EYE am willing to forgive you Governor Bentley, but first you must repent!

Dear Governor Bentley,
EYE saw where you threw yourself on the altar and pulled the "I'm seeking forgiveness from y'all and God for what I've done card the 
other day in an attempt to justify your remaining in office, despite being caught red-handed doing some un-Godly stuff with a woman who was not your wife.

Being the good Deacon and Sunday School teacher you are, EYE mean, were,  EYE know you believe in the Ten Commandments, by my count you broke numbers,1, 7, 9, and 10.  Thou shall not kill ( your refusal to expand Medicaid is killing people), Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not bear false witness (lie), and Tough shall not covet (another man's wife).

EYE am willing to forgive your transgressions because the alternative is worse,  but first, you must repent.  Here's a list of things you can do to repent for your sins and earn the forgiveness of the citizens of Sweet Home Alabama.  

The first thing you can do is stop standing up to Obama and expand Medicaid.  President Obama has access to the best medical care our tax dollars can buy, as do you.  Medicaid expansion isn't about sticking it to President Obama.  Rather, it's about the working poor — those who, right now, are working and making too much money to qualify for Medicaid as it is but who are not making enough to afford health insurance, even after subsidies from the Affordable Care Act.

Second, you can rescind the Voter Suppression,  EYE mean Voter ID Bill now that we have proof it's keeping registered voters from casting their vote.  This voter purge is undermining our democracy, you have the power to restore the right to vote.

Third, you can rescind the bill that cut off funding for women's health clinics, reducing the number of women's health clinics to six, making it hard, if not impossible for poor women, not to be confused with affluent women, to have access to health care. As a result of this bill, thousands of women across Alabama are no longer be able to access essential reproductive health care, such as cancer screenings, birth control, and well-woman exams. This is a cruel bill is designed to rip health care away from those most at risk.

Fourth, you know that mean-spirited immigration bill you signed that put Alabama on the map that crashed and burned?  Now it's time for you to shut down the detention centers.  Actually, EYE am more afraid of you and the republicans than EYE am of Syrian refugees.

After the recent death of Mr. Teka Gulema in late January – an Ethiopian immigrant who passed away after spending nearly a year in serious condition while in detention – activists are again highlighting why Etowah must be closed. Gulema’s death comes on the heels of a two-week hunger strike waged by Bangladeshi detainees against the inhumane treatment they’ve been subjected to in Etowah. Activists have been highlighting that the conditions in Etowah can be deadly if not at least torturous.

Finally, please let the citizens of Alabama gamble with their own damn money, in their own damn state if they choose to do so.  attorney General Luther Strange has caused "economic devastation" to the residents of the Black Belt by unlawfully closing the Victory Land casino.

Fortunately, the Supreme Court struck down the keep gays from getting married bill so you don't have to worry about that, just say you're sorry you care more about keeping gays from getting married than you do keeping your marriage vows and move on.

2 Chronicles 7:14  says,  If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

RedEye

So, now you want a Lottery Alabama?

Via Forward Alabama: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (PLEASE SHARE): 3 months ago, Gov Bentley & Co took $100million from the state Education Fund to keep the state solvent. This week, Alabamians took our MILLIONS across state lines to buy lottery tickets that will fund education in OTHER states. Bentley & Co refuse to bring an education lottery to Alabama. Would you like to let him hear from you? governorrobertbentley@governor.state.al.us

Now that it's dawned on the powers that be , and anti gambling bots, they cut off their nose to spite their face, they want to vote for state lottery?

Yep, me and thousands of Alabamians trekked on over the state line and spent our own damn money in Tennessee buying Mega Millions lottery tickets, helping the Tennessee Education system, and putting money in their coffers. Not only did I purchase lottery tickets, but also gas, food, and did a some tax free shopping, thanks to the good old Christian (cough), Compassionate (cough), Conservatives (cough) Alabama anti gambling bots.

Again

Alabama voters soundly rejected the Governor's appeal for a lottery today, heeding the warnings of ministers over arguments that the revenue was vital to improve the state's lagging schools.
With 96 percent of the precincts reporting, 645,997 people, or 54 percent, voted against the lottery, and 543,321 people, or 46 percent, supported it.
The lottery was once almost sure to be approved, but it came under fire from religious groups who said it would exploit the poor. Some opponents also said a recent traffic ticket-fixing scandal showed that Gov. Donald Siegelman's administration could not be trusted.

And where is Gov. Donald Siegelman.... now? 

Alabama Dems owe Black Alabama Dems an Apology

 
Artur Davis CPAC: Former Congressman Addresses Conservative Conference

 Former Rep. Artur Davis (R-Ala.) addressed the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, touting the accomplishments of the Republican party."Never lose sight of the essential difference between the left and right in this country," Davis said.

The chair of the Madison County Democratic Party wants to know can a 12 step program can fix what ails Alabama,   I want to know can a 12 step program fix what ails the Alabama Democratic Party?

Step 1. Every Democrat who supported former Rep. Artur Davis over former former Rep. Earl Hillard (D Birmingham) needs apologize to voters who live in the 7th Congressional District.

Step 2.  Every Democrat who supported former Rep. Artur Davis over Ron Sparks needs to apologize to every African American, Democrat who tried to tell them Artur Davis was really a republican.

Step 3.  Stop helping  republicans destroy the bridge that will take us safely over the water.

It's no secret Artur Davis ripped his drawers with me a long time ago, or, that I was bashed, banned and ostracized because I wouldn't go along to get along.   Will those of us who tried to tell them Artur Davis was not the second coming of President Barack Obama ever get an apology?

Time will tell the truth.

Stay tuned for steps 4-12.

Stupid is as Stupid does Bama Style

With all the pressing issues facing Alabamians,  State Representative Alvin Holmes, who I usually admire and agree ,  is seeking a ban on sagging pants.  Why?

Psst Rep. Holmes!  What part of you can't legislate personal behavior don't you understand?  If you don't like sagging pants, don't wear sagging pants.   It's like telling a woman she can't choose to have an abortion.  It's like telling gay people they can't serve in the military.  It''s like telling women they can't wear pants to work.  It's like telling grown people they can't gamble  in their own state with their own damn money.  It's like telling Michelle Obama she can't show her arms.  It's like telling someone you can't drink alcohol on Sunday.  You get my drift?

The Declaration of Independence declares We the People are entitled to Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  If wearing sagging pants makes someone happy, so be it.  If they can't get a job because their pants are sagging that's on them.  If they can't run from danger because their pants fall down around their knees and trip them up, that's on them.  If an airline won't let them  board the plane with sagging pants, that's on them.  You feel me?

How about passing some J-O-B-S legislation?

How about repealing the Alabama immigration bill?

How about repealing the Alabama voter ID law?

If your anti sagging bill passes how are they going to pay the fine with no J-O-B?  They will end up in the all ready over crowed jails ,  where the sagging pants culture begin, with the other non violent offenders.

Maybe if they had a J-O-B and a future they wouldn't wear sagging pants.

It's not about sagging pants.  Where are the J-O-B-S?

Edit~Redeye's Week in Review~Alabama

Alabama Republican Governor-elect Robert Bentley intends to be the governor for all but the media can't have that. How dare he go to the church where Martin Luther King, Jr preached and cater to them there minorities? How dare he try and bring the state together in the spirit of brotherly love? No Siree, can't have no foolishness like that in Sweet Home Alabama. We've got to nip that in the bud. *Big Snark*

''I was elected as a Republican candidate. But once I became governor ... I became the governor of all the people. I intend to live up to that. I am color blind," Bentley said in a short speech given about an hour after he took the oath of office as governor.

While the public was distracted with Non-Christian Gate (RedEye roll), Governor Bentley abolished the illegal gambling task force. Bentley also signed an executive order directing state agencies to make a priority out of creating private-sector jobs.

Only in Alabama can two Birmingham Police Officers be found not guilty in a videotaped beating of an unarmed kid after he was thrown from his car. Only in Alabama would the beating of an unarmed black kid be excused. Only in Alabama may a jury have decided this suspect deserved to get his butt kicked and decided not to convict the officers. only in Alabama is how she felt all that matters. *Big Sigh*

Police dashboard camera video clips widely viewed on television and the In?ternet show Dewitt hitting Warren with a baton and Doran striking Warren with his fists and later his feet.

All the jurors saw all of the police dashboard videotaped chase from the beginning in Birmingham to the end of the chase in Hoover, and the aftermath, said Mary Carlene Walker, one of the jurors. "That made a big, big difference in how we viewed what we saw," she said.

Personally, Walker said, after seeing the whole chase and hearing the testimony of the men themselves, and even after hearing the prosecution, she decided. "I personally felt that what transpired in the ditch, which was 5 to 7 seconds long, I felt that under the circumstances they had done what they are supposed to do and that's how I felt," she said.

I wonder how she would have felt if it were her son, grandson, nephew, brother, cousin, friend, father, or grandfather? I wonder how she would have felt if black officers were videotaped beating an unarmed white kid?

Speaking of Alabama InJustice, former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman is headed back to federal court for a reversal of his conviction or at least a fair, I mean a new trial. Click HERE for background on how we have arrived at this point. Governor Siegelman remains hopeful and so do I that justice will prevail and the rule of law restored.

I made a trip to the Magic Mile yesterday

What and where is the Magic Mile you ask? Well, it's a strip of establishments that sell lottery tickets and scratch offs about 20 miles from the Alabama state line.

Yep, me and thousands of Alabamians trekked on over the state line and spent our own damn money in Tennessee buying Mega Millions lottery tickets, helping the Tennessee Education system and putting money in their coffers. Not only did I purchase lottery tickets, but also gas, food and did a some tax free shopping, thanks to the good old Christian (cough), Compassionate (cough), Conservatives (cough) Alabama anti gambling bots.

I purchased lottery tickets two at a time from five different vendors. The parking lot had more Alabama license plates than any other state including Tennessee. Those who argue against the lottery say it's a tax on poor blacks, which is a back door way of saying they are not only black and poor, but they are stupid too, and will spend their welfare checks gambling instead of paying their bills.

Well you know what? I didn't see one identifiably poor black person at any of my stops. As a matter of fact there were more white people driving nice cars and trucks buying lottery tickets than black people. I laughed out loud when I saw the McCain/Palin Stickers and the Confederate Flag license plates on some of the automobiles.

I wasn't one of the two lucky winners of the $350 Mega Million jackpot, but if you don't play you sure can't win. I dream of the day when I can gamble with my own damn money in my own damn state.

Monday Shock, Shame and Awe

I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you! Soon to be former 7th district Congress Critter Artur Davis (DINO) has a pregnant idea for moderate (conservative) democrats....they should run as independents!!!

Southern voters "see the Democratic Party as a liberal institution that wants to spend their money recklessly, that doesn't honor their social values and that has a very different view of the world," said Alabama Rep. Artur Davis (D).

"It's hard for local Democratic candidates to break clear of that," Davis added. "Some [of those candidates] who are thinking about competing in the South may have to look at running as Independents."

Not true Artur. Southern voters see the Democratic Party as the party of them there minorities, baby killers, teachers and unions, and you're darn Skippy DEMOCRATS don't honor their *cough cough* social values. Sure don't. BTW, why are we hearing more from the out going 7th district Congress Congress Critter than the incoming 7th district Congress Critter? Where in the world is Terri Sewell? Anybody know? Anybody care?

Shameful and Awful! New Orleans gets table scrap in GO Zone lending feast.

As Louisiana wraps its Gulf Opportunity Zone lending program, only 3 percent of the $7.8 billion went to projects in New Orleans, a review of state records show.

Though the program was intended to generate recovery and jobs in the areas most affected by the storm, analysis of Louisiana lending shows that the prime beneficiaries are far from the primary disaster areas.

Hmmm..wonder how this is going to work out? Are we finally going to some Justice for all? Reported victim of Bush-Era DOJ to Head DOJ's Internal Watchdog Group

Last year, Obama promoted to U.S. Attorney a federal prosecutor whose had been discriminated against by Goodling because of his wife's Democratic ties and rehired Leslie Hagan, who had been dismissed by Goodling because she was rumored to be gay.

Ashton is taking over an office that has come under fire because of what critics say is weak punishment of attorneys who are found to have committed prosecutorial misconduct. Holder has defended the office and resisted calls to give the more independent Inspector General's office more power to investigate such allegations.

I wonder why Holder is resisting calls to give the Inspector Generals office more power to investigate such allegations? He can start right here in Sweet Home Alabama. I'm just saying...

Legalize, regulate and tax gambling....now where have we heard that before? Oh I know....we heard it from the man who should be the Governor of Alabama...

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks fashioned a campaign platform for governor that calls for taxes on the gambling industry and the creation of a state lottery to provide tax cuts for Alabama families and college scholarships for their children.

Voices crying in the wilderness and candidates campaigning on the same old same old indeed....

Redeye's Wednesday Blog Stroll

Only in America~ Two Black Mississippi women have been in prison for 16 years, serving double-life sentences for an $11 armed robbery.

Stop Everything! White folks are being treated like black/brown/red/Muslim folks!

Don't blame me for Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III latest uh... blunder, I voted straight democrat.

Extra! Extra! Read about the best state Legislature money can buy and them there Alabama Aisle Jumpers.

Gridlock today! Gridlock tomorrow! Gridlock forever! YeeHaw!

The right (pun intended) war.

The only people who viewed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ron Sparks as a "one trick pony" are the "one trick" ethics reform phonies. Former democratic governor Don Siegelmans lottery plan didn't "fail" because it was a bad plan, it was rejected by the same anti gambling bots who want to tell grown a$$ people what they can or cannot do with their own damn money in Alabama. It's time for real democrats to stand up and take their party back from the pretend democrats. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Redeye's Midterm Election Blogstroll

I don't know why we bother to have elections. The media has already determined the outcome. Yes that was a snark.

A friend just called to ask me for advice/information on the ballot amendments. Specifically they wanted to know if there was an amendment about gambling on the ballot. I told them if they were against gambling don't gamble but don't try and legislate what grown a$$ men/women do with their own darn money. I told them if gambling is legal it doesn't mean the government is going to force you to gamble if you don't want to.

I refuse to believe a majority of the American people are going to punish President Obama and the democratic party for giving them access to quality, affordable health care, saving the country from a depression with the bank bailouts, giving the middle class a tax cut and stimulating the economy. If the majority of the American people are stuck on stoopid and to give the keys to the car back to the gop we deserve to stay in the ditch they drove us into in the first place. It's like the battered wife who stays with her abusive spouse because he bought her some new teeth after knocking the old ones out.

Uh, remember the last gop majority?

Opening statements are scheduled to begin Monday in the trial of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is charged with illegally funneling corporate money to help elect GOP candidates to the Texas Legislature.

The Republican was indicted in 2005 on charges he illegally sent $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect GOP Texas legislative candidates in 2002.

Those who forget the past.....

A new isolationism is metastasizing in the American body politic. At its heart lies not an urge to avoid war, but an urge to avoid contemplating the costs and realities of war. It sees war as having analgesic qualities - as lessening a collective feeling of impotence, a collective sense of fear and terror. Making war in the name of reducing terror serves this state of mind and helps to preserve it. Marked by a calculated estrangement from war's horrific realities and mercenary purposes, the new isolationism magically turns an historic term on its head, for it keeps us in wars, rather than out of them.

Speaking of ballot iniatives, take a look at 7 right wing ballot inititives that could ruin our democracy for decades to come

Anti-tax initiatives are dangerous -- it’s easy to get people who are hurting economically to vote for lower taxes, but hard to get them to think about long-term effects.

There are 11 races where black voters can make a difference , now do you understand the demise of ACORN and the rise of the Tea Party?

People who believe their vote does not make a difference may be encouraged to know that in many close contests across the U.S., they have the power to sway the direction of the race.

There is a general consensus emerging that many voters of color are lacking enthusiasm this election season, with minority voters not expected to go to the polls with nearly the same level of participation as they did in 2008 -- when President Obama was on the ballot. Nevertheless, African-Americans are well positioned to affect the outcome of as many as 20 House races, and 14 contests for Senate and Governor, according to David Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

Watch Civil Right Icon and Representative John Lewis tell us Why We Vote then got off your Donkey's and VOTE.

If someone in your life ain’t ready to vote after this vid, well, then you may just have to hogtie em and drag em down bodily to cast that ballot! (just kidding, don’t hurt nobody, y’all)

The only thing standing between the gop infused, media enabled Tea Party taking control of our government is Y-O-U!

A Redeye Stroll Down Memory Lane

It's has come to my attention that it's been almost a year since my front page privileges were revoked at leaning Left in Alabama for being to black, I mean uppity, I mean liberal, I mean anti Artur Davis/Terri Sewell, I mean posting factual incorrect information on the front page, and I founded Redeye's Front Page. Although I miss being able to participate in the discussions at LiA, I'm enjoying the freedom of having my own blog. In honor of the first Anniversary of Redeye's Front Page, from now until November 13, I will take readers on a stroll down memory lane and post links from some of my favorite diaries I wrote during my tenure at LiA. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank readers for their encouragement, comments and most importantly for reading. I don't have any illusions as to my "influence" or importance in the world, but I love my country, and in my own way I HOPE to make a difference because I want to make the world a better place for everyone.



With all the talk about gambling, vote buying and elections A Gambling Man is a must read.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.

Know when to walk away, know when to run
You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done. ~Kenny Rodgers, The Gambler

No, I these lyrics don't apply to Ron Sparks. They apply to Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis.

AL-5 republican congressional candidate Mo Brooks wants to go to Washington so he can fight with a girl (House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) and repeal ObamaCare. He might want to rethink that strategy after reading By The Grace of God Go I Redux

How would you feel if you, or someone you loved, was diagnosed with cancer then fired from their job because "they were obviously unable to perform their duties"? Never mind they aren't able to perform their duties because they are undergoing chemo therapy. Never mind they won't have health insurance because it goes with the job. Never mind they can't afford the cobra payments to maintain their insurance because they have no job. Never mind they can't get health insurance because they have a pre-existing condition. Never mind their former employer has sentenced them to death.

I was outraged then and I'm outraged now. You're Darn Skippy I'm Always Outraged.

There is an angry, fringe-left in this country, but the progressive base of the Democratic Party is not fringe. At least, we're not fringe if you poll the American people on what they want to see in domestic and foreign policy. But, we are feeling a bit dispossessed at the moment because we're seeing policy get crafted to appeal to the most conservative elements of the Democratic Party.

Why would conservatives be a member of a party where they disagree with the party platform? Think about it.

I'm with healthy, lets stop calling them Blue Dogs and start calling them Blue Rats

Political Prosecutions Prose and Politics Blog stroll

First they came for Democrats.

Then they came for ACORN.

Then they came for LBGT's.

Then they came for health care reform.

Then they came for health care reform supporters.

Hope will never be silent.

And neither will I.

Poverty is at an all time high in Alabama, come with me on The Poverty Tour.

My family relocated from the big city of Huntsville to a small, rural Alabama town when I was eight years old because my Daddy was named the principal of a segregated K-12 school. We weren't rich, but we were better of than a whole lot of our new classmates and neighbors. My Daddy didn't want us to feel like we were better than anyone else because of who we were or how we lived so one cold winter evening he and my mother bundled us up, loaded up the VW bus with brown paper bags of "government cheese, butter, powdered milk, rice, flour and cornmeal and set off on what my Dad called the Poverty Tour.

This diary is dedicated to my parents who instilled in me a social conscious and molded me into the person I am today. All that I am, all that I hope to be, I owe to them.

Bribery My Donkey

I hate it when "democrats" help the bad guys put the good guys in jail. Has anyone but me noticed members of the party that wants all Americans to have access to quality health care, equal access to a public education, women have the right to choose to have a safe legal abortion, labor have the right to organize, our LBGT sisters and brothers have equal rights, who fight for civil rights and human rights, and who stand up and fight for the rights of the least of these are being investigated, tried and convicted by members of the party who are against those things? I'm just saying...

Has anyone but me noticed members of the party who are fighting for jobs and people in the black belt are labled corrupt by members of the party who are putting people out of work in the black belt? WTFU this isn't about BINGO. This is is bigger than BINGO. It's about jobs. Strike that, it's about poor people.

SELMA | Alabama's Black Belt is suffering some of the worst economic downturn in the nation.
In October, Wilcox County posted a 25.1 percent jobless rate, which was the second highest in the nation.
Statewide, unemployment nearly doubled from a year ago to 10.9 percent in October, the third-biggest jump among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. But new November numbers offer some hope. They show Alabama's jobless rate fell to 10.5 percent, the first month-to-month decline since September 2007.
Still, the rate remains far above the 6.2 percent unemployment posted in November 2008. And Tom Surtees, director of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, cautioned that it's too early to call the drop a trend.

This debate is about jobs and following the law. It's about the economically disadvantaged people living in the black belt, who unfortunately have to depend either on jobs at the Bingo Hall or toxic waste dumps for their lively hood.

Employees of Victoryland and Country Crossing, two of the state's largest bingo casinos, were among the marchers.

Many blamed Governor Bob Riley for losing their jobs.
"I don't think a lot of folks realize, that when Victoryland shut down, another 60 people's livelihoods were affected," said Jim Gartland, who raced greyhounds at Victoryland. "Some 600 greyhounds that are born to run, that's what they love to do and now they can't do it."

Both casinos shut down earlier this year, following attempted raids by the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling.

If there was some "bribery" going on, it didn't work

MONTGOMERY, AL (WAFF) – Alabama state senators shot down bringing an electronic bingo bill to a full debate on Wednesday.
State Senator Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, sponsor of the "Sweet Home Alabama" electronic bingo bill, said at this time, he does not plan to bring the bill back up for consideration in this legislative session.

But several other senators have come forward with plans for their own electronic bingo bills.

Only in Sweet Home Alabama could the legislators fighting for jobs and voting rights be considered corrupt criminals. Ain't that a dip?

Rogers is chairman of the Alabama Black Legislative Caucus. He said the removal of bingo machines at Greenetrack will cause the loss of 400 valuable jobs in the impoverished Black Belt county.

“There’s a mother of three who just bought a house and now she’s going to lose her house,” Rogers said.

So as you sit in front of your computers in your nice comfy homes/offices, breathlessly reading every line of the Grand Jury Indictment becoming the Judge,Jury and the Executioner, think about what this is really about. We are Democrats. We are the good guys and gals. We fight FOR the people who don't have comfy homes, offices, education or health care.

Arrested were state Sens. Larry Means, D-Attalla, Jim Preuitt, R-Talladega, and Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb; VictoryLand bingo casino controlling owner Milton McGregor; lobbyist Jarrod Massey; Legislative Reference Service analyst Ray Crosby; Dothan's Country Crossing bingo casino controlling owner Ronnie Gilley; lobbyist Tom Coker; Montgomery lobbyist Robert “Bob” Geddie Jr.; and Country Crossing spokesman Jarrell W. “Jay” Walker.

McGregor also owns the Jefferson County race track where he had hoped to install electronic bingo machines.

They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Terry F. Moorer. Each was shackled at the waist, wrists and ankles.

These men and women aren't corrupt criminals. They didn't bribe anyone for their personal gain. They are hard working men and women, elected by you and me to enact laws and represent us in the legislature. If this issue illustrates anything it's the need for campaign finance reform and public financing of campaigns because that's what this is really about. It takes money to run for office. Strike that, it takes lots of money to run for public office. Therein lies the problem.

It's not about Bribery, it's about JOBS.

Greenetrack’s impactJobs lost: Greenetrack employed about 400 people before it was shut down in July. On Friday, paper bingo returned, and some of those unemployed were hired back, but more than 350 remain jobless.

Community spending: Without travelers coming for bingo, local businesses have reported a decline in patrons.

Money for charities: Contributions from Greenetrack to local charities and nonprofits are gone, including the annual $780,000 for the Greene County School System.

We are the good guys and gals, remember?

Democrats believe in an economy that entitles all to flourish and not just a select few. In giving more tax cuts for the poor and not just focusing on those that are financially affluent. Democrats believe in more government regulating business vs. letting the market or upper management dictate what and who benefits from a strong economy. Democrats stand for equal rights, such as equal pay for women. Democrats tend to be Pro-choice on the Abortion issue and support stem-cell research. Most in the party, but not all support Gay Marriage and ironically favor President Bush's view on either a form of amnesty for illegal immigration or various forms of supporting immigration. The illegal immigration subject varies widely throughout members of the democratic party. Democrats believe in gun control such as bills and laws that promote guns not getting into the hands of criminals. They are more apt to argue the need to raise minimum wage. Religious democrats tend to have the opinion of not supporting big corporations and have the attitude and value system of Jesus loves everyone to include the poor, that everyone is entitled to health care, and that the only voice for the poor or uninsured is the democratic party.

Who wins if the bad guys/gals lock up good guys/gals?

Think about it.

Edit~ Artur Davis, Health Care Reform and Gambling

This is one of those times real life interferes with my blogging life (or should it be the other way around?) and I can't find time to update the blog.  In light of my previous post regarding Artur Davis' "historic" bid to become Alabama's first African American Governor, the Alabama BINGO Wars, and health care reform, I am going to re post a diary I composed during my tenure at my former home LeftinAlabama.com.

It is my understanding Democratic congressmen who voted against the health care reform bill are being praised for voting against the health care bill by their white constituents, while criticized for voting against health care reform by their African American constituents. Congressman  Artur Davis, democratic gubernatorial candidate voted NO. I guess he forgot the reason he has access to quality affordable health care is because the voters of  Alabama 7th district elected him to fight for their right to have access to the same.
 
Note:  1 in 5 or 19% of African Americans don't have access to health insurance. African Americans suffer from higher percentages of chronic illnesses which are perpetrated by a lack of access to quality care.

A Gambling Man
by: Redeye
Wed Nov 11, 2009 at 09:51:04 AM CST

“ You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.

Know when to walk away, know when to run
You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done. ~Kenny Rodgers, The Gambler

No, I these lyrics don't apply to Ron Sparks. They apply to Congressman/ gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis.

"When to hold em" Davis pandered to "white moderates" at the expense of his "traditional base" in order to garner their support. "White moderates" have money, influence, power and most importantly they vote for candidates who share their self interest, or a single issue, regardless of race or gender.

"When to fold 'em" Davis knew before the vote for affordable health care reform he was going to have to vote against it. I checked his website and couldn't find where he'd scheduled any town hall health care meetings in his district except for a panel discussion UAB (I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong). The majority of his constituents voices were not heard regarding health care reform although the majority of his constituents voted for President Obama with HOPE for CHANGE they can believe in.

"You never count your money when you're sitting at the table".. According to my calculations Davis will need 30% of the African American vote to win the democratic primary. A large majority of those voters reside in the district he is currently not representing in Congress. The majority of his constituents have no money, no influence and as of late no no jobs, and no health care. Is Davis gambling 30% of African American voters will vote for him because he's black?

"There're be time enough for counting when the dealin's done". There are some that say there are no perfect candidates, but Davis says he didn't vote for the affordable health care bill because it wasn't perfect. To para quote former President Bill Clinton, doing something is better than doing nothing".

 I have a few questions for white moderates, progressive/liberals, and those who are leaning toward Davis because he's the lessor of two evils.


Q. If Davis voted for the affordable health care bill and against the Stupak amendment would you still vote for and support him?

Q. If Davis voted in favor of the Hate Crimes Bill instead of against it would you still vote for and support him.

Q. If Davis hadn't taken the positions he took on the Azalea Trail Maids, Jeremiah Wright and the Confederate Flag flap would you still vote for and support him?

Q. If Davis weren't an African American would he still have your vote and support?

Q. Do you believe having an African American Governor will change how Alabama is perceived in the world?

Q. Will the election of Artur Davis as Alabama's first African American Governor change how Alabama treats the least and the left out?

I'm not trying to offend anyone, I'm simply trying to understand why some progressives/liberals wholeheartedly support a candidate who in my opinion (and mine only) who is neither. A candidate who won't stand up to the right  for what is right.

"The courts and the ballot box are the solution to the bingo controversy, not the Governors sad side show"

GUEST EDITORIAL FROM THE DESK OF REPRESENTATIVE LAURA HALL

The attempted raids by the governor’s gaming task force over the past weeks looks more and more like some sort of strange revenge movie rather than law enforcement. Massing state troopers in the middle of the night, early morning court injunctions and stays, lawyers standing in doorways, moving trucks coming in, and then everyone leaves and it goes away until the whole show comes back. It is for lack of a better word: crazy.

It is also dangerous, costing the taxpayers millions, and making a mockery of how law enforcement and the laws of the state are supposed to work. It is threatening the jobs of thousands while there is often no other employment.

Worst of all, it gets us no closer to the fundamental legal questions about electronic bingo. It is time the showboating and the personal settling of scores stop, before someone gets hurt and irreparable harm happens.

It is already doing great harm to the state. We’ve had a well respected man who led the governor’s task force found in a Mississippi Indian casino winning thousands and resign in disgrace. We have seen a plane circling above the Rose Bowl calling for the impeachment of Riley to the embarrassment of us all. We see local sheriffs confronting state officials. We see men taken away from keeping our roads safe so they can stand in parking lots all morning long.

Moreover, under what authority does the governor take these actions, constitutionally or otherwise? He is not elected as a law enforcement officer, we elect the Attorney General for that purpose. Another embarrassing sideshow is the personal, as well as professional, conflict between the Riley and King. The name calling and innuendo, the charges of the governor taking Mississippi money during his gubernatorial campaigns and the contributions the Attorney General has from gaming interests doesn’t befit the offices they hold, but it is just par for the course in this sad sideshow.

The damage to the state, and the horrible precedents being set, indicate one thing: enough!

There are only two venues where the controversy over electronic bingo and gambling in this state can be solved: in the courts and in the ballot box.

The fact is, there have already been votes on whether people want electronic bingo. For a major resort like Victoryland in Shorter there has been more than one vote. These are constitutional amendments approved by the people, and in a place like Macon County where the resort is the county’s largest employer, there is still vigorous local support.

When there is a conflict over what laws and constitutional amendments mean and how they are to be applied, the proper venue is the courts, not with hundreds of state troopers. The courts have already made some rulings on electronic bingo, and one of those the governor uses as the fig leaf for his actions. It is clear there is confusion at all levels of the judiciary on this question.

That is the reason why the final arbiter for electronic bingo in Alabama must be the ballot box. A vote by the people on what they want is the only final solution to what is and is not allowed in bingo facilities across the state. The people can decide whether we are going to tax and regulate bingo, or we are going to remove it.

One side note, even if the citizens of Alabama decide to eliminate all bingo in a vote, it will not be the end of gaming in the state. The Alabama Poarch Creek Indians have a huge gaming resort in Atmore, and two others in Montgomery and Wetumpka. They are covered under federal law.

Gaming, in one fashion or form, will be here now and in the future.
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