On December 8 you can vote in the primary for the special election to fill the Senate seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy. The result of the primary election determines who will represent each party on the general election ballot in January. In Massachusetts, you may vote in the primary of your party, or, if you are “unenrolled” (registered but not enrolled in a party), in any party’s primary.

You’d be shocked at how few people participate in the selection of the parties’ candidates. If you’re concerned about the quality of your representation, please participate in this critical winnowing process and vote on December 8.

The Senate has enormous power to help our country make progress on all fronts – or to block progress.

Ted Kennedy used his influence on Senate subcommittees to help millions of people in Massachusetts and many more millions across the country and the globe. Kennedy led and sponsored hundreds of bills that were enacted into law – a list far too long to include here.

Kennedy’s work in the Senate benefited—in various ways– the lives of everyone among your circle of family and friends…and also of those with no family and few friends.

Kennedy helped low-paid workers, workers who lose their jobs, people who work in unsafe conditions; children needing health care, better nutrition, an earlier start to learning; seniors receiving “meals on wheels” or dependent upon Social Security; the disabled; those needing assistance improving their home’s energy efficiency. He led the fight to end discrimination in voting, housing, education, and the workplace. He helped millions of students afford college. His efforts led to national community service programs.

But all of us are better protected by Kennedy’s persistent fight against an array of ills, including –to name a few–unsafe food, drugs, medical devices, guns; bioterrorism threats; and money in politics.

You probably wish we were further along when it comes to our country’s overall economic and social well-being.

But remember what Kennedy said in 1980 at the Democratic convention and take heart:

“For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

It’s up to us, We the People, to make sure that the work goes on.

Step 1: If you’re not registered to vote, register soon. Fill out a voter registration form (available at city/town clerk offices, by mail or Internet – see Voter Information below). In order to register, you’ll need to be 18 or older on election day, a US citizen, and a state resident. You can vote in the primary if you’re registered to vote by Wednesday, November 18.

Step 2: Register as a Democrat. If you appreciate what Senator Kennedy did for our state, our country, and our world, register to vote as a Democrat. Although Kennedy is famous for “reaching across the aisle,” he never gave up trying to achieve his Democratic goals. He also knew when to compromise — when otherwise he wouldn’t get enough votes to transform his ideas into action.

You’ll send a message to all politicians if you register as a Democrat and thus make clear your preference for the fundamental Democratic Party philosophy –so well exemplified in Kennedy’s achievements– of working for the common good.

Step 3: Vote in the Democratic Primary. On December 8, go to your polling place and vote in the Democratic primary. Help decide who becomes the Democratic candidate for Senator in the general election.

Step 4: Vote for the Democrat in January. If you’re registered to vote as of December 30, vote for the Democratic candidate on Tuesday, January 19.

Only a Democrat will carry on Kennedy’s work for the common good, ensuring that the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream – of a world healthier and safer for all –doesn’t die.

Information for All Voters
• Election day: All Massachusetts polling locations are open 7 am – 8 pm for state elections.
• Locations: Call the city/town clerk if you don’t know where to vote – or check out http://www.wheredoivotema.com.
• Absentee ballots: If you can’t be in town during voting hours, make arrangements in advance to cast an absentee ballot. Ask your city/town clerk or see the rules at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ELE/eleifv/howabs.htm.
• Registration forms. The US Elections Assistance Commission http://www.eac.gov/voter links to a national voter registration form, which can be printed out and mailed. Or contact:
Gloucester City Clerk, 9 Dale Avenue, 978- 281-9720, hours (through Nov. 1): 8:30 am – 4 pm, Tues-Wed 10:30 am – 4 pm, Thurs 10:30 am – 6:30 pm, Fri 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Manchester Town Clerk, 10 Central Street, 978-526-2040, hours: Mon-Wed 8:30 am- 5 pm, Thurs 8:30 am – 8 pm
Rockport Town Clerk, 34 Broadway, 978-546-6894, hours: Mon 8 am – 4 pm, Tues 8 am-6 pm, Wed-Thurs 8 am – 4 pm, Fri 8 am – 1 pm
Secretary of State, 617-727-2828 or 1-800-462-VOTE

He was the governor who seemed to have done good things in Texas and claimed a “bipartisan” approach to governing. He looked genial and good-humored—the folksy candidate most voters preferred to have a beer with.

Now that we have experienced the Bush Presidency, it’s interesting to reexamine what the Republican candidate said during an October 2000 debate with Democrat Al Gore:

“Spending money is one thing, but spending money without a strategic plan can often times be wasted…”

“I want to rebuild the military to keep the peace. I want to make sure the public school system in America fulfills its promise so that no child, not one child, is left behind. And after setting priorities, I want to give some of the — some of your money back. See, I don’t think the surplus is the government’s money. I think it’s the people’s money. I don’t think the surplus exists because of the ingenuity and hard work of the federal government. I think it exists because of the ingenuity and hard work of the American people, and you ought to have some of the surplus so you can save and dream and build.”

The contrast between Bush’s words and his actual “leadership” is painful—

Lives lost and many irreversibly damaged as a result of a reckless “war on terror.” Extreme mismanagement of the Defense Department. Soldiers sent off without adequate equipment while military contractors making millions were inadequately supervised. The budget surplus left behind by Democrat Bill Clinton squandered, leaving our next President with a deficit as far as the eye can see. Enormous tax cuts for the richest. Millions of children left behind. Many more Americans without adequate health care. Transportation systems crumbling. Tainted food supplies. “Home ownership” replaced with home foreclosure.

An even more colossal deficit than was anticipated just a month ago.

Now we see the results of out-of-control deregulation and the consequences of fixating on private-sector solutions to public services, as well as the Republican Party’s perennial hostility to the United Nations.

But make no mistake. The conditions our country is suffering from now are not the result of one misguided, reckless, and incompetent leader.

For most of Bush’s Presidency, Republicans held all the reins of power, since they also had a majority in both houses of Congress. They appointed thousands of people sharing their ideology, including judges who will rule on the bench for years to come.

It has taken time for the gross mismanagement, suppression of scientific knowledge, and myriad falsehoods to come to light.

It was only when Democrats gained a slim majority in Congress that many basic questions could be raised there. At best the questions are now being partially answered (Republicans can still filibuster in the Senate).

This fall, as in every election, the essential choice is not between the candidates’ personalities or styles. It’s a choice between the Republican and Democratic political philosophy.

A President and his party may occasionally be at odds, but that is the exception to the rule.

Republicans stick together. Remember—after McCain lost the Republican primary in 2000, he campaigned for the Republican nominee, saying Bush was ”fully prepared to restore integrity and respect to the White House.”

But when Bush entered the White House, he brought back to Washington shiploads of former Republican officials, including Dick Cheney, and newcomers like the Republican lawyer for the International Arabian Horse Association who did a “heck of a job” in New Orleans.

If McCain should win the Presidency, expect more of the same.

Consider a candidate who would select as the person next-in-line to lead our country someone as inexperienced as Palin.

What does that show about the kind of appointments McCain would make to the Supreme Court, Environmental Protection Agency, FEMA, heads of Social Security and Medicare, IRS, Food and Drug Administration, Secretaries of State and Defense, Ambassador to the United Nations…the list goes on.

The Republican philosophy in a nutshell is “You’re on your own” — unless you’re rich and powerful and suddenly feel a need for government’s helping hand.

The Democratic philosophy is to work for the common good, and Democrats have a record of concrete steps toward economic fairness and prosperity for all.

Be sure to review the actual accomplishments of each party before you vote on November 4.

Polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm. If you don’t know your polling place, visit www.wheredoivotema.com or call your city or town hall. You must have been registered as of January 16 in order to vote in the primary.

If you’ve never voted in a primary before, you’ll find that it’s easy. Just give your name and address at the check-in table. If you’re a registered Democrat, you’ll be given a Democratic ballot. If you’re registered to vote but not enrolled in a party, you may request a Democratic ballot; your party status will remain Unenrolled after you vote.

If you’ve been a regular voter, you won’t need identification. However, if you registered to vote by mail in 2003 or later, you may be required to show identification, which must include your name and the address at which you’re registered to vote, for example, a current driver’s license, photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing your name and address.

If you’re not listed on the voter list, you may cast a “provisional ballot.” To do this, you declare that you’re registered in the precinct and provide suitable identification. Later, the election officials will search for records to confirm your voter registration. If your eligibility is confirmed, your ballot will be counted.

The primary ballot – printed before several candidates dropped out – will list the Democratic candidates in the following order:

JOHN R. EDWARDS
HILLARY CLINTON
JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR.
CHRISTOPHER J. DODD
MIKE GRAVEL
BARACK OBAMA
DENNIS J. KUCINICH
BILL RICHARDSON

Please note that Biden, Dodd, Kucinich, and Richardson have ended their campaigns – so vote for a candidate who is still running: Edwards, Clinton, Gravel, or Obama.

(You may be surprised to see some local names on the ballot as well. The presidential primary is the means by which your ward or town Democratic committee members are elected to a four-year term. Please vote for them. In a city, ward committee members automatically become members of the city committee.)

The number of votes each candidate receives in the primary election determines the number of pledged delegates the candidate will have at the Democratic National Convention, to be held in late August.

Massachusetts has a total of 121 delegates and 16 alternates. Of those, sixty-one are district-level delegates and ten are district-level alternates, elected at a caucus (i.e. meeting) on April 5. The caucus In the Sixth Congressional District (Congressman John Tierney’s) will elect three men and three women as delegates and one man as alternate.

Our presidential primary is “binding”, which means that delegate and alternate positions are allocated based on the presidential preference of the primary voters in each district. Delegates and alternates selected at the district level are allocated in proportion to the percentage of the primary vote won in that district by each candidate, except that any candidate who does not receive 15% of the primary vote is not awarded any delegates or alternates.

In addition to delegates elected at the district caucuses, Massachusetts will have unpledged delegates who receive a seat at the National Democratic Convention by virtue of their office. These are our ten Democratic National Committee members, ten Democratic U.S. Representatives, two Democratic U.S. Senators, our Democratic Governor, and three “Distinguished Party Leaders”. In addition, we get two unpledged “add-on” delegates and twelve “pledged Party Leader and Elected Official” delegates, twenty at-large delegates and six at-large alternates.

If you’d like to learn how these delegates and alternates are chosen, please see the detailed rules at http://massdems.org/docs/DelegateSelectionPlanRevised.pdf.

Although you’ll hear Democrats passionately arguing now about which Democrat would make the best President, the differences among the Democrats are minuscule compared to the differences between any Democratic candidate and any Republican candidate for President.

The Democratic and Republican parties have very different political philosophies, and the best way to predict a candidate’s deepest values, goals, and future accomplishments is to look at his or her party affiliation. You can be sure that the Democratic nominee – whoever that may be – will be committed to working for the common good.

What do the following letters say about Gloucester?

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They have a long-lasting impact on the lives of us all. But first let’s review the statistics.

RRR-DDDDDDD-UUUUUUUUUUUUUUU shows the proportion of Gloucester voters who are Republicans, Democrats, and Unenrolled. (The Unenrolled are registered to vote but have not enrolled in a party.)

Many people think that Democrats are in the majority in Gloucester. Perhaps that used to be the case, but now the Unenrolled make up a whopping 59 percent of our almost 20,000 registered voters.

If you were a Republican running for office, you might say to yourself, “Well, even though registered Republicans are in a minority, many of those Unenrolled voters are up for grabs, and some of the Democrats won’t turn out to vote, and so I can win.”

If you were a Democrat running for office, you might think, “I’d better be careful how I talk about my political values, because I don’t know what all those Unenrolled voters care about.”

And if you were a Democrat already in office facing a difficult vote, you might think more than twice before supporting a strong Democratic position, not knowing how many of the Unenrolled support the philosophy of the Democratic Party.

It’s true that many of the Unenrolled often vote Democratic. Gloucester did vote for Democrat John Kerry and not for Republican George Bush. But Gloucester also voted for Republican Governor Romney, and it’s quite possible that in the future Gloucester could vote for Republicans at all levels of government when our Democratic incumbents retire.

Gloucester’s percentage of Unenrolled voters is higher than the 50% for the state as a whole.

Let’s imagine what could happen if Gloucester and our state looked more like this:

RRR-DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD-UUUUUU

The political dynamics would be different. It would make Republican candidates less likely to thwart Democratic principles; it would encourage more Democrats to run for office; it would empower Democratic office holders to be more outspoken about their Democratic values; and it would make the election of a Democratic governor more likely. 

What would this mean for us as residents of Massachusetts as a whole?

First, it would help us avoid having as our governor someone who’s naturally a lynchpin in the Republican network of power, which gives huge tax cuts to the richest Americans and expensive favors to some of the most profitable businesses (pharmaceuticals, oil, tobacco, etc.) while many people, even the discharged military, can’t afford to see a doctor, get a decent education, or find adequate housing.

By electing a Democratic governor, we would be counteracting the Republican web of power under which the US is accumulating a staggering deficit for our whole society and seriously mishandling international responsibilities that are vital for national security.

We would have a Governor and legislature believing in the common good – in a society that builds and protects the well-being of all its citizens. Public education, health care, housing, public transportation, police and fire protection would have higher priority. This would in turn make Massachusetts more attractive to employers expanding their work forces.

After the 15 years of Republican governors in Massachusetts we’ve become so accustomed to a crumbling state that a better government may seem like a pipe dream, impossible to achieve.

We’ve gotten used to bad roads, risky bridges, failing hospitals, fire station closures, unaffordable housing, cutbacks in a wide array of public services, including education.

No wonder we’re no longer attracting the companies that create good jobs.

When we register and vote as Democrats, our Commonwealth can begin reversing the dysfunction and deterioration.

If you’re a Democrat at heart but still Unenrolled at City Hall, you can send an influential signal of your values by registering as a member of the party of all the people.

If you’re Unenrolled because you used to think Republicans were better at managing public funds, or at filling jobs based on merit, or at managing projects effectively, or at making decisions based on scientific evidence, then after the past 15 years of Republican administration in Massachusetts, and the past 6 years of Republican rule in Washington, you may now be convinced otherwise.

If you register as a Democrat as well as vote Democrat, you’ll help convince candidates and elected officials that you want them to work for the common good.

As mentioned in an earlier column, I made that mistake when I cast my ballot for Republican Bill Weld for governor in 1990 and have regretted it ever since. Weld was smart, charming, and seemed honest – and was much more likeable than the Democratic candidate.

After Weld left for greener pastures, our corner office has been occupied by Governors Cellucci and Romney. We’ve had almost 16 years of Republican executive “leadership.”

In my view, these Republican governors have failed to carry out our Commonwealth’s business responsibly. (Republicans seem to get tired of the job quickly. They’re not very interested in delivering public services.)

When you vote for a governor – whether a Democrat or a Republican – you’re sending a message about your political views, and you’re also lending your support to a party. Because, once elected, that governor will be a lynchpin in his or her party across the state and across the nation.

Parties are networks of people of like-minded political views. They don’t agree with each other on every issue, but they share a general philosophy.

Governors assist other members of their party in numerous ways, including fundraising, promoting their party’s messages, and supporting its tactics.

Take fundraising as a sign of linked support. Governor Weld led the fundraising for California Republican Governor Wilson (and Wilson was an early supporter of Republican President George W. Bush). Weld donated to New York’s Republican Governor, to the Republican who tried to defeat Democrat Hilary Clinton for Senate, to Pennsylvania Republican Senator Arlen Specter, and even to the very right-wing Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Rick Santorum. Governors Cellucci and Romney gave substantially to the Bush-Cheney campaign.

Contrast the donations made by our last Democratic Governor, Mike Dukakis: to Democratic Congressman Tierney, Democratic Senator Kerry, and Democratic Senator Kennedy, to name a few. And, like other governors, he has shared crucial advice, information, and contacts with the goal of strengthening his party.

The behind-the-scenes efforts of all governors to promote their party go far beyond their direct campaign contributions, but these are the easiest to trace through public records.

Members of a party support each other, understanding that they can accomplish more when they stick together. There are times when they disagree, but even the most independent leaders will not often defy their party– because they depend upon each other to accomplish what their constituents elected them for. They agree with their party’s goals.

So if you’re a Democrat at heart but you decide to vote for a Republican, you’re indirectly lending support to the Republican network.

We don’t know whom the Republicans will nominate for governor next year, but the candidate will likely be clean-cut and intelligent, and will probably avoid talking about why he or she is a Republican – hoping you’ll vote without paying attention to the party he (or she) is dedicated to.

Today Republicans control the White House, the Senate, the House, the Supreme Court, and a majority of state governorships, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. We now have the perfect opportunity to observe the true priorities of the Republican Party, since the Republicans aren’t forced to compromise with Democrats very often these days: huge tax cuts for the very richest Americans while running up an enormous irresponsible deficit, which threatens the future financial security of the nation.

The priority of the Democratic Party, on the other hand, is the common good. We believe in a society that fosters the well-being of the people – people from all income levels, all ethnic and racial and religious backgrounds, all ages.

That’s why during the last two generations the Democratic Party pushed hard – usually with vehement Republican opposition – to reduce poverty, increase access to health care, improve public transportation, eliminate discrimination, prohibit child labor, protect consumers, provide for the unemployed, expand employment, improve working conditions, protect our air and drinking water, make education available to all, encourage fair business, and strengthen our national security through international agreements.

We were able to make progress on behalf of all Americans and our posterity when Democrats were winning the Presidency and the Congress.

Next time you vote for national or state leaders, think about which party you wish to support. Don’t make the mistake I made when Weld (R) ran against Silber (D).