Recommended Reading—Obamanomics and Announcing YWC!LI’s Founding Convention

Recommended Reading—Obamanomics and Announcing YWC!LI’s Founding Convention

From time to time I come across a book that is worth sharing. This past week I stumbled upon this book with the subtitle: How Bottom-Up Economic Prosperity Will Replace Trickle-Down Economics (Seven Stories Press). This is a short and easy read and who might pass it up with all that has been going on. Author John Talbott, as am I, is a big fan of Robert Kennedy and draws parallels between Kennedy’s and Obama’s style, thought, and actions throughout this little book. Its preface (written in 2008) says much:

We are a peaceful nation at war. We are a caring nation whose citizens are hurting from home foreclosures and unaffordable healthcare. We are a proud nation held in contempt by countries the world over. We are a fiscally responsible people whose government is $10 trillion in debt and facing a very serious housing and financial crisis. We are a nation of laws that are being written by corporate interests. And we are a country, dounded on equality, liberty, justice and opportunity for all, that is slowly devolving into an unjust society where life success is based more on inherited position and connections than individual effort . . . Even thouugh times can be bleak, our problems can be conquered. I am confident of this because I believe almost all of our problems are the result of a few fundamental errors our country has made that can be corrected. If we correct these fundamental mistakes, solutions to our bigger problems will become more evident and the practical means to implement them will become clear . . . Obama has been critizcized during the election campaign for spending too much time talking about big general principles and not getting into the specifics of his proposals. First of all, this is not entirely true. Secondly, he may be onto something. I think he understands that our problems are not solvable unless we address these fundamental issues. Our country was built on fundamental principles, and we have slowly moved away from them.”

If Talbott’s words ring true to you, then you will want to join us at the Founding Conference of Yes We Can! Long Island, Saturday, March 21, at The Metropolitan in Glen Cove. The day will focus on issues that are fundamental to the Obama-Biden philosophy and critical to Long Islanders–the economy, energy and environment, education, healthcare, community service and diversity. Speakers will introduce each session to be followed by breakout groups focusing on each issue. At the conclusion of the day we will take a grass-roots tally to deterine Yes We Can! Long Island’s priorities so that we can most effectively use our memberships’ resources, tlaents and commitment.

We will have room to accommodate 250 members. There will be opportunity to register for the Convention and luncheon on our new website. Expect to recieve an email providing the link to the website by the end of this week. Several of you have begun asking about joining us. Register for the session–the first of a series–on the YWC!LI (soon to be launched) website.

I also expect to be announcing a very special keynote speaker in the coming weeks.

Marvin

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David Plouffe, Campaign Manager for Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign, to Speak at Hofstra: The Obama Phenomenon: What’s Next?

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Obama for America Campaign Manager David Plouffe will discuss “The Obama Phenomenon: What’s Next?” at Hofstra University on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 3 p.m. in Monroe Lecture Center Theater, South Campus.

The lecture is part of Define ’09: New Challenges, New Solutions, a year-long series of programs designed to examine the new presidential administration, its policies and initiatives, the challenges we currently face and ways of addressing our country’s most pressing issues.

After winning the election on November 4, 2008, President Obama called Plouffe, “the unsung hero” who built the best political campaign in the history of the United States. Mr. Plouffe is widely credited with masterminding the winning strategy and building a team that delivered unprecedented results. The 2008 Obama presidential campaign fundamentally changed the way political campaigns are conducted.

In May, 2008, David Axelrod, chief strategist for President Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, praised Plouffe, stating that he had “done the most magnificent job of managing a campaign that I’ve seen in my life of watching presidential politics. To start something like this from scratch and build what we have built was a truly remarkable thing.” The Chicago Tribune also praised Mr. Plouffe, stating, “Plouffe was the mastermind behind a winning strategy that looked well past Super Tuesday’s contests on February 5, 2008 and placed value on large and small states.”

Mr. Plouffe will discuss the inside story of how Obama was elected president and how success hinged on a fundamental belief in the candidate and the strategy, and will look ahead to the administration’s next steps and at the movement the campaign created.

All Define ’09 programs are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Public seating is limited for these events. To register, check seating availability, and for a full list of Define ’09 events go to hofstra.edu/define09 and click on “Events.”

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Political Humor Section

Robin Williams on Obama

http://politicalirony.com/2008/11/30/robin-williams-on-obamas-election/

‘Sorry, Bill’ (thanks for the chuckle, Nancy)

Click on the attachment for a laugh

MAYOR VIRG BERNERO OF LANSING MICHIGAN TEARS INTO FOX ANCHOR – HILARIOUS!!!THE ULTIMATE SERVE!