The Voice

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

The State Treasurer is Arizona’s Chief Economic Officer – the person who is supposed to be taking the lead in developing an economic plan for the state’s future and bringing government and business leaders together to put it into action.  Cherny’s background in developing new economic policies, working in the White House and with some of America’s top businesses, and serving as an Arizona Assistant Attorney General prosecuting financial fraud, corporate crime, and public corruption gives him a unique set of experiences to bring to this position at this time.  He says he feels as if he has been preparing for this for years.
TVVDC hopes to bring Cherny to a general meeting on May 9th! More information to follow.
 

At last! There is a fresh wind blowing through Washington this year. In spite of the tremendous burdens inherited from the last administration, we have confidence that Barack Obama will set us on the right track to gain economic and social stability in the future.

The TVVDC starts the year with a new slate of officers:

Chair: Joe Theobald

First Vice Chair: Anita Klever

Second Vice Chair: Vera Berkman

Secretary: Kent Coach

Treasurer: Steve Larsen

Member at Large: Laura Hogan

Member at Large: Debbie Madsen

Member at Large: Henry Johnson

Member at Large: Pat Bergen

Your Board has already been meeting in 2009 to carry out housekeeping duties and to plan programs for this year while keeping in mind that state elections will be coming up soon.
All members will be informed of club activities through e-mail blasts and post cards as in the past.

Do not miss our next meeting of Tanque Verde Valley Democrats, an entertaining fundraiser open to all Democrats and like minded independents (you don’t need to be a club member to attend). Our featured speaker is, David Fitzsimmons, political cartoonist for our very own Arizona Daily Star http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/fitz/furniture Elhovo He will come complete with pens and easel – and will talk for about 45 minutes.   Date:   Sunday, May 18th Time:   3 pm to 5 pm:??????This is a fundraiser for TVVD to support our Get Out the Vote efforts for the Tanque Verde Valley – the northern outpost of LD30.Need I say this is an important election year?  We need a Democrat in the White House, Gabby back in Washington, Georgette Valle to the State Senate, and Andrea Dalessandro to the State assembly.   We need your help, both financially and personally. Come join us on May 18^th to kick off this important effort!  

??????RSVP to HJohnsonMD@simplybits.net

Georgette Valle has filed to run as a candidate for LD30 Senate. She is in the process of fundraising now. You can contact her campaign at 28 N. Cedar Crest Drive, Green Valley, AZ 85614.