Tag Archives: black

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Meet Vivian Figures

10/30/2014 Nativegrl77

running against Rep.Jeff Sessions — GOP

Vivian began her political career in 1984 when she ran as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in which capacity she has served for six consecutive times, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. In 1993, Ms. Figures was elected to a four-year term on the Mobile City Council, attaining the status of the “only council member in Mobile’s history to hold a perfect attendance record.” Due to the untimely death of her husband, Michael A. Figures, she was later elected in the 1997 general election by an 87% victory to the Alabama State Senate to serve the remainder of his term. The victory made her the first African-American woman to be elected to the Senate from Mobile County and the second one in the state of Alabama. Her husband was the first African-American from Mobile County to be elected to the post in 1978 and he was elected overwhelmingly by his Senate cohorts as President Pro Tempore in 1995. She was re-elected in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010.

In 2008, she became Alabama’s first African American woman to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. Although this was her first statewide run for public office, she garnered 37 percent of the vote while President Barack Obama had 39 percent.

As Senator, she played a major role in helping to author legislation for school personnel background checks for both public and private schools to make children safer. Because of her sponsorship and passage of the Alabama Clean Indoor Act, she was awarded the National Tobacco Award from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Outstanding Advocate Award from the American Heart Association. Senator Figures continues to work for a Smoke-Free Alabama.

Resources : From her website

I did a regular search and found that the NRA rates her 67% and while she is in a red state she backs education and most issues that any left of center does but not much information on reproductive rights with the exception of minors. I am not a one issue voter but admit to wanting to read a lot more about where she stood on reproductive rights. So, unless you have a better democratic candidate choice, she looks good on paper but as always … do your research and vote Jeff Sessions out of office !!!!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Florida: Vote for Charlie Crist

10/22/2014 Nativegrl77

I really want you to see our newest ad:

Government should be of the people, by the people, and for the people.

But under Rick Scott, it’s been government of the special interests, by the big corporations, and for the powerful.

Time for a change.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What’s wrong with the picture below …

09/29/2014 Nativegrl77

John Crawford, a young African American Man died for handling a bb gun sold at Walmart … Nativegrl77

Imagine a country where violent criminals, domestic abusers, and terrorists can easily get their hands on guns.

Where people can drink alcohol at a bar with a loaded handgun in their belt.

Where parents have no right to know if there is a gun in their child’s classroom.

That’s the world the NRA’s leadership is fighting for, and they just announced that they’re going to spend at least $11.4 million on political ads to make it a reality.¹ If you think this vision for America is backwards and wrong, then stand with me and make a donation of $5 or more now to help defeat the NRA’s hand-picked candidates in the 2014 election.

The NRA’s power has gone unchecked for too long. They only speak for a small group of extremists, and now they’re facing an opponent they’ve never had to face before: all of the moms, dads, and concerned citizens of this movement — including you.

The majority of Americans — including the majority of NRA members — support common-sense gun laws that can save lives. That’s why thousands of volunteers in key districts across the country will be knocking on doors and making phone calls to talk to people about voting with gun sense.

Help power grassroots efforts to win key elections by making a contribution of $5 or more now.

If we all pitch in, we can beat the NRA at the polls this year and elect leaders who will stand with us on measures to reduce gun violence in America.

Thanks for doing your part,

Jennifer Hoppe
Deputy Director
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

—

1. “NRA goes big in key Senate, governor’s races,” Politico, September 17, 2014.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Republicans … in the House

09/28/2014 Nativegrl77

Sometimes I want to ask the extremist Republicans in the House: “What planet are you living on?” While our country still struggles to recover from its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, why in the world do House Republicans spend so much time on votes to undermine a woman’s right to choose? While our nation’s seniors are facing a real and growing retirement crisis and 14 million of them rely on Social Security to stay out of poverty, why in the world are House Republicans so determined to slash our seniors’ safety net? While our kids and grandkids are getting crushed with ever-increasing levels of student loan debt and our commitments to higher education continue to shrink, why in the world are House Republicans prioritizing tax loopholes for our largest corporations? The mixed-up, backwards, and flat-out offensive priorities of the House Republicans already have too much representation in Washington. But now three House Republicans from Montana, Colorado and West Virginia are running for the Senate this November and working to bring their radical agenda with them. Our friends Mark Udall, John Walsh, and Natalie Tennant need your help to fight back against their House Republican opponents – and the millions of dollars in attack ads coming their way from shadowy special interests. Make a donation to Mark, John, and Natalie’s campaigns right now. There is a long list of terrifying things that these three House Republicans believe in, but let me just name a few:

Colorado Senator Mark Udall’s opponent, Rep. Cory Gardner, cosponsored a bill with Todd Akin – yes, that Todd Akin – to redefine rape and make it more difficult for victims to get an abortion. (Yes, I know, it is 2014 and not 1954, but apparently Cory Gardner doesn’t.)
Montana Senator John Walsh’s opponent, Rep. Steve Daines, made a name for himself even among the Anarchy Gang in the House as one of the first Congressmen to push for the reckless government shutdown. (I would have thought wasting billions of dollars for no reason and to no productive end would be a claim to infamy and not fame, but apparently not in the Republican caucus.)
Natalie Tennant’s opponent in the open West Virginia race, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, has received more than $3 million from the big banks and financial institutions during her time in the House — and time and again has worked to unravel critical consumer protections. Just last week, Rep. Capito led the charge on a new bill to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (As you know, this one is particularly close to my heart.)

I know these policies sound crazy to you and me. But Karl Rove, the Koch Brothers, and their powerful allies will spend zillions of dollars in the next eight months to tear down our candidates and bring the House Republicans’ agenda to the Senate. Like you, I’m frustrated about the status quo, but I’m deeply concerned it can get even worse. Mark, John and Natalie need your help. Can I count on you? Make a donation to their campaigns right now and help us protect the Democratic majority in the Senate. Thank you for being a part of this, Elizabeth