Found this over at Brian Dennert's blog at the Star. Certainly puts this issue in a plain and simple manner. I wonder what our local Congressional Representative Elton Gallegly will do to protect our rights now. Any thoughts on his concern for the Constitution?

President Lee Myung-bak suggested Tuesday that South Korea will seek to ban imports of U.S. beef from older cattle amid a public backlash against his government over fears of mad cow disease.

Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun said earlier Tuesday that Seoul had asked the U.S. to refrain from exporting any beef from cattle 30 months of age and older, considered at greater risk of the illness.

Presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said the president told a weekly Cabinet meeting that "it is natural not to bring in meat from cattle 30 months of age and older as long as the people do not want it."

The spokesman also expressed hope that the United States would respect South Korea's position following large-scale anti-government protests over the weekend.

U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow said Washington saw no need to renegotiate an April agreement for South Korea to resume beef imports.

He said the deal is "based on international science and there is no scientific justification to postpone implementation."

South Korea agreed in April to reopen its market to U.S. beef after it was blocked for most of the past four and a half years after the first case of the brain-wasting cattle disease was found in the U.S. in late 2003.

However, after tens of thousands of people rallied over the weekend and a request from the ruling party, the government said Monday it was delaying implementation of the agreement.

The government decided on the delay to "humbly accept the people's will," Chung said. read more

Now the European Union wants to block our products over chemical contents. They feel the chemicals cause cancer and other health problems. From the Washington Post:

Adamantly opposed by the U.S. chemical industry and the Bush administration, the E.U. laws will be phased in over the next decade. It is difficult to know exactly how the changes will affect products sold in the United States. But American manufacturers are already searching for safer alternatives to chemicals used to make thousands of consumer goods, from bike helmets to shower curtains.

From its crackdown on antitrust practices in the computer industry to its rigorous protection of consumer privacy, the European Union has adopted a regulatory philosophy that emphasizes the consumer. Its approach to managing chemical risks, which started with a trickle of individual bans and has swelled into a wave, is part of a European focus on caution when it comes to health and the environment.

"There's a strong sense in Europe and the world at large that America is letting the market have a free ride," said Sheila Jasanoff, professor of science and technology studies at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. "The Europeans believe . . . that being a good global citizen in an era of sustainability means you don't just charge ahead and destroy the planet without concern for what you're doing." read more

George Bush's current trip to Europe is being marketed as his farewell tour. However I believe he's on another begging mission. Judging by his previously failed mission to the Middle East begging for oil, he will again not be well received. While Bush's strong support for corporate interests over consumers does not justify impeachable offenses, examining the world opinion of our nation at this point in time, as a reaction to standard Bush policies, should cause Congress to take another look at the impeachment issue. If they care about our economy, even our ability to export anything of value, they will need to address the administration of George Bush to restore our standing in the Global arena. Our economy depends on this.

George Bush needs to go and the faster the better. Call your local Congressmember. In the 24th district California, that individual is Elton Gallegly.

For the love of our Country and Constitution let us show support and solidarity for this resolution. Impeachment is not a partisan issue, but a fundamental constitutional issue. The charges described in the Resolution clearly represent what our Founding Fathers intended in addressing acts of treason, high crimes and misdemeanors. It is time for our legislatures to take a stand, stand up for the rule of law and stand firm with upholding their constitutional oath "to preserve and protect." Thank you to Rep. Kucinich. These charges are now a part of the Congressional record.

A Resolution

Article I
Creating a Secret Propaganda Campaign to Manufacture a False Case for War Against Iraq.

Article II
Falsely, Systematically, and with Criminal Intent Conflating the Attacks of September 11, 2001, With Misrepresentation of Iraq as a Security Threat as Part of Fraudulent Justification for a War of Aggression.

Article III
Misleading the American People and Members of Congress to Believe Iraq Possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction, to Manufacture a False Case for War. Article IV
Misleading the American People and Members of Congress to Believe Iraq Posed an Imminent Threat to the United States.

Article V
Illegally Misspending Funds to Secretly Begin a War of Aggression.

Article VI
Invading Iraq in Violation of the Requirements of HJRes114.

Article VII
Invading Iraq Absent a Declaration of War.

Article VIII
Invading Iraq, A Sovereign Nation, in Violation of the UN Charter.

Article IX
Failing to Provide Troops With Body Armor and Vehicle Armor

Article X
Falsifying Accounts of US Troop Deaths and Injuries for Political Purposes

Article XI
Establishment of Permanent U.S. Military Bases in Iraq

Article XII
Initiating a War Against Iraq for Control of That Nation's Natural Resources

Article XIIII
Creating a Secret Task Force to Develop Energy and Military Policies With Respect to Iraq and Other
Countries

Article XIV
Misprision of a Felony, Misuse and Exposure of Classified Information And Obstruction of Justice in the Matter of Valerie Plame Wilson, Clandestine Agent of the Central Intelligence Agency

Article XV
Providing Immunity from Prosecution for Criminal Contractors in Iraq

Article XVI
Reckless Misspending and Waste of U.S. Tax Dollars in Connection With Iraq and US Contractors

Article XVII
Illegal Detention: Detaining Indefinitely And Without Charge Persons Both U.S. Citizens and Foreign Captives

Article XVIII
Torture: Secretly Authorizing, and Encouraging the Use of Torture Against Captives in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Other Places, as a Matter of Official Policy

Article XIX
Rendition: Kidnapping People and Taking Them Against Their Will to "Black Sites" Located in Other Nations, Including Nations Known to Practice Torture

Article XX
Imprisoning Children

Article XXI
Misleading Congress and the American People About Threats from Iran, and Supporting Terrorist Organizations Within Iran, With the Goal of Overthrowing the Iranian Government

Article XXII
Creating Secret Laws

Article XXIII
Violation of the Posse Comitatus Act

Article XXIV
Spying on American Citizens, Without a Court-Ordered Warrant, in Violation of the Law and the Fourth Amendment

Article XXV
Directing Telecommunications Companies to Create an Illegal and Unconstitutional Database of the Private Telephone Numbers and Emails of American Citizens

Article XXVI
Announcing the Intent to Violate Laws with Signing Statements

Article XXVII
Failing to Comply with Congressional Subpoenas and Instructing Former Employees Not to Comply

Article XXVIII
Tampering with Free and Fair Elections, Corruption of the Administration of Justice

Article XXIX
Conspiracy to Violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Article XXX
Misleading Congress and the American People in an Attempt to Destroy Medicare

Article XXXI
Katrina: Failure to Plan for the Predicted Disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Failure to Respond to a Civil Emergency

Article XXXII
Misleading Congress and the American People, Systematically Undermining Efforts to Address Global Climate Change

Article XXXIII
Repeatedly Ignored and Failed to Respond to High Level Intelligence Warnings of Planned Terrorist Attacks in the US, Prior to 911.

Article XXXIV
Obstruction of the Investigation into the Attacks of September 11, 2001

Article XXXV
Endangering the Health of 911 First Responders

Here is the link of the summary .

Here is the downloadable PDF file.

Here is a very brief summary of the article, please use this link to read the full text:

1.) There is no evidence to indicate that undocumented immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than American citizens; indeed, the evidence strongly suggests that immigrants in general are less likely to commit crimes.² For instance, a 2005 study ³ conducted by researchers from Harvard University and the University of Michigan revealed both that immigrants committed fewer crimes than native-born citizens, and that a greater proportion of immigrants in a neighborhood was associated with lower rates of crime. Another study ⁴ analyzing census data found that among men aged 18-39 (who make up the bulk of those committing crimes), the incarceration rate was five times higher for the native-born than for the foreign-born. This held true within ethnic and national-origin groups, meaning, for instance, that native-born Latinos were more likely to be incarcerated than foreign-born Latinos. A recent study by the Public Policy Institute of California found that in that state, which contains more immigrants than any other, the foreign-born are incarcerated at a rate half as high as their presence in the population, and only one-tenth as high among men age 18-40, who make up the bulk of prisoners.⁵ Robert J. Sampson, chairman of the sociology department at Harvard University, said that data show that undocumented immigrants are in fact "disproportionately less likely to be involved in many acts of deviance, crime, drunk driving, any number of things that sort of imperil our well-being."⁶

There have, of course, been individual crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, some of which are quite serious. But in order to justify a particular focus in news programs and the claims of a "crime wave" -- not just a few reports, but the enormous number of stories and discussions we document below -- crimes committed by undocumented immigrants would have to be disproportionate to their numbers. Immigration opponents might argue that any crime committed by an immigrant increases the total amount of crime in the country, but the risk of crime is increased only if the immigrants commit more crimes per person than the native-born, since immigration also increases the population and therefore diffuses the crime risk to any particular person.

Immigration opponents often note that a relatively high proportion of federal prisoners are foreign-born (more than a quarter are noncitizens, according to the Government Accountability Office⁷). But this one statistic gives a misleading impression of overall crime. For one, federal prisoners account for only a small proportion -- less than 10 percent -- of the total incarcerated population, since most prisoners are housed in state and local facilities.⁸ According to the latest Justice Department statistics available, noncitizen prisoners accounted for only 5.9 percent of the combined federal and state prisoner population.⁹ The most recent Census Bureau report on the foreign-born population in the U.S. found that 11.7 percent of the population is foreign-born -- meaning that the proportion of foreign-born prisoners is much lower than the proportion of foreign-born people in the population.¹⁰

2. Some believe that undocumented immigrants benefit from federal programs such as food stamps, Medicaid, SCHIP, and welfare. In fact, undocumented immigrants are ineligible to receive these benefits; anyone seeking to obtain them must provide proof of legal status.²⁵ Since the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, even documented immigrants are ineligible for most forms of public assistance for the first five years they reside in the United States or until they attain citizenship.²⁶ While there are some social services undocumented immigrants do use -- public education for children, for instance -- contrary to the rhetoric one hears on cable news, they also support government spending through the taxes they pay.

Undocumented immigrants pay all kinds of taxes: they pay sales taxes whenever they purchase goods and services, they pay property taxes in the form of rent, and they pay payroll and income taxes. Many undocumented immigrants use false Social Security numbers to obtain employment; when they do so, these workers then pay payroll taxes (for Social Security and Medicare), and often federal and state income taxes as well, through paycheck withholding. As the New York Times reported in 2005²⁷, the Social Security Administration estimates that three-quarters of undocumented immigrants pay payroll taxes, adding as much as $7 billion in Social Security taxes a year to federal coffers, and another $1.5 billion in Medicare taxes.²⁸ Under current law, none of these funds will ever be paid back to undocumented immigrants in the form of Social Security and Medicare benefits, as they are not eligible.

This does not mean, however, that in the short term some states and localities will not pay more for services to undocumented immigrants than they collect in taxes, even if when all levels of government are considered, immigrants more than pay for themselves. According to a December 2007 report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, "Over the past two decades, most efforts to estimate the fiscal impact of immigration in the United States have concluded that, in aggregate and over the long term, tax revenues of all types generated by immigrants -- both legal and unauthorized -- exceed the cost of the services they use. Generally, such estimates include revenues and spending at the federal, state, and local levels. However, many estimates also show that the cost of providing public services to unauthorized immigrants at the state and local levels exceeds what that population pays in state and local taxes."²⁹

I've included this article as it appears worth consideration.  Our local House Representative for the 24th Congressional district, Elton Gallegly, has spent an enormous amount of time on this issue.  I personally feel voters need a broader perspective as to the important issues worthy of our efforts and consideration.

"Incumbent: Elton Gallegly. Challengers: Jill Martinez, Mary Pallant (Responsible Plan endorser). PVI #: R+5. % Dem. turnout: 50.6. Marta Jorgensen has quit the race and backed Jill Martinez. Unfortunately, the primary fight here has turned a little nasty, with Jill Martinez stretching the truth about Mary Pallant's positions and her own finances. Neither candidate raised a lot of money last quarter but Martinez claimed she had, despite her bank account being in the red. Pallant is working the progressive grassroots to win the nomination, winning the endorsements of Democrats.com's David Swanson and author Norman Solomon. I'd love to see a true progressive take on Elton Gallegly. He wants to drill in ANWR. He's not that bright."

Seems that I'm not the only individual with concerns for Martinez's integrity. What's with the campaign debt? Since Martinez has had since 2006 to raise money for her campaign, why does that debt continue, and more, how can she raise the 1.6 million she said, this past Tuesday at the Conejo Dems Club, it would take to take on Gallegly if she hasn't done it already? Given the amount in Gallegly's campaign fund, how can Martinez even throw her hat in the ring with her campaign being nearly $100,000 in debt?

May 25th update: Marta Jorgensen has rejoined the race and withdrawn her endorsement of Martinez.

This past Thursday, Pallant gained a major endorsement from the California Nurses Association, CNA. Mary has also been endorsed by Progressive Democrats of America, California Labor Federation, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America - UAW, all local Progressive Democrats clubs, and many noted community leaders.

This past week Pallant spoke at the Conejo Valley Democrats gathering at the Thousand Oaks Library. Her message was clear for getting out of Iraq, reinvesting our money in our own infrastructure-jobs-schools, support for universal publically funded-privately run health care, and focus on strengthening the middle class.

Mary is well spoken, confident, and shows solid integrity. She clearly presents as a strong challenge to Elton Gallegly and an opportunity for our district.

Let's show our support for Mary so this district can finally get solid representation in Congress. The Bush-Gallegy years need to come to a close and this is our opportunity to take our district back. Donate to the campaign. Volunteer to get the word out about Mary for the upcoming June 3rd primary. This district can do this in 2008!

read more | digg story

David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet.org endorses Mary Pallant For Congress in her effort to unseat Elton Gallegly.

read more | digg story

For instance, when comparing the tax cuts to the richest 10% for the year 2009, to the amount of money needed to hire music and art teachers for our students in public school, the figure is astounding:

IF instead of those tax cuts to the highest tier, we hired music and art teachers for the entire district (Ventura county and inland Santa Barbara county), we could hire 4989 teachers.

Another one, if instead of all the money spent in Iraq to date, we invested in renewable electricity for homes,  just in our district, we could supply  2,819,896 Homes with Renewable Electricity.

Consider that same money spent in Iraq to date, and know that instead we could have provided 591,609 Children with Health Care, 237,850 Scholarships for University Students, 4,737 Affordable Housing Units, or 19,989 Port Container Inspectors.

We have a primary coming up on June 3rd.  Consider carefully and vote wisely.  We can't continue to waste our future.  Vote Progressive Democrat Mary Pallant.

As mentioned in a previous post, McCain appears overly focused on war and more wars. His aggressive stance toward other nations, not to mention aggression toward citizens meeting with him on domestic issues is of great concern is quite evident. With his admitted ignorance of economics, his awkward incongruent speaking on Martin Luther King Jr. (his apology acknowledged, how could he ever have considered voting against a day honoring King and why does he finally feel the need to apologize during his run for the presidency when he already had many years to do so), what does he promise this nation? It has gotten to the point that viewing McCain is as looking into a future of needless war.

Clearly Bush's endorsement and McCain pandering to Bush's base indicates a third term of Bush. This has even driven McCain to flip flop on his opposition to the issue of torture. After years of opposing torture, McCain now votes allow it.

Locally, with Elton Gallegly fully supporting Republican agendas, it appears that with both Gallegly and McCain in office, we can look toward another term of Bush agendas. Clearly Democrats and Independents won't stand for this and it is hoped that Republicans disgruntled with the Bush administration, of which there are many, will vote their conscience.

McCain should have the intelligence to realize that if this nation is truly attacked on our soil by another, folks would likely turn out in droves to defend it. The draft word would be the last one needed. But the occupation of another nation, without having been attacked by them and purely in the pursuit of oil, does not inspire patriotism or selfless service.

McCain is so out of touch with this nation and the world, he might as well be living on another planet.
Fed up with Republican support for Bush's war, Republican politicians are leaving the party. Those that remain in the party will face tough campaign races.

Given the current crisis this country is in, is this what our local elected official and tax dollars are doing for us?

It is no surprise to you, by now, sir, that I oppose the war in Iraq, and I oppose your vote for legislation supporting it. I have been vocal with calls to your office, and I have taken it upon myself to demonstrate outside your office and performing civil disobedience inside your office, when, five years ago to this day, I stood against the war in Iraq. I am one of your constituents who knew from the very beginning, thiswar was wrong, as it is wrong now. And like any wrong war, it has now gone from a mistake to a fiasco that has killed hundreds of innocent thousands, displaced millions, killed 4,000 Americans and wounded 30,000 others, dividing and breaking a nation.

On April Fool's Day, five years ago, I was not fooled then by your vote for the war, and this April Fools Day, I am still not fooled now by an invasion turned occupation, and your inexcusable, continued support for it. The occupation has left soldier's families broken and our economy in shatters. Meanwhile, though the cost of the war be so great, for the last five years, you have refused to meet with constituents of yours who have opposed the war.

Further, this irresponsibility is a dereliction of duties unmatched by any other Congressman anywhere, in any district across our country.Instead of meeting with various community groups, such as Nurses for Social Responsibility, Move-on.org, VC Stop the War, Veterans for Peace, etc, you have chosen to fly thousands of miles away to a foreign land and meet with a dictators in Pakistan named Musharrif to make arms deals so he can kill thousands more of his people. This act must be far easier to do than meet with the American people, your constituents, in your own district who find your policies repulsive and morally, spiritually, and financially bankrupt.

Those policies I speak of are your full-fledged support of the policies of the president, that include and are not limited to: 1) Violating the Constitution of the United States for giving approval for a preemptive, aggressive war; 2) Continued funding for the war and supporting every bill to do so; 3) Placing our soldiers in harms way through a war of aggression for oil, which has included stop-loss and surges of more troops, while not requiring, in that funding, protection for our soldiers, such as: proper equipment, medical care, and benefits upon their return; 4) Giving your approval to torture, by standing by Bush on water-boarding, sleep-deprivation, and acts of debasement and humiliation, outlawed by the Geneva Convention, and by our own laws of engagement; 5) Your support of The Patriot Act and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, while making statements calling for protections for telecommunication companies that have violated Fisa laws, as they illegally wire-tapped Americans; 6) Lending your support to the deregulation of the banking industry, which has lead to millions of home foreclosures; 7) Voting on the side of weapons contractors to expand nuclear proliferation, including the use of depleted uranium, while supporting legislation for the privatization of the military and mercenary contractors, such as Blackwater; 8) Going against the majority in your district who favored impeachment hearings, and yet, you have refused to help co-sponsor HR 333 and other bills calling for impeachment; 9) Your support of bills cutting social programs in education, social security, unemployment, housing, environmental protec-tion, medicare, and universal health care, etc., in order to help pay for the war/occupa-tion; and 10) It is you sir, who are complicit in the deaths of 4,000 Americans, 30,000 wounded, and the 1 million dead, 4 million displaced Iraqis for an infamous preemptive war originally given the title of, Operation Iraqi Liberty (OIL).

Currently we are now in the throes of another surge, which will be ineffective. It will be ineffective, as every "surge" for the insurgents growing in Iraq, because the people of Iraq do not want a foreign occupier living in their country. And you, sir, are asking our troops to be in the middle of a hostile environment, where we are not wanted, while we meddle in a country's disputes and civil war. Sadam is gone. We must now leave the country of Irqq to the Iraqis. If this war was ever about liberty or freedom, this is what true freedom would be: letting a country decide its own government.

In his part in the writing of the constitution, Thomas Paine's played a key role in determining that our nation would not continue on the path of King George and those like him who violated the sovereignty of other countries, invading them, destroying them, occupying their lands while king's armies stole their resources as spoils for the king. Our forefathers said a strong and defiant NO to a system of barbarism and slavery and subjects of kings. And it was Thomas Paine who stood up and proclaimed, "Any war of offense is an act of murder." Our forefathers felt that way because they understood the British system under King George. They knew it was wrong and refused it. So tell me sir, why have you violated our forefathers, violated our constitution, and returned us to such a barbarous system? You have done so by every piece of legislation you have supported while "serving" in Congress, i.e., serving lobbyists, corporatists, and kings.

When George Washington accepted the desires of the American people, he said, "I will serve you as your president." But why haven't you followed his example, and served the American people? Instead, you have acted like a Tory, a British subject, and served kings and lobbyists for war and oil. You have not served your constituents or the American people. Instead, you have chosen a complete dereliction of duties to a constitution that you have sworn to uphold. This is not only a war crime, but a criminal offense to every constituent as well, and to the American people as a whole. It's also a blasphemy to the American way of life and our Bill of Rights.

Therefore, I am sending you this letter to initiate the process of "A Redress of Grievances." Under the constitution of the United States, I and other parties feeling as I do about your term in office, and failure of responsibilities also are entitled to a redress of grievances by you in person, under the law. This letter is for the purpose of initiating redress in your presence. I, we, expect you to respond in person to this grievance within forty-five (45) days, the same number of days foreclosure victims have to leave their dwellings, and for you to do so preferably at a Town Hall Meeting per your scheduling within the forty-five day period.

Sincerely, Grant Marcus/

Nurses for Social Responsibility

805-648-2455

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Immigrants are far less likely than the average U.S.-born citizen to commit crime in California, the most populous state in the United States, according to a report issued late on Monday.

People born outside the United States make up about 35 percent of California's adult population but account for about 17 percent of the adult prison population, the report by the Public Policy Institute of California showed.

According to the report's authors the findings suggest that long-standing fears of immigration as a threat to public safety are unjustified. The report also noted that U.S.-born adult men are incarcerated at a rate more than 2 1/2 times greater than that of foreign-born men.

"Our research indicates that limiting immigration, requiring higher educational levels to obtain visas, or spending more money to increase penalties against criminal immigrants will have little impact on public safety," said Kristin Butcher, co-author of the report and associate professor of economics at Wellesley College.

The study did not differentiate between documented immigrants and illegal immigrants.

The question of what to do about the millions of undocumented workers living in the United States has been one of the major issues in the U.S. presidential election. Mexico, which accounts for a high proportion of illegal immigrants in California, was deeply disappointed at the U.S. Congress' failure to pass President George W. Bush's overhaul of immigration laws last year.

When Butcher and her co-author, Anne Morrison Piehl, associate professor of economics at Rutgers University, considered all those committed to institutions including prison, jails, halfway houses and the like, they found an even greater disparity.

Among men 18 to 40, the population most likely to be in institutions because of criminal activity, the report found that in California, U.S.-born men were institutionalized 10 times more often than foreign-born men (4.2 percent vs. 0.42 percent).

Among other findings in the report, non-citizen men from Mexico 18 to 40 -- a group disproportionately likely to have entered the United States illegally -- are more than eight times less likely than U.S.-born men in the same age group to be in a correctional institution (0.48 percent vs. 4.2 percent).  Continued...

Check out their site, which has the endorsement of Walter Cronkite - "Project censored is one of the organizations that we should listen to, to be assured that our newspapers and our broadcast outlets are practicing thorough and ethical journalism."

Here is a listing of their top stories from last year:

House of Representatives, CD 24 California; election year 2008

Previous Political offices held or progressive credentials/experience:

-Elected delegate 41st AD 2005-07 and 2007-09
Chair 41st AD Democratic Alliance
Lead Organizer for PDA VC
Trustee for the Community Foundation of Oak Park
Chair, Ventura County Commission for Women
Host and Organizer for the Ventura County Speaker Series

What is your mission and why are you running for office?
Specify how your support the mission of PDSMM (Our mission is to support progressive democratic values, policies and policy makers who will work to support peace and justice at home and abroad and promote diversity and equity for all.)

-The impetus for change we saw in 2006 is much stronger now and the citizens of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties have an opportunity to make history and change the direction
of the community and the country. Unseating Gallegly may be a daunting task, but I cannot sit idly by and I gladly accept the challenge to fight for my community and our
Country! To remain silent is to condone the acts of Bush and Elton. I believe we must all stand up for what is right so that we can say, without hesitancy, we did our part.
And, I am proud to be a progressive liberal who is not an apologist for my values, beliefs and principles. When democrats run as progressives, democrats win. It is our values that are fundamentally American, Democratic values. To have the support and endorsement of PDSMM will reflect that when we stand together, we stand together stronger.

Tell us your position and efforts to date on the following issues:

1. End the US military occupation and privatization of Iraq?
My top priority is to end the occupation and to never support the unilateral invasion of a sovereign country that did not invade or attack us. I have attended or organized several anti-war rallies, out of Iraq rallies, and stop the funding rallies. I have been outspoken in the community against the invasion from the inception. I will join the out of Iraq Caucus once elected as they are taking a more demanding approach to the war than the other representatives.

2. Support global peaceful conflict resolution. Oppose all wars?
I am in full support of a Department of Peace. We have to have a paradigm shift away from war profiteering to Peace and away from the Military Industrial Complex and toward a Peace Industrial Complex. Peace can be profitable as well. I support diplomacy, dialogue and engagement. If we ever have to go to war, it will be as a last resort and only against a nation who attacked us, not against sovereign nations, not unilaterally, not without the full consent of Congress and the UN.

3. Create a universal, single-payer health care system that provides medical Insurance for every US resident. Do you support SB840?
I was one of the first to send a letter to Sheila Kuehl's office in support of SB 840. Also, my second pillar for my campaign is to have Universal Single Payer Health Care for every man, woman and child. Health care should be a right, not a privilege. We have the money to fund it; we just have to make the decision to do it. And, with a stronger majority of Democrats we have a stronger chance of passing universal coverage.

4. Work to ensure abortions are legal and safe and rare. Protect every person's right to make decisions without interference from the state?
My position has always been that the government has no right to tell you whether our not you can reproduce. I am in full support of Roe vs. Wade and the right to privacy. I am also against passing any legislation that limits these rights or requires teens to gain parental permission.

5. Support media reform that ensures a diversity of viewpoints and calls for the Reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine?
The Media, our 4th Estate, has been just as responsible for the dismantling of our democracy over the past several years as this administration. They have not done their job media was to inform, educate the populace, and give us the facts. They were to question and add balance to all issues. It is imperative to a democracy to have an informed citizenry and hence I am in favor of media reform, restoring regulation and a return of the Fairness Doctrine.

6. Protect every American's right to vote through passage of the Voter Rights Act of 2005, The Holt Bill and other legislation consistent with this goal?
I am in favor of Election Protection, a verified paper trail. Everyone, across the US, should vote via paper ballot with guidelines sanctioned throughout all states
and counties. And, then, hand-count our votes and ballots with civil servants, not computer software.

7. Support Clean Money public financing of elections and Instant run-off voting?
I worked tirelessly in support of Prop 89, the California Clean money proposition. I am in full support of all campaigns, state, federal and local being financed with
public funds. I also support instant run-off voting as a measure that would have avoided the fiasco we saw in 2000 and would save money as it would reduce the necessity of
special, additional elections.

8. Preserve Social Security?
Social Security is a safety net to keep our elderly out of poverty, to provide disability benefits and living benefits to children. We should never tamper with this program. Al Gore was absolutely right in his notion of treating it as a lock box. I am in favor of lifting the cap to ensure funding beyond 2040. I would never support any legislation to privatize or partially privatize.

9. Support public education that closes the achievement gap, promotes critical and affords students opportunities for ongoing civic and community engagement?
I am an advocate of public education. Education is the foundation of a strong and thriving democracy and imperative to keeping our democracy strong and thriving.
I would not support vouchers or mass funding of charter schools. I support midnighting NCLB as it is leaving too many children behind.

10. Protect our environment through legislation, education and the development of renewable resources?
The debate is over on global warming. We must join with the Apollo Alliance, create green collar jobs, reduce and cap co2's. We must also engage China and India as well or our efforts will not matter. I am a member of the Sierra Club and the Environmental Caucus in the CDP as I believe education about these issues to be imperative to reversing our polluting trends and I believe we must all become
stewards of the Earth.

11. Support Fair Trade and other labor initiatives that protect workers' rights and Guarantee workers a living wage?
I support the right to organize and the Freedom of Association. When we have a say in our society, and a say in the work force, this strengthens our democracy, is
good for American and is good for the middle class. I am in favor of ending our current trade agreements, NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO, as these are neither fair nor free and I will fight to return jobs to the US. I also resolve to support new job
industries, such as green collar jobs, and will always vote in favor of livable wages.

12. What is your position on the Death Penalty?
I oppose the Death Penalty. It has never been a deterrent to crime. I am in support of life in prison. And, I do not support the privatization of our prison system. They need to all be managed by the state and not for profit.

This blog fully supports Mary Pallant's candidacy for the 24th Congressional District. We have been under the thumb of Elton Gallegly for too many years at our own expense. It is truly time for a new direction. Mary has the experience and the ability to beat Gallegly. With Democrat voter registration up in the 24th district, this could be our year to retire Gallegly. He has already shown he wants to retire, lets grant his wish this year. Go Mary!

Circulate widely - THE VOTE for the People TO COMMENCE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT BUSH AND VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY IN THE U.S. CONGRESS HAS REACHED THE FULL NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The vote is expected in Mid - April. A CALL for ALL to attend.

Representative Betty Hall, sponsor of HR24, needs huge support from everywhere in order to succeed. We ask YOU to send your message to the legislators of New Hampshire telling them for the sake our country, vote for HR 24! Send your message to I.Support.HR24@gmail.com TODAY! Rep. Hall asks all residents of New Hampshire to be sure to state in their emails, their Town. NH emails will be printed for the NH Representative and may become part of the public recorded as the true history of the United States.

What is unique to New Hampshire citizens, is that every bill introduced and sent to committee receives a vote in the full House. In New Hampshire there are 400 House legislators from a relatively small population. In order for HR24 to be brought to Washington DC, only House passage is needed. Neither a vote in the Senate nor a signature from the Governor is needed to bring HR24 to Washington to commence impeachment in the US Congress.

In addition, The New Hampshire Bill of Rights, Sec. 10, retains the Right of Revolution enacted and never changed since 1784. There is no wonder the state's motto "Live Free or Die" applies to the people's trials, especially tugging at the hearts and minds of the People. Now we gather to be heard - a voice from the past . . .

The House Resolution procedure to commence impeachment in the US Congress is part of a history making effort from our historical past. We remember learning about the voice of Thomas Jefferson, now it is time to make his voice heard, once again, for the hearing in the New Hampshire House Session. The date is to be determined, but it's likely the vote will be in mid-April.

As we gather emails in support of Representative Betty Hall's House Resolution to commence impeachment in the US Congress, remember, it only takes one article of impeachment to convict and stop the madness.

The Founding Fathers of the Constitution, created this remedy for the people, to set impeachment in motion under Section 603 of Jefferson's Manual, for charges to be transmitted by a State legislature, directing Congress to ACT.

Betty Hall requests YOUR voice and email to support HR24! Do it today. Do it NOW!

Follow recorded public testimony in 17 parts, go to YouTube at: www.youtube.com/user/hallmfg03033

Whether Democrats or Republicans are worried about hurting their Party or their own
chances of winning an election?
"A partisan reason is defending an illegal act, and will be the one blight on your
record."

How long are the Republicans going to protect their "man" as he runs the country down the drain with the party? Is this what Elton Gallegly wants us to continue with?

It appears to be quite a joke at this point to hear a Republican candidate or incumbent point an accusatory finger at a Democrat while warning of financial doom as another fear tactic to get a vote. Clearly a minimally intelligent individual would see we now have the biggest government ever and we are bleeding more money than ever before.

Now I don't know about you, but certainly any extra money around here, including a rebate check, will go to paying any debt. While the government is so certain that folks will rush out to shop with their checks, I think a more realistic vision of reality is that folks are in trouble, and they need and want to pay things off. Does it make sense to anyone that folks facing this economic crisis would do anything else?

read more | digg story

While numerous public agencies and leaders have uncovered the ongoing lies of the Bush Administration, which has led us into an illegal war, destroyed our economy, and seriously damaged our reputation in the global environment, Mr. Gallegly continues to support George Bush's agenda. In addition, it is quite disturbing that Gallegly voted for impeachment hearings for Bill Clinton, while he remains silent over the ongoing abuses of George Bush and Dick Cheney.  His party loyalty appears to result in his turning a blind eye to the status of this country and our best interests.

In conversations with any local Republicans that are even willing to claim connection to their party at this time, folks point to favors from Gallegly as their reason to support him. But isn't it the issue of "favors" the nut of the issue that has gotten us where we are today? Let's consider for a moment the unchallenged contracts given to Blackwater, Halliburton, etc. Are these the type of "favors" we wish to continue to support while this nation maintains a steady decline in every aspect of previous standing?

It appears we are at a cross road at this time. We have the opportunity to choose a new road and a new future and have it not based on "favors" or blind following. It is time to remove the blind faith Bush supporters. Mary Pallant appears to be a strong candidate to make that kind of change.

Pallant's campaign focuses on important issues such as the Iraq war, economy, energy and environment, and health care. Issues important to all of us that want the best future for our children and our standing in the world community.

Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriot Fund is asking for candidate recommendations for their patriot fund. Consider submitting Pallant's name to show your support.

This morning the House voted on whether to override Bush's veto.  Unfortunately the vote failed to meet the two thirds majority needed to override the veto.

Click here to see how your representative voted on this issue.  "Yea" was to override Bush's veto.

Elton Gallegly voted "Nay" in support of not overriding Bush's veto of the anti torture HR 2082, which would have stopped water boarding and other forms of torture

Democratic Candidates:

Mary Pallant, Oak Park - strongest 24th district candidate

Marta Jorgensen, Solvang

Jill Martinez, Oxnard

Republican Candidates:

Elton Gallegly

Michael Tenenbaum

California 19th Senate District:
Democrat Candidate:

Hannah-Beth Jackson

California 37th Assembly District:
Democratic Candidates:

David Hare

Ferial Masry

Audra Strickland - enough is enough with Strickland. Called her office several times with a concern and never received a response.

Reagan was not the President that Gallegly apparently wishes he was.  Fox News was also not happy about it.