by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Kevin Shaw [courtesy of Blog for America]

In this critical year, Take Back America will bring together all of the tribes of the progressive movement—grassroots and netroots activists, elected officials, business owners, policy experts and more. Together, we will generate new power for our movement for change based on a new vision and bold ideas for an America that works for everyone, not just the few.

Click here to register

Driving the Debate in 2008 and Beyond

Five themes at the heart of the progressive agenda will be the focus of Take Back America 2008:

• Economic Strategy for America in the Global Economy
• Green Jobs for a Sustainable Energy Future
• Quality, Affordable Health Care for All
• Out of Iraq to Real Security
• The New Social Justice Agenda

by Jim Dean [courtesy of Blog for America]

During the last week, two Democratic Presidential candidates have decided to end their campaigns. Regardless of whether you supported John Edwards or Dennis Kucinich, all of us owe them our gratitude for what they have accomplished. Sen. Edwards and Rep. Kucinich were clear on the issues, put their convictions above the spin of the Beltway pundits, and spoke truth to power. If you watched the debates, you knew where they stood on the issues. You knew what kind of people they were, and you were clear on what they would try to accomplish if their campaigns for President were successful.

We hope the remaining presidential candidates understand that they have an opportunity to demonstrate to the voters that they have the same qualities as John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich. That they are committed to getting our troops home from Iraq, committed to affordable health care for every American, and committed to the sacrifice that we all must make to clean up our environment, political system, and a whole host of other challenges that our country faces.

John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich may not be running for president, but they have plenty of backbone. They have challenged the culture of incumbency and every American is better for this.

Our best wishes and support go to each of these fine candidates and their extended families. We hope the remaining candidates will carry their torch; because only the Party that Empowers will be IN power.

by Karen Kostoff [courtesy of Blog for America]

Hi DFA Member;

Nevada for Health Care has done such a great job here in Nevada with a super leader, Samantha Galing-Gaddy and team effort.  She and Laura Martin are 2 of our members as well.  They have certainly held all candidates feet to the fire to come up with a Health Care plan for everyone.   They have printed the results in a booklet showing all the comparisons.  It is available for your review. 

They have also been kind enough to host a watch party for the Iowa Caucus, we are all nervously awaiting in hopes of a win for our candidate.  So come watch together along with many others including our DFA members and our Drinking Liberally group.  Not only is it good to support our candidates but a chance to support each other & groups like Nevada for Health Care, too.

Join Nevada for Health Care for an Iowa Caucus Results Watch Party!

What: Iowa Caucus Results Watch Party and Free Appetizers

Where: TGI Friday's, 4330 E. Sunset Rd., Las Vegas

When: Thursday, January 3rd beginning at 5:30pm

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Art Pulaski
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
California Labor Federation

As you may know, the California Labor Federation and its affiliates have been working hard all year to achieve real, affordable health care reform for California's working families. This week, the California Assembly passed a revised version of its latest health care reform bill, ABx1 1. At this point, we've voted to take a "Support if Amended" position. However, we still need to see the ballot initiative language (which would outline how the program will be financed) along with additional amendments to make the plan work for working families.

Here are some details about AB x1 1:

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Employers will contribute 1% to 6.5% of payroll (depending on the size of the payroll) towards employee health care.

• Employers who choose not to contribute directly to employee insurance will pay the same amount into a public purchasing pool. Their employees will get a 20 percent discount on premiums through the purchasing pool.

• The purchasing pool will also be able to negotiate discounted rates on prescription drugs.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Elizabeth M. Imholz
Special ProjectsDirector
Consumers Union

Since our founding in 1936, Consumers Union has worked to attain universal, affordable, high-quality health coverage for all. Over the past year we have sought to help craft reform that would bring affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage and high quality care to all Californians, perhaps the most important and complex policy issue facing the State of California. We supported AB 8 (Nunez), in its finally amended state. We believe that ABx1 1 provides a bridge between AB 8 and ABx1 2, the Administration’s reform proposal, and with some amendments holds the promise of creating a system that would ensure the availability of needed, affordable health care for Californians.

Our framework for evaluating any proposal for universal health reform rests on three broad principles:

• Fair, adequate financing;

• Access to comprehensive, affordable care;

• Quality, efficiency and cost control.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]