Jackson County Democratic Committee

I don’t know about you, but I have had it. I have had it with the vocal minority that is hijacking this conversation. I think about what Senator Ted Kennedy said last year at the DNC;

” For me, this is a season of hope, new hope for a justice and fair prosperity for the many and not just for the few, new hope. And this is the cause of my life, new hope that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American — north, south, east, west, young, old — will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege.”

Senator Kennedy is right. What type of America do you want to live in? Isn’t this the very change we have worked so hard for?

While the Democrats in Congress continue to host open town forums and engage in dialogue about Health Care, the Party of NO continues to shut regular American People out of the process. Well I am sick of it!I am sick of a vocal few dictating what is going to happen in my country. This is what we worked so hard for. The time is now!

Please Join with me and other progressive and passionate advocates for change on Monday at 10:30 at Children’s Park at 27th and Cherry with your signs and banners. Please spread the word.

What: Health Care Reform Forum with Senators Kit Bond, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell & John McCain
Where: Children’s Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham, Kansas City, MO
When: Monday, August 31, from 11am to 12:00pm (Please arrive no later than 10:45am)

-McConnell, McCain and Bond are hosting a health care reform forum at Children’s Mercy on Monday, August 31, from 11-12noon.
-The event is closed to the public.
-Those attending have been hand-picked by Bond’s office and include people from various backgrounds and affiliations.
-They are expecting to invite between 75-100 people.
-Everyone attending has to have their names on the list and bring with them a photo id for security at the event.
– McConnell is apparently going around the country to tout his health care reform plan, and this is one of the stops.
-The 75-100 people will be there to hear about the Republican plan for health care reform.
-Not sure of the format yet. We’re not sure if attendees will be allowed to ask questions or weigh in on what they are looking for in healthcare reform.
– The event will be held on the 2nd floor in a conference room. They are expecting “tons” of press – national and local.

This is an attempt by this party to return to the politics of the elite and divisiveness.Wish I could say I was surprised!

“Bough ripped the by-invitation-only arrangement, calling it “just a return to the Bush era of bringing in only your supporters and excluding anybody who has a different opinion.

“For me, that’s not democracy.”

Added Bough, “It’s insulting.”

Stand with us for Health Care. Stand with us.

Please visit http://tedkennedy.org/

This is a wonderful site.  Take some time and look around.

Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives — in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education’s promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me.

In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that’s one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.

I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I’ve benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we’ve all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives.

For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today — to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.

Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still.

Sincerely,

President Barack Obama

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org.
This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Congressman Roy Blunt just doesn’t get it (any of it).  Missourians want a Senator that they can count on.  They want someone who will be there for them not their friends on K street.  Let’s not forget that Rep. Blunt was second in command to my new favorite DWTS contestant, Tom Delay, a man whose corruption knows no bounds… ( google Delay and the word corruption…yikes).

Now this from Chairman Michael Steele...I love politics.

From OFA Volunteer Sarah Starnes

Urgent Action:

“This Saturday, August 8, 8:00-10:00 a.m.,

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II will host a Cleaver Coffee at J.P. Coffee,

3390 SW Fascination Drive, in Lee’s Summit.

Map

The topic of health insurance reform will undoubtedly come up.  We would like as many supporters of President Obama’s Health Insurance Reform Principles as possible to be present, to thank Congressman Cleaver for his steadfast support of health insurance reform, including a strong public option.

The President’s Principles are–
1)  Reduce Costs
2) Guarantee Choice
3) Quality, Affordable Health Care for all Americans

At many Congressional Forums across the country, the teabaggers have shown up to disrupt the meetings.

We would like to have as many Cleaver and Obama supporters as possible at this event–to have a polite, intelligent, and civilized presence.

The attendance of health care professionals and people who have been negatively impacted by problems with the current health care delivery system is especially important.  
But we need as many supporters as possible–people of all backgrounds–to make a strong statement by their dignified participation, that we cannot wait for real health care reform!

If you can attend, please contact Sarah Starnes at 816-522-5584, or starwal@aol.com

More information about President Obama’s health insurance reform principles is available at www.barackobama.com People who are passionate about creating the change we need can sign up to volunteer for events via the website.”

We have all seen the “angry mobs” attending townhalls recently, the tea partiers, the crowds almost implacable in their fury.  I keep asking myself, about this loud and vocal minority.  What drives them? Where are they from? 
Now I know why:

Do you want to sit back and wait for the vocal minority to undo all of the work we have done to change this country?

Special Thanks to Steve Glorioso for giving us permission to reprint…

“The right wing is now engaged in the politics of chaos on the Obama health care initiative.

As liberal Democrats we have to do our individual part to fight back.

In our generation no domestic issue is more crucial than health care reform. If Obama cannot get it done it will languish for another quarter century before someone tries again.

You have seen the outrageous assault on Democrats holding town hall meetings. One of the worst was in Philly with Kathleen Sebelius on the platform which is linked below. They use the internet and talk radio to mobilize their crazies.

Each of us should consider doing some or all of the following actions:
1—if Moore or Cleaver or Claire hold a town meeting go in force, get there early and speak up;
2—write letters to ALL the newspapers in our area. Not just the Star but the weekly papers. The more the better. For example, the Star has been known to publish a representative sample of the total letters/emails they receive on a topic. So if they get missives in a 2 to 1 proportion supporting the President you can usually expect to see twice as many supportive letters/emails selected for publication. And now the hardest suggestion;
3–talk radio and not just KCUR. The obvious is KMBZ (980 on the dial) from 2pm to 6pm each week day with Mike Shanin and Scott Parks. They are conservatives but they do try to conduct a civilized discussion. The right wingers now call that show in number and there is little balance unless we engage.

We cannot let the right wing mobilize in a vacuum to create the impression “everyone” is against health care reform.

If you need any motivation, just watch some of the attack on Kathleen on YouTube.”

Steve Glorioso