Panoramic photos courtesy of Joe Patterson

 

Our Mission/Vision

 

The DEC (Democratic Executive Committee) is made up of a group of dedicated volunteers whose goal is to help elect Democrats to public office. We are the only venue that provides the vital local infrastructure to elect Democrats by way of:

voter registration campaigns

precinct organization and outreach

get-out-the-vote initiatives

absentee ballot drives.

Join us in electing representatives with Democratic values.

Call 761-8385.

 

 

Welcome

 

Manatee County Democrats, welcome to your web site. This is an interactive site that is updated regularly and evolves over time. It is a place for voters to come to and share in ideas that represent our party's long-held values. This is one way for all Democrats to stay current and get involved in the process. Join us as our numbers grow.

 

I personally invite you to join us at the monthly meetings of the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC). We meet the 4 th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at the Bradenton Central Library (1301 1 st Avenue West; Bradenton 34205).

 

Feel free to e-mail me at chair@manateecountydemocrats.com . I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Let's work together and TURN MANATEE COUNTY BLUE!

 

Larry

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lawrence A. Miller, Chairman
Manatee County Democratic Executive Committee

 

 

 

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President Obama's First State of the Union Address

 

The President came to Congress on January 27, 2010 to address the body, the nation and the world. He reviewed the tenuous position the nation was in as his administration succeeded the Bush regime and outlined his intentions for the coming year. He acknowledged that the job was difficult and that real problems needed real solutions. He was unequivocal when he said that “we don't quit; I don't quit!” He beseeched the members of his own party to be courageous, not to retreat, so close to the finish line and provide the nation with meaningful health care reform.

 

While stating that nobody liked the Wall Street bailout the President outlined bold proposals to encourage job growth and provide new financial relief for the middle class. (He came to Tampa the following day to speak about the new transit plan that will begin with a route between Orlando and Tampa and eventually spread throughout out entire region.) Strengthening the economy was his central theme.

 

He echoed the outrage that so many of us felt at the Supreme Court recently as he criticized their ruling removing corporate spending limits on political campaigns. He wants to increase funding of education programs, a more regulated Wall Street, and a bolder energy policy. He called for the end of “don't ask; don't tell.”

 

It is our job as citizens to let our elected officials know where we stand, to be our own best advocates; to tell them that we care what they do. And that we vote ! Write, call, e-mail to let them know that you are in support of the president's initiatives. As he said to Congress, we say to you that “we still need to govern… Democrats,…the people expect us to solve some problems, not run for the hills. And if the Republican leadership is going to insist that 60 votes in the Senate are required to do any business…the responsibility to govern is now yours as well.” To each of us, our responsibility is to let those who represent us know how we want them to proceed.

 

Please see the bottom of our “Candidate's Page” to access contact information for our elected officials.

 

 

President Q&A with GOP Hightlights

 

On 1/29/10, the President stood in front of a gathering of House Republicans and took questions for more than an hour, urging them to put aside partisanship and work together for the good of the country. MSNBC described it as going straight into "the lion's den."

He was inspiring.

 

 

Democratic Haitian Delegation

 

Communication Update

 

 

 

To All Citizens of Haiti

 

By Lucy Lapides

 

We are all saddened by the tragic news about the earthquake that has destroyed most of your capital city, and other parts of the rest of your country. The news is sketchy presently, but we are holding our breath, and hoping that many people missing now are found safe and sound.

 

At the moment we are being told, that in the first days of such a crisis it is critical to send money to public and private agencies that can provide basic necessities. We direct our membership to donate to the charity of their choice. (You may want to contact the Red Cross directly or click on www.whitehouse.gov for further instructions. If it is difficult to access the web sites, keep trying because the outpouring of support may overwhelm the system at times. )

 

In the days to come we will be making contact with local residents who are part of your extended community to see how we can provide further assistance.

 

You and your friends and families around the world are in our thoughts.

 

 

Massachusetts Was A Wake-Up Call!!

 

By Lucy Lapides

 

The Senatorial election in Massachusetts should be a reminder to all Democrats that there is no room for complacency in our party from this moment on. We must be engaged, and vigilant, hard-working and connected to the community and our candidates must be engaged, vigilant, hard-working and connected to the community! We must NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED! We must work getting our message out. Advertising is critical; getting folks registered is critical; calling folks and getting people to the polls is critical. Much of our local organization is volunteer, but for us to get our message out there—to advertise, to keep a constant presence in the community (paying rent, utilities, etc) to provide printed materials, to provide venues to give our candidates exposure, COSTS MONEY. Let's all keep that in mind as we go forward and are asked to help the cause. Let's not be left asking what “ they ” did wrong, or what “ they ” didn't do to win an election or to pass legislation. Remember that ALL OF US make up the Democratic Party!!

 

Once we recover we will find that there was an important lesson learned in this loss that will help us fight the battles ahead.

 

YES WE CAN!!

 

 

How To Really Make a Difference

By Leo Seligsohn

 

Change happens when you do not hesitate to tell your regional and national representatives, in no uncertain terms, what you want them to do. It is generally acknowledged that they do listen, especially when enough people make their demands known in hand-written letters. Phone calls are almost as effective. In descending order faxes, e-mails and your name on a petition are helpful too.
Only the combined voices of millions of citizens can make a difference. Whenever possible, contact local offices listed below. Letters to Washington DC can take weeks to get delivered because of anthrax-related security checks.

 

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

 

By Myra Jones

 

Now that President Obama has begun to focus on global warming it is time to get behind him and his effort, and maybe even push a little. Americans waste/use a greater proportion of resources than any country in the world. Once again politics is getting in the way. In his latest book Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis , Al Gore says that unfortunately politics has not followed science on global warming closely enough, partly because of “the creation of an entire disinformation campaign network” by the carbon-based energy companies. They have created the biggest propaganda/lobbying campaign the world has ever seen.

 

It is possible for a nation to improve its carbon footprint. We have only to look at what Japan has done to get a workable template. Japan :

*is the most energy efficient country on the planet, we are the most wasteful

*uses half the energy per capita than we do in the US

*owns the most green technology patents in the world (40%), while the US only owns 12%

*manufacturers by law MUST hire at least one person devoted to improving energy use, AND must become 1% more energy efficient every year.

 

For the full story, go the Marketplace, a program of National Public Radio; December 7, 2009 .

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/12/07/pm-japan-energy

 

Write or call your local officials to tell them that you are in favor of reducing our carbon footprint, and that YOU VOTE!

 

 

So Much To Do, So Little Time

 

By Myra Jones

 

As we approach the first anniversary of President Obama's inauguration, pundits are in a hurry to grade him. It is important to note that this president was elected at a difficult time. He campaigned, and was elected with a promise to make change. As we've seen, this has given the “Party of ‘NO'” an opportunity to influence those who wish to conserve their way of life. They are trying to deny the evidence that change has taken place already, and that more is undoubtedly on the way. The facts prove them wrong. Please refer to the blog entitled: 92 things in one year. The primary resource is www.ProgressivesforObama.net .

See: http://paeditorsblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/92-things-in-one-year.html .

 

 

Legislative Redistricting Heats Up

 

By Carol Ann Breyer

 

The following two developments mark the efforts to get fair districting procedures on the ballot for the next general election:

 

•  $25,000 is needed immediately to process the remaining signatures.on the referendum petitions. So far, 1,650,000 signed petitions have been collected, and more money is needed to complete the entire batch. The Statewside Committee has been working hard to generate over 3 million dollars to handle and submit the petitions. Large amounts have already been collected in the greater Sarasota area, but there is still a temporary shortfall. Every donation now is needed, so go online to give: http://www.fairdistrictsflorida.org.donate .

 

•  According to the Herald Tribune, the battle to pass the Fair District legislation is already heating up. Minority groups are being told to oppose this, so it is incumbent upon Democratic Chapters and clubs to educate the public to the distortion of voting practices through gerrymandering in Florida . The Manatee North River Democrats are ahead of the curve on this having worked behind the scene to encourage a Public Forum on this issue sponsored by a local not-for-profit organization. Getting the correct word out on this is the most important thing we can do in the next election in the opinion of Representative Keith Fitzgerald, D (69).

 

 

Attention!

 

This Issue Needs Your Serious Consideration

 

By Leo Seligsohn

 

Archived docs

Optional section as a link to the archived news, such as PDF files (bylaws and etc.)

 

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