Progressive Democrats Sonoma County

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.”

May 11, 2011

Letter delivered to Rep. Woolsey’s staff at May18 Brown Bag Lunch Vigil

Dear Representative Woolsey:

On behalf of the undersigned members of the Progressive Democrats of America, Sonoma County, we are writing to express our adamant opposition to the proposed free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama. Contrary to President Obama’s campaign pledge to overhaul President Bush’s failed trade policies, he is now proposing three disastrous NAFTA-style agreements on which you may soon be asked to cast a vote. We strongly urge you to oppose these deals.

April 18, 2011

Dear Representative Woolsey,

It is time to begin the “safe and orderly withdrawal” of troops and contractors in Afghanistan. The best way to effect this is by enacting HR 780, Rep. Barbara Lee’s “Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act.”

This is legislation whose time has come, and your cosponsorship can lead to the end of America’s longest war, with its tragic loss of life and debilitating loss of money that can better be spent here at home. Thank you for cosponsoring this vital legislation.

Progressive Democrats Sonoma County
Press Release
May 16, 2011

Santa Rosa, CA – Members of Progressive Democrats of America have been petitioning congressional members to enact a jobs bill that will help the millions of unemployed workers across the country. Progressive Democrats, Sonoma County chapter is pleased to see Representative Lynn Woolsey’s announcement that she is cosponsoring H.R. 870, the Humphrey-Hawkins 21st Century Full Employment and Training Act, introduced by Representative John Conyers, Jr., D (MI-14) in the House of Representatives on March 2, 2011. As of today, there are a total of 15 cosponsors, all Democratic Congress members.

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Join local PDA members as we welcome PDA Advisory Board member and honored guest Lynn Woolsey, Healthcare NOT Warfare co-chair Norman Solomon, PDA Advisory Board member and Director of Administration and Public Policy for the California Nurses Association (CNA)/National Nurses United (NNU) Michael Lighty, along with Tim Carpenter, Conor Boylan, and Dr. Bill Honigman of the PDA National team for the last leg of the PDA California Healthcare NOT Warfare Tour. Celebrate with us as we honor Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and her six years with PDA.

Read the Rest Here & RSVP

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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March 16, 2011
Santa Rosa, CA

Dear Representative Woolsey,

Since January 2010, the Brown Bag Lunch Vigils have been out in front of our representatives’ and senators’ offices, on street corners, and in parks to get the word out to our community that this country can give everyone access to healthcare, make jobs available to those who need them, stem the increase of carbon in our air, and correct the balance of power and wealth between those who have and those who have not. The common thread among many of our goals is that naysayers must be able to step out of their comfort zones and understand the terrible effects these problems have on ordinary people.

That’s no easy task, even for the most enlightened of us. Something that helps people see the importance of making sure that others in our country can take care of themselves—or receive help when they can’t—is seeing a goal laid out in print in a piece of simple legislation.

**********************BBLV gets a thumbs up!*********************

CLICK HERE to view photo album.

October 20, 2010

Dear Representative Woolsey,

October’s Brown Bag Lunch Vigils are making three simple but important requests: Sign Rep. Raul Grijalva’s letter to President Obama urging no cuts to Social Security, join Rep. John Conyers’ Out of Afghanistan Caucus, and cosponsor Rep. Barbara Lee’s HR 6045 to expedite our exit from Afghanistan.

Thank you for being a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Your unwavering voice and vote for progressive legislation is what will pull us away from regressive and unjust policies and lead us toward peace, equality for all, and an accountable government.

October 15, 2010

Progressive Democrats Sonoma County takes the following positions on the Ballot Initiatives and Measures:

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Statewide Initiatives:

Prop 19: Legalize and tax marijuana YES
20: Redistricting of Congressional Districts NO
21: $18 license fee to fund California State Parks YES
22: Prohibits State from borrowing or taking funds used for transportation NO
23: Suspends AB32, California’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction law NO
24: Repeals law allowing businesses to carry back losses YES
25: Changes legislative vote from 2/3 to simple majority to pass budget YES
26: Changes vote from simple majority to 2/3 for state levies and charges NO
27: Eliminates state commission on redistricting YES
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Sonoma County Ballot Measures:

October 6, 2010

Progressive Democrats Sonoma County recognizes the progressive values, commitments and positions of the following candidates, and endorses them in the upcoming November election:

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United States Senator: Barbara Boxer
United States House of Representatives: Lynn Woolsey
California Governor: Jerry Brown
California Lieutenant Governor: Gavin Newsom
California Attorney General: Kamala Harris

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Noreen Evans will be joining us for our One Nation Sonoma County RALLY!

You can still rsvp here: http://action.onenationworkingtogether.org/page/event/detail/onenationevents/wr4f and/or send the details to friends.

Please join us on the ground in Sonoma County for not one but two local ONE NATION WORKING TOGETHER 10.2.10 events.

Sonoma County Rally & Action Day! in Solidarity with the Major One Nation Working Together March & Rally in D.C. 10.2.10

JOIN THE ONE NATION GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT AND RALLY FOR CHANGE AND GOOD JOBS FOR SONOMA COUNTY!

Saturday, October 2, 2010.
Federal Building.
777 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa.
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10 to 11 AM: Rally & program; speakers include Lisa Maldonado, Master of Ceremonies, Michael Allen, Susan Gorin, Norman Solomon, Davin Cardenas, Marty Bennett.

ONE NATION STANDS FOR: FULL EMPLOYMENT NOW. PEACE AND JUSTICE
Federal Intervention to Create Good Jobs, Protecting Public Services, Making Wall Street Pay

JOIN THE ONE NATION GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT AND TAKE ACTION FOR CHANGE AND GOOD JOBS FOR SONOMA COUNTY

Saturday, October 2, 2010
Federal Building
777 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa

11 AM: Voter canvassing for local candidates who stand for good jobs for Sonoma County! Meet & team up with others to get out the vote on Saturday, 10.2.10. Sign up to Get out the Vote in the final 30 days before the election!

ONE NATION STANDS FOR: FULL EMPLOYMENT NOW. PEACE AND JUSTICE.
Federal Intervention to Create Good Jobs, Protecting Public Services, Making Wall Street Pay

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Progressive Democrats Sonoma County recognizes the progressive values, commitments and positions of the following candidates, and endorses them in the upcoming November election.

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United States Senator: Barbara Boxer

United States House of Representatives, 6th CD: Lynn Woolsey

California Governor: Jerry Brown

California Lieutenant Governor: Gavin Newsom

California Attorney General: Kamala Harris

California Secretary of State: Debra Bowen

California Insurance Commissioner: Dave Jones

California State Senate: Noreen Evans

California State Assembly, District 7: Michael Allen

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, District 2: Pamela Torliatt

September 15, 2010

Dear Representative Woolsey,

It shouldn’t come as news to you that jobs and the economy are the number-one concern Americans share right now. With 15 million people unemployed (not counting those underemployed), it is a frightening time for most people. Few people feel secure in their jobs, and this condition is taking a terrible toll on our society.

Sometimes it seems as if Congress truly doesn’t understand what’s going on outside of the Capitol. Perhaps visits home are too insulated—with members of Congress being surrounded only by friendly faces—to give them a true picture of the desperation and despair in this country.

August 18, 2010

Dear Representative Woolsey,

Things are changing fast for this world, but many of these things are headed in the wrong direction. You are in a unique position — at least in regard to most of the world’s population — to put some very important things on a positive track. And these are things that will reverberate around the planet.

To do so, however, you might need to disabuse yourself and your colleagues of some pervasive and destructive notions. The first of these is that Americans are more valuable than other people in the world.

This month … it’s just us folks. No special guests, bells or whistles.

Wednesday night please join us for a special evening. We will gather together, share practical information and valuable tools for the activism that calls us forward. Remember, WE are PDA!

Progressive Democrats Sonoma County
PDA Activists Workshop
Summer 2010

Wednesday, August 11
6:30 pm
French Garden Restaurant
8050 Bodega Ave.
Sebastopol, CA

Agenda to include brief report back from the recent PDA Grassroots Leadership Conference in Ohio. The remainder of the evening will be devoted to preparing ourselves to be smarter and more organized for the challenges ahead — on all of our issues. To include break out sessions with local chapter Issue Organizing Teams & Committees.

*Learn more about PDA Issue Organizing Teams and how to be involved with PDA strategy and tactics, inside & outside the Democratic Party. Learn what you can do to help PDSC Committees keep us organized and on track locally.

*And More! Whether you have 30 minutes or several hours a month — something for everyone.

If you have been thinking of getting involved with your local PDA chapter and were not sure how to do so, or if you have been involved for a while and would like to learn how to become more active — now is the time!

The agenda is a full one. We plan to start promptly at 6:30 pm. Please arrive early if you wish to order refreshments. New Members & Visitors Always Welcome!

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Attendees will have the opportunity to support PDA endorsed Congressional Candidate, David Segal – a true progressive running for the open seat of retiring Rep. Patrick Kennedy, Rhode Island. A win for David is a win for ALL of us!

David Segal – “I’m honored to receive the support of the Progressive Democrats of America. The members of PDA are national leaders in the fight for health care for all, for ending the wars, and for making sure that our elected officials represent the will of the people, not the corporations and very wealthy that fund their campaigns.”

Visit David Segal for Congress.

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Visit us on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Progressive-Democrats-North-Bay/289138693740

https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/personalopt1.asp?formid=meet&c=1919408

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Progressive Democrats Sonoma County
Monthly General Meeting

Special Guest Speaker!
NORMAN SOLOMON, syndicated columnist & PDA National Board member

Where Do We Go From Here?
Progressive politics this fall and beyond

Wednesday, July 14
6:30 pm

French Garden Restaurant
8050 Bodega Avenue
Sebastopol, CA

More Info

Here is a video of a recent interview of Norman Solomon on C-Span’s Washington Journal. He discusses President Obama’s relationship with the progressive & liberal wings of the Democratic Party, unaffiliated liberals, and the Political Left:

C-Span video: Washington Journal, June 13, 2010

With $2 BILLION in Sonoma County taxes going to pay for the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, participating in a monthly Brown Bag Lunch Vigil to stop the escalation and funding for wars is an act of community support.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Cost of War and what that $$$ could be used for instead.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Brown Bag Lunch Vigils and how WE can help to End War & Occupations by sending a consistent message to our Congressperson to stop funding wars, set firm dates for complete withdrawal, and dismantle corporate influence over our government.

CLICK HERE to Read More about the CA State Democratic Party Resolution to “End the U.S. Occupation and Air War in Afghanistan”.