Just wanted to give those of you who care about the state of politics in Indiana an update about our great gubernator, Mitch (the Bitch) Daniels.  The Democrats, who are the minority by just a few seats, did not take the floor Tuesday because the Wingnuts refused to compromise on a number of bills; one of which would give Daniels prosecutorial powers over state government as well as a bill requiring all voters to show a drivers license at the polls (Is this not a form of a poll tax and do we not already elect prosecutors and state attorney generals in this country?)  With the Democrats not taking the floor, 135 bills died and the Wingnuts are currently struggling with the possibility of overseeing a "do-nothing" legislature.  "The Blade" then proceeded to condemn the House Democrats by claiming that they "car bombed" 135 bills.  

I would, first off, like to congratulate Indiana's House Democrats for showing that they have a backbone.  In an age when Democrats are, for whatever reason, having a problem with standing up for their core beliefs, these 47 legislators took a stand and rightly so.  Second of all, just last year, Republicans refused to remain in the House chamber due to a bill they wanted passed, amending the Constitution defining marriage between a man and a women.  Then, as now, many bills died because Republicans once again proved that they are interested more in dividing than in uniting.  At least here in Indiana, Democrats are standing tall in an atmosphere of partisan bigotry.  While it might be best for our country to be Mitchless, the state of Indiana will just have to endure four years of Mitch taking "The Blade" to this state.

I'm not sure how many of you have seen the latest issue of the New Republic, but I was reading through it last night and found an interesting bit on my new governor, Mitch Daniels (My Man Mitch).  Anyways, we all know how disastrous he was as Bush's Budget Director, he's not much better in his new role as governor.  

Indiana has been going through tough times since Bush came into office.  Our economy has been hit hard by the national recession in just about every sector and the state has been running up a $250 million shortfall.  The article points out that as Bush's Budget Director, Daniels often defended the presidents tax cuts and dismissed the idea of running deficits if Congress would just cut out the "fat."  Congress continued to ignore this theory, in fact the Republican Congress has continued to increase spending during the Bush years.  Mitch then decided he wanted to run for office and picked Indiana's governor's race.  Mitch lived in Indiana for a while, working as an executive with Eli Lilly between his stints with President Reagan, Richard Lugar, and W.  

"My Man Mitch" for the better part of two years traveled the state of Indiana in a pussy-looking RV talking about the state "making a comeback" on top of the many promises he made, which he will never be able to deliver.  This past November he managed a victory, riding the coattails of W, but it is now time for him to deliver.  Just a few weeks ago, in his State of the State address, he announced his proposal of raising taxes on all workers who make more than $100,000.  The Republican leadership, not to mention Mitch's foot soldiers have now begun raising holy hell.  What is interesting is, Republicans were always known for low taxes and thrifty spenders.  Mitch has already proposed raising taxes and his budget proposal for the next two years is $1 billion higher than the last.  That's with the state experiencing a $250 million shortfall at the moment.  Most of that $250 million is owed to school corporations across the state.  

It is always fun after getting stomped, as we did here in Indiana this past November, to see the Republicans stumble all over themselves and just say, "I told you so."  What sucks, however, is in four years, we will have to go in and fix everything they ?*&$ed up. I have always said Mitch is "Not My Man," but now more people are starting to feel the same way.

  It doesn't make much sense why Gov. Dean has such a following in the race for DNC chair.  He was a the governor of a state which has about as many people living in it as my hometown of Evansville.  (So I guess this gives my mayor credibility on the national stage)  He ran for president and lost a primary that all the pundits thought was unloseable.  And in that campaign, he ran not so much on new ideas, but on energizing a base that hasn't been energized since McGovern.  All this without even mentioning the sizable money advantage he had in that race.  
  This is an opportunity for our party to take a new direction and I don't think that direction should be in the hands of a failed national candidate.  That direction should be headed by a strategist who can raise money, but more importantly, one who is willing to allow our party to come up with better ideas than the opposition.  The best ideas are what win elections and jobs, education, and healthcare just aren't sexxy enough anymore.  The big argument amongst Democrats anymore is whether you endorse the DLC school of thought or a more liberal nuance.  Well I am here to tell you, the DLC is the only group in the party that has been offering ideas as opposed to, "Well we just hate Republicans."  I can understand that debate of DNC candidates on websites like this for the meantime, but once our chairman is chosen, let's not debate whether Al From and Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh are real Democrats or not.  Let's debate and come up with ideas that will move our party forward and start winning elections again.