By two authors, called collectively JJ Kennedy
Please check out our sites: groups.myspace.com/stophatej, jj.kennedy@live.com, and more to come with our main website, myspace, facebook, twitter, and youtube. Expect seriousness, commedy, and satire all rolled into one massive networked political site.
Join our effort and become a member and contribute within our network, send us an email.
Healthcare Reform Reality Check
Some people say that a public option is not the way to go because it will cost too much, its a ranting lie that will kill grandma, it is too socialist; the opposition to the public option needs a reality check.
1. One of the arguments against President Obama's plan is that it is simply too expensive and will drain our economy increasing the already massive deficit left behind by the Bush administration. Reality check? The health care reform plan will not add anything to the deficit, and in fact it is paid for upfront. Fiscal responsibility is written all over this reform, addressing the realistic need for money and still providing effective health care. The first step is to start off fixing what is broken within the system. Namely, returning to realistic health care costs, which have risen four times faster than inflation based on a big business principle of maximizing profit rather than health. President Obama's plan focuses on quality care rather than quantity, a system where successful treatment of patients is more important than wasteful big medical business fraud. The plan will implement various delivery system reforms, making the medical system both more affordable and effective. Most importantly, the plan will bring about more effective preventative care which will reduce over-all long-term medical expenses; preventing illness before they happen and masively reducing the excessive future medical bills.
2. Clearly republicans are not in sync with the people. Some believe in the lies and propaganda from FOX NEWS and other right-wing whackjobs. This junk from the 'Death Panals' or 'Deathers', or that it will fund euthanasia and abortion, or the absurd notions that this plan will 'kill grandma' are the most ridiculous mythical arguments geared to convince the nearsighted right-wing zombies. Once again, right wing deception emerges. Why do people so easily fall for this junk? Can't people see how foolish and absurd these pack of lies are.
3. Is this socialism? Yes and no. It is socialistic in the nature that giving equal education to our children is socialism. It is socialistic in the manner which social security and care for the disabled is socialism. It is socialism as in creating an American nation with opportunity for the American dream. At the same time, it is not a complete socialistic system. It is socialsitic tools used properly within an over-all capitalistic framework. Not all forms of socialism are negative, and in fact many forms create positive results as any disabled person, senior citizen on social security, or a person who is a product of the an education system would necessarily attest to. It is creating opportunity and creating human dignity.
A civilization is measured by its characteristics, ethics, and culture. A mark of our civilization is how we as a society treat the least amongst us. The love we show within our treatment to our elderly, disabled, innocent children, and medically ill is a reflection of the value we place within human dignity.
"It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance to those who don’t. And it will lower the cost of health care for our families, our businesses, and our government."– President Barack Obama
"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die"Ted Kennedy
For more details, see http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health_care/plan/
http://groups.myspace.com/stophatej
Join our discussions! Get involved with community service, volunteering, and fund raising efforts. Lets make the changes through our actions. Unity we can create the change we need.“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” (Henceforth LL & P/H)LL & P/H are self-evident truths, not given by the Declaration of Independence but by human nature itself – as stated. These ‘rights’ are ‘self-evident’ in human nature, entailing the existence of a natural 'self-evidentual' causation of these rights; I here put forward that this causation is some innate value within human nature. This value seems to be happiness itself; assuming happiness to mean something like ‘positive and ultimately preferred state of mind in a rational and Sentient being’ (See NOTE 1).To put this value under ethical consideration would mean analyzing any given set of variable actions in any given situation for what action would be best/better, therefore right, or worst/worse, therefore wrong. Furthermore, if we accept that each possessor of this value itself has a ‘right’ to it and has a unique value separated from the whole then there could be no ultimate utilitarian or collective value to this happiness at the expense of one for the other. i.e. To maximize over-all value is ideal, however this value is a right to each individual which implies that maximization of over-all value would not be allowed to come at a sacrifice to an individual’s own rights to their own value (NOTE 2). This would imply a preventative like that of Kant’s Ends and Means principle. Each possessor of this value must necessarily be treated as an end in and of itself and never as a mere means to some other end (NOTE 3).Based upon this theory, could torture or detainee mistreatment ever be a right action?To answer this question we must first note that as far as ethics are concerned there is no national preference. This innate value is capable of being experienced within human nature itself equally among all races, cultures, and national affiliation. LL & P/H are ‘self-evident’ in human nature itself, reflecting that this natural right is only capable of being stolen and not being given by any government/nation or culture. Ergo, if torture is permissible on a foreigner in an ethical situation it would necessarily be permissible on an American in a like ethical situation. Also, if it is right/wrong for a foreign body to torture a U.S. combatant for national security it would also be right/wrong to torture foreign combatant personnel for national security. If my previous ethical considerations are accepted, I do not think any rational patriot would conclude that it is right to torture a U.S. combatant therefore it would follow that it is equally wrong to torture foreign combatants. So let us move forward and only consider what the government defines as ‘unlawful’ enemy combatants.To torture someone who is merely suspected of something (i.e. guilt or innocence unknown) would clearly be unjustifiably treating a possessor of value as a means to another countries’ end. If punishment or torture for information was accepted on those basis’s, it would not respect the others innate rights based on human nature; furthermore if it is done in the name of security the implications would necessarily spiral downward to multiple levels of security including U.S. prisoners suspected being murderers, rapists, kidnappers, and etc – whose guilt, by definition, has not yet been determined. Hence, guilt must be properly established before detainee is treated as if guilty and the detainee must be respectful as ‘end’ in and of him/herself.What if the guilt is already determined? If someone violates the law it is clear that for preventative purposes that individual loses some of their rights. At the same time, to torture someone who merely pick-pocketed would be absurd and obviously wrong – and even a violation of that persons rights despite having lost some rights due to their action. Where, then, exactly is the line in the treatment of people who have lost their rights based upon being guilty? This is an obvious ethical grey area which would require far more writing then here available, but I will discuss one common argument. What about the ‘ticking bomb’ scenario? That is, someone says “I have a bomb in X city but I am not going to tell you where it is”. This scenario is always mentioned by torture supporters but the scenario itself is rarely ever an actuality – instead, it seems more of an excuse to permit torture in other cases for punishment or strategic information seeking. What I will say here is that any treatment of the detainee by a Democracy ought to, in my view, be acceptable by the public. That is to say, all cases of detainee mistreatment, like that of torture, should be video-recorded and documented for the public to later have access to. Lest we error on the wrong side in our treatment, it should also follow that the president him/herself must be present either by video or in person therefore holding direct accountability in the rare and next to non-existent situation of a ‘ticking-bomb’ scenario. I will not here adventure further down this grey area, since for the purpose of this article in will be clear that the Bush administration included torture and mistreatments on mere suspects, suspects who never obtained proper legal consideration. The detainees’ own ends were disregarded and they were treated as mere means for another end (read The Dark Side by Jane Mayer).In addition to this, it is also important to note that degradation of humanity often increases the tendency for radicalization within any given society. For example, if we want to start race riots merely degrading and lynching a black citizen would likely spark the radicalization required for such riots. To occupy a country and to conduct mistreatment of detainees would most definitely have a similar effect; if terrorists are created by hatred and by radicalization then indeed such steps as torture or any general mistreatment of humanity would drastically increase the number of terrorists; the supposed purpose of torturing, for national security, would in fact worsen national security.The policies of the Bush administration undertook torture and mistreatment upon suspects as explained in ‘The Dark Side’ by Jane Mayer. We have herein shown how mistreatment/torture of suspects is clearly unethical. Ethics would demand an investigation of their actions; the Bush administration are suspects themselves and should be treated properly as ends, however to deny a full and proper investigation would be to put our political system above our ethics and laws.The good news? Obama: "My view is also that nobody’s above the law and, if there are clear instances of wrongdoing, that people should be prosecuted just like any ordinary citizen. But that, generally speaking, I’m more interested in looking forward than I am in looking backwards." (News conference, feb. 9 2009)NOTE 1: ‘Preferred’ may or may not be a rational or known preference; in most cases it is a conceivable preference that one would only truly know if one was all-wise and all-knowing. For example: Jane ‘prefers’ to marry John. John later repeatedly abuses Jane. Jane would not have preferred to marry John had she been all-wise. Ultimate preference here would be defined as what one’s state of mind would ultimately prefer from an idealized all-wise and all-knowing point of view.NOTE 2: Example - John wants to satisfy his sexual urges with Jane but is not interested in a commited relationship. Jane wants a committed relationship. It would be wrong to give Jane the impression of marriage merely to satisfy those urges because that would mean that John is seeking to maximize his own value at the sacrifice of Jane’s right to her value which is wrong, no matter the over-all maximium level of happiness or unhappiness produced.NOTE 3: See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kant for more info on Kant’s ends and means principle.Read ‘The Dark Side’ by Jane Mayer
Those words were so powerful when I first heard them that I put them in a song. I am a Seattle musician. I've sang "Minnesota" at ever show I've had since then, which is at least 4O times.
Please watch the video and pass it on! just copy and paste the link, it's easy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ8sPG97GkA
www.alimarcus.com
There are just four days left before Election Day and the campaign's Get Out the Vote effort is running on all cylinders to ensure that Barack is elected on November 4th.
Tomorrow, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean will make stops in St. Cloud and Minneapolis to rally supporters to "Get Out the Vote" over the next few days.
Governor Dean will campaign for Barack Obama, Al Franken, Elwyn Tinklenberg and other DFL candidates. He’ll appear alongside Tinklenberg, state Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, Thomasin Frankin, Mayor RT Rybak, and Rep. Keith Ellison.
Here are the details:
Saturday, November 1: ST CLOUD: Get Out The Vote Rally for Change with Gov. Howard Dean FEATURING: El Tinklenberg, Minnesota Senator Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark and Thomasin Frankin Campaign For Change Office 904 West St. Germain Street St. Cloud, MN 5PM MINNEAPOLIS Get Out The Vote Concert for Change With Howard Dean, Martin Zellar, White Light Riot, and the Radiators FEATURING: Mayor RT Rybak, Thomasin Frankin, and Rep. Keith Ellison Trocaderos Nightclub & Restaurant 107 3rd Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 8PM
Saturday, November 1:
ST CLOUD: Get Out The Vote Rally for Change with Gov. Howard Dean FEATURING: El Tinklenberg, Minnesota Senator Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark and Thomasin Frankin
Campaign For Change Office 904 West St. Germain Street St. Cloud, MN 5PM
MINNEAPOLIS Get Out The Vote Concert for Change With Howard Dean, Martin Zellar, White Light Riot, and the Radiators FEATURING: Mayor RT Rybak, Thomasin Frankin, and Rep. Keith Ellison
Trocaderos Nightclub & Restaurant 107 3rd Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 8PM
Governor Dean knows that in 2000 and 2004 the Republican turn-out machine helped deliver the presidency to George Bush, twice. Over the last 21 months, grassroots supporters across Minnesota -- many of whom had never been involved in politics before -- have built an organization to match. In four days, we'll know who wins.
But the one thing we do know is that you can't win if you don't fight. This weekend is your chance to be part of that fight.
The clock starts this weekend.
Polls close in four days.
This Thursday, October 30th, please join President Bill Clinton with special guests U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senate Candidate Al Franken in Minneapolis, where they will talk about Barack's vision for creating the kind of change we need.
Five Days to Change Rally with President Bill Clinton and Special Guests Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken Minneapolis Convention Center Exhibit Hall A 1301 2nd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN Thursday, October 30th Doors Open: 7:00 p.m.
http://mn.barackobama.com/MinneapolisChange The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however an RSVP is strongly encouraged. For security reasons, do not bring bags and please limit personal items. No signs, banners, or umbrellas permitted.
The Obama for America and Al Franken for Senate campaigns today announced that former President Bill Clinton will headline a “Five Days to Change” Get-Out-The-Vote rally in Minneapolis Thursday evening. Clinton will be joined by U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
President Clinton will talk about Barack's vision for creating the kind of change we need and the candidates, like Al, who are working to help make that happen.
Five Days to Change Rally with President Bill Clinton
Minneapolis Convention Center Exhibit Hall A 1301 2nd Ave S Minneapolis, MN
Thursday, October 30th Doors Open: 7:00 p.m.
RSVP Online at: http://MN.BarackObama.com/FiveDaysToChange
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however, an RSVP is strongly encouraged.
Don't forget to RSVP at http://MN.BarackObama.com/FiveDaysToChange
Over the past 18 month's Barack's message of change has inspired students, mothers and fathers, grandparents, union workers, waitresses, teachers, including many an Irish-American.
Recently, State Rep. Erin Murphy sat down with Liz Carroll and Daithi Sproule before an evening performance in St. Paul for a "jam session" about the importance of this election.
Liz, the daughter of Irish immigrants, is one of the nation's most reverred Celtic musicians, often appearing with Daithi, who is an accomplished guitarist in his own right.
Check out the video:
From our many backgrounds, we are unified behind a single goal: to work alongside Barack Obama to restore the promise of our nation – a nation that combines our many roots into collective strength — and give Americans of all backgrounds the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
The outcome of this election is too important to just wait and see what happens. Our time is now.
Help us "Get Out the Vote" for Barack Obama over the next 12 days, and be a part of the change you want to see in the world.
Check out these photos from the "Change We Need" rally in Hibbing with Hillary Clinton and share your own.
In Hibbing last night, Hillary Clinton drew on her years of public service and made a lucid observation on the choice Minnesotans have in this election.
This election is really coming down to one simple slogan. It's a slogan that embodies what Democrats stand for, what we fight for, what we believe: "Jobs, baby, jobs!" That's what it's about and that's why we need Barack Obama and Joe Biden. With Democrats in the White House and in the Congress, we will end the tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas, we're going to start creating jobs in America again. We did it before and we can do it again.
This election is really coming down to one simple slogan. It's a slogan that embodies what Democrats stand for, what we fight for, what we believe: "Jobs, baby, jobs!" That's what it's about and that's why we need Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
With Democrats in the White House and in the Congress, we will end the tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas, we're going to start creating jobs in America again. We did it before and we can do it again.
Barack Obama has a plan to jumpstart the American economy, provide middle class tax relief, and provide quality, affordable healthcare to every American. This fact, and the reality that on every one of these issues John McCain is disturbingly out of touch with middle class families, was not lost on Hillary:
Senator McCain has repeatedly said that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong." Well, maybe they are if you're looking through rose-colored glasses. But if you're living with both feet on the ground and you're going in and out of people's homes and you're listening to what's on your minds, there isn't any way you could reach that conclusion. But to George Bush and John McCain the middle class isn't fundamental, it's ornamental. They don't understand that if you don't have a strong and prosperous middle class, we will not have a strong and prosperous America.
Senator McCain has repeatedly said that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong."
Well, maybe they are if you're looking through rose-colored glasses. But if you're living with both feet on the ground
and you're going in and out of people's homes and you're listening to what's on your minds, there isn't any way you could reach that conclusion.
But to George Bush and John McCain the middle class isn't fundamental, it's ornamental. They don't understand that if you don't have a strong and prosperous middle class, we will not have a strong and prosperous America.
"The evidence is clear," continued Hillary, a champion for working families in her own right, "Barack Obama and the Democrats are for you. And that's why I hope you will be for the DFL candidates up and down the ballot to delivver the change we need."
Folks in Minnesota are struggling to cope with a failing economy and looking for real leadership from the next President. Since President Bush has taken office, health care costs have risen 4.3 times faster than average wages in Minnesota, and over 430,000 Minnesota residents – and over 45 million nationally – lack health insurance today.
The situation in Minnesota is just a microcosm of what's happening across the country, a situation which will only get worse if John McCain is allowed to continue the failed policies of the last eight years.
That's why we have to take action to prevent that from happening:
There isn't anybody who really thinks we could survive the next 4 years if they're like the last 8 years and recognize our country. The income inequality will continue to expand, people will start losing their hope and their belief in the American dream. I know that you probably have friends and even families, coworkers and neighbors who are not yet decided; who may even be thinking of voting for the McCain-Palin ticket. That dog don't hunt anymore. You can't keep rewarding the same bad policies and expect to get anything better.
There isn't anybody who really thinks we could survive the next 4 years if they're like the last 8 years and recognize our country. The income inequality will continue to expand, people will start losing their hope and their belief in the American dream.
I know that you probably have friends and even families, coworkers and neighbors who are not yet decided; who may even be thinking of voting for the McCain-Palin ticket.
That dog don't hunt anymore. You can't keep rewarding the same bad policies and expect to get anything better.
"So I hope each and everyone of you will go out and talk to those who are yet undecided. Maybe try to persuade those you think are heading in the wrong direction," added Hillary.
Join the tens of thousands of volunteers across Minnesota who have responded to Barack's call to service. You can phonebank, go door-to-door, volunteer in your Campaign for Change office, or even clean up a local park or roadway in your community.
It's all about making change in your community, and we're proud that you're making a difference.
Or, as Hillary put it in Hibbing last night: "This is our moment, this is our time."
With less than two weeks until Election Day, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Obama’s Minnesota state director Jeff Blodgett will make four campaign stops across Minnesota to make the case for change to undecided Minnesota voters.
Events will be held in St. Paul, St Cloud, Grand Rapids and Virginia to highlight Senator Obama’s comprehensive plans to restore the economy and lead our country in the 21st century.
The day’s events will kick off at 10 AM at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Thursday. With undecided voters making their decisions over the next few days, these events will speak to independent voters who are concerned with the direction of our economy and are fed up with the viscous attacks and smear tactics being used in the campaign.
Jeff Blodgett explains:
Undecided voters are starting to make their choices and they are seeing a stark contrast between the two candidates for President. Senator McCain has been erratic and out of touch in the face of a serious economic crisis, while Barack Obama has shown strong and steady leadership. As Minnesotans have struggled to deal with the economic crisis, the McCain campaign has stooped to the worst kind of smear tactics that our political process has to offer and Minnesotans are just fed up. Minnesotans want to hear about how we’ll get out of this economic mess, not more negativity and dishonesty.
Undecided voters are starting to make their choices and they are seeing a stark contrast between the two candidates for President. Senator McCain has been erratic and out of touch in the face of a serious economic crisis, while Barack Obama has shown strong and steady leadership.
As Minnesotans have struggled to deal with the economic crisis, the McCain campaign has stooped to the worst kind of smear tactics that our political process has to offer and Minnesotans are just fed up. Minnesotans want to hear about how we’ll get out of this economic mess, not more negativity and dishonesty.
St. Paul Senator Amy Klobuchar State Capitol Room B-15 Program Begins: 10:00 AM St. Cloud Economic Round Table East Side VFW 104 Franklin Avenue Northeast St. Cloud, MN Program Begins: 12:00 PM Grand Rapids Canvass Kickoff Grand Rapids Campaign for Change Office 809 NE 4th Street Grand Rapids, MN Program Begins: 4:00 PM Virginia House Party Home of Paul Cerkvenik 817 S 5th Avenue Virginia, MN Program Begins: 5:30 PM
St. Paul Senator Amy Klobuchar State Capitol Room B-15
Program Begins: 10:00 AM
St. Cloud Economic Round Table East Side VFW 104 Franklin Avenue Northeast St. Cloud, MN
Program Begins: 12:00 PM
Grand Rapids Canvass Kickoff Grand Rapids Campaign for Change Office 809 NE 4th Street Grand Rapids, MN
Program Begins: 4:00 PM
Virginia House Party Home of Paul Cerkvenik 817 S 5th Avenue Virginia, MN
Program Begins: 5:30 PM
Yesterday, Iron Range gave the type of hometown welcome its famous for when nearly 5000 people welcomed Senator Hillary Clinton to Hibbing.
Folks started lining up as early as 3 o'clock for their chance to hear Hillary outline Barack's vision for the kind of change Minnesota needs.
As Hillary looked out at the audience in the Hibbing Memorial Arena, she noted that the folks gathered there were "people who have been at the core of making America safe and making America work."
Just as the iron ore that made the steel enabled us to win these conflicts, Minnesota's Iron Range casts the votes that made the difference in statewide campaigns that elected John F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale. You have given more than your iron ore, your steel, and your votes. You have sacrificed for America... Northeastern Minnesota had the highest per capita enlistment rate in WWII, one of the highest in other conflicts after the Great War, and many of you, your children, and loved ones have served and proudly serve today. Our nation owes you a great gratitude. The working men and women of Northeastern Minnesota--the miners, the loggers, the building trades, the steelworkers, the teachers, the laborers--people who have worked for yourselves and your family, your community, and your country. And you deserve better than what you've been delivered the last eight years by the Republican leadership in Washington.
Just as the iron ore that made the steel enabled us to win these conflicts, Minnesota's Iron Range casts the votes that made the difference in statewide campaigns that elected John F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale.
You have given more than your iron ore, your steel, and your votes. You have sacrificed for America... Northeastern Minnesota had the highest per capita enlistment rate in WWII, one of the highest in other conflicts after the Great War, and many of you, your children, and loved ones have served and proudly serve today. Our nation owes you a great gratitude. The working men and women of Northeastern Minnesota--the miners, the loggers, the building trades, the steelworkers, the teachers, the laborers--people who have worked for yourselves and your family, your community, and your country.
And you deserve better than what you've been delivered the last eight years by the Republican leadership in Washington.
Among the veterans in the crowd was retired U.S. Marine Breanna Osterhoudt, who wants to see change in the veterans benefits.
"We'll, I'm here because I'm a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton and Obama. I served four years in the United States Marine Corps, and I think we need a change.
Barack has a plan to help our veterans. The Obama-Biden plan will strengthen VA care by fully funding the VA and improving care for polytrauma vision impairment, prosthetics, spinal cord injury, aging, and women's health. Learn more about the Obama-Biden plan for veterans here.
Hillary spoke of the important role the next thirteen days play in determining whether the country continues down the same course or charts a new course in a new direction:
In these next days, people will be reaching a decision that will impact America for years to come. This is truly a fight for the future and its a fight we must win, and its a fight we have waged and won before. Yes, times may be tough, but we're tougher than the times and you need to look no further than the hardworking, nation-serving, patriotic people of the Iron Range and Northern Minnesota.
In these next days, people will be reaching a decision that will impact America for years to come. This is truly a fight for the future and its a fight we must win, and its a fight we have waged and won before.
Yes, times may be tough, but we're tougher than the times and you need to look no further than the hardworking, nation-serving, patriotic people of the Iron Range and Northern Minnesota.
With such a short time left, we need everyone to get involved and make phone calls, and canvass as part of our grassroots campaign for change.
As Hillary said last night, "So my friends, this is our moment, this is our time... Let's go win the election and change America!"
Across Minnesota, something is stirring. Folks are tired of the failed policies of the last eight years, and hungry to see America move in a new direction.
Jeanie from Kandiyohi writes to the West Central Tribune:
A couple bought a duplex house. After a few years the husband died. Then the wife had to reside and reroof the house. She said the person who handled it lied to her and to the banker. When it was refinanced she owed twice as much as the house originally cost. Her renter fell down some steps at work. Because they would not pay her workman’s comp, she came to owe $6,000. At that time she was asked to leave. Her son and his friend rented the house. Then the wife found out that she had lymphoma. This cancer is not curable but can go into remission. Although she had insurance where she worked, she had to pay so much to the hospital that she was behind. At first she figured she would die but then she went into remission. It was shortly before her time off the job, fighting to recover would have been too long and she would have lost her job. She did go back to work but gave up on keeping the house and quit making payments. Then her daughter with three children lost her job at Head Start because the program was shut down. She came to the house to live. Her mother already had plans to move into her sister’s small house but the daughter has decided to stay there until she is kicked out. She is now working at Target for $7 an hour. Her son graduates next spring so she is trying to stay in that school district until then. We need to change things after the last eight years of war, and the rich getting richer and the middle class getting poor. Please, please change the dynamics of this country by voting for Barack Obama for president. Jeanie Thorpe Kandiyohi
A couple bought a duplex house. After a few years the husband died. Then the wife had to reside and reroof the house. She said the person who handled it lied to her and to the banker. When it was refinanced she owed twice as much as the house originally cost.
Her renter fell down some steps at work. Because they would not pay her workman’s comp, she came to owe $6,000. At that time she was asked to leave. Her son and his friend rented the house.
Then the wife found out that she had lymphoma. This cancer is not curable but can go into remission. Although she had insurance where she worked, she had to pay so much to the hospital that she was behind.
At first she figured she would die but then she went into remission. It was shortly before her time off the job, fighting to recover would have been too long and she would have lost her job.
She did go back to work but gave up on keeping the house and quit making payments.
Then her daughter with three children lost her job at Head Start because the program was shut down. She came to the house to live. Her mother already had plans to move into her sister’s small house but the daughter has decided to stay there until she is kicked out. She is now working at Target for $7 an hour.
Her son graduates next spring so she is trying to stay in that school district until then.
We need to change things after the last eight years of war, and the rich getting richer and the middle class getting poor.
Please, please change the dynamics of this country by voting for Barack Obama for president.
Jeanie Thorpe
Kandiyohi
What are you doing this weekend? Sign up to help "Get Out the Vote" for Barack. Our on the ground effort is critical in the next two weeks. We only have 13 days left to persuade undecided voters.
New to the site or still undecided? Learn more about Barack Obama and his position on important issues. If you're already a supporter, find out what you can do to help between now and Election Day.
Joe sent out the email below last night....
My wife Jill is an extraordinary woman. Jill's passion has always been education, and even during the campaign she's been teaching class during the week and joining me on the trail on the weekends. But this week, she also found some time to go to campaign headquarters and call voters in crucial battleground states. Jill has always had a great time talking to potential supporters, and I'm sure her calls brought Barack and me a few votes closer to victory. But you live in a battleground state, which means you're in a unique position to talk to swing voters face-to-face. Will you reach out to potential supporters in your community by going door-to-door? Watch this video of my wife reaching out to swing voters -- then get a list of voters near you and start knocking on doors today. With the conventions and the debates behind us, this election is now in your hands. Reaching out to swing voters is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference right now. No matter how many rallies Barack and I hold or speeches we give, supporters like you talking to fellow voters one-on-one is the way we're going to win this election. Get your list of supporters today and knock on doors this weekend: http://MN.barackobama.com/n2nMN Thanks for everything you're doing, Joe P.S. -- Can't talk to voters this weekend? Sign up to make calls for the campaign later this week.
My wife Jill is an extraordinary woman.
Jill's passion has always been education, and even during the campaign she's been teaching class during the week and joining me on the trail on the weekends. But this week, she also found some time to go to campaign headquarters and call voters in crucial battleground states.
Jill has always had a great time talking to potential supporters, and I'm sure her calls brought Barack and me a few votes closer to victory.
But you live in a battleground state, which means you're in a unique position to talk to swing voters face-to-face. Will you reach out to potential supporters in your community by going door-to-door?
Watch this video of my wife reaching out to swing voters -- then get a list of voters near you and start knocking on doors today.
With the conventions and the debates behind us, this election is now in your hands.
Reaching out to swing voters is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference right now.
No matter how many rallies Barack and I hold or speeches we give, supporters like you talking to fellow voters one-on-one is the way we're going to win this election.
Get your list of supporters today and knock on doors this weekend:
http://MN.barackobama.com/n2nMN
Thanks for everything you're doing,
Joe
P.S. -- Can't talk to voters this weekend? Sign up to make calls for the campaign later this week.
Earlier today, DFL Associate Chair, Donna Cassutt sent out the email below promoting the Campaign for Change's Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) effort...
In 17 short days, Minnesotans will go to the polls to vote in the most historic election of our time. That is, of course, if they are asked. We know that the number one reason people don’t vote is that no one asked them to. Will you join me in these final few days of the campaign and ask our fellow Minnesotans to join us at the polls on November 4? This weekend, we are pleased to launch a new website, www.gotvforchange.com. In the final days leading up to Election Day, we’ll need thousands of volunteers to fill thousands of shifts as we Get Out the Vote in all corners of Minnesota. We’ll be walking door to door and calling our neighbors, encouraging them to vote for the entire DFL ticket. Visit www.gotvforchange.com right now to sign up. Many of you have been working hard during a very long campaign. You've been incredible. You might be tired. You might be thinking it’s someone else’s turn to help out. You might think that we’re going to win. But we can’t give up now. Campaigns are about how we finish and we're almost there. No one will remember how many doors we knocked on or how many phone calls we made if Senator Obama doesn’t win Minnesota. But when he does, because of your efforts, we will know that we pushed to the end to make it happen. Let’s keep pushing. I’m fired up and ready to go. Are you? Click here to sign up right now. We need your help to encourage our neighbors to go to the polls in the final days of this campaign. We know the most effective way to motivate voters is by calling them or visiting with them on their doorstep. Whether you can volunteer a few hours or several days, it is critical to our success that you sign up now to talk with your neighbors to ensure Minnesotans vote for change on November 4. You might say – well, I don’t want to wait until the weekend before Election Day to start helping. Excellent. We have offices throughout Minnesota that are up and running day and night right now and we’d love to have you stop by and pitch in. Click here to find an office near you. Thank you so much for all you do, and will do to help get out the vote. With your efforts, we will elect Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States, send Al Franken to the Senate, elect three new Democratic members of Congress and secure a veto-proof majority in the Minnesota House. With your help, the DFL will win – up and down the ballot – in all corners of the state. Sincerely, Donna Cassutt Associate Chair Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party P.S. There is too much at stake to stay home. It will take each and every one of us to do our part to achieve victory on November 4. Please visit www.gotvforchange.com to sign up now.
In 17 short days, Minnesotans will go to the polls to vote in the most historic election of our time. That is, of course, if they are asked. We know that the number one reason people don’t vote is that no one asked them to.
Will you join me in these final few days of the campaign and ask our fellow Minnesotans to join us at the polls on November 4?
This weekend, we are pleased to launch a new website, www.gotvforchange.com. In the final days leading up to Election Day, we’ll need thousands of volunteers to fill thousands of shifts as we Get Out the Vote in all corners of Minnesota. We’ll be walking door to door and calling our neighbors, encouraging them to vote for the entire DFL ticket.
Visit www.gotvforchange.com right now to sign up.
Many of you have been working hard during a very long campaign. You've been incredible. You might be tired. You might be thinking it’s someone else’s turn to help out. You might think that we’re going to win. But we can’t give up now.
Campaigns are about how we finish and we're almost there. No one will remember how many doors we knocked on or how many phone calls we made if Senator Obama doesn’t win Minnesota. But when he does, because of your efforts, we will know that we pushed to the end to make it happen. Let’s keep pushing.
I’m fired up and ready to go. Are you? Click here to sign up right now.
We need your help to encourage our neighbors to go to the polls in the final days of this campaign. We know the most effective way to motivate voters is by calling them or visiting with them on their doorstep. Whether you can volunteer a few hours or several days, it is critical to our success that you sign up now to talk with your neighbors to ensure Minnesotans vote for change on November 4.
You might say – well, I don’t want to wait until the weekend before Election Day to start helping. Excellent. We have offices throughout Minnesota that are up and running day and night right now and we’d love to have you stop by and pitch in.
Click here to find an office near you.
Thank you so much for all you do, and will do to help get out the vote. With your efforts, we will elect Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States, send Al Franken to the Senate, elect three new Democratic members of Congress and secure a veto-proof majority in the Minnesota House. With your help, the DFL will win – up and down the ballot – in all corners of the state.
Sincerely,
Donna Cassutt Associate Chair Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
P.S. There is too much at stake to stay home. It will take each and every one of us to do our part to achieve victory on November 4. Please visit www.gotvforchange.com to sign up now.
The Obama campaign just announced that Hillary Clinton will campaign for Barack and Joe up on the Iron Range next week.
ST. PAUL – U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton will hold a public rally for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign next Tuesday evening on the Iron Range.Sen. Clinton will speak with Minnesotans about her trust in Sen. Obama’s steady leadership and ability to turn around our economic crisis. Sen. Clinton will discuss the current crisis and the leadership required to bring the change we need.More details will be announced in the coming days.
ST. PAUL – U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton will hold a public rally for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign next Tuesday evening on the Iron Range.
Sen. Clinton will speak with Minnesotans about her trust in Sen. Obama’s steady leadership and ability to turn around our economic crisis. Sen. Clinton will discuss the current crisis and the leadership required to bring the change we need.More details will be announced in the coming days.
Hillary said it best in Scranton last week:
Barack Obama and Joe Biden are for you and that’s why I am for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. My friends, this is an all-hands-on-deck moment for America. We’ve got to work hard and we’ve got to work together. This is a fight for the future and it is a fight we must win.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden are for you and that’s why I am for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
My friends, this is an all-hands-on-deck moment for America. We’ve got to work hard and we’ve got to work together. This is a fight for the future and it is a fight we must win.
All hands-on-deck!
Let's change this country!
Last weekend, a group of "Mamas for Obama" used the my.barackobama.com grassroots organizing tool to set up a playdate with their kids at their neighborhood park.
From the beginning, this campaign has been about everyday people stepping up to make change happen in their own communities. As Barack said today in Londonberry, NH:
John McCain thinks this campaign is all about me – but the truth is, this campaign is about you. Your jobs. Your health care. Your retirement. Your children’s future. That’s what this election is about. That’s what I’m fighting for. Because I can take 3 more weeks of these attacks from John McCain, but the American people can’t take four more years of the same failed policies and the same divisive politics. That’s why I’m running for President of the United States.
Barack was raised by a single mother who put herself through school, followed her passion for helping others, and taught Barack that there are no barriers to success if you are willing to work for it.
His grandmother, who also helped to raise him, worked on a bomber assembly line during World War II. Michelle, Barack's wife, has been described as "the rock of the Obama family." She and Barack want their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, to grow up in an America where both work and family are part of the American Dream.
All of Barack's accomplishments have been made possible because of these women. And it is because of these women that Barack fights for women's rights. He fights for healthcare and education, support for working parents and an insistence on equality.
These are the issues that are important to the women who support Barack -- women who come from all types of backgrounds, and who are united by care for their families and their communities.
We can turn the page on the last eight years and create a better world for our children, but we need your help. By talking with your neighbors about Barack's plan for women and families you can help bring change to Minnesota and to America.
This election is too important to sit on the sidelines -- so get out there, and get started!
Check out the pictures from the "Mamas for Obama" playdate and share your photos with us:
http://www.drudgereport.com/
{{{{DRUDGE POLL}}}} WHO WON THE FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?...MCCAIN
