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May Newsletter
New Chapters in Rural Arizona
Written by: Cole Hickman, YDAz President, president@ydaz.org
One of the top priorities for Young Democrats Arizona is establishing new Young Democrat chapters in rural parts of the state, and we’ve been reaching out to Northern Arizona to make this happen. In Mohave County, we worked with county Democratic leaders to find Young Democrats in their community who wanted to organize and engage their peers in the Democratic Party, and to great success. YDAZ held its quarterly Executive Board meeting in Lake Havasu City so we could meet with high school students at Lake Havasu City High School and young professionals in Lake Havasu City to explain how they can start Young Democrat chapters and share ideas on what they can do in their communities. In Kingman, older Democrats came to us excited about helping Young Democrats at the local high school organize and reach out to young voters in Kingman. So, to help them accomplish this, we drove out to meet them and talk to young activists about how they can get a successful chapter started. In the beautiful city of Prescott, we joined local students at a coffee shop to discuss the tools YDAZ offers to start Young Democrat chapters and how they can engage in their local races to make a diference. Young Democrats are reaching out to us from all over rural Arizona, and together we’re building a movement for a young voter revolution in 2008.
Getting Involved
Written by: Ray Embry, YDAz Vice President for Programs, programs@ydaz.org
The YDAz executive board is working to create change from your local precinct, to the State Legislature, and there are some terrific ways you can get involved to make this change happen. From becoming a precinct committeeperson in your area, to joining a campaign as an intern, you will help elect democrats and change the way politics in Arizona happen.
The first option, becoming an Elected Precinct Committeeperson, allows you to become a voting member of your local Democratic Party, further representing the Democrats in your neighborhood. PC’s decide who leads the Party, and how the Party operates by getting out the vote locally through calling, knocking on doors, and talking to friends and neighbors about upcoming elections.
The process for becoming a PC is easy, all you need to do is fill out a form and get 10 of your neighbors to sign your petition to be on the September ballot. The deadline to file is the first week of June; contact us for more information. So please consider getting involved, because by choosing to become a PC, you represent young Arizona voters and their values in the Democratic Party.
Furthermore, since you are already working to get candidates elected why not get credit at the same time? YDAz has created an internship program with candidates across the state. This is a great opportunity for students who are new to campaigning, who would like to get an insider’s look at how campaigns are run, and who would like to gain experience in a variety of areas. Whether you are about to start college, need college credit, or simply want to be involved in this effort – this internship program is for you! Contact us to fill out an interest form, and we’ll get you more information.
Fighting for the Young Democrats
Written by: Representative Ed Ableser, YDAz Chair, chair@ydaz.org
This has been a long and grueling session. Time and time again, Representative Pearce has put forward horrible legislation that hurt University and Community College students from around the state. Luckily, though, the Democrats have been able to defeat his attempts at getting rid of the Equal Opportunity programs that help our minority students get through college. Personally, I have put forth legislation to ban the credit card predators’ practice of using gifts to entice students into filling out and receiving credit cards. Though this did not make it through the Senate, it will be implemented at NAU and ASU, with U of A and the Community Colleges examining the practice. Also, I put forth a referendum that would allow sixteen year olds the opportunity to vote in state elections. If passed, this referendum would have been sent to the public and would have called for a change to the constitution of the state of Arizona. At this time we still do not have a budget for the state, because while Republicans want to cut programs, education, and health care for children; Democrats want to bond together to build new schools, maintain education, and fund the vital programs of this state. However, these battles are not only raging on in the state government, but in every city and neighborhood around the state. So while I, along with my colleagues, fight for the Young Democrats of Arizona, I ask all of you to do the same. For, together, we are building a movement.
John McCain on Health Care
Written by: Tim Wilson, YDAz Vice President for Coalitions and Partnerships, partnerships@ydaz.org
Recently, John McCain received questions from reporters concerning the effects of a rigorous presidential campaign on his age and health. Besides assuring the American people of being in good health, Senator McCain reported that “like most Americans, I go see my doctor fairly frequently.” Once again, the presumptive Republican nominee for President shows just how out of touch he is with the American people. The soaring costs of health care and lack of access to quality insurance coverage is, in fact, preventing thousands of Americans from seeking medical attention, including regular check-ups to their doctor.
Being comfortably enveloped by the Washington Beltway for so many years, it’s no surprise Senator McCain believes his level of medical care is the same as many ordinary Americans. His ignorance on the matters of health care have prompted me to look at his health care policies. Does John McCain offer a plan for the one fourth of Arizonans who are uninsured to receive the same level of coverage and care he receives as a Senator?
John McCain offers Health Savings Accounts, tax-free savings that can be used towards deductibles, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses. With these funds, people can “control their health care decisions” by buying high deductible insurance. The state of Arizona offers taxpayers the option to buy into health savings accounts and the high deductible insurance program. This type of program would be adopted nationwide by a McCain Administration.
So, as an Arizona resident and taxpayer, does John McCain buy into the H.S.A. High deductible insurance program? The answer would be no, as his tax returns for this year and last shows Line 25 blank. John McCain doesn’t even believe his own solution to the health care crisis is good enough to provide coverage to himself and his family! The fact is, H.S.A.‘s offer people the chance to buy junk insurance with bare-bones coverage.
As the representative of hundreds of thousands of uninsured Arizona, John McCain ought to demand the same coverage and care to Arizonans he receives as a member of the U.S. Senate. But don’t expect any such actions from Straight Talking McCain. He’s happily sheltered within his Beltway worldview, devoid of any solutions that can help ordinary Americans.
Upcoming Events
June 56pm-8pm Maricopa County Happy Hour at Casey Moore’s Oyster House
June 14
4pm-9pm Summer Diamondbacks Game at AZ Party HQ and Chase Field
June 27-29
YDAz Executive Board Meeting in Prescott
July 1
5pm-7pm Fundraiser with Raul Grijalva at Grijalva’s campaign headquarters
Posted By: Stan Williams @ Jun 2, 04:19 PM
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