2014 strategy

Given Republican obstructionism, Democrats should publicly set a priority of gaining about 5 Senate seats and 23 House seats in 2014, so they can have a filibuster-proof majority. They should be talking about what their agenda will be if they gain full control of the federal government. Once that is achieved, progressive Democrats need to pressure their elected officials to make substantial progress. If leadership fails, then they either need to run primary challengers, or go third-party with us.

Open letter to Laura Libby

Congratulations on your election to Crystal City Council! I'm posting this on my blog so we can always refer back to it.

 My advice is to compromise with your colleagues and in return push for an "island of sustainability" in Crystal, no matter how small it might be. This island would have a zero carbon footprint, and people living and working within it. Through your zoning incentives, it could be an ecovillage with earth homes, farm gardens, solar panels, wind turbines, and a link to mass transit, perhaps electric buses.

If there is a consensus to develop the Crystal airport, this is what it should be. If you can't get the island of sustainability, then maybe it could be a community garden or prairie grasses.

That's all I can think of for now!

Ok, Dayton, no excuses!

Now that Democrats control both the state house and senate, Dayton should be able to pass a New Minnesota Deal. This could include fixing Pawlenty's unallotment mess, making the rich pay their fair share, and legalizing same-sex marriage. They could also pick up some 2nd-choice support from Greens if they pass Instant Runoff Voting. If they're serious about the "spoiler effect," they'll pass this without delay.

Stein gets almost half a percent : )

Relieved that Obama won.

Looks like Stein is 4th in MN with 0.44%, up from 0.18% in 2008. Libertarian Gary Johnson finishes 3rd, with 1.19%! Obama won by 7% in MN, so about 200,000 more people could have voted for Stein without affecting the outcome.

What's frustrating is that the media wants a close horse race so they can get higher ratings. And if all elections are close, most people will never be brave enough to give Greens a chance to win. Maybe the Democrats can nominate a real progressive in 2016, but they had better start now. (NOT HILLARY!)

Sadly Graves did not beat Bachmann, but both amendments failed, and this may have helped Democrats to retake the state house and senate.

Just to review...

http://www.gp.org/2012/campaign-news/73-jill-stein-and-the-99-percent.html