podesta_email_19900.txt

podesta-emails 3,468 words email

P17 V16 V11 P19 D1

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Progressive groups are out in full force this August - from celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Social Security to urging members of Congress to stand up to corruption and corrupt interests, organizations continue to rally at events across the country. See a sample of the coverage below. Happy Birthday Social Security Illinois The Telegraph: Group touts 'truth' about health care reform<http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/social-43875-security-plans.html> The Alliance for Retired Americans kicked off its "Truth Tour" at the IAMAW Local 660 in East Alton. The event was one of several stops in Southern Illinois that the organization made in order to educate retirees about how the new health care law will affect Medicare and the truth about Social Security. WGIL-AM Galesburg: Happy(?) 75th, Social Security<http://www.wgil.com/localnews.php?xnewsaction=fullnews&newsarch=082010&newsid=232> U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Geneva) celebrated 75 years of Social Security at an assisted living facility in Aurora filled with elderly beneficiaries. Social Security trustees say the program is solvent for the next 27 years, after which time benefits would decline unless other steps are taken. Benefits would still be greater than they are today. * Daily Herald: 14th Congressional candidates jump into Social Security debate<http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=401567> California San Mateo County Daily Journal: Speier touts Social Security benefits<http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=139072&title=Speier%20touts%20Social%20Security%20benefits> Currently, the money coming into the Social Security Administration exceeds what is distributed but that will change as baby boomers age, said U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo. "Social Security is totally solvent," Speier told a group of seniors in Pacifica yesterday. "The surplus is invested into bonds but by 2030 there will be twice as many senior citizens over 65." KPIX-TV: Seniors Rally On 75th Anniv. Of Social Security<http://cbs5.com/local/san.francisco.social.2.1860189.html> A coalition of advocates for seniors and labor groups rallied outside the new San Francisco Federal Building Saturday morning, and called for Social Security to remain intact. ...The groups are planning a 75th "birthday party" outside the federal building at Mission and Seventh streets in downtown San Francisco, to include seniors, workers, disabled persons, students and families. Nevada KRNV-TV: Sen. Reid holds Reno rally to celebrate 75 years of Social Security (VIDEO)<http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=25387&n=122> Social Security is turning 75 years old and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid held a rally for senior citizens in Reno Thursday to celebrate. Ohio Youngstown Business Journal Daily: Social Security at 75: Cake and Debate<http://www.business-journal.com/social-security-at-cake-and-debate-p17251-1.htm> U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17, told a group of seniors at the SCOPE Center on West Market Street here that Social Security has proven the most successful piece of legislation passed in American history, and will continue to benefit seniors and their families for generations to come. WKBN-TV: Social Security Program Turns 75<http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Social-Security-Program-Turns-75/Zl58gDbcX0ynvC1n2MbtTQ.cspx> As the national debate over cutting Social Security continues, the program is celebrating 75 years. Local residents joined Congressman Tim Ryan and Warren Mayor Mike O'Brien Thursday in support of continuing the program at SCOPE. Washington KIRO Radio: Seattle seniors say hands off Social Security<http://www.mynorthwest.com/category/local_news_articles/20100816/Seattle-Seniors-say-hands-off-Social-Security/> Senator Patty Murray told an overflow crowd at the Greenwood Senior Center (Monday) that she'll continue to oppose changes to Social Security, including attempts at privatization. She says the program has provided dignity and safety for millions of Americans...The crowd at the Greenwood Senior Center party enjoyed birthday cake and toasted 75 years of Social Security. Connecticut New Haven Register: 75 years of Social Security celebrated<http://nhregister.com/articles/2010/08/12/news/doc4c6361481a0b1739526776.txt> A 75th birthday party was held Wednesday for the nation's Social Security Act, and guests, including U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, wished for many, many more. The party, complete with cake and balloons, was held at the People's Center on Howe Street just a few days short of the actual anniversary of Aug. 14, the date President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the act into law in 1935. New York The Epoch Times: Harlem Celebrates 75 Years of Social Security<http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/41270/> Politicians, community leaders, scholars, government officials, and families benefited by the Social Security Program celebrated the legislation's 75th birthday at the Taino Towers in Harlem, New York...David Roosevelt, grandson of the former president, personally attended the ceremony to send his greetings. Arkansas Paragould Daily Press: Causey signs Social Security pledge<http://www.paragoulddailypress.com/articles/2010/08/15/top_story/doc4c67f8e703a1b608604302.txt> Chad Causey, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives for Arkansas' 1st Congressional District... visited with seniors after the event, and birthday cake was served to commemorate the 75th anniversary [of Social Security]. Florida Creative Loafing: Social Security turns 75, Tampa recipients celebrate<http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2010/08/17/social-security-turns-75-tampa-recipients-celebrate/> On Monday, the residents of Fountainview Estates, a 55-year and older community, came out to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Social Security. The elderly audience of about 30 residents met with Congresswoman Kathy Castor, and NAACP President, Ray Tampa to show their support of strengthening Social Security, which they said needs to be kept out of Wall Street...Over 60 organizations have come together to tell both political parties "Don't mess with Social Security," Tampa said. These organizations, he says, have over 30 million members who will stand behind Social Security. New Jersey The Jersey Journal: U.S. Sen. Menendez celebrates 75 years of social security with Hoboken seniors, advocates<http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2010/08/menendez_celebrates_75_years_o.html> U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez joined Hoboken seniors and other advocates to celebrate the 75th anniversary of social security in the United States and emphasize that it must be preserved in the future. The celebration, complete with a birthday cake, was one of 100 events taking place across the country during August to commemorate the anniversary. * Hoboken Patch: Seniors, Sen. Menendez Celebrate 75 Years of Social Security<http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/seniors-sen-menendez-celebrate-75-years-of-social-security> * New Jersey News Room: Social Security benefits 1.4M in New Jersey annually: August marks 75th anniversary of program<http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/economy/social-security-benefits-14m-in-new-jersey-annually> Vermont Burlington Free Press: Social Security turns 75 Saturday<http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100813/NEWS03/8130307/Social-Security-turns-75-Saturday#ixzz0xRg0TE7s> To commemorate the milestone -- and raise awareness to Social Security's enemies -- the Vermont chapter of the Alliance for Retired Americans threw the Burlington office a birthday party Thursday. Today, the alliance will have cupcakes and applause for the Montpelier and Rutland offices. Maine Maine Public Broadcasting (Audio): Mainers Celebrate Anniversary of Social Security<http://www.mpbn.net/DesktopModules/PDGNews/MediaPlayer.aspx?PDGNewsStoryID=13231&PDGNewsMediaID=2033&TabID=181&ModuleID=3475> MoveOn's Fight Washington Corruption Campaign [cid:[email protected]]<http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100811/A_MEDIA03/100819980> [cid:[email protected]] Lobbying for reform Rallies tap into bipartisan distrust of big business, government By The Stockton Record August 11, 2010 http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100811/A_NEWS/8110321&emailAFriend=1 Right across the street from one of Stockton's commercial and retail hubs, a small group of activists called Tuesday for an end to corporate corruption - one of 142 similar rallies held across the country by the left-leaning MoveOn.org. A similar protest took place at the Calaveras County Government Center in San Andreas. "We're making a point that the corporations have been running wild. They have pretty much been running the country," organizer Mario D'Angeli of Stockton said. His group of about 15 waved signs and a large American flag on Pacific Avenue, across the street from the Sherwood and Weberstown malls. The organization's "Fight Washington Corruption" campaign seeks a three-pronged program: First, a constitutional amendment to overturn a recent Supreme Court decision that gives corporations the same speech rights as human beings and allows them to spend unlimited money to influence the government; next, public financing of campaigns so people who are not millionaires can afford to run for office; and finally, restrictions on lobbyists, including a five-year waiting period for people to move from being in Congress to a paid lobbyist job or vice versa. Although the rallies were organized through MoveOn.org, they tapped into the same distrust of large banks, government bailouts and corruption-prone ties between business and government that have fueled the right-wing tea party movement. "The circles overlap," said Arlene Weissman of San Andreas, noting that some of her tea party friends also support a crackdown on lobbyists and other undue influences of big money over the federal government. "We're being affected by corruption in Washington," said Mary Boblet, a Democratic Party activist who organized the Calaveras rally. She said the group was small but talked to a number of passers-by, including Sheriff-elect Gary Kuntz and Calaveras County Supervisor Tom Tryon. The San Andreas group said it had collected 1,400 signatures from voters in the 3rd Congressional District asking Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Gold River, and his Democratic Party challenger, Ami Bera, to sign a pledge to oppose "corporate corruption." [cid:[email protected]] Rally urges lobbyist curbs By John Woolfolk, <mailto:By%20John%20Woolfolk,> [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15738410?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com&nclick_check=1 Posted: 08/10/2010 10:50:48 PM PDT Mary Algedi-Cooper, a retired San Jose office assistant, was disappointed that the health care overhaul passed by Congress was so much weaker than what she had hoped for. Now, she's after those she says are chiefly to blame: industry lobbyists. "It's become a corporatocracy," Algedi-Cooper, 61, said as she joined dozens of other MoveOn.org<http://MoveOn.org> volunteers Tuesday outside San Jose City Hall to rally support for laws to weaken lobbyist influence. "Money talks, and with a lot of money, people can buy influence." While the group's efforts are aimed primarily at Washington D.C., Algedi-Cooper and other demonstrators said lobbyist influence is as much a problem at the state level. The Mercury News last month documented the growing influence of Statehouse lobbyists and a rising tide of industry-drafted laws since California's term limits replaced career politicians with amateur lawmakers. "We definitely need it here too," said Davlyn Jones, MoveOn.org<http://MoveOn.org>'s San Jose council coordinator, who organized Tuesday's demonstration. "The system ensures that an ordinary person doesn't stand a chance to get legislation passed to benefit themselves and their families." The Mercury News reported in a two-part series last month that bills sponsored by special interests made up 39 percent of the proposed laws introduced in the Legislature in 2007- far more likely to pass than bills that lacked outside sponsors. It noted that bill sponsors are big contributors, giving $1.2 million in the last session to the campaigns of legislators who carried their bills. MoveOn.org<http://MoveOn.org>, the national political organization, staged 168 similar demonstrations across the country Tuesday as part of its "The Other 98 Percent of Us" campaign on behalf of everyone who doesn't have lobbyists working for them to "fight Washington corruption." The effort urges changes to restore limits on corporate political spending struck down by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, enact public campaign financing and curb lobbying by former government officials. MoveOn.org<http://MoveOn.org> says nearly half a million people nationwide have signed its pledge in support. Demonstrators in San Jose drew a crowd of about 80 or 90 people and carried signs with slogans such as "A Greedy Corporatocracy has Hijacked Our Democracy." They sang humorous sendups of popular melodies such as "It's my money and I'll buy who I want to." Bill Barrett, 80, dressed as a "Wall Street banker" in a black coat and top hat overflowing with faux money, saying he was "upset with the trend toward money influencing legislation." San Jose City Councilman Ash Kalra spoke in support of the effort. Their message seemed to win over San Jose State University psychology student Travis Ito, who signed the MoveOn.org<http://MoveOn.org> pledge form after stopping on a walk past City Hall to watch the demonstration. "It's basically just buying politicians," Ito, 24, said. "It should be changed." [cid:[email protected]] Rally rips corporate influence on system (http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/2585608,mvrally0811.article) August 11, 2010 BY MICHAEL GONZALEZ , POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT A small group of eager demonstrators rallied on one of the area's busiest intersections Tuesday afternoon, protesting corporate influence on American politics, a recent Supreme Court decision and demanding lobbying reform. The group also called on U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky to sign a pledge to fight corporate influence on government. "These big corporations can't vote, but they can influence, or I might say buy, elections," said Gregg Hodgson, a small business consultant formerly with the Northwest Indiana Forum's Small Business Development Corp. Several of the half-dozen picketers, posted on the corner of U.S. 30 and Broadway, admitted they were the proverbial David to the corporate and political Goliaths, but the group said their actions -- part of a day of rallies led by MoveOn.Org -- were the essence of democracy. "Why not be out here?" asked Ted Kawczynski, a retired masonry supplier from Cedar Lake. "If you believe in democracy and that our rights as citizens are bigger than those of the corporations." MoveOn.Org is a national public policy advocacy group and political action committee known for its liberal or progressive leanings. Visclosky said he was a co-sponsor of proposed legislation to hold corporations that participate in U.S. elections more accountable to the people. Kawczynski pointed to Citizens United, the Supreme Court decision this year that said corporations have the same First Amendment rights as citizens, a ruling he called "unjust and heartless." The system and corporations are too closely tied together, but "the biggest victim may be younger people who have grown cynical of the "one person, one vote" basis of democracy, Bonnie Meyer of Merrillville said. "We elected our legislators to be public servants and I don't feel like we're being served," she said, as cars honked and people shouted supportive comments from their cars. "It's just become harder to impress that idea (of service) on young people." After the demonstration, the ralliers planned to deliver a petition signed by about 400 voters encouraging the pledge to Visclosky's office several blocks north on Broadway. [cid:[email protected]] Moveon.org protests in Pasadena, around the nation, against corporate campaign contributions By Brian Charles Staff Writer Posted: 08/10/2010 04:54:34 PM PDT http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15734680 [cid:[email protected]]<http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=3162671> Many of the protesters against corporate corruption, waving brooms to symbolize sweeping them out of Washington..(SGVN/Staff Photo by Walt Mancini/SXCity) PASADENA - Waving brooms and chanting "corporate corruption's got to go," more than 40 protesters demonstrated Tuesday outside the Pasadena office of congressional Rep. Adam Schiff. Photo Gallery: Move On Rally<http://lang.pasadenastarnews.com/photos/photos.asp?a=1055832> The protesters from Moveon.org<http://Moveon.org>, a liberal grass roots organization, jammed Raymond Avenue and Holly Street, where they denounced the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United Case, which removed the limit on corporate campaign contributions. "We're cleaning up the garbage," said Bryna Schreier, 42, of Pasadena, waving her broom in the air. "We're tired of the corporate kickbacks." Moveon.org<http://Moveon.org> held similar rallies at congressional offices around the country Tuesday, said Laurie Hendricks, 60, of South Pasadena, a Moveon.org<http://Moveon.org> volunteer. She gathered signatures on a pledge that seeks to change campaign financing and lobbying practices. The pledge includes a call for a constitutional amendment to over-ride the court's decision. Such an amendment would require passage by two-thirds of the Congress and then ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures. "It's very hard, but what can we do," said Peter Milio, who spoke at the Pasadena rally. "This country was founded by `we the people,' not `we the corporations."' But Michael Alexander, head of the Pasadena Tea Party, sees the Citizens United decision as a move toward more free speech. "Citizens United was correctly decided by the Supreme Court," he said. "It properly recognizes the free speech of corporations." Protesters took their pledge, inked with dozens of signatures, to Schiff's office with the hopes that he would carry their message back to Washington, D.C. Schiff, D-Pasadena, was in Washington on Wednesday, voting on a jobs bill. Officials at his Pasadena office accepted the signed petition on his behalf. In June, Schiff and Rep. Judy Chu, D-El Monte, voted in favor of the Disclose Act, according to officials for both. The act would require corporations to disclose their financial support for candidates and political issues. It would also keep foreign-backed businesses from pumping money into campaign coffers. The bill is awaiting approval by the Senate. In El Monte, only a half-dozen or so protesters demonstrated outside Chu's office, where organizers had expected dozens. Those in attendance wielded hand-made signs, buckets, mops and other cleaning supplies. Since the Citizens United case, corporations have already taken advantage of their new-found freedom in campaign contributions, protesters said. Whittier resident Sue McRoberts said Target stores gave a $150,000 campaign donation to a conservative gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota. "You better believe I'm not shopping at Target anymore," she said. Chu pledged to support to the pledge letter and its call for a constitutional amendment. "I welcome it," she said of the rally. "I think they want to draw attention to these critical pieces of legislation and want to show their passion. I'm on board." Chu strongly opposed the Supreme Court decision, which she considers "a major setback for democratic elections in America," her spokesman Fred Ortega said. The pledge also calls for lobbying reforms limiting the ability of legislative staffers to jump from public service to lobbying firms that try to steer policies. "It has become a revolving door from business to lobbyist to being elected and back around again," said Jocelyn McFaul, a Moveon.org<http://Moveon.org> protester from Pico Rivera. [cid:[email protected]] Group makes case with Minnick http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_3b179d62-32cc-5781-8727-83bcf66122c3.html Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 12:00 am | Updated: 2:25 pm, Tue Aug 17, 2010. By MAUREEN DOLAN/Staff writer | 4 comments <http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_3b179d62-32cc-5781-8727-83bcf66122c3.html#user-comment-area> COEUR d'ALENE - They want campaign finance reforms, and they want them now. North Idaho members of liberal-advocacy group MoveOn.org<http://MoveOn.org> gathered Tuesday at U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick's Coeur d'Alene office to urge the legislator to sign a pledge to fight corporate corruption in Washington, D.C. Because Minnick was back in the nation's capital attending a special session of Congress, the six MoveOn members met with Sarah Worley, Minnick's regional coordinator of constituent services in Coeur d'Alene. "These people have already signed the pledge," said organizer Wayne Christofferson, as he handed Worley a list with 500 signatures from residents of Idaho's First Congressional District. "That's a lot of any Congressman's constituency, especially in a state as sparsely populated as Idaho." Crafted late last spring by MoveOn members from across the country, the "Fight Washington Corruption" pledge came together as a response to a January U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which threw out a 63-year-old law that banned campaign donations from corporate treasury funds. Christofferson said the Citizens United decision gives businesses with big money the same rights as private citizens who can't compete with that kind of influence. "It opens the floodgates for corporations to buy elections," the Coeur d'Alene man said. Similar gatherings and rallies seeking congressional support for the pledge were planned Tuesday in 400 communities nationwide, Christofferson said. The North Idaho group had planned a larger local showing of MoveOn members, but scaled it back in order to avoid creating a distraction for drivers along Northwest Boulevard. "We decided it's more the message than the messenger," Christofferson said. "I think what's important are these 500 signatures." The MoveOn pledge calls for three actions: The overturn of the Citizens United court decision through an amendment to the Constitution; passage of the Fair Elections Now Act in Congress, which provides incentives for candidates to collect small donations by offering competitive public matching funds; and new laws that would limit the power of corporate lobbyists. Worley told the group she has not yet been able to discuss the pledge with the Minnick. "I know that I can say from Walt's perspective, absolutely, he's 100 percent committed to these three planks, and I'm sure he wouldn't have any question against those at all," Worley said. Regarding Minnick's position on Citizens United, Worley said the congressman has previously gone on the record publicly about it. "I think he called it once, 'one of the worst decisions since Dred Scott.' He seemed appalled by it, so absolutely definitely sympathetic to a call to repeal that," Worley said. Coeur d'Alene resident Mo Oliver told Worley that lawmakers like Minnick need to move quickly on this. "Right now, it's legal for elections to be bought and sold at high levels, at international levels," Oliver said. "To me, parties don't matter on this issue, at all. Many, many people of both parties are adamant that we need to be the ones making the decisions, not the people who are passing lots of money around." Christofferson said more than 400,000 people nationwide have already added their names to the pledge. The Associated Press contributed to this report. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lauren Weiner Deputy Communications Director Americans United for Change 202.470.5870 (o) 202.257.3977 (c) @au4change -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "big campaign" group. 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