So, You’ve Decided to Phone a Voter!

By MICHAEL K. NORRIS

I returned home the other night and was surprised when I checked my answering machine and heard the following:

“Hello. I’m Christopher Shays…”

I pressed the delete button before the recording could go any further. I’m not sure what it would have said, but suppose it could have been: “I can’t make this phone call myself right now because I’m collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars of special interest cash to fight Jim Himes’ grassroots support. Please let me leave a message and Newt Gingrich will call you back.”

Contrary to the mentality inspired from the ‘Terminator’ films, the only thing more powerful than a robocall isn’t another robocall. It’s a real person, a real voter, a real citizen who cares enough about an issue or a candidate to dial a number on their own.  That’s you. No, really. You. 

There’s less than a week to go in this election, and just one final weekend before Election Day. Since it’s so unbelievable that it’s upon us, it’s vital for you to call people and tell them about Jim Himes, Barack Obama and the other great Democrats, and remind them to go and vote on November 4th. It’s simple. After calling just one person, you’ll want to stay and call more of them, but you can stay at the office to make the calls for as little or as long as you like. If you’re in Stamford, the two offices I’ve phoned from are at these convenient locations:

990 Hope Street -203-316-0300

810 Bedford Street- 203-504-8100

Call either of these offices and tell them when you can come in, or just show up. It’s that easy, and you won’t believe how well these calls will work and how many nice people you’ll meet at these offices. I’ll be making calls this weekend too, and with your help (and your help alone) we can guarantee everyone can wake up happy on November 5!

The Huffington Post

By DAN MALLOY

As the election season comes to a close and the Democratic Party closes in on what could be a historic victory, I wanted to share an interesting article from The Huffington Post about the relationship between mayors and the federal government, which closes with an interview I gave earlier this month to “MayorTV” on that very issue.

In a piece titled “Give Mayors a Role in the Obama Administration,” Harry Moroz writes that too often, mayors are overlooked in the process of making decisions that have a direct impact on the towns and cities they serve.  Moroz believes that providing mayors a more significant voice in the federal government could have a very positive effect on urban policy.

Empowering mayors and other local leaders to take a more active role in federal government makes sense politically and economically.  I have long been an advocate of strengthening the partnership between cities and the federal government, and have worked hard with groups like the United States Conference of Mayors to make that strengthen that voice.   I believe that in Barack Obama we will find a president who values the role of local politics and understands what the federal government can learn from local policies that work.

Check out the complete Huffington Post article here.

Plumbergate

By MATT GIANQUINTO

I learned more about Joe the Plumber than either John McCain or Barack Obama during Wednesday night’s final presidential debate. It wasn’t what I tuned in for, but it made for entertaining radio. This past weekend, a man in Ohio named Joe Wurzelbacher apparently approached Obama to let him know that his plans for the presidency were going to put a damper on his own plans for the plumb-idency. In short, if Joe bought the business he worked for he might then qualify for a higher tax bracket.

This was, for the McCain campaign, a terrific story to be sure: a working-class hero who played by the rules, a single father chasing after the American dream. And this story even had a happy ending for McCain–just when our hero was ready to make that dream come true, the Democrats nailed him with higher taxes while whispering tales of socialized medicine in his ear.

It was more than a good story for John McCain to use, this was the silver bullet he had dreamt of since the embarrassment of having to wave a white flag in Michigan. This could put a stop to all the lovey-dovey weak-kneed teary-eyed garbage those lousy liberal scumbags have been hanging over his head with this Obama guy since he first slithered out of Chicago. This was dollars and cents stuff, pocketbook politics that no one could refute. Republicans like you and your dog. Democrats want to mug you and leave your children crying over your penniless, broken body in the alley.

Except of course, for the fact that none of it was true. Well, the guy’s middle name is Joe, so that part is almost true. We’ll give McCain a point for that one.

I’ll leave it to the New York Times:

Turns out that “Joe the Plumber,”…may run a plumbing business but he is not a licensed plumber…His full name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher…And he owes a bit in back taxes…The premise of his question to Mr. Obama about taxes may also be flawed, according to tax analysts…An official at Local 50 of the plumber’s union, based in Toledo, said Mr. Wurzelbacher does not hold a license. He also has never served an apprenticeship and does not belong to the union. (The national plumber’s union, the United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters, and Service Mechanics, endorsed Mr. Obama, it should be noted.)

And so the silver bullet melted like a Werther’s Original behind the uncomfortable smile of our favorite Maverick. 

Now, Obama isn’t exactly against putting on a good show (see: Obama-opolis at the acceptance speech) or inviting everyone to gleam deep meaning from otherwise pointless, generic encounters (the “pie” stump speech this week was meandering at best) but at least he has the decency to give the truth more than a passing glance before casting it aside in the wake of his own ambition as McCain continues to do.

So it turns out that Sam the Plumber isn’t anything like this guy Joe the Plumber we were introduced to last night. Sam doesn’t play by the rules–if he did he would pay his taxes like everyone else. If he played by the rules he would hold a license. Sam has never been trained as a plumber nor been a union member as his Facebook page apparently purports.

While that one was a whopper, the biggest lie during the last debate was not about Sam, or Joe or any other plumber, no–it was that John McCain continued to argue he is on the side of people like them. The biggest lie is that the McCain economic plan gives any more consideration to working and middle class people than he gave to vetting Sarah Palin as a running mate or looking into Wurzelbacher’s story before spewing a folksy pile of crap all over Bob Schieffer’s note cards.

While the lie was large, McCain’s cohones were bigger for committing to it. Larger still is the shame when you consider how guys like Sam, if they were really interested in playing by the rules, might realize how much better off they’d be with Barack Obama in the White House. Maybe he could finally get that license by taking advantage of Obama’s expanded apprenticeship program proposal. He might save a little money when his daughter wants to go to college because of the incredible investment Obama wants to see in higher education spending.

Oh yeah, and there is still that issue of taxes. I hope Sam still gets to buy the business. Assuming he doesn’t keep every dollar the business makes (maybe he’d give someone else a job too), and trusting (warily of course, I mean it’s Sam) that the business would make $250,000-$280,000 a year, Sam has not just chased but caught that American Dream all without a tax increase. How? Because Barack Obama’s plan protects people like Sam up to $250,000 of personal income for just that reason–to allow them the opportunity to make something of themselves.

Raising the ceiling of opportunity in America has always been what the Republican Party is best at: regulation stifles profit; higher wages takes away from possible investments elsewhere; government just gets in the way of progress. Clear the way and start the race. Every man for himself.

Raising the floor from which we all start the race has always been at the heart of the modern Democratic Party: regulation prevents corruption; higher wages and good benefits make for a more stable and vibrant economy; real progress is only made when some basic protections are guaranteed, and if the government has to be the one to guarantee them, so be it. Mark the race path, go over the rules, wish everyone luck and blow the whistle.

I think about the last eight years like this: Maybe if people like Sam would stop staring into the sun and look around for a few minutes, they’d be able to see how far they’ve fallen, and they might want a lift. They might then notice that’s exactly what Barack Obama has been offering them all along.

Where They Want Us vs. Where We Need To Be

By MICHAEL K. NORRIS

When I was a student at Tolland High School, I was a proud member of the chess club.  I will not attempt to de-nerdify that statement.  

There was one guy there who outclassed me; he was great but obnoxious chess player. For what seemed like ages, I badly lost every game he and I played.  But one day I noticed something: after I would lose several powerful pieces, he’d begin to gloat and his subsequent moves were less precise. After all, in his mind he had already won and he felt he didn’t need to worry about what I’d do with the few pieces had left.

He always remained a superior chess player, but I began winning each and every game he and I played after that day. All I would do was begin each game very clumsily, even going so far as feigning discomfort after taking my hand off a piece I had just moved. Once he was in his “I’ve already won” mindset, he’d get so distracted he never knew how much trouble he was in until I’d look at him and say ‘checkmate.’

By now, all of us should know that Senator John McCain is a brave soldier and a cowardly politician, but he is not an idiot.  He shrugged off his low poll numbers at an event in Virginia this week by telling the crowd “we’ve got them just where we want them.”  That was not an idle statement: if we look back to the last few presidential elections, you can easily see how the GOP always closes the public opinion gap at the last minute, and the only polls that matter are the ones that close on November 4th. If we get too giddy staring at favorable data (Wasn’t John Kerry in the lead just before November 2004?) we’ll let our guard down and we can’t do that.  Not with Obama/McCain, not with Himes/Shays, not with any of these important races.

There are plenty of chess pieces that need to be moved between now and Election Day: letters the editor need to be written, undecided votes must be convinced, and campaigns need money. If you haven’t already, head to your local Democratic office to find out how you can help.  Go!

A Victory for Connecticut

By DAN MALLOY

 

Today is an exciting day in our state!

 

In a historic ruling, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned the ban on same-sex marriage.  I am thrilled that the State of Connecticut has proven itself a leader in providing equal rights for all of our residents.  We did that today by winning the fight for civil rights and against discrimination.

 

Even in this time of economic uncertainly, we can all raise our heads a little higher and feel proud of the Supreme Court’s decision.  To everyone worked so hard to ensure security and equality for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, and to the grateful families who will benefit from today’s ruling, I offer my sincere congratulations on this truly outstanding victory.

 

 

Mayor TV Interview

By ARIELLE REICH

Earlier this week, Dan was interviewed by Mayor TV.  Below is a clip of Dan discussing the financial crisis and its impact in Connecticut and the rest of the country.

A Local Response to the Financial Crisis

By DAN MALLOY

 

In light of the recent financial crisis, I am working to address and prepare for the potential economic impact on the City of Stamford.  Data show that the number of residential foreclosures in Stamford has increased dramatically this yearm with many of these foreclosures also resulting in tenant evictions. 

 

A recent Business Week article referenced a study ranking American cities “hardest hit” by the national financial crisis and Stamford came in 64th. Although the ranking itself, which was based on the percentage of people working in the financial, insurance and real estate sectors had placed Stamford well below the surrounding communities, I caution that the crisis has the potential of affecting Stamford well beyond what that number would imply.

 

Although Darien and Westport appear to be harder hit, ranking 1st and 7th respectively, job losses at home and in the surrounding communities threaten Stamford with a severe flow down impact. With Stamford’s concentration of business, shopping and entertainment, this is of enormous concern to the city.

 

As our neighbors lose or are threatened with loss of high paying job supports, their loss of income also translates into a loss of discretionary spending in Stamford.  Accordingly, while the tax bases in Darien or Westport may be seriously affected by the crisis, the effect on Stamford becomes two fold.  Not only does the market turndown — punctuated by job loss and residential foreclosures — affect our tax base, but because of the concentration of industry, arts and retail, the potential from trickle down presents a formidable challenge. For example, if UBS cuts 1000 jobs and consolidates its remaining local workforce in its headquarters, the impact affects office space, high and low paying job supports, restaurants, take-out delis, retail, taxis, and more.  This pushes planned and potential growth to the future and exacerbates all kinds of human needs.

 

Social services departments in Stamford and across the state have already seen increases in requests for assistance with employment, housing, food, and energy.  Passage of the bailout plan will help, but the trickle down will take time.  Accordingly, the type of federal action that would help the most would have to include significant housing and social service supports.

 

The City of Stamford has already taken internal measures to address the downturn.  Our budget planning process begins more than six months prior to each fiscal year.  Since last winter external economic pressures have been increasing by the day. Accordingly, on July 8, 2008, just a few days into the current fiscal year, I required all city departments to identify a 2% reduction plan based on their fiscal year 08/09 approved budgets. Department heads were charged with living within their means. So far the city has been able to address spiraling costs and market losses without sacrificing public services. 

 

In addition, since July we have continued to monitor the municipal budget within the context of volatile markets and fluctuating revenues.  Our first quarter financial projections will be completed shortly and we are prepared, if necessary, to make further reductions in spending in the second quarter so as to avoid a potential budget deficit.   Together with department heads, we are endeavoring to cut spending while maintaining current levels of service. Monitoring will be ongoing and the city will make further changes as necessary at the beginning of the third quarter. 

 

The city is currently in the process of developing a strategic plan for coping with an uncertain economic future and is reviewing a wide range of initiatives in order to guide Stamford through the downturn in the local economy.  While we deal with uncertainty and loss on a national level, I am confident that prudent monitoring and planning for our city’s finances will help prepare us to meet the challenges we face here at home.

Racing to Washington

By MICHAEL K. NORRIS

I raced to our nation’s capital last weekend because I thought it would be good for our country.  Though I’m not a House member, I felt my presence in Washington could have an effect on the bailout negotiations.  After I arrived Friday afternoon, I did the following as the House worked throughout the weekend:

• Ate at a nice Indian restaurant my wife picked out. Tried squid.
• Bought a miniature metal bicycle at a Georgetown flea market (now on a shelf in my office).
• Browsed the souvenirs at the International Spy Museum.
• Rode the Metro and Circulator bus and dreamed of public transit miracles that could one day come to Connecticut.

I raced to Washington, did all of these things, and I had the same productive effect on the bailout negotiations that John McCain did while he was there. And I didn’t even get a photo op with the President! But talking about embarrassing political moves isn’t the point of this post.

What I really wanted to tell you was how nice it was to meet up with my oldest friend so we could wait in line (in the rain) outside of the National Archives. We passed through a metal detector and stood patiently in a group and waited. Once we were done waiting, we waited a little more until we were allowed to see several well-preserved documents, including The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence.

The writing on those and the other documents there is very, very old. But if you look closely, you can still make out the words. That’s part of the wonder of the printed word: it shows where the content filtering process ended (Imagine the drafts of the Declaration that were wadded up and tossed into a wastebasket – possibly with a miniature basketball hoop attached – in Independence Hall). 

The documents also can’t be modified or deleted. The originals are on paper, so they can’t be accessed online for editing. That’s a problem we all have today: things that are online, and online only, can disappear with a couple of keystrokes and it’s like they were never even written.

For example, I’ve looked online for Christopher Shay’s remarks favoring bank deregulation which seemed to have vanished recently. I haven’t had any luck. I guess if you are a longtime champion of something that’s suddenly politically unpopular (and about to cost the taxpayers a lot of money) it’s good to have moved on from paper and ink.