Dump the fear tactics, build on solutions

Social Security has operated for 75 years, it wasn't until the Congress bailed out corporate responsibility and insurance companies from workers disability, added unfunded drug benefits in medicare that the Social Security program started to collapse.  The solution is to separate the retirement system of Social Security from the disability and medicare welfare functions and create
a newly funded program.

The smears and hits on Social Security may provide for election time talk and get candidates political attention, but provoke nothing but fear in both our seniors and our young folks looking at their futures.

The United Nation General Assembly definition of terrorism ” CRIMINAL ACTS INTENDED OR CALCULATED TO PROVOKE A STATE OF TERROR IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC,
A GROUP OF PERSONS OR PARTICULAR PERSONS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.ARE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE UNJUSTIFIABLE, WHATEVER THE CONSIDERATIONS OF A POLITICAL,PHILOSOPHICAL,IDEOLOGICAL,RACIAL,ETHNIC,RELIGIOUS OR ANY OTHER NATURE THAT MAY BE INVOKED TO JUSTIFY THEM ”

Are Lies, Scare Tactics used by the GOP {Repugnant Party} to put fear in our citizens a form of terrorism designed to panic and mold public opinion to accept right-wing ideology?

There is a concentrated attack on young people, putting jobs, the economy, declining earnings, stagnation of wages, threats of Social Security and Medicare bankruptcy at the same time cutting educational opportunities that leads to upward mobility for a whole generation, being used to put economic insecurity and fear as political weapons.

WHY?   Plain and simple, payback and voter suppression.
 
Get the young voters turned off and scared for their future and drive their votes away from President Obama in the next election.  There is no doubt that the massive 18 to 34 year old vote for Obama contributed to his election victory, destroy that vote and destroy his second term.

Unemployment for this age group this year has skyrocketed and most have never qualified for unemployment benefits.  (Unemployment is estimated at 25.4 percent for 19-to-23-year-old), Underemployment and lack of benefits on available low wage jobs contribute to insecurity and depressed attitudes on the direction the country is taking.  An important measure of electorial decision making.  "are you better off today, is the country on the right track?"

Educational opportunities are diminished and faced with the raising cost of education has created poor choices NOT MORE CHOICE as Republican legislators across the country are promising parents.  {Republicans are not ProChoice anything.) Proposed cuts in educational grants, higher interest rate student loans in the name of balanced budgets is as phony as the weapons of mass destruction  hidden away in Iraq.

It may be easy to point out public failures, but what about solutions.  Each and every day it seems a new or "reborn" Republican candidate for President pops up.  Each new flavor or favorite rips into President Obama without a solution except to "make Obama a one term President".  They have no new proposals and most don't even offer a clue to how to start our economy moving again. 

Wouldn't it be refreshing if just one of them would come up with a work incentive program?   Something directed to getting 19 to 26 year old jobs, training and even temporary paychecks while the adults in charge of this country start building and rebuilding rather than taking pickaxes at our crumbling economy as a result of too many unfunded, off budget ventures, wars and tax cuts for the few most rich.

Since states are not able or find themselves having fiscal problems the federal government, yes government, yes the one in Washington, D.C. needs to step in and sell savings bonds to provide the funds for Public Works Projects.  The name is already in the annuals of American history, PWA, Public Works Aministration, FDR, New Deal, 1933.  We started paying for our involvement in World War II with "War Savings Bonds" another successful government program.  Instead of calling on China or anyone else in the world to buy our bonds lets have Americans start their own savings plans.
   [My opinion not necessarily agreed upon by DOV...Harvey Akeson]

Your money is safe and in good hands.

PAUL BARBY is Treasurer of the Legislative District 26 precinct organization.  Today we received a short note from Paul that hit on several tender spots.  The Arizona Legislature is not the only one with a solid extremist right-wing agenda.  Check out this Texas Legislature agenda.

Down in Rick Perry's Red Texas, there are still a few Democrats willing to throw a punch and not take any crap from right wing Republicans.  Exhibit A: State Senator Rodney Ellis of Houston.  First you can take advantage of membership in our club, we need you!

Democrats of Oro Valley (DOV)   We support enthusiastic participation in the democratic process and encourage our fellow citizens to join us in preserving our unique and historic Arizona environment.  Democrats of Oro Valley club is ONLY $15 a year.  
Join and advance the progressive leadership for Oro Valley and Northwest Pima County,  print the membership form and mail to:       The Democrats of Oro Valley, PO Box 68186, Oro Valley, AZ 85737

                                   

When you mail your membership check send an e-mail to Paul so he can add your name to our membership immediately.  "Paul Barby" pmbarby@earthlink.net    You will be placed on our club
mailing list to receive group announcements, meeting reminders, and the DOV monthly newsletter.

Back to the note from Paul with regards to State Senator Rodney Ellis of Houston, Texas

The right wing corporate front group, Empower Texans, recently released its 2011 legislative scorecard, with the usual grades for anyone not on the side of Voldermort and the usual Republican campaign donors.   Senator Ellis apparently received an F from this uber-conservative group and decided to share his feelings on the matter.    (Here is his letter.)

August 24, 2011
Michael Quinn Sullivan
Empower Texans
PO Box 200248
Austin, TX 78720

Dear Mr. Sullivan:
Thank you for your letter regarding Empower Texans 2011 legislative scorecard. Upon reading it, my first thought was of George Bernard Shaw, who responded to one of his critics thusly: "I am sitting in the smallest room of my house. Your critique is in front of me. Shortly it will be behind me."

Then I realized this thought was perhaps too harsh and too confrontational for, in fact, I am proud to have earned an "F" from Empower Texans for my work in the 82nd legislature. I know I am doing things right in Austin, and would seriously question both my judgment and values were I to receive any higher grade.

I am proud to have opposed Voter ID, which does nothing to protect the sanctity of the ballot and is designed only to limit the participation of the disenfranchised.  (Road Block to voting!)

I am proud to have fought against those who held the Rainy Day Fund hostage and to use an additional $3 billion to alleviate devastating cuts to vital programs.  (Devastating cuts, sound familiar?)

I am proud to have voted for other bills that would have reduced the impact of those cuts, and to get rid of tax loopholes that provide billions in tax breaks to huge oil companies even as we cut funding for our children's schools and health care.  (Tax loopholes,  tax breaks,  cuts to schools and health care.  Hitting home?)

I am proud to have voted against hypocritical "look at me" votes calling on Congress to balance the federal budget while we failed to actually balance our own, and against the interests of the predatory payday loan industry. (Arizona voters took care of payday lenders.)

I will wear my "F" grade from Empower Texans as a badge of honor and look forward to further disappointing you in the future.  (Hey, Norquist, how about that pledge?)

To paraphrase the greatest President of the 20th Century, Franklin Delano Roosevelt: I welcome your hatred. After all, I'd much rather be a champion of the powerless than a lickspittle of the powerful.

Sincerely,
Rodney Ellis


We need more legislators like this fighting Texan.

The 2012 election is a neighborhood thing!

Our right to vote is one of our most fundamental and valuable rights as American citizens, but Republicans have outrageously passed restrictive voter identification laws aimed squarely at disenfranchising eligible voters.  Alarms are sounding across the country, but it is not just enough to warn people about this insidious plot to place road blocks in the way of voters we must retaliate.  Fighting to insure the right to vote for every eligible citizen.

For this next election let's put every effort we can into registering voters.  Every new 18 year old, everyone who may have moved and needs to re-register. Most of all let's put in every extra effort to find those people who have never registered or never voted.  It is time to build our ranks and leave no voter behind, the first order of citizenship is to register to vote.

A disproportionate number of low-income and minorities — registered to vote are under threat because they don't have government-issued photo IDs. This trap of government issued IDs must not stand.  This stumbling block also must be breached by making certain our voters are not only registered but prepared to cast their ballots.

Protect the American right to fair elections, volunteer to be a get out the vote warden in your neighborhood.  Check each an every person in your neighborhood that has the right to vote is registered, and knows when, where and what they need on election day at their polling place to cast that all important ballot.

Voter suppression is one of the most serious threats facing our election battle.   Do not let it stand, fight back!  

Republicans in at least 22 states are rushing to pass voter identification bills in a coordinated effort to disenfranchise eligible voters. These outrageous bills have already been passed in Alabama, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin, and several more state legislatures are currently considering them.

Why is there such a widespread push by Republicans to pass laws that don't serve any purpose other than making it much harder for poor people and people of color to vote?

The answer couldn't be clearer: Republicans believe that erecting obstacles to voting will stop minorities and low income people from exercising their right to cast a ballot. Several of these laws passed in the name of preventing voter fraud are in truth just an effort to cut down all opposition voters.

After all, a federal law already exists making voter fraud punishable by $10,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. And despite the Republican hysteria about supposed scourge of "voter fraud," there's absolutely zero evidence that it is a widespread or frequent phenomenon.

The real answer to these blatant attempts at voter suppression is taking to the streets, door to door defending the right to vote.  

Don't Let the Extremist Kill the American Dream

Republicans are killing the American Dream

It’s up to us to stop them.

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There is work to be done! Precinct by Precinct

"Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.  The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country."  Franklin D Roosevelt

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A PRECINCT COMMITTEE PERSON (PC) is the lead party worker for the smallest unit of government--it's a neighborhood thing--the grassroots contact representing the Democratic Party to the voters in a specific precinct:  where elections are won or lost.  Neighborhood captains assist the PC.  It is their job to make sure the voters in their assigned precincts are registered, informed and prepared to get their vote to the ballot box.

Things you can do as a PC:

>> Make the party and the candidates visible by providing: signs, bumper stickers, buttons. Encourage letters to the editors supporting Democratic programs and ballots issues.

>> Introduce yourself to registered Democrats and Independents as you collect signatures for candidates or for ballot issues before the election.  Find out the voters interests and issues

and relate them to the Party and to elected officials.

>> Register Democrats, both recent arrivals and as they become 18-year-olds in your

neighborhood.

>> Persuade more voters to vote Democratic: 

We are the MAINSTREAM Party that represents Middle Class interests. Frame our Democratic

Moral Values that have promoted public education, workers’ rights and preservation of our environment.  Distribute flyers and signs, invite people to DOV meetings. Give rides to the polls, but, better yet, encourage and help voters get on the Permanent Mail-in Ballots list. A much larger percentage of Democrats who are on this list actually cast their vote in any one election.

>>  IT’S ABOUT GETTING DEMOCRATS TO VOTE! ONE VOTE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> How Do I Become A Precinct Committee Person?
>> Usually Committee Persons are elected.  But when there is a need to fill vacancies,
they may be appointed. To ask questions or volunteer contact the elected Legislative District Chair.      
                                 We don't want to miss you, numbers you can call!

Brian Clymer, Chair of the Legislative District 26 Democratic Committee

Email: brianclymer @yahoo.com   for more details

Pima County Democratic  Headquarters 520.326.3716

State Democratic Office    602-298-4200

For information on how to become a Democratic Precinct Committeeperson or a member of an affiliated Democratic organization, please call us.

Arizona Democratic Party Headquarters  2910 North Central Avenue  Phoenix, AZ 85012GRASS ROOTS ORGANIZATION GETS THE VOTES INTO THE BALLOT BOX!

Are Food Stamps the next target of GOP efforts to cut programs?

Almost 46 million people in the United States are on food stamps.  That is about 15 percent of the population of the United States to the cost of $68 billion in 2010.  Some rather than say it is welfare for the poor, look at it as a corporation subsidy for low wage giants, so their workers can afford to eat.

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Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, in an exclusive interview with the Heritage Foundation, called union collective bargaining a “vicious cycle,… one I think people have realized we can’t afford anymore.”  [Note:  In this interview with the Heritage Foundation, Governor Walker quotes former President Reagan with regards to actions and remarks during his dealings with the air traffic controllers.  Governor Walker claims to have Reagan as a "political role model."]

...where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.

Ronald Reagan, Labor Day Speech at Liberty State Park, 1980

Collective Bargaining has brought much to the workers of the world, in fact, it is described by the U N Commission on Human Rights, a basic "Human Right".  Collective Bargaining leading to a worker-employer contracts involves more than just wages, working conditions, health and safety, but all manner of relationships between the two parties.  Time and time again the Democratic party has reaffirmed support for Unions and their collective bargaining rights.  Food Stamps and working conditions at Walmart in this article are not about collective bargaining, but the reality of many work places today.

Republican Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich last year called the Democrats as "the party of food stamps".  Republican leaders in the House of Representatives propose changing the program so control of benefits and operations would be through a "block grant" to the states.  Fifty plus different food stamp programs across the country.  A number of states and the District of Columbia had 20 percent of their population on food stamps  this past May.   This same May 2011, Alabama had one-third, 33%, of their people on food stamps.

Food stamps have become a low wage support program.  In past years unemployed food stamp recipients were the highest percentage of beneficiaries.  In 2009 that changed to a higher number receiving benefits who were employed, working low wage or part time jobs. Based on income, minimum wage single parents are almost always eligible for food stamps.  (Welfare Moms)

Walmart the nation's largest employer and a non-union shop with poverty wages can talk about the company's customers increasingly being shoppers on some government assistance for food.  Well, Walmart you don't have to look out your doors to find people on a government program to buy food.  If there is any justification for wage conditions at jobs like those at Walmart we can blame the financial crisis and deep recession in the United States.

Even going a step further, giving credit to these low wage employers,  to many workers it is the employment of last resort or for many a starting point of employment.  Not everyone will graduate from high school and be prepared as a skilled worker and certainly many of these low wage, no benefit, no health insurance jobs come with training and an adjustment to working responsibilities.

Hopefully options other than joining the military for education and training will always be available. Some day perhaps our citizens will get the message of the Republican attacks on education are harming not only our national security but chasing jobs overseas where more countries are increasing educational opportunities for their people.  Almost no one can ignore the advances Brazil, India and China have made with the expansion of their  enhancements in free public education.  Education is just another place where the wrong and misguided policies advanced by the Republicans are destroying jobs in this country.

Republicans don't have to come out and say they want to balance the budget on the backs of the young, the poor and the elderly, but certainly those are the results that we are seeing!  That is what Democrats have been fighting as the GOP corporate masters have been pouring unlimited political funds into fighting any kind of shared tax sacrifice or adjustments to increase revenues collected for the federal government. 

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