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GCDA Monthly Meeting Update

Come to the monthly meetings of the Gillespie County Democratic Association (GCDA)! There are engaging speakers, good conversations, and lots of positive energy. We also handle business matters at the meeting.

Our next GCDA meeting is Wednesday, April 16. The meetings are at Gillespie County Democratic Headquarters at 209 N. Crockett, Fredericksburg, at 6:30 p.m. The program TBA.

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What you need to know about school vouchers.

A viewpoint by Caroline Eidson.

Don't know anything about the school vouchers that our governor is pushing for? Think you know enough and have decided to support vouchers?

Please take the time to get informed. The voucher program will literally take money away from public schools (that have precious little here in TX already...we rank 44th for individual student spending) and give that money (at least $8000 per student) to privates schools, charter schools, and homeschooling families.

This is all couched under the term "school choice," which sounds great, but here's what's important to understand about private schools in particular:

* They are not held accountable to state standards, and they do not have to employ trained educators.

*They are not required to accept and educate students with special needs. Public schools are, and they DO.

And here's something else: Our rural Texas communities don't have access to a range of private schools. Where will students go? And will the private schools in our rural communities even accept them if they have special needs?

A couple of facts:

*5.4 MILLION children attend public schools in TX.

*290,000 children attend private schools in TX.

AGAIN, where are all these millions of children going to go if their families choose the voucher route?

And did you know...research does NOT demonstrate that vouchers result in academic gains as measured by tests. In fact, recent research shows that low-income students actually fare WORSE under vouchers.

Here's how the voucher approach is working out in AZ since its adoption in 2022: Almost half of voucher recipients live in the state's wealthiest areas, and families are opting to spend voucher money on activities ranging from martial arts to skiing and kayaking.

Important question: Do you want your taxpayer money to go to paying tuitions at non-public schools? Do you want it to go to wealthy families who can use it for just about anything deemed "educational"?

Want to get better informed?

Listen to The Voucher Scam podcast.

Read The Privateers by Josh Cowen.

Talk to FISD trustees and administrators who've been pushing back against vouchers.

Research political candidates and what they stand for.

And finally, VOTE like the future of public education depends on it. Because it does.

Why I Am a Democrat

Excerpt from a speech by Graham Nessler given at the 9/11 event (2024)

I am a Democrat because I believe that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz offer a fairer, juster, freer, and more equal America. By contrast, Trump and the Republicans have laid out a starkly different vision for America in Project 2025. This is a document outlining a regressive and reactionary plan for an America which would leave us poorer, less free, and even more unequal. Google “Project 2025” yourself and see for yourself how harmful its proposals would be for America.

I am a Democrat because I believe our system of democratic government and basic rights is worth fighting for.

I am a Democrat because I want to see my five nieces grow up to actually have equal rights!

I am a Democrat because I want people to be free to love whom they love and to live the gender identity that makes sense for them. Nobody else can dictate that for them.

I am a Democrat because I want people to be free to choose which religion to follow, or to choose no religion if that is what their preference is. I don’t want to live in a Christian nationalist theocracy where others impose their own rigid ideologies onto me.

I am a Democrat because I want to remove discriminatory and financial barriers that prevent some from being able to reach their full potential. I believe that when the economy works for everyone, not just those at the top, our nation as a whole benefits. Most of the past forty years have seen the steady redistribution of wealth from ordinary people to CEOs and the 1%. Biden and Harris have done an admirable job of helping to level the playing field, and as President, Kamala Harris will continue to fight for ordinary people.

I am a Democrat because I believe that every American, regardless of where they live, their political preference, or their race, ought to be able to vote. I reject the efforts of Republican state governments such as ours to restrict access to the ballot and I applaud the policies of some other states that mail a ballot to every registered voter before each election. And I reject the hypocrisy of Republicans who oppose restoring voting rights to convicted felons yet slavishly support their own convicted felon, Donald Trump.

I am a Democrat because I believe that, as Tim Walz has said, I may not make the same personal choices as my neighbor, but what they do in their own lives is none of my damn business. I want religious fundamentalists out of the bedroom, politicians out of the doctor’s office, and theocrats out of our public schools!

Just Say It, Democrats: Biden Has Been a Great President

How the Democrats Need to Run

From Stuart Stevens, “Just Say It, Democrats: Biden Has Been a Great President”:

“A plea to my Democratic friends: It’s time to start calling Joe Biden a great president. Not a good one. Not a better choice than Donald Trump. Joe Biden is a historically great president. Say it with passion backed by the conviction that it’s true.

Because it is.

Yes, the desire to see the 2024 election as a choice between a normal, stable president versus an erratic thug under indictment in multiple states is seductive. But don’t base a campaign on that contrast. Don’t go into 2024 with the game plan to win because Donald Trump is an existential threat to democracy. That’s true, he is, but that’s only making the case that Donald Trump shouldn’t be president. It’s not the reason Joe Biden should be reelected.

Joe Biden should remain president because of his historic level of achievement here at home while standing on the side of freedom versus tyranny in the largest land war in Europe since World War II, a role no American president has played since the Roosevelt-Truman era. Be bold. Walk into this campaign with swagger and confidence and pride.

It’s become a 2024 trope that Donald Trump is the only Republican whom President Biden could beat, and that Biden is the only Democrat whom Trump could defeat. Like a lot of things in politics, it’s true if you accept it. But that acceptance is voluntary. Reject that framing for the industrial political complex bullshit that it is, brought to you by the same class of experts who knew without question that Bill Clinton was dead in June 1992, when he was running third to Ross Perot and George Bush, with 24 percent of the vote.

MAGA’s Ugly New “Civil War” Fantasy Should Be Taken Seriously

J.D. Vance’s Ugly Rant About Trump’s Coup Portends a Dark MAGA Future

Shocker: Republicans Admit in Private That They Killed a Good Deal

Stop the nonsense that only a weak opponent gives Joe Biden a chance to win. It’s more than wrong—it’s dangerous, completely misjudging Donald Trump’s strength. Trump is dominating a contest for a presidential nomination like no candidate in modern history because he’s the weakest candidate?

No. Donald Trump is going to win the Republican nomination easily, be endorsed by all his opponents not named Christie or Hutchinson, and emerge from the primaries better positioned to face an incumbent president than any candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1980. If you don’t want to wake up with Trump as your president a year from now, stop fantasying that Trump might not be the Republican nominee. End the whining about a Trump-Biden choice that only helps Trump and get about the business of uniting behind a great president.

There’s not much I admire about the modern Republican Party, but I find myself wishing Democrats could learn from their eagerness to unite behind a candidate and echo a consistent message. If a Republican president had a record remotely equaling the Biden record, the only debate among Republicans would be if he should be called one of the greatest presidents or simply the greatest. Now considering they are doing that for Donald Trump, it is a low bar, but can we acknowledge that complaining about Joe Biden as if he were some fantasy football pick that was hurting the odds of winning the office pool is increasing the likelihood that the worst and most dangerous president in U.S. history will win again in November?

As someone who worked in Republican campaigns for almost 30 years, I say without hesitation that the Democratic Party is the only pro-democracy party in America. But guys, why do so many of you have this need to act like ungrateful children of wealthy parents—impossible to please and always demanding more? Name a president who accomplished as much in his first term.

The stock market is hitting record highs. Unemployment is at a record low, with 14 million new jobs. Talk to small-business owners, and the biggest problem they are facing is finding workers. A child born in the first Republican “infrastructure week” would have been entering grade school by the time President Biden passed the largest public spending initiative in American history. As a Republican media consultant, I made hundreds of ads about the high cost of prescription drugs. But it took President Biden to give Medicare the power to directly negotiate with Big Pharma to lower prices and cap the cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries at $35. For all the bitching about gas prices, the United States is now producing more oil than any country in history. Yes, more than Russia or Saudi Arabia, and that’s one of the reasons gas prices are now lower in inflation-adjusted prices than in 1974. Yeah, I know, fossil fuels suck, and the world should run on solar power. But the Biden administration also launched a $7 billion solar power investment project.

What is most amazing is that Biden got this done in a world in which the majority of Republicans believe he is not a legal president. Ponder that for a minute. You are a White House staffer working to help pass Biden initiatives, and you are dealing with members of Congress and senators who don’t just disagree with your boss—they think he’s an illegitimate president.

Wake up and show some gratitude. You wanted student loan forgiveness. You got it, for three million borrowers. You wanted a president who would finally pass gun safety legislation. You got the most comprehensive bill in nearly 30 years, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which passed with the support of 15 Republican senators and 14 Republican House members, opening the door to some hope that laws on gun violence might finally start to reflect the wishes of the majority of the country. Maybe you’re a Democrat who actually cares about the federal deficit, unlike the Republicans who fake concern. Since Biden took office, the deficit has decreased by $1.7 trillion.

I could go on citing the achievements of a president who actually cares about governing. All of these actions and numbers are important, but none matter as much as what Joe Biden has done to restore stability and decency to the presidency. One of the greatest gifts of a democratic civil society is the freedom not to think about government, to wake up and not worry about the mood of a leader. Joe Biden has made governing boring and predictable, both fundamental rights of the people in a healthy democracy.

All years are not created equal. There is every reason to believe that 2024 will be a year like 1944, a hinge in history. A dark shadow has fallen over America and Europe. President Joe Biden is fulfilling the role of the greatest American presidents, rallying support in America and abroad for the fundamental values that make America more than a place on the map with a flag. Without President Biden, a monstrous evil would be violently spreading in Europe. At a time when one of the two major parties in the world’s only superpower has embraced autocracy, Joe Biden has stood firm, unflinchingly calling out those who may be Americans by accident of birth but not belief.

President Biden understands that an optimistic embrace of the future has defined America. That hope and confidence in a better tomorrow is the promise that embodies the best of America. This is greatness. This is a president keeping true to the legacy of the Greatest Generation who rose to defend the gift of democracy that Republicans now squander.

Yes, Joe Biden is a great American president. Be proud of this president, Democrats. Be proud that you live at a time when America needs you to rise to her defense. None of us can choose history, but history chooses us.

When America once again needed a quiet American hero, Joe Biden has met the moment. Now it is up to the rest of us not to falter. Certainty and conviction will bring victory, while doubt and hesitation invite defeat.”

Stuart Stevens

Stuart Stevens is a former Republican political consultant now working with the Lincoln Project.

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Why Should I Vote In The Primary Election?

Your vote in the primary election is a cornerstone for democracy and progress.

Michelle H. Davis

Feb 8

READ IN APP

As the primary season approaches, it's imperative to recognize the power and significance of your vote, not only in the general election in November but also in the March primaries.

The primaries are a foundational aspect of our democratic process. Each ballot cast in the primary election helps shape the future, not just of the Democratic Party, but of the nation.

Raising money and getting people's support.

The primary elections act as a crucial test for those running for office. They show how much support and enthusiasm candidates have from people who might donate money and from the general public. If a candidate does well in these early elections, they'll likely get the financial support they need to run a solid campaign for the final election.

This early success also builds momentum, making it easier for them to keep moving forward. However, if they don't do well, big donors might think twice, fearing the candidate doesn't have enough widespread support to win.

How people see the candidates and their willingness to vote.

The number of people who vote in these primary elections tells us much about how interested and excited voters are. If lots of people vote, it makes the candidates and their political party seem more legitimate and well-supported. It creates a feeling of unity and shows that democracy is working well. But, if not many people vote, it can make the party look bad and discourage other potential leaders from wanting to run for office.

Understanding the past.

In Texas, there's a history of Democrats trying different ways to vote, like sometimes voting in the Republican primaries to influence their choice of candidates. This strategy might seem smart, but it hasn't really worked out.

It hasn't changed who the Republicans pick or truly shown what Democratic voters want. The best way to support candidates who stand for what we believe in is to participate in the Democratic primaries. That's how we can choose people who represent our ideas and might win support nationwide.

Choosing who represents us.

The primary election is your chance to pick candidates who think like you do. When you vote in the Democratic primary, you're helping choose who will go up against the Republican candidates. This choice is more than being in different parties; it's about selecting leaders who support the ideas and policies you think are right for the country.

The role of delegates.

The primary elections decide how many delegates each candidate gets. These delegates play a big part in shaping the party's platform and making decisions at their big meetings. If you want people to listen to what's essential to your area and the issues you care about, voting in the primaries is a powerful way to make your voice louder.

Encouraging everyone to vote.

The Democratic Party's efforts to get people to vote depend significantly on how many people actually vote. Your vote in the primaries helps build a habit of participating in elections, which is key for a strong democracy. GOTV is super important, especially when races are close, and being informed and active can change the outcome.

Getting more involved in the future.

When you decide to vote in the Republican primary, it means you can't take on roles like being an officer in the Democratic Party or representing the party at their big convention. So, when you vote in the Democratic primary, you're actually taking a step towards having a more significant say in what the party does in the future.

Staying true to Democratic goals.

There's a strong suggestion that we should focus on making the Democratic Party stronger instead of spreading our efforts thin by getting involved in the Republican primaries. The primary election is the perfect time to define what we stand for, ensure our candidates are up to the task, and check that they genuinely reflect Democratic principles.

Your vote matters.

Casting your vote in the Democratic primary isn't just something you're allowed to do; it's something you should do. It shows you're dedicated to your community, your party, and your country. The primary allows you to help decide who will represent your views and goals in the big election.

The results of the primaries can shape the future in big ways—like what policies are put forward, how we're governed, and the overall direction of the party and the country. So, it's crucial to get involved. Your voice is important. By voting in the primaries, you help decide our future. Remember, it's not just the people giving speeches who have power; voters like you also have a lot of influence.

Participate. Vote. Shape the future.

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Helping a Good Cause

Members of GCDA deliver a $1400 donation from the GCDA Memorial Fund to help with construction of the new Little Hearts Child Development Center.

Pictured are Charlotte Freeborn, GCDA President, Barbara Elmore, GCDA Vice President, Cindy Heifner, Executive Director Needs Council, Laurie Jenschke, President of Little Hearts Board of Directors, Brenda Cole, GCDA Treasurer

As a part of his 49-stop Drive Across Texas tour, Beto O’Rourke was in Fredericksburg for a town hall that drew just under 800 people.

Comptroller candidate Janet Dudding accompanied Beto at the Aug. 17 event

Enthusiastic Beto fans both young and old lined up after the town hall for a photo with the candidate

Fredericksburg German heritage and communities support Beto
"Wir Lieben Beto" | We Love Beto | — Fredericksburg German heritage and communities support Beto "Wir Lieben Beto" | We Love Beto |

GCDA July 4th Parade & Picnic

Gillespie County Democrats helped to support and staff the first Celebration of Books held at Münch Park on May 14. Over 200 people visited throughout the day to hear music from Los Texmaniacs, readings by local authors, and a variety of speakers, including Suzette Baker, the librarian fired in Llano because she refused to remove books from the shelves. Free books for children and adults were available along with face painting and reading circles.