Hate groups proliferate in USA

Excerpted from the Southern Poverty Law Center e-newsletter, author Morris Dees

On February 23 the Southern Poverty Law Center released their annual investigative report exposing the hate and extremist groups operating in the United States—and the news is not good. For the first time ever, hate groups number more than 1,000. Plus, armed, anti government militias surged for the second year in a row.

Frankly, given the political climate in our country, I'm not that surprised at this explosive growth of radical-right forces. Far-right politicians and media figures continue to pour fuel on the fire with outrageous conspiracy theories and demonizing propaganda about those who disagree with them, including our first African-American president.

What's more troubling is the recent spate of hate-inspired violence: a bomb planted along the MLK Day parade route in Spokane; a man arrested with explosives outside a mosque in Michigan; a neo-Nazi caught heading for the Mexican border with a dozen homemade grenades. And, of course, a mentally ill man who appears to have absorbed radical-right ideas killed six people and wounded 13 when he tried to assassinate U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona.

Union-busing - main goal of KOCH BROTHERS

Koch Industries Front Group
This post comes to us by way of ThinkProgressive.org. An interesting accounting of the money behind the politics in Wisconsin.

Americans for Prosperity Launches Ad -Supports Walker's Union Busting
Lee Fang, ThinkProgress: "As ThinkProgress has reported, the global conglomerate Koch Industries not only helped elect Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI), but is the leading force orchestrating his union-busting campaign. Koch gave Walker over $43,000 in direct donations and its allies aired millions of dollars worth of attack ads against his Democratic opponent. Then, Koch political operatives pressured Walker to crush labor unions as one of his first priorities."
Read the Article

We Stand In Solidarity

This post comes to us from our friends at Emerge Arizona!

We Stand in Solidarity As you have undoubtedly heard, workers in Wisconsin are under siege. Under the banner of addressing his state's budget crisis, Governor Walker is pushing through one of the worst anti union bills in modern history. Emerge Arizona stands in solidarity with the women and men in organized labor who are facing an unprecedented attack on their rights and incomes. Emerge Arizona and Emerge America are proud partners with labor and the work we do to train women who support the needs of working families, devoted to ensuring that our middle class remains strong. An attack on organized labor is an attack on the fabric of our communities and affects us all. We can not let this behavior continue to spread and must act now. What can I do? The Wisconsin Democratic Party has a virtual phone bank to let people know what is going on in their state. If you are interested and can assist, please email saveourstate@wisdems.org for log-in information or you can visit the Wisconsin Democratic Party Website. There will be a Rally at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix at Noon Saturday February 26th to show support for the hundreds of thousands of regular Wisconsinites - teachers, firefighters, police officers, students and constituents who have taken to the streets of Madison. Additional information regarding up to date labor news Support increasing the number of Democratic women in public office! www.emergeaz.org Emerge Arizona is the essential step for Democratic women who want to run for public office. It is the only in-depth, sixth-month training program that inspires candidates to run and gives them the tools to win. By providing women across America with a top-notch training and a powerful political network, we are getting more Democrats into office and changing the leadership - and politics - of America. Our mission is to identify, educate and inspire Democratic women who want to pursue elective office at the local and state level in Arizona. Emerge makes a long-term investment in these future leaders by honing their political skills; expanding their knowledge of local issues; and connecting them with mentors. Emerge Arizona is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization. Donations are not tax deductible yet always welcome. Donations online are secure. To make a contribution by check, please mail to: Emerge Arizona P.O. Box 7638 Phoenix, AZ 85011 Our Full Disclosure

Emerge Arizona is the premier training program for Democratic women. We inspire women to run, we hone their skills to win. Our goal is clear: to increase the number of Democratic women in public office.

Emerge Arizona 501(c)4
P.O Box 7638
Phoenix, AZ 85011

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Senator Gallardo Blasts Deceptive SCR 1025

This post comes to us via the Arizona Advocacy Network. We are excited to begin passing along information to our LD20 activists that will help keep you informed!

Phoenix, Ariz—Sen. Steve Gallardo responded to the effort by Senators Steve Pierce and Scott Bundgaard to pass SCR 1025, a deceptive ballot referendum that could result in voters unwittingly repealing Clean Elections. The measure does not mention Clean Elections.

“SCR 1025 is completely dishonest,” said Sen. Steve Gallardo. “Backers of this measure are afraid to debate Clean Elections on its merits because they know voters overwhelmingly support the popular program. Instead they are hoping to deceive voters into killing the Clean Elections by defunding it and that’s shameful.”

“If they want to repeal Clean Elections, why not be honest about it? Voters have made it clear they are sick and tired of sneaky and deceptive ballot measures. These
legislators keep proving they are out-of-touch with voters.”

SCR 1025 would effectively end Clean Elections in Arizona by constitutionally barring the use of “public funds” for candidate campaigns. In order to achieve this, the amendment slated for the 2012 ballot redefines “public funds” to include the ten percent surcharge on lawbreakers that comprises the Citizens Clean Elections Fund. When voters passed Clean Elections they provided a funding mechanism separate from the general fund. The Clean Elections Fund regularly contributes excess money to the general fund, so passage would result in more cuts to the general fund.


Linda Brown
Executive Director
Arizona Advocacy Network
602-297-2500 (office)
602-297-3600 (fax)
1616 E Indian School Road, Suite 340
Phoenix, AZ 85016
www.azadvocacy.org