Thursday, May 27, 2010

Final push for Bill Halter

Bill Halter's campaign to replace Blanche Lincoln looked like a long shot, but now he's close to winning an upset victory that will turn the Democratic Party upside down. But he needs more resources to continue running an effective campaign in the final two weeks. So today we're looking for 3 donations from Inwood. Can you chip in $5?

Contribute Now

Dear MoveOn member,

When Bill Halter decided to challenge conservative Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln in the Democratic primary, it looked like a long shot. He was way behind in the polls, and she had $5 million in the bank—and plenty of corporate lobbyists willing to keep writing big campaign checks.

But now he's very close to winning an upset victory that will turn the Democratic Party upside down. Despite being outspent by more than two-to-one, he held a powerful incumbent below 45% in the primary election—and now the latest poll shows him ahead by two points headed into the runoff election in two weeks.1

The only question now is whether he has enough resources to continue waging an effective campaign. If we can come through with $200,000 today, it'll help make sure he can afford to get his message out and build the get-out-the-vote operation required to win. If not, we could miss out on this year's best opportunity to hold corporate Democrats accountable for blocking President Obama's agenda.

So we need at least 3 donations from people in Inwood immediately. Can you chip in $5?

https://pol.moveon.org/give/halter_runoff.html?aa=5&id=20689-10220574-kEu77Qx&t=3

Sen. Lincoln has spent millions trying to distract Arkansas voters with a vicious smear campaign against Halter, but they're learning the truth: she's betrayed President Obama and blocked his agenda at every turn.

She threatened to filibuster health care reform and killed the public option, she opposed President Obama's plan to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure, and she's trying to roll back the Clean Air Act.

Now with both candidates headed to a runoff election in two weeks, we can send her packing for good. That'll send an overwhelming message that Democrats will face political consequences for siding with Wall Street banks and corporate lobbyists.

But first, we need to immediately raise another $200,000 for Halter's campaign. Can you chip in $5?

https://pol.moveon.org/give/halter_runoff.html?aa=5&id=20689-10220574-kEu77Qx&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Adam, Matt, Michael, Jodeen, and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "Halter Leads Likely Voters in Runoff 48-46, Overnight Poll Shows Majority Support for populist fighter over DC Insiders and Wall Street," Democracy for America, May 19, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88454&id=20689-10220574-kEu77Qx&t=6


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 27, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Undercutting Obama

Dear MoveOn member,

We thought you might want to see a great Op-Ed that Paul Krugman wrote for Monday's New York Times.

In it, Krugman lays out exactly what we're up against if we want to truly achieve the change we voted for in 2008—corporate elites and their greed. In the article, he states:

"Much reporting on opposition to the Obama administration portrays it as a sort of populist uprising. Yet the antics of the socialism-and-death-panels crowd are only part of the story of anti-Obamaism, and arguably the less important part. If you really want to know what's going on, watch the corporations."1

It's not news that corporate lobbyists run DC, but the last two years have shown us just how tight their grasp is. Some really important things have happened as a result of President Obama's election—especially the health care bill—but it's pretty clear that the fundamental change we all want will be impossible until we kick the big corporations and their lobbyists out of our capitol.

So, we've launched one of MoveOn's most important campaigns ever—to end the stranglehold that big corporations and lobbyists have on our democracy. Lobbyists make up 2% of Washington DC, yet they've been able to run roughshod over our democracy, rigging the rules and fixing the system so that 98% of the country gets little or no say. Big change—a clean energy future, an economy that works for Main Street instead of Wall Street, even getting BP to clean up after themselves in the devastating spill—will be impossible as long as lobbyists rule the roost. 

If you like the article, we hope you'll pass it along and share it on Facebook and Twitter. It's easy to do from here:

http://pol.moveon.org/corporatepower/?id=20671-10220574-cIiVyCx&t=1

Thanks for all you do,

–Ilyse, Milan, Tim, Jodeen, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "The Old Enemies," The New York Times, May 24, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/opinion/24krugman.html

 

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 26, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Facebook's big privacy announcement

Make this your Facebook status:

Mark Zuckerberg: Privacy is a matter of safety and security, not personal preference. Stop giving my information to 3rd parties without my opt-in permission http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

Dear MoveOn Member,

Yesterday, in the face of massive public criticism, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced his company's big new plan for protecting user privacy.

One problem: they haven't said they will stop giving away users' information without first asking permission.1 What kind of privacy protection is that?

Facebook says they will make their privacy controls less confusing, but that alone is not nearly enough to protect user privacy.

Facebook is clearly feeling the heat, but now is a crucial moment to show that users won't be satisfied until they stop giving away our personal data to corporations like Microsoft without getting our opt-in permission first.

That's why we're asking you to set your Facebook status today to read: Mark Zuckerberg: Privacy is a matter of safety and security, not personal preference. Stop giving my information to 3rd parties without my opt-in permission http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

After you've updated your status, click here to join the "Facebook: Respect my privacy" Facebook group:

http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

Privacy isn't just a personal preference—it's a matter of personal safety and financial security. When Facebook shares our information without opt-in permission, they increase the risk of identity theft.2 Facebook is fun, but it's not worth making yourself an easy mark for Internet crime.

On Friday, we got another scary reminder of Facebook's problems with privacy. The Wall Street Journal found that Facebook had accidentally leaked the names, ages, and other personal information about users to advertisers like Google and Yahoo.3 It's just another example of how Facebook plays fast and loose with our personal information.

We need to keep the pressure on until Facebook promises to stop sharing our information without opt-in permission.

You can help by setting your Facebook status today to say: Mark Zuckerberg: Mark Zuckerberg: Privacy is a matter of safety and security, not personal preference. Stop giving my information to 3rd parties without my opt-in permission http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

After you've updated your status, click here to join the "Facebook: Respect my privacy" Facebook group:

http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Milan, Kat, Amy, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Admits Privacy Gaffes," ABC News, May 24, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88436&id=20653-10220574-Nhhf6_x&t=1

2. "Consumer Reports Survey: 52 Percent of Social Network Users Post Risky Information," Consumer Reports, May 4, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88437&id=20653-10220574-Nhhf6_x&t=2

3. "Facebook, MySpace Confront Privacy Loophole, The Wall Street Journal, May 21, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88432&id=20653-10220574-Nhhf6_x&t=3

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 25, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Sunlight

Click here to add your name:
"The conference committee negotiations for Wall Street reform must be fully transparent. They should be televised on C-SPAN and the bill text should be made public well in advance of the final vote."

Sign the petition
Dear MoveOn member,

What's the only thing powerful enough to stop thousands of bank lobbyists and their millions of dollars in campaign contributions?

Sunlight.

Wall Street was counting on the Senate to gut financial reform during committee sessions, far from the eyes of the public. But instead, the reform bill was debated out in the sunlight on the Senate floor and it got stronger and stronger.

Now lobbyists will try one last time to gut the bill behind closed doors during the final negotiations, and we can't let that happen. If we want the final bill to incorporate the strongest elements of the House and Senate bills, we have to tell Congress that backroom dealing is unacceptable, and that the negotiations should be out in the sunlight, on C-SPAN.

Will you add your name to our call for full transparency in the negotiations?

http://pol.moveon.org/finregcspan?id=20619-10220574-siZzxrx&t=3

The petition says: "The conference committee negotiations for Wall Street reform must be fully transparent. They should be televised on C-SPAN and the bill text should be made public well in advance of the final vote."

After the House passed its financial reform bill in December, everyone expected that to be the high-water mark for reform. The Senate bill was expected to be far weaker, thanks to the hundreds of lobbyists the banks employ.

But when Senate leaders decided to debate the bill on the floor, rather than in closed-door committee sessions, a funny thing happened. With the public still furious at Wall Street and the SEC pursuing allegations of fraud against Goldman Sachs, no one wanted to be seen carrying the big banks' water. So rather than a weaker bill, the Senate-passed legislation is in most ways stronger than the House's.

But if the final negotiations in the conference committee are taken behind closed doors, it'll give the banks a chance to undo all of the progress reform has made. If we can ensure that the negotiations continue to be held out in the open, it'll give regular folks the upper hand in the final round of battle with the banks.

Will you add your name?

http://pol.moveon.org/finregcspan?id=20619-10220574-siZzxrx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Matt, Nita, Amy, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 24, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Pop quiz

Dear MoveOn member,

Pop quiz: Who should pay the bill for the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?

A) Oil companies*

B) Taxpayers

*Clicking here will add your name to this petition: "Oil companies, not taxpayers, should pay for oil spill damages. Congress should get rid of the limits on oil spill liability."

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Kat, Adam, Ilya, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 20, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Important update from Little Rock

Hi—

Late last night, I wrote you from Bill Halter's victory celebration in Arkansas, after his amazing finish in the Democratic primary. He held Senator Blanche Lincoln, one of the worst corporate Democrats in Congress, under 45% among Democratic voters, and forced a runoff election in three weeks.

Halter's campaign team has gathered in Little Rock today to decide on their plan for the runoff. After being outspent more than two-to-one by Sen. Lincoln, their funds are nearly exhausted. They're trying to figure out what they can afford and whether the MoveOn members who helped him do so well last night will come through again.

His campaign urgently needs more support. We are aiming for 3 donations from Inwood to reach our goal of $200,000 in emergency funds today—can you chip in $5?

https://pol.moveon.org/give/halter_runoff.html?id=20538-10220574-H4cOGbx&t=1

For more, see my email from last night below.

–Michael and the rest of the team


Hi—

I'm in Little Rock at Bill Halter's election-night celebration, and the energy here is truly incredible. Bill just told the crowd: "Today we put the special interests and political insiders on the ropes, and in three weeks we're going to knock them out."

Halter's supporters are ecstatic because he just handed a huge defeat to Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln. Despite being outspent by more than two-to-one, Halter kept Lincoln below 45% of the vote—and now both candidates are headed into a runoff election.

Make no mistake, this is big news. For the first time, voters have shown that Democrats who side with corporate interests to block President Obama's agenda will suffer for it at the ballot box.

But even as we're celebrating, it's time to double down. Because Sen. Lincoln is a favorite of big corporations, she still has millions in the bank—and she'll spend all of it smearing Bill Halter.

The runoff is in just three weeks, and Halter's staff just told me that they urgently need more funds to continue the campaign.

Can you help us raise $200,000 in emergency funds for Bill Halter? That'll take 3 donations from Inwood. Chip in $5 here:

https://pol.moveon.org/give/halter_runoff.html?id=20538-10220574-H4cOGbx&t=2

And on behalf of everyone here in Arkansas, thanks for all you do.

–Michael and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 19, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Huge defeat for Blanche Lincoln

Hi—

I'm in Little Rock at Bill Halter's election-night celebration, and the energy here is truly incredible. Bill just told the crowd: "Today we put the special interests and political insiders on the ropes, and in three weeks we're going to knock them out."

Halter's supporters are ecstatic because he just handed a huge defeat to Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln. Despite being outspent by more than two-to-one, Halter is running slightly ahead as I send this—and now both candidates are headed into a runoff election.

Make no mistake, this is big news. For the first time, voters have shown that Democrats who side with corporate interests to block President Obama's agenda will suffer for it at the ballot box.

But even as we're celebrating, it's time to double down. Because Sen. Lincoln is a favorite of big corporations, she still has millions in the bank—and she'll spend all of it smearing Bill Halter.

The runoff is in just three weeks, and Halter's staff just told me that they urgently need more funds to continue the campaign.

Can you help us raise $200,000 in emergency funds for Bill Halter? That'll take 3 donations from Inwood. Chip in $5 here:

https://pol.moveon.org/give/halter_runoff.html?id=20519-10220574-1.3RQ4x&t=1

And on behalf of everyone here in Arkansas, thanks for all you do.

–Michael and the rest of the team


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 18, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Act today to protect your privacy online


Dear MoveOn member,

Every day, we entrust more and more of our private information to websites and online social networks like Facebook. So I take Internet privacy very seriously.

That's why I'm so concerned with the changes Facebook recently made to its privacy policy and use of personal data on third party websites. These changes take away important control that users had over who has access to their information.1,2

I and others have expressed our concern about these changes and Facebook is starting to feel the pressure. Now, as Facebook considers how to respond to the outcry from its customers,3 we all need to keep up the pressure.

That's why I'm asking you to join me in urging Facebook to stop sharing your information without your permission, by setting your status today to read:

"Facebook should stop sharing my personal info with outside companies without my permission. If you agree, set this as your status today and join this group: http://bit.ly/d1ZB6h"

Facebook provides a valuable service, but online social networks need to allow users to retain control over their own personal information.

The information that Facebook is now sharing with third-parties and with the public is very different from the spirit of the site's previous terms of service.4 Certain parts of your profile, including your hometown, interests and activities, and your profile picture, must be made public or deleted—even if you restricted whom they were shared with before. Certain third-party partners now have access to all of this information, including your list of friends and their information, as soon as you visit their websites—without asking your permission.

These changes undermine the protection of your personal information on the web.

Recently, I sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking them to examine the use and distribution of personal information by social networking sites like Facebook.5 Three other senators and I also sent a letter directly to Facebook, urging them to provide an opt-in mechanism that would seek your permission before sharing your information.6

Facebook can take immediate action to remedy this situation—but before they will they need to hear from enough users who care.

Can you join me in advocating for privacy on the web?

If you're on Facebook set your status to read:

"Facebook should stop sharing my personal info with outside companies without my permission. If you agree, set this as your status today and join this group: http://bit.ly/d1ZB6h"

Thank you for joining me in advocating for a safer, better Internet.

Sincerely,

Senator Charles Schumer


Sources:

1. "Facebook privacy changes would share user data with other sites," The Washington Post, March 29, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88264&id=20502-10220574-aj.oL7x&t=1

2. "The Evolution of Privacy on Facebook," mattmckeon.com, May 11, 2010
http://mattmckeon.com/facebook-privacy/

3. "Facebook Calls All Hands Meeting on Privacy," allfacebook.com, May 12, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88265&id=20502-10220574-aj.oL7x&t=2

4. "New Facebook Privacy Complaint Filed with Trade Commission," Electronic Privacy Information Center, May 5, 2010
http://epic.org/2010/05/new-facebook-privacy-complaint.html

5. Press Release, Office of Senator Charles E. Schumer, April 26, 2010,
http://schumer.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=324175

6. Press Release, Office of Senator Charles E. Schumer, April 27, 2010,
http://schumer.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=324221



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Monday, May 17, 2010

RIGHT NOW: Showdown on K Street

Dear MoveOn member,

Thanks for signing up to join the virtual "march" on K Street today. As I'm sending you this email, it's already an incredible scene. A huge crowd of progressives is gathering just steps from the White House ready to demand our democracy back from corporate lobbyists and their friends in Congress. The event is starting RIGHT NOW—so click the link below to join us online:

http://www.moveon.org/kstshowdown/?id=20471-10220574-PcexzTx&t=1

In a few minutes, progressive leaders from National People's Action, SEIU, AFL-CIO, and Jobs with Justice, will give speeches to rev up the crowd (which isn't really necessary!). Then we'll march to Congress to tell our elected officials that we're holding them accountable—they need to stand up to corporate interests and rewrite the rules in Washington so government works for ordinary Americans.

Through our cool virtual "march" web page, you can:

  • Check out live video and a live blog from the march site.
  • Make sure the march's message reaches Washington by letting your senators know we need to end the domination of corporations in Washington, DC.
  • Talk to other virtual marchers and share a photo of yourself with your own rally sign.
Check out the scene in DC and add your voice here:

http://www.moveon.org/kstshowdown/?id=20471-10220574-PcexzTx&t=2

Thanks again for all you do!

–Ilyse, Amy, Tim, Milan, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 17, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Tomorrow: Big rally on K Street

Dear MoveOn member,

From Wall Street to the Gulf of Mexico, the news lately has been full of disasters caused by big corporations. They're out of control. Unaccountable. And they're getting away with it because they've bought so much influence in Washington.

It's time to take on the corporate lobbyists who have a stranglehold on our democracy. So on Monday at noon, thousands of progressives from MoveOn, AFL-CIO, SEIU, Jobs for Justice and National People's Action are going straight to K Street in Washington, DC to let the corporate lobbyists and their friends in Congress know we've had enough.

Since you don't live in the DC area, you probably think you can't be there. But we've rigged up an awesome virtual "march" web page that will allow you to still make your voice heard—right from your desk. You can join the event live from your computer anytime between 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. Click here to RSVP:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84876&id=20457-10220574-zzjATzx&t=1

At the virtual march, you can:

  • Check out live video and a live blog from the march site.
  • Make sure the march's message reaches Washington by letting your senators know we need to end the domination of corporations in Washington, DC.
  • Talk to other virtual marchers and share a photo of yourself with your own rally sign.
RSVP to join the march online and add your voice here:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84876&id=20457-10220574-zzjATzx&t=2

Hope to see you there, and thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Amy, Tim, Milan, and the rest of the team

P.S. The virtual march will be posted at this link tomorrow, if you want to bookmark it now: http://www.moveon.org/kstshowdown/?id=20457-10220574-zzjATzx&t=3

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 16, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Have your friends seen this?

Dear MoveOn member,

You might think you know who has access to information you post on Facebook, but do you?

Facebook recently made a bunch of changes to their privacy policy that made users' information broadly available across the web.

A lot of people aren't aware of these changes yet—so we put together a chart that makes it clear. It's scary, and a wake-up call that we need to fight back to get Facebook to restore our privacy controls.

This isn't just about Facebook either. They're treading dangerous waters on how much of your personal information they can share. If we let them succeed, lots of other Internet companies are sure to follow.

So check out the chart and forward it to your friends, share it on Facebook, or post it on Twitter. Everybody needs to see this.

Check this out!

http://www.civic.moveon.org/facebook/chart/?id=20422-10220574-3e2Dk4x&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

Kat, Lenore, Joan, Carrie, and the rest of the team



Subscription Management:
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Corporate Power and Elena Kagan

We need to know where Elena Kagan stands on corporate power. Can you call Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer? Ask them to pose tough questions so we know whether Elena Kagan will be a champion for ordinary Americans against the corporate tilt of the Roberts court.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542


Report your call
 

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, President Obama announced his newest Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan.

Republicans have already started to attack her, using the same old divisive wedge issues like gay rights and abortion.

Those critical issues will and should be examined during the Senate confirmation hearings. But unless we speak up, there's one important one that won't: In recent years the Roberts court has tilted heavily in favor of expanding the rights of giant corporations. And we need to know whether Elena Kagan is going to side with the big corporations or if she's going to stand up for everyday Americans.

If we can make this issue the center of the debate, not only can we make sure Kagan will be a champion for the rights of ordinary Americans over those of big corporations, but we can put the Justices on alert that Americans are upset about the direction of the court. 

Can you call Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer and ask them to ask tough questions on corporate power? Ask them to make sure that the court's corporate tilt is a major thrust of the hearings.

Here's where to call:

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_2.FSNY_1&cp_id=1354&id=20348-10220574-B9EYRex&t=3

A poll released last week shows that the majority of Americans—both Democrats and Republicans—want a nominee who will fight corporate power.1 But with radical rulings like Citizens United massively reshaping the way that corporations influence our democracy, it's crucial that that issue gets explored in Kagan's confirmation hearings.

President Obama says that's why he nominated Kagan, and it's true that she argued against Citizens United as the US Solicitor General. But there's at least some concern that she doesn't share the President's views on Citizens United.2

As the The New York Times wrote,

"President Obama may know that his new nominee to the Supreme Court, Elena Kagan, shares his thinking on the multitude of issues that face the court and the nation, but the public knows nothing of the kind."3

The truth is we just don't know, but with critical cases in the pipeline that will determine whether corporations continue to win out over everyday Americans, we need to hear her positions directly from her. And to send a message that Americans are sick of the direction of the current corporate court.

Can you please ask your senators to make sure we know where Elena Kagan stands, and to keep the focus on this critical issue as Kagan goes through the confirmation process?

Thanks for all you do.

–-Ilyse, Amy, Matt, Milan, and the rest of the team

1. Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research poll memo, http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88214, May 7, 2010

2. "Citizens United: Does Elena Kagan Disagree With Barack Obama on Corporate Speech?"  The Huffington Post, May 9, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88259&id=20348-10220574-B9EYRex&t=4

"Stints in Court May Yield Clues to a Style," The New York Times, April 14th 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15scotus.html

3. "Searching for Elena Kagan," The New York Times, May 10, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/opinion/11tue1.html


Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 11, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

The next Supreme Court justice

Dear MoveOn member,

Washington, D.C. and the media are abuzz with rumors that President Obama may appoint a Supreme Court justice within the next 96 hours. We've just completed a poll on what Americans expect from our next justice. Here's the bottom line from the pollster:

"What average voters most want is a nominee willing to stand up for average people, a nominee who will ensure a fair hearing even against the most moneyed and powerful corporations and individuals."1

As senators get ready to hold critical hearings on whoever President Obama nominates, we need to make sure every senator hears this message and knows their constituents are paying attention. We're counting on them to find out if the next justice will stand up for the other 98% of us—ordinary Americans who aren't represented by corporate lobbyists.

So we're planning a national day of action on Tuesday, May 11th, to deliver the complete poll results and a new newspaper ad directly to their offices. But there's still no delivery planned at your senator's office.
  
Can you sign up to host a poll delivery to your senator's office on Tuesday?
Click here to get started:

http://www.moveon.org/event/events/create.html?action_id=210&detail_senate_office_id=300&id=20285-10220574-JbC78jx&t=1

Hosting a delivery is really simple. All you have to do is pick a time on Tuesday in our online system, get there a few minutes early to meet your group, and follow our simple guide to print out the materials to bring with you. We'll invite other local members to join you and help you every step of the way.

If hundreds of us organize events like these, we'll help impact our senators' questions during the Supreme Court nominee's confirmation hearings. But we need to get to as many Senate offices as possible to really make our voices heard—so we need everyone's help.

Can you get one started? Click here:

http://www.moveon.org/event/events/create.html?action_id=210&detail_senate_office_id=300&id=20285-10220574-JbC78jx&t=2

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Tim, Milan, Amy, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "The Next Supreme Court Justice." May 5, 2010. Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88214&id=20285-10220574-JbC78jx&t=3

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 8, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, May 7, 2010

URGENT: Saving the soul of the Democratic Party

** URGENT DEADLINE TODAY **

The Senate primary in Arkansas is our best hope to save the soul of the Democratic Party and win real change in Washington. Every Democrat in Washington is watching to see whether corporate lobbyists or grassroots progressives will prevail. And this is the last chance to help out—the Halter campaign is making their final spending decisions today. So we need at least 3 donations from Inwood immediately. Can you chip in $5?

Contribute Now
Dear MoveOn member,

You probably don't usually pay close attention to elections in Arkansas. Neither do I.

But the primary fight there could be our best hope for saving the soul of the Democratic Party—and today is the last chance to help out.

Here's why:

When we elected President Obama in 2008, we knew that to win real change in Washington, we'd have to overcome the opposition of right-wing Republicans. But some of the biggest obstacles to progressive legislation have been conservative Democrats. After all, they tried to block health care reform and killed the public option.

Unfortunately, party leaders haven't lifted a finger to hold them accountable. And so long as corporate Democrats don't face any political consequences, they're going to keep obstructing President Obama's agenda. (And keep profiting from it by collecting big campaign contributions from corporate interests!)

That's why the primary fight happening in Arkansas right now is so important. It's about whether the Democratic Party represents corporate lobbyists or grassroots progressives like you and me.

Senator Blanche Lincoln is one of the absolute worst of these corporate Democrats, and if she loses to populist Bill Halter, all the rest of them will have to sit up and take notice—and we'll be in a much better position to win some major progressive victories in Congress.

But right now Halter is being outspent, as Sen. Lincoln's wealthy corporate allies pour huge sums of money into a vicious smear campaign. So if Sen. Lincoln wins, corporate Democrats will become even more fearless about doing the bidding of their deep-pocketed backers.

Today the Halter campaign has to make their final spending decisions before the election—how many ads they can afford to run, how many voters they can contact, and so on.

If you still care about everything we fought for together in 2008, now's the time to stand up. This is our last chance to affect the outcome in Arkansas—and the future of the Democratic Party.

Raising an additional $200,000 will take only 3 donations from Inwood today. Can you chip in $5?

https://pol.moveon.org/give/halter_lastchance.html?aa=5&id=20264-10220574-wDvF2dx&t=1

Together, we can make a huge difference in this campaign. Thanks for all you do.

–Adam, Matt, Michael, Jodeen, and the rest of the team


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 7, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

We need a volunteer in the Inwood area

President Obama will select his Supreme Court nominee any day—and we have a new poll showing that Americans want a justice who won't protect corporate profits at our expense. Will you organize a delivery of this poll to your Senator on Tuesday, May 11th?

Click Here
Dear MoveOn member,

President Obama is expected to nominate his replacement for Supreme Court Justice Stevens within days.

After years of court decisions that dramatically expanded the power of big corporations, the upcoming nomination battle is a big chance to show that we expect our next justice to stand up for the other 98% of us—ordinary Americans who aren't represented by corporate lobbyists.

So on Tuesday, May 11th, we're planning a national day of action to tell our senators and President Obama that we need a Supreme Court nominee who has a track record of standing up for everyday Americans.

We'll get together at local Senate offices across the country to deliver new poll results that make clear that Americans want a justice who won't protect corporate profits at our expense.

We still need someone to organize a Supreme Court delivery near Inwood. Can you help? Click here to get started:

http://www.moveon.org/event/events/create.html?action_id=210&detail_senate_office_id=300&id=20238-10220574-JdrH_Zx&t=3

Organizing a delivery at your senator's office is really simple. All you have to do is pick a time on Tuesday, get there a few minutes early to meet your group, and follow our simple guide to print out the materials to bring with you. We'll invite other local members to join you and help you every step of the way.

If hundreds of us organize events like these, we'll help impact our senators' questions during the Supreme Court nominee's confirmation hearings—but it's going to take all of us working together.

Sign up to organize a delivery right now:

http://www.moveon.org/event/events/create.html?action_id=210&detail_senate_office_id=300&id=20238-10220574-JdrH_Zx&t=4

Thanks for all you do

–Ilyse, Amy, Matt, Milan, and the rest of the team
  

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 6, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Racists for Blanche Lincoln

Dear MoveOn member,

I'm a MoveOn member from Arkansas, where a shadowy right-wing group is spending almost a million dollars on racist attack ads trying to steal our Senate election. So I'm making a plea to MoveOn members around the country for help.

You may have heard about the big primary election happening down here: we've got a good shot at replacing Senator Blanche Lincoln—who recently ran an ad saying she doesn't answer to the Democratic Party and who helped kill the public option—with a far better candidate named Bill Halter.

But her supporters are getting desperate, so now they've turned to racist fear-mongering. A secretive right-wing front group that's been supporting tea party candidates is running incredibly offensive ads: they feature Indian-looking actors in traditional dress, with thick accents, claiming to "thank" Bill Halter for sending American jobs to Bangalore. (A complete and total fabrication.)

I know racism when I see it. They're preying on voters' economic anxiety, using untruths to smear a good man. And the worst part is, this ad could work. I've heard that the average voter will see it thirty times this week, and believe me, I can't turn on the TV without running across it.

So I'm asking you and other MoveOn members to help make sure Bill Halter has the resources to fight back. I've just made a donation to Bill Halter's campaign. Can you chip in $5?

https://pol.moveon.org/give/halter.html?id=20194-10220574-jrPFwAx&t=1

Thanks!

–Rev. Larry Burton
  Little Rock, Arkansas


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 5, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Big news about Goldman Sachs!

Dear MoveOn member,

Thanks so much for signing the petition demanding a criminal investigation into Goldman Sachs' actions.

Big news broke over the weekend: US Attorneys in New York are in fact opening a criminal investigation.

Last Thursday we joined our friends at the Progressive Congressional Campaign Committee and key members of Congress to deliver more than 140,000 signatures demanding a criminal probe of Goldman to the Justice Department. Check out this video from the event—it includes a special message for you from progressive champion, Representative Marcy Kaptur at the end!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRPLv7rxZnk

Your voice was instrumental in elevating the outrage that Americans everywhere are feeling about Wall Street's recklessness. You helped make clear that in our country, no one on Wall Street should be "too big for jail."

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Daniel, Ilyse, Steven, Milan, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 4, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Please, don't click delete

We've launched a huge new campaign to rein in the power of big corporations in our democracy. It's one of our biggest and most important fights ever, and we need your help. Can you chip in $15 a month?

Contribute
Dear MoveOn member,

This is an unusual email, to ask for your help in launching what may be MoveOn's most important campaign ever.

Like you, I worked my guts out to elect Barack Obama. And while some really important things have happened as a result—especially the health care bill—it's pretty clear that the fundamental change we all want will be impossible until we end the stranglehold that big corporations and lobbyists have on our democracy.

Dreaming of a clean energy future? Dream on. Thanks to the energy companies, legislation being debated in the Senate right now would actually expand nukes, offshore drilling, and coal.

Want to make sure every job pays a living wage and that all workers can choose the protection of a union? Probably impossible, as long as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spends nearly $150 million per year on lobbying alone—not even counting campaign contributions.1

How 'bout closing the widening gap between the rich and the poor? How 'bout investing enough in education so every child gets a decent education and every family can afford college? How 'bout making workplaces really work for people with families, including paid sick leave and parental leave?

Right now these proposals would get you laughed out of the room in Washington. Because they all face overwhelming opposition from powerful, entrenched interests.

That has to change. So, after consulting with thousands of MoveOn members, we've made a decision: to launch a massive campaign to fix our democracy and put We the People back in charge.

It's a hugely ambitious idea. It won't be done this year, or next, though I think we can make real progress quickly. It definitely can't be done by MoveOn members alone. And, even though it'll be powered and led by volunteers, it'll cost about $175,000 dollars a month to get up and running.

So I'm writing to ask you to invest in this idea. To help build a movement, from the ground up, to confront corporate influence and revive our democracy.

This'll take time, and energy, and commitment from all of us. But for starters, it'll take money. That's why we're looking for at least 3 new monthly donors from Inwood. Can you contribute $15 per month to help rein in the power of the big corporations?

Yes, I'll chip in monthly.

No, I can't right now.

It's easy to contribute monthly, and you can cancel at any time.

OK. So how are we going to do it?

The first step is to bring together millions of people who share our frustration with business as usual in Washington. Change this big will require an honest-to-God people's movement, and this is the right moment for it. There is overwhelming voter anger right now, and the number of people who believe that lobbyists and special interests hold sway is literally without precedent.

The next step is to start kicking out the politicians in both parties who are carrying water for the big banks, the insurance companies, and other lobbies. This election will be a key moment for that, and we've already begun with the Senate primary in Arkansas. But politics is too warped by big money for this strategy to work on its own.

So we're also going draw up a bold blueprint for renewing our democracy: a sweeping set of new rules to limit the influence of big money, corporations and lobbyists. We'll use the approaching election as a lever, to get candidates committed to these reforms—or publicly shame them for siding with Wall Street and other special interests (something few can afford, in this political climate).

We'll make the influence of corporations and lobbyists a key issue in the election and emerge with a mandate to rewrite the rules of our democracy to put regular people back in charge.

It's a bold, ambitious plan. And we can only launch it if all of us who are frustrated and believe things could be different come together to do it. If we can raise $500,000 this week, we can get this going in time to have a major impact before the elections. That'll take at least 3 new monthly donors from Inwood. Can you contribute $15 per month?

Yes, I'll chip in monthly.

No, I can't right now.

I won't lie. This will face enormous opposition. And take years. But it's the only way we'll ever build the America we all know is possible, with real freedom, opportunity, and shared prosperity.

And as hard as it is to imagine a political system not dominated by powerful interests and corporations, it must have been equally hard to imagine an end to slavery, when slavery was the basis of the whole economic system. Or any of the other revolutions that progressives before us dreamed of, and then made reality. Now it's time to do it again.

Will you make a monthly donation to get it going?

Yes, I'll chip in monthly.

No, I can't right now.

Thank you for all you do.

–Justin

Sources:

1. "The Corporations Already Outspend The Parties," The Atlantic, February 1, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=87753&id=20112-10220574-FBgRnPx&t=9


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 2, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Great news!

Dear MoveOn member,

Great news! Last week, Anthem Blue Cross backed off on a plan to raise some customers' insurance premiums by as much as 39 percent.1

Their plan to jack up rates caused a public backlash earlier this year, including a petition signed by you and 310,000 other MoveOn members, a congressional investigation, and a call from the Obama administration for Anthem to explain themselves.2

And on Thursday, the outcry paid off. Anthem, citing "miscalculations," said they're withdrawing the rate increase.

Congratulations! Your voice on this petition, along with so many others nationwide, helped stop Big Insurance from gouging customers in California—and more importantly, sent a message to other insurance companies that this sort of abuse will not be tolerated. Even with the historic passage of health care reform, it's crucial we make that clear to prevent future attempts to gouge consumers.

Thanks for adding your voice to this effort, and for all you do.

–Kat, Michael, Matt, Jodeen, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Anthem Blue Cross withdraws planned CA rate hike," The Associated Press, April 29, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88136&id=20106-10220574-nK4s3Kx&t=1

2. "Sebelius Calls on Anthem Blue Cross to Publicly Justify 39 Percent Premium Increase," U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, February 8, 2010
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/02/20100208c.html

"Congress opens probe into Anthem Blue Cross rate increases," Los Angeles Times, February 10, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86434&id=20106-10220574-nK4s3Kx&t=2

"Waxman and Stupak to WellPoint: We Request Your Testimony," Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, February 9, 2010
http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=2149

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 1, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.