Emma’s artwork for “Bridging Two Worlds” Emma created this poster artwork for “Telling My Story: Bridging Two Worlds,” to be presented in November by Two Worlds and Storytellers of New Mexico. Mark your calendars for this interactive storytelling/theater performance featuring all women of color: November 9th -11th at the Q-Staff Theatre in Albuquerque. There is more information at www.storytellersofnewmexico.com and in the next issue of UNTITLED.
Sandy Eaton, RN, Dialogue & Initiative, August 2018
This year is pivotal for shifting the balance of forces in the United States away from the proponents of austerity, racism, war and fascism. People are coming together not only to resist Trump and the Republicans but to fight for economic and social survival. Health care in the US is a raging cauldron of struggle to win justice as millions campaign for access, affordability, quality and equality. Single-payer financing is increasingly recognized as essential for a just healthcare system.
The drive toward “Building a Pathway to Victory” has begun and was the focus of this year’s national single-payer strategy conference. The Minnesota Nurses Association hosted this historic meeting in Minneapolis June 22-24. Initially funded by National Nurses United, this campaign seeks to make healthcare justice, including the enactment of expanded and improved Medicare for all, an essential ingredient in the 2018 and 2020 elections. Support for improved Medicare for all has already shown itself to be a winner in Democratic Party primaries across the country, North and South. Organizers have been hired to work in key presidential primary states. Regional meetings to launch this campaign have so far drawn hundreds more activists into the fray.
Contact: Diane Wood dianewood.ccnm@gmail.com or 505-379-9470
Every election year the nonpartisan organization Common Cause New Mexico (CCNM), works to help voters cast their vote freely by fielding a team of volunteers “poll watchers” to help answer voter questions, locate their poll and make sure their votes are counted. CCNM is now recruiting volunteers from all over New Mexico.
Poll watchers are an integral part of CCNM Election Protection project. CCNM recruits lawyers, students and ordinary citizens from across the state organizing them to take part in our democracy and make sure it works for everyone.
After reviewing an informational packet, Poll Watchers will have answers to voters’ frequently asked questions and have the websites and toll free numbers to direct voters for additional assistance.
Ready to volunteer? Email Diane Wood at dianewood.ccnm@gmail.com
Voter Registration Deadline: October 9, 2018
Register online at the NM Secretary of State website:
https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/InstructionsStep1.aspx
Toll Free Hot Lines for Voters’ Questions
1-866-Our-Vote (1-866-687-8683)
Spanish Language 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
Asian Voters 1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683)
Arabic Language 1-844-YALLA-US (1-844-925-5287)
About Election Protection New Mexico
Election Protection New Mexico is a nonpartisan project for the state of New Mexico. This program seeks to ensure that every eligible voter who wants to vote can and that every vote is counted accurately. Election Protection NM is not affiliated with any party or candidate.
Additional questions about Election Protection NM?
contact: Diane Wood, Voting Rights Director for Common Cause New Mexico
phone: 505-379-9470
email: dianewood.ccnm@gmail.com
“RCFRC” Volunteer of the Month – Deborah Marez-Baca
In Deborah’s words, “volunteering, activism, and working towards social justice are in my DNA.” Over the past two months, Deborah has taken the lead to organize Legal Observers to help safeguard clinics, clients, and volunteers that have been experiencing heightened aggression from anti-abortion protesters. Legal Observers watch for activity that violates the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE).
Recent editorial comment from the Albuquerque Journal.
We must look to changes that will meet future needs
THE JOURNAL published an opinion column by R. J. Samuelson,” Our heavy investment in the past is shortchanging our future,” on June 14. His point seems to be that Medicare and Social Security payments are going to come close to bankrupting this nation and must be reduced both in dollars and coverage, particularly aimed at the over-65 population and the disabled.
Samuelson in his concern for the percentage of federal spending for Social Security and Medicare fails to take into account that every wage earner since the early 1930 s has contributed to these funds. Both of these programs are self-funding through payroll taxes and do not, and have not, impacted the deficit. Samuelson states “. taxes will have to go up, but some spending will have to go down, and this is virtually impossible.” without cutting Social Security and Medicare.
It is possible by raising the cap on Social Security – fully funded to 2034 – and significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs for health care and health care costs in general by adopting Medicare for All legislation, e. g., HR 676.
FARM BILL VOTE THIS WEEK!!!!!
VOTE ON FARM BILL IMMINENT. WE UNDERSTAND REP. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM IS TO VOTE NO! BUT WE DON’T KNOW WHERE REP. BEN RAY LUJÁN STANDS ON THIS VOTE. Please call his office and ask him to vote no for the reasons below:
Rep. Ben Ray Luján: DC office – (202) 225-6190; Rio Rancho – (505) 994-0499
Please thank Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham for her no vote. DC office – (202) 225-6316; ABQ office – (505) 346-6781
Dear Adelante Caucus member,
Caucus members are signing up to volunteer for various committees! Would you like to get in on the ground floor of helping build the caucus and carry out its mission? Together, we can build a strong statewide caucus.
We are just getting started, so you could help decide the structure and functions of committees. The time commitment is flexible. We are especially looking for leaders. Committee leaders will receive guidance.
Below are some examples of different jobs each committee might handle.
Communications
* Content for Digital Media
* Letters to the Editor
* Newsletters
* Press Relations
* Interpretation
* Visual Media
Diversity
Working with under-represented populations to:
* Register Voters
* Cultivate Leaders within the Caucus and the Party Structure and as Potential Lawmakers
* Serve as Liaison to Market the Caucus to those Communities and Bring their Concerns back to the Caucus
Finance
* Budgeting
* Developing Financial Controls
* Fundraising
Membership and Events
* Arranging Event Venues
* Arranging Event Guest Speakers
* Child Care at Events
* Data Entry
* Recruiting Members
Nominations for Caucus Officers
* Seeking candidates
* Evaluating candidates
Policy and Politics
* Candidate Recruiting and Development
* Candidate Research and Evaluation
* Developing Small-Donor Fundraising for the Party
* Lobbying Officials
* Party Rules Changes
* Supporting Candidate Campaigns
NOTE: The direction of this committee will likely depend on goals to be decided at an all-day goals session June 2, for which we have already reached capacity.
Technology
* Data Analysis
* Database Management
* Mapping
* Technical Aspects of Digital Media
No matter what your interests and skills, you can help build the caucus by volunteering.
PLEASE SIGN UP, by filling out the form at http://bit.ly/AdelanteCommitteesForm.
If you have any questions, please write to the interim volunteer coordinator, Maurreen Skowran, at maurreenskowran@gmail.com.
Adelante!
