Comment on our blogs ↓

The comments here are not the official position of the Glynn County Democratic Party but represent views of concerned Democrats, who invite you to join the conversation

THE DEBT CEILING

by: Tom Mullen - - July 22, 2011

I am on the executive board of my county Democratic Party and I represent my county on the State Democratic Committee. As a longtime Democratic activist, I urge the president not to surrender to another instance of GOP extortion. How can we... speak of "shared sacrifices" when all of the pain of deficit cuts fall squarely on the elderly, the disabled, the poor, the unemployed and the most needy and vulnerable while little or no sacrifice or pain is asked of the wealthiest Americans or of multinational corporations? The current "agreement" imposes $3 trillion in cuts, including cuts in future Social Security benefits (for all recipients) through the chained CPI, Medicare, Medicaid, Pell Grants and other programs vital to the middle and working classes while merely accepting a GOP promise to discuss revenue increases at some future date. Frankly, based of their past behavior, the word of the Republican party is not worth very much. Although I have been a long time Democratic activist, and will continue to be one, because even though the elected Dems have been a disappointment, I fear that the election of Republicans could spell the end of what I know as my country. I fear that if you reneg on your election promises and throw Social Security, Medicare, and other progressive programs to the GOP wolves in exchange for some nebulous revenue increases at some future date, we will not only not take back the House, but may lose the Senate, and even the White House.

-- comment on this post --

POLITICAL CURRENCY

Submitted By Charles Hill

July 5, 2011

Both parties (Republican and Democrat) flip the same coin in election season. One side is Fear the other Hope. The law of Probable Outcome tells us that either side has an equal chance of landing their call.

Well boy’s and girls, that coin answers not to the law of gravity or the law of probability, not even the law of fair play, that little metaphorical coin answers to the law of legacy. Through the Fox-fed-feckless-fecundity, (from O’Reilly’s no fact zone to the Hannatization of the human element) this political chemistry experiment always yields the same result. Republicans will choose Fear and Democrats Hope. Fear is a far easier sell, there is little thought involved, it is an emotional product that promises to give you shivers and shakes, cold sweats and constipation, a product manufactured in the darkness of hate, and the shelter of schizophrenia, there are no positive side-effects, there is no relief in-sight, the only treatment is to stay tuned and keep ingesting the fear. Madison Avenue consulted the Republicans and tried to sway them to replace the Elephant with a Monkey, addicted to fear as they were, but that pitch was thrown out as too true to present. A party that practices fear of the unknown is always going to be reality challenged, it is in their best interest to stay above the fray of fact.

Democrats, (disorganized as they are, though this is only natural of a group that welcomes all, it is much easier to gather and corral the homogenous), choose Hope. Hope is a promise, hope is a dream, hope is the end of the rainbow. Hope cannot be neatly packaged, hope cannot be reduced to a bumper sticker, hope cannot be explained, for hope is an individual pursuit that defies definition. Hope is about a chance, about possibilities, about fair-play and fair-mindedness, hope is always just out of reach for hope breeds hope, and hope has no limits. It is a hard sell, because it requires seeing things in a brighter light, not a darkened corner. Hope requires work, fear requires self-loathing.

It is difficult to explain the ambiguities of Foreign Policy, or the nuance of National Health Care, or the long term gain of National Investment, these profound policy proposals take considerable time and space to relate. It is far easier to say Socialized Medicine (knowing full well that the ‘S’ word shivers the timbers of the ill-informed) then fit a 2000 page policy on a bumper sticker. Hope is what the Republicans fear.

-- comment on this post --

THE PATH TO VICTORY

Submitted by: Charles Hill

June 29, 2011

I have given a great deal of thought and deliberation about our Party and our chances to win seats in November. We can not do it on thoughts, ideas, proposals, and suggestions alone. We can not and will not get the press we need, and frankly the press we deserve, we must face facts we are the minority in this demographic. When reason and fact are not enough; accountability comes into play. It is not enough that we preach our proposals to the masses, they fall mostly on deaf ears, we reside in an area that generally votes against it's own best interest, some of this is religious zealotry, some is misinformation, some is racial, and some is legacy, 'cause Papa was'. We need to shift tables, we need to hold those that are in office accountable, not to us, but to the voter; yes we can do this with letters to the editor, calls to local radio stations, coffee's, tea's and get-togethers, but this primarily is 'preaching to the choir' we attract no new voters and convert no patrons of the right. There is a group we are never going to get, forget about them.

Here is a path: When Kingston, or Chambliss, or Isakson, vote or propose a bill, lets call them out. lets invite them to a gathering of the people (voter demographic) most pointedly affected by such legislation and ask them to explain how this proposed legislation will impact them. Example: Kingston recently voted for the Ryan plan which over the course of a decade will privatize Medicare, placing the onus of health care expenditures on the shoulders of the individual, (those on fixed incomes, who at this age incur the highest degree of medical procedures, i.e. cost), [it is important to note that the Ryan plan does nothing to contain cost, (gift to AMA and Big Pharm). Tylenol at the hospital will still be $15.00) once in the hands of private insurers, there will indeed be (albeit unspoken) death panels, insurance companies will drop the sick, the elderly, the pre-existing, the indigent faster then a tornado through a trailer park.

So when our current office holders vote or propose a bill, let us put together a gathering of those most effected by proposed legislation and invite those officials to address them, and explain their vote. This is a two sided sword for the Official; they are either on the hot seat for catering to the lobbyist and against the constituent, or they fail to appear, which bodes well for us, they present themselves as out of touch with the voter and unaccountable for their actions.
I have tried to be as brief and concise as possible.
Sincerely,
Charles Hill

-- comment on this post -- 

RE: GROCERY TAX IDEA RINGS UP SKEPTICS

Submitted by Tom Mullen

Brunswick News June 11, 2011

Glynn County Democratic Chair Audrey Stewart and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia Mike Berlon gave excellent responses in today's Brunswick News regarding the GOP proposal to reinstate the 4% Sales Tax on groceries. Sales taxes, by their nature, are regressive. When they're applied to necessities like food, in a time of high unemployment and rising food costs, they're not only regressive, they're unconscionable. Keep in mind that, as food prices continue to rise, the amount of tax paid by consumers would rise in direct proportion, doubling the effect of inflation on those who can least afford it. The result would be even higher food costs to the poor, or decreased nutrition for families and children.  The purpose of the food tax is not to balance the budget, or to restore vital services which have been cut in recent years. Nor are they intended to reduce the pain of furloughs on teachers, nurses, first responders, and other public servants. Their sole intent is to lower the state income tax rate, further reducing the proportion of tax, as a percentage of income, paid by the wealthiest Georgians.

Nationally, Paul Ryan and the GOP have set their targets on the elderly, the disabled, the poor, the unemployed, and the middle class with their attacks on Medicare, Medicaid, VA Benefits and their recently announced plans to try again to privatize Social Security. The Georgia GOP has expanding the attack on the neediest, the poor and unemployed and working Georgians by literally taking food from the mouths of children.  This is an issue that should be taken up by all Georgians, regardless of political affiliation, and more immediately by all Glynn Countians, who have any sense of decency and fairness. It's time to take a stand and resist the GOP drive to achieve third world status for our country and our state.

-- comment on this post --

COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Bob Ingram - June 5, 2011  -  LETTER

Tom, thank you for sharing your views on climate change.  I took my own action today to battle climate change and made a public comment on the Coastal Management Program.   Keep up the good work.  Bob Ingram

Mr. Kenneth Walker, Team Leader

National Policy and Evaluation Division

NOAA/NOS/OCRM

1305 East-West Highway, N/ORM7

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

kenneth.walker@noaa.gov

June 5, 2011

Dear Mr. Walker,

Thank you for hosting the public comment period for the Federal Performance Evaluation of the Coastal Management Program on May 25th 2011 and for your genuine interest in accepting public comment on this very important program.

I am concerned at the lack of attention that is being given to climate change and the impact this will have on our coastal region in Southeast Georgia. It is my observation that most of the technical information is not being properly formatted for presentation to the general public. It needs to be presented in a concise, thoughtful, pragmatic manner and with sufficient repetition to prove that the information is credible and that appropriate action is being taken. Scientists, biologists and public affairs specialists dealing with climate change, both the cause and effect, deserve as much or more resources from our environmental communities as any other environmental concern that may be present. You are the experts and the people we trust to help protect our environment and our communities.

Coal fired power plants and excessive energy consumption is one of the leading causes of man’s contribution to climate change. Coal burning power plants supply almost 70% of Georgia’s energy needs and are the primary cause of mercury in our streams, rivers, oceans AND our bodies. These harmful emissions are polluting the environment with no repercussions to the offenders. Because there are insufficient local studies to monitor the effects of these emission’s on our bodies and our environment, no credible action can be taken. The effects of this mercury, lead, arsenic and particulate matter that are harmful to our environment and our health and are not being fully addressed by the proper authorities.

Water consumption is a concern in Georgia and the burden of conservation is being unduly placed on the general public with little recognition of some of the major industries consuming our natural resources. All consumption of our natural resources should be tracked, evaluated, and if necessary actionable items should be submitted for legislative action and permanent change.

Sincerely

Bob Ingram

 

cc: Ms Sarah van der Shalie, Program Specialist, Sarah.vankershalie@noaa.gov

Cc: Mr. Jeffery Willis, Deputy Director Coastal Resources Management Council, jwillis@crmc.ri.gov

-- comment on this post -- 

COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Bob Ingram - June 5, 2011  -  LETTER

Tom, thank you for sharing your views on climate change.  I took my own action today to battle climate change and made a public comment on the Coastal Management Program.   Keep up the good work.  Bob Ingram

Mr. Kenneth Walker, Team Leader

National Policy and Evaluation Division

NOAA/NOS/OCRM

1305 East-West Highway, N/ORM7

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

kenneth.walker@noaa.gov

June 5, 2011

Dear Mr. Walker,

Thank you for hosting the public comment period for the Federal Performance Evaluation of the Coastal Management Program on May 25th 2011 and for your genuine interest in accepting public comment on this very important program.

I am concerned at the lack of attention that is being given to climate change and the impact this will have on our coastal region in Southeast Georgia. It is my observation that most of the technical information is not being properly formatted for presentation to the general public. It needs to be presented in a concise, thoughtful, pragmatic manner and with sufficient repetition to prove that the information is credible and that appropriate action is being taken. Scientists, biologists and public affairs specialists dealing with climate change, both the cause and effect, deserve as much or more resources from our environmental communities as any other environmental concern that may be present. You are the experts and the people we trust to help protect our environment and our communities.

Coal fired power plants and excessive energy consumption is one of the leading causes of man’s contribution to climate change. Coal burning power plants supply almost 70% of Georgia’s energy needs and are the primary cause of mercury in our streams, rivers, oceans AND our bodies. These harmful emissions are polluting the environment with no repercussions to the offenders. Because there are insufficient local studies to monitor the effects of these emission’s on our bodies and our environment, no credible action can be taken. The effects of this mercury, lead, arsenic and particulate matter that are harmful to our environment and our health and are not being fully addressed by the proper authorities.

Water consumption is a concern in Georgia and the burden of conservation is being unduly placed on the general public with little recognition of some of the major industries consuming our natural resources. All consumption of our natural resources should be tracked, evaluated, and if necessary actionable items should be submitted for legislative action and permanent change.

Sincerely

Bob Ingram

 

cc: Ms Sarah van der Shalie, Program Specialist, Sarah.vankershalie@noaa.gov

Cc: Mr. Jeffery Willis, Deputy Director Coastal Resources Management Council, jwillis@crmc.ri.gov

-- comment on this post -- 

CLIMATE CHANGE IS HERE NOW.

By: Tom Mullen

May 31, 2011

We face today what may be our most serious challenge since the dawn of civilization.  Climate change is real and it’s here now. Meteorologists have been reluctant to link any specific weather event to climate change; however, recent patterns of severe and anomalous weather, all of which fall within climate change models, are clear indicators that something is amiss. Globally, the 2000’s were the hottest decade on record. The next hottest was the 1990’s and the next hottest after that was the 1980’s. Increased atmospheric temperatures have resulted in moisture laden, energy enhanced air in areas influenced by ocean airflow and drying in others. This has led to record breaking floods, hurricanes, tornados, droughts, and wildfires. Rather than reducing emissions, 2010 set a new record for carbon release. 

If you need examples of patterns which can be linked to global warming, consider the following..  Deadly tornado outbreaks across the South and Midwest in numbers, intensity, and locations far outside the norm put 2011 well on its way to setting records both for the number of tornados and for tornado deaths.   Southwestern U.S. is experiencing drought rivaling that seen in the Great Dustbowl, resulting in crop failures and wildfires in California, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, while parts of the Midwest U.S. have been too wet for farmers to plant their crops.  Drought is also occurring in parts of the Southeastern U.S., China and the Amazon.  Unprecedented drought in Russia has caused thousands of heat and smoke related deaths and led to a 30% reduction of that country’s grain production, increasing food prices worldwide.  The intensity of cyclonic storms worldwide is on the increase.  Massive flooding has occurred along the Mississippi, as well as in China, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand. Glacier melt in Greenland, Antarctica, and other areas is resulting in a rise in sea level threatening coastal and low-lying areas around the world.  This rise is further enhanced by expansion resulting from increased water temperature.  Oceanic CO2 absorption threatens the entire marine food chain and the humans who depend on it.  Increased acidity is making it difficult for corals, zooplankton, mollusks, and crustaceans to form shells, threatening not just those animals but those that feed on them.  Habitat migration and disruption is playing havoc with local ecosystems as tropical and cold sensitive species move northward, possibly spreading tropical diseases to areas with little natural immunity.  All of the weather events cited above have all occurred not in the last century and a half, but in the last year and a half.

There is no doubt that things will get worse before they get better, even if no more CO2 is released into the air.  Many scientists, climate experts, and national experts believe that 350 parts per million is the safe upper limit for CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.  The most recent measurements by NOAA and NASA put the current concentration in excess of 390 ppm and rising with no end in sight.  In fact, 2010 set a new record for carbon emissions.

  Feedback loops are already taking place and will intensify, even if we take action to reduce emissions.  While CO2 is the most long-lived greenhouse gas, it is not the only one, nor is it the most potent.  Water vapor and methane gas are far more potent, and their release into the atmosphere is mainly a direct result of global warming.  These are classic examples of feedback loops.  As air temperatures rise, evaporation increases.  Condensation of evaporated water releases even more heat into the atmosphere raising air temperature, increasing the moisture capacity of the air, creating a self-sustaining loop.  This is the dynamic that feeds hurricanes. 

Increased temperatures are already thawing the arctic permafrost, releasing stored methane gas and further warming the atmosphere.  Warming ocean temperatures may result in the release of methane hydrates presently frozen in deep water.

The loss of ice, both floating and glacial, is reducing the reflectivity of the poles as ice cover is replaced by ocean water or land.  As land and ocean absorb heat, rather than reflect it, the temperature of polar regions is increasing five times faster than in other parts of the planet, resulting in increasing loss of reflective ice and another self-generating loop.

We have long since passed the point where climate change can be the subject of civil debate.  The facts are in and they have been verified.  Although going green in our personal lives is admirable and it helps, it alone is insufficient to significantly reverse climate change.   The greatest source of greenhouse emissions in the U.S. is electricity production, followed by transportation and general industry.  We cannot significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions without major changes in all three of these areas as well as in our residential, agricultural, and commercial venues.  First and foremost, we must end our addiction to fossil fuels, not merely to imported oil.  We can do this by investing our resources in clean, renewable alternative energy sources, adapted to local conditions, and not in the futile, destructive search for new, and more dangerous, sources of oil, coal, and gas.  The American Southwest could become the Saudi Arabia of solar energy.  Coastal areas and the Midwest have an abundant supply of wind energy (and an accident at a wind turbine will not pollute an entire ecosystem).  There are significant sources of thermal energy in the Northwest.  It will take time and resources, but the benefits of shifting to clean energy will far outweigh the cost.  Economically, the benefits of switching to alternative energy sources can be great.  We’ve already fallen behind China and much of Europe in alternative energy related industries and in the use of alternative energy.  If we are to remain competitive in the global market, we must invest in alternative energy now.  Not only will we no longer be held hostage by foreign oil suppliers and domestic energy companies, but we will break the hold of energy speculators on our economy.  We must rethink our systems of transportation and wean ourselves from complete dependence on our cars.  Local areas can invest in safe, affordable, and comfortable public transportation and reduce congestion as well as pollution.  The availability of intrastate, regional, and nationwide rapid transit should be an immediate priority both as an energy saver and a job creator.  Individuals and small businesses can contribute through the use of energy efficient appliance and tools, insulation, and alternative energy sources, such as solar panels. 

We haven’t gone over the global warming waterfall yet, but we’re paddling dangerously close to the point of no return.  If we’re going to leave future generations a planet that’s as livable, with all of the beauty and diversity of life, as the planet we were given, we must act now.

 -- comment on this post --

Deficits, Debt and Demagoguery

 The Glynn County Democratic Party

  May 16, 2011

Republicans have taken on the cause of reducing the national debt. But here’s the thing: the national debt ballooned under Republican, not Democratic presidents. Gerald Ford ran a deficit every year of his presidency. When Ronald Reagan came into office, the national debt was 700 billion dollars; when he left it had increased to 3 trillion dollars. Deficit spending continued under George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and when he left office the national debt was 11.3 trillion dollars. Vice President Cheney even declared that “deficits don’t matter” as a rationale for reducing taxes on high-income taxpayers even though the country was fighting two wars. The only president in the last two decades who produced budget surpluses was Bill Clinton. The current planned deficit follows the advice of the majority of economists that government spending is the way to help raise the country from the recession. Now when faced with debt that is due largely to the policies of Republicans, Republican congressmen blame the Democrats. Worse, Republicans want to cut spending and reduce the deficit by curtailing or eliminating programs for the poor, the elderly, and the ill. This is Republican demagoguery at its worst.

 -- comment on this post --

WE BELIEVE - the core values of the Democratic Party

by Tom Mullen

May 14, 2011

Since the 2010 elections, Republicans have been on the attack on all fronts (While they have done nothing to improve the economy or create jobs).  Because the attacks have been so multipronged, responding to them has been akin to playing “Whack-a-Mole”.  In 2008, the GlynnDems published a pamphlet outlining some of our guiding principles at that time.  That the list  has expanded considerably since that time is an indication of how much broader the Republican attack on women’s rights, minorities, labor, the middle-class, children, the poor and civil rights in general has become.  It is important that progressives be aware that what has been achieved by both parties (Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt are heroes to Dems as well as to Republicans) over the last two+ centuries, and especially since the New Deal is in jeopardy.  Even if our interest is in a single area, e.g., environment, voting rights, education, etc., we cannot protect one area without protecting all.   Each of the areas under attack is integrally attached to all of the others.  Below are what I think are some of the core values of the Democratic Party and of progressives in general.  I’m sure there are things I’ve left out and some that I’ve included may generate some debate, but if it gets us thinking in a focused manner, it’s a start.  I hope to address these issues individually in future postings.

We Believe that every child in every classroom in every school has a right to access to high quality public education; that quality post-secondary education should be available and affordable to all who qualify.

We Believe that our teachers, firefighters, police officers and all civil service employees provide invaluable service and deserve our thanks and respect.

We Believe that all workers are entitled to a decent standard of living and deserve a living wage for their labors.  We support the right of workers to organize, join unions, seek redress of grievances, and to collectively bargain.  We believe that individuals and families who have spent a lifetime contributing to society, caring for their loved ones, and making untold sacrifices have earned the right to retirement in dignity, without fear of poverty or of losing all that they’ve spent a lifetime working for due to illness or infirmity.

We Believe that all citizens are entitled to protection from predatory lending and business practices.  Consumer confidence cannot be achieved without consumer trust and there must be guarantees that that trust is well placed.  Bankruptcy and business practice laws must provide a level playing field for both consumers, businesses, and the public.

We Believe that all citizens are equal in the eyes of the law and should receive equal justice in our civil and judicial systems regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, political beliefs or economic status.

We Believe that access to quality healthcare and end of life care is a right of all citizens and is not a privilege.  No one should have to declare bankruptcy as a result of a medical condition.

We Believe that a person’s gender identity is a private matter and is not the business of any government entity.

We Believe that women in the workplace deserve equal pay for equal work.  Women deserve and have a right to comprehensive healthcare, including reproductive services.  Women, and all citizens, have a right to privacy with respect to medical services and consultation.  Government has no more right to get between a doctor and patient in reproductive matters than it does with regard to any other medical procedures.  Legislatures have no business telling doctors what they may or may not say to their patients or in demanding that doctors perform unnecessary procedures.  One does not defend life by denying prenatal healthcare to women, post-natal care to women and children, and health and nutritional assistance to the poor.

We Believe that, to quote a Native American proverb, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”  We live on a planet with limited resources, both life-supporting and economic, and a growing population.  If we hope to pass on to our children a planet capable of providing life-sustaining and economic resources and a decent quality of life to future generations, we must shepherd the resources we have, including our atmosphere, our water, and our environment.  We must wean ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels which are in limited supply and whose use continues to degrade our environment and increase our efforts to develop and transition to clean renewable energy.

We Believe that our Federal, state, and local governments have a responsibility to use the resources available to them wisely. Government expenditures should concentrate on areas which enhance the quality of life for all citizens.  These include education, infrastructure, health, environmental protection, economic development and job creation, and protection for the most vulnerable members of society. 

Governments should seek revenue by ensuring that those most able to pay (both individuals and corporations) and who have received the greatest benefit from our society do, in fact, pay their fair share.  Hedge fund managers who make more in an hour than most Americans earn in a lifetime, should be required to pay taxes at the same rate as Americans whose incomes are based on wages and tips.  Tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires failed to produce jobs over the last ten years. Corporations that offshore jobs and profits should not receive tax benefits for doing so.  Governments should encourage, and lend support to, a reinvigoration of the American manufacturing base.  This would broaden the general tax base, reduce record income inequality, and diminish the share of the national economy controlled by the financial sector.

Finally, We Believe in the dignity of all persons and their right to health, education, and the opportunity to achieve decent standard of living. We believe that all citizens have the right and obligation to participate in their own government, including the right to vote, regardless of race, religion, or economic status.  No individual, group, or corporation has a right to privileged access to or influence in government because of wealth, station, or ability to buy politicians.

 We believe that all living things share this planet and its resources and we have a responsibility to them, to ourselves, and to future generations to ensure that this planet is capable of sustaining life, the diversity of life, and a decent standard of living.

 -- comment on this post --

The White House

VIDEOS

The White House

PHOTOS

PRESS & PUBLICITY

Letters to Editor

Editorials by Donna Brazile

Glynn County

Chamber of Commerce

Board of Election

Political Humor

You Don't Know Jack

A series by Charles Hill

Civic Life in America

You’re Invited

“Inside The White House”

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS