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M
odern
P
atriot
C
hronicles
An Eleventh Commandment Free Zone
Vol. 2, Issue 8
August 12, 2003
By Craig Dawkins
The DNC Presidential Forum in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Copyright@2003, All Rights Reserved.
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SPECIAL EDITION!!!
The DNC Presidential Forum in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater, Oklahoma. Not exactly a place where you'd expect to find one presidential hopeful much less six. Originally there was supposed to be seven to show but it was announced by Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Jay Parmley that the Reverend Al Sharpton was "detained" and unable to participate. Which caused a bit of a stir as it was pondered aloud by several activist attendees as to whether he was in jail again. Parmley assured the crowd that it was for a legitimate scheduling conflict. The fact the question was raised says a lot about the modern Democratic Party.
Presidential hopefuls in attendance were; Governor Howard Dean- Vermont, Congressman Dick Gephardt- Missouri, Senator John Edwards- North Carolina, Congressman Dennis Kucinich- Ohio, Senator Joe Lieberman- Connecticut and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun- Illinois.
As I sat there in my Gallagher-Iba Arena seat, surrounded by raving, rabid, Republican hating, and Bush loathing Democrats, I scribbled hurriedly on my notepad as I tried to capture key "Democrat" moments of the soon to be televised presidential forum. As I scribbled the progressive dribble coming from the six nominees, I was reminded again, and again why I could never be a Democrat or support one for a policy making office.
Here's the quick and short version of what every one of the presidential hopefuls said.
First, George Bush lied about Iraq. Well, not exactly lied but misled the country. Well, maybe not misled but didn't have good intelligence literally or figuratively. Well, maybe he did have good intelligence at one time but just not since the war ended and can't find weapons of mass destruction. Dean suggested that Bush owes Hans Blix an apology. Kucinich, Moseley Braun and Dean conclude that Bush lied. Gephardt, Edwards and Lieberman just think President Bush doesn't get along and play well with others.
Gephardt even made mention that Bush, got an "F" on his elementary school report card, under the column that grades how well he works and plays with others. Apparently Gephardt has a real crack opposition research team. I bet the next thing he'll expose about President Bush is that Bush also cut in line and shot paper wads through straws at unsuspecting schoolmates.
Second, the rich suck. Yep they all hate the rich. (Especially those in the audience) According to most of the presidential hopefuls, Bush is Satan and Ken Lay is the Anti-Christ. Well maybe I'm exaggerating just a little. (Just a little.) Every one of the candidates said they wouldn't have approved a tax cut. Only Lieberman and Edwards said they'd agree to some tax cut. Lieberman said he would preserve tax cuts for the middle class. Edwards said he would revoke the tax cut for the top 1% of wage earners and doesn't agree with the capital gains and dividend tax cuts.
Amazingly, a large majority of the audience disapproved of any tax cuts!?? Even the child tax credit received boos and hisses when raised as a possible needed cut.
Third, homosexuals and marriage. Every candidate who said they supported homosexual marriages was given loud and vocal support. Every candidate who said they were against homosexual marriage were greeted with hisses and boos. Lieberman was the most hissed and booed. I interviewed several activists afterward that accused him of being closed minded. (Why is it that if someone has decided an issue after close consideration and scrutiny they are closed minded?) Mosely Braun compared gay marriage to interracial marriages. (A totally stupid and insulting analogy.) Edwards also said he was against homosexual marriage.
Fourth, healthcare must be controlled by the government. Guess what!! The Democrats have solved our healthcare problem!! Kucinich said it best; "We need a single payer universal healthcare system for all. No premiums. No copay. That covers dental, mental, and is comprehensive. Take it out of the private sector." Every one of the candidates would line up behind this. I'm just a little upset that he didn't say he would cover my pets too. (These bozo's are nuts.) I can't think of a better way to totally destroy healthcare in our country.
How about a little competition from generics to lower drug costs? How about medical tort reform? How about allowing people to walk into a pharmacy to purchase drugs without going to the doctor in the first place? Mexico does it. If Mexicans can figure this out can't Americans? How about moving insurance from a cover me for my scratch to a just for catastrophic policy? And if Democrats really care about people without health insurance, how about letting all taxpayers participate in the government health insurance program used by members of congress?
Fifth, NAFTA and WTO has destroyed America. Seminole's Wrangler plant was cited over and over by the candidates. Nobody should be surprised that by opening our borders to free trade that there will be economic displacements. If labor is cheaper in Mexico, let them go. How about stop rewarding giant corporations for moving jobs out of the United States. Here's a thought, how about stop giving corporate welfare to all companies.
On January 8, 1996, Frank Keating announced via a press release that "the city of Seminole is the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development Infrastructure Financing (CDBG-EDIF) grant and loan award totaling $972,022. $486,011 will be in the form of a grant and $486,011 will be in the form of a loan." The purpose of the money? You guessed it….Wrangler.
Wrangler needed to build five water wells and needed it for plant expansion. The announcement said that the money would expand the labor force by "150 positions over the next 24 months." The government program that provide the money was the Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development Infrastructure Financing (CDBG-EDIF). What's the stated purpose of this program? "The purpose of the program is to stimulate long-term job creation and investment that primarily benefits persons defined as low and moderate income." Yep, it really worked didn't it? Yet another example of federal tax dollars being wasted.
Sixth, we must work with NATO and the UN. Over and over I heard this from the nominees. Why oh why must we work with the UN? What credibility does the UN have that it doesn't derive from the United States? Does the UN enrich our country? Does the UN add to the quality of life in the world? Does the UN add to the quality of life anywhere? Does the UN represent American values? No.
Seventh, we must sign the Kyoto Climate Treaty. All made references to the environment as a major concern. None listed any science to support their arguments. I guess Democrats don't need proof. It's enough to feel that you're doing something good for the planet.
Of the six participating in the forum, Howard Dean was the clear favorite. Edwards and Gephardt were a close second. Lieberman was dead last among the audience. He was clearly the most conservative and the most booed and hissed of all the participants. Lieberman received little support on his moderate positions related to homosexual marriage and the war in Iraq.
The Democratic Party propaganda formula doesn't seem to ever change.
They truly believe that all large corporations are corrupt.
All wealthy Americans are undeserving of their prosperity.
People who have moral problems with homosexuality are bigots.
All drug companies and health insurers are evil.
American corporations are destroying the ecological planet.
The constitution only matters to right wing wackos.
Giving more power and money to the government will solve all our problems.
Government is only corrupt when Republicans are in charge.
Now that I've recounted my frightening experience of being cooped up with 5500 screeching Janeane Garofalo's. I bid you adieu.