UAPA Newsletter
Help us end farm animal abuse
Posted June 3rd, 2010 by sdybiec
June 11, 2010
The cruelty is shocking. Unspeakable. So brutal that it has sparked outrage, anger, and action worldwide.
Last week Mercy For Animals released heartbreaking footage of malicious and sadistic abuse to cows and calves at a Central Ohio dairy farm. Workers were captured on film violently stabbing cows with pitchforks, mercilessly beating them in the face with crowbars, and punching, kicking, and body-slamming baby calves.
The agriculture industry wants you to believe this is an isolated incident. But it's not.
On factory farms, animals regularly live out their short lives in confinement so extreme that they can't stand up, turn around, stretch their limbs, or lie down comfortably. It's an industry where abuse has become normal.
And Ohio is among the worst. Only four states in this country have weaker animal protection laws than Ohio.
You don't have to be an animal advocate, much less a vegetarian, to want to reform the way we raise our farm animals in Ohio. All it takes is a modicum of compassion and the acknowledgment that animals should not endure unnecessary trauma or abuse while in our care.
Take action now
 |
Here's what you can do:
- Sign the petition and join the more than 30,000 Change.org members who have already taken action to demand that those involved in the Conklin Dairy abuse case are brought to justice.
- Volunteer to gather signatures by attending a ballot signature gathering event. Deadline is June 30, 2010 to get 600,000 petition signatures to the Secretary of State.
- Donate to Ohioans for Humane Farms: your donation will help get the signatures needed for the ballot initiative
Stivers advocates for repeal of the 17th Amendment
Posted June 2nd, 2010 by sdybiecJune 3, 2010
Stivers advocates for repeal of the 17th Amendment
The Tea Party is on a quest to repeal the 17th Amendment, which provides for direct popular election of U.S. senators.
And the repeal has support from Republican candidate for the Ohio's 15th Congressional District, Steve Stivers.
Stivers said in a 9-12 Project questionnaire last year that he supported repealing the 17th Amendment. He reasserted that same position in a January 2010 interview with The Hill. And in a January news story, Stivers was receptive to the idea of repealing the amendment, calling it a states' rights issue.
Here is Stiver's unconditional answer in his response in the Tea Party questionnaire:
A May 31, 2010, NYTimes Op-Ed mentions Stivers' almost immediate flip-flop --- Stivers now claims he didn't really mean it when he called for an end to Senators elected directly by the people they represent.
Petition: Guns and alcohol don't mix
Imagine loaded guns in family restaurants and in crowded bars. Imagine loaded guns at a sold-out Ohio State football game or Cincinnati Reds baseball game.
Last week a bill allowing permit holders to carry concealed guns into bars, restaurants and sporting events that serve alcohol passed the Ohio Senate.
It's now in the hands of Ohio House members --- including our Representative in the 24th District, Ted Celeste --- to kill this bill.
Please sign our online petition so we can let Ted Celeste and the other members of the Ohio House know that you don't think guns and alcohol mix and that the Ohio House should bury Senate Bill 239.
The Ohio Restaurant Association opposes the measure, as does the state's Fraternal Order of Police.
And editorial staffs of the Columbus Dispatch, The Plain Dealer Editorial Board, and Toledo Blade all blasted the bill.
Fight inhumane treatment of farm animals
Volunteers and donors are needed to get an issue on the November ballot to set minimum standards for livestock care and food safety. Ohioans for Humane Farms needs your help to donate and/or gather the 600,000 signatures to put this initiative on the ballot.
Deadline is June 30, 2010 to get all the petition signatures to the Secretary of State. The group is about halfway to their goal of more than 600,000 signatures.
Attend a ballot signature gathering event or donate
Organizing for America Vote 2010 Kick-Off
11 a.m., Saturday, June 5
Columbus/Grandview Heights Coordinated Campaign Office
747 Chambers Rd
Columbus, OH, 43212
http://my.barackobama.com/KickOffEvents
Upper Arlington Progressive Action Newsletter
Posted May 9th, 2010 by gmcluckie
May 23, 2010
What's your opinion? Upper Arlington Progressive Action wants to know. We're asking our supporters to complete our latest survey. What do you think about the issues and what action is at the top of your priority list? Drop by the UAPA website and give us a piece of your mind. Drill, baby, drill: Throwing baby out with the oily water The Republican National Committee's Michael Steele first chanted, "Drill, baby, drill! And drill now!" at the RNC's convention in 2008. And Sarah Palin soon said, "... [W]ith new technology, with tiny footprints even on land, it is safe to drill and we need to do more of that." [Huffington Post, 4-29-10] We are learning how wrong they were. The baby who's being "drilled" is the ecosystem in the ocean and coast. UAPA supporter Carol Mohr in a letter to the Columbus Dispatch ("Safety device would have averted disaster," May 6, 2010) asked, "Concerning the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that will soon cover beaches and wetlands from Louisiana to Florida, why do we not have the same safety standards that Norway has?" Perhaps this comment from Lan Sluder, Asheville, NC, in the May 2 New York Times sums it up best: Don't be too mad at the Brits. Don't be too mad at lil' Bobby Jindal. Is it? As Bill Maher says, "Who ever supported off-shore drilling should volunteer to clean up the BP mess. We're sure Steele and Palin will be the first names on the signup sheet." Swaying voters: Letters to editors Speaking of comments, UAPA is already using our organizing powers to shape public opinion. It's never too soon to educate voters about progressive efforts. As mentioned above, Carol Mohr's letter to the editor about the oil spill off Florida was published in the Columbus Dispatch. And another UAPA member, John Lytle, had a letter in the UA News concerning the constitutionality of healthcare. It just so happens that Carol and John are co-chairs of the UAPA letter writers sub-committee. They are seeking like-minded progressives to join their letters-to-the-editors effort. Interested? Drop John and Carol an email. In the national spotlight: Mary Jo Kilroy As the election season proceeds, UAPA will offer ways for you to support Mary Jo. It's time to show the nation that Ohioans can reelect a courageous representative who is not afraid to fight for justice. To get involved, see Mary Jo Kilroy for Congress. Of interest: Ted Celeste campaign kickoff, Saturday, May 22 Grandview Heights Memorial Day parade, Saturday, May 29 Watch the UAPA website for additional campaign and informational events. 
Don't Be Too Mad
Don't be too mad at the Republicans.
When Rudy and Sarah and John and Newt
Shouted "drill, baby, drill"
We thought it was cute
‘Til it turned into spill, baby, spill
And flying the brown pelican't.
They didn't know it was rude
To fill the wine dark sea
With sticky odiferous crude.
And, no, it's not the fault of BP --
They claim it's just an old rig on the fritz.
Last year he told the Feds
To take their money and cram'it.
But this year he begs
For billions from DC, an' it
Ain't just another petrochemical swindle ...
All you have to do is google "Mary Jo Kilroy, news" to see how much interest her re-election campaign is generating nationwide. Her determination to improve our country by voting in favor of healthcare reform is admirable, but it also has made her a target, as the Wall Street Journal has noted. And MSNBC on May 3, 2010, included her in its 10 most vulnerable incumbents list.
A busy spring awaits!
Posted April 23rd, 2010 by gmcluckie
April 23, 2010
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over
The opposition to health care reform is organized and looking for support to repeal the bill. RevereAmerica is typical of the national scene. http://www.revereamerica.org/
The Central Ohio 9-12 group is turning out to be ground zero for the effort to amend the Ohio Constitution with the "Health Care Freedom Amendment, which aims to nullify the Obama-care mandate."
Its members have a goal of collecting 600,000 valid signatures statewide before June, which would allow the proposed amendment to be on the November 2010 ballot.
Could this kind of amendment bring more Republicans/Tea Partiers to the polls, like the gay marriage amendment in 2004?
Call for a Goldman Sachs investigation
Support Rep. Marcy Kaptur and others who are urging the Justice Department to launch a criminal investigation of Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions. Let’s see if they broke the law while they destroyed our economy.
Sign a Progressive Change Campaign Committee petition that will be delivered to the U.S. State Department.
Now is the moment to make clear: Nobody on Wall Street is "too big for jail."
ODP shares facts about John Kasich
Check out "The Truth About John Kasich" from the Ohio Democratic Party. The ODP gives voters the whole story about this man who would be our governor.
Islamic dimension of Afghan, Pakistan insurgencies
Marvin Weinbaum, Middle East Institute, Washington, D.C., will discuss "The Islamic Dimension on the Insurgencies in Afghanistan and Pakistan," noon, Thursday, April 29, at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, 1501 Neil Ave. RSVP by April 27: Beth Russell, russell.16@osu.edu. Read more >
Coming: UAPA survey
Watch for a survey of Upper Arlington Progressive Action supporters. You’ll soon have an opportunity to tell us what you think about a variety of issues.
Health Care Reform Celebration Rally
Posted March 29th, 2010 by sdybiecIt's time to celebrate the historic passage of health care reform!
Join us this Thursday, April 1, for a rally with two of our greatest champions of health care reform: Senator Sherrod Brown and Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy!
WHAT: Health Care Reform Celebration Rally
WHEN: Thursday, April 1 at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 189 - 1250 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH 43212
RSVP: Click here to let us know you're coming and to share your thoughts about health care reform
Looking forward to seeing you this Thursday!
Can't make it to the rally in Columbus?
You can still participate - share your thoughts with us about health care reform by clicking here.
Help Pass Health Care This Weekend!
Posted March 18th, 2010 by Pathadler
March 18, 2010
Will this be the week congressional Democrats reverse their fortunes?
"Will this week be the start of a political comeback for congressional Democrats?
Less than two weeks ago, the woes of the majority party evoked comparisons to the Republicans of 2006 . . . Republicans, you may recall, were voted out of power that fall.
But by Sunday, Democrats could not only have passed a health-care bill, but with it have pushed through the House of Representatives long-delayed legislation that would increase funding for Pell Grants, which help low-income students pay for college. They also could send to [the president] a $17 billion measure designed to create jobs.
The collection of measures could reverse poll numbers that have Congress at one of its lowest rates of public approval since 1994."
UAPA suggests you take a few minutes to read this encouraging article in the Washington Post, especially if you still have any doubts about supporting this legislation.
What can you do to help ensure passage of this most important piece of legislation this weekend?
1. Fax (202) 225-3529, phone (202) 225-2015 or email a letter of support to our U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy (15th District) to let her know you support her efforts to provide health-care for all Americans.
2. Contact the Blue Dog Coalition via email to encourage all of their members to support this legislation. The Blue Dog Coalition includes such Ohio members as Reps. Zach Space (18th District) and Charles Wilson (6th District).
3. Financially support our elected U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, and our Democratic candidate for Congress, 12th District, Paula Brooks, so they can build their coffers for the upcoming mid-term elections in November and successfully help maintain control of Congress.
What to do if you're not sure you support this health care reform legislation
1. Consider this: If Dennis Kucinich now can support health-care reform, so can you. Hear Rep. Kucinich's moving words as he announces his support.
2. Sometimes those of us who have health insurance and good doctors may not realize what conditions are like for those of us who don't. Award-winning Los Angeles Times photographer Katie Falkenberg, daughter of UAPA member Barb Falkenberg, went to two communities whose people are suffering because of the United States' antiquated, unfeeling, non-system of health care. In these videos, Katie shows patients who are mostly working poor, and many explain why they don't fill their prescriptions by saying, "My kids come first." You'll be convinced that health-care is should be affordable and available to all.
Appalachia and Beyond: Healthcare in America and Uninsured in the Mississippi Delta
Health Care Demonstration Gets Ugly in Columbus
Learn what occurred in Columbus on Tuesday, and read the rapid response from Rep. Kilroy
At a health-care rally outside of Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy's (OH-15) Columbus office on March 16, 2010, about a total of 250 people showed up. According to an attendee, roughly 150 were pro health-care reform, and the remaining 100 were Tea Baggers looking for confrontation. "They’re energized, emboldened, angry and in your face," says Melissa Hedden. "They believe that they are in the majority and have the momentum."
"They were very negative and engaged in name calling," she says, "and insult hurling (such as pay for your own insurance, get a job, freeloaders, communists, dumb, uninformed, stop drinking the Kool-Aid)." Another attendee characterized the anti-reform crowd as seeming a little “cult-like.”
The anti-reform group came bearing professional looking, pre-printed signs such as "Don't Tread on Me." A woman in the crowd was trying to have a conversation with one of the opponents to reform – sharing that she has MS and how health care reform would help her. His response to her was "I don’t give a damn. Your MS isn’t my problem. " Another example of this little regard for others is the video of the man with Parkinson's, something that Chris Mathews of Hardball calls "a sickening display." (see Columbus Dispatch link bleow.)
In short, it was an ugly scene.
And even though Rep. Kilroy represents a swing district, she has been steadfast in her support of reform. We owe her. She spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives this morning (March 18) in regard to the health care reform debate and the Columbus Dispatch video showing a protester in front of her Columbus office throwing what appeared to be money at a sitting man who said he had Parkinson’s disease. The video of Kilroy’s remarks begins at 10:22 on C-SPAN. The disturbing Columbus Dispatch video, something that Chris Mathews of Hardball calls "a sickening display" has been played widely on television.
Rep. Kilroy's comments on the floor:
“I believe that a great strength of our democracy is our first amendment. It allows for the robust exchange of ideas and opinions. I welcome that. I want to hear what my constituents are thinking, what concerns they have—concerns about how health care will work for them. I want to listen to them about their lack of health care and how that affects their lives or the high cost of health care and how they’re coping with that.
“I have held town halls, round tables, small groups—over twenty meetings in my district over health care. And this week demonstrations for and against health care reform were held in front of my district office.
“Unfortunately, some of those opposing health care reform went too far. Instead of making their arguments against the bill they engaged in abusive language directed at one of my constituents who suffers the terrible ravages of Parkinson’s disease. They treated him like a beggar. They threw dollar bills at him. They did not respect his humanity. They did not respect his right to give his opinion on the health care bill.
“This type of protest goes too far. It has crossed the line. The health care reform debate is about respecting each other’s rights as human beings and, when it comes to needed medical care respecting our rights as citizens to express our opinions.”
Upcoming Single Payer Action Network Meeting
Regardless of what kind of health care legislation passes, there are still many unresolved issues. The future of health benefits will be discussed at the next SPAN meeting.
Monday, March 22nd, 2010, 7:00 PM.
The speaker will be Rhonda Johnson, President, Columbus Education Association.
The meeting is open to all, and located at the Northwood Building, 2231 North High St. (at the corner of Northwood and High) in Room 100 on the first floor. There is visitor parking behind the building and you can take an elevator to first floor. Room 100 is in the front of the building across from the clinic entrance.
For more information, visit SPAN online.
Obama's Campaign Back In Full Swing
Posted March 12th, 2010 by sdybiec
If you backed him in 2008, he needs you now.
Remember: we are the ones we've been waiting for. The success of his presidency - and the possibility of any change - remains in your hands.
The final march for reform has begun, and your participation is crucial. Click below to take action:
Please commit to join with us to take reform across the finish line.
Urgent health care event in Columbus
Join us to fight back against the Tea Party movement!
The Tea Party is planning a lunch-hour protest against Congresswoman Kilroy, who has been fighting tirelessly for health care reform. Now is our time to fight back against the lies, smear, and fear being spread about health care reform.
Meet next to Cap City Diner. There is parking in the back. With both sides facing off, we can probably expect a crowd and news coverage.
I hope you can join us and other UAPA members. Click below to sign up:
Get more info and RSVP for the event
Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy's Office, 1299 Olentangy River Rd (Map)
Columbus, OH 43212
Tuesday, March 16th, 11:00 AM
Support for Obama and Democrats Slips Among 'Millennial' Generation
Posted March 2nd, 2010 by Pathadler
March 3, 2010
Support for Obama and Democrats Slips Among 'Millennial' Generation
One of the factors that fueled the resurgence of the Democrats in the 2006 midterms and particularly President Obama's 2008 campaign was the enthusiastic backing of the "Millennial" generation -- voters between 18 and 29 years old. But a Pew Research Center study says that the Democrats' advantage over Republicans with this group has dramatically shrunk from a 32-point margin in 2008 to 14 points.
These numbers include both those who identify with one of the two parties, and those who lean towards one or the other.
The figures come from an ongoing series of reports Pew is doing, based on data it and others collected from May 1990 to December 2009, comparing the Millennials to past generations, such as the Gen-Xers, Baby Boomers and Silent Generation (1928-1945). The reports cover not only political characteristics of the generations, but where they differ in religion, social mores, and use of media.
Clearly the support of Millennials is critical to winning the White House in 2012. It's important that we reach out to this demographic via social media and engaging programs to counteract the negative, inflammatory and very incorrect information being disseminated by the conservative right. The very future of these young voters depends on our actions.
Read the rest of the Politics Daily story here.
Kasich's miracle budget doesn't add up
By Gemma McLuckie
You'll be hearing a lot about Republican gubernatorial candidate John Kasich's call to eliminate Ohio's state government.
Upper Arlington Progressive Action thinks Kasich is a lot like the scientist featured in a Far Side cartoon a few years ago. He stands with a colleague, contemplating his blackboard, which he filled with mathematical formulas. He then points to his scribbles and explains, "A miracle happens here."
A vote for Kasich's cockeyed plan is a vote for "a miracle happens here." He says he has a formula, but refuses to share it
Upcoming Events
There are too many to list this issue! Please visit our website for the full listings.
Recommended Reading
"A Choir Boy Battles Wall Street: Richard Cordray may not look the part, but the Ohio attorney general has assumed the pit bull role once played by Eliot Spitzer and Rudy Giuliani".
Read the full story at BusinessWeek.com.
Funnies
Ciotola packs Library Board with his own recruits
Posted February 6th, 2010 by sdybiec
February 7, 2010
Ciotola packs Library Board with his own recruits
New mayor starts term with closed-door decision
 |
During his effort to censor gay periodicals in the Upper Arlington Public Library in 2005, then UA Council member Tim Rankin said,
"If we have to put people on this [Library] board who reflect the values of the community, we'll do that."
According to a story in the February 4th, 2010 edition of ThisWeek [PDF] [JPG], it would seem that UA's new mayor, Frank Ciotola, has made good on Rankin's threat.
Within a few days of being elected Council President, Ciotola made it one of his first acts to appoint three hand-picked recruits to the Library Board. All 3 appointees:
- delivered their applications directly to the current Council President, Frank Ciotola, not to the City Clerks Office (source: UA Clerk's Office)
- submitted applications a month and a half after the posted November 16, 2009 deadline
- completed their applications within 4 days of each other on Jan 6, 8 and 9th, 2010
Ciotola's appointees to the Library Board of Trustee had a fast track outside the normal process, which typically includes a review of applicants with other Council members.
The rest of the story is continued here, including
- Ciotola: "I wish the deadline had not been published"
- Democrats need not apply
- Who are the new appointees?
- The two Trustees who voted against censorship were passed over
2010: Fire in the belly
Now that the holidays are over and you are diligently working on losing weight, giving up cigarettes, or saving money, it is time to look forward.
Politically, 2010 is a big year. Local, state, and national elections will be fiercely fought. Every vote will count.
Upper Arlington Progressive Action expects to be in the midst of all this action, and we need you to be, too.
You may have had some disappointment during the first year of President Obama's tenure, but keep in mind the country's overall progress. As Slate analyst Jacob Weisberg tells us in "Obama's Brilliant First Year," Obama has "accomplished more than any first-year president since Franklin Roosevelt."
But he can't fulfill the rest of his campaign promises without our enthusiastic support this year --- and in 2012.
There is a new word going around the talk shows: intensity. Pundits are saying voters don't have the same enthusiasm this year. Let's prove them wrong. Add another new year's resolution to your list: I will be intense. Your goal will be to become an activist to further progressive goals at all levels.
We're organizing opportunities for you to help elect or re-elect good candidates, plus support legislation for progressive causes. We need all of you to help with events, communications, research and spirit!
Stay tuned for opportunities. And let us know what you are interested in.
We have a fire in our belly. Do you?
Obama and GOP in rare face-to-face encounter
Watch this genuine - and remarkable - conversation between Obama and Republicans at their retreat - transparently on CSPAN.
Obama is at best in this session. Andrew Sullivan says:
He is best at defusing conflict; he is superb at engaging civilly with his opponents. It's part of his legacy - I remember how many conservatives respected him at the Harvard Law Review. But he needs to do more of this, even though he may get nothing in return. Why? Because unless the tone changes, unless the pure obstructionism and left-right ding-dong cycle stops, we are on a fast track to catastrophe.
The Hardest Call
Posted December 19th, 2009 by sdybiec
December 19, 2009
Here are three opinion pieces from liberal and conservative voices: two in favor of the health care legislation and one against -- but barely against.
The moment Ted Kennedy would not want to lose
By Victoria Reggie Kennedy
 |
My late husband, Ted Kennedy, was passionate about health-care reform. It was the cause of his life. He believed that health care for all our citizens was a fundamental right, not a privilege, and that this year the stars -- and competing interests -- were finally aligned to allow our nation to move forward with fundamental reform. He believed that health-care reform was essential to the financial stability of our nation's working families and of our economy as a whole.
Read more here.
The Hardest Call
By David Brooks
The first reason to support the Senate health care bill is that it would provide insurance to 30 million more Americans.
The second reason to support the bill is that its authors took the deficit issue seriously. Compared with, say, the prescription drug benefit from a few years ago, this bill is a model of fiscal rectitude. It spends a lot of money to cover the uninsured, but to help pay for it, it also includes serious Medicare cuts and whopping tax increases — the tax on high-cost insurance plans alone will raise $1.3 trillion in the second decade.
Read more here.
Pass the Bill
By Paul Krugman
A message to progressives: By all means, hang Senator Joe Lieberman in effigy. Declare that you’re disappointed in and/or disgusted with President Obama. Demand a change in Senate rules that, combined with the Republican strategy of total obstructionism, are in the process of making America ungovernable.
But meanwhile, pass the health care bill.
Read more here.
In Defense of Our President
Posted December 2nd, 2009 by sdybiec
December 4, 2009
Obama's Brilliant First Year
By January, he will have accomplished more than any first-year president since Franklin Roosevelt.
Nov 28, 2009
"There's mounting evidence that the $787 billion economic stimulus he signed in February—combined with the bank bailout package—prevented an economic depression. Should the stimulus have been larger? Should it have been more weighted to short-term spending, as opposed to long-term tax cuts? Would a second round be a good idea? Pundits and policymakers will argue these questions for years to come. But few mainstream economists seriously dispute that Obama's decisive action prevented a much deeper downturn and restored economic growth in the third quarter. The New York Times recently quoted Mark Zandi, who was one of candidate John McCain's economic advisers, on this point: "The stimulus is doing what it was supposed to do—it is contributing to ending the recession," he said. "In my view, without the stimulus, G.D.P would still be negative and unemployment would be firmly over 11 percent.""
http://www.slate.com/id/2236708/
Obama Pushes Lobbyists Off Federal Advisory Boards
Hundreds, if not thousands, of lobbyists will be ejected from federal advisory panels as part of a little-noticed initiative by the Obama administration to curb K Street's influence in Washington.
November 29, 2009
The Washington Post reported that the move "may turn out to be the most far-reaching lobbying rule change so far from President Obama," resulting in "hundreds, if not thousands, of lobbyists" being ejected from federal advisory panels.
Not surprisingly, lobby groups, corporations, and other K Street influencers are up in arms.
"The reaction from the lobbying community has been swift and overwhelmingly negative."
But this week, congressional researchers concluded that the administration’s crackdown has “already changed the relationship between lobbyists and covered executive branch officials” and suggested that Congress might consider enacting similar restrictions on itself.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/26/AR2009112602362.html
and
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/opinion/04fri4.html
MIT Analysis Backs Obama
Nov 28, 2009
"The report concludes that under the Senate's health-reform bill, Americans buying individual coverage will pay less than they do for today's typical individual market coverage, and would be protected from high out-of-pocket costs."
23 Ph.D. economists sent a letter to Obama on Nov. 17 endorsing his approach to health-care reform. Read the economists’ four-page letter here.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29959.html
Download MIT Report:
Why Obama Supporters Ought to Count Their Blessings
Nov 24, 2009
"He has signed new laws on national service, equal pay, hate crimes, and many other overdue concerns; made real strides on energy; and launched a quiet revolution in education.
Not least, Obama's top legislative priority, health reform, is now almost close enough to smell the Rose Garden. After six presidents have tried, health reform may be just six weeks away from finally happening."
http://www.slate.com/id/2236558/
Stimulus Saved Or Created 600,000-1.6 Million Jobs
November 30, 2009
"[The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office] estimates that in the third quarter of calendar year 2009, an additional 600,000 to 1.6 million people were employed in the United States, and real (inflation-adjusted) gross domestic product (GDP) was 1.2 percent to 3.2 percent higher, than would have been the case in the absence of ARRA [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka "the stimulus")]."
http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/12/01/cbo-jobs/
Progress over Perfection
Nov 23, 2009
"Repeat after me, boys and girls, this mantra: PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION.
I don't give a damn whether you're so liberal you wear leaves for shoes to keep from hurting cows or so conservative you recoil at the idea of a public ANYTHING...we are SOOOOOO close, guys, to literally changing history, that we cannot, we WILL NOT...blow it at this point by bickering amongst our little Democratic selves because we're not getting every single little itty bitty solitary thing we want in a health care bill or any other bill that is before congress these days..."
Obama's Afghanistan Speech
Dec 1, 2009
In his speech Obama reminds America why we’re fighting, how we almost won in Afghanistan, how we got off course because of Iraq (without laying blame), how we plan to fix it, that this isn’t an open ended commitment and when he’ll start bringing troops home: July 2011.
23 Democrats
Posted November 12th, 2009 by sdybiec
November 12, 2009
23 Democrats
23 Democrats voted to restrict a woman's right to choose and against health care. But our very own Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy already in ultra-competitive race, voted for reproductive choice and for health care reform, despite Republican attacks. 
MoveOn.org has started a campaign to raise $150,000 in 48 hours to help Rep. Kilroy. If you can't give $400, any amount helps.
Dear MoveOn member,
Saturday night was bittersweet. The House passed sweeping health care reform --- but included a severe anti-choice provision in the bill.
23 Democrats voted wrong on both counts, first voting to restrict a woman's right to choose, then siding with Big Insurance to vote against a health care bill they had just succeeded in weakening.
On the other hand, there were principled Democrats in tough re-election fights who have been under fire from Republicans and the insurance industry for months. They faced intense pressure --- first to vote to limit women's access to reproductive choice and then to vote down health care altogether.
But they didn't give in --- they courageously stood up for women and for all Americans who can't afford to wait for health care.
And now they're facing even harsher attacks for their votes. Mary Jo Kilroy and other health care heroes are about to see some of the nastiest attacks against them yet and they need our support. Together we can show that when Democrats stand up and fight, people will stand up with them.
https://pol.moveon.org/give/healthcare_heroes2.html
In response to this week's email, MoveOn members pitched in funds to launch our biggest ad campaign ever holding Democrats accountable, targeting some of the 23 Democrats who voted wrong. Now we need to show that we'll get the backs of those pro-choice Democrats who cast the deciding votes for health care reform.
That includes Reps. Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire and John Hall of New York, both of whom voted for health care reform and are in competitive races in swing districts.2
Mary Jo Kilroy's Republican opponent, Steve Stivers, is the same candidate she narrowly defeated last year. His strategy? Hope that "urban" turnout declines without Barack Obama on the ballot.3
A former banking lobbyist,4 Stivers can tap special interests to raise millions for his campaign, but Kilroy, who MoveOn members first supported in 2006, is counting on grassroots support from folks like you.
"We cannot sit back and accept the status quo," she said in declaring her support for the health care bill.5 Let's help her fight for change. Make your contribution now:
https://pol.moveon.org/give/healthcare_heroes2.html
Thank you.
---Adam, Wes, Marika, Kat, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. Final vote results on passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, November 7, 2009
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll887.xml
Final vote results on adoption of the Stupak of Michigan Amendment, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, November 7, 2009
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll884.xml
2. Cook Political Report, Nov. 4, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85149&id=17914-5643971-B8GjaCx&t=5
3. "Ohio Could See Two 2008 Rematches Next Year," Roll Call, May 12, 2009.
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_129/politics/34812-1.html
4. "Lobbyists make a run for congressional seats," USA Today, Nov. 3, 2008.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85150&id=17914-5643971-B8GjaCx&t=6
5. "Kilroy Announces Support of Affordable Health Care for America Act," Rep. Kilroy's website, Nov. 6, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85151&id=17914-5643971-B8GjaCx&t=7
UAPA Sample Ballot
Posted November 2nd, 2009 by sdybiecThe UA City Council election is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd!
If you're not sure where to vote: Find your polling location. Don't forget to bring your Ohio Drivers License or other form of ID to verify your address.
We need you! (And a friend)
Remember: In the last election only 30 votes -- less than 1 for each of Upper Arlington’s 36 precincts -- made the difference among City Council hopefuls. We need only two more progressive voters to go to the polls in each Upper Arlington precinct on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to make a difference!
This election comes down to two words:
If you vote for candidates Mike Schadek and Debbie Johnson, you can help make sure that we retain a moderate majority on City Council with a progressive vision for UA's future. This is the only hope we have for ensuring that UA retains its prominence, high quality of life and economic strength.
After meeting individually with 5 of the 7 Council candidates, we urge you to support Schadek and Johnson because they:
- Are pragmatic moderates who understand the need to balance market needs with those of our community
- Support services that allow UA to compete with neighboring suburbs
- Value First Amendment rights, respect for the law and tolerance
- Will explore environmental initiatives to make UA green, safe and walkable
 FOR MIKE SCHADEK |
| FOR DEBBIE JOHNSON |
| Voting for only these two candidates will maximize the impact of your vote. |
So be sure to vote on Tuesday for Mike Schadek and Debbie Johnson. And please, take one more person with you to the polls. Or forward this email to your progressive neighbors and friends now and urge them to vote on November 3.
|
NO on Issue 2 and NO on Issue 3
|
| YES for Judge: Mark Hummer |
UAPA Sample Ballot
Posted November 2nd, 2009 by sdybiecThe UA City Council election is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd!
If you're not sure where to vote: Find your polling location. Don't forget to bring your Ohio Drivers License or other form of ID to verify your address.
We need you! (And a friend)
Remember: In the last election only 30 votes -- less than 1 for each of Upper Arlington’s 36 precincts -- made the difference among City Council hopefuls. We need only two more progressive voters to go to the polls in each Upper Arlington precinct on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to make a difference!
This election comes down to two words:
If you vote for candidates Mike Schadek and Debbie Johnson, you can help make sure that we retain a moderate majority on City Council with a progressive vision for UA's future. This is the only hope we have for ensuring that UA retains its prominence, high quality of life and economic strength.
After meeting individually with 5 of the 7 Council candidates, we urge you to support Schadek and Johnson because they:
- Are pragmatic moderates who understand the need to balance market needs with those of our community
- Support services that allow UA to compete with neighboring suburbs
- Value First Amendment rights, respect for the law and tolerance
- Will explore environmental initiatives to make UA green, safe and walkable
 FOR MIKE SCHADEK |
| FOR DEBBIE JOHNSON |
| Voting for only these two candidates will maximize the impact of your vote. |
So be sure to vote on Tuesday for Mike Schadek and Debbie Johnson. And please, take one more person with you to the polls. Or forward this email to your progressive neighbors and friends now and urge them to vote on November 3.
|
NO on Issue 2 and NO on Issue 3
|
| YES for Judge: Mark Hummer |
Who deserves credit for Kingsdale?
Posted October 28th, 2009 by sdybiec
November 1, 2009
Who deserves credit for Kingsdale?
City Council incumbent candidates Frank Ciotola's and Wade Steen's campaign flyers are proclaiming how they got Kingsdale done.
|
"With Linda Mauger and Don Leach both leaving Council, we need moderates to replace them --- members who will put the people's business first. We think Mike Schadek and Debbie Johnson are those two candidates." --- UAPA Executive Cmte |
But who really negotiated on behalf of Upper Arlington constituents for the best deal with developers? Who had the backbone to stand up and get the best deal for Upper Arlington?
As it turns out, Ciotola and Steen are two of the least deserving of all the praise they are heaping on themselves.
The market idealogues vs. the pragmatists
We heard it 100 times during the Kingsdale debate from Council's right-wing block --- "let the market dictate what goes in at Kingsdale". In this Columbus Dispatch story entitled 'Big-box approach OK'd for Kingsdale', Ciotola thought that UA was negotiating too aggressively on Regency's big box Target store proposal:
"I think municipalities are getting overzealous in dictating what the mix of development is instead of letting the market dictate," he said.
If UA had solely relied on market forces, as Ciotola suggests, Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency would have "dictated" our future and we'd likely have a big box Target store or something like it at Kingsdale today.
 |
And thanks to Council's moderate, pragmatic majority we will have something much better than Steen or Ciotola were willing to settle for.
The audacity of negotiation
Instead of the passive role of government that Ciotola recommended, the city staff and other Council members embraced their responsibility to the community to get the best deal for UA.
By effectively tempering market forces with the needs of the community as described in the Master Plan they brokered a Kingsdale compromise has been well received throughout our community.
The role of government
At the heart of the Kingsdale debate was how active and engaged City government should be in making economic development decisions.
As early as 2005 the right wing block of UA City Council, Frank Ciotola, Tim Rankin and Wade Steen, was saying that negotiating at all with Regency, then owners of Kingsdale, would be "overstepping". Here's Ciotola quoted in This Week story from February 9, 2006 entitled "Redevelopment at Kingsdale tops agenda at council retreat":
Council member Frank Ciotola expressed concern that the city may be overstepping its bounds by discussing plans for Kingsdale, since the property is privately owned.
"Should we be telling Regency what it can and can't do with its property?" Ciotola asked.
But that's exactly what zoning laws do -- limit the uses of private property for the betterment of the community. And negotiating with Kingsdale developers for anything less than the best deal possible would be an abdication of UA City government's responsibility to its citizens.
Story continues here.
Get out the vote for Mike Schadek
It's time to get out the progressive vote in Arlington! Mike Schadek has run a true grassroots campaign, knocked on countless doors and talked with residents about the future of our great community. You can help Mike win by joining him for the last three days of the race to turn out the progressive vote. Even one vote per precinct makes a difference, so please sign up for a GOTV shift and help Arlington continue to move forward:
- Sunday, November 1st, there are 2 shifts: 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM
- Monday, November 2nd, there are 3 shifts: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM
- Tuesday, November 3rd, there are 4 shifts: 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM
Send an email to DeDe Rhodes at dederhodes@gmail.com or contact DeDe at 614-537-1636.
Location: Vote Schadek Headquarters, 1537 Guilford Road, UA 43221
