Developing : Alcona Progressive Alliance

On Monday, February 6th at 7:00 pm ten people from across Alcona County met at the Harrisville Holistic Center to discuss the idea of forming a county-wide organization called the "ALCONA  PROGRESSIVE  ALLIANCE". 

According to "Dictionary.com", the definition of " Progressive" is

"pro·gres·sive

   /prəˈgrɛsɪv/ Show Spelled[pruh-gres-iv]  adjective

1. favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters: a progressive mayor.

2. making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.: a progressive community.

3.characterized by such progress, or by continuous improvement.

4. ( initial capital letter ) of or pertaining to any of the Progressive parties in politics.

5. going forward or onward; passing successively from one member of a series to the next; proceeding step by step.

6. noting or pertaining to a form of taxation in which the rate increases with certain increases in taxable income.

7. of or pertaining to progressive education: progressive schools.

8. Grammar . noting a verb aspect or other verb category that indicates action or state going on at a temporal point of reference.

9. Medicine/Medical . continuously increasing in extent or severity, as a disease.

10. noun - a person who is progressive or who favors progress or reform, especially in political matters.

11. ( initial capital letter ) a member of a Progressive party.

12. Grammar .

a.

the progressive aspect.

b.

a verb form or construction in the progressive, as are thinking in They are thinking about it. "

Following introductions, the attendees received handouts from organizer, Paul Peterson, and discussed the feasability of taking formal steps to create a " progressive" organization. A wide ranging discussion ensued where diverse viewpoints and ideas were discussed. It became apparent that a concensus existed that a progressive organization could be of value to the Alcona area.

The idea is to create a welcoming environment within which people with varying viewpoints can recognize progress in Alcona County when and where it occurs, solicit public input on diverse topics and, by using a consensus methodology,  develop positions on local, regional and national current events issues which are of concern or interest to the group in general and the public at large. 

It was decided  that the group will meet again on Monday, February 20th at the Harrisville EMS station on M-72 at 7:00 p.m. to begin work on developing a statement of purpose. The meeting is open to all who are interested.

  

This is the year ...

This year the Democrats in NORTHERN Michigan will have a choice as to who they want to represent them in the November election for Congressman of the 1st Congressional District. The August 7th primary election will determine whether it will be Gary McDowell or Derek J. Bailey. The "establishment Democrat " is Gary McDowell. That is to say he has been chosen by down-state politicos and special interests to be the candidate of choice. The endorsements are rolling in for him as I type these words however I find it interesting that the "establishment Democrats" have neglected to consult the Democrats of NORTHERN Michigan as to whom WE wish to represent us in the November election. It's off-putting to say the least that someone in Lansing can "anoint" someone to be our candidate without the courtesy of consulting us and then expecting that we will embrace their candidate and vote for him ! It is also disturbing that this decision was made without even considering the other candidate. Are we the beneficiaries of politics in which we have no input ? Would we benefit from representation by their candidate who apparently is indebted to them and not the Democrats of NORTHERN Michigan ? These are questions we must ask ourselves before we cast our vote on August 7th.

As we draw closer to August 7th this blog will be about these important questions, and others which are yet to be raised, about how the NORTHERN Democratic Party voters have been removed from the equation, taken for granted.  We will have a choice on August 7th and that is guaranteed us - thankfully. This is a very important primary election for many reasons but most especially because NORTHERN Democrats have a chance to make a statement that we will be the masters of our own destiny.

Republican Congressman Benishek is extremely vulnerable in this election year and if a NORTHERN Michigan candidate, chosen by NORTHERN Michigan Democrats defeat him it puts those who would force their candidate on us into the uncomfortable position of having to take us seriously in the future - even listening to our views and respecting our politics. Derek J. Bailey is the man of our time, of NORTHERN Michigan, respected above and below the Mackinac Bridge, young, energetic, intelligent, experienced and ready to represent the largest Congressional District east of the Mississippi.