For the past six months, Organizing for America volunteers across Louisiana have organized for health insurance reform, making thousands to Members of Congress. Today, the hard work, dedication, phone calls and door to door canvassing all paid off, when by a vote of 220 to 215, the US House of Representatives passed the Affordable Healthcare for America Act. Now, the United States Senate will begin its work on final passage.
Today, OFA-Louisiana volunteers in North and Central Louisiana managed and attend phone banks, conducting neighbor to neighbor canvassing and encouraged supporters to make calls to Members of Congress.
In Shreveport, Anu K., Community Organizer, spent the day reaching out to supports in Shreveport and Bossier City.
"Yes we did! This is a historic first step towards true reform. It will provide much needed change in the way insurance companies do business, and end discrimination against people with preexisting conditions, women and young people. It is a beginning in affordable quality care for all. WOW! And thank you for all who worked so hard to get it passed.
Armed with her laptop coffee and a tall glass of Louisiana sweet tea, Katrina R. a Community Organizer in Shreveport made dozens of calls using a virtual phone bank.
“Tonight’s vote proves that regular American citizens can organize and defeat the multi-billion dollar lobbyists and special interest groups; change from the ground up. I’m ecstatic that we are closer than we’ve ever been to comprehensive health insurance reform. I know that we still have a battle ahead of us, but to see our hard work pay off is invaluable. Now let’s get Louisiana Senators to lead the charge in taking health reform to the next step."
Congress is done for now, but the Senate still has work to do. Contact your Senator and tell them to support the Obama Plan for Health Insurance Reform by clicking here.
To become a community organizer or join your neighborhood team, click here.
To find an event or activity near you, click here.
Volunteers across Louisiana have been engaging their communities, educating people about President Obama’s health care plan and urging supporters to call their member of Congress. On October 20, 2009, Louisiana took part in an OFA national movement to help make at least 100,000 calls to Congress and to especially let the Louisiana Congressional delegation know how important health insurance reform is in the state of Louisiana.
Leading the charge on October 20th were seven New Orleans retirees who made calls as part of a Senior-to-Senior phone bank. Becoming fast friends, the group shared stories from previous campaign phone bank experiences and rallied behind a common cause: to demonstrate that Louisiana seniors support the President’s health insurance proposal, including the public option.
After an orientation by New Orleans community organizer Lee Madere, the callers reached out to peers and dispelled health reform myths and encouraged others to call Congress. In just over two hours, the group made over 350 calls and got nearly 100 commitments. By the end of the day, Organizing For America blew past their national goal and finished the day with an astounding 314,000 calls to members of Congress.
“Watching the thermometer rise throughout the day was a thrill,” said Lee. “It’s great to know that Louisiana seniors we a part of helping the nation surpass 100,000 calls. We also realize the importance of being consistent and making calls every day. My team plans to get together again next week.”
It’s Time To Deliver for the thousands of Louisiana seniors will benefit from health insurance reform. We’re closer now than ever.
Contact your member of Congress and tell them to support the Obama Plan for Health Insurance Reform by clicking here.
Hello to my old friends on my/barack.obama.com. You know me from coming over to our house (Owen and Mary Lou's) to watch our guy take on the heavyweights in primaries and debates. We ranted and cheered and felt at home with one another, even though we had never met, we were different ages and came from some very different worlds. We loved every second of it all the way down to the thrill of seeing Barack Obama sworn in as 44th President of the USA.
It was such a relief to see the end of an 8 year nightmare and welcome a guy so wonderful in so many ways, it was hard to believe he ran and got elected. I don't know about you, but I relaxed and no longer felt the strong urge to get onto the Obama netroots page and talk about politics. I knew our country was in good hands.
Today, I'm back because of a remarkable development in my personal life. During the second term of Bush and Cheney, Mary Lou was diagnosed with cancer and ended up spending a lot of time at MD Anderson in Houston getting treatment. Thanks to getting the best, Mary Lou is healthy and cancer free today. But during that difficult time, I had a great deal of time at home alone. One day a Muse visited and I found myself writing a novel that covered the events and impact of my era, the 60's. The novel, still unpublished, is full of music, because the narrator listens to music, hears music on the radio, goes to concerts and hears music playing in his head pretty much nonstop. I even wrote several original blues, R&B, rock&roll and rock tunes specifically for the novel.
In 2008, during the campaign year, I recorded 12 songs including 9 originals with some excellent musicians I know at a great indie studio, John Keane Studios in Athens, GA. One of these was a heavily satirical number about guns and violence in America, using the music of Chuck Berry's immortal Sweet Little 16 but satirizing the Beach Boys copycat version of Sweet Little 16, Surfin' USA. Mine is called "Murder USA." I entered this song (under the name of our band, Dr. Morpheus) in the Land Shark Lager 2009 Battle of the Bands online contest and to my shock, the tune was accepted!
So, I'd like you to follow this link to my band page in the Land Shark contest, Dr. Morpheus and see if you'd like to vote for us in the contest. Besides being a rockin' tune, Murder USA makes a statement about the casual way Americans often shoot one another for no good reason. It's not anti-gun but it is ant-senseless violence. Please check it out. If you get what I'm doing here and like it, I would really welcome your support and assistance in our campaign to get into a live face-off concert in Nashville, TN on Sept 245. Voting in Round 1 of the contest last through Aug 10- you may vote once daily from as many email addresses as you have. If you vote, you will receive a confirmation email and YOU MUST ENDORSE THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT. It is likely the confirmation email will go into your SPAM folder and you won't realize what it is, so please pay close attention. If you want to get involved with our campaign (please get involved with our campaign!), contact me through this site or my email drscott@psychclinic.com We have a great campaign going but we need a lot more help to make it to the concert. BTW, the grand prize includes a 2 page ad spread in Rolling Stone magazine! Should we go all the way, I commit here to display Obama gear prominently in my outfit when I go to the photo shoot.
Thanks for checking this out. And whatever you may or may not do with the contest, keep in touch with Mary Lou and myself. We miss you!
All the best,
Owen
PS Can we do it?
Greetings! My name is Steven Walker, I'm the State Director for Organizing for America-Louisiana. The primary goals of Organizing for America are
Over the next several weeks, we will have Listening Tours and other opportunities for you to provide feedback and share your thoughts. I just wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself and encourage you to all attend an informational conference call next Wednesday, May 20, 2009, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Please RSVP for the call by clicking this link:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpcpwh
In the coming days, there will be an official Organizing for America-Louisiana MyBO group, and I hope you each join that group to receive updates on our plans and activities here in Louisiana. I look forward to speaking with as many as you as possible on the phone next Wednesday, and meeting more of you in person over the coming weeks.
Steve Walker
OFA - Louisiana
walkers@dnc.org
832.724.3427
Hi Louisiana.Obama For America is now Organizing For America. The goals have shifted from getting Barack Obama elected to helping make sure his presidency is a success, both politically and policy-wise. You are still needed in this effort.Last week, Congress voted to pass our president's 2010 budget. Only 2 legislators from Louisiana helped to make that happen: Senator Mary Landrieu and Representative Charlie Melancon. We need help showing that Louisianan's care about how our members of congress vote.Could you please take a moment and send a letter to the editor of your local paper thanking Senator Landrieu (and congressman Melancon if you are in his district)? There is a great tool on MyBO to help make this really simple:http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/ThankCongressBelow I've attached some ideas for letters, but please write from your own heart. And thank you for continuing to support Barack Obama.Best,Lynda Below are a few ideas to guide your letter writing. Visit our website for more additional tips and information http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/ThankCongress LTE #1President Obama is talking to us like adults. He doesn’t sugarcoat his message or claim to have the silver bullet. Since taking office, he's encouraged us to be patient and persistent in charting our course - I think his words were, “more ocean liner than speed boat.”President Obama’s budget is big, but it’s a bold and important down payment on our long-term economic recovery here and across the nation.And that's why I applaud my congressional representative for voting in support of the President's plan to put our country back on the path to prosperity - a vote all of us can be proud of.
LTE #2I’m sick and tired of our bubble-driven economy. From the dot.com craze to the housing bubble, I know so many people who have been affected by the constant boom and bust that has made our economy unstable.President Obama’s budget plan takes on the challenges in our healthcare system, public education and energy policy – and aims to make those things operate better and more efficiently for people just like me here in my town.I agree with President Obama that now is the time to make significant investments to help our economy develop in a sustainable way, and provide real growth and services the people on Main Street need. And that's why I applaud my congressional representative for supporting President Obama's plan.
LTE#3I volunteered for President Obama’s campaign, was thrilled to watch his inauguration, and have been following the early months of his presidency.These days, all the pundits seem to talk about is President Obama’s budget plan. Is it too expensive? Is it too ambitious?I am happy to see that President Obama is engaging his supporters - the regular people who elected him to office – to help build grassroots support for his budget blueprint.Making healthcare more affordable, investing in education, and creating a safer, greener energy policy, are the changes we fought for during the election.And that's why I was so pleased to see my congressional representative vote in support of the President's plan and give him the help he needs to put a down payment on a more sustainable, economic future for all of us.
Today the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, and HUD, Shaun Donovan, visited New Orleans to get an update on our recovery from the hurricanes of the last 4 years. At the same time, Brad Pitt was in Washington, DC meeting with Nancy Pelosi and James Clyburn to discuss his rebuilding efforts in the 9th Ward.
The president has already signed a couple of executive orders extending our recovery benefits in Louisiana... and has just named a new, well-respected director of FEMA, Craig Fugate. Additionally, Barack Obama recently met with the King of Zulu, Charles Hamilton, in Washington DC in order to receive his hand-painted coconut from this year's Mardi Gras parade dedicated to our new president.
I am well pleased to see our region, though greatly ignored during the campaign, take a bit of the spotlight these days.
Keep up the good trend, President Obama!
Lynda Woolard
Change Corps of New Orleans
www.changecorpsnola.org
Hello Louisiana for Obama, I hope you are as fired up as I am after President Obama’s speech last night! Across the country and here in Louisiana we are inspired by the President’s message and motivated to organize for change.
I wanted to introduce myself to those of you who I don’t yet know. My name is Kevin Brown and I worked as a grassroots organizer on the Obama campaign. Just like many of you, I knocked on doors, made phone calls and held organizing meetings with teams of volunteers. Together we won this election.
I am excited to serve as Louisiana’s Volunteer Liaison to Organizing for America and I'm thrilled to tell you that Organizing for America is up and running! OFA’s mission is to mobilize our grassroots movement in support of President Obama’s policies for change and to build on and strengthen that grassroots organization we have all built together. I am an unpaid volunteer (not an official OFA staffer) who has been asked to help coordinate our efforts here in Louisiana OFA’s national office.
I know that many of you are already utilizing the Obama network to organize in your communities. In Louisiana alone, we held 31 house parties and collected 181 stories around the economic crisis. Your efforts helped pass the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act and your involvement will be critical to its success.
You can act today to support our economic recovery. We've put together an easy to use online tool to look up the phone numbers of your representatives who voted in favor of the economic recovery plan -- take a few minutes today to thank them for doing what's right.
Take a minute to thank the Senators and Representatives who supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and encourage them to continue working with President Obama to lift America out of this economic crisis. When you're done, report back to us about the calls you made.
Throughout the next weeks and months, I look forward to working with all of you to ensure that Organizing for America is successful here in Louisiana. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or ideas as we continue to organize for change.
Thanks so much,
Kevin Brown
Louisiana Volunteer Liaison, Organizing for America
kevin.brown@obamaalumni.com
From whitehouse.gov
Friday, February 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am
"We must ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated," President Obama said in a statement today, announcing the extension of the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding and his decision to send two cabinet members to the region. Homeland Security Secretrary Janet Napolitano and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan are heading to the Gulf Coast and New Orleans in early March to evaluate firsthand the progress that's been made and assess the region's needs. "The residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast who are helping rebuild are heroes who believe in their communities and they are succeeding despite the fact that they have not always received the support they deserve from the Federal government," the President said. "This executive order is a first step of a sustained commitment by my Administration to rebuild now, stronger than ever." Some important facts:
Economic Recovery - what's in the Economic Stimulus Package for Me?
Baton Rouge,Louisiana on February 9, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Hosted by: Paulette G. Bailey-Wilson and Debra Hammond Dudley
Attendance: Katrina Jackson, Paulette Bailey-Wilson, Debra H. Dudley, Pastor Daniel Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, Chandi Johnson, Reika Johnson, Aliya Johnson, Rep. Regina Barrow, Barbara Haynes, Woodrow J. Wilson, J,r Brandon R Bailey and Denise Gauthier
AGENDA
Welcome to the Group by Paulette
Video Presentation/President's Address on CNN - (We all watched together)
Shared Stories at the meeting (personal stories on current economic situations)
Woodrow Wilson stated:
As a small business owner, (distributor and supplier) we had to layoff two employees because we couldn't access credit from the bank to continue to make payroll nor purchase inventory. Some customers cut back on their orders and some stopped placing orders completely due to the economy. We need more breaks for small businesses and ways to access capitol to continue creating jobs and growth in our area.
Rev. Daniel Johnson stated:
I have seen this slump in the economy affect the local churches. Our members are coming to us with desperate needs such as help with utility bills, food, medical perscriptions and counseling for depression. The church has and will continue to help its members but with this bad situation our resources are limited too. We are stretched to our bare ends and members do not have money to donate to many services to help others less fortunate.
Katrina Jackson stated:
I have been extremely blessed that my immediate family members nor myself have experienced job loss from this economic crisis. However, with the rising cost of goods and services I am sending as much money as I can to help others. Also, personally I was hoping to finance a house this year. I willl be doing so hopefully after paying off old debt. I hope the economy does not prevent my plans from becoming a reality.
Debra Dudley stated:
I have been placing money in a 457 Deferred Compensation plan and have watched it dwindle to nothing over the last year. My husband is a small business owner in the construction industry and he has seen a slow down in this past year. If this trend continues he will be forced to lay off some of his employees. We don't want that because it only aids to the unemployment numbers in our state.
Paulette G Bailey-Wilson stated:
I have a 22 year old that is attending college and is not fully covered with health insurance. I am self employed and my business can not afford a group coverage or family insurance plan. We have a small hospitalization plan for him but it does not cover major medical cost. Last year, he broke his foot and we had to pay out of pocket expenses up front to the doctors before they would perform surgery and any after care. We need health coverage for all kids and especially college kids that can't be covered by their parents insurance. College tutition and book cost is going out of the roof. We really need help to assure these kids in our state can stay in college. We cannot afford higher education fees in our state. We need them to be prepared for the future and job ready to help the state's economy.
Discussion on why the economic stimulus is important to us
Many said - repairing of schools and upgrades to 21st century technology, money for small businesses, financial help for distressed homeowners to stay in their homes and not be foreclosed upon, jobs and educational tools, institute the tax cuts immediately and have President Obama look at the repeal or reduction of the WEP and GPO social security provisions. Many retirees are devastasted by these reductions.
Brainstorming (ways to encourage public support for economic recovery to help improve our community)
Closing - Rep. Regina Barrow proposed to host a second follow-up meeting or/a town meeting to educate Baton Rouge on the stimulus package and have someone on hand to answer questions the citizens might have. Paulette, Katrina and Debra agreed to work with Ms. Barrow on this effort. Rev Johnson suggested that local churches and ministers take on a interest in helping the less fortunate and invite members to the meetings and state capitol to meetings/hearings on the stimulus funds coming to the state level.
I wanted to pass along brief highlights of items in the stimulus package that will be very beneficial to families and children in Louisiana. These items and provisions apply to both House and Senate versions of the bill. If you want to research material on the stimulus package more details are available by going to: www.ctj.org/stimulus citizens for tax justice has prepared a state by state series of the stimulus proposals, www.cbpp.org - center on budget and policy priorities has created a state by state estimates on a number of provisions affecting low and moderate families and individuals. Also you can check out the Center for American Progress or www.cspan.org for more details on todays votes 2/13/09.
Overall, while the bill does not solve every proplem, it reflects what economists from both sides of the aisles have said publicly:
infrastructure investments such as school repair projects create jobs; providing direct assistance such as tax credits and food stamps to low-income families provides economic stimulus because they will spend the money quickly to keep their heads above the water; and temporary fiscal aid to state like Louisiana, like (FMAP) Federal Medical Assistance Percentages, helps struggling families weather the recession and prevents further erosion of their purchasing power.
Louisiana stands to receive 4 to 5 billion dollars (based on the final vote in the senate 2/13/09. State officials said Thursday at a Louisiana Senate and Finance Committee Meeting at the Louisiana State Capitol that both versions of the currently presented HR.1 would go a long way toward resolving Louisiana's budget problems. Out of $30 billion dollar budget the Divisions of Administration officers have cut some $341 million for reductions in state general fund revenues. The General Fund Revenue is expected to decrease by $1.2 billion dollars for the fiscal year that starts July1. ( according to Senate Finance 2/6/09). It was reported that sales tax revenue is not coming in as anticipated - a standstill and people are going to the casinos a lot. So that means revenues are low. Oil prices peaked last summer and now they have fell sharply. It was report that income tax collecctions are low to low to present a new tax break and not to mention the major cuts reported by higher education. They are facing up to $382 million dollars in cuts and maybe some school closures reported (LSU-A) in Alexandria. One good thing is that Senate Finance 2/6/09 stated that some $281 million dollars could help restore the shortfalls to higher education in Louisiana.
So let's take a close look at what's in it for us!
The American Recovery And Reinvestment Plan is a nationwide effort to create jobs, jumpstart growth and transform our economy for the 21st century. Across the country, this plan will help businesses create jobs and families afford their bills while laying a foundation for future economic growth in key areas like health care, clean energy, education and a 21st century infrastructure.
In Louisiana, this plan will deliver immediate, tangible impacts, including;
In addition to this immediate assistance for Louisiana, the American Recovery and Reinvestment plan will help transform our economy by:
With such a high rate of poverty in our state the Louisiana Poverty Council is putting together recommendations on ways to combat this grave problem that plagues our state in urban and rural communities. The economic stimulus package will provide up to $15 billion dollars for grants (competitive funds) through out the U. S. Dept of Education to be used for teacher distribution in high poverty areas. This is a brand new effort in the stimulus; a new pot of money and the system or design on how it will work will have to be crafted in washington.
Just know that President Obama's recovery plan will help our state and many struggling families right now by saving or creating up to 3.5 million jobs. It will also help strengthen our economy for the future and prepare us to work with other countries better. We need to encourage our Representatives and Senators as we move forward with this important stimulus plan to put away selfish pride, mean spirits and egos and for one time put their constituents concerns first. Please put America's Future First! If not, we will remember next time we have to vote!.
www.TheLouisianaMovement.ning.com
The Obama organizers in this state held a vested interest in this year’s campaign. We were here before the campaign, remain here after the campaign, and we are determined to bring about real change in our home state. Several of us have formed an alliance for change, and we invite each of you to join us.
We are Dawn Collins, Obama ’08 Regional Field Organizer for Congressional District 7 (and beyond. LOL); Diana Hamilton, Obama ’08 Field Representative for the Lake Charles Region; Patrice Jacques, Obama ’08 Regional Field Organizer for Congressional Districts 1 and 3; and Lynda Woolard, Obama ’08 Field Representative for the Orleans Region.
Many of you know us personally as we have worked side by side during the campaign. Many of you are just now being introduced. All are welcomed to join us at www.TheLouisianaMovement.ning.com. This site is intended to be used as a local supplement to BarackObama.com. From this site you can find the websites of each organizer, or you can view and join a few of the groups listed on the left under the “Members” listing (i.e. “Change Corps of Greater Baton Rouge,” “Change Corps of Acadiana,” “Citizens for Financial Responsibility,” and “Citizens for a Better Education”).
You can use the page to create a group to be used for your own area or for an issue near and dear to your heart. You can start discussion boards or forums. You can even add memorable pictures, videos, and music.
We welcome your enthusiasm, questions, and concerns. Reach out to us about how you can make strides in your own neighborhood, city or region.
We look forward to your continued involvement. Change cannot happen without you.
Sincerely,
Dawn D. Collins
Dawn.Collins@ObamaAlumni.com
I DO BELIEVE NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.
I have tried to get this to Mrs. Napolitano and Barack as well as some other ideas. I am concerned with our elavated crime rates, our cost of crime, elevate risk from a WMD, a Biological attack, The fragile economy,and solutions 1 system of systems a matrix, that multitasks, and solves multiple problems at the same time. We are looking at the overall solutions that we can provide:
United states total population 2008 = 300,000,000 peopleof that number:73 million are Childrenhttp://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/
Number of Children http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/53NumberofChildren.cfm
In 2006, there were 73.7 million children under age 18 in the United States. This represents an increase in the child population of more than 50 percent since 1950. 55,568,000 are on some sort of assistanceMonthly Statistical Snapshot, October 2008 55,568,000 are the Number of people receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or both, October 2008 http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/
U.S. Imprisons One in 100 Adults, Report Finds http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/us/29prison.html?_r=1
January 08, 2007"Incarceration Nation"The NationJanuary 5, 2007 (web only)Incarceration NationSilja J.A. TalviEvery year, American taxpayers fund an estimated $60 billion for our incarceration system. This system staples together a network of public and corporate-run jails, prisons, pre- and post-release centers, juvenile detention centers and boot camps. All together, these facilities hold well over 2 million human beings, locked away without public oversight or scrutiny. http://realcostofprisons.org/blog/archives/2007/01/post_4.html As Jobs Vanish and Prices Rise, Food Stamp Use Nears Record http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/us/31foodstamps.htmlEmployment Situation
http://www.bls.gov/Jobs lost in 2008: 1.2 millionPayrolls shrink by 240,000 in October, 10th straight month of cuts. Unemployment soars to 6.5%http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/07/news/economy/jobs_october/index.htm?postversion=2008110711
The TOTAL number of unemployed persons (10.3 million) in Americahttp://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm1,200,000 jobs lost just in 20081,800,000 jobs not replaced (economic growth replacing retirees) Some state unemployment funds drying up
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/08/jobless.claims/ECONOMY EXPLAINED / JOBLESS: UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKUPFunds in jeopardy: Georgia benefits trust relatively stable for now; 19 states face depletion in year.http://www.ajc.com/business/content/printedition/2008/11/23/unemployins.htmlsome macro economics explanationshttp://arnoldkling.com/econ/macro/unemp.html
300,000,000 People in America----------------------------------------73,000,000 Children 55,568,000 people receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or both, October 2008 costing 50,464,000,000.00 (Monthly) 2,000,000 are incarcerated (cost 60,000,000,000.00 (60 Billion))10,300,000 currently costing (unknown at this time)
143,431,343 total people working in America (as of now Dec-7 2008)so less than 48% (less than 1 out of 2) of america is supporting the whole nation.
Read more for the solutions to most of our problems.
The Eve of Thanksgiving, I was watching the Barbara Walters Interview with President Elect Obama and his lovely wife. I am proud of their presence of 'family' with strong values of keeping their daughters in touch with simple daily chores....as what they have been accustomed to.
The interview with Barbara Walters was good to see how well Obama remained calm and answered with dignity to her prying questions. I was impressed when Mrs. Obama came to sit with Mr. Obama on the couch, and continued with the interview as an impressive and well-grounded mother and wife.
Kuddos to the Obamas for their humbleness and sincere efforts to put into our White House a 'natural' lifestyle for them, including an awareness of a frugalness in the use of electricity in the White House.
I trust this family as our First Family for America. I trust that the Obamas are a sincere, and faithful family.
May God Bless and Protest and Guide them for our Nation.
Kristina Murphy
Dear friends,On the evening of the election we've all dreamt about, anticipated, imagined, and worked toward, I feel impelled to write and recognize all of you, the foot soldiers of the Obama Nation throughout the country and the world. You have rewritten the book on political campaigns by showing what a vast movement composed of small decision makers working together can accomplish when each one is inspired by a believable leader who speaks the words we didn't even know we were waiting to hear. This is the first 21st Century political campaign and the American political process will never be the same. But I'm also reminded of the inspired decision makers who banded together to oppose a British monarchy that believed it was entitled to rule over them and enrich itself from their hard work. The country they invented had a long way to go; and, I'm sure it still does. But the day after tomorrow, we will all sit down in amazement and realize how far we've come. Instead of saying, "Yes, we can!" we'll say to ourselves, "Yes, we did!" Each one of you believed our country, the United States of America, one more time could build on the long struggles of the past, could overcome the hijacking of democracy that has taken place over the past 8 years, and could rise to greater heights than ever before. And, then you went out and did something about it. I'm proud of our positive, grassroots, bottom-up, hope-based campaign and grateful to each of you. So, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say "Thank you!"
Now, let's do what it takes to get the vote out!
THE LOUISIANA VOTING RIGHTS NETWORK*
(Louisiana Voter Protection Hotline # 800.432.4427)
WHERE DO I GO TO VOTE? Your polling place location may have changed. Go to www.voteforchange.com, call your Registrar or 866-OUR-VOTE to find out where to go.
WHEN DO THE POLLS OPEN AND CLOSE? The polls open at 6:00 am and close at 8:00 pm. The polls should be open continuously during this time period. If you are standing in line by 8:00 pm, you must be allowed to vote.
DO I NEED TO BRING AN ID? Election officials will ask you for identification. But you have the right to vote even without presenting qualifying photo ID. Voters with no photo ID must be allowed to vote after signing a Voter Identification Affidavit. On the affidavit, you will be asked to provide information that can be used to verify your identity, such as your date of birth, mother’s maiden name or other personal information that you provided at the time you registered to vote.
WHAT IF THEY SAY MY NAME IS NOT ON THE LIST? Ask the poll worker to check the “supplemental list” and to call the Registrar of Voters to verify your registration and confirm your polling place. But even if they can’t find you on the list, you have the right to ask for a PROVISIONAL BALLOT to vote for the federal races on the ballot (President, U.S. Senate, House of Representatives) if you declare that you are an eligible voter. You also have the right to call the Registrar’s office seven days after the election to verify whether your ballot was counted.
WHAT IF THEY TELL ME I’M AN “INACTIVE” VOTER? You have the right to vote if your name appears on the “inactive list” if you still live at the same address or in the same parish listed on your voter registration form. You must complete and sign an Address Confirmation Card that confirms your present address. If you established residency outside of the parish more than 3 months prior to the election, you must register and vote at your new address.
CAN I VOTE IF I AM STILL DISPLACED BY THE HURRICANES? YES! If you are still registered in the parish and have not registered to vote in another parish or state.
KNOW YOUR VOTING RIGHTS Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Election
WHAT IF THEY CHALLENGE MY RIGHT TO VOTE? If anyone challenges your right to vote, ask to speak to the Commissioner-in-Charge or call 866-OUR-VOTE. Find out why you are being challenged and provide information to the commissioners to support your eligibility. At minimum, you can also request a PROVISIONAL BALLOT. Never leave the polling place without either casting a ballot or getting a written explanation of why you were not allowed to vote.
CAN I GET ASSISTANCE AT THE POLLS? Voters who cannot read, are blind, or have another physical disability may need help casting their ballot. If you did not indicate your need to the Registrar at the time you registered to vote, you can receive assistance if you present a state-issued mobility impaired identification card on Election Day or provide a physician’s or optometrist’s certificate that verifies your disability and explains your need for assistance. Also, those voters who are visibly disabled can proceed to the front of the line. (Note that anyone can bring a child, aged 12 or younger into the voting booth.)
WHAT IF I ALREADY REQUESTED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT? You cannot be denied the right to vote for merely requesting an absentee ballot. The poll worker should know if your completed absentee ballot has been received by the Registrar’s Office. If it has not been received, you must be allowed to vote in person.
CAN I VOTE IF I HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY? If you were convicted of a felony you can vote after you complete of all periods of incarceration, probation or parole. In order to have your registration reinstated, you must appear in person at the Registrar’s Office and provide documentation from the Department of Corrections showing that your have completed all periods of incarceration, probation or parole.
WHAT IF I AM INTIMIDATED AT THE POLLS? You have the right not to be intimidated on the basis of your race, national origin or language minority status when seeking to cast your ballot. You also have the right to freely cast your ballot. In Louisiana, all law enforcement activity and electioneering is prohibited within a 600 feet radius of a polling place. Report any intimidating activity to 866-OUR-VOTE.
*The LOUISIANA VOTING RIGHTS NETWORK is a partnership of non-partisan, non-profit, local and national civil rights organizations working together to protect your right to vote.
QUESTIONS? ASK US OR CALL: 1-866-OUR-VOTE • 1-866-687-8683
GOTV Recruitment ProjectOctober 29-31, 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We just completed our Early Vote Project in Louisiana and because of your participation over 264,000 voters state-wide have already weighed in on this historic election. Your efforts increased the number of voters that turned-out by over 5%. When you consider the point spread in the polls, such efforts could be enough to swing this election.
But our efforts need to be ramped up between now and the election. For the next week, we must gear up for our Get-Out-The-Vote efforts which will run in strong coordination with several groups state wide. This is going to be a massive ground operation unlike any other, but we need the troops.
In this installment of our volunteer projects we are asking that you all take an active role in encouraging your friends, family members or colleagues to volunteer in your local field office at least once between November 1-4. Our campaign will be hosting phone banks every day of our 4-day GOTV operation and will host a massive canvass on the day of the election. The idea behind this project is for you to help us fill 4 volunteer shifts to help us get the candidate we want for the next four years.
We are asking you to rise to a challenge once again to help carry this movement over the finish line for Senator Barack Obama.
Every day, Everywhere, Let’s win this together!Thank you again!Sincerely, Kevin BrownLouisiana Field DirectorObama-Biden For AmericaVOLUNTEER SHIFTSSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008PHONE BANKINGShift One: 9am-11am Shift Two: 11am-1pmShift Three: 1pm-3pmShift Four: 3pm-5pmShift Five: 5pm-7pmShift Six: 7pm-9pmSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2008PHONE BANKINGShift One: 12-2pmShift Two: 2pm-4pm Shift Three: 4pm-6pmShift Four: 6pm-8pmMONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2008PHONE BANKINGShift One: 9am-11am Shift Two: 11am-1pmShift Three: 1pm-3pmShift Four: 3pm-5pmShift Six: 7pm-9pm ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008PHONE BANKINGShift One: 9am-11amShift Two: 11am-1pmShift Three: 1pm-3pmShift Four: 3pm-5pmShift Five: 5pm-7pmShift Six: 7pm-9pmCANVASSINGShift One: 10am-1amShift Two: 1pm-4pmShift Four: 4pm-7pmLocal Democratic OfficesNew Orleans Headquarters 3604 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 504-482-2937Metro New Orleans Office 7821 1/2 Maple Street, New Orleans, LA 70118 504-376-6883Baton Rouge Louisiana Democratic Party 701 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225-336-4155Lafayette Office 601 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70501 337-272-9950Lake Charles Office 1820 Oak Park Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70601 337-564-0482Lake Charles Field Office 2115 Moeling Street Suite B, Lake Charles, LA 337-433-8446Shreveport Field Office 520 Spring St, Suite A, Shreveport, LA 71101 318-221-7902Monroe Field Office 1215 Royal Street, Monroe, LA 318-322-8467Alexandria Field Office 1257 Mac Arthur Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301 318-619-8380Slidell Field Office 2143 1st Street, Slidell, LA 985- 326 - 5661Covington Field Office 215 E. Gibson Street, Covington, LA 985- 326 - 5661October 29Find a person to fill a GOTV shift for either November 1st or 2nd Their Name__________________________________Their Number________________________________Their Email__________________________________Their Shift___________________________________
October 30Find a person to fill a GOTV shift for November 3rd Their Name__________________________________Their Number________________________________Their Email__________________________________Their Shift___________________________________October 31Find a person to fill a phone bank shift for November 4thTheir Name__________________________________Their Number________________________________Their Email__________________________________Their Shift__________________________________Find a person to fill a canvass shift for November 4thTheir Name__________________________________Their Number________________________________Their Email__________________________________Their Shift___________________________________It is important at this point that you get this program back to your local office so we can contact these individuals about committing to their shifts. Without these individuals we will not have the extra capacity we need to get everyone to the polls that we need to turn out. Thank you for all of your hard work thus far! I hope you will stay on board for our last volunteer project before our historic election comes to a close.
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