I just noticed that this petition had not been taken down yet, and people were continuing to sign it. I will take it down today, but I just wanted to reassure those who were still signing that we in fact WON on this issue, and the $20 congestion reduction charge was passed, saving metro service for the next 2 years.
Nevertheless, our fight for improved, sustainable transit options and more progressive funding sources for them is far from over. Some of you replied to my last email with deep and valid concerns about the final deal that the County Council reached, which included cutting the Free Ride Zone and funding metro with a regressive $20 fee on all car owners.
If you would like to move past such regressive funding sources and increase the share of the tax burden on those who can actually afford it, consider joining one of these groups and working on this issue over the next two years:
- the fledgling Save Our Metro campaign, which is dedicated to grassroots organizing of transit riders who are not on email
- the Moveon.org Seattle Council’s transit sub-committee, which will be fighting to make sure Seattle does all it can to support transit, bike infrastructure, and sustainable transportation options (just reply to this email to sign up)
- Transportation for Washington, a state-wide coalition of groups fighting to make sure our state has a progressive funding source for the transportation options that make the most sense for our planet, our health, and our communities.
- FUSE Washington, which fights for more tax revenue and all kinds of public services in the state
- The NO on 1125 coalition which has been organized against Tim Eyman‘s latest attempt to derail light rail in Bellevue with Kemper Freeman’s money
You can also help from home by commenting on the conservative-biased news reports you see, such as this one in the Seattle Times today about the $60 car tab fee for Seattle residents only, which will be on the ballot in November:
The crisis in Africa’s Horn may have fallen off the front pages, but the situation “continues to deteriorate,” according to the latest UN update. Children five and younger are increasingly dying from hunger and disease. Reports of cholera, measles and malaria are on the rise, too. And famine is expected to spread across even more regions of Somalia.
Here’s the latest update on our lifesaving response:
Somalia: On Friday we made the first of daily deliveries of clean drinking water to a displacement camp in Mogadishu. It’s home to tens of thousands of people who’ve flocked to Somalia’s capital seeking refuge from the drought.
With your support, teams in all three countries are working around the clock to help families survive. Forecasters are now predicting less-than-average rainfall in October, which would only prolong the current crisis — and the recovery.
Thank you for all you’re doing to save lives in Africa’s Horn.
As we celebrate today, it’s important to keep in mind that Republicans are still waging an all-out war on working families across America.
Last month we won two big victories against anti-union Republican Senators in Wisconsin – and we are continuing to fight the Republican anti-union agenda state by state.
I received another comment about the post of Ron Paul’s “Rethinking Birthright Citizenship.” which was great to receive though confusing so many young people seem to forget or avoid his extreme views. click on the link below for the Ron Paul commentary and below that is my response.
I don’t think you are truly listening to what Ron Paul is all about …he is not just the down with government candidate he is a man who would rip the 14th Amendment out … not sure a true constitutionalist would be against the constitution as much as Ron Paul is. I read about how he promises a “return to constitutional principles” I would like to know what those principles are but on most occasions when on camera getting real questions thrown at him he either avoids them or has a serious case of stage fright. Presidential candidate Ron Paul accused of being a whiner from some who speak for the right of center with and one particular station stated some of his political positions were insane. I have to admit that i agree, we should end all the wars and that is where our mutual feelings about anything else ends. Mr. Paul while shouting out pro freedom remarks known to describe less government in a rather scary and extreme way and the image really should scare us all. I have to say his latest comment right before Irene were in bad taste and maybe someone in his camp should remind him that back in 1900, during the good ole days people did what they had to do because there was no disaster relief as we know it today. If we must to go back and dig up our past, which should be to make sure the bad things are not repeated and the good used as frequently as possible. Yet, I am sure Presidential Candidate fails to remember thousands died from floods, hurricanes and tropical storms because there was no FEMA type organization to help .Today, today we live in the 21st Century not back when few people received equal rights let alone equal public services that enable them to help themselves. The notion that a small community lifted each other up and rebuilt after being in harm’s way or any disaster in 1900 is history and while it is a remarkable story, our lives are so much different and we need to bring our State and Federal programs into the 21st Century. Yes, segregation and robber barons still exist but not in the same scale as they did as Ron Paul remembers or i guess wants because we all want him to keep pay taxes though he is against that. I wonder if he calls himself a baron. If that was not enough Presidential Candidate Ron Paul seems to want to end Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security oh and don’t forget he does not believe in evolution which takes me to his comments about abortion being the probably the most important issue? and then there is that essay Presidential Candidate Ron Paul wrote in 2006,”Rethinking Birthright Citizenship “tell me he is still a viable Presidential Candidate after reading that but your comment did not mention it.
by LiveFreeorDieReport on Jun 7, 2011
Ron Paul says that the Government is a reflection of the people. When the minds of people change, the Government will change. Ron Paul also talks about Virtue and Excellence and that it does not come from Government but from the people
A recent article in the Houston Chronicle discusses the problem of so-called anchor babies, children born in U.S. hospitals to illegal immigrant parents. These children automatically become citizens, and thus serve as an anchor for their parents to remain in the country. Our immigration authorities understandably are reluctant to break up families by deporting parents of young babies. But birthright citizenship, originating in the 14th amendment, has become a serious cultural and economic dilemma for our nation.
In some Houston hospitals, administrators estimate that 70 or 80% of the babies born have parents who are in the country illegally. As an obstetrician in south Texas for several decades, I can attest to the severity of the problem. It’s the same story in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. And the truth is most illegal immigrants who have babies in U.S. hospitals do not have health insurance and do not pay their hospital bills.
This obviously cannot be sustained, either by the hospitals involved or the taxpayers who end up paying the bills.
No other wealthy, western nations grant automatic citizenship to those who simply happen to be born within their borders to non-citizens. These nations recognize that citizenship involves more than the physical location of one’s birth; it also involves some measure of cultural connection and allegiance. In most cases this means the parents must be citizens of a nation in order for their newborn children to receive automatic citizenship.
Make no mistake, Americans are happy to welcome immigrants who follow our immigration laws and seek a better life here. America is far more welcoming and tolerant of newcomers than virtually any nation on earth. But our modern welfare state creates perverse incentives for immigrants, incentives that cloud the issue of why people choose to come here. The real problem is not immigration, but rather the welfare state magnet.
Hospitals bear the costs when illegal immigrants enter the country for the express purpose of giving birth. But illegal immigrants also use emergency rooms, public roads, and public schools. In many cases they are able to obtain Medicaid, food stamps, public housing, and even unemployment benefits. Some have fraudulently collected Social Security benefits.
Of course many American citizens also use or abuse the welfare system. But we cannot afford to open our pocketbooks to the rest of the world. We must end the perverse incentives that encourage immigrants to come here illegally, including the anchor baby incentive.
I’ve introduced legislation that would amend the Constitution and end automatic birthright citizenship. The 14th amendment was ratified in 1868, on the heels of the Civil War. The country, especially the western territories, was wide open and ripe for homesteading. There was no welfare state to exploit, and the modern problems associated with immigration could not have been imagined.
Our founders knew that unforeseen problems with our system of government would arise, and that’s precisely why they gave us a method for amending the Constitution. It’s time to rethink birthright citizenship by amending the 14th amendment.
October 3, 2006
Dr. Ron Paul is a Republican member of Congress from Texas.
With Congress bowing to the wishes of their corporate donors and conservative legislatures in dozens of states attacking working families, things can seem pretty bleak.
But in communities across the country, progressive activists are being inspired by the American Dream Movement — the fight to rebuild the middle class. We’re working together and fighting to take back our country.
On October 3-5 progressive activists will converge on Washington DC to share and learn innovative movement-building strategies at the Take Back the Dream Conference.
The American Dream Movement is built by you and this conference will be a unique opportunity to share your progressive vision for the country and bring what you learn home to inspire others in your community.
There has never been a more important time for us to unite and share ideas to move our country forward.
School can be a drain not only on environmental resources but on your wallet, too. But a few, quick changes like buying used & wasting less
can move your green studies to the top of the class. And, get extra
credit by checking out the cool programs & competitions our experts
are working on (below).
“Young people are more than
the future, they are today. Our world will never embrace sustainability
entirely if we don’t begin tapping into the ingenuity of today.“- Charles Orgbon
Charles
Orgbon, a sophomore at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Ga., sets a
standard for student leaders in green. Not only is he the student body
president of his class & a leader in the Key Club, but he also
serves as the youngest board member for Earth Force & is the founder and CEO of Greening Forward.
Charles also founded the first Earth Savers Club
in 2008, which today hosts comprehensive curricula and provides
mini-grants for various green projects. Get your student involved with
Charles’ inspiring work!
Contribute a Photo to Next Week’s Edition!
Next week we’re talking all about hybrids, electric vehicles and ways to power your car with alternative fuels. Got a pic of your cool ride to share? Email them to greentips@earth911.com (or just hit the reply button) & maybe you’ll be our featured Eco Warrior!
“The Recycle-Bowl competition is a fun way to get schools to recycle
more. Plus, a school’s pride is on the line. It’d be great to win a
$1000 for collecting the most recyclable material, but often it’s more
important that you beat your school’s rival.”-Kelley DenningsJoin Recycle-Bowl now
An exciting new ally joined the fight to stop AT&T’s dangerous merger with T-Mobile: the United Stated Department of Justice. Arguing that the merger would crush competition and lead to higher prices, the DOJ filed a lawsuit in Federal court to block the merger, dealing it a major blow.1
This is an important victory in our fight to protect the ability of poor folks and communities of color to use the Internet to make a better life for themselves. If AT&T were allowed to purchase T-Mobile, it would have a terrible impact on jobs, affordability, and Internet freedom.
Instead, the case will take months to wind its way through the court system. And the Federal Communications Commission, which also has authority over the proposed deal, has publicly indicated its own deep misgivings.2 None of this could have happened without the massive public outcry from ColorOfChange members, and our friends and allies. Thank you.
This fight isn’t over yet. We can’t predict how the lawsuit will turn out, and it’s important that we remain vigilant. AT&T is expected to fight the DOJ’s decision tooth and nail, and it remains possible that the DOJ and AT&T could hammer out a deal that leads the DOJ to drop its opposition. And 76 Democratic members of Congress are still on record supporting the deal. It’s critical that we continue to expose their false arguments in support of the merger and keep pushing them to withdraw their support.
AT&T has spent millions on lobbying and PR to advance its agenda, and it will continue to use its vast resources to twist the facts and mislead the public. Our work is powered by you, our members, and we need your support to keep fighting back. Your voice has been a powerful force in this fight. If you can also support our work financially, in any amount, please click the link below:
be sure keep you up to date with any new opportunities to take action. At ColorOfChange, we will continue to stand up for everyone’s right to access a free and open Internet, and we hope you will continue to be there with us.
Thanks and Peace,
– Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 2nd, 2011
Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:
Is it the nurse who cared for you? Maybe the members of your own union or a relative’s union—steelworkers or teachers or pilots? Or, as we approach the 10th anniversary of September 11, is it the many first responders who rushed into burning buildings to save lives?Which workers do you heart? Let us—and the world—know.
Dear Carmen,On my very first business trip, I left my wallet in a New York taxi—with more than $200 in it. This was right after college, so that was a TON of money for me. And I thought it was gone for good. But then, he brought my wallet back.The taxi driver didn’t just call me. He braved rush hour traffic to bring back my wallet and didn’t charge me a dime.
I ♥ that taxi driver—and workers like him who go the extra mile for other people every day. And I just let the world know.
Who do you “heart”?
Tell us which workers you heart. Then, you can update your Facebook status through Labor Day and tweet about it (but you don’t have to use Facebook or Twitter to participate in our campaign).
Maybe it’s Wisconsin workers. They braved the bitter cold day after day, week after week, to fight for workers’ rights.
Maybe it’s coal miners. They risk their lungs and their lives every day to provide the power that keeps our country going.
Maybe it’s the plumber who got your wedding ring out of the drain. What a huge relief that must have been. I’ve heard in some places sanitation workers have even gotten wedding rings out of the sewer. Amazing!
How about the firefighter who got your kitten out of a tree—or saved your neighbor’s house?
Click here to take action. It takes about 15 seconds to let us know who you heart this Labor Day.
It’s been a tough year for America’s workers, and working men and women need some love. So why not heart a worker or two or three? If enough of us let our friends and family know how important hardworking women and men are in our daily lives—and encourage our friends to do the same—we can really make this campaign take off and remind people what Labor Day is about: honoring work and workers.
P.P.S. See a weird symbol in this message, like a box? It’s supposed to be a heart symbol, but for a very small percentage of users, it appears as something else.
This week, Rolling Stone had a must-read piece about the GOP’s coordinated efforts to suppress democracy – the GOP War on Voting. You can click here to sign our petition. Eric Cantor – and George Allen– had the gall to say that disaster relief needed due to Hurricane Irene must be offset with cuts in other federal spending – you can’t get much more callous than that. Nebraska’s Republican governor and speaker won’t defend Attorney General and Senate candidate Jon Bruning against ethics questions about his investment partnership with two student loan company executives. Ohio’s Josh Mandel is getting some unflattering media attention of his own. And Michigan’s Pete Hoekstra REALLY stepped on his announcement speech by saying Wall Street needs to be deregulated. Remember how well that worked in 2008?
Read something you want family and friends to see? Just click to share via Facebook here and Twitter here. And be sure to follow me @guycecil. I mostly tweet about politics, with a little football and reality TV thrown in.
If this email was forwarded to you, and you’d like to see what I’m reading each week, sign up here.
Rolling Stone Reports on GOP’s War Against Voting
Here’s a great but sobering read on Republican attempts to declare war on voting, courtesy of Rolling Stone. Republicans have launched an unprecedented drive to suppress the vote, particularly among students, immigrants and minority groups – in other words, people who tend to vote Democratic. And no surprise here: the Koch Brothers have their hands in underwriting the effort. Early last month, the DSCC asked the Department of Justice to look into a Florida law that could suppress the vote in this key swing state. We are watching events closely and will let you know if any important news breaks on this front. In the meantime, you can click here to sign our petition calling out the GOP. Full Article »
Cantor and Allen: No Disaster Relief Without Cuts
This almost defies belief: Republican House LeaderEric Cantor said that federal disaster aid from Hurricane Irene should be offset with cost-cutting elsewhere – and Senate candidate George Allen agrees with him. Lost your house? Lost your business? Too bad, according to these Republicans. They’re willing to hold disaster victims hostage to further their own gut government ideology. This is just one more reason we need to keep the Senate blue. Full Article »
Bruning’s No Good, Very Bad Week
If any candidate’s happy this week is over, it might be Nebraska Republican Jon Bruning. First, Bruning came under scrutiny for suspiciously large increases in his wealth – he’s worth more than $12 million even though he only makes $95,000 per year as state attorney general. Then came questions about a vacation home he bought with two executives of a company less than a year after Bruning killed a $1 million settlement against the company. And now, Nebraska’s Republican governor and speaker have refused to come to Bruning’s defense. Remember, this is the same guy who compared Nebraskans who need a hand up to “scavenging raccoons.” Full Article »
Ethical Lapses, Broken Promises Dog Mandel
In Ohio, Josh Mandel didn’t have the best week, either, with this blistering Associated Press story outlining his failure to file required financial disclosures, his broken promise to serve out his term as state treasurer, complaints to federal election officials about improper political use of his office, and $100,000 in questionable campaign contributions. And criticism isn’t just coming from Democrats. Mandel has trouble on his right flank, too, after a video showed him cheering during an Al Gore rally in 2000. Full Article »
SAY WHAT? Hoekstra Wants to Deregulate Wall Street
So this week, Pete Hoekstra finally jumped into the Michigan Senate race – after saying he wouldn’t. Only he stepped all over his announcement speech with this news: Hoekstra wants to deregulate Wall Street by repealing the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In other words, Pete Hoekstra wants to make it easier for a collapse like the one in 2008 to happen again. Somehow, I don’t think Michigan voters are going to think that’s a great idea. Full Article »
Dear transit supporters,
