Hello,
     I'm new to Blogging.  I have read the diary rules but I'm still learning the ground rules for this community.  I have no intention, at this time, of ever running for public office.  I do not want to go under that microscope.  However, I thought I would like to put together a platform, of sorts.  Perhaps someone does want to know how I feel on certain issues...

The folks at RedState have a new slogan:

The Republican Party must reclaim its rightful mantle as the leading champion of Freedom of Choice.

If you can handle that little taste of cognitive dissonance, if you're sitting down and relaxed, then cross over to the land of there's more.

It seems we're a little worse for wear lately, after this election season (and frankly, after the past 7 years of post-911 craziness).  Who are we of the Democratic Party?  Who do we want to be?  Who have we become?  What do we stand for?  What do we stand together against?  Where do we draw the line? What do we hope to accomplish?

There must be some ideological sanity injected into this hyped up, clusterfuck-ed mix that has led us down several nasty garden paths we have not totally recovered from.  And then, during this primary, we have been asked - no, told - to hold back our real ideas for the good of the party (you know, b/c progressive values aren't popular, we're told).

You gotta read this junk, and laugh at how sad the Repubican Party really is.

I have edited this post to include the content of the document, as some are having trouble with the link.

In 2000, McCain eviscerated Bush during a debate because the Texas Governor refused to endorse allowing exceptions for rape, incest and the mother's life in the GOP's anti-choice platform. In 2007, during a town-hall debate in Des Moines, Iowa, McCain again reiterated that he wanted to change the party's platform to reflect these exceptions. Let's be clear: Not only did McCain support changing the platform, he used it as a campaign issue and as a means of building his image as a maverick willing to buck the national party.

This "principled" stand will join many other "principled" stands, apparently, in the trash heap since McCain has become the presumptive Republican nominee. ABC News reports that he is dropping his demand to change the platform.

On the flip...

If you asked Al Gore what he considers the most pressing world issue, he would respond global warming.  He would be right but misdirected.  If you asked John Edwards, he would say poverty.  He would be correct but unfocused.  McCain, probably terrorism and Iraq war.  Right, but not quite on the money.

By Reps. Barbara Lee, Jim McGovern, and Sam Farr

At a time when the media is concentrating on what divides us as Democrats -- our preferences for whom our party should nominate for president -- we think that it is important to speak out on matters that unite us. The debacle in Iraq and the failed foreign policy that led us there is of grave concern to the American people. It also offers a clear contrast between the Democratic and Republican parties, regardless of who our presidential nominee is.

On the issues of Iraq and foreign policy, Democrats can’t be vague or fuzzy. We need to be clear, strong and unequivocal: the war must end; we must reach out to all parties in the region in a diplomatic effort; and we must rebuild our standing in the world by ending the use of torture and closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay.

Over a year ago, the efforts of the DailyKos community helped elect me as a delegate to the California Democratic Party.  Shortly thereafter, I was appointed by Chairman Art Torres to serve on the Platform Committee.

Like I said in those earlier diaries--since you helped elect me by reading and recommending my diaries, which in turn got local readers and diarists to come vote for me, I view you as my constituents in a way--and I'd like you to know that your efforts have paid off.

The California Democratic Party now has a new plank on its platform called "Internet, Free Speech, and Communications".  This new plank was co-authored by me and my friend and fellow committeemember Brad Parker.  The new plank, as you can see below, supports net neutrality and bloggers' rights as an official position of the California Democratic Party!

The text is below.

Rep. John Lewis (D) on ENDA
http://youtube.com/...

Now this diary is not about ENDA or John Lewis, but it's about the place of the homosexual within the Progressive community.

Within Left and Center-left movements the push has been about breaking down barriers, or structures, or signs (as John Lewis alludes to in this video) within a community or nation.  

We've been trying to break down age-old structures that are inherently racist, or sexist.  Many have tried to break barriers within the economy, to help the working man.  Fewer have tried to break the economic structure itself, viewing it as inherently oppressive.  

As I write this, I realize that John Edwards met with Hillary Clinton on Thursday, and is meeting with Barack Obama today, so an endorsement may well be coming before I vote tomorrow. on Saturday, after her meeting with John Edwards, I know that Hillary Clinton had something very interesting to say:

"There is a lot John and I have in common. I will be a fighter, and I intend to ask John Edwards to be a part of anything I do in the White House."

As of this moment, I still plan to vote for John.                                      

I downloaded a copy of Johns campaign initiative for a One America and I would encourage everyone to do so. It's something to show anyone who would ask, "What Next".

No matter what happens after today I will support John Edwards. Not because he was my candidate and this is sour grapes, but because of his ideas. The reason I can't support another candidate is because they have not even acknowledged Johns ideas. I don't plan on letting his ideas die in fact if I'm to remain a Democrat, hear me now, the party will take on the task John set out to do.

So, my life as a Democrat for a month or so now... well, I've found that honestly its pretty difficult to know what that means, which is why its hard for me to be a Democrat.  I came to the party for a few reasons, the most of which was a dire need that I witnessed for social reform.  Not just in the medical area, which I am a part of, but in all things social... I'm tired of seeing people struggle that used to be the bread and butter of the US.  The darkside, the competition, the antithesis can be summed up in a minutes worth of talking points, but it seems next to impossible to do that as a Democrat.  Things we pick as talking points seem to not be talking points to our leadership (as evidenced through their actions in the house and senate)... so a few questions that might help me get a little more insight... help make it a little easier to be a Democrat, or more so a good one that can publically attest to the party's values

There's a lot of Republican candiates in this world. But I feel I'm the only one together and to give it new direction in a post Reagan era. The only one who speaks a message we can all agree on. A real uniter, not a divider.

There are a few values that bind us together though. Moms and apple pie. That's why I'm standing on a platform of mums and apple pies. Yes you heard me moms and apple pies! Am I the only candidate with the courage to stand up for mums and apple pies in today's liberofacist media climate! Who doesn't like moms and apple pie! Oh and America and Freedom! America for the win! Through this brillant masterstroke I will win the nomination for to vote against me would be to show that you hate moms and apple pies and America and Freedom! Who would vote for a candidate with whom they agree on all stated positions.

Presidential Candidate, George McClellan.—On Aug. 29, 1864, the Democratic National Convention assembled in Chicago, Ill., and nominated General McClellan for the Presidency on the following declaration of principles:

Resolved, that in the future, as in the past, we will adhere with unswerving fidelity to the Union under the Constitution, as the only solid foundation of our strength, security, and happiness as a people...

Resolved, that this convention does explicitly declare, as the sense of the American people, that after four years of failure to [save Iraq] by the experiment of war, during which, under the pretence of military necessity, or war power higher than the Constitution, the Constitution itself has been disregarded in every part, and public liberty and private right alike trodden down, and the material prosperity of the country essentially impaired, justice, humanity, liberty, and the public welfare demand that immediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities... to the end that at the earliest practicable moment peace may be restored [by an immediate withdrawal].

Stop blaming the Republicans for the War in Iraq.  I am so very tired of it.  I hear it day-in day-out.  And I am sick of it.  Stop blaming Bush.  Stop blaming Cheney.  Stop blaming the lot of them.

The fault lies entirely with you.  

It is your fault.  All of you.  The American people.  You refuse to change your habits, you refuse to do anything about the unsustainable lifestyles you are leading.  You sack any political leader that dares challenge you to do so.

That'd be my Presidential platform.  So let me start again...

[Edit:  I didn't add the snark tag... this is meant perfectly seriously though I don't expect anyone to put it so bluntly:  the lifestyle that Americans choose to live - at least 90% of them - are so frighteningly unsustainable they threaten our very existence, and enable, nay force, corrupt leaders into starting wars and shedding a lot of blood]

[also at my blog, far-shooting politics]

I'm excited!  My own personal quest to Crash the Gate took another step forward today--I received my letter from California Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres appointing me to the CDP's Platform Committee.

Every even-numbered year, the CDP approves a newly reworked platform crafted together by the members of the platform committee based on submissions from Democratic Clubs and members of the State Central Committee.  And from what I've been told, the national Democratic Party tends to use the California platform as a template for its own national platform.

And I'm going to be on the committee that writes it!  I'm thrilled, seriously.  More below.

Ok, like I did with Kucinich earlier I am going to lay out all the candidates plans via there website information and or speeches pertaining to such

a compiliation of posts at The Richardson Solution

writer's note: The Richardson Solution is an advocacy-oriented and policy-cataloging blog that promotes the presidential candidacy of Bill Richardson, former U.S. Congressperson, Ambassador to the UN, Secretary of Energy and current Governor of the great state of New Mexico.

Man, I hear a lot of talk amongst the candidates about who would be the best to move the country forward.

When do they have time to actually do it?  They are too busy campaigning all over the country.  While Richardson is campaigning (he is running) he also has a day job being accountable for the promotion of positive policy here in New Mexico.  He's got a lot done this week.

Take a look below the fold.