Lets see...you just asked how we could pay for national healthcare

For starters, roll back the enormous tax cuts given to the wealthiest of Americans during the Reagan and Bush Administrations and increase the tax on unearned income from the present 15% to 25%. How about rescinding the provision in the Medicare Modernization & Improvement Act that prohibits Medicare from negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies? That provision alone incurs countless billions of dollars in additional costs to Medicare. And why not plug up tax loopholes that allow American corporations to avoid paying U.S. taxes through outsourcing? The resulting increase in revenue would leave enough money left over to investigate and prosecute all of the criminals responsible for the banking and mortgage meltdown. (courtesy of Paul Jaenert)

Ollie is gone

Chairman Sean Hennessey texted this afternoon that longtime Democrat activist and former Assembly candidate Attorney Oliver Wisner had passed. Ollie was a thoughtful progressive in a period that largely resented real liberalism here in Jefferson County. He was in his prime in a period that featured caricatures of Albany politicians. The Republican Assembly incumbent would rail that Sheldon Silver was actually evil incarnate and his flock would unbelievably buy into the comic book portrayal. Oliver was a lawyer who practiced pro bono publico, or doing the public's good without pay, his whole career. His area of practice was Real Estate, Estate Law, Probate, Wills, Taxation and Adoptions. He was a patent holding inventor. He was a multi language linguist. He suffered though cruel bouts with diabetes without complaint. He loved and was loved by his family. And he supported our Jefferson County Democratic Committee personally, financially and ideologically. Ollie is missed.

The Hill is a Washington DC newspaper for the players on Capitol Hill. A couple of days ago The Hill featured an article on just how worried Republicans are that they are going to lose the 23rd Congressional District. Click for it.

Mayor Jeff Graham has a poll up on his blog for the candidates in the 23rd.
Here it is. I voted for Owens. Now its your turn.

Tom Harkin, one of JD's favorites

Don't automatically buy the baloney that the 'public option' is DOA after the two
Senate Finance Committee votes of today. Senator Harkin has the reality position here.
The public wants it. the Doctors want it. The only major problem is the insurance companies that fund those Republican and Blue Dog campaign coffers. Lets get healthcare done and then target the campaign finance abusers.

It's official! The 23rd race is on for real. Here is the document that makes it official.

0057_001

Just got back from four days in Washington and found this note from Chairman Sean in my email. Its kinda late notice due to my not paying attention for 4 days but here it is for all interested. I've cut and pasted.(tf)

Well some months ago the Jefferson County Dem Committee jefferson County Democratic Party Voted to allow for email notice of upcoming meetings. That being said this is the first of hopefully many notices we are sending out about a meeting that will be held on Wednesday Sep 30th 2009 @ 7pm. This meeting will be held at the new head Quarters of the Bill Owens Campaign on State Street just prior to Public Square. The shops address is 141 State and the office is just prior to the Fung Hing Chinese Restaurant. I would park across the street and walk across State St.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the direction of our Count Wide and Legislative Candidates. We have only 30 Days left and we would like to let you know how the campaigns are doing and discuss the various ways we would like to assist them.

We would also like to introduce you to the paid staff of the Bill Owens camp. We have a number of staff members at the new location and they would like to meet each of you and put a face with the name. They would also appreciate any furniture you might be able to lend the campaign. By furniture I mean tables, chairs, couch's, file cabinets, phones etc. What they would really like is anything that can be used to hold up a phone. The office is very sparse and anything you can supply to help with increasing the comfort level would be much appreciated.

The staff would also appreciate any food you might be able to bring by between now and Nov 3rd. The DCCC staffing the office are very young and they are mostly eating fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Any food you could bring be it a crock pot or baked pasta would be really appreciated. These are great kids and we owe them a great deal for coming here and doing what ever is necessary to get the win for us. The least we can do is drop off some items to keep them healthy.

I also wanted to let you know that we are planning a dinner for Oct 22nd at the North Side Improvement league. It looks like we'll have a cavalcade of dignitaries in the room so please lease mark your calendar for this historic event.

Other then that all is well. We were successful in securing the Independence Party line in an opportunity to Ballot in Legislative District 11 for Paul Simmons as well as getting an endorsement from SEIU 1199 for all our Legislative Candidates. We're also in discussions with many of the local Labor groups in respect to endorsements and it appears they are going to follow suit. We're fighting hard and with some hard work we will be successful in not only keeping the seats we hold on the County Leg but also picking up seats as well.

Please feel free to call if you have any questions and I look forward to seeing you this Wednesday for our meeting.

Thank you
Sean M Hennessey
Chairman
Jefferson County
Democratic Party

Check out the trailer for Michael Moore's new movie, http://www.capitalismalovestory.com/

TRIPLE DEAD HEAT (ahh...that is right now--stay tuned)

Polls aren't the be all and end all of politics. Except for that last one. You know, the biggy on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

That having been said this poll put out by a conservative group today is interesting because it has all three candidates in a statistical dead heat.

New Poll Shows Statistical Three Way Tie in NY-23 Special Election

Washington - A poll released today by Club for Growth shows a statistical tie among the three candidates in the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district to replace John McHugh, the former congressman who recently became Secretary of the Army.

The poll of 300 likely voters showed Republican Dede Scozzafava at 20%, Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman at 17%, Democrat Bill Owens at 17% and 45% undecided, within the poll's margin of error of +/- 5.66%.

The poll also asked "Would you prefer your next member of Congress be a liberal Democrat, a liberal Republican, or a Conservative party candidate who would align himself with Republicans in Congress?" The Conservative Party candidate was selected by 36% of respondents, compared to 31% for the Democrat and 18% for the Republican.

The poll was conducted September 17. Questions from the poll are here(PDF).

Here is a message from your friendly PUBLIC OPTION

Hi, I'm the public health insurance option.

People have been saying all sorts of untrue things about me lately, so I decided it was time to stand up and set the record straight.

First off: the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I'm happy and healthy. And I'm proud to play a starring role in four of the five health reform bills currently on the table.

Second: I have a lot of friends. President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosisupport me—as do 77% of the American people. In fact, I'm feeling pretty popular.

But there is one area where I could use your help. Your senator, Charles Schumer, sits on the Senate Finance Committee, which is considering a "trigger" proposal that could kill me through indefinite delay.

Sen. Schumer is a strong supporter of the public health insurance option. Can you call to thank him and urge him to keep fighting against the "trigger" proposal?

Here's where to call:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Sean, Gertrude and Mike

A supernice very neighborly gathering of some of the friends of Gertrude Karris assembled

at the Karris home this evening.

Do they never get it?

As Daily News Columnist Liz Benjamin pointed out the first candidate in the 23rd Congressional Race to go negative is Dede. Here is the little gem the congressional republicans produced. This is the same sort of crude crapola that backfired bigtime on Will Barclay and Dave Renzi. They really don't get it do they?

Cruisin', cruisin', cruisin' on the river

Tonight was a glorious evening for a cruise on the Bonnie Belle. We Democrats (and some Republicans--and some Working Families Party members too) met, and laughed, and munched, quaffed and celebrated the magnificent Thousand Islands on the only 'real' paddle wheel powered craft out of Alexandria Bay.

Candidates on board included the buoyant personality of Gertrude Karris. She has some very strong ideas to improve service at the Department of

Motor vehicles.

Of course, Judge Kim Martusewicz

was ceremoniously piped on board. Kim is

the judge that handles the highest felony caseload in NY

and he really enjoyed the trip tonight. The Judge on the left is talking with Treasurer Nancy Brown's husband Ralph.

The speakers included our always 'on course' Assemblywoman Addie Russell who was

accompanied by son Aaron and daughter Cora. Aaron is the one who looks like he isn't too sure about this boat thing.

Looking tanned and ship-shape Senator Darrel Aubertine spoke to an appreciative crowd. He is seen here with wife Margaret and Brad and Marilyn Mintener.

Most of all, heavy duty credit for this unbelievably picturesque evening has to go our

Chair

Sean, the captain, Hennessey (seen here on the bridge with superwife Betsy).

And a good time was had by all.

Now lets sail on the victory!

Help Senator Snow decide

Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe may be the deciding vote against the public health insurance option this week -- even though her constituents favor it 2 to 1.

We're raising $100,000 to air the below accountability ad in Maine and DC -- pressuring Olympia Snowe to represent her constituents. Can you chip in?

click it

Dani Baker is a Jefferson County Dem Committeeperson. She is also an expert, professional organic gardener and a tremendous award winning photographer. Check out this story

and enjoy some of her photos in Thousand Islands Life.

Hey Dems!

Here from the mothership somewhere at an undisclosed location, probably around State St. in Albany, here is the NYS Democratic Party news of the week

Press Release

Clerks Association question direction

Gertrude Karris offers answers while her opponent defends the past

On September 16, 2009 Gertrude Karris was invited to meet with the association of Town Clerks and Tax Collectors to discuss the past and future of the Jefferson County Clerks office. Gertrude said “I would like to thank all the Town Clerks that allowed me to outline my ideas to bring greater access to the County DMV while growing the revenue base. For far too long the County DMV has been a place where unhappy clients have been the norm and we must listen to our clients and move to make positive changes.”

After meeting with the Clerks Association it was clear that many of our Town Clerks are especially concerned about the direction of the Jefferson County DMV. Many questioned Gertrude’s opponent on what she planned to do to extend services to the greater Jefferson County Area. They were met with stock statements that changes could not be made because there was not enough money. Gertrude feels that our outlying Townships have been neglected. "When residents tell me that they would rather have a root canal than come to the Watertown DMV, or they drive to St. Lawrence County, Lewis County and Oswego County to avoid our own DMV, I think we better listen and find ways to improve customer service. Not every customer service improvement costs money."

The North Country has always been known for beautiful summers and harsh winters. Many seniors in towns such as Wilna, Evans Mills, Alexandria, Clayton, Ellisburg and Adams feel that services provided at the County DMV are simply too difficult to access and they feel isolated from services that they are entitled to. Gertrude feels that if we are able to grow our revenues to cover the additional resources needed for satellite offices, then we should share those surpluses with the very members of our community that have payed for them. “We need to reach out to our local clerks and work hand in hand to bring these needed services to our communities and keep the revenues in our County."