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NTDO NEWS
September 2, 2009 |
Heard on NPR this morning: The health care industry now has 3300 lobbyists working in Washington -- six lobbyists for every congressman. In the past 6 months, the industry has spent one-quarter billion dollars in their efforts to influence legislators.
On Monday Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky held a Health Care Town Hall Meeting in Arlington Heights, filling an auditorium with 1500 people while 500 more stood outside. People from both sides of the debate were inside and given a chance to speak. In fact, Jan was admirably even-handed as she invited speakers of all views (some a bit wacky) to use the hand-held microphones provided. She fielded a wide range of questions and heard a number of heart-wrenching anecdotes from people who have suffered because insurance company profits took precedence over human needs. She also heard from audience members suspicious of anything provided by the government and from a few who were vehemently sure that Socialism will be the result of our government ensuring decent health care for all Americans.
After an hour-and-a-half of interaction, the meeting ended. Representative Schakowsky had rebutted a number of myths and misapprehensions about the new health care legislation and had firmly assured the audience that "health care reform would become law by the end of 2009."
To help Jan in her work, all of us need to give her, Senator Durbin and Senator Burris messages in support of the Public Option. They will use our messages as "ammunition" in the upcoming congressional debates on this issue. Your words really can make a difference.
And for an excellent report on Mark Kirk's "unique" analysis of America's health care system, read Ellen Gill's blog in the Huffington Post. (But first, please read the articles below.)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/28/rep-kirk-excludes-health_n_271343.html
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Governor Quinn responds to the public outcry and vetoes the HB 7 reform bill. -- But our work isn't done.
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Last week Governor Quinn vetoed the flawed HB 7. In a press conference, the Governor, flanked by Senate President Cullerton and House Speaker Madigan, said he believed a better bill could be written. The 2000 New Trier area citizens who signed the NTDO petition for reform and the thousands more supporting reform commissions believe this too.
So now we need to make sure our legislators and legislative leaders know that we will be paying even closer attention to the revised reform legislation that has been promised.
The NTDO Reform Committee continues to believe that true reform legislation should include the following rules:
- 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.
If you were pleased to see the Governor's veto, contact him, thank him, and urge him to insist on the above reform measures.
Governor Pat Quinn: 312-814-2121
Email contact form click here
Then, contact your legislators and tell them you want the above reforms in the law they write this fall.
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Tonight -- "We Can't Afford to Wait" Health Care Vigils in Evanston and Skokie.
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To show the world the amount of support our local area has for Health Care Reform and the Public Option, Moveon has organized candlelight vigils in a number of Chicagoland locations. These type of gatherings often get valuable media coverage. The vigils near New Trier are:
Fountain Square, Davis St. and Sherman Ave, Evanston
Wednesday, September 2nd, 7:00 PM
The Corner of Skokie Blvd. and Golf Rd., Skokie
(corner of Old Orchard) at 6:00 PM
Or if you're downtown:
Grant Park, Chicago, IL, 7:00 PM
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Upcoming events for
Democratic Primary candidates:
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Daniel Biss has announced his candidacy for the Illinois 17th Legislative District seat. Two years ago, Daniel narrowly lost to the 3-term Republican incumbent (who is now running for the 10th Congressional seat being vacated by Mark Kirk). Daniel is asking supporters to send him their ideas and suggestions on campaign issues at daniel@danielbiss.com and is signing up volunteers and financial supporters at danielbiss.com -- The Biss campaign will have its campaign kickoff, Sunday, September 13, at 11am (location TBD). Save the date.
Julie Hamos (candidate for 10th Congressional District seat)
A Campaign Office Grand Opening party in Northbrook, Thursday, September 3, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at 3100 Dundee Road, Suite 109, Northbrook.
Click here to RSVP or call (847) 550-3777.
Dan Seals (candidate for 10th Congressional District seat) Meeting tonight, September 2nd at 7:30pm at the Glencoe Public Library to hear about Dan's campaign plans.
Campaign kick off in Buffalo Grove on Sunday, September 6th at the Buffalo Grove Parade. Marchers will meet at noon on Sunday, Sept. 6th at Indian Hills Drive and Bernard, Buffalo Grove, IL., in location 2, slot number 31.
RSVP at info@dansealsforcongress.com (cut and paste email)
10th District Kick-off Thursday Sept 10 at 7:30 in Highland Park at the Recreation Center, 1207 Park Avenue West.
Petitions for Dan can be picked up and turned in at the Seals Deerfield Office every Monday and Thursday night from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The Seals office is located at 405 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield, IL. The petitions and instructions are also available by contacting Steven Walanka sewsa1@gmail.com
Patrick Keenan-Devlin (candidate for State Representative of the 18th District [the Hamos seat])
Campaign Office Grand Opening party in Evanston, Tuesday, September 8, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at 1630 Orrington. Patrick is asking supporters to bring friends and office supplies to kick off his campaign.
The NTDO Political Action Committee has begun making petition sheets for Democratic candidates for the 2009 Primary available at the NTDO office. If you would like to help a candidate you support, call the office Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 9 a.m and noon to find out which petition forms are available. 847-446-8030
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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.
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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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