New GA Young Democrats Ex. Committee

New Leadership from Young Democrats, an Exciting Year Ahead!

I am very excited to announce your 2009-2010 YDG Executive Committee!  I am looking forward to working with this great group of folks who have stepped up and will be working hard to make YDG the best organization we can be.  This year, we will be rechartering chapters whose credentials have lapsed, chartering new chapters, launching our Leadership Academy, and raising funds to help members go to YDA Convention in Chicago in August.
 
If you are interested in getting more involved, please contact me, Tim or your Regional Director and we can put you to work!
Jane Bradshaw President, Young Democrats of Georgia

2009-2010 YDG Executive Committee
Jane Bradshaw, President

Katie Milway, Executive Vice President

George Seaborough, VP of Membership

Daniel Fullerton, VP of Finance

Zak Koffler, Treasurer

Carter Bates, Secretary

Billy Joyner, National Committeeman

Nikema Williams, National Committeewoman

Brad Barnes, NW Region Director

Louis Elrod, NE Region Director

Leslie Small, Metro Atlanta Region Director

CJ Cooper, Middle Georgia Region Director

Andy Smith, SW Region Director

Terrence Nixon, SE Region Director

Ed Hula, College Democrats of Georgia

Ryan Campbell, High School Democrats of Georgia

Elena Wiess, Womens Caucus

Harold Washington, Minority Caucus

Edmund Thornton, Stonewall Caucus

 

Support the work of Young Democrats by making a contribution online at www.georgiayds.org/contribute.

Posted via web from jimnichols's posterous

tax-cuts vs. fiscal responsibility

Lincoln’s $250 billion estate tax plan would cut taxes for only 60 ’small businesses.’

Last week, 10 Democrats in the Senate joined all 41 Republicans in voting for a $250 billion proposal to cut estate taxes, designed by Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ). More than 99 percent of this cost would go to the inheritors of estates worth over $7 million. Touting the tax cut in a press release, Lincoln claimed that it was “aimed at farms and small businesses.” However, according to an analysis by the Tax Policy Center, Lincoln’s $250 billion proposal would save just 60 small businesses or farms from the estate tax:

An always charged issue is how the estate tax affects small farms and family-owned businesses. We estimate that under the Obama proposal, 100 family farms and businesses would owe tax…The Lincoln-Kyl proposal would cut the number to 40.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, “almost all such estates are able to pay the tax bill without having to sell business assets.”

Another example of tax-cutting to hurt our long term deficit...

For those of us concerned about the Ocean of Debt these kinds of tax-cuts are not good policy.

As CBPP noted regarding this "say one thing do another" ideological attack from some folks:

Many of the same Senators and House members who launched the sharpest verbal attacks this week on the President’s budget or the congressional budget plans — on the ground that the deficits and debt projected under those plans are much too high — then opposed a number of the tough choices the President’s budget makes to start reducing deficits. Those tough choices include allowing many of the generous tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 to expire for people at the top of the income scale, making the 2009 estates tax rules permanent rather than eliminating still more of that tax, and limiting itemized deductions for families making over $250,000 to help finance health care reform that is intended to reduce costs over the long term.

 

Posted via web from jimnichols's posterous

Ocean of debt

Jason Pye is on the long term deficit crisis meme... I'll outsource to economist Brad Delong on this one...

We need to worry about the deficits in 2015, 2020, 2025, and beyond--not about the deficits in 2009, 2010, and 2011...

The key to dealing with the deficits in 2015, 2020, 2025, and beyond is--you guessed it--health care. That is the entire ballgame...

[These] long-run deficits...are not much, much worse than they were in 2003--they are somewhat better. Obama has cut the long-run deficit. Bush boosted it. It remains a big problem--but it's not a problem of Clinton's or Obama's or Pelosi's or Reed's creation, it's a problem created by Bush and his cheerleaders

CEPR's done the leg work regarding this with their IOUSA Budget Deficit Calculator which:

allows you to see what the projected U.S. budget deficit would be, as a percentage of GDP, if the United States had the same per person health care costs as various other countries which enjoy longer life expectancies than the United States.

Its time we join the rest of the industrialized world and have some form of Universal Health Care reform--those who oppose competition in the marketplace, which would hurt the profits of insurance companies and help lower the costs for consumers--are the ones creating this long term crisis.

As if ranking 37th in the world for health care isn't bad enough for people... our kids are paying to subsidize private profits...

To see more on our progress in regards to the budget itself you can check out Congressional Budgets Pass Early Tests on Deficits and Economy, but Questions Remain from CBPP

On the whole, the budget plans that the House and Senate approved yesterday pass the twin tests of: (1) beginning to address long-term deficits, or at least not making these deficits worse; and (2) not undermining the fiscal stimulus Congress recently passed. [i] The Senate’s adoption, however, of amendments that are intended both to facilitate a further large tax cut for the estates of the nation’s wealthiest individuals and to make it less likely that Congress will allow the Bush tax cuts to expire for people at the top of the income scale suggests that significant dangers lie ahead. The adoption of these measures raises questions about Senators’ professed concerns about deficits and debt and about whether Congress has the fortitude to begin making hard choices.

OMG! How does Colbert do it?

Colbert may single handily bring an end to the political correctness rampant in politics. (A boy can dream can't he?)

Kudos to the congressman for this one.

Headed out...

I'm on my way (kind of late out the door) to a meeting with the new chair of the Field Committee for Henry County Democrats.

My first words of advice: run for the hills....

If she sticks around i'm going to say: Thank you, you have my gratitude.

 

Field is the name of the game.  Elections are 50% + 1 of the vote.  Its not all neat and pretty like some of my Political Theorist/revolutionary/idealists/man on the street  friends like to believe it is.

 

This ain't a game... its a war of attrition.  Field is the chess board.

Posted via web from jimnichols's posterous

Economists say its working, but may not be big enough... I second that....

Pelosi open to another stimulus if necessary  

Allen Sinai, chief global economist for Decision Economics, said the stimulus would probably create 2.5 million jobs in the first two years. "Initially, the jobs created may be a little disappointing, but over time, over a three-year period, I think 3 million new jobs is not unrealistic at all."

Despite that forecast, the stimulus is a good policy, Sinai and two other economists agreed.

It just may not be big enough.

"I think policymakers need to do more. I don't think we're done," said Mark Zandi, the chief economist for Moody's Economy.com who has advised both Republicans and Democrats. "You have to be extraordinarily bold. The big mistake here would to not be aggressive in responding to this crisis."

"Whether this is enough, I think, is still unknown, but it is the right set of actions to take," said Rebecca Blank, a fellow at the Brookings Institution. "What is absolutely true right now is doing nothing is not an option; that the risks are all on the side of under-reacting, and not on the side of over-reacting."

We need another stimulus,because of the size of our economy compared to the size of the stimulus (from my understanding of the argument).  It was the massive (that word might be an understatement) world war II spending that got us out of the Great Depression doldrums, this stimulus package that passed wasn't even close to those percentages...

One of the drivers at UPS this morning was worried about the coming cuts.... are they on the way?  I don't think so--at least for my position, they'll get rid of middle management first I'd assume. 

Posted via web from jimnichols's posterous

Amen...

You’ll Never Get This 21 Minutes Of Your Life Back

Imagine trying to negotiate an agreement on dinner plans with your date, and you suggest Italian and she states her preference would be a meal of tire rims and anthrax. If you can figure out a way to split the difference there and find a meal you will both enjoy, you can probably figure out how bipartisanship is going to work the next few years.

From the outgoing chair I want to wish congrats to Robert...

For Immediate Release: Henry County Democrats elect Chairman

Henry County resident Robert Abercrombie was elected last night as the next chairman of the Henry County Democratic Committee.
Jan-26-2009


For Immediate Release: January 26, 2009
Contact: Jim Nichols
770-312-6736
Jim.Nichols@gmail.com

Henry County resident Robert Abercrombie was elected Chairman of the Henry County Democratic Party. “We have so much to do,” Robert stated upon his election, “and I look forward to working to build a Democratic Henry.”

Robert has been employed by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office for the last 17 years and is the father of two children. Robert joined the committee last year and has been working as chair of the candidate recruitment committee.

“I became involved in politics a few years ago, but really began to take an active role in the past two years. I assisted the Obama team with canvassing and voter registration drives. I truly believe that we can make Henry County and the state of Georgia a better place.”

Robert is joined on the executive committee by Vice chair Cristie J. Baptiste, 2nd vice chair Jarrett Bell, Secretary Cara Richardson, and Treasurer Edith Gonsal. The Henry County Democrats meet the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm at the Henry County Government Annex. Their website is www.henrydems.com.

Chomsky on Obama

Maybe its just me...

but the inauguration hoopla makes me think of this scene...



make of it what you will.

Second verse (Obama), same as the first (Clinton)

Lei-off: Obama snubs Dean

I'm hearing the 50 state stratedgy is dead... Obama machine,doesn't want or need true grassroots...

Ah yes, the sorry state of the Democratic Party--why i'm not running for Chair in Henry County again; its not worth my time.

I found this comment post very to the point

Obama is a creature of the Village -- Dean never was, and it was his 50 State strategy that made him persona non grata for Emmanuel and the rest of the corrupt Democratic establishment.
_
Keep in mind that the political media is concentrated in DC, and Dean's strategy was all about returning power, money, and influence to state and local party organizations. And since KT and her "political reporter" ilk need the DC establishment for their sources, influence peddlers like Rahm and Schumer received far more favorable media treatment than did Dean.
_
But ultimately, Dean really has no one but himself to blame for this -- he threw his private support behind Obama in a manner that guaranteed Obama the nomination, and did so to advance his own agenda . Dean wanted to piggyback his 50 State Strategy on Obama's grassroots organization, and fell out of favor because he wanted to continue to empower state and local party organizations, while Obama wants to centralize power in his hands and use the Democratic Party for his own personal benefit and self-aggrandizement. Dean found out too late that Obama's organizational efforts were designed to advance only one thing -- Barack Obama's personal power.
_
So instead of genuine grass-roots organizing, and listening to what Democrats across the country have to say, we now have the astroturf of Change.gov, in which Obama sets the agenda for the grassroots, ignores their concerns when they conflict with his personal empowerment agenda, and co-opts grassroots concerns when they can be folded into the overall strategy of Obama self-aggrandizement.

The Robert Rubin welfare plan...

More Money for Robert Rubin

It looks like President-elect Obama is picking up President Clinton's promise to end welfare as we know it. Back in those pre-welfare reform days, welfare checks went to poor families. Welfare as we know it now seems to involve giving taxpayer dollars to Citigroup and other banks.

The media seem to have largely overlooked the Citigroup tax credit in their discussion of the latest items in President Obama's stimulus proposal. According to the Washington Post, the proposal will allow companies to write off current losses against taxes paid over the last 4-5 years, not just 2 years, as in current law.

There are relatively few companies that could benefit from this tax break since most companies will not have losses so large that they would need more than two years of tax payments to balance them against. But, really big losers, like Robert Rubin's Citigroup, and other badly failing financial institutions, are losing much more money in 2008 and 2009 than they earned in 2006 and 2007.

Did the political connections of Robert Rubin and others in the financial industry have anything to do with the decision of Obama's economic team to be so generous to them? I don't have an answer to that question, but the media should be asking it.

spineless democrats....

It's time to redefine "pro-Israel"

Americans "are closely divided over whether the Jewish state should be taking military action against militants in the Gaza Strip" (44-41%, with 15% undecided), but Democratic voters overwhelmingly oppose the Israeli offensive -- by a 24-point margin (31-55%)." Yet Democratic party leaders like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are standing squarely behind the brutal Israeli offensive and the Bush administration has put the blame solely on Hamas and blocked a UN Security Council statement calling for an immediate cease-fire. So far, only a couple of members of Congress have offered even the mildest criticism of Israel's actions.

that goes double for Obama's silence...

Obama's tax cuts... not a great idea...

Tax Cuts Aren't The Solution

It's not entirely clear to me what the logic is behind the tax cuts, other than as a political gesture. I'm not dismissing the value, on its own, of another $1,000 for a family to have to spend. Yes, we need economic stimulus. But, first, if economists of "all political stripes" agreed that the last hunk of cash sent to people didn't work because people were putting it under their mattresses, where is the evidence that the current situation is any different? People are still in massive debt and home equity is gone as a place to get cash. Why do we think people will react differently.

But, the larger question really is: tax cuts compared to what? Would $300 billion give back more to people if the money was used, for example, to states to stop cuts in health care and education, or invested in rebuilding every crumbling school in the country, or...well, you pick your priority.

It seems to me that part of the reason we got into this mess is thinking too short term. Yes, put spend $1 trillion over the next two years in a vast array of investments that create jobs--but I don't see the same return from tax cuts.

yup

I may be one of the few people left in America who crinkles my nose at the slogan "tax cuts".

count me in! Nose crinklers unite!

Leiter on Caroline Kennedy

Tales from the American Oligarchy:

Caroline Kennedy, whose main qualification is that she is the daughter of a former womanizing President, wants to be named to the New York Senate seat. That journalists, opinion makers, and ordinary citizens do not laugh in her face at the very idea tells us everything we need to know about the oligarchy in America.

Amen... this hero worship nonsense has done great harm to our democracy.

Republican's and their leaders...

Republicans consistently hold positions different from their base. The "no bailout for CEO's" is something I commonly hear from conservatives on the ground. Yet the broader point is this:

QUITE A LOOPHOLE....

When lawmakers considered the $700 billion bailout package a few months ago, they argued with the Bush White House over restrictions on executive compensation. Democrats insisted that firms accepting bailout funds could not, in turn, lavish their top executives with multi-million dollar salaries and/or "golden parachute" severance pay. The president wanted no such restrictions.

At first glance, it was a fight Democrats appeared to win, and strict limits were included in the final legislation. Indeed, there was even an IRS mechanism that mandated a close review of executive compensation, and tax penalties for companies that failed to comply.

Those evil Democrats

local press on the run-off election

under the name of reason in the local papers
Georgians vote in pivotal run-off election

By Johnny Jackson

jjackson@henryherald.com

Thousands have already voted early for the Dec. 2 run-off election, which will determine -- among other things -- who will represent the state of Georgia in the United States Senate.

Area residents are increasingly aware of the importance of this year's senate election, between incumbent Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Democratic challenger Jim Martin.

Early voters have been turning out in droves, compared to previous election years. Clayton County, for instance, has already voted roughly 12,500 people, and Henry County has surpassed 10,000 voters in total early votes.

So far, Henry has voted about 10 percent of its registered votes, with more than 8 percent turning out early in Clayton. Elections officials expect as much as a 15-20 percent voter turnout.

"It has been very unpredictable," said Janet Shellnut, director of Henry County Elections and Registration. "We mailed out almost 5,000 absentee ballots in seven days."

Shellnut said voting in Henry may be similar to voting during the November general election, when some 60 percent of likely voters turned out early. A small percentage of other eligible voters turned out on election day for a combine 75 percent voter turnout.

"I hope we get good support on [run-off] election day," Shellnut added. "It's nice to see a runoff with more than 5-7 percent coming out."

Voters appear to be more attuned to the politics, particular given the delicate balance that exists in the U.S. Senate between Democrats and Republicans.

"This run-off election is critical, given the incoming administration and the current balance of power in the Senate," said Chambliss. "Georgia is a conservative state, and we need someone who will stand up to President-elect Obama when his policies are not in line with Georgia's values. I will be that person."

Earlier this fall, Chambliss made stops in Jonesboro and McDonough to drum up local support for what would be a close and pivotal Nov. 4 general election. The Senate run-off election that has followed has garnered national attention.

"It's very important that Sen. Chambliss gets re-elected," said Jeremy Betts, chairman of the Clayton County Republican Party. "If not, there would be no checks on what power they [Democrats] would have in the United States Senate. ... When he wins on Tuesday, it will mean that Democrats will not have a filibuster-proof Senate."

Betts said he believes there were "a series of unfortunate events" that led up to today's run-off election between Chambliss and Martin.

"Sen. Obama [now President-elect Barack Obama] had a good showing in Georgia," he said. "And the economy specifically shocked a lot of people's confidence ... in the Republican Party. It was kind of a perfect storm of events."

"The Republican Party is really taking a hard look at itself," Betts said. "The last thing we need is for a party to fall into oblivion."

If Jim Martin wins the run-off election, it would mean that Democrats would have a so-called super-majority in the Senate, as well as a majority in the House of Representatives and control of the executive branch.

"This is certainly a huge runoff," said Jim Nichols, chairman of the Henry County Democratic Committee. "This is really a continuation of the election."

A Martin supporter, Nichols said the winner of the run-off election will likely be decided by the number of motivated voters who turnout. He said he believes that a Chambliss election would only serve to further divide the Senate, blocking bipartisan ideas and legislation.

"People are looking for leadership," Nichols said. "They want a senator that's going to work with the president. We need to come together right now and create some legislation for citizens that are hurting."

Jim Martin's Campaign Spokeswoman Kate Hansen agreed. "We feel great headed into Tuesday," Hansen said. "As Jim Martin travels all over the state talking to Georgians, voters are clear. They're looking for a senator who will work with President-elect Obama to get the economy working for the middle class again. That's why they'll head to the polls to elect Jim Martin ... "

In Clayton County, voters will also have to decide on who will take two vacant seats on the nine-member Clayton County Board of Education. Pam Adamson and Cleopatra Ballantyne are competing for the District 1 seat, while Charlton Bivins and Irene Lewis vie for the Board's District 9 seat.

Voters in both Henry and Clayton counties will also be asked to choose a public service commissioner, between Republican Lauren McDonald and Democrat Jim Powell. There is also a runoff, between Sara Doyle and Mike Sheffield, to determine who will succeed Judge John Ruffin on Georgia's Appeals Court.

Voting begins today at 7 a.m., at all regular voting precincts in Henry and Clayton.

Why do I use my blog title as the token for the word Jim Nichols? Crazy modern world some of you must be shrugging...

Jim Powell endorsed by Carter...

For Immediate Release: November 21, 2008
Contact: George P. Birchby, Campaign Manager
678-644-8355 (Mobile)
gpbirchby@gmail.com


Jim Powell endorsed by former President Jimmy Carter

ATLANTA - Jim Powell, Democratic nominee and first-place candidate for Georgia Public Service Commission, District 4, has received the endorsement of former President Jimmy Carter for the Dec. 2 General Election runoff.

“I am impressed with Jim Powell’s knowledge of the issues that will be addressed by the Georgia Public Service Commission in the coming years,” President Carter said. “His vision of energy policy for our state reflects the forward-thinking approach we need, both in the near future and in the long term.

“With Jim Powell, the people of Georgia have a unique opportunity to elect a Public Service Commissioner with solid professional experience for this important position. I support Jim Powell in the December 2 runoff election.”

President Carter made the endorsement following a meeting with the candidate Thursday afternoon at the Carter Center.

“I am most honored to have the support of this great Georgian and American, President Jimmy Carter,” Powell said. “During his term in the White House, President Carter foresaw the importance of managing our energy resources and established the U.S. Department of Energy. He understands what is at stake in this election, and I am humbled that he would endorse my candidacy.”

Powell has also been endorsed by, among others, incumbent Public Service Commissioner Angela Speir, Libertarian Party nominee Brandon Givens, former Republican candidate Pam Davidson, and four of the state’s major daily newspapers: the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Savannah Morning News. the Rome News-Tribune and the Waycross Journal-Herald.

In the General Election on Nov. 4, Powell was the top vote-getter with 1,732,175 votes or 47.9 percent. On July 15, Powell received 85 percent of the statewide primary vote to earn the Democratic nomination.

Powell, a first-time candidate for office, retired in February 2007 after 35 years of public service. He served as a Senior Executive with the U. S. Department of Energy, managing a number of initiatives and a budget of over $300 million, and as the Southeast Regional Director, based in Georgia. Jim and Karen, his wife of 37 years, live in Hiawassee. They have two adult sons and two adorable granddaughters.

For more information, visit www.jimpowellforgapsc.com

Henry County... help Martin win on the 2nd! Come out and canvass

Kevin Waller is doing a great job of keeping people in the loop...
From his email today:

Team,

We are doing canvassing to support the Jim Martin Campaign for US Senate both Saturday and Sunday. The election runoff is in just 11 days. It is a close race. The victory will be to the one whose team makes the most calls and knocks on the most doors. People are registered, we just need to get them back out to the polls.

Ms Cathryn Chatters (985) 703-0164 and Mike Burns have taken the lead on this initiative.

If you want to participate and help put someone in the Senate that is going to help President Elect Obama make a difference: come on down.

Days and Times:

Sat from 10 am - 6:00 pm (two hour increments)
Sunday from 2 pm -6:00pm (two hour increments)

Rally Point: At the Sands Bar and Grill, #38 Macon Road, McDonough, GA (just off the square).