by Jennifer on 09.30.2009
This afternoon, Governor Ted Strickland called on the legislature to
postpone the final part of the income tax cuts put into place by
Governor Taft and the Republican General Assembly. I applaud the
Governor's courage and good sense in this matter. Undoing the damage
done to our economy by the irresponsible Bush-Taft giveaways to the
wealthiest among us must be the first priority for fixing our financial
well-being. President Bush and Governor Taft both mortgaged our
financial future, increased the disparity between the rich and poor,
weakened our middle class, and left us state and federal budgets unable
to provide the barest essentials -- good schools, health care, and an
infrastructure to help us grow jobs.
Some
say calling for the repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy is risky
politics. The Republican smear machine is already gearing up to attack
Governor Strickland. As the Governor has demonstrated, it takes courage
to lead -- even when it means that you open yourself up to partisan
attacks. The Governor knows that you have to put the good of your
constituents and your desire to be a public servant above hard-headed
partisan politics. I commend him for his courage, support his call for
the freeze of the irresponsible tax cuts, and call on the legislature
to do its duty with the same courage and compassion that Governor
Strickland has demonstrated.
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by Jennifer on 09.30.2009
Yesterday afternoon, the Senate Finance Committee twice shot down a public health insurance option, with as many as five Democrats joining all of the Republicans voting against it. All along, I have said that health reform without a public option isn't reform at all. Now that option has been dealt a setback.
I'm not surprised at partisan opposition to the public option, even as those same detractors laud Medicare, a critical and effective public health insurance program. What dismays me is that several fellow Democrats voted against it. This, after it has been made clear that the American people support the public option, and independent analysis confirms that it is the most effective path to providing universal care and controlling costs.
We are so close to achieving critical change we demanded with the election of President Obama in 2008. With just a little more courage and fervor we can actually adopt policy that will help the increasing numbers of Americans who are being denied health care-even when they have health insurance.
We cannot let defeat be declared in the face of lies, money and fear. This setback for the public option is but one major battle in the campaign to strengthen our families and communities for the preservation and social and economic prosperity of the people of our nation. The stakes are high.
That's why I'm running for the U.S. Senate. The path to incoherent and destructive public policy is paved by lies, money and fear.
Whether it is a campaign for a public option or a campaign for the U.S. Senate, leaders who are motivated by public service must demonstrate that they can overcome the combination of these destructive forces. Please contribute what you can to help me lead the fight against them.
Continued in the extended entry
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by Jennifer on 09.28.2009
Last year, a grassroots movement in Ohio and across America brought hope for real change to this country. Change is hard, and now the work begins.
Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio) announced early this year he would not run for reelection in 2010. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has been fighting hard to transform Ohio's economy with concrete efforts to bring jobs to Ohio.
He shouldn't have to do this alone.
The problems of Ohio require a new kind of leadership that is collaborative, creative and committed to every Ohioan, no matter who they are, where they live or what they do for a living.
So much of what we've seen in Washington are skewed priorities, where it's first about "me," and then about "you." We have a real opportunity to make sure that won't happen for Ohio.
A campaign-especially a U.S. Senate campaign-is a predictor of how its candidate will govern.
If the candidate receives mostly fat contributions, the candidate will mostly pay attention to the heavy hitters. When the candidate receives mostly small contributions-but from thousands like you-the candidate will pay attention to governing for the good of many.
Please contribute today to help us build a campaign that is dedicated to helping all Ohioans.
Continued in the extended entry
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by Jennifer on 09.24.2009
Cross-posted on Huffington Post and DailyKos.
I am running for the United States Senate because I believe that public service is for the purpose of helping our fellow citizens realize improvement in their lives. I believe that a government that treats its citizens with fairness, equality and respect, brings peace and justice to its citizens. In this framework, killing in retribution for killing has no place. It is in the community of sharing each other's burdens that we bridge the human chasm we cannot comprehend.
Recent events in Ohio have brought these concerns into sharp focus. Today I am calling for a moratorium on executions to rethink how and why we impose the death penalty.
More after the break.
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by Jennifer on 09.16.2009
The Ohio House of Representatives has recently passed House Bill 176, landmark legislation to guarantee equal rights in housing and employment to persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered.
This legislation is a huge step forward for Ohio--especially in the aftermath of the 2004 constitutional amendment that was spearheaded by my predecessor in the Ohio Secretary of State's office, Ken Blackwell.
Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to get us to this point. This was a great day for Ohio.
Now, let's keep up the fight to see this become law in Ohio for equal rights for all Ohioans.
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by David on 09.16.2009
When I signed up to be Jennifer's campaign manager I knew that I was committing myself to something monumental--challenging the establishment and electing Ohio's first female Senator was going to be hard work. But even in the middle of a tough fight there's time for fun, which is why I'm inviting you to join me and my family at our Cleveland Heights home for a Brunner Buckeye Barbeque this Saturday, September 19th.
I'll be joining Ohioans all across the state in hosting a Brunner Buckeye Barbeque when OSU plays Toledo at 12:00 noon. Grab something to eat, talk politics, and watch the game with me and other Jennifer supporters--Jennifer will even be joining us and the other barbeques on a live conference call after the band plays at half-time.
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by Jennifer on 09.11.2009
Even though it's been eight years, it's important that we never forget what happened on September 11, 2001. So many of us can remember exactly what we were doing when we heard the first news of the tragic events of that day. So many of us have some connection with someone who was in New York City, Washington, DC, or Pennsylvania on that day, and we can never forget.
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by Jeff on 09.08.2009
Here are excerpts from Jennifer's live blog at FireDogLake:
I support the aims of H.R. 676 offered by Congressman Conyers and believe that such a system will eventually work in our country. I have been vocal in supporting President Obama's plan for a public option and see it as a needed first step toward the aims of Congressman Conyers' bill. I do not believe that we will see any improvement in our current health care crises without a public option.
While I believe that a single payer system would work for the U.S., I do not believe the American public has been educated enough about how such a system would work in the U.S. and that Democrats must be more proactive in getting out the message of what even a public option in our health care system would do and how it would benefit individual Americans. We could have done a better job of that with explaining the benefits of a public option. It is tough when $1.4 million a day is spent in lobbying by the health insurance/health care industry to fight the critical and worthwhile efforts of the President.
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by Jennifer on 09.05.2009
Cross-posted from DailyKos.
I'm Ohio Secretary of State and a candidate for the U.S. Senate. I'm spending this Labor Day weekend traveling across Ohio, promoting reforms designed to ensure the security of working and retired union and salaried employees’ pensions and urging congressional leaders to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). I'll be at the Organized Labor Family Fun Festival at Black River Landing in Lorain, Ohio tomorrow (Sunday 9/6), speaking about 4:30, and I'll join President Barack Obama in Cincinnati at the AFL-CIO’s Annual Labor Day Picnic at Coney Island in Cincinnati on Monday (9/7) from about 10:00 on, speaking later in the day. I hope that Kossacks and other progressives take time this weekend to come out to events such as these and show their support for organized labor and for the fight for the rights of American workers and retirees.
Details on my proposals for protecting pension funds and my support for EFCA after the break.
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by Jeff on 09.04.2009
UPDATE: The photograph at right is from the event, courtesy of ProgressOhio.org.
2nd UPDATE: Watch video of Jennifer's acceptance remarks on our Video page.
Jennifer will be the keynote speaker and will receive an award at tonight's "Lights for Equality" rally, sponsored by the Interfaith Diocese of Ohio. The event is a candlelight vigil to show support for equal rights for the GLBT community through House Bill 176, which prohibits discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Over 300 people are expected to attend.
Jennifer will be presented with the RISE award (Recognition in Strengthening Equality), and will start the lighting for the vigil, followed by a moment of silence. Other speakers include Bishop Isaac Kramer, State Rep. Dan
Stewart (the lead sponsor HB 176), and individuals telling their personal experiences.
The program is from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at The Village Green, at the corner of N. High St. and Dublin Granville Road in Worthington, Ohio. If you are coming, bring any source of light that you can find! (ex: candles, lighters, cell phones, flash lights, etc.) This is a child friendly event.
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by Jennifer on 09.02.2009
Last night, it was my privilege to speak at a rally in honor of Sen. Ted Kennedy and in support of real health care reform.
The time is now to declare that health care is a right for every American, and I'm asking you to join me in the fight by taking action. Contact members of Congress, send letters to the editor, and continue to show up to rallies so that we can dispel the myths perpetrated by those who spread lies and fear to stop reform.
Sen. Kennedy understood that his role in public service meant never, never, never, never giving up. While his fight ended before he could see a victory in the cause of his life, we can pick up the fight for him. He fought tirelessly to better the lives of so many Americans. He understood that the corporate CEO is no greater than the single mother in the eyes of liberty. He understood that in a democracy, all are equal, all are free, and all are entitled to respect. He understood that health care for all is a cause rooted in fairness, equality and respect in our great American democracy.
Just as Ted Kennedy picked up the torch left by his brothers, it is up to us to pick up the torch left by him. It is up to us to work unceasingly, to think creatively, to reach across the aisle persuasively - and whether or not those on the other side of the aisle take our hand - to make sure that health care is available to every American.
Click here to send a letter to the editor of your local paper.
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