I have a question for Will Avery

[Cathyhelms]

Do you support Barack Obama and the progressive democratic agenda??

 

PDA Issue Organizing Teams

 

PDA Issue Organizing Teams are working on the following issues:

End War and Occupations, Redirect Funding

 

* Israel/Palestine Action Group

 

Healthcare for All

 

Economic and Social Justice

 

Clean, Fair, Transparent Elections

 

Stop Global Warming/Environmental Issues

 

Accountability and Justice

 

Progressive Democrat Agenda

[feelip]

Shouldn't you be spending your time trying figure out why you are supporting someone that committed a felony?

[+North of the Border]

Great question...I hope he answers this, and help some of us know what he believes. I for one am undecided on my vote....BTW I am sure his "posse" will give us answers, but I want to hear it from him!!

Do you support Barack Obama and the progressive democratic agenda??

 

 

 

Progressive Democrat Agenda

[misterpolitics]

Do you support Barack Obama and the progressive democratic agenda??

 

 

 

Progressive Democrat Agenda

 

 

I'll let Will take this one, but can I just not that Obama and the PDA website have nothing to really do with one another? There are hundreds of progressive groups out there with many interests, so IMO it's a little hard to claim that one and the other are the same.

[feelip]

Great question...I hope he answers this, and help some of us know what he believes. I for one am undecided on my vote....BTW I am sure his "posse" will give us answers, but I want to hear it from him!!

 

 

Yeah, and we have ALL been wanting to hear from the illusive Ms. Braddock. I have an idea! Talk Ms. Braddock into having a DEBATE! Let her and Will hash this out in a public, face to face forum. Or is she unfortunately incarcerated again?

[willavery]

Do you support Barack Obama and the progressive democratic agenda??

 

 

 

Progressive Democrat Agenda

 

 

I will be more than happy to address this, as I have addressed all questions directed directly at me in this election cycle.

First of all the PDA or Progressive Democrats of America are a fringe group that most Democrats in Georgia do not identify with including myself. Few Democrats are members of the PDA just as few Republicans are members of any far right wing group. All it takes is a simple look at the elementary style of their webpage to know that they are not a serious group of people. But none the less, I will address all of these issues reported on the PDA webpage.

 

1. End War and Occupations, Redirect Funding

First of all, as a state representative I will never have to make a decision on defense funding. However, I do believe that wars can be just. I do think we need to start thinking about removing troops and bringing them back to safety. I do believe that we have a duty to help make the lives of people in other countries better. I do not support removing funding from defense. Defense is one of the things the federal government does best in my opinion. But I am still not sure how this applies to a state level representative.

 

2. Healthcare for All

I have discussed my views on healthcare several times on pcom. I do not support the current healthcare bill in the slightest. I think that healthcare should be more affordable and people with pre-existing conditions should not be denied coverage. I do not think it is just however, to fine people for not purchasing healthcare. That is a personal decision in most cases. The thing we need to focus on is the pre-existing condition clauses and lowering the cost of healthcare through direct competition among healthcare companies and keeping them accountable for their own actions.

 

3. Economic and Social Justice

If by economic justice mean having the government ensure that all people are paid the same amount of money, absolutey not. If by economic justice you mean, ensuring that people who want a living wage job are able to find one, then absolutley yes!

 

As for social justice, I take that to mean equality for all. And yes, I support equal rights under the constitution of the United States.

 

4. Clean, Fair, Transparent Elections

 

Of course I support transparent and fair elections. Corporations have just been told by SCOTUS that they can donate as much money as they want to any candidate. I do not support that. I think their should be contribution limits to ensure that private interests are not able to "purchase" politicians by providing outrageous sums of money.

 

5. Stop Global Warming/Environmental Issues

Regardless if you belive that global warming exists or not (and it can be argued both ways at this point), we must all strive to be good stewards of the planet. We must all take the steps necessary to protect the environment through recyling nad other means that each individual feels appropriate. However, I do not think any government should tell anyone what kind of car they should drive.

 

6. Accountability and Justice

This an extremely broad question. I believe that we are all accountable for our own actions! I support our justice system because it is one of the cornerstones that our founders created for us.

 

Very few of the issues are state level issues, but I am happy to answer them for you.

[chansky]

debate! debate! debate!!!! let's settle all this once and for all

[gpatt0n]

You Republican's just don't understand Democrats.

 

As Will Rogers said back in the 1930's proclaiming his identification as a Democrat - "I belong to no organized political party, I'm a Democrat."

 

Until the GOP went about their game of making absurd associations - in essence saying a million times that black is white, black is white, democrats and food stamps, democrats and welfare etc.etc. etc. - most Independents identified themselves as Democrats.

 

The GOP, on the other hand, is highly organized with documents such as loyalty oaths and promises not to do this and that rampant and on paper. There are the party leaders and the party spiel and the party bosses and the party peons and they all walk in near astonishing lockstep with their eyes fixed firmly on the goal - election.

 

They revel in the scandals of Democrats and have perpetrated the meme that politics is nothing but corruption and, by so doing, justified their shenanigans to the point that felons can run for office and retain the support of their party.

 

Democrats, on the other hand, are not in anyway organized in the same way. Every elected Democrat is elected as the representative of their district and do their best to represent the people who elected them. That's why with a super-majority, the Democrats in congress could not push things through without issue because ... well ... some Democrats felt their constituents felt different.

 

It is the party of the people and there are no loyalty oaths, there are no rules that they follow the lead of any speaker, leader whether their name is Pelosi, Ralston or Cagle. Democrats are independent and at best, loosely associated as a party. It is a real difference that those in the GOP don't understand because they like the hierarchy, regimentation and rules.

 

Democrats ... we'll we suffer from a lack of hierarchy, regimentation and rules because we don't need no stinking "hierarchy, regimentation and rules."

 

pubby

[Cathyhelms]

I will be more than happy to address this, as I have addressed all questions directed directly at me in this election cycle.

First of all the PDA or Progressive Democrats of America are a fringe group that most Democrats in Georgia do not identify with including myself. Few Democrats are members of the PDA just as few Republicans are members of any far right wing group. All it takes is a simple look at the elementary style of their webpage to know that they are not a serious group of people. But none the less, I will address all of these issues reported on the PDA webpage.

 

1. End War and Occupations, Redirect Funding

First of all, as a state representative I will never have to make a decision on defense funding. However, I do believe that wars can be just. I do think we need to start thinking about removing troops and bringing them back to safety. I do believe that we have a duty to help make the lives of people in other countries better. I do not support removing funding from defense. Defense is one of the things the federal government does best in my opinion. But I am still not sure how this applies to a state level representative. Your thoughts and opinions do have relevance regarding our troops.

 

2. Healthcare for All

I have discussed my views on healthcare several times on pcom. I do not support the current healthcare bill in the slightest. I think that healthcare should be more affordable and people with pre-existing conditions should not be denied coverage. I do not think it is just however, to fine people for not purchasing healthcare. That is a personal decision in most cases. The thing we need to focus on is the pre-existing condition clauses and lowering the cost of healthcare through direct competition among healthcare companies and keeping them accountable for their own actions. Health care companies are not the only bad guy here, pharmaceutical companies stand to make a fortune off health scare and medicare.

 

3. Economic and Social Justice

If by economic justice mean having the government ensure that all people are paid the same amount of money, absolutey not. If economic justice you mean, ensuring that people who want a living wage job are able to find one, then absolutley yes! Not really what I was looking for.

 

As for social justice, I take that to mean equality for all. And yes, I support equal rights under the constitution of the United States. Again you're dancing around the real issue

 

4. Clean, Fair, Transparent Elections

 

Of course I support transparent and fair elections. Corporations have just been told by SCOTUS that they can donate as much money as they want to any candidate. I do not support that. I think their should be contribution limits to ensure that private interests are not able to "purchase" politicians by providing outrageous sums of money. Seems that a bipartisian agreement co-sponsored by Senator McCain and Senator Fiengold was struck down by SCOTUS, prior to this agreement in 2002 it was exactly as it is today, is that correct??

 

5. Stop Global Warming/Environmental Issues

Regardless if you belive that global warming exists or not (and it can be argued both ways at this point), we must all strive to be good stewards of the planet. We must all take the steps necessary to protect the environment through recyling nad other means that each individual feels appropriate. However, I do not think any government should tell anyone what kind of car they should drive. Do you think they should be able to tell us what kind of light bulb to use??

 

6. Accountability and Justice

This an extremely broad question. I believe that we are all accountable for our own actions! I support our justice system because it is one of the cornerstones that our founders created for us.

 

Very few of the issues are state level issues, but I am happy to answer them for you.

 

All these issues are at the forefront of this election cycle. You neglected to answer one question, do you support Barack 0bama??

[willavery]

All these issues are at the forefront of this election cycle. You neglected to answer one question, do you support Barack 0bama??

 

Do I agree with everything our President does? No. Do I support him and hope that he moderates his decisions, Yes. I supported Bush during his presidency, because he was my President.

[stercus tauri]

All these issues are at the forefront of this election cycle. You neglected to answer one question, do you support Barack 0bama??

Obama is not in this election so why do you keep bringing him up except to tarnish another candidate by association? The state representatives have nothing to do with the policies of the Federal government.

[chainshaw1]

You Republican's just don't understand Democrats.

 

As Will Rogers said back in the 1930's proclaiming his identification as a Democrat - "I belong to no organized political party, I'm a Democrat."

 

Until the GOP went about their game of making absurd associations - in essence saying a million times that black is white, black is white, democrats and food stamps, democrats and welfare etc.etc. etc. - most Independents identified themselves as Democrats.

 

The GOP, on the other hand, is highly organized with documents such as loyalty oaths and promises not to do this and that rampant and on paper. There are the party leaders and the party spiel and the party bosses and the party peons and they all walk in near astonishing lockstep with their eyes fixed firmly on the goal - election.

 

They revel in the scandals of Democrats and have perpetrated the meme that politics is nothing but corruption and, by so doing, justified their shenanigans to the point that felons can run for office and retain the support of their party.

 

Democrats, on the other hand, are not in anyway organized in the same way. Every elected Democrat is elected as the representative of their district and do their best to represent the people who elected them. That's why with a super-majority, the Democrats in congress could not push things through without issue because ... well ... some Democrats felt their constituents felt different.

 

It is the party of the people and there are no loyalty oaths, there are no rules that they follow the lead of any speaker, leader whether their name is Pelosi, Ralston or Cagle. Democrats are independent and at best, loosely associated as a party. It is a real difference that those in the GOP don't understand because they like the hierarchy, regimentation and rules.

 

Democrats ... we'll we suffer from a lack of hierarchy, regimentation and rules because we don't need no stinking "hierarchy, regimentation and rules."

 

pubby

 

 

That is pure and utter BS, Pubby.

 

You can't speak for Republicans as a whole any more than you can speak for Democrats as a whole.

[gpatt0n]

That is pure and utter BS, Pubby.

 

You can't speak for Republicans as a whole any more than you can speak for Democrats as a whole.

 

Will Rogers would appreciate your opinion and welcome you to the Democratic Party ... just as some Democrats welcomed Dr. Larry McDonald and hated to see Strom Thurmond switch parties.

 

The idea that the political parties were anything but big tent affairs is new to our political culture. That conservatives should make their home in the GOP was the effort of Newt Gingrich and Ronald Reagan. Where those two diverged was that Ronald Reagan thought the GOP was for liberals too ... but beginning with Nelson Rockefeller and Lowell Weicker, the GOP started a long process of purging those who did not toe the party line.

 

The latest effort by Newt to equate democrats with food stamps, BTW, is proof of the process that the GOP seeks to gain advantage by playing Orwellian games with the language. ... Oh, and that is what I call BS on.

 

pubby

[Animal]

You Republican's just don't understand Democrats.

 

As Will Rogers said back in the 1930's proclaiming his identification as a Democrat - "I belong to no organized political party, I'm a Democrat."

 

Until the GOP went about their game of making absurd associations - in essence saying a million times that black is white, black is white, democrats and food stamps, democrats and welfare etc.etc. etc. - most Independents identified themselves as Democrats.

 

The GOP, on the other hand, is highly organized with documents such as loyalty oaths and promises not to do this and that rampant and on paper. There are the party leaders and the party spiel and the party bosses and the party peons and they all walk in near astonishing lockstep with their eyes fixed firmly on the goal - election.

 

They revel in the scandals of Democrats and have perpetrated the meme that politics is nothing but corruption and, by so doing, justified their shenanigans to the point that felons can run for office and retain the support of their party.

 

Democrats, on the other hand, are not in anyway organized in the same way. Every elected Democrat is elected as the representative of their district and do their best to represent the people who elected them. That's why with a super-majority, the Democrats in congress could not push things through without issue because ... well ... some Democrats felt their constituents felt different.

 

It is the party of the people and there are no loyalty oaths, there are no rules that they follow the lead of any speaker, leader whether their name is Pelosi, Ralston or Cagle. Democrats are independent and at best, loosely associated as a party. It is a real difference that those in the GOP don't understand because they like the hierarchy, regimentation and rules.

 

Democrats ... we'll we suffer from a lack of hierarchy, regimentation and rules because we don't need no stinking "hierarchy, regimentation and rules."

 

pubby

 

 

Dam pubby why don't you tell us what you really think

[misterpolitics]

All these issues are at the forefront of this election cycle. You neglected to answer one question, do you support Barack 0bama??

 

Naturegirl, then why don't you ask specifically what you mean. You gave what could easily be the broadest question I have ever heard. It would be like asking me if I support the Republican agenda! There are parts I agree with, there are parts I do not. I'm tired of Republicans in general trying to associate a singular Democrat with some broad ranging "Democratic" idea. There is no one class of Democrats, just as there is no one class of Republicans, and to suggest otherwise is downright ignorant.

 

It is obvious to me that you are on a witchhunt here, and nothing Will says will ever satiate you. Frankly, I'm not sure why he would come on here, but I would give him some credit for answering questions from people, even those who he knows will turn back around and criticize everything he says, no matter how much they would agree outside of this forum.

[I'm Floored]

You Republican's just don't understand Democrats.

 

As Will Rogers said back in the 1930's proclaiming his identification as a Democrat - "I belong to no organized political party, I'm a Democrat."

 

Until the GOP went about their game of making absurd associations - in essence saying a million times that black is white, black is white, democrats and food stamps, democrats and welfare etc.etc. etc. - most Independents identified themselves as Democrats.

 

The GOP, on the other hand, is highly organized with documents such as loyalty oaths and promises not to do this and that rampant and on paper. There are the party leaders and the party spiel and the party bosses and the party peons and they all walk in near astonishing lockstep with their eyes fixed firmly on the goal - election.

 

They revel in the scandals of Democrats and have perpetrated the meme that politics is nothing but corruption and, by so doing, justified their shenanigans to the point that felons can run for office and retain the support of their party.

 

Democrats, on the other hand, are not in anyway organized in the same way. Every elected Democrat is elected as the representative of their district and do their best to represent the people who elected them. That's why with a super-majority, the Democrats in congress could not push things through without issue because ... well ... some Democrats felt their constituents felt different.

 

It is the party of the people and there are no loyalty oaths, there are no rules that they follow the lead of any speaker, leader whether their name is Pelosi, Ralston or Cagle. Democrats are independent and at best, loosely associated as a party. It is a real difference that those in the GOP don't understand because they like the hierarchy, regimentation and rules.

 

Democrats ... we'll we suffer from a lack of hierarchy, regimentation and rules because we don't need no stinking "hierarchy, regimentation and rules."

 

pubby

 

:rofl: :rofl:

 

 

:rofl: :rofl:

 

:rofl: :rofl:

 

[gpatt0n]

:rofl: :rofl:

 

 

:rofl: :rofl:

 

:rofl: :rofl:

 

 

Yep, Will Rogers was a funny guy

 

BTW: I'm playing the tape from Thursday's chamber candidate forum as we speak. once the video is complete, it will be in the loop and on demand.

 

pubby

 

PS: I will say with some clarity that my concept of the democratic party does not agree with Roy Barnes concept... but then that's why even some Democrats refer to him as King Roy

[kcarlsonlpn]

Thanks for having the balls to come on here and share your opinions on issues that really have little to nothing to do with the position you're seeking, Will. No matter your answers, reservations would have remained. Hopefully the decided voter who asked all those inane questions just offered you an opportunity to present yourself as a VERY moderate/centrist candidate to 35 undecided voters.

 

 

 

NG, sometimes you make it so obvious that you eat, sleep, breath nothing but Fox News. The shear lunacy of trying to tie Barack Obama with the PDA speaks volumes. You have absolutely no clue how disgruntled hard leftists are with this president. It's akin to trying to tie Dubya to Ron Paul; the only similarity is the letter behind their names. From bailing out Wall Street, to stalling on the repeal of DADT, abandoning the pursuit of a single payer healthcare system, and continuing, actually broadening, the war in Afghanistan...these are things that have left the leftists struggling to come to terms that this "most liberal senator ever" is far from what they thought he was. But ya know what they say, if both sides are pissed off you've probably got a pretty fair deal.

 

 

 

Pubby, is Ms. Braddock registered on this site?

 

 

 

mrnn