Live Up to the Words

During last weekend's visit to Philadelphia, I was reminded of great American statements and our responsibility to live up to them. The Liberty Bell, cast prior to our Independence reads simply:, 

"Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof." 

Inscribed on the Liberty Bell pre-1776

"No person shall .... be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."

 U.S. Constitution 5th Amendment 

 "….nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."

 U.S. Constitution 14th Amendment 

Neither of these statements from our Constitution indicate exception based on race, gender, orientation, belief, age, national origin/affiliation or any other subset of persons.

Our government (of us, by us and for us*) needs to live up to them.

*Based on phrase used by President Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address

Ignacio de la Fuente for Mayor of Oakland

 I support Ignacio de la Fuente for Oakland's Mayor this November

I've known Ignacio for a long time, first meeting him in 1996. I am certain he will tackle the most critical and visible issues that Oakland faces, including the tough ones: crime and overwhelming homelessness.

Ignacio has over 20 years experience serving Oakland on the City Council (1992 – 2012), including leading the Council as its President. Having served three terms on the Alameda City Council, I can tell I appreciate the challenges of local government and have a good idea of what it takes to lead effectively. 

Ignacio has what it takes to lead and get positive results!

We all remember a safer, cleaner and more vibrant Oakland. It's time to get Oakland back on track. Oakland residents deserve quality basic services and Ignacio stands above the rest when it comes to being able to deliver.

Ignacio has a proven track and will see that Oakland gets the services it deserves and sorely needs!

Please vote for Ignacio for Mayor November 8 and visit his website at: 

www.delafuenteformayor.com

P.S. If you have someone else you are supporting for Mayor, please consider making Ignacio your second selection in this ballot's rank-choice voting.

Government at Work

Social media and the news seems to focus on the sensational, with lots about divisiveness in our government. Gabe Fleisher, Editor-in-Chief of "Wake Up to Politics" reported on notable national legislation reminding me that the system can work. 

Here's a sampling from Mr. Fleisher's Washington report.

"Legislative Branch... ➞ Veterans: The Senate unanimously passed a bill to permanently authorize and expand the federal Solid Start program, which aims to reach out to and assist veterans in their first year of transitioning from military to civilian life.  The Senate also unanimously passed a bill creating an online system to allow veterans to file complaints about their VA health care and to track the status of the complaint, in order to increase transparency at the VA. The bill already passed the House in a 411-1 vote, so it now goes to President Biden’s desk.  Finally, the Senate unanimously approved a bill renaming a VA clinic in Mishawaka, Indiana for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN), who was killed in a car crash last month. It had already passed the House unanimously, so it now goes to Biden’s desk. ➞ Health care: The Senate unanimously passed a bill that expands the use of New Access Point grants, which fund the creation of new sites to offer health care to medically underserved populations. The bill will allow the grant funding to go towards the development of mobile medical clinics across the country. ➞ Environment: The Senate unanimously passed a bill allowing the Federal Aviation Administration to cover 100% of the costs for airports to purchase fire equipment that won’t discharge perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are a class of chemicals that don’t naturally break down and can be toxic for the environment and for public health. ➞ Judges: The Senate confirmed two new Biden appeals court judges. Andre Mathis was confirmed to the Sixth Circuit in a 48-47 vote, while John Lee was confirmed to the Seventh Circuit in a 50-44 vote. The Senate has now confirmed 79 Biden judges since the beginning of his administration."

I find the unanimity on these key issues a  surprise and cautiously refreshing. I'll reserve comment on the judicial appointment vote breakdown. That's a discussion needing more research and thought.

Happy Friday! 

 

References

Wake Up To Politics

Gabe Fleisher, Editor in Chief

gabe@wakeuptopolitics.com

https://www.wakeuptopolitics.com/

First Woman Elected to Congress Representing Alaska

 Last week the Associated Press reported that Mary Peltola, a member of the Alaska State Legislature won the August 31st election to represent Alaska in the U.S. House of Representative. Ms. Peltola is the first woman to hold Alaska's sole House seat. Ms. Peltola, a Democrat, will fill the remainder of Congressman Donald Young's term. Representative Young, who was a Republican, served as Alaska's representative in the U.S.  House of Representatives for 49 years. Representative Young died in March 2022.

Ms. Peltola is also the first  Alaska Native (a Yup'ik) to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ms. Young beat out challengers, including former Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin.

This Congressional seat will be up for re-election this coming November. The Link to the AP News report and NPR on Ms. Peltola's background are below.

https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-sarah-palin-voting-government-and-politics-f9855f1138a922ab1147da7900819fa8

https://www.npr.org/2022/09/05/1120805820/mary-peltola-the-first-alaska-native-heading-to-congress-journeys-home-to-the-ri