A coalition of Alabama Democratic legislative leaders held a press conference this morning in Montgomery to announce their Covenant For the Future. If that sounds a little biblical, I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Along with proposals to ban PAC-to-PAC transfers and end sales tax on groceries (good), they included passing an amendment saying life begins at conception, requiring public schools to offer Bible literacy curriculum, and opposing efforts to redefine marriage (mentioned in the TV coverage but not in the linked article — and didn’t this state just overwhelmingly pass an anti-gay marriage amendment?).
My brother sent me an email with a link to the coverage and also an account of the local TV reporting of the press conference (no video available online). I had to read it a couple of times to be sure he meant to say “Democrat” and not “Republican”. Of course, these are Alabama Democrats, and they’re a different breed, despite Bob Riley’s and Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh’s attempts to paint them with the evil “L” word.
Wouldn’t it be nice if our politicians would focus on real issues instead of wasting our time on bogus culture wars?
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There’s a full page ad in the Birmingham News today (back page of the business section). OMG - has our party gone completely bonkers? Damn, I am so TIRED of them trying to out-Jesus the Republicans! The R’s have the Jesus vote locked up - why don’t we offer something different? I don’t know, like COMMON SENSE and FISCAL RESPONSIBILTY! and GET THE HELL OUT OF MY BEDROOM! Sorry for yelling, but I am seriously pissed off. If this is the best the Dems have to offer then I might as well vote for Riley.
I don’t know what it’s going to take to change things, Lisa. The Dems are running scared, and the Repubs are targeting Alabama. Lucy is doing nothing to distinguish herself from Bob Riley, and I’m seriously considering voting for Loretta.
The Democrats’ “Covenant for the Future”, in my eyes at least, is the pinnacle of political posturing and pandering. The Dems are trying to “out- right” and “out-religion” the Reps, and get it publicized all across the state before the Reps announce their legislative agenda. Why? Because the next session of the legislature starts several months after the November elections, and the Dems want to still be there when the session starts, AND still be in control of both houses. This covenant could be interpreted as being an indication that the Dems are scared that may not happen.
After all, the Dems have controlled the legislature for a century, so why have these promised legislative reforms not already been passed? Simply because the few Dems that control the legislative process at the behest of the “Big Mules” with deep pockets who finance their campaigns and keep them in office term after term after term want to maintain business as usual on Goat Hill.
Wishful thinking on my part might be that another reason is that they have been getting pressured by concerned voters to give Alabamians Initiative and Referendum (I&R), and they feel that by offering us these crumbs we will stop clamoring for a seat at the table.
If anyone seriously believes these reforms will be passed and will be REAL reforms instead of just more window dressing, I have a nice piece of swamp-front property in Buck’s Pocket I’d give them a great deal on.
I might believe them if their #1 agenda item was making Alabama the 25th I&R state so that if the legislature doesn’t deliver as touted, the voters of the state will have the tool needed to initiate the necessary legislation that would by-pass both the legislature and the governor and be put on the ballot as a referendum for voters to accept or reject.
We shouldn’t expect that to happen, though. A review of Dr. IQ and the recorded vote on the Budget Isolation Resolution (BIR) on the I&R bill (HB 325) earlier this year reveals the following about the seven legislators who toured four cities yesterday touting the “Covenant for the Future”:
[1] John Knight voted “PASS” on the BIR
[2] Betty Carol Graham didn’t vote on the BIR
[3] Frank “Skippy” White voted against the BIR
[4] Demetrious Newton, who appeared with the seven at one press conference, voted against the BIR
[5] Seth Hammett did not respond when I emailed him asking if he would support I&R
[6] Ken Guin did not respond when I emailed him asking if he would support I&R
[7] Zeb Little did not respond when I emailed him asking if he would support I&R
[8] E. B. McClain did not respond when I emailed him asking if he would support I&R
I think it’s fairly obvious that these esteemed legislators have no real desire to give us Initiative and Referendum, and I thus doubt their sincerity concerning their ballyhooed covenant.
I’m not sold on initiative and referendum as the solution to our state’s problems. I lived inCalifornia and I have seen the “madness of crowds” that results in some truly awful legislation. That being said, you are absolutely right that the Dems don’t want to do anything that could threaten their power.
I got a call the other night from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and I declined to contribute because I wanted to focus my meager resources on local races. After today’s events, except for a donation to Pat Todd, I might just put my money toward trying to take back control of Congress. I’m about ready to write off this state party.
[...] Lucy Baxley has released a list of nine priorities that are the focus of her campaign for governor. They include an increase in the state minimum wage, a ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers, and a return to assessments of property values every four years. I’m happy to see that her platform avoids any gay-bashing or forced religiosity. After seeing some parts of the “Covenant” presented by Democratic legislative leaders a couple of days ago, I was worried that the party had lost its collective mind. [...]
More on “Covenant for the Future”
I’d like to look a little more at the Democrats’ proposed “Covenant for the Future.” Other bloggers have noted that the Democrats have moved toward the right with these proposals.
Wow… that was odd… I was leaving a trackback (above in the previous comment), but it looks less like a trackback and more like some really odd comment. Heh… oh well.
I had just a few things to say about this a few days ago, Kathy. Can’t wait to meetcha again in a few weeks, please, at the Friday lunch. I wonder how many OTM Dems think this is the party they want to vote for.
I’m voting Loretta Nall for governor, to make a statement.
[...] little more at the Democrats’ proposed “Covenant for the Future.” Other bloggers have noted that the Democrats have moved toward the right with these proposals. I won’t go over [...]