Friday Breakfast: A Call to Change!

Our guest speaker at Friday's breakfast was Liz Watson, Democratic Candidate for Indiana's 9th Congressional District. Liz is taking on Tennessee Trey, who just really, really needs to go. She spent a few minutes talking about how her campaign is going and why it is so important that we have her in Congress instead of the underperforming, invisible guy we have now.

Liz first quoted Fanny Lou Hamer, who once famously said that she was "sick and tired of being sick and tired." Hear hear. Aren't we all. She then mentioned the litany of appalling things coming from Washington that erode our rights and affect our ability to live successful, healthy lives. These are issues she has spent her entire career trying to address or counteract and they are affecting all Hoosiers: immigration rights, reproductive rights for women, tax cuts for the rich, lack of childcare for working women and men, the astronomical cost of college education, lack of access to high speed broadband especially in rural areas, and hard working Hoosiers working for less and less money and fewer benefits. She wants to right the ship, and help restore an ethic where every individual is afforded respect and dignity. One thing we all know would help is, naturally, electing more women to Congress. It's just not acceptable that only 21% of the Senate and 19.3% of the House is composed of women.

Liz reminded us that there were only 32 days left until election day. Last time around, when Shelli Yoder ran against Trey, he flooded the airwaves with lies, and he is doing that again in his race against Liz. Obviously he has nothing to demonstrate about his performance in Congress, so lies it is. Liz's final comment before questions fielded by Rachel Guglielmo, was that she believes this is the election of our lifetimes and we need to get out there and make it happen.

Rachel posed a couple of questions to Liz. One was, "What has been uplifting about campaigning?" Liz said it was "people with slivers of time" knocking on doors and making phone calls. She knows how busy everyone is and people have been incredibly generous with their precious time. Her family has also been uplifting. Her daughter will come and sit on her lap while she is making calls at night to California. And her son and husband have been rocks.

Liz noted that Trey would like it if people like her didn't exist. He has received most of his $4.5 million in support from Wall Street. That's who he answers to. But we need "to answer to a whole lot of Main Street, not Wall Street." To that end, her campaign has focused partly on registering new voters. Of 35,000 new voters registered in the district, 37% of them support Liz. Now that's uplifting!

Liz's final plea was to volunteer and help her win. Victory is in sight--Liz's race is the only "Red to Blue" race in Indiana, that is, deemed likely to flip to Democrat. That is HUGE. But she needs our help in money and time to get there. There is still lots of work to be done in this last, crucial  month.

Ashley Pirani, Candidate for County Council District 3:  [email protected]
Ashley is having a fundraiser on Tuesday, October 11th from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Democratic HQ. Maybe you could help with snacks for that. She could also use yard signs at locations in the townships, and people willing to write letters to the editor.
She also needs help with canvassing and you can see the times and sign up for October canvassing dates: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/70A0F4FA4AF22A5FC1-october 

Penny Githens, Candidate for State Representative District 60.  Volunteer coordinator: [email protected].
Don't think Penny isn't busy, because she is EVERYWHERE! She reported these needs:

1. A weekly phone bank on Friday afternoons through November 2, 1:00 - 4:00, at Dem HQ.  If people prefer to canvass during that time, she can provide them with a walk-list for Bloomington.
2. People willing to put yard signs on their property. 
3. Fall Foliage Parade in Martinsville, October 14.  Staging at noon at the Bell Intermediate Academy, 1459 E Columbus St, Martinsville, with the parade beginning at 1:00 PM.  According to the organizers, the parade is 35 blocks long, so wear your walking shoes!
4. Also on October 14, she will be phone banking in Washington Township in a combined effort to help get Pat Slabach and Lee Chapman elected to the Washington Township Board.  This critical race involves emergency medical and fire protection for residents of Washington Township who live west of I-69.  Phone banking will occur from noon - 4:00 at the home of Pat and Rich Slabach, 8015 N Denny Rd, Bloomington.  Lunch will be served.
5. On-going canvasses in Monroe and Morgan counties -- please contact Deborah Meader, [email protected], if you are willing to help

Amy Swain, Candidate for State Representative District 62. Campaign coordinator Cory Ray: [email protected]
She also needs yard sign locations for precincts Perry 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 25, 27, Van Buren 1-6, Indian Creek.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Just keep in mind that TUESDAY, October 9th is the last day to register to vote.
EARLY VOTING STARTS on OCTOBER 10th! at 401 W 7th Street, Election Central
Hours:
8 am - 6 pm weekdays (excluding holidays) until Friday November 2.
9 am - 4 pm Saturdays October 27th and November 3 ONLY
9 am - noon Monday, November 5th
6 am - 6 pm Election Day at the Polls

City of Bloomington Arts Commission opening
The City of Bloomington Office of the City Clerk is accepting applications to fill a vacant position on the Bloomington Art Commission. The position is available for city residents.

The Bloomington Arts Commission provides a means for the City of Bloomington to stimulate and encourage community appreciation for and participation in the arts. To learn more about the Arts Commission, and each of the City’s boards and commissions, including mission statements, membership requirements, current membership listings and term lengths, or for online applications, use the feature OnBoard at bloomington.in.gov/onboard, or by clicking on the “OnBoard” button on the City’s home web page.

All board and commission meetings are free and open to the public. Potential applicants are urged to attend a meeting of their desired board or commission prior to applying. Meeting schedules and locations can be found under the “committee info” tab on OnBoard.

Information and applications are also available at the City Clerk’s Office in Showers City Hall at 401 N. Morton.

EVENTS:

Thursday, October 11, 2018, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Fundraiser for Ashley Pirani, candidate for County Council District 3
Democratic HQ, 116 S. Madison
We think this will be a lot of FUN!

Saturday, October 14, 2018, noon - 4:00 pm
Washington Township Phone Bank
Contact Pat Slabach for more information: [email protected]

Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 11:30 am
Monroe County Democrats' Lunch
DeAngelos Restaurant
The speakers will include local candidates, Eric Schmitz and Shelli Yoder, John Aguilera, candidate for State Treasurer, and Indiana's Own Dana Black! The public is invited to attend.

Thursday, October 18, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Save the Date: MCDP Fall Dinner & Fundraiser 
Liberty Ball Room & Banquet Center, 2100 S. Liberty Drive, Bloomington
Tons of information can be found here: http://www.monroedems.org/fall_dinner_2018

Friday, October 19, 2018, 11:00 am - noon
Bernie Sanders VOTE with Bernie Rally
Dunn Meadow, then a walk down 7th Street to Vote with Bernie
You must be registered to vote!!

Friday, October 19, 2018 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Middle Way House  Fall Luncheon  2018: Year of the Woman?
Alpha Chi Omega House at 1000 N Jordan
Featured speaker Dawn Johnsen on the complex impacts of this year's legal and political developments on the status of women and women's rights in America. Purchase tickets ($30) at MiddleWayHouse.org (use the events tab)

Sunday, October 21, 2018, 8:00 pm
Dark Money
Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 11A E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington
Do you ever wonder why our votes don't seem to be enough anymore? Dark Money explores the greatest political threat we face today: untraceable money to influence policy. Personal stories make up this film of how individuals are affected by a practice unleashed in the 2010 Citizens United decision. Presented by the Bloomington-Monroe County chapter of the League of Women Voters and the Ryder Film Series, with an introduction by Jim Allison of Reverse Citizens United.

ACTION ITEM(s):

Time to step up--November is a coming...!!!

We are almost at election day. Now is the time to volunteer to help one of our DWC candidates win in November. That is our primary mission, and they need our help. Please sign up to help them.

But we know you have time to help Liz Watson as well. Here's why that's something we need to do. The only way to deal with the pathetic circus we witnessed this past week in Washington is to flip Congress. That starts right here, my friends, in the 9th District. Volunteer NOW for Liz Watson's campaign because we really can make a difference from our little spot on the planet. And yes, we mean planet. The whole world is watching Americans to see how low we can sink. So think about it. We may be a little spot on the globe, but our voices and our will are MIGHTY. Liz Watson is the real deal. If we help her win, we are one step closer to restoring normality to our Congress. It's on each one of us to take this on. Who else?

The DWC is dedicated to inspiring, recruiting, training, supporting and funding women to increase the number of progressive, pro-choice women in the political arena. We ALL help with this mission, together, collectively. Make sure you have full rights and privileges of membership.
Only $20 for one year’s membership. 
Join online here: https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership

Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected]
Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.

Paid for by DWPAC - Democratic Women's Political Action Committee
Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/