The New Democrat

A Publication of the Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC) June 2011

Mark Your San Mateo County

Calendar Democracy for America
hosting two June events
PDC Luncheons & Events The PDC is co-sponsoring two events in June that are being
hosted by San Mateo County Democracy for America
(SMCDFA). The first event is at 7:00 in Foster City on June 1
"Democracy vs. Empire." Tom Hayden, longtime peace activist,
Democracy vs. Empire will speak about the "Long War" doctrine underlying our
trillion-dollar wars, the affect on our domestic priorities -- and
Speaker: Tom Hayden how we can build an effective social movement to end it.
The second is on June 11 is entitled "The Truth about Social
Wednesday, June 1, 7:00 p.m. Security" and features our much respected Congresswoman
Carpenters Hall, 1153 Chess Drive Jackie Speier with Katie Johnson, Grassroots Manager, the
National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare
Foster City and Jodie Reid, Executive Director/Activist,California Alliance
See the article at the right and page 4 for more information. for Retired Americans.
Please see flyers in this newsletter on pages four and five for
more information on both of these programs.
Who, you might ask, is SMCDFA? San Mateo County
Forum on Saving Social Security Democracy for America, like our sister organization the Dean
(continued on page 3)
Keynote Speaker: Jackie Speier
Saturday, June 11, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sally Lieber is featured
San Mateo Main Library, Oak Room
55 3rd Street, San Mateo speaker at July luncheon
See the article at the right and page 5 for more information. Former Assembly Member Sally Lieber
will be the featured speaker at the PDC
luncheon on Saturday, July 23,
discussing two topics regarding the Bay:
(1) the proposed Cargill development in
PDC Luncheon Redwood City and (2) a proposal by the
Coastal Conservancy to put a parcel tax
with Sally Lieber for Bay restoration on the 2012 ballot.
Michaels Restaurant This talk will be timely, as it is expected
12 Noon that both the Cargill and the parcel tax
issues will be getting increasing amounts
Saturday, July 23 of attention in July and August. The
Time: Doors open at 11:30am Peninsula Democratic Coalition took a stand against the Cargill
development last year; so it will be particularly interesting to
and lunch is served at noon get a perspective on the latest developments with regard to
Michaels at Shoreline Restaurant that controversial project.
Most PDC members are familiar with Sally from her time as
2960 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View
a Democratic California Assembly member (22nd AD) and a
Lunch Buffet Cost: $25 former Mountain View City Council member and Mayor. She
is known for being direct and willing to take on controversial
issues. Just before she was termed-limited out of office, Sally
held the office of Speaker pro Tempore in the 2007-2008
(continued on page 3)
The New Democrat 2 June 2011

started two wars and did not pay for them and by those actions
added $4 trillion to the federal debt, destroyed 20% of our
national wealth in 18 months of his misguided and destructive
administration.
Presidents 4) We know that in 2010 the Republicans insisted that
Congress extend tax cuts for the rich for two more years at a
Column cost of $70 billion a year. And now, we know that:
5) The Republicans want to cut Community Health Centers
which provide care to 3 million patients by 46%
6) The Republicans in their Ryan Budget Proposal want to cut
Diane Rolfe Title 1 education funds, laying off 17,000 teachers and aides.
7) They want to cut 200,000 children from the Head Start
preschool program.
Destroying America by 8) Furthermore, they want to lay off all food inspectors in
the USA for 30 to 45 days while eliminating the COPS
program, that would lay off 1,000 police officers.
Destroying Community The list goes on and on.
What motivates these Radical Republicans? Their values are
The people who now control the Republican Party have
the antithesis of everything I personally believe. They claim to
adopted policies to maximize the incomes of the ultra-wealthy.
hate big government but what does that mean? They LOVE
This approach will bring down the American middle class by
big wars so much that they are willing to put the tremendous
destroying our infrastructure, health care, environmental
costs of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq on the national credit card
protections, public K-12 education and our outstanding system
and let future generations (of poor people) pay for it. But, not
of higher education. Because of their shortsighted and selfish
themselves! So, big government does not involve the Pentagon
view of the world, right-wing Republicans are attempting to
expenditures.
dismantle Medicare and privatize Social Security. They are only
It appears that Big government that they hate so much are
interested in cutting government budgets cuts, cuts, and more
those social, economic, and educational programs that build our
cuts. They are hiding behind the false issue of bringing down
people up, that give us our social safety net, and that make our
the deficits at a time when we should be talking about building
middle class secure. Consider how the programs of Head Start,
up Americas infrastructure, giving people jobs, and building a
Social Security, Medicare, Pell educational grants, and
highly educated workforce for Americas future. We will not
environmental protections have raised our standard of living in
long remain the #1 economic power in the world unless we re-
this country.
invest in the education of our children. We are 38th in the
So what motivates these Republicans? The quick answer:
quality of health care, and we rank 18th among 36 highly
Greed is too simplistic. Lets dig deeper. I believe for me the
industrialized nations in the number of students graduating from
answer came on a NPR radio program in 2004 during the
high school, according to the Organization of Economic
presidential campaign of Kerry VS Bush. The show was
Cooperation and Development. Please remember, we are a
discussing Republican focus groups and what they valued.
VERY wealthy country; however, we dont choose to tax those
According to the experts, the word Republicans disliked/hated
individuals with immense wealth. Our tax rates are the lowest
the most was the word and concept of: community. I was
in the industrialized world according to the International
listening to this radio program while driving and I found myself so
Monetary Fund in 2010.
shocked that I nearly drove off the road. As Democrats, one of
What motivates these Radical Right Republicans? We know
our deepest values is the importance of community. In fact, to
that the Republicans dont really care about bringing down the
this Democrat, community and giving back is everything. I
deficit as seen in the recent rejection by all Republican Senators
believe that a life that does not involve giving back especially to
except two, to cut the $2 billion subsidy for oil companies, even
our children and those who follow, is basically a life that has been
though the price of oil and the profits of the five largest oil
useless. One of my friends says it this way: Giving back is the
companies are at historic highs. These extremist ideologues
rent you pay for your own gift of life. It is just what one does.
dont really care if we are no longer a great power that inspires
You owe it to those who follow you in the continuum of life.
the world as long as they are getting as much as they can.
Republicans dont believe in community and its
Actions speak louder than words. So, what have
corresponding value of empathy. The core of the Republican
Republicans done and what are trying to do.
Party is composed of highly selfish, self-absorbed people who
1) We know that Republican governors like Scott Walker of
are ignorant of history. They appeal to greed and selfishness
Wisconsin are intent on destroying collective bargaining and the
and they are willing to use cynically race, religion, guns or any
civil rights of workers in Wisconsin. That way tax rates for
other divisive issue they can to further their own agenda. They
upper incomes can be kept low and profits high for
really dont care if our returning veterans are homeless or if
corporations. An added plus from the Republican viewpoint
children have classes of 35 or 40 when they had classes of 21
will be to break the state employee unions that help fund the
only two years ago. The Republicans dont care if the
Democratic Party candidates.
homeless die on the streets of our nation as long as they get
2) Ronald Reagan cut taxes on the rich and added $1
their tax breaks and so long as they are well-off. Their
trillion to the federal debt.
3) We know that George W. Bush cut taxes on the rich. He (continued on page 8)
The New Democrat
Martins
EDITORIAL
The budget crisis in California continues to be a mess. The
problem is structural exacerbated by politics.
Almost everyone in the electorate agrees that: good
schools, an outstanding university system, good health care,
fine state parks, police and fire protection, and a safety net
for the old, disabled, and unlucky make a better state and a
safer place to live. Businesses and individuals gain greatly
from quality services and institutions.
In order to run a business either manufacturing or
intellectual there must be a pool of potential employees.
Business will flourish if, and only if, there is a labor pool of
people who are qualified workers and who want to live, and
raise children in California. That does not happen in a state
that ranks last in the country in per student spending on
education.
The current budget process does not provide a forum for a
discussion of the benefits that accrue from state spending. The
state budget is drawn up in two separate negotiations which
are carried out in the wrong order. First there is the revenue
discussion here is the amount of money we have and
raising taxes is not an option. Then there is the spending
discussion sorry we have no money; cut all budgets.
Spending on education is investment. The California
economy got where it was because the schools and the colleges
and the universities were among the best in the country.
The problem becomes critical because almost all
government spending in California schools, police, fire
protection, and health care depends on the budget decisions
made in Sacramento. We elect a local school board, a city
council, a county board of supervisors; they are responsible
for providing education, police and fire protection, and county
services. But they have almost no control over the size of their
budgets. Each elected panel is handed a sum of money by the
state, given mandates for some services they must provide
and extremely limited options for raising additional funds;
localities are told to make do.
At the state level, the legislature ends up with almost the
same type of mandate from a cadre of irresponsible
legislators, a clear minority, insisting on no new taxes
regardless of the consequences.
There are two solutions one temporary, the other long
term. Several of the legislators who oppose any tax increase,
as well as any chance for the electorate to vote on the issue,
should be defeated in November 2012. A strong campaign to
educate the electorate on the disastrous consequences of the
current budget impasse should work in enough districts to
temporarily solve the problem.
The long term solution is to change the budgeting process
in two ways: first, return some financial control to local
government; second, mandate a procedure in Sacramento
that first establishes necessary and desirable spending levels;
then sets the tax rates to support that spending.
Martin Gorfinkel
3 June 2011
San Mateo
(continued from page 1)
Democrats of Silicon Valley, grew out of Howard Dean's
presidential campaign that ended in 2004. We are part of the
national Democracy for America headed by Jim Dean, we're a
chartered club by the San Mateo County Democratic Central
Committee, and we continue to organize and mobilize.
Probably the most active Democratic club in San Mateo
County, we have walked many precincts and staffed many
tables in support of progressive candidates and issues/topics
such as health care for all, the Disclose Act, opposition to
Prop. 8, stopping our foreign aggression, providing some
assistance to homeless shelters, and protecting Social Security
and Medicare. In addition, our club is leading an effort to
change the focus of the national omnibus Farm Bill 2012 from
subsidized support of agribusiness to supporting sustainable
small and medium size farms, etc.
SMCDFA is incredibly pleased and grateful for the support
the PDC has provided us. We look forward to more
partnerships in the future.
Elizabeth Lasensky
SMCDFA
PDC board member
Sally Lieber
(continued from page 1)
legislative session.
Sally has said that in 2012 she intends to run for the state
senate seat now held by Elaine Alquist (SD 13). The 13th
Senate District includes the cities of San Jose, Santa Clara,
Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Gilroy, although the district
may look somewhat different after the redistricting process is
complete next year. Thus, Sallys attention to San Francisco
Bay issues, which is consistent with her history of interest in
environmental issues, is also relevant to her campaign, as both
Mountain View and Sunnyvale border the Bay.
Sally last addressed the PDC in September, 2009, focusing
at that time on various options that were being proposed to
deal with Californias budget crisis.
The luncheon will be held at Michaels at Shoreline
Restaurant, at noon on July 23. See next months newsletter
for any additional information.
Katherine Forrest
PDC Board Member
- We work for you!
The New Democrat 4 June 2011

The 2011 California

TOM HATOM
YDEN HAYD
Democratic Convention
By Amy Pearl DEMOCRACY VS. EMPIRE
I attended the California State Democratic Convention in
Sacramento, April 29-May 1. I attended a redistricting panel as well
as talks by CA Senator Dianne Feinstein and Vermont Senator
Bernie Sanders.
The mood at the convention was pretty upbeat. Most of the rest
of the country delivered Republican victories last November, but
California Democrats bucked the national trend and won 9 of 9
statewide races. Unfortunately Governor Jerry Brown did not
appear due to a minor surgery that weekend.
The two main items of party business at the 2011 convention are
the election of Regional Directors for the Party and the adoption of
resolutions. Regional Directors are state Party officers who represent

Leading peace activist Tom Hayden will

speak about the Long War doctrine VS.
DEMOCRACY
underlying the trillion-dollar wars in
Iraq, Afghanistan,
Leading Pakistan,
peace Yemen
activistand Libya
Tom Hayd
how ourLong
domesticWarpriorities are affected
doctrine th
underlying
and how we can Iraq, Afghanistan,
build Pakistan,
a social movement
how
that our domestic
is politically priorities are
effective.
the delegates in their area regions are comprised of a number of can build a social movement tha
assembly districts (AD). We are located in Region 5 (delegates
pictured above) and our director is Emy Thurber. Resolutions are !
expressions of philosophical beliefs and principles that the California Wednesday, June 1, 7:00 PM
Democratic Party adopts. (See page 8 for Emys report of Carpenters'Wednesday, June 1,
Hall, 1153 Chess
resolutions approved.)
Drive, Foster City
Redistricting Panel Carpenters' Hall, 1153 Chess
I attended a workshop to inform people about the California
Redistricting Commission. More information is at * Admittance is free *
w w w .w e d r a w t h e l i n e s .c a . g o v . Why should you care? Because it
will impact the makeup of CA elected representatives in Sacramento * Light refreshments * * light re
Admittance is free
and DC. I spoke to several elected officials at the convention who
are running for re-election in 2012. They are very concerned about
!
the potential changes of districts and how that may affect the Presented by Presented by!
outcome of both California Assembly and Senate makeup, as well as San Mateo County
SanDemocracy
Mateo County for America
Democrac
the makeup of CAs representatives to the US Congress. Of course,
with
with co-sponsors
co-sponsors Coastside
Coastside Democrats, P
Democrats,
this being the Democratic convention, these representatives hope to
be re-elected and help to increase the Democratic majority in the (PDC), and Peace Action of San
Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC),
CA Assembly to 2/3 (allowing Jerry Browns budget to pass on and Peace Action of San Mateo County
time) and to return a Democratic majority to the US Congress. For more information, contact Ash
Background: Every 10 years, after the US Census is conducted, Asevans2002@aol.com or 65
California adjusts its multitude of various voting districts to reflect
changes in population distribution. To attempt to de-politicize the For more information, contact
process and to reduce crazy gerrymandered districts, the Ashleigh Evans at
Propositions 11 and 20 created the California Citizens Redistricting
Asevans2002@aol.com
Commission. It has five Republicans, five Democrats, and 4 not
(continued on page 6)
The New Democrat 5 June 2011

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The New Democrat
Convention
(continued from page 4)
affiliated
with either
of those
two parties
but
registered
with
another
party or as
decline-to-
state. The
Commission
Photo by Lily Reinhold. must draw
the district
lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create
districts of relatively equal population that will provide fair
representation for all Californians. The Commission must hold public
hearings and accept public comment. After hearing from the public
and drawing the maps for the House of Representatives districts, 40
Senate districts, 80 Assembly districts, and four Board of
Equalization districts, the Commission must vote on the new maps to
be used for the next decade. To approve the new maps, the maps
must receive nine yes votes from the Commissionthree yes
votes from members registered with the two largest parties, and
three yes votes from the other members.
The criteria in priority order are 1) equalize population, 2) comply
with federal voting rights act, 3) geographic contiguity, 4) respect city
and county neighborhoods and communities of interest boundaries,
5) keep compact. Incumbency of the current elected representatives is
*not* to be considered as a factor.
If communities of minority size are not considered, they can end
up scattered among different districts and end up not having critical
mass in any one district to affect outcomes. These communities
include but arent limited to ethnic communities the elderly are
another example.
Action Item: The main point of this session was to encourage
people to bring community boundary concerns to the commission as
soon as possible and how to communicate with the commission. If
there is some neighborhood or community of which the commission
is not aware that you feel should be kept together, you should
communicate that to the commission, either at a local hearing, by
postal mail, or at v o t e r s f i r s t a c t @c r c .c a . g o v . More information is
on their web site.
If you want to communicate about a community of interest to the
commission, address what are the economic and social interests that
bind the community together, define where the community is
located, and why districting should take them into account. Do not
talk about political party issues, affiliations or candidates. The
Commission is trying to focus on community needs, not political
maneuvering.
Commission Schedule: They are taking input in May and
releasing a first draft of the districting on June 10. On July 26, the
final maps will be released, and August 15 is the deadline for the
commission to vote and act. Some local hearings include May 20
(Santa Rosa), May 21 (Oakland), May 22 (Salinas), May 23 (San
Jose), June 25 (San Jose) (more locations on the web site).
6 June 2011
Dianne Feinstein
(Note: A video of this talk is available online at w w w .c a d e m .o r g )
Senator Feinstein spoke at lunch. She is the voice of moderate
Democrats. The current political partisanship in DC is the worst shes
seen. The Tea Partys singular focus on reducing services to the
American people has made it more difficult. The Tea Party has no
plans for economic recovery and jobs creation. People have forgotten
that President Clinton left office with a $130B surplus, but we are left
with the legacy of vice President Cheneys assertion that deficits dont
matter. Prior to the war on terror, the US always fought a war with a
war tax, but Bush put it on the deficit credit card. The Republican
Party is more radical in its hostility to working people and Obama.
They are paying lip service to balancing the budget. They are
determined to decrease taxes on business and the wealthy and reduce
services that students, seniors and working and middle class
Americans most need.
She reviewed the recent budget battle, the compromise to cut
$38B from the budget which the Republicans attempted to use to
destroy Planned Parenthood, which provides preventative care for
American women, which is 80+% of PPs services. 75% of PPs
clients are at or below the poverty level.
The budget proposal by Wisconsin Republican Senator Paul Ryan
privatizes Medicare, turning it into a voucher program, doubling the
out of pocket costs to future seniors, slashes the food stamps program
and increases the uninsured by 34M by defunding affordable care.
2/3 of the cuts would hit
low/mid income
Americans; 72% of the
cuts go to fund tax cuts
for the rich.
Recently there was an
article in the SJMN that
CA Insurance
Commissioner Davy
Jones had put a 60 day
hold on rate increases
Photo by Diane Rolfe
requested by CA health
insurers. The hold would allow them to review the accuracy of the
requests, but the Insurance Commission of CA has absolutely no
authority to regulate or limit the rates, unlike all other forms of
insurance in CA, which the Commission can regulate. Senator
Feinstein has introduced regulation to change this at the federal
level, because 17 states do not allow their insurance commissioner
to regulate rates.
Action Item: In CA, Assemblyman Feuer has introduced
Assembly Bill 52 to enable the Department of Managed
Care[DMHC] and the California Department of Insurance[CDI] to
have regulatory authority to approve, deny or modify rate changes.
A good little summary is at
s m a l l b u s i n e s s c a l i f o r n i a 3 . b l o g s p o t . c o m /2 0 1 1 /0 3 /a s s e m b l y
-b i l l -5 2 .h t m l .
She pointed out that causes worth fighting for take time, but that
it is worth it. She is proud of sponsoring the Fuel Economy Act
which increased fuel economy standards, which took 20 years to get
done. Last year they repealed Dont Ask Dont Tell; she has
authored a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. Family law is
governed by state law, except DOMA. There are 10s of thousands
of married same-sex couples who cant access federal benefits such
as income and estate tax breaks, social security spousal benefits. We
must right this wrong, even if it is a long march. This Republican
The New Democrat
congress has launched attacks on
basic rights such as collective
bargaining, reproductive control,
to destroy the Affordable Care
Act and legislation passed to
protect the environment. We
must reelect Barack Obama, hold
the Senate, and take back the
House of Representatives.
Bernie Sanders
In a fierier version of
Feinsteins message, Vermont
Senator Bernie Sanders
Photo by Lily Reinhold.
addressed the convention. He
was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006 after serving 16 years in the
House of Representatives. He is the longest serving independent
member of Congress in American history. Early in his career,
Sanders was director of the American Peoples Historical Society.
Elected Mayor of Burlington by 10 votes in 1981, he served four
terms. Before his 1990 election as Vermont's at-large member in
Congress, Sanders lectured at the John F. Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard and at Hamilton College in upstate New
York. He is a self-described democratic socialist.
He views the current conflict in Washington as primarily
motivated by class warfare. He believes the Republican Party is
waging a war on the middle class. While the unemployment statistic
is 8.3%, the real unemployment number including those who want
more employment or who have given up looking is closer to 15%+.
Job creation is not enough. Most new jobs created are low-paid; jobs
must be enough to support a family. A two income family today has
less disposable income than a one income family 30 years ago.
We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of all industrial
nations. We have the highest incarceration rate on earth, which is
correlated to the high childhood poverty rate. It is a radical idea to
invest in our kids rather than more jails. College is becoming
unaffordable, leaving grads with high debt, and depressing our
college graduation rate.
The middle class is disappearing and the income gap with the
wealthy is the highest ever: they have never had it so good. The top
1% earns 22% of all income, more than the bottom 50%. From
1980 2005, 80% of all new income creation went to the top 1%
of the population. The crooks on Wall Street are earning more than
ever. But the problems predate the crooks on Wall Street (a favorite
phrase of his). Business has received $10s of Billions of tax breaks.
The effective real tax rate of the rich is lower than for teachers and
firemen. The top 400 people own more than bottom 150M people.
These are statistics not of a Democracy, but from an oligarchy.
The Republican Party wants to cut Medicaid by billions of dollars,
but 45,000 Americans already die today because of no access to
medical care. The Paul Ryan plan would convert Medicare to a
voucher program for those under 55.
Social Security is not going broke. Social Security for the last 75
years has paid out every eligible American in good times and bad. It
lowered the poverty rate of seniors from 50% to 10%. It has a
$2.6Trillion surplus and can pay every benefit for 26 years. Funded
by the payroll tax, it has not added one penny to the deficit.
Republicans want to privatize Social Security and raise the full
retirement age. When Democrats say everything is on the table, it
is code for Social Security dont let them do this, it isnt necessary.
How to address these issues? The Republicans are the party of
7 June 2011
big money. The Paul Ryan budget is the most radical piece of
legislation that will transfer trillions from the middle class to the
wealthiest who are doing incredibly well. The budget provides tax
breaks for the rich and takes services and benefits from the middle
class. The Republicans are clear about what they stand for; now its
time for the Democrats to be clear. Which side are you on? He
hopes the Democrats make clear they are on the side of working
families and stand up against class warfare and billionaires today.
They need grassroots activism from California Democrats to get
outside the Beltway attitude.
How to deal with the debt? Never forget that the Clinton
administration left huge surpluses to Bush. The Bush administration
gave us two unpaid wars and unpaid tax breaks for the rich,
Medicare part D and the Wall Street bailout, all borrowed for on the
credit card of the national debt. It is a moral imperative that we not
balance the budget on the backs of the poor, sick, and elderly. If we
are serious about deficit reduction, there are fair ways to do it:
End the Bush tax breaks for the very wealthy
Ask the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share
End loopholes for corporations that make billions of dollars and
dont pay taxes and even get rebates
Look at military spending which has tripled since 1997
Steve Chessin award
At each convention, each
Regional Director awards
someone from that Region the
Volunteer of the Year award.
This year Regional Director Emy
Thurber made the award to
Steve Chessin. Steve Chessin is a
Distinguished Engineer at Oracle
and President of Californians for
Electoral Reform (CfER), an
organization that since 1993 has
Photo by Diane Rolfe
been educating and advocating
on behalf of alternative electoral systems, including instant runoff
voting (IRV) and various forms of proportional representation. He is
also active with the League of Women Voters. Steve has been an
active member of the Democratic Party throughout his life and is a
member of the County Central Committee.
Resolutions and The Contract with Middle America
I wasnt able to stay through the voting on Resolutions on
Sunday. Ive asked the Communications Director if they can post the
resolutions and the resulting votes on the w w w .c a d e m . o r g site.
There were resolutions
On Supporting Workers and their Right to Collective Bargaining
In support of Planned Parenthood
In Support of a California Dream Act
On Social Security
Calling on California Democratic Party to support a Main Street
Contract for the American People
Regarding Marilyn Davenport and her Cartoon
On Internet Sales Tax Equity and Compliance
To urge Opposition to Free Trade Agreements with Korea and
Colombia
To Oppose Arizonas Anti-Immigrant and Anti-Ethnic Studies Bills
To Protect the Ocean
Supporting the Nonviolent Human Rights and Democracy
Movement in Iran
(continued on page 9)
The New Democrat
Presidents Report
(continued from page 2)
Darwinian survival of the fittest mentality makes them a
threat to our nations survival and growth as a great and good
power with economic security for all, and that includes right-
wing Republicans, many who will encounter sad times. Social
and economic justice is why I am a Democrat and why we
must win in 2012. We must save our nation for the people---
all of us. Let us never forget: We Are One! We are One!
Bayard Rustin remembered
during LGBT PRIDE Month
The South Bay Pride
At Work Chapter is
organizing a showing of
Brother Outsider, The
Life of Bayard Rustin on
June 17th as part of our
LGBT PRIDE month
celebration. Bayard
Rustin, an African
American gay man, was
the organizer of the Bayard Rustin in 1964.
historic 1963 March on Photo credit: Patrick A. BurnsNew York
Times Co./Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Washington.
B r o t h e r O u t s i d e r, T h e Li f e o f B a y a r d R u s t i n
Ju ne 1 7
6 :3 0 p m t o 9 pm
B i l l y D e F r a n k Ce n t e r
9 3 8 T h e Al a m e d a , S a n J o s e
Co s t : D o n a t i o n w e l c o m e b u t n o t r e q u i r e d
"A master strategist and tireless activist, Bayard Rustin is
best remembered as the organizer of the 1963 March on
Washington, one of the largest nonviolent protests ever held in
the United States. He brought Gandhis protest techniques to
the American civil rights movement, and helped mold Martin
Luther King, Jr. into an international symbol of peace and
nonviolence.
Despite these achievements, Rustin was silenced,
threatened, arrested, beaten, imprisoned and fired from
important leadership positions, largely because he was an
openly gay man in a fiercely homophobic era. Five years in the
making and the winner of numerous awards, BROTHER
OUTSIDER presents a feature-length documentary portrait,
focusing on Rustins activism for peace, racial equality,
economic justice and human rights."
Today, the United States is still struggling with many of the
issues Bayard Rustin sought to change during his long,
illustrious career. His focus on civil and economic rights and his
belief in peace, human rights and the dignity of all people
remain as relevant today as they were in the 1950s and 60s.
Organized by the South Bay Pride At Work.
8 June 2011
CA Democrats approve
resolutions at annual
Convention
The California Democratic State Central Committee
approved the following resolutions at its recent convention:
1. A resolution to support the rights of unions, both private
workers and public workers, to organize and to engage in
collective bargaining with their employers.
2. A resolution supporting the extraordinary work of Planned
Parenthood in providing health care for all women regardless of
income and opposing cuts to Planned Parenthood.
3. A resolution supporting the rights of the children of
undocumented immigrants who have graduated from a
California high school to attend California universities and
colleges with the same access to scholarships and the same in-
state tuition breaks that other California students receive.
4. A resolution supporting Social Security and opposing any
attempts to cut benefits or raise the retirement eligibility age.
5. A resolution endorsing a Main Street Contract for the
American people that calls for jobs at living wages, guaranteed
healthcare, a secure retirement, equal access to quality
education, a safe and clean environment, good housing and
protection from hunger, human rights for all and an end to
discrimination, the right to collectively organize and bargain and
a just taxation system where corporations and the wealthy pay
their fair share.
6. A resolution condemning the cartoon depicting President
Obama as a Chimpanzee and calling upon the Republican Party
to remove Marilyn Davenport, the woman who devised the
cartoon, from leadership in the party.
7. A resolution calling for state taxation of internet sales
transactions to the extent permitted by the Constitution.
8. A resolution denouncing the Arizona laws demanding
proof of legal immigration status , commending the Justice
Departments actions to overturn these laws and commending
educators who teach ethnic studies.
9. A resolution calling for protection of our waterways and of
the oceans.
10. A resolution condemning the ongoing civil rights
violations by the government of Iran and expressing support for
the democracy movement in Iran.
In addition, a resolution urging Governor Brown to commute
the death sentences of California prisoners to life imprisonment
without possibility of parole which could save the state $1 billion
was originally tabled by the committee. Supporters of the
resolution gathered over 600 signatures to overturn the
committee action and to bring the resolution to the floor. In a
compromise action spearheaded by Chairman John Burton, it
was agreed that the resolution would be considered at the July
Executive Board meeting and would be passed by the
committee at that time. So this resolution did not reach the
floor of the convention.
All of these resolutions (with the exception of the one
referring to the death penalty) are displayed in full on the
California Democratic Partys website at CADEM.ORG
Emy Thurber
The New Democrat 9 June 2011

Convention (continued from page 7)

Funnies
by Janice
While Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is apparently finding it
challenging to learn to speak again, her response to watching her
husbands shuttle lift off today was Good stuff, good stuff. So she
is already more articulate than half the GOP field running for
President.
-
Donald Trump announced he is not running for President. I guess
he wants to spend more time with his hair. Farmworkers Union by Lily Reinhold
- Contributing photographer Lily Reinhold, is the granddaughter of
First Mike Huckabee, now Donald Trump has taken himself out of PDC Board member, Stephanie Grossman (pictured at left, together
the 2012 GOP Presidential race. Writers on the Colbert Report and at the Convention. Lily is pictured below left at a luncheon with
the Daily Show have requested immediate raises, as their jobs just PDC members and State Senator Joe Simitian.
got much harder.

Could it be that Schwarzenegger was taking the idea about

changing the born in the U.S rule for the Presidency seriously?
Was Arnold just trying to show he could be the Father of our
Country? Or will Schwarzenggers defense be that he was just
trying to fit in with being a Kennedy?
-
Well, now we know why Arnold wasnt one of those Republicans
who came out trying to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.

Results in
- Photo by Diane Rolfe Photo by Lily Reinhold
Donald and Arnold both are making headlines this week. Trump
because he pulled out early, Schwarzenegger, oh come on, I dont

Residential Real Estate

even need to finish this line.
-
First Meg Whitman, now Arnold Schwarzenegger. Is it some sort

Since 1991
of requirement for Republicans who want to be governor of
California that you have to screw your maid?
-
While Donald Trump has left the Presidential race, its not from
lack of confidence. As he said I maintain the strong conviction that

Ray & Judy

if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and, ultimately,

ALAIN PINEL
the general election. Even Cubs fans are saying This guy is
delusional.

A REALTORS P R L
-
LAIN INEL EALTORS OGO
Los Altos
Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan, who wants to change
Medicare to an insurance subsidy, says he will not run for the U.S.
Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Herb Kohl. Ryan
stated on his website that he can have a bigger impact by LOGO USAGE There are 4 variations of the
remaining in his current position. Translation, even he knows he Ray Schuster:
doesnt have a prayer of winning. 650.867.5232
-
Financial disclosures show Newt Gringrich and/or his latest wife
at one point owed as much as a half million dollars to Tiffanys. Hey,
Judy Staton:
as Newt will no doubt tell us, all the results of that passionate 650.245.6789
Logo Ray & These
on Dark Background Judy are logos are
patriotism could get expensive.
dark (preferably black) long-time PDC members
background.
- DRE# 01137418
Mitt Romney has a new campaign video, and it features actress-
model Cindy Crawford. Wait, wasnt Mitt supposed to be the rayandjudy@apr.com
substantive one? www.rayandjudyonline.com
Janice Hough, PDC Member
Logo on White Background These logos a
white background.
 A DEMO
UL The Peninsula Democratic Coalition

CR
PENINS P.O. Box 97
Los Altos, CA 94023-0097

ATIC
O
C

A LITION

Printed on 100% recycled paper. C

CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
MONTHLY MEETINGS
Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee
meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at 70 West Hedding, San
Jose. Call 408/445-9500 for information. Anyone is welcome to attend.

The PDC Board of Directors meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second

WEDNESDAY of each month at the Palo Alto Unitarian Church, 505 East
Charleston Road, Palo Alto, Fireside Room (in October), otherwise Room 8; all are
welcome.

EVENTS: JUNE 2011

San Mateo County Democracy For America presents The New Democrat
Tom Hayden "Democracy vs. Empire" Published monthly by
Wednesday, June 1, 7:00 PM
Carpenters' Hall, 1153 Chess Drive, Foster City The Peninsula Democratic Coalition
SEE PAGE 1 and 4 FOR MORE INFORMATION
P.O. Box 97, Los Altos, CA 94023-0097
San Mateo County Democracy For America presents a Tel: 650/949-1009
President: Diane Rolfe
Public Forum: "The Truth About Social Security" Vice President: Open
Saturday, June 11, 1:00 p.m. Editor: Emy Thurber
Main Library of San Mateo, 55 W. 3rd Street, San Mateo Design/Layout: Kristen Lohnes Johnson
SEE PAGE 1 and 5 FOR MORE INFORMATION e-mail: graffikdezine@comcast.net
web site: www.peninsulademocrats.com
EVENTS: JULY 2011 Opinions expressed in signed columns represent
views of the author and are not necessarily official
positions of the PDC.
PDC Luncheon
Speaker: Sally Lieber For advertising rates contact
Saturday, July 23 graffikdezine@comcast.net
1:00 p.m. The Peninsula Democratic Coalition (PDC) is
Michaels at Shoreline Restaurant, chartered by the Santa Clara County Democratic
2960 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View Central Committee, and affiliated with the California
SEE PAGE 1 FOR MORE INFORMATION Democratic Council (CDC)
www.cdc-ca.org
For additional democratic events, visit the The Peninsula Young Democrats (PYD) is a group within
the PDC for members under age 36; the PYD is
Santa Clara County Democratic Partys website: affiliated with the California Young Democrats.
http://sccdp.org/hcalendar/events/