Elephant Droppings

Rick Santorum's column entitlted "Democrats Impede US on Energy"appeared in this morning's Philadelphia Inquirer.
It is amazing anyone still gives this guy a legitimate forum. Is it any wonder he is no longer in the US Senate? Is anybody more out of touch? Santorum rails on about the Democrats not allowing a vote on off-shore drilling as, if suddenly, this is the only answer to the energy crisis. During the first six years of the Bush administration, when Santorum was in the Senate, nothing got done that would address the US' future energy needs in a comprehensive way. All we got were Hummers and Big Oil profits. Well, the Hummer is dead, but Big Oil keeps rolling along. This morning, Exxon Mobil announced a second quarter profit of $11.68 billion, the largest profit from operations ever by a US corporation.
The other energy folly has been the drive to use more ethanol. All that has done has driven up food prices around the world as the demand for corn skyrockets. It is not a long term answer.
The Republicans won't get us out of this mess. We need people like T. Boone Pickens who is investing is own money in wind energy. This was the some guy who used his money in 2004 to bankroll the Swift Boat ads that sunk John Kerry. He's seen the light, and has a forward-looking vision, not tunnel vision like Santorum and John McCain.
This country needs real answers to real problems. It needs a sound energy policy that uses the best and brightest minds to break our dependency on foreign oil and to develop alternative energy sources. We need to rebuild America. We need a Democrat in the White House. Vote Democratic on November 4.

If You Don't Know By Now

Yesterday, the Bush administration announced that the 2009 budget deficit would be a whopping $482 billion, $69 billion more than the record set in 2004. This is the legacy that George W. Bush will leave for the next president and future generations of Americans. By the way, Bush entered office with a $236 billion SURPLUS left over from the Clinton administration. This budget deficit does not include the costs of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Those wars are costing the American taxpayer $10-12 billion A MONTH! With the Taliban regrouping in Afghanistan, and al-Qaeda getting stronger in Pakistan, the US is no safer than it was before we started pouring money down a spiderhole. And all those lives lost.

There was other news. Bridges in the US need $140 billion in repairs, and there is no money to do it. The Justice Department broke the law by hiring lawyers based on their political leanings, and not on their qualifications. And because the current administration, to placate industry, weakened regulations on tracing food supplies, the FDA is having trouble figuring out where the most recent outbreak of salmonella started.

Fortunately, there are 175 days left in the Bush/Cheney Reign of Terror. But if this administration's policies appeal to you, and you want this type of mayhem to continue for four more years, then, by all means, vote for John McCain and Joe Pitts on November 4. But if you want a change in direction and a chance to rebuild America, then vote Democratic on election day. This country's future depends upon it.

Get Involved, Stay Involved

Between now and November 4, there is a lot of work to get done if Democrats are going to be elected at national, state, and local levels. The Kennett Area Democrats and other groups have been busy organanizing for the 2008 campaign. There are many dedicated volunteers who give what time they can spare to help with the myriad things it takes to get someone elected. We can always use more help. To get involved, go to the KAD website at www.kennettdemocrats.org and click on the "How You Can Help" tab to see ways that you can participate. The "Volunteer Requests" tab will explain the functions of the various jobs. If you are outside of the KAD area, click on the "Resource Websites" tab and find organizations that are closer to you. They can use help as well.

Find a volunteer activity that fits your comfort zone. If you are a people person, become a greeter or a poll watcher. Knock on doors in a canvassing drive, or help with a phone bank. If you are not a people person, help with newsletter mailings or write letters to the editor. If none of these appeal to you, we can always use more financial help.

If you get involved, stay involved. Activities don't end on November 5. KAD and other organizations meet during the year to plan for off-year elections. Click on "Calendar of Events" on the KAD website to find out more.

It's time to help rebuild America. Vote Democratic on November 4.

Why Change Matters

The 2008 election will be historic. Nobody denies that. Kennett Democrats and other groups across Chester County and Pennsylvania are getting geared up for the fall. Both presidential candidates talk about change. Obama's talk may be more genuine since McCain is tethered to the disastrous Bush/Cheney White House. Even though this country deparately needs a change from the last seven years, will it happen and does it matter? It will happen since the future of our democracy depends upon it. And you bet it matters. Change has to happen at all levels of government. Think about where the Senate would be without Jim Webb's election. The PA House would still be Republican without Barb McIlvane Smith's narrow victory. Newlin Township would not have a Democrat without Janie Baird's committment to changing the old order of things.
Change does not have to be monumental and there are things that everyone can do to help in 2008. From hosting an Obama house party to driving someone to the polls to exercise their right to vote, from calling a friend to knocking on doors, from registering someone to vote to writing a letter to the editor, you can play any role you choose in bringing about change.
It is time to rebuild America. Vote Democratic on November 4 and change things for the better.