“We need the Democratic, practical and logical approach to governing, including for climate change and the transition to an environmentally conscious policy that works on being prepared for chaotic events like our Hurricane Helene and also promotes clean and renewable energy.”
“There are numerous fatal flaws in this misguided creation, but the big one is that it is running in direct opposition to the hard-won progress of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.”
“I am an independent voter, and I don’t feel the Democrats or the Republicans represent my voice, protect anyone’s rights or anyone’s future.”
Over 140 people responded to an Xpress questionnaire designed to learn more about Western North Carolina’s unaffilaited voters. Their answers show that, at least in WNC, the simple label of “unaffiliated” elides a wide diversity of ideologies and concerns.
“Regarding the midterm elections, it is essential that we choose candidates who share our values. Do you want a party in control that wants to destroy our democracy or do you want a party that wants to maintain our democracy?”
“With their endorsements, they typically preclude unaffiliated and grassroots candidates, who often more closely align with the Sierra Club mission statement, and throw their support to the party favorites instead.”
“Asheville needs better representation that represents the values of the people living here, and as long as people vote party over policy, there won’t be a government here that actually feels responsible to the demands of the people rather than the party.”
“I don’t know what Big Pharma, health professionals and lobbyists asked of McHenry for their $824,680. But reasonable people can assume it wasn’t to reduce the exorbitant cost of prescription drugs, improve the Affordable Care Act or expand Medicaid.”
“Everyone knows that under the liberal ruling Democratic Party in Buncombe, the former county manager robbed the county blind. Now the new sheriff in Buncombe has already said he will not work with the immigration officials.”
“I know Asheville is Democratic territory, but I think if you studied the platforms the Democratic Party celebrates, you would be dismayed and sickened by the things they propose.”
Buncombe County Democrats are picking their choice for a new sheriff in the primary election on May 8. The five Democratic candidates have differing takes on how to shape the next iteration of the office. And though they find common ground on topics from drugs to community engagement, competition is fierce as they vie for […]
“Cecil Bothwell’s leaving the Democratic Party because he is a Bernie Sanders supporter seems to echo his candidate’s behavior.”
It is my understanding that the political party in power appoints its people to head boards, commissions, offices, etc. This is the first time in [many] years that the Republican Party has had this opportunity. This is an important obligation; but it appears some Republicans feel embarrassed by the need. Trena Parker has been director […]
The Sunlight Foundation recently released extensive data on “the political 1 percent of the 1 percent,” the 31,385 people responsible for over a quarter of political donations nationwide during the 2012 elections. Fifteen of them are in the Asheville metro area, including developers, retirees, a minister and a well-known local philanthropist.
Two young local Democratic Party activists — Sarah Zambon and Parker Sloan — are delegates to the party’s convention in Charlotte, and plan to take the energy and message they see there back home.
Democrats controlled the N.C. Legislature for 140 years. Less than two years after Republicans took control of the North Carolina General Assembly, they skillfully managed to get a constitutional amendment passed, voiding all civil unions as well as guaranteeing [that] gay men and women in North Carolina have no equal protection under the law and […]
In the President’s State of the Union speech, he masterfully called America to rally to the vision of inclusiveness and fairness he has sought to implement through his presidency. Despite shrill Republican propaganda to the contrary, Obama has accomplished saving the country from complete financial meltdown, even over the unbridled and, at times, irrational opposition […]
2012 promises to be a busy year in elections at all levels and local Democrats want to make sure people don’t overlook local races.
Cecil Bothwell is running for U.S. Congress in Western Northern Carolina. He is looking to unseat the conservative pro-corporate Blue Dog Democrat Heath Shuler in the next Democratic Party primary to be held on May 8, 2012. This is a rare opportunity for the people of Western North Carolina to elect an honest and forward-thinking […]
Now we know: The Republican Party and tea party, locally and nationally, have promulgated a draconian agenda of repressive and mean-spirited legislation that must not go unchallenged. Some examples of this agenda include voter ID, overriding Gov. Bev Perdue's veto of HB 854, restricting a woman's right to choose and eliminating numerous programs for the […]
Thank you for publishing Martin Ramsey's wonderfully succinct and well-reasoned letter "No Borders" [July 20 Xpress]. Given the ever more polarized and vocal ravings, both locally and nationally, of the self-centered, greedy, ignorant, delusional and immature, and their championing of right wing “causes” that are utterly opposite to their own best interest (due in no […]
