this morning after calling all my conservative leaning relatives urging them to get out to vote tomorrow, I opened a magazine to read.
The Foreign Policy Magazine provided what I was searching for – experts providing input about identifying the next cabinet. While I generally like Leslie Gelb’s selections out of the numerous experts that provided replies, it is the hundreds of lower level policy makers that will implement the visions of the President and the respective Secretaries that most concern me.
Secretary of State - Richard Holbrooke ; Secretary of Defense - Robert Gates ; Secretary of the Treasury - Roger Altman; Director of National Intelligence - Jamie Gorelick; National Security Advisor - Dennis Ross; Ambassador to the United Nations - Susan Rice They have to be selected rapidly and get in place as soon as possible after 20 January to ensure that the first 100 days of the next administration start churning out course changes that brings hope and stability to America and the world. It would be great to hear from the President-elect as soon as possible after the results are confirmed to inform the American public (and the world as a whole) criteria that will be going into making the selections:
We were a small group from Lake Arrowhead, who drove to Las Vegas the weekend of October 17th. We felt that our efforts had great impact and we were happy to meet lots of fellow Californians there. It was a huge turn out. This was so rewarding! 9 more days! VOTE!!!! Vote Early! Great experience for our middle-school kids, they learned what democracy in America is all about. If anyone can go this coming last weekend, DO IT!!!
There's still one week left to collect signatures following up on the Nationwide Campus Day of Action which was held on October 14! I am writing to ask all members of groups that this blog is being sent to request members of your group, your friends, and your family to sign and return this lette to the More Peace Corps campaign (downloaded by clicking below:)
( http://www.morepeacecorps.org/images/uploads/kletter.pdf
Letters are starting to pour into the More Peace Corps campaign headquarters which will be delivered in bulk to the TRANSITION Team of the next President (hint initials BO) and leaders of the respective House and Senate committees that deal with foreign affairs and related topics.
Your input for changing American foregin policy is important, so take a few minutes to review the More Peace Corps website ( http://www.morepeacecorps.org ) and lend a helping hand.
We've all seen the callous political smears put forward by John McCain and his cronies this week. We know it's only going to get worse in the days ahead, and unless we act, we risk surrendering this election to the fear-mongering and divisive Bush/McCain politics of the past. That's why hundreds of people throughout your community are standing up this week to say, "Not this time, not this election." Together, we're reaching out to voters in battlegroud states to let them know the truth. But with only days left, and with thousands of voters left to contact, we can't do it alone; we need your help. Will you join us?Don't worry, making a difference is easy. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Changeevent (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
Please find phone banks labeled "Phone Bank for Change" or "Big Phone Bank for Change" on your group MyBo pages. We are hosting these in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga. In your area, we are hosting these events Saturday the 1st of November through election day, the 4th. Please use the following Mybarackobama.com links below to sign up:
San Bernardino County Democratic HQ - 136 Carousel Mall (lower level) San Bernardino, CA 92402
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprzsb
Electrical Workers Union Hall (Riverside, CA) - 1405 Spruce St. Suite H Riverside, CA 92507
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs5y3s
UFCW Local 1428 - 705 W Arrow Highway Claremont, CA 91711
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/phonebank/gprwf4
Redlands, CA 92373
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprzh9
Making a difference is easy, and you can do it right in your own neighborhood. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Change event (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Feel free to bring with your friends, family or anyone else that is willing to make calls. If you would like to bring potluck style food for everyone to share, that would also be much appreciated. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
We hope you will join us. With only days to go, this is our last chance to make a difference in this election and to turn the tide against the Bush/McCain politics of division. Together, yes we can.
Best Always,
Rick Sheinin
Deputy Field Director, Region 7 California (volunteer)
I remember coming of age in the late 1960s. I served my country during that era, and was convinced that our leaders have done us wrong. I remember American people taking to the streets to stop the war in SE Asia.
Now many years older, I have seen the American people in the streets protesting our war in the Middle East today. In both eras, Americans have answered the call to serve their country. Many of our young people, both then and now, have suffered to defend our country’s interests. The big gainers in both eras were the military-defense establishment that wasted so much of America’s budget.
The anti-Vietnam-era anti-war militancy wasn’t only the radical Weathermen; it was composed of American men and women from every segment of our society, and in its closing days included many veterans of that war. Lies, secrecy, and half-truths characterized Peace with Honor was an often-heard cry as America disengaged. But I know American veterans from that era who are still suffering the results of what they faced in SE Asia.
While I was studying abroad in Sweden in 1976-77, I met quite a number of Americans who had disserted from the military, mostly while on leave, and somehow ended up in Sweden. I was happy when an amnesty was granted that finally allowed them to return to their homes and families.
These days, I am meeting young American veterans who have been to Iraq and Afghanistan, and paid dearly for listening to the call of their leaders who brought them into war without really understanding what we were doing.
The McCain campaign appears to have confused differing definitions of the word ‘radical’. Many of us were radicals during the Vietnam era because we wanted a departure from what was going on there. We wanted change to end the war. Most of us did not advocate extreme measures to end the war.
I know America just can’t take 4 more years of the same stupidity that surrounds our foreign wars today. Urge everyone to go to the polls and elect Obama.
Yesterday was a fine day! It was a great day for driving from the Washington, DC area to Philadelphia via the Bay Bridge. It was a great day for a free street concert in Philadelphia featuring Bruce Springstein, Tens of thousands of Obama supporters including prominent Pennsylvania politicians (like a Governor and Senator) experienced a ‘winds of change’ event.
Springstein provided the quote of the day from my perspective: “"I've spent 35 years writing about America and its people and the meaning of the American promise — a promise handed down right here in this city," said the New Jersey rocker, whose songs often depict down-on-their-luck, working-class dreamers. "Our everyday citizens ... have justifiably lost faith in its meaning." Yesterday was a great example of how Americans can overcome the problems we are facing by coming together.
It is the time to get off the fence, and make sure we have a President and Congressional and other political leadership that will help give American citizens a vision of hope, and help us to reestablish hope and prosperity in our great nation. But it doesn't happen without hard work and dedication.
I have been busy over the last few days, preparing for a trip to Jigjiga, Ethiopia. Blogging would have been a luxury.
This post will attempt to provide specific details about the numerous humanitarian issues that American citizens need to be aware of, AND be bringing up during this campaign.
The first debate on foreign policy and issues was not as helpful as it should have been to identify issues of importance to all Americans. Not one word was spoken in reference Peace Corps or to the good that America can do in the next administration.
The human costs of wars – clearly in both Iraq and Afghanistan, not to speak of a score of other countries around the globe today where poverty is leading to violence CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING!
I am urging Mr Obama to assign a staff member to reviewing this report, and incorporating some of the recommendations into his campaign in the days left before the election, AND then to assemble a strong team to link American people , perhaps through his support of MORE PEACE CORPS to better addressing the needs of children in conflict.
I am sitting on my balcony this morning continuing to read American-Made by Nick Taylor. My colleagues are chuckling about my blogging about post-election planning prematurely. But in order to guarantee a fast start, preparation is required.
During this campaign, bloggers on hundreds of Obama groups have put together scores of excellent ideas for Mr. Obama for handling problems confronting Americans today from health care, jobs, education, energy through foreign affairs, poverty reduction, ending a failed war on terror, and bringing back our troops in dignity.
Making a fast start in the next administration is vital. The new administration must use the time wisely from the moment that the election results are known to inauguration day.
I find so many comparisons to make between the hand-over from Hoover to Roosevelt Administrations to what will be for the Bush to Obama Administrations (that won’t be the same if it is McCain). Discussion of the first 100 days of a new Presidential administration is worthy of comment.
The first 100 days of the FDR administration included the signing of 15 major pieces of legislation that helped get American employed, especially in public works projects, and set up humane practices in the private industry as well. This rapid start helped to break the back of the ‘Depression Era’, and marked an economic turn-around for America.
The challenge for the Obama Administration will be to get off to a rapid start (which means key appointments made early and projects clearly outlined) in making the changes required in America today. I feel he should aim his remarks in the remaining days of this long campaign towards engaging Americans and bring us together. He has the able experience of Mr. Biden to be able to ramrod legislation through the two houses of our Congress. He will need to be very quick in appointing his Cabinet and pushing forward with action steps.
Under FDR, America used the ‘blue eagle’ as visible solidarity symbol that “We Do Our Part”. What could be the symbol under the Obama Administration to rally Americans, bringing us together without the labels of Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal?
The last couple of days I have received so many emails with LIES about Barack Obama's postions on many things. I looked in SNOPES and was surprised to see that Barack is being ATTACKED by EMAIL LIES like no one else. Check it out!
Here is the email I received, with my rebuttal. It looks like it is a combiniation of two spam lie emails in one. One about Baracks position and the other about his Tax plan. Please feel free to use this to respond to anyone who sends these lies around.
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2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON TALKING POINTS
 ISSUE
JOHN McCAIN BARAK OBAMA
Yes No Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it (Subjective and absolutely no basis for this)Yes No Served in the US Armed Forces - TRUEYes No Amount of time served in the US Senate FALSE. Obama was elected to Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he became the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.22 YEARS 173 DAYS Will institute a socialized national health care plan – (HALF TRUE) Obama will make available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress. This is a VOLUNTARY PLAN if you are happy with the current insurance run healthcare you can keep it. Check it out for yourself.No Yes Supports abortion throughout the pregnancy TRUE – Barack does not feel it is up to him to decide for a woman, and feels women should have that choice. What he does believe is finding a way to minimize abortions. He does not want to go back to the time when women were dying because of unsanitary and hidden abortions. God said it is not up to us to judge. Let people make their own choices. No Yes Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately - HALF TRUE – Barack has repeatedly said, depending on the conditions on the ground, discussions with the Generals, plus he will force the Iraqis to take over the military operation, and bring our troops home safely in a responsible timeline. He WILL NOT pull them all out immediately. No Yes Supports gun ownership rights FALSE – Supports the constitutional right to bear arms and enforce our existing gun laws. He said this again at his nomination speech.Yes No Supports homosexual marriage – TRUE – Though he believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman, he thinks the government should only civil unions so that gay couples are not discriminated. No Yes Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase – HALF TRUE – Only the top 5% will see an increase. (see below and in snopes) No increase on capital gains, and in fact lower taxes and programs supporting small business owners.No Yes Voted against making English the official language HALF TRUE – The bill in question was an amendment to an existing immigration reform bill. There were some problems with the bill so Barack voted against it. Here is Barack’s statement on this bill
“I believe the American people understand in order to succeed in our society, immigrants need to learn English. But the amendment would do a number of things that are problematical. The first is that it is contrary to the provisions of law that exist in many States. For example, in New Mexico, you have in their State Constitution, a provision that says that many of the documents within that State have to be provided in both English and Spanish. The same thing is true for the State of Hawaii. I believe this is a States’ rights issue, and those constitutions of those States ought to be respected. I do not believe it is a matter we ought to be imposing here from Washington DC.
Also, this amendment would undo an executive order conceived by President Bill Clinton and implemented by President George Bush. Both recognized it is important that people who have limited English proficiency receive the kinds of services so they can understand what is going on in terms of the interface between the Government and themselves. “
No Yes Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegals – HALF TRUE – This was NOT about giving SS benefits to illegal aliens, it was about whether a select group of formerly illegal workers (i.e., those who might obtain legal immigration if the 2006 immigration reform act would pass), should receive credit for payments already made into the Social Security system using phony numbers.No Yes
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax. OBAMA 28% on profit from ALL home sales. Â (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.)
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change) OBAMA 39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes) Single making 30K - tax $4,500Single making 50K - tax $12,500Single making 75K - tax $18,750Married making 60K- tax $9,000Married making 75K - tax $18,750Married making 125K - tax $31,250 OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) Single making 30K - tax $8,400Single making 50K - tax $14,000Single making 75K - tax $23,250Married making 60K - tax $16,800Married making 75K - tax $21,000Married making 125K - tax $38,750Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN - 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax) OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
The Republican convention really upset me because of all the lies. It seems to me the RNC can only win on a lie. I gathered some of the facts. There was also a woman (friend of Carly Fiorina) who indicated that the President of the US has no power over the free-choice issue, so even though she was with Hilary and believed in pro-choice she was with McCain now. What she failed to note is that the President can chose the next 3 supreme court judges so far right that they will overturn Roe vs. Wade, and who knows what else in the name of GOD! and... I mean in the name of God as Governor Palin has tried to do so in her previous admininstrations.
· McCain said they had vetted Palin for weeks, but the truth has surfaced and indicates that McCain made a quick harsh decision in one day, which is why all this crap is coming up about her. Palin has a 20% chance of becoming President of the US and they didn’t do a background check??? How scary is that, check out all that has come out about her below, here is the source about the vetting process: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/02/AR2008090203462_2.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2008090203591&s_pos= & http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26527513/
· On Governor Palin being a reformer and anti-Washington. Complete BS, here is information about her earmarks and taxes in her own state –
o 1st ever mayor to bring big politics to a small town ($27M for a town of 9K): http://news.yahoo.com/story/ap/20080904/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_fact_check
o Real Tax Plans: http://thecitizens.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah-palins-big-lie.html
· On free choice, banning of books in library, no sex ed in schools and cut funding for teenage pregnant mothers:
o Banning Books- http://site.pfaw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_2008_09_people_for_response_to_revelations & http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1837918,00.html ,
o Cut Fundiing-http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/02/palin_slashed_funding_to_help.html ,
o Oppose sex-ed- http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Palin_opposed_sexed.html
o anti-choice even in cases of rape and incest- http://www.naral.org/elections/election-pr/pr08292008_palin.html
o Palin on US being the Gods army to bring the message in Iraq and across the world and Jewish are the enemies of Christians: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html videos about the Jews http://www.wasillaag.net/ (was taken off line yesterday).
o Opposes the use of birth control and condoms - http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/08/30/worst_pick_ever.html
· Does not believe global warming is contributed by man, sued to remove the polar bear from endangered species because it will interfere with oil industry efforts:
o Global warming - http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/palin-global-wa.html .
o On polar bears - http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2145097820080522
o On drilling liabilities - http://www.ktva.com/ci_10337913?source=most_viewed
o Arial Hunting using government funds to educate people but won’t help teenage mothers??? - http://dwb.adn.com/front/story/9253882p-9168881c.html
· Said Obama has never authored a bill or law. LIES!
o First Obama bill was passed into law back in October 2006, signed by Bush: http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2006/10/03/News/Bush-Signs.Obamas.First.Bill.Into.Law-2327689.shtml
o Senator Obama has sponsored or co-sponsored 570 bills in the 109th and 110th Congress.
o Senator Obama has sponsored or co-sponsored 15 bills that have become LAW since he joined the Senate in 2005.
o Senator Obama has also introduced amendments to 50 bills, of which 16 were adopted by the Senate. Details for all 3 - http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/21/164117/783/290/461422
o Really good visual of the type of bills he has introduces and voted on - http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html
o Obama will cut taxes for people making under $250K (about 95% of the population) and increase on those making over $650 (attached is the pic) while McCain cuts it for the top with minimal cuts at the bottom.
o Voting record, missed 45% of votes : http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/o000167/
o Here is McCain’s record, missed 68% of votes- http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m000303/
· This is why there are so many rumors about her covering up her daughters pregnancy, taking her daughter out of school because of mono for 5-8 months during the time of Trig’s birth.
o Palin really poor judgment: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/palins-leaking-amniotic-fluid.php
· She has a track record going back to when she was mayor of a town of 7K.
o Of course there “Troopergate”, abuse of power trying to fire her x-brother in-law. McCain attorney’s trying to stall because the evidence appears to be compelling. Decision is due October 31st, could be detrimental to the Republicans right before election: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-lawyer-stonewallin_n_123179.html
o Palin on ethics, firing those who did not support her (never heard of in a small town): http://cliffschecter.firedoglake.com/2008/08/31/palin-fired-city-employees-for-not-supporting-her-reelection/
o Attempted recall due to the firings - http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AS&p_theme=as&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F79408854D0C20B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
o Lying about the “bridge to nowhere”, which she supported until it became a joke - http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2008/08/well_that_didnt_take_long.php
o Dairygate - http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/dairygate-sarah-palin-and-myst.php and
o leaving town with $20M debt - http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12987.html
o Quote about not prepared by own Alaskan colleagues - http://www.adn.com/news/politics/story/510249.html
This is just some of the stuff, there is a lot more, but I only picked the ones that had real source and were verified.
This will be my 3rd weekend in a row that I am going to canvass in a swing state. 1st, I went to Nevada with our "Drive for Change" It was great! About 100 Southern Californians drove to Las Vegas to canvas for Obama, It was awesome! We had just been made aware of the event the weekend before, so I think that was a great turnout for such a big thing with such short notice. A lot of canvassing in the heat, but I KNOW I made a difference! If we win Nevada by just a few thousand votes, I know the Californian help was well worth it. The people on the ground in the Nevada campaign offices were incredible. Everything was organized and professional. They made great arrangements for me to stay in supporter housing, and had everything ready for us when we got there. I was able to meet Dina Titus, our great candidate for congress in Nevada. I wish i had representation like her. I was proud to campaign for her as well as Obama.
When we got back from our first day of canvassing, They had a great potluck dinner waiting for us! The Nevada Campaign for Change is top notch!
Last weekend, I went to Phoenix, Arizona to fulfill a promise to a friend to visit and cheer on the Dodgers. It was hot! I signed up for a canvassing event, and was greeted with great enthusiasm and gratitude that I was canvassing "on vacation". With 66 days to go, I am not about to take a vacation, but was glad my promise was in a swing state, so I could do both!
I was pleasantly surprised that the people in Arizona are done with McCain. He hasn't done a lot for them lately. Arizonans are really independent and like the "Maverick" idea, and they are smart and recognize that John McCain is not the maverick he used to be. They are sick of Bush and dealing with the same issues the rest of the country is dealing with. I couldn't find one person who likes Palin there. They think she is a fake and practically a foreigner. It is my opinion that Arizona is within our reach, but we need to work for it and it will be ours.
Friday, I am leaving at 6 am for Washington DC to speak at the National Grassroots Rally at Freedom Plaza. I will speak about how important it is to work for what we want and how much difference a short conversation and a handshake can make. I hope I can inspire others to get out and canvass in their own state or a swing state.
I can't wait, though I must confess, I am sad that I am traveling so far without getting to sightsee much. Like I say to the people who think I am crazy right now., "Nothing is more important than getting Obama elected right now" What happens in these next 62 days will determine the course of history for the entire world. We are at a unique crossroads and we MUST make the right decision this time. We cannot afford another failed administration. Not here, Not now. Our Home is hanging in the balance.
We can and must win this year, and we must work for this win.
For anyone not based in Geneva, Switzerland, organizers are encouraging you to walk or run in your own locations. Take lots of pictures of your participation.
AcesHighMusic.Com Upcoming Rock Fest at the famous Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA (think House of Blues) to benefit Obama $10 Tix
We like the higher ground that Obama takes in response to the RNC sleezey tactics but does it really work? McCain has been gaining in the polls with his negative tactics, which he said he'd never do. Is it time to remind the public that he's changed his position on just about everything? Should Obama stay above the negativity or go for the throat?
