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

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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

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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

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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!

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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*

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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

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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:
Delaware United Rocks!

Delaware United Rocks!

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Remember how the supporters of Howard Dean applied their grassroots skills to great effect after Dean's candidacy faded?  In Delaware, many of these supporters became part of the Delaware grassroots and remain progressive stalwarts to this day. Bernie Sanders supporters have taken the same approach in Delaware, and are working very hard on at least three campaigns near and dear to Delaware Liberal:  Bryan Townsend for Congress, Eugene Young for Mayor, and Matt Meyer for NCC Executive. Those supporters have joined together to create Delaware United, and they are awesome! Here's how they describe themselves:
We are a proactive group of Delaware voters from various backgrounds, all united to change the course of Delaware local politics.
They're also real cool.  They're hard-working volunteers, but they're also lots of fun.  Reminds me of what I love the most about grassroots politics.

It’s 14 Days Until the Primary — Can You Help Support Progressive Candidates in Delaware?

Long time readers of this blog know that I ask folks here pretty often what have they done to try to make progressive change. Lots of readers of this blog *are* committed to progressive change and have rolled up their sleeves for candidates and issues. If you are looking at the sprint towards this primary and are looking for a way to get involved in a cycle that has plenty of excellent progressive choices, here are some options for you:
An Up Close Look At the City of Wilmington Okie Doke

An Up Close Look At the City of Wilmington Okie Doke

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Channel 28 on cable within Wilmington is a public access channel that is the locus of African American politics (and gossip) on Sundays. This is a segment from a recent Community Crossfire segment where Mayor Dennis Williams discusses the state of the city and the state of the Mayor's race with Sammy Congo, Sam Guy, and Pastor D. If you can spend the 30 minutes or so to take a look at this, you can see how Wilmington's African Amerian leadership speaks to its African American (mostly) audience. It's pretty disappointing all the way around, really. If you read this blog regularly, you know that one thing that I like pointing out is how Republicans are particularly good at getting their victim on as a way to bully people into their POV. Even though they aren't victims of anything, other than their own mismanagement or their own failure of messaging or leadership. You can see exactly the same thing here. Wilmington's "leadership" is being victimized by Purzycki (called out by name), or others running for Mayor who -- according to Williams -- he has helped and who are now somehow displaying serious disloyalty in now running against him. Pastor D calls out Kelley in a particularly despicable fashion -- denigrating his involvement and friendships with the families of crime victims, wondering why Kelley doesn't bring jobs to these communities. You are quite welcome to wonder which of these gentlemen have brought any serious jobs to their communities.
Political Primal Scream Therapy

Political Primal Scream Therapy

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I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. While we may not have a Christine O'Donnell in 2016, I can't recall a year when there have been so many Stoopid Candidate Tricks.  Or at least the kind of stories that make me want to scream. Two such stories surfaced this morning in the News-Journal. Scream along with me. First, we have another example of Mayor Dennis Williams' solid personnel judgment.  Second, we have a DUI in Sussex politics again.
DL’s Endorsement for Wilmington Mayor

DL’s Endorsement for Wilmington Mayor

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In most Blue States, the usual source of Democratic progressive governing is from its major cities. The Editors of Delaware Liberal have often lamented the fact that Delaware’s biggest city has been lacking in a more progressive political vision at pretty much every level. There's one candidate in Wilmington's Mayoral race who is finally advocating a comprehensive progressive vision for governing Wilmington -- a vision that is inclusive of the entire city, that is committed to bringing city government practices into the 21st century and will start the work to tackle some of the social justice issues that damage and hold back some of our communities. Delaware Liberal is proud to endorse Eugene Young for Mayor of Wilmington.