Carper, Coons and Carney vote for Trans Pacific Partnership because NAFTA really didn’t eff things up enough

Carper, Coons and Carney vote for Trans Pacific Partnership because NAFTA really didn’t eff things up enough

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Our congressional delegation just voted to give President Obama "fast track trade authority" on enacting the TPP, thereby denying Congress the right to debate or amend the pending trade agreement. Just as NAFTA was rushed through Congress 20 years ago resulting in the loss of 700,000 manufacturing jobs to Mexico, the TPP has been fast-tracked by Democrats because... ? They need the big campaign donations, I guess. NAFTA didn't eff things up enough? I don't know. Actually, the vote hasn't happened yet - but let's face it, Carper, Carney and Coons are going to vote for it.
Be above average – support the Delaware Shakespeare Festival’s “I am Hamlet”

Be above average – support the Delaware Shakespeare Festival’s “I am Hamlet”

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You've heard about this campaign, right?
The DSF is in the planning an exciting community-wide discussion of Shakespeare’s most famous play. We’re calling it the “I Am Hamlet” Project and it will lead up to our summer 2014 production of Hamlet. From March to May, DSF will reach into the community to find what this play means to you, how it resonates with your life, what personal reflections it causes, etc. We’ll be doing this through a number of initiatives; Classroom Workshops, Retirement Home Visits, Essay Contest, YouTube Videos, Social Media Campaigns, Town Hall
They've applied for grants to help fund the project, but we need to raise matching funds to bring the "I Am Hamlet" Project to life. Surely, you can kick in a measly $10 or $20 bucks? (Right now the average donation is $39.17 - so all you have to do to be above average is give a measly $39.50)
Monday Open Thread [1.27.14]

Monday Open Thread [1.27.14]

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New York Times notes Obama "realizes that he has little chance of major legislative victories this year, with the possible exception of an overhaul of immigration law that Republicans are also making a priority. As a result, aides said, he will present a blueprint for 'a year of action' on issues like income inequality and the environment that bypasses Congress and exercises his authority to the maximum extent." And he should be doing this. He should say tomorrow... "Hey, look, I can't trust this Congress not to send the planet into a self inflicted world wide financial apocalypse. Twice in the last three years, the majority in the House has threatened to do just that if they do not get everything they wanted in budget negotiations. And now they are doing it again. I can't work with these people. They are clinically insane. And I will not have the business and progress of our nation delayed or impeded simply by the unfortunate reality that they hold one House of Congress. So I am going to do what I can, under my existing executive authority, under existing laws, to do good for the American people. To create jobs. To save the environment. To provide those who need it with affordable healthcare. And if Congress wants to join me in this effort, they are more than welcome. But America cannot rely on the Majority in the House."
Should liberals vote?

Should liberals vote?

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The knee-jerk response to the question above is, "Of course. What if Republicans win more elections because liberals don't vote?" In this very interesting and provocative clip Russel Brand takes a different point of view and makes a pretty good case for not voting. He points out that voting in a system as rigged and corrupt as ours is nothing more than meek acquiescence. It is collaboration. If you accept the premise that too much water has flowed over the damn to be fixed by voting for the LEAST corrupted candidate, then not voting becomes the only valid alternative. Voting for Democrats is a "relief valve" that makes some people feel as if they've done some good for the world, when really they've only endorsed a completely corrupt system. I know many will comment on this thread without watching the entire video - but watch it.
Governor Markell’s State of the State Address

Governor Markell’s State of the State Address

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We didn't get to talk about this on Thursday when he delivered this address, but I hope you all had a chance to see it or to read it (there is a video of the address as well as a transcript of the speech at the link). The Governor choose the theme of Unleashing the Potential in Every Delawarean, which is certainly an excellent launching point to get to job, school, infrastructure investment as well as revitalization opportunities for Delaware downtowns. Here's a summary of the major points from a recent press release from the Governor's office:
The RNC hands Charlie Copeland a golden opportunity

The RNC hands Charlie Copeland a golden opportunity

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As Delaware Dem reported, the RNC voted to shorten its primary season in order to try and freeze out the whack jobs. What I recently learned is that the rules changes could put Delaware Republicans in the drivers seat when it comes to picking the party's next Mitt Romney. Iowa and New Hampshire have traditionally enjoyed the "first in the nation status" when it comes to primaries and caucuses. They get all the media and candidate attention, as well as the economic benefit that comes with hosting the circus every four years. However, Charlie Copeland, in his position of Acting GOP Chair, has a golden opportunity to jump in front of New Hampshire and make sure Delaware Republicans get a voice in the process and Delaware citizens get the $264 million that flows into New Hampshire every four years. The reason Delaware has this opportunity and other states don't has to do with the way the penalty for jumping to the front of the calendar is structured.

Saturday Open Thread [1.25.14]

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So the RNC has voted to shorten its primary season in order to make it easier for an establishment candidate to win quickly and easily without being tarnished by the crazies that he or she must debate. Further, it would make it easier for the candidate with the most money to swamp his or her lesser funded tea party upstarts and underdogs. Unfortunately for the Republicans, I don't think they thought this through. The plan is obviously meant to benefit Christie. But think about this. The first two contests are still the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary. Does anyone really think Chris Christie is going to win the Iowa Caucuses against Ted Cruz or Rand Paul, or even Rick Santorum. Lets assume Rand Paul wins. That sets him up for another quick victory in New Hampshire (remember, his father came in second there in 2012). And then after that he is a run away freight train. The same logic applies for Cruz, though I don't necessarily see him winning New Hampshire. And now with a tighter and shorter primary calendar, there is less time for the establishment candidate to smash these upstart underdogs down in a debate, for there are going to be fewer debates.
Senator Tom Carper’s Greatest Hits: The DL Guest Posts

Senator Tom Carper’s Greatest Hits: The DL Guest Posts

From 2007 to 2009 we got some great guest posts from Senator Tom Carper. I always enjoyed the saltiness of them even though I was routinely threatened with dismemberment.   Anyway,  stumbling over one of them yesterday made me nostalgic, so I went and dug up TC's greatest hits. This was the first one.  In it, he was trying to explain to the DL audience why he voted to give George W. Bush the authority to bug every phone, and read every email in the country without probable cause.

The Weekly Addresses

President Obama Governor Markell, whose Weekly Message this week was his State of the State Address, which I am posting here. Senator Brian Pettyjohn (R) of Sussex County posted a response to Governor Markell's State of the State address, but he filmed it using an iPhone, which might be fine if he didn't film it vertically. Amateur mistake.