DANI LTE Campaign: DANI 3rd Member Letter Published

DANI member and Co-Chair, Don Briggs got his letter published in The News Dispatch out of Michigan City, Indiana.  Megan Rue had her letter published last week in the Post-Tribune.  Mary Jo Nuland's letter is published in The Times!

We'll give you a snip, but be sure to click here to read the remainder of Mary Jo's letter.

As a woman who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which is a higher functioning form of autism, seven years ago, I will be getting Medicare benefits added to my Social Security disability in August.

I am concerned about the privatization of Medicare as I worked hard all of my adult life, and I have never had much money.

If any member letters are published, please let us know so that we can support the effort by sharing your letter via a blog post, and social media.  Contact DANI Publicity/Media Laison, Megan Rue at rue.megan@gmail.com.

We met on Sunday, July 9, 2011 at the Blackbird Cafe in Valparaiso, Indiana and will continue to do so.  We are changing course to focus ON the issue of the current budget talks and the debt ceiling vote that is coming up. 

The situation as it stands to date looks to most of us like an exercise that does not include 'Shared Sacrifice'.

Click the link below to read Independent Senator Sanders letter to the President.

If you have any questions, would like a read through, need an idea, please feel free to contact us at the following e-mail address: dani.message@gmail.com.

A Few Words From FDR Regarding Republicans...

‎"Let me warn you, and let me warn the nation against the smooth evasion that says 'Of course we believe these things. We believe in social security. We believe in work for the unemployed. We believe in saving homes. Cross our hearts and hope to die, we believe in all theses things, but we do not like the way the present administration is doing them. Just turn them over to us. We will do all of them. We will do more of them. We will do them better, and most important of all, the doing of them will not cost anybody anything.'" President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Democrat


WATCH AND LISTEN:

DANI LTE Campaign: DANI Member's Letter Published

If any member letters are published, please let us know so that we can support the effort by sharing your letter via a blog post, and social media.  Contact DANI Publicity/Media Laison, Megan Rue at rue.megan@gmail.com.

Letter entitled 'Don’t give GOP control of our health care system' published today, coverage area in Northwest Indiana and Illinois.

Here's a snip.  Click the link below to read the remainder of the Letter and give the Post-Tribune website a little love.

I remember the time my 70-something mother called me to say she had just awakened and her insides were coming out.

I jokingly asked if her warranty had expired. It turned out to be a prolapsed bladder, and a surgeon made the necessary repairs.

Thank goodness for Medicare.

I tell this story because part of the decade-long debate that led to enacting Medicare — the health insurance program for America’s senior citizens — also had to deal with a challenge, an uncomfortable truth, namely, chronic health problems of an aging population. 

read more here

Suggested Talking Points For DANI Medicare & Social Security 'Letters To The Editor Writing Campaign'

Suggested talking points from Don.

Medicare/Social Security LTEs
Talking points—share these thoughts in your LTEs, but change the wording.
Choose talking points from these groups. Use the embedded links to back up your arguments.

Group 1: the Republican ideology on Medicare and Social Security 

• In August 2009, Teabaggers held protest signs saying, "Get your government hands off my Medicare." (See, e.g., Help Slate track the "Medicare isn't government" meme. - By Timothy Noah - Slate Magazine ) Well, Republicans who took over Congress in 2010 have voted to do exactly that: to end Medicare, and to make it simply a voucher program—to get government out of health care for the elderly. They've also recently voted to end Social Security. 
• In the early 1960s, the Republicans tried to stop Medicare. They called it "Socialized Medicine." They've been trying to undo it ever since Medicare became law in 1965. 
• The Republican ideology says we can't have Medicare or Social Security. They call it "Socialism." Recently, Republicans in Congress have voted to end both. 

Group 2: but we need Medicare and Social Security 

• I have relatives who need Medicare and Social Security. (Or, "I need Medicare and Social Security." "My parents need Medicare and Social Security.")  
• Nearly everyone depends on Medicare and Social Security, directly of indirectly. Either you're a beneficiary yourself, or you have parents or grandparents who are beneficiaries. (The very rich don't need these programs, though.) 

Group 3: Get specific, call them out: 

• On Friday, April 15 2011, Republicans in the US House of Representatives passed a bill to end Medicare. The vote was 235-193. Only four Republican representatives voted against the measure. 
• Republicans have once again introduced legislation to privatize Social Security: H.R.2109 - Savings Account for Every American Act of 2011. (See: H.R.2109: Savings Account for Every American Act of 2011 - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress) 
• Republicans tried to privatize Social Security early in 2005. Fortunately, they failed. Think what your private Social Security account would be worth in the aftermath of the Bush financial crisis of September 2008. 

Group 4: the negative impact: 

• Paul Krugman said it best:
      "It's a mystery why anyone claims that shifting more people into private insurance is a good idea. Actually, no, it isn't a mystery; it's an outrage."
(See, e.g., Daily Kos: Killing Medicare in Pictures) 
• Insurance costs are spiraling out of control. It would be disastrous to force our elderly out of Medicare and into private health insurance. 
• Medicare spends only about 3% on overhead. Private health insurance spends more like 30% on overhead. Some of that goes to a paperwork battle with health care providers, trying to avoid payouts. Some goes to lobbying Congress to kill Medicare. That effort seems to be working. Our health care money ought to go to health care, not to undermining health care. And private health insurance companies are making record profits.

Group 5: What to do

• Share your thoughts with your Congressman and Senators, with your friends and neighbors, and with your church. The Republicans want to end Medicare and Social Security, but that would be a disaster to the Middle Class and working poor. 
• Share your thoughts with your local party leaders, both parties.

DANI EVENT: Reception for Democratic State Representatives

You are cordially invited to 

Heroes Welcome Reception!

To thank State Representatives

Chuck Moseley

Charlie Brown

Scott Pelath 

for filibustering with their feet,  

standing up for Hoosier families and our Democratic values,

and for all of their hard work on our behalf

RSVP to  danwi.events@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 18th, at 6:30pm 

Eagles Lodge

 805 Elm Street, Valparaiso, Indiana

The informal meet-and-greet reception with buffet will be followed by a legislative round-up, and discussion on where we go from here.

We Thank, With Gratitude, Our Heroes 

Linda Lawson, HD1 Earl Harris, HD2 Charlie Brown, HD3 Scott Pelath, HD9 Chuck Moseley, HD10 Dan Stevenson, HD11 Mara Candelaria, HD12 Chet Dobis, HD13 Vernon Smith, HD14 Shelli VanDenburgh,  HD19 Nancy Dembowski, HD17

Urgent Call For Action From Stand Up For Hoosiers

A recent Facebook post from Stand Up For Hoosiers asks for your help. Please follow this link to tell your Indiana state rep to vote NO on House Bill 1216! Thanks for your help.

Protect Good Jobs and Good Wages! 

If passed, House Bill 1216 would gut Indiana’s Common Construction Wage rendering it virtually useless. The Common Construction Wage is a critical part of our economic recovery. It guarantees decent wages, quality projects and ensures Hoosier tax dollars are invested in creating jobs for Hoosier workers.

Write your representative using the form at this link and tell them to vote ‘NO’ on House Bill 1216!

Click this link to like DANI on Facebook.  

Follow us on Twitter as DANI_NW_IN.

Earth Day Event: You Are Invited To A Screening Of 'Carbon Nation'

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Watch a preview of 'Carbon Nation':

FREE SCREENING OF THE MOVIE CARBON NATION
EARTH DAY, Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Memorial Opera House
104 Indiana Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383-5603
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Refreshments Provided
DOORS OPEN: 6:30 P.M.
SCREENING STARTS: 7:00 P.M.
Hosted By: Democratic Alliance of Northwest Indiana
TO RESERVE A SEAT, RSVP to:
nwi.carbonnation@gmail.com

DANI Monthly Meeting: Guest speaker will be Matt Impink from 'Stand for Children'

If you are planning on attending this meeting, you may RSVP on DANI's Facebook page.

UPDATE: I am finding out more about 'Stand for Children'.  They seem 'grass rootsy', but there's more there than meets the eye according to this opposing viewpoint.  We might want to approach this with a good deal of  cautious skepticism.

The mysterious political action group is called Stand for Children. Based in Portland, Oregon, and with affiliates in seven states, SFC is an enormously well-funded and sophisticated “grassroots” organization whose largest single funder is Bill Gates: he gave the group nearly $3.5 million in 2010. 

Originally, SFC did have a strong grassroots orientation, and its focus was demanding better funding for public schools. The organization grew out of a “Stand for Children Day,” a big 1996 rally in Washington, D.C., headed up by Marian Wright Edelman of the Children’s Defense Fund. Civil rights icon Rosa Parks addressed that rally: “If I can sit down for justice, you can stand up for children.”  Source:  CORE (Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators)

Jon Stewart interviewed Diane Ravtich, a big critic of Charter Schools. She believes that the initiatives by The Gates Foundation and other wealthy Americans is taking America in the wrong direction. See also, Ravtich's piece in The New Yorker, 'The Myth of Charter Schools'.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Diane Ravitch
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

SFC is advocating for Indiana Senate Bill 1.  As individuals, we have our personal views and opinions about proposed legislation, how much or how little to challenge the status quo, but as a group we all agree that in reaching a conclusion, it is best to learn more about what is being proposed, so we invite you to join us.

Monthly Meeting: 'Stand for Children' guest speaker, Matt Impink

Time	Wednesday, March 16 · 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location	Westchester Service Center 100 W. Indiana Ave.
Created By	Democratic Alliance of Northwest Indiana (DANI)
More Info	The Democratic Alliance of Northwest Indiana will be meeting this Wednesday, March 16th. PUBLIC EDUCATION AT RISK IN INDIANA The Democratic Alliance of Northwest Indiana (DANI) hosts: Guest Speaker: Matt Impink Indianapolis Organizer, Stand for Children Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 6:30-8:30 PM Central Daylight Time Westchester Service Center 100 W. Indiana Ave. Chesterton, Indiana Matt Impink will talk about the "Stand for Children" organization (www.stand.org) and answer questions. the public is invited. A brief DANI business meeting will follow. Refreshments will be provided. If you have any comments and/or questions, please contact DANI at: web: www.danwi.org e-mail: dani.message@gmail.com

Video: Our Governor Advocates Rationing, i.e. 'Death Panels'

Governor Mitch Daniels tells his version of the truth, which says that we do need health care rationing because everyone can't have every expensive test with new technology every time. Not to worry though. The rationing he suggests will only affect low-income people, so it's all good.

I kid though. With more of us entering the low-income bracket, while the middle-class shrinks, chances are that the majority of Americans will find themselves in this bracket at some point in their lives. Wow.



We think there's a better solution. Medicare for All.

Video: Wisconsin, NEW Live Stream inside the capitol

Previous live stream was shut down. New live stream below.

VIDEO: Watch Live Stream Of Madison, WI Rally

Streaming live video by Ustream

Video: Madison, Wisconsin - A Beautiful Sight, 120,000 Strong

This video comes by way of Protect Wisconsin Families on Facebook.

They say: 'Video of the crowd today in Madison. 120,000 strong! Post your experiences below and thanks again for supporting Wisconsin's middle class!'

This is of the Madison rally on Saturday, February 26, 2011.

WATCH AND LISTEN:

Video: Compilation of Indiana State House Rallies This week

Courtesy of David Williams.  Well done, brother.  Well done and thank you.

We stand with Wisconsin workers, fighting for their rights.

URGENT - WE NEED YOU MONDAY, 2/21: Indianapolis State House Rally

This event is rounding Facebook.  Your participation is needed along with your ability to spread the word.  Thank you for your help and support.

If you are a Facebook user, you can RSVP by clicking here.

URGENT - WE NEED YOU MONDAY, 2/21

We received word at 5:00 p.m. today that Right to Work will be called for a vote in the Labor Committee on Monday, 2/21 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 156a (basement). We NEED everyone who can make it to show up at the Statehouse on Monday, 2/21 at 8:00 a.m.

Keep in mind that you will have to go through security, so please do not bring anything that would slow down the process of everyone being able to get through security. However, we do want you to wear your hardhats and if you want to bring signs make sure they are not mounted on sticks or poles.

If you have any questions, call Patti at 317-636-0806.

Thanks for your support.

Dale Johnsen, President
Mark McCleskey, Secretary-Treasurer
Pete Rimsans, Executive Director

In addition to this rally, there is one on Wednesday in Valparaiso. If you live in the Northwest Indiana area, please try to attend in place of or in addition to the Indy rally as this one is on Wednesday. Again, thank you for whatever you are able to do, and please spread the word.

Time	Wednesday, February 23 · 3:45pm - 6:30pm
Location	Valparaiso Courthouse Square
By	Support Indiana Teachers
	For those in the great, frosty North, join your friends and colleagues in Valpo to Rally for Hoosier education!!!

If you are not familiar with what is going on, below is some background information, and you can also review it on Facebook by clicking here. We need your help, we need your presence, we need your voice.

The Ruination of Indiana Public Education

Indiana public education is at risk. Legislature will be voted on in Indianapolis next Monday (2/14) that will severely damage public school systems across the state. The following are the worst senate and house bills that will be voted on:


Senate Bill 575/House Bill 1337

Repeals the right to have union member teachers on curriculum committees.

* High achieving schools are the result of collaboration between teachers and the administration for a common goal – successful students. Take away this collaboration and the schools will suffer.
* The teachers are the most knowledgeable about what's best for their students. It makes absolutely no sense to disregard their opinions.
* Letting politicians tell teachers how to teach makes as much sense as letting your dentist tell your cardiologist how to perform bypass surgery.



Repeals collective bargaining for teacher unions (the teacher union's ability to negotiate contracts) and prohibits the inclusion of discussable items in teacher contracts.

* Items in teacher contracts (such as hoursy and working conditions) will no longer be discussable. This is a severe restriction of teacher rights and will cause the teaching profession to suffer immensely. Who wants to go into a profession where they have no rights?



Repeals the state statute which bases teacher salaries on qualifications and experience.

* In almost any job you go into, salary increases with experience. This is only logical.
* If this bill passes, teachers will be paid the same regardless of their experience. Who wants to go into a profession where they'll be earning the same amount of money after twenty years as they did when they first started?



Senate Bill 1

Sets up a system of merit-based pay for teachers.


While this is commonplace in the business world, education is not a business. In business, performance is measured by output levels. But how do you measure teacher performance? By student grades? That's impossible and unfair. It's ridiculous to decrease a teacher's salary simply because his/her students are not as intelligent as another teacher's or simply because they don't want to work or even because they teach a harder course. This system will encourage teachers to 'dumb down' their courses as much as possible in order to ensure high student grades and thus the stability of their salary. And how is the performance of art and music teachers to be measured? Or special education teachers?



Such a system will prove ruinous to the high calibre education our schools offer. This bill MUST NOT PASS.



Senate Bill 446

Requires school corporations to permit charter schools to rent unused, closed, or unoccupied public school areas for $1 per year.


This makes NO economic sense and is a huge waste of taxpayer money. Schools that may be able to rent out their unused buildings for $750,000 per year would be forced to instead rent them to charter schools for $1 per year. This is ridiculous. Public schools are already having financial difficulties. There's no reason to further limit their funds in this way.



House Bill 1002

Permits public school transportation funds to be distributed to charter schools unless the public school provides transportation for charter schools.



Schools have limited transportation funds as it is. This simply takes what funds public schools have and redirects them to charter schools. In essence, that's taxpayer money being taken away from public education and given to charter schools.

____________


These bills pose a serious threat to public education (especially SB 575 and HB 1337). If you are of voting age, please look up your state senator and representative (here: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup) and call/email them to tell them to vote AGAINST these bills. If you are not of voting age, please ensure your parents call/email them. It only takes five minutes. The phone numbers are listed on the site. The email addresses are s (for senator)/h (for house representative)[district number]@in.gov. For example, senator Charbonneau's email address is s5@in.gov because he's the state senator for district 005. Similarly, Representative Soliday's email is h4@in.gov because he's the house representative for district 004.



Spread this information to everyone you know. We must do everything we can to stop these bills from being passed. But we have to act fast; voting begins in Indianapolis on Monday (2/14).



We can and WILL make a difference.

New Congress Opens For Business Today: Suggested Budget Cuts

From The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a Washington, D.C

Filibuster This!: More Appeals For Progressive Action On Filibuster Reform

As Don says, 'These appeals have strategic importance to all Progressives.'  If this is an issue that you feel strongly about, consider taking action.


'Democracy for America, Levana L says,

The Senate is broken. Republicans have perverted its rules so that a 60-vote super-majority is needed to pass virtually anything.

Now we have a chance to reform the Senate rules and get it working for the people again. Last month, all 53 Democratic Senators signed a letter saying they supported rules reform that returned the filibuster to its original form, forcing Senators to hold the floor and talk for hours if they want to block legislation.

Call your Democratic Senator right now and tell them to support rules reform that fixes the filibuster:

1-877-426-8013 Thank you for everything you do.

From Daily Kos:

Chris Boyers writes a piece entitled, 

Answering progressive fears about filibuster reform

which can be read by clicking here.

We need calls to Senators Reid and Schumer, urging them to 

(1) Rules that reflect a true filibuster, not behind closed door sham sessions

(2) Rules that allow for expediting nominations

CALL Majority Leader, Sen. Harry Reid, (202) 224-3542

CALL Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Rules Committee Chair, (202) 224-6352, 

OR CALL Sen. Schumer's NY office at (212) 486-4430).

Thank you!

Health Care Law Changes For 2011: Beginning To Close Medicare RX Donut Hole, Free Senior Preventative Care Services, And More

The Political Carnival has a post overview (from the Kaiser Foundation) on the Affordable Care Act (health care law that cynics, critics, Republicans, Conservatives and some mainstream media refer to as 'Obamacare'), high lighting many changes to be implemented in 2011.

The following information comes from the the government website for the Affordable Care Act, also known as HealthCare.Gov.

A picture says a thousand words for Medicare recipients.

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Prescription Drug Discounts

Effective January 1, 2011

Seniors who reach the coverage gap will receive a 50 percent discount when buying Medicare Part D covered brand-name prescription drugs. Over the next ten years, seniors will receive additional savings on brand-name and generic drugs until the coverage gap is closed in 2020.

This is another positive change being implemented this years and further impacting Seniors, Medicare recipients.

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Free Preventive Care for Seniors

Effective January 1, 2011

The law provides certain free preventive services, such as annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans, for seniors on Medicare. 

I am tempted to quote Joe Biden's whisper to President Obama at the press conference after health care reform was passed, but I'll restrain myself, except to say that it contained the words big and deal.

Seeing that health insurance companies spend the bulk of the premiums they collect on services is an important change to be implemented in 2011.

HOLDING INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

Bringing Down Health Care Premiums

Effective January 1, 2011 

To ensure premium dollars are spent primarily on health care, the new law generally requires that at least 85% of all premium dollars collected by insurance companies for large employer plans are spent on health care services and health care quality improvement.  For plans sold to individuals and small employers, at least 80% of the premium must be spent on benefits and quality improvement. If insurance companies do not meet these goals because their administrative costs or profits are too high, they must provide rebates to consumers.

Learn more about getting value for your health care dollars

Changes affecting Medicare Advantage will be implemented over time, and begin in 2011.

HOLDING INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

Addressing Overpayments to Big Insurance Companies and Strengthening Medicare Advantage

Effective January 1, 2011

Today, Medicare pays Medicare Advantage insurance companies over $1,000 more per person on average than is spent per person in Original Medicare. This results in increased premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries, including the 77 percent of beneficiaries who are not currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. The new law levels the playing field by gradually eliminating this discrepancy.  People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will still receive all guaranteed Medicare benefits, and the law provides bonus payments to Medicare Advantage plans that provide high quality care.  Learn more about improvements to Medicare.

For even more changes in health care for 2011, check the Kaiser Foundation website, or see the interactive slideshow at HealthCare.gov.

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