We all have a lot on our plates. There are always many issues to discuss, fight for, fight against, think about. But right here, right now there is one fight that condenses them all into one clear, critical battle. Wisconsin.
The right wing extremists, doing the bidding of their Billionaire Koch Brothers masters, have chosen Wisconsin as their test case. As falls Wisconsin, so too will Michigan, Ohio, Indiana etc fall. By UNITING in our diverse ways against this right wing assault on all that really matters in America, we can show them we will beat them. United we stand. Divided we fall, and let's face it, the left is really really good at dividing itself. Not here. Not now. NOW we have to stand up and get behind the unions in a progressive coalition that will defeat the right wing extremist assault on America. We have to unite behind working and middle class Americans against the right wing redistribution of wealth to the Billionaire Koch Brothers and their allies.
Remember, America does NOT belong to the Billionaire Koch brothers:
Okay, take your attention off Boehners and Weiners and fight like Hell for Wisconsin and our unions.
When my family first came from Latvia, escaping pogroms and forced enlistment to fight in the Russo-Japanese war, they settled in Milwaukee Wisconsin. My great-grandfather had been a furniture maker in Latvia, a real craftsman. In America he was a factory worker. And this was before unions. He lost two fingers and an eye to those factories. To me he was a clear illustration of WHY we need unions. The factory owners don't want unions because to them sacrificing the fingers and eyes of workers means nothing as long as they make a profit. But to working and middle class Americans unions protect us from the big money interests who care about nothing but their own bank accounts.
In the recent elections in Wisconsin I was impressed with how tightly the progressive coalition held together. LGBT and blue collar unions came together behind the same candidates with the same intensity and together won most races by large margins. And these were low turnout elections that we usually lose to the big money interests. Let's keep that dedication and intensity and fight even harder. Let's shock them with the size of our victory.
I have two Act Blue Sites dedicated to fighting the latest right wing assault: a Wisconsin Solidarity Site and a Solidarity Across Four States Site. The former focuses on Wisconsin and the current State Senate fights which are so critical. The second focuses on a broader front and more long term, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. I have raised over $1500 through the first site and about $600 on the second. I want to get those to be over $2000 and over $1000 with your help. Of course pushing them even higher would be even better.
And 2laneIA points out the following equally important action:
PCCC has a new effort to help the recalls with phoning. http://calloutthevote.com/... You can do it from anywhere.
Again, remember THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT BELONG TO THE BILLIONAIRE KOCH BROTHERS:
FULL LYRICS:
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
words and music by Woody Guthrie
Chorus:
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me
As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me
Chorus
As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
Chorus
In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.
Here are our candidates in Wisconsin:
From my Retaking Wisconsin/Go Wisconsin Unions Act Blue Site:
Jessica King
WI-SD-18
Jessica King is one of the best candidates we have in Wisconsin. She is running against recalled Republican Randy Hopper in the 18th district. In their last race Hopper won by less than 200 votes. This time he is very likely to lose. Jessica King is intelligent and very capable and will make an excellent State Senator. This is one of our best shot this year. Donate to make sure we WIN this time.
Jennifer Shilling
WI-SD-32
Assemblywoman Jennifer Shilling is challenging recalled Republican Kapanke for the 32nd State Senate district. Jennifer is a strong candidate with a very good shot at winning. I'd say this is at least as good a shot as Jessica King since the district is pretty evenly split Repub/Democrat and the unions are energized this time around.
Shelly Moore
WI-SD-10
Shelly Moore is challenging Recalled Republican Sheila Harsdorf for the 10th State Senate district. As a teacher Shelly Moore has been dedicated to the local community for years now and she is now standing up to right wing Republican attacks on education and teachers. She is NOT a career politician but a community member who wants to stand up for her community:
Fred Clark
WI-SD-14
Assemblyman Fred Clark is challenging recalled Republican Olson for the 14th State Senate district. I am hearing LOTS of positive comments from Fred Clark's constituents and neighbors and he seems both an excellent representative AND an excellent person.
Sandy Pasch for WI-SD-8:
Assemblywoman Sandy Pasch is running against recalled Republican Alberta Darling for the 8th State Senate seat. Although this is the newest challenge, it is already being called the most hotly contested of the recall races. Which for me means it is one of the most important.
Sandy Pasch already has an outstanding public service career in the Assembly including these honors and awards:
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters – 2010 Conservation Champion
Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians – 2010 Friend of Family Physicians
Equality Wisconsin – 2009 Equal Rights Champion
Wisconsin Dietetic Association – 2010 Leadership in Nutrition Awareness Award
Wisconsin Nurses Association’s 2010 Service to the WNA Award
Wisconsin Public Health Association – 2010 Legislator of the Year
2010 NASW Wisconsin Public Service Award
She will make an excellent State Senator.
Nancy Nusbaum
Former Brown County Executive Nancy Nusbaum is challenging recalled Republican Robert Cowles in the 2nd State Senate district. Here is her statement about running:
"People across our communities are frustrated with the extreme, divisive agenda that has been unleashed upon Wisconsin without any warning, and by career politicians who put the party bosses and special interests ahead of the people they are supposed to represent," said Nusbaum. "I'm running to be your state senator to stand up to these radical policies, fight for our shared values, and to provide the leadership that Sen. Cowles is failing to deliver."
I also want to add three defensive races where Republicans have managed to (arguably) scraped together the signatures to challenge three Democrats. In each case the enthusiasm on the anti-union Repub side is weak, so I don't think we have to worry here, but all three are Republican-leaning districts so I don't want to be complacent either. All three were honorable members of the 14 Democrats who left the state to try and block Walker's anti-union legislation.
Jim Holperin
Jim Holperin is a strong Democrat representing the 12th State Senate district. He is being targeted by a radical Republican recall effort. They claim they have the signatures for the recall. This should be an easy seat to defend, but we still will need to fight for it.
Bob Wirch
This is another probably easy defense. Radical Republicans are targeting Bob Wirch and we do need to pay attention here. But we are probably safe.
Dave Hansen:
And one more probably easy defense. Radical Republicans are targeting Dave Hansen and we do need to pay attention here. But we are probably safe. Here is Dave Hansen talking about being one of the Wisconsin 14:
To donate to these and some good Wisconsin organizations, please visit my Go Wisconsin Union Act Blue Site. It's time to fight back and we can't wait. Do what you can. If Daily Kos comes out strong for each of these candidates, we can win big time and start retaking this country from the right wing extremists.
And remember...change does not begin and end with Barack Obama. Change comes from you and me:
Help us win the biggest fight of the year, the fight in Wisconsin.
And again, 2laneIA points out the following equally important action:
PCCC has a new effort to help the recalls with phoning. http://calloutthevote.com/... You can do it from anywhere.
And for those who want to LOOK BEYOND WISCONSIN to prepare for taking the fight further, I have a Solidarity Across Four States Act Blue Site which includes Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. And after that, it is time to retake the whole damned country.