Progressive Democrat Issue 49: NYC ACTIONS

Bloomberg. I keep hearing he is not a “real” Republican. I don’t understand this claim at all. First of all, his stand on First Amendment rights is EXACTLY in line with the Bush administration. He arrests protesters. He calls protesters “terrorists.” Remember, that “terrorist” accusation applies to my wife and me, who protested the Republican Convention. And also remember what the “terrorist” label can mean in America today—detention without due process and even torture. That is what “terrorist” means in America today and Bloomberg accused my wife and me of being terrorists. So, on the most basic level Bloomberg seems solidly Republican to me. His education plan is much like Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” scheme which tests kids more but fails to provide money to address the problems revealed by testing. Here is an Americans for Democratic Action article on Bloomberg and Education.


But there is more. Bloomberg, in his own words, puts himself in the Bush camp. Here is footage of Bloomberg at the Republican Convention solidly endorsing Bush for President.

In this, he is endorsing the entire Bush agenda, from the Iraq war to torture to corruption. Bloomberg is aligning himself solidly with Bush in that video. Did he qualify? No. He endorsed.

Finally, there are his donations. Michael Bloomberg donated $7 million to the Republican Convention. Remember, this is the convention where they wrapped themselves in 9/11 and used it to justify the Iraq invasion. Did Michael Bloomberg complain about what they did with his money? NO! He endorsed Bush and arrested protesters. But he also donated $250,000 (more than any Republican Congressperson by about a factor of 5) to Tom DeLay’s PAC—the one whose STATED purpose is to further the conservative agenda, including anti-choice, anti-environment, Iraq war, etc. He was one of the biggest donors to DeLay’s PAC, the same PAC whose corruption has led to DeLay’s indictment.

Michael Bloomberg has verbally and financially supported the Bush agenda and his actions on Civil Liberties and education closely parallel Bush’s. What more do New Yorkers need to see that this man has allied himself to the most corrupt and mean-spirited Republican administration of my lifetime.

PLEASE volunteer. Ferrer is running a very solidly grassroots campaign and without your help, Bloomberg’s money will win. The stealth Republican will win. Please show NYC what grassroots mean. Visit his website, check him out and, if you can, volunteer and/or donate:


MANHATTAN

Midtown (Daily)
14 East 38th Street, 3rd Floor
(btwn. Fifth and Madison Aves.)
Contact: Jeremy Wilson (212) 363-0892

East Harlem
181 East 108th Street
(btwn. Lex & Third Ave)
Directions: 6 train to 110th Street
Contact: Samuel Delgado (212) 684-2005

Washington Heights
612 West 178th Street, 2nd Floor #22 (btwn. Wadsworth & St. Nicholas)
Directions: A train to 175th Street
Contact: Carmen Perez (646) 418-7402

BRONX

Bronx County Democratic Headquarters (Daily)
135 Westchester Square
Directions: 6 train to Westchester Sq.
Contact: Gustavo Rivera (646) 643-4306
Andy King (917) 690-2217

Borough President Campaign Office
15 Bedford Park East
Directions: 4 train to Bedford Park
Contact: Gustavo Rivera (646) 643-4306

STATEN ISLAND

1282 Richmond Road (btwn. Mark Street & Newberry Ave)
Contact: Central Headquarters: 212.684.2005

BROOKLYN

Bed-Stuy
Unity Democratic Club
203 Ralph Avenue (at Decatur Street)
Directions: A, C train to Ralph Avenue
Contacts: Cleveland Beckett (917) 771-3853
A. Robert Brown (917) 690-8792

Bushwick/Williamsburg
Pueblo Democratic Club
32 Varet Street
(btwn. Manhattan & Graham Ave)
Directions: J, M train to Flushing Ave. Walk North 3 blocks on Graham, left on Varet St.
Contacts: Paul Thomas (917) 754-3631
Pierre Devaud (917) 656-1830

QUEENS

Corona (Daily 12pm – 7pm)
40-53 99th Street (at Shore Road)
Directions: 7 train to Junction Blvd. Walk east on Roosevelt Ave, right on 99th Street.
(718) 429-7662
Contacts: Corey Bearak (516) 343-6207
Patrick Von Keerbergen
Matt Farrell (646) 263-1699

Southeast
Guy Brewer Club
197-01 Linden Blvd (at 197th Street)
Directions: Take E, J train to Parsons Archer stop, from there take Q4 bus to Linden Blvd
(718) 978-3000
Contact: Ruben Wills (516) 860-4929

Anoroc Democratic Club
45-23 47th Street at Greenpoint Ave., Woodside
Contact: Jonathan Ettricks (347) 993-5952

Also, please write letters to the editor about Bloomberg representing Bush more than he does NYC.

Ferrer is a real New Yorker and I know from experience that he is more than willing to meet with and listen to the public. He deserves our support.


NYC FOCUS FOR OHIO AND AMERICA: Reform Ohio Now: Trip to Columbus with NYC Activists, Nov. 5-9

Local NYC activists from The Saloon are organizing a trip from New York City to Ohio to get out the vote for the important ballot proposals to reform Ohio (see #3 above). The trip will leave Nov. 5 and return Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Visit this page at our website with a message from the Saloon Steering Committee with all the details.