archived: 6 - 12 Mar, 2005         Back                 Next
 		  

                        “WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?”  

            A number of progressives from across the South met recently at the New Strategies for Southern Progress conference in Chapel Hill.  Mudcat Saunders, a political consultant from Virginia, phrased the issue poignantly:  

"Up in Henry County, there's a mill worker unemployed because of free trade, his wife is working at a Wal-Mart without benefits, his kid is sick," Saunders said. "The election comes around and he hears that some judge in Massachusetts says two gay guys can get married, and he goes and votes for George W. Bush.

 

"What in the hell is wrong with this picture?" – 2theadvocate 

Well stated issue; one critical to the success of the Democratic Party in North Carolina and the South.  Is it really just a matter of “God, guns and gays?”  

TPJ touches on one of the three “Gs” today – God.  In response to one article about the conference appearing in Facing South a North Carolina resident, identified as Kevin, wrote: 

Even more than to be human enough, is to be Christian enough to preach populist Democratic values as Christian moral values. We need to take that populist message beyond the pulpits of the African-American churches, and into the mainstream WASP churches, including the Southern Baptist and other more "fundamentalist" churches. We need to preach the message that Christian moral values are not limited to abortion and gay marriage; that these values include the Democratic populist values of economic and social justice.

 

John Edwards can preach that message. Unfortunately, I don't feel that the Kerry campaign did a good job of using John Edwards in that way. – Facing South (letters at end of article) 

Kevin’s point is well taken.  However, an even more fundamental problem lies in the perception that progressive Democrats are oppositional to Christian faith.  Democracy Corps polling (hyperlink) reveals that on the issue of “respecting religious faith” Republicans hold a 15 point advantage over Democrats. 

How can Democrats effectively make the case that our domestic policies have strong basis in the common faith of many religious principles when people of faith do not believe that the Democratic Party respects their faith? 

It is question well worth pondering for Democrats in the “Bible Belt.”   

                        A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH  

The death penalty moratorium continues to progress in the State House.  House Bill 529 has been introduced.  The bill can be found at this hyperlink – HB 529   

North Carolina Common Sense makes the crucial point: 

A moratorium would not suspend capital trials, and it would not affect trial juries. A moratorium would not end the death penalty in North Carolina ; it would merely prohibit executions for two years while a special commission studies the deeply flawed capital punishment system in our state.

 

Alan Gell and others continue to demonstrate why the state needs a moratorium. Many “tough on crime” folks have signed onto the moratorium effort, including victims’ family members and law enforcement officials.

 

Who’s keeping the moratorium from being debated in the General Assembly? A few hard-liners who still cling to the antiquated notion that any pause in the machinery of death shows weakness.

 

That couldn’t be more wrong. Admitting that the state’s death-penalty system needs a thorough examination represents the height of courage. – NC Commons Sense  

The urgency of legislative action is demonstrated by “real world” North Carolina justice this week: 

This Friday at 2 a.m. our state is scheduled to execute William Dillard Powell Jr. If the execution proceeds, our state will have the unfortunate distinction of executing a man with no history of violence other than the unintentional killing for which he was sentenced to death.

 

Gov. Mike Easley has the power to stop this execution by granting clemency, a decision that would be entirely consistent with the two other occasions when he decided to spare individuals from a death by lethal injection.

 

Powell was sent to death row despite the fact that a seasoned and experienced trial judge ruled that he had no intention of killing Mary Gladden during a convenience store robbery. Only a minority of states even permit the execution of persons who do not intend to kill, and very few states actually execute persons convicted of unintentional murders.

 

That he did not intend to kill is not the only reason a death sentence for Powell is excessive. While every murder is horrific, there have been far worse murders in Cleveland County -- premeditated killings committed by persons with violent histories -- that did not result in a death penalty. In fact, press reports indicate the last execution from Cleveland County occurred in 1935.

 

Justice requires that similar persons committing similar crimes receive similar punishments. That is not so in this case. Powell is the only person on death row in North Carolina for unintentional murder.

 

Why haven't these issues been addressed by the court system? The answer is that in this case the courts have failed.

 

All death penalty cases in our state are subjected to a proportionality review by the N.C. Supreme Court. A comprehensive study of the court's proportionality review process found that Powell's case represents the single most egregious failing of that review. This study was undertaken by a law professor who was attempting to help another inmate, not Powell, but the professor identified Powell's case as the one that stood out among all others as a chilling example of how the criminal justice system can fail in a case involving the ultimate punishment of death. – Charlotte Observer 

TPJ sources continue to report that Democrats in the State House are ten or less votes short of having the votes to pass the bill.  TPJ has also received two reports that deserve note: 

Democrat Representative James Crawford, who committed to voting on the moratorium during the election, may be wavering on the bill.  Representative Crawford’s name has been added to TPJ’s contact list below.

 

Representative Ronnie Sutton, who is opposed to the death penalty, is also opposed to the moratorium.  Representative Sutton’s name has been added to TPJ’s contact list below.

Progressive Democrats need to find citizens in every district listed below to call, write or email their Representative.  JUST SIX votes could make the difference in justice in North Carolina.

DEMOCRATS 

Nelson Cole

Office:

1218 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-733-5779

Email:

Nelsonc@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

6     (0 in Senate)

District:

65

Counties Represented:

Rockingham

Occupation:

Retired - Automotive Consultant

Address:

2012 Carpenter Dr., Reidsville, NC 27320

Phone:

336-349-6734

 

James W. Crawford, Jr.

Office:

2301 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-733-5824

Email:

Jimcr@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

11     (0 in Senate)

District:

32

Counties Represented:

Granville, Vance

Occupation:

Developer

Address:

509 College St., Oxford, NC 27565

Phone:

919-693-6119

 
   

Bill Culpepper

Office:

404 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-715-3028

Email:

Billc@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

6.5     (0 in Senate)

District:

2

Counties Represented:

Chowan, Dare, Hyde, Washington

Occupation:

Attorney

Address:

P. O. Box 344, Edenton, NC 27932

Phone:

252-482-3818

 
   

Dewey L. Hill

Office:

1309 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-733-5830

Email:

Deweyh@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

7     (0 in Senate)

District:

20

Counties Represented:

Brunswick, Columbus

Occupation:

Business Executive

Address:

P. O. Box 723, Whiteville, NC 28472

Phone:

910-642-6044

 
   

Ronnie Sutton

Office:

1321 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-715-0875

Email:

Rons@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

7     (0 in Senate)

District:

47

Counties Represented:

Robeson

Occupation:

Attorney, Retired - Military

Address:

2940 Philadelphus Rd., Pembroke, NC 28372

Phone:

910-843-2353

 
   

REPUBLICANS 

David Almond (R 65% D 34%)

Office:

1315 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-733-5908

Email:

davida@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

1     (0 in Senate)

District:

67

Counties Represented:

Montgomery, Stanly, Union

Occupation:

Insurance Agent

Address:

138 Danielle Dr., Stanfield, NC 28163

Phone:

704-888-5212

 
   

Larry Brown (Unopposed)

Office:

609 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-733-5607

Email:

larrybr@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

1     (0 in Senate)

District:

73

Counties Represented:

Davidson, Forsyth

Occupation:

Retired - US Postal Service; Owner/Broker Brown Real Estate Company

Address:

P.O. Box 85, Kernersville, NC 27285

Phone:

336-972-4256

 
   

Harold J. Brubaker (Unopposed)

Office:

1229 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-715-4946

Email:

Brub@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

15     (0 in Senate)

District:

78

Counties Represented:

Randolph

Occupation:

Real Estate Appraiser

Address:

138 Scarboro Street, Asheboro, NC 27203

Phone:

336-629-5128

 
   

George G. Cleveland (R 69% D 31%)

Office:

504 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-715-6707

Email:

georgec@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

1     (0 in Senate)

District:

14

Counties Represented:

Onslow

Occupation:

Retired

Address:

224 Campbell Place, Jacksonville, NC 28546

Phone:

910-346-3866

 
   

Arlie F. Culp (Unopposed)

Office:

1010 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-733-5865

Email:

Arliec@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

9     (0 in Senate)

District:

70

Counties Represented:

Randolph

Occupation:

Retired

Address:

8521 US Hwy 64E, Ramseur, NC 27316

Phone:

336-824-2218

 
   

Jerry C. Dockham (Unopposed)

Office:

1424 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-715-2526

Email:

Jerryd@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

8.5     (0 in Senate)

District:

80

Counties Represented:

Davidson

Occupation:

Insurance

Address:

P. O. Box 265, Denton, NC 27239

Phone:

336-859-2281

 
   

David R. Folwell (R 63% D 37%)

Office:

304 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-733-5787

Email:

dalef@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

1     (0 in Senate)

District:

74

Counties Represented:

Forsyth

Occupation:

Consultant, Private Investor

Address:

299 S. Westview Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27104

Phone:

336-748-0046
   

Brian R. Holloway (R 57% D 43%)

Office:

1409 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-733-5609

Email:

bryanh@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

1     (0 in Senate)

District:

91

Counties Represented:

Rockingham, Stokes

Occupation:

History Teacher

Address:

1165 Sterling Pointe Dr., King, NC 27021

Phone:

336-985-0826

 
   

Julia Howard (Unopposed)

Office:

1106 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-733-5904

Email:

Juliah@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

9     (0 in Senate)

District:

79

Counties Represented:

Davie, Iredell

Occupation:

Appraiser, Realtor

Address:

330 S. Salisbury St., Mocksville, NC 27028

Phone:

336-751-8567

 
   

James H. Langdon, Jr. (Unopposed)

Office:

503 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-733-5849

Email:

jhl@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

1     (0 in Senate)

District:

28

Counties Represented:

Johnston, Sampson

Occupation:

Retired

Address:

10176 NC 50 Hwy. N, Angier, NC 27501

Phone:

919-894-5797

 
   

Daniel F. McComas

Office:

506 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-733-5786

Email:

Dannym@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

6     (0 in Senate)

District:

19

Counties Represented:

New Hanover

Occupation:

Business Executive

Address:

P. O. Box 2274, Wilmington, NC 28402

Phone:

910-343-8372

 
 

Louis M. Pate, Jr. (Unopposed)

Office:

607 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-733-5755

Email:

Louisp@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

3     (0 in Senate)

District:

11

Counties Represented:

Wayne

Occupation:

Retired

Address:

P. O. Box 945, Mount Olive, NC 28365

Phone:

919-658-3637

 
   

Jean R. Preston (R 68% D 32%)

Office:

603 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-733-5706

Email:

Jeanp@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

7     (0 in Senate)

District:

13

Counties Represented:

Carteret, Jones

Occupation:

Retired - Educator

Address:

211 Pompano Dr., Emerald Isle, NC 28594

Phone:

252-354-6993

 
   

Mitchell S. Setzer (Unopposed)

Office:

1204 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Phone:

919-733-4948

Email:

Mitchells@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

4     (0 in Senate)

District:

89

Counties Represented:

Catawba, Iredell

Occupation:

Business Executive - Vice President, Smith Setzer & Sons, Inc.

Address:

P. O. Box 416, Catawba, NC 28609

Phone:

828-241-3570

 
   

Trudi Walend (Unopposed)

Office:

602 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-715-4466

Email:

Trudiw@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

4     (0 in Senate)

District:

113

Counties Represented:

Henderson, Polk, Transylvania

Occupation:

Businessperson - Macintosh Computer Services

Address:

112 Ridgewood Place, Brevard, NC 28712

Phone:

828-883-3790

 
   

Laura I. Wiley (Unopposed)

Office:

538 Legislative Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Phone:

919-733-5877

Email:

lauraw@ncleg.net

Terms in House:

1     (0 in Senate)

District:

61

Counties Represented:

Guilford

Occupation:

Former Educator

Address:

4018 Quartergate Dr., High Point, NC 27265

Phone:

336-841-0045

 
   

 

_____________________________________________

                        THINK THINK TANK 

Democrats are starting to lay the foundation for a number of think tanks related to progressive ideology in the South.  One effort is being led by Democratic Senators, including Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, called the New South Project. 

"We need to train a new generation of Terry Sanfords and Jim Hunts," former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes said at an organizational meeting for the group Saturday morning, referring to two former North Carolina governors whose names have become synonymous with the progressive tradition.

 

Former Clinton White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, who heads the Washington-based Center for American Progress, said there are plans to launch similar groups across the country. – Atlanta Journal Constitution  

Details on the New South Project are few at the moment, but this summary of purpose has appeared: 

This project, co-chaired by Senators Landrieu and Pryor (along with Virginia Governor Mark Warner and Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker) will work to develop a long-term strategy to revitalize and modernize progressive language and outreach in the South. The project will include polling and other research; a major examination of rural economic development issues; creation of a New South messaging “playbook” for progressive officials; design of a New South issue agenda and related reports; regional “strategy sessions” across the South; and a first-ever New South Conference in 2006. – Third Way 

Signs of life in the Democratic Party universe!  When will North Carolina Democrats join in the cause and form a North Carolina think tank for North Carolina?

_____________________________________________

                   BUSH CUTS NORTH CAROLINA  

What would Bush’s cuts in the federal budget mean for North Carolina?  Here are just a few effects of radical Republican policy: 

Bush Shortchanges 66,631 North Carolina Children by Underfunding No Child Left Behind by $282.1 Million. Bush breaks his promise to provide needed funding for North Carolina students. His 2006 budget underfunds the No Child Left Behind program in North Carolina by $282.1 million. Under the Bush budget, 66,631 children in North Carolina will go without promised help in reading and math. [National Priorities Project, 2/14/05; Office of House Democratic Leader,2/10/05; CRS, 2/05]

 

Low Income North Carolina Students Face Major Cut In Higher Education Grant. Bush’s budget cuts the Upward Bound and Education Talent Search program in North Carolina, a program that provided higher education opportunities to lower income students. The program will be cut by $11 million. “National and local education authorities say the proposed cuts would hurtthe low-income, first-generation college-bound students the programs aim for.” [News and Observer,

2/13/05, The Post and Courier, 2/13/05]

 

Bush’s Budget Cuts COPS Program by Nearly 96 Percent. Bush’s 2006 budget would slice overall law enforcement grants to states from $2.8 billion to $1.5 billion. Bush’s budget cuts funding for Community Oriented Policing Services—the COPS program, which provides grants for state and local agencies to hire police officers—by $477 million, a cut of 95.6 percent. [Washington Post, 2/7/05; Associated Press, 2/7/05; House Budget Committee, Democratic Staff; Office of Management and Budget, Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2006, 2/7/05] North Carolina Fact: Bush’s Budget Cuts Funding for North Carolina’s COPS Program. Bush’s 2006 budget cuts funding for the Community Oriented Police program, which has put 2,934 police on the streets in North Carolina. [DOJ, 10/19/04; Budget of the US Government, 2/05] 

These are just a few of the program cuts that Bush proposes for North Carolina.  For a more comprehensive list, click on this hyperlink: -- Bush’s Budget Disaster

                        NC DEMOCRATS STAND FOR . . .  

TPJ’s theme today is that Democrats must stand for values and policies that people across North Carolina will respect and support.  For progressive NC Democrats, the Rubicon is pending legislation providing for a study of the fairness in application of the death penalty and providing for a two year moratorium on executions as the study is undertaken.  

Justice in the application of the death penalty is not just a Democratic Party issue.  It is an issue of fundamental fairness and justice that every American believes in.  It is a matter of justice – literally life and death. 

The NC State Senate passed the death penalty moratorium during the last session.  One would assume that the Senate will pass the measure during this session.  Therefore, it appears that the matter now rests with the NC House.  Democrats in the State House, today, lack the votes to pass the bill.  It is exceeding close. 

TPJ’s sources concur that the bill is less than TEN votes short of passage; several sources placing the exact number is only SIX.  Now is the time progressive Democrats must put forth that extra effort needed to pass the bill.  

TPJ sources report the State House members listed below represent the potential votes needed.  Citizens from their districts need to call, write and email these members.  These are a few suggestions:

 Frankly, citizen contacts from outside the respective districts usually have little impact.  TPJ readers outside of these districts should focus on finding citizens living in the districts below and asking those citizens to contract their Representative. 

If you live outside the district and contact a Representative, stress any connections that you may have in the district.  For examples, note any family members or friends living in the district or any business associations you may have in the district.

 

Spamming all Representatives listed below is not only ineffective, it is counter productive.  “An e-mail message to members of the General Assembly designed to publicize an anti-tax sentiment and promote cuts in government spending seems to have missed its mark. Instead, the e-mail ignited protests from North Carolina legislators and staffers as the unsolicited e-mail was repeatedly duplicated through internal settings and automatically forwarded to other staffers and aides. The volume of about 450,000 messages nearly overloaded the General Assembly's e-mail system.”  -- NBC 17  

Potential Democrat and Republican Representatives, 19 in total, are listed above with contact information.  Only four Democrats are on the list and fifteen Republicans. Every Republican is from a safe Republican District.  The 2004 election result for Republicans is given to the right of their name; most were unopposed.   

Email hyperlinks (in blue) for every Representative is active and you may click on the blue hyperlink to send the Representative an email  Copy and paste the information on any Representative into an email and send it to your friends in the districts targeted.  The email hyperlink should still work in any email that you send. 
   
 

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Last Update: 03/23/2006