POSTED 9/11/09 at the request of Mike Walker

Help Still Needed for the Library of Michigan

State Library

The following was written by Shirley Hodges:

The Michigan Library Association organized an excellent Rally on the Lansing Capitol steps yesterday. Thank you to Gale and Proquest for the red T-Shirts and the posters. Thanks to all those who came and supported the Rally.

Governor Granholm amended her Executive Order 9 September 2009. We do need to thank her for that. HOWEVER, we also need to reminder her and ALL OF THE REPRESENTATIVES and SENATORS that there are still 3 things that we are very concerned about.

First and foremost, they must make sure that the funding is in place to protect the library.

We must stress that we want to ensure that the ENTIRE collection is kept intact. This includes Federal documents, the Main and Dewey collections in addition to the Michigan, Genealogy and Rare books.

We want to make sure that the collection is kept in the building that was built for that purpose. A great deal of planning went into the design of the building to make sure that it would house the collection in a manner that would preserve it for generations to come.

Please contact all your friends and ask them to help. The final budget has to be approved by Sept. 30.

John Proos

Anderson House Office Building
N-1098 House Office Building
Lansing, MI 48933

MAILING ADDRESS
N-1098 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48933

Phone: (517) 373-1403
Toll Free: (888) 656-0079

Email: johnproos@house.mi.gov

Ron Jelinek

Office Address:	S-324 Capitol

Mailing Address:	Senator Ron Jelinek P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909-7536

By Phone:	(517) 373-6960

Toll Free:	1-866-305-2121

By Fax:	(517) 373-0897

By Email:	senrjelinek@senate.michigan.gov

POSTED 9/11/09 at the request of bob conway

Wespac

Dear Bob,

"You lie!"

Those were the shocking and disrespectful words screamed by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina during President Obama's address last night.

Many of you have contacted me and asked what you can do. Well, the best way I can think of responding is taking away Joe Wilson's chance of doing this again by helping vote him out of office.

Rob Miller is the Democrat running against Joe Wilson, and he has a great shot at winning this race with our help, right now.

Help us send a powerful message to Joe Wilson that his behavior is unacceptable. Contribute to Rob Miller's campaign today!

Now, helping rid Congress of someone who called the President of the United States a liar in front of the nation is sufficient reason to help Rob Miller win in South Carolina's 2nd District.

But I'm here to tell you Rob is a great candidate, a person that deserves to represent the American public in Congress. Rob was born and raised in South Carolina -- the younger of two sons of a Navy veteran. As a Marine Corps officer, Rob's experiences served to sharpen his worldview, to reinforce the value of freedom, and to strengthen his commitment to democracy.

With only $300,000 last cycle, Rob got 46% of the vote. Joe Wilson's antics have given Rob the opening to win in 2010.

You can make a difference today. You can help Rob Miller rid Congress of Joe Wilson. Contribute to Rob's campaign today!

Sincerely,

aaa

Wes Clark

P.S. President Obama said last night, "If you misrepresent what's in the plan, we will call you out." It's time to do that now. Contribute to Rob Miller and help defeat Congressman Joe Wilson.

POSTED 9/9/09 at the request of Michael ringler

More trouble for Michigan's waters

Once again, Lake Michigan is in trouble.

This time, instead of polluters trying to pump more wastes into our lake's waters, a few judges have stirred things up, leaving the streams and wetlands that feed and filter Lake Michigan more vulnerable to pollution and reckless development.

As Congress prepares to hold hearings on this problem, I hope you'll join me in demanding the full restoration of Clean Water Act protection to all of our waterways.

Click here to sign the petition.

For three decades, the meaning of the Clean Water Act was as clear as a high-mountain stream: Lake Erie? Protected. Lake Huron? Protected. Lake Houghton? The Mackinac Straits? Protected, protected and protected, along with every single river, stream and wetland in Michigan.

Then, in a controversial decision, a bitterly divided Supreme Court exempted small streams and many wetlands from the law. The effect? In Michigan, the law now leaves nearly half of our streams and 930,000 acres of our wetlands open to more pollution and development. That's disturbing news. As we know, when it comes to our environment, whatever goes around comes around -- if we allow polluters and developers free rein over smaller streams and wetlands, it's only a matter of time before the effects extend downstream into the Great Lakes.

The Bush administration only made things worse. Under President Barack Obama, we finally have a chance to make things right.

http://www.environmentmichigan.org/action/clean-water/petition-congress2?id4=ES

That's why, with Capitol Hill hearings coming up, it's critical that our congressional delegation -- Reps. Candice Miller, Vernon Ehlers and Mark Schauer -- know that you, and thousands of others who care about our waters, are on our side. Show them your support for full protection for all of our waters by signing this petition now.

It's time to restore all of Michigan's and America's waters to health. Thanks for making it possible.

Rob Sargent
Environment Michigan Energy Program Director
action@environmentmichigan.org
http://www.environmentmichigan.org

POSTED 9/9/09 at the request of Michael ringler

Tell Obama: Don't cave on the public option.

Credo-Action-Alert

President Obama needs to hear from us about the public option.

We need to stand up today to make sure President Obama knows that he cannot back away from supporting a robust public health insurance option similar to Medicare.

On Wednesday, the president is expected to lay out his vision for health care reform at a joint session of Congress. But there are already troubling signs that the president is prepared to negotiate away a real public option in order to get support from Republicans like Senator Olympia Snowe and the Democratic Blue Dog Caucus.

For example, reports came out on Friday that President Obama held a conference call with House progressives and asked them how far they'd compromise on the public option.

We need to make sure that President Obama knows that for those of us who support single payer, a robust public option is the compromise. Aside from single payer, a health care bill without a robust public option is just more of the same.

Click here to automatically add your name to the above petition asking President Obama to tell Congress and the voters that he will only sign a bill with a robust public option similar to Medicare.

Thank you for working to secure real health care reform.

Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets

POSTED 8/28/09 at the request of bob conway

From Consumer Reports

Perscription For Change Logo

Health reform: Tell Congress what’s at stake!

When Congress returns in September to work on health reform, let’s remind them what’s really at stake - your health, your financial peace of mind, and your freedom.

How’s that? Without real health reform, you could lose your health insurance because of a layoff, go bankrupt due to medical bills, or be forced to give up dreams of starting a business or a better education because you have no access to affordable health insurance.

Right now, your job is not required to offer you health coverage or help you pay for it. Do you know what your employer plans to do with your insurance if costs keep skyrocketing and the economy remains tight? Right now, you have no guarantee that you can buy affordable insurance if you have a medical condition or are getting older. Do you know what you would do if you get seriously ill and are denied coverage, or can’t afford it?

Health reform will fix that, and make sure you always have access to affordable health coverage. But we can’t get there if we remain mired in politics and scare tactics. Tell Congress to focus on the health care needs of the American people, and give us the financial peace-of-mind we need to move forward as a nation.

SEND MESSAGE

POSTED 8/28/09 at the request of bob conway

Logo from AARP web site

Spotlight Action

Send Your Letter Today!

The myths about health care reform are everywhere – in your inbox, on television, at town hall meetings, and in the newspapers. We need to make sure that Americans have the facts about how health care reform will impact Medicare and help bring affordable access to all Americans. Will you help by writing a letter to the editor that fights the myths about reform? The readers' letters section lands in your neighbors' yards and on your Representative's desk every morning. Let's make sure our message is loud, clear, and in print.

Click here to write your letter now – I've even included tips and talking points to get you started!

POSTED 8/19/09 at the request of bob conway

Tell Obama: The public option is not optional.

Credo-Action-Alert

If we don't make a stand now for a public option, the Obama administration may hedge on its plan for health care reform.

This weekend, the Obama administration indicated that it might be open to passing health care reform without any provision for a public insurance option similar to Medicare that could compete with private insurance companies.

President Obama said that a public option was just a "sliver" of his plan. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius went so far as to say that the public option was not an "essential" part of reform.

The comments this weekend by the president and Secretary Sebelius rhetorically pave the way for the Obama administration to cave on a meaningful public option and instead accept toothless regional health care co-ops that would be unable to compete with insurance companies and keep them honest.

Help us remind President Obama that part of the reason he won the presidency was his plan to enact major health care reform that included a public option, a provision that 76% of Americans support.

Sign our petition asking him to pledge only to sign a bill with a robust public option similar to Medicare.

POSTED 8/18/09 at the request of mike

The Nation Magazine

Tell EPA: Clean Air Saves Lives

Dirty air isn't just ugly. It can cause asthma, heart attacks, child development disorders-even death.

The Clean Air Act is America's strongest safeguard against dangerous air pollution. Since 1977, the law has dramatically reduced air pollution nationwide. It also guarantees citizens' right to challenge weak air pollution rules in court.

Under the law, the Environmental Protection Agency must cut mercury, soot and other pollutants from cement kilns. These kilns-over 130 nationwide-are among America's biggest polluters. EPA has proposed to cut cement kiln pollution by 90%, avoiding 1,600 premature deaths a year and saving $1.6 billion in healthcare costs.

But not if the cement industry gets its way. These polluters are pressuring EPA to weaken the proposed rules. Cement companies are distorting the truth as communities from Maine to California are forced to breathe dirty air.

You can make the difference.

The Bush administration gave cement kilns a free pass to pollute. Earthjustice fought in the courts and Congress to enforce the law. The Obama administration wants to do the right thing, but cement industry lobbyists are trying to derail this step forward. We need you to tell the EPA not to back down!

Please take a minute to tell EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to stand up to these big polluters: http://action.earthjustice.org/campaign/cementkilns_0809.

Ask her to do what's right.

Tell her you expect her to follow the law.

To learn more about cement kilns near you, visit http://www.earthjustice.org/mercury.

- Earthjustice
Because the earth needs a good lawyer

POSTED 8/5/09 at the request of mike

Net Neutrality legislation finally before Congress! Act now!

(From Blogging for Michigan by: jtcaldwell )

After eight years of effort, legislation to guarantee net neutrality is finally before Congress. Go to www.savetheinternet.com #netneutrality to sign the petition.

The savetheinternet.com coalition is more than a million everyday people who have banded together with thousands of non-profit organizations, businesses and bloggers to protect Internet freedom.

jtcaldwell :: Net Neutrality legislation finally before Congress! Act now!

Savetheinternet.com is sponsored by Freepress.com, a grass roots organization that is working to keep the remnants of our news sources free and independent.

Few people are aware that the newspapers we read (those of us who still read newspapers), the weekly news magazines (News Week, Time, and others), what we hear on the radio and see on the television is owned (and therefore controlled) by four large corporations. The only remaining source of independent news is the Internet.

Sign the petition, and help us keep the Internet free.

POSTED 8/3/09 at the request of mike

Congressional Progressives Threaten To Block Health Reform!

(From the Daily KOS by slinkerwink )

Could this be the beginning of something new in the Congressional Progressive Caucus? The progressives in Congress threw a revolt over the compromises to the Blue Dog Democrats, and delayed the mark-up of the House Tri-Committee health care bill from yesterday to today at 10 am. They forced the Democratic leadership to meet with them to hear out their concerns about the watering down of the public option in the Tri-Committee bill.

Seriously, this is like the first time this has ever happened from the Congressional Progressive Caucus. They're working on marshalling up 50 votes to block the passage of health care reform if the public option is severely weakened in the final bill.

However, the White House and the Democratic leadership got worried, and started making phone calls to twist some arms to make sure the progressives stay in line to swallow any crap. This is where you come in. We NEED you to call the progressives on our target list below to make sure they continue to STAND UP for us on health care reform!

It's working. Your relentless phone calls are making the difference. The progressive caucus is finally realizing it can stand up for a real public option.

What does it mean? We need to push harder than ever to get members to take the pledge. Flood progressive members offices with calls and ask them to Take the Pledge to vote against any health care bill that doesn't have a strong public option.

Also, since the mark-up on the Energy and Commerce Committee is today at 10 a.m., we NEED you to call the progressives on the committee since some of them may be wavering into accepting the Blue Dog compromise. Tell them to offer amendments to restore the public option!

Some supporters of the public plan on the committee said they could live with the changes. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) said the briefing of committee Democrats made her "more inclined to support" the Blue Dog amendments.

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), who serves on the committee, said the compromise "eviscerates" the public plan. And he's frustrated that the agreement was presented to committee members as "take it or leave it."

But he still may vote for it, because he's concerned that if the bill stalls in committee, House leaders will simply bypass the committee. Engel said he's undecided.

Please TELL Rep. Eliot Engel NOT TO support the compromises by the Blue Dog Democrats that weaken the public option, and ask him how he can support the paring back of the subsidies for the middle class, the establishment of fake state-based co-operatives which will do NOTHING to reduce costs, and the weakening of the public option.

Here's Rep. Eliot Engel's phone number for you to call:

CALL Rep. Eliot Engel at 202-225-2464

And we have another target--Rep. Jan Schakowsky. She's the one that ALWAYS leads the fold-in of the progressives into accepting whatever shit sandwich comes out of the House, like the weakened ACES bill, the war supplemental vote, and other legislation that progressives were forced to accept.

It's why the White House called her to twist her arms into accepting the compromise from the Blue Dogs and convince her to pressure the other progressives into accepting the same. Did you know that Rep. Jan Schakowsky's in the charge of health policy for the Congressional Progressive Caucus? It's why she's our big target.

Please TELL Rep. Jan Schakowsky NOT TO support the compromises by the Blue Dog Democrats that weaken the public option, and ask her HOW she can support the paring back of the subsidies for the middle class, the establishment of fake state-based cooperatives which will do NOTHING to reduce costs, and the weakening of the public option.

CALL Rep. Jan Schakowsky at 202-225-2111

We'll also NEED you to CALL the other Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee below to ask them NOT TO support the compromises by the Blue Dog Democrats that weaken the public option, the paring back of subsidies for the middle class, and the establishment of state-based cooperatives that do nothing to reduce costs.

CALL Tammy Baldwin at 202-225-2906

CALL Jane Harman at 202-225-8220

CALL Jay Inslee at 202-225-6311

CALL Bobby Rush at 202-225-4372

CALL Anthony Weiner at 202-225-6616

CALL Peter Welch at 202-225-4115

Please also LIVEBLOG the Energy and Commerce Committee mark-up below if you can. It starts at C-SPAN.org at 10 a.m., and I think it might be carried on TV as well.

CLICK FOR C-SPAN FEED OF MARK-UP AT 10AM EST

And here's an e-mail from the Congressional Progressive Caucus asking for more attendees to come to their press conference at 2:30PM today. If you know anyone in the DC/MD/VA area, PLEASE GO to the press conference!

Today, the Energy and Commerce committee accepted a compromise with the Blue Dogs which would have the effect of crippling the public option. (As reported, it specifically makes it so that the public option no longer pays Medicare+5%, but instead has to individually negotiate rates with providers. In addition to dramatically increasing the overall cost of reform, this has a big negative impact on the public option’s ability to jumpstart operations.)

This compromise is in direct conflict with one of the core tenets of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’s criteria for a robust public option. The belief appears to be that the progressives will once again just roll over.

Not this time. Not this fight.

Tomorrow afternoon, the CPC will be holding a press conference in conjunction with their allied caucuses the CBC, CHC, and CAPAC. They are going to draw a very clear line in the sand – unambiguously and so brightly it’ll be seen all the way at the White House. We need the largest crowd we can get at the press conference:

Thursday July 30, 2009
2:30 pm
At the triangle on the southeast side of the Capitol

This is the first real moment in which the progressives inside of Congress are being tested for their resolve on healthcare. And this is the most significant ask they’ve made of progressives outside of Congress in the day-to-day fight.

Please help.

Can you also please help nyceve, Jane Hamsher, me, and others in this fight for health reform by donating to our fight?

PLEASE RECOMMEND THIS DIARY so others can see the phone numbers and call today!

Posted 7/12/09 at the request of gregory mann

Is Harry Reid going stop true and meaningful health care reform?

CREDO logo

Tell Reid: No vacation for the Senate before health care reform passes.

President Obama has made it very clear that passing meaningful health care reform is his top priority this summer - but on July 23, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the full Senate wouldn't vote on a bill until the fall.

This is not only disrespectful to the millions of Americans who can't afford private insurance, it's bizarre considering Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced just days prior that she would keep the House in session through it's August recess if that's what it takes to pass a bill.

So what's the problem in the Senate?

The problem is Montana Democrat Max Baucus.

We already have a good health care bill in the Senate from Sen. Kennedy's HELP Committee - a bill that includes a public option. We need the Finance Committee to pass a bill that will fund the HELP Committee bill, and Baucus says he needs time.

Time is one thing. But it's well known that Baucus is planning to pass a bill that won't include a public option. And Reid shouldn't let him.

Sen. Reid shouldn't give Sen. Baucus the time he needs to eviscerate real health care reform - not when Americans' lives are on the line.

Sign this petition today to tell Sen. Reid: Don't let the Senate take a vacation until it passes meaningful health care reform that includes a public option.

Posted 7/12/09 moved 7/19/09 tip-of-the-hat to bob conway

Miss your Obama sticker?

Clean Energy sick-on

MoveOn's partnering with acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey — who designed the iconic Obama "Hope" poster — to offer a FREE "Clean Energy for America" sticker.

Hey,

Want a free sticker to support clean energy? It's designed by Shepard Fairey, the acclaimed artist who created the iconic Obama 'HOPE' poster. And MoveOn's giving them away totally free--even the shipping's free.

I just got mine. Click this link to get your free sticker:

http://pol.moveon.org/energystickers/?id=-1605473-7XBtU8x&rc=paste.orig_email

Thanks!

Bob C.

POSTED 7/14/09 AT THE REQUEST OF Dave Pawloski

Repower America logo

Dave spoke on “Repower America,” a new organization supporting legislation that will promote clean, renewable sources of energy for our country. You can learn more about “Repower America” by clicking here.

Dave informed our group that “cap and trade” was really an old Republican response to Vice President Al Gore’s “carbon tax.” It promotes a capitalist approach to reducing carbon emissions which we all know contribute to global warming. Now the Republicans are staunchly opposed to their very own idea and are doing everything to stop the pending legislation. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) has passed the House and is now in the Senate. Our Congressman, Mr. Upton has attacked this bill as a dagger against business.

Last night, we agreed that we need to begin applying pressure on the Senate for the passage of this important bill. We believe that both Senator Stabenow and Senator Levin “lean” toward the support of this legislation. Yet, as discussed last night, we haven’t seen any statements of their endorsement for passage. The issue is just too important not to solicit their support and apply constituent pressure. President Obama has stated he is in favor of the legislation and would sign the bill when it comes to his desk.

There is broad support for clean, renewable energy. Center for American Progress, TDS Co-editor, Ruy Teixeira reports,

...75 percent of respondents in a mid-June ABC News/Washington Post poll said the federal government should “regulate the release of greenhouse gases from sources like power plants, cars, and factories in an effort to reduce global warming.” Just 21 percent disagreed. Moreover, when those who agreed that the federal government should regulate greenhouse gases were asked if they would still support this if it raised the price of the things they buy, 80 percent of that group still said yes.

Sara Palin had an article in today’s Washington Post in which she completely ignored any environmental concerns of carbon fuels and, basically, claimed that expensive energy is bad and cheap energy is good (“drill baby, drill"). Our friend Don Holmes mentioned last night that he had seen John McCain on one of the Sunday talk shows praising Sara and stating she would make a great President. Don just shook his head and said how very fortunate we are that John McCain was defeated.

Please contact our senators on this important issue and encourage them to support the passage of The American Clean Energy and Security Act, their contact information is listed below.

Levin, Carl - (D - MI)
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
E-mail

Stabenow, Debbie - (D - MI)
133 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
senator@stabenow.senate.gov

POSTED 7/12/09 AT THE REQUEST OF Mike

Restore a Strong Middle Class - Sign Our Petition to Show Your Support

Logo Sieu

I just signed a petition that can help to get our economy back on track. Check it out and sign the petition here:
(http://action.seiu.org/page/ic/yaxd2h235vuq1x/ShVXUgZLFRsXVlNaRwBBGA)

Over the last few months, we've witnessed the free fall of America’s economy. But the truth is that even before the recession, middle class families were in trouble.

A piece of legislation called the Employee Free Choice Act will help us rebuild the middle class and strengthen our economy by holding CEOs accountable and providing real security to more working families.

(http://action.seiu.org/page/ic/yaxd2h235vuq1x/ShVXUgZLFRsXVlNaRwBBGA)

POSTED 7/8/09 AT THE REQUEST OF Lt. gov. john cherry