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Candidate Meets Voters Using His Bike
League of Women Voters of Kootenai County
General Election Candidate Forum
Allred hits Otter for mixed messages
Idaho Democrats hiring canvassers
Why I support Walt Minnick and you should too
Auction items needed for the Huckleberry Social
Idaho ranks 50th in school funding
Don't Let Republicans Devastate Our Public Schools
Lawsuit charges connected got secret tax deals
Candidate Meets Voters Using His Bike
Robo calls would be great for political campaigns if voters were just robots. Most of us are not. Real people want to say something back, or at least ask a question. That’s why Mike Bullard is using his bicycle to meet voters face-to-face, as many as he can.
A lot of campaigning is drudgery. Raising money, making ads, studying for debates . According to Mike, though, meeting the people face to face is absolutely fun. “It’s crazy. Everyone is different. The old cookie-cutter party affiliations have given way to every household having a different arrangement of issues, and every individual is different. That’s why it is important to meet real people in person.” Mike says that with very few exceptions, the vast majority of people, though upset with politics in general, are extremely cordial and welcoming of his efforts.”
League of Women Voters of Kootenai County
General Election Candidate Forum
Where: CdA Public Library Community Room
Public invited
The League of Women Voters of Kootenai County will be hosting a General Election Candidate Forum on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library which is located at 702 E Front Ave Coeur dAlene, ID 83814. Only candidates with opposition will be invited.
The forum will be televised on CdATV, Time Warner Cable Channel 19, and repeated as schedule permits before election. The broadcast is the sole property of LWV of Kootenai County and may not be reproduced or used in any manner.
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Allred hits Otter for mixed messages
In case you missed it, Keith Allred had a great showing at yesterday's first debate with Butch Otter. The results are coming in: Keith was "calm, cool and collected" while a frustrated Otter did his best to defend his failed record of damage to Idaho's schools and attempts to hike taxes on everyday Idahoans.
"Allred said that tough times call for something other than Otter's track record of proposing a gas-tax increase," wrote the Twin Falls Times-News.
But don't take our word for it. If you missed the debate yesterday, here's a link where you can listen to a recording of the event.
Audio Link of Debate
Idaho Democrats hiring canvassers
Do you want to make a difference in this year’s election? The Idaho Democratic Party is looking for motivated and enthusiastic canvassers who can effectively communicate with voters.
Canvassers are currently needed in Ada County, Canyon County, Lewiston, Moscow and Coeur d’Alene. Training will be provided; no prior campaign experience is necessary.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Why I support Walt Minnick and you should too
During the past two years I have heard comments from a number of my friends and Democratic associates critical of Walt Minnick's voting record; I too disagree with the Congressman on some of his votes (track his votes at http://visiblevote.us/), but by and large I have been able to support Walt as a smart and principled representative, one that I am proud to have represent me in Congress.
I am attaching a letter that Walt wrote to the Tea Party Express regarding their endorsement of his fiscal conservative votes. It is one more reason that I am proud to have Walt Minnick as my Congressman.
Thom George - Chair, Kootenai County Democrats
Read Walt's letter
Listen to KPBX Coverage
Auction items needed for the Huckleberry Social
By Diane Cook
The Social is around the corner and the committee is already hard at work. As most of you know, this event is a fundraiser for the local party and will contribute to our efforts to support our local candidates in the November election. Once again, we are asking for items for our live and silent auctions. Items can include food, quilts, photography, themed gift baskets, or other applicable items that you have made or purchased. You may also offer a service such as food preparation, massage, yard work, event tickets, etc. You get the idea. This is a great way to show off your hidden talents or promote a business. Last year's social and auctions were VERY successful thanks to your generous support and we are hoping to do even better this year.
If you think you might have something to contribute, please contact me, Diane Cook (208-659-6288), and I will be happy to pick it up or you can deliver to the Democratic headquarters. We would like to receive all donations NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. If for any reason you need to bring your donation the night of the social, please notify me in advance so that I know what you are bringing.
Thank you for your support and we all look forward to a fun and profitable social. Bring friends and family!
P.S. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE AT 765-0965.
A number of policymakers and pundits - most recently House Minority Leader John Boehner - blame Obama Administration policies for the large deficits we confront. But the numbers tell a very different story.
As my colleague Jim Horney and I have explained, the causes of today's large deficits lie largely outside the Administration's control. Two weeks before President Obama took office, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected that the 2009 deficit would exceed $1 trillion. CBO also warned that if we continued the policies the Obama Administration inherited, including the Bush tax cuts and funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, deficits would average over $1 trillion a year in 2010-2019.
As the chart shows, the recession and the federal government’s responses to it under President Bush (e.g., the financial rescues) and President Obama (e.g., the Recovery Act) have certainly boosted deficits. But those factors are temporary and will fade in importance.
Idaho ranks 50th in school funding
An excerpt from edlines@idahoea.org
Newly released Census Bureau figures for 2007-2008 (50 states plus DC) show Idaho at $6,931. Other than Utah ($5,765), neighboring states invest much more per child: WY $13,840; OR $9,558; WA $9,009; NV $8,285. U.S. average is $10,259.
Read the Census Report.
Don't Let Republicans Devastate Our Public Schools
Summer is the time to get active
by IDP admin on June 26, 2010
Now is the time for Democrats all over Idaho to seize the day and work to elect Democrats in Idaho. More and more voters are demanding answers to the crisis facing our schools. Community leaders have stepped forward to provide those answers and they are doing it by running for public office in Idaho as Democrats.
Democratic candidates have refused to remain silent while teachers are fired, opportunities for our children are eliminated by program cuts and crowded classes, and the jobs we need for a strong economy are forced to leave the state.
Our Democratic candidates are willing to hold Republicans accountable and offer a positive alternative. But, they cannot do it alone. Are you willing to help them?
Are you willing to carve out a day or a couple evenings every week and make a commitment to help Democratic candidates contact voters? Don't wait to be asked. Contact your state, federal and local candidates NOW and offer your time and talents. Plan your summer so that these dedicated candidates can count on you.
This is no ordinary election year. The crisis is real: Read More
It Is Time For A Change
Shining a light on the extreme imbalance in our two party state government.
SENATE MEMBERSHIP
Republicans: 28 (80%)
Democrats: 7 (20%)
HOUSE MEMBERSHIP
Republicans: 52 (87%)
Democrats: 18 (13%)
In an episode of SPOTLIGHT ON POLICY, Dr. Gary Moncrief, Professor of Political Science at Boise State University, reviews the unique features of Idaho's Legislature. Pay special attention to the comments on one party dominance and the unique power of the Republican Caucus to control the agenda.
Watch the video
Another perspective can be found in the book Governing Idaho - Politics, People, and Power, by James B. Weatherby and Randy Stapilus. They write that "This partisan dominance has brought sweeping changes to the Gem State. It has narrowed the range of political debate; ideas, concepts, patterns of thinking about public matters which are part of the civic life in nearby states are absent in Idaho. One party dominance has reduced the influence of independents as a force "up for grabs". And it has diminished regionalism in Idaho, since all major regions of the state are now dominated by one party in contrast to the days when, for example, the north might be Democratic while other regions went in different directions." Dr Weatherby is an associate professor in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Boise State University. His co-author, Randy Stapilus has been an award winning journalist, analyst, and author in the region since 1974.
The interview with Dr. Moncrief, and the excerpt from Governing Idaho, highlight the growing imbalance and disfunction of our current One Party State Legislature. The degree to which the Republican Caucus dominates the legislative agenda and political discourse effectively stifles debate and disenfranchises Democrats and Independents. Who is holding them accountable? Who is representing your interests? Vote Democratic and bring balance and transparency back to our state house.
IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE
Legislator's lawsuit charges wealthy, politically connected got secret tax deals
Eye on Boise, Betsy Z. Russell
See Update: July 31, 2010
A North Idaho legislator has filed a lawsuit against the state over secret tax deals that allegedly allowed some wealthy and politically connected taxpayers to get millions in breaks. Those deals violated the Idaho Constitution, said Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, which requires taxing to be “uniform.”
Examples listed in the lawsuit, filed this morning in 4th District Court in Boise:
* A wealthy Idaho resident was given a $1.6 million tax break before the audit report on that taxpayer’s case had been filed, and the case was removed from the Tax Commission’s auditors. Auditors had alleged the taxpayer was fraudulently claiming no substantial business operations in the state.
* One state tax commissioner “reversed an audit adjustment on a friend and individual who is prominent in Idaho politics.”
* A tax manager for a large Idaho company “told a commissioner in a protest hearing that his opinion was asked by the governor on all reappointments. This event occurred several months before the commissioner was up for reappointment and the taxpayer received a $100,000 discount.”
Ringo called the cases cited in the lawsuit “appalling.”
“If those things have been going on, it just speaks to the need for reforms,” Ringo said. “I would put in on the emergency status, because I don’t want to accuse anybody of being corrupt, but I think it bears looking into.”
Read more
Kootenai County Democrats Headquarters
1124 Sherman Avenue,
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM*
Tuesday and Thursday: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM*
Dial 208-765-0965 or email us!
* Hours of operation can vary due to resource constraints. Feel free to call first to confirm we are open.
