New & views from a few spirited Georgia Democrats

Atlanta Charter School Debate Heats Up

May 17, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue · Leave a Comment

Talk of charter schools will heat up, as the November Georgia General Elections get closer because the ballot will include a referendum question about the State Board of Education’s authority to grant charters. In the meantime, there is a debate brewing in Atlanta about the Charles Drew Charter School. The East Lake Community has written an open letter to their School Board representative.

Here is the link to the letter.

The Atlanta Public Schools granted Drew its first charter a dozen years ago. Since the 1990′s APS has granted other charters. Drew is located in the East Lake Community.

Filed Under: APS, Atlanta Education ·

Redistricting Causes Conundrum for House District 57 Voters

May 15, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue · 6 Comments

“Divide et imperia” (divide and rule) is as old as the Roman Empire when Julius Caesar, after his victory in Gaul, returned to Rome to divide and oust the Senate to become the sole ruler of Rome. Like Julius Caesar, the Republicans in Georgia have attempted to divide traditional Democratic political associates forcing allies into a primary battle for their respective political survival.

In an attempt to “politically assassinate” white Democratic incumbents, the Republicans drew district maps that pitted white Democratic incumbents against African American Democratic incumbents in majority minority districts. In the case of the House District 57 race, Pat Gardner, a white, gay-friendly legislator ended up in a majority minority district running against Rashad Taylor who is an openly gay, African American Democrat.

Interestingly, this race is in many ways reminiscent of the 1997 6th district Atlanta City Council race between Cathy Woolard and Mary Davis. How so? Like the 1997 race, for many of the residents of the newly drawn 57th district, the conversation will boil down to a debate on “we want vs. they want.”

President Obama Says I Do to Marriage Equality

May 10, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue · 33 Comments

The news was fast and furious yesterday when during an interview with ABC News and former Atlanta resident Robin Roberts, President Obama publicly voiced his support of marriage equality for same-sex couples.

“I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.”

The City of Atlanta government has a long history of supporting the LGBT community. In 1972 Atlanta mayor Sam Massell appointed a gay man to his Community Relations Commission. In 1982 the city issued an official proclamation for Pride. In 1984, Young inaugurated the first “Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Day”. In 1988, Mayor Maynard Jackson became the first Atlanta mayor to attend Pride. In 1997, Cathy Woolard became the first openly gay person elected in Georgia when she was elected to the Atlanta City Council. In 1997, an Atlanta domestic partnership benefits ordinance was passed for city employees and in 2006 those benefits were extended to include city pensions.

Much has already been made about the political implications or pitfalls of the President’s decision to support marriage equality. But maybe Georgia Congressman John Lewis summarized it best by saying, “Once people begin to see the similarities between themselves and others, instead of focusing on differences, they come to recognize that equality is essentially a matter of human rights and human dignity.”

Congratulations President Obama for doing the right thing, in spite of the political implications, and affirming human dignity.

Filed Under: Diversity, National Politics, Obama, President ·

Halftime in America

May 8, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue · 4 Comments

The silly season of politics has already begun. According to GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, he deserves “a lot of credit” for the recent successes of General Motors and Chrysler. What? Is this the same Mitt Romney who in 2008 wrote in the New York Times that if GM and Chrysler get the taxpayer bailout they want “you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye”?

We are used to political candidates and their campaigns saying anything to get elected, but this is a stretch by any standard.

As a political media junkie, this fib told by Romney reminded me of the Chrysler commercial aired during the Super Bowl called “Halftime in America”. You can watch it below. Officially, this is a commercial from the car company, but I think it is one of the greatest political commercials of our time.

One more thing, General Motors posted record profits last year. Thanks to President Obama and a host of other people not named Mitt Romney.

Filed Under: Detroit, Economy, financial crisis, National Politics, Obama ·

Georgia Democrats Can Win in 2012?

May 3, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue · 1 Comment

National media outlets identify Georgia as a “lean Republican” state, which means that polling and turnout demographics suggest GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney starts out as the favorite in Georgia. The only other race that will be on all Georgia ballots in November is the race for the 3rd District Public Service Commissioner and even to astute political observers, the duties of the Public Service Commission (PSC) may be foreign.

To the general public, the PSC oversees and regulates the telecommunications, transportation, electric and natural gas industries in Georgia. To political operatives, PSC races serve as barometers for political party support because it generally appears near the end of the ballot and are generally low key races. Most voters have no idea who they are voting for in the PSC race, so the vote is usually a good indication of a voter’s political party preference.

In the 2008 general election, the Democratic candidate got 48% of the vote in the contested PSC race. He ultimately lost the race in the runoff to the Republican, but the percentage of votes for the Democrat indicates how close Georgia was to electing a Democrat statewide. In 2010, the tables turned and the Democrat only got 41% of the vote. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy, Georgia Politics, National Politics, Obama ·

Policy Not Budgets Should Drive Prison Reform

May 2, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue · Leave a Comment

The Georgia General Assembly passed overwhelming House Bill 1176, and Governor Nathan Deal recently signed it, under the guise of “prison reform.” While this is a good “first step” it falls short of being true prison reform in Georgia. HB 1176 is best labeled as a sentencing guideline reform measure. Since the “3 strikes and you’re out” movement of the 1990’s when states developed a “Lock ‘em up and throw away the key” mentality, the movement to keep “hardened criminals” locked up swept the country.

Now in rough economic times and tight state budgets, the chickens have come home to roost. We have “locked ‘em up,” but, now the question becomes, is it in our best interest as a state and society to “throw away the key?” The $1 Billion plus budget of the Department of Corrections sure is a tempting target for cutbacks. The DOC budget has grown consistently over the past 10 years. However, the “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” still prevails because politicians don’t want to be seen as soft on crime.

In the new 2013 State Budget Book, the DOC budget has $35 Million plus earmarked for “private prisons” to add 2,650 new beds to the system – facilities that are run by private companies and not the state. Yet, the Transitions Centers, where inmates actually “transition” back into society by getting jobs, saving money to afford a place to live, only receives $3.1 Million. Relocating who manages the beds is not prison reform – it is outsourcing.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized ·

Maynard Jackson: Setting the Record Straight (Elaine Alexander)

April 26, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue · Leave a Comment

Elaine Alexander and her husband Miles were among Jackson’s early supporters. Here Elaine talks candidly about Maynard Jackson’s first week in office and his first inauguration. During the early days of Atlanta’s first African American mayor’s tenure, he and the city braced themselves for the challenges of a new and changing racial reality in the South.

Filed Under: Diversity, Maynard Jackson ·

Celebrate The Earth, Everyday!

April 24, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue · Leave a Comment

This year, the United States observed Earth Day on April 22. Atlanta’s own, Laura Seydel spoke at the National Celebration on the Mall in Washington, DC. As an activist and environmentalist Seydel is an eco-living expert dedicated to creating a healthy and sustainable future, visit her website www.lauraseydel.com for more information.

Senator and former Wisconsin governor Gaylord Nelson is environmental activist who created the celebration on April 22, 1970. This was a banner period for national environmental policy setting. The first Earth Day was the same year that President Nixon authorized the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act became law in 1972. The protection and preservation of the environment is no longer edgy and fringe debate. It’s mainstream from national discourse about climate change to personal responsibility for water conservation. Government agencies, environmental advocacy organizations, environmental studies in school and colleges and media have awakened the real connection between Americans and our relationship to nature.

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Filed Under: National Politics, Obama, water ·

State Should Pay For Drug Tests

April 19, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue ·

The letter below was sent to the editor of the Atlanta Journal Constitution

As a small business owner, I could not agree more with Mr. Bookman’s premise regarding the required drug-testing of welfare applicants. However, business-wise, I have a different “spin” on what the Legislature did.

My company requires pre-employment drug tests, which is not unusual in construction when you are working heavy equipment. In addition, the insurance company that covers us for Workers’ Compensation Insurance, requires us to drug-test any employee who is involved in any work-related accident. In both instances, my company is responsible for paying for the drug test.

Why should a job applicant incur the $25.00 per test expense? He or she should not have to do so as there is no guarantee they will be hired. In return, my company gets a discount on my liability and workers’ compensation insurance – my company directly benefits financially from this practice.

It’s Education, Stupid!!!

April 17, 2012 by bloggingwhileblue ·

Should Georgia continue on the collision course of balancing the state budget with cuts to education? Yes, if we are satisfied that only 67% of Georgia students will earn a high school diploma. Yes, if we don’t care about investing in a workforce that will and can tackle the dynamic challenges of the 21st Century? Should we balance the budget on the backs of students? Yes, if we are prepared to relegate a high percentage of Georgia youth to low-paying jobs and sporadic employment. Yes, if we prefer the startling statistic that in Georgia 1 of every 4 children lives in poverty according to the 2010 census. Yes, if we are satisfied that the Georgia economic recovery will lag behind the national pace.

Research conducted by CEOs for Cities determined cities gain significant per capita income for every percent increase in the college attainment rate of its residents. There is a direct correlation between per capita income and a city’s college graduation rate. Education attainmnet also affects the unemployment rate. Their website, http://www.ceosforcities.org/, provides links to the research for dozens of cities including Atlanta.

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