CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT - California Democratic Party
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
CALIFORNIA DNC
P R E S S D E M O C R AT
FEBRUARY 2018 PAGE 1
DNC ETHNIC COORDINATING COUNCIL PROMOTES IMMIGRANT VOTE
BY MARY ELLEN EARLY, DNC MEMBER
The Democratic National
Committee will include a
DNC Ethnic Council meet-
ing as a regular part of the
upcoming Winter Meeting
Thursday, March 8 to Sat-
urday, March 10 in Wash-
ington, D.C.
The Ethnic Council
meeting will provide an
opportunity to engage and
discuss strategy for 2018
elections, including key
congressional districts
which are composed of
large ethnic populations.
As a member of the Eth-
nic Council, I want to tell
you about a 20 year old
woman who came to the California DNC Members at May 2017 CDP Convention in Sacramento
U.S. in 2014. Her name
was Frances Duggan, one
of eight children, from an
D R E A M E R S H E L D H O S TA G E
impoverished fishing vil- BY REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP
lage in Newfoundland. BY KEITH UMEMOTO AND ALEX ROOKER, DNC MEMBERS
Her immigration record
reveals that she came
through customs with her "Hostage" - "a person or entity Later in 2001, Sen. Rich-
cousin, Mary. They had which is held by one of two bel- ard Durbin (D-Illinois),
$15 between the two of ligerent parties or seized as se- knowing the need for a bi-
them. She gave her eth- curity for the carrying out of an partisan bill to avoid a fili-
nicity as Irish, and her agreement." buster, worked with Sen.
occupation as domestic Dreamers have been held hos- Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to
worker. She was on her tage not once or twice, but too introduce the first Dream
way to Boston to enter many times. Recent? No, the Act on August 1 (SB1291)
nursing school. Dream Act was introduced 17 similar to HR 1582.
A few years later, after a years ago. Since 2001, the DREAM
return visit to Newfound- Dreamers are being held hos- Act has been reintroduced CDP Vice Chair Alex
land, Miss Duggan gave tage by Trump, McConnell, Ryan countless times, almost
Rooker is Treasurer of
her occupation as nurse, the Association of
and the Freedom Caucus. succeeding after House State Democratic
and her ethnicity as Eng- There's would be no crisis had passage on December 8, Chairs and Vice Chair
lish. She seems to have Trump, on September 5, 2017, 2010, but was five votes of the DNC Women’s
reinvented herself during NOT declared an end to short of being filibuster Caucus
her short time in the U.S. Obama’s Deferred Action for proof.
Living in South Boston, Childhood Arrivals (DACA) pro- Since immigration reform
she probably saw too gram of June 15, 2012. hasn't been updated since
many “No Irish Need Ap- The first semblance of the De- the Immigration and Control
ply” signs. velopment, Relief, and Educa- and Reform Act of 1986
The current U.S. presi- tion for Alien Minors (DREAM) (law) and the DREAM Act
dent, who is himself mar- Act was introduced in 2001. (proposal) since 2001,
ried to an immigrant, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Illinois) President Obama initiated
shows that he holds little introduced the “Immigrant Chil- several immigration poli-
value for those who come dren’s Educational Advancement cies, including DACA
here as poor and op- and Dropout Prevention Act of (2012).
pressed people, working 2001” (HR1582) on April 24, Even with bipartisan sup-
long and hard to earn a 2001, protecting undocumented port, the Republican Keith Umemoto is Co-
students from deportation and Chair of the Credentials
Continued on Page 4 Continued on Page 4 Committee of the Califor-
nia Democratic Party
FEBRUARY 2018 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 2
REP. LEE MOVES TO PROTECT PROP 64
BY REP. BARBARA LEE, DNC MEMBER
With the legalization of Congress to fight back can’t get off the ground without
marijuana use, possession against this dangerous agen- access to banking.
and distribution in Califor- da - and ensure the will of But it’s not enough to just
nia, a new era has California voters is respect- end wrongful federal interfer-
dawned on the Golden ed. ence going forward - in order
State. By ending wrongful That is why I have intro- to create a truly equitable can-
cannabis prohibition, our duced H.R. 4779, the Re- nabis industry, we must correct
state has taken a critical stricting Excessive Federal the racial injustices of the War
step in the long-overdue Enforcement and Regula- on Drugs. For decades, com-
process of ending the War tions of Cannabis (REFER) munities of color have been
on Drugs. Act. This bipartisan legisla- disproportionately impacted by
But while California is tion would prohibit federal discriminatory drug enforce-
moving forward, the spending on any marijuana ment. As we end cannabis
Trump Administration enforcement action in states prohibition, we must also help
wants to drag us back- that have legalization policies these victims rebuild their lives.
wards. Just days after on the books. Earlier this year, I introduced
Prop 64 took effect, Attor- The REFER Act would also H.R. 4815, the Marijuana Jus-
ney General Jeff Sessions help cannabis businesses tice Act with Congressman Ro
announced that he would who are subject to unfair Khanna. This legislation not
be rescinding the Cole banking regulations. Right only legalizes cannabis nation-
DNC Member Barbara Lee Memo - thereby ending now, federal law prevents wide, it also creates a path for
represents California’s 13th
District in Congress
the policy that allowed these legal businesses from restorative justice for the fami-
states to take the lead on using any federally-backed lies torn apart by these failed
cannabis policy, without bank - making it nearly im- laws. It is far past time for Con-
interference from the fed- possible for dispensaries to gress to catch up to the will of
eral government. work with financial institutions the American people, the ma-
Now Attorney General or even process credit card jority of whom support ending
Jeff Sessions has made it transactions. These punitive federal prohibition, and to also
glaringly clear that he restrictions disadvantage help the victims of the failed
wants to reignite the failed entrepreneurs with the fewest War on Drugs who have been
War on Drugs. It’s up to resources, many of them disproportionately impacted.
people of color, who often
HILLBILLY ELEGY, JUDGE MOORE & WHITE VOTERS
BY BOB MULHOLLAND, DNC MEMBER
The Electoral College, norship in New Jersey, so White House. In those key 270
a system designed by the now we are at the embar- Industrial Belt states, whites
founders at the 1787 rassing level of 16 Demo- are actually 80-88% of the
Constitutional Conven- cratic Governors. It is criti- electorate.
tion, determines who is cal that we pick up a lot of Hillbilly Elegy is a book I rec-
sworn in as President. Governorships this No- ommend to better understand
The Republicans in 2000 vember as they will be the white non-college voter.
(Bush Jr.) and in 2016 overseeing redistricting in Also, elections are "tribal." A
(Trump), came in second 2021, and of course in candidate's political party is
but they got themselves order to survive politically, what drives most voters. Let's
into the White House. we have to defeat "Locker say there are two family reun-
The results - invading Room Trump” in 2020. ions in the same building. Rel-
Iraq and the Great Re- But first, some remind- atives from afar ask the securi-
cession under Bush Jr. ers: white voters are 70% ty guard - what room is the
leading to trillions of dol- of the national presidential family reunion in? The guard
lars of debt, and under electorate and even higher answers - “Well, the Smiths
Trump - daily chaos, con- in non-presidential elec- are the ones meeting upstairs.”
stant attacks on minori- tions. The last time a plu- You get the point.
Bob Mulholland ties, a Special Prosecu- rality of the white elec- Since the era of Civil Rights,
tor, Putin calling the torate voted for our Demo- the white electorate has gone
resides in Chico and can
be reached at shots, but hopefully not a cratic presidential nomi- with the GOP family. White
chicobob@msn.com new war. nee was in 1964 for LBJ. non-college women voted by
and Democrats have a long Only a shift of just 39,000 51 points (76% to 25%) for the
way back to political pow- votes (just 0.0002% of the known child sexual assaulter,
@chico.bob 136 million votes cast), in
er, having lost almost Judge Roy Moore, in the Ala-
1,000 partisan seats dur- the three states of Michi- bama US Senate election.
ing the eight years of gan, Pennsylvania and Why ? Well, the other family,
President Obama. We Wisconsin would have put Doug Jones, was a Democrat.
just gained one Gover- Secretary Clinton into the
FEBRUARY 2018 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 3
SWEET VOTE ALABAMA
BY ALICE A. HUFFMAN, DNC MEMBER
proaches like partnering with
groups that might be non-
The Alabama victory was Connerly initiative. And partisan but have the same
sweet!! Yes, we all gave finally, they only vote if they election values as the Demo-
time, contributions, hope and get information from a trust- cratic Party.
other things of importance to ed source. I applaud the AA women in
the campaign. That’s what In Alabama, the DNC was Alabama and the educated
makes an exciting election: on the ground and so also white women who joined in
when each of us recognizes was the National and Ala- turning the Trump stronghold
that the campaign has rele- bama NAACP. We wanted into a no hold. We can do
vance for our personal lives, that red necked, homopho- this everywhere if we take
it’s almost like magic. bic candidate to lose. From the time to educate and moti-
There is one take away November 27 though Elec- vate our outliers. Truth be
that I wish to highlight for us tion Day on December told, African Americans will
in California. The importance 12, the NAACP made: vote the right way because
of getting out the African 43,003 total calls: spoke to we have shared values and DNC Member Alice Huffman
American (AA) vote. (This 4,049 people; 3,225 92% of us always vote the is California Chair of the
might also apply to Latinos). pledged to vote on Election right way. We just need an NAACP
Infrequent voting AA were Day; 106 said that they explanation from trusted
asked in a focus group why would not vote; 263 were sources why we must vote in
they did not vote. They said unsure about voting; 117 a given election. Let’s invest
“our ancestors died for our requested rides to the polls. in our minority communities.
right to vote and we don’t I suspect that since Cali- And one last word: if they
have to vote if it does not fornia is so blue we don’t don’t see an outreach effort
help us.” They also said that target ethnic groups as in the community, they be-
“there is much trickery on the much. But if we want to come oblivious to the elec-
ballot and we don’t know take back Congress and tion, they lose, and when
when to vote yes or no,” of- the White House, we might they lose, we all lose collec-
ten referring to the Ward want to consider new ap- tively.
HARASSMENT VICTIMS FIGHT BACK nated from promotion or
advancement when they do.
BY CHRISTINE PELOSI, Campaigns are ripe for
DNC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER exploitation, with young
people working long hours
in sometimes unfamiliar
When San Francis- foundation. territory, wholly dependent
co’s Adama Iwu launched Unfortunately, despite my on the candidate or PAC for
the #WeSaidEnough having raised this issue to pay, food, lodging, and sup-
movement in October — leaders across the country, port.
America’s first #MeToo not all politicians see the Voters rarely learn of
political letter inspired possibility for reform, or these uncomfortable truths.
by Tarana Burke — I co- grasp the enormity of the But now that
signed Iwu’s bipartisan inequity. #WeSaidEnough has called
letter complaining about a So let us first attention to these matters
“pervasive culture of sexual acknowledge the deep fis- and people are speaking
harassment in California sures that #WeSaidEnough out, we no longer can ig-
politics” because I knew we has exposed in politics: nore that:
needed radical change. Elected Officials have 1) Politicians, who try to
carved out exceptions to DNC Executive Committee
Little did we know then take the “you aren’t being Member Christine Pelosi is
that we would be at the employment laws for them- harassed, ARE YOU?” ap- Chair of the CDP Women’s
forefront of a political earth- selves, and for years have proach, are intimidating Caucus, and can be found at
quake. The fault lines cut operated in a culture of staff. ChristinePelosi.com
across all genders and silence where sexual har- 2) Politicians, who take and
assment, discrimination, PelosiForDNC@gmail.com
identities, races, creeds the “let’s have the staff dis-
and political philosophies. bullying and verbal and cuss harassment within the
As victims have come physical abuse are swept office” approach, misunder-
forward to share their sto- under the rug. Or worse, stand the need for inde-
ries about harassment, such allegations are sent pendence that would invite
discrimination, bullying and into a “black hole” of secret candor, disrespect same-
abuse perpetuated by self-investigation where gender abuse victims, and
those in power, the chal- witnesses are encouraged run the risk of silencing jun-
lenge we face is to rebuild to “take one for the team” ior staffers.
our infrastructure on a rather than speak up, and
more solid and equitable are “disappeared” or elimi- Continued on Page 4FEBRUARY 2018 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 4
DEMOCRATS STAND UP TO HARRASSMENT AND BULLYING
Continued from Page 3
3) Politicians, who say peer review — to make and offers connections to institutions in which they
“trust us to police our- real change. victims’ services. serve.
selves,” operate with the That is why We demand a system Whether you are in poli-
same hubris as the Cath- #WeSaidEnough has built on a foundation of tics or not, if you see or
olic Church and the U.S. consistently demanded due process, with confi- experience inappropriate
military. The Church in due process for all, lay- dential investigations — behavior, don’t remain
some cases went bank- ing down a path to last- and harsh consequences silent. Speak up, speak
rupt rather than face up ing justice, not Twitter for leakers — and restor- out, and know there is a
to the harm caused by justice. To forge that ative practices that hold community of people who
pedophile priests. path: everyone accountable will support you. Together
The military still has We must encourage and provide an opportuni- we can build a new foun-
not placed sexual as- reporting through confi- ty for healing. dation based on respect,
sault investigations out- dential systems, such as We urge our leaders to equity and justice for all.
side the chain of com- our report-and-support understand the gravity of As Democrats, that is our
mand. app, which was created the situation and act with call to service; as leaders
We need independent for all people — male, respect for the people that is our solemn respon-
investigations — not female and nonbinary — that they serve and the sibility.
FROM THE EDITORS:
The California DNC Press
DREAMERS HELD HOSTAGE Democrat is published by
Continued from Page 1 members of the California
DNC Delegation, and is
leadership has held Dream- cial economic benefits. 'granted' Native Ameri- not funded by the Califor-
ers hostage. Yet other Africans were uprooted; cans born in the US nia Democratic Party.
issues have passed, re- Ben Franklin cried out on their citizenship on Opinions expressed by
cently in the Continuing the number of German im- June 2, 1924. the authors of this news-
Resolution (CR) to limit the migrants; Irish immigrants Urgent? Yes, over a letter’s articles are not
recent government shut- and Roman Catholics were million Dreamers live in necessarily those of the
down. scorned; Poles, Italians, fear, DACA deferred California Delegation, the
Trump had agreed to and Russian Jews were actions will expire, and DNC or the California
support a clean DACA bill, thought to be too different Dreamers will be de- Democratic Party.
but reneged on his promise to assimilate; Chinese were ported from the only Sincerely,
and held Dreamers hos- excluded; and Mexicans place that they know as
home. Mary Ellen Early
tage, demanding an 1) ex- were 'guest workers'
pensive wall, 2) end to fam- through the Bracero pro- The Party stands for Otto Lee
ily reunification, and 3) end gram. "LIBERTY AND JUS- Garry S. Shay
to the lottery/repurpose Trump ordered a ban on TICE FOR ALL."
visas. Muslims, and asked, "Why Changing the course
means mobilizing, or- Thank you to our spon-
Historically, immigrants do we want all these people
ganizing, voting and sors: Steven K. Alari,
built the social economic from 'shithole countries'
taking back the House, Eric C. Bauman, Becca
fabric of the US. Past fears coming here?"
Senate and Presiden- Doten, Jess Durfee, Mary
have turned into huge so- Ironically, Congress
cy. Ellen Early, Alice Huff-
man, Aleita Huguenin,
Michael Kapp, Andrew
U.S. NEEDS IMMIGRANTS The workforce can easily Lachman, Hon. Barbara
be augmented by immi- Lee, Otto Lee, Bob Mul-
Continued from Page 1
grants. If they are uneducat- holland, Christine Pelosi,
don’t remember, and limit the ed, we can educate them in John A. Pérez, Alex
number of legal immigrants our schools. Rooker, Garry S. Shay,
coming into the country. So what happened to Keith Umemoto, Roz Wy-
The Republican Congress young Frances Duggan, the man, Laurence Zakson
recently passed what they immigrant who came here in
call a “tax cut.” This so-called 2014? She graduated from Printing:
tax cut will drive up the defi- nursing school in 2017. Her Independent Printers
cit. Congressional Republi- contribution to this country
cans are laying the ground- was to care for shell-
shocked (better known to- Proofreading:
DNC Member Mary Ellen work to cut Medicare, Medi-
Early is the founding caid and Social Security. day as PTSD) soldiers com- Burt B. Belant
editor of the They claim that with so many ing home from World War I.
DNC Press Democrat baby boomers retiring, they She also married an Ameri-
can, raised three children, Want an electronic
will soon run out of funds for copy?
living in their adopted and became the grandmoth-
these programs when there
homeland. He wants to er of 15, all of them produc- Visit the CADEM web
are not enough people in the
throw dreamers under tive taxpayers. I should site under
workforce to support all the
the bus by deporting know. I am one of them.
retirees. Our Party/DNC Members
them to countries manyYou can also read
