Local Activism
Michiganders for Obama Confront MI Dem Party over Primary
Tues. Oct. 16. Late last week, the MichigandersforObama listserv saw a flurry of emails from
Obama supporters. Most were upset over the way Michigan's primary was moved up to Jan. 15,
resulting in the withdrawl from the Michigan ballot of four presidential contenders, Obama,
Edwards, Richardson, and Biden. (It would have been five, but Kucinich's letter of withdrawl
arrived too late.
See MichLib blog for more
details.)
Many Obama supporters felt they had been disenfranchised by the Michigan Democratic Party's effort to challenge the primacy of Iowa and New Hampshire in the presidential primaries. Moving up the Michigan primary resulted in the National Party declaring that Michigan delegates would not be honored at the national convention if chosen through the early primary.
Now some Michiganders for Obama are planning a write-in campaign and, on Wednesday, a call-in day to confront party chair Mark Brewer and the Michigan leadership.
Feel free to join in if, like this writer, you are more than a little disturbed by the Michigan party's antics. You don't have to be an Obama supporter to be concerned about the seemingly cavalier way the Michigan Democratic leadership is treating our rights to participate in a meaningful selection process for the Democratic presidential nomination.
On the same general theme, please copy and forward this "Caucuses Resolution," which was passed Monday by the Kent Co. Democratic Party (thank you, Phil Skaggs):
FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION-
Please try to have your County or Congressional District Committee adopt this well written and brief resolution. Contact your County Party Chair and / or Chair of the Resolutions Committee, and request that this Resolution be placed on the Agenda of the next meeting.
Resolved: The _______________ County Democratic Party believes that a January 15 primary that chooses no National Convention delegates and gives Michigan voters a very limited choice from the Democratic presidential field is not in the interest of Michigan or of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Therefore the _________________ County Democratic Party strongly encourages the Michigan Democratic Party and its Chair Mark Brewer to opt out of the January 15 primary and return to a DNC-sanctioned caucus date sometime on or after February 5.
Many Obama supporters felt they had been disenfranchised by the Michigan Democratic Party's effort to challenge the primacy of Iowa and New Hampshire in the presidential primaries. Moving up the Michigan primary resulted in the National Party declaring that Michigan delegates would not be honored at the national convention if chosen through the early primary.
Now some Michiganders for Obama are planning a write-in campaign and, on Wednesday, a call-in day to confront party chair Mark Brewer and the Michigan leadership.
Feel free to join in if, like this writer, you are more than a little disturbed by the Michigan party's antics. You don't have to be an Obama supporter to be concerned about the seemingly cavalier way the Michigan Democratic leadership is treating our rights to participate in a meaningful selection process for the Democratic presidential nomination.
On the same general theme, please copy and forward this "Caucuses Resolution," which was passed Monday by the Kent Co. Democratic Party (thank you, Phil Skaggs):
FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION-
Please try to have your County or Congressional District Committee adopt this well written and brief resolution. Contact your County Party Chair and / or Chair of the Resolutions Committee, and request that this Resolution be placed on the Agenda of the next meeting.
Resolved: The _______________ County Democratic Party believes that a January 15 primary that chooses no National Convention delegates and gives Michigan voters a very limited choice from the Democratic presidential field is not in the interest of Michigan or of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Therefore the _________________ County Democratic Party strongly encourages the Michigan Democratic Party and its Chair Mark Brewer to opt out of the January 15 primary and return to a DNC-sanctioned caucus date sometime on or after February 5.
Election Reform Legislation
Beginning in May, the first bills supported by a statewide alliance to reform Michigan elections
were the subject of hearings in the
Michigan House Committee on Ethics and Elections.
HB 4447 and
4448 would allow a voters to use an address for their voter registration that differs
from the one on their driver's license. Introduced by State Rep. Rebekah Warren (D) Ann Arbor,
the bills would repeal a provision of the motor-voter law associated with 8th District Congressman
Mike Rogers that passed in 1999.
The Michigan Election Reform Alliance (MERA) supports the bills and hopes to see other parts of its Legislative Plan taken up by the legislature soon.
Testifying for MERA at Tuesday's hearing were Jan Bendor, Nancy Bedell, and Phil Shepard. MERA believes the present requirement
Another bill to adopt no-reason absentee voting moved to the floor of the House in July. MERA has been working to marshall testimony and citizen support for legislation that enacts the legislative plan. Citizen volunteers are welcome in all phases of the effort.
The Michigan Election Reform Alliance (MERA) supports the bills and hopes to see other parts of its Legislative Plan taken up by the legislature soon.
Testifying for MERA at Tuesday's hearing were Jan Bendor, Nancy Bedell, and Phil Shepard. MERA believes the present requirement
creates an unnecessary burden on citizens who reside for long periods away from home, who move frequently, who depend on family members for driver’s insurance, or who must retain a certain state driver’s license for their employment.Many college students are affected, among other groups.
Another bill to adopt no-reason absentee voting moved to the floor of the House in July. MERA has been working to marshall testimony and citizen support for legislation that enacts the legislative plan. Citizen volunteers are welcome in all phases of the effort.
Save the Internet
Sept. 30, 2006 Having heard from thousands of concerned citizens, the US Senate
adjourned without taking action on a bill that
would have destroyed net neutrality. It remains urgent to contact Michigan's
Senators and urge them to support net neutrality ("common carriage"). Neither senator has
yet declared support for net neutrality, according to Save the Internet's
senate map.
To defend Internet freedom, you can also sign the Petition for Net Neutrality.
Mike Rogers (R), our 8th District Congressional Representative,
has voted to allow AT&T and other large Internet Service Providers to charge for
expediting high-speed traffic on the Internet. Such measures would let moneyed
commercial users dominate and slow the Internet down for everyone else . . . to the
point of futility.
Anti-Affirmative Action Proposal
Loses Support
ACLU calls for letters
July 18. In a recent poll, 48% of likely Michigan voters oppose a constitutional amendment to ban affirmative action in government hiring and contracting and in university admissions. The so-called "Michigan Civil Rights Initiative" (MCRI) would do just that.
To seize the momentum, the Michigan ACLU is mounting a campaign for letters to the editor of Michigan newspapers, complete with a handy e-mail link to editorial departments and talking points.
One United Michigan, a coalition of education, business and labor organizations, chambers of commerce, communities of faith and other organizations has also been working to protect the rights of women and minorities by defeating the MCRI proposal.
Well known Lansing civic leader and progressive acitivist, Lynne Martinez, has warned that the effect of the ballot proposal "language would be the elimination all affirmative action programs in public institutions, even those that are effective in reducing discrimination and disparities." Read the article.
To seize the momentum, the Michigan ACLU is mounting a campaign for letters to the editor of Michigan newspapers, complete with a handy e-mail link to editorial departments and talking points.
One United Michigan, a coalition of education, business and labor organizations, chambers of commerce, communities of faith and other organizations has also been working to protect the rights of women and minorities by defeating the MCRI proposal.
Well known Lansing civic leader and progressive acitivist, Lynne Martinez, has warned that the effect of the ballot proposal "language would be the elimination all affirmative action programs in public institutions, even those that are effective in reducing discrimination and disparities." Read the article.
Marcinkowski
Bids for Top Tier
Ambassador Joe Wilson Visits East Lansing
Bids for Top Tier
Ambassador Joe Wilson Visits East Lansing
Jim Marcinkowski, challenger to Congressman Mike Rogers, is meeting with Mid-Michigan voters this week at
house parties and at a
reception for Ambassador Joe Wilson, husband of outed CIA agent Valerie Plame.
The Marcinkowski campaign is close to qualifying for "top tier" status and full financial support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, if it receives sufficient campaign
contributions before the next FEC reporting deadline on June 30th.
For the Winter reporting period, Jim's campaign broke all expectations, raising
$138,000 and beating Mike Rogers. Jim is the only Michigan democratic congressional
challenger who stands a chance of unseating his republican
opponent in November, according to Nathan Gonzales, political
editor of the non-partisan Washington-based Rothenberg Political
Report.
An Inconvenient Truth
June 29, 6:30 p.m. Lansing premiere and benefit showing of An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore's new film on global warming. Location: Celebration Cinema. Hosted by LP4 - Lansing Post-Petroleum Planning Project. For tickets, call Urban Options (337-0422) or visit Environment Michigan. Ticket price - $7.50, requested donation - $25.
Proceeds will go to Environment Michigan and Urban Options.
Granholm Plans for Alternative Energy
Governor Granholm issued an executive directive on April 6 calling for the development of a comprehensive energy plan for the state of Michigan. The plan will outline ways to provide affordable, reliable, safe, and clean electricity for citizens and businesses. Granholm charged Peter Lark, Chairman of the MPSC, with beginning the development of the plan immediately and presenting it to her by year's end. The plan will encourage the state to seek alternative and renewable sources of energy as alternatives to traditional electricity generation. As part of the directive, the Governor has also asked Chairman Lark to establish a renewable energy portfolio standard. The portfolio will encourage alternative energy sources in Michigan by requiring that a certain percentage of the state's energy supply come from renewable sources.
Source: Michigan Energy Office, "Energy Tidbits," May 2006
For more information and to get involved, follow this link.
Source: Michigan Energy Office, "Energy Tidbits," May 2006
For more information and to get involved, follow this link.
The 23rd Qualm
Bush is my shepherd;
I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be
cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks
into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths
of international disgrace
for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I walk through
the valley of pollution and
war, I will find no exit,
for Bush is in office.
His tax cuts for the rich
and his media control,
they discomfort me.
He preparest an agenda of deception
in the presence of my religion.
He anointest my head with foreign oil.
My health insurance
runneth out.
Surely, megalomania and
false patriotism
shall follow me
all the days of his term,
And my jobless child
shall dwell in my basement
forever.
--anon.
Bush is my shepherd;
I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be
cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks
into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths
of international disgrace
for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I walk through
the valley of pollution and
war, I will find no exit,
for Bush is in office.
His tax cuts for the rich
and his media control,
they discomfort me.
He preparest an agenda of deception
in the presence of my religion.
He anointest my head with foreign oil.
My health insurance
runneth out.
Surely, megalomania and
false patriotism
shall follow me
all the days of his term,
And my jobless child
shall dwell in my basement
forever.
--anon.
Spring for Peace - March for Accountability
Sun. March 19 to Fri. March 24 -
Call to Action on the 3rd Anniversary of the Attack on Iraq
In response to the 3rd anniversary and the continuing occupation, the Greater Lansing Area Network Against War and Injustice (GLNAWI) is coordinating the actions and events below. All interested individuals or groups may participate. Email: glnawi2006@comcast.net
Updates and more details are posted at www.glnawi.org. All actions will follow GLNAWI nonviolent guidelines.
3rd Anniversary Actions
Sun. March 19 - COMMUNITY PEACE PROTEST
12 - 2 p.m. rain or shine. At 5 sites on sidewalks near Meridian Mall, Eastwood Towne Center, Lansing Mall, South Lansing on Cedar Street, and East Lansing on Grand River.
More Photos
Sun. March 19 - CONFRONTING THE MYTHS
3.p.m. - 5 p.m. Presentations by an Iraqi, Christian Peacemaker Team Member and an Iraq War Veteran, and film. MSU Museum (located on Circle Drive across from the MSU Library).
Mon. March 20 - Fri. March 24 - PICKET FOR PEACE
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Rep. Mike Rogers office, 1327 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing. Extra participation is welcome at these times. Sign-up ahead of time if you can for a one or two-hour block on any day(s) as an individual or group. E-mail your name, phone number and group affiliation to glnawi2006@comcast.net.
ADS FOR PEACE - 3 Week E-mail Drive to obtain sponsor signatures and raise funds for a large ad in the Lansing State Journal, City Pulse or State News. Sponsors should send e-mail to glnawi2004@yahoo.com, send checks to GLNAWI, 855 Grove St., E. Lansing, MI 48823.
Flyer & Action Goals
In response to the 3rd anniversary and the continuing occupation, the Greater Lansing Area Network Against War and Injustice (GLNAWI) is coordinating the actions and events below. All interested individuals or groups may participate. Email: glnawi2006@comcast.net
Updates and more details are posted at www.glnawi.org. All actions will follow GLNAWI nonviolent guidelines.
3rd Anniversary Actions
Sun. March 19 - COMMUNITY PEACE PROTEST
12 - 2 p.m. rain or shine. At 5 sites on sidewalks near Meridian Mall, Eastwood Towne Center, Lansing Mall, South Lansing on Cedar Street, and East Lansing on Grand River.
More Photos
Sun. March 19 - CONFRONTING THE MYTHS
3.p.m. - 5 p.m. Presentations by an Iraqi, Christian Peacemaker Team Member and an Iraq War Veteran, and film. MSU Museum (located on Circle Drive across from the MSU Library).
Mon. March 20 - Fri. March 24 - PICKET FOR PEACE
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Rep. Mike Rogers office, 1327 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing. Extra participation is welcome at these times. Sign-up ahead of time if you can for a one or two-hour block on any day(s) as an individual or group. E-mail your name, phone number and group affiliation to glnawi2006@comcast.net.
ADS FOR PEACE - 3 Week E-mail Drive to obtain sponsor signatures and raise funds for a large ad in the Lansing State Journal, City Pulse or State News. Sponsors should send e-mail to glnawi2004@yahoo.com, send checks to GLNAWI, 855 Grove St., E. Lansing, MI 48823.
Resolution on Affirmative Action
Mon. Feb. 20. The Lansing City Council unanimously reaffirmed its support of diversity and affirmative action programs Monday night, by passing a resolution opposing the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI).
“It is imperative Michigan citizens realize exactly what impact Ward Connerly and the misnamed Michigan Civil Rights Initiative could have on our state,” said Mary Pollock, Lansing regional coordinator for Michigan United. "The support of the Lansing City Council takes us one step further in our fight to protect equal rights for everyone in Michigan. The more people understand and recognize the damage the MCRI can do in Michigan, the better."
The City Council's resolution recognizes the MCRI would likely cripple efforts to resolve gender and racial inequalities in key areas such as health care, education and law enforcement, as well as remove the ability of locally elected officials to bring about diversity within the operations of local government.
"The support of the Lansing City Council shows just how committed the residents of Lansing . . . are to protecting vital programs and services enabled by affirmative action," said James Gill, president of the Lansing chapter of the NAACP. "We congratulate the Council members on their forward-thinking actions, aimed at helping all Lansing-area families."
Michigan United is a wide-ranging, bi-partisan coalition of organizations working together to protect equal rights for all Michigan residents. For more information about Michigan United, or how to become involved in the campaign, please visit One United Michigan.
The local committe is Lansing Area United.
Contact Mary Pollock lansingareaunited@yahoo.com .
“It is imperative Michigan citizens realize exactly what impact Ward Connerly and the misnamed Michigan Civil Rights Initiative could have on our state,” said Mary Pollock, Lansing regional coordinator for Michigan United. "The support of the Lansing City Council takes us one step further in our fight to protect equal rights for everyone in Michigan. The more people understand and recognize the damage the MCRI can do in Michigan, the better."
The City Council's resolution recognizes the MCRI would likely cripple efforts to resolve gender and racial inequalities in key areas such as health care, education and law enforcement, as well as remove the ability of locally elected officials to bring about diversity within the operations of local government.
"The support of the Lansing City Council shows just how committed the residents of Lansing . . . are to protecting vital programs and services enabled by affirmative action," said James Gill, president of the Lansing chapter of the NAACP. "We congratulate the Council members on their forward-thinking actions, aimed at helping all Lansing-area families."
Michigan United is a wide-ranging, bi-partisan coalition of organizations working together to protect equal rights for all Michigan residents. For more information about Michigan United, or how to become involved in the campaign, please visit One United Michigan.
The local committe is Lansing Area United.
Contact Mary Pollock lansingareaunited@yahoo.com .
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Jim Marcinkowski kicked off his campaign for Mike Rogers 8th District Congressional seat. In Lansing, about 50 people came to the Boji Tower to meet Jim and hear him speak, along with Ambassador Joe Wilson.
Marcinkowski gained national attention by speaking out against the Bush Administration when Valerie Plame Wilson was "outed" in what some now call "traitor-gate". He has been invited to speak before House and Senate Democratic Caucus hearings, was interviewed on CBS's "60 Minutes," and has appeared on CNN and liberal radio shows across the nation.
Jim's efforts gained the attention of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Michigan Congressmen John Dingell and John Conyers, Jr. They all asked him to run against Mike Rogers.
Marcinkowski's reasons for running are as compelling as his credentials.
Click here to read his campaign statement.
For more information on the campaign or to volutneer or make a contribution, go to the campaign web site: Marcinkowski for Congress.
Marcinkowski gained national attention by speaking out against the Bush Administration when Valerie Plame Wilson was "outed" in what some now call "traitor-gate". He has been invited to speak before House and Senate Democratic Caucus hearings, was interviewed on CBS's "60 Minutes," and has appeared on CNN and liberal radio shows across the nation.
Jim's efforts gained the attention of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Michigan Congressmen John Dingell and John Conyers, Jr. They all asked him to run against Mike Rogers.
Marcinkowski's reasons for running are as compelling as his credentials.Click here to read his campaign statement.
For more information on the campaign or to volutneer or make a contribution, go to the campaign web site: Marcinkowski for Congress.
STOP the Reverse Robin Hood Budget
Wed. Nov. 16 Twenty people spoke out today against proposed cuts to the federal budget for Medicaid, food stamps and student loans. With support from MoveOn.org Political Action, constituents met in front of Cong. Rogers office to tell their stories and demand that Rogers vote against any budget reconciliation bill that includes these cuts.
The Republicans' proposal cuts $11.9 billion dollars from Medicaid, restricts food stamp eligibility to save $844 million, and cuts another $14.3 billion for student loans, the largest cut in history. Yet it also includes $70 billion in new tax breaks for the rich. It’s a "Reverse Robin Hood" plan - take from the poor and give to the rich!
Republicans had hoped to slide this budget through before Thanksgiving, but held up the vote twice already in the face of stiff opposition from Democrats, and Republicans worried about reelection.
What wrong with this Thanksgiving picture? Thanksgiving is about sharing blessings with the community, but Republicans plan to heap blessings on their rich cronies, and leave crumbs for the poor. It's Robin Hood in reverse!
You can write your representative from any of these sites:
http://action.ourfuture.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=28629
http://www.millionphonemarch.com/no_cruelty.htm
The Republicans' proposal cuts $11.9 billion dollars from Medicaid, restricts food stamp eligibility to save $844 million, and cuts another $14.3 billion for student loans, the largest cut in history. Yet it also includes $70 billion in new tax breaks for the rich. It’s a "Reverse Robin Hood" plan - take from the poor and give to the rich!
Republicans had hoped to slide this budget through before Thanksgiving, but held up the vote twice already in the face of stiff opposition from Democrats, and Republicans worried about reelection.
What wrong with this Thanksgiving picture? Thanksgiving is about sharing blessings with the community, but Republicans plan to heap blessings on their rich cronies, and leave crumbs for the poor. It's Robin Hood in reverse!
You can write your representative from any of these sites:
Fair Share Health Care Fund
A bill proposed by Sen. Basham in the Michigan Senate, SB 734, will place a fee on corporations in MI proportional to the extent their employees use medicaid, and establish a "fair share health care fund" dedicated to offsetting MI medicaid costs. Contact Kathleen Johnston-Calati, Senate Democratic Policy Staff, 12th floor Romney Building, (517) 373-5663, (517) 373-1373 fax, kcalati@senate.michigan.gov.
"Wal-Mart: the High Cost of Low Prices"
Movie premiere Nov. 13th-19th
Movie premiere Nov. 13th-19th
Local public screenings:
House Party Screenings
Follow the link to join a screening near you.
Related Events:
Mon. 11/14 6 p.m. East Lansing, MSU, Bessey Hall, room 108
Fri. 11/18 7 p.m. Lansing, LCC, Dart Auditorium, 500 N. Capitol Ave.
Fri. 11/18 7 p.m. Lansing, LCC, Dart Auditorium, 500 N. Capitol Ave.
House Party Screenings
Follow the link to join a screening near you.
Related Events:
Thurs. 11/17 7 p.m. International Wal-Mart Worker Tour. East Lansing, MSU, North Kedzie Room 101
Sat. 11/19 3-5:30 p.m. State-wide Townhall on Healthcare. Capital Area District Library, Lansing
Sat. 11/19 3-5:30 p.m. State-wide Townhall on Healthcare. Capital Area District Library, Lansing
Michigan Needs a Raise
Help put an increase in the minimum wage on the ballot in 2006. If interested in becoming a Local Coordinator, contact your
County Chair, or MDP Political Director Jason Ellenburg (517-371-5410) before December 10, 2005.
Send Your Gifts to: Vaishnava Center/ISS, 2601 Cochise Lane, Okemos, Michigan 48864-2055