Prog Blogs, Orgs & Alumni
Bank Slate
Betsy Devine
birch, finch, beech
Democracy for NH
Live Free or Die
Mike Caulfield
Miscellany Blue
Granite State Progress
Seacoast for Change
Still No Going Back
Susan the Bruce
Tomorrow's Progressives
Politicos & Punditry
The Burt Cohen Show
John Gregg
Krauss
Landrigan
Lawson
Pindell
Primary Monitor
Primary Wire
Scala
Schoenberg
Spiliotes
Welch
Campaigns, Et Alia.
Paul Hodes
Carol Shea-Porter
Ann McLane Kuster
John Lynch
Jennifer Daler
ActBlue Hampshire
NHDP
DCCC
DSCC
DNC
National
Balloon Juice
billmon
Congress Matters
DailyKos
Digby
Hold Fast
Eschaton
FiveThirtyEight
MyDD
The Next Hurrah
Open Left
Senate Guru
Swing State Project
Talking Points Memo
50 State Blog Network
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Sometimes stories happen because of planning; other times serendipity intervenes, which is how we got to the conversation we'll be having today.
In an exchange of comments on the Blue Hampshire site, I proposed an idea that could be of real value to unions, workers...and surprisingly, employers.
If things worked out correctly, not only would lots of people feel a real desire to have unions represent them, but employers would potentially be coming to unions looking to forge relationships, and, just to make it better, this plan bypasses virtually all of the tools and techniques employers use to shut out union organizers.
Since I just thought this up myself, I'm really not sure exactly how practical the whole thing is, and the last part of the discussion today will be provided by you, as I ask you to sound off on whether this plan could work, and if so, how it could be made better.
It's a new week...so let's all put our heads together and rebuild the labor movement, shall we?
In my dysfunctional family, there use to be a mindset that I could call my brother an asshole, but if someone from the outside called him one, it was on. Well a member of my other D family - the Democrats is pissing me off today.
There is a lovely article in the Nashua Telegraph (with pictures!) which features Governor Lynch helping a single mom and her son carry a turkey from the Food Bank to their apartment complex in Manchester.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com...
This morning a bunch of members of the State Employees' Association, SEIU Local 1984, put food baskets together for the state workers who were (unnecessarily) laid off a few weeks ago. These were the Governor's employees. He was their boss. Sorry to say Lynch didn't show up to help these folks get their turkeys home. He didn't contribute to our Benevolent fund, which helps with the utility bills, rent, gasoline, etc, for these folks.
I understand that times are tough all over and that that mother and her son are also his constituents, but try to imagine how a laid off employee felt upon seeing that picture. I was there this morning and talked to a few people who were disheartened that Lynch hasn't once reached out to them and shown sympathy. He didn't go into the Employment Security office and come out with their checks.
He can do something.
For the first time ever, Operation Santa Claus, an SEA institution for over 40 years, has wish lists for the children of our own members rather than just the lists we get from DHHS offices.
I would like to challenge Governor and Dr. Lynch (and any other Democratic legislator for that matter) to ask for a wish list and shop for one of these children. This is a hell of a time of year to be out of work. The kids shouldn't have to go without holiday gifts and warm winter clothes.
Now, if any Republican has anything to say about this.. it's on like Donkey Kong!
As readers of www.BlueHampshire.com may remember from the many posts a few months ago that I wrote concerning House Bill 436 and the long fight for marriage equality, Janson Wu of GLAD -- the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders based in Boston, was very helpful to our cause. He worked with those of us writing the legislation, and either attended in person or by conference call our weekly strategy meetings throughout the Spring.
I first met Janson in early December of last year after he called me to offer his support. He presented excellent testimony at the public hearings and provided extensive research and data that was crucial to our eventual success. He is a tireless advocate for equality.
He continues to help. GLAD, along with the Lavender Caucus of the SEIU, the NH Civil Liberties Union, and PFLAG-New Hampshire -- all organizations very much involved in the success of marriage equality in the Legislature -- will be co-hosting two Workshops during the next few weeks in Concord and Portsmouth for how-to discussions about getting married.
The process in New Hampshire for gays and lesbians will be essentially as easy (or complicated!) as for differently-gendered couples. We're going to be using the same form that is now available for everyone at their city and town halls. However, Janson and others will talk about "...some of the tips and traps..." that GLAD has learned over the years about exactly what legal marriage means.
NH gov takes gaming off table in budget debate (Norma Love, AP)
CONCORD, N.H.-Gov. John Lynch is taking video slots off the table in hopes of wooing support from New Hampshire lawmakers disappointed gaming wasn't in the budget package they will vote on Wednesday. Lynch told reporters Tuesday he will appoint a commission to study gaming, but he won't support expanding gambling in New Hampshire this year.
The vote tomorrow is expected to be very close. Everyone knows Governor Lynch has been doing the rain dance the last few days to get the needed votes to pass the bill. On the other side of the issue is the State Employees Association/SEIU Local 1984, which held a press conference today calling for the budget to be sent back to the conference of committee.
SEA President Gary Smith:
"We are gathered here today to ask our State Legislators to reconsider the proposed State Budget. This budget doesn't work. It doesn't solve the real problem of providing adequate funding for public services. It fails because it adds taxes and fees onto residents who can least afford them. It fails because it adds to the burden of property taxpayers by downloading state obligations. It fails because it hurts people who need help during this tough time."
Yesterday, SEIU's Change That Works program organized more than 10,000 people across the nation to hit the streets and protest outside major banks. New Hampshire's team involved more than 100 New Hampshire residents in "It's GREED, Not Luck" protests at Bank of America locations across the state. There is a great WMUR clip about it here.
This is important stuff. As I listened to a story on NHPR this morning about Republican members of Congress bloodthirsty to pin all the blame on recently-appointed Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, it reminded me how quickly the conservative press team points the partisan finger.
And yet, this group was out in force yesterday rallying people community by community to protest corporate abuses and call on Congress to enact real change.
Judging by how many people turned out to participate, New Hampshire agrees. According to the press release, they selected Bank of America because:
Since last fall, Bank of America has taken $45 billion in taxpayer bailout funds, but plans to layoff 30,000 to 35,000 workers, has awarded $5.2 million in corporate bonuses, and continues to charge consumers some of the highest fees in the industry. The bank's CEO, Ken Lewis, makes $4,800 an hour while paying his workers $10.50 an hour, and leaving taxpayers with a $50 million a year tab for employee health care costs.
In addition to WMUR, the events were picked up in the Portsmouth Herald, Fosters and the Valley News.
They said more protests and rallies are planned for the spring and summer. The group is focusing on passing the Employee Free Choice Act, supporting President Obama's budget to make quality, affordable health care for all a reality, and enacting strong banking reforms.
Folks,
There is a very important press release over at Granite State Progress which I have pasted below.
The Center for American Progress Action Fund has released a study of the consequences of the McCain Health Care Plan for the people of New Hampshire.
I have the full details of the report and plan on producing a short series of diaries, so that the data can be closely scrutinized. It is my hope that this forum can, through discussion, more clearly highlight the scope of impact McCain's Plan will have on the families in New Hampshire.
This is very sobering stuff, folks.
UPDATE: I canvassed the ether, posting links to the reports cited in the PR below. My plan is to delve more deeply into each of the bulleted comments, using what I can find to test the veracity of the points made. Each will get its own dairy. One every few days.
NEW REPORT SHOWS MCCAIN PLAN WOULD TAKE AWAY HEALTH BENEFITS OF 100,000 IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Under Proposed Plan, Millions of Middle Class Families in New Hampshire Would Also Face Tax Increase
CONCORD - A new report released today by the Center for American Progress Action Fund (CAPAF) shows that Senator John McCain's proposed health care plan would threaten the employer-based health benefits of 840,000 people in New Hampshire and that as many as 100,000 people in the state could lose their health coverage. These findings, confirmed by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), were compounded by the fact that the McCain health care plan would amount to a tax increase for middle class families in New Hampshire, with the average family paying almost $700 more in taxes by 2013.
At the second quarterly Council meeting of the State Employees' Association, SEIU Local 1984 last night, something happened that knocked the wind out of me.
The major portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the recent SEIU Convention in Puerto Rico. Its theme was "Justice for all - Pass it on." NH sent a delegation of twelve delegates and four guests. Among the guests was a member of our Board of Directors who had been unable to run for a seat on the delegation as he had been serving in Iraq. Initially I was hesitant to agree with this because I figured he was going to use this as a free opportunity to party. From what I knew of this man, my union Brother, he wasn't a big fan of our international union and I was afraid he might spoil the experience for others who were ready to go and work. To my surprise he attended every session (unlike some of our elected delegates).
Until last night I didn't realize how much he had absorbed in Puerto Rico. Towards the end of the Council meeting he asked for a moment of personal privilege and stood to speak. He talked about how much going to Puerto Rico had meant to him. He talked about the theme of the convention and how he took "justice for all" to mean that, "Our job is not just to look out for ourselves," he said, "we need to help the workers in Canada and Puerto Rico and Burma."
And then my Brother said, "on Sunday I'm leaving for Iraq to fight in a war I don't believe in, but when I get back in a year I hope you'll welcome me back on this board". He went on to say that, when he got back, he looked forward to getting behind SEIU and the "Justice for All" campaign. He thanked SEA for sending him to Puerto Rico and SEIU for opening his eyes to the possibilities of global unity.
The young man's name is Bruce van Landingham and, when not serving in the army, he works for the NH Department of Transportation. I ask everyone reading this to pray, chant, send white light, think good thoughts or whatever your faith proscribes you do to bring health and protection to my Brother Bruce.
This war has always been wrong, but now, for me, it has a face.
This group of allied Labor Unions comprised of the Trades who dropped out of the AFL-CIO, have wholeheartedly backed Obama, and state the case that Jack is afraid to !
February 21, 2008, 1:59 pm Change to Win Gets Behind Obama
By Steven Greenhouse
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes...
snip
Ms. Burger said Mrs. Clinton should consider ending her candidacy.
"It's time possibly for her to recognize that change is happening and it's happening for Barack Obama," she said.
Change to Win officials said that member unions would coordinate their door knocking and phone calls. They said the seven unions have 60,000 members in Texas and 25,000 in Rhode Island.
"Our mobilization will be much more effective if we do it together than if we do it separately," said Ms. Burger, who also serves as the secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union.
Is it just me, or does John Edwards sometimes remind anyone else of your typical superhero? You know, fighting for the little guy, saving democracy, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Well, OK, maybe not that last one, but the man is inspiring.
Today, John gave a speech in New Hampshire that was all about saving democracy. After years of having politicians tell us that the best we can expect is incremental change within our broken system, it is quite astounding to hear someone actually tell the truth about what is wrong with our system, and propose major reforms to fix it. To me, having the courage to confront our big problems and offer real solutions makes John a real hero, despite the conspicuous lack of spandex in his wardrobe.
