Posts tagged Wall Street
Vote Obama – Government Oversight Critical By Scott Hatfield
0October 31, 2012
Vote Obama – Government Oversight of Corporate Abuse Critical to Make Americans Safe
By Scott Hatfield
With serious differences on corporate and government accountability and the concentration of wealth and power at the very top, folks should be feeling compelled to vote for Obama. Here in Boulder, most people will vote and vote democratic. However, there are some compelling reasons to vote for Obama if you are a Green, moderate Republican, unmotivated, or middle of the road.
With Ruth Bader Ginsburg planning to retire in 2015, her replacement by a far right corporatist would have serious consequences for decades on a wide variety of issues. Whether it is a woman’s right to choose, global warming, campaign finance, toxic waste, voter intimidation and suppression, public lands extraction, public health, or civil liberties, cementing right wing control would be a blow to the rights of all Americans. With the appointments of Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayer, the President has shown appropriate and reasonable judgment.
Government oversight and regulation of large powerful corporations plays a critical role in protecting the safety of the American people. For a wide variety of issues, the Republicans keep repeating that regulations are the problem. We need to act to prevent a corporate free for all. The top issue on regulations has been health care reform. Privatizing Medicare through a voucher system while removing oversight would raise premiums while unleashing corporate profits at the expense of the sick and wounded. Health care needs to be about healing people rather than absolving accountability for the powerful. The argument against Obamacare is the same as the argument against oversight of toxic material. With cancer overtaking heart disease as the nation’s top killer, the purpose of collusion between these disparate but connected industries reflects a self perpetuating cycle of disease as a top priority, not safety in the homeland. A lack of regard for corporate accountability pervades the Romney agenda across the board on environmental issues so important to Boulder and the quality of life everywhere be it water (#1 in CO), CO2, endangered species, public lands extraction, exploding chemical plants, or wilderness.
Most of the stated opposition to corporate accountability boils down to the economic burden on the rich and powerful corporate elite. This is especially glaring in the financial and economic sectors. For Romney, it is not a matter of the economy; it is a matter of whose economy. Republicans are all too happy to see larger and larger proportions of Americans living in poverty and despair. Again a complete lack of accountability is the mantra for the financial sector abuses that got us into this economic quagmire in the first place. Meaningful reform will not occur without oversight. Too many people have lost their homes, retirement funds, and jobs. The Wall Street giants have made their intentions clear. A regulatory regime on these bloated bankers is critical for an economy that provides a level playing field. We need a financial system capable of promoting the interests of a majority of Americans, not just those at the top. “Drill, baby, drill!’ will not get us out of the mess that Wall Street created, just ask the Frankenstorm Sandy.
Across the board, replacing any meaningful policy analysis with sound bites about burdensome regulations on large corporations will not solve our nation’s problems. If you want to get out of a hole, stop digging. While fighting multiple wars abroad under the guise of keeping the American people safe, the serious erosion of corporate responsibility at home on issues such as health care, toxic exposure and the environment, and the financial sector will do more to damage homeland safety than enemies abroad could ever hope for.
Scott Hatfield has been a member of the Central Committee of the Colorado Democratic Party and the Executive Committee of the Boulder Democratic Party since 1996.
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Boulder Homeless protest; Wall Street rip off; Afghanistan; actions by RMPJC
0May 3, 2011
by Boulder Channel 1
in News
1) Announcement about homeless protest Tuesday
2) Action Alert on Wall Street rip off of home equity
3) Action Alert on withdrawal from Afghanistan
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HOMELESS PROTEST TUESDAY:
Tuesday, May 3 BOULDER Come show your support for places for homeless people to sleep in Boulder. Starting May 1, homeless people in Boulder will have no legal place to sleep every night as the Homeless Shelter will be closed, and BOHO will be open dependent on the weather. But the City will continue to give homeless so- called “camping tickets”. Join us at the corner of Broadway and Canyon in Boulder from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to protest the city’s policy and then speak at the Boulder City Council during public comment which starts at 6 p.m.. Sign up on line between 4-4:45 p.m. atwww.bouldercolorado.gov or after 5 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
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CALL STATE LEGISLATORS RE WALL STREET THEFT OF HOME EQUITY
Call/Email CO House Members about S.B. 234: Stop Wall Street from Stealing Your Home Equity
Ask the chair and vice-chair of the Colorado House of Representatives Local Government Committee and your Colorado State House rep. to support SB 234, which prohibits the dangerous financial scheme of private transfer fee covenants on homes. Often unnoticed by homeowners, Wall Street Home Resale Fees (otherwise known as Private Transfer Fees) are inserted into home sale contracts by private third parties, and require that every time a home is sold for the next 99 years, a percentage of the sale of the home (usually 1%) be paid to the third party. In return, homeowners receive nothing but reduced home equity and a harder time selling their home.
SB 234 passed in the passed in the Senate on 4/29/11 by a vote of 31-2 with two excused. The bill was introduced today in the Colorado House of Representatives Local Government Committee. Please call and email Rep Laura Bradford, Chair at 303-866-2583 and laurabradford55@gmail.co and LIBBY SZABO, Vice Chair at 303-866-2962 and libby.szabo.house@state.co.us and your representative (see www.congress.org if you’re not sure who that is) and ask them to support SB 234.
The Coalition to Stop Wall Street Home Resale Fees (http://www.stophomeresalefees.org/about) is organizing to fight the dangerous financial scheme of private transfer fee covenants and to protect homeowners across the country. Together, they are fighting to ensure that homeowners keep full equity in their home, and have the freedom to buy or sell their home without paying off an unaffiliated third party.
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U.S. SENATE BILL FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN: CALL YOUR SENATORS TO CO=SPONSOR
Ask Senator Mark Udall and Senator Michael Bennet to co-sponsor S.186, the Safe and Responsible Redeployment of United States Combat Forces from Afghanistan. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to begin the phased redeployment of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan by July 1, 2011. It also requires the President to submit a plan to Congress, by July 31, 2011, for the phased redeployment of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan, including a completion date for such redeployment. The bill was introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer on January 25, 2011 and has four sponsors. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. A copy of the bill is below
Senator Michael Bennet
Phone: 303-455-7600 Toll-free: 866-455-9866 Fax: 303-455-8851
(202) 224-5852 Fax: 202-228-5036
Email Senator Bennet at http://bennet.senate.gov/contact/
Senator Mark Udall
Washington, D.C. Office Phone: (202) 224-5941 Fax: (202) 224-6471
Phone: (303) 650-7820 Fax: (303) 650-7827
Email Mark Udall at http://markudall.senate.gov/?p=contact_us
____________________________________
S.186 Safe and Responsible Redeployment of United States Combat Forces
from Afghanistan Act of 2011 (Introduced in Senate IS)
S 186 IS
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 186
To provide for the safe and responsible redeployment of United States combat
forces from Afghanistan.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 25 (legislative day, January 5), 2011
Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, and Mr. BROWN of Ohio)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To provide for the safe and responsible redeployment of United States combat
forces from Afghanistan.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Safe and Responsible Redeployment of United
States Combat Forces from Afghanistan Act of 2011′.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) October 7, 2011, will mark the 10?year anniversary of the start of
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
(2) Members of the United States Armed Forces and coalition forces
have served valiantly and at great personal sacrifice in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom.
(3) As of January 25, 2011, 1,457 American military personnel have
lost their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and 10,226
have been wounded.
(4) As of January 20, 2011, United States taxpayers have spent an
estimated $336,000,000,000 for operations in Afghanistan.
(5) During a speech at the United States Military Academy at West
Point on December 1, 2009, President Barack Obama outlined a
detailed plan to allow the United States `to begin the transfer of our
forces out of Afghanistan in July of 2011′.
(6) President Obama also stated, `It must be clear that Afghans will
have to take responsibility for their security, and that America has no
interest in fighting an endless war in Afghanistan.’
(7) It is essential to begin turning responsibility for security in
Afghanistan over to the Government and people of Afghanistan.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON PHASED REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED
STATES COMBAT FORCES FROM AFGHANISTAN.
It is the policy of the United States to begin the phased redeployment of
United States combat forces from Afghanistan not later than July 1, 2011.
SEC. 4. PLAN FOR COMPLETION OF PHASED REDEPLOYMENT OF COMBAT
FORCES.
Not later than July 31, 2011, the President shall submit to Congress a plan for
the phased redeployment of United States combat forces from Afghanistan, to
include an end date for the completion of that redeployment.
_________________________
For more information on RMPJC, call us at 303-444-6981 or visit our website at www.rmpjc.org or link with our facebook page at our website.
RMPJC is located at 3970 Broadway, Suite 105, Boulder. From Quince and Broadway go east and take a right into the second driveway into the shopping center.
Carolyn Bninski
RMPJC
303-444-6981x2
Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?-Martin Luther King
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Bill Moyers and Hippies take on Wall Street
0March 29, 2011
by Boulder Channel 1
in News
Backbone Campaign Moved Its Money Out of Bank of America
Working to Expand Existing Employee-based Credit Unions is a
Promising Organizing Model for Building Community Power
Let’s kill the “Too Big to Exist Banks” by Starving the Casino
Learn from Our Experience and Use our Tools to Quicken the Pace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Backbone Campaign moved its money out of Bank of America last Week!
Better yet… We moved it into a local credit union that WE helped bring to our community!
Backbone Campaign moved our operating money out of Bank of America and into a local credit union (PSCCU-Vashon) that opened on March 1. And we weren’t the only ones.
As of last Friday, less than one month after the local branch opened:
Over 400 new members have joined in first month of operation. (10,000 person community)
Over $2 million has been moved out of the local BofA, Chase and US Bank.
Three community members are serving on the board.(including Mio, so watch out! 
PSCCU has initiated collaborations with local sustainability businesses and nonprofits to bring down interest rates for solar power installations and energy efficiency and weatherization lending.
PSCCU has agreed to work with non-profits, faith and other community groups to establish savings secured loan funds.
And now, due to the influx of new deposits, PSCCU is discounting already competitive mortgage loans by as much as .25% for qualifying loans
AND we created at least 3 new jobs and hopefully many more as we get money circulating
Why Did We Move Our Money?
We love the people that work at the local BofA, just like others love the folks that served them at other branches. That’s why people were so excited that we “stole,” i.e. recruited the management team from a local Chase branch.
Our banker/service provider friends are stuck. They have almost no control over lending decisions anymore. They are not allowed to make decisions on service fees. They have zero creative autonomy to craft finance opportunities customized to the needs of the community like micro-loans or discounted rates for fuel efficient cars or weatherizations. They and the customers they serve have zero control over executive salaries or bonuses, investment decisions, political contributions or lobbying, corporate tax evasion, or who sits on the board of directors.
Our friends who work at the branches of the these Wall Street Banks are not the “evil doers.” But our money does not belong in economic monstrosities that are frankly not “too big to fail,” but rather TOO BIG to EXIST.
A local credit union is accountable to its members. It uses local money to invest in our local economy. it reflects our values and is responsive to the financial needs of our community. As members, we can nominate and elect board members. Profits are returned to members in the form of dividends, lower service charges and better interest rates.
Why Our Story Matters for Others
Ours is a Win-Win-Win story of collaboration between an existing stable credit union ready to invigorate its business, and a community eager for an alternative to the Wall Street banks, an alternative that is both responsive and accountable to them. And you are potentially the third winner – as we are making all our work available to you.
The lessons learned and documents created through this process are relevant and replicable for other communities across the country. Others can save a great deal of time using our strategy and adapting our educational and survey documents for their efforts.
Our group began a process without knowing how it would end. We thought we’d start our own credit union from scratch. OMG! Thank goodness we didn’t do that. We learned from others along the way such as Howland-Enfield Federal Credit Union in Maine, TULIP Credit Union in Olympia, WA, and Premaculture Credit Union in New Mexico. Opportunities emerged that we never anticipated.
The most significant was the opportunity to partner with a small existing credit union PSCCU (Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union), rather than having to raise the huge amount of start up capital we’d need to run the branch, and self-insure at 7% in order to qualify for a State charter and federal insurance.
PSCCU, like other credit unions is a coop. It is small enough to still be accountable to its members and stable enough to expand. The board is nominated by and elected by the members. The profits are recycled back into the membership through dividends and better loan and saving interest rates.
In our community we were able to recruit experienced management and employees from the local Chase bank because they hungered to be part of the solution – and to utilize their skills in service of the community, not be shackled by an indifferent corporation.
We learned a lot in the process and now we are compiling the tools to help others like you do the same. Just think – IF economic democracy organizers like you – in communities around the country organized constituent groups like: progressive churches, non-profits, transition town clubs, progressive community members concerned with sustainability, and those angry with Wall Street banks into a block of potential members… THEN you too could leverage that collection of partners to negotiate with an existing credit union to create another Win-Win situation. Ultimately, we could collectively move BILLIONS of dollars out of the Wall Street Casino economy.
We are compiling the tools and resources developed by CUVahon, the team that initiated our local effort here:
http://BackboneCampaign.org
Call us if we can be of additional assistance.
In collaboration,
Bill Moyer
Executive Director
Backbone Campaign
206-408-8058
More photos and captions at the Backbone Flickr site. Backbone Campaign Puppetista and Board Treasurer Doug Skove and I deeply enjoyed starting our PSCCU account!
Just for fun – The above is a goofy and very short video of my opportunity to be the FIRST customer to use the new ATM at the then soon to open credit union.
Chase What Matters [Excerpt from The Vashon Line]
by Matt Lawrence on March 11, 2011
Thirty years later, Patte Wagner is standing up with David, fighting Goliath, and she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world.
It’s About the People
“We can still do this on an intimate and one-to-one basis”, Patte told me. Working with people to serve their financial needs is the reason why she got into banking in the first place. She came from the non-profit sector (pairing nicely with the credit union, which is also non profit). From the beginning, Patte was more than just a banker, chained to her desk, writing loan documents for bank customers. I have heard her called a Beloved Banker – with a glint of skepticism that it’s even possible.
Seattle was left with a smoking crater after the collapse of WAMU. But from the ashes was a big blue light screaming, “Chase what matters”. WAMU employees lucky enough to still have their jobs lost pensions, college funds, and retirements. Patte decided to stay on as branch manager to steer the bank, and it’s customers through the first few years. And she did, up to the day where she no longer needed to perform that role.
Patte is committed to building a healthy financial community. It’s the reason why she was courted by so many of those smaller banks in Seattle, and it’s why so many people involved with bringing the Credit Union to Vashon approached Patte about her potential involvement.
Patte was toying around with several options of what to do with herself after leaving the bank. She thought about being a aesthetician. She thought about commuting to Seattle, to work at one of the smaller banks – banks that still feel the pain from the WAMU fallout. But at the end of the day, she wanted to continue working with Vashon residents, providing financial services.
Read the original article here:
http://thevashonline.com/2011/03/chase-what-matters/
The CUVahon-PSCCU Initiating Team
The below is photo courtesy of the Vashon Beachcomber, taken by Susan Riemer a few days before the new PSCCU branch opened on Vashon. Pictured from left to right: John Staczek, Jerry Henley, Greg Kruse, Rob Harmon, Bill Moyer, Carolyn Amick, Rex Stratton, and PSCCU VP of marketing Shannon Ellis-Brock. (Not picture, but central to the CUVashon effort are Amy Herbig, Larry Kjellberg, and Ken Atkinson. Also Bob Powell – whose metal art graces the wall above our heads and the ATM)
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email: bill@backbonecampaign.org
phone: 206-408-8058
web: http://BackboneCampaign.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Obama to Boulder: Vote!
0August 10, 2010
by Boulder Channel 1
in News
If you have received a mail-in ballot, it is too late to mail it now — we cannot guarantee it will be received by the deadline. Instead, you need to return it today or tomorrow to your county clerk, county service center, or drop location. Your ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. tomorrow in order to be counted.
If you have not received a mail-in ballot, the polls are open tomorrow from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Check here for more information about how to vote.
Senator Michael Bennet has fought hard for our state in Washington — providing leadership in the successful battles for health insurance reform and to rein in the big banks on Wall Street.
But now he needs our votes to make sure he can continue fighting for Colorado.
Make sure you submit your ballot by tomorrow, either in person between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or by submitting your mail-in ballot to your county clerk, county service center, or drop location by 7:00 p.m.
Find more information here:
http://co.barackobama.com/BennetPrimary
Thanks,
Jen
Jen Cheyne
Colorado State Director
Organizing for America
P.S. — If you have already submitted your ballot, help us turn out voters for Senator Michael Bennet — find an event near you:
http://co.barackobama.com/GOTVBennet
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breaking BOULDER NEWS; stop war in Afghanistan senate bill details
0May 12, 2010
Three action alerts:
1) Call Congress to end funding for Afghanistan
2) Send an email your senators regarding financial reform
3) Call/ email State assembly members and ask them to oppose S.B. 191, which creates unfair evaluations of teachers and burdens local school districts with these evaluations without state funding.
SEE DETAILS BELOW.
Two events:
Boulder Move to Amend will meet on Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at RMPJC. Move to Amend seeks to amend the U.S. Constitution to reverse corporate personhood and the notion that money is free speech. Location of RMPJC: 3970 Broadway, Suite 105. From Quince and Broadway, go east on Quince and turn right into the second driveway. You’ll see RMPJC in front of you.
The south-east Denver Metro area circulator training for the publicly funded elections ballot intitative (#53) will be held Thursday, May 13 at 7 PM at:
The New York Deli, 7105 East Hampden Avenue Denver, CO 80224-3013
_________________________________
**National Call-in Days on Afghanistan ? May 11-14
No Money for Afghanistan escalation! Stop the Attack on Kandahar!
This month, Congress will decide whether to fund continued escalation of the war, even as the Obama administration faces a turning point in Afghanistan strategy.
Congress has been asked to approve by the end of May a $33 billion supplemental request to pay for the 30,000 additional troops President Obama ordered to Afghanistan in December and who are now starting to arrive for the offensive. Congress must take a stand and refuse to fund the war.
Contact your Representative and Senator Mark Udall and Michael Bennet and ask them to vote against the Afghanistan Supplemental appropriation. Also, ask them to co-sponsor the McGovern-Feingold bill (HR 5015, S.3197)
Please call your Senators MIchael Bennet and Mark Udall and your House member today and ask them to vote against escalating the Afghanistan war.
Senator Michael Bennet
Phone: 303-455-7600 Toll-free: 866-455-9866 Fax: 303-455-8851
Phone: (202) 224-5852 Fax: 202-228-5036
Senator Mark Udall
Phone: (202) 224-5941 Fax: (202) 224-6471
Phone: (303) 650-7820 Fax: (303) 650-7827
Also call your representatvie:
Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121
_______________________________________________
SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR SENATORS FOR STRONG FINANCIAL REFORM AT
The Senate is debating financial reform, and will likely do so only for a few more days.
Last week Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet voted against Senator Sherrod Brown’s amendment to the financial reform bill, which would have limited the size and leverage of the big banks. These are the banks that brought our country to virtual collapse and then got bailed out by the American taxpayer. Express your disappointment in their vote and ask them to change their position and support breaking up the banks.
Here’s what Heather Booth, Executive Director, Americans for Financial Reform had to say about defeat of the amendment:
“The defeat of this amendment was a win for the biggest banks. Its passage would have addressed a fundamental problem that led to this crisis, and we applaud Senators Brown, Kaufman and their co-sponsors and all those who stood with them. This amendment would have greatly strengthened the bill, but the underlying bill remains strong. What last night’s vote did show was the big banks will stop at nothing to defeat or weaken this legislation The big banks will use all their might and power to undermine real consumer protection and gut states rights that protect their residents from abusive and illegal lending. They will seek loopholes in reining in the casino economy. They will try to continue gambling with our money, and oppose separating risky speculation from commercial banking. They will oppose real protections for investors and accountability for corporate governance. They do not want accountability. As we did this week, next week when debate and votes continue on this bill, we will fight day and night to pass strong financial reform legislation.”
Wall Street is still working day and night to weaken the reforms. They’ve got a few favorite suggestions that they’re peddling hard in the Senate, aiming to weaken the agency which will oversee consumer financial products like mortgages, credit cards, payday loans and bank accounts. Can you contact the Senate to make sure Wall Street doesn’t win at:
Here are a two key items on the industry’s wish list:
Exemptions for auto dealers and payday lenders, so they won’t be subject to the consumer protection agency. Auto dealers who make loans are lenders, clear and simple. They don’t deserve special treatment; they should be subject to the Consumer Financial Protect Bureau. Same goes for payday lenders and anyone else who makes loans.
Fewer cops on the consumer protection beat. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will be most effective if it works in tandem with states and Attorneys General. These state level “cops” often spot predatory lending before regulators in Washington, since they’re closer to the communities they serve. States should be allowed to add additional protections for consumers, and Attorneys General should be allowed to enforce the rules. But the banks want to weaken consumer protection by stopping the states from taking these steps. We’re closer than ever to seeing the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Now, let’s make sure that it is created with all the tools it needs to protect us from exploding interest rates and tricks and traps in the fine print in every type of loan, from car financing to payday loans and beyond. Go here to contact the Senate!
More info at http://ourfinancialsecurity.org/.
___________________________________________
OPPOSE S.B. 191 , STATE LEGISLATION FOR UNFUNDED IRRESPONSIBLE TEACHER EVALUATIONS. CALL AND EMAIL TARGETTED LEGISLATORS. PLEASE ACT TODAY! TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
SB 191 passed out of the Appropriations Committee yesterday on a 7-6 vote and is headed for the floor of the House. Right now it looks like SB 191 may be passed. This bill strips due process from teachers, is a big step in the privatization of public education, and essentially destroys the teachers union.
Contacting these members of the House should be a top priority.
Please make contact these legislators by calling and sending an email .
D Rep. Jeanne Labuda 303-866-2966 jeanne.labuda.house@state.co.us
D Rep. Mark Ferrandino 303-866-2911 mferrandino@yahoo.com
D Rep. Daniel Kagan 303-866-2921 repkagan@gmail.com
D Rep. Lois Court 303-866-2967 lois.court.house@state.co.us
D Rep. Beth McCann 303-866-2959 beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
The bill is an irresponsible, unfunded mandate. Teachers want a fair, credible evaluation system, but this bill does not provide fairness OR funding for all of its demands.
1. Schools already are in a financial crisis. Districts are being forced to cut programs. Cost estimates from the state’s recent Race to the Top application reach almost $80 million just to implement part of what’s proposed, and Sen. Evie Hudak estimates that a new evaluation system would cost $140 million.
2. Where is the funding? The Legislature is forcing districts to pay for SB 191 while committing only a trivial sum from the state. Districts cannot shoulder this financial burden – it’s impossible AND comes on top of other unfunded mandates.
3. How are we testing this? CSAPs are not given every year of a student’s schooling, nor do they assess learning in every subject. The state already spends way too much on these tests, and the legislature is working to phase them out. So the districts are supposed to do it on their own?
4. It is a simplistic approach to a complex problem. The Governor’s Council on Educator Effectiveness already is working to come up with a thoughtful solution. This bill largely ignores that work and gives unprecedented power to administrators to dismiss teachers simply because they do not fit a given “instructional model.”
5. There is no student or parent accountability. Teachers stand to lose their jobs if students do poorly on tests that mean almost nothing to the student. They do not need to pass the tests to graduate. Their grades are not affected. They have little incentive to try at all, much less do their best.
6. Districts could expect to land in lawsuit limbo. Even if each district can develop an assessment that covers every subject in every year without busting its budget, it is rather difficult to make sure that teachers are being compared equitably, without other factors interfering. Even with a program developed by experts, it would not be difficult for a fired teacher to find a statistician who would challenge the validity of the tests in court.
___________________________________________________
Carolyn Bninski
RMPJC
303-444-6981×2
Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?-Martin Luther King
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latest BOULDER NEWS breaking; wall street reform; no water restrictions; Boulder Archeology
0May 10, 2010
OFA’s Wall Street Reform Day of Action was a huge success — thanks to you.
From folks advocating reform on Wall Street in Manhattan, to those calling their neighbors in Ohio, to senators’ offices getting calls from across the country, thousands of OFA supporters in every state spoke out with one voice to demand change.
In Greenville, South Carolina, the headline yesterday was about the 50 OFA supporters who attended a “rally to demand Wall Street reforms.” And the Indiana News Center led with “Local Hoosiers ‘Call’ For Wall Street Reform.”
Even better? The stories we got from participants.
Trisha, in Columbus, Wisconsin, called an elderly neighbor. As she tells it, “I asked him if he’d ever contacted a member of Congress. He said ‘no’ he hadn’t. Then after a short pause he said, ‘Well, just what was that number? I guess there’s a first time for everything. I’ll make that call!’”
After meeting in front of the library in Branigan, New Mexico, Evelyn — an OFA Neighborhood Team Leader — said that she and other volunteers “talked to people passing by about the importance of standing up to the power brokers and the lobbyists and the big banks. What I love the most is when you really get to have a conversation and inform someone about what’s really going on — they are so appreciative of getting straight-forward information.”
And at an event on Wall Street itself, a volunteer named Erin said that “I am here today to stand up for the everyday people who work and raise families and don’t want to have their lives disrupted as a result of Wall Street’s reckless practices.”
Water supply status announced; No watering restrictions necessary
The City of Boulder has determined that there will be no water use restrictions this summer; however, the community is encouraged to continue water conservation efforts that have successfully kept the city’s reservoirs at safe storage levels since 2003.
The city cited adequate water levels in city reservoirs along with amounts of water it will receive from its water rights as reasons for the decision.
Snowpack in the mountain areas that supply Boulder’s municipal water supply was below average through the winter of 2009/2010. Snowcourse readings on May 1, 2010 in the city’s Silver Lake Watershed were at 75 and 78 percent of average. Peak spring streamflow levels will be lower than average as a result.
However, below average streamflows are not expected to prevent the city from filling its reservoirs, which started out higher than usual this year because of last year’s wet weather and low water use in the city.
The city recommends continued water-wise practices by sticking to the following watering guidelines:
- Water your lawn in the evenings or early mornings, after 6 p.m. or before 10 a.m.
- Water your lawn every three days.
- Do not over water. Do not water when it is raining or when the soil is already wet.
- Trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens can be watered more effectively with a hand-held hose or low-volume non-spray irrigation, after 6 p.m. or before 10 a.m.
- Check your sprinkler system and make sure it is working properly and that you are only watering landscaping and not the surrounding areas like streets or sidewalks.
Rebates are available to help you conserve water both indoors and out. Visit www.bouldersaveswater.net for forms and details.
www.bouldercolorado.gov
2010 Archeology and Historic Preservation Month awards celebration today
The City of Boulder and Boulder County invite residents to the Boulder County Heritage Preservation Awards Celebration at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 10 at the Chautauqua Community House, 900 Baseline Road. A free tour of the Chautauqua property will be held prior to the award ceremony leaving from the community house at 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the ceremony.
The ceremony will acknowledge notable individuals and projects that continue to make contributions to historic preservation. The city will recognize “Square Nail Award” winners Marilyn Haas, Leonard May and Tim Plass, all of whom have made special contributions to historic preservation in Boulder County in the past year. In addition, authors who have written books about Boulder County history will be recognized.
The city will also acknowledge the most recently designated individual landmarks:
- Washington School, 1215 Cedar St.
- Chamberlain & Co. Sampling Works, 800 Pearl St.
- Silver & Gold Cleaners/Payne’s Shoe Shop, 1143 13th St.
- Kinsley & Company Clothing Store, 1155 13th St.
- Inglis House, 1017 Maxwell Ave.
Since 1993, the Square Nail Award has been presented by the Boulder Heritage Roundtable to persons who have provided substantial contributions in the fields of archeology, local history or historic preservation.
May is Boulder County’s official Archeology and Historic Preservation Month. Visit www.boulderplandevelop.net and click on “Historic Preservation” in the left-hand menu to find a brochure and schedule of the month-long events and celebrations.
For more information, contact James Hewat, Comprehensive Planning, at 303-441-1880 or send an e-mail to boulderplandevelop@bouldercolorado.gov.
Related posts:
latest news fro Obama
0May 6, 2010
by Boulder Channel 1
in News
If you didn’t catch Monday’s strategy session, here are the video highlights and an in-depth look at what you missed:
http://my.barackobama.com/2010StrategyHighlights
First, we’re going to continue to support the President on critical issues. Success in the 2010 election depends upon highlighting the choice voters have in front of them, so we’ll be working hard to build support for Wall Street reform, a clean-energy economy, immigration reform, the confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice, and other key priorities.
A key piece of this is to continue to tell the story of President Obama’s leadership and what we’ve already accomplished together. On health insurance reform, 3 million of you took action to voice your support for a law that reduces costs, increases access, and puts an end to some of the worst insurance company abuses. While there’s still a long way to go on the economy, we’re on the path to recovery. With your support, we passed the Recovery Act, which has created or saved more than 2 million jobs, and the President continues to fight to create jobs, protect consumers, and hold Wall Street accountable.
Second, we’re going to work to elect candidates who support the President’s agenda — and we’ve got a plan to do it. After months of feedback from volunteers on the ground and nearly 1,000 local strategy sessions held across the country, your top priority for 2010 was crystal clear: getting out the 15 million voters who cast a ballot for the first time in 2008. These voters put President Obama over the top then, and they’re going to make the difference again in close races across the country in November.
The best way to get a 2008 first-time voter to vote in 2010? Have a person like you reach out to them and share why you support the President and your local and statewide candidates who support his agenda. Just like we did in 2008, we’re going to put a premium on people talking to people — in their communities, at their doors, on the phones, and online.
As the President noted when he announced our 2010 electoral strategy last week, this year the stakes are even higher. Since he was inaugurated, President Obama has put us on the right path on many critical issues. But we need to help elect candidates who will stand up to the lobbyists and the special interests who are fighting to block and reverse the President’s agenda. By turning out 2008 first-time voters, together we can keep our nation moving forward, keep working to fix Washington, keep growing our economy, and keep building a fairer, stronger, and more just America.
Third, we’re going to continue to build organizationally. In 2008 we had one of the strongest organizations in the history of American politics. Remarkably, in many ways, our organization is even stronger now — as volunteers have stepped up to take on even more responsibility with the support of our experienced, nationwide staff. And we’re poised to grow: Organizing for America supporters have pledged more than 10 million volunteer hours to candidates who fought for health reform. We’re going to hold you to that.
Our 2010 organization-building starts with house meetings in neighborhoods across the country in May, where you and other volunteers will devise a customized program that focuses on turning out 2008 first-time voters in your community. Then, on the weekend of June 5th, we’ll be canvassing door-to-door and kicking off our 2010 grassroots campaign.
Watch the highlights — then help us spread the word about the plan for 2010.
For our opponents, the path to victory relies on historical patterns that show the President’s party will have trouble turning out supporters in midterm elections. But, with your help, we can once again defy the cynics and the pundits, turn out 2008 first-time voters, and keep our country on the right path.
Thanks,
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
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BoulderNews: latest locals take on Wall street reform; Guess where these concerts are?? @bouldertheater @foxtheater @rmpjc
0April 27, 2010
National Call-In for Real Financial Reform-Please call ASAP
The Senate Democrats are trying to bring the financial reform bill up for a vote, but the Republicans are blocking it.
Tell your senators it’s time to vote to hold Wall Street accountable!
Please call your senators now, using the talking points below to tell them it’s time for a fair fight with up or down votes on the bill and amendments! Its time to pass the American Financial Stability Act of 2010 with strengthening amendments and to vote “No!” on any anti-consumer amendments or big bank loopholes.
Wall Street has spent tens of millions of dollars to kill reform. Wall Street likes the status quo. Thousands of bankers and lobbyists are roaming the Capitol’s halls, trying to convince your senators that reform is bad for America.
Your senators need to hear the real American story — from YOU!
It’s the final push for real reform! Don’t let Wall Street kill the bill!
Public Citizen, the Americans for Financial Reform coalition and thousands of concerned Americans are flooding the Senate with calls. Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators. Tell them your story and make sure they pass real financial reform!
Use the toll free number and talking points below to call your senators now! (Please call between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) CALL HERE: (202) 224-3121
Talking Points:
1.) Tell Republicans and Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb.): I support the American Financial Stability Act of 2010. Stop blocking the bill! Proposed changes to the bill can and should be offered on the floor as amendments, not in backroom deals. It’s high time to begin voting on the floor. Vote for cloture!
Tell Democrats: I support the American Financial Stability Act of 2010. Thank you for voting in favor of cloture. It’s high time to begin voting on the floor.
2.) I urge you to pass the American Financial Stability Act of 2010 with strengthening amendments and vote “No!” on any anti-consumer, big bank-loophole amendments.
Specifically:
3.) Break up the banks –- too big to fail is too big to exist. In addition to preserving the preventative measures already in the bill that would limit the risk of giant financial firms, the bill should be amended to limit their size.
4.) Defend the consumer protection agency in the bill, but make it stronger and independent to protect consumers by policing unfair and deceptive practices by credit card companies, mortgage companies and predatory lenders. The Federal Reserve has repeatedly failed consumers and is the wrong place to house an effective watchdog with teeth.
5.) Executive pay and bonuses must be reined in to end the perverse incentive to gamble with investor and taxpayer dollars. Amend the bill so that corporate officers are paid for long-term performance, not short-term illusions.
6.) Clamp down on the trade in exotic financial instruments such as derivatives –- the things that threw AIG into crisis and required $180 billion in taxpayer bailout funds. At a minimum, all such instruments must be traded openly on exchanges and backed by sufficient collateral. Giant financial institutions should never again come to the government to make good on debts they can’t pay.
Let Public Citizen know you called at
http://www.citizen.org/call-for-financial-reform
_______________________________________
Wednesday July 7
AN EVENING WITH HAPA
Like the Hawaiian Islands themselves, Hapa’s Pan-Polynesian music is an amalgam of influences ranging from ancient genealogical chants to the strummed ballads of Portuguese fisherman, Spanish cowboys, and the inspired melodies and harmonies of the traditional church choirs of the early missionaries. Add to this a dose of American acoustic folk/rock, and you have what has been described as the “most exciting and beautiful contemporary Hawaiian music the world knows!”… (Maui Times).
These disparate ingredients blended together musically in the Pacific emotes the unique flavor of what Hawaii and Hapa music is: “beautiful, fragile, spiritual, powerful”… (L.A. Times). Often encapsulated as the “Sound of Maui”, HAPA’s music evokes a place that many people at different times have referred to as heavenly. Hapa’s self entitled debut cd released in 1993, swept the 1994 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaii’s equivalent of the Grammy’s), becoming the biggest selling CD by a group or duo in the history of recorded Hawaiian music. The group’s ground breaking music has established them as the most recognized name in Hawaiian music internationally since their debut release, with sold-out shows from Tokyo to New York.
CRASH TEST DUMMIES
With their clever, smug lyrics and cloying folk-tinged melodies, the Crash Test Dummies were a perfect rock band for affluent ’90s college students and yuppies. Their
first album was a multi-platinum hit in their native Canada, but only gained a small cult following in other parts of the world. Thanks to former Talking Head Jerry Harrison’s clean, radio-friendly production, the follow-up album, “God Shuffled His Feet” (1993), broke big in the States and, in turn, Europe. The first single from the record, “MMM MMM MMM MMM,” became a worldwide Top Ten hit, making the group a minor sensation with their self-consciously bizarre lyrics and singer/songwriter Brad Roberts’ deep baritone. “A Worm’s Life” followed in 1996, and three years later the Crash Test Dummies returned with “Give Yourself a Hand”, which found Roberts sharing vocal duties with bandmate Ellen Reid.
Roberts resurfaced in fall 2000 with a solo album, “Crash Test Dude”, a collection of acoustic hits from CTD and eclectic covers. It was also during this time that Roberts suffered a serious car crash, almost losing his arm. Seven months later, however, he returned to the CTD circuit to issue “I Don’t Care That You Don’t Mind”, a brand-new batch of songs written with lobster fishermen/musicians whom Roberts met during his rehabilitation. Late 2001 and early 2002 saw more solo albums from the band’s members (Ellen Reid’s Cinderellen and Mitch Dorge’s As Trees Walking), and the Dummies gradually became more Roberts’ project than a traditional band. A new three-piece unit consisting of Reid, Roberts and original bassist Dan Roberts released the Christmas album Jingle All the Way in late 2002, but limited distribution made the album hard to find. The album was reissued in late 2003 along with a new album, “Puss ‘n’ Boots”, with Reid and Dan Roberts adding to what was originally planned as a Brad Roberts solo album. The trio embraced a more stripped-down acoustic sound on their next album, 2004′s “Songs of the Unforgiven”, while 2010′s “Ooh La La” proved to be more symphonic.
