Jeff Smith Endorsed for 18th District State Representative

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Aug 9, 2009 6:14 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-Evanston North Shore, Northside DFA, Chicago-Goose Island, Loop DFA

UPDATE: At our September meeting Jeff Smith's campaign was "adopted" with a unanimous vote. An "adoption" means our group will be committing its resources to the campaign.

At the August 6th Northside Democracy for America (NDFA) meeting Democrat Jeff Smith was endorsed for State Representative by a vote of 41 to 1. Jeff is running to represent Illinois 18h District, a seat currently held by Julie Hamos who will not be running for re-election so she can run for Congress.

To sign up for campaign emails go to:
http://www.electjeffsmith.org/

To donate to Jeff's campaign via our Northside DFA Act Blue page go to:
http://www.actblue.com/page/ndfa2010

Jeff Smith is an experienced community leader who has done the hard work of fighting for change. In his decades-long record of activism he has run -- and won -- against a Democratic machine incumbent, helped elect reform candidates like Abner Mikva, Harold Washington, Paul Simon, Barack Obama and Mike Quigley, and worked for causes from habitat restoration to affordable housing. He has volunteered thousands of hours at local schools and with community groups including:

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Watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at http://liberal.democratz.org

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 4:04 PM EST

Linked to groups: Progressive Democracy South Jersey, Take Back Red California, The Young Turks ~ ENOUGH!, San Mateo County Democracy for America, Connecticut Greens

Did you miss last night's episode of Countdown with Keith Olbermann? Does your tv system not have MSNBC? If so then you can watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at

http://liberal.democratz.org and if you can't get to that web page then go to

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2pnn4/dmocrats1/id2.html

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Send this letter to congress to end Republiklan filibusters and get needed legislation enacted. http://write2congress.buyblue.biz

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 1:19 PM EST

Linked to groups: PB/OS in New York State, Democracy for Metro Detroit, East Bay DFA, The Original Broward County DFA- DFAB, Blogs United

Send the following letter by fax to Senate Republican minority leader Senator Mitch McConnell. Tell other people to visit this site and have these people to get other people to visit this site.

Go to http://write2congress.buyblue.biz which will have the letter shown below in the text box and the fax information for Senator McConnell. Just enter your name and email in the left hand box and fill in the captcha code and then click on the button that reads send free fax now.


Dear Senator Senator McConnell

I want the following actions taken and legislation enacted into law.

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Can you spare 30 seconds of your time to help save abandoned pets?

Written by: Commissioner Richard Renner on Jan 4, 2009 10:30 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy For Providence, Netroots Activism!, DFA Oklahoma, Upper Valley DFA, Change for Kentucky Organizers

As our economic crisis continues to worsen, some of the most vulnerable among us can not speak for themselves - Unwanted and abandoned pets.  Missaukee Humane Society (MHS) is a small shelter in rural Northern Michigan, dependent on contributions to continue their mission of mercy.  MHS is one of the only no-kill animal shelters left in Michigan.  They are currently running on a deficit, and at full capacity.  Many mornings, the staff arrives to find abandoned pets, left overnight by owners who can no longer afford to feed or care for them.

Right now, MHS is attempting to win a $10,000 prize from Adopt-a-Pet.com.  Please, can you spare 30 seconds of your time to vote for MHS, by clicking on...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

$10,000 could save literally hundreds of abandoned pets - Pets that give us nothing but unconditional love in exchange for an occasional pat on the head, game of fetch, and a couple of bowls filled with food and fresh water.

Because MHS is in a rural, sparsely populated area, they need as many votes as possible from all across the state, and all across the country.  Please vote now at...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world—the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous—is his dog…a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that had no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

 - George Graham Vest, American lawyer and politician, 1830-1904

Happy Thanksgiving from Missaukee County (Michigan) :)

Written by: Commissioner Richard Renner on Nov 26, 2008 7:30 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Colorado, Savannah DFA, DFA Bookclub -- Chicago, DFA-Link Organizers, Bloggers

To all my friends at Democracy for America,

May your Thanksgiving be filled with Love, Faith and Laughter.

Best wishes,

Richard Renner

Missaukee County Commissioner-elect

Membership Chair, Missaukee County Democratic Party

“Strange is our situation here upon earth.  Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose.  From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know:  That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy.  Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”

 - Albert Einstein

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices..." - Democrats.com

Written by: Commissioner Richard Renner on Nov 17, 2008 9:41 PM EST

Linked to groups: Pax Christi Summit, Johnson County Democracy for America (JCDFA), Cobb County Democracy For America, Lehigh/Northampton Progressive Alliance, Savannah DFA

"...let's not forget all the hard-working, progressive Democrats who are running for local offices...Local and state offices have an enormous impact on our lives, and also produce our future national leaders..." - Democrats.com

CHALLENGE: ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT to raise $380! Help the only Democratic County Commissioner in Missaukee County (Michigan).

On Tuesday, November 4th, history was made in Missaukee County. I was fortunate enough to defeat a Republican incumbent for County Commissioner in the second most Republican county in the state of Michigan. However, as with many campaigns, I have debt to pay off, and several final expenses to pay. I need to raise $380 in 3 days. Can I count on you? Making a contribution is easier than ever. Just click on the link below, and make a secure, online contribution using PayPal...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=rrenner%40core%2ecom&item_name=Friends%20of%20Richard%20Renner&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY MID-MICHIGAN DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA (MMDfA)!

“Richard REALLY knows his stuff and has specific plans for improving his county.”

As I was quoted in our local daily, the Cadillac News, following my victory...

"The voters...have made a determination that the status quo is no longer acceptable, that we expect more accountability, greater openness, and transparency in county government."

Please, help me pay off my debt by raising $380 in 3 days. Just click on the link below, and make a secure, online contribution using PayPal...

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=rrenner%40core%2ecom&item_name=Friends%20of%20Richard%20Renner&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0¤cy_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

Victory '10,

Richard Renner

Missaukee County Commissioner-elect

"...public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people...with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration."

- Margaret Chase Smith, U.S. Senator from Maine, 1949-1973

Oil Crisis: Oil Industry's method of raising prices and cutting their own taxes

Written by: James Dunn on Jul 8, 2008 11:15 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties, Blog For America, Democracy For the Heart of America, Change For Kentucky Lexington, Democracy For Arizona

Regarding opening environmentally protected areas for mining and pumping oil:

There is over 200 years of oil in the 48 contiguous States that are capped up by oil companies to monopolize world energy. There is no need to violate our environmentally protected areas, just to allow oil companies to further monopolize their strangle hold over our lives.

They are creating a media frenzy just to increase the price of oil; very successfully I might add. However, there is no immediate threat for an oil shortage !!! The oil companies have ONLY created the perception that there is a shortage !!!!

I personally believe that ALL mineral rights belong to the American People, NOT souless corporations!!!

I applaud Venezuela for nationalizing the oil assets in their country!!!!

We should be doing the same thing here in the United States !!!!

Ethically Eliminate ALL Political Corruption

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/jamesbdunn?p=57

Which Aldermen voted 100% with Mayor Daley?

Written by: Sandra Verthein on Jun 2, 2008 8:52 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Chicago-Goose Island, Northside DFA, Loop DFA, Greater Lincoln Park DFA

UIC Political Science Professor Dick Simpson just came out with a new report on Aldermanic voting scores since the 2007 election.  Here's how some of our north side Aldermen scored in a recently released report (percentage reflects agreement on the 13 divided roll call votes in the past year):

- Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) - 85% agreement with Daley
- Margaret Laurino (39th Ward) - 85% agreement with Daley
- Patrick O'Connor (40th Ward) - 92% agreement with Daley
- Vi Daley (43rd Ward) - 92% agreement with Daley
- Tom Tunney (44th Ward) - 100% agreement with Daley
- Helen Schiller (46th Ward) - 100% agreement with Daley
- Eugene Schulter (47th Ward) - 85% agreement with Daley
- Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward) - 100% agreement with Daley
- Joe Moore (49th Ward) - 38% agreement with Daley
- Bernard Stone (50th Ward) - 67% agreement with Daley

One of those aldermen, political new-comer Scott Waguespack, will be one of our guest speakers at our NDFA meeting this Thursday.  In 2007 Scott defeated 32nd Ward Alderman Ted Matlak, who for years had also voted 100% with Mayor Daley.  Also in 2007 NDFA candidate Michele Smith narrowly lost to 43rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley, but Michele then went on just a few months later to win as 43rd Ward Democratic Committeman.

How did they do it? What was the key to their success? Find out at our next
meeting where Scott and Michele will be our guest speakers:

Northside DFA June Meeting: "How I Beat The Machine"
- Thursday, June 5th
- 6 pm dinner (optional) and socializing, 7 pm meeting
- Furama Chinese Restaurant, upstairs, 4936 N. Broadway
- sign up at our website: http://democracyforamerica.com/groups/247-northside-dfa

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Loop DFA meeting THIS WED.!

Written by: Gregg Hodgson on May 2, 2008 10:55 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Northside DFA, Loop DFA, Greater Lincoln Park DFA, Democracy for Lake County, Democracy for Indiana

Date: Wed., May 7

Time: 7 - 9 PM

Place: Exchequer Restaurant, 226 S. Wabash

Cost: FREE (We hope you'll consider buying SOMETHING to support this fine restaurant that has supported us for so long)

There's plenty of variety on our agenda this month! Since the schedule will be tight, I've (wistfully) appended some time-limits for each item.

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Wedge Politics and How Republicans Work

Written by: snow bored on Jun 2, 2007 8:20 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Loop DFA

first in a series

crossposted here

i am a voracious consumer of data.  it's partly because i am a scientist, partly because i am innately curious, and partly because i am driven to understand the things in which i am interested.  i wish i was interested in simple, or simplistic, things.

so when i saw this report that argues that republicans are happier than democrats, i had to take note.  i'm interested in the differences between republicans and democrats, for a lot of reasons.  i live in a mixed household (liberal democrat and a democrat turned republican turned independent), but also because i was utterly dismayed that the anti-war forces in this country were so disorganized that they didn't even factor in to bush's decision to invade iraq.  this has been a constant theme over the last four years.

one of the things effected by this conclusion is wedge politics.  if i don't make this abundantly clear, then let me know.

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