The Democratic Party Needs You!

The Democratic Party needs more Democratic Poll Challengers to oversee voting at Early Voting Sites (beginning October 24) and on Election Day (November 3). Only registered voters in Michigan qualify to be a Challenger. Although the term “challenger” may sound intimidating, it’s almost a misnomer. Democratic Party Challengers are not supposed to challenge; their role is to ensure that in person voters are allowed to vote. They also report evidence of fraud or wrongdoing to the Democratic Party or to the person in charge at the poll. Indeed, in my view, a Democratic Challenger is best described as a “reporter.”

My husband and I have served as Democratic Poll Challengers since 2008. Through the many hours, often thankfully boring, we’re forbidden to speak with anyone other than the Polling Location Liaison. As Challengers, we’re volunteer observers, not paid employees or politicians. Our job is to observe the people entering, signing in to vote, filling out their ballot in private, and bringing it to the tabulator to be counted. We bear witness to the guts of our democracy. 

To become a Democratic Party Challenger, you must get trained and certified by the Michigan Democratic Party. To sign up or investigate further, please go to the following web site:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeT85E5xTxcl41rfFOGZu4e09-DdZgJ8zPoAM8oiOJsNdtW7w/viewform

Poetry

Orginal and favorite poems, and information about poets and poetic events.

School is in; Old Disease is Back

Measles, a dangerous childhood disease that only a few years ago had virtually disappeared, has returned, largely due to fear and skepticism over the safety of the measles vaccine. Pennsylvania and South Carolina are the epicenters of the current measles outbreak in the USA, with cases reported in Spartanburg, Pennsylvania increasing from 330 in 2025 to 610 so far this year.

Robert Kennedy’s distrust of the measles vaccine—his view that vaccines are a “potential culprit” in disorders ranging from autism to allergies—has led to a dangerous decline in vaccinations, creating the environment for outbreaks like the current ones. His view is disputed by medical experts. Dr. Daniel Jernigan, who oversaw vaccine safety at the Center for Disease Control until he resigned in August, said, “The secretary is going to continue to try and look at the data and analyze it in a way that will help support the conclusions that he’s already made.” 

To counteract Kennedy’s skepticism of vaccines, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota has initiated a Vaccine Integrity Project, led by former chiefs of the National Academy of Medicine and the Food and Drug Administration. It will convene leaders across public health and medicine.

Resisting on a Monday

Sept 16 , 2019

Mondays, whenever I remember and am in town, I go to the home of a committed and hospitable activist who hosts an organization called Michigan Resistance. Its activism is aimed at our Republican controlled state houses, who under Governor Snyder, pushed through right wing legislature with little resistance or publicity.  Now, Michiganders have elected Democrats for Governor (Gretchen Whitmer), and Secretary of State (Jocelyn Benson) and Attorney General (Dana Nessle). Nonetheless, Republicans are still in charge in Michigan’s House and Senate, and they are doing everything they can to undermine a progressive agenda, which includes Proposals 2 and 3, which Michiganders voted for in the November 2018 election.

That’s where the Michigan Resistance comes in. Tonight, those faithful who attend are instructed to call Republican legislators about Proposal 2. It calls for a non-partisan commission to undo Michigan’s extensively gerrymandered voting districts. Republican legislators are trying to finance it by using $4.6 million that had been slotted for the Secretary of State’s office to implement Proposal 3, which calls for straight-ticket voting, automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, and no-excuse absentee ballots, all items which will empower voters and enhance our democracy.

The calling is tedious, but it’s interesting too, giving me a window into state government that I never would have had. First, we call the Republican legislators. It’s after hours so we just leave messages. For state legislators, these phone call are a rarity, so they may be heard. Then, we call proven Democrats in their districts and ask them to call their state legislators. Few are home or answer the phone, so we usually text them. When we do get to speak to them, they’re receptive, even enthusiastic, and willing to call their state legislators, sometimes even having their phone numbers by their side.  How encouraging to talk to these strangers, fellow Dems, usually willing to help.

"Political gerrymandering makes the incentive for most members of Congress to play to the extremes of their base rather than to the center." ~ Barack Obama