I would say the gauntlet has been thrown down.  It’s time to close down this corporate special interest food trough that is Washington, once and for all.

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: July 7th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

The “cartoon” below appeared in print and online editions of The Examiner newspapers this week. These publications are owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz, who is well-known to Colorado Democrats because he has repeatedly funded anti-labor and anti-gay ballot initiatives in our state. He has also been a major funding source for various committees of the national Republican Party and has contributed thousands of dollars over the years to Tom Tancredo. Although Philip Anschutz publicly supports Jane Norton in this year’s senate race, he funneled $100,000 to Michael Bennet’s campaign in 2009 from PACs and executives of companies he controlled at that time.

Michael Bennet spent his first six years in Colorado (1998-2004) becoming quite wealthy working as a kind of corporate raider for Mr. Anschutz who specializes in buying up distressed and bankrupt companies, consolidating some into new entities, and selling off other pieces for profit. While Mr. Anschutz has been quite successful financially, he is not known for restoring pensions or retirement benefits to employees of his companies.

During his ten years in Colorado before he was appointed to the Senate there is virtually no evidence of Michael Bennet speaking out for minorities or expressing any opinions at all on civil rights or other issues important to progressive Democrats. That is why it is all the more appalling that his campaign is attacking the integrity of Andrew Romanoff.

The cartoon in question was inspired of course by a Denver Post story several weeks ago planted by the Bennet campaign. The story found “manipulation” by the Romanoff campaign in a composite blue-screened banner produced by a volunteer at the top of its website. The image of an African-American woman, a strong supporter of Romanoff, had been moved next to his own image. Neither Romanoff nor anyone on his staff had knowledge of this and the original pictures of the event were so similar to the banner in question that when contacted, the campaign reaction was mostly disbelief that it was a serious story. Bennet’s own campaign had mailed thousands of campaign pieces with his image seeming to sprout from President Obama’s neck just a few weeks before, but this didn’t seem important to The Post. It didn’t matter that the campaign had never represented the banner as anything but a composite.

The banner in question had been in place online for all to see for seven months, apparently without offending anyone. Yet within hours the Bennet campaign had produced a list of about twenty Latinos who seemed deeply offended and demanded an apology. It was granted, and the banner was removed.

Apparently the Bennet campaign had been unable to find any African-Americans who had been offended, but they worked the story hard anyway, making sure every political news entity in America was notified. When the story was about to die, they worked hard to find new ways to keep it alive. The re-telling with no one looking at the original blue screened banner sounded so much more sinister, so fitting to their grand scheme to paint Andrew Romanoff as a racist.

The same Andrew Romanoff who worked in Montgomery, Alabama at the Southern Poverty Law Center fighting racist hate groups as a young man.

The same Andrew Romanoff who went to the trouble to learn to speak fluent Spanish and then taught English to High School kids in rural Central America to help give them a leg up in their lives and to give him a better understanding of their culture.

The same Andrew Romanoff who had the trust of virtually every legislator of any race who he worked with during his remarkable run in the state legislature as their Minority Leader and Speaker.

The same Andrew Romanoff who built a multicultural coalition of Whites, Latinos, and African-Americans to ward off a certain-to-pass ballot measure in 2006 that would have been as harmful and unjust to non-whites in Colorado as the legislation recently passed in Arizona is to minority citizens there.

That Andrew Romanoff.

That’s who the Bennet campaign, terrified of the Colorado electorate, knowing all the special interest money in the world will not be enough to save their candidate, is willing to try to destroy—Andrew Romanoff. And now as their despicable smear campaign is dying, they’ve engaged their Republican ally, Philip Anschutz to publish this distasteful cartoon.

Doesn’t it tell you why there is no place in the Democratic Party for those who would try to smear a good man like Andrew Romanoff? If Michael Bennet had just worked a few precincts with us before his appointment he wouldn’t put up with them either. Call his office in Washington at 202-224-5852 and tell him to get rid of these people. They are hurting him too, and their presence smears all of us.

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: May 7th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

Glad I was there to hear this first hand.  Andrew Romanoff helped me remember what being a Democrat is all about…and it sure isn’t about being spineless!

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: April 13th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 2

Don’t be fooled by the double talk.  By the way, it’s against the law to take away health care from members of Congress.  I can’t wait to see if Sen. Bennet will take up Andrew Romanoff’s challenge to push for the public option.

Oh, wait…Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida already did that.  Oops.  Too late.

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: March 21st, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

Centro Humanitario Para Los Trabajadores (Humanitarian Center for Workers)

JOB DESCRIPTION: Worker Owned Green Cleaning Coop General Manager

Location: Denver, Colorado

Reports to: Executive Director, Centro Humanitario Para los Trabajadores (Humanitarian Center for Workers)

Status: Full time

Deadline to apply: April 20, 2010

POSITION SUMMARY

Green Cleaning for Life, LLC is Denver’s green cleaning worker owned cooperative that is run and controlled by workers. Founded by workers from El Centro Humanitario, Denver’s day laborer organization, Green Cleaning is about to launch in early summer, 2010. The general manager is responsible for creating an infrastructure of this start up co-op with visions and dedication. The General Manager will be responsible for developing an infrastructure of the co-op, governance and daily operation, fundraising, marketing and technical assistance (such as green cleaning training) to workers.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Marketing (25%): Initiate a marketing program to develop the co-op’s initial client base. Conduct regional marketing campaign including local networking with institutional partners, targeted purchase of print advertisement, and other strategies. Activities include: identify local networks, attend local events and train members to represent the company at others, conduct customer surveys, educate potential customers about the benefits of least toxic cleaning, organize customer specials, prepare print advertisements, analyze customer sources. Protect market niche.

• General Administration (25%): Work with El Centro Executive Director to develop co-op policies, personnel ensure maintenance of member files and accurate records for annual licenses and registrations, tax identification numbers, legal, financial, and other records. Maintain insurance. Ensure coop is in compliance with all legal requirements. Development of coop operating agreements and personnel, operational and other policies, working with co-op board as appropriate.

• Finance and fundraising (25%): Develop an annual budget. Generate financial reports and conduct regular financial analysis. Keep board and members informed and educated about coop’s finance. Oversee contracts with bookkeeping and accounting and other business, educational and technical services. Work with accountant to prepare and submit annual taxes. Write grants or conduct fundraising plans as needed.

• Member Training/Education (20%): Build leadership of workers, have general meetings with workers on a regular basis, develop a green cleaning training materials, conduct green cleaning training to members as needed, develop a general educational materials on co-op. Foster a culture of worker-ownership among co-op members.

• Other Centro Humanitario related activity (5%): Participate in El Centro’s staff meeting, El Centro’s fundraising activities, staff retreat and other activities as requested.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Must be Bi-lingual (English-Spanish)

• At least five years of experience as solid supervisory position or manager.

• At least five years of experience in financial management and analysis, marketing

• At least five years of experience in fundraising. Must have a good record of fundraising through special event organizing or/and grant writing.

• Experience in industry and with cooperatively owned business preferred.

• Commitment to creating democratic workplace and social justice

• Multi task oriented person and excellent computer skills

Salary: Competitive salary consummated with experience. Medical benefits and pension

Deadline: April 20, 2010 Employment Start day: May 15, 2010

Application: a cover letter describing your intention, three references, a resume and a writing sample (five pages) to Minsun Ji, Executive Director, mji@centrohumanitario.org or

El Centro Humanitario

Attn: Executive Director, 2260 California Street, Denver, CO 80205

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it,

about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: March 9th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

A note from Cindy Lowery, Chair, Democratic Party of Denver:

We are coming up on a crucial event in the Democratic Party, the caucuses. Contrary to what you might hear or believe, the caucuses DO matter. On Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7pm, each of us will meet with our neighbors and start the grassroots process that so many of us hold near and dear to our hearts. At your precinct caucus, you will have the opportunity to elect precinct committee people. These volunteers, PCPs, will continue the long standing tradition of canvassing and calling their neighbors to tell them about Democratic issues and elections.

On March 16, you and your neighbors will also vote on the Democratic Platform. This document makes up the core of our party and defines our beliefs regarding key issues including health care, education, environment, and civil rights. This is YOUR opportunity to have a voice in what our legislators promote every day at the Capitol.

Finally, you and your neighbors will elect delegates to the Denver County Assembly. These delegates vote on candidate placement on the primary ballot. Delegates select which local state house and state senate candidates make it onto the primary ballot. The delegates also have the opportunity to move on to the State Assembly and place our U.S. Senate primary candidates on the ballot. This process is YOUR opportunity to have a say in which candidates represent the Democratic Party in Denver and statewide.

As you all know, we have two fantastic candidates running for U.S. Senate. One of these great men WILL be the U.S. Senator from Colorado come November 3, 2010. It is our job to ensure that happens and we will not fail. This job starts at the Caucuses on Tuesday, March 16 at 7pm. The Caucuses are the best way to get involved in your neighborhood and make a difference in the Democratic Party. Don’t miss out.

For more information about your caucus location click here.

Cindy Lowery
Chair, Democratic Party of Denver
574 S. Broadway
Denver, CO 80209
chair@denverdemocrats.net
cindy.lowery@gmail.com
303-830-8242 (office)/303-641-6671 (cell)

*            *            *

For anyone who’d like to volunteer to help prepare for Caucus, help facilitate on Caucus night, or help process the results after Caucus, please check the Caucus Volunteer needs page on our website.

*            *            *

Please join the Democratic Party of Denver at these Upcoming Events:
(Further information for most events is available on the calendar on our website.)

(+) PLEASE NOTE: The Democratic Party of Denver will provide Caucus Training at each House District Monthly Meeting marked (+) below. For more information on the March 16th Caucus, including additional training sessions, please click here.

Friday, March 5 - Coffee with Kagan at Pete’s University Café, University and Evans (at DU) from 7:30-9:00 a.m. Meet with State Representative Daniel Kagan (House District 3) the first Friday of every month.

Friday, March 5 - Democrats for the Arts at the Colorado Democratic Party Headquarters, 777 Santa Fe, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Join House District 2 Democrats and the Artists on Santa Fe Drive on the First Friday of each month to visit wonderful art galleries, mingle with your neighbors, and enjoy stimulating political conversation.

Saturday, March 6 - House District 4 Monthly Meeting (+) at the Argyle Senior Center, 4115 W. 38th Ave., 9 a.m.

Saturday, March 6 - House District 2 Monthly Meeting (+) at the SEIU Building, 2525 W. Alameda, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Come at 9:00 for coffee and sweets.

Saturday, March 6 - The Colorado Democratic Party’s 77th Annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner at The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1515 Court Place. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $125. For more information, please click here.

Sunday, March 7 - The Democratic Party of Denver’s Open Caucus Training Session (+) at The Colorado Democratic Party headquarters, 777 Santa Fe in Denver from 2-3 p.m. Open to all.

Monday, March 8 - State Representative Candidate Forum, House District 7 at the Montclair Elementary School, 1141 Newport St. in Denver at 6:00 p.m. All five candidates from House District 7–Jon Goldin-Dubois, Russell Green, Blake Harrison, Mark Mehringer, and Angela Williams–will be participating, and Secretary of State Bernie Buescher will make some opening remarks. For more information, please click here.

Monday, March 8 - Public Policy Committee Meeting at the Democratic Party of Denver headquarters, 574 S. Broadway, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Join the committee as they follow and organize around key policy issues, plan seminars and speaker appearances, and develop resources for Party members. For more information, please click here.

Tuesday, March 9 - Get Out The Caucus Phone Bank for House District 1 at the Democratic Party of Denver headquarters, 574 S. Broadway, from 6-9 p.m. Help HD1 activists contact Democrats in the district to give them information about their Precinct Caucus and to encourage them to participate. Please bring a cell phone–and a smile!

Wednesday, March 10 - Get Out The Caucus Phone Bank for House District 7 at the Democratic Party of Denver headquarters, 574 S. Broadway, from 6-9 p.m. Help HD7 activists contact Democrats in the district to give them information about their Precinct Caucus and to encourage them to participate. Please bring a cell phone–and a smile!

Wednesday, March 10 - Drinking Liberally at the Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. An informal, inclusive Democratic drinking club. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass and share ideas while you share a pitcher!

Thursday, March 11 - Get Out The Caucus Phone Bank for House District 3 at the Democratic Party of Denver headquarters, 574 S. Broadway, from 6-9 p.m. Help HD3 activists contact Democrats in the district to give them information about their Precinct Caucus and to encourage them to participate. Please bring a cell phone–and a smile!

Friday, March 12 - Downtown Democratic Forum Breakfast on Proposed Ammendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 with guest speaker Rich Jones, Director of Policy and Research at the Bell Policy Center. The Forum is at Baur’s Ristorante, 1512 Curtis St., with a 6:45 a.m. breakfast, and the program from 7 a.m.-8 a.m. $15. RSVP to (303) 861-8050 or jmasdenver@att.net by noon on Wednesday, March 11.

Saturday, March 13 - House District 1 Monthly Meeting - at Sooper Credit Union, 5590 W. Evans, 9 a.m.

Saturday, March 13 - Health Care For All Colorado–Denver Chapter Meeting at Kirk of Bonnie Brae Church, 1201 S. Steele St. in Denver from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. The agenda will cover health care bills in the state legislature, Caucuses and the Party Platform, and the recent Health Care Summit in Washington. For more information, please click here.

*            *            *

SAVE THE DATE

Bid for Blue: The Democratic Party of Denver’s 1st Annual Art Auction!
We’re busy planning our first-ever Art Auction and fundraiser for the Denver Dems this spring, and it’s shaping up to be a can’t-miss event for art lovers and dedicated Dems alike.

If you’re an artist, a connoisseur, a collector, or just eager to get a jump on spring cleaning, we’d love to touch base with you about donating a piece of art to this ground-breaking event.

Please click here for additional details, and help us spread the word to Bid for Blue on April 24th.

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: March 4th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

Program Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

Latina Initiative’s mission is to cultivate, support and maintain the civic involvement of Latinas and their families through issue education, electoral engagement, advocacy and leadership development.  Since 2002, LI has worked to position itself as one of Colorado’s leading organizations that strengthen the political power of Latinas and their families.

The Program Director is a full time position responsible for the planning, implementation and management of LI’s programs.  This position reports to and works closely with the Executive Director.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for Serious Women, Serious Issues, Serious Action Conference; Civic Education Trainings & Events; Ya Es Hora Ciudadanía Campaign; and Youth Action & Advisory Council (YAAC).
• Recruit for, plan and teach weekly citizenship classes.
• Network and coordinate with partners/collaborators to enhance program implementation.
• Serve as liaison and spokesperson to Spanish media and the Spanish monolingual community.
• Recruit and manage volunteers.

Requirements

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with professional-level skills in both languages.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be willing to work some irregular hours and occasional weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-2 years of working with youth or other relevant experience.
• Good communications skills, both verbal and writing.
• Event planning experience.
• Fundraising and budget management experience.
• Familiarity with Voter Activation Network (VAN) or similar voter contact management database system.

Compensation

Base salary is$38,000 to $42,000 commensurate with experience. Latina Initiative offers a competitive benefits package, including flexible work hours, paid time off, parking allowance, and

health insurance.

To Apply

Send a résumé, cover letter and a list of 3 professional references to Executive Director, Dusti Gurule at dusti@latinainitiative.org Calls will not be accepted. Position is open until filled.

Latina Initiative is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color,

immigrants, people with disabilities and LGBT candidates are encouraged to apply.

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: February 22nd, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

I don’t think I need to say more than this…

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: February 4th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

There’s been a lot of talk bandied about in this period preceding the Colorado Senate Democratic primary.  There are folks that use the term “progressive” when they refer to Sen. Michael Bennet, and I want to make sure that we really understand what this means.

Now, in all fairness, I am very psyched about the fact that Sen. Bennet signed on as a co-sponsor of the Dream Act, and I even shook his hand publicly at a Democratic Party picnic and thanked him for his courage.  Also, he did sign on the the Lily Leadbetter Act, which guarantees equal pay for equal work.  I am glad that he decided to act as your garden-variety Democrat would act.

However, I just have to remind everyone of one of Sen. Bennet’s first actions when he arrived at the Senate, which was to join the “ConservaDem” faction led by Sen. Evan Bayh.  Right out of the gate, the ConservaDems trumpeted that they wanted a slowdown to spending and even threatened to slow down the President’s agenda.  Remember Rachel Maddow’s report back in March 2009:

Here’s the thing.  We need Democrats to act like Democrats.  We need them to be strong on labor, on consumer protections, on re-regulation of the finance and insurance industries.  When they can get those no-brainers down, then we will have a strong coalition to wage the war for comprehensive immigration reform, for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.  These social issues are going to take a whole lot of testicular fortitude to win,  and they will only be won when we Democrats win the confidence of the American people again.  They will be on the side of social change when they no longer live lives that are fraught with economic despair.  Let’s not forget that the first thing that many middle-class people say about undocumented residents is that “they take our jobs.”

Aren’t we listening to Middle America?

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: November 13th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

Watch this…any questions?

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Posted: September 14th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none