A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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The orange pinpoints are the location of each organized group of Daily Kos readers.
If you'd like to join a group, click on a point and a box will pop up showing contact links.
If you'd like to start a group, contact navajo for instructions.
View Interactive Map of Daily Kos Regional Communities in a full screen version.
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Any Republicans Running Unopposed in Your State?
There are in Arizona. I don't understand it. I think the Democratic Party should be contesting every race for every office. In our state legislative races there are 13 candidates running unopposed, 7 for the state senate and 6 for the state house of representatives. More of these are Democrats than Republicans with 7 Dems running unopposed to 6 Repubs, but still, that's 6 seats in 4 districts where the Republican incumbents don't even have to campaign. Team Blue has conceded without a fight. What's more, all 4 of the incumbent Republican state senators who are running unopposed are members of ALEC. Arizona's ALEC membership has been steadily improving. According to the Center for Media and Democracy's report ALEC in Arizona 2013, (50pp. pdf here), only 35 of our 90 sitting legislators are ALEC members. That's down from 49 in 2011. By my count there are 25 documented ALEC members running this time and the fact that 4 of them are running unopposed irritates me.
Of course, I can understand why the parties might not choose to field a candidate in legislative races. Maybe the registration in those 4 legislative districts is 99% Republican or something. What I can't understand is unopposed Republicans in statewide races. There are two this time around. There is no Democratic candidate for State Treasurer and no Democratic candidate for State Mine Inspector. What's up with this ?
Am I to believe that there's not a single Democrat in Arizona willing to run for Treasurer, not a CPA or bookkeeper interested in statewide office ? No Democrat with experience in finance ? The Republican who's running for the office, the Treasurer-elect I guess, claims that he's going to balance the budget. That's nonsense. The legislature has to do that. What the Treasurer does is manage the State's investments, under the supervision of a Board of Investments, and look after the State's bank accounts. It's really not that much responsibility and it could be a springboard to future state office. The Republican running for Governor this time is currently the State Treasurer and the 2010 Treasurer's race was the first he had ever entered.
The one that really bugs me is State Mine Inspector. (description here ☛ Ballotpedia) There's no Democrat interested in being State Mine Inspector ? It's a Dream Job. The guy inspects mines ferchissake. We do this for recreation. That's us in the picture getting ready to inspect the Copper Queen in Bisbee a few years back. There's nothing more fun than throwing a cooler in the Jeep, grabbing a good map and heading out into the back country looking for old mines. The purpose of the inspections is mine safety. The Mine Inspector has to inspect every active underground mine once a quarter and every other mine once a year. There's not that many underground mines operating any more and you could inspect the open pits in no time at all. That leaves plenty of time to dig through the old records for abandoned mines that you could go check out, maybe put some safety tape over the entrances. I'll bet you even get to use a State Jeep, with an official seal painted on the doors, maybe a siren. The job pays around $50k and the office has a million-some dollar budget. All it takes is 4 years experience in the mining industry. There must be thousands of Democrats with that much experience, maybe they just don't have that much desire for adventure. It's a shame.
OK, that's it for today. What's up with y'all ? Got any good links to share, any anecdotes ? and ...
Are there any Republicans running unopposed where you live ?
Latest Updates on Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
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THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
On Saturday 10/4/14, the Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks had the chance to have lunch with Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant.
...In 2012, Kshama ran as a Socialist Alternative candidate for WA State Legislature and surprised everyone by winning 29% of the vote. The momentum continued in her campaign for Seattle City Council where she boldly ran on a platform of fighting for a $15/hr minimum wage, rent control and taxing the super-rich to fund mass transit and education. In November she defeated a 16-year incumbent Democrat to become the first socialist elected in a major US city in decades.
Kshama Sawant now chairs Seattle City Council's Energy Committee which covers Seattle City Light, alternative energy sources, energy policies and air pollution regulations.
bleeding blue videotaped the address and the Q&A session that followed:
Please visit John Crapper's diary for more details and photos of the event. You can still REC it. You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
by randallt ♥ for DKos Asheville
The Dkos Ashevillites got together again to take a break from registering people to vote. A special thanks to Gordon20024, who drove in from Roanke, for providing all the food!
All the attendees went around the table and talked about what they're involved in at Daily Kos. Details about this on each attendee can be read at randallt's diary. Out-of-state special guests were Land of Enchantment and jnhobbs from Nashville! Love that kind of support!
Dkos Asheville is setting a great example of how to Connect, Unite and Act! Kudos to the whole group that is making this team strong!
Please visit randallt's diary for photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join DKos Asheville by sending a Kosmail to randallt.
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
At the monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, SEIU, airport workers and Daily Kos (represented by susans and Joshua Bloxom) presented them with a 48,000 signature petition demanding safer working conditions. Also present were representatives of CLUE, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice, who submitted a letter of support to the board.
[...]
The SEIU organizers led a short rally outside of the building at One World Way after the meeting. SEIU represents people who do a lot of different jobs at LAX: they work in the terminals as wheelchair pushers, door openers, janitors, various other positions and on the ramp (outside). Some of them spoke at the rally, again in English and Spanish. They asked me to speak, something I was totally unprepared for. I briefly told them about DK and that I would be writing about the event and posting it online.
A special thank you to Josh, who took multiple trains up from Orange County to support airport workers and represent Daily Kos. It was great talking to you and I look forward to another opportunity to spend some time together.
Please visit
susans's diary for more details. You can still REC it. You can join
Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
susans.
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
Koscadians got together one more time to Stamp Money Out of Politics
L-R: also mom of 5, loggersbrat, Quill, pdxteacher, J Orygun, KitRMP, HRM & Arenosa
Please visit Sara R's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by mimi ♥ for New York City
Here's a great photo recap of all the Kossacks marching in NYC at the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014.
L-R: Raines and Tool holding the banner
L-R: ?, mole jr., Mrs. Mole333, boatsie, The Poet Deploreate, WarrenS, ? mole333 and kathny
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to kathny.
by Susan Grigsby ♥ for Coachella Kossacks
Susan Grisby put out the call for other readers of Daily Kos near Palm Desert and now we have the beginning of organizing there.
Here's the charter group! Go Susan! Special thanks to susans for driving down from L.A. to lend support.
L-R: ruscle, ruscle+one, Susan Grisby & blue drop
Look at all that orange! Shirt, tops and a hat! Sweet.
Please visit Susan Grigsby's diary for MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Coachella Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Susan Grigsby.
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a registering-to-vote event for Ford County, Kansas in Dodge City to reach out to Latino voters there. He partnered with League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Ford County Democratic Party. 150 people attended to listen to John Thomas (KS House District 119 Candidate), Jean Schodorf (Secretary of State Candidate), Jim Sherow (US House, KS District 1 Candidate), Mark Low (Kansas House Candidate, District 115).
"LULAC volunteers sat at their table and handled registration after registration as people came to the event to listen to how they could change their state. We knew that not only were we helping to register new and first time voters, we were helping to bring a message into a community that has been ignored - and to help them take that message back to their friends and families."
This is a great example of reaching out to disenfranchised communities and helping them vote. Because If Democratic base voters turn out, we win. Can't be said enough. More regions need to do this.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
by nhox42 ♥ for New England Kossacks
The New England Kossacks got together at the home brillig and mik north of Boston. Kossacks drove from all over New England to attend. Looks like a great time was had by all.
Folks in attendance were: brillig, mik, K1, K2, Simple, nhox42, Ed Tracey, GreyHawk, Kathy, TrueBlueMajority, theKgirls, Bill in Portland Maine, Common Sense Mainer, mayim, dtheo, RubDMC, AnotherMassachusettsLiberal, Debbie in ME, ialonelady, CwV, sardonyx, Noor B, Andy, James and Alex.
New England Kossacks
Please visit nhox42's diary for MORE photos! Including yummy food pr0n. Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New England Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to nhox42.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, October 18th
DENVER Colorado COmmunity: Caffeinating Liberally Meet-up
Come hang out for coffee prior to your GOTV shift
TIME: 9:00 AM
LOCATION: Common Grounds
44th & Vallejo • Denver
ORGANIZER: Send Leftcandid a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Leftcandid
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DENVER: Caffeinating Liberally, Saturday 10/18
Saturday, October 18th
DC Kossacks Potluck Picnicking on the National Mall
DC Kossacks is a regional group intended to organize meet-ups, discuss issues, strategize participation in pertinent activism, and build community for those of us who live in and around Washington DC.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: National Mall
Take the Blue/Orange line to Smithsonian Metro Station. Exit the escalators and walk straight ahead across the first small lawn to the trees and grassy areas directly ahead. Look for a large plain orange cloth. That'll be us. It will help us recognize each other if you bring something GOS orange! • DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest entry: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Sunday, October 19th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up with navajo
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. ericlewis0
3. belinda ridgewood
4. kathny
5. sidnora
6. rubyr
7. joanbrooker
8. blue jersey mom
9. Nancy
10. mattc129
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Maybees:
mconvente
mole333 and family
Son of Broccoli
thankgodforairamerica
Laura
clencher
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Latest diary: REMINDER - NYC Meetup Sunday 10/19 w Special Guest - NAVAJO!!!
Saturday, October 25th
or
Sunday, October 26th
Salt Lake City Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Beans & Brews
5938 S. State Street • Murray
ORGANIZER: Send jlms qkw a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. jlms qkw
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, October 25th
SFKossacks Attends Daily Kos Day at MoveOn.org's GOTV Offices
TIME: 10:00 AM
MoveOn's Voters Rising Office Location
Berkeley
2177 Bancroft Way (map)
Berkeley, CA
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. kimoconnor
4. skywriter
5. jotter
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Maybees:
Glen The Plumber
jpmassar
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! Daily Kos Teams With MoveOn.org's GOTV Events — Do You Cold Call Well?
Saturday, November 8th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks - Meet Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon
Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, 34th Legislative District, Deputy Majority Whip and Chair of the Washington State House of Representatives Environment Committee will be our next guest speaker sharing his thoughts and plans for Washington State and the Seattle Puget Sound Area.
Cost with Set Menu: $25.00 per person (includes non-alcoholic beverage, gratuity, tax and your choice of food from a limited-choice menu)
TIME: 12:30 PM - No seating after 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. Kitsap River
3. Charles Curtis Stanley
4. bleeding blue
5.
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Maybees:
Penny GC
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Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks - Meet Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon - Nov. 8th
Saturday, December 13th
SF Kossacks Holiday Party at Daily Kos HQ
The usual Pot Luck drill - sign-up list posted soon
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Daily Kos HQ
Address given privately by kosmail • Berkeley
Near Ashby BART
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Markos
2. Will Rockafellow
3. Susan Gardner
4. Meteor Blades
5. Faith Gardner & Roxie!
6. navajo
7. side pocket
8. Mrs. side pocket
9. smileycreek
10. paradise50
11. remembrance
12. Glen The Plumber
13. TLO
14. jakedog42
15. edrie
16. dharmasyd
17. catilinus
18. boatsie
19. liberated spaces
20. citisven
21. kimoconnor
22. susans
23. maggiejean
24. 714day
25. Steven Payne
26. scaboni
27. skywriter
28. jpmassar
29. jotter
30. aha aha
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Maybees:
Thinking Fella
high uintas
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navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.