Summer is upon us and the blistering heat of Kentucky's political process is about to kick into full swing. Democrats have incumbents in John Yarmuth and Ben Chandler, and are contesting all but one of the current Republican seats. Now with summer arriving in Kentucky, the fight is on!!
Our Senator, Mitch McConnell needs no introduction here. Millions of us have watched in disgust the sneering face of McConnell as progressive change on a myriad of issues was blocked. He has been a constant opponent of any kind of attempt to reform our government and inhibit lobbyists. In the former Republican Congress that failed in its "Contract" so miserably, McConnell was a constant lackey for President Bush. He used his leadership position to rubber-stamp every policy that has failed this country.
The Democratic candidate is Bruce Lunsford He has been walking the beat earning votes the old fashioned way. Kentucky Democrats are ready to rally behind him:
Go to Bruce's site and see how you can help:
http://www.bruce2008.com/...
Or, go here and really help:
http://www.actblue.com/...
In the Second Congressional District we find
David Boswell. Recent
polls show him with a lead for this open seat. You can hear David here:
You can support him here:
http://www.actblue.com/...
Then in my home we have Heather Ryan. She is the Democrat in Kentucky's First Congressional District seeking to unseat Exxon Ed Whitfield. She has already shown great courage in standing with us on FISA, from an email:
Later this week, the Senate will be considering passage of the compromise on the FISA Bill. Since many voters in the First Congressional District of Kentucky have contacted me wondering what my stance on this legislation is, I felt compelled to speak on this issue.
While I was in Washington on that terrible day of Sept. 11, 2001 when planes crashed into the World Trade Center and in Western Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, I can understand the passion that has fueled this bill. Having said that, I must urge the Senate to reject this FISA compromise as proposed and passed by the House of Representatives with H.R. 6304.
There are several reasons why I feel this bill is unnecessary. First, I think that we have lost focus on the fact that a competent Administration could have actually gone a long way in preventing this tragedy. The Bush Administration was warned in advance of 9-11 and did nothing at the time to prevent it. I believe if the Bush Administration would have acted on the intelligence provided them, then the 9-11 tragedy could have been avoided through the laws that existed at the time.
I believe this law is an extension of the Bush Administration’s attempts to politicize the Justice Department. Prosecuting entities are provided by the Constitution with checks and balances on which to operate. They already have very broad powers and if they found a credible threat would have no problem getting a warrant in a timely fashion.
I believe that FISA and this compromise are an abomination to the Constitution because it seeks to circumvent the checks and balances provided all of us by that document. I strongly oppose giving the Telecom Corporations immunity when they knew they were breaking the law when the Bush Administration asked them to break the law.
I saw where my opponent in this race, Exxon Ed Whitfield voted for this Legislation. I think it is pretty ironic when the very Republicans that lecture us about the size of the Federal Government propose, and push through the House of Representatives a bill that broadens the powers of the Federal Government vastly. I think this is one issue that Liberals, Moderates and Conservatives should all be able to agree on. There are certain things that none of us should ever compromise on, and the Constitution is one thing I will never compromise on as Representative of Kentucky’s First District.
She has also shown great courage in pre-empting the strike she knows is coming from Exxon Eddie on Abortion:
She is ready to fight!!:
Democrats are always bemoaning the fact that our leaders won't fight for us once elected. Heather is a grassroots Democrat, she lives and works among us, and feels our frustration. She will never be caught fighting for the wrong side. She needs our support against a well-funded candidate. If we will not support candidates like Heather, then what are we complaining about? Please, help us win this race here: