Progressive Democrats Sonoma County

‘Circling the wagons’

In their eagerness to defend Congressman Jared Huffman (Marin Voice, April 28), Marin County Democratic Party chair Paul Cohen and his Sonoma County counterpart Stephen Gale didn’t seem to grasp that my book they quoted from, “The Power of Babble,” was a satire — critiquing rather than advocating.

If Cohen and Gale were around in the 18th century, they might have accused Jonathan Swift of advising rich landowners to fatten up poor children and eat them.

Such silly distortion is predictable when party officials are circling the wagons against open debate among fellow Democrats.

Several thousand of Huffman’s constituents wrote letters or signed petitions urging him to commit to voting against cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Huffman first indignantly declared that he wouldn’t make any “pledge” — but later put out a news release that announced his pledge to vote against any cuts in Social Security benefits.

That’s a good step. Now he should make a similar commitment on Medicaid and Medicare benefits.

Norman Solomon, Inverness

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Published in the Marin Readers’ Forum for May 5: MarinIJ.com

by Norman Solomon
Common Dreams
April 10, 2013

For progressives, there’s not a lot to be gained by venting against Obama without working to implement a plausible strategy for ousting corporate war Democrats from state power

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The story goes that some mice became very upset about the cat in the house and convened an emergency meeting. They finally came up with the idea of tying a bell around the cat’s neck, so the dangerous feline could no longer catch victims unawares. The plan gained a lot of enthusiastic praise, until one mouse piped up with a question that preceded a long silence: “Who’s going to bell the cat?”

In recent days, the big cat in the White House has provoked denunciations from groups that have rarely crossed him. They’re upset about his decision to push for cuts in Social Security benefits. “Progressive outrage has reached a boiling point,” the online juggernaut MoveOn declared a few days ago.

Obama’s move to cut Social Security is certainly outrageous, and it’s encouraging that a wide range of progressive groups are steamed at Obama as never before. But this kind of outrage should have reached a “boiling point” a long time ago. The administration’s undermining of civil liberties, scant action on climate change, huge escalation of war in Afghanistan, expansion of drone warfare, austerity policies serving Wall Street and shafting Main Street, vast deference to corporate power. . . The list is long and chilling.

For progressives, there’s not a lot to be gained by venting against Obama without working to implement a plausible strategy for ousting corporate war Democrats from state power.

So is the evasive record of many groups that are now denouncing Obama’s plan to cut Social Security. Mostly, their leaders griped in private and made nice with the Obama White House in public.

Yet imagine if those groups had polarized with President Obama in 2009 on even a couple of key issues. ...

Read the rest here

— Petition Statement —
Rep. Huffman: Please commit to protecting these vital programs from benefit cuts. Sign the Grayson-Takano letter now.
— CLICK HERE to sign the petition.

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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.

February 23, 2013

Dear fellow Democrats,

When we had a Republican governor sure to veto legislation for single-payer healthcare, the legislature passed a single-payer bill. Twice.

During the past two years, since we’ve had a Democrat in the governor’s office, the legislature hasn’t moved single-payer legislation.

And this year, activists have struggled to find a single Democrat in the legislature willing to even introduce a single-payer bill.

There is every indication that Governor Brown doesn’t want such a bill on his desk — and the Democratic leadership in the legislature is obliging.

The behavior of our Democratic governor and current legislators stands in stark contrast to the California Democratic Party platform, which trumpets its support for single payer:

by Norman Solomon
Common Dreams. January 16, 2013

A simple twist of fate has set President Obama’s second Inaugural Address for January 21, the same day as the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday.

Obama made no mention of King during the Inauguration four years ago — but since then, in word and deed, the president has done much to distinguish himself from the man who said “I have a dream.”

Read the article here

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

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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

UPDATE: Michael Lighty WILL be with us in Santa Rosa on April 28. Along with Rep. Lynn Woolsey, he will be joined by Norman Solomon, Co-Chair of the Healthcare Not Warfare Campaign and Tim Carpenter, Conor Boylan, Dr. Bill Honigman and Steve Cobble of the PDA national team. Space is limited. RSVP required: http://www.pdamerica.org/events/view/pda-roadshow-is-coming-to-santa-rosa

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For a schedule of all of the upcoming PDA IOT calls, click here

March 2, 2011

Don Frank was awarded the honor of Sonoma County Democrat of the Year at the recent Annual Crab Feed, the biggest fundraising event of the year for the Sonoma County Democratic Party. Don is Treasurer and Steering Committee member of Progressive Democrats Sonoma County and serves on the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee as a member from the 5th District and Treasurer for the Committee. Following, is the prepared text for his remarks on Friday evening.

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How about those firefighters and police standing together in solidarity with the teachers in Wisconsin? No divide & conquer there!

My fellow Democrats — It’s been an honor and a pleasure working with the members of our Democratic Central Committee under the leadership of Stephen Gale. Over the past few years we’ve developed a finely tuned political organization that’s a model throughout the state.

March 2, 2011
by Tom Hayden
The Nation

The Democratic National Committee—whose leader, after all, is President Barack Obama—passed a resolution at last weekend’s Washington, DC, conference calling for an acceleration of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan more rapidly than the president’s current 2014 timeline. The policy resolution demands a “swift withdrawal” of troops and contractors starting with a “significant and sizeable reduction [of troops] no later than July 2011.”

Read the Rest Here

By Pamela Powers
TusconCitizen.com
February, 22, 2011

Who said the progressive movement was dead? It is alive and well in Tucson, Arizona.

An estimated 300 activists, liberals, Green Party members, and Democratic Party foot soldiers crammed into a large meeting room at the YWCA on the west side of Tucson Monday night for the inaugural meeting of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), Tucson Chapter.

Read the Rest Here

By GUY KOVNER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
January 27, 2011

Norman Solomon, a Marin County political activist and author, said Wednesday he will run for the Sonoma—Marin congressional seat in 2012 if Rep. Lynn Woolsey retires.

Solomon, an Inverness resident and self-described progressive Democrat, said he would “extend the Woolsey legacy” by opposing war in Afghanistan and backing green jobs, clean energy, civil liberties, gender equality, health care, education and balanced spending priorities.

“True leadership means standing up for the well-being of the vast majority of Americans, even when — especially when — the powerful push back,” Solomon said.

Read the Full Story Here

Norman Solomon
January 27, 2011, Marin, CA

Published by San Francisco Bay Guardian.

One of the most inspiring political leaders in recent decades, Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.), famously declared: “I represent the democratic wing of the Democratic Party.” Today we need progressives in Congress who will represent the progressive wing of the Progressive Caucus.

That’s the largest caucus on Capitol Hill—but having 80 members on the roster won’t do much good if many cave under pressure.

For 18 years, the North Bay has been represented in Congress by Rep. Lynn Woolsey. Her strong antiwar voice and very progressive voting record have endeared her to a lot of constituents. Now she’s publicly saying that she may choose to retire instead of seeking reelection.

Read the Full Story Here

January 26, 2011, Marin, CA

Published by Norman Solomon Now

Calling for grassroots democracy to counter the growing power of corporate money in politics, Norman Solomon announced on January 26 that he has formed a federal exploratory committee for Congress. The author and political activist said he would run for the seat currently held by North Bay Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey if she decides not to seek re-election.

Solomon has gained wide recognition for his expertise and advocacy on such issues as ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, foreign policy, human rights, healthcare, workers’ rights and sustainability.

“Norman Solomon is already out demonstrating expertise on national issues. Solomon and Woolsey are 100 percent in agreement on those policies,” Marin IJ political columnist Dick Spotswood wrote recently.

Read the Rest Here

January 8 or January 9, depending on where you live –
Dates & locations listed at bottom of article

Assembly District elections to choose delegates to the CA Democratic Party Central Committee.

PDA and the Progressive Caucus of the CA Democratic Party have joined forces to run progressive slates for CDP delegate positions.

More information about the Progressive Slates and the positions and actions supported by Progressive Slate candidates, can be found here .

by Norman Solomon

Last week, soon after President Obama made his stunning tax deal with Republican leaders, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey told the Marin Independent Journal: “I think when you hold unemployment and the needs of the poorest and most desperate people hostage, that it is blackmail, and I don’t think we should give in to blackmail, ever.”

In the same article, I made a comment that’s often heard among progressives: “This is not what we worked for.”

Read the Rest Here