Contact!

Meet Erin Lisee, who was arrested Thursday afternoon for violation of a "no contact" order. Kind of obvious that she had some contact.

Get loud, people, be proud

The more I think about Sisyphus' post about Democrat self loathing and brand bashing, the more I think he's on to something. For many years Idaho Democrats have been running as Republicans lite, and look where it's gotten us. Waaaay out of power and in the political wilderness.

If every election Democrats run on Republican issues, they're going to lose. That almost seems obvious. The only real issue Democrats run on that might be considered a Democratic or progressive issue is education. And that's not a bad issue, but Republicans aren't against education, for 1-12, anyway. They're not much for it outside of that range. But I digress.

Anyway, how about if Democrats try a bit of populism. I mean, good grief. The state is in horrible shape. Now is a good time for Democrats to offer a real alternative. Republican refusal to revisit all the juicy tax breaks they've given to their supporters is a great target for some populism.

Try something different; run on Democratic issues. A chicken in every pot. Stop tax give aways to wealthy corporations who get them just by asking the Tax Commission for them.

Stop cowering

Sisyphus has a great post about Democratic self-loathing. I agree that Idaho Democrats tend to trash their brand and message, and it's rapidly leading to something like this.

"Right now in most of Dixie it is culturally unacceptable to be a Democrat. It's a damn shame, but that's the way it is," said Dave "Mudcat" Saunders.

If Idaho Democrats keep acting like it is shameful to be a Democrat - I'm looking at you Walt, and you, Steve - then of course Republicans are going to think the same thing.

You know, I am really weary of always being the responsible adult in comparison to Republicans. I'd like Democrats to forcefully stand up for the middle class. Right now, today, JFAC is gearing up to slash even more from Idaho's budget. And they will. Very few people, Nicole LeFavour being an exception, are willing to point out that it's okay to pay for what's important. And helping the middle class is important. If the middle class is prosperous it can afford to consume and drive the economy, and vice versa.

Just look at the graph in the previous post. Want to reduce the deficit? Elect Democrats.

Read it and weep, wingers

Do you wonder which party is responsible for increasing our national debt, and which is best at reducing it? Have a look. The debt went down in the green years, and it went up in the red years.



The belief that Democrats are responsible for the national debt and that Republicans are the fiscally sane party is, well, insane, at least since Nixon. That this belief is so widespread, despite easily available proof to the contrary, shows that most people are woefully misinformed,and not willing to challenge their assumptions by doing a bit of research. and it shows that Democrats have been doing a poor job of informing the public and selling their brand.

Walt, we hardly knew ye

Well, it appears that Walt Minnick failed to get re-elected. In the end I held my nose and voted for the guy. Not that I liked him all that much, but was hoping to help stave off a huge Republican change in the House.

I guess walking the line that Walt tried to walk was too difficult. He had to hope his base turned out for him, and that he got sufficient of the moderate middle. Well, with a demoralized base and general antipathy towards Dems, Walt couldn't get it done. Perhaps if he had been running for a 3rd term instead of a second...

Check out the results in District 18. Mitch Toryanski once told me it was a swing district, and it appears he was correct. The unofficial results have him winning by 107 votes out of nearly 12,807 cast. And even crazier; Julie Ellsworth beat Janie Ward-Engelking by 9 votes. 12,829 votes were cast. 9. Yow.

Let the crazy begin.