Home » Users » Agnett » Blog
Blog for America
Electing a progressive majority starts now
A message from Nick Passanante:
Dear DFA Member:
Ilya Sheyman is a grassroots leader and he needs our help. February 12th is the last day for Ilya's campaign to make ad buy decisions ahead of the Illinois primary and we need to make sure he has the resources to win.
Ilya is the progressive in IL-10, but in order to take on Tea Party Congressman Bob Dold in November, he has to beat faux Democrat Brad Schneider in the March primary.
Schneider has a history of supporting Republicans for Congress -- like Sen. Mark Kirk, who now holds President Obama's old Senate seat. Now, Schneider is pumping his own fortune into his campaign.
If we're going to take back the House with progressive fighters like Ilya, we need to have their backs in tough primary elections like this one.
Ilya has the support of progressive champions like Gov. Howard Dean and Alan Grayson. We need to have his back in this primary -- Please contribute $12 right now to elect a progressive to Congress.
Why is electing Ilya so important? Because he's one of us.
Ilya has worked with DFA members for years to elect progressive candidates and make change. Now, he's a candidate himself and he's running a grassroots campaign to win -- one fueled by volunteers and people-power, not big corporate money.
Gov. Dean always said that voting isn't enough. He said that progressives needed to contribute, volunteer, and run for office themselves if we were going to take this country back. When one of us, like Ilya, does that -- we need to have their back.
Please contribute $12 ahead of the February 12 deadline.
Thank you for everything you do.
-Nick
Nick Passanante, Deputy Political Director
Democracy for America
Work day Watercooler
DFA's home for a free form, open-ended discussion of what matters most to committed progressive activists.
Give John Boehner the Boot
We’re two months into the new year and political punditry is clashing with ordinary Americans. If you were one of 111.3 million Americans who tuned in to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, two ads managed to stir up political controversy - Chrysler's ad highlighting the Auto industry’s revival narrated by Clint Eastwood and GOP candidate Pete Hoekstra xenophobic ad promoting blatant racism.
If these ads tell you anything about 2012 it’s that the stakes are high for both parties. One thing remains perfectly clear - the winner of November’s election will be a direct result of the parties’ efforts to turn out their base. Progressives - 2012 is not a year to sit on the sidelines.
This weekend many headlines were made. First, Mitt Romney won two consecutive GOP primaries with his strong showing in Nevada - essentially cinching up the Republican nomination. But everywhere else the news remained poor for Mitt - the more Republican-identified voters see of Mitt, the less inclined they are to vote for him. Ladies and Gentlemen - it’s only February - potential voters have 9 more months left of the election cycle. This is a clear indication of the frustration republicans face. If the Republicans have difficulty turning out their base for the name at the top of the ticket - it is clear that every candidate below will have a hard time riding the coattails of a losing presidential nominee.
Other positive news from this weekend includes the jobs report numbers that came out on Friday - pointing out that the economic struggles might lessen and strong polling numbers that indicate President Obama has a clear lead over Mitt Romney. President Obama even declared that he “deserves a second term.” The reason? President Obama stated;
“When you and I sat down, we were losing 750,000 jobs a month. . . now we’re creating 250,000 jobs,” Obama said, referring to Friday’s job report which showed unemployment falling from 8.5 percent to 8.3 percent. “We’ve made progress. The key now is to make sure we don’t start turning in the wrong direction.”
If stronger economic prosperity isn’t enough to get you to commit to voting for a progressive ticket in November - then maybe this will help change your mind: The Republicans are concerned their control over the House could be lost. Aaron Blake from the Washington Post states, “Given that we’ve seen three straight election cycles with at least 24 seats changing parties, is it really that outlandish to think a 25-seat GOP majority isn’t safe?”
The answer - no, nothing this year is safe and that is why this election will come down to progressives like you. If you can’t find motivation it vote this November, DFA has hundreds of progressive candidates to motivate liberal voters to turn out on November 6th. While all the attention is being shown to the candidates at the top of the ticket - the true power players in Washington - Congress need to be shaken up. And that’s just what these candidates will do.
Imagine - candidates who represent the 99 percent and have stood alongside the occupy movement. It seems incredible that voters in California can vote for an American Hero and Astronaut to join the ranks of the Congress. And, progressive candidates of every shape, size, gender, race, and religion all are asking for your help - by voting them into the top 10 for DFA’s sixth annual Grassroots All-Star.
DFA's Grassroots All-Star contest is simple, fun and promotes non-incumbent endorsements for the U.S. House of Representatives. The goal is to identify the progressive challenger with the most broad-based support from our members nationwide. The winner earns the title of Grassroots All-Star, bringing media exposure and increased grassroots resources to the campaign. This fast-track endorsement is chosen directly by DFA members and others in the progressive grassroots community through two rounds of voting.
This week is the final full week of voting with the first round ending on Tuesday, February 14th.
Democracy for America is calling on you - get involved by voting to elect the best slate of progressive candidates we’ve seen in years. It is time to elect true progressives to seats all across the country and instill honest progressive voices back into the House of Representatives. Lets give John Boehner the boot - vote for the next Grassroots All-Star today.
Deliver for Bernie
A message from Jay Henderson:
Thank you again for joining the campaign to overturn Citizens United. With your help, we have gathered over 100,000 signatures.
Just as we saw a grassroots movement rise up to stop SOPA/PIPA, ordinary people across the country are joining together against Citizens United. There are simply too many issues at stake in 2012 for our democracy to be bought by the highest bidder. Stephen Colbert has done an excellent job educating the public about the absurdity of this ruling.
Now is the time to take action.
Senator Sanders proposed a powerful constitutional amendment to reset the scales of power and give voice back to the people. He needs your help to gather allies in the Senate.
Sign up to deliver the Citizens United constitutional amendment petition to your Senator.
We will provide you with all the petition signatures from your state and work to coordinate your action with any other interested DFA members in your area.
Join the movement to overturn Citizens United. Deliver Bernie Sanders' petition.
We know that the people united will defeat Citizens United.
Thank you for all that you do.
-Jay
Jay Henderson, Political Campaign Manager
Democracy for America
I Stand with Planned Parenthood
A message from Gov. Howard Dean:
DFA Member -
Hundreds of thousands of women, men and young people rely on Planned Parenthood for preventative healthcare every single year.
As a doctor, and a former board member of Planned Parenthood of New England, I know just how important Planned Parenthood's healthcare services are -- especially to those who couldn't otherwise afford them. That's why I was outraged by the Komen Foundation's decision earlier this week to cease their funding of breast cancer screenings for 750,000 women a year. They may be changing that decision today, but that doesn't mean Planned Parenthood and the hundreds of thousands who rely on their services are safe from future attacks.
Access to affordable healthcare is a basic human right -- one that conservative Republicans will do anything they can to take away. And that's why it's so important for us to stand with Planned Parenthood now -- because this isn't just a war on women -- it's an assault on healthcare for all Americans.
Join me in contributing $12 to Planned Parenthood's Action Fund to prepare for future attacks?
The Komen Foundation may have backed down, but that doesn't mean that conservatives won't be emboldened in their vendetta against Planned Parenthood. Republicans like Congressman Cliff Stearns will continue to hold phony investigations and pressure others to cease funding preventative care.
With millions of us standing together, right wing attacks will not succeed in taking down Planned Parenthood.
I stand with Planned Parenthood now and in the future -- no matter what conservatives throw at us. Will you join me by contributing $12 to Planned Parenthood's Action Fund right now?
The right wing specializes in demonizing and tearing down progressive organizations one by one. But Komen reversing their decision today shows that when millions stand strong and fight back, we win.I stand with Planned Parenthood. Join me in making sure it will be around to provide healthcare services for generations to come.
Thank you for everything you're doing to move America forward.
- Howard
Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
Founder, Democracy for America
What We're Reading - Conservative Values Infiltrate Edition
This week’s What We’re Reading takes a tough look at how conservative politics influence and infiltrate the world around us. Whether it’s how strict we stick to procedures, the influence one has in non-profits, to how our brain affects our political leanings it was another interesting week. Check out some of what the DFA staff was reading this week below.
Read more
What We're Reading for the Week of January 23rd
This week’s What We’re Reading reflects just how many political issues are unfolding around the nation. Whether it is a reflection of President Obama’s State of the Union address, an Electoral College prediction or the House of Representatives honoring Rep. Gabby Giffords, we have lots to share. Read more from DFA's staff after the break.
Read more
Fracking is Whack - Join Us in New York.
In last night’s State of the Union, President Barack Obama stood in front of Congress and promised to “take every possible action to safely develop this energy" and said the government would insist on drilling companies disclosing the chemicals used in 'fracking' on public lands.
The State of the Union is a defining speech for any president, but is especially important going into an election year. Last night’s speech set the stage to what will be seen as President’s Obama’s opening of his re-election campaign. While his main focus was on jobs and the economy, by mentioning shale gas in the speech – he turned the tables on the environmental movement. He said, "Our experience with shale gas, our experience with natural gas, shows us that the payoffs on these public investments don't always come right away," he said. "Some technologies don't pan out; some companies fail. But I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy."
While this was the first mention of fracking and shale gas in the State of the Union, fracking has been impacting our local communities for sometime now.
In Maryland, Governor Martin O’Malley placed a moratorium on fracking and established a task force to look at the risks of fracking in the state. But others in the state believe that fracking can and will be done in a safe manner. State Senator Ben Cardin believes that the shale gas industry would be better off with “national standards than fight state by state.”
In Pennsylvania, this week the EPA delivered water to families whose water source was contaminated by fracking. The EPA is currently testing water around the site owned by Cabot Oil & Cas Corp, assessing whether any residents are being exposed to harmful substances.
In Ohio, voters have become wary of fracking as speculation on the cause of an earthquake earlier this month has been attributed to fracking in the state. Mark Kovac points out that 72 percent of Ohio voters polled “want fracking activities to cease until further studies are completed on the potential impacts.”
In New Mexico, local communities are speaking up against the big business of the Oil and Gas industries because they are concerned about the chemicals being pumped into the ground and what impact it will have on local drinking water. John Olivas, the Mora County Commissioner said, “I’m pushing for a ban on oil and gas drilling…evidence I’ve gathered shows there are threats to the water.”
In New York, local communities are turning up the heat on the issue of fracking – before it’s too late. They’re even calling their work “an environmental Occupy Wall Street. “ What’s different about what’s going on in New York as opposed to other states around the country is that local communities are banding together and preempting the effects on fracking. Tomorrow, the group Frack Action will be protesting outside of the Democratic Governor’s Association meeting hosted by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Chair of Democracy for America, Jim Dean said “It is critical that Governors around the country rein in this dangerous practice and DFA members in all 50 states will be making sure that they do just that”
To participate in the action RSVP on the group’s facebook page or email Renee at renee@frackaction.com.
Democracy is not an eBay item
A message from Nick:
As Congress gathers for tonight's State of the Union address, we need to ensure they hear one message loud and clear:
Our Democracy is not an eBay item going to the highest bidder.
We have gathered over 95,000 signatures in support of Sen. Bernie Sanders' constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United. As long as this decision stays in place, the progressive agenda for 2012 will be in jeapordy. This week we will deliver the petitions signatures to your Senators.
Help us get to 100,000 signatures in support of reversing Citizens United -- Now is your last chance before we deliver the petitions.
Plans from tonight's State of the Union address to return the middle-class to work and make the wealthy pay their far share will only go so far as long as unlimited money rules politics. Let's fight back for the system we deserve.
-Nick
Nick Passanante, Deputy Political Director
Democracy for America
REMINDER: Join Rep. Ellison tonight at 8PM ET
A message from Levana:
Thank you for signing up to attend tonight's LIVE call with Rep. Keith Ellison beginning at 8:00 Eastern Time to help protect voting rights in this country.
At 8:00 PM you will receive a call that will connect you to the Telephone Town Hall with Rep. Ellison. If at any point during the call you would like to ask a question of Rep. Ellison, you will be able to speak with a member of DFA's staff who will add you to the speaking queue.
If for some reason you are unable to join us via phone tonight you can access the call on the internet by using this link: democracyforamerica.com/ellisoncall
Thank you again for signing up to attend this call with Rep. Keith Ellison and the DFA community. We look forward to speaking with you tonight.
Thank you for everything you do.
-Levana
Levana Layendecker, Communications Director
Democracy for America
What's Really Going on in South Carolina
A message from Jim Dean:
Today in South Carolina while Republicans are picking their candidate, they are working behind the scenes to stop thousands of Democrats from voting in November.
On Martin Luther King Day the Republicans held a debate where they touted South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's efforts to block African-Americans from voting by requiring a state issued ID at the polls on Election Day. This bill was so egregiously targeted toward disenfranchising the African-American vote that the Department of Justice stepped into block it.
This is an outrage.
For the first time in history state legislatures around the country are working to shrink the numbers of Americans who can vote. And to add insult to injury, this effort to disenfranchise 21 million voters is being funded by the Koch brothers.
That's why we are fighting back on two fronts. DFA is hosting a live Telephone Town Hall with Rep. Keith Ellison, Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus, to talk about what we can to do stop corporate millionaires from ruining our Democracy and to defend everyone’s fundamental right to vote.
Join the live Telephone Town Hall on Monday, Jan. 23rd at 8:00 PM EST with Rep. Keith Ellison.
While the 2008 election saw more people turn out to vote in over a decade, as many as 5 million voters will be restricted from voting in this upcoming election due to state laws that have already passed.
It's no surprise that those disenfranchised voters include African Americans, Latinos, elderly, students and others. Why? It's all part of a larger Republican strategy -- to restrict voting rights to people who have traditionally voted for Democratic candidates. Almost five decades ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965, outlawing discriminatory voting practices. The bills champion, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, fought tirelessly to expand voting rights to all Americans. As we celebrate his legacy this week we need to keep a keen eye on every attempt to keep Americans from the polls.
DFA and Rep. Keith Ellison are fighting on the legislative front and to expose the corporate money that funds these efforts to disenfranchise voters. And, we need your help.
We want to hear from you at the Live Telephone Town Hall on Monday, Jan. 23 at 8:00PM EST with Rep. Keith Ellison. Sign up to join in here.
Thank you for everything you do.
-Jim
Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America
 |
|
 |
My DFA |
|
Groups |
|
Events |
|
Candidates |
 |
|
Blog for America
-
Electing a progressive majority starts now
By Linsey P on Feb 8, 2012 10:29 AM EST -
Give John Boehner the Boot
By Linsey P on Feb 7, 2012 1:10 PM EST -
Deliver for Bernie
By Linsey P on Feb 6, 2012 11:13 AM EST -
I Stand with Planned Parenthood
By Levana L on Feb 3, 2012 2:29 PM EST -
What We're Reading - Conservative Values Infiltrate Edition
By Linsey P on Feb 3, 2012 12:15 PM EST