August is here. That means the summer is drawing to an end, and the 2010 Campaign Season is upon us. Hard to believe that the 2010 Primary is only a little more than six months away. But as we head into a critical election year, the Tarrant County Democratic Party has much to be thankful for. Consider:

• More sustaining members than we have ever had;
• A fully staffed, full-time office;
• Outstanding Democratic elected officials serving the citizens of Tarrant County;
• A renewed commitment from energized precinct chairs and outstanding local grassroots groups to organizing the county.

If you have not become a sustaining member of our Party, we welcome the opportunity to add you to the growing ranks of dedicated Tarrant County Democrats.

Looking back at six months under President Obama, one senses that our national pride has been restored. So much has happened in such a short time, it is hard to fully grasp the extraordinary efforts of this capable administration. The Tarrant County Democratic Party proudly salutes the following accomplishments:

• The nomination, and confirmation, of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latino woman to ever serve on the United States Supreme Court;
• The unceasing, exceptional efforts to restructure a health care system that has failed America — not just the fifty million people who have no health insurance, but tens of millions of others who find that their health care does not provide the services Americans need and deserve;
• The federal stimulus plan which is leading us out of the worst recession since the Great Depression
• The Stonewall Democrats, whose courageous stance following the Rainbow Lounge raid has brought about not only much needed local and federal investigations, but has also brought new awareness and understanding of the local gay rights movement.

And yet, the challenge we face is greater than ever. The right wing extremists have shown that they are willing to go farther, and to be more dishonest and destructive, than ever. Because they are unable, or perhaps incapable, of coming up with a solution to the unworkable healthcare system that presently exists in our country, the right wingers are resorting to the “brown-shirt” tactics of the 1930s. Those tactics involve a strategy of disruption, distortion, destruction, denial, and outright lies. I believe in standing up to bullies, countering lies with facts and building consensus through positive action, as opposed to fear and hate mongering. Many of you have asked what can I do to help our President and counter the extremists. I suggest the following:

• Coming to the TCDP Party office on Monday, Tuesday Or Thursday evenings starting at 5:00 p.m. and make phone calls in support of President Obama;
• Canvass with Organizing For America; every Saturday at the TCDP Party office starting at noon.
• Contact or better still, visit your US Representative and let them know you are tired of the lies and scare tactics and that you support the President’s Goals for health care;
• Write a letter to the editor
• Add your name to the list of Americans that support President Obama;
• Attend Rep Kenny Marchant’s “secret” town hall meeting TONIGHT (August 12th) at The Senior Center in Farmer’s Branch is located at 14055 Dennis Lane, 75234.

Thanks for what you are doing,
Steve Maxwell
Chair, Tarrant County Democratic Party