Democracy for New Mexico

(Updated) All Night Long: Confronting Repub Obstruction

UPDATE 10:40 AM: This morning, Repub Senators voted to stop a vote on the Levin-Reed troop withdrawal measure. Here's the roll call on cloture. It failed by a 52 Aye - 47 Nay margin because 60 votes were needed to break the Repub filibuster. An Aye vote for cloture supports allowing a vote on the amendment. Only 4 Repubs voted Aye: Collins (R-ME), Hagel (R-NE), Smith (R-OR) and Snowe (R-ME). All Dems voted Aye except for Reid, who ended up voting nay for parliamentary reasons to keep the process alive. Mr. Independent, Joe Lieberman, voted Nay. Harold Meyerson at the Washington Post has a scathing commentary on the all-talk-no-action Repubs, including Domenici.

As reported at Talking Points Memo, Reid has decided to hold back any further votes on the Defense Authorization bill or other amendments until Repubs permit a vote on the Levin-Reed amendment:

Ratcheting up the stakes in the wake of the GOP's successful blocking of a vote on Iraq withdrawal just moments ago, Harry Reid just announced on the Senate floor that he won't allow a vote on the entire Defense Authorization bill until the Senate GOP drops its filibustering of votes on Iraq.

The move is significant because it could hold up the funding of the Pentagon's fiscal 2008 priorities until the standoff is resolved.

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Last night's vigil in DC. AFP/Getty.

The Senate "debate" against the Repub filibuster to stop an up or down vote on the Levin-Reed amendment went all night long and continues this morning. At one point last night, Democrats from both the Senate and House joined citizens, including many Iraq vets, holding a candlelight vigil outside the Capitol. There were 57 House members and 25 Senators at the vigil. Here's a of excerpts from their speeches. Dems are calling on Repub Senators who are criticizing Bush and the occupation, like Sen. Domenici, to vote for change instead of merely paying lip service in order to garner political cover.

Click to read Nancy Pelosi's speech at the vigil. Excerpt:

We are gathered here tonight in a ‘Candlelight Call to Action.’ As we stand here with our call to action, on the Senate floor the Republicans are impeding the opportunity for the voices of the American people to be heard by denying a vote against the President’s policy in Iraq. That is why we are here – to send a message to the American people that the reason it is impossible to put the legislation on the President’s desk over and over again is because over and over again the Republicans in the United States Senate say ‘No’ to the American people. They will not allow a vote on bringing the troops home.

Sen. Dick Durbin, among others, is urging citizens to call the offices of a list of Senators who voice serious concerns about Bush's Iraq occupation but who won't allow a vote on the Levin-Reed amendment. Not surprisingly, Sen. Pete Domenici is on the list.

Domenici voted this morning to stop a vote on the Levin-Reed amendment. Please call and urge him to stop filibustering the Levin-Reed amendment:
Washington DC Office: (202) 224-6621
Website email form

Huffington Post is hosting a live web chat about the Iraq occupation today at Noon Mountain Time with MoveOn's Tom Matzzi, who's currently on loan to Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, a coalition working to responsibly end the war that includes, MoveOn, the Service Employees International Union, VoteVets.org, Americans United, USAction, Win Without War, National Security Network, Center for American Progress Action Fund, Working Assets, TrueMajority and others. The group has a budget of $12 million through September and is operating in 27 states, including New Mexico, on a project called Iraq Summer. You can submit questions now at livechat@huffingtonpost.com.

Here in Albuquerque, Iraq Summer helped organize an activist gathering yesterday at San Mateo and Montgomery to rally citizens to urge Domenici to vote to start bringing our troops home from Iraq. Also, Stop the War Machine organized an evening demonstration at Sen. Domenici's downtown Albuquerque office to urge him to replace his rhetoric with real action to end the occupation.

NM Blog Radio Returns Featuring Heather Brewer and EMERGE NM

From NM Blog Radio host Suzanne Prescott: The New Mexico Blog Radio show this Thursday is all about EMERGE New Mexico, a program which brings talented women Democrats into the political arena from across the state. After a rigorous 7-month training program women emerge ready for political campaign action. Heather Brewer debuts as the host of this New Mexico Blog radio show and introduces us to guests Anathea Chino, EMERGE Board President Elect; Michelle Mares, Field Director for Diane Denish and EMERGE Grad; and Mercy Berman, UNM student and current EMERGE participant. They'll explore the roots of the program, the network of EMERGE graduates now spread across New Mexico, and some exciting campaign possibilities that lie ahead.

Help EMERGE Raise Funds Just by Listening
A unique feature of the show will be fundraising for EMERGE. Heather Brewer describes the fundraising effort, "We're excited about the chance to tell people what EMERGE New Mexico is all about and raise money at the same time. We have pledges that will guarantee a dollar for every listener who visits the show online when it airs on Thursday at 11AM Mountain Time and half a dollar for everyone who listens to the show podcast archive during the week following the show. It's a great opportunity for a great program."

Here's how to catch the show.

• When: July 19, 11 AM (podcast available thereafter)
• Where: Go to https://www.blogtalkradio.com/nmblogradio
• Who: Everyone Welcome. Callers welcome at (718) 664-9717

For more information call Heather Brewer at (505) 310-5957 or Suzanne Prescott at (505) 304-3960. Tell your friends to listen to the show. Learn about and support EMERGE NEW MEXICO at the same time.

Editor's Note: You can listen to or download archived versions of previous NM Blog Radio shows at the show's website. Check out a few of our previous posts about New Mexico Blog Radio:

• 05.22.07: New Mexico Blog Radio Premiers May 24
• 05.30.07: Program Archive and Next Up
• 06.06.07: The Third Show: Heath Haussamen & Matt Brix

DPNM Chairman's Listening Tour Comes to Bernalillo County

From the DPNM:
The Democratic Party of New Mexico and the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County cordially invite you to the Albuquerque stop of the CHAIRMAN’S LISTENING TOUR, Thursday, July 19th, 2007. The 2008 Presidential Election is on the horizon and it is more important than ever that New Mexico's Democrats come together and prove that the Land of Enchantment is a "Blue" State.

The upcoming February 5th Presidential Caucus will require a lot of work by Democrats in Bernalillo County. But before we roll up our sleeves and get busy, let’s take this opportunity to recognize our party members and activists. The leadership of the Democratic Party would like to congratulate party officers for their hard work in 2006 and show appreciation for members of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County. Please join us for refreshments and enjoy the company of Bernalillo County Democrats as we build unity for the future.

Chairman’s Listening Tour

Chairman Brian S. Colón,
Democratic Party of New Mexico
&
Chairwoman Ana Canales,
Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

Thursday, July 19th, 2007, 6:30-8PM
Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall
510 San Pedro SE, Albuquerque

Please RSVP by calling Angela at the DPNM Headquarters at 830-3650. All Democrats Welcome!

Editor's Note: This event replaces the regular Democratic Party of Bernalillo County Third Thursday Meeting. For more information about Chairman Colon's listening tour around New Mexico, as well as photos from some of the events, visit https://nmdemocrats.org/.

Garduño Qualifies for ABQ City Council Ballot in Record Time

From Rey Garduño for City Council:
Rey Garduño has collected the necessary petition signatures to officially appear on the ballot for District 6 City Council in record time. Thursday, July 12th, was the first day to file nominating petitions with the City Clerk. Garduño's campaign got word late Monday, July 16, that they had met and exceeded the qualifying mark of 544. In response to the news, Garduño replied, "It's a great day in the neighborhood!  This is a testament to the strong grassroots community support that this campaign has brought out in our neighborhoods. The number of volunteers that went door-to-door in their own neighborhoods is what made the difference.  We're looking forward to continuing the conversation with the people of District 6," said Garduño.

In the talks at people's homes, the issues are clear:

• strengthening our public transportation system that will address our traffic problems;
• sustainable community-led development; and
• accountable social services that truly reach our elders, children and young families.

Garduño plans on walking every neighborhood in the District between now and the municipal election on October 2nd, and looks forward to meeting you!  You can contact Garduño at reygarduno@gmail.com or 266-4424.

Editor's Notes: Click to determine your . For previous posts on the October 2, 2007 Albuquerque municipal election, visit our archive.

Speak Out on Health Care at Legislative Meetings in Las Vegas & Taos

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
Las Vegas: On Wednesday, July 18, the Interim Legislative Health and Human Services Committee will be meeting in Las Vegas at New Mexico Highlands University's Student Center. The focus of the agenda will be to discuss health care reform and the study that was recently completed by Mathematica. The executive director of the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign, Mary Feldblum, has been asked to present (at 3:30 PM), as has Celia Ameline, the creator of Health Choices. The meeting begins at 1:00 PM, and there will be a public comment period from 5:45 to 7:00 PM. Come hear our executive director and let the committee hear your opinions!

Taos: On Thursday and Friday, July 19 and 20, the Interim Legislative Health and Human Services Committee will be meeting in Taos at the Taos Convention Center. Thursday's meeting begins at 10:30 AM and Friday's meeting begins at 9:00 AM. Again, there will be time for public comment. Public comment will take place Thursday from 5:20 to 7:00 PM and Friday from 3:00 to 3:30 PM. Please take advantage of the public comment periods to share your views with the committee.

It is critical that Health Security Campaign supporters speak out at these meetings in Las Vegas and Taos. You can check out the agenda for the July 18 Las Vegas meeting and the July 19 and 20 Taos meeting here (PDF).

Some Talking Points

• The Mathematica study clearly indicates that the Health Security Act is the only proposal that reduces health care costs and covers everyone.
• The results of the Mathematica study should not be ignored.
• This is the second time that a New Mexico study has concluded that putting all or almost all of our residents in one health risk pool saves money.
• The Health Security Act has had input from thousands of New Mexicans over the years. The Act is supported by 128 organizations and 25 counties and cities.
• We have a choice between two paths: to continue to invest in our broken private insurance system or to take a different road.
• Be sure to talk about why you support the Health Security Act.

Other Opportunities to Speak Up
We will let you know about other opportunities to let your voice be heard in the coming months. The Interim Health and Human Services Committee will be meeting in Zuni and Gallup in August, in Hobbs and Roswell in September, in Española and Santa Fe in October, and in Santa Fe in November. We'll let you know about specific dates, times, and venues as soon as the interim committee confirms them.

Just in case you haven't seen the results of the Mathematica study, we've included them below.

The Study Results
The following five models were analyzed by Mathematica, the company hired to perform the analysis.

• Model 1. Health Security Act, Version 1: Our plan, which sets up a cooperative to provide health insurance to almost all New Mexicans. This version assumes urban provider administrative savings.
• Model 2. Health Security Act, Version 2: This second version assumes no provider administrative savings.
• Model 3. Health Choices, Version 1: A health insurance marketing alliance that provides vouchers to all New Mexicans, paid for with taxpayer dollars.
• Model 4. Health Choices, Version 2: A version of the health insurance marketing alliance that allows employers who provide insurance to opt out.
• Model 5. Health Coverage Plan: Expansion of the current system, assuming greater enrollment in Medicaid and other public programs.

Click for a table (doc) of Mathematica's final numbers. Please note that these numbers exclude the over-65 (Medicare) population and the institutional population--populations that the Health Security Act would cover. The numbers also assume that under each model all New Mexicans are covered (a questionable assumption with all the models except the Health Security Act).

What these numbers mean: In 2007, only the Health Security Act costs less than the current system even when assuming no provider savings. The other models cost more than the current system.

In 2011, the Health Security Act version 1 saves $887 million (health expenditures are reduced by $887 million). Health Security version 2 saves $700 million. The Health Choices models cost $336 million and $383 million more than the current system. This amounts to over a $1 billion difference when you compare the cost of the Health Security models to the cost of the Health Choices models. (For example, Health Security version 1 costs $7,878 billion in 2001 while Health Choices version 1 costs $9,101 billion in that same year.)

In 2011, the Health Coverage model costs $70 million more than the current system. If you compare the difference in costs between the Health Security models and the Health Coverage model, Health Security version 1 amounts to almost $1 billion dollars in savings and Health Security version 2 amounts to $800 million. (For example, Health Security version 1 costs $7,878 billion in 2011 and Health Coverage costs $8,835 billion.)

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Josette at 505-771-8763 or jhaddad@cableone.net.

Reid: All-Night Debate If Repubs Block Vote on War Amendment

At last. Some spunk on the part of Senate Dems. And a real filibuster! If Repub Senators follow through on their threat to block an up or down vote on the Reed-Levin troop redeployment amendment to the Defense Authorization Act, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he will use a parliamentary maneuver to devote up to 30 hours to a full debate on the issues to call attention to the Repub obstructionism:

[Reid] just announced on the Senate floor that he's invoking cloture on the Reed-Levin troop redeployment bill and, if the Republicans filibuster it tomorrow, he's going to force the Senate into an all-night session -- with cots brought in and everything -- to make them stand up in public for their beliefs.  Unless they agree to a simple-majority vote on Reed-Levin, the Senate stays in ongoing session ... Senate Democrats are prepared to speak all night and to force Republicans to stay in the chamber by invoking ongoing quorum calls.

I like it! Who knows what it will actually mean in terms of getting our troops out of Iraq, but at least it appears that Reid et al., have finally gotten it on some level that they need to make some noise to show how strongly they feel about ending this thing:

"Now, Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end," said Reid. "They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops. They are denying us an up or down - yes or no - vote on the most important issue our country faces."

The Reed-Levin amendment to the Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization Bill requires George W. Bush to "commence the reduction of the number of United States forces in Iraq not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act" and mandates a withdrawal of most combat forces by April 30, 2008.

... The legislation, S.AMDT.2087, has bipartisan support and is cosponsored by Gordon Smith (R-OR), Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

It's a start. Keeping the pressure on our Dem Senators about the occupation appears to be bearing some fruit, despite last week's capitulation on Lieberman's awful Iran amendment. You know what to do.

Sen. Dick Durban explains the Dems' move.

Dem Senators Vote Unanimously for Iran War Run-Up Amendment

Yes, you read that right. And not only did all the Dem Senators vote for it -- EVERY SENATOR voted for it. What's the amendment in question that was tacked onto the Defense Authorization Act? Chris Floyd over at Empire Burlesque has the story:

[On Wednesday] the U.S. Senate unanimously declared that Iran was committing acts of war against the United States: a 97-0 vote to give George W. Bush a clear and unmistakable casus belli for attacking Iran whenever Dick Cheney tells him to.

The bipartisan Senate resolution – the brainchild (or rather the bilechild) of Fightin' Joe Lieberman – affirmed as official fact all of the specious, unproven, ever-changing allegations of direct Iranian involvement in attacks on the American forces now occupying Iraq. The Senators appear to have relied heavily on the recent that stovepiped unchallenged Pentagon spin directly onto the paper's front page. As Firedoglake points out, John McCain cited the heavily criticized story on the Senate floor as he cast his vote. [Senators Levin (D-MI) and Salazar (D-CO) were added as cosponsors.]

It goes without saying that all of this is a nightmarish replay of the run-up to the war of aggression against Iraq: The NYT funneling false flag stories from Bush insiders. Warmongers citing the NYT stories as "proof" justifying any and all action to "defend the Homeland." Credulous and craven Democratic politicians swallowing the Bush line hook and sinker.

... Of course, the United States is already at war with Iran. We are directing covert ops and terrorist attacks inside Iran, with the help of groups that our own government has declared terrorist renegades. We are kidnapping Iranian officials in Iraq and holding them hostage. We have a bristling naval armada on Iran's doorstep, put there for the express purpose of threatening Tehran with military action. The U.S. Congress has overwhelmingly passed measures calling for the overthrow of the Iranian government. And now the U.S. Senate has unanimously declared that Iran is waging war on America, and has given official notice that this will not be tolerated. It is only a very small step to move from this war in all but name to the full monty of an overt military assault.

Democrats like our Senate leader Dick Durbin insist their vote for this amendment doesn't provide King George with permission to, you know, start another war of choice whenever he feels like it. After all, George has been so profoundly dedicated to telling the truth, following the Constitution and honoring the separation of powers that you'd have to be crazy to doubt him. Why not go ahead and continue trying to appear as "strong" as Bush by embracing war drumming and "national defense" madness? Election time is coming and the swing voters will demand it, even if the polls say otherwise!

Oops, there is the tiny matter of Bush's already having issued one of his royal edicts on July 10th to the feckless Carl Levin to inform the supine Congress he won't pay any attention to their Constitutionally derived powers, whether they pertain to Iraq or now Iran:

[The letter] says the White House will veto any Congressional effort to either "direct or prohibit" any military, intelligence or diplomatic action regarding Iran.

So what does Levin do in response? Cosponsor Lieberman's bogus Iran amendment laying out how war with Iran is justified. Now that's some Democratic backbone.

Notice that no edicts or amendments are circulating to threaten Saudi Arabia even though it's been determined that the majority of the small numbers of foreign fighters in Iraq are from that country, not Iran, not Syria, not Jordan.

One has to figure that either Levin and the others who voted for Lieberman's warmongering amendment have been programmed by cosmic rays to suddenly trust Bush to use the amendment to achieve peace, not war, or that they support attacking Iran. What other options are there?

Ben Luce Guest Blog: The Real Reason Desert Rock Coal Plant is Happening

This is a guest blog from Ben Luce of Break the Grip!:
Have no doubt, plans for the Desert Rock Power Plant are still rolling forward: Break The Grip! has learned that Sithe Global intends once again to seek a tax incentive from the New Mexico Legislature, and recently obtained more money from the Navajo Nation to keep their development on track. Although there are upcoming hearings on the plant's Environmental Impact Statement, there is little reason to believe that these hearings will be little more than pro-forma inputs to an unresponsive EPA.

Why is this happening? How, in an age of near panic about global warming, and with New Mexico supposedly adopting greenhouse gas reduction targets and policies to achieve those measures, can another massive conventional coal plant be built in New Mexico?

The answer is simple: The Richardson Administration and the Majority Leadership in the Legislature have utterly failed to oppose this project. True, the Administration and the Legislature have little jurisdiction over the Navajo Nation. But this is beside the point: They do have jurisdiction over the proposed tax incentive, and if the Governor were really serious about doing something about global warming, he would use his bully pulpit to oppose the project and press for economic incentives to help convince the Navajo Nation that they do not need Desert Rock.

Instead, Richardson only indicated some mild concern about Desert Rock's impact in one newspaper article during the last Legislative Session, and nothing since, a far cry from his extensive opposition to drilling in Otero Mesa (which he also lacked jurisdiction over). The impact from Desert Rock will likely be far greater than drilling in Otero Mesa, by about a factor of 50 in terms of emissions (and more over the long term).

What about the Democratic Majority Leadership? They were fully FOR Desert Rock: The Senate Sponsor was the Senate Pro Tem Ben Altamirano and the House Leadership, headed by Speaker Ben Lujan, was by all accounts pushing hard for Desert Rock behind the scenes. Watch for the Speaker to route the Desert Rock incentive directly to the House Business & Industry Committee in the next session, to simply bypass the House Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Committee (which opposed and helped kill the bill during this past session). The House Business & Industry Committee is completely hopeless from an environmental issues standpoint (and the committee is chaired by the Speaker's goddaughter).

Why is the Democratic Leadership so in favor of Desert Rock? It is enough to note that the lobbyist of Sithe Global, Richard Minzer, is a major fund-raiser for the Democratic Party, and that Sithe Global has lots of money to contribute. It's another classic example of undue corporate influence in New Mexico.

It's great that there are environmental groups and Navajo groups like Dooda Desert Rock out there fighting hard. But they have no power to stop this project directly: Their role can only be to get our governments to oppose this project. Either that or be dragged off the site in hand-cuffs at the bitter end.

Unfortunately, they will likely fail to sway our state leaders, because the Governor, and the majority leadership, completely let us down. And the Navajo Nation, in the face of the possibility of $50 million in cash from Sithe Global each year, and with no counter offer from the State, is unlikely to change course either.

It's time for the New Mexico public to realize that the environmental and Navajo opposition to Desert Rock has effectively been steam-rolled by our elected officials, and to start really holding those officials accountable.

You can email the Governor at https://www.governor.state.nm.us/emailchoice.php?mm=6.

Editor's Note: This is a guest blog by Ben Luce, the former Chair and Policy Director of the New Mexico Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy (CCAE). Luce recently launched the nonpartisan citizen action group Break the Grip! because of concerns about the undue influence of powerful corporations on New Mexico government. Ben's previous guest blogs can be found here and here.

Guest blogs provide our readers with an opportunity to express their views on pertinent issues. The views expressed may or may not represent our views. If you'd like to submit a post for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand side of the page.

You can access recent posts on DFNM about the Desert Rock Power Plant and the public environmental impact statement hearings now being held around the state here and here.

July 16, 2007 at 09:03 AM in Corporatism, Democratic Party, Energy, Environment, Guest Blogger, Native Americans | Permalink | Comments (5)

Sunday, July 15, 2007

What's Goin' On While Congress and The Commander Do the Politico Shuffle

We'll never see this on anything to do with the American mainstream media. Good thing, since so many of our dishonorable, dishonest, cold-blooded politicos think it's just fine to wait until September to get out of Iraq, or maybe next year, or perhaps 2009, or even decades down the road. Or is it widening and eternal war that's on our horizon? We wouldn't want the media to show the American people what's really happening on the ground in Iraq. They'd be even madder than they are today. Not that it matters much to those in power and those who allow them to stay in power.

What we've got is one political party full of pseudo-power and oil addicts and another political party too full of enablers and go-alongs. I mean, they don't even make adjustments in response to poll results anymore, except maybe in terms of their half-hearted rhetoric. Most of our political "leaders" and "representatives" seem to be residing in a bubble, apart from the passions of the people and the suffering they are prolonging. Lip service is the order of the day.

But then, you all know that. What needs to be found is some way to stop them on their unrelenting descent into unconstitutional and unconscionable madness in almost every area of endeavor, from foreign policy to health care to the environement to the economy and beyond. So much is broken, but widespread denial brings only paralysis and business as usual attitudes. Out here, we're sensing and often experiencing real emergencies and a profound sense of foreboding. But inside the privileged status quo it's still the same as it ever was -- sloganeering and posturing seems enough. When will the bubble break? And what will happen then? So much depends on us, yet many of us have rarely felt so helpless. And time is running out. What can we do?

July 15, 2007 at 11:48 AM in Candidates & Races, Current Affairs, Democratic Party, Iran, Iraq War | Permalink | Comments (3)

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Today's Must Read: Lady Bird the Liberal

Lest we forget how we got here from there. A Southern, and Liberal, Lady by Sidney Blumenthal.

(above, left to right) Bella Abzug, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, Lady Bird Johnson, Linda Johnson Robb, Maya Angelou, and Coretta Scott King recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the 1977 Houston Women’s Conference. Photo by Jo Freeman.

July 14, 2007 at 03:25 PM in Civil Liberties, Current Affairs, Democratic Party, Media | Permalink | Comments (0)

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