[mpen-dayton4] FW: "Invitations: Peace Walk & Peace Bridge" & "Defend women’s health care coverage" & "For the GOP, it's the billionaires' primary" and more

FYI.   Best, Munsup

P.S. "He who dares not offend cannot be honest" - Thomas Paine
P.P.S. Please reply back to me with 'unsubscribe' on the subject line if you no longer want to receive my e-Newsletters. The convenient link to unsubscribe is no longer available due to security reasons.

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Greater Miami Valley Local events:

·         (May 2) FW: Walk Invitation

·         (May 7) FW: Urgent Peace Bridge Registration Information

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Weekly MPEN e-Newsletter

·         FW: Sign the petition: Defend women's health care coverage

·         FW: VIDEO: Why Elizabeth Warren should run

·         FW: Russ Feingold

·         FW: Red State Utopia

·         FW: Oklahoma's Mary Fallin acknowledges that fracking can cause earthquakes

·         FW: Africa - The US Military's Battlefield of Tomorrow

·         FW: deaths at sea

·         FW: The Conference on the Israel Lobby » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

·         FW: LA Times: For the GOP, it's the billionaires' primary

·         FW: 20 years after Oklahoma City bombing, domestic terror threat remains

·         FW: CBS inviting hate group to speak for Christians

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From: MARGARET PETERS
Subject: RE: Walk Invitation

I am honored to have been selected as one of the Dayton Peace Museum's 20102 Peace Heroes. Would you please share the email below. I hope you will be able to support this effort.  Thank you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Friday, April 24, 2015 4:26 PM, "rpbrame@earthlink.net" wrote:

Margaret Peters was selected as one of the Museum's 2012 Peace Heroes. The Museum is having a Peace Heroes Walk
on Saturday, May 2 at RiverScape in downtown Dayton. Registration for the walk begins at 8 AM, and Walk Send-Off at 9 AM.
This family-friendly, community-wide event has two walk routes to from which to choose, a short ten-block round-trip stroll
to the Peace Museum and a longer two-mile route.

We are looking for sponsors and walkers to show support for Margaret and for the work of the Dayton Peace Museum.
This year's beneficiary of the walk is the National Conference on Community and Justice (NCCJ) of Greater Dayton.
The fundraising goal set for each team is $750.00.  Donations of any amount will be graciously accepted and appreciated.

Your donations may be online at the link below or by check payable to Dayton Peace Museum. More information about
the walk may be found at this site as well. We hope to have a great turnout. Please come and walk with us and invite
your family and friends to join us, too! If you are unable to take part in the walk, we ask you to support the Museum
in its fundraising effort to advance the work of the Museum and NCCJ.

https://ssl.charityweb.net/daytonpeacemuseum/walk/margaretpeters.htm

 

 

From: Crystal Walker
Subject: Urgent Peace Bridge Registration Information

Please share with your places of worship this weekend and the next weekend. Encourage everyone to register.
Any questions, feel free to call me at 937-789-9822

 

 

From: AlterNet ---  Heidi Hessl; Campaign Manager, CREDO Action from Working Assets
Subject: Sign the petition: Defend women's health care coverage
This message was sent to you by AlterNet, on behalf of CREDO Action:

Republicans attacking women's health care coverage

Tell Republicans in Congress:

"Women deserve coverage for maternity care, birth control and preventive services and
to be protected from gender-based discriminatory pricing. Your relentless, partisan
attacks on the Affordable Care Act undermine women and their families. "

When Republicans legislate, women lose. From taking away abortion rights to blocking common sense legislation like equal pay and paid sick leave, the Republican party consistently panders to its extremist base at the expense of women and their families.

The latest attempt to repeal and replace President Obama's Affordable Care Act (ACA) proves again that women's health, both physical and financial, is of no concern to Republicans. Their proposal eliminates the ACA's historic expansions of coverage for maternity care and birth control. It also strips away protections designed to end decades of gender-biased pricing in the insurance industry.

Tell Republicans: Don't take maternity care away from women. Click here to sign the petition.

Sen. Richard Burr, Sen. Orrin Hatch, and Rep. Fred Upton's replacement for the Affordable Care Act, the "Patient CARE Act," would significantly roll back the health coverage, guaranteed benefits, and protections women and their families enjoy under the ACA..¹ Here are some of the worst elements of their plan:

·         It would eliminate the ACA's requirement that insurance plans cover maternity care, birth control, and preventive care like cancer screenings and well-woman visits. While right-wing attacks on birth control coverage have been in the news more recently, Republicans have also lashed out at the idea that maternity care should be covered. They complain that pregnancy is a choice, and that not everyone gets pregnant. During one hearing, former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was asked if she had ever heard of a man getting pregnant.²

·         It would allow insurance companies to charge women more for health insurance. Before the ACA abolished the practice of "gender rating," women were charged approximately $1 billion per year in higher premiums. Insurance plans charged women up to 85 percent more than men for the same policy â€" even when maternity services were not covered.

·         It would force women and their families to pay more for their health care. A portion of employer-covered health benefits would be taxed, impacting the 57 million women who have health insurance through their employer or a family member's employer. Working class families would lose some of the subsidies they receive to buy care, and low-income women would lose access to Medicaid expansion

It's outrageous that, in their zeal to score political points by repealing the ACA, Republicans are willing to do so much damage to women and their families. If enough of us speak out, Republicans will be forced to think twice before passing this bill. Click the link below to sign the petition:

http://act.alternet.org/go/60279?t=5&akid=13034.1147171.Gb4kt-

Thanks for standing up for women and their families.

Add your name:

 

1. "The Patient CARE Act - Second Verse, Same as the First," National Women's Law Center, 2/6/2015.
2. "3 Male Lawmakers Propose Eliminating Obamacare's Maternity Coverage," Tara Culp-Ressler, Think Progress, 2/5/2015.

 

 

From: Lawrence Lessig; professor at Harvard Law School and a co-founder of Mayday PAC, which fights to get big money out of politics.
Subject: VIDEO: Why Elizabeth Warren should run

On Monday, I gave a speech in NYC about why Elizabeth Warren would be the best presidential candidate to take on big money in politics. Will you give it a watch and maybe share with a friend?

On Monday, I spoke with a room full of MoveOn members about the critical need to get big money out of our politics—and why I think Elizabeth Warren would be the best presidential candidate to take on this challenge today.

Will you watch me explain why and then share the video with friends?



We all know that there's a laundry list of issues that need to be addressed by our next president—climate change, Social Security expansion, and more. But I believe wholeheartedly that the root of corruption in our government and economic inequality in our country today is the rampant, unaccountable money in our politics.

Elizabeth Warren has consistently shown that she has the independence, passion, and commitment to tackle this problem.

That's why I hope you'll watch me explain why we need her voice in the 2016 presidential debate and then share my video with a friend or two.



We're part of a growing grassroots movement to convince Senator Warren to run for president.
Help build the momentum—start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

 

 

From: Michael Langenmayr, Daily Kos
Subject: Russ Feingold

A new poll shows former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold thumping Republican incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson by a whopping 16 points in Wisconsin.

Russ Feingold was a progressive champion in the Senate, writing an historic campaign finance law and casting the only vote against the PATRIOT Act. We need Russ Feingold in the Senate again.

Sign the petition: We want Russ Feingold to run for Senate.

Feingold lost to Johnson in 2010's GOP wave, but he's hinted at seeking a rematch more than once now. What's more, he recently resigned his job at the State Department, making himself free to pursue a campaign.

In a post-Citizens United world, we need a senator who can speak truth to power and can lead the fight to get money out of politics.

Sign the petition: Run, Russ, run!

 

 

From: albert baca
Subject: Fw: Red State Utopia

Must read if you want to understand what is happening in the red state utopia known as Kansas.
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/04/16/new-law-life-just-got-lot-harder-poor-Kansas

We've driven across Kansas so many times it ain't funny.  It is a hell of a long way across the state of Kansas.   Over 400 miles.   It is also a fir piece from KC to the OK line driving the Kansas Turnpike.   Done that a time or two too.

The funniest of my Kansas trips is I thought I was driving east from some little hick town toward Liberal Kansas when I was actually driving south to Hooker, OK.   Yes siree Bob. there is a Hooker, OK.

 

 

From: Andrew Tierman
Subject: Oklahoma's Mary Fallin acknowledges that fracking can cause earthquakes

Right-wing Oklahoma Governor acknowledges that highly increased rate of earthquakes could be caused by water-injection mining.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/04/21/oklahoma_acknowledges_earthquakes_link_to_drilling.html?wpsrc=slatest_newsletter&sid=5388f40ddd52b8e41100b30a

 

 

From: James Lucas
Subject: Africa - The US Military's Battlefield of Tomorrow

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/04/15/us-militarys-battlefield-tomorrow

The US Military's Battlefield of Tomorrow
2044 or Bust: Military missions reach record levels after US inks deal to remain in Africa for decades
By Nick Turse

For three days, wearing a kaleidoscope of camouflage patterns, they huddled together on a military base in Florida. They came from U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Army Special Operations Command, from France and Norway, from Denmark, Germany, and Canada: 13 nations in all. They came to plan a years-long "Special Operations-centric" military campaign supported by conventional forces, a multinational undertaking that -- if carried out -- might cost hundreds of millions, maybe billions, of dollars and who knows how many lives.

 

 

From: James Lucas
Subject: deaths at sea

End deaths on the sea by ending the wars around it

Global capitalism and global war have always driven large-scale human migration.
by Mark LeVine April 23, 2015

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/04/mediterranean-carnage-harvest-empire-150422111228073.html

 

 

From: James Lucas
Subject: Re: The Conference on the Israel Lobby » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

Hi Mohammad, Too bad that Nader could  not win the U.S. presidency. My time here in Phoenix is mostly spent working as a member of Veterans for Peace and I am also a member of the national group Jewish Voice for Peace.

On Tue, Apr 21, 2015, Mohammad Saklayen wrote:
Nader had been voice of conscience and truth for our generation
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/04/20/the-conference-on-the-israel-lobby/#.VTb956a9VH4.mailto

 

 

From: Ben Betz; Online Engagement Director, People For the American Way
Subject: LA Times: For the GOP, it's the billionaires' primary

For the GOP, it's the billionaires' primary David Koch speaking in Orlando in 2013

A great column this week by the LA Times' Doyle McManus does a fantastic job detailing just how outrageous the current dynamic is in the Republican presidential primary, as candidates line up to audition for billionaire ideologues like the Kochs and Sheldon Adelson.

He lays it out clearly:

The most important players aren't the candidates; they're the mega-donors.

…

The Republican race has devolved into a battle among headstrong billionaires, each with a pet candidate.

David Koch, whose family made its money in coal, has Walker. (For all his protestations of neutrality, Koch sounded pretty smitten.) Norman Braman, who owns 23 car dealerships, has Marco Rubio. Robert Mercer, a New York hedge fund manager, has Ted Cruz. Foster Friess, an investment manager, has Rick Santorum. (Yes, Santorum is still in the running -- thanks in large part to the generosity of Friess.)

The biggest mega-donor of them all, Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, is still playing hard to get. All the candidates, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, are courting him.

There's something grotesque about a process that requires serious politicians to hover anxiously around a few donors who can make or break a campaign at whim.

Hear hear.

On why the race for big money is bigger this year than in previous cycles:

Campaigns are still discovering how they can exploit the freedom from regulation that the Supreme Court has granted since its Citizens United decision in 2010.

On the rising tide of public concern with big money in elections:

Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg says public alarm is rising, and he's advised candidates to put reform on their list of promises (as Clinton did last week).

On what that could mean:

If, however, voters demand change from the candidates, it's just possible that 2016 could be remembered as the year the tide of money crested, instead of just another campaign that saw the dollars rise.

You can read the whole thing here, and I encourage you to share it with others, especially on social media.

And take a few quick minutes if you can to email your members of Congress and tell them to cosponsor the Democracy For All constitutional amendment, which would overturn decisions like Citizens United>>

Thank you for fueling, through your support of PFAW, the movement to reclaim our democracy,
get big money OUT of elections and restore Government By the PEOPLE.

 

 

From: Morris Dees; Founder, SPLC; FIGHTING HATE // TEACHING TOLERANCE // SEEKING JUSTICE
Subject: 20 years after Oklahoma City bombing, domestic terror threat remains

Twenty years ago today, a racist, antigovernment extremist planted a truck bomb that brought down the federal building in Oklahoma City. It was the deadliest domestic terror attack in U.S. history. … 168 people, including 19 children, killed … 680 others injured … and $650 million in damage to more than 300 buildings. We were tracking the growth of armed militias that viewed our government as the enemy – and we had confirmed that violent white supremacists had infiltrated the movement. We also had information that military personnel were providing assistance to the militias. I had written then-U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno warning her that the "mixture of armed groups and those who hate is a recipe for disaster." Today, the threat of far-right terrorism remains very real. We've documented a dramatic resurgence of far-right extremism since President Obama was elected. And there have been dozens of far-right terrorist attacks and plots in recent years, some of them deadly. With your support, we're doing everything we can to combat violent extremists – pushing the government to take this threat seriously, tracking nearly 1,700 extremist groups, and providing key intelligence and training to law enforcement. To mark this anniversary, we've put together a collection of essays, timelines and other resources. It also includes a video interview with my colleague Mark Potok, who was on the scene within hours of the bombing. I hope you'll pause to remember those whose lives were lost that day. And please accept my gratitude for supporting our vital work.

 

From: Michael Sherrard; Faithful America
Subject: CBS inviting hate group to speak for Christians

With the Supreme Court about to issue a historic decision, CBS News is turning to an anti-gay hate group leader to speak for Christians.

This Sunday, Face the Nation is scheduled to feature Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. Perkins has repeatedly accused gay men of molesting children, causing the Southern Poverty Law Center to formally name FRC to its list of hate groups.

Perkins was once a regular on CNN and MSNBC, but those networks have increasingly abandoned him as mainstream Christians have challenged his decades-long record of spreading ugly misinformation about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. CBS News should do the same.

Tell CBS News: Cancel Tony Perkins. He doesn't speak for Christians.

For more information:
"Washington Update," Family Research Council, April 23, 2015
"How A Hate Group Lost Influence On (Most Of) Cable News," Media Matters, July 30, 2014

 

End of MPEN e-Newsletter

[mpen-dayton4] Greater Miami Valley Area Local News & Events

FYI.   Best, Munsup

P.S. "He who dares not offend cannot be honest" - Thomas Paine
P.P.S. Please reply back to me with ‘unsubscribe’ on the subject line if you no longer want to receive my e-Newsletters. The convenient link to unsubscribe is no longer available due to security reasons.

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·         FW: Wright State University highlight in national e-letter

·         (Apr. 23 – 26) FW: YWCA DAYTON Press Release - Stand Against Racism April 23rd - 26th

·         (Apr. 25) FW: Documentary at WSU: Last Days in Vietnam

·         (Apr. 26) FW: IFGD: General Perspectives on the Afterlife

·         (May 2)   FW: [DaytoniansAgainstWarNow] May Day Party

·         (May 4)   FW: Dayton Vigil for Peace

·         (May 13) FW: Walk Downtown Dayton

·         (May 18) FW: Save the Date: Dayton Rally Against TPP

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From: Bruce Barcelo
Subject: WSU highlight in national e-letter

At our TFC meeting last week, I showed part of the WSU Kick-Butts Day Video. The creator of the video, Mike Theobald was there and we all applauded him. Well…let’s applaud him once again because his video was highlighted in this national e-letter as the “April Video Spotlight”. Congratulations Mike Theobald and WSU for making a difference!

 

Recently we had a request for videos related to tobacco-free campus policies. Wow, there are some amazing clips out there! We will be highlighting some of these great videos each month. Other tobacco-free campus videos to share? Click here. Wright State University Kick Butts Day 2015 #NotAReplacement This video shows Wright State University students and faculty stand up for themselves and speak out against the marketing efforts of big tobacco companies.

 

 

From: Paula McLaughlin
Subject: YWCA DAYTON Press Release - Stand Against Racism April 23rd - 26th

Stand Against Racism Press Release
For Immediate Release
Date: 4/16/15
Media Contact: Paula Mc Laughlin, pmclaughlin@ywcadayton.org, 937 825 7421 ext. 119

YWCA Takes a Stand Against Racism

300,000 people expected to Stand Against Racism in April

Dayton, Ohio – YWCA Dayton is calling on all individuals to join us in taking a Stand Against Racism between Thursday, April 23, and Sunday, April 26. Stand Against Racism will unite our community in a bold demonstration that delivers a clear message: racism can no longer be ignored or tolerated.

“Racism continues to be a pervasive issue in our community and communities across the United States,” stated Shannon Isom of the YWCA Dayton. “Stand Against Racism is just one way we can make change by coming together to organize and show our commitment to eliminating racism.”

YWCA Dayton will take a Stand Against Racism in unison with others throughout the country. On Thursday, April 23, YWCAs will join in a National Day of Action to urge Congress to pass the End Racial Profiling Act. From Thursday through Sunday, more than 300,000 people are expected to participate in a range of locally organized events involving public policy advocacy, community education and trainings that will lead to a commitment to working for racial justice by taking the pledge Against Racism.

Founded in 2007 by YWCA Trenton and YWCA Princeton, Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA. This campaign is designed to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism. Stand Against Racism is one part of the YWCA’s national strategy to fulfill our mission to eliminate racism.

Participants in the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism range from school children to elected officials, from executives of large corporations to church leaders, and many others. For more details, or to look up a participating site, visit: www.StandAgainstRacism.org. For local information, please contact Paula Mc Laughlin 937 825 7421 ext. 119.

 

 

From: Honaker, Mia
Subject: [FAC-L] Wright State University’s Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center and Veteran & Military Center present a special presentation of the Academy Award® nominated documentary feature "Last Days in Vietnam", Saturday, April 25th

 

 

From: Katherine Cooper
Subject: The Interfaith Forum of Greater Dayton would like to invite you to an interesting discussion on General Perspectives on the Afterlife.

Location: Christ United Methodist Church, 3440 Shroyer Road in Foster Hall, located on north end of the third floor.

The time for the presentation, unless otherwise noted is 3 to 5 PM

The Interfaith Forum of Greater Dayton would like to invite you to an interesting discussion on General Perspectives on the Afterlife. Our presenters will be Sharath Krishna and Dianeah Wanicek.

Sharath Krishna received his PhD from Magalore University in India. He teaches ecology at Central State university in Wilberforce and is an adjunct assistant professor at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University

Date/Topic: 26 April 2015/General Perspectives on the afterlife

Dianeah Wanicek began practicing yoga in 1974 and began teaching in 1984.She is certified in Kripalu Yoga, Dianeah is a practitioner of Yantra Yoga, a Tibetan Buddhist Yoga form and has studied and practiced Buddhist meditation for the past twenty years, receiving teachings from masters of the traditions. She teaches Kumar Kumari, Yantra Yoga for children, Yoga at Antioch College in Yellow Springs and on the Antioch Buddhist Studies Program in Bodh Gaya India. She and her husband lead western yogi's on pilgrimage to the Buddhist holy sites throughout Asia. Dianeah applies her knowledge of the various yoga forms of Hatha and Yantra, along with her meditation experience to create an innovative yoga program for her Pre Natal classes.

If you would like to bring a treat to share, please do not include any pork or shellfish products.

 

 

From: Hilary Lerman; Daytonians Against War Now (DAWN)
Subject: [DaytoniansAgainstWarNow] MayDay

Friends of the Peace and Anti-War Movements: You are invited to the 28th annual MayDay Party. Take care, Hilary

May Day Party!

28TH Annual May Day Party Barbecue

SATURDAY, May 2, 4:00 PM until ???

Bring food and/or a beverage

AT: 249 Wyoming Street

225-3805

HILA & Maryta

Come help us celebrate the International Workers Holiday & Cinco de Mayo!!!

STOP THE IMPERIALIST WAR

 

 

From: Logan Martinez
Subject: MAY 4th. Dayton Vigil for Peace

Yemen and the Deepening Middle Eastern Crisis.

Last month the US government gave the green light for Saudi Arabia to begin a massive air bombing of Yemen. Together with Egypt, the other regional super power, a land invasion is planned. Thousands of people have been killed. The region is facing a huge humanitarian crisis. Instead of finding a path to peace we are spreading war across the Middle East and into Africa.

The wars in the Middle East are reaching critical turning point and cannot be ignored.

Here in Dayton we are planning another peace vigil on May 4, the 45^th anniversary of the Kent State shootings during an anti-war protest. See below. We would like to network with other groups to demand an end to these wars.

Dayton Vigil for Peace
5 PM on Monday, May 4, 2015

At the corner of Salem Ave. and Siebenthaler Ave.

End the Wars!

Remember Kent State!
Remember Jackson State!

Monday May 4, 2015 is the 45^th anniversary of the Kent State shootings during an anti-war protest by students at Kent State University. In the spring of 1970, the Nixon administration orchestrated the overthrow of the Cambodian government, setting up a military dictatorship and paving the way for a US invasion. After 11 years of war in Vietnam, the American people were growing weary of the cost in lives and money. Across the country student protests had increased both in numbers and militancy.

At Kent State there was a sharp confrontation between police and student protestors. On Saturday night May 2^nd an unknown arsonist burned the Army ROTC building to the ground. Governor Rhodes called out the National Guard and on May 4 they fired into unarmed protesters killing 4 and wounding 15. Across the US, campuses and communities erupted into massive protests against the war, the draft and the shooting at Kent State. Hundreds of college campuses were shut down as students went on strike, the largest student strike in US history. In Mississippi, at Jackson State, two black students were killed the next week. One was a high-school-age youth walking through campus on his way home from work. Black and white students united in calling for black studies courses, more minority enrollment at colleges, and opposition to the war.

Wars continue throughout the Middle East and Africa. Billions of dollars are being squandered in this quagmire; money that could be used to create jobs here in the US. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, two of the longest wars in our history.

Now, the US government has given the green light for Saudi Arabia to begin a massive air bombing of Yemen. Together with Egypt, the other regional super power, a land invasion is planned. Thousands of people have been killed. Yemen is one of the world’s poorest countries. The people of Yemen want to run their own country. They are not terrorists. It is not a religious war. American foreign policy is aimed at making the world safe for US corporations. We need a peace movement now more than ever. Please join the Dayton Vigil for Peace on Monday, May 4^th 2015.

Green Party of West Central Ohio
Sinclair Peace Club

Contact: loganmartinez@hotmail.com/937-260-2591

 

 

From: Bruce Barcelo
Subject: Walk Downtown Dayton

 

The 10^th Annual- “Walk! Downtown Dayton”. In years past we have had wonderful participation from organizations like: CareSource, Premier Health Partners, RTA, Dayton Public Schools, PHDMC, City of Dayton, Sinclair, PNC Bank, MVRPC, University of Dayton and many others.

This year we are excited that Downtown Dayton Partnership is jumping in! We will also have kids from Mini U and Richard Allen Schools!  We’ll have new booths to visit like: Bair Foundation and Fireman Tim!

Special thank you goes to Five Rivers Metroparks!

 

 

From: David K. Greer [mailto:dkgreer@ameritech.net]
Subject: FW: Save the Date: Dayton Rally Against TPP

Join me as we rally against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) here in Dayton on Monday, May 18.  The TPP is more of the same failed "free trade" policy that we have seen under NAFTA and other bad trade agreements - giving more power to corporations, who are shipping U.S. jobs overseas, and exploiting workers in other countries.  Twenty years after the passage of NAFTA, the United States has lost an estimated 1 million jobs due to outsourcing.  We know the impact on jobs could be equally, if not more horrible, under the TPP.

What: Rally Against TPP Fast Track 
When: Monday, May 18 at 5:30pm
Where: Congressman Mike Turner's office, 120 W. Third Street - Dayton, OH 45402
Who: Concerned Dayton-area citizens and community groups

Congress is currently attempting to "Fast Track" this trade deal, which would remove the ability of Representatives to amend or debate the trade agreement when it comes to a vote.  

The TPP will not only impact jobs - this trade agreement has 29 draft chapters that will affect everything from food safety standards, environmental protections, prescription drug prices, and much more. 

On May 18 - We will send the message to Congressman Mike Turner that Dayton wants him to Vote No on Fast Track.  To date, Congressman Turner has been unwilling to publicly state his position of Fast Track.  

Because of the grassroots action of hundreds of organizations and thousands of people across the country, we have stalled the TPP.  The only way we can kill this deal is to push harder and louder on our members of Congress to Vote NO!  

Hope you can join me - flyer attached.

http://www.exposethetpp.org/

Obama’s trade pitch falling flat with Dems

An aggressive effort by the administration to win support for President Obama’s trade agenda appears to be stuck.

As few as 15 House Democrats might vote to give the president fast-track authority, according to dozens of Democratic lawmakers, business group representatives and activists on both sides of the trade fight interviewed by The Hill.

That’s far fewer than the 50 Democrats Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and other Republicans have asked the White House to deliver.

And with as many as 60 House Republicans ready to vote against giving Obama fast-track or trade promotion authority, it’s possible a vote would fail on the floor.

That would be a stinging defeat for Obama, who views trade as a key part of his second-term agenda. Without fast-track, which would make it easier for the White House to negotiate trade deals by preventing Congress from amending them, it could be almost impossible to finish negotiations with 11 Latin American and Asian countries on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) — the largest trade deal the United States has negotiated in more than a decade.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who says he is inclined to vote for fast-track, argues the administration has given little political reason for Democrats to back the president.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), labor unions and progressive groups are loudly opposing fast-track, and Democrats fear crossing the powerful constituencies.

“There’s no reward here at all, that I can see, on the horizon, for voting for this other than because you were convinced it’s the right thing to do, and you’re willing to withstand a lot of pressure,” Connolly said.

Of the administration, he says: “You want us to walk the plank; they’re not going to be there to catch me.” 

Obama isn’t the first president to have trouble corralling Democrats on trade.

In 1998, only 29 Democrats voted to give then-President Clinton fast-track authority in a losing effort. Even fewer — 25 — voted to give former President George W. Bush the authority in 2002, the last time it was approved. That authority expired in 2007.

Obama has never had fast-track authority, and would be the first president without it in decades.

Connolly argued that the administration’s hand is weakened by a combination of its inability to provide political cover for Democrats, the lack of campaign support by business groups and labor’s effective lobbying.

“The universe of Democrats is pretty limited, as it always is,” he said.

Obama sought at the beginning of the year to change that dynamic.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has held dozens of meetings with lawmakers. Cabinet members have also been involved in talking to and meeting with Democrats.

Obama has been involved too, holding a handful of meetings with lawmakers including Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.).

Critics say Obama’s effort hasn’t been enough, and Republicans say he will need to get more personally involved if fast-track authority is going to pass.

Boehner and GOP leadership face a challenge in moving fast-track because it is a top priority for Obama. That leaves some Republicans wary of backing it.

More Democratic support would not only give Boehner maneuvering room, it would allow fast-track to be presented as another bipartisan effort — easing the Speaker’s work within his own party.

The Wall Street Journal reported in March that between 50 and 60 Republicans could buck Boehner and Obama on fast-track. That would require Democrats to deliver about 32 votes.

When the administration’s effort began, the high-water mark for Democratic support was thought to be 32 Democratic votes.

Some say that figure is still obtainable, but Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) said the number is probably closer to 15 right now.

Larson said he is leaning against it because trade is “an emotional and difficult argument” in his blue-collar district.

“But I think we owe it to the president, and to our constituents, to have an open and transparent process,” Larson said. 

Larson and other Democrats say the administration needs to do a better job at convincing them — and the public — that a vote for fast-track and TPP would lead to more U.S. jobs.

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), a former chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he has told the White House it needs to “make certain that there’s enough facts there that it’s not a loss of jobs, that it creates jobs.” 

“If you can’t do that, I won’t be around,” he said. 

Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), another undecided, said the White House is active on pushing for trade, “albeit, I think, a little late, but they’re active on it.”

Heather Atkinson; Political Program Manager, IUE-CWA
hatkinson@iue-cwa.org; www.iue-cwa.org
Office: 937-424-0683

End of MPEN e-Newsletter

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