PDA-Chicago and Greens team up to launch Making Waves - Citizens Against Privatizing Our Water (CAPOW!)

PDA-Chicago and NorthSide Green Party-Chicago have teamed up as as the founding sponsors of: Making Waves - Citizens Against Privatizing Our Water (CAPOW!) The campaign is seeking additional sponsors, volunteers, and comments.

Below is the proposal for action, including where to volunteer and get involved. Comments  on this proposal are Very Welcome:

PROPOSAL:

DESCRIPTION: We need to make sure that ownership of Chicago’s water stays where it belongs - in public hands. We stand firmly against selling, leasing or otherwise giving control of Chicago's water to private hands. We seek legislation requiring a citizen referendum on the privatization of citizen property.  Read more »

PDA-Illinois Terms Current Health Bill, 'A National Error'

PDA-Illinois Demands Truly Universal, Comprehensive, Cost-Effective, Equitable Quality Health Care For All

WE OPPOSE PROFIT DRIVEN 'REFORM!'

Under the proposed health insurance reform bills, the American people lose, the corporate world wins. The present bills if passed  create a tax-payer supporter welfare program for the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries.  How did this happen? Through campaign finance donations, lobbying, and revolving-door payoffs.  Here is why we oppose the bills:  Read more »

Water Privatization in Chicago?

 Jon Keesecker of Food and Water Watch joined us at PDA Chicago's monthly meeting last week, and spoke about water privatization attempts throughout the nation, and the potential of it happening in Chicago.

Jon has agreed to answer any questions in the comment section of the story. 

2010: Lets Get America Working Again

Published by Institute for Policy Studies written by Dedrick Muhammad

This year, we need to recognize that the government, not the private sector, is the best tool for job creation.

It is time to move on from the past and embrace the opportunities and challenges that we face this new year: In 2010 the most challenging domestic issue is high unemployment.  Read more »

Tell Pelosi & Reid: NO on Mandate, YES on States's Rights

Tell Pelosi & Reid: NO on Mandate, YES on States's Rights

Click to open interactive calling info: http://pdamerica.capwiz.com/pdamerica/callalert/index.tt?alertid=14518236  Read more »

Chicago Trib - Lozano battling Burke in state race

Son of union organizer slain in 1983 up against longtime representative

By Oscar Avila, Tribune reporter

January 3, 2010

Every time a voter opens the door, Rudy Lozano Jr. knows he might have to relive his darkest memory.

The first-time candidate encounters tears of recognition from people who never laid eyes on him before, or, in the case of Electra De Alba, an enveloping hug."Ay, my son," De Alba said as she embraced Lozano recently in the Archer Heights neighborhood. "I still have your dad's buttons, you know?"

In his first campaign for public office, Lozano is tilting against a political dynasty by taking on state Rep. Daniel Burke, who has   

Visit Chicago Tribune to read more: 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-lozano-burke-challenge-03-jan03,0,6412399.story  Read more »

'Political Brawl Brewing' - Carol Marin comments on Lozano & Garcia campaigns

PDA Note: To join up with the Campaign of Rudy Lozano Jr. for the Illinois Legislature, or just learn more about Rudy, contact, PDA-Chicago at:  pdachicago@gmail.com


 From the Sun-Times, January 2, 2010
Political brawl brewing on SW Side

BY CAROL MARIN Sun-Times Columnist 

The primary is only a month away. Bring your brass knuckles if you happen to live on the Southwest Side. There's a brawl in the making.  Read more »

New Year’s Resolution: Don’t Apologize for Democrats

Published at Common Dreams by Jeff Cohen

For the new year, let's resolve: Don't defend Democrats when they don't deserve defending. And that certainly includes President Obama.

Let's further resolve: Put principles above party and never lose our voice on human rights and social justice.

When we mute ourselves as a Democratic president pursues corporatist or militarist policies, we only encourage such policies.  Read more »

Chicago NOW speakers Challege Stupek Amendment at Dec. PDA-Chicago meeting

 NOW Reps Discuss Stupak Amendment

Michelle Staeger and Kelsey Deihl, representatives from the Chicago National Organization for Women (NOW) discuss the Stupak Amendment and how it will affect women's right to reproductive freedom and access to care. Beginning with the Hyde Amendment, PDA members hear the origins of reproductive restrictions and what can be done to protect women's rights to health care.   For more info:
http://www.hyde30years.nnaf.org/
http://www.chicagonow.org/

Video by Illinois Media Progressives    

Chicago Reader: Can Alexi Giannoulias over-ride Broadway Bank problems to win Obama's old Senate seat?

Alexi's Albatross

by Mick Dumke

In mid-November, Alexi Giannoulias held a Sunday-morning news conference at Flashpoint Academy, a digital-arts school in the Loop, to announce that he was being endorsed for the U.S. Senate by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. It wasn't a surprising development—Schakowsky has been a mentor and a key ally to Giannoulias since his political debut in 2006, when he ran successfully for state treasurer—but the event was choreographed as if it were big news. Campaign workers greeted people in the lobby and directed them to the elevators a few steps away;  Read more »