Arizona District 28: The Strongest Candidates Have Shed Their Parties

It's seems Arizona, (aptly referred by John Stewart as the "Meth Lab of Democracy") might have one pocket that is slowly realizing the adverse effects of party politics. Two Independents, (Dave Ewoldt and Ted Downing) have emerged with strong impressions in this central Tucson district. The first, Dave Ewoldt, chose to break from the Green Party for a number of reasons, but his stated, primary reason is to shed himself of the spoiler image. Having recently witnessed the bizarre antics of entrenched Pima Green leaders wresting control of their sandbox, I would be surprised if credibility was not another factor. Dave Ewoldt contributed a great deal to the Pima Greens in the past few years and I had the opportunity to see his 2007 presentation of how the Green Party's 10 key values relate to the concept of relocalization, which is now a centerpiece in his campaign. Ewoldt's work with Sustainable Tucson and Natural Systems Solutions thoroughly resonates with the Green Party's philosophies.

Still, evidence of vindictiveness over Ewoldt's choice to go solo stands out as Pima County Greens refused to endorse Dave Ewoldt, despite the fact there are no Green candidates in the district. Some of the strongest Greens bucking the current power structure, however, are active members of Ewoldt's campaign. In fact, Ewoldt's campaign and unique hosting strategies have managed to attract a cross-breed of Democrats, Republicans, Greens, Libertarians and other Indies to his cause.

Similar political growing pains are evident with Ted Downing. Downing's stated reason for breaking with the Democratic Party is the stalemate brought on by adversarial party politics in Phoenix. I'll offer further conjecture by pointing out that Downing is a champion for election integrity. Perhaps the most ridiculous hypocrisy brought to light with the local Democratic Party is their opportunistic stance on election integrity. The 2006 RTA election debacle gained international attention, especially for the recent discovery of missing poll tapes. To any being with the capacity for reason, it becomes clear that Terry Goddard, the Democratic Gubernatorial candidate in Arizona (now the only opposition to the infamous Jan Brewer), participated in the cover-up of the 2006 RTA election. The height of this hypocrisy is demonstrated by Pima County Democratic party chair Jeffrey Rogers attacking those leading the charge for transparency via e-mail.

As we learned from the most recent court case in Maricopa County, AZ (the fourth largest voting district in the country), we honestly have no idea how these ultra-right wing clowns got into the state legislature. There is no reliance in the integrity of elections in both Pima County and Maricopa County. Why should Downing proceed as if the people of Arizona are truly represented and try to change the Phoenix governing structure to a unicameral house?

Many believe that the mysterious robo-calls against Downing in his last primary bid against incumbent for District 28 Paula Aboud was a form of retaliation for Downing's active construction and promotion of the Arizona's hand-count audit bill. The robo-calls were paid for by Arizona Republicans to help ensure a victory for Aboud, but no Republicans were running in that District's election. So why isn't Downing's campaign about renewed efforts to ensure fair elections in Arizona instead of changing the structure of a system so that it streamlines and bypasses checks and balances for more crappy bills to be passed?

After Ewoldt declared his independence, Downing also decided to pursue District 28's unique opportunity for an independent candidate and shed himself of his long career with the Democrats.

To his credit, Downing successfully makes the case for the Independents. One point has definitely irked the Democrats' camp (along with the Tucson Weekly) is his contention that, as an independent, he has a better chance of negotiating with the crazies in Phoenix. Party loyalists vehemently deny such an advantage but they protest too much. It's futile to deny that a new face will help and the inherent truth of this matter is what's truly bugging the Democrats. The only thing left for Aboud is to frighten the electorate with the spector of a neo-con Republican winning District 28.

Although I have great appreciation for Ted Downing's work in the past, I cannot honestly discern my confusion over his plans for the state government, especially given his understanding of how elections are failing us in this state. Like Paula Aboud, Downing truly seems like a band-aid for a broken system.

In a recent interview with Jonathon Simon, the elections analyst who spotted the disparity in exit polls in the 2004 presidential election, I learned that a safe margin for overcoming elections shenanigans is 20% for two people. That is, if you want to defeat what the establishment has appointed for office in a particular race you need to be out front with at least 20% in a race between two candidates.

How these numbers break down with four candidates is a mystery to me, but one hope comes to mind in this race -- that enough of the public decides skip the foreplay and vote for a real future. As a fan of both independent candidates, I have to thank Ted Downing for making the case for an independent candidate in this race and look to Independent candidate Dave Ewoldt for the future.

Establishment press would prefer that public does not see this debate, because it eventually becomes clear that Dave Ewoldt is the only viable choice for Arizona's District 28. The only Molotov cocktail in the meth lab.

Ewoldt Campaign Overcomes Challenge

Dave for Arizona

The nominating petition challenge against Dave Ewoldt, Independent candidate for AZ State Senate in District 28, was withdrawn by challenger Ted Downing's attorney before the scheduled hearing Tuesday in Pima County Superior Court.

Although the reason for the withdrawal is unknown, conjecture has it that after the Pima County Recorder's Office determined that Ewoldt had sufficient valid signatures to be placed on the general election ballot, Downing's only remaining hope to have his challenge upheld was a trivial technicality that was not substantive.

One of Ewoldt's campaign supporters said, "We are encouraged by the outcome of this challenge to Dave's candidacy because he is the only person who is proposing real solutions to Arizona's critical problems, as well as being uniquely qualified to implement necessary changes."

The Dave for Arizona campaign committee is gratified that we can now continue our campaign and provide the voters of LD28 with positive, viable solutions as the climate continues warming, the energy continues dwindling, and the economy shows no signs of a lasting recovery.

Dave For Arizona
2509 N Campbell Ave # 193
Tucson, AZ 85719
http://www.daveforarizona.org
DaveForArizona@gmail.com

How Can We Really Change the Immigration Problem?

Dave Ewoldt

When asked, "What kind of policy changes would address the
root cause of the immigration problem?" Here's the answer I posted on Facebook. This evolved from a conversation I've been having over the past week with a Phoenix Republican on Daniel Patterson's (D-LD29) Facebook page.

It starts with a reframing of the issue. The fear-mongers like to say that the US is being invaded by illegals. But it sure seems to me like less of an invasion than the fact that they're being driven. We can't just simplistically explain away the ravages of corporate globalization by scapegoating. We're confusing effect with cause. For example, we want to believe that it's not wage depression due to NAFTA, or job loss due to off-shoring for higher profits, but that it's unsecure borders that are allowing "illegals" to come steal our jobs and consume our social resources.

The reality is that people's lands and livelihoods are being taken from them (all over the Global South) as a direct result of foreign and domestic policy that benefits a very narrow band of special interests. Understanding the cause is the first step in creating solutions. Scapegoating and only slapping band-aids on symptoms will make life worse for Arizonans, as well as everyone else. And, it can be objectively shown that these same US policies are responsible for a deteriorating quality of life for the majority as well as the quickly disappearing middle class.

We must also keep in mind that there's not a single fix, no magic bullet, but a number of interrelated strategies. We have to at least be honest about how the system we've setup is operating, what its real-world consequences are as opposed to what the theory insists should occur, and see what areas of agreement both sides in the debate can find to both return America to its greatness on the world stage and improve people's quality of life (which is too often confused with standard of living).

The actual policy response to immigration starts with strengthening local economies, both our own and Mexico's. This means ending subsidies for BigAg, dumping NAFTA and the WTO, and moving beyond the myth that export economies actually help anyone--besides Central Banks, that is. We must end the practice of off-shoring jobs in the race to the bottom as we elevate profit above people and planet. Profit does have its place, but I have a hard time believing it is more important than life. Further, states must reclaim their sovereign right to revoke corporate charters when harms outweigh benefits to society. If corporations want to claim the rights of
personhood, then they must also accept the responsibilities. We must also start being honest about the need for family planning, pre-natal and childhood nutrition, equitable access to health care, and elderly care. This would go a long way toward lowering birthrates without draconian Chinese style mandates that many opponents like to insist would be necessary.

What it comes down to is that if people's needs can be met in the homes with the families that they love, they won't feel the need to go somewhere else.


For the Earth...
_dave_(this entire message is composed of recycled electrons)
Natural Systems Solutions
http://www.attractionretreat.org
http://naturalsystems.blogspot.com
Sustainable lifestyles, organizations, and communities

Dave Ewoldt to Run for State Senate Dist. 28

In the words of his campaign:

Are you worried about having a job that makes ends meet? Worried about whether we'll always have enough water to drink and how contaminated it will be, about keeping your home, about Arizona’s collapsing educational system and the sorry state of the budget (thanks in large part to special interest tax breaks and subsidies)? Are the potential local effects of Peak Oil and global warming keeping you awake at night?

Our common worries are the result of the status quo.

Dave Ewoldt says...there is a better way!

Dave will move Arizona toward a more equitable and sustainable future through a process taking hold around the globe: Relocalization. By championing core policy changes to support this urgently necessary transition, he will help us achieve jobs and a vibrant economy without more growth and sprawl; fair taxation that isn’t a burden, but rather a vital investment in our common future; the protection and restoration of our fragile environment, including the water we need to sustain our lives and economy; an educational system that prepares our children for a swiftly changing world; an increase in social stability, security, and community relationships. There are 21,800 registered Independent voters in Legislative District 28 plus growing numbers of disempowered, disillusioned, disheartened, disaffected, and just plain disgusted members of existing political parties. The system is broken. Let’s pull together and begin to fix it by supporting Dave Ewoldt’s campaign for change!

Send campaign contributions to:

Dave for Arizona
2509 N Campbell Ave # 193
Tucson, AZ 85719