BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

Could Obama Fall Victim to a Change We Can't Believe in?

At this point Obama's presidency could go either way - he can either become one of the greatest presidents this country has ever known, or go down as an exciting experiment that went bad. It's all up to how he handles the expectations of Independents.   Read More »

Well, it has been about Eight months since my last post and a lot has changed since then. I did vote for President Obama and I do not regret that decision. But not everything has gone according to plan since his inauguration in January.   Read More »

CNN's Republican strategist Alex Castellanos published a commentary this week in which he claimed the President is not living up to his promise of Change, and - in a remarkably childish "I'm rubber you're glue" moment - went so far as to boast that the 2012 GOP message will be "Change."

Funny, Mr. Castellanos, it appears that the GOP has been obstructing every major effort for Change since Obama was elected. How convenient for you, then, to claim he isn't bringing "Change" about!

That kind of reminds me of a kid stealing a baseball and then claiming he should be captain of the team because no one can hit a home run! Kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, eh Mr. Castellanos?

But of course Castellanos is intelligent enough to realize this. Castellanos ("Father of the Modern Attack Ad") is only doing what he does best: making disingenuous arguments.

Let's take a look at some of the other boilerplate arguments Castellanos and other Republicans have been using:

Obama is "Increasing the size of the US Government" - I wonder if Castellanos realizes it was a Republican president who oversaw the last big increase. Take a look at this Wikipedia page on the Federal Budget and you will notice that George Bush oversaw a 38.7 precent (1.2 Trillion Dollars!) increase in spending during his two terms. And most of this tax money spent on an unnecessary war.

Now think about this: While increasing the budget, George Bush redistributed wealth to the richest - the same Wall Street Execs and Bankers we now see getting outrageous bonuses. If these guys are getting all the tax breaks, then who is paying for all the war? The rest of us.

Obama is increasing George Bush's budget by 13.8 percent. This increased spending is due largely to the huge rescue packages for those same bankers and insurance companies who benefited so much for George Bush. You can't blame Obama for getting stuck with George Bush's tab!

Besides deflecting blame from themselves, what republicans are really mad about is not the size of the budget, but what we will be spending it on: Education, Energy Reform, Healthcare Reform, and Jobs. This is the Change the American People demanded in the last election.

Republicans want to use government as a police force and friend of the rich. Dems believe in the government intended by our founders: to maintain a healthy and productive Country. Our founders had no problem with the government they created, why do Republicans seem to hate it so much?

We should expect more of these rubber-stamp Republicans employing the same tactic as Alex Castellanos: stand in the way of Change, then point the finger at President Obama for not living up to his election promises. Simultaneously, they offer no no new ideas, instead preferring to recycle the same ones that got us into this mess.

It appears that the GOP has fallen back on their old ways: when you don't have anything new to offer, repeat the same lies about the opposition until people start to believe it... and that doesn't bode well for the GOP in 2012, because people have become wise to their ways and the electorate is much smarter now than they were in 2000 and 2004.

Good luck MR Castellanos, your party is going to need it!

Even though I live in Oklahoma, I am so excited about my new found place in the world! Things are happening and I get to be a part of it even if it is a small part! I think it may be even more exciting living in OK, because there is so much opportunity to make a difference and change things! Hopefully great things will happen here too! Peace!

One year ago in the depth of winter, when hope was mocked and change called illusion, I wrote the following to my fellow-baby-boomers, encouraging them not to lose heart, but to remember 1968.

The occasion was the Democratic Party primaries which were becoming increasingly murderous. Now, after the celebration of our history and the struggle for justice that became an Inauguration this past week I thought it worthwhile to look at it again. . . .
-------------------------------------------------------   Read More »

Here is a little about me!

Well, Im Nalini Singh. I was born in a town called Plainfield, New Jersey and I lived in South Plainfield New Jersey until I was four years old. My parents were immigrants from Guyana in South America. They have been in this country since the early 70s. I’m pretty proud of my birthday as I am born the day after Saint Patrick’s Day. It is the best birthday to have really, at midnight on St Patty’s Day everyone is drunk and buys you a free shot for your birthday. I share a birthday with my sister that is two years younger than I am so thats a little odd also. I am so glad we moved from New Jersey because I really dont like it there!

Our family moved to Southern California and resided there until I was eleven. We then moved to a small town called Pleasant Grove, Utah, which is where I consider my hometown to be. I love Utah, the mountains, the Mormons, the air. Tap water in Utah is better than most bottled water you might drink. I miss my friendly neighbors and kind friends but I know we are always still together.
My senior year in high school my family moved, once again, to sunny Florida. I hated it. I moved back to Utah in the middle of the year to graduate. Rather than completing my college degree and using my awesome scholarship, I blew it all to get engaged. Big mistake. I never married the guy and moved back to Florida with my parents to start again. When I did I began working in automotive sales, something that I am still doing to this day. I moved to Tampa in early 2002 and made a home for myself in Clearwater two years ago.



Though I have bounced from company to company, my dream has always been the same. I have always wished to pursue a career in historical fiction. I have been writing for over ten years. I think my stories have inspired me to keep on pursuing my dream. I think I needed to take the steps that I did to mature as a person before I could make this change to writing as a career. It has not been easy but it has been worth it. After leaving my job this summer I decided to freelance write and push my books forward onto publishing. It was sooner rather than later that I received an approval from a publisher who is interested in publishing my book, “The Girl Player,� this year.

I have always written historical fiction about family dynasties and their role in American history. I love history, as it was my major in college, and I will continue to explore this avenue. I seem to have found some early success in the comedic side of my writing. After loosing my job this year I decided to pursue a different avenue and wrote, “The Girl Player.� While I think it is the silliest thing that I have every written it seems to have some commercial vitality that will carry me to more serious writing in my future.

I created this website to focus strictly on my historical writings, as I do have many. However, nal4america is not just about America and history, it is about me and my life and what I have done to allow myself this opportunity to finally have a career doing something that I love with all of my heart. I hope that you can see what I believe to be my heart and soul. If you can feel what I feel in what I write then maybe we have more in common than just websites. Please take a look at my work and let me know what you think, all is welcome!

Thanks!



â€"Nalini :)

Dear Friends,

As posted on http://forum.lubbockonline.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/3468: Go to the proof of the F=(b-d)-(b[R]-d[R]) evolutionary fitness function on www.matrix-evolutions.com starting at Equation 60, the proof of everything we are saying about the torture controlled, thought controlled NaziJesusLand quagmire we live in whose truth is hidden with hypocritical prattling, whose history is twisted and which must be gotten rid of using civil disobedience in every form possible.

Greetings,

Although The Grassroots Democracy Group was not approved for the inaugural Parade, we were however, awarded Media Credentials to cover the Swearing-In Ceremony of President Elect Barack Obama at January 20, 2009's Inauguration. The Grassroots Democracy Group proposes the "Rebirth of Democracy" through the election of Barack Obama. We look forward to, and support the kind of "change" that is woven within the very fibers of what constitutes "America", yet lost in the sea of immoralities and greed. In support of the "Rebirth of Democracy", Congratulations America! Stay focused and resist divisive tactics... "Let's keep our eyes on the prize"! "Democracy", the voice and will of ALL its people!

Regards,

The Grassroots Democracy Group

Seeking Thoughts… Please, respond if you have the opportunity.

What is the Difference between a Government whose laws do not respect religion, and a Government whose laws respect religion?

It would seem that the laws need to be broken down in order to determine the truth. Between those who do, and those who don’t. Sounds pretty simple, except there are a lot of Governments who do respect religion, and very few that do not. (Including our own)

Religion isn’t just about what God you believe in. If that were the case, then I think it would be obvious to say that everyone believes in God, and some do not believe a God exists. But if you think of God as nature itself, then everyone would believe in God, because I don’t think nature is a deniability. So now, assuming God IS nature, responsible for life itself… Creating the heaven and the Earth, animal and man, etc. etc.   Read More »

So...what is “Democracy�? The literature postulates that ancient Athens, Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the Mayflower Compact, and John Locke are the sources of the US constitution. Moreover, the British philosopher, John Locke (1632-1704), among other notables, has postulate that people are the driving force of nations, not the rulers. He contended that people are born with inalienable rights, such as “life, liberty and property.� How is it then that government and others are allowed to oppose or challenge said rights of consensual beings? Although I object to the comparison of humanity (i.e., Slavery or The Holocaust and the right to exist in equality of other beings), the rights of consensual adults choosing their mates is simply that…their right. Don’t we have pressing issues to tend to in our Nation???? Let’s pursuit the “change� this nation needs with a vengeance, and stay out of the bedrooms of others. -The Grassroots Democracy Group - Vera

Weeks have now passed since the historic election between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. Through the course of twenty-one months, Americans seemed to become more aware of their rights, and the responsibilities of their government. Those who felt that their voices could not be heard were vindicated on election night by one Senator, and to those who felt their voices were ignored listened to the concession speech of the opposing Senator. Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of many Americans, and the world appeared to take a sigh of relief as the final tallies came in.

Now, weeks later, the media is flooded with reports of transition teams, bailouts that have received makeovers, and two parties not sure where to go from here. Yet, the American people have gone back to their lives, turning off CNN & Fox News Stations as they pass by the newsstands in the mornings, focusing their attentions on what their lives were �Pre-Election�. Meanwhile local governments are having their city council meetings, county commissioners meetings and playing again to pre-election crowds�empty houses.

I pose this question: Will Americans take care of business, and take back an active role in their local governments.

As I worked through the election, I met so many people who had never voted before, did not know who their local Representatives were, and at times were not even aware what precincts they lived in. One might wonder, are all the mishandling in Washington only the faults of the Representatives their, or is the constituents who have neglected their responsibilities of staying informed & staying involved. With the wide use of the Internet, and information fingertips away, it is brought to my attention that over the last eight years, the American people have purposely neglected their responsibility of staying abreast of the actions regarding the local governments they elect. As a result, the local leaders have no way of accurately representing their constituents, thus you have a massive amount of neglect within several sectors of the cities accross America.

Consequently, this creates a trickle-up effect, of misrepresentation. Those elected to the county, state, and federal positions, only speak for those who have allowed their voices to be heard through their votes. With the battle-cry of �Change� coming from both sides of the isles, it was difficult to understand the change that was promised. Whereas �Change� taking place in Washington, I am a staunch believer that �Change� must take place in the City Halls and Soup Kitchens all across America. Whereas people once questioned the purpose of the Electoral College, we saw in this election, that if the constituents play an active role in being informed and involved that the Electoral College correlates with the voice of the American People.

So, now that the anticipation of election night is gone, will Americans go back to the complacency of yesteryear which has consequently landed us in the worst shape this country has seen in decades, or will Americans take care of business, and hold up to their responsibilities of being informed and involved? You be the answer! Vote for Democracy

Let's put aside political differences for one moment, and forget the historical significance of race in the election results. What we have collectively accomplished as a country is beyond comparison to any political move in the history of this country. Seems a little drastic right? Nevertheless, how else can you explain bring ing in youth and intelligence into the highest office in the nation for the first time since the 1960's? Even then we were still taking baby steps towards change and hoping that we would make ripples in the water, not tidal waves. That is precisely what we have accomplished with the election of Barack Obama. Positive change that will ripple through the social establishment and bring forth the dawning of a new era of political representation in this great nation. Power no longer rests in the hands of the "old guard" who has for too long ruled this nation with great disconnect and disregard for the common people. President Obama is just the beginning, the face of the revolution. The great changes are still yet to come, in development, and on its way. We are finally on our way to establishing rule OF the people. The right direction is not somewhere you turn, but the direction you follow a great leader in; that leader is Barack Obama.

We don�t need politicians with ideas imported that are more pertinent else where, nor the self-serving blue dogs nor red dogs dogmas though there is need for proactive Democratic Party presence. A proactive Democratic Party presence that is not confined but is regional and permanent in nature which will not be achieved with any short term approach.   Read More »

First off, to kick things off at my new home here at Democrats.org... WOOHOO! A little late in my cheers for President-elect Obama's victory, but I suppose it's better late than never. I'm late to the game here, and besides, I've had school work to do. Reading to do. Which I'm still catching up on. Ah ha...

Unfortunately, the news was tempered here in Tennessee with the news that the Republicans steamrolled their way into winning majorities of both houses of the state General Assembly. When the 107th General Assembly convenes, it will consist of a 19-14 Republican majority in the Senate and 50-49 majority in the house.

Ouch.   Read More »

There really isn't a lot left to say as we head into the final 24 hours of the campaign. First, and most important, Kelly, Amanda and I want to thank everyone who has helped in any way with the campaign. The one thing I will take away from this experience, regardless of the outcome on Tuesday, is the people I've met, the communities I've visited and the stories we've shared.

It has also been encouraging how many people have stepped up over the last 2 weeks to help with donations to the campaign. Once our opponent got desperate and decided to go negative there were many people and organizations who stepped up and sent in late donations. These late donations allowed us to expand our media advertising and create a second TV ad to combat the distortions coming from our opponent's campaign.   Read More »

1. If you have voted early or voted absentee, call your county Board Of Elections and make sure your vote will be counted.

2. If you plan on voting November 4th, make sure that your precinct and your voting location is running smoothly.

3. If the Board Of Elections is lying to you or you feel like they aren't being 100% honest, ask them again the previous questions of whether your vote did come in, ask if they have it on record.

4. In light of point 3, if they hesitate or deny, it helps to reference the ACLU and say ( and know) you will be taken seriously.

5. If you encounter a glitch with your voting machine, report it to your poll workers. It is their job to fix it and steer you out of it.

6. If the poll worker refuses to do their job, then, by all means, talk to their supervisor and call your county.


These points will help stop voter suppression. We let it get away with us in 2000 and 2004, and accountability must be respected and preserved for the sake of democracy.

Oh, I forgot to mention, if you know how to contact your state's electoral college, remind those who belong to it of their Constitutional duty. They seem to have forgotten about that recently.


VOTE FOR CHANGE!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08!

What am I? Am I really (GASP!) a democrat?

My story begins 12 years ago on a wood porch, overlooking an Indiana sky.

"Rebuke the devil and all his works! Cast the spirit of Jezebel out of you!", my mother screamed at me.

This is how I was introduced to God. My mother was in mortal combat with my soul. I had to sit, terrified that I would go to hell, promising that I would accept God into my life and that I would no longer go down the destructive path of my former days. At 14. The week before, I had gotten in trouble for smoking on school campus. My best friends proceeded to tell my mother that I had also been smoking pot that day, before class. I was still not used to my mothers fairly recent alliance with Jesus.

I sat, with tears streaming down my face, next to my mother, and a gentleman that was a deacon at her new church. A church that had people rolling on the ground and jumping in the air for Christ...not the Presbyterian and Methodist influence that my grandmothers had introduced me to at a young age....but something quite....different.

And thus it began. I started my 10th grade year at a Christian highschool (it was either that or an all girls school). The 25 people in my class were very welcoming. They even said "hello" to me. I finished my highschool career with out one real acquaintance from the three years I spent there. It always struck me that out of 25 people in our graduating class, how 3 girls were pregnant. Seemed a strange ratio at the time. And not at all conducive to the strong conservative viewpoints of the baptist minister that ran the school.

I thought that I was right for assuming that now, since God was on my side, I was supposed to walk in his ways. I did. I tried. I wanted to. But, the question always came back to me-"Why am I the only one that cares?"

I moved out of my parents house and moved in with two older girls. One in college, and one teaching 10th grade English. I went to school, I worked 60 hrs a week, and I went to church 2 times a week. I also still wasn't a true enough Christian, in my parents eyes. I tried to shrug this off, and foraged my way through my new adulthood with my still rooted values of "do good, think good, be good". I voted for Bush in 2000 (at the behest of the church), and in 2004 (at the behest of myself...I thought we needed a "real man" in the office, not some liberal French guy), and thought I finally understood my values and opinions.

Until I met my husband. At first, I thought he was a liberal hottie. I knew he was intelligent, but my Bush loyalties ran deep. I would run to Bush's' defense every time it was brought up. Political values were not the biggest part of our relationship, and we married last October. That November, though, my eye was drawn to several members of the democratic party that were vying for the presidency in 2008.

"Why do these people speak to my situation????", my head screamed. The more I watched, the more the Bush facade crumbled around me.

It was then I realized-I wasn't following my own ideals. I was following the ideals of that terrifed 14 year old on the porch of her parents house.

Slowly, but surely, I started realizing that my values, morals, and beliefs were not solely tied to "Christian", or "Non-Christian". Those arguments didn't even hold water now. I was an adult, with adult responsibilities. I realized that my whole set of core values was false. I did not put enough faith into my own ideals, so I leeched off of a scary moment in my life that "brought me around".

I felt free. I felt hope. I felt pride in myself...for the first time in my life.

I know that a certain amount of sneaky underhanded-ness comes with any person elected into official office. (Thank you, Doug) But, I am tired of trying to please my parents, my church and my false sense of "belonging". I know that Mr.Obama and I do not agree on everything...he is not me. Nor do I want Jennifer to run for the presidency. She is not smart enough. She has not been enough places, met enough people, or done enough for her country that this great man has done. I don't want to look at a candidate and see a mirror image. I want to look at the future president and see hope..life..the bright future for our (not yet born) children.

And with some humbleness, I finally found out who "Jennifer" is....

She is a proud democrat.

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

Is a Black President Too Much Change for America to Bear?

Ok, let’s drop the nonsense and be real, here. If Barack Obama was White, he’d be at least twenty points ahead of John McCain in every major poll in the country. His election would have been so certain by now that Michelle would have already been sent the keys to the White House--and we all know it.

By any indicator--intellect, character, prudence, demeanor, or competence--Barack Obama is clearly not only head and shoulders above John McCain, but he’s one of the most impressive presidential candidates in the history of this nation. So what American voters have to decide at this pivotal point in our history, is how much do they truly love America. It’s time that we really embrace this question, instead of simply paying lip service to it.   Read More »

It is go time, we have less than two months until the election's.

Your County Democrat's office needs your help.

1. Making Phone calls.
2. Canvassing.
3. Data Entry.
4. Poll watchers
5. Putting packets together.
6. Driving seniors and disabled to the polls.

DO YOUR PART AND WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!!!!....

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH THIS GROUP. LINK BELOW.

http://www.democrats.org/page/group/PartyBuilderVolunteerActionGroup

Thank you
Micheal