Progressive Democrat Issue 37: THOUGHTS

So much going on this week! A near victory in a deep red district in Ohio. The cowardly backdoor appointment of Bolton as UN ambassador. The launch of Al Gore's new TV network, Current TV. Bob "traitor" Novak's freaking out on national television, cursing, then storming out like a petulant child. Tensions mounting in Israel ahead of "disengagement." And so much more I don't have a chance to deal with just yet. But read on! There is much to cover this week.

Last week I discussed some of our core values as Democrats. What I mostly focused on was domestic policy. What I left out, somewhat intentionally, is our core stand on war. We are portrayed by the eternally lying right as being weak on defense, even though it is BUSH who has failed so miserably to protect America. What should our stand be on terrorism and on the War in Iraq? As with the core values I outlined last time, there is no single easy answer, but this is my stab at an answer.

Our core value: strength and determination against terrorism, but no war of aggression.

In other words, we MUST draw a sharp distinction between the war against those who attacked us on 9/11 and the war in Iraq. We must definitively say they ARE NOT LINKED and that Bush's war in Iraq is ill defined, not in America's interest and merely a distraction from the real war against those who attacked us. We must basically say we are withdrawing over time from Iraq in order to re-deploy our forces BACK into the war against terrorism.

We can't favor any major cuts to defense spending just yet, because there are real threats to our lives and our security that we DO have to deal with. But we can oppose large increases and the wasteful, corrupt support of war profiteers like Halliburton (see the Target the Corrupt Republican section!). We have to advocate a strong, but FOCUSED war on terrorism that combines diplomacy, international co-operation to cut off funding and arms supplies, and, where necessary, military strikes. In areas where we have carried out military strikes and areas where the local governments co-operate with us we should have a generous "Marshall Plan" for rebuilding. It worked after WW II, why shouldn't it be part of our plan now? And another part of the whole fight should be supporting women's rights through projects similar to those of the Global Fund for Women.

The gist of this foreign policy is a combination of diplomacy/co-operation and military action, a combination of carrot and stick. Our current policy of only stick, of only unilateral, unfocused military action is failing dismally. We must refocus, re-deploy and improve our war against those who attacked us. The war for Halliburton's profits must end now!

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: NATIONAL SECURITY: The great failure of George Bush

From a Daily Kos diary.

A small discussion of Bush's somewhat inexplicable "tough on terror" reputation came up in another diary recently. In thinking about this afterward, I realized how important it is that we (and Democratic pols) hammer away at this misconception.
Bush's fading popularity is looking too "September 10th" for my comfort. Whatever you believe about how 9/11 came to be, surely recent events make it obvious BushCo will do almost anything for political motives. I personally am concerned they might "let one slip through". But those who are not as paranoid can still find plenty of reasons to keep Bush's terror failings in the light of day.
Here are a just a few reasons why Bush is the opposite of "Strong on terror" (feel free to add to the list):

1. 9/11 was his fault -- whether you believe BushCo let it happen or made it happen, it happened, on his watch, and was a stellar example of obliviousness.

2. Since then, we have helped Osama and radical Islam by blowing up lots of innocent Muslims and bumbling around in Iraq and Afghanistan without any clear vision.

3. We've made ourselves more dependent on the oil that funds radical Islam.

4. We've shown no interest in root causes, or developing a plan to address them.

5. We focus overwhelmingly on last year's risks (airlines) and largely ignore ports, mass-transit, nuclear proliferation, etc.

6. The Administration outed CIA WMD resource Valerie Plame, at probable risk to intelligence work years in the making, and some unknown number of agent/sympathizer lives.

7. The Administration outed Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan, apparentlywhile he was still a useful Al Qaeda intelligence asset. How much this set back our Al Qaeda work (and the London investigation), remains unclear. But as with Plame, it is crystal clear that this was a mind-bogglingly reckless and damaging move.

I think this diary is largely right on target. These should be among our loudest complaints. I am asking you to make this the basis of a letter to the editor campaign.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: TARGET THE CORRUPT REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN: (Haliburton Republicans)

What do you give a company that overcharges and profits from the death of American soldiers? If you are George Bush you give them more contracts. That is the situation with Haliburton. I have been focusing on the corruption of individual Republican politicians so far. And I will continue that focus in the future. But this week I want to focus on another aspect of Republican scandals: the company called Haliburton.

I will start by excerpting an article from Counter Punch:

The damning investigation by the Defense Contract Audit Agency was completed in early October of 2004 and shipped up the line to Pentagon's dark triumverate, Douglas Feith, Paul Wolfowitz and Donald Rumsfeld. And there it sat. The Pentagon's civilian leadership mothballed the explosive report for more than five months, until after the election, the inauguration, the State of the Union Address and the Defense Department budget request had all safely transpired.

Even congress was denied a peak at the report's findings until mid-March 2005. The Pentagon rejected 12 separate requests from Congressman Henry Waxman, the California Democrat who has spearheaded the ad hoc congressional inquiry into Halliburton's contract abuse, seeking to examine the internal audits of Halliburton's $2.5 billion contract for fuel supplies and other services to the US military and occupation government in Iraq.

Waxman charged that the Pentagon withheld the damaging reports at the behest of the office of Vice President Dick Cheney, the former CEO of Halliburton.

The Halliburton audits were also concealed from a team of investigators from the United Nations, which is probing profiteering from oil contracts in Iraq. More than $1.5 billion of Halliburton's $2.5 billion deal was funded by Iraqi oil sales overseen by the UN.

"The evidence suggests that the Pentagon used Iraqi oil proceeds to overpay Halliburton," says Waxman. "And then the company and the Pentagon sought to hide the evidence of these overchages from the international auditors."

…

The most peculiar billing found in this limited series of transactions was a $27.5 million charge for shipping cooking gas and heating fuel that the Pentagon auditors valued at $82,000. This single invoice amounted to an overcharge of more than 335 times the value of the liquified natural gas delivered by Halliburton's subcontractors.

The auditors examined only a single task order in Halliburton's scandal-plagued contract with the Army Corps of Engineers, yet their report lambasted nearly every aspect of the deal, from the no-bid award to the cost-plus nature of the contract to the almost total lack of supervision of the work orders and the subcontractors.

From May 2003 to March 2004, Halliburton sent the Corps of Engineers bills totalling more than $875 million for supplies of fuel to US operations in Iraq. For this task order alone, the Pentagon auditors estimated that Halliburton overbilled the government by at least $108.4 million. That's real money, even by Pentagon standards.

But that's only a rough opening bid for the true scale of the looting, in large part because the company's indefatigable stonewalling. The auditor's report accuses Halliburton of misleading the government inspectors at nearly every turn. For example, the auditors allege that Halliburton simply refused to hand over any information on its subcontractors in Kuwait. "Halliburton failed to demonstrate its prices for Kuwait fuel were 'fair and reasonable'", the auditors wrote in their report.

Similarly, Halliburton kept the Pentagon investigators in the dark about the prices it paid for purchasing fuel from Turkey and Jordan.

The Defense Contract Audit Agency report comes on top of previous investigations tagging Halliburton, and its Kellogg, Brown and Root subsidiary, for more than $442 million in "unsupported" billings for its work in Iraq, including charges for meals that were never served, $45 cases of pop, unnecessary heavy equipment, tailoring fees and $152,000 for movie screenings. In all a report prepared by the Democratic Policy Committee estimates that Halliburton's overcharges in Iraq alone exceed $1 billion.

And this company is STILL in charge of our operations in Iraq. They STILL get no-bid contracts. We are rewarding blatant corruption. This is TYPICAL of the Republican attitude towards corruption—reward it! But it gets worse.

And now we get back to our old friend, Tom DeLay. From the Campaign for America’s Future:

Tom DeLay's blatant abuse of power knows no bounds. In the dark of night (around 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning), DeLay slipped a $1.5 billion giveaway into the energy bill to big oil companies - including Halliburton and Marathon Oil. No Surprise. Oil and gas companies are DeLay's top career contributors.

Tom DeLay's dirty deed benefits his own oil and gas buddies in his hometown of Sugar Land, Texas. His slippery insertion doubles the tax incentives to the richest oil companies of them all, Halliburton and Marathon Oil. As watchdog Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) so aptly said, "If Congress has an extra $1.5 billion to give away, the money should be used to help families struggling to pay for soaring gasoline prices - not to further enrich oil and gas companies that are rolling in profits."

And here is more from American Progress

DeLay's Sweetheart Deal

Majority Leader Tom DeLay may have faded from the front pages, but he's still up to his dirty tricks. Yesterday, Rep. Henry Waxman revealed that DeLay slipped a $1.5 billion giveaway to the oil industry, Halliburton, and Sugar Land, Texas into the energy bill. But it gets worse. The provision was "mysteriously inserted" into the text of the energy bill "after the conference was closed, so members of the conference committee had no opportunity to consider or reject this measure."

THE ANATOMY OF A SCAM: The $1.5 billion is designated for "oil and natural gas drilling research." Ordinarily, any company could apply for these funds directly from the government. But DeLay does things a little differently. In this case, the bulk of the money must be handed over to "a corporation that is constructed as a consortium." As it so happens, "the leading contender for this contract appears to be the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA) consortium, housed in the Texas Energy Center in Sugar Land, Texas," Tom DeLay's home district. RPSEA "has been advocating such a research program and is in a better position than any other group." (DeLay testified in support of the program before a House subcommittee last year.) If RPSEA wins the contract they can keep "up to 10% of the funds - in this case, over $100 million - in administrative expenses."

DISPENSING WITH DEMOCRACY: The $1.5 billion giveaway was added to the bill after "Democratic negotiators went home Tuesday at 4 a.m. believing a deal had been finalized and the provision wasn't in the bill." The program was not included in the draft version of the bill and a DeLay spokesman said "he could not explain how the item was added to the final version of legislation prepared by the Senate and House negotiators."

DELAY - ROBIN HOOD IN REVERSE: The broader question is: why do taxpayers need to provide another huge subsidy oil and gas companies? As Waxman notes "The oil and gas industry is reporting record income and profits. According to one analyst, the net income of the top oil companies will total $230 billion in 2005." Halliburton, which is a member of the consortium, would be eligible to "receive awards from the over $1 billion fund administered by the consortium."

Tom DeLay added a $1.5 billion giveaway to oil companies, including the corrupt Haliburton, into the Energy Bill that Congress just passed. So Tom DeLay, mired in corruption himself, is giving OUR TAX MONEY to Haliburton, the company already caught in the act of bilking taxpayers.

I think we need to really shout about this to the media! Republican corruption is feeding off our hard-earned dollars! Write the media and let them know what you think of Haliburton’s corrupt war profiteering and corrupt Tom DeLay’s use of our tax money to help out corrupt Haliburton.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: VERIFIED VOTING ACTION: (from the VerifiedVoting.org newsletter):

This is your chance to be involved with the reform of our voting system. And remember, if WE are not involved, you can be sure Diebold will.

COMMENT ON EAC VOLUNTARY VOTING SYSTEM GUIDELINES

On June 24, 2005, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) released Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) for public comment. The VVSG update the 2002 Voting System Standards as required by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). If adopted, the guidelines will become effective in October 2006.

Although the guidelines are "voluntary," they will become the de facto nationwide standard for voting technology. It's crucial that the public provide feedback on how the U.S. government and most states will regulate voting systems for many years to come.

The deadline for posting comments falls within 90 days of the date the guidelines were published, or by September 21, 2005.

We look forward to your participation in this process bringing us a step closer towards a fully accessible and voter-verifiable election.

Feel free to comment on any part of the guidelines. We will be reviewing everyone's comments in preparing our official comments to the EAC.

We encourage you to visit the VVSG section of our blog and post your comments.

And for those who live in San Francisco:

FALL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Are you a student living in or traveling to the San Francisco Bay Area with an interest in helping make democracy work? If so, we'd like to hear from you!

Currently, Verified Voting is ramping up a fall internship program for students with an interest in voting, elections, computer science, policy, or activism. Apply your efforts to important election reform projects at a critical time when your country is facing election reform decisions. Help us ensure that every vote counts in the next election and gain new skills at the same time.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

The Exxon/Mobil boycott is in full swing. I covered this in a previous issue. Exxon/Mobil is the rock bottom company in an industry that as a whole is not so good. So there is a coalition of environmental and scientific groups that are targeting Exxon/Mobil for a boycott.

Why Exxon/Mobil? Here are some examples of what Exxon/Mobil does (excerpted from Truthout.org):

Despite making a record profit of $25 billion last year, ExxonMobil is still shirking payment of the full amount it owes fishermen and natives hurt by the Exxon Valdez oil spill sixteen years ago.

-ExxonMobil is the only oil company that's still part of Arctic Power, the group lobbying Congress to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. The rest bowed out due to public pressure.

- ExxonMobil has spent more than $15 million since 1998 to deny the existence of global warming by funding junk science groups to cloud the debate. BP, for example, not only admits we have a problem but is investing in solar energy research and selling real solar panels today to help deal with the problem.

Here is an update. First, from SaveOurEnvironment.org:

The campaign is off to a great start! On the day of the launch, we held more than 50 news conferences in front of ExxonMobil gas stations around the country to raise awareness of ExxonMobil's misdeeds and get the word out about the campaign.


The media responded well with an exclusive in the New York Times and a feature story about the campaign on NPRís Morning Edition the day of the launch.


Since the launch, there have been hundreds more stories about the campaign in newspapers and on radio and TV shows across the country.


In just the first two weeks of the campaign, more than 100,000 people sent letters to ExxonMobil CEO Lee Raymond telling him how they feel about the company's policies and letting him know they won't buy the company's gas, invest in the companyís stock, or work for the company.

Let’s keep this going! First, tell the CEO of Exxon/Mobil that you are boycotting.


Then spread the word to the media. Here is a letter writing campaign from the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Will you help Exxpose Exxon even more by sending a Letter to the Editor of your local paper?

Letter to the Editor Instructions and Details

Information on how and to whom to submit a letter-to-the-editor is usually found right on the Letters Page in your paper. Many papers now accept letters via email. If you can't find the information you need, simply call the paper and ask how to go about submitting a letter in response to a recently published article.


To increase the chances that your letter will be published, do the following:


* keep it under 200 words and stay focused on one or two main points you'd like to make;
* make it personal by talking about how Exxon's policies impact you or someone you know;
* keep it local by referencing a recent article or opinion piece that appeared in the paper;
* be sure to include your name, address, and daytime phone number;
* submit the letter within the next few days, if possible; and
* whether or not your letter gets printed, send a copy to CEO Lee Raymond at Exxon Mobil Corporation, 5959 Las Colinas Boulevard, Irving, TX 75039-2298.

Key messages to put into your own words:


* ExxonMobil is making record-breaking profits because of high gasoline prices but refuses to invest that windfall in renewable energy, calling it "uneconomic."
* Instead of using its record-breaking profits to move America toward a cleaner energy future, ExxonMobil is spending millions on junk science, lobbying, and advertisements to block meaningful action on global warming.
* ExxonMobil is content to keep America dependent on oil while reaping the financial benefits. The company’s president has said we "need to accept the reality" of America’s dependence on oil rather than undertake "expensive" steps trying to avoid it. It is ironic that one of America’s largest corporations shows so little faith in American ingenuity.
* ExxonMobil is making record-breaking profits because of high gasoline prices, but ExxonMobil continues to challenge the 1994 court ruling ordering the company to pay $4-$5 billion in punitive damages to fishermen and others injured by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
* Because of ExxonMobil’s environmental policies, I’ve pledged not to buy the company’s gas, invest in the company, or work for the company. Readers interested in joining the campaign can sign up at www.ExxposeExxon.com.

I also want to give you some alternatives to Exxon/Mobil. Three oil companies, while still oil companies and thus inherently bad for the environment, stand out as being better than the rest of the pack. First there is Citgo. The main reason progressives are pushing this company is that they buy NO OIL WHATSOEVER from Saudi Arabia. They are strictly Venezuelan oil and are nationalized. So buying Citgo helps President Chavez, the popular and populist Venezuelan president that Bush hates so much. In addition to Citgo I can recommend BP and Chevron because overall their environmental records are far better than any other oil companies. Their records are NOT as good as they want you to believe. But they are still better than anyone else’s. So please patronize Citgo, Chevron, and/or BP over Exxon/Mobil.

Finally, for those who want to take the next step in reducing oil use, join the nationwide eRideshare network and start carpooling.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: NYC FOCUS

Here is a short one. Straphangers Campaign is a NYC advocacy group for commuters and should be a group we all pay attention to and support. They rate stations, subway and bus lines and lobby/litigate to block fare increases. They are a very good group. Their latest focus are the random searches. Here, by way of introduction/reintroduction of you to Straphangers Campaign, here is this week's email from them:

As you probably know, police officers have begun what they call random searches of riders' packages. Click here to express your views.

And please get to know their website: http://www.straphangers.org

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

CRITCAL MASS BICYCLE MOVEMENT! Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Rides every Friday starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! And see their NYC calendar for Bike Workshops and other rides (including ones in other Boroughs).


BROOKLYN EVENTS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

MARJORIE'S OZZIE’S MEETUP: Next meeting in August, at 249 5th Ave, at Garfield, Park Slope, 7:00 PM, best by R subway to Union & 4th. Walk east one block and down three. Next month’s guest: Gifford Miller. I also recommend getting Marjorie’s very informative newsletter which you can get by contacting her at: johnkerry57@covad.net

Musical Benefit for Chris Owens: Sunday, August 7, 3:00pm to 6:00pm; Freddy's Backroom, 485 Dean Street,Brooklyn,NY. Chris Owens has been an advocate for many progressive causes, and most recently has stood firmly and courageously, along with Norman Siegel, against Bruce Ratner’s ill-conceived Atlantic Yards development scheme. Chris is running for the seat now held by his father, Congressman Major Owens, who is retiring after 24 years of service. Music will be provided by Dave Benjoya & Friends, with a special guest performance by Chris himself. Suggested donation: $10, $25, $50 or more.

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) (mostly covers Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Kensington.


Lambda Independent Democrats (Brooklyn’s gay and lesbian organization) for meeting info contact LID@LIDBrooklyn.org.

DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Brooklyn groups:

Park Slope: First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward, Commonwealth, 497 5th Ave (at 12th Street). Hosted by Emily Farris and Peter Wohlsen, parkslope (at) drinkingliberally.org

Williamsburg: Every Tuesday, 8:00 pm onward the Levee, 212 Berry St. (corner of N. 3rd). Hosted by Elana Levin and Michael Freedman-Schnapp, williamsburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

To find your nearest Brooklyn Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.

QUEENS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

Queens Jefferson Democratic Club: Our meetings are normally held the first Thursday of every month, @ 8:00 p.m. (the doors open @ 7:30 P.M.) except for July, August, and months in which a holiday falls on the First Thursday. Meetings are held at the Auburndale American Legion Hall, 198-09 33rd Ave Flushing, New York 11358 (just off Francis Lewis Blvd. near 33rd Avenue).

Queens County Young Democrats: for information CLICK HERE.

DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Queens groups:

ASTORIA: Third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward. Cassidy's, 34-16 Broadway (at 35th Street). Hosted by Bob Chamerda, astoria (at) drinkingliberally.org

To find your nearest Queens Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

CRITCAL MASS BICYCLE MOVEMENT! Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Rides every Friday starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! And see their NYC calendar for Bike Workshops and other rides (including ones in other Boroughs).


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

Blues & Barbecue Benefit Concert for Norman Siegel at the A&M Roadhouse Sun, 08/07/2005 - 7:00pm, Joy Ryder and the Rythm Club invite you to a benefit concert for Norman at the A&M Roadhouse, 57 Murray St, between Church and Broadway. Take the 2,3, R, 4,5, or 6 trains to Chambers Street/City Hall. Please RSVP to 718-447-2611 or email rsvp -at norman2005.com (replace -at- with @). For your suggested $20 donation at the door, you get a free barbeque buffet, STORMIN' NORMAN (of Stormin Norman and Susan) AVIS DAVIS, Original Beatlemania cast member PETE SANTORA, and Yale University's second most famous singer/songwriter alum (after Cole Porter, of course) CHARLIE HICKOX.

NYC Fair Trade Coalition & DFNYC Present "Fair Trade 101" Wed, 08/17/2005 - 7:00pm, The NYC Fair Trade Coalition and Democracy for NYC invite you to "Fair Trade 101", where you can learn the basics of fair trade: What it is, why it helps farmers, and how to make NYC a Fair Trade city. Join us Wednesday, August 17th from 7-9pm, at the office of American Jewish World Service, 45 West 36th Street (between 5th & 6th), 10th Floor. Iced Fair Trade beverages will be served! Please RSVP or direct questions to: fair.trade.nyc -at- gmail.com (replace -at- with @)

DFNYC Monthly Mixer Thu, 08/18/2005 - 7:00pm, Big City Bar and Grill, downstairs, 1600 3rd Avenue (at 90th)Admission: $6 for one person or $10 for two. Admission price will benefit Democracy for NYC, it’s a good cause so bring a friend!


DRINKING LIBERALLY: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Here are our local Manhattan groups:

Upper East Side Last Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm onward, Doc Watson's, 1490 2nd Avenue (at 77th). In the backyard, weather permitting. Hosted by Matthew Bachiochi, ues (at) drinkingliberally.org

In Manhattan: Thursday, 7:30 pm onward, Rudy's, 627 9th Avenue (between 44th & 45th Streets). Hosted by Justin Krebs and Matthew O'Neill, nyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

Bar Hopping Manhattan: Second Tuesday of each month, 6:00-9:00 pm
A monthly Democratic drinking club at different gay bars around Manhattan. Join the mailing list to receive updates of future venues. Hosted by Dirk McCall, outnyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

East Village: Last Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward, Grassroots Tavern, 20 Saint Mark's Place (between 2nd and 3rd). Hosted by Quinn Raymond, Elena Morin and Abby Cook-Mack, eastvillage (at) drinkingliberally.org

For those who prefer running to biking, you can join RUNNING FOR CHANGE: Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities.

To find your nearest Manhattan Democratic club, please CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

Support Young Candidates Running 'Clean' Elections

As reported from Democrats 2000:

Several weeks ago, the 6th and 13th Legislative Districts have been selected to participate in the Clean and Fair Elections Pilot Program. Under this program, candidates in these districts are required to collect 1,000 contributions of $5 and 500 contributions of $30. Upon the collection of these contributions, candidates will be eligible for public financing based on the amount spent on previous legislative races in those districts.

Similar to our successful strategy of assisting candidacies through small financial contributions, Democrats 2000 is proud to support this program. The support of our members will help to ensure the success of the Clean Elections Pilot Project and will play a large role in determining whether or not it is continued and expanded in future campaigns. Through 'clean' elections, more young candidates will have the opportunity to run for elected office.

We are also proud that two of the candidates selected to participate in this program are Democrats 2000 members Assemblyman Lou Greenwald and Michael Dassaro.

Assemblyman Greenwald, 38, is currently seeking his 6th term in the General Assembly. As Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman Greenwald has gained a reputation for working hard and getting the job done, playing a key role in crafting the State's budgets while contending with multi-billion dollar deficits left over from the Republican Administrations of the 90's.

Michael Dasaro, 32, is an accomplished attorney running for public office for the first time. Believing that "it is no longer acceptable to pit old against young when we have the resources to treat everyone fairly," as an assemblyman Michael will be committed to bringing integrity back to government and reforming the property tax system for all New Jersey residents.

Candidates in 'clean' district can only accept 'qualifying contributions' from voters within their district and can not accept donations from Political Action Committees. However, candidates can accept 'seed money' contributions from voters throughout the State.

Democrats 2000 members living in the 6th or 13th Legislative are encouraged to make 'qualifying' contributions of either $5 or $30 to either Assemblyman Greenwald of Michael Dasaro. These contributions must be accompanied by a contributions form which can be obtained by emailing Democrats2000@aol.com.

Democrats 2000 members not living in the 6th or 13th Districts can support the efforts of Assemblyman Greenwald and Michael Dasaro by making a donation of any amount to their campaign which will be applied toward 'seed money'. 'Seed money' contributions should be made payable to either Lou Greenwald- Clean Elections or Michael Dasaro- Clean Elections. These contributions can be mailed to Democrats 2000, P.O. Box 31, Jamesburg, 08831.

For more information about this program please email Democrats2000@aol.com.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: NEW JERSEY GROUPS AND EVENTS

Democracy for America Meetups: DFA is one of the best hopes we have of retaking America. I strongly urge you to get involved with your local group. New Jersey for Democracy Meetups take place on the first Wednesday of every month @ 7pm. There are many meetups around the state: North, Central and South Jersey.

Common Cause: Common Cause is a major force in Progressive Politics. It was founded in 1970 (by a Republican, mind you!) to counter the influence of special interests in Washington. Today they work on many of the same issues I am trying to highlight. Check out the NJ Common Cause website.

Here is how you can find your local Dem clubs. Go to HERE and click on your county.

The Democratic Club of Long Beach Island will host its FIRST annual fundraiser at the Foundation of Arts and Sciences , Loveladies NJ. Date August 27th 2005, 5:30 - 7:30, contribution is $40.00 per person, hot and cold hors d'oevres , wine, beer, soda. Democratic dignitaries as guest speakers, Silent Auction. Contact : Barbara Truncellito, Director PR, Democratic Club LBI, truncellito@comcast.net

Hunterdon County Democratic Committee Picnic: September 5th, 2005, Location: Kingwood Park; Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm; Price $35 for adults, $12.75 for children 12-17; Contact Lois at jlzarish@sprintmail.com for more information

North Brunswick Democratic Club 2nd Annual "Day at the Races": September 10th, 2005; Location: Monmouth Park Racetrack; Address: Oceanport, NJ; Time: 12:00 Noon; Price: $37.50 per person; Contact David Sirna at 732-236-7490 for more information

Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies: Currently there is only one group in New Jersey:

Hoboken, New Jersey, Second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward, Mulligan's, 159 1st Street (between Bloomfield and Garden), Hosted by David Alpert and Ali Savino, hoboken (at) drinkingliberally.org

COMING SOON: Princeton, first meeting: Thursday Sept 15 at 7pm, Annex Restaurant at 128 Nassau St., Princeton. princeton@drinkingliberally.org

RUNNING FOR CHANGE: For those who prefer running to biking, you can join RUNNING FOR CHANGE: Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

Democracy for America: One of the best ways to get active! FIND YOUR LOCAL DFA MEETUP AND GET INVOLVED!

***Verified Voting Hearings in Richmond: Virginia is holding hearings to consider requiring voter-verified paper audit trails for voting equipment. Many Virginia jurisdictions have purchased paperless electronic voting machines, and others are considering doing so. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THESE HEARINGS. Your future vote may depend on it!

Digital voting machines that lack a voter-verified paper trail are subject to programming errors and possible fraud, with no ability for meaningful audits or recounts.

Attend the hearings and show support for voter-verified audit trails by wearing orange shirts or ribbons. A large audience will show that Virginians care about the integrity of our elections, and that we demand transparent and reliable elections.
Joint Subcommittee Studying Voting Equipment, General Assembly Building, Richmond
· Monday, August 22, 2005, at 12:30 p.m. in House Room C
· Monday, November 21, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. in House Room C
More information can be found at http://www.vavv.org and http://www.verifiedvoting.org.

Tuesday, August 9th, 6:30-9:00pm, Monthly meeting at Capitol City Brewing in Shirlington.

August 12th-14th Dismantling Racism Workshop, Virginia Organizing Project will sponsor a weekend Dismantling Racism workshop August 12-14, 2005 at the Richmond Hill Retreat Center, 2209 East Grace Street, in Richmond. The session begins at 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 12 and ends at noon Sunday, August 14. Contact Laura Ramirez at 434.984.4655 or lramirez@virginia-organizing.org


The Democratic Party: Here are links to some of your local Dem clubs. This is another very important way to be active.

Albemarle County Democratic Committee, Albemarle County, VA

Arlington County Democrats, Arlington VA. Contact Name: Elizabeth Weitzman mewsician1@msn.com (703) 528-8588

Arlington Young Democrats, Arlington VA. Contact Name: Jaime Mulligan publicity@arlingtonyoungdems.org 571-334-7626

Democratic Party of Fluvanna County, Virginia, Bremo Bluff, Virginia VA

Hanover Democrats, Ashland VA

Loudoun County Democratic Committee, Leesburg, VA. Contact Name: Steve Deak chairman@lcdems.com

Norfolk Democratic Party Meetup, Norfolk VA. Contact Name: Alma D. Kesling akesling@yahoo.com 757 333-8694

Rappahannock County Democrats, Rappahannock VA.

Stafford County Democrats, Fredericksburg VA:

Virginia Beach Democrats, VA

Virginia Young Democrats, Richmond, VA. Contact Name: Justin Wilson justin@justin.net


Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies. Currently there are only two Drinking Liberally groups in all of VA (see below). But it is easy to start your own!

Charlottesville, Virginia Drinking Liberally: Every Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Mellow Mushroom, 1320 West Main Street, Hosted by Jared Jenkins, charlottesville (at) drinkingliberally.org

Richmond, Virginia Drinking Liberally: Every Thursday, 7:30 pm onward Commercial Taphouse, 111 N Robinson St. Hosted by Scott Goode, richmond (at) drinkingliberally.org


RUNNING FOR CHANGE: And if you want a healthier alternative to Drinking Liberally (or want to do some running after your drinking), you can RUN for progressive causes. Building a progressive America through organized runs and other grassroots activities. To find your local Running for Change events, CLICK HERE.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: NATIONAL ACTION

I have been spending a fair amount of time arguing with fellow progressives who I refer to as "purists" who spend many a great deal of time attacking fellow Dems as being sell outs or "just as bad as Republicans". My stand is that leftists are way to quick to pull out the DINO accusation, too angry in their rhetoric and they ignore the often exellent voting record of the Dems they attack. I have been taking a stand against the Balkanization of the Dem party, the circular firing squad. I will stand with any Dem (except Zell Miller) against any Repub in these days of Republican lies and corruption, and I wish the purist progressives were more supportive of their party (and visa versa, I should add!). But I want to emphasize that I am not against constructive criticism (even creative criticism) of Dems who are too cowardly to stand up against the Bush agenda. So, I offer this creative action calling to task the least progressive Dems.

The Campaign for America's Future is taking to task the 6 Democrats who have sided the most with corporate/Republican interests. They are doing this in a funny and creative way, in essence reporting these Dems "missing" to their campaign staffs.

From their email:

Since the start of President Bush's second term, the right-wing majority has pushed four economic measures that blatantly favor wealth and power over the best interests of the American people. As the party of the people and not the privileged, Democrats might be expected to stand up for the general good and oppose the special interests. Most did. But, six Democrats in safe seats went missing in action. They voted with the corporate lobbies against the people's interest -- on all four key issues!

We need your help to track down these missing Democrats and call them to account. Please send an email to each of their Chiefs of Staff to let them know that you noticed their member went missing in action -- and that you've joined the search party to find them, and ensure they don't disappear again.

The issues where the six Democrats went missing were the Bankruptcy Bill, the so-called Tort Reform bill, CAFTA and the Energy Bill -- all legislation cobbled together by corporate lobbies and all of it serving the few and undermining the many. Each piece of legislation endorsed by the missing six insults the basic progressive values that should define the Democratic Party.

*    The Bankruptcy Bill punishes the victims of financial catastrophe by allowing credit card companies to collect from them even after they are driven into bankruptcy from the loss of a job or a medical catastrophe. It is simply obscene that the missing six chose to stand with usurious credit card companies rather than working families in distress.

*    The so-called tort reform legislation severely limits the right of citizens to sue a corporation that does them harm through negligence, fraud or malfeasance. In the midst of the worst corporate scandals since the Gilded Age, it is outrageous that the missing six chose to protect corporations from the innocent citizens who are their victims.

*    The Central American Free Trade Agreement, CAFTA, extends the failed trade policies that have made America the world's largest debtor. We now are borrowing nearly $2 billion a day from foreign creditors, debts our children will work to pay off. CAFTA passed the House of Representatives by a single vote, meaning that each of the missing six House members is personally responsible for its passage.

*    The Energy Bill -- a business as usual, smarmy grab bag of corporate subsidies -- leaves America more dependent on foreign oil, does nothing for rising gas prices and surrenders leadership in the green markets of the future. Instead of focusing investments in the energy industries of the future, the missing six chose to lard billions in subsidies on oil companies already wallowing in record profits.

...

Newt Gingrich recently offered Democrats a little advice. Gingrich stated that the minority party in Congress must ìfight, fight, fightî if they ever hope to reclaim power, and pointed out that -- fortunately for the conservatives -- the Democrats haven't figured out that the job of an opposition party is to stand up for their convictions and oppose the majority's agenda.

Gingrich doesn't get much right, but he's right on this. If the Congressional Democrats ever hope to win back the majority, they must stand up, speak out and fight for our progressive values. And, at the center of that fight, they must defend the economic interests of working Americans against the entrenched special interest corporate lobbies that fly only the flag of profit.

We need you to join our search team. Please help us find the six missing Democrats and call them to account. And, once we find them, let's reassure them that we'll keep watch to†prevent them from wandering off again.

Although I am the big "let's not fight amongst ourselves" advocate, I find this campaign amusing and creative and it gets the point across with a minimum of acrimony. I think this campaign is ideal. Imagine if these congressional staffs get thousands of emails reporting their Congresscritter missing on key issues! So please enjoy the joke and make the point to these 6 Democrats.

Progressive Democrat Issue 37: GETTING LOCAL AROUND THE NATION

There are many ways you can get active. Below I try to provide a good variety of options and urge you all to find a couple that suit you. These groups below are the way we can get our country back. If we don’t get involved we won’t win in 2005, 2006 and beyond. Joy and I are currently involved in two groups plus our own organizing efforts bringing different groups together and we are finding it a good boost to our social life. We are meeting cool people and it makes us get out a couple of times a month more than we would otherwise.

Finding your local groups:

Democracy for America: Founded by Howard Dean, now run by his brother Jim Dean, this group is very effective at the local grass roots. Many think this is the future of the Democratic Party. I think this is partly true, though the neighborhood Dem party clubs will continue to be vital to our efforts as well. This is a group that you really should be active in either by joining a local meetup or starting one of your own.


The Democratic Party: Now that Howard Dean is in the driver’s seat I am hoping the Democrats will become more effective on the local level. One of the main complaints against the DNC in the past couple of elections is that they didn’t help the local parties in most parts of the nation. If you go to the DNC website and find the “Get Local” pull down menu on the left, you can find your local Dem groups. I strongly urge you to get involved with your local Dem club since it is often these groups that actually do much of the footwork to win each district.

Critical Mass: Critical Mass is a bicyclist movement (NOT an organized group!) that holds weekly protests all over the world to protest pollution. Go here to find the closest Critical Mass action in your area (site covers ALL of North America).


Drinking Liberally: An informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Find your local drinking liberally group or start your own with a few buddies.

Wellstone Action: Paul Wellstone started something in Minnesota and his death hasn’t stopped it. Wellstone’s family is continuing his work and expanding it throughout the nation. Wellstone Action trains activists and grassroots candidates and they did very well in the last election. I urge you to look into any nearby Wellstone Action events.


Common Cause: Common Cause is a major force in Progressive Politics. It was founded in 1970 (by a Republican, mind you!) to counter the influence of special interests in Washington. Today they work on many of the same issues I am trying to highlight. Look for your state’s Common Cause organization.

To find the League of Conservation Voters branch in your state, CLICK HERE. This is the group you should be involved with if the environment is your thing.

To find the NARAL branch in your state, CLICK HERE. This is the group you should be involved with if choice is your thing.

Finally I suggest Americans for Democratic Action. ADA is a progressive branch of the Democratic Party. Email: adaction@ix.netcom.com for info on local groups.