Presidential Forum The Main Course Of CIDC General Meeting Sept. 20

By Larry Fox

National politics with a local twist will be included on the “light dinner” menu this coming Thursday the 20th at the Cape and Islands Democratic Council General Membership meeting at the Hyannis Golf Club.
The cash bar opens at 5 p.m., with the general meeting at 6:30. Plus some business…and a heavy diet of politics.

Looking ahead to the 2008 elections, Democrats seeking re-election to the state legislature, plus anyone interested in capturing the Republican-held seat in Sandwich, will be invited to make a kickoff presentation.

And then, as the main course, there will be a Presidential Forum directed by CIDC President Jim Mahoney in which local Democrats—in order drawn by lot—will have the opportunity to pitch their personal candidates.

As of our deadline, here’s the lineup of candidates with confirmed advocates:

• Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton: Thelma Goldstein, CIDC Upper Cape Vice President, or State Representative Sarah Peake of Provincetown;
• Former Senator John Edwards: Etta Goodstein, State Committee member and former Dennis Town Committee chair;
• Congressman Dennis Kucinich: Jim Schneider, member of Sandwich Democratic Town Committee;
• Senator Barack Obama: Kate Singletary of Centerville, former Illinois resident and Democratic activist who worked on Obama’s senatorial campaign and friend of family members
• Governor Bill Richardson: Charles Rader of Chatham, member emeritus of Concord Democratic Town Committee who previously worked on the presidential campaign of the late Paul Tsongas;
  

Still to be determined were an advocate for Senator Joe Biden as well as a probable member of the local Firefighters Union, which nationally has endorsed his candidacy, to speak for Senator Christopher Dodd.

In another matter of interest, Bob Isadore has informed the Executive Board of his decision to step down as Mid-Cape Vice President while retaining his post as Yarmouthport Town Committee chair. A successor may be named at the meeting. Bob also was the CIDC’s Senior Vice President, a position that will be assumed by Lower Cape VP Sheila Lyons.

Dems’ Doings

September 14 – Barbeque & Funraiser for State Representative Sarah Peake, special guest, Congressman Bill Delahunt, 5-7 p.m.,at the home of Ann Maguire & Harriet Gordon, 79 Commercial St., Provincetown. RSVP: 508-487-5694, or sarah@sarahpeake.org.

September 16 - Falmouth Democratic Town committee reception with Congressman Bill Delahunt and Senate President Therese Murray, 5-7 p.m.,the Flying Bridge, Falmouth, $25 suggested donation, contact Susan Kingwill, jkingwill32@yahoo.com.

September 17 - Dennis Democratic Town Committee Meeting with new party chair John Walsh, Dennis Senior Center, 7 p.m. business, 7:30, General Meeting. Contact: Pat Bresnahan, scargobarb@aol.com, or 508 385-9515.

September 19 – Democratic State Committee Meeting, Lenzi’s Millhouse, Dracut, www.massdems.org for details.

September 20 - Cape & Islands Democratic Council General Membership Meeting/Candidates’ kickoff, Hyannis Golf Club, 6:30 p.m., light dinner, cash bar beginning 5 p.m., Contact: Jim Mahoney, jemmah@aol.com or Kathy Ohman, kathy@capeandislandsdemocrats.com.

September 30 – Barack Obama fundraiser, Long Dell Inn, Centerville, 3-5 p.m., outdoor Octoberfest reception, featured speaker Brown University Head Basketball Coach Craig Robinson (brother of Michelle Obama), donation levels $100, $250 and $500, for information 508-775-2750 or stay@longdellinn.com

October 6 - Brewster Democratic Town Committee Meeting with Representative Cleon Turner, Brewster Council on Aging, 10 a.m., Howard Bender, Town Chair, @ hsbender@earthlink.net

October 17 – Falmouth Democratic Town Committee & Joint Upper Cape/CIDC meeting,  6:30 p.m., Gus Canty Recreation Center, Contact Susan Kingwill, 508 540-8689 or skingwill1@yahoo.com

October 27 - Brewster Democratic Town Committee Meeting with Ed Lewis, Chair of the Brewster Board of Selectmen, Brewster Council on Aging, 10 a.m., Howard Bender, Town Chair, @ hsbender@earthlink.net

October 27 – Dennis Democratic Town Committee Annual Wine Tasting, 5-7 p.m., at the home of Pat & Barbara Bresnahan, 905 Main St. (behind the Red Pheasant), $20, contact Pat Bresnahan, 508 385-9515, scargobarb@aol.com.

November 3 - Falmouth Democratic Town Committee Biennial Brunch, Coonamessett Inn, Falmouth, 11 a.m., $30,. Silent Auction. Speaker TBA. Contact Chair Susan Kingwill with questions @ skingwill1@yahoo.com, or 508 540-8689

November 13 - Democratic State Committee meeting, watch www.massdems.org  for details

Ongoing Events Towards Bringing Our Troops Home
Anti-war vigil in Falmouth at the Main St PO every Saturday from 11-12.
Bring a candle or a sign and stand out for ending the war in Iraq.
 
Remaining Calendar for Democratic Committee Elections
November 16, 2007 - Last day for Registrars to complete certification of nomination papers.
November 20, 2007 - Last day to file Democratic Committee nomination papers with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
March 4, 2008 - Presidential Primary and election of Democratic Committee members.
April 4-13, 2008 - Window for Committees to organize.

PARTY INFORMATION:
Massachusetts Democratic Party
56 Roland Street Suite 203 Boston, MA 02129
The Sullivan Square stop on the Orange line is a two-minute walk to the office.
Tel: 617-776-2676
Fax: 617-776-2579

The Prez—Where Do We Go From Here?

Fellow Democrats:

In my younger years friends came from all different walks of life. There was that rare occasion I would say about one of my friends, “Boy, is that kid’s father loaded!” meaning he seemed to have a lot of money. I never placed him in a different category because of his Dad’s monetary status…and neither did my friend. Might I also say, after all these years and all that has happened to us, I can call him for any type of assistance and he’ll respond immediately.
Americans throughout our history have considered themselves a classless society. A white collar professional and a blue collar warehouse supervisor could live as neighbors. Each would respect the other for who they are and what they do. Now it seems more and more that individuals rank each other by class and use no other definition. 

We’ve gone from a “God bless America” to a “God bless me” and this reverts back to the “great” conservative revolution of the mid 80’s.

We have CEO’s making embarrassing amounts of salary and stock options without even a glimmer of a conscience. We have a decimated blue collar workforce without health care or union representation. Union membership is at an all-time low of approximately 10 percent. Interestingly, the last time membership was that low was just prior to the great depression. I don’t want to jump to any conclusions; I’m just stating a fact.

As Democrats slowly cut into the leadership domination of Republicans in Washington and across our great nation, it’s time for us to look in the mirror and decide where do we go from here, and exactly what do we stand for in regards to our fellow Americans.

Although it’s difficult for us to admit, the gap is also widening in our own ranks. We have extremely wealthy and extremely poor Democrats with a spattering of middle class.

I certainly don’t have the answers, only ideas as we all do.
Therefore it’s time to fight for our Democratic values. Put on the gloves, no more Mr. Nice Guy, and define the Republicans for what they really are, the party of the disenfranchised. 

As in the movie “Network,” it’s time for us to lean out of our windows and scream, “We’re not going to take it anymore!”

There are so many good people on the Cape who feel it’s all too hopeless, so why even bother. But all they need is a Democrat like you…and you…to step forward and tell them that there can be change, and they can be part of that change. The current domestic reign of embarrassing non-leadership must and will end. And it will happen with the support of the people like themselves.

Talk to your neighbors, talk to your friends, talk to people you meet on the street, all they need is a little prodding to return them to the fold. Don’t forget to mention your town Democratic committee and recruit them for 2008.

With best regards,
Jim Mahoney, President, CIDC