25 December 2008 -- Best Wishes For the Holidays from New Britain Democrats

Looking Back: Holiday Greetings and A Quote From the "New Deal"

"Finally, in our progress toward a resumption of work we require two safeguards against a return of the evils of the old order; there must be a strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments; there must be an end to speculation with other people's money, and there must be provision for an adequate but sound currency."
-- President Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933.

Photo Credit: U.S. Government

Looking Forward:Toward Peace On Earth: The Global Zero Initiative

In a post Cold War world facing the constant threat of terrorism, peace advocates and nuclear arms experts are pushing for "the abolition of all nuclear weapons from the earth," according to a December 15th report in the National Catholic Reporter by reporter Rich Heffern.

At a meeting held this month in Paris, France an international group of business, civic and military leaders issued a "Global Zero" declaration that sets a goal for a "binding and verifiable agreement to dismantle all nuclear weapons by a specified date."

The Global Zero declaration, endorsed by a “who’s who” of the world’s foreign policy aristocracy from the past 30 years, calls for a binding and verifiable agreement to dismantle all nuclear weapons by a specified date. Signatories on the declaration include former President Jimmy Carter; former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev; Nobel Prize winners Muhammad Yunus and Bishop Desmond Tutu; British businessman Sir Richard Branson; Ehsan ul-Haq, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Pakistan; Brajesh Mishra, former Indian national security advisor; and Amr Moussa, Arab League secretary-general.

The NCR report quotes President-elect Barack Obama with a qualified endorsement: "As long as nuclear weapons exist, we’ll retain a strong deterrent. But we’ll make the goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons a central element in our nuclear policy.” Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also issued a supportive statement and pledge of cooperation to engage the Obama administration in the effort to reduce the real and present danger presented by nuclear stockpiles.

Global Zero's strategy, backed by the leadership of the "super power" nations, involves the following steps: “de-alerting” U.S. and Russian weapons from their current ready-to-launch status, followed by major weapons reductions in the two nations; total elimination of these weapons by all nuclear-armed nations accompanied by strict verification of nuclear fuel activities around the globe. According to the report:

There are now nine countries with nuclear weapons and 40 more with sufficient nuclear infrastructure to build their own arsenal, according to Global Zero’s fact sheet. “The gravest danger facing the world now is that these weapons continue to spread until one day they are used by a country or a terrorist group, with catastrophic consequences,” it says. The only lasting solution to this grave threat, it says, is to eliminate all weapons.

“We cannot persuade terrorists to stop seeking nuclear weapons,” the Global Zero fact sheet says. “The only solution is to eliminate the weapons themselves: to drain the swamp. Global Zero’s plan calls for the verified and enforced destruction of all nuclear weapons and international oversight of all nuclear energy production to prevent the clandestine development of weapons.”

For more information on the nuclear disarmament campaign visit www.cnduk.org

At The State House

Geragosian To Chair Appropriations Committee
New Britain Lawmakers Get Leadership Assignments
Health Care Partnership Expected To Be Key Cost Saving Item In New State Budget

State Rep. John Geragosian (D-25) will be the new House Chair of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee when the General Assembly convenes for 2009 on January 6th. The General Assembly will adjourn in June. The session is expected to be dominated by steps to reduce a growing deficit for a next two year budget to begin next July 1.

A veteran member of the budget-writing committee, Geragosian was first elected to the Legislature in 1994. He is a former New Britain alderman and is the senior member of the city's all Democratic state House delegation. During the last session Geragosian served as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. Incoming House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-84) named Geragosian to lead the Appropriations committee, the first New Britain lawmaker to do so since former State Senator Joe Harper led the Committee as the state Senate Chair.

State Rep. Betty Boukus (D-22), who represents voting district 15, Plainville and parts of Bristol, will serve in leadership as a Deputy Majority Whip.

Incoming Majority Leader Denise Merrill, who is vacating the Appropriations Chair, has named State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) to be one of seven Deputy Majority Leaders. Tercyak will also lead the Appropriations subcommittee on collective bargaining. State Rep. Tim O'Brien (D-24) will serve as an assistant majority leader and will be vice chairman of the Labor and Public Employees committee.

State Senator Don DeFronzo (D-6) will return to the Chairmanship of the Transportation Committee in appointments announced by Senate President Donald Williams.

The Town Committee extends congratulations to state House members and Senator DeFronzo for their leadership roles in the 2009 session.

The session is expected to be dominated by steps to reduce a growing deficit for a next two year budget to begin next July 1.

At the December 11th Democratic Town Committee Rep. Geragosian said that the 2007 proposal for a Health Care Partnership will be on the table next year as lawmakers seek to reduce costs of health care. The partnership plan, introduced by Rep. Donovan last year, would allow municipalities, agencies and small businesses to join the state's health care pool as a means of reducing soaring costs of medical coverage. It has been implemented in more than a dozen other states providing lower insurance premiums to cities and towns.

To contact your legislators and/or follow legislative issues go to

http://www.housedems.ct.gov/index.asp

Thank You

Thanks to members of the Democratic Town Committee and friends for donating non-perishable food items for the needy at the December 11th Town Committee meeting.

26 Days Left To 1-20-2009

For President-elect Obama's weekly address and Transition Updates Visit

www.change.gov

A conversation on January 21, 2009

When: 1/21/2009

Where: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue


A visitor knocks on the door of the White House in the morning.

"I would like to speak with President Bush. Is he here?"

"No," comes the reply from a White House aide. "He no longer lives here."

The visitor returns at noon and knocks again.

"I would like to speak with President Bush. Is he here?"

"NO," comes the reply again.

Not to be denied, the visitor comes back in the evening.

"I would like to speak with President Bush. Is he here?"

"For the final time, he is not here. Don't you know the inauguration was yesterday?"

"Yes," says the visitor. "But I just love to hear you say President Bush is no longer here."

13 December 2008

A Vote of "No Confidence" In Senator Lieberman

The city's Democratic Town Committee approved a "resolution of no confidence" in Senator Joe Lieberman at its December meeting. The move came at the December 11th meeting held at City Hall.

The 12-point resolution, adapted from a more detailed censure resolution adopted by the Glastonbury Democratic Town Committee, won unanimous support at the New Britain meeting. It took issue with Lieberman's role in the 2008 campaign, including a speech at the Republican National Convention and months of campaigning on behalf of GOP nominee John McCain outside of Connecticut.

The statement went on to oppose Lieberman's position on a range of issues including:

- Missed votes on increased funding for Homeland Security despite public statements supporting additional resources. "His absence in a debate on legislation to potentially increase security funding to Connecticut's cities meant the difference between the bill passing and losing." said one clause of the resolution;
- The vote to confirm Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General (the only Democratic senator from New England to do so) "in spite of Gonzales' support of torture, rendition and eavesdropping on US citizens";
- Support for the Military Commissions Act of 2006 that denies prisoners the right to habeas corpus, sanctions torture and protects members of the administration from prosecution for war crimes;
- The only Democrat to support the president's idea of private accounts. "Once it was clear that the issue had no traction, Joe Lieberman joined Democrats in opposing the President's plan," according to the resolution;
- Support for NAFTA and CAFTA --the free trade agreements approved without a process to negotiate worker rights, human rights and environmental safeguards;
- Unwavering support of the Iraq war, the greatest contributing factor to the growth in the national debt.

Democratic Town Chair John McNamara said Lieberman's expected pro-Democratic votes in the next Congress will be welcome. And he acknowledged Lieberman's recent statements that he would be in lockstep with the Obama administration on a new economic stimulus package after Lieberman retained the chairmanship of Homeland Security from the Democratic Senate caucus.

"The point of these censures and no-confidence votes, however, should be to send a message to Joe that we are looking for a new senator in 2012," said McNamara. "Going back on your commitments while hiding behind the cloak of 'bipartisanship' or, worse, opposing the nominee of your own party, give politics and politicians a bad name. Senator Lieberman has repeatedly turned his back on Democrats who made it possible for him to serve in the U.S. Senate in the first place."

The no confidence vote from New Britain Democrats did not come as a surprise. In 2006, the New Britain Town committee sent 24 of 31 delegates to the Democratic State Convention in support of candidate Ned Lamont over Lieberman, the largest block of votes opposing Lieberman's re-nomination for U.S. Senate.

The New Britain Committee will be sending its resolution on to state party leaders and to Senator Lieberman to express its concerns on his voting record and role in the 2008 campaign.

Originally Posted By NBpoliticus to New Britain Community News at 12/12/2008

7 December 2008

Democrats To Hold December Meeting Thursday 12/11; Lieberman Resolution, Legislative Priorities for 2009 On Tap
The Democratic Town Committee will hold its last meeting of the year on Thursday, December 11, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street. The agenda will include consideration of a resolution expressing no confidence in Senator Joseph I. Lieberman for his role in the 2008 presidential campaign and support of the Bush Administration. Resolutions may also be raised in support of universal health care and other issues expected to come before the state legislature next year. Member and friends are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for donating to local food banks. All Democrats and friends are invited to attend.

Republicans Descend Into Personal Attacks Over Board of Education Seat
A Common Council vote to appoint Republican Leslie Jacobs to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education has prompted a veto by Mayor Timothy Stewart and a torrent of attacks by Republicans. In his veto message, Stewart referred to Jacobs as "flippant" and "arrogant" but cited no votes or actions by Jacobs as a school board member to oppose her nomination. Jacobs has previous experience on the BOE but has long since fallen out of favor with her party's leadership. Dismayed that the GOP's hand-picked recommendation, Jamie Giantonio, was not accepted by the Council, Republican leaders have denounced the Council move to replace Marilyn Kraczkowsky, a controversial Republican member of the BOE, who resigned earlier this year. Jacobs and Council Democrats have been the target of personal attacks and harsh words from Republican Chair Paul Carver and others. Derogatory comments have been posted anonymously on local blogs, including one threat of violence against City Alderman Phil Sherwood. Democratic Town Chair John McNamara criticized the Mayor's veto message for claiming Democrats are putting partisanship ahead of city schools and children. He also faulted the tone and content of the Republican attacks as "mean spirited", "divisive" and nothing more than the tactics of "schoolyard bullies." The Council is exercising its judgment and responsibility in accordance with the city charter, according to McNamara. "The Mayor and Republican Chair Carver should make their arguments on the merits of their candidate, and not engage in partisan attacks on members of the City Council and Ms. Jacobs," said McNamara. "This is the same Republican Party that nominated as their local standard bearer this year Tom Bozek for State Senate, a candidate who suggested that New Britain should downsize its schools by reducing the number of school children by 4,000 through draconian anti-family policies." McNamara said the record of the Mayor and Carver on education and addressing the school district's fiscal challenges has been "abysmal" over the last two years. "If I were a member of the the City Council concerned about the quality of education the last person of either party that I would pick would be a rubber stamp for the Mayor," said McNamara.


Hearing Is Tuesday For New Britain-Hartford Busway:
Officials Criticize DOT For Delay, Higher Costs
The Department of Transportation is holding a series of public hearings throughout the area on the long-awaited busway that would start in New Britain at the former Greenfield's store along a railroad right of way. The New Britain hearing will be held Tuesday, December 9, at New Britain City Hall (27 West Main Street) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A Monday December 8 meeting will be held in Newington at the same time at the Newington Town Hall (131 Cedar Street) in the Helen Nelson Room.

According to the DOT announcement of the hearings: "When the busway opens for operation, bus routes in New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, and Hartford will change. The public is invited to come and share what is important to them and to help the Department of Transportation design a bus system that more efficiently serves their needs. During these meetings, the public can review work in progress, view a brief presentation of the project, ask questions and provide feedback, and meet the project team."

State Representative David McCluskey (D - West Hartford), House Chair of the Transportation Bonding Sub-Committee and an advocate of using public transit for economic development criticized a DOT official last week for saying that the earliest commuters could ride a proposed New Haven-Springfield commuter rail service is “optimistically, 2015-16”.

Said McCluskey: “This coupled with the long delay in the 11 year-old proposal to operate Bus Rapid Transit Service between New Britain and Hartford clearly demonstrate that the Department really does not want to increase public transportation in Connecticut. DOT just doesn’t get it. Connecticut residents want alternatives to cars now. The New Haven to Springfield commuter rail service would operate on an existing active rail line. This idea has been languishing since the early 1990s,” Rep. McCluskey added. “The fact that DOT cannot figure out how to add this service quickly demonstrates their lack of interest and seriousness about providing public transportation to Connecticut residents.”

Similarly, New Britain officials including State Senator Don DeFronzo, Chair of the Transportation Committee, State Representative Tim O'Brien and Mayor Timothy Stewart have expressed concerns about the delay in the New Britain-Hartford busway and the escalating costs of what would appear to an uncomplicated re-use of a railroad right of way for the single bus lane. Said O'Brien: "Connecticut, especially the greater Hartford area, has been hurt economically and in terms of quality of life, by the sorry state of our public transit system. New Britain has been especially harmed because the highways that went up in decades past have largely cut New Britain out of our regional economy. Having New Britain as the primary starting point for a new, regional public transit system can be a major development in the economic renewal of our city. Plus, especially in as global warming and other environmental concerns become more pressing, public transit is important for a low-pollution future - and if it needs to happen anyway, it should be done so that New Britain benefits from it." Estimated costs for the busway have gone form $80 million to $600 million. "I consider this to be an enormous failure on the part of the state DOT, and I can find no excuse for it," said O'Brien. "I agree with Mayor Timothy Stewart that there needs to a change in "the culture of the DOT, which is to mire these projects in bureaucracy." O'Brien urged Stewart to press the issue with Gov. Rell and to work with the city's legislative delegation to accelerate the public transit alternatives.

CT Obama Group To Hold "Celebrating our Victory Going Forward"
Meeting December 13th

Connecticut volunteers for Barack Obama plan an organizing meet on Saturday Dec. 13th to keep the grassroots organization together for future political action. "The conversation in America has changed on many levels, revitalizing the hope and potential of a great nation. This movement has opened the door to immeasurable possibilities and laid those possibilities at the feet of the people," says Val McCall, a leader of the CT Obama campaign this year. "We will discuss the issues that are important to us in the communities where we live and how we can change them." The meeting will be held from 10 am to noon on the 13th at the Afro-American Culture Center of Yale University in New Haven (211 Park Street). More information at 860-995-3364.

28 November 2008

New Britain Will Consider "No Confidence" Vote On Lieberman


The Democratic Town Committee will consider a "no confidence" vote against Senator Joe Lieberman when it meets on December 11th amid growing calls and resolutions by local and state party officials opposing Lieberman's role in the 2008 Presidential Election.

Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic nominee for Vice President and a 20-year incumbent elected to the Senate in 1988, endorsed Republican John McCain and spoke at the GOP national convention. He pointedly criticized President-elect Barack Obama during the campaign and defended the Bush Administration's Iraq policy. Connecticut's junior senator, however, remains a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus, which has voted to return Lieberman to the chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee. Throughout his Senate career Lieberman has steadily moved away from his progressive roots by embracing and chairing the Democratic Leadership Council, a corporate-lobbyist financed group founded in the 1980s to push a right of center viewpoint in the Democratic Party. An early indicator of his rightward drift occurred barely two years into his first term when he backed a pension for convicted Iran-Contra figure, Col. Oliver North. His unceasing support of militarism over diplomacy and affinity for President Bush were the catalysts to his defeat in the 2006 Democratic Primary

The decision by the Senate Caucus to return Lieberman to a Chairmanship is drawing heavy criticism in the state Democratic Party despite Senator Chris Dodd's support for his colleague. The news that Lieberman used his "Reuniting Our Country" PAC to support some GOP candidates in addition to Democrats (including $10,000 to the CT Democratic Party over the last year) may help to advance a censure resolution at the state central committee in December. It is clear that Lieberman was playing it both ways in contributions from his political action committee in this past election cycle -- $10,000 to Republican Susan Collins of ME, $5,000 to Republican Peter King of NY, $5,000 to Republican Gordon Smith of OR and $5,000 to McCain for President. (More information on PAC and candidate giving is accessible at www.opensecrets.org)

The counter argument to ousting Lieberman from his Chairmanship is that he will continue to caucus with Democrats, further weakening Republican influence in the upper Chamber. Some observers point to what Lyndon Johnson said of the late J. Edgar Hoover in keeping Lieberman happy: "It’s probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in." And in his comments this week, Lieberman has also let it be known that he will be in lockstep with the Obama economic plan for job creation and economic stimuli that will be pushed in the first days of the new administration. He no longer says much of anything about the costly Iraq war.

That being said, however, Lieberman may face an insurmountable task to convince many Connecticut Democrats that he should be welcomed back by the rank and file Democrats after his transgressions against Obama and Democrats on the campaign trail. It won't be enough to buy off support using his past practice of giving thousands of dollars to the state party. Leading the charge for state party sanctions against Lieberman is State Central Committeewoman Audrey Blondin -- a backer of Lieberman's failed 2004 bid for the Presidential nomination.

Democratic Town Chair John McNamara, who supports a no-confidence vote from the New Britain committee, said Lieberman's expected pro-Democratic votes in the next Congress will be appreciated. "The point of these censures and no-confidence votes, however, should be to send a message to Joe that we are looking for a new senator in 2012. Going back on your commitments while hiding behind the cloak of 'bipartisanship' give politics and politicians a bad name. Senator Lieberman has repeatedly turned his back on Democrats who made it possible for him to serve in the U.S. Senate in the first place."

Democrats wishing to join a censure move against Lieberman may link to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Dump_Joe/signatures.html


House Speaker To Be Donovan Credits New Britain's Michalowski As His Mentor In Public Service

In a profile in the Nov. 16 Meriden Record Journal, House Majority Leader Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) cited his early work as a community organizer and crossing paths with the late Laddie Michalowski of New Britain in putting him on a path to politics and public service:

In the 1970s, a young Donovan was a graduate student of social work at the University of Connecticut, interning with the Connecticut Citizens Action Group. He found inspiration in a fellow community organizer, the late Ladislaus Michalowski.

Michalowski, who died in 2006, was a union guy from New Britain and the greatest influence in Donovan's life. His activism was not limited to Connecticut. He participated in the 1962 March on Washington and the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala.Michalowski struck Donovan as someone who cared about people and treated individuals with respect. "He dedicated his life to helping people out," Donovan said.

Donovan was elected incoming Speaker by his Democratic Caucus this month. He will assume the gavel when the biennial session of the Legislature opens early next year.

Democratic Justice Nominees May Visit Clerk's Office for Swearing In

The Town Committee nominated all incumbent Justices of the Peace at its May endorsement meeting. All Democratic JPs are urged to visit the Town and City Clerk's office now to be sworn in for the new term that begins in January.

The Town Committee will resume filling vacancies for Justices of the Peace in January. Interested Democrats are asked to contact the Town Committee and to demonstrate they are volunteering a minimum of two hours per month in the community.

End Quote for Thanksgiving

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

President John F. Kennedy

9 November 2008

Election Day In New Britain: Poll Standing At Vance School
(photo by Frank Gerratana)

72 Days Until 1-20-2009: Inauguration Information Available

The Democratic Town Committee has received several inquiries in the aftermath of Tuesday's election about attending the 2009 Inauguration in Washington, D.C. when President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President and U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D-5) will begin his second term representing New Britain and the 41-town district in Congress.

Individuals interested in obtaining tickets to inaugural events need to contact their Congressperson and Senators. Democratic Town Chair John McNamara said he would be recommending a short list of New Britain individuals to Cong. Murphy for consideration based on their hard work during the campaign. Among them will be Ward 3 Alderwoman Shirley Black, the President of the Black Democratic Club, who helped run the headquarters and campaigned out of state for Barack Obama over the course of the year.

For more information you can contact the Town Committee or visit the Inauguration site at http://inaugural.senate.gov

Election Night in New Britain: Eight out of 10 Favor Democrats

Voters in New Britain gave Democratic candidates overwhelming support in last Tuesday's election election, providing Obama-Biden with a 75% share, Cong. Murphy with 79% and similar margins for State Senator Don DeFronzo and State Representatives Betty Boukus, Tim O'Brien, John Geragosian and Peter Tercyak.

The dominance for Democrats stemmed, according to Senator DeFronzo, from the party's issues-oriented messages, get-out-the-vote organization and the diversity of people involved in the Democratic campaign, reflecting all segments of the community.

Congratulations to our candidates for attaining a clean sweep.

Democratic Justice Nominees May Visit Clerk's Office for Swearing In

The Town Committee nominated all incumbent Justices of the Peace at its May endorsement meeting. All Democratic JPs are urged to visit the Town and City Clerk's office now to be sworn in for the new term that begins in January.

The Town Committee will resume filling vacancies for Justices of the Peace in January. Interested Democrats are asked to contact the Town Committee and to demonstrate they are volunteering a minimum of two hours per month in the community.

Lieberman And The Democratic Caucus: Who To Call To Be Heard

A meeting last week between Senator Joe Lieberman and Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid has spawned considerable speculation that Lieberman may be stripped of his Committee Chairmanship for endorsing and campaigning for Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain.
Lieberman was sharply critical of President-elect Barack Obama, acquiescing and joining the GOP's attacks on Obama's background and experience at the Republican convention and in numerous campaign stops.

This extraordinary break with the party follows Lieberman's efforts to move the party steadily away from his and his party's progressive roots via leadership of the right-of-center Democratic Leadership Council and other actions over most of his senate career. Lieberman's drift to the GOP was evolving long before his 2006 Democratic Primary loss to Ned Lamont.

At issue now is whether Lieberman's ability to serve his Connecticut constituents within the Democratic Caucus has been irreparably harmed by the campaign of 2008. Continuing to curry favor with Lieberman to get closer to a 60-vote cloture may be more trouble than help for the Democratic agenda.

Connecticut Democrats should immediately contact Majority Leader Reid, Conference Secretary Murray and Senator Dodd by telephone to express their views before the Caucus decides on Lieberman's status.

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
Democratic Majority Leader

528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542 / Fax: 202-224-7327

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
Democratic Senate Caucus Secretary
173 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2621
Fax: (202) 224-0238


Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Toll Free: (866) 481-9186 448
Tel: (202) 224-2823 | Fax: (202) 224-1083

End Quote

"If there is any political justice at all, Joe the Bummer will be shown the door by the Democratic leadership for his exuberant, unending and unreserved hostility to the Democratic party. He can do that if he likes but he has zero right to expect to retain his powerful rewards from the Democratic party after working so hard to destroy the party’s chances. Wrong as is he, he should be gone — and good riddance."

from Denis Horgan at www.denishorgan.com November 6

2 November 2008 2 Days

The Ballot Questions: The Right Wing and Special Interests
Promote A Constitutional Convention

Vote No on Question 1; Vote Yes On Question 2

by John McNamara
Democratic Town Chairman

In 1959, the state legislature officially designated Connecticut the "Constitution State" because of a state constitution based on the "Fundamental Orders" of the 1600s. Historians recognize Connecticut for an enduring constitution that served as the basis for the U.S. Constitution and that has been adapted most of the time only through specific amendments and changes that have been put to the voters for approval.

This year's state referendum would authorize the Legislature to create a constitutional convention with no clear agenda, a Cart Blanche re-opening of a document that has served our representative democracy well. If there is an agenda for Question 1 it can be discerned from heavily funded proponents who have a hodge-podge of extreme positions: opposing gay marriage and a woman's right to choose and instituting draconian and regressive tax systems that would only add to the burdens of working and middle income people. Put simply, these pseudo-conservatives have nothing in common with a conservative movement that respects American traditions. Particularly disturbing to progressive Catholics in this campaign has been the Catholic Conference. The group has pumped six-figure donations into the referendum to fight their church/state wars as it aligns itself with forces that are antithetical to the Catholic tradition of economic and social justice.

The League of Women Voters (LWV) is one of the groups opposing Question 1 and its views should be heeded by voters on Tuesday. Said Jara Burnett, CT League President: "The League believes that our Connecticut Constitution, thoroughly reviewed and revised in 1965, works well as our state's basic framework of government. We do not need a convention to change the constitution. The legislative amendment process, with its public hearings, its televised sessions, and its system of checks-and-balances, has served our state well in developing sound constitutional proposals for specific issues. In fact, the second question on this November's ballot relating to 17 year-olds voting in a primary if 18 by the general election is an example of a proposed change to the Constitution via this process of deliberation.

"Special interest organizations are working to convince voters to vote "yes" to a Convention in order to pursue their hot-button issues like banning a woman's right to choose or gay marriage. These supporters wish to change the Constitution to enable direct initiative and referendum to become an accepted way of making laws and amending Connecticut's Constitution. The League opposes initiative and referendum. With initiative and referendum, it's too easy for well-funded special interests to sway public opinion on controversial issues. It took us decades to pass a law to provide a system of campaign finance to eliminate special interest money. Let's not let special interest money back into our system again! If voters are dissatisfied with the actions of the General Assembly, they should make their views known during the legislative process or elect new legislators."

More information available at
http://www.lwvct.org/issues/resources/league_says_no_to_constitutional.htm

Election Day is November 4th. It's Time To Get Out The Vote.

YES we can if you can help on Election Day

Volunteer for Election Day (Poll Standing, Calling, Rides To Polls from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

1 November 2008-- 3 Days

Dear Voter:

With hope in our hearts and a change in the national government on our minds, the leadership and members of the New Britain Democratic Town Committee urge city voters to set a record turnout Tuesday in support of the Obama-Biden slate on Line B -- including Chris Murphy for Congress, Don DeFronzo for State Senate, Betty Boukus (District 22, Diloreto School), Tim OBrien (District 24), John Geragosian (District 25) and Peter Tercyak (District 26) for State Representative.

With Democratic voter rolls topping 18,000 Democrats and a 3000+ voter surge since January, let's make every effort to vote and get those who need assistance to the voting booth in support of Line B.

Every election, the politicians and pundits say, is the most important that we've ever had. You don't need that cliche to feel that 2008 is a watershed year. Parallels to 1932 and FDR have been made because of the current financial crisis that will now hit the rest of the country harder as Wall Street is bailed out. Democrats need a mandate to rescue the working and middle class and to restore effective government action and regulation.

For Democrats of a certain age, it's also a watershed because of a nomination fight that came down to a woman and an African American serving in the U.S. Senate. The hoped for Obama victory will be a culmination of what Democrats, pushed by the civil rights movement, accomplished in the 1960s with the passage of voting rights and equality laws. It would strike a near fatal blow to the politics of division and intolerance used and perfected so well by Republicans over the last generation and co-opted by too many Democrats In Name Only.

The McCain-Palin campaign, keeping to their low-information, lowest common denominator strategies, has conducted an often vile and divisive campaign that has further diminished the Republican Party, a sharp contrast to Obama-Biden's inclusiveness and responsiveness to economic, health care and foreign policy problems emerging in the wreckage created by the Bush Administration. As New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson noted in endorsing Obama last March: "Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race.He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans. His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand."

Let New Britain's turnout be the highest ever for this watershed election.

John McNamara, Town Chair

New Britain Resources and Information for volunteering and voter information

New Britain Democratic Headquarters, 385 West Main Street, New Britain. Telephone 827-9704 newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

Obama Connecticut www.ctobama.org

Murphy for Congress www.murphyforcongress.org

Don DeFronzo for State Senate www.dondefronzo.com

End Quote

"When you become part of something, in some way you count. It could be a march; it could be a rally, even a brief one. You're part of something, and you suddenly realize you count. To count is very important." Studs Terkel, the Chicago author (Working) and activist who died this past week at age 96.

27 October 2008 Calling All Democrats

A message from New Britain Democrats and Jon Carson, National Field Director, Obama for America.

How you can help nationally and locally........

Ask your Boss. Ask your Professor.

Take Election Day off and volunteer to make history.

This election will be decided by what this grassroots movement can accomplish on Election Day.

We have volunteer shifts to fill throughout the day -- make calls, knock on doors, and make sure your fellow voters get to the polls.

No previous experience is required. Sign up now to take the day off and make history on November 4th:

http://my.barackobama.com/taketheday


P.S. -- This Wednesday, October 29th, supporters are gathering in homes across the country to watch Barack's 30-minute primetime presentation and make phone calls to voters in battleground states.

Sign up to host or attend a Last Call for Change house party:

http://my.barackobama.com/lastcallparty

New Britain Democratic Rally & Dinner
compliments of New Britain's State Legislative Delegation
Sunday November 2 1 to 4 p.m.
VFW Hall 19 Veterans Drive
For a free ticket e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

Election Day is November 4th. It's Time To Get Out The Vote.

YES we can if you can help in one or all of Five Ways..

1. Make phone calls to get out the vote
2. Register unregistered voters
3. Put up a lawn sign for Democratic candidates
4. Canvas, distribute literature in your neighborhood

5. Volunteer for Election Day (Poll Standing, Calling, Rides To Polls from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Information
New Britain Democratic Headquarters
860-827-9704
E-mail: newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com




Labor donated. This has been approved and paid for by the New Britain Democratic Town Committee
Post Office Box 2112 New Britain, CT 06050
John McNamara Chairman
John Valengavich, Treasurer

http://newbritaindemocrat.blogspot.com
www.newbritaindemocrat.net

Voter Registration Deadline!

From New Britain Democrats and barackobama.com

You may already be registered to vote, but you probably know several people who are not.

Today is the final day to register by mail.

This election is going to hinge on unprecedented voter turnout.

Visit VoteForChange.com, our one-stop voter registration website, and register before the Connecticut deadline.

Then encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same.

Together, we can make history and bring about the change we need.

In New Britain,

Registrar of Voters
27 West Main Street
5th floor Telephone 826-3310

The walk-in registration deadline is October 28th at City Hall

Register Democratic. Vote Democratic Nov. 4th

John McNamara
Tow Chair

Sunday 19 October 2008

Murphy To Debate Republican on Senior Issues Monday, 10/20

New Britain Democrats are urged to attend a debate between U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy and State Senator David Cappiello, Murphy’s Republican opponent. It will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Four Points by Sheraton, 275 Research Parkway in Meriden.

Hosted by AARP Connecticut the forum, according to organizers, “will focus on issues of concern to older residents in Connecticut including Social Security, Health Care Reform, Medicare, Long-Term Care, Retirement Security, Transportation, Energy, Housing and Political Gridlock.” Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Susan Raff will moderate.

For more information or to reserve a space, please call 860-548-3167. For more information on the nonpartisan AARP campaign go to www.dividedwefail.org. For the Murphy campaign go to www.murphyforcongress.org

New Britain State Legislature Debate Tuesday, 10/21

The New Britain/Berlin League of Women Voters will host a candidate forum involving New Britain’s State Legislative candidates Tuesday, October 21st at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall’s Council Chambers, 27 West Main Street. Democrats are urged to come out and support State Senator Don DeFronzo and state Reps. Tim O’Brien (24), John Geragosian (25) and Peter Tercyak (26). .

Pre-Election Reception for Democratic Justices of the Peace Thursday, 10/23

The Democratic Town Committee will hold a pre-election Reception for Democratic Justices of the Peace on Thursday, October 23^rd, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the city Democratic Headquarters, 385 West Main Street, New Britain. The event with a suggested minimum donation of $10 for the DTC Get Out The Vote effort will be an opportunity to meet candidates and become involved in the campaign. Information will be provided on swearing in dates for the new Justice of the Peace term that begins in January.

In May, the Town Committee nominated all incumbent JPs and new candidates for the four-year term that runs concurrently with U.S. President. The Town Committee will welcome additional nominations to fill vacancies after the new term begins in January. Democrats interested in becoming a Justice of the Peace are asked to perform a minimum of two hours per month of volunteer or civic engagement in their community.

City Seeks New Police Officers; Applications for Exams due by October 31

The city of New Britain is recruiting police officers and invites interested individuals to obtain an application for an entry-level examination. Applications may be obtained at the city personnel department, New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street, 4^th floor, Telephone (860) 826-3404. Closing date for applications is October 31st.

New Britain Democratic Rally and Pasta Dinner -- Sunday November 2nd

New Britain Democrats will hold a pre-election pasta dinner and rally on Sunday November 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the V.F.W. Hall on Veterans Drive near New Britain Stadium.

The event is being held to build turnout and support for the Democratic slates in the Nov. 4th election and is made possible compliments of the city's state Legislative delegation -- State Senator Don DeFronzo and State Representatives Betty Boukus, Tim O'Brien, John Geragosian and Peter Tercyak.

City Constable and Democratic Chef Mingo Paventi will be providing a full pasta dinner served from 1 to 3 p.m.

Admission to the rally is free.

Tickets paid for and available from the New Britain Democratic Town Committee, John Valengavich, Treasurer; approved by Town Chairman John McNamara. Telephone 827-9704 newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com.

1 October 2008

Change of Polling Place: District 11 Voters Will Vote At Marconi Club

For the first time in a long time New Britain will have a new polling place in one of its voting districts on November 4th. Registrar of Voter Edward Dzwonkowski has announced that District 11 voters who in prior elections went to the Benjamin Franklin School (the Human Resource Agency) on Clinton Street will vote at the Marconi Society Hall, 15 Viet Street. All voters in the district will be notified by the Registrar about the new location. The district is in the 26th Assembly District.

For more information contact the Registrar of Voters at 826-3310. For a ride to the polls and campaign information call 827-9704. Democratic Headquarters is located at 385 West Main Street.

Back to the Future: Divisive Bozek Gets GOP Nod For State Senate

Tom Bozek, the former state senator and self-described "conservative Democrat", wants a soapbox to spew his racially divisive views and bizarre ideas on shrinking New Britain via the elimination of low-income households.

The New Britain Republican Party has obliged Bozek, anointing him as the Republican nominee for state Senate against Democrat Donald DeFronzo, who ousted Bozek from the state Senate in 2002 behind a broad-based coalition of Democrats and Unaffiliated voters. In that 2002 contest Bozek bitterly blamed more than 1,200 newly registered Hispanic voters for his loss.

Republican Town Chair Paul Carver sheepishly told the New Britain Herald on September 27th "nobody came forward but Tom. He's got a conservative record, and the committee did not want the seat to go unchallenged."

Bozek's nomination points to the sorry state of the local GOP. Of 3,600 Republicans in New Britain and a few thousand more in Berlin, local Republicans couldn't field any fresh, conservative blood to oppose DeFronzo.

Bozek, who still occupies a seat on the Democratic Town Committee in District 1, revived his tirades against "the professional poor" and "minorities" last year in an unsuccessful, independent bid for Councillor at Large. According to the Herald, Bozek is attacking public housing, Section 8 rental stipends and Senator DeFronzo again.

The 2008 Bozek isn't hiding his racially charged rhetoric and campaign against the poor:

"We have 11,000 kids, when we should have 7,000."

"These people destroy these places (public housing). They are 80 percent minorities...They can't make friends with people in their own neighborhoods."

While Bozek has been espousing an anti-public housing and anti-family housing stance for most of the last two decades, Senator DeFronzo points out that Bozek never introduced a bill on the public housing issue while in the state Senate. There is also a bit of irony in a candidate such as Bozek attacking the "professional poor" He is a big beneficiary of taxpayers as he cleverly worked the system to become "a double- or triple dipper" in receipt of public pensions -- the last being arranged by former Republican leader Lou DeLuca who employed Bozek briefly to qualify him for more income on the public's dime.

The nomination of Bozek by Republicans may ensure that the party filled a line on the November ballot. However, they are getting a candidate whose divisiveness and appeals to the lowest common denominator may shrink their numbers even more in 2008.

Wall Street Bailout:
American Prospect Economist Says Congressional Democrats Are "Thinking Small"

Robert Kuttner, a widely published economist based at American Prospect, is providing some of the best commentary yet on the economic emergency precipitated by the excesses of unregulated home mortgage and securities industries.

"Democrats will shortly become stewards not just of a temporary bailout but of a long term recovery strategy," writes Kuttner in a September 30th post "Learning from 1929". "They might as well begin by pointing us on the right path. That includes direct refinancing for homeowners, direct government involvement in the management of failing financial institutions that are recapitalized by government money, through something like the Reconstruction Finance Corporations of the Roosevelt era; and a transfer tax on stock and bond transactions, both to raise needed revenue and to damp down the kind of speculation that led to the meltdown. Then Congress can begin the task of regulating the financial system properly. The basic concept is that any financial enterprise capable of taking down the system requires the tight government supervision that in the recent past has been limited to commercial banks."

Kuttner suggests that the congressional Democrats are a long way from finding an authentic Democratic response that can effectively deal with the laissez faire and failed policies of Republicanism. Regulating the financial system correctly, argues Kuttner, is "the Democratic ideology. "But lately, that set of core convictions has gotten rusty. It needs to be reclaimed, and fast. Too many Democrats are still thinking small."

Not, it should be noted, is the thinking of U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-2) who voted no on the amended Paulson proposal this week for all the right reasons. He was the only member of the delegation to do so.

Kuttner doesn't stop at the Wall Street "rescue". "Government will need to rely on substantial public spending to pull the wider economy out of the hole. Most of that can be raised by surtaxes on the wealthy and by transaction taxes on speculation, but it will also require a temporary increase in public deficits. Raise enough revenue to cover about $700 billion of financial recapitalization in year one, and in years two through eight use the proceeds for public works, infrastructure, good jobs, universal health coverage, expanded pre-kindergarten and child care."

Kuttner's corrections, in other words, call for a New Deal in the 21st Century, not just to quell the high-finance meltdown on Wall Street, but to reduce the economic insecurity felt by a growing number of working and middle income households. Let's hope that when the Congress votes again, more of Kuttner's formula will be part of the rescue.

22 September 2008

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz opens campaign headquarters with New Britain Democrats September 15th. The Town Committee meets at headquarters on Thursday. State Representatives Tim O'Brien, John Geragosian and former Town Chair John King look on. (F. Gerratana photo)

September Meeting Thursday (9/25) At Headquarters: Election Plans On Tap

The Democratic Town Committee will meet at campaign headquarters on Thursday, September 25th, at 7 p.m. for its September meeting.

The headquarters, which opened earlier this month, is located at 385 West Main Street. On the agenda will be planning for get-out-the-vote and voter registration leading up to the November 4th election. All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend.

For more information call headquarters at 827-9704 or e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com.


Ald. Cruz Departs; Represented Ward 3 neighborhoods on Council

Alderwoman Silvia Cruz (D-3) has announced that she is leaving the City Council after serving for five years. Cruz said that she needs to commit more time to her family and that she is moving out of the Third Ward, which she represents.

"I have greatly enjoyed the time I have served on the City Council," Cruz wrote in her letter of announcing her departure, "and will continue to be very involved in the community and in city government." Council Majority Leader Michael Trueworthy praised Cruz's work. "Silvia has been a tireless advocate for the people she represents for years. She will be missed on the Council, but we all understand that family comes first."

Alderwoman Shirley Black (D-3), who also represents the Third Ward said, "I have been happy that I have been able to work with Silvia to represent the people of our district. She was on the Council before I was, and she introduced me to many people in the Latino community. I know she will continue to be involved in our neighborhood." In addition to her Council duties, Cruz has been active in the North-Oak NRZ and has been its President. Trueworthy added, "Shirley and Silvia worked hard, for example, to make the new park possible."

"Silvia has been a great advocate for a neighborhood that is often forgotten in City Hall," said Democratic Chairman John McNamara. "She has served the people she represents well. She has been trying to balance family, full time work and public office. It is understandable she has to move on. We appreciate her years of service."

McNamara said he expects the Town Committee members from Ward 3 to make a recommendation to the Common Council to serve out Cruz' term. He expects a recommendation in October. The City Council has 60 days to fill vacancies on the Council.

A Quote For Ending Wall Street Welfare As We Know It

"And if the government is going to provide capital to financial firms, it should get what people who provide capital are entitled to — a share in ownership, so that all the gains if the rescue plan works don’t go to the people who made the mess in the first place."

from Paul Krugman, "Cash for Trash" op-ed, New York Times September 22, 2008

7 September 2008

Fired Up and Ready To Go:

NEW BRITAIN HEADQUARTERS TO OPEN MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH
A 7 P.M. KICK OFF TO FALL CAMPAIGN; TURNOUT GOAL SET AT 80%

The New Britain Democratic Party headquarters will officially open on Monday, September 15th, at 7 p.m. for voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities leading up to the Nov. 4th Presidential Election.

The headquarters is located at 385 West Main Street and will be used to support the Democratic slate including Obama/Biden, Cong Chris Murphy, State Senator Don DeFronzo and state Representatives Betty Boukus (22), Tim O'Brien (24), John Geragosian (25) and Peter Tercyak (26).

The New Britain Committee is striving to increase Democratic Party enrollment and achieve an 80 percent turnout of registered voters, said Town Chair John McNamara. Recent turnouts in Presidential elections have been approximately 70 percent, said McNamara.

GOP Town Chair Loses At FOI Commission: Complaint By Carver Had Been Deemed "Frivolous" and "Partisan" by Democrats

Republican Town Chair Paul Carver's complaint regarding the appointment of Carmen Aloisi to the Mattabassett District board earlier this year was dismissed at a state Freedom of Information Commission meeting in Hartford August 27th. The Republicans had wanted former Ald. Peter Gostin for the post but the Council chose Aloisi to the regional authority

According to the New Britain Herald, the Commission ruled unanimously "in favor of Michael Trueworthy, Democratic majority leader of New Britain's Common Council, whom Republican Town Chairman Paul Carver had accused of violating a law regarding a meeting agenda."

Carver had alleged that Trueworthy did not give 24 hours’ notice of a resolution at the City Council’s January 23rd meeting. Carver contended that inadequate notice was given despite the posting of the Mattabassett District vacancy on the regular agenda.

“Mr. Carver knows as well as anyone that other names can be proposed from the floor at a regular council meeting when a vacancy is posted,” said Democratic Town Chair John McNamara immediately after the complaint was filed. “His complaint subverts parliamentary procedure and the right of the Council to be the appointing authority. As a former Council member and current Board of Education member, Mr. Carver knows better and should withdraw the complaint immediately.” McNamara also contended that Carver may be subject to a penalty by the Freedom of Information Commission if his complaint is deemed to be frivolous. He cited a section of the law that states in part: “If the commission finds that a person has taken an appeal under this subsection frivolously, without reasonable grounds and solely for the purpose of harassing the agency from which the appeal has been taken, after such person has been given an opportunity to be heard at a hearing conducted in accordance with sections 4-176e to 4-184, inclusive, the commission may, in its discretion, impose against that person a civil penalty of not less than twenty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars.”. McNamara said Democrats are not interested in filing a counter complaint and further wasting the public's time and resources.

Council Democrats believed Carter’s FOI complaint stemmed from GOP unhappiness with a new ordinance giving the Council and public the right to access public information at City Hall in a timely manner. City Councillors and other public officials have faced difficulties in recent months in obtaining information from city departments because of a policy by Mayor Stewart that release of information be cleared with his office first.

Carver's FOI complaint has been part of a pattern by New Britain Republicans to use official complaints and public money for partisan purposes. The tactic dates back to the early months of the Stewart Administration when the GOP turned the city ethics commission into a partisan vehicle to punish Democratic city council members who were city employees and members of municipal unions. The same mayoral appointed ethics commission ruled in favor of Stewart despite his failure to report his status as a firefighter on leave from the city department -- a requirement of the city ethics code. In the process the local ethics commission has compromised itself should legitimate conflicts of interest arise in the Stewart administration or the Common Council.

Catholic Dems Denounce Palin Remarks On Community Organizing

Catholic Democrats, a national association of state-based groups "advancing Catholic social teaching", has strongly denounced Sarah Palin for attacking Democratic Nominee Barack Obama's work as a community organizer.

According to a story in the National Catholic Reporter (Sept. 4) the statement by Catholic Democrats asserted:

“Her (Palin's) divisive rhetoric, repeatedly pitting small towns against urban communities, demonstrates not only a lack of charity toward the needs of some of the least among us but a fundamental disrespect for those who dedicate their lives to overcoming poverty across our country.”

The statement referred to Palin's acceptance remarks: “I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.” Palin is the former mayor of Wasilla Alaska a town north of Anchorage with a population 8,000.

“It is shocking that a vice presidential candidate would disparage an essential component of the Catholic social tradition with her condescending attack on urban community organizing,” said Dr. Patrick Whelan, president of Catholic Democrats .Referring to Palin’s speech, the statement said: “Her divisive rhetoric, repeatedly pitting small towns against urban communities, demonstrates not only a lack of charity toward the needs of some of the least among us but a fundamental disrespect for those who dedicate their lives to overcoming poverty across our country.”

In the 1980s following his graduation from Harvard Law School Obama worked among parishes in the The group criticized Palin for mocking Obama’s work “in the 1980s for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.” The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is an arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and it partially funded Obama’s activities in Catholic parishes on the South Side of Chicago. At the time it was known simply as the Campaign for Human Development.

Community organizing was work Obama undertook “instead of pursuing a lucrative career on Wall Street,” according to a statement from Catholic Democrats.

27 August 2008

August 28th National Convention Night Reception At Roma Restaurant

The Town Committee will host a convention night TV party at the Roma Restaurant, 382 Allen Street, New Britain, on the convention's final night when Senator Barack Obama delivers his acceptance speech in Denver.

The New Britain reception will be held from 7:30 to 11 p.m. and is being held to support New Britain Democrats' city-wide efforts to register new voters and get out the vote on Election Day. The evening will include complimentary beverages and appetizers. Suggested donation $25.


Convention Comment
The Nomination: Clinton, Obama, LBJ and King

In the back and forth of the Democratic Presidential primary season Hillary Clinton's remarks about Rev. Martin Luther King, Lyndon Johnson and civil rights sparked an unfortunate exchange between hers and the Obama forces.

Clinton was trying to make a point about governing, but her remarks were criticized for pitting Lyndon Johnson's delivery of landmark civil rights laws with the movement led by Rev. King -- all of this in the context of her running against a rapidly rising African American politician who ultimately deprived her of the nomination.

Barack Obama's acceptance speech on Thursday at the Denver convention provides a better opportunity to bring up King, Johnson, the presidency and the Democratic Party.

On 8/28 45 years ago, Rev. Martin Luther King delivered his "Dream" speech -- one of the most heard and admired pieces of oratory in U.S. history. King's speech and the movement he led pushed Lyndon Johnson and the Democrats to forge ahead with stronger, landmark civil rights laws for voting rights, accommodations and other aspects of equal opportunity in 1964 and 1965.

Clinton's intent was not to diminish the civil rights struggle but to say King's movement and Johnson's power and legislative acumen were not mutually exclusive. One complemented the other. The Southerner Johnson knew the consequences. "There goes the South for a generation," Johnson was quoted when he signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act into law, predicting his party would lose elections and the "solid" South for many years as they surely did.

And now should it surprise anyone that Obama's multi-cultural background is still fodder for a GOP divide and conquer strategy first invoked by Richard Nixon in 1968?

Obama needs to draw the distinctions sharply between his vision and that of John McCain, especially on economics and the interests of people who "work hard and play by the rules." In doing so, he should revisit the King and Johnson legacy, perhaps noting that Clinton wasn't dissing King over LBJ at all.

The betting here is he will recall that long ago August 28th as he prepares to lead Democrats into the fall election. The moment will not be lost on Obama that his political ascendency this week is a direct consequence of both King's movement and Johnson's Democrats and what was said and done a generation ago. Obama's nomination will not be the end all for civil rights struggle, but a fulfillment of a huge piece of the "Dream".

(Photo Credit: Johnson Library and Museum from wikimedia.org)

from http://nbpoliticus.blogspot.com


Cong. Murphy Scheduled To Appear At Mickey D's Jazz Night Today (Wed. 8/27)

Cong. Chris Murphy (D-5) is scheduled to appear at McDonald's Restaurant on West Main Street in New Britain today at 6:30 p.m. for the Wednesday night big band and jazz jam led by New Britain's Sam Kimball. Murphy is seeking re-election to a second term representing the 5th Congressional District. Murphy's New Britain campaign headquarters number is 223-5522.

16 August 2008

Fired Up and Ready To Vote:
August 28th National Convention Night Reception At Roma Restaurant

The Town Committee will host a convention night TV party at the Roma Restaurant, 382 Allen Street, New Britain, on the convention's final night when Senator Barack Obama delivers his acceptance speech in Denver.

The New Britain reception will be held from 7:30 to 11 p.m. and is being held to support New Britain Democrats' city-wide efforts to register new voters and get out the vote on Election Day. The evening will include complimentary beverages and appetizers and will give supporters an opportunity to meet candidates and Democratic elected officials. Representing New Britain at the national convention will be State Senator Don DeFronzo who was chosen an alternate delegate at the spring Congressional Delegate Caucus.

The suggested minimum donation is $25.00 to the New Britain Democratic Town Committee. Seating is limited. Make reservations to newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com or by calling 827-9469.
A New Britain Democratic Town Committee event. John Valengavich Treasurer

Black Dems Host Soul Food Fest Sunday, August 16th

The New Britain Black Democratic Club will hold its annual Soul Food Fest on Sunday, August 16, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Pride of Connecticut Lodge of Elks, 24 elm Street, New Britain. Tickets are $15. All Democrats are welcome. Club members will have Barack Obama shirts and buttons on sale.

Long Lost Building Commission Restored by City Council

After months of debate, the Common Council voted to re-establish the Building Commission this month, a commission that was removed from city government during the charter change almost a decade ago.

“There’s been so much talk about blight, boarded up properties, and accountability, I think this is one way that we can help address the problems. I’ve been fighting this fight for the past five years. We’ve done some things right, but we really do have a long way to go to do a better job of cracking down on irresponsible and absentee landlords,” said Michael Trueworthy, the Democratic Majority Leader and the sponsor of the proposal.

Recently, council members asked for a list of the number of citations that were given out to delinquent property owners for violations. Members were not pleased with what they received back from city hall officials in that it provided none of the answers to the questions they asked.

“The truth is, we just don’t have enough inspectors and they are not being given the tools to do their job. I’m hoping that this commission will act as an advocacy group for the public and the building department, so there is more coordination between departments and better enforcement of the laws that we currently have,” said Trueworthy

During debate on the issue in committee, council members stated that they we’re hoping the commission would give the public another place to turn to alert City Hall of potential problem properties. Other council members noted that having an appointed board of New Britain citizens could also give members of the public somewhere to turn if they feel aggrieved by City Hall.

Democratic Chairman John McNamara, a proponent of restoring the commission, said the Council and Mayor now need to go further by re-establishing and strengthening a Certificate of Occupancy ordinance covering multi-unit and nonowner occupied apartment buidlings. He said a new Building Commission should promote coordinate code enforcement actions with the health department and Fire Marshal's office utilizing the current staff at those departments.

The Commission proposal calls for a 5 member commission, all of whom would be appointed by the Mayor.

20 July 2008

You can tell there are no "whiners" over at McCain Headquarters. Alternatively, they may be listening to Joe Lieberman. Kudos to Ned Lamont for sharing this update from the GOP camp

Town Committee Meets Thursday: Vacancies In Three Districts On The Agenda

The Democratic Town Committee will hold its July meeting on Thursday, July 24th, at 7:30 pm Reports are expected on voter registration, Justices of the Peace for the current and new term that begins in 2009 and vacancies on the Town Committee in Districts 6, 9 and 15. The DTC may also recommend a replacement for Constable to the City Council for the seat vacated by Joe Willis.

Democrats To Make New Push For Health Care For All

The Democratic Town Committee is expected to re-adopt a resolution calling upon the Governor and state Legislature to pass health insurance for all Connecticut citizens -- something Gov Rell's industry- (not patient) driven Charter Oak plan and previous legislative proposals have failed to do.


State Party Chair Nancy DiNardo recently called upon all DTCS to get behind legislation backed by the http://www.healthcare4every1org/ that would endorse the advocacy organization's campaign and urge legislative and state action for more comprehensive coverage of state residents. The healthcare4every1 group is a broad-based and nonpartisan coalition that is urging coverage for all based on the following criteria:

CONTINUOUS...stays with us from job-to-job and in between,
AFFORDABLE...for our families and our businesses,
SUSTAINABLE...for our state's economy,
HIGH QUALITY...supports good health.

The health-care-for-all sample resolution contains some familiar whereas's and data that show the difficulties and predicaments in the "best health care system in the world" [if you are rich and can expend unlimited resources on health care]. Below are excerpts:


Whereas, the United States has the most expensive health care system in the world in terms of absolute costs, per capita costs, and percentage of gross domestic product (GDP); and

Whereas, despite being first in spending, the World Health Organization has ranked the United States 37th among all nations in terms of meeting the needs of its people; and

Whereas, approximately one out of every ten Connecticut residents – an estimated 356,000 people – is uninsured and, with such, Connecticut has a higher rate of uninsurance than any other state in New England; and

Whereas, health care costs continue to increase, jeopardizing the health security of working families and small businesses;

Whereas, medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in Connecticut; and

Whereas, racial, income, and ethnic disparities in access to care threaten communities of color across Connecticut and ..........


The above data confirms U.S. health care is expensive. And billions of the spending goes to inefficiencies (inadequate use of information technology, fragmented patient data) when there is a paucity of public investment in nursing and quality of care challenges.

Democrats should take Gov. Rell at her word when she said she would work with legislators after vetoing the health care partnership proposal this year. The Health Care Partnership bill pushed by Majority Leader Chris Donovan was hardly a step toward universal coverage. It did, however, allow local government employees and small businesses to opt in to the state health plan, creating a consumer pool that would extract improved benefits and less costs at a time when those costs are rapidly escalating for municipalities and many businesses are opting out of providing health coverage altogether.


Democratic leaders on the House and Senate side, along with State Comptroller Nancy Wyman and other Democratic officeholders, should work in unison next year (one voice, one plan) to extract some concession out of Rell on this issue. Without some tangible improvements in the system in terms of affordable coverage and reducing costs here and across the nation, voter cynicism will grow and the best you can hope for is not to get sick.

End Quote: Update on Joseph Lieberman (?-CT)

"WASHINGTON — Joseph I Lieberman, lapsed Democrat of Connecticut, strolled into the weekly lunch of the Senate Democrats last Tuesday, unaccompanied by a food taster."

from page one story in the New York Times, July 14, 2008, by Mark Leibovich

9 July 2008

SUMMER BREAK AT THE BALL PARK Last Chance To Go To Shea: Mets vs. Cardinals Sunday July 27th

New Britain Democrats and friends are invited to attend the National League game between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, July 27th. Every participant will receive a commemorative Shea Stadium pin with this being the final season of play at Shea -- a ball park that opened in 1964.

The price for a ticket ($25) and motor coach bus transportation ($26) totals $51 payable to John McNamara (no relation to the Red Sox manager who left Buckner at first in Game 6 of the '86 World Series at the aforementioned Shea Stadium).

While sales have been brisk among Red Sox fans seeking to scout NL teams for match ups against the Red Sox in the 2008 World Series, tickets remain for any Cardinal or Mets fans out there. Besides, there are no designated hitters and everyone in attendance hates the Yankees.

For tickets and reservation contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com. Phone 860-416-0665


JULY 24TH MEETING FOR DEMOCRATS AT CITY HALL

The Democratic Town Committee will meet on Thursday, July 24th, at 7:30 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street. The meeting will be held in Room 504.

Among the agenda items are DTC vacancies in two voting districts, the 2008 campaign and voter registration activities. and a vacancy for city constable.

All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend.

From NB Politicus: Remembering Sam Goldberger

With the sudden passing of social activist Sam Goldberger of West Hartford on June 9th advocates of peace and economic justice in Greater Hartford lost a local hero who traveled the world for the causes he believed in and gave generously of his time and resources for them.

Goldberger, a graduate of Yale ’64 and Columbia where he earned a Ph.D. in Central European History, probably could have pursued academics behind Ivy walls. Instead, he returned to Connecticut to teach at Capital Community College for 33 years. He also became a campus leader in his faculty union, the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges. It would be a good guess that Sam’s activism and immigrant roots in Bridgeport led him to a community college where working people and first generation college goers get a chance to move up the education ladder. Through the years he shared his passion for intellectual inquiry with his students and gave of his time generously advising to student groups.

Sam was a member of the West Hartford Democratic Town Committee and, as the saying goes, was in good standing with the “Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.”

He participated in We Refuse To Be Enemies -- a group of Jews and Muslims who talked peace and understanding amid Mideast turmoil and border disputes. Every peace and progressive organization in Greater Hartford probably benefited from Sam's involvement.

Just recently he was exhorting friends to contribute to Bethlehem University of the Holy Land, a Catholic, co-educational institution of higher learning established in 1973 to meet the needs of the Palestinian society that is open to people of all faiths.

Said fellow West Hartford Democrats Carol and Win Heimer: “Pardon the cliche, but Sam had a heart as big as all outdoors. He was kind, compassionate and a true humanist. We are privileged to have known him as a labor activist, Democratic Town Committee Member, and advocate for peace and justice here and in the Middle East.”

27 June 2008

Backyard Picnic for Rep. O'Brien Sunday, June 29th:

Candidate led efforts for new Citizen Election Program

The campaign of State Rep. Tim O'Brien (D-24) will hold a backyard picnic on Sunday, June 29th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the home of Ned Statchen and Liz Fitzsimmons, 196 South Mountain Drive, New Britain. Rep. O'Brien, a champion of Connecticut Citizen Elections campaign finance program when he served in the Legislature's GAE committee, is participating in the "clean elections" system that bars lobbyists and state contractors from making contributions to state candidates.

"This important new campaign reform makes it so that modest contributions from regular people like you to the candidates you believe in allow those candidates to successfully run for state office, without having to receive large contributions from wealthy individuals, corporations and other special interests," said O'Brien. Donations from $5 up to $100 will be accepted at the picnic. For more information visit O'Brien's website at http://www.timobrien.org/ for more details on his participation in the Citizen Election Program.

Lots of Life After Presidential Bid: Edwards To Take Anti-Poverty Campaign Into Connecticut

Senator John Edwards, who garnered early support for President from a fair number of New Britain Democrats this year, is coming to Connecticut on July 10 to talk with leaders, advocates, and residents about strategies to reduce poverty. Senator Edwards is the National Chair of Half in Ten: From Poverty to Prosperity, a new campaign to cut poverty by 50% over the next ten years. Here is the link to the Half in Ten campaign: www.halfinten.org/

Local organizers say Senator Edwards’ visit to Connecticut is particularly important because Connecticut was the first state in the nation to pass legislation that mandates child poverty be cut by 50% by 2014. His visit provides an opportunity to call attention to growing inequality in the state and a child poverty rate that has not budged despite the existence of this legislation since 2004. New Britain Democrats are expected to join Senator Edwards as a local partner as part of his new campaign. Events are planned in Hartford and Bridgeport on July 10th

Legislature Overturns Rell's Veto Of Minimum Wage Increase

New Britain Lawmakers Unanimously Back Higher Minimum

With strong and unanimous support from New Britain's legislative delegation, the General Assembly overrode Gov. Rell's veto of an increase in the minimum wage on June 23rd.

Connecticut will now increase the wage from the current $7.65 an hour to $8 on Jan. 1, 2009, and to $8.25 in 2010. The vote marked only the second time that a Rell veto has been set aside. The Republican caucus even lost some of its own with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle acknowledging that it was time to raise the floor on the minimum wage that is especially important for the working poor.

Gov. Rell, aligning herself with the CBIA and business lobbyists as she did on the Health Care Partnership Act, called the decision "seriously short-sighted" and that it will "have long-lasting negative consequences for employers and employees alike all over Connecticut.” Proponents discounted Rell's argument that a higher minimum would hurt economic growth. Analyses that the minimum wage can cost jobs and hurt business have been found to be false by most economists whenever state or federal minimums have been raised. In reality the minimum wage remains far from adequate given the cost of living in Connecticut. A living wage in Connecticut would exceed $17 an hour for many households with families by most estimates. In statements to the New Britain Herald, State Representatives Tim O'Brien, John Geragosian and Peter Tercyak and State Senator Don DeFronzo explained their votes to override.

Said Tercyak (D-26) “Now that the federal minimum wage is finally going up, this is the best time to increase Connecticut’s minimum wage. The difference between the federal minimum wage and Connecticut’s new minimum wage will be the smallest difference in years. Even with our increase, Connecticut will be more competitive now. It’s nice when the right thing to do works so well for all sides involved. The Connecticut families whose income includes a minimum wage job or two deserve this, and need it now more than ever."

Said DeFronzo, (D-6) “The most compelling reason for the increase in the minimum wage is that during the past eight years the gap between the poor and the wealthy is growing faster in Connecticut than in any other state in the country. This legislation will benefit working poor families who are attempting to remain financially independent.”

More coverage on the issue may be found at CT News Junkie

http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/state_capitol/both_chambers_override_minimum.php