Progressive Democrats Sonoma County

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May 15, 2013
Petaluma, CA

Donna Norton and Stan Gold deliver the May Letter to Rep. Huffman’s (CA-2) District Office in Petaluma, as part of PDA’s Educate Congress Campaign. Accepting the letter is District Office staff person, Kelly Meeker. Today, the Educate Congress Campaign delivered letters to over 200 Congressional offices, including District Offices around the country and Offices on Congressional Hill in D.C.

Click Here to read the May Letter to Rep. Huffman

To: Rep. Mike Thompson
From: Constituents of Congressional District 5

Re: Social Security, Tax, and Healthcare
May 15, 2013

Representative Thompson,

We are voters in your Congressional District, writing to urge you to oppose cuts to essential programs, as well as support common sense tax policies and job creation, as well as expanded, improved healthcare. Specifically, we ask you to:

Sign on to the Grayson/Takano “Line in the Sand” dear colleague letter pledging to vote against any cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits.

Cosponsor H.R. 1579: The Inclusive Prosperity Act — also known as the Financial Speculation Tax (FST) or Robin Hood Tax (RHT)—which would generate hundreds of $billions to fund job creation, jumpstart the economy, and protect essential programs. Lead sponsor: Rep. Keith Ellison.

To: Rep. Huffman
From: Constituents of Congressional District 2

Re: Social Security, Tax, and Healthcare
May 15, 2013

Representative Huffman,

We are voters in your Congressional District, writing to urge you to oppose cuts to essential programs, as well as support common sense tax policies and job creation, as well as expanded, improved healthcare. Specifically, we ask you to:

Sign on to the Grayson/Takano “Line in the Sand” dear colleague letter pledging to vote against any cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. Your pledge to vote against ‘chained CPI’ benefit cuts is appropriate and we strongly urge you to make a similar commitment to vote against any legislation or measure which would cut Medicare or Medicaid benefits.

To: Representative Huffman
From: Constituents of CD-2

Fairness and Prosperity, Not Austerity
April 17, 2013

Representative Huffman,

Many of our members are voters in your District, and supporters of Progressive Democrats of America. We’re writing to urge your support for legislation to promote economic growth and lower the deficit through fair budget policies and job creation, as well as to protect voting rights and end the War in Afghanistan.

Specifically, we call upon you to:

Sign the Grayson/Takano Letter: a “dear colleague” letter pledging to vote against any legislation or measure which would cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. Your recent press release, pledging to vote against ‘chained CPI’ cuts to Social Security benefits, though delayed, was appreciated. We call upon you to make a similar commitment to vote against any legislation or measure which would cut Medicare or Medicaid benefits.

To: Representative Mike Thompson
From: Constituents of CD-5

Fairness and Prosperity, Not Austerity
April 17, 2013

Representative Thompson,

We are voters in your Congressional District, and supporters of Progressive Democrats of America. We’re writing to urge your support for legislation to promote economic growth and lower the deficit through fair budget policies and job creation, as well as to protect voting rights and end the War in Afghanistan.

Specifically, we call upon you to:

Sign the Grayson/Takano Letter: a “dear colleague” letter pledging to vote against any legislation or measure which would cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits.

Come see …

THE HEALTHCARE MOVIE
Narrated by Keifer Sutherland

This unique 65-minute documentary tells the real story of how the health care system in Canada turned out to be so completely different from that in the United States, given that at one point they were essentially the same:
• How it originated
• How it works for ordinary Canadians
• How it is paid for
• How it compares to its American counterpart

Movie will be followed by discussion to explore questions about healthcare in California:
• What does the new national Affordable Care Act (ACA) mean for health care reform in California?
• How can California make healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone?

Thursday, April 25, 2013
7:00 – 9:00 pm

Rialto Theater
6868 McKinley Street
Sebastopol, California

All tickets are $7.00

Purchasing tickets in advance is advised Tickets available at the Rialto Theater box office, or on-line after April 1st at www.rialtocinemas.com (with on-line processing fee of $1.00), or by sending a check payable to Rialto Theater, to: Stan Gold at 615 King Road, Petaluma, CA 94952-1009 (please include your phone number).

If you are unable to pay for the price of admission, please send confidential e-mail to: Stan Gold: sngold AT juno.com for a complimentary ticket.

All proceeds will be used for education purposes by Physicians for a National Health Program.

Introduction:7:00 p.m.
Screening: 7:05 p.m.
Discussion, Q&A: 8:10 p.m.

Co-Sponsors: Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), California Nurses Association (CNA), League of Women Voters of Sonoma County (LWV), Healthcare for All – Sonoma County Chapter (HCA-CA), Progressive Democrats Sonoma County (PDA Chapter) —Partial List.

Please share the attached flyer with your friends and contact organizations: social, business, religious, political, and professional. And of course, please share the info about this movie via e-mail, facebook, twitter, etc. Thank you!

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Sonoma County Democratic Party Crab Feed
February 22, 2013

Lynn Hamilton, Recipient of the Roberta Hollowell Award “In Recognition of her Dedicated Service to Issues of Importance for All Women and Democratic Party Values.”

Prepared remarks. Award presented by former Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey.

Thank you Lynn Woolsey. I have always admired you and held you up as an example of an elected official who stuck to your values the entire time you served as our Congresswoman. I urge all of the elected officials who were endorsed by the Democratic Central Committee to follow Lynn’s example and stick to your values and the values set forth in the Democratic Party Platform even though you might be tempted to betray your principles for personal gain, power or advancement.

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Balance for Our Families and Our Economy
February 20, 2013

Dear Representative Huffman,

We are writing in support of legislation to promote economic growth, protect voting rights, end the war, and lower the deficit.

The Balancing Act (H.R. 505) proposed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus would provide relief to American families, and reduce the long-term Federal deficit in a fair and balanced way by balancing budget cuts and revenues—closing loopholes and making sure the Pentagon and the nation’s biggest corporations do their part—and by putting $800 in the pockets of every family this year. It would create more than 1 million jobs by investing in infrastructure, and by keeping 280,000 teachers in our classrooms.

January 13, 2012

All of the candidates who ran on the Progressive Slate, www.ProgressiveSlate.org , in our local California Democratic Party AD Delegate Elections, were elected! These newly elected CDP AD Delegates will represent us on the Democratic Party State Central Committee:

AD 2
Joe Louis Wildman (E-Board)
Lasara Allen
Phil Baldwin
Caroline Banuelos
Shane Brinton
Susan Brinton
Kathryn Donahue
Phil Harlan
Kenny Jowers
Maggi Koren
Mel Kreb

AD 10
Mayme Hubert (E-Board)
Nick Carlin
Ruth Carter
Alice Chan
Jason Davies
Maureen De Nieva
Elizabeth Escalante
Paul Fenn
Blake Hooper
Ken Jones
Dan Mullen
Donna Norton

This article originally appeared in the November 26, 2012 edition of The Nation magazine.

by NORMAN SOLOMON

Millions of Americans are eager, even desperate, for a political movement that truly challenges the power of Wall Street and the Pentagon. But accommodation has been habit-forming for many left-leaning organizations, which are increasingly taking their cues from the party establishment: deferring to top Democrats in Washington, staying away from robust progressive populism, and making excuses for the Democratic embrace of corporate power and perpetual war.

It’s true that many left-of-center groups are becoming more sophisticated in their use of digital platforms for messaging, fundraising and other work. But it’s also true that President Obama’s transactional approach has had demoralizing effects on his base. Even the best resources—mobilized by unions, environmental groups, feminist organizations and the like—can do only so much when many voters and former volunteers are inclined to stay home. A month before the 2010 election, Obama strategist David Axelrod noted that “almost the entire Republican margin is based on the enthusiasm gap.” A similar gap made retaking the House a long shot this year.

DISSIDENT VOICE
November 9, 2012
by Robert Hunziker

The American public has rejected filthy rich capitalists as personified by Mitt Romney’s run for the presidency. No other candidate in modern political history has embodied the precepts of consummate, rampant capitalism like Romney; he is the classic image of Rich “Uncle” Pennybags, aka: Mr. Monopoly, doffing his black top hat to passers-by but without the funny little white mustache. Unfortunately for Mr. Romney & Co., contempt for the political dogma of filthy rich capitalism has been exposed within the dark shadows of defeat. At the same time, and paradoxically, his campaign’s billions helped progressives… immensely.

Read the Rest Here

Guests: Tim Carpenter, John Nichols, Jim Hightower, Ariel Dorfman
Tim Carpenter (Progressive Democrats of America National Chairman), John Nichols and Jim Hightower on the unstoppable Occupy movement; Ariel Dorfman on his new memoir, “Feeding on Dreams: Confessions of an Unrepentant Exile” — about his exiles, returns, and vanquishing silence.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA presents an evening with:

JOHN NICHOLS, Washington correspondent for The Nation magazine,

MICHAEL LIGHTY, Policy Director of the California Nurses Association,

and NORMAN SOLOMON, Co-chair of the national Healthcare NOT Warfare Campaign.

WHEN: Saturday, October 15, 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:30.

WHERE: Guzman Hall, Dominican University; 50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901.

Go here for a campus map

This is a rare opportunity to see these three dynamic leaders and speakers together in one room. Join us for an evening of community and celebration in support of Healthcare NOT Warfare!

No entry charge. Donations accepted. Wheel-chair accessible.

Cosponsored by the Expressions Program of the Humanities Department, Dominican University.

An Evening with:

JOHN NICHOLS
Washington correspondent for
The Nation Magazine

MICHAEL LIGHTY
Policy Director of the California
Nurses Association

and
NORMAN SOLOMON
Co-Chair of the national
Healthcare Not Warfare Campaign

On September 1, 2011, at a special meeting in Sebastopol, Progressive Democrats Sonoma County voted to endorse Norman Solomon for Congress.

Solomon expressed deep gratitude for the endorsement, calling it “a big boost for our grassroots campaign to ensure that this region continues to have strong progressive representation in Congress. The Sonoma County chapter of PDA is known for its strength of commitment and depth of community roots. I feel honored by the county chapter’s support, and I look forward to working together as our campaign keeps gaining momentum.”

By Donna Smith, National Co-chair, Healthcare Not Warfare

In more than 60 locations from Maine to California, the 170,000 registered nurse members of National Nurses United will be hosting events aimed at healing the damage done on Main Streets all over America by Wall Street’s special interests.

Read the Full Story & Find Locations Here