How John Carney Can Jump-Start His Term, Reinvigorate Democrats, and Win a Special Election–All With One Move.

How John Carney Can Jump-Start His Term, Reinvigorate Democrats, and Win a Special Election–All With One Move.

So, we're facing a Special Election for State Senate. The candidates, D Stephanie Hansen and R John Marino, have been chosen by their respective parties.  The election has been necessitated due to incumbent Bethany Hall Long's winning of the Lieutenant Governor spot.  She takes office later in January.  The date for the Special Election has not been set, and it's not clear whether  outgoing Gov. Markell or incoming Gov. Carney will set the date. Barring an unexpected flip, the winner of this seat will determine which Party controls the Senate.  The Republicans are motivated as they can end umpteen years of Democratic control of the State Senate. They will have no problem motivating their voters. The Democrats?  If you are a Democratic voter and aren't necessarily plugged into the party structure, what will impel you to come out to vote?  I know that some of the usual suspects on the blog are minimizing this concern, I think it's real and I think it's a major problem for the special.  Why should D's come out to support the D candidate other than out of some sense of duty? Unless...now hang with me for a minute. 
Announcing the 2016 MVPs (Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause in Delaware)!

Announcing the 2016 MVPs (Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause in Delaware)!

2016 marks the conclusion of the public life of State Senator Karen Peterson.  Karen Peterson has been the single most effective progressive official in Delaware throughout her career.  She has been invaluable in pushing progressive causes--everything from open government to gun safety to equal rights for all.  Not just pushing for progress, but achieving it. Over and over again.  She is smart, tough and politically savvy.  Oh, and relentless.  Come to think of it, forget about words like 'progressive' or ''liberal'.  To me, she defines what it once meant and still should mean to be a Democrat.  Standing up for what is right and just and standing up for people who don't have the power to purchase politicians with campaign contributions.  As I look for ways to have an impact moving forward, I'll try to take the lessons that Karen taught us and put them into action.  She is, after all, the Most Valuable Progressive I have known during my time in politics in Delaware. A role model for all of us. Starting now. OK, kids, time for the annual countdown of this year's MVP's.....
How Tom Carper’s Positions and Votes Screw People and Help Rethugs Screw People. Volume 4

How Tom Carper’s Positions and Votes Screw People and Help Rethugs Screw People. Volume 4

Let's first look at the terms of this unholiest of marriages.  In exchange for being perhaps Big Pharma's most dependable stooge (Sen. Menendez of New Jersey is also in the running), Tom Carper has received compensation from the industry commensurate with his stoogery.  Big Pharma has contributed $225,010 to Tom Carper from 2011 to the present (end of year contributions not yet reported).  Of that amount, $194,410 came from PACs as opposed to $30,600 from individual donors. 86.4% of all dollars from the industry in PAC dollars.  Open Secrets has it all right here.  If you look at Carper's 20 Top Contributors, the following all have significant involvement in Pharma:  Astra Zeneca, Ashland, Pfizer,  and DuPont. In addition, the following big donors have holdings in, and/or are lobbyists for, the pharmaceutical industry (relevant links provided):  Blackstone Group, Akin, Gump, et al, Skadden Arps, et al, and King and Spalding. So, what exactly did/does Big Pharma get from Tom Carper?  A lot.  Carper's obstructionism on behalf of the industry paid off handsomely during Obamacare negotiations. And, yes, people who rely on government insurance programs bore the cost.

How Tom Carper’s Positions and Votes Screw People and Help Rethugs Screw People. Volume 3

Perhaps no issue defines who Carper represents in the Senate and who he doesn't represent in starker terms than his leadership in screwing families down on their luck in favor of the big banks and credit card operations. MBNA, to be more specific. In Carper's world, any feigned empathy consistently takes a back seat to the banking and financial interests who fund his campaigns.  While there is so much to dislike about his record, this issue, in my opinion, is the clarion call for his replacement in 2018. You see, Charles Cawley and MBNA had a dream. A dream that came to them almost every day and night.  They dreamt of a world where down-on-their-luck folks could no longer get out from under huge credit card balances by declaring bankruptcy. No exceptions. The dream was funded by campaign contributions. Huge sums of money dating back to the early 1990's.  One of the earliest beneficiaries of MBNA's largesse was then-Sen. Joe Biden.
BREAKING: Charters vs Christina School District & DDOE Settlement

BREAKING: Charters vs Christina School District & DDOE Settlement

What's it mean? The funds generated by the 2003 Christina School District referendum (10 cent referendum) that went to pay for 4 specific district programs will now be shared between District schools and all Charters and Choice schools that have Christina resident students attending them, it's straight up division. Total revenue from $0.10 tax, divided by total number of Christina resident students enrolled in District, Charter, and Choice schools going forward (FY 18 and beyond). For the current fiscal year (FY 17), Christina will take the total generated revenue from the $0.10 referendum (approximately $5.5 million according to the settlement), divide it by the total number of students and make payments to the appropriate schools by December 3oth. In addition to a one time payment in the amount of $150,000 to each of the plaintiff charter schools, which totals $2,250,000.

How Tom Carper’s Votes and Positions Screw People and Help Rethugs to Screw People. Volume 2

I was gonna release these at a more leisurely pace, but this one sticks in my craw. Well, they all do, but I couldn't let this one slide any longer.  When it comes to grandstanding, Tom Carper is right there with the best. With support for the military (and braggadocio about his own service) near the top of the list.  When the rubber meets the road, though, that's a different story.   This one is about how Tom Carper screws the grunts in the military...
tom carper offshore oil

How Tom Carper’s Votes and Positions Screw People and Help Rethugs to Screw People. Volume 1

I think a lot of people view Tom Carper as an essentially well-meaning, if occasionally eccentric, public servant.  That includes a lot of Democrats and plenty of liberals who I know.  They are wrong. His votes and stated positions, all a matter of public record, and easily discovered via a simple Google search, reveal that he largely ignores the needs of those who routinely vote for him.  He does, however, pay fealty to those who finance his campaigns, and he also gives away votes on behalf of his search for bipartisanship.  That search, like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football held by Lucy, never comes to fruition. Carper's desire to 'reach across the aisle' becomes even more dangerous in the era of Trump and Republican-controlled government.  He could well end up as the key D who enables the gutting of Medicare and Social Security. So, while it will take several pieces to flesh out his many sins of commission and omission,  let's get started. Tom Carper and the Keystone Pipeline.....

Tom Carper and The Third Way

Delawareans can no longer afford the risk of having Tom Carper in the United States Senate.  He is, in his own way, as dangerous as Donald Trump because he does not represent the people of this state, but rather represents those who control the lives of ordinary people through undue influence. We have long referred to Carper's corporatist leanings, but we perhaps haven't spelled them out so that people truly understood the extent of them, and the extent of the damage he has caused and can cause. Today we begin.

Paging 2016 MVP Nominees!

Yes, time to honor those who most contributed to the progressive cause in Delaware in 2016.  It was a real tough year, but there were some distinct bright lights, including longtime stalwarts and intriguing newcomers. While I, of course, have some ideas, I fully expect many of those on the final list, and the order, to come directly from you. The rules are simple.  Make your suggestions, and explain why they deserve mention.  Keep in mind that individuals or groups are welcome as are those who aren't progressive, but somehow contributed to the progressive cause.  For example, Christine O'Donnell won this award the year she took out Mike Castle. I'm also hoping that this may serve as a catharsis to get us all feeling more optimistic about the future and to inspire us to redouble our efforts.  After all, marching isn't just important, but it's a great way to lose weight. Nominate away!
Every Single State Legislative Race*

Every Single State Legislative Race*

The asterisk means that I'm only looking at races with one D and one R on the ballot.  Per usual, the real story is the paucity of those races.  It's even more pathetic than usual this year. Of the 11 Senate seats up this year, 5 are uncontested.  It's worse in the House. Of the 41 seats, 23 candidates are running unopposed.  Well more than half. Just. Awful.
The Vance Phillips Civil Suit Comes to an End With No Justice for the Woman He Assaulted

The Vance Phillips Civil Suit Comes to an End With No Justice for the Woman He Assaulted

It has been awhile since we heard anything about the lawsuit brought by Katelynn Dunlap against Vance Phillips seeking some accountability for raping her. We talked about this multiple times here at DL, but see here, here, here and here for a good recap.) Updating the story, Ms Dunlap has filed a stipulation of dismissal for the civil action filed against Phillips in Kent County court. This isn't quite the end of the story though. Ms. Dunlap took to the airwaves Wednesday to talk about this and released a statement about her decision to both the media and her Facebook page. This is what she published to Facebook: