Democracy for New Mexico

Minimum Wage Rally--Stand Up Against Wilson's Vote!

America Needs a Raise. Come Rally with the People!Why Did Congresswoman Heather Wilson Vote
to Raise her Own Pay While Opposing a Pay Raise
for Working New Mexicans? Good Question!Join the AFL/CIO National Day of Action
to Raise the Federal Minimum Wage Where: The Galleria on 2nd and Copper
(In front of Heather Wilson’s Office) When: Noon on Wednesday, July 26th, 2006 Who: Labor, Religious and Community Activists

Contact the New Mexico Federation of Labor at (505) 262-2629

Sunday (Wild) Bird Blogging

We've had two new visitors to our backyard birdfeeders recently. This morning we saw a brightly colored Western Meadowlark (above) making long visits to our flat feeder among the sparrows, house finches and white-winged doves.

We've spotted American goldfinches (above) a bunch of times lately, feeding on the drooping heads of our gone-to-seed sunflowers. Garden grown sunflower seeds are also quite popular with our sparrows and finches. It's funny to see the tall, leafy stalks of sunflowers shaking and quaking, signaling there's seed harvesting going on within the patch. The birds are often hanging upside down off the sunflower heads, bouncing away as they pick out the seeds. They also enjoy picking ants and other insects off the stalks, hopping along the stems in hot pursuit.

We haven't seen either of these species at our feeders in the past so pickings might be slim in the mountains and on the mesas due to the drought. Whatever the reason, we're happy to have them flitting around in our garden. (Images are generic photos -- we're not that quick with our camera!)

Bush's Plagues Grow and Mutate

Juan Cole pulls no punches in reporting without flinching on what's being said in the world press about the disintegrating situations in Iraq and Lebanon. About 100 civilians are being killed each day in Iraq these days. Think about that. The plague of violence, unrestrained aggression and civilian murder begun by Bush and the neocons now spreads unchecked by an administration caught up in the shameful pathology of its own hubris, stubborness and greed.

I didn't link to any of Juan's posts in particular -- just read down his main page and stop anywhere. We should all be in mourning what all this portends. What goes around comes around. There is no way to prepare, really. So many chickens will be coming home to roost. None of this was necessary. Excerpts:

... ' Britain's junior foreign minister Kim Howells, visiting Beirut, Saturday questioned Israel's military tactics and slammed its killing of "so many children and so many people. These are not surgical strikes," he said of the air and artillery bombardments since July 12 that have killed more than 300 civilians in Lebanon.

... Israel on Saturday attacked and partially crippled the media outlets of the Christian and Sunni factions in the Cedar Revolution that Bush and his supporters trumpeted as the foundation of the "new Middle East."

... In Iraq, young Shiite clerical nationalist Muqtada al-Sadr gave an incendiary sermon in which he predicted Israel would collapse like New York's twin towers on Sept 11, 2001, if Sunnis and Shiites join in their fight. "I will continue defending my Shiite and Sunni brothers, and I tell them that if we unite, we will defeat Israel without the use of weapons," Sadr said during a speech in the southern city Iraqi city of Kufa. ' Yes, Bush has certainly created a model democracy in Iraq. (Muqtada has 30 members in parliament, and in conjunction with the Da'wa Party, he is a king maker in the new system).

... ' Separately, Lebanese security sources said towns along the border had been targeted by 2,500 bombs, missiles, rockets and shells between Thursday night and dawn Friday. The sources also accused Israel of using cluster bombs in an attack on the Southern town of Blida. The sources added that phosphorous and cluster munitions were also on Al-Orqoub, Hasbayya, Ramta, Zaaourta, Amfit and other border villages. Israeli shelling also destroyed a pharmaceutical plant Tyre.

... Israel has killed so many civilians in South Lebanon that health authorities are forced to stick them in mass graves. Megan Stack writes: ' "I've been a doctor for years, and I've never seen anything like this," said Nabil Harkus, who stood over a trio of unidentified corpses. "They can't fight Hezbollah because Hezbollah is not an army," he said, referring to the Israeli warplanes overhead. "They kill the people because they think it's the only way to stop Hezbollah." The Lebanese government has confirmed the deaths of 350 people in the fighting so far, but rescue workers here warn that the true tally is probably much higher. Relentless bombing has wrecked roads and rendered communication so spotty that no one knows how many people have died. '

Meanwhile, Bush rushes more "precision bombs" to Israel. Yes, you read that right.

Saturday Music Hall: Road to Nowhere

Given current planetary trends, it's a perfect time to indulge in some cosmic whimsy and wail courtesy of David Byrne and Talking Heads. First up, "Road to Nowhere" because it would be hard to argue we aren't heading in that direction. Nowhere here we come. If that just whets your appetite for more existential explorations, witness that "the world was moving - she was right there with it, And She Was." Or opt for a "Once in a Lifetime" experience, where "you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack, in another part of the world, behind the wheel of a large automobile, in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife, and you may ask yourself - Well...How did I get here?" Ah, "same as it ever was...."

One of the best concerts I've seen in the last five years was David Byrne on his "Look Into the Eyeball" tour at Paolo Soleri Amphitheater (right) on a warm summer night in Santa Fe. Can any other venue match the organic architecture, sensitive acoustics, starry skyed setting and funky intimacy of the Paolo? Byrne was on fire that night, drawing off the high desert hum of the up-close crowd. I recall he had string players hired on the road, and a pile of percussionists. He did alot of world beat stuff, ala his label Luaka Bop, and revamped arrangements of his hits. It was August 2, 2001, right before "the world changed forever" on 9-11-01. We worked up a sweat together.

I think he's just right for today as we turn to one another and mutter, "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around...." Another take on Life During Wartime, as Bush's war on purpose keeps on a'widening. He and his war-mates have definitely decided to stop making sense. For real.

PS: I'm happy that Fan Man Productions has reestablished a summer concert series at the Paolo after several years of mostly downtime at the venue. Fan Man does a terrific job booking all kinds of music at the Lensic Theater in Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Opera and other venues as well. They need our continuing support.

Check It Out: 2nd Madrid Ad Answers Heather's False Attack

This is Patricia Madrid's new ad -- her second of the election season. It responds to the slo-mo attack against her contained in Heather Wilson's distorted and hokey second ad -- which I wrote about that the other day. Again, I think Madrid's ad is strong, to the point and factually accurate. Can't let Heather Wilson get away with that negative stuff without a pointed response. This is a good one, don't you think? (You can see Madrid's first ad here.)

Richardson Proposes 5 Point Plan to Expand Healthcare Coverage

Governor Bill Richardson will be introducing a number of measures to the state Legislature in January aimed at expanding medical coverage to significant numbers of New Mexicans who currently lack health insurance. The uninsured population here is estimated to total around 400,000 people or 22% of the state's population -- second only to Texas for the highest percentage of uninsured residents in a state.

In addition, Richardson appointed a task force to be chaired by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish that will study various options for achieving some sort of universal healthcare coverage in the long term. The study will be jointly funded by the NM Human Services Department and the Legislative Council Service, and national experts will be invited to review each plan and produce cost estimates for each option. The recommendations of the task force will be submitted to the Legislature in 2008. Here's the article in the Santa Fe New Mexican that reviews the Governor's proposals, provides feedback from the community and provides data on New Mexico's uninsured population.

Included below is the Governor's press release on this intiative. What are your thoughts on his proposals?

From the Office of Governor Bill Richardson:
June 20, 2006 (Santa Fe, NM) -- Governor Bill Richardson today announced a five point plan to help extend health care coverage to more New Mexicans. This plan builds upon the effort Governor Richardson took during the last legislative session to make sure that every New Mexico child, five and younger, has access to health care coverage.

"Today we are making another huge step forward," said Governor Richardson. "These are immediate steps and longer term solutions to cover the nearly 400,000 New Mexicans who currently do not have health insurance. Uninsured New Mexicans are at tremendous risk and the effect of uncompensated care on our health care system is profound. We can't wait for the federal government to solve this issue, we have to act now."

The Governor's five point plan includes:

1. Phase in a requirement that companies that do business with the state must offer health insurance benefits to their New Mexico employees. The General Services Department will lead a small group of cabinet secretaries to develop a plan that will institute this requirement by fiscal year 2008. This group will be sensitive to the needs of small vendors.

2. The General Services Department will pinpoint the number of state employees who decline health coverage. Currently, if an employee declines enrollment, the state does not check to see if they have coverage through a spouse or another entity. This full accounting will help get an accurate picture of the coverage gaps and target outreach to get as many state employees covered as possible.

3. Maximize the Medicaid program. For fiscal year 2008, Governor Richardson will seek funding to increase coverage for adults via a two-year, phased-in approach. This initiative will be specifically designed to help low income adults up to 100% of the federal poverty level. It will leverage millions of dollars in additional federal funding and help cover tens of thousands of New Mexicans.

4. Funding to expand the State Coverage Insurance program to help cover more working adults and asking the federal government to raise the federal poverty requirement to 300% with cost-sharing based on income. Expanding this public/private partnership with small employers will help cover the many hardworking New Mexicans who currently cannot afford insurance.

5. Governor Richardson and the legislative leadership have appointed a 21-member task force to analyze health coverage models and make recommendations on across-the-board coverage solutions for New Mexicans. This Coverage for New Mexicans Committee will have broad membership from the health care industry, insurance and advocacy communities (list below.) This committee will deliver its findings to the Governor in a year, in time to work with the legislature on a comprehensive health coverage package for the 2008 session.

"There are some good ideas emerging at the state level," said Governor Richardson. "States like Massachusetts and Michigan have taken aggressive action to cover more citizens. However, New Mexico has unique needs that make a one-size-fits-all solution problematic. This committee will help find solutions that will work in our unique state."

This plan builds upon the Richardson Administration's efforts over the past three years to close New Mexico's uninsured gap. Following the last legislative session, Governor Richardson signed:

• Senate Bill 267 to help the Human Services Department provide medical or premium assistance to uninsured children who are not otherwise Medicaid eligible
• House Bill 24 to give employers more health insurance options for employees through both the Health Insurance Alliance and state or federal agencies offering health insurance coverage

Proposed Participants for the Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee:

NM House Members
James Madalena
Danice Picraux
Brian Moore

NM Senate Members
Dede Feldman
Carroll Leavell
Mary Jane Garcia

Health Care Advocate
Charlotte Roybal, Health Action NM

Uninsured
April Redbird

Division of Insurance
Mike Batte, Public Regulation Commission

Insurance Industry
David Scrase, M.D., Presbyterian Health Plan
Craig Keyes, M.D., United Healthcare

Employers
Alfredo Vigil, M.D., Health Centers of Northern New Mexico
Duane Trythall, Excel Staffing Companies
Dennis Pena

Nonprofit
Michelle Melendez, St. Joseph's Community Health Services

Labor
Robin Gould, Communication Workers of America

Hospital Representative
Steve Altmiller, San Juan Regional Medical Center

Provider/ Physician
Jim Tryon, M.D., NM Medical Society
Charlie Alfero CEO, Hildalgo Medical Services

Human Services Department
Pam Hyde, Secretary

CHAIR
Diane Denish, Lt Governor

DCCC Plans Big Ad Buy in NM, Elsewhere

According to an AP story published yesterday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Commitee (DCCC) plans to spend at least $30 million in ad buys in approximately 24 congressional districts across the nation. One of those will be New Mexico's CD-1, where Dem Patricia Madrid is challenging incumbent Republican Heather Wilson:

Based on information available to date, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee intends to air ads for eight weeks in an attempt to defeat Rep. Heather Wilson of New Mexico.

The DCCC must operate independent of the candidate campaigns, and their advertising is not approved by the candidates. However, it can have a powerful impact on local races. For a change, the DCCC has more money than its Republican counterpart:

The DCCC reported this week it had $32 million in the bank as of June 30, compared with $18.4 at the same point two years ago. The NRCC reported slightly $26.5 million cash on hand as of June 30.

Democrats need a net change of 15 seats to take back the U.S. House of Representatives. With the DCCC planning to advertise heavily in more than two dozen districts, there appear to be enough competitive seats to allow for a possible Dem takeover of the House come November.

A reports that the campaigns of Democratic challengers are also raising funds at a record pace:

Specifically, Democrats dominate the list of the — those candidates who are seeking to unseat incumbents of the other party — according to a CQPolitics.com review.

Madrid 4th on House Challenger List for Fundraising
In CQ's chart listing 50 House challenger candidates that reported the most cash-on-hand as of June 30th, the campaign of New Mexico's Patricia Madrid came in fourth, with $1,258,845. In the second quarter of 2006 alone, the Madrid campaign raised $684,402. They've raised a recordbreaking total of $1.8 million, more than twice the amount Richard Romero had raised by the same point in his 2004 campaign and nearly four times more than he raised in 2002. And they've done it without the benefit of a $375,000 donation dump like the one Heather Wilson received from President Bush's Albuquerque fundraiser.

It seems clear we'll have enough money to compete in many races across the nation. The question is, will our candidates have the passion, conviction and courage to run the kinds of races we need to turn out large numbers of voters enthusiastic about supporting Dem candidates. Money alone can't bring victory, but it's a start.

Wilson Ad = Slo-Mo-Mudslinging, Madrid Ad = Strong & Clever

So have you seen the new ad by Heather Wilson? No, not the first one where she's telling everyone she's "independent," despite grabbing all that dough Bush raised for her on a recent Albuquerque visit with Karl Rove. This one travels to the cliched dark side, with gobs of that slo-mo, grainy, blurry, black and white photography that aims to make the person they're slo-mo-ing look like a nasty villain out to do dastardly deeds.

You know the genre. I call it canned politico noir. Politicians who listen to entrenched strategists and media consultants use it all the time. Can anyone forget the voices of the two or three hired hands who seem to do ALL the poisonous-toned talkovers on those?

Anyway, this one shows Dem challenger Patricia Madrid moving her head back and forth, hair swinging slowly, while snidely (wickedly!) laughing (at a snail's pace) as nasty innuendos about corruption are entoned in the background. Besides being a rather odd topic to bring up, given Wilson's acceptance of "donations" from the likes of Tom DeLay, Abramoff cronies, Duke Cunningham and just about every Big Pharma and oil corp in the world, I think the ad is hokey as hell. If this is going to be the level of artistry we'll be seeing from Heather and company from now until November, it's gonna be a long haul for anyone who watches TV.

Aren't you sick of all the "conventional" political advertising aired these days? Generally, there are two types of equally ineffective and trite approaches. The first kind is all sugary and "warm," with lots of American flags, smiling people, happy dogs and hugs. Oh, ain't this candidate sweet? And so patriotic and American as apple pie! The second kind is like Heather's new one, all dark and dangerous about the opponent, in the way old radio shows stirred up mystery. The Shadow knows! Well, you can excuse a lack of sophistication back in the early media days, but this type of tripe should be long gone from the airwaves by now. No wonder so few people vote. Watching the juvenile and puerile ads of candidates is enough to drive off even political junkies. Take it from me.

New Madrid Ad
Meanwhile, the Madrid campaign has put up its first TV ad, a positive one you can see here. She's looking sharp, emphasizing her accomplishments as Attorney General and explaining her support for the needs of ordinary people versus selfish special interests. I especially like the play with the usual signoff line of all political ads:

I'm Patricia Madrid and I approved this message, but the special interests won't approve of me.

Lets hope the campaign continues to use clarity, cleverness, creativity, humor, sophistication and wit to get its message across. We want more Ned Lamont-type ads and less creepy crawlie Beltway been there done that ads, now don't we? Are you listening out there in Madridland? Chuck the insider DC Dem media consultants and look up Bill Hillsman or somebody like him who understands what works in the media climate of the 21st century. Break out of the box and try something new!

Dem State Chair Hosts ABQ Poetry Slam

From the Democratic Party of New Mexico, which Invites you join our march towards victory:

109 DAYS LEFT!
Hosted by  CHAIRMAN JOHN WERTHEIM
And Featuring THE ALBUQUERQUE SLAM POETS
Thursday, July 20th, 2006, 5:30 to 7:30 PM
OPM Nightclub, 211 Gold Ave SW
Food by Tucanos

$40.00 at the door includes 2006 DPNM Membership (bumper sticker, newsletters, discounted admission to events)

$10.00 for Current 2006 DPNM Contributing Members,

$20 for students with ID

For more information and to RSVP call 830-3650 or email ana-lisa@nmdemocrats.org

Click here to become a contributing 2006 member for just $35.00. As an annual member, you will receive a bumper sticker,  a newsletter in July and October informing you of DPNM activities, and discounted admission to DPNM fundraisers. Not only will you be donating to your DPNM, but also your county party – county parties will receive 20% of membership contributions.

Contributions are not tax deductible and for federal income tax purposes. Your contribution will be used in connection with federal elections and is subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act.

Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.

Paid for by the Democratic Party of New Mexico, www.nmdemocrats.org, and not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate’s committee.

DPBC Third Thursday Meeting Features Affordable Housing Discussion

From the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County:

ALL DEMOCRATS WELCOME: Third Thursday Meeting
UNM Law School, Room 2401, July 20, 6 PM.
Speaker: City Councilor Debbie O'Malley
Click for map:https://www.tinyurl.com/djdxu

Councilors Debbie O'Malley and Isaac Benton have proposed that five to six million dollars of public works program money be used for the creation and redevelopment of housing in the city for working low-income families that earn less than 80% of the area median income, such homes and apartments to remain permanently affordable.