Action Alerts: Week of Feb. 20-26, 2005: DU these, please!

[Liberty Belle]

ACTION ALERTS:

Feb. 26, 2005- New Alerts

Please DU these and "kick" so everyone can help!


URGENT! ASK CONGRESS TO SUPPORT ELECTION REFORM BILLS—BEFORE STATES BUY MORE BAD VOTING MACHINES

From MoveOn.org:
Several great bills have just been introduced in Congress to repair the embarrassing flaws in our election system -- from electronic voting machines to long lines to partisan election officials. Everyone's waiting to see if this new legislation will pick up speed or fall victim to partisan bickering. If we act right now, we can give these bills the early momentum they need.
There's no time to lose: In the coming months, states are poised to buy a billion dollars worth of unreliable electronic voting machines without paper trails.
Can you speed election repairs by signing this new petition?
http://www.moveonpac.org/repairthevote/
CALL YOUR SENATOR TO STOP RESOLUTION H.R. 418, WHICH COULD ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF CONCENTRATION CAMPS IN THE U.S.
This dangerous measure authorizes waiver of “all laws” for projects related to construction of roads or barriers. In Nazi Germany, Hitler used road-building as a pretext to bypass laws, seal off the borders and build concentration camps. This measure has passed Congress and is now before the Senate. While there is no way to know if the administration has any intention of doing this here, we must demand that this measure be stopped or amended to protect our freedom—and our lives.
Find contact info for your Senator at: www.congress.gov

PREVENT TAX DOLLARS FROM FUNDING RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
When you pay your taxes, you should feel confident that your dollars will not be used for religious discrimination. But that might change unless you take action: proposed legislation would allow organizations that receive taxpayer funds to discriminate against employees on the basis of their religion. This proposal will be voted on next week and your Representative needs to hear from you.

Take action! Urge Congress to oppose religious discrimination with taxpayer funds!
http://www.aclu.org/ReligiousLiberty/ReligiousLiberty.cfm?orgid=n&ID=17427&c=29&MX=1949&H=1

ASK AUTOMATORS TO SUPPORT CLEAN AIR STANDARDS IN CA
California for Democracy is partnering with environmental groups on a massive letter-writing campaign to encourage automakers to "innovate, don't litigate" when it comes to California's anti-emissions laws.
California is America's largest automobile market and the one that sets automotive trends for the entire world. California also has a history of leading the nation in creating sensible air pollution standards - that often become Federal law. Three years ago, 80 percent of Californians backed the world's first standard for automotive global warming emissions. Now, Automakers are going to court to try and stop the implementation of these new standards (set to take effect in 2009 - leaving them plenty of time to solve the problem).
Find a sample letter and the addresses of major automakers to whom you should write at the California for Democracy website. http://www.californiafordemocracy.com/?q=globalwarming

STOP DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC WILDLIFE REFUGE
The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is under attack -- a sneak attack. We need your help right now to stop oil drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge before it's too late.

In the next two weeks, President Bush and his pro-drilling allies in Congress may try a sneaky backdoor trick to pass their controversial proposal to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by inserting it in the must-pass federal budget bill.
In March, some members of Congress will try to approve Arctic drilling by hiding their proposal in the federal budget bills -- the only bills that are exempt from filibuster or extended debate. This sneaky attempt not only defies the democratic process, but it reveals the fundamental weakness of the push for drilling: proponents of drilling know they cannot pass this through the normal legislative process, so they are resorting to a procedural tactic to prohibit an open and honest debate.

A lot is riding on this decision. This incomparable wilderness is home to more than 250 animal species, including wolves, grizzlies, caribou, and millions of migrating birds. Unfortunately, it is also the target of an intense, relentless lobbying campaign by the oil industry.
Click here now to stop the oil industry from destroying the Arctic Refuge - send a message to your members of Congress demanding that they do everything in their power to keep drilling revenues out of the budget bill. http://www.saveourenvironment.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=13057
STOP THE SWIFT-BOAT CAMPAIGN TO SMEAR AARP IN A “SNEAK ATTACK” ON SOCIAL SECURITY
The right-wing fringe has declared war on Social Security -- and this week they launched their newest attack.
The ridiculous image you see to the right is the latest from USA Next, a front group for radical conservatives who want to dismantle Social Security.
You won't be surprised to hear who they hired to publicize their efforts: the same team of hatchet men that ran the swift boat smear campaign against John Kerry. Now they are targeting the AARP, a group that millions of seniors rely on to defend their interests.
To see just how low the Swift Boat group will go, check out this ad: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/StopUSANextSign this petition to asking TV stations not to air these dishonest, bigoted attacks:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/StopUSANext



DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION OF GANNON/GUCKERT

The People's Email Network ACTION Newsletter asks:

How is it that someone with no journalistic credentials was promoted to ask propaganda questions at White House press conferences? The issue is not whether Mr. Guckert (Jeff Gannon) might have moonlighted as a prostitute. The real question is whether the press itself, in the exercise of its professionalism, should have more control over the process. Is it time for Congress to get involved to make sure the tough questions are allowed to be asked? What do you think we should do?

http://www.usalone.com/press.htm


SEND THE MEDIA THESE LINKS TO EXPOSE THE TRUTH ON THE HOOKER/FAKE JOURNALIST IN THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS CORPS:

All videos are in Real Media format.

MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann on "Gannon-Gate" - 2/9 @ 8:00 PM
http://www.edwardsdavid.com/BushVideos/olbermann_gannon_050209-02.rm

Olbermann interviews NPR reporter about "Gannon" - 2/10 @ 8:15 PM ET
http://www.edwardsdavid.com/BushVideos/olbermann_gannon_050210-01.rm

Hardball reports on "Gannon" scandal - 2/17 @ 7:45 PM ET
http://www.edwardsdavid.com/BushVideos/hardball_gannon_050217-01.rm

MSNBC Countdown reports on "Gannon" scandal - 2/17 @ 8:00 PM
http://www.edwardsdavid.com/BushVideos/olbermann_gannon_050217-01.rm

Countdown links "insider" Gannon to Daschle Senate loss - 2/18 @ 8:00PM ET
http://www.edwardsdavid.com/BushVideos/olbermann_gannon_daschle_050218-128-0
1.ram

Olbermann reports that Gannon threatens to sue - 2/21 @ 8:00PM ET
http://www.edwardsdavid.com/BushVideos/olbermann_gannon_threaten_suit_050221
-01.rm

TELL ARNOLD TO MAKE POLLUTERS CLEAN UP ROCKET FUEL-CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER

Last month, thousands of you wrote Gov. Schwarzenegger calling for the state to force polluters to clean up the rocket fuel contamination of our drinking water.

On Tuesday, February 22, a new university study discovered rocket fuel contamination in the breast milk of nursing mothers across the country at levels that can threaten babies. Now, we need your help to make sure the governor acts to protect California's babies by getting rocket fuel out of our water.

If you have a baby in your family or you are pregnant, send a picture of you and/or your baby to the governor, along with a note asking that the governor set a strong cleanup standard of one part per billion that will force polluters to clean up rocket fuel in our drinking water now. Read below for specific talking points for your note.

You can send your note and picture to the Governor by email, fax or snail mail.

E-mail the governor at: [email protected] and cc: Dr. Alan Lloyd, Secretary of CalEPA at [email protected] (NOTE: your picture must be pasted into the email, not attached. The governor doesn't open attachments.)

Fax the governor at: 916-445-4633

Mail the governor at:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Then let us know that you sent your picture, so we can keep track of how many the governor receives. To tell us you contacted the governor, click on the link below or paste it into your web browser:
http://environmentcalifornia.org/envirocalif.asp?id=691&id4=ES

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LAST WEEK'S ACTION ALERTS (still time to act!)

IMPEACH BUSH!

Ramsey Clark has almost half a million signatures.
Please sign and forward this link to others:
http://www.votetoimpeach.org/

More on how you can help persuade Congress to impeach Bush:

http://www.impeach-bush-now.org/





HELP SAVE THE PEOPLE OF DARFUR: 2 CAMPAIGNS
Don Cheadle, nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Hotel Rwanda, and Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager Cheadle portrayed in the film, recently returned from Darfur. They are helping us promote the Hotel Darfur campaign, in which volunteers engage moviegoers to learn about and act to end the violence in Darfur. Learn more at www.savedarfur.org/HotelDarfur.


Join with groups across the U.S. and Canada learning about the issues and standing together against the violence in Darfur. We are urging people in every district to call upon their elected leaders to take the actions necessary to provide security for the people of Darfur. Please help create a program in your community for March 17, 18, 19, or 20. Complete details, including everything you need to prepare, can be found at www.savedarfur.org/100Hours.



STOP MCDONALD’S FROM OUTSOURCING JOBS -- AT DRIVE-UP WINDOWS

McDonald's restaurants in Oregon and southeastern Washington are outsourcing their drive-up window order-taking to a call center 1,300 miles away, in Grand Forks, N.D. There the minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, compared with Oregon's $7.25. For what you can do go to:

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/Stop_Mcdonalds

OPPOSE OFFSHORING OF HIGH-TECH AND PROFESSIONAL JOBS
From the National Writers Union (NWU):

The goal of this campaign is to mobilize NWU members and other writers to help win passage of legislation that regulates the offshoring of high-tech and professional jobs. As the first step it targets legislation that
· Curtails the use of public monies to promote offshoring of U.S. jobs. See Government Offshoring.
· Protects personal privacy by restricting or prohibiting the offshoring of personal financial and medical data.
Sign the petition: http://www.nwu-oppose-offshoring.org/offshoring-campaign/government-offshoring.html

ASK CONGRESS TO COMMIT TO FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF OUR PLANET--& OPPOSE “CLEAR SKIES”
On Wednesday, the world will begin to breathe a littler easier…(no thanks to the U.S.…)President Bush raised a global stink by pulling our nation out of a multi-nation agreement that would limit the production of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Known as the Kyoto Protocol, this United Nations pact goes into force tomorrow with the remaining 136 nations stepping up, while the U.S. ignores its responsibility, even though the U.S. is among the world’s biggest polluters.
As Faithful Americans, we believe the earth is God’s gift and that we are called to be stewards of that gift. Today we’re running an ad in Roll Call, the official publication for members of Congress and their staffs, reminding them of our commitment to faithful stewardship of our planet – our only home.

Additionally, we need you to WRITE TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS…
Next week the Senate begins debate on the administration’s so-called “clear skies” initiative and you can be sure there is nothing clear about it. If passed, it will weaken existing air quality requirements, ignore carbon dioxide, and actually work against the Kyoto Protocol our world neighbors have pledged to uphold. We need you to ad your voice to the Roll Call ad.

CLICK HERE TO WRITE TO THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR SENATORS
http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=juI1LcPZG&b=356219&sid=43846116&action=1797&template=x.ascx

TELL CONGRESS TO VOTE “NO” ON INCREASING AIR POLLUTION
The "Clear Skies" initiative is a legislative attempt to gut the Clean Air Act that has protected the air we breathe for more than 30 years. It repeals protections for our national parks, delays deadlines to meet the Act's health standards, relaxes pollution reduction requirements for power plants and other major pollution sources, and ignores global warming.

If this pollution plan passes, it will mean a huge step backward in reducing the amount of pollution in our air and in our lungs. This pollution plan was rejected by Congress in both 2002 and 2003. But now proponents of this plan are hoping they have the political support to hand over a Sweetheart Deal to major polluters just in time for Valentine's Day.
Please don't delay! The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is expected to vote on the bill this week. Click here to tell your Senators that you oppose the "Clear Skies" initiative.
http://www.savethecleanairact.org/

SUPPORT HOWARD DEAN’S PLAN FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY:
Your representatives in the DNC mandated bottom-up reform -- growing the Democratic Party in your neighborhood and every other community in America. They voted to compete in every state for every level of office. And they demanded a Democratic Party that stands up for itself and for an agenda that reflects our values.
Please read our plan -- and commit to making it a reality:
http://www.democrats.org/plan

PUT FAMILIES FIRST: STOP HEALTH CARE CUTS
Health care is quickly being priced out of reach for millions of Americans. But instead of making health care more affordable, President Bush is making the problem worse by proposing $60 billion in health care cuts that put our families at risk.
You can help by telling your members of Congress and your Governor to oppose these devastating cuts.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/pff_healthcare/6x3es3247b7bxx

TELL CHARLES SCHWAB: STOP SUPPORTING SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVATIZATION!
Charles Schwab is a member of the AWRS and of the Financial Services Roundtable. These and other front groups are raising millions for ad campaigns to sell Social Security privatization to the American public. Charles Schwab's corporate philosophy description says the company's goal is to offer individual investors "useful, ethical services at a fair price." The most ethical service Schwab could provide for working families is to withdraw from the front groups trying to privatize Social Security.
You convinced Edward Jones to leave the main Social Security front group. Now convince Charles Schwab to do the same. Click here:

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/schwab

SUPPORT ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL
Sign our petition to organizations of the anti-choice movement, asking them to join a new campaign to reduce the need for abortion. Senator Harry Reid - who opposes a woman's right to choose - has offered a common-sense bill called the Prevention First Act that would help reduce unintended pregnancies through better access to birth control.
Help us urge our opponents to work with us to pass this bill, and make it the first step in a dialogue about preventing unintended pregnancies.

http://prochoiceaction.org/campaign/open_letter/3k5dbn4f557ewk

URGE CONGRESS TO OPPOSE BUSH’S HEARTLESS BUDGET
Our government's budget should represent our national priorities. But
Mr. Bush's priorities are in the wrong place and the consequence will
be suffering for our most vulnerable neighbors. Please urge your
members of Congress to reject this heartless expression of our
collective goals, and vote instead to extend a helping hand to the
least among us.

Click here to take action!
http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/edxY0IEmbg0OHe0vdW0ET
IMPEACH BUSH!

Ramsey Clark has almost half a million signatures.
Please sign and forward this link to others:
http://www.votetoimpeach.org/

More on how you can help persuade Congress to impeach Bush:
http://www.impeach-bush-now.org/
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PREVIOUS ALERTS (posted 2/10/05)

SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC AGENDA FOR THE 109Th CONGRESS!

A Future of Security, Opportunity and Responsibility

http://democrats.senate.gov/cosponsor-form.html


SUPPORT SENATOR KERRY’S “KIDS COME FIRST” BILL TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR OUR CHILDREN

“We have over 400, 000 co-sponsors through the Internet who want to fight for this, and we are going to fight for it." – John Kerry

http://www.johnkerry.com/KidsFirst


REFUSE TO SURRENDER YOUR FREEDOM.

Join the over 70,000 signatures/pledges and over 400,000 ACLU members in fighting for freedoms and defending our American Values:

reserve the separation of church and state • Amend the Patriot Act to keep us safe and free • Defend the right to dissent • Safeguard a woman's right to choose • Advocate for the full equality of LGBT people • Protect privacy in all aspects of our lives

http://www.aclu.org/refusetosurrender/?orgid=n&MX=1827& ...


TELL PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE RNC: DISAVOW VOTER SUPRESSION

For years, Republicans have used voter intimidation, misinformation, and other tactics to undermine the votes of blacks and other minorities. It's racist, undemocratic, and fundamentally un-American.

We're joining Julian Bond, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., Representatives Maxine Waters and Jesse Jackson, Jr. and others to demand that it stop. Please join us by signing below. " I urge you to publicly disavow all forms of voter suppression and to publicly condemn voter suppression activity by your staff and volunteers. " To learn more specific incidents of voter suppression and the tactics used, read this illuminating report by the People for the American Way Foundation and the NAACP, Sign the petition here..

http://www.moveonpac.org/suppression /

TERMINATE THE TERMINATOR (MONSANTO’S GENE TO KILL OFF GLOBAL CROPS)
Sign Petition to United Nations

Consumer, farmer, and environmental organizations across the globe are mobilizing to stop the legalization and commercialization of the controversial Terminator Gene Technology, whereby seeds are genetically engineered to become sterile or commit suicide after one growing season. The Monsanto corporation and the biotech industry support the Terminator Technology, because it will force many of the 1.4 billion farmers around the world to stop saving their seeds and instead to purchase patented seed varieties from the Gene Giants.
In addition, scientists are concerned that genetic pollution from Terminator crops will lead to killing off a wide range of crops and plants, as Terminator pollen and seeds are spread by the wind, insect pollinators, and commercial seed co-mingling and transportation. After a massive international campaign in 1998, Monsanto Corporation announced they were shelving plans to commercialize the Terminator, while the United Nations (UN) called for a global ban. But on 2/11/2005 renewed efforts to overturn the worldwide ban were launched at a UN conference in Bangkok.
http://organicconsumers.org/un.htm






SUPPORT U.S. ACTION ON GLOBAL WARMING

Today, the historic Climate Stewardship Act (CSA) was reintroduced in the 109th Congress with the promise of firm cuts in heat-trapping gases that contribute to global warming. For several years momentum has been building for the CSA’s market-based approach, which supports clean alternatives to our nation’s transportation and energy needs. Thus far, UCS activists have played a vital role in supporting the bill, sending more than 115,000 messages to their legislators. Now that the CSA has been reintroduced, please contact your members of Congress and tell them to support this crucial measure for the health of our environment.
http://www.ucsaction.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=24292



BECOME A CITIZEN COSPONSOR OF HILARY CLINTON’S COUNT EVERY VOTE ACT

I am asking you to sign on now as a citizen co-sponsor of vitally important election reform legislation. Next week, I will introduce the Count Every Vote Act of 2005, co-sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer. This comprehensive election reform bill will:
· Provide a verified paper ballot for every vote cast in electronic voting machines.
· Set a uniform standard for provisional ballots, so that every qualified voter within the state will know their votes are treated equally and will be counted.
· Require the Federal Election Assistance Commission to issue standards that ensure uniform access to voting machines and election personnel in every community. It's outrageous that some people in predominantly minority communities had to wait up to 10 hours to vote, while people in other communities often voted in minutes!

http://www.friendsofhillary.com/CountEveryVote


STOP BUSH’S BUDGET CUTS—2 ACTION ALERTS:

From the Democratic Party: Tell Bush to Take His Budget Back to the Drawing Board!
The proposed 2006 federal budget President Bush released yesterday would drive America deeper into debt while making cuts that will hurt veterans, farmers, and other working Americans..
Sign our petition today … America needs a responsible budget that meets our priorities while making serious reductions in the deficit.
http://www.democrats.org/action

From Campaign for America’s Future: Tell Congress to Reject the Bush budget!

Tell Congress to reject Bush’s indecent budget proposal! Tell them that you don’t want your government to undercut schools in need, eliminate childcare assistance, keep college out of reach for qualified students, cut Medicaid and foodstamps, and more than double veterans’ co-pays for prescription drugs—all while giving tax cuts to millionaires and hiking the federal deficit to $1.4 trillion!
Please contact your representatives today and demand that they reject the Bush budget and realign America’s spending priorities to serve us all not just a privileged few.
http://www.ourfuture.org/reject_bush_budget.cfm

DEFEND HARRY REID FROM GOP SMEAR MACHINE!
Republicans are again playing their tired old game of trying to demonize--in their words "Daschle-ize"--anyone who disagrees with them. This time they are calling newly elected Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid names just for taking principled stands against the administration's most extreme positions.
It's not going to work and a big reason for that is you. We need you and every American tired of the hypocrisy emanating from George Bush and his cronies at the RNC to stand with Harry by signing our new petition.
http://action.dscc.org/campaign/reid


PREVENT FORCED DRUGGING OF OUR KIDS:
SAY NO TO THE NEW FREEDOM COMMISSION!

Bush wants to make testing our children for mental illness mandatory. Parental consent is not required. This could lead to forced drugging of your kids. Please sign this petition:

http://www.thelibertycommittee.org/pcapetition.htm


DEMAND A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR! HOW DID A FAKE JOURNALIST FROM A GOP FRONT GROUP GET A WHITE HOUSE PRESS PASS?

Sign a petition demanding appointment of a special prosecutor to look into how Jeff Gannon of Talon News managed to get a White House press pass—despite the fact that he used a fake name, holds no bona fide jorurnalism degree, works for a GOP-front group and is the alleged operator of several gay escort service websites!
http://democrats.com/gannon


TELL YOUR SENATORS TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL & CONTRACEPTION:
While Republican leaders are fast-tracking a bill that would endanger young women’s health, familiy-planning supporters are promoting policies that will actually help women by preventing unintended pregnancy and reducing the need for abortion.
Urge your senators to focus on the issues on which we share common ground and become a cosponsor of the Prevention First Act today!
http://prochoiceaction.org/campaign/sen_reidprevention_0205/77bgd6rr5jmx58


STOP ROLLBACKS OF OVERFISHING PROTECTION

One quarter of commercial fish in U.S. waters are overfished or in danger of being overfished. Populations of tuna, cod, skate and grouper are much smaller than decades ago. But the Bush Administration has proposed weakening standards that protect fisheries from overfishing - standards that are starting to help some fish make a comeback. With the seafood industry generating over 250,000 jobs and contributing billions to our nation's economy, healthy fisheries mean a healthy economy. Tell the U.S. government's lead fisheries official keep overfishing protections.
http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/overfish/8k73se42j855xt
“CLEAR SKIES” UP FOR VOTE NEXT WEEK: URGE CONGRESS TO OPPOSE THIS SMOKESCREEN
Dirty Secrets Behind the Misnamed "Clear Skies" Bill
Over 30,000 Environmental Defense activists have spoken out against the misnamed "Clear Skies" bill - an unprecedented rollback to our nation's clean air laws. Reintroduced by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the bill would make lasting, damaging changes to the Clean Air Act. A Senate Committee will consider "Clear Skies" next week - tell your senators and President Bush to support healthier air, not a smokescreen.
http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/clearskies/8k73se42j855xt

SUPPORT THE VOTER ACT: HR 533 (CONYERS & TUBBS-JONES)
Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was proud to join in the challenge of Ohio's electors and to protest the numerous voting irregularities which shamed our country in the 2004 presidential election. Now is the time to pass legislation to make certain such abuses do not happen and every vote is counted in future elections. Election outcomes must be determined by voters, not politicians.

To achieve this goal, we call on every PDA activist to lobby their Congressional Representatives to support and/or cosponsor the VOTER Act (H.R. 533), introduced by Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. Send a letter to your representatives now by clicking here

http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=6942056
STOP WAL-MART’S WAR ON WORKERS!
From Union Voice:
Together, as consumers and as activists, we have the power to stop Wal-Mart's attack on workers—and to hold corporations accountable for Wal-Marting jobs. This is a battle about the kind of society we want to live in and the kinds of jobs we want our children to have. You can make a difference.
Click here to sign the petition to Wal-Mart's CEO:
www.unionvoice.org/campaign/walmart_accountable

SAVE CONSUMERS’ RIGHT TO SUE CORPORATE LOOTERS & POLLUTERS


The Senate just approved a bill to restrict class action lawsuits to clogged federal courts, even where existing state remedies might be more effective. Unless you raise your voice now, we will lose our protection against corporations that put greed above public safety. Urge Congress to vote “NO” on this bad measure!
http://www.usalone.com/class_action.htm


PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE U.S. SENATE: SAVE THE FILIBUSTER

From Common Cause: The filibuster has a long history in the Senate of fending off actions supported by a bare majority, but deeply offensive to the minority. If an individual senator were to abuse the privilege of the filibuster, he or she could be over overridden by a super majority of 60 votes.

To remove a long-standing parliamentary maneuver to serve immediate partisan goals violates core democratic values and is an anathema to the Senate's long standing commitment to consensus and a bipartisan deliberative process... It is an abuse of power to strip the Senate minority of a tool designed to protect its rights – rights both parties have vociferously defended throughout the Senate’s history

We the undersigned call on the United States Senators not to support changing of long standing Senate filibuster rules to blatantly advance one party’s goals.

http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=317178&en=jfKJJLPpGaLGJSPCK9KCIUOvGfKWI1NvE8JHKYOIKtH

PROTEST SCHWARZENEGGER’S BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR CALIFORNIA

Send a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger regarding his budget. Tell the Governor you do not want him piling debt onto our grandchildren just so he can pursue the Bush/Rove/Norquist extremist agenda.Click here to Speak Out! http://ga4.org/campaign/Budget05
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME FROM IRAQ:
Senator Kennedy says “It’s time to take the target off our troops.” Sign the petition calling for American troops to come home by the end of 2006.
http://action.democraticmajority.com/petition/

STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY:

• Email your Members of Congress and ask them to strengthen Social Security, not weaken it with private accounts - go to: http://capwiz.com/aarp/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=5744286

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to explain why George Bush's plan to cut promised Social Security benefits is wrong. The DNC has made it really easy to do, just go to http://www.democrats.org/action/200501050001.html

• Join AARP's fight to keep Social Security strong at http://www.aarp.org/tools/partner?url=http://capwiz.com/aarp/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=5744286

SAVE OUR NATIONAL FORESTS

If influential leaders like California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stand by silently, President Bush will eliminate the Roadless Area Conservation Rule that protects unspoiled national forest lands from coast to coast. Tell Gov. Schwarzenegger to stand up for California's and all of America's national forests. For what you can do go to http://www.savebiogems.org/takeaction.asp



SAVE CONSUMERS’ RIGHT TO SUE CORPORATE LOOTERS & POLLUTERS


The Senate has approved restriction of class action lawsuits to federal court, even where existing state remedies might be more effective. It will be voted on in the House any day now. Urge your Congressional representative to Vote NO!

http://www.usalone.com/class_action.htm


PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE U.S. SENATE: SAVE THE FILIBUSTER

From Common Cause: The filibuster has a long history in the Senate of fending off actions supported by a bare majority, but deeply offensive to the minority. If an individual senator were to abuse the privilege of the filibuster, he or she could be over overridden by a super majority of 60 votes.

To remove a long-standing parliamentary maneuver to serve immediate partisan goals violates core democratic values and is an anathema to the Senate's long standing commitment to consensus and a bipartisan deliberative process.

It is wrong to jettison a longtime Senate procedure simply because it is inconvenient to one party’s goals. It is an abuse of power to strip the Senate minority of a tool designed to protect its rights – rights both parties have vociferously defended throughout the Senate’s history

We the undersigned call on the United States Senators not to support changing of long standing Senate filibuster rules to blatantly advance one party’s goals.

http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=317178&en=jfKJJLPpGaLGJSPCK9KCIUOvGfKWI1NvE8JHKYOIKtH

PROTEST SCHWARZENEGGER’S BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR CALIFORNIA
Send a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger regarding his budget. Tell the Governor you do not want him piling debt onto our grandchildren just so he can pursue the Bush/Rove/Norquist extremist agenda.Click here to Speak Out! http://ga4.org/campaign/Budget05
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME FROM IRAQ:
Senator Kennedy says “It’s time to take the target off our troops.” Sign the petition calling for American troops to come home by the end of 2006.
http://action.democraticmajority.com/petition/

STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY:

• Email your Members of Congress and ask them to strengthen Social Security, not weaken it with private accounts - go to: http://capwiz.com/aarp/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=5744286


Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to explain why George Bush's plan to cut promised Social Security benefits is wrong. The DNC has made it really easy to do, just go to http://www.democrats.org/action/200501050001.html

• Join AARP's fight to keep Social Security strong at http://www.aarp.org/tools/partner?url=http://capwiz.com/aarp/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=5744286


SAVE OUR NATIONAL FORESTS

If influential leaders like California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stand by silently, President Bush will eliminate the Roadless Area Conservation Rule that protects unspoiled national forest lands from coast to coast. Tell Gov. Schwarzenegger to stand up for California's and all of America's national forests. For what you can do go to http://www.savebiogems.org/takeaction.asp


ASK CONGRESS FOR REAL SECURITY REFORMS—NOT A WAR ON IMMIGRANTS

From the ACLU: The United States is a nation of immigrants with a long, proud history of granting asylum to those fleeing from religious or political persecution. But "security reform" legislation introduced in Congress makes a mockery of that tradition with an outrageous requirement that would force many asylum seekers to get supporting evidence from the very governments they are fleeing. House Judiciary Committee Chairman, James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), has proposed a bill . This bill would allow officials to require people seeking asylum to get supporting evidence from the very governments they are fleeing. It would also impose federal control over the issuance of state drivers licenses, even if this violation of their own policies. Further, it would expand the PATRIOT Act to allow deportations of lawful permanent residents for providing non-violent, humanitarian support to organizations later labeled as "terrorist" by the government, even where such support was completely legal at the time it was provided.
Tell Congess to oppose H.R. 418, the REAL ID ACT of 2005:

http://www.aclu.org/ImmigrantsRights/ImmigrantsRights.cfm?ID=17407&c=22

[moggie12]

1. Done and kick

Thank you for compiling these, Liberty Belle!!

[blm]

2. Kick

and keep kicked

[Extend a Hand]

3. Thanks.

whew. what a good list. My husband and I both just went through it and signed them.

I recently saw a post where someone thought that no one was doing his action alerts. So I thought I would reply and let you know that I appreciate them and I almost always do them.

[Liberty Belle]

4. Thanks, all! Copy and paste these into e-mails, too,

and forward them to friends.

[Califooyah Operative]

5. Kick - Pass on and Recommend! nt

[Califooyah Operative]

6. Check This Out - Regarding Online Petitions

This is how I pass out petitions to my contacts away from Democratic Underground. The reason I have all this written out is because it was the subject of a speech I gave in a speech class. Otherwise there's always a couple people (out of thousands) who complain how pointless it is to sign petitions, etc.
--------------------------

Sign these online petitions. If you don’t think they make a difference, read this first;
1. Online Petitions are a political tool and can make a difference, especially if part of a bigger game plan/strategy
a. They allow us to lobby, persuade, and pressure – see below
b. They allow us to show support or opposition for an issue/cause
c. They serve as Political firepower for leadership – see below
d. They Allow us/others to gauge support for a issue/cause
e. They are an opportunity for the grassroots/groups to show off their numbers
f. They help us and others to Organize, outreach, and fundraise as well as stay informed and involved.
g. They allow us to co-sponsor actual congressional legislation
2. CNN reacted twice to petitions and pressure
a. Once issuing an apology for alleged bias against Muslim women.
b. Once resulting in a resignation – See. A. Jordan
3. General Wesley Clark Prior to announcing his run for the democratic presidential nomination credited an online petition and grassroots supporters for convincing him to do so.
4. Petitions are becoming more common as utilization of the internet for grassroots activism and organization continues to evolve.
5. They’re becoming more effective as major political parties and organizations adopt them as a political tool.

A couple of quotes from recently...Re: petitions.....
2 John Kerry quotes from meet the press yesterday, regarding his/internet petitions/co-sponsorships;
"So I think we did a great job, and we are going to continue to build on that campaign as I am now with my Kids First health plan. We have over 400, 000 co-sponsors through the Internet who want to fight for this, and we are going to fight for it."

"I believe that Secretary Rumsfeld has managed this about as inappropriately and with as much miscalculation as any war leader in our history. I personally called for his resignation over a year and a half ago. Eight hundred thousand people have signed a petition on our Web site calling for his resignation. I think there's a very strong feeling in the country--you heard it from Senator McCain and others--of lack of confidence in the manager of this war."

2 Barbara Boxer quotes mentioning her petitions;
Senator Boxer on the floor Re: Rice - "I have tens of thousands of signatures”

Senator Boxer in email "More than 94, 000 Americans from across the country signed my petition and stood together to demand the truth from Condoleezza Rice. It was truly an overwhelming response -- much more than I could have anticipated. "

"This is just the beginning"


---------------Petitions – Sign Them and Pass Them On--------------

[Liberty Belle]

7. That's great! Thanks.

[Califooyah Operative]

12. thanks. nt kick

[ohtransplant]

8. Whew! Done and recommended. n/t

[Gelliebeans]

9. Done and kicked

Thank you for taking the time to gather all of these important issues in one place. :)

[tommcintyre]

10. Posted the MoveOn.org Repair the Vote part in the 2004 ERD forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x335652

[Kota]

11. Thanks, that kept me busy for awhile.