As I walked around Rockaways yesterday for awhile I had some time to just think until my friends arrived and we started cleaning up their house. During that period all I could think of was how badly Republicans have treated America. The refusal to fund infrastructure repairs. The refusal to even consider the science of climate change. The cutting to the bone of first responders, FEMA, etc. The rapid and deliberate destruction of America simply to increase the profits of the 1%.
It...is...DISGUSTING.
Republicans used to have a genuine ideology and, even though I disagreed with their ideology, they still meant the best for America.
THAT IS NO LONGER TRUE.
Republican voters still believe in the Republican party of a time when Republicans STOOD for something other than naked greed.
But Republican leaders are the most corrupt, greedy, anti-American, anti-working class, anti-cop, anti-middle class, anti-nurse, anti-firefighter, anti-teacher, anti-retiree...ANTI FUCKING AMERICAN bunch of fanatics I have seen in my lifetime of political activism.
WE MUST STOP THEM.
From Katrina to Sandy, from collapsing bridges to collapsing schools to collapsing wages...Republicans have become the biggest threat to America and our freedoms and our economy of my lifetime. Republicans are by FAR more of a threat to America than communism and radical Islam put together.
WE MUST STOP THEM.
I have spent a fair amount of my time in NYC politics fighting Mayor Bloomberg. He has done a huge amount wrong including closing firehouses, schools, hospitals, etc. that were very much needed.
But he and I share some fundamental values that he does NOT share with Republicans: gay rights, women's choice, and listening to scientists and reality when it comes to global warming. Today Bloomberg and I agree on the CRITICAL necessity of re-electing Obama...and I would add sweeping as many races for the Dems as possible.
We have only a few more days to win this one and Sandy has reminded us of just how critical this election is...not just for President but all the way down the ticket. Infrastructure, climate change, first responders, nurses, hospitals, schools, FEMA...these critical aspects of modern civilization are being destroyed by the Greedy Oil Party and we have to stop them.
Donations of money and time are needed. I have some suggestions, though I can't cover all states.
FOR EVERYONE:
For those who are feeling optimistic about Democratic chances this year and who want to push extra hard to make this year's results like 2006 and 2008, here is an Act Blue site dedicated to turning lean Repub seats blue. Only two donors so far so please chip in if you want to be aggressive this election.
And for those who are feeling like we need more defense than offense, I just made a companion Act Blue site to the above which focuses on those races where Dems are polling slightly ahead but we could still lose if we aren't careful. Be the first to donate there if you want to help with defense.
Here is a phone banking effort anyone in any state can do at home:
Make phone calls through Democracy for America to support Progressive candidates
IN NYC:
Despite the hurricane we have some close races right here in NYC and they pit reasonable Democrats against corrupt Republican extremists. Now more than ever we need to win because Republican policies are hurting NYC itself quite blatantly. Many people (like myself) are stuck at home without being heavily impacted by the hurricane. We can help GOTV and/or help hurricane victims. Both are necessary for NYC and America.
Help GOTV in Brooklyn for Mark Murphy for Congress (we can win this one with some effort!) and Andrew Gounardes for New York State Senate
Can we defeat sleazy Republican congressman Grimm and dead weight State Senator Marty Golden? In the past the local Dem party boss was too close to Golden and the Repubs to actually lead the party against them. But a change of party boss can make a difference and this year the Brooklyn Dem party actually wants to defeat Republicans! And you can help.
You can help either through their websites (above) or help both at once through the Stars and Stripes Democratic Club:
Stars & Stripes Democratic Club
7321 15th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11228
(718) 236-1120
LOCAL NEW YORK CANVASSING
Saturday, Nov. 3rd
Canvassing for Grace Meng, candidate for Congress (NY-06)
116-16 Queens Blvd
Forest Hills, NY
Email hershparekh@gmail.com for more info.
For those who want to help victims of Sandy, here are a list of Brooklyn shelters that need volunteers and donations (this comes from my State Committeemember Chris Owens...don't have a list for other boroughs):
BROOKLYN SHELTERS
* NYC Technical College, 300 Jay Street
* Park Slope Armory, 361 15th Street
* J.H.S. 57, 125 Stuyvesant Avenue
* I.S. 111, 35 Starr Street
* I.S. 117, 300 Willoughby Avenue
* I.S. 136, 4004 4th Avenue
* P.S. 189, 1100 East New York Avenue
* I.S. 246, 72 Veronica Place
* P.S. 249, 18 Marlborough Road
* I.S. 271, 1137 Herkimer Street
* I.S. 55, 2021 Bergen Street
* I.S. 292, 300 Wyona Street
* I.S. 383, 1300 Greene Avenue
* Franklin K. Lane High School, 999 Jamaica Avenue
* Brooklyn Tech High School, 29 Fort Greene Place
* Boys & Girls High School, 1700 Fulton Street
* John Jay High School, 237 7th Avenue
* Bushwick High School, 400 Irving Avenue
* I.S. 187, 1171 65th Street
* Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, 5800 20th Avenue
* Clara Barton High School, 901 Classon Avenue
Show up and volunteer either for a campaign or a shelter.
IN WISCONSIN: in this critical swing state here are things you can do:
From the Milwaukee Labor Council: GOTV
GOTV Schedule Nov 1- 6
Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee Counties
Canvassing Office, Milwaukee Labor Council
633 S. Hawley Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53214
414-520-0344
jwoodards@aflcio.org
Predictive Dialer Office, Wisconsin AFL-CIO
6333 W. Bluemound Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53213
414-573-2170
SHIFT TIMES
9 AM- 12 PM
12 PM - 3 PM
3 PM - 6 PM
5 PM - 8 PM
And for Election Protection in the Milwaukee area:
Volunteers Needed for Election Protection
Wisconsin Election Protection will be in full force on Election Day and you can help. First if you would like to be a NON- PRATISAN Election Day Observer for Wisconsin Election Protection please sign up at through this link http://www.lwvwi.org/... Volunteers are needed and we have a need for observers in Milwaukee. You will be contacted about dates and times for training in Milwaukee.
You can also help by circulating the 1-866-OUR VOTE, 1-866-687-8683 national hotline number. This number will be answered and any election related issue can and will be addressed. Please use the number, in any community you live in for any election related problem, circulate it widely, thank you.
Next I want to highlight particular candidates who need our help in Wisconsin in general. You can donate to help these candidates through my
Embarrass Romney/Ryan 2012 Act Blue website.
WI-SEN:
The tea party is really aiming for this seat. We need to defend it if we want to hold onto the Senate. We also need to show Ryan that his greedy and cruel vision for Wisconsin and America is a failure and that his own state prefers the more progressive vision of Tammy Baldwin. This has been a tough race and it looked like the Repubs were going to win it. But we have been fighting back hard and it now leans Dem. But we can't take it for granted. Let's win it solidly!
You can read more about Tammy Baldwin at Democracy for America.
WI-01:
Rob Zerban is running for Paul Ryan's own seat. I say lets fight the right on their own territory. If we can give Ryan a run for his (ample) money right in his own district it will send a clear message how sick America is of his extremist views. After last night's embarrassing performance by Ry maybe his own district will start turning on him.
WI-07:
This is a key House race. This is a real chance to pick up a seat from the Republicans. But right now it leans Repub. Again, that has GOT to change and we can do it.
Patrick Kreitlow has been endorsed by the Intl. Association of Firefighters, Steelworkers Union, National Farmers Union, NARAL Pro-Choice America Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFL-CIO, League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund Sierra Club, United Auto Workers, WI Federation of Nurses, and WI Alliance for Retired American, among others.
WI-08:
This is another pick up opportunity for Democrats in the House. This one is trending away from us but we can still turn it around.
Jamie Wall has been endorsed by Green Bay Firefighters, the Alliance of Retired Americans, the Teamsters, Human Rights Campaign, American Federation of Teachers- Wisconsin, American Nurses Association, United Auto Workers, and many others.
WI-SD-18:
Jessica King is one of my favorite Democrats. And she has been for several years.
Jessica King is one of the best things to happen to the Wisconsin State Senate, winning one of the hard fought recall elections against the right wing extremist Republicans. Jessica King is intelligent and very capable and will make an excellent State Senator.
She has been endorsed by Progressive Majority and is one of America's best progressives. Let's make sure she wins re-election.
WI-SD-32:
Jennifer Shilling is another Progressive Majority endorsed candidate who won one of the recall elections. And this is another seat worth defending.
WI-SD-22:
Bob Wirch was one of the Democrats targeted by Republicans for recall...but we beat them, defending Bob's Senate seat. Let's show him we still have his back. Bib Wirch is also endorsed by Progressive Majority.
WI-SD-30:
Dave Hansen was also one of the Democrats targeted by Republicans for recall...but again, we beat them. Let's show him we still have his back. Dave Hansen is also endorsed by Progressive Majority.
Again, you can donate to help these candidates through my Embarrass Romney/Ryan 2012 Act Blue website.
From a Badger State reader:
Here's some links. Please visit them to find out how you can volunteer and/or donate to these campaigns:
State Senator Jessica King
Wisconsin 6th Congressional District Candidate Joe Kallas
US Senate Candidate Tammy Baldwin
Ryan Flejter (facebook link), the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's 53rd Assembly District.
FOR IOWA VOTERS:
Wisconsin was where my mother's family settled after coming to America. Iowa was where my father's family settled.
My top race to target this year has been the IA-4 race pitting solid Democrat Christine Vilsack against Republican teabagger extremist Steve King. King opposed helping the victims of Katrina and he opposes helping the victims of Sandy. He is a right wing fanatic who HAS to be defeated.
Iowa readers, please click here to volunteer for Christine Vilsack.
And once again some things EVERYONE can do:
For those who are feeling optimistic about Democratic chances this year and who want to push extra hard to make this year's results like 2006 and 2008, here is an Act Blue site dedicated to turning lean Repub seats blue. Only two donors so far so please chip in if you want to be aggressive this election.
And for those who are feeling like we need more defense than offense, I just made a companion Act Blue site to the above which focuses on those races where Dems are polling slightly ahead but we could still lose if we aren't careful. Be the first to donate there if you want to help with defense.
Here is a phone banking effort anyone in any state can do at home:
Make phone calls through Democracy for America to support Progressive candidates
That's what I have on hand in terms of efforts. Please post others, but more importantly, DONATE TIME AND MONEY TO AN EFFORT!
Please. Let's put even more effort into the next few days.