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NTDO NEWS
September 16, 2009 |
On Wednesday, President Obama spoke about health care reform to a joint session of Congress and all of America. His message was, as usual, intelligent, articulate, and inspiring. -- Of course he didn't come across that way to all of his audience. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson shouted that the President was a liar. (An unprecedented act of disrespect toward an American President.) His Republican colleagues chastised him for his outburst but didn't say that Joe was incorrect in his characterization of President Obama. The fact is that what the President said was true. However, with skillful spinning, parsing and suppositions, Republican leaders and their cable news mouthpieces are now maintaining that Joe was correct -- just a bit intemperate.
Sadly, for the past week we've seen far too much discussion about Joe Wilson's big mouth and too little discussion about the points the President made. Today, that may change as Senator Max Baucus' Senate Finance Committee finally releases their version of the bill. Now all the House and Senate bills are open for review. And although this should mean that the time has arrived for an open discussion of the factual differences between the bills created by our elected representatives, you can bet we will continue to hear wild distortions, rumors and accusations from ill-informed, misled and frightened crowds egged on by people with agendas all their own. Brace yourself.
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This Saturday morning, come to Tower Beach, join your fellow NTDO members in The Great Beach Clean Up.
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This Saturday, September 19, 9:00-12:00 p.m, loyal NTDO member Barb Cornew will be an "Adopt A Beach" Captain in Winnetka for the Tower Beach clean-up. Let's all come out and help her in this very worthy activity.
This is part of The Alliance for the Great Lakes' annual Great Beach Clean Up. The
New Trier beach selected in New Trier this year is Tower Beach (at Tower and Sheridan
Roads in Winnetka)
The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is "to ensure a living resource for all generations. Our Great Lakes contain nearly 20% of the earth's fresh surface water. They are the lifeblood of our region-and make every glass of water we drink possible. Lakes Huron, Erie, Ontario, Superior and Michigan provide for our commerce, our recreation and our well being. And that's why our stewardship is so critical."
Come with friends and family members. It's a great way to spend a Saturday morning. To make sure there are enough supplies for everyone, please RSVP here -- include your name, address and phone number. Also please let us know if there will be more than you in your party.
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Upcoming events for
Democratic Primary candidates:
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Jeff Smith (candidate for State Representative of the 18th District [the Hamos seat])
Office Open House, Thursday, September 17,
6 pm-8 pm, 833 Foster St. in Evanston
Jeff's office is across the street from the Purple Line El station. Food and refreshments will be served. Parking is convenient. Call Jimmy Garfield with questions or to RSVP, 773-931-1372
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 |
Governor Quinn vetoed the HB 7 "reform bill."
Here are the reforms an improved bill should have:
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Governor Quinn vetoed the flawed HB 7. The NTDO Reform Committee believes that true reform legislation should include the following five actions:
- 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
- establish a strengthened oversight agency with
sufficient authority and resources to enforce the law
Now we
need to make sure the Governor, our legislators and legislative leaders know that we
will be paying even closer attention to the revised reform legislation
that has been promised.
Contact the Governor. Thank him for his veto of HB 7. Urge him to insist that the legislature enact 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 for the Governor's October signature.
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For those who support the "Public Option," you can make your voice heard next Tuesday at noon.
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On Tuesday, September 22 at 12:00 PM, in front of the Blue Cross Blue Shield building in Chicago (on Randolph St. east of Michigan Avenue) MoveOn is organizing a rally to protest insurance companies' attempt to block a strong public option. Speakers will put a human face on how health insurance companies are making massive profits by driving up costs and denying coverage. A large crowd will show the media, elected representatives, insurance companies (and the President) that the Public Option should not be abandoned.
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Remarkable Silent Auction Items are now coming in but more are still needed. Can you top these?:
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An evening sail with cocktails at the yacht club... An Italian dinner accompanied by an opera singer... Northwestern Basketball tickets with parking passes... dance lessons... an interior design consultation... a sailing lesson with a campfire breakfast on the beach... And there are more.
Can you think of any items or skills that
you could donate to the Banquet's Silent Auction? -- Handicrafts? Art?
A weekend condo getaway? Airline miles? If you have an idea for
an auction item, contact a committee co-chair here. Have fun with it. The NTDO Annual Banquet will be held on Sunday, October 25.
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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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