Home » Groups » DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties » Blog

You must be logged in to complete this action

Democracy for America group blog for DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties

SB 810 (Leno) Kick-Off Event Supporting California's Single Payer Bill

Written by: Susan Rowe on Apr 10, 2009 5:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Health Care for America Organizers, DFA of Stanislaus County, DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties , DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, California for Democracy

 
SB 810 (Leno) Kick –Off Event
 
Health Care YES – Insurance Companies NO
 
JOIN US ON APRIL 15TH


SB 810 (the new single payer bill) has been introduced into the legislature. The first public hearing on the bill is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th before the Senate Health Committee. Please join us for lunch and targeted legislative visits prior to the hearing at 1:30 in Room 4203.  We are hoping to turnout hundreds of supporters to show that the movement for single payer is growing – and that it is the only real health reform proposal that covers everyone and will contain costs.  If you cannot be in Sacramento, you can still help (see below).

Join us for the first hearing to support

SB 810 in the Senate Health Committee
 
WHEN -- Wed., April 15th : 12pm Lunch/1:30pm Hearing
WHERE --  Capitol Cafeteria (basement) - West Dining Room, Sacramento


Transportation available from the following locations:

Berkeley: 10:15am/Ashby Bart – Ashby @ MLK, Berkeley/ 415-550-0828
Central Valley: Carpools from Stockton & Modesto – Call 209-823-3890 to reserve
Placer County: Carpools from Rocklin area - Call 916-435-9760
San Francisco: 9:45am / N side Fulton St. between Hyde and Larkin, SF/ 415-550-0828
Vallejo: 10:30am/ Elks Lodge, 2850 Redwood Parkway, Vallejo/ 415-550-0828
SACRAMENTO AREA: You are on your own to get to the capitol – but must rsvp for lunch.


RSVP to California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) at 415-550-0828 if you are planning to attend and want lunch. You must rsvp by April 10th to be guaranteed a seat or ride. Donations will be collected.


IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE HEARING – WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP:
 
CALL THE SENATORS ON THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

TELL THEM TO VOTE YES ON SB 810!
 
Elaine Alquist (chair):408-286-8318
Tony Strickland (vice chair): 805-494-8808
Sam Aanestad: 530-470-1846
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod: 909-621-2783
Gilbert Cedillo: 213-612-9566
Dave Cox: 916-783-8232
Mark DeSaulnier: 925-942-6082
Senator Mark Leno: 415-557-1300
Senator Abel Maldonado: 805-549-3784
Senator Fran Pavley: 310-441-9084
Senator Lois Wolk: 707-454-3808
 
 
For more information: Call CARA at 415-550-0828 www.californiaalliance.org
Discuss

(Fresno, CA) Rally In the Valley this Sunday! Peace! Lets do it!

Written by: Susan Rowe on Mar 21, 2009 2:15 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Latinos for America, DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, DFA of Stanislaus County, DFA of Chowchilla, Democratic Club of Coarsegold

 

"Peace! Let's Do It!"

Eighth Annual Rally in the Valley For Peace and Justice

 

 

"Peace! Let's Do It!" is the theme of Peace Fresno's 8th Annual Rally in the Valley for Peace and Justice. The rally will take place on Sunday, March 22nd from 1 to 4 p.m. in downtown Fresno next to the historic water tower at Eaton Plaza, Fresno and N Streets. Featured speakers will be peace activist & "Peace Mom," Cindy Sheehan, and award winning syndicated columnist Roberto Rodriguez. Musical performances by Kenny Hall, the Santa Fe Ramblers, Heartland Harvest, Los Traviesos Musical and the Raging Grannies. Admission is free.

Please join Peace Fresno and other peace and justice groups in rallying to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and to bring all US troops home. US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have caused the deaths of over 5000 US soldiers and over 1.5 millions Iraqi and Afghan civilians.

Over 40 local peace, social, and environmental justice groups will have information booths. Everyone is welcome. Admission is free.

For more information contact, Dan Yaseen VP - Membership, Peace Fresno email danyaseen[at]comcast[dot]net or call him at 559.251.3361.

Peace & Love

 

Discuss

DFA Campaign Academy in Fresno March 28-29, 2009

Written by: Susan Rowe on Mar 20, 2009 10:27 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Campaign Academy Alumni, Health Care for America Organizers, Reproductive Rights for America, DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

 
 
The next DFA Campaign Academy on the West Coast will be held in Fresno.

The DFA Campaign Academy mission is to focus, network and train grassroots activists in the skills and strategies to take back our country, manage successful campaigns or run for office themselves. Democracy for America is our nation’s largest progressive political action community. DFA provides campaign training, organizing resources and media exposure to help participants support progressive issues and candidates up and down the ballot.

How Can You Participate?

Register here:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/fresnotraining  

The DFA Campaign Academy training will take place:

March 28–29, 2009 9am–5pm
LAB School CSU-Fresno
5241 N. Maple Ave.
Fresno, CA 93740
http://www.csufresno.edu 

Cost: Online Prepayment $60.00 Low Income and Student $30.00
At the Door $75/$45 (check or credit card)

Space is limited, please RSVP.

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/fresnotraining

Instruction Offered
The Campaign Academy weekend is 16 hours of interactive workshops that bring together local activists, campaign staff and candidates for two days of intensive campaign training. Experienced campaign professionals lead sessions in voter contact, fund-raising, communications, online organizing and much more to empower progressive activists with the skills to win. Attendees also meet local progressive candidates and learn about exciting opportunities in their area.
 
We're just about a week away from this training and we have a few slots open.

Please sign up now!

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/fresnotraining

Co-Sponsors of the DFA Training are San Joaquin Valley Democratic Club, Fresno County Democratic Central Committee, Madera County Democratic Central Committee, The Democratic Club of Coarsegold, Oakhurst Democratic Club, California for Democracy, DFA-CFD of Fresno and Madera Counties, DFA-CFA of Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties, DFA of Chowchilla, DFA of Stanislaus County

March 27:  Meet & Greet (evening) • March 28: Dinner Social (evening)

We’ve organized several social activities over the weekend to network and meet fellow progressives.

Friday meet and greet is at 7pm but folks can come early for the restaurant's happy hour.

Piazza Del Pane
799 W. Palmdon Drive
Fresno, CA 93704
(SEC Palm & Herndon)
Phone: 559.229.7263
http://www.piazzadelpane.com
  
 
Saturday Dinner social is at 7pm.  Check out their great all American menu!
 
Yosemite Falls Café
5123 N. Blackstone Avenue
Fresno, CA 93621
(SEC Blackstone & Shaw)
Phone: 559.225.6800
http://www.yosemitefallscafe.net
 
Hotel Info
Our grassroots organizers have researched options near the training venue. Because the training begins promptly at 9am on Saturday morning, we recommend that any out-of-town attendees come Friday night, explore the area for a bit, and start fresh for the training the next morning.  Our trainers and many of our attendees will be staying together at:
 
Comfort Suites
102 Herndon Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720
559-435-5650
http://www.comfortsuites.com
 
For more information on the DFA Campaign Academy in Fresno, visit http://www.democracyforamerica.com/fresnotraining
Discuss

Obama's Team says it's our turn to lead

Written by: Susan Rowe on Dec 16, 2008 3:35 PM EST

Linked to groups: DFA of Chowchilla, DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties , Southern California for Democracy, Plumas County Democratic Club, Blog For America

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

 

Obama's Team wants to hear our ideas about healthcare!

Health Care -- Of the People, By the People

Tell us your story, why health care is important to you, or what you'd like to see an Obama-Biden administration do and where you'd like the country to go. http://change.gov/page/s/healthcare

Let's Win National, Single-Payer Healthcare in 2009! 

Tell Obama's team you want HR 676 (Conyers) Read more about HR 676 HERE.

Please sign up to host a Health Care Community Discussion in your neighborhood today.

----- Original Message -----
From: John D. Podesta, Obama-Biden Transition Project
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 2:10 PM
Subject: Your turn to lead

Over the coming weeks, thousands of Americans will be leading Health Care Community Discussions -- small local gatherings in which Americans are sharing thoughts and ideas about reforming health care. President-elect Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Tom Daschle are counting on Americans from every walk of life to help identify what's broken and provide ideas for how to fix it.

You can help shape that reform by leading your own Health Care Community Discussion anytime between now and December 31st.

Secretary-designate Daschle recorded a short message about these important discussions.

Watch the video and sign up today to lead a discussion in your community: http://change.gov/page/s/hcdiscussion



Secretary-designate Daschle is committed to reforming health care from the ground up, which is why he won't just be reading the results of these discussions -- he'll be attending a few himself.

When you sign up to lead a discussion, we'll provide everything you need to make your conversation as productive as possible, including a Moderator's Guide with helpful tips. All you have to do is reach out to friends, family, and members of your community and ask them to attend -- and, when it's over, tell us how it went. The Transition's Health Policy Team will gather the results of these discussions to guide its recommendations for the Obama-Biden administration.

No transition has tried something like this before, and your participation is essential to our success.

Thank you,

John

John D. Podesta
Co-Chair
The Obama-Biden Transition Project

Discuss

Democratic Club of Coarsegold Presents A "Green" Holiday Event!

Written by: Susan Rowe on Dec 6, 2008 6:15 AM EST

Linked to groups: DFA of Chowchilla, Democratic Club of Coarsegold, DFA of Stanislaus County, DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties

 

Read more

Discuss

What happened to all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth?

Written by: Susan Rowe on Nov 15, 2008 5:38 AM EST

Linked to groups: Empathy Cafe, California for Democracy, Blog For America, Democratic Club of Coarsegold, DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America


The Bakersfield Californian offered up a "Holiday cheer" purchase suggestion for the ultra right-wing "family values" crowd.  (What happened to all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth?)

National spike in gun sales reflected in Bakersfield

MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — When 10-year-old Austin Smith heard Barack Obama had been elected president, he had one question: Does this mean I won’t get a new gun for Christmas?

That brought his mother, the camouflage-clad Rachel Smith, to Bob Moates Sports Shop on Thursday, where she was picking out that special 20-gauge shotgun — one of at least five weapons she plans to buy before Obama takes office in January.

Like Smith, gun enthusiasts nationwide are stocking up on firearms out of fears that the combination of an Obama administration and a Democrat-dominated Congress will result in tough new gun laws.

“I think they’re going to really try to crack down on guns and make it harder for people to try to purchase them,” said Smith, 32, who taught all five of her children — ages 4 to 10 — to shoot because the family relies on game for food.

Last month, as an Obama win looked increasingly inevitable, there were more than 108,000 more background checks for gun purchases than in October 2007, a 15 percent increase. And they were up about 8 percent for the year as of Oct. 26, according to the FBI. [...]

Although my brother and I were taught to hunt, fish and tend a kitchen garden by our Hoosier parents and grandparents, I've never owned a gun.  The only time in my life that I've ever felt any desire to purchase a shotgun was in the aftermath of 9-11, because I knew the Bush administration wasn't really going to do anything to protect America. 
 
I did look into making a gun purchase, even went to several local stores (including the local Wal-Mart) and then decided not to do it.  The peacemaker in me said no, there must be another way.  That is when I found Howard Dean on C-span. They were airing video of a local forum at which some of the Democratic presidential candidates were addressing a small group of working people.  I hadn't heard a Democrat running for President talk like that in over 30 years.  When my hubby came home from work that evening I asked him to watch the C-span show.  He did and then he said call Vermont and find out how we can help to get that guy elected, so I did.... I didn't have an email address or even a computer in 2003. The young man with whom I spoke told me to look up my local Democratic Party, buy a computer and get an email address.
 
My hubby and I purchase food at our local grocery store.  We don't have the need to subsidize our pantry supplies with wild game (and actually we quite enjoy watching the little family of quail that traipses safely across our driveway every morning).  We do have a large food pantry in our home, and that's probably a remnant of my midwestern country roots.  I find just as much comfort in having a large pantry full of wonderful food and household supplies as others might in having a safe deposit box full of gold. 
 
I also enjoy reading a good book printed on paper.  I'm not too much into all those audio or online books.  I like having a home library full of good books to read.  I hope this child's mother might decide to stop by their local bookstore to make a few other Christmas purchases, the availability of which is also guaranteed by our Bill of Rights, such as some good books that will nurture her son's young mind to think beyond the needs of his stomach and to look to the future with hopeful anticipation rather than fear.

Discuss

California Statewide Rally for Change!

Written by: Susan Rowe on Nov 2, 2008 8:26 AM EST

Linked to groups: Sacramento For Democracy, Courage Campaign, California for Democracy, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , DFA of Chowchilla

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Yes we can

 

Vote the Ticket! Yes on 1A, 2, 3, 5 and 12!
No on 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11!
http://www.cadem.org/votetheticket

Join Obama for America and the California Democratic Party
in a Rally for Change!

Monday, Nov. 3, 12 noon - 1pm

California State University, Fresno
5421 N. Maple Avenue
Free Speech Area at the heart of Campus
Fresno, CA 93740
For more information, http://ca.barackobama.com/gotvFresno

Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring Street
Temple Street Steps Between Spring and Main
Los Angeles, CA 90012
For more information, http://ca.barackobama.com/gotvLA

Sacramento Office
1420 65th Street, Suite 102
Sacramento, CA 95819
For more information, http://ca.barackobama.com/gotvSacto

San Diego City Hall ‐ Concourse Plaza
3rd Avenue & B Street
San Diego, CA 92154
For more information, http://ca.barackobama.com/gotvSanDiego

UA Local 38
1621 Market Street (x Franklin)
2nd Floor of Main Hall
San Francisco, CA 94103
For more information, http://ca.barackobama.com/gotvSF

Help is still needed in your area to get out the vote on Election Day for Barack Obama and the Democratic Ticket!

Sign up now at http://www.cadem.org/volunteer! 

--------------        

Paid for by the California Democratic Party
1401 21st Street, Suite 200, Sacramento CA 95811
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Read more

Discuss

Faith communities rally in Fresno to oppose Proposition 8

Written by: Susan Rowe on Oct 30, 2008 5:46 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, Democratic Club of Coarsegold, Courage Campaign, DFA of Chowchilla, California for Democracy

Faith communities rally in opposition to Proposition 8

Sunday, November 2, 2008        

NO ON 8

Featured speakers...

Father Geoff Farrow,

Christine Chavez

(Granddaughter of Cesar Chavez & former UFW, Political Director),

Rev. Bryan Jessup

(Unitarian-Universalist Church of Fresno)

and many others

 

Fresno City Hall

2600 Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93721

2:00 - 4:00 PM

 

Time for mainstream voters to show our

community that we support equal rights for all!

 

You can help defeat Proposition 8 by making an online donation to

help air commercials like this one by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.

 

Discuss

Fresno Says: Vote NO on Prop 8

Written by: Susan Rowe on Oct 27, 2008 4:57 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA of Chowchilla, Courage Campaign, Democratic Club of Coarsegold, DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, California for Democracy

On Saturday, October 25th Mike Rhodes of the Community Alliance newspaper reported... A large and enthusiastic crowd showed up today at Shaw and Blackstone avenues in Fresno for a rally in support of marriage equality and against proposition 8.

video by sadstorygirl

song daughtry "what about now"

Discuss

NO on Prop 8 Rally at 4-6 TODAY in Fresno

Written by: Susan Rowe on Oct 25, 2008 1:15 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties

No on Prop 8 rally at 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

TODAY at Shaw and Blackstone Ave., Fresno.

Signs will be provided although you may want to make your own. Please do not use the word “hate” if you make your own sign.  

Call Fresno No on Prop 8 at (559) 862-4559 if you can help distribute door hangers.

http://www.noonprop8.com/

Stay informed...

Proposition 8 puts discrimination into our Constitution. It would inject government into private lives. It undermines equal protections under our laws. ~ Jay Hubbell

Here’s what’s fiction and what’s fact:

Fiction: Prop 8 doesn’t discriminate against gays.

  • Fact: Prop 8 is simple: it eliminates the rights for same-sex couples to marry. Prop 8 would deny equal protections and write discrimination against one group of people—lesbian and gay people—into our state constitution.
  •  

Fiction: Teaching children about same-sex marriage will happen here unless we pass Prop 8.

  • Fact: Not one word in Prop 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it, and the Yes on 8 campaign knows they are lying. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley has already ruled that this claim by Prop 8 proponents is “false and misleading.” The Orange County Register, traditionally one of the most conservative newspapers in the state, says this claim is false. So do lawyers for the California Department of Education.

Fiction: Churches could lose their tax-exemption status.

  • Fact: Nothing in Prop 8 would force churches to do anything. In fact, the court decision regarding marriage specifically says “no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent’s objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

  • Fact: Unlike Massachusetts, California gives parents an absolute right to remove their kids and opt-out of teaching on health and family instruction they don’t agree with. The opponents know that California law already covers this and Prop 8 won’t affect it, so they bring up an irrelevant case in Massachusetts.
  •  

Fiction: Four Activist Judges in San Francisco…

  • Fact: Prop 8 is not about courts and judges, it’s about eliminating a fundamental right. Judges didn’t grant the right, the constitution guarantees the right. Proponents of Prop 8 use an outdated and stale argument that judges aren’t supposed to protect rights and freedoms. This campaign is about whether Californians, right now, in 2008 are willing to amend the constitution for the sole purpose of eliminating a fundamental right for one group of citizens.

Fiction: People can be sued over personal beliefs.

  • Fact: California’s laws already prohibit discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This has nothing to do with marriage.

Fiction: Pepperdine University supports the Yes on 8 campaign.

  • Fact: The university has publicly disassociated itself from Professor Richard Peterson of Pepperdine University, who is featured in the ad, and has asked to not be identified in the Yes on 8 advertisements.

Fiction: Unless Prop 8 passes, CA parents won’t have the right to object to what their children are taught in school.

  • Fact: California law clearly gives parents and guardians broad authority to remove their children from any health instruction if it conflicts with their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians.                               

Please vote NO on Prop 8.

Discuss

1 to 10 of 88

Videos of some of the 64 House Healthcare Heroes standing strong for a public health insurance option

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver



Congressman Lloyd Dogget



Congressman Keith Ellison



Congressman Bob Filner



Congressman Phil Hare



Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey



Congresswoman Maxine Waters

Blog for America

Recent Blog Posts

The Watercooler