Democracy for New Mexico

Join AFL-CIO, Working Families in ABQ Today to Protest Gas Prices and Giveaways to Big Oil

The latest federal legislation aimed at tamping down windfall profits for the big oil companies, as well as out-of-control speculation that's a big factor in driving up gas prices, was blocked by Repub Senators yesterday. GOP Senators even used a filibuster threat to stop the extension of tax credits for solar and wind energy, some of which have lapsed and some that will sunset at the end of the year. This last move will almost certainly damage alternative energy development businesses in New Mexico, causing the loss of more good-paying jobs down the road.

Good going Pete Domenici and crew. As always, GOP Senators buckled to pressure from Bush, who had threatened to veto the bills if they came to his desk. The Big Oil cronies like things just the way they are -- transferring huge gobs of money from ordinary people into the hands of their wealthy friends and supporters -- as profits and prices skyrocket for goods and transportation.

This latest Repub move to protect Big Oil -- regardless of the consequences -- follows on the heels of their blocking climate change legislation last week that would have enacted a much-needed cap and trade program and requirements designed to rein in rampant oil futures speculation and price fixing.

The boondoggle continues. Big donors to the GOP cause prosper beyond all reason. Working people suffer. Bush doesn't care. Worst of all -- prez candidate John McCain wants to continue Bush's energy horror show for at least four more years.

Join Today's Protest
AFL-CIO members, their families and local citizens won't take it sitting down. They'll join together this afternoon to speak out and protest the record high gas prices. The event will take place at the Shell gas station located at 5210 Central Avenue SE (at San Mateo), at 4:30 PM. Plans for the protest were sparked this week when the national average price of gas hit $4 on Monday, June 9, 2008, up from $1.47 the week President Bush took office.

"This is the first time in our nation’s history that gas has hit such a record high. The price of gas is literally choking working men and women out the American dream. It’s time for Pres. Bush and Sen. McCain to stop the giveaways to their friends in Big Oil and instead start sticking up for working people at home,” said Chris Chavez, Executive Director of the New Mexico State Federation.

At today's protest, union members and citizens will be calling on President Bush to boost the local economy in New Mexico and invest in jobs and energy independence. They will also be calling for an end to tax breaks that benefit Big Oil. The Albuquerque event is one of sixty happening nationwide as part of an AFL-CIO campaign to call on solutions to the record high gas prices.

WHO:  AFL-CIO working families in New Mexico
WHAT: Protest against soaring gas prices
WHERE: Shell Gas Station, 5210 Central Ave. SE (San Mateo & Central)
WHEN: Wednesday June 11th, 4:30-5:00 PM

Think about this: McCain's corporate tax cut proposal alone would give the five largest oil companies $3.8 billion in tax breaks. McCain loves big breaks for Big Oil.

I like this quote:

Senator Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat, called the tax breaks given to the oil companies "the largest packet of corporate welfare" ever granted by the U.S. Congress.

"Last year Exxon Mobile made $83,000 a minute in profits. Are they using all this profit to invest in alternative fuels? How about increasing refinery capacity? Oh no, they've got their hand out to us. This is the nerve," she told colleagues. "What nerve does it take for us to give oil companies $17 billion in taxpayer money with those kind of profits? This is like the twilight zone."

AFL-CIO President President John Sweeney had this to say: "Record gas prices are choking off the American Dream for millions of working families. When gas costs $4 a gallon, it defies logic that President Bush and Sen. McCain continue to support massive tax giveaways for Big Oil, while offering no real path to energy independence.  Are Bush and McCain so dangerously out of touch that they think the answer to the gas price crisis is billions more in tax breaks to ExxonMobil?"

At the rallies this week, AFL-CIO working families will highlight the oil industry's massive profits under George Bush -– which top $525 billion -– as prices have skyrocketed from $1.47 a gallon when Bush took office to a historic high of $4 a gallon today.

McCain's Dismal Energy Record
Union members will also raise awareness about Sen. McCain's record in support of the oil industry's interests, and highlight his lack of empathy for working families who are struggling. In addition to proposing massive tax giveaways for Big Oil, McCain has repeatedly voted to protect the oil industry's profits, even as they're squeezing working families at the pump. McCain voted against curtailing oil companies' windfall profits to give working families a tax cut in 2005, and he skipped a vote in 2007 that would have repealed tax breaks for Big Oil. Despite the economic woes facing working families, McCain asserted again last week that he believes the fundamentals of the economy are "very strong."

"Working people are getting battered in today's economy, and they're fed up with business as usual," Sweeney said. "It's more than the gas prices. The economy is bleeding jobs and people's stagnant paychecks can't cover the grocery and housing bills. Record gas prices are part of a much larger problem –- leaders like Bush and McCain have handed the reins of the economy over to Big Oil and other corporate interests whose only concern is maximizing their profit margins."

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NM-01: Come to Martin Heinrich's Victory Party This Thursday

From Martin Heinrich for Congress: It's been one week since Martin's big primary win and now that we're all rested - it's time to party!

You're cordially invited to join The Honorable Rebecca Vigil-Giron, First Lady Clara Apodaca, The Honorable Richard Romero, John Kelly and others for a Primary Victory Party with the Democratic Nominee for New Mexico's First Congressional District, Martin Heinrich!

What? Primary Victory Party
When? Thursday, June 12, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Where? The National Hispanic Cultural Center, The Salon Ortega & Courtyard, 1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque
RSVP Online!

The Democratic Party is united around Martin Heinrich and we're ready to win. Yesterday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that Martin Heinrich is a 'Red to Blue' candidate. This means that this campaign is one of the most important races in the country and Democrats must do everything possible to make sure we win it. And, in a further demonstration of the national importance of this race, The Guardian - a prominent British newspaper - recently profiled Martin.

It's clear that all eyes will once again be on New Mexico's First Congressional District. And, this is our best chance ever to turn this seat from red to blue. So, please, come to our victory party and contribute $25, so that together, we can change Congress.

Thanks so much for your continued support.

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RSVP Now for DFA Campaign Academy in ABQ 6/21-22

Sample a recent training.

We're very excited to announce that DFA-Democracy for New Mexico will be welcoming folks from Democracy for America (DFA) in Vermont to Albuquerque later this month. They'll be presenting a top-notch two-day training academy on June 21-22 at the UNM Law School in Albuquerque. It's a can't miss event for anyone involved with a progressive campaign this Fall -- whether you're a volunteer, campaign staffer, candidate or contemplating a possible future run for office.

The acclaimed DFA Campaign Academy empowers everyday citizens to manage and work for successful campaigns, and even run for office themselves. Co-organized by DFA activists in Albuquerque, each DFA training is shaped to fit the needs of local grassroots activists. DFA is dedicated to building a grassroots infrastructure of skilled progressive activists in all 50 states, and highly successful training academy's have been held in many locations around the nation with more on the way.

Find out more and RSVP here: www.democracyforamerica.com/newmexico_training. If you're coming from out of town, we'll be posting info soon about nearby lodging at a group rate.

The DFA Campaign Academy brings together dozens of local activists and candidates for two days of intensive campaign training. Top campaign professionals give you a step-by-step guide to running a winning grassroots campaign. Sessions include: field planning and targeting, voter contact, fundraising, communications, volunteer recruitment and much more. Read more about the curriculum, the trainers and see testimonials about the training here.

Join the folks from DFA and dozens of local grassroots activists in Albuquerque for two days of energizing campaign training. To sign up or get more info visit www.democracyforamerica.com/newmexico_training.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day and a social event will be organized Saturday evening so you can mingle and network with other activists in your area. The training will run from 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

If you are a candidate running for office and plan on attending, please email DFA at training(at)democracyforamerica.com and let them know.

Campaigns are encouraged to send representatives from among their staff and volunteers to take advantage of some of the best campaign training available anywhere.

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NARAL Pro-Choice Political Update Set for 6.12.08

NARAL New Mexico choicePAC
Invites you to a
Pro-Choice Political Update
with  Martha Burk &
NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico
Thursday, June 12, 2008, 6 - 7:30 PM
Corrales, NM

Get an inside look at women, politics and our progress electing a pro-choice Senate in New Mexico! $75 suggested contribution. Please RSVP to Anathea Chino at 505-243-4443 or achino@prochoicenm.org.

Martha Burk is a political psychologist and in 2003 led the protest to open the doors to women at the Augusta National Golf Club, previously a male-only club. She is currently the Money Editor for Ms. Magazine and has recently released her latest book, Your Money And Your Life: The High Stakes for Women Voters in ’08 and Beyond (April 2008). 

https://www.prochoicenm.org/

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Two Fun Events in ABQ on June 14

From the DPBC eNews: Two events on Saturday, June 14, provide a wonderful opportunity for Bernalillo County Democrats to demonstrate their support, and have fun in the process:

"Juneteenth," celebrating the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, Texas, in 1865, will be celebrated from noon to 6 PM at  Kirtland Park and Thomas Bell Community Center (3001 University  SE). The County party will have a voter registration and candidate literature table at the event. Some of our candidates will be there, and there will be lots of food, games for the kids, music, and storytelling activities. Come on out! More info.

"Live, Love, Be" is the theme of this year's Albuquerque Pride, celebrating 32 years of the gay,lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The Bernalillo County Democratic Party will have a float in the morning Pride Parade, and the state party will have a booth at the Pridefest festival following at EXPO NM (Fairgrounds). Come watch the parade (leaves Girard and Central at 10 AM and proceeds up Central to the Fairgrounds) and visit the Pridefest after! More info.

Any one who wants to help decorate the float on Friday, June 13, please call Cheryl Harris, 321-7678 or cherylannharris@comcast.net

The Democratic Party supports equality for all citizens and the protection of our civil liberties.

Click for Santa Fe Pride events.

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The Cradle Project: Art Auction to Benefit African HIV-AIDS Orphans

Local photographer Naomi Natale is the driving force behind The Cradle Project, an innovative art exhibition and auction that opened this weekend in downtown Albuquerque to benefit children in sub-Saharan Africa who have been affected by the HIV-AIDS epidemic. Many are orphans because their parents died from the virus. Natale was inspired to organize the project after visiting Kenya and witnessing the devastation caused by HIV-AIDS. The Albuquerque Journal reports:

Called “The Cradle Project,” her idea was to recruit as many artists as she could to make cradles that would each be sponsored for $100, and then each of the cradles would be sold at an online auction.

... After more than two years of work, “The Cradle Project” is opening to the public. Space for the show has been donated in the Sunrise Bank building Downtown on the seventh and eighth floors, which are in a rough state of remodel.

Cradle of Civilization, Barbara Grothus, #110

The project features 550 cradles by an international slate of artists. Proceeds will go to the Firelight Foundation, which supports and advocates for the needs and rights of children who are orphaned or affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

Details:

• WHAT: “The Cradle Project”
• WHEN: 1-5 PM, Thursdays-Sundays through June 28
• WHERE: Sunrise Bank building, 210 Central NW, on the seventh and eighth floors
• HOW MUCH: Free.
• INFO: Visit www.thecradleproject.org for more information. You can also view the cradles online at the webite, submit bids or donate to the cause. Larger images of the cradles are available on Flickr. The photos are numbered to match items on the auction page.

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Saturday: America Votes 2008 Day of Action

America Votes and the America Votes partners invite you to the 2008 Campaign Day of Action:

Saturday, June 7, 2008, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
at the
Defenders of Wildlife Fund/SEIU International HQ
1600 San Pedro Drive NE, ABQ, 87111

Schedule:
9:30 AM: Morning Canvasses Launch
11:30 - 11:50 AM: Canvassers Open House
1:00 PM: Afternoon Canvass Launch
6:00 PM: Pizza time for canvassers

Let’s get the 2008 Campaign started UNITED
as a MOBILIZED, PROGRESSIVE FORCE in New Mexico!

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Join Lt. Gov. Diane Denish for Working America Health Care Rally

Join Working America's Health Care We Can Count on rally:

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Lt. Gov. Diane Denish
WHAT: Working America Rally
WHEN: Wednesday, June 4, 2:00 PM
WHERE: AFT Building, 8100 Mountain Road Place NE, ABQ
1 block north, 1 block east of Pennsylvania & Lomas
Click for FLYER

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Lt. Gov. Denish to Host Post-Primary Unity Rally & BBQ

Democrats Coming Together

Lieutenant Governor Diane D. Denish
Invites you, your family and friends to a

UNITY RALLY
Wednesday, June 4, 5:00 PM
The Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino

201 California Street NE
Enter Gate 1 on Central - Party at the Jockey Club
PLEASE RESPOND TO 505-255-1282
or email mmares@dianedenish.com
Click for Flyer (pdf) - Pass It On

DPNM Hosts 2008 Primary Night Watch Party

The Democratic Party of New Mexico will be holding a Primary Night Watch Party on June 3rd, at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The event is free and open to the public. We expect most of the Democratic candidates, including Congressman Tom Udall, to attend. Polls close at 7:00 PM. Make sure you vote in the primary and then come on down to celebrate our victories:

Who:  New Mexico Democratic Party
What:  Primary Election Night Party
When:  6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Where:  Albuquerque Convention Center
San Miguel Room (2nd Floor - East Complex)
401 2nd Street NW , Albuquerque

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