Tag Archives: Ohio

May 4 Kent State and OT

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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/04/kent-state-massacre-marked-start-of-americas-polarization

i’m not sure how the news came in that day, probably on the radio since my new husband and I didn’t have a TV. I turned 20 in Houston, he at 27 in April. we had both marched against the war, but this was a new realization, a shock to so many.

<blockquote>To Lou Capecci, the crack of the national guard’s guns sounded like more of the same.

“It was pretty common to have demonstrations every day. The national guard had been on campus for a few days. They would shoot tear gas into the middle of the crowd and people would throw it back at them. Then we heard the shots and at first everybody kind of shrugged their shoulders and thought more tear gas,” he said.

But the young student at Kent State University in Ohio was mistaken.

Fifty years ago today, 28 soldiers opened fire on anti-Vietnam war demonstrators, letting loose 67 bullets in just 13 seconds. Four students were killed, nine wounded, and a fissure exposed in American society that shaped politics into the Trump era.

To large parts of the country, the Kent State massacre was a shocking and seminal event – American soldiers gunning down white students was unthinkable until it happened.

Part of the shock for Capecci, who walked away from the demonstration minutes before the national guard fired, was that he thought the soldiers’ weapons were just for show.

“No one knew the national guard had real bullets. We were completely shocked. It just never occurred to anyone that they would actually have bullets to shoot people. It may sound naive but we talked about that for years afterwards,” he said.

It was naive. In other parts of the country, the police were killing African Americans protesting for equal rights, including on college campuses before and immediately after Kent State with little attention from the television cameras that gave saturation coverage to the deaths of the white students.</blockquote>

Read more at the link.

 

How To Get More Women To Run For Office (w/ Nina Turner)

The Progressive Wing Posted on by

Women make up over 51% of the voting electorate and yet men still far outnumber women in elected office in Ohio and across the country. This forum will explore options for increasing the number of women who run and hold elected office, particularly in Ohio.

Panelists
Karen Beckwith, PhD, Flora Stone Mather Professor and Chair Department of Political Science, Case Western Reserve University

Christina Hagan, Ohio House of Representatives, (R) 50th District

Nina Turner, President, “Our Revolution, former Ohio State Senator, Cleveland Councilperson

11/6 News Roundup – ‘Paradise Papers’ Reveal Shady Dealings of World’s Rich and Powerful, Sanders Urges Ohioans to Vote Yes on Issue 2 & More

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‘Paradise Papers’ Reveal Tax Avoidance, Shady Dealings of World’s Rich and Powerful

Some of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful people will be waking up on Monday to discover that some of their best kept secrets—how they hide their vast wealth and avoid paying taxes—are now being read about in newspapers across the world after the release of a trove of offshore legal and banking documents were leaked to journalists and published Sunday as a joint project called the ‘Paradise Papers.‘

“There is this small group of people who are not equally subject to the laws as the rest of us, and that’s on purpose,” said author and financial expert Brooke Harrington in response to the new insights about how these elites secretly manage their wealth.

As the ICIJ reports, the “trove of 13.4 million records exposes ties between Russia and U.S. President Donald Trump’s billionaire commerce secretary, the secret dealings of the chief fundraiser for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the offshore interests of the Queen of England and more than 120 politicians around the world.” According to the ICIJ, the documents

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According to a summary by the Guardian, the ‘Paradise Papers’ reveal:

*Millions of pounds from the Queen’s private estate has been invested in a Cayman Islands fund – and some of her money went to a retailer accused of exploiting poor families and vulnerable people.
*Extensive offshore dealings by Donald Trump’s cabinet members, advisers and donors, including substantial payments from a firm co-owned by Vladimir Putin’s son-in-law to the shipping group of the US commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross.
*How Twitter and Facebook received hundreds of millions of dollars in investments that can be traced back to Russian state financial institutions.
*The tax-avoiding Cayman Islands trust managed by the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s chief moneyman.
*Aggressive tax avoidance by multinational corporations, including Nike and Apple.

Speaking with the Guardian, economist Gabriel Zucman—who is releasing a study later this week about the interplay between tax havens and global inequality—says the two are intricately linked.

“Tax havens are one of the key engines of the rise in global inequality,” he said. “As inequality rises, offshore tax evasion is becoming an elite sport.”

More news/videos/etc. in the comments, including:

*Donna Brazile tells critics of Hillary Clinton revelations to ‘go to hell’
*Dem Establishment Shutting Out Progressives’ Access to NGP VAN
*Our renter’s republic is broken: one in five tenants can’t pay the rent
*Progressive group backs 3rd District Republican
*2017 set to be one of top three hottest years on record
*Pipeline news, Water Protector Updates & More

Richard Crosby’s Campaign For Congress (OH-02)

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From Crosby For Congress

My name is Richard Crosby; I am a husband, father, attorney, and entrepreneur, and now I’m running to be a voice for citizens of Ohio’s 2nd congressional district.

I was blessed to grow up in a household where the values of hard work, dedication, and public service were instilled in me at a young age. My father was a Commander with the Columbus Police Department where he proudly served for over thirty-three years. My mother managed a dental office where she exhibited an unparalleled work ethic. Growing up in a union household, I know that when hard work meets perseverance and determination, anything is possible.

It is with these values that I live my life. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Ohio University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law. I was then privileged to clerk for one of the most distinguished Common Pleas Judges in the State of Ohio before working as a Prosecutor for the City of Cincinnati and subsequently moving to a firm.

I am running for Congress because I want to serve. I want to create solutions for the people of our district and country instead of simply managing problems. I want to be the leader that the constituents of this district deserve! No longer will we be divided; No longer will we stand idle; From this point forward, we stand together.

-Richard

Crosby’s Priorities Page is still being developed, but here’s a bit:

Economic Growth: One of my top priorities will be to create new jobs, opportunities, and prosperity for everyone in the district. For America to have the ability to create jobs and succeed in an ever-changing society, we must be willing to support our local businesses and companies, while making our area appealing for new investors and entrepreneurs. Simple, strategic changes can make our district flourish, such as implementing legislation that allows all new businesses to defer payroll taxes for their first year if they hire locally. The extra costs are often cited by business owners as the biggest deterrent for hiring employees. For example, if an employer hires an employee, on average, that employer will pay 18%-26% more than the employee’s salary in payroll taxes. We need to encourage hiring, defer these taxes, and allow employers to invest in their companies.

Education: With rapid expansion in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, and health care, we need to have an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in our school systems. STEM is essential to ensuring our students are prepared for the future and ready to compete and excel in a global workforce. We must also be willing to fight and protect our college students from crushing debt, with the first step to doing so being a lower cap on both government and private student loan interest rates.

When I asked about his position on Medicare For All and The Fight For $15, this is what I received:

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More on Crosby in the comments.

Samuel Ronan’s Campaign For Congress (OH-01)

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Samuel Ronan believes in fighting for working class Americans who have been neglected by the D.C. establishment of both parties for far too long. Sam has spent his entire adult life in the military and views his candidacy as a continuation of his service to our country. The rules of our system have been written by a small number of millionaires and billionaires and have not been set up so that the people can truly win. In Congress, Sam Ronan will give the people a real voice and ensure a future for all. Read more here

Just a bit From RonanForCongress:

•Healthcare

I firmly believe that healthcare is a right for ALL, not a privilege for the elites. We are currently paying over $400 billion each year just on the administrative waste and profits of the private health insurance system, whose business model is dependent on denying Americans’ coverage. I will fight to pass legislation that establishes a single payer, Medicare For All healthcare system, and will fight against any legislation aimed at cutting funding to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, or Tricare. I strongly support Rep. Conyers’ H.R. 676 Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act, currently at over 100 co-sponsors in the House.

•On The Environment

I’m a strong supporter of protecting the environment. Climate change is real and is in many ways the most pressing issue facing the world at this very moment. We have taken steps to address the slow moving catastrophe of climate change, but we haven’t done nearly enough, and we cannot afford to delay or roll back environmental progress in any way. Our children’s future and our national security depend on it.

I understand that water is life. To that end I will support legislation to protect our streams and waterways, end fracking, stop pipelines (which inevitably leak and pollute our water and soil), defend wildlife and our parks service, and aggressively move to transition us to a 100% renewable, clean energy economy by 2050 by supporting solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal energy expansion.

•Women’s Rights

As a strong supporter of women’s rights, I believe in a women’s right to choose and will oppose any legislation that seeks to roll back Roe v. Wade. I understand that free and open access to contraceptives has been proven to reduce abortions. I also understand the importance of Planned Parenthood and the health benefits it provides for women and men, primarily in low-income communities. I will oppose any efforts to defund or eliminate Planned Parenthood. I support equal pay for equal work. I support 12 weeks paid family leave for all employees.

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8/22 News Roundup – Sanders’ Speech In Indianapolis, Randall Woodfin Bringing the Political Revolution to Birmingham & More

The Progressive Wing Posted on by

In today’s open thread:

*Bernie’s speech in Indianapolis
*Taxpayers Pay Costs For Coal Company Pollution
*Donald Trump to expand US military intervention in Afghanistan
*Randall Woodfin, the Mayoral Challenger Bringing the Political Revolution to Birmingham
*Greg Gianforte to get mugshot and fingerprints recording his assault case
*World’s Biggest Floating Solar Farm Goes Live on Top of a Former Coal Mine
& More

Continue reading →

6/26 News Roundup – 2,200 Turnout To Hear Sanders Denounce The GOP Health Care Bill In Columbus & More

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Bernie Sanders denounces GOP health-care bill during Columbus visit

Americans could be forced to decide between sending their children to college or their parents to nursing homes, Sen. Bernie Sanders told a Columbus crowd of 2,200 on Sunday.

“In the United States of America, we should not have to make these choices,” the Vermont senator said. “What we are talking about here is not just health care … at the deepest level, we are talking about the moral values of this country.”

The former presidential candidate’s visit was part of a “Don’t Take Our Health Care” weekend tour across Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to denounce a newly unveiled GOP health-care bill before an expected Senate vote this week.

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The Sanders event drew a characteristically energetic audience, but it was a palpable anxiety and anger energizing the crowd. Boos and sharp cries of “Don’t take away our health care” and “They work for us” interrupted rally speakers.

Along with the plan to scale back Medicaid, speakers denounced provisions in the bill to eliminate federal dollars for Planned Parenthood. They also criticized Republican lawmakers for crafting the legislation behind closed doors and without a public hearing.

In his speech, Sanders addressed two Ohioans by name. He lauded Gov. John Kasich for publicly disapproving of the health-care proposal, and he implored Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, an undecided but key vote, to do the same.

“If Senator Portman votes no, the likelihood is this bill would go down,” Sanders said. “Rob, this is an immoral piece of legislation. Listen to your own governor … a fellow Republican.”

More news/video/etc. in the comments.

5/2 News Roundup & Open Thread – Sanders Speaks In Cleveland, DNC Lawsuit Coverage, Pipeline Activism & More

The Progressive Wing Posted on by

In Cleveland, Bernie Sanders says Democrats need a ‘progressive agenda that addresses the needs of working families’

In Cleveland on Monday, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders railed against economic inequality, the influence of corporate America and argued for expansion of social safety-net programs.

In other words, Sanders’ 30-minute speech, delivered at the Global Center for Health Innovation, wasn’t all that different from the presidential campaign the independent, liberal firebrand from Vermont waged last year in his failed bid to secure the Democratic Party nomination.

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Left reeling from Republican President Donald Trump’s improbable victory in November, Sanders are other progressives are jostling to chart out a future path for liberals in America.

Although he fell short in his presidential bid, Sanders clearly has captured the energy of his party’s young, liberal base.

On Monday, Sanders called for a series of policy proposals — a $15 an hour national minimum wage, 12 weeks of guaranteed, paid family leave, tuition-free public college education and a “Medicare for all” single-payer healthcare system — that are reminiscent of European-style social democracies. (Not to mention the 2016 Democratic National Convention platform that Sanders and his supporters pushed for.) He said the policies could be paid for by taxing the rich, or as he put it, making them pay their “fair share.”

“It seems to me that our job is not to just oppose Trump’s reactionary agenda. Although we’ve got to do that and we’ve got to do it vigorously,” Sanders said. “… But in addition to that, what we need to do is put forth a progressive agenda that addresses the needs of working families in the country, an agenda that has a very different moral compass than that of President Trump.

More news/video/etc in the comments!