Saturday, May 21, 2011
There's Value in Your Attics and Basements
Join in the fun and bring your unused and gently used objects to the GreencastleAntrim Democratic Club Yard Sale. This includes political memorabilia, posters, books, cds, plants, adult clothing, furniture, books, small electronics, etc. The sale will be held on Saturday June 18 (rain date Saturday June 25) at 169 S. Antrim Way in the parking lot of Erie Insurance. We thank the Erie Insurance company and Mikie's for allowing us to use this space. We will be collecting items the week before the sale. The address of the drop off point is 38 N. Linden, off Baltimore Street. To volunteer send an Email to ruthjcommunications@comcast.net. or call and leave a message at 717 685 8005.
Officers Elected, Forum Draws Candidates
The Greencastle Antrim Democrats re-elected Sheri Morgan, president, Karin Johnson, Vice President, and Michele Emmet, treasurer. Our new secretary is Cameron Schroy, we welcome him to the executive board.
The forum drew a full roster of candidates for the school board and, despite the low attendance, inspired a very lively debate and discussion. The candidates' conversation quickly moved from their views on taxes to their experiences as consumers of education. It showed that the school board has a long way to go in communicating with parents and engaging students, teachers and tax payers in the educational process.
The forum drew a full roster of candidates for the school board and, despite the low attendance, inspired a very lively debate and discussion. The candidates' conversation quickly moved from their views on taxes to their experiences as consumers of education. It showed that the school board has a long way to go in communicating with parents and engaging students, teachers and tax payers in the educational process.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday,May 9, 2011 Election Meeting and Candidates Forum
Bring your neighbors, friends and anyone else interested in the Greencastle School Board election to the Presbyterian Church tonight. Our election meeting for members is at 6:30 pm promptly!
The forum begins at 7 pm and seven of the nine candidates for the School Board will be there.
Hope to see you then!
The forum begins at 7 pm and seven of the nine candidates for the School Board will be there.
Hope to see you then!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Who’s hurt by Paul Ryan’s budget proposal
The GreencastleAntrim Democratic Club was privileged to have Harold Meyerson speak to us a number of years ago. Here's one of his latest columns from The Washington Post that's very much worth reprinting.
By Harold Meyerson
If it does nothing else, the budget that House Republicans unveiled Tuesday provides the first real Republican program for the 21st century, and it is this:
Repeal the 20th century.
Republicans have never particularly warmed to the American social contract that governed most of the past hundred years. Its central elements, enacted during the presidencies of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson, assumed a level of collective national responsibility for the well-being of the elderly and children, the two groups who could not benefit directly from employment, through such programs as Social Security, Medicare, funding for schools and for college grants and loans.
The logic behind these programs wasn’t simply humanitarian. It was also economic: Bolstering the purchasing power of the elderly increased economic activity and enabled the adult children of the elderly to invest more in their own children. Enabling more people to get good educations straight through college created a more productive workforce. A similar dual logic — both humanitarian and Keynesian — informed the programs that aided the poor and unemployed, such as Medicaid and food stamps.
Conservatives have never cottoned to this contract. They argue that a laissez faire economy can produce even greater or at least similar levels of prosperity and economic security, despite a striking lack of historical or economic data to back up this contention. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) made that claim Tuesday in presenting his budget proposal. But Ryan’s pieties notwithstanding, his budget is a prescription for diminishing prosperity and security, a road map, in fact, for national decline.
Ryan achieves the bulk of his savings through sharp reductions in projected spending on Medicare and Medicaid, converting the former into a right-to-purchase private insurance, subsidized up to a point, and the latter into a block grant program. (Scrapping Social Security remains, for now, a bridge too far.) Skyrocketing medical costs are the chief factor in rising government expenses, but rather than have government bring down those costs by, say, negotiating with drug companies on the price of their products, Ryan simply forces the elderly, their children and the poor to pick up more of those costs. As the number of retirees with defined-benefit pensions continues to shrink (thanks to corporate America and, this year, Republican governors), an increasing number of seniors will be unable to purchase the medications they need.
Ryan’s budget would also reduce projected spending on discretionary domestic programs — education, transportation, food safety and the like — to well below levels of inflation. That not only ensures that high-speed rail won’t be built but also means that potholes won’t be filled.
A decade ago, some conservatives were still talking about “national greatness conservatism.” Ryan’s budget is a manifesto for national puniness conservatism.
The cover under which Ryan and other Republicans operate is their concern for the deficit and national debt. But Ryan blows that cover by proposing to reduce the top income tax rate to just 25 percent. He imposes the burden for reducing our debt not on the bankers who forced our government to spend trillions averting a collapse but on seniors and the poor. The reductions in aid to the poor, says the budget blueprint that Ryan released, will be made “to ensure that America’s safety net does not become a hammock that lulls able-bodied citizens into lives of complacency and dependency.” That’s a pretty good description of America’s top bankers, but Ryan’s budget showers them with tax cuts.
Republicans can’t take sole credit for creating a vision of a diminished America. Most of the Washington-based commentariat has focused on the debt over the past year, ignoring both the persistence of high unemployment and the absolute stagnation of wages even as profits have soared. Those who applaud the macroeconomics of Ryan’s cuts should at least be compelled to explain how ordinary Americans, whose incomes haven’t risen since the late ’90s, can take up the slack, in their own purchasing and in the nation’s economic activity, created by these cuts. They might even want to think about raising taxes on profits and capital gains, since these forms of income are rising even as wages flatline.
And, finally, there’s talk that we have a president who’s a Democrat — the party that created the American social contract of the 20th century. Initially, he focused on reshaping and extending that contract into the 21st. Now that the Republicans want to repeal it all, he’s nowhere to be found. Has anybody seen him? Does he still exist?
meyersonh@washpost.com
By Harold Meyerson
If it does nothing else, the budget that House Republicans unveiled Tuesday provides the first real Republican program for the 21st century, and it is this:
Repeal the 20th century.
Republicans have never particularly warmed to the American social contract that governed most of the past hundred years. Its central elements, enacted during the presidencies of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson, assumed a level of collective national responsibility for the well-being of the elderly and children, the two groups who could not benefit directly from employment, through such programs as Social Security, Medicare, funding for schools and for college grants and loans.
The logic behind these programs wasn’t simply humanitarian. It was also economic: Bolstering the purchasing power of the elderly increased economic activity and enabled the adult children of the elderly to invest more in their own children. Enabling more people to get good educations straight through college created a more productive workforce. A similar dual logic — both humanitarian and Keynesian — informed the programs that aided the poor and unemployed, such as Medicaid and food stamps.
Conservatives have never cottoned to this contract. They argue that a laissez faire economy can produce even greater or at least similar levels of prosperity and economic security, despite a striking lack of historical or economic data to back up this contention. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) made that claim Tuesday in presenting his budget proposal. But Ryan’s pieties notwithstanding, his budget is a prescription for diminishing prosperity and security, a road map, in fact, for national decline.
Ryan achieves the bulk of his savings through sharp reductions in projected spending on Medicare and Medicaid, converting the former into a right-to-purchase private insurance, subsidized up to a point, and the latter into a block grant program. (Scrapping Social Security remains, for now, a bridge too far.) Skyrocketing medical costs are the chief factor in rising government expenses, but rather than have government bring down those costs by, say, negotiating with drug companies on the price of their products, Ryan simply forces the elderly, their children and the poor to pick up more of those costs. As the number of retirees with defined-benefit pensions continues to shrink (thanks to corporate America and, this year, Republican governors), an increasing number of seniors will be unable to purchase the medications they need.
Ryan’s budget would also reduce projected spending on discretionary domestic programs — education, transportation, food safety and the like — to well below levels of inflation. That not only ensures that high-speed rail won’t be built but also means that potholes won’t be filled.
A decade ago, some conservatives were still talking about “national greatness conservatism.” Ryan’s budget is a manifesto for national puniness conservatism.
The cover under which Ryan and other Republicans operate is their concern for the deficit and national debt. But Ryan blows that cover by proposing to reduce the top income tax rate to just 25 percent. He imposes the burden for reducing our debt not on the bankers who forced our government to spend trillions averting a collapse but on seniors and the poor. The reductions in aid to the poor, says the budget blueprint that Ryan released, will be made “to ensure that America’s safety net does not become a hammock that lulls able-bodied citizens into lives of complacency and dependency.” That’s a pretty good description of America’s top bankers, but Ryan’s budget showers them with tax cuts.
Republicans can’t take sole credit for creating a vision of a diminished America. Most of the Washington-based commentariat has focused on the debt over the past year, ignoring both the persistence of high unemployment and the absolute stagnation of wages even as profits have soared. Those who applaud the macroeconomics of Ryan’s cuts should at least be compelled to explain how ordinary Americans, whose incomes haven’t risen since the late ’90s, can take up the slack, in their own purchasing and in the nation’s economic activity, created by these cuts. They might even want to think about raising taxes on profits and capital gains, since these forms of income are rising even as wages flatline.
And, finally, there’s talk that we have a president who’s a Democrat — the party that created the American social contract of the 20th century. Initially, he focused on reshaping and extending that contract into the 21st. Now that the Republicans want to repeal it all, he’s nowhere to be found. Has anybody seen him? Does he still exist?
meyersonh@washpost.com
Nancy Pelosi Stands Up for Basic American Values
Here's a terrific video of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on the floor of the House speaking truth to power.
http://front.moveon.org/nancy-pelosi-demolishes-republicans/
http://front.moveon.org/nancy-pelosi-demolishes-republicans/
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
We're Back And On the Move
GreencastleAntrim Democrats are back on line and we have a number of key announcements to make.
Are you interested in serving as an officer of the club? Do you know someone who would like to serve? Please send names of nominees to dbjordan25@comcast.net. Members will vote on new officers at the
May 9th meeting at the Greencastle Presbyterian Church. The voting will take place at 6:30 pm prior to the candidates forum. PLEASE be there early so we can carry out our business before the forum begins.
School Board candidates forum at 7 pm at the Greencastle Presbyterian Church on Monday May 9. Please tell friends it may be the only pre-election forum of its kind. If you have questions for school board candidates, please submit in advance to ruthjcommunications@comcast.net.
Don't forget the primary election on Tuesday, May 17. Key vote for county commissioner spots.
GA Democrats are planning to unlock hidden treasures from their attics, basements and garages. We're having a yard sale in June to raise funds. Don't throw away that beautiful lamp from Aunt Hilda...We'll sell it. Date and place and time to be announced. Watch this space.
Honor your Mother , mother earth that is. Join volunteers at Marie's garden on Saturday,9:00 am on April 23. Rain date: Monday, April 25.
Are you interested in serving as an officer of the club? Do you know someone who would like to serve? Please send names of nominees to dbjordan25@comcast.net. Members will vote on new officers at the
May 9th meeting at the Greencastle Presbyterian Church. The voting will take place at 6:30 pm prior to the candidates forum. PLEASE be there early so we can carry out our business before the forum begins.
School Board candidates forum at 7 pm at the Greencastle Presbyterian Church on Monday May 9. Please tell friends it may be the only pre-election forum of its kind. If you have questions for school board candidates, please submit in advance to ruthjcommunications@comcast.net.
Don't forget the primary election on Tuesday, May 17. Key vote for county commissioner spots.
GA Democrats are planning to unlock hidden treasures from their attics, basements and garages. We're having a yard sale in June to raise funds. Don't throw away that beautiful lamp from Aunt Hilda...We'll sell it. Date and place and time to be announced. Watch this space.
Honor your Mother , mother earth that is. Join volunteers at Marie's garden on Saturday,9:00 am on April 23. Rain date: Monday, April 25.
Friday, December 31, 2010
New Year's Wishes from the Editor to You
* That all Democrats in Franklin County register and VOTE in 2011and 2012
* That the members of Greencastle Antrim Democrats get involved and turn out for meetings and events and pay their modest $5. dues.
* That the Republicans in the State and the Congress don't do too much damage
* That everyone who wants a job gets a job
* That the corporations holding onto billions in assets use it to expand production and hire people
* That you have a productive, healthy and happy year
* That your children show their love and appreciation
* That you read a good book, see a good movie and hear some great music, and, in other words
Happy New Year!
* That the members of Greencastle Antrim Democrats get involved and turn out for meetings and events and pay their modest $5. dues.
* That the Republicans in the State and the Congress don't do too much damage
* That everyone who wants a job gets a job
* That the corporations holding onto billions in assets use it to expand production and hire people
* That you have a productive, healthy and happy year
* That your children show their love and appreciation
* That you read a good book, see a good movie and hear some great music, and, in other words
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Activists Cheer Sestak Who Visits to Say "Thank You"
Franklin County Democrats gave a warm welcome to their Senate Candidate Joe Sestak at a meeting at the Main Street Deli in Chambersburg at 8:30 am, Dec. 7. A good crowd of more than forty joined in a frank question and answer session about the candidate's campaign, his future plans, and the future for progressive ideas in Congress. Rep. Sestak said he had not made specific plans about any future campaigns but would stay in "public service." Rep. Sestak is visiting every county in Pennsylvania and left Chambersburg to attend a similar gathering in Fulton County.
Greencastle Democratic regulars staffed a booth at the town's Heritage Christmas celebration on Friday December 3 and collected contributions for the local food bank and the club, giving out free hot chocolate and cookies donated by members. There's another chance to join them and give visibility to the club on Friday, December 10. We are raffling off two ticket for a ride on the horse-drawn carriage on December 17 at 6:30 pm in return for contributions to the food bank.
DON'T FORGET OUR DECEMBER MEETING ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2010. GOOD PLACE TO PLAN YOUR POLITICAL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2011.
*****FINAL NOTE: While you're distributing your end of year contributions, consider a contribution to the GreencastleAntrim Democratic Club. You can bring it to the meeting.
Greencastle Democratic regulars staffed a booth at the town's Heritage Christmas celebration on Friday December 3 and collected contributions for the local food bank and the club, giving out free hot chocolate and cookies donated by members. There's another chance to join them and give visibility to the club on Friday, December 10. We are raffling off two ticket for a ride on the horse-drawn carriage on December 17 at 6:30 pm in return for contributions to the food bank.
DON'T FORGET OUR DECEMBER MEETING ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2010. GOOD PLACE TO PLAN YOUR POLITICAL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2011.
*****FINAL NOTE: While you're distributing your end of year contributions, consider a contribution to the GreencastleAntrim Democratic Club. You can bring it to the meeting.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
IMPORTANT NOTICE: NEXT MEETING AND A CHANCE TO TALK TO JOE
The Franklin County Democratic Club will hold a joint meeting with the GreencastleAntrim Democratic Club on Monday, December 13, 6:30 p.m., at CASEY'S Restaurant and Lounge, on Route 11 just south of the main intersection in Greencastle. The GA Dems meeting will begin immediately after. It's a good opportunity to relax and chat and plan the future.
Don't miss a chance to meet with Rep. Joe Sestak who wants to thank Franklin County Democrats for their efforts on behalf of his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. He will be in Chambersburg on Tuesday,
December 7, at 8:30 a.m. at the Main Street Deli, 177 S. Main St. (Next to Capital Theatre).
Don't miss a chance to meet with Rep. Joe Sestak who wants to thank Franklin County Democrats for their efforts on behalf of his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. He will be in Chambersburg on Tuesday,
December 7, at 8:30 a.m. at the Main Street Deli, 177 S. Main St. (Next to Capital Theatre).
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Don't Mourn...Organize!
That's been the rallying cry of progressives throughout our country's history. And, although we have taken a backward step in this election, we cannot stop working for change and social justice for everyone in our country. There are plenty of issues that will need our engagement in the months ahead. We have to protect the gains we made during President Obama's first two years -- particularly health care and banking reform. We need to pass fair tax legislation in this Congress. We need to protect Pennsylvania from the environmental degradation of drilling in the Marcellus shale. We need to continue to fight for single payer health care for Pennsylvania. Add your issues to the list and then come to our next meeting on November 8 at 7 pm at the Greencastle Presbyterian Church in Greencastle. Let's discuss "what is to be done!"
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Holloween Parade and GOTV activiities
Busy month for GA dems and Frnaklin County Dems. We've gained visibility with a "thank a Democrat" entry in the Greencastl, parade (see photo above), a successful dinner with a bang up speech from our headliner SEIU leader Jim Young, a visit and greetings from our Congressional candidate Tom Conners, and, an office on the square thanks to Paul Politis. Opened the weekend before the election and all day election day. Visit, make a phone call, knock on doors.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
President's Report from the PA State Committee Meeting
The Pennsylvania State Democratic Party held its state committee meeting on September 24th and 25th. It was my pleasure to attend the meeting as your elected State Committeewoman. The Franklin County delegation also included State Committeeman, Garrett Blanchet, and the Franklin County Democrats Chairman, Paul Politis. The three of us covered a lot of ground.
Roger Lund, Chair of the South Central Caucus (this is the caucus we belong to) and the Adams County Democrats Chairman, presided over a session devoted to developing revenue streams. All of our clubs could use a little help in this department! Several of the ideas to increase the funds raised did not incur additional overhead costs:
• An annual dinner honoring someone or some special group. This increases ticket sales & donations
• Premium seating. Seating at the table with the honored guest or speaker has a higher ticket price.
• An annual event focusing on raising funds for a scholarship.
• Instead of, or in addition to ad books at events, some clubs have been displaying ads on screens or walls of the venue.
• Have roving photographers at the event and sell a CD of the photos to event goers.
• Remind Democrats to consider giving a donation to their clubs as holiday gifts for their friends & family who are notoriously difficult to buy for!
• Monthly cheese & wine get-togethers specifically to raise funds via a donation basket.
The second session focused on getting out our vote. Bob Kefauver from the York County Democrats presented his club’s “GOOSE” guide. “Get Out Our Supporters Everywhere” (GOOSE) effort helps to more clearly focus on getting out Democrats. The top priority with this effort is to find a volunteer to chair a committee of dedicated people willing to manage such a program. The effort is most intense the 21 days prior to an election. However, the planning & organizing is ongoing all year. It involves identifying supporters, precinct by precinct, canvassing, telephoning, and growing the volunteer base.
Organizing for America (OFA) delivered the third session. The representatives described how OFA has become the Vote 2010 Coordinated Campaign. There was much discussion over the coordination between the county & local Democratic clubs and the Coordinated Campaign. Ryan and Devora will be conducting Webinars on how to use the VoteBuilder system. Also, the campaign will be posting daily talking points on the PA Dems website. To learn more about the Coordinated Campaign effort contact Jeff@padems.com.
Jim Burn, State Democratic Party Chairman, and I spoke at length about the need in Franklin County. He said he feels he has a “a place to hang my hat in Franklin County, I feel at home there.” He is interested in meeting potential candidates. He said he wants to provide as much assistance as he can with growing our number of elected officials. Scott Conklin was very excited to see us, too. He is comfortable with helping our area because he knows what it is like living in the “T.” Dan Onorato addressed our small caucus meeting. He makes a great presentation; very personable & hard-hitting without all the hoopla. He apologized for not spending more time in our parts and attributed that to the money pouring in to the Corbett campaign from the new corporate citizens. Dan needs to concentrate on the areas where he can raise the most money & most votes.
Democratically yours,
Sheri Morgan
Franklin County State Committeewoman
Roger Lund, Chair of the South Central Caucus (this is the caucus we belong to) and the Adams County Democrats Chairman, presided over a session devoted to developing revenue streams. All of our clubs could use a little help in this department! Several of the ideas to increase the funds raised did not incur additional overhead costs:
• An annual dinner honoring someone or some special group. This increases ticket sales & donations
• Premium seating. Seating at the table with the honored guest or speaker has a higher ticket price.
• An annual event focusing on raising funds for a scholarship.
• Instead of, or in addition to ad books at events, some clubs have been displaying ads on screens or walls of the venue.
• Have roving photographers at the event and sell a CD of the photos to event goers.
• Remind Democrats to consider giving a donation to their clubs as holiday gifts for their friends & family who are notoriously difficult to buy for!
• Monthly cheese & wine get-togethers specifically to raise funds via a donation basket.
The second session focused on getting out our vote. Bob Kefauver from the York County Democrats presented his club’s “GOOSE” guide. “Get Out Our Supporters Everywhere” (GOOSE) effort helps to more clearly focus on getting out Democrats. The top priority with this effort is to find a volunteer to chair a committee of dedicated people willing to manage such a program. The effort is most intense the 21 days prior to an election. However, the planning & organizing is ongoing all year. It involves identifying supporters, precinct by precinct, canvassing, telephoning, and growing the volunteer base.
Organizing for America (OFA) delivered the third session. The representatives described how OFA has become the Vote 2010 Coordinated Campaign. There was much discussion over the coordination between the county & local Democratic clubs and the Coordinated Campaign. Ryan and Devora will be conducting Webinars on how to use the VoteBuilder system. Also, the campaign will be posting daily talking points on the PA Dems website. To learn more about the Coordinated Campaign effort contact Jeff@padems.com.
Jim Burn, State Democratic Party Chairman, and I spoke at length about the need in Franklin County. He said he feels he has a “a place to hang my hat in Franklin County, I feel at home there.” He is interested in meeting potential candidates. He said he wants to provide as much assistance as he can with growing our number of elected officials. Scott Conklin was very excited to see us, too. He is comfortable with helping our area because he knows what it is like living in the “T.” Dan Onorato addressed our small caucus meeting. He makes a great presentation; very personable & hard-hitting without all the hoopla. He apologized for not spending more time in our parts and attributed that to the money pouring in to the Corbett campaign from the new corporate citizens. Dan needs to concentrate on the areas where he can raise the most money & most votes.
Democratically yours,
Sheri Morgan
Franklin County State Committeewoman
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