Progressive Democrats of America

PDA sponsors ‘People’s Inauguration’ in DC on Jan 19: Watch live streaming

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Pc iii logo-1by Pamela Powers Hannley

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is hosting Progressive Central: The People's Inauguration on January 19 in Washington DC. 

Progressive pundits and politicians from around the country– including our own Congressman Raul Grijalva– will be there. If you're like me and will be in Tucson tomorrow, check out the live streaming of Progressive Central on the PDA home page, beginning at 8 a.m. (Eastern Time).  Bisbee's own Loneprotestor will be in DC– so look for video from her on this blog. I attended Progressive Central in Charlotte while attending the Democratic National Convention, and it was inspiring. More details from after the jump.

PDA: Envisioning a more progressive Arizona Democratic Party

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Taxby Pamela Powers Hannley

Are you one of those Democrats who grumbles about the
Arizona Democratic Party’s (ADP) slide into Republican-lite territory?

 Are you tired of Blue Dog Democratic candidates?

 Are you tired of the party’s weak stances on hot-button
issues?

Did you ever wonder why the ADP’s Progressive Caucus has so
little power—despite being the state party’s largest caucus? (Maybe you didn’t
even know that the ADP had a progressive caucus?)

Are you ready for change?

If you said, “Hell, yeah!” to any of the above questions, then
it’s time to stop muttering and start acting. On Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Tucson
Chapters of Drinking Liberally/Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) are
holding a special meeting  at The Shanty—beginning
at 6 p.m. with FREE pizza. The focus of the meeting will be on envisioning and
brainstorming a more progressive Democratic Party in Arizona. Former Arizona Legislator and PDA
Tucson coordinator Phil Lopes will lead the discussion.

Why should you attend? Read the details after the jump.

How progressive is Tucson?

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by Pamela Powers Hannley Tucson has a reputation of being Arizona's hotbed of liberal thought, old hippie ideas, great music, and electic art, but how progressive is Tucson? Pretty darn progressive…  – Recently 341 Pima County residents were elected as precinct committee people (PCs). These volunteers represent the Democratic Party's ground game. They show up to … Read more

Robin Hood Tax: PDA Tucson urges Barber to find his progressive side

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Robinhood

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Each month, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) members across the country visit  their Congressional representatives and urge them to back progressive legislation. PDA Tucson visited Congressman Ron Barber's office today– the third time since he was elected.

One of the most important steps that Barber could take to help Arizona's economy and the country's would be to co-sponsor the so-called "Robin Hood Tax", which has now been introduced into the Congress as the Inclusive Prosperity Act (HR 6411) by Congressman Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Progressive Caucus (pictured above with Karen Higgins, vice president of National Nurses United). The Robin Hood Tax is a financial transaction tax on Wall Street. 

From National Nurses United:

New York – The U.S. Robin Hood Tax Campaign today applauded the introduction in Congress of a bill that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation.  Introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison, HR 6411, the Inclusive Prosperity Act,  would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs.   
 
The legislation embodies the Robin Hood Tax, a 0.5% tax on the trading of stocks, 50 cents on every $100 of trades, and lesser rates on trading in bonds, derivatives and currencies.  It marks the return of a sales tax on financial transactions in place from 1914 to 1966 and targets the high-risk, high-speed trading that dominates the markets. 

The letter PDA Tucson delivered to Barber today is after the jump. If you think Barber should co-sponsor the Robin Hood Tax, contact him by following this link. 

Jim Hightower stumps for Grijalva in Tucson (video)

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by Pamela Powers Hannley

Progressive activist and humorist Jim Hightower  was in Tucson recently to stump for Congressman Raul Grijalva. 

Hightower and Grijalva spoke and mingled at an intimate gathering at former City Councilwoman Nina Trasoff's house before heading to The Loft for a more formal event. (See the video below, after the jump.)

Grijalva is one of the most liberal members in the US House of Representatives, a co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, and one of the Congressional candidates being backed by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA). Grijalva– who has been an outspoken proponent of the People's Budget (as opposed to the corporatists' budget), immigration reform, universal healthcare, and protecting the environment– is facing two primary opponents, both backed by Rosemont Mine. (This is reminiscent of the recent Tucson mayoral race. Republican Mayoral Candidate for the 1% Rick Grinnell was bankrolled by Rosemont Mine also. Luckily, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild– pro-water and anti-mine candidate– beat him handily.) Hightower, who is known for his newsletter The Hightower Lowdown and witty commentary on KXCI, is a member of the PDA board and a strong supporter of the new progressive movement in the US.

As always, Hightower was a delight. Here are a few gems from his presentation at The Loft.

Hightower on Congress: The water won't clear up until we get the hogs out of the creek.

Hightower on Democrats: Some dems are weaker than Canadian hot sauce.

Hightower (who hails from Austin, Texas) on Rick Perry: Rick Perry put the "guber" in gubernatorial.

Hightower on the 99%: It's not charity we want. It's economic and social justice.

Hightower on corporate money and PACs: It's not Raul Grijalva they're after — it's you.  

Video footage and more photos after the jump.