BlueRevolution

Blue Revolution

Bob Fertik — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 22:37:47 -0500

AZ-Maricopa AZ-Yavapai CA-Kern CA-Orange CA-Santa Barbara CA-San Luis Obispo CO-Adams CO-Denver DC-District of Columbia FL-Pinellas IA-Jefferson IL-Lake IN-La Porte IN-Lake IN-Porter MD-Baltimore	MD-Howard MN-Waseca NC-Guilford NJ-Passaic MO-St. Louis OH-Hamilton OR-Washington PA-Philadelphia PA-Westmoreland NY-New York NY-Onondaga TN-Madison TX-Jackson TX-Kendall TX-Lamar WA-Clark WA-King WA-Snohomish
Page down to find these county vigils	or click local after logging in.

When the polls close, we urge Democrats across the country to gather outside their County Election Office for a candlelight vigil to Count Every Vote, all wearing the same color: Blue.

Imagine a Blue Revolution, every bit as joyous and historic as the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the Cedar Revolution Lebanon, the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and the other democratic revolutions of recent years - right here in the United States of America.

Help us organize a vigil in your county - just create a new Forum Topic coded "Blue Revolution," select "County," post the location of your County Election Office, and spread the word to your friends. More details below...

Should we start a Blue Revolution across the USA on Election Night to stop Republicans from stealing Election 2006?

This Congressional election has witnessed vastly more local polling than ever before, and every poll points to the same result: Democrats will win more than the 15 seats we need to win the House of Representatives, and we are ahead or tied in the 6 seats we need to win the Senate.

These polls are not isolated local phenomena, but are part of a national tidal wave visible in every national poll.

* Voters prefer "generic" Democrats over Republicans by nearly 20%, which is the largest gap in the history of polling. When Newt Gingrich's Republican Revolutionaries seized 54 seats in 1994, they had a "generic" gap of only 7 points.

* George Bush's approval rating is below 40% in every poll, well below Bill Clinton's mid-40's approval rating in 1994.

* The approval rating for the Republican-run Congress is down to 16%, the lowest in history. Voters - including many Republicans - say they want Democrats to run Congress.

* Every poll shows the dominant issue in this election is the disastrous war in Iraq. Voters blame George Bush and the Republican Party for this disaster and they want to change the course, not stay the course. Bush's claim that he never said "stay the course" is destroying his last shred of credibility.

Yet despite this overwhelming polling evidence, George Bush - along with Dick Cheney and Karl Rove - adamantly insist that Republicans are going to win on November 7.

What do they know that we don't know?

As time runs out for an October Surprise, there's only one possibility: that they have rigged the election process to guarantee Republicans win.

How can they rig the process? We all know they can hack electronic voting machines with a screwdriver, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

They can purge Democrats from the voter rolls (make sure you're still registered at MyDem.com), trash Democratic registrations and absentee ballots, leave Democratic candidates' names off the ballots or make the ballots too confusing to use, stuff Republican absentee ballots at county offices, send too few machines or paper ballots to Democratic precincts, move precincts so voters can't find them, pre-punch paper ballots so they register "overvotes," demand photo ID's at the polls, deny provisional ballots or refuse to count them, rig the vote-counting machines, etc. etc. etc.

This list is not imaginary. Republicans committed these crimes and more in Florida in 2000, in Georgia in 2002, and in Ohio in 2004. They have been thoroughly documented on web sites, in books, and in films. But since George Bush controls the Justice Department, none of these crimes have been investigated or prosecuted. And that means there is nothing to stop Republicans from doing all of these things again this year - in spades. BradBlog has caught them red-handed several times already!

That's why Bush, Cheney, and Rove are so confident. And that's why we must do everything we can to stop them.

Democratic and progressive activists are doing an incredible amount of work to Get Out The Vote and try to ensure a Democratic victory, and we enthusiastically support all of these efforts. We also support the BradBlog/PDA petition urging emergency paper ballots in every state.

But there's one more thing we'd like to ask you to do after all of the votes have been cast.

It's quite simple really. But for it to work, thousands of us would have to participate.

When the polls close, we propose that Democrats across the country gather outside their County Election Office for a candlelight vigil to Count Every Vote, all wearing the same color: Blue.

We've done this before with the leadership of Moveon:

Gathering outside County Election Offices is crucial because that's where our votes are counted.

In some counties, they simply tally the results from counts in each precinct. In some counties, they count the absentees at the county office and add them to the precinct tallies. In the remaining counties, they tally all the absentees and ballots at the county office. They also review provisional ballots to determine which will be counted. And if a race is close enough to require a re-canvass or recount, it is done there.

If Republicans plan to steal the November elections, most of their thievery would be at the county level because that's where large numbers of votes can either be shifted from Democrats to Republicans, or Democratic ballots thrown out, or fraudulent Republican ballots manufactured. And it's just as likely to happen in "red" counties where Democratic lawyers aren't watching as in "blue" counties where they are.

A crowd of Democrats outside County Election Offices might not be able to detect or stop a Republican election stealing plan. But at a minimum we would send an extremely powerful message to George Bush, the Republican Party, the corporate media, and the world: that we're watching and prepared to do whatever it takes - peacefully of course - to make sure every vote counts.

If we gathered together on Election Night, we can also do valuable organizing work like collecting a list of Election Day problems (mechanical, administrative, and otherwise) and blogging what we find. We can volunteer if a manual recount is required in close races. We can plan local campaigns to replace electronic machines with hand-counted paper ballots, which might be a very popular idea if your county's election goes badly.

And if our votes are honestly counted and we win, we can have the biggest outdoor party in American history - and start planning to work with Congressional Democrats to restore Democracy, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights in America.

If you like this idea, please vote with your keyboard. Login here (provide your address so we can find your County) and click the "Local" link in the menu to see if someone has already started organizing in your county. If not, then create a new Forum Topic. For "Category," choose "Blue Revolution" in both Democrats.com Forums and Topics. In the "Local" box be sure to click "County." In the subject line, put "Election Night." And in the body post the street address of your County Election Office with a link to your favorite mapping site, the time polls close in your state, and any advice you can offer on public transportation and parking. If you want to share your name and email address or offer a ride, that will help.

After the logistics are established, everyone who wants to participate should post a reply, perhaps with the number of family members and friends you plan to bring, and signs you plan to carry, and the neighborhood you're coming from if you can offer a ride. Extra candles, American flags, posterboard, and magic markers are always welcome.

We'll soon be able to track events across the country through a single link: BlueRevolution.us

As I wrote above, the idea is simple - but it only works if you embrace the idea and make it happen.

Shall we make history on November 7?

Appeasement Invites Disaster

JimWilliams — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 00:47:53 -0500

The goals listed in Nancy Pelosi's 100 hour plan should warm the heart of any reasonable American. But lists are not strategies, and the 100 hour plan merely covers putting these goals before the president. As best I can tell, the strategy behind the 100 hour plan boils down to this:

Democrats guilelessly propose their most popular ideas while attempting to appease President Bush by not impeaching him. In exchange, Bush gallantly signs any bills that don't happen to jeopardize his ongoing destruction of Constitutional government and the global environment.

Appeasement is hardly a new thing. The British well remember Neville Chamberlain's strategy of appeasement in World War II. And now they consider our President Bush a greater threat than Korea's Kim Il-sung. We need to pay attention. Or we could repeat Chamberlain's error of appeasement.

The most glaring deficit of the appeasement strategy is not merely that it is incapable of achieving the goals of the Democratic party, but that it will leave Democrats defenseless against guileful assault by Republicans and a misinformed mass media:

The media will deride Democrats for the impending severe fallout from the war on Iraq, because the Democrats will have failed to develop and publicize exonerating evidence.
The media will praise the President for signing appeasement legislation, such as raising the minimum wage, because the Democrats have failed to highlight the infinitely more important issue of our country's continuing trend away from Constitutional government.
The media will commend yet another miraculous drop in gas prices just before the 2008 elections, because the Democrats have failed to address and correct record high oil profits.

Given the disastrous consequences of naive appeasement, it is imperative that we develop Democratic Congressional priorities to

Reaffirm inalienable rights enumerated by our founding fathers and abrogated by the President.
Banish current and future enemies of the Constitution from government.
And finally, pursue the normal business of government.

Given the stakes, I suggest that every reasonable American begin to shout and holler, rather than simply wait and see.

Jim Williams

Voting adversary back into the system

Frank Ranelli — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 16:42:35 -0500

Democrats did not get their way today; the America people got their way. They got the government they wanted, not the one George Bush wanted to give us. This is a historic victory not for democrats but for people-powered politics and democracy. People showed their sharp rebuke of the Bush administrations radical policies and failures in the Iraq war. Today, the people won and so did our nation. Today, we voted adversary back into the system.

The one-party rule was a dismal failure. Neoconservative politics was a disaster. Pre-approving every whim of the President was dangerous and a malignant growth of false inerrancy. Fear-mongering as a methodology to govern a free nation proved to be a monumental mistake. Fear, after the shock wears off, turned to anger, resentment and then action to rebuff those that would attempt to subjugate and rule us through bully tactics and cheap demagoguery.

I can only now offer this piece of advice to George W. Bush:

"Mr. President, you are either with America or you are against us!"

Call me crazy, but

vince — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 08:34:04 -0500

while I agree that the list of impeachable offenses is mind boggling, and it is the sworn duty of our Representatives to uphold the Constitution, I can't help feeling that the first priority of a new Congress should be to give all Americans no reason to vote for Republicans ever again. That includes creating and returning good American jobs to this shore, restoring America's prestige (and its security) by dealing with Iraq and the middle east in as even handed manner as possible, returning our lost Constitutional rights, and securing our borders.

If it is true that people largely vote with their wallets, as Jim will attest to, last night's victory was as much about the economy as it was with Iraq and ethics. Let us try to help every American live in prosperity, in peace with the earth, and in peace with each other.

But if impeachment comes up, I want these a**holes burned at the stake.

Pro-Democracy Demonstration for 8th Congressional District in Paterson Tonight

impeachthem — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:10:47 -0500

As part of a national event to enforce democracy & demand no more stolen elections, 7:30-8:30 pm Election night, we're gathering at the Passaic County Vote Count Center at 401 Grand Street - at Hamilton Street, in Paterson. This is where all votes in Passaic County are counted. We ask everyone to wear BLUE to signify our part of the national movement to end election theft and Reclaim Democracy in the USA. Please make signs like: WE WANT DEMOCRACY IN THE USA! NO MORE STOLEN ELECTIONS! PAPER-ONLY VOTING! ALL MACHINES CAN BE RIGGED! RESTORE JUSTICE, RECLAIM DEMOCRACY! Please RSVP impeachthem@gmail.com or phone 973.694.5035

NJ-Passaic County/Paterson Pro-Democracy Demonstration Tonight

impeachthem — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:55:32 -0500

As part of a national event to enforce democracy & demand no more stolen elections,
7:30-8:30 pm tomorrow, Election night,
we're gathering at the Passaic County Vote Count Center at
401 Grand Street - at Hamilton Street, in Paterson.

We ask everyone to wear BLUE to signify our part of the national movement
to end election theft and Reclaim Democracy in the USA.
Please make signs in the theme of: WE WANT DEMOCRACY IN THE USA! NO MORE STOLEN ELECTIONS!
PAPER-ONLY VOTING! ALL MACHINES CAN BE RIGGED! RESTORE JUSTICE, RECLAIM DEMOCRACY!
Please RSVP impeachthem@gmail.com or phone 973.694.5035

Blue Revolution in Orange County, CA

mattfiller — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 17:49:23 -0500

Neal Kelley, Orange County Registrar of Voters
1300 Building C South Grand Avenue
Santa Ana CA 92705
(between Edinger and McFadden, west of the 55)
Keep the count honest! Keep the heat on!

CO: Denver County

Chip — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:28:53 -0500

Address:
201 West Colfax
Denver, CO 80204-2621
Phone 720-913-8683
Fax: 720-913-8600
Other Information: Submitted by victoria2dc on November 5, 2006 - 1:46pm.

Here's a map.

nyny

november3rd — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:37:15 -0500

BOE 200 Varick Street 10014

A Republican No More

Dave Crays — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 10:36:46 -0500

A Republican No More

I was eleven years old when I asked my Mother to take me to Richard Nixon’s headquarters in 1972. I didn’t understand all the issues, but I knew that he was “my President” and I proudly affixed his bumper sticker on her car.

I voted for Reagan. I voted for Bush. And I voted for W. In every election, I voted Republican unless there wasn’t a Republican in the race. I believed all the rhetoric that if we controlled all three branches we could fix government spending, stop gridlock and “Build a Better America.”

So how have we done?

Government spending went through the roof with Reagan. Worse with Bush. Better with Clinton. Have we fixed the deficit under W? No.

Gridlock? Yes, we fixed it! The Republican Party has forced many measures through. Is the country better off? Let’s see.

Taxes are lower. Good for my household, so one in the plus column. Of course, the deficit is growing and my son will have to carry that burden.

We declared War on the Taliban. I am not convinced we fixed the problem, but I agree it was the right decision.

We declared War on Saddam. Why? So we could create a greater problem fiscally? So we could lose countless American and Iraqi lives? There were no weapons of mass destruction. Perhaps one day the Iraqis will be better off, but right now they are killing themselves more than we are killing their terrorists. We didn’t fix the problem, we created a worse one. The worst result is that we have set back human rights at least a century and a half in America. How can anyone truly believe that incarcerating “terrorist suspects” without legal representation is a good thing? How can anyone believe that abusive interrogation techniques are okay for America, but unacceptable for other countries to engage in? Are we truly a better nation for holding prisoners in Guantanamo Bay without their day in court? They aren’t prisoners of war.

We have declared War on Drugs. Great! We spend billions and billions to beef up our borders and yet the drugs continue to come in. For a brief time in the 80’s usage decreased, but no one would argue that today. Instead of spending the money on “defense” we would be better off spending it on education and rehabilitation. Better yet, legalize it, control it and tax it. The taxes would certainly help since drugs are obviously not going away. Instead of spending billions we could make billions. Then spend the money on education and rehabilitation. Plus we would not have to spend money chasing criminals importing drugs and laundering money, thus saving more money. Crime would go down because drugs would be safer and cheaper. Prohibition taught us this lesson, it is time we learn it. Let the police focus on safety and the Justice Department focus on justice, not on someone smoking marijuana.

We are focused on another drug policy. That of limiting America’s access to cheaper drugs. Great! It is cheaper in Canada for the same drugs. I want to know why. Don’t give me the argument that we have to control the manufacturing process. I haven’t read about Canadians dying from taking drugs that weren’t manufactured according to American laws and regulations.

We haven’t focused on medical insurance reform. Great! I pay more for drugs I need every day than my Canadian friends to the north. And I pay more for my medical insurance every year. All the while, the insurance companies and their executives and actuaries keep making more money.

We are focused on illegal immigration. Great! Unless you consider our country was founded by immigrants seeking a better life. Have you ever met an immigrant who took an American job? I haven’t. Primarily because they work the jobs that no one else seems willing to do. The Hispanics work harder than any people I know. Do they suppress wages? Perhaps. But I am not willing or able to spend ridiculous sums of money to cut my lawn, clean my house, watch my kid, dig ditches in 100 degree weather and build our highways. We can’t staff all of these jobs in Texas without immigrants. And historically speaking, America never has.

To your credit you focused on education so that “no child is left behind.” As a father I wholeheartedly agree with this approach. Every child, including those of “illegal immigrants,” should receive a quality education focused on teaching them the skills and disciplines they need to succeed. And every teacher, administrator and school board should be held accountable for their respective results. No teacher should be allowed to hide behind their Union or Tenure. But in exchange for losing this protection they should be paid what they are worth. And I am not talking about a token $3000 increase. Take the excess money we save from the failed drug war and that we earn on drug taxes and give it to our children’s teachers. Better educated kids won’t waste their time getting wasted.

We are focused on “right to live.” Great! Now we have decided that we should play God. Or at least act on her behalf. I wouldn’t choose an abortion if I was a woman, but I am not going to pretend to know what is best for her. If her choice proves wrong in God’s eyes, then there will be Hell to pay. I don’t believe I am God, and neither are any of you reading this. Besides, I don’t see anyone rushing off to adopt all our unwanted children. And our adoption laws are so complex that it is easier to adopt children from other countries. If the Moral Majority wants to stop abortions then each of them should be required to adopt at least one unwanted child until “no child is left behind.”

We are focused on the death penalty. Great! We don’t kill unwanted fetuses, but we do kill adults. Personally, I hate criminals. And, from an emotional perspective, I would wish dead the criminal who murdered someone close to me. But at what cost? It has been argued that it is cheaper to incarcerate criminals for life than to execute them. Certainly spending life in a hellhole with no chance to spend one day beyond bars is worse than an injection. Plus it avoids the mistake of executing the wrong criminal.

We are focused on euthanasia. Great! You have an incurable disease, feel horrible and are in constant pain, but you can’t do anything about it. Our pets get better options. In Moral Majority America, unless you are a criminal, no injection for you.

We are focused on stem cell research. Great! We have a chance to cure diseases of living Americans, but we don’t want to compromise the life of a future unwanted child.

We are focused on Gay Marriage. Wow! Homosexuality has been around forever and we are still trying to cure it. I am amazed that the Moral Majority cried out against Gay promiscuity in the 80’s and now they care about Gay monogamy in the 2000’s.

Twenty years ago the uneducated bigoted Confederate Flag carrying Americans voted Democratic. Now they vote Republican. We should be pleased with their addition to the Party.

I don’t like Unions which support the Democrats because they protect members who don’t deserve protection. And that has always been an issue for me with the Democratic Party. However, the Republican Party is not in tune with its Majority. Most of us make good money, have good educations and think for ourselves. And we didn’t hire you to legislate morality.

I had hoped you would focus on the deficit, gridlock and “Building a Better America.” This to me means, educating our children, feeding our homeless, making our streets safer, rehabilitating our drug addicts and creating a safe environment in harmony with the interests of the business community.

Instead, you have focused on the agenda of the Moral Majority who makes up a small percent of the Party and America.

Instead you have allowed a self-serving radio personality to serve as the “voice” of the Party. He never focuses on issues, only his own ratings, by attacking Hollywood celebrities who are willing to take a stand and put their money where their mouth is. These same celebrities who are adopting unwanted children. Do you think I want my son to grow up like that uneducated airhead?

Instead you have embraced a washed up actor to serve as the voice of people wanting more guns. As if I feel safer knowing my neighbor can own a submachine gun. And that his kids have access to his handgun.

Yes, I like Arnold. I love Rudy. And I greatly admire McCain. But until the Party separates itself from the Moral Majority, they will be hard pressed to get my vote.

And as for Congress? Forget it.

From now on, I will take my chances with Hollywood, the Unions and the Immigrants.