Here are some of the things we will be discussing at the Health Care Forum on May 12th. I hope you can make it!
Did you know:
Consider the following facts:
· 50 million people are uninsured and many more are underinsured;
· 37% of Americans report rationing care due to a lack of healthcare coverage;
· The uninsured are more likely to go to the emergency room for care and 20% more likely to be admitted to intensive care;
· 20% more likely to die when receiving intensive care within Intensive Care Units (ICU);
· Many of us go without psychiatric care;
· 18,000 people die each year because of a lack of medical insurance;
· Health care costs are rising at two times the rate of inflation (a major contributor to foreclosures)
· Administrative costs account for 31% of healthcare expenditures (by comparison, that is double the proportion in Canada).
SOURCE: Did You Know, MN Universal Health Care Coalition
We're going to be discussing the Minnesota Universal Health Care Initiative at this meeting. Then we're going to talk about ways to support it or alternatives. All are welcome.
It's possible you haven't heard from me since the election. I've not been idle. I had a house party in December. I hosted a service event on Martin Luther King Day which was wildly successful, collecting over two tons of food for Neighborhood House Food Shelf and 25 plus units of blood for Memorial Blood. I recently participated in a recap/potluck regarding that event hosted by fellow volunteer Linda Zwicky. During that party, I discovered what I'm doing next. Ever since the election, I haven't been settled or sure of what the next step for me personally would be with respect to our new administration. I am keenly interested in community gardening and have taken steps to educate myself in this area in hopes of fostering community gardens all over the Twin Cities. My thought was to throw myself wholly into the urban gardening movement and consider that to be my contribution to the new administration. After all, food democracy was a worthy and concrete endeavor and with the economic crisis looming, it seemed like a justice issue as much as a health and environmental issue. So when I attended the recap of our service event last weekend, I wasn't prepared for the epiphany I experienced. We were talking about what to do going forward. Lots of smart people in the room, as usual. We talked about how we were all waiting for the Obama Administration's organizing arm, Organizing for America, to lead us. An astute observer nixed this concept. No, the administration was waiting for us to lead them. Huh?
Much as I wanted to forget about door-knocking and phone banking, I had to admit this was still a powerful calling. I had to reconcile myself--can I pursue urban gardening and continue to organize for Obama? Yes, simple as it sounds and it was oft repeated during the campaign, change happens from the bottom up. Reminded of this at the meeting I attended recently, we agreed we wanted to continue to meet to try and bring change to our communities and to our country with the help of OFA and the Obama administration. We agreed that we wanted to continue to meet face-to-face on a monthly basis. We agreed that our activities could include a broad range of activities, from the community gardening projects I am interested in to lobbying legislators for health care or door-knocking and phone calling as we did during the campaign.
AndI realized that my urban gardening project, once I really understood it fully, would fit neatly into the new organizing paradigm. Service projects for kids in the garden, help in the garden on planting day, invitations to the community on harvest days all would fit into Organizing for America.
The one thing that we all seemed to agree is that this group needed to meet face to face. It wasn't enough to communicate via email or online blog postings. We gained sustenance from EACH OTHER and so once a month meetings were imperative.
Thus, Face to Face for Change - Twin Cities was created. Its goal seemed simple--to meet on a monthly basis to exchange ideas and plan for change in its many shapes and forms. We will be there to support OFA and this fledgling administration's agenda, in much the same way we supported its agenda during the campaign.
I'll invite you to join as soon as the site has approved our group. We hope to organize for the next phase of this Movement--the part where the lion's share of the work will be involved--creating permanent change we can believe in. I hope to see you there. Katie McGee
Congratulations, a thousand times! The hardest thing ahead, in the face of adulation and vilification, will probably be to remember who you are: honest, fair and deliberative.The biggest hazard of power is the fallacy that one no longer has to be polite, or consider all sides, or be faithful to one's family.
I hope you also remember those that brung you to the dance; don't believe those who say this country is center-right. The left brought you here, and it's to the left that you owe the biggest debt.
Most candidates would have been happy with a few thousand volunteers, you reaped the bounty of thousands of people who have been working for 8 years, organizing their communities for fairness in health care, war/peace spending, and economic justice.
Sure, a lot of regular "Joes" saw the need to volunteer a couple of times in the closing weeks, but we were the ones who volunteered early and often, going full-time in the last weeks, sacrificing health and wealth, because we really know what it takes to win.
We are still here, not looking for a handout, but for rational systems to green and educate the planet and to make life sustainable, not just for Dick Cheney's (or Nancy Pelosi's) buddies, but for every last child on earth. Peace, Shalom, Salaam.
http://obama2008.s3.amazonaws.com/headlines.html
Check this out
From social networking to text messaging, young people have changed the way political campaigns are run in the United States.
And, today, we have a chance to change the nation.
But only if we vote.
Check out this video of Kal Penn, the star of the Harold & Kumar movies, talking to students at the U about the power of the youth vote, and then find your polling place and vote!
Now the big question: if your attention is worth billions of dollars, how much power does your vote have?
Go to www.VoteForChange.com to find your polling place.
This man is going to make being an American "cool" again:
In an effort to mobilize an unprecedented turnout among first time and youth voters, Mike D., Ad-Rock and MCA of the Beastie Boys will help Get Out The Vote for Barack in Minnesota. They will host a Canvass for Change kick off at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
Here are the details:
GOTV Canvass Kickoff w/ Adam Yauch, Adam Hrovitz, & Michael Diamond of the Beastie Boys Oren Gateway Center, Augsburg College Minneapolis, MN 3:30 PM
We’ve got four more days to make a difference. So take some time this weekend to volunteer. If we don’t each do our part, the next four years could be scarier than anything you see tonight.
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.
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.
Ah heck! Let me get a piece of that PB&J sandwich! And can I play with some of your toys?
With just six days until Election Day, Conor Oberst, the guitarist and vocalist of the popular band Bright Eyes, will host a Get Out The Vote concert today at Loring Pasta Bar in Minneapolis, near the University of Minnesota campus.
WHAT: Get Out The Vote Concert with Conor Oberst
WHEN: 2 :30 PM, Wednesday, October 29
WHERE: Loring Pasta Bar 327 14th Av. SE. Minneapolis, MN
RSVP Online at: http://mn.barackobama.com/ConorOberst
Want to attend? All you have to do is sign up for two "Get Out the Vote" volunteer shifts between now and Election Day.
When Chris Walla, who plays in the band Death Cab for Cutie, was in Minnesota recently, he encouraged young people to get involved in this election, and to help "Get Out the Vote." Check out the video below:
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
There are just eleven days left before the Election, and this weekend Barack's Minnesota Campaign for Change will launch its statewide "Get Out the Vote" program with events across the state.
For one hour, one day, or more, spend your time working for Barack. This election will be won or lost on the ground and we need everyone contacting voters over the next 11 days.
When Hillary Clinton was in Hibbing on Monday, she talked about the importance of getting involved now.
Help us Get Out The Vote this weekend by attending one of the kick-off events below:.
Saturday October, 2410AM St Paul Featuring Al Franken Obama Campaign for Change Office 1389 University Ave W St Paul, MN St Paul Featuring State Auditor Rebecca Otto Laborer's Hall 346 West Larpenteur St Paul, MN St Paul Featuring Rep. Betty McCollum Sheet Metal Local #10 1681 Cope Ave E, Suite A St Paul, MN Minneapolis Featuring Mayor RT Rybak Obama Campaign for Change Office 2200 W Broadway ave Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis Featuring Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman Central Labors Union Council Hall 312 Central Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 2PM St Paul Featuring Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark Laborer's Hall 346 West Larpenteur St Paul, MN Minneapolis Featuring Rep. Keith Ellison Central Labors Union Council Hall 312 Central Ave SE Minneapolis, MN Duluth Featuring Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher Obama Campaign for Change Office 302 E. Superior ave Duluth, MN Virginia Featuring Rep. Tom Rukavina Obama Campaign for Change Office 327 Chestnut St Virginia, MNSunday, October 25 12 PM St Paul Featuring Mayor Chris Colman Obama Campaign for Change Office 1389 University Ave W St Paul, MN St Paul Featuring Al Franken and Rep. Keith Ellison Laborer's Hall 346 West Larpenteur St Paul, MN St Paul Featuring Thomasin Franken Macalester College 1600 Grand Ave. St Paul, MN Minneapolis Featuring Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark Obama Campaign for Change Office 2200 W Broadway ave Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis- Featuring Mayor RT Rybak CWA Local 7200 Hall 3521 E Lake St Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis- Featuring State Auditor Rebecca Otto Central Labors Union Council Hall 312 Central Ave SE Minneapolis, MN Virginia Featuring Senator David Tomassoni Obama Campaign for Change Office 327 Chestnut St Virginia, MN 4PM St Paul Featuring Mayor Chris Coleman Obama Campaign for Change Office 1389 University Ave W St Paul, MN St Paul- Featuring Thomasin Franken and Susan Gaertner Laborer's Hall 346 West Larpenteur St Paul, MN Minneapolis Featuring Al Franken and Rep. Keith Ellison Obama Campaign for Change Office 2200 W Broadway ave Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis Featuring Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman CWA Local 7200 Hall 3521 E Lake St Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis Featuring Mayor RT Rybak Central Labors Union Council Hall 312 Central Ave SE Minneapolis, MN Duluth: Featuring Mayor Don Ness Obama Campaign for Change Office 302 E. Superior ave Duluth, MN Virginia Featuring Senator David Tomassoni Obama Campaign for Change Office 327 Chestnut St Virginia, MN
St Paul Featuring Al Franken Obama Campaign for Change Office 1389 University Ave W St Paul, MN
St Paul Featuring State Auditor Rebecca Otto Laborer's Hall 346 West Larpenteur St Paul, MN
St Paul Featuring Rep. Betty McCollum Sheet Metal Local #10 1681 Cope Ave E, Suite A St Paul, MN
Minneapolis Featuring Mayor RT Rybak Obama Campaign for Change Office 2200 W Broadway ave Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Featuring Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman Central Labors Union Council Hall 312 Central Ave SE Minneapolis, MN
St Paul Featuring Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark Laborer's Hall 346 West Larpenteur St Paul, MN
Minneapolis Featuring Rep. Keith Ellison Central Labors Union Council Hall 312 Central Ave SE Minneapolis, MN
Duluth Featuring Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher Obama Campaign for Change Office 302 E. Superior ave Duluth, MN
Virginia Featuring Rep. Tom Rukavina Obama Campaign for Change Office 327 Chestnut St Virginia, MN
St Paul Featuring Al Franken and Rep. Keith Ellison Laborer's Hall 346 West Larpenteur St Paul, MN
St Paul Featuring Thomasin Franken Macalester College 1600 Grand Ave. St Paul, MN
Minneapolis Featuring Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark Obama Campaign for Change Office 2200 W Broadway ave Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis- Featuring Mayor RT Rybak CWA Local 7200 Hall 3521 E Lake St Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis- Featuring State Auditor Rebecca Otto Central Labors Union Council Hall 312 Central Ave SE Minneapolis, MN
Virginia Featuring Senator David Tomassoni Obama Campaign for Change Office 327 Chestnut St Virginia, MN
St Paul Featuring Mayor Chris Coleman Obama Campaign for Change Office 1389 University Ave W St Paul, MN
St Paul- Featuring Thomasin Franken and Susan Gaertner Laborer's Hall 346 West Larpenteur St Paul, MN
Minneapolis Featuring Al Franken and Rep. Keith Ellison Obama Campaign for Change Office 2200 W Broadway ave Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Featuring Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman CWA Local 7200 Hall 3521 E Lake St Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Featuring Mayor RT Rybak Central Labors Union Council Hall 312 Central Ave SE Minneapolis, MN
Duluth: Featuring Mayor Don Ness Obama Campaign for Change Office 302 E. Superior ave Duluth, MN
I forgive you: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/24/bachmann-tapes-apology-ad_n_137689.html
Now people of MN: What's the word?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJBpL5ORWUo
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.
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
