March 19th marked the fifth anniversary of America's war/occupation in Iraq. We were told that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (a lie) and had something to do with the terrorists who masterminded 9/11 (also a lie). Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John McCain told us we would be greeted as liberators. We were misled and deceived by the Bush Administration and too many in Congress had either the wool pulled over their eyes or conspired to allow this awful thing to happen and then continue. The numbers alone are telling:
News
Recruiting progressives running in 2008
America In Solidarity is a grassroots campaign to educate voters on working family issues and to help elect politicians who care about America's working families. We are a non-profit, non-partisan group that has had enough of politics as usual. Over the past five years, we have given thousands of volunteer hours to help elect politicians who have signed our pledge to protect working families, produced several community events to educate the public on the issues, and signed up hundreds of new voters. Together, we can make a difference and take back our country from the excessive greed of our corporate foes and the politicians who pander to them.
Thanks to the internet, our database of volunteers is growing and includes every state in the nation. Now we need outstanding examples of politicians to reach out to.
Mahan signs pledge
Monty Mahan, candidate for Kitsap County (WA.) Commissioner, recently sent in his signed pledge and questionaire. Currently the Executive Director of the Pierce Conservation District, Monty has a broad range of civic experience that will serve the citizens of Kitsap County well. He's already been out knocking on doors and meeting with his future constituents and his "citizens first" attitude is impressing folks.
AIS seeks summer interns
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
Burner, Seaquist, Eaton present "A way out of Iraq"
After five years of American involvement in Iraq, working families are saddled with:
- Official War Costs of $512 billion ($275 million a day)
- Actual costs (with interest) of $1.3 trillion (with some estimates of $3 trillion)
- Over 4,000 American troops have been killed in Iraq
- Nearly 30,000 American troops wounded
- Estimates of 500,000 to over 1 million Iraqi deaths since the invasion
But there is hope for a way out. On March 17th, America In Solidarity pledge signer Darcy Burner, a candidate for Congress in Washington's 8th Congressional District, presented at the "Take Back America Conference" a plan to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end. The plan was designed by leading military experts, policy analysts, national security experts, and a group of top-tier Congressional candidates and elected officials including AIS pledge signer Rep. Larry Seaquist (a former Navy Commander) and retired General Paul Eaton (in photo) who addressed our Progressive Convention in November.
4,000 Nurses strike for better patient care
Some 4,000 registered nurses began a 10-day walkout Friday at 10 Bay Area hospitals operated by the Sutter Health chain in a dramatic protest over patient care conditions. More than 95 percent of the RNs struck the hospitals. Guaranteeing safe RN staffing at all times -- especially ensuring that Sutter RNs are able to take rest breaks and meals -- is one of several key patient safety issues that is at the center of the dispute.
See the California Nurses Association site for more details.
It's Still The War, Stupid
March 19th marks the fifth anniversary of America's war/occupation in Iraq. We were told that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (a lie) and had something to do with the terrorists who masterminded 9/11 (also a lie). Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John McCain told us we would be greeted as liberators. We were misled and deceived by the Bush Administration and too many in Congress had either the wool pulled over their eyes or conspired to allow this awful thing to happen and then continue. The numbers alone are telling:
We Need Reed! Congressional Candidate Gilda Reed signs AIS pledge
"Fired-up and feisty, Gilda
entered political life in 2007 to make a powerful difference in the
lives of senior citizens, children, working men and women and small
business owners."
There
are few bright spots in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. Gilda
Reed is one of them. Dr. Reed, a professor at UNO, is running on
getting our troops out of Iraq, universal health care and protecting
America's unions and working families (read her stance on the issues). Reed is running for Louisiana's First Congressional District and recently won the Democratic primary with over 70% support.
Jerry Northington signs AIS pledge
Jerry Northington, a great progressive candidate for Delaware's lone seat in the House of Representatives, recently signed America In Solidarity's pledge to support working families. Northington wants us out of Iraq, affordable health care for all, and living wages. He also states that we need to restructure our current trade deals that have cost millions of American jobs, not to mention worsening conditions for workers abroad.
Columbia FTA could harm working families
Call your members of Congress while they are home for Presidents’ Day recess and ask them to oppose this move by taking a public position against the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Our collective energy has stopped the FTA for a year. This is a victory that could be dashed by the powerful all-out campaign launched by the Administrations of U.S. President George Bush and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. With six official U.S. Congressional delegations already sent to Colombia to experience carefully staged tours highlighting the efforts supposedly undertaken to end the systematic assassination of Colombia labor leaders, five more are scheduled.
