DNC Viewing Party Memories

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Sep 1, 2008 4:59 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

On Thursday, August 28, my family and I joined a group of HanDI members and friends for an informal gathering at a private home in Streamwood to watch the final evening of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. This was the first HanDI-related event in the last couple of years for which I played no role in the planning or execution, having resigned the Steering Committee following the birth of my second child in June. OK, I will allow myself to brag just a bit -- I proposed the idea of having a DNC viewing party back in January, when the Steering Committee was planning the year’s activities. Other than that, however, all I had to do was show up and have fun! The host and her "helpers" were terrifically imaginative. Upon arrival, every partygoer made a donation and got a red, white or blue necklace and some Obama swag. The national colors were displayed everywhere -- signs in the yard, bunting, napkins, toothpicks, pinwheel toys, and even a cake with the Obama-Biden logo on the icing! In the house, two televisions were tuned to C-SPAN. Partygoers intent on hearing the speeches huddled around one set in the dining room, while those more inclined to talk to each other gathered in the den.

I will refrain from lengthy commentary on the content of the convention, other than to note that the cynic in me couldn't help but notice what was not included  in the biographical video preceding Obama's speech: his father's country of origin (although Obama did mention his dad's Kenyan nationality in the speech) and the years Obama spent growing up in Indonesia with his stepfather. In other words, they glossed over the stuff that makes Obama seem too "foreign." (Sigh) Also, I was impressed by Al Gore's note in his earlier speech that Abraham Lincoln was elected President when his only prior experience in political office consisted of 8 years in the Illinois legislature, plus a term in Congress -- just like Obama! I think Gore has found his true calling in academia and activism, but maybe there will be a place for him in the Obama administration. Gore for EPA Chairman!

My fellow partygoers gave a favorable reception to Obama's words in the closing speech -- as when David A. responded to a critique of McCain: "Hit 'em right between the eyes!" In her remarks to the assembled guests, HanDI Chairman Trudy Z. spoke with emotion about how Obama's address coincided with the 45th anniversary of MLK's speech during the march on Washington. She encouraged all of us to volunteer for local candidates during this election season -- including judicial candidate and HanDI member Ann Brady, also in attendance. State Senator Mike Noland chimed in that he is organizing local volunteers to go up to Wisconsin (a swing state) every weekend and campaign for Obama; he encouraged those interested to contact his office.

Everyone seemed impressed by the momentous nature of the occasion. More than one person commented that the children present were witnessing history. May they grow up in a world that is better thanks to President Obama and the citizens who elected him.

HanDI Primary Endorsements Announced

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Jan 20, 2008 3:57 PM EST

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI) have made the following endorsements for the Democratic primary election of February 5, 2008:

6th Congressional District: Jill Morgenthaler

Cook County Judge, 13th subcircuit, Ryan vacancy: Ann Brady

Cook County Judge, 13th subcircuit, Tobin vacancy: Gary Stanton

Illinois State Representative, 55th District: Broc Montgomery

EARLY VOTING IS HAPPENING NOW THROUGH JANUARY 31 - DETAILS HERE:

http://dfalink.com/event.php?id=26697

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5.

EVERYONE GET OUT AND VOTE!

Steering Committee Election Results Announced

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Oct 13, 2007 7:48 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

Dear HanDI Members and Friends:

We're feeling very official now! At September's general meeting, members passed the HanDI bylaws. Then at the October meeting, we elected a new Steering Committee. (I have to keep reminding myself not to say "Board.")

The officers are as follows:

Chair: Trudy Zaja

Co-Chair: Linda Best

Secretary: Maureen Stabile

Treasurer: Jim Cave

Membership Chair: Debbie Caruso

There are still openings for Steering Committee Members-at-Large. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please contact an officer, and we can call a special election at a future meeting.

Thanks to everyone for participating!

 Sincerely,

Maureen Stabile

Secretary, HanDI

A Doctor's Perspective on "SiCKO"

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Jul 23, 2007 11:14 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

If you are not yet sick of "SiCKO," you may be interested in reading a short article in the July 23, 2007 edition of the New Yorker by Atul Gawande, a physician and regular contributor to the magazine. In it, Gawande states that the U.S. health care system is indeed deplorable, but that blame cannot be laid on the concept of private insurance per se, since some other countries (such as Israel, Switzerland and the Netherlands) also have for-profit health insurance, yet manage to achieve universal coverage -- at a lower cost than the U.S. and with better health outcomes.

Here is the link to the article online:

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2007/07/23/070723taco_talk_gawande

Health Care Reform Resources

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Jul 11, 2007 7:54 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

Did the movie SiCKO inspire you, enrage you, even (dare we say it) sicken you? Here are some resources you can use to learn more about the health care crisis and take action!

1. SiCKO Online

Still haven’t seen the movie? Get thee to a theater! Or, if you prefer, you can download "SiCKO" in its entirety -- and supposedly with the filmmaker's blessing -- from the links at this website (no guarantee, express or implied, is made as to whether this stuff actually works).

http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/1816/1/

2. DFA Health Care Group

A new Democracy for America group has formed to take action on the health care issue. Join them at www.DemocracyForAmerica.com/healthcare  (or www.dfalink.com/group.php?id=2313).

They are holding two conference calls on Wednesday, July 11 at noon and 8pm Central time.

3. Northside DFA Health Care Forum

On August 1, the Northside DFA group in Chicago (lead by our redoubtable meeting guest, Ms. Sandra Verthein) is sponsoring a forum on the health care issue. This event is sure to be interesting in itself and will provide a model for what HanDI can do. See more at
www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=21445

4. House Bill 676

Congressman John Conyers (D, Michigan) is sponsoring House Bill 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. Several Illinois legislators are co-sponsors. The bill has been referred to the subcommittee on health, where it remains. Concerned citizens around the country are writing their local representatives and circulating petitions in favor of this legislation. Learn more about HB 676 (and a national group supporting its passage) at www.healthcare-now.org.

5. State Measures

Governor Blagojevich’s "health care for all" plan is dead in the water for now, but many activists believe that a state-by-state approach to universal health care coverage is more viable than a national program at this time. For this perspective and further news on proposals for Illinois, visit www.americasagenda.org.

6. Campaign Finance Reform

Wait, weren't we talking about health care reform? Yes, but in this blogger's opinion, we're not likely to get one without the other. Remember that scene in "SiCKO" featuring members of Congress with price tags floating above their heads, representing the hundreds of thousands of dollars each of them had received in campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical industry? He who pays the piper calls the tune, as the saying goes. Politicians care about two things: votes and money. Currently that power is divided. We people still have the votes, but industry special interests have the money. Let's put all the power back into the hands of the people with publicly financed campaigns. I know, nobody wants to give a nickel to a candidate they're not personally supporting. But we can either pay campaign costs upfront, or pay them later by way of insurance premiums, uncovered medical bills, and lost time and productivity. Our own Senator Durbin has some ideas on this subject. Learn about his "Fair Elections Now Act" (SB 1285) at
www.campaignmoney.org/campaigns/main/fair-elections

That's all for now -- please share your own ideas and resources with the group!

"SiCKO": A Call to Action

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Jul 11, 2007 7:50 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

"What do we do now?"

We sat at a table cluttered with empty coffee cups, crumpled napkins and crumb-filled plates. Although the showing of "SiCKO" had ended nearly two hours before, the dozen-plus members of our party had lingered at the nearby pancake house to discuss the movie, a satirical documentary about the U.S. health care debacle. Of all the comments offered over the course of our late-night meal, that simple question, posed by a HanDI friend from Barrington, has stood out most prominently to me: "What do we do now?"

In the week-and-a-half since then, I have heard echoes of that question in other blog entries, in conversations with friends, and at our HanDI members' meeting on Monday. Of course, we already took a small step by distributing nearly 100 flyers with information about health care and HanDI at the AMC South Barrington following our showing of "SiCKO." And now thanks to luck, a little curiosity and the wisdom of others, I have found further resources for learning and activism that I share in my next blog entry. First, a few more words about why change is necessary.

Let's agree that the current system is just not working. In his film, Michael Moore wisely focused not on Americans who lack health insurance, but on those who do have it and still suffer. The point made is that for-profit health insurance *is* the problem. Health should not be a commodity to be bought and sold. It is a fundamental human right, like education, public safety and free speech. The United States spends more per person on health care than any other country in the world, and we have by far the poorest outcomes of any industrialized nation. The only beneficiaries of this wasted investment are the insurance company executives and their stockholders.

Can the system be changed? There is hope. Lending libraries, public schools and even municipal police forces are relatively recent inventions in human history, and now most Americans don’t question the necessity of sharing the costs for these public services. There was also a time, not so long ago, when most Americans believed that child labor, illiteracy, and the disfranchisement of females and blacks were enduring and unchangeable aspects of life -- just part of "the way things are." Those benighted days, which fell within the lifetime of some fellow citizens who are still with us, seem very far away. But the social and legal innovations that have so greatly improved our collective lot didn’t just "happen," and they were certainly not created through the beneficence of the business sector. Change that benefits the whole of society requires a mass movement with visionary leadership. Fortunately, those leaders are here now. Will we answer their call?

Have you signed up for Yearly Kos yet?

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Jun 18, 2007 4:24 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

The biggest grassroots political convention in the USA, Yearly Kos, is coming to Chicago in August. Some HanDI members have already registered -- please join us! There will be informative seminars, as well as celebrity guests like Presidential candidates John Edwards, Bill Richardson and Barack Obama. Learn more at their website, www.YearlyKosConvention.org

See you there! 

HDTV Falsely Claims Noland Endorsement

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Apr 16, 2007 9:02 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

The Hanover Township Democratic Voters (HDTV) organization has falsely claimed the endorsement of State Senator Michael Noland for its slate of candidates for Streamwood Village Trustee. 

 

On or around April 13, many Streamwood residents found in their mailbox a flyer from HDTV encouraging them to vote for Tyler Gordon, Robert Eisenmenger and William Morris for Streamwood Village Trustee. The flyer stated below their pictures, "Endorsed by: Senator Michael Noland, Committeeman Jim Steven Dasakis, The Illinois Committee for Honest Government and the Daily Herald***"  A footnote clarified that the Daily Herald endorsement was for Morris only.

 

HanDI Chair Trudy Zaja decided to ask Senator Noland himself. His reply appears below.

 

The press has been notified of this matter.

 

 

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Senator Michael Noland 22nd Legislative <info@noland.org>
To: ZajaGE@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 10:42:57 AM
Subject: Re: Confirmation on endorsement

Trudy,

While I am disappointed in HanDI's endorsement of Guy Patterson who, as you may know, helped run my opponent's campaign last Fall, I had not formally endorsed any candidate in any race, any where.

I am hopeful in the future that we may work together in mutual support of candidates.

All the best,

Michael

------------------------------------------------------

Daily Herald 4/5/07: Endorsements for Streamwood Park District

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Apr 9, 2007 4:36 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

 

Posted Thursday, April 05, 2007

Streamwood Park District board

Perhaps the biggest issues facing Streamwood Park District commissioners are the maintenance of the district’s older facilities and the fate of Aquarius Pool. All the candidates for the board this April agree that while the district has made strides in acquiring property and building new facilities, it’s time to turn the attention back to what the district already has.

Other concerns include improving communication with residents and making sure park programs reflect the diversity of the community.

Running this spring are Streamwood residents William A. Gottschalk, 49, an inventory control manager; Eric Hartman, 29, a carpenter; Richard T. Janiec, 63, retired from United Airlines; incumbent commissioner Gary A. Ten Hoven, 46, a systems analyst; and William Wright, 44, a senior recruiter.

We believe Janiec and Ten Hoven are the best choices for Streamwood voters. Ten Hoven has served for eight years and is knowledgeable about the district’s issues. We also like his idea to create a parks foundation to bring in extra funding. Janiec has spent four of his five years since retirement working for the district. He is a creative thinker, with lots of ideas on how to improve the community.

Daily Herald 4/3 & 4/6/07: Streamwood Trustee Candidate Questionnaire

Written by: Maureen Stabile on Apr 9, 2007 4:33 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI)

Below is the Daily Herald's questionnaire to the Streamwood Village Trustee candidates, published in two parts on April 3 and April 6. Note that only one HDTV candidate responded (which is one more than attended HanDI's candidate forum on March 24).

Read more