NOTE: For September, we will meet downstairs at the Old Town Bistro, 3388 NW Byron St. in Old Town Silverdale.

WHY WE SHOULD BE PROUD DEMOCRATS
by Jo Fox Burr

According to the media, the Democrats will be rousted in this next election. Given that all politics are local, then why is it that all Kitsap Democratic incumbents came out on top in the Primary? Yes, we would have liked larger margins – but we are far from a rousted party here. Still, we must do some hard work to insure the media is wrong. So let me try to rev up your engines a bit.

First, don’t forget what the Republicans gave us - the Katrina disaster; a ballooning federal deficit, caused by two unpaid for, and mismanaged wars, and huge tax breaks for the very rich; a near Wall Street collapse, which led to a severe recession fast tumbling towards a depression; and general incompetence. As Obama noted in a recent speech, “Job growth between 2000 and 2008 was slower than it had been in any economic expansion since World War II… The wages and incomes of middle-class families kept falling while the cost of everything from tuition to health care kept rising. Folks were forced to put more debt on their credit cards and borrow against homes that many couldn’t afford in the first place.” This resulted from unregulated lending practices.

In 2008, Democrats were resoundingly chosen to lead us out of this quagmire. This was not just a simple pot hole; it was a giant chasm. It could not be fixed overnight. Still despite the never ending obstructions offered by the Party of NO – aka the Republicans – we Democrats do have much to be proud of.

Nationally, President Obama and the Democratically controlled Congress have averted a depression while bringing us out of the recession, by saving and creating jobs with the stimulus package, saving the US auto industry, and saving Wall Street from a total collapse; passed sweeping legislation to reform both Wall Street, and health care; ended the Iraq War, and increased veterans funding. Some of us hoped for more expansive reforms in some of these areas, but given the current reactionary climate, these really are amazing accomplishments.

The tumbling economy left by Bush made balancing the budget a tremendous challenge for Gov. Gregoire and the Democratically controlled State Legislature. Still they created 38,000 construction jobs through the Jobs Act of 2010 focused on making public schools and universities more energy efficient, saving $190 million in energy costs. They saved millions by reforming the tolling systems, averting increased tolls in such places as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Our representatives from Kitsap County brought in projects that created over 100 new jobs. And Rep. Sherry Appleton finally got legislation passed to regulate Pay Day lenders protecting the most financially vulnerable. Personally, I applauded the legislature for courageously repealing Eyman’s I-960 which required a 2/3rd majority to pass tax increases. Without this and the resulting minor tax increases they were then able to pass, the budget cuts would have been far more devastating.

Locally our three Democratic County Commissioners have reduced the General Fund Budget by $15 million; collected enough money through grants and private donors to break ground on the Central Kitsap Community Center in Silverdale which will contain a new YMCA, providing 200 construction jobs and 160 permanent living wage jobs; saved the County from defaulting on a Housing Authority loan for the Harborside Condos by refinancing the loan and buying more time to sell the condos; and saved Rolling Hills Golf Course, preserving it as a watershed for Illahee among many other benefits.

So when you talk with your friends and family, remember these accomplishments of our elected Democratic officials. While there is still a long ways to go, we are on the road to recovery from this recession. For those who are struggling, it is sometimes hard to see how far we have come. The Republican Party is offering no new ideas, only a return to what brought us to this chasm in the first place. What motivates me the most to get out there to do phone banking and  doorbelling is the thought of the likes of John Boehner taking control of any part of our government. Please, if you have time, volunteer in the office (360-698-6833). If we get the Democrats out to vote, we will win.

NEXT KCDW MEETING – SEPT 22ND
Aside from the speakers listed under the Schedule of Events, we have a very full meeting. For health reasons, both Gerri Bachman, our VP and Yvonne Saddler, our secretary, have resigned. New officers will need to be elected to fill their remaining terms.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Kitsap Co. Dem. Women
Date: Sept 22nd (Wednesday)
Time: 11:30 am lunch; 12:30 Meeting Place: Old Town Bistro, Downstairs
 3388 NW Byron St, Silverdale
Speakers: 35th LD Reps. Kathy Haigh and Fred Finn, and Linda Gabriel, Cand. PUD Commissioner

Kitsap Co. Dem. Central Com.
Date: Sept 20th (Monday)
Time: 6 pm dessert; 7 pm meeting
Place: Fairgrounds Events Ctr.
Purpose: Campaign Updates

26th Legislative District
Date: Oct 5th (Tuesday)
Time: 7-9 pm
Place: Kitsap Rm, Givens Comm
Center: 1026 Sidney Rd, Pt. Orch.

35th  Legislative District
Date: Oct 9th (Saturday)
Time: 1-3 pm
Place: To be announced

23RD LD. JIM SHARPE SALMON DINNER
Date: Sept. 23rd (Thursday)
Time: 5:30 pm
Place: Kiana Lodge, Poulsbo
Cost: $50 per person
Speaker: Rep. Frank Chopp, Speaker of the WA. St. House of Representatives
Reservations may still be made by contacting Lillian Crawford.

KITSAP CO. DEMOCRATIC OFFICE OPEN
To volunteer either drop by or phone. It is located at 2819 NW Kitsap Pl. Suite 160, Silverdale. The phone # is 360-698-6833. Current hours are noon to 5, Mon – Fri.

 “Look, I recognize that most of the Republicans in Congress have said no to just about every policy I’ve proposed since taking office. And on some issues, I realize it’s because there are genuine philosophical differences. But on issues like this one, the only reason they’re holding this up is politics, pure and simple. They’re making the same calculation they made just before the inauguration: if I fail, they win. Well, they might think this will get them where they need to go in November, but it won’t get our country where it needs to go in the long run.” President Barack Obama – Cleveland, September 8th, 2010

Jo Fox Burr, Newsletter Editor; foxburr@comcast.net