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PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF LOS ANGELES

 

ENDORSES

 

**BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT**

 

Just over 60% of our voting membership chose to endorse Barack Obama for President

in the California Primary on Tuesday.  Though some of our eligible voters wanted to

refrain from making an endorsement, no one wanted to endorse Hillary Clinton.

 

With more progressive candidates Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Senator

John Edwards out of the running, we now face a choice between two candidates with similar voting records on Iraq war funding, trade, civil liberties, and Supreme Court Justice appointments. 

 

Both Obama and Clinton voted to fund the Iraq occupation and renew the Patriot Act; both also voted to oppose Bush administration Supreme Court appointments, to gut CAFTA, to grant constitutional rights to Guantanamo detainees, and to oppose expansion of FISA spying.   Both have pledged support for the Employee Free Choice Act, a strategic piece of legislation that would make it easier to organize the workplace and build a strong union movement.  Both propose a time-table for partial withdrawal from Iraq and both need to be pushed to end the occupation entirely.

 

Obama, however, opposed the Iraq War Authorization from the start, delivering a powerful anti-war speech while in the public eye, serving in the Illinois legislature.  "The consequences of war are dire, the sacrifices immeasurable," Obama told a Chicago rally in 2002.

 

Clinton , on the other hand, failed to even read the National Intelligence Estimate, a document prepared by US intelligence officials charged with examining the justification for a US invasion.

 

Had Clinton read the document, she would have noted the boxed and highlighted objections made by intelligence analysts who challenged the Bush administration's accusations that Iraq had WMD's.  Not only did Clinton irresponsibly vote for the Iraq War Authorization, she also voted against the Levin Amendment, which would have required Bush to seek UN approval for an attack on Iraq.

 

More recently, Clinton, unlike Obama, voted for the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment, legislation declaring a wing of the Iranian military a terrorist organization.  Surely, Clinton knew a vote for this amendment would afford Bush an excuse for expanding the Iraq war to Iran.   Meanwhile, Clinton voted against a ban on cluster bombs, munitions that blind children attracted to the tiny bomblets that litter places like southern Lebanon.  Obama voted to ban cluster bombs.

 

Some might argue  we need a woman President to break through the glass ceiling -

to inspire young girls across America to scale new heights.   Clearly, a woman President would be an important first, but we prefer a woman at the top who uses her experience and wisdom to say NO to imperialist wars, thus inspiring young girls worldwide to become peace makers and critical thinkers, not warriors and panderers to false patriotism.

 

Obama as President would catapult a man of African heritage, a man who spent his childhood among Muslims,  to the center of the world stage, presenting a new face for America – and possibly a new US relationship to the rest of the world.

 

Our hope is that Obama's background in community organizing and constitutional scholarship will inspire him to honor the balance of powers, shun the concept of the unitary executive, disavow signing statements, restore habeas corpus and respectfully engage the legislature as an equal branch of government. 

 

Going forward, however, it is our job as progressives to make our agenda,  not a single candidate, the focus of our work – and to engage the youth inspired by Obama to join us in creating a more just society.  Regardless of who is in office, we must persevere to cut funding for the US occupation of Iraq, stop an attack on Iran, indict the war criminals - and on the domestic reform front -- lobby for single-payer health care, support media diversification, protect the integrity of our vote, publicly finance elections, and empower the global union movement.

 

Vote for Barack Obama on Tuesday, February 5th.

 

##    ##

Sign Our Petition for Equal Access

Resolution in favor of ALL CANDIDATES

of the major parties being included in nationally broadcast debates

 

Whereas the democracy of our country is dependent on the free and open exchange of ideas and information,

 

And, whereas the media conglomerates and corporate interests, driven by shareholder profits, are using the public air waves to limit access and monopolize the broadcasting commons,

 

And whereas these media conglomerates and corporate interests are undermining the public interest to be fully informed about critical issues, thus declaring themselves to be private entities who can limit debate through arbitrarily set conditions for participation ,

 

Be it resolved that Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles shall support this resolution to request that the Democratic National Committee REQUIRE that the broadcasting networks who use the public air waves include all presidential candidates in all nationally televised debates.

 

Co-sponsored by:

1. Linda Sutton, 41st AD Delegate, PDLA- Endorsements, Progressive Caucus- Media

2. Dr. Bill Honigman, PDA California State Coordinator

3. Marcy Winograd, Pres., PDLA; Exec Bd. Member, California Democratic Party (41st AD)

4. Brad Parker, Officer, Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party

5. Lila Garrett, KPFK Host of "Connect the Dots"

6. Judy Alter, Dir, Protect California Ballots, Delegate-At-Lg, Election Defense Alliance

7. William Floyd, President, Santa Monica Peace Club

8. Dorothy Reik, President, Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mts.

9. Barbara Gluck, Director, Global Light Network

10. Peter Thottam, Esq., Executive Director, Los Angeles Impeachment Center

11. Robin Gibson, Co-Founder, L.A. Election Protection Taskforce

12. Ann Hiller, Treasurer, PDLA

13. Barbara Levin, Secretary PDLA and Founder of PDA-CA34 Chapter

14. Mervis Reissig, PDLA Endorsement Chair, PDA National Coord Congressional Districts

15. Michael Jay, Delegate, 42nd AD, PDLA

16. Lauren Steiner, SoCalGrassroots, PDLA

17. Lillian Laskin, Democratic Club of Westside Progressives,PLDA Endorsements

18. Maureen Cruise, 41st AD Delegate, Pacific Palisades Dems, LA County DP Alt, PDLA

18. Ahjamu Makalani, Progressive Caucus, PDLA

19. Bruce Campbell, West LA Democratic Club, PDLA-Chair Environment/GlobalWarming

20. Marilyn Noyes, PDLA

21. Michael Millman

22. Tom Williams, PDLA

23. Laurette Healey, PDLA

24. Kim Kaufman, PDLA

25. Margery Epstein, PDLA

26. Sylvia Moore, PDLA

27. Rochelle Laur, PDLA

28. Susan B. Haskell, Delegate, 41st AD, Pacific Palisades Democratic Club

29. Margie Murray, PDLA, Valley Democrats United, 41st AD delegate

30. David Swanson, PDA National Board Member

31. Alicia Morgan, PDLA

32. Christine Rowe, Valley West Democrats, Valley Grassroots for Democracy

33. Marr Nealon, NELA Democratic Club

34. Michael Butler, West LA Democratic Club

35. Flo A Weber, PDA Ventura County,Valley Democrats United, Valley West Dem Club

36. Maureen Louise O'Connell, PDLA

37. Laurel Burik, Progressive Democrat boycotting major media, DCCC, voting Kucinich

38. Wayne Williams, CDP Elected Delegate from 41st AD, PDA Advisory Board, VDU Board

39. Charles Coleman Jr., Teacher, PDLA, CA Delegate, 39th AD

40. Patricia Graczyk

41. John Azevedo, declined to state

42. Wendy Block, Valley Democrats United

43. Sharon Jimenez, President, Icon Imaging PR

44. Lisa Miller, Democrat

45. Ulis Williams, Pacific Palisades Democratic Club, PDLA

46. Sandra Sunshine Williams, PDLA

47. Alice Lynn, Delegate, 41st A.D., Vice President, Pacific Palisades Democratic Club

48. Scot Albert, PDA Foothill District  

49. Jody Lozon - Los Angeles (50)

50. Annette St. John Lawrence,Corres. Sec. Valley Democrats United, Progressive Caucus

51. Carol Hirshfield, Ph.D., PDLA

52. Babette Wieland, Progressive Democrat

53. Mary Pallant, Delegate, 41st AD, PDA/VC

54. Tobi Dragert, Los Angeles, CA

55. Anthony Saidy, PDLA

56. Lydia Cornell
57. Paul Hayeland
58. Jack Mulholland

59. Rosalind Wolf, PDLA, Pacific Palisades Democratic Club

60. Paul Newman, PDLA, Santa Monica

61. David Villar PDLA

62. Rebecca Freese, PDLA

63. Pennie Dobkin

64. Sharon M. Klein, PDLA

65. Suzanne Benning, PDLA

66. Jamshid Ebrahimzadeh,PDLA

67. Arlene Nilsson, PDLA, WLA

68. Vinayak, PDLA

69. Susan K. Baritell, Progressive Dems Sonoma Cty, Secretary/Steering Committee

   Alternate, Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee

70. Ellis Perlman, PDLA, Santa Monica Democratic Club, 41st AD delegate

71. Ruth H. Strauss MD

72. Daniel L. Sutton, CPF 

73. Dr. Jean Ottina, concerned Democratic voter

74. Bob Handy, Director Region10, California Democratic Party

75. Michael Stabile, Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club, 56 AD, Delegate 39 th CD

76. William Crain, Co-State Coordinator PDA Montana

77. Terry Johnson

78. Ruth Hull-Richter, Chairman, Patrick Henry Democratic Club of America

79. Alexandar Hull-Richter, Director, Chief- Western Affairs, National Youth Rights Assoc.

80. Natasha Hull-Richter, President, National Youth Rights Association-Orange County.

81. Mark Hull-Richter, Executive Director, Patrick Henry Democratic Club of America

82. Gay Lannon

83. Tighe Barry, Delegate 41st AD, member CodePink Women For Peace

84. Anna Weldon, American Citizen

85. Deborah Studer-Teal, Democratic

86. Susan Kopicki, Democracy for America - Orange County

87. Carlos Richardson III, San Diego Metro PDA

88. Cindy Asner, CA Delegate 42nd AD

89. Gail Wirth, Pacific Palisades Democratic Club

90. Mary Jacobs, PDLA

91. Dinah Mason, PDSB, organizer Santa Barbara Impeach Bush-Cheney Townhall Meetup

92. Mark Lipman, artist/activist

93. Gary Krasnoff      Santa Barbara, Veterans for Peace, Democrat
94. Juanita Chatham    Santa Barbara Democrat

95. Tania Anderson, Reseda, CA D-27

96. Colleen Fernald, PDA, PD Sonoma County, Progressive Caucus

97. Susan Smiley, Activist for PDA and HCA

98. William Smiley, Activist for PDA and HCA

99. Shirley Howland, Lake County Peace Action and PDA

100. Nancy Knipe , 28th Assembly District

101. Dr. Gilberto Robledo, Santa Barbara Progressive Democrats

102. Joy Robledo, Santa Barbara Progressive Democrats

103. Brian Levy, member PDA Ventura County & Simi Valley/Moorpark Democratic Club

104. Janis McQuain, PDA, Alliance for Democracy, World Can't Wait, Topanga Peace All.

105. JoAnn Saccato, Clearlake, CA

106. Ralph Erickson, LA County Central Committee., PDLA

107. Judith Iam

108. Margaret Koren RN, Dept of Peace Team leader for CA Congressional District 1

109. James Evans, PDA, Lake County Peace Action, Dem Club, Democratic Central Cmte.

110. Joye Swan, Ph.D., 42nd AD Delegate CDP, President, PDA-SFV

111. Luette Forrest

112 . Jill Daskalakis

113. David Sonneborn, National and Orange County PDA, So Cal Grassroots, DPOC
   Central Committee and E board, 71st AD delegate

114. Richard Wizensky, PGPSCC Sonoma County Green Party

115. Sandra Macneill, PDA, PD Sonoma County

116. Margie Murray, PDLA, Valley Democrats United, 41st AD delegate

117. Joan Hudson-Miller, PDLA, Democratic Club of Westside Progressives

118 . Michelle Weiner

119. Ed Pitzer, PDA 36TH Chapter

120. Anita Fieldman, Chair, Progressive Democrats of Marin

 ###

http://www.gopetition.com/online/16488.html

         **Next PDLA Meetings -  Feb. 16, March 15, April 19

                                                10:15 - 1 PM

                           Westside Pavillion (Overland & Pico)

             Community Room/Third Floor/Behind the Food Court

                          Email PDLAvote@aol.com for agendas.  

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS of LOS ANGELES

PRESENTS THE PROPOSITIONS…..

 

A Progressive Guide to Voting on FEBRUARY 5, 2008. ( Want to be a poll worker? Go to www.lavote.net) Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles' Endorsement Committee studies ballot propositions, examining each proposition on its merits, as well as its spin-off effects. Recommendations by the Committee are voted on by the entire membership.   Below you'll find PDLA's recommendations for the February 5, 2008 ballot:

 

NO on PROP 91:  Roads, Roads, Roads                      

 

Not this again.  This is a repeat of a bad idea that already passed.   Prop 91 will only serve to further erode the state's budget, while protecting the road-building industry.   Anyone heard of alternative forms of transportation? 

 

YES on PROP 92:  Community College Funding  

 

Proposition 92 changes the current minimum education funding requirement into two separate requirements: one for K-12 schools and one for community colleges.

 

Funding for community colleges would be based on eligible student population, rather than a set percentage of the larger education budget. 

 

If enacted, this measure would lower community college education fees from $20 per unit to $15 per unit, while requiring a two-thirds majority of the legislature to increase fee levels.

 

When the Legislature doubled student fees in 2003-04, lawmakers also cut the state's contribution to community colleges by an equal amount. This meant that the community colleges were no better off and that the students paid more. Hundreds of thousands of students failed to enroll or dropped out.  

 

Prop 92 will ensure an affordable college education for all Californians.  


NO on Prop 93 – Sweetheart Term Limits

 

Ever since 1990, when Californians passed a term limit measure, members of the assembly and senate have been restricted to 14 years in the legislature, six years (3 terms) in the assembly, eight years (2 terms) in the senate.   Under Prop 92, lawmakers could only serve 12 total years in the legislature, but those 12 years could be served in either one or both houses.

 

If Prop 92 passes, the real winners will be Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata.  Built into 93 is a "transition period" to ensure their employment BEYOND their allotted term.   Current lawmakers can serve a total of up to 12 years in whichever house they are currently involved.

 

The corruption that was the primary reason for enactment of the term limits in the first place is alive and well as the corporations continue to pour money into the coffers of incumbents of both parties.

 

Let's face it.  The progressive agenda will forever be blocked as long as the interests of corporations hold sway over those of the people. And the politicians who have stood in the way of Clean Money, and single payer health care, and who have refused to allow a re-introduction of impeachment into the state legislature will have their terms extended.

 

And what about those Republicans due to be termed out?  Prop 93 will give them several more years in office, thus making it impossible for a progressive to grab their seat.

 

No on Props 94, 95, 96, & 97 – Indian Gambling Expansion

 

We oppose the Indian gambling (not "gaming") contracts for a few reasons.  First of all, profits from the slot-machine-expansion will enrich the coffers of only four tribes.   What about the others who've been cut out of the deal?

 

Secondly, the four tribes who will profit oppose card-check certification at their non-union shops or casinos.   That's why UNITE Here, the hotel workers union, opposes these props.

 

********************

 

Want to Get Involved?

Point People for Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles

 

Iraq Occupation

Tom English - atomenglish@ca.rr.com

Michael Jay - michaeljay@earthlink.net

 

Impeachment

Matt Gerasi - matt@cotam.org

Ricco Ross - Riccoross@aol.com

 

Election Protection

Michael Jay - Michaeljay@earthlink.net

Judy Alter - judyalter@ca.rr.com

 

Health Care

Maureen Cruise - mcruised@aol.com

 

Media - Net Neutrality

Brad Parker - riozen@riozen.com

 

Prison Reform

Charles Coleman - work4u5302@aol.com

Gene Rothman - gene.hr@gte.net

 

Environment

Linda Sutton - Lindasutton.ca@gmail.com

 

Labor & Economic Justice

Ahjamu Makalani - amakalan2002@yahoo.com

Linda Sutton - lindasutton.ca.@gmail.com

 

State Leadership

Dorothy Reik - dorothyreik@pdsmm.org

Marcy Winograd - http://winogradcoach@aol.com

Barbara Levin http://barblevin@msn.com

 

Endorsements

Mervis Ressig - merv4peace@gmail.com

 

Fundraising

Dorothy Reik - dorothyreik@pdsmm.org

 

 

 

 

 

          

Volunteer at the LA National Impeachment Center

Saturdays, 2 - 6 PM

Peace Center