Here’s a real good idea from some of our activist pals….

May 8, 2008

I was asked to post this by Janet Flint and am glad to do so. If you look over in the right sidebar you will find a new box
labeled: Activist Central. We are going to be putting up links to folks who determined to change the corrupt, spineless anything for
some  greasy cash ‘Democrat’ Party into a progressive organization you and you children can use to build a better nation to live in.

Period.

No factionalism, just good old-fashioned grassroots work on the infrastructure of the party. I’ll be adding more links as we get going.
Feel free to suggest one to a group which wants to change how and what is done rather than the face on the packaging.

Presented by the Grassroots Leadership Summit

Are you a blue-county Democrat who’s interested in supporting

Democrats running for office in “red” areas?Maybe you’ve considered

volunteering, but weren’t sure how effective you’d be?

Presented by the Grassroots Leadership Summit

Join us on Saturday, May 17, for a few hours and learn what it’s all about.

Hear from Bay Area people who’ve volunteered in rural campaigns

and from rural people who welcome the support.

Katherine Forrest’s widely praised “Talking Politics” workshop

can help you become a better communicator.

You can also sharpen your skills in workshops on voter registration,

phone banking, and canvassing, led by experienced political activists.

Learn how to make your volunteer time count, as you help out fellow Dems

around California and in crucial swing states.

We can elect some great candidates this year!

Location:      SEIU-UHW, 560 Thomas L. Berkley Way, Oakland

                        (20th St., between Telegraph and San Pablo; near 19th St. BART)

Time:            10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

                        Registration and coffee at 9:30 a.m.

Lunch:          On-site; included with registration fee

Fee:                $25; $15 low-income/student

Please PRE-REGISTER ONLINEat

http://www.actblue.com/page/trainingtowin2008

Please sign up early so we know what kind of crowd we are preparing for !  Thanks!

Sponsors:    DemocracyAction (www.democracyaction.org)

                        Project BlueBridge

                        Take Back Red California (www.takebackredcalifornia.org)

Contact:        Mary Renaud, maryre@comcast.net, 415-460-1571

                        Eileen Foster, eileenfoster1@comcast.net, 415-921-0743

                        Martha Gamez, gamezm@comcast.net, 209-836-9030

Leave a Comment » | 'Take out the Trash', Active Blogswarms, Alameda County, Apathetic Citizenry, Blogroll, Cindy for Congress '08, Class Warfare, Clean Energy, Community, Congress, Contribute to campaigns, Democracy, Drinking Liberally, Education, End the War in Iraq, Healthcare for all Americans, Leadership, Noteworthy Blogs, Populism, Progressive Democrats, Progressive Movement, The People Party | Permalink
Posted by A.Citizen

Vote NO on Proposition 98 – Vote YES on Proposition 99 (Update)

March 29, 2008

UPDATE by adragonfly 3/26/08

It is important to vote on June 3, 2008 on these two critical propositions that will directly effect every renter in California – including mobile home owners who “rent” the land their mobile home sits on.

VOTE NO on Prop 98: The California Property Owner & Farmland Protection Act (CPOFPA being called ‘the hidden agenda’ proposition) is being promoted as an eminent domain proposition only ( the right of a government to take, or to authorize the taking of private property for public use.) HOWEVER, there is a ‘hidden agenda’ in this initiative to abolish rent control and gut the laws that protect renters in California . The LARGEST SUPPORTERS (BY DONATIONS) ARE THE MOBILE HOME PARK OWNERS at 44%, APARTMENT OWNERS at 41% (a total of 85%!), and misc donations.

It is documented that the Western Manufactured Housing Communities have donated over $155,000 to Prop 98 (more as of 3/26/08), and the major mobilehome management companies (including Sierra Corporate Management) have donated as well. (I obtained the above statistics from Bicker, Castillo, & Fairbanks .) This gives us an idea how important this is to them to get Prop 98 passed. VOTE NO on PROP 98. IT IS NOT IN OUR BEST INTERESTS!

NO on PROP 98:
– Masquerades as Eminent Domain reform
– Carries hidden agenda of eliminating rent control upon resale
– Destroys value of mobile homes
– Allows park owner initiated condo conversions of MHPs
– Outlaws local affordable housing ‘inclusionary’
zoning requirements
– Contains poorly drafted provisions that could stop future water projects
– AND destroy local land-use planning and erode environmental protections.

As of 3/10/08 Tenants Together ( a statewide organization supporting tenant rights) publishes: “Today, Prop 98 will be sent to the printer with a ballot title that omits any reference to the fact that Proposition 98 prohibits rent control in California . Although Attorney General Jerry Brown acknowledges that banning rent control is a key feature of Prop 98, he refuses to put the words ‘rent control’ in the title of the ballot measure, a decision that has prompted outrage among California tenant advocates.”

To give you an idea on how important is is to vote NO on Prop 98, these are only some of the organizations supporting NO on Prop 98: AARP, California Alliance for Retired Americans, Senior Action Network, CA Police Chiefs/ Fire Chiefs Assoc, League of CA Homeowners, GSMOL, COMOCAL, numerous county mobilehome associations including Nevada Co, CA Chamber of Commerce, Western Growers Assoc, CA Teachers Assoc, Housing CA, CA Coalition of Rural Housing, Coalition of Economic Survival, Tenants Together, Housing Justice Campaign, National Wildlife Assoc, SIERRA CLUB, CA Council of Land Trusts, Audubon CA, Assoc for CA Water Agencies, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS of CA, WESTERN CENTER ON LAW AND POVERTY, Progressive Jewish Alliance, Americans for Democratic Action, Pride at Work SFO, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), NATIONAL ASSOC OF HISPANIC ASSOC, LEAGUE OF CA CITIES, CA Redelopment Association.

YES on PROP 99 (Home Owner’s Protection Act (HOPA)
– A grass-roots effort with well over 1 million signatures to qualify a ‘clean’ eminent domain proposition on the June 3rd ballot. This is supported by GSMOL, Comocal, Neighborhood Friends, the League of California Cities, and many senior and advocate organizations. My opinion is this, it’s not perfect but it is better than anything we have in place now.

IMPORTANT: IF BOTH PASS, THE ONE WITH THE MOST VOTES WINS – so NO on PROP 98, YES on 99

1 Comment | Action, California, Campaign Strategy, Class Warfare, Community, Corporate Social Responsibility, Dark Side of Capitalism, Economics, Election Day Holiday, Get Local | Permalink
Posted by regular_guy

VOTE NO on PROP 98 – VOTE YES on PROP 99

March 4, 2008

by adragonfly

It is important to vote on June 3, 2008 on these two critical propositions that will directly affect any renter in California – including mobile home owners who “rent” the land their mobile home sits on.

VOTE NO on Prop 98: The California Property Owner & Farmland Protection Act (CPOFPA) is being promoted as an eminent domain proposition only ( the right of a government to take, or to authorize the taking of private property for public use.) HOWEVER, there is a ‘hidden agenda’ in this initiative to abolish rent control and gut the laws that protect renters in California. It is being supported by the Howard Jarvis Tax Association, and the LARGEST SUPPORTER (BY DONATIONS) ARE THE MOBILE HOME PARK OWNERS at 44%, Apartment Owners at 41% (a total of 85%!), Calif. Farm Bureau at 10%, and misc donations.

It is documented that the Western Manufactured Housing Communities donated $154,020.71 to Prop 98, and the management company, Sierra Corporate Management has donated at least $35,000 that has been tracked so far. (I obtained the above statistics from Bicker, Castillo, & Fairbanks.) This gives us an idea how important this is to them to get Prop 98 passed. VOTE NO on PROP 98. IT IS NOT IN OUR BEST INTERESTS!

NO on PROP 98:

– Masquerades as Eminent Domain reform
– Carries hidden agenda of eliminating rent control upon resale
– Destroys value of mobile homes
– Allows park owner initiated condo conversions of MHPs
– Outlaws local affordable housing ‘inclusionary’ zoning requirements
– Contains poorly drafted provisions that could stop future water projects
– AND destroy local land-use planning and erode environmental protections.

YES on PROP 99 (Homeowner’s Protection Act – HOPA):

– A grass-roots effort with well over 1 million signatures to qualify a ‘clean’ eminent domain proposition on the June 3rd ballot. This is supported by GSMOL, Comocal, Neighborhood Friends, the League of California Cities, and many senior organizations. My opinion is this, it’s not perfect but it is better than anything we have in place now.

IMPORTANT: IF BOTH PASS, THE ONE WITH THE MOST VOTES WINS –
So NO on PROP 98, YES on 99

NEWS UPDATE!

Members of the NO on 98/YES on 99 coalition, which includes the Coalition for Economic Survival, have just filed a lawsuit in Sacramento Co. Superior Court, asking a judge to change the official title of Prop 98 to include mention of the measure’s rent control provisions!

21 Comments | Action, California, Campaign Strategy, Class Warfare, Community, Corporate Social Responsibility, Dark Side of Capitalism, Economics, Election Day Holiday, Get Local | Permalink
Posted by regular_guy

News from a real Progressive…..

February 23, 2008

I’ve had many a conversation with Stevan and he’s one of the most knowledgeable and progressive people we’ve had attend our D/L, Oakland events. Here is an announcement from him regarding his candidacy for State Assembly 15.

Toward a California that is "governable" and works for the citizens

California faces a number of hurdles and challenges that make it close to ungovernable by the legislature. In my view, the only way to get to the reform that we need is to put it forward as a package. There have always been a fair number of people who don’t trust the legislature and historically there is some basis for that. All too often legislators are working for their own interests or special interests, not the interests of the majority of citizens who vote for them.

California is one of only a very few States that requires a 2/3 vote to pass a budget. The California economy is the 7th largest in the world. It’s shrunk, it used to be 6th. An economy this large, that requires a 2/3 vote to pass or be held hostage to a tyranny of a minority is absurd. It will take a Constitutional amendment to change.

Campaign finance reform. Our system now is one of legalized bribery. It’s time for truly "Clean Money" provided by public financing so our elected representatives will be working for us, the people who put up the money to get them elected.

Competitive redistricting with no "safe seats." There will always be a few natural enclaves, but there are many more areas where if we do rational and competitive redistricting that truly makes sense, citizens will be far more likely to trust their representatives. It’s time to compete on ideas that actually work for the people trying to live the California dream.

End term limits! Term limits destroy all institutional memory and promote short term thinking to long term problems. It would make more sense to limit the amount of time a legislator can be speaker of the Assembly or Pro Tem of the Senate, than to throw the good legislators out with the bad.

Proposition 13 reform. California is revenue challenged. In 1974 when this proposition passed, it was sold to the citizens as a way to keep retired people from losing their homes due to increasing property taxes. Why then are commercial properties like oil refineries that never change hands, covered under Prop. 13 when they are making record profits? Real Estate Limited Partnerships also can have a complete turnover of all the partners without triggering a sale that would change their tax status. Why is any commercial property that charges market rate rents given what amounts to a huge windfall tax subsidy at our common expense? Another point is when Prop 13 was passed, the top Federal tax rate on millionaires was 71%. When Reagan cut that to 33%, we went from being a country that could afford a space program and be the creditor to the world to one that now can’t even repair infrastructure and we’re the largest debtor nation in the world. California’s share of Federal tax dollars is correspondingly smaller.

Making a "package deal" of these essential reforms would go a long way to making California governable, making the legislature relevant and effective again, and making the California dream something once again in reach of most Californians.

I’ve spent a great deal of time over the last several months doing what’s necessary so my parents are less likely to lose their home in San Francisco. It’s going to take many more months over the next year. Therefore I am withdrawing from the Assembly race in District 15.

Thank you for your support and interest in my campaign.

Stevan Thomas
Elected Delegate Assembly District 15
California State Democratic Central Committee
Member I.B.E.W.

Leave a Comment » | 'Take out the Trash', California, Campaign Sites, Clean Elections, Community, Environment, Free Market | Permalink
Posted by A.Citizen

Hey! Are you feelin’ ‘Buggy’ today?

February 9, 2008

Well folks doan really matter what you think about it……

Guess what? They are gonna do it right here…..To you!

From farleft we have the following:

*STOP AERIAL PESTICIDE SPRAYING!*

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has announced
plans to resume aerial pesticide spraying for the Light Brown Apple Moth

(LBAM) in summer of 2008. The campaign began in 2007 in Santa Cruz and
Monterey counties using a synthetic pheromone along with other chemicals

encased in microscopic plastic capsules. CDFA will expand the program
to the San Francisco Bay Area with plans to continue spraying each month

for up to 5 years or indefinitely until the moth is eradicated.

*Bay Area INFORMATIONAL/ORGANIZING MEETINGS on LBAM spraying:*

Oakland: January 30, 7:30 PM, Oakland Center for Environmental Health, 528 61st Street, Suite A.

Albany: January 31, 8:00 PM, A lbany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. (part of Albany Green Party meeting)

San Francisco: February 11, 7:30 PM, Women’s Building, 3543 18th Street, #8, Room A.

Berkeley: February 24, 5:00 PM, Berkeley Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar, between Spruce and Arch *Hosted by* *StopTheSpray.ORG*

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE LBAM SPRAYING?

1) Hundreds of people in Santa Cruz and Monterey County have reported
adverse health reactions. The spray has not been tested for long-term
human toxicity and is being applied in microscopic plastic capsules
that could pose inhalation risks.

2) The spray contains ingredients that are highly toxic to aquatic
species, as well as surfactants, that might have contributed to algae
bloom (red tide) and the drowning of hundreds of waterfowl.

3) Biologists agree that the spraying – an outdated, unsustainable,
expensive pest control method – will not eradicate the moth. The CDFA
should switch to a con trol vs. an eradication program using least-toxic
methods that farmers already apply, e.g. pheromone traps or sticky ties.

4) CDFA itself says the moth has done no crop damage in California to
date. Priority must be given to public and environmental health and
safety over speculative economic loss.

5) The aerial spray program disproportionately impacts vulnerable
segments of the population, including those with the recognized
disability of multiple chemical sensitivity, who are in many cases
forced to relocate, and the homeless, who have no option to protect
themselves from spraying.

* *

Here’s a GOOD RESOURCE for correct information that has been vetted by
scientists and other activists: http://www.panna.org/resources/lbam

If you’re interested in getting involved in LBAM activism in the Bay
Area, a GOOD CONTACT PERSON is Paul Schramski, State Director of
Pestici de Watch in Sacramento (paul@pesticidewatch.org, 916.551.1883
office, 916.216.1082 mobile, www.pesticidewatch.org,
www.RefuseToUseChemLawn.org). Paul has been working with the folks in
Monterey and Santa Cruz counties and is supporting the growing work in
the bay area.

*WHAT CAN YOU DO?*

Sign the petition at www.stopthespray.org, get informed and become active!

** Contact the media: Newspapers, weeklies, radio and television stations – voice your concern.

** Ask Governor Schwarzenegger and CDFA secretary Kawamura to
stop the spray program and shift to sustainable methods of least-toxic
pest control.

** Ask your Assemblymember to support proposed legislation to
stop spraying without consent and safety data and to do whatever they
can to stop the spraying until legislation can be passed.

** Ask your federal Congressional representatives and Senators
to tell USDA to support safe pest control and to lift the USD A
quarantine of California crops from areas where the light brown apple
moth has been found.

CONTACT INFO. IS BELOW. THANK YOU!

Secretary A.G. Kawamura

Calif. Dept. of Food & Agriculture

1220 N Street, Suite 400

Sacramento, CA 95814

akawamura@cdfa.ca.gov

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

State Capitol Building

Sacramento CA 95814

Phone: 916-445-2841

Fax: 916-558-3160

http://www.governor.ca.gov/

Senator Dianne Feinstein

331 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: 202-224-3841

Fax: 202-228-3954

http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/

Senator Barbara Boxer

112 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: 202-224-3553

Fax: 202-228-2382

http://www.boxer.senate.gov/

Senator Joe Simitian

State Capitol, Room 2080

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone*: *916-651-4011

Fax*: *916-323-4529

Senator.Simitian@sen.ca.gov

Assemblymember John Laird

State Capitol P.O. Box 942849

Sacramento, CA 94249-0027

Phone: 916-319-2027

Fax: 916-319-2127

Assemblymember.Laird@assembly.ca.gov

Representative Sam Farr

1221 Longworth House Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20514

Phone: 202-225-2861

Fax: 202-225-6791

samfarr@mail.house.gov

Senator Abel Maldonado

590 Calle Principal

Monterey, CA 93940

Fax: 831-657-6320

Phone: 831-657-6315

senator.maldonado@sen.ca.gov

Leave a Comment » | Action Blogs, Active Blogswarms, Alameda County, Dark Side of Capitalism, Environment, Fascism, Oversight, Rant, Science & Technology, Smoking Gun, Video posts | Permalink
Posted by A.Citizen

Announcing the ‘Citizen’s Forum on the California Primary’!

January 23, 2008

We at Drinking Liberally, Oakland in the grip of the excitement of the first CA primary which will have an actual effect on the national race are putting together a special event for all progressives who would like to take part. It will be an open forum where you the citizen will be able to discuss the issues of the day and have a chance to get some feedback on your questions from staff members of the three leaders Obama, Clinton and Edwards. Note: The Obama and Clinton campaigns have committed to have a spokesperson there as of this hour. We are still trying to contact Edward’s staff; if you know someone local have them email us at: oakland@drinkingliberally.org.

We are still organizing but the time and venue have been set:

The Citizen’s Forum on The California Primary in the Democratic Party will be on:

January 29th, 2008

at

Auctions by the Bay

clik here for directions

Doors open at 6:00 pm

1 Comment | 'Take out the Trash', Action, Barack Obama, California, Campaign Strategy, Candidates for President, Clean Elections, Democrats, Drinking Liberally, Net Neutrality, Progressive Movement | Permalink
Posted by A.Citizen

The Privatization Plague

November 28, 2007

I have watched as Govenor Ronald Reagan first attempted to destroy the California state government, and then went on, as President, to do the same to the federal government. We are dealing with this legacy now, as we see gutted state and federal agencies unable to provide essential services in times of emergency, as we see our infrastructure crumble due to corruption. And now we have Govenor Arnold Schwarzenegger carrying on this “proud” Reagan tradition.

As someone who has worked as a civil servant for the state of California, as someone who saw his mother and father both work as career civil servants for the state of California, I am offended by the way government workers are often depicted. They are too often described as lazy, incompetent, and worse. My parents worked hard and were proud of their work, and they were very competent.

The problems with government are not due to the civil servants, they are due to the same problem that plagues private corporations, GREED. Greedy politicians and their pork barrel projects, their bridges to nowhere. Greedy politicians ignoring laws and regulations. Greedy, corrupt politicians taking money from corporate lobbyists.

Big government is not the problem, and privatization is definitely NOT the answer. There is far more greed in the corporate world then in government. A prime example of why privatization is not the answer is that of the prison system. The United States has approximately 4.5% of the world’s population, but has the highest rate of imprisionment in the world with almost 2 million people imprisioned. The primary reason for this is GREED. Private prisons are paid by OUR government with OUR money on a per head basis, so it is in their interest to keep prison populations and their PROFITS high.

For more insight into this issue, please see this excellent article:

Arnold’s Privatization Push: A Dangerous Giveaway For California

As A.Citizen has said, this is important!

1 Comment | American version, Arnold Schwarzenegger, California, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fascism, Privatization | Permalink
Posted by regular_guy

Grassroots politics….kinda like makin’ sausage but in this case we progressives are setting the agenda!

November 18, 2007

Here’s big talking Art Torres addressing the California State Executive Committee regarding Senator Dianne ‘I luv Bush’ Feinstein’s continuing problems with being a ‘Democrat’:

And here’s my comment in the thread:

Graphic evidence of the rot which has set in… (0.00 / 0)

…in the CA Democratic party. The man’s body language and rhetoric scream authoritarian to the viewer.

But maybe that’s just me. Let’s go to the beginning of his admonition to us mere citizens. He says that Senator Feinstein is listening to us.

Well…she appears to be listening now that we’ve managed to make her voting record public to many.

The idea that she was ‘listening’ to the voters when she voted for Southwick…when she spoke lovingly of Mr. Bush in SoCal…when she voted for wiretapping every American is Mr. Torres laughable if it were not so sickening.

The idea that she would consent to appear at citizen’s meeting is also risible. She is one of the rulers and as such does not do such demeaning things.

As for Mr. Torres appeal to avoid damaging the Democratic ‘brand’ by providing ammo for the Republicans I say this, ‘Mr. Torres take your stupid meme and put it where the sun don’t shine. The way to avoid Republican attacks on Democrats standing up for progressive values is to not vote Republican…to not be corrupt in your votes which affect you husband’s business interests..to frankly stop acting like a Republican and act and vote like a real Democrat.’

Pathetic excuse making which does nothing to advance the progressive agenda. But then that’s not Mr. Torres’s job….
Is it.

Here’s what happened to Eden James and Julia Rosen of the Courage Campaign when they showed up at the committee to support his organization’s motion to censure Senator Feinstein for being ‘out of step with her
constituents:

I entered the California Democratic Party Resolutions Committee meeting room with Eden James, Courage Campaign’s Managing Director, bearing our sign and easel. We found a free space at the front of the room and set up the sign.

Almost immediately, Resolutions Chair John Hanna approached us, demanding that we remove the sign. Eden politely asked if there “was a rule” against signs in the meeting rooms. Hanna replied “yes.”

Kathy Bowler, CDP Executive Director, then calmly approached me, stating that the sign should be removed because the room was getting full and she had staff she needed to get into the room.

John then grabbed ahold of one side of the sign, attempting to remove it from Eden’s hands. Eden, maintaining his hold on to the other side, repeated the question to John about whether a rule existed against signs inside the meeting room. John said “yes”again and Eden asked to see the rule, saying that if there was an actual rule against signs inside the room — he would respect it.

Increasingly angry, John threatened to call security. Eden, surprised, calmly responded that John “should go ahead if that’s what you want to do.”

Suddenly, Hanna then shoved his side of the sign and Eden at the same time, forcibly pushing Eden backwards. Eden held on. John shoved again, then pushed Eden’s shoulder back with the palm of his hand.

Stunned, Eden let go of the sign as John ripped it from his hands and threw it to the floor. An unknown person then picked up the sign and sprinted it out of the room, taking it to the staff room (according to Kathy Bowler).

This is the Last thing that we wanted to happen. And Eden is one of the most peaceful, non-aggressive people that I have ever met. It was shocking to see his calm, determined words met by violence.

The goal of bringing the sign into the room was to provide a visual representation of the large number of people, clubs and groups supporting the resolution to censure the Senator.

Our purpose in continuing to discuss moving the sign was to get a clear reason and clarification of the rules surrounding bringing in signs. If a rule was presented against posting signs, we would have respected it without question. And indeed, we would have entertained a discussion about its removal due to space issues.

We are shocked and shaken by this turn of events and so are many others. It is extremely disappointing that something as simple as trying to bring a sign into a room (that lists organizations supporting a resolution) can escalate into physical violence.

Eden and I want to commend Kathy Bowler for her professionalism throughout this incident. John Hanna’s conduct, on the other hand is shocking, upsetting, and completely inappropriate.

This resolution should be addressed on its merits. No matter what side you are on, this discussion does not deserve to be marred by physical violence.

The entrenched power structure is freaking out because people, people just like you and me, are showing up at their organizational meetings and demanding that they not only be heard but that their concerns be addressed. I know Eden and he’s the sort of citizen activist the Democratic Party should be ecstatic to have in it’s ranks not the object of some party hack’s violence.

Here’s Frank Russo’s post on this event with a comment by me.

I hope you will see that so far only a few people have invested their time and energy to participate in this most basic of political acts: Getting involved and, further, that these folks have had a pretty impressive impact. I hope you will consider joining us.

Come to the next meeting.

Make a comment on the blog.

Get involved now because the opportunity for real change is real but will not last if we fail to push for change….

As hard as we can.

Leave a Comment » | 'Take out the Trash', Action Blogs, Active Blogswarms, Alameda County, Civil Rights, Drinking Liberally, Education, Get Local, Populism, Progressive Movement, The Bear Says, The People Party | Permalink
Posted by A.Citizen

Would you like to ‘Put the Boot In’ on the ugly, pusillmanious Feinstein?

November 13, 2007

This member of the uber-rich thinks torture is just fine. As a matter of fact she thinks anything Mr. Decider wants to so is okay with her as long as she gets to line her pockets it’s all good. Despite the fact that her constituents have a very dim view of Mr. Decider, only 9% of Californians approve of the job Bush is doing as ‘President’, there doesn’t seem to be anything we can to bitch-slap her back to reality. Of course her reality is a little different than yours or mine.

But wait! Our pal Eden James and others at the Courage Campaign asked you out there in the Internet for ideas about what to do about this disgusting state of affairs and you, some of you anyway, came up with an idea.

Here is a partial quote of the Huffington Post’s story on what’s unfoldiing here in CA:

"Now, a coalition of progressive Democrats upset with Feinstein’s controversial votes will ask the California Democratic Party to censure her at its executive board meeting this weekend, the Huffington Post has learned.

The move comes as Feinstein again finds herself under fire for saying Thursday that she now supports granting legal immunity to telecom companies that shared customer email and phone messages with the federal government as part of the warrantless surveillance program.

"Dianne Feinstein does not listen to the people of California," said Rick Jacobs, president of the Courage Campaign, a progressive organization in California. "She supports George Bush’s agenda time after time."

Feinstein’s office did not respond to messages seeking comment.

East Bay For Democracy, a chartered Democratic Club outside San Francisco, will introduce the censure motion on Saturday at the state party’s executive board meeting in Anaheim. The Governing Board of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party and the Progressive Democrats of America are also backing the measure."

Get on over there and read the whole thing.

Then hit the Courage Campaign’s webpage and sign the petition to the CA Democratic Party Executive Board right here……….

Leave a Comment » | 'Take out the Trash', Action, Action Blogs, Active Blogswarms, California, Civil Rights, Class Warfare, Neocons, Progressive Movement, Rant, ReThuglican, Speaking Truth to Power, Spineless Dems, The Money Party, The People Party, Two Americas | Permalink
Posted by A.Citizen

Listen Up Jerry!

November 5, 2007

Good evening Jerry,

This from your blog sets the stage for what I have to say to you:

‘If you are one of the thousands of people who either volunteered or
contributed to my campaign for Congress in 2006, I want you to know that
I owe my election to you. When others said I would not be able to
overcome an entrenched seven-term House committee chairman, you believed
otherwise. Without your steadfast support, winning would not have been possible.’

I am one of those folks Jerry. I and my co-host malcontent and Kid
Oakland and others did exactly what you describe.

We helped you win.

We did that for a reason Jerry. We did it because we believed that you
would represent not only the people of your district but all the people
of America.

Now you’ve come down on the Republican side of several issues lately. I
disagree but respect your viewpoints. At least I did until I read that
you will support the elimination of the Estate Tax.

That’s one step too far sir. I’m not going to get into the pros and cons
of this.

The progressive agenda which is the agenda I support sir, does not
admit of eliminating this tax.

That would be bad for the nation fiscally and worse it undermines our
society by accelerating the stratification of wealth in our society
which is already at dangerous levels.

Dangerous levels Sir. I can give you reams of info on why this is bad
policy. If you truly don’t know why email me and I’ll pull something
together.

But…

If you persist in this position and vote accordingly.

You can count me out of your next campaign. And all those folks who took
the time and effort to walk your district who came from the East Bay?

I’m pretty sure you can count them out also.

That’s politics Jerry. You don’t deliver…

We won’t either.

Here is the FDL post which gave rise to mine. And here you can let Jerry know how you feel.

1 Comment | 'Take out the Trash', Action, California, Campaign Strategy, Community, Democratic Majority, False Flag, Populism, Progressive Democrats, Progressive Movement, Republican Lies, Smoking Gun, The Bear Says, The Money Party, The People Party, Two Americas | Permalink
Posted by A.Citizen

« Previous Entries
Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started