Thursday, June 12, 2008

There Is Not A Liberal America And A Conservative America

Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention in Boston July 27, 2004,

"It is that fundamental belief -- it is that fundamental belief -- I am my brother's keeper, I am my sisters' keeper -- that makes this country work.

It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family: "E pluribus unum," out of many, one.

Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.

Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America.

There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America.

The pundits, the pundits like to slice and dice our country into red states and blue States: red states for Republicans, blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states.

We coach little league in the blue states and, yes, we've got some gay friends in the red states.

There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq, and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq.

We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism, or do we participate in a politics of hope?"

Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention in Boston July 27, 2004

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Democratic Values

The Democratic Pledge To America

It is crucial that all of us representing the Democratic Party in this 2008 election year can convey to prospective voters the values that all Democrats hold dear! There are three fundamental principles that inspire our Democratic philosophy.

First, Democrats are resolved to safeguard our individual freedoms. For two centuries, America has been defined by its commitment to constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and rights.

Second, Democrats strive to guarantee equal opportunity for all. America's historic success has come by providing all citizens, not just the privileged few, with an education that empowers every citizen to secure a better life for their families.

Third, Democrats are determined to protect our national security. To make us truly secure, America must not only stop domestic criminals and foreign terrorists, it must also promote our health security, seniors welfare security, infrastructure security, food security, product security, drug security, environmental security, fiscal security, job security and imported goods security. While forcefully continuing to protect lives, health and property, we must ultimately feel secure that a competent government will also respond to protect and then rebuild our lives when disasters, like hurricanes and floods, strike our local communities.

These three principles might be summed up in one simple statement: Democrats believe that government exists to promote and protect the common good for all citizens; that government must play a role to ensure there is a level playing field for every American and that no one special interest is allowed to gain unfair advantage over even a single American.

President Clinton contrasted the "Common Good" values of Democrats with those of Conservative Republicans stating that, "Where [Democrats] favor equal opportunity and empowerment, they believe the country is best served by the maximum concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the right people. We believe in mutual responsibility. They believe in large measure that people make or break their own lives, and you're on your own. We believe in striving, at least, to cooperate with others, because we think there are very few problems in the world we can solve on our own. They favor unilateralism whenever possible and cooperation when it's unavoidable."

The "Common Good" Value Is The Foundation Of Many Answers To The Question; "For What Do Democrats Stand?"

While it is important that Democrats are prepared to carry our Party's message forward, we must also not allow Republicans to redefine any message to their own advantage. First among the messages that Republicans wish to define for themselves, is the message of security. Republicans, particularly presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain, seek to define "Security" only under its most narrow definition of defending against a foreign terrorist threat. The desire to own this "security" message is understandable for Republicans since this is now the only issue where Republicans continue to poll ahead of Democrats.

While the hazard of foreign terrorist organizations is of vital concern and must be thoughtfully addressed by competent leadership, Americans are more likely to face a much more immediate threat of Flood, Hurricane, Earthquake, Tornado, Cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes, Contaminated Food, Unsafe Imported Products, Off-shoring Job Loss or even Interstate Bridge Collapse caused by governmental neglect of our national infrastructure! Therefore, Democrats must remind voters that government's responsibility to keep Americans secure applies to every aspect of American day-to-day life. This is why the following sample Democratic message elevator-speeches, cutting across several key election issues, have been typecast under the "security" theme. (An "elevator speech" is a short overview of an idea for a product, service, or political position. The name reflects the fact that an elevator speech can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride - for example, 30-45 seconds).

Use these sample messages as is or rework them into your own words so that you can deliver the messages with heartfelt passion. Use them individually or mix and match the messages depending on the issues most important to your audience.

The Democratic Pledge To America
"For What Do Democrats Stand?"

Economic Security - Give every American economic security and job security with a fair opportunity to prosper and pass on a better life to the next generation!

National Security – The first responsibility of each U.S. President is to guarantee the security of America through a well trained military that stands at the highest readiness level! The President and every member of the U.S House and U.S. Senate must have a firm grasp on when and how it is reasonable and advised to use military strategy as a tool to advance our national security interests.

Health and Welfare Security – The security of affordable quality health care should be available to every American.

Educational Security – Every American has the right to an education that includes affordable colleges and universities, prepares them to live a better life than their parents, and also allows them to bequeath a better future to their children!

Environmental Security – All Americans deserve a clean, healthy environment!

Energy Security - We need programs to develop energy efficiency and alternative technologies. Energy Independence Strengthens National Security!

Rights Security - America's Constitutional Government has a responsibility to protect and promote the common good for every single American, not just the perceived "majority" Americans! Government shouldn't be allowed to invade every American's email and phone conversations without warrant just because the technology exists to do so!

The Democratic Pledge To America
"For What Do Democrats Stand?"
Talking Point Messages

Economic Security - Give every American economic security and job security with a fair opportunity to prosper and pass on a better life to the next generation!

  • Democrats stand for jobs for Americans in America that offer a living wage and fair benefits. Our economy should provide economic opportunities for all hard-working individuals and families. Therefore, we support a legislative agenda that not only keeps jobs from disappearing offshore to China, Russia and India, but also guarantees a minimum living wage for every hard working American!
  • Democrats stand for rational government spending and fiscal policies. Through the Republican Party's borrow and spend policies over the past eight years, the National Debt continues to increase an average of $1.42 billion per day - or nearly $1 million a minute - as spending mounts for the U.S. military policing action in Iraq. Republican spending and fiscal policies have ballooned interest payments on the national debt, which now stands at an incredible $9.13 trillion. Today each man, woman, child and infant living in the United States is responsible for $30,000 in national debt; a legacy we will leave to our children and grandchildren. ....Therefore, we support a legislative agenda that stops the mounting deficit spending of the past six years, balances the federal budget and stops the dollar's six-year decline from its status as the internationally preferred business exchange currency.
  • Democrats stand for a strong dollar plan of action. The Bush administration has allowed the U.S. Dollar valuation to fall to historic lows against the Euro and other currencies. The dollar's 41 percent drop against the euro during Bush's term has contributed substantially to the surge in imported oil and gasoline prices, fanned inflation pressures and contributed to massive American balance of trade deficits. Therefore, we stand for legislation that promotes a trade policy that serves the interests, not just of multinational corporations, but also of every American's vital interest in economic security.
  • Democrats stand for legislation that will allow the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission to end speculative manipulation of energy commodity trading markets. The so-called "Enron Loophole" was created and attached to U.S. Senate legislation in December 2000 by McCain campaign co-chair Senator Phil Gramm at the behest of Enron executives. It was this "loop hole legislation" that Enron exploited to speculatively manipulate electricity commodity trading in California energy markets in the summer of 2001, spawning artificial electricity shortages, steep climbs in electricity prices and rolling brownouts across California. Therefore, we stand for legislation that not only eliminates unbridled and unregulated oil and gas commodity trading loopholes, but also regulates speculative commodity trading practices, such as has skyrocketed gasoline prices by as much as an additional 50 percent since the summer of 2007.
  • Democrats stand for national infrastructure investment. The lack of infrastructure investment by the Bush Administration and previous Republican controlled congresses has allowed levies and interstate bridges to decay into collapse, roadways to crumble and our electrical distribution infrastructure to lag. Therefore, we stand for a well-maintained national infrastructure where maintenance and expansion is determined not by politics, but by what will maximize our safety and homeland security, and by what will keep our economy growing strong.
  • Democrats stand against wholesale foreign ownership of our national infrastructure. The Bush Administration and previous Republican controlled congresses have actively promoted the policy of foreign investment in and ownership of U.S. infrastructure. In 2006 the United Arab Emirates-owned Dubai Ports World almost acquired a company that ran critical U.S. ports until the public became aware of the deal and pressured Congress and the Bush Administration to stop the purchase. Yet, the Bush administration continues to promote foreign ownership of key public interest infrastructures such as roads, public water systems and airports. The Spanish company Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte SA was almost allowed to purchase the State Highway 121 toll road in North Texas until public pressure derailed the deal at the last minute. In June 2008 the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Affairs has announced it will stop publishing a key report tracking those foreign investments so as to hide such acquisitions from public scrutiny. Therefore, we stand for reversing the Republican legislative and administrative policies that actively promote and encourage foreign ownership of U.S. public interest infrastructure.
  • Democrats stand for moderate regulation of financial institutions. Immediately after Republicans eliminated the regulatory guidelines of prudent banking practices, unscrupulous home mortgage lenders were free to unfairly prey on both American home buyers and securities investors. Mortgage lenders were free to aggressively market risky sub-prime home mortgages to unsuspecting home buyers and then speculatively trade those risky sub-prime loans in securities markets to such unrestrained levels that the U.S. Federal Reserve is now forced into government bailouts of private securities companies to avert economic disaster. The U.S. Federal Reserve was forced into such a Federal bailout of Bear Stearns in March 2008 over these risky sub-prime mortgage loan trading practices. The depth of sub-prime mortgage loan risks to the U.S. economy are yet unfolding with thousands more American homeowners losing their homes every month through foreclosure. Republicans would rather allow banks and brokers to take unmitigated and unregulated risks, to profit the few, and then socialize the bailout cost of those "too big to fail" by adding the rotten fruits of their bad decisions onto the public debt. Therefore, we stand for legislation that will restore the federal banking regulatory authority that the Republicans discarded in their zeal to eliminate protective government oversight in every quarter of American financing and commerce.

National Security – The first responsibility of each U.S. President is to guarantee the security of America through a well trained military that stands at the highest readiness level! The President and every member of the U.S House and U.S. Senate must have a firm grasp on when and how it is reasonable and advised to use military strategy as a tool to advance our national security interests.

  • Democrats stand for rational use of our military forces. America must have a well-managed military force with rational tours of duty for Active Duty, Guard and Reserve units that do not break down and wear out our first line of national defense. Even before September 11, 2001, our military leaders indicated that members and families of all armed services branches were stretched thin in meeting deployments requirements. The subsequent miscalculations for a quick and cheap war in Iraq, which has extended to five costly years of policing an Iraqi civil war, added to the necessary operations in Afghanistan, have placed extreme stress on Active Duty, Guard and Reserve forces alike..... Therefore, we plead for legislation and competent Congressional oversight in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate that will restore rational tours of duty for Active Duty, Guard and Reserve units and that will return America's armed forces to peak readiness levels.
  • Democrats stand for rewarding our men and women in uniform for their courageous service to America. In addition to our strong support for the 21st Century GI Bill championed by Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, Democrats also strongly believe that our veterans deserve the best health care available, unimpeded by needless bureaucratic red tape and Republican appointed VA Administrators who seek to hide the true extent of physical and mental injuries that result from repeated back-to-back extended tours of duty. Therefore, we demand legislation and Veteran's Administration oversight from every branch of government that guarantees our self-sacrificing veterans will receive the health care and benefits they rightly deserve!!

Health and Welfare Security – The security of affordable quality health care should be available to every American.

  • ....Democrats stand for a security safety net for the most vulnerable Americans. We must protect the security of our nation's children, elderly, wounded military veterans, and disadvantaged. Children should never have to go to school hungry and never have to skip health care because their parents can't afford it! Therefore, we support strengthened legislation and strict enforcement of existing legislation to make health care, child care, veteran care and elder care accessible, efficient and effective.
  • Democrats stand for universal health care through shared responsibility. The American health care system is broken. Over the past five years, families have seen premiums increase by 90 percent while benefits have been cut. America has an embarrassing 47 million adults and 9 million children who are uninsured and 50 million adults who are under-insured. Since 2001, premiums for family coverage have increased 78 percent, while wages have gone up 19 percent and inflation is up 17 percent. Republicans promote a "you're on your own" free-for-all market system to drive health care coverage. Therefore, we support a legislative agenda that drives universal health care for every single American citizen through shared responsibility.
  • Democrats stand for modest oversight of insurance, drug and health care companies. Totally unbridled and unregulated free-for-all market forces allow drug companies to reap unprecedented profits -- even after the drug companies annually squander 65 billion dollars for advertising, derived from what Americans paid for their pharmaceuticals..... In 2004, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry spent 24 percent of their $235 billion in U.S. revenues on promotion, versus 13 percent for research and development. Therefore, we favor a legislative agenda that provides modest controls over what insurance and drug companies can do with their profits, what drug companies can charge for their products, and how fast health care fees can escalate.
  • Democrats stand for expanded federal funding of advanced therapeutic DNA research. Advanced therapeutic DNA research will lead to treatments and cures for a range of diseases that begins with Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes, Cancer and Spinal Cord Injuries. The American people overwhelmingly support expanded federal funding of therapeutic DNA research, and yet, the Republicans in Washington, bowing to the pressure from their extreme right-wing base, have prevented the passage of bipartisan funding legislation for seven years..... Therefore, we favor a legislative agenda that seeks to increase federal support for every form of advanced therapeutic DNA research.

Educational Security – Every American has the right to an education that includes affordable colleges and universities, prepares them to live a better life than their parents, and also allows them to bequeath a better future to their children!

  • Democrats stand for building an education system that is the best in the world. Every child should have an equal opportunity to attend elementary and high schools that provide a quality education, and then attend an affordable college or university of their choice. Therefore, we support legislation to invest in our children's education through smaller class sizes, more after-school and pre-school programs, more affordable colleges and universities and more widely available low interest student loans.

Environmental Security – All Americans deserve a clean, healthy environment!

  • Democrats stand for a clean and safe environment. We must conserve our natural resources both to secure our own health and well being, and to fulfill our responsibility to future generations. Democrats believe it is prudent to control pollution through a series of increasingly effective policy actions in order to prevent the total destruction of our environment. Republicans would rather allow industry to belch out poisonous wastes and climate warming carbon, in accordance with their "anything goes" free-market philosophy. Republicans are in denial regarding those hidden economic costs of environmental destruction, devastating climate change, and unconscionable damage to people's health. Therefore, we support a legislative agenda to restore and then strengthen pollution and carbon emissions regulations that have been eliminated by the Republican controlled congresses and Bush Administration over the past eight years.

Energy Security - We need programs to develop energy efficiency and alternative technologies. Energy Independence Strengthens National Security!

  • Democrats stand for increased National Security through Energy Independence. America must lead the world in the development of new energy technologies and conservation strategies that will free America from dependence on foreign oil. Energy independence will reduce the country's strategic dependence on Middle East oil and thus reduce the risk that the U.S. must maintain armed forces in Middle East countries for the next 100 years, as Senator McCain has suggested. Investment in the development of new energy technologies will also fuel business investment and job growth in America. Republicans would rather "drive pedal to the metal" until the last drop of oil is burned, and then socialize the cost of 100-year military expeditions to secure foreign oil reserves. Therefore, we support legislation that redirects federal tax subsidies that are currently "gifted" to big oil companies, into programs that will develop alternative energy and energy conservation technologies, similar in scope and urgency to President Kennedy's 1960's era "landing a man on the moon in a decade" program.

Rights Security - America's Constitutional Government has a responsibility to protect and promote the common good for every single American, not just the perceived "majority" Americans! Government shouldn't be allowed to invade every American's email and phone conversations without warrant just because the technology exists to do so!

  • Democrats stand for the protection of family privacy. For Americans to be truly free, government must stay out of our private family lives. Whether the personal and family choice is related to sustaining artificial life support for family members, health care choices for our aged parents suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or even family planning choices, families must have the right to make the difficult family decisions as God gives them, individually, the light to make their choice..... Therefore, we favor a legislative and U.S. Supreme Court appointment philosophy that keeps family life choices strictly within the family without government interference and demagoguery.
  • Democrats stand for the appointment of non-partisan U.S. Supreme Court Justices that will impartially apply constitutional oversight in the Supreme Court's review of low court rulings. Long after the next president is gone, his appointments will be sitting on the bench, making decisions that impact our rights and liberties. The next President will likely appoint as many as three new Supreme Court Justices to the bench. Therefore, we believe the President of the United States should appoint U.S. Supreme Court Justices who support the principles underlying the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. We demand Justices who support an individual's privacy and right to make intimate and personal choices.
  • Democrats stand for crime deterrence that focuses on opportunity availability instead of retribution. Tough sentences alone don't make us safer. A report released in February 2008 indicates that more than one in every 100 U.S. citizens is now confined in an American jail or prison. The United States has 5 percent of the world's population, and yet it has 25 percent of the world's incarcerated population. We need to deter crime with more police on the beat, programs for at-risk youth, better education, a strong job market and job skills retraining. ....Therefore, we favor a legislative agenda that provides more funding to local police forces across America in addition to the legislative agendas to promote youth programs, to provide better education, and to build a vibrant economy that will provide good jobs on American soil to every American wanting a job.
  • Democrats stand for the elimination of discrimination. Discrimination against any American diminishes freedom for us all.

Tom Daley 3rd TX Congressional District

Tom Daley Candidate for the 3rd TX Congressional District

TOM DALEY
For U.S. House of Representatives, Texas 3rd Congressional District

www.tomdaleyforcongress.com


The 3rd Texas Congressional District includes a large portion of the southwestern corner of Collin County that includes Plano and most of Frisco and McKinney. The 3rd District also encompasses the northeastern corner of Dallas County that includes parts of Richardson, Garland and Dallas.

Collin and Dallas County residents must check their Registration Card to verify their respective congressional district number. Your Congressional District Number can be found on your 2008 Orange Voter's Registration Card within the box titled "Congress." Click on the map to enlarge. The 3rd District on the map is shaded in yellow and the 4th District is shaded in pink.

A Congressional District is an area within a state entitled to elect one "congressional member" to the United States House of Representatives. The United States has a total of 435 Congressional districts and each district has about 570,000 people. The 435 congressional seats are reapportioned within and among the 50 states after each decennial census as prescribed in Section 2, Article I of the Constitution of the United States according to a formula established by the congress.

Texas has 32 U.S. Congressional Districts. The Texas legislature has primary responsibility for "redistricting" the U.S. Congressional Districts within Texas as well as the districts for the Texas State Senate, State House and State Board of Education after each decennial census. The Texas legislature also has the primary role in making changes to state judicial districts. Section 28, Article III of the Texas Constitution requires the legislature to "redistrict" the various governmental jurisdictions during its first regular session following publication of each United States decennial census.

For an Interactive Map of Texas U.S. Congressional (110th Congress) districts, plus State House, State Senate and State Board of Education Districts click here.

TOM DALEY is running for the U.S. House of Representatives 3rd Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Sam Johnson.
Mr. Johnson, who will be 78 years old in October 2008, was first elected to the 3rd District House Seat in a special election on May 8, 1991. Johnson has been reelected to the U.S. House Seat in eight regular elections beginning in 1992. The Texas 3rd District House Seat has arguably been one of the deepest red Republican districts in Texas and the United States since 1968 when the Republican Party first took control of the 3rd district House Seat. Johnson ran for reection unopposed by a Democratic Candidate in the 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2004 elections. Johnson has voted against tax incentives for energy conservation and clean/alternative energy development. Johnson also voted to eliminate "critical habitat" for endangered species and to reduce liability for hazardous waste dumping and clean up. Johnson opposes universal health care coverage, supports the privatization of social security and has voted against re-regulating the home mortgage industry. To review Johnson's positions on the issues and his U.S. House of Representatives voting record, click here.

Tom Daley Campaign Video

Friday, May 30, 2008

Democratic Party Links

Groups and Information Links

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Organizations

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Election Links

Am I Registered to Vote?
Collin County Elections Administrator
Collin County Election Day Polling Places
Collin County Elections Department
Collin Co. Early Voting Locations and Dates
Democratic Party of Collin County
Deputy Voter Registrar Information
Election Worker Information
Get Out The Vote Information
Get Out The Vote In Collin County
Request a Mail-in Ballot
State of Texas Online Poll Worker Training
TX Secretary of State’s Elections Division
Voter Registration Form
What is my Precinct?
Who are my Elected Officials?
Who is my Precinct Chair?*
U.S. and State Legislators for Collin Co.


First day to apply for ballot by mail
Last day to register to vote (for this election)
First day of early voting
Last day to apply for ballot by mail
Last day of early voting
General Election
September 5, 2008
October 6, 2008
October 20, 2008
October 28, 2008*
October 31, 2008
November 4, 2008
* - Ballot by mail application must be received in the Elections Office by this date.

Know Your Voting Rights
Voter Rights Handout (PDF)

Please vote early this year - you'll be glad you did. Early voting starts on Monday October 20th at 7AM and continues until Friday 7PM on October 31st at several convenient locations around Collin County on October 20th 2008.

Please remember to take your Voter's Registration Card with you to the early voting polling place when you vote.

Please DO NOT cut the bar code off of the orange card - election clerks can use the bar code to electronically verify your voter registration status, which makes the voting lines move much faster for everyone!!!

Did you receive your Orange Voter's Registration Card? If you did not receive an orange registration card during 2008 and you have moved or you have not voted in an election in Collin County during the past two years, your voting registration record may have been "suspended." Check your registration status here.

You are eligible to vote with a mail-in ballot if you meet certain conditions that are set by the Secretary of State. In general, you may be eligible if you are disabled, over 65, or if you will be out of Collin County on Election Day and during Early Voting. For specific information and to determine your eligibility, click here to visit the Secretary of State’s web site or click here to visit the Collin County website. To get an application for a mail-in ballot, click here to visit the Secretary of State’s web site, where you can download an application or request that one be mailed to you. See important dates above regarding when your application must be made and your ballot must be received. The authority responsible for mail-in ballot voting in Collin County:

Collin County Elections Department
2010 Redbud Blvd. map
Suite 102
McKinney, TX 75069
Email: election@collincountytx.gov
Phone: 972-547-1990 (McKinney)

972-424-1460 ext. 1990 (Metro)

800-687-8546 (Toll Free)
Fax: 972-547-1914

Have you registered to vote yet? The October 6th deadline to register to vote in the fall election is fast approaching! In general, you are eligible to vote in Collin County if you are a United States Citizen, a resident of the county, 18 years old, not a convicted felon and not declared mentally incapacitated. For specific information and to determine your eligibility, click here to visit the Secretary of State’s web site and read the pamphlet on Texas Voting. Check whether you are already registered to vote here and if you are not yet registered to vote, get your Voter's Registration application here.

Note: Your Precinct Number, U.S. Congressional District Number, Texas Legislative District Number and other important information can be found on your 2008 Orange Voter's Registration Card. Did you receive your 2008 Orange Voter's Registration Card? Are you registered to vote? Check your registration card information and voting status here.

Election Day Voting starts at 7AM on November 4th 2008 at 126 election day polling places around Collin County. The polling places will close at 7PM on November 4th.

The Democratic Party of Collin County needs need Election Clerks, Poll Greeters and Poll Watchers to work on Election Day, Nov 4th. If you can work all day or even just a few hours, please phone 972-578-1483 to volunteer!

CollinDems Links

Democratic Candidates
On Collin County Ballots in '08

President of the United States Candidate
- The Electoral College and Texas
- Barack Obama Campaign
- Obama'08 National Campaign Blog
- Obama '08 YouTube
- Obama Rapid Response Fact Check
- Obama Collin County
- Obama Rockwall County
- Obama Grayson County
- Obama Dallas County
U. S. Senate Candidate
- U.S. Senate Seats from Texas
- Lt. Col. Rick Noriega
- Rick Noriega YouTube
U. S. House of Representatives Candidates
- U.S. Congressional Districts of Texas
- Tom Daley - District 3
- Distric3 Map
- Tom Daily Video
- Glenn Melancon - District 4
- District 4 Map
- Glenn Melancon YouTube
Texas Supreme Court Candidates
- What is the Texas Supreme Court?
- Graphical Guide to the Texas Court System
- Judge Jim Jordan - Chief Justice
- Judge Jim Jordan YouTube video
- Judge Sam Houston - Place 7
- Judge Sam Houston YouTube video
- Justice Linda R. Yanez - Place 8
- Judge Linda R. Yanez YouTube video
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Candidates
- What is the Court of Criminal Appeals?
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
- Susan Strawn - Place 3
- Susan Strawn YouTube Video
- J.R. Molina - Place 4 (no website)
- J.R Molina YouTube video
Texas 5th District Court of Appeals Candidates
- What is the Fifth District Court of Appeals?
- Texas District Courts of Appeals
- Don B. Chae - Place 3
- Judge David Hanschen - Place 6
- Tina Yoo - Place 8
Texas Railroad Commission Candidate
- What is the Texas Railroad Commission?
- Mark Thompson
- Mark Thompson YouTube video
Collin County Commissioner Candidates
- What is Collin County Commissioner?
- Commissioners Courts of Texas
- Collin County Commissioners Court

- Victor Manuel - Precinct 3
- Precinct 3 District Map PDF
- Jean Power - Precinct 4
- Precinct 4 District Map PDF


Democratic Groups and Information

Asian American Democrats of Texas
Christian Democratic Network of Greater Dallas
College Democrats of America
Frisco Democratic Meetup Group
Health Care for America No
Latino Rights and Advocacy
League of Women Voters Collin Co.
League of Women Voters National
League of Women Voters VOTE411.org
Matthew 25 Network
Progressive Populist Caucus of Texas
Progressive Democrats of America
Stonewall Democrats of Collin County
Texas Coalition of Black Democrats
Texas Democratic Veterans
Texas Democratic Women
Texas Democratic Women of Collin County
Texas Young Democrats
Women's National Democratic Club
Yahoo Club for Texas Democrats
Young Democrats of America

Information

State of Texas Information
Texas Legislature
U.S. and State Legislators for Collin Co.
State of Texas Information
Texas Legislature

Democratic Party Links

Democratic Party of Collin County
Democratic National Committee Blog
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
Democratic National Convention Blog
Democratic National Convention Denver
Democratic National Convention YouTube
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee
Texas Democratic Party
Texas Democratic Party YouTube videos
U.S. Senate Democrats
U.S. House of Representatives Democrats
Dallas County Democratic Party
Denton County Democratic Party
Grayson County Democratic Party
Rockwall County Democratic Party
Democratic Primary Election Results, Collin Co.
Democratic Primary Election Results, Texas
Plano 4th of July Parade - Democratic Party
Collin County '08 Primary Convention Pictures

Election Links

Am I Registered to Vote?
Collin County Elections Administrator
Collin County Election Day Polling Places
Collin County Elections Department
Collin Co. Early Voting Locations and Dates
Democratic Party of Collin County
Deputy Voter Registrar Information
Get Out The Vote Information
Get Out The Vote In Collin County
Request a Mail-in Ballot
State of Texas Online Poll Worker Training
TX Secretary of State’s Elections Division
Voter Registration Form
What is my Precinct?
Who are my Elected Officials?
Who is my Precinct Chair?*
U.S. and State Legislators for Collin Co.

Note: Your Precinct Number,
U.S. Congressional District Number,
Texas Legislative District Number and
other important information can be
found on your 2008 Orange Voter's
Registration Card. Did you receive your
2008 Orange Voter's Registration Card?
Are you registered to vote? Check your
registration card information and voting
status here.

Please remember to take your Voter's
Registration Card with you to the polling
place when you vote. Early voting starts
at several convenient locations around
Collin County on Monday October 20th
at 7AM and continues until Friday 7PM
on October 31st.
Early Voting Locations and Dates

Please vote early this year - you'll be
glad you did
.

Dates

General Election
First day to apply for ballot by mail
Last day to register (for this election)
First day of early voting
Last day to apply for ballot by mail
Last day of early voting
11/04/08
09/05/08
10/06/08
10/20/08
10/28/08*
10/31/08
* - Ballot by mail application must be
received in the Elections Office by this date.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Poll Greeter Guide

Poll Greeters are outside the 100-foot marker and their activities are not very restricted. They can electioneer, help voters with ballots, wave candidate signs, and help support Democrats in the voting process as long as they stay outside the 100 ft marker of the polling place.

Contact your Political Party’s and or Candidates’ campaign office(s) and ask for the Get Out The Vote (GOTV) or Poll Greeter Coordinator to inquire about a poll greeter assignment.

What to Wear:
  • Comfortable layers of clothing as the temperature will change throughout the day.
  • Comfortable shoes, because you may be standing for long periods of time.
  • Sunscreen, as there is little shade at polling places.
What to Bring:
  • Bottles of Water and snacks/energy bars
  • Extra sunscreen, sunglasses, an umbrella (for shade and rain)
  • A book, radio or MP3 player for when there is no voter traffic
  • A cell phone (or locate a nearby payphone)
  • A folding chair
  • Handbook for Election Judges and Clerks
  • Election Day phone numbers and web address
  • Folding table for Candidate and Party literature
  • Candidate and Party literature and signs
What to Expect:

People happy to see you there; those who are hostile to you being there; and many people indifferent to you being there
  • An election official, a hostile voter or someone from another party may question your presence. While this is rare, be prepared for anything. In addition, ALL greeters, signs and literature must be a specified distance from the entrance to the polling place.
  • Voter traffic will fluctuate dramatically. Many tend to vote before or after work. Some arrive during their lunch break or after-school. Typically, there is a lower turnout during non-presidential election years.
  • A long but satisfying day. You may leave with more energy than when you started because you made a huge difference.
As a Poll Greeter, your main responsibilities are:
  1. To project a positive, enthusiastic attitude;
  2. To give palm cards or other handouts; and
  3. To thank arriving people for voting, encourage them to vote for your party or particular candidates and ask if they have any last minute questions.
  4. Thank departing people for voting too.
The job seems simple and extremely repetitive, but executing all three tasks at the same time throughout the day is harder than it seems. Make each handout and greeting as genuine, enthusiastic, and effective as the first.
  • Say “Thank you for voting today, and please vote for these great candidates.”
  • If you are alone, do not encage in lengthy discussions of the issues/candidates with people that want to talk. Direct them to the Hospitality Table that you set up that has candidate and or party literature.
  • Position yourself next to the main pathway into the polling place, but do not block it. Always make sure you are outside the restricted area.
  • Keep smiling, even in the face of hostile people. Remember that you are making a positive difference and there are lot more people grateful that you are there. Your calm and polite response to a hostile voter creates a positive impression of both you and the party.
Keep your chair and personal items nearby so you can easily sit down when time permits but you are able to remain in position to greet new voters. Please know that you are critical to the success of the Democratic Party. Thank you for making a difference!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Voting Info For Sidebar

Please vote early this year - you'll be glad you did. Please remember to take your Voter's Registration Card with you to the early voting polling place when you vote and PLEASE DO NOT cut the bar code off of the orange card - election clerks can use the bar code to electronically verify your voter registration status, which makes the voting lines move much faster for everyone!!!

Did you receive your 2008 Orange Voter's Registration Card? If you did not receive an orange registration card during 2008, your voting registration record may have been "suspended" or "canceled." Check your registration status here. If you are not yet registered to vote, get your Voter's Registration application here.

Note: Your Precinct Number, U.S. Congressional District Number, County Commissioner Precinct Number and other important information can be found on your 2008 Orange Voter's Registration Card.

Full Election Information and Links

Touchscreen Voting: A How to Guide for Collin Co. Early Voters

WhyBarack.com

Check Election Day Polling Places

Democratic Candidates Whose Name Will Appear On Collin County Election Ballots.

09/05/08 - First day to apply for ballot by mail
10/06/08 - Last day to register (for this election)
10/20/08 - First day of early voting
10/28/08 - Last day to apply for ballot by mail**
10/31/08 - Last day of early voting
11/04/08 -
General Election Day
** Ballot by mail application must be received in the Elections Office by this date.

Full Election Information and Links