Delegates Begin the March to Denver

By Judy McNickle, PCO Olympia 40

More than 250,000 Democrats attended nearly 7,000 precinct caucuses statewide February 9, more than have attended any caucuses in the history of the country! More than 32,000 delegates were elected to begin what for some will become a seven-month march to Denver for the Democratic National Convention. In Thurston County nearly 11,000 voters chose 1,393 delegates from among 299 precinct caucuses to compete for seating at the national confab August 25-28 in Colorado’s state capitol.

To attend this historic convention as one of Washington’s 97 delegates or 13 alternates, Thurston County Democrats have two possible paths: election at both upcoming caucuses (Legislative District (LD) caucuses in April and Congressional District (CD) caucuses May 17) or selection as an additional delegate June 15 by the Election Committee of the Washington State Democrats.

“We know this process can get confusing,” John Cusick, Thurston County Democratic chair observed in a recent interview, “but we’re hoping we can help clarify the steps for both delegate selection and platform creation.”

First, Cusick explains, “it’s important to remember that election of delegates and alternates occurs only at precinct, legislative district and congressional district caucuses.” That effort which began February 9 continues April 5 for Legislative District (LD) 2 and April 19 for LDs 20, 22 and 35. For 51 delegates, the election process ends May 17 at the Congressional District Caucuses.

An additional 46 delegates, including 17 already named “super delegates,” are chosen either because of their current or, in the case of former House Speaker Tom Foley, significant past elected office or on June 15 at the State Convention by the Election Committee of the Washington State Democrats.

Meanwhile, party platforms and resolutions are adopted at conventions. Based upon input received at or before the precinct caucuses, county platform committees are drafting platforms for discussion at county conventions April 19. Shortly thereafter the state platform committee will do the same in preparation for the state convention in Spokane June 14-15.

Delegates and alternates chosen at the precinct caucuses are expected to participate in the April LD caucuses to select delegates and alternates to the CD caucuses and to attend their county conventions April 19 to discuss and adopt platforms and resolutions. Delegates and alternates elected at the April LD caucuses are expected to then attend both their CD caucus on May 17 and the State Convention June 14-15.

Cusick notes, “This can all get somewhat expensive, delegates and alternates at each level are responsible for paying their own registration fees, as well as travel to and from and lodging and meals at the caucuses and conventions. Some suffer the misconception the party will pay their expenses but unfortunately that’s not the case.” (See below for some estimated costs to attend the National Convention.)

Dates to Remember

April 19 - Thurston County Convention, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Capitol High School, Olympia
April 19 - Legislative District caucuses for 20, 22 and 35, following convention adjournment, Capitol High School
May 2 - 5 p.m. deadline to submit statement of candidacy to be one of the 51 national delegates being elected at the CD caucuses May 17 (forms available at www.thurstondemocrats.org/caucus)

May 17 - 3rd and 9th Congressional District Caucuses in Napavine and Puyallup (times and locations available at www.thurstondemocrats.org/caucus)
June 10 - 5 p.m. deadline to submit statement to State Democratic Chair to compete as a pledged party leader/elected official or as at-large delegate (both forms available at www.thurstondemocrats.org/caucus)
June 14-15 - State Democratic Convention, Spokane
June 15 - Election Committee names final slate of delegates and alternates to National Democratic Convention
August 25-28 - National Democratic Convention, Denver, CO

The following chart (right) summarizes the delegate and alternate selection process.

46 Delegates WILL BE Selected Outside the Caucus Process

Washington will send 97 delegates and 13 alternates to the National Democratic Convention in August. Fifty-one are selected through the three-step process that began at the precinct caucuses February 9 and continues through the Legislative District and Congressional Caucuses. An additional 46 delegates are chosen outside of that process, including super delegates already named and three other categories of selected delegates.

Seventeen of the 46 already named constitute the so-called “super delegates”. By Democratic National Committee rules, they were designated because of the elected position they hold or held, in the case of former Speaker Foley.

The remaining 29 will be named June 15 by the Election Committee of the State Democratic Party. They include two unpledged delegates nominated by State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz, 10 pledged party leaders and elected officials (including elected Precinct Committee Officers) and 17 at-large delegates and alternates, all of whom must provide a statement of candidacy to the party chair by 5 p.m. June 10.

options for getting elected or selected to go to the National Convention

1. If you were elected to be a delegate/alternate at your Precinct Caucus (during February 9 caucus) then;

2. Get elected to continue as a delegate/alternate at your Legislative District Caucus (April 190 LD20, LD22, LD35; April 5-LD2) and then;

3. Get elected to be a delegate/alternate at your Congressional District Caucus (May 17)

- OR -

4. Apply (forms available at our website: www.thurstondemocrats.org/caucus) for one of the 17 "At-Large" delegates (4 alternates) to be selected by the Election Committee at the Washington State Democratic Convention to meet affirmative action goals.

5. If you are serving in an elected position including elected PCOs, apply (forms available at our website: www.thurstondemocrats.org/caucus) to be one of the 10 "Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials" delegates.

How to Contact Super Delegates

Seventeen Washington Democrats are among 795 “super delegates” who have been named to serve at the National Convention because of their current or former elected position. Their names and stated presidential preferences, if any, are:

Brian Baird, U.S. Representative, Obama
Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator, Clinton
Ed Cote, National Committee member, uncommitted
Norm Dicks, U.S. Representative, Clinton
Tom Foley, former U.S. House Speaker, Clinton
Christine Gregoire, Governor, Obama
Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative, Clinton
Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative, uncommitted
Eileen Macoll, State Party Vice Chair, uncommitted
Sharon Mast, National Committee member, uncommitted
Jim McDermott, U.S. Representative, uncommitted
David McDonald, National Committee member, uncommitted
Patty Murray, U.S. Senator, Clinton
Pat Notter, National Committee member, Obama
Dwight Pelz, State Party Chair, uncommitted
Ron Sims, King County Executive, Clinton
Adam Smith, U.S. Representative, Obama

Contact the super delegates here: www.thurstondemocrats.org/caucus

Attendance costs estimated for Colorado delegates

Delegates and alternates to the Democratic National Convention August 25-28 in Denver, CO are expected to cover all their own expenses, including registration fees, travel, hotel and meals. Total expenses will vary according to choices made by each attendee, but here are some estimates of what to expect:

$110 Registration fees, includes $10 for county convention, $50 for Congressional District, and $50 for State Convention (No fee has been set for the National Convention.)
$1049 Air travel round trip Aug 24-28*
$766 Hotel for 4 nights @ $189 each**
$400 Meals and miscellaneous @ $100 a day
$2325 Estimated total

* United Airlines has been named the official airline for the convention. Current on-line UA roundtrip tickets from Seattle to Denver range from $443 to $1,655.
** Hotel assignments will be provided to each state by the Democratic National Committee. Current estimates range from $79 to $299 per night for single occupancy.

Democracy in Action

By Janine Gates, freelance writer and photographer in Olympia, WA. Photos courtesy Janine Gates.

I am proud and privileged to be an American. There are so many people in the world in other countries who would be killed, tortured, harassed, and/or threatened doing what we can do here in America. Like voting.

I participated in our Washington State caucus, a confusing process, but somewhere in that chaos, my vote counted. Not only did my vote make a difference, I left my caucus, after short speech-making and vote counting, as an elected delegate to the Thurston County Convention. This is democracy in action and this is how it starts.

I admit, despite all my pleading, I could not get my 18 year old to caucus. I begged, and told her this is where it counts, but a mom can only do so much. She will have to learn for herself, when it personally matters to her, or she sees someone in the world, first-hand, struggling for political freedom. Her apathy is not unique of course, but this election, young people, luckily, are more engaged than ever. Thankfully, my 13 year old son still allows me to influence his world view.

Our campaign weekend began in Seattle on Thursday night when I took him to see Hillary Clinton, the night before the Washington caucuses. He knows all my stories, how, as an eight year old, I got to shake Richard Nixon’s hand on the campaign trail in Ohio, and as a teenager, I got to sit next to and have breakfast with Ohio Senator John Glenn, who was running for president in 1980, and my other political awakenings as an event and campaign organizer for the King County Democrats.

We arrived in time, parked near the pier entrance, oh just slightly on a red line in front of the main gate (I figured the police had much more important things to do than tow my car) and walked in, along with 5,000 others. Between the legs of tripods, we stood right behind the national press platform, allowing us clear, close views of Hillary. She’s a mom figure. She is so beautiful, smart, passionate, comforting. She reminds me of my mom. A tough cookie. How could we go against Mom? We were excited, the crowd was excited, and one kid near us fainted. We approved of her message. We almost got her autograph, we were that close, but she worked the crowd quickly. A few Secret Service people stood between us and our chance.

Regardless, we drove home happily wearing our Hillary stickers and talking about the issues. We also wondered how she managed to wind down and get to sleep at night. We were pumped! I knew I would never have to beg Tristan to watch another debate on T.V. or pay attention to the issues. He was hooked. But we knew the big day was the next morning, to see Barack Obama at the KeyCenter Arena.

We arrived early, and stood in the cold wind, but were warmed by occasional Obama cheers and high school kids passing out free breakfast pastries. We were among the first 1000 in, which eventually filled to overcapacity, Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols said, to 18, 000. Three thousand more waited outside to get in. It was like we were at a rock concert. We sat front and center, watching dance-offs and Obama videos until Governor Christine Gregoire came out to introduce Barack Obama. Gregoire’s endorsement, she said, took deep soul-searching. I bet it took pure guts for her to go against sister Hillary.

Then, the rock star came out to U-2’s “City of Blinding Lights” (You Look So Beautiful Tonight) and we screamed. And screamed. Although he eventually encouraged everyone to sit down, people still stood and screamed. He said this was the largest crowd he has seen yet. More screams. To see and hear that kind of sustained excitement and energy quickly convinced us that Obama is the one. At one point, a lady up front was feeling faint, and Obama asked someone to help her. He was real. All my idealistic hopes as a young Seattle campaign organizer came back to me as I heard him speak, and I fell for it all.

The part that really, finally, got me was how he addressed, head-on, the concerns people have about him, how he gives a good speech, but he hasn’t been in Washington long enough. “Long enough for what?” he asks. “Until I’m seasoned and stewed, and all the hope is boiled out of me and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be ready in 20 years? No, that is not right.”

“The last thing we need,” he said, “is the same old folks doing the same old thing and expecting something new…As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We have the fierce urgency of now. We cannot wait.”

Obama says it’s true he talks about hope. “The only times this country has changed is when somebody, somewhere is willing to hope.” “I believe in hope, I’ve got to. Look at where I’m standing! I was raised by a single mom and my grandparents. All they gave me was love, education and hope. That was my inheritance.” Hope aside, he’s smart, and right on the issues.

So on Saturday, at our neighborhood caucus, our campaign weekend came full circle, where I was one of the thousands to pledge my support for Obama, which directly resulted in him securing a winning number of delegates needed to capture a majority of delegates from Washington State, which eventually, could make him our Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

I’m glad my son was there to see the process. He asked me, during Obama’s speech in Seattle, if anyone can be president. I said yes, with some limitations. You have to be born in America and 35 years old. I could see his wheels spinning. There’s hope.

Janine Gates is a freelance writer and photographer in Olympia, Washington.

This American Moment: Time for a Gut Check

By Curt Pavola

This American moment is like none other.

America's finest hours embody a consistent struggle against domineering power. Ending England's colonial rule, fighting a civil war in part to end slavery, trust-busting Industrial Age corporate monopolies, and battling aggressive nations in two world wars -- Americans have promoted freedom and improved the lives of many both at home and abroad.

As a nation with a principled history, and having recent reminders of the damage arising from unchecked power, such as McCarthy-era inquisitions, the fake Gulf of Tonkin "attack" used to drag us into the Vietnam conflict and Richard Nixon's White House crime syndicate, why is it that Americans have allowed a new crowd of double-talking slight-of-hand artists to trample our cultural values and political norms? Why does our current political direction fly in the face of these historically recent civic lessons and our many progressive American moments?

The short answer: "We" let them.

In a political system that allows "50 percent plus one" to empower its leaders, and at the same time to disempower all minority parties, Americans have elected to support a national government of narrow ideologues and then we’ve eschewed our primary civic duty of being vigilant watchdogs. In 2000 and 2004, a majority of voters chose misplaced faith instead of constructive, fact-based skepticism.

The Republican Party's thrashing of democratic principles has been accompanied by outright illegal acts, as well as some arguably unconstitutional acts. A few wrongs are now being righted by the Democratic Party congressional majority, however the cultural roots of our collective civic betrayal are far from resolved. "We" are still the problem.

Americans must consciously reflect on our slide away from democracy's promise and vote for candidates who will reaffirm our country’s guiding principles.

Inalienable human rights. The American experience demonstrates the wisdom of placing ultimate governing power in the hands of every citizen, and then assuring a legal check on the use of that power to preserve the fundamental rights of social and political minorities. When ideologues use government to the detriment of "The People," as with the Patriot Act, or when the Republican Party eliminates congressional rules assuring minority-party participation in lawmaking, then a fundamental shift has occurred in the American political fabric; a direct betrayal of the nation's very thoughtful and power-leery founders. Americans need to reclaim our birthright of inalienable rights and recommit to proper checks and balances.

Theologically non-aligned. Derived from the fundamentals of ancient Greek polity, American democracy is open to everyone willing to live under the rule of law, willing to accept the outcome of reason-based policy making. One citizen’s personal philosophy can inform her or his own actions, yet our government at its best recognizes all, empowers all, bars none and seeks the solution most right for the most numbers, all the while protecting the fundamental human rights and political rights of minority groups.

But when government programs funnel public dollars to tax-exempt sectarian organizations, political appointees are chosen for religious purity over experience or performance, and public spaces and the Pledge of Allegiance are modified to project religious belief, then the theological neutrality of government is scuttled. Throwing out the carefully non-religious language of the U.S. Constitution, current governmental piety condemns citizens with differing beliefs day in, day out; promoting believers over non-believers and supporting an "us versus them" philosophy.

Citizen-based political power. Our country’s founders proclaimed and protected the innate political power of individuals. In many ways recently, this power has been more rhetoric than reality. When wealthy international corporations can claim the same fundamental "human" rights as flesh-and-blood citizens and use the legal system against real people, then the promise of equality and justice rings hollow. A person who pursues political or social fairness against a business entity that never dies is in a losing battle.

This diminished status is further corrupted by a loss of citizen influence due to the role of money in election campaigns, the dominance of lobbyists in policy making, and the timid and superficial political dialogue displayed in the most-watched, most-read news sources.

Once, constitutional limitations on the power of non-human entities served to assure the dominance of personal political power over institutional power. For example, as personal power has eroded, the corporate and government alliance that President Dwight D. Eisenhower termed the "military-industrial complex" has become exactly what he warned us about in 1961. This incestuous alliance drives our economy, pollutes our debate about domestic priorities, ensnares us in the affairs of other nations, and arms the world on all sides of conflicts.

Separated from popular control by corporate campaign donations and industry lobbyists, and ignored by ineffectual news media, the military-industrial complex has achieved, as Eisenhower predicted, "...the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought...the disastrous rise of misplaced power."

And it's all our fault.

If we don't want a band of corrupt and philosophically directed cronies to co-opt the government in pursuit of a private, largely hidden agenda, then voters must elect candidates who will defend the constitutional principles of balanced governmental powers, of minority party participation in policy making and of non-theological government.

If we don't want publicly chartered business enterprises to evade American regulations and standards, trash our domestic economy and highjack international diplomacy, then citizens must demand increased government control over the activities of these fake "individuals."

If we don't want wealth and personal influence to dictate the content of our public policies and programs, then citizens need to replace the power of private money in elections with campaign financing equally available to all parties.

It's time for a gut check. It's time to end this American moment and begin another. It's time for the next American moment worthy of our history.

Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Auction - Saturday, May 10, 2008

"Happy Days Are Here Again!" and we are celebrating in a big way at this year's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Auction. Our special auctioneer for the very popular live auction will be our own talented Denny Heck with witty assistance provided by Joe Hyer. It will be their goal not only to entertainment but to make sure no one leaves empty handed!

This is always a fun event with fabulous auction items donated by local businesses and individuals along with a scrumptious dinner prepared and served by the students in the SPSCC Culinary Arts Program. We'll award the Evalyn Poff scholarships to several graduating high school students in Thurston County and one special hard-working volunteer will receive the coveted Democrat of the Year!

Last year's event sold out so be sure to get your tickets early. Early Bird Tickets are $50 (if payment made on or before April 23); $65 after April 23. Purchase tickets online at www.thurstondemocrats.org/JJ or send your check to TCD, PO Box 164, Olympia, WA 98507.

Donations

If you have an item or service you'd like to donate to the auction, this year, please bring it by the TCD office, 2021 Pacific Ave, Olympia or call Sherri at 352-8225 to schedule a pick-up. Our donors in past years have been very generous and we're looking forward to seeing the exciting donations this year. We're already working on one or two round-trips to Mexico, Hawaii or some other exotic location so don't miss this and other fabulous auction items. Have you got your tickets to the event yet?

Table Captains

If you purchase tickets for a table of 8 we will reserve a table for you and your guests.

Co-Sponsorship Opportunities

Here are some other ways you can help make this event even more spectacular than last year. Become a co-sponsorship and we'll be happy to provide the services and/or JJ Dinner tickets as indicated below:

To become a co-sponsor, send your check to TCD, PO Box 164, Olympia, WA 98507 and indicate that this is for JJ Dinner Co-sponsorship or pay by credit card here: www.thurstondemocrats.org/donate

Platinum Level $1000

Name on program as a Platinum Sponsor
Name on PowerPoint presentation as Platinum Sponsor
Ad in newsletter – ¼ page for three issues
Two free tickets to the event

Gold Level $500

Name on program as a Gold Sponsor
Name on PowerPoint presentation as Gold Sponsor
Ad in newsletter – ¼ page for one issue
One free tickets to the event

Silver Level $250

Name on program as a Silver Sponsor
Name on PowerPoint presentation as Silver Sponsor
Ad in newsletter – 1/8 page for one issue

Other Sponsorship Opportunities

Wine Sponsor – Purchase wine for the event
Name on program as a Wine Sponsor
Name on PowerPoint presentation as Wine Sponsor
Name on each of the wine serving trays

Champagne Sponsor – Purchase champagne for the event

Name on program as a Champagne Sponsor
Name on PowerPoint presentation as Champagne Sponsor
Name on each of the Champagne serving trays

Printer – Sponsor the cost of the printing

Name on program as a Print Sponsor
Name on PowerPoint presentation as Print Sponsor

Decorations – Sponsor the cost of decorations

Name on program as a Decoration Sponsor
Name on PowerPoint presentation as Decoration Sponsor

Evalyn Poff Scholarship Applications Due April 30, 2008

The Thurston County Democrats are offering a scholarship to four Thurston County high school seniors. This is an annual scholarship in honor of a beloved and long time Thurston County Democrat Evalyn Poff.

Evalyn was well known in local Democrat circles as a former chairwoman of the Thurston County Democrats, state Democrat of the Year in 2000 and campaign finance director for several candidates, state elected officials and political action committees, including Thurston County Democrats.

She served on the county Human Services Review Council, an eight-member group of citizens and local elected officials who make recommendations on how finite public funds in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County should be spent on an infinite number of worthy social service causes.

Evalyn exemplified a woman who experienced career changes and supported education. Sixty-plus years ago, she paid her way through college -- earning master's degrees in education and business administration in five years -- as a performer in a three-ring circus. Evalyn spent her college summer years as a high-flying trapeze artist for a traveling circus! She taught school and eventually spent 20 years as an international buyer for Frederick & Nelson. Evalyn also worked as an accountant and instructor at The Evergreen State College.

In her “spare” time, she gave music lessons freely to the kids in her northeast Olympia neighborhood and worked in the state Legislature information center during sessions.

We are proud to name our scholarship after this accomplished woman, educator, Democrat, and friend.

To apply, visit our website at www.thurstondemocrats.org. Applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2008. Recipients will be notified by May 8th. A special recognition for each scholarship recipient will be at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on May 10th. All scholarship recipients are strongly encouraged to attend.

Scholarship awards will be mailed directly to recipients’ colleges.

Chehalis River Valley Farm Flood Relief - Labor Helping Neighbor - Saturday, April 26th, 2008

Please sign up to volunteer no later than April 15th.

Labor and Democrats working to keep family farms in business, Chehalis River Valley Farm Flood Relief brings together local farmers and community to help guarantee local farm food is available to you. The Chehalis River Valley Farm Flood Relief’s mission is to work together to retain this important local farm system in Washington State.

Labor Unions and Democrats are coming together to role up the sleeves, pull on the boots and help local farmers reclaim farmland damaged by floods in the Chehalis River Valley. This will be a day of rewarding work and fun that will help local farmers prepare the fields for this years crop. The December flood disaster is threatening the livelihood of Chehalis River Valley family farmers and ranchers. Bob Guenther, President of the local AFL-CIO Labor Council, said “This disaster is one of the toughest cleanup jobs for farmers in our area ever, we can help keep these local farmers in business.” Local farmers and ranchers are working day and night to feed their livestock and prepare their fields for planting. Zach Smith, Chair of the Washington State Democrats Labor Caucus said, “This relief from labor and democrat volunteers will help them do that. Labor and Democrats stand with Chehalis River Valley farmers in their struggle”.

Volunteering can open your mind, your heart, your hands to helping your community and building a better future for all of us. Help out on April 26th, 2008. Be a part of a great community and a tremendous state — Volunteer, Labor Helping Neighbor Chehalis River Valley Farm Flood Relief!

The Legend of the "Mighty D"

By Joe Hyer

Long ago, in the dim ages of antiquity, long before Jefferson, Jackson, or even the very concept of Dinner… there was ‘Burger Booth’. Standing alone on a vast plain, atop a grassy knoll (no, not across from any book depository), in a sparsely populated world where unnumbered gods and goddesses roamed the earth, jostling for seniority, existence, and the love of humanity.

Empires rose and fell, the old gods died off and new ones arose, and the world moved on. Finally, all was replaced by the mighty empire of the Romans, and all the old ways were abandoned in favor of the new. Many know the tale of Romulus and Remus, and building Rome in a single day- but how many know the secret tale that speaks of the TRUE power of Rome and all her might?

That source of power, of course, is known simply as ‘Burger Booth’. There would be no empire without it. No roads nor aqueducts, no Coliseums or baths. Without ‘Burger Booth’ – there would have been only a few mud huts and perhaps a simple well.

And the full potential of ‘Burger Booth’ was never realized until the first great Emperor, Ottavellius, spoke out one day from before the ‘Burger Booth’-

"I want more!
More meat for my people!
More onions- so many we may bathe in them and their gravy-like juice.
More cheese for mortar, melting it all together.
I want more, bigger, better-
I want a burger that is MONUMENTAL, that will live on beyond us-
In myth and legend until the end of days!"

The engineers behind the grill paused, wiped the grease from their brows, and fretted. Ottavellius was asking the impossible. No burger so stacked could stand for long. No wrapper could contain it. Surely, it would collapse under its own weight.

Even the Burger Queen herself declared it folly, and worried reaching so far could bring down the entire booth forever, and send the world into chaos and a new Dark Age.

They all thought Ottavellius mad for even conceiving of the thing- sure that he would end up like brave Icarus, falling to his death for daring to fly so close to the sun.

But sometimes, and here’s the stuff that makes for Myth & Legend, a breakthrough happens. The engineers behind the grill realized the true POWER of Cheese, the natural gravity that onions have for one another, and by exploiting these things…a new BURGER was born that rainy day by the lake. Larger than any that came before. Gooier than any could imagine. EPIC- the stuff of Legends!

Upon seeing it, Ottavellius declared- “Eureka! That’s a BIG D. Let’s called it the Big D!”

And the wise old engineer behind the grill spoke for the first time (he rarely ever speaks or sings)- “O, say it ain’t so. The Scots already got a big one called the BIG MAC, for old Angus MacDonald, their king. This one’s BIGGER than that by far. We need a MIGHTY name for it, I say.”

And there it was before them- an idea so grand, so vast, yet so simple- THE MIGHTY D. A quick calculation of the Cost of Goods led to a vastly profitable selling price- and a legend was born.

Rome went on to build so many things- but it all began with the MIGHTY D. And that wondrous shrine called ‘Burger Booth’ whose oracle the Burger Queen praised and loved all her children, but especially the MIGHTY D, eventually was lost for countless millennia, until it arose again in Thurston County. And after many years of passionate burgering- they again found the secret to the MIGHTY D … and the Legend was reborn!

(Note: The Burger Booth season is just around the corner. Our first outing is at Super Saturday on June 14th. Stay tuned for more information on how to participate!)

In My View

In My View Guidelines:

Must be a topic related to civic or political issues;
Must be submitted to TCD newsletter editor (info@thurstondemocrats.org) no later than the 15th of the December, March, June or September;
TCD reserves the right to choose which letters are published, and, if chosen, letters to the editor may be edited due to space limitations only;
Contributor must include full name including middle initial, city/town of residence, and contact telephone number (for editorial verification if needed; telephone number will not be published);
The Thurston County Blue blog is available for anyone interested in writing more about a topic than the "Letter to the Editor" section can accommodate. Please visit www.thurstondemocrats.org/blue begin the discussion today!

We can do it better: One PCO’s Point to Ponder

I’ve been thinking a lot about the delegate process, which is far more complicated than I imagined. It’s not just about super delegates, who may or may not play a huge role in the Denver convention, but it’s about the way we chose delegates, their accessibility and responsiveness.

By the end of June we will have chosen 97 delegates to represent Washington in Denver. Of those 51 will be elected through caucuses at precincts, legislative districts and congressional districts. The remaining 46 will have been chosen by virtue of party service, elected position, or selection by the state party’s election committee. Of the 46, 17 already have been named. We know who they are but direct email addresses are hard to find for several of them. Those who hold elective office can be contacted directly by email addresses that are public information. Addresses for the others appear to be available only through the state party, where staff could not provide direct email access.

Democrats are open, transparent, accountable, inclusive. At least that’s how I think we want to be, but that’s not who we are….yet. As a state party, we refused to consider results from the primary, which was far more open and accessible than our caucuses. Instead our system enables the caucus process to elect 53% of our delegates while allowing party insiders to select the rest through a process that appears far from open or transparent. Technically, party guidelines (issued by Chair Pelz Aug. 23, 2007) strive to make the process open, accountable and inclusive, but pragmatically, I wonder how it can possibly succeed when it’s so complex and poorly understood.

As Democrats I know we work hard to be sensitive to a number of diversity or ‘status’ issues, including race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disabilities. But, then we make it harder for people to vote (since caucuses are much more difficult to find and attend than voting by mail from home at a convenient time), we allow those who show up to vote on barely half of the delegates who will represent us, and we make it hard to contact delegates selected outside the caucus process.

Clearly, we need to rethink this no matter how the 2008 election turns out. We need to welcome the new voters who’ve arrived this year. Thousands of new participants attended the party caucuses and voted in the February primary. We need to make sure we encourage them to stay involved by making that as easy to do as voting. At the same time, we need to reach out to invite others to join us. The convoluted processes we’re using this year discourage participation. These processes are hard to understand, time consuming to follow and often futile to try to complete.
We can do better….in this party at this time….no matter who wins the nomination. Clarify and broaden the process. Explore ways to elect (not select) delegates. Reconsider using primary results to proportionately award at least some delegates (which Thurston County Democrats supported this year). Make those who are chosen available to the public. And make clear that we are open, accessible, and accountable. Our future success as a political party depends on welcoming, not consolidating our membership, on opening not shutting doors to new participants, and on honoring our commitments to do what we say we’ll do.

Judy McNickle, Olympia

Not Dead Yet

Many progressives in Washington State oppose legalizing assisted suicide because it poses a threat to people from disenfranchised groups, especially people with disabilities.

People with disabilities have experienced discrimination in many ways and the experience in the Netherlands teaches us that legalizing assisted suicide would e a recipe for disaster. People with disabilities don’t believe the Oregon experience in legalizing assisted suicide tells the truth. Here are some of our beliefs about assisted suicide in Oregon:

Oregon safeguards are a sham: Doctor-shopping gets around any safeguard; “six months to live” is often misdiagnosed; depression clouds judgment too often reporting; the State has no authority to investigate abuse; the State destroys data yearly after publishing summaries
Cost –cutting pressures in health care: Financial pressures motivate too many important health care decisions; people with terminal and chronic illness or disabilities will feel pressured to choose assisted suicide
Dangers to people with disabilities: the assisted suicide movement wants to expand the scope of populations covered to include people with disabilities and that’s why Booth Gardner is the leading spokesperson

Progressives who care about the greater good of all people must not fool themselves to believer that assisted suicide ennobles choice. Assisted suicide is not a “choice” issue. It is an issue of whether we as a society are willing to put traditionally oppressed groups at risk of feeling pressured to consider assisted suicide based on ling-held prejudices.

As a person with a disability, I ask you to oppose legalizing assisted suicide to protect people with disabilities throughout Washington State.

Duane M. French
Founding Member – Washington Not Dead Yet

How Can I Feel Safe?

Once I was a citizen of the America that was viewed as the epitome of the freedoms dear to people around the world. Freedom from illegal search and seizure, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly among others, were ideals protected by the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the laws written under these principles for citizen protection.

Today I am a citizen of a country where a President, appointed by the Supreme Court, and rigged elections, has cancelled our responsibility for nonproliferation of nuclear weapons of mass destruction, thumbed his nose at the laws that keep me safe from government oppression and committed horrendous crimes against humanity in my name. His administration has subverted National Security Institutions, and the Corporate owned public information systems to mire us in a perpetual war on “terrorism”; an open-ended war with no identified enemy that is as easily directed at American Citizens as the nations targeted by the U.S. Militarist/Corporate agenda. Any country (or for that matter U.S. Citizen) foolish enough to think they have the right to their own oil or self determination if it stands in the way of “American (Corporate) interests” faces the fate of those in the Philippines, Iran, Panama, Chili, Nicaragua, Iraq, to name a few.

How am I supposed to feel safe in a growing militarist/police state that increasingly views my rights and freedoms as a threat to national security while at the same time creating increasingly greater numbers of revenge minded victims through our greed and military violence around the world.

The violations of American and international laws and the innocent civilians lives lost to Bush’s war machine in Iraq and Afghanistan demand justice. If this President can break our laws, thumb his nose at our legislative process; violate international law regarding attacking sovereign nations, violate legal principles by suspending Habeas Corpus and violate the decency values of this great nation in the face of the world with impunity, then none of us will ever be safe. Justice demands the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Nancy Pelosi must put “Impeachment back on the table” and give the cases that have been made a fair and public hearing.

If the Democratic leadership refuses to bring this administration to justice then they are conspirators in the decline and fall of American Freedom and we are at the mercy of the next despot who will lie, torture, and kill with impunity to steal the wealth of ours and other nations. There is no Freedom without Justice!

Al Zimmerman, Olympia

The Coming American

About 150 years ago the poet Sam Foss looked to the future of America in the poem ”The Coming American”. To paraphrase the first line of the poem:

“ Bring me men/women to match my mountains,
Bring me men/women to match my plains,
Men/women with empires in their purpose and new eras in their brains.”

The coming elections recalls this to our minds. The collapse of the laissez-faire, special interests, and foreign adventures with real or imagined villains is over, but the future challenges are there.

With a new Democratic administration there must be a newly recharged Democratic Congress and a commitment to restoration of historic American values. The new Congress must reclaim its responsibilities as a co equal part of government. Their most powerful, if long neglected, tool is oversight and fiscal accountability. The era of borrow and spend is over and we must return to “pay as you go” if we are going to be free of the powers of the oil states and the aggressive expansion of the new industrial powers.

This will be expensive. We will have to control debt. We will have to raise taxes but the era of the free lunch is over. We will have to wean ourselves away from our entrenched special interests be they the medical industry, industrial agriculture and the military -industrial alliances. We can do this if we reduce the overhead our medical system imposes on our economy. At long last we can rejoin the rest of the industrialized world with a single national universal medical system and abandon our expensive inefficient collection of profiteers.

We have to recognize the rest of the world and their values and interests. Being the biggest military power is not the franchises to force our religious or ethnic beliefs on other sovereign states. Once we were the leader and inspiration to the world not the bully. Leadership can and has replaced military muscle flexing. Can we do this? Yes we can if we listen to our own history and are willing to forge into the new era.

Justus Freimund

Calendar

April 8	Tax Talk with Sandra Romero, Candidate for Dist. 2 Commissioner - 5-6pm at the Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters, 4211 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey - WEB: www.sandraromero.com
April 12	Fundraiser for Sandra Romero, Candidate for Dist. 2 Commissioner - 5-8pm at Earth Artisans, 325 Sussex Ave, Tenino WA WEB: www.sandraromero.com
April 13	Our Times - with Denny Heck - Seattle, ACXT Theatre - 2pm - a special one-man play about politics in our times. Email: dennyheck2@comcast.net
April 16	Our Times - with Denny Heck - Olympia, Capitol Playhouse - 7:30pm - a special one-man play about politics in our times. Email: dennyheck2@comcast.net
April 19	Thurston County Convention and LD 20, LD22 and LD35 Caucuses - 7:30-9:00am sign in - Capitol HS, 2707 Conger Ave NW, Olympia
April 23	Welcome and orientation for new PCOs - 5:00-7:30pm - TCD Office, 2021 Pacific Ave, Olympia - 956-0235
April 26	Our Times - with Denny Heck - Vancouver, Columbia River HS - 7:30pm - a special one-man play about politics in our times. Email: dennyheck2@comcast.net
April 26	Chehalis Flood Farm Relief - Volunteer Day - www.wsdlaborcaucus.org, or call (360) 280-7080
April 28	Thurston County Democrats meeting - 7:00-9:00pm – Thurston County Courthouse Bldg, 1, Room 152
May 10	Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Auction - 5:00-9:00pm – SPSCC - Tickets: www.thurstondemocrats.org/jj - Early Bird tickets on sale until April 23.
May 13	Trail Talk with Sandra Romero, Candidate for Dist. 2 Commissioner - 5-6pm at the Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters, 4211 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey - WEB: www.sandraromero.com
May 26	Thurston County Democrats meeting - 7:00-9:00pm – Thurston County Courthouse Bldg, 2, Room 129
June 10	Trash Talk with Sandra Romero, Candidate for Dist. 2 Commissioner - 5-6pm at the Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters, 4211 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey - WEB: www.sandraromero.com
June 14	Burger Booth - Super Saturday - 10a-7pm
June 21-22	Burger Booth - Pride Day - 10a-7pm
June 23	Thurston County Democrats meeting - 7:00-9:00pm – Thurston County Courthouse Bldg, 1, Room 152

Legislative District 2

Legislative District 20

Legislative District 22

Legislative District 35

Chair’s message

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