Saturday, May 22, 2010

Political Peon: 2010: What's at stake for Indiana Democrats?

Cross posted with permission from Political Peon


HOLD THE HOUSE MAJORITY
Listen. Hoosier Democrats must vote come November, 2010.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Whatever.
No really.
We've heard it all before. Every election cycle, we hear this. It's the end of the world if we don't vote. Is it really all that different this time?
Well she-yeah. It really, really is. And you may be surprised, but it has less to do with Washington, D.C., as it has to do with you and me.

See that map up there? Congressional Districts. Important stuff, especially in the Indiana State House and Governor's Mansion where the balance of power at this point in time falls like this:
  • Republican Governor (Somebody's Man Mitch)
  • Republican Majority in the Senate
  • Slimly Held Democratic Majority in the House.
If the Republicans are able to secure a majority in the State House of Representatives in 2010, which is not outside the realm of possibility, believe me, they will then own the right to redraw the map. The lines will be redrawn for a generation or more to favor Republican candidates, Republican governors, Republican legislation, Republican ideology.

Indiana... The State Where Conservatism Reigns Supreme

Republican redistricting will also favor Republicans in federal races. We could well see more Republican representation in Congress. How's about, a generation or more with two Republican Senators?

No more turning a 'Pale Shade of Blue' in Presidential election years.

Yikes!

Kind of sad to think of it in those terms, considering the joy and euphoria so many long-time Democratic voters, and a ton of newbies experienced in 2008. No more crying now.

Indiana... The Other Red Meat

Spread the word. Tell fellow Democrats and others who lean to the left, why it's so important to vote in 2010. Stay informed, and stay tuned.

Update: One of my very good friends recently reminded me that if Republicans are in complete charge of our state government, there is a near certainty that Indiana could become a 'Right To Work' state'.

'Right to Work' sounds good and kind of catchy, doesn't it? Don't be fooled.

'Right to Work' means lower wages for everyone, less employment benefits, or in other words, breaking the representation and positive influence of our strongest unions. It's not only bad for union wages and benefits, but it will also serve to negatively affect overall wages in the state.

Women Earn Less in 'Right to Work' States

If there are not people earning those beefy union wages and spending their money in Indiana for goods and services, other non-union employers will offer lower wages.

Many of the Southern states are 'Right To Work' states. Arkansas is a 'Right to Work' for less State, and is also the state where Walmart and Big Oil are Kings!




WAYS TO PARTICIPATE: Walk in a parade with your local Democrats. Participate in 'Voter Registration' drives. Participate in GOTO (Get Out The Vote) neighborhood walks or phone banks. Write some 'Letters to the Editor' in your local papers to inform Democrats of why it is so important to vote. November will be here before we know it.

If you are unable to actively participate in organized events, then talk to that neighbor, talk to that friend, talk to that co-worker and gear up to gear up others to vote come November.

Comments are always welcome, or you may e-mail Duh Peon at politicalpeon@gmail.com.


HOLD THE HOUSE MAJORITY


Is Andy Melin a step in the right direction?

I was pushed down the stairs of Valparaiso High School and called a dyke in the 1990’s mainly because I had short hair and many of my friends were lesbians. Now, almost 13 years later, I am afraid other students will experience the same difficulties now that Andy Melin is the superintendent.

Back in 2007, a Woodlan High School student, Megan Chase, wrote an article advocating tolerance of gays and lesbians. The principle, Edwin Yoder, responded by issuing a written insubordination warning to the teacher, Amy Sorrell, in charge of the high school newspaper demanding that all future issues be reviewed by him. Andy Melin, the assistant superintendent at the time stated ,“It’s not the topic of the article,” Melin said. “It’s the content of the article in terms of its level of its appropriateness and its balance. You have seventh- and eighth-graders who are far less mature than 11th- and 12th-graders.”
What is the balance that Melin is referring to? I sincerely hope that Melin does not believe balance includes intolerance...Sorrel was suspended for two months after allowing an op-ed piece to run that advocates tolerance of gays and the school had moved on.

As a student that has attended VHS in the late 1990's, I sincerely hope that Melin does not reverse the strides that Valparaiso High School has made in regards to gay rights and, instead, embraces the progressive attitude of the Valparaiso community.


Here is a timeline of events:
February 28, 2007 - "Principal Edwin Yoder contacted the newspaper and adviser through a letter that said he must review all issues prior to printing, according to Assistant Superintendent Andy Melin." (http://www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=1452)

March 14, 2007 - "Students have stopped publishing their high school student newspaper in protest of a proposed school district policy that would name the school principal "publisher" of the publication and cement his ability to invoke prior review." (http://www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=1474)

March 21, 2007 - "A high school journalism adviser was placed on "administrative leave" Monday after the school newspaper published an opinion article on tolerance for homosexuality and a school official halted printing of the publication." (http://www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=1483)

April 6, 2007 - "Amy Sorrell, adviser to The Tomahawk student newspaper and the school yearbook, received a notice on March 29 for her potential contract termination after she was placed on "administrative leave" for undisclosed reasons March 19. The letter clarified the school's actions by listing seven violations against the school such as insubordination, neglect of duty and "substantial inability to perform teaching duties." (http://www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=1495)

April 27, 2007 Amy Sorrell is removed from advising but keeps her job by being moved to a different shool in the district. (http://vvww.splc.org/newsflash_archives.asp?id=1512&year=2007)


September 10, 2007 - "Just months after reaching an agreement with East Allen County Schools that would have prevented her from teaching journalism, Sorrell instead joined the faculty at Keystone Schools, a private, Christian K-12 school in Fort Wayne, Ind. ... Keystone quickly stepped in to grab her, issuing a press release praising Sorrell’s history of free speech advocacy." (http://vvww.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=1600)