An opportunity to put millions of Americans to work in new jobs

Written by: Tom Hayes on May 14, 2009 9:48 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Blog Network, Blog For America

At a time when outsourcing undermines the middle class, we have a chance to be creating millions of new jobs right here in the U.S.A.  Investing in energy independence isn't simply a national defense priority, it makes sense for the environment and our economy.  The President and the Congress are getting us moving in the right direction.

Statement from The Executive Director of the Blue Green Alliance, David Foster:

"Legislation establishing a cap on the carbon pollution that causes global warming is a significant step toward building a new, green economy in the United States. As the nation continues to face high unemployment and the threat of climate change, Chairmen Waxman and Markey have shown true leadership on this critical issue.

"We are particularly pleased that the Committee has reached a consensus on provisions in the legislation that will cut carbon emissions and prevent job loss to other countries. We believe it is essential that this legislation provide the safeguards that allow American manufacturing and its workers to remain competitive with the rest of the world. The provisions laid out in the legislation move us forward in accomplishing this goal.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included more than $60 billion in clean energy investments that will jump-start our economy and build the clean energy jobs of tomorrow:

$11 billion for a bigger, better, and smarter grid that will move renewable energy from the rural places it is produced to the cities where it is mostly used, as well as for 40 million smart meters to be deployed in American homes.

$5 billion for low-income home weatherization projects.

$4.5 billion to green federal buildings and cut our energy bill, saving taxpayers billions of dollars.

$6.3 billion for state and local renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.

$600 million in green job training programs – $100 million to expand line worker training programs and $500 million for green workforce training.

$2 billion in competitive grants to develop the next generation of batteries to store energy.

What’s good for the planet - in terms of reduced emissions and energy consumption - is good for the country in terms of putting all sorts of people back to work, in productive, good-paying jobs. It’s good for the economy; it’s the key to our future. Congress is already beginning to move to infuse stimulus money into key industries. Take the time to thank your Senators and Representatives for changing the way Washington works and starting to look out for our interests instead of special interests, or to ask them why they aren't.

"In the face of economic crisis, we have an important opportunity to put millions of men and women to work building the clean energy economy. Passing comprehensive climate legislation is a critical step forward. The Blue Green Alliance looks forward to working with Congress to make certain that the provisions in this legislation ensure the creation of millions of good, family-sustaining green jobs in the United States and the protection of public health and the environment for future generations."

David Foster
Executive Director of the Blue Green Alliance
13 May 2009

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Proposals to Provide Affordable Coverage to All Americans

Written by: Tom Hayes on May 13, 2009 12:14 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for the Twin Cities, DFA Blog Network, Blog For America

SECTION III: Public Health Insurance Option

Current Law

There is currently no federal public health insurance option for non-disabled individuals under 65 years of age. Medicare, however, is an example of a federal public health insurance option for the aged and certain disabled individuals. Under Medicare, Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determine many parameters of the program including eligibility rules, financing (including determination of payroll taxes, and premiums), required benefits, payments to health care providers, and cost sharing amounts. Despite the public nature of this program, CMS subcontracts with private companies to carry out much of the administration of the program.

Proposed Option A

There are several major issues that must be resolved in detailing a public health insurance option.

The first issue is how providers will be reimbursed for services they provide to enrollees of the public option. The second is whether or not the public option will be required to establish provider networks or can it compel providers to participate. The third is whether the public option will be required to have reserve funds to cover their incurred but not reported claims. The fourth is whether or not the premiums collected by the public option will be required to cover costs or can shortfalls will be subsidized by the federal treasury. Finally, there is the issue of administration of the public option and whether it will be done by a federal agency or by a third party.

Three separate options for a public health insurance plan are described in the "Proposals to Provide Affordable Coverage to All Americans" document, found at: http://www.finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/051109%20Health%20Care%20Description%20of%20Policy%20Options.pdf

Option B does not include a public health insurance option and instead relies on private options in a "reformed and well regulated private market."

What you can do about Health Care reform

Written by: Tom Hayes on May 2, 2009 11:18 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Blog For America, DFA Blog Network

73% of voters want a choice of a private or public health insurance plan. Have you told your U.S. Representative and/or Senator? It's not about party, folks; this idea has phenomemally broad support, and it's totally congruent with what President Obama and his administration are trying to achieve.

Special interests are being heard - are you?

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/dem-poll-public-overwhelmingly-supports-public-health-insurance-plan/

"While recent polling has shown consistent broad support for comprehensive health care reform, this poll specifically addressed whether people want a choice of a public health insurance plan. 73% of voters want a choice of a private or public health insurance plan, including Democrats (77%), Independents (79%), and Republicans (63%)"

The firm also tested the insurance industry's message about public health care and paired it with a message supporting it, and found the public to be far more receptive to the pro-public health care message:

"62% of voters believe a public health insurance plan will spend less on profits and administration and force private insurers to compete while only 28% of voters believe the attack that a public health insurance plan would be a "big, government bureaucracy." 60% believe that if private insurers are really more efficient than government, then they won't have any trouble competing with a public health insurance plan. Only 23% believe a public health insurance plan would have an unfair advantage over private plans."

This polling was conducted for the pro-reform group Health Care for America Now.

More results here.

People who work hard for their money deserve to have a voice in how it's spent. The insurance industry and their lobbyists have been writing rules that boost their profits not protect Americans, and tax-payers are tired of bailing them out while worrying if we'll even have jobs. We need our leaders to take control and look out for our interests, not special interests.

Forget the astroturfing angle, that's NOT what matters

Written by: Tom Hayes on Apr 19, 2009 6:58 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Blog For America, DFA Blog Network

People having trouble making ends meet have reason to wish bank and credit-card fees were less onerous, and naturally resent the inevitable burden of any tax they think is unfair. Money is tight for most of us, but we don't want to become the next Somalia, either - we value government services as much if not more than our founding fathers did, we just want the burden to be fair.

We don't want to give up on the U.S. government;
we just want the tax burden distributed fairly.

When they unleash the "first hundred days" summaries, what will we be told?

Written by: Tom Hayes on Apr 18, 2009 8:12 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Blog For America, DFA Blog Network

"...we simply can't afford to perpetuate a system in Washington where politicians and bureaucrats make decisions behind closed doors with little accountability for the consequences."

With that simple declaration, U.S. President Barack Obama debunked yet another myth the GOP has tried to perpetuate, positioning the Democratic party as leaders in the fight to get back to a smaller, more efficient government.

The President, enjoying high approval ratings during his first quarter in office for his handling of diplomatic challenges and economic chaos, has named  Jeffrey Zients as the nation's first, "Chief Performance Officer."

The diplomacy has been slightly to the fore this week, as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who had expelled the U.S. envoy to Caracas last year in a dispute with the Bush administration, evidently warmed to the changes signalled early in the week by Obama's new approach to Cuba - easing parts of the long-standing embargo. Chavez told Barack Obama publicly, "I want to be your friend."

Obama stressed the opportunity for new partnerships as he spoke in Trinidad/Tobago, from addressing poverty and the economy in the hemisphere, to revolutionizing energy use - a clear reminder to OPEC nations that he intends to reduce their largest market. He also noted that his administration is "making it a priority to ratify the Illicit Trafficking in Firearms Convention as another tool that we can use to prevent this from happening," despite vocal domestic opposition from reactionaries who fear it signals a change in their Consitutionally assured right to bear arms.

Less than three months into his term Obama, not willing to be hampered by the rhetoric that has seemingly dominated U.S. relations during the early part of the century, has extended his hand in friendship, and two of the western hemisphere's harshest critics of U.S. policy have unclenched their fists and signalled a desire to de-escalate and cooperate.

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White House Office of Health Reform

Written by: Tom Hayes on Apr 12, 2009 10:39 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Blog For America, DFA Blog Network

President Obama has issued an executive order establishing the White House Office of Health Reform intended to oversee "the federal government's comprehensive effort to improve access to health care, the quality of such care, and the sustainability of the health care system." Governor Howard Dean, M.D., and Democracy for America have launched the "Healthcare for All" campaign at StandwithDrDean.com, and over a quarter of a million people have enthusiastically joined in, spreading the word.

Both initiatives will help spur on reform in the health care insurance industry, and not a moment to soon.  According to a recent article from Maggie Fox of Reuters,

"U.S. government economists predict that public and private health spending will hit $2.5 trillion this year, taking up a 17.6 percent share of gross domestic product. Yet studies suggest Americans get poorer care than people in other industrialized countries that have national healthcare plans, and 46 million Americans have no health insurance at all."

While Howard Dean is a visible and credible public face, the effort requires your commitment, too. Change doesn't come about in Washington unless politicians know their constituents are paying attention to an issue.  You've got to keep writing to them, and to newspapers, and inform your friends, neighbors, and co-workers about the shabby state of affairs caused by insurance company profiteers siphoning off lavish pay and bonuses that drive up all our costs but add no value to the health care industry.

You can help financially, too, even if you're not the sort to write to congress.

The President has nominated Nancy-Ann DeParle (who worked in the Clinton administration) to be Counselor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Health Reform. Barack Obama has a grand vision, he knows the system is broken and he's working to bring meaningful change so that health insurance works for people instead of just corporate profits despite the powerful special interests fighting to influence your representatives in Congress to leave the system just the way big insurance likes it. Don't let the folks in D.C. forget you're out here, watching.

"In 2009, Congress must take up and act on meaningful health reform legislation that achieves coverage for every American while also addressing the underlying problems in our health system. The urgency of this task has become undeniable."

~Senator Max Baucus, (D-MT)
Chairman, Senate Finance Committee
12 November 2008

The Presiden't plan will promote public health and require coverage of preventive services, including cancer screenings. Catch the fever - make some noise!

DFA Campaign Academy in Fresno March 28-29, 2009

Written by: Susan Rowe on Mar 20, 2009 10:27 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties , Courage Campaign, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, Sierra Foothills Democratic Club, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP)

Media Falsely Report Dean Will Become Lobbyist, Disqualifying Himself From White House

Written by: Adam Quinn, DFA Field Director on Mar 10, 2009 12:27 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-Link Organizers, DFA HQ Grassroots, Blog For America, DFA Blog Network

Yesterday, the Washington Post and USA Today incorrectly reported on Gov. Dean's future and some blog sites picked up to story.

Today, the real story comes out:

..."[Washington Post reporter Al] Kamen got it wrong this morning," said Karen Finney, a spokesman for Dean. "He wrote that without talking to me or Dean. As you know, Dean is an Independent Consultant for the firm and not a registered lobbyist."

Indeed, Dean is joining McKenna as a consultant on health care and alternative energy issues and an independent adviser on specific projects that he chooses. His job portfolio, while attempting to influence the political debate, won't include the dreaded 'L-word' in it….

Via Huffington Post

DFA's Executive Director, Arshad Hasan posts:

…Here's the deal: He's not a lobbyist. That's not his gig. It's even in writing in the firm's own announcement. He is providing guidance to clients on Health Care policy and public-private partnerships. I think more people ought to ask Howard's advice on those matters, and I'm glad they are.

But he's not doing any lobbying.

…He is back at DFA (starting this week). We'll be organizing around Health Care (among many other things), and we'll be drawing a line in the sand at the availability of a public option…

Via Daily Kos

We are very excited Gov. Dean will be working on a number of issues but particularly healthcare. As a matter a fact, Gov. Dean will be joining DFA 5th Birthday Parties on March 25th all across the country and I am sure he'll tell you what he is up to. 

You can throw your own DFA Birthday Party and join Gov. Dean, Jim Dean, and other special guests by conference call and streamed live over the internet. I hope you can join us.

AuditAZ & ADP EIC Update on Arizona Stolen Election Case

Written by: Cheryl on Mar 6, 2009 6:23 PM EST

Linked to groups: Blog For America, DFA Blog Network, DFA-Link Organizers, DFA Election Rescue Strategy Team, dfatucson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE

The RTA Ballot Case: Why Transparency Matters: 

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Job Openings: State Democratic Parties that are now hiring Staff

Written by: Susan Rowe on Mar 3, 2009 3:05 PM EST

Linked to groups: Blog For America, DFA Job Board, DFA Blog Network, DFA-Link Organizers, DFA Night School

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Iowa Democratic Party

The Iowa Democratic Party is accepting applications for the positions of Press Secretary and Finance Assistant. For more information or to apply contact the Iowa Democratic Party at 515-244-7292 and ask for Norm Sterzenbach, Executive Director.  Applicants may also email resumes to nsterzenbach[at]iowademocrats[dot]org.  Resumes must be received by COB Tuesday, March 3, 2009 for Press Secretary and COB Tuesday, March 10, 2009 for Finance Assistant.

Minnesota Democratic Party

The Minnesota DFL Party is now accepting applications for the following jobs:  Communications Director and Deputy Communications Director. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of references by postal or electronic mail to:  Andrew J. O’Leary, Executive Director, Minnesota DFL Party, 255 East Plato Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55107-1623 or aoleary[at]dfl[dot]org.  The deadline for applications is Monday 16 March 2009. Some applicants will be contacted for an interview in late March, after the deadline for applications has passed.

North Carolina Democratic Party

The North Carolina Democratic Party is seeking applicants for communications and field organizing positions.  The North Carolina Democratic Party is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation.  Please apply online at www.ncdp.org/jobs.

Vermont Democratic Party

The Executive Director of the Vermont Democratic Party is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Party Headquarters including its effective administration, fundraising, 21st century communications, grassroots organizing, secure files and party assets and political operations.  Please address your application to: Judy Bevans, Acting Chair and email to jbevans[at]vtdemocrats[dot]org.  Applications will be accepted until March 15, and a final decision will be made by March 31.