Organizing for America hosted a celebration in Flint on the one year anniversary of the election of President Barack Obama. Complete with décor from the campaign, the ubiquitous Barack Obama cardboard cutout, and speeches from then Sen. Obama in the background, the atmosphere was somewhat surreal for those that had worked tirelessly during the campaign.
The scavenger hunt was case in point. It asked participant to find someone who: volunteered in both 2008 and 2009; volunteered out of state; made a donation; attended an event with Sen. Obama; attended the inauguration, and was wearing Obama gear. Everyone in the room fit at least one category. I met Jim Carlson, who volunteered in Michigan last year. Looking back on the one year mark, Jim said “It’s amazing how much has been accomplished since then”. I also met Mary McLemore who attended events with President Obama in Flint and Detroit. I met Laurie Holland, who was on the National Mall with her daughter when President Obama was officially sworn in. All voted for change, most volunteered for change, and many continue to work for change with Organizing for America.
Many were in this very room exactly one year ago watching the fruits of their labor come to fruition. Brian Bates remembers the excitement in the packed room as Genesee county residents waited for the results to come in.
“You get nervous. No matter how hard you worked, there’s always a chance the votes won’t go your way. I just hope we continue to push for the change we were pushing for during the election because it’s important and people need help.”
The trip down memory lane also served to keep people focused on continuing to work for change. Two tables on display had signs that said “Then” and “Now”. The latter was filled with sign-ups for Organizing for America volunteer opportunities, a place to sign up to call your congressman in support of health insurance form, and a place to drop off letters to members of Congress in support of reform. Flint township leader Mary Putnam spoke to the crowd, telling them of the friends she made during the campaign and the weekly meetings they still have to continue to push for change.
“Getting involved in a presidential campaign was something that I had always wanted to do, but I never seemed to have the time to volunteer. In 2008, I was able to not only make the time to get involved, but I’d also found, in Barack Obama, a candidate that I believed could not only bring about much needed change, but one that I could support wholeheartedly.”
“I got involved because I felt like I had really dropped the ball in 2004. Although we had volunteered on Election Day, we never got fully involved in the Kerry campaign and, when he was defeated, I felt defeated. I vowed I would never let that happen again.”
“On election night, I remember standing with my team of volunteers, people I’d only known for a few weeks, but people who were tirelessly dedicated to fighting for change, and I remember the sense of accomplishment in creating this community of volunteers and the joy at not only having won, but of having been a part of something much larger. More importantly, for the first time in eight years, I had a restored sense of hope; hope that change was not just a possibility but also a reality.”
“I have learned that we can’t just wait for change, we have to work for change every day. Today, we continue to work hard for change, as Organizing for America fights for real health insurance reform.”
Ann Arbor- One of the strengths of President Obama’s 2008 Campaign for Change was the record number of youth that got involved in hopes of changing the country. The College Democrats at the University of Michigan were a part of these efforts last year, and fortunately they have continued their efforts in a big way with Organizing for America –Michigan.
A recent friendly competition with student organizers at Michigan State University proved the College Dems’ ability to affect change. On Thursday, October 15, more than 60 students from UMCD made over 1700 phone calls to Michigan residents urging them to call their representatives in support of President Barack Obama's plan for health insurance reform. At this event, UMCD members set the national record for the most phone calls made at a single Organizing for America event. Starting early in the day, UMCD members began calling potential supporters to encourage them to contact their members of Congress about health insurance
"It was great to see so many of our members turn out to the event," said Samuel T. Marvin, chair of UMCD. "Health care is a student issue. By working on comprehensive health insurance reform now, we are making an investment in our future.
In addition to UMCD's involvement with OFA Michigan, the group also activates on progressive issues and campaigns for Democratic candidates. Last fall, UMCD members volunteered for congressional candidates Gary Peters, Mark Schauer, and Bart Stupak. The members have also been volunteering for Marty Griffin's campaign for State Senate throughout the fall.
UMCD holds weekly chapter meetings every Thursday in the Michigan Union at 8pm.
Clarkston- Two years ago, Melissa Bernardi was a part time bookseller in Clarkston, Michigan. Today, Melissa is a proud Community Organizer with Organizing for America in North Oakland County. For Melissa, her venture into organizing began when she heard about her friends experiences with the other campaign experiences of her friends.
“I was always impressed by the stories a dear friend had told me about his experience working on the Bobby Kennedy presidential campaign, which led me to volunteering for Obama for America last year."
Like many working with Organizing for America, Melissa was inspired by her work on behalf of then Senator Obama.
“My first experience was a canvass in my town at the end of August that consisted of 3 other local volunteers. By Election Day there were literally hundreds of community members streaming through my house to knock on doors. By being a volunteer for the campaign I discovered how many of my neighbors shared my views, but had been too quiet or felt too alone to voice them.”
After the campaign ended, Melissa missed the spirit of community and activism she had experienced. It was not long before Melissa began volunteering with Organizing for America. Since then, Melissa has been a leader in the state of Michigan in the campaign for health insurance reform. She has reached out to thousands of Oakland Country residents in support of reform, led or participated in dozens of citizen contact events, and attended several trainings on community organizing. She even got the chance to meet Vice President Joe Biden in August. For Melissa, it’s all about having a voice in the process.
“The end of the campaign just left me wanting to continue being a voice for change in my community. Being a Community Organizer for Organizing for America has given me that voice to inspire others.”
Our all new Ojamas for 2009-2010 are ready for pre-ordering! If you tried our original Ojamas, you'll be thrilled with the softer, luxurious cotton flannel fabric and improved sizing and fit for ladies in our new design. Throughout the year, we surveyed our customers and the two areas which stood out most were fabric and fit. You told us you wanted softer cotton flannel and that you wanted a better fitting garment for ladies, and that's exactly what we're delivering this year. An overwhelming majority of customers who liked the orginal design with the campaign logo said they wanted to see something more fun with our new President's face, and we've captured that in our new design as well.
Voice your support for the public option by joining this group!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120902578303
I am very disappointed with some of the talk I have been hearing about the administration backing away from a public option for health care. I did not join the Democratic Party to have it morph into the Republican Party.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said government alternatives to private health insurance are "not the essential element" of the administration's health care overhaul. The White House would be open to co-ops, she said.
I am not buying this.
Obama said the public option is needed to keep the private insurers honest. We need him to stand by his statements and not lose his nerve.
President Obama, in my view, needs to stop being so centralist and start to fully embrace an FDR policy of job creations. I love Obama, but he is too Centralist. Of course, Obama is A MILLION times better than ANY Republican view I have ever heard; and I will still eagerly campaign for President Obama even if his views are a bit more centralistic than mine:
President Obama's grades, in my book:
Foreign Policy: A+
Torture: A
economy: B- (he talks the right talk but doesn't do enough walk)
Health care reform: B (the right track; but more needs to be done. Equal access for all and throw out the greedy and leech like health insurance companies that have no purpose outside of exploitation; get rid of the greed and start to heal the sick; Public education, which is VERY socialistic, was rejected by many as 'wasteful' spending; However, the advantages of a literate society with innovation and business/math skills has proven very beneficial to society; Public Health Care ought to be equally accessable. Education and Health Care are socially advantagous in a socialisitic form, giving Americans the OPPORTUNITY for the American Dream. If we listened to Republicans, the only American Dream would be for those who are born healthy and wealthy).
The only people who complain in a public health system are those who are beyond filthy rich who believe that health care, like everything else in life, should be handed to them on a silver plater; people who believe that just because they were born into wealth they are somehow magically more deserving of a heart transplant than someone who is 'beneath' them. The middle class and the moderately wealthy (early millionaires) would see no major differences in treatment between a public and a completely private system if it could be run properly and ethically.
The economy is like blood circulation. It needs to be circulated effectively through all parts of the body (society) in order for it to be healthy. In a society where it takes over 1.5 BILLION dollars to be in the wealthiest 400, while wages remain relatively low and jobs outsource to exploit cheap labor elsewhere, and there are NO jobs left while the rich become richer than ever before - the blood circulation ends. Causing wealth to effectively circulate in society is NOT socialism.
Capitalism itself is created through regulation - capitalism cannot exist without some form or shape which it was regulated into. The only form of 'free market/trade' is a system of barter. The creation and establishment of our economic structure necessarily entails shape/form/regulation on some level. We created/shaped the rules in a previous epoch, and we can change the rules to address a new more globalized epoch.
After all, I firmly believe people ought to get the wealth they DESERVE. But lets face it, how many billionaires or millionaires do activities worth that kind of money? How many merely exploit the economic structure for personal greed?
Sorry, Republicans, trickle down theory is false: The wealth needs to be circulating effectively in all parts of society; not merely 'trickling down' but rather 'flowing' up and down.
PS Change is not going to happen unless we the people step to the plate and make the changes. President Obama cannot make the changes alone. Even if we have some disagreements, we have a similiar goal. If we do not act in unity to bring about change, nothing will happen. And before we know it we will have another disasterous Republican/neocon like Bush in office.
Now is the time. This is the place. Together, change can happen. The only thing which could stop it is our own lack of motivation.
Tomorrow the first big Flint Health Care Kick-Off is happening. http://blog.mlive.com/get-healthy-in-genesee/2009/06/health_care_reform_the_topic_a.html
Please come and join the conversation to help move our country forward.
Last week President Obama marked his 100th day in office; although he has already brought about significant change, we still have more work ahead of us. To build upon these efforts, the President needs support at the local and state level.
You can be a part of implementing change right here in Michigan by joining me in Detroit on May 16th at Cobo Hall for the 3rd Annual Michigan Policy Summit.
This year’s summit is about investing in our state through bold policies that secure our economic future by focusing on job creation, worker protections and investing in our communities. These policies will lay the foundation to once again positioning Michigan as a leader and offer needed on-the-ground support for President Obama’s bold policy initiatives.
I have a confession to make. A confession that I'm ashamed of and that I know, if it weren't for the spirit and drive of my fellow Americans, a confession that may have ruined our journey, our promise, and our nation.
My confession? Is simply this, I've been on vacation since the election, and I see now that I couldn't afford to take one. The fate of this country, the state of the economy, and fighting the opposition to change is too important for any of us to take a vacation.
I am so proud of those of you who have not. Those of you who realized that in order for President Obama's agenda for change to come to pass, he needs all of us and he has needed all of us. Yes, I've signed petitions to senators to vote "yes" on the last two budgets, but through a simple email. I've read the reports and debated with friends, but there was so much more I could have done. Attended meetings, or made calls, send emails, and knock or doors, but thank God for the statement that President Obama uttered on more than one occassion, "I am my brother's keeper." All of you have kept me and helped to keep our promise, and now I'm back to join you and replace those others that may make the mistake as I have in thinking that our job is done. YES WE CAN!
Anyone in the Southeastern part of Michigan with an interest in health care reform in this country should plan to attend the health care forum being sponsored by the OFA team from Districts 7 and 15 this coming Tuesday, April 14th. It will be attended by Congressman John Dingell along with a number of other local officials. The press release is below and a flyer for the event can be found HERE.Chris Savage--------------------------------------New Grassroots Coalition and Congressman Dingell Hold Local Health Care Forum
For more information contact:Tad Wysor, 734/883-3225 or tadwysor@gmail.comLynne Schwartz, 646/842-1360 or Lynnes1@gmail.com
A broad new group of Obama campaign volunteers believes that everyday people and community leaders need to take more responsibility for winning on key issues essential to the economic turnaround both here in Michigan and across the nation - issues like health care reform -- and is acting on it. The local "Organizing for America (OFA)" Coalition sees its upcoming Health Care Forum with 15th Congressman John Dingell (Tuesday April 14, 6:30-8:00pm at Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti) as one of the in critical ways in which local people can play an active and effective role in this major upcoming national debate.
"It's no secret that Michigan continues to bear the brunt of our struggling national economy. Our broken health care system is a huge part of the problem and fixing it will be a key factor in the Michigan's economic revival" said Lynne Schwartz, 15th District OFA leader. "It's very hopeful that so many are joining together in effective new ways, including working with a major Washington figure on health care like Congressman Dingell."
The OFA Coalition is encouraging residents, students, unions, people of faith, small business owners, heath care providers, not for profit service organizations, elected officials, and other health care stakeholders to attend and become a part of making the Forum...and ultimately the campaign to reform health care and revive the economy...a success.
The forum is the second major public meeting organized by the new OFA Coalition. In March, 85 people filled First Congregational Church in Ypsilanti, during which three local State Representatives (Alma Wheeler Smith, Rebekah Warren, and Pam Byrnes) committed to support the Coalition's efforts to follow and influence the large influx of economic stimulus dollars into the area as the Obama Administration's economic recovery plans unfold.
The group, many of whom were key volunteers last year in the Obama campaign's grassroots organizing operation throughout the area, are now working closely with the national Organizing for America (OFA) organization. The OFA Coalition believes that this is the logical continuation of the unprecedented grassroots-oriented campaign last year that saw huge numbers of people becoming more active and aware. The local OFA Coalition is committed to supporting the major policy changes and initiatives in health care, education, and energy that are key to the Obama Administration's economic recovery plans.
The OFA Coalition volunteers intend for events like this Health Care Forum to be a important way to show how a wide range of people -- both those who supported Obama and those who didn't -- can participate more effectively in government decisions at all levels. "The Health Care Forum is another chance for many of us to meet our neighbors and remember we're not alone in this crisis. Together, we'll to hear from Mr. Dingell, a national health care leader, and share with him the vital concerns of the community regarding this critical issue." said Tad Wysor, 15th district OFA leader.
I've moved my blog to http://seanmullally.blogspot.com
Check their for my current posts regarding progressive politics in West Michigan.
Thank you,
Sean Mullally
www.whitehouse.gov
US President Barack Obama has given US carmakers General Motors (GM) and Chrysler strict deadlines to restructure before getting more aid.
General Motors will be given 60 days and Chrysler just 30 days to submit new plans for recovery.
Soon after ordering the resignation of GM chief Rick Wagoner, Mr Obama said bankruptcy protection could speed up the restructuring process.
But he also offered conditional assurances about the industry's future.
Government guarantees
"We cannot, we must not and we will not let our auto industry simply vanish," said Mr Obama.
"But our auto industry is not moving in the right direction fast enough to succeed."
He said the car firms had run into trouble because of a "failure of leadership - from Washington to Detroit".
Restructuring plans may "mean using our bankruptcy code as a mechanism to help them restructure quickly and emerge stronger", he said.
This could make it easier for the firms to "quickly clear away their old debts that are weighing them down so they can get back on their feet and on to a path of success".
Mr Obama said this would not have to involve breaking the companies up.
Stocks slide
Talk of bankruptcy unsettled investors and US stocks fell sharply.
The leading Dow Jones index ended down 3.3% at 7,522.02 points in New York, with GM shares down 25% at $2.71.
Mr Obama reassured would-be buyers of vehicles made by Chrysler and GM that after-sales support would not be affected by the restructuring plans.
"If you buy a car from Chrysler or GM, you will be able to get your car serviced and repaired. Your warranty will be safe," he said.
"Because, starting today, the US government will stand behind your warranty."
Mr Obama said the restructuring plans submitted by the carmakers did not go "far enough to warrant the substantial new investments that these companies are requesting".
GM and Chrysler are looking for more than $20bn of government aid.
"My administration will offer GM and Chrysler a limited period of time with creditors, unions, and other stakeholders to fundamentally restructure in a way that would justify an investment of additional tax dollars."
The president also said he would work with Congress on a programme to encourage consumers to replace old, less fuel-efficient cars with newer, cleaner vehicles.
Germany and others have adopted such schemes, thus boosting vehicle sales.
'Far too slow'
GM has been told to come up with a new, more radical restructuring plan within 60 days in order to qualify for further funds.
The auto task force set up by the US administration to oversee the government bail-out of the carmakers said in a written report that GM "could be a viable business with a more aggressive restructuring plan".
The carmaker has already announced tens of thousands of job cuts and a number of factory closures in order to cut costs that have spiralled out of control as sales have slumped during the economic downturn.
But the task force criticised GM's progress on current restructuring efforts for being "far too slow".
Fiat alliance
In Chrysler's case, the task force questioned whether the company could survive alone and demanded a merger with Italy's Fiat - the two firms created a strategic alliance earlier this year - or another carmaker.
After President Obama's speech, Fiat and Chrysler announced they had reached the framework on a global alliance.
The US government would provide working capital for a further 30 days while a merger was discussed, it added.
If a merger is successful, then the government will consider investing up to $6bn.
The two carmakers have already received $17.4bn (£14.4bn) in bail-outs. Chrysler has requested a further $5bn, while GM says it needs $16.6bn more.
On Sunday, President Obama ordered the resignation of GM's chairman and chief executive, Rick Wagoner.
Kent Kresa will take over as interim chairman, while current GM President Fritz Henderson will serve as chief executive.
GM also announced that a number of new directors would be appointed to the board.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7972464.stm
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20642.html
Obama shakes up GM, ChryslerBy: Mike Allen and Josh Gerstein March 30, 2009 12:00 AM EST
President Barack Obama announced an extraordinary bid to remake the ailing U.S. auto industry Monday, saying he would withhold long-term federal aid to two carmakers unless they make sweeping changes to ensure their survival. In blunt terms, Obama said his vision for reshaping GM and Chrysler would be painful to the companies and their workers, but insisted the strong medicine was the only course to saving them – while also leaving open the possibility they could fail. And he spoke directly to auto workers and communities who rely on the plants, saying, “I will not pretend the tough times are over. I cannot promise you there isn’t more pain to come. But what I can promise you is this – I will fight for you. You are the reason I am here today.” “These efforts, as essential as they are, will not make everything better overnight. There are jobs that cannot be saved. There are plants that will not reopen. . . .” Obama also took the dramatic step of putting the federal government fully behind the two companies’ products – saying the United States would back the warranties on their cars for the rest of the years, in hopes that consumers wouldn’t shy away from the battered companies. In the case of GM, Obama sought the resignation of CEO Rick Wagoner, and Wagoner complied by stepping aside. Obama gave GM 60 days to restructure and sounded optimistic the company could.
In the case of Chrysler, Obama was much more pessimistic – giving them only 30 days to cut a merger deal with Italian automaker Fiat. If they merged, he offered $6 billion in new loans. If they don’t, Obama said they would get no more federal aid – and likely be forced into bankruptcy. “Year after year, decade after decade, we have seen problems papered-over and tough choices kicked down the road, even as foreign competitors outpaced us. Well, we have reached the end of that road,” Obama said. “And we, as a nation, cannot afford to shirk responsibility any longer. Now is the time to confront our problems head-on and do what’s necessary to solve them,” Obama said. “But I am confident that if we are each willing to do our part, then this restructuring, as painful as it will be in the short-term, will mark not an end, but a new beginning for a great American industry; an auto industry that is once more out-competing the world; a 21st century auto industry that is creating new jobs, unleashing new prosperity, and manufacturing the fuel-efficient cars and trucks that will carry us toward an energy independent future.” The White House first floated its plans Sunday, saying it had concluded that neither GM nor Chrysler as they now exist deserve more federal bailouts – and demanding dramatic steps by both companies to show they can survive. “The pain being felt in places that rely on our auto industry is not the fault of our workers, who labor tirelessly and desperately want to see their companies succeed. And it is not the fault of all the families and communities that supported manufacturing plants throughout the generations. Rather, it is a failure of leadership – from Washington to Detroit – that led our auto companies to this point,” Obama said. The administration found that both carmakers had failed to prove their “viability” as required under the terms of the massive government loans they’ve already received, and determined that neither should receive another bailout without making significant changes.
“We have unfortunately concluded that neither plan submitted by either company represents viability, and therefore does not warrant the substantial additional investments that they requested,” a senior administration official told reporters. Obama also made clear he feels confident GM can turn around, but he isn’t so sure about Chrysler. “Chrysler is a more difficult situation,” the official said. “If [Chrysler and Fiat] cannot come to a satisfactory agreement … and if no other viable partnership emerges for Chrysler, we will not be able to justify investing additional American tax dollars into Chrysler.” But Obama’s announcement already is running into resistance from Michigan lawmakers, who said it doesn’t go far enough. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said GM’s CEO Wagoner was being made into a sacrificial lamb. The shove to Wagoner, a 30-year GM veteran, came from the Treasury-led Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, which Obama named in February in lieu of a “car czar.” It is the most vivid example so far of the extraordinary new role that the government, as controller of the bailout purse strings, is playing in American business. GM and Chrysler have almost used up the $17.4 billion in combined federal aid they took in since December. GM has asked for up to $16.6 billion more, and Chrysler has requested another $5 billion. The warranty program, a surprise offering, is designed to encourage consumers to buy cars without having to worry about whether or not the manufacturer will be out of business by the time something breaks. The administration is promising to “stand behind new cars purchased from GM or Chrysler during this period … of uncertainty.” “No American should worry in buying a car from Chrysler, GM over this next period of time,” said the official, who added that the administration has no cost estimate for the “Warranty Commitment Program.” The administration also announced that to help the affected communities, it is naming a Director of Recovery for Auto Workers and Communities. The post will go to Edward Montgomery, a labor economist and former Deputy Secretary of Labor, whose job will be to “work to leverage all resources of government to support the workers, communities and regions that rely on the American auto industry.” In stark language, the administration’s five-page “Determination of Viability” for GM spells out the harsh findings: “General Motors has not satisfied the terms of its loan agreement. … It is strongly believed, however, that … a substantial restructuring will lead to a viable GM.” Officials made it clear that Chrysler is much worse off than GM. “If you even look at Chrysler’s own viability submission, you’ll see that based on their own assumptions, they kind of eke it along,” the official said. “They really never generate positive cash flow. They’re never in a position, really, to pay down their debt. It’s not … a very realistic or workable place for a company to be.” “If you look at things like Consumer Reports’ ranking of cars, you’ll see very great differences between those two companies,” the official continued. “General Motors' Malibu won the car of the year award last year. Chrysler has zero cars – no cars – that are recommended by Consumer Reports.” The official added: “There are certainly lots of fine Chrysler cars out there and we’re not trying to dissuade anyone from buying them. But we are attempting to make these viability assessments.”
