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NTDO NEWS
August 26, 2009 |
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Today is a day to celebrate!
On Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote, was declared in effect. --- And where would the New Trier Dems be today without that?
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On Monday in Arlington Heights, Republican Congressman Mark Kirk held a town hall meeting on health care. Actually two town halls were held at 3:00 and 4:30 because the number of people that showed up was far more than double the maximum capacity of the room (400). While 800 people attended the two meetings, hundreds more remained in the plaza and street in front of the city's town hall holding signs, many personally hand lettered, displaying their views on health care reform and occasionally chanting for or against change in our system.
The crowd, both inside and outside the town hall were generally well behaved. Inside, congressman Kirk fielded questions from constituents with a range of views. Although he did hear a number of questions and anecdotes from people favoring the public option, he remained unmoved. His prescription for "change" continues to be against any form of public option. This, not surprisingly, is also the position of the Republican Party leadership, the insurance lobbyists, Fox News commentators and every right-wing talk radio show. Not exactly a "moderate" group.
Kirk contends that the number of uninsured people quoted by reformers is exaggerated and
that only a small percentage of those uninsured are American citizens who cannot afford health
care. He has said in the past, that many are younger people who simply choose not to pay for insurance coverage. Referring to America's uninsured, The Daily Herald quoted Kirk as saying, "This number is not large enough to justify the
president's bill," Kirk said. "Should we provide taxpayer health care
for people who are illegally here in the U. S.? I do not think we
should provide federally-subsidized health care to illegal aliens." According to the Herald reporter, the crowd "resoundingly agreed with him."
The crowd's reaction against subsidized health care for illegals would be important for reformers to keep in mind -- if the reform measures
being proposed actually did provide health insurance coverage to
undocumented immigrants. It doesn't. Either Mark Kirk is as misinformed as his avid followers, or he is purposely misleading them with half-truths and outright fabrications. (Which could it be?)
Outside of the meeting, protesters against reform had many conversations with pro-reformers, usually staying civil. It was remarkable to hear the beliefs held by some of them. For instance, "the reformers at the rally were brought there by Acorn," "a public option is a big step toward a Communist state," "the people who want a public option, don't work for a living and just want a hand-out," "health care in Canada is terrible and our system is much better."
Tough to argue with such firmly held beliefs when they're reinforced every day by people on TV and the radio being paid big bucks to keep them misinformed. -- And also when they're reinforced at townhalls by their local congressman. But it does no good to argue anyway. What does do good is to keep your demand for real health care reform visible and heard -- by the media, by your representative and senators, and by the Obama administration. This is not time to waver and the people we elected need to know that we are behind them 100% for a reformed health care system including the public option. Get engaged. Stay involved.
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Real Campaign Finance Reform will be closer to reality
if you take action before this weekend!
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If Governor Quinn does not take amendatory veto action before August 28, Illinois will not get the campaign finance reform Illinois needs.
Before finishing their spring session,the legislature passed HB 7 -- legislation that includes some reform but also creates some new regulations that may make matter worse.
Committeeman Bill Crowley and the NTDO Reform Committee have urged Governor Quinn to sign an amendatory veto to stop HB 7 from becoming law unless it is amended to:
- follow the federal guidelines for contribution limits,
- count in-kind donations toward those contribution limits
- tie contribution limits to the election cycle rather than the calendar year,
- limit a candidate or incumbent to one fundraising committee.
These measures were in an earlier bill sponsored by fifty-one House representatives including all of the legislators representing New Trier Township.
If you haven't already done so, contact the Governor and your legislators to tell them you support an amendatory veto and the campaign finance reform steps listed above.
If the amended bill passes with a 60% vote, Illinois will have made a big step forward. If not and HB 7 dies, we can start again from scratch rather than from a deeper hole. And for those who vote no, we will know where they stand on this issue before the next election.
Contact Governor Pat Quinn: 312-814-2121
Email contact form click here
And please contact your legislators too.
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Next Monday, show the "Tea Party People" that you support health insurance reform for America.
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Next Monday, August 31, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is holding a Town Hall Meeting on health insurance reform in Skokie. Because Jan is a leading congressional advocate for the public option, the meeting may attract a crowd from beyond the local area who are fervent believers that any change in our health care system will lead to the collapse of America. Let's show this misinformed but vocal group that we support Jan in her efforts for health insurance reform before year's end. Tell your friends, bring them along, come support the public option at this Town Hall meeting in Skokie.
Monday, August 31 from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Niles West High School Auditorium
5701 Oakton Street -- Skokie, IL 60077
For the facts instead of fiction about the health care reforms visit: WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck
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As local Democrats gear up their campaigns for the February Primary, we'll try to keep you updated on how you can get involved:
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Dan Seals will be seeking petition signatures at the Wilmette Metra station Friday morning from 6:30-8:30 a.m.
If you'd like to help Dan, contact Judy at 847 256-2615
If this Friday isn't good there's a need for people at the Glencoe station 9/4 and in Winnetka 9/11. Dan will be at those stations too.
Jennifer Bishop Jenkins is running for the office of County Commissioner in the 14th District (Lake county and further west).
She is holding a get-acquainted gathering on September 1 to tell you about her campaign and volunteer opportunities:
Residence of Jeanne Bishop and Russell Gloyd
832 Cherry Street
Winnetka, IL 60093 US
Tuesday, September 1, 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Phone: 312-854-8017 for RSVP
Julie Hamos is having a campaign office grand opening party on Tuesday, September 3.
3100 Dundee Road, Suite 109, Northbrook
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Please click here to RSVP or call (847) 550-3777. |
The NTDO supports the New Trier Food Pantry --
Key supplies are running short. Can you help them?
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The New Trier Food Pantry is very low on the following items:
Paper Towels - Canned Fruit - Salad Dressing - Cereal (cold) -
Kleenex - Soup with Beef not Chicken
Drop items off at the New Trier Township office at 739 Elm Street in Winnetka. Or, bring them in a bag to the New Trier Dems office, 800 Oak Street in Winnetka. If the door is locked leave the bag by the door. In the past 12 months nearly 350 New Trier households (primarily seniors and single parents with children just above the federal poverty line) relied on the New Trier Township Food Pantry for supplemental groceries. Please help.
And here's a way to ensure that America' children grow up eating more nutritious meals:
Just click here
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Silent Auction Items Still Needed. Be creative.
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The NTDO Annual Banquet will be held on Sunday, October 25. Can you think of any items or skills that
you could donate to the Banquet's Silent Auction?
Art? Handicrafts? A weekend condo getaway? Sports event tickets? Airline miles? A song? A dinner? Poetry? Be creative. If you have an idea for an auction item, contact a committee co-chair here. |
About Us:
The New Trier Democratic Organization is made up of hundreds of grassroots volunteers dedicated to advancing progressive ideals through the political process. We welcome your participation.
Sincerely,
Bill Crowley, Committeeman New Trier Township
We are located at 800 Oak Street in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
Office hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. -- 9am-Noon
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