Inland Empire Progressive

“And its [Republicans] only future path to the White House will lie in stoking white resentment to fever levels to produce the highest turnout possible, while dividing the country even further—but solidifying the cultural idea of “the party,” which is what really matters most to them.” Today’s GOP vs. Tomorrow’s GOP on Immigration - The Daily Beast

I listened to the whole hour of his lecture to folks at the Immanuel Church and he so mangles political documents and religious scripture that this clip from Billy Madison kept coming into my mind.

I am a Principled Progressive. What I strive to achieve in society is to inspire understanding that there is something out there greater than ourselves. Through fame, fortune, or glory I believe that we as Progressives always strive to remain humble. Through money, power, and respect we give back and pay forward our good fortune. I see this as 100% opposite as the philosophy of our conservative counterparts, who internalize the principle of selfishness to the point where they cannot see beyond themselves. This is playing out now in the 21st Century American politics. A confluence of events has laid waste to the bi-partisan myth and has return us to our norms. Failed and/or inadequate elites, institutions, and rules have pushed both sides to the extreme. In addition, communication  technology has rapidly unified and polarized the two factions of American society. We may want bi-partisanship, but we govern in principle. I believe a principled compromise can be achieved to ensure ...

I thought Progressives were the ones to challenge authority. I guess not by the way we have been bowing to the Establishment in the Democratic Party. Progressives have passion and we have principle, but when the rubber meets the road we cave to our ever compromising selves. We have a ground game that is almost a throwback to the early 20th Century Labor Unions in the way we engage online through New Media. Voter Engagement and finding the true sentiment of the average voter is our bread and butter. But do we listen to the average voter? NO!!! The average voter wants accountability for Wall Street. But do we have it? NO! The pussy-willows of Democratic Leadership cater to Wall Street interests and could give a damn about the working man. The average voter wants a job that pays a living wage. But do we have it? NO! The pussy-willows of Democratic Leadership a living wage will harm big business. The average voter wants safe streets with no gun violence. But do we have it? NO! The p...

When it comes to Union Labor in United States history, I would have to say there has been kind of a love/hate relationship. Unions were despised in early 19th Century as a threat to Big Business, saying that they were threats to interstate commerce because of collective bargaining. These were a weary bunch, always at risk of death. In the mid- 20th Century, Union Labor was the backbone of the American Economy and paved the way for a vibrant middle class. This was the era of Camelot. Late 20th Century saw a turn against Union Labor because of its worst excesses. The modern labor union is a ghost of its former self and still clinging to element of 20th Century thought. They are top-down and very reluctant to relinquish power to the younger generation.  The saddest part is that they are lacking in maintaining member interest in Union affairs. If we are to build a 21st Century Labor Union, those are the two areas that should be addressed immediately. 

  Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. -Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Independence The sentence above is what this election and subsequent elections are all about. We are moving from a Center-Right nation to a Center-Left nation. Conservatives know that their days are numbered, but the desire to maintain their grip on power is great. The Koch Brothers, ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), even the Tea Party (which are the REAL useful idiots in this battle), etc. are the folks that are pushing this extremist agenda. What do you think these groups are about….Power. And how do they maintain power, by introducing extremist legislation. While initially derided, extremist legislation is eventually accepted as mainstream. This is why ALEC took a mocking tone when this once secretive group was exposed during the Trayvon Martin situation. They ...

While my posts take a principled Progressive stance, I can be a realist. I understand that the 31st Congressional District is  very closely divided between Progressives and Conservatives. So my question would be where will Democratic the candidates break from principle? I believe in principled compromise (1 for 1 ratio) on issues defining the budget. The budget sets the priorities for the nation and should not be ignored by the Left. Progressives should aspire for a robust welfare state in addition to balanced budgets. Does this mean that the tax rate should go up? Definitely! However, everyone needs to sacrifice. On social issues, LGBT marriage, the decriminalization of marijuana, and true freedom of religion (and non-religion) should be at the forefront of our pursuit of happiness. The majority of these issues encompass the principle of Equality that is at the heart of the Progressive agenda. Some of these principles require political risk. A candidate with the intestinal for...

Rep. Joe Baca’s love for golf is a legendary in Inland Empire. However, try as I might, I have never witnessed the Congressman in golf pants or seen a photograph of him in them and probably never will. However, I have seen photographs of him sporting Dodger Blue throwing fastballs across home plate. Also being a member of the Blue Dog Coalition whose stated aim is: Blue Dogs advocate for mainstream American values, a commitment to fiscal responsibility , and a strong national defense. Rep. Joe Baca’s “concern” for the deficit is also advocated in almost every press release that concerns the budget. What do the Golf and Deficits have in common and why do I mention them? Well as the post implies these are the concerns of the wealthy. Incomes above $250,000 are the majority of those who play golf. With a median income of $50,000, cities represented by Rep. Joe Baca simply do not have the leisure time or prosperity to play rounds of golf. Don’t let me get started on the wasted water ...

Today, I came across some notes that I had written a while back about what it means to be a Progressive of Principle. Progressive Principles Equality Opportunity Race      Gender   Marriage Sacrifice Taxation Preservation Conservation Greater Good Religious Tolerance Public Service Volunteerism    

Say we do have a debt problem...how do we fix it? If we are serious about fixing the debt problem there would need to be a mix of spending cuts AND revenue increases. Currently we have 85% spending cuts with ONLY 15% tax increases. How is this negotiating! Make the mix 50/50...Hell, I would even accept 60/40! Republicans need more skin in this game!

Excited about the upcoming elections this year. With less than 60 days to go I am fired up and ready to work hard and win!

Our principles are Equality, Sacrifice, and the Common Good. Liberalism's history represents these values to protect the weakest members of our society. I will elaborate on each one in future posts and show that these values can counter the Conservative values of small government, stong national defense, and "individual" repsonsibility. Progressives will do best to establish these values as the core to which to build on. The gauntlet has been thrown ladies and gentlemen which side do we choose to stand on.