As a defense to my home state of Alabama I would like to state that the allegations from the Canadian auto industry are not true.  The Honda plant that was talked about in the article was up and running quite ahead of schedule and they are currently in the process of doubling the capacity.  Spokespeople from the Honda plant have stated that the only pictorials that have been used are the same type that have been used in any other automotive plant and are not due to a lack of education for the Alabama work force.  See this article here: http://www.al.com/search/index.ssf?/base/business/112098713811379
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I know it can be fun for some folks to kick the south, but at least stick to the truth.

Posted at July 11, 2005 10:38 AM in response to National Health Care as Economic Advantage

I enjoyed Whats the Matter With Kansas, but I think that there is a large issue that Frank does not quite get.  I think that Cherny has some good ideas in his book, but I don't think that we are quite there yet.  Democrats don't loose because of a lack of issues, a lack of framing, or because something is wrong with Kansas.  Democrats loose too often because they fail to address the issues that concern red America. 

Democrats will act almost dismissive about concerns about abortion when talking to a conservative audience rather than address the issue in a sensible way they will sidestep as quickly as possible.  Hillary Clinton recognizes this and she has sought to address these concerns in a common sense way that I think many Americans can appreciate.  Hillary came out and talked about the common ground on the issue and the need to work together to reduce the number of abortions that are occurring. 

If the people have this concern you as a politician or a political party have to address it.  You have to do so on their terms and not your own.  We want their votes and if the majority of Democrats continue to act as if these are silly or unimportant issues we will not get these votes.  

Also, we have to be authentic when we do it.  I watched Howard Dean on Meet the Press and cringed.  He tried to use a story from the Bible that ended up coming out forced.  It may not have been readily apparent to people who don't attend church regularly but it was painfully obvious.  I apprecaite the effort on Dean's part but please get it or right or just don't do it.

Once these issues are addressed then the Democrats can start talking about health care and their other new ides.   

Posted at July 6, 2005 6:32 PM in response to From Our Man in Kansas

Most states no longer have meaningful usury laws.  I know that here in Alabama the most that some can be charged in a pay day loan situation is around 450%. This is obviously an obscene rate and is an example of how the usury laws that used to be in place just don't exist any more. 

Arkansas used to be the exception to this, and may still be.  They do have relatively strong usury laws for credit cards and their banks will typically provide some of the best rates.   

Posted at June 17, 2005 7:07 PM in response to Discover Business Practices "Unreasonable, Unconscionable, and Unjust"