Opinion: AB32 will improve lives of low income and minority Californians
By Teresa Alvarado and Shellye Archambeau Reposted from the Mercury News
This November, California voters have a clear choice: Accept our continued dependence on foreign oil or embrace the opportunity to lead the worldwide clean-energy revolution.
Texas oil companies have taken advantage of our initiative system to place Proposition 23 on the ballot in an attempt to undo California's Global Warming Solutions Act, which requires the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The companies bankrolling Proposition 23, Tesoro and Valero, are two of the largest polluters in our state, and their intent is to kill California's job-creating clean-air and -energy standards and cripple clean-energy competition.
The campaign deceptively frames Proposition 23 as a "jobs" initiative and uses the word "suspend" rather than repeal. But the trigger for resumption of the law would be when unemployment falls below 5.5 percent for an entire year - something that has happened only three times in 30 years.
Some have said the law will have a negative impact on minorities and low-income families, who have already been hit hard by the recession. As two female business leaders of color, we know better. And so do two out of three Californians who support the law, according to a just-released Public Policy Institute of California poll.
If the law moves forward, an independent analysis by the University of California predicts that the state's gross domestic product will increase by $20 billion, and California will benefit from 112,000 new jobs, including positions in manufacturing, construction and engineering.
The dirty-energy Proposition 23 would make electricity 33 percent more expensive by the end of this decade and will disproportionately affect low-income households, which spend a greater percentage of their incomes on energy. It would cost the state $80 billion in gross domestic product and threaten half a million jobs by 2020.
The oil companies bankrolling Proposition 23 are blaming the law, which does not even go into effect until 2011, for job losses that were caused by the recession. In fact, since it was enacted, the law has spurred more than $3 billion in investment in clean energy, helping spawn 12,000 clean-energy businesses and thousands of new patents.
Further, the clean-energy sector is the one bright spot in our economy: Clean-energy jobs have grown 10 times faster than the statewide average since 2005, to more than 125,000 today. The economic impact is one reason the Silicon Valley Leadership Group strongly opposes Proposition 23.
While the Texas oil companies say their dirty energy initiative is good for our economy, it really is just good for them. Proposition 23 would put California back on the path of dependence on foreign oil and let polluters off the hook.
According to the American Lung Association, 95 percent of Californians live in areas with unhealthy air, contributing to 19,000 premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and trips to the hospital. The Global Warming Solutions Act works to lower emissions of both greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants. And since California's major sources of pollution are most likely to be located in low-income neighborhoods and near communities of color, Proposition 23 would disproportionately affect those least able to cope.
Passing Proposition 23 would create regulatory chaos for businesses that have already invested in a clean-energy future and would drive investment and jobs out of the state. This is one reason well-respected businesses such as Google, eBay, Applied Materials, PG&E, SunPower and others publicly oppose Proposition 23.
Defeating Proposition 23 in November will be a victory for California's economy - while also sending a message to out-of-state polluters that Californians can't be bought.
TERESA ALVARADO is the former executive director of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley and is a civil & environmental engineer. SHELLYE ARCHAMBEAU is CEO of software company MetricStream and a board member of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. They wrote this article for this newspaper.
By Clark Williams Looking at this week’s calendar, I see that another birthday is fast approaching. Normally, I like to see August 5th pass with little mention as I already feel blessed with good friends, a loving family and a rewarding career.
But this year is different. This year I need my friends to give me a gift - something I truly need for my birthday. This year, I’m asking my friends to donate some of their free time to help get John Laird elected to the California State Senate.
When John Laird is elected on August 17th, we will be just one seat away from the critical 2/3 seat majority in the State Senate needed to repair the state’s budget. When John Laird wins the August 17th special election and Assemblymember Anna Caballero is elected to the State Senate on November 2nd, Democrats will have the veto-proof majority needed to protect our Democratic values and deliver promised results for our state's residents.
Why is this election so important to me and my family and, ultimately, to you and yours? Together, we’ve dedicated our life’s work to fighting for public education, preserving the safety net, protecting the environment and championing civil rights. As progressive warriors, we simply cannot allow this opportunity for lasting systemic change to pass us by.
So, as a special gift to mark my birthday, I’m asking my friends to do one of the following (you can choose the gift):
* Make ten (10) GOTV calls at a Virtual Phone Bank for John Laird Make ten (10) scripted GOTV phone calls to friendly Democratic voters living in Senate District 15 from the comfort of your home or office. To sign up and receive your log in and password, call Adam at (408) 460-3422.
* Walk one (1) Precinct for John Laird this weekend, August 7th or 8th On Saturday and Sunday morning at 10am, join your Democratic friends to walk a targeted precinct in Santa Clara County. Call Adam at (408) 460-3422 to sign up. San Jose location: 2102 Almaden Road, Suite 107. Breakfast and lunch will be served.
* One (1) hour of phone banking for John Laird Don’t want to use your home or cell phone? Join a Phone Bank and make scripted GOTV calls surrounded by your supportive Democratic allies. Phone Banks are open anytime from 5pm to 8:30pm on Mondays – Fridays. Call Adam at (408) 460-3422. San Jose location: 2102 Almaden Road, Suite 107. Plenty of refreshments will be provided.
* Make an electronic $50 donation to John’s campaign at https://secure.actblue.com/page/scchq
With a John Laird victory on August 17th, this year's birthday is truly going to be one to remember. Thank you for honoring my birthday by giving up some of your cherished and valued time - it's the kind of gift that will keep on giving for years to come.
At last weekend's California Democratic Party Executive Board meeting in San Jose, John Laird shared why the August 17th special election in the 15th Senate District will affect all Californians for many years to come.
As John explained so passionately, if he is elected, Democrats will be just one seat away from the critical 2/3 seat majority in the State Senate. When Assemblymember Anna Caballero is elected to the State Senate on November 2nd, Democrats will have the veto-proof majority needed to repair the state's budget and protect our Democratic values.
As we all know, John is a longtime local progressive leader with an impressive legislative record in protecting our Democratic values. Now John is asking the entire Democratic community for help. Here's what you and your fellow Democrats can do:
* Virtual Phone Banking
Make GOTV phone calls from the comfort of your home or office.
Have your Democratic Club host a GOTV phone bank party!
Precinct Walking on Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 3:00 pm
South Bay Labor Council 2102 Almaden Road, San Jose
John is fighting hard against some very wealthy special interests who are trying to prevent Democrats from securing a 2/3 legislative majority. Please join all Democrats in electing John Laird to the State Senate! For more information on how you can help, contact Noelani at (408) 715-7023 or noelani@lairdforsenate.com.
It has been an interesting week for the GOP, and a reminder to the rest of us who are sane Americans why the GOP is clearly hell bent on self destruction (and destruction of our nation as well.)
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Boehner put forth the idea of raising the Social Security age to 70 for those who are more than 20 years away from receiving a Social Security check. Boehner went on to say, "We need to look at the American people and explain to them that we're broke." More: "If you have substantial non-Social Security income while you're retired, why are we paying you at a time when we're broke? We just need to be honest with people."
And then we have GOP Chair Steele making the claim that Afghanistan is "Obama's war of Choice."
On this 4th of July holiday remind yourself what makes our country great, and then set aside some time, starting now, to help make sure that the GOP does NOT gain control of our government, our country simply can't afford anymore GOP policies.
In a stunning defeat for Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr, veteran prosecutor Jeff Rosen has succeeded in unseating his boss — the first time in at least 83 years that a challenger has wrested the office from an incumbent.
District Attorney Dolores Carr's boycott of Superior Court Judge Andrea Bryan is extreme, highly unusual, and broadly criticized by experts in legal ethics as a direct challenge to the independence of the court.
But it's just the latest in a pattern of defensiveness, poor judgment and ethical breaches that Carr has exhibited since taking office three years ago — a pattern she'll be called upon to defend as she campaigns for re-election this year.
Carr says concern over Bryan's rulings on the admissibility of evidence had built over time. But it was the judge's recent finding against one of Carr's deputies — whom Bryan found had lied under oath — that prompted Carr's order for all prosecutors to refuse to appear before her. In that context, the message to the court is indeed chilling.
But Carr is nothing if not consistent. She is blind to the appearance of her actions and fiercely defensive of her staff in the face of criticism.
We welcome the new light that will shine in the DA's office, Jeff Rosen. And the true winners? All of us who live in Santa Clara County.
Now that we are marching onto the general election in November, we thought it would be good to provide a public service to our state and nation by providing you with the truth about Carly Fiorina. If you aren't scared to death by the thought of her being a Senator, you will be after watching this video.
After watching this video please take a moment to donate to Senator Barbara Boxer's Campaign as a public service to our state and nation.
The three candidates for Senate on the Republican side are quite a bunch. Please share this movie with your friends to make sure they know how important it is that we keep Barbara Boxer in the Senate, and as a result, these three out.
Democrats have accomplished a great deal in just under 15 months in control of Washington. It doesn't get covered enough, so here, courtesy of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, are the highlights.
Health Care In March 2010, the Senate passed and President Obama signed landmark health care legislation that will reduce costs, increase access, and reform the insurance industry so that it can no longer discriminate against women and those with pre‐existing conditions. The bill will create jobs by providing relief to small businesses and is a critical step in reducing this country’s long‐term deficit.
Children’s Health Care The Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIP) was signed into law in February 2009, expanding health care to four million additional children. Prior to 2009, expansions of the program were blocked or vetoed by Republicans.
Economic Stimulus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act helped slow the rapid downturn in the economy, cut taxes for 95% of Americans, and created or maintained millions of jobs. No Senate Republicans voted for the bill.
Equal Pay for Women Under a Democratic Congress and president, this country enacted for the first time an Equal Pay Act – the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 – which seeks to end pay discrimination based on gender and allows women to seek redress of such discrimination without time limitations.
Energy Policy In 2009 alone, Senate Democrats and President Obama advanced a stronger environmental agenda than in all eight years under President Bush. These accomplishments include landmark conservation legislation and historic executive branch actions that Democrats have been fighting for for decades. Republicans have opposed a number of these measures through filibusters or attempts to block administration actions.
Unemployment Insurance Unemployment insurance is a necessary safety net in an economic downturn, and Democrats have recognized the need for its extension. In the past, Republicans blocked extending and expanding the measure.
Credit Card Reform In 2009, Congress delivered a defeat to the credit card companies and a win for consumers, who were struggling enough with payments during the recession. By siding with consumers, Democrats showed they will not tolerate the abuses of big banks and Wall Street.
Hate Crimes As part of the Department of Defense Authorization bill of 2009, the Senate passed hate crimes legislation that is a critical step in stemming the tide of hate crimes in this country – and has been 11 years in the making. Senate Democrats and a Democratic President got it done.
This morning, President Obama signed into law historic health care reform for the United States. Millions of people will benefit from the bill that passed on Sunday. I am already learning of residents all over the county who will personally benefit. Here is a list of specific reforms in the bill.
Small businesses will receive significant tax cuts, this year, to help them afford health coverage for all their employees.
Seniors will receive a rebate to reduce drug costs not yet covered under Medicare.
Young people will be allowed coverage under their parents' plan until the age of 26.
Early retirees will receive help to reduce premium costs.
Children will be protected against discrimination on the basis of medical history.
Uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions can join a special high-risk pool to get the coverage they need, starting in just 90 days.
Insured Americans will be protected from seeing their insurance revoked when they get sick, or facing restrictive annual limits on the care they receive.
All Americans will benefit from significant new investments to train primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals, and the creation of state-level consumer assistance programs to help all patients understand and defend our new rights.
Please take the time to thank your local members of Congress who voted in favor of health care reform. And be ready to support them all in this year's election, as Democrats will be targeted for their compassion. Also, we must be thankful for Democratic leaders such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry Reid, who have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to line up enough support to get this reform through Congress.
EJ Dionne of the Washingon Post wrote a great column debunking the Republican argument that using reconciliation in the Senate to complete health care reform is either inappropriate or unprecedented.
The health-care bill passed the Senate in December with 60 votes under the normal process. The only thing that would pass under a simple majority vote would be a series of amendments that fit comfortably under the "reconciliation" rules established to deal with money issues.
That is a key distinction. A significant majority of the country and of our Senators want to fix the health care system, but even after 60% of the Senate voted to do something about it, Republicans in the Senate think improvements to the bill should require 60 votes, and think they can use that to block the entire thing.
And Republicans are exhibiting hypocrisy in their complaints about using legal parliamentary tactics to improve on health care reform, since they used it several times during the Bush administration.
Hatch said that reconciliation should not be used for "substantive legislation" unless the legislation has "significant bipartisan support." But surely the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts, which were passed under reconciliation and increased the deficit by $1.7 trillion during his presidency, were "substantive legislation." The 2003 dividends tax cut could muster only 50 votes. Vice President Dick Cheney had to break the tie. Talk about "ramming through."
President Obama hosted a discussion of health care with congressional leaders of both parties on February 25. It was an open, honest, and productive discussion on health reform. While disagreements remain, the meeting exposed many areas where both parties agree, and showed that many Republican ideas are already in the President's proposals. No excuses remain to fail to pass health insurance reform.
Republicans are trying to pin blame for the economic meltdown on Obama, when it is clear that George W Bush's tenure is responsible for our economic malaise. Here are two dramatic graphs that illustrate the reality. Sorry, it will take more than 13 months to dig out of the hole created over the previous years.
It is hard to imagine that hate is not only tolerated, but justified in some areas of our country. Sadly, once again Wyoming is such a place. Wheatland High School, Wyoming, participated in a program called "No Place for Hate," sponsored by the ADL, as well as a number of other organizations including a Gay and Lesbian organization from Colorado.
The school board voted to remove the poster because of the gay and lesbian groups sponsorship, according to the school board the program against hate was condoning gay marriage. In essence the school boards actions are driven by fear and hate, the irony is simply amazing.
You can help by joining the Facebook group, set up by the kids of Wheatland High, who want the posters (and program) back in their school.
Obama mopped up the floor today while engaging the GOP in a Q&A session, watch it for yourself. Enough already with the GOP, we have no jobs because of the previous administration, we have the problems we have now because of Bush and a GOP congress, now it is time for the GOP to move over and let some new ideas and policies take our nation back on track.
So, let us now sit back and watch how Obama takes on the GOP and shows them why they are in the minority:
Wednesday, January 20, marks the 1-year anniversary of President Barack Obama's inauguration. It has been a real challenge to clean up the mess in which our country has found itself, but there have been many real accomplishments in just one year.
The economic recovery act that's saved or created two million jobs and helped lift America out of the economic mess the Republicans created
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help ensure that women are paid a fair wage
Lifting Bush's ban on federal funding for stem cell research
Putting us on the verge of historic health insurance reform
A long-awaited Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights
The "cash for clunkers" program that drove the sale of 700,000 vehicles
The Student and Fiscal Responsibility Act - the largest investment in college aid in history
The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act
The SCHIP program to help provide health care to 11 million children
Investments in veterans' health care
In addition, the tone of the United States' posture in international relations has changed. While we still face many overseas challenges, the international community has recognized America's willingness to lead and work together with the rest of the world.
The United States is also finally willing to take a leadership role in the fight against climate change.
Democrats can look forward to a 2010 filled with more accomplishment.
Conventional wisdom is that Democrats are in trouble as midterm elections approach in November 2010. First, it is important to remember that the election is still 10 months away, which is an eternity in politics. I believe the death of the Democratic Majority is greatly exaggerated.
The past couple of days have been particularly strange as far as conventional wisdom is concerned. Senators Dodd and Dorgan announced they will not seek reelection, but they are the first two Democratic Senators to do so. Meanwhile, *six* Republican Senators announced their retirements last year. If the number of retirements is a measure of the health of a party, it appears that the Republicans are in worse shape.
Also note that several of the Republican vacancies are in swing states; Florida, Ohio, Missouri, and New Hampshire. Democrats are likely to be very competitive in these states, meaning that it is even possible for Democrats to pick up seats in the Senate in 2010. Yes, Senator Dorgan's retirement was a surprise and likely means a lost seat, but the Democratic Party should be very happy to enter this year's election with the current vacancy landscape.
The Republicans are pulling out their old playbook as their candidates campaign for Governor. They continue to blame working people and environmental protection for our economic problems.
Meg Whitman articulated the Republican strategy for California when she officially kicked off her campaign last week. Her approach starts with two immediate actions if she were to be elected.
Immediately lay off 40,000 employees. There is no word on what services would be eliminated to accommodate that loss of 17 percent of the state workforce. The Republican party seems unable to make the connection between services and employees.
Suspend AB32, California's landmark legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, on her first day as governor. Once again, Republicans do not recognize that we are on a path to sustainable living, whether they want to go there or not. Returning to irresponsible use of resources is not the answer to our problems.
We need to make sure people know what we are up against in 2010. It is extremely important, no matter who you support at this early stage, that we unite in the goal of electing a Democrat as Governor. That's the only way we will get back on the path of returning California to prosperity.
Seek out a charity. That's the plan of Republican Congressional Whip Eric Cantor when asked at a public forum what he would suggest to a woman who has cancer and needs surgery, but due to losing her job, has no insurance. Cantor says there must be a number of government programs (which presumably his party opposed creating in the first place) or a charity that can help her.
This is the Republican Party in a nutshell. No compassion for those who can't afford health care. No regulation to make sure those with pre-existing conditions are covered. Because even if this woman gets the treatment she needs and survives, she is uninsurable under the current system.
It seems that a certain GOP Assemblyman, Mike Duvall, has been caught on tape in Sacramento discussing his sexual conquests. Oh, and he was making his statements during a committee meeting. Seems Assemblyman Duvall likes to spank his girlfriends (who by the way are lobbyists). One has to wonder what his wife would like to do to him.
Professor Lincoln Mitchell of Columbia University writes a very cogent argument that Democrats ought to go it alone in passing health care reform with a public option. While Republicans and their supporters say it would be a big mistake to do so, they are more likely trying to prevent it from happening since the only losers if it happens will be the GOP.
"If the Democrats pass this bill alone, and are able to do it with a public option, not only will the Republican Party have been proven beyond a doubt to be irrelevant in Washington today, but they will have once again put themselves on the opposing side of groundbreaking legislation." Read the complete article at Huffington Post.
At a town hall meeting in Redding, a man stood up and identified himself as "a proud right-wing terrorist." Instead of denouncing him, Congressman Herger called the man "a great American." No member of the US Congress should glorify the idea of terrorism. And this Congressperson is from the state of California. Watch the video and see the outrageous rhetoric coming from the right-wing.
While we clearly need health-care reform, the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system. Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment. Here are eight reforms that would greatly lower the cost of health care for everyone:
And make sure that you tell everyone you know about Whole Foods, this is not the first time they have showed what they are about, they are also strongly anti-Union.
Whole Foods is building a new San Jose store, and I can assure you that my feet will never venture into their store, and I will do all I can to make sure that everyone I know understands what Whole Foods is really about.
Yet another sad and completely unacceptable situation for women of color:
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released a new and extremely important study that documents the health disparities that exist between white women and women of color. Entitled, "Putting Women's Health Care Disparities on the Map: Examining Racial and Ethnic Disparities at the State Level," the report's findings show that women of color are disproportionately affected by a range of health issues including diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, AIDS, and cancer. Women of color also experience high rates of inadequate health care, no health insurance and no prenatal care. National average data shows that 27.9% of women of color don't have any health coverage, compared to 12.8% of their white counterparts.
As congress discusses how to overhaul access to health care, one hopes that this report, and others like it, will be brought to their attention. Affordable, good health care has increasingly become a privilege in our nation, and those who do not have health care insurance are suffering because they have no financial means to access health care.
Make sure to keep track of the discussion in congress and be ready to call or write those who are determining the future for our nation.
As a school board member in Berryessa Union School District, I am sickened by what is about to happen to public schools in California. The additional round of cuts being proposed in Sacramento will have a devastating effect on kids in our state. This video is heartwarming and serious at the same time. What a testament to the future, if only we provide them the resources to achive their potential.
Our county has been fortunate to have an office dedicated to the advocacy for women and girls, the Office of Women's Policy (OWP). Sadly, there is a current proposal to merge this office with two other departments as well as cut the entire operating budge for OWP.
OWP has been instrumental in raising and addressing issues that most affect women and children in our county, including economic conditions for women, predatory lending practices and housing issues. Additionally, in 2008, OWP worked with the Commission on the Status of Women and the Department of Corrections in creating the ground-breaking report "Breaking Cycles, Rebuilding Lives."
Supervisors Shirakawa and Gage are requesting that OWP be kept as a stand alone entity and that funding be restored to OWP. Click here to read their memo.
You can help save the OWP by calling or emailing your County Supervisor and indicating your support for the proposal by Supervisors Shirakawa and Gage.
Just a few short weeks ago Dr. Tiller was assassinated while attending a church service. Today we learn that the clinic he operated will now close:
WICHITA, Kan. - The family of slain abortion provider George Tiller says his Wichita, Kan., clinic will be "permanently closed."
The Tiller family says in a statement released by his attorneys on Tuesday that it is ceasing operation of the clinic and any involvement by family members in any other similar clinic.
This clinic was one of only a few in our nation that provided late term abortions for women, and according to a WP story last week:
A survey of 1,819 providers found that at the time, 18 clinics and 12 hospitals performed abortions at 26 weeks. Because the overall number of abortion providers has dropped since 2001, the number offering procedures that late has probably fallen, too, and the number performing abortions even further along in the pregnancy is probably much smaller, Henshaw said.
The closing of this facility is a blow to the health and safety of women and reminds us all that our fight for the reproductive rights of women is far from over.
President Obama just ordered another 4,000 troops to Afghanistan.This is in addition to the 17,000 troops he recently sent over.In addition to these troops, he has sent hundreds of civilian specialists as well.And he plans to ask Congress to pass a bill that triples U.S. aid to Pakistan.
The troops are being sent over to help with training and building the Afghan army and police force.This is part of a new plan to focus on the growing threat in Afghanistan and now Pakistan.In a briefing, one official made this statement:“Al Qaeda’s central leadership has been moved from Kandahar, Afghanistan, to a location unknown somewhere in Pakistan.And in that location they’re plotting against the United States.They are working with their friends and partners, the Taliban, against American interests.”
I understand and support Obama’s decision to send more troops over because of the threat to the United States that is clearly becoming more evident.However, I have to ask, when will this end?When do we decide that the cost is too high?We are spending so much money on equipment and supplies, and not enough on our country which is in debt.
Congress is considering a proposal called “cash for clunkers”.This proposal will pay people to get rid of their old fuel in-efficient cars and buy vehicles that get better gas mileage or use vouchers to ride public transportation.Senator Dianne Feinstein said the bill “would be an important part of helping get America’s struggling automobile industry back on its feet, and help consumers who are concerned about covering the cost of buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle.”
The program could run for 4 years, and it is hoped that it will retire a million older cars per year!This could save between 40,000 and 80,000 barrels of motor fuel a day by the end of the last year.
The program makes good sense to me, and I see benefit all around.What a boost for the automobile industry – to encourage people to buy cars in this struggling economy!This will help save the industry, and thus jobs for countless people.
In addition, by encouraging people to trade in their older cars for models that get better gas mileage, people will not only benefit from the initial rebate but also will benefit from the savings on gas mileage over the years.Finally, we’ll all benefit from a cleaner environment using less motor fuel.
What’s the downside to this proposal?I, for one, can’t think of any…..
An interesting idea == Keep the term "marriage" as a church term rather than a governmental term. The result of this will be that anybody could be recognized by the government as a family in a "civil union". If they want to make the term that defines their family into the word marriage, all they have to do is go to a church and get married. This takes it out of the hands of the government and keeps it biblical for those for whom this is important.
This proposal makes tremendous sense because it given everyone equal rights to be a family under the law -- and it keeps the "marriage" label on for those for whom this is an important aspect of their religious beliefs.
Everybody should be equal, regardless of their race, gender, religious, or sexual preference. This includes the making of a family, whether it be marriage or otherwise. Everybody should have the right to have a family and be happy. Some people may have the incorrect assumption that gay people don’t make good parents, but I beg to differ.
I happen to have 2 moms and they are extremely good parents. Everybody in my family, my brother, my sister and I each have a good life with my 2 moms. That’s something that should be available to everyone.
Yet for those for whom insist that "marriage" is a term with a biblical definition as the union of a male and a female, they can add this label as part of a religious ceremony, like a bar mitzvah or a first communion. These ceremonies should take place in a church and not be required by the government. This makes it fair and equal for all types of families to come together legally in a "civil union". Why did it take so long for someone to come up with this ingenious idea? It would have saved a lot of grief over Prop 8........
From April 24-26, Democrats from across the state gathered in Sacramento at the annual Democratic State Convention – including a remarkably diverse delegation from Santa Clara County. Our local delegation included a wide range of Democratic activists eager to elect new party leadership and to conduct party business critical to electing more Democrats at every level of government.
At this year's Democratic State Convention, two local Democrats earned significant recognition for their remarkable commitment and passion for grassroots Democratic organizing. Regional Director, Emy Thurber, honored James Kim with the Region 5 Award and Darcie Green was given the John F. Kennedy Award for Outstanding Public Service.
Santa Clara County has long been the home of many key leaders in the California Democratic Party (CDP). Led by County Chair Steve Preminger and CDP Regional Director Emy Thurber, our local Democrats serve as elected members of the CDP Executive Board, caucus leaders, representatives to the Democratic National Committee, appointed members of CDP standing committees and elected statewide leaders of the California Young Democrats.
Following is a list (partial) of local Democrats serving in key leadership or high profile roles within the California Democratic Party:
CDP Executive Board Hope Cahan Jim Thurber Omar Torres Anne Mack Adrienne Grey Darcie Green Steve Chessin
Chris Stampolis, DNC member
CDP Caucus Leaders Clark Williams (LGBT Caucus) Steve Chessin (Children’s Caucus) Alyson Abramowitz (Business and Professional Caucus)
CDP Standing Committee Members Steve Preminger (Resolutions) Emy Thurber (Resolutions) Peter Chiu (Rules) Jim Thurber (Rules) Chris Stampolis (Voter Services) Carolyn Curtis (Voter Services)
California Young Democrats Julie Lind, Political Director Omar Torres, Parliamentarian Darcie Green, Regional Director
Democratic organizations throughout California are benefiting from the bold contributions of so many of our local Democratic leaders as they engage in the governance and strategic planning of our California Democratic Party. Be sure to thank them for their volunteer public service!
Here is the second guest post by the amazing Josh! Thanks for your insights and writing Josh, you are great!
President Barack Obama considers water boarding torture and an act that violates the nation’s ideals and values, and he has decided to ban the practice. He believes that banning torture enhances the U.S. position worldwide. The banning of torture will put the US in a better position with our allies.
I quite agree with Obama in this matter. I don’t believe that any kind of torture is justified, no matter what information is acquired. The Germans during WWII used a method of obtaining information without causing harm to the person they needed information from. They were nice to their POW’s thus making the POW more comfortable.
The Germans used camaraderie to get useful information. I believe that is the best way to acquire information. As for prosecuting CIA agents who used harsh methods of interrogation legally under a previous administration, it doesn't seem right. Happily, the current administration actually has our nation's best interest at heart. I am proud to say that I am a high school student who cast a vote (for the first time) for Obama.
Cheney took his one-man all fear, all the time show on the road to CBS studios, appearing yesterday on Face the Nation where he assured Bob Schieffer we'll all be murdered in our sleep if President Obama is allowed to shut down Guantanamo.
Recent Entries
