Hello, all! Yes, it's been a while... and although we've not had occasion to send along our usual Calls to Action or updates on important issues, we of V4CF thought it would be a good time to send along a general update. So, with that in mind...
Next meeting: As announced at our recent Election Day Anniversary celebration, there will be no V4CF General Meeting scheduled in December. We'll plan to gather the group once again in early January... so please stay tuned for updates!
Healthcare Reform: The U.S. Senate's version of healthcare reform legislation is continuing to move slowly through the process. The bill does not appear to have stalled, but it doesn't appear to be the topic of action scheduled this week, either. Recent news reports state the Senate may work through the December holidays to move it forward.
As for V4CF's involvement in healthcare reform, at this point nothing has really been asked of V4CF with regard to helping reform pass the Senate. Whether this is because our Sens. Feinstein and Boxer have already stated their support for healthcare reform that includes a public option or because of other divisive issues like the Stupak Amendment remains to be seen. But, the Action Blog will keep you informed as to next steps, so again please stay tuned.
Santa's Village: Kris Arden reports our group has collected a good number of toys and other donations for the event, which begins next week. If you have any last-minute donations, please contact Kris at (559) 978-1736 or via e-mail at kkarden@yahoo.com, and she'll find a way to get 'em there.
Afghanistan, Copenhagen, Stupak, etc.: Wow, it's been a tough set of weeks for divisive issues, eh? Given that, and given the rumors we've heard about folks peeling off their Obama bumper stickers in the wake of some of these issues, we'd like to know where our members stand on these three. Got an opinion here? Please send your thoughts to V4CF via e-mail at v4cfresno@yahoo.com.
In the meantime, we're hoping that December is treating you well. Sound off, and keep Being the Change!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Santa's Village donations update
Announcing the donation count for Santa's village:
57 toys and 10 articles of clothing
Donations for Santa's Village will be accepted through Dec. 9. Each night the volunteers will be fed, so additional donations of the following items are also being accepted:
57 toys and 10 articles of clothing
Donations for Santa's Village will be accepted through Dec. 9. Each night the volunteers will be fed, so additional donations of the following items are also being accepted:
- Coffee, Sugar, and Creamer
- Paper Plates
- Napkins
- Plastic Tablecloths, Utensils, and Cups
- Desserts
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Next steps in the battle for healthcare reform
So, in the wake of the U.S. House's narrow passage last week of healthcare-reform legislation, and after some obvious spin from the right wing announcing the House's bill would be 'dead on arrival' in the Senate, what's really next in the fight for healthcare reform?
According to a report on CNN, the next step is for the Senate to vote to begin debate. And there are indeed a few hurdles to be overcome before that 'vote to begin debate' can happen. The article states:
According to a report on CNN, the next step is for the Senate to vote to begin debate. And there are indeed a few hurdles to be overcome before that 'vote to begin debate' can happen. The article states:
Democrats need 60 votes to pass the motion to start debate. While there are 60 members in the Democrats' coalition, Ben Nelson, a moderate Democrat from Nebraska -- says he hasn't decided which way he'll vote, and won't until he sees the actual bill.So, the Senate's consideration of healthcare reform remains on hold, for a few days anyway. Read CNN's full article, and stay tuned to the V4CF Action Blog for more information and next steps.
In fact, no one has seen the Senate health care bill yet. Reid won't release the legislation until he knows the cost of the bill.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
V4CF sends its thanks to all veterans today
On this Veteran's Day, Volunteers For Change-Fresno sends its sincere and heartfelt thanks to all veterans.And for those in harm's way tonight, especially for those in Iraq and Afghanistan, Volunteers For Change-Fresno wishes you a safe and speedy return home!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Healthcare reform passes House;
Rep. Costa voted 'yea'!
Yes, we've been encouraging (nay, pestering) our members to keep making those phone calls, to keep smiling and dialing in favor of healthcare reform with a public option. And lately, the main target of our calls has been Rep. Jim Costa, who remained uncommitted until literally the very last moment.
I'm happy to report that, according to the website for the Clerk of the US House of Representatives, Rep. Costa voted *yea* on HR 3962, the House's version of meaningful healthcare reform. So, it would appear that all of those phone calls, vigils, marches, signs, and persistence paid off, encouraging him to listen to his constituents, 41 percent of whom are medically uninsured.
So, (tomorrow, since we're all needing a well-deserved rest) let's call Rep. Costa's offices one more time, to thank him for his vote in favor of meaningful healthcare reform and in favor of HR 3962. Those numbers remain:
Jim Costa -District 20
Local: (559) 495-1620
Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-3341
Those thank-you calls are every bit as important as the calls we made to encourage his support of the measure. And perhaps even more so.
In the meantime, another big Thank You goes to you, who phone called, who smiled and dialed, who held signs, who stood in hundred-degree weather, who fought hard for this to pass. To you, on behalf of Volunteers For Change-Fresno, I give my most sincere thanks!
And of course, it's not over yet. Next up: Getting healthcare reform through the Senate.
We've won this one... let's keep Being the Change!
I'm happy to report that, according to the website for the Clerk of the US House of Representatives, Rep. Costa voted *yea* on HR 3962, the House's version of meaningful healthcare reform. So, it would appear that all of those phone calls, vigils, marches, signs, and persistence paid off, encouraging him to listen to his constituents, 41 percent of whom are medically uninsured.So, (tomorrow, since we're all needing a well-deserved rest) let's call Rep. Costa's offices one more time, to thank him for his vote in favor of meaningful healthcare reform and in favor of HR 3962. Those numbers remain:
Jim Costa -District 20
Local: (559) 495-1620
Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-3341
Those thank-you calls are every bit as important as the calls we made to encourage his support of the measure. And perhaps even more so.
In the meantime, another big Thank You goes to you, who phone called, who smiled and dialed, who held signs, who stood in hundred-degree weather, who fought hard for this to pass. To you, on behalf of Volunteers For Change-Fresno, I give my most sincere thanks!
And of course, it's not over yet. Next up: Getting healthcare reform through the Senate.
We've won this one... let's keep Being the Change!
Healthcare reform passes the House
Moments ago, the U.S. House passed HR 3962, its version of the healthcare reform bill. The final tally was 220-215.
Now, on to the Senate!
Now, on to the Senate!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Healthcare reform needs your calls today.
This is it. Make or break. Do or die.
If ever there were a Volunteers For Change 'All Hands On Deck' alert, this would be it.
The long-awaited day has apparently arrived. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on its version healthcare reform bill sometime Saturday, Nov. 7. And depending upon what time you're reading this, that's either tomorrow. or today.
The bill needs to pass, or it dies. This is the proverbial 'it.' This is for all the marbles. And this needs 218 'yes' votes in the House to pass.
Sadly and most disappointingly, Rep. Jim Costa is still officially withholding his support. Even though his website states "Clearly Congress must work together in a bipartisan effort to provide a health care system that ensures the every American receives proper medical attention at an affordable rate." Even though he also states on his website that he "will continue to strive to ensure that the needs of the people of the Valley are met." All while 41 percent of the people in his district remain uninsured.
He has a golden opportunity to do something positive for his constituents, but at last report he seems to have no interest in doing so.
To put it bluntly, we need to call his office enough times today to make his phones either melt or cry for mercy.
And we need everyone -- especially those V4CFers who are his constituents -- to make their voices heard.
Please, take a moment to call his office right now. Strongly encourage him to vote in favor of his constituents by voting in favor of the bill.
Those numbers?
Jim Costa -District 20
Local: (559) 495-1620
Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-3341
Rumor has it his Fresno office will be closed for the weekend. If that turns out to be the case, let's provide his Washington D.C. office with that deluge of calls. If not, let's dial 'em both until their lines smoke.
This is it. Make or break. Do or die. Let's get it done!
The long-awaited day has apparently arrived. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on its version healthcare reform bill sometime Saturday, Nov. 7. And depending upon what time you're reading this, that's either tomorrow. or today.
The bill needs to pass, or it dies. This is the proverbial 'it.' This is for all the marbles. And this needs 218 'yes' votes in the House to pass.
Sadly and most disappointingly, Rep. Jim Costa is still officially withholding his support. Even though his website states "Clearly Congress must work together in a bipartisan effort to provide a health care system that ensures the every American receives proper medical attention at an affordable rate." Even though he also states on his website that he "will continue to strive to ensure that the needs of the people of the Valley are met." All while 41 percent of the people in his district remain uninsured.
He has a golden opportunity to do something positive for his constituents, but at last report he seems to have no interest in doing so.
To put it bluntly, we need to call his office enough times today to make his phones either melt or cry for mercy.
And we need everyone -- especially those V4CFers who are his constituents -- to make their voices heard.
Please, take a moment to call his office right now. Strongly encourage him to vote in favor of his constituents by voting in favor of the bill.
Those numbers?
Jim Costa -District 20
Local: (559) 495-1620
Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-3341
Rumor has it his Fresno office will be closed for the weekend. If that turns out to be the case, let's provide his Washington D.C. office with that deluge of calls. If not, let's dial 'em both until their lines smoke.
This is it. Make or break. Do or die. Let's get it done!
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