We have endorsed Scott Harper - start helping this Saturday

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jul 22, 2008 5:18 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

We have a new endorsed candidate!

At Northside DFA (Democracy for America) our members choose our candidates, and our July meeting Democratic Congressional Candidate Scott Harper won our vote to become our newest Northside DFA endorsed candidate -- one of only five candidates we have chosen to endorse or adopt this campaign cycle.

How can you help?

- sign up to volunteer for Scott THIS SATURDAY.  They need all the help they can get to win a DCCC volunteer challenge that could mean signifcant $$ for Scott's campaign:
http://www.scottharperforcongress.com/Default.aspx?tabid=494

- donate to Scott (and all of our candidates) on our Northside DFA Act Blue Page (over $6K already raised!):
http://www.actblue.com/page/ndfa_picks

Scott is running an extremely vigorous, grass-roots campaign to unseat Republican Judy Biggert, someone who had fully embraced the Republican big-money agenda:

- Voted against increasing children’s health coverage by voting against SCHIP.
- Voted against raising the minimum wage six times
- Supported cutting overtime pay and voted against extending unemployment benefits
- Opposed mandatory periods of rest for combat soldiers (The Webb Amendment).
- Voted against legislation that provided critical healthcare funding for veterans
- Voted to allow oil drilling in national monuments
- Supported Bush's plan to privatize Social Security
- and, of course, voted to authorize use of force in Iraq and for over $5 billion in funding for the war since then.
(read more at http://www.therealjudybiggert.com/)

Scott is an incredibly smart candidate who supports a progressive agenda for change for this country including getting out of Iraq and no permanent bases in Iraq, universal health care, and achieving energy independence. Scott vision also includes numerous bold proposals like this one:

"Establishing an American Center for Cures: Since Jonas Salk cured polio over 50 years ago, this country has not developed a cure for a major disease. For this reason, Scott believes it necessary to start a considerable, concerted and focused effort at a federal level for finding much needed cures to these devastating diseases."

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NDFA Meeting Notes - June 2008

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jul 14, 2008 6:25 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

The meeting notes below were prepared by our NDFA Recording Secretary, Melissa Lindberg, based on notes she took during the meeting.  They are NOT a direct transcript, so please do not attribute any portion of these notes as direct quotes from our speakers.  If you have questions or comments, please contact Melissa at: http://democracyforamerica.com/users/206530-melissa-lindberg

NDFA Meeting Notes
June 5, 2008

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David Sirota in Chicago

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jul 3, 2008 8:16 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

[This essay was written by NDFA Steering Committee member Frank Palmer about our June 21st Northside DFA forum. The photo was taken by NDFA member Fran Tobin.]

David Sirota, author of the New York Times best sellers The Uprising and Hostile Takeover, spoke in a NDFA forum in Edgewater about his books and his political beliefs. The format -- he was interviewed by Ben Joravsky of The Reader and then answered questions from the audience -- was somewhat discursive, but Sirota returned to several recurring themes.

Sirota rejects waiting for the ideal politician to be elected to a position from which he can solve our problems. He thinks that the proposed solutions have to come from below with enough pressure to make their passage politically profitable. He pointed to Lyndon Johnson's adoption of the civil rights ideal; Johnson's political record before the White House supported segregation. Sirota pointed out that these groundswells have long periods of organized preparation before they reach the consciousness of the electorate. (And he pointed out elsewhere that politicians were usually the last to notice.) He quoted FDR speaking to some advocacy group: "You've convinced me. Now make me do it."

Asked specifically about Barack Obama, whom he has praised elsewhere, he said that Obama is passionate about themes, not about policies. An Obama administration would be open to solutions from the grassroots, but we should not expect the election of  Obama to provide the solutions. Again, change comes from below; only when the people are convinced will the leaders follow.

(Continued.)

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NDFA Meeting Notes - April 3, 2008 w/ Candidate Scott Harper

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jul 3, 2008 5:58 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

The meeting notes below were prepared by our NDFA Recording Secretary, Melissa Lindberg, based on notes she took during the meeting.  They are NOT a direct transcript, so please do not attribute any portion of these notes as direct quotes from our speakers.  If you have questions or comments, please contact Melissa at: http://democracyforamerica.com/users/206530-melissa-lindberg

NDFA Meeting Notes - April 3, 2008 with Candidate Scott Harper

Introductions:  Shannon Fisk introduced himself as the Steering Committee member delegated to run in the meeting in Sandra’s absence.  Sandra Verthein was absent because of a work-related event; Cynthia Fox was absent due to injury. Steering Committee members Jim Ginsburg and Barry Aldridge were also unable to attend.  Everyone else went around and introduced themselves, giving their name and ward – or township, if coming from outside Chicago.  Last to be introduced was Deb Shore, MRWD commissioner, who noted that she had won election as a delegate for Obama to a round of applause.  She will be attending the Democratic National Convention, and is exploring ways to blog daily!

Updates on Candidates: 

Daniel Seals: there will be a canvas for Dan Seals on April 5^th.  Frank noted he was going through canvassing withdrawal – everyone should sign up through DFA-Link, more details posted there.

Daniel Biss:  There will be a canvas for Dan Biss on April 13^th.  Again, sign up on DFA-Link, where more details will be posted.

Obama:  Phone banking in the downtown office is going on constantly: currently the project is to phone bank Indiana to GOTV, and also get people to register to vote for the primary there. Also, as always, Obama’s website has a phone banking widget, so you can phone bank from the comfort of your own home (though doing in the office is also fun, as the opportunity to socialize with the other volunteers and feel a real part of the operation is pretty terrific).  Another opportunity to work for Obama is through Evanston Township, which is going out to Indiana for Barack this weekend.  It was noted that Obama raised over $40 million last month, more than Clinton and McCain combined.  The pastor issue seems to be in the past now.

There was no update on Carol Javens.

(Continued)

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NDFA Meeting Notes - March 6 2008 w/ Guest Speaker David Orr

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jul 3, 2008 5:32 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

The meeting notes below were prepared by our NDFA Recording Secretary, Melissa Lindberg, based on notes she took during the meeting.  They are NOT a direct transcript, so please do not attribute any portion of these notes as direct quotes from our speakers.  If you have questions or comments, please contact Melissa at: http://democracyforamerica.com/users/206530-melissa-lindberg

-------
NDFA Meeting Notes - March 6, 2008 with Guest Speaker David Orr

Updates on Candidates:

Daniel Biss: Biss had a fundraiser with a local band: ~ 65 attended, and ~ $3,000 was raised.  This event was organized by some of our NDFA members. In the primaries,  Biss received about 16,000 votes to Beth Coulson’s 6,000: of course, this may shift as people won’t draw straight Democratic tickets for the General, so some of the Democrats who like Coulson may choose to vote for her in November.  But it is an encouraging sign. 

Obama:  Jim Ginsburg gave a report on his canvassing in Ohio.  He was in Cuyahoga County, in Shaker Heights, where his wife has family.  He was impressed with the Obama campaign in Ohio: a true mix of young and old, rainbow of ethnicities, very diverse campaign. 

Two politicians/candidates were present and recognized: Scott Harper is the Democratic candidate in the 13^th congressional district in Illinois, running against incumbent Judy Biggert (R).  Heather Steans, newly elected State Senator to the 7^th State Senate District in Illinois, was also present.

(Continued.)

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DFA Candidate Daniel Biss does DIY Campaign Finance Reform

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jun 9, 2008 6:26 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

We don't need to wait to have campaign finance reform -- our Northside DFA adopted candidate Daniel Biss, running for State Rep in the 17th District, is doing it right now.

He has raised over $220,000 from over 1,300 individual donors -- unheard of for a State Rep race.  This is the people powered campaign we have been waiting for!

In contrast, here is a small sample of where Dan's opponent, Republican Beth Coulson, gets her money from:

Americash Loans LLC - $250.00
Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. - $500.00
Astellas Pharma - $250.00
Baxter Healthcare Corporation - $250.00
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals - $500.00
Caremark RX Inc $500.00
Daiichi Sankyo Inc $500.00
Diageo North America Inc $250.00
GlaxoSmithKline  $500.00
Hawthorne Race Course $250.00
Humana Inc. $1,250.00
Pfizer Inc $500.00
Pharmaceutical Research & Mfrs. of America $500.00
Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America Inc $250.00
Walgreen Drugstores Corporation $450.00
Zeneca Inc. $250.00

And this list is just from her last fundraising report! We need someone in this seat who is beholden to the people, NOT to Big Pharma.

Daniel is having a fundraiser this Wednesday, and lots of your Northside DFA friends will be there.  Tickets are just $34 -- $17 for students.  Can you come out and be one of Daniel's small donors? Can you help us make this people-powered campaign possible?

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Which Aldermen voted 100% with Mayor Daley?

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jun 2, 2008 8:52 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA, Chicago-Goose Island, Loop DFA, Greater Lincoln Park DFA

UIC Political Science Professor Dick Simpson just came out with a new report on Aldermanic voting scores since the 2007 election.  Here's how some of our north side Aldermen scored in a recently released report (percentage reflects agreement on the 13 divided roll call votes in the past year):

- Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) - 85% agreement with Daley
- Margaret Laurino (39th Ward) - 85% agreement with Daley
- Patrick O'Connor (40th Ward) - 92% agreement with Daley
- Vi Daley (43rd Ward) - 92% agreement with Daley
- Tom Tunney (44th Ward) - 100% agreement with Daley
- Helen Schiller (46th Ward) - 100% agreement with Daley
- Eugene Schulter (47th Ward) - 85% agreement with Daley
- Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward) - 100% agreement with Daley
- Joe Moore (49th Ward) - 38% agreement with Daley
- Bernard Stone (50th Ward) - 67% agreement with Daley

One of those aldermen, political new-comer Scott Waguespack, will be one of our guest speakers at our NDFA meeting this Thursday.  In 2007 Scott defeated 32nd Ward Alderman Ted Matlak, who for years had also voted 100% with Mayor Daley.  Also in 2007 NDFA candidate Michele Smith narrowly lost to 43rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley, but Michele then went on just a few months later to win as 43rd Ward Democratic Committeman.

How did they do it? What was the key to their success? Find out at our next
meeting where Scott and Michele will be our guest speakers:

Northside DFA June Meeting: "How I Beat The Machine"
- Thursday, June 5th
- 6 pm dinner (optional) and socializing, 7 pm meeting
- Furama Chinese Restaurant, upstairs, 4936 N. Broadway
- sign up at our website: http://democracyforamerica.com/groups/247-northside-dfa

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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gas Station

Written by: Sandra Verthein on May 28, 2008 7:22 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

Just received this from our NDFA adopted candidate Dan Seals, who is running in the 10th Congressional District against Republican Mark Kirk ...

Dear Sandra, Last week, as an estimated one-third of all families changed their Memorial Day Weekend plans due to outlandish gas prices, I held an event to highlight just how out of control our energy crisis has become. Here in Illinois the cost of gas has more than doubled in the last seven years, while the average household income has actually gone down. So I decided to offer gas to local consumers at $1.85/gallon, which happens to be the price of gas when George W. Bush and my opponent went to Washington in 2001.

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Springfield for Sale - next Tuesday!

Written by: Sandra Verthein on May 22, 2008 6:07 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

Springfield for Sale: Reforming Campaign Financing

A forum sponsored by Northside DFA

- Tuesday, May 27, 7:00 p.m.
- at Sulzer Library
- 4455 N Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
- Free and open to the public

Sign up now at:
http://democracyforamerica.com/events/29306-ndfa-forum-springfield-for-sale

Currently Illinois has no limits on campaign donations. When a person or corporation can legally give $10,000, $50,000, even $500,000 to one candidate how does the average person get heard?

When competitive campaigns for the Illinois house can cost as much $500,000 per candidate, and state senate races can easily cost a $1 million, how can a normal person compete?

Nine other states currently have some form of voluntary public financing of campaigns. Could that be a solution for Illinois? And what about campaign contribution limits? Can that be done? Find out at this forum featuring guest speakers Cynthia Canary, Executive Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and Wendy Howell, campaign professional and SEIU organizer with on-the-ground experience working in states with public financing.

Don't miss this forum, and invite a friend!

Sign up at:
http://democracyforamerica.com/events/29306-ndfa-forum-springfield-for-sale

Peace,
Sandra Verthein
Chair
Northside DFA

David Sirota and NDFA - four events!

Written by: Sandra Verthein on May 21, 2008 5:47 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA

Progressive journalist and New York Times best selling author David Sirota will doing FOUR upcoming events with Northside DFA as part of the tour for his new book, The Uprising:

Book Signing at Borders - co-sponsored by Northside DFA
- Thursday, June 19th, 12:30 pm
- Borders on State Street
- 150 North State St., Chicago
- the event includes a speach and a Q&A session
- http://democracyforamerica.com/events/29307-david-sirota-book-signing-at-borders

Panel Discussion at In These Times office - co-sponsored by Northside DFA
- Thursday, June 19th, 7:30 pm
- In These Times office
- 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
- Sirota will be joined by fellow authors Thomas Geoghegan and Rick Perlstein in a panel discussion about the history of Sirota's new book, The Uprising, and its roots in Chicago's activist politics,
- http://democracyforamerica.com/events/29308-david-sirota-and-in-these-times-panel-discussion

Backyard Reception with David Sirota - proceeds benefit Northside DFA
- Friday, June 20, 6:00 pm
- at the home of Jim and Lisa Ginsburg
- 5255 N. Lakewood, Chicago
- SPACE WILL BE LIMITED
- tickets are $50 for NDFA voting members (see note below), $250 sponsors, $100 all others
- https://actblue.com/page/sirota

Forum at Loyola "Money and Power" - sponsored by Northside DFA
- Saturday, June 21, 2:00 p.m.
- at Loyola University, Simpson Multipurpose Room
- 6333 N. Winthrop (Winthrop and Sheridan), Chicago
- http://democracyforamerica.com/events/29309-david-sirota-at-loyola-money-power

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