There's a great column over at KentuckyDems by Walter Aden Hawkins.

He talks about the difference between Democrats and Republicans, about ethics and fund raising and some other issues. It's a pretty good read.


Democrats Just Don't Get It

Written by Walter Aden Hawkins
Friday, 19 August 2005

In Washington, Republicans have the White House, U.S. Senate, and U.S. Congress. In Frankfort, Republicans have the Governor's Mansion and the State Senate. Both of our Senators are Republicans as well as all but one of our Congressional delegation.

Republicans have become very good at doing what they want to do, whether or not it is actually in the best interest of the Country or Commonwealth. Bush took us to Iraq without justification and apparently without a plan to get us out of there effectively. Definitely without a plan to allow the US to have access to the vast oil reserves that could help right about now.

GOP bigwig Sen. Tom DeLay has laughed off the many ethical slaps on the wrist that he has received. Hell, they are so good that they have kept the House Ethics committee from even being able to meet to discuss the allegations. DeLay also masterminded the unusual redistricting plan in Texas that effectively ensured Republicans maintained their majority in Congress.

Remember when we were all concerned about the apparent role Rove played in outing a CIA official? They are so good, you probably don't.

In Kentucky things aren't going as well for the current Administration. They recently botched a meeting with Audi officials (thanks "Mayor for Life" Jerry for bailing us out); they could not get a budget passed in a timely fashion; education funding is falling behind; Medicaid is in crisis; the "Tax the Fun Out of Life Plan" has proven to be problematic for small businesses; and nine Cabinet officials have been indicted on misdemeanor and felony criminal allegations. The Governor is scheduled to testify before the Special Grand Jury on August 30. However, Republicans understand that all of this may not have anything to do with their reelection hopes.
The Democrats just don't get it. The Dems have their priorities wrong. They want to win elections by following the law instead of following the money.

One issue recently brought this home for me - expanded gaming. Oh, it will pass during the next session and it will be the Republicans that will move legislation forward. Consider the two approaches to this issue taken by the respective parties as a case example of why Republicans are winning elections in Kentucky in record numbers.

The Dems write Attoney General Stumbo for an opinion as to whether gaming is legal. He replied, surprisingly, that it was his opinion that gaming was constitutional. Sure it was the right thing to do to ask if expanded gaming was legal, but how does that move get you elected?

Meanwhile, on 6/1/05 several top Kentucky Republicans travel to Las Vegas, stay at the new "it" spot - The Wynn - and shortly thereafter (6/11/05) secure two $2,500.00 donations from Harrah's Entertainment. In case you do not know, Harrah's has an interest in the famed Turfway Park as well as at the lesser-known Kentucky Downs in Franklin, KY. Turfway Park would draw people from the Cincinnati area while the Franklin location would be the closest casino to Nashville. NICE!

The casino industry is not dumb and have proven that they know how to make money. Harrah's donated $2,500.00 to the Kentucky Republican Party and another $2,500.00 to the Senate Republican Caucus Committee. Now THAT is how you get elected!

In elections today, it is apparently not whether it is legal now, it is whether someone will pay you to MAKE it legal. No wonder the Republicans thought it was not enough just to do away with public funding of campaigns, they actually spent time during the last session wiping the statutes that established public funding of campaigns off the books. After all, when campaign finance reform was in place, Republicans were only able to field the unforgettable Peppy Martin. When the restrictions were lifted, they managed to field a wealthy Doctor who just happened to be a Congressman with connections in Washington.

Once again, the Democrats just did not get it. I mean, imagine trying to take big money and the corruption that goes with it out of politics? Could you imagine candidates actually debating one another instead of hiding behind 30 second soundbites now?

Well, I hope the Democrats still don't get it the next time around either - but that the people of Kentucky do.


Response

He's right about one thing. Democrats need to change. To do that, Kentucky needs strong leadership and I don't know if the current leadership can do it. Things are going to have to change and the changes are going to have to be broad and long. We need new fund raising techniques, we're going to play the money game a bit to get in office. Mark Nicholas commented there few men in Frankfort strong enough and tough enough to do the dirty work. He commented it was mostly women. Well... those who are need to step up and get the job done. I'm tired of the Republicans dictating terms on everything, my religion, my security, my privacy. In the long run it's going to cost Kentucky and America. We've got the Republicans on the run but we need to start doing something about it. What are you prepared to do?

posted by Stithmeister @ 7:49 PM
 
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