A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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The orange pinpoints are the location of each organized group of Daily Kos readers.
If you'd like to join a group, click on a point and a box will pop up showing contact links.
If you'd like to start a group, contact navajo for instructions.
View Interactive Map of Daily Kos Regional Communities in a full screen version.
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Happy Humpday
Who do YOU do it for?
When it comes to politics, something drives each one of us. It may be a single issue, like abortion or Marriage Equality. But at heart, the real reason each of us has partaken of the fruit of conflict and negotiation is someone near and dear to us.
For me? It's my family. My two daughters & sons-in-law and my three grandchildren. My personal stake in the future.
THEY are what drives me to continue to accost total strangers in grocery stores during elections years (and the other ones, too, if I'm honest, I've become a year-round one-woman GOTV machine). They make me
care about who gets elected.
Because I know how dire things can get if we, as a People, just give up all hope and decide that
we can just live with things the way they are, no matter how shitty that might be.
I know that this country of ours has survived other eras where the great unwashed masses fell victim to a greedy upper-class run by veritable psychopaths whose most greatly desired goal was no more than the accumulation of as many greenbacks as they could acquire - and then some... but this modern era we are living in now? It's not as forgiving as former eras, because when times got hard for my grandparents during the Great Depression, they could eke out a living on the family farm - because up until the early-to-mid 20th century, most people in the United States lived on family farms.
My own mother grew up on a working farm in Battle Ground, Washington where they raised milk cows, chickens, pigs, corn and truck farm vegetables on forty acres. My granddad was a working musician and so were most of the kids in the family, but that farm fed them, for the most part. When I was kid in the 1960s, and we visited my grandmother's farm, us kids got to take rides on the cows. Man, you've never realized how wide a cow is until someone plops you up onto the back of one (sans saddle or blanket or reins, mind you).
So I know that my family needs the helping hand of the Federal Government when times get hard. Hopefully we won't all be so hard up that we need to be rescued - but in the event we (or they, after I'm taking the long dirt nap) do end up in dire straights, I need to know that a Safety Net is going to catch them. I just do.
I really want a much more enhanced Safety Net than we currently have access to in this country. I want what the German people (and Americans, too, if we can get ourselves to Germany, it appears) were recently afforded by their Federal Government: No Tuition college. That's right, in Germany even Americans can come and attend one of their schools of Higher Learning, at the high, high cost of FREE.
Why can't we have that here, in America, the richest nation to have ever existed on the face of the Earth?
You know why. The same reason we can't have a Surgeon General. Because our nation's capital is inhabited by a Horde of Unreasonable, Obstruction-bound BONEHEADS who are masquerading as politicians - occasionally. When they are not on another damned paid vacation.
So if you would rather enjoy a better standard of living, I beg of you - Do something to GOTV during the coming days until November 4th, and help remind Voters to cast their ballots and to cast them for Democratic Party candidates!
The lack of will of The People to participate in their Democracy, is often due to actual obstruction to their exercising their Franchise, such as lack of enough voting machines in their neighborhood or even their town or city or borough. But early voting is available in many states and reminder calls are going out every day by volunteers for MoveOn.org's GOTV project: Voters Rising.
Can you help make some of those calls from the security of your own home? Or Door Knock to help a local, state or Federal candidate in your own precinct or another in your own town or city? Some of your fellow Kossacks have been doing so already. They've written a number of diaries about them. Like smileycreek did for South Dakota's Rick Weiland and SteelerGrrl in Diary of a Canvassing Virgin did.
If phone banking isn't your cup of tea?
Contact any local candidate for ANY OFFICE where you live, and offer to do some Walk-n-Knock in your own town. Is a couple of hours of your life too much to ask to help us move this country in a better direction?
Do a little Freeway Blogging for the candidate or issue of your choice. Don't know how? Let our own Kossack friend Freeway Blogger show you how to do it!
There are as many ways to participate in the GOTV cause as there are people willing to volunteer some time to do them in.
Last, but hardly least, consider a last minute donation to Act Blue for any one of the candidates for US Senate on the MoveOn.org list, in the states where it's neck and neck to the finish line:
Kentucky: Alison Lundergan Grimes to unseat Mitch McConnell
Michigan: To help elect Gary Peters
South Dakota: To elect Rick Weiland
Colorado: to elect Mark Udall (by his Friend Robert Redford)
North Carolina to elect Kay Hagan
Iowa: To elect Bruce Braley and defeat Joni Ernst (another Republican stepford wife TBagR).
Whether it's Cash or Calls or Grocery Store glad-handing, please step up and
do something to help move our side on towards the Goal Line.
We've been at projected to take 48 US Senate seats for some time now - and that, my friends, is simply not good enough.
We need to do better. I know that we can.
For them, just starting out their life together.
For her and all of the children of the land.
#StrongerTogether for a better future for OUR posterity |
Latest Updates on Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
On Saturday 10/4/14, the Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks had the chance to have lunch with Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant.
...In 2012, Kshama ran as a Socialist Alternative candidate for WA State Legislature and surprised everyone by winning 29% of the vote. The momentum continued in her campaign for Seattle City Council where she boldly ran on a platform of fighting for a $15/hr minimum wage, rent control and taxing the super-rich to fund mass transit and education. In November she defeated a 16-year incumbent Democrat to become the first socialist elected in a major US city in decades.
Kshama Sawant now chairs Seattle City Council's Energy Committee which covers Seattle City Light, alternative energy sources, energy policies and air pollution regulations.
bleeding blue videotaped the address and the Q&A session that followed:
Please visit John Crapper's diary for more details and photos of the event. You can still REC it. You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
The Dkos Ashevillites got together again to take a break from registering people to vote. A special thanks to Gordon20024, who drove in from Roanke, for providing all the food!
All the attendees went around the table and talked about what they're involved in at Daily Kos. Details about this on each attendee can be read at randallt's diary. Out-of-state special guests were Land of Enchantment and jnhobbs from Nashville! Love that kind of support!
Dkos Asheville is setting a great example of how to Connect, Unite and Act! Kudos to the whole group that is making this team strong!
Please visit randallt's diary for photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join DKos Asheville by sending a Kosmail to randallt.
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
At the monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, SEIU, airport workers and Daily Kos (represented by susans and Joshua Bloxom) presented them with a 48,000 signature petition demanding safer working conditions. Also present were representatives of CLUE, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice, who submitted a letter of support to the board.
[...]
The SEIU organizers led a short rally outside of the building at One World Way after the meeting. SEIU represents people who do a lot of different jobs at LAX: they work in the terminals as wheelchair pushers, door openers, janitors, various other positions and on the ramp (outside). Some of them spoke at the rally, again in English and Spanish. They asked me to speak, something I was totally unprepared for. I briefly told them about DK and that I would be writing about the event and posting it online.
A special thank you to Josh, who took multiple trains up from Orange County to support airport workers and represent Daily Kos. It was great talking to you and I look forward to another opportunity to spend some time together.
Please visit
susans's diary for more details. You can still REC it. You can join
Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
susans.
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Koscadians got together one more time to Stamp Money Out of Politics
L-R: also mom of 5, loggersbrat, Quill, pdxteacher, J Orygun, KitRMP, HRM & Arenosa
Please visit Sara R's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by mimi ♥ for New York City
Here's a great photo recap of all the Kossacks marching in NYC at the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014.
L-R: Raines and Tool holding the banner
L-R: ?, mole jr., Mrs. Mole333, boatsie, The Poet Deploreate, WarrenS, ? mole333 and kathny
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to kathny.
by Susan Grigsby ♥ for Coachella Kossacks
Susan Grisby put out the call for other readers of Daily Kos near Palm Desert and now we have the beginning of organizing there.
Here's the charter group! Go Susan! Special thanks to susans for driving down from L.A. to lend support.
L-R: ruscle, ruscle+one, Susan Grisby & blue drop
Look at all that orange! Shirt, tops and a hat! Sweet.
Please visit Susan Grigsby's diary for MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Coachella Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Susan Grigsby.
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a registering-to-vote event for Ford County, Kansas in Dodge City to reach out to Latino voters there. He partnered with League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Ford County Democratic Party. 150 people attended to listen to John Thomas (KS House District 119 Candidate), Jean Schodorf (Secretary of State Candidate), Jim Sherow (US House, KS District 1 Candidate), Mark Low (Kansas House Candidate, District 115).
"LULAC volunteers sat at their table and handled registration after registration as people came to the event to listen to how they could change their state. We knew that not only were we helping to register new and first time voters, we were helping to bring a message into a community that has been ignored - and to help them take that message back to their friends and families."
This is a great example of reaching out to disenfranchised communities and helping them vote. Because If Democratic base voters turn out, we win. Can't be said enough. More regions need to do this.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
by nhox42 ♥ for New England Kossacks
The New England Kossacks got together at the home brillig and mik north of Boston. Kossacks drove from all over New England to attend. Looks like a great time was had by all.
Folks in attendance were: brillig, mik, K1, K2, Simple, nhox42, Ed Tracey, GreyHawk, Kathy, TrueBlueMajority, theKgirls, Bill in Portland Maine, Common Sense Mainer, mayim, dtheo, RubDMC, AnotherMassachusettsLiberal, Debbie in ME, ialonelady, CwV, sardonyx, Noor B, Andy, James and Alex.
New England Kossacks
Please visit nhox42's diary for MORE photos! Including yummy food pr0n. Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New England Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to nhox42.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, October 25th
or
Sunday, October 26th
Salt Lake City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Beans & Brews
5938 S. State Street • Murray
ORGANIZER: Send jlms qkw a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. jlms qkw
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, October 25th
SFKossacks Attends Daily Kos Day at MoveOn.org's GOTV Offices
TIME: 10:00 AM
MoveOn's Voters Rising Office Location
Berkeley
2177 Bancroft Way (map)
Berkeley, CA
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. kimoconnor
4. skywriter
5. jotter
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Maybees:
Glen The Plumber
jpmassar
EagleOfFreedom
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! Daily Kos Teams With MoveOn.org's GOTV Events — Do You Cold Call Well?
Saturday, November 8th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks - Meet Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon
Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, 34th Legislative District, Deputy Majority Whip and Chair of the Washington State House of Representatives Environment Committee will be our next guest speaker sharing his thoughts and plans for Washington State and the Seattle Puget Sound Area.
Cost with Set Menu: $25.00 per person (includes non-alcoholic beverage, gratuity, tax and your choice of food from a limited-choice menu)
TIME: 12:30 PM - No seating after 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. John Crapper's SO
3. Cinnamon68
4. bleeding blue
5. momomia
6. Larissa W.
7. Ted
8. Heather
9. Marcee
10. Robin - Sierra Club
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Maybees:
Penny GC
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Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks - Meet Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon - Nov. 8th
Saturday, December 13th
SF Kossacks Holiday Party at Daily Kos HQ
The usual Pot Luck drill - sign-up list posted soon
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Daily Kos HQ
Address given privately by kosmail • Berkeley
Near Ashby BART
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Markos
2. Will Rockafellow
3. Susan Gardner
4. Meteor Blades
5. Faith Gardner & Roxie!
6. navajo
7. side pocket
8. Mrs. side pocket
9. smileycreek
10. paradise50
11. remembrance
12. Glen The Plumber
13. TLO
14. jakedog42
15. edrie
16. dharmasyd
17. catilinus
18. boatsie
19. liberated spaces
20. citisven
21. kimoconnor
22. susans
23. maggiejean
24. 714day
25. Steven Payne
26. scaboni
27. skywriter
28. jpmassar
29. jotter
30. aha aha
31. jeremybloom
32. norm
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Maybees:
Thinking Fella
high uintas
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navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.