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Mole's Progressive Democrat

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

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Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

I am a research biologist in NYC. Married with two kids living in Brooklyn.

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  • Thursday, October 02, 2008

    MICHIGAN FOCUS: Blogs, Obama, Energy, Mark Schauer, Gary Peters, Groups and Events

    WINNING MICHIGAN: Please donate to win some hotly contested House seats as well as local races in Michigan (you can read more about these races below).

    Seems McCain has completely given up on Michigan and is pulling his campaign and advertising money from the state. This will likely depress the Republican vote, so if Democrats get out and vote, we will win these House races.


    BLOGGING MICHIGAN:

    Michigan Liberal is an excellent source of news, events and politics in Michigan.

    Blogging for Michigan is another excellent source of news, events and politics in Michigan.

    Mid-Michigan DFA is a good way to stay connected with fellow progressives in the Lansing area.

    The Michigan Coalition for Progress is an independent progressive voice for the people of Michigan dedicated to holding elected political leaders accountable and moving Michigan forward.


    Here are Some Stories of Interest:

    Senate Bill 1306: Republicans Say "No" to Foreclosure Relief

    FDA 'Resource Constraints' Contribute To E-Coli Outbreaks In Michigan. Yet another example of Republicans "drowning America in a bathtub"

    Fact Checking McCain's Lies

    ACORN Issues Statement on Debate

    Schauer Leads Walberg 42-36 in New Poll. Not surprising of course given that Walberg Votes Against Protecting Consumers From Abusive Credit Card Practices

    Yet More Republican Racism

    Race and Voter Preference

    In Michigan the economy is the first, last and ONLY issue on people's minds, according to a July 31 (yes I only now saw it) article in Time Magazine:

    THURSDAY, JUL. 31, 2008
    THE BATTLE FOR MICHIGAN
    By Amy Sullivan/Royal Oak

    To get a fix on just how thoroughly the slumping economy has
    clobbered the state of Michigan, consider first some traditional
    indicators: Nearly 300,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared in the
    past decade. Ford just posted the worst quarterly loss in its 105-year
    history, and GM announced it was closing or converting plants. More
    than 1 of every 20 mortgages is in or near foreclosure, and at 8.5%,
    Michigan's unemployment rate is the highest in the nation.

    But to fully grasp why the economy is the first, last and only issue on
    the minds of Michigan voters this year, one fact reveals all: two months
    after the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, there is no waiting
    list for season tickets...


    This story from the Oakland Press is so important: Leadership for Michigan's Economy

    And why these stories are so important: Alternative energy could revive auto industry, Michigan economy. I was talking about this in 2006! And guess what...Democrats are aware of this issue: Michigan Taking the Lead in Alternative Energy. And here: Obama pledges $4 billion in guaranteed loans and tax credits to help U.S. automakers retool for more fuel-efficient cars and to develop batteries for plug-in hybrids that get up to 150 m.p.g.

    The cheapest and best way to cut carbon emissions...and save money.

    Michigan Legislature's Scorecard


    MICHIGAN HOUSE RACES:

    MI-07 is a Congressional District that we have a very good shot at taking this year. It is one of the top battleground districts in the country. Mark Schauer is the Democrat running for the MI-07 House seat. Here is a video of Mark Schauer giving a keynote address at a climate conference:



    If you live in the district, please volunteer to help Mark out.

    MI-09 is the other Michigan house seat we can flip to blue. Gary Peters is running for this seat and is raising a good deal of money to mount a strong challenge to a Bush Republican. I recently talked to people from the Peters campaign and I get the feeling they are extremely well organized and poised to win.

    Peters has been endorsed by the United Auto Workers, VoteVets.org, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, League of Conservation Voters, the Michigan AFL-CIO, American Nurses Association, Michigan Association of Police Organizations, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy, among many others. An impressive array of endorsements! Gary is in favor of bringing out troops home and giving our Veterans the benefits and healthcare they deserve. The Repub he is challenging has consistently voted AGAINST expanding veterans benefits.

    Peters is running against Joe Knollenberg, who has run into a bit of a problem with under-reporting the value of his Washington, DC townhouse by hundreds of thousands of dollars in his personal financial disclosure forms, a probable violation of House rules. Knollenberg's excuse is, apparently, that he is incompetent. He claims it was a "clerical error," year after year after. Look, if you or I make such mistakes we get penalized. Knollenberg is either a crook or incompetent. Which is it, Joe?

    If you live in MI-09 district, please volunteer for Gary and help flip another House seat to blue.


    ALTERNATIVE ENERGY GROUPS AND EVENTS IN MICHIGAN:

    Sustainable Michigan-Peak Oil Meetup Group
    Come to a Sustainable Michigan/Peak Oil Meetup to generate ideas and discuss actions to raise public consciousness, promote sustainable development. Find others concerned about making Michigan sustainable in energy, food production, green building and other key areas related to relocalizing so that we are prepared in Michigan for any energy/resource decline. Get the support to BE the change. To find out more, join this group.

    Peak Moment in Monroe:
    Peak Moment refers to the period of energy, climate, and economic uncertainty that we now live in as humans rapidly approach the end of the Age of Oil.

    Meet others who share your concern. Generate ideas and discuss actions to raise public consciousness.

    Advocate for new urbanism and sustainable development. Explore the potential of alternative energy. And join others interested in community gardening. To find out more, join this group.

    Michigan Green Expo!
    MAY 8 -10, 2009

    This three-day public event is unlike any other, with an exhibit hall full of useful and important information, resources, and products to help you make more responsible choices. Featuring lots of mini-seminars and pavilions specific to consumers or businesses, MI Green Expo can help anyone go green! For more info go here (still under construction?), or Contact Show Management at: (517) 580-8475 or info_at_migreenexpo.com


    Here are some events and groups in Michigan:

    Monthly Berkley Democratic Club Meeting:
    Generally meets on Thursdays from 7pm to 8:30pm and all club meetings are open to the public. Bring your topics, ideas, and opinions to share and interact with other like-minded individuals!

    All meetings are held at Anderson Middle School, 3205 Catalpa, Berkley, Michigan in the Media Center. We welcome you to join us!

    Contact: http://www.berkleydems.org or info_at_berkleydems.org

    Monthly Flint, MI Progressive Caucus Meeting
    2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:30:00 PM
    Asbury United Methodist Church, Flint

    Mid-Michigan DFA Monthly Meeting
    First Wed of each month, 7:00 PM
    SEIU Local
    1026 E. Michigan Avenue
    Lansing, MI 48933
    Phone Number: 517-482-1737

    Farmington Hills Club Meeting
    Farmington / Farmington Hills Democratic Club
    Third Wednesday of Every Month
    Starting at 7:30pm
    Web: http://www.ffhdc.org
    Phone: 248-615-9119
    Location: Varies...call or check out website for more info.

    Pontiac Democratic Club
    Third Saturday of Every Month
    Starting at 10:00am
    Pontiac City Hall
    47450 Woodward Ave., Pontiac
    Phone: 248-338-7765
    Location: Pontiac City Hall, 47450 Woodward Ave., Pontiac


    And for those who want to combine socializing with politics, here are some Michigan Drinking Liberally groups:

    Ann Arbor, Michigan
    * Second and fourth Thursday of each month, 7pm
    * Dominick's, 812 Monroe St. (Behind and across the street from the Law Quad)
    * Hosted by Jenay Karlson, Leah Hanzlicek and Jeffrey Schultz, annarbor (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    * Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
    * Graydon's Crossing, 1223 Plainfield Ave NE (just north of Leonard)
    * This month, we're meeting on Tuesday, 4 March at 7:00 for a Primary Results Watch Party
    * Hosted by Brent Geers and Phil Skaggs, grandrapids (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Houghton, Michigan
    * Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
    * Keweenaw Brewing Company, 408 Shelden Ave (Downtown Houghton)
    * http://drinkingliberally.wikispaces.com
    * Hosted by Jeremy Sandrik and Jon Maxwell, houghton (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Lansing, Michigan
    * Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
    * Reno's East, 1310 Abbott Rd, East Lansing (Corner of Abbott and Saginaw)
    * Hosted by Julielyn Gibbons, lansing (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Mount Pleasant, Michigan
    * Second Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
    * Mountain Town Brewing Company, 506 W Broadway St
    * Hosted by Abhik Roy, Will Tomlinson, Scott Dunn and Brandon Mayer, mtpleasant (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Oakland County, Michigan
    * Third Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm onward
    * Rochester Mills Beer Company, 410 Water St, Rochester (Downtown Rochester)
    * Great food and some great brews, bring a hunger and a thirst for Democracy!
    * Hosted by Ron Wasczenski, oaklandcounty (at) drinkingliberally.org

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