Democracy for New Mexico

Summary of Approved Bernalillo County Resolutions

Terry Riley on the Saturday DPBC meeting and the resolutions that passed:

I tried to get as much information as I could as I attended the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County Central Committee Meeting on Saturday.  We voted on delegates to attend the state Central Committee meeting in Socorro and the results of that voting will not be ready for a day or so.  If you were there you would understand why that takes so long.  Sort of Instant Runoff Voting with no computers.

The following is a summary of all of the resolutions that passed the Central Committee.  These are now the county platform and can influence the state and national platforms.  I think that you will agree that they are refreshingly liberal.  Say it yourself, liberal, liberal, liberal.  Doesn’t that feel good?  I sure like it.

I hope to see you all at the next meetings of New Mexico Democratic Friends and Democracy for New Mexico.

(Click to continuation page to see resolution summary.)

1. Fully Fund New Mexico’s Medicaid program with no further cuts.
2. Support Universal Single Payer Healthcare, to be administered initially by Medicare and funded by an income-based tax levied on ALL citizens of the United States of America.
3. Support full funding of the VA Health Care System.  Provide VA benefits that provide health care at the same level that members of Congress receive.
4. Equal treatment of military forces, including activated reserve and national guard units, as to pay, benefits, medical care, travel, and service related benefits upon return from a combat zone.
5. Request an independent investigation of the Bush administration due to its failure to prevent sexual assault of military personnel and the subsequent retaliation against the victims when they report an assault.
6. Regulate profits from contracts for work and services associated with efforts of war such they do not exceed a reasonable fee;  insure that the awarding of the contracts be done on a fair bidding basis, and that timely audits by an independent body be conducted to insure the contractor is performing as stipulated in the contract.
7. Renounce the use of private contractors to perform military and intelligence functions on behalf of the country, and insist that all military and intelligence activities are performed by armed service personal and government employees.
8. Support our troops.  Oppose the continued military occupation of Iraq, and urges the government of the United States of America to plan immediately for the withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq, specify a target date for the completion of the withdrawal which is no later than June 2006, initiate the withdrawal process as soon as possible to signal our good intentions, and announce that the US has no plans for a long-term presence in Iraq, except for that associated with normal diplomatic relations between countries.
9. Oppose any unilateral war against any nation which has not attacked or invaded our homeland unless the community of nations, through the United Nations, is in agreement, and the Democratic Party favors working with the family of nations through the United Nations and other treaties of which the United States is a party.
10. The Democratic Party upholds the obligation to provide to all its citizens a high quality and inexpensive vocational and professional education.
11. Support repeal of the portion of the No Child Left Behind Act that requires schools to allow military recruiters on school sites and provide them access to all students and their contact information.
12. Support mandatory proficiency in a second language as a requirement for graduation from any state-accredited high school in New Mexico.
13. Support of programs and funding for creating a permanent place for mental health professionals with the public school system in New Mexico.
14. Support the impeachment of Tom Delay and communicate this to New Mexico’s congressional delegation.
15. Support legislation, programs and initiatives geared at creating affordable housing, appropriate infrastructure and economic development opportunities for New Mexico Community Land Grants and their heirs.
16. Support the strengthening of the US rail passenger service as an essential part of the transportation system through restoration of the federal budgetary funding for Amtrak.
17. Commit to fill all Ward and Precinct positions by September 1, 2005, adopt a model and manual that instructs its officials and employees on how to supervise, manage and employ its volunteers and the resources which the volunteers bring to DPNM, and to have all county parties instructed in how to organize their volunteers.
18. Support the notion of protecting sustainable agriculture in the South Valley of Bernalillo County.
19. Affirm the true separation of church and state so religious entities are free from control by the state, the state is free from undue influence by religious entities, and the religious liberty of all may be preserved.
20. Oppose any definition of civil marriage that restricts eligibility based on sexual orientation.  Also the DPBC will work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and support the right of all citizens to civil marriage.
21. Proudly raise its collective voice, take a stand to pursue legislation regarding, not only to preserve our valued rights, but to fight on to gain those rights that have not yet been attained in the struggle for a living wage for all work, health care for everyone, beginning with the children), for an atmosphere that prized diversity as a gift rather than a threat, and for a society confident enough in its own strength and respected position among all nations that we can finally make war a sad and evermore distant nightmare.
22. Support the rights of all citizens to be treated equally under the law by supporting legislation which guarantees every citizen equal rights, regardless of their sexual preference, and by supporting legislation which outlaws discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual preference.
23. Call for an immediate and unconditional repeal of the Patriot Act.
24. Add to the platform a commitment that the DPNM will protect the citizens of New Mexico from interference by the President of the US and the US Congress with our right to privacy in our individual choice over our health decisions, i.e., the right-to-die issue and the women’s reproductive choices.
25. Call on all levels of government and our elected representatives at all levels to examine, in light of American ethos and tradition, the manner in which Americans (regardless of economic status of ethnic and religious heritage), foreign visitors, detainees of the War on Terror and prisoners of American jails are treated and to take steps to improve the environment for human rights.  Also that the United States should abide by the Geneva Convention on all issues of the conduct of war, whereas those of other nations (or as individuals) who do not will be treated as war criminals, nor will the US military or any of our nation’s intelligence agencies utilize torture of prisoners or detainees in any manner or at any time whatsoever.
26. Stand united to insure that Social Security will not be reduced, privatized or otherwise diminished, and will be maintained properly to insure a secure, guaranteed base upon which future generations can build a dignified retirement, and vigorously oppose any weakening of Social Security by allowing benefits to be liked to price indexing rather than wages and any diversion of Social Security contributions in to personal private accounts.  Further to support removal of the present income cap on FICA tax so that all citizens pay the same percentage without respect to their total income.
27. Work to enact National Voter Registration standard that ensures the uniformity of voter registration, establishes technology providing for voter-verifiable paper ballot trail as part of the voting equipment, eliminates barriers to voting by expanding the hours of polling, providing mail-in absentee voting and allowing election-day registration, and passes a federally-guaranteed right-to-vote act.
28. Request a special independent commission on election reform be empanelled by Congress that is charged with the examination of the 2000 and 2004 elections and the allegations of abuse, manipulation and voter suppression, and current electoral process-related deficiencies, and that they turn their investigative material over to a special prosecutor, and that such abuses be appropriately addressed with election reform legislation.  All government entities will take responsibility for informing voters of their responsibilities and their rights regarding voting procedures, locations, and any and all changes, not only in a timely manner, but also in a more direct process than the “legal-ads” of privately-owned and published newspapers.
29. Pursue legislation to eliminate the ownership of news media by corporations that sell anything other than news, prohibit the ownership of multiple media outlet by a single company, and require local ownership of newspapers, radio and television stations and to support funding and access for publicly owned multi-media in all areas of the country.
30. Increase the civil and criminal penalties against those in government who authorize the use of government resources to disseminate propaganda, and which categorically prohibits the use of government money and resources to support, in any manner, the creation and dissemination of propaganda.  Also that the FCC require that any government FYI video of film show the disclaimer as part of the film or video.  Further demand that the FCC pay more attention to the public interest and truth and the fairness than spending all of its power on indecency, and to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.
31. Require the Congress to rejoin the Koyoto treaty.
32. Support and establishment and enforcement of a living wage for all New Mexico workers.
33. Require the PERA committee, in no uncertain terms, to administer the investments of PERA in a socially responsible manner.
34. Support the preservation of Otero Mesa.
35. Support the preservation of Petroglyphs.
36. Support the preservation of Valle Vidal.
37. Support the enforcement of the clean air act as it pertains to mercury emissions.
38. Support the reinstatement of CAFÉ standards of 40mpg on all vehicles 1 ton and below.
39. Support the continued enforcement of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and opposes the continued development of a new generation of nuclear weapons.
40. Make a concerted effort to conduct outreach and to advertise its annual Ward meetings in order to attract more and diverse citizen participation within the Democratic Party.

Moss Wins DPBC Chair Election

Marvin Moss, who has been the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County's First Vice Chair for the past two years, won yesterday's election at the County Central Committee meeting at the Albuquerque Convention Center, and will serve as County Chair for the next two years. Moss will take the reins of the County Party from State Senator Linda Lopez, who was unsuccessful in her attempt to retain her post.

The County meeting was packed and chaotic, with disagreements breaking out about how to handle resolutions and when and how to do the balloting for County Chair and membership on the State Central Committee. Registration tables were overwhelmed and credentialing was difficult. Ballots for State Central Committee had to be reprinted and replaced after people's frustrations at the registration tables prompted them to start grabbing ballots instead of waiting to receive them with their packets. There was confusion about rules of order and how motions would be handled on the floor.

Even refreshments were a problem with small bottles of soft drinks and water going for $2.50 from Convention Center vendors. The only food available came in the form of bagels with cream cheese in plastic, again for $2.50. With the meeting running very long, our progressive slate caucus members were starving and pitched in to get pizza brought in, only to have Convention Center staffers complain we weren't allowed to bring in food when the pizzas arrived. Thankfully, we managed to gobble some down before we had to move the pizzas outside the venue!

Still, alot of good exchanges and meetings happened despite the disorganization. Mayor Marty Chavez visited with his new dog, Duke. We heard from mayoral candidates Eric Griego and Judy Espinosa. Marianne Dickinson, running for City Councilor against Sally Mayer in District 7, was out meeting people and animated discussions were everywhere inside the meeting rooms and without.

The day started for us at 8:30 AM with a progressive caucus organized by SeedPAC, NM Democratic Friends and Democracy for New Mexico on the Civic Plaza. Thanks to SeedPAC for the donuts and juice! We ended up with more than 60 people putting their heads together to plan a strategy to win seats on the State Central Committee. A rather convoluted set of rules govern the voting on these seats, and it was a complex process to plan how to use it to our best advantage. I know that a number of our progressive slate members won seats, but we're still awaiting the release of the full list. We're keeping our fingers crossed and we'll put up the list of winners as soon as we get it.

If you attended the County Party meeting, what was your take on things?

Romero To Run for ABQ Mayor?

According to a story on Greg Payne's blog NoPayneNoGain.com, Richard Romero may be contemplating a run for Mayor of Albuquerque. Romero last ran for Congress in CD1 against Heather Wilson. Payne bases this on a phone survey he participated in recently. And here's an update on the story, which includes this paragraph:

Make no doubt about it, judging from the number of first-hand reports received, Romero is actively soliciting support for a mayoral bid -- despite downplaying his intentions in some quarters -- and is making calls to key constituencies pitching his candidacy.

So far, only City Council member Eric Griego has officially announced his candidacy for the mayoral race.  Others reportedly contemplating a run are current Mayor Marty Chavez, Bernalillo County Commissioner Alan Armijo and Judy Espinosa, former secretary for the state Transportation and Environment departments.

Join the Albuquerque Morning Seditionists This Friday

Folks around the nation are celebrating the one-year anniversary of the launch of Air America radio this week. Locally, Tom Hughes is organizing a get-together this Friday, April 1st, at 5:30 PM at RB Winnings Coffee House (111 Harvard SE near UNM) for the newly formed Albuquerque Morning Seditionists.

This is a chance for fans of Air America's morning show, Morning Sedition, with Mark Riley and Albuquerque's own Mark Maron (above left), to celebrate a year of entertaining political talk radio. Tom hopes those attending will be motivated to meet informally on a monthly basis to discuss politics and Sedition.

If you're interested in learning more, please call Tom at 898-0909 or 401-8923.

Hatemonger Phelps in Santa Fe Next Month

Phelps with his grandson.

Phelps with his sign.

It's being reported that the the infamous "Reverend" Fred Phelps will be in Santa Fe in April to push his hate-filled, anti-gay message. Phelps is the guy who takes his troops around the country to harass any groups or individuals who support equality.  Funerals of gays are some of his favorite places to picket. He made quite a name for himself at the Matthew Shepherd funeral in Laramie, Wyoming.

Phelps' visit to Santa Fe apparently aims to bring conflict to churches that support gay rights, especially those that took a stand against the recent savage gaybashing of James Maestas in Santa Fe. Santa Fe clergy from targeted churches are encouraging folks to come and worship with them to stand in solidarity. 

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the First Baptist Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Cristo Rey Catholic Church, St. Bede's Episcopal Church, Grace Community Church, Lutheran Church of the Servant, St. John's United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church have been identified by Phelps as targets for his protests. The New Mexican also reported that "The targeted churches were described in Phelps' news release as 'Sodomite whorehouses masquerading as churches.' " His delegation will also target city government offices the following day.

Although Phelps originally announced he would be in Santa Fe on April 17, he is now saying it will be on April 24. It's not known if this is an attempt by him to confuse people or if the date has really been changed. We'll be keeping an eye on this and will keep you posted.

To learn more about Phelps and his horrible activities, visit the site. Or, if you can stomach it, check out Phelps' own website, entitled GodHatesFags.com, where, among other monstrosities, you can see photos of children wearing GodHatesFags.com t-shirts. His other sites are GodHatesAmerica.com and .

UPDATE: According to a revised schedule on his website, Phelps will be in Albuquerque on April 23rd at UNM, Central and Stanford, from 11:30 AM to Noon. Then he moves up to Santa Fe later that day and has events scheduled thru April 25th. Of course things can change, so keep an eye out. Go to the continuation page of this post for his entire NM schedule:

April 23, 2005
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Albuquerque, NM
University of New Mexico, Central & Stanford

April 23, 2005
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Santa Fe, NM
Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 1120 Canyon Rd

April 23, 2005
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Santa Fe, NM
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 417 Agua Fria St

April 24, 2005
8:15 am – 8:45 am
Santa Fe, NM
Lutheran Church of the Servant, 2481 Legacy Court

April 24, 2005
9:00 am – 9:30 am
Santa Fe, NM
First Presbyterian Church-Rosario Chapel, Paseo de Peralta & N. Guadalupe

April 24, 2005
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Santa Fe, NM
St. Bede Episcopal Church, 1601 S. St. Francis Drive

April 24, 2005
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Santa Fe, NM
St. John United Methodist Church, 1200 Old Pecos Trail

April 24, 2005
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Santa Fe, NM
First Baptist Church of Santa Fe, 1605 Old Pecos  Trail

April 24, 2005
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Santa Fe, NM
Grace Community Church, 2247 Camino Carlos Rey

April 25, 2005
7:30 am – 8:00 am
Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave.

Many Victories for Progressives at Bernalillo County Ward & Precinct Elections

Results and responses from Monday's Bernalillo County Ward and Precinct Meetings have been streaming into my email box. Many of the meetings were reportedly well-attended and full of energy, while a few were somewhat chaotic, confusing or more sparsely attended. But almost to a person, folks seemed to be very happy to be participating.

Candidates from the DFNM community were incredibly successful in winning ward and precinct posts, especially considering how new we are at this. I haven't received all the results yet from our folks, but so far it looks like we may have wins for:

• 8-10 Ward Chairs
• 3 or 4 Ward Vice Chairs
• about 20 Precinct Chairs
• around 5 Precinct Vice Chairs
• about 5 precinct treasurers and secretaries
• a few extra delegates to the County Central Committee and
• a handful of folks serving on the Credentials or Resolutions Committees

It will be terrific to see so many familiar faces who are new to the process at the Bernalillo County Central Committee Meeting this Saturday morning at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

I guess this is what Howard Dean meant when he encouraged us to Take Back Our Party (and also to work with the good folks already there)! It seems clear that the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party is on a roll here in New Mexico. Let's all give ourselves a pat on the back for this one. Whether you were a candidate, a winner or a participant at the ward and precinct meetings, YOU have the power:

You have the power to take back the Democratic party and make us stand up for what's right again, allow us to fulfill the dream of Harry Truman in 1948 that he laid out when we would no longer be the last industrial country on the face of the earth without health insurance, allow us to stand up again for the rights to organize for ordinary men and women, allow us to stand again for the principles of equal rights under the law for every single American. You have the power to take our country back so that the flag of the United States of America no longer is the exclusive property of John Aschcroft, and of Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh and Jerry Falwell, that it belongs to all of us again. --Howard Dean

Call Domenici Tomorrow On Environment

Have Your Voice Heard for Wildlands!

Tomorrow morning, New Mexico's own senior Senator Pete Domenici will be on 770 KKOB AM, answering your questions! This is an extraordinary opportunity for those who support Wilderness to call in and express your views with the Senator!

As many of you know, Senator Domenici is leading the fight to Drill in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This is a terrible stance and the Senator needs to be called on it. In addtion, Senator Domenici supports Drilling in New Mexico's Otero Mesa and Valle Vidal. Again, this is an important opportunity for us to call in live and express our discontent with the Senators stances.

When you call the number below, you might be asked what you want to talk about (for screening purposes). Be very general. Say something like you want to ask the Senator a question about Otero Mesa, or that you would like to ask the Senator about a vote he cast.

If anyone has questions about talking points or anything else, please respond to this email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Here is the information to make your Voice Heard on the Radio:

770 KKOB-AM

Live Call in Show with Senator Pete Domenici

9:00 am - 10:00

(505) 243-3333 (in Albuquerque)
Or Toll Free on your Verizon or Alltel Wireless Phone #770

(From NM Wilderness Alliance)

Join Otero Mesa Campout

From the NM Wilderness Alliance:

With the recent heavy rains and snow New Mexico has received over the past couple of months, Otero Mesa is blanket of flowers! Spring time has arrived in this southern New Mexico gem.

The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, in conjunction with other local conservation groups will be leading a weekend campout to Otero Mesa April 16-17, 2005. Please RSVP to reserve your spot for this great trip. Below is a brief write-up about the weekend. If you have any questions please contact me at the information below.

Otero Mesa Weekend Outing: April 16th - 17th:
Come join us in Otero Mesa and watch the desert come to life! We will be exploring the Cornudas Mountains, the expansive grasslands  and documenting the petroglyphs on Alamo Mt. This will be a fun filled weekend of social gathering and adventure in New Mexico's wildest grassland. Bring plenty of sun screen, a good hat, a good pair of hiking boots, and plenty of water. You will be responsible for your own meals, except for Saturday evening, which will be a social potluck. A tent and sleeping bag are also recommended.

To RSVP or for more detailed information contact Nathan Newcomer out of Albuquerque: nathan@nmwild.org, 505-843-8696 ext.107.

Nathan Newcomer
Otero Mesa Campaign Organizer

(Photo by Stephen Capra.)

NM Democratic Party Responds to Heather Wilson's Townhall Meeting Today

As Rep. Heather Wilson leads a townhall meeting on the Medicare prescription drug benefit today at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, it's useful to ponder the truth of the situation rather than her talking points provided by the RNC. Here are some facts from Matt Farrauto of the DPNM that provide a more realistic picture. Writing a letter to the editor on this seems like a great idea:

THE WILSON PLANS

Medicare:
The Medicare prescription drug benefit was passed by Congress in 2003.  The program is costly for those who enroll in it and that it will not provide much of a benefit.  The U.S. Health and Human Services website set up to help New Mexico seniors determine where they can purchase prescription drugs at a discount was rife with errors.* *A report prepared by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform at the request of Senator Jeff Bingaman 

• Of 29 independent pharmacies listed as participating in the Medicare drug discount card  program, 18 were either closed or do not accept any of the various discount drug cards issued last year. 
• A state prison was erroneously listed as a participating pharmacy throughout 2004. 
• The Hima Bindu Smelse Mora Clinic was named as a participating pharmacy, despite the fact that they sell only herbal remedies, not prescription drugs. 
• Sixteen of the 29 pharmacies listed as participating in the drug discount card program were actually closed. 
• Only 11 pharmacies were identified correctly, yet even the information related to those contained errors.  In each of those cases, the pharmacy accepted either more of the drug discount cards than were listed, or fewer of them. 
• The discount cards, which seniors had to seek out and sign up for, were supposed to provide a $600 credit toward the purchase of prescriptions for the years 2004 and 2005, while the new Medicare prescription drug benefit is set up. 
• Only about 11,000 of the estimated 50,000 low-income New Mexicans would were supposed to benefit from these drug discount cards actually received them last year. 
• Over $23 million in prescription drug assistance to New Mexicans was lost in 2004 due to this failure.”
• By January 1, 2006, 6.4 million seniors nationwide who currently receive prescription drug coverage through Medicaid will have to sign up for the new Medicare prescription drug plan.  Medicaid is the federal health care program for the poor; Medicare is the federal health plan for seniors.   There will be just a six-week window, beginning on November 15, 2005, in which seniors will be allowed to sign up.
• Seniors will be inadvertently left out and left without any coverage at all. 
• Even if 80% of dual eligibles can e educated and correctly enrolled by January 2006, more than a million of the frailest Medicare beneficiaries will lack access to needed medications.

Social Security (A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT WORKS):
Wilson voted for Bush’s 2006 budget, which also neglects to account for the difficult trade-offs between increases in the debt, benefit cuts, and tax increases necessary to fund the White House's privatization proposal.  In fact, the Wilson-supported House GOP budget raids the Social Security Trust Fund of more than $1.1 trillion over the next five years. [H. Con. Res. 95 Roll Call #88; CQ House Action Reports, FY 2006 Budget Res, 3/14/05] 

The GOP plan to establish private accounts requires borrowing nearly $5 trillion, largely from foreign countries, and increasing our debt for the next 50 years, threatening rising interest rates today, and raising taxes on our children and grandchildren tomorrow.  Bush’s privatization proposal would cut guaranteed benefits by more than 40 percent, and, as the nonpartisan U.S. Comptroller General recently confirmed, “would not improve the system’s financial situation and would ‘accelerate’ insolvency.” [Sammon/Fagan, Washington Times, 3/10/05]

Santa Fe Central Committee Backs Pullout of Troops in Iraq and Gay Marriage

From and article in the Santa Fe New Mexican by Steve Terrell:

While the war in Iraq and gay marriage divide Democrats on the national level, Santa Fe County party members are unified on these issues.

More than 200 local Democrats attending the 2005 meeting of their county party's Central Committee voted nearly unanimously Monday to back resolutions calling for a pullout of American troops in Iraq by June 2006 and for the right of homosexuals to marry.

The Democrats also voted overwhelmingly to back a resolution calling for tougher restrictions on payday loans. The issue of payday loans was one that divided Democratic lawmakers in the recent session of the Legislature.
[. . .]
Local Democratic activist Charlotte Roybal was cheered after she read the Iraq resolution, which said, "Our occupation and the associated violence in Iraq has increased recruitment by terrorist organizations intent on attacking the U.S."

The resolution passed by a voice vote with only one voting no.

The Iraq resolution puts on record the county party's opposition to "the continued military occupation of Iraq" and says the federal government should immediately start planning to withdraw.

"The plan should specify a target date for the completion of the withdrawal," the resolution says. "The target date should be no later than June 2006."
[. . .]
The gay marriage resolution "directs each and every legislator who is a member of the Democratic Party to vote against any and all legislation that seeks to reduce or destroy the civil rights of people in New Mexico who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender."

Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano argued in favor of the resolution. "This is the civil-rights movement of this generation," he said. "We need to take a stand."

Only one person argued -- and voted -- against the resolution. "We should leave this matter up to the state representatives," he said.

(Click the link at the top of this post to read the entire article. Click to read the text of the LGBT rights resolution passed by the Santa Fe County Democratic Party.)