Help us spread the word!An Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Silver Line project is currently underway to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA is the process of identifying, evaluating and mitigating the social, economic, transportation, environmental and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to a formal project decision and funding commitments from the federal government. While the ITP Board is reviewing options and listening to the community to determine the future of the Silver Line, this step must be completed if the project is to eventually move forward. Because work on the environmental assessment was already underway, the Board elected to complete work on the EA to keep its options open.A public meeting regarding the environmental assessment study for the Silver Line BRT is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Tommy Brann’s, 4157 S. Division, Grand Rapids, MI 49507. UPDATE: a second meeting has been added. The presentation content will be the same at both meetings, but this allows an additional opportunity to weigh in. Details: 4:30 p.m., Thursday, October 29, City of Hope Ministries, 1975 Jefferson SE (corner of Jefferson and Burton), Grand Rapids. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information, visitwww.rapidsilverline.org/news/ea
I am beginning to think that unless collective action* is taken, any reform that is passed will not effectively address the healthcare crisis we are facing. I submitted a story about how my provider will not authorize a less invasive treatment but will authorize surgery for an ongoing condition. The lightbulb went off today after watching Bill Moyers Journal on PBS: but of course! My insurance company will opt for what is profitable to them, rather than what is in my personal, work or family-related best interest, in terms of down time at work and loss of mobility. Insurers are driven solely by profitability; the focus has been completely taken off quality of care, or even providing care if it is deemed to negatively impact their bottom line. Let's not even talk about the pharma industry! The big insurers have consolidated into a few huge corporations. They tout the capitalist, free market system, yet are vehemently opposed to a public option. Why? Doesn't that strike you as being just a little hypocritical? My understanding of the free market is that competition is a critical factor. Hmmm, something is amiss here. The lobbyist have descended on Washington and mid-term elections are just around the corner. There seems to be a lot of influence peddling going on here. And it is not exactly tilted in the American public's favor....
As a member of OFA, I believe we can and must do more to advance President Obama's mandate for healthcare reform. We need to get our stories in the media spotlight and keep it trained on the reality of the situation; how the broken system that exists does not serve the American public and that we demand reform!
This is our time. NOW. We can not take our eyes off the prize. We must stay informed on what is happening now in Washington and investigate how those whom we elected to represent us are leaning. (Here is a tool I use to stay informed: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/) Let us collectively find our voices and protest! We need to become their worst nightmare by keeping the attention on the failure of the current healthcare system and demanding change.
*small groups can make a BIG difference
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2009/07/assessing_a_public_option_for.html links to the program I referred to above. It is journalism at its best.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_cuba
Dear President Elect Barack Obama
I just want to thank you for the brillant campaign for change that you ran over the past 22 months. Never could the pundits and naysayers could have imagined that not only did the voice of the people prevail by electing you President, but we on by almost 80 electoral votes.
I really believe in this campaign for change and like you said we must all work together to bring about that change on all levels of government and in all of our lives individually. Please Mr. President Elect, do not allow the crimes against the people of the United States of America to go unnoticed. Crimes were commited by the Bush Administration, and now that the democrats are in control, we really need to start those hearings on day of your term. We need to reintroduce legislation like the childrens health care bill, and stop bailing out wall street or the financial institution. How about giving 700 billion to the American people, that would really stimulate our economies personally.
Please continue to have a we the people type government and administration and let us all work to right the wrongs of the Bush Administration.
Signed,
Christopher
If you’re reading this now, chances are you’ve already heard dozens of pitches trying to get you to volunteer for the Obama campaign. If you’ve already volunteered - we thank you. This is a grassroots, “bottom-up” campaign, and your help is why we’ve been able to come this far. But, it’s not over yet.
Even if you’ve volunteered before - or if you’ve always wanted to help out but never had the time - today is the day! Since Barack announced his candidacy for president on May 2, 2007, everything we’ve done has been in preparation for today - which is why it’s so important to not give up now. We need your help! Sign up to help out today at a Campaign for Change Get out the vote location near you, the most important day of the election here.
Michigan! This is our moment; this is our time! Get out and vote - and then volunteer - and tonight, we’ll celebrate victory. Don’t delay, volunteer today!
John McCain's campaign has as recently as yesterday said that they believe that students won't turn out to vote. Today is our day to prove them wrong and show America that young voters do matter. Our opponent and the media believe that young voters won’t show up - that we don’t care about the election, and are too lazy, too unwilling, or too unmotivated to actually get out and vote.But today, we’ll prove them wrong.
Today is the day to turn the page on eight years of failed Bush policies that have seen our middle class shrink, economy worsen, and college move out of reach for more and more people. Today is the day to make your voice heard! What happens today will determine the direction we want our country to move in. Decades from now, your children will ask you what you did today. Do you want to be part of the moment that changed America - or do you want to stay home, and just hope for the best?
Our moment is now. Get out and vote - bring your roommate, your friends, anyone you can think of. After you vote, help us get out the vote on this critical day - sign up to help get out the vote on your campus today!
YOU'RE INVITED to theMichigan Democratic Party'sELECTION NIGHT EVENTat theDetroit Renaissance Center
Finish up canvass and phone bank shifts as the polls close and then join the Michigan Democratic Party to watch the election returns and celebrate the work we have done together to get out the vote for change.
Guests will include Governor Jennifer Granholm, Lt. Governor John Cherry, Senator Carl Levin, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Judge Diane Marie Hathaway, Speaker Andy Dillon, MDP Chair Mark Brewer.
REMINDER: if you are eligible, today (at 4 p.m.) is the last day to vote absentee in-person at your clerk's office. If you've requested your absentee ballot previously, it must be returned by mail or by hand to your local clerk's office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday. For more information, call 1-877-767-6424, or visit the State of Michigan's voter information page.
I know everyone is busy, has other things to do, has work, and is tired. But - there will be thousands of other days to work, thousands of other days to sleep, thousands of other days to run errands. This is our only day to make sure Barack Obama becomes president and if we win this election I truly believe each of those thousands of other days will be better. That is why I am asking you to take off Election Day and help ensure that we elect Barack Obama our next president. In twenty years you will not be thinking I sure am glad I slept those extra few hours or I am glad I saved my vacation or sick day. But I guarantee you that you will be proud for the rest of your life to have been part of the Obama Campaign on Election Day 2008. Let's win this thing.Josh
Tomorrow's the last day before Election Day, and our offices will be humming with activity. We hope you can join us at some of these events:
At 11:30 pm, on the eve of election day, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Senator Carl Levin, and Denise Ilitch, Candidate for University of Michigan Board of Regents will join students and supporters for a “Midnight Madness,” Get Out the Vote Rally for Barack Obama in Ann Arbor. The rally will also feature a musical performance by Ann Arbor’s own “My Dear Disco.” Join Governor Granholm, Senator Levin, and Denise Ilitch at 11:30 in the Michigan Union Ballroom for the event!
Also, Lt. Governor John Cherry will appear at several events tomorrow:
12:15 pm Meet and Greet with Lieutenant Governor John D. CherryCapitol Coney Island4021 Van Slyke RdFlint, MI 2:30 pm Plant Gate Meet and Greet with Lieutenant Governor John D. CherryTRW Automotive2328 E Genesee AveSaginaw, MI 3:30 pm Canvass Kick-Off with Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry UAW Local 4672104 Farmer StSaginaw, MI
Stop in one of our sixty-plus offices tomorrow!
If you are elligible tomorrow is the deadline to vote absentee in-person at your local clerk's office.
If you've requested your absentee ballot previously, it must be returned by mail or by hand to your local clerk's office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
For more information, call 1-877-767-6424, or visit the State of Michigan's voter information page.
As of the time of this post, there are 54 hours left until the Michigan polls close in the most important election of our lifetime.
Can you spare a few hours to help us out in these last fifty-four hours? There's so much to do, and your work will make such an impact. Check out some of the ways you can help us out:
Greetings,
I am so excited to know that this battle for change is almost over. I am ready for the change of leadership, change of the guard,
This is the time when we go from dirty politics to the kind of politics called the DO RIGHT CLAUSE.
BE RIGHT, DO RIGHT, LIVE RIGHT.
McCain the Pain the the gluteous maximus is out of time and needs to get on life support.
Gotcha ....
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