Chairman's Corner
Supreme Court Stifles the People of Alabama's Right to Be Heard
December 7, 2009
In the 2010 elections three of Alabama's nine Supreme Court seats will be up for election. Voters should take notice of the recent shocking actions of our highest court as shown by their unwillingness to even hear oral arguments of the people of Alabama in the recent Medicaid lawsuits.
The voters of Alabama should be the ultimate arbiters of who shall sit upon the highest court in our state; yet, big money interests and out-of-state shell groups formed by many of the entities with cases before the courts fund election year advertisement, that in essence buys these judicial elections by skewing communications toward their candidate.
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Reform is only way to save health care system in America
In less than a decade, the Medicare Trust Fund will be out of money. Health care costs and the private premiums for insurance are rising much faster than real wages.
Today, more than 50 million Americans have no health care insurance and bankruptcies associated with the lack of health care coverage are rising exponentially. More and more seniors are being forced to take on credit card debt to pay drug bills. Rural hospitals and clinics are closing at alarming rates. The contingent liability of entitlements and federal obligations now tops a whopping $54 trillion.
Click read more below to view the entire article.
To read more about the healtcare debate and the misinformation swirling out there, click here.
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We should all resolve to do our part to secure freedom
In 1943 the American artistic icon, Norman Rockwell, painted The Human Freedom Series. Rockwell's four famous paintings portrayed America and her freedoms: Freedom of Speech; Freedom of Worship; Freedom from Want; and Freedom from Fear. In the spirit of Rockwell's America, I offer some tangible results of Democratic Party leadership actions in the past twelve months at the state and national level that have protected and enhanced Alabama and American freedom.
Freedom of Speech is also the ability to work and be compensated with equality. With the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Act, Democrats led the way for equal pay for equal work for men and women. Championed by Alabama tire worker Lilly Ledbetter, the Democratic Congress passed and President Obama signed this protection of speech and work.
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House District 6 Voters Should Cast Their Ballot for Jenny Askins
Tuesday, July 14th is an important day for Alabama and for Madison County, as it is the day for the Special General Election for House District 6. Our Democratic Nominee, Jenny Rhodes Askins, is an outstanding candidate who embodies the values, hopes and ethics of the people of Madison County.
It is critical that if you live, or if you have family and/or friends who live within this district, that you all go to the polls Tuesday and take someone with you! Turnout of loyal voters' means everything in a special election, especially one held in the heat of summer.
Jenny is one of the up and coming leaders in the Madison County area. She is a devoted wife, mother and courthouse professional. She comes from a great family and is ready to serve others with ability and passion in the Alabama House.
Please make a donation if you can, but remember to go and vote and help put Jenny over the top. Republican special interest money is trying to buy this election. But I know that Jenny's grassroots network is working hard. If you have not already joined the team, do it today.
Vote Jenny Rhodes Askins on Tuesday! Thanks.
Joe Turnham, Chairman
Democratic plan better than Bridges'
Published in the Opelika Auburn News, Monday, April 13, 2009
State Rep. DuWayne Bridges has been given the sponsorship of a GOP legislative proposal on the eve of the 20th of 30 legislative days.
After having voted three consecutive times this session against a measure that would give the voters of Alabama a chance to vote up or down on a proposal to remove the 4 percent sales tax on groceries, Rep. Bridges and his Republican Caucus are only now offering this meager "tax credit" plan.
Bridges and his colleagues have been stung by grassroots outrage as they have unanimously opposed even bringing the Democratic Grocery Tax Removal up for debate. Democratic plan better than Bridges'
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America Still a Beacon of Hope to a Weary World
By - Chairman Joe Turnham Published in Opelika-Auburn NewsWASHINGTON, D.C. -- The kindness and civility exemplified by the 1.5 million people (comparable to all of South Alabama packing the expanded campus-wide tailgating area of an Auburn football game) this past week for the inaugural of a new President and Vice-President inspired me to renewed and greater hope for my country.
The gravity of this moment in our history became palpable as the clock on Tuesday ticked closer to that actual time that Barack Obama would raise his right hand and take the oath as America's first African-American president.
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Sense of Urgency Prevalent Among State Leaders
By: Chairman Joe Turnham - Published in Opelika-Auburn NewsVeteran legislators of both parties over the past several weeks have told me that the set of issues and circumstances facing the State of Alabama in this session are the most extreme of their lifetime.
There is a sense of seriousness and emergency confronting these state leaders that mandates that partisan gridlock and rhetorical one-upmanship not become part of the day.
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Josh Segall Ready to Clean Up Republican Mess
Joe Turnham
Columnist
Published: October 6, 2008
The Third Congressional District of Alabama is a large land swath that runs from Cherokee County down to the Pike County line. From the foothills of the Appalachians to the edge of the Wiregrass, the people that live in this congressional district are a microcosm of our state. I know many of them personally and have traveled nearly every county road in the boundaries of the 13 counties that comprise this district.
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Riley Road Legislation Disguised as Good Government
April 10, 2008
Bill would bring toll roads and benefit GOP insiders like Giuliani and Mukasey
Recent legislation regarding the creation of an independent Transportation Commission for Alabama died on a split vote in an Alabama Senate committee. The concept of the legislation and parts of the legislation enjoyed bi-partisan support, yet died because of several emerging legitimate concerns that could not answered.
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Turnham Invites Hubbard to Defend Bush Record
March 11, 2008
Below is the ALGOP press release regarding Gov. Dean's visit to Alabama, and below that is the ALADEMS and Chairman Turnham's response.
Howard Dean to raise Alabama Dollars for Liberal Causes?
Birmingham - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and the liberals a preparing to swoop into the state tomorrow and raise money to promote the Democratic Party and its platform. The Alabama Republican Party asks if Dean and the Democrats will commit to not using Alabama money for pro-abortion, anti-gun, pro-illegal immigration and pro-gay marriage policies.
Rep. Mike Hubbard, Chairman, ALGOP stated, "The majority of the tax payers in Alabama have a much different value system than the far left lead by Chairman Dean and Nancy Pelosi."
"Using Alabama dollars to promote these liberal ideals would be a slap in the face to the people of the state," Hubbard said. - ALGOP
In the Wake of the Dean Visit Turnham Responds to ALGOP Challenge
DNC Chairman Howard Dean will arrive in Birmingham, Alabama and travel down I-65 on Tuesday from his first stop in Birmingham and he will buy some $3.40 Exxon-Mobil along the way, (drilled from the Mobile Bay, washed through the ALGOP Supreme Court) gas to get to Montgomery for his next meetings. Will ALGOP keep defending the Corporate Board Alabama Supreme Court that overturned two juries in alleviating Exxon-Mobil from their $4 billion dollar verdicts, while those same judges collected over $5 million in campaign contributions from groups tied to Exxon-Mobil and 'reform groups'?
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Dems Resolve to End GOP Stalling Tactics and Move Forward
February 5, 2008
by JOE TURNHAM
Legislative leaders in the Alabama House and Senate have made it clear they want to work with Republicans and the governor to solve the real problems that confront Alabama families in 2008.
With a nation at war and economy under stress, it takes mature, sober leadership at the legislative helm. In last year's state senate, the Republican led filibuster lasted 27 of the 30 legislative days effectively killing many constructive legislative initiatives. Democrats need Republicans to come aboard in a cooperative spirit in 2008.
Recently, Democratic Leaders including Speaker Seth Hammett; Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom; and Senate President Hinton Mitchem offered a handshake of cooperation to Republican leaders by pledging to take redistricting off the table for the legislative session.
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Chairman's January Message
As you as an Alabama voter consider the two parties and the various candidates to be on the February 5th ballot, I hope you will carefully place into context the challenges now before our nation that the next president will face. The 2008 presidential race in no small measure will be a referendum on the presidency of George W. Bush (six of those years with a republican Congress).
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Turnham Brings Video Message to Site Visitors
December 18, 2007
Joe Turnham: There are alternative solutions to prison
November 7, 2007
Opelika-Auburn News
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Alabama’s inmate population today stands at 29,235, or a number larger than the population of the City of Opelika. These inmates (90 percent are male) are spread out over 29 facilities. Nearly 30,000 prisoners occupy physical space designed to house only 13,000.
Alabama today spends over $450 million state dollars and rising per year on corrections. Our incarceration rate has doubled from 20 years ago and nearly quadrupled in three decades. Most recently, Gov. Bob Riley and his administration have been under court order and the threat of contempt by state courts for the awful conditions of our prisons and their failure to address basic problems. Prison contracts for healthcare are being scrutinized for political patronage, all while salaries for correctional officers lag.
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A New Season, Renewed Strength
As November arrives and we roll our clocks back one hour, it makes us reflect on how seasons change and how precious life is in all its diverse complexities. As I travel the state for the Democratic Party, I am reminded that Alabama Democrats are more like a big family than a political alliance. We grieve when we lose long time volunteers and party activists as we have this year.
We also fight, disagree, but always come back together for bigger battles involving our Alabama neighbors. Being a real Democrat means that emotions will sometimes take over for better judgment some days, but usually we will come around and do the right thing. Forgiving is a great way to start anew.
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GOP "More of the Same" Not What Voters Want
Much has been made of the feuding and fighting in the Alabama State Senate, yet the underlying causes and the acceptance of real responsibility have yet to be revealed by the Governor or his legislative allies.
Gov. Riley was quoted last week as saying "GOP legislators were ready for a special session, be he couldn't get the cooperation of the Democrats"…but, according to Democratic leaders, the Governor has not even tried to have a dialogue with them. That very same day the Senate Minority Leader said we could expect more gridlock and fighting next year. Does this mean Sen. Charles Bishop of the infamous Senate punch is "ready to rumble" again? How can things change without real dialogue?
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Many Dems Feel Need for Strict Enforcement
Opelika-Auburn News
With the failure of President George W. Bush to successfully solve an eight-year priority of his presidency – immigration reform-- many local and state elected officials have taken the immigration issue upon themselves and begun the process of trying to deal with the massive and complex issue of guest workers and illegal immigration. To date, some 1,200 bills have been introduced by state legislatures nationwide.
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Educational Excellence is a Journey, not a Destination for Alabama
By Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham
It is estimated that each day some 300 million Chinese students study the English language. Outsourcing to India of more and more U.S. based costumer service and high technology jobs is occurring at a rapid pace. The largest industrial projects announced in Alabama in the last 4 years have been companies hailing from Germany, Japan and Korea.
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