Demogram Archives
August 2002 |
Published by the Lewis County Democratic Central Committee, P.O. Box 765, Chehalis, WA
Lewis H. Zieske, Jr., Editor
In This Month's Issue:
Election Year Info
by Deanna M. Zieske
With this issue of the Demogram we want to introduce our readers to the Democratic candidates for office in Lewis County; Congressman Brian Baird, current County Clerk Nettie Jungers, Ken Norberg and Jerry Berry.
This is a crucial year for Democrats. We need to express our voices and work hard for those Democrats who have stepped forward to serve our community. Visit us at the Fair.
To help do that we are providing you with the County Platform and a copy of the resolution concerning the blanket primary that was enacted during our County Convention in April.
Chair's Corner
by Deanna M. Zieske
Recently I was interviewed by a reporter from the Chronicle about Democratic candidates for county-wide office. The reporter asked me why there were so few Democrats in Lewis County.
I told him that there are a lot more of us out there than you may think, you just don't hear from them.
The reporter seemed surprised at that and inquired whether that may be because of the local media. While that is certainly not the only reason, I am convinced our local media go out of their way to make sure only one perspective on local and national issues makes its way to Lewis County's citizens.
I'm sure I surprise no one when I say that our local print and broadcast media are ultra conservative. That's not so much my gripe as is the way they systematically exclude any ideas that they don't share from fair presentation to the citizens of our county.
And that's why I told that reporter there is no forum in Lewis County for the dissemination of ideas that Democrats support.
What evidence is there to substantiate this complaint?
The Chronicle provides no columns for liberal columnists to voice their views. Yet it offers a weekly column to our elected Republican Sheriff to voice his views and political commentary. Would not fairness suggest that a Democrat elected official be given an equivalent opportunity?
It has been my observation that letters to the Chronicle's editor about controversial issues (most recently on the issue of growth management) have been held until the editor has had an opportunity to prepare and simultaneously publish a critical—typically an extremely hostile—response in the editorial column where the exposure is greater.
Individuals expressing views contrary to the editorial view of that publication aren't just criticized, either. They are vilified, called extremists and/or obstructionist. That's whether those descriptions are apt or not.
The problem is not limited to the Chronicle, it's just the easiest target. I have heard comparable complaints about the East End Journal, the Lewis County News and our local radio stations.
The solution is not to cry about it, though. The answer is to buck up, hitch up our jeans and work hard to elect people who represent us and who don't just echo the views of our local media.
As Democrats we have that ability, if we will face that challenge. An opportunity now exists. We can support and elect our current Democratic candidates for county office. And we can look for and encourage other Democrats to step forward in the future to seek elective office. Then we can say we have made a difference! We have done that in the past. We can do it now.
And it looks like we will be in a better position to elect good Democratic candidates in the future. Interest in grass root party activity here in Lewis County is growing dramatically.
Two years ago only 14 of our county's precincts had Democrats file for election as Precinct Committee Officers. We were far behind the Republicans in that regard then. So I made it one of my goals as County Chair to strengthen our grass roots.
What's happened since then? I'm proud to say that we have candidates who filed for election as PCOs in 46 precincts this year. That's more precincts that the Rs have filed in. That's great progress in two short years because it means Democrats are not going to hide in the weeds here in Lewis County.
Even more encouraging, though, is that in 6 or our precincts there is a contested race for Democratic PCOs. Talk about energy and vitality! We're getting to the point where Democrats are competing for the opportunity to work in our party. Isn't that simply SUPER!
May that climate continue and grow for years to come.
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Lewis County Demos Web Page
We are proud to announce our Lewis County Democrats Web Page has been updated and revamped. Take a look today. You may find it at www.localaccess.com/democrats.
Our thanks to our new Webmaster, Connie McArthur, for setting us back up for business. There are links to state and national democratic committees, congressional representatives, democratic candidates and much more. You will also find our Demogram and the party platform on the web page. It should be a great resource for your use. |
