First, we should acknowledge the obvious: The bill is awful. It gives away permits to greenhouse gas emitters that should instead be auctioned. As a result, money that could be rebated to taxpayers or used to fund the development of clean technologies instead goes to the industries that are the source of the problem.  [more]

Creepy, Revealing Quote from White House Staffer

Glenn Greenwald
July 1, 2009

Published by Salon.

Jane Hamsher details the extremely aggressive tactics the White House and House leadership used to coerce liberal environmentalist members to vote for the cap-and-trade bill despite their belief that it helped polluters more than it did anything else (and remember their ability to do that the next time they claim that a bill they ostensibly support simply couldn't pass because it lacked the necessary votes).  Jane quotes from a Politico article reporting on White House anger towards environmentalist Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett, due to an impassioned floor speech he gave arguing that the bill was so industry-friendly that it would do more harm than good.  That article contains this quote: [more]

Hey Progressives, Join Forces to Fight the Health Insurance Industry!

Karen Dolan, Institute for Policy Studies
June 30, 2009

Single-payer and public option advocates are fighting each other. We must remember that we're on the same side.

Take Action: Tell Congress "Don't go along to get along--provide real leadership for healthcare reform"

Published by AlterNet.

“A ‘Public Plan’ is a sell-out, crafted to appease Big Pharma.”  [more]

How the "Public Option" of Health Insurance Went From Inevitable to Imperiled

Peter Suderman
June 30, 2009

Some straight talk from a straight-laced federal agency puts government-run insurance on the brink

Take Action: Tell Congress "Let the CBO score HR 676"

Published by Reason Online.

Just a few weeks ago, progressive health-care reform looked like a done deal. And the so-called "public plan"—a government-run insurance option beloved by the Democratic Party's most liberal faction—was to be the legislation's centerpiece.  [more]

Unlikely Ally for Residents of West Bank

Ethan Bronner
June 30, 2009

Join PDA's Israel/Palestine Action Group; learn more here.

Published by The New York Times.

SAFA, West Bank — Ezra Nawi was in his element. Behind the wheel of his well-worn jeep one recent Saturday morning, working two cellphones in Arabic as he bounded through the terraced hills and hardscrabble villages near Hebron, he was greeted warmly by Palestinians near and far.  [more]

A Better Way to Slow Global Warming

Marshall Saunders
June 30, 2009

Join PDA's Stop Global Warming/Environmental Issue Organizing Team (IOT); learn more here.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune.

Congress finally took initial steps to confront global warming on Friday. Unfortunately, the bill passed in the House is seriously flawed and won't produce the reductions in greenhouse gases needed to avert catastrophe.
[more]

Now We See You, Now We Don't

Kathy Kelley
June 29, 2009

Take Action: Tell Congress "Seek a political solution in AF/PAK war"

Published by t r u t h o u t.org.

In early June, 2009, I was in the Shah Mansoor displaced persons camp in Pakistan, listening to one resident detail the carnage that had spurred his and his family's flight there a mere 15 days earlier. Their city, Mingora, had come under massive aerial bombardment. He recalled harried efforts to bury corpses found on the roadside even as he and his neighbors tried to organize their families to flee the area.

"They were killing us in that way, there," my friend said. Then, gesturing to the rows of tents stretching as far as the eye could see, he added, "Now, in this way, here."  [more]

LabCorp Denies Blood Test for Heart Attack Patient Due to $7 Debt

Donna Smith
June 29, 2009

Join PDA's Healthcare for All Issue Organizing Team (IOT); learn more here.

OK, if this wasn’t personal enough just yet for me, it just got a whole lot more so.  And if you think for one instant that in this nation at this point in history and with this popularly elected President and Democratic Congress you will be treated for a heart attack simply because you might die if you are not treated, think again.  And if you think having insurance helps, think some more. 

On Friday, my husband was denied a blood test because a computer record from some distant time past and some other state showed he had a $7 balance with LabCorp.  I am not making this up.  [more]

Rochester Group Petitions for Single-payer Healthcare System

John Boccacino
June 29, 2009, Rochester, NY

Sign the Healthcare NOT Warfare petition!

Published by the Democrat and Chronicle.

On any sunny day, the Rochester Public Market draws crowds looking for fresh fruits and vegetables or just an excuse to enjoy some outdoor fun.

As visitors strolled into the market on Saturday, they were greeted with a different sight: about 20 members of Rochester for HR 676, a group that supports Medicare health coverage for everyone, along with members of the Progressive Democrats of America's Genesee Valley chapter, collecting signatures and informing the public about HR 676, a bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich.  [more]

Members of U.S. House Financial Services Committee Snapped Up or Dumped Bank Stocks as Bottom Fell Out of Market

Stephen Koff and Sabrina Eaton
June 29, 2009, Washington, DC

Published by The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Members of Congress were chasing profits while making policy

As financial markets tumbled and the government worked to stave off panic by pumping billions of dollars into banks last fall, several members of Congress who oversee the banking industry were grabbing up or dumping bank stocks.

Anticipating bargains or profits or just trying to unload before the bottom fell out, these members of the House Financial Services Committee or brokers on their behalf were buying and selling stocks including Bank of America and Citigroup--some of the very corporations their committee would later rap for greed, a Plain Dealer examination of congressional stock market transactions shows.   [more]

Honduran Military Ousts President ahead of Vote

Will Weissert and Freddy Cuevas
June 29, 2009

Published by Associated Press.

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Soldiers ousted the democratically elected president of Honduras on Sunday and Congress named a successor, but the leftist ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez denounced what he called an illegal coup and vowed to stay in power.

The first military takeover of a Central American government in 16 years drew widespread condemnation from governments in Latin America and the world, and Chavez vowed to overthrow the country's apparent new leader. [more]

Saving the Planet starts with Unpicking Congress's Knots

Michael Tomasky
June 29, 2009

Passing the climate bill was a victory for Obama, one that also showed up the institutional paralysis in the American system

Join PDA's Stop Global Warming/Environmental Issue Organizing Team (IOT); learn more here.

Published by the Guardian.UK.

If you're the type who likes to look on the bright side, the climate change bill passed last week by the US House of Representatives was a significant accomplishment for America. Every American with common sense and no financial stake in denying the obvious truth of the matter has known for years we've needed to do something about carbon emissions. But it's exactly the kind of problem a system of government like ours was built to put off. Our founders were concerned first and foremost with the potential for authoritarian tyranny, since there was a lot of that afoot in those days. So they built a system of divided government, compulsively concerned with checks and balances so that few actions could be taken quickly.  [more]

Beyond the Waxman-Markey Vote: THE SIMPLE PATH TO CLIMATE PROTECTION

Bill Shireman
June 29, 2009

Published by The Huffington Post.

It's no secret how to save the world's climate: put a price on carbon--enough to drive a 2 or 3 percent annual emissions reduction. Use the revenues to cut taxes on things we want, like jobs, savings, and profits.

That's it. We're done. In a single stroke, we can cut carbon emissions over 20% by 2020, and 80% by around 2050 - just what scientists tell us we need. We get more jobs, higher salaries, bigger profits, cleaner technology, and sustainable growth. Nearly every economist, climate scientist, and expert from Al Gore to James Hansen to Tom Friedman to the Sierra Club agrees.   [more]

Climate Bill: "Largest Corporate Welfare Program" in History?

Peter Downs
June 29, 2009, Washington, DC

Published by FOCUS/Midwest.

Some environmental groups and progressive Democrats are denouncing the American Clean Energy and Security Act as a massive subsidy for polluters and a meaningless response to climate change.

A day before the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a vote of 219-212, seven liberal and environmental organizations mounted a campaign to defeat the bill. The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate. [more]

Washington Enviro Groups like LCV Hurt Progressive Movement

Ids
June 29, 2009

Published by Daily Kos.

The progressive movement is symied by Washington based environmental groups such as the League of Conservation Voters (LCV).  A look at a 2008 House race Kos spent precious resources on (and lost) to last week's House passage of ACES shows it is true.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) bets its money on "clean coal".  Yet, the LCV, relied upon by some as a seal of environmental approval, makes it clear they will not countenance dissent and would not endorse any member who votes against it.  [more]

US States' Budget Crisis Sets Stage for New Attack on the Working Class

Tom Eley
June 28, 2009

Published byWorld Socialist Web Site.

By Tuesday, many US state governments must pass budgets for the coming fiscal year. The state capitals are now the scene of bitter feuding among governors and legislators over how the deficits will be met. But there is unanimity that the working class must foot the bill.

Forty-six states confront significant deficits, and their collective shortfall for 2010 stands at more than $130 billion. This comes after a $104 billion deficit in 2009, for a two-year total of $234 billion in red ink—$91 billion more than President Barack Obama’s stimulus package allocated to all municipalities and the 50 states for the next two years.  [more]

White House Is Drafting Executive Order to Allow Indefinite Detention; Move Would Bypass Congress

Dafna Linzer, ProPublica, and Peter Finn, Washington Post
June 28, 2009

Published by Pro Publica.

The Obama administration, fearing a battle with Congress that could stall plans to close Guantanamo, is drafting an executive order that would reassert presidential authority to incarcerate suspected terrorists indefinitely, according to three senior government officials with knowledge of White House deliberations.

Such an order would embrace claims by former President George W. Bush that certain people can be detained without trial for long periods under the laws of war. Obama advisers are concerned that bypassing Congress could place the president on weaker footing before the courts and anger key supporters, the officials said.  [more]

Lt. Dan Choi Talks about Don't Ask Don't Tell

June 28, 2009

Take Action: Sign the statement of support.

Published by California Progress Report.

Lt. Dan Choi on Tuesday faces a hearing to determine whether he will be kicked out of the military due to his violation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy." This despite the fact that he has willingly and proudly served his nation with honor. This despite the fact that he has the rare skill of speaking fluent Arabic. On Friday night, he was in Davis to campaign for his friend and classmate from West Point, Anthony Woods who is running for Congress in the 10th Congressional District.   [more]

Is Max Baucus Change We Can Believe In?

Ari Berman
June 28, 2009

Take Action: Join the "Challenge Max Baucus Campaign!"  Vote in our blog poll!

Published by The Nation.

For months, advocates for and against true health care reform in Washington have been closely watching Senator Max Baucus of Montana, chairman of the all-powerful Finance Committee, and wondering what he'll do. We don't know the answer yet. Baucus was instrumental in helping George Bush pass tax cuts for the rich and privatize Medicare, but he's also said he wants to shepherd Barack Obama's healthcare plan through Congress and make universal coverage a reality once and for all. Thus far, we don't which Baucus will show up, the Bush-loving friend of big business or the populist ally of Obama.  [more]

Obama Asks For Your Questions On Health Care (VIDEO)

June 28, 2009

Published by The Huffington Post.

President Obama is scheduled to hold an online town hall on Wednesday to discuss health care and the White House is asking people to get involved by submitting their questions about health care reform via video. The White House's blog says that in this instance "we are engaging online networks outside of WhiteHouse.gov, such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter."  [more]

Dennis Kucinich Votes against Climate Change Bill

Muriel Kane
June 28, 2009

Published by Raw Story.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who is widely known as an advocate for the environment and for clean energy, announced on Friday that he had voted against the climate change legislation passed earlier that day by the House of Representatives.

“I oppose H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009,” Kucinich stated in a press release. “The reason is simple. It won’t address the problem. In fact, it might make the problem worse.”  [more]

A Deadly Ingredient in a Chicken Dinner

Douglas Gansler
June 28, 2009

Published by The Washington Post.

Most people don't know that the chicken they eat is laced with arsenic. The ice water or coffee they enjoy with their chicken may also be infused with arsenic. If they live on or near a farm, the air they breathe may be infected with arsenic dust as well.

Why do our chicken, our water and our air contain arsenic? Because in the United States, most major poultry producers add an arsenic compound known as roxarsone to their chicken feed. Inorganic arsenic is a Class A carcinogen that has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and declines in brain function. Recent scientific findings show that most Americans are routinely exposed to between three and 11 times the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended safety limit.  [more]

Author Naomi Klein Calls for Boycott of Israel

Naomi Klein
June 28, 2009

Join PDA's Israel/Palestine Action Group; learn more here.

Published by Agence France Presse.

BILIN , West Bank--Bestselling author Naomi Klein on Friday took her call for a boycott of Israel to the occupied West Bank village of Bilin, where she witnessed Israeli forces clashing with protesters.

"It's a boycott of Israeli institutions, it's a boycott of the Israeli economy," the Canadian writer told journalists as she joined a weekly demonstration against Israel's controversial separation wall.   [more]

House Passes "Weak" Climate Change Bill

John Nichols
June 27, 2009, Washington, DC

Join PDA's Stop Global Warming/Environmental Issue Organizing Team (IOT); learn more here.

Published by The Nation.

The American Clean Energy and Security legislation that was backed by the Obama administration and congressional Democratic leaders as a centerpiece of the drive to address climate change was approved Friday by the U.S. House.  [more]

Testimony of Quentin Young, M.D., to the House Ways and Means Committee

June 27, 2009

Take Action: Tell Congress "Medicare for all"

Robert Stone, M.D. addresses Blue Dogs

The following testimony is the prepared text of the remarks given by Dr. Quentin Young, M.D., M.A.C.P., national coordinator, Physicians for a National Health Program, at a hearing on health care reform conducted by the House Ways and Means Committee on June 24 in Washington:  [more]

PDA-Chicago Sponsors Debate: Which Way to Universal Healthcare: "Public Option" or Single -payer?

Al Nowakowski and Bill Bianchi
June 27, 2009, Chicago, IL

Watch the video.

President Obama wants healthcare reform legislation on his desk this fall!

Unfortunately, healthcare reformers within the Democratic Party say that single-payer healthcare is "off the table." They advocate instead a proposed "public option" that promises many benefits and lower cost. As a result, the debate between advocates of single-payer healthcare (S-P) and the yet-to-be- defined “public option” (PO) has reached the boiling point.

What is the public option? How does it compare to the single-payer solution?  [more]

Bill to Force Renegotiation of Pending Trade Agreements in House

Kate Ackley
June 27, 2009, Washington, DC

Take Action: Tell Congress "Improve the real economy; support the TRADE Act"

Published by Roll Call.

More than 100 House Members introduced a trade reform bill Wednesday that would put the breaks on pending trade agreements and could result in re-opening existing pacts such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Supporters of the legislation said it also sets out a new international trade model that would help protect human rights, the environment and U.S. jobs.   [more]

Obama's Emerging Legacy: Wars, Bankers and For-Profit Healthcare

Glenn Ford, Black Agenda Report executive director
June 27, 2009

Published by Black Agenda Report.

The first Black president has racked up some impressive victories. Barack Obama has quarantined single-payer healthcare advocates, crushed dissent against the war in Congress, and transferred more money to the finance capital class than at any time in planetary history. Not bad for just five months in office. “At some point in the near future Barack Obama will become inextricably associated in the public mind with Big Capital--and deservedly so.”

“The 'Obama Effect' has led to the near-total collapse of the Left.”  [more]

A Settlement Stalemate With No End in Sight

William Pfaff
June 27, 2009

Join PDA's Israel/Palestine Action Group; learn more here.

Published by Truthdig.

The Obama administration’s confrontation with Israel over its colonies inside the Palestine territories began as a test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s willingness to enter serious negotiations on a Middle Eastern settlement. It actually possesses potential dimensions that few today imagine.

Netanyahu first counted on the Likud and settlement lobbies in Washington to produce, as always in the past, a disingenuous formula that would allow the colonies to continue to expropriate Palestinian land and expand the settlements, while the American government oversaw essentially meaningless negotiations with the Palestinians.  [more]

Conservative Justices' Strange Enthusiasm for the Punishment of the Innocent

Matthew Yglesias
June 27, 2009

Published by Think Progress.

Here’s a beaut of a decision from the increasingly brutal and inhumane conservative-dominated Supreme Court. Not content with gutting anti-discrimination legislation, a 5-4 majority has decided that if people are wrongfully convicted they should be punished anyway because, hey, tough on crime! [more]

Grijalva Bill to Ensure Student Success in Middle School

June 27, 2009, Washington, DC

Legislation to help ensure that all students exiting the middle grades are prepared for success was introduced this week by Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva.  

The Success in the Middle Act, would authorize federal investments in improving the education of middle grades students in low-performing schools.  The bill would help states and districts provide leadership, intensive intervention, and technical assistance to improve low-performing schools that contain middle grades.

According to ACT, the level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a larger impact on the students’ college and career readiness upon graduation from high school than anything that happens academically in high school.   [more]

PDA Celebrates Our 5th Birthday

June 26, 2009

Sign up to throw a birthday party here | Get your party-pak here

When Progressive Democrats of America launched in Roxbury on July 29, 2004, who knew that PDA would grow to become the “most valuable progressive organization” in the country?
Those of us present at the founding knew what PDA could become, but we were also aware of the pitfalls in trying to organize progressives across the country. Many had gone before us and had failed. The founders understood the need to empower individuals, to give them the tools they needed to become effective organizers in their own communities, and to create an environment in which each person had equal voice. Our goal was to address those needs within a framework—a truly bottom-up grassroots organization.

Like all youngsters, we stumbled a few times and made some mistakes, yet on the whole PDA has been successful and continues to grow because we remain true to our mission. What other national organization has developed a network of grassroots volunteers who are as smart, dedicated, and committed to progressive ideals as PDA? What other national organization has been at the forefront of ending the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan and working for a just peace in the Middle East, enacting single-payer healthcare and election reforms, stopping global warming, and working for economic justice? What other organization has done so much with so little funding? [more]

PDA Launches the "Healthcare Not Warfare" Campaign

Norman Solomon, PDA Advisory Board member
March 5, 2008

Sign the petition!

For several years now, the news media have identified healthcare and the war in Iraq as key issues in American politics. But very little of the reporting or the punditry goes beneath the buzz-word surfaces to the human realities that span from local hospitals to a faraway war.

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift,” Martin Luther King Jr. said 40 years ago, “is approaching spiritual death.” Today, nearly one in six Americans has no health insurance, and tens of millions of others are woefully under-insured--while the war in Iraq continues to further skew the U.S. government's budget priorities.

By launching the national “Healthcare Not Warfare” campaign, Progressive Democrats of America is moving ahead with a grassroots opportunity to turn from warfare to healthcare for all. While growing ever since it came into existence four years ago, PDA has been working with--and, more often, pushing--Democrats in Congress to end the occupation of Iraq. And, integral to its progressive program, PDA has been mobilizing support behind H.R. 676, the bill to create a universal single payer system to guarantee healthcare for all. [more]