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Opportunity and Cooperation in
Through informing
and networking Liberals and Liberal Organizations.
Our vision is
hundreds of thousands of well-informed
Our Political Priorities ·
Fair Clean Elections and Open Government ·
Fair Taxes and Competent Spending ·
Investment for Productivity ·
Quality Health, Education, Jobs, Income and Retirement ·
Environmental Protection and Energy ·
Personal Security and Equal Rights ·
Justice and Peace Everywhere ·
International Cooperation and Leadership Conservatives
oppose all of these Let’s End Our National Nightmare Let’s
Restore Our American Dream More
on Conservative opposition to our American Dream Washington
State’s 4 Major Needs ·
Federal Funding for Health and Education ·
A Progressive Income
Tax ·
Public Campaign
Financing ·
Replacing Republican Legislators Quote of the Week We admitted
we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become
unmanageable. The first step of
AA. Read the other steps. For
more about 12 step programs.
Calendar of Events
Saturday, May 10 at 4 – 9 PM at
Saturday, May 10 at 6 PM at home of Dr. Mohammad Aminpour and Mrs.
Zohreh Zandi (830 – 168th Place SE, Bellevue) – Fundraising Dinner for
Saturday, May 10 at 9 AM - 4:30 PM at The Evergreen State College in
Lecture Hall 3 in northwest
Saturday, May
10 at 10 AM at
Tuesday, May
13 at 5 PM at Bellevue Hyatt (
Friday, May
16 at 6:30 PM at Candy Sullivan and Jule Sugarman’s place (1140 Alki Ave SW #505, Seattle)
– inSPIRe monthly potluck and
discussion: with Valerie Tarico
on the Evangelical Mindset.
Friday, May 16 at
7 PM at
Saturday, May 17th at 1 – 4 PM at
Seattle Labor Temple, Hall 6 (2800 – 1st Avenue, Seattle) – Health Care House Party Training,
sponsored by Washington CAN. To register.
Monday, May 19 at 6:30 at
Tuesday, May 20 at 5 PM at Olympic
Friday, May 23 at 6:30 PM at
Friday, May 23 at 7 PM at
Saturday, May 24 at 3 PM at
the
Thursday, May 29 at 7 PM at
the Sammamish Public Library (
Sunday, June 1 at 2:30 PM at
Greater
Friday, June 6 at 7 PM at
Seattle Town Hall (1119 8th Ave, Seattle) – Cindy Sheehan speaking on Moving from a War Economy to a Peace Economy $10-25. For more.
Saturday,
June 7 at 2 PM at
Saturday, June 7 at 7 PM at
Opportunities, Petitions and Feedback
Opportunities
How would you spend the $3 trillion the Iraq
War will cost us? On what other
government programs?
See a great collection articles on climate
solutions, including a ten year plan for what you can do.
Try
MoveOn’s new game: What the difference between President Bush and Senator John
McCain?
Barbara Rader of Black Widow Web Development created our
Puget Sound Liberals Website, to which I can easily add, modify and remove
files. Learn more
about this unique company, which offers a 50% discount for organizations
that promote social justice and environmental stewardship.
Petitions and
Donations
Endorse
the Global Marshal Plan, proposed by the Network of Spiritual Progressives.
Tell China to stop
sending arms to Sudan.
Tell your senators
to support FISA without retroactive immunity for phone companies.
Tell
your senators to strengthen the Climate Security Act.
Tell
your senators to protect polar bears from oil drilling.
Tell your
congressmember to protect greater Yellowstone area grey wolves.
Tell
your congressmember to protect state’s rights to clean cars.
Sign petition
opposing World Bank control of climate investment funds.
Tell
leaders of House Education Committee to support Pre-K Education Act.
Tell
Senator John McCain to support the Fair Pay Act, for equalizing pay for women
with men.
Feedback
What do
Commentaries
From Our Members
Representative Ross Hunter on Working Families
Credit
Included last week in one of David
Thomas’ commentaries, was:
“On another occasion, Ross Hunter expressed his
opinion that instead of providing fish, he would rather teach someone to
fish. Learning takes time and some people can’t learn. If a person
is starving now, can he wait to learn to fish. If a non-swimmer falls off
a boat, does he need a swimming lesson or a life buoy?”
Ross Hunter Replies
that My concern is:
This is a somewhat simplistic
analysis of my piece, and of the policy arena that this decision is made in.
It’s easy to make decisions now that have no consequences until after the next
election. It’s my expectation that this program will not be funded in the
2009-2011 budget given the large shortfall we expect to have. Should I cut an
existing program, typically either a health or human services program, or perhaps
community college education during a recession to fund a relatively small
handout of cash that will have little effect on the eventual economic situation
of the recipient? What should we cut? I didn’t have an answer that satisfied
me, so I voted no on the program. We’ll revisit this next spring – I will want
to see how many of the people who voted for the program this year will support
it in a time of hard budgets.
The EITC program would cut into our
existing safety net programs. Ross Hunter
Like Ross Hunter, I am uncomfortable
with the Working Families Credit (
I believe the only way to make our
tax system more fair, more productive and more stable through economic cycles
is to substitute an income tax for some of our excise, sales, and property
taxes. I also believe it is not helpful
for our legislators and other office holders to politically discuss an income
tax until we have better educated our voters.
This newsletter will attempt to provide this education. I hope others will also contribute to this
voter education about this important issue. It’s time to face this issue and get smart.
Julie Wood on Fair
Taxation
Julie Wood responds to Todd Boyle’s commentary in last
week’s newsletter.
Fair taxation is a tough nut to crack here in WA
but really needs addressing. This regressive sales tax and relying
heavily on fictitious assessments for property taxes is ridiculous. Our
evaluations climb 15% per year, although our house deteriorates and needs new
windows, heat pump etc. And I can tell you, we will probably need to
leave the county as retirees.
There has go to be a better way; but I believe paying
taxes encourages you to vote, educate yourself on your government and be a
better citizen. I strongly disagree that up to the 50% (median) income
should not pay any taxes. And at 10X median pay 100% is likewise
ridiculous. We need to focus on the budget needs of
I checked out that site on congressional
environmental performance and Reichert got 85%. Cantwell and Murray rated
87%. Did Dave change his tune or is their rating system whacked. Julie Wood
Email from
ARE THEY WITH US OR
AGAINST US? WTF??????
Fortunately there are members of Congress like Colorado Congressman (and US Senate Candidate) Mark Udall who
were quick to take up the challenge. In a press release issued on Friday, Rep.
Udall said in part: "Senator Clinton claimed yesterday that I either
stand with her on this proposal or stand with the oil companies. To that I say:
I stand with the families of
"It is exactly the kind of short-sighted
For the sake of the Democratic Party and certainly for the country, I hope the
remaining "Super Delegates" are listening hard to what is coming out
of the
By the way, I wonder if Hillary realizes that, just as in October of 2002,
George W Bush is the president whom she will be relying upon to use "the
tools of his presidency" to do the right thing with this gas tax scheme
that she and John McSame are pushing today?
Peace,
George Robison on Beating False Medical Bills
Letter published in
Under somewhat different circumstances
but like Thomas Smailus, I received a medical service bill that I questioned
(Monday's front page). However, I called and asked for the name of the person
who claimed to have provided the service. At first, no one was able to tell me.
Only after explaining that the reason that the name was needed was to put in a
police report for attempted fraud (theft) did the question strike home. Shortly
after, there was a phone call telling me that the bill was a mistake.
George Robison
Liberals and Democrats
Democrats Are Increasing. Republicans Are Decreasing.
Since 2000, Democrats have increased to 36% of
the electorate, with another 15% calling themselves Independents, but
leaning toward Democrats.
Republicans have decreased to 27% with another 10% calling
themselves Independents, but leaning toward Republicans. It appears that 11% of Independents don’t
lean toward either party. If Democrats vote for Democrats and
Independents vote the way they lean, then Democrats can expect to obtain
51% compared to 37% for the Republicans, giving Democrats a 14%
advantage. This is very helpful. If the other 11% of independents split evenly,
Democrats would obtain 56% and Republicans 42%, still a 14% advantage.
Lessons from George Lakoff and the Rockridge
Institute
Excerpts from a Commentary by Joe Brewer and Evan Frisch
To read the complete
commentary.
Vision
Obama alone cannot change the political landscape
of ideas. A landslide victory will not shift public discourse toward more
progressive ideas about the role of government in society. For a President Obama to bring the changes we
seek, we must stop playing defense on individual issues and start building a
coherent movement that will articulate our principles and strengthen the
progressive worldview.
Obstacles
The Hero Myth
Misunderstanding of Framing
Institutional Inertia Problem
“Electing Democrats” Fixes Everything
Scarcity Problem
Strategies
The progressive movement is ripe for
change. We are better organized and more engaged than ever before. After years
of conservative rule, there is a growing recognition that the country is firmly
stuck on the wrong track, and a growing yearning for a new kind of politics.
And, when the media finally acknowledges that Obama is the nominee, we all have
a part to play in the process of transforming a nation. It is time to roll up our sleeves and get to
work.
It’s Time to Unify Our Democratic Party
Barack Obama will be our Democratic presidential
nominee. For
more. Hillary Clinton was unlucky to
have to compete with Barack Obama. It
would be nice for a woman to become president.
But not this time. Hopefully soon.
Now is the time to unify our party. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will lead
our unified efforts to beat John McCain.
I don’t believe either Obama or Clinton would be happy with
I think Al Gore would make a great vice-president,
with a mandate to work together with Hillary Clinton to lead our international
community’s response to climate change and to restore our international
standing. Hopefully they could also lead
the way toward empowering the United Nations to deal effectively with
situations like the
I also recommend John Edwards for Attorney General,
Arnold Schwarzenegger for head of Homeland Security and Michael Bloomberg for
Housing and Urban Development. Maybe Ron
Paul for a position to protect our civil liberties.
Barack Obama must first defeat John McCain. I believe the race will be something like the
1996 race between Bill Clinton and Robert Doyle. Notice the many advantages that Obama will
have:
·
Most voters are disgusted with President Bush, the Republican party, and
Christian Conservatives.
·
Many Traditional Conservatives, Christian Conservatives and Libertarians
are disgruntled.
·
Both our occupation of
·
Obama is much more personally attractive than McCain. Watch their performance in debates.
·
The difficult race against
·
There may be few bases for negative attacks against Obama, beyond the
ones that Republicans and Clinton have already made unsuccessfully.
·
Obama has demonstrated an ability to respond effectively to negative
attacks and pandering.
·
In most states, many more voters are registered as Democrats than as
Republicans.
·
Obama has attracted young voters, Independents and disgruntled
Republicans. For
more.
·
Obama and our Democrats have much more money than McCain and the
Republicans.
·
Obama has built a campaign organization in every state.
·
Hopefully the Obama organization, Democratic party organizations and
other Democratic candidates will run effective unified campaigns.
Notice that while the Commercial media continually
discuss divisions between Obama and Clinton supporters, they give little
attention to the many Republican voters who are still voting for Mike Huckabee
or Ron Paul instead of John McCain. For
more. See opposition
research on McCain.
Several obstacles could be racism among rural small
town Democrats and women who are disgruntled that
Our
Economy Has Declined during Presidential Race
Since the first debate on April 26, 2007, unemployment has risen from
4.5% to 5.1% and millions have temporary instead of the permanent jobs they
want or have stopped seeking work. The
cost of a barrel of crude oil has risen from $64 to $123. The average price of a gallon of gas risen
from $2.91 to $3.70. Food prices and the
cost of medical care have soared. Stock
prices have dropped nearly 10%. Housing
prices have dropped an average of 10%, millions of homes are unsold and houses
are being foreclosed at record rates.
The trade and federal budget deficits continue with our national debt up
10% to 9.4 trillion.
And economic conditions are continuing to worsen. We can hardly wait for the election and a new
Liberal administration, which can turn these trends around.
Here’s the Beef
Why
don’t our presidential candidates address our increasing income inequality?
Barack Obama’s North Carolina
comments on the thrust of his campaign (video).
Is Barack Obama a
corporate figurehead?
See how
Hillary Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s economic approach and proposals differ.
Hillary
Clinton threatens to obliterate Iran.
Barack Obama says threat is inappropriate.
Friends of
the Earth praise Barack Obama for not pandering with a gasoline tax holiday.
Experts oppose gasoline tax
holiday.
Will
Hillary Clinton’s gasoline tax holiday proposal cost her support of
environmentalists?
Blacks
increasingly view Hillary Clinton unfavorably.
Whites are splitting on Barack Obama.
So far,
the commercial media is generally ignoring John McCain’s gaffs. Can they keep it up?
Could
Ron Paul endorse Barack Obama? Ron likes
Barack’s foreign policy. Could we
add Ron Paul to the list of possible Obama administration officials? Justice Department to protect our privacy?
It’s not
John McCain’s age. It’s his confusion
and being out of touch with American values. For
more.
Learn about John
McCain’s anti-labor record.
Democrat
wins congressional seat in red Louisiana, although Republicans tied him to
Obama.
Newt Gingrich recognizes
Republicans are Losing. See his
recommendations.
Cindy Sheehan runs against
Congresswoman and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Learn about the candidates (veterans)
supported by VoteVets.
Democratic
House and Senate candidates are doing well.
State and
Local
Denying that Our
Our tax system is (1) unfair, (2) doesn’t produce enough revenue, and (3) responds poorly to economic recession. Low income people are unfairly taxed too
much. High income people don’t pay to
maintain and improve sustain our physical and social infrastructure which
enabled their incomes. We don’t obtain enough revenue to support our aspirations
for equal access to quality public services. During recessions, taxes produce
less revenue and taxes often become even more unfair.
But we deny these defects of our system. Perhaps sometimes accepting one, while
rejecting the others. We especially avoid
publicly discussing together these three flaws in our tax system. Following our conventional wisdom, we assume
that major changes can’t be made.
I believe that we can overcome our denial, first
through education, then through creating a broad-based coalition and only
afterward, through obtaining necessary political support. The first step is addressing the problems of
our present tax system. We must educate
ourselves about these problems. The
inadequate steps to address some flaws at the expense of worsening others. The prejudices, fears and distrust of our
people which serve as major barriers to discussion and effective action.
The longer badly needed reform
will take, the sooner we should begin. Let
our education begin now.
Good Grief. Another Conservative Tax Cut Proposal
Excerpted from an NPI commentary by
Andrew Villeneuve
On his KVI radio show this morning,
right wing host Kirby Wilbur announced he's working with several Tim Eyman
wannabes to qualify an initiative to the November ballot that would slash
property taxes by 30%, which would result in unprecedented cuts to public
services, including fire and police protection, libraries, parks, pools, and
possibly schools (it appears the initiative applies to both state and local
property taxes). Andrew Villeneuve
Promoting Public Campaign Financing
King County Councilman Bob
Ferguson says, “I have been working hard to get the word out about the benefits
of voter-owned elections:
·
My guest
column, “A Plan for Voter-Owned Elections,” appears on the Op-Ed page of
today’s Seattle Times and is published online here.
·
I
chose the topic of public campaign financing for a “Comcast Newsmakers”
interview with Tony Ventrella. You can watch the interview here.
·
I
recorded a podcast with Craig Salins, the Executive Director of Washington
Public Campaigns. You can listen to our conversation here.
·
Finally, I am
hosting a town hall meeting of the King County Council on public campaign
financing. Featuring a panel discussion and
public testimony, the town hall should be a great opportunity for elected
officials and citizens to learn about the benefits of public campaign
financing. [See Calendar of events above.]
Primary Election and Caucus System
Preferences
I can’t follow all the
discussion about the various alternatives which are legal and being considered
by our legislators and political parties.
I liked the system this year. The
caucuses allowed our more passionate and active voters to meet each other and
be recruited as precinct organizers. The
primaries allowed more people to express their preferences, and enabled us to
identify many likely Democratic voters, so we can stimulate them to vote in the
general election.
The major defect is that
some voters want to vote for various candidates in different parties. Under this year’s system, they could only do
this in the general election. I hope
that we will adopt an instant runoff system which will encourage additional
parties and choices. I believe having
more parties would help the major parties, who would adopt ideas which other
parties show to be popular. Public
campaign financing will also stimulate more candidates and choices for
voters. Appropriate competition is good
in politics as well as economics.
Caretaking Organizations Seek Volunteers
Imagine the multitude of social entrepreneurs who
create and operate our thousands of
*A
REGIONAL COALITION FOR HOUSING (ARCH) (425) 861-3677.
A cooperative effort undertaken by seven Eastside cities and
*ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE
WITH disABILITIES (425) 558-0993.
Alliance of People with disabilities provides information and referral,
advocacy, peer support, skills training and health insurance advising.
AMARA
(206)260-1700
Partner
with families to provide permanent, loving homes to vulnerable children.
ARCH (425-861-3677
Assist households looking for affordable
rental and ownership
housing; provide financial support to groups creating housing
affordable to low and moderate income households; and assist member governments
in developing housing policies.
BELLEVUE/EASTSIDE
PFLAG (206) 325-7724
Bellevue PFLAG exists to provide support, education, and advocacy for
family, friends, and members of the GLBT community in
BRIDGE
MINISTRIES (425) 885-1006
Honoring
the God-given dignity and giftedness of persons with disabilities, we build
relationships to alleviate isolation and enrich our churches and communities.
*CAMP
FIRE USA (425) 885-0477.
CAMP
KOREY (425)
577-2084.
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES OF
WESTERN WASHINGTON (888) 649-6850
Among
many other services, our volunteers assist elders and adults living with
disabilities with household chores, such as housework, yard work,
transportation, shopping and minor home repair.
*CHILD
CARE RESOURCES Referral Line (425) 865-9350. Provider Line (425) 865-9033.
Child Care Resources works in partnership with families, child care providers,
businesses and government to ensure that every family can find safe, quality,
affordable child care. CCR provides referrals to child care programs as
well as consultation and training for child care providers.
CHILDREN’S CRISIS OUTREACH RESPONSE SYSTEM (206) 382-5003
Provides
Comprehensive crisis services to children, youth and families
*CHILDREN'S
HOME SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON (425) 895-9813.
Parent
*COMMUNITY
INFORMATION LINE (Crisis Clinic) (206)-461-3200.
CIL provides free, comprehensive information and referral services to all
residents of
*EASTSIDE
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLINIC
Medical Clinic (425) 882-1697, Dental Clinic
(425) 883-8000.
Community Health Centers of
EASTSIDE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLINIC (206)
205-3861. Contact Patricia Killam RN.
Eastside Community Youth Clinic provides primary health care for homeless
youths 13 to 23 years of age on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 PM at the
EASTSIDE HUMAN SERVICES
The Eastside Human Services Alliance provides a unified voice for Eastside
health and human services providers in order to protect and build healthy
communities.
EASTSIDE HUMAN SERVICES FORUM
(425) 587-3324)
fosters strong public and private partnerships to assure a stable
network of health and human services for the benefit of all
EASTSIDE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM
EDVP
provides a crisis line, two confidential shelters, additional safe housing,
women and children’s support groups, community education and advocates for
victims.
*EASTSIDE
KING COUNTY COMMUNITY NETWORK
(425) 869-0238.
EKCCN promotes and implements programs for integrated, coordinated and
effective services that support children, youth and families.
*FRIENDS OF YOUTH (425) 869-6490.
FOY provides group homes, shelters, and substance abuse counseling and emergency
shelter services to youth and teen mothers.
*HABITAT
FOR HUMANITY OF EAST KING COUNTY
(425) 869-6007.
Habitat for Humanity provides affordable housing for low-income families.
HEALTHY START (425) 869-6658.
Healthy Start offers free and voluntary home-based support services to new
parents, 21 years of age or younger.
Hero
House (425) 614-1282
Provide
rehabilitation services to facilitate recovery for adults living with mental
illness by offering encouragement and support
*HOPELINK (Formerly Multi-service Centers of N & E King
County)
(425) 869-6000.
Hopelink promotes self-sufficiency for North and East King County Residents
by assisting with basic necessities of life: food, shelter, financial
assistance...and hope.
*LEARNING
DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON
(425) 882-0820
LDA of Washington promotes and provides services and support to improve the
quality of life for individuals and families affected by learning and attention
disabilities.
LIFELONG
AIDS ALLIANCE (206)
328-8979
Lifelong AIDS Alliance is committed to preventing the
spread of HIV, providing practical support services and advocating for those
whose lives are affected by HIV and AIDS.
*NAMI
EASTSIDE (425) 885-6264.
NAMI Eastside works to improve the quality of life for those persons affected
by acute and chronic mental illness.
OUTDOORS
FOR ALL FOUNDATION (425)462-0978
Enriching
the quality of life of children and adults with disabilities through outdoor
recreation.
PARENT EDUCATION
AND CHILD EMPOWERMENT (425) 591-5795
Provides
workshops for safer children, families and communities.
PARKVIEW
SERVICES (206) 779-7525
Connecting
people who have a developmental disability to new friends and fun
activities. Parkview has five distinct
programs: Parkview Group Home, The Affordable Housing Program,
REFUGEE & IMMIGRANT SERVICE
CENTER
(425) 643-2221
Provide
refugees with employment services, language classes, resettlement and social
services.
*SEATTLE MENTAL
HEALTH NORTHWEST COUNSELING INSTITUTE (425) 869-6634.
SMHNCI helps people with a wide variety of life challenges including mental
health and chemical dependency issues.
SENIOR
SERVICES (206) 448-3110
We offer a
variety of programs to help older adults develop ever more joyful, healthful
and meaningful lives
SOLID GROUND
(206) 694-6700
We
provide housing for homeless people and chore services for elderly and
disabled, and other innovative programs, coordinate neighborhood AmeriCorps and
STARLIGHT
STARBRIGHT CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION, WASHINGTON CHAPTER (425) 861-7827
Helping
seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear, and
isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.
*YOUTH EASTSIDE SERVICES
(425) 869-6036.
YES provides counseling, substance and sexual abuse treatment, consultation and
training services to children, adolescents, parents, school personnel and
others interested in helping youth.
YWCA
(425) 556-1354
Our
core programs are ending and preventing homelessness, building
self-sufficiency, creating opportunities for youth and providing safe havens
for victims of domestic violence.
Here’s the Beef
John Gotts is running
for 15th LD Representative against 6 term incumbent Republican Bruce
Chandler.
States
are now carrying many responsibilities defined by our national government.
School district budgets are taking a beating.
Great
Northern Pacific Railway supports both rails and trails on our Eastside rail
corridor.
Should an Australian bank be allowed to
buy Puget Sound Energy? For More.
Nation
and World
Many Countries Are Rapidly Developing
With 2.5 million people (40% of our world’s
population),
Most of the world’s next great multi-nations are expected
to be arise in East Asia and
Prosperity, peace and democracy are breaking out
all over. Our world’s population growth
is slowing. The share of our world’s population living on less than $1 a day
has dropped from 40% in 1980 to 18% on the way to an expected 12% by 2015.
Used to being culturally, economically, politically
and militarily dominant, we often find this growing competition unsettling. Especially since our degradation during the 7
years of the Bush administration. But
under a Democratic administration and congress, we can rapidly begin to
compete. Instead of posing a threat to
us, other countries are focusing upon their own development. Global development provides us with many
successful examples. And opportunities
for cooperation.
We must create global governance which provides
level playing fields for our global competition. We must learn to benefit from cooperation
with our economic competitors. We can do
it.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw
stones. We criticize
We do nothing to deter
We look forward to Barack Obama’s presidency with a
large Democratic majority in congress, expecting than many of our problems will
be solved. But there is no indication
that we will quit supporting Israeli’s vicious apartheid. But
read this. Or that we will confront
our military-industrial complex to quit funding enormously expensive useless
armaments. Or confront our
agro-industrial interests to quit funding farmland owners, whose practices are
ruining our lands. I hope that Democrats
in power will surprise me by confronting these powerful interests. But I doubt that they will.
Commercial Media Adds Conservative Commentators
CNN has hired Tony Snow as a commentator. Newsweek has provided a column to Karl
Rove. New York Times has provided a
column to Bill Kristol. For
more. These three are unabashed defenders of President Bush and New
Conservative ideology. So much for our
commercial media’s liberal bias.
More Openly LGBT People Are Winning Elections
[
The number of openly LGBT elected officials in the
43 Openly LGBT People Won Elections Last Year. More
LGBT officials equals more legislators defending the rights of the LGBT
community. For more.
Here’s the Beef
FBI is forced to rescind
secret order for Internet Archive records.
Read May 12th, 2008 issue of Time Magazine for
profiles of many social entrepreneurs.
During 60 years, our military
industrial complex has bankrupted us.
The
Iraq mission still isn’t accomplished.
U.S. and British
critics of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians are subject to smear campaign.
Will
the Burmese receive help? Cyclone
won’t bring down Burmese military dictatorship.
Instead
of a gasoline tax holiday, we need a comprehensive plan to rebuild our infrastructure.
Large
agribusinesses are making enormous profits from the growing food crisis.
Ten Senators to watch on
global warming.
U.S. consumers rank last
in world survey of green habits.
How Google creates an innovative company culture.
Foreign destinations for medical travelers. For more.
Pharmaceutical
industry resists World Health Organization public health initiatives.
New Oklahoma law
requires abortion seekers to have ultrasound, so they must view their fetus.
Schools
should reward student’s strengths instead of primarily focusing upon their
weaknesses.
Our GI’s
deserve The new GI Bill. Our country
needs it. Bush and McCain oppose it.
Extending unemployment benefits from
26 to 39 weeks would yield many benefits.
On May day, nationwide
rallies support immigrants.
What’s happening to the
political issue of immigration?
Congressmen
help fraudulent lenders. States help abused
borrowers.
How
many people should own their houses?
A California Suburb (Elk Grove) acts comprehensively to
overcome foreclosure crisis.
Our next
financial crisis will be worse if our financial industry can block regulation.
Beginning
in 1920’s, ‘Shop ‘til you drop’ ethos was created to fuel production and
profits.
Our Liberal Spirit
On Denial
For decades, I maintained a comprehensive vision and
created elaborate strategies to realize it.
But I overlooked that my compulsive drinking was greatly limiting my
successes. It ruined my relations with
friends, supporters and colleagues. It
stimulated grandiose goals, such that failure became inevitable. Only when my health was severely threatened,
did I seek treatment and overcome my denial.
Many, perhaps most, of us suffer from denial. We don’t face our compulsion to eat high
calorie foods and carbohydrates, which causes us to become fat. We put our finances at risk by buying
conventionally respected expensive houses and cars. Then don’t use many of their features. Cheaper and older ones would be just as
functional. Influenced by ads, we are
compulsive shoppers: Buying bargains we don’t need. Buying things just because we don’t have
them. Buying novelty items. Loading and cluttering our lives with unused
items.
Following conventional wisdom, we perform and admire the
old politics of division and attack. We
deny the obstacles this places upon uniting to pursue our shared social and
political goals. We allow trivial
campaign gaffs, showcased again and again by our commercial media to distract
us from the issues which most affect us.
We deny the extent to which we have given up our principles in the
pursuit of political victory. Instead of
educating and leading our voters, we pander to their prejudices and harmful
desires.
In
So what can we do about our denial. Do we have to reach our bottom, of obesity,
bankruptcy, political stagnation or other misfortunes before overcoming our
denial? When we sense that some
compulsion (often fueled by conventional wisdom or advertising) is harming us,
we must admit that we cannot overcome it alone.
We must seek help,
counseling or treatment. We must be willing to risk the
discomfort that may come from these. We
must be able to overcome our fear of unknown changes in our life. We must take our help, counseling or
treatment seriously. If one attempt
doesn’t work, we must try others. Millions
of us can testify that after some initial discomfort, our lives become more
secure, manageable and satisfying. Try
getting help. You will be glad you did. You will be especially glad if you sought help
before you completely trashed your life and our society.
Recommended Books –
See our list of books
for liberals
Review
a list of books about a variety of 12 step programs. The
AA Big Book. On
Denial. Compulsive
Shopping. I can’t find any books on
old and new politics. Why don’t one of
you write one? In the meantime, watch
Barack Obama’s speeches. Read the books
from our reading list about our new political strategies. Read above the Lessons
from George Lakoff and the Rockridge Institute. Our newsletter will attempt to inform you
about the basic defects of our tax system and needed changes.
Free Member Advertising
Hire Our Lake Hills Neighbors
·
Auto Repair, price varies depending
on job (but always fair), Jaime Speicher (AAS Auto Repair Technician)
(425-746-2353)
·
Babysitting for infants (occasional evenings
and weekends) - $5 per hour-
·
Data Entry- $10 per 12 font, double spaced page-
·
Debt Elimination
Counseling, Seminars and Workshops – price negotiable – Sherry Brandt
(206-356-8034, somerev2@comcast.net)
·
Home Repair- prices vary, depending
on job-
·
Home Repair and
Remodeling,
·
Housekeeper, price negotiable –
·
Life Support Therapies,
·
Private Piano Lessons (students must have a
piano), afternoons - Anna Khosrowian (378-7938), price negotiable
·
Psychotherapist, accepts insurance
- Sandy Mathews (462-7889, www.sandramathews.com)
About
In October, 2005, we founded our Lake Hills
Liberals as an experimental demonstration of creating neighborhoods where
liberals thrive and multiply and maximizing our vote for Liberal
candidates. In January, 2006, we began
our newsletter.
During our
first year, we focused upon Lake Hills neighborhood development, experimenting
with a variety of activities and events.
To elect Liberals, we canvassed our 12 precincts to increase the number
of identified likely Democratic voters from 33% to 90% and stimulated them to
vote, which assisted election of our 2006 Democratic candidates. We recruited
30% (500) of them. We encouraged house
parties to allow neighbors to meet each other to be able to prevent crime, to
assist each other in a disaster, and to protect and assist our children. We created our website. We began a monthly discussion group, called
the Lake Hills Liberal Salon.
During our
second year, we recruited many members from throughout our
As we
begin our third year, we continue our past activities, especially electing Liberals,
canvassing Lake Hills, promoting house parties, educating and enabling
cooperation among Liberals, and promoting Public Campaign Financing. Our
new political priority is promoting a fair
To get our free services, including our newsletter,
our ‘Proud Liberal, Time for a Change’ yard signs or ‘Proud Liberal’ bumper
stickers, volunteer or make a donation, contact
Our weekly newsletter is currently distributed to 2300 members by email each Friday. Submit your news to Editor Dave Thomas.
We are
seeking reporter-reviewer-editors with knowledge of particular political groups
and issues. We have asked
the following experts to help us.
African
Americans –
Blogs
–
Campaign
Finance – Sarajane Siegfriedt
Democratic
Party –
Drug
Policy –
Education
– Dennis Gerlitz, John Stokes
Environment
–
Gays
and Lesbians – Jack Greenlaw
Green
Party – Trey Smith
Health
Care –
Hispanics – needed
Immigration
- Grosvenor Anschell
Housing
and Poverty –
Labor Unions –
Law
and Justice –
State
Legislation –
Veterans
–
Women’s
Issues –
Additional Resources
See
our website at www.PugetSoundLiberals.org,
with our basic training about being Liberal, our archive of all past
newsletters, resources for liberals, tools for Democratic legislative district
organizations and more. Join
Fuse to connect with to other Liberals and more. To learn about particular
issues, visit websites of advocacy and caring organizations. Join them to further your interests and meet
colleagues. Also see our list of helpful
websites. Craig’s List Seattle
For
news about NW sustainability, visit Sightline
Daily. We recommend the Pacific NW Portal for
displaying many blogs through which Northwest Liberals exchange their knowledge
and opinions. See also Lefty Blogs. We recommend you go to Washblog to find blogs containing
information and opinions about
Learn about our State
Democratic Party. About 2008 Caucuses and Elections. Quickly and easily contact your national and
state officials. For
many Congressional Report Cards. Report Card on your congress member.