The Road to Parent/Guardian Involvement. Education 2010

The first of Education 2010′s series was an incredible success. Over 120 people, including students, parents, teachers, administrators, elected officials and community leaders and religious leaders — the village came out — converged on the Hartford Public Library last Wednesday for an evening of lively and substantive conversation lead by an incredible panel. Supporting the theme of The Achievement Gap were four breakout sessions. One of those sessions was The Road to Parent/Guardian Involvement.

Tell Congress to Pass Health Care Now

All you hear is the same old same old from the GOP, “No no no no no.” The Massachusetts election has emboldened the GOP to justify its determination to do nothing by trying to convince us that health care is dead. The answer to that is simple and one they should readily understand, “NO.”

Pass Health Care Now. If Connecticut can, so can America!

Connecticut’s capitol, Hartford, is known as the “insurance capitol of the world.”  If we can pass health reform in Connecticut, surely we can pass health reform for all of America.  Let’s echo the recent statement from David Plouffe, “pass health care now.” Here’s a message from Connecticut’s Healthcare4every1:

Alaska Sen. Murkowski Lost on her Dirty Air Act

Now that the Supreme Court has opened the flood gates to special interests groups, lobbyists and those who seek only to make money off of the backs of Main Street, our commitment to ensure the voice of the people to be heard most be even more vigilant.  We must not let up not even for a minute.

Center for Medicare Advocacy Urges Passage of Senate Health Care Bill

Most of America believes that the Senate’s version of health care is t0o watered down.  Many of us are delighted to see former Obama campaign manager, David Plouffe, get back into the picture and are happy to hear him state clearly, pass health care now. We question, however, what kind of health care is going to be passed.  We still want a public option.  We do not want to re-argue Roe v. Wade.

Governing Party Blues

It is surprising how little appetite for governing that many in our party have. Governing means making difficult decisions, challenging the status quo, deciding on new courses of action, and, importantly, making compromises — all on the road to actually passing legislation.

Connecticut 2010 Campaign Line Up … This Week!

Update | January 22 | 10:21 pm.

Connecticut’ s 2010 campaign line up continues to change. Some candidates have dropped out, others have changed what office they are running for, and new candidates announce almost daily.  Both parties are seeing a high number of candidates jump into the gubernatorial race and the US Senate race.  Republicans are stacking up candidates in each of the US House races.

Progressive States Network Nathan Newman Writes about “Increasing Democracy”

Usually, I only repost petitions, press releases and alerts.  This is a must read by Nathan Newman of Progressive States Network.  Newman puts the current climate of the people on the ground into a perspective that is clear and concise, while simultaneously making the case for progressive leadership in Washington and at home. In addition, Newman outlines the issues we face with the abuse of the filibuster and how it is placing a strangle-hold on our government and our lives.

Don’t be Fooled. The Fat Lady only stubbed her Toe.

Is health care reform over? Not even a little.  The power is still in the hands of the people.  If you feel like you have a lemon in your hand, make lemonade!  Some folks are doing just that with an effort to put the public option back on the table.  Democracy for America released poll results that showed voters want their leaders to be bold and fight for more change rather than less on health care.  In response, DFA began gathering signatures 150,000, demanding the health reform bill be strengthened and passed.  DFA’s goal is to obtain at least 100,000 more signatures before sending their petition to Washington lawmakers.

Guns Used by Our Military Inscribed with Bible Verses by Manufacturer

This is quite unsettling, at best. The following is a message from Faithful America:

Just Monday, ABC News broke a disturbing story: sights on guns used by the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan have been inscribed by their manufacturer with Bible verses. [1]

That’s right. The high-powered weapons feature clear references to Christian scriptures like “2COR1:6″ and “JN8:12.”

Should Dems Dilute Financial Reform Proposals?

The efforts of the President and his administration, and of our lawmakers to work together with everyone has been outstanding.  This was a hallmark of President Obama’s campaign to the White House; his ability to bring people together and stop the bickering in Washington.  Republicans realized this and decided to do all that they can to derail bi-partisanship by just saying “no” to anything that the President and his administration offer. Now, with the loss of a few upsets in Massachusetts, New Jersey, etc., Republicans claim that it is the other side of the aisle that is polarizing.

Massachusetts. Listen, Learn and Act.

When things do not go our way or the way we expected them to, the temptation to place blame looms over us and clouds our vision.  So, whose fault is it that Martha Coakley did not win? Was this a referendum on President Obama, or on Coakley’s campaign strategy? Did voters deliberately send a message? One could find a way to say “yes” to all of the above and more. Rather than place blame at each other, at the President, we need to look beyond and take two steps back to where we started and then spring forward.

Health Reform Not Over – We Cannot Give Up

Here’s a message from Faithful Reform in Health Care that was sent out to all of its members.  The message is a universal one — DON’T GIVE UP!

An uncertain time…but it’s NOT over!

Things really haven’t changed for us — the “us” being people of faith who have poured our hearts and energies into a moral vision for our health care future. We’ve been saying that even though we are so close to health care reform there are no guarantees. The Massachusetts election simply confirms that.

Winter Thaw Brings out A Tea Bagger for Congress in CT’s 3rd CD

Peggy Rogers (R) launched her campaign for Congress this past Sunday to a small group of supporters and curious onlookers.  Some wore flag bandannas, and some waved American flags while chanting, “kill the bill” (federal health care reform).  The low turn out (approximately 40) no doubt must have been discouraging to Rogers’ organizers.  What  makes this uneventful event mentionable is Rogers’ incomprehensible campaign launch strategy.