Tabler BILL EARL

2008-08-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

Taken yesterday, Sunday August 24, 2008, at the Montebello Towne Center Shopping Mall in Montebello CA, veteran tabler BILL EARL co-mans a Democratic table on the mall's upper level.

EARL is pointing, on his badge, to the new Obama/Biden logo below the familiar blogsite logo for THIS site...DEM ISSUES.

Head's Up: KPTR 8-30-08

2008-08-19T07:02:00.001-07:00

Our DEM ISSUES editor, Bill Earl, will be the in-studio special guest on Coachella Valley's KPTR 1340 AM from 9:00 to 10:00am, Saturday August 30, 2008 on the politically-oriented JONNY BRUCE show.

Topics will include: McCain's 7 homes, the Obama/Biden ticket, 1972's "The Salinger Affair" repeat (?), The Polish Missle Crisis, etc.

MEET "Dem Issues" Editor BILL EARL Next Saturday!

2008-08-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES editor, BILL EARL, will be co-manning a voter registration table at the Montebello Town Center mall (off the 6o freeway at Paramount in Montebello CA) this coming Saturday August 9 from 2-5pm in the upper-level near the south entrance.

Joining Bill as tablemates will be local school board member Bob Bruesch, and entertainment industry exec Aaron Zober, both longtime Democratic activists.

Earl & Zober worked together on the Evan Bayh for President 2008 campaign back in 2006, and both Bill & Aaron can be seen (and read about) from those days campaigning for Bayh '08 in the archives of this site if you scroll back far enough.

Come MEET Bill, Aaron, and Bob THIS COMING SATURDAY afternoon from 2 until 5 in the mall!!

The EARL Family "Put Up" (Not Much, But We DID Just The Same)

2008-06-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

DEM ISSUES Endorses Obama

2008-06-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

It is now time for our party to unite...to save our U.S. Supreme Court from a Scalia/Thomas "lock."

DEM ISSUES today endorses U.S. Senator Barack H. Obama to be our Democratic nominee for the U.S. presidency.

Bayh was our first choice.

Biden our second.

Clinton our third.

DEM ISSUES encourages all Democrats to unite around Obama and focus our attention on KEEPING OUR U.S. SUPREME COURT BALANCED AND MODERATE, and to do so, our Democratic ticket MUST win...and WILL win, with a united Democratic party.

BiLL Earl

Editor,

DEM ISSUES

http://demissues.blogspot.com/

Listen To KPTR 1340 AM This Saturday

2008-03-03T05:04:00.000-08:00

DEM ISSUES own Bill Earl (a Hillary Clinton supporter) discusses Campaign 2008 this coming Saturday March 8, 2008 from 9-10am on Palm Springs-area KPTR 1340 AM on the Jonny Bruce Show.

This time, Bill will be "live" IN-STUDIO w/ Bruce.

Required listening for DEM ISSUES readers.

Listen THIS WEEKEND To KPTR-AM 1340

2008-02-07T22:22:00.000-08:00

Head's up!

The editor of DEM ISSUES, Bill Earl, will be interviewed (via telephone) by air personality JONNY BRUCE on KPTR-AM 1340 (Palm Springs CA) this Saturday February 9, from 9:00-10:00am, on the radio station's
"Coachella Valley Reports" program.

Bill will be discussing Campaign 2008 for the U.S. Presidency.

HRC On February 5 in CA

2008-01-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

DEM ISSUES formally endorses U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) for the California Democratic party presidential primary on Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

An Open Letter To Iowa Democrats

2007-12-09T04:17:00.000-08:00

"Iowa Democrats. By bloodline, I'm one of you. My father was born in Oto, Iowa in 1902. My wife and I have traveled 2,216 miles throughout Iowa. I'm asking you to give JOE BIDEN a win on January 3. Give him the momentum to win New Hampshire and become our Democratic nominee. He is the more experienced than any of them....serving our country since 1973. He'll know what to do from Day 1. And he speaks in words people understand. Straight talk. Plain speaking. He can win in November. But he needs YOU, Iowa Democrats, to give him that WIN on January 3 to break out of the pack. This is not the time for Iowa to send a politically correct message. This is the time to send Washington a Democrat as President. As a Democrat with an Iowa bloodline, I urge you to please give JOE BIDEN a WIN on January 3rd. If HE wins, we ALL will. Please do the right thing. Thank you.

BiLL Earl

Editor

Dem Issues

http://demissues.blogspot.com/

Qualified.

2007-12-09T04:08:00.001-08:00