President Obama's weekly address: Making tough choices, keeping promises

From our friends at Whitehouse.gov:

With the process of going through the budget line by line in full swing, the President uses his Weekly Address to give some examples, big and small, of how the Administration is working to cut costs and eliminate waste. The President also announces two new key appointments, Jeffrey Zients as Chief Performance Officer and Aneesh Chopra as Chief Technology Officer, who will be invaluable in streamlining the way government functions through efficiency and innovation.



If you the viewscreen above does not appear, view the address here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NPQpiSqAAs

What we're up against: Images from Fresno's 'Tea Party'

I saw this on Huffington Post this morning and thought I'd pass it along. It's comprised of a few photos taken at yesterday's 'Tea Party' tax protest, held in the Save Mart Center's parking lot.

These shots, as well as the others contained within the Huffington Post's full article, really capture some of the beliefs and feelings we're up against right here in our hometown. What's worse is that the local Tea Party's organizers claim more than 7,500 people attended, making the Fresno rally one of the largest in the country. And I'm guessing most folks weren't there just to gawk.

I'm hoping this will serve as a reminder of why Volunteers For Change-Fresno came into existence. Yes, we want to answer President Obama's call to service, but I think we also need to be visible in supporting President Obama's agenda, to bring about that change we demanded, and to show folks bearing beliefs and attitudes like those displayed yesterday -- slowly perhaps, but surely and courageously -- just how wrong they are.

Here's an excerpt of the Huffington Post's article:

Professional photographer Mathieu Young sent us these pictures from Fresno, CA., which had one of the largest Tea Party protests in the country. According to organizers, over 7,500 people were in attendance.

The full text, which includes a report from Fresno about halfway through, can be found here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/16/10-most-offensive-tea-par_n_187554.html

The Huffington Post has also made available all photos it received from yesterday's Tea Parties. To view them, visit HuffPo's page on Flickr.

V4CF to celebrate 'Cuatro de Mayo' at our next scheduled meeting

Volunteers For Change-Fresno members invites all members and interested folk to our next group meeting, scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, in the large meeting room at the Fig Garden Library, 3071 W. Bullard Ave., in Fresno. The library is on the southwest corner of Bullard and Marks, in the shopping center.

Have an item for our agenda? Send it via e-mail to Wendy Negri.

(And what's 'Cuatro de Mayo'? The day before Cinco de Mayo, of course!) We hope to see everyone there!

Interested in single-payer health care? Consider a visit to Sacramento tomorrow

While it remains to be seen whether single-payer health care will be a part of President Obama's healthcare-reform initiative, many Californians remain interested in the idea. If you're among them, an opportunity forwarded from V4CF member James Williams may be up your alley:

California's landmark single payer bill (we call it California OneCare) launches its legislative journey next Wednesday in Sacramento.

SB 810 (formerly SB 840), authored by State Senator Mark Leno (SF), will be heard by the Senate Health Committee at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in Room 4203 at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

This is the first step in the process of getting SB 810 through the Senate and then the Assembly. And a huge turnout of supporters is vital.

We want to pack the hearing room to show strong public support. If you can attend, we recommend you get to Room 4203 well before 1:30 p.m.

This campaign won't be easy. There are many new Senators and Assembly Members who must be educated about single payer. There are other health care reform bills that are being considered but there is only one true reform bill that will bring full care, for all, for less.

PLUS, here are two more actions you can take to help us pass this legislation.

Action #1:
Contact organizations to send SB 810 endorsements on their letterhead stationary.

Organizations that supported Senator Sheila Kuehl's SB 840 need to send a new letter of support for SB 810.

Mail support letter to:

Senator Mark Leno
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Or fax your support letter to: (916) 445-4722

A sample organizational endorsement letter is also posted at www.healthcareforall.org under "act now-organizing".

Action #2:
Send your own individual letter of support for SB 810 to your State Senator and to Senator Elaine Alquist, chair of the Senate Health Committee.

1. Identify your own State Senator online by visiting http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

2. Mail support letter to:

Senator Elaine Alquist
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Or fax support letter to: (916) 324-0283

A sample individual endorsement letter is also posted at www.healthcareforall.org under "act now-organizing"

Thank you for your continued support. WE WILL WIN.

Dan Hodges
Chair, Health Care for All--California

OneCareNow.org Campaign for SB 810 is a Project of Health Care for All--California