Greetings Staunton Democrats and Happy Halloween ! My scary Halloween costume this year is Ben Cline ! Enclosed are more news, opportunities, future and past event details, and pleadings for volunteers and funds and whatever else we think of. We hope you will look forward to this post every Monday and use it to keep fighting for our democratic values and dedication to all members of our communities. If you wish to submit information to be published by the SDC then please email the information to publicity@staunton-democrats.care . We can publish to the blog weekly, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc) more frequently. Please send all comments and feedback to publicity@staunton-democrats.care . And now for the show ! This week: Opportunities and calls for action ! The SDC Candidate Forum for the Win ! VOTE ! Our Democracy at Stake ! Events SDC Coffee The SDC blog - NEW Posts ! What is a living wage for Staunton ? News from our friends Ben Cline (Sigh!) Jennifer Lewi
Greetings Staunton Democrats !
Enclosed are more news, opportunities, future and past event details, and pleadings for volunteers and funds and whatever else we think of. We hope you will look forward to this post every Monday and use it to keep fighting for our democratic values and dedication to all members of our communities.
If you wish to submit information to be published by the SDC then please email the information to publicity@staunton-democrats.care . We can publish to the blog weekly, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc) more frequently. Please send all comments and feedback to publicity@staunton-democrats.care .
And now for the show !
This week:
Opportunities and calls for action !
The SDC Candidate Forum for the Win !
VOTE !
Some Good News for the Planet
Events
Other Candidate Forums
SDC Coffee
Next SDC General Meeting
The SDC blog - NEW Posts !
Protest Signs and T-shirts of the Week
News from our friends
Democratic achievements and news
Meanwhile, the Republicans …
Ben Cline (Sigh!)
Jennifer Lewis (YAY !)
Staunton City Council and School Board races
Opportunities and Calls for Action !
ANYTHING That You Can Do Is Helpful !
Where will your money go ?
Donations may be used in election related activities (mailings, radio issue ads, events for voter registration and candidate support, door to door canvassing for local regional candidates, etc).
Donations can also be used to support the SDC office and printing capabilities that are needed during the non-stop elections seasons. We are also looking towards the future since there is a Virginia Legislature election in a year then the 2024 elections. The fight is a continuing effort !
Join the Staunton Democratic Committee and Join an SDC Committee (SDC membership is required)
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Without volunteers you would not be reading this very fine publication !
The SDC is trying to organize some canvassing efforts and some individuals are interested in canvassing their neighborhood on their own. Regardless, we NEED volunteers since leaflets don’t distribute themselves.
answer phones, talk to visitors, data tasks, distribute canvassing and electoral information, etc.
The Jennifer Lewis for Congress campaign needs volunteers to help. Get in touch with Peri Price at peri@friendsofjenniferlewis.
The SDC Candidate Forum for the Win !
The SDC sponsored non-partisan Candidate Forum was an incredible success on September 13, 2022 ! We learned a lot about the candidate positions and I, for one, am a better informed citizen as a result.
The SDC Candidate Forum video is located here.
VOTE !
Since the 15th, 19th, 24th and 26th Amendments to the Constitution guarantee a right to VOTE, I think we ought to exercise that right !
Early Voting started September 23, 2022 and continues through November 4, 2022.
Early Voting Hours: 9-5, M-F located in the Staunton City Hall Lobby at 116 W. Beverley St
OPEN Saturday from 9-5 for Early Voting on October 29, 2022 and November 5, 2022
Send your selfies after you vote with your “I Voted” sticker visible to: publicity@staunton-democrats.care and we may post them in this newsletter and blog !
Some random person after voting ! Surely he is not the only person to have voted early !?!?! Send in your selfies to join him here !
Some Good News for the Planet
I know this sounds horrible but it is not. Why it's perfectly normal to see baby puffins thrown off cliffs in Iceland each year.
Events !
Other Candidate Forums:
October 15, 1pm-4pm Gypsy Hill Gymnasium. All Local Candidates have been invited. Sponsored by Building Bridges. Questions for the candidates can be submitted to trasonyacrawford85@gmail.com
Next SDC General Meeting
October 11, 2022. 6 PM for social (and dinner if you want to order) and the meeting starts at 7 PM.
Clocktower Tempest Lounge. Main entrance at 27 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401. The Tempest Lounge on N. Central Ave.
Covid vaccination is requested
If you are sick then stay home and take care of yourself !
Please show up at 6 PM to help with postcards for Jennifer Lewis (as well as the food, drink and camaraderie)
SDC Coffee at Serendipity – NEW DAY ! Serendipity has changed their hours so we have changed the date and time of the SDC Coffee to:
The first and third Thursdays from 9-11 AM. The next SDC Coffee is on Thursday October 13.
What could be better than sitting at a local coffee shop with a great cup of their fresh brew (supplied by the SDC) and talking to compatriots about the news of the day.
I have been attending the SDC Coffee at Serendipity Java Bar and Eatery since I joined the SDC in May 2022 and have met wonderful people and learned much in the subsequent discussions.
This happens on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 9-11 AM.
Donations are welcome to help pay for the coffee or you can order something else for yourself (including food).
Serendipity is located at https://bit.ly/3Pru44b .
From Staunton Visioning - Election Day is a month away. On that day, about half of Staunton's Voters will likely vote. You can help by taking a shift as a poll greater at the Ward of your choice! Click the link below to sign up-bring a friend. We will provide all the supplies you need including literature for the local candidates etc (working on a canopy, table and chairs at each location). Thank you in advance for taking the time to help move Staunton forward.
The SDC Blog
The SDC blog is coming along slowly but nicely. There are 6 sections.
Learning from our Readers - NEW posts ! We are now publishing letters to the editor from our readers. Three letters just this week. Go read them to appreciate our fellow local Democrats. https://stauntondemocratsletters.blogspot.com/
Staunton Democrats Speak ! - this section is more issue specific and currently has articles like “Vote Like Your Pants Are On Fire !” and “Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, is my HERO !”
Ben Cline. Where’s the beef ? - this section is dedicated to the appalling and anemic performance of our current VA 6th District Congressional Representative. With your help we can retire this section on November 9, 2022. Snippets of his record will occur weekly in this Email with more discussion of the bills and vote on the SDC blog.
Thoughts from Yvonne Surette - Yvonne is a well known local columnist who always (to use a basketball reference) swishes her jumpshots.
Democratic achievements - Democrats are generally humble people and think more about the world as a whole rather than just themselves. Thus, we are generally very bad at tooting our own horn when we do something good. Talking points included.
Community Voices - In this section the Staunton Democrats hope to soon publish content from users and organizations from the Staunton area that have a unique perspective on life and where they fit into the American melting pot. There are many voices that are not often heard so we hope to help them ! This may include contributions from the LGBTQ community, from younger voters, those who are struggling to help others and those who are just struggling. We want to hear about your lived experience. Knowing and caring about our neighbors better is why we are Democrats.
New Section coming - a section called something like “Thoughts from the Chair” does not encourage you to be sedentary but gives us the insights of the SDC Chairperson.
Of course I am going to ask for volunteers and writers and any ideas and feedback you may have.
The SDC blog is at https://blog.sawdemocrats.care
Urgent Issue for Augusta County
Greenville Distribution Center
A growing number of Greenville area residents in Augusta County are alarmed at the prospect of rezoning a large piece of property near Riverheads High School along a mostly two lane Route 11.
More information and how you can learn, participate and voice your concerns:
Information from the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley - go here first !
Reports from the media:
Creative Protest Signs and T-shirts of the Week
News from our friends
From Cindy Connors at the Staunton Visioning Coalition Steering Committee:
Greetings all !
With just over two weeks until early voting begins, our candidates Alice, Brad, Michele, Fontella, Kristin and Stephanie need our active support. What can you do ? We have lots of great suggestions! Don't stop reading here...check them all out and choose the best ones for you.
Candidate Forums:
October 15, 1pm-4pm Gypsy Hill Gymnasium.
All Local Candidates have been invited. Sponsored by Building Bridges
There are others in the works and we will keep you posted as we receive additional information
Volunteer on Election Day:
The Staunton Visioning Coalition plans to have a table/information supporting our candidates at each voting location.
We need volunteer "Captains" to adopt each of the 5 polling locations to assist with volunteer recruitment, set up and clean up.
We need pairs of volunteers to work two hour shifts (with the exception of the first shift). 6-9am, 9-11am, 11am-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-5pm, 5-7pm
We need canopies and tables.
The locations are:
Ward 1 Third Presbyterian Church 1313 Barterbrook Rd
Ward 2 Christ United Methodist Church 1500 Churchville Ave
Ward 3 Gypsy Hill Park Gym 229 116th Regimental Rd
Ward 4 Seventh Day Adventist Church 1000 North Coalter St
Ward 5 Memorial Baptist Church 224 Taylor St
RSVP to stauntonvisioningcoalition@gmail.com if you are interested in Captaining a location (we have a captain for Ward 4). A sign-up sheet will be sent at a later date for the shifts, but we are happy to hear from you now if you are interested.
Educate yourselves on all the candidates:
There have been several articles in the Augusta Free Press (no need for a subscription), hopefully they will cover all the candidates soon.
Alice Woods: https://augustafreepress.com/woods-seeks-to-bring-unity-of-purpose-to-staunton-city-council/
Eric Curren: https://augustafreepress.com/why-would-anybody-want-to-run-for-staunton-city-council-erik-curren-gives-his-reasons/
Brad Arrowood: https://augustafreepress.com/talk-about-the-city-we-want-brad-arrowood-runs-for-staunton-city-council/
Michele Edwards https://augustafreepress.com/focus-on-good-governance-michele-edwards-is-running-for-staunton-city-council/
Yvonne Wilson https://augustafreepress.com/diversity-of-ideas-yvonne-wilson-is-running-for-staunton-city-council/
Communicate your support for our candidates
Door Knock - the number one way to help candidates earn more votes
Donate - help them pay for materials to connect with donors
Write your own letter to the editor - News Virginian is currently the only paper we are aware of doing LTEs - https://newsvirginian.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/
Share your support on your social media pages - write your own post or share from their sites
Reach out directly to the campaigns and offer assistance:
Democratic Achievements and Related News
President Biden vowed to protect Medicare as it faces threats from some Republicans in Congress. Rick Scott and Ron Johnson are at least two Republican Senators that have expressed verbally or actually written this down (Rick Scott and his Rescue America plan for America).
Teens adulting again ! Va. students walk out of classes in protest of Youngkin transgender policy Even though they are young in years, many teens have the wherewithal to support their LGBTQ+ friends and vote with their feet. They are going to be a powerful force is America in the next few years. I wish I was that mature at that age !
Not really a Democratic achievement but … Cuba approves same-sex marriage in a referendum. How is it possible that a communist regime does what America’s Republicans refuse to recognize even though a majority of Americans approve ?
Despite complaints from Abbot and DeSantis, blue states are shouldering the burden of legal immigrant asylum seekers - Greg Sargent from the Washington Post says “At my request, the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University (TRAC) analyzed the numbers of asylum seekers awaiting hearings at immigration courts around the country. As of late August, nearly 750,000 people are awaiting asylum hearings in total, TRAC calculates, relying on court records. Broken out by state, more than 125,000 people are awaiting hearings at the immigration court in California, and more than 110,000 people are awaiting them at the court in New York, per TRAC. Meanwhile, approximately 98,000 are awaiting hearings at the court in Florida. For Texas, it’s around 75,000. The largest remaining groups are mostly awaiting hearings in courts in blue states such as New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland, though some are waiting for hearings at courts in red states.” Wow ! Whiny Republicans just trying to change the subject.
Oregon is guaranteeing kids won't get kicked off Medicaid until at least age 6. The Democratic governor and legislature is very concerned about maintaining consistent healthcare during their formative years. I feel sorry for the kids and parents in Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin - these are states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion because the Republicans in those states (Wisconsin has a Democratic Governor and Republican legislature) have been opposed to Obamacare (which is the origin or Medicaid expansion). Sad.
Arizona court halts enforcement of near-total abortion ban. Appellate court stays the ban from an 1864 law.
Joe Biden vows to pardon federal simple marajuana possession convictions. He satisfies a 2020 election campaign promise. He encourages governors to do the same for the corresponding state level convictions. Democratic Governors in North Carolina and Pennsylvania are in favor and have urged their Republican legislatures to pass the appropriate laws. Biden also has started the process of declassifying marajuana (currently a Schedule 1 drug) which will allow more research into the potential health benefits as well as the risks.
Remember to vote BLUE in Roevember !
Meanwhile, the Republicans …
Now do we know who Youngkin really is ? McAuliffe was right about Youngkin being a MAGA Republican.
Youngkin’s rules for trans students leave many teens fearful, despondent
Virginia policy latest attempt to restrict rights of transgender students
Some Va. districts seem ready to fight Youngkin plan for trans students
And in Texas:
And elsewhere:
As more states create election integrity units, Arizona is a cautionary tale. Over three years, a high-profile investigation team found little fraud, sapped government resources and deepened suspicions
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said if Republicans take control of the House, they must impeach members of the Biden administration or their voters will feel “betrayed.” That’s the reason they have to impeach ?
Lawsuit aims to stop Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. So the plaintiff wants to kill the benefit for 43 million people and would rather pay the $ 20,000 in loans and interest rather than pay $1000 in state taxes ? Makes sense to me ?!?. But wait, he is an attorney for a conservative law group that is bringing the lawsuit. Now it makes sense. Update - I just read a deeper story by Judd at Popular Information that the conservative law group, Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), who is bringing the lawsuit is backed by conservative billionaires such as Charles Koch. Now we are getting somewhere. Is anyone up for some money in politics reform ?
Oh, the hypocrisy ! As a newly elected congress member in 2013, now-governor of Florida Ron DeSantis was one of the 67 House Republicans who voted against a $9.7 billion federal flood insurance assistance package for the victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey. Now, with Florida on the ropes, DeSantis asked President Joe Biden for an emergency declaration to free up federal money and federal help even before the storm hit, and said Tuesday, “We all need to work together, regardless of party lines.” My view is that as disgusting as it is to help a creatures like DeSantis and Gaetz, it is Biden’s duty (as an American and a moral person) to the people of Florida (whether or not they are Democrats) to help. Thus, two days before hurricane Ian struck, Biden had already put the federal emergency relief wheels in motion. Biden is a good guy unlike some other politicians.
Ben Cline (sigh!)
This section of the SDC Weekly Email has been voted the hands down favorite of our readers ! Not really but like a fender bender on the highway you cannot avert your eyes from Ben Cline’s appalling voting record !
More detailed information about Ben Cline’s voting record is located on our Staunton Democrats Speak ! Blog – Ben Cline has his own section called “Ben Cline. Where’s the beef ?”
Here is a compilation of what we know about Ben Cline so far based on his voting record - What does it tell you ?
Two good articles from Clinewatch which detail his flaccid performance at the Jennifer Lewis-Ben Cline debate in Winchester on October 1.
Cline’s fact-challenged performance in Winchester. Clinewatch points out that Cline is “proud member (along with some of the most extreme members of Congress) of the far-right House Freedom Caucus and the proud recipient of a campaign endorsement from Donald Trump” and “Cline is more interested in posing as bipartisan in front of certain audiences than he is in being bipartisan.”
The SDC is trying to host the video on our site as well. Will let you know when that happens.
Remember to vote BLUE in Roevember !
Jennifer Lewis
The October 1 debate between Jennifer and Cline can be viewed on her facebook page.
More about Jennifer at:
Staunton City Council and School Board Races
The Staunton Newsleader has summary profiles of some of the Staunton, Augusta and Waynesboro School Board candidates.
Thanks for reading !
If you have any suggestions or corrections then please email to publicity@staunton-democrats.care and put Feedback for Weekly Email 10/10/22 in the subject line.
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