How Can We Get Tax Policy Right? Wed. April 14, 2010 @ 7pm
How Can We Get Tax Policy Right?
a conversation with
Tom Volgy,
U of A professor and former Tucson mayor
Steve Kozachik,
city council member
John Kromko,
Pima Association of Taxpayers and former legislator
With decades of public service, activism and scholarship between them, three local leaders will discuss the nature and importance of taxation in a just, sustainable society. The focus will be on the challenges facing local and state governments.
Tax policy has taken the main stage of public interest at the local, state and national levels. How government should fund itself is a question elected officials seem unable to address in public without using the topic to score political points. Can good public policy trump political opportunism in the end, or are we doomed to a vicious cycle of electioneering and bureaucratic malaise? An economic downturn exposes the weaknesses of current tax policy. What will it take to correct the system?
This FREE Tucson premiere of the 2009 uncommonly funny political satire that blends Dr. Strangelove with Spinal Tap for the Iraq war era will be held:
Wednesday, March 10th
at the
Ward 6 Community Room
3202 E. First Street Tucson, AZ 85716
from
7:00 – 8:30 pm
(seating limit of 75)
Open to the Public – Not Rated, but it's adult fare
When the U.S. president and the U.K. prime minister decide to invade a certain Middle Eastern country, skeptical American and British operatives do their best to stop the runaway train to war in director Armando Iannucci's scathing political comedy. This Oscar nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay stars Tom Hollander as a British international development chief, James Gandolfini as a U.S. general, and Anna Chlumsky as a well-positioned intern. For more info, check out the excellent reviews here. Read the NYT review here.
At the REID PARK BANDSHELL (northeast corner of Country Club & 22nd St.)
Arizona's largest gathering of peace, social justice and environmental groups. Live Music for the Whole Family! Children's Activities! Food! Awesome Raffle!
Dear DFA-Tucson supporters and other Tucson citizens,
Last evening's monthly DFA meeting was very much a success. An overflow crowd of 75 activists heard four impassioned, detailed presentations on the scientific and political issues surrounding the prospect of basing the F35A Joint Strike Force jet fighter at Davis Monthan and our major commercial airport.
The conclusions?
1. The F35 jet fighter should not be based in any populous community.
2. It will take a sustained protest effort on the part of a critical mass of Tucsonans to get the Air Force and local political representatives to reconsider Tucson as a basing site.
The audience was "treated" to a demonstration of the noise-level differences between the F16, F18, and the F35. No one was left with any doubt as to the threat to our community of F35 noise pollution.
The process of citizen involvement in creating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was explained. It was emphasized that good (damning) scientific data will not win the battle. It will take organized citizens, digging their heels in, to make the difference in the final outcome. Check out www.tucsonforward.com regularly for news and important dates.
Reduction (mitigation) of the F35's noise levels affecting the 300,000 Tucsonans in the "sound shadow" is improbable, if not impossible, according to a retired air traffic controller who spent two decades serving both DM and TIA facilities. The runway configurations and topographical limitations make "new fixes" suggested by proponents wishful thinking.
DFA-Tucson will continue to actively support the effort to educate Tucsonans on the probable impacts of implementing F35 basing here. Please inform your neighborhood associations of the need to become aware of this issue, consider taking official positions, and communicate with local council member on your position. This is the time for action. Next year will be too late....
Attend a Presentation on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet's Impact on Tucson
DFA-Tucson presents critical information on the F35 Fighter Jet's impact on urban Tucson.
What: Learn how loud the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet is and why there are few fixes if it is based in Tucson, the mitigation myth, what you should ask for, and what you can do.
When: Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 7:00 P.M.
Where: Ward 6 office, 3202 East 1st Street (one block east of Country Club & one block south of Speedway)
Who: Independent Panel of Experts with Audience Q & A
Steven Lesh: North Dakota Has Something To Teach Us
DFA Tucson's Steven Lesh wrote an op-ed piece for the Arizona Daily Star, published today. The article, entitled "Here's something about North Dakota worth imitating", discusses the banking crisis and what alternatives Arizona could take. North Dakota has a state-owned, public bank and currently has no state debt.
"Local and state governments have become dependent on borrowing to finance day-to-day operations and have been severely impacted by the frozen credit markets.
However, in addition to providing short-term financing, state-owned banks could supply financing for long-term investments in state resource development such as solar energy."
Steve's article is worth a read. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where: Crossroads 6 Grand Cinemas, 4811 E. Grant Road, Tucson When: Monday, November 23rd, 7:00 PM. -- Admission: $3.00
The events on 9/11/2001 have been and continue to be used to justify US military intervention and 'preventive' wars around the world. If you are disgusted by the waste of lives and resources at a time when this country and the world face so many urgent problems, come see this film.
There is now a very large body of evidence the 'official' version of events on that day is, to see the least, flawed. If you care about your future and what your government is doing around the world in your name, come see this film. And then DEMAND answers to the questions it raises.
In honor of our veterans, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, Democracy for America – Tucson will showRethink Afghanistan.
Rethink Afghanistan is a ground-breaking, full-length documentary focusing on the key issues surrounding this war. (see http://rethinkafghanistan.com/videos.php)
Following the video, University of Arizona Professor Richard Eaton, will provide commentary and answer questions. Professor Eaton has lived and traveled extensively in the Middle East. Professor Eaton has additional material showing the oil and gas pipelines – the reason many believe we are sending our service men and women to ‘the graveyard of empires’.
We OWE our all-volunteer service members and the people of Afghanistan a serious effort at understanding the reasons behind US involvement there – an effort toRethink Afghanistan. Even in today’s economic environment, wasting and destroying lives for purposes having nothing to do with national security risks the supply of volunteers whose sacrifices we so publicly proclaim – and this nation’s already much damaged reputation in the community of nations as a force for good.
Rethink Afghanistan will be shown at 7 PM in the Ward 6 office, 3202 E. 1st St. (1 block east of Country Club). You can park in the lot behind the Ward 6 office. The entrance is on Anderson St.
The meeting was called to order by R. Graap. A summation of the current status of HR 3220, 676, the Kucinich amendment "allowing" states to develop single payer plans, the Weiner amendment to 3200 to replace it with 676 (have not heard any outcome on this) and the so-called public option in 3220 was given.
Jeff Latas gave an update on his efforts to push the AzDPC (Progressive Caucus) to support a resolution at the state demo meeting; this has since passed the AzDPC steering committee and is in circulation. His further comments during the strategy discussion were very helpful
Multiple strategies to further the pressure for single payer were discussed. These emerged as the ones to do:
1. Set up meeting with the Star editorial board. My thoughts are to try for 2 delegations: one of doctors and one of community activists. 2..Pressure Rep. Giffords to support a strong public option; strategy in part as below. 3. Do street theater presentations to dramatize the problems and get publicity. 4. Circulate and support Jeff's AzPDC resolution which will be presented on Aug 15 at the state meeting.
These are in process to one degree or another. The resolution is meant to convey to Giffords, Mitchell and Kirkpatrick to get on board for 676 or at a minimum, a strong public option. Pastor and Grijalva are 676 co-signers.
An update meeting is scheduled for Wed., July 29 at 7 p.m. at the same 6th Ward location.
Additions are welcomed. I should mention the "Mad as Hell Doctors" project which is another strategy to dramatize the support and need for 676; I'll see where that is going.
Please circulate to the usual groups/ individuals.
As part of its Summer Film and Discussion Series, DFA-Tucson will present "Money As Debt" this coming Wednesday.
This 48-minute animated film tells you everything you need to know about the history of money and the way that the monetary structure in the USA transfers wealth -- always upward!
WHEN: Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 PM WHERE: Ward 6 Office Conference Room (limited seating) 3202 E. 1st Street (1 blk S of speedway, 1 blk E of County Club)
This presentation is Free and Open to the Public
For more information, please contact: 777-7190, 215-292-2019, or aherodias.1 @ netzero.net (spaces removed)
The window of opportunity is closing on real health care reform. You know our health care system is broken! Nearly 50 Million uninsured and millions more underinsured. 98,000 die from medial errors. 20,000 die for lack of care. You know the forces that have taken us here. Speak up; join us at Arizona’s Mega Forum on Health Care Reform. Send a clear message to Washington D.C. that Arizonans support a viable public health plan option…comprehensive, affordable, high quality, and open to all…that helps bring economic viability for Arizona’s small businesses.
Let's remind our elected officials that we want health care reform that works, we VOTE, and we will not be ignored. There is significant suffering for millions of Americans under our current health care system. Let’s change that.
Tell Your Story
Doctors, nurses, patients! Do you have a health insurance horror story to tell? Send your story to info@afrhc.net with your contact information. Your story may be selected for reading at the Mega Forum on Health Care Reform.
· Rep, John Conyers, Michign 14th District, live remote feed
· Donna Smith, California Nurses Association
· Kyrsten Sinema, White House Health Reform Task Force member
· Luis Heredia , Executive Director, AZ Democratic Party
· Margaret Flowers, M.D., Physicians for a National Health Program
With a message from Luis Heredia, Executive Director of the Arizona State Democratic Party and presentations by Dr. Jonathan Weisbuch, Peter Cerchiara, and others
Originally aired on PBS's FRONTLINE, Sick Around the Worldchronicles reporter T. R. Reid's travels to five capitalist nations that use a single-payer health finance system - to get treatment for his "bum shoulder". In each country, he gains information from health professionals who are part of a private system financed with public dollars.
Reid's first stop is the U.K., where the government-run National Health Service (NHS) is funded through taxes. "Every single person who's born in the U.K. will use the NHS," says Whittington Hospital CEO David Sloman, "and none of them will be presented a bill at any point during that time." Often dismissed in America as "socialized medicine," the NHS is now trying some free-market tactics like "pay-for-performance," where doctors are paid more if they get good results controlling chronic diseases like diabetes. And now patients can choose where they go for medical procedures, forcing hospitals to compete head to head."
Comparison of countries on health care, click here.
Democracy for America-Tucson's Free Summer Film and Discussion Series Kick-Off!
What: A screening of Capitalism Hits the Fan starring Richard Wolff discussing the Economic Meltdown.
The film is followed by a discussion titled "Taking Back our Lives: What They Won't Teach You About Economics" .
When: Wednesday, June 10th, 2009. 7 pm Where:Ward 6 City Council Office, 3202 E. First St. Cost: Free. Bonus:Popcorn and drinks will be served. For more information - 777-7190 or aherodias.1 @ netzero.net (spaces removed)
Whatever you're doing this summer, DON‘T FORGET, Democracy for America- Tucson’s Free Summer Film and Discussion Series every second Wednesday of the month.
"The End of the World As We Know It: Everything You Learned About Economics Is Wrong"
We’ll take up topics like: Where have the money and jobs gone? Why does wealth always travel upwards? Drowning in stuff. Why it doesn’t pay to get sick in USA.
For June's movie, check out the info below:
About the movie:
"With breathtaking clarity, renowned University of Massachusetts Economics Professor Richard Wolff breaks down the root causes of today's economic crisis, showing how it was decades in the making and in fact reflects seismic failures within the structures of American-style capitalism itself. Wolff traces the source of the economic crisis to the 1970s, when wages began to stagnate and American workers were forced into a dysfunctional spiral of borrowing and debt that ultimately exploded in the mortgage meltdown. By placing the crisis within this larger historical and systemic frame, Wolff argues convincingly that the proposed government “bailouts,” stimulus packages, and calls for increased market regulation will not be enough to address the real causes of the crisis - in the end suggesting that far more fundamental change will be necessary to avoid future catastrophes. Richly illustrated with motion graphics and charts, this is a superb introduction designed to help ordinary citizens understand, and react to, the unraveling economic crisis."
"We need to see this crisis historically to get a sense of how serious this is. In every decade from 1820 to 1970, workers in the United States enjoyed a rising level of wages. Even during the Great Depression this was true. But since the 1970s, that history of the U.S. stopped. Real wages stopped rising in the 1970s and they have never resumed.
"Meanwhile, there has been a huge increase in productivity across the last hundred years. Most of it in the last 30 years -- the very period when wage increases stopped. What the workers get in those years stays flat. What they produce for their employers grows. This led to spectacular profits for U.S. corporations. After the 1970s, unprecedented corporate profits fueled an unprecedented stock market boom. The results were a fast-growing inequality of wealth and income dividing Americans, a bubble that burst first in the stock market and then in the real-estate market, and now the worst downturn since the Great Depression.
"What did the corporations do with that money? They paid salaries to executives no one had ever heard of before. They went on a binge of buying up other companies -- mergers and acquisitions -- bringing huge profits also to the financial sector that handled all the proliferating profits, bonds connected to mergers, initial stock offerings of new companies, and so on."
From Alternative Public Radio:
"Taxpayers are being called upon to clean up the messes of Wall Street. It's curious when banks and corporations are making money hand over fist, they get to keep everything. However, when their exotic financial instruments such as credit default swaps and collateralized debt obligations drown in red ink, then the public bails them out. Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz says the rescue plan "amounts to robbery of the American people.""
Richard Wolff is a well-known economist. After receiving his Ph.D. from Yale, he taught at the City College of New York from 1969 to 1973, and then began teaching at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he has been full professor since 1981. He is the author of numerous articles and books on economics.
Help Needed for Financial Audit Bills: HR1207 & S604
By now you've seen and heard probably way too much on the Banks and the Federal Reserve (Fed). So, rather than grumble and shake your head in disgust any longer, here is an opportunity to try to do something - - and, IT'S EASY!
Here's some background:
Right now, there are parallel bills in the House (HR1207) and Senate (S604) to require a 'public' audit of the Fed. This has never happened in its nearly 100 year history. HR1207 already has over 175 cosponsors, but the Senate version (S604) has none. For more details please go here(this petition represents step 2 as recommended therein).
This petition represents a very small step, but sometimes change gets started that way - especially since there have been bills in Congress to revamp, abolish, or to nationalize the Fed... all left to die in committee (most recently HR7260 which died in 2008). Possibly because the Congress has been 'bought and paid for' - - this May, Senator Dick Durbin said: "They [the banks] own this place [the Senate]". But that is all the more reason to let them know there is grass roots support.
[If you don't think contacting your elected representatives works, please fast forward to the 1 hour and 26 minute mark in this House hearing by clicking on 'view archived video'].
All you have to do is give permission to include your name and address (with City, State, Zip) in the linked petition, asking Congress to support these two bills. I will forward it to the members of the appropriate committees (about 100 of them) in the House and Senate.
Please email your consent to: for1207and604 @ yahoo.com (spaces removed).
Abraham Lincoln also took on the bankers:
The Bankers were going to charge him 24% to 36% interest to finance the War. So, Lincoln advised Congress to pass a law authorizing the printing of full legal tender Treasury notes to pay for the War effort. These Treasury notes were a debt free and interest free money, saying…”The Government should create, issue, and circulate all the currency and credits needed to satisfy the spending power of the Government and the buying power of consumers. By the adoption of these principles, the taxpayers will be saved immense sums of interest. Money will cease to be master and become servant of humanity.”
After Lincoln’s assassination, Congress revoked the Greenback Law and enacted, in its place, the National Banking Act. The national banks were to be privately owned and the notes (not money) they issued were to be interest bearing debt.
Screening of Bill Moyers Journal "A Medical Dilemma" followed by group planning of local citizen actions in support of single payer HR 676 and SB 703 leading up to August votes in Congress.
This meeting is open to all who are willing to work to enact true universal health care as national law this year. Seating is limited. Please be prompt.
DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA TRAINING IN PHOENIX: 7/25-7/26, 2009
Type:
DFA Training
Event Date:
Jul 25, 2009
Event Time:
9:00 AM MST
Venue Name:
University of Advancing Technologies
Address:
2625 W Baseline Rd
City:
Tempe
State:
AZ
Zip Code:
85283
Agenda:
Ten reasons to attend the DFA Campaign Academy training in Phoenix this July 25th-26th:
1. Learn how to plan and run a winning grassroots campaign 2. Meet and hear from local progressive candidates 3. Learn from trainers with decades of experience 4. Mingle with other local progressive activists at social events 5. Get a copy of our 180 page Grassroots Campaign Training Manual 6. Set goals and make plans to pass progressive legislation 7. Re-connect with old friends from the campaign 8. Help elect progressive mayors, city council members and other municipal offices in 2009 9. Learn to organize your neighborhood or precinct 10. Look for a new job or volunteer opportunity
All we ask is a small contribution of $60 to DFA to help us cover our costs. Don't worry if you can't afford it, you can always find someone to sponsor you through our training scholarship fund and we offer reduced tuition rates to those in need.
If you have questions you can email us at training(at)democracyforamerica.com or call our DFA Training hotline at: 802-651-3200 x191.
Hotel Information
For those coming from out of town we have arranged a discounted rate of $79 for studio’s or $99 for one bedroom’s. Call the number below and be sure to ask for the 'Democracy for America' group rate to get the discount.
Speaker: Richard Kimball, President, Project Vote Smart
Richard Kimball has held elected positions in Arizona, both on the Corporation Commission and in the state legislature, before challenging John McCain for the US Senate in 1986. He has experienced first hand the influence of money on political campaigns. With the encouragement of several national leaders, he began Project Vote Smart to combat the erosion of our democracy. At its heart, Project Vote Smart seeks to enhance the People's ability “to self-govern” by providing access to “abundant, relevant, and accurate information” - the essence of Jeffersonian democracy.
There will be ample time for general discussion:
What is the state of our democracy? Realistically, can it be improved?
What is the track record of our two-party system in confronting these issues?
What evidence is there that people want more information that empowers them?
What practical solutions are there for reducing the role of money in influencing elections, beyond the collection and dissemination of candidate positions and the voting records of our representatives?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information on Project Vote Smart, click here: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Join us for a roundtable discussion on the performance of Congress during the first ninety days of its 110th session. You are invited to bring information to share on particular bills that are now pending in Congress to share with others, so that we might work together to promote progressive legislation, in addition to ones DFA-Tucson is promoting.
(Did you know that Cong Ron Paul and Barney Frank have introduced legislation to legalize production of industrial hemp this week? Last week, others introduced a fair elections bill. We need to have a scorecard to know how the game is being played...)
We will be concentrating on Congressional action to make elections inclusive and verifiable, to regulate banking, to promote single-payer health-financing, and to investigate Bush crimes. We will consider what are the best options available for grassroots groups to influence this Congress.
Finally, we will do some planning for the National Protest on Bank Bailouts to be held in Tucson this Saturday.
Offer your ideas and become active in DFA Tucson. Everyone is invited to become a member or to renew their membership. Elections will be held for the available spots on the Steering Committee. We'll have a discussion of the activities completed and activities planned for this year.
*Video taped interview with Gen. Adams, Dick Eaton, Rick G and Mike Bryan as moderator; Iran attack. 3/08.
*Bob Bowman, presentation on everything. 9/08.
*The economy with a Dec meeting resulting in a focus group for fiscal/monetary study and reform.
*Ellen Brown sponsorship and presentation, 1/09
*Election integrity support and participation. Past and current: Monday Voices/DFA meeting, 3/9/09.
* Presentations on Nuclear Power, regular DFA meeting and World Harmony, summer, 08.
* Pre-election World Harmony programs: Consequences of 9/11; McCain vs. Obama analysis.
* Tour of Solon, Inc. solar panel production plant, 2/09.
* The Iraq War and Impeachment went to the back burner with the national elections and the economy meltdown.
2. Treasury Report - Alex
New laddered proposed dues structure - Dick
Bring your checkbook for this coming year's dues.
3. Elections for 2009. S.C. members serve 2 year terms, unlimited in number. Officers serve 2 year terms, maximum of 2 consecutive terms by By-Laws.
In March 2009 the following were elected:
Dick Kaiser, Co-Chair, until 3/10, eligible for a second term
Rick Graap, " " , until 3/10, end of second/final term
Jody Gibbs, term ends 3/10
Mike Bryan, term ends 3/10
Joining the S.C. subsequent to March were:
Stuart Thomas, wishes to continue
Jell Latas, wishes to continue
Current terms up, eligible to continue on the S.C.
Alex Waddell, Treasurer, looking for a replacement for this office
Steven Lesh, Liason ad hoc among other activities for us
Omid Mahdavi, Secretary, has been submerged with work the past year
Anyone knowing of another individual with interest to be on the S.C., please contact them and advise them of our meeting. The By-Laws allow for 5 to 9 members; all our meetings are open to anyone else who wishes to come and participate, but the elected members are expected to participate and contribute with regularity.
4. Issue Activities
a. Economy and monetary reform: continue actively or leave primary effort to the new group?
b. Middle East and other wars of empire; what next?
c. Election Integrity: likely continue to be supportive with the established E.I. Committees.
d. Impeachment: conversion to Prosecution. The S.C. has considered this to be a top priority. Dick can update.
e. Campaign Finance Reform AKA "Follow the Money" Another top priority; can we have an impact?
There are other issues of great importance but likely we will be supportive of other groups actively working on them: Single Payer Health Coverage; Nuclear Power and Disarmament; Global Warming/Clean Energy and others.
Then there is a strong sense that we need real progressive candidates; Jeff and Dick both have thoughts and ideas about how to proceed and strategies for success.
We will push for continued and expanded coordination with like-minded groups and activities, such as Voices, World Harmony, Az. Progressive Caucus, Project Vote Smart, and the regional Democratic Party (and other parties as appropriate),. This listing not being all-inclusive.
Join Us for Monday's Preview Film of local Election Controversy
When : Monday, March 9th at 7pm
Where: University of Arizona's Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Building (North East Corner of Speedway & Mountain, Free Parking on the East side of the building)
Free & Open to the Public
Fatally Flawed, a newly-produced local documentary that chronicles the legal challenge to the May 2006 Pima County election which created the Regional Transportation Authority and generated a lawsuit resulting in the largest release of election data in US history, will be previewed for the public Monday, March 9, 2009 @ 7 pm.
An alliance of the Tucson Chapter of Democracy for America andVoices of Opposition will host the presentation on Monday, 7 pm, at the University of Arizona's Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME) building on the northeast corner of Speedway and Mountain. Free to the public.
The issues involving the apparent lack of integrity of the electoral process in Pima County and Arizona and the almost three-year-old challenge to release of the RTA election ballots for a hand count remain headline news to this day. While Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has indicated that the recount process is not over, questions remain over the whereabouts of the ballots and the procedure to be used to count them.
In addition to the screening, principal investigators of the election will be on hand to provide insight on the current issues related to the controversy.
Recently, members of the local Democratic Party's Election Integrity Committee offered individual opinions on the matter.
“The Democratic Party [and all other political parties] has a statutory right and a critical role in our state system to track and see what’s going on with our elections,” said Attorney Bill Risner, who is involved with the legal investigation into the validity of the May 2006 Regional Transportation Authority Election.
"Elections and election processes should not be secret, and when they are it's a strong sign of either outright fraud or an agency fearful of having its own incompetence exposed,” insisted Jim March, board member of Blackboxvoting.org and local election investigator. “True security always lies in openness.”
Michael Duniho, former election inspector in Maryland and computer analyst concluded, "It seems clear that our system of 'one-man, one-vote' only works if a large number of people monitor the election, to be sure it is honest."
From the words of those who controlled the election and others who have investigated the election, Fatally Flawed makes the case that:
1. Acts of omission and commission occurred before, during and after the May 2006 election by entrusted officials, constituting the charges of election fraud.
2. To date, government officials at the local and state levels have acted to thwart the resolution of these accusations of a rigged election.
3. Only a prompt, fair, and transparent hand counting of the May 2005 ballots will remove the cloud over the creation of the RTA.
For further information, call 520-622-6419 For a list of future Monday Night events, check www.voicesofopposition.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How Can We Get Tax Policy Right?
To whet your appetite on the topic, check out the commentary of investor Irwin Stelzer at the American Enterprise Institute, where he challenges the free market mantras.
