The 2014 MVP Awards! And the winner is…. Mike Matthews.

The 2014 MVP Awards! And the winner is…. Mike Matthews.

16 Comments
Granted, it wasn't a great year for progressives in Delaware, to put it mildly. A business uber alles governor, a congressional delegation that aids and comforts the enemy, more shenanigans from narcissistic elected officials, and a refusal by the General Assembly to address financial shortfalls that will soon impact Delaware's infrastructure. However...we began to see the emergence of coalitions that may well have a profound and positive impact on our future. We also saw some elected officials step up their game. And we saw members of the public lead in challenging some of the most wrong-headed assumptions of our elected officials. So, here they are: The 2014 Bob Stachnik Memorial MVP Awards.   Dedicated to a man who epitomized the spirit of those who created this very blog. A man who, literally and figuratively, sought to 're-twinkle the stars'.
Jack Markell Offers Another Phony Choice. Just In Time for Christmas: Coal for the Laborers.

Jack Markell Offers Another Phony Choice. Just In Time for Christmas: Coal for the Laborers.

21 Comments
OK, kids, take some time and read this article. It's not long. I'll wait. Markell sets up a completely phony choice as the supposed upcoming battle for the 'soul of the Democratic Party'.  According to Markell, the choice is middle-class jobs vs. 'income redistribution', aka a living wage:
Markell said Democrats should pursue an "agenda around growth rather than an agenda around redistribution," saying that "there aren't a lot of people with middle class jobs who are aspiring to an increase in the minimum wage."
So, on behalf of this state's economic overlords, our putative Democratic governor wants to set up a battle of the middle class vs. those who need a living wage.  Uh, by the way, in such a battle, neither the middle class nor those in need of a minimum wage wins. The economic overlords do. BTW, Jack, there's no reason whatsoever why you can't or shouldn't pursue an agenda that promotes both growth for the middle class and a living wage. Geez, some of those people earning a living wage could become, dare I say it, middle class.
Final Call For MVP Nominees

Final Call For MVP Nominees

10 Comments
C'mon, now folks. You have until midnight tomorrow to nominate those Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause in Delaware for 2014. Yes, I know it was not a great year for progressivism in Delaware. But that opens the door to some below-the-radar picks, those deserving of greater recognition. I've got six, and only six, real solid choices, some of them off the beaten track. So, there's plenty of room for your suggestions.  You've got until midnight Friday to submit your choices.  A 'Bulo Tip of the Sombrero awaits... I will post the list next Tuesday right here at 10 am, and will then go on the Al Mascitti show to discuss it.
In Praise of DMV And the People Who Work There

In Praise of DMV And the People Who Work There

9 Comments
The next time someone makes an ad hominem attack on state workers, please commend to them the people who work at DMV. In my case, the facility just south of Wilmington off of Rt. 13 across from Casablanca. I had to take my car through inspection today,  and I'd lost my registration card. So, before going through the lanes, I stopped inside to get a new card. They have a help desk right inside to route people to the proper services, two people answering questions. I told them my problem, and I was told that there was no need to get a card just for inspection, just let the inspectors know. I went through inspection. When I got to the inspector who handles checking the lights and emissions, I recognized him.  He's been there forever. Many years at the Bancroft facility, and now here. Working a tough job in all kinds of weather, breathing in all those fumes. Always very professional and always has a kind word.  When I last went through two years ago, I got a chance to talk to him, and he's had all kinds of health issues. Yet here he is, doing a great job.  When I think of why state employees deserve good pay, I think of him. I dare any of those reptilian Rethugs from Chateau Country to do his job for even one day. Then, I was able to handle the entire transaction of getting the new registration and tag w/o leaving my car. Using the Jetsons technology.  Don't think it took more than three minutes. I almost look forward to going to DMV now. A wonderfully crafted customer-centric system and great workers. When you consider the range of issues and the range of clients they deal with, you just have to take your hat off to them.
Now Accepting Nominations for 2014 MVP (Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause) Awards…

Now Accepting Nominations for 2014 MVP (Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause) Awards…

2 Comments
Every year, I recognize those who were most valuable to the progressive cause in Delaware. The nominees can be progressives, but they don't have to be. In fact, they can be members of the Forces of Evil who unwittingly advanced the progressive cause. They can be elected officials, appointed officials, candidates, or any member of the general public. Maybe even a group as opposed to an individual. Knock yourselves out. I am putting together this year's list, and I need your help (but then, you already knew that). Deadline is Friday, December 12 at 11:59 p.m. Please don't just provide names, but rather, tell us how they advanced the progressive cause in 2014. You are now officially on the clock. Whaddayagot?
DL Exclusive: Rep. Bryon Short Considering Run for State Insurance Commissioner

DL Exclusive: Rep. Bryon Short Considering Run for State Insurance Commissioner

11 Comments
State Rep. Bryon Short (D-Highland Woods) today told Delaware Liberal that he is considering a run for State Insurance Commissioner. While he has not made a decision on the race, he told me that it's important that the IC's office does an effective job of 'setting the marketplace' to ensure competition and consumer choices, and to 'effectively address the concerns and problems facing consumers'. He also said that the work of the office 'is very important,  but unfortunately people aren't made aware as to just how important it is, and how it impacts them'. Short has attended the last two NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) meetings in order to  extend his knowledge for both his House committee work and to possibly prepare for a statewide run.
The 62 Project: Not Better Late Than Never. But It’s Finished. Just In Time To Change It.

The 62 Project: Not Better Late Than Never. But It’s Finished. Just In Time To Change It.

27 Comments
I was planning to finish this in time for...well, some time before now. However, sloth and other events intervened. So here we have it, 1-62, for each and every member of the 147th Delaware General Assembly, based on their careers, not just the past session. For those I previously profiled, you can click on the links. For the rest, the floor is open for questions and vitriol. 1. Sen. Karen Peterson: A fierce negotiator/advocate who successfully leverages her bargaining power to pass progressive legislation. Imagine that. Accruing power not for personal ambition, but to pass a progressive agenda. An easy choice for #1. 2. Rep. Mike Barbieri: Quietly does outstanding work on kids' issues, and has helped turn back the neanderthal mandatory sentencing excesses of the Sharp/Smith/Vaughn/Brady years. He's impressed me from Day 1. A thinker and a doer. We need more social workers in the General Assembly. 3. Sen. Bob Marshall: Has gotten better and more effective as he's gotten older. He serves as perhaps the leading Democrat from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party in challenging Jack Markell's DINO-ism. He's got at least one more minimum wage increase in him. 4. Rep. Melanie George Smith: Her work, along with Barbieri and others, on sentencing reform, was legislating at its best.  It wasn't easy, it required a tremendous attention to detail, plus political smarts. Forget her political roots, focus on her legislative skills. 5. Sen. Dave Sokola: Anyone who thinks it was easy for a legislator from the Pike Creek/Hockessin area to support progressive reform wasn't around when he got elected. That's what he did and that's what he does. And, while he gets criticism from some of our education people, he stood up to the 'forced busing' bashers, including his own Pro-Tem, Tom Sharp.  His sponsorship of civil unions reflects the kind of person he is.
Coming Tuesday: The Entire 62 Project Unveiled.

Coming Tuesday: The Entire 62 Project Unveiled.

6 Comments
The Bataan Death March of projects reaches its ultimate destination tomorrow. Both here on DL and on the Al Mascitti Show beginning at 10 am. You can listen right here. The entire 147th General Assembly legislative roster ranked from 1-62, based on legislators' careers, not just the past couple of months. I think the project got bogged down b/c, although it's really easy to write about the best legislators, the worst legislators, and the most eccentric legislators, there was a group of legislators ranked somewhere between 40 and 50 who were not particularly interesting to me. Legislators who were just there. I lost my mojo. Finally got my mojo workin' last weekend. Anyway, once the list is posted, I'll tweak the list before the start of the 148th to account for injustices, new info, and, of course, to address both the departed and the newcomers. Since the list is completed and will not change before tomorrow, feel free to predict your #1 and #62.
RIP: Jimmy Ruffin (1936-2014)

RIP: Jimmy Ruffin (1936-2014)

2 Comments
The older brother of the Temptations' David Ruffin (one of the greatest soul singers of all time), Jimmy Ruffin  recorded one of Motown's most unforgettable hits.  When I saw "Standing In the Shadows of Motown" at Theatre N, this was the song that closed the movie, and this was the song that we ALL sang as we left the theatre...
Who ‘Killed’ Sean Matthews?

Who ‘Killed’ Sean Matthews?

8 Comments
No, this is not one of those comic book 'dream' issues. Somebody 'killed' Sean Matthews. And apparently 200 or more of his supporters. The 'deceased' did not know of their demise until someone from the Democratic Party caught wind of the massive tragedy.  And subsequently raised them from the dead. Here's the unbelievable story: Both Sean Matthews and Dennis E. Williams had access to the Democratic Party Voter File...until the 10th R. D. officially endorsed Dennis Williams. At that point, only the endorsed candidate had access to the file.  Until after the primary, that is.  You will recall that Matthews defeated the incumbent D Williams.  Which meant that, as of September 10, Matthews was able to access the file. Only, something had happened in the interim. Someone had gone into the Voter File and marked over 200 voters as 'deceased', including Sean Matthews. Only the Williams people had access to the file, and someone or some someones had to actively go in and change the status of these voters to deceased.  It wasn't the Party. They were the ones who spotted the mischief-making and alerted Matthews right away. BTW, virtually none of the alleged deceased were in fact deceased, if any.
Jobs For Delaware Graduates = Jobs For Political Hacks

Jobs For Delaware Graduates = Jobs For Political Hacks

16 Comments
Does anybody here remember the inception of Jobs For Delaware Graduates? I do. Pete duPont created this repository for some of his less-qualified lackeys back in 1978. It was basically modeled after other Federal jobs programs, but with the bar set so low that it could claim success even when said success was dubious at best, and would never have been accepted under federal requirements:
It was designed in 1978 by five working groups in Delaware, drawn from business, educational, workforce, labor union, and community leadership. The purpose of the organization was to address simultaneously with Delaware’s unemployment rate and the dropout rate (?).
So, you're saying to yourself, well, Steve, this is all well and good, but, so far your headline is false advertising. Ladeez & Gentlemen, meet the new President of Jobs For Delaware Graduates...STATE SENATOR NICOLE POORE. major conflict: Didja know that this ostensibly 'private non-profit' gets about $1.4 million annually from the Grant-In-Aid bill? Taxpayer money appropriated by the same General Assembly to which Sen. Poore belongs? And now she's drawing a salary from them. From the same $1.4 million?