April 2006 Archives

Finalizing Local VOID Group Guide

We are putting the final touches on the Local VOID Group HOW TO guide, and the board will meet tomorrow to review whether to adopt this draft as the final one. Looks good so far. I am reasonably confident we will be issueing the guide to prospective local community leaders next week.

I want to extend appreciation to Steve Smith, Daniel Summars and Stephanie Crist who have provided valuable time and very important recommendations for improving the initial draft.

VOID needs volunteers for about 2 hours a week for the following:

Thanks you all,

--David

Posted by David R. Remer at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Gas Prices fueling Anti-Incumbent Movement

The Washington Post has an article about the effects of energy prices already fueling anti-incumbent sentiment. And these prices are only going to get worse over the summer.

"This is ridiculous," said Jackie Tarone, a retired homemaker and Bush voter who was filling up a Mercedes SL500. "The oil companies keep giving money to the politicians to keep them in there -- that's the way the system works. It's a shame."

Hard to say if she will vote against her incumbent representative, but, compared to blue collar workers taking the hit at the pump just to keep their low wages coming in, or small business owners struggling to keep their bills paid, Ms. Tarone is doing good to keep her Mercedes.

Posted by David R. Remer at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Iraq & Congress: Our Children Will Pay!

Newsweek's Michael Hirsh wrote an excellent article on preparations to stay in Iraq for 10 years or more. The cost of remaining in Iraq has risen every year since the invasion and 2006 will set another record. Iraq is now costing our national debt 9.8 Billion Dollars per month, and that cost shows no signs of slowing its growth in the future. Iraq could easily cost the U.S. more than WWII or Viet Nam in 2006 dollars if we remain there another 10 years.

Continue reading "Iraq & Congress: Our Children Will Pay!" »

Posted by David R. Remer at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

No Anti_Incumbent Mood In New Orleans !

CAIN BURDEAU, Associated Press Writer, wrote Sunday:

NEW ORLEANS - Contrary to speculation that incumbents could be thrown out wholesale after Hurricane Katrina, voters on Saturday held steady for many of the leaders they had before the disaster.

Old habits die hard, apparently.

Posted by David R. Remer at 8:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Monitor writes of economic warnings!

The Christian Science Monitor writes about possible warning signs of economic trouble ahead, partly due to Congress.

The economy is switching from an expansion led by husky consumer spending to one led by business investment, says economist Nicocles Michas of Alexandros Partners LLC in Waltham, Mass. He sees the rate of real growth falling to a low 2 percent later this year. Then foreigners could become "more cautious" with investing in dollar-denominated bonds, etc. The dollar could tumble, interest rates rise, and stock-market prices could weaken.

Not to mention the huge increase in taxes resulting from rising interest rates on our coming 11 Trillion dollar national debt, and the effect that could have on finding new foreign investors to float our riskier national debt. It is debatable whether the President has done enough to resolve our foreign trade deficits. But, there is little question anymore that the President and Congress are directly responsible for our national debt climbing to 11 Trillion dollars, double its 1999 level, by the end of the President's term. BTW, the 11 Trillion is a conservative estimate.

Posted by David R. Remer at 8:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

4-8-2006 Minutes

VOID Board of Directors - Meeting Minutes
Via Conference Call
Saturday, April 8, 2006 4:00PM - 5:30PM

ATTENDEES:
David R. Remer, President
Daniel Summars, Treasurer
Stephanie Crist, Secretary

PURPOSE: Establish a means of keeping Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy and its Board members in compliance with applicable federal and local laws and regulations.

Continue reading "4-8-2006 Minutes" »

Posted by David R. Remer at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Local VOID Volunteer Groups

The Board shall meet in the next several days to review a draft and propose revisions to a guide for Local VOID Groups. This document will outline the structure and placement of Local VOID Groups (LVG) in the VOID organization, define roles and responsibilities of LVG leadership, and define the requisite communication and information transfer between VOID and LVG leaders.

In other words, it will become the HOW TO manual for setting up a Local VOID Group. We are very excited to finally reach this point where we can chart a path for growth of the Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy grass roots movement. Upon approval by the Board, an announcement will be placed in this column advising supporters of the guide's availability. It will be sent to those who have already expressed an interest in setting up a LVG.

Posted by David R. Remer at 2:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

First positive signs of anti-incumbency polls.

The President and his OMB nominee, Portman, today said they will reach out for bi-partisan work on the budget. Now, for a President who has never worked bi-partisan on anything, this was quite a statement. What prompted such a bold announcement? Anti-incumbent polls.

Continue reading "First positive signs of anti-incumbency polls." »

Posted by David R. Remer at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Gingrich Concerned About GOP's Fortunes

ABC News reports: "Newt Gingrich Worries About GOP Chances in November, Saying Americans Seem to Want Change"
Newt Gingrich was certainly right the last time he saw America ripe for change in power. But it is my hope Democrats too feel the sting of losing 10% or more of their incumbents to a VOID vision spreading among voters throughout the land. No other single event will have the same potential to motivate bi-partisan real life solutions to our nation's problems. No other election event or outcome holds the same promise for Congress solving more problems than it creates.

Posted by David R. Remer at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

It's official and more!

Our very capable Treasurer, Daniel Summars, as required by FEC regulations, has filed the registration form for Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy with the Federal Elections Commission. It's official. We are an unconnected political action association. Our very capable Secretary, Stephanie Crist, is completing and about to file the forms with the State of Texas officially registering Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy as a not-for-profit political action organization.

Continue reading "It's official and more!" »

Posted by David R. Remer at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Before and After

Daniel posted this on WatchBlog. Seemed apropos' for a chuckle! Click on 'Permalink' below for larger view to read the door signs.

Posted by David R. Remer at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

America's Fate: the Titanic's.

David Walker, U.S. Comptroller, gave a speech recently which was re-aired on C-Span this evening. It was the most important speech made in the last 5 years and will remain the most important speech for America's future for decades. America is on a path to depression and bankruptcy, and the politicians to date, refuse to act to prevent it. The essence of his message was simple. America must make radical changes today to its future financial situation if it is to have an economic future with quality and dignity for its citizens.

The politicians, in whose hands lie our economic future, have so far refused to look at their legislation beyond their next reelection. In fact, many politicians who move for measures to save our country will lose their reelection because as Mr. Walker said, the public has not been educated to accept responsibility for the viability of our nation's future.

Continue reading "America's Fate: the Titanic's." »

Posted by David R. Remer at 8:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

I am curious!

Polls are indicating a reverse coattail effect in November which could see the House of Representatives move to Democratic Party control, and likely modest gains in the Senate as well. But, will this change much in '07 and '08? Will the country be better managed, will the pressing issues facing America be solved as a result? I am curious. Please help me out here, because my crystal ball rolled off somewhere and I can't find it.

Posted by David R. Remer at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Law, laws, and more laws!!!

Well, I have assembled for the Board's review, all the laws and regulations from the FEC, IRS, and state of Texas which have or may have bearing on VOID's operations. This represents between 70 and 80 hours worth of work on my part over these last 8 weeks.

Assimilating them all so that the board members are all on the same page, and developing the calendar of trigger events and filing deadlines for various steps in growth of our activities, revenues, and expenditures will take a bit more time. The Board is meeting tomorrow by conference call, to review and define questions which yet need to be answered. Then we will each take our areas of responsibility under those laws and regs, and develop the calendar of events and dates which must be adhered to in order to remain in compliance.

It has been exhausting, but, in another week or two, we will be able to chart a clear and legal path for VOID activities which can move our mission and purpose for existence along. Thank you all for your patience.

Posted by David R. Remer at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

What can a voter do?

It's is my opinion that to ensure our government is successfully OF, BY, and FOR the people we rely on three key factors. We need a well-informed, active and effective constituency. VOID hopes to address each of these factors by informing and activated voters, and through our votes peacefully forcing the government to become responsive to us. However, this is a long-term goal and patience, while a virtue many people admire, is not always possible.

Continue reading "What can a voter do?" »

Posted by Stephanie Crist at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Letter to a challenger!

I received an email from a challenger in Tennessee seeking correspondence with Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy. Below is the reply of VOID's president.

Dear Sir,

Continue reading "Letter to a challenger!" »

Posted by David R. Remer at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Kinky, Libertarians and Greens

When was the last time you heard of a Green Party or Libertarian Party threat to federal office? I can't remember myself. Indpendents get a fair amount of media coverage. Kinky Freidman is getting a lot of headlines, but, he is running for Governor. There is an Independent in Congress. But, where are the Libertarians and Greens. Well, here comes the answer.

Continue reading "Kinky, Libertarians and Greens" »

Posted by David R. Remer at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Another Incumbent bites the dust - DeLay won't run!

I just heard Chris Matthews report on the Scarborough Show on MSNBC, that Rep. Tom DeLay will announce tomorrow that he will not seek reelection in November. The poll numbers no longer give him a 50-50 chance given the trials he will be going through between now and then.

This is a victory for the anti-incumbent sentiment that is growing across the country and being reflected in poll after poll. Some folks here at Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy should be dancing a jig tomorrow, as the organization is all about forcing politicians who put government up for sale to the highest bidder out of office. As a member of that organization, I see this as a small victory for the movement.

Posted by David R. Remer at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

President's reply to a cash supporter!

The following is an email reply to one of our generous cash supporters.

S., thank you so very much. We are paying for the membership cards out of our own pockets. We are trying to build sufficient VOID funds to pay for a publicity blitz of one kind or another. Speech is free, but, access to the media isn't. Well, almost. There are the call-in programs which take only time and a volunteer. We intend to make the most of that avenue as well.

Continue reading "President's reply to a cash supporter!" »

Posted by David R. Remer at 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©

Year of the Independents

The RNC and DNC will be paying far more attention to independents this year than ever before or, they will regret it in a number of key races. These last 5 years have seen a huge growth in Independent voter organizations springing up at the state level, and now there is CUIP, Committee for a Unified Independent Party. Watch Out, they are growing.

Continue reading "Year of the Independents" »

Posted by David R. Remer at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)(2007), ©