Your Weekly News from the CCDP and Political Clubs
|
|
They Do Not Want You to Think
What good fortune for those in power that people do not think.”
-- Adolf Hitler
The Republican Party does not want you to think for yourself. The negative campaigning tactics that dominates their political campaigns are designed to make us more fearful, to be afraid that something bad is going to happen if we do not vote for them. Fear narrows perception and diminishes critical thinking, which achieves their goal of producing non-thinking voters with limited understanding. A non-critical thinking voter is easier to control and manipulate. Don’t let them brainwash you. Vote them out.
To read the rest of Dr. Mel Whitehurst's article on Voting and the Republican mindset, go to
CollinDemocrats.org
|
|
A CASE FOR ALTERNATIVE VOTING
by Donna Buesing
|
There has been much controversy lately over just how people should vote. After all, there are so many options: mail-in ballots (if you meet certain requirements), vote early (if you know where and when), and wait for the appropriate date and MAYBE you can get off work to do your civic duty and vote, (you could be in line for two or more hours), but pack a meal either way.
There are several states which have already adopted UVBM (Universal Voting by Mail) to replace the DRE (Direct Recording Electronic) method, including Oregon and Washington. Other states use a Same Day Registration format which further helps citizens exercise their right to vote.
In Montana, where proponents did extensive research into the general issue of voting, an estimated $2 million could be saved EACH election cycle. The proposal seemed to gain approval by the state legislature, but predictably 15 House members reversed their preliminary votes and they vetoed the whole idea. It seems that the promise of significant money saving AND enhancing voter protection and participation is such a “radical idea” (tongue in cheek), why would anyone want to do it? Amazing! What a concept!!
According to Phil Keisling, Director of the Center for Public Service at Portland State University’s Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, “Vote by mail’s track record suggests security concerns are largely misplaced because any mischief is limited to single votes and are caught through signature checks.” Voting by mail LEAVES A PAPER TRAIL!
We just “celebrated” the 53
rd
anniversary of the Voting Rights Act on August 6. Granted, this was primarily enacted primarily to ensure rights for Black citizens, but we must never lose sight of other disenfranchised persons. Now, the “other” party seems intent on prohibiting any group it has selectively chosen (Hispanics, those of non-Judeo-Christian backgrounds, those who would likely vote Democrat, and pretty much any who are not aligned with their views or philosophies). What with gerrymandering and purging voters from rolls, it’s a wonder any of us stand a chance to cast any ballots for any public office or for any amendments.
UVBM and/or SDR both have an appeal. UVBM would reduce congestion in and near polling places (schools, libraries, etc.) both pedestrian and traffic, and those who are legally registered to vote but might lack transportation, are handicapped, or are just unable to reach the polling place in a timely manner (i.e. before it is closed) can vote. Other reasons for implementing these options are the cost savings of eliminating machines and judges and poll workers for each precinct; the USPS would sell more stamps and utilize more carriers distributing ballots; and overt electronic meddling with our right to cast our ballot. Imagine shutting Russia (or the big 400 lb. guy sitting on his bed somewhere) out of our government!
Want to change our current methods? Contact your state representatives!
“Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don’t vote.”
William F. Simon
|
|
Did you know...
..We now have 274
Volunteer Deputy Registrars
(VDRs) in CC.
..We have participated in six different types of Voter Registrar events in the last two months with our partners.
Did you also know we need MORE VDRs to meet the demands of people who want to register to vote? That's where you can make a difference.
Join us for VDR Training.
To get more details on the process, contact the
VDR Lead
.
When: September 06/2018 5:00 PM
Where: Collin County Elections Office
2010 Redbud Blvd
McKinney, TX 75069 (
map
)
Do you want to be part of the VDR team and be the first step in the voting process? Let us know with your
RSVP
.
|
|
Make a Difference -- Hosts and Block Walk Captains for Coordinated Campaign
|
|
Our mission is to get All Democrats elected. One way is through face-to-face voter contact by block walking.
The Coordinated Campaign is the cooperation of the CCDP and all the candidate campaigns. Starting after Labor Day, efforts are ramping up in September, October and November with weekly events and WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Hosts and Block Walk captains are needed for each block walk in every House District; 33, 66, 67, 70, 89. We have some commitments but MORE are needed.
- Hosts provide a space in your home (or a nearby Starbucks) to set up BW materials, bathroom, water and a few snacks.
- Block Walk Captains pick up BW materials from the CCDP office on Thursdays. Bring to Host home, sign in all block walk participants, assign walk list number, collect and return all materials after the walk to the CCDP office by Monday. We are highly encouraging all walkers use MINIVAN, so please either be willing to receive training or have a working knowledge of this very easy, efficient program on your smartphone.
If you're interested in being a Host and/or Block Walk Captain, please contact artcchair@collindemocrats.org.
We can WIN when we WALK together.
Actively,
Vickie Parker
Chair, Activist Recruitment and Training Committee
|
|
Texas Democrats’ MyTexasVotes Launches Commit to Vote Program
Austin, TX –
Today, the Texas Democratic Party launched its unprecedented statewide
Commit to Vote
campaign as a part of our
MyTexasVotes.com
strategy.
We've set a goal of reaching 1,000,000 voters.
Between now and election day, Texas Democrats will be emailing, texting, calling, knocking on doors, and doing everything we can to contact every voter in Texas and encouraging them to turn out in November.
Who does our
Commit to Vote
program engage with?
- African American communities
- Latino communities
- Asian-American Pacific Islander communities
- Women
- Rural communities
- Texans with disabilities
- Working Texans
- Millennial and young voters
- LGBT Texans
How does the
Commit to Vote
program work?
- Candidates, staffers, and volunteers can mail or hand out Commit to Vote cards; then, as Election Day approaches, we mail each voter’s card back to them. It is a tangible reminder of the obligations they have made and are expected to fulfill.
- Commit to Vote cards, signed by voters themselves, will be returned to them during the early voting period.
Why use this method?
- The commitment process creates a meaningful interaction between registering and voting. We ask voters to commit to supporting Democrats up and down the ballot in November and follow up with them in the coming months.
- Social pressure is an effective driver of voter turnout -- we achieve that pressure by returning the card back to the voter, just before voting begins.
- Studies consistently show the value of using commit to vote cards. After all, a few percentage points can make a huge difference — especially in smaller and local races.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:
“The mission of the Texas Democratic Party is to win elections from the school board to the United States Senate.
“Democrats across our great state are ready to protect healthcare, expand economic opportunity, and fight for a fair shot for all. That's why our MyTexasVotes.com program launched the Commit to Vote effort for the 2018 elections.
“We’re committed to talking with 1,000,000 Texans, because the future of the Democratic Party is African American, Latino, Asian-American Pacific Islander, women, rural, Texans with disabilities, working Texans, Millennial and young voters, and LGBT voters.
“Texas Democrats will not take any community for granted. We will continue investing in and engaging with the Democratic base that will lead us to victory. Commit to vote right now at
MyTexasVotes.com
.”
|
|
Learn More about Voters with Disabilities at the CANDIDATE DISABILITY EDUCATION FORUM
There are 1,766,827 voters with disabilities in Texas.
Disability issues can be complex for those unfamiliar with them. We want to help your campaigns reach voters who prioritize disability issues. A solid understanding of the vital importance of these concerns will help you be more effective once you are in office. You will also be more effective at campaign events, candidate forums, and meet & greets, when your stump speech and answers to questions include the disability perspective.
Disability issues affect people across the political spectrum. When people's lives are on the line, they are more likely to cross party lines and vote for candidates who care and are vocal about it.
Candidates and workers can learn more about the needs of more than one million voters with through this
program
.
Voting Rights, Employment & Transportation, Disability Justice Offered September 7th and September 10th, 6:30-8:00 pm
Need more info? Contact your local
CCDWD
representative.
307-314-ABLE (2253)
|
|
Turning Texas Blue Takes Some Green
Unlike a New Year's resolution that is forgotten by Valentines day, Collin County Democratic Party needs your commitment to keep the doors open, the lights on and to help turn Collin County.
How about some new ideas to make this happen?
Make a change --
Save the change in your wallet each week and convert that into a monthly donation. That can buy supplies like printer paper or make a dent in the light bill.
Save some calories --
That daily (long about 3:00 p.m.) Snickers bar and Diet Coke cost at least $2.00 in the machines. Bring a healthy snack from home, save that money and 280 calories a day. Over one month, you can save 5,600 calories and donate $50.00.
Make a monthly donation
a good habit without breaking your bank account. Setting up a monthly donation through ActBlue is a walk in the Internet park. If your bank has a bill pay system, you can also set CCDP as part of your monthly expenses and choose the amount and date it will be automatically withdrawn.
What are your best ideas to make donations to CCDP? Let us know and we will publish them.
|
|
City Council Happenings -- Plano
by Carole L. Evans
|
|
PLANO POLICE OFFICERS RECOGNIZED
It’s often a struggle to stay focused on the myriad of details being discussed at city government meetings, especially now, while the budget is being developed. But, in the process of observing the City Council meeting of August 13, I witnessed something remarkable.
Mayor LaRosiliere gave a commendation to police officer Coy Clements, who saved the life of 19-month old Arianna Yousif, who was present at the City Council meeting with her parents.
On August 2, Arianna was choking and appeared lifeless by the time Officer Clements got the call from 911. But, he jumped into action, got to the scene, and saved Arianna by striking her on the back; a marble had been lodged in her throat. The Mayor let Mr. Yousif, the father, tell the harrowing story of that night, including the visits to two different medical facilities. Mr. Yousif was crying before he finished his story.
In a strange twist, Officer Clements, a 17-year police veteran, said he had been considering leaving the force. The negative aspects of his job, which he said are 10 times more than the positive aspects, start weighing on you after a while. He questioned the value that he was providing to the community. But, after saving Arianna, he decided to continue his career on the force.
TOM HARRISON WINS RECALL LAWSUIT
In a blow to citizens who were appalled by Councilman Tom Harrison’s anti-Muslim posts on Facebook and collected the signatures required to hold a recall election, State Judge Mark Rusch ruled on August 13 that the number of signatures on the recall petition was not enough per the official city charter. The recall election, therefore, will not occur, pending City Council voting to cancel the recall at the next City Council meeting, per the judge’s order.
In other news related to Mr. Harrison, GoFundMe donations had been collected to help with the recall lawsuit. All but three of the donors remain anonymous. Should Mr. Harrison disclose all of the donor names per campaign finance law? He did not include the donations in his latest campaign finance report.
PEANUT BUTTER DRIVE STARTS IN SEPTEMBER
T
o combat childhood hunger in Plano and Collin County, the 5
th
annual Peanut Butter Drive will be held by the North Texas Food Bank during the month of September. NTFB will be collecting regular-sized jars (plastic only) of peanut butter. Find the
drop off sites
near you.
|
|
If you would like to report on the events and activities in your area, please contact
Communications
for details. We are always interested in supporting all the cities and towns in Collin County with information and articles.
|
|
In order to start your weekend immediately,
Final Friday
for August has been cancelled. We will return to our regular schedule in September. That's what Molly Ivins would want us to do.
|
Drinking Liberally in Allen
meets on September 7 at it's new location, 6:30 PM at Café Del Rio at 401 Central Expressway South, Allen, TX 75013. Be there and get your Margarita and queso fix on.
|
The
Texas Democratic Party
is conducting candidate and activist training every Tuesday at 5:30 PM via Facebook Live (Facebook account not required). Log on and
get trained for free
! #TrainTheWave
|
|
Putting the FUN in Fundraising.
SHARON HIRSCH FUNDRAISER HELD ON AUGUST 16, 2018
Sharon Hirsch, who is running for Texas House District 66, held a fundraiser at Painting With A Twist in Plano on August 16, 2018. A big group of ladies attended to support Sharon and raise their glasses (as well as some funds) for Sharon’s campaign. Wine was poured, snacks and chocolate shared, all while painting a picture of a
BLUE WAVE
, with help from our artists in residence, Corinna and Scott of Painting With A Twist. Look at Sharon’s painting: she signed it with “66”, her house district number, now on display at the CCDP office. Very clever!
All Candidates are invited to share photos, information and links to their fundraising events. Please send information and photos on these to
CCDP Publicity
.
|
|
Collin County Democratic Party |
972-578-1483 |
Website
|
|
Political advertising, Collin County Democratic Party
STAY CONNECTED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|