Progressive Democrat Issue 54: THOUGHTS

Health insurance. Joy and I were discussing health insurance after hearing a NewYork 1 report that uninsured people were more likely to be turned away from an emergency room and sent to a clinic than insured people. Now, hospitals who DO turn away patients based on insurance rather than severity of the injury are liable to law suits, but we all know that the chances of a law suit changing things are small since those who don’t have insurance are unlikely to have much legal counsel.

What is wrong with our insurance system? Too many people are uninsured and because of that do not have adequate health care available to them. But, that is only one part of the problem. What about those who ARE insured? There are long waiting times to get an appointment. Often you don’t get to choose your physician. You often don’t have a primary care physician who follows you through the years and knows you. Care is determined based on a business model where profit (or at least minimal cost) takes precedence over what the physician and patient want or the injury requires.

Physicians are limited to some degree in what they can do and what tests and medications they can order because of oversight by insurance companies and hospital management teams. Now our health care system has its strong points. But there is no doubt that there are major problems with availability of care, fairness of care, cost, etc.

Okay. Now what I want to know is what about the situation we have, which is based on a capitalist business model, is different from what people in America feared would happen under socialized medicine? We were told we needed a business model for our health care system in order to AVOID these problems. Somehow, the business model for health care have given us the SAME problems it was supposed to avoid AND has given us sharp class divisions in availability of healthcare. So…we have the worst of both, it seems.

The US has chosen the “business model” for its health care system. Scandinavia, Canada, UK have chosen a more socialized system. The main disadvantage of socialized health care is higher taxes. You pay for a socialized system in taxes. Americans hate the idea of higher taxes, but let’s look at outcome. How does our nation compare with nations in health? Let’s look at some statistics. I am playing around at this site.

How about healthy life expectancy (the age at which someone can expect to remain healthy, on average)? The US ranks 29th for healthy life expectancy. Now many things affect this—diet, genetics, poverty, health care… But it is one measure of how well a nation is doing in health care overall. We rank 29th. That is just between Slovenia and Portugal. Keep in mind, America is a far wealthier nation than EITHER Slovenia or Portugal, yet our healthy life expectancy is only 69.3 years. Slovenia beats us slightly with 69.5. UK, with a more socialized system, ranks 24th. Netherlands with a more socialized system ranks 18th. Canada, the system Republicans most like to denigrate when nationalized health care is suggested, ranks 11th. Sweden, which is almost synonymous with socialized health care, ranks 3rd with 73.3 years. We are beaten by nations with much lower levels of wealth (like Slovenia and Italy and Greece). I think our business model does not measure up when we look at healthy life expectancy.

How about maternal mortality (women who die in childbirth)? We’re not so bad with 8 deaths per 100,000 births. But the socialized medicine nations do as well or better. Netherlands and UK, both well known for having more nationalized healthcare than us, are at 7 per 100,000 births. Sweden again beats us, with 5 deaths per 100,000 births. Once again, it seems the business model does not beat the nationalized model.

How about this measure: the probability of not reaching 60 years old? In the US there is a 12.8% chance of not reaching 60 years old. That is slightly better than Portugal and slightly worse than Albania. Again, we are far wealthier than Portugal or Albania, but that is where we rank. In socialist Sweden, a person has only an 8% chance of not reaching 60 years of age. Canada, the UK and the Netherlands all rank better than us on this measure as well.

I can go on. There are dozens of ways of measuring national health. There are also many things that contribute to national health. But one thing is clear. The money spent in taxes to pay for a more nationalized system in places like Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands and Canada seems to pay off in terms of lower mortality, higher life expectancy and better health. Our business model is certainly performing no better and it involves a larger discrepancy in care depending on race and class.

If our current business model method of health care is not performing better than socialized medicine, and it is screwing over a large percentage of our population—the poor and minorities—then why are we so addicted to it? Why do we persist in a failed system?

Progressive Democrat Issue 54: MEDIA ACTIVISM: The Treasonous Three

I have covered these folks before, but there are three particular right wing commentators whose actions or comments specifically make them, in my book, traitors. I want to further emphasize these traitors and urge you to call for their bosses to fire them for their treasonous statements and to demand their sponsors to stop supporting treason. The Treasonous Three are Bill O’Reilly, Ann Coulter and Bob Novak. Let’s start with O’Reilly:

In his November 8th edition of "The Radio Factor", Bill O’Reilly said the following:
"And if Al Qaeda comes in here and blows you up, we're not going to do anything about it. We're going to say, look, every other place in America is off limits to you, except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead."

Bill O’Reilly advocated a terrorist attack on the United States of America. This is about the lowest thing he has ever said, and let’s face it, O’Reilly’s rhetoric is usually pretty low. When Sinclair Broadcasting tried forcing their affiliates to air a blatantly biased, anti-Kerry program, an outcry demanding that sponsors pull their advertising forced Sinclair to water down their message, in essence giving in to our complaints. Time to do the same to Bill O’Reilly. Let us contact his top 4 sponsors and demand that they stop sponsoring a man who publicly has advocated for a terrorist attack on the United States.

According to his website, his corporate sponsors are:
· Equifax
· Life Quotes, Inc.
· EmigrantDirect.com
· Tempur-Pedic

Equifax is one of the "Big Three" credit reporting agencies. I sent an email to their Media Relations contact, David Rubinger .

Life Quotes, Inc. appears to be part of Quotesmith.com, Inc., which runs www.insure.com, a "comprehensive online customer insurance information service that caters to the needs of self-directed insurance shoppers." The two contacts that I sent an email to are the Vice President of Sales, Brian Gibson , and the Executive Vice President and COO, William V. Thomas .

EmigrantDirect.com is a subsidiary of Emigrants Savings Bank. I could not find any contact information other than their main helpdesk

Tempur-Pedic is the miracle NASA mattress people. I sent my email to them at

Contact these advertisers and demand that they pull their sponsorship of Bill O’Reilly’s radio show. If you want a sample letter, and if you also want to find a list of radio stations that carry his show so you can complain to them as well, please refer to the Daily Kos diary on this issue.

Next up is the nasty and not very bright Ann Coulter. Ann Coulter’s treasonous statement was to suggest that the Oklahoma City Bombers were only wrong in that they didn’t bomb the NY Times building. In effect, she was advocating a terrorist attack on NYC before al Qaeda actually did it. Her treason pre-dates the treason of O’Reilly and the next guy. But there is even more to Coulter’s disgusting, anti-American views. From Media Matters.com:

On the November 25 edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight, she "discussed" her recent column, in which she called Democrats "gutless traitors" and explained that Democrats' behavior shows they "long to see U.S. troops shot, humiliated, and driven from the field of battle." Why does CNN continue to give Coulter a platform to air her outrageous statements?

On other occasions, Coulter has accused the Democratic Party of "support[ing] killing, lying, adultery, thievery, envy," written that the only question about Bill Clinton was "whether to impeach or assassinate," and said that her "only regret" about the Oklahoma City bombing was that Timothy McVeigh "did not go to the New York Times building." Following a column she wrote in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks -- in which she wrote that the United States' response to the terrorists should be to "invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity" -- the conservative National Review Online dropped her column. She was also fired by MSNBC for comments she made on the air in 1997.

Coulter also has a long history of spreading false information. She has falsely claimed that a "majority of Hispanics voted in favor of" Proposition 187, a controversial California ballot measure that sought to deny illegal immigrants most government services; in fact, exit polling shows that the vast majority of Hispanics voted against Proposition 187. After Hurricane Katrina, Coulter appeared on Fox News and made several false statements pertaining to the hurricane and the relief efforts taking place in its aftermath.

It's time for CNN to stop helping Ann Coulter to spew her false and offensive bile to the American public.

Take Action! ! Contact CNN and let them know that Coulter's hate and misinformation don't belong on network news.


Ann Coulter Quoted
Reporters and liberals "want it to be against the law to be a Republican, and they would like us in Guantánamo" [9/29/05]

"I think a baseball bat is the most effective way [to talk to liberals] these days" [10/6/04]

"I'm not blaming the Democrats for 9-11 alone. I'm blaming them also for the [USS] Cole bombing, for the embassy bombings, for 20 years of attacks that have not been stopped" [8/16/04]

"[Former President Bill Clinton] raped a woman and molested interns in the White House" [5/20/04]

"I think the rest of the countries in the Middle East, after Afghanistan and Iraq, they're pretty much George Bush's bitch" [1/10/05]

"Isn't it great to see Muslims celebrating something other than the slaughter of Americans?" [2/3/05]

False Statements
Coulter falsely accused Freakonomics co-author of "defending" Roe v. Wade, claimed that discredited researcher Lott debunked his original study on abortion and crime [10/6/05]

Coulter peddled Katrina falsehoods on Fox, but the truth sneaked in -- "I don't know what the details are" [9/12/05]

Hannity, Coulter falsely suggested Ariz. paper dropped Coulter's column to "keep conservatives out" [9/1/05]

Coulter falsely claimed "majority of Hispanics voted in favor of" California's Proposition 187 [8/5/05]

Coulter falsely claimed NY Times op-ed "outed" gays [3/4/05]

Contact CNN and let them know that Coulter's hate and misinformation don't belong on network news

Finally, there is Bob Novak. O’Reilly and Coulter both have made treasonous statements, advocating terrorism within the United States. But Bob Novak went even further! He didn’t just advocate treason. He actually committed treason when he outed the identity of a covert CIA agent. That is legally an act of treason and he has to be held accountable. What is worse is that the agent he outed was working on anti-terrorism activities, so his treason has actually made all of us—you, me, and himself—far less safe from terrorist attacks. Going back to my 40th issue:
Call or FAX or email CNN demanding that Bob Novak be fired for his treasonous collaboration with Karl Rove:

Phone: (404) 827-1500
Fax: (404) 878-0891
Address: One CNN Center, PO Box 105366 Atlanta, GA 30348
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?39

And write to your Congresscritters demanding, in the name of national security, an independent investigation of their treason.


Here is a sample letter:

Why does America allow treason to go unpunished? Far from punishing
traitors, the media and the President actually protect and reward traitors.
I am, of course, referring to Bob Novak and Karl Rove, the two traitors who
exposed the CIA operative, Plame, who was involved in rooting out
international terrorism. Their actions harmed our intelligence efforts,
making us more vulnerable to terrorist attacks worldwide. These men MUST be
held accountable if we are to be safe. I was in Manhattan when 9/11 happened
and I heard those planes hit. I do not want any further attacks to hit our
nation or other nations. So Rove and Novak’s treason is particularly
disturbing to me and the way this nation is tolerating their treason bothers
me a great deal. When will Bush and America get serious about stopping
terrorism? Instead of worrying about what books Americans check out of
libraries, why don’t they punish known traitors? Rove and Novak must be
fired and prosecuted for their treason. If they are not, then America, the
media and George Bush are not really concerned about stopping terrorism.

Please use this as a sample for your own letter.

Progressive Democrat Issue 54: TARGET THE CORRUPT REPUBLICAN: A Victory Gets Better!

Not so long ago, I felt like I was the only voice out there complaining about Republican corruption. I started this blog to try and help get the word out on just how sleazy the Republican party has become. I started with Tom DeLay, the Blunts in Missouri and some of the Ohio Republicans. But in June or so I started focusing on a particularly self-rightous hypocrite who tried to wrap himself in the flag and exploit 9/11, but who was also taking blatant bribes. I am referring to Rep. Randy Cunningham, Republican representing CA-50 district in San Diego County. Then in July or so Rep. Cunningham's coprruption caught up with him. He announced he would not run in 2006, opening the field and giving the Dems a chance for a pickup. Francine Busby is the Democrat who has stepped up to fight to win this seat.


But I wasn't satisfied with Cunningham simply announcing he won't run again. The man was caught red handed taking bribes, so I demanded that he resign and I urged all my readers to do the same. Well, we are but a few, so our voices may or may not have contributed to this, but now Rep. Randy Cunningham is stepping down after pleading guilty to bribery charges.


We won another one! First DeLay was slapped down. Now Cunningham is forced out. Remember: these aren't POLITICAL victories. These are MORAL victories over corrupt politicians who should have never been voted into office in the first place! We have to make this clear. This is about cleaning house. The Republicans have become so soft on corruption that they actually defend members of their own party, like DeLay and Cunningham, who are caught red handed. It is time America sends the Republicans a message. Clean up now or step down.

Write a letter to the editor to national and your local media demanding that the Republican party clean out corrupt members like Cunningham (CA), Frist (TN), DeLay (TX), Oxley (OH) and Blunt (MO).

Each and every one of these Republicans, as well as dozens of others, have committed disgusting acts of corruption (which I have covered in the past and cover in my Target the Corrupt Republican Blog) and we must hold them accountable. Express your disgust at the way Republicans are soft on corruption and your surprise at how their corruption is so widespread. It is an embarassment to our entire nation!

Additionally, write the local San Diego media (zip code 92025 for Cunningham's district) expressing your relief that Cunningham finally faced the music and resigned in disgrace. Emphasize how his corruption makes all of America look bad.

Then write your Congressional Rep and demand a House-wide investigation of Republican corruption.

Tom DeLay was bad enough. The corruption of the Missouri and Ohio Republican Parties is unacceptable. But now that Republican corruption is reaching from coast to coast, it is time for Congress to take action and oust the many bad apples of the Republican Party.

Finally, support Busby to replace the Corrupt Cunningham. Let's prove to the nation that the Democrats will clean up the mess that Republicans have left America.

Progressive Democrat Issue 54: SUPREME COURT ACTION

From New Democratic Majority

Historically, only one in five Supreme Court nominees has been defeated, but the odds are looking increasingly good with this one. Samuel Alito is now broadly viewed as out of the mainstream, due to his track record. This is supremely important, because whichever side wins the battle for public opinion is likely to prevail in the Senate.

Two facts are critical at this stage in the fight: one, the overall weakness of the right wing, which takes pressure of Democratic Senators from red states, and two, that public opinion on Alito seems to be solidifying where we want it to. The main right-wing argument for Alito is that Bush is entitled to deference; that would be the same Bush whose approval ratings are heading for 30%. Our argument is that Alito has reprehensible views on, well, everything. If we manage to set up the battlefield with those two lines, we will win.

Factual background

Alito's job application to the Reagan administration, in which he goes into his personal ideology and opposition to abortion with a candor noticeably lacking today, can be downloaded from our web site.

The Washington Post has a disturbing front-page article today, which reveals that Alito believes that non-resident foreigners have no rights under the constitution. That view last came up for discussion under the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798, and is particularly troubling given the torture and habeas corpus policies currently en vogue at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Take Action

Viral activism: Please forward the link to the WaPo article above to your email circle. You can do this either directly with a link cut and paste or by going here.

Sign the petitions: Both PFAW and NARAL have online petitions opposing Alito. You can sign them here...and here.

And for NYC residents see below for phonebanking efforts to stop the Alito appointment.

Progressive Democrat Issue 54: FOCUS ON THE NORTHEAST STATES

From the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Delays in a regional global warming plan are threatening to derail a landmark agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Final negotiations are currently taking place on the northeastern governor's climate change plan, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This initiative would establish the nation's first multi-state program to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. An agreement on the plan was originally scheduled to be announced December 1st. However, Massachusetts Governor Romney made a series of last minute demands that have threaten to derail this process…

Climate change is a real and serious threat. In order to avoid the most damaging consequences posed by global warming, we need to act now to start reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases, such a carbon dioxide.

Urgent action is required to limit the effects of global warming on our children and grandchildren. In the face of federal inaction on this most critical issue, bipartisan leadership by the states is essential. The Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a critical opportunity to show the nation and the world that we can cost-effectively begin to reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases.

We can reduce the heat-trapping emissions that contribute to global warming by shifting our societal investments away from fossil fuels to cleaner technologies like electricity from wind and solar power, more fuel-efficient vehicles, and more energy-efficient technologies, and by slowing deforestation

The market-based structure of RGGI offers a flexible and cost-effective way to reduce global warming pollution. Direct investments in energy efficiency and clean energy will benefit consumers by minimizing any price impacts of the program. In addition, investing in energy efficiency and clean energy will foster innovation and investments in companies that provide clean technologies, many of which are located in our region.

Contact your Governor and ask that he signs onto the RGGI to help limit global warming’s impact on our future.

Progressive Democrat Issue 54: BROOKLYN/QUEENS GROUPS AND EVENTS

ALL NYC:

PHONE BANKING AGAINST ALITO:

Phone banking: PFAW and ACT NY are both hosting phone banks, the former on Thursdays, the latter on Sundays.

Thursday, 6-9 PM, 149 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor. Call or email Tony Simone at 212-420-0440 x13 or tsimone@pfaw.org to volunteer.

Sunday, time and location TBA, with ACT NY. To learn more, please email actnewyork@gmail.com.


Barbara Boxer at Barnes & Nobles: Fri, 12/09/2005 - 7:30pm. Barbara Boxer will be doing a book-signing at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Nobles, located at 66th & Broadway; (212) 595-6859.


New Democratic Majority General Meeting:

The next general meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 12th, at The Tank, 217 East 42, between 2nd and 3rd. We'll be talking about Samuel Alito, the right-wing extremist nominated to the Supreme Court. Speakers will be announced soon. We urge you to attend this meeting, since it will be the baseline point for our engagement in the battle to defeat Samuel Alito. .
http://www.newdemmajority.org/cms/?q=node/view/9759


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 are the last Friday of every month starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! At a DFNYC meeting attended by Norm Seigel, Norm used Critical Mass as an example of the kind of activism that NYC needs most and the way Bloomberg is trying to squelch our rights and our voices. Critical Mass deserves our help. According to Bloomberg, my inclusion of this in my newsletter is probably illegal. Well, I refuse to let Bloomberg tell me what I can and cannot write in my Newsletter.

http://www.times-up.org/cm.php


And see their NYC calendar for Bike Workshops and other rides (including ones outside Manhattan). http://www.times-up.org/calendar/calendar.php


There is more you can do to support Critical Mass. This comes from a reader in Manhattan:

To help keep people involved in Critical Mass, people who might be sacred off because of renewed aggressiveness by the police, I have started a pledge drive that sponsors arrestees. This is a great way for people to stay involved in Critical Mass, stay on top of the issue, and use the NYPD and Bloomberg's tactics to work for us not against us. I am pledging $2 per arrestee, and the money will go to the Legal Aid Society. Pledges are made on the honor system. The more bicyclists the cops arrest the more money for defending civil rights is raised.


BROOKLYN EVENTS:

Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE! WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 7PM
Park Slope/Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Heights Coffee Lounge, 335 Flatbush Ave (btwn. Park Place and Prospect), with host Wole Parks

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Royal Oak, 594 Union Avenue (@ North 11th)host Ben Morrison

Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Wycoff-Bennette Homestead, 1669 East 22nd. St. (between Quentin & Kings Highway), with hosts Annette Mott and Estelle Glasser

MARJORIE'S OZZIE’S MEETUP: I also recommend joining Marjorie's meetups and getting Marjorie’s very informative newsletter which you can get by contacting her at: johnkerry57@covad.net

Independent Neighborhood Democrats: Contact me or Devin Cohen: devincohen@msn.com if you are interested. http://www.indbrooklyn.org/

Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) (mostly covers Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Kensington. http://www.cbidems.org/


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! WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 7PM

Bayside, Queens, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar of Democrats for New Politics

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 54: MANHATTAN GROUPS AND EVENTS

PHONE BANKING AGAINST ALITO:

Phone banking: PFAW and ACT NY are both hosting phone banks, the former on Thursdays, the latter on Sundays.

Thursday, 6-9 PM, 149 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor. Call or email Tony Simone at 212-420-0440 x13 or tsimone@pfaw.org to volunteer.

Sunday, time and location TBA, with ACT NY. To learn more, please email actnewyork@gmail.com.


Barbara Boxer at Barnes & Nobles: Fri, 12/09/2005 - 7:30pm. Barbara Boxer will be doing a book-signing at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Nobles, located at 66th & Broadway; (212) 595-6859.

Housing Forum - Will Washington Heights Be Displaced ? Wed, 12/07/2005 - 6:30pm The Honorable Adriano Espaillat
New York State Assemblymember
Invites you to attend a Town Hall Meeting
Will Washington Heights and Inwood Be Displaced?
Discuss the issue that affect you!
RENT! RENT! RENT!
Panelists: Ken Rosenfeld, Director Legal Services, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation; Adrienne Holder, Director, Legal Aid Society; Bertha Lewis, ACORN, Fix It Now Campaign, Carlos Ramos Vargas, Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College; Vicki Been, Director, Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy NYU School of Law (Invited), David R Shuffer, Jr, Director of Organizing Training – INCO, Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (Invited)
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Time: 6:30 P.M.
Place: St. Elizabeth Auditorium
612 West 187th St (Bet Wadsworth and St. Nicholas Ave)
Co-sponsored by: NYS Senator Eric Schneiderman, NYC Councilman Miguel Martínez, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, Legal Aid Society, Hunter College (Puerto Rican Studies), Washington Heights/Inwood Coalition, CUNY School of Law, Community Board #12, Dominican Studies Institute, West Harlem Coalition, St. Elizabeth Church, Community Preservation Corporation, West 162nd Street Block Association, Post Ave. Block Association, St. Elizabeth Church, Union Comunal, Parent Association P.S. 173, Latinas en Acción, Yeshiva University
For more information please contact Aneiry Batista at 212-544-2278 or email ANEIRYB-at-YAHOO.COM (replace -at- with @).

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 are the last Friday of every month starting in Union Sq. Park North, 7PM! At a DFNYC meeting attended by Norm Seigel, Norm used Critical Mass as an example of the kind of activism that NYC needs most and the way Bloomberg is trying to squelch our rights and our voices. Critical Mass deserves our help. According to Bloomberg, my inclusion of this in my newsletter is probably illegal. Well, I refuse to let Bloomberg tell me what I can and cannot write in my Newsletter.

http://www.times-up.org/cm.php


And see their NYC calendar for Bike Workshops and other rides (including ones outside Manhattan). http://www.times-up.org/calendar/calendar.php


There is more you can do to support Critical Mass. This comes from a reader in Manhattan:

To help keep people involved in Critical Mass, people who might be sacred off because of renewed aggressiveness by the police, I have started a pledge drive that sponsors arrestees. This is a great way for people to stay involved in Critical Mass, stay on top of the issue, and use the NYPD and Bloomberg's tactics to work for us not against us. I am pledging $2 per arrestee, and the money will go to the Legal Aid Society. Pledges are made on the honor system. The more bicyclists the cops arrest the more money for defending civil rights is raised.


Democracy for America Meetings: CLICK HERE!

Upper West Side, 420 Bar and Lounge, 420 Amsterdam Avenue @ 80th, with host Merle McEldowney

Upper East Side, Manhattan Lounge, 1720 2nd Ave. (btwn. 89th & 90th) with hosts Lewis Cohen and David Kogelman

West Village, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.) with hosts Dana Northcraft & Nicole Shore

East Village, Raven, 194 Avenue A (@ 12th St.) with hosts Josh Skaller



New Democratic Majority General Meeting:
CLICK HERE.

The next general meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 12th, at The Tank, 217 East 42, between 2nd and 3rd. We'll be talking about Samuel Alito, the right-wing extremist nominated to the Supreme Court. Speakers will be announced soon. We urge you to attend this meeting, since it will be the baseline point for our engagement in the battle to defeat Samuel Alito.




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 54: 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.

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:

New Brunswick, 1st/3rd Tuesday each month, 7:00 PM @ Doll's Place, 101 Paterson St. New Brunswick, NJ

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

Princeton, Every Thursday, 7:00 pm, 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 54: VIRGINIA FOCUS

Deeds Files Petition for Recount

State Sen. Creigh Deeds filed a petition Tuesday with the court for a re-count in the race to be Virginia's next attorney general -- the closest statewide election in Virginia history.

The petition sets in motion a series of procedural hearings which will precede what most expect will be a mid-December recount. Deeds trails Bob McDonnell by just 323 votes. Recounts have shifted final vote totals by more than 1,000 votes, and in 2004, a hand recount in the Washington State gubernatorial election shifted the election from the Republican to current Gov. Christine Gregoire. The Republican led by 261 votes before the recount.

"[The recount] is the right thing to do to make sure every vote is fairly and accurately counted, so the people’s votes will be the ultimate determinate of the outcome of this election," Deeds said in a statement. "I will respect the recount process that both Delegate McDonnell and I supported in the General Assembly to ensure that the people’s votes and their best interests are put ahead of partisanship.”

If you're interested in helping with the recount effort, please e-mail bergman@creighdeeds.com.

Progressive Democrat Issue 54: VIRGINIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

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

Fluvanna Democrats Holiday Party: Starts: 12/16/2005 5pm
Ends: 12/16/2005 8pm, Contact: Richard Koepsell Location: Glen Burnie Farm-Rt. 15, Palmyra, Phone: 434-296-9333, Our end-of-the-year event, a potluck with BYOB to celebrate our success this year. All good Democrats are invited.

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 54: NATIONAL ACTION: Voting Rights

From Mainstreet Moms Operation Blue:

Hold on HAVA: A Taxpayers Accountability Project
Did you know...the federal government is forcing local county elections officials into a rushed purchase of persistently flawed electronic voting machines by December 31st -- machines that many counties don't even want?

Lacking promised federal testing standards and guidelines, local officials are in effect, purchasing blind -- while the voting machines fail every state-commissioned independent test they take. Please join MMOB in supporting the National Association of County Officials as they ask for a 2-year moratorium on the HAVA deadline.

Condemned in the GAO "Elections" report and in the bipartisan Carter/Baker Commission report, DRE voting (Direct Record Electronic) in particular has a proven 20% failure rate in the most recent state-commissioned independent test, and an "F" rating in two other state-commissioned independent tests. While 12% of America voted on paperless (DRE) machines in 2000, that number jumped to 30% in 2004. Attempts to retrofit DREs with the paper trail now required in 14 states have proven unworkable to date. National certification expert Stephen Freeman, one of just 5 people in the country qualified to certify voting systems, says he does not believe the VVPATs (voter verified paper audit trails) will work. With 80% of American votes now counted by just two private corporations, Diebold and ES&S, it's time to push back. This is consistently inferior technology taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for, elections officials shouldn't have to swallow, and voters certainly shouldn't have to cast votes on.

If the HAVA deadline stands, there will be a forced rush to purchase these costly, complex, and inadequate systems. Voters and local election officials will be engaged in a giant "beta test" for Diebold and ES&S on Election Day, and the considerable HAVA funding (our tax dollars) will be long gone.

Ask your Secretary of State, the National Association of State Election Directors, and the National Association of Secretaries of State to join the National Association of Elections Officials in demanding a 2-year extension of the HAVA deadline.

Progressive Democrat Issue 54: GETTING LOCAL AROUND THE NATION

This is how our coalition will be built: through out local action. Our success depends on you and your activism. 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.


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.


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).


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.