33rddistrictdemocrats

Occupy Washington State

donfranks — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:47:46 +0000

Washington State Happenings
Here are some of the things that are going on in Seattle and Washington state:

Occupy Seattle was evicted from the base camp at Seattle Central Community College. The best thing you can do is to donate your time! The Occupy Movement is about transforming a status quo way of thinking: a system which consistently values those already rich while cutting both our social safety net and environmental protections. The occupy Seattle movement goes on – every day, all day, now and indefinitely.
Every Day Move your money to a credit union.Click here to enter your zip code and find a credit union in this area.
Saturday, May 12th An all day conference on race in Seattle will be held at the Mezza Cafe, 2401 Utah Avenue South. The conference will run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered from Brown Paper Tickets.
Sunday, May 20th Involved Democracy presenta a free showing of Robert Greenwald’s film “Koch Brothers Exposed” at Zola’s Coffee House, 402 East Main Street in Auburn. The event begins at 4:00 PM and goes until 6 PM.

33rd Endorsements

donfranks — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:05:21 +0000

“Thank you to everyone who participated in the endorsement meeting Monday, July 20. Here is a list of the candidates the 33rd endorsed. Congratulations to them all!” – Omaha

King County Council District No. 8: Joe McDermott
King County Assessor: Lloyd Hara
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position No. 2: Gael Tarleton
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position No. 5: Dean Willard
City of SeaTac Council Position No. 1: Barry Ladenburg
City of SeaTac Council Position No. 3: Othman Heibe
City of SeaTac Council Position No. 5: Dave Bush
City of SeaTac Council Position No. 7: Mia Su-Ling Gregerson
City of Tukwila Mayor: Pamela Linder
City of Tukwila Council Position No. 6: Kate Kruller
Court of Appeals, Division No. 1, District No. 1 Judge Position No. 2: Michael Spearman
South King Fire and Rescue Commissioner Position No. 4: Mark L. Thompson
South King Fire and Rescue Commissioner Position No. 5: James A. Fossos
Highline School District Director Position No. 1: Sili Savusa

LAC/PCO Training/Crab Feed Day Carpooling Event 2011

admin — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:03:39 +0000

February 21st is the day of the annual LAC Day, PCO Training, and Crab Feed in Olympia. Many have expressed an interest in going, so we are arranging a carpooling event. We are recommending that all carpools meet at the Kent Carpenters Hall (25120 Pacific Hwy S, in Kent). You can park your car there for the day, and the METRO route 174 passes by there.

To participate either as a passenger or driving your car, contact Chair Omaha Sternbeg. We are looking for vehicles to go down for the entire event, for the PCO training/LAC, and for just the crab feed. If you plan to do any of these, contact Omaha!

This is a wonderful chance for you, if you are a PCO, to get a review of the current legislation going in in the House and Senate, a better understanding of where we are in the recession recovery and the budget, and finally Vote Builder training.

Also, we are trying to arrange time with our legislators of the 33rd to spend some time talking with us, discussing what they are doing, and listening to us about what we would like, and what we can do to help them. This is also a great time to listen to various lobbyists in Olympia.

Last but not least, there is the crab feed. King County Councilmember Julia Patterson has generously donated ten tickets to the crab feed to the 33rd. This is a first come, first serve affair, so if you would like to attend the crab feed at the 33rd table, please contact Omaha Sternberg or call her (206-618-5107) immediately.

Don’t forget to sign-up for the PCO Training at the Washington Democrats site if you intend to go, and let us know if you will be attending Lobby Day with us otherwise.

Turn Off FOX

donfranks — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 07:25:54 +0000

In the coming days, many of us will be spending time with family and close friends. You might find yourself in a house with FOX News on the TV, or you might find yourself in the company of a family member who likes to talk about the “truth” coming from FOX. You could also be with folks who understand the damage FOX does, but have not heard about this campaign. Any of these could be a great opportunity to talk about why you do not watch FOX and why you are part of the movement to get it turned off in public places.

There’s no need to be confrontational. The person you are talking with may not be receptive to what you have to say and that is OK. But you might be surprised. This is about sharing your concerns and beliefs, and hearing the thoughts of someone you love. When people are approached respectfully by someone they like and trust, it creates space for them to think and change.

Here are some pointers:

1.) Remain calm. The point here isn’t to start an argument. It is to share information. Even though some people may be hostile to what you have to say, keeping your cool can help defuse tense situations and make even skeptics receptive to what you have to say.

2.) Just the facts. We are often tempted to use inflammatory language when describing FOX News. For example we may describe them as being “evil” or “racist”. But think of the impact that this language might have on someone you are trying to win over to your point of view. Does the fact that they watch FOX News make them “evil” or “racist”? Better to stick to the facts by describing what FOX News does by stoking racial fear, helping to spread dangerous conspiracy theories, and distorting the truth. You can refer to the flyer “The Case Against Fox” for a few examples of what Fox News does, and the impact of their actions.

3.) Listen to what others have to say. If you want to be listened to, then you should also be willing to listen to others’ perspectives. If they state something untrue, you can and should offer facts to correct the record when you can but not until after they’ve finished their thought. And remember, the point is not to get into an argument or even prove that you’re correct. It’s to share your point of view.

4.) Offer more information. If the folks you talk to are interested in learning more about the campaign, just have them check out TurnOffFox.org. They can sign up for the campaign at that website.
The holiday season provides a unique opportunity to help more people understand what Fox is, how it poisons national discourse, and what role everyday people can play in stopping the damage.

After you have these conversations (even with those who already understand the issue), we would love to hear how they went. Tell us about it by clicking the link below:

http://www.turnofffox.org/holiday/?id=2009-154108

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

– James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Natasha, and the rest of the TurnOffFox.org team
December 23rd, 2010

Call for Candidates

donfranks — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:31:55 +0000

Call for Candidates

In January, the 33rd district will be holding our re-organization. We will send out our call for re-organization in the January newsletter and post it on the website.

But a big part of the re-organization is the election of officers to the executive board. Below is a list of the elected positions and the current candidates that have declared for those positions. Note that all positions are open, as multiple candidates may run. The only restriction is that the chair and vice-chair must be of opposite gender.

If you would like to run for a position, you can declare that now, and the website will be updated with that information. However, any eligible member may declare for a position at the January re-organization meeting as well. Please see the by-laws on the website for the definition of an “eligible member” (the by-laws will also be available at the January meeting).

Title	Candidates
Chair	Omaha Sternberg
Vice-Chair	Bob Loeliger
State Committee Man	Lionel Forde
State Committee Woman	Glenda Berg
Secretary	open
Treasurer	Cheryl Juneau
King County Dem CC Male	open
King County Dem CC Female	Florence McMullen
King County Dem CC Male Alt	open
King County Dem CC Female Alt	open
King County Legislative Action Committee Male	open
King County Legislative Action Committee Female	Carol Anne Maiers
King County Legislative Action Committee Alt	open
PCO Coordinator	open
Administrative Officer	Paula Joneli
Parliamentarian/Election Coordinator	Bob Stephens
Registrar	open
Sergeant-At-Arms	James Fossas
Newsletter Editor	Scott Eliason
Young Dem Male	open
Young Dem Female	open
Webmaster	Don Franks

Christmas Cheat Sheet

donfranks — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:56:09 +0000

Health Insurance Reform, to recognize health care as a right, not a privilege and put a stop to the worst abuses by insurance companies including discrimination against people with pre-existing medical conditions. [OPPOSED BY 100 % OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
The Economic Recovery Act, to save and create millions of jobs and cut taxes for 98 percent of Americans. [OPPOSED BY 100 % OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, to make the largest investment in college aid in American history. [OPPOSED BY 100 % OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
Wall Street Reform, to rein in reckless practices on Wall Street, end taxpayer-funded bail-outs and “too big to fail” institutions, and protect and empower consumers. [OPPOSED BY A MAJORITY OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
Extension of Unemployment Benefits, to extend benefits to millions of Americans who have lost their jobs in the Bush recession and to stimulate economic activity.
Cash for Clunkers, to jumpstart America’s auto industry and spur the sale of 700,000 new vehicles. [OPPOSED BY A MAJORITY OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights, to ban the worst practices by credit card companies and provide tough new consumer protections. [OPPOSED BY HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS]
Hate Crimes Prevention, to extend federal protection to people who are victims of violent crime because of their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, to save or create the jobs of 161,000 teachers, and thousands of police officers, and firefighters while closing tax loopholes that encourage big corporations to ship American jobs overseas.
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to restore the rights of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay and help close the wage gap where women earn 78 cents for every $1 that a man earns in America. [OPPOSED BY A MAJORITY OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS]
The HIRE Act, to provide tax incentives for businesses to hire more Americans (4.5 million Americans have already been hired) and unleashing billions of dollars to rebuild highways and other infrastructure, and to crack down on offshore tax havens for the wealthy.
Children’s Health Insurance legislation, to provide affordable health care coverage to 11 million children, who would otherwise go without coverage.
Tobacco Regulation, to have the FDA regulate the manufacture and marketing of tobacco, especially to children.
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO), to bring back the Clinton-era rule that requires all new policies that reduce revenues or expand entitlement spending be offset over five and ten years and therefore not increase the deficit. This spending rule led to the record surpluses during the Clinton Administration.
Stem Cell Research, to end former President Bush’s ban on federal funding for lifesaving embryonic stem cell research. [ENACTED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER]
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services, to provide help for those who provide care to disabled, sick, or injured veterans and improve health care services to women veterans.

Ballott Initiative Media Roundup

donfranks — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 01:57:24 +0000

Ballot Initiative Media Roundup

Yes on 1098

TV
http://www.youtube.com/user/Yeson1098#p/u/0/VI2Z5SYimGI

Vote Yes on I-1098
http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/426062_I-1098.html

How much will I-1098 save you?
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/102492719.html

Tax the Filthy Rich!
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/tax-the-filthy-rich/Content?oid=4837455

Printable poster:
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/09/09/tax-the-filthy-rich-poster-edition

I-1098 opponent warns, ‘You and I are next’
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/09/09/i-1098-opponent-warns-you-and-i-are-next

PI Reader Endorsements:
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1151
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1154
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1157

No on 1053

Vote No on I-1053
http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/426112_I-1053.html

Rep. Carlyle Gets All 1787 on Tim Eyman
http://www.publicola.net/2010/09/10/rep-carlyle-gets-all-1787-on-tim-eyman/

Force focus to be on reform (yes endorsement)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100910/OPINION01/709109923/-1/OPINION#Force.focus.to.be.on.reform

No on 1082

Web ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyHkEWLltS0

I-1082, bad for workers, vote ‘no’
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/426452_initiative1082.html

Economy, lawsuits hammer at BIAW
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012834452_biaw08m.html

Businesses speak out against I-1082
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/09/01/businesses-speak-out-against-i-1082

No on 1100/1105

TV ads:
http://www.youtube.com/user/No11001105

Vote No on 1100, 1105; leg. should privatize booze
http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/426359_I1100-1105.html

Liquor changes could leave local governments woozy
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/9/6/liquor-changes-could-leave-local-governments-woozy

PI Reader endorsements:
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1149
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?entryID=1152
http://www.seattlepi.com/readerpanel/index.asp?

Association of Washington Cities has .pdf breakdowns of taxes, costs and likely number of liquor outlets by city. Visit their website and click on “initiatives” in the top right.

http://www.awcnet.org/portal/StudioNew.asp?webid=1&mode=B1

No on 1107

Wal-Mart joins forces with Costco to peddle Initiative 1100 (liquor deregulation)
http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2010/09/wal-mart-joins-forces-with-costco-to.html

Soda makers raise ante, contribute again to tax-rollback measure
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/09/03/1326230/soda-makers-raise-ante.html

Yes on R52

Everybody wins
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/opinion/letters/102370889.html

Related: 27 school districts get energy grants
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012854962_apwaschoolsmoney.html

Q&A from Congressman Adam Smith’s Des Moines Town Hall

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:13:38 +0000

Some of you attended the town hall in Des Moines on June 2, 2010. Chair Omaha Sternberg had several questions to ask, but unfortunately was not able to because of the number of questions and comments at the event. Congressman Smith graciously responded to these questions afterward. Click “more” to read those questions and answers.

Question 1: Both the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico with the oil rig explosion/leak and the Upper Big Branch coal mine explosion in West Virginia are connected to a lax in enforcing safety measures by the companies involved. These safety measures are regulated by government departments that did not enforce them. What plans do you have to ensure that these departments enforce those safety regulations in the future? What culpability do you think that these companies should face for safety regulation violations?

Answer: Laws and regulations exist that have clearly not been followed or enforced in both of the disasters you mention. I will communicate directly with the administration and the DOJ to ensure the enforcement of regulations is improved and that the laws that enable us to hold the companies liable are strongly enforced. BP in particular had literally hundreds of safety violations, compared to between one and eight for other companies, and both the Bush and Obama administrations failed to adequately enforce existing rules.

Question 2: Recent information has surfaced that soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan who have been wounded in battle and subsequently given honorable discharges because their injuries prevented them from serving further are being billed for equipment that they lost track of during the time that they were injured. The majority of these situations seem to be outside of a soldier’s ability to control, in that once injured, a soldier can’t determine what happens to his/her equipment. Do you feel that these soldiers should be billed for this lost equipment anyway, and why? If not, what measures do you plan to implement to prevent further billing of these soldiers (and repay those who have already paid)?

Answer: I have looked into the situation with the wounded soldiers being charged for losing equipment. Thus far, in the cases I have looked at including the one here at Fort Lewis, the soldiers were not in fact charged for lost equipment. One had been accidentally overpaid and the Army is trying to get the extra pay back. I am looking into the other cases and certainly feel strongly that wounded soldiers should not be charged for lost equipment.

Question 3: Many investment companies have admitted that they made decisions regarding stock and bond purchases/sales based solely on the rating given by stock and bond rating companies. However, in the 90′s, in order to be more transparent, these same rating companies published their rating algorithms, which means that any company could skew their bond/stock rating by simply using the algorithm themselves on their stock/bond. Do you feel that this is an issue that should be fixed with more regulation? If not, what should be done to prevent the taxpayer from footing the bill of foolish investment company decisions?

Answer: Yes, stock and bond rating agencies must be reformed. It is an issue I am looking at closely as we consider Wall Street Reform. I will look into the downside of transparency issue you raise, and also feel that these agencies must be forced to be completely independent and have no ability to gain a financial stake in the ratings they pass out.

Question 4: A large number of presidential appointees have not been confirmed due to stalling tactics by House and Senate Republicans. These tactics are often archaic rules (such as filibustering) that do not actually promote communication, cooperation, or compromise that is necessary to create good legislation. This is not the first time that Republicans (or Democrats) have used these rules. Do you feel that these rules (such as filibustering, making changes to bills that require a committee to reconvene at a time when that is impossible, etc) should be changed? How would you go about changing them?

Answer: Even though I am not in the Senate I believe that filibuster rules must be changed. For one thing it should not be allowed for appointments. Each appointee deserves an up or down vote in a timely manner. I am also interested in other ways to limit the times when the filibuster can be used. I do not believe it should be eliminated but both it and the ability of one Senator to put a hold on any Senate action should be more limited in scope.

Salmon Bake

donfranks — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:23:29 +0000

I’m thrilled with the phenomenal response to my 2010 Salmon Bake. It’s going to be a great event. Congressman Jay Inslee, Rick Bender, State Representative Jamie Pedersen and others will join us. The fish is being ordered this week!

Moore Movie Watch Party

kenstern — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:55:19 +0000

THE 33RD IS NOW PARTICIPATING IN THIS FUNDRAISING EVENT! We encourage all of our members to attend.

The 11th LD is hosting a Michael Moore Movie Watch Party at the Columbia City Cinema, featuring Moore’s film “Capitalism, A Love Story”. The film will be shown on April 24th from 10 AM to 1 PM. A suggested donation of $10 is requested. Concessions will be available for sale, and Larry Grubb of the 11th will be selling Obama Soda. A discussion will follow the showing of the film. A Facebook event page has been set up for RSVPs.

DETAILS
Capitalism, A Love Story
April 24th, 10 AM to 1 PM
Columbia City Cinema
4816 Rainier Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98118
Suggested donation: $10

33rddistrictdemocrats

Occupy Washington State

33rd Endorsements

LAC/PCO Training/Crab Feed Day Carpooling Event 2011

Turn Off FOX

Call for Candidates

Call for Candidates

Christmas Cheat Sheet

Ballott Initiative Media Roundup

Ballot Initiative Media Roundup

Yes on R52 Everybody wins http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/opinion/letters/102370889.html Related: 27 school districts get energy grants http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012854962_apwaschoolsmoney.html

Q&A from Congressman Adam Smith’s Des Moines Town Hall

Salmon Bake

Moore Movie Watch Party

Yes on R52

Everybody wins
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/opinion/letters/102370889.html

Related: 27 school districts get energy grants
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012854962_apwaschoolsmoney.html