America in Solidarity - News

AIS to host Congressman Smith to discuss Iraq and Afghanistan

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:42:31 -0500

For the fourth time, America In Solidarity will be hosting a town-hall forum to discuss our country's adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan with Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09). This is your chance to ask questions about how this affects working families, timelines and the future. Now in his 7th term, Smith serves on both the Armed Services Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The forum will be on Saturday, March 13th at 10am at First United Methodist Church in Tacoma (621 Tacoma Ave.).

2010 Ottilie Markholt Scholarship Program

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:02:59 -0500

America In Solidarity is offering scholarships to qualified high school seniors and current undergraduate college students. Total amounts given will be determined by the Scholarship Committee. AIS has awarded $16,600 in scholarships since 2005. The scholarship is open to residents of the United States planning to attend accredited colleges and universities in the United States.

The applicants must send a cover letter or resume with the required information and write a 3-5 page essay. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their essay, grades and activities .Applicants need to include: Name, Address, City, Phone, email, high school or college, GPA, prospective colleges (if applicable) and majors, and a list of school and community activities. The scholarship committee would prefer materials be mailed in an 8.5x11-inch envelope.

They will also to need to include a 3-5 page typed essay on one of the following topics:
1.   Discuss the impact our current system of trade and trade agreements (NAFTA, WTO, etc.) has on America’s working families.
2.   If you had ten minutes with President Obama to talk about the problems and solutions to America’s health care crisis, what would you tell him?
3.   How could America’s economic policies be changed to help working families?
4.   Discuss Harry Bridges’ influence on rank and file unionism.

Applications must be received by April 1, 2010 at our office at 3049 S. 36th St #205, Tacoma, WA 98409. We would prefer you include the contents in an 8.5 x 11 envelope.

Cantwell presses amendment that pushes public option

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:02:54 -0400

Kudos to Senator Maria Cantwell, AIS pledge signer, whose leadership pushed the inclusion of an amendment in the health care bill that would push for a public option similar to Washington state's Basic Health Plan. Please contact her office and tell her thank you. Here is the release from her staff:

WASHINGTON, DC - Today the Senate Finance Committee passed an amendment to the
America's Healthy Futures Act of 2009 sponsored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
(D-WA) that will for the first time provide states with the ability to negotiate
with health insurers in order to provide high quality health care coverage at a
lower cost.  Rather than handing tax subsidies to insurance companies, Cantwell's
amendment directs this money to the states, and lets them use their purchasing power
to negotiate with private insurance carriers.  Modeled after Washington state's
Basic Health Plan, which has a 20-year track record of reducing costs and providing
quality care, Cantwell's plan could provide coverage to 75 percent of the uninsured
population.

"We know that the individual insurance market doesn't work for people making less
than $50,000 a year," said Cantwell.  "This proposal is about giving federal dollars
to the states and putting them in the driver's seat.  It is a public plan, but
negotiated with the private sector.  We are going to everything we can to drive down
the costs of insurance for the citizens of this country and at least this amendment
is a start."

Under the original Chairman's mark, people with income between 133 and 200 percent
of the poverty level would have been eligible for tax subsidies to help them afford
individual insurance coverage.  Cantwell's plan, redirects these revenues to the
states so they can negotiate and cover this group in a more cost effective way, all
without sacrificing the level of benefits.

Right now, these people are the most disadvantaged in the individual insurance
market and would be left to fend for themselves against the insurance companies. 
According to data released in July 2009 by the Commonwealth Fund, a private
foundation: adults with low incomes who sought coverage on the individual market
were the least likely to enroll in a health plan; 85 percent of adults with incomes
under 200 percent of poverty who tried to buy coverage on the individual market,
never purchased it; and, more than one-third of adults who had ever sought coverage
in the individual market were turned down by an insurance carrier, charged a higher
price, or had a specific health problem excluded from their coverage.

The states' negotiators know the number of people they need to cover and the benefit
packages they need to get, and therefore are able to bargain on behalf of this group
with insurers to get premiums as low as possible.  Insurance providers are apt to
negotiate with states because it provides them with a new pool of customers.

An independent trust would be established in each state to handle the funds.  States
would be encouraged to negotiate with multiple providers, including any public
option choice that becomes law, so individuals would have a choice of multiple
state-negotiated coverage plans.  Any money left over after negotiations would not
be transferrable into the state's general fund; and this proposal is not an
expansion of the Medicaid program.


"Hard-working Americans deserve choices for better coverage in the private insurance
system," said Cantwell.  "My proposal in no way substitutes a robust federal public
option, which I will continue fighting for, but clearly demonstrates how powerful"
the government can be in negotiating on behalf of consumers."

Time for a "Health Care Revolution"

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:51:49 -0400

For years, activists and organizations have been calling for reform in health care. For too long people have been dying, going bankrupt or seen their quality of life negatively altered because of lack of insurance, access and spiraling costs have kept Americans ill. AIS has hosted town halls, met with our elected leaders and been a voice for working families on this issue.

Finally, things are starting to move. Five active bills are working their way through the Congress to change the way America does health care. But there is noticable resistence from the insurance, pharmaceutical and big business lobbies who could see their outrageous profits cut to right-wing Republicans who see this as a poltical opportunity to stall Obama. Recent town halls have beem mobbed by "tea-baggers" intent on disrupting democracy and discourse.

WTO 10th Anniversary events planned for Seattle

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:37:35 -0500

Ten years ago, thousands of labor, environmental and community activists descended onto the streets of Seattle to voice their dissent about the WTO and the negative effect that the current concept of trade agreements have on working families.

A series of town halls, speakers and a People's Summit will be held the last weekend in November to remember the WTO 10th Anniversary and bring focus to the issues still at hand. America In Solidarity is excited to let everyone know about the exciting events planned and hopes everyone finds the time to participate. Among the featured speakers scheduled to attend these events will be Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman, AFL-CIO Policy Director Thea Lee, British Columbia Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair, and many others.

America In Solidarity announces 2009 scholarship winners

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:24:00 -0400

Another banner crop of scholarship applications and essays were recently reviewed and AIS is proud to announce its 2009 scholarship winners. Our ad hoc scholarship committee met recently, read each essay, deliberated and argued till we reached consensus. "Each year it is an absolute pleasure to read the thoughtful, sometimes heartfelt and personal essays. My only regret is that we don't have tens of thousands of dollars to award as there are dozens of worthy applicants that deserve a scholarship," said Todd Iverson of America In Solidarity. Thanks to Iverson, Gail Ross, Mike Jagielski, and Mike and Kathy Collier for serving on this year's scholarship committee.

Dicks cosponsors HR 676

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:43:56 -0400

Affordable health care for all Americans is one of the goals of America In Solidarity. Every time we meet with a member of Congress, this issue is brought up as it alones bankrupts, kills or severely disrupts the quality of life for thousands of working families in Washington State. HR 676 is the gold standard of progressive legislation proposed in Congress that would provide a single-payer national plan for every American. This past Monday, there was a message left on our voicemail that stated "Congressman Dicks has signed on to be a cosponsor of HR 676, thought you should be one of the first to know."

Tacoma rallies for affordable health care

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:14:46 -0400

Nearly 400 people rallied in Tacoma, joining cities across the nation, in a call for affordable health care. America In Solidarity joined a wide range of faith, labor and community groups in the rally and march that took place on May 30th. Among the speakers were Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, City Councilmember Marilyn Strickland, State Representatives Tami Green and Dawn Morrell, and Congressman Adam Smith.

The 45-minute rally at First United Methodist Church was followed by a short march to People's Park where the marchers were greeted by music

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Care Rally and March

Sat, 02 May 2009 19:09:55 -0400

Join hundreds of your fellow residents of Tacoma and Pierce County to let our elected leaders know that 2009 is the year that the United States gives the right to accessible and affordable health care to all of its citizens.

Rally and march on May 30th at 9:30am at First United Methodist Church.

For more info, go to the official rally website.

6th Annual Tacoma-Pierce County May Day Celebration

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:12:06 -0400

Join us for our 6th Annual Tacoma-Pierce County May Day Celebration. This year's event will feature:a panel discussion about the economic crisis' impact on working families with State Representative Larry Seaquist, Pierce Co.Councilmember Tim Farrell and Tacoma City Council member Marilyn Strickland. There will be a spaghetti feed with all profits going to support America In Solidarity's scholarship fund.

It'll be at 7pm on Friday May 1st at First United Methodist Church in Tacoma (621 Tacoma Ave., two blocks north of the County-City building).

Tell your Reps and Senators: "Tony Zagami for Public Printer of the United States"

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:22:40 -0400

AIS volunteer Bill Gimbel who works at the Government Printing Office in Washington D.C. is asking his fellow AIS volunteers to write their U.S. Representatives and Senators to support Tony Zagami for nomination as Public Printer of the United States.
The previous Bush appointee was nothing but trouble for the union members that work at the GPO, and Gimbel feels that Zagami would work favorably with the unions there.
He sent the following message:
In his bid to secure the nomination for Public Printer of the United States, the head of the U. S. Government Printing Office (GPO) in the Obama-Biden Administration, Anthony J. “Tony” Zagami has gained the support of the following Members of Congress, and International/National Labor Unions (as well as their local unions at the GPO). All have written the White House with letters of support and recommendation on his behalf. In addition to those listed above, many other private individuals, local labor unions, and organizations, some affiliated with or maintaining an interest in GPO, also have written letters to the Obama-Biden Administration on behalf of Tony Zagami.

1. United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts
2. United states Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia
3. United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii
4. United States Senator Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland
5. United States Senator Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland
6. United States Congresswoman Donna L. Edwards of Maryland
7. United States Congressman Christopher Van Hollen of Maryland
8. United States Congressman Gerald E. Connolly of Northern Virginia
9. United States Congressman James P. Moran of Northern Virginia
10. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)
11. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
12. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
13. The National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
14. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

NOTE: At the present time, other Members of Congress, individuals, and organizations are reviewing Tony Zagami’s information, thus the above list of supporters for his nomination is likely to increase in the future.

Say NO! to Panama Free Trade Agreement

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:39:29 -0400

The office of the U.S. Trade Representative has said it wants to move forward this year with the Panama Free Trade Agreement -- a trade deal negotiated by the Bush administration that repeats most of the same major problems found in NAFTA and CAFTA. Bush's Panama FTA represents business-as-usual on trade, and is not the type of change that voters were promised.

Here are a few good reasons why the Panama FTA should be opposed:

Panama's Tax Haven Status: Panama's economy thrives on banking secrecy, and its "comparative advantage" rests on the ease with which U.S. companies can create subsidiaries there to evade U.S. taxes. A Government Accountability Office study identified Panama as one of eight countries -- and the only current or prospective FTA partner -- that was listed on all of the major tax-haven watchdog lists. Panama has long been a key target of the OECD and other tax transparency entities for its resistance to international norms in combating tax evasion and money laundering. Given the role that banking secrecy played in the global financial meltdown, a trade agreement with Panama should be conditioned on much greater regulation and transparency within its financial sector.
Threats to U.S. Sovereignty: The investment chapters in the Panama FTA allow foreign corporations to challenge food safety rules, responsible land use decisions, environmental protection initiatives, banking regulations and other public interest policies as "barriers to trade" through closed trade tribunals that circumvent the U.S. judicial system. Under NAFTA alone, more than 40 complaints, seeking $28 billion in damages have already been filed against existing public policies. The Panama FTA's procurement provisions further undermine U.S. "Buy American" and "Buy Local" purchasing preferences, and threaten procurement policies with environmental and social goals.
Inadequate Labor and Environmental Standards: The Panama FTA includes the modestly-improved labor and environmental standards of the Peru FTA, rather than the virtually non-existent standards of NAFTA and CAFTA. Nonethless, the experience of the Peru FTA demonstrates that these standards are still far from adequate to protect working people or the environment. The Peru FTA was implemented in early 2009 without Peru improving its labor law to meet International Labor Organization standards as supposedly required, and after Peru rolled back environmental protections that existed prior to the FTA's signing. Stronger labor and environmental standards must be added to the Panama FTA's core text in order to avoid these clear failures.
Increased Poverty Abroad: Like NAFTA and CAFTA before it, the Panama FTA is expected to increase rural poverty by forcing small Panamanian farmers out of business in competition with subsidized food imports from U.S. transnationals. For this reason, the FTA is expected to increase hunger, drug cultivation and undocumented migration. In addition, Bush's FTA includes NAFTA-style provisions that undermine Panama's right to obtainaffordable medications for its impoverished citizens.

Contact your Congressional representatives and ask them to not support the Panama Free Trade Agreement.

Scholarship deadline extended to May 1

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:03:02 -0400

America In Solidarity is extending the deadline for receiving scholarship entries to May 1st. Due to a family tragedy, our scholarship coordinator has not had the opportunity to alert sources to the extent we would like to. Also, the economic crisis has hit this organization like most non-profits across the country, and we would like another month to try to raise more money for our scholarship program. Over the past three years, America In Solidarity has given out $4,000 a year in scholarships, but currently we are short of our fundraising projections.

Health Care Forum in Tacoma struggles with cuts

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:55:17 -0400

America In Solidarity sponsored a community forum called “Health Care and the Economic Crisis” on March 2nd at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. The forum looked at proposed health care cuts, asked for input from attendees, and concluded with a community vote on the importance of each program.
There were approximately 25 attendees and represented a variety of ages from college students to retirees; also present were nearly a dozen people who work in the health care industry as either providers, advocates or management. We provided a list of 11 potential cuts as stated by Governor Gregoire’s proposed budget. When asked to vote upon programs to cut, there was much resistance as one person proclaimed “Who am I throwing out of the lifeboat?” Several attendees refused to vote on a cut, instead writing on the side: No cuts to health care.
After a few short presentations, a lively discussion followed with many participants agreeing with the comment, “It is a shame we are looking at a list like this.” Some of the discussion points and anecdotes include:

America In Solidarity is on Facebook!

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:38:32 -0400

You can now find America In Solidarity on Facebook. If you are a member, then join our friends list and recommend AIS to all your other Facebook friends.