While I was gone Part 1

Below is a series of information that was sent in to me in my absence, on the  18th and 20th of June.  All the information that we publish is important, but for those who are interested in the New voter ID Law take the time to watch and listen to the interview with Michael Bailey by Newswatch.  I included the link last.  Please continue to send me your thoughts and information and I will continue to post those that meet the purpose of this Blog.

Lee Walter Jenkins

The South Carolina Voters Association's Position on the New Voter ID Law

 

"An unjust law is no law at all."  - Martin Luther King Jr.

 

 

On May 18, 2011, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed into law this nation's most disenfranchising voting law since the Jim Crow era Poll Taxes and Literacy Tests.  This law was specifically designed to circumvent the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by establishing road blocks and adding additional layers of bureaucratic red tape to the voting process. Its sole intent is to disenfranchise specific demographics that historically vote Democratic.

 

The SC Election Commission found that 178,175 South Carolinians have voter registration cards but no state issued ID's. If this were the sole problem, it could be addressed through a variety of measures. But, instead of ensuring the integrity of the voting process, this law unfortunately is meant to add stringent qualifications and unnecessary burdens that persons wanting to vote must first maneuver around. This law will potentially create a number of minuscule reasons why one could be denied the issuance of a state ID; thereby making them ineligible to qualify for a voter registration card.

 

The South Carolina Voters Association sees this law as regressive and unconstitutional. Furthermore, research has shown no documented case of voter fraud in the state of South Carolina. Therefore, this law seeks to solve a problem that does not exist. 

 

We want every citizen to know, whether they stand with us in solidarity or against us in opposition, that we shall oppose this law at every level of government, by any means available, through any course of action; bare any cross, suffer any adversity, accept any consequence, confront any opposition, aide any ally or join any battle to protect the voting rights of all South Carolinians.

Michael Bailey

State Director

South Carolina Voters Association

"I think a woman's place is in the House, the Senate and the Oval Office." - Unknown

South Carolina Voters Association asks that you help support Ms. Kenisha Williams

  

(Ms. Kenisha Williams speaking at a rally in Fayetteville, NC prior to President Obama's introduction)

The South Carolina Voters Association wants to congratulate one of its very own; Ms. Kenisha Williams, who has been accepted into the Women's Campaign School at Yale University.

Of the 124 members serving in the SC House of Representatives, only 16 are women. Currently, there are no women serving in the State Senate.  And, there are no women representing South Carolina in the US Congress or US Senate.  

Ms. Williams' journey to success has just begun! She is going to need our genuine thoughts, prayers and an ultimate display of our support. Join me in seeing her dream become reality. Below, please find a direct link to her 'go fund me' account. Any amount is welcomed. Your contribution is a gift and your efforts will help shape not only her future but the future of our state! Together we will make this happen. For more information or to make a secure donation, please go to: http://www.gofundme.com/wwwgofundmecomKenisha

Michael Bailey

State Director

South Carolina Voters Association

To the Honorable Senator Graham, I hope this writing finds you in good health and great spirits. Although we have often disagreed on political matters I have always respected and admired you! I am proud to say you are our most reasonable voice in the best interest of the citizens of our great state in the US Senate. I am writing regarding the upcoming troop withdrawal decision from Afghanistan. I usually support our Honorable and duly elected President on matters, having helped nominate him in Denver, Co. immediately following my dear wife's unexpected death in the summer of 2008. After hearing both you and Sen. McCain on Fox News and MSNBC this morning, June 20 I wish to express my opinion on the plan to withdraw our troops. My only son, Spec. Andrew M. Evatt, US Army received his deployment papers this weekend to report to Afghanistan the second week of July 2011. Andrew will receive the rank of Sargeant upon arriving in Afganistan having already passed all tests and requirements with excellent efforts according to his commanders. It's my understanding his promotion is taking place once on the ground due to his boss wanting to make sure he stays with his guys from Ft. Lewis WA. His deployment papers are for one year and he is a newlywed, but his wife, Abby, is a military BRAT that understands his commitment to our great nation. Sen. Graham, I understand you are in position to know much more than I on the subject.  Andrew has no idea I am writing this letter to my friend, Sen. Graham. I am so proud of him having joined the Army only 30 days following his mom's death and about three months after graduating Walhalla High School. It is my hope we can finally pullout after almost a decade of being there. Not only for the sake of my family but for all military families, I hope you will influence Sec. Robert Gates and President Obama in withdrawing our troops in the most timely and safest manner.

It is time to stop the needless waste in the death and wounding of our military personnel and the Billions of our tax dollars being spent on this ongoing effort.  Afghanistan does not have a strong central government.  War lords control geographic and cultural segments of the country.  Other able countries have been drawn into senseless wars in Afghanistan to no avail.  It is time to withdraw not in defeat but in acknowledgement that Obama got Osama - Mission Accomplished!

Respectfully yours, Mike Evatt/ Keowee precinct State Exec. member SCDP (Oconee) Michael Bailey posted in South Carolina Voters Association. Michael Bailey 9:41pm Jun 19 Michael Bailey, the State Director of the South Carolina Voters Association talks with Ben Hoover of WIS TV’s Newswatch about South Carolina’s Voter ID Law and it’s potentially harmful impact on our constitutional right to vote. Video Landing Page - WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | www.wistv.com

While I was gone Part 2

Below are a series of information that was sent in to me in my absence, on the 14th and 15th of June.  I don't usually post County Party information, but the fact that Spartanburg is actively soliciting young people to be involved is very note worthy.  We all can benefit from their example.  Please continue to send me your thoughts and information and I will continue to post those that meet the purpose of this Blog.

Lee Walter Jenkins

Did you get this info..look under The State,Columbia..House OK'S redistricting plans... Dems to sue

We need to be organizing our young voters, it will take their help to lead us to victory...This is some serious Business...As our state officers fighting in Columbia.. We the counties need to be organizing our young people in the communities..I know there is WINNING in UNITY!! 

Retha Ross

Ford's message to Zais: We must go after cash Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, said he will urge his fellow lawmakers to formally call on Superintendent of Education Mick Zais to compete for as much as $50 million in "Race to the Top" cash. Ford said he will file a resolution today. The legislation wouldn't force Zais to act. Covering the politics of the Lowcountry, South Carolina and the nation. The Republican superintendent said in late May that the money from the U.S. Department of Education, designed to be an incentive to improve schools, comes with strings attached. South Carolina is one of nine states eligible to participate. Zais maintains that more federal money for education won't solve weaknesses in the public schools. Ford said South Carolina can't afford to walk away from the money. "That's unheard of," Ford said. "We are a suffering state." Copyright © 1995 - 2011 Evening Post Publishing Co..

¡No se pierda nuestros próximos eventos! Interested in becoming more involved with the Spartanburg Young Democrats? On Thursday, July 7th at 6 pm, Young Democrats (18-36) will come together to elect leaders for this newly energized group.   There are several ways to get involved: 1.  Leadership - If you are interested in putting your name on the ballot for the executive team (president, vice president, secretary/treasurer), please notify Jeff Ramsey atJRa5582388@aol.com or call him at 864-576-6870. 2.  Vote - You must be a registered (all we need is your name, mailing address, and email address) Young Democrat to vote on Thursday, July 7th. You must also be present on July 7th to vote. 3.  Donate - Young Democrats need your help. Most recently Spartanburg Young Democrats participated in the Upstate Pride March & Festival. Please consider making a donation to the local party directed to: Young Democrats. Poll Workers Needed The Spartanburg County Election Commission is in need of poll workers all over Spartanburg County for the election on Tuesday, November 8th, 2011.  Available training dates are September 13, 14, & 15. If you are interested, please call Becky at 864-596-2549. If not, please forward this to someone you know who might be interested in being a poll worker. Thank you.

Forward email

View From Inside

On Thursday June 9^th I along with over 40 members of the SCDP Executive Committee attended our first meeting under our new leadership.  My initial purpose for attending this meeting was to address some recent issues that have caused unity problems within our Party.  But, instead of pursuing this option and maybe causing more of a further rift in an already unstable Party, I decided to be quiet, listen and be watchful.

The look on the faces of most, who attended, was hopeful, while others appeared to share my wait and see attitude during this momentous occasion.  Mr Harpootlian was at his best talking about his fundraising efforts and plans, which I expected.  Everything else, for me, was déjà vu.  From, Mr Fred Sheheen’s nominations, of the Secretary and Treasurer without any opposition, to the make-up our leadership, there was nothing new.  There was mention of improving and providing better access to vote builders, and upgrading the Party Web Page and informational system.  But there was no mention of a Rural or Minority Caucus, even though Mr Harpootlian has been heard promoting it to Minority Ministers.  There was no mention of infrastructural development, which we need as soon as possible.  There was talk about how effective their ad campaign was and how they were sticking it to Nikki Haley, but no conversation about how we are going to win an election, even with the help of President Obama’s money and workers. 

At this point our Democratic Party is beginning to look like the beautiful neighborhood on the set of a Movie Studio.  It looks great on the outside but when you look behind it there is nothing there but boards propping it up.  The problem with most administrators, wealthy people and those who believe they have arrived is that, they love to be seen as the reason for the season but they seldom have the appropriate ideas and/or the work habits and/or ethics to get the job done.  That is why, if they are smart and/or humble enough, they will always choose and/or hire a team of people qualified to do the job to make sure that they are successful.  Since being active in the South Carolina Democratic Party, I have found that this is a concept that has not been embraced by most of our leadership.  Initially I thought that Mr Harpootlian understood this concept when he spoke to me after his election, but apparently I was mistaken. 

Just for the record.  I love and support the Democratic Party based upon its written and stated philosophy and I will always support candidates and leadership that reflects these things, but I reserve the God given right to refuse to be led into the desert to die of thirst by a mirage.  My quote, my stance and my belief!

And as always, this is just my opinion and that does not make it right.  What is yours?

THE COST OF PARTY CONFLICT

Lines are being drawn and alliances are being made and it will be done at the expense of those who have the most to lose, our ordinary citizens.  You no, the ones who cannot afford not to be Patriots.  Our most powerful and respected leaders in our Party have declared war against each other and we are all at fault for what is happening.  Why have we allowed this to continue without someone or someones seeking to mediate a truce between these waring camps.  Lets face it our Party is screwed up.  There is not and probably have never been an infrastructure in place to deal with situations like this and we are all sitting back twiddling our thumbs hoping things will get better.  Well, it will not get better and we as a Party are beginning to look like the joke that we are around the country.  But that's okay for those of us who are able to relocate to another state and pretend that it never happened.  But, what about those who are unable to do that and are stuck in this mess that we have allowed to happen?  The people that trust us to lookout for their welfare and create a better world for them?  What about our obligation to them or did we or do we have an obligation to them?  It is becoming very painfully clear that to many of us are here for our own self interest, our families and our business associates and to hell with everybody else.  You know who you are and so do most of us.  Those who are supporting individuals based on what you can get out of it or just to bring our Party down as we know it because you cannot control it.  As County Chairs we are volunteers chosen by other volunteers to promote the interest and concerns of our Party members by choosing qualified candidates or as I like to call them mediators to negotiate for the fulfillment of these interests and concern on a state or federal level.  The power rest in our hands because we get it directly from our constituents and we lend it out to our elected officials and yet we sit here on our hands and allow this madness to continue.  We need to either get a back bone or get out of the business because all we are doing is abusing the power that was given us by the people who need us the most.  On our next meeting I will be there and I will be vocal about what is going on and I really don't care who feelings I hurt, because contrary to some of you I am going to represent my people and I will not be intimidated.        

As always, these are just my feelings and they don't have to be right.  But, they are right for me.

Lee Walter Jenkins

MCDP Chair

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM AND ITS AFFECT ON STATE AND NATIONAL VOTING

During the middle of April, while I was campaigning for State Chair, I received a flood of calls from parents and concerned citizens about a couple of situations that occurred at Mullins High School in Marion County.  It seems that a District School Board Member had been accused of texting threatening messages to a sixteen year old young man who was allegedly dating his daughter.  Based on reports from more than one source, it was the School Principal who not only informed him but other parents about who their children were keeping time with while in school.  From all the reports that I was receiving the youth in question was very nice and respectable, with no history of problems in school or in the community.  His mother worked at the Elementary School here in Mullins and his father is considered a very hard working, law abiding, very mild mannered and respected person in the community.  Initially, I put those who called me in contact with a young man that recently took over one of the organizations that would handle a situation like this.  I then informed those who called that I would be working with him on it. 

The Monday after the Convention I was contacted by the mother of the child in question and she updated me on what had happened to that point.  She said that an article about what had happened was in the newspapers along with a copy of the text messages and it could also be found at SC now, if I would like to read it.  She also stated that she and the young man I referred to her met with the Board member in question, the Principal and the Superintendant of Schools.  She stated that the Board member apologized for his actions but there was no mention of what the consequences for his action s would be.  I asked her, what did she want to happen, based on this ordeal her son and her family have been put through?  She said that the Board member should be removed from the Board, because any grownup who would attempt to traumatize any child for any reason does not belong on any School Board.  And anyone who had anything to do with this happening should not be a Principal in charge of children.  She went on to say it is not just about her child but other parent’s children who could be subjected to people like this.  We cannot continue to allow people like this to have influence over our children and not do anything about it.  We just can’t.  She asked me if I thought it was racially motivated since her son is Black and the School Board member and his daughter are White.  I said looking at it from the outside that is what it appears, but in reality it is just wrong.  If the School Board member was Black instead of White, it would still be wrong.  So often, Bad People do bad things, in hopes that it will be labeled racial.   They understand that by doing so they have a better chance of either getting off or getting a lighter sentence because of the racial outcry.  I told her there is a war going on between Right and Wrong, and until we start looking at things as whether it is Right or Wrong Bad People will continue to get away with Bad Things.  She stated that she understood and that she never looked at it that way.  She also stated that she and her husband had made attempts to take this to the School Board, but that she was getting conflicting information from the District and the County School Boards.  The District was saying that she had to meet with the County first and the County was saying she had to meet with the District first.  I told her that I would be out of town for a couple of weeks because of family emergencies and we will see where I can best help her when I got back.

I guess you are wondering why I am sharing this with you.  Well because, first of all, these are the situations that are happening in our Community’s that lose us elections and/or voters on the State and National level.  If people feel that the system does not address their needs then they will not come out to vote.  This is fine for the local Politician because their support generally is not from those who are being wronged; In fact they are generally in office to keep things just as they are.  Secondly, because sometimes as Democratic Chairs we forget that our responsibilities go far beyond just, what we perceive as Party business, and must be able to identify those issue in our community’s that will either benefit or hurt our Party’s standing and be aggressive in seeking solutions for them in a timely fashion.  Thirdly, we must learn how to frame the argument so that it does the greater good not only for the person or persons’ who have been wronged but also for the mission and vision of the Party.  And fourthly, we must stop allowing the Community to continue to label things based on color, race, ethnicity, sex, gender and religion.  If we do we will continue to lose that battle because these are the terms that the Republicans and like minded Democrats contrived to keep the Community separated.  Our emphasis should be on, what is Right and what is Wrong.  As Democrats we say that we believe all people should have the same rights, so if one person or group of people are receiving treatment that another person or group of people are not privy to that is wrong and should be addressed as such.  If we champion this on the local level it will reap huge voting benefits at the State and National level.

As always this is just my opinion and that does not make it right.

Lee  Walter Jenkins