America in Solidarity - News

Meet Logan Welfringer, our summer intern

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:30:46 -0400

Logan Welfringer, a junior-to-be, is our summer intern. He'll be working on coordinating volunteers, representing America In Solidarity at community events and getting a taste of electoral politics. Logan (in picture with red shirt) has been volunteering with us for several years and comes from a proud union familiy. Welcome aboard Logan.

AIS seeks summer interns

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:36:57 -0400

America In Solidarity is a Tacoma-based non-profit that serves working families in the political arena and works on issues such as affordable health care, living wages, fair trade and workers’ rights. We are seeking interns who are looking for experience in the political arena, community organizing and elections and share a passion for our issues.

Responsibilities will include:

· Communicate with elected officials and lobby on behalf of America In Solidarity on issues we care about

AIS volunteers participate in Lobby Day

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:27:45 -0500

America In Solidarity volunteers participated in our "Lobby Day" where we engaged with pledge signers and other elected officials during the current session of the Washington State Legislature. We lobbied on issues like affordable health care, public financing of elections and worker's rights. Volunteers met with State Representatives, Tami Green, Troy Kelley, Dawn Morrell, Dennis Flannigan, Mark Miloscia and Larry Seaquist and State Senator Derek Kilmer and dropped off our concerns letter to dozens more. Participating in the day were Mike Jagielski, David Johnson, Gail Ross, Todd Iverson, Jeff and Brianna Richardson and Mike and Cathy Collier.

Bush's Budget: A colossal failure for working families

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:39:22 -0500

President Bush released his FY 2009 budget that totaled over $3.1 trillion, $400 billion of that will be borrowed from the future. Within its details are the makings of a disaster for working families:

His budget would make his tax cuts permanent -- at the cost of $2.4 trillion over the next 10 years, with millionaires pocketing tax breaks of about $150,000 a year.
Removes 200,000 low income children from child care support, and does nothing to bring college within reach of working families.
Freeze payments to doctors and hospitals under Medicare, and stunningly, cut support for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, even as a global economy puts us at greater risk of importing global pandemics.
Continues to cut domestic investment across the board, even reducing federal support for "first responders" -- police, fire and public health officials by 45% percent.
Slashes housing vouchers, eliminating rental support for an estimated 100,000 low income families.
And perhaps worse of all, when universal health care is in the conversation, the budget proposal cuts Medicare by $178 Billion (yes with a "b") over the next five years.

It's time for radical change in Washington. Bush's final budget is merely the punctuation mark.

Kucinich wins straw poll

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:46:38 -0500

As part of America In Solidarity's NW Progressive Convention on November 10^th in Tacoma WA, all the attendees participated in a Presidential Straw Poll. Congressman Dennis Kucinich pulled a decisive victory winning with 51% of the votes cast, John Edwards and Barack Obama tied for second with 18% of the vote, and Al Gore captured 8% of the vote as a write-in candidate. Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton failed to garner one vote in the straw poll of the convention that had nearly 150 attendees.

The vote totals were:

1. Kucinich 51%

t2. Edwards 18%

t2. Obama 18%

4. Gore 8%

5. Paul 3%

6. Richardson 1%

No other candidates received any votes.

The straw poll was part of a day that included speeches from Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Congressman Adam Smith and retired General Paul Eaton. The day also included a series of workshops and panels on issues such as immigration, health care, civil liberties and trade. "The attendees sent a clear message all day that they want a new direction in Iraq," said Todd Iverson, President of America In Solidarity. "It was reflected throughout the day with their intense questioning of our speakers to the straw poll that there is a lack of progress in the Middle East. I think they see Kucinich as the only candidate that is bold enough to say America has had enough."

America In Solidarity tables at Ethnic Fest

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:09:41 -0400

For the fourth straight year, America In Solidarity held a booth at Tacoma's Ethnic Fest. AIS volunteers gave away free balloons, registered voters, talked about working families and the political conditions facing them. We collected hundreds of signatures asking Pierce County and local cities to send a resolution to the legislature and Congress demanding affordable health care.

Thanks to AIS volunteers Mary Retallick (who sat behind the table almost the whole weekend), Marilyn Kimmerling, Kayla Saville, Suzette Widdison, Patricia George, Anders Ibsen, Jeff Richardson and Todd Iverson for helping out.

Kucinich's Seattle Town Hall now available online

Thu, 24 May 2007 21:51:21 -0400

Thanks to Bill Alford of Moral Politics TV, video of Congressman Dennis Kucinich's AIS-sponsored Town Hall is available online. Follow the link to watch the video as the presidential candidate addresses issues like Iraq, working families and impeachment.

AIS gets interns from UW

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:31:19 -0500

Three University of Washington students are working with America In Solidarity for the winter quarter. Jabian Kelly (sociology major), Katie Burns (political science major) and Michael Gottlieb are working on recruiting new pledge signers from across the country, monitoring new legislations and helping with general duties. Jabian and Katie are in the picture with AIS pledge signee Calvin Goings at our latest event in Tacoma.

Win a free t-shirt!

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 06:06:41 -0500

Every month, one lucky America In Solidarity volunteer (not a volunteer yet, join here) will win one of our t-shirts through our "Write To Make A Difference" program.. Simply send us a copy (forward an email, webpage link or snailmail a copy to our office) of either a letter to the editor that you had published in your local newspaper or the response you had from your local politician. The topics can be either about one of our 2007 key issues (War profiteering and support for the veterans, including adequate health care for them and their families, Health care reform, Fair trade policies, Living Wages, Campaign finance reform or Checking corporate greed) or concerning one of the articles on our website about an issue or piece of legislation that affects working families.

"We want our volunteers to start being more active trhough e-activism and encourage them to be more vocal about legislation and issues that matter to the working families of America," said Todd Iverson, president of America In Solidarity. "People don't realize how important those five minutes spent thanking or encouraging your legislator about a particular bill can be. Or that adding your voice in a letter to the editor helps shape the conversation."

Support America In Solidarity

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:20:47 -0500

Can you spare $20.07 to make a difference this year? Your contribution will allow America In Solidarity to fight for working families and accomplish our goals this year including the following key objectives of:

War profiteering and support for the veterans, including adequate health care for them and their families.
Health care reform
Fair trade policies
Living Wages
Campaign finance reform (clean elections, paper trails at the polls, instant runoff voting)
Checking corporate greed

Donate today!

MLK Proclamation given to AIS Volunteer

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:44:35 -0500

Rose Ehart, an AIS volunteer, accepted the University Place (WA) City Proclamation of Martin Luther King Jr. Month. Here is her speech:

For those of you who I invited, that were able to come, I thank you, especially in light of the last minute time change.

I would also like to say thank you to the University Place city council, for having this annual ceremony, and for inviting me to be here this night. Because I am honored and thrilled to accept this proclamation, on this, the day that we commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In remembering Dr. King’s life and the great lessons he taught. I keep returning to three things he said and the lessons I have learned from them. The first is this: Faith! He said:

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

Everything that is good, all progress, all accomplishments, come about because someone is willing to take the chance, that the course of action taken will result in a net good.
We cannot predict the future, we can only work in the present to make that future as bright as we can. Dr. King, could not have known when he said this, that the world would look the way it does today, where a nation that once reviled him now proudly celebrates his life.

Goings announces run for Pierce County Executive

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:32:42 -0500

America In Solidarity pledge signee Calvin Goings, who is currently a Pierce County Council member, recently announced he will run for Pierce County Executive in 2008. To endorse Calvin go to www.goingsexecutive.com Here is Calvin's announcement:

Today, Calvin Goings officially announced his candidacy for Pierce County Executive.
Goings stated, "This election presents Pierce County with a clear choice between
its future and its past and it is time to make bold changes."  Goings added, "The
old ways of doing business simply don't work anymore."

Citing the recent decision by the Republican-led County Council to raise their
salaries and that of the Executive by over 21% as well as to increase sewer rates to
fund a luxury golf course in University Place, Goings said "The Republican majority
has lost touch with reality and the issues that truly matter to Pierce County
families."  Goings commented, "My goal is for Pierce County to lead Washington State
in job growth, safe communities, proactive education, and environmental
protection."

Goings outlines bold vision for future

A lifelong resident of Pierce County who has extensive public, private and community
expertise, Goings believes that for this goal to be realized, county government must
move quickly to: 

1) Expand economic hope and opportunity for all County residents;
2) Create safe, livable neighborhoods and business districts; and 
3) Put taxpayers first through customer friendly and ethical government.

Goings added that his first step in restoring taxpayers' faith in government would
be to reject the pay raise as Executive and return the 21% increase to taxpayers. 
"I challenge all candidates for Executive to join me in my pledge to not accept the
pay raise," offered Goings.

Goings to use experience to lead County forward

Goings, his wife Amy and two year old son William, live in the Summit-Waller area of
Puyallup.  Well known for his unrelenting energy, solid work ethic, and decisive
leadership, Goings has served Pierce County as an elected Fire Commissioner, State
Senator, and Councilmember.  

He also has valuable administrative experience from his past work as a Personnel
Administrator for Key Bank of Washington, and as Executive Director of the
Washington Credit Union Foundation.

Goings backed by diverse group of community leaders

In declaring his candidacy, Goings also announced the formation of his steering
committee.  The Committee will be co-chaired by Congressman Adam Smith, State
Senator Rosa Franklin, labor leader Patty Rose, and former Tacoma Mayor Harold Moss.
 

Other members of Goings' steering committee include State Representatives Jeannie
Darneille, Tami Green, and Dawn Morrell; City Councilmembers Jake Fey and Kathy
Turner; and Metro Parks Commissioners Ryan Mello and Victoria Woodards (please see
the attached list for a complete membership).

Goings campaign off to a solid start

As he has done on the County Council, Goings plans to continue fighting on behalf of
working families.  Goings is also well known for his work standing up to special
interest groups to preserve farmland, parks, and the quality of life of Pierce
County's neighborhoods.  He believes that he will be in a much stronger position to
do so as the Executive.  "I have the experience and positive vision to make Pierce
County a better place to live, work, and raise a family," pledged Goings.

Goings plans to run an aggressive, grass roots campaign that relies on hard work,
doorbelling and community support that reaches into all corners of Pierce County. 
Having already picked up the early endorsements of the Pierce County Fire Fighters
Union Local 2175 and the Pierce County Deputy Sheriff's Guild Local 1889, Goings is
confident that he will have the support he needs to become the next Pierce County
Executive.

2006 Year in Review

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:37:51 -0500

America In Solidarity kicked off the year by hosting a town hall forum with Congressman Adam Smith. Across the country on January 7^th 2006, town halls convened across the country to discuss America's occupation of Iraq. One of the largest turnouts occurred in Tacoma as nearly 400 people turned out for the event that featured an hour-and-a-half discussion with the Congressman followed by a series of "Action Workshops" and a concert featuring Bob Wickline

In the spring we launched a new website and database created by union programmers with Union Web Services. The new site and database allows us to easily track and communicate with our volunteers, promote our events and mobilize people on issues. An interactive candidate map, forums section and an AIS alerts page gives visitors easy and quick information about the issues affecting working families. Over 400 new volunteers have signed up on the website alone, as America In Solidarity can now boast volunteers in every state. The interactive new map allows visitors to click on their home state and see who has signed the pledge. Over the past year, nearly 100,000 visitors to the site have been able to read about issues like Wal-Mart’s abuse of state health care plans, net neutrality, corporate greed and trade issues and their impact on America’s working families.

New book details assault on America's families, jobs and health care

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 15:18:44 -0500

Jacob S. Hacker, a Yale Professor and fellow at the New America Foundation, recently published a new book called The Great Risk Shift that details the assault on American jobs, families, health care and retirement. Here is a response he wrote to the book in a recent column in American Prospect.

The Great Risk Shift demonstrates that Americans’ rising economic insecurity is tied up precisely with the trends they describe and deplore. Why are Americans facing increased economic instability, rising health costs and growing gaps in insurance, the demise of guaranteed pension plans, increased job insecurity, and skyrocketing bankruptcy and consumer debt? Not because there are no solutions out there to these problems, as Matt and Ezra both know well. But because America’s corporate and political leaders have given up on the idea that economic security is a basic foundation of opportunity, and indeed have actively tried to shift more risks onto workers and their families -- through, for example, defined-contribution pension plans (extravagantly subsidized through the tax code) and Health Savings Accounts and the proposed privatization of Medicare and Social Security. This, as Ezra suggests, is as much a political story as an economic one, and it’s the story I tell in my book.

Moving forward

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:39:50 -0500

Working families won Tuesday night. A Congress that has repeatedly supported GW Bush's attacks on the rights and freedoms of working families for the past six years has been replaced with one that will protect the middle class. Now we can honestly talk about raising the minimum wage, finding true health care solutions, curtailing corporate greed and corruption, and finding a real solution to the quagmire in Iraq.

Every America In Solidarity pledge signer that previously held office won re-election last week. New signees, Troy Kelley and Larry Seaquist, also won in races that promised to be very difficult. During the past few months, America In Solidarity volunteers contributed hundreds of hours by participating in phonebanks, canvas walks, erecting yard signs and other ways to make a difference.

Now we can move forward...In 2007, expect our organization to engage our elected officials on these failed trade policies, to advocate for better health care solutions, pushing for living wages and fighting the corporate greed that is killing America's working class.