San Diego Free Press

Grassroots News & Progressive Views

Populist Revolution? How a Bold New Voter Coalition Can Reshape the Nation

by

By Marshall Auerback / Alternet / Nov. 8, 2012

Minorities, independent women, gays, working-class white voters, and younger people overcame through high turnout a fierce social conservative block.

Tuesday’s election will be regarded as a pivotal one in US history. For 30 years the top 1 percent has manipulated the masses to vote against their own interests. It was able to do that because the feelings of the white middle and lower classes about social issues overwhelmed their economic considerations.

But something interesting happened this year: high levels of minority and young voter turnout, together with an increased Obama-tilt among all voters earning less than $50,000 a year, routed the GOP.   [Read more…]

The Dove and the Cockerel: Chapter 9

by

It is a well-known fact in police circles that following the murder of a police officer, enforcement activity goes on overdrive. Woe is be to anyone who does not go along with the program. Police officers are looking for any reason to exact a bit of token revenge for their fallen comrade. Those who have contact with the police on a regular and frequent basis know this too. The normally belligerent, become passive, obedient and condoling. It is not a time to advise an officer knowledge of one’s rights, nor is it time to inform the officer that his or her taxes pay the officer’s salary. With an arsenal of over half a million federal, state and municipal statutes, one can be pretty much be guaranteed at least one statute has been violated by mere existence.

Ah yes, the public at large is in for a rough couple of days. You better be extra nice to us emotional cripples, thought Joe as he pulled into the station parking lot, noting the American flag in front of the station at half-mast.   [Read more…]

Presidents Matter, but Movements Matter More

by

The presidential campaign for those of us on the left was a real nail biter while the Romney team, optimistically cocooned in their alternative reality, had a victory speech and fireworks at the ready. Then the race was called when Ohio went to Obama.

We won. Whew. Team Romney/Ryan was handed its ass. Barack Obama has four more years, and yes this election was clearly a mandate. It matters that Obama will be sworn into office this coming January, but what matters even more are the progressive movements that put him there– and what effect they will continue to have on the remainder of his administration.
  [Read more…]

The Starting Line—Missing at the California Ballot Box: Older, White Voters

by

While there are disputes over the level of voter participation in this past Tuesday’s election, one thing is certain, according to exit polls and numbers released by the California Secretary of State: Non-Hispanic white voter participation is showing a rapid decline, falling from 63% of the state’s electorate in 2008 to 55% this year.

Estimates of voter turnout have ranged widely, with some sources claiming an 80%+ turnout, a Field poll estimate claiming  0% participation and other data showing turnout more in the 55% range.  The actual numbers won’t be available for another month, as counties will be processing mail-in ballots and attempting to verify provisional voters.  Turnout in the 2008 election was 77.5%.

Inside:  Mayoral Election Fallout- Day Two, UT-SD Tries to CYA on Bogus Polling,  Why the GOP Hates Education…

  [Read more…]

Statehood for Puerto Rico? 3.7 Million American Citizens Vote for Democracy – Will They Be Heard?

by

The most significant result of the 2012 election may not be the re-election of President Obama, nor any of the other highly publicized races decided on November 6, 2012. If pursued to conclusion, the vote of the residents of Puerto Rico to pursue statehood will likely have the largest impact on the United States.

A two-part ballot question first asked voters if they favor the current status of Puerto Rico as a territory of the United States. Second, voters were asked what type of status they preferred: full statehood, independence, or “sovereign free association”, a semi-autonomous status.   [Read more…]

The Day After the Election Was Just Another Day in Barrio Logan

by

Desde la Logan: The Day After …

By Brent E. Beltrán

Sometimes we get caught up in it all, including myself. I voted for Barack Obama again. The only times I voted Democrat for president was for this man. In previous elections I voted third party, either Green or Peace and Freedom. I think the re-election of President Obama was a good thing. Not a great thing (I have a buttload of issues with his presidency, far too many to go into here). The alternative though, electing corporate stooge Mitt Romney, would have been terrible for nonwhites, the poor and working class, women, and gays and lesbians. Unfortunately, the status quo remains. Fortunately, it didn’t get worse. In Barrio Logan, the song remains the same.

In my neighborhood, the day after the election was the same as the day before the election. And the day before that and the day before that. And tomorrow it will be the same. Nothing changed. Most of my neighbors went back to work at low paying service jobs. Back to watching other people’s children or back to cleaning other people’s homes. Some didn’t even go back to work because there is no work to go back to. The youth went back to inferior schools. Adults took the trolley or the bus to wherever they needed to go because they can not afford a car. Or they can’t get a license because of their immigration status.
  [Read more…]

The Dawning of the New Progressive Era in San Diego

by

The Most Liberal Administration in San Diego History About to Take Its Seat

With the election of Congressman Bob Filner to fill San Diego’s mayoral seat, coupled with a now 5 to 4 Democratic majority on the city’s Council as Sheri Lightner has defeated Ray Ellis – we can now claim the dawning of San Diego’s New Progressive Era.

Filner’s victory reflects President Obama’s re-election on the national level, perhaps a new dawn of a similar era across the country. Indeed, San Diego voters across the County went for President Obama over Mitt Romney, 51% to 47%.

At least in San Diego, Tuesdays election results reflect changes in our local demographics and subsequent changes in local politics.

These changes and the voter turnout have ushered in the most liberal administration in San Diego’s history, the first Democratic mayor in over 30 years …   [Read more…]

The Starting Line – Progressives in San Diego Won. So Now What?

by

Okay, I know. Everybody’s sick of the politics already. The TV ads, the drama, the hyperbole. Ugh. But sooner or later that itch will come back and need to be scratched. And I feel the need to get up on my soapbox today.

I have been involved in/watching/hating politics ever since becoming a “Clean for Gene (McCarthy)” volunteer way back in the days (1968) before MTV and Comic-Con. And mostly I’ve been disappointed. This year’s election was different. “We” came close to running the table. The future, politically speaking, could very well be a progressive one.

But it ain’t over ‘till it’s over. This year’s elections were a shift in a good direction. History shows us that the reactionaries – those who would roll back the wheels of progress – are going to respond with fury and ferociousness. So I’m making my pitch today. Take a break, catch a deep breath and get ready to work even harder.   [Read more…]

San Diego for Free: America’s National Parks – Free Admission to Our Greatest Natural Treasures

by

A weekly column dedicated to sharing the best sights and activities in San Diego at the best price – free! We have a great city and you don’t need to break the bank to experience it.

America’s National Parks – Free Admission to Our Greatest Natural Treasures

Here is their Website.

Best For: Hikers, bikers, bird watchers, wanderers, weekend warriors

The United States is fortunate to have many areas across the nation protected from development and preserved and enhanced by the National Park Service. Throughout the year there are a few select days when admission to all of the 398 national parks is waived. This upcoming weekend, Veterans Day weekend, is one such free admission period. Also, of the 398 national parks, 264 of them are free everyday.
  [Read more…]

Sex In San Diego: Human Trafficking – the Other 20%

by

By Cameron Conaway / The Good Men Project

“My very first survivor was a boy. How many of us are looking for boys?”
~ Sandra Morgan, Director, Global Center for Women & Justice at Vanguard University

His legs were thin as faded whispers and dangled like twisted ropes from his wheelchair, and his walk was a drag as he pulled himself along with worn-out school erasers clutched in each hand. Nadu was born this way and despite being 13 years old, he had just received his first wheelchair the day prior to my arrival. He hadn’t needed one for the past seven years. When he was five his family bent to the weight of foresight, tradition and circumstance. They sold him.   [Read more…]

California Swings More Democratic; State Legislature Now Fully Two-Thirds in Dem Hands

by

Republican incumbents Bono-Mack, Lungren, and Bilbray down in their re-election bids; GOP further marginalized in California

Lost in the wake of President Barack Obama’s sizeable win over Mitt Romney and the high profile Congressional races in California were the gains California Democrats made in both houses of the State Legislature. During the wave midterm election in 2010, where California bucked the national trend that went Tea Party wild, California swung even deeper blue, with Democrats winning every statewide election and solidified their majorities in the Legislature.
  [Read more…]

Filner Wins – DeMaio Concedes !

by

It’s official! Bob Filner has won the mayor’s seat in San Diego.  Carl DeMaio has conceded, local media report. The Registrar of Voters has reported the result, with 100 percent of precincts reporting.  The Congressman, the former City Councilman and former School Board member, U.S. Rep. Bob Filner has come out on top after a grueling […]

©2010-2017 SanDiegoFreePress.org

Code is Poetry