NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY FOR HR 676, Universal Healthcare TODAY!

NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY FOR HR 676, Universal Healthcare this Monday 22, 2008

GIVE AMERICA A GIFT: One Nation. One Plan. Please call both our Senators
and your Representative in Maryland. (see below)

The first national call-in day is TODAY, Monday, December 22nd. The
second national call-in day will be Thursday, January 15th. Please call
your representative and senators today and next month. Share this
message with fellow Marylanders.

Also, please call Senator Kennedy's office today. In a letter he
explained, "In recent weeks I have been working on legislation that will
have bipartisan support and guarantee quality, affordable health care
for all Americans and their families." Let him know the only way to
achieve this is through expanded and improved Medicare: national health
care for all. Call/Fax Kennedy's office: 617-565-3170 / Fax:
617-565-3183. A draft message to his office is below as well.

If your Representative is not Rep. Elijah Cummings or Rep. Donna
Edwards, then he or she is not a cosponsor of HR 676. If either of these
two represent you, please thank them and encourage them to ask their
colleagues to join the HR 676 effort. If your Representative is not yet
a cosponsor, ask him or her to contact Rep. Conyers to become a
cosponsor. No Senators have cosponsored yet. Ask Sen. Cardin and Sen.
Mikulski to take the lead on this essential effort.

Keep calls brief and to the point. Send a clear message: you want your
elected official to cosponsor H.R. 676--not a weak "compromise" that
will pay our tax money to private for-profit insurance companies which
overcharge and deny medically necessary care. Tell the staffer they can
get more information from Rep. Conyers' office or Healthcare-NOW--email
address: info@healthcare-now.org

Please keep track of your outreach efforts. This information is critical
as we track support for HR 676. Please report results to
info@healthcare-now.org

Find your Senators and Representative using this link:
http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/dbq/officials/ Find their phone number below.

Ask to speak to the Chief of Staff or Health Care Legislative Aide,
rather than leaving the message with whomever answers the phone.

Senator's Name-Phone Number
Senator Barbara Mikulski 202-224-4654
Senator Benjamin Cardin 202-224-4524

Dist.-Representative's Name-Phone Number
1 Rep. Wayne Gilchrest* 202-225-5311
2 Rep. "Dutch" Ruppersberger 202-225-3061
3 Rep. John Sarbanes 202-225-4016
4 Rep. Donna Edwards 202-225-8699 (HR 676 Cosponsor)
5 Rep. Steny Hoyer 202-225-4131
6 Rep. Roscoe Bartlett 202-225-2721
7 Rep. Elijah Cummings 202-225-4741 (HR 676 Cosponsor)
8 Rep. Chris Van Hollen 202-225-5341
* Lost bid for re-election. Incoming Congressperson is Frank Kratovil
phone: 410-643-8201

Draft scripts:

HR676 Co-sponsor call:

Hi, my name is ----------------. I am calling to thank Rep.
___________________ for his/her support of HR676, John Conyers' National
Health Insurance Act. Rep. Conyers plans to reintroduce HR676 shortly
after the Congress is back in session in January, but I want to reaffirm
my support for HR676, single payer healthcare legislation and ask Rep.
____________________ to do the same by signing on again as a co-sponsor
working for true reform of this terrible healthcare system. I say no to
Massachusetts style health care, and yes to single payer health care as
proposed in HR 676. Single payer gives more freedom of choice and access
to quality care for patients and it is the most economical way to make
sure we all can access care when we need it. Now is the time to give the
gift of healthcare for all to every American. Happy holidays and thank
you. If you have any questions about single payer or about me, please
call me at __________________.

Non-co-sponsors call:

Hi, my name is ----------------. I am calling to urge Rep.
___________________ to support of HR676, John Conyers' National Health
Insurance Act. Rep. Conyers plans to reintroduce HR676 shortly after the
Congress is back in session in January, and I want to reaffirm my
support for HR676, single payer healthcare legislation and ask Rep.
____________________ to do the same by signing on as a co-sponsor and
working for true reform of this terrible healthcare system. I say no to
Massachusetts style health care, and yes to single payer health care as
proposed in HR 676. Single payer gives more freedom of choice and access
to quality care for patients and it is the most economical way to make
sure we all can access care when we need it. Now is the time to give the
gift of healthcare for all to every American. Happy holidays and thank
you. If you have any questions about single payer or about me, please
call me at __________________.

Message to Senator Kennedy:

Hi, my name is ----------------. I am calling to urge Senator Kennedy to
make his proposed legislation for health care reform single-payer. The
current reform in Massachusetts is leaving thousands uninsured and is
far too expensive to be sustained because it leaves profit in the middle
of our health care system. In the most recent election, local ballot
initiatives supporting single payer and opposing individual mandates
passed by landslide margins in all ten legislative districts where they
appeared. With almost all precincts tallied, roughly 73 percent of
181,000 voters in the ten districts voted YES in support of a
single-payer system. Say no to Massachusetts style health care, and yes
to single payer health care as proposed in HR 676. Happy holidays and
thank you. If you have any questions about single payer or about me,
please call me at __________________.

Urge MoveOn to explicitly endorse Rep. John Conyers' bill H.R. 676, Expanded and Improved Medicare for All.

Today, MoveOn announced we, their members, voted that our top priority
is "Universal Health Care."

Please remind MoveOn "Insurance" is not the same as "Health Care," and
we voted for the latter not the former.

Urge MoveOn to explicitly endorse Rep. John Conyers' bill H.R. 676,
Expanded and Improved Medicare for All.

Contact MoveOn here: http://pol.moveon.org/feedback/fb/form.html?tp=suggest

I sent this message:

Thank you for polling us, the members of MoveOn, to determine our top
priorities. I agree with millions of other MoveOn members that universal
health care (as opposed to health insurance) should be our top priority.

Thank you for framing the issue accurately. "Insurance" is not the same
as "Health Care," and we voted for the latter not the former.

Please explicitly endorse Rep. John Conyers' bill H.R. 676, Expanded and
Improved Medicare for All. No other approach is proven to
cost-efficiently, fairly and effectively provide universal health
care--currently to all Americans who qualify by age or other characteristic.

Extending Medicare to all, and improving it by allowing negotiations for
pharmaceuticals, higher reimbursements for doctors and other provisions
in the bill, would indeed guarantee universal health care. Other
approaches cannot.

Thank you!

Mike Hersh

Contact MoveOn here: http://pol.moveon.org/feedback/fb/form.html?tp=suggest

Here's the announcement from MoveOn, with the top four priorities:

---------------

Dear MoveOn member,

Hundreds of thousands of us nominated and voted, and now the results are
in--we know where to focus MoveOn's efforts for the next year.

We asked you to vote for your three top goals, but after looking at the
results, it's clear that four rose above and beyond the rest.

Here's how it worked out, in descending order:

1. Universal Health Care

2. Economic Recovery and Job Creation

3. Build a Green Economy and Stop Climate Change

4. End the War in Iraq

(Check the P.S. for a link to the full results, including the percentage
of folks who voted for each goal.)

The agenda you set is bold, ambitious--and it is exactly the change
America needs. Of course, these aren't the only things we'll work on
together--we'll work on other issues as they come up, too. But the four
big goals listed above will be our top priorities.

Over the course of the week, we received more than 78,000 nominations,
1.6 MILLION ratings and 806,707 votes.

And we also received a lot of emails--stories from so many MoveOn
members who're personally affected by these issues. Notes like the one
below are a reminder of why these goals are so critical.

"I lost a daughter to cancer in July after a fight she couldn't win
because she had no insurance. When President-elect Obama said no one in
these United States should die of cancer because they didn't have
insurance, I knew we had to work to get him elected. My daughter had to
go to a county hospital where they died one by one in Houston, TX, one
of the cities with the best cancer hospitals. That is when I joined
MoveOn and worked with them online and in my city to register and get
out the message to vote. My daughter passed away wishing her death would
not be in vain. Yes We Did." --Martha T., Abilene, TX

Click here to read more of these stories on each of the four
priorities--and to see the full results for all 10 finalists:
http://pol.moveon.org/2009/agenda/results/

So, thank you for lending your thoughts, your nominations, and your
ratings to this process. It's a huge, exciting agenda!

Have a great holiday season, and rest up--because in 2009, we've got a
lot to do.

Thanks for all you do.

--Adam, Adam G., Aisling, Anna, Carrie, Daniel, Eli, Ilyse, Joan,
Justin, Karin, Laura, Lenore, Marika, Matt, Michael, Nita, Noah, Patrick
S., Peter, Tanya, Wes and the whole team

P.S. To see the full results from the voting, click below:
http://www.pol.moveon.org/2009/agenda/results/results2.html

GIVE AMERICA A GIFT: One Nation. One Plan.

Monday, December 22: NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY FOR HR 676, Single-Payer Healthcare

GIVE AMERICA A GIFT: One Nation. One Plan. Call both our Senators and your Congress Member in Maryland. (see below)

The Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Healthcare/National Single Payer Coalition Steering Committee has adopted an action plan that includes two national call-in days to Congressional members. PDA is a key member organization of the Leadership Conference on Guaranteed Healthcare with California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, Healthcare-NOW! , and Physicians for a National Health Plan. The call-in days will focus coalition organizations on asking their membership to call individual members of Congress to support HR676.

The first national call-in day is Monday, December 22nd. Activists are asked to target their representatives in their home districts.
The second national call-in day is Thursday, January 15th. Activists will target the DC offices of their representatives.

Call both our Senators and your Congress Member in Maryland. (see below)

We also encourage activists to target Senator Kennedy's office on December 22nd. According to a letter he sent in response to a request to support HR 676, he stated "In recent weeks I have been working on legislation that will have bipartisan support and guarantee quality, affordable health care for all Americans and their families." We need to let him know that the only way to achieve this is by implementing single-payer national health care for all. Kennedy's in-district office can be contacted at Phone: 617-565-3170 / Fax: 617-565-3183. A draft message to his office is below.

Tips for Single-Payer Healthcare Activists participating in this effort:

We want to reach ALL members of Congress with our message. Current cosponsors should be thanked for their support and encouraged to get active behind HR 676. Non-cosponsors should be asked to get on board with HR 676 asap. Find the co-sponsors here. 

Keeping calls brief and to the point is best and not only makes your members more willing to make calls but also makes logging the issue and sending a clear message to Congressional members much more efficient.

Should the Congressional office want more information, you may give them Rep. Conyers' contact information or Healthcare-NOW!'s information.

Please keep track of your outreach efforts--especially reactions to the calls that your members may note. All of this information is critical as we track the support in Congress for HR 676. Please report back about the Call-In day to Healthcare-NOW!.

How to contact your representative: You can find your representatives contact information here. We recommend calling and/or faxing on this day to get your message through. If possible, request to speak to the Chief of Staff or Health Care Aide, rather than leaving the message with whomever answers the phone.

District	Name	Party
Senior	Senator Barbara Mikulski 202-224-4654	Democratic
Junior	Senator Benjamin Cardin 202-224-4524	Democratic
1	Rep.  Wayne Gilchrest* 202-225-5311	Republican
2	Rep.  C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger  202-225-3061	Democratic
3	Rep.  John Sarbanes 202-225-4016	Democratic
4	Rep.  Donna Edwards  202-225-8699	Democratic
5	Rep.  Steny Hoyer  202-225-4131	Democratic
6	Rep.  Roscoe Bartlett  202-225-2721	Republican
7	Rep.  Elijah Cummings  202-225-4741	Democratic
8	Rep.  Chris Van Hollen  202-225-5341	Democratic

* Lost bid for re-election. Incoming Congressperson is Frank Kratovil   (D)

Draft scripts:

HR676 Co-sponsor call: Hi, my name is ----------------. I am calling to thank Rep.  ___________________ for his/her support of HR676, John Conyers' National Health Insurance Act. Rep. Conyers plans to reintroduce HR676 shortly after the Congress is back in session in January, but I want to reaffirm my support for HR676, single payer healthcare legislation and ask Rep. ____________________ to do the same by signing on again as a co-sponsor working for true reform of this terrible healthcare system. I say no to Massachusetts style health care, and yes to single payer health care as proposed in HR 676. Single payer gives more freedom of choice and access to quality care for patients and it is the most economical way to make sure we all can access care when we need it. Now is the time to give the gift of healthcare for all to every American. Happy holidays and thank you. If you have any questions about single payer or about me, please call me at __________________.

Non-co-sponsors call: Hi, my name is ----------------. I am calling to urge Rep.  ___________________ to support of HR676, John Conyers' National Health Insurance Act. Rep. Conyers plans to reintroduce HR676 shortly after the Congress is back in session in January, and I want to reaffirm my support for HR676, single payer healthcare legislation and ask Rep. ____________________ to do the same by signing on as a co-sponsor and working for true reform of this terrible healthcare system. I say no to Massachusetts style health care, and yes to single payer health care as proposed in HR 676. Single payer gives more freedom of choice and access to quality care for patients and it is the most economical way to make sure we all can access care when we need it. Now is the time to give the gift of healthcare for all to every American. Happy holidays and thank you. If you have any questions about single payer or about me, please call me at __________________.

Message to Senator Kennedy:

Hi, my name is ----------------. I am calling to urge Senator Kennedy to make his proposed legislation for health care reform single-payer. The current reform in Massachusetts is leaving thousands uninsured and is far too expensive to be sustained because it leaves profit in the middle of our health care system. In the most recent election, local ballot initiatives supporting single payer and opposing individual mandates passed by landslide margins in all ten legislative districts where they appeared. With almost all precincts tallied, roughly 73 percent of 181,000 voters in the ten districts voted YES in support of a single-payer system. Say no to Massachusetts style health care, and yes to single payer health care as proposed in HR 676. Happy holidays and thank you. If you have any questions about single payer or about me, please call me at __________________.

Please Join Governor Martin O’Malley, Attorney General Doug Gansler, Speaker Michael E. Busch & Chairman Joseph F. Vallario, Jr.

 

Please Join Governor Martin O'Malley, Attorney General Doug Gansler, Speaker Michael E. Busch & Chairman Joseph F. Vallario, Jr.

 

For a Reception

In honor of

Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher

District 18, Montgomery County

 

With Hosts

Mike McCurry, Former Press Secretary to President Bill Clinton

Andrew Mitz & Carol Fried

on

Monday, January 12, 2009

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

at

The Home of Jeffrey Cohen & Leslie Fried

4406 Brookfield Drive

Kensington, MD 20895

 

Hosts ~ $500   Patrons ~ $250   Guests ~ $100

 

Please make checks payable to: Friends of Jeff Waldstreicher

 

Contributions and gifts to Friends of Jeff Waldstreicher are not tax deductible.

By Authority: Friends of Jeff Waldstreicher, Jonathan Sachs, Treasurer.

 

Friends of Jeff Waldstreicher

1010 Hull Street, Suite 202 • Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 547-1068 ext. 233

 

Yes, I will attend the Reception on January 12^th. Please reserve:

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­__Host(s) at $500        __Patron(s) at $250      __Guest(s) at $100

 

I cannot attend the breakfast, but I would like to support Delegate Waldstreicher.

Enclosed is my contribution of $ _______.

 

Name _________________________________­  Work Phone_______________­­_

Organization____________________________­ ­ Fax Phone _________________

Address _______________________________  Home Phone________________

City ____________________ State _____ Zip Code _________

E-mail _______________________________________________

 

Contributions and gifts to Friends of Jeff Waldstreicher are not tax deductible.

By Authority:Friends of Jeff Waldstreicher, Jonathan Sachs, Treasurer.

we've earned a real celebration

Relive some of the best progressive moments of 2008! Dear Friend, We progressives sure kept busy. We did our part to make last month's elections turn our nation away from the right wing and get us back on the right track. How did we do that? By starting early and working hard, standing up for regular Americans and our values. I was proud to help PDA kick off the Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign in D.C. on St. Patrick's Day. That was part of my national tour for my book, Swim Against the Current. Lately, I've been keeping an eye on union-busting senators and big coal's contract hit on Appalachian wilderness in the Hightower Lowdown. Just last week, we saw Tim Carpenter on MSNBC, CNN, and in all the news fit to print--The New York Times. Last August, while the DNC put on their big show, we PDAers had our own show--Progressive Central. I helped PDA welcome progressives to Denver, and I'd say Tim Carpenter, Mimi Kennedy and the rest of the PDA team did a great job, along with our exceptional moderator, The Nation's John Nichols. You don't have to take my word for it. You can see all the panels, speakers, music and more on the Progressive Central DVDs, a set of five discs.  The lineup of speakers and panelists was first-rate:  Representatives John Conyers, Keith Ellison, Raul Grijalva, Dennis Kucinich, Barbara Lee, Jim McGovern, Lynn Woolsey--even Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Movement heroes like Rev. Jesse Jackson, Tom Hayden, Ron Kovic and Amy Goodman also appeared--with many others. My fellow PDA board members Norman Solomon, Jodie Evans, Medea Benjamin, and Steve Cobble joined in. A progressive's work is never done, but I think we've earned a real celebration for all we've accomplished. What better way to celebrate than watching and sharing these DVDs with friends and family? You can order this professionally produced video record of these historic events while you support PDA--a leading voice on your issues--for just $60.00. Order now, and we'll pay for the shipping! Buy extra copies and give the gift of progress for the holidays. But you have to act fast; the free shipping offer ends Friday, December 19. Order here. I hope to join PDA in DC for the Grassroots Leadership Conference January 17 & 18. I'll be in Coralville, Iowa, January 26 and I'll announce more tour dates at my website. Until then, you can see me--and many of the country’s foremost progressive leaders--on these great DVDs. Happy Holidays, and keep swimming up stream, even a dead fish can go with the flow! Jim Hightower PDA Advisory Board member Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: work with and increase the progressive majority in Congress as we build on our 2008 electoral successes into 2009 and beyond. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. More info | Find Chapters | Find Local Events | Join PDA

Important events for Healthcare Activists

Important events for Healthcare Activists, especially those supporting Single Payer Healthcare.
For more updates, join PDA: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/default.asp?formid=signup:

* The Maryland Health Security Act of 2009 is online, please join us for discussions in Baltimore Dec. 6 and Rockville Dec. 13 (more to come--details below)

* Virginia Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Healthcare reform event Dec. 7 (details below)

* PDA Annual Grassroots Leadership Conference at UDC January 17 & 18 (details below)

-------

The Maryland Health Security Act of 2009 in DRAFT form is now available at www.mdsinglepayer.org
Please take a few moments to review the act, and send thoughts and comments to conversationcoalition@gmail.com

Please attend one or both of the bill reading events and join the discussion:
Baltimore Saturday, Dec. 6th 10 am to Noon
Mercy Hospital, Weinberg building, 2nd floor conference room
227 St. Paul Street, Baltimore
Parking available. Bring your own refreshments

Rockville Saturday, Dec. 13th 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Dr in Rockville
just off Viers Mill Rd - 586, Accessible by rideon bus (#45), metrobus (#Q1 and #Q2) and metro train (Twinbrook stop on Red Line). Bring your own refreshments.

For more information, please contact Margaret Flowers at 410-591-0892 conversationcoalition@gmail.com

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PDA Virginia Single-Payer Universal Healthcare with Chuck Pennachio
Join us for an afternoon with Chuck Pennachio, professor of political history and the history program director at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, founder of Citizen Solutions for Pennsylvania, and a recent US Senate candidate. For more information: moyaatk@att.net or 703-941-3707 or link below. This event is free. Please RSVP: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=14186

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Join PDA January 17 & 18 for the PDA Annual Grassroots Leadership Conference at the University of the District of Columbia, for workshops, music, celebrations, and more! PDA is among the leaders in a national coalition for HR 676--the National Healthcare bill. Confirmed speakers include--REP. JIM MCGOVERN, PDA Advisory Board member; REP. RAUL GRIJALVA, CPC Co-Chair and PDA Advisory Board member; REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ, HR 676 Co-Sponsor; JOHN NICHOLS, Washington Correspondent, The Nation; ANDY SHALLAL, Busboys and Poets Proprietor, PDA Advisory Board Member, and host of the First-Ever Inaugural Peace Ball; TIM CARPENTER, The Nation Magazine's 2008 Progressive of the Year and PDA's National Director; plus music by the sensational DAN REED!

More information, sign up online: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=14123

Join PDA: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/default.asp?formid=signup

Progressive Democrats of America Update December

Progressive Democrats of America  Maryland State Update December Please join us for these events and support PDA's efforts to make progress: 1. 12/3 Progressive Democrats of America Monthly Meeting, (NOT 12/4) 2. 12/4 Building the Election Reform Movement meeting in D.C. 3. 12/5 Eco-Justice Cafe' at Univ. of D.C.--Newly Added Event 4. The Maryland Health Security Act of 2009 is available online (see below)     a. 12/6 Reading in Baltimore/Discussion of Healthcare in Maryland     b. 12/13 Reading in Rockville/Discussion of Healthcare in Maryland 5. 1/17-18 Save the Dates: PDA National Grassroots Convention in D.C. 6. Support PDA with a one-time contribution or join Change Makes Change ------------------------------ 1. 12/3 Progressive Democrats of America Monthly Meeting, (NOT 12/4) Agenda: Plans for 2009 especially inauguration events, PDA grassroots conference in D.C. and ongoing lobbying and organizing including healthcare, peace and other issue initiatives. All are welcome. Saigonese Restaurant 11232 Grandview Ave Wheaton, MD 20902 2 block walk from Wheaton Metro (redline) Wednesday, December 03, 2008 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM More info/RSVP online. ------------------------------ 2. 12/4 Building the Election Reform Movement meeting in D.C. 7:00 PM at People's Media Center in Washington, DC More info/RSVP online. ------------------------------ 3. 12/5 Eco-Justice Cafe' at Univ. of D.C.--Newly Added Event 6 PM - 10 PM University of the District of Columbia 4200 Connecticut Ave, Washington, DC 20008 Featuring music, poetry, an open mike session, good food, good beer, good people, good cheer, free professional massage (10 mins each, FC/FS!) good info and good karma. Free tabling. In addition, enjoy The 4.0 Lounge, (with pool and ping pong tables, chess and checkers, internet connections and more!) and an Eco/Justice Video Screening room at the Anonymy Studio! More info/RSVP online. ------------------------------ 4. The Maryland Health Security Act of 2009 in DRAFT form is now available online. Please take a few moments to look at the act. Give your feedback to conversationcoalition@gmail.org. Attend one or both of the following readings and join the discussion. Share your vision of health security with us: Saturday, Dec. 6th 10 am to Noon Mercy Hospital, Weinberg building, 2nd floor conference room 227 St. Paul Street, Baltimore Parking available. Bring your own refreshments Saturday, Dec. 13th 10:30 am to 1:30 pm Twinbrook Library 202 Meadow Hall Dr in Rockville just off Viers Mill Rd - 586, Accessible by rideon bus (#45), metrobus (#Q1 and #Q2) and metro train (Twinbrook stop on Red Line). Bring your own refreshments. All are welcome! For more information, please contact Margaret Flowers at 410-591-0892 conversationcoalition@gmail.com ------------------------------ 5. 1/17-18 Save the Dates: PDA National Grassroots Convention in D.C. As the nation prepares for the inauguration of President Barack Obama, please join the Progressive Democrats of America national team for our Annual Grassroots Leadership Conference at the University of the District of Columbia, January 17 and 18, 2009. We'll have workshops, music, celebrations, and more! Confirmed speakers include--REP. JIM MCGOVERN, PDA Advisory Board member; REP. RAUL GRIJALVA, CPC Co-Chair and PDA Advisory Board member; REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ, HR 676 Co-Sponsor; JOHN NICHOLS, Washington Correspondent, The Nation; ANDY SHALLAL, Busboys and Poets Proprietor, PDA Advisory Board Member, and host of the First-Ever Inaugural Peace Ball; TIM CARPENTER, The Nation Magazine's 2008 Progressive of the Year and PDA's National Director; plus music by the sensational DAN REED! More info/RSVP online. ------------------------------ 6. Support PDA with a one-time contribution or join Change Makes Change PDA has been leading the way on your issues from Healthcare NOT Warfare to global warming/environmental protection, election integrity, fair trade and economic justice. No other organization does more on these issues, using an inside/outside strategy. PDA is working hard for you, so please support PDA with a generous contribution online here. You can also send a check using the same link. Please fill out the online form, and the website will give you the address to mail your donation. We know times are tough, but give yourself a well-deserved present this holiday season by supporting real progressive change now. We can't do it without you! Thanks and happy holidays, Mike Hersh Maryland PDA State Coordinator Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: work with and increase the progressive majority in Congress as we build on our 2008 electoral successes into 2009 and beyond. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. More info | Find Chapters | Find Local Events

Progressive Democrats of America / Maryland State Update

Progressive Democrats of America / Maryland State Update

1. 12/4 Progressive Democrats of America Monthly Meeting, (Wednesday not
Tuesday this month)

2. The Maryland Health Security Act of 2009 is available online (see below)
a. 12/6 Reading in Baltimore/Discussion of Healthcare in Maryland
b. 12/13 Reading in Rockville/Discussion of Healthcare in Maryland

3. 1/17-18 Save the Dates: PDA National Grassroots Convention in D.C.

4. Support PDA now with a one-time contribution or join the Change Makes
Change program

------------------------------

1. Progressive Democrats of America Monthly Meeting, Wednesday not
Tuesday this month

Agenda: Plans for 2009 especially inauguration events, PDA grassroots
conference in D.C. and ongoing lobbying and organizing including
healthcare, peace and other issue initiatives.

Saigonese Restaurant
11232 Grandview Ave
Wheaton, MD 20902

2 block walk from Wheaton Metro (redline)
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

More info and RSVP here:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=13593

------------------------------

2. The Maryland Health Security Act of 2009 in DRAFT form is now
available at www.mdsinglepayer.org
Please take a few moments to look at the act. Give your feedback to
conversationcoalition@gmail.org.

Attend one or both of the following readings and join the discussion.
Share your vision of health security with us:

Saturday, Dec. 6th 10 am to Noon
Mercy Hospital, Weinberg building, 2nd floor conference room
227 St. Paul Street, Baltimore
Parking available. Bring your own refreshments

Saturday, Dec. 13th 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Twinbrook Library
202 Meadow Hall Dr in Rockville
just off Viers Mill Rd - 586, Accessible by rideon bus (#45), metrobus
(#Q1 and #Q2) and metro train (Twinbrook stop on Red Line). Bring your
own refreshments.

All are welcome! For more information, please contact Margaret Flowers
at 410-591-0892 conversationcoalition@gmail.com

------------------------------

3. 1/17-18 Save the Dates: PDA National Grassroots Convention in D.C.

As the nation prepares for the inauguration of President Barack Obama,
please join the Progressive Democrats of America national team for our
Annual Grassroots Leadership Conference at the University of the
District of Columbia, January 17 and 18, 2009.

We'll have workshops, music, celebrations, and more! Confirmed speakers
include--REP. JIM MCGOVERN, PDA Advisory Board member; REP. RAUL
GRIJALVA, CPC Co-Chair and PDA Advisory Board member; REP. LORETTA
SANCHEZ, HR 676 Co-Sponsor; JOHN NICHOLS, Washington Correspondent, The
Nation; ANDY SHALLAL, Busboys and Poets Proprietor, PDA Advisory Board
Member, and host of the First-Ever Inaugural Peace Ball; TIM CARPENTER,
The Nation Magazine's 2008 Progressive of the Year and PDA's National
Director; plus music by the sensational DAN REED!

More information, sign up online:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=14123

------------------------------

4. Support PDA now with a one-time contribution or join the Change Makes
Change program

PDA has been leading the way on your issues from Healthcare NOT Warfare
to global warming/environmental protection, election integrity, fair
trade and economic justice. No other organization does more on these
issues, using an inside/outside strategy. PDA is working hard for you,
so please support PDA with a generous contribution online here:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/donate.asp?formid=donate

You can also send a check using the same link. Please fill out the
online form, and the website will give you the address to mail your
donation. We know times are tough, but give yourself a well-deserved
present this holiday season by supporting real progressive change now.
We can't do it without you!

Thanks and happy holidays,

Mike Hersh
Maryland PDA State Coordinator

MD health security act/mtgs in Balt. and MoCo

The Maryland Health Security Act of 2009 in DRAFT form is now available
at www.mdsinglepayer.org

Please take a few moments to look at the act. Give your feedback to
conversationcoalition@gmail.org

Or better, attend one of the following reading groups and join the
discussion. Share your vision of health security with us:

The first reading will be Saturday, Dec. 6th 10 am to Noon
Mercy Hospital, Weinberg building, 2nd floor conference room
227 St. Paul Street, Baltimore
Parking available. Bring your own refreshments

The second reading of the will be Saturday, Dec. 13th 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Twinbrook Library
202 Meadow Hall Dr in Rockville
just off Viers Mill Rd - 586, Accessible by ride on bus (#45), metro bus
(#Q1 and #Q2) and metro train (Twinbrook stop on Red Line). Bring your
own refreshments.

All are welcome! For more information, please contact Dr. Flowers at
410-591-0892 conversationcoalition@gmail.com

National PDA meeting in DC Jan 17 & 18, 2009

PDA members from around the US will be meeting at UDC Law School, Van
Ness Campus the weekend before the inauguration. You can see all the
details here:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=14123

Eco/Justice Café December 5th, 6 to 10 pm

Save the Date and Tell Your Friends: Friday, December 5th, 6 to 10 pm

The Eco/Justice Café ! 

 

Featuring music, poetry, an open mike session, good food, good beer, good people, good cheer, free professional massage (10 mins each, FC/FS!) good info and good karma.   

 

In addition, enjoy The 4.0 Lounge, (with pool and ping pong tables, chess and checkers, internet connections and more!) and an Eco/Justice Video Screening room at the Anonymy Studio!  

 

University of DC, Firebird Inn, Van Ness/UDC Red Line West exit

Building 39, B-Level, 4200 Connecticut Ave., NW, 20008, Wheelchair Accessible

 

Suggested donation $15/ $10 students/$5 kids

 

Food and drink included.  All ages event; child activities provided – and powered by kids!  

 

An Eco/Justice BAZAAR will feature environmental and social justice organizations and businesses.

 

TABLE SPACE IS AVAILABLE for no charge.  Contact GalinaSergen@yahoo.com to reserve your table!  

 

Join the MetNet 2.0 List at http://www.dcslf.org/metnet.html so we can keep you up to date!

 

TO VOLUNTEER on December 5th, email Galina Sergen galinasergen@yahoo.com.

 

Hosted by the University of the District of Columbia David Clarke School of Law, the District's public interest law school. For more information on the law school full-tuition three-year Advocate for Justice Scholarships, go to

http://www.law.udc.edu/?page=AFJ  

 

FUTURE CAFÉS:  for your calendar, the next Eco/Justice Cafés will be:

 

Friday, January 9;   Friday, February 6;   Friday, March 6;   Friday, April 3

 

And afterwards, the FIRST FRIDAY of each month!

 

DO YOU WANT TO HELP?

 

1. JOIN THE HOST COMMITTEE!  Individual  Host  Committee Members:   Tiffany De Lisio, Susan Eisendrath, Naomi Friedman, Doug Hartnett, Zahara Heckscher, Joe Libertelli, Galina Sergen,  Larry Martin, Neil Seldman, Daniel Solomon, Marie Soveroski, Eric Thiel, Chris Weiss, Linda Welch, Stuart Whitaker.

2. RECRUIT other Host Committee Members

3. RECRUIT tabling organizations

4. JOIN the MetNet 2.0 list at http://www.dcslf.org/metnet.html !

5. FORWARD this e-mail and ask friends to sign up at http://www.dcslf.org/metnet.html !

6. VOLUNTEER for the Cafe (musicians, poets, set up and clean up artists, etc. always welcome!)

7. VOLUNTEER to build the Web Calendar (see below)

8. DONATE at www.dcslf.org in the General Fund and make a note that your contribution is to "MetNet 2.0" 

 

 

HISTORY:  From 1990 – 1997, the Metro DC Environmental Network (MetNet) provided connectivity to the region's environmental and justice activists through a monthly calendar, monthly EcoJustice Coffeehouses, a broadcast fax system, and annual regional Earth Day events.

 

The new MetNet will recycle the best of the origional MetNet as follows:

 

MONTHLY ECO/JUSTICE CAFÉS: will be held on the First Fridays of each month at the UDC Firebird Inn.  They are intended to build understanding, friendship, community and cooperation among area activists.

 

THE NEW ON-LINE CALENDAR: will provide the region's most comprehensive listing of social justice and environmental events.  With your help, the Calendar will be "rolled out" in January, 2009.

 

AN ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER will access Washington area residents to local and regional information they need to act on their environmental and social values.  The Resource Center will be built out in stages in the coming months. 

 

VOLUNTEER EDITORS are sought for sections of the Resource Center.  Editors will collect and maintain a section of the database and, in return, will be granted control that area's "home page" where they can write or choose articles to post, manage a forum, and highlight their favorite resources.  These will be serious and demanding – but highly rewarding – positions.

 

STRUCTURE: MetNet 2.0 can accept tax exempt contributions through the DC School of Law Foundation at www.dcslf.org.  It is preparing to file for its own 501 (c) (3) status with the help of the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law Community Development Clinic.

 

WHY DO WE CALL IT THE "ECO/JUSTICE" CAFE?   We seek to build community among people concerned about and seeking transformation on the full range of progressive issues.   These include all the myriad environmental concerns - and the full range of social justice causes, including all efforts to fight poverty and discrimination, to protect the public health, to foster human potential, and to move toward a more democratic society.

 

STAY IN TOUCH: Join the MetNet 2.0 List at http://www.dcslf.org/metnet.html 

 

Sunday, November 16 SCARRED LANDS and WOUNDED LIVES

Hello Friends,

We invite you to join us on Sunday, November 16, at the Rockville
Library, 51 Maryland Avenue
(Meeting Room # 2, Second Floor), Rockville, from 2:30 - 4:30, to view
Scarred Lands and Wounded Lives,
a film by local filmmakers, Alice and Lincoln Day.

Please join The Democratic Connection and The Global Citizens Club for a
FREE showing of this important film.
The filmmakers, Lincoln & Alice Day will be there to lead a Q&A session
afterwards.

Please share this with your friends.

SCARRED LANDS and WOUNDED LIVES

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008
2:30-4:30
ROCKVILLE LIBRARY, Meeting Room #2
51 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland

For more information, contact:
Naomi Bloch
301.520.9315

We look forward to being with you!

sustainability education workshop with the Sierra Club

Hi Mike

I am working with the Izaak Walton League on producing a
sustainability education workshop along with the Sierra Club
and Audubon. The workshop is on the interconnectedness between
population, health and the environment. The event will take
place in Bethesda on November 15.

I thought that this event might be of interest to MoCo
progressives. Please feel free to forward onto interested
parties. Below is the information.

Thank you in advance for your help.
Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kelly

Do you wonder how sustainable development works both at home
and abroad? How population growth, women's health, and the
environment affect one another? How you can stay engaged after
the election?

Join the Izaak Walton League, National Audubon Society and the
Sierra Club for a skills building workshop. Hear from experts
on international population, health and environment issues.
Learn about the global and local connections for sustainability
and receive skills training on how YOU can make a difference
post-election. The event is FREE and RSVP is requested.

This is a great way to network, build friendships and gain
experience on issues concerning the environment. Confirmed
speakers include Judy Oglethorpe with the World Wildlife Fund
and Heather D'Agnes with the United States Agency for
International Development

The workshop will take place on Saturday November 15, 2008 from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bethesda Chevy-Chase Regional Center
located conveniently off the Red Line at Bethesda Station, at
4805 Edgemoor Lane Bethesda, MD in room D. Lunch will be
provided and morning refreshments will be served. RSVP is
required.

To RSVP please contact Tara Scibelli at 301.548.0150 x255 or
tscibelli@iwla.org <mailto:tscibelli@iwla.org>

11/11 Veterans' Day Vigil / PDA Chapter Meeting

Peace and Justice Veterans' Day Vigil - 5 PM November 11 in Rockville
Montgomery County Chapter Meeting - 7:30 PM November 11 in Wheaton

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) will lead a coalition of peace
and justice groups and activists in a Veterans' Day Vigil in Rockville
at the Metro stop, starting 5 PM on November 11, 2008. Then, we'll hold
our regular monthly meeting at the Saigonese restaurant in Wheaton to
recap the elections and make plans for the rest of 2008 and the
beginning of 2009.

Saigonese Restaurant 11232 Grandview Ave
Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
A few blocks walk from the Wheaton Metro

Keep the Maryland Guard at Home, an organization working to end the
Maryland National Guard deployment, is part of a nation-wide movement to
bring Guard personnel back from Iraq. If successful, this effort will
help end the occupation of Iraq and also will challenge the concept of
the "imperial presidency." The coalition is asking Maryland Governor
Martin O'Malley to read the results of last Tuesday's election and end
the deployment of Maryland National Guard.

Maryland State Senator Richard Madaleno and Maryland Delegate Jill
Carter plan to sponsor legislation in the Maryland General Assembly that
will direct Governor O'Malley to end the Maryland National Guard
deployment. This coalition, including PDA and Keep the Maryland Guard at
Home, strongly supports Sen. Madaleno and Del. Carter and works to
inform and educate the public about the Constitutional and other issues
raised by National Guard deployments. Members of the coalition will
contact their State Senators and Delegates and urge them to support
Madaleno and Carter's bill.

The "Keep the Maryland Guard at Home" coalition is launching its first
petition drive at the vigil Tuesday night, and will also sponsor and
participate at hearings, press conferences, town halls and other events.
See http://www.MDGuardHome.org.

Hope to see you Tuesday,

Mike Hersh
Maryland PDA

Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both
inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and
justice. Our goal: Elect a permanent, progressive majority in 2008.
PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist
leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim
Hightower, and Rev. Lennox Yearwood.

Progressive Democrats of America Monthly Meeting:

One week after the elections, we'll discuss the results and make plans
for 2009 including plans for peace on Veterans Day.

Saigonese is a short 2 block walk from the Wheaton Metro Station (red line)

Peace and Justice Coalition To Hold Veterans' Day Vigil

Peace and Justice Coalition To Hold Veterans' Day Vigil

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) will lead a coalition of peace
and justice groups and activists in a Veterans' Day Vigil in Rockville
at the Metro Stop, starting 5 PM on November 11, 2008.

Keep the Maryland Guard at Home, an organization working to keep our
National Guard in Maryland, is part of a nation-wide movement to bring
Guard personnel back from Iraq. If successful, this effort will help end
the occupation of Iraq and also will challenge the concept of the
"imperial presidency." The coalition is asking Maryland Governor Martin
O'Malley to read the results of last Tuesday's election and end the
deployment of Maryland National Guard.

Maryland State Senator Richard Madaleno and Maryland Delegate Jill
Carter plan to sponsor legislation Maryland General Assembly that will
direct Governor O'Malley to end the Maryland National Guard deployment.
This coalition, including PDA and Keep the Maryland Guard at Home,
strongly supports Sen. Madaleno and Del. Carter and works to inform and
educate the public about the Constitutional and other issues raised by
National Guard deployments. Members of the coalition will contact their
State Senators and Delegates and urge them to support Madaleno and
Carter's bill.

The "Keep the Maryland Guard at Home" coalition is launching its first
petition drive at the vigil Tuesday night, and will also sponsor and
participate at hearings, press conferences, town halls and other events.

Mike Hersh, PDA Maryland Coordinator, says, "We hope to bring back the
Guard in time for Thanksgiving. They should be home with their family,
not facing ongoing danger in Iraq. If "the surge" was such a success,
then why are our weekend warriors still stuck 5,000 miles away? If "the
surge" didn't work, again why are our National Guard members still
there? Either way, it's time to bring them home. We're calling on
Governor O'Malley to stand up to what we contend is an illegal
presidential order to deploy the Guard to Iraq. We could not have
occupied Iraq without the National Guard."

Steve Lane says, "The US has deployed about 600,000 National Guard and
reserve troops to Iraq, 5,900 of them members of the Maryland National
Guard. Their deployment causes their families financial harm and
emotional suffering, and impairs our State's ability to respond to
emergencies at home. Using the Guard to occupy Iraq set a precedent that
must be reversed in order to prevent more harm to Maryland's citizens
and to prevent future US governments from waging wars of choice and
aggression. The Congressional 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military
Force (AUMF) is the legal basis for federalizing the Guard and sending
it to Iraq. Our Web site, http://www.MDGuardHome.org explains why the
2002 AUMF is no longer relevant and why the Maryland National Guard's
deployment to Iraq is illegal."

= end =

final call for Del. SAQIB ALI campaign reception

SAQIBALI
DEMOCRAT, DELEGATE
MARYLAND 'S DISTRICT 39

Dear Friend,

This is the final call for my campaign reception this coming Sunday. The reception is being hosted by my friends Mr. Musa Ghani and Mrs Mirin Phool. It will be held on Sunday November 2nd from 3:30-5:00 pm at the beautiful estate of Mr and Mrs Bhupinder Singh in Potomac, MD. The Guests of Honor at this reception will be my esteemed colleagues Maryland's Attorney General Doug Gansler and House Majority Leader Kumar Barve. The invitation is attached.

Please RSVP now for this event by responding to this email, calling 301-685-3409 or (preferably) by donating online with your credit card by clicking here. If you cannot attend this event, please send your donation by mail to 12504 Degas Court, North Potomac, MD 20878. Free and reduced price invitations at special request,

Thanks very much,

Delegate Saqib Ali
(301) 685-3409
www.SaqibAli.org

By Authority of Friends of Saqib Ali, Treasurer Christopher Wilhelm