Central Valley Democrats Laying Foundation for 2008 California Elections as Part of 58 County Strategy

State of the State

A second panel, this one on the state of the state, followed Torres' remarks. On the panel were Juan Arambula; Augustine Ramirez, Organizer for the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union (ILWU); Devin Carroll, of Health Care for All; Derek Cressman, author of The Recall's Broken Promise — How Big Money Still Runs California Politics; and Chris Acree, Executive Director of Revive the San Joaquin.

As you can guess the subjects ranged from labor and the need for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, to health care and the need for single payer, to campaign finance.

To a rousing applause, Devin Carroll said, "we can't cover everyone unless we end private insurance," in his statements about health care. He also said that passing an SB 840 like law through initiative isn't reality because of the money it would take. Single payer advocates would be "outspent by $40 million by the insurance and pharmaceutical companies." He also gave some credit to John Edwards' insurance plan as "having some merit."

"SB 840 is a good vehicle for education," said Carroll, "even if it doesn't pass."

Updates from party leaders

Martha Gamez, Deputy Political and Outreach Director for the CDP gave an update on the state party's "58 county strategy."

Henry Vandemeir, President of the California Democratic Council (CDC) and Helen Acosta, Southern Regional Vice President of the CDC talked about building coalitions and empowering Democratic clubs and central committees.

State of the Nation

The final panel discussion of the day was the best one. It featured, Professor John Sims, co-editor of the Journal of National Security Law and Policy speaking on justice courts and national security; Brian Rouch, a lecturer on renewable fuels who spoke about transportation and bio fuels; Jessica Smith-Bobadilla, an immigration attorney on immigration; Pete Mora, Iraq veteran and former Special Operations intelligence officer who spent some time as an "intelligence gatherer" at Abu Gharib; and Tom Gangale, author or From Primaries to the Polls: How to Repair America's Broken Presidential Nomination Process.

This was a very interesting and informative panel.

Address by Secretary of State Debra Bowen

Before ending the day, delegates were treated to an address by Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

She opened by talking about what the Secretary of State does. It comes down to education. "You have to teach democracy," she said. Curriculum developed by the U.S. to teach other countries about democracy isn't even used here in theU.S., yet our young people know relatively little about civics and democracy. She asked us to join with here in "pushing for some changes" in civics education. "I cannot reach 22 million people by myself," she said, "I need your help."

She then talked about successful attempt to change the term "absentee voting" to "vote by mail." As of January 1, the law changes so that the more accurate term, "vote by mail" is used in California elections.
Bowen spent the bulk of her speech talking about her efforts to bring secure elections to California. She said our voting machines ought to be at least as secure as slot machines and talked about the issues of accessibility. Her biggest issues are transparency and auditability. "All we want to do is accurately reflect the will of the voters," she said.

She also spoke briefly about efforts to get young people more interested in voting. She wants to give high school students more and easier opportunity to work at polling places so that they can get a hands on feel for what voting and the electoral process is all about. The goal is to get pique their interests and have it continue into adulthood.

It was a great convention and perhaps something the Fresno organizers will continue on an annual or semi-annual basis.

Randy Bayne is Chair of the Amador County Democratic Party. This article originally appeared in The Bayne of Blogs and is published with the permission of the author.