Port St. Lucie, August 12, 2009 – Press Release
Port St. Lucie, FL - On Saturday, August 29, Iduka Corporation will hold its inaugural “Little Black Dress Party for College Affordability” event in Port St. Lucie to bring members of the community together to show support for college students with varying financial needs. The event will take place in Saint Lucie West at Elements Martini Bar, 2096 NW Courtyard Circle, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986.
Online registration is available at http://www.iduka.citymax.com/events1.html. Pre-registered participants will pay $5 at the door, all other attendees without RSVP will pay $10 donation for entry. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Drink specials and finger food will be served until 10:00 p.m. Ladies in black dresses are eligible to win prizes! Ladies get one free drink. Please register early, as space is limited!
Iduka Corporation is a non-profit organization that has a pending application for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Our mission is to promote college affordability by connecting students with lenders, schools, and community service organizations through an Internet based micro-loan program.
Our goal is to provide students and their families one more financial tool to help them in their pursuit of higher education. We make this possible by offering an innovative plan based in a Web-based micro-lending system that connects students with lenders, and incorporates, whenever possible, student volunteerism as a mean for students to pay back their loans.
Media contact:
Darlene Craddock
darlene.craddock@iduka.org
772-284-6455
www.iduka.org
www.iduka.citymax.com
www.facebook.com/iduka.microloans
In his first weekly address, President-elect Obama today noted that while the road ahead to economic recovery is long, we will get there if "each of us resolves to pitch in." Americans yearn to do just that, though many are justifiably suspect of increased taxes being effectively utilized by the federal government to help hard-working fellow citizens who need some help achieving the dream. More likely, folks expect the money will get "lost" in the pockets of Capitol Hill.
So if we want to "spread the wealth," here's an idea to do just that. Instead of increasing taxes, create a fund backed by the Federal Government and managed by an independent financial/economic titan Americans trust (e.g. Warren Buffett) that is dedicated to helping American families and small businesses get through this tough economic period. Targeted at households earning $100,000 or more, the 24-month American Families & Small Business Investment Fund would be offered as a payroll option workers could allocate a small percentage of their salary toward with a tax-free benefit and nominal yield at its closing in 2011. In turn, the fund will act as a microcredit source for qualifying families and small businesses that need short-term financial assistance in this challenging time … it’s the 21st century American version of the Grameen Bank. Here’s how it works:
TODAY
· Jane the architect currently earns $4,000 a week - $208,000 a year.
· Approx. 8.8% of Jane’s weekly salary goes to pre-tax deductions for medical, dental, vision and 401k.
· Another 25.6% of Jane’s weekly salary goes to federal Taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.
· This leaves Jane with $2,715 a week.
ENTER THE FUND
· Starting in January 2009, Jane elects a payroll option to have 3% of her weekly salary invested in the American Families & Small Business Investment Fund - $109 a week or $5,668 annually at a tax-free, 2% interest rate – leaving Jane with $2,606 a week.
· The fund allows qualifying families and businesses to take short-term loans at a flat interest rate of 2.5% - different loan caps for families and businesses and payment terms TBD; “qualifying” is not based solely on ability to repay but more so on the difficulty of the economic situation facing the applicant.
· The 2.5% interest rate goes to pay fund investors 2% interest with the other half-percent covering fund operating, processing, and default costs (bad loans are anticipated to be few - Grameen Bank reports just 1.78% in bad debt).
· Jane opts to invest $109 a week for the full 24 months, though participants can opt-out at any point (those who encounter economic difficulty themselves during the period can withdraw early less the taxes they would have paid on the amount invested).
· The fund closes on December 31, 2010, and Jane will be paid out $11,562 in 2011 – first half in January with the balance in July.
There are over 19 million households in the U.S. earning $100,000 or more. If just 30% participated at an average of $65 per week, the fund would generate over $38.5 billion in two years. If the average loan value is $7,500, the fund could help over 5.1 million American families and small businesses. In turn, it will also generate over $770 million in interest for investors.
It is now being reported in the press that President-Elect Obama is "managing expectations". In other words, he is attempting to make people lower their expectations - based on his campaign promises - in order not to be too disappointed by what he can actually do.
Well, my group has SOLUTIONS which, if applied, will enable him to embrace HIGH expectations and perform BEYOND those expectations.
The solutions are described at http://www.wemsa.net/peace.htm
The support family here can do wonders working with those peaceful solutions. The lives of the individual members will improve DRAMATICALLY, and the new President's campaign promises will be successfully fulfilled.
Florida, I have just two words for you: five days.
After decades of broken politics in Washington, eight years of failed policies from George Bush, and twenty-one months of a campaign that has taken us from the rocky coast of Maine to the sunshine of California, we are five days away from change in America.
In five days, you can turn the page on policies that have put the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street before the hard work and sacrifice of folks on Main Street.
In five days, you can choose policies that invest in our middle-class, create new jobs, and grow this economy so that everyone has a chance to succeed; from the CEO to the secretary and the janitor; from the factory owner to the men and women who work on its floor.
In five days, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope.
In five days, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need.
We began this journey in the depths of winter nearly two years ago, on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Back then, we didn't have much money or many endorsements. We weren't given much of a chance by the polls or the pundits, and we knew how steep our climb would be.
But I also knew this. I knew that the size of our challenges had outgrown the smallness of our politics. I believed that Democrats and Republicans and Americans of every political stripe were hungry for new ideas, new leadership, and a new kind of politics - one that favors common sense over ideology; one that focuses on those values and ideals we hold in common as Americans.
Most of all, I knew the American people were a decent, generous people willing to work hard and sacrifice for future generations. I was convinced that when we come together, our voices are more powerful than the most entrenched lobbyists, or the most vicious political attacks, or the full force of a status quo in Washington that wants to keep things just the way they are.
Twenty-one months later, my faith in the American people has been vindicated. That's how we've come so far and so close - because of you. That's how we'll change this country - with your help. And that's why we can't afford to slow down, sit back, or let up for one day, one minute, or one second in this last week. Not now. Not when so much is at stake.
We are in the middle of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. 760,000 workers have lost their jobs this year. Businesses and families can't get credit. Home values are falling. Pensions are disappearing. It's gotten harder and harder to make the mortgage, or fill up your gas tank, or even keep the electricity on at the end of the month.
And just today, we learned that the GDP, or Gross Domestic Product - a key indicator economists use to measure the health of our economy - has actually fallen for the first time this year. That means we're producing less and selling less - so our economy is actually shrinking. And we saw the largest decline in consumer spending in 28 years as wages failed to keep up with the rising cost of living, and folks have been watching every penny and tightening their belts.
Now, this didn't happen by accident. Our falling GDP is a direct result of eight years of the trickle down, Wall Street first/Main Street last policies that have driven our economy into a ditch.
And the central question in this election is this: what will our next President do to take us in a different direction?
Well, Florida, if you want to know where Senator McCain will drive this economy, just look in the rearview mirror. Because when it comes to our economic policies, John McCain has stood with President Bush every step of the way. Voting for the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy that he once opposed. Voting for the Bush budgets that sent us into debt. Calling for less regulation twenty-one times just this year. In fact, after twenty-one months and three debates, Senator McCain still has not been able to tell the American people a single major thing he'd do differently from George Bush when it comes to the economy.
And you've got to ask yourself, after nine straight months of job losses and the largest drop in home values on record, with wages lower than they've been in a decade, why would we keep on driving down this dead end street?
Folks who can't pay their medical bills, or send their kids to college, or save for retirement can't afford to take a back seat to CEOs and Wall Street banks for four more years.
At a moment like this, the last thing we can afford is four more years of the tired, old theory that says we should give more to billionaires and big corporations and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. The last thing we can afford is four more years where no one in Washington is watching anyone on Wall Street because politicians and lobbyists killed common-sense regulations. Those are the theories that got us into this mess. They haven't worked, and it's time for change. That's why I'm running for President of the United States.
Look, the biggest gamble we can take is embracing the same old Bush-McCain policies that have failed us for the last eight years.
It's not change when John McCain wants to give a $700,000 tax cut to the average Fortune 500 CEO. It's not change when he wants to give $200 billion to the biggest corporations or $4 billion to the oil companies or $300 billion to the same Wall Street banks that got us into this mess. It's not change when he comes up with a tax plan that doesn't give a penny of relief to more than 100 million middle-class Americans. That's not change.
The average working family is $2,000 dollars poorer now than when George Bush took office. When Bill Clinton was president, the average wages and incomes went up $7,500 dollars. So I've got an economic plan that is similar to Bill Clinton's and Senator McCain's got an economic plan similar to George Bush's. Look and see what works and what doesn't.
We've tried it John McCain's way. We've tried it George Bush's way. Deep down, Senator McCain knows that, which is why his campaign said that "if we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose." That's why he's spending these last weeks calling me every name in the book. Because that's how you play the game in Washington. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run away from. You make a big election about small things.
Florida, we are here to say "Not this time. Not this year. Not when so much is at stake." Senator McCain might be worried about losing an election, but I'm worried about Americans who are losing their homes, and their jobs, and their life savings. I can take one more week of John McCain's attacks, but this country can't take four more years of the same old politics and the same failed policies. It's time for something new.
The question in this election is not "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" We know the answer to that. The real question is, "Will this country be better off four years from now?"
I know these are difficult times for America. But I also know that we have faced difficult times before. The American story has never been about things coming easy - it's been about rising to the moment when the moment was hard. It's about rejecting fear and division for unity of purpose. That's how we've overcome war and depression. That's how we've won great struggles for civil rights and women's rights and workers' rights. And that's how we'll emerge from this crisis stronger and more prosperous than we were before - as one nation; as one people. We just need a new direction. We need a new politics.
Understand, if we want get through this crisis, we need to get beyond the old ideological debates and divides between left and right. We don't need bigger government or smaller government. We need a better government - a more competent government - a government that upholds the values we hold in common as Americans.
We don't have to choose between letting our financial system run wild, and stifling growth and innovation. As President, I will ensure that the financial rescue plan Congress passed helps stop foreclosures and protects your money instead of enriching CEOs. And I will put in place the common-sense regulations I've been calling for throughout this campaign so that Wall Street can never cause a crisis like this again. That's the change we need.
The choice in this election isn't between tax cuts and no tax cuts. It's about whether you believe we should only reward wealth, or whether we should also reward the work and workers who create it. I will give a tax break to 95% of Americans who work every day and get taxes taken out of their paychecks every week. I'll eliminate income taxes for seniors making under $50,000 and give homeowners and working parents more of a break. And I'll help pay for this by asking the folks who are making more than $250,000 a year to go back to the tax rate they were paying in the 1990s. No matter what Senator McCain may claim, here are the facts - if you make under $250,000, you will not see your taxes increase by a single dime - not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes. Nothing. Because the last thing we should do in this economy is raise taxes on the middle-class.
When it comes to jobs, the choice in this election is not between putting up a wall around America or allowing every job to disappear overseas.
The truth is, we won't be able to bring back every job that we've lost, but that doesn't mean we should follow John McCain's plan to keep giving tax breaks to corporations that send American jobs overseas and promoting unfair trade agreements. I will end those breaks as President, and I will give American businesses a $3,000 tax credit for every job they create right here in the United States of America. I'll eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses and start-up companies that are the engine of job creation in this country.
We'll create two million new jobs by rebuilding our crumbling roads, and bridges, and schools, and by laying broadband lines to reach every corner of the country. And I will invest $15 billion a year in renewable sources of energy to create five million new energy jobs over the next decade - jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced; jobs building solar panels and wind turbines and a new electricity grid; jobs that will help us eliminate the oil we import from the Middle East in ten years and help save the planet in the bargain. That's how America can lead again.
When it comes to health care, we don't have to choose between a government-run health care system and the unaffordable one we have now. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change under my plan is that we will lower premiums. If you don't have health insurance you'll be able to get the same kind of health insurance that Members of Congress get for themselves.
And as someone who watched his own mother spend the final months of her life arguing with insurance companies because they claimed her cancer was a pre-existing condition and didn't want to pay for treatment, I will stop insurance companies from discriminating against those who are sick and need care most.
When it comes to giving every child a world-class education so they can compete in this global economy for the jobs of the 21st century, the choice is not between more money and more reform - because our schools need both. As President, I will invest in early childhood education, recruit an army of new teachers, pay them more, and give them more support. But I will also demand higher standards and more accountability from our teachers and our schools. And I will make a deal with every American who has the drive and the will but not the money to go to college: if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford your tuition. You invest in America, America will invest in you, and together, we will move this country forward.
And when it comes to keeping this country safe, we don't have to choose between retreating from the world and fighting a war without end in Iraq. It's time to stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq while the Iraqi government sits on a huge surplus. As President, I will end this war by asking the Iraqi government to step up, and I will finally finish the fight against bin Laden and the al Qaeda terrorists who attacked us on 9/11. I will never hesitate to defend this nation. From day one of this campaign, I have made clear that we will increase our ground troops and our investments in the finest fighting force the world has ever known. Watching our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines fight in Iraq and Afghanistan has only deepened my commitment to invest in 21st century technologies so that our men and women have the best training and equipment when they deploy into combat and the care and benefits they have earned when they come home.
I won't stand here and pretend that any of this will be easy - especially now. The cost of this economic crisis, and the cost of the war in Iraq, means that Washington will have to tighten its belt and put off spending on things we don't need. As President, I will go through the federal budget, line-by-line, ending programs that we don't need and making the ones we do need work better and cost less.
But as I've said from the day we began this journey all those months ago, the change we need isn't just about new programs and policies. It's about a new politics - a politics that calls on our better angels instead of encouraging our worst instincts; one that reminds us of the obligations we have to ourselves and one another.
What we have lost in these last eight years cannot be measured by lost wages or bigger trade deficits alone. What has also been lost is the idea that in this American story, each of us has a role to play. Each of us has a responsibility to work hard and look after ourselves and our families, and each of us has a responsibility to our fellow citizens. And that's what we need to restore right now - our sense of common purpose; of higher purpose.
Yes, government must lead the way on energy independence, but each of us must do our part to make our homes and our businesses more efficient.
Yes, we must put more money into our schools, but government can't be that parent who turns off the TV and makes a child do their homework.
Yes, we can argue and debate our positions passionately, but all of us must summon the strength and grace to bridge our differences and unite in common effort - black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American; Democrat and Republican, young and old, rich and poor, gay and straight, disabled or not.
In this election, we cannot afford the same political games and tactics that are being used to pit us against one another and make us afraid of one another.
Despite what our opponents may claim, there are no real or fake parts of this country. There is no city or town that is more pro-America than anywhere else - we are one nation, all of us proud, all of us patriots.
There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it; patriots who believe in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies. The men and women who serve on our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America.
It won't be easy, Florida. It won't be quick. But you and I know that it is time to come together and change this country. Some of you may be cynical and fed up with politics. A lot of you may be disappointed and even angry with your leaders. You have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what has been asked of Americans throughout our history.
I ask you to believe - not just in my ability to bring about change, but in yours.
I know this change is possible. Because I have seen it over the last twenty-one months. Because in this campaign, I have had the privilege to witness what is best in America.
I've seen it in lines of voters that stretched around schools and churches; in the young people who cast their ballot for the first time, and those not so young folks who got involved again after a very long time.
I've seen it in the workers who would rather cut back their hours than see their friends lose their jobs; in the neighbors who take a stranger in when the floodwaters rise; in the soldiers who re-enlist after losing a limb.
I've seen it in the faces of the men and women I've met at countless rallies and town halls across the country, men and women who speak of their struggles but also of their hopes and dreams.
I still remember the email that a woman named Robyn sent me after I met her in Ft. Lauderdale. Sometime after our event, her son nearly went into cardiac arrest, and was diagnosed with a heart condition that could only be treated with a procedure that cost tens of thousands of dollars. Her insurance company refused to pay, and their family just didn't have that kind of money.
In her email, Robyn wrote, "I ask only this of you - on the days where you feel so tired you can't think of uttering another word to the people, think of us. When those who oppose you have you down, reach deep and fight back harder."
Florida, that's what hope is - that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that there are better days ahead. If we're willing to work for it. If we're willing to shed our fears. If we're willing to reach deep down inside ourselves when we're tired and come back fighting harder.
Hope! That's what kept some of our parents and grandparents going when times were tough. What led them to say, "Maybe I can't go to college, but if I save a little bit each week my child can; maybe I can't have my own business but if I work really hard my child can open one of her own."
It's what led immigrants from distant lands to come to these shores against great odds and carve a new life for their families in America; what led those who couldn't vote to march and organize and stand for freedom; that led them to cry out, "It may look dark tonight, but if I hold on to hope, tomorrow will be brighter."
That's what this election is about. That is the choice we face right now.
Don't believe for a second this election is over. Don't think for a minute that power concedes. We have to work like our future depends on it in this last week, because it does.
America, the time for change has come.
In five days, we can choose to invest in health care for our families, and education for our kids, and renewable energy for our future.
In five days, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo.
In five days, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history.
That's what's at stake. That's what we're fighting for - for the small business owner in Denver to keep his doors open; for the hardworking couple in Cincinnati to retire in comfort; for the young student in Sarasota to afford her tuition; for men and women in every city and town across this nation to achieve the American Dream.
And if in this last week, you will knock on some doors for me, and make some calls for me, and go to barackobama.com and find out where to vote - and remember, you can vote early here in Florida.
If you will stand with me, and fight by my side, and cast your ballot for me, then I promise you this - we will not just win Florida, we will not just win this election, but together, we will change this country and we will change the world. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America.
I VOTED 22 Oct 2008 at the Main Supervisor of Elections Office!
I havd to wait
Dr. Duane Elihu Xavier
John McCain just made a speech in Miami Florida misrepresenting the Obama Campaigne! McCain also raised up the rhetoric of FEAR! McCain also stated Obama will be raising taxes on the middle class and specifying SPREADING the Wealth! McCain also said there was NO DANGER with Nulear WASTE!
Palin also spoke about ENERGY at a ENErGY group! The same old drill to lower oil prices!
Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.
Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
Kitchen Table Review:Barack Obama's "Spread The Wealth" Economics ... Socialism or Pragmatism?released October 24, 2008 by KitchenTable08.org
So what is Barack "Robin Hood" Obama thinking when he proposes to "spread the wealth," taking from the rich and giving to the poor? "The goal," as John McCain shared with a crowd of pro-American Americans earlier this week, "is not to redistribute wealth but create it." He and Sarah "Sheriff of Nothingham" Palin have decreed Sen. Obama's economic plan is little more than cloaked socialism that promotes class warfare.Sen. McCain contends his plan to continue the economic policies of the current administration, and make the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent, is a much more patriotic approach to growing and strengthening the middle-class than Sen. Obama's socialist scheme to rollback the tax rate from 36% to 39% on those earning more than $250k+ a year. Simply look at the numbers over the last eight years to determine whether or not McCain's strategy will indeed "create wealth" for all American Households.
The Kitchen Table Review:
So while it is clear Sen. McCain's economic policies will never be labeled "socialist," one can make a case that his economic plans do foster a plutocracy. How else can you describe the last eight years when the Top 2% of American Household Incomes (those making $250k+) grew by 72%, while in that same period 80% of American Households (those earning less than $100k) saw their share of overall annual income drop by more than 10%? McCain's economic plan does spread something, though it's clearly not wealth.And what about the "socialist class warfare" McCain-Palin accuse Barack Obama of? Consider this:
Think about it … and then Vote.
At the Marting County, FL, Precinct 44, the Clerk and Assistant Clerk are a husband/wife team. The wife is the Clerk, but delegates everything to the husband.
I attended all the required training and was ready for my position as a registry inspector for the 2nd FL Primary.
The Clerk/Assistant barely managed to get the Precinct open in time; furthermore, they were unaware of the law regarding voter names not being mentioned and the "Address Protected" voters (police, etc) are to be asked if their address has changed since last election. At closing the daring duo could not reconcile the vote counts and did not seal the ballot box. That's pretty much incompetent management. When I left the precinct that night I thought I had unwittingly been party to election fraud, considering we did not tally the votes and released an unsealed ballot box to a single driver for delivery to the county. It looked a lot like a dry run for ballot stuffing. The county's solution was to fire me for reporting the discrepancies.
Jewish Studies Scholars in Support of Obama
Over 200 scholars in Jewish Studies have signed a statement supporting Barack Obama for president. The signers, who include some of the most prominent people in the field, argue that "Senator Obama shares many of the values and positions held by the majority of American Jews." They point out that his positions on domestic and foreign issues, including Israel 's security, are in agreement with those of most Jewish voters.
The scholars urge American Jews to vote with the "minds as well as their hearts" and to overcome the fears of an Obama presidency stoked by false rumors circulated in the Jewish community.
"Senator Obama," they write, "has dedicated himself to promoting racial and religious tolerance and coexistence, speaking out against anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds. He embodies the Jewish hope for a society in which race, ethnicity, and religion are not barriers to achievement."
The signers include faculty members and independent scholars in regions of the country, as well as American scholars living in Israel , Canada , and Great Britain . They teach, research, and lecture on all aspects from Jewish history, culture, and religion, from the Bible to modern times.
The full statement and signers list follows.
JEWISH STUDIES SCHOLARS IN SUPPORT OF BARACK OBAMA
As Americans we support Barack Obama for president because we believe that he is the best person to lead our country through these difficult times. Senator Obama's firm grasp of the issues, his ability to work with diverse groups of people, and his humane and progressive social vision will bring a welcome change from the governing style and policies of the last eight years.
As scholars of Jewish Studies, we are concerned that distortions of Senator Obama's record and biography have caused undue anxiety among American Jews about what an Obama presidency would mean for Israel and the Jewish community here.
We urge Jewish voters to see through the partisan attacks and recognize how much they have in common with the senator. Jewish Americans have long played an important role in efforts to achieve a more just society not only for themselves, not just for other minority groups, but for all Americans.
The Obama candidacy offers us the chance to play such a role once more. In fact, Senator Obama shares many of the values and positions held by the majority of American Jews:
Senator Obama supports policies which promote equality of opportunity and social justice:
--the defense of social security against attempts to privatize it.
--a fairer tax system, including tax cuts for the elderly.
--expanded health coverage and defense of Medicare.
--aid to education at all levels.
He calls for energy independence through the development of renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources.
He is consistently pro-choice and pro-civil liberties, resisting attempts to blur the boundaries between church and state.
He opposed the misguided Iraq war from the beginning, understanding it as a distraction from the true war on terror. Most importantly,
Senator Obama has dedicated himself to promoting racial and religious tolerance and coexistence, speaking out against anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds. He embodies the Jewish hope for a society in which race, ethnicity, and religion are not barriers to achievement, a dream shared by African Americans.
We urge Jewish voters to vote with their minds as well as their hearts, and not to allow themselves to be misled by pernicious lies concerning the candidate's religious and ethnic background. We know that most American Jews realize the danger presented by such lies. The truth is that Senator Obama is a strong friend of Israel , a position recognized by many Israeli leaders during his visits to that country. They understand that Senator Obama's foreign policy is more conducive to Israel 's security than is the bellicose Bush-McCain approach. The Jewish Americans who know him best, those in the Chicago community, also count him as a longtime ally and friend. They know that the rumors that have been circulating among Jews for months - that Senator Obama is a Muslim who would be hostile to Israel and Jewish interests - are patently false attempts to play to Jewish fears.
Finally, we are concerned about the possibility that John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, might become president. Not only has she has shown herself to be unready to take over should something happen to Senator McCain, but she shown herself to be at odds with the values of most American Jews throughout her political career: She supports the teaching of creationism in the public schools, failed to acknowledge the human role in climate change, and opposed the right to an abortion even in cases of rape or incest.
The stakes are high in this election. Hillary Clinton got it right in her convention speech: We can move forward, or we can have four more years of the disastrous Bush policies of war, economic crisis, and cronyism. We hope that Jewish Americans, and all Americans, will choose to move forward by electing Barack Obama president.
Signers*
Robert H. Abzug, University of Texas at Austin Phyllis Albert, Harvard University Rebecca Alpert, Temple University Mark M. Anderson, Columbia University Joyce Antler, Brandeis University Dianne C. Ashton, Rowan University Alan Astro, Trinity University Monique R. Balbuena, University of Oregon Lawrence Baron, San Diego State University Lewis M. Barth, Hebrew Union College - Los Angeles Judith R. Baskin, University of Oregon Adam H. Becker, New York University Ruth Behar, University of Michigan Mara Benjamin, St. Olaf College Sarah Bunin Benor, Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Michael Berkowitz, University College London Lila Corwin Berman, Pennsylvania State University David Biale, University of California - Davis Lori Gemeiner Bihler, University of Rhode Island Lisa Bloom, University of California -- San Diego Linda Borish, Western Michigan University Oded Borovsky, Emory University Ra'anan Boustan, UCLA Steven Bowman, University of Cincinnati Daniel Boyarin, University of California - Berkeley Jonathan Boyarin, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Ben Braude, Boston College Alisa Braun, Hebrew College David Brenner, University of Houston Marcy Brink-Danan, Brown University Phil Brown, Brown University Stephan Brumberg, CUNY Matti Bunzl, University of Illinois Janet Burstein, Drew University Andrew Bush, Vassar College Marc Caplan, The Johns Hopkins University Nina Caputo, University of Florida Jules Chametzky, University of Massachusetts - Amherst Robert Chazan, New York University Julia Phillips Cohen, Vanderbilt University Mark R. Cohen, Princeton University Shaul Cohen, University of Oregon Steven M. Cohen, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Robert L. Cohn, Lafayette College Lynn Davidman, University of Kansas Natalie Zemon Davis, Princeton University Nathaniel Deutsch, University of California-Santa Cruz Maureen Dewan, Fairfield University Hasia Diner , New York University Leonard Dinnerstein, University of Arizona Lois Dubin, Smith College Deborah Dwork, Clark University John Efron, University of California-Berkeley Peter Eisenstadt, Rochester , NY Judith Laikin Elkin, University of Michigan Todd Endelman, University of Michigan Marc Michael Epstein, Vassar College Amir Eshel, Stanford University Sidra DeKoven Ezrahi, Hebrew University Ayala Fader, Fordham University Marcia Falk, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley Amy Feinstein, Colgate University Marjorie N. Feld, Babson College Yael Feldman, New York University John Felstiner, Stanford University Kirsten Fermaglich, Michigan State University David Fishman, Jewish Theological Seminary Hilene Flanzbaum, Butler University Daniel E. Fleming, New York University Harriet Freidenreich, Temple University Lewis Fried, Kent State University Kathie Friedman, University of Washington Jay Geller, Vanderbilt University Judith Gerson, Rutgers University Abigail Gillman, Boston University Amelia Glaser, University of California - San Diego Susan Glenn, University of Washington Ann Goldberg, University of California , Riverside Judith L. Goldstein, Vassar College Lynn D. Gordon, University of Rochester Michael Gottsegen, Brown University Lisa D. Grant, Hebrew Union College Deborah Green, University of Oregon Cheryl Greenberg, Trinity College Daniel Greene, The Newberry Library Frederick E. Greenspahn, Florida Atlantic University Atina Grossmann, Cooper Union Janet Hadda, UCLA Mitchell Hart, University of Florida Rachel Havrelock, University of Illinois at Chicago Joel Hecker, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Kathryn Hellerstein, University of Pennsylvania Ronald Hendel, University of California -- Berkeley Deborah Hertz, University of California - San Diego Daniel Herwitz, University of Michigan Susannah Heschel, Dartmouth College Marianne Hirsch, Columbia University Anne Golomb Hoffman, Fordham University Joshua Holo, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Paula Hyman, Yale University Tali E. Hyman, Hebrew Union College Miriam Isaacs, University of Maryland - College Park Susan Jacobowitz, Queensborough Community College , CUNY Jack Jacobs, The Graduate Center , City University of New York Matthew Jacobson, Yale University Robin Judd, Ohio State University S. Tamar Kamionkowski, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Brett Ashley Kaplan, University of Illinois Marion Kaplan, New York University Samuel D. Kassow, Trinity College Ira Katznelson, Columbia University Ellie Kellman, Brandeis University Ari Y. Kelman, University of California -- Davis Carole S. Kessner, SUNY Stony Brook Ann Kirschner, Macaulay Honors College , CUNY Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblet, New York University Rebecca Kobrin, Columbia University Madeline Kochen, University of Michigan Ross S. Kraemer, Brown University David Krikun, SUNY-New Paltz Hartley Lachter, Muhlenberg College Lisa Lampert-Weissig, University of California , San Diego Berel Lang, Wesleyan University Lisa Moses Leff, Southwestern University Erica Lehrer, Concordia University Paul Lerner, University of Southern California Jeffrey Lesser, Emory University Mark Leuchter, Temple University Adriane Leveen, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Andrea Levine, George Washington University Daniel Levine, The Johns Hopkins University Michael G. Levine, Rutgers University Laura S. Levitt, Temple University Rhoda G. Lewin, Minneapolis , MN Andrea Lieber, Dickinson College Olga Litvak, Clark University Maud Mandel, Brown University Barbara Mann, Jewish Theological Seminary Jessica Marglin, Princeton University Mary McCune, SUNY-Oswego Ezra Mendelsohn, Hebrew University Keren R. McGinity, University of Michigan Tony Michels, University of Wisconsin-Madison Joel S. Migdal, University of Washington Nancy K. Miller, City University of New York Deborah Dash Moore , University of Michigan Regina Morantz-Sanchez, University of Michigan Leslie Morris, University of Minnesota Kenneth Moss, The Johns Hopkins University Andrea Most, University of Toronto David N. Myers, UCLA Stanley Nash, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Anita Norich, University of Michigan Saul M. Olyan, Brown University Annelise Orleck, Dartmouth College Avinoam Patt, University of Hartford Ilan Peleg, Lafayette College Derek J. Penslar, University of Toronto Noam Pianko, University of Washington Annie Polland, Lang College , The New School Riv-Ellen Prell, University of Minnesota Dana Rabin, History, University of Illinois Sanford Ragins, Occidental College Marc Lee Raphael, College of William and Mary Michael A. Riff, Ramapo College Meri-Jane Rochelson, Florida International University Aron Rodrigue, Stanford University Jordan D. Rosenblum, University of Wisconsin-Madison Dale Rosengarten, College of Charleston Michael Rothberg, University of Illinois Joel Rubin, University of Virginia David Ruderman, University of Pennsylvania Marina Rustow, Emory University S.I. Salamensky, UCLA Jack Salzman, Hunter College , CUNY Seth L. Sanders, Trinity College Marianne Sanua, Florida Atlantic University Ray Scheindlin, Jewish Theological Seminary Ellen Schiff , Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Jonathan Schofer, Harvard University Esther Schor, Princeton University Joshua Schreier, Vassar College Seth Schwartz, Jewish Theological Seminary Naomi Seidman, Graduate Theological Seminary Robert M. Seltzer, Hunter College , CUNY Ann R. Shapiro, Farmingdale State College Jeffrey S. Shoulson, University of Miami David Silver, University of Delaware Jonathan Skolnik, University of Massachusetts - Amherst Mark Slobin, Wesleyan University Mark S. Smith, New York University Naomi Sokoloff, University of Washington Gerald Sorin, SUNY-New Paltz Daniel Soyer, Fordham University Michael F. Stanislawski, Columbia University Arlene Stein, Rutgers University Richard L. Stein, University of Oregon Sarah Abrevaya Stein, UCLA Michael P. Steinberg, Brown University Michael Steinlauf, Gratz College Elsie Stern, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Michael Stern, University Of Oregon Shelly Tenenbaum, Clark University David A. Teutsch Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Ellen M. Umansky, Fairfield University Agnes Veto, Vassar College Val Vinokur, Eugene Lang College/The New School Suzanne Wasserman, Gotham Center/CUNY Graduate Center Chava Weissler, Lehigh University Gary Weissman, University of Cincinnati Beth Wenger, University of Pennsylvania Stephen J. Whitfield, Brandeis University
Today the U.S.Supreme Court ruled against the Ohio GOP which attempted to hijack Ohio's election by removing more than 200,000 newly registered voters from the voter rolls.
Hats off to the Ohio Supervisor of Elections who took the case all the way to the Supreme Court
YES WE CAN!
Gordon
Let's ACT and make sur ethe media is aware of the dangerous judgment and choices of the Mccain campaign. I;ve written a letter below for you to copy and a media list is included as well.
PLEASE I AM URGING YOU TO SEND THESE OUT RIGHT AWAY.
My letter:
Of interest: William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist who John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team, aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime. The two lobbyists who Timmons worked closely with over a five year period on the lobbying campaign later either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of federal criminal charges that they had acted as unregistered agents of Saddam Hussein's government. I think this raises SERIOUS questions as to McCain's judgment. But more importantly it concerns me that someone who was so close to Saddam Hussein and his interests might actually have a primary role in helping to install Cabinet level positions in a McCain administration. Secretary of Defense? Attorney General? Chosen by someone who was a lobbyist for Iraq? This is very serious and possibly a danger to our country. This is a very serious issue and I think the American public really needs some details on it. It has potentially very far reaching and dangerous implications. Full Story Here
Of interest:
William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist who John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team, aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime. The two lobbyists who Timmons worked closely with over a five year period on the lobbying campaign later either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of federal criminal charges that they had acted as unregistered agents of Saddam Hussein's government.
I think this raises SERIOUS questions as to McCain's judgment. But more importantly it concerns me that someone who was so close to Saddam Hussein and his interests might actually have a primary role in helping to install Cabinet level positions in a McCain administration. Secretary of Defense? Attorney General? Chosen by someone who was a lobbyist for Iraq? This is very serious and possibly a danger to our country. This is a very serious issue and I think the American public really needs some details on it. It has potentially very far reaching and dangerous implications.
Full Story Here
netaudr@abc.com, nightline@abcnews.com, 2020@abc.com, evening@cbsnews.com, earlyshow@cbs.com, 60minutes@cbsnews.com, 48hours@cbsnews.com, ftn@cbsnews.com, info@cnbc.com, comments@foxnews.com, Special@foxnews.com, Foxreport@foxnews.com, Oreilly@foxnews.com, Hannity@foxnews.com, Colmes@foxnews.com, Ontherecord@foxnews.com, dateline@nbc.com, hardball@msnbc.com, joe@msnbc.com, nightly@nbc.com, today@nbc.com, newshour@pbs.org, ombudsman@npr.org, ElRushbo@eibnet.com, letters@latimes.com, readers.rep@latimes.com, letters@nytimes.com, news-tips@nytimes.com, senioreditor@nytimes.com, editor@usatoday.com, wsj.ltrs@wsj.com, wsjcontact@dowjones.com, letters@washpost.com, ombudsman@washpost.com, letters@newsweek.com, letters@time.com, letters@usnews.com, info@ap.org, tips@upi.com, fair@fair.org
Wow, a sit com length commercial from Obama, to be aired almost right before election. I have to say I am pretty excited about this one, almost like waiting for the fist epiosde of a new show (hopefully this metaphor is a sign of things to come, keep your fingers crossed guys)
Check for more details here: http://kronomy.com/event/2bLnWX5swt/
Ruth
MakeFloridaCount.com archives articles, videos and other organizing resources to use with undecided voters.
I am developing section on Conservative and Republican endorsements of Obama. Please send me your suggestions (by e-mail or by commenting on the blog).
See extended blog for more detail of what is available on the site.
New organizing resources are added daily. In unity. Barbara Myers
barbmyrs@gmail.com
