News from DA September 29, 2009 Issue 37

Health insurance reform: How YOU can help! - Party time: 45 years of Democrats Abroad - The DNC goes to Texas - Highlights from the Americas -Special elections: MA Senate and NY-23 - Stay in touch - Your contribution counts - Links & Info

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Health insurance reform: How YOU can help!

It’s time. Uninsured and underinsured, the number of Americans without adequate coverage has reached the boiling point. It’s time to ensure that quality, affordable care, including a choice of plans and doctors, is available. It’s time to show your support for President Obama’s agenda and let members of Congress know that their constituents want health insurance reform now. It’s time to stop the noise about health care and get down to business.

There are 5 simple things you can do:  write to your Representative and Senators, write to your hometown U.S.A. newspaper, sign the President’s petition, forward the President’s comments on health care, and let five friends know.  Click the link for more details (just remember to log in to see this post). And please let us know when you’ve completed these five simple steps.

Party time: 45 years of Democrats Abroad

From our humble beginnings in Paris and London, we’ve grown into a truly global organization with members in some 160 countries, eight seats on the Democratic National Committee, and a full voting delegation to the Democratic National Convention.  In our 45 years, we have truly become the Democratic Party’s 56th State. 

And we’re celebrating around the world, from October 4th to November 4th.  Come join the party!

The DNC goes to Texas

Our DNC delegation joined the full Democratic National Committee in Austin from September 10-12, looking to turn Texas blue.  While protesters met under the rain, we joined our colleagues from across the country and around the world to support health insurance reform, look to the 2010 elections, spread the word about VoteFromAbroad.org, and remember September 11th with a morning of community service.

The message taken home from our DNC Chair, Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia, is that together we can rebuild the economy, pass health insurance reform, build a clean energy future, and reform our education system so every child has a fair shot at competing in the global marketplace. Together we ARE changing America. But each state party  including Democrats Abroad has its work cut out for it to prepare and execute strategies for Governor’s races this year (VA, NJ) and, crucially, next year’s midterm elections. We need to start today to get out the vote tomorrow.

Congratulations go to France’s Joe Smallhoover on his appointment to the Credentials Committee and Switzerland’s Caitlin Kraft Buchman on her election to the Women’s Caucus Board. Our Executive Director Lindsey Reynolds is also a Vice Chair for the Association of State Executive Directors. These are important accomplishments for Democrats Abroad, building on our track record and raising the bar.

Regional Meetings in Americas, EMEA

The Democrats Abroad Americas Regional Meeting 2009 will take place in La Antigua, Guatemala, on October 23 and 24. The two-day gathering will center on Democratic Party business, especially on how to harness energies to get out the vote for the 2010 mid-term elections.  But it won’t be all work.  La Antigua Guatemala, which means the "Old Guatemala", is one the world’s premier tourist destinations.  Democrats Abroad members participating in the meeting will have time to take in the sights, flavors and sounds of La Antigua.

In addition, the Europe-MidEast-Africa (EMEA) region will meet Berlin from November 6 to 8.  If you are interested in attending either of these two regional meetings, please get in touch with your Country Committee Chair, or your Regional Vice Chair for those who are not in a formal committee.

Special elections: MA Senate and NY-23

Join us in honoring the late Senator Ted Kennedy -- with your voice in the health care debate and with your vote if your voting residence is Massachusetts. In a letter to President Obama, he wrote health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity.  But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.

December 8th has been set for the primary election, followed by the special state election on January 19, 2010.  If you are a Massachusetts voter who requested and received a ballot for the Presidential election at your current address, you should automatically receive a ballot in the mail.  If not, please make sure you request your ballot at VoteFromAbroad.org today. 

With Representative John McHugh (R) recently confirmed as Secretary of the Army, the race in New York’s 23rd district is on.  If this is your voting district, this could be another pickup for Democrats in upstate New York. Use VoteFromAbroad.org to register and request your absentee ballot.  We helped make the difference in New York 20, let’s do it again in 23!

Stay in touch

No matter what your interest, there are plenty of ways to keep in touch and keep informed.

Join the discussion in our Health Insurance Reform group.

Follow the issues in our Women’s Issues group.

Stay in touch in our LGBT group.

(Remember, you need to be logged in as a member of Democrats Abroad to view these pages.)

Be a fan on Facebook.

Tweet along on Twitter.

And watch our homepage at DemocratsAbroad.org for legislative action alerts, news from the chair, videos, hot topics, and our calendar of local events.

Why your contributions count

We made the difference in 2008 and we’ve continued to do so in elections from Minnesota to New York's 20th Congressional district. And we need your continued support to provide the margin of victory in Congressional elections next year, with a number of House and Senate seats in danger. We can’t afford to let historical trends reign and lose seats in this crucial midterm election. Your donation keeps us in the game: help us do it again!

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