Microstamping: Save Lives, Solve Crimes!

Gun control has become a key progressive concern, central to affirming the role of government regulation of public safety in the face of tea party assertions of putative “Second Amendment” rights.

And we are now very close to victory on a key legislative priority: a microstamping bill that is resoundingly supported by gun-control groups and leaders in law enforcement has just passed the NYS Assembly. It is only two or three votes shy of clearing the State Senate later this month. S 675, the Senate version, would go a long way toward fulfilling a longstanding aim of its advocates, putting an indelible signature on gun ownership and on the use of instruments of lethal violence.

What is microstamping, and why is it important now?

Microstamping imprints a unique alpha-numeric code on every shell casing ejected from a semi-automatic handgun, allowing police and investigators at a crime scene to trace the casings back to the original gun purchaser. Supported by police departments, law enforcement organizations, district attorneys, and over 100 mayors from across New York State, microstamping would help solve long-open crimes, often committed by hardened criminals. But perhaps most importantly, it would go far toward limiting the persistent tragedies of daily life in big cities and other communities–the drive-by shootings, the random shots into crowds or outside of schools and other civic institutions that result in often-traceless deaths and, inevitably, in the devastation of families and communities.

The recent Memorial Day weekend alone witnessed shootings in New York City boroughs that resulted in several seemingly unmotivated deaths–crimes that are currently unsolved because they are traceless, but that could be easily resolved with an electronic click, were legal requirements for microstamping in effect.

Greater New York City for Change is partnering with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence to phone bank this week, calling on constituents of the few wavering state senators, including Marty Golden here in Bay Ridge, to do the right thing for public safety and to enforce its number-one legislative priority. Our friends at Tribeca for Change, Democracy for New York City (DFNYC), Upper West Side Democrats for Progress, Downtown East for Obama, and Brooklyn for Barack, among other groups, are in, too. We need your help, so please join us for an hour or two, in numbers! A sweet victory–for common-sense regulation, public security and well-being, and an end to the too-powerful control of the gun lobby over democratic rights– is at hand if YOU get involved.

Phone Banks to Pass Microstamping (S 675)

227 West 17th Street, 6th Floor, Manhattan, NY (between 7th and 8th Ave)

Tuesday, June 7, 6pm-9pm
RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpkh9h

Thursday, June 9, 6pm-9pm
RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpkmfl

Posted by Kate Linker

What the Debt Ceiling Debate Means to Us All

What’s the difference between the debt and the deficit?

The federal debt is the cumulative effect of unresolved deficits over time. It currently amounts to about $14.3 trillion. The deficit is the gap between government income (i.e., taxes and other fees) and outflows in any given year. The current deficit is about $1.5 trillion dollars, higher than was anticipated last year thanks to the extension (again) of the Bush tax cuts (under threat by the GOP of a filibuster against extension of unemployment benefits) as part of the budget compromise at the beginning of 2011 between Obama and the GOP.

What’s the debt ceiling and why is it an issue now?

On May 16, the gross federal debt reached the limit allowed by law, the so-called debt ceiling. Unless Congress raises the debt ceiling, the U.S. government will default on its debts–for the first time in U.S. history. Many in the GOP are willing to force that to happen.

What would be the likely consequences of default?

The government would be unable to pay interest to holders of government bonds. (That includes domestic and foreign holders of such bonds.)
The credit rating of the U.S. government, which has always been AAA, would be downgraded.
Credit markets would freeze, as they did in September and October 2008.
As banks stopped lending, banks and businesses would do the same.
Interest rates would rise sharply–for treasury bonds, corporate bonds and consumer loans.
The stock markets would likely sink like a stone–not just in the U.S., but internationally.
Since 40% of government spending depends on borrowing, federal spending–of every kind–including Social Security benefits, soldiers’ pay, etc.–would immediately drop by 40%, causing a huge shock to the economy.
In short, there would be an economic crash in the U.S. and quite possibly, globally.

So it seems obvious that Congress should pass a bill raising the debt ceiling, right? Why is there controversy about that?

Although polls show the public is primarily concerned about jobs, there is widespread concern about the size of the deficit (currently about 10% of GDP) among the nation’s political elites. Concern about the deficit has been expressed repeatedly by politicians in Washington and elsewhere, and news stories about the deficit have been far more common than those about the unemployment situation.

Perhaps for that reason, the public strongly opposes raising the debt ceiling. (Whether any polling has been done on the extent of public knowledge of the issue, including the likely result of failing to raise the debt ceiling, is unknown to me at this time.)

The GOP insists unanimously that the deficit be addressed solely through spending cuts; no tax increases are acceptable to them. This despite the fact that (a) the Bush tax cuts, which were supported unanimously by the GOP, are responsible, along with the Medicare Part D unfunded mandate and Bush’s refusal to raise taxes to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, for 33% of the deficit; and (b) contrary to GOP claims, tax cuts do not pay for themselves, as shown by Bush’s miserable record of job creation and GDP growth, despite enacting enormous tax cuts.

Despite the evidence and common logic, the Republicans in Congress insist that any vote to raise the debt ceiling must be accompanied by huge cuts in spending, excluding defense. At first, the GOP excluded Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security from cuts as well, but not any more, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stated on Friday. In fact, many of the tea party Republicans in the House of Representatives argue that the debt ceiling should not be raised at all, regardless of the consequences. This is crazy. We could go a long way toward reducing the deficit simply by eliminating the Bush tax cuts, ending our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and resuming stimulus spending to boost the economy.

Recently, the House GOP voted almost unanimously for Paul Ryan’s budget plan, which includes privatization of Medicare and changes to Medicaid that would make it unsustainable. The public reaction to that plan has been overwhelmingly negative and a Democrat, Kathy Hochul, recently won election to the House campaigning explicitly against it in an overwhelmingly Republican district. So essentially, the GOP is demanding that the Democrats in Congress cave in to their demands for drastic cuts to Medicare and other social programs under threat of default on our federal debt, the downgrading of our international credit rating, and a likely plunge into economic depression. What they can’t win at the ballot box they hope to win through extortion.

What you can do

Please join us in contacting your senators and representatives. Urge them to say no to the GOP’s extortion antics. The debt ceiling must be raised. There are rational ways to reduce the deficit and they must include repeal of the Bush tax cuts as well as spending cuts that do not hurt the most vulnerable among us, but those decisions must be made rationally–not haphazardly under threat.

A Very Special Election: Kathy Hochul WINS!

Kathy Hochul

On Tuesday, May 24, Democrat Kathy Hochul won an astounding victory in upstate New York, in an overwhelming Republican district.

Why?

She stood up for Medicare and against tax cuts for the rich. And despite being outspent 2 to 1, she had a secret weapon – you.

In New York City, volunteers poured into phonebanks, organized by ordinary people in the last two weeks of the campaign. Some 77,000 calls were made around the state from Thursday to Tuesday alone; tens of thousands of these originated from New York City.

From Monica’s office in Union Square to Arlene’s Upper West Side apartment, volunteers who might not be able to afford an expensive t.v. ad spoke to other voters one on one and convinced them to make their voices heard.

Kathy Hochul stayed true to her progressive roots, and she relied on an aggressive grassroots strategy.

It worked. Thank you so much to all of you who worked so hard on these Hochul phonebanks. This victory has a chance to reverberate like the reverse of the Scott Brown victory last year, and make voters wonder about how badly the conservatives are overreaching.

You rock.

Click here for pictures from the Team Hochul victory party in NYC! (Photos courtesy of Jon Reznick.)

Grassroots volunteers celebrate Hochul's win at Dewey's. Photo by Jon Reznick.

See below for all the phonebanks we organized together:

Wed, May 11, 5pm – 9pm
Kathy Hochul for Congress Phonebank
227 West 17th Street, 6th Floor, Chelsea

RSVP on Facebook here.

Saturday, May 14, 12 – 4 PM
Maloney for Congress Campaign Office
24 East 93rd Suite 1B
RSVP to shelby@carolynmaloney.com

Tuesday, May 17, 5 – 9 PM
Maloney for Congress Campaign Office
24 East 93rd Suite 1B
RSVP to shelby@carolynmaloney.com

Tuesday, May 17, 6 – 9 PM (Brooklyn)
Brooklyn phonebank

Thursday, May 19 6 – 9 PM
Home of Merle UWS / RSVP to merle.mceldowney@gmail.com
* Please bring cell phones, chargers, and snacks.

Thursday, May 19 6 – 9 PM
OFA Office
25 East 21st Street (Park + Broadway), 4th floor
RSVP to Chris at chris.chavez@gmail.com
Landlines available but please bring cell phones if possible.

Saturday, May 21, 12 – 4 PM

Monica’s office, Union Square
RSVP here or to uesforchange@gmail.com
Landlines available but please bring cell phones if possible

Monday, May 23, 6 – 9 PM
Home of Arlene UWS, RSVP here or to ageiger3@nyc.rr.com
* Please bring cell phones, chargers, and snacks.

Monday, May 23, 6 – 9 PM
OFA Office
25 East 21st Street (Park + Broadway), 4th floor
RSVP here or to Debo at debojg@gmail.com
Landlines available but please bring cell phones if possible. Cosponsored by the Queens County Young Dems.

Tuesday, May 24, 10 AM – 9 PM (all day!)
OFA Office
25 East 21st Street (Park + Broadway), 4th floor
RSVP here or to Elizabeth at elizabethsadoff@esadoff.com

Tuesday, May 24, 10 AM – 8 PM (all day!)
Congresswoman Maloney’s Campaign Office
24 E 93rd St, Suite 1B
RSVP to Alex at agius@carolynmaloney.com

Tuesday, May 24, 9 PM – ???
Special Election Night Returns Watch Party!

Dewey’s Flatiron
210 Fifth Avenue between 25th & 26th Street
Second floor

RSVP here or to welovehochul@gmail.com

After joining us at phone banks in the final days, come out Tuesday night to celebrate Kathy Hochul’s Campaign for Congress — and the volunteers who’ve brought her to the brink of victory! We’ll be following the election results on MSNBC upstairs, with beer, snacks and a great crew. There is no better way to spend your Tuesday night!

Admission: Suggested donation of $5 to the Hochul campaign; click on www.kathyhochul.com

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The phonebanks above are organized by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century, Greater NYC for Change, New York State Young Democrats, The Downstate Young Democrats, WomenElect, Columbia University Democrats, ActNow, TriBeCa for Change, Organizing for America, Queens County Young Democrats, and Democracy for New York City (DFNYC)

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Thanks for all your support!

Our goal was to make 1,000 calls on Thursday night. We made 2,390!

Pizza break at phonebank on Thursday, May 19th! (Pizza provided by Rep. Maloney)

Wednesday, May 4
Stand with Us Against Gun Violence

At Greater NYC for Change we have been busy learning about the fight against gun violence in America. We have been stunned to learn the sheer number of guns in this country, and saddened to learn how little our elected leaders are doing to legislate for our security. It is promising to hear a voice on this issue from incoming chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Read about it here.

Please join us this Wednesday at an important event hosted by our friend, dedicated gun control activist, Kate Linker.

An Evening of Discussion on the Future of Gun Control

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 6:15 PM – 8:00 PM

Please RSVP: kateplinker@gmail.com

Home of Kate Linker: 227 West 17th Street, 6th Floor, Chelsea, NYC

(1 to 18th Street, 2 or 3 to 14th Street; A, C, E, or L to 14th Street)

This discussion will examine ways to strengthen existing regulations and devise new means to keep lethal weapons away from people who should not have them. Enjoy light refreshments and get to know others who are passionate about this crucial issue. Speakers will be Jackie Hilly, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and Colin Weaver, Deputy Executive Director. We will be updated and engage in a discussion about the future of state and national legislation. Remarks will begin at 700pm.

Did you know that…..

32 States in the US allow ANYONE to purchase firearms without an ID or criminal background check
85% of NYC crime guns and approximately 40% of crime guns in upstate New York come from states with weak gun laws
1,035,000 is the number of gun deaths in the US over the past 30 years
$34 billion is the ANNUAL US medical and productivitiy costs of gun injuries and deaths
Americans own an estimated 200 million guns. That’s one gun for every U.S. adult.
Guns are the only consumer products that are exempt from any federal safety standards.

More facts and ways to take action are on New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

Hope to see you at Kate’s home on Wednesday evening!

Amy Miller, Greater NYC for Change

On May 12, Make Big Banks and Millionaires Pay

Greater NYC for Change is proud to be on board the On May 12 campaign! Mayor Bloomberg’s cutting funding to dozens of services relied upon by low income and working New Yorkers, while the Big Banks get bailouts and tax breaks, and their CEO’s give themselves record-setting bonuses. Enough is enough – it’s time for them to pay their fair share. The question is – where will YOU be on May 12?

Sign up to hear about all updates on May 12th on Facebook or check out www.onmay12.org

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From Wisconsin to Wall Street, people are joining together in an uprising for economic justice.

The Big Banks crashed our economy, destroying jobs, foreclosing on millions of homes and wrecking cities and states budgets across the country. After trillions in taxpayer funded bailouts, Wall Street is making billions in profits and giving away record bonuses to CEOs – not a single one of whom has ever been prosecuted or held accountable for the economic crimes they committed.

From Bed-Stuy to the Bronx, our communities are hurting. Here in New York City, tens of thousands have lost their homes and their jobs. Now, Billionaire Mayor Mike Bloomberg is proposing devastating budget cuts as the only solution to the economic crisis that Wall Street caused. Thousands of teachers could be laid off. Childcare and senior centers could be closed down while our homeless shelters are overwhelmed. All while our subways, schools, and parks decay.

At the same time, Mayor Bloomberg is pushing for more tax cuts for the wealthy and giving away billions to Wall Street in corporate welfare, bogus property tax exemptions, and sweetheart deals. Enough is enough.

From Wisconsin to Wall Street, regular people are fighting back.

Activists Converge on Community Health Center in Queens to Celebrate and Defend Year-Old Health Care Law

New Yorkers celebrate the passage of health care reform at rally in the Community Health Care Network’s Long Island City Health Center.

Last month, we gathered to celebrate the first birthday of the Affordable Care Act. We had cake, speeches, and an awesome crowd!

Check out the official press release, below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2011

Activists Converge on Community Health Center in Queens

To Celebrate and Defend Year-Old Health Care Law

State Officials Urged to Move Forward with Implementation This Spring

Dozens of New York residents including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer gathered for a “Defend Our New Health Care Law” rally at the Community Health Care Network’s Long Island City Health Center this afternoon. The event was both a celebration for the first anniversary of the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and a call to defend efforts to repeal or defund this health care reform law. The event capped a week of over 200 similar anniversary events from coast to coast.

Since many New Yorkers continue to be confused as to the benefits of the law, the speakers of the event illustrated through personal stories how the law has already benefitted them personally.

“The Affordable Care Act is a truly historic piece of social legislation on par with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act,” said Mark Hannay, Director of the Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign, a citywide coalition of community groups and labor unions. “Millions of New Yorkers will be helped by this law – thousands already have been. Our tasks now are to make sure Congress doesn’t renege on its promise for the American people, and to make sure New York’s leaders move forward with their implementation responsibilities. That’s why we’re all here today.”

“The people who fought so hard for the passage of this law aren’t going anywhere,” said Kelly Cuvar, an activist with the group Greater NYC for Change. “As long as the combination of illness and the high cost of health care poses a threat to Americans of any age, color, creed, or class, we will work to ensure that no one should ever need to worry about money when their main focus should be on getting better.”

The Affordable Care Act was passed by the 110th Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. It has been under siege since that time, from legal challenges, misinformation campaigns, and attempts by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to outright repeal or incrementally defund the law.

As one example, the House currently proposes to cut back or eliminate the dedicated new funding for community health centers – traditionally a bipartisan budget priority. As a symbolic gesture, participants at the rally donated loose pennies to the Long Island City Center to show their support for it and illustrate the choice currently facing the nation: allow the Affordable Care Act to move forward and reap the benefits of new community health centers, or go back to a system where patients in need have to count pennies to afford the care they need.

“The Affordable Care Act is landmark legislation that will change the lives of millions of Americans,” said Catherine M. Abate, president and CEO of Community Healthcare Network, which operates the health center in Queens. “It provides health coverage and a medical home to individuals and families who often use the emergency room as their family doctor. Investing in community health centers translates into quality, affordable and cost effective primary care in communities where people live.”

“Two years ago I was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia traits, and this community health center treated me so well, I feel like Diana Ross,” said Dorothy Burrows, a 93-year old patient at the health center.

“I am fortunate to work in a state with relatively generous eligibility for Medicaid, and in a community health center that provides low-cost health care to many low-income people who do not have health insurance,” said Dr. Sharon Phillips, Director the National Physicians’ Alliance New York Local Action Network. “The Affordable Care Act has already led to significant improvements for many of my patients, and as the law is phased in nearly all Americans will finally be able to see the doctor when they need to.”

Among provisions of the new law that are already underway in New York is the “New York Bridge” program for people with pre-existing medical conditions, and a new consumer assistance program known as “Community Health Advocates” operated by a statewide network of community-based non-profit organizations. One site location in Jackson Heights is at Make the Road New York.

“We were extremely frustrated and confused trying to get the insurance that our son with medical disabilities deserves,” said Luis and Maria Luna, members of Make the Road New York. “With help from Make the Road, we were put on the right track. It was very important for us to have guidance from a community organization that many in our community already trust.”

Another popular provision of the new law is an option for parents to keep their young adult children on their family’s health insurance policies until age 26, extending coverage to an age group that finds it increasingly difficult to obtain insurance as a benefit of their job.

“For almost 2 years, I worked as a Benefits Administrator at a non-profit social service agency where I sent out COBRA paperwork and witnessed to employees’ reactions when I told them how much premiums cost,” said Anita Rishi, a 24-year old resident of Ditmas Heights in Brooklyn. “I’ve recently resigned from my position, and know for a fact that I would not be able to afford COBRA. However, because of the health care reform, I am now be able to get coverage through my mother’s insurance plan.”

The rally was organized by a coalition of community groups and trade unions, many of which we active in the Health Care for America Now! campaign that successfully pushed for enactment of national health care reform legislation.