Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

I started this newsletter about 3 years ago, right after the 2004 election. It grew out of an attempt to reassure fellow progressives in the face of some pretty depressing world events and election results.

Starting in 2005 and continuing to this last week, Democrats in general and progressives in particular have been winning big nationwide.

Sometimes this is hard to appreciate because our nation is still run by a right wing  extremist President, a right wing dominated media, a Senate that is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and a House that, though in Democratic hands, is still too conservative because there are a handful of cowardly Democrats who give up if the Republicans glance at them. But keep in mind that a.) those cowardly Democrats are a tiny fraction of the Democrats in Congress, most of whom vote the way we want them to. Those cowards are only significant because they can team up with Republicans. This will change. b.) change HAS occurred since we now have minimum wage increases and far more open debate on Iraq and impeachment. and c.) the trend is VERY encouraging as we gain each and every year.

On the more local level, things are looking even better as progressives win bigger in school board and city council races and the like across the country. These are the NEXT generation of politicians and over all they are a good bunch.

This issue is dedicated to those young, progressive newcomers who are the next generation of politicians. They are better than what we have now. So if you are disappointed in the Chuck Schumers and Diane Feinsteins who give in even when it comes to torture, keep in mind that the next generation looks much better.

I also cover some of the nastiest and most disgusting aspects of the current Republican Party. Skip to the local stuff if you don't want to be disgusted.

Here is this week's newsletter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

RUDY GIULIANI ENDORSED BY A RELIGIOUS EXTREMIST

REPUBLICAN PEDOPHILES

A SUMMARY OF CORRUPTION NATIONWIDE

NYC FOCUS: Events

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Election Results Mixed

VIRGINIA FOCUS I: BIG Win This Week

VIRGINIA FOCUS II: Virginia Organizing Project

KENTUCKY FOCUS: BIG Win!...With Another Coming Up?

ARIZONA FOCUS: Progressives Win

COLORADO FOCUS: Wins and Losses

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: New Jersey Gets Bluer

WASHINGTON STATE FOCUS: Electing Progressives...Again!!

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Two Wins, One Runoff and One Loss for Progressives

MINNESOTA RESULTS: Election Results