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PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE FOR EVENT IN WASHINGTON, DC Dear Single-Payer Supporter: Since the beginning, the discussion on health reform has been flawed because of the exclusion of a single-payer system in the debate. With universal healthcare off the table, so goes a meaningful discussion on controlling costs and improving access to care. On the same day President Obama convenes a "make-or-break" bipartisan summit on healthcare reform, patients, nurses, and doctors will meet in the streets of Washington DC and around the country to demand a real solution - improved Medicare-for-All. Join us for a Sidewalk Summit on Thursday, February 25th, at 9am at the NE Corner of Lafayette Park (H St and Vermont) in Washington DC or find one near you. Since no single-payer supporters have been invited to the White House Summit on health care, we urge you to call the White House and invite President Obama to listen to a real solution to the health crisis at the Sidewalk Summit for Improved Medicare for All. Call the White House at 202-456-1111 or click here to follow a sample script. No matter what the Congress and President do, if anything, the time is now to lay the foundation for a real health care reform movement that cannot be ignored. For people before profit, Katie Robbins, National Organizer Tim Carpenter, Executive Director Kay Tillow, Director Cindy Young Mark Dudzic, National Coordinator California Nurses Assoc./National Nurses Organizing Committee
Healthcare-NOW! - 800-453-1305 - 339 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012 |
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Call for Medicare for All--Event in DC Thursday
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Baltimore, Silver Spring, Columbia, and Annapolis
PDA Maryland is digging out of the snow and ending February with a Bang!
Join us in Baltimore, Silver Spring, Columbia, and Annapolis as we work
for Peace, Healthcare, and Clean Elections
1. Noon to 1 PM Wednesday February 17 Eat Lunch for Peace and Healthcare
2. 9 AM to 3 PM Saturday February 20 Md Single Payer Leadership Training
3. 6 to 7 PM Monday, February 22 RALLY to Take Back Democracy!
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1. TOMORROW! Noon to 1 PM Wednesday February 17
Eat Lunch for Peace and Healthcare at PDA's Brown Bag Lunch Vigils
MD-04 Rep. Donna Edwards's District Office, 8730 Georgia Ave. Suite 209,
Silver Spring, MD 20910 (near the Silver Spring metro). Call for a "NO"
vote on war funding authorization. Representative Edwards has been an
ally, so let's support her! Bring a brown-bag lunch. Organized by Ann
Wilcox. Sign up online here:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=16268
MD-07 Rep. Rep. Elijah Cummings? office, 1010 Park Avenue, Suite 105,
Baltimore, MD 21201. The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore is going to
vigil outside, at noon. At 12:30 PM, we intend to go inside and bring a
message of Healthcare Not Warfare. Organized by Max Obuszewski. Sign up
online here:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglistproc.asp?formid=meet&caleventid=16255
Organize a Brown Bag Lunch Vigil in your district!
http://pdamerica.org/pdacms/node/add/lunch-vigil
For more information about the Brown Bag Lunch Vigils, contact Conor
Boylan at conor@pdamerica.org or go to the BBLV page:
http://pdamerica.org/articles/misc/2009-11-13-12-49-50-misc.php
Read my article on the BBLV effort on PDA's website:
http://pdamerica.org/articles/news/2010-02-16-13-14-21-news.php
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2. 9 AM to 3 PM Saturday February 20
Maryland Single Payer Leadership Training
7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
A day of workshops with nationally recognized single payer advocates,
meet other Maryland single payer advocates and get the tools you need to
be an effective advocate in your area. Workshops include: How to explain
single payer and how it will solve our health care crisis, build
coalitions, interact with legislators, get media attention and hold
single payer events. You will be given written materials and sample
powerpoint presentations.
Speakers include: Dr. Carol Paris (PNHP*, Baucus 8), Brigitte Marti
(PNHP), Mark Dudzic (Labor for Single Payer, Baucus 8), Chuck Pennacchio
(Healthcare for all PA), Donna Smith (California Nurses Assoc.), Diane
Wittner (Chesapeake Citizens), Katie Robbins (Healthcare-Now), Dr. Andy
Coates (PNHP, Single Payer NY) and Dr. Margaret Flowers (PNHP, Baucus 8).
For more information or to RSVP (if you want materials) contact Margaret
Flowers at mdpnhp@gmail.com or 410-591-0892. There is no registration
fee (donations accepted). Sponsored by Maryland chapter *Physicians for
a National Health Program and Healthcare-Now of Maryland.
http://www.md.pnhp.org and http://www.mdsinglepayer.org
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3. 6 to 7 PM Monday, February 22
RALLY to Take Back Democracy! Free Speech for People, Not Corporations!
Lawyer's Mall, Outdoor square in front of the State House and the
Governor's Mansion
100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
Leaders from state and national organizations, & sponsoring legislators,
will speak. Lobbying to follow.
Marylanders are responding to the shocking new Supreme Court ruling that
corporations, for the first time, can spend unlimited funds to influence
any local, state or federal political campaign. Maryland legislators
responded with critical bills that must pass this year. A bill by State
Senator Pinsky and Delegate Cardin for public financing of elections to
begin to level the playing field. Bills by State Senators Raskin and
Frosh help limit corporations? power over elections. A constitutional
amendment correcting this ruling, and the Fair Elections Now Act, for
public campaign financing, have been introduced in the U.S. Congress and
are supported by many reform groups. Contact: fairandcleanmd@gmail.com
240-280-2582 or 410-812-1447
Rally Co-Sponsors to date: Maryland Progressive Democrats of America,
Progressive Working Group, Democracy for Montgomery County,
FreeSpeechforPeople.org, Public Citizen, Progressive Maryland, Maryland
Common Cause, TrueVoteMD, The Center for Corporate Policy, Voter Action,
The League of Women Voters ? Maryland Chapter, Maryland Public Interest
Research Group, The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of
Maryland, The Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Womens' International
League for Peace & Freedom - Baltimore & Catonsville Branches, Citizens
Against Unlimited Corporate Campaign Contributions, Fair And Clean
Elections--and MORE!
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Thank you for all your hard work, and I hope to see you at some of these
events this week,
Mike Hersh
PDA Maryland State Organizer
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 in 2010: Expand progressive influence in Congress as
we build on our 2008 electoral successes. PDA's advisory board includes
seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea
Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Lila Garrett.
See: http://pdamerica.org/articles/misc/2008-01-24-01-07-46-misc.php
Join a PDA Issue Organizing Team; learn more here: http://pdamerica.org/iot/
More info: http://pdamerica.org | Find Chapters:
http://pdamerica.org/orgs/findstate.php
Find Local Events:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/mtglist.asp?formid=meet&mtgview=L
Spread the Progressive Word--Shop PDAstore:
https://www.pdamerica.org/pdastore/
Monday, February 15, 2010
Free Speech for People, Not Corporations!
Free Speech for People, Not Corporations!
RALLY to Take Back Democracy!
Lawyer’s Mall, Annapolis (near Church Circle)
Monday, Feb. 22nd, 2010 6 - 7 PM
Marylanders are responding to the shocking new Supreme Court ruling that corporations, for the first time, can spend unlimited funds to influence any local, state or federal political campaign, a ruling the state Senate president called "offensive" and "devastating to democracy." Incredibly, the ruling establishes that corporations are like “people,” protected by the constitution to spend unlimited sums to sway political campaigns as if this were “free speech.”
Democracy should be about actual votes by actual citizens. Now, any legislator who stands up to corporations like Exxon, United Health Care, Goldman Sachs, or Philip Morris can expect a challenger in the next election financed with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars.
Maryland legislators responded with critical bills that must pass this year. A bill by State Senator Pinsky and Delegate Cardin for public financing of elections to begin to level the playing field. Bills by State Senators Raskin and Frosh help limit corporations’ power over elections. A constitutional amendment correcting this ruling, and the Fair Elections Now Act, for public campaign financing, have been introduced in the U.S. Congress and are supported by many reform groups.
Featuring an appearance by Designated Human Eric Hensal
of Murray Hill, Inc. for Congress murrayhillincforcongress.com (“Corporations are People Too”)
Leaders from state and national organizations, & sponsoring legislators, will also address the crowd.
Rally Co-Sponsors to date: FreeSpeechforPeople.org, Public Citizen, Progressive Maryland, Maryland Common Cause, TrueVoteMD, The Center for Corporate Policy, Voter Action, The League of Women Voters – Maryland Chapter, Maryland Progressive Democrats of America, Maryland Public Interest Research Group, Progressive Working Group, Democracy for Montgomery County, The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland, The Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Womens’ International League for Peace & Freedom - Baltimore & Catonsville Branches, Citizens Against Unlimited Corporate Campaign Contributions, Fair And Clean Elections-
Sunday, February 14, 2010
"The Progressive Movement (or lack thereof)"
Hi all,
This is the topic and subject for Tuesday Night's Radio show live at
"Ben's Next Door"
"Come Join the RAUCOUS CAUCUS (Mark, Terry, and Garland) RADIO SHOW @
Ben's Next Door (next to Ben's Chili Bowl) in Washington DC Tuesday
February 16th @ 7 PM for a live show! or listen live on 89.3 FM @ 7pm or
streaming live at WPFW.org:
http://www.wpfw.org/index.php?db=content/WPFW_Radio&tbl=WPFW_Radio&id=1
Be a part of the fun and madness and present your questions with the
LIVE AUDIENCE.....See you there!
http://www.bensnextdoor.com/ordereze/default.aspx
I am giving a background/summary of the topic and a number of specific
questions that we can kick around. We may not get to all of them but it
will give us some structure to work around. I plan to read the
introduction to start off the conversation. The topic for Tuesday's show
is: "The Progressive Movement (or lack thereof)"
INTRO - I contend that the current problems getting progressive
legislature enacted lies with the people who complain the most about the
lack of progressive policies. While those in the progressive community
are zealous complainers, few are willing to act. One of the biggest hold
ups to real health care reform is the fact that the right wing
opposition calls, marches, rallies, forms organizations, and takes
direct action to prevent reform. Meanwhile, the progressives spend their
time doing little more than complaining about what Congress and the
President aren't doing to bring about the legislation they want. Whether
its taking action outside the system such as "taking to the streets" in
protest, or taking action within the system such as forming an effective
alliance of progressive organizations and taking the fight to capitol
hill, the only thing that will produce health care or any other
progressive legislation is action and right now the progressive
community is producing nothing more than complaints. If nothing else,
the Tea Party conference proved that even if your platform is an
amorphous mish mosh of fraudulent issues and your leader has the IQ of a
head of lettuce, if you make enough noise the media, and ultimately
elected officials, will take you seriously. I argue that if we don't get
health care reform, it's not the fault of The President, Harry Reid,
Nancy Pelosi, or the Republicans. If we don't get healthcare reform it's
because we "the progressive community" were unwilling to take the
actions necessary to get it. Everyone on earth wants "something", but
few are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to get what they want.
Terry says, "TAKE IT TO THE STREETS" Mark and Garland both say "ORGANIZE
AND TAKE IT TO CAPITOL HILL" - both are needed if we are to get any
progressive legislation through Congress. The Republicans have declared
their intransigent position of obstinacy. The corporations have shown
that they are willing to form "Astroturf" fake grass roots movements,
the only question that remains is "WHERE THE ARE THE PROGRESSIVES, and
WHY WON'T THEY JOIN THE FIGHT"? They are driving around in their Toyota
Prius's (or whatever the Plural of Prius is), drinking their shots of
wheat grass juice, calling radio talk shows to complain, and believing
that they have taken part in the political process...WRONG!
END OF INTRO
Lets Call Out the Progressives To GET GOING!!!!! Even if we have to drag
their sorry lazy butts kicking and screaming into action!
Some Questions to talk about.
1. Why is it that progressives are so good at whining at so unwilling to
take action?
2. What should they be doing?
3. How should they be doing it?
4. What kind of platform would a coalition of progressive organizations
have that would allow all of them to comfortably coexist under one
umbrella and get something done?
5. Is it reasonable to believe that this can happen? Are the majority of
the progressives lazy whiners or just leaderless in the movement? (I am
talking about leaders and organizers who are non-politicians and not on
Capitol Hill...or is it something else?
6. What can the Raucous Caucus do? Can we really do anything?
7. The issues with middle class and upper middle class progressives who
want to "help" the poor and disenfranchised yet they have no idea about
the circumstances of those they want to help, They support or oppose
legislation that could help the poor and disenfranchised without input
from those who are suffering.
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other
time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we
seek" - Barack Obama
OK GANG, LETS HAVE SOME FUN TUESDAY!!!
Garland
Friday, February 12, 2010
Reminder: SNOWED OUT! Budget Panel in Wheaton
Saturday (2/13) at the Wheaton Library.
We'll wait until the snow clears, reassess, and decide whether
(weather?) or not to reschedule.
We appreciate your understanding, and hope everyone stays safe and warm
for the duration of the storm.
Thank you,
Mike Hersh, MCPA
Mark Woodard, GSSDC
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Petition: I support the Maryland Open Government Act
transparency in Maryland State Government. Please read and sign this
online petition, and consider checking the boxes for: Writing your state
legislator, Attending a rally in Annapolis, and/or Organizing in your
community. -- Mike
The Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/openupannapolis/
We, the undersigned, support the Maryland Open Government Act.
We believe that Maryland should rededicate itself to citizen involvement
in state government. By making timely, comprehensive information
available more widely and by ensuring that everyday advocates have easy
access to decision-making, our state can fully leverage its greatest
resource: Marylanders themselves. Openness can ensure that the General
Assembly and the Board of Public Works achieve the best possible results.
In that spirit, we believe the following reforms - together, the
Maryland Open Government Act - are necessary to achieving this goal:
1. Allowing the public free and total access to services provided on
the General Assembly's website, including elimination of the $800 access
fee charged for "up-to-the-minute" legislative tracking
2. Webcasting General Assembly committee hearings and Board of Public
Works meetings over the Internet
3. Posting General Assembly committee hearing agendas at least one day
in advance
4. Allowing online sign-up for those wishing to testify before a
General Assembly committee
5. Publishing the votes of standing committees on the General
Assembly's website
6. Posting the Board of Public Works's proposed budget actions at least
two weeks in advance
7. Allowing for a public comment period in advance of Board of Public
Works budget actions
Sign petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/openupannapolis/
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
SNOWED OUT! Budget Panel in Wheaton
Saturday at the Wheaton Library.
We'll wait until the snow clears, reassess, and decide whether
(weather?) or not to schedule.
We appreciate your understanding, and hope everyone stays safe and warm
for the duration of the storm.
Thank you,
Mike Hersh, MCPA
Mark Woodard, GSSDC
A Celebration of the Work and Life of Howard Zinn
Monday, February 15, 2010 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Busboys and Poets, 14th & V
2021 14th Street NW Washington, DC
Busboys and Poets celebrates the life and work of Howard Zinn with
friends Marian Wright Edelman, Amy Goodman, Bernice Johnson Reagon,
Ralph Nader, Dave Zirin, David Swanson, and others.
There is no charge for admission and seating is on a first come first
seated basis.
During the day, Busboys and Poets will continuously screen Howard Zinn's
new documentary film THE PEOPLE SPEAK (www.thepeoplespeak.com) and the
documentary film about Howard Zinn: YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN.
Details at http://www.busboysandpoets.com
Friday, February 5, 2010
TONIGHT! Dr. Margaret Flowers on Bill Moyer's Journal!
on Bill Moyer's Journal tonight.
Check for local listings here:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/index-flash.html.
She will answer President Obama's request for better ideas on healthcare.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
DATE CHANGED! Public Forum on Budgets
Progressive Alliance:
Due to forecasts of a severe Winter storm, we're postponing our forum
discussion to Saturday February 13th.
We're hoping all our speakers will be able to attend and participate on
our panel.
We'll still hold the event 1:30 to 3:30 PM at Wheaton Library. Thanks
for making a note of this change!
Mike Hersh
301-933-7169
301-602-9388 (cell)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Flyer+ Email for UDC Justice Café 6 to 10 p.m. Friday February 5, 2010
supporting environmental and social justice activists and organizations
Firebird Inn Building 39, B-Level - 4200 Conn. Ave NW
Just above the Van Ness/UDC Metro (red line) See Campus Map
Suggested donation $15 / $10 students / $5 kids.
No one turned away for lack of donation.
All ages event. Child activities powered by kids!
Music by local performers! Food by Kit's Catering!*
Poetry, Beer, Wine, Tabling, Progressive Networking!
Cosponsored by the Bill of Rights Defense Committee http://www.bordc.org/
RSVP! Performers, Showcase your talents! Organizations: We still have space. Reserve your free table!
Contact: mikehersh2007@gmail.com for all of the above.
Special talk on the Constitution and Rights at Risk, 6:30 to 7:30 pm with: ACLU Director Johnny Barnes and Shahid Buttar, Director, Bill of Rights Defense Committee
* Food provided by Kit's Catering. Kit has taken ownership of Gail's Vegetarian Catering and will continue to provide a variety of foods, but specialize in vegan meals. Contact her for your catering needs: www.gailsvegetarian.com or 301-949-7602
Live performers:
* After speaking, Shahid Buttar will perform socially and politically informed hip hop. See: http://www.shahidbuttar.com/
* LaPret will perform songs from his upcoming solo Debut EP "2010: FASHION of ATTRACTION" See: http://www.LaPret2010.com
* Gee aka George Dawson III performing original compositions. A graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. he toured with the Duke Ellington Show Choir and Concert Choir. See: http://gypsyman.org/
* Mike Bowers, Singer/Songwriter and UDC law student will mix the music and perform favorites for voice and guitar. See: http://mdbmusic.com/
* More performers expected.
Confirmed tablers for this month (so far): Free Massage by Lisa Bregman (tips appreciated) * EcolocityDC * Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light * DC Childcare Collective * David A. Clarke School of Law * Progressive Democrats of America * Choices (alternatives to military recruitment) * DC for Democracy * IF your organization should be listed, please let me know!
Last month's tablers--we expect many of the same plus others: Witness Against Torture* Pax Christi DC-Baltimore * Free CranioSacral therapy sessions by Randy Goldberg http://www.healingdc.com (tips appreciated) * Gray Panthers of Washington, DC * Author Wilfredo Bohorquez * The Wendt Center * Split This Rock Poetry Festival * Democratic Socialists of America * More!
Hosted by the University of the District of Columbia David Clarke School of Law
Upcoming Cafes: February 5th, March 12th, April 2nd, May 14th, June 4th. Join us for all of them!
Act NOW to protect Maryland elections
Click here to send an email to key decision-makers using
VerifiedVoting.org's website:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/199/t/5760/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=28189
In 2007, you and other dedicated citizens helped pass a law that
requires Maryland to adopt a proven, verifiable, and more cost-effective
paper ballot voting system by 2010. In 2009, you and others helped
defeat efforts to roll back that victory; the Assembly passed a law that
kept Maryland on course. But once again in 2010, there is talk of
delaying implementation of the law.
The Board of Public Works is now considering whether or not to proceed
with procuring a new voting system. The Board consists of Governor
Martin O'Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and Treasurer Nancy Kopp.
We need your help! Please send a letter to the members of the Board of
Public Works, leading lawmakers, and your own Senator and Delegate
urging them to continue Maryland's path toward a more cost-effective and
verifiable voting system. Click here:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/199/t/5760/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=28189
The state's aging paperless touch-screen voting machines are prone to
both irrecoverable error and undetectable tampering. And they do not
allow for meaningful recounts. Please take action today for
voter-verified paper ballots in Maryland's 2010 elections:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/199/t/5760/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=28189
Please send this email to everyone you know in Maryland. If we act
quickly, we can protect our elections.