Progressive Democrat Issue 147

Just to let everyone know, I will skip next week. So this is the last issue of 2007.

Looking back over 2007 the most interesting thing about this newsletter is that readership has shifted a bit. At the beginning of the year readership was growing in the Midwest. Now Midwest readership has largely disappeared while I am getting increasing readership in Georgia, Texas and Virginia. So you might notice a bit more of a focus on these states. New York is still where I have the most readers, followed by Califonia.

Most people I know feel a sense of disappointment about the Democrats this year. The big wins of 2006 gave us so much hope that didn't really materialize in 2007. I share this disappointment, but I am not surprised about it. If there is one thing I have learned progress is very slow in politics. The Democrats DID keep their main promises in the first 100 days...but they never addressed some of the major issues facing us: the Iraq quagmire, impeachment, voting integrity, energy independence, global warming and the practice of torture by America. These are HUGE issues and little progress has been made.

But some progress has been made. Never forget that the vast majority of Democrats vote well on these issues while the vast majority of Republicans do not. All of these issues are now part of our national dialogue where a year ago the Republican led Congress never let them even be discussed. Energy issues in particular have gotten some nice boosts thanks to the Democrats, both nationally and on the state levels. Now that energy independence and global warming are part of our national dialogue since the Democratic takeover of Congress, even some Republicans are taking up the cause. Progress has been painfully slow...but there has been progress.

The main lesson is we can't just fight to elect Democrats. We also have to keep pressure on our own Party to keep the issues that matter to us at the forefront of the nation's agenda. Staying involved within your Party means being VOCAL within your Party, not merely a silent, complacent supporter. Not that you guys need me to tell you that!

Here is this week's newsletter, closing out 2007.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:


BOOK REVIEW: Global Warming: The Last Chance for Change by Paul Brown

A LASTING REFUGE FOR ABUSED WOMEN: Still Working on Saving Pretty Bird Woman House

ANTI-SEMITISM IN AMERICA: Hassan Askari, A hero in New York

NEW YORK STATE FOCUS: Joy and I are co-hosting three fundraisers in January

GEORGIA FOCUS: Groups and Events

TEXAS FOCUS: Groups, Events and Rick Noriega for Senate

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Impeachment, Groups and Events

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Groups and Events

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Groups and Events

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Phonebanking, Groups and Events