Wednesday, April 27, 2005
eye Continuing the National Conversation
April 25, 2005
Democratic National Committee
Dear Fellow Gentlepeople,
Today I received two solicitations for money from two organizations claiming to work within the political process to change the direction in which our country is heading: One from you and one from the ACLU. Your solicitation included a shamelessly general questionnaire which reflected almost none of my political positions. The ACLU's solicitation included three copies of a petition, each addressed to one my federal senators and representative, urging them to oppose "efforts to make every provision of the Patriot Act permanent" and "other affronts to freedom", some of which were specified. I have answered your questionnaire, which is enclosed. I want to explain to you why the ACLU got my donation.
Take a look at my responses. In most cases I added my own response to each question. For question #1 I devised my own rating method. My feeling, as you will no doubt determine from my answers, is that you misworded the questions and provided a series of inadequate answers from which to choose, thus indicating that you have the wrong focus on most of the issues mentioned to satisfy me.
As well, you need to note that I am not a registered Democrat, I am a registered Independent. Although I voted for the Kerry/Edwards ticket last year, now that I see how well that worked I have decided that if I am as frustrated in 2008 by the political discussion surrounding the Presidential candidates as I was in 2004 I will write in and vote for myself.
It would do the Democratic Party good to review my response to your questionnaire and take it as a lesson in the perspicacity of the average U.S. voter. You need to remember that the Presidential election of 2004 raised the political awareness of U.S. citizens exponentially. I am one of those citizen voters.
You should know, too, that within the next few days I will be publishing your questionnaire with my answers, a copy of the ACLU petition and a copy of this letter on my website, Ieyeayeai, in my own effort to nourish the heightened level of political awareness in the U.S. If you have a copyright problem with this please let me know and I'll remove your contribution to my post with, of course, an explanation as to why it has been removed. You might want to note, as well, the post on the above mentioned website which is a copy of an email I sent to President Bush on the day of his inauguration. It perfectly expresses my current political stance. If you heed my stance and begin to address the reality and complexity of the issues mentioned (and some not mentioned) in your questionnaire, perhaps the next time I receive a solicitation from you and a competing political organization, you will receive my donation; and my vote.
Sincerely,
Gail Rae Hudson
2005 Grassroots Survey of Democratic Leaders
All material except that in white and "x"'s indicating my choice of responses copyright by the Democratic National Committee
To the reader: The responses I devised and added appear in this color and font.
Purpose of this Survey
The Democratic National Committee is conducting this survey to help gauge the opinions of local Party leaders on the critical issues facing our nation. Your survey responses will give the DNC a better understanding of the views of Democrats in [your] area. With your input, the DNC will be more effective in building grassroots support for our Party's agenda.
Survey Instructions
Please answer all questions to the best of your ability using blue or black ink. To ensure statistical accuracy, please do not skip any questions. Your survey responses will be kept confidential. Please return this entire form in the pre-addressed envelope provided. Thank you for your participation in the 2005 Grassroots Survey of Democratic Leaders.
1. Which of the following issues is the most important to you? Please rank from 1-10 with "1" being the most important to you.
2. Which of the following statements most closely match your view when it comes to extending the life of Social Security? None of these closely match my view on Social Security.
Privatize the program to allow workers to invest some of their Social Security payroll contributions in the stock market.
Cut benefits or raise the retirement age to extend the life of Social Security.
Use means testing to reduce benefits for wealthy or high income retirees.
No changes in Social Security are necessary.
x Look at the way Social Security funds are being managed and invested.
3. Do you support new tax cuts targeted at working families?
Yes, with our economy struggling, working families need a tax break.
No, additional tax cuts at this time will only worsen the federal deficit.
x Let's look at the way government is spending money, not money collection.
4. Should the government put a high priority on stopping American manufacturing jobs from being "outsourced" to overseas workers?
Yes, the manufacturing jobs being lost are essential to our economy.
No, American consumers benefit from cheaper goods made overseas.
x America needs to figure out how to adjust to the changing world economy.
5. Do you support raising the minimum wage from its current level of $5.15 per hour?
Yes, the minimum wage should be increased to help workers make ends meet.
No, raising the minimum wage will hurt small businesses and cost jobs.
x See question #4.
6. Do you believe Medicare should be allowed to re-import less expensive drugs from Canada to make prescription medicines more affordable for senior citizens?
Yes, this will help millions of seniors who struggle to pay for their prescriptions.
No, it is too risky as the safety of these drugs can't be guaranteed.
x U.S. needs to figure out how to rein in pharmaceutical companies.
7. In your view, what is the best way to ensure health care coverage for all Americans?
Tax credits to help employers provide health care coverage for their employees.
Medical savings accounts that let families set aside money for health care costs.
x A government-run system where everyone is guaranteed health care coverage.
8. Thinking about the issue of education, which of the following is your number one priority? Please select only one answer.
Funding for early education programs like Head Start.
Funding for elementary and middle school education to reduce class size.
Funding for tuition aid programs to make college more affordable.
x Retooling our education program so our people once again receive a world class education.
9. Do you support the use of vouchers that would provide parents with government money to pay for private school tuition?
x Yes, parents deserve more options in choosing schools for their children for the time being.
No, vouchers would destroy the public school system.
10. How would you characterize our gun laws in America?
We need stronger laws to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children, and to keep military-style assault weapons off our streets.
Our gun laws are about right. We need no new gun control legislation.
Our gun laws interfere with an individual's right to bear arms.
x We need to change our grassroots attitude toward the need for self-defense and the use of violence to solve problems.
11. What is your opinion about a woman's right to a safe and legal abortion?
x I support a woman's right to choose.
I support a woman's right to choose, but believe we need some restrictions such as parental notification laws and mandatory waiting periods before having an abortion.
I oppose a woman's right to choose.
12. When decisions about Social Security's future are being made what do you think is most important?
Keeping Social Security as a program with a guaranteed monthly benefit.
Allowing younger workers to decide for themselves how their Social Security contributions are invested.
Both guaranteed benefits and investments are important.
x Let's look at how S.S. manages its money before distributing it.
13. Do you support increased defense spending to fight the war against terrorism?
Yes, we need a stronger military to stop terrorist threats around the globe.
No, the money should be spent on domestic needs like education and health care.
x I think "the war on terrorism" is the wrong foreign policy focus.
14. What is your opinion about our environmental laws in America?
x We need stronger environmental laws to protect our air and water, clean up toxic waste, safeguard endangered wildlife and habitat and combat global warming.
Our environmental policies are about right, no new laws are needed.
Our environmental laws burden businesses and hurt our economy.
15. To help make progress on issues like those discussed in this survey, will you join the Democratic National Committee as a contributing member today?
Yes, go on to next question.
No, I am an Independent and will donate money to whatever organization, political or social, appears to be addressing my political concerns.
ACLU "I Refuse to Surrender My Freedom" Petition
All material copyright by the ACLU
Dear [Senator/Representative]:
As Republicans and Democrats alike have acknowledged, the USA Patriot Act went too far, too fast in limiting our freedoms. Now President Bush wants to make every provision of the Patriot Act permanent.
I refuse to surrender my freedom — and I am trusting YOU as my representative to refuse to support legislative initiatives that are on the wrong side of the law . . . the wrong side of core American values . . . and the wrong side of history.
Sincerely,
[Petitioner]
After the DNC left their above mentioned donation in my mailbox and I decided to post my reactions, out of curiosity I searched the internet looking for other mentions of the 2005 Grassroots Survey of Democratic Leaders. One surfaced, a post on the website 128 Hours dated April 20, 2005; timed at 5:28 p.m. If you find my post interesting, you might want to check it out. It's a different take than mine: The Wonk makes some cogent points using on-the-mark, tongue-in-cheek cynicism.
Democratic National Committee
Dear Fellow Gentlepeople,
Today I received two solicitations for money from two organizations claiming to work within the political process to change the direction in which our country is heading: One from you and one from the ACLU. Your solicitation included a shamelessly general questionnaire which reflected almost none of my political positions. The ACLU's solicitation included three copies of a petition, each addressed to one my federal senators and representative, urging them to oppose "efforts to make every provision of the Patriot Act permanent" and "other affronts to freedom", some of which were specified. I have answered your questionnaire, which is enclosed. I want to explain to you why the ACLU got my donation.
Take a look at my responses. In most cases I added my own response to each question. For question #1 I devised my own rating method. My feeling, as you will no doubt determine from my answers, is that you misworded the questions and provided a series of inadequate answers from which to choose, thus indicating that you have the wrong focus on most of the issues mentioned to satisfy me.
As well, you need to note that I am not a registered Democrat, I am a registered Independent. Although I voted for the Kerry/Edwards ticket last year, now that I see how well that worked I have decided that if I am as frustrated in 2008 by the political discussion surrounding the Presidential candidates as I was in 2004 I will write in and vote for myself.
It would do the Democratic Party good to review my response to your questionnaire and take it as a lesson in the perspicacity of the average U.S. voter. You need to remember that the Presidential election of 2004 raised the political awareness of U.S. citizens exponentially. I am one of those citizen voters.
You should know, too, that within the next few days I will be publishing your questionnaire with my answers, a copy of the ACLU petition and a copy of this letter on my website, Ieyeayeai, in my own effort to nourish the heightened level of political awareness in the U.S. If you have a copyright problem with this please let me know and I'll remove your contribution to my post with, of course, an explanation as to why it has been removed. You might want to note, as well, the post on the above mentioned website which is a copy of an email I sent to President Bush on the day of his inauguration. It perfectly expresses my current political stance. If you heed my stance and begin to address the reality and complexity of the issues mentioned (and some not mentioned) in your questionnaire, perhaps the next time I receive a solicitation from you and a competing political organization, you will receive my donation; and my vote.
Sincerely,
Gail Rae Hudson
2005 Grassroots Survey of Democratic Leaders
All material except that in white and "x"'s indicating my choice of responses copyright by the Democratic National Committee
To the reader: The responses I devised and added appear in this color and font.
Purpose of this Survey
The Democratic National Committee is conducting this survey to help gauge the opinions of local Party leaders on the critical issues facing our nation. Your survey responses will give the DNC a better understanding of the views of Democrats in [your] area. With your input, the DNC will be more effective in building grassroots support for our Party's agenda.
Survey Instructions
Please answer all questions to the best of your ability using blue or black ink. To ensure statistical accuracy, please do not skip any questions. Your survey responses will be kept confidential. Please return this entire form in the pre-addressed envelope provided. Thank you for your participation in the 2005 Grassroots Survey of Democratic Leaders.
1. Which of the following issues is the most important to you? Please rank from 1-10 with "1" being the most important to you.
| 1 Improving public education 1 Protecting the environment 10 National Security/ 1 Economic/tax policy 1 Reproductive freedom | 1 Social Security reform 1 Civil rights and liberties 1 Health care affordability 1 National energy policy 1 Other Foreign Policy |
2. Which of the following statements most closely match your view when it comes to extending the life of Social Security? None of these closely match my view on Social Security.
Privatize the program to allow workers to invest some of their Social Security payroll contributions in the stock market.
Cut benefits or raise the retirement age to extend the life of Social Security.
Use means testing to reduce benefits for wealthy or high income retirees.
No changes in Social Security are necessary.
x Look at the way Social Security funds are being managed and invested.
3. Do you support new tax cuts targeted at working families?
Yes, with our economy struggling, working families need a tax break.
No, additional tax cuts at this time will only worsen the federal deficit.
x Let's look at the way government is spending money, not money collection.
4. Should the government put a high priority on stopping American manufacturing jobs from being "outsourced" to overseas workers?
Yes, the manufacturing jobs being lost are essential to our economy.
No, American consumers benefit from cheaper goods made overseas.
x America needs to figure out how to adjust to the changing world economy.
5. Do you support raising the minimum wage from its current level of $5.15 per hour?
Yes, the minimum wage should be increased to help workers make ends meet.
No, raising the minimum wage will hurt small businesses and cost jobs.
x See question #4.
6. Do you believe Medicare should be allowed to re-import less expensive drugs from Canada to make prescription medicines more affordable for senior citizens?
Yes, this will help millions of seniors who struggle to pay for their prescriptions.
No, it is too risky as the safety of these drugs can't be guaranteed.
x U.S. needs to figure out how to rein in pharmaceutical companies.
7. In your view, what is the best way to ensure health care coverage for all Americans?
Tax credits to help employers provide health care coverage for their employees.
Medical savings accounts that let families set aside money for health care costs.
x A government-run system where everyone is guaranteed health care coverage.
8. Thinking about the issue of education, which of the following is your number one priority? Please select only one answer.
Funding for early education programs like Head Start.
Funding for elementary and middle school education to reduce class size.
Funding for tuition aid programs to make college more affordable.
x Retooling our education program so our people once again receive a world class education.
9. Do you support the use of vouchers that would provide parents with government money to pay for private school tuition?
x Yes, parents deserve more options in choosing schools for their children for the time being.
No, vouchers would destroy the public school system.
10. How would you characterize our gun laws in America?
We need stronger laws to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children, and to keep military-style assault weapons off our streets.
Our gun laws are about right. We need no new gun control legislation.
Our gun laws interfere with an individual's right to bear arms.
x We need to change our grassroots attitude toward the need for self-defense and the use of violence to solve problems.
11. What is your opinion about a woman's right to a safe and legal abortion?
x I support a woman's right to choose.
I support a woman's right to choose, but believe we need some restrictions such as parental notification laws and mandatory waiting periods before having an abortion.
I oppose a woman's right to choose.
12. When decisions about Social Security's future are being made what do you think is most important?
Keeping Social Security as a program with a guaranteed monthly benefit.
Allowing younger workers to decide for themselves how their Social Security contributions are invested.
Both guaranteed benefits and investments are important.
x Let's look at how S.S. manages its money before distributing it.
13. Do you support increased defense spending to fight the war against terrorism?
Yes, we need a stronger military to stop terrorist threats around the globe.
No, the money should be spent on domestic needs like education and health care.
x I think "the war on terrorism" is the wrong foreign policy focus.
14. What is your opinion about our environmental laws in America?
x We need stronger environmental laws to protect our air and water, clean up toxic waste, safeguard endangered wildlife and habitat and combat global warming.
Our environmental policies are about right, no new laws are needed.
Our environmental laws burden businesses and hurt our economy.
15. To help make progress on issues like those discussed in this survey, will you join the Democratic National Committee as a contributing member today?
Yes, go on to next question.
No, I am an Independent and will donate money to whatever organization, political or social, appears to be addressing my political concerns.
ACLU "I Refuse to Surrender My Freedom" Petition
All material copyright by the ACLU
Dear [Senator/Representative]:
As Republicans and Democrats alike have acknowledged, the USA Patriot Act went too far, too fast in limiting our freedoms. Now President Bush wants to make every provision of the Patriot Act permanent.
President Bush wants us to surrender our freedom and tolerate more government searches of our homes and possessions without probable cause of crime.I urge you to take the lead in opposing efforts to make the freedom-stealing provisions of the Patriot Act permanent. And I urge you to oppose other affronts to freedom as well. Don’t let them write discrimination into the Constitution . . . undermine our basic right to privacy . . . oppose reproductive freedom . . .destroy the separation of church and state . . . and selectively apply the right to due process.
President Bush wants us to surrender our freedom from FBI investigations provoked by nothing more than an exercise of our freedom of speech.
President Bush wants us to surrender our freedom from government agents secretly searching the books we read, the credit card purchases we make and the Internet sites we visit.
I refuse to surrender my freedom — and I am trusting YOU as my representative to refuse to support legislative initiatives that are on the wrong side of the law . . . the wrong side of core American values . . . and the wrong side of history.
Sincerely,
[Petitioner]
After the DNC left their above mentioned donation in my mailbox and I decided to post my reactions, out of curiosity I searched the internet looking for other mentions of the 2005 Grassroots Survey of Democratic Leaders. One surfaced, a post on the website 128 Hours dated April 20, 2005; timed at 5:28 p.m. If you find my post interesting, you might want to check it out. It's a different take than mine: The Wonk makes some cogent points using on-the-mark, tongue-in-cheek cynicism.
