The Voice

David Lujan, Vince Rabago, & Felecia Rotellini.

8 August, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, at the Johnsons on 3033 N Spirit Dancer Trail

Let’s do something fun:  We encourage all who attend to bring their choice of appetizers to share so that we can find some new recipes to borrow. The club will provide utensils, drinks, and all that sort of stuff.

We need to pay attention to who is running and how we can get them get elected. We are continuing our long tradition of “meet the candidate“ sessions. This time you can get to know the Democratic candidates for Attorney General.

Please email chair@tanqueverdedems.org with any questions.Directions:  From Soldier Trail & Tanque Verde: drive North on Soldier, then East on Fort Lowell, then South on Spirit Dancer.  Click for a Map

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HERE IS A MESSAGE FROM CLUB CHAIR JOE THEOBALD Fellow Democrats, As we are entering the 2010 election season, we need to pay attention to who is running on our behalf and how we can help them get elected. We will be continuing our tradition of information sessions with an excellent time planned for 24 July where you can get to know the Democratic candidates for Secretary of State (Chris Deschene and Sam Wiercinski) and Corporation Commission (David Bradley, Jorge Luis Garcia, and Renz Jennings). We have seen a lot of evidence recently to remind us how important these two offices are.We will be getting together on 24 July from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Sally Gunderman’s Cactus Cove B&B on 10066 E Kleindale Rd. We are going to try something new and fun this time. We encourage all who attend to bring their choice of appetizers to share so that we can find out about some new recipes to borrow. The club will provide utensils, drinks etc.

Terry Goddard Honored with Highest Award from Nation’s Attorneys General
(Phoenix, Ariz. – June 17, 2010) Attorney General Terry Goddard received the prestigious Kelley-Wyman award last night from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) at the organization’s annual summer meeting in Seattle, Washington.
The Kelley-Wyman Award is the association’s highest honor and is presented to the Attorney General who has done the most to advance the objectives of the association. It is sometimes referred to as the “Attorney General of the Year” award. Goddard was selected to receive this honor in recognition of his work on the $94 million Western Union recovery, as well as his leadership on a number of law enforcement initiatives, including mortgage fraud and the multi-state tobacco settlement.
“Attorney General Terry Goddard demonstrates the collegial and collaborative efforts that NAAG strives to facilitate among its membership,” stated NAAG President Jon Bruning, the Republican Attorney General of Nebraska.
“His guidance and perseverance led to the groundbreaking agreement among the four Southwest border states and Western Union that will provide substantial resources for law enforcement to combat money laundering,” Bruning added. “General Goddard has been instrumental in combating Mexican drug cartels that threaten the security of the U.S.-Mexican border. He has worked with Mexico’s top law enforcement officials to increase cross-border cooperation.”
“AG Goddard very much deserves this prestigious award,” said Paul Charlton, former U.S. Attorney for Arizona. “Terry has taken on the drug cartels, human smugglers, and border crime in effective and creative ways. He is a thoughtful prosecutor whose good work has now been recognized nationally by his peers.”
“As a border Sheriff, I know how hard the Attorney General has worked to provide resources to local law enforcement in the battle against the drug cartels,” stated Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik. “He understands that only through close partnerships with local law enforcement, the federal government, and Mexican law enforcement officials can we truly win the battle against these criminals. I congratulate the Attorney General and his team for winning this prestigious award.”
“Attorney General Goddard has led the way in working with local law enforcement and prosecutors in fighting drug cartels and border crime,” said Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney. “I applaud NAAG for selecting him for this prestigious award.”
“I would like to thank my fellow Attorneys General for this recognition of the great work we have done fighting border crime and mortgage fraud,” Goddard said. “This award is a welcome pat on the back to the hard-working men and women of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and our law enforcement partners. For almost eight years, I’ve had the privilege to work with my fellow Attorneys General across political and regional divides to find common ground to benefit our citizens. We have a proud tradition among the AGs of independence from outside pressure and dedication to the law.”
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) was founded in 1907 to help Attorneys General fulfill the responsibilities of their office and to assist in the delivery of high-quality legal services to the states and territories. The Association fosters interstate cooperation on legal and law enforcement issues, conducts policy research and analysis of issues, and facilitates communication among the states’ chief legal officers. . The Association’s members are the Attorneys General of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
Goddard is the third Arizona Attorney General to win the Kelley-Wyman Award. Prior winners were Grant Woods in 1994 and Gary Nelson in 1970.

We have joined up with ActBlue to provide a way for our supporters to support the club through online donations.

We have our own fundraising page:

http://www.actblue.com/page/tvvdc  or http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/24448

Please join up and help us get where we need to be for the work we need to do this summer in support of our candidates.

TERRY GODDARD SPEAKS TO TVVDC

On Saturday, January 30, 2010 The TVVDC held a very successful general meeting to start the new year. Chairman Joe Theobald introduced the guest of honor Terry Goddard, who has just recently announced his candidacy for Governor of AZ. Approximately 71 people were present at Steve Larson’s home for a light lunch and to meet and greet some of the other Democratic campaigners as well. Terry spoke of the situation at the state capitol and joked that although the Legislature decided to sell State buildings to help with the budget, his two offices as Attorney General were not even considered, which shows what poor condition they are in. He went on to talk about some of the changes he will make in the system when he is elected. He was informative and casual and gave those present, the definite impression that he has the know-how and experience to do the job.

I have been trying to make sense out of the on-going health care ruckus (it would be great if there were a debate).  It seems to me that there needs to be some core principles out of which the reform proposals develop.  At the top of the list for me is that profit needs to be removed as a motivator in the health industry and that coverage needs to be made available to all.  It just seems wrong for insurance companies to have their profits go from $2.4M in 2000 to $12.7M in 2007 in the face of the 14,000 people who are losing their coverage every day.  It just seems wrong for that 70% of the bankruptcies in this country are precipitated by the cost of health care.  It just seems wrong that the biggest proponents for keeping the status quo are those who will profit the most from the continued suffering of others.

There is a great post on Talking Points Memo that helps put some of this in perspective.  Jane B. is describing her experience with the health industry in France: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/jane_blevins/2009/08/getting-cancer-in-a-hell-hole.php?ref=fpd

It just seems more civilized.

I received this yesterday from her office:

July 21, 2009

Dear Friend,

On July 17, 2009, I joined 47 of my Democratic House colleagues in voting against the Restore Our American Mustangs Act (H.R. 1018).  This decision was very difficult for me.  I am a long-time horse owner and rider, having owned over ten horses in my lifetime.  I know that horses make great companions for people of all ages, and I wish my busy schedule in Congress allowed more time for me to get away and ride.  Many people in Southern Arizona, like me, have developed special bonds with these strong and graceful animals and have learned many life lessons while working around and caring for horses. 

H.R. 1018 was very different from legislation that I have supported in the past.  In 2007, I voted for H.R. 249, a bill that would have prohibited the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros.  I would have been very proud to support this bill again.

Unfortunately the Restore Our American Mustangs Act went far beyond the bill I voted for in 2007.  The new bill would have resulted in a very high expenditure which was not in the previous bill.  As our nation faces rising deficits and we are looking for ways to pay for much needed health care reform, we just cannot afford to add another $200 to $700 million in new spending without a plan to pay for it.  This is what will result from H.R. 1018 becoming law.

I voted for a substitute bill which was very similar to the one I supported in the last session of Congress but it did not pass.  You will be pleased to know that H.R. 1018 did pass the House with a vote of 239-185.  Please be assured that I will continue to look for ways to advocate for our wild horses and burros in Congress.

To receive regular e-mail updates on my work as your U.S. Representative, click here or visit www.giffords.house.gov to opt-in to my e-newsletter.  It allows me to keep Southern Arizonans, like you, informed about the most recent activities in the House of Representatives and upcoming public forums I am sponsoring in the district.

Sincerely Yours,

Gabrielle Giffords
Member of Congress

Has anyone compared the 2008 H.R. 2018 with the 2007 H.R. 249 to see what the additional costs were?  I have attached pdf files for both bills for self study 

HR 249 from the 110th Congress in 2007

HR 1018 from the 111th Congress in 2009

One simple view could be that if the money were to be spent  inside the US it would count as stimulus.

From FireDogLake: http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/6461

A serious bill to protect wild horses, sponsored by Raul Grivalja, passed in the house as noted by the Humane Society of the United States, http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2009/07/wild-horses.html.

What is disappointing is that when you look at who supported the measure, our own representative, Gabby Giffords, voted against the legislation.  Many of our members worked hard to gain her support for this bill and are feeling seriously let down about now.  Can anyone help us understand why she voted against this?

All who attended the reception for Andrei Cherny on May 9th were energized by his candidacy for State Treasurer. He is fired up and ready to address the problems with State finances by making wise investments for our future. We all need to get behind him and give him campaign support as well as our good wishes. Many people in attendance gave money for his campaign, and made donations to the Club to be used for getting out the vote in 2010. We thank all who participated.

Your Board is now at work on the next TVVDC meetings which will probably be announced for September,’09 as well as either October or November, depending on the availability of candidates we hope to present. Be sure to keep an eye out for announcements!

THE TANQUE VERDE VALLEY DEMOCRATS INVITE ALL THOSE INTERESTED, TO A RECEPTION FOR ANDREI CHERNY, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR ARIZONA STATE TREASURER ON SATURDAY, MAY 9TH, 2009 FROM 5 TO 7 P.M. AT THE HOME OF DEBBIE MADSEN, 3035 N. DEER TRACK ROAD.

*CHERNY HAS BEEN A CLINTON WHITE HOUSE FINANCIAL ADVISOR AS WELL AS AN OBAMA CAMPAIGN SPEECHWRITER.

Directions: Travel North on E. Catalina Highway. Turn right on E. Morill Way. Turn left on N. Deer Track Road (gravel road), go 1 mile. Take first left. Turn right at brick entrance to 3035.
For more information, e-mail: vberkman@dakotacom.net