Archive of Messages to Supporters  

   June 23, 2008

Chris Van Hollen Voted Against War Funding and Against Giving the Telecoms Immunity – A Good Start, but Tell Chris that We Still Expect Him to Do More!

Friends,

          Last week Chris Van Hollen cast two important principled votes:  he voted on Thursday, June 19, against giving President Bush an additional $162 billion dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he voted the following day against giving the telecommunications companies immunity from lawsuits over the wiretapping of American citizens in the wake of 911.  I thank Chris Van Hollen for these votes, but I expect him to do even more. 

          In both instances, President Bush got what he wanted, and in both instances, he was opposed by a majority of the Democrats.  Republicans and some Democrats managed to pass both the war funding bill, and the telecommunications bill over the opposition of the majority of the Democrats.  The vote on the Iraq war funding bill (H.R. 2642, Roll Call 431) was 268 (80 Democrats and 188 Republicans) for the bill; 155 (151 Democrats and 4 Republicans) against the bill, and 12 (5 Democrats and seven Republicans) not voting.

          On the telecoms immunity bill the vote was 293 Yea (105 Democrats and 188 Republicans), 129 Nay (128 Democrats and 1 Republican), and 13 not voting (3 Democrats and 10 Republicans).

          So thank you, Chris Van Hollen—but honestly, for a progressive member of the House representing a progressive district—and in a position in the leadership as Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, we expect more!  As a whole, the Democratic Party continues to act as an enabler for President Bush and his policies.  We expect you, Chris Van Hollen, to do more to exert your leadership within the Democratic Party, to bring about needed change.  You can do it, and your constituents will support you if you do.  It is time to bring an end to the horrible war in Iraq, and to restore civil liberties in our country!

          To folks reading this Message on my website:  if you agree with the above, please contact Chris Van Hollen and let him know.  There is an election coming up, and though he holds what has come to be regarded as a safe seat, he really needs to earn the support of his constituents, if he wants to stay in office.  It is to his credit that he voted the way he did on those two important votes last week, but we expect him to do more.

          After winning over eleven thousand votes in the Democratic Primary in February, I have decided to stay in the race in the General Election, as a write-in candidate.  I am doing this to keep the pressure on Mr. Van Hollen, because he has yet to use his leadership position to pressure his colleagues to end the funding for the Iraq War.  Mr. Van Hollen’s voting record on the funding for the Iraq War has long been, and remains, a mixed record.  On some occasions he has voted for funding for the war, and on other occasions against.  Although there seems to be a slight trend in the direction of voting against funding for the Iraq War, Van Hollen’s voting record remains far from consistent.  

As a write-in candidate, I don’t really expect to win the 8^th Congressional District seat.  But I do intend to stay in the debate, and keep pushing Mr. Van Hollen to take a more active role in using his leadership position among the Democrats in the House of Representatives to end the funding for this war, and bring the troops home.   I will criticize his actions when he fails to use his leadership to oppose this war, and I will give him credit when he does the right thing.  For my comments on previous votes regarding Iraq War funding, click below to see my previous Message to Supporters.  Because it is important to review Mr. Van Hollen’s entire voting pattern on this issue when evaluating his position on this issue, I will review some of his previous votes below.

            In a previous Message to Supporters, I took the occasion to congratulate Mr. Van Hollen for his vote against the 162.5 billion dollar funding measure for the Iraq War, a vote which took place on May 15. (This was essentially the same bill that came back for a vote last week, which Van Hollen voted again to oppose, but which despite the opposition of Van Hollen and many other Democrats did pass last week.)  That funding bill for the war was voted down at 3:30 in the afternoon of May 15, 2008.  The roll call vote on this bill, H.R. 2642, broke down as follows:  Yeas 141 (85 Democrats and 56 Republicans), Nays 149 (147 Democrats and 2 Republicans), Present 132 (all of them Republicans), and Not Voting 12 (3 Democrats and 9 Republicans). 

Van Hollen did the right thing on May 15; he voted against further funding for the Iraq War, following the wishes of his constituents.  His critics might argue, as they might also argue with reference to his more recent No vote on Iraq war funding last week, that this was not that difficult of a vote for him, since he voted in the company of the majority of his fellow Democrats in the House. 

A recent vote on a budget bill, which received very little notice in the mainstream media, suggests the problem; Van Hollen still refuses to take a leadership position in ending funding for the Iraq War.  On May 22, 2008, Van Hollen voted for H.R. 5658, the 2009 Military Budget, authorizing a $601 billion dollar military budget for fiscal 2009.  The vote was 384 to 23.  The bill included $70 billion dollars to fund the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and although it contained some provisions which anti-war advocates support (such as providing that there will be no permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq), it is my opinion that he should have voted No.

Then we have the two latest votes against Iraq war funding and against the telecommunications immunity bill discussed above.  Let’s give Chris Van Hollen our thanks but make it clear to him at the same time that we expect more. 

It is more important than ever that we keep the pressure on Van Hollen, and thank him when he does vote against funding for the Iraq War, and criticize him when he votes for funding.  This battle is far from over.   We must mobilize now more than ever, to pressure Congress to bring an immediate end to this tragic, illegal, and immoral War in Iraq--and also to restore civil liberties at home.

   June 5, 2008

Chris Van Hollen’s voting Record on Iraq War funding remains mixed—we need to keep the pressure on him to do the right thing!

Friends,

          After winning over eleven thousand votes in the Democratic Primary in February, I have decided to stay in the race in the General Election, as a write-in candidate.  I am doing this to keep the pressure on Mr. Van Hollen, because he has yet to use his leadership position to pressure his colleagues to end the funding for the Iraq War.  Mr. Van Hollen’s voting record on the funding for the Iraq War has long been, and remains, a mixed record.  On some occasions he has voted for funding for the war, and on other occasions against.  Although there seems to be a slight trend in the direction of voting against funding for the Iraq War, Van Hollen’s voting record remains far from consistent.  

As a write-in candidate, I don’t really expect to win the 8^th Congressional District seat.  But I do intend to stay in the debate, and keep pushing Mr. Van Hollen to take a more active role in using his leadership position among the Democrats in the House of Representatives to end the funding for this war, and bring the troops home.   I will criticize his actions when he fails to use his leadership to oppose this war, and I will give him credit when he does the right thing.

            In my previous Message to Supporters, I took the occasion to congratulate Mr. Van Hollen for his vote against the 162.5 billion dollar funding measure for the Iraq War, a vote which took place on May 15.  That funding bill for the war was voted down at 3:30 in the afternoon of May 15, 2008.  The roll call vote on this bill, H.R. 2642, broke down as follows:  Yeas 141 (85 Democrats and 56 Republicans), Nays 149 (147 Democrats and 2 Republicans), Present 132 (all of them Republicans), and Not Voting 12 (3 Democrats and 9 Republicans). 

Van Hollen did the right thing on May 15; he voted against further funding for the Iraq War, following the wishes of his constituents.  His critics might argue that this was not that difficult of a vote for him, since he voted in the company of the majority of his fellow Democrats in the House. 

A more recent vote, which received very little notice in the mainstream media, suggests the problem; Van Hollen still refuses to take a leadership position in ending funding for the Iraq War.  On May 22, 2008, Van Hollen voted for H.R. 5658, the 2009 Military Budget, authorizing a $601 billion dollar military budget for fiscal 2009.  The vote was 384 to 23.  The bill included $70 billion dollars to fund the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and although it contained some provisions which anti-war advocates support (such as providing that there will be no permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq), it is my opinion that he should have voted No. 

It is more important than ever that we keep the pressure on Van Hollen, and thank him when he does vote against funding for the Iraq War, and criticize him when he votes for funding.  This battle is far from over.  There will be another appropriations bill coming back for a vote in the House sometime soon, and it is important that we let Van Hollen know that he should be voting against any additional funding for the Iraq War.   The pressure on Mr. Van Hollen and his colleagues will no doubt be even greater when the funding bill comes back from the Senate for another vote.

  We must mobilize now more than ever, to pressure Congress to bring an immediate end to this tragic, illegal, and immoral War in Iraq.

   May 19, 2008

Chris Van Hollen did the right thing in voting against Iraq War funding; Thank him, but tell him this is not over, and he needs to do more--

Friends,

          After winning over eleven thousand votes in the Democratic Primary in February, I have decided to stay in the race in the General Election, as a write-in candidate.  Mr. Van Hollen’s voting record on the funding for the Iraq War has long been a mixed record.  On some occasions he has voted for funding for the war, and on other occasions against.  For a full discussion of my reasons for staying in this race, please see the previous Message to Supporters, by going to the link at the bottom of this message.   As a write-in candidate, I don’t really expect to win the 8^th Congressional District seat.  But I do intend to stay in the debate, and keep pushing Mr. Van Hollen to take a more active role in using his leadership position among the Democrats in the House of Representatives to end the funding for this war, and bring the troops home.   I will criticize his actions when he fails to use his leadership to oppose this war, and I will give him credit when he does the right thing. He did do the right thing last week, and he deserves our thanks for doing so.

            I would like to take this occasion to congratulate Mr. Van Hollen for his vote against the 162.5 billion dollar funding measure for the Iraq War in the latest significant vote in the House of Representatives on Iraq War funding.  The funding bill for the war was voted down at 3:30 in the afternoon of May 15, 2008.  The roll call vote on this bill, H.R. 2642, broke down as follows:  Yeas 141 (85 Democrats and 56 Republicans), Nays 149 (147 Democrats and 2 Republicans), Present 132 (all of them Republicans), and Not Voting 12 (3 Democrats and 9 Republicans). 

Van Hollen did the right thing; he voted against further funding for the Iraq War, following the wishes of his constituents.  His critics might argue that this was not that difficult of a vote for him, since he voted in the company of the majority of his fellow Democrats in the House.  Nonetheless, we should all thank him for doing the right thing.  I would suggest that we all contact Mr. Van Hollen, and let him know that we do thank him for standing up against continued funding of this illegal, immoral, and tragic war.  And also let him know that we expect him to be consistent, and continue to vote against funding for the war, when this issue comes back for a vote in the House.  This will surely come before the House again, after the measure goes to the Senate, where it is expected that funding for the Iraq War will be put back into the bill.  The pressure on Mr. Van Hollen and his colleagues will no doubt be even greater when the funding bill comes back from the Senate for another vote.

It was good that Chris Van Hollen voted No on the Iraq War funding bill.  But we can’t let up now; we must keep up the pressure on Mr. Van Hollen, and on Senators Mikulski and Cardin as well, to keep voting down bills to fund the war, as long as the war continues, our troops and Iraqi citizens continue to die,  and these funding bills keep getting sent to our elected representatives to be voted upon.  We must mobilize now more than ever, to pressure Congress to bring an immediate end to this tragic, illegal, and immoral War in Iraq.

 

   March 19, 2008

On this Fifth Anniversary of the U.S. Invasion of Iraq, I am Running for Congress—as the ultimate outsider!

Friends,

          This week, and today in particular, marks the fifth anniversary of the United States invasion and occupation of Iraq—a war based on manufactured intelligence, which has led to the death of thousands of Americans; to the maiming in body, mind, and spirit of thousands more; and to the deaths of, and injuries to many more tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens—deaths and injuries which in number exceed any count likely to be given by our own U.S. Government.  (Estimates of the total number of Iraqi war dead vary, but the figure may well be in excess of 100,000.) We have destroyed the infrastructure of Iraq, and wreaked untold havoc with the Environment in Iraq, and in the world.  According to this morning’s Washington Post, the war has cost the U.S. Treasury more than half a trillion dollars.  As the war continues, the total could exceed well over three trillion dollars, according to Nobel prize-winning economist, Joseph Stiglitz.

          This week, demonstrators against the war have been, are, and will continue to hit the streets, in an exercise of their First Amendment freedoms, in their efforts to bring the attention of the wider public and of the elected officials to this sad anniversary, and this ongoing senseless, tragic, and destructive war.  I will be joining them.

          This week also, Amy Goodman is broadcasting every morning on Democracy Now (WPFW Radio, 89.3 FM) the Winter Soldier hearings, which were held at the National Labor College in Silver Spring this past week-end.  Reminiscent of similar hearings held in the era of the Viet Nam War, these broadcasts contain moving and disturbing accounts by American soldiers who have returned from Iraq, with tales of cruel and senseless killing and maiming of Iraqi civilians, born of the terror our soldiers feel, of having to kill, or be killed.

          I will continue to demonstrate with others in the street, but I am also raising my voice in another way:  I am running for Congress as a write-in candidate.

          On February 19, I went to Annapolis and filled out a Certificate of Candidacy, making me an official write-in candidate for Maryland’s 8^th Congressional District seat in the 2008 General Election.  I want to take a little time today to explain on this website why I have made this decision to run as a write-in candidate for the 8^th Congressional District in the November General Election. 

The vote totals from the Democratic Primary for the 8^th Congressional District seat in Maryland are now final.  (I will put aside for the purposes of this discussion the issue of the accuracy and reliability of the electronic voting machines currently used in the State of Maryland without any kind of a verifiable paper trail—something which does cause me great concern.) According to the tally of the Maryland State Board of Elections, the votes in the Democratic Primary have been tallied as follows:  Van Hollen:  104,108 votes (87.8%), Vollmer: 11,052 votes (9.3 %), and Young: 3391 (2.9%).

          I want to thank the over 11,000 people who voted for me in this Democratic Primary Election.  And I congratulate Chris Van Hollen for his victory in the Democratic Primary.  But I want to also caution Mr. Van Hollen that we are not done with this particular campaign yet.  The issues are too important for me to walk away now, and stop talking about our differences on the issues—especially with regard to the war in Iraq. That is why I filed to run as a write-in candidate for the 8^th Congressional District seat.  As a write-in candidate, I will continue actively urging Mr. Van Hollen to take the leadership among his colleagues in the House of Representatives to end all Congressional funding for this war, and bring the troops home without further delay!  

 As a write-in candidate for the 8^th Congressional District seat, I hope that I will be invited to candidate forums and debates, and to fill out candidate questionnaires, and to speak to organizations, and I hope that the media will pay some attention to the candidacy of  a former challenger in the Democratic Primary who obtained over 11,000 votes in a campaign involving no fundraising, and no paid advertising, and which pushed the message that the voters in the 8^th Congressional District of Maryland want a representative who will take an active role in taking the leadership in Congress to end Congressional funding for the Iraq War, and bring the troops home NOW! 

I am aware that write-in candidates rarely win elections, but that there is always that possibility.  As a write-in candidate, I am running as the ultimate outsider—not as a Democrat; Chris Van Hollen won the Democratic nomination, but as an individual person, with my own independent voice.  In the admittedly unlikely event that I might win the 8^th Congressional District seat in the General Election, I would caucus with the Progressive Caucus in Congress.  To win any votes at all, I must do whatever I can to let people know that if they wish to vote for me, they must write my name onto the ballot.  This will be no easy task, so I am looking to people reading this to help me spread the word about this write-in campaign.  Help me let people know that they have a choice in this election, but that if they want to vote for me, they will need to write in my name!

Why do this at all, one might ask?  I am aware that as a write-in candidate, I have a real opportunity to keep pushing the debate on the issue of the Iraq war.  We have nearly eight months between now and the General Election—eight months, when the war in Iraq will continue to be a focus of the debate in Congress—eight months, for more Americans and Iraqi civilians to die—eight months for Chris Van Hollen to change course and take a position of leadership in opposing this war, as his constituents want him to do!  Frankly, if Mr. Van Hollen should choose to take a leadership position in Congress in ending Congressional funding for the war, and bringing the troops home, my write-in campaign for CD-8 will gain very little traction.  If my candidacy as a write-in candidate has the effect of motivating Van Hollen to exert his leadership among his colleagues in the House of Representatives to end this war, my efforts will have been worthwhile!

There is also in this race a Green Party candidate—Gordon Clark—who has a powerful message of opposing the war and working to stop global climate change.  Nearly eight months for a Green Party candidate to develop a campaign and present his message.  I don’t know how strong a candidate Gordon will be; I consider him to be a friend, and we agree on many of the issues.  I am not prepared to endorse him at this time, but we shall see. 

Meanwhile, I invite voters who are disappointed in Chris Van Hollen for his failure to take a leadership position in cutting Congressional funding for the Iraq war, to look at all of their options.  Another option, for those of you who are reluctant to abandon support for a popular Democratic incumbent, but are unhappy with Van Hollen’s positions, would be to contact Mr. Van Hollen, and let him know that you are disappointed, and that you are considering other options in this Election, if he does not reverse course and take leadership in ending this war!  A pledge from Van Hollen to vote for no more funding for the war and to join the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress might be a good start!

For those of you looking at this website for the first time, here are some of the issues that were central to my campaign, in this just-finished Democratic Primary Election.  I will continue to campaign on these issues, in my write-in campaign.

ON IRAQ—Bring all U.S. troops home NOW.  No more funding for the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.  As I have discussed in previous e-mail messages, and on my website, Van Hollen’s voting record on Iraq War funding is a mixed one, and Van Hollen has not even joined the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress!  We need a leader in Congress on this issue.  Van Hollen has been a timid follower, when he could have exerted his leadership position to end this war!

ON IRAN—I oppose the drumbeats for war with Iran, and other nations.

ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE—While Chris Van Hollen does have a better record on this issue than some, I would like to see him come out more strongly in support of the rights of Palestinians living under conditions of occupation.  In the long run, I believe that Israel, too, will benefit if justice is brought to Palestinians, because it will be possible for the two nations and their peoples to achieve a genuine peace.

ON CIVIL LIBERTIES—I am for protecting our precious civil liberties.  I oppose the U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT. I oppose practices and policies of the Bush Administration, whether or not actually written into law, that infringe on civil liberties.  Recently, Van Hollen voted for H.R, 1955, the so-called “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007”—a bill which had little publicity when it was being debated and voted upon, and which had little opposition, when it passed the House of Representatives.  Civil liberties organizations have sounded the alarm that this bill threatens to chill the rights of people engaged in peaceful protest.  Van Hollen voted for this bill.  I would have voted against it.

ON IMPEACHMENT—I support Dennis Kucinich’s resolution for impeachment.  Impeach Cheney first, and then Bush.  What message do we send to future generations and future Presidents if we do not impeach these two, for what they have done to our nation?  Van Hollen is on the record as opposing efforts to impeach Bush and Cheney.

ON HEALTH CARE—In fairness to Chris Van Hollen, he does agree with me that all Americans should have health care coverage.  But we disagree on the means.  Van Hollen would reform the current system, but keep the health insurance companies in the system.  I favor universal, single-payer health care, which eliminates the health insurance companies from the system and provides individuals with high quality health care, with a choice of health care providers, that is publicly financed:  Medicare for All.  I support legislation sponsored by John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich for universal, single-payer health care.  Van Hollen has refused to sign on to this legislation.

THE INTERCOUNTY CONNECTOR—I oppose this road project, which I view as detrimental to the environment, and communities.

          In a democracy, the voters have a choice.  You have the option of voting for the incumbent. But you do not have to vote for the incumbent, if you do not feel that he is representing you.  You do have a choice.  And I hope that you will consider writing in my name for the 8^th Congressional District seat this November!

   March 11, 2008

Running for Congress—as the ultimate outsider!

Friends,

          On February 19, I went to Annapolis and filled out a Certificate of Candidacy, making me an official write-in candidate for Maryland’s 8^th Congressional District seat in the 2008 General Election.  I want to take a little time today to explain on this website why I have made this decision to run as a write-in candidate for the 8^th Congressional District in the November General Election.

          Most of the votes have now been counted in the Maryland Democratic Primary for the 8^th Congressional District.  Putting aside for the sake of this discussion a very real concern with the accuracy and reliability of the electronic voting machines used in this election, I would like to tell you about the results so far, and make a few points.

          The totals are not final, but at this point, the votes in the Democratic Primary have been tallied as follows:  Van Hollen:  104,108 votes (87.8%), Vollmer: 11,052 votes (9.3 %), and Young: 3391 (2.9%).

          I want to thank the over 11,000 people who voted for me in this Democratic Primary Election.  And I congratulate Chris Van Hollen for his victory in the Democratic Primary.  But I want to also caution Mr. Van Hollen that we are not done with this particular campaign yet.  The issues are too important for me to walk away now, and stop talking about our differences on the issues—especially with regard to the war in Iraq. That is why I filed to run as a write-in candidate for the 8^th Congressional District seat.  As a write-in candidate, I will continue actively urging Mr. Van Hollen to take the leadership among his colleagues in the House of Representatives to end all Congressional funding for this war, and bring the troops home without further delay!  

 As a write-in candidate for the 8^th Congressional District seat, I hope that I will be invited to candidate forums and debates, and to fill out candidate questionnaires, and to speak to organizations, and I hope that the media will pay some attention to the candidacy of  a former challenger in the Democratic Primary who obtained over 11,000 votes in a campaign involving no fundraising, and no paid advertising, and which pushed the message that the voters in the 8^th Congressional District of Maryland want a representative who will take an active role in taking the leadership in Congress to end Congressional funding for the Iraq War, and bring the troops home NOW! 

I am aware that write-in candidates rarely win elections, but that there is always that possibility.  As a write-in candidate, I am running as the ultimate outsider—not as a Democrat; Chris Van Hollen won the Democratic nomination, but as an individual person, with my own independent voice.  In the admittedly unlikely event that I might win the 8^th Congressional District seat in the General Election, I would caucus with the Progressive Caucus in Congress.  To win any votes at all, I must do whatever I can to let people know that if they wish to vote for me, they must write my name onto the ballot.  This will be no easy task, so I am looking to people reading this to help me spread the word about this write-in campaign.  Help me let people know that they have a choice in this election, but that if they want to vote for me, they will need to write in my name!

Why do this at all, one might ask?  I am aware that as a write-in candidate, I have a real opportunity to keep pushing the debate on the issue of the Iraq war.  We have nearly eight months between now and the General Election—eight months, when the war in Iraq will continue to be a focus of the debate in Congress—eight months, for more Americans and Iraqi civilians to die—eight months for Chris Van Hollen to change course and take a position of leadership in opposing this war, as his constituents want him to do!  Frankly, if Mr. Van Hollen should choose to take a leadership position in Congress in ending Congressional funding for the war, and bringing the troops home, my write-in campaign for CD-8 will gain very little traction.  If my candidacy as a write-in candidate has the effect of motivating Van Hollen to exert his leadership among his colleagues in the House of Representatives to end this war, my efforts will have been worthwhile!

There is also in this race a Green Party candidate—Gordon Clark—who has a powerful message of opposing the war and working to stop global climate change.  Nearly eight months for a Green Party candidate to develop a campaign and present his message.  I don’t know how strong a candidate Gordon will be; I consider him to be a friend, and we agree on many of the issues.  I am not prepared to endorse him at this time, but we shall see. 

Meanwhile, I invite voters who are disappointed in Chris Van Hollen for his failure to take a leadership position in cutting Congressional funding for the Iraq war, to look at all of their options.  Another option, for those of you who are reluctant to abandon support for a popular Democratic incumbent, but are unhappy with Van Hollen’s positions, would be to contact Mr. Van Hollen, and let him know that you are disappointed, and that you are considering other options in this Election, if he does not reverse course and take leadership in ending this war!  A pledge from Van Hollen to vote for no more funding for the war and to join the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress might be a good start!

For those of you looking at this website for the first time, here are some of the issues that were central to my campaign, in this just-finished Democratic Primary Election.  I will continue to campaign on these issues, in my write-in campaign.

ON IRAQ—Bring all U.S. troops home NOW.  No more funding for the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.  As I have discussed in previous e-mail messages, and on my website, Van Hollen’s voting record on Iraq War funding is a mixed one, and Van Hollen has not even joined the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress!  We need a leader in Congress on this issue.  Van Hollen has been a timid follower, when he could have exerted his leadership position to end this war!

ON IRAN—I oppose the drumbeats for war with Iran, and other nations.

ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE—While Chris Van Hollen does have a better record on this issue than some, I would like to see him come out more strongly in support of the rights of Palestinians living under conditions of occupation.  In the long run, I believe that Israel, too, will benefit if justice is brought to Palestinians, because it will be possible for the two nations and their peoples to achieve a genuine peace.

ON CIVIL LIBERTIES—I am for protecting our precious civil liberties.  I oppose the U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT. I oppose practices and policies of the Bush Administration, whether or not actually written into law, that infringe on civil liberties.  Recently, Van Hollen voted for H.R, 1955, the so-called “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007”—a bill which had little publicity when it was being debated and voted upon, and which had little opposition, when it passed the House of Representatives.  Civil liberties organizations have sounded the alarm that this bill threatens to chill the rights of people engaged in peaceful protest.  Van Hollen voted for this bill.  I would have voted against it.

ON IMPEACHMENT—I support Dennis Kucinich’s resolution for impeachment.  Impeach Cheney first, and then Bush.  What message do we send to future generations and future Presidents if we do not impeach these two, for what they have done to our nation?  Van Hollen is on the record as opposing efforts to impeach Bush and Cheney.

ON HEALTH CARE—In fairness to Chris Van Hollen, he does agree with me that all Americans should have health care coverage.  But we disagree on the means.  Van Hollen would reform the current system, but keep the health insurance companies in the system.  I favor universal, single-payer health care, which eliminates the health insurance companies from the system and provides individuals with high quality health care, with a choice of health care providers, that is publicly financed:  Medicare for All.  I support legislation sponsored by John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich for universal, single-payer health care.  Van Hollen has refused to sign on to this legislation.

THE INTERCOUNTY CONNECTOR—I oppose this road project, which I view as detrimental to the environment, and communities.

          In a democracy, the voters have a choice.  You have the option of voting for the incumbent. But you do not have to vote for the incumbent, if you do not feel that he is representing you.  You do have a choice.  And I hope that you will consider writing in my name for the 8^th Congressional District seat this November!

   February 20, 2008

The Primary Election Results Are in (Well, Most of Them Anyway)—and I have made a decision!

Friends,

          Yesterday, I went to Annapolis and filled out a Certificate of Candidacy, making me an official write-in candidate for Maryland’s 8^th Congressional District seat in the 2008 General Election.  I want to take a little time today to explain on this website why I have made this decision.

          Most of the votes have now been counted in the Maryland Democratic Primary for the 8^th Congressional District.  Putting aside for the sake of this discussion a very real concern with the accuracy and reliability of the electronic voting machines used in this election, I would like to tell you about the results so far, and make a few points.

          The totals are not final, and do not include the provisional ballots.  But at this point, the votes in the Democratic Primary have been tallied as follows:  Van Hollen:  100,417 votes (88.0 %), Vollmer: 10,490 votes (9.2 %), and Young: 3200 (2.8%).

          I want to thank the over 10,000 people who voted for me in this Democratic Primary Election.  And I congratulate Chris Van Hollen for his victory in the Democratic Primary.  But I want to also caution Mr. Van Hollen that we are not done with this particular campaign yet.  The issues are too important for me to walk away now, and stop talking about our differences on the issues—especially with regard to the war in Iraq. That is why I filed yesterday to run as a write-in candidate for the 8^th Congressional District seat.  As a write-in candidate, I will continue actively urging Mr. Van Hollen to take the leadership among his colleagues in the House of Representatives to end all Congressional funding for this war, and bring the troops home without further delay!  

 As a write-in candidate for the 8^th Congressional District seat, I hope that I will be invited to candidate forums and debates, and that the media will pay some attention to the candidacy of  a former challenger in the Democratic Primary who obtained over 10,000 votes in a campaign involving no fundraising, and no paid advertising, and which pushed the message that the voters in the 8^th Congressional District of Maryland want a representative who will take an active role in taking the leadership in Congress to end Congressional funding for the Iraq War, and bring the troops home NOW! 

I am aware that write-in candidates rarely win elections, but that there is always that possibility. I am also aware that as a write-in candidate, I may not win, but that I have a real opportunity to keep pushing the debate on the issue of the Iraq war.  We have over eight months between now and the General Election—eight months, when the war in Iraq will continue to be a focus of the debate in Congress—eight months, for more Americans and Iraqi civilians to die—eight months for Chris Van Hollen to change course and take a position of leadership in opposing this war, as his constituents want him to do!  There is also in this race a Green Party candidate—Gordon Clark—who has a powerful message of opposing the war and working to stop global climate change.  Eight months for a Green Party candidate to develop a campaign and present his message.  I don’t know how strong a candidate Gordon will be; I consider him to be a friend, and we agree on many of the issues.  I am not prepared to endorse him at this time, but we shall see. 

Meanwhile, I invite voters who are disappointed in Chris Van Hollen for his failure to take a leadership position in cutting Congressional funding for the Iraq war, to look at all of their options.  Another option, for those of you who are reluctant to abandon support for a popular Democratic incumbent, but are unhappy with Van Hollen’s positions, would be to contact Mr. Van Hollen, and let him know that you are disappointed, and that you are considering other options in this Election, if he does not reverse course and take leadership in ending this war!  A pledge from Van Hollen to vote for no more funding for the war and to join the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress might be a good start!

For those of you looking at this website for the first time, here are some of the issues that were central to my campaign, in this just-finished Democratic Primary Election.

ON IRAQ—Bring all U.S. troops home NOW.  No more funding for the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.  As I have discussed in previous e-mail messages, and on my website, Van Hollen’s voting record on Iraq War funding is a mixed one, and Van Hollen has not even joined the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress!  We need a leader in Congress on this issue.  Van Hollen has been a timid follower, when he could have exerted his leadership position to end this war!

ON IRAN—I oppose the drumbeats for war with Iran, and other nations.

ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE—While Chris Van Hollen does have a better record on this issue than some, I would like to see him come out more strongly in support of the rights of Palestinians living under conditions of occupation.  In the long run, I believe that Israel, too, will benefit if justice is brought to Palestinians, because it will be possible for the two nations and their peoples to achieve a genuine peace.

ON CIVIL LIBERTIES—I am for protecting our precious civil liberties.  I oppose the U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT. I oppose practices and policies of the Bush Administration, whether or not actually written into law, that infringe on civil liberties.  Recently, Van Hollen voted for H.R, 1955, the so-called “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007”—a bill which had little publicity when it was being debated and voted upon, and which had little opposition, when it passed the House of Representatives.  Civil liberties organizations have sounded the alarm that this bill threatens to chill the rights of people engaged in peaceful protest.  Van Hollen voted for this bill.  I would have voted against it.

ON IMPEACHMENT—I support Dennis Kucinich’s resolution for impeachment.  Impeach Cheney first, and then Bush.  What message do we send to future generations and future Presidents if we do not impeach these two, for what they have done to our nation?  Van Hollen is on the record as opposing efforts to impeach Bush and Cheney.

ON HEALTH CARE—In fairness to Chris Van Hollen, he does agree with me that all Americans should have health care coverage.  But we disagree on the means.  Van Hollen would reform the current system, but keep the health insurance companies in the system.  I favor universal, single-payer health care, which eliminates the health insurance companies from the system and provides individuals with high quality health care, with a choice of health care providers, that is publicly financed:  Medicare for All.  I support legislation sponsored by John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich for universal, single-payer health care.  Van Hollen has refused to sign on to this legislation.

THE INTERCOUNTY CONNECTOR—I oppose this road project, which I view as detrimental to the environment, and communities.

          In a democracy, the voters have a choice.  You have the option of voting for the incumbent. But you do not have to vote for the incumbent, if you do not feel that he is representing you.  You do have a choice.  And I hope that you will consider writing in my name for the 8^th Congressional District seat this November!

      February 15, 2008

The Primary Election Results Are in (Well, Most of Them Anyway)

Friends,

          Most of the votes have now been counted in the Maryland Democratic Primary for the 8^th Congressional District.  Putting aside for the sake of this discussion a very real concern with the accuracy and reliability of the electronic voting machines used in this election, I would like to tell you about the results so far, and make a few points.

          The totals are not final, and do not include the absentee ballots and provisional ballots.  But at this point, the votes in the Democratic Primary have been tallied as follows:  Van Hollen:  93,932 votes (87.8 %), Vollmer: 9,991 votes (9.3 %), and Young: 3059 (2.9%).

          I want to thank what will surely amount to over 10,000 people who voted for me in this Democratic Primary Election.  And I congratulate Chris Van Hollen for his victory in the Democratic Primary.  But I want to also caution Mr. Van Hollen that we may not be done with this particular campaign yet.  The issues are too important for me to walk away now, and stop talking about our differences on the issues—especially with regard to the war in Iraq.  I will continue actively urging Mr. Van Hollen to take the leadership among his colleagues in the House of Representatives to end all Congressional funding for this war, and bring the troops home without further delay!

For those of you looking at this website for the first time, here are some of the issues that were central to my campaign, in this just-finished Democratic Primary Election.

ON IRAQ—Bring all U.S. troops home NOW.  No more funding for the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.  As I have discussed in previous e-mail messages, and on my website, Van Hollen’s voting record on Iraq War funding is a mixed one, and Van Hollen has not even joined the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress!  We need a leader in Congress on this issue.  Van Hollen has been a timid follower, when he could have exerted his leadership position to end this war!

ON IRAN—I oppose the drumbeats for war with Iran, and other nations.

ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE—While Chris Van Hollen does have a better record on this issue than some, I would like to see him come out more strongly in support of the rights of Palestinians living under conditions of occupation.  In the long run, I believe that Israel, too, will benefit if justice is brought to Palestinians, because it will be possible for the two nations and their peoples to achieve a genuine peace.

ON CIVIL LIBERTIES—I am for protecting our precious civil liberties.  I oppose the U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT. I oppose practices and policies of the Bush Administration, whether or not actually written into law, that infringe on civil liberties.  Recently, Van Hollen voted for H.R, 1955, the so-called “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007”—a bill which had little publicity when it was being debated and voted upon, and which had little opposition, when it passed the House of Representatives.  Civil liberties organizations have sounded the alarm that this bill threatens to chill the rights of people engaged in peaceful protest.  Van Hollen voted for this bill.  I would have voted against it.

ON IMPEACHMENT—I support Dennis Kucinich’s resolution for impeachment.  Impeach Cheney first, and then Bush.  What message do we send to future generations and future Presidents if we do not impeach these two, for what they have done to our nation?  Van Hollen is on the record as opposing efforts to impeach Bush and Cheney.

ON HEALTH CARE—In fairness to Chris Van Hollen, he does agree with me that all Americans should have health care coverage.  But we disagree on the means.  Van Hollen would reform the current system, but keep the health insurance companies in the system.  I favor universal, single-payer health care, which eliminates the health insurance companies from the system and provides individuals with high quality health care, with a choice of health care providers, that is publicly financed:  Medicare for All.  I support legislation sponsored by John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich for universal, single-payer health care.  Van Hollen has refused to sign on to this legislation.

THE INTERCOUNTY CONNECTOR—I oppose this road project, which I view as detrimental to the environment, and communities.

I am doing some serious thinking about how we might consider keeping these and other issues, front and center in the debate in the General Election.  I will consider your input, as I weigh my options. Please refer to the page Status of Campaign: Next Steps.

Whatever decision I reach regarding next steps, I do want to take this opportunity to thank the over 10,000 voters in the Democratic Primary, who voted on February 12 for Vollmer for Congress!  THANK YOU!!!

      January 31, 2008

Van Hollen votes for more funding for the War, as Vollmer for Congress Campaign Picks up New Energy!

Friends,

          It is not always easy to track the various votes in Congress on Iraq War funding. Sometimes these votes come as votes on a budget; sometimes as a “supplemental”, sometimes it is called a “bridge fund”, and sometimes a “continuing resolution.”  The Montgomery Extra section of the Washington Post (Thursday, January 24) reported on the latest significant vote—the 2008 Defense Budget, which the House sent to the Senate on January 16.  The Defense Budget bill, H.R. 4986, was passed by a vote of 369 to 46.  This budget bill authorized a $649 billion military budget, including nearly $190 for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Chris Van Hollen voted for this budget bill.  Had I been in Congress and in a position to vote on this, I would have joined the 46 courageous members of the House who voted NO. 

          Just a few days ago on Sunday afternoon (January 27), Montgomery County Peace Action and several co-sponsoring organizations held a candidates’ forum at the County Council building in Rockville for candidates running for the 8^th and 4^th Congressional Districts.  For those of you who helped with this event, and to those who attended, thank you!  It was a rare opportunity for me to get the message out, and the first thing I mentioned when it was my turn for opening remarks was to focus on Van Hollen’s voting record on the war, especially his latest vote on the 2008 Defense Budget. (Mr. Van Hollen did appear at this event, but he arrived late, and he left early.  As he has in the past, he spoke out in opposition to the Iraq war—but he failed to explain his mixed voting record on Iraq war funding.)

           Over the last couple of weeks, and especially over the last couple of days, this campaign for Congress has picked up new energy!

          My videotape on Montgomery Community Television is now airing, multiple times on cable Channel 21. In that spot, I speak about my positions on some of the issues, defining the differences that I have with Chris Van Hollen on Iraq War funding, civil liberties, impeachment, and health care.  See the schedule for airing of these spots, now posted on this website. You should note that MCT Television, which is run by volunteers, is not as tight in matching predetermined scheduling as is the case with commercial television.  Also, the broadcast contains the statements of a number of different candidates for different congressional districts.  My spot airs approximately half an hour into the broadcast, and only lasts for about four minutes.  A good rule of thumb:  look at the schedule that is posted, but don’t expect to see me for about half an hour after the broadcast starts; and even then, tune in a little early in case they start the sequence early.

          Also on the campaign publicity front, the Montgomery County Sentinel published a feature article about the Vollmer for Congress campaign, and also in the same newspaper, printed my letter to the editor on the subject of my campaign!  The article appears in the hardcopy edition of the Sentinel which came out of Thursday January 24.  (The Sentinel comes out once a week, on Thursday, and is available at some news stands and libraries.)  The article also appears on the Sentinel’s website, and we have linked to it here on this website.

          In other campaign news, I have received the endorsement of the Montgomery County Green Democrats.  Thank you Green Democrats!

            Here are some of my positions on some of the issues of concern to voters for peace, social justice, and the environment.  On some of these issues, the differences that I have with incumbent Chris Van Hollen are slight; on some of the issues, our differences are major.

ON IRAQ—Bring all U.S. troops home NOW.  No more funding for the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.  As I have discussed in previous e-mail messages, and on my website, Van Hollen’s voting record on Iraq War funding is a mixed one, and Van Hollen has not even joined the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress!  We need a leader in Congress on this issue.  Van Hollen has been a timid follower, when he could have exerted his leadership position to end this war!

ON IRAN—I oppose the drumbeats for war with Iran, and other nations.

ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE—While Chris Van Hollen does have a better record on this issue than some, I would like to see him come out more strongly in support of the rights of Palestinians living under conditions of occupation.  In the long run, I believe that Israel, too, will benefit if justice is brought to Palestinians, because it will be possible for the two nations and their peoples to achieve a genuine peace.

ON CIVIL LIBERTIES—I am for protecting our precious civil liberties.  I oppose the U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT. I oppose practices and policies of the Bush Administration, whether or not actually written into law, that infringe on civil liberties.  Recently, Van Hollen voted for H.R, 1955, the so-called “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007”—a bill which had little publicity when it was being debated and voted upon, and which had little opposition, when it passed the House of Representatives.  Civil liberties organizations have sounded the alarm that this bill threatens to chill the rights of people engaged in peaceful protest.  Van Hollen voted for this bill.  I would have voted against it.

ON IMPEACHMENT—I support Dennis Kucinich’s resolution for impeachment.  Impeach Cheney first, and then Bush.  What message do we send to future generations and future Presidents if we do not impeach these two, for what they have done to our nation?  Van Hollen is on the record as opposing efforts to impeach Bush and Cheney.

ON HEALTH CARE—In fairness to Chris Van Hollen, he does agree with me that all Americans should have health care coverage.  But we disagree on the means.  Van Hollen would reform the current system, but keep the health insurance companies in the system.  I favor universal, single-payer health care, which eliminates the health insurance companies from the system and provides individuals with high quality health care, with a choice of health care providers, that is publicly financed:  Medicare for All.  I support legislation sponsored by John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich for universal, single-payer health care.  Van Hollen has refused to sign on to this legislation.

THE INTERCOUNTY CONNECTOR—I oppose this road project, which I view as detrimental to the environment, and communities.

            PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS MESSAGE BY E-MAIL TO PROGRESSIVE VOTERS IN MARYLAND’S 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.  The voters deserve to know how the candidates stand on the issues.  AND DON’T FORGET TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008.     

            For further information, please see my website at http://www.deborahvollmer.com.  See especially these pages on my website: Status of the Campaign, and What You Can Do to Help, and Upcoming Forums and Events.

            Again, please circulate this message, far and wide.  We are not doing fundraising in this campaign, and e-mail is one of those means that we do have to reach the voters!  Thanks!

Vollmer for Congress Campaign Picks Up New Energy!

Friends,

           Over the last couple of weeks, and especially over the last couple of days, this campaign for Congress has picked up new energy!

          Last Thursday, I did my videotaped four-minute spot at the studio of Montgomery Community Television.  In that spot, I speak about my positions on some of the issues, defining the differences that I have with Chris Van Hollen on Iraq War funding, civil liberties, impeachment, and health care.  Montgomery Community Television will be posting the schedule for the airing of the spots within the next few days.  We will also post the schedule on this website.

          On Saturday, January 12, I joined John Nirenberg, in his march to Washington to meet with Pelosi, Conyers, and other leaders in Congress to urge impeachment of Dick Cheney and George W. Bush.  John has marched some five hundred miles, from Faneuil Hall in Boston!  I was proud to join him on the last few miles of his journey.  John is asking folks to get those phone calls in to Pelosi, Conyers, and other members of Congress to urge that action be taken on impeachment.  See http://www.marchinmyname.org, John’s website, and also http://www.impeachthem.wordpress.com and also http://www.takomaparkibc.wordpress.com for further information.

          On Sunday, I attended a memorial service in Garrett Park for a great lady—Ethel Lubarsky, a long-time activist with the Gray Panthers, and a friend.  Family members and friends shared memories of Ethel and her social activism, and we sang “There Once Was a Union Maid,” and other songs.  Ethel Lubarsky was a wonderful person, and a persistent activist for peace, universal health care, and social justice.  She will be missed.

          On Sunday, January 27, Montgomery County Peace Action and several co-sponsoring organizations will hold a candidates’ forum for Congressional candidates in Maryland CD-4 and CD-8. It will be held from two to four in the afternoon, and it will be at the County Council building on Maryland Avenue in Rockville. Watch for further details on this website!

            Here are some of my positions on some of the issues of concern to voters for peace, social justice, and the environment.  On some of these issues, the differences that I have with incumbent Chris Van Hollen are slight; on some of the issues, our differences are major.

ON IRAQ—Bring all U.S. troops home NOW.  No more funding for the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.  As I have discussed in previous e-mail messages, and on my website, Van Hollen’s voting record on Iraq War funding is a mixed one, and Van Hollen has not even joined the Out of Iraq Caucus in Congress!  We need a leader in Congress on this issue.  Van Hollen has been a timid follower, when he could have exerted his leadership position to end this war!

ON IRAN—I oppose the drumbeats for war with Iran, and other nations.

ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE—While Chris Van Hollen does have a better record on this issue than some, I would like to see him come out more strongly in support of the rights of Palestinians living under conditions of occupation.  In the long run, I believe that Israel, too, will benefit if justice is brought to Palestinians, because it will be possible for the two nations and their peoples to achieve a genuine peace.

ON CIVIL LIBERTIES—I am for protecting our precious civil liberties.  I oppose the U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT. I oppose practices and policies of the Bush Administration, whether or not actually written into law, that infringe on civil liberties.  Recently, Van Hollen voted for H.R, 1955, the so-called “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007”—a bill which had little publicity when it was being debated and voted upon, and which had little opposition, when it passed the House of Representatives.  Civil liberties organizations have sounded the alarm that this bill threatens to chill the rights of people engaged in peaceful protest.  Van Hollen voted for this bill.  I would have voted against it.

ON IMPEACHMENT—I support Dennis Kucinich’s resolution for impeachment.  Impeach Cheney first, and then Bush.  What message do we send to future generations and future Presidents if we do not impeach these two, for what they have done to our nation?  Van Hollen is on the record as opposing efforts to impeach Bush and Cheney.

ON HEALTH CARE—In fairness to Chris Van Hollen, he does agree with me that all Americans should have health care coverage.  But we disagree on the means.  Van Hollen would reform the current system, but keep the health insurance companies in the system.  I favor universal, single-payer health care, which eliminates the health insurance companies from the system and provides individuals with high quality health care, with a choice of health care providers, that is publicly financed:  Medicare for All.  I support legislation sponsored by John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich for universal, single-payer health care.  Van Hollen has refused to sign on to this legislation.

THE INTERCOUNTY CONNECTOR—I oppose this road project, which I view as detrimental to the environment, and communities.

            PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS MESSAGE BY E-MAIL TO PROGRESSIVE VOTERS IN MARYLAND’S 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.  The voters deserve to know how the candidates stand on the issues.  AND DON’T FORGET TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008.     

            For further information, please see my website at http://www.deborahvollmer.com.  Se