This is in response to a very good comment in the last post. Actually, it was the first comment ever - thanks for being a pioneer Max :)
This site isn't designed to attack any particular candidates as DINOS. It is designed to hold candidates accountable to Democrat ideals. I'm not sure if Kathleen Sebelius is a DINO. She doesn't seem like one and I like her. However, I do think that she could be afraid to accomplish progressive ideals because she is concerned about her political future in a red state.
For example, regarding the universal health care issue she raised in the state of the state address. Sebelius mentioned the goal of universal health care, but didn't really have any concrete proposals that would bring health care to all Kansans. Does she want the state to take over health insurance in Kansas? Does she want to offer more incentives to HMO's and small business? Or does she want she want enact price controls on greedy doctors? What does she plan to do?
If she takes a progressive approach, then I'm pleased. If she takes a moderate approach, I'm disappointed. If she takes a conservative approach, I'm outraged.
I'm not going to judge a Democrat on one issue - but if they refuse to support several key Democrat positions then they really are a DINO. That means they aren't doing anything to advance the cause.
I agree that awful Democrats like Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman are DINOS. But some of the worst DINOS of all time are the ones who talk like Democrats, but then get elected and do NOTHING to solve problems and support progressive policies.
We need leadership that will do something, not nothing.
I'm not here to start name calling, but I'm going to evaluate all Democrats objectively on what they stand for and what they have done. If this was done in the 90's, then maybe Bill Clinton (a decent president, maybe a good one) wouldn't have signed that awful NAFTA bill or the discriminatory Defense of Marriage act.
I hope that is clear to all readers. And if it isn't then please give me feedback. I want all to know where I stand and why I'm having this blog.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Universal Health Care
During Governor Sebelius' state of the state address, she announced that she wanted to provide health care for all Kansans:
Republicans immediately pushed back on this - a big shock.
I'm not sure what Kathleen's idea of universal health care is, but I know what Kansas should have. We need to have the government run the health care system and require that all Kansans, rich, poor, young and old receive coverage.
I hope that Governor Sebelius fights for this. The free market and doctors will always exclude the poor. Someone needs to stand up for them.
I hope her solution isn't trying to offer subsidies to HMO's or expanding entitlements just a little bit. The only way to provide true universal health care is to have a system like Canada. It's not perfect over there but it's a start.
True leadership offers a vision and then fights for it. Sebelius has the bully pulpit and she has a landslide victory - now is her time to start leading on this issue.
One of the biggest shames is when Hillary Clinton backed off her quest to provide coverage for all. Let's hope that doesn't happen here.
Please post your thoughts and ideas if you have any.
“We must commit ourselves to the goal that all Kansans will have health
insurance, and we must begin now” - Kathleen Sebelius
Republicans immediately pushed back on this - a big shock.
I'm not sure what Kathleen's idea of universal health care is, but I know what Kansas should have. We need to have the government run the health care system and require that all Kansans, rich, poor, young and old receive coverage.
I hope that Governor Sebelius fights for this. The free market and doctors will always exclude the poor. Someone needs to stand up for them.
I hope her solution isn't trying to offer subsidies to HMO's or expanding entitlements just a little bit. The only way to provide true universal health care is to have a system like Canada. It's not perfect over there but it's a start.
True leadership offers a vision and then fights for it. Sebelius has the bully pulpit and she has a landslide victory - now is her time to start leading on this issue.
One of the biggest shames is when Hillary Clinton backed off her quest to provide coverage for all. Let's hope that doesn't happen here.
Please post your thoughts and ideas if you have any.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Welcome
Hello. Welcome to Kansas Dino Watch. Let me tell you about this blog.
Kansas is thought of as a red state, but as we learned in 2006 Democrats can win any time and any place in Kansas.
For those outside Kansas, the Kansas Democratic Party has been very successful the last couple of election cycles. We have elected and re-elected Governor Sebelius. We have elected congressman Dennis Moore for almost a decade. We have elected an Attorney General. And we have elected another congresswoman Nancy Boyda. We also picked up seats in the Kansas legislature.
I am pleased that Democrats in Kansas are doing well. They are far better than the Republicans who would be in their place.
However, politics isn't just about keeping people out of office, it is more about doing something when you are in office.
There is a lot to do in Kansas. Health care needs to be available to all Kansas. We have troops who need to be sent home from Iraq immediately. Our public schools barely have any money. Our welfare programs are not funded. Gays and lesbians are discriminated against every day. We have a death penalty law that needs to be repealed. Jobs are being outsourced. We don't have a living wage. Abortion isn't a constitutional right in Kansas.
I understand that progress is not accomplished overnight. But we must have leadership that is completely committed to passing progressive legislation - not just worried about winning re-election.
I always vote a straight-ticket. I've waved signs at intersections. I've walked precincts. I've met all of the "now famous" Kansas Democrat Officials. I still intend to do these things.
But I think that the progressive blogosphere should hold our leadership accountable. It isn't enough just to beat Republicans and make fun of right-wing wackos. We have a state and a nation to change. There is work to be done. This blog is committed to accomplishing that.
What will this blog do? The following:
1. Encourage Democrat leadership to support progressive legislation
2. Hold Democrat leadership accountable for votes and their commitment to the progressive cause
3. Criticize Republicans, conservative and moderate, who block progressive legislation. And highlight any collusion between Democrats on such matters
4. Inform progressive activists
5. Evaluate "Republicans turned Democrats" and see if they really are one of us.
6. Recruit Democrats to run for office.
If Democrats are elected, but don't accomplish Democrat ideals, then we are nothing more than Democrats-In-Name-Only. I'm committed to making sure that we earn the party label of Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Dean.
The future is ahead of us. Let's not squander it like the Republicans did. (Although it was fun to watch that :)
Kansas is thought of as a red state, but as we learned in 2006 Democrats can win any time and any place in Kansas.
For those outside Kansas, the Kansas Democratic Party has been very successful the last couple of election cycles. We have elected and re-elected Governor Sebelius. We have elected congressman Dennis Moore for almost a decade. We have elected an Attorney General. And we have elected another congresswoman Nancy Boyda. We also picked up seats in the Kansas legislature.
I am pleased that Democrats in Kansas are doing well. They are far better than the Republicans who would be in their place.
However, politics isn't just about keeping people out of office, it is more about doing something when you are in office.
There is a lot to do in Kansas. Health care needs to be available to all Kansas. We have troops who need to be sent home from Iraq immediately. Our public schools barely have any money. Our welfare programs are not funded. Gays and lesbians are discriminated against every day. We have a death penalty law that needs to be repealed. Jobs are being outsourced. We don't have a living wage. Abortion isn't a constitutional right in Kansas.
I understand that progress is not accomplished overnight. But we must have leadership that is completely committed to passing progressive legislation - not just worried about winning re-election.
I always vote a straight-ticket. I've waved signs at intersections. I've walked precincts. I've met all of the "now famous" Kansas Democrat Officials. I still intend to do these things.
But I think that the progressive blogosphere should hold our leadership accountable. It isn't enough just to beat Republicans and make fun of right-wing wackos. We have a state and a nation to change. There is work to be done. This blog is committed to accomplishing that.
What will this blog do? The following:
1. Encourage Democrat leadership to support progressive legislation
2. Hold Democrat leadership accountable for votes and their commitment to the progressive cause
3. Criticize Republicans, conservative and moderate, who block progressive legislation. And highlight any collusion between Democrats on such matters
4. Inform progressive activists
5. Evaluate "Republicans turned Democrats" and see if they really are one of us.
6. Recruit Democrats to run for office.
If Democrats are elected, but don't accomplish Democrat ideals, then we are nothing more than Democrats-In-Name-Only. I'm committed to making sure that we earn the party label of Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Dean.
The future is ahead of us. Let's not squander it like the Republicans did. (Although it was fun to watch that :)
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