Archive for Jeff Miller
You Are Democracy
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You care deeply about your country. You believe that elections are important and that they have consequences. You’re Republicans, Independents, Democrats, Progressives, Liberals, Greens, and Libertarians. You believe that we’re all in this together. You respect the other guy’s right to vote as much as your own. You are not beholden to anger, outrage, vengeance, prejudice, or fear. You are not bought by 30-second ads.
You are the American voter, and your time is now.
The polls are open from 6:30am – 7:30pm today across North Carolina. You can find your polling place here.
Civitas, in addition to working feverishly with Art Pope’s coin to defeat anyone who’s not a Republican, has put up an excellent “Vote Tracker”. It tells me that 35,244 people voted early in Buncombe County and 110,797 people voted early across the 11th Congressional District. That leaves a metric fecal ton of you who haven’t yet voted. Today’s your day.
If you’re still trying to decide how to mark your ballot, here are some handy links.
Holly Jones Voter Guide
Lindsey Simerly Voter Guide
Parker Sloan Statewide Judicial Picks
Mountain Xpress Candidate Surveys
If you’ve already voted, then maybe you want to help Get Out The Vote. Shoot me your info, and I’ll get you connected. Alternately, maybe some campaign workers want to slap some hot info into the comment thread.
Where will folks watch the returns roll in? I know that some Democrats are gathering at the very fun Renaissance ballroom with the cash bar. Michael Muller will be all a’twitter with the journalistic set at Pack’s Tavern, and Bridgette Odom is having a party there too. The Asheville Brewing Company on Coxe is normally very receptive to political partiers. Tuck more destinations into the comment thread.
Lastly – use this as your all-purpose Election Day Open Thread. If it gets too lengthy, I’ll add another one after the polls close.
It’s your day, democracy. Time to shine.
Lindsey’s Picks – a Buncombe County Voter’s Guide
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Lindsey is the one in the middle
Hey friends!
So far this election cycle the people who are showing up and voting are the Republicans. Many of you have already voted, and for that I thank you. Some of you haven’t, but if for nothing else, will you do it for me? Pretty please.
I am sure if you haven’t voted already that you are planning on voting today or tomorrow, right? Conveniently located below this plea for your civic engagement are my suggestions for what bubbles to fill in on your ballot. But before we get to that, here are some fun facts.
- The average age of voters in Buncombe County is 61.
- The most progressive districts in town (i.e. West Asheville, Montford etc.) are having the lowest turnout.
Once you vote, you will feel morally superior and infinitely hotter than your non-voting peers.
Lindsey’s Suggestions -
Shuler and Miller Tonight
Posted by: | CommentsThere’s going to be some sort of television event tonight from 5pm – 6:30pm on WLOS Channel 13 featuring the NC-11 Congressional candidates. It’s been touted both as a debate and as an “interview style format”, so I’m not sure what to expect.
Tune in. Use this thread to keep us all abreast if the spirit moves you.
Miller Down By 13
Posted by: | CommentsJudging from his recent advertisements calling his opponent a liar who wants to steal your money and destroy your job, I figured Jeff Miller was in trouble.
Shuler leads Miller by 13 in New NC-11 Poll
A new Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research poll shows Representative Heath Shuler leading Republican challenger Jeff Miller by 13 percent. Shuler leads Miller 54 percent to 41 percent. Conducted October 4-6, the poll surveyed 413 likely voters and has a 4.8 percent margin of error.
Miller’s Nesbitt Problem
Posted by: | CommentsJane Q. Public takes a look at the Nesbitt Effect and how it’s impacting Republican Jeff Miller’s chances in NC-11. A 538.com forecast model shows that the race was closest on September 10th, and then the latest round of BCGOP tomfoolery began. The race has been widening ever since.
Shuler-Miller Debate October 14
Posted by: | CommentsThis was in my inbox (these links aren’t clickable – scroll down for some that are):
I’m glad to see the candidates will debate. The teevee air war has ballooned into self-parody reminiscent of Charles Taylor’s poor production value shock ads. It’ll be good to see the candidates, as well-rehearsed as they may be, stand before the people for some good old Q&A. Submit your Q’s here:
http://www.facebook.com/News13
Partners
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This picture was taken at a D.C. fundraiser that Virgina Foxx held for Republican Jeff Miller late last month. Here’s the text from the invitation:
Please join honorary co-host
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
for a reception with
Jeff Miller
Republican Nominee for Congress (NC-11)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 5:30-7:00 PM
Bobby Van’s Grill
1201 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC
Suggested contribution:
$1,000 PAC / $500 Personal
Virginia Foxx?
You mean this Virginia Foxx? Historically challenged Virginia Foxx? Matthew Shepherd had it coming Virginia Foxx? Death Panels Virginia Foxx? Yikes.
Miller Wants Repeal of Affordable Care Act
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Republican Congressman Jeff Miller, having already raised progressive hackles by advocating for privatization of social security, is now after Heath Shuler to pledge a repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Here are some of the things Jeff Miller wants to take away from western North Carolinians:
- The Medicaid drug rebate for brand name drugs is increased to 23.1%
- Adults with pre-existing conditions will be eligible to join a temporary high-risk pool, which will be superseded by the health care exchange in 2014.
- Dependents (children) will be permitted to remain on their parents’ insurance plan until their 26th birthday
- Insurers are prohibited from excluding pre-existing medical conditions (except in grandfathered individual health insurance plans) for children under the age of 19.
- Insurers are prohibited from charging co-payments or deductibles for Level A or Level B preventive care and medical screenings on all new insurance plans.
- Individuals affected by the Medicare Part D coverage gap will receive a $250 rebate, and 50% of the gap will be eliminated in 2011. The gap will be eliminated by 2020.
- Insurers are prohibited from dropping policyholders when they get sick.
- Insurers are required to reveal details about administrative and executive expenditures.
- Medicare is expanded to small, rural hospitals and facilities.
While Heath Shuler voted against the bill much to the dismay of his constituents, Jeff Miller wants to go one further and call for repeal. By doing so Jeff Miller is calling for the reinstitution of the Medicare Donut Hole, limiting access to rural hospitals, and allowing insurance companies to kick children out if they have pre-existing conditions. He also wants to make it easier for insurers to hide their real costs.
All that’s missing is Charles Taylor’s poor production value, and we’d be in 2006 all over again. Like Taylor, Miller utilizes sleazy attack ads to misinform voters, and it’s especially terrible to see Miller go after health care for children.
I’m turning off the teevee for a while. This stuff is bad for your health.
Things I Learned in the Asheville Tribune
Posted by: | CommentsI don’t often pick up Bill Fishburne’s weekly, but I was at the 5 Points Diner today and wanted something to read. I’m glad I did because I learned some things I want to share. I’d provide links, but it doesn’t appear that any of this stuff is online. Go figure.
…Miller was asked if he “ever” made a statement about privatizing Social Security.
“No,” Miller replied
[...]
“Are you looking to pushing Social Security (age limits) to 70?”“I don’t have an age in mind,” Miller replied. “I want to look” at many alternatives.
Of course Miller’s own statements about privatization were reported in the Asheville Citizen-Times and the Hendersonville Times-News, and he continues to flirt with pushing the retirement age up.
The Henderson County Tea Party has splintered, and the newly minted Blue Ridge Tea Party Patriots has begun. The BRTPP joins the Tea Party of WNC and the Asheville Tea Party as the newest Tea denomination in the area.
Asheville Tea Party Chairwoman Jane Bilello says in the Tribune article,
“They formed the Blue Ridge Tea Party because they’re absolutely disgusted with [Henderson County Tea Party Chairman] Bill O’Connor … I was the first to go – and now they’re leaving,” too. “These people are the remnants of the Henderson County Tea Party,” leaving in anger “after the last debacle of a meeting.”
In an article about Asheville City Councilman Bill Russell’s switch from Republican to Unaffiliated, John North writes:
Russell, who was elected to Council in 2007, has not announced whether he will seek re-election when his term expires next year. “I don’t know” about running again, Russell told The Tribune. “I’ve got three children – 6, 4 and 2″ and parents who are facing problems related to aging that need his attention. “July is a long way from now. I’m leaning in that direction” of seeking re-election.
Newt Says Yes to Jeff
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Like Jeff Miller, Republican Newt Gingrich has espoused privatizing Social Security, so it comes as no surprise that Former Speaker Gingrich has come out in favor of the Henderson County Republican Congressional candidate. Since it became the subject of ads by Heath Shuler, Mr. Miller has reversed his public stance on Social Security privatization.
Now a pundit and think-tanker who’s reportedly flirting with a 2012 Presidential run, Newt Gingrich has taken a number of controversial positions over the course of his career. I’ll let you do the Googling.
Newt Gingrich, Tea Party of WNC, Henderson County Tea Party, the ultra right-wing AJS, and other forces are moving heaven and earth to oust Heath Shuler in favor of someone they hope will further their agendas. The National Republican Congressional Committee hopes to have Jeff Miller answer to Speaker Boehner in order to further stall President Obama’s initiatives.
To better understand what the Gingrich/Boehner Republicans hope to accomplish vis-a-vis Social Security and Medicare, watch this informative and fun video from Rachel Maddow:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
