Thought-provoking piece by NYT’s Joe Nocera.

The Ballad of John and Jessica – NYTimes.com.

F**ng idiot

Report: Captain claims he “tripped” into lifeboat – CBS News.

Here’s the best part of this article:  ”He also said the group had reduced his pay to $850,000.”

Ward Connerly Faces Allegations of Fiscal Misdoing – NYTimes.com.

This is the kind of bold thinking we need.  We should get a CA legislator to introduce the equivalent:

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) spent his first year in office trading in the welfare of thousands of vulnerable Michiganders in order to cut taxes for corporations and the wealthy. Hoping to refocus priorities in 2012, the state’s Senate Democrats have released a new plan that puts Michigan students ahead of wealthy corporations. Under the [...]/p

via Michigan Democrats Unveil Plan To Finance Free College Tuition By Eliminating Corporate Tax Credits.

Michelle Obama’s Evolution as First Lady – NYTimes.com.

Love Michelle Obama.  Keeping it real and staying true and challenging the West Wing boys.

Heard this phrase recently of “Blog to Book,” and it really resonated with this aspiring writer/author. In developing the materials for PAC+ and watching national politics, it’s becoming clear that a sharp analysis of the implications of the demographic revolution in America (really, in the world) is definitely missing.

As an Afro-Am major, student of social change, and activist for nearly 30(!!) years, the accumulated lessons and viewpoint might be useful to this moment in time. If nothing else, we can have a dialog about theories and strategies for social change in this rapidly changing world. So get ready. We’re going to blog to book.

Greetings Friends – We are close to passing a major voter registration reform that can enfranchise thousands of voters and help build real progressive power.  Please read below and call Calif. Assembly Speaker John Perez and tell him to support SB 641.  THANK YOU!

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Subject Line: Call Speaker Perez: We need to save Same Day Registration

All around the country, political efforts are underway to take away voter rights.  In California, we have an opportunity to put a stake in the ground – to advance voter participation with the passage of two bills: Same Day Registration (SB 641) and Online Voter Registration (SB 397).

These two voter bills were heard in their last committee in the State Assembly yesterday. Luckily, SB 397 – Online Voter Registration – made its way out of Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Assembly will be voting on it soon! Thanks for your support!

It’s do-or-die time for SB 641, which would create secure procedures for allow eligible voters to register and vote right up to Election Day.   Because SB 641 (also known as Conditional Voter Registration) did not get voted out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, we have a very small window of opportunity to save this bill. We need you to call Assembly Speaker Perez to ask for his support to give SB 641 a full floor vote. Will you call Speaker Perez’ office - (916) 319-2046 -right now and ask him to take a leadership position to move for a floor vote on SB 641?  

Same Day Registration will increase voter turnout in the state, especially with younger voters and people who have recently moved. In other states with similar procedures, they achieve voter turnout rates that are 10-12 percent higher than states that do not. With the help of Common Cause members like you, we have made it through the Senate and now need to secure an Assembly vote.

We need to let Speaker Perez know that Californians support increasing voter participation, accessibility, and security.  Will you callSpeaker Perez at (916) 319-2046 to urge him to allow the full Assembly to vote on this important legislation? It’s our last chance!

I am calling to support SB 641 – the Same Day Registration bill.  I urge Speaker Perez to move this bill to the Assembly floor so that every Assemblymember can vote on this bill.

SB 641 would allow eligible citizens to be able to register and vote on Election Day and in the last two weeks leading up to Election Day. SB 641 would increase California’s voter turnout significantly. Speaker Perez needs to call for a floor vote on this bill before the legislative session is over. California should be a leader in advancing voter registration and participation.

Phone Number: (916) 319-2046

Phone Script 2

I am to urge Speaker Perez to support SB 641 – the Same Day Registration bill.  The future of California’s democracy depends on full voter participation.  SB 641 deserves a full Assembly floor vote.

SB 641 would allow eligible citizens to register and vote all the way up to Election Day. In other states that have same day registration, they have much higher voter turnout rates – California can and needs to do better.  I am asking Speaker Perez to call for a floor vote on this bill. California needs to be at the forefront of advancing voter registration and participation.

Phone Number: (916) 319-2046

Thanks for visiting.  I will be updating this blog in the near future so please check back in soon!