Puget Sound Liberals Weekly Newsletter #141

Enhancing Freedom, Opportunity and Cooperation in Puget Sound and Beyond

Through informing and networking Liberals and Liberal Organizations.

 

Our vision is hundreds of thousands of well-informed Puget Sound Liberals working together.

 

   2500 members                                                               September 26, 2008                                                                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

                                                     

Our Website                                   Our  Editor                  To Unsubscribe

 

                        Table of Contents  *Featured Articles

 

About Puget Sound Liberals

Opportunities, Petitions and Feedback

 

Commentaries from Our Members

Susan Harmon On Jason Osgood Smear

Ray McBain Recommends New Naomi Wolf Book

Dick Burkhart: No Bailouts without Reform

Jack Smith: a John McCain Housing Crisis Solution

Penny Miller on Helping the Obama Campaign

Joanne Gainen on Calling Talk Radio

 

Liberals and Democrats Links to the Beef

Democrats Are On a Roll*

What We Must Now Do*

 

State and Local  Links to the Beef

Endorsements for General Election Candidates

Burglary Prevention Advisory

 

Nation and World  Links to the Beef

Responding to Our Economic Crisis*

Restoring Credit Is Immediately Necessary*

Our Most Important Task Is Creating Jobs*

Stopping Fraud*

Restricting Speculation*

Producing and Ameliorating Employment Shifts*

 

Our Liberal Spirit

Making Things Simple*

 

Recommended Books

 

 

 

 

Our Political Values

 

Our Political Priorities

 

·       Fair Clean Elections and Open Government

·       Fair Taxes and Competent Spending

·       Investment for Productivity

·       Quality Health, Education, Jobs, Income

·       Environmental Protection and Energy Independence

·       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

 

Keep It Simple, Stupid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar of Events                           

 

King County Democrats - LD Meetings            Some 2008 Legislature Lobby Days

 

Thurston County Progressive Net                  Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation

 

Alliance for Democracy                                Democratic Underground.Com                          

 

Sierra Club Cascade Chapter Calendar           Cool State Washington

       

Washington Public Campaigns Calendar          Town Hall Seattle Calendar

 

Washington State Labor Council                    Whatcom County Peace and Justice Calendar 

 

Wallingford Neighbors for Peace and Justice – Friday Night Movies      Liberal films on PBS

Conversation Cafe      Drinking Liberally                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Calendar of Events

Friday, September 26 at 5 PM at Rick Hegdahl’s home (104 - 165th Avenue NE) – Lake Hills Liberals Salon, watch and discuss First Presidential Debate.  Bring beverage, fruit, cheese, crackers, etc

Friday, September 26 at 7 PM at Gibson Hall (105 Newport Way, Issaquah) – American Democracy Movie Night featuring “Recount” with Kevin Spacey and Laura Dern, about 2000 presidential Florida election recount, hosted by 5th Legislative District Democrats. Cancelled so people can watch presidential debate.

Saturday, September 27 at 5 PM (Social), 6:30 PM (Dinner and Program) at South Seattle Community Center Jerry Brockey Center (6000 – 16th Avenue SW, Seattle) – Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility Annual Dinner, with keynote speaker former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark.  $75.  To register or for more information.

Saturday, September 27 at 5:30 PM at Carrie Bogner’s home (1120 – 24th Avenue East, Seattle) – inSPIRe Fundraiser for Barack Obama and Christine Gregoire.  A night of food (tuna and Alaska salmon), friends and fun.

Friday, October 3 at 7 PM at Rainier UU Center (835 Yesler Way, Seattle) – First Friday Forum: The Vision of Van Jones. Global climate change, economic opportunity and green jobs.  Come at 6:30 for coffee and visiting.

Saturday, October 11 at 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (8501 SE 40th Street, Mercer Island) – 8th Political Will to End Homelessness Annual Conference, with keynote speaker King County Executive Ron Sims.  To register.

Saturday, October 11 at 6:30 PM at Sharon and Will Creeden’s place (1661 Harbor Avenue SW #202, Seattle) – inSPIRe Social Potluck and discussion, lead by Bob Watt, Seattle Deputy Mayor and President of Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Friday, October 17 – 19 at Evergreen College (Olympia) – Peaceworks Conference 2008  For More.

 

Opportunities, Petitions and Feedback

 

Communication with Our Members and Feedback

 

Here’s where many of our links come from: Alternet, Common Dreams, the New Republic, Our Future Today, PolitickerWA, the Progress Report, Sightline Institute, and Stateside Dispatch each send me emails containing up to ten links per day.  Various political, civil liberties, peace, environmental, children’s, women’s, labor, veteran’s and other organizations send me several links per week, for information and petitions.  I also get numerous requests for donations, which I seldom put in our newsletter to avoid overwhelming you.  . 

 

Opportunities

Useful Websites: contacts, maps, community organizing tools, and more.

 

Petitions and Donations

Tell Secretary of Treasury Paulson that your $700 Billion proposal must be drastically changed.

Tell Dept. of Health and Human Services not to consider contraception equivalent to abortion.

See other Planned Parenthood advocacy petitions.

Urge Congress to find Karl Rove in contempt.

 

Commentaries From Our Members

 

Susan Harmon On Jason Osgood Smear

 

Are You planning to write anything on the horrendous smear of Jason Osgood by Republicans and Democrats are doing nothing about King County Elections director violating election laws by helping in this outrage?

 

I think what concerns me the most is the lack of outrage from the powers that be in the DEMOCRATIC party. Why isn't anyone calling for the resignation of the director of elections? She has broken the law and violated the conditions of her employment.  I'm amazed at the roar of silence. It's as though the very idea of standing for justice is abhorrent to those who can actually do something.  Susan Harmon

 

The following appeared in our August 22 newsletter:

Smear Campaign Conducted against Jason Osgood

 

Jeff Upthegrove alerted me that: A smear campaign has been conducted against Jason Osgood, Democratic candidate for our Washington State Secretary of State.  Originating with a staff member of his Republican opponent Sam Reed, a false rumor has been passed on by Director of King County Elections Sherril Huff and King County Council Member Dow Constantine to negatively influence Democrats who should be supporting Jason Osgood.  Read Jeff Upthegrove’s blog for more details about this sordid story.

 

46th LD PCO and Sergeant at Arms and Washington State Progressive Caucus Treasurer Barbara Whitt also emailed me as follows: Have you heard about what the King County Director of Elections did to Jason Osgood.  I want to do all I can to raise hell on this issue and could use some good suggestions or help.”

 

I want to remind everyone that electing all of our Democratic candidates for state offices is important to demolish the Republican farm team.  Jason Osgood’s election to become our Secretary of State is especially important since our Secretary of State is also our states chief elections officer.  Dave Thomas

 

Ray McBain Recommends New Naomi Wolf Book

 

Naomi Wolf's 2007 book The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot has an excellent summary of the danger we now face in America with analogies to the history of Germany, Italy, Argentina, et al. I highly recommend this book to the intelligent crowd that reads your newsletter.  I have heard her speak and I must state that she is not an alarmist, she is telling us the events in the US today that are leading us toward fascism. I heartily believe that the developments she describes are leading toward that goal. Not that we will get there.

 

If Obama gets elected, I expect the 800 or so signing statements signed by Bush (the puppet who now holds the office of President) will be rescinded. If not, then we will have something more to worry about.  Cheney (puppet master) is the leading advocate of abrogation of constitutional protections by the president. Others include Karl Rove. We must be wary and realize not only the opportunities but also the dangers of our actions. Better forewarned than surprised.  Ray McBain

 

Dick Burkhart: No Bailouts without Reform

 

Want to send a message to Congress and the White House about all these taxpayer bailouts of rich speculators?  Here's a constructive suggestion:

 

No Bailouts without Financial Reform

1.   Tax unearned income (capital gains) more than earned income

2.   Tax wealth (e.g.,  2.5% annual tax on wealth over $5 million)

3.   Prohibit speculative practices such as selling short or long

4.   Ban unregulated financial institutions such as hedge funds and private equity firms

5.   Work with other nations to develop a new global financial order, based on a currency and on lending backed by environmentally and socially responsible productive assets and practices

Dick Burkhart

 

 

 

Jack Smith on a John McCain Solution to Our Housing Crisis

 

The problem with the economy started with the housing/mortgage market. John McCain has so many houses he doesn't even have an official count.  To solve the economy/housing issues, why not have McCain start buying more houses.  Our economy will be solvent within the week.  But, say what you will, the rich people will be the beneficiaries.  Some things never change, no matter how you try.  Have a nice day.  Jack Smith  Vote for Obama!

 

Penny Miller on Helping the Obama Campaign

 

As you prob