Look Out! Here comes 2012!
After the first month of 2012, every Democrat has reason for both hope and concern. The never-ending debacle of Republican Presidential Debates (I use the term loosely) makes it very clear that “R-Land” is in chaos! The number of “pretenders” has diminished and it is apparent there are only two serious contenders. While Gingrich and Romney engage in the process of each pointing to the other’s weaknesses and spend money as fast as “Citizens United” exploiters can write checks, it becomes more clear each day ... no one really knows what being a Republican means these days!
Our President Obama is now starting to sound more like the Candidate Obama we committed to and elected in 2008. With each public appearance, he gives us hope for change that will endure and the creation of a bright future for all Americans. Whether he is talking about economics, healthcare, education, or homeland security, he makes clear the values we all treasure. He is “on message” and saying the right things. We know the “R-House” will not permit him any accomplishments in the next year, but he is making sure everyone knows who is the problem and source of our anemic recovery. The coming months will make it easy to compare and contrast the candidates for presidential election.
Our pretend Governor also made news last week. Barack Obama, the President of our United States, came to our state to lay out his agenda for renewing our economy and the middle class in an address at the new Intel plant in Chandler. It should have been a time to be proud of being Arizonans and Americans. However, instead of welcoming President Obama with dignity and decency, Brewer engaged him in a face to face encounter that ended with her wagging a finger in the president's face.
She lectured him on how she had "saved" Arizona and presented a letter challenging him to accompany her on a visit to the border. As Andrei Cherney put it, “… if she thinks that what she and the state legislature have done over the past few years is a success story, I'd hate to see a failure." As if “on cue” the Arizona Republican legislators presented new legislation limiting public hearing input in the legislature and eliminating support for Arizona students at our institutions of higher education. Who knows what new distortions of the public interest the coming weeks and months will bring! (Note: Whether you spell it Pearce or Pierce – the result is about the same!)
Politics in the state of Arizona cannot continue to be “more of the same.” In the last session, Arizona’s misguided legislators balanced the budget by mutilating every social service program in sight. Schools, first responders, health care for the needy and children…none of them were left with money enough to survive. Now we know the cuts did more than balance the budget. Now it appears the state will have a surplus for this year. Those same legislators are now deciding which of their favorite causes will be blessed with a windfall – or if the money will be held for a “rainy day.” We know that Arizona is now experiencing a “monsoon” of major proportions. It is already “raining pain and suffering.” Schools are important! Health care is important! Fire and Police protection are important!
With the new district maps on file and awaiting approval, there is hope that it may be easier to elect more Democrats to the Arizona legislature in 2012. However, nothing happens unless we work at it. Too many great Democratic candidates have failed to beat the “R-Factor” in recent elections. That must stop! It is the only way we can bring about “Change WE Can Believe In” for Arizona. You each need to put some “skin in the game” to create a new future for Arizona…top to bottom! Voting is important, but it is not enough!
That’s the Way I See It!
Marv Christensen, Chair
Want to Become Involved in the Foothills Democrats?
Foothills Democrats depends on volunteers to lead the organization. The Board of Directors consists of dedicated people who work together to plan and provide a program for more than 200 active members. Board members are limited to two consecutive terms of service. We elected Carole Pearsall and Ned Dobak as new members of the Board. Mac MacDonald, Mike Sills, and Marv Christensen were elected to new terms. Marv has agreed to serve one more year as Chair for Foothills Democrats. Boyd Mathes, Peter Royers, and Carol Wintermute will enter the 2nd year of their terms on the Board. We will begin the year with eight Board members. The Board may choose to appoint additional members to reach a total not to exceed 11 members.
There is an urgent need to replace retiring Board members. Starting with the New Year, we will need to have a new person to serve as Treasurer and another to serve as Secretary. The bottom line is this…we need at least two additional new Board members who will agree to serve a two year term . If you are interested in serving as a member of the Board, contact me at info@foothillsdemocrats.org and let me know. The Board will consider appointing new members at its next meeting on February 9, 2012. If you have any questions, you can contact me by leaving a message on (480-323-6367).
Please give this challenge your thoughtful and careful consideration. Foothills Democrats will continue only as long as there are volunteers who are willing to give their time and talent to help lead the group.
Marv Christensen, Chair