We're On A Roll!

The recent  victories of Audrey Gibson for State Senate and Alvin Brown for Mayor are both indications that Democrats can win in Duval County.  Given our registered voter advantage in Duval County, Democrats ought to win ALL races....that's if we choose to vote.

Democratic turnout has not been consistent over time.  However, if we can continuously increase turnout and convince Democrats to consistently vote Party, we can win and win every time!

Keep it up Jacksonville Democrats - we're on a roll!

Back in it to WIN it!

Praise The Progress

The achievement gap between Whites and students who are Black and Latino is still real.  However, a recent article on long-term academic progress has promising data for Black and Latino students.  Check it out.

Let's hope the trends are true for Jacksonville.  If so, then mayoral hopeful, Alvin Brown's goal to launch a massive effort to hire (from private funds) retired teachers to tutor youth at risk and others will leverage academic success locally and improve career opportunities and the quality of life for many residents. Jacksonville can do this!

With an educated citizenry, Brown's plans to help attract new and grow local businesses is doable.  Additionally, if we increase the number of educated youth, we will will decrease the number of youth engaged in criminal acts. It's a triple win. 

Alvin Brown has the right ideas and plans to move our city and citizens forward.  Vote Alvin Brown during Early Voting (May 2 - 15) or on Election Day, May 17.

Back in it to WIN it!

We Can Do This!

It seems daily there are moderate Republicans, Moran supporters and others shifting their support to Alvin Brown and away from Mike Hogan.  Fund-raisers held in a Avondale business, at Haskell Design-build complex to a private home in Arlington are the latest sites for unlikely citizens coming together to support Alvin Brown. 

What To Expect in an Alvin Brown Administration

The best way to evaluate a candidate is through a careful evaluation of his/her positions on the "issues".  Issues are delineated best in the position papers or platform statements all candidates prepare. For a more comprehensive picture of Alvin Brown's position on his key issues, check out his website at www.alvinformayor.

It's fair to say that few candidates consistently present their full platform or the details of their key issues every time they speak publicly.  Whether it's at a press conference, in a debate, at a fund-raiser or a constituent 'meet and greet', most candidates - or elected officials - often find it necessary to abbreviate, omit or otherwise limit the number of issues they reference or the degree of details they share.  To balance this reality, candidates rely on their prepared position papers to provide the details on their issues.

Democrats have a real shot at ending two decades of Republican domination of the mayor's office in Jacksonville.  Learn more about Alvin's plans for our city and our future.  Go to www.alvinformayor.

Then, remember to take 10 friends and family members to the polls and vote May 17 - or Early Vote between May 2 - May 15!

Back in it to WIN

Stay On Top Of Things

Redistricting is a critical issue that warrants our attention and where needed, action.  Michigan's Black lawmakers take action into their own hands to ensure the redistricting process works the way it should to protect their gains.  Click here to read about their efforts.  Let's hope it doesn't come to that in Florida.

Back in it to WIN it!

Victory Is In the Air!

Alvin Brown's upset victory over two formidable Republicans opponents to secure a run-off slot in the Jacksonville Mayoral race is a sign the times they-are-a-changing for the Democratic Party in Duval County.

With Moran out of the race, a significant Democratic voter advantage and the "night and day" distinctions between Mike Hogan and Alvin Brown, Democrats ought to win this election and win it big.  Said another way, if Democrats "choose" to win, then win we will.

Moderate Republicans and Democrats as well as Independents and NPA voters alike can find something to support in Brown.  If not - then no complaints about the ultra conservative era Hogan will usher in....starting with killing the green-shoots of rebirth emerging downtown!

Back in it to WIN it!

Are The Repubilcans Serious?

Is there no end to bad ideas coming from the Republican leadership in Tallahassee?  Check out the latest proposal which is opposed by AARP-FL as evidenced in their e-mail blast below.

Then, go "early vote" in the Jacksonville Unitary elctions so we can send some Democrats to office in our city/county.

Back in it to WIN it!

The Woes of Our Economy and the 2012 Budget

Paul Krugman continues to ring the bell about how to fix the economy.  He also attempts to keep people honest when it comes to the things President Obama does "right" - or at least "less wrong" than many others.  Check out his recent article.

Back in it to WIN it!

Ingenious or Devious?

Governor Scott's recent move to 'stall' movement on redistricting is shameful, but apparently legal. 

Scott withdrew the required, Voting Rights Act, pre-clearance request which is needed before any new laws affecting voting can be implemented.  In essence, Scott is using a procedural tactic to preclude implementation of the redistricting amendment  overwhelming approved last Fall by Floridians.

First draconian budget and job cuts and now blocking implementation of citizen approved redistricting efforts.  I thought in America, our state CEO's served the people not "screwed" them.  But then again maybe Scott plans to rename Tallahassee to Cairo.

Back in it to WIN it!

Wall Street's Rise Lifts Many Boats

When the Dow dropped two-plus years ago to just over 6000, it was widely stated that many "main street" Americans whose retirement funds were invested in equities were badly affected. Increasingly, President Obama' administration was held accountable for the market drop and the sour state of everyone's retirement funds. However, now that the market is back over 12,000 (see Dow results for Feb. 8, 2011 at: http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/dow/  ) and retirements funds have rebounded nicely, I don't hear a corresponding chorus of credit being attributed to the Obama Administration. It should!

Unemployment Moving Down - Celebrate the Good News!

Let's rejoice with the good news about the unemployment rate going down.  Let's also count the steady, albeit modest, increases in new jobs.  Just think, not that long ago we were loosing jobs at the rate of several hundred thousand per month!  Any gain is better than the huge losses suffered at the height of the recession.

But face it, the Congressional Republicans seem to miss the point and have mislead the public.  They campaigned on a promise to make job creation their number one priority.  But they haven't focused their energy and actions that way.  No job creation bills have been introduced; rather, they have spent their first 30 days passing "show only" votes to undo many of the hard fought bills to help the American people passed by the Democrats - chief among them, health care.  Tell Republicans to keep their word and work with the President to create jobs!

Back in it to WIN it!

Diversity Matters!

According to the recent Census data, communities of color made up roughly 85% of the US population growth in the last decade.  The percent is higher for the under-18 population group.  Thus, ensuring a larger Democratic voice in future elections if voter registration patterns continue to favor Democrats among the top two, fastest growing minority groups - Hispanics and Blacks.  But how will this fact play out in the upcoming redistricting process soon to launch across the United States? 

Florida is among several states to have increased representation in the US Congress due to Census data. However, the question remains, how will the Republican-lead government leaders try to influence the process in Tallahassee?

Democrats have long championed the causes of equal and civil rights for all Americans.  And we have the right ideas when it comes to a "path to citizenship" for undocumented people living in America. Given these facts, we should focus our voter registration and education efforts accordingly. 

We must start now to consistently and convincingly present our Party as best one and the right one for these emerging leaders, consumers, workforce contributors, voters and donors.  If successful, the Party will be unstoppable!

Back in it to WIN it!

State Representative Mia Jones Got It Right!

In Tallahassee, Ms. Jones continues to be a strong Democratic voice for the people.  Read what she has to say about working together for positive outcomes for the citizens of Florida.

Vote 'blue' in March and May Unitary elections in Duval County!

Back in it to WIN it!

***********************************************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Monday, January 31, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Hollis
(850) 488-9622



HOUSE DEMOCRATIC RANKING MEMBER MIA JONES'
REACTION TO FEDERAL HEALTH CARE RULING

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Representative Mia Jones (D-Jacksonville), the Democratic ranking member on the House Health and Human Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to today's federal court ruling concerning the Affordable Care Act.

“Out of concern for thousands of uninsured Floridians, I am deeply disappointed by today's federal court ruling, but I remain confident that federal appeals courts will ultimately uphold the major tenets of the Affordable Care Act.

Are Budge Cuts The "Change" You Wanted?

Many voters were excited about the "change" last Fall's elections brought to the US Congress and many state governments.  Well, I wonder how happy some voters will be once the Republican lead budget cuts hit - nationally and locally.  But, you get what you vote for..........right?

Democrats must do better in the upcoming Unitary elections in Jacksonville!  With a comfortable registered voter advantage, it can happen in Duval County.  The local DEC is gearing up to win.  Contact them to see how you can help.  Call 904-390-7001 or volunteer on line at: www.duvaldemocrats.org.

Back in it to WIN it!

Progrses Has Been Made - Remember that!

Folks --


The latest employment report is in, and it shows that we added 1.3 million private-sector jobs over the course of 12 months of consecutive growth in 2010 -- more jobs than were created during all of President Bush's eight years in office.

We added 113,000 private-sector jobs in December, and our unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points to 9.4 percent. Also, October and November job numbers were revised from original predictions to reflect additional job growth.

While these numbers show that employment continues to grow steadily and that we're headed in the right direction, millions of Americans are still out of work -- and we still have a long way to go toward full recovery.

I've pasted the latest discussion points below -- take a look, and pass them on.

Thanks,

Lynda

Lynda Tran
National Press Secretary
Organizing for America