Sarasota County Democratic Party Praises Senate Democrats For Voting to Pass Health Insurance Reform
Press Release, Democratic Party of Sarasota County, 24-December-2009
Washington, DC Today, in an historic Christmas Eve vote, the Senate voted to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill passed with unanimous support from Democrats despite weeks of Republican stall tactics and attempts to keep the bill from coming to a vote. In response, Sarasota County Democratic Party Chair Rita Ferrandino released the following statement:
“Todays vote marks an historic moment in the decades-long struggle to pass comprehensive health reform. This is the most significant development in domestic policy since Social Security was created it is the largest expansion of coverage since Medicare and the greatest deficit reduction package passed in the last decade.”
“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will end decades of unfair insurance industry practices that have hurt Floridians, provide quality, affordable options for the uninsured and will reduce costs for families, businesses and the country as a whole. It will expand coverage to more than 30 million Americans while reducing the deficit by more than $130 billion in the next 10 years.”
“This bill is a clear victory for Floridians. It will deliver on the promises President Obama has made since the health care debate began reducing costs, providing quality, affordable choices for the uninsured and providing stability and security for those who already have coverage.”
“So today we thank President Obama and Senate Democrats for their strong leadership on this issue and continue to offer our support as they move closer than ever to making comprehensive health insurance reform a reality.”
I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description. As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
President Obama Addresses the Nation on Afghanistan
Excerpts of the President's Address to the Nation, 1-December-2009
“The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 the fastest pace possible so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers. They will increase our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces, and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get into the fight. And they will help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans.”
“Because this is an international effort, I have asked that our commitment be joined by contributions from our allies. Some have already provided additional troops, and we are confident that there will be further contributions in the days and weeks ahead. Our friends have fought and bled and died alongside us in Afghanistan. Now, we must come together to end this war successfully. For whats at stake is not simply a test of NATOs credibility whats at stake is the security of our Allies, and the common security of the world.”
“Taken together, these additional American and international troops will allow us to accelerate handing over responsibility to Afghan forces, and allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in July of 2011. Just as we have done in Iraq, we will execute this transition responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground. We will continue to advise and assist Afghanistans Security Forces to ensure that they can succeed over the long haul. But it will be clear to the Afghan government and, more importantly, to the Afghan people that they will ultimately be responsible for their own country.”
President Obama's Sarasota appearance was brief but exciting
ABC 7 Suncoast News, 27-October-2009
Rita Ferrandino, SCDP Chair, and Keith Fitzgerald, FL State House Representative, reflect on the visit (starting at 1:40).
Dr. Robert Goldschmidt, Ph.D. Computer Science MIT (& Sarasota County Democrat), 22-October-2009
It is remarkable that, despite extensive healthcare debate, there has been no linkage made between our current financial crisis and runaway healthcare expenses. Since 1970 the after-tax, after-healthcare purchasing power of workers has been on the decline. This decline steepened over the last decade as employers, squeezed by rapidly rising healthcare costs, froze salaries and increased the health care burden on employees. Two economists identified this collapse in purchasing power and used it to predict our current economic crisis well in advance. Professor Ravi Batra, a liberal economist from SMU referred to this as a "wage gap" where demand for goods and services does not meet supply. John Williams, a libertarian economist who publishes on www.shadowstats.com, stated that this was a "structural problem" with our economy. Both concluded years ago that worker purchasing power was no longer adequate to pay for sufficient goods and services to keep our economy afloat.
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, in an effort to avoid recession, bridged this wage gap by loosening the reins on credit -- allowing personal and corporate debt to grow at a much faster rate than our economy. As we have learned the hard way, this was not sustainable. Now, on an emergency basis, the wage gap is being filled by stimulus financed by rapid growth in federal debt. This is also unsustainable and will have even graver consequences if not contained over the next few years.
Healthcare expenses are by far the largest piece of projected federal budgets. In fact, the healthcare losses of the U.S. last year exceeded $3.0 trillion -- $10,000 per citizen -- three times the size of Social Security or the entire Defense Department budget including the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is not a zero-sum game. All income classes have sustained major losses of assets and income over the past year. Yet we continue stubbornly on with two forms of healthcare madness. We believe that we can continue to absorb exponentially increasing healthcare costs without financial ruin and that only we know best how to deliver healthcare, when virtually every other developed country is providing higher quality at half the cost.
Healthcare cost reduction is the key to closing the wage gap and restoring our economy. We can all win, but we need to act now. The demagogues are waiting in the wings to gain power by preying on the growing multitudes who are fearful over healthcare and jobs. Our democracy may not survive until the next window of opportunity.
Every member of congress should be made aware that the single most patriotic vote of their career would be for healthcare reform that controls cost and covers most citizens. It is up to all of us to keep the pressure on by calling and writing senators and representatives to make sure this happens.
Dr. Goldschmidt has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT and was a leader in the development of super-computers and pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. Since retirement, he has researched the healthcare, energy and economics fields and given lectures on stem cells and green energy.
Sarasota County Residents See Universal Coverage and Reduced Costs as Essential Ingredients to Health Reform Measures
Press Release, Democratic Party of Sarasota County, 14-October-2009
SARASOTA, FL - Following closely on the heels of a grand opening celebration for their prominent central county headquarters location on U.S. 41, the Democratic Party of Sarasota County recently presented the findings of a widespread local survey about healthcare issues to key staff from U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's office.
One of the survey's most striking findings revealed that nearly three quarters of the responders (72%) think that providing coverage for all Americans and reducing the cost of healthcare are equally important outcomes of successful healthcare reform with almost an additional quarter of the respondents (22%) stating that providing all Americans with insurance coverage is the most important goal in reform efforts. Similarly, an overwhelming majority (82%) say they are, "willing to pay a little more for health insurance in exchange for universal coverage and elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions." Conversely, fewer than half of one percent of the respondents indicate that any reform is unnecessary.
The survey was conducted online between September 9 and September 23, 2009. Sarasota County Democratic Party email subscribers were invited to participate and a public invitation was issued through http://www.SarasotaDems.org and in a release to area media. After duplicate submissions and out-of-county zip codes were removed, more than 1,300 valid responses were recorded. "With these results, the people of Sarasota County have spoken," stated SCDP Chair Rita Ferrandino. "The strong, valid conclusions evidenced in this survey will give our elected officials in Washington, D.C. confidence delivering a voter mandate by securing progressive healthcare reform for all Americans."
Other survey results:
Given Sarasota County population statistics and the high percentage of Medicare beneficiaries here, 48% of respondents are insured some way through a government program (14% entirely government, 34% a combination of government and private insurance). However, 10% of respondents reportedly have no insurance, and the majority of those (92%) said this is of "significant concern."
Most respondents with government run health insurance are pleased with their coverage, and relatively free of insurance-related anxiety. Conversely, those with private plans are less satisfied and felt their coverage was more vulnerable.
Almost three quarters (72%) of all respondents prefer to have their insurance provided by the government while only 14% prefer to have their insurance provided through the private sector.
The survey included the ability for extemporaneous commentary. Fifty seven percent of the survey responders were motivated enough by the topic to share stories and comments. The most frequent subjects mentioned call for a single payer plan / a public option and suggestions of specific items reform should include. Many comments portray moving, personal situations. A survey summary and selected comments it contains can be downloaded by visiting www.SarasotaDems.org/hcsurvey.
FL Sen. Bill Nelson: Bipartisanship on the Health Care Bill & the Public Option
PBS Tavis Smiley Show, 13-October-2009
Political Haymaking on the Effects of the Stimulus Package
Dr. Ayse Somersan, Emeritus Professor & Dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Sarasota County Democrat, 12-October-2009
No, Virginia, there is no instant economic recovery. The causes of this deep recession are rooted in misguided policies of past decades and will take time to reverse.
The recession has been deeper than anyone expected. The bursting of the housing and consumer spending bubbles, when combined with the global financial crisis and globally synchronized slowdowns in demand make this the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Unemployment will most probably go over 10% and stay high at least through 2010 even after GDP starts increasing. Such is the nature of recessions caused by financial crises.
The stimulus bill, together with the financial measures taken by the Federal Reserve and the U.S Treasury, are close to textbook perfect policy measures. They have worked and are working. Any scale back will kill the fragile recovery underway.
The stimulus package of $787 billion is not front-loaded. It is designed to get most (not all) the funds out in 2009 and 2010. At the end of September 2009 only $106.9 billion was paid out. Another $308 billion was announced, to be paid out later. By the end of the year, 25% of the funds will have been paid out. There will be more stimulus during the second half of this year than there was during the first half because more funds will go to construction type projects. It is very hard to get billions out the door quickly, if you want to do it in a responsible way.
Estimates are that 200-250,000 jobs are created or saved per month from stimulus spending during the second half of 2009. As this is going on, unemployment will still increase and/or stay high. The relevant question is not "is the stimulus failing?" The relevant question is "what would have happened without it?" The answer is: unemployment numbers would have been even higher and the recession even deeper than it is.
The negativism about the failure of the stimulus package is nothing more than political positioning for 2010.
Locals want Nelson stronger on care issue
Jeremy Wallace, Political Columnist, Sarasota Herald Tribune, 5-October-2009
Sarasota County Democrats are pressuring Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, to more aggressively back a public option in health care reform legislation making its way through Congress.
Nelson sent staffers to Sarasota on Friday to meet with frustrated Democratic leaders, who said they are concerned with Nelson's low profile on the issue, even though he voted for a public option last week.
That was not enough for local Democrats, though. They want Nelson to be more vocal in fighting for a public option -- a government or quasi-governmental health insurance program that opponents fear would be too costly and compete with private insurance companies.
Someone is terrorizing our citizens, and it's not some militant group plotting against us in a foreign land. It's the health-insurance industry and politicians who are dependent on that industry's campaign contributions.
The weapons? Outright lies, half-truths and misrepresentations.
The victims? All of us.
Health-insurance premiums are rising three times faster than wages, and 47 million people in this country don't have insurance. These are our friends and neighbors who can't get coverage though work, or are self-employed and can't afford the sky-high deductibles, or can't find coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
What's even sadder is that, to preserve the health-care status quo, the insurance companies and many in the Republican Party have sunk to disseminating lies designed to terrorize and misinform citizens who dare to hope for something better.
State Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, Guest Columnist, Sarasota Herald Tribune, 16-September-2009
The political process in Tallahassee is broken. It is time to fix it. It is time to amend the Florida Constitution to require the Legislature's most important work be done in the light of day rather than in secret meetings. We should also end the practice of hurriedly approving massive bills in the final days of the legislative session that elected officials have not been given adequate time to read, study and debate.
Take the budget process. The Legislature is entrusted with the critical job of spending the hard-earned tax dollars of Florida's citizens and businesses. Citizens need to believe that their elected officials are making deliberate decisions for the permanent interests of the people, but now they cannot.
Under current practices, it is very difficult for even the brightest and most dedicated legislators to study the bills they vote on in the waning days of the legislative session. Long, technically complex bills are often dramatically amended or completely rewritten. These wholesale changes are euphemistically called "strike-all amendments." Such bills fly fast in the closing hours of the session. They are typically presented for votes with little time for legislators who were not among the insiders making the changes to read, much less evaluate, the changes. This almost guarantees bad public policy and allows those in power to hide in bills all kinds of goodies for their friends and allies.
Sarasota County Democrats launch a survey on Healthcare Reform
Press Release, Democratic Party of Sarasota County, 10-September-2009
SARASOTA, FL - The voices of many Sarasota County residents are not being heard in the debate on healthcare reform. Therefore, the Sarasota County Democratic Party has launched an online opinion survey. The purpose of the short survey, which is open to all Sarasota County residents, is to better understand local residents' needs and concerns regarding health care and health insurance.
The survey is on the Democratic Party's website, www.sarasotadems.org . Responses will be accepted through Sept. 23. Preliminary results will be reported on Sept. 26.
“I encourage everyone to join the conversation and make their voices heard,” said Rita Ferrandino, Sarasota County Democratic Party Chair. “You can make a difference right here in your own community.”
Joint Call for Respect & Civility As We Focus on Health Care
Joint Press Release from Sarasota County Democratic and Republican Parties, 9-September-2009
SARASOTA, FL - Community conversations throughout Sarasota County are centering on health care reform issues. As we gather for town hall meetings, community association parties, and local events, please remember this community belongs to all of us - we all live and/or work here, we send our children to the same schools, and we shop in the same stores.
Engaging in lively healthy debate is the cornerstone of our democracy especially about issues of real consequence that broadly impact so many. Let's jointly remain respectful and engage in meaningful civil discourse with open minds, tolerance and kindness toward each other for differing points of view.
Competitive Workforce - Nation in Crisis
Rita Ferrandino, Chair - Democratic Party of Sarasota County, 8-September-2009
We are a nation in crisis. The countrys educational system lies at the heart of the crisis. In todays global economy, we are not producing a workforce capable of competing effectively.
The Obama administration has prioritized an education agenda which explicitly commits policies and funding to support our children's future and sustain ours.
People can foment and froth all they like because they don't like this President, but how, in good conscience, can anyone quarrel with someone in a leadership position taking the time to talk to our children about succeeding in school?
Our kids are losing out. Studies show an average of 1 in 3 high school students drop out nationally, with numbers even worse in urban areas.
Our country suffers when our children fall through the cracks of the system. Each year, dropouts represent a $320 billion dollar loss in lifetime earning potential.
Each year, our labor pool becomes less accomplished and we become less competitive internationally.
And each year, more young people end up in our prisons; 75% of state prison inmates are high school drop outs.
Shame on our Republican colleagues for politicizing a powerful and important message from our president that is intended to remind everyone how important it is to stay in school and the value to our democracy of a well educated population.
Our children can't afford this, and neither can we.
President Obama's speech will take place Tuesday 12:00 noon EST on a TV near you and streamed live at
www.whitehouse.gov/live. Parents can pre-screen the speech online at
www.whitehouse.gov.
President Barack Obama stresses the importance of education to his daughters and wants to spread that message to all American schoolchildren in Tuesday's first national address directed at students via the Internet.
But some parents in Sarasota and Manatee County are asking to pull their children from class during the speech.
About 30 families have requested that school officials make alternate arrangements for their children during the noontime conference, which will be broadcast live on the White House Web site at www.whitehouse.gov.
Obama announced nearly three weeks ago that he would speak to students Tuesday, but the parents' dissent only came rolling in Wednesday -- a day after the Florida Republican Party chairman released a scathing statement charging Obama with trying to indoctrinate the students.
Jim Greer, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, criticized the address as a means to spread Obama's "socialist ideology" while "bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power."
The U.S. Department of Education states that in the speech, Obama "will challenge students to work hard, set education goals, and take responsibility for their learning."
Health Care Public Option Vigil in Sarasota, Florida Brings Out Hundreds of Supporters
Lisa Daily, The Huffington Post, 2-Sept-2009
Last night, I took my two kids downtown Sarasota on a school night to experience a little democracy in action at a public option vigil being held in front of Congressman Vern Buchanan's downtown office.
As we waited to cross the street from the "no health care" corner to the "pro health care" corner, one woman protester yelled,
"They're all welfare moms."
"That's not true," replied my 10 year-old son matter-of-factly, "my family has insurance, and we think everybody else should too."
I pulled my son a little closer, as the woman shouting "welfare, welfare, welfare" decided that "stupid, stupid, stupid" might be a more effective chant.
Fall Lecture Series Will Open With Focus on Healthcare Reform
Press Release, The Sarasota County Democratic Party, 24-August-2009
SARASOTA, FL -
Community conversations that were held last
spring by Sarasota County Democratic leaders proved to be so popular that the organization has decided to
produce another series of topical presentations this fall. The series will kick off in September with a focus on the
healthcare reform debate. “This policy issue is foremost on the minds of many Americans right now and we
wanted to make sure we could deliver reasoned, informed content as a community service,” explained Sarasota
County Democratic Executive Committee Chair Rita Ferrandino. “And we are especially pleased that we will be
able to offer these timely programs from our new headquarters location conveniently located in mid-Sarasota
County on U.S. 41,” she added.
The healthcare series will open Sept. 9 with an insightful discussion about electronic records and information
technology, presented by Dr. John Kontor of Bon Secours Health System, Inc. President Obama has consistently
indicated that technological advances will become the cornerstone for healthcare reform success. Community
hospitals and the expanding challenges they are expected to face from the sweeping changes on the healthcare
landscape will be the topic of conversation at the Sept. 16 panel discussion that will include SMH President
Gwen McKenzie, SMH Board Member Teresa Carafelli and CFO David Verinder. AARP's State Director, Dr. Lori
Parham, will discuss Medicare and other issues related to seniors' healthcare on Sept. 23, while Adrienne
Kimmell from the Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates will address women's healthcare issues
on Sept. 30. All four lectures will be held from Noon to 1:30 pm in the new DPSC headquarters located at 7358
Tamiami Trail in the Coral Cove Mall, which officially opens September 1. Advance registration is
required by calling 330-9400 or emailing headquarters@sarasotadems.org. A donation of $10 per person is
suggested.
The healthcare lecture series will also feature a special physician panel - Doctors Jeff Otten and Keith Edelin - on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10:30 - Noon at DPSC headquarters.
In October, the programming will focus on energy policy in addition to two special “spotlight” topics: college planning and election reform. During the month of November, specialists and experts will go in-depth and explore the economy from personal finance to economic outlooks. A Veteran's Day program is also being organized that month.
For more details and updates, visit www.sarasotadems.org or call Grace Carlson, DPSC Communications Co-Chair at 941-228-9083.
Jeremy Wallace, Political Columnist, Sarasota Herald Tribune, 17-August-2009
It is not just on the national level that the health care debate is dominating the Democratic agenda.
At the Sarasota Democratic Executive Committee meeting last week, health care also became a focal point. Democratic leaders assured the party faithful that President Barack Obama will see national health care through, even though it may seem like opponents are picking up some momentum.
Party chairwoman Rita Ferrandino told the group of more than 100 Democrats that she was in Washington earlier this summer talking to national party leaders about the issue. She said the Democratic National Committee foresaw much of the strategy Republicans are using to fight health care reform and the party has a strategy to respond.
"They knew it was going to get ugly," Ferrandino said.
State Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, took it a step further. Fitzgerald, who was an early supporter of Obama in 2007, said that Obama has shown since his win in Iowa that he should never be underestimated.
"He understands this is a marathon, not a sprint," Fitzgerald said.
He said when all is said and done, he expects "we will have national health care."
Rita Ferrandino, Chair - Democratic Party of Sarasota County, 12-August-2009
In his weekly address on Saturday, President Obama said now is “the best chance of reform we have ever had,” and today, the White House is rolling out a new website that focuses on what reform really means for families across the country. The site debunks some common myths along the way and provides you with online tools and content to share the facts with friends, family and anyone else that might be interested. You can visit the new site at www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck .
The first set of videos addresses a wide scope of topics and debunks some of those common myths:
CEA Chair Christina Romer details how health insurance reform will impact small businesses.
Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes tackles a nasty rumor about euthanasia and clearly describes how reform helps families.
Matt Flavin, the White House's Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, clears the air about Veteran's benefits.
Kavita Patel, M.D., a doctor serving in the White House's Office of Public Engagement, explains that health care rationing is happening right now and how reform gives control back to patients and doctors.
Robert Kocher, M.D., a doctor serving on the National Economic Council, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will be financed by cutting Medicare benefits.
In a video first released last week, Linda Douglass from the White House Health Reform Office addresses fears about the end of our private insurance system and reiterates that if you like your current plan you can keep it.
If you have questions about health insurance reform or suggestions on what topics we should address next, please let us know here:
www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/contact
.
Buchanan offers little help on health reform
Jan Schneider and Thomas E. Coler, Guest Columnists, Sarasota Herald Tribune, 12-August-2009
Regarding U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's Aug. 2 guest column, "Cut health care costs without doing harm":
"Do no harm" is a start, and we agree with most of the other guidelines professed by Rep. Buchanan. Nevertheless, with the U.S. health care system in critical need of reform, our congressman has offered no practical guidance.
The United States is the only wealthy, industrialized nation without a national health insurance or health care system. Our federal government, however, already directly provides health insurance for 28 percent of the population, including senior citizens, the disabled, federal employees, military families, veterans, children and low-income citizens. This is done through Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs health care and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Unfortunately, about 46 million Americans have no health insurance. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people with insurance are bankrupted by an accident or illness. Providers too are suffering, since it is becoming increasingly untenable to comply with the federal mandate requiring access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay.
Health Care Reform An Overview of Issues and Talking Points
Debbie Trice, July-2009
Health care reform is the #1 political issue of Summer 2009. It is also gearing up to be the #1 political minefield of 2009.
Why? Like the fabled blind men and the elephant, each of us experiences health care in America differently, each of us perceives different aspects as needing reform, each of us wants different aspects to remain unchanged.
Another source of controversy is that reform on a national level — e.g., reining in the total cost of health care as a percentage of GDP — will result in both winners and losers on a personal level. The details of the reform legislation will define who wins and who loses and by how much.
The majority of Americans have adequate health insurance and are satisfied with the care they receive. Most are willing to make small sacrifices to guarantee that everyone can get basic care. But we can expect that the deep pockets with the most to lose will shape their argument against reform to inflate those small sacrifices beyond recognition.
Before the battle lines are drawn, let's consider what we, as individuals, mean when we talk about health care in America, what the problems are, and what we don't want to lose. Let's also look at some of the half-truths and arm ourselves with rebuttals.
County Democrats Support President's Call for a Public Health Insurance Option
Press Release, The Sarasota County Democratic Party, 23-June-2009
SARASOTA, FL -
“ ... consider and investigate all viable delivery forms of health care coverage and insurance but insist upon including some public health option to operate alongside any private plans.”
With this wording, the county Democratic party has gone on record supporting President Obamas call for a public option in any health care reform package drafted by Congress.
In an overwhelming show of support, county Democrats voted at their June 10 general meeting to urge county Congressional representatives to consider all options, including the public option.
According to county Democratic party chair Rita Ferrandino, “The Sarasota Democratic Party understands the dream of quality, affordable health care for ALL Americans is now within reach. We will stand behind our President and support this goal for health care reform. We know that together we in Sarasota will make our voices heard, one neighbor at a time.”
As forces marshal for and against a government role in health insurance, local Democrats stand with the President, who said at a town hall meeting in early June that “one of the options should be a public insurance option because if the private insurance companies have to compete with a public option, it will keep them honest and help keep prices down.”
Local Democrats have voiced their support for a public option as they see more and more Americans losing health coverage as jobs are lost, insurance companies tighten requirements for coverage, and growing numbers are added daily to the swollen ranks of the uninsured: 47 million Americans and growing.
Longboat Key Democrat Murray Bluegrass, a 20-year county homeowner who retired to Sarasota County five years ago after 40 years as a school superintendent in New Jersey and New York, tells of desperate calls from colleagues who have been laid off and lost their health insurance coverage.
Known as ‘Papa Bear’ by his northern education ‘family’, and always there to help when they needed him, he notes sadly that now “there is nothing I can do for them. These are often young employees with families and they are simply unable to afford private insurance. What do they do? Borrow from parents, if they can.”
“Those who cant borrow,” he added, “just simply go without treatment, cross their fingers, and if they are desperate go to hospital emergency rooms as a last resort.”
Bluegrass calls this “the hot button of our time,” saying that “it is insane to me that everyone isnt covered by insurance.” The importance of the issue is so great to him that he believes that without universal access for all Americans to affordable health insurance - “this will affect the destiny of our country.”
County party chair Ferrandino also noted that county Democrats have joined forces with the Obama program Organizing for America (OFA),” and she pointed to a large turnout at June 6 gatherings at private homes tied to focusing on the critical state of health care coverage locally and nationally.
She stated that the early June sessions were a lead-in to a national day or service and education, to be held on Saturday, June 27 and “we are joining together to plan a large number of activities on that date.”
One event is a morning program of community health screening and education beginning at 9 a.m. and hosted by Genesis Health Services, SaraMana Gatekeepers of Community Health, and OFA volunteers, to be held at 1782 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Way, Sarasota.
Ferrandino also said that county Democrats along with OFA volunteers will be hosting private home sessions on health care on June 27, to be held throughout Sarasota County. These informal gatherings are designed to focus attention on our broken health care system and stimulate ways to improve it.
GOP in Cash Crunch Fundraising stretch is party's worst in years
Jeremy Wallace, The Sarasota Herald Tribune, 7-June-2009
SARASOTA, FL - The Republican Party's struggles are showing up in the one place that has been immune from the gains Democrats have made in Sarasota County: the wallet.
Through the first three months of 2009, the Sarasota Republican Party posted its rockiest fundraising stretch in years, raising $1,886. It marks the party's worst start to a new election cycle in 10 years. Four years ago, following the last presidential election cycle, the party raised $73,000 going into the first quarter.
The local numbers are being met with joy by Democrats who have struggled to match local Republicans in fundraising. Since the start of this year, Democrats have raised $40,168.
MIAMI BEACH, FL - Alex Sink was about as low-key as she could be when she got in the governor's race, but her first major event since then was quite the opposite.
Sink addressed a crowd of about 1,100 Democratic Party activists and supporters a little more than two weeks after simply issuing a press release saying she was running for governor. She was greeted with an extended ovation before making her first major address as a candidate for the state's top office.
"With the challenges that we face, the status quo has got to go," Sink told the crowd, referring to the GOP's complete control of state government since 1999. "It's just no longer OK to keep doing things the same old way."
Announcement from Alex Sink's web site, AlexSink2010.com 13-May-2009
Floridians from Pensacola over to Jacksonville and all the way down to Key West are facing enormous challenges. Each and every day, the global financial crisis tests our families, our economy and our resolve.
In unique and challenging times like these, our state needs a new and different kind of leadership.
Thousands of Floridians have told me they need leaders committed to protecting the middle class, strengthening our economy and giving our families a fighting chance. As a businesswoman and working mom, I couldnt agree more.
Before the people of Florida elected me their CFO, I spent nearly three decades in business creating jobs and economic opportunity in communities all across our state.
During my short time in state government, a couple of things have become crystal clear: Tallahassees tired old ways of doing business just arent enough to answer the urgent new challenges we face. And a state government influenced by narrow special interests cannot put the best interests of everyday Floridians first.
Today, Im announcing I will be a candidate for Governor of Florida in the November 2010 election, and put my business experience and know-how to work restoring our economy.
And, as Floridas CFO, Ill continue using my business experience to cut wasteful spending, crack down on financial fraud and reform state contracts.
For too long, weve had to tolerate a state government that puts playing politics ahead of helping families. Together, we can change all that, and give our state a fresh start.
Alex
Visit AlexSink2010.com
to learn more about Alex, get on her email list, and pledge support.
Citizen Groups Call Upon Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul and Senate President Jeff Atwater To Halt Voter Suppression Bills
Press Release, numerous nonpartisan public interest organizations, 20-April-2009
Numerous nonpartisan public interest organizations today
called upon Florida Speaker of the House Larry Cretul and Senate President Jeff
Atwater to step up to their responsibility and prevent two voter suppression bills from
reaching the floor of the state legislatures chambers. The groups said that the antivoter
legislation would spur lawsuits, trigger federal intervention and cause Florida to
backslide toward the election debacle of 2000.
Among the diverse array of local, state and national groups opposing the legislation
are the League of Women Voters of Florida, Florida State Conference NAACP, AARP,
Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., Florida Public Interest Research
Group (PIRG), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, Democraca USA,
Florida AFL-CIO, Florida Council of the Blind, Common Cause, Florida Immigrant
Coalition, Advancement Project, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law,
Miami-Dade Election Reform Coalition, Florida Fair Elections Coalition, Florida Voters
Coalition, Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections, Broward Election Reform Coalition, SEIU
Florida, Equality Florida, Florida National Organization for Women, Central Florida
Teamsters Union, Handicapped Adults of Volusia County (HAVOC), One Nation Volusia
and Business and Professional Women of Florida.
“Instead of making it easier for citizens to register and vote, this legislation creates
more barriers to the voting process and limits citizens involvement in elections and
government. Our constitutional rights are being trampled on by the imposition of
crippling fines and burdensome reporting requirements on third party voter
registration groups,” said Marilynn Wills, President of League of Women Voters of
Florida.
“The way the public comment period and debate on these bills was shut down is
illustrative of exactly what this legislation is designed to do suppress citizen
participation in our democratic process,” added Rich Templin, Communications
Director for the Florida AFL-CIO.
Read entire press release Due to the efforts of many, Florida SB956 / HB 7149 were defeated in early May 2009.
With little discussion, Florida House council passes sweeping changes to voting rules
Steve Bousquet, St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau, 18-April-2009
TALLAHASSEE A House council hurriedly passed a sweeping rewrite of Florida election laws Friday, shutting down public comment after just two minutes and prompting an uproar from opponents.
Like a similar Senate version, the House bill would ban two forms of voter ID at the polls now used mainly by older voters and require paid ballot-initiative circulators to register with the state. It also would require people whose addresses changed in the month before an election to cast provisional ballots, prohibit anyone from interacting with voters in a floating 100-foot zone outside polling places and make it more difficult for third-party groups to register new voters.
The 81-page bill was debated Friday at an 8 a.m. meeting of the House Economic Development Council and passed on a 10-5 party-line vote.
The Senate version (SB 956) was heard for the first time Thursday, passing the Ethics and Elections Committee 5-3 over Democratic objections. Most speakers were allowed just one minute to testify on the bill.
Read entire article Due to the efforts of many, Florida SB956 / HB 7149 were defeated in early May 2009.
![Respectfully, Rita Ferrandino DPSC Chair [signed] & Joseph Gruters RPSC Chair [signed]](images/jointcall.gif)
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