I started posting on HowieinSeattle in 11/04, following progressive American politics in the spirit of Howard Dean's effort to "Take Our Country Back." I decided to follow my heart and posted on seattleforbarackobama from 2/07 to 11/08.--"Howie Martin is the Abe Linkin' of progressive Seattle."--Michael Hood.
What is missing from America is a healthy fear in the hearts and minds of the most powerful political and financial factions of the consequences of their continued pilfering, corporatism, and corrupt crony capitalism, and only this sort of movement — untethered from the pacifying rules of our political and media institutions — can re-impose that healthy fear. When both parties are captive to the same factions, then — by design, as AIPAC has so effectively shown — one can’t subvert the agenda of those factions simply by voting for one party or the other. MORE...
Are you watching what’s happening in Wisconsin? I’m so inspired by the teachers, nurses, firefighters and everyone who is rising up against the corporate teabagger agenda that I can hardly sleep!
I’ve got some amazing news. Whether it’s people fighting back against a Republican attempt to dismantle workers’ rights in their own state, or it’s a gathering to show solidarity for those fighting back elsewhere, the rallies are spreading around the country. In fact, one is happening this week close to where you live.
Our friends at SEIU have compiled a list of all these rallies. Click here to see the list. Then find the one near you, RSVP, and hit the streets.
This could be a turning point for our movement. We can defend workers' rights and reclaim the political energy nationwide, but we have to act immediately.
Putting the question of marijuana legalization on state ballots in 2012 may be one of the most effective ways for a dispirited Democratic Party to get reluctant voters out to the polls. The wild card in the coming midterms and in 2012 will be the "surge" voters -- people who were driven to the polls in 2008 through a once-in-a-generation mix of shame at the outgoing administration and hope in a new, barrier-breaking candidate. Democrats are investing millions in figuring out how to get those voters out, and the marijuana issue is getting increasing attention from political operatives. (SNIP) The Service Employees International Union explored putting a pot initiative on the 2010 ballot in Washington state and engaged Project New West to poll whether it could turn liberals out. The union concluded that the move had merit in general, but in particular it wasn't impressed with how the petition drive and campaign was being organized, so didn't pursue it. (As if to confirm the SEIU's conclusion, the would-be pot organizers issued an angry statement aimed at the union when it decided not to get involved.) MORE...
Howie P.S.: This article quotes a skeptical Markos:
"I certainly wouldn't bank on these initiatives as part of a Democratic turnout initiative."
More than 400 caregivers for seniors and people with disabilities – joined by other community allies – will rally Monday afternoon outside Cigna’s office in downtown Seattle. The long-term care workers, members of SEIU Healthcare 775NW, will demand an end to Cigna’s opposition to a public option and call for quick action to pass legislation ensuring access to affordable health care for all Americans.
Speakers will include:
· Jo Joshua Godfrey, victim of Cigna abuse and national consumer advocate
· SEIU member covered by Cigna
· Workers with compelling personal health care stories
· Dr. Toni Lewis, a Geriatrician and President of SEIU’s Committee of Interns and Residents
When: Monday, September 14 2:30 PM
Where: Meet at 600 4th Ave, the City Hall Plaza, delegation will bring stories and signed banner to Cigna office at 700 5th Ave.
As leader of a progressive, growing union with 2 million members, half employed in health care, Andy Stern has a stern message for Democratic politicians who seek support from the Service Employees International Union.
"We will walk with you but hold your feet to the fire," Sally O'Neill, a nurse at the Swedish Hospital child care center in Ballard said Wednesday, as the president of her union nodded with approval.
Stern, whose union was a big backer of Gov. Chris Gregoire in 2004 and 2008, pointedly criticized Washington politicians for a "lack of courage" to deal with a tax structure that delivers low revenue at times of highest social need.
Underscoring his point, Stern and local SEIU activists -- known as the "purple wave" for shirts worn at political rallies -- met for a sit-down at an Elderhealth Northwest center. The daycare program for the elderly and disabled was deeply cut by the Washington Legislature last spring.
"We had a lot of disappointment with the recent legislative session," Stern said.The SEIU has set aside a $10 million "accountability" fund. Stern says he expects "a lot of that" money will be spent supporting primary opponents of Democrats "who have let us down."
As recently as five years ago, the liberal-progressive side of America's political spectrum was being out-thought, out-organized and outfought by forces on the political right.
The left has since made up lost ground. A new generation of "net roots" Internet activists helped deliver congressional victories in 2006. The Obama campaign ended the 2008 campaign with 3 million contributors plus 10 million names on its mailing and e-mailing lists. Unions have backed "farm teams" to train candidates and activists.
The gains have been at the grassroots. It's still nearly impossible to turn on your TV and see outspoken progressives on network news programs, except for MSNBC's "Countdown" which caters to liberal true believers.
Typically, on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Thursday, old-style Democrats, consultant Bob Shrum and ex-Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., were urging President Barack Obama to offer up the so-called "public option" as a sacrifice to move health care reform through Congress.
But a new generation of progressive activists is challenging conservative and centrist Democrats. They masterminded the 2006 Democratic primary defeat of Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an outspoken supporter of the Iraq war.
But Lieberman went on to get reelected as an independent. The SEIU rolled in a huge purple van, filled with phone lines, to support a 2004 primary challenge to Democratic State Rep. Helen Sommers. Sommers won. A labor-backed group called Progressive Majority failed in a bid to oust Democratic state Sen. Tim Shelton, who usually votes with Republicans.
The political right has an enforcement arm. The Club for Growth (aka "Club for Greed"), fueled by Wall Street free market supporters, has targeted those it called RINOs for Republicans in Name Only.
The Club helped primary opponents oust moderate Republican congressmen in Michigan and Maryland. But Democrats captured both House seats. It helped elect ultraconservative Idaho Rep. Bill Sali, only to see Sali lose his seat in a solidly Republican state.
With its take-no-prisoners ads, however, the Club for Growth is telling Republican lawmakers to take a hard, obstructionist line in the current health care debate.
"If there wasn't this pressure, they (Republican senators) would try to find a solution," Stern said.
The SEIU is, for the moment, working shoulder-to-shoulder with Democrats. It has turned out members -- labeled "SEIU Goons" by bloggers on the right -- to counter protests aimed at blocking health care reform.
Stern isn't impressed at those who have disrupted lawmakers' town meetings. "A lot of these people have been screaming at the moon for a long time," he said. The SEIU feels the status quo in health care is so bad -- and insurance so expensive -- that
Americans will reject fear and embrace change.
But ...
What if the Obama administration finds that dumping the public option is the price of achieving other goals, such as no longer letting insurers deny coverage because of pre-existing health conditions, or making insurance affordable to the working poor?
"Is it important enough to take care of nearly 50 million people without health care?" asked Stern. "We'll have to make that decision."
Even when you're holding people's feet to the fire, sometimes there comes a time to chill.
Marc Ambinder reports that besides the Iowa endorsement, John Edwards received the endorsement of nine other SEIU state affiliates today: California, Washington State, Michigan, Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio, West Virginia, Idaho and Montana.
Also: Barack Obama was endorsed by the Illinois and Indiana SEIU affiliates. New York local 1199 -- by far the largest SEIU affiliate -- has yet to endorse.
As I suggested yesterday, the SEIU is letting each of its constituent unions make its own endorsement. That diffuses internal union tensions, but also diminishes the political muscle of the most important player in "new labor," and it's a severe disappointment to the Edwards campaign.
From press release: Citing Strength of Presidential Field, SEIU Locals to Decide on Endorsement of Presidential Candidates by State
Members and Leaders in Each State Will Decide Whether/Whom to Endorse
CHICAGO – Citing the strength of the presidential field on the key issues for working families, and the importance of the 2008 election on the future of America, SEIU local unions will decide on presidential primary endorsements on a state-by-state basis.
“The outcome of this election will decide whether we finally achieve comprehensive, affordable healthcare for everyone, whether we bring economic security and fairness to working people, whether we bring our sons and daughters home from a civil war in Iraq, and whether working people in America finally have the freedom to form unions without intimidation,” said SEIU President Andy Stern. “Given the importance of this election, we are encouraging members and leaders to act on their passion for the candidates and get involved on a statewide basis.”
UPDATE: One paragraph in the press release seems to make the Iowa and New Hampshire local endorsements quite important, in that they could invite bigger brother unions in for Edwards. A silver lining maybe, if just a lining: "Local unions in each state will decide in a democratic process whether and/or whom to endorse. Endorsement decisions will not be announced before October 15. States that endorse will engage in positive campaign activities on behalf of their endorsed candidate in their state."
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- After an eight-hour board meeting in Chicago on Monday, the executive board of the Service Employees International Union decided not to endorse for now in the Democratic primary. The executive board will revisit an endorsement on Oct. 8, after the third-quarter fund-raising totals are in.
This is a big setback for White House hopeful former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), who has been working the SEIU leaders (first, second and third tier) for years. This is very good news for rival Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), who now has bought time to persuade SEIU leaders that he is the most politically viable contender.
I'm told the leaders of the SEIU -- one of the most politically active unions in the nation -- want to make an endorsement. And there are elements within the leadership who want to stop Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who is the frontrunner in most polls -- national and in the four early primary states.
I'm told the executive board never even took a vote. That's all bad news for the Edwards forces, who hoped to lock in the SEIU endorsement last week, after the top Dem contenders addressed their political conference in Washington. But SEIU chief Andy Stern and SEIU chief politico Anna Burger said the executive board needed to hear more from the top strategists for the campaigns. Team Obama sent strategist David Axelrod and campaign manager David Plouffe.
Obama delivered a stemwinder last week at the conference. I wrote last week he faced an uphill battle getting the union's backing. By slowing down the process on Monday, he's leveling the hill.
Presumably, Obama will have a strong third-quarter fund-raising showing. The books close Sept. 30 and Edwards will be lucky to have $8 million. Obama and Clinton should be reporting at least $20 million in third-quarter results.
Today, Change-to-Win, a labor federation of which the SEIU is a member, meets in Chicago. No endorsement is expected.
Glenn Greenwald:
