August 29, 2019
Your Weekly News from the CCDP and Political Clubs
Labels and Definitions
By Maury Marcus

In recent years, traditional labels or political or economic ideology have been used inaccurately and recklessly without regard for their accepted meanings or historical context. We were told that President Barack Obama was a socialist, Marxist, Mau-Mau, Muslim, Fascist, Communist and [anti-white] racist fanatic.

Each of these separately was false. Together, they were ridiculous. One term that has been bandied about with abandon is “socialist”. But there seems to be no consensus about the meaning of the word. Four definitions are currently operative in American politics:

• “State Socialism” means government ownership of economic enterprises. This is the classic definition of socialism. It is the dictionary definition. Few democracies have tried this. During the post-WWII era, Britain nationalized the steel and coal industries, with dismal results. During his last year in office, President George W. Bush nationalized the major banks. He justified this act by claiming it was needed to prevent financial catastrophe. Many in both parties feel he was right. His action was a temporary measure, but it was socialism.

• “Democratic Socialism” is the label that Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez apply to the set of policies that they espouse. However, more accurate labels exist for this set of policies: “Progressive Capitalism” or “Steroidal Liberalism”. We should note that Europeans would call this set of policies “Social Democracy”.

• “SOCIALISM!!!” (always pronounced with clenched teeth and raised clenched fists) means anything Republicans do not like.

• “National Socialism” (NAtional soZIalismus) was an ideology which was dominant in Germany between January 30, 1933 and May 8, 1945. This ideology embraced the idea of German racial supremacy which posited Germans as a master race, entitled to dominate all other races in the world. It was not popular with Germany’s neighbors. It had nothing to do with any form of economic socialism. One Republican member of Congress called President Obama a National Socialist. However, Obama does not appear to be a German racial supremacist.

This leads us to what labels we should apply to contemporary American politics. Here are four possibilities.

• The left wing of the Democratic Party is most accurately described as Social Democratic. These policies actually align with parties of the moderate right in other democracies. For example: Canadian Conservatives, British Tories, French Gaullists, and German Christian Democrats all support single-payer health insurance; this and other concepts should never be called “socialist.” There is no groundswell for any form of socialism, accurately defined, in America. There is support for extensive government action on human equality, working class prosperity, and ecological defense, but these issues do not comprise socialism.

• The center-left wing of the Democratic Party can be defined as Progressive Capitalist. This group has two cheers for the productivity of capitalism, but feels that truly free markets require governance by the rule of law; public investment in infrastructure, education, and research; and a comprehensive working-class safety net. On healthcare finance, Progressive Capitalists care not whether the provision is public or private — only that it exists, it has minimal overhead, it does not excuse any denial of coverage, and it does not levy exorbitant costs on working people.

• The center-right wing of the Republican Party is a faction that worships total market anarchy as a utopian ideal. They are best called Conservative Capitalists. An employer may provide healthcare finance and other benefits to employees at his discretion. Employees should humbly accept whatever crumbs are tossed at them.

• The far right wing of the Republican Party existed before Donald J. Trump and will exist after him. It suffers from a multitude of prejudices and phobias. It has hid behind the Conservative Capitalist wing for decades and used ConCap rhetoric to hide its dark purposes. Trump has done the nation a service by bringing this wing out of hiding. It has no real philosophy. It has nothing to sell but fear itself. Therefore, we may define a new term to describe its set of attitudes – “Phobism”, meaning fear or phobia as an ideology.

SocDems, ProgCaps, and ConCaps can negotiate with each other and find workable solutions to our nation’s problems. But Phobists deserve total political destruction.

US Senate Democratic Candidate Forum
Thursday September 5, 2019
Please mark your calendar and share this everywhere...

If we can win the U.S. Senate seat that's up in Texas in 2020, we can likely also win several US Congress seats, win the State House majority and turn Texas blue overall in the POTUS election.

Jason Whitely, host of WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics," will moderate the panel discussion. Please note: from the group of known candidates, some have scheduling conflicts or may still be working on their schedule. We have posted the confirmed participants at this time. This list is subject to change.

When: Thursday September 5, noon (Doors open at 11:45 a.m.)
Where: Collin College at Preston Ridge, 700 Wade Blvd, Frisco [ map ] (F acility is inclusive and accessible.)
 Notes: Event is FREE, but pre-registration is required. RSVP Here

Brought to you by Frisco Democratic Club, Plano Area Democrats and Women Organizing Women Dems
November 2019 - Texas Constitutional Amendments
In our continuing series, we highlight the fourth of ten amendments that Texas voters will see on the November 5, 2019 statewide ballot.  

Proposition 4 (HJR 38) 

“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.”

In 1993, Texas voters approved an amendment that requires a state wide referendum to create a state income tax with net revenue from that tax only to be used for the support of education. Referring the referendum to voters requires a simple majority vote (50%+1) in each legislative chamber. 

Proposition 4 would replace the referendum requirement with a ban on enacting an income tax on individuals. Removing the ban in the future would require a constitutional amendment, which needs a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber and voter approval.

Republicans say that Proposition 4 is asking voters to increase the number of votes future state lawmakers would need to try to levy an unpopular state income tax.

Democrats argue that the term “individual” in the Proposition 4 amendment could lead to a court challenge. A savvy business attorney, analysts say, could argue that the word “individual” in the amendment could extend to corporations or business partnerships — putting the franchise tax in jeopardy. The franchise tax on businesses makes up an important source of funding for public school education.

How our Democratic Legislators voted 

Of the Democratic legislators voting on this amendment in the 86th Legislative Session,
• 30% of the Texas House Democrats voted “yes/for”;
• 25% of the Texas Senate Democrats voted “yes/for”.  

To read about Amendment 1, click here.
To read about Amendment 2, click here.
To read about Amendment 3, click here.
Campaign Kick Off Party for Tom Adair for Texas House
My name is Tom Adair and I am running for Texas House to represent you. Please come help me kick off my campaign on September 7th. I am ready to listen and work hard to gain your trust, and I look forward to meeting everyone. We will have special guests speaking along with hors d'oeuvres and drinks. I look forward to meeting everyone.

Hosted by Vickie Parker

When: Saturday September 7, 3:00 p.m.
Where: 3417 Norwood Circle, Richardson, TX 78082
How to Run and Win - Candidate Training Series
An interactive workshop series to prepare candidates and campaign teams to win races, this campaign training series is designed to build the skills to elect Democrats in Collin County and across Texas. The six sessions cover the critical components of running a winning campaign. Each session will be presented by experienced activists and staff. This is for any Democrat in the area who is interested in either running for office or working on a candidate’s campaign team. Attendees will be asked to sign an Oath of Affiliation with the Democratic Party.

When: Session 1 – Wednesday September 11, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – The Winning Message
Objectives: Explain why you are running, use “The Message Box,” define how you are the right choice and your opponent isn’t, practice creating messages

Session 2 – Wednesday September 18  7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Marketing to Win
Objectives: how to brand yourself, setting up a website and using social media, use of good graphics, use of VAN

Session 3 – Wednesday September 25  7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Organizing to Win
Objectives: define three pillars of campaign team: Communications, Field Organization, and Funding and the roles of each 

Session 4 – Wednesday October  2    7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – The Win Numbers
Objectives: how to calculate the votes you plan to earn to win, using data of past results and forecasting how and where to get more votes

No Class in Observance of Yom Kippur, Wednesday, October 9

Session 5 – Wednesday October 16    7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – It Takes Money to Win
Objectives: budgeting, donor prospecting, fundraising, compliance and reporting, ethics, how to “make the ask”

Session 6 – Wednesday October 23    7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Creating the Winning Plan
Objectives: putting it all together, define goals, areas of responsibility, develop timeline, doing opposition research

Where: Collin County Democratic Party Office, 1915 N Central Expressway, Suite 150, Plano, TX 75075
Plano Area Democrats Club September Meeting
Come join us for another informative meeting and fun with like-minded friends!

GUEST SPEAKER: Cynthia King-Ryne, Legislative Co-Lead of Plano Area Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

TOPIC: Texas Legislative Re-cap – a review of gun laws that were proposed, passed or vetoed during the recent Texas legislative session.

When: Saturday September 14, 11:00 a.m. sign-in; 11:15 a.m. food service; 1:30 p.m. finish.
Where: El Noa Noa Tex-Mex Restaurant, 1915 N Central Expy, Ste 100, Plano, TX 75075 (Next to CCDP Office)
RSVP Required: Click here to reserve your seat txdp.cc/events

Plano Area Democrats Club is an action-oriented group focused on increasing political engagement of voters in the Plano area to support and elect candidates with Democratic values. We are Democrats residing in cities of Plano, Allen, or within the school districts for Plano or Allen. Come join us! Facebook
CCDWD Monthly Meeting, September 16th, 5:30 p.m.
COME ONE, COME ALL!
You don't have to live in Collin County to participate.
Click on this link to view the Meeting Materials.
Light refreshments available.


When: Monday September 16, 5:30 p.m.
Where: REACH of Plano, 720 East Park Blvd, Suite 104, Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 307-314-ABLE (2253)
WOW Dems General Meeting
Join WOW Dems for the September general member meeting where we'll host our WOW Dems endorsed Texas House Reresentative Ana-Maria Ramos, State Senator Royce West, and guest speakers from RideShare2Vote.

When: Thursday September 19, 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
Where: Collin College Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75074
Link: Facebook
Frisco Democratic Club - General Meeting
Save the Date.

When: Sunday September 22, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q, 9828 Dallas Parkway, Frisco
Ice Cream, Chocolate & Wine FUNdraiser
Do you like chocolate? How about ice cream infused with alcohol like Bailey’s Irish Cream? You will love WOW Dems’ fall fundraiser!

You’ll roll your own chocolate truffles with the guidance of Yeli Marshall, owner of artisan chocolate company: Yelibelly, and get to take home all of the chocolate you make! You’ll also enjoy two flavors of Yelibelly’s famous alcohol-infused liquid nitrogen ice cream plus toppings - as much as you can eat in 2 hours!

Your ticket also includes a chance to win one of ten bottles of wine you can enjoy at home with your handmade truffles

Chocolate, ice cream and wine to support women Democrats? Isn’t that all we could ever want and more?

https://www.yelibelly.com/

When: Thursday September 26, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 401 W 16th St, Plano, TX 75075
Links: Facebook
Socialize to Organize Plano
Collin County came very close to electing Democrats to the Texas House in 2018. In 2020, we aim to change the balance of power. With your help, we can make this happen!

Come gather with Democratic neighbors on Sunday September 22 at 4:30 p.m. to get acquainted and learn how you can help turn Collin County blue! Appetizers and drinks will be provided. Since this event’s location is a private residence, please email for more details.
Senator John Cornyn Holds a Fake Town Hall
Several Democrats received a text message from John Cornyn's office saying that there was going to be a telephone Town Hall and they would call at 7:00 pm, August 1, 2019. We eagerly awaited the call.

However, the “Town Hall” turned out to be prerecorded questions. Though prompted that we were in the queue, we never got to ask a question. After the entire call, it became obvious that the "callers" were prescreened and prerecorded, and Cornyn's responses may also have been prerecorded.

Here at CCDP we thought that our petition, along with the efforts from other groups to put pressure on Cornyn, had compelled him to hold this Town Hall. But no, it seems it was just Cornyn hiding behind a phone.

So we are going to continue with our petition to demand that Cornyn COME HOME to Texas during the August break and hold a REAL LIVE Town Hall in front of his constituents.

Is he too chicken to do that? We shall see.

Please sign the petition here: txdp.cc/cornyntownhall
Citizen Journalist (Volunteer)
If you have a special interest in the workings of your city council, school board or the Commissioner Court, you could be the right person to report on meeting, agendas and activities.

Keeping Democrats in Collin County is our goal and you could be a part of that team. Much of that starts at the local level. Help us continue chipping away at the stranglehold Republicans have held in Collin County.

As a Citizen Journalist, you would report on meetings you attend, agendas or even minutes meetings. Help keep Collin County Democrats informed and active.
For more information, contact the Communications Director.
You Can Make the Difference. Become a Sustaining Donor
Your Collin County Democratic Party office provides a wide range of resources throughout the year to our candidates and communities. Your contributions allow us to have a central location for candidates and voters during elections. Strengthen the Democratic Party in your city by becoming a sustaining donor to the Collin County Democratic Party. Donate with FastAction or with automatic payments from your bank to the Collin County Democratic Party 1915 Central Expy #150, Plano, TX 75075.
A New Way to Vote
Collin County voters will be using a new voting system beginning with the November, 2019 election. This new system features touch-screen technology and produces a marked paper ballot for voter review and tabulation.

The new voting machine made its debut at BITHOC where many of the attendees where able to “test vote” the system. If you didn’t get to try the voting machines at BITHOC, you still have an opportunity to do so at the Collin County Democratic Party office (1915 N. Central Expy, Ste 150, Plano) during regular office hours.

Our summer office hours are:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday and Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

After Labor Day, the office will have occasional evening and weekend hours to try out the new voting machine.

The new voting machine will be in the CCDP office through the November 2020 election.
Yes, We Can Talk Politics
Drinking Liberally and Living Liberally are informal, inclusive progressive social groups. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.

Allen - Cafe Del Rio
When: Friday September 6, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 401 Central Expy S, Allen [ map]

Frisco/Little Elm - The British Lion Pub
When: Friday September 6, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: 5454 Main St #123, Frisco [ map]

Plano - Rugby House Pub
When: Friday September 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 8604 Preston Rd #100, Plano [ map]

When: Friday September 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 2600 W, FM 544, Wylie [ map]

MADC joins Living Liberally in August.
When: Friday September 20, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 301 E. Virginia, Suite 103, McKinney [ map]

While drinking liberally, always remember to drink responsibly, and make liberal use of designated drivers. Drinking and driving is reckless and irresponsible, like a neocon war or corporatist tax cut. Liberals, don't do it!