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50-State Blog Network

Crisis in Alabama: "We need your help"

October 12, 2011 by Left in Alabama

alabamaFLORENCE, Alabama – Pedro and his wife, both of whom are undocumented immigrants, decided to put all their belongings in the car and leave with their son for Arizona. Even with its SB 1070 immigration law, they expect Arizona to treat them better than Alabama under its law HB 56.

In a housing complex full of small homes in the city of Florence, two hours from Birmingham, relatives and friends said goodbye to Pedro and his family as they packed and checked the brakes of their car in preparation for the long ride.

Pedro, a construction worker from the state of Guerrero,  Mexico, lived in Alabama for seven years. “If it weren't for the law, I'd stay here, but I have a brother there (in Arizona) who says that everything's okay now and there are plenty of jobs,” he said.

Life in Alabama is impossible, he told me, and he wasn't confident that the attempts to block the law through the courts would succeed. And even if it did, the immigrant community faces too hostile an environment here to stay, he added.

“You can't drive anywhere; you can't go out because all it takes is seeing a policeman to scare you”, Pedro said.

10/21: Patricia Madrid, Michael Messina Host Reception in Honor of Congresswoman Linda Sánchez; Special Guesst Colleagues Reps. Martin Heinrich, Ben Ray Luján

October 12, 2011 by Democracy for N...

Democracy for New Mexico's picture
Original Author: 
Democracy for New Mexico

Please join Former NM Attorney General
Patricia Madrid and L. Michael Messina
for a Reception in honor of

Congresswoman 
Linda Sánchez
California’s 39th District
With special guest colleagues
Congressman Martin Heinrich
Congressman Ben Ray Luján

Friday, October 21st,
 5:30pm – 7:30 PM
2219 Vista Larga NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 

RSVP:  Kristen dickey,  or dickeykr [at] law [dot] unm [dot] edu
Suggested Contribution: $250 Friend or $100 Supporter
Click for Invitation With More Information 

Decatur Church Group Joins Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants

October 12, 2011 by Left in Alabama

First, let me say how proud I've been that so many churches - including many very conservative congregations - have stood up against Alabama's racist and unconstitutional immigration law. But not all of them have taken the plunge. And one food ministry that receives funding from multiple churches has taken things even a step further.

"We thoroughly check everybody out," [CCC Director Gayle] Monk said. "We've even got wind that a lot of them have illegal Social Security cards. So I've tried to educate my staff on what to look for."

Alright. That's pretty bad; this is not a government organization and the "harboring" provision that applied to churches was struck down. But I suppose this is the kind of language we'll be hearing from government organizations from here on out. But wait, it gets worse.

[Monk] "The majority of the Hispanics, No. 1, can't speak English when they come in here and, No. 2, have a Social Security card that is fake," Monk said.
"The majority of them that come in here don't have everything they need, and they don't come back. We even have problems with some of our (non-Hispanic) clients because they get mad because we require so much information."

Sen. Mary Jane Garcia: Redistricting Process Entails More Than Meets the Eye

October 11, 2011 by Democracy for N...

Democracy for New Mexico's picture
Original Author: 
Democracy for New Mexico

GarciaThis guest blog is by State Senator Mary Jane Garcia (D-Dona Ana-36), Senate Majority Whip of the NM Senate, and former member of the 2011 Interim Redistricting Committee. 

Many constituents that I represent have raised their concern that nothing was done during the recent redistricting session, and I believe they deserve a response.

This year's redistricting legislative session was expensive, contentious and has caused much disappointment to many New Mexicans—there is no denying that. I and my Senate colleagues understand the frustration that the public has with the outcome of the session, especially when our constituents wonder why it took nineteen days to develop redistricting legislation that was ultimately vetoed by Governor Martinez.

Winner and Loser of the Day

October 11, 2011 by Kenneth

Kenneth's picture
Original Author: 
Kenneth Quinnell

Winner: Bill Nelson — Raising lots of money while his opponents aren’t letting on to how much they raised.

Loser: Florida Democrats — Weak fundraising numbers and and reports of inflated numbers add up to a bad day for the party..

Post of the Day

October 11, 2011 by Kenneth

Kenneth's picture
Original Author: 
Kenneth Quinnell

From Beach Peanuts:

Seriously?

Last week Commissioners in Pinellas County Florida bowed to pressure from, and no doubt fear of the Tea Party and voted to put an end to fluoridation of the county’s water supply, which has been in practice since 2004. This removed Pinellas County’s place in the record books for being the largest water supplier without fluoride in the eastern United States.

Thanks to those commissioners who voted to end this practice, John Morroni, Norm Roche, Neil Brickfield and Nancy Bostock, Florida can now add another item to the list of steps taken to go completely backwards, and reclaim that place in the record books. Whoo hoo!

Apparently healthy teeth is another no-no for the Tea Party-GOP like paying taxes, education, and the “modern” conveniences of health insurance and high-speed rail, among others.

There’s more…

Lois Frankel Raises Over $415,000 for the Third Quarter 2011

October 11, 2011 by Kenneth

Kenneth's picture
Original Author: 
Kenneth Quinnell

Today, the Lois Frankel for Congress campaign announced it raised over $415,000 for the third quarter. These strong numbers show that Lois Frankel will remain one of the top fundraisers in the country. Showing the strength of her grassroots campaign, Frankel raised 99% of her money from individual donors, the majority of which are in Florida and has amassed over 3,000 contributors.

The third fundraising quarter in the off year is known as a particularly difficult fundraising quarter as it covers the summer months. Lois’ success during this tough quarter sends a clear message to Allen West. She won’t be outworked and she will have the resources necessary to win in 2012.

“It’s clear to me that folks are fed up with the paralysis in Washington caused by tea party extremist like Allen West. People are looking for a leader who knows how to get people back to work.” said Frankel. “We are taking nothing for granted in our fight to replace Allen West.”

Frankel went on to say, “I continue to be overwhelmed by the swell of grassroots support for our campaign.”

From the Inbox: Patrick Murphy Has Raised More Than $1.1 Million Since March to Take on West

October 11, 2011 by Kenneth

Kenneth's picture
Original Author: 
Kenneth Quinnell

Patrick Murphy has continued his string of blockbuster quarters, raising $313,000 this quarter and bringing his total to over $1.1 million since announcing in March.

Murphy’s campaign has showed significant momentum and this quarter secured support from key Democratic donors such as former DNC Finance Co-Chair Bob Crowe, Richard Swann, Stephen Bittel, Michael and Judy Adler, Alan Kluger, Mitchell Berger, and Chris Findlater.

“In seven months, we’ve proven that this is a campaign that is going all the way,” said Murphy. “We can’t assume that Democrats are simply going to show up next year. We have to earn their vote by tirelessly advocating for the issues central to our recovery and health as a nation,” said Murphy.

“Congress is in desperate need of people who understand financial statements and tax reform. There are currently only nine Certified Public Accountants in Congress. I will be the 10th. It is time to send people to Washington that have the skill set to solve our problems, not simply make talking points out of them,” Murphy added.

From the Inbox: 25 Florida Mayors Send Letter to Congress Urging Passage of the Jobs Plan

October 11, 2011 by Kenneth

Kenneth's picture
Original Author: 
Kenneth Quinnell

Mayors from 25 Florida cities and towns have issued a letter to leaders in the United States Congress and to the members of the Florida congressional delegation, urging passage of the jobs plan.

Faced with high unemployment, home foreclosures, and struggling businesses in their communities, the 25 mayors called upon Congress to set aside its partisan wrangling and pass the jobs plan legislation.

“We cannot wait any longer. It is time for Congress to act now by passing the jobs plan,” wrote the mayors in their letter to Congress. “This should not be a partisan issue. As the President has mentioned, the proposals in the jobs plan have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans.”

“Our cities’ residents want statesmanship, not partisanship, in Congress,” said Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, who initiated the letter and asked his mayoral colleagues to become signatories. “We must rise above party politics and do what is right for the country.”

“The rhetoric and inaction must come to an end,” the mayors wrote. “Our nation has a cherished history of rising to challenges and conquering them with determined resolve. It is time for us to follow in that tradition.”

The letter from the Florida mayors is below and attached.

###

From the Inbox: “Free Trade” Fakery?

October 11, 2011 by Kenneth

Kenneth's picture
Original Author: 
Kenneth Quinnell

This week, we’ll see Congress vote on three so-called “trade agreements.” Did you ever wonder why they call them “trade agreements”? So that they don’t have to call them what they actually are – treaties.

Under our Constitution, a “Bill” requires the approval of a majority of both Houses of Congress and the President’s assent, or an override of the President’s veto. But under Article II, Section 2, Clause 2, a “Treaty” requires “the Advice and Consent of the Senate . . . provided two thirds of the Senators present concur.”

The Powers That Be know that these “trade agreements” couldn’t get the support of two-thirds of the Senate. In fact, they probably couldn’t get past a filibuster. So they just renamed them. They’re not treaties, they’re just “trade agreements.”

But they sure look like treaties, don’t they? They are agreements between our government and a foreign government. That’s a treaty.

If it looks like a duck, and it walks like a duck . . . and it quacks . . . it’s a duck.

But they don’t care. They can’t get the two-thirds that they need in the Senate, so they’ll just pretend that they don’t need it.

SB 48, FAIR Education Act Referendum Not Going to Qualify

October 11, 2011 by Calitics

Calitics's picture
Original Author: 
Brian Leubitz
Anti-gay groups aren't able to gather enough signatures

by Brian Leubitz

Quite the day in the gay rights movement today.  First the executive director of Equality California abruptly resigns, which was quite a shock considering he was hired only a few months ago.  But that's just the beginning, as the referendum intended to block the fair education act, which would include the contributions of the LGBT and disabled community in our curriculum, seems to have gone down in flames.

With just one day left to circulate petitions, organizers of an effort to repeal a new law requiring that California students learn about the historical contributions of gay and lesbian individuals have told supporters that they "would need a miracle to qualify this referendum."

The Pacific Justice Institute and an arm of Capitol Resource Institute have been leading an effort to overturn Senate Bill 48, which requires public school instruction to include the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, people with disabilities and members of different cultural groups.

The Harvest/la Cosecha Available on DVD & VOD Today

October 11, 2011 by Vivirlatino

Vivirlatino's picture
Produced by Desperate Housewives’ Eva Longoria, Cinema Libre Studio‘s The Harvest/la Cosecha – a documentary about young Latino farmworkers in the United States – is available today on DVD and video on demand. Read my review of the film here. 

The Harvest/La Cosecha – Theatrical Trailer from Shine Global [...]

JOBS Not a GOP Value

October 11, 2011 by Left in Alabama

The GOP presidential field will have another debate tonight.  I wonder if they'll talk about the nation's number one concern -- lack of jobs.  Not likely, because creating JOBS is not a Republican priority.  That's what's wrong with the GOP, in a nutshell ... they're obsessed with a bunch of silly stuff that has zip to do with the real problems real people are facing everyday in their real lives.

For instance, at the right wing Values Voters Summit last weekend, they asked "Which issue is the most important in determining your choice of candidate to support?"

It's Time Washington Saves the American Dream

October 11, 2011 by Calitics

Calitics's picture
Original Author: 
Jose Hernandez
In the midst of economic and political turmoil, it is difficult to imagine and embrace the fundamental values that we as Americans believe in; the things that make our country the greatest nation on earth. Sadly, these tough times have made far too many middle class families believe that the American Dream is far from reality.

But I can tell you it does exist. And I am living proof of it's incredible promise.

The TRUE Cost of Coal

October 11, 2011 by Left in Alabama

  An interesting article from the great minds over at planetsave.

The true cost (of coal) lies somewhere between ~50% and 300% more than Americans are currently paying. The two largest contributors to this discrepancy are SO2 emissions (impacting air quality and public health) and CO2 emissions (impacting climate change).

  Now of course that's the true cost today. As of October 1st, the world temperature has been above average for 320 consecutive months. The cost can only go up & up as we approach 350, 400, 500 and beyond. Most of the GOP would have us believe there is still nothing to worry about no matter how much coal we burn. Obviously they need to go back to school to relearn science AND math.


OKC Occupation Begins

October 11, 2011 by Blue Oklahoma

Blue Oklahoma's picture
Original Author: 
DocHoc
Image of Occupy OKC protest sign

"Whose streets?"

"Our streets!"

And with that chant, the occupation of Oklahoma City began early Monday evening when approximately 150 people gathered at downtown Kerr Park to demand economic justice and fairness in the face of growing wealth disparity dictated by our corporate-controlled political system.

The group, Occupy OKC, a spinoff of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, have a three-day permit to camp at the downtown park, which is primarily concrete and decorated with fountains, and it has even brought in portable bathroom facilities.

American Dream Movement Protest At Alabama State Capitol Tues. & Wed.

October 11, 2011 by Left in Alabama

American DreamOver 300,000 people have signed the contract for the American Dream ...

We, the American people, promise to defend and advance a simple ideal: liberty and justice . . . for all. Americans who are willing to work hard and play by the rules should be able to find a decent job, get a good home in a strong community, retire with dignity, and give their kids a better life. Every one of us – rich, poor, or in-between, regardless of skin color or birthplace, no matter their sexual orientation or gender – has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That is our covenant, our compact, our contract with one another. It is a promise we can fulfill – but only by working together.

...

AL Senator Richard Shelby Stands With the 1% - the Bankers Who Bankroll Him

October 11, 2011 by Left in Alabama

With the media finally paying attention to the Occupy Wall Street protests, last week's travesty in the Senate flew under the radar a bit.  Senator Richard Shelby voted with every Republican on the Banking Committee to block a vote on the nomination of Richard Corday to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.Richard Shelby Fat Cat for Wall Street

Fortunately, Big Dick & his allies were in the minority.  That doesn't mean they won't keep fighting the very idea of consumer protection:

10/19: Fundraiser Honoring Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima

October 11, 2011 by Democracy for N...

Democracy for New Mexico's picture
Original Author: 
Democracy for New Mexico

From Mary Gail Gwaltney:

You are invited to a Fundraiser
Honoring Mayor Ken Miyagishima
Wednesday, October 19th, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
At the home of
Mary Gail Gwaltney
Democratic National Committeewoman
And
Senator Lamar Gwaltney
1910 North Alameda Avenue, Las Cruces
Co-Hosted by
Joni Marie Gutierrez, NM State Representative
Click for Flyer
Minimum Donation: $50 per person at the door

Exchange Tackles Rising Health Costs

October 10, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Uppity Wisconsin's picture
Original Author: 
Sen. Kathleen Vinehout

“Rising health costs are the single biggest problem we face,” the Menomonie non-profit administrator told me. She saw double digit inflation in health insurance costs for years. “We are having a serious talk with our employees about options. None are good.”

“With the drop in milk prices,” the Tomah dairy farmer told me. “Health premiums now take up a quarter of our milk check.” Insurance premiums for the farmer and his brother add up to over $900 a month. “What can you do to help?” he asked.

This week I unveiled a bill to create affordable health insurance exchanges for small businesses and individuals. An exchange is a competitive marketplace where health insurance companies compete for business.

For small businesses, farmers and others who buy insurance on their own, a well run exchange does two things. First, exchanges give small groups big buying power. No longer are you on your own buying insurance for just yourself or your business.

Second, the exchange provides information not now available to small businesses and people who buy insurance on their own. Consumers can clearly compare plans.

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