Author Archives: Brook Hines
5 Lies the Florida Democratic Party Needs to Stop Telling
The LEAD (Leadership Expansion to Advance Democrats) Task Force Report led by Former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings and US Senator Bill Nelson is about to come out, so there’s going to be some discussion about how the party does stuff going forward. Few rational people expect a sanctioned report by party insiders will tell […]
“Fantasyland” protest calls-out GOP Clown Car Economics
See the full Flickr album of photos here. The “Florida Deserves Better” than Fantasyland action was held Tuesday, June 2 outside of the hotel where Rick Scott held his “cattle call” for GOP candidates to strut their campaigns in front of monied-up interests like the Chamber of Commerce and their members. Billed as an “insider” event, […]
Grayson’s ‘Just War’ of Words proves he’s got something to say | update 1
Clutch your pearls and hover over your favorite fainting couch. It’s primary season, so if you don’t already have one, here’s a link to DIY your own Fainting Couch and Toddler Bed. Build yours this weekend, because with 17 months until the election this baby is apt to see some action. Check out this couch […]
On having “skin in the game” this Memorial Day
The Florida Squeeze has been hosting some interesting discussions lately, particularly regarding the role of activists and blogs like this one. With regard to the discomfiting loss in Jacksonville one notion repeated a few times was the idea that bloggers and activists need to be still. Here’s a quote: “Those who have real skin in the […]
PROGRESSIVES JUST CHANGED THE 2016 ELECTION NARRATIVE BY BLOCKING TPP FAST-TRACK
In a last-minute huddle, Democrats blocked fast-track authority (TPA) for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in the Senate, saying they had concerns about enforcement of protections. This was a big, multifaceted win for progressives. One, Elizabeth Warren’s Klout score just went way up. Two, the TPP now has a good shot of being killed in the House with […]
The Uncanny Valley of the Florida Senate Race
When robots are too human it creeps us out. It’s called the Uncanny Valley — an unsettling sense of revulsion when confronted with something that’s human, but not. Jon Tester’s ludicrously early endorsement of Patrick Murphy for Senate is an Uncanny Valley moment for him. As head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, his announcement […]
Dems can do better than “too big to fail” campaigns
Two months ago the New York Times published an article that gave the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign the “too big to fail” tagline. Titled “Democrats See No Choice but Hillary Clinton in 2016,” the piece revealed that the national Democratic party takes the attitude she’s an incumbent and they have no Plan B to a Hillary nomination. The […]
What DO you call it when democracy is broken at the behest of business?
“Democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt, April 29, 1938 (Letter to Congress on the problem of Curbing Monopolies) We sometimes forget that private monied interests have been campaigning for “small government” since long […]
KILLING US SOFTLY: On abortion we’re one compromise away from third world status
This week I traveled to Tallahassee to “tell my abortion story” to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Along with two other women, we went to make women’s voices heard as the fate of the Mandatory Wait Bill (SB 724) was “considered.”I put “considered” in scare quotes because we all know that there’s no “consideration” in these matters. […]
Following Progressive Caucus letter, Patrick Murphy issues new statement on Social Security while FDP official has mini-meltdown
By Brook Hines One of the things I love about politics around here is that every so often people just ‘let it fly’ in a way that’s so breathtaking you have to step back and appreciate its narsty grandeur. Take the threat to decertify the Democratic Progressive Caucus and strip a member of DNC status, […]
The Florida Squeeze 