DFA Progressive Values group name change to Empathy Cafe.

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Aug 10, 2009 11:19 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Florida, DFALA, DFA Night School, Democracy for NYC, Lake Park

Greetings

The DFA What are  Progressive Values? group
has not had much activity for some time. I wanted to let you know I've just
changed the group name to Empathy Cafe. http://democracyforamerica.com/groups/2285-empathy-cafe

 From my work of interviewing people about progressive values I've come to see empathy as a core progressive value. It's also the value that Obama ran on. See this compilation video I made from Obama's speeches on empathy.
http://progressivespirit.com/Empathy/Obama/ObamaOnEmpathy.htm

So with that in mind I've been refocusing my work on supporting Obama's call for standing in each other's shoes.  Below is some of the work we've been doing.  More to come shortly.
---------------------

Read more

BEEN so buzy -

Written by: darlene matthews on Jul 13, 2009 4:40 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Courage Campaign, Access Now, Empathy Cafe, DFA Night School, San Francisco for Democracy

I have been so buzy between fighting for help from DOR so i can get current education and experience and  work full time  someday again , and  WORKING ON health care VETS and other  women's  and disability and housing ISSUES and  PROGRAMS... and all the other hot topics ... like the e-letters went off to wdc  and  assembly members this am, that  I  haven't  restarted getting new votes  to promote me!

so here it comes-

MEMORIAL DAY -IRVINE- Honor and Gratitude - BETH KROM 2turn CA-48 BLUE

Written by: darlene matthews on May 22, 2009 11:49 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America - Orange County, Access Now, Courage Campaign, Canyon Democrats, Empathy Cafe

Dear darlene, Memorial Day is our opportunity to honor the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers and to reflect on what it means to live in a country that promises "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" to all its citizens. There is a price to pay for such freedoms, and it is the men and women of our military who pay that price.  I grew up during the Vietnam War.  Today, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to challenge us as a nation. While war is always a hotly debated topic, there should be no debate about the debt we owe to the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives defending our freedom.  As your Representative, I will work hard to ensure that that those who bravely serve in our military are not abandoned and neglected when they come home. Military families deserve a stronger voice in Washington. Let's ensure that the families of our fallen soldiers know just how much our nation values their sacrifice.   Please join me on Memorial Day, May 25th, at 10:00 a.m. to honor the sacrifice of our brave heroes at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park in Irvine (Barranca Parkway and Harvard).   Sincerely, Beth Krom Candidate for Congress 48th Congressional District P.S. With your help, I can fight on behalf of our veterans and military families.  Please consider contributing to our campaign today! info@bethkrom.com www.bethkrom.com

Forward email This email was sent to go2thesun@mac.com by info@bethkrom.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Beth Krom for Congress | PMB 211 | 14252 Culver Dr., Suite A | Irvine | CA | 92604

Cant afford hybrid? 8 cars for under $18,000 -good on gas too !

Written by: darlene matthews on May 22, 2009 11:29 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Empathy Cafe, Democracy for America - Orange County, California for Democracy

8 cars for under $18,000  good on gas too!

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/autos/0903/gallery.cheap_cars/index.html

Nissan Versa

Price: $9,990 - $16,330

Mileage: 31 mpg Hwy, 26 mpg City

Want to be a pen pal so a child can learn good english?

Written by: darlene matthews on May 21, 2009 8:21 PM EDT

Linked to groups: San Francisco for Democracy, Canyon Democrats, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, East Bay DFA

Analysis of Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion “Savings” Proposal

Written by: Scott R on May 13, 2009 8:44 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Illinois, Blog For America, Democracy for New York, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni, Michigan Democracy for America

The private health insurance industry proposes to reduce health care spend and slow rate increases over the next 10 years to provide $2 trillion in “savings”?

Let's analyze what that might mean.

Analysis of Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion Savings Proposal

The purpose of this analysis is meant to provide grounding, and further the discussions and progress of US health care reform.

Please note that all statistics are rounded to make the calculations and comprehension of the concepts more straightforward.

Please provide feedback to make this information more correct and useful.

US Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion Savings Proposal

The private health insurance industry proposes to reduce health care spend and slow premium increases over the next 10 years to provide $2 trillion in savings.

2009 US Health Care Spend

Total 2009 US health care annual spend is widely accepted to be US $2.5 trillion.

US Private Health Insurance Industry Market

Today, 1200 US private health insurance companies make up the US private health insurance industry that insures 60% of the US population, or 180 million Americans.

Approximately 180 million Americans are covered by private health insurance.   At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to roughly $1.8 trillion annually.  

At $1.8 trillion annually, the private health insurance industry administers 70% of the total $2.5 trillion US health care annual spend. 

Whether for profit or non profit, the private health insurance industry is lucrative. In fact, of the $1.8 trillion private health insurance industry, 31% goes directly to private health insurance industry administrative costs and income.  So, for every US health care dollar spent by privately insured Americans, an average of 31 cents goes to the US private health insurers' administration and income, or approximately $580 billion annually.

If the private health insurance industry continues to administer 70% of the US health care industry at $1.8 trillion annually over the next 10 years, the total 10 year private health insurance industry would be $18 trillion at current US health insurance industry premiums and health care costs (obviously assuming no growth or reduction in the private health insurance and health care industries). 

Also, if the private health industry continues a 31% administrative costs and income at $580 billion annually over the next 10 years, the health insurance industry would receive $5.8 trillion for administrative costs and income at current US health insurance industry premiums and health care costs (once again assuming no growth or reduction in the private health insurance and health care industries). 

However, the US health care industry is estimated to grow as much as 60% or to a total of $40 trillion over the next 10 years.  

If the private health insurance industry continues to administer 70% of the total US health care annual spend over the next 10 years, the total private health insurance industry would be $24 trillion.  

And if the private health insurance industry maintains a 31% overhead over the next 10 years, a total of over $7.7 trillion would go directly to private health insurance industry operational costs and income. 

Over the next 10 years, the private health insurance industry could potentially see a $24 trillion industry that includes $7.7 trillion operational costs and income.

Does it really cost $7.7 trillion to write policies and process health care bills?  

With a potential total industry of nearly $24 trillion over the next 10 years, I am not surprised that the private health insurance industry proposed $2 trillion in reduced spending and slower premium increases. That's less than 10% in an industry that is projected to grow 60%.

US Private Health Insurance Industry Overhead

How does the private health insurance industry realize a 31% overhead today?

The 180 million Americans with private health insurance are statistically healthier, wealthier, and have less costly medical conditions (e.g. not terminally ill like a larger segment of those on Medicare, etc.).   By taking advantage of advances in information technology, automating business processes, and setting policies to deny coverage and insure the young, healthy, and wealthy is where the private health insurance industry realizes 31% overhead for administrative costs and income.

US Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP Markets

How does private health insurance overhead compare to Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP?

Medicare covers 45 million seniors or 15 percent of the US population. At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to $450 billion annually (including unfortunately $60 billion in fraud annually), with an overhead of only 3% or $13.5 billion annually due to no income requirement or excessive administrative costs and salaries. 

Medicare has some excesses and inefficiencies.   Also, seniors are statistically an unhealthier segment of the US population, while many require more expensive long term health care, especially the terminally ill.  The fact that this segment of the US population is growing the fastest will make matters even more complicated in the very near future. 

Medicaid/SCHIP costs are $300 billion annually (also including unfortunately $40 billion in fraud annually) for 30 million children, families, and seniors who are 65 or older, blind or disabled and have limited income, or roughly 10 percent of the US population.  At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to roughly $300 billion annually, with an overhead of only 3% or $9 billion annually due to no income requirement or excessive administrative costs and salaries. 

Medicaid/SCHIP also has some excesses and inefficiencies.  Additionally, low income groups are statistically an unhealthier and less literate segment of any population, and administering health care coverage and treatment can be more challenging.   Regrettably, this segment of the US population is also growing.

Analysis of Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion “Savings” Proposal

Written by: Scott R on May 13, 2009 7:53 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Texas, DFA New Jersey, Blog For America, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Democracy for Maryland

The private health insurance industry proposes to reduce health care spend and slow rate increases over the next 10 years to provide $2 trillion in “savings”?

Let's analyze what that might mean.

Analysis of Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion Savings Proposal

The purpose of this analysis is meant to provide grounding, and further the discussions and progress ofUS health care reform.

Please note that all statistics are rounded to make the calculations and comprehension of the concepts more straightforward.

Please provide feedback to make this information more correct and useful.

US Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion Savings Proposal

The private health insurance industry proposes to reduce health care spend and slow premium increases over the next 10 years to provide $2 trillion in savings.

2009 US Health Care Spend

Total 2009 US health care annual spend is widely accepted to be US $2.5 trillion.

US Private Health Insurance Industry Market

Today, 1200 US private health insurance companies make up the US private health insurance industry that insures 60% of the US population, or 180 million Americans.

Approximately 180 million Americans are covered by private health insurance.   At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to roughly $1.8 trillion annually.  

At $1.8 trillion annually, the private health insurance industry administers 70% of the total $2.5 trillion US health care annual spend. 

Whether for profit or non profit, the private health insurance industry is lucrative. In fact, of the $1.8 trillion private health insurance industry, 31% goes directly to private health insurance industry administrative costs and income.  So, for every US health care dollar spent by privately insured Americans, an average of 31 cents goes to the US private health insurers' administration and income, or approximately $580 billion annually.

If the private health insurance industry continues to administer 70% of the US health care industry at $1.8 trillion annually over the next 10 years, the total 10 year private health insurance industry would be $18 trillion at current US health insurance industry premiums and health care costs (obviously assuming no growth or reduction in the private health insurance and health care industries). 

Also, if the private health industry continues a 31% administrative costs and income at $580 billion annually over the next 10 years, the health insurance industry would receive $5.8 trillion for administrative costs and income at current US health insurance industry premiums and health care costs (once again assuming no growth or reduction in the private health insurance and health care industries). 

However, the US health care industry is estimated to grow as much as 60% or to a total of $40 trillion over the next 10 years.  

If the private health insurance industry continues to administer 70% of the total US health care annual spend over the next 10 years, the total private health insurance industry would be $24 trillion.  

And if the private health insurance industry maintains a 31% overhead over the next 10 years, a total of over $7.7 trillion would go directly to private health insurance industry operational costs and income. 

Over the next 10 years, the private health insurance industry could potentially see a $24 trillion industry that includes $7.7 trillion operational costs and income.

Does it really cost $7.7 trillion to write policies and process health care bills?  

With a potential total industry of nearly $24 trillion over the next 10 years, I am not surprised that the private health insurance industry proposed $2 trillion in reduced spending and slower premium increases. That's less than 10% in an industry that is projected to grow 60%.

US Private Health Insurance Industry Overhead

How does the private health insurance industry realize a 31% overhead today?

The 180 million Americans with private health insurance are statistically healthier, wealthier, and have less costly medical conditions (e.g. not terminally ill like a larger segment of those on Medicare, etc.).   By taking advantage of advances in information technology, automating business processes, and setting policies to deny coverage and insure the young, healthy, and wealthy is where the private health insurance industry realizes 31% overhead for administrative costs and income.

US Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP Markets

How does private health insurance overhead compare to Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP?

Medicare covers 45 million seniors or 15 percent of the US population. At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to $450 billion annually (including unfortunately $60 billion in fraud annually), with an overhead of only 3% or $13.5 billion annually due to no income requirement or excessive administrative costs and salaries. 

Medicare has some excesses and inefficiencies.   Also, seniors are statistically an unhealthier segment of the US population, while many require more expensive long term health care, especially the terminally ill.  The fact that this segment of the US population is growing the fastest will make matters even more complicated in the very near future. 

Medicaid/SCHIP costs are $300 billion annually (also including unfortunately $40 billion in fraud annually) for 30 million children, families, and seniors who are 65 or older, blind or disabled and have limited income, or roughly 10 percent of the US population.  At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to roughly $300 billion annually, with an overhead of only 3% or $9 billion annually due to no income requirement or excessive administrative costs and salaries. 

Medicaid/SCHIP also has some excesses and inefficiencies.  Additionally, low income groups are statistically an unhealthier and less literate segment of any population, and administering health care coverage and treatment can be more challenging.   Regrettably, this segment of the US population is also growing.

West Wing President Actor Martin Sheen's views on Dean Florez & Food Safety

Written by: Curtis W on May 7, 2009 9:58 PM EDT

Linked to groups: California Democratic Council, California for Democracy, Access Now

Eureka—I have found it,—and “it” is Senator Dean Florez!

I am supporting Senator Dean Florez for Lt. Governor in 2010 and established the new group, CA DFA For Dean Florez, Lt Governor 2010, for three specific reasons:

1. DEAN is that rare politician that is repeatedly elected to the Legislature with the support of citizens in his district that are in the opposing political party. That means to me that Senator Florez does the work the people of his Senate District wants and needs accomplished, regardless of partisan politics, which I strongly respect him for. 

2. DEAN has repeated demonstrated his ability to identify problems in Government and immediately takes action to fix “that which is broken.” He takes on these problems “head-on” even when not popular with his own party while others seem to not even be aware there is problem, much less try to make it right. 

3. DEAN plans to change the role of the Lt. Governor to an office with a primary focus of looking out for taxpayers, improving government operations and taking on the hard issues that matter or negatively impact the "little guy" to make life better for all Californians. An example of his progressive involvement can also be checked out at CALIFORNIASAFEFOOD.COM.

FURTHER, Having worked in public service for over thirty years I can say from “the inside of Government” that having someone in the Lt. Governor office like Senator Florez to make sure our tax dollars are well spent and programs do what they are designed to do, timely, accurately, and efficiently—will be a great benefit to all.

I am proud to support my friend, Senator Florez, and hope that my fellow DFA members in California will give Dean a look and I believe you will choose to support him, too.

Curtis Walker 
Grass Valley, CA

(Sacramento) - Home Stretch...Vote for Karen Bernal: Friday 5:30 PM

Written by: Susan Rowe on Apr 23, 2009 6:38 PM EDT

Linked to groups: California for Democracy, Blog For America, Sacramento For Democracy

We're Almost There!

 

Tomorrow evening at 5:30, the Progressive Caucus will meet and hold elections for new officers.  It's been an exciting campaign!  I've been able to travel throughout the state and talk to progressives to get their input on what they would like to see out of our Progressive Caucus.  From our big blue cities, to our most rural counties, I have spoken to many activists and found that we can learn a lot from them all.  I want to encourage greater participation in our caucus from progressives in ALL 58 counties and give them the representation that they deserve.  Let's give the 58 County Plan a progressive flavor! 

We must also end the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan and prevent future pre-emptive wars; Enact a Single-Payer Health Care system (SB 810 & HR 676) because Healthcare is a right, not a privilege for the few that can afford it; Demand Equal Rights for all regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or religion (and over-turn Prop 8);  Protect our environment for our children and our children's children; Protect and improve our Public School system by demanding it receive the funding it needs; Protect the right of all workers to organize; Insure that our voting systems allow everyone to cast a vote and have that vote counted as cast; Work for public financing of campaigns (Clean Money);  Abolish the Death Penalty; Increase affordable housing to help the growing numbers of homeless in our society; Adjust cuts to social services in our state; Close the digital divide and provide an internet that is accessible to all; Restore the Constitution and our democracy!; and much more - Wow, we've got a lot of work to do!

I am so honored by all of the great supporters of my campaign.  This week I received the endorsement from Henry Vandermeir (President, California Democratic Council) and the Yolo County Central Committee to add to the endorsements from over two dozen Democratic Clubs and Central Committees, five Democratic Regional Directors, over a dozen E-Board Reps, elected officials, candidates, LGBT & Labor leaders, and hundreds of Democratic delegates and activists throughout the state!   A list of my supporters can be found on my website:  http://karenforpcchair.org/2009/02/endorsements.html

I look forward to meeting many of you this weekend at the Convention.  Remember, you do not need to be a delegate to attend the Progressive Caucus.  Any registered Democrat can join the Caucus at the convention ($10 yearly dues) and vote for the officers, so feel free to bring your friends!  There will be great parties after our meeting at the convention center and the surrounding areas with lots of free food and drinks, so please join us and make an evening out of it.

The Progressive Caucus will meet:

Tomorrow, Friday, April 24th, 5:30 PM
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J St., Sacramento, CA 95814
MAP

Just follow the signs to the Progressive Caucus (upstairs) once you get into the convention center.

I want to thank all of the volunteers from my campaign for the endless hours they have put into making phone calls, sending emails, organizing events, travel arrangements, etc...  Our campaign would be nothing with out their endless energy and support!

See you all this weekend!

Organizing Truth to Power,
Karen Bernal
Officer-At-Large, Progressive Caucus, CDP
5th AD Exec. Board Representative ; Elected Member, Sacramento County DCC
NorCal Coordinator, Progressive Democrats of America
Co-Founder, Wellstone Democratic Club of Sacramento
Co-Founder, Sacramento for Democracy
CWA, Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO; Former Organizer, ILWU Int'l

INDIVIDUAL ENDORSEMENTS (as of 04/22/09): * All titles for identification only

• Darrell Steinberg, Senate President pro Tem, CA District 6 *
  
• Mark Leno, State Senator, CA District 3; Author SR 7, Opposing Prop 8;
• Author SB 810, Single Payer Healthcare *
  
• Charlie Brown, Congressional Candidate, CA-04 *
  
• John A. Perez, Assemblymember, CA Dist 46, Los Angeles; Democratic Caucus Chair *
  
• Mariko Yamada, Assemblymember, CA District 8 *
  
• Pedro Nava, Assemblymember, CA District 35, Santa Barbara *
  
• Aleita Huguenin, Chair, DNC Western Regional Caucus; Vice Chair, Labor Caucus, CDP; Retired Political Director, CA Teachers Assoc. *
  
• Mayme Hubert, CDP, Region 2 Director, Co-Founder and Secretary, Progressive Caucus, CDP; Co-Founder, Take Back Red California *
  
• Mal Burnstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Progressive Caucus, CDP *
  
• Dotty LeMieux, DSCC E-Board Rep, Marin DCC; Co-Founder and Officer at Large, Progressive Caucus, CDP *
  
• Medea Benjamin, Co-Founder, CODEPINK; Co-Founder, Global Exchange; Board Member, Progressive Democrats of America *
  
• Laurie McBride, Co-Chair, National Stonewall Democrats; Northern Chair, LGBT Caucus, CDP; 9th AD Delegate; Member, Sacramento Stonewall *
  
• Henry Vandermeir, President, California Democratic Council (CDC) *
  
• Jamie Beutler, Chair, Rural Caucus, CDP *

more endorsements after the jump...

Read more

(San Francisco) TEACH-IN: Bail Out Working People -- NOT the Banks!

Written by: Susan Rowe on Apr 21, 2009 2:04 PM EDT

Linked to groups: California for Democracy, Health Care for America Organizers, Blog For America

Bail Out Working People -- NOT the Banks!

Join us on May 9 in San Francisco for a

TEACH-IN & MASS MOBILIZATION PLANNING MEETING

Without joining together for our common interests, we don't have the strength to change our government's priorities. We must begin to build a massive movement that will have the power to impact government policy and give people genuine hope for a better future.

Help organize a mass mobilization and ongoing action campaign around the following demands:

- No layoffs. Massive job-creation program.

- Tax the rich -- don't bail out the banks.

- Pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

- Single-payer healthcare for all.

- Affordable housing for all. Tenants' rights. Moratorium on foreclosures & evictions.

- Funding for jobs and for social services & infrastructure, not for war.

- Stop the ICE raids and deportations. Legalization for all!

Speakers:

- Art Pulaski, Secretary-Treasurer, California Federation of Labor;

- N'tanya Lee, Executive Director, Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth;

- Mark Dudzic, National Organizer, Labor for Single Payer Healthcare Campaign (Washington, D.C.);

- Rosie Martinez, SEIU Local 721 (Los Angeles);

- Steve Williams, Executive Director, POWER (People Organized to Win Employment Rights);

- Conny Ford, Vice President, San Francisco Labor Council;

- Clarence Thomas, ILWU Local 10;

- Jack Rasmus, Professor of economics St. Mary's College and Santa Clara Univ.;

- Alan Benjamin, Executive Committee, San Francisco Labor Council and Workers Emergency Recovery Campaign;

- Student representative, City College of San Francisco, Mission Campus.

ALSO:

Extended remarks from Bay Area labor and community leaders -- and ample time for dialogue among teach-in participants.

AND:

Spoken Word performance by YOUNG PLAYA

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009   -   1 to 5 p.m.

(registration begins at 12:30 p.m.)

Plumbers Hall,

1621 Market St. @ Franklin St. 

San Francisco, CA

Donations will be requested at door to defray cost of renting the hall, printing leaflets and posters, and copying teach-in packets for all participants. Suggested donations: $10 general, $5 senior, free for those recently laid off, students and disabled. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Read more