Wanted: Candidates | New Haven Independent

Instead of a Democratic Party system that for decades long has had a monopoly or a Republican/Democrat two party limited system, why not have more than two parties and a ranked choice voting system so that more independent political parties are viable and voters are given more choices to pick a party candidate that more closely aligns with their preferences?

@Heather C Instead of a Democratic Party system that for decades long has had a monopoly or a Republican/Democrat two-party limited system, why not have more than two parties

We do have more than two parties. Unfortunately, many people believe why should I get involved; nothing will change. That is exactly why we need people to get involved.  This city needs help; maybe a few changes with different views can help.  This is great that there is a
candidate-seeking plea from the Republican town chair, John Carlson.  Good for you! New Haven needs some positive changes. Thank you, John Carlson!

Let’s support a challenge. Hey, the worst that can happen is that the people elected to office will step up their game or be voted out.  Plenty of them are quite comfortable in their position, yet we taxpayers and residents suffer with high taxes, minimal policing, and failing our children’s education.  The list just goes on and on…..

Challenge, Change, let’s move for a better New Haven, positive 4 New Haven!! 🙂  It’s time -the residents of New Haven deserve better.  We’ve paid our price; now let the politicians pay by voting some of them out.  (We do have a FEW good apples in the bunch)

As Chair of the New Haven Green Party, let me join with GOP Chair in Carlson in saying I agree with him that we need more candidates and more parties, Ranked Choice Voting and everything that will make voting easier.
At the local level people can apply to serve on Boards and Commissions by filling out an application at City Hall.
To run for Alder, if you are in a party that doesn’t have a ballot line, you simply have petitions signed by 1{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} of the vote total for that Ward in the previous election. For instance, in my Ward 13, 1{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} = 4 votes.
The process is obviously controlled top to bottom by Dems, so getting the correct information and having forms processed is not as smooth as it is for the incumbents.
Still, the grass roots still count and too many Alders go without any challenge for years.
Despite the Democracy Fund, running for higher office still favors the wealthy and/ or well connected.
As for the Congressional level, you have to be a millionaire it seems to serve. Certainly the costs of running for election are huge and beyond the average person.
The process is designed to protect incumbents and the wealthy and that is how it works.
We could have free media time and an expanded version of the Democracy Fund to open the process to the masses.
CT didn’t even approve a study of Ranked Choice Voting in this last session, which tells you how the politicians view it.
The Green Party has been soliciting people to run as well, but it takes an estimated 20 hours a week for constituent service and committee and Board meetings. That’s a lot for working people.
Nonetheless, it you want to make change happen, start at the local level.
Contact the New Haven Green Party at its Facebook page for mo
re information.

The contact link wasn’t working. Email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), text 203-464-9346, John Carlson

There is only one party in the United States and that’s the Corporate Party.

The Corporate Party runs using these false names – the Republican Party, the Democratic Party (ha-ha) and the Tea Party.  Actually, we might now be able to add the Fascist Party w/ trump at the head of that.

Candidates and office holders of the three major parties slurp from the same trough where the capitalists throw their cash.  The big donors being the Mercers, Rupert Murdock and the Koch Brothers and others too numerous to mention.

Just check the websites Open Secrets to find out where the Representatives of these parties get some of their money.  So much of what they get is hidden in deals and not published, with the coveted deals being with the arms manufacturers.

The local war profiteer is Rosa DeLauro who takes money from at least 10 arms manufacturers.  On the national scene, I’ve found the biggest war profiteer to be little Adam Schiff.  Both Democrats of course!

You can’t blame them since 48{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} of the total outlay of our Federal Budget goes to the military.  So, based on that fact (from the War Resister’s League figures) the total is 21{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} paying for past military debt and 27{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} based on current military expenditures.

Most elected officials on the national level spend approximately 70{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} of their time raising money. 

However, there is an alternative to the Corporate party and that’s the U.S. Green Party.  Other smaller parties include the newly formed national party – the People’s Party (mostly made up of Bernie’s supporters) and Our Revolution – that doesn’t seem that organized at this time.

I have been a member of the Green Party for decades and the reason is that I agree with it’s basic principles and it does not take money from the corporations.  As with most parties outside the Corporate parties, it struggles.  So? 

Last Fall, the Green Party ran Justin Paglino against Rosa DeLauro.  Justin is an MD whose main issue is Medicare for All.

No wonder he didn’t win!

“They say democracy dies in darkness“ says the local chair of the party that is systematically working to destroy the right to vote across the country.

Being a Republican in the Elm City ain’t easy.

VoteREPUBLICAN,

Should the candidates support insurrections, disenfranchisement efforts, and QAnon theories?  Is that the lifeblood of democracy that you are hoping to find?

I love a vibrant democracy as much as the next guy but sadly the GOP has been running candidates that are frankly insulting to voters and the notion of civic engagement. Angel Cadena’s candidacy essentially boiled down to a puerile and derivative cartoon and Margaret Streicker leaned way into the politics of white grievance with her Columbus Statue posturing. If Carlson is lamenting the lack of interest in running on the GOP ticket he should be looking internally, first at the local party’s lack of dynamism and relevancy and then at the national’s party’s assault on democratic participation and its lapse into a cult of personality.

06511…do you really think there is a Republican Party?  I’m not picking that up from the corporate news outlets.

It appears to me that the so called Republicans are kind of expecting us to wait while they lick trump’s boots and then they will return to the Republican party of old.  I could be wrong.  But, it appears as though they Republican party is over because they don’t do anything.  So why vote for them?

And, why does it matter if there is a Republican party? 

The last thee Republican President’s main accomplishments were tax breaks for the rich.  Reagan moved the tax rate from 70{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} down to 50{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672}, W moved it to around 30{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} if I’m not mistaken, and trump moved it down to nothing.

So, what has the Republican party give us working people?

Nothing or close to nothing?

Both dominate political parties are one.  They are the worker bees of the Corporations who run this country.

ALEC – the American Legislative Council – made up of Corporate elites like Walmart write our laws to their liking, photocopy them and then distribute them to the States.  There was once a comparison of a piece of legislation from several States and they all came from ALEC and their wording was identical!

Even now, the Republicans are doing just about the same thing – copying the voting cutbacks list and sending them onto the next State with Republican leadership.  The Republicans even have people who go and teach other States how to stop Black people from voting.

If this kind of crap was going on in another country we’d have it all over the corporate news.

Wearing Adult Pampers and a girdle, the big liar is starting to sound a little stale with his big lie.

He lost so that makes him a loser, but he’s very dangerous and if the Republican party can’t do anything but lick his boots, what can they do?

I get it when 45 says the election was stolen.  It was stolen because Black people voted in unprecedented
numbers and helped us White people get rid of him.  And, we can do it again.

@Bevhills730 1. Voting ID’s don’t destroy anyone’s right to vote. If anything, it ensures democracy by providing secure elections.  You need an ID to join Costco,  cash a check, get a job, register a child in school, rent an apartment, open a bank account, buy a car, buy alcohol, and cigarettes.  The list goes on and on.

2.  Candidates should support education, law and order, fiscal responsibility, have good character, be critical thinkers, and have the betterment of New Haven in their best interests.  Are you applying?  I had to ask as I thought you were just here to provide sarcastic comments and insults at Republicans.  If you met t
he criteria, I (we)‘d be happy to have you.

vote Republican…A party that does not prioritize profits (as the Republican Party does) over people is the U.S. Green Party.  The Green Party it’s an alternative to the Trump Republican Party.

Some of the basic principles of the U.S. Green Party are…

“The success of a society cannot be measured by narrow economic indicators, but should take account of factors affecting the quality of life for all people: personal freedom, social equity, health, happiness and human fulfilment.”

“The Green Party is a party of social and environmental justice, which supports a radical transformation of society for the benefit of all, and for the planet as a whole.”

“Every person, in this and future generations, should be entitled to basic material security as of right.”

“Our actions should take account of the well-being of other nations, other species, and future generations. We should not pursue our well-being to the detriment of theirs.”

“A healthy society is based on voluntary co-operation between empowered individuals in a democratic society, free from discrimination whether based on race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, social origin or any other prejudice.”

“We emphasise democratic participation and accountability by ensuring that decisions are taken at the closest practical level to those affected by them.”

“We look for non-violent solutions to conflict situations, which take into account the interests of minorities and future generations in order to achieve lasting settlements.”

“We understand that the threats to economic, social and environmental wellbeing are part of the same problem, and recognize that solving one of these crises cannot be achieved without solving the others.”

“Humankind depends on the diversity of the natural world for its existence. We do not believe that other species are expendable.”

What I believe is that the Green Party would not support the overthrow of the U.S. government to save the ego of a Republican toxic maniac.

VoteREPUBLICAN,

Not being sarcastic just accurately describing the pathetic state of the Republican party.

Unfortunately, I still believe in peaceful transition of power with free and fair elections.  Not super interested in joining lunatic insurrections.  I understand that voter fraud is extraordinarily rare and that voting should be as accessible as possible to everyone. 

So sorry, not taking a daily dose of Tucker Carlson’s racist rants and probably won’t make the cut.

BevHills730…

Why should you be sorry that you believe the principles that the majority of Americans believe, myself included?

I’m grateful to know that there are people out there like YOU!  So, thank you very much!

What I don’t believe is in having a leader appropriately nicked-named the Pussy Grabber in Chief.

A leader who orders the police to “Shoot ‘Em!” meaning those protesting for BLM.

I don’t appreciate a bigot who stands in front of a church in Adult Pampers and a girdle holding up a bible when he hasn’t read or understands the Constitution.

I can live without a the so-called leader of our country pushing people around at an international meeting to get in front so he can be seen having attended a meeting.  Wow!

Learning how to write is important.  When this past so-called leader signed a bit of legislation and did a show and tell with his sharpie pen signature, my neck cracked from the double take.  DeSantis wanted to be like him and does this too.  I think their Mothers taught them well!

I would prefer someone beyond the mental age of 5 to point us in the right direction when it comes to where our country should go, instead of a so-called business man sending foreign dignitaries to his properties, jacking up the prices to stay there and then billing the U.S. government (us).

BevHills730, what I can’t understand is someone who would actually call themselves a Republican!
Have they no sense of shame?

But, probably we should have been ready for some of these characters like Reagan, Sarah Palin, Tucker Carlson, Rush Limbaugh, Stephen Miller, Ivanka and Jared, Jared Kushner’s criminal Father and above all Mitch McConnell, and Marjorie Taylor Greene.  Oh yes, and Matt Gaetz who tried to belittle an outstanding military General.

I’m a Green, but I so appreciate the leadership we now have.  They are the right people at the right time and let’s face it, trump brought us Joe Biden and so many who share the values of the majority of the American people.

@Patricia Kane Thank you for all of that information.  I didn’t know that there was an active Green Party in New Haven. Nor did I know that you were the chairperson. Competition is a good thing!

The Republicans are going to continue to get a bad rap because of Trump.  The most controversial politician ever.  Trump was a Democrat when he was making his billions, so now that he is the 45th US Republican President, all Republicans are no good.  Besides, this is a local election and has nothing to do with the federal candidates.

Keep in mind that Abraham Lincoln was a Republican that freed the slaves. Not all Republicans are bad like not all Democrats are not all bad.

Let’s be open-minded and see what the New Haven Republicans have to offer. We can’t assume that they’re all the same.  There are good and bad in every party; we have to vote for the person and their vision for New Haven’s future, not a party. 

Let’s see where this election can go with choices! Everyone go out and vote, talk to all of the candidates and make an educated decision based on the good for all.  #PositiveThinkingGetsPositiveResults 🙂  #HappyElectionDay

As the only currently declared Republican candidate in New Haven I can confirm I do not support support insurrections, disenfranchisement efforts, and QAnon theories.

In all seriousness my firm stance on these matters led to a family schism in which I no longer have a relationship with my father or that side of my family.

To see what I DO support click my name above to view my campaign site, my contact information is also available and I am always open to having a good sit down discussion.

@Positive4NewHaven: Last year Attorney Paul Garlinghouse ran for Registrar of Voters and Dr. Justin Paglino ran for Congress against Rosa DeLauro. Both received sufficient votes to have a future ballot line.
As with many organizations, plans that were in the works were derailed by the pandemic, so we have a lot of catching up to do.
I share your desire to not shut out any party or person at the local level
and do guilt by association.
I worked in Bernie’s first campaign and yet I have friends who voted for Trump. Not many. I found that by listening I learned what we have in common – a need for universal healthcare, an end to war, action on climate change, investment in renewable energy, and end to systems that hold back our fellow Americans from opportunity and equality, attention to our deteriorating roads, bridges and schools, discussion about a Universal Basic Income and Ranked Choice Voting.
The ONLY place I believe where significant change is possible IS the local level.
But none of it will happen on its own.

Let’s develop a vision we can push for and stick with.
I don’t think support for our fellow humans precludes wanting sane fiscal policies and a reduction in property taxes.
Many people are suffering and their grievances deserve our attention and action.

Let’s fight the issues and not each other.

Joshua Van Hoesen…I agree with Attorney Kane about the wisdom for working for and making local change.  Indeed, that seems to be the only way to put a finger in the dike for awhile.  I say for awhile because under capitalism almost all local gains have to be refought eventually.

Here capitalism calls the shots. Local wins will pass away over time and local citizens will have to start the fight all over again.  I’m referring to human rights won via Roe v Wade…and the Voting Rights Act that was gutted a few years back. 

The other way is to go to Cuba and talk to real Cubans – to see socialism first hand.  Go and see what the capitalists don’t want you to see.  Once you have, you will understand a few of the features of socialism – like that being a millionair/billionaire is outlawed.

You will be able to rent a car and drive around the country freely (we did) and talk to people – to see how people, even in small villages carry themselves.

You might get invited into people’s homes and there you can hear their complaints about socialism and how they wouldn’t change to capitalism for anything!

Racism is against the law in Cuba.  Does it happen sometimes?  Of course, but it’s the law of the land. 

Justin Paglino MD ran on Medicare for All.  What’s wrong with that?

The only thing wrong with that is that it’s the profit motive in the capitalist system that blocks Americans from having anything like Medicare for All.

Was it Timothy Snyder who said, “Illness for the many, for the profits for the few.”?

We can march forever, however, until local candidates organize and do something like go to Cuba to talk to real Cubans about how socialism raises everybody up and talk about it here we’re like mushrooms.

We need a new system that doesn’t prioritize profits over the welfare of its citizens and that system is NOT capitalism. 

When you think about the ways the capitalists use the word Communists or Socialists in a negative way, doesn’t it make you wonder why?

Joshua,

Perhaps you should think about leaving the party that sponsored an insurrection and is systematically working to disenfranchise voters across the country if these aren’t your values?

@BevHills730 As lame as it sounds I believe I can contribute to the health of New Haven by being an example to my fellow Republicans that we can get elected on solid policy. *Fingers crossed* other Republicans would run in the future in the same manner.

Being elected Republican in New Haven also means minor party positions on the board / committees / commissions which will increase overall transparency of the decisions made and diversity of ideas put forward to address residents needs.

Joshua VanHoesen,

Tucker Carlson a spokesperson for your party – the Republican Party – on tv called the top military General of our country a STUPID PIG.

Given that over half of the R. Party watch trump and are to my way of thinking gullible, what do you have to say about that? 

And, please don’t respond with how nice the local R. Party is! 

As the editorial in “The Washington Post” asked, “If a member of the Squad said what tucker carlson said, the rest of FOX would be all over it!”

Unfortunately, as a member of the Republican Party (and I wish there was a Republican Party) you are infected with the trump virus.  Liz Cheney is infected too.  And, even though several Republicans at the top have some moral values, the “Buck Stops” at the top and right now, the top is trump.

The leaders of your party up the line, bow down to trump.  The leaders of your party! 

Does that mean something to you?  Obviously it doesn’t because you would have left the party.

From what you said in this column, your intentions seem honest.  BUT.

What is the point at which you step away from people who are spokespeople for the R. Party calling General Milley a Stupid Pig on a nationwide tv show?

You say you don’t support things like insurrections, etc., well put your money where your mouth is.

To me, you are not an honest person, saying one thing and yet, doing another – standing by your party – the Republican Party composed at the top of fascists or fascist apologists.

There are other parties and one can’t help but wonder why your loyalties lie with a party that is no longer a political party, but a cult of personalty – trump.

If trump were Fidel Castro, this column would be burning up.

As the saying goes, “It’s not what they say, but what they DO!”

Is that okay with you/

Joshua,

Your strategy doesn’t seem to be working given that even the chair of your local party advocates for restricting the right to vote and compares this right to an exclusive and expensive Costco membership or buying booze and cigarettes.

@wesunidad Seems like we should sit down for a drink and complain about the National scene / disinformation together.

If you would be amicable to talking send me an email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

@BevHills730 His intent is advocating for more robust verification of voter eligibility and highlighting that we already require ID’s for a multitude of things “less important” then a secure vote.

In theory? It’s good to increase security of electoral processes!
In practice? We’ve seen such pushes lead to disfranchisement and undue restrictions; typically with disproportionate impact on POC.

( Portions of Georgia’s Bill are a good example )

Josh,

Why do we need a more robust verification of voter eligibility?  There was almost no evidence of that in the last election.  If there was, please talk about that fact because it’s important.

In the last 13 years about .0006{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} of votes were due to voters presenting fake identification.
Correct me if I’m wrong on that, but the number of people doing this is miniscule.

The problem is more Black people voting, isn’t it?

When you have White people in office talking about more robust voter security, what they are talking about is that too many Black people and People of Color are voting and they are making the difference.

If we already have so many forms of identification, why do we need another one? 

The answer is to make it harder for Black people and People of Color to vote.

You said in theory it’s good to increase security processes, but it doesn’t work because it disenfranchises Black people and People of Color.

Then why bother to increase security when none were found in the last election?

Voter “security” has been raised because, to their horror, the White man saw that Black people and People of Color used their Constitutional right to vote and influenced the outcome of a national election.

To increase security, how about banning Ninja turtles, like the ones in AZ, from handling legally cast ballots looking for bamboo and whatever?

To increase voter security why not pass legislation to ban insurrections?

Thank you for the invite to talk, but based on Hitler’s legacy, I’ve been told to never give the Devil the podium.

I’m not saying you are the Devil, Josh, but what I am saying is that the cult you support has ideas that should not be given the podium – anywhere and especially in a free and democratic society.

Marjorie T. Green, Ted Cruise, Josh Hawley and the rest of that gang have been given the podium and look what they’ve done with the Big Lie.

They have undermined our democracy and should be thrown out of Congress for publicly lying.

@wesunidad I appreciate the clarification that you are not calling me the Devil!

I believe one of the only instances of voter fraud involving misidentification in the last presidential election was a Trump supporter who voted in the name of his deceased mother. To be clear this *does not* indicate a widespread issue.

“The problem is more Black people voting, isn’t it?” : As upsetting as it to recognize, that is a viewpoint shared by many it seems. At minimum because the perception is that POC vote Democrat.

“Then why bother to increase security when none were found in the last election?” : No one has hacked into my server yet, I still turned on more robust security when it was available. That being said the only way I would be remotely comfortable considering would be if ID disbursement was done and confirmed *before* it became a requirement for voting.

“To increase security, how about banning Ninja turtles” : With a background in technology and experience working multiple elections I fully recognize how egregious the “audit” is and fully support implementing robust standards for any future outside reviews.

@bevhills730 and @weunidad Is the goal of the city of New Haven to keep POC from reading? You NEED a PICTURE ID to get a FREE NHPL card.  Now why on earth would a library card require more ID than voting?  Is book stealing a problem? What are the stats on books that don’t get returned, especially now that the city got rid of the late fees?  You see, it’s to prevent fraud and theft.  One doesn’t wait to see how much loss there is and then stop it.  One takes precautions to prevent theft and fraud to begin with.  Since virtually EVERYONE has an ID, requiring one to vote doesn’t stop anyone from voting, it only prevents fraud.

former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Tip O’Neill: “All politics is local.”

voterepublican…trum lost.  Get over it.

trump and his boot lickers are making up voter fraud because gullible people like you believe him.

We all know by now that there is no proof of voter fraud because people didn’t have a voter I.D. card.

And every time your people talk about this we know what you mean.  You mean that People of Color should not be able to vote until they jump over every hurdle we throw in front of them.

Why not ask people to change their skin color to vote?  How about making sure there are not toilet facilities in voting locations?  How about no voting for those who arrive by bus? 

Almost 80 Courts with judges 45 CHOSE rejected his lie about voter fraud and threw his false claims back in his face.

trump is desperate to keep the voter fraud gig going with a sham voter recount in AZ that will not put him in office in August.  This sham recount is only to keep the voter fraud lie alive.

trump lost.  Get over it!

You know full well what trump is saying about voter fraud – the term “voter fraud” to him means too many People of Color voting.

The Big Lie is getting pretty stale, don’t you think?  I think all of those in Congress who voted to overturn the election need to be banned from running for office again. 

If they support another government (a fascist one), they can just move there and be fascists.

It appears that the majority of Americans prefer democracy as imperfect as it may be sometimes.  It can be fixed because we are reasonable, democratic minded people.

How about Critical Race Theory?  There you go!  Go with that!  No teaching about structural racism in our system!

What’s wonderful about this whole thing is that people like Tucker Boy and the other airheads on FOX by talking so much about it, they actually drive more to try to find out what it is.

Teaching about racism in schools? 

Oh no!  We want critical thinking in our schools – like White Supremacy and structural racism are problems we must study and understand!

VoteRepublican,

There is not any evidence that voter fraud affects electoral outcomes. The penalties for committing voter fraud are stiff and effective deterrence.  Moreover, it voter fraud would need to be committed on a scale where it would be extraordinarily hard to conceal and very risky for those doing it.

And ids is just one way Republicans are trying to make voting harder.  Other initiatives include banning giving water to voters in line, restricting hours that polls are open, restricting time windows to submit ballots, eliminating voting locations, and giving authority of elections to far-right and white Republican dominated state legislatures.  Even these restrictions are biased.  Bills restrict hours on the weekend when black voters are more likely to vote.  In Republican states like Georgia non-white voters already had much longer lines to vote.  In Republican states like Texas voters had to drive up to 120 miles to get a dang id.   

Of course, everyone knows this, your disingenuous arguments about Costco notwithstanding. 

It is very silly for you to posture as a advocate of democracy while promoting a party that is implementing a nation-wide and systematic program to rig elections and disenfranchise voters who are likely to vote against republicans.

voteRepublican…

Everyone, at birth should be issued a Social Security number/card that can be used FOR LIFE for things like identification when they vote. 

The Right to Vote as stated in the Constitution (read it!) does not mention the need for a national identity card.

For now, as you said, everyone has some kind of ID, so we can just use one of them.  Brilliant!

If Republicans are losing elections, it’s because they have nothing to offer but racism, hate, a tax free Yale, tax free Corporations and tax free, rich White Supremacists.

@wesunidad This being my 3rd Republican run for Alder ( 2nd in ward 26 ) I have consistently and publicly advocated :

1. New Haven should have a balanced budget.
2. Improvement of the SCD Program
3. Yale should be taxed.
4. Large developers should be taxed.

#1,#3,#4 Have been a general platform of the New Haven Republican party for at least 2 years.

My perspective why Republicans keep losing in New Haven? Fiscal responsibility and project management are not sexy subjects and the impact of their mismanagement by the Board is hard to recognize in most instances because the consequences unwind over a long period of time.

We have examples of the chickens have come home to roost as we’ve seen with the latest pension report ( after dropping the ball for 2 years ) and as was the previous case with lead mitigation.

@weunisdad Racist much?  My own personal experience with people is that anyone who stereotypes groups, like political party’s members, as much as you do doesn’t confine themselves to only stereotyping said groups.  They do it to other groups, races, and genders.  I don’t know who hurt you, but maybe you should seek counseling to help process it. 

As far as Cube being such a great place to live, communism has pretty much a 100{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} Failure Rate and I see that YOU have chosen to live HERE in the good ole’ USA instead of Cuba. Also, people risk their lives ESCAPING Cuba, but no one risks their lives to escape TO Cuba.  The USA is far from perfect, but it is where everyone wants to be.

Christopher Shaefer…All Americans must be required by law to vote and register at age 18 or whatever the National Age to Vote is.

They could then be issued a National Voting ID with photo and be required to renew it every year.  This ID should have nothing to do with the requirement to have an address.  My address is not on my SSI card, for example.

In Australia it’s a law that each citizen must vote, but not here.  And the percentage of people who vote there is well in the high 95{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} category.  People who don’t vote are fined via their income tax or some other system like that.

If the greatest democracy in the world (some say it’s us) really wants everyone to vote and brags about our democracy, why isn’t there a law that everyone must vote?

And why has the Republican Party introduced so many new laws (300+) to restrict voting making it harder for People of Color to Vote? 

People here don’t vote and therefore don’t get what most other civilized countries get like a national healthcare system from birth to death, like a guaranteed living wage (like in Germany) whether or not you’re working.  It’s called a Guaranteed Annual Income and was recently introduced by Andrew Yang.

But, People of Color found a powerful force by voting because their vote got rid of the Orange Nazi for us!

Yes! They have voted and realized their power to throw out the most dangerous President we have ever had.

This dangerous person is a Republican and anyone who understands that should vacate the Republican Party and join the Democratic or Green Party where party leaders do not believe in voter restrictions, insurrections, etc.

We have to assume that Republicans who continue to being a member of the Republican Party sile
ntly support White Supremacy ideology, voter restrictions, overturning fair elections, and all the rest of it.

It’s not what they SAY, it’s what they DO!

“We have to assume that Republicans who continue to being a member of the Republican Party silently support White Supremacy ideology, voter restrictions, overturning fair elections, and all the rest of it.

It’s not what they SAY, it’s what they DO!”

I’m sure I was not the only one who grew up with the phrase “You know what they say about assuming…..”

It’s unfortunate you paint such a broad brush because individuals who seem to stand with you…..won’t change parties and are instead trying to make positive changes from within. I am curious what the downside to more “progressive” people having a voice in the Republican party?

I know what I’ve done.

1. Worked multitude of elections in NH
2. Championed turning out to vote as chair of the WWHCMT ( as I do at work and in my personal life )
3. Clarified election law at RTC meetings to avoid hyperbole
4. Spoke in favor of greater racial historical accuracy in education to individuals at a Republican fundraiser

Joshua Van Hoesen…I think you have a good heart and that you are a good worker and supporter of democracy.

I admire that!  I think most so called progressives would appreciate the work you’ve done.

And, I think there are lots more like you, average Republicans, who don’t espouse the ideology of trump.

The problem appears to me that trump has stripped the Republican Party of what it was and made it into his own “weapon of mass destruction”.

It’s all about him and he needed a vehicle to achieve his fascist aims that have nothing to do with a lot of Republicans.

Why should progressive people leave their party – whichever one it is?  It appears as though, like you, they agree with it’s principles, however, the principles of the Republican Party seem to have changed.

I mean when you have Kevin McCarthy saying he is going to ban any Republican who volunteers to be on the committee to find out – for the American people – what happened on Jan. 6th, well you have to scratch your head.

I think you well meaning and intentioned Republicans should organize and publicly disavow trump, but that’s my opinion.

Until all of you get together and make an public statement about trump and his followers (Hawley, Cruz, McCarthy, Gaetz and the rest) – that they are not the legitimate Republican Party, then I think it’s going to be very hard for you.

Because the fact is, if you don’t sell your soul and bow to trump, you probably can’t win elections. 

Look at what happened to Liz Chaney.

You obviously have not sold your soul to trump and his boot lickers, so what are you waiting for?

I could be wrong, but if you don’t separate yourself from the evilness they are peddling, then people will assume that you are one of them.

Birds of a feather, flock together.

The fact is there is no Republican Party.  It’s gone and trump stole it to use for his own ego and purposes.

voteRepublican…thanks so much for your comments on Communism’s failure, etc.

You said, “As far as Cube being such a great place to live, communism has pretty much a 100{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} failure rate.”

Communism has never existed.  It’s a theory in a book/document.  It’s an idea!

So Christianity, also a theory has also failed 100{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} because people do not go to church anymore?

“…and I see that YOU have chosen to live HERE in the good ole’ USA instead of Cuba.”

When was the last time you were there?  When did you talk to people who actually live there?  Like trump, when you don’t have anything of substance to say you attack the person.

No one has to defend Cuba, it can defend itself.

You said, “Also, people risk their lives ESCAPING Cuba, but no one risks their lives to escape TO Cuba.

Wrong again.

White, supremacist Americans absolutely did flee TO Cuba pre the 1959 Revolution when the Cubans threw the White Americans out.  They risked their lives because many got gonorrhea and syphillis! 

Having sex in Cuba was a great past time for U.S. business men who fled to Cuba to have sex, drink, and throw their money around.  Cuba pre 1959 was run by the United States under their puppet dictator Batista. 

And, when the U.S. ran Cuba it was the playground for U.S. businessmen from corporations like United Fruit who exploited Cuban labor and then exploited Cuban women when they went there to have sex with prostitutes, drink, spend money and have a good time with their profits from United Fruit Company.

You said, “The USA is far from perfect, but it is where everyone wants to be.”  Everyone?  You seem to be isolated from what people in other countries and even in this country believe – even about Cuba.

In other parts of the world, Cuba because it is the biggest exporter of doctors in the world, is revered and respected.

I’ve worked at Doctors Without Borders in NY and lived abroad for over 10 years and I have to shake my head when I hear comments like the ones you make.

“My perspective why Republicans keep losing in New Haven?”

The Republican party explodes budgets with debt due to tax cuts for wealthy; it isn’t the party of fiscal responsibility. 

It is the party of systematic voter disenfranchisement, insurrection, and cruelty.  Its top standard bearer is a racist who promoted white supremacist groups, led the insurrection by fighting a peaceful transition of power, and has a lifetime of engaging in corruption.  The party takes the most extreme and harmful stance on the existential threat towards climate change.  And fundamentally fails to address crises like COVID with any sort of competency.  Now one of its major media leaders is an in insider elite who poses like a populist by promoting white supremacy. 

This isn’t to say that there aren’t people with good intentions who are Republicans.  But promoting such a harmful organization in any capacity is just that, promoting harm, and they should stop. 

So there are plenty of good reasons that New Haven rejects Republicans, and none of it has anything to do with a silly argument about rejecting fiscal responsibility.

@weunisdad, Wrong again, any search, like the stats I’m sharing, show that Cuba has had, and continues to have negative net migration in modern times.  Why would the 1950’s matter in this conversarion? As I said, people are fleeing Cuba. Do some go there? Does Cuba take in refugees, etc?  Yes, of course. But overall, people flee and overall, people from ALL over the world COME HERE. “The net migration rate for Cuba in 2020 was -1.152 per 1000 population, a 4.95{56ef4555b1160
ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} decline from 2019. The net migration rate for Cuba in 2019 was -1.212 per 1000 population, a 4.64{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} decline from 2018. The net migration rate for Cuba in 2018 was -1.271 per 1000 population, a 2.31{56ef4555b1160ba09e855af6afd9aff20ca1ee0c32187e33609ae0a92f439672} decline from 2017.”  Don’t let facts end where your feelings begin.

@BevHills730 “This isn’t to say that there aren’t people with good intentions who are Republicans” – Glad my intentions are at least recognized!

“But promoting such a harmful organization in any capacity is just that, promoting harm, and they should stop.” – We’ll have to agree to disagree.

You can continue to highlight issues with the current Republican party we both agree on…..that doesn’t change the policies I have championed since before the previous administration existed that would greatly benefit New Haven.

Republican tax cuts for the rich? The Alders regularly approve such breaks for large developers.

Exploding the debt? The Alders have dangerously underfunded pensions.

Champion addressing climate change? The Alders waive their own sustainability requirements.

Address the COVID with any sort of competency? Our mis-budgeting of school maintenance had people exposed to subpar air filtration.

voteRepublican…I believe that the statistics you quoted in your last entry are fake.

Fake news, fraud, rigged elections, witch hunt’s, etc., that’s what the Republican Party is all about, and that’s why
they don’t want a bipartisan Commission to investigate what happened on January 6th.

During the invasion of the Capitol, “A member of the Republican Cowboys for Trump said, “The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat!”?

“There is going to be blood running out of that building!” said another insurrectionist.

“Hang Mike Pense” “Hang Mike Pense”  “Hang Mike Pense” – just a few people touring the capitol!

The Republican Party and it’s insurrectionists are steeped in racism, hate, fear and suspicion.

With the Commission, we might learn whose money was behind the effort to overturn our government, who funded the bus rides for people from around the country and who paid for their hotel stays and their food?

We might learn who paid for their bullet proof vests, their guns, their spray cans of toxic metals, their trump banners, their American flags made into spears, their pistols, their safety glasses, their steel towed boots and more.

With the Commission we will come to understand profoundly that those who voted against certifying our Presidential election lied through their teeth when they put their hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution of the U.S. 

Republicans who did not vote to certify the election should NOT be on this Commission.  Absolutely not – they are the ones who supported the deadly insurrection, and as we can all see, they are doing their best to subvert it’s work and may try to put house fascists like Green, Hawley, Crez, Gaetz and others on it. 

But, that’s what the Republican Party stands for – insurrection, terror, violence and a disregard for the rule of law.

voteRepublican you are supporting an organization that is trying to start a civil war in this country.

Is that why you can’t recruit Republicans in New Haven?

voteRepublican…Critical Race Theory – the discussion of the history of racism in schools is American as apple pie.

So, why is it the Republican’s new boogyman?  Why are Republicans trying to discuss the history of racism being taught in some states like Florida and Texas?

“In Europe, laws censoring the discussion of history have been a prelude o the rollback of democracy.  What will similar efforts lead to in the United States?” Timothy Snyder,  Yale Professor.

He says, “Republican state legislators proposed dozens of bills designed to guide and control American understanding of the past…five states (Idaho, Iowa, Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma) have passed laws that direct and restrict discussions of history in classrooms.”

These are called memory laws and another 12 states are proposing them.  They are laws that restrict what parts of history can’t be taught. The Texas law forbids – forbids requiring students to understand the 1619 project!!!

“The common feature among these laws…is their attention to feelings.”

“Four of five of them, in almost identical language (maybe written by ALEC?), proscribe any curricular activities that would give rise to “discomfort”, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of the individual’s sex or race.”

As Professor Snyder says, “History is not therapy, and discomfort is part of growing up….I know from my experience teaching the Holocaust that it often causes psychological discomfort for students to learn that Hitler admired Jim Crow and the myth of the Wild West.”

voteRepublican, “We start by saying we are not racists.  Yes, that felt nice. And now we should make sure that no one says anything that might upset us.  The fight against racism becomes the search for a language that makes white people feel good.  The laws themselves model the desired rhetoric.  We are just trying to be fair.  We behave neutrally.  We are innocent.” Timothy Snyder, Yale Professor.