Dear Obama/Biden Supporters:
Just a note to say Happy Thanksgiving and wishing you all a wonderful holiday. I am off to Florida to spend the holiday with my sister-in -law Nancy. I am very thankful this Thanksgiving for my family, friends, my President, and all of you wonderful people who continue to care and work for sanity in politics. I am also thankful for all those voters who overcame the onslaught of tea party people to help Jennifer Gray win Dancing with the Stars. Somehow it turned into a contest of wills of us against them, and we won out(Ruthie you don't have to leave the country). I am also thankful for our NY state Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who continues to fight the good fight for us all. We had some good wins and some terrible defeats, but our group just keeps on going. It is abundantly clear to me that the key to political success is effective coalition-building and this group of 900 strong from 22 states and five continents is the best example I could find of that strength. We will not allow the GOP to roll back the clock to the horrible policies of W where there was ungoverned financial over sight , wars of choice were approved,and there was tax relief for the very richest of us. It is now apparent to us all that the Big Lie can only be defeated by constant proclamation of the Big Truth from journalists, to TV commentators -we have to fight back when lies are spread. We will not give any journalists a pass who don't fact check the information of guests appearing on their shows,like Anderson Cooper so appropriately did to Michelle Bachmann and her lies. Just because a person/commentator/actor/tea party leader yells loudly doesn't mean it is the truth . We can fight back armed with truth and in the American way(sounds like Superman,right?). We cannot sit back idly while Fox purports to bring the news, we have to write those letters to the editor, get our message out loud and clear. I could go on and on but you know better than me that we have to gear up big time in 2011 for 2012!!!!
I am also thankful for the efforts of David Brock and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend who are setting up what they hope will become a permanent liberal counterweight over the airwaves to the Republican -leaning outside groups that spent so heavily on this year's midterm elections. This organization will be called American Bridge which will be an independent-expenditure-only political action committee,meaning it will be able to take in contributions of unlimited size from individuals and corporations but must regularly disclose its donors. Unlike the GOP who don't disclose their donors such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Crossroads who significantly outspent Democratic -leaning outside groups. This action network, which tracks conservative politicians and advocacy organizations is organized as a 501(c) 4 nonprofit group and is set to take on an expanded role in the 2012 election . More about this later but just know that we are all getting ready to gear up for the election of a life time. We have to combat the party of NO and the tea party insanity. It won't be easy but you all give me so much hope. In the words of our beloved President, " leadership isn't just legislation but it is a matter of persuading people, setting a tone, giving them confidence and bringing them together". Lets start laying down a new foundation built on truth and justice for all. David Brooks(conservative republican with a brain) stated in his op-ed piece,"This can happen when talented people get together ,when idea systems and mentalities merge. This happens within networks." I thank you all for caring enough to writing your ideas,keeping our strong groups together, and most of all for attempting to get the message out. If we can do this we can thrive in 2012 against any opponent(especially Palin ). I am thankful for our network this Thanksgiving!!!
Love,Sunny
A Mama 4 Obama
Please join me at both of these sites where you can make statements and they will reach many more people than in the past. In order to get to the blog please go to http://progressivegovernment.blogspot.com/ read my updates and make comments
You can also find me on Facebook at "The Sunny Side - Political news for the Friends of Progressive Government" at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Sunny-Side-Political-news-for-the-Friends-of-Progressive-Government/141511589209655.
From Marceline in NYC:
Before I read your communication just in. I have been wanting for
weeks to tell you that your post-election message was wonderful and so
well written. It was heartbreaking, it was sad, it was poignant. It
was intelligent and it was emotionally intelligent, and I sent it out
far and wide.
I had thought of you in the run up to the election and all the way
through it, and I knew that as bad as I was feeling, you would only be
hurting worse. I had no words to console.
From Pat and Phil in PA:
I concur with Mary in KCMO. This says it all and inspires me, too:
"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Ted Kennedy, 1980
Here's some comic relief -- Talkin' Sandwich. It's Jimmy Fallon's answer to Sarah Palin on TV. Jake Gyllenhaal joins him.
http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2010/11/the-sarah-palin-blt-sandwich-song-with-jake-gyllenhaal-the-banana-boyz/
From Ashley in Chicago:
Agreed on all fronts - we need to get mobilized now and educate folks on how the republicans have no interest in helping the masses. Just in enriching their friends.
From Letty P in NYC:
I love your enthusiasm and I'm grateful for all that you do to keep your friends motivated!
From Robin in North Salem:
I'm really so furious with the Sarah Palin book thing - that she grabs so much oxygen. She's a nasty bitch who doesn't have an iddea in her head. Sick of her negativity on everything. Why don't people see her for who she is and is not!!!! Presidential? I think not!
From Ruthie in AZ:
If Bristol Palin wins DWTS that means the country is truly lost. If you haven't seen the movies Fair Game or Inside Job - find time to see them. I don't know how W sleeps at night.
From Kevin in NYC:
Oops, I thought I sent this to you yesterday!
you've probably already seen this VERY FRIGHTENING STORY:
"Could She Reach the Top in 2012? You Betcha"
By FRANK RICH http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/opinion/21rich.html?src=me&ref=general
From Sheila in Larchmont:
With lots of gratitude for the good things and the will to change the not-good things, happiest of Thanksgivings to all of you.
From Val in Ohio:
Subject: News from Canada re U.S. liberals
From The Manitoba Herald
by Clive Runnels
Canadians: Build a Damn Fence!"
The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada has intensified in the past week, sparking calls for increased patrols to stop the illegal immigration.
The recent actions of the Tea Party are prompting an exodus among left-leaning citizens who fear they'll soon be required to hunt, pray, and to agree with Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck.
Canadian border farmers say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, animal-rights activists and Unitarians crossing their fields at night.
"I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn,"said Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota. The producer was cold, exhausted and hungry. He asked me if I could spare a latte and some free-range chicken. When I said I didn't have any, he left before I even got a chance to show him my screenplay, eh?
In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher fences, but the liberals scaled them. He then installed loudspeakers that blared Rush Limbaugh across the fields. "Not real effective," he said."The liberals still got through and Rush annoyed the cows so much that they wouldn't give any milk.
Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals near the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons and drive them across the border where they are simply left to fend for themselves." A lot of these people are not prepared for our rugged conditions," an Ontario border patrolman said. "I found one carload without a single bottle of imported drinking water. They did have a nice little Napa Valley Cabernet, though."
When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often wailing loudly that they fear retribution from conservatives. Rumors have been circulating about plans being made to build re-education camps where liberals will be forced to drink domestic beer and watch NASCAR races.
In recent days, liberals have turned to ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have been disguised as senior citizens taking a bus trip to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a half-dozen young vegans in powdered wig disguises, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior citizens about Perry Como and Rosemary Clooney to prove that they were alive in the '50s. "If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show, we become very suspicious about their age" an official said.
Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating an organic-broccoli shortage and are renting all the Michael Moore movies. "I really feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can't support them." an Ottawa resident said. "How many art-history majors does one country need?"
From Grandma Jane in Larchmont: ****Congratulations from all of us!!!!
I have been seriously out of touch and owe you more than one message! they have been written in my head. Here is one major reason why.
Quote from Samantha:
Indira Miri born at 2:25 PM on Friday, November 19, in a house by the sea. She is so loved!!!
And love to you all,
the Grandma
From Dani in Brooklyn:
This is democracy in action. Stop the plutocrats from running elections. As Benjamin Franklin said, "do not buy something just because it is cheap. It will be dear to thee." It's hard to resist a Target bargain, but the long-term outcome will cost us all dearly.
Subject: Take the Target boycott to Congress
Can you call Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer? Tell them: "Will you ask Majority Leader Reid to bring up the DISCLOSE Act for a vote before the end of the year—and vote yes on it?"
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451
Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542
Report your call
Dear MoveOn member,When Target tried to buy the Minnesota governor's race for a far-right Republican, customers everywhere—including you—responded with outrage and ultimately a nationwide boycott.
And it didn't just impact Target. According to the Wall Street Journal, the boycott kept other corporations from throwing even more money into the election and opened up a national debate.1
Today we're taking the next step.
The only reason we even knew about Target's contribution was because Minnesota has strong campaign finance laws that force front-groups to disclose the identities of their corporate backers.
But at the federal level corporations are still allowed to make unlimited donations in secret—and we have exactly 62 days to do something about it.
A bill in the Senate would force the high rollers behind the millions in attack ads to come out of the shadows. Earlier this year the bill—the DISCLOSE Act—came up one vote short. Several Republicans have said they support the principle of transparency but didn't want it to take effect until after the election.
That means right now we have an opportunity to get that final vote—but we need to convince the Democrats to bring up the bill before the end of the year and put pressure on the potential Republican supporters to stand by their claims. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid makes that decision, and since you're not a Nevada resident he may not listen to you, but he definitely picks up the phone when other Senate Democrats call him.
So can you call Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer and say:
"Will you ask Majority Leader Reid to bring up the DISCLOSE Act for a vote before the end of the year—and vote yes on it?"
Ruthie in AZ:
Not to ruin your Thanksgiving. BUT Sarah Palin is in PHoenix tonight kicking off her "book tour" (that should tell you something about Phoenix and where their politics are) So, I'm watching various newscasts and all I can think is WHY THE F--K don't the democrats just stomp on her and her friggin stupidity? Is it because she's a woman? Well, Karl Rove had no problem with Valerie Pflame or Hilary. What is with us?
Maybe we're taking our "nice guy" image too far. Maybe we need to get down and dirty. Someone has to tell the world that SP is totally unacceptable - not only as a presidential nominee but really as a representative of the American people and certainly the American women. The democrats need to shed all the intellectuals that surround Obama and bring on a few people who aren't afraid to really say "mean things". It's OK to say mean things if they're true and are helpful to the people.
The only thing that will allow me to have peaceful sleep tonight is that FINALLY that PIG Bristol the Pistol lost and is not the STAR of Dancing with the stars. I understand that it's just a dancing show but I just did NOT want the tea party to win this, too.
HELP
From Robin in NOrth Salem:
Oh this from Ruthie in AZ so captures my feeling - I personally would like to go toe to toe with SP - I'd let her know a thing or two!!! Lemme at her!!! Enjoy the holiday. And say thanks for Barack!!! I know I will.
From Bev in Mamroneck:
There is so much important work to do and I, too, am torn this way and that. I, like so many, poured my heart into the Paycheck Fairness Act...and my time...and was so very disappointed by the Maine ladies and Brown in Mass. They sold out to their party. Disgusting. Reid, the Prez, and the Dems came through expect Nelson. Obama met with advocates the next day and promised to continue the fight. That makes me feel a little better. That work is part the Equal Pay Coalition NYC...and then there is NYWA which sponsors it. 2 overlapping coalitions....which I am nurturing and moving to the next level. I love it, but it's a lot plus my consulting gigs. Still, I am thankful for each day of time spent in a meaningful way. I know you and Brad feel the same. We are all lucky, privileged people. Excited about a richer future (ours with a grandchild in Dec!) That is a lot to be thankful for! Enjoy your holiday!
From Mira in NYC:
In Memoriam: Rozsika Parker, Feminist Art Historian and activist
The sad news of the death of British psychotherapist and feminist art historian Rozsika Parker provides the opportunity to bring her work to the attention of anyone interested in feminism, art, and women artists. Parker was a pioneer feminist art theorist and activist from the early 70s to the 90s, often collaborating with the art historian Griselda Pollock.
I consider Old Mistresses: Women, Art and Ideology, which Parker and Pollock co-authored, one of the most important books of feminist art theory and history that I ever read: Parker and Pollock examined how art history as a discipline had misogyny at its core, almost as one of its foundational purposes, with all its terms of value strongly gendered to condemn anything that smacked of the so-called feminine, although of course behind the naturalized frame of universalist neutrality... (Read rest on line http://ayearofpositivethinking.com/)
From Judy in Mamaroneck and Sharon in Scarsdale:
Alan Dershowitz: Ex-President for Sale http://bogieworks.blogs.com/treppenwitz/2008/04/ex-president-fo.html
Carter is making more money selling integrity than peanuts. I have
known Jimmy Carter for more than 30 years. I first met him in the
spring of 1976 when, as a relatively unknown candidate for
president,he sent me a handwritten letter asking for my help in his
campaign on issues of crime and justice. I had just published an
article in The New York Times Magazine on sentencing reform, and he
expressed interest in my ideas and asked me to come up with additional
ones for his campaign.
Shortly thereafter, my former student Stuart Eisenstadt, brought
Carter to Harvard to meet with some faculty members, me among them. I
immediately liked Jimmy Carter and saw him as a man of integrity and
principle. I signed on to his campaign and worked very hard for his
election. When Newsweek magazine asked his campaign for the names of
people on whom Carter relied for advice, my name was among those given
out. I continued to work for Carter over the years, most recently I
met him in Jerusalem a year ago, and we briefly discussed the
Mid-East.Though I disagreed with some of his points, I continued to
believe that he was making them out of a deep commitment to principle
and to human rights.
> Recent disclosures of Carter's extensive financial connections to Arab oil
money, particularly from Saudi Arabia, had deeply shaken my belief in his
integrity. When I was first told that he received a monetary reward in the
name of Shiekh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, and kept the money, even after
Harvard returned money from the same source because of its anti-Semitic
history, I simply did not believe it. How could a man of such apparent
integrity enrich himself with dirty money from so dirty a source?
And let there be no mistake about how dirty the Zayed Foundation is. I
know because I was involved, in a small way, in helping to persuade
Harvard University to return more than $2 million that the financially
strappedDivinity School received from this source. Initially I was
reluctant to put pressure on Harvard to turn back money for the
DivinitySchool, but then a student at the DivinitySchool -- Rachael
Lea Fish -- showed me the facts...(Read rest on line)
From Betty in Scarsdale:
Please find below today's Wall Street Journal piece about No Labels. Although it does not capture our message or goals accurately -- it is a start. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
The Wall Street Journal
Aiming for the Political Middle
By Monica Langley
An alliance of centrist Republicans and Democrats is seeking to organize a grass-roots movement targeting the middle of American politics, a political sphere depopulated by the midterm elections and a vital tool for any potential third-party presidential candidate.
The group, called "No Labels," has drawn support from supporters and advisers of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the country's most powerful independent politician, raising questions about his national political ambitions. Mr. Bloomberg has been invited to attend the group's Dec. 13 launch.
Political analysts see a potential Bloomberg bid if Washington's divided government turns into gridlock, if the economy doesn't improve, and if former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and President Obama are the likely nominees. Mr. Bloomberg said he wouldn't consider running in 2012. "I have the best job in the world," he said...(
Read rest on line http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704369304575632903048810256.html)
From Westchester for Change:
We take this time to appreciate friends, family and feasting, as well as the benefits of living in our democracy. While we enjoy our celebrations, we also thank you for your past (and future) work to help ensure that the benefits of this country -- good food, clean water, affordable health care, decent wages, and fair taxes -- are available to everyone in our country.
MOVING FORWARD
As we enter the holiday season, come share a glass of wine and help plan our next steps after the mid-term elections.
WHAT: We invite everyone to gather to socialize, discuss the implications of the mid-term elections, and most importantly plan next steps. In addition to the necessary griping, we will be talking about what progressives did well, what we did not do well, and how we should proceed. At this gathering, we will be accepting small voluntary contributions to help defray our organizational expenses.
WHEN: Saturday, December 4th 2pm
WHERE: Home of Rachel Estroff, 7 Davenport St. Harrison, NY 10528
RSVP or QUESTIONS: Rachel Estroff 914-525-1940, westchester4change@gmail.com, or Meetup
From Tommy Sowers who ran for Congress in MO,and fought the good fight I might add!!
While this journey began with me alone in a room calling and asking for your help, it grew to 20 staff and 400 volunteers. I spent the last couple of weeks winding that organization back down to one, and the final days calling and emailing thousands of you to simply say, "thank you." If we didn't connect yet, please know how deeply thankful I am for your support of me, my staff, and our campaign.
My main mission between now and the end of the year is to make sure that the incredibly hard working, bright, and motivated staff transition to a great next job. If you are in need of a hard working employee, please let me know.
As for me, after 18 months without a vacation, I'm on an extended one, practicing my Spanish and my fishing technique, reading and writing. There seems to be much interest in my next step and I'm humbled by the suggestions to run for office again in Missouri. Well, if you ever lost your first love, and felt then that you'd never love again, you know where I am with politics right now. But I also know from experience that being in love is better than not, and that with space and time, it happens again.
Your support and what we built together have afforded me a myriad of opportunities to serve yet again in a meaningful way. For that, I am truly thankful. So, stay tuned; I'll keep you all posted. The best email going forward is tommy@sowersforcongress.com and I enjoy hearing from you, so please, stay in touch.
Regardless of my decision, from time to time, I'd like to introduce you to another candidate or cause that could use your help. What we built on this campaign was truly special -- a network of people around the nation who believe we need veterans and new blood from my generation in DC.
My best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.
Hasta luego,
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
We are angry,upset, confused,worried- one thing to do FIRE UP,and sell TRUTH!
Dear Obama/Biden Supporters:
The GOP is buoyant after they retook the House and the Dems are despondent and a bit relieved the damage was not worse. We are hell bent on trying to figure out what went wrong,and how to use 2011 to prepare to win big time in 2012. However, no matter what your politics, no one is really happy since most people are still angry about unemployment,taxes,the national debt, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,and the continual threat of terrorism. Somehow the message is not getting out and what seems to be apparent is that virtually everyone was appalled by the negativity of the campaigns all over the country. We know that the negativity was one of the causes for not being able to get volunteers out in MO and it was a huge turn off for young people who were so hopeful after the 2008 election.
There is a fear for the economy that we may stay stuck in the new normal-where businesses learn to do more with less. There is still fear of job losses even though Obama was able to hold off the "great depression threat"(with TARP and responsible regulations on credit card lending, etc). There is even fear that Sarah Palin's crazy accusations of "Obama's enemy-centric foreign policy" and global warming Goregate stuff" are catching on( since catchy discourse is in)!! Heads up guys, we ladies aren't fooled by this pistol packing fake mama (polling five points higher among men than women) but you better be aware that 80% of Republicans love this good ole gal!! This is the person who on April 7 of this year, spoke at a campaign rally in Minneapolis for Michelle Bachmann She had a silver cross around her neck and a flag pin on her lapel, and spoke approvingly of those who are "proudly clinging to your guns and religion" She also condemned the recent health care legislation as "socialized medicine that breaks the bank and violates the US constitution". She was very proud of her party's stout opposition,declaring "What's wrong with being the party of NO?".Well, at least we know what we are up against and I have to put some blame on the progressives ,liberals ,and grassroots voters who didn't come out but sat on the sidelines in this past election. Where are those fired up voters, rappers, young people, seniors, Gen Xers, Baby Boomers and women who care about choice,and fair pay? What do we have to do to reach out and get them to care enough about their country and the their children's future to take a good hard look at those people who want to be in charge of this country. We have been engaged in non stop ways to approach people and take back the Internet,the agenda,and most of all sanity of government and truth in journalism.
We know Barack Obama has to go directly to the people and let them know what he is doing, talk about the bills passed or stalled by the GOP,and what they mean to the average American. WE also have to get the word out via e-mail, small meetings, organizations,and continued sharing of videos like _http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx ,where the language is clear and understandable. The majority of the country is watching Fox "news" (more like talk entertainment show) to get their information . CNN and MSNBC is actually reporting the news which should be a standard for television but it is not. An example of the outrageous non fact checked "news reporting" by Fox was described by Thomas Friedman in his op ed piece in NY Times this week. It talks about Anderson Cooper doing the country a favor this week by deconstructing on his CNN show the bogus rumor that President Obama's trip to Asia would cost $200 million a day. This was an important story that underscored just how far ahead of his time Mark Twain was when he said a century before the Internet-"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes". Friedman goes on to say, that there is an antidote to malicious journalism-and that's good journalism! In case you missed the story that circulated around the Web on the eve of Obama's trip it was that the whole trip would cost 2 billion dollars. Cooper felt compelled to check out the story because he had Michele Bachmann on his show the night before. Instead of answering a question about where the GOP would cut the budget, she used her airtime to inject the phony story into the mainstream. She said,"I think we know that just within a day the President will be taking a trip to India that is expected to cost the taxpayers $200 million dollars a day. He is taking 2,000 people with him and will be renting over 870 rooms in India,and at five star hotels like the Taj Mahal. this is the kind of over-the -top-spending."
So Anderson Cooper checked into the story since his show was used as the vehicle to circulate it. He found after doing a great deal of research that the story had " originated from a quote from an alleged Indian provincial official, from the Maharashtra reported by India's Press Trust ,their equivalent to our A. P. or Reuters. Cooper used
"alleged" provincial official since we have no idea who this person is ,no name was given. It was an anonymous quote, and no proof was given, and no follow up reporting done. You would think if a member of Congress was going to use this figure as a fact she would want to be sure it was accurate,right? Well you are wrong,and that is a fact! Cooper showed snippets of Rush Limbaugh talking about Obama's trip that will cost $200 million a day,and Glenn Beck chimed in saying, "have you ever seen a president go on a vacation where he needed 34 warships and would be traveling with 3,000 people? In Beck's rendition, the visit was a vacation and Obama was being accompanied by one-tenth of the US Navy. This went on and on until finally Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, said:" I don't comment on these things but I will take the liberty this time to dismiss as absolutely absurd, this notion that somehow we are deploying 10 percent of the Navy and 34 warships and an aircraft carrier in support of the president's trip to Asia. That is just comical. Nothing close to that is being done." When public figures feel free to say anything they want without fact-checking , we have a huge problem! You and I have our work cut out for us, as does the legitimate press.
However, if the NY Jets can come back to win by moving the ball 72 yards in the last 45 seconds of the game, and the KC Chiefs can massacre Arizona, we can get the truth out. I am determined to continue this discussion and I thank you all for chiming in these last two weeks. It was not a comfortable few weeks for anyone who is intelligent enough to know that there are forces out there up to no good! It is our responsibility as caring voters to not only talk almost ourselves but get the information out, and help build up your organizations. We need to reach out to people who care enough to talk about concerns and want to learn more about government, not just from angry screaming actors on stage that can have a dangerous affect on our lives and country. So, fire up and reach out to people in your past organizations and leaders that you care about to help us make public figures aware they aren't free to just say anything without any fact-checking. We have to let them know we are out there watching, reading and making sure that "the carnival barkers that so dominate our public debate today " know they will indeed be held accountable. All we can hope as, Friedman says so beautifully, "is that more people will do what Cooper did-so when the next crazy lie races around the world, people's first instinct will be to doubt it, not repeat it. Best of all it should become common practice to fact-check all information from the Internet and absolutely the ersatz news show brought to us by FOX!!!
Love,A Mama 4 Obama
From Lisa in VT:
My heart broke with your last entry of the blog. I'm coming to NY for a Harvard dinner on Friday. Any chance you'd be in the city in the afternoon? Love your passion and activism. Its so inspiring. Looking for my own voice.
From Jane in Larchmont:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/how-obama-saved-capitalism-and-lost-the-midterms/?src=me&ref=general
How Obama Saved Capitalism and Lost the Midterms
By TIMOTHY EGAN American politics and life, as seen from the West.
If I were one of the big corporate donors who bankrolled the Republican tide that carried into office more than 50 new Republicans in the House, I would be wary of what you just bought.
For no matter your view of President Obama, he effectively saved capitalism. And for that, he paid a terrible political price.
Suppose you had $100,000 to invest on the day Barack Obama was inaugurated. Why bet on a liberal Democrat? Here’s why: the presidency of George W. Bush produced the worst stock market decline of any president in history. The net worth of American households collapsed as Bush slipped away. And if you needed a loan to buy a house or stay in business, private sector borrowing was dead when he handed over power. ..
From Val in Ohio:
http://www.danagoldstein.net/dana_goldstein/2010/11/assessing-our-first-female-speaker-of-the-house.html
A few weeks ago, a friend returned to New York City from a visit to her family in suburban Ohio with the following query: “Why do people hate Nancy Pelosi so much?”
It’s a good question. By any measure, Pelosi has been one of the most effective House speakers in American history, especially given her relatively short tenure. At Salon, Steve Kornacki offers a helpful recollection of her many accomplishments, from health care to student loan reform to the credit card bill of rights to cap and trade. Pelosi consistently delivered legislation that became law, as well as legislation that the Senate then stalled on and failed to pass. As Kornacki writes, Pelosi is unpopular less because of what the House has done or failed to do — most Americans have little idea of those particulars — but because the economy is bad and voters wanted someone to blame.
But there’s another factor that makes Pelosi that much easier to scapegoat: She is a woman — the highest-ranked woman ever to hold elective office in the United States. In January 2007, Pelosi gaveled in her first legislative session as speaker while cradling her newborn grandson (one of seven grandchildren) and surrounded by other legislators’ offspring, whom she had invited to the dais to celebrate. She spoke about her own journey from “kitchen to Congress” and promised that the Democratic Party would govern on behalf of children, and their mothers, too — a vow she fulfilled by collecting the votes to pass the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which insures 11 million kids, and the Lily Ledbetter Act, which made it easier for victims of gender- and race-based pay discrimination to file civil rights complaints and collect back pay...
From Eileen in KCMO:
good job-loved the John Adams quote
From Sheila in Larchmont:
I have deliberately not contacted you until now. I was not waiting for your blog to publish; I was thinking. Over the past two (or three) years I think all of us were so impassioned by finally having a candidate and then a President who embodied all the hopes and dreams we had suppressed as we suffered though years of Republican domination--domination that seem to slide on a downward vector philosophically as the years passed. We were pumped and we supported President Obama unquestioningly, though in many of our hearts we wished he would take his positions in a stronger way, be less conciliatory and more decisive, and, even to the extent of the technological communication of his team, be more connected as he had been during the campaign.
Hindsight stinks. The President is still the man with the mind, goals and heart we supported and support with the same fervent belief we have had from the beginning.
This election is anything but over. It will live for us in an even more looming way as the lame duck session unfolds and dreaded January makes it real in our lives. We now have two years to reverse the damage that is sure to be done. Really only one year before we have to mobilize against a Rubino or a Rand or whatever lunatic the "Republicans" (if that's even what we can call them at this point) nominate for 2012. So, more than ever, this is the time to look forward, to decide what the real lessons of the past two years have been, to write to our elected officials and let them know what the grass roots loyal supporters think, and to begin to mobilize in a handful of critical ways to get out the messages which the pros failed to get out. I hope we don't get distracted by what is sure to be tumult and chaos deliberately planted by the opposition in Washington, the mess that will continue to be designed to spin all the good into bad, to change by moving backwards, not ahead, and to so discourage the progressive electorate that it (like the students and African-Americans and other groups which were absent, though desperately needed by the Democratic party this year) will be discouraged from even turning out at the polls. I recently looked at Sara Silverman's 2008 You-Tube clip about "schleping" to Florida to convince Nana to vote for Obama, in the context of the reality that in 2010, 24% of the Florida electorate were senior citizens and 85% of them voted Republican because they had been told, and believed, that they were going to lose social security or medicare benefits as a result of the new health care bill? Where were we when this transformation of a Democratic stronghold was cowered by fear into sleeping with the enemy?
Next steps: how to actualize and regain momentum. We are all discouraged, but we can't let ourselves be defeated. The reality is the Republicans won the House. Let's use this as a wake-up call. Now is the time to figure out how to stem reversal of the hard-won programs and how to win in 2012. Onward.
From Ohio Joe:
We must keep to “THEIR (GOP)” RULE24…….they(GOP) have 24 months to fix the economy, unemployment, healthcare reform, immigration, etc.
THE GOP SET THE RULES TO THE GAME, WE MUST MAKE SURE THEY PLAY BY THE SAME RULES !!! RULE24 !!!
#2
I totally agree with you and all of our others……….but when we owned our events business with 4 competitors within a 1 mile area, all competing for events business(ours mainly Jewish events) with 5 Shuls in a 1.5 mile area…….
We had 5 rules of operation….
- Fair, honest, and compassionate pricing and service.
- Give the best services and creative services to the best of our abilities.
- “blinders on” – ignore what others in the industry are doing, gossip, etc…….focus on our business.
- “if you get too close to a SNAKE, you will get bit”
- “what is the prize” look at all aspects of the outcome, from all sides.
The Dems must look forward and see better days ahead, the GOP will not perform, the American public is impatient, this too will pass……..24 months…….the American public will again jump in the arms of Obama. RULE24……..we must remind America of this.
#3
I noticed lack of concern from the public………some people didn’t even know who was Governor, I am in the inner city areas (friends there) and some of the people didn’t realize who was governor, it is not a priority, and the economy, lack of jobs, these people are too busy trying to survive AND gasoline has been 2.90 a gal. so many people are in survival mode.
AND ONCE AGAIN…….Strickland and others used young “KIDS” in management positions and from what I experienced it was like a “CLUBHOUSE” hip, groovy thing……..NOT run like a business as the GOP does and the GOP got the results.
From Christine in Switzerland:
Oh do I miss the exhilarating thrill of the elections....I still follow very closely the American politics and I am stunned, baffled, outraged and discouraged at what is happening. Rarely has a president achieved so much in so little time but it goes unnoticed.... I guess "it's the economy stupid" and people do not realize nobody could have done better given the current context. Getting down unemployment is a must for his re-election.... and this must happen, I would hate to lose him as our leader..... this being said, please keep those blogs of yours going, always a pleasure to read and an inspiration to see so many passionate people.
From Dr. Macrene in NYC:
It is a sad testimony, but we need to face reality. Politics is all about PR - Pericles led the Athenians by his gift of persuasion. It is as simple as that. What we hope is that the one who has the gift of persuasion also has a core morality that is for the good of the country rather than for his own pockets. In this battle, the Democrats do not seem to have a front person with that gift doing what it takes to be front and center in the media with the message. The President is a bit busy at the moment and so his normal persuasive oratory was absent. I wish I were not taken up with my various endeavors so that I could get out there because the lack of rational explanation of what got us into this mess was the downfall of this election.
We must hang in there.
From DC In Santa Barbara,CA:
Dear, dear Sunny,Thank you so much for your wise and loving insight. Your heart and mind are inspirations to all caring progressives. How do we get you on MSNBC? It could be a movement. You know you have a very large contingent of groupies!
From Judy A in Westchester,NY:
I share your frustration. And John Adams certainly got it right! Our trouble started in summer '09 when the Republicans branded the health care legislation socialized medicine and scared the seniors about death panels. Our message was co-opted because people just stopped listening to reason. They became crazed! But I have faith in Obama and his team. Obama isn't going to throw up his hands and quit trying. Be positive!! And be who you are - Sunny!!!
From Lilli in NYC:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meg-wolff/create-change_b_773468.html
From Carolyn in Mamaroneck:
'I haven't left my house in days. I watch the news channels incessantly. All the news stories are about the election; all the commercials are for Viagra and Cialis.
Election, erection, election, erection –
Either way we're getting screwed!'
-- Bette Midler
From Linda in Ohio:
sunny, the original tea party recognized the importance of the separation of church and state --- something the fake tea party has forgotten. we are all devastated by what happened in ohio but take it as a wakeup call. people are hurting and this, plus huge contributions from god knows who, led to the repugs' victory. nothing will change. thay have no answers. perhaps the weeping john boehner is next great halloween mask!
From Barbara in KS:
Sunny, I can only imagine how hard you and so many others worked on this election and how sad you (and all of us) are at the results. It is just so hard to understand how stupid people are and what they expected Obama to do in two years to fix the mess that Bush left this country in. Please go on line and read ***Gusewelle,s column in today's KC Star...it is so good! (Thanks Barb,I agree terrific article-S)
***Many share blame for liberals’ losses
C.W. GUSEWELLE COMMENTARY
It is depressingly clear, in the aftermath of Tuesday’s midterm elections, that the key to political success is effective coalition-building.
Created through the ceaseless, strident repetition of patent untruths, a coalition of the uninformed, the misinformed, the racially bigoted and the obscenely privileged has made serious progress toward its goal.
The objective is to roll back America’s clock to the ruinous policies of the George W. Bush years: ungoverned financial recklessness, wars of choice and tax relief for the very richest among us.
Obviously there is blame to share.Liberals appeared slow to understand that the tea party phenomenon was not merely a raucous curiosity but a real danger, and that civility was an inadequate reply to ranting.
History’s lesson is that the Big Lie can only be defeated by vigorous, relentless proclamation of Big Truth.
Probably Barack Obama is to be faulted for imagining at the outset of his presidency that bipartisanship was an actual possibility, given the vindictiveness arrayed against him.
And without question the Supreme Court is culpable. Its decision allowing giant corporations to pour limitless millions into campaigns has dangerously, perhaps fatally, transformed the political landscape...
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/06/2401935/many-share-blame-for-liberals.html#ixzz14de5WTQ5
From Beth in Ardsley,NY:
My reading of the election is not as dire as the media has painted it. I believe that the standing Congress was voted out. Why? Because the general population feels angry and cheated out of economic security. The knee-jerk reaction is to find a new crop of legislators in order to feel some sense of movement out of this morass.
The bankers felt the TARP - and the rest of us feel the pinch: in education, social welfare, small businesses. retail and even government jobs. President Obama should not respond to the vote in a testy manner - he has to reach out and achieve change through getting along. You cannot get bees with vinegar.
I have complete faith in our president - and I believe that if we watch him overcome this adversity, we will see how truly superb he is in this job.
Everything happens for a reason: we just have to wait and see what this test of strength and focus will yield for this president and the nation.
From Lisa in VT:
Our message isn't so simple so we have to back it up with education. We should not compromise the message integrity but tweak a bit for the sake of a sound bite worthy version - but have all the meat and potatoes available for those who care enough to give it more time. I'd love to help you synthesize info for your blog. It's a great service you do. Hope you had a wonderful evening. Loved the meeting. Thank you so much for including me.
Professor Obama's Budget 101.
The predictably childish reactions of the left and right to the budget blueprint unveiled by the co-chairs of President Obama's debt commission offer the president a chance to play a role to which he may be uniquely suited: the grown-up in the room.
Read the entire story here: http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975063
From Kurt in Ohio:
Remember "No drama Obama" is what he was and is. Though many things were accomplished he was unwilling to blow his own horn or fight the misperceptions the corporatists, whom he dealt with, foisted upon the public.
From Val in Ohio:
I'm sure you saw this in today's NY Times. There are so many good news reports from Obama's first two years with the help of the Dems that were just thrown under the bus. We're fighting against the Fox message machine while MSNBC suspends Olbermann just because he made some donations. You would probably have to suspend the entire faux news department at Fox given those standards.
This is not for the blog. I'm just venting.
Linda is a good Dem. Will have to track her down and go out for a drink.
I can sum up what's wrong with Ohio with one word.....RACE. A group of my buddies got together the day after the election just to lift our spirits. One worked the polls in a very conservative area. She said conversation ranged from how happy the slaves were to other aspects of taking our country back. Needless to say, she has decided not to return as a poll worker but this should give you just a little insight.Thanks for serving as the intermediary. You have assembled a well connected cast of progressives who have one goal in mind...Keep the Dems in the driver's seat for the good of the country
From Sue in Long Island:
Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication in support of Tim Bishop’s campaign.
Sadly, due to a miscount, the race is far from over and we need you to pitch in for a few more days. Congressman Bishop is now trailing by 390 votes with 10,600 absentee and affidavit votes yet to be counted.
This shocking error doesn’t at all diminish the work you’ve done. I’m so proud of the unflagging commitment and constant good cheer of our volunteers. You inspire me every day.
Your calls and canvasses made an enormous difference in this tight election against a candidate with almost limitless funds who was able to dominate the airwaves, scare many seniors with outright falsehoods, and aggressively suppress the Democratic vote.
Please click on the links below to:
1) make a contribution for what will be an expensive fight:
http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/26265
2) report any irregularities you witnessed on Election Day:
http://www.dccc.org/page/s/bishoppolls
If you’re willing to volunteer to help monitor that every vote is counted, call the Bishop voter protection office at 696-1345 or email me.
Thanks so much for your continued support in making this country a better place for all.
From Ben in NYC:
Lewis Lapham, a good friend of ours, among many other endeavors puts out a weekly podcast that is invariably fascinating. In the link below, he interviews Simon Winchester, author of the new book, "Atlantic." Winchester's first anecdote is about's Israel's founding -- that it owes it to the Atlantic Ocean. I think you'll enjoy it.
http://208.131.149.119/lq/Simon_Winchester.mp3
From Jackie in New Jersey:
I owe you an email. I want you to know I understand your pain. Have some thoughts to share. Hope you are well – all things considered.
From Judy in Mamaroneck:
There was a time not so long ago when Americans,regardless of their political stripes, rallied around their President:http://www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/america-hes-your-president-for-goodness-sake
From Mary in KCMO:
I have started and deleted this message about six times in the past five days. I realize I was over thinking and over analizing the reasons and results of November 2nd. Lord knows, there is plenty of blame to go around.
At this point, it's very simple: we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and gear up for the next battle.......that's it.
"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Ted Kennedy, 1980
"WE ARE the Dream Keepers!"
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, (D-18th, Texas) November, 2010
Think about it...............
Is there work to be done? You bet!!! More later..............
Mary
PS Congratulations California and New York!!
PPS A special Thank You to Sunny and her team in New York for making all those calls for Robin Carnahan.
From Ruthie in AZ:
Things are wrong on EVERY level. I agree with Peggy. The democrats need to step up and quit being the "nice" guy. Someone has to get Nancy Pelosi and tell her to get out of the friggin spotlight.
I was in so many states before the election that either the campaign ads or the signs said something that tied a candidate to Pelosi as if it was the plague. They will ride that through the next election if she stays in the limelight.
I am nearly ill over this election. I knew Arizona would go "down" but I had no idea BEN QUAYLE would get elected and that Harry Mitchell would be thrown out of the house. (every one of his opponents ads had his name and Nancy Pelosi's - never even mentioning the republican candidate)
On a rather simple level - having nothing to do with major politics - Bristol Palin is on Dancing with the Stars. You probably don't watch this show but the ex-Cardinal qback, Kurt Warner was on this season so I have been off-and-on watching. She is the worst dancer ever. Just a clutz. HOWEVER, the republican and tea party websites encourage people to vote for her. Hence, she is still on and has made the semi-finals. She will probably win this stupid competition. Case in point. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE. They are like mormons or morons, whatever.
From Joe in Ohio:
I believe Val may have the same feelings, one of the issues with the DEMS and Ohio with this election, they put as I said before the YOUNG, COOL, HIP (its cool to run a campaign, clubhouse mentality) people to MANAGE the campaign…….then people like myself see what a mess it is and QUIT.
This is what happens with the Kerry/Bush deal in some areas of the Ohio……. In Ohio election campaigns many times are a HOBBY not a BUSINESS……the GOP always runs it like a business.
2008 was different; you had Obama master of communication, charisma and knew how to work the WEB!!!! Strickland was the lesser of the two evil…..he has NO charisma, etc…….and Kasich worked it and own……even if there was funny business, the GOP WORKED it……..not a casual hobby.
On to 2012……..and keep them to RULE24 24months……the GOP promised all the answers and solutions…….WE MUST KEEP THEM TO THEM.
From Eileen in KCMO:
good job-loved the John Adams quote
From Patty R in KCMO:
John Adams also said that a democracy could only exist with an educated populace – he was amazingly wise – great quote from Sunny.
From Gwynneth in White Plaiins:
Did you know that:The words "race
> car" spelled backwards still spells "race car"?"Eat" is the
> only word that, if you take the 1st letter and move it to
> the last, spells its past tense, "ate"?And if you rearrange
> the letters in "so-called tea party Republicans," and add
> just a few more letters, it spells: "Shut the f--- up you
> free-loading, progress-blocking, benefit-grabbing,
> resource-sucking, violent, hypocritical douche bags, and
> deal with the fact that you nearly wrecked the country under
> Bush and that our president is black."Isn't that
> interesting?
From DC in CA:
Let’s take a little laugh break compliments of Randi Rhodes! Love you –
Let’s take a break from obsessing about current Republican nightmares, and revisit a Republican nightmare from the past. George Bush recently sat down with Matt Lauer. Bush didn’t exactly open up about his mistakes. Thank God. Bush “opening up” about his mistakes would be a venting that would dwarf the BP oil spill.
On his “Mission Accomplished” speech, Bush said he was caught up in an “exhilarating moment.” I guess the codpiece went to his head.
He says he didn’t fire Donald Rumsfeld over Abu Ghraib because “there was no obvious replacement for Don.” What? All a person needs to replace Donald Rumsfeld is an ability to stand for prolonged periods and talk nonstop without saying anything. I’ll tell you where you can find a replacement for Donald Rumsfeld— in the areas north, west, south, and east of Washington .
He said the photo of him looking out the window of Air Force One in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina made him look “uncaring and detached.” I think photographers refer to that as “capturing the moment.”
George Bush claims he was not in shock when he sat there stunned after being told of the attacks on 9/11. I’m sure he was NOT in shock. 9/11 was just the inevitable result of the half-assed way he had been conducting national security. Still, he wants people to know that he was not paralyzed into inaction. No, the paralysis had occurred earlier, when he was handed a memo saying “Bin Laden determined to strike within the US .”
The former president also described his battles with booze. He says that he was never tempted to start drinking again during his presidency. Good. He would have had to fight the rest of us for the vodka. Of course, in the end, all of his years of hard drinking failed to prevent George Bush from getting to the White House. Well, the bottle let us down again.
At least watching this interview makes it clear why Republicans begged George Bush to hold off his book tour until after the election. If Bush had been all over the airwaves 10 days ago, every Democrat this side of Alvin Greene would have won their election. How soon we forget. And that’s pretty much what Republicans rely on.
From Val from Ohio:
True story
I went to my part time job yesterday and read some evaluations from a workshop I did for the program. One was particularly scathing and left me feeling totally worthless. While musing over the words, I started to think about our wonderful President and how he's disrespected on a daily basis yet he continues trying to do what's best for our country. If he can weather those daily storms, I can get over a disgruntled parent.
Still anxiously waiting to hear the outcome of your Thursday session with Kaine. Our meeting yielded a good review though some of the feedback was incredulous. The OFA field director tried to get a couple of the volunteers to write up a disciplinary action against other volunteers! Needless to say, we lost many volunteers. There was no cohesive message for the volunteers to deliver anyway.
I hosted a MoveOn party this evening. Had a good turnout (about 15 people). Hard to keep them focused on finding solutions. More of a tendency to admire the problem. Nevertheless, we did come up with some ideas for moving forward mainly centered around the need to educate the general public and get the real facts out about issues like health care reform.
One man who attended was a physicist who tended to go against the flow of ideas. He seemed to know quite a bit about economic policy. If looking at a long range remedy, he felt all of the tax cuts needed to expire, however he recognized that was not politically wise. Would have enjoyed hearing more from him.
From Sharon in Scarsdale: Great article shown once before but worth the read!
http://underthelobsterscope.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/guest-article-obama-will-triumph-so-will-america-by-frank-schaeffer/
Obama Will Triumph — So Will America
By Frank Schaeffer
Before he’d served even one year President Obama lost the support of the easily distracted left and engendered the white hot rage of the hate-filled right. But some of us, from all walks of life and ideological backgrounds — including this white, straight, 57-year-old, former religious right wing agitator, now progressive writer and (given my background as the son of a famous evangelical leader) this unlikely Obama supporter — are sticking with our President. Why?– because he is succeeding.
We faithful Obama supporters still trust our initial impression of him as a great, good and uniquely qualified man to lead us.
Obama’s steady supporters will be proved right. Obama’s critics will be remembered as easily panicked and prematurely discouraged at best and shriveled hate mongers at worst...(Read rest on line)
From Judy in Mamaroneck,NY:
Subj: Message to the Tea Party -- What took you so long to get angry?
I thought that should go in the blog! Clearly the Republicans and Tea Partiers are a different breed of people.. heartless and selfish!
Message to the Tea Party -- What took you so long to get angry?
You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and
appointed a President.
You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to
dictate Energy policy and push us to invade Iraq .
You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.
You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.
You didn't get mad when we spent over 800 billion (and counting) on said illegal war.
You didn't get mad when Bush borrowed more money from foreign sources than the previous 42 Presidents combined.
You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars in cash just disappeared in Iraq.
You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.
You didn't get mad when Bush embraced trade and outsourcing policies
that shipped 6 million American jobs out of the country.
You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.
You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.
You didn't get mad when Bush rang up 10 trillion dollars in combined budget and current account deficits.
You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.
You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown.
You didn't get mad when we gave people who had more money than they could spend, the filthy rich, over a trillion dollars in taxbreaks.
You didn't get mad with the worst 8 years of job creations in several decades.
You didn't get mad when over 200,000 US citizens lost their lives because they had no health insurance.
You didn't get mad when lack of oversight and regulations from the Bush Administration caused US citizens to lose 12 trillion dollars in investments, retirement, and home values.
No . . . You finally got mad when a black man was elected President and decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick.
Illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, job losses by the millions, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, and the worst economic disaster since 1929 are all okay with you, but helping fellow Americans who are sick . . . Oh, Hell No!!
From Jennifer in DC:
I hope you’re doing well. What a depressing election night. I still can’t get over all the good Members we lost in New York. It was truly a terrible night for our country.
I’m writing because as I’m sure you know, Cong. Tim Bishop is in a very close recount. His 3,461 vote lead on Election Day is now a deficit of just under 400 votes after a recanvass of the voting machines. This is a dramatic swing of approximately 4000 votes and after reports of problems at polling places, it is clear that we must do everything to ensure that every single vote is properly counted.
Individuals can contribute up to $30,400 to the DCCC’s recount fund and/or $2,400 to the campaign recount fund. Would you be willing to make a contribution or do you know of others that might be interested?
As you can imagine, we are in the beginning stages of what could prove to be a lengthy and costly process and Nita is doing all she can to help Tim. Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for your consideration.
From Jane in Larchmont,NY:
Well, another day, another link from me--although it's yesterday's Times--Bob Herbert, and I think he basically gives the Democratic case.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/opinion/09herbert.html?scp=4&sq=herbert&st=cse
Thank you for everything you are. Hope your meeting goes well.
#2
http://www.thenation.com/article/156387/agenda-lame-duck-congress
This confirms what you said--
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975046
From Letty P in NYC:
I've been participating in a Palestinian/Jewish women's dialogue group for nearly three years. When The Forward asked me to be the guest editor of their Op-Ed page, I invited my Palestinian sisters to each contribute an essay. For my brief intro, followed by their four essays, click here or paste the URL into your browser.
As always, I'll be grateful for your reactions but please don't feel obligated to respond.
Click here: Forward Forum – Forward.com
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975043
From Ellen in Chicago: (Obama delegate to convention in 08)
Although This may seem a bit elementary to some of you, this is one of the best presentations I've seen on Healthcare Reform
_http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx_
From Randy in Berkeley:
The Republicans have already started in!!!! We are in for big troubles. It's amazing how much power one person can hold over an entire senate. I'm speaking of John Kyle from Arizona!
From Ruthie in AZ, formerly of KCMO:
http://electionink.com/showthread.php/2602-Harry-amp-Bess-The-way...?p=26685
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He
probably made as many, or more important
decisions regarding our nation's history as
any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him.
However, a measure of his greatness may rest on
what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died
was the house he lived in, which was
in Independence Missouri .
His wife had inherited the house from her
mother and father and other than their
years in the White House, they lived their
entire lives there...(Read rest on line)
From Weschester 4 Change:
CANVASS FOR THE EXPIRATION OF TAX CUTS FOR TOP 2%
If you cannot join us, please call The White House, your senators, and representative TODAY!
If you need more information, please read here
President Obama : 202-456-1111
Rep. Nita Lowey: 202-225-6506 (Washington) and 428-1707 (White Plains)
Rep. John Hall: 202-225-5441
Rep. Eliot Engel: 202-225-2464
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: 202-224-4451
Sen. Chuck Schumer: 202-224-6542
MOVING FORWARD
As we enter the holiday season, come share a glass of wine and help plan our next steps after the mid-term elections.
WHAT: We invite everyone to gather to socialize, discuss the implications of the mid-term elections, and most importantly plan next steps. In addition to the necessary griping, we will be talking about what progressives did well, what we did not do well, and how we should proceed. At this gathering, we will be accepting small voluntary contributions to help defray our organizational expenses.
WHEN: Saturday, December 4th 2pm
WHERE: Home of Rachel Estroff, 7 Davenport St. Harrison, NY 10528
RSVP or QUESTIONS: Rachel Estroff 914-525-1940, westchester4change@gmail.com, or Meetup
NEW YORK STATE BUDGET WORKSHOP
WHAT: Join us for a workshop focusing on the New York State budget process and how we, as progressives, can influence the results. Specifically, this workshop will teach us about the process, as well as how revenue is raised through income taxes, property taxes and user fees. The goal is to equip us to protect important services and press for the most progressive taxes possible in the current economic and political climate.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 14th, 7-9:30pm
WHERE: CWA, Communication Workers of America Offices in Port Chester 345 Westchester Ave. Port Chester, NY 10573
RSVP or QUESTIONS: Rachel Estroff 914-525-1940, westchester4change@gmail.com or Meetup Space is limited.
From Dani in Brooklyn:
Please call - I want my 13 cents worth!! (as opposed to the 77 cents I make for every dollar a man makes doing the same work). It's incredible that we're still not there yet; that somehow it's OK to say that work is worth less when a woman does it.
http://action.now.org/o/5996/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=88455
TAKE ACTION:
The countdown is on and we need your help to get the bill across the finish line. On Tuesday, November 16, participate in the national call-in day! Call your senators at 1-877-667-6650 and ask them to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this session!
BACKGROUND:
The moment is here – thanks to your support, we are within striking distance of passing the Paycheck Fairness Act! The Senate is back in session and precious few days remain for them to pass this critical bill.
Taking action has never been more important than it is right now. The Senate must make this bill a priority: the Paycheck Fairness Act would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages to coworkers...
From Betty in Scarsdale:
Ck out Schumer and messaging!
Chuck Schumer gets more power
Schumer has been put in charge of the Senate Democrats' "messaging."
» Read full article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html
From Charlie in Larchmont:
I'm sure it was just a coincidence that this was cut from the broadcast...
By the way, did I tell you that I'm going to lunch with The Easter Bunny next week? I'm so excited to finally meet him face-to-face after all these years!
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975027
From Sue in Long island:
The economy’s improving but businesses are struggling and unemployment remains stubbornly high.
We CAN do something about this crisis locally. For the Holidays, let’s buy local and support our volunteers’ retail businesses, food products, and creative works. Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers or ride-on lawn mowers, a painting for your living room or an illustrated book to read to your grandkids, a designer jacket or a healthy edible treat, we have volunteers with entrepreneurial and creative talents who can delight you and your loved ones.
The first step: If you own a retail business, or are a local food or wine purveyor, send us your name, business address, and ONE descriptive sentence (include hours and website).
If you’re an artist, published author, or an artisan, send us your name and where to purchase your works (a descriptive sentence and website too).
Please email me as soon as possible. Last date to be included is next Tuesday, November 23.
I’ll put together a list and email it to OFA volunteers. Let’s make a difference in our community this Holiday season!!
From Edith in NYC,once again:
To amuse…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y54FRMedT_s&feature=player_embedded
From Elizabeth and Sheila in Westchester after viewing video http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx from Ellen: (Also Val in Ohio)
Agree about this video!! I just watched it and was so impressed. The way it can be effective of course is by going viral, grassroots. If it seems to be coming from the WH or DNC, people will either not invest the nine minutes or just think of how to oppose it. I'll get to work spreading it right away. Kaiser has been superb on this from the start.E
Great, Sunny. Would help if everyone passed it on, for starters. Sheila
It's a start. At our meeting someone was saying how Obama needed to do better at getting his message out about his accomplishments. My answer to her was "that's our job." The Dems in Congress should also get on board and stop running away from progress. That's exactly what we talked about last night. Do you remember the film shown in just about all elementary schools called How a bill becomes a law? It was simple but something a developing mind would remember. Send my thanks to Ellen for providing a similar little ditty that even a tea party person could understand (our low information voters).
Now if someone will just do the same to provide an explanation of our economic mess.
It is what we were talking about specifics, clear- a bit too long but a start! Sunny
From Amy in Mamaroneck:
This is just going up now on the front page at HuffPost – tried to point out the only silver lining in the travesty of the Paycheck Fairness Act getting shot down – our gal Gillibrand!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-siskind/how-the-gop-blew-it-on-th_b_785194.html
From Judy in Mamaroneck,NY:
What a sad commentary on the widespread intelligence of the voting masses in this country! Article about Sarah reaching the top and running for President by Frank Rich,NY Times!!!
Click here: Could She Reach the Top in 2012? You Betcha - NYTimes.com
From Joe in Ohio:
Try to relax…..WE MUST REGROUP. I want you to think about something…….”Blinders on” I think this is what we must keep in mind……ignore all the GOP and work toward the light at the end of the tunnel…….2012.
Secondly…….for the mass American public, JOBS, JOBS, JOBS and Obama needs to be more public with this issue. The average mild American can not see the good in the equal pay issue, when both mom and dad are unemployed. I personally believe if Obama starts to “WORK IT” the jobs issue in the press…..and I mean “WORK IT” the press…..he can skip the Whitehouse in 2012. The issue with the unemployed is the numbers are decreasing…….BUT they are decreasing because people are running out of benefits….and no longer being counted. So…..ignore that…..just a note…….Focus on JOBS JOBS JOBS……create federal jobs……simplify the application deal…..Homeland security, FDA protecting the food, drugs, etc………from what I see this is what “mild American” can comprehend……don’t forget with Kerry wind surfing…..mild America could not relate and hence he lost………Bush bailed hay and AMERICA GOT THAT…….sad to say……most of America is OHIO, not the coasts.
LAST……….I promise…….I truly believe most of America is ok (including females) with men making more money… with the unemployment issue, they would rather make less and be employed. I believe this…..its back to JOBS JOBS JOBS.
And as we have said America is STUPID…..Obama talks over their heads…..even with his agenda…..I believe this is why Bush, Palin, etc America can relate to them….they use a simple agenda, language, etc…….Obama needs to “dumb up” to relate to AMERICA…..I believe at this point America does not care about the other issues….. its stupid simple for AMERICA JOBS JOBS JOBS…….and I must admit……I can understand, food on the table and even having a home and a table is most important….its survivial
…….I know they think Palin is an idiot. Hopefully Palin will be the candidate……I did a trade show this weekend, MANY GOP ( had to keep my mouth shut) what I over heard is they HATE Palin. So Palin being the candidate could be a GREAT thing.
I do think that Obama needs to pull Hillary with him……With Ohio back in the hands of GOP, we must have a FIRM ticket and be mindful of the past election voting “tricks”…….I can’t believe that Ohio went all GOP……..every office.
If you want to see some real GOP S---…….go to fixohionow.com look at the website……this is the GOP right wing at its best……this is just a HINT of what DEMS will be up against come 2012 and what type of people will be at the helm of the GOP rule and THE 2012 ELECTION process.
The GOP is buoyant after they retook the House and the Dems are despondent and a bit relieved the damage was not worse. We are hell bent on trying to figure out what went wrong,and how to use 2011 to prepare to win big time in 2012. However, no matter what your politics, no one is really happy since most people are still angry about unemployment,taxes,the national debt, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,and the continual threat of terrorism. Somehow the message is not getting out and what seems to be apparent is that virtually everyone was appalled by the negativity of the campaigns all over the country. We know that the negativity was one of the causes for not being able to get volunteers out in MO and it was a huge turn off for young people who were so hopeful after the 2008 election.
There is a fear for the economy that we may stay stuck in the new normal-where businesses learn to do more with less. There is still fear of job losses even though Obama was able to hold off the "great depression threat"(with TARP and responsible regulations on credit card lending, etc). There is even fear that Sarah Palin's crazy accusations of "Obama's enemy-centric foreign policy" and global warming Goregate stuff" are catching on( since catchy discourse is in)!! Heads up guys, we ladies aren't fooled by this pistol packing fake mama (polling five points higher among men than women) but you better be aware that 80% of Republicans love this good ole gal!! This is the person who on April 7 of this year, spoke at a campaign rally in Minneapolis for Michelle Bachmann She had a silver cross around her neck and a flag pin on her lapel, and spoke approvingly of those who are "proudly clinging to your guns and religion" She also condemned the recent health care legislation as "socialized medicine that breaks the bank and violates the US constitution". She was very proud of her party's stout opposition,declaring "What's wrong with being the party of NO?".Well, at least we know what we are up against and I have to put some blame on the progressives ,liberals ,and grassroots voters who didn't come out but sat on the sidelines in this past election. Where are those fired up voters, rappers, young people, seniors, Gen Xers, Baby Boomers and women who care about choice,and fair pay? What do we have to do to reach out and get them to care enough about their country and the their children's future to take a good hard look at those people who want to be in charge of this country. We have been engaged in non stop ways to approach people and take back the Internet,the agenda,and most of all sanity of government and truth in journalism.
We know Barack Obama has to go directly to the people and let them know what he is doing, talk about the bills passed or stalled by the GOP,and what they mean to the average American. WE also have to get the word out via e-mail, small meetings, organizations,and continued sharing of videos like _http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx ,where the language is clear and understandable. The majority of the country is watching Fox "news" (more like talk entertainment show) to get their information . CNN and MSNBC is actually reporting the news which should be a standard for television but it is not. An example of the outrageous non fact checked "news reporting" by Fox was described by Thomas Friedman in his op ed piece in NY Times this week. It talks about Anderson Cooper doing the country a favor this week by deconstructing on his CNN show the bogus rumor that President Obama's trip to Asia would cost $200 million a day. This was an important story that underscored just how far ahead of his time Mark Twain was when he said a century before the Internet-"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes". Friedman goes on to say, that there is an antidote to malicious journalism-and that's good journalism! In case you missed the story that circulated around the Web on the eve of Obama's trip it was that the whole trip would cost 2 billion dollars. Cooper felt compelled to check out the story because he had Michele Bachmann on his show the night before. Instead of answering a question about where the GOP would cut the budget, she used her airtime to inject the phony story into the mainstream. She said,"I think we know that just within a day the President will be taking a trip to India that is expected to cost the taxpayers $200 million dollars a day. He is taking 2,000 people with him and will be renting over 870 rooms in India,and at five star hotels like the Taj Mahal. this is the kind of over-the -top-spending."
So Anderson Cooper checked into the story since his show was used as the vehicle to circulate it. He found after doing a great deal of research that the story had " originated from a quote from an alleged Indian provincial official, from the Maharashtra reported by India's Press Trust ,their equivalent to our A. P. or Reuters. Cooper used
"alleged" provincial official since we have no idea who this person is ,no name was given. It was an anonymous quote, and no proof was given, and no follow up reporting done. You would think if a member of Congress was going to use this figure as a fact she would want to be sure it was accurate,right? Well you are wrong,and that is a fact! Cooper showed snippets of Rush Limbaugh talking about Obama's trip that will cost $200 million a day,and Glenn Beck chimed in saying, "have you ever seen a president go on a vacation where he needed 34 warships and would be traveling with 3,000 people? In Beck's rendition, the visit was a vacation and Obama was being accompanied by one-tenth of the US Navy. This went on and on until finally Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, said:" I don't comment on these things but I will take the liberty this time to dismiss as absolutely absurd, this notion that somehow we are deploying 10 percent of the Navy and 34 warships and an aircraft carrier in support of the president's trip to Asia. That is just comical. Nothing close to that is being done." When public figures feel free to say anything they want without fact-checking , we have a huge problem! You and I have our work cut out for us, as does the legitimate press.
However, if the NY Jets can come back to win by moving the ball 72 yards in the last 45 seconds of the game, and the KC Chiefs can massacre Arizona, we can get the truth out. I am determined to continue this discussion and I thank you all for chiming in these last two weeks. It was not a comfortable few weeks for anyone who is intelligent enough to know that there are forces out there up to no good! It is our responsibility as caring voters to not only talk almost ourselves but get the information out, and help build up your organizations. We need to reach out to people who care enough to talk about concerns and want to learn more about government, not just from angry screaming actors on stage that can have a dangerous affect on our lives and country. So, fire up and reach out to people in your past organizations and leaders that you care about to help us make public figures aware they aren't free to just say anything without any fact-checking. We have to let them know we are out there watching, reading and making sure that "the carnival barkers that so dominate our public debate today " know they will indeed be held accountable. All we can hope as, Friedman says so beautifully, "is that more people will do what Cooper did-so when the next crazy lie races around the world, people's first instinct will be to doubt it, not repeat it. Best of all it should become common practice to fact-check all information from the Internet and absolutely the ersatz news show brought to us by FOX!!!
Love,A Mama 4 Obama
From Lisa in VT:
My heart broke with your last entry of the blog. I'm coming to NY for a Harvard dinner on Friday. Any chance you'd be in the city in the afternoon? Love your passion and activism. Its so inspiring. Looking for my own voice.
From Jane in Larchmont:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/how-obama-saved-capitalism-and-lost-the-midterms/?src=me&ref=general
How Obama Saved Capitalism and Lost the Midterms
By TIMOTHY EGAN American politics and life, as seen from the West.
If I were one of the big corporate donors who bankrolled the Republican tide that carried into office more than 50 new Republicans in the House, I would be wary of what you just bought.
For no matter your view of President Obama, he effectively saved capitalism. And for that, he paid a terrible political price.
Suppose you had $100,000 to invest on the day Barack Obama was inaugurated. Why bet on a liberal Democrat? Here’s why: the presidency of George W. Bush produced the worst stock market decline of any president in history. The net worth of American households collapsed as Bush slipped away. And if you needed a loan to buy a house or stay in business, private sector borrowing was dead when he handed over power. ..
From Val in Ohio:
http://www.danagoldstein.net/dana_goldstein/2010/11/assessing-our-first-female-speaker-of-the-house.html
A few weeks ago, a friend returned to New York City from a visit to her family in suburban Ohio with the following query: “Why do people hate Nancy Pelosi so much?”
It’s a good question. By any measure, Pelosi has been one of the most effective House speakers in American history, especially given her relatively short tenure. At Salon, Steve Kornacki offers a helpful recollection of her many accomplishments, from health care to student loan reform to the credit card bill of rights to cap and trade. Pelosi consistently delivered legislation that became law, as well as legislation that the Senate then stalled on and failed to pass. As Kornacki writes, Pelosi is unpopular less because of what the House has done or failed to do — most Americans have little idea of those particulars — but because the economy is bad and voters wanted someone to blame.
But there’s another factor that makes Pelosi that much easier to scapegoat: She is a woman — the highest-ranked woman ever to hold elective office in the United States. In January 2007, Pelosi gaveled in her first legislative session as speaker while cradling her newborn grandson (one of seven grandchildren) and surrounded by other legislators’ offspring, whom she had invited to the dais to celebrate. She spoke about her own journey from “kitchen to Congress” and promised that the Democratic Party would govern on behalf of children, and their mothers, too — a vow she fulfilled by collecting the votes to pass the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which insures 11 million kids, and the Lily Ledbetter Act, which made it easier for victims of gender- and race-based pay discrimination to file civil rights complaints and collect back pay...
From Eileen in KCMO:
good job-loved the John Adams quote
From Sheila in Larchmont:
I have deliberately not contacted you until now. I was not waiting for your blog to publish; I was thinking. Over the past two (or three) years I think all of us were so impassioned by finally having a candidate and then a President who embodied all the hopes and dreams we had suppressed as we suffered though years of Republican domination--domination that seem to slide on a downward vector philosophically as the years passed. We were pumped and we supported President Obama unquestioningly, though in many of our hearts we wished he would take his positions in a stronger way, be less conciliatory and more decisive, and, even to the extent of the technological communication of his team, be more connected as he had been during the campaign.
Hindsight stinks. The President is still the man with the mind, goals and heart we supported and support with the same fervent belief we have had from the beginning.
This election is anything but over. It will live for us in an even more looming way as the lame duck session unfolds and dreaded January makes it real in our lives. We now have two years to reverse the damage that is sure to be done. Really only one year before we have to mobilize against a Rubino or a Rand or whatever lunatic the "Republicans" (if that's even what we can call them at this point) nominate for 2012. So, more than ever, this is the time to look forward, to decide what the real lessons of the past two years have been, to write to our elected officials and let them know what the grass roots loyal supporters think, and to begin to mobilize in a handful of critical ways to get out the messages which the pros failed to get out. I hope we don't get distracted by what is sure to be tumult and chaos deliberately planted by the opposition in Washington, the mess that will continue to be designed to spin all the good into bad, to change by moving backwards, not ahead, and to so discourage the progressive electorate that it (like the students and African-Americans and other groups which were absent, though desperately needed by the Democratic party this year) will be discouraged from even turning out at the polls. I recently looked at Sara Silverman's 2008 You-Tube clip about "schleping" to Florida to convince Nana to vote for Obama, in the context of the reality that in 2010, 24% of the Florida electorate were senior citizens and 85% of them voted Republican because they had been told, and believed, that they were going to lose social security or medicare benefits as a result of the new health care bill? Where were we when this transformation of a Democratic stronghold was cowered by fear into sleeping with the enemy?
Next steps: how to actualize and regain momentum. We are all discouraged, but we can't let ourselves be defeated. The reality is the Republicans won the House. Let's use this as a wake-up call. Now is the time to figure out how to stem reversal of the hard-won programs and how to win in 2012. Onward.
From Ohio Joe:
We must keep to “THEIR (GOP)” RULE24…….they(GOP) have 24 months to fix the economy, unemployment, healthcare reform, immigration, etc.
THE GOP SET THE RULES TO THE GAME, WE MUST MAKE SURE THEY PLAY BY THE SAME RULES !!! RULE24 !!!
#2
I totally agree with you and all of our others……….but when we owned our events business with 4 competitors within a 1 mile area, all competing for events business(ours mainly Jewish events) with 5 Shuls in a 1.5 mile area…….
We had 5 rules of operation….
- Fair, honest, and compassionate pricing and service.
- Give the best services and creative services to the best of our abilities.
- “blinders on” – ignore what others in the industry are doing, gossip, etc…….focus on our business.
- “if you get too close to a SNAKE, you will get bit”
- “what is the prize” look at all aspects of the outcome, from all sides.
The Dems must look forward and see better days ahead, the GOP will not perform, the American public is impatient, this too will pass……..24 months…….the American public will again jump in the arms of Obama. RULE24……..we must remind America of this.
#3
I noticed lack of concern from the public………some people didn’t even know who was Governor, I am in the inner city areas (friends there) and some of the people didn’t realize who was governor, it is not a priority, and the economy, lack of jobs, these people are too busy trying to survive AND gasoline has been 2.90 a gal. so many people are in survival mode.
AND ONCE AGAIN…….Strickland and others used young “KIDS” in management positions and from what I experienced it was like a “CLUBHOUSE” hip, groovy thing……..NOT run like a business as the GOP does and the GOP got the results.
From Christine in Switzerland:
Oh do I miss the exhilarating thrill of the elections....I still follow very closely the American politics and I am stunned, baffled, outraged and discouraged at what is happening. Rarely has a president achieved so much in so little time but it goes unnoticed.... I guess "it's the economy stupid" and people do not realize nobody could have done better given the current context. Getting down unemployment is a must for his re-election.... and this must happen, I would hate to lose him as our leader..... this being said, please keep those blogs of yours going, always a pleasure to read and an inspiration to see so many passionate people.
From Dr. Macrene in NYC:
It is a sad testimony, but we need to face reality. Politics is all about PR - Pericles led the Athenians by his gift of persuasion. It is as simple as that. What we hope is that the one who has the gift of persuasion also has a core morality that is for the good of the country rather than for his own pockets. In this battle, the Democrats do not seem to have a front person with that gift doing what it takes to be front and center in the media with the message. The President is a bit busy at the moment and so his normal persuasive oratory was absent. I wish I were not taken up with my various endeavors so that I could get out there because the lack of rational explanation of what got us into this mess was the downfall of this election.
We must hang in there.
From DC In Santa Barbara,CA:
Dear, dear Sunny,Thank you so much for your wise and loving insight. Your heart and mind are inspirations to all caring progressives. How do we get you on MSNBC? It could be a movement. You know you have a very large contingent of groupies!
From Judy A in Westchester,NY:
I share your frustration. And John Adams certainly got it right! Our trouble started in summer '09 when the Republicans branded the health care legislation socialized medicine and scared the seniors about death panels. Our message was co-opted because people just stopped listening to reason. They became crazed! But I have faith in Obama and his team. Obama isn't going to throw up his hands and quit trying. Be positive!! And be who you are - Sunny!!!
From Lilli in NYC:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meg-wolff/create-change_b_773468.html
From Carolyn in Mamaroneck:
'I haven't left my house in days. I watch the news channels incessantly. All the news stories are about the election; all the commercials are for Viagra and Cialis.
Election, erection, election, erection –
Either way we're getting screwed!'
-- Bette Midler
From Linda in Ohio:
sunny, the original tea party recognized the importance of the separation of church and state --- something the fake tea party has forgotten. we are all devastated by what happened in ohio but take it as a wakeup call. people are hurting and this, plus huge contributions from god knows who, led to the repugs' victory. nothing will change. thay have no answers. perhaps the weeping john boehner is next great halloween mask!
From Barbara in KS:
Sunny, I can only imagine how hard you and so many others worked on this election and how sad you (and all of us) are at the results. It is just so hard to understand how stupid people are and what they expected Obama to do in two years to fix the mess that Bush left this country in. Please go on line and read ***Gusewelle,s column in today's KC Star...it is so good! (Thanks Barb,I agree terrific article-S)
***Many share blame for liberals’ losses
C.W. GUSEWELLE COMMENTARY
It is depressingly clear, in the aftermath of Tuesday’s midterm elections, that the key to political success is effective coalition-building.
Created through the ceaseless, strident repetition of patent untruths, a coalition of the uninformed, the misinformed, the racially bigoted and the obscenely privileged has made serious progress toward its goal.
The objective is to roll back America’s clock to the ruinous policies of the George W. Bush years: ungoverned financial recklessness, wars of choice and tax relief for the very richest among us.
Obviously there is blame to share.Liberals appeared slow to understand that the tea party phenomenon was not merely a raucous curiosity but a real danger, and that civility was an inadequate reply to ranting.
History’s lesson is that the Big Lie can only be defeated by vigorous, relentless proclamation of Big Truth.
Probably Barack Obama is to be faulted for imagining at the outset of his presidency that bipartisanship was an actual possibility, given the vindictiveness arrayed against him.
And without question the Supreme Court is culpable. Its decision allowing giant corporations to pour limitless millions into campaigns has dangerously, perhaps fatally, transformed the political landscape...
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/06/2401935/many-share-blame-for-liberals.html#ixzz14de5WTQ5
From Beth in Ardsley,NY:
My reading of the election is not as dire as the media has painted it. I believe that the standing Congress was voted out. Why? Because the general population feels angry and cheated out of economic security. The knee-jerk reaction is to find a new crop of legislators in order to feel some sense of movement out of this morass.
The bankers felt the TARP - and the rest of us feel the pinch: in education, social welfare, small businesses. retail and even government jobs. President Obama should not respond to the vote in a testy manner - he has to reach out and achieve change through getting along. You cannot get bees with vinegar.
I have complete faith in our president - and I believe that if we watch him overcome this adversity, we will see how truly superb he is in this job.
Everything happens for a reason: we just have to wait and see what this test of strength and focus will yield for this president and the nation.
From Lisa in VT:
Our message isn't so simple so we have to back it up with education. We should not compromise the message integrity but tweak a bit for the sake of a sound bite worthy version - but have all the meat and potatoes available for those who care enough to give it more time. I'd love to help you synthesize info for your blog. It's a great service you do. Hope you had a wonderful evening. Loved the meeting. Thank you so much for including me.
Professor Obama's Budget 101.
The predictably childish reactions of the left and right to the budget blueprint unveiled by the co-chairs of President Obama's debt commission offer the president a chance to play a role to which he may be uniquely suited: the grown-up in the room.
Read the entire story here: http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975063
From Kurt in Ohio:
Remember "No drama Obama" is what he was and is. Though many things were accomplished he was unwilling to blow his own horn or fight the misperceptions the corporatists, whom he dealt with, foisted upon the public.
From Val in Ohio:
I'm sure you saw this in today's NY Times. There are so many good news reports from Obama's first two years with the help of the Dems that were just thrown under the bus. We're fighting against the Fox message machine while MSNBC suspends Olbermann just because he made some donations. You would probably have to suspend the entire faux news department at Fox given those standards.
This is not for the blog. I'm just venting.
Linda is a good Dem. Will have to track her down and go out for a drink.
I can sum up what's wrong with Ohio with one word.....RACE. A group of my buddies got together the day after the election just to lift our spirits. One worked the polls in a very conservative area. She said conversation ranged from how happy the slaves were to other aspects of taking our country back. Needless to say, she has decided not to return as a poll worker but this should give you just a little insight.Thanks for serving as the intermediary. You have assembled a well connected cast of progressives who have one goal in mind...Keep the Dems in the driver's seat for the good of the country
From Sue in Long Island:
Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication in support of Tim Bishop’s campaign.
Sadly, due to a miscount, the race is far from over and we need you to pitch in for a few more days. Congressman Bishop is now trailing by 390 votes with 10,600 absentee and affidavit votes yet to be counted.
This shocking error doesn’t at all diminish the work you’ve done. I’m so proud of the unflagging commitment and constant good cheer of our volunteers. You inspire me every day.
Your calls and canvasses made an enormous difference in this tight election against a candidate with almost limitless funds who was able to dominate the airwaves, scare many seniors with outright falsehoods, and aggressively suppress the Democratic vote.
Please click on the links below to:
1) make a contribution for what will be an expensive fight:
http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/26265
2) report any irregularities you witnessed on Election Day:
http://www.dccc.org/page/s/bishoppolls
If you’re willing to volunteer to help monitor that every vote is counted, call the Bishop voter protection office at 696-1345 or email me.
Thanks so much for your continued support in making this country a better place for all.
From Ben in NYC:
Lewis Lapham, a good friend of ours, among many other endeavors puts out a weekly podcast that is invariably fascinating. In the link below, he interviews Simon Winchester, author of the new book, "Atlantic." Winchester's first anecdote is about's Israel's founding -- that it owes it to the Atlantic Ocean. I think you'll enjoy it.
http://208.131.149.119/lq/Simon_Winchester.mp3
From Jackie in New Jersey:
I owe you an email. I want you to know I understand your pain. Have some thoughts to share. Hope you are well – all things considered.
From Judy in Mamaroneck:
There was a time not so long ago when Americans,regardless of their political stripes, rallied around their President:http://www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/america-hes-your-president-for-goodness-sake
From Mary in KCMO:
I have started and deleted this message about six times in the past five days. I realize I was over thinking and over analizing the reasons and results of November 2nd. Lord knows, there is plenty of blame to go around.
At this point, it's very simple: we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and gear up for the next battle.......that's it.
"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Ted Kennedy, 1980
"WE ARE the Dream Keepers!"
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, (D-18th, Texas) November, 2010
Think about it...............
Is there work to be done? You bet!!! More later..............
Mary
PS Congratulations California and New York!!
PPS A special Thank You to Sunny and her team in New York for making all those calls for Robin Carnahan.
From Ruthie in AZ:
Things are wrong on EVERY level. I agree with Peggy. The democrats need to step up and quit being the "nice" guy. Someone has to get Nancy Pelosi and tell her to get out of the friggin spotlight.
I was in so many states before the election that either the campaign ads or the signs said something that tied a candidate to Pelosi as if it was the plague. They will ride that through the next election if she stays in the limelight.
I am nearly ill over this election. I knew Arizona would go "down" but I had no idea BEN QUAYLE would get elected and that Harry Mitchell would be thrown out of the house. (every one of his opponents ads had his name and Nancy Pelosi's - never even mentioning the republican candidate)
On a rather simple level - having nothing to do with major politics - Bristol Palin is on Dancing with the Stars. You probably don't watch this show but the ex-Cardinal qback, Kurt Warner was on this season so I have been off-and-on watching. She is the worst dancer ever. Just a clutz. HOWEVER, the republican and tea party websites encourage people to vote for her. Hence, she is still on and has made the semi-finals. She will probably win this stupid competition. Case in point. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE. They are like mormons or morons, whatever.
From Joe in Ohio:
I believe Val may have the same feelings, one of the issues with the DEMS and Ohio with this election, they put as I said before the YOUNG, COOL, HIP (its cool to run a campaign, clubhouse mentality) people to MANAGE the campaign…….then people like myself see what a mess it is and QUIT.
This is what happens with the Kerry/Bush deal in some areas of the Ohio……. In Ohio election campaigns many times are a HOBBY not a BUSINESS……the GOP always runs it like a business.
2008 was different; you had Obama master of communication, charisma and knew how to work the WEB!!!! Strickland was the lesser of the two evil…..he has NO charisma, etc…….and Kasich worked it and own……even if there was funny business, the GOP WORKED it……..not a casual hobby.
On to 2012……..and keep them to RULE24 24months……the GOP promised all the answers and solutions…….WE MUST KEEP THEM TO THEM.
From Eileen in KCMO:
good job-loved the John Adams quote
From Patty R in KCMO:
John Adams also said that a democracy could only exist with an educated populace – he was amazingly wise – great quote from Sunny.
From Gwynneth in White Plaiins:
Did you know that:The words "race
> car" spelled backwards still spells "race car"?"Eat" is the
> only word that, if you take the 1st letter and move it to
> the last, spells its past tense, "ate"?And if you rearrange
> the letters in "so-called tea party Republicans," and add
> just a few more letters, it spells: "Shut the f--- up you
> free-loading, progress-blocking, benefit-grabbing,
> resource-sucking, violent, hypocritical douche bags, and
> deal with the fact that you nearly wrecked the country under
> Bush and that our president is black."Isn't that
> interesting?
From DC in CA:
Let’s take a little laugh break compliments of Randi Rhodes! Love you –
Let’s take a break from obsessing about current Republican nightmares, and revisit a Republican nightmare from the past. George Bush recently sat down with Matt Lauer. Bush didn’t exactly open up about his mistakes. Thank God. Bush “opening up” about his mistakes would be a venting that would dwarf the BP oil spill.
On his “Mission Accomplished” speech, Bush said he was caught up in an “exhilarating moment.” I guess the codpiece went to his head.
He says he didn’t fire Donald Rumsfeld over Abu Ghraib because “there was no obvious replacement for Don.” What? All a person needs to replace Donald Rumsfeld is an ability to stand for prolonged periods and talk nonstop without saying anything. I’ll tell you where you can find a replacement for Donald Rumsfeld— in the areas north, west, south, and east of Washington .
He said the photo of him looking out the window of Air Force One in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina made him look “uncaring and detached.” I think photographers refer to that as “capturing the moment.”
George Bush claims he was not in shock when he sat there stunned after being told of the attacks on 9/11. I’m sure he was NOT in shock. 9/11 was just the inevitable result of the half-assed way he had been conducting national security. Still, he wants people to know that he was not paralyzed into inaction. No, the paralysis had occurred earlier, when he was handed a memo saying “Bin Laden determined to strike within the US .”
The former president also described his battles with booze. He says that he was never tempted to start drinking again during his presidency. Good. He would have had to fight the rest of us for the vodka. Of course, in the end, all of his years of hard drinking failed to prevent George Bush from getting to the White House. Well, the bottle let us down again.
At least watching this interview makes it clear why Republicans begged George Bush to hold off his book tour until after the election. If Bush had been all over the airwaves 10 days ago, every Democrat this side of Alvin Greene would have won their election. How soon we forget. And that’s pretty much what Republicans rely on.
From Val from Ohio:
True story
I went to my part time job yesterday and read some evaluations from a workshop I did for the program. One was particularly scathing and left me feeling totally worthless. While musing over the words, I started to think about our wonderful President and how he's disrespected on a daily basis yet he continues trying to do what's best for our country. If he can weather those daily storms, I can get over a disgruntled parent.
Still anxiously waiting to hear the outcome of your Thursday session with Kaine. Our meeting yielded a good review though some of the feedback was incredulous. The OFA field director tried to get a couple of the volunteers to write up a disciplinary action against other volunteers! Needless to say, we lost many volunteers. There was no cohesive message for the volunteers to deliver anyway.
I hosted a MoveOn party this evening. Had a good turnout (about 15 people). Hard to keep them focused on finding solutions. More of a tendency to admire the problem. Nevertheless, we did come up with some ideas for moving forward mainly centered around the need to educate the general public and get the real facts out about issues like health care reform.
One man who attended was a physicist who tended to go against the flow of ideas. He seemed to know quite a bit about economic policy. If looking at a long range remedy, he felt all of the tax cuts needed to expire, however he recognized that was not politically wise. Would have enjoyed hearing more from him.
From Sharon in Scarsdale: Great article shown once before but worth the read!
http://underthelobsterscope.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/guest-article-obama-will-triumph-so-will-america-by-frank-schaeffer/
Obama Will Triumph — So Will America
By Frank Schaeffer
Before he’d served even one year President Obama lost the support of the easily distracted left and engendered the white hot rage of the hate-filled right. But some of us, from all walks of life and ideological backgrounds — including this white, straight, 57-year-old, former religious right wing agitator, now progressive writer and (given my background as the son of a famous evangelical leader) this unlikely Obama supporter — are sticking with our President. Why?– because he is succeeding.
We faithful Obama supporters still trust our initial impression of him as a great, good and uniquely qualified man to lead us.
Obama’s steady supporters will be proved right. Obama’s critics will be remembered as easily panicked and prematurely discouraged at best and shriveled hate mongers at worst...(Read rest on line)
From Judy in Mamaroneck,NY:
Subj: Message to the Tea Party -- What took you so long to get angry?
I thought that should go in the blog! Clearly the Republicans and Tea Partiers are a different breed of people.. heartless and selfish!
Message to the Tea Party -- What took you so long to get angry?
You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and
appointed a President.
You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to
dictate Energy policy and push us to invade Iraq .
You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.
You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.
You didn't get mad when we spent over 800 billion (and counting) on said illegal war.
You didn't get mad when Bush borrowed more money from foreign sources than the previous 42 Presidents combined.
You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars in cash just disappeared in Iraq.
You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.
You didn't get mad when Bush embraced trade and outsourcing policies
that shipped 6 million American jobs out of the country.
You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.
You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.
You didn't get mad when Bush rang up 10 trillion dollars in combined budget and current account deficits.
You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.
You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown.
You didn't get mad when we gave people who had more money than they could spend, the filthy rich, over a trillion dollars in taxbreaks.
You didn't get mad with the worst 8 years of job creations in several decades.
You didn't get mad when over 200,000 US citizens lost their lives because they had no health insurance.
You didn't get mad when lack of oversight and regulations from the Bush Administration caused US citizens to lose 12 trillion dollars in investments, retirement, and home values.
No . . . You finally got mad when a black man was elected President and decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick.
Illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, job losses by the millions, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, and the worst economic disaster since 1929 are all okay with you, but helping fellow Americans who are sick . . . Oh, Hell No!!
From Jennifer in DC:
I hope you’re doing well. What a depressing election night. I still can’t get over all the good Members we lost in New York. It was truly a terrible night for our country.
I’m writing because as I’m sure you know, Cong. Tim Bishop is in a very close recount. His 3,461 vote lead on Election Day is now a deficit of just under 400 votes after a recanvass of the voting machines. This is a dramatic swing of approximately 4000 votes and after reports of problems at polling places, it is clear that we must do everything to ensure that every single vote is properly counted.
Individuals can contribute up to $30,400 to the DCCC’s recount fund and/or $2,400 to the campaign recount fund. Would you be willing to make a contribution or do you know of others that might be interested?
As you can imagine, we are in the beginning stages of what could prove to be a lengthy and costly process and Nita is doing all she can to help Tim. Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for your consideration.
From Jane in Larchmont,NY:
Well, another day, another link from me--although it's yesterday's Times--Bob Herbert, and I think he basically gives the Democratic case.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/opinion/09herbert.html?scp=4&sq=herbert&st=cse
Thank you for everything you are. Hope your meeting goes well.
#2
http://www.thenation.com/article/156387/agenda-lame-duck-congress
This confirms what you said--
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975046
From Letty P in NYC:
I've been participating in a Palestinian/Jewish women's dialogue group for nearly three years. When The Forward asked me to be the guest editor of their Op-Ed page, I invited my Palestinian sisters to each contribute an essay. For my brief intro, followed by their four essays, click here or paste the URL into your browser.
As always, I'll be grateful for your reactions but please don't feel obligated to respond.
Click here: Forward Forum – Forward.com
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975043
From Ellen in Chicago: (Obama delegate to convention in 08)
Although This may seem a bit elementary to some of you, this is one of the best presentations I've seen on Healthcare Reform
_http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx_
From Randy in Berkeley:
The Republicans have already started in!!!! We are in for big troubles. It's amazing how much power one person can hold over an entire senate. I'm speaking of John Kyle from Arizona!
From Ruthie in AZ, formerly of KCMO:
http://electionink.com/showthread.php/2602-Harry-amp-Bess-The-way...?p=26685
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He
probably made as many, or more important
decisions regarding our nation's history as
any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him.
However, a measure of his greatness may rest on
what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died
was the house he lived in, which was
in Independence Missouri .
His wife had inherited the house from her
mother and father and other than their
years in the White House, they lived their
entire lives there...(Read rest on line)
From Weschester 4 Change:
CANVASS FOR THE EXPIRATION OF TAX CUTS FOR TOP 2%
If you cannot join us, please call The White House, your senators, and representative TODAY!
If you need more information, please read here
President Obama : 202-456-1111
Rep. Nita Lowey: 202-225-6506 (Washington) and 428-1707 (White Plains)
Rep. John Hall: 202-225-5441
Rep. Eliot Engel: 202-225-2464
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: 202-224-4451
Sen. Chuck Schumer: 202-224-6542
MOVING FORWARD
As we enter the holiday season, come share a glass of wine and help plan our next steps after the mid-term elections.
WHAT: We invite everyone to gather to socialize, discuss the implications of the mid-term elections, and most importantly plan next steps. In addition to the necessary griping, we will be talking about what progressives did well, what we did not do well, and how we should proceed. At this gathering, we will be accepting small voluntary contributions to help defray our organizational expenses.
WHEN: Saturday, December 4th 2pm
WHERE: Home of Rachel Estroff, 7 Davenport St. Harrison, NY 10528
RSVP or QUESTIONS: Rachel Estroff 914-525-1940, westchester4change@gmail.com, or Meetup
NEW YORK STATE BUDGET WORKSHOP
WHAT: Join us for a workshop focusing on the New York State budget process and how we, as progressives, can influence the results. Specifically, this workshop will teach us about the process, as well as how revenue is raised through income taxes, property taxes and user fees. The goal is to equip us to protect important services and press for the most progressive taxes possible in the current economic and political climate.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 14th, 7-9:30pm
WHERE: CWA, Communication Workers of America Offices in Port Chester 345 Westchester Ave. Port Chester, NY 10573
RSVP or QUESTIONS: Rachel Estroff 914-525-1940, westchester4change@gmail.com or Meetup Space is limited.
From Dani in Brooklyn:
Please call - I want my 13 cents worth!! (as opposed to the 77 cents I make for every dollar a man makes doing the same work). It's incredible that we're still not there yet; that somehow it's OK to say that work is worth less when a woman does it.
http://action.now.org/o/5996/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=88455
TAKE ACTION:
The countdown is on and we need your help to get the bill across the finish line. On Tuesday, November 16, participate in the national call-in day! Call your senators at 1-877-667-6650 and ask them to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this session!
BACKGROUND:
The moment is here – thanks to your support, we are within striking distance of passing the Paycheck Fairness Act! The Senate is back in session and precious few days remain for them to pass this critical bill.
Taking action has never been more important than it is right now. The Senate must make this bill a priority: the Paycheck Fairness Act would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages to coworkers...
From Betty in Scarsdale:
Ck out Schumer and messaging!
Chuck Schumer gets more power
Schumer has been put in charge of the Senate Democrats' "messaging."
» Read full article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html
From Charlie in Larchmont:
I'm sure it was just a coincidence that this was cut from the broadcast...
By the way, did I tell you that I'm going to lunch with The Easter Bunny next week? I'm so excited to finally meet him face-to-face after all these years!
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975027
From Sue in Long island:
The economy’s improving but businesses are struggling and unemployment remains stubbornly high.
We CAN do something about this crisis locally. For the Holidays, let’s buy local and support our volunteers’ retail businesses, food products, and creative works. Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers or ride-on lawn mowers, a painting for your living room or an illustrated book to read to your grandkids, a designer jacket or a healthy edible treat, we have volunteers with entrepreneurial and creative talents who can delight you and your loved ones.
The first step: If you own a retail business, or are a local food or wine purveyor, send us your name, business address, and ONE descriptive sentence (include hours and website).
If you’re an artist, published author, or an artisan, send us your name and where to purchase your works (a descriptive sentence and website too).
Please email me as soon as possible. Last date to be included is next Tuesday, November 23.
I’ll put together a list and email it to OFA volunteers. Let’s make a difference in our community this Holiday season!!
From Edith in NYC,once again:
To amuse…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y54FRMedT_s&feature=player_embedded
From Elizabeth and Sheila in Westchester after viewing video http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx from Ellen: (Also Val in Ohio)
Agree about this video!! I just watched it and was so impressed. The way it can be effective of course is by going viral, grassroots. If it seems to be coming from the WH or DNC, people will either not invest the nine minutes or just think of how to oppose it. I'll get to work spreading it right away. Kaiser has been superb on this from the start.E
Great, Sunny. Would help if everyone passed it on, for starters. Sheila
It's a start. At our meeting someone was saying how Obama needed to do better at getting his message out about his accomplishments. My answer to her was "that's our job." The Dems in Congress should also get on board and stop running away from progress. That's exactly what we talked about last night. Do you remember the film shown in just about all elementary schools called How a bill becomes a law? It was simple but something a developing mind would remember. Send my thanks to Ellen for providing a similar little ditty that even a tea party person could understand (our low information voters).
Now if someone will just do the same to provide an explanation of our economic mess.
It is what we were talking about specifics, clear- a bit too long but a start! Sunny
From Amy in Mamaroneck:
This is just going up now on the front page at HuffPost – tried to point out the only silver lining in the travesty of the Paycheck Fairness Act getting shot down – our gal Gillibrand!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-siskind/how-the-gop-blew-it-on-th_b_785194.html
From Judy in Mamaroneck,NY:
What a sad commentary on the widespread intelligence of the voting masses in this country! Article about Sarah reaching the top and running for President by Frank Rich,NY Times!!!
Click here: Could She Reach the Top in 2012? You Betcha - NYTimes.com
From Joe in Ohio:
Try to relax…..WE MUST REGROUP. I want you to think about something…….”Blinders on” I think this is what we must keep in mind……ignore all the GOP and work toward the light at the end of the tunnel…….2012.
Secondly…….for the mass American public, JOBS, JOBS, JOBS and Obama needs to be more public with this issue. The average mild American can not see the good in the equal pay issue, when both mom and dad are unemployed. I personally believe if Obama starts to “WORK IT” the jobs issue in the press…..and I mean “WORK IT” the press…..he can skip the Whitehouse in 2012. The issue with the unemployed is the numbers are decreasing…….BUT they are decreasing because people are running out of benefits….and no longer being counted. So…..ignore that…..just a note…….Focus on JOBS JOBS JOBS……create federal jobs……simplify the application deal…..Homeland security, FDA protecting the food, drugs, etc………from what I see this is what “mild American” can comprehend……don’t forget with Kerry wind surfing…..mild America could not relate and hence he lost………Bush bailed hay and AMERICA GOT THAT…….sad to say……most of America is OHIO, not the coasts.
LAST……….I promise…….I truly believe most of America is ok (including females) with men making more money… with the unemployment issue, they would rather make less and be employed. I believe this…..its back to JOBS JOBS JOBS.
And as we have said America is STUPID…..Obama talks over their heads…..even with his agenda…..I believe this is why Bush, Palin, etc America can relate to them….they use a simple agenda, language, etc…….Obama needs to “dumb up” to relate to AMERICA…..I believe at this point America does not care about the other issues….. its stupid simple for AMERICA JOBS JOBS JOBS…….and I must admit……I can understand, food on the table and even having a home and a table is most important….its survivial
…….I know they think Palin is an idiot. Hopefully Palin will be the candidate……I did a trade show this weekend, MANY GOP ( had to keep my mouth shut) what I over heard is they HATE Palin. So Palin being the candidate could be a GREAT thing.
I do think that Obama needs to pull Hillary with him……With Ohio back in the hands of GOP, we must have a FIRM ticket and be mindful of the past election voting “tricks”…….I can’t believe that Ohio went all GOP……..every office.
If you want to see some real GOP S---…….go to fixohionow.com look at the website……this is the GOP right wing at its best……this is just a HINT of what DEMS will be up against come 2012 and what type of people will be at the helm of the GOP rule and THE 2012 ELECTION process.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Get the word out ,great video Health Care,clear and specific what can do for you!!!!!
Please pass on to all, fnally a clear understanding of the health care laws and what it means to you!!!
http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx
http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx
Saturday, November 6, 2010
It Isn't Easy to write this note or send out your thoughts, but we will prevail!
Dear Obama/Biden Supporters:
This is not an easy note for me to write. I have been all over the place with my thoughts on what we should have done differently and where we went wrong in this election. I started reading many of the things you and others wrote about the loss of the House and the mood of the country. I came across this quote from Mort Sahl that I liked a lot , "Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen". What more can I say? My heart hurts and my mind is racing about how to fix what went wrong. The GOP/Tea Party not only hijacked the language they stole our spirit and drive and all the independents and young people who believed in our agenda from 08. Karl Rove did it again and we let him by not getting our message out and telling people what we had accomplished in the last two years. We should have been shouting about our preventing a global economic collapse and successfully restructuring two auto companies. Why weren't we talking about our President who raised fuel -efficiency standards, negotiated a nuclear arms treaty with Russia,inspired education reforms and reformed health care. Where were the ads that described these incredible accomplishments and made them clear to the public over and over again. Why didn't we see auto workers stand up and say, "Obama saved my job", one after another. Why weren't we shown that this is the America we are proud of and this is the Presidnet who is working to keep jobs for all of us here at home!
My CA sister Peggy called a few days ago to say she hated Obama's talk at the press conference. I was taken aback and then she explained. " He should have said this was a disappointing election because we were in the midst of accomplishing change and weren't given cooperation or time to finish, education reform,energy cap and trade, health care tweaking, controls on big banks spending and lending, but we were able to make huge inroads. I am disappointed that the GOP chose to say no to all initiatives and to put roadblocks up for all the changes from W's failed policies". I am paraphrasing but she was right. He let them make us look like we hadn't accomplished much when he has passed more legislation than anyone since FDR! Now what is wrong with this picture and how do we change it for 2012? The picture on the front page of the NY Times of Barack Obama, the cool collected President ,grimacing was so uncomfortable and sad to me. This is the man who grabbed a brief window of opportunity and passed a major health care bill. He knew in the long run it was good for the country and that it could be made better by tweaking and revising it. How desperately sad that so many conscientious caring Congresspeople who voted for Obama's bill paid the price for placing the good of the nation over the good of the party.
Several Tea Party people who were know nothing candidates with no experience and had never met payroll were swept in on the ignorance that seemed to prevail among voters. All they needed was lots of money and theatrics from Fox news "reporters" who have a disturbing inadequacy of the basic facts of American history and political development. The Tea Party's simplistic appeals to an imaginary past that has little or no relevance to the present seemed to make sense to the uneducated voter. It is also true that Republicans always follow the party line in lock step fashion. The demand for immediate gratification in the world we live in is scary and they ran with this and fears of the unknown future. It is much easier to call for change than look at what has been accomplished by a President given only two years to fix eight years of W's over spending(where were these people when he took us from a surplus to negative trillions).We saw Liberals disheartened as well as Independents and the moderate arm of the GOP. It was if Americans wanted to go backwards to "Mad Men" times. It is like they are thinking about Leave It To Beaver and that his was a real life and one to aspire to. Rove has set the agenda again and we have to regroup and be ready for him in 2012!
People want Obama to stop being the community organizer and start fighting back and getting our message out. It is true that he has reached across the aisle to seek to placate the right by sacrificing demands of the left electorate. However, it seems to me that it was worth his efforts when he won the few votes needed for the stimulus and health care bills. Time and time again of late he has been rebuffed by the party of NO! Now we need to tell the public every time we do something, pass legislation and if not passed ,why and what the loss means to people. We have to clearly define how bills will influence your life and make them better in specific terms. It seems those middle class voters in Ohio didn't think about the tax deductions put in place by the Obama administration and were more concerned that he hadn't proven he was an American Citizen. Why not put this to rest once and for all? Lets pay for ads to toot our own horn and stop the lies!!! My friend Sharon in MO feels that people are voting to be a part of the American dream, even those middle class workers that may never accomplish it. They still have hope that it will come to them if only they can pull themselves up by their boot straps. This may be why they don't feel badly that there is such a differential between rich and poor since one day that dream could be theirs! We haven't sold anything to middle America, and the GOP/Tea Party people are dangling a carrot; if you stick with them it is way to American dream and they bought it hook line and sinker bought it! Hatred brings more hatred and we should think of Alice( *** see CA Randy's youtube,oldest Holocaust survivor ) when we get down and out ! Alice has embraced a powerful wisdom: Suffering does not rob life of meaning. It can make life all the more beautiful and all the more rich. Maybe, before I complain about the injustices of the universe(or this election) I should remember others have it much worse. I should embrace the pain and let it teach me and make us all stronger and wiser!!!!
In closing I want to point out a little know fact I learned from the NY Times this week. John Adams,200 years ago, predicted the rise of the Tea Party!!! " We may please ourselves with the prospect of free and popular governments. But there is great danger that those governments will mot make us happy. G-d grant they may. But I fear that in every assembly,members will obtain an influence by noise not sense. By meanness, not greatness. By ignorance, not learning. By contracted hearts, not large souls"...(Letter dated April 22,1776, while serving in first Continental Congress). Now why the hell don't we use this as an ad?
Love,Sunny
A Mama 4 Obama
Please join me at both of these sites where you can make statements and they will reach many more people than in the past. In order to get to the blog please go to http://progressivegovernment.blogspot.com/ and read my updates and make comments
You can also find me on Facebook at "The Sunny Side - Political news for the Friends of Progressive Government" at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Sunny-Side-Political-news-for-the-Friends-of-Progressive-Government/141511589209655.
(Before the election results)
From Jude Upper bucks county PA Organizer:
Hey Sunny--
Tell everybody to keep their heads up, don't get discouraged. The ground game here in PA is kicking butt. In Bucks County alone this weekend we knocked over 100,000 doors and made over 25000 calls to get out the vote.
From Nita in DC/White Plains:
Yes we can! Thank youxxx
From Susan in Rye:
Great sentiments in your blog today! We all need to think positive now.
From Hank in NYC:
This will be in the Times tomorrow – They are giving me a pass on the usual 60-day rule before another letter runs. “Special dispensation for Election Day!”
To the Editor:
“With Time Short, Parties Advance Last Argument” (front page, Nov. 1):
The Republicans will almost surely regain control of the House and make serious inroads in the Senate on Election Day, but when they wake up bleary-eyed on Wednesday morning they will be faced with the same impossible choices that President Obama and the Democrats have been trying to deal with for almost two years now — a high unemployment rate, an unwinnable war in Afghanistan, an education system crumbling as fast as the antiquated buildings our children attend school in and deficits of monumental proportions.
I’ve listened carefully to G.O.P. and Tea Party candidates tell the public what they will do if elected — cut taxes, reduce the deficit and cut spending — but little is said about how they will accomplish this.
It will be very interesting to see Representative John A. Boehner wield the gavel as speaker of the House, and Mitch McConnell pursue his “single most important thing” for the next two years: making Barack Obama a one-term president.
The real losers, no matter the outcome of the midterm elections, will be the American people.
From Fritzie in NYC:
Thanks Sunny! Absolutely I'll be voting! I've been nagging everyone, and even give staff time off to
go vote.
**********From Randy in CA: About Alice I referred to in above note!
I guess some people have hope regardless of what the situation is ... maybe we should all think positively despite the cruel outcome of this past week's election.
Please view and share this wonderful video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlccsLr48Mw
#2
#2(before election results)
I thought this week's Week in Review was one of the best ever! I read
the entire section and each article seemed better than the next. I
too was very impressed with Kristof's opinion.(see Judy's below)
***From Judy in Mamaroneck:
Click here: Give Obama a Break - NYTimes.com
After the Election Results:
From our Lilly Ledbetter in Alabama:
I am sooooo disappointed in the election results from Nov 2--2010!! I am ready to
get to work for 2012!!!!!!!!!! Hope you are well!!
#2
Wanted to share this with you---------------Lilly
Official Business of the Missouri Federation of Women's Democratic Clubs
To: All MFWDC members and Democratic Friends/Allies
(please pass this on to your local clubs, central committees, and candidates/officials)
Tonight, we saw something that many of us have never seen in our lifetimes. This overwhelming sweep of Republican takeover should be a wake up call for us to consider how we shall proceed to make things different in the next election. As president of the MFWDC, I know you all worked very hard to try to get our Democrats elected or reelected, and I want to thank you for all you contributed to this election. I know you gave 110%. I know you believed in our candidates. Well, frankly I am more determined than ever that we shall overcome this great defeat...our Public Education system depends on us, our community service workers depend on us, and even the little innocent puppies who are so abused, are dependent on us to get out the vote and make a difference in the next election.
It is important to for us to know that, although some fights were lost, we still held our ground. I know Missouri took a beating, from county to state to federal elections. But we are, after all, Democrats, who believe in the rights of the ones without a voice, who care about children and whether they get a quality education, and who continue to have the ethical senses that make us get up out of bed every day and go to work so we can feed our families. We must work together these next two years so that we can not only hold our ground, but that we gain back that which we have lost, so we can continue the great fight for what is good, honest, fair, and just for ALL people in this country, not just corporate interests and the rich.
So, my fellow Democrats, do not be in dismay. All is not lost. It is our responsibility to learn from this experience and to look deep within ourselves and to find the strength and the fortitude to plan our next steps, knowing full well in our hearts, that this is just the beginning of something better....because we CAN and WILL make it better. This is our opportunity!
Thank you to all our Democratic friends and volunteers who worked their tails off this election. Thanks to all of our candidates who ran great races and fought for what is good and just. And congratulations to those who won! I am committed to working with all of you over the next two years to do whatever it takes to put Democrats in office and continue to ensure that our government is truly working for the people.
May God richly bless us and be with us as we move through this time of mourning to the day we find peace amidst this small, two year glitch in the political landscape; remember we shall overcome. Let us make our pledge to one another this day to do every thing we can to get Democrats elected two years from now.
With warmest regards,
Charli Seitz, M.A. Ed.
MFWDC President
Kansas City, MO
#3
Election Results from CAWP: Republican Women Follow Winning Trend
Election results compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) for U.S. Senate and House and governors show that Republican women matched winning patterns of Republicans overall, and some notable firsts were achieved. Republican women's gains in the U.S. House were offset by Democratic women's losses; depending on races not yet decided, the number of women in the House could drop or remain level.
Read the complete press release here.
Headlines and anecdotes never tell the whole story!
That's why you turn to CAWP's Election Watch. Your gift of $25 or more will help CAWP collect and share accurate data on women candidates, officeholders and voters.
From Robin New Salem:
Hope you are feeling better!!! We missed you last night. Yippee for Kirsten, Chuck and Andrew. Sad re: John. How did Robin Carnahan do? I have many morning after thoughts to share but my biggest is the lesson learned after 08. There was so much grassroots energy and we let it slip away. When we needed it - it wasn't there. We have to stay united and keep going. 2012 will be here in a heartbeat and I already heard on the news last night that in addition for going after Barack they won't make this mistake again of putting up a bogus candidate to challenge Kirsten. I have been so bummed about what has happened to WLF - we've got to keep the fire going!!! Speak soon - feel better.
From Ohio Joe:
Better days are ahead……America is STUPID and you can’t fix STUPID. This too will pass !!!
PS once again Ohio goes from bad to WORSE!!!
#2
Val is correct, I am afraid the DEMS have been beat down with the economy, jobs that many have given up. I watched Mitch McConnell a few minutes and I made me sick…..he is scary at best – he was so full of aggression and hate…….beating Barack down verbally, how does this create growth…….SICK
The energy wasn’t there……I know there are far more DEMS in numbers than GOP, but due to the population that comprises the DEMS party, many do not find it important to vote until the presidential elections. I do not want to sound dramatic or “gay” but I am physically sick from this…….I thought Ohio was going to see light at the end of the tunnel…….LOL…….not Ohio.
It really makes me think “Does Hillary need to be the running mate in 2012 with Barack so we have a win” from Ohio it may make sense for this type of population. If I hear Tea Party again……….Tea Party = STUPID…….and STUPID voted in 2010, hence our results.
From Randy in Berkeley:
60 seats lost to the Republicans let alone some of the Senate seats
like Illinois! It is deplorable what happened yesterday. I hate to
say this but I hope the economy prevails and jobs aren't restored so
the Dems can gain back some of what was lost last night.
Wait till this idiots who voted for these idiots realize what is
happening. In watching CNN which has fabulous visuals, the entire
country is red except for a few areas so small one would almost need a
magnifying glass!
What is going to happen to this country? Soon, if things don't
change, this country will be intolerble.
From Carla NYC:
Do you have any encouraging words? This country seems to be influenced by the gun toting, religious, narrow minded majority, and New Yorkers seem to come from a different planet than the rest of the country. How sad!
From Val in Ohio:
I did some phone banking Monday night and got more callers threatening me with a vote for the opposition if they got one more call. There were too many calls and not enough 1-1 contact where you can actually make your case. OFA has to go if it's the same team they sent for this election. There was a big blow up between the OFA folks and the party folks on election day. I left the headquarters because the atmosphere was toxic. That's pretty much how it has been during this election cycle. The Dems did take Montgomery County in '08. That didn't happen this election. Time to regroup and come out fighting for 2012.
Heard from my sister that Mass. stayed blue. That brightened my day. Very unhappy about Sestak and Strickland.
From Kathy in MO:
You are echoing my sentiments exactly. We let the repubs get control of the message with their lies. They repeated them enough that they became the truth in people's minds. I think Obama didn't think it was necessary to toot his own horn because they were quietly going about the people's business and were so busy trying to solve dire problems. That is the high road. We can't go that route any more because the repubs always take the low road!
This is how bad it was in this bizarro world. Roy Blunt who is on tape saying Medicare should never have been started and that he intended to privatize Social Security, ran ads along with Karl Rove and the Chamber saying flat out that Robin Carnahan was cutting billions from Medicare. He has a record on Medicare and she does not, yet with their lies, they convinced senior citizens that she was taking their Medicare away! I had more elderly people tell me that in the last few weeks that they wanted to support Robin until they heard what she was going to do to Medicare.
You are right, we have to get the message out and it needs to be short and sweet. We have to control the message for the next two years. Once you let them get control and the lies are out, you cannot get them back.
#2
I think everyone is on the same page that we let the repub's multimillion dollar noise machine drown us out, distort facts, and get their lies entrenched well before the election so there was no reversing it. I think you are right we have to engage people for the next two years with ads, editorials, face to face, whatever to confront them with the facts. It is too late during the election season because there are zillions of ads and everyone starts tuning them out.
One of my lovely volunteers was brainstorming with me during the GOTV weekend. We were lamenting about the ignorant electorate and how they vote against their own best interests. We were concentrating on first time and sporadic voters and undecideds...probably low information folks. She asked why we don't try to keep in touch with them over the next two years instead of inundating them right before the election. Her suggestion was to give each activist several names of these kinds of voters and just touch base with them every few months to see what their concerns are. Not to preach to them but to ask them what their needs and worries are. Then as they air their concerns, we can give them the facts about what Obama has done or what the obstructionist Republicans are blocking. For example, if they say they are worried about loans, I can personally atest to the fact that the rethugs blocked for nearly a year legislation that would have enabled my family to get an SBA loan we desperately need. It is legislation that they helped write and voted against because they thought Obama wanted it.
I think this idea has merit, but I don't know how it would be coordinated. You wouldn't want to drive them crazy like we do in a campaign, but more just stay in touch to keep a dialog going.
I am glad people are engaged and ready to mobilize to go forward. I am determined but right now, I am just tired.
I am just sick, but I am in for 2012!
From Hank in NYC:
“Take The Gloves Off Mr. President” – November 5, 2010
The Republicans were swept into power in the House based upon their promises to reduce the debt, cut the deficit, and slash spending. The only quasi-concrete plans these Republicans have put forward are to extend or make permanent all the Bush era tax cuts, and to cut billions from “discretionary” spending. Extending all the Bush tax cuts would not only fail to reduce the deficit, but would do exactly the opposite. At a time when the middle class is struggling to keep its head above water, small businesses cannot get credit to expand and hire, and more Americans are slipping into poverty than ever before, it would be unconscionable to add even a single dollar to the deficit. Now let’s look at “discretionary” spending. What that term really means is all spending that does not involve defense or entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security which account for about 75-80% of all spending in this country. Slashing $100 billion per year as Eric Cantor has claimed will be all but impossible, especially in a Congress that still is driven by creating earmarks for pet projects in their home districts.
It is time for President Obama to return to being the man I campaigned and voted for. The reason Democrats took such a “shellacking” last Tuesday is mainly because Mr. Obama has allowed himself to become walled into the protective fortress we call the White House, and has surrounded himself with people who keep him from using his greatest strength: connecting directly with the people. I urge the President to take immediate and direct action in the following three areas: End the war in Afghanistan and begin bringing the troops home this Christmas. We are spending $2 billion dollars a month, not to mention the lives and limbs of our bravest young men and women, to support a corrupt government, a country that is no closer to being able to defend itself from the Taliban and Al Qaeda than it was nine years ago, and whose only economic infrastructure is the opium trade. The money saved could be used to pay for health care reform and the development of alternative sources of clean energy, as well as enhanced benefits for all our soldiers who have fought so bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan. Second, Mr. Obama needs to come out and say without equivocation, that he will veto any and all legislation that would extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, or reduce and/or attempt to repeal his signature health care reform act. Last, the President needs to rally his party in the Congress, and prepare them for what will surely be an all-out effort by the Republicans to reduce his presidency to an afterthought. Mr. Obama and the Democrats extended the olive branch to the opposition while they controlled both houses of Congress, only to have it thrown back in their faces. If it means becoming the “party of no” in the House, and using the filibuster again and again in the Senate, so be it.
Bi-partisanship is dead in Washington, and it is past time for Obama to realize it. I know that this President can be as tough as nails when he wants to be, but fear that he has been counseled far too often to keep trying to work with the opposition. Mitch McConnell’s now oft repeated single most important challenge for the next two years, to see that Obama is only a one-term President, and Mr. Boehner’s insistence on repeal of the health care reform act, should be all Mr. Obama needs to circle the wagons and prepare for the fight of his life, and the future of our country.
From Barbara in KS:
Subject: FW: Word trivia for word lovers
Did you know that the words "race car" spelled backwards still spells "race car"?
Did you know that "eat" is the only word that, if you take the 1st letter and move it to the last, spells its past tense, "ate"?
And if you rearrange the letters in "so-called tea party Republicans," and add just a few more letters, it spells: "Shut up you freeloading, progress-blocking, benefit grabbing, resource-sucking, violent, hypocritical jerks, and face the fact that you nearly wrecked the country under Bush."
Wow! How weird is that?
From Susan in Rye:
I know we're all pretty down about the Hall election and so many others, but we are forging ahead. I will probably be at Sunny's house for lunch next Friday and look forward to meeting you. Do you want to be put on the Westchester for Change elist? We also are on www.meetup.com/westchester-for-change and facebook. We are having a great event on Nov. 16th called "Better Food for Us All" and one of the panelists is woman who runs NY Coalition for Healthy School Food, Amie Hamlin.
Learn about:
The politics behind our food supply:
How current food policies affect our health
Effective grassroots efforts to improve access at all income levels to fresh, healthy, local food
Date: Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
Time: 7:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Place: James Harmon Community Center
44 Main St, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
Featured Panelists:
Amie Hamlin, Executive Director of NY Coalition for Healthy School Food
Mark Dunlea, Associate Director of Hunger Action Network
Elisa Zazzera, Sustainable Hastings
Contacts: Joyce Tichy: joyce.tichy@gmail.com (914) 953-5807
From Andy T DNC/NY:
This is a tough and sometimes disheartening business. What does it say about the electorate, and the process, that in one state (Florida) all 17 major newspapers, from the most liberal to the most conservative, could have endorsed the Democrat -- unanimously -- and yet, so very narrowly, the voters made a different choice?
I feel terrible for our country that we’ve again lurched in the wrong direction, as we did so dramatically in 2000. But I don’t feel bad for trying.
And I feel ENORMOUSLY grateful for the help you gave.
At least on the human-scale, transparent political money, subject to legal limits, the “enthusiasm gap” went all our way. With your help, the DNC far outraised the RNC, and nearly doubled our 2006 midterm fundraising results. As a result, OFA was funded to make tens of millions of personal phone calls and door knocks to get out the vote, which did do the trick for us in a number of key races. Hats off to Colorado’s Senator Michael Bennet, for example, and to its great new governor, John Hickenlooper. Hats off to California. Hats off to New York. And more.
As bad as it was, it would have been a lot worse without your help.
There is so much to say, but I want to leave it at this: onward and upward . . . and THANK you.
From Fran in Larchmont:
Dear Pro-Choice Friends in Larchmont and Mamaroneck!
In "Women: The New Green Leaders" Vicky Markham, Director of the Center for Environment and Population, propounds that the issues of women's empowerment and environmental preservation are so irrevocably linked that 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner Wangari Maathai is now only one of a burgeoning phalanx of forward-thinking women worldwide building coalitions to save the Earth.
Future Choices is brought to your home either on Channel 75 (Cablevision) or Channel 36 (Verizon). The show airs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm with repeats 3 am, 9 am, 3 pm and 9 pm the following day. See full schedule:http://www.lmc-tv.org/?q=node/52
N.B. Future Choices shows can usually be viewed anytime online as well — see hotlink at http://futurechoices.net/ .
From Judy in Mamaroneck:
This came from one of my Gilda's Singers.. but it is a nice glimpse into our new lieutenant-governor elect! He sounds like a real mensch!
won on Tuesday--having run with Cuomo on the Democratic ticket.
from an e-mail from Muriel....
...One more note--my next-door neighbor is lieutenant-governor elect!! Bill and I went to vote Tuesday morning and we were next in line behind Bob, his wife and younger daughter. The media were all there--it was a zoo. Bob was happy to see us, shook Bill's hand and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I hoped that would not be considered electioneering!! I think New York State is lucky to have him in office. He is truly interested in others and making the world a better place. When Bill was sick last winter, Bob cleaned our walk and even shoveled off our front steps. On a day with really bad roads he drove me to the hospital to bring Bill home, had us stay in his warm car in his driveway while he cleaned off our walk, got Bill into the house, then went to CVS and had a prescription filled for Bill. Someone with a lot of ego does not do things like that. His wife was interviewed by the local tv station and said they intend to keep their house in Rochester. So, he will be here at least some of the time. (We will have to clear the snow from our walks ourselves, however!)
From John in CT:
Maybe we should send this to Supreme Court idiots who equate free
speech with money and have put the last nail in the coffin.
Honey, I tell you, you can never go wrong underestimating the American
people. I hope you are not beating yourself up over the election.
You do more than your fair share. The American people deserve the
government they get because they are too stupid and too lazy to get
off their asses and vote.
George Carlin on "The American Dream"
Perfect for today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acLW1vFO-2Q
...More Americans care about Jersey Shore, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, etc. It is UNCOOL in American to pay any attention to politics or history or our socio-political climate. Just buy a cell phone that you can barely afford to pay the bill on, and get an iPod with more gigs, and EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE.......
From Peggy in CA:
This is fabulous!!!
"Dear Red States..." A Letter From The Blue!
Dear Red States...
We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and
we're taking the other Blue States with us.
In case you aren't aware, that includes Hawaii, Oregon,Washington,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and all the Northeast. We
believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially
to the people of the new country of New California.
To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states.
We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get Elliot
Spitzer. You get Ken Lay.
We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss.
We get 85 percent of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You
get Alabama.
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states
pay their fair share.
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the
Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a
bunch of single moms.
Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and
anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at
once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have
kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no
purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their
children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and
hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our
resources in Bush's Quagmire.
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80 percent
of the country's fresh water, more than 90 percent of the pineapple
and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation's fresh fruit, 95 percent of
America's quality wines (you can serve French wines at state dinners)
90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most
of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and
condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale,
Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.
With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88
percent of all obese Americans (and their projected health care
costs), 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the
tornadoes, 90 percent of the hurricanes, 99 percent of all Southern
Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh,
Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.
Additionally, 38 percent of those in the Red states believe Jonah was
actually swallowed by a whale, 62 percent believe life is sacred
unless we're discussing the death penalty or gun laws, 44 percent say
that evolution is only a theory, 53 percent that Saddam was involved
in 9/11 and 61 percent of you crazy b*****ds believe you are people
with higher morals then we lefties.
By the way, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt
weed they grow in Mexico.
Peace out,
Blue States
From Val in Ohio:
http://www.ellicottvillenews.com/index.php/2010/06/3808/
There was a time not so long ago when Americans, regardless of their political stripes, rallied round their president. Once elected, the man who won the White House was no longer viewed as a Republican or Democrat, but the President of the United States. The oath of office was taken, the wagons were circled around the country’s borders and it was America versus the rest of the world with the president of all the people at the helm. Suddenly President Barack Obama, with the potential to become an exceptional president has become the glaring exception to that unwritten, patriotic rule.
Four days before President Obama’s inauguration, before he officially took charge of the American government, Rush Limbaugh boasted publicly that he hoped the president would fail. Of course, when the president fails the country flounders. Wishing harm upon your country in order to further your own narrow political views is selfish, sinister and a tad treasonous as well.
Subsequently, during his State of the Union address, which is pretty much a pep rally for America, an unknown congressional representative from South Carolina, later identified as Joe Wilson, stopped the show when he called the President of the United States a liar. The president showed great restraint in ignoring this unprecedented insult and carried on with his speech. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was so stunned by the slur, she forgot to jump to her feet while clapping wildly, 30 or 40 times after that.
Last spring, President Obama took his wife Michelle to see a play in New York City and republicans attacked him over the cost of security for the excursion. The president can’t take his wife out to dinner and a show without being scrutinized by the political opposition? As history has proven, a president in a theatre without adequate security is a tragically bad idea...(Read rest on line http://www.ellicottvillenews.com/index.php/2010/06/3808/)
From Kathy in KCMO:
This is an article I sent to Marisa to read when we were feeling crappy about the outcome of the election. It made me feel better. He articulated what I was thinking. Maybe it will make you feel better too.
Read this article from one of the writers at Daily Kos. It is a good summary and makes me feel better. He said what I was thinking. I especially like the last paragraphs about the tea partiers shitting their costume pantaloons! Good stuff. I feel better today!
Cheers and Jeers: Wednesday
The Morning After
First and foremost, we must congratulate some of the Democratic winners, names both old and new: Patrick Leahy and Chris Coons. Chuck Schumer and Dick Blumenthal. Kirsten Gillibrand and Barbara Mikulski. Jim Gray, the new and openly-gay mayor of Lexington Kentucky, Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire, the gay-marriage-into-law-signer who won reelection, and good ol' Barney Frank. Andrew Cuomo defeated the porn-forwarding homophobe with anger issues (I forget his name already) in New York's governor race, and Deval Patrick coasted to his guv win in Massachusetts. I love seeing Lincoln Chafee back in the political saddle as the governor of Rhode Island, and John Hickenlooper in the Colorado statehouse. Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer--woo hoo! And Maine's two Democratic congressmembers, Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud went through their challengers like a spoon through a jar of delicious Maine blueberry jam, now on sale at fine supermarkets across America. (Buy some today!)
The Republican Nazi re-enactor in Ohio is crying in his strudel this morning after he literally met his political "D"-Day. (Und vee say Heil! [Thpptt!] Heil! [Thpptt!] Right in Herr Iott's face!) And there will be no stationery printed with the words: "From the Desk of Senator Sharron Angle" on it.
Plus---minor little thing here---we still hold the Senate, which is where destructive Republican bills from the House will go to die. (But, damn, losing Feingold is just crazy.)
And now we'll overturn the stone to see what's underneath and...oh god, that's ugly. The good news is, we didn’t lose 435 seats last night. The bad news is, we seem to have lost 434.
Let's keep this in perspective. This is not a seismic shift to the Republican agenda. This was a protest vote---a message to Democrats that said, "We don’t think you delivered our ponies fast enough, so we're going to make you feel our pain the only way we know how: by reminding you that there's another team out there."
But this does not mean Americans are in love with Republicans, or even that they like them...they don't. Democrats are still more popular than Republicans. Democratic policies are still more popular than Republican policies when we explain them...it's just that the average American doesn’t have the time or inclination to be explained to. So on we search for ways to slap our brand on a bumper sticker. ("We're less worse than Republicans" didn’t cut it this time.)And a special message for the "loose confederation" of "non-affiliated" tea party types:
When you see Republican leaders in the House fucking up and doing the very things you crapped your costume pantaloons over---and they will---you must stay true to your "party-neutral" mission and declare war on them the same way you declared war on those nasty Democrats. Because don't forget: by your own admission you're not Republican...or Democrat...or anything "organized." You say so yourself every five minutes. So when Republicans start pumping out juicy slabs of pork to their districts willy nilly, and add to the deficit, and raise the debt ceiling, and ignore your agenda and, yes, when THEY START TREADING ON YOU...you must hold rallies against them and call them what you called Democrats: tyrants and traitors and Hitlers and Maos and Stalins who want to drop-kick your grandma onto an ice floe (if you can find one these days).And if you don't judge the New Improved House by the same standards you judged the Old Tyrannical House, then you wallowers-in-hypocrisy will have two options: either drop the charade and start calling yourselves plain old (and getting older by the day) lockstep Republicans again...or shut the hell up.
As for you, John Boehner: jobs jobs jobs jobs jobs. If you and your corporate buddies don’t produce jobs jobs jobs jobs jobs by 2012, it's gonna be one helluva short honeymoon. And we'll remember that you told your right-wing fringe last night that "I'll never let you down."As Lawrence O'Donnell responded, in the understatement of the evening: "Oh...yes...you...will."
This is not an easy note for me to write. I have been all over the place with my thoughts on what we should have done differently and where we went wrong in this election. I started reading many of the things you and others wrote about the loss of the House and the mood of the country. I came across this quote from Mort Sahl that I liked a lot , "Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen". What more can I say? My heart hurts and my mind is racing about how to fix what went wrong. The GOP/Tea Party not only hijacked the language they stole our spirit and drive and all the independents and young people who believed in our agenda from 08. Karl Rove did it again and we let him by not getting our message out and telling people what we had accomplished in the last two years. We should have been shouting about our preventing a global economic collapse and successfully restructuring two auto companies. Why weren't we talking about our President who raised fuel -efficiency standards, negotiated a nuclear arms treaty with Russia,inspired education reforms and reformed health care. Where were the ads that described these incredible accomplishments and made them clear to the public over and over again. Why didn't we see auto workers stand up and say, "Obama saved my job", one after another. Why weren't we shown that this is the America we are proud of and this is the Presidnet who is working to keep jobs for all of us here at home!
My CA sister Peggy called a few days ago to say she hated Obama's talk at the press conference. I was taken aback and then she explained. " He should have said this was a disappointing election because we were in the midst of accomplishing change and weren't given cooperation or time to finish, education reform,energy cap and trade, health care tweaking, controls on big banks spending and lending, but we were able to make huge inroads. I am disappointed that the GOP chose to say no to all initiatives and to put roadblocks up for all the changes from W's failed policies". I am paraphrasing but she was right. He let them make us look like we hadn't accomplished much when he has passed more legislation than anyone since FDR! Now what is wrong with this picture and how do we change it for 2012? The picture on the front page of the NY Times of Barack Obama, the cool collected President ,grimacing was so uncomfortable and sad to me. This is the man who grabbed a brief window of opportunity and passed a major health care bill. He knew in the long run it was good for the country and that it could be made better by tweaking and revising it. How desperately sad that so many conscientious caring Congresspeople who voted for Obama's bill paid the price for placing the good of the nation over the good of the party.
Several Tea Party people who were know nothing candidates with no experience and had never met payroll were swept in on the ignorance that seemed to prevail among voters. All they needed was lots of money and theatrics from Fox news "reporters" who have a disturbing inadequacy of the basic facts of American history and political development. The Tea Party's simplistic appeals to an imaginary past that has little or no relevance to the present seemed to make sense to the uneducated voter. It is also true that Republicans always follow the party line in lock step fashion. The demand for immediate gratification in the world we live in is scary and they ran with this and fears of the unknown future. It is much easier to call for change than look at what has been accomplished by a President given only two years to fix eight years of W's over spending(where were these people when he took us from a surplus to negative trillions).We saw Liberals disheartened as well as Independents and the moderate arm of the GOP. It was if Americans wanted to go backwards to "Mad Men" times. It is like they are thinking about Leave It To Beaver and that his was a real life and one to aspire to. Rove has set the agenda again and we have to regroup and be ready for him in 2012!
People want Obama to stop being the community organizer and start fighting back and getting our message out. It is true that he has reached across the aisle to seek to placate the right by sacrificing demands of the left electorate. However, it seems to me that it was worth his efforts when he won the few votes needed for the stimulus and health care bills. Time and time again of late he has been rebuffed by the party of NO! Now we need to tell the public every time we do something, pass legislation and if not passed ,why and what the loss means to people. We have to clearly define how bills will influence your life and make them better in specific terms. It seems those middle class voters in Ohio didn't think about the tax deductions put in place by the Obama administration and were more concerned that he hadn't proven he was an American Citizen. Why not put this to rest once and for all? Lets pay for ads to toot our own horn and stop the lies!!! My friend Sharon in MO feels that people are voting to be a part of the American dream, even those middle class workers that may never accomplish it. They still have hope that it will come to them if only they can pull themselves up by their boot straps. This may be why they don't feel badly that there is such a differential between rich and poor since one day that dream could be theirs! We haven't sold anything to middle America, and the GOP/Tea Party people are dangling a carrot; if you stick with them it is way to American dream and they bought it hook line and sinker bought it! Hatred brings more hatred and we should think of Alice( *** see CA Randy's youtube,oldest Holocaust survivor ) when we get down and out ! Alice has embraced a powerful wisdom: Suffering does not rob life of meaning. It can make life all the more beautiful and all the more rich. Maybe, before I complain about the injustices of the universe(or this election) I should remember others have it much worse. I should embrace the pain and let it teach me and make us all stronger and wiser!!!!
In closing I want to point out a little know fact I learned from the NY Times this week. John Adams,200 years ago, predicted the rise of the Tea Party!!! " We may please ourselves with the prospect of free and popular governments. But there is great danger that those governments will mot make us happy. G-d grant they may. But I fear that in every assembly,members will obtain an influence by noise not sense. By meanness, not greatness. By ignorance, not learning. By contracted hearts, not large souls"...(Letter dated April 22,1776, while serving in first Continental Congress). Now why the hell don't we use this as an ad?
Love,Sunny
A Mama 4 Obama
Please join me at both of these sites where you can make statements and they will reach many more people than in the past. In order to get to the blog please go to http://progressivegovernment.blogspot.com/ and read my updates and make comments
You can also find me on Facebook at "The Sunny Side - Political news for the Friends of Progressive Government" at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Sunny-Side-Political-news-for-the-Friends-of-Progressive-Government/141511589209655.
(Before the election results)
From Jude Upper bucks county PA Organizer:
Hey Sunny--
Tell everybody to keep their heads up, don't get discouraged. The ground game here in PA is kicking butt. In Bucks County alone this weekend we knocked over 100,000 doors and made over 25000 calls to get out the vote.
From Nita in DC/White Plains:
Yes we can! Thank youxxx
From Susan in Rye:
Great sentiments in your blog today! We all need to think positive now.
From Hank in NYC:
This will be in the Times tomorrow – They are giving me a pass on the usual 60-day rule before another letter runs. “Special dispensation for Election Day!”
To the Editor:
“With Time Short, Parties Advance Last Argument” (front page, Nov. 1):
The Republicans will almost surely regain control of the House and make serious inroads in the Senate on Election Day, but when they wake up bleary-eyed on Wednesday morning they will be faced with the same impossible choices that President Obama and the Democrats have been trying to deal with for almost two years now — a high unemployment rate, an unwinnable war in Afghanistan, an education system crumbling as fast as the antiquated buildings our children attend school in and deficits of monumental proportions.
I’ve listened carefully to G.O.P. and Tea Party candidates tell the public what they will do if elected — cut taxes, reduce the deficit and cut spending — but little is said about how they will accomplish this.
It will be very interesting to see Representative John A. Boehner wield the gavel as speaker of the House, and Mitch McConnell pursue his “single most important thing” for the next two years: making Barack Obama a one-term president.
The real losers, no matter the outcome of the midterm elections, will be the American people.
From Fritzie in NYC:
Thanks Sunny! Absolutely I'll be voting! I've been nagging everyone, and even give staff time off to
go vote.
**********From Randy in CA: About Alice I referred to in above note!
I guess some people have hope regardless of what the situation is ... maybe we should all think positively despite the cruel outcome of this past week's election.
Please view and share this wonderful video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlccsLr48Mw
#2
#2(before election results)
I thought this week's Week in Review was one of the best ever! I read
the entire section and each article seemed better than the next. I
too was very impressed with Kristof's opinion.(see Judy's below)
***From Judy in Mamaroneck:
Click here: Give Obama a Break - NYTimes.com
After the Election Results:
From our Lilly Ledbetter in Alabama:
I am sooooo disappointed in the election results from Nov 2--2010!! I am ready to
get to work for 2012!!!!!!!!!! Hope you are well!!
#2
Wanted to share this with you---------------Lilly
Official Business of the Missouri Federation of Women's Democratic Clubs
To: All MFWDC members and Democratic Friends/Allies
(please pass this on to your local clubs, central committees, and candidates/officials)
Tonight, we saw something that many of us have never seen in our lifetimes. This overwhelming sweep of Republican takeover should be a wake up call for us to consider how we shall proceed to make things different in the next election. As president of the MFWDC, I know you all worked very hard to try to get our Democrats elected or reelected, and I want to thank you for all you contributed to this election. I know you gave 110%. I know you believed in our candidates. Well, frankly I am more determined than ever that we shall overcome this great defeat...our Public Education system depends on us, our community service workers depend on us, and even the little innocent puppies who are so abused, are dependent on us to get out the vote and make a difference in the next election.
It is important to for us to know that, although some fights were lost, we still held our ground. I know Missouri took a beating, from county to state to federal elections. But we are, after all, Democrats, who believe in the rights of the ones without a voice, who care about children and whether they get a quality education, and who continue to have the ethical senses that make us get up out of bed every day and go to work so we can feed our families. We must work together these next two years so that we can not only hold our ground, but that we gain back that which we have lost, so we can continue the great fight for what is good, honest, fair, and just for ALL people in this country, not just corporate interests and the rich.
So, my fellow Democrats, do not be in dismay. All is not lost. It is our responsibility to learn from this experience and to look deep within ourselves and to find the strength and the fortitude to plan our next steps, knowing full well in our hearts, that this is just the beginning of something better....because we CAN and WILL make it better. This is our opportunity!
Thank you to all our Democratic friends and volunteers who worked their tails off this election. Thanks to all of our candidates who ran great races and fought for what is good and just. And congratulations to those who won! I am committed to working with all of you over the next two years to do whatever it takes to put Democrats in office and continue to ensure that our government is truly working for the people.
May God richly bless us and be with us as we move through this time of mourning to the day we find peace amidst this small, two year glitch in the political landscape; remember we shall overcome. Let us make our pledge to one another this day to do every thing we can to get Democrats elected two years from now.
With warmest regards,
Charli Seitz, M.A. Ed.
MFWDC President
Kansas City, MO
#3
Election Results from CAWP: Republican Women Follow Winning Trend
Election results compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) for U.S. Senate and House and governors show that Republican women matched winning patterns of Republicans overall, and some notable firsts were achieved. Republican women's gains in the U.S. House were offset by Democratic women's losses; depending on races not yet decided, the number of women in the House could drop or remain level.
Read the complete press release here.
Headlines and anecdotes never tell the whole story!
That's why you turn to CAWP's Election Watch. Your gift of $25 or more will help CAWP collect and share accurate data on women candidates, officeholders and voters.
From Robin New Salem:
Hope you are feeling better!!! We missed you last night. Yippee for Kirsten, Chuck and Andrew. Sad re: John. How did Robin Carnahan do? I have many morning after thoughts to share but my biggest is the lesson learned after 08. There was so much grassroots energy and we let it slip away. When we needed it - it wasn't there. We have to stay united and keep going. 2012 will be here in a heartbeat and I already heard on the news last night that in addition for going after Barack they won't make this mistake again of putting up a bogus candidate to challenge Kirsten. I have been so bummed about what has happened to WLF - we've got to keep the fire going!!! Speak soon - feel better.
From Ohio Joe:
Better days are ahead……America is STUPID and you can’t fix STUPID. This too will pass !!!
PS once again Ohio goes from bad to WORSE!!!
#2
Val is correct, I am afraid the DEMS have been beat down with the economy, jobs that many have given up. I watched Mitch McConnell a few minutes and I made me sick…..he is scary at best – he was so full of aggression and hate…….beating Barack down verbally, how does this create growth…….SICK
The energy wasn’t there……I know there are far more DEMS in numbers than GOP, but due to the population that comprises the DEMS party, many do not find it important to vote until the presidential elections. I do not want to sound dramatic or “gay” but I am physically sick from this…….I thought Ohio was going to see light at the end of the tunnel…….LOL…….not Ohio.
It really makes me think “Does Hillary need to be the running mate in 2012 with Barack so we have a win” from Ohio it may make sense for this type of population. If I hear Tea Party again……….Tea Party = STUPID…….and STUPID voted in 2010, hence our results.
From Randy in Berkeley:
60 seats lost to the Republicans let alone some of the Senate seats
like Illinois! It is deplorable what happened yesterday. I hate to
say this but I hope the economy prevails and jobs aren't restored so
the Dems can gain back some of what was lost last night.
Wait till this idiots who voted for these idiots realize what is
happening. In watching CNN which has fabulous visuals, the entire
country is red except for a few areas so small one would almost need a
magnifying glass!
What is going to happen to this country? Soon, if things don't
change, this country will be intolerble.
From Carla NYC:
Do you have any encouraging words? This country seems to be influenced by the gun toting, religious, narrow minded majority, and New Yorkers seem to come from a different planet than the rest of the country. How sad!
From Val in Ohio:
I did some phone banking Monday night and got more callers threatening me with a vote for the opposition if they got one more call. There were too many calls and not enough 1-1 contact where you can actually make your case. OFA has to go if it's the same team they sent for this election. There was a big blow up between the OFA folks and the party folks on election day. I left the headquarters because the atmosphere was toxic. That's pretty much how it has been during this election cycle. The Dems did take Montgomery County in '08. That didn't happen this election. Time to regroup and come out fighting for 2012.
Heard from my sister that Mass. stayed blue. That brightened my day. Very unhappy about Sestak and Strickland.
From Kathy in MO:
You are echoing my sentiments exactly. We let the repubs get control of the message with their lies. They repeated them enough that they became the truth in people's minds. I think Obama didn't think it was necessary to toot his own horn because they were quietly going about the people's business and were so busy trying to solve dire problems. That is the high road. We can't go that route any more because the repubs always take the low road!
This is how bad it was in this bizarro world. Roy Blunt who is on tape saying Medicare should never have been started and that he intended to privatize Social Security, ran ads along with Karl Rove and the Chamber saying flat out that Robin Carnahan was cutting billions from Medicare. He has a record on Medicare and she does not, yet with their lies, they convinced senior citizens that she was taking their Medicare away! I had more elderly people tell me that in the last few weeks that they wanted to support Robin until they heard what she was going to do to Medicare.
You are right, we have to get the message out and it needs to be short and sweet. We have to control the message for the next two years. Once you let them get control and the lies are out, you cannot get them back.
#2
I think everyone is on the same page that we let the repub's multimillion dollar noise machine drown us out, distort facts, and get their lies entrenched well before the election so there was no reversing it. I think you are right we have to engage people for the next two years with ads, editorials, face to face, whatever to confront them with the facts. It is too late during the election season because there are zillions of ads and everyone starts tuning them out.
One of my lovely volunteers was brainstorming with me during the GOTV weekend. We were lamenting about the ignorant electorate and how they vote against their own best interests. We were concentrating on first time and sporadic voters and undecideds...probably low information folks. She asked why we don't try to keep in touch with them over the next two years instead of inundating them right before the election. Her suggestion was to give each activist several names of these kinds of voters and just touch base with them every few months to see what their concerns are. Not to preach to them but to ask them what their needs and worries are. Then as they air their concerns, we can give them the facts about what Obama has done or what the obstructionist Republicans are blocking. For example, if they say they are worried about loans, I can personally atest to the fact that the rethugs blocked for nearly a year legislation that would have enabled my family to get an SBA loan we desperately need. It is legislation that they helped write and voted against because they thought Obama wanted it.
I think this idea has merit, but I don't know how it would be coordinated. You wouldn't want to drive them crazy like we do in a campaign, but more just stay in touch to keep a dialog going.
I am glad people are engaged and ready to mobilize to go forward. I am determined but right now, I am just tired.
I am just sick, but I am in for 2012!
From Hank in NYC:
“Take The Gloves Off Mr. President” – November 5, 2010
The Republicans were swept into power in the House based upon their promises to reduce the debt, cut the deficit, and slash spending. The only quasi-concrete plans these Republicans have put forward are to extend or make permanent all the Bush era tax cuts, and to cut billions from “discretionary” spending. Extending all the Bush tax cuts would not only fail to reduce the deficit, but would do exactly the opposite. At a time when the middle class is struggling to keep its head above water, small businesses cannot get credit to expand and hire, and more Americans are slipping into poverty than ever before, it would be unconscionable to add even a single dollar to the deficit. Now let’s look at “discretionary” spending. What that term really means is all spending that does not involve defense or entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security which account for about 75-80% of all spending in this country. Slashing $100 billion per year as Eric Cantor has claimed will be all but impossible, especially in a Congress that still is driven by creating earmarks for pet projects in their home districts.
It is time for President Obama to return to being the man I campaigned and voted for. The reason Democrats took such a “shellacking” last Tuesday is mainly because Mr. Obama has allowed himself to become walled into the protective fortress we call the White House, and has surrounded himself with people who keep him from using his greatest strength: connecting directly with the people. I urge the President to take immediate and direct action in the following three areas: End the war in Afghanistan and begin bringing the troops home this Christmas. We are spending $2 billion dollars a month, not to mention the lives and limbs of our bravest young men and women, to support a corrupt government, a country that is no closer to being able to defend itself from the Taliban and Al Qaeda than it was nine years ago, and whose only economic infrastructure is the opium trade. The money saved could be used to pay for health care reform and the development of alternative sources of clean energy, as well as enhanced benefits for all our soldiers who have fought so bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan. Second, Mr. Obama needs to come out and say without equivocation, that he will veto any and all legislation that would extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, or reduce and/or attempt to repeal his signature health care reform act. Last, the President needs to rally his party in the Congress, and prepare them for what will surely be an all-out effort by the Republicans to reduce his presidency to an afterthought. Mr. Obama and the Democrats extended the olive branch to the opposition while they controlled both houses of Congress, only to have it thrown back in their faces. If it means becoming the “party of no” in the House, and using the filibuster again and again in the Senate, so be it.
Bi-partisanship is dead in Washington, and it is past time for Obama to realize it. I know that this President can be as tough as nails when he wants to be, but fear that he has been counseled far too often to keep trying to work with the opposition. Mitch McConnell’s now oft repeated single most important challenge for the next two years, to see that Obama is only a one-term President, and Mr. Boehner’s insistence on repeal of the health care reform act, should be all Mr. Obama needs to circle the wagons and prepare for the fight of his life, and the future of our country.
From Barbara in KS:
Subject: FW: Word trivia for word lovers
Did you know that the words "race car" spelled backwards still spells "race car"?
Did you know that "eat" is the only word that, if you take the 1st letter and move it to the last, spells its past tense, "ate"?
And if you rearrange the letters in "so-called tea party Republicans," and add just a few more letters, it spells: "Shut up you freeloading, progress-blocking, benefit grabbing, resource-sucking, violent, hypocritical jerks, and face the fact that you nearly wrecked the country under Bush."
Wow! How weird is that?
From Susan in Rye:
I know we're all pretty down about the Hall election and so many others, but we are forging ahead. I will probably be at Sunny's house for lunch next Friday and look forward to meeting you. Do you want to be put on the Westchester for Change elist? We also are on www.meetup.com/westchester-for-change and facebook. We are having a great event on Nov. 16th called "Better Food for Us All" and one of the panelists is woman who runs NY Coalition for Healthy School Food, Amie Hamlin.
Learn about:
The politics behind our food supply:
How current food policies affect our health
Effective grassroots efforts to improve access at all income levels to fresh, healthy, local food
Date: Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
Time: 7:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Place: James Harmon Community Center
44 Main St, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
Featured Panelists:
Amie Hamlin, Executive Director of NY Coalition for Healthy School Food
Mark Dunlea, Associate Director of Hunger Action Network
Elisa Zazzera, Sustainable Hastings
Contacts: Joyce Tichy: joyce.tichy@gmail.com (914) 953-5807
From Andy T DNC/NY:
This is a tough and sometimes disheartening business. What does it say about the electorate, and the process, that in one state (Florida) all 17 major newspapers, from the most liberal to the most conservative, could have endorsed the Democrat -- unanimously -- and yet, so very narrowly, the voters made a different choice?
I feel terrible for our country that we’ve again lurched in the wrong direction, as we did so dramatically in 2000. But I don’t feel bad for trying.
And I feel ENORMOUSLY grateful for the help you gave.
At least on the human-scale, transparent political money, subject to legal limits, the “enthusiasm gap” went all our way. With your help, the DNC far outraised the RNC, and nearly doubled our 2006 midterm fundraising results. As a result, OFA was funded to make tens of millions of personal phone calls and door knocks to get out the vote, which did do the trick for us in a number of key races. Hats off to Colorado’s Senator Michael Bennet, for example, and to its great new governor, John Hickenlooper. Hats off to California. Hats off to New York. And more.
As bad as it was, it would have been a lot worse without your help.
There is so much to say, but I want to leave it at this: onward and upward . . . and THANK you.
From Fran in Larchmont:
Dear Pro-Choice Friends in Larchmont and Mamaroneck!
In "Women: The New Green Leaders" Vicky Markham, Director of the Center for Environment and Population, propounds that the issues of women's empowerment and environmental preservation are so irrevocably linked that 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner Wangari Maathai is now only one of a burgeoning phalanx of forward-thinking women worldwide building coalitions to save the Earth.
Future Choices is brought to your home either on Channel 75 (Cablevision) or Channel 36 (Verizon). The show airs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm with repeats 3 am, 9 am, 3 pm and 9 pm the following day. See full schedule:http://www.lmc-tv.org/?q=node/52
N.B. Future Choices shows can usually be viewed anytime online as well — see hotlink at http://futurechoices.net/ .
From Judy in Mamaroneck:
This came from one of my Gilda's Singers.. but it is a nice glimpse into our new lieutenant-governor elect! He sounds like a real mensch!
won on Tuesday--having run with Cuomo on the Democratic ticket.
from an e-mail from Muriel....
...One more note--my next-door neighbor is lieutenant-governor elect!! Bill and I went to vote Tuesday morning and we were next in line behind Bob, his wife and younger daughter. The media were all there--it was a zoo. Bob was happy to see us, shook Bill's hand and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I hoped that would not be considered electioneering!! I think New York State is lucky to have him in office. He is truly interested in others and making the world a better place. When Bill was sick last winter, Bob cleaned our walk and even shoveled off our front steps. On a day with really bad roads he drove me to the hospital to bring Bill home, had us stay in his warm car in his driveway while he cleaned off our walk, got Bill into the house, then went to CVS and had a prescription filled for Bill. Someone with a lot of ego does not do things like that. His wife was interviewed by the local tv station and said they intend to keep their house in Rochester. So, he will be here at least some of the time. (We will have to clear the snow from our walks ourselves, however!)
From John in CT:
Maybe we should send this to Supreme Court idiots who equate free
speech with money and have put the last nail in the coffin.
Honey, I tell you, you can never go wrong underestimating the American
people. I hope you are not beating yourself up over the election.
You do more than your fair share. The American people deserve the
government they get because they are too stupid and too lazy to get
off their asses and vote.
George Carlin on "The American Dream"
Perfect for today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acLW1vFO-2Q
...More Americans care about Jersey Shore, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, etc. It is UNCOOL in American to pay any attention to politics or history or our socio-political climate. Just buy a cell phone that you can barely afford to pay the bill on, and get an iPod with more gigs, and EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE.......
From Peggy in CA:
This is fabulous!!!
"Dear Red States..." A Letter From The Blue!
Dear Red States...
We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and
we're taking the other Blue States with us.
In case you aren't aware, that includes Hawaii, Oregon,Washington,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and all the Northeast. We
believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially
to the people of the new country of New California.
To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states.
We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get Elliot
Spitzer. You get Ken Lay.
We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss.
We get 85 percent of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You
get Alabama.
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states
pay their fair share.
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the
Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a
bunch of single moms.
Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and
anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at
once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have
kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no
purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their
children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and
hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our
resources in Bush's Quagmire.
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80 percent
of the country's fresh water, more than 90 percent of the pineapple
and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation's fresh fruit, 95 percent of
America's quality wines (you can serve French wines at state dinners)
90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most
of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and
condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale,
Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.
With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88
percent of all obese Americans (and their projected health care
costs), 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the
tornadoes, 90 percent of the hurricanes, 99 percent of all Southern
Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh,
Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.
Additionally, 38 percent of those in the Red states believe Jonah was
actually swallowed by a whale, 62 percent believe life is sacred
unless we're discussing the death penalty or gun laws, 44 percent say
that evolution is only a theory, 53 percent that Saddam was involved
in 9/11 and 61 percent of you crazy b*****ds believe you are people
with higher morals then we lefties.
By the way, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt
weed they grow in Mexico.
Peace out,
Blue States
From Val in Ohio:
http://www.ellicottvillenews.com/index.php/2010/06/3808/
There was a time not so long ago when Americans, regardless of their political stripes, rallied round their president. Once elected, the man who won the White House was no longer viewed as a Republican or Democrat, but the President of the United States. The oath of office was taken, the wagons were circled around the country’s borders and it was America versus the rest of the world with the president of all the people at the helm. Suddenly President Barack Obama, with the potential to become an exceptional president has become the glaring exception to that unwritten, patriotic rule.
Four days before President Obama’s inauguration, before he officially took charge of the American government, Rush Limbaugh boasted publicly that he hoped the president would fail. Of course, when the president fails the country flounders. Wishing harm upon your country in order to further your own narrow political views is selfish, sinister and a tad treasonous as well.
Subsequently, during his State of the Union address, which is pretty much a pep rally for America, an unknown congressional representative from South Carolina, later identified as Joe Wilson, stopped the show when he called the President of the United States a liar. The president showed great restraint in ignoring this unprecedented insult and carried on with his speech. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was so stunned by the slur, she forgot to jump to her feet while clapping wildly, 30 or 40 times after that.
Last spring, President Obama took his wife Michelle to see a play in New York City and republicans attacked him over the cost of security for the excursion. The president can’t take his wife out to dinner and a show without being scrutinized by the political opposition? As history has proven, a president in a theatre without adequate security is a tragically bad idea...(Read rest on line http://www.ellicottvillenews.com/index.php/2010/06/3808/)
From Kathy in KCMO:
This is an article I sent to Marisa to read when we were feeling crappy about the outcome of the election. It made me feel better. He articulated what I was thinking. Maybe it will make you feel better too.
Read this article from one of the writers at Daily Kos. It is a good summary and makes me feel better. He said what I was thinking. I especially like the last paragraphs about the tea partiers shitting their costume pantaloons! Good stuff. I feel better today!
Cheers and Jeers: Wednesday
The Morning After
First and foremost, we must congratulate some of the Democratic winners, names both old and new: Patrick Leahy and Chris Coons. Chuck Schumer and Dick Blumenthal. Kirsten Gillibrand and Barbara Mikulski. Jim Gray, the new and openly-gay mayor of Lexington Kentucky, Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire, the gay-marriage-into-law-signer who won reelection, and good ol' Barney Frank. Andrew Cuomo defeated the porn-forwarding homophobe with anger issues (I forget his name already) in New York's governor race, and Deval Patrick coasted to his guv win in Massachusetts. I love seeing Lincoln Chafee back in the political saddle as the governor of Rhode Island, and John Hickenlooper in the Colorado statehouse. Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer--woo hoo! And Maine's two Democratic congressmembers, Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud went through their challengers like a spoon through a jar of delicious Maine blueberry jam, now on sale at fine supermarkets across America. (Buy some today!)
The Republican Nazi re-enactor in Ohio is crying in his strudel this morning after he literally met his political "D"-Day. (Und vee say Heil! [Thpptt!] Heil! [Thpptt!] Right in Herr Iott's face!) And there will be no stationery printed with the words: "From the Desk of Senator Sharron Angle" on it.
Plus---minor little thing here---we still hold the Senate, which is where destructive Republican bills from the House will go to die. (But, damn, losing Feingold is just crazy.)
And now we'll overturn the stone to see what's underneath and...oh god, that's ugly. The good news is, we didn’t lose 435 seats last night. The bad news is, we seem to have lost 434.
Let's keep this in perspective. This is not a seismic shift to the Republican agenda. This was a protest vote---a message to Democrats that said, "We don’t think you delivered our ponies fast enough, so we're going to make you feel our pain the only way we know how: by reminding you that there's another team out there."
But this does not mean Americans are in love with Republicans, or even that they like them...they don't. Democrats are still more popular than Republicans. Democratic policies are still more popular than Republican policies when we explain them...it's just that the average American doesn’t have the time or inclination to be explained to. So on we search for ways to slap our brand on a bumper sticker. ("We're less worse than Republicans" didn’t cut it this time.)And a special message for the "loose confederation" of "non-affiliated" tea party types:
When you see Republican leaders in the House fucking up and doing the very things you crapped your costume pantaloons over---and they will---you must stay true to your "party-neutral" mission and declare war on them the same way you declared war on those nasty Democrats. Because don't forget: by your own admission you're not Republican...or Democrat...or anything "organized." You say so yourself every five minutes. So when Republicans start pumping out juicy slabs of pork to their districts willy nilly, and add to the deficit, and raise the debt ceiling, and ignore your agenda and, yes, when THEY START TREADING ON YOU...you must hold rallies against them and call them what you called Democrats: tyrants and traitors and Hitlers and Maos and Stalins who want to drop-kick your grandma onto an ice floe (if you can find one these days).And if you don't judge the New Improved House by the same standards you judged the Old Tyrannical House, then you wallowers-in-hypocrisy will have two options: either drop the charade and start calling yourselves plain old (and getting older by the day) lockstep Republicans again...or shut the hell up.
As for you, John Boehner: jobs jobs jobs jobs jobs. If you and your corporate buddies don’t produce jobs jobs jobs jobs jobs by 2012, it's gonna be one helluva short honeymoon. And we'll remember that you told your right-wing fringe last night that "I'll never let you down."As Lawrence O'Donnell responded, in the understatement of the evening: "Oh...yes...you...will."
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