THIS COMES FROM AN ANALYSIS BY THE D.C. PRESS INSIDERS WHO HAVE ASKED WHAT WILL DETERMINE THE CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE TO THE More Progressive aspects of the HealthCare Reform Legislation.
In the ensuing months after the election, many supporters of Obama who had not previously been active in the Democrat Party came to a big decision. Lots of us were not officially members but almost always supporting candidates and issues that were the agenda of the Domocrats consistently. We decided to take a look at the local Democrat Parties near us and determined to join the party which chose to nominate Barack Obama as its Presidential Candidate for 2008 general election.
Since then, in Dane County, I am aware of a small but growing new group who have joined the Democrats formally. I have not investigated how many of us have made that decision, but I am sure we are not unique. It must be true that throughout the state many OFA members are choosing to connect with the Democrat party, and personally, I view this as a healthy political decision. It we have been hanging back, for whatever the reason, not being sure if we want yet more events to attend and actions to participate in, we have been cheating both ourselves and the party which most pragmatically represents our views and demonstrates concerns for the issues we most often understand in the same way. We can help the Democrat party be more effective as we try to support the agenda of Obama, and we can be more effective in shaping how the party repsonds about all sorts of issues. We need to connect, empower and improve the quality of our citizen involvement to keep the good policies at the table and get them passed. We need to take every opportunity to be the voice of change. The Democrats embraced Obama to be that Voice of Change, it is good to join them officially and support that effort more inclusively! Meetings of the DaneDems take place monthly at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. There is free parking in the hotel basement lot! It is so easy!
Many people who voted for Obama gave strength to his campaign and were critical to his election. Their views and political action choices did not necessarily coincide with wishing to be a part of the major party affiliation. I was part of that group. Wanted to be independent. But then, I realized we are missing an important opportunity: to be the fresh voices of our Obama movement that is really important to the Democrats, especially now,but in the future as well, since we don't want the policies we fought hard to promote via our support of Obama just evaporate after his terms of office close. We have to keep our eyes on the horizon and think of our families, communities, state, nation, and how we will affect our international communities. It is important to keep our voices strong, keep focused, keep active, and if each of us does our small bit, we can achieve this. So I decided to link that can serve to promote all that: The Democrat Party.
I invite you to join me in starting an important activity 'being the voices of Obama' in the Democrat Party. If you would like reports from me about recent meetings, I'll be happy to share them with you. I attended the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Convention in Portage last month, and the Democrat Leadership Institute at Devil's Lake Resort. I will be attending the State Democrat Convention, June 11-12th in Green Bay. This is how we begin to exercise fresh voices of Obama within the party that chose him. It is very exciting to meet so many others with similar views! Try it, I'm finding it very fulfilling and purposeful.
WHY IS HEALTH CARE REFORM SO TOUGH TO ACHIEVE?
TUES., MAY 12, 7: 30 P.M. In Mazomanie
Members of the Grassroots Health Care Task Force will lead a conversation about the four health care reform bills currently before Congress:
the Obama plan
the Stark plan
the Wyden-Bennett plan and
the Conyers (or single payer) Plan.
They will talk about the three main "sticking" points for getting health care reform passed:
Cost containment
Mandates -- yes or no
A Public Plan -- Should this be part of the mix?
LOCATION: THE OLD FEEDMILL RESTAURANT, 114 Cramer Street in Mazomanie.
Panel members include:
Dr. Aaron Dunn, who just received the Young Physician Leadership award from the Wisconsin Medical Society. He is a family practitioner in Mineral Point and Dodgeville.
John Simonson, retired economics professor from UW Platteville.
John Wright, retired informational technology specialist
Jeff Ware, retired businessman in the communications field
Kent Mayfield, retired college administrator and minister
Bill Spevacek, retired Milwaukee public relations executive.
HAGAMOS ... 1 Una Sola América, conciente e inconcientemente todos queremos que América sea una sola América y con el mismo Sistema Democrático y Capitalista de los USA.
Es la mejor forma de "enfocar" la REFORMA MIGRATORIA.
Porque es la respuesta a la pregunta de los doce millones.
¿Cómo lograr la LEGALIZACION de los doce millones de inmigrantes en USA?
Respuesta/ Hagamos... 1 Una Sola América
Para problemas grandes SOLUCIONES GRANDES
ADEMAS:
Es la solución para los mexicanos y su muro de berlín entre México y USA
Es la solución para los cubanos y su Fidel Castro, ahora Raul Castro.
Es la solución para los venezolanos y su Hugo Chavez.
Es la solución para los colombianos y su narco-guerrilla (Las FARC)
Es la solución para los ecuatorianos y su Presidente Correa.
Es la solución para los nicaraguences y sus sandinistas con su Daniel Ortega
Es la solución para los salvadoreños y su FMLN y sus narco-pandillas.
THANK YOU. Gracias por leer Mi Libro "1 Una Sola América".
SU OPINION, sus comentarios son muy importantes y me comprometo a escribirlos en mi próximo Libro "El Estado # 51 ???" y usted será considerado como Co-Autor.
ESCRIBAMOS NUESTRA PROPIA HISTORIA, SIN MIEDO, tener miedo solo de que nos de miedo.
LA HISTORIA NOS ENSEÑA Y NOS DICE: HAGAMOS... 1 Una Sola América.
So, it is down to the wire and I can't go to the office to volunteer there just is not enough time. So, before I head to the laundry mat, I print my phone list from MY.BARACKOBAMA.COM.
With clothes in 5 washers I dial the first number on my cell. While at the laundry I cleared 10-14 phone calls. Simple and easy. People hanging up in my face, others wanting to get a little pre-celebration in while sending up a few hopes and prayers. When the rinse cycle began I took a break to drop in my fabric softener. Propped up on the other hip and went to phone calling again.
And folks say they can't volunteer. Where there is a will there is a way. I have had FUN! And I feel so much more a part of the campaign. After I returned home that is when I really got a big kick out of this whole experience. I am in my yard clearing weeds out of my rocks, when not 1, not 2 but 3 teams of door-knockers passed by. So while I continued my 2nd calling list for the day, we are waving and encouraging each other along the way.
I don't know them. They don't know me. But we know that Barack Obama knows us and for that we are inspired, we are empowered and we are totally included.
Get your seat at the table. Volunteer for the candidate for true change.
This is in response to the Aug. 21, 08 Op Ed by Michael Moore in Rolling Stone.
Michael Moore's a successful (rich) mockumentary maker, and very successful among many working class whites especially. Yet, like so many white liberals, he wants the first viable African American presidential candidate - who happens to have the best policies for the working class, and best environmental policies, and the best transparency in government policies, and the best anti-media-conglomerate policies, and the best foreign and trade policies - to be more radical and outspoken than any white presidential candidate who's ever made it this far.
Michael claims Obama's legendary "move to the center" will discourage volunteers. Michael, there were 22,000 volunteer applicants for 10,000 volunteer positions at the Denver Democratic Convention!
Michael ignores that there are tens if not hundreds of thousands of white voters, especially older ones but not exclusively, who will not vote for Obama if he stands on his head and hands them $100 bills. He wants black Obama to act like white Michael, or at least like Michael's deposed hero John Edwards.
Imagine it for a moment. See Obama yell for the poor and rail against the Two Americas, as Edwards did. See him, in your mind's eye, pounding on the podium with righteous indignation. Right. That'll sink him like a stone.
Angry black men are not the ideal candidates in America. It sure didn't work for the black Republican Alan Keyes, who couldn't get even white Republicans to vote for him against mild-mannered, cool as a cucumber Obama. For that matter, the Angry Populist act didn't put even white John Edwards over the top. All people of all races are tired of divisive politics - except for contentious liberals who make a nice living from the divisive politics. We want to fight bad policies, not paint everyone who supports those bad policies as demons on earth.
WOW - He really is an Ambassador for Peace!
Obama's trip to Israel - he truly is an Ambassador for Peace
Click on the link below to access the story.http://www.nypost.com/photos/galleries/news/worldnews/pp_20080724_obama_israel/photo10.htm
It is vitally important that we destroy lies with truth. I received e-mails from Diversity4Obama that said that the circulation of The New Yorker Magazine was 107,000 !!! Not so, and here is a link to get the stats:
http://emdashes.com/2006/08/ask-the-librarians-ii.php
I always look for the unusual in the usual. I dare say to the Editors, you want drama? How about a caricature of John McCain, breaking the Military Code by telling the North Vietnamese, (Vietcong) during his capture his ship's location his squadron and target? as he tells in his own words in his own book. Never mind that he "claims" he deliberately mislead them. Well, if he didn't say that,then he would be up for court marshall. That is not a Hero. It makes me think of all the P.O.W.'s that died without ever uttering a word. The true patriots.
How about that he turned his back on the poor Vietnamese farmer that saved him? as he was hanging to a raft for dear life?
The "satire" on the cover was bold. It reflects the media and their power. The editorial board had to green light it. I say fight fire with fire.
Kudos to New Yorks TV1! Obama T.V. 24/7. All the media outlets are screaming,unfair!! Really?
Marta
http://www.jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com/ Dobson went on attack. Read the comments sign the petition. Check the sound mind of Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell.
"God is love and he who abides in love, Abides in God and God in him."
This poll is a sham. It reflects no truth at all since it is skewed to the readers of Time--- who definitely do not represent all of the USA. Those who learned about this poll by accident and are not on the mailing list failed to be able to 'vote' in this poll. Skewing it fatally. I made the effort to alert Obama supporters about this poll but only learned about it at the end of the week and have no idea when the cutoff is. I suggest if the poll hangs heavily in favor of McCain, you will have a confirmation of how Time magazine hangs and realize the truth met its demise in this poll.
The job is simple. Get busy with your graphics editor on your PC, create a couple of good flyers so volunteers campaigning in Puerto Rico can hand them to potential voters. The Puerto Rico contact person is riesnerl@yahoo.com Leah Riesner send your flyer graphics to her. Please hurry, time is running out!
--Marcia Riquelme
There was a strong DFL presence for the May Day parade to Powderhorn Park on Sunday, May 4, 2008. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer worked the crowd seeking support for his bid to become the DFL-endorsed nominee to face Norm Coleman in November's Senate race, and Congressman Keith Ellison worked the crowd tirelessly, jogging back and forth across the parade route with a beaming smile. The people of Minneapolis unite to celebrate the combined holidays of Cinco de Mayo and May Day, and the mood is always festive even when the May weather doesn't always seem spring-like.
There was also a lively, energetic "Minnesota for Obama" contingent, organized by the audacious Carl Holmquist and lead down the parade route by Minneapolis Mayor R.T.Rybak, one of the prominent early supporters of Barack's run for the Democratic nomination - and the White House.
The weather was perfect, the crowd was friendly and appreciative, R.T. got his picture taken with countless fans, and we handed out stickers and buttons as we chanted our way along the route. The music was great, the presentation by the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater was another success... All we really needed to complete the day was a talented face-painter to apply logos to our cheeks, and you.
Dear OBAMA NATION,
Reminding you of Barack's message on the role of Faith in Politics in changing the world around us. Our role and responsibility as people who believe that together we can heal our country and embrace a common destiny. Those in the faith communities and outside traditional religions understand the power of faith and hope. We are asking you to stand with me in prayer and to come together as one people for all people. This is a call to arms for all Obama prayer warriors and the the entire Obama Nation to join us in a morning prayer tomorrow morning!
We are reminding you of what we did in the middle of this campaign. I'm reminding you of the energy and power of hope and faith that we unleashed then. Well, let's do it again!
We are asking each of you who may read this message to stand with us in prayer for victory in the upcoming primaries. Call your family and friends, everyone or anyone within your circle and ask them to stand with us in prayer. Tell them to ask their friends to stand with us as well, and tell them to tell a friend, and so on and so on.
Christian, Jew, Muslim, Budhist- all faiths who believe that together we can make this country as good as its promise- join us tomorrow morning. Let us be one voice, one people in prayer. Please do this one simple thing. Pray, chant, meditate, or simply close your eyes and hope! Do whatever works for you, but do this tomorrow morning!
Let us unleash the power of good and hope into play into the universe. What do we have to lose? Together our prayers, our hope and our love is more powerful than anything. Remember, there is no such thing as false hope and there is no limits to what God can do!
Our movement for change is the most amazing grassroots movement in modern political history so I know we can do this. Come on Obama Nation, let's do this!
Change does not happen from the top down, it come from the bottom UP! YES WE CAN!
One People. One Love.
Nothing is more disheartening than the media assault that ties our Senator Obama's ideals with Rev. Wright's perceived ideas - distorted by the barely minutes-long media "coverage". Long articles are written, but they consist of quoting themselves and each other - no new information, no analysis of the history of black churches, no question of how they are feeding into threats to the pastor and the congregation.
My gift has been voters' and supporters' letters and comments in response to this pathetic media feed frenzy. They inspired me to write my own, but first, their encouraging words:
I am a soldier reading all this from Iraq. I cannot tell you how disturbed I am at this moment. I have spent 34 of the past 48 months in battle or training for battle... and all my country can do is squabble about Jerimiah Wright. I believe in Barack Obama. Not just his policies, but the process in which he will go about implementing those policies. Unity, sitting down at the table, transparency, diplomacy, empathy... and all I see are my fellow citizens behaving like children, fighting for the tablescraps of power. I understand what a McCain presidency will bring... another tour here, sigh. I understand what a Hillary presidency will bring. 4 years of partisan bickering, more stories of Bill, mudslinging from the Right and on and on and on. This is almost like a movie, a living nightmare that won't end. Everything is topsy turvy. I'm losing faith in our political system. I have yet to hear a single hate word spew from Sen Obama's mouth. Not one. I have not heard a single hateful character bash come from his words, not one. I have read his books. Beautiful, sound, in depth, visionary, truthfull, articulate... sigh. I am this close to resigning my commission. Our government IS broken. I no longer feel inspired to serve my country. Why am I fighting here? Why are we fighting at home? We can elect George Bush twice, and yet sling this amazing American possessed with tremendous talent in the garbage. If Obama is not elected, we get what we deserve. Either more war, or more of the same Rush Limbaugh bickering. April 28, 2008 4:05 PM Link
More below the fold.
I am disheartened and disturbed after the Pennsylvania primary. I wonder why Pennsylvanians went for this 'kitchen-sink', low blow campaigning from the Clinton side. Why did Obama lose by such a deep deficit? Why can't people see that change is a good thing and Obama will fight for them? I think Senator Obama missed a few opportunities to show and tell people that he has fought hard and will continue to fight the good fight for them. I think that he needs to speak to those distractions but in a way the brings the conversation back to the issues. People do want to know (why - I don't understand) the answers to certain questions about Rezcko, Wright, Ayers and more.
Unfortunately, these things matter to some. They feel it shows credibility, corruptability and other factors. A new kind of politics requires a new response. Admit mistakes, tell the truth and just give them a plausible reason so they can move on...and we can get back to the issues.
They want to believe in what we already believe. This campaign is genuine. This campaign is real. Slugging it out with the Clintons in the mud is not going to get us where we need to be. We can't beat them at that nasty, 'old politics' game. Answer the charges forcefully, intelligently and honestly. Then move on.
I see the list servs here moving towards more negativity. I see the media gleeful. I've even heard our good senator get down & dirty with Mrs. Clinton. That disappoints me more than the voting results of Pennsylvania's primary.
Let's make phone calls. Let's send postcards to Indiana & North Carolina and the other states that haven't voted. Let's get on the ground if we can. Let's get out of the mud and stop worrying about the other campaign. Make them a non-entity and we will rise above. We will be the change. We will act like the change we seek and are becoming. We will move on from this and be a stronger campaign.
Turn off the news. Forget watching it. Disconnect and de-stress. Work on this campaign as if your very life depended upon it...because so many things do depend on it. The economy, the war in Iraq and our standing in the world. We've got too much to lose by going negative now.
Check out Slate.com: POLITICS: WHO'S WINNING, WHO'S LOSING, AND WHY.Slate's Delegate CalculatorTHE MATH ONLY GETS GLOOMIER FOR CLINTON—EVEN AFTER A BIG PENNSYLVANIA WIN.By Chris Wilson and Chadwick Matlin Updated Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at 1:03 AM ETHillary Clinton's 10-point victory in Pennsylvania awards her a net gain of about 16 pledged delegates, based on projections from the popular vote. Because Pennsylvania awards about two-thirds of its delegates by district, we won't have a precise figure until later this week.
Coming into today, the odds that Clinton would catch Obama in pledged delegates were very small. Now they're zero. Before Pennsylvania, Clinton needed to win each remaining primary with 65 percent of the vote to close the gap. Even though she won Pennsylvania, that figure is now just over 68 percent. (Try it on the calculator below by dragging the red bar at the top to the right.) Furthermore, the state with the most remaining delegates is North Carolina, where Obama leads in the polls by about 20 points. Assuming he nets at least 20 more of the state's 115 delegates, Clinton needs 80 percent of the vote in each of the other eight remaining primaries to catch up.
