Author Archives: Gary LaMaster

A Memorial Day Tribute To Those Who Serve

It seems as if the United States has been perpetually at war during its existence. Just in the last century, we have fought WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Afghan War and the Iraq … Continue reading

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A Peek Into One of Democrats’ Best Brains

Democratic Perspective had the privilege of interviewing Celinda Lake, one of the Democratic Party’s leading political strategists and pollsters. Celinda and her firm are known for cutting-edge research on issues including the economy, health care, the environment and education. The … Continue reading

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The Death of the Death of Medicare

Since the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the so-called Ryan plan to voucherize Medicare, the public outcry has been almost universal. Democrats, independents, even Republicans confronted Republican Representatives at Congressional town hall meetings with objections to the plan. As a … Continue reading

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A Chat With Howard Dean

Howard Dean recently spoke with Democratic Perspective on a wide range of topics ranging from SB1070 to the 2012 elections. The former six-time governor of Vermont, former presidential candidate, and past Chair of the Democratic National Committee began by paying … Continue reading

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“Unite and Conquer”

That’s the title of a book by Arizona State Senator Kyrsten Sinema which describes her relationship with conservatives. As one of the very few Democrats in the Tea Party-controlled legislature, she describes her approach to working with conservatives as “letting … Continue reading

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A Closer Look at the Republican Plan to “Reform” Medicare.

The Ryan budget plan, which was recently passed by Republicans in the US House of Representatives, purports to “reform” Medicare by offering a defined benefit plan.  Congressman Ryan calls it a “premium” plan that allows Medicare beneficiaries to choose health insurance “the same way … Continue reading

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Debunking Common Myths about Social Security

For many years, conservatives opposed to Social Security have created and perpetuated a number of myths regarding our social safety net. Following are just a few of those myths and the non-partisan truth about the program: Myth 1 – We … Continue reading

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Social Security Is Insurance. Not An Entitlement.

Shamed by scenes of the elderly living in abject poverty following the Great Depression, Congress passed the Social Security Act which was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. At the time, poverty rates among senior … Continue reading

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Ann Kirkpatrick Featured On Inaugural Program

On the very first edition of Democratic Perspective, former Congresswoman, Ann Kirkpatrick, confirmed her intent to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. This is the same office she held from 2009 until January of this year. Kirkpatrick … Continue reading

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