December 2005
“To the future or to the past, to a time when thought is free, when men are different from one another and do not live alone — to a time when truth exists and what is done cannot be undone: From the age of uniformity, from the age of solitude, from the age of Big Brother, from the age of doublethink — greetings!” -- George Orwell, “Nineteen Eighty-Four” |
The Good: The USA Coffee Company offers American-grown, union-made coffee fresh off the islands – it’s a terrific holiday gift for that special coffee drinker in your life. Check it out at usacoffee.org. Don’t just buy American – buy union!
The Bad: The House of Representatives passed the budget reconciliation bill 215-213. The bill will cut student loan availability, child support enforcement funds, and reduce benefits for 6 million children on Medicaid. Looks like the Grinches in Congress are trying to ruin Christmas for all us Whos down in Whoville…
The Ugly: Following up the atrocious and immoral budget reconciliation bill is a tax bill that will take all the money cut from those civic programs and give it away to millionaires. Over three-fourths of the nearly $100 billion tax cut approved by the House will go to the richest 3 percent of people in America.
The Good: Aruna Seth, Vinod Seth, and Waylon Oldman were all elected to board positions at the USAction delegate assembly in November. Vinod was re-elected to be one of four Vice Presidents, Aruna was elected to the board from the Asian/Pacific Islander action council, and Waylon was elected to the board from the Native American/Alaskan action council. Congratulations!
The Bad: North Dakota dropped rank and now is second-to-last in the nation in teacher wages. Despite Governor Hoeven’s promises, teachers are still at the bottom of the totem poll. Maybe it’s time for a new strategy…
The Good: Your dinner hour is safe from telemarketers! An appeals court upheld the North Dakota do-not-call list as constitutional.
The Good: Over a hundred people showed up for the YWCA news conference in Fargo, co-sponsored by over 50 non-profits, including the NDPC. The message was loud and clear: budget cuts that hurt people are unacceptable. As Elaine Kastrinos said in the Forum, “It shouldn’t be a priority that puts people in the position to choose between putting a roof over their head and health care. They’re not just numbers on a balance sheet. They are people with real problems.”
The Good: North Dakota Farmers Union members are considering a renewable energy initiated measure because the state legislature has stonewalled efforts to develop renewable energy in North Dakota.
The Ugly: President Bush authorized wiretaps on American citizens without a warrant. Besides violating the Fourth Amendment, the president ignored long-standing civil liberties protections and flagrantly abused the power of the executive. President Bush’s defense? If we don’t violate your civil liberties, the terrorists will win – and if they win, they’ll violate your civil liberties!
The Good: We’d like to thank Charlie Barber and Paula Grosinger for hosting the NDPC holiday party on December 18. We had a great time – thanks to everyone who attended! It was a great way to end the year and a great way to get excited for the next. Happy New Year – see you in 2006!
Upcoming Events Check the online calendar at www.ndprogressive.org for more events! Jan. 12 – Minot – The northern lights are coming again… watch for details! Feb. 19 – Bismarck – Dave Kemnitz: “Religion and the Labor Movement” @ the UU Church |
For More Information on Events or to Submit Your Own: Ryan Gustafson, nodakpc@btinet.net, (701) 224-8090
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