Ok, why is it that many republicans and democrats in the senate and house ... Vote with the way of their party? The latest example being the fact that not 1 republican voted for the new stimulus package, passed by the house. The congressman and senators are there to ' represent ' the people who elected them to office .. But so many times they all just vote with their party.. And to hear that senior republicans warned other republicans of ramifications if they voted for the latest stimulus bill... Unbelievable . Why cant a congressman vote the way he or she truely feels about a bill , without worrying about ramifications if theyre vote isnt ' with the party's vote'?
Too many times our elected officials fail to pass legislation that would help many Americans,because they bicker about one another like highschool kids.. "if so and so doesnt vote for the bill ... then im not gonna go against him and vote for it ... so I wont vote for it either.. "
Aren't we better as a nation than to tolerate this type of behavior?
I think sometimes Politicians forget why theyre in the place theyre at... And I mean cmon .. Some of these Politicians have been in office 20-30 years?! You mean to tell me that during that time , there has been NO ONE to compete for the job? There were ... but it was politics as usual, and the same people get elected over and over..
Im so glad change has come to Washington in President Obama, but what will it take for the senate/house to change the way they do things ? Or do you think things will never change , and it will always be ' politics as usual ' ?
A FULL WEEK FOR ONLY $600!! This Villa sleeps a max of 6 people
You can rent this unit for 6 nights and 7 Days, and just travel to DC on Inauguration day and enjoy this historic event! Travel distance is 153 miles! Check in Sunday, Jan 18th @ 4pm (maybe a little earlier) Check out Sunday, Jan 25th @ 10am
101 St. Andrews Drive Williamsburg, Virginia 23188 USA
This hotel has a smoke-free policy
Pets are not allowed
Complimentary on-site parking
*Availability for these dates is SOLD OUT through the actual hotel - (Marriott-timeshare)
Upon agreement of payment, we can place your name on a reservation and e-mail a confirmation within one to three business days.
Preferred payment is via PayPal
Please see ad on Craigslist
<http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/vac/970238108.html>
Tampa Bay Obama Volunteers Holiday / Victory Party
An Obama-rific way to kick off the holidays!
WHEN: Friday, December 5th 7pm
WHERE: American Legion Post 248
2105 W Jamaica St
Tampa, FL 33607
$5 per person - donation BYOB (Set ups Available & Keg on site)
Live DJ - TBA Bring POT LUCK DISHES to Share! Organized by members of: www.MobilizeForChange.com
RSVP: jen@mobilizeforchange.com
If you would like to help for the party – let Jen know :)
**Please send a photo of yourself involved with the campaign (for slideshow)
For more information on Mobilize for Change: edwin@mobilizeforchange.com
When you were doing your research on Barack and learning more about him, what was it that made you say ." Ok, this guy has my vote."
Personally for me, it was very early on when I learned of his backround. Being raised by a single parent myself, and relying heavily on my grandfather to help take care of me when I was younger,did it for me. I saw myself in Barack. Any being that my family is from Chicago, when I learned of his organizing efforts on the south side of Chicago, that hit close to home for me. Barack's ability to speak and relate to people is amazing. People talk about his 'rockstar' like demeanor, and how he had thousands of people at his campaign rallies...But what they must be missing is that those people came for a reason. From his policies, to his homelife, Barack Obama relates to all Americans, and that's what the leader of the freeworld should be, A representation of the people .
I would like to blog more, so please read the blog and respond!
Thanks guys,
Tim
i smile everytime i see an obama sticker on a car driving by. when i can, i honk and give the driver a thumbs up! it feels like a club, like when bikers wave to one another as they pass. just awesome! living in the tampa bay area, it is great to see the bumper sticker that i saw on the way home today. "Independents for Obama!" Yeah - that is what we need more of!! ... All Smiles Here!
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
Come join me and fellow Obama supporters out on the corner of Kennedy & Dale Mabry. I am seeing too many McCain signs and not enough OBAMA signs in people’s yards. So come on out and get energized when people who support OBAMA honk at you!! It’s great having the whole intersection honking away!! It will get you FIRED UP & READY 2 GO!!! You may just spark someone who never thought of helping the campaign out! So come on out, help promote EARLY VOTING!
Smile and wave away!!!Jen Greenfield813-838-0954
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprjw8
It has been a while since i had the chance to write a post. My team started working on phone banking as soon as VR ended.
There seems to be a group of voters that we are really going to need to keep motiviated until Nov. 04. Our goal is get anyone that is weary of the politics (and is a Obamam supporter!) to vote early. Move em out! Drive them there. Get them to the polls. Once they have voted that is one in the bank: go out and find another one. Oh.. and do not forget to early vote yourself!!
For several days in Pasco County, hardworking volunteers worked the phones contacting local Obama supporters who might want to help out in the final push to turn Florida a beautiful, deep Blue. I was one of those doing the Octoberfest phone banking; and had high hopes for our Saturday morning meeting turnout.
Being a Democrat in Land O’Lakes has not always been easy; my county has trended red for several election cycles now. But I always knew my area in the exurbs of Tampa was full of good people, they just didn’t always vote in their best interest, I’ll admit, it frustrated me, but I’m not the kind to give up in the face of opposition. So I kept at it during the primaries, calling voters in other states and writing out postcards to undecided women as their primaries approached. The country was paying more attention to the results of fear-based balloting, and they didn’t like the result.
An ariticle from the Washington Posthttp://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/07/democrats_predominate_among_ne.html
By Alec MacGillis
Sarah Palin has drawn big and revved-up crowds this week in Florida's most Republican bastions, such as Clearwater and Pensacola. But the latest voter registration numbers from the state show how daunting the Sunshine State may be for her and John McCain outside the friendly environs of her events.
When The Post looked at new voter registrations across the country in yesterday's paper, partisan breakdowns were not yet available for the roughly 200,000 new Florida voters who signed up in September. Now that data is available -- and it, along with detailed demographic data, helps lay bare why Florida is suddenly looking competitive for Barack Obama.
As of Sept. 30, there were about 800,000 new voters added to the rolls this year in Florida, down slightly from the one million new voters added in 2004, when the Republicans launched a major registration effort to sign up evangelical Christians. But of those new registrants, Democrats had gained 415,580 people this year as of Sept. 1, while Republicans gained just 169,841. New independent voters outstripped Republicans, as well, with 253,294 new registrants. All told, the Democrats' registration edge in the state has now grown to about 550,000 over the Republicans.
Democrats held an edge in every age group of the newly registered Florida voters, even among new voters over age 65. The majority of the new voters, though, were under age 35, and 46 percent of them registered as Democrats -- more than double the 21 percent who registered as Republicans.
Most telling was the racial breakdown of the new registrations. African Americans made up nearly 19 percent of the new sign ups -- despite being 16 percent of Florida's population and 12 percent of the state's electorate. As notable, perhaps, was that Hispanic voters made up nearly 20 percent of the new voters, the same as their share of the state's population. This might not seem so surprising until one considers that a sizable portion of Florida Hispanics are not yet citizens and so are ineligible to vote. For the rate of new Hispanic voters nonetheless to correlate with their overall share of the state population suggests how intensive the outreach among Hispanic citizens in the state has been.
As significant is the partisan breakdown among the new Hispanic voters. Not long ago, Florida Hispanics were the most Republican-leaning in the country, thanks to South Florida's large Cuban population. But a new generation of Cubans is less Republican, and the ranks of non-Cuban Hispanics are growing, particularly the burgeoning Puerto Rican community around Orlando. Earlier this year, Democrats surpassed Republicans among the state's registered Hispanic voters. The latest numbers show this trend accelerating: 46 percent of the newly registered Hispanics this year are Democrats, 35 percent are independents and only 20 percent are Republican.
The boom in Hispanic registrations can be attributed not only to the Obama campaign but to a host of organizations that have been registering voters on their own in Florida, including Democracia USA, which focuses on registering Hispanics. The group's president, Jorge Mursuli, told us that the organization has registered 138,000 Hispanic voters nationwide, more than 30 percent above its 2008 goal, with a focus on Florida, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Reading, Pa., Tuscon, Las Vegas and Pueblo, Colo.
Mursuli said that the sharp partisan shift among Hispanic voters following the vitriolic immigration debate of the past several years was clear both in Florida and across the country. In 2004, nearly half of the group's newly registered voters were unaffiliated, with the remainder splitting between Republicans and Democrats. This year, 58 percent have signed up as Democrats, 33 percent as unaffiliated and only nine percent as Republican.
He cautioned that campaigns and groups like his had a lot of work to do to before Election Day to turn the registration numbers into votes. "We've still got our job cut out for us," he said. "Latinos still have to turn out and if they don't turn out there will be questions about whether it's worth investing in" registering Hispanic voters.But, he said, the numbers nonetheless suggested a significant shift in the works. "It's pretty dramatic," he said.Posted at 3:47 PM ET on Oct 7, 2008 | Category: Battlegrounds
The main reason we are in this economic mess is the result of the growing inequality of income in the US. A shift in wealth similar to 1929 has occured.
The corporate grab of profits with no reguard to effects of the American Worker has caused theses issues!!
Check out this web site for some great information on this:
http://extremeinequality.org
One tell tale figure is the following excerp from the site:
"The top one percent of households received 22.9 percent of all pre-tax income in 2006, more than double what that figure was in the 1970s. (The top one percent’s share of total income bottomed out at 8.9 percent in 1976.) This is the greatest concentration of income since 1928, when 23.9 percent of all income went to the richest one percent. "
What has happened the very wealthly have been able to aquire wealth at the expense of the middle class workers. Corperate execs ship jobs overseas to maximize profits an maximize ridicuoulous salaries and bonus. In thier wake, middle class incomes stagnate, quality of life down, more reliance on credit. Now the credit is drying up.
WE NEED to ensure reviving our job base, our industrial base, shifting the wealth back to the middle class will bring real prosperity for all!!! Barak Obame please adress job creation,as the real key to gettin our country back!!!
When President Obama takes office in Jan, It must be a prrority that American's are put back to work. The conditions that encouraged Corperate Execs to make profits at the cost of American's workers must be eliminated. Responisible Coperate leadership that honors the American worker must be rewarded by our govenmnent. Irresponisble, greedy, uncaring, unmoral attitudes to American workers should be discouraged!!!
Just walk into Wal-Mart, Target or anywhere and practically NOTHING is made here. This race to decrease American labor costs has come back to bite us. Its effects have on our economy have led to this crisis.
Please think of this always. Put prosperity in the hands of the many and we will be fine!!!
This Wednesday, October 8th, please join Joe Biden in Tampa, where he will talk about Barack's vision for creating the kind of change we need.
http://fl.barackobama.com/TampaJB
Community Gathering with Joe Biden
Sun Dome University of South Florida East Fowler Avenue and USF Bull Run Drive Tampa, FL
Wednesday, October 8th Gates Open: 8:30 a.m.
The event is free and open to the public. However, space is limited and tickets are required.
For security reasons, do not bring bags and please limit personal items, including umbrellas. No signs or banners permitted.
Sign up for a ticket using the link above, or pick up a ticket at the one of the following locations. Tickets are available:
Tuesday, October 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tampa Campaign for Change Downtown Office 817 E. Washington Street Tampa, FL (813) 272-2362 USF Campaign for Change Office 14519 North 18th Street Tampa, FL (813) 978-9138 Clearwater Campaign for Change Office 133 N Fort Harrison Avenue (Entrance is on the corner of Drew and Watterson) Clearwater, FL (727) 461-2856
I invite all fellow Obama supporters to check out my favorite progressive voice on the the radio Thom Hartmann. He is on Air America. He really educates and informs his listeners about economic issues. He has done well to corrilate what is happening now to what happened with Herbert Hoover in 1929. Herbert Hoover also passed a similar bail out bill. He also vetoed attempts at the legislation Frankilin Rooselvelt passed to pull this country out of the Depression.
This URL on Thom's site has specific New York Times articles from the 1929-1932 which is fascinating and shows these similarites:
http://www.thomhartmann.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1012&Itemid=119
These economic problems stem from UNREGUATED anything goes capitalism. Coorporations have free will to maximize short term profits by lowering labor costs. This means shipping jobs overseas. with no tariffs. The credit has run out, No new jos.. this is what you get....
Obvioulsy the economy will recover only from the bottom up. Just like Rooselveltt managed to do in 1932. Voting Obama, and voting for great Democratic canidates for congress such as John Russel might actually create another "bottom up" recovery as Rooselvet did in he 30's
Thom's Website is http://thomhartmann.com/
Free MP3 downloads of Thom's show and other progressive voices at: http://whiterosesociety.org
Thom Hartmann Show archives: http://whiterosesociety.org/content/hartmann/Members.html
Please check out what Thom is saying. There are great progressive voices out there. I find I learn so much from Thom!!
Go Obama-Biden!!!
