{news} Fw: Important advocacy actions from AFSC-CT
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----- Original Message -----
From: AFSC Connecticut
To: edubrule at sbcglobal.net
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 12:00 AM
Subject: Important advocacy actions from AFSC-CT
American Friends Service Committee Connecticut
In This Issue: Sept 25 2008
. Sept 25: INSIST: NO BLANK CHECK BAILOUT FOR WALL ST.!
. Sept 28: Hands Off Our Constitution! Vote NO on the Constitutional Convention
. Tell Congress: No Lame Duck Vote on US. Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Sept 25: INSIST: NO BLANK CHECK BAILOUT FOR WALL ST.!
AFSC and our friends at the Coalition on Human Needs urge you to take part in an urgent National Day of Action this Thursday. Let Congress know it must reject a no-strings $700 billion bailout of Wall Street and insist on a solution that helps us all.
AFSC is sponsoring a toll-free number, 1-800-473-6711, to help flood Congress with calls.
See details below. Please forward widely.
Congress must fix the mess created by Wall Street.
But the right way.
NOT by a no-strings-attached $700 billion handout.
Join in a National Day of Action: Thursday, September 25, 5:00 p.m.
Thanks to US Action and TrueMajority, you can easily set up or join a nearby event to tell Congress that we need an effective solution to the crisis caused by unregulated greed.
To set up an event: http://www.truemajority.org/NoBailout/Event
To find an existing event in your area: http://www.truemajority.org/NoBailout/Search
Other ways to take action:
* Call your U.S. Rep. and Senators: 1-800-473-6711, toll-free, thanks to American Friends Service Committee*
Tell them: I urge you to reject a blank check bailout for Wall Street. I understand there is a real and costly crisis brought on by unregulated greed. Congress must fix the mess through a public ownership stake to reduce the loss to taxpayers, effective oversight, help for those hurt by the crisis (people losing homes, jobs, and income), and investments in economic recovery.
* Write a letter to the editor TODAY! all you need is right here, thanks to the organization RESULTS: http://capwiz.com/results/issues/alert/?alertid=11847341
Why is the Coalition on Human Needs, not famous for global finance, joining in this effort?
Because the stakes are very high. Do you want to see Congress give away $700 billion or get as much as possible back? Will they really fix the problem or trigger a depression? Economists we respect are telling us it could really be that bad. Congress is under a lot of pressure to enact a plan this week - but if they don't do it right, it might not work, and all those billions will not be available for health care, education, jobs, and other human needs.
While not finance experts, here's what we do know:
* $700+ billion is a big fat walloping amount of money.
* The crisis is deep and real, and an enormous commitment of taxpayer dollars is needed to prevent an economic meltdown.
* An effective plan requires:
o oversight by Congress and regulations so the money is used well (with limits on compensation to execs in bailed-out companies);
o a public ownership stake in the bailed-out companies, so taxpayers can get some or all of their investment back;
o public investments in health care, nutrition, home energy, and other human needs to ensure a shared economic recovery;
o protecting people from foreclosures and inability to afford food, heat, and other basic needs. Don't abandon Main Street while helping Wall Street!
==============
*This toll-free number is provided courtesy of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization which works for economic justice and peace (www.afsc.org). AFSC welcomes groups to circulate and use the number in support of non-partisan work for policies that benefit the common good and without linking the alert to a website soliciting donations or actions which may be used to support partisan lobbying or work.
If you've made it all the way to the end of this email, THANKS! Please take action; make sure that Congress hears your voice - not just the big money lobbyists working to profit from this mess.
Sept 28: Hands Off Our Constitution! Vote NO on the Constitutional Convention
Hands Off Our Constitution!
Vote NO on the Constitutional Convention
Rally at the State Capitol
South Side Overlooking Capitol Avenue
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Gather: 1:30 PM
Kicks off: 2:00 PM
Theatre, Singing, Speeches
Don't be Conned by the Constitutional Convention Campaign.
Background:
The Rights of Women, African-Americans, Latinos, Immigrants, People Living in Poverty, Public Employees, Ex-Offenders, Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay people would likely All be Under Attack if Ballot Initiatives come to Connecticut.
A Partial List of What's At Stake Under Ballot Initiatives:
Abortion Rights
Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims
Affirmative Action
Anti-Poverty Programs
Judicial Discretion in Sentencing
Public Education Funding
Comprehensive Sex Education
Human Rights to Housing & Employment for Transgender & Gender Non-conforming People
Healthcare, Social Services, & College Assistance for Immigrants
Collective Bargaining
Binding Arbitration
Healthcare & Retirement Benefits of Public Servants
Same-Sex Marriage and Civil Unions
Euthanasia
A Pro-Ballot Initative Rally will take place on the North Side of the Capitol calling for a Constitutional Convention.
In response, The Connecticut Civil Rights Defense Coalition is holding a simultaneous "Hands Off Our Constitution! Rally" on the South Side of the State Capitol to Defend the Rights of Women and Minority Groups and to call on all people to Vote NO on the Constitutional Convention Question November 4th.
Take A Stand Against Patriarchy-Racism-Classism-Heterosexism
Take A Stand for Civil Rights!
Bring Banners, Posters, Flags etc.
Sponsored by The Connecticut Civil Rights Defense Coalition
A Better Way Foundation, American Friends Service Committee CT, A.N.S.W.E.R CT, Blue Hills Civic Association, Bright Star Vision, Clean Slate Committee, Connecticut Coalition for Peace & Justice, Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition, International Socialist Organization New Haven, Metropolitan Community Church Hartford, NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut , National Lawyers Guild - CT Chapter, Network of Spiritual Progressives (CT), North Hartford Coalition, People of Faith CT, Queers Without Borders, The Socialist Party Central/Eastern CT Local, West Hartford Citizens for Peace & Justice
To join the coalition, contact People of Faith:
http://faithct.net/contact
http://faithct.net
Tell Congress: No Lame Duck Vote on US. Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Take Action
Stop the U.S.-Colombia FTA from a Lame Duck Vote and tell the U.S. State Department that their decision to clear the Colombian army of human rights violation is the wrong one.
With the 110th Congress wrapping up at the end of this month to prepare for the November 4th elections, U.S.-Colombia FTA supporters are lobbying in full force as they desperately seek a vote on the deal before Congress officially adjourns. Since a vote on the controversial FTA before the elections would be too politically costly for many members, proponents are banking on a Congressional "lame duck" vote in December if Congress reconvenes.
As the human rights tragedy in Colombia continues, it's important that the State Department keeps using its influence - instead of throwing its leverage away - to push and prod the Colombian government into bringing those who have committed human rights abuses to justice and to do more to stop the systematic killings of trade unionists and civilians. The State Department's decision to clear Colombia of its abusive human rights record is worrisome and eerily timed given the pro-FTA lobby blitz.
Your voice of opposition to a lame duck vote on the FTA and the State Department's decision is needed!
Visit http://www.tradeandwar.org/take-action.html#Action to take action now >
Trade and War Blog
Proponents of FTA Launch Costly Rally to Nudge the U.S. Congress into Passing the FTA; U.S. State Department Clears Colombia to Receive More Military Aid
Proponents are engaging in an all-out push for a lame duck vote on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). An outdoor pro-trade rally held September 10th on the steps of Congress launched this effort. At the event Colombian Minister of Trade Luis Plata claimed that progress is being made to lower the country's murder rate of union leaders. In response, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney noted that 41 union members have been murdered in Colombia already this year - more than in all of 2007.
Visit the Trade and War Blog to learn more
http://www.tradeandwar.org
American Friends Service Committee
Connecticut Area Office
56 Arbor Street, Suite 213
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860.523.1534
Fax: 860.523.1705
Email: connecticut at afsc.org Visit AFSC CT Online
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