Re: ALEC OpEd

[Spencer Graves]

Hello, All: 


      Per our discussion, I've drafted an Op Ed piece for the San José Mercury News.  The current version is available at "https://docs.google.com/document/d/17PQeSYCPlIgQL9HNxd6czZ8m2u0LMUZkIxw0P1uSOb8/edit?usp=sharing".  Anyone with this link can comment.  In addition, Joe Dietzgen sep.di...@gmail.com, Bruce Preville br...@preville.net, Georgia gpl...@sbcglobal.net, frederick rehhausser fred.re...@gmail.com, askg...@att.net askg...@att.net, bets...@prodsyse.com, and HGr...@commoncause.org can edit it if properly logged in.  If you have trouble logging in, please leave notes and sent me an email.  This is currently 410 words.  The limit (or target?) I heard from Bruce is 600.  Thus, we can add other material if we want. 


      Permit me to summarize the process we used with our earlier Op Ed:  (1) We discussed the issue, Bruce contacted Barbara Marshman at the Merc, and Spencer drafted something.  (2) The group didn't like it and discussed why.  (3) Spencer wrote a new piece from scratch based on what he heard from the group.  (4) That was further discussed and revised by the group, then sent and published.  I mention this in part to say that you should not hesitate to express your thoughts on this.  Wikipedia says, "Be bold but not reckless."


      If you don't like it, then we need to discuss what it should contain generally. 


      If you generally like it, I think the following particularly needs further discussion: 


            1.  What should the conclusion be?  I think that's the weakest part of the piece as it stands now. 


            2.  HELEN, et al.:  Is the current last sentence appropriate:  "Common Cause is concerned about all governmental actions that have increased the power of large corporations at the expense of small businesses, consumers and workers."?  We should not presume to speak for Common Cause without checking with someone like Helen. 


            3.  What do you think about trying to add a plot of data showing the evolution of average annual income and the incomes of the top 1 percent and 0.1 percent from 1933 to 2012 with the median from 1947 to 2012?  You've probably all seen a plot I produced similar to this that ran only from 1947 to 2012 and displayed 6 lines, not 4.  I don't know if Marshman would like something like this or would reject it.  It supports my introductory point that, "Average annual income in the US has doubled roughly every 40 years since the founding of the republic.  A great exception was the 40 years between 1933 to 1973:  During that period, the average income doubled twice -- and the gains were broadly shared." I think that's important, because it raises strong questions about the veracity of the claims of Mitt Romney and his supporters that we need to give so much money to the "job creators". 


            4.  I need to go to the library to research more about the research that has been done to estimate the impact on the public of mergers and acquisitions.  By reducing competition, they allow major companies to charge higher prices.  I believe that's part of the $100 per day that I've mentioned in lost income for the median American family over the past 40 years. 


      Best Wishes,
      Spencer


On 10/24/2013 11:21 PM, Bruce Preville wrote:

Hi Spencer,

It's a good start.   

Next we can come up with the points to cover in each of the below paragraphs.

OpEd Structure

Start with SOCO*

Discuss the problem or issue

Call to action or solution

Circle back to SOCO

 * SOCO:(strategic, overriding communications objective). It means your ONE BIG MESSAGE. ) to make sure you are delivering a single clear message. E.g. A global example is "We can end AIDS, TB and malaria in a relatively short time. We have the drugs, diagnostics and strategies, we just need the political will and the funding."

Let's put the SOCO, etc. into a Google doc as you say and send out to the group.  Anybody else?

Maybe you want to draft the OpEd once we get the paragraphs actually drafted.

Best,

Bruce
___________________________________________________________________
Bruce Preville
BP Consulting
408 866-3333

What is 21st Century Democracy?

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. - Bucky Fuller

We seek to create a movement of ordinary yet concerned Americans, educating and empowering them to recognize that now is the time to stand up to injustice, inequality and the abuse of power, to reclaim our democracy.  

Dream Menders - Reclaiming Our Democracy

On Oct 24, 2013, at 3:04 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

What

-- 
Spencer Graves, PhD
Executive Director
Effective Defense
751 Emerson Ct.
San José, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567
web:  www.effectivedefense.org

[Spencer Graves]

On 10/27/2013 10:46 AM, Helen Grieco wrote:

I will need to run this by my Executive Director if it's going out in the name of Common Cause

      Of course.  Kathay Feng? 


      I was asked to draft something relating to ALEC for an Op Ed under the name of a local chapter of Dream Menders or Common Cause or Rootstrikers.  As mentioned below, our Rootstrikers group got an Op Ed published in the San José Mercury News early this year.  The group rejected the first draft I wrote, so I produced a second that got modified into what was published. 


      Might it be reasonable to expect we could get Kathay's blessing (and input) on something like this in a reasonable time frame?  If yes, what might it have to contain to maximize the chances for that? 


      Thanks,
      Spencer


p.s.  As indicated below, the current draft is still private:  It is only available to those with the link.  Anyone with the link can leave comments on it.  A few people like you can edit it, delete the entire thing and start from scratch, etc., provide you convince Google Drive that you are on the authorization list. 

Helen Grieco
Northern CA Common Cause Organizer
415. 531. 1774
hgr...@commoncause.org
twitter
CA Common Cause
facebook

[Spencer Graves]

      Sure.  Can you arrange the doodle, Helen? 


      We are on a deadline: The San José Mercury News wants it by this Friday, and Bruce promised it by then.  We think it mostly says what we want.  However, it's currently 620 words;  their max is 600.  I hope we can meet that deadline. 


      Best Wishes,
      Spencer


On 10/28/2013 8:31 PM, Helen Grieco wrote:

I think we should have a conference call to discuss our goals for this
piece-- I think ALEC and the middle class is not getting at what why we
want folks to read this-- and I'd like it to be more specific about what
we want to do

FYI I talked with my national folks and  CA staff-- they raise issues
with the Shame campaign idea--
I suggested that we change it to Why ALEC? I'd like to explain that too

can someone set up a doodle so we can get on the phone together

we can use this number
605 475 4700

passcode 573669#

Helen Grieco
Northern CA Common Cause Organizer
415. 531. 1774
hgr...@commoncause.org
twitter
CA Common Cause
facebook

[Spencer Graves]

It's now at 607 words ;-)  Other suggested additions / deletions / modifications of any kind?  sg


#####################

      Sure.  Can you arrange the doodle, Helen? 


      We are on a deadline: The San José Mercury News wants it by this Friday, and Bruce promised it by then.  We think it mostly says what we want.  However, it's currently 620 words;  their max is 600.  I hope we can meet that deadline. 


      Best Wishes,
      Spencer


On 10/28/2013 8:31 PM, Helen Grieco wrote:

I think we should have a conference call to discuss our goals for this
piece-- I think ALEC and the middle class is not getting at what why we
want folks to read this-- and I'd like it to be more specific about what
we want to do

FYI I talked with my national folks and  CA staff-- they raise issues
with the Shame campaign idea--
I suggested that we change it to Why ALEC? I'd like to explain that too

can someone set up a doodle so we can get on the phone together

we can use this number
605 475 4700

passcode 573669#

Helen Grieco
Northern CA Common Cause Organizer
415. 531. 1774
hgr...@commoncause.org
twitter
CA Common Cause
facebook

[Georgia Platts]

I couldn't edit inside the document, so I cut and paste. Here's my edit (Slightly under 600 words):

It is now widely acknowledged that the ultra-wealthy have gotten much richer over the past 40 years, while the middle-class has crept along, or fallen back.  As concerned citizens we can control and reverse this trend. But we must first understand it.  

In past decades our economic growth was both robust and widely shared. In fact, average annual income has doubled roughly every 40 years since the Republic’s founding. Through bipartisan efforts, average income doubled twice between 1933 and 1973. 

Yet in the 40 years since 1970, the average annual income of the top 0.01% increased 500% while median family income rose only 23%.  That translates to a $100 per day ($39,000 per year) transfer from each middle class family to those who are better off. 

Why? Follow the money, like campaign contributions from the ultra-rich that suspiciously leads to mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition and raise prices.  Other laws create barriers to competition that benefit big business at the expense of small businesses, employees, and consumers. Other decisions redirect regulatory agencies to serve the regulated and not the public. Meanwhile, tax policy opens loopholes, creates shelters, favors off-shoring jobs and lowers rates on investment income, which most benefits the wealthy.

In California’s 2012 election, a pair of Arizona non-profit groups funneled $15 million from anonymous donors into two ballot initiative campaigns.  Thanks to a complaint filed by California Common Cause, on Oct. 24 our state Fair Political Practices Commission announced a $1 million fine to be paid by Americans for Responsible Leadership and the Center to Protect Patient Rights. Both groups are linked to billionaire industrialists and conservative activists Charles and David Koch. 

The anonymous $15 million had been used for ads promoting the defeat of Proposition 30, a tax measure pushed by Gov. Brown, and the approval of Proposition 32, an initiative that would have curbed the ability of unions to raise money for political campaigns.  Usually, money wins election.  But we dodged a bullet here as Prop 30 was approved and 32 lost. But we can’t expect to dodge a bullet every time. And too often we don’t.  

A leader in promoting legislation supporting major corporations but opposed by the electorate is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).  This is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that claims to promote free markets and limit government.  Its members include state legislators, businesses and foundations.  Major corporations and foundations supported by the ultra-wealthy like the Koch brothers provide 98% of their funds.  Their model bills are often written by these corporations.  This leads critics to insist that ALEC should register and pay taxes as lobbyists.  

ALEC achieved national notoriety as a primary promoter of the "Stand Your Ground" law favored by the gun lobby, which contributed to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin.  Other ALEC initiatives include bills to preempt local minimum wage ordinances, scrap pension plans and limit the ability of workers to bargain for good wages and benefits.  ALEC also pushes tort reform to limit the ability of workers, consumers, neighbors and small businesses to sue major corporations.  

We need transparency in our legislative process.  We don’t need major corporations writing laws subsequently enacted by politicians elected with their money.  Common Cause supports a variety of of citizen actions to help expose and counteract the influence of large corporations on our legislative processes.  Join us at commoncause.org in making public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens.  

Spencer Graves - 

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Rootstrikers-South-Bay" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rootstrikers-sout...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Georgia Platts]

Whoops, forgot to email to the cc’s

As I said, I couldn't edit within the  Google document so I cut and paste. Here's my edit, which is slightly less than 600 words:

It is now widely acknowledged that the ultra-wealthy have gotten much richer over the past 40 years, while the middle-class has crept along, or fallen back.  As concerned citizens we can control and reverse this trend. But we must first understand it.  

In past decades our economic growth was both robust and widely shared. In fact, average annual income has doubled roughly every 40 years since the Republic’s founding. Through bipartisan efforts, average income doubled twice between 1933 and 1973. 

Yet in the 40 years since 1970, the average annual income of the top 0.01% increased 500% while median family income rose only 23%.  That translates to a $100 per day ($39,000 per year) transfer from each middle class family to those who are better off. 

Why? Follow the money, like campaign contributions from the ultra-rich that suspiciously leads to mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition and raise prices.  Other laws create barriers to competition that benefit big business at the expense of small businesses, employees, and consumers. Other decisions redirect regulatory agencies to serve the regulated and not the public. Meanwhile, tax policy opens loopholes, creates shelters, favors off-shoring jobs and lowers rates on investment income, which most benefits the wealthy.

In California’s 2012 election, a pair of Arizona non-profit groups funneled $15 million from anonymous donors into two ballot initiative campaigns.  Thanks to a complaint filed by California Common Cause, on Oct. 24 our state Fair Political Practices Commission announced a $1 million fine to be paid by Americans for Responsible Leadership and the Center to Protect Patient Rights. Both groups are linked to billionaire industrialists and conservative activists Charles and David Koch. 

The anonymous $15 million had been used for ads promoting the defeat of Proposition 30, a tax measure pushed by Gov. Brown, and the approval of Proposition 32, an initiative that would have curbed the ability of unions to raise money for political campaigns.  Usually, money wins election.  But we dodged a bullet here as Prop 30 was approved and 32 lost. But we can’t expect to dodge a bullet every time. And too often we don’t.  

A leader in promoting legislation supporting major corporations but opposed by the electorate is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).  This is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that claims to promote free markets and limit government.  Its members include state legislators, businesses and foundations.  Major corporations and foundations supported by the ultra-wealthy like the Koch brothers provide 98% of their funds.  Their model bills are often written by these corporations.  This leads critics to insist that ALEC should register and pay taxes as lobbyists.  

ALEC achieved national notoriety as a primary promoter of the "Stand Your Ground" law favored by the gun lobby, which contributed to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin.  Other ALEC initiatives include bills to preempt local minimum wage ordinances, scrap pension plans and limit the ability of workers to bargain for good wages and benefits.  ALEC also pushes tort reform to limit the ability of workers, consumers, neighbors and small businesses to sue major corporations.  

We need transparency in our legislative process.  We don’t need major corporations writing laws subsequently enacted by politicians elected with their money.  Common Cause supports a variety of of citizen actions to help expose and counteract the influence of large corporations on our legislative processes.  Join us at commoncause.org in making public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens.  

Spencer Graves - 

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:28 AM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

[Bruce Preville]

Awesome!  Several minor edits are still needed. Helen - what steps remain for CC?  B

Sent from my iPad

[Spencer Graves]

Hello, All:�


����� I merged Georgia's comments back into the Google Doc with a few additional edits.� It's now 592 words ;-)�


����� Bruce suggested we need four additional things:�


��� ������� 1.� Clarify the role of Common Cause, so they approve the text.� They either do so officially or we rewrite it so it doesn't need their approval.� Bruce and Georgia will discuss, and at least one will contact Helen.�


��� ������� 2.� We need a different title.� I brainstormed 3 and tentatively selected, "Politics and Economics to Benefit All".� However, I'd be pleased to have inputs from others.� Titles can make the difference between something being read or not, so it's worth spending some time with brainstorming, etc.�


��� ������� 3.� Official authors:� What about something like the following:�


��� ��� ��������� * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts and others in the (Santa Clara or San Jos� or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?)�

or


��� ��� ��������� * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts, Glen Shaffer, Fred Rehhausser, and others in the (Santa Clara or San Jos� or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?)�


or ... ???


��� ������� 4.� Spencer will contact someone he knows who used to work for the Merc to see if the current draft encounter problems with concerns they may have (e.g., with advertising money from the Koch brothers).�


����� Best Wishes,
����� Spencer


On 10/29/2013 1:15 PM, Bruce Preville wrote:

Awesome! �Several minor edits are still needed. Helen - what steps remain for CC? �B

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 29, 2013, at 1:02 PM, Georgia Platts <gpl...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Whoops, forgot to email to the cc�s

As I said, I couldn't edit within the �Google document so I cut and paste. Here's my edit, which is slightly less than 600 words:

It is now widely acknowledged that the ultra-wealthy have gotten much richer over the past 40 years, while the middle-class has crept along, or fallen back. �As concerned citizens we can control and reverse this trend. But we must first understand it. �

In past decades our economic growth was both robust and widely shared.�In fact, average annual income has doubled roughly every 40 years since the Republic�s founding. Through bipartisan efforts, average income doubled twice between 1933 and 1973.�

Yet in the 40 years since 1970, the average annual income of the top 0.01% increased 500% while median family income rose only 23%. �That translates to a $100 per day ($39,000 per year) transfer from each middle class family to those who are better off.�

Why? Follow the money, like campaign contributions from the ultra-rich that suspiciously leads to mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition and raise prices. �Other laws create barriers to competition that benefit big business at the expense of small businesses, employees, and consumers. Other decisions redirect regulatory agencies to serve the regulated and not the public. Meanwhile, tax policy opens loopholes, creates shelters, favors off-shoring jobs and lowers rates on investment income, which most benefits the wealthy.

In California�s 2012 election, a pair of Arizona non-profit groups funneled $15 million from anonymous donors into two ballot initiative campaigns. �Thanks to a complaint filed by California Common Cause, on Oct. 24 our state Fair Political Practices Commission announced a $1 million fine to be paid by Americans for Responsible Leadership and the Center to Protect Patient Rights. Both groups are linked to billionaire industrialists and conservative activists Charles and David Koch.�

The anonymous $15 million had been used for ads promoting the defeat of Proposition 30, a tax measure pushed by Gov. Brown, and the approval of Proposition 32, an initiative that would have curbed the ability of unions to raise money for political campaigns. �Usually, money wins election. �But we dodged a bullet here as�Prop 30 was approved and 32 lost. But we can�t expect to dodge a bullet every time. And too often we don�t. �

A leader in promoting legislation supporting major corporations but opposed by the electorate is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). �This is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that claims to promote free markets and limit government. �Its members include state legislators, businesses and foundations. �Major corporations and foundations supported by the ultra-wealthy like the Koch brothers provide 98% of their funds. �Their model bills are often written by these corporations. �This leads critics to insist that ALEC should register and pay taxes as lobbyists. �

ALEC achieved national notoriety as a primary promoter of the "Stand Your Ground" law favored by the gun lobby, which contributed to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin. �Other ALEC initiatives include bills to preempt local minimum wage ordinances, scrap pension plans and limit the ability of workers to bargain for good wages and benefits. �ALEC also pushes tort reform to limit the ability of workers, consumers, neighbors and small businesses to sue major corporations. �

We need transparency in our legislative process. �We don�t need major corporations writing laws subsequently enacted by politicians elected with their money. �Common Cause supports a variety of of citizen actions to help expose and counteract the influence of large corporations on our legislative processes. �Join us at commoncause.org in making public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens. �

Spencer Graves -�

Best,�

Georgia�

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:28 AM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

It's now at 607 words ;-)� Other suggested additions / deletions / modifications of any kind?� sg


#####################


����� Sure.� Can you arrange the doodle, Helen?�


����� We are on a deadline: The San Jos� Mercury News wants it by this Friday, and Bruce promised it by then.� We think it mostly says what we want.� However, it's currently 620 words;� their max is 600.� I hope we can meet that deadline.�


����� Best Wishes,
����� Spencer

On 10/28/2013 8:31 PM, Helen Grieco wrote:

I think we should have a conference call to discuss our goals for this
piece-- I think ALEC and the middle class is not getting at what why we
want folks to read this-- and I'd like it to be more specific about what
we want to do

FYI I talked with my national folks and� CA staff-- they raise issues

with the Shame campaign idea--
I suggested that we change it to Why ALEC? I'd like to explain that too

can someone set up a doodle so we can get on the phone together

we can use this number
605 475 4700

passcode 573669#

On Sat, Oct 26, 2013 at 11:43 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

Hello, All:�


����� Per our discussion, I've drafted an Op Ed piece for the San Jos� Mercury News.� The current version is available at "https://docs.google.com/document/d/17PQeSYCPlIgQL9HNxd6czZ8m2u0LMUZkIxw0P1uSOb8/edit?usp=sharing".� Anyone with this link can comment.� In addition, Joe Dietzgen sep.di...@gmail.com, Bruce Preville br...@preville.net, Georgia gpl...@sbcglobal.net, frederick rehhausser fred.re...@gmail.com, askg...@att.net askg...@att.net, bets...@prodsyse.com, and HGr...@commoncause.org can edit it if properly logged in.� If you have trouble logging in, please leave notes and sent me an email.� This is currently 410 words.� The limit (or target?) I heard from Bruce is 600.� Thus, we can add other material if we want.�


����� Permit me to summarize the process we used with our earlier Op Ed:� (1) We discussed the issue, Bruce contacted Barbara Marshman at the Merc, and Spencer drafted something.� (2) The group didn't like it and discussed why.� (3) Spencer wrote a new piece from scratch based on what he heard from the group.� (4) That was further discussed and revised by the group, then sent and published.� I mention this in part to say that you should not hesitate to express your thoughts on this.� Wikipedia says, "Be bold but not reckless."


����� If you don't like it, then we need to discuss what it should contain generally.�


����� If you generally like it, I think the following particularly needs further discussion:�


��� ������� 1.� What should the conclusion be?� I think that's the weakest part of the piece as it stands now.�


��� ������� 2.� HELEN, et al.:� Is the current last sentence appropriate:� "Common Cause is concerned about all governmental actions that have increased the power of large corporations at the expense of small businesses, consumers and workers."?� We should not presume to speak for Common Cause without checking with someone like Helen.�


��� ������� 3.� What do you think about trying to add a plot of data showing the evolution of average annual income and the incomes of the top 1 percent and 0.1 percent from 1933 to 2012 with the median from 1947 to 2012?� You've probably all seen a plot I produced similar to this that ran only from 1947 to 2012 and displayed 6 lines, not 4.� I don't know if Marshman would like something like this or would reject it.� It supports my introductory point that, "Average annual income in the US has doubled roughly every 40 years since the founding of the republic.� A great exception was the 40 years between 1933 to 1973:� During that period, the average income doubled twice -- and the gains were broadly shared." I think that's important, because it raises strong questions about the veracity of the claims of Mitt Romney and his supporters that we need to give so much money to the "job creators".�


��� ������� 4.� I need to go to the library to research more about the research that has been done to estimate the impact on the public of mergers and acquisitions.� By reducing competition, they allow major companies to charge higher prices.� I believe that's part of the $100 per day that I've mentioned in lost income for the median American family over the past 40 years.�


����� Best Wishes,
����� Spencer

On 10/24/2013 11:21 PM, Bruce Preville wrote:

Hi Spencer,

It's a good start. ��

Next we can come up with the points to cover in each of the below paragraphs.

OpEd Structure

Start with SOCO*

Discuss the problem or issue

Call to action or solution

Circle back to SOCO

�* SOCO:(strategic, overriding communications objective). It means your ONE BIG�MESSAGE.�) to make sure you are delivering a single clear message. E.g.�A global example�is�"We can end AIDS, TB and malaria in a relatively short time.�We have the drugs,�diagnostics and strategies, we just need the political will and the funding."

Let's put the SOCO, etc. into a Google doc as you say and send out to the group. �Anybody else?

Maybe you want to draft the OpEd once we get the paragraphs actually drafted.

Best,

Bruce
___________________________________________________________________
Bruce Preville
BP Consulting
408 866-3333

What is 21st Century Democracy?

You�never change things by fighting the�existing reality. To change�something, build a new model that�makes the existing model�obsolete. -�Bucky Fuller

We�seek to create a movement of ordinary yet�concerned Americans, educating and�empowering them to recognize that now is�the time to stand up to injustice, inequality�and the abuse of power, to reclaim our�democracy.��

Dream Menders�-�Reclaiming Our�Democracy

On Oct 24, 2013, at 3:04 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

What

--
Helen Grieco
Northern CA Common Cause Organizer
415. 531. 1774
hgr...@commoncause.org
twitter
CA Common Cause
facebook

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Rootstrikers-South-Bay" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rootstrikers-sout...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

-- 
Spencer Graves, PhD
Executive Director
Effective Defense
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos�, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567
web:  www.effectivedefense.org

[Frederick Rehhausser]

Authors spencer Georgia and others

Fred

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 29, 2013, at 3:34 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

Hello, All: 


      I merged Georgia's comments back into the Google Doc with a few additional edits.  It's now 592 words ;-) 

      Bruce suggested we need four additional things: 

            1.  Clarify the role of Common Cause, so they approve the text.  They either do so officially or we rewrite it so it doesn't need their approval.  Bruce and Georgia will discuss, and at least one will contact Helen. 


            2.  We need a different title.  I brainstormed 3 and tentatively selected, "Politics and Economics to Benefit All".  However, I'd be pleased to have inputs from others.  Titles can make the difference between something being read or not, so it's worth spending some time with brainstorming, etc. 


            3.  Official authors:  What about something like the following: 


                  * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts and others in the (Santa Clara or San José or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?) 

or


                  * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts, Glen Shaffer, Fred Rehhausser, and others in the (Santa Clara or San José or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?) 


or ... ???


            4.  Spencer will contact someone he knows who used to work for the Merc to see if the current draft encounter problems with concerns they may have (e.g., with advertising money from the Koch brothers). 


      Best Wishes,

      Spencer


On 10/29/2013 1:15 PM, Bruce Preville wrote:

Awesome!  Several minor edits are still needed. Helen - what steps remain for CC?  B

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 29, 2013, at 1:02 PM, Georgia Platts <gpl...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Whoops, forgot to email to the cc’s

As I said, I couldn't edit within the  Google document so I cut and paste. Here's my edit, which is slightly less than 600 words:

It is now widely acknowledged that the ultra-wealthy have gotten much richer over the past 40 years, while the middle-class has crept along, or fallen back.  As concerned citizens we can control and reverse this trend. But we must first understand it.  

In past decades our economic growth was both robust and widely shared. In fact, average annual income has doubled roughly every 40 years since the Republic’s founding. Through bipartisan efforts, average income doubled twice between 1933 and 1973. 

Yet in the 40 years since 1970, the average annual income of the top 0.01% increased 500% while median family income rose only 23%.  That translates to a $100 per day ($39,000 per year) transfer from each middle class family to those who are better off. 

Why? Follow the money, like campaign contributions from the ultra-rich that suspiciously leads to mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition and raise prices.  Other laws create barriers to competition that benefit big business at the expense of small businesses, employees, and consumers. Other decisions redirect regulatory agencies to serve the regulated and not the public. Meanwhile, tax policy opens loopholes, creates shelters, favors off-shoring jobs and lowers rates on investment income, which most benefits the wealthy.

In California’s 2012 election, a pair of Arizona non-profit groups funneled $15 million from anonymous donors into two ballot initiative campaigns.  Thanks to a complaint filed by California Common Cause, on Oct. 24 our state Fair Political Practices Commission announced a $1 million fine to be paid by Americans for Responsible Leadership and the Center to Protect Patient Rights. Both groups are linked to billionaire industrialists and conservative activists Charles and David Koch. 

The anonymous $15 million had been used for ads promoting the defeat of Proposition 30, a tax measure pushed by Gov. Brown, and the approval of Proposition 32, an initiative that would have curbed the ability of unions to raise money for political campaigns.  Usually, money wins election.  But we dodged a bullet here as Prop 30 was approved and 32 lost. But we can’t expect to dodge a bullet every time. And too often we don’t.  

A leader in promoting legislation supporting major corporations but opposed by the electorate is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).  This is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that claims to promote free markets and limit government.  Its members include state legislators, businesses and foundations.  Major corporations and foundations supported by the ultra-wealthy like the Koch brothers provide 98% of their funds.  Their model bills are often written by these corporations.  This leads critics to insist that ALEC should register and pay taxes as lobbyists.  

ALEC achieved national notoriety as a primary promoter of the "Stand Your Ground" law favored by the gun lobby, which contributed to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin.  Other ALEC initiatives include bills to preempt local minimum wage ordinances, scrap pension plans and limit the ability of workers to bargain for good wages and benefits.  ALEC also pushes tort reform to limit the ability of workers, consumers, neighbors and small businesses to sue major corporations.  

We need transparency in our legislative process.  We don’t need major corporations writing laws subsequently enacted by politicians elected with their money.  Common Cause supports a variety of of citizen actions to help expose and counteract the influence of large corporations on our legislative processes.  Join us at commoncause.org in making public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens.  

Spencer Graves - 

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:28 AM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

It's now at 607 words ;-)  Other suggested additions / deletions / modifications of any kind?  sg


#####################


      Sure.  Can you arrange the doodle, Helen? 


      We are on a deadline: The San José Mercury News wants it by this Friday, and Bruce promised it by then.  We think it mostly says what we want.  However, it's currently 620 words;  their max is 600.  I hope we can meet that deadline. 


      Best Wishes,

      Spencer


On 10/28/2013 8:31 PM, Helen Grieco wrote:

I think we should have a conference call to discuss our goals for this
piece-- I think ALEC and the middle class is not getting at what why we
want folks to read this-- and I'd like it to be more specific about what
we want to do

FYI I talked with my national folks and  CA staff-- they

[Georgia Platts]

Thanks Fred, but I barely touched Spencer's op-ed, So Spencer can take full credit. 

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

[frederick rehhausser]

Me too

Fred

[Spencer Graves]

����� I respectfully disagree:� Politically, I think it unwise to make this a one-author piece.� I think it should be Spencer plus at least one other for a larger group.�


����� It's my understanding that Bruce has other political commitments that push him to refuse co-authorship.� That leaves Georgia, whose silver pen made great editorial improvements, plus Glen and Fred, who I think make some changes earlier in the process.� My apologies to anyone else whose contributions I've forgotten.�


����� That's why the current draft ends "Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts and others in the" (whatever we decide to call ourselves).�


����� When we resolve this, we still have two other issues:�


��� ������� 1.� Someone needs to talk with Helen Grieco and determine to what extent we can use the name of Common Cause, etc. -- and get that done before Friday.�


��� ������� 2.� We need to converge on a title.

����� Spencer

On 10/29/2013 6:11 PM, frederick rehhausser wrote:

Me too

Fred

On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 5:24 PM, Georgia Platts <gpl...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Thanks Fred, but I barely touched Spencer's op-ed, So Spencer can take full credit.�

Best,�

Georgia�

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 5:12 PM, Frederick Rehhausser <fred.re...@gmail.com> wrote:

Authors spencer Georgia and others

Fred

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 29, 2013, at 3:34 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

Hello, All:�


����� I merged Georgia's comments back into the Google Doc with a few additional edits.� It's now 592 words ;-)�


����� Bruce suggested we need four additional things:�


��� ������� 1.� Clarify the role of Common Cause, so they approve the text.� They either do so officially or we rewrite it so it doesn't need their approval.� Bruce and Georgia will discuss, and at least one will contact Helen.�


��� ������� 2.� We need a different title.� I brainstormed 3 and tentatively selected, "Politics and Economics to Benefit All".� However, I'd be pleased to have inputs from others.� Titles can make the difference between something being read or not, so it's worth spending some time with brainstorming, etc.�


��� ������� 3.� Official authors:� What about something like the following:�


��� ��� ��������� * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts and others in the (Santa Clara or San Jos� or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?)�

or


��� ��� ��������� * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts, Glen Shaffer, Fred Rehhausser, and others in the (Santa Clara or San Jos� or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?)�


or ... ???


��� ������� 4.� Spencer will contact someone he knows who used to work for the Merc to see if the current draft encounter problems with concerns they may have (e.g., with advertising money from the Koch brothers).�


����� Best Wishes,

����� Spencer

On 10/29/2013 1:15 PM, Bruce Preville wrote:

Awesome! �Several minor edits are still needed. Helen - what steps remain for CC? �B

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 29, 2013, at 1:02 PM, Georgia Platts <gpl...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Whoops, forgot to email to the cc�s

As I said, I couldn't edit within the �Google document so I cut and paste. Here's my edit, which is slightly less than 600 words:

It is now widely acknowledged that the ultra-wealthy have gotten much richer over the past 40 years, while the middle-class has crept along, or fallen back. �As concerned citizens we can control and reverse this trend. But we must first understand it. �

In past decades our economic growth was both robust and widely shared.�In fact, average annual income has doubled roughly every 40 years since the Republic�s founding. Through bipartisan efforts, average income doubled twice between 1933 and 1973.�

Yet in the 40 years since 1970, the average annual income of the top 0.01% increased 500% while median family income rose only 23%. �That translates to a $100 per day ($39,000 per year) transfer from each middle class family to those who are better off.�

Why? Follow the money, like campaign contributions from the ultra-rich that suspiciously leads to mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition and raise prices. �Other laws create barriers to competition that benefit big business at the expense of small businesses, employees, and consumers. Other decisions redirect regulatory agencies to serve the regulated and not the public. Meanwhile, tax policy opens loopholes, creates shelters, favors off-shoring jobs and lowers rates on investment income, which most benefits the wealthy.

In California�s 2012 election, a pair of Arizona non-profit groups funneled $15 million from anonymous donors into two ballot initiative campaigns. �Thanks to a complaint filed by California Common Cause, on Oct. 24 our state Fair Political Practices Commission announced a $1 million fine to be paid by Americans for Responsible Leadership and the Center to Protect Patient Rights. Both groups are linked to billionaire industrialists and conservative activists Charles and David Koch.�

The anonymous $15 million had been used for ads promoting the defeat of Proposition 30, a tax measure pushed by Gov. Brown, and the approval of Proposition 32, an initiative that would have curbed the ability of unions to raise money for political campaigns. �Usually, money wins election. �But we dodged a bullet here as�Prop 30 was approved and 32 lost. But we can�t expect to dodge a bullet every time. And too often we don�t. �

A leader in promoting legislation supporting major corporations but opposed by the electorate is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). �This is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that claims to promote free markets and limit government. �Its members include state legislators, businesses and foundations. �Major corporations and foundations supported by the ultra-wealthy like the Koch brothers provide 98% of their funds. �Their model bills are often written by these corporations. �This leads critics to insist that ALEC should register and pay taxes as lobbyists. �

ALEC achieved national notoriety as a primary promoter of the "Stand Your Ground" law favored by the gun lobby, which contributed to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin. �Other ALEC initiatives include bills to preempt local minimum wage ordinances, scrap pension plans and limit the ability of workers to bargain for good wages and benefits. �ALEC also pushes tort reform to limit the ability of workers, consumers, neighbors and small businesses to sue major corporations. �

We need transparency in our legislative process. �We don�t need major corporations writing laws subsequently enacted by politicians elected with their money. �Common Cause supports a variety of of citizen actions to help expose and counteract the influence of large corporations on our legislative processes. �Join us at commoncause.org in making public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens. �

Spencer Graves -�

Best,�

Georgia�

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:28 AM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

It's now at 607 words ;-)� Other suggested additions / deletions / modifications of any kind?� sg


#####################


����� Sure.� Can you arrange the doodle, Helen?�


����� We are on a deadline: The San Jos� Mercury News wants it by this Friday, and Bruce promised it by then.� We think it mostly says what we want.� However, it's currently 620 words;� their max is 600.� I hope we can meet that deadline.�


����� Best Wishes,

����� Spencer

On 10/28/2013 8:31 PM, Helen Grieco wrote:

I think we should have a conference call to discuss our goals for this
piece-- I think ALEC and the middle class is not getting at what why we
want folks to read this-- and I'd like it to be more specific about what
we want to do

FYI I talked with my national folks and� CA staff-- they

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Rootstrikers-South-Bay" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rootstrikers-sout...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

-- 
Spencer Graves, PhD
Executive Director
Effective Defense
751 Emerson Ct.
San Jos�, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567
web:  www.effectivedefense.org

[Georgia Platts]

If it's important to include me as author, go ahead.

For bio if they need it, I teach sociology and women's studies at foothill College. Or you could just say I'm an activist with common cause. Or both. Whatever works best.

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:13 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

      I respectfully disagree:  Politically, I think it unwise to make this a one-author piece.  I think it should be Spencer plus at least one other for a larger group. 


      It's my understanding that Bruce has other political commitments that push him to refuse co-authorship.  That leaves Georgia, whose silver pen made great editorial improvements, plus Glen and Fred, who I think make some changes earlier in the process.  My apologies to anyone else whose contributions I've forgotten. 

      That's why the current draft ends "Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts and others in the" (whatever we decide to call ourselves). 

      When we resolve this, we still have two other issues: 

            1.  Someone needs to talk with Helen Grieco and determine to what extent we can use the name of Common Cause, etc. -- and get that done before Friday. 


            2.  We need to converge on a title.

      Spencer


On 10/29/2013 6:11 PM, frederick rehhausser wrote:

Me too

Fred

On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 5:24 PM, Georgia Platts <gpl...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Thanks Fred, but I barely touched Spencer's op-ed, So Spencer can take full credit. 

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 5:12 PM, Frederick Rehhausser <fred.re...@gmail.com> wrote:

Authors spencer Georgia and others

Fred

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 29, 2013, at 3:34 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

Hello, All: 


      I merged Georgia's comments back into the Google Doc with a few additional edits.  It's now 592 words ;-) 

      Bruce suggested we need four additional things: 

            1.  Clarify the role of Common Cause, so they approve the text.  They either do so officially or we rewrite it so it doesn't need their approval.  Bruce and Georgia will discuss, and at least one will contact Helen. 


            2.  We need a different title.  I brainstormed 3 and tentatively selected, "Politics and Economics to Benefit All".  However, I'd be pleased to have inputs from others.  Titles can make the difference between something being read or not, so it's worth spending some time with brainstorming, etc. 


            3.  Official authors:  What about something like the following: 


                  * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts and others in the (Santa Clara or San José or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?) 

or


                  * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts, Glen Shaffer, Fred Rehhausser, and others in the (Santa Clara or San José or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?) 


or ... ???

            4.  Spencer will contact someone he knows who used to work for the Merc to see if the current draft encounter problems with concerns they may have (e.g., with advertising money from the Koch brothers). 


      Best Wishes,

      Spencer


On 10/29/2013 1:15 PM, Bruce Preville wrote:

Awesome!  Several minor edits are still needed. Helen - what steps remain for CC?  B

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 29, 2013, at 1:02 PM, Georgia Platts <gpl...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Whoops, forgot to email to the cc’s

As I said, I couldn't edit within the  Google document so I cut and paste. Here's my edit, which is slightly less than 600 words:

It is now widely acknowledged that the ultra-wealthy have gotten much richer over the past 40 years, while the middle-class has crept along, or fallen back.  As concerned citizens we can control and reverse this trend. But we must first understand it.  

In past decades our economic growth was both robust and widely shared. In fact, average annual income has doubled roughly every 40 years since the Republic’s founding. Through bipartisan efforts, average income doubled twice between 1933 and 1973. 

Yet in the 40 years since 1970, the average annual income of the top 0.01% increased 500% while median family income rose only 23%.  That translates to a $100 per day ($39,000 per year) transfer from each middle class family to those who are better off. 

Why? Follow the money, like campaign contributions from the ultra-rich that suspiciously leads to mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition and raise prices.  Other laws create barriers to competition that benefit big business at the expense of small businesses, employees, and consumers. Other decisions redirect regulatory agencies to serve the regulated and not the public. Meanwhile, tax policy opens loopholes, creates shelters, favors off-shoring jobs and lowers rates on investment income, which most benefits the wealthy.

In California’s 2012 election, a pair of Arizona non-profit groups funneled $15 million from anonymous donors into two ballot initiative campaigns.  Thanks to a complaint filed by California Common Cause, on Oct. 24 our state Fair Political Practices Commission announced a $1 million fine to be paid by Americans for Responsible Leadership and the Center to Protect Patient Rights. Both groups are linked to billionaire industrialists and conservative activists Charles and David Koch. 

The anonymous $15 million had been used for ads promoting the defeat of Proposition 30, a tax measure pushed by Gov. Brown, and the approval of Proposition 32, an initiative that would have curbed the ability of unions to raise money for political campaigns.  Usually, money wins election.  But we dodged a bullet here as Prop 30 was approved and 32 lost. But we can’t expect to dodge a bullet every time. And too often we don’t.  

A leader in promoting legislation supporting major corporations but opposed by the electorate is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).  This is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that claims to promote free markets and limit government.  Its members include state legislators, businesses and foundations.  Major corporations and foundations supported by the ultra-wealthy like the Koch brothers provide 98% of their funds.  Their model bills are often written by these corporations.  This leads critics to insist that ALEC should register and pay taxes as lobbyists.  

ALEC achieved national notoriety as a primary promoter of the "Stand Your Ground" law favored by the gun lobby, which contributed to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin.  Other ALEC initiatives include bills to preempt local minimum wage ordinances, scrap pension plans and limit the ability of workers to bargain for good wages and benefits.  ALEC also pushes tort reform to limit the ability of workers, consumers, neighbors and small businesses to sue major corporations.  

We need transparency in our legislative process.  We don’t need major corporations writing laws subsequently enacted by politicians elected with their money.  Common Cause supports a variety of of citizen actions to help expose and counteract the influence of large corporations on our legislative processes.  Join us at commoncause.org in making public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens.  

Spencer Graves - 

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:28 AM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

It's now at 607 words ;-)  Other suggested additions / deletions / modifications of any kind?  sg


#####################


      Sure.  Can you arrange the doodle, Helen? 


      We are on a deadline: The San José Mercury News wants it by this Friday, and Bruce promised it by then.  We think it mostly says what we want.  However, it's currently 620 words;  their max is 600.  I hope we can meet that deadline. 


      Best Wishes,

      Spencer


On 10/28/2013 8:31 PM, Helen Grieco wrote:

I think we should have a conference call to discuss our goals for this
piece-- I think ALEC and the middle class is not getting at what why we
want folks to read this-- and I'd like it to be more specific about what
we want to do

FYI I talked with my national folks and  CA staff-- they

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Rootstrikers-South-Bay" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rootstrikers-sout...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

-- 
Spencer Graves, PhD
Executive Director
Effective Defense
751 Emerson Ct.
San José, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567
web:  www.effectivedefense.org

[Bruce Preville]

I am not opposed to being one of the authors, but the main driver of content has been Spencer and if we include more than him where does it stop?  Spencer and Georgia seems about right.

Best,

Bruce
___________________________________________________________________
Bruce Preville
BP Consulting
408 866-3333

What is 21st Century Democracy?

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. - Bucky Fuller

We seek to create a movement of ordinary yet concerned Americans, educating and empowering them to recognize that now is the time to stand up to injustice, inequality and the abuse of power, to reclaim our democracy.  

Dream Menders - Reclaiming Our Democracy

Join at: http://represent.us/cosponsor/4618

On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:13 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

      I respectfully disagree:  Politically, I think it unwise to make this a one-author piece.  I think it should be Spencer plus at least one other for a larger group. 


      It's my understanding that Bruce has other political commitments that push him to refuse co-authorship.  That leaves Georgia, whose silver pen made great editorial improvements, plus Glen and Fred, who I think make some changes earlier in the process.  My apologies to anyone else whose contributions I've forgotten. 

      That's why the current draft ends "Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts and others in the" (whatever we decide to call ourselves). 

      When we resolve this, we still have two other issues: 

            1.  Someone needs to talk with Helen Grieco and determine to what extent we can use the name of Common Cause, etc. -- and get that done before Friday. 


            2.  We need to converge on a title.

      Spencer


On 10/29/2013 6:11 PM, frederick rehhausser wrote:

Me too

Fred

On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 5:24 PM, Georgia Platts <gpl...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Thanks Fred, but I barely touched Spencer's op-ed, So Spencer can take full credit. 

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 5:12 PM, Frederick Rehhausser <fred.re...@gmail.com> wrote:

Authors spencer Georgia and others

Fred

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 29, 2013, at 3:34 PM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

Hello, All: 


      I merged Georgia's comments back into the Google Doc with a few additional edits.  It's now 592 words ;-) 

      Bruce suggested we need four additional things: 

            1.  Clarify the role of Common Cause, so they approve the text.  They either do so officially or we rewrite it so it doesn't need their approval.  Bruce and Georgia will discuss, and at least one will contact Helen. 


            2.  We need a different title.  I brainstormed 3 and tentatively selected, "Politics and Economics to Benefit All".  However, I'd be pleased to have inputs from others.  Titles can make the difference between something being read or not, so it's worth spending some time with brainstorming, etc. 


            3.  Official authors:  What about something like the following: 


                  * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts and others in the (Santa Clara or San José or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?) 

or


                  * Spencer Graves, Georgia Platts, Glen Shaffer, Fred Rehhausser, and others in the (Santa Clara or San José or South San Francisco Bay Chapter of Common Cause?) 


or ... ???

            4.  Spencer will contact someone he knows who used to work for the Merc to see if the current draft encounter problems with concerns they may have (e.g., with advertising money from the Koch brothers). 


      Best Wishes,

      Spencer


On 10/29/2013 1:15 PM, Bruce Preville wrote:

Awesome!  Several minor edits are still needed. Helen - what steps remain for CC?  B

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 29, 2013, at 1:02 PM, Georgia Platts <gpl...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Whoops, forgot to email to the cc’s

As I said, I couldn't edit within the  Google document so I cut and paste. Here's my edit, which is slightly less than 600 words:

It is now widely acknowledged that the ultra-wealthy have gotten much richer over the past 40 years, while the middle-class has crept along, or fallen back.  As concerned citizens we can control and reverse this trend. But we must first understand it.  

In past decades our economic growth was both robust and widely shared. In fact, average annual income has doubled roughly every 40 years since the Republic’s founding. Through bipartisan efforts, average income doubled twice between 1933 and 1973. 

Yet in the 40 years since 1970, the average annual income of the top 0.01% increased 500% while median family income rose only 23%.  That translates to a $100 per day ($39,000 per year) transfer from each middle class family to those who are better off. 

Why? Follow the money, like campaign contributions from the ultra-rich that suspiciously leads to mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition and raise prices.  Other laws create barriers to competition that benefit big business at the expense of small businesses, employees, and consumers. Other decisions redirect regulatory agencies to serve the regulated and not the public. Meanwhile, tax policy opens loopholes, creates shelters, favors off-shoring jobs and lowers rates on investment income, which most benefits the wealthy.

In California’s 2012 election, a pair of Arizona non-profit groups funneled $15 million from anonymous donors into two ballot initiative campaigns.  Thanks to a complaint filed by California Common Cause, on Oct. 24 our state Fair Political Practices Commission announced a $1 million fine to be paid by Americans for Responsible Leadership and the Center to Protect Patient Rights. Both groups are linked to billionaire industrialists and conservative activists Charles and David Koch. 

The anonymous $15 million had been used for ads promoting the defeat of Proposition 30, a tax measure pushed by Gov. Brown, and the approval of Proposition 32, an initiative that would have curbed the ability of unions to raise money for political campaigns.  Usually, money wins election.  But we dodged a bullet here as Prop 30 was approved and 32 lost. But we can’t expect to dodge a bullet every time. And too often we don’t.  

A leader in promoting legislation supporting major corporations but opposed by the electorate is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).  This is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit that claims to promote free markets and limit government.  Its members include state legislators, businesses and foundations.  Major corporations and foundations supported by the ultra-wealthy like the Koch brothers provide 98% of their funds.  Their model bills are often written by these corporations.  This leads critics to insist that ALEC should register and pay taxes as lobbyists.  

ALEC achieved national notoriety as a primary promoter of the "Stand Your Ground" law favored by the gun lobby, which contributed to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin.  Other ALEC initiatives include bills to preempt local minimum wage ordinances, scrap pension plans and limit the ability of workers to bargain for good wages and benefits.  ALEC also pushes tort reform to limit the ability of workers, consumers, neighbors and small businesses to sue major corporations.  

We need transparency in our legislative process.  We don’t need major corporations writing laws subsequently enacted by politicians elected with their money.  Common Cause supports a variety of of citizen actions to help expose and counteract the influence of large corporations on our legislative processes.  Join us at commoncause.org in making public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens.  

Spencer Graves - 

Best, 

Georgia 

Georgia Platts

BroadBlogs: A broad blogs broadly on women's and men's psychology

http://broadblogs.com

On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:28 AM, Spencer Graves <spencer...@effectivedefense.org> wrote:

It's now at 607 words ;-)  Other suggested additions / deletions / modifications of any kind?  sg


#####################


      Sure.  Can you arrange the doodle, Helen? 


      We are on a deadline: The San José Mercury News wants it by this Friday, and Bruce promised it by then.  We think it mostly says what we want.  However, it's currently 620 words;  their max is 600.  I hope we can meet that deadline. 


      Best Wishes,

      Spencer


On 10/28/2013 8:31 PM, Helen Grieco wrote:

I think we should have a conference call to discuss our goals for this
piece-- I think ALEC and the middle class is not getting at what why we
want folks to read this-- and I'd like it to be more specific about what
we want to do

FYI I talked with my national folks and  CA staff-- they

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Rootstrikers-South-Bay" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rootstrikers-sout...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

-- 
Spencer Graves, PhD
Executive Director
Effective Defense
751 Emerson Ct.
San José, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567
web:  www.effectivedefense.org