Tricounty DFA Update: Meeting Wednesday-- Six Months In, Where Are We?

Hello Everyone;

In this update for May 31st, 2009:

1. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday, 7pm

2. Dean Endorses Schumer Healthcare Plan

3. Ted Kennedy Health Plan Rollout Monday

4. Democracy Fest Coming to Vermont This July

5. Rockhill Friday Night Progressive Film Festival

1. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday, 7pm

Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area will be holding its monthly meeting at its usual time, the first Wednesday of the month, June 3rd at 7pm at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls.

It's now six months into the Obama administration, so it's time to take stock and evaluate how Democrats and the administration are doing. Last week we saw something we feared so much for so many years resolved: President Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. The right wing dream of packing the Court for a whole generation is shattered.

Where are we on war and peace? Is there a behind the scenes effort to get us out of Afghanistan?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/world/asia/21kabul.html?hp

Healthcare is moving forward after a half century of stalling, as noted in the next items.

What's going on with the economy and the bailout seems to puzzle everyone I talk to, but one thing is settled: as economist James K. Galbraith details, the long contentious debate over government's role in regulating the economy is over, and liberals have won: http://www.truthout.org/050609J

The Cafe is located one blocks west of the Roundabout on the corner of Elm Streets and Hudson Avenue.

2. Dean Endorses Schumer Healthcare Plan

Last Thursday Gov. Dean offered support for Senator Schumer's proposed plan for a partial (we hope) compromise on healthcare reform. Dean is holding fast on the issue of opt-in. "If we can get Schumer's proposal out of the Senate, I think that would be a very good thing," he told the Huffington Post. "It can't be any weaker than that though. We don't want what would be a fake public option."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/29/dean-offers-support-for-s_n_209129.html

3. Ted Kennedy Health Plan Rollout Monday

Senator Ted Kennedy is back in the Senate and he is working on healthcare reform as he has been for decades. He will be making a major presentation of his plan on Monday. His plan features opt-in, too.

"It would require every American to have insurance and would mandate that employers contribute to workers' coverage. In many respects it adopts the most liberal approaches to health reform being discussed in Washington. Kennedy, for example, embraces a proposal to create a government-sponsored insurance program to compete directly with existing private insurance plans, according to one senior adviser who was not authorized to talk to reporters.

"The draft summary also calls for opening Medicaid to those whose incomes are 500 percent of the federal poverty level, or $110,250 a year for a family of four." For more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052803772.html?nav=hcmoduletmv

4. Democracy Fest Coming to Vermont This July

Democracy Fest-- an annual DFA get-together and confab-- is returning to Vermont this summer. From organizer Jessica Falker in Vermont:

"DemocracyFest is a political festival for liberal/progressive activists which features trainings, speakers and entertainment; teaching people how to make a difference and have fun doing it! Prior DemocracyFests have been held in Massachusetts, Texas, California, New Hampshire and Virginia. Over 4,000 activists have been trained to help on campaigns and make a difference in their communities.

"The 6th Annual DemocracyFest will be held this summer, July 17th-19th, at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, VT!

http://www.DemocracyFest.net

Tickets

Tickets are limited! Reserve yours today at http://www.DemocracyFest.net

Full weekend tickets are only $55 and include:

- All trainings, entertainment, and speakers on Saturday and Sunday.

- Dinner on Saturday.

- Breakfast on Sunday.

- Semi-Guided Tour of Burlington and Welcome Party on Friday.

- Children under 14 free with adult ticket purchase.

- Free parking, or transportation to and from Burlington Airport.

- Priceless interaction with activists from across the region and nation.

Single day tickets are also available.

Speakers, Trainers and Entertainers

Gov. Howard Dean will be the Keynote Speaker. Other presenters include SOS. Deb Markowitz, Rep. David Zuckerman, Dr. Deb Richter, Dan DeWalt, Alan Dechert, Sheryl Rapee-Adams, Charlie Grapski, Teri Mills, Subway Serenade, Rebecca Padula, Bobby Kendes, Axiomatic, and more!

Check our website regularly as our schedule is updated. http://www.DemocracyFest.net

5. Rockhill Friday Night Progressive Film Festival

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Film Fest continues its IRV special throughout June: From Matt:

FRI JUN 5 7:00 pm I.R.V. INDEPENDENT FILM FORUM (I.R.V. = Instant Runoff Voting). Free.

We will be showing a film tonight but its up to you which film it will be. To reflect our love of the democratic process, we use an Instant Runoff Voting system so that the audience chooses which film we view. We will provide at least 3 choices each week and the IRV setup means that you rank ALL the "candidates" in the "election" or, (s)election, as is the case here. We tabulate the results in a series of runoffs until one of the choices has a clear majority. So, none of us actually know what film will be screened until everyone has voiced their opinion! Ballots can be filled out anytime after 6:00 pm but must be turned in by 7:00 pm sharp. Happy Voting!

Thanks everyone! See you all Wednesday,

Larry

Labels: Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, DFNY, healthcare reform, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, Unitarian Universal Church Glens Falls

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:23 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Dean Call, meeting Wednesday, More
Hello Everyone;

In this update for May 3rd, 2009:

1. Howard Dean Call Monday Night
2. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday
3. Healthcare Reform Positions
4. "The Progressive Revolution"
5. Rockhill Friday Night Film Fest


1. Howard Dean Call Monday Night

Governor Howard Dean will be making a nationwide conference call tomorrow, Monday May 4th at 9pm Eastern time to talk about the upcoming fight for healthcare reform. This is a joint Stand with Dr. Dean/DFA event hosted by MoveOn.org. To get info on the conference call go to: http://www.moveon.org/drdean/?id=16038-3139585-xg0J2sx&t=7


2. Glens Falls DFA Meeting Wednesday

We'll be discussing the same subject-- healthcare reform-- and more at our monthly Greater Glens Falls DFA meeting at 7pm Wednesday night at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls. I will also have a report on the Democratic Rural Conference held a couple of weeks ago in Saratoga Springs. The Cafe is one block west of the roundabout on the corners of Elm Street and Hudson Ave.


3. Healthcare Reform Positions

On the subject of healthcare reform-- our calls and letters to Senator Schumer, who is leading one of the committee reviews in the Senate, may have paid off. Both Senators Schumer and Gillibrand signed a letter this week calling for a public option as an essential part of any healthcare reform. You can read it at: http://brown.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Letter.pdf

Obviously, the real fight is in the Senate. I am not sure what newly elected Representative Scott Murphy's position on this issue, if he has had time to form a position yet, but I would be very surprised to hear is it very different from Schumer or Gillibrand's.


4. "The Progressive Revolution"

Drew sends along a link to an article, really a pretty good description of a new book that looks to be of real interest to progressives everywhere-- "The Progressive Revolution, How The Best In American Came To Be." http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-things-change-meet-mike-lux-author.html

It describes how progressives over the broad sweep of American history made America better, in fact, made what is best about America, or should be. Take a look at:


5. Rockhill Friday Night Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakeshouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive Film Festival continues on May 8th and 15th with something new and interesting-- from Matt:

"FRI MAY 8 7:00 pm I.R.V. FILM FORUM (I.R.V. = Instant Runoff Voting)
We will be showing a film tonight but its up to you which film it will be. To reflect our love of the democratic process, we use an Instant Runoff Voting system so that the audience chooses which film we view. We will provide at least 3 choices each week and the IRV setup means that you rank ALL the "candidates" in the "election" or, (s)election, as is the case here. We tabulate the results in a series of runoffs until one of the choices has a clear majority. So, none of us actually know what film will be screened until everyone has voiced their opinion! Ballots can be filled out anytime after 6:00 pm but must be turned in by 7:00 pm sharp. Happy Voting!"

Thanks everyone! See you all soon,

Larry

Labels: Democracy For America, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area, DFA, healthcare reform, Howard Dean, Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe

- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:12 PM 0 comments