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Sun Feb 07, 2010 at 15:15:52 PM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Yesterday, Politics is Power.com kicked off a voter registration drive called "The Wake Up Tour 2010.” The tour was given this title because of the lack of voter turn out in off year elections. This is high in African American Communities. The purpose of this project is to register as many African Americans (both youth and adults) to vote in this year’s congressional and state-wide elections in SC. Statistics have shown that the average African American turn out for Congressional and Gubernatorial Elections are less then 11%.
Our first stop was in Blythewood, SC. Yesterday, we attended the "Behind Music Gospel Concert.” This was held at Little Zion Baptist Church on Winnsboro Road. The program also had a panel discussion on Hip Hop and Holy Hip Hop. After the program we were able to register a good number of voters.
Our goal now is to try to get to as many major and minor events around SC. If you would like for PIP to come to your church or event, let us know by e-mailing us at politicsispower@gmail.com.
Douglas Wilson
Editor and Chief
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Fri Feb 05, 2010 at 16:48:30 PM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Here are the images from Thursday night’s OFA strategy session in Charleston on Feb. 4, 2010. About 100 OFA volunteers participated. Candidates attending included Robert Burton (Congress), Jim Rex (Governor) and Vic Rawl (possibly US Senate). A wide ranging discussion went on for about two hours. A Flickr image set from last night’s OFA strategy session at the ILA Hall in Charleston, SC is now online.
The image set allows access to full resolution copies of these images. Permission is granted to any Democratic Campaign or organization to use them freely without payment or attribution.
You can find most of these same images on Facebook, where they’re available for tagging and linking to other content. Please help get all the wonderful volunteers who turned out tagged and recognized.
The OFA volunteers raised a lot of tough questions reflective of South Carolina's difficult political culture but most left ready to continue the work on the President's agenda.
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Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 11:57:58 AM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
 This week the Charleston County Library System decided to shorten hours and days open to meet a declining budget. Five regional libraries had their Sunday hours eliminated. The main branch will close an hour earlier on weekdays. Detailed announcement on reduced hours from CCPL website.One significant impact is to greatly reduce access to the heavily used community meeting rooms at these locations, which are critical to non-profit and community groups. SC's Lottery Legislation authorized using a portion of lottery funds for library funding and millions from the lottery were used for that purpose for several years, before being cut a year or two ago. Librarians across the state are asking that one million dollars of that funding be restored. The following has been sent to me by a local librarian, who is asking for your help. Considering how much help I've gotten from librarians through the years, I owe them one. Lottery decisions will be made by the House Ways and Means Subcommittee Chairs when they meet next week. It is important that you and your trustees, friends and supporters immediately communicate with the Members listed below.
The message is: Include public libraries at the $1 million level in Proviso 2.5 in lottery funding.
Keep the message succinct, but if you have cases of reducing hours and/or staff then please be sure to include it. . . .
Remember that you can also use CapWiz to communicate with your representatives. For more info on how to use CapWiz, visit http://scla.org/index.php/Docu... To access CapWiz directly, visit http://capwiz.com/ala/sc/home/.
A list of the legislators on that committee is set out in the extended text below. One may need to be quiet in the stacks, but it is time to make some noise for the libraries.
Contact details for the legislature in the extended text.
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Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 06:27:58 AM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
The Republicans have sold, and continue to sell, a huge lie to the American people: "When we lower taxes, you get to keep more of your money."
Here are just three examples of how their mantra is a lie.
- If we raise the cigarette tax, you'll stop smoking, and you'll get to keep more of your money.
- If we change the way we tax corporate profits so that the executives are encouraged to pay the profits to the shareholders instead of taking the profits for themselves in giant-sized bonuses, then you, the shareholder, will get to keep more of your money.
- If we fund pre-K and other early education programs, then your children will be more likely to graduate from high school and get a good job and less likely to be incarcerated, and you, the parent and the taxpayer, will get to keep more of your money.
Many, many more examples abound.
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Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 04:23:21 AM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Listening to The Paper Tongues song "Trinity" has given me inspiration to write about S.C. First Congressional District candidate Robert Burton, who is Democratic. He's giving people hope again this election cycle, considering we were so close with Linda Ketner.
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Tue Feb 02, 2010 at 12:13:11 PM EST
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( - promoted by Tim Kelly)
Democrats and activists from across the Lowcountry gathered in N. Charleston on Saturday for a daylong organizing event called “Yes to Rational Solutions, No to Fear” sponsored by the Charleston County Democratic Party. 100 people participated in the event. Left Shawn Mitchell helps lead a healthcare discussion.
The day began with a New Orleans style breakfast at the Crescent Connection Bistro which featured remarks from Frank Holleman, candidate for State Superintendent of Education and a debate between the announced candidates for the Democratic Nomination for the 1st. Congressional District seat. Holleman’s remarks were though provoking. The debate, which lasted about 30 minutes focuses on Energy, Healthcare, Education and Jobs. Sgt. Robert Dobbs, Col. Robert Burton and Lt. Dick Withington (all veterans) participated in the debate. It ended with a call for everyone present to take a hard look at the candidates and “pick a horse to ride. WCIV, TV 4 covered the debate and recorded video with all three candidates during the breakfast, our only major media coverage of the day. Withington and Dobbs both recorded studio videos later that day introducing themselves to voters. Robert Burton later put a segment of the debate recorded by his campaign on his website. See Withington Introductor Video. See Dobbs Introductor Video. See Burton Video recorded by his campaign during the debate. Details and multimedia links in extended text below
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Tue Feb 02, 2010 at 09:01:54 AM EST
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( - promoted by Tim Kelly)
In 1976, Congress decided that it had to take responsibility to protect the public, including our children, from hazardous chemicals. Thirty-three years later, those regulations represent the only major environmental law that has not been updated to better suit modern times. Finally, though, there is an effort underway in Congress to change this.
It's high time and this effort should be encouraged. Now is not the time to rest on our laurels and wait until a catastrophe prompts us to take action. Now is the time to put our children first and modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Much has changed since the 1970s, including our understanding of toxic chemicals. As we move forward to update TSCA, it will be imperative to address the shortfalls of the current legislation in a manner that prioritizes safety, promotes innovation, and protects American jobs.
Across the country, states and municipalities have recognized TSCA's many failings, and have taken steps to remedy these deficiencies. Unfortunately, this patchwork of often conflicting consumer protection laws is having the effect of creating confusion for both consumers and businesses.
As a parent, I find it appalling that children in some states are better protected than children in another. Our children are our most precious commodities, and also our most vulnerable, and we must make it a priority to safeguard them from harmful substances.
We need a strong federal statute that protects all children equally, from Oregon to Tennessee to South Carolina.
By creating a federal standard that serves the needs of every state, Congress will be sending the message that safety comes first and that the Environmental Protection Agency can and will take action when it identifies chemicals that, even when used correctly, are harmful to public health.
This vital reform can only be achieved through a comprehensive and balanced approach. There are those who would advocate for a law that simply bans chemical products because their improper use poses a risk, rather than recognizing that some chemicals are perfectly safe and even beneficial when used as intended. Unfortunately, that method is impractical and will fail to accomplish anything at all.
While it can be appealing to paint any and all chemicals as the enemy, it is impossible to overstate the important presence of chemicals in our lives. Just about every product we use and countless products are children are exposed to have a chemical element. Science has identified those that pose a threat. The law needs to be tough enough to identify and restrict those, while not disposing of the chemical products that are harmless or helpful.
Our modern lives depend on the ability of the chemical industry to keep innovating and manufacturing products we need.
Luckily, consumer safety and innovation in the chemical industry are not mutually exclusive. Last year alone, the industry invested $14 billion in environmental, health, and safety programs.
A balanced approach to chemical safety reform will prioritize the safety of all consumers-children and adults-while recognizing that American businesses are best suited to provide customers with the safest products possible. Overly burdensome regulations could send manufacturing overseas, where regulations are lax and chemicals are often dangerous.
Our current set of regulations is outdated, and falls far short of the protections we need to keep our children and communities safe.
In 1976, the 94th Congress recognized the pressing need to protect children from hazardous materials. Now it's time for our current Congress to come to the same conclusion and take steps to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act.
SC State Representative Wendell Gilliard
District 111
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Mon Feb 01, 2010 at 22:26:03 PM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Over the past year and half, this country has gone through a movement that has been directed towards voting out incumbents. We saw this in the New Jersey and Virginia races last year and the Massachusetts Special Election last month. Because of these emotional elections, many feel that the 2010 elections will be an unprecedented one.
However, should this anger be directed at all incumbents? Let’s look at South Carolina Congressman John Spratt. Many in his district are angry at him because of his vote for healthcare. Others also feel that he has not spent a lot of time in the district. His opponent, is a freshman state senator that is very far to the right and very partisan.
I know and I am aware that like many congressman, Spratt has made some mistakes. However, I believe that he should not be voted out based upon ideology or one vote. Congressman Spratt has served the 5th district for 30 plus years. Some of the growth that has been seen in the district such as new schools and companies result from some of the federal funds he was able to send there. He has also brought jobs to the district. Some of the federal funding that was acquired for these jobs were:
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Mon Feb 01, 2010 at 17:17:31 PM EST
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dwight Drake has picked up a big endorsement from one of South Carolina's longest-serving mayors.
Columbia Mayor Bob Coble announced Monday he's backing Drake in this year's governor's race.
"Today I am happy to announce my support and endorsement of Dwight Drake, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor," said Mayor Coble. "As a resident of Columbia for forty years, Dwight understands the challenges facing the midlands, and his experience working for Governors John West and Dick Riley makes Dwight the only candidate who can do the job of Governor from Day One. The challenges we face demand that we have a Governor who needs no on-the-job training, and I am proud to endorse and support Dwight Drake as that candidate."
Drake, a Columbia attorney and lobbyist, is facing a fierce five-way primary race this June. Also competing for the Democratic nomination (and the endorsements) are State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, Camden Sen. Vincent Sheheen, Charleston Sen. Robert Ford, and Lowcountry attorney Mullins McLeod.
Thoughts on the significance of Coble's endorsement?
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Mon Feb 01, 2010 at 11:10:32 AM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Jim DeMint's destructive and negative campaign against the President and progress for America is generating increasing interest in opposing him in the US Senate. On Saturday, the Hon. Victor Rawl, former Judge, State Legislator, Industrial Commissioner and current member of Charleston County Council, recorded a YouTube video announcing an exploratory effort to see what sort of interest and support a campaign by him might attract.  You can see the video on YouTube here.
According to a phone call this morning, Rawl is looking forward to talking with South Carolinians from all backgrounds and his many friends from his long career in public service and politics about the issues before the state. Two Facebook groups were formed to support the exploratory effort: Draft Vic Rawl for US Senate and Vic Rawl for US Senate. Rawl joined Facebook this afternoon and you can find him here. Do bear in mind that this is his first outing in social networking and it may take him a little time to get up to speed. Rawl recorded his video at the Yes to Rational Solutions, No to Fear Democratic event in N. Charleston, utilizing the digital studio set up there. The studio recorded several videos that afternoon which were transmitted to YouTube immediately, right from the operations center.
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Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 13:47:49 PM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
I want to be really honest with my fellow liberals and progressives. A true liberal is not going to win in South Carolina. There has to be a foundation built in order to get that done. Let's read on as I share with you Chad McGowan's stances on issues that matter to us and why he needs to be our next U.S. senator.
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Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 12:32:53 PM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Local community leaders are reacting to President Obama’s State of the Union Address. The diverse coalition is calling on the U.S. Senate to pass comprehensive energy legislation this year that will jumpstart our economy and create thousands of new energy jobs for South Carolina, end America’s dangerous dependence on Middle Eastern oil, and protect our planet for future generations.
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