It's August; 78 Days to Election Day
Let's turn Jackson County Blue!
Let's give President Obama and all our Democratic candidates a big win.
Step up and VOLUNTEER!
"Lift All Dems" Blue Crew Phone Project Underway
We'll call those Democrats who did not vote in the primary and remind them of the importance of the general election. To volunteer, call (541) 858-1050 or send an email to mail@jcdemocrats.org. Scripts, talking points and training provided. Calling packets are ready. Join us for the next training session Sunday, August 26, 3 p.m. at the HQ office, 40 S. Central, Medford. OR come on in to the HQ office and Michael, our office manager, will get you started. It will be fun and make the Jackson County Democrats an effective voice for President Obama.
Ice Cream and Candidates
Thursday, August 23, 6:30 p.m. at the OEA Building, 2495 S. Pacific Highway, Medford
Let's fill the hall for all our local Democratic candidates and have a dish of ice cream, too. It's one of the few chances we'll have to see and hear them together, live and in action. They'll be practiced and eager.
A very brief Central Committee will follow the candidate's presentations and we'll have some time to circulate and talk. Bring a friend. Bring several. Let's get the enthusiasm up for the big election.
Help Keep Track of the "Lift All Dems" Callers
We need someone to keep track of the current callers and supply them with new lists. The office staff can send list by e-mail. We need you to fill out the team. Contact Jan Waitt at chair@jcdemocrats.org or 541-482-8249. Our website has details for the position.
Jackson County Democratic Candidate List is Now Available
Pick up your copy of the slate at Jackson County Democrats Headquarters, 40 S. Central, Medford during office hours (11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays) or see it at www.jcdemocrats.org
Obama bumper stickers, buttons and lawn signs are now in the HQ Office
Pick up whatever you can use, and please leave a donation to help cover our costs in obtaining them. Ask a friend or two if you can bring them any of the above while you are getting your own.
Blue Bash Planning Underway
Yes, we're already making plans for the Jackson County Democrats Blue Bash on election night, November 6, at the Historic Ashland Armory. Mark your calendars! We need YOUR help! We are looking for a vacation home or timeshare that we can use as the Grand Prize for the drawing, which helps us raise approximately $5,000 in the election year to cover the cost of supporting local, state and national candidates and important issues on the ballot.
Do you have anything you can donate to this fabulous cause? If yes, please contact the JCD fundraising committee at fundraising@jcdemocrats.org. Thank you!
JACKSON COUNTY & OREGON NEWS
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum Meet and Greet
Monday, August 20, 4 - 5:30 p.m., at the home of Debra Lee and Peter Sage, 305 Harvard Place, Medford
(The corner of Harvard Place and Princeton Way, one block up Princeton from North Phoenix Rd., near Hillcrest Rd.)
RSVP to petersage@charter.net or 541-773-2064. Join them for an informal gathering of friends for a lively discussion about what is important for Oregon's future. PLUS - a Q & A session with Ellen Rosenblum. Hors d'oeuvres, dessert and beverages will be served.
Happy Hour with the OLCV (Oregon League of Conservation Voters) Team, Along with Senator Alan Bates and Co-Speaker Pro Tempore Peter Buckley
Tuesday, August 28th, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Alex's on the Plaza, Ashland
We look forward to discussing the 2012 election and the political landscape in Jackson County with you. RSVP by contacting Molly McGuire at 503-224-4011 or mmcguire@olcv.org.
From Governor Kitzhaber: Oregon is Benefiting and Moving Forward with the Affordable Care Act
"You wouldn't know it from the contentious national health care debate, but change is underway that holds real promise for improving health at a cost we can afford. Oregon is changing how we deliver health care, and we can't let that story be lost in the rhetoric.
"The nation has taken a huge step forward with the Affordable Care Act, and Oregon is taking a step even further. Our businesses, our families and the public sector cannot sustain continued skyrocketing health care costs, and Oregon is doing something about it." Read Governor Kitzhaber's entire discussion of the new CCOs here.
Joyce Segers Says It's Past Time to Replace Greg Walden!
Now is the time to replace Greg Walden, and with Mitt Romney's recent choice of Paul Ryan for VP, along with Walden acting as head of their Presidential Leadership Team in Oregon, we must take advantage of the situation to ACT NOW!!
The Joyce Segers Campaign for Congress is excited to invite you to join us as we plunge into the next phase. We are working hard to replace Greg Walden in Congress and now it appears he is about to step into the position of Chairman of the Republican National Congressional Committee when Pete Sessions steps down. This means he will no longer have the capability to vote for any bill that is not supported by the Republican Party. We must make sure this does not happen. Bring your ideas, your fervor and dedication and help us in phone banking, canvassing and in any way you feel you can make a difference.
Our new Volunteer Coordinator, Kathleen Connair-Rau can be reached at teamsegers2012.kathleen@gmail.com or through the Segers campaign at 541-601-1100. *We need a Data Entry person as soon as possible who can work out of their home or in the JCD office* Our website is segersforcongress.org where you can also find ways to sign up and to learn more about our campaign.
Segers for Congress Town Hall Meeting and Forum
Thursday, September 6, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Medford Library
Invite your friends, family and neighbors and learn the latest about new legislation and how it will affect you. Bring your ideas and suggestions and let's join together to WIN this election.
DPO booth needs Volunteers for Rural Counties Day at the Oregon State Fair, September 3, Salem
There are a large number of people that attend the state fair from all over the state, and rural county Dems are best prepared to engage these folks. Getting new people to register makes one feel that the effort is worthwhile! People need to know that we are the party that is on their side. We also provide buttons and stickers for sale at the booth and provide folks with a free cup of water. We will offer people with a list of issues to vote on and we have a video that is continuously playing messages from Obama.
Contact Jan Waitt at Jackson County Democrat HQ, 541-858-1050, or Loyd Henion, Chair, Linn County Democrats (lhenion@comcast.net or 541-619-8861) for more information.
Don't worry about a place to stay in Salem. Dems in Salem will provide lodging in their homes. You will also be provided with free fair passes.
DPO In The News Provides a List of Links to Recent Articles that Keep Us in Touch With What Our Elected Officials Are Doing
Read all the interesting articles here. These articles provide material that inspires letters to the editor.
Two Congressional District 2 Delegates to the National Convention Need Help
They are Stacy Bannerman, Jackson County, and Patrick Vroman, Klamath Falls. Please help them if you can. It's an exciting year.
See Stacy's statement here. She has offered to keep us updated on all the doings.
See Patrick's information here also.
NATIONAL ISSUES
Eleven Facts About the Tax Debate from The White House
If Congress doesn't act, taxes are going to go up for 114 million middle-class families on January 1. The good news is that nearly everyone in Washington agrees we need to do something about it. The bad news is that Republicans in the House of Representatives are refusing to act unless they can also extend cuts for the wealthiest two percent of people in this country.
But right now, most Americans don't really understand just how stark a difference there is between President Obama's plan and the one put forth by GOP lawmakers. So we've put together 11 facts you need to know about the tax debate. Read all eleven startling facts right here.
Senator Bernie Sanders Explains the Truth About Social Security
Before Social Security existed, about half of America's senior citizens lived in poverty. Today, less than 10 percent live in poverty.
Despite Wall Street and right-wing misinformation, Social Security, which is funded by the payroll tax, does not contribute to the deficit. In fact, the Social Security Trust Fund today, according to the Social Security Administration, has a $2.7 trillion surplus and can pay 100 percent of all benefits owed to every eligible American for the next 21 years. Further, unlike the huge commissions paid out to Wall Street firms, Social Security is run with very modest administrative costs. Read this very informative article here.
Help Stop Voter Suppression in Pennsylvania. Add Your "No" to the Democratic Governors Association Petition
It's no secret that Pennsylvania is a must-win for President Obama this November. Yet Republicans seem intent on stealing this state for Mitt Romney and winning back the White House. We have to act now to stop this atrocious law from taking effect.
Join the DGA in calling on Pennsylvania Republicans to stop pushing voter suppression laws to gain an advantage against President Obama. Click here.
Tell President Obama: We Support Diplomacy With Iran, Not War
There's no good reason for the United States or Israel to bomb Iran in the near future. And a host of prominent American and Israeli defense officials have catalogued a litany of reasons why it would be deeply unwise and counterproductive to do so. But that hasn't stopped top Israeli politicians from irresponsibly suggesting that Israel is preparing to launch a unilateral attack in the near future - whether the United States likes it or not.
The aim is clear: to push President Obama either into abandoning diplomacy with Iran (which puts us on a path to war) or else publicly breaking with Israel (a move seen as politically damaging in the context of his re-election campaign).
Tell President Obama: We support diplomacy with Iran, not an unnecessary and costly war. Click here to sign the petition.
WIDER COMMUNITY
TODAY! Immigration Event Sponsored by RVUUF Social Justice & Action Committee
Sunday, August 19, 6:30 p.m. at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 Fourth Street, Ashland
Peg Bowden, former Director of the Jackson County Nursing Department, will be visiting us in the valley again from Arizona. She has kindly consented to present her work with the Samaritans (a nonprofit volunteer group working with migrants on the border of Arizona and Mexico). She will be sharing her experiences with us. She will relate personal stories of migrants, both those trying to enter the United States and those who are dumped at the border by ICE.
Oregon Action Voter Registration
1 to 2 hr shifts tabling in Medford or Ashland, Saturdays or Sundays. Some canvasses. To schedule call Virginia 541-772-4029
Jackson County Move to Amend Forum
Saturday, August 25, 9 to 11 a.m. at the Medford Library, 205 S. Central St.
- Are you disgusted with the amount of money flowing into our political system?
- Are you ready to do something about it?
- Join us and demand action from Congress
Come to hear the progress we are making in Jackson County, support the ballot resolution in Ashland, and join organizing efforts for resolutions in Medford, Talent, Jacksonville, and other cities
Jackson County Move to Amend is a non-partisan coalition of concerned citizens committed to an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to state unequivocally that inalienable rights belong to human beings only, and that money is not a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment. Money, we argue, can and should be regulated in political campaigns.
"Immense Possibilities" Has Moved to Fridays
"Immense Possibilities" will now be seen on SOPTV, Friday, 8:30 p.m.
See what's coming at www.immensepossibilities.org
JCD Facebook Page
If you want up-to-the-minute news about JCD activities, please "like" us on the Jackson County Democrats Facebook Page.