Tag: El Somnambulo
El Somnambulo’s 25 Favorite Songs of 2013
I am El Somnambulo, and I’m a listaholic. I listen to lots of music so that you don’t have to. I don’t like my Top 25 list this year, I love my list this year.
If you sample these songs, I can almost guarantee that you’ll find some stuff you’ll want to investigate further. (BTW, Cecile McLorin Salvant‘s ‘Womanchild’ would have been high on this list if only I could have found an online version. She’s great and, if there’s any justice, she’ll make tons of money.)
So here we go, as always, counting down from #25 to #1:
2013: The Good, The Bad, the Ridiculous
I am El Somnambulo, and I’m a listaholic. Today, one of my faves, my Delaware year-end review. I went back to January, and chronologically went through our Delaware Liberal archives. Man, our bloggers were en fuego this year. Incredible work from all corners. Cassandra on Wilmington and loads of other stuff, Pandora on education, Jason330 on the suckitude that is our congressional delegation, our beloved leader DelDem liveblogging from the Hall and covering national politics like no other, great Rob Tornoe cartoons. And, next year, ProgressivePopulist will have loads of great entries. Anyway, y’all could do a lot worse than to go back to January and enjoy the journey like I did. You can just click on ‘archives’ at the bottom of the page, and enjoy the journey.
Would it surprise you to learn that I considered only 12 possible entries for the Good? Didn’t think so. I had lots more to choose from in the other two categories, but I’m kind-of a negative person. So, here we go, have at it!
The 62 Project: #’s 23 & 39
Bethany Hall Long found herself in the spotlight this session as she was one of the identified ‘undecided’ votes on gay marriage. At first, she reportedly told confidants that her father would disown her if she voted for the bill. However, the right-wing evangelicals in her district spewed their hatred, and Hall-Long had had enough. She made clear that such intolerance was unacceptable and, along with Sen. Cathy Cloutier, her yes vote made the difference in passing HB 75 in the Senate. She also supported transgender equality later in the session. She voted against putting an end to the death penalty, but voted for the minimum wage increase. Her bill sponsorship is largely focused on health-related bills, which makes sense as she chairs the Senate Health & Social Services Committee. However, her knowledge of the intricacies of these issues enables her to be more than just a sponsor pushing through administrative initiatives. She is often involved in working groups developing consensus best-practices proposals.
John Viola was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998, defeating longtime incumbent and JFC co-chair Rich Davis, 1897-1802. Davis, a classy guy, said that Viola won because ‘he outworked me’. No recriminations, just a tip of the cap on his way out of Dover. Viola has not had serious opposition since, with the R’s polling no more than 20.1% in those odd instances when they bothered to muster a challenge at all. The best that you can say about John Viola is that he ‘does no harm’. Some people are confirmed bachelors, Viola is a confirmed back-bencher. Nothing especially wrong with that. He’s generally a reliable vote for Democratic priorities. He supported gay marriage, transgender equality, payday loans, criminal background checks for gun purchases, and most other positive initiatives. My main issue with Viola is that he is a legislator who benefits from Delaware Way shenanigans.
It’s Official! Brenda Mayrack Enters State Auditor Race
Here is the press release:
Brenda Mayrack, an attorney and small business owner, announced her candidacy today for Delaware State Auditor. […] Mayrack pledged to bring a renewed focus to protecting taxpayer dollars to the State Auditor’s office. “Delawareans’ hard earned tax dollars do not belong to the government. Taxpayers, whether they are individuals or businesses, deserve a State Auditor who will improve accountability, transparency, and innovation in our state government,” she said. “As State Auditor, I will look for new ways to use technology to ensure that our valuable tax dollars are spent properly and put to their best use.”
Mayrack, a Democrat, has extensive experience with audits as an attorney specializing in unclaimed property. As State Auditor, her immediate priorities include a comprehensive review of credit card use by state employees and increased protections for whistleblowers. She brings energy, experience, and a new vision for an office charged with ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively.
Delaware House of Representatives To Consider Minimum Wage in 2014?
Sure looks that way. Rep. Bryon Short, chair of the House Lapdog Committee (aka the House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance/Commerce) wrote in today’s News-Journal that he now supports legislation to increase Delaware’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.25 an hour:
I voted against releasing the legislation from committee at both hearings. In addition to my votes, I have stated I understood the role of minimum wage, supported minimum wage as sound public policy, and that I looked forward to the right time in our economic recovery to vote in support of the bill. I believe now is the right time to support and pass a minimum wage increase for Delaware workers.
Time To Level With Us, Beau
Beau Biden apparently wants to have it both ways. According to this article at WDEL.com, Biden states that he plans to run for reelection in 2014, but refuses to give any update on his health. Although the ‘…long, curving scar stretching from his left ear to the top of his head’ provides a clue. However, Biden “is still refusing to discuss details about a recent health scare that sent him to a Texas cancer center.” This in the same interview where he says he’ll run for reelection.
The 62 Project: #’s 24 & 38
Kim Williams is among three newcomers who have displayed extraordinary promise during the 2013 legislative session. Consider the number 24 as merely a placeholder as it reflects her lack of time in Dover. She’s moving higher. Not only does she have the right profile for a citizen-legislator, she has demonstrated that conscience and effectiveness are not mutually exclusive.
Trey Paradee has been the single greatest disappointment to progressives among the 2012 newcomers. Despite expressing support for equal rights for same sex couples back in 2008, Paradee voted against marriage equality. He largely opposed most gun control measures. He has helped to bury a minimum wage increase in the House Business Lapdog Committee. Now, while he technically did not ‘go back on his word’ on gay marriage (the initial comments dealing with civil unions), he diligently ‘worked the refs’ to create at least a sense of good will from progressives, including me. He convinced me that this district was not the stereotypical Kent County district of 20 years ago, and then voted as if it was. Fool me once…
BREAKING: Koch Brothers $$’s Behind Caesar Rodney Institute Funding
People much cannier than I have been trying to unravel the money trail of the many dummy organizations used by the Koch Brothers to funnel money to propaganda machines.
Thanks to a state-by-state review of the Koch Brothers labyrinthine finances, we now know that the Koch Brothers have been the largest rainmaker for the Caesar Rodney Institute.
The 62 Project: #’s 25 & 37
Mike Mulrooney is a salt-of-the-earth legislator, and I mean that as a compliment. While he doesn’t make splashes as a prime sponsor on much legislation, he is a quietly-effective supporter of (mostly) progressive legislation. He meandered from the fold on one gun bill, but that’s about it.
Rep. Don Blakey is a mild disappointment to me. He is a largely-moderate African-American who could be a bit more like Mike Ramonewithout harming his electoral position, IMHO. Especially within the R House caucus. While he doesn’t vote in lockstep with leadership, he does so far too much to warrant a higher ranking. For example, why would he stand with the obstructionist elements in his caucus in not supporting ‘no-excuses absentee balloting’? There’s, um, no excuse for that. All it does is help disenfranchise many of his constituents, some of whom work at the Dover Air Force Base. Why did he vote against gay marriage? Why does he oppose criminal background checks for private weapons purchases?
The 62 Project: #’s 26 and 36
We have the Representatives Short up today. Bryon the the North. Daniel to the South. One is the House Minority Leader. And one is a Democrat in the Brandywine Hundred.
Bryon Short combines some of the best and some of the most disappointing elements that I look for in a D legislator in a safe district. He is not just good, but great, on social issues. Not just a reliable supporter of equal rights for all, but a prime House sponsor on legislation ensuring rights for the transgender community. He has successfully sponsored legislation extending health benefits to dependent children. He is also a strong supporter of gun control, is someone who pays attention to his district, basically someone who you’d like as your rep. He’s even successfully pushed legislation on behalf of animal rights. How can you not like someone who will protect your puppies?
The problem, and it’s a big one, is that he is in thrall to the Carper/Carney wing of the Party. And business interests uber alles.
John Bleeping Carney
John Bleeping Carney. One of 30 ‘Democrats’ to vote to enable ‘financial advisors’ to continue to rip you off. Worse than useless. Check out this article from Daily Kos:
The Labor Department proposal, known as the “fiduciary rule,” would change the ethical standards by which employer-based retirement products like 401(k)’s and IRAs are marketed and sold. The rule has not been updated since 1975, before 401(k)’s and IRAs even existed. The Labor Department wants to broaden the definition of a “fiduciary” to cover all financial advisers who offer individual investment advice for a fee. Under the rule, they would be legally required to work in the best interest of their clients. For example, a fiduciary would not be able to push investment products on customers in which they have a financial stake.
The 62 Project: #’s 27 & 35
Rebecca Walker has, on paper, the kind of background I look for in a legislator–demonstrated accomplishment in arenas other than politics. She’s both a nurse and an attorney, and has practiced in each field. Ernie Lopez first ran for office in New Castle County. I voted for him. Why? Because he was clearly the better candidate when he ran against the ghastly Paul Clark for County Council President in 2004.
The 62 Project: #’s 28 & 34
Proof that people can change. Or at least evolve. Today’s legislators both moved up the list notably this year, and the change appears to be permanent.
Unless, of course, it’s not. I think both liberated themselves from barriers of their own making, and it’s refreshing to see.
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