Alexandria Young Democrats
About the Author
The goal of our organization is to further the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party, while promoting the election of the party’s candidates for public office at all levels. We also work to encourage the involvement of young people in civic and political affairs and to promote harmony and fellowship with one another.
In order to meet our goal of supporting the ideals of the Democratic Party, the Alexandria Young Democrats participate in community volunteer events, perform acts of philanthropy for city groups, educate our members about our local communities, mobilize and elect Democrats during election time, and provide social functions and activities for our members throughout the year by hosting monthly group gatherings.
True to the Democratic spirit, we welcome all interested parties to join our ranks. While our official membership is open to individuals 13 to 39, we welcome anyone who considers themselves "young at heart".
GARNER - About 10 years ago, I interviewed a Southern Baptist seminary-educated minister who was pastor of a Carrboro church. A strong proponent of the Second Amendment, that pastor told me the day might come when American Christians might have to take up arms against the state.His comments, published in The Chapel Hill News, didn't as much as raise an eyebrow at the time. No federal agents asked to listen to the tape recording of my interview with the pastor. Times have changed. Two of the Raleigh U.S. Attorney's claims against alleged terror suspect Daniel Patrick Boyd are that he made "radical statements" and that "he urged the group of young Muslims to raise money and learn how to handle weapons to prepare for a violent jihad by insurgents and fighters overseas." My young children got to know Boyd when he was proprietor of the Blackstone Market, a small grocery store Boyd co-owned and managed in Garner's Forest Hills Shopping Center.
My children said Boyd "was really nice and funny." He gave them discounts when they didn't have enough money to pay for a piece of baklava or a nectar drink. My children were sad when Blackstone closed. The government, however, is painting a very different picture of Boyd, calling him the mastermind of a terrorist cell bent on waging a holy war. Read More »
My children said Boyd "was really nice and funny." He gave them discounts when they didn't have enough money to pay for a piece of baklava or a nectar drink. My children were sad when Blackstone closed. The government, however, is painting a very different picture of Boyd, calling him the mastermind of a terrorist cell bent on waging a holy war. Read More »
The current situation in Mexico merits significant attention. Not only has violence been ravaging the streets of multiple Mexican streets, but the violence is crossing the border into the United States and claiming the lives of innocent Americans. We need to actively pursue a means of securing the borer and ensuring that violence in Mexico does not spill over into our country. Furthermore, if he United States is going to serve as a hegemony, than we need to let our presence be known to our neighbors. We need to increase the pressure on Mexican authorities to better regulate their country and to quell violence. We also need to prevent the sale of guns to individuals who have criminal records, no citizenship, and who have not passed a thorough background check. If we fail to act now, bloodshed will become a reality in American cities.
This demographic is often overlooked, unappreciated, and definitely underfunded. Non-profit and community based organizations carry out the work in the local communities that is most helpful to the residents of the neighborhood. It is these organizations that have the time to provide individual attention for the American citizens in need. It is therefore imperative that politicians take into account the importance of having these institutions working in the community, and provide adequate funding and support. Often, these organizations carry out the work that city and state governments cannot be bothered to do, and the federal government would never undertake. These organizations need better funding in order to continue to provide the vast number of different services that they provide for local citizens. Without adequate funding, the organizations will have no choice but to lay-off employees, reduce available services, and unfortunately some will cease to exist. If this becomes the case, these organizations will take with them the services they provide for the community, and who will then step up to fill that void in our most hard-hit communities?
I hope that the new stimulus plan results in available money for the institutions and the people who are committed to ensuring an economic recovery actually occurs. Handing out money to organizations that refuse to put these finances to good use will only worsen the situation. We need to ensure that organizations like non-profit organizations, are receiving adequate funding in order to maintain the same high level of work in the local communities they service. These are the organizations that merit financial support, for they service the people at no cost and truly believe in helping the individuals who come into their offices. Handing money o these greedy organizations that do not but gobble it up and pay lucrative salaries to employees who serve the wealthy, goes against the intended purpose of this economic plan. I believe that President Obama needs to ensure that money is disseminated and put to use. Lets move away from the notion of "trickle-down" economics and move into the future with social-economic policies that better the lives of Americans and limit corporate greed. Big business cannot be the only concern of America. Whether we are red or blue, the most important color right now is green because it represents food, shelter, and livelihood. This plan needs to get green in the hands of those who need it most, not those who created this problem in the first place.
How long exactly are we going to remain on the ground in Iraq? Are we ever going to provide the necessary shift of troop strength from Iraq to Afghanistan? When are we going to allow the international community to take a greater role in affairs that are closer to their side of the world?
Essentially, I am interested in knowing if any changes in our foreign policy are going to take place or are we continuing failed policy. If we continue to ignore the issues that exist on a domestic level, choosing instead to focus on the international community, how are we ever going to rectify our problems here at home? Should we resign ourselves to a worldwide "policing" role? The last time I was abroad, which was fairly recent, I didn't get the sentiment that other nations were calling out for our assistance. Those that were, they needed aid, not military presence.
Essentially, I am interested in knowing if any changes in our foreign policy are going to take place or are we continuing failed policy. If we continue to ignore the issues that exist on a domestic level, choosing instead to focus on the international community, how are we ever going to rectify our problems here at home? Should we resign ourselves to a worldwide "policing" role? The last time I was abroad, which was fairly recent, I didn't get the sentiment that other nations were calling out for our assistance. Those that were, they needed aid, not military presence.
I believe that the "shoe throwing" incident was a great example of the sentiment most Iraqi citizens have for our outgoing president and the wonderful decision he made over five years ago involving their country. The frustration of the Iraqi people is not easily dismissed by saying: "that guy has the right to do what he did because we brought freedom to their country." Did we? Even if we did, was it our place to invade a nation on the other side of the world for unfounded reasons and illegal justifications? I am sure many believe in the notion of America being the "protector of international community." I for one do not believe in this role and push others to move away from the notion, choosing instead to focus on the numerous domestic issues that merit our immediate attention.
Oh, one more thing, it was a shame that the journalist lacked the aim to plant one in between the eyes of Bush, that would have made for classic viral video material.
Oh, one more thing, it was a shame that the journalist lacked the aim to plant one in between the eyes of Bush, that would have made for classic viral video material.
Crime Reducttion Act
Gun Shops and Liquor Stores
Gun shops and liquor stores need to be closed in neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States. This plan will help reduce crime and violence in the United States. Liquor should only be sold in liquor stores.
Curfews
Curfews need to be set in the Spring to 5PM. Curfews need to be set in the summer to 7PM. Curfews need to be set in the fall and winter at 4PM. The curfews need to be activated for individuals under the age of twenty-one.
Law Enforcement
It needs to be more law enforcement and police officers on the streets in all communities and neighborhoods for the next ten years and more. I support providing $350 million in funding for law enforcement and police officers for over ten years. I do not banning assault weapons. Law enforcement and police officers need to be placed at more elementary, high schools and college campuses. Law enforcement needs to play a serious role for preventing and solving crimes. I believe thugs, drug dealers, hoolums and crackheads belong and need to be in jail and off the streets permanently. Also, rapists, robbers, murderers and burglars need to be in jail or given capital punishment.
Economic Security
Law enforcement and police officers need to start patrolling the streets in communities, educational institutions and public places immediately. More security need to be provided at educational institutions, supermarkets, strip and mega malls, office buildings, train stations, convenient stores, banks and financial institutions, restaurants and retail sores. I support approximately 50,000 police officers on the streets in each congressional district to keep neighborhoods and communities safer from crimes.
Gun Shops and Liquor Stores
Gun shops and liquor stores need to be closed in neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States. This plan will help reduce crime and violence in the United States. Liquor should only be sold in liquor stores.
Curfews
Curfews need to be set in the Spring to 5PM. Curfews need to be set in the summer to 7PM. Curfews need to be set in the fall and winter at 4PM. The curfews need to be activated for individuals under the age of twenty-one.
Law Enforcement
It needs to be more law enforcement and police officers on the streets in all communities and neighborhoods for the next ten years and more. I support providing $350 million in funding for law enforcement and police officers for over ten years. I do not banning assault weapons. Law enforcement and police officers need to be placed at more elementary, high schools and college campuses. Law enforcement needs to play a serious role for preventing and solving crimes. I believe thugs, drug dealers, hoolums and crackheads belong and need to be in jail and off the streets permanently. Also, rapists, robbers, murderers and burglars need to be in jail or given capital punishment.
Economic Security
Law enforcement and police officers need to start patrolling the streets in communities, educational institutions and public places immediately. More security need to be provided at educational institutions, supermarkets, strip and mega malls, office buildings, train stations, convenient stores, banks and financial institutions, restaurants and retail sores. I support approximately 50,000 police officers on the streets in each congressional district to keep neighborhoods and communities safer from crimes.
Healthcare Act
Presription Drugs
I support negotiations for prescription drug costs in the United States. Democrats in Congress need to lower costs of prescription drugs. The Democratic Party need to reduce and freeze the costs for prescription drugs for over ten years.
Medicare, Medicaid and Hospital Bills
Democrats in congress need to lower costs of Medicare, Medicaid and hospital bills by seventy-five percent in the United States to provide more affordable and quality healthcare for every man woman and child. I support Health and Human Service funding of $118 million for over ten years minus wasteful earmarks to keep the healthcare industry fully-funded. Hospital bills need to be reduced by fifty percent for over ten years. Also, Democrars need to eliminate co-payments for doctor visits permanently. The United States need more affordable HMO and PPO healthcare for all Americans and senior citizens. PPO and EPO healthcare need to be reduced by fifty percent for every man, woman and child in the United States.
Presription Drugs
I support negotiations for prescription drug costs in the United States. Democrats in Congress need to lower costs of prescription drugs. The Democratic Party need to reduce and freeze the costs for prescription drugs for over ten years.
Medicare, Medicaid and Hospital Bills
Democrats in congress need to lower costs of Medicare, Medicaid and hospital bills by seventy-five percent in the United States to provide more affordable and quality healthcare for every man woman and child. I support Health and Human Service funding of $118 million for over ten years minus wasteful earmarks to keep the healthcare industry fully-funded. Hospital bills need to be reduced by fifty percent for over ten years. Also, Democrars need to eliminate co-payments for doctor visits permanently. The United States need more affordable HMO and PPO healthcare for all Americans and senior citizens. PPO and EPO healthcare need to be reduced by fifty percent for every man, woman and child in the United States.
I am undecided for the Democratic budget resolution. I do not aupport raising taxes for Americans that make $42,000/year or more.
Semocrats in congress have been blunder on the Iraq War in 11oth Congress. The American people should be voting out the Democratic incumbebts and vote for new Democrats in the Primaries in the 50 states. The current incumbents need to be voted out including Nacy Pelosi. As an undergraduate student that is pusuing a law and political career, I have been supporting an Iraq War exit strategy since January 2007. The turmoil of the stock market caused a lose of millions Americans 401K retirement savings and investments. Its time for a change in America. I give Nancy Pelosi and harry Reid a D- for handling the Iraq War. We need to end this war in Iraq and Congress need to do it now. I support cutting the funding for the Iraq War. Congress need to start urging Presidcnt Bush to start bringing us TROOPS HOME now. Ending the Iraq War will restore the economy.
On June 6th, 2008 the average price of gasoline across the nation rose to $4 per gallon. “There’s nothing worse for our economy than surging energy prices at record highs,†said Mark Zandi, Chief Economist for Moodys.com. What do Jesse James and Big Oil have in common? Nothing if you believe the legends of Jesse James, who supposedly robbed from the rich and distributed his ill gotten gains to the poor. Big Oil robs from all of us and keeps the ill gotten gains for themselves. Read More »
The Republican Party of Virginia was going to require voters in the Republican Presidential primary in February to sign a pledge stating that they would support whomever the eventual Republican nominee was in November. After facing a significant amount of criticism over the decision, however, the decision was just reversed at a party retreat.
Of course the party isn't using the public criticism of requiring a loyalty pledge as the reason for the reversal, but the fact that the Democrats are also going to be holding their Presidential primary on the same day. According to the AP article, GOP leaders argue that this means there is less likely to be Democrats or Independents trying to influence the outcome of the Republican primary.
This logic, however, doesn't make very much sense because it has been known for quite some time that February 12 was the likely date for the Virginia Democrats to hold their primary for at least 8 months now. Therefore, the Republican leaders shouldn't be having this sudden realization that Democrats have their own primary that day. In other words, this is just another example of how some members of the Republican leadership in Virginia simply don't know how to be straight forward and honest with the public.
Of course the party isn't using the public criticism of requiring a loyalty pledge as the reason for the reversal, but the fact that the Democrats are also going to be holding their Presidential primary on the same day. According to the AP article, GOP leaders argue that this means there is less likely to be Democrats or Independents trying to influence the outcome of the Republican primary.
This logic, however, doesn't make very much sense because it has been known for quite some time that February 12 was the likely date for the Virginia Democrats to hold their primary for at least 8 months now. Therefore, the Republican leaders shouldn't be having this sudden realization that Democrats have their own primary that day. In other words, this is just another example of how some members of the Republican leadership in Virginia simply don't know how to be straight forward and honest with the public.
As some of you may already know, there is a special election today in Virginia. The race is for the right to represent Virginia's 1st Congressional District after Rep. Jo Ann Davis passed away earlier in the year. Although Democrat Phil Forgit is a great candidate and has really rallied his supporters, this is a heavily republican district so his supporters will really have to turn out if we hope to take over this seat.
There is an open thread taking place over at Daily Kos and at Raising Kaine (Virginia's top group blog).
As the primary season for the 2008 presidential election is rapidly approaching, I began to wonder what each candidate might do if he or she did not become the next President of the United States. More specifically, I wondered which candidates would still hold public office and therefore made up the following list which refers to how much time each candidate would have left in their current terms after the 2008 elections.
Term Ends in 2008What stood out the most to me is the fact that there are only two Republican candidates -- Senators Sam Brownback and John McCain -- who would remain in office if the weren't elected President. On the other hand, there are only two Democrats currently serving in office who would not hold public office if they lost the presidential election. Furthermore, none of the front-runners from either side of the aisle would lose their jobs if they didn't win the presidency.
Sen. Joe Biden, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Rep. Ron Paul, Rep. Tom Tancredo, Rep. Duncan Hunter
Two years left after 2008
Sen. Sam Brownback, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. John McCain, Sen. Barack Obama, Gov. Bill Richardson
Four years left after 2008
Sen. Hillary Clinton
Not currently in office
John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Gravel, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson
Now does this information really mean anything when it comes to the election? Probably not, but one could argue that the people risking their position in public office might have an added incentive to win. Nonetheless, it is a rather interesting tibit of information to look at.
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