Newsletter - October 21, 2012

17 Days to Election Day

Four Ways to Support the Jackson County Democrats and our Candidates

DO IT NOW!

#1 - COME OUT FOR THE BLUE BASH ON ELECTION DAY - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6!

WE ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT TIME WHILE SUPPORTING THE JACKSON COUNTY DEMOCRATS ORGANIZATION. THIS IS THE PRIMARY EVENT FOR FUNDING OUR OFFICE AND ACTIVITIES

Blue Bash - Buy Your Tickets Today! Deadline Extended!
Supporters and volunteers for Democratic candidates are ramping up in Jackson County and across the nation.
This is an incredibly important election! Phone calls are being made; neighborhoods are being canvassed; candidates are spreading their message and babies are being kissed!

It all comes together at the Blue Bash on Election Night, Tuesday, November 6th and we want YOU to join in on the excitement at the Historic Ashland Armory!

Two massive 30' screens with up-to-the-minute elections results, both national and local, will be shown all evening while you meet and greet fellow Democrats and candidates. Appetizers and a no-host bar open at 5pm, and a fabulous dinner, catered by the Ashland Springs Hotel, will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Click here for more information about buying tickets and becoming a sponsor of the event.

Drawing Tickets - win prizes valued up to $1,000 for only $10

We are thrilled to be able to offer wonderful Drawing Prizes as a fundraiser. Tickets are only $10, and you could win:

• A week at an elegant Phoenix, Arizona resort in May 2013 - valued at $1,000
• A fantastic 2-hour "from the air" tour of Northern California, the Cascades and Crater Lake with Oregon Executive Charters - valued at $1,000
• Politics, Poker & Pizza Party for two with Representative Peter Buckley and former Jackson County Commissioner Dave Gilmour - priceless!
• A basket of goodies and gift certificates from eateries throughout Ashland - valued at more than $200
• A case of delicious locally-grown wine from various Rogue Valley wineries -valued at $200
• 6 hours of "Obamacare" for your garden, from Master Gardener Myrl Bishop, and Landscape Designers Jane Hardgrove & Jose Gonzalas - valued at $400
• Shakespeare Clock by artist Richard Newman & Hilltop Gallery - valued at $325
• Original Watercolor by artist Rochelle Newman & Hilltop Gallery - valued at $300

Winning tickets will be drawn at the Blue Bash on Tuesday, November 6, but you do not need to be present to win, so please purchase Drawing Tickets, whether you're coming or not by clicking here!

#2 - JOIN THE BLUE CREW!

There's a place for you! Call the JCD HQ Office (541-858-1050) for additional information and to volunteer.

#3 - SUPPORT OUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES!

• WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR. Get a Letter in This Week in Support of Our Candidates
  Click here for letter writing tips and newspaper e-mails

• GET-OUT-THE-VOTE CALLS: October 28 - November 6; Fill the shifts!
  The phone bank will operate October 28 to November 6. These calls are to remind voters to get their ballots in. Call from HQ office. Call the office (541-858-1050). Shift schedules are:
  
  • Weeknights 5 - 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 - 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, 10 a.m. - noon, noon - 2 p.m., 2 - 4 p.m., 4 - 6 p.m., and
  • Sunday, 3 - 5 p.m. if we have enough volunteer

#4 - ELECTION PROTECTION OBSERVERS

Monitor the counting of votes at the Jackson County Elections Office, October 23 through November 6
This is very interesting and very easy. Training is provided. Shifts are 8 a.m. - noon, 1 - 5 p.m. Probably even later on election night. Volunteers need to be flexible depending on the needs of the election office.

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: NEW SUPPLY GOING FAST
Call the office (541-858-1050). We're asking for a donation to cover the costs.

JACKSON COUNTY & OREGON NEWS

Recommendations Issued by the Democratic Party of Oregon Regarding Ballot Measure
There are nine important state-wide issues. Complete descriptions are in the "The Voters Guide", now available on line at www.oregonvotes.org.
Paper copies of the Voters Guide have been mailed to households.

DPO Ballot Measure Recommendations

SUPPORT

Measure #77: SUPPORT (95.3%)
Amends Constitution: Governor may declare "catastrophic disaster" (defined); requires legislative session; authorizes suspending specified constitutional spending restrictions

Measure #78: SUPPORT (96.5%)
Amends Constitution: Changes constitutional language describing governmental system of separation of powers; makes grammatical and spelling changes

Measure #85: SUPPORT (92.9%)
Amends Constitution: Allocates Corporate Income/Excise Tax "Kicker" Refund to Additionally Fund K Through 12 Public Education

OPPOSE

Measure #79: OPPOSE (92.9%)
Amends Constitution: Prohibits real estate transfer taxes, fees, other assessments, except those operative on December 31, 2009

Measure #82: OPPOSE (94.1%)
Amends Constitution: Authorizes Establishment of Privately-Owned Casinos; Mandates Percentage Of Revenues Payable To Dedicated State Fund

Measure #83: OPPOSE (96.5%)
Authorizes Privately-Owned Wood Village Casino; Mandates Percentage Of Revenues Payable To Dedicated State Fund

Measure #84: OPPOSE (95.2%)
Phases out existing inheritance taxes on large estates, and all taxes on intra-family property transfers

NO ENDORSEMENT

Measure #80: NO ENDORSEMENT (Support 45.9%; No Endorsement 43.5%; Oppose 10.6%)
Allows personal marijuana, hemp cultivation/use without license; commission to regulate commercial marijuana cultivation/sale

Measure #81: NO ENDORSEMENT (Support 55.3%; No Endorsement 34.1%; Oppose 10.6%)
Prohibits commercial non-tribal fishing with gillnets in Oregon "inland waters," allows use of seine nets.

Last "Jeff vs. Doug" County Commissioner Candidates Forum
Tuesday, October 23, 7 p.m. at the Medford Library
This is a great chance to see these candidates in action.

Great News: Jeff Scroggin has received an endorsement from sitting GOP County Commissioner Don Skundrick as the "person who would do a better job". Jeff has also received the support of the Rogue Valley Association of Realtors (RVAR), normally a right-leaning group, because of his initiatives re family-wage jobs.

Jeff Scroggin for County Commissioner Campaign Needs YOU!
We are starting down the home stretch. Now is the time to help get Jeff elected.

Please call the Scroggin Campaign at 541-941-7015 and sign up today.

• Phone Callers: Two evening shifts: 5:30 - 7 p.m. or 7 - 8:30 p.m. OR Day shifts at your convenience.
• Canvassers: Saturdays, 10 a.m. - noon. Sundays, 1 p.m. OR make arrangements for another time.

If calling other volunteers to sign them up for campaign activities is more to your liking, PLEASE CALL to see how you can help. We make it easy with lists, scripts and you will only be calling volunteers who have already said they will help.

Project Rogue Valley Sponsors Forum on Key Food and Agriculture Issues
Tuesday, October 23, 2012, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Medford Main Branch Library large meeting room
Candidates for Jackson County Commissioner and the Oregon House of Representatives will gather on Tuesday, October 23 to answer citizen questions in a conversational forum sponsored by Project Rogue Valley. County Commissioner candidates Doug Breidenthal, Troy Hackett and Jeff Scroggin, as well as House District #5 candidates Sandra Abercrombie and Peter Buckley have been invited, and as of October 8, most of them have accepted.

There is no admissions charge, and those attending will have the opportunity to question the candidates directly. For information call Jeff Golden at 541-821-8401, or Lynn Blanche at 541-621-7474.

Democratic Party of Oregon Supports Joyce Segers: The clear choice for Common Sense
Trent Lutz, Editor for the DPO, Expresses Party Support for the Joyce Segers Campaign
"I wanted to pass along this message to you from our Democratic candidate in the 2nd Congressional District, Joyce Segers. Joyce is running a value driven campaign against Greg Walden, who has been a driving force behind the extreme policies of the Republican Congress, and the right-hand-man to John Boehner. I hope you will consider getting involved in a major way with her campaign!"

See Joyce's message here.

Signs for Segers. Help Her Grassroots Campaign Gain Visibility - Show a Sign
Printable window signs for your home or car are available at www.segersforcongress.org. Click on MEDIA.
There are twenty window signs to choose from. Show your support for President Obama's agenda by strengthening our Democratic voice in the House.

Get a Robocall About Your Voter Registration Status?
State officials are asking Oregon voters to be wary of widespread automated calls questioning their registration status.
Complaints have been received from voters in 35 of the state's 36 counties, including Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Marion counties. These calls are designed to overload the phones at county clerks' offices at the busiest time in the election cycle. Click here for how to report it if you get such a call.

Robo Calls Investigation Proceeds. Our Oregon filed a formal complaint last week with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General against a Republican House member, a Republican senator and others in connection with robocalls made last week to voters. The complaint names Rep. Julie Parrish, R-West Linn, who says she initiated the calls because she wanted to find out whether a phone call to inactive voters would spur them to restore their registration and cast a ballot for the November election. The complaint also names Sen. Larry George, R-Sherwood and political consultant Tim Trickey. The Secretary of State's office said voters in 35 of 36 counties had registered complaints after receiving the calls.

Senator Jeff Merkley Asks Support for State House and Senate Candidates
Read the profiles and contact information for the ten Oregon candidates recommended by Senator Merkley.
Time is growing short. Help! Help! Help! Click here.

Join a "Virtual" Phone Bank for Secretary of State Kate Brown
A virtual phone bank will be available the evenings of October 23-24-25. For a virtual phone bank, the caller logs in on line, gets a script and phone numbers and calls from their home phone. If you have an interest in calling on the virtual phone bank for Secretary of State Kate Brown, please contact the office at 541-858-1050. Sign up and we'll forward the connecting code.

Important Election Information Roundup

• Last day to register to vote for the November 6 general election: October 16. Register online : www.sos.state.or.us/elections

• If you've moved, update your registration. Ballots are not forwarded.

• If you've changed your name, use the paper registration form.

• Registration forms are available at the DMV, all libraries, and the Jackson County Democrats office, 40 S. Central, Medford.

• Jackson County Elections Office: 1101 W. Main, Medford (upstairs). Their telephone number is 541-774-6148 for any questions you may have.

• If you will be out of town during the election cycle, go to the Elections Office and vote early- call first to determine if ballots are ready.

• If you have not received your ballot by November 1, call the Elections Office.

Tell Governor Kitzhaber to Stop LNG Exports
Governor Kitzhaber can shut down both LNG export projects by denying them key state permits — but he won't do it unless we make our opposition clear. Sign the CREDO petition here.

DPO in the News
This link connects you with articles about our elected officials. Keep up to date. Get some oxygen from the Obama Truth Team on Mitt Romney's dishonest debate. Feel free to share the short videos with your undecided friends and family!

Note: under Secretary of State Kate Brown, see "Oregon Supreme Court Affirms Secretary Brown Was Right in Approach on Ballot Measure 47. Click here for all the articles.

NATIONAL ISSUES

Don't Miss the Last Presidential Debates
October 22, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
For topics and complete details click the link here.

Obama Won! DPO Review Of The October 16 Debate
President Obama Clearly Won the Debate; He Exposed the Emptiness of Romney’s Plans while Romney Got Rattled, Lashed Out and Misled Voters

Key Point: The President clearly won tonight’s debate, and the American people saw their leader tonight – a strong, steady and decisive President with an affirmative vision to move this country forward. Romney misled voters time and again and refused to explain his indefensible ideas when he was exposed on the emptiness of his own plans.

• President Obama clearly won tonight’s debate. The American people saw their leader tonight – a strong, steady and decisive President with an affirmative vision to move this country forward and build the economy from the middle out, not the top down. While Romney tried to mislead voters, the President exposed the real Mitt Romney.
  
  
  • Taxes: The President pointed out that Romney is offering the American people a “sketchy deal.” His plan spends $5 trillion in tax cuts favoring the wealthiest that they don’t need and $2 trillion on a defense buildup the Pentagon hasn’t asked for, without explaining how he’d pay for any of it.
    
  • Two Sets of Rules: He pointed out that Romney’s five-point plan is really a one-point plan: one set of rules for himself and his friends and another set of rules for everyone else – the same bad ideas that created the crisis in the first place.
    
• Romney misfired on his attacks and fired blanks on his own proposals. When he was exposed on his own plans’ emptiness, he was rattled, lashed out against the moderator and refused to explain his indefensible ideas. Romney misled voters time and again:
  
  • Equal Pay: Romney gave an awkward and dishonest answer about his failure to stand up for equal pay for equal work. While the President talked about women as breadwinners for Americans families, Romney talked about them as resumes in a binder.
    
  • Women’s Health: He didn’t tell the truth about his plan to take away women’s access to affordable contraception. He’d repeal Obamacare, doing exactly that.
    
  • Libya: Romney wasn’t honest about the President’s immediate response to the terror attack in Benghazi. The President called it an “act of terror” the day after it happened.
    
  • Immigration: He wasn’t honest about his own promise to veto the DREAM Act or his support for self-deportation and Arizona’s extreme anti-immigrant law.

Join the Center for Reproductive Rights Drive to Protect Women's Right to Choose
"We're putting the U.S. government on notice—and YOU can make all difference.
Help us spread the word that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights that must be guaranteed and safeguarded for all." Visit the Center's Website and sign their petition here.

Poll Watchers, Here's a Website for You!
www.Fivethirtyeight.com from the NY Times gives you the very latest poll statistics. Check it out.

WIDER COMMUNITY

The Oregon Education Investment Board is Holds their Medford Community Forum
Wednesday, October 24, 6 - 8 p.m., North Medford High School Commons, 1900 Keene Way
The Education Funding Team has issued funding recommendations to the Governor, and part of the Community Forum will be devoted to obtaining feedback on those funding recommendations. Be there and let your voice be heard.

The OSU Nutrition and Education Program presents "Presidential Cookies"
Thursday, October 25, 6 - 8 p.m., OSU Extension, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point
Have you ever wondered if Democrats or Republicans like chocolate more? Bakers are preparing up to 42 different Presidents’ favorites for sampling. Cost is $10, and includes recipes. The original recipe book is out of print. Call Jeannie Evers at 541-776-7371 for more information and to reserve a space.

United Nations Association of the USA, Southern Oregon Chapter, Celebrates the 67th Anniversary of the United Nations
Friday, October 26, 2012, 4 p.m., Medford Congregational United Church of Christ, 1801 East Jackson Street
You are invited to share in the celebration of the founding of the United Nations. Light refreshments, a musical welcome, and a keynote address by Stephane Dujarric, Director, News and Media Division, United Nations Department of Public Information. The topic: "Current Issues for the United Nations: Moving Toward a Just World". A Public Event - Admission is free.

Stand For Children Educational Summit
Saturday, October 27, 9 - 11:30 am, Jackson Elementary School, Medford
Hear firsthand about education reform initiatives happening in Oregon from Ben Cannon, Governor John Kitzhaber's Education Policy Advisor. See the flyer for all the details.

World-renowned reporter Amy Goodman to Appear in Ashland
Sunday, October 28, 7 p.m., Ashland High School

Amy Goodman - anchorwoman, fearless journalist and producer of Democracy Now - is celebrating 16 years of reporting on hot topics at the cutting edge of politics often ignored by mainstream media. On her current tour, she is promoting her new book The Silenced Majority: Stories of Uprisings, Occupations, Resistance, and Hope, written with Denis Moynihan. Tickets and information are available at Bloomsbury Books.

League of Women Voters Series Presents Films with Election Themes
Saturday, November 3, 7 p.m. discussion, 8 p.m. film, Medford Library large room, 205 S. Central, Medford
The film is the Manchurian Candidate with Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep. Discussion led by Jeff Golden. Click here for more details on this and other films to be presented in the series.

Need Help with a Foreclosure?
Read about our homeowner programs by following the link below. We've put together an updated list of the new options homeowners have to fight wrongful foreclosures in Oregon. Please share this page with anyone you know who may be facing foreclosure. Click here to read a full description of current foreclosure defense programs in Oregon.

"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.