The Blue Wave Forum, July 30,2018 was amazing and inspirational, also highly informative.
Over 12 democratic candidates running for public office in the 2018 election were there. All in one room, one evening, complete with all the campaign political bling, from signs, magnets, buttons, and free snacks and free water. Looked to be about 200 folks turned up in the very red red city of Gardendale, which boasts 22 churches within 10 miles of each other.
The mood was festive but serious. All the candidates were interested in meeting, informing, and presenting a unique approach of team building, state wide, from the congress seat, state office to county, district and local. One word for the entire evening experience: Impressive.
Impressive that the different candidates understood the office they seek, how to govern according to the political position they seek.
And they were presenting in a forum, where each future office holder explained the purpose of their future political office, provided they win.
For example, Heather Milam is running for Secretary of State for Alabama. First point she made to the crowd was the promise to make voting easier. With automatic voter registration. She suggested we need early voting, instead of just one day to vote at the polls. Doing away with Alabama’s restrictive voter ID laws. Imagine, Alabama having extended early voting, that would help so many who have a hard time showing up on a Tuesday because they have no other choice to vote. This is one way Alabama has remained so red, they continue to hamper the voters voice by limiting the time you can vote, and the photo id you must have to vote.
Danner Kline is running for the 6th congressional district. He is running against Gary Palmer, one of the Freedom Caucus members. Gary voted for the millionaire tax giveaway. Danner Kline would like to go to Washington to help fight the terrible policies of the right wing (killers of everything decent) He does not think we should be putting children in cages. Danner Kline wants to help Alabama by voting for the right of Alabama to not only expand Medicaid, but to reap the rewards we would of seen if Alabama would of expanded at the beginning of the program. With full support from the federal government for the first 3 years, and then 90% from there onward.
Walt Maddox running as governor would accept the Medicaid expansion, and promised to implement it on the first day he is sworn in as governor, per executive order. Walt wants to allow a lottery, so Alabama can use the money to help with education.
Judge Bob Vance is running for Supreme Court Chief Justice. He was incredibly articulate, intelligent and explained the job of Supreme Court Chief Justice. Bob ran against Roy Moore, and barely lost the last time he ran for this office. What a difference it would make to have Bob Vance in this important position. He was so patient and wise, and grounded. The people of Alabama would do well with him as our new Chief Justice. It could go a long way to erasing the taint left by the ignorant racist likes of Roy Moore.
Veronica Johnson is running for state district 51. Currently we have a republican rep who actually does nothing to help anyone. When I spoke to Veronica before the forum began, I asked her to guess what her opponent Treadway had done for the people of his district. She was curious, but I assured her, he has not done a damn thing. See Allen Treadway only watches out for his own, maybe the members of his baptist church perhaps. He does not avail himself to the public. I am not even sure why he is my state representative. Maybe for the extra paycheck perhaps?
Every candidate on the stage had a vision for their respective positions. They knew what needed to be done to move Alabama forward, not backwards. They believed we could make change, they wanted to help people. Here are just a few memorable quotes from the evening
What good is a Governership if you do nothing with it? Walt Maddox, Blue Wave, 7/30/18
This is not about the right verse the left, it is about Right vs. Wrong Walt Maddox, Blue Wave, 7/30/18
You can’t call yourself a patriot if you are afraid of democracy. Walt Maddox, Blue Wave, 7/30/18
You've been GOPeed on- Will Boyd, Blue Wave, 7/30/18
Call, haul, or drag voters to the polls - Ron Sparks, Blue Wave 7/30/18
Alabama is a great place to live, we can make it better, more fair for all. Danner Kline, Blue Wave, 7/30/18
We think sometimes that there is nothing we can do to make change happen. But when we get together and help each other the impossible becomes possible. The group that lead this idea for a democratic forum in Gardendale has currently only 4 members. Well, soon to be at least five, because I am joining up to help. I joked about how many people could be members of a North Jefferson Democrats Club, I guessed maybe 6 folks. But to think just 4 brave souls took a deep dive into the bright blue dot. This is the first democratic anything to be held in deep red Gardendale. In their civic center, right next to the gym, and a cheerleading class in the adjacent rooms. They even turned up the music next door, it still did not drown out the cheers, or enthusiasm coming from the candidates and the crowd attending.
They say the longest journey begins with the first step. So we begin a political journey, together, candidates, activist groups, women, men, young and old, as a team. Because we can write our futures, and they can be good.
We the People own this democracy. We the People must save and protect it from tyranny and ill guided individuals. It’s going to be a hard long haul, but together we can do this, we can bring the Big Blue Wave to Alabama.
Last night I felt the light shining on us all.
For your consideration, the candidates, links to their websites. If you can spare a few bucks, or just write an encouraging message, it takes a village to win.
Walt Maddox for Governor
Heather Milam for Secretary of State of Alabama
Danner Kline for Congress Flip the 6th
Joseph Siegelman for Attorney General of Alabama
Judge Bob Vance for Chief Supreme Court Justice
Veronica R. Johnson for State District 51
Dr Will Boyd for Lt. Governor of Alabama
Mark Pettway for Jefferson County Sheriff
Donna Smalley Alabama Supreme Court Place 4
Danny Carr for D.A. Jefferson County
Cara McClure for Public Service Commission
Kari Powell for Public Service Commission Place #2