CONTENTS:

Upcoming WSDC Events

Upcoming Events Co-Sponsored by WSDC

Democratic Party Events 

Upcoming Campaign Events 

Ballot Questions 

Health Care Conference: Women of Color Get It 

Political Book Club  

Suggestion Box 

You may click on one of the above titles to go directly to that subject, or simply scroll down the newsletter.     

Thanks to Sybil Cantor for her contributions to the newsletter.

UPCOMING WSDC EVENTS: 

Mark your calendars now for these upcoming events. For more information on locations and registration, watch for future e-mails and daisy cards - or visit our website at www.mcWSDC.org.

Wednesday, September 12

Thursday, September 13

Happy Hour    

5:30-7 p.m.   

Redwood Restaurant and Bar, 

7121 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda  

Want to meet new people to talk politics? Join us at the next WSDC Happy Hour. Every second Thursday of each month, Democrats who are passionate about politics gather to relax and network with WSDC members and their guests. Whether you want to meet elected officials, make new friends, form new business contacts or just have fun, the WSDC Happy Hour is the perfect place to meet and greet fellow Democrats.

Sunday, September 30

Countdown to November!    

Courtyard Marriott, 5520 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase

Cost: Members - $24; Guests - $29   

Join your fellow WSDC members to hear updates on the fall campaign - and what we can do to elect great Democrats in 2012, including President Obama, Senator Ben Cardin, U.S. Representatives Chris Van Hollen and John Sarbanes and Congressional candidate John Delaney and to pass progressive referenda like the DREAM Act and Marriage Equality.

          

 Friday, October 26    

Luncheon with Thomas Mann, co-author with Norman Ornstein  

It's Even Worse than It Looks

Courtyard Marriott

12 Noon  

Details to follow

Is there any hope for our system of government? In this time of political polarization and the death of compromise, and in the thick of a history-making Presidential election, you won't want to miss Thomas Mann's updates on his controversial best-seller with Norman J. Ornstein, It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism, Join WSDC as we hear Mann's insights on the current state of the nation -- because we're all in it, for better (or for worse).  

After every doorbell has been rung, every phone number called, and every vote gotten out, you'll want to hear what the man whom The Washington Post has called "a walking almanac of American politics" will have to say about Election 2012's results. Mark your calendars now for this special debriefing by legendary PBS NewsHour and Inside Washington contributor Mark Shields.

UPCOMING EVENTS CO-SPONSORED BY WSDC:

 

 

Sunday, September 22

Greater Silver Spring Democratic Annual Picnic

Indian Spring Terrace Recreation Center, 9717 Lawndale Dr., Silver Spring

2:30 - 5:30 p.m.

This event has become a Maryland political tradition. Don't miss it. Yvette Lewis, chair, Maryland Democratic Party will be the guest speaker. Admission is free but monetary donations will be cheerfully accepted. Or bring a covered dish for all to share. For more information, please contact Mark Woodard at 301-592-1811, Emily Ackerman at 301-565-2483 or Paul Mitchell at 301-588-7126. To RSVP, click here.

Tuesday, October 2

District 16 Forum with Matt Verghese, Political and Communications Director of the Maryland State Democratic Party.

Bethesda Library, Arlington Road

7:30 p.m.

Hear Matt's take on the elections and his predictions and what to expect on  

November 6!

MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS:

Thursday, September 13

MCDCC Event with Congressman John Larson                                                    National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
10 G Street, N.W., Suite 600

6 - 8 p.m.

 

 

The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee is sponsoring a reception to raise money to pay for the printing and mailing of the Democratic Party's sample ballot for the general election. With so many ballot questions, the sample ballot is more important than ever. Click here to purchase tickets.

The location is within walking distance from the metro red line at Union Station. (Take 1st Street, N.E. to G Street.)     

UPCOMING CAMPAIGN EVENTS:    

We urge each of you to join an Obama team. Marriage equality and the DREAM Act (both of which have been endorsed by the Board) will also be on the ballot. We will send you information as it becomes available as to how to become involved with those campaigns

BALLOT QUESTIONS:

The Maryland Secretary of State recently released the final language for the ballot questions in Maryland for the 2012 General Election. Please examine the ballot initiatives and share the language with family and friends. As Governor O'Malley has said, "This year, we have a unique opportunity to move our State forward toward a more just and equal society, while defending dignity, protecting religious freedom, and investing in our greatest assets: the talents, skill, ingenuity and creativity of our people." The WSDC has endorsed the DREAM Act and Marriage Equality legislation and urge a yes vote on ballot questions 4 and 6.

To read all the ballot questions, please click here.  Below are the statewide ballot questions:

Question 2 - Constitutional Amendment - Qualifications for Baltimore County Orphans' Court Judges

Question 3 - Constitutional Amendment - Suspension and Removal of Elected Officials

Question 4 - Referendum Petition - Public Institutions of Higher Education - Tuition Rates

Question 5 - Referendum Petition - Congressional Districting Plan

Question 6 - Referendum Petition - Civil Marriage Protection Act

Question 7 - Gaming Expansion Referendum - Gaming Expansion

HEALTH CARE REFORM CONFERENCE: "HEALTH CARE, WOMEN OF COLOR GET IT" :  

Do you have ideas for future programs? Do you know someone who would be a great speaker at a future WSDC event? Or would you just like to get more involved with the overall work of the Club? If so, please send an e-mail to  wsdc44@gmail.com or visit www.mcWSDC.org and click on "Volunteer" to complete the "It Takes a Village" volunteer form.

 Keeping members better informed, better connected and more politically effective since 1957