Progressive Democrats - East Bay
Newsletter for October 31, 2005

Welcome to the October 31, 2005 edition of the Progressive Democrats of the East Bay Newsletter. This newsletter is primarily about the upcoming California Special Election on Tues, November 8th.

This costly and unnecessary election could have waited until the regularly scheduled election next June. But it was pushed through by Schwarzenegger to promote his power-grabbing agenda despite polls showing a clear majority against this waste of taxpayer money. Here's a quick handicap of the propositions:

  • Prop 73: Its presence on the ballot mobilizes the Christian Right, bringing out the conservative voters in large numbers.
  • Props 74, 75, & 76: Arnold's attempt to consolidate power in the Governor's office, diminishing the voice of the people.
  • Prop 77: Arnold's attempt to re-draw the political landscape in California, a la Tom DeLay's efforts in Texas.
  • Prop 78: Abuse of the initiative process by corporate interests to derail the people's effort to provide real prescription drug discounts to those who need it most.
  • Prop 79 & Prop 80: The only two propositions on which to vote Yes. Provides a prescription drug plan and energy reform that benefit the people of California

The "If You Only Have Time To Do One Thing..." item provides contact information for Alliance for a Better California's Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign.

We urge you contact the Alliance and help in any way you can!


If You Only Have Time To Do One Thing...

  1. GOTV: Volunteer with Alliance for a Better California (Act Now!)

    WE MUST STOP ARNOLD'S AGENDA!

    The Alliance for a Better California needs volunteers to walk precincts and to make calls.

    To volunteer contact the Alameda County Alliance Headquarters:

    Phone: 510-569-3655
    Campaign Manager: Jen Roitman
    Volunteer Coordinator: Ann Hill — Ann is also available at (216) 374-6720.

Featured Events for This Newsletter

  1. PD–East Bay General Meeting for Nov 5:  GOTV for the Special Election

    Progressive Democrats of the East Bay will NOT hold a general meeting on Saturday, November 5. Instead, we urge members to join us in a coordinated Get Out The Vote effort for the California Special Election.

    It is crucial that we defeat Arnie's Agenda!

    We will coordinate precinct walking and phone-banking with Alliance for a Better California. Meet at 9:15am Saturday, November 5th at either of the following Alliance headquarters:

    • Berkeley
      BAE UDC Campaign Headquarters
      located at the Coalition of University Employees (CUE) office
      2161 Allston Way, Suite B (at Oxford), Berkeley
      Precinct walking - (510) 526-2447 or e-mail: demprecincts@yahoo.com
      Phone banking - (510) 267-7131

    • Oakland
      Alliance for a Better California
      7992 Capwell Drive
      Oakland CA 94621
      Call Jocelyn (510) 569.3655

    The actual details of our organizing efforts may change. We will send a subsequent newsletter with updated information later this week. If you have any questions, contact Vince.

  2. GOTV: Leaflet at BART With PD–East Bay (Nov 2 & Nov 3)

    Join the fun with other members of PD-East Bay as we leaflet BART to GOTV for the special election. We will be leafletting on Wed and Thurs, Nov 2nd and Nov 3rd, from 7 - 9 am. Other times slots are available.

    If you want to leaflet at BART, we have approval letters from BART for specific times and stations.

    We also have plenty of leaflets available. If you want to print your own, download the following file, print it double-sided, and fold it in the middle:

    PD–East Bay GOTV Flyer (250 KB)

    Here is the "Anti-Arnold" flyer you may want to download to use together with the above flyer:

    Anti-Arnold Flyer (40 KB)

    WE NEED YOUR HELP

    GETTING OUT THE VOTE IS CRUCIAL!

    If you want to help, please contact Kim:  (510) 601-6456, kimhealth@earthlink.net

  3. Information on the Special Election with Positions from Various Groups (Get Informed, GOTV)

    Here are some links for detailed information on the California Special Election. Watch this space for updated information, including contact information if you want to help in the effort to stop Arnold:

    REMEMBER: NIX THE SIX! YES ON THE REST!

  4. Media Reform Video Screening and Meeting (Tue, Nov 1)

    The PD–East Bay Media Reform Action Group will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Nov 1 in Oakland.

    Meeting details:

    Tues, Nov 1 at 7:00pm
    975 Arlington Avenue
    Oakland
    Directions
    Phone contact: Greg, (510) 547-5512

    Tentative agenda:

    1. Introductions
    2. Video Clip: Amy Goodman interviews Robert Fisk on Iraq and the Media
    3. Review and Modify Agenda
    4. Discuss Mission Statement for our Group
    5. Yahoo Group Questions
    6. Open Discussion on Select Topics:
      • KPFA
      • Letter Writing Campaign
      • Ed Morrow Film
      • Robert Greenwald's documentary on Wal-Mart
      • Additional Topics TBD
    7. Closing Comments
    8. Video clip, time permitting: TBD

  5. Anti-War Ad Sponsored by WDRC and Others to be Published (Nov 5)

    A full-page newspaper advertisement calling for the Congress to support the withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Iraq will appear on Friday November 4th in the following papers:

    • Oakland Tribune
    • Tri–Valley Herald
    • Hayward Argus
    • Berkeley Daily Planet

    Here is a preview of the ad.

    The generosity of many local area progressives, including PD–East Bay and its members, made this ad possible. Supporters names appear in the ad.

    Thanks so much for your support for peace,

    The Congressional Peace Action Project/
    Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

About PD–East Bay and This Newsletter

  1. About Progressive Democrats of the East Bay

    Progressive Democrats of the East Bay is a growing chapter of Progressive Democrats of America, a national organization and Political Action Committee (PAC), started by supporters of Kucinich, Dean, and various social justice groups. It is not affiliated with the Democratic party but is dedicated to restoring to the Democratic party its progressive vision by engaging local support for national and local progressive causes.

    Progressive Democrats of the East Bay will support progressive candidates for elected office from the small local boards to national offices. It dialogues and networks with a broad-based coalition of likeminded groups and people in our community to create a common agenda and an agreed-upon plan by which to realize our goals.

  2. Join Progressive Democrats of the East Bay

    We realize that many who support our causes and endeavors cannot attend all our meetings or are too busy with other activities to be involved in an Action Group.

    Please, if you support our work, become a member. Funds make it possible for us to create flyers, literature, and banners, rent the meeting room, and mail notices about events. These are all essential activities to our functioning as a progressive voice.

    Dues are on a sliding scale: $10–$100 per year or a minimum of 2 hours of volunteer work a year.

    Make checks payable to PD-EB, and send to:
    Moria Lawlor
    336 Wayne Avenue, #3
    Oakland, CA. 94606

    Please provide the following:
    Name: _______________________________________
    Address: _____________________________________
    _____________________________________________
    _____________________________________________
    E-mail and phone: ______________________________
    _____________________________________________
    Interest and skills: ______________________________

  3. Submit Items for This Newsletter

    If you have items you would like listed in this newsletter or on the PD-East Bay web site at www.pdeastbay.org, submit them to pdebListAdmin@PDEastBay.org. Events, activities, and action alerts about local progressive causes will be considered for inclusion. Note: All submissions subject to editing to fit the style and content of our organization.

    Check out www.pdeastbay.org regularly for updated information on progressive politics!

  4. Links to PD–East Bay Action Groups

    Anti-War
    California Special Election
    Dept. of Peace
    Economic and Social Justice
    Ecumenical Dialogue and Outreach
    Electoral Reform
    Health Care
    Media Reform
    Social Security

  5. PD–East Bay Steering Committee Meeting (Thur, November 17)

    The next meeting for the PD–East Bay Steering Committee is Thursday, November 17 from 7:00–9:00 pm. The agenda and location to be determined.

    If you are not on the steering committee, but would like to attend, please RSVP to Sara Shumer at shumer3@comcast.net.

    Those interested in forming action groups within our organization and those interested in helping determine the direction of PD–East Bay are welcome. You must join PD–East Bay to participate in the steering committee.