5th District Democrats

“Cheney’s Law“

Please join us Friday evening, May 23rd, 2008 as FRONTLINE examines the battle over the power of the presidency and Cheney’s way of looking at the Constitution. 

“The Vice President believes that Congress has very few powers to actually constrain the President and the Executive Branch,” former Justice Department attorney Marty Lederman tells FRONTLINE. “He believes the President should have the final word — indeed the only word — on all matters within the Executive Branch.”  As the White House and Congress continue to face off over executive privilege, the terrorist surveillance program, and the firing of U.S. attorneys, FRONTLINE tells the story of what’s formed the views of the man behind what some view as the most ambitious project to reshape the power of the President in American history.

Discussion will follow.

Phyllis Huster has announced her candidacy for the State Senate in the 5th Legislative District, and invites the public to her campaign Kickoff April 20th from 2-5pm. The kickoff is being held at the Historic Railroad Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd North, in downtown Issaquah.

Huster’s campaign priorities are driving economic growth, transportation options, fiscal responsibility, universal healthcare and education funding for the residents of the 5th District.

“My campaign is about putting the citizen voice back in government.”  Huster said.  “I will draw on more than 20 years of professional experience managing innovative projects and multimillion dollar budgets to benefit the needs of my district.”

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Lindsay Adams at:  (425) 577-1018 or Lindsay@phyllisforsenate.com.

Congratulations to all the participants in our Caucus!  It was a long day filled with democracy and you made it work!

 A list of the Delegates and Alternates that were elected on Saturday is available on the page marked 2008 Legislative District Caucuses

Who doesn’t love fascinating conversation over dinner?  The Democrats of Inglewood Neighborhood and the 5th District Democrats certainly do.  They are pleased to co-host a dinner event of the “Issues in American Democracy” discussion group Thursday evening, April 17^th in Sammamish.

Our special guest speaker will be Phyllis Huster, Democratic candidate for State Senate running against Cheryl Pflug.  Come and meet the candidate over dinner, and enjoy the discussion!

This event is free and open to the public.  Come and show your support!

Dear friends, Issues in Democracy presents…

“No End in Sight”

Please join us Friday evening, April 18, 2008, for this award winning movie about how we got into a military misadventure that is costing us $12 billion a month. 

“No End in Sight“ chronicles Iraq’s descent into guerilla war, warlord rule and anarchy.  Based on over 200 hours of footage, the film provides a candid retelling of the events following the fall of Baghdad in 2003.  “No End in Sight“ examines the connection between errors of U.S. policy and the insurgency and chaos that engulf Iraq today. 

Compare this movie to the score settling book by Douglas Feith, chief architect of the invasion, “War and Decision” coming out in April.

Facilitated discussion to follow.               

(Event is FREE and open to the public!      Donations are welcome!)

Issues in American Democracy will hold their monthly discussion group on March 27^th from 7 to 9 PM in Sammamish.

This month, Michael Johnson and Linda Boyd from “Washington for Impeachment” will discuss the history of the impeachment process, the case for impeaching George Bush and Dick Cheney, and the status of the impeachment movement’s progress at the national and state level.

Issues in American Democracy holds it’s discussion group each month at the Sammamish Public Library.  This event is co-sponsored by the 5th District Democrats and the Democrats of Inglewood Neighborhood.

45th District Senator Eric Oemig will join us at 7:00 PM on March 28th, for a discussion about public financing in Washington State.  The grassroots organization Washington Public Campaigns is helping lead the fight for public financing in Washington, and you’ll want to learn about this important effort.  The campaign’s goal is to launch a statewide discussion about how we can reclaim our democracy, and our voice, by limiting the influence of special interest money in elections.

The discussion will precede our monthly film, entitled “Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore”.  Please join us on Friday, March 28th, at 7:00 PM to welcome Senator Oemig, and learn about this important effort.

If you would like to learn more about Senator Oemig of the 45th District;

http://sdc.leg.wa.gov/oemig.htm

If you are interested in learning more about Washington Public Campaigns effort to make public financing a reality;

http://www.washclean.org/

Issues in Democracy presents

“Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore“  

Please join us Friday evening, March 28, 2008 for this award winning movie about the high cost of expensive campaigns.  Senator Eric Oemig will join us at 7 p.m. to discuss Washington Public Campaigns effort to make public financing a reality: 

“Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore“ is the story of a young unknown who takes on a political dynasty. 

This award winning film follows the U.S. Congressional primary race of Jeff Smith, a 29 year old part time political science teacher as he takes on Russ Carnahan, son of Missouri’s most powerful political dynasty. 

The odds against Jeff are overwhelming.  He starts with no money, few political connections and zero name recognition.  Even his family dismisses his effort. 

His staff is a hodgepodge of political nobodies – mostly former students.  But thanks to his savvy and charisma, he is able to mobilize an army of nearly 500 volunteers generating a grassroots insurgency that takes on the political establishment.highly compelling documentary.

Facilitated discussion to follow.                 

(Event is FREE and open to the public!                 Donations are welcome!.

You can see a few familiar faces here.

Facilitated discussion to follow.

(Event is FREE and open to the public!

Donations are welcome!

Hi, I’m back in town from attending the Washington State Democratic Central Committee meeting in Vancouver, WA.  This was the first meeting for 2008. 

Di Irons and I represent the 5th district as your State Committee People.  Every county and every legislative district in our state elect two representatives (one male and one female) to this body.  We are a statewide organization that sets party policy.   We usually meet 4 times a year in various places statewide.  During presidential years, we only meet twice. 

We do not take this position lightly, one of our jobs is to pick the State Chair.  One of the chair’s duties is fund raising.  If we pick a bad or incompetent chair, it could hamper our curtail our fundraising.  We also pick six people, three men and three women to represent the state of Washington on the Democratic National Committee, which in turn picks a chair for that body.  Howard Dean has been seen as instrumental in the Democrats becomming the majority party in both houses of Congress.   

Di and I will tell you about the Vancouver session at the next meeting.   A special thanks go out to Lorin and Bob, who attend the Veteran and Military Family Caucus.

Mike Barer

Washington State’s Democratic Precinct Caucuses will be held on Saturday, February 9th, 2008 beginning at 1:00 pm.See caucus locations for your precinct - plus maps and driving directions - here. 

Update:  You can use this map-based tool to find your precinct name, and caucus location:http://wa-demchairs.org/2008/caucuslocations.php

Hank Thomas | District Chair

Let me open by wishing you all the very best of your holiday festivities. I hope your observances are filled with good health, lots of family, a touch of relaxation and happiness for all.

As I said in my last message we have been busy understanding what makes us Democrats. Every morning as I read the news I am thankful for our President, George W. Bush, because he is perhaps the best recruiter we Democrats have ever had. That’s a little tongue in cheek, but his presidency has caused all Americans to do some self examination when it comes to politics.

Americans everywhere are asking if it is right to spend the blood of our sons and daughters and the tax dollars of our children and grandchildren in an effort to control more of the world’s oil resources? Is control of oil really the same thing as National Security? Americans want to know how to get out of this mess sooner rather than later. These are weighty issues and we all have an opinion. Democrats want to hear that opinion while Republicans would rather not.

At every meeting we spend about half of our time on subjects in the news. We discuss the issues and learn from each other about what folks are thinking. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we don’t; but we learn either way, and that is what is important. We are trying to find a majority opinion because we think that opinion is what our Democracy is supposed to represent.

It is interesting to me that we, as Democrats, are much more tolerant of the ideas and positions of our Republican opponents than they are of ours. We choose to listen and they choose to berate. We want dialogue and they want to scold. We want to understand and they want obedience. We want to include and they want to exclude. It is just a different approach to governance - a very different approach.

I am more proud to be a Democrat today than I have ever been. I understand my Democratic philosophies better today than I ever have. I am certain that we are doing what our forefathers had in mind when we put People first.

Over the years of the current Bush Administration, the interpretation of our Constitution has been altered. True, the actual language is still in tact, but it is the interpretation that will guide our future. I am very upset with the way our President has abused his authority and I want to return Democracy to America. Please join me.

We have some exciting things happening here in the 5th District Democrats. We’re taking December off, but please join us at 7:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the King County Library Administration Building on Newport Way in Issaquah. Let your voice be heard.