Me again. in These titles mean nothing.
- Dec. 16, 2019, 6:20 p.m.
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SOMEONE said I had written three days in a row = so now it’s four. That is if I get something said and saved. Let’s assume so.
It’s Monday night and Jim is at Planning & Zoning. They have a Christmas party which I can only imagine. It would involve plats and festive complaints I suppose. Actually one of the women brings treats every month so at Christmas they pay her back with a cheese tray she can take home for her family’s holiday plus one to consume on premise. He’s been on the committee for ten or so years now and he likes a step or two out into the world.
I’ve never been to a meeting, I figure it’s his thing, you know? Tomorrow afternoon though they or someone is seeking public input for their strategic plan - or something like that. It’s all afternoon and people are free to come and go. I asked if the people giving opinions had to be informed and he shrugged. I doubt I’ll go. I have a hard time getting out of the house - unless I’m out of groceries. There are supposed to be light snacks but I don’t know if that’s enough enticement.
Yesterday afternoon I did my on-line class and test for being a caucus helper. I’ve been chair of several caucuses and they are all pretty much the same but they asked this time if I’d help so I suppose it’s the least I can do. The online test started out confusing as hell but it smoothed out and I did ok. I have this aging thing going on - that you are very aware of since it’s all I write about - and I’m not sure I am smart enough to do much of anything so it was reassuring that I got through the test. I can go to the library and print out my certification but the county chair said I don’t have to.
The test and training for caucus chairs and secretaries and helpers is new. Iowa is trying to do a better job with its caucuses because we keep getting told it’s not fair that we get to be the first people making a choice for presidential nominees. Iowa is told that we are too old and white and I suppose we are. The caucuses are relatively new. They came after the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago when there were riots and complaints, a lot based on the Vietnam war. LBJ had decided not to run for reelection and that left the nomination open. In a way to improve the system at that time more states decided to have primary elections and caucuses and somehow Iowa got to be first. Anyone who wants to explain that better is free to.
A caucus is a meeting of party members - ours is to organize for county convention, to select delegates and committee members, submit issues or planks for platforms, and to decide who we want for the Presidential nominee. Every time there is a contest, there is more publicity, more campaigning, more phone calls, more meetings, more flyers in the mail. I’ve always felt I liked politics, liked meeting or hearing about candidates, etc. but I’m ready to give up the first in the country caucuses. Let some other state have them.
Having said that I got to hear Amy Klobuchar speak a week or so ago. I liked her a lot. She’s from Minnesota. She’s my kids’ Senator. She’s been working hard etc. etc. She probably has a snow ball’s chance in hell. I still want a woman president. I was going to caucus for Kamala Harris but she’s quit. I do not like Bernie, or Warren, or Buttigieg. So that leaves Biden. Biden is a pro and experienced. He’s a Democrat and he has a better chance than Klobuchar does. I suppose I’ll either caucus for Klobuchar and if she’s not viable = does not have 15% of the attendees, I will go to Biden.
Big new thing this year is voting cards - like paper ballots with a blue side for first choice and a yellow side for second choice. You can also sign for a candidate that is not viable, not has 15% of the attendees and that will be recorded too. All cards are picked up and saved so we will have a paper trail in case someone wants a recount.
In my opinion, caucuses are good if they are small neighborhood meetings but when you get several hundred or more people together trying to make these decisions there is just too much room for error or mischief. Not to mention confusion.
This will be Iowa’s last caucus. There, you heard it here first.
Last updated December 16, 2019
ConnieK ⋅ December 16, 2019
I thought NH was first? I agree that Caucuses are effective in smaller settings but as state populations grow, meetings must be contentious. A neighborhood vote would better reflect an area's preferences, I think. And as populations change, that age/race complaint will be moot.
I like Elizabeth, but she comes off as a scold. There was nothing wrong with Hillary, but people thought she was prickly. Even in this day and age, sexism plays out in it's own coy way.
I'm still on the fence. Bernie's too old and cranky, Biden isn't the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree but not the dumbest, either. Mayor Pete doesn't have experience and the job he's done as mayor is lackluster. I'm listening to the Millennials to see how they're leaning but they roll their eyes. LOL!
woman in the moon ConnieK ⋅ December 16, 2019
New Hampshire has the first primary election but Iowa has caucuses before that. IA, Feb. 2 and NH, Feb. 11 , 2020.
I'm not terribly happy with anyone in the race. Sometimes I'm sure Trump will be reelected and sometimes I think the Dems can win.
ConnieK woman in the moon ⋅ December 16, 2019 (edited December 16, 2019)
Edited
If the Liberals can stop their hard-line stance and the moderates can accept some young ideas, I know Trump can be squashed like the bug he is, so I'm trying to suggest solidarity to every Dem I know. I'm not even trying with my Republican friends. They're too close-minded and I see no point in wasting my breath.
Deleted user ⋅ December 16, 2019
I so admire the way you have been so involved with local politics.
Four days in a row! Don't stop!
Just Annie ⋅ December 17, 2019
Yay! Four days in a row! Keep it up.
I admire your involvement in politics. I know I should do more, but all I do is throw money at them. However, the Wood County Democratic Party seems very active and inviting. Perhaps I'll help in the general election.
Park Row Fallout ⋅ December 17, 2019
There are a lot of rumblings about doing away with the caucus. I have to say... I'm sad to see my candidate close up shop; but I was going to be her representative at our Caucus and... that felt like a bit too much to take on, so I was a little relieved when she pulled out.
Jinn ⋅ December 17, 2019
That is interesting. I did not know how that worked .
Marg ⋅ December 17, 2019
I’d never heard of the term caucus before so thanks for explaining it!
NorthernSeeker ⋅ December 18, 2019
Iowa is on the news for those caucuses and other people just want to influence the first news. From what I've seen on your diary everybody could participate in the process.
woman in the moon NorthernSeeker ⋅ December 18, 2019
Yes, I believe it's very open. I always encourage people who have an interest and of course everyone 'should' have an interest to get involved. It's up to you, you can do as much or as little as you want and it's generally a good social (not socialist!!) experience, plus you will learn by doing. It's good to have a somewhat personal relationship with candidates - I totally believe.... except for the heartbreak when they lose.
noko ⋅ December 18, 2019
I am with you on the small local groups. We, like so many places, had an Impeachment rally here last night and I was going to go but then when I went out in the late afternoon the cold was bone chilling and I just couldn't do it. I feel like I am a bit of a failure as a Democratic participant today. At this point I am voting for Bernie, even though I also would like to see a woman in office. It is a trust thing for me. I believe he is the most honest candidate of the bunch. I could always change my mind...we have months to go here.
woman in the moon noko ⋅ December 18, 2019
Years ago I remember being told that I should check Bernie Sanders out because I would like him. I did to a degree and found out I did not like him. Since his last two tries at the Presidency I like him less and less. Four years ago he would not support Hillary - I think she would have won with his earlier and more sincere support. I dislike his record and his life choices. He did not vote until he himself was on the ballot. If he was so good, he would have been supporting other leaders who were working for his causes. He did not work. He did not pay child support. He did not marry the child's mother. His record in the US Senate is abysmal. The only bill passed in many years was one renaming a post office. He lived on people's couches and ate out of their refrigerators. His wife destroyed the college she was in charge of. I dislike his manners, the way he behaves, how he treats people. You are not the only person I like and respect who supports him. I called a local woman from whom I ask political advice. I asked if she still supported him and she said she does. She likes him because he sticks to his guns, and does not change his positions. And talk about guns - he said Vermont should be allowed to have guns but not Chicago. He got lots of NRA money. I dislike him being an Independent but coming to the Democrats when it is so his advantage. He slides in the back door and then asks to be crowned with the nomination - both for Senate - he keeps anyone else from getting the Dem nomination in Vermont - and in these Presidential races against people who have been loyal and supportive Democrats their whole lives and careers. People who have accomplished a lot more in their lives than he has. I dislike his temper and temperament and I have a hard time visualizing him in the WH and doing what a President should do. He is an old man and his health is uncertain. Eight years, even four years, is a long time. His promises for free health care and free education and forget the others are impractical and he shows no signs of showing how they would be financed. Tax the rich is all and good and needs to be done, but the country has many other needs for that money. I think he and Trump are opposite sides of the same coin. I am disappointed he is running. There were a lot of better candidates and still are.
Love you always, and sorry for the rant.
noko woman in the moon ⋅ December 18, 2019
Wow, you have thought a lot about this and there is much to consider here. It clarifies some things for me. Democracy sure as heck is messy, as are we all, as humans.
Neogy Titwhistle ⋅ December 21, 2019
I still have my fingers crossed for Andrew Yang.
woman in the moon Neogy Titwhistle ⋅ December 21, 2019 (edited December 21, 2019)
Edited
Yang is holding in pretty well. I may have not given him a chance. I kind of lumped him in with the 'also rans'. Bloomberg waited till close to the caucus to announce. He was in that last debate wasn't he? Did he make any sense?
I'd like to have a woman in the WH, someone I could like, agree with, empathize with, etc. I still have a grudge about Hillary losing - I think she would have been a good president. I like Biden better than the others though.
Electing a president is an ego thing. Most times it doesn't matter who gets in. And we eventually move on from our hard feelings. Trump is a hard president to feel proud of. I read some of his remarks at the military thing - when he talked about the Space Force - and he's just not very smart. The younger Bush wasn't either and we got through his terms though the Middle East war was his idea and was not a good thing - war never is, but …. I guess I'll stop there. War never is.
Serin ⋅ December 27, 2019
Whoever is first will always be slammed for their unsuitability to be first.
I'd like to see the electoral college delegates required to vote per their population representation, instead of winning the state as a whole. It'd make the candidates have to try in all the states instead of just the current swing states.
Plus the fact that some delegates have the freedom to vote independent of their mandate is really offensive.
woman in the moon Serin ⋅ December 27, 2019
Good ideas.
It's funny we were told forever that the advantage of the electoral college was if the popular vote was 'wrong', as if Trump had really been elected instead of Hillary, that the electoral college could override the people's decision. I think we thought that might happen, but of course it didn't.
Another funny thing is that Trump hasn't really been as totally bad, totally wacko as we thought he would be. The economy!?@? No major wars. We still have some national parks left. Of course with four more years, who knows?
We are building new nuclear submarines. Are the old ones worn out?