When I first heard Lillie Schechter was considering running for the Chair of the HCDP I said “You can’t go wrong with Lillie”. Today I can still say it.

Pic From Off the Kuff

Democrats concerned about the continuing success of the Party in the 2018 and 2020 elections cannot go wrong with Lillie. I hope precinct chairs, who are responsible for selecting a new chair, would strongly consider her.

Against a couple of very well qualified candidates Lillie stands above the rest for a number of reasons. Her activism in campaigns starting on the ground turned into a successful political consulting firm helping progressive candidates on all levels of a campaign. The Party will be served well by a Chair that understands campaigns including planning, strategy, technology, activism, and compliance with election laws. What stands out to me is her experience in fundraising and her vast connections with the Democratic community. HCDP has the responsibility to run a coordinated campaign which demands experience in campaigns it also requires money and someone who has the ability to raise significant amounts of it. Lillie has this experience.

In the political world where the average age of participants is about 60, Lillie can’t be consider a young upcoming political activist. She is young but she has been involved and active for many years and has the experience and knowledge necessary to carry this Party in the next elections.

Precinct Chairs have a great opportunity to continue and expand the success of our Party with Lillie Schechter as the Chair of Harris County Democratic Party.

John “I turn 61 in March” Coby

It’s a sad day for our country. Trump is the most unqualified person in the history of the United States to become President. He is also unqualified to be considered a decent human being.

In 2008 President Obama campaigned on a promise of hope for America. Faced with the greatest downturn of our economy since the great depression, Obama called upon all Americans to rise, as we have before, and work together to rebuild our economy and restore faith in our government.

In contrast Trump campaigned on a promise of hate towards Americans. Faced with an economy that has created 11 million jobs over the last 8 years, an unemployment rate cut in half to 4.6%, a stock market that has solidified retirement accounts,  and a nation healing from the unnecessary wars of the last republican in office, Trump resorted to simple minded attacks towards specific and vulnerable Americans. And it worked.

The list of those he attacked and blamed for America’s short comings was long. He started on day one with his racist remarks against Latinos followed by his attacks on our press, African-Americans, Muslims, Gold Star family members, the Gay community, Hollywood, teachers, government employees and women. If that wasn’t enough, he then mocked a disabled American.

He instigated hatred towards other Americans at times calling for physical harm. His words and actions encouraged the racists and those with hate in their hearts to come out into the open. All while the republican leadership did nothing just like they did when Joe Wilson yelled “You lie” to the President of the United States during a State of the Union Address.

Make no mistake about Trump’s campaign. Trump only yelled what the republican party has whispered since Obama took office. The hatred for Americans Trump successfully used to win the Presidency was endorsed by the so called “conservatives” of the republican party and those who voted for him. They endorsed his racists remarks. They endorsed his mocking of a disabled American. They endorsed grabbing women. They endorsed his hatred towards Muslims. They endorsed targeting of specific Americans based upon religious beliefs and color of the skin. They endorsed this filthy excuse for a human being just in order to win. And they won. This is the new “family values” of the so-called conservative party.

In just a few hours Trump will asked all Americans, even those he attacked, to put aside our differences, let bygones be bygones, and to join hands to sing Kumbaya. It’s like kicking someone in the whatnots then expecting them to shake your hand to work together.

I can’t do it. I’m still on the floor trying to get over his mocking of a disabled human being.

Inquiring minds what to know.

Lane Lewis is stepping down as Chair of the Party. I’ve heard a couple of names being kicked around and confirmation of a few. The Chair has a number of responsibilities such as raising significant amounts of money for the Party, finding and training candidates to run for office, and my favorite, running a coordinated campaign concentrating on straight ticket voters.

I personally would like to see a coordinated campaign with all volunteers trained to use the latest technology. I would like to see the satellite offices being run as if they were an extension of the Party HQ. I would like to see a plan for the campaign with analysis, goals, schedules, and everyone knowing where we are going, how we are getting there, and how we know when we get there.

The position of the Chair has a huge responsibility. It’s not a position for a rookie. It requires experience in the field, behind the desk, and the ability to reach out to the diverse community of the Democratic Party.

It’s early but here is my blunt and uninformed take on those who are running or rumored to be running:

Lillie Schechter. Lillie brings a lot of experience to the table in fundraising capability, field, and politics in general. She should be seriously considered.

Eartha Jean Johnson. I haven’t heard of Eartha before but based upon her resume she recently sent via email she has some good credentials. Another one to watch.

Rony Escobar. This is not an office for a rookie. There is little if any on the job training. You have to love his enthusiasm but this is a very serious position that requires a very serious candidate.

Dominique Davis. I believe Dominique has worked at the HQs before but she might want to consider running for the Executive Director before jumping onto the Chair. Baby steps. Baby steps.

Chris Spellman. I do not know Chris.

Art Pronin.  Art was great as the Club President for Meyerland Democrats but the jump to Chair might be a bit too big.

Anyone else running? Charles Kuffner has his own take on it. Maybe the party will have a candidate forum in the near future.

Just remember.

I have friends who are gay.
I have friends who are Muslim.
I have friends who care for their disabled child.
I have friends who are disabled.
I am married to a woman.
I have a child who is a woman.
I am Latino.

So when you tell me you voted for a man who says the gay community are second class citizens, who labels all Muslims as terrorists, who mocks the disabled,  who makes horrible comments towards women, and who paints all Latinos as rapists, murderers, and criminals, then you will understand when I respond with the ole Dick Cheney statement: Go F*ck Yourself.

Jackass.

It’s worse than you think.

Yesterday the Texas Dept of Insurance conducted a “discussion” concerning the use of mandatory binding arbitration clauses in home insurance contracts. In my opinion the consumers of Texas won the discussion but the decision will not be made any time soon.

Background
Farm Bureau insurance has asked TDI to allow them to offer a mandatory binding arbitration clause that would require policy holders to take their claims to a private justice system instead of a civil court as guaranteed by the 7th amendment of the Constitution. In exchange the policy holder would receive a discount in their premium.

Key points

You can’t make this stuff up. (and I didn’t)

Yesterday the Texas Department of Insurance Companies issued a revised “example” language by the Farm Bureau concerning their proposed use of mandatory binding arbitration in their home contracts. Today that revision is gone.

According to the example language provided by Farm Bureau, in exchange for a discount on a homeowners premium, Farm Bureau will pick the arbitration firm, the terms of the arbitration, and will limit discovery. This is what Texas Watch has called a Kangaroo Court. Previously the example had only Conflict Solutions of Texas as their arbitration company of choice. Yesterday they added the grand daddy of all arbitration companies, the American Arbitration Association. Today the AAA have been removed.

In the words of Donald Trump “What the hell is going on?”.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who is behind the hearing and use of arbitration. Consumers did not request this change, they are too ignorant on the issue. The consumer organizations did not request this change, they are too educated on the issue. The insurance industry is the only organization that will benefit from the use of this option.

And now just days before the hearing they are changing their proposed language. As we have seen in the home building industry what they say is only valid on the day they say it. If you don’t like it, wait for tomorrow.

Texas insurance companies have asked the Texas Department of Insurance to allow them to entice consumers with mandatory binding arbitration in exchange for a discount on their premiums. Instead of focusing their limited resources on lowering record high premiums for homeowners, the TDI will  focus on helping the insurance industry prey upon consumers looking for a break.

Selecting an alternative dispute resolution is a legal matter and should be performed only after consulting with an attorney. Consumers should not make this decision and the TDI should not allow the industry to prey upon those who are looking for a reduction in premiums.

From the TDI:

Docket No. 2788 – Notice of Public Meeting 

Location: William P. Hobby Jr. State Office Building  
333 Guadalupe, Room 100 
Austin, TX

July 06, 2016 
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

The commissioner of insurance will hold a public meeting to receive written and oral comments relating to mandatory mediation-arbitration endorsements. The endorsement would be attached to a homeowners policy at the policyholder’s option, with a premium discount.

See an example filed by Farm Bureau here: http://www.tdi.texas.gov/rules/financial/documents/dkt2788s614358.pdf

If you wish to provide written comments, please provide two copies no later than 5 p.m., Central time, July 6, 2016. Send one copy by email to chiefclerk@tdi.texas.gov, or by mail to the Texas Department of Insurance, Office of the Chief Clerk, Mail Code 113-2A, P.O. Box 149104, Austin, Texas 78714-9104. Send the other copy to Marilyn Hamilton by email at marilyn.hamilton@tdi.texas.gov, or by mail to the Texas Department of Insurance, Property and Casualty Lines Office, Mail Code 104-PC, P.O. Box 149104, Austin, Texas 78714-9104.

 Link to Live Webcast [Link to audio will be live shortly before the meeting begins.].

For more information contact: ChiefClerk@tdi.texas.gov