State of the Union – Click here to watch full Enhanced Version (about 1 hour)

President Obama outlined a series of ideas to build an economy that works for everyone, one that will bring about a new era of American manufacturing, and promote homegrown and alternative energy sources.  Taken together, those ideas represent a blueprint for the future.

For decades, economic security for the middle class has been unraveling. Jobs that were once the source of stable livelihoods were shipped overseas. Those at the very top watched their incomes skyrocket, while the majority of Americans were stuck with stagnant salaries and rising costs. And all of this was happening before the worst economic crisis in generations.

What’s it going to take to address this crisis?  We need to promote new skills and better education so that all Americans are prepared to compete in a global economy. That’s why, tonight, the President said every state should require all students to stay in high school until they earn a diploma or turn 18. That’s why the President called for a new partnership between community colleges and businesses to help train and place 2 million skilled workers.

We need to put a new emphasis on American manufacturing. That means refocusing our corporate tax structure to reward businesses who work to keep jobs in the United States, and end tax incentives for corporations that outsource. That means getting tough on trade enforcement and rebuilding American infrastructure.

We need to promote homegrown, American energy. That’s why President Obama supports finding ways to develop the extensive natural gas reserves we have in the United States, and is calling for new ways to create clean energy jobs.

And above all, we have to restore a basic sense of fairness to our economic system. We need to revamp our tax system — ending subsidies for millionaires and billionaires and protecting working families from a tax hike. We need to give every responsible homeowner the opportunity to refinance their mortgage at the current historically low interest rates. We need to make sure that Wall Street plays by the same rules as the rest of us.

Today, the economy is growing again. Over the past 22 months, businesses have created 3.2 million jobs. But it’s going to take more to keep moving forward, and that’s the goal of President Obama’s blueprint.

Red = Bush Administration   Blue = Obama Administration
Who do you think did the best job?

click to enlarge

The DFA Campaign Academy mission is to focus, network, and train grassroots activists in the skills and strategies to take back our country, manage successful campaigns or run for office themselves.

Our Campaign Academy weekends are 16 hours of interactive workshops that bring hundreds of local activists, campaign staff and candidates together for 2 days of intensive campaign training. Experienced campaign professionals lead sessions in voter contact, fundraising, communications, on-line organizing and much more to empower progressive activists with the skills to win in November and beyond. Attendees also meet with dozens of local progressive candidates and learn about exciting job and volunteer opportunities in their area. And of course, everyone receives their own copy of DFA’s 180-page Campaign Training Manual.

Year after year, the DFA Campaign Academy is building a grassroots infrastructure of skilled progressive activists in all 50 states.

Event Date: Feb 20, 2010
Event Time: 9:00 AM PST (12:00 PM EST)
Venue Name: University of California Santa Barbara
Address: Gervetz Hall
City: Santa Barbara
State: CA
Zip Code: 93106
Website: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/33795-dfa-campaign-training-in-santa-barbara
Hosted by: DFA Campaign Academy Alumni, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Agenda:

Ten reasons to attend the DFA Campaign Academy training in Santa Barbara on February 20-21.

1. Learn how to plan and run a winning grassroots campaign
2. Meet and hear from local progressive candidates
3. Learn from trainers with decades of experience
4. Mingle with other local progressive activists at social events
5. Get a copy of our 180 page Grassroots Campaign Training Manual
6. Set goals and make plans to pass progressive legislation
7. Re-connect with old friends from the campaign
8. Help elect progressive candidates in 2010
9. Learn to organize your neighborhood or precinct
10. Look for a new job or volunteer opportunity

Click here to see what you will learn at a DFA campaign training.

Invite your friends on Facebook!

All we ask is a small contribution of $60 to DFA to help us cover our costs. Don’t worry if you can’t afford it, you can always find someone to sponsor you through our training scholarship fund and we offer reduced tuition rates to those in need.

Space is limited so reserve your seat today!

For more info on our trainers, curriculum, and history visit our training homepage at: www.democracyforamerica.com/training.

If you have questions you can email us at training(at)democracyforamerica.com or call our DFA Training hotline at: 802-651-3200 x191.

Click here if you have already registered and would like to pay your tuition fee.

Can’t make it to the training that weekend but still want to help? You can contribute to a scholarship fund for this training and help send a local organizer in your place.

Click here sponsor another attendee!

Inspired by the “Camp Obama” trainings that powered neighbor-to-neighbor organizing across America in 2008, Camp Courage is an intensive two-day training designed to teach the principles and skills of community organizing to activists working to restore marriage equality to California.

Drawing on techniques honed for decades by progressive social movements, Camp Courage teaches empowerment, team building, leadership development, and grassroots organizing skills. Camp Courage is designed primarily for new activists or those who have never engaged with the broader community about marriage equality as well as veteran LGBT activists and allies.

Camp Courage trainings have already been held in Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, D.C., San Diego and East LA. All seven events have received phenomenal reviews from participants, with evaluations averaging 9.06 (on a scale of 1 to 10).

To see highlights of the East Los Angeles training, watch the YouTube at http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/CampCentralCoast.

Camp Courage Central Coast will be an opportunity for activists and organizers to come together, recommit our energies and our talents to the marriage equality movement, and show the nation that we will not rest until all Californians are treated with the equality they deserve.

WHAT: Camp Courage, for marriage equality activists and organizers
WHERE: Santa Barbara (location provided once registration is confirmed)
WHEN: January 30-31, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
SIGN UP: http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/CampCentralCoast

Camp Courage will cover basic community and political organizing skills, including:

* Finding your voice by telling your “story of self”
* Leadership development
* Principles of successful organizing
* Developing collaboration and building effective teams
* Techniques of voter persuasion
* Organizing a phonebank
* Canvassing
* Tabling
* Throwing house parties
* Online organizing

In addition to providing these essential tools Camp Courage provides a unique opportunity for community members to meet like-minded individuals.

A background in community organizing or an organizational affiliation is not a requirement to attend Camp Courage. The only requirements are energy, commitment, and a desire to broaden your leadership abilities.

Camp Courage is organized by our faculty Torie Osborn, Mike Bonin, and Lisa Powell. Osborn is a senior advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the United Way, and former executive director of the Liberty Hill Foundation and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Bonin is a former regional field organizer for Obama for America, a veteran campaign staffer, and a community activist. Powell is an attorney, longtime trainer, community leader, and co-founder of United Lesbians of African Heritage.

Several amazing organizations will be represented at Camp Courage Central Coast, supporting the event or sending staff to participate or present, including CAUSE, COLOR Ventura, Equal Roots, FUND for Santa Barbara, Marriage Equality USA Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo Chapters, McCune Foundation, Pacific Pride Foundation, San Luis Obispo Equality Team, Santa Barbara City College Queer & Ally Club, Stonewall Democrats of Ventura County, Strategic Alliance for Marriage Equality, UCSB Campus Democrats, UCSB Associated Students Queer Commission, UCSB Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance.

Our Central Coast training is one of many planned in 2010. If you are interested in our future trainings, please email CampCourage@couragecampaign.org.

If you have any questions, please email: CampCourage@CourageCampaign.org

During last evening’s presidential address to a joint session of congress, Rep. Joe Wilson pointed and shouted, “You lie,” as the President said there was no coverage for illegal immigrants in his healthcare plan. Wilson left the House chamber immediately after the end of the speech.

After the session, appearing on Larry King Live, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) said, “Totally disrespectful. No place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately.”  Later that night, Wilson attempted to call President Obama to apologize personally but instead ended up speaking to Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel. Wilson then issued an official statement saying, “This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”

On last check Rep Wilson’s website is “down for maintenance” and his Wikipedia page has been frozen. Progressives were not happy with the disrespect his words showed toward the presidential office, so they took action with literally thousands of twitter users linking to the Act Blue fundraising page for Joe Wilson’s opponent, Rob Miller.  At a little after midnight PST they had donated over $77,000 to help defeat Wilson.

During last evening’s presidential address to a joint session of congress, Rep. Joe Wilson pointed and shouted, “You lie,” as the President said there was no coverage for illegal immigrants in his healthcare plan. Wilson left the House chamber immediately after the end of the speech.

After the session, appearing on Larry King Live, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) said, “Totally disrespectful. No place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately.”  Later that night, Wilson attempted to call President Obama to apologize personally but instead ended up speaking to Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel. Wilson then issued an official statement saying, “This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”

On last check Rep Wilson’s website is “down for maintenance” and his Wikipedia page has been frozen. Progressives were not happy with the disrespect his words showed toward the presidential office, so they took action with literally thousands of twitter users linking to the Act Blue fundraising page for Joe Wilson’s opponent, Rob Miller.  At a little after midnight PST they had donated over $77,000 to help defeat Wilson.

In my opinion, Single Payer Health Care (SPHC) is the best alternative to fix our broken health care system.  I hope you will attend the Health Care Forum on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 6:30 PM, at the Thousand Oaks Library to learn more about this issue and its solution.  This event is sponsored by the Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley, Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles, Simi/Moorpark Democratic Club, Camarillo Democratic Club and SoCal Grassroots.  While many of us support SPHC we are also aware that President Obama is working hard to reform our health care system at the national level.  I will attempt to provide a very broad illustration of the key elements of these two solutions.  I will also lay out why it is important to respect and understand that, as Democratic activists, some of us may be drawn to support either or both plans.

SPHC is a plan that eliminates the insurance companies and uses the administrative cost savings to insure the uninsured.  It has been called Medicare for all.  SPHC  is currently working its way through the California legislature in the form of Senate Bill 810, sponsored by Mark Leno.  Senate Bill 810 is the successor bill to Senate Bill 840 which was sponsored by Sheila Kuehl.  One way to learn more about SPHC is to visit the Healthcare For All website at www.healthcareforall.org.   Healthcare For All has a very detailed strategy to pass SPHC in California with the expectation of an eventual state by state adoption.

President Obama’s national health care plan is evolving as we go to press.  Rather than repeat the failure to gain heath care reform that occurred during the Clinton administration, the President is first asking Congress to present legislation within the parameters that he presented during the campaign.  His goal is a plan that provides and mandates coverage for most Americans; contains a choice between existing insurance plans and a public plan; and is financed by deficit neutral cost saving measures.   President Obama believes there is no political viability for a SPHC plan at the national level.  Even the public option part of his plan is becoming a hard sell to Blue Dog Democrats and of course most Republicans.  More information about the President’s national health care plan can be obtained by visiting www.healthreform.gov.

We are looking at two battles:  1) a long term battle for SPHC for California (and eventually the rest of the country) and 2) a battle now at the national level for Obama’s health care reform.  There is concern among some SPHC supporters that a watered down national program may be so ineffective that even if passed the result will hurt the chance for success of SPHC.  Both plans face uphill battles primarily due to the health care insurance industry’s willingness and ability to spend vast sums in order to maintain status quo. 

I suggest that Democrats do their own homework and decide which health care reform campaign they wish to support with their volunteer hours and pocketbooks.  Supporters of both campaigns are recruiting volunteers at the club level to participate in phone banking and other outreach activities.  This is similar to when we are asked to work for local and state level candidates versus national candidates.  We need to make up our own minds on how our efforts can be most useful within the constraints of our time and resources.  During 2008, I worked on the campaigns for Obama for President, my local school district bond/tax measures and for local candidates.    There will be many issues and candidates to support in 2009, 2010 and beyond.  I hope you will be active, while remaining supportive and respectful of your fellow activists regardless of how they choose to support Democratic candidates and causes.   Very critically, whenever possible, we should try to coordinate our efforts in these endeavors.

Jay Kapitz
Election Strategy Chair
Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley

Title: Ojai Valley Democrats Book Club
Location: 410 Church Road #29 Ojai, CA 93023
Link out: Click here
Description: We’ll discuss a different book each month.

This month’s book is “THE DEFINING MOMENT: FDR’S HUNDRED DAYS AND THE TRIUMPH OF HOPE” by Jonathan Alter

Start Time: 19:30
Date: 2009-05-01

The confirmation of Rep. Hilda Solis is a huge victory: finally Americans will have a Secretary of Labor who represents working people, not wealthy CEO’s.  It is also a historic moment as Rep. Solis becomes the first Hispanic Secretary of Labor.

The delay of Rep. Solis’s nomination for partisan and ideological reasons was overcome by the grassroots support of millions of Americans who are struggling and desperately need a secretary of labor who will be their voice.

Rep. Solis is uniquely qualified to help struggling families through these difficult economic times because she knows firsthand what they are going through.  She grew up in a working class family and understands what programs our nation’s workers need the most.  She will fight to improve skills development and job creation programs, including development of “green collar” jobs.  She will work to assure that workers get the pay they have earned and that they work in safe, healthy, and fair workplaces.  She’s ready to address the retirement security crisis and will work hard to protect every worker from job discrimination, regardless of race, sex, veteran status, or disability.
She understands that the Employee Free Choice Act is critical to rebuilding our economy because working men and women deserve the freedom to choose whether to form a union without employer harassment and intimidation.
We look forward to working with Rep. Solis to rebuild our economy so it works for everyone.