Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Obama for America Opens in GR
Just got back from the opening of the Obama for America a few minutes ago. I got there a little late, so it was already packed with people, and I had to park three blocks away. Michigan State Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer was there, firing up the crowd, as were a number of local candidates and elected officials.
It was wonderful. The building was packed to the rafters with an overflow crowd on sidewalk. Hundreds of people passed in and out. All the volunteers and staffers seemed surprised at the size of the crowd. There were people of all races, young and old, men and women, and they were all fired up to elect the man who represents real change from the Bush administration's policies and 30 years of right-wing domination.
Meanwhile, word has it a couple of cranky guys going about how great staying in Iraq forever would be gathered at the McCain headquarters and listened to muzak to celebrate McCain's latest flip-flop.
I purchased lawn signs and bumper stickers, and can't wait to volunteer.
It was wonderful. The building was packed to the rafters with an overflow crowd on sidewalk. Hundreds of people passed in and out. All the volunteers and staffers seemed surprised at the size of the crowd. There were people of all races, young and old, men and women, and they were all fired up to elect the man who represents real change from the Bush administration's policies and 30 years of right-wing domination.
Meanwhile, word has it a couple of cranky guys going about how great staying in Iraq forever would be gathered at the McCain headquarters and listened to muzak to celebrate McCain's latest flip-flop.
I purchased lawn signs and bumper stickers, and can't wait to volunteer.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Michigan Senator Calls for Great Lakes Water Compact
Calling the Great Lakes Water Compact the next step in fully protecting Michigan's great lakes ecosystems and clean water for the future, Sen. Carl Levin (D) introduced a resolution to pass the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact. The compact says, “the protection of the integrity of the Great Lakes Ecosystem shall be the overarching principle for reviewing proposals.”
The measure would use scientific principles to determine whether water can be diverted from the lakes, a shift from the Republican mind-set of doing anything to environment in order to let corporations make profits. The compact imposes "a scientific method for determining whether to allow a proposal to divert water from the Great Lakes, it makes our efforts to protect the lakes more clearly compliant with international trade agreements."
The measure also protects environmental standards from manipulation or challenge by countries or other international entities that might seek to weaken environmental protections here as part of a hindrance to "free trade."
I think the measure hints a serious and meaningful alternatives to the do-anything, free trade mentality that ruled while Republicans controlled our government. Now we are seeing the beginning of responsible protections that have a better shot at preserving water, animal and plant species, and other environmental ecosystems that we as humans need in order to survive.
Free trade, profits, and the market should not be prioritized over human needs or its survival.
Read Levin's full statement here...
The measure would use scientific principles to determine whether water can be diverted from the lakes, a shift from the Republican mind-set of doing anything to environment in order to let corporations make profits. The compact imposes "a scientific method for determining whether to allow a proposal to divert water from the Great Lakes, it makes our efforts to protect the lakes more clearly compliant with international trade agreements."
The measure also protects environmental standards from manipulation or challenge by countries or other international entities that might seek to weaken environmental protections here as part of a hindrance to "free trade."
I think the measure hints a serious and meaningful alternatives to the do-anything, free trade mentality that ruled while Republicans controlled our government. Now we are seeing the beginning of responsible protections that have a better shot at preserving water, animal and plant species, and other environmental ecosystems that we as humans need in order to survive.
Free trade, profits, and the market should not be prioritized over human needs or its survival.
Read Levin's full statement here...
State Prepares to Increase Funding for Education
Are state Republicans seeing the writing on the wall? Change is coming to the US in this fall's elections, and it will come to Michigan, too.
The Grand Rapids Press reported today that under a new bill that appears headed for Gov. Jennifer Granholm's (D) signature, "[a]rea school districts would see between $79 and $112 more per student for the upcoming school year."
After several years of Republicans trying to balance the budget on the backs of our children and our schools, this is welcome relief.
The Grand Rapids Press reported today that under a new bill that appears headed for Gov. Jennifer Granholm's (D) signature, "[a]rea school districts would see between $79 and $112 more per student for the upcoming school year."
After several years of Republicans trying to balance the budget on the backs of our children and our schools, this is welcome relief.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sign the Employee Free Choice Act Petition
Can you imagine a CEO agreeing to work without a contract that guarantees pay and benefits? It would never happen. But when companies prevent workers from forming unions, that’s exactly what they’re making employees do: work without any assurance of pay and benefits.
If we collect enough signatures and elect friends of working families, next year we can enact the Employee Free Choice Act, which would:
If we collect enough signatures and elect friends of working families, next year we can enact the Employee Free Choice Act, which would:
- Establish stronger penalties for violations of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations.
- Guarantee that workers who choose union representation will have a contract.
- Remove barriers that deny workers the opportunity to form unions and bargain for better wages, health care and pensions.
McCain's Michigan Headquarters Provided by Predatory Lender
This just came in from ProgressMichigan.org:
It might actually be funny if it wasn't so serious. Look at what we discovered: McCain's New "Great Lakes Regional Headquarters" is provided by a predatory firm that profits from throwing people out of their homes!
McCain's new "Great Lakes Regional Headquarters" in Farmington Hills is owned by Trott and Trott P.C., one of the nation's largest law firms that represents financial institutions and lenders against people facing foreclosures. David Trott, the firm's Managing Attorney is a major contributor to McCain.
Thanks to predatory lending practices, Michigan is facing one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation - hurting not only the families involved but entire neighborhoods through depressed property values.
Today we are calling on McCain to do the right thing - move his massive regional headquarters and cut ties with predatory firms that profit from Michigan's housing crisis. Our public officials should be on our side, not those who profit from unfair lending practices.
Do you think McCain should move his Headquarters? Take the online poll at: http://progressmichigan.org/
mccain
John McCain Wants to "Muddle" Afghanistan
Today, I sent the following letter to the Grand Rapids Press:
It was part of an e-mail campaign by VoteVets.org to get the word out about a video showing John McCain talking in 2003 about how he didn't think Afghanistan was as important as Iraq. After 5 years, no WMD found, and no terrorist links to Al Qaeda unearthed, McCain needs to explain why he thinks Iraq is so important and why we should be spending $10 billion per month to occupy that country – with no end in sight.
View the video here and get involved.
A shocking new video shows that in 2003, in front of the Council on Foreign Relations, Senator John McCain said he was more concerned with the war in Iraq, and that we could "muddle through in Afghanistan" without a large number of forces.
Senator McCain showed poor judgment and forethought, which is disturbing given that he says this area is his strong suit.
While Iraq had nothing to do with the September 11th attacks, Al Qaeda, which had organized and carried out the 9/11 terrorist attacks, remained free to operate in Afghanistan. John McCain helped the US quickly squander the sympathy and support the world had for the US by supporting a war in Iraq that was unnecessary and disastrous.
We cannot "muddle through" in Afghanistan. We have done that for the past five years, and all that has happened is that the Taliban has recaptured a large chunk of that country, Al Qaeda is back at pre-9/11 strength, and Osama bin Laden is free and plotting against America.
McCain's strategy for launching a war in Iraq and staying there indefinitely, unlike Senator Obama’s, is a policy of retreat in the war on terror. It has made us less secure, and allowed extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan to regain their strength. John McCain in 2003 was horribly wrong – there was no "muddling through" in Afghanistan.
It was part of an e-mail campaign by VoteVets.org to get the word out about a video showing John McCain talking in 2003 about how he didn't think Afghanistan was as important as Iraq. After 5 years, no WMD found, and no terrorist links to Al Qaeda unearthed, McCain needs to explain why he thinks Iraq is so important and why we should be spending $10 billion per month to occupy that country – with no end in sight.
View the video here and get involved.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Why Women Voters Don't Like McCain
McCain on Women's Issues--
- voted against FAIR PAY
- voted against health insurance covering birth control
- voted to terminate the federal family-planning program that provides breast-cancer screenings
- voted against SCHIP--Children's Health Insurance
- a fierce foe of womens' right to choose
- 4 SUPREME COURT JUSTICES may be replaced in the next 5 to 8 years
- his new campaign blogger showed his genuine affection for Mrs. Clinton earlier this year by portraying her as a liar and whiner
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Michigan Senator Investigates Offshore Tax Havens
According to Sen. Carl Levin's office, the United States Treasury loses an estimated $100 billion in tax revenues every year when wealthy individuals hide assets in offshore accounts.
Levin conducted hearings this week on these abuses and pointed out the unfairness involved when the rich are allowed to abuse the system and avoid paying their fair share.
Levin stated, "Tax evasion eats at the fabric of society, not only by starving health care, education, and other needed government services of resources, but also by undermining trust – making honest folks feel like they are being taken advantage of when they pay their fair share."
You can get full details on the hearings and the issues here.
Levin conducted hearings this week on these abuses and pointed out the unfairness involved when the rich are allowed to abuse the system and avoid paying their fair share.
Levin stated, "Tax evasion eats at the fabric of society, not only by starving health care, education, and other needed government services of resources, but also by undermining trust – making honest folks feel like they are being taken advantage of when they pay their fair share."
You can get full details on the hearings and the issues here.
Michigan Peace Works' New Web Site
Michigan Peaceworks is proud to announce that our new website has been launched! Please visit us at www.michiganpeaceworks.org to see the new setup and register as a member on the site.
Mayors' Resolution on Iran
Today, I sent Mayor George Heartwell an e-mail urging him to read and consider signing a new resolution being circulated by Cities for Peace/Progress.
The resolution has so far been signed by 50 mayors and basically resolves to "urge the Bush Administration to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran on nuclear issues and ending the violence in Iraq, and ... urge Congress to prohibit the use of funds to carry out any military action against Iran without explicit Congressional authorization."
Send Mayor Heartwell a note here: mayor@grcity.us
The resolution has so far been signed by 50 mayors and basically resolves to "urge the Bush Administration to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran on nuclear issues and ending the violence in Iraq, and ... urge Congress to prohibit the use of funds to carry out any military action against Iran without explicit Congressional authorization."
Send Mayor Heartwell a note here: mayor@grcity.us
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
John McCain Is Wrong for Michigan
From Michigan Dems:
Yesterday, John McCain again spent his day promoting the unfair trade policies that have devastated Michigan's economy. At a speech in California, McCain called himself "an unapologetic supporter of NAFTA." The Associated Press article about the speech explains that he also touted his recent visits to Mexico and Colombia where he spent the first days of July pushing for more NAFTA-like trade agreements.In response to those visits, Democrats in Michigan, led by Lt. Governor John Cherry, Congressman Dale Kildee, and State Representatives Michael Sak and Mary Valentine, held protests to ask McCain why the Mexican and Colombian economies are more important to him than bringing jobs to Michigan.To view videos of those events visit:John McCain will make yet another appearance in Michigan this week to discuss his so-called economic "plan". From his visits, it has become clear that he is out of touch with the current status of Michigan's economy. Click here to read more McCain's record of supporting Bush's failed policies.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Obama Gains Steam in Michigan
3BlueDudes just posted this:
A new survey released moments ago by Rasmussen Reports shows that Democrat Barack Obama has expanded his lead in the critical battleground state of Michigan to 8% points.Barack Obama: 47%
John McCain: 39%
The last Rasmussen Reports survey, nearly a month ago, showed Obama with his first lead in Michigan by a margin of 3%, 45% to 42%.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Bush-McCain Medicare Policies Would Hammer Michigan
The Democratic led Senate this past week voted to block huge cuts in Medicare payments to doctors proposed by Bush and McCain. According to the American Medical Association, Michigan would have otherwise been hit hard:
Payments Lost by Dec. 2009: $540 million
Average Physician's Loss: $21,000
People Affected: 92,826 employees,
1,429,304 Medicare patients
96,506 TRICARE patients
Suggests that Bush-McCain policies would have seriously harmed Michigan residents. In addition, McCain's tax and budget priorities would slash Medicare and Social Security benefits for millions of seniors, disabled, and dependent Americans.
Payments Lost by Dec. 2009: $540 million
Average Physician's Loss: $21,000
People Affected: 92,826 employees,
1,429,304 Medicare patients
96,506 TRICARE patients
Suggests that Bush-McCain policies would have seriously harmed Michigan residents. In addition, McCain's tax and budget priorities would slash Medicare and Social Security benefits for millions of seniors, disabled, and dependent Americans.
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