DemocracyForAmerica.com » Framing Committee

Can you spare 30 seconds of your time to help save abandoned pets?

Written by: Richard Renner on Jan 4, 2009 10:30 PM EST

As our economic crisis continues to worsen, some of the most vulnerable among us can not speak for themselves - Unwanted and abandoned pets. Missaukee Humane Society (MHS) is a small shelter in rural Northern Michigan, dependent on contributions to continue their mission of mercy. MHS is one of the only no-kill animal shelters left in Michigan. They are currently running on a deficit, and at full capacity. Many mornings, the staff arrives to find abandoned pets, left overnight by owners who can no longer afford to feed or care for them.

Right now, MHS is attempting to win a $10,000 prize from Adopt-a-Pet.com. Please, can you spare 30 seconds of your time to vote for MHS, by clicking on...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

$10,000 could save literally hundreds of abandoned pets - Pets that give us nothing but unconditional love in exchange for an occasional pat on the head, game of fetch, and a couple of bowls filled with food and fresh water.

Because MHS is in a rural, sparsely populated area, they need as many votes as possible from all across the state, and all across the country. Please vote now at...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world—the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous—is his dog…a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that had no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

- George Graham Vest, American lawyer and politician, 1830-1904

Discuss

Happy Thanksgiving from Missaukee County (Michigan) :)

Written by: Richard Renner on Nov 26, 2008 7:30 PM EST

To all my friends at Democracy for America,

May your Thanksgiving be filled with Love, Faith and Laughter.

Best wishes,

Richard Renner

Missaukee County Commissioner-elect

Membership Chair, Missaukee County Democratic Party

“Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”

- Albert Einstein

Discuss

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices..." - Democrats.com

Written by: Richard Renner on Nov 17, 2008 9:41 PM EST

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices...Local and state offices have an enormous impact on our lives, and also produce our future national leaders..." - Democrats.com

CHALLENGE: ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT to raise $380! Help the only Democratic County Commissioner in Missaukee County (Michigan).

On Tuesday, November 4th, history was made in Missaukee County. I was fortunate enough to defeat a Republican incumbent for County Commissioner in the second most Republican county in the state of Michigan. However, as with many campaigns, I have debt to pay off, and several final expenses to pay. I need to raise $380 in 3 days. Can I count on you? Making a contribution is easier than ever. Just click on the link below, and make a secure, online contribution using PayPal...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=rrenner%40core%2ecom&item_name=Friends%20of%20Richard%20Renner&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY MID-MICHIGAN DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA (MMDfA)!
“Richard REALLY knows his stuff and has specific plans for improving his county.”

As I was quoted in our local daily, the Cadillac News, following my victory...

"The voters...have made a determination that the status quo is no longer acceptable, that we expect more accountability, greater openness, and transparency in county government."

Please, help me pay off my debt by raising $380 in 3 days. Just click on the link below, and make a secure, online contribution using PayPal...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=rrenner%40core%2ecom&item_name=Friends%20of%20Richard%20Renner&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

Victory '10,

Richard Renner

Missaukee County Commissioner-elect

"...public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people...with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration."

- Margaret Chase Smith, U.S. Senator from Maine, 1949-1973

Discuss

Failure of Center-Right Conservative Values, Principles, Ideology, Philosophy & Polices

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Nov 4, 2008 4:58 PM EST

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, DFA New Jersey, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, blog for America Test and Poll Group

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

In the face of a great defeat, conservatives have their new talking points. They are trying to make the case that America is really a Center-Right country. See this video from ThinkProgress of how conservatives are trying to make the case.

Center-Right Country Watch: Conservatives Grasping At Straws

What Conservatives fail to acknowledge is that Center-Right Values, Principles, Ideology, Philosophy & Polices have failed and that the country is looking for a new direction. In case they need some help in understanding this, they can always listen to what people say about Center-Right Conservative values below.

Failed Conservative Values: Bill Honigman on Restrictive Intolerance and Porcupines

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Nov 3, 2008 12:29 PM EST

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, DFA New Jersey, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, blog for America Test and Poll Group

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

I interviewed Bill Honigman, who is the California State Coordinator of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA). He said conservatives are restrictive and intolerant like porcupines. While he doesn't think the values of individual conservatives have failed, he feels the values of the conservative movement have failed. I have to disagree with him there. I feel that individual conservative values have manifest themselves in the conservative movement and individual conservatives need to take 'individual responsibility' for these failures.

Failed Conservative Values - Bill Honigman on Restrictive Intolerance

Conservatives tend to, in the nicest use of the term, want to conserve what they’ve got. And so they are looking to hang on to, say their property, or their bit of family and what they perceive of as their family’s rights in a kind of identity of self that way. It’s a little too, as far as I’m concerned, restrictive, meaning they’re not willing to reach out to people outside of their circle. And to me that’s probably a fundamental difference.

In the concept of rounding up or circling the wagons and taking a little too much and being too guarded about themselves, and not being willing to share with their community. And that translates into things like not wanting to contribute to, say, things like education and the infrastructure, and the whole tax revolution that occurred in this country in the last 30 or 40 years. It’s all about people saying, “I’m tired of giving of myself. I don’t seem to be getting back in return.”

They just want to hang on to what they have. And instead of saying to build society will require an investment, and maybe we just need better caretakers of the investment instead of not giving money and our own resources.

Failed Conservative Values: Markos (Kos) Moulitsas on Self-Delusion

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Oct 26, 2008 1:28 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, DFA New Jersey, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, blog for America Test and Poll Group

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

I interviewed Markos (Kos) Moulitsas, founder of the Dailykos.com and asked him about the failure of conservative values. For him, the conservative value of self-delusion was the greatest failure. He says conservatives value their ideology over actual reality and he pointed out a series of examples of how this ideology ignores reality.

"As long as our civilization is essentially one of property, of fences, of exclusiveness, it will be mocked by delusions." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Failed Conservative Values: Markos Moulitsas - Self-Delusion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=figH0eedcMY

Edwin: Have conservative values failed?

Markos: Oh, yeah, the failure of conservative values, the bottom line is that it has no bearing on reality. They created an alternate reality – cut taxes, lower the deficit, balance the budget – where global warming did not exist, where the world was invented 6,000 years ago, where science is bogus, where the best way to educate kids is to defund the schools.

And this is the comeuppance. When you base your reality on an ideology that has really no basis for reality, you’re doomed to failure. When you have an ideology that says that government cannot work, you have to by default run a shitty government. What’s the alternative?

Let’s say George Bush says the government can’t work, we need to shrink it. So, when I appoint my director of FEMA, instead of appointing a horse lawyer, I’m going to appoint an experienced administer who knows about disaster management and logistics planning. So when Katrina happens, the government does a fantastic job, making people’s lives better.

Suddenly, you have sort of a collision of ideologies. When you say government can’t work, and you have government that works, where does that leave the conservatives? In a really, really piss-poor place.

So, by default, Bush had to appoint the horse lawyer to FEMA, I could go down the list – in department after department it’s scandal after scandal. I mean, it’s all because he appointed people who are not qualified. Because they need to fail, they need to prove that government cannot work, and the way you prove government does not work is by running a government that does not work.

Video: Obama-McCain - DFA Debate Watch Party - Sept 26 2008 in Berkeley CA

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Sep 27, 2008 5:46 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, DFA New Jersey, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, blog for America Test and Poll Group

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

The Oakland DFA held a very successful debate watch party in Berkeley, CA with it's greatest meeting turnout yet. Community members came out to support Barack Obama and Progressive Values.

You can see the video below to get a flavor of the event along with participant expectations and their evaluations of the debate.

Video: Obama-McCain - DFA Debate Watch Party - Sept 26 2008 in Berkeley CA

Edwin Rutsch
What Are Progressive Values? Documentary Project
ProgressiveSpirit.com
and Study Group

Discuss

Your Local Candidates

Written by: Travis Todd on Sep 23, 2008 4:35 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Anne Arundel, DFA/Greater Bowie DEMOCRATS, Democracy for Howard County, Baltimore for Barack, DEMOCRACY for Baltimore, DFA New Jersey, Democracy for Maryland, Democracy for Virginia, Democracy for Montgomery County, DC for Democracy, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Prince George's - Democracy for America, North Baltimore County DFA, DEMOCRACY for America in Frederick, Progressive Cheverly, Health Care Maryland, Democracy for Carroll County, Marylanders for Al Gore , DFA County Committee Project, NJ-7th Congressional District - The Linda Stender Team, Hudson DFA, Essex County, NJ, DFA, Framing Committee, Morris County DFA, Bergen Grassroots, BlueWaveNJ, Hoboken Progressives, Middlesex County DFA, Hunterdon DFA, Progressive Democracy South Jersey, Union County for Democracy, Ocean County DFA/PDA, Somerset for Democracy, Passaic County DFA, Essex Freeholder Watch, Monmouth County DFA/PDA, Mercer County Democracy for America, NJ for Obama, NWNJ for Democracy, Jersey Shore DFA, Pequannock DFA, Democracy for Gloucester County , South Jersey for Democracy, Jersey City DFA, Cumberland for Democracy, Atlantic County DFA

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Grassroots change starts at the bottom. We need ot be informed voters and make sure the candidates we're voting into local office (the offices that affect us most directly) share the progressive values we champion.

When you get to the voting booth on November 4, will you know which State Representatives, School Board Members, State Auditors, Dog-catchers shere your values. Will you even know their names?

Growvotes.org is trying to close this gap in voter ignorance through the same social networking tactics that have helped communities like DFA. Come check us out, find out who's running in your local elections and help us build a community based around the local politics that get things done close to home. Write an inactive candidate and ask them to share their views with the community. Create a ballot for election day so you know beforehand who'll you'll vote for.

We're focusing our beta efforts on New Jersey and Maryland and are looking for local associates who can help us add candidates that are not lsited yet. Espcially those at the city and county level. For more information contact us:

the_helpful_people@growvotes.org

http://www.growvotes.org

Discuss

Progressives Blast Failed Conservative Values! Part 2

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Sep 22, 2008 7:49 PM EDT

Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, DFA New Jersey, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington, Sacramento For Democracy, Democracy for Illinois, Democracy for Maryland, Philly for Change, Democracy for Ohio (DFO), Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Washington Fair Elections, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA, DFA at Netroots

Home » Groups » Framing Committee » Blog

HQ Loading....please wait

Democracy for America group blog for Framing Committee

Can you spare 30 seconds of your time to help save abandoned pets?

Happy Thanksgiving from Missaukee County (Michigan) :)

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices..." - Democrats.com

Failure of Center-Right Conservative Values, Principles, Ideology, Philosophy & Polices

Read more

Failed Conservative Values: Bill Honigman on Restrictive Intolerance and Porcupines

Read more

Failed Conservative Values: Markos (Kos) Moulitsas on Self-Delusion

Read more

Video: Obama-McCain - DFA Debate Watch Party - Sept 26 2008 in Berkeley CA

Your Local Candidates

Progressives Blast Failed Conservative Values! Part 2