Someone I greatly respect recently made me think about what it means to be a Democrat in this mostly red state. His response to my support of moderate Republicans in my recent blog made think about the best way to build the Democratic Party. Do we close our primaries and only support candidates that have a big D besides them and fight for issues that adhere only to our platform? Are we hurting our brand if we cross over and vote for a moderate Republican candidate?
Ironically I remember my grandfather and my mother having arguments about the same things over 40 years ago, only they were talking about the Republican primaries. My grandfather, a crusty old Irishman, felt that you never crossed party lines and that was what kept the two party system alive. My mother, who was at one time a Republican precinct captain, took the opposing view. I don’t recall the outcome of the argument or the particular election, but it was heated. It may have been over a judicial seat where my mom wanted to vote for the Democratic candidate.
My mom was as complicated and emotional as I am, but I have always had the heart of a liberal. Whether it was protesting Kent State or recoiling at Reagan’s busting of the unions, I never thought of myself as anything but liberal. From that first JFK button at 10 to now, if you cut me, I bleed blue.
I do however also have a passion for what is right. I do not want some far right wing PAC like Idaho Chooses Life pouring money into this community and sabotaging good people. I was outraged at MoveOn’s “Betray Us Petreaus” ads and I am outraged at mailers and web-sites calling my friend “a baby-killer!” These mailers are examples of the worse kind of politics. I just early voted on the Democratic ballot for county commissioner, governor, and judicial seats. One of my friends told me that she is so excited about seeing her name on the ballot for precinct captain that she cannot wait to vote. I think that the open primary is the best way to go. I normally always vote a straight ticket, but I would not hesitate to tell someone who is voting on the Republican side to vote for the moderates.
I am proud of the long list of candidates for precinct captains (one of the biggest ever) and the candidates that are running for office on the blue ticket. I do acknowledge that the support of blue dogs and the unwillingness of Idaho’s Democratic candidates to support a true Democratic platform can hurt our effectiveness in some ways. Some liberals may stay home over a candidate’s positions on nuclear energy or health care, but I would urge then to still vote Democratic. Vote for the best candidates and support your party, but there are times when local issues and fairness supersede party lines.
When big moneyed PACs target a state and races, it does not reflect the voters or the state. I didn’t like the robo calls (automatically programmed recordings) for and against Obama. I don’t think the majority of voters in Twin Falls want outside interests calling the shots. In the last legislative session, I got online and I saw how all my legislators voted. I emailed them and called with my displeasure and my support. Most got back to me. I didn’t need a score card from some PAC to inform me about the votes. And I am furious about the misinformation and out right lies about Planned Parenthood.
I have supported and volunteered for Planned Parenthood here and in Boise. I invite everyone to research the organization. They offer valuable services especially to the poor, including wellness care, prenatal care, and critical information about STDS. Magic Valley has some of the highest rates of STDs in the state and too many cases of rape and incest.
What is the answer for a girl who is raped by her father when the law requires parental consent for an abortion? Are those righteous folks, who stood outside Twin’s Planned Parenthood during Lent, going to raise all the babies that are neglected and battered? Where are all the foster parents clamoring for children to raise once they are born? I saw babies being passed around from kid to kid like dirty laundry so their mothers could go out and party at Boot Scooters. The new girl in school was always hit up to baby sit, sometimes they left the baby with her for days.
I had a student who had a mental breakdown after she delivered her rapist’s baby. Who protected this girl? Where is the outrage and protest for these women? These are questions the protestors outside our Planned Parenthood couldn’t or wouldn’t answer. And I asked them! No abortions are ever performed in Twin Falls, but clients had to walk by hateful signs and judgment just to get a pap smear or a wellness check up.
Everyone loves to protest, but where are the solutions and problem solvers? The rabble is trying to call the shots in Idaho and in the nation. The mainstream and even local media is enamored by them, but I feel that Twin Falls is better than that.
Idaho doesn’t look like the national Democratic party and our candidates don’t look like John Kerry or Howard Dean. Idaho is a complicated state with strange alliances and histories. We have had Democratic governors with Republican legislators and great statesmen like Frank Church, but never before anything like the log jam that is in the legislation with the take over of the GOP by extremists. I would encourage all Democrats to vote Democrat. I don’t want closed primaries because Idahoans do have an independent streak and we should have choices. We call Strong Democrats, Leaning Democrats and Independents and encourage them to get out and vote.
Being a Democrat in Idaho can be messy. I certainly don’t agree with many of Minnick’s positions, but if I was in the 1st district I would vote for him. I have sent letters and emails to him when he disappointed me and praise when he did something I agreed on. I am dedicated to having a viable Democratic party in Twin Falls and in the State. I will support my party, but I will also speak out when I see unfair slander against anyone or any organization. I am saddened by the current state of politics locally and nationally, but excited about the new strategies and ideas that we plan to implement in the future to grow our party in Twin Falls. I urge voters to make their decision based on the facts and what is the most important issue for you. If my actions or words make any one anxious, I apologize. It is completely diametrically opposed to my desires.
