To My Senators and Congresswoman...

MA – As the Congress moves to consider various options to stimulate the economy, please remember that information technology (IT) is also important infrastructure, both for business and government.  IT infrastructure encompasses not only public and private networks, but also IT hardware and software.  IT is as critical to our long-term economic success as are highways, bridges, and airports.

In times of economic downturn, businesses often postpone or slow down IT initiatives.  In Massachusetts, where IT is a big part of our economy, this can translate to a lot of lost revenue and job losses. This is a perfect time for government to look at where IT can lead to greater efficiency and long-term savings, and invest in IT infrastructure. 

I urge you to include IT investment, both for Federal and state initiatives, in any stimulus package.

Smart in Alaska: Anchorage Daily News Endorses Obama

MA – Alaska’s largest daily newspaper has endorsed Obama for President.  The Anchorage Daily News states that while Alaskans may take pride in the nomination of their governor, and the ensuing prominence of their state on the national stage, “[…]it does not overwhelm all other judgment. The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation.

“Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand. The same cannot be said of Sen. McCain.”

The editorial goes on to cite Obama’s greater understanding and better judgement on the war in Iraq, his ability to bring about fundamental change, and the reassurance of Colin Powell’s endorsement of Obama.

Click here to read the complete editorial.

Electoral College Update

MA – Shortly after my last update, RealClearPolitics moved Florida from “Leaning Obama” to “Toss-up”, putting Obama at 286 EC votes.  Obama continues at 286 in the RCP analysis, comfortably above the 270 needed for victory.  RCP currently shows McCain at 160 EC votes, with 92 EC votes still a toss-up.  Karl Rove continues to show Obama with 313 Electoral College votes, McCain with 171, and 54 still a toss-up.  

C,mon, People, Now

MA – I like to think that I’m mature enough to disagree with a person, even disagree strongly, without hating them.  And I like to think that readers and contributors to the pnn blogsite also have at least that level of maturity.

Electoral College Update

MA – The well-established trend towards Obama continues, with both Karl Rove and Real Clear Politics showing Obama with 313 electoral votes, well above the 270 required to be elected president.  The repeated re-starts, re-launches, and changes of direction in the McCain campaign are not helping his case.  McCain is running his campaign like the fighter pilot that he used to be, not like a fleet commander, let alone Commander-in-Chief, that he wants to be.  No wonder the voters are fleeing in droves.

Electoral College: Obama Solidifies Lead

MA -- The two Electoral College summary-polls that I am tracking both show Obama at 277 electoral votes, seven more than the 270 needed to win the presidency.  Both polls summarize state-by-state polling data from multiple sources.  

The Rove summary has a narrower “toss-up” margin, showing Obama – 277, McCain – 174, and Toss-up – 87.  The Rove map indicates the percentage spread between the candidates.  The Real Clear Politics summary adds a “leaning” rating, showing states that are above the margin of error, but not by far.  The RCP summary shows Obama – 277, McCain – 158, and Toss-up – 103.

Many new voters have been registered this year, and it is not clear how that will affect the accuracy of the polls.  Most polls survey “likely” voters.  New voters with no voting history may not be included.

Early voting is another factor that may influence outcomes, by avoiding some of the disenfranchisement problems that occurred in the 2004 election, particularly in Ohio.  Early voting allows voters to vote in person (as opposed to casting an absentee ballot) before the election date.  This year 34 states have early voting, up from 12 states in 2004.  

Do sick people deserve health insurance?

MA – If JFK were alive today and living in Arizona, he would not be able to purchase private health insurance.  President Kennedy had Addison’s Disease, a chronic, but manageable condition.  Health insurers in many states deny private coverage for persons with this pre-existing condition.  Well, this wouldn’t have been a problem for JFK.  As an ex-president, he would have Cadillac health insurance, and even lacking insurance, he would be able to pay for health care.  But for most people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, fibromyalgia, or a history of cancer, to name a few, the inability to purchase health insurance at any price is a huge problem.  These are the people who need health care the most.  For these people, lack of health care or poor health care can have serious ramifications. 

If the new administration and Congress are indeed able to craft comprehensive health-care legislation and pass it within the first few months, then it will include provisions for this population.  If that goal slips away, however, Congress should consider “bridge” legislation that would provide for coverage for those who have been denied private health insurance and do not have employer group insurance.  One option would be to allow these individuals and their families to buy into Medicare.  Since these are the people that private insurers do NOT want to insure, it would be the height of hypocrisy for the insurance industry to lobby against such a move.

A Down-Payment on Healthcare

MA – Speaker Pelosi has said that SCHIP, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, will be one of the first pieces of legislation that the new Congress will place before Obama when he takes office as President.  This bill would extend the existing SCHIP to cover more children.  It has already passed in Congress with broad bi-partisan support, but was vetoed by President Bush.  Obama's signing this bill into law will be a highly symbolic, if tiny, step in the right direction.

Voter Turnout: Pride and Perspective

MA – Americans have many things to celebrate about this election, not the least record voter turnout.  In addition, a record number of people participated in the Obama campaign, as volunteers, paid workers, and contributors.   Even more participated in the process through the internet, by writing or commenting on blogs.  Our democracy and our country will be served well if this proves to be the foundation for new levels of civic participation, if citizens regard democracy as a process, in which they can have ongoing involvement, and not just an event that occurs in November.

Before we swoon from the excitement of ~63% voter turnout rates, let’s get a little perspective.  First, let’s remember that if 63 out of every 100 people voted, that leaves us with 37 who did not – well over a third of potential voters.  

If we had an average (as opposed to one-time) voter turnout of 63% (for all elections going back to 1949), we would be at about 80 on the list of countries, as reported by the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.  Our neighborhood would include the Bahamas, Latvia, Belarus, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, and Nicaragua. 

If we limit the list to established democracies that have had at least ten national elections included in their voter turnout average, the list would be much shorter.  We’d still be well behind the leaders, however: Italy with 92.5%, Iceland with 89.5%, New Zealand with 86.2 %, and many others, including virtually all of the Western European countries and many Latin American countries.   And don’t forget, that’s comparing our record high to their average turnout.

So, let’s look at this election as a good step towards a more vibrant, inclusive and participatory democracy.  Let’s also think about what we can do in our schools, families and communities to ensure today’s children learn to be not only contributors to the economy, but also active citizens in our democracy.

The Only Poll that Really Matters

MA -- In a few hours, we'll begin to see the results of the only poll that really matters in this presidential race.  Or polls, I should say -- the  election results for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.  It has been a very long slog, for the candidates, the voters, and, yes, even the media. 

So far, the very best news to come out of this election cycle is voter excitement, and record voter turnout at the polls, with many first-time voters and re-engaged voters.  If we can maintain this level of voter interest, and further build civic engagement, then I am optimistic for the future of this country.

Of course, the best news would be an Obama victory.  Better yet, a landslide, which is entirely possible.  A large victory margin would be a giant first step on the course for a more united country.  Whatever the results of this election, the entire electorate, McCain, Obama, Nader and Barr supporters alike, owe Obama a debt of gratitude for energizing the electorate and bringing so many new voters into the political process and to the polls.

Are We There Yet?

MA – I had the best time last night...  I went dancing, and I didn’t think about the election for even a minute!  I am so ready for this election to be OVER!  It’s been fascinating, entertaining, aggravating at times, and exciting, but enough, already.  We all need a break, sometimes, and it felt really good just to be groovin’ to the music with my head blessedly empty of anything consequential.  

But, OK, back to serious stuff.  Who would you rather dance with, Obama, McCain, Michelle, or Cindy?

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We are two generations of liberal women who love to talk politics and policy.

MA - I'm the Mom, living in Massachusetts, hotbed of Eastern liberalism.

AZ - I'm the daughter, living in Arizona.  Arizona's new arivals, including myself, have brought greater diversity of political thought to this once solidly-conservative state.