Dispirited Liberal America — Part I: Hopelessness and the Spirit
Some of my liberal friends say they have lost all hope for American democracy (and a great many others act as if they had).
They see that the Money Power is wresting power from the American people and, with the help of the Supreme Court, making it ever harder for the people to retrieve what's been taken from them.
They see that one of our two major political parties is systematically blocking the Congress from implementing solutions to our nation's considerable problems, yet rewarded by the people with enough power to inflict terrible damage on our country.
And they see that in our public discourse the truth no longer prevails over the lie.
Game over, they conclude hopelessly.
I, too, see that darkness. These are indeed frightening times. But such hopelessness is not wisdom. It is a sign of disconnection from the power of the spirit. I say that on the basis of my own experience, in my own effort to address our national crisis of moving back and forth between a mundane framework and one inflamed by what I can only call a spiritual energy.
From the mundane perspective, it is only too clear how improbable it is that what I do can have the impact I'm seeking. But when I am in touch with that spiritual energy that drives me, I find my attention directed only toward that scenario that best serves the sacred. The spirit drives me on a mission.
Ed Gillespie’s Rick Perry Moment
From the Warner for Senate campaign:
Shot: In a cringe-worthy moment during Wednesday's Republican presidential debate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry couldn't remember the third federal agency he had pledged to eliminate.
Perry was discussing his jobs plan and his flat tax plan when he said: "And I will tell you, it is three agencies of government when I get there that are gone. Commerce, Education, and the... what's the third one there? Let's see." CBS News, Nov. 10, 2011
Chaser: Gillespie said that “there are a number of functions that the federal government performs that would better be performed by individuals in the private sector and by the states. I think the federal government over the past five years, in particular, has encroached on state prerogatives.”
When asked to name three federal programs that he would like to see eliminated, however, the GOP Senate candidate would name only one, the Export-Import Bank, which is due to be reauthorized in September. “One that I have said already that I believe should not be reauthorized and doesn't deserve to be continued in funding is the ExIm Bank,” Gillespie said, “but we'll roll out more details later as we go along.” Charlottesville Libertarian Examiner, July 6, 2014
“Ed Gillespie’s Rick Perry moment demonstrates yet again that he offers soundbites instead of substance. He is unable to name even three federal programs he would be willing to cut, and the only one that came to mind -- the Export-Import Bank -- actually makes money for the taxpayers and is a key export tool for dozens of Virginia businesses," said David Turner, a spokesman for the campaign. "Rather than offering sensible policy solutions for Virginia, Ed Gillespie yet again has shown that all he offers are gimmicks, not solutions.”
Last year, the Export-Import Bank issued $112 million in loans and guaranteed to help 34 Virginia businesses export more than $220 million in goods.
For the full impact of the Export Import Bank in Virginia, please visit: http://www.exim.gov/customcf/congressionalmap/state_map.cfm?state=VA
Winners and Losers: 48th and 90th House of Delegates Democratic Caucuses
I'm going to mostly focus on the 48th House of Delegates district in this "Winners and Losers" list, because I've gotten basically no information and seen next to zero coverage of the 90th from anyone - nothing from candidates, next to nothing from the media (other than coverage by Vivian Paige and belated announcement of the results in the Virginian Pilot and Daily Press this morning). The 48th, in stark contrast, is my home turf, so I was able to cover it myself, along with folks like Stephanie Clifford (winner!), Michael Pope (ditto) and Patricia Sullivan (ditto), and a legion of others (e.g., Kip Malinosky, Peter Fallon and Jarrod Nagurka - all winners!) via email, social media, etc, etc. With that, here's my non-comprehensive, wildly subjective list. Please feel free to add your own "winners" and "losers" in the comments sections.
P.S. As usual, I'm generally going to stay away from the glaringly obvious "winners" like 48th District Democratic nominee Rip Sullivan, and the obvious "losers" like the candidates who didn't win. It's just too obvious, ergo boring.
WINNERS
Patrick Hope: Endorsed Rip Sullivan, campaigned hard for him, introducing him to hundreds of Arlington Democratic voters. For those reasons, and because he's popular and respected in the 48th district (also, as a reader pointed out,he just ran a 5-month campaign heavily targeting many of these precincts, which means that he's got hugely important fresh data and name recognition), Hope may have done as much (or more?) than anyone to win this election for Sullivan. Why? Because Hope really helped Sullivan make inroads into Arlington, which was crucial to him getting to 50%+1 in Instant Runoff Voting. Without that, Sullivan would have romped in Fairfax, but might not have done much of anything in Arlington. It's also worth noting Peter Fallon's and Aneesh Chopra's help in this same regard, making them "winners" as well.
Team Hope: It wasn't just Patrick Hope himself, but "Team Hope" from his Congressional race - Jarrod Nagurka et al. - which really helped Rip a lot. With just under a week (thanks Bill Howell!) to get a campaign up and running, Rip's campaign was by far the best of all the candidates in moving fast, effectively, and in the end successfully. That was thanks to Rip's talents, of course, but also to the help he got from "Team Hope," including budding political star Jarrod Nagurka. Great job!
Andrew Schneider: He didn't win, but he finished a close third, really raised his profile, and from what I hear gained a lot of respect from his run. We'll see if he's able to leverage this going forward.
Columbia Pike Streetcar: Both the winner and runner-up (Paul Holland) are strongly supportive of transit in general, and the Columbia Pike streetcar specifically, although with the caveat that funding be worked out in a way that doesn't cause Arlington taxpayers to be adversely impacted. Of course, given that the streetcar is overwhelmingly a local issue, it didn't play much at all in this race, but to the extent it did, it didn't seem to hurt proponents.
Arlington and Fairfax County Democratic Committees: Superb job organizing this caucus - at two locations and with instant runoff voting AND a debate, no less!!! - in just a few days, which is all they had thanks to Speaker Bill "I hate Democracy and Democrats" Howell. Great jobs by Kip Malinosky, Greg Brandon/Dranesville District Democrats, Sue Langley, Peter Owen, Dave Leichtman and many others in pulling this off.
Kip Malinosky: I already made him a "winner," but Kip deserves his own line in this "winners" and "losers" list. First off, he's just a great guy. Second, he's a great leader of the Arlington County Democratic Committee. Third, more to the point, with almost no notice whatsoever he pulled off - along with the FCDC folks and many others - a smooth, successful caucus, debate, etc. on the Fourth of July weekend, no less. Does Kip ever sleep? If so, nobody is aware of it. :)
George Burke: Did a great job, on short notice, of moderating a 2-hour-plus debate the day before the election. Nice job!
Jim Southworth: Videotaped the entire 48th House of Delegates district Democratic debate and put it up within hours. Also nice job!
Virginia House Democratic Caucus: The person who's best at fundraising, Rip Sullivan, won the election, which bodes well for Virginia House Democrats going forward.
Instant Runoff Voting: Yet again, demonstrated its worth by guaranteeing that the winner would have a majority of the votes cast. The only tweak I'd make here would be to have people enter the votes into a database throughout the day, so when polls close we can have the IRV calculated in seconds.
Video: Dave Foster tells extreme gun group, “your concerns…[are] my concerns”
In that context, see 6:30 of this video. Foster further states that he believes the Second Amendment is a "fundamental individual right" (e.g., as opposed to being in the context of a "well regulated militia"). Foster also claims there's no gun show loophole, because Virginia doesn't regulate private transfers of firearms. He supports allowing people to carry firearms in national parks, and that states be able to override federal laws on that subject.
Virginia News Headlines: Monday Morning
*Congress's head-in-the-sand approach to climate change ("If Congress were the board of a large company, ignoring such a serious risk would give shareholders ample reason to fire every head-in-the-sand director. Voters might want to contemplate the analogy this November.")
*Shock in Israel after 6 arrested in teen's death (The sad fact is, every country - ours included - has violent extremists.)
*Paul Krugman: Beliefs, Facts and Money ("Conservative Delusions About Inflation")
*Two Approaches to Tidal Politics ("The politics of climate change are veering in starkly different directions in the neighboring states of North Carolina and Virginia. Foolhardy denial about the severity of rising seas is underway in North Carolina...By contrast in Virginia, a bipartisan group of political leaders is forthrightly talking about the problem.")
*Extend benefits to gay Virginians ("Virginia law has left its public agencies at a clear competitive disadvantage when it comes to hiring the best employees.")
*Keeping watch on Virginia's biggest, and oldest, industry ("First woman to lead VDACS does not come from farming background")
*Virginia drivers often confused about state traffic laws
*New Va. environmental rules mean higher fees for building homes (Absolutely necessary to protect the Chesapeake Bay, etc.)
*Lindsey is Democratic nominee for Howell's House seat ("Lindsey won 250 votes, James 177 and Askew 25." Pathetically low turnout. In contrast, the 48th saw over 2,100 votes cast in its caucus.)
*Nominees selected for contest in Va. 48th House District
*A Native American family with R**skins ties is divided by the name ("Descendants of the man who helped create the team's logo can't agree whether the name is a slur.")
*Despite some uneven play, Nationals find a way in series finale against the Cubs
*Heat and humidity return after delightful weekend ("After three days of pure weather bliss - coinciding with a holiday weekend no less- it's back to the hated heat and humidity.")
Video: Kip Malinosky Announces Rip Sullivan is the 48th District Democratic Nominee
P.S. For the record, here are the final round results: Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: 1,111; Paul A. Holland: 523; Andrew F. Schneider: 444.
