• New York Congressional District 1 Congressman Tim Bishop
• New York Congressional District 2 Congressman Steve Israel
• New York Congressional District 3 (Pending Responses to Our Questionnaire)
• New York Congressional District 4 Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy
• New York Congressional District 5 (Pending Primary)*
• New York Senator Charles Schumer
• New York Senator (Pending Primary)*

*Yes We Can! Long Island does not engage in primary elections or endorse primary candidates.

Recognizing the limit of our grassroot organization’s resources, the Board of Yes We Can! Long Island will enthusiastically support the campaigns of Congressman Bishop and Congresswoman McCarthy.

It’s important that you remain current.  Visit our website frequently to stay informed, www.YesWeCanLI.org, and respond to our email messages to remain involved throughout the upcoming election season and beyond.

You can get involved at YWC!LI upcoming events and activities, such as the Bellmore Street Fair, October 2 and 3. We encourage our members and supporters to remain actively engaged during this vital midterm election.

Yes We Can! Long Island exists as a result of membership support and activism. We want and, more importantly, need your ongoing involvement.

Our island, our state, and our nation need your commitment.

http://www.yeswecanli.org/2010-midterm-election/

In less than two years, the Obama administration has racked up several remarkable achievements, among them an economic stimulus package, healthcare reform and financial services reform. But with continuing high unemployment and America bogged down in two unpopular wars, Obama’s accomplishments have not translated into political capital.

According to Talking Point Memo, Obama’s approval numbers are running in the mid-40s and are trending down. Congressional Democrats fare worse. In a generic match-up, they trail Republicans by nearly three percentage points and also trend down.

Historically, opposition parties gain seats in mid-term elections. Some pundits think 2010 could be a repeat of 1994, when Republicans rode Newt Gingrich’s “Contract With America” to take control of both houses of Congress. Anti-incumbent sentiment, the rise of the Tea Party movement, the Supreme Court ruling striking down restrictions on corporate political spending and the near-term economic outlook all work against Democrats.

A Republican takeover of Congress would be disastrous. At a minimum, it would stop the Obama agenda and progressive momentum dead in its tracks at a time when there is much still to be accomplished on energy, the environmental, immigration and other vital issues.

If Republicans have their way, important gains like health care reform and financial services reform could be rolled back. Bush administration policies that led to the worst recession since the Great Depression could be in force once again. Even Social Security could be privatized.

The bottom line: As members of Yes We Can! Long Island, who worked so hard to get Barack Obama elected, we cannot afford to let Republicans take back the Congress. The midterm elections are critical. We must work to support those candidates who are committed to moving forward on progressive reform and not reverting back to failed Bush policies. Anything else betrays what we stand for.

In 2008, it was easy to decide how to channel our energies. We had one overriding goal: to elect Barack Obama President of the United States and end eight years of disastrous Republican policies.

This year, we have a much more complex question as important state and local races are to be decided. Since Yes We Can! Long Island’s charter restricts it to races at the federal level; our focus must be elections to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. With Democratic incumbents running strongly in both Senate races, the emphasis belongs on the House.

Long Island has five congressional districts. All five incumbents – four Democrat, one Republican – are running for reelection. Two races – in the First Congressional District for the seat held by Rep. Tim Bishop and the Fourth C.D. for the seat held by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy – are competitive. Tea Party activists have targeted both incumbents. Rep. McCarthy draws opposition from the powerful National Rifle Association because she is a nationally recognized advocate for gun control.

Yes We Can! Long Island can achieve the greatest impact on the 2010 elections by focusing the energies of its membership on these two races. By working as a group to help reelect Rep. Bishop and Rep. McCarthy we can help make a difference and demonstrate our political clout. Those who want to work to defeat Rep. Pete King should remember Otto von Bismarck’s admonition: “Politics is the art of the possible.”

We elected Barack Obama President two years ago because we wanted change from the disastrous Bush administration. Despite stiff resistance from Republicans in Congress and the right-wing propaganda machine, Obama has accomplished much to advance a progressive agenda that puts people ahead of profits.

To continue along the path he has set out for our country, we need to have Barack Obama’s back. If we sit back and do nothing, we risk disastrous consequences. If you don’t believe it, just remember what happened to Tom Suozzi and the Nassau Democrats in last year’s county elections.

Barack Obama needs Tim Bishop and Carolyn McCarthy in Congress. By working for their reelection, Yes We Can! Long Island can help strengthen the progressive agenda as it solidifies its influence on Long Island politics. Please do what you can – as a volunteer, donor or both – to ensure victory and help Democrats retain control of Congress.

In our recent political history, with the success, popularity and organization of the right-wing media, false realities are pushed into the public consciousness that are very far from being accurate representations of what is going on.

The exceptionally high hopes many had for President Obama during the dark, cold winter of 2008 were so grandiose that anything short of creating world peace and bringing global prosperity in a matter of months is too often viewed as disappointing. We all know that the reality is that Obama was inaugurated at one of the lowest points in modern American history – the economy was in free fall, our nation’s approval rating was at a low, two failed wars were still underway, and eight years of incompetence needed to be reversed. No easy task, even for Barack Obama.

In the time since he has been inaugurated, he has had greater success than any modern president. In his short time in office, he has passed the largest reform of healthcare in generations, passed the largest financial reform since the Great Depression, appears to be having some success in one war, and trying to find some footing in another. His bailouts of corporations, financial and industry, has kept another depression from occurring, no matter how unpopular those actions may be considered. He has appointed one supreme court judge, the first Hispanic to serve in the highest court, and is about to have his second nomination confirmed in a matter of weeks. His term to date has been anything but a failure, but more closely described as a resounding success.

The results of his actions are not all instant – we have not seen the benefits of health care reform, as it will take years for those to be seen – but President Obama is clearly leading us down a road to a better place. The scare tactics are only being used to divide us and distract us from the reality that our president is having a tremendously successful presidency, despite the curve balls he has been thrown.

And if you think I am misreading the national sentiment, look at this report produced by the DNC a week ago, the tone of the nation is being greatly misread by so many.

Voter Support for Democrats Exceeds Support for Party in Power in 1994 and 2006While history would suggest that the 2010 elections stand to be challenging for Democrats, a variety of recent polls suggest that the barriers to success for Democratic candidates this year may not be as high as some have suggested. While pundits are now commonly comparing this year’s elections to those of 1994 and 2006, years in which the minority party took control of Congress, voters today express greater support for Democratic leaders and more trust in Democratic leadership than for the political party in power in either of those election cycles. In fact, an analysis of the relative strength of the party in power, the temperature readings of the incumbent president and the approval ratings and generic ballot tests for the party out of power for 1994, 2006 and 2010 proves that comparisons between those previous election cycles and today are at best poor.

Read the full DNC Memo here.

Music by: Duane Eddy, Bright Eyes, Buffalo Springfield and Willy Mason.
Video by: Ben Brodsky

The message of hope and change was largely responsible for the election of Barack Obama. People were happy, indeed giddy with optimism, about coming change. Whether it was about Lily Ledbetter (relatively small, excuse me) or Health Care Reform (big), Obama’s presidency has been all about change–and, unfortunately, resistance to change. But ‘change’ was characterized as engaging and positive.

An election victory in Pennsylvania (Critz) and important primaries in PA (Sestak) and Arkansas (Halter) bode well for the mid-term elections. However, the demand for change now rides on a platform of anger and negativity.

In each case, election or primary, the key was turnout. People voted. People expressed their concern. And, it appears, that change is coming. A good sign for progressives. Even in Kentucky, progressives come out ahead in the long term because a wingnut libertarian is pushing the Republican Party further to the right. Each primary was a plus for progressives.

Halter is a thoughtful and strong candidate, pushing conservative Dem Lincoln to a head-to-head run-off that, I think, favors Halter; payback for her vote against health care reform (and her progressive position on finance reform is a wolf in lamb’s clothing). Critz is a competent guy, winning in a very conservative region; does this negate some of the concerns derivative of recent conservative victories? Specter cast his Supreme Court votes for extremely conservative justices. Good riddance. Rand Paul prevailed against the guy strongly backed by Mitch McConnell and Dick Cheney (heh, heh); for the moment, I thank him. Paul will lose in the general election given his too frequent statement of off-the-wall positions.

At least for the coming weeks, there will be fewer tailing heads spreading word that the Republicans will make significant advances in Congress.

So as I said yesterday, a breath of fresh air is emerging and circulating. . . Malaise and fatigue have permeated the air for too long. Progressives need to start feeling good and show renewed energy.

Perhaps we can. Feelin’ good. Yes We Can! Yes We Will!

The conference’s dual focus on climate change and job creation was super-informative. It his gratifying to receive such postivie feedback from participants–speakers and audience.
We made lots of new friends as YWC!LI’s membership continues to grow.

Clicking the center of the slideshow will open a new page that includes captions for each picture

Our environment is central to all the issues that confront us. There is much that each of us can and needs to do to make the world a better place to live—short- and long-term. We need to understand climate change better and come to recognize how it will impact our lives, the lives of our children and grandchildren, and generations beyond.

Expert Speakers & Exhibitors on:

• Causes and effects of climate change
• Status of federal and local legislation
• How to compete for high-paying “green” jobs
• How to advocate for solutions
• How to lower your carbon footprint & improve your home’s energy efficiency
• How to use solar and wind power in your home and get the best deals
• How to get LIPA subsidies and federal tax credits worth tens of thousands of dollars for installation of solar power

9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, March 20, The Metropolitan, 3 Pratt Blvd., Glen Cove, N.Y.
Registration, 9 a.m.; Program, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.; Exclusive Exhibit Time, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Through the generosity of anonymous donors committed to the goals of greater energy-efficiency and reliance upon renewable fuel sources, we are delighted to invite you to attend our Climate Change Conference at no cost.
Light refreshments and a free Going Green ‘tote bag’ for grocery shopping will be given to each participant.

• held our first convention focusing on 2009 goals at The Metropolitan in Glen Cove
• participated in cleaning up preserved areas along the Meadowbrook Parkway
• organized a counter-demonstration at a Tea Party rally in Merrick
• held petition drives in support of health care reform
• conducted a rally to support healthcare reform at the County Court House in Mineola

Our redesigned website and regular mailings have helped to keep you informed of matters of importance to progressive causes.
In the coming year, we will expand our agenda with new initiatives adding job creation/expansion and campaign finance reform to our priorities. Both issues rated ‘very important’ in our recent member survey. Please support YWC!LI efforts to continue and to expand our resources and activities by renewing your membership today.
Our first major event will be our Going Green—Climate Change Conference, Saturday, March 20, once again at The Metropolitan in Glen Cove . Together we will explore the science and legislative issues central to climate change and engage participants in ways to ‘go green’. Look for announcements of our speakers—environmentalists who are leading major efforts involving sustainable energy. Vendors of ‘green’ and sustainable energy products and services will have booths set up to address questions of conference participants.
As a dues-paying member, you will be able to participate in our events throughout the year at no additional expense. We have begun to explore conducting job and health fairs and a major event focusing on campaign finance reform at which we will collaborate with national organizations who share our commitment to CFR.

Please demonstrate your commitment to progressive issues on Long Island by your support of Yes We Can! Long Island by extending your membership.

• Annual dues are $20 for the year–$25 for family membership–and include admission to all of our organization’s activities including the upcoming Going Green– Climate Change Conference. Pre-register for for this conference at our website by clicking here.
  Please start or renew your membership now. Send a check or money order for $20 ($25 family), payable to Yes We Can! Long Island, c/o Paul Tusa, Treasurer, 1818 Bellmore Ave, Bellmore, NY 11710
• For those who choose to only attend our conference on March 20, the cost will be $10 ($15 family). Payment can be made cash, check, or credit card on March 20. Pre-register for this conference at our website by clicking here.

Our organization’s goal continues to be able to raise sufficient funds to provide events and resources throughout the year without seeking additional contributions from membership. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

The Board of Yes We Can! Long Island

Yes We Can! Long Island is a registered PAC. Contributions to YWC!LI are not tax-deductible.

Marvin

• Healthcare reform: It cannot go away.  Passage of reform legislation is a must.  If it’s the Senate bill, swallow hard and let it be.

• Campaign finance reform. Bush v. Gore was a most horrendous decision.  Yesterday the Supreme Court may have exceeded all expectations for its ugly, partisan decision.  It should not take a legal scholar to recognize that five of nine justices are clearly wrong. Corporations, by law, are entities that enjoy rights that enable them to make profits (and to lose huge sums as well).  In response, public-financed elections, minimally at the national level, must become the public mandate. Nothing less can save democracy as most have come to understand and believe in it.

• Job Creation. Regardless of what Congress does in the coming months, this must become and remain its greatest priority. What else needs to be said?

• Energy/Environment. Most recent reports identify this past decade as the warmest in recorded history tells the story.

At our Board meeting, it was decided that YWC!LI will focus on these four goals throughout 2010.  They are the most widely supported priorities cited in the membership survey that so many of you have returned for our consideration. The top four goals identified (those indicated as #1 or #2 priorities by our members) are:

Jobs/Deficit Reduction/Financial Regulation (98%)

Health Care Reform (84%)

Environment/Climate Change (58%)

Campaign Finance Reform (46%)

Other goals cited, including reducing/withdrawing troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, received highly favorable responses.  The Board committed to those matters to which it feels it make a meaningful contribution.

Our initial event, a convention focusing on one of our goals will be announced shortly.  YWC!LI’s effectiveness will continue to rely upon growing our membership.

I’ll be writing to you about this in the coming days. — Marvin