Organizing for America | Grassroots Obama L.A.

Grassroots Obama L.A.

Grassroots Obama L.A. (www.ObamaLA.com) is Los Angeles' first and largest organization dedicated to sending Barack Obama to the White House in 2008. We will be holding monthly Meetups throughout L.A. JOIN us by going to www.ObamaLA.com and clicking on the JOIN tab at the top. Take part by joining our Communications, Fundraising, or Grassroots committees. Every member will have a chance to have their voice heard and make a difference in this historic campaign.

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Know what you are gathering pledges for

By Walter Heath - Mar 18th, 2009 at 3:58 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2009
Contact: Mark Dudzic, 201-314-2653 or mdudzic@igc.org

Labor leaders disappointed by lack of working people's voices at Vermont healthcare reform discussion

Burlington, VT -- Working people's voices were not heard at the Obama Administration's second regional Health Care Summit in Burlington, VT on March 17..

"Despite the fact that several union spokespersons attended the meeting, we were not called upon and unfortunately the voice of workers was shut out of the discussion," said Peter Knowlton, president of the Northeast Region of the United Electrical Workers Union (UE). "When it came to the financial discussion, Gov. Douglas and Gov. Patrick [the two governors moderating the session] only called on wealthy special-interests from the worlds of business and professional circles."

Sandy Eaton, a nurse who attended the forum stated that nurses' voices went unheard as well. "Nurses were well represented, but our voices were not heard -- and the term "nurse" or "hospital worker" was never mentioned in the two hour forum," said Eaton who is a member of the executive board of the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

Outside the auditorium where the summit was held, over 250 labor and community members rallied in support of HR 676 and single payer healthcare. "Our system needs fundamental reform," said Dawn Stanger, President of the Vermont Workers Center-Jobs with Justice. Stanger, a UPS employee and member of Teamsters Local 597, was joined by dozens of unionized nurses who worked next door at Fletcher Allen Health Care, the largest hospital in Vermont.

"We need to build a movement to demand change," Stanger told the crowd. The Vermont Workers Center is coordinating a major statewide "Healthcare Is a Human Right" rally on May 1 at the Vermont Statehouse, which will include U. S. Senator Bernie Sanders. The rally will oppose Vermont Governor Douglas' proposed budget cuts to healthcare programs and support state and national single-payer legislation.

"I was really hopeful that these forums would finally give voice to workers concerns," added UE leader Peter Knowlton. "There were many people there who could have reminded them about the serious problems hourly workers face with skyrocketing premiums and dealing with the horrors of co-pays, deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses and the run around all workers face with managed care. If this forum is any indication of future ones, we will need to be much more aggressive to get our voices heard."

Knowlton, Eaton and Stanger were among the several labor leaders at the forum who support HR 676, the "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All" Act. HR 676 was re-introduced this year by Congressman John Conyers. It currently has 66 congressional co-sponsors. Because it eliminates the private insurance industry from profiting from people's misfortunes and, like Medicare, establishes the federal government as the "single payer" of everyone's medical bills, HR 676 can provide healthcare for all with no co-pays or deductibles in a fiscally prudent manner. HR 676 has the endorsement of hundreds of state and local labor federations and local unions as well as many other civic and religious organizations.

The Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare was formed at a meeting attended by over 150 representatives from labor organizations in 31 states that have endorsed HR 676. We believe that the struggle for universal, single-payer health care needs labor's dynamic grassroots involvement. Learn more at: www.laborforsinglepayer.org <http://www.laborforsinglepayer.org>

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Health Care Reform?

By Walter Heath - Jan 26th, 2009 at 11:50 am EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

All I want for 2009 is for the health care reform discussion to include consideration of a single-payer system of payment for health care expenses. 1500 private health-insurance companies acting as fiduciaries of the system is wasteful to the tune of $300 billion/year that we don't need to be spending, subsidizing an industry that adds no commensurate value to the health care economy. Rep. John Conyers's legislation, HR 676, brings us closest to the standard of providing access for everyone to high-quality, affordable health care and NO MORE MEDICAL BANKRUPTCIES. This bill needs 150 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives by the end of February. I urge you to write your representative in Congress TODAY and insist that the people's health care system get a seat at the table. We only want what was promised us by the man who owes his election to our efforts. To learn about HR 676, go to www.conyers.house.gov or Physicians for a National Health Plan, www.pnhp.org. To find your representative in Congress, go to www.house.gov/writerep/

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ELECTION PARTY!!

By Reggie Roberts - Nov 4th, 2008 at 2:34 pm EST

Also listed in: Grassroots Obama L.A.

Event Name:Election Party!!Description:This is the most important election in generations and we can't let this moment pass without appreciating it for what it is...HISTORY! Come out to celebrate CHANGE on: November 4, 2008 at Tranquility Base, 801 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90017 6 - 9 p.m. Drinks, food, TV's everywhere with the latest poll results (volume fixed for those that attended the debate party), fireside chat/CELEBRATION!! Let's make this the best election party in Downtown LA. Invite as many people as you like to come join us!Time:Tuesday, November 4 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PMHost:Reginald RobertsLocation:Tranquility Base (Los Angeles, CA) 801 S. Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017 Directions:At the corner of 8th & Grand in Downtown

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"If you're out there"

By Deonicio & Maribel - Oct 25th, 2008 at 6:06 pm EDT

Also listed in: Action Wire | CA Call Team | Grassroots Obama L.A.

This is one of the most important Presidential elections in our lifetimes!! Which is why we are encouraging anyone and everyone out there to take some time off our busy schedules and GET INVOLVED. Make a couple calls, knock on some doors, donate your loose change... We must all make a final push for the change we so desperately want and need in this country. Please believe that the other campaign is mobilizing and energizing their constituents. Let's not get complacent. Vote early and encourage others to vote. We must all unite to change the politics as usual.

Volunteer for this campaign for change!! It might seem difficult or intimidating at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. Trust me. Less than 10 days left!!! Let's all work together to send a clear message around the world and restore the American dream as well as our reputation amongst world leaders.

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Could there be a reverse Bradley effect?

By Joe Markowitz - Oct 22nd, 2008 at 12:35 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

I'm trying not to be overly optimistic, but was wondering if there are some voters who are telling pollsters they are voting for McCain, but when they get inside the voting booth, might vote for Obama. Maybe they don't want to admit in front of their spouse or whomever when the polling people call, that they have some doubts about McCain. Maybe they are afraid their friends will mock them for not being red-blooded American patriots if they suggest they might vote for Obama. Maybe they don't want people to know that they would actually vote for a black guy. But for any of these reasons, I wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of closet Obama supporters out there in the heartland--people who know that things are seriously off track in this country, and have grave doubts about John McCain's judgment or temper or ideas or age or whatever.

It seems just as likely that there could be at least as many people like that as there are people who would tell a pollster that they are voting for Obama when they are secretly planning to vote for McCain.

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30 Days to Go for Early Voting

By Phuong from Los Angeles, CA - Oct 6th, 2008 at 6:09 pm EDT

Also listed in: 4 groups

Hi All. I am probably one of the biggest cynics on Earth, but I believe that this is the time to act.

My parents were political refugees who came to the states with the ideal of America as being a land of liberty and freedom. I would like to keep that a possibility, a work in progress.

I'm writing on behalf of the Obama Campaign. We are revving up for phone drives in the battle states Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, specifically calling them to get out the early vote.

WHY THE EARLY VOTE? This is to ensure that we lock in these very important swing states. We have October 18 - October 31 to do this. 30 minutes of your time dialing and talking can impact the next 4 years. Can you handle for more years of Bush/Cheney Deregulation and Pro-War Policies with McCain/Palin? Please help yourself, your family, your future, and community.

We need these three states to push us over the 270 electoral votes to win the Presidential election. Though no one ever agrees a hundred percent with any candidate (it's a byproduct of having a mind of one's own in a free society), Obama offers the best broad-based and holistic solution to what the U.S. needs right now.

How you can help:

Register for the Friend to Friend Phoning to the Battle States CO, NV, and NM (and have them register for early voting. You can do this for yourself and friends, too. See link below).

Forward this e-mail to your friends/family. Forwarding this message and/or sending it to your e-mail list can mean your 1 vote times 100.

Have phone bank parties.

Host an event to get out the vote.

Friend to Friend Sign Up - Phone Lists for Battle States
http://my.barackobama.com/page/votercontact/login

Early Voter Information for Battle States
https://www.voteforchange.com/?secure=ofa

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Volunteer for "Yes You Can" Music Video

By Heather from Santa Monica, CA - Oct 4th, 2008 at 6:48 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

We are making a music video to Get Out the Vote for Obama and give the people of Los Angeles an opportunity to have their voices heard.

The theme of the music video is that with Individual Voices coming together we can inspire people to overcome fear and take action for a better tomorrow. The music video will feature citizens of LA holding homemade signs saying what HOPE, PEACE or CHANGE means to them.

We have an amazing song that has been produced by a grammy-winning producer and an experienced team of film makers.

We need VOLUNTEERS who would like to participate in this community effort.

Please email us at yesyoucanvideo@yahoo.com if you:

Want to make a sign and appear in the music video
You can coordinate people in your community
You know of a great location in LA for people to gather
You can gather 10 or more people

With the election coming up, we need to move on this fast. So please get back to us by Sunday, Oct 5th at 8pm. YesYouCanVideo@yahoo.com

THANK YOU!

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Tonights VP Debate

By April Adamson - Oct 2nd, 2008 at 11:17 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

(1) First, it's nu-CLEAR.

(2) Palin warned that "we'll look back and tell our children and grandchildren about the good old days, back when we used to be free." [Um yeah... and then along came the Patriot Act which stripped us of our civil liberties]. Nice.

(3) Palin thinks that the Vice Presidency is part of the Legislative Branch. Um, WHAT?!??

(4) Palin thinks we need government to "GET OUT and leave the private sector alone!" But now she claims we need increased GOVERNMENTAL FINANCIAL REGULATION. She voiced these contradictions in the SAME DEBATE. WTF? Lady, do you want the government to regulate or not? Stop talking out of both sides of your mouth.

(5) Palin went on and on about how Alaska is just oozing with oil ready to be poured into the "hungry" pockets of Americans, when Biden correctly pointed out the reality that the United States is in possession of 3% of the world's oil... and we CONSUME 20%. Oh, and it would take TEN YEARS to feel the *slight* relief that such a woefully inadequate percentage would provide. Quench that thirst! Put out that fire with a teacup! Drill baby drill!

Talk about "The Ultimate Bridge to Nowhere" (damn that was a funny line)... :)

Ok now I feel better.

Obama '08

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DO SOMETHING

By HomeschoolMominLA - Oct 1st, 2008 at 11:57 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

When ever you get frustrated with the economy or hear or see some slander about Obama - DO Something. It could be calling three friends to see if they are registered to vote or volunteering at a voter registration. It could be posting a blog that talks about the issues or writing to a media source and stating a "fact". If you look at the facts and issues Obama is the best candidate.

So lets not get discouraged. Lets get motivated and Do Something

Remember to wear and share those Obama shirts, stickers and buttons

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The First Debate

By HomeschoolMominLA - Sep 29th, 2008 at 2:35 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

After watching the first debate, I just wanted to say I'm more proud than ever to be an Obama supporter. Obama is fair and he is balanced. He knows how to show grace and diplomacy while also displaying his knowledge. He does not have to be on attack constantly to still demonstrate a command of the facts and issues.

I wasn't surprised to see today that 200 former diplomats are supporting him. I think this is news worth sharing. Here is the link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/09/28/200_former_US_diplomats_endorse_Obama/UPI-58941222655586/

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Obama for America Opens South Los Angeles Headquarters

By Obama for America - California - Sep 26th, 2008 at 7:31 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

This Saturday, September 27th, please join us at the grand opening of the South Los Angeles Obama for America Campaign Office.

Meet campaign staff and fellow supporters in the area, and learn how you can volunteer for the campaign. There are only a few more weeks until the election and we need your help.

9:00AM - 10:30AM Rally
10:30AM - 3:00PM Get Involved with the Campaign!

RSVP today

General Office Hours are Monday-Friday 9AM - 9PM. Saturday and Sunday 10AM - 8PM.
Please stop by anytime to volunteer for phonebanking or data entry (bring a cell phone and laptop if you have one!)

We also need volunteers to help us staff our office. We're looking for Volunteer Coordinators, Data Managers, Phone Bank Coordinators, Front Desk Managers and Office Managers. If you can make a commitment to join us for at least 16 hours a week in 4 hour shifts, please email Lauren Brown at lbrown@obamaca.com.

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McCain to Postpone Campaign

By Robert J Yeldell, Jr - Sep 24th, 2008 at 4:01 pm EDT

Also listed in: 4 groups

Seems like he is trying to pull a fast one!?!? Accroding to this Obama made the first move at a joint statement.

According to MSNBC; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26872907

The Obama campaign said Obama had called McCain around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to
propose that they issue a joint statement in support of a package to help fix
the economy as soon as possible. McCain called back six hours later and agreed
to the idea of the statement, the Obama campaign said. McCain's statement about
postponing his campaign was issued to the media a few minutes later.

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Double Jeopardy

By Robert J Yeldell, Jr - Sep 23rd, 2008 at 1:15 pm EDT

Also listed in: 4 groups

I am sure someone smarter than I can make a better argument from this – but here are my thoughts. On the first page of the three page Draft Proposal for Bailout Plan it states: Sec. 2. Purchases of Mortgage-Related Assets.

(a) Authority to Purchase.--The Secretary is authorized to purchase, and to make and fund commitments to purchase, on such terms and conditions as determined by the Secretary, mortgage-related assets from any financial institution having its headquarters in the United States.

(b) Necessary Actions.--The Secretary is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the authorities in this Act, including, without limitation:

(1) appointing such employees as may be required to carry out the authorities in this Act and defining their duties;

(2) entering into contracts, including contracts for services authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to any other provision of law regarding public contracts; (3) designating financial institutions as financial agents of the Government, and they shall perform all such reasonable duties related to this Act as financial agents of the Government as may be required of them;

Full text available at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/business/21draftcnd.html

So in effect the Act authorizes the Federal Government to purchase mortgage-related assets from financial institutions (Bail them out) AND THEN authorizes the Federal Government to contract/pay the same financial institutions as financial agents of the Government to manage the bought mortgage-related assets.

Does this not mean that Main Street/the tax payer will be paying Wall Street TWICE. Main Street bails them out, then pays them to fix the mess?!?!?!

Can Main Street on behalf of the “people” submit a peremptory plea for double jeopardy? If an entity (person or company) cannot be put on trail twice for the same offense (acquitted or convicted), can’t the people ask not to PAY the same entity twice for the same offence (acquitted or convicted)?

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David's Daily, Day Journal Of A Freelance Reporter, 09/22/08, "Signs Of Hope"

By David Lee Frater - Sep 23rd, 2008 at 9:06 am EDT

Also listed in: Grassroots Obama L.A. | Los Angeles Artists for Obama

The Little Boy Who Can, 8 year old Manlio Adrin Torres, Honorary
Obama Field Representative

David's Daily, Day Journal of a Freelance Reporter 09-22-2008, "Signs Of Hope"

By : David Lee Frater, Freelance Reporter, Writer, Photo-Journalist

Title : David's Daily, Freelance Reporter, Writer, Photo-Journalist, "Signs Of Hope"

Subject : The American People in Recovery

Dist : Free Press Release, NO compensation is required, but it is appreciated. If your publishing enterprise feels that a modest contributors fee is appropriate for my work, then, make checks payable to: David Lee Frater, 1312 West Maryland Street, Suite 102, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 90017, (213) 481-3899, davidleefrater@yahoo.com

David's Daily, Day Journal of a Freelance Reporter, "Signs Of Hope"

I spent the latter half of the week, in a numbed state of anger, fear, uncertainty and a compelling urge to get involved, get active, and try and put my slim, frail shoulders to the wheel of a stuck wagon, mired and sinking in mud, in the hopes that my meager efforts might somehow help all we face today.

I am sure, nearly all other Americans, and indeed, even international citizens, feel exactly the same way, or nearly the same way, these past few days.

I divided my time just about evenly, between, writing scathing articles on the short sighted, myopic, self driven perspectives of Republican "Leaders" and modern "Econo-Wizards", deriding their lack of action, their lack of real substance, their insistence that the common man should give all they have left and turn it over to the same persons responsible for ALL of these massive failures and collapses. Without question, and quickly, before anyone has any time to study the matter at all. It is precisely, this Bush Agenda, of "Act Now, Think Latter", that got us into the mess we are in right now, Iraq, is only the most obvious example of this "leadership" style, a monumental MISTAKE, holding up most of our military, and costing the U.S. BILLIONS of Dollars every month, month after month, and NO END in sight. Not, this time, me thinks, this time, Congress must THINK FIRST, ANALYZE, then act, but act CAREFULLY. No more "Act Now, Think, and PAY, latter" "Plans" for this President.

The other half of the time, I spent volunteering for the Obama Campaign, I am now a Regional Deputy Field Organizer at the State Offices of Obama/Biden '08, State Of California, and a local Neighbor to Neighbor outreach organizer for my own neighborhood, in my Congressional District. My home, is now, a grass roots Neighborhood Obama '08 outreach office for the Latino Community of my District. No, in case any Republicans are wondering, I am NOT being paid for this, THERE IS NO COMPENSATION at ALL. In fact, I have to go around to the local businesses in my area, begging for donations of supplies and services to meet my office needs such as ink, paper, copying, et all, any money donated, is forwarded directly onto the main State Office, not one penny is withheld, not ONE CENT. I had to buy my own "T" shirt, my own posters, my own button I wear, myself, there is NO MONEY for these offices, they are ALL DONATED by the People!

But in the middle of all this concern, and devotion, I have been getting weary, I never wanted to be a political organizer, I wanted to take lovely photographs, make fun and lighthearted commentary on common people, being themselves, enjoying their lives, and the beauty of the cities they have built themselves, many with their own hands.

I compiled a few photographs, and a few endearing stories, in a composite, view, of Common Americans, getting back to normal, what I see as "Signs Of Hope".

In the dark, and roughly finished interior of an old office building dedicated to promoting the Arts, all the Arts, as a community outreach tool to improving the lives of all citizens in Los Angeles, there stands an organization known as The Los Angeles Art Complex, at 801 East 4th Place, Los Angeles CA 90013. There, the Local Congressional District 34, Obama Organizers have met for their staff meetings. At the last meeting, a slim, outgoing, very vivacious and forward 8 year old Latino boy, showed up, all by himself, and introduced himself to me as his local elementary school's Obama Motivator. He was accompanied by his best friend, a very pretty and devoted little 8 year old Latina girl., whoes name I believe is Adrian. The boys name, is Manlio Adrin Torres, but he, and his friend proudly announced to me, "Everyone just calls me Chicken Little!". Most 8 year old boys private rooms are filled with toys, posters of Harry Potter, or Disney Characters, baseball mitts, soccer gear, all the stuff that most 8 year old boys regard as their priceless treasures. Manlio's room, looks like an Obama Field Office, He has Obama Posters, Stacks of Obama Literature, in BOTH English and Spanish, Fliers, Door-Knob Leaflets, buttons, T Shirts, he even has "Contact Lists". Most 8 year old boys, spend their recess and free time after lunch, playing with their friends, or just being with their friends.

Manlio does have many friends at his school, and many admirers as well, But Manlio, spends his time promoting the Obama/Biden Ticket to his school mates, hoping his message to them, will reach home to their parents, uncles, cousins, and all the people in their extended family contacts. He is tireless, ceaseless, filled with HOPE, DEDICATION, LOYALTY, and HEART, and regards Barack Obama as his PERSONAL HERO. Manlio's friends may currently call him "Chicken Little", but, I see him as a young LION, I see him as, "The Little Boy Who Can!". Manlio took, Mr. Obama's message of "We Can!", and PUT IT TO WORK, he is living PROOF, of HOPE, And a fine young man, by anyone's standards, Republican, Democrat, or anything else. Please join me in saluting this fine young person, for his personal efforts and contributions to his community at the tender age of 8. He is an INSPIRATION to ALL of us in these hard times we face ahead. Manlio asked me, before my parting, if he might ask a "Big Guy" like me, if I could get him a signed photograph of Mr. Obama for his wall. Rest assured Manlio, one is ON THE WAY. (It may even have a special message attached, just maybee....)

Down the street, from the Arts Complex, in the Latino section of downtown Los Angeles, was a family, buying hot dogs, from a local hot dog street vendor parked in front of a downtown store. The boys, and the parents, were gobbling down their bacon wrapped all beef grilled hot dogs smothered in freshly grilled onions and green peppers. The activity, the innocence, of this, struck me as lovely, beautiful, Americans, being Americans, having a good time with just a simple hot dog, and each other. I couldn't resist snapping a few pics of them, and of course, I HAD to sample a couple, or maybe THREE of those DELICIOUS street dogs MYSELF!

Around the corner, from my humble little apartment now turned into an Obama Field Office, was a film crew from CBS, channel 2, filming an episode of "Numbers". They do this a lot on my street, my street is filled with old brick multiple storied apartment buildings, with exposed iron fire escapes, that double as balconies in the hot summer nights for all the residents seeking relief from the relentless California Summer Heat. It looks like the Bronx, in New York, or Manhattan, in the early 1920's, and is one of the favorite sites for many, many film crews of Los Angeles. And it occurred to me, this too, is a sign of HOPE, people back at work, people making movies in Tinseltown, I felt a little re-assured that not all companies have gone bankrupt, some are just fine.

I hope you all enjoy my little departure from the depressing, I know I needed some reassurance myself.

David Lee Frater, Reporter At Large, Village Of The Angels, Los Angeles, CA

Love First, Love Always, Love ONLY

davidleefrater@yahoo.com http://www.myspace.com/davidleefrater

The Little Boy Who Can, 8 year Old Manlio Adrin Torres, Close Up.

The Son Of A State Obama Organizer, For The State Of California.

Street Hot Dog Vendor In The Latino Section Of Downtown Los Angeles.

A Latino Family Hungrily Enjoying Their "Spanish Versions" Of the American Hot Dog.

Roller Dogs Anyone? Forget the Drive Through, NOBODY Has The Spare Gas Anymore!

CBS Film Crew, Filming An Episode Of "Numbers" In A Downtown Los Angeles Apartment Block, #1.

CBS Film Crew, Filming An Episode Of "Numbers" In A Downtown Los Angeles Apartment Block, #2.

CBS Film Crew, Filming An Episode Of "Numbers" In A Downtown Los Angeles Apartment Block, #3.

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Wall Street simply got too greedy

By Robert J Yeldell, Jr - Sep 21st, 2008 at 4:19 pm EDT

Also listed in: Affordable Housing | Grassroots Obama L.A. | Los Angeles for Obama '08!

Wall Street simply got too greedy. And when Wall Street set about denying Main Street the same escape clause they have, the bottom fell out of the economy. Remember back in 2005 when the congress at the behest of Wall Street passed the 2005 Bankruptcy Law. The law made it harder for “main street” to re-organize their debt (Chapter 7). Now these bail outs are helping those same institutions while again leaving main street to walk alone. And now without the same safety net as we had during the Savings and Loan crisis. Sen Obama opposed the 2005 bankruptcy bill in his public statements then and voted against it when it came to a vote. Read more on the impact of the 2005 Bankruptcy Reform Law. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/07/bankruptcy_changes.html Senator Obama needs to hit this issue and his long standing stance against this law HARD; to answer the pundits question of who understands the economy better. Senator Obama

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Este Sabado y Domingo....This Saturday & Sunday

By Brave New Nation (Raul Moreno) - Sep 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

CALLING ALL LATINOS IN L.A. COUNTY

If you want Barack Obama to win, help us spread the word to all Spanish speakers you know...
LOS ANGELES AREA:
Latino Camp Obama

Sign up here:
In English: http://my.barackobama.com/CampObamaLatinosEN
In Espa�ol: http://my.barackobama.com/CampObamaLatinosES

9AM to 5PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Designed especially for LA County, Orange County and San Fernando Valley Latinos
El Rodeo Restaurant
8825 Washington Blvd.
Pico Rivera, CA 90660
(562) 942-0755

SIGN UP TODAY:
Maria Elena Yepes Email: yepesme@earthlink.net
Phone: (626) 367-6674

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A Simple Plan To Rescue The American Economy (This Is Serious)

By David Lee Frater - Sep 19th, 2008 at 12:16 am EDT

Also listed in: Grassroots Obama L.A. | Los Angeles Artists for Obama

A Simple Plan To Save The American Economy

I am not sure anyone will actually read this, or if it is read by someone, whether or not it is
forwarded "up channels" to reach the person, or persons who need to read this.

But on the off chance, it may reach the intended persons, here are my thoughts.

A) President Bush is directly at fault for this crises, there are no two ways around this, he
advocated for, and won, dismantling of controls that encouraged not only established
reputable companies to relax their own standards, but also, encouraged the formation
of new lenders who had no regard for any standards at all. The fault is CLEAR, he is
TO BLAME, period.

B) McCain has a many decades long history of voting partisan, he has voted 90% in favor of
President Bush's policies. He has had ample time, in the past, to disagree and steer
his party in the right direction, but did not do so, he chose to follow the leader, not lead.
He is clearly a follower, not a leader, clearly incapable of independent thought, he is
not the type of person who can think on his feet, adapt to new situations, and find new
novel solutions to problems never seen before, with no established pattern to guide him.

C) The Republican party, in general, has a many generations, many administrations long
history of coming into office, from a prior Democratic administration, that left office with
a balanced, or nearly balanced budget, then leaving office with an economy worse off than
in any other time is history. This is a traceable and provable track history of the Republican
party, they spend more than they take in, always, they reduce income levels of the middle
class and working poor, always, they CREATE fiscal disasters, they NEVER solve them.

D) The Democratic party, has a PROVABLE MANY ADMINISTRATIONS LONG history
track record EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of the Republican party. Democratic
Administrations reduce national debt, increase income for ALL Americans, avoid wars
whenever possible, generally fix the problems created by prior Republicans.

This is just the "BASELINE"... Now... What to do with the current situation???....

A) George Bush is a "Lame Duck", he has proven himself inept at wise and appropriate
emergency executive decision, he must be RESTRAINED from any further harmful action
to this country or it's economy. Anything further this man does is just going to make
everything worse, not better, Congress must limit the power of this president,
temporarily, until the elections are completed, restoring all executive powers to the next
president, whoever that may be. This is a necessary step in actuality, not just a mental
image in the minds of most Americans, this man is inept, and has a vote of
"no confidence" among his own people.

B) All things in life, even the worst of situations, are both a challenge, a curse, and an
opportunity all at the same time. What we have here, with the Government taking
control of major corporations, can be turned around into an opportunity, for average
Americans to ACTUALLY own a REAL piece of the pie. Please read the following VERY
CAREFULLY, This has NEVER been tried, EVER before, in WORLD HISTORY, but in
our case, IT JUST MAY WORK.

1) Bush wanted to privatize Social Security, in order to give Americans an "opportunity"
to participate in the free enterprise system. We didn't let him go through with that,
because we knew, all he really wanted to do was raid the SS fund, he wanted the
SS fund money, he didn't have a viable plan for building a private replacement for SS
at all, did he?

2) Outdo the Bush, the American Public, now has, in their "Portfolio" a rather impressive
investment portfolio, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, and a whole consortium of
small Wall Street Investment companies, not a bad portfolio really, if we can just
keep them alive long enough to actually start making money again, it could be a
very wise and profitable investment, YEARS from now, not tomorrow.

3) Do not, sell the companies back to their owners, give the companies over to the
the people of the United States, in REALITY, not in NAME ONLY. People have an
option, to sell their shares, and give the proceeds of those shares, to Social Security,
or, to roll their Social Security, into the private markets of those companies held by
"The People", not "The Government", THE PEOPLE. This may mean creating a
new corporate definition, a "Peoples Corporation", one held by public trust, monitored
heavily by government agencies, but PRIVATELY OWNED, privately managed, with
THE PEOPLE owning the company. There are strict limits on how much stock one
person may own, one person may only own up to a pre-determined limit, their SS
deductions are either paid into their retirement portfolio, which are "People Corps", or,
they are paid into SS, their choice. One can structure their retirement themselves,
either by participating in SS retirement, or by participating in the government regulated
and monitored private sector "People Corps".

Now, think about this for a moment... Bush and McCain keep saying how they want to give
"A Piece Of The Pie" to average Americans, but never, ever, come up with a plan on how
to do that in a practical way. Here, we have, a situation, staring us in the face, where
"We The People", now own substantial companies, that the Government plans to give back
to the same people who screwed them up to begin with. If these companies, are so crucial
to the security of the United States Economy, then, THEY MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO
RISK OUR SECURITY EVER AGAIN. They are so large, so important, that they cannot
be allowed to run themselves outside of public view ever again. Keep them, DO NOT SELL
THEM BACK, create these "Peoples Corps", Create the alternative to SS, that DOES NOT
REPLACE SS, it exists in parallel to SS, as an alternative, one that must be tested, and
debugged for decades, by law, before it can ever be proposed as a total replacement system
to the SS system.

This solves many problems does it not? We don't get stiffed for billions, we INVESTED in
AVERAGE AMERICANS FUTURES by BUYING THEM as FUTURE RETIREMENT incomes.
WE GIVE ALL AMERICANS A FEW SHARES OF EACH, ALL AMERICANS.
(This may mean splitting the shares a few times, but, heck, that is not bad news at all)

The point is, one day, Americans go to bed, thinking the sky is falling, and the next day,
Americans wake up, being told that every American in the country now has a personal retirement
portfolio paid for by their tax dollars, and options to sell and roll over assets into Social security,
or, roll over Social Security Assets into these People Corps, or, KEEP BOTH, their choice.

These are my thoughts.

I hope they are helpful

David Lee Frater
davidleefrater@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/davidleefrater

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Step Right Up Folks! Come One Come All! It's The FEDERAL RESERVE CARNIVAL BAILOUT Shell Game!

By David Lee Frater - Sep 17th, 2008 at 6:17 pm EDT

Also listed in: Grassroots Obama L.A. | Los Angeles Artists for Obama

Title : Step Right Up Folks ! Come One Come All ! It's The FEDERAL RESERVE CARNIVAL BAILOUT Shell Game !

Subject : Federal Bailouts Of Failing Financial Institutions

By : David Lee Frater, Freelance Reporter, Writer, Photo-Journalist

Distribution : Free Press Release, no compensation is required, however it is very much appreciated. If your establishment feels that a modest and customary contributor fee is appropriate then please make a check payable to: David Lee Frater 1312 West Maryland Street, 102, Los Angeles CA, 90017

Step Right Up Folks ! Come One Come All ! It's The FEDERAL RESERVE CARNIVAL BAILOUT Shell Game !

Over the din of calliope music, the smell of hot dogs, cotton candy, and buttered popcorn, set against the backdrop of brightly colored booths filled with con-artists, charlatans, and fakes of every type and description, a new carny booth has just opened, The Federal Reserve Bailout Shell Game Booth ! And EVERYONE is a WINNER !

Yes folks, It's TRUE, all YOU have to do is file for bankruptcy, then fire up a media frenzy that your failing company will bankrupt the entire world economy, and guess what? Uncle Sam will come to YOUR HOME TOWN, wearing his red, white and blue stripped suit, Shell Game in Hand, and play this amazing feat of mysticism and magic right on your OWN board Table ! Winner Takes ALL !

Lets do some simple math shall we? The Feds bailed out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the tune of 100 Billion each, to be invested over a period of time, thats a cool 200 Billion right there. Now, unknown to most people, the Feds are also pumping in another 70 Billion to bail out a NETWORK of failing Wall Street Investor Firms. Now, Today, we are told, We the People, "WE", are going to "OWN" 79.9% of AIG as Well, and for only a meager investment of just 85 Billion more ! What a STEAl, obviously too smart an investment to pass up! "We", "The American Public", are now "Owners" of a failed and bankrupt Insurance Giant ! Does this mean "we" are going to start receiving quarterly reports from "Our" Company? Can "we" expect dividend checks? Can "we" now buy those retirement condos in Cancun and retire early? Or.... are WE going to get stiffed, again, with higher taxes and fewer allowable deductions from our middle class, working class incomes, to pay for all of
this?

The Republicans are squealing like a bunch of stuck pigs over the proposed tax increases to the upper income levels, saying things like, "It will damage the economy even further if the rich have to pay more taxes!", but, covertly, they have NO PROBLEMS AT ALL, with playing their own version of the shell game, the middle class "tax em and take em" game they always play with the middle class. They offer modest "Tax Return Credits" on such things as dependents, et all, all the while upping taxes all across the board in every other sector, with a net gain in middle income taxation, and a net reduction in upper income taxation. They want us to bail out all of their favorite failed investors and investments, protecting their money, and, stiff the middle class with the bill. ALL OVER AGAIN. Homey don't think so, these folks have got to belly up to the bar and up the ante with their own money too!

Total reported Fed Bailout expenditures to date, 355 Billion, and that is only what we know about, there may be more bailouts being handed out that don't make the news wires, and perhaps, more on the horizon if faltering institutions such as Washington Mutual, "WaMu" fail as well.

Where is all this money going to come from? Is their plan just to fire up the printing presses and print more? Is it really that simple? Jeesh, I would like to be able to exercise that option myself ! Just fire up my computer, and print more money, wouldn't that solve all our problems !

A Very dear, and very new friend of mine, Maria Fadli, is a very astute and clever writer who is always able to look at a situation, and see the humorous side of it, and then write it in such a way, that not only is it hilariously funny, but deeply profound as well. She wrote a little humorous piece titled "Economic Models Of The World", I would like to quote her on a couple of short paragraphs.

"SOCIALISM:

You have two cows, you give one to your neighbor.

COMMUNISM:

You have two cows, the State takes both and gives you some of the milk."

FASCISM:

You have two cows, the State takes both and sells you some of the milk."

NAZISM:

You have two cows, the State takes both, and then shoots you and your family.

BUREAUCRATIC CAPITALISM:

You have two cows, the State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away.

TRADITIONAL AMERICAN CAPITALISM:

You have two cows, you sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multitplies, and the economy grows. You sell your herd and retire on the money.

MODERN AMERICAN CAPITALISM:

You have TWO cows. You sell THREE of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank. You then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all FOUR of your cows back, with a farm tax exemption for the FIVE cows. The milk rights of the SIX cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island Company secretly owned the majority shareholder, (you) who sells the rights to all SEVEN cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company now has EIGHT cows, with an option on one more. You sell one cow to buy a new Republican President of the United States, leaving you with NINE cows. No balance sheet is provided with the release. You then declare bankruptcy, your pal, the President has the FEDS bail you out, and the public gets to buy all your BULL."

Does this pretty well lay out the picture clearly?

Last night, I went to bed, with my total investment portfolio of whatever I have in my checking and savings accounts. This morning, I wake up, to find out, that my gracious government has provided me with a very fine investment portfolio, I am now part owner, part shareholder of, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, AIG, and a whole consortium of lots of little wall street investor firms! Wow, Shell games are TERRIFIC aren't they? The only problem is, when it comes time to call it, and turn over the shells, the pea is never there, is it?

Sincerely,

David Lee Frater, Reporter at Large, Village Of The Angels, Los Angeles, California

davidleefrater@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/davidleefrater

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It's still the economy, stupid.

By Joe Markowitz - Sep 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

The only silver lining of the continued crisis on Wall Street is that it is good news for the Obama campaign. With the focus back on serious issues, instead of silliness, the Obama campaign is in a good position to demonstrate that it has real answers to economic questions, while the McCain campaign seems to be doing a good job of demonstrating its continued cluelessness. The challenge is for Obama to be able to communicate these complicated issues clearly, in a way that resonates for people, while at the same time avoiding over-simplification, and without getting too downbeat. We cannot have six more weeks of people worrying whether or not the sky is falling. What we need is a continued message of hope, coupled with some serious talk about some difficult issues.

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If It Quacks Like A Duck, Waddles Like A Duck And Looks Like A Duck, It's A DUCK !!!

By David Lee Frater - Sep 16th, 2008 at 6:33 pm EDT

Also listed in: Grassroots Obama L.A. | Los Angeles Artists for Obama

Title    : If It Quacks Like A Duck, Waddles Like A Duck And Looks Like
        A Duck, Then... IT IS A DUCK !!!

Subject    : American Financial Institutions Collapse

By : David Lee Frater, Freelance Reporter, Writer, Photo-Jornalist

Distribution : Free Press Release, no compensation required.

                  However, if your establishment would like to send me the
                  customary fee for freelance contributions, it would be
                  appreciated.
Please make checks payable to: David Lee Frater,
                  1312 West Maryland Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017

If It Quacks Like A Duck, Waddles Like A Duck And Looks Like A Duck, Then... IT IS A DUCK !!!

I think it's time to put down the semantics, stop dodging reality, and tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, to the American public, the world leaders, world economies and world investors, all across the globe.

This financial crises is not a “slump”.

This financial crises is not a “pre recession”.

This financial crises is not even a full out “recession”.

This financial crises is a MAJOR DEPRESSION, period.

Financial institutions are folding, the largest insurance broker in the country is folding, several banks, major, and minor are teetering on collapse, such as Washington Mutual, or “WaMu”, record numbers of American citizens have lost their homes and gone bankrupt, with tens of thousands, possibly HUNDREDS of thousands of more private bankruptcies very near on the horizon.

This is not a “recession”, and don't allow anyone to white wash this situation any further.

Why these financial “experts” are running around all over the news media, waving the Bush/McCain flag, declaring to everyone, that this is only a “slump” that the basics of the American economy are “sound”.... And then in the very next breath, declare that major reform, major controls, major guidelines, must be implemented immediately, to avoid further catastrophic damage, is in itself a dualistic and contradictory statement. People, if something is “basically sound”, then it doesn't need a major overhaul, it would only need a minor tune-up. Their own words betray the fact that they KNOW this is a depression, they just don't want to take the blame for it, and have to be the first ones to say the “D” word in public. Then, have to admit it happened during their watch.

If you mess up, then fess up, and pay the price.

Simple words my mom taught me as a small boy, but, as true then as now.

If our “Leaders” don't have the courage to tell the truth, to call a duck a duck, then I will spare them that inevitable embarrassment. I will say the word...

DEPRESSION !!!

There, I said it, did anyone miss that word?

In my humble opinion, or in e-speak, “IMHO”, it will probably take two to three weeks for the full impact of these collapses to fully be expressed in the American, and global economies. There are many “hidden” aspects of this collapse that will not be apparent for a week or two, they are lurking, on the edges like stacks of lined up dominoes, teetering, waiting to fall at the slightest breeze. For example, we have a very serious financial situation in the rental market as well, which has not been fully played out yet. Over the last 7 or 8 years there has been a big push on the parts of property investors, banks, speculators, foreign venture capitalists, property developers, pie in the sky city re-development agencies, and a list of others, to build new, high rise, fancy, expensive, overpriced luxury apartment and condominium buildings all over America's cities. Indeed, even reaching down into the coasts of Mexico, in the case of large luxury retirement communities. This push, represents Billions, perhaps as much as over a Trillion dollars spent on these projects. Most of which are teetering, on the edge, on the verge of bankruptcy as well. In my city, Los Angeles, every single one of these overpriced luxury buildings sits nearly empty, no takers, no renters for the $4,000.00 per month apartments, and no buyers for the $670,000.00 two bedroom condominiums. These developers were certain, that all they had to do was slap a coat of paint on an old office building, divide the floors up into dinky condos less than 1,100 sq feet, dress it up with pretty, but cheap stuff everywhere, and the air head California buyers would just gobble them up, no questions asked, paying $670,000 for a downtown, “New York Loft”, when it was really only worth about $80,000.00.

This is what fueled the collapse of the housing market, and this is what is going to fuel the collapse of a sub market of that segment, the luxury apartment/townhome/condominium markets. They will collapse to, and when they do.... So will WaMu.

Mark my words.

David Lee Frater, Reporter at Large, Village Of The Angels, Los Angeles, California

davidleefrater@yahoo.com
http://www. myspace. com/davidleefrater

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