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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What would you do if you won the Lottery?
I'm not talking about winning a few thousand (although that would be great, too), but one of the multiple-hundreds of millions which are common now in the Powerball and MegaMillions lottery games.
Here in WA State, our state Lottery Commission posts that as of July 2014 there have been 32,436,351 individual winning tickets redeemed and those folks have won $333,798,295 during the past 12 months.
My mother bought Lottery tickets for years, and often talked to me about what her dream fortune would purchase. Mostly things for her family. The one that killed me, with one sister run off to California and later on to Colorado (never to return, which as it turns out was a good thing, but that is a story for another day, and likely another blog), and two more of us trying our best to not spend any more time than necessary with her (she was a peach, our mother), her favorite Lottery Spending Plan included buying five acres and building a Commune just for our family, with houses arranged in a fan around her Mother Hen house in the middle. The nightmare of every grown child with a permanently juvenile parent.... Mom managed to win a lot of small bits over the years, and over $6,000 one time, but that one got spent by her alcoholic, retired WA State Patrol second husband, on booze and a handgun and gods only know what else. He certainly didn't pay the property taxes with any of it, because the year after he passed, I found out her house was going to be foreclosed on by the county for non-payment of the property taxes for over three years. Oh, joy.
Myself, I quite smoking cigarettes on October 15, 2002. So now that I've been saving a fortune from having quit the evil tobacco, I spend $3.00 each week on a Powerball and MegaMillions ticket. I just have them give me random numbers. I never expect to win anything, even the one or three dollar small prizes. Because here in WA State they use the bulk of the State revenue to fund our public schools. So I look at my weekly tickets as my personal contribution to our schools, above and beyond what my local property taxes pay.
But if I ever did win big? Oh, I have a plan.
Off the top, 1/2 to go to charity.
Some to the local hospital which saved my life on June 11, 2011 when I had a heart attack (Acute MI, the Widowmaker). Luckily for me, I had mine while in the ER exam room. Because my financial situation since 2006 has been at best precarious, and my employment situation on a par with it, that hospital stay didn't bankrupt me. I was poor enough to qualify for a charitable write off. So that hospital didn't just save my life, they saved my home of over 30 years with that write off. So they get a BIG chunk. Then I'll work with their Charitable department and start sending money to the people who've been seen there in the past five or ten years and weren't lucky enough to be poor enough to get their thousands of dollars of medical bills written off, and who've been stuck paying off a debt that will hang round their neck the rest of their lives.
I'll pay off my mortgage and that of my sisters. Pay off my daughter's college loans (over $30,000 and counting on the way to her Engineering Degree). Put the same amount away for the other child, should she decide to get a college education. Start a fund for the grandkids, too.
What's left? Half of that would go to Occupy's Rolling Jubilee program, where they buy up medical debt and cancel it, then send the people a statement showing they no longer owe any of it. As of today they've raised $701,317 and abolished $14,734,569.87 of debt.
The other half to a fund for local high school kids who lack school supplies or money for extracurricular school events.
Do you buy Lottery tickets regularly? Do you have a plan for if you win the Big One? Tell me about it!
Latest Updates on Kossack 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.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
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Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The Los Angeles Kossacks ranks have increased by 40% in the last few months. New members attended the latest recreational field trip to see the retired space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center in Exposition Park near downtown Los Angeles.
Back Row L-R: Vyan, Chiwere, susans, Otoelbc, mommyp00ka, Ducktape
Front Row L-R: Robin, 714day, Little Loner, Moody Loner, jakedog42 and grandaughter, SanFernandoValleyMom
Please visit susans's diary for details on the Space Shuttle. You can still REC it. You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to susans.
by John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
Organizer John Crapper completed another meet-up, from his agenda:
Next, I updated the group on our efforts to identify campaigns we would like to assist in the upcoming elections. There are three that have been under active discussion but nothing has been firmly decided. We all agreed it was important to pick races that would help Washington Democrats regain control of the Senate.
Next, I asked for ideas, suggestions and assistance identifying future guest speakers. In connection with that I urged all to invite their friends to become Kossacks and join us to enhance our clout.
Longtime Kossack
LarisaW, President of
Progressive Radio Northwest (PRNW), was in attendance. She is leading an effort to bring back progressive radio to the NW.
All photos courtesy of mlharges:
L-R: John Crapper - John Crapper, his SO & momomia - TBoneApollo - Piren
L-R: EagleKeeper - Flamingogrrl - doingbusinessas - momomia
Please visit John Crapper's diary for MORE photos and commentary! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St • Detroit
A 0.6 mile walk from the host hotel, the Marriott
The blue dots represent the walking-on-foot route. The grey lines are the People Mover routes.
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. winifred3
25. texasdad
26. texasmom
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10. Jen Hayden
11. Elisa Batista
12. Denise Oliver-Velez
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. ohmydem
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
59. BlueBarnStormer
60. sandiegodem
61. Pam Miles
62. TexMex
63. linkage
64. 2thanks
65. bunnygirl60
66. binkaroni
67. zenbassoon
68. nomandates
69. thepegster
70. Ooooh
71. figbash
72. TrueBlueMajority
73. tgypsy
74. slowbutsure
75. cooper888
76. gotmooned
77. Muskegon Critic
78. belinda's dad
79. ericlewis0
80. mideedah
81. sherman54
82. Larry Kestenbaum
83. ChemBob
84. Shenna Bellows (ME-Sen)
85. MI Sooner
86. Hope Despite All
87. Puddytat
88. pucklady
89. Ann Porter
90. bluebarnstormer
91. tgypsy sister
92. pinky007
93. Adam Blomeke's wife
94. Malacandra
+ Ten scholarship recipients
Maybees: Turbonerd
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Thursday, July 17th
Daily Kos Caucus
TIME: 1:00 - 2:15 PM Please note this time change to accommodate Vice President Biden's Keynote at 3:30
LOCATION: Cobo Center, Room 353
Caucus lead by Markos Moulitsas and staff
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These tables will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm only counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. ChemBob
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7. 2thanks
8. Sydneyluv
9. DoReMI
10. Mideedah
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. GwenM
2. dkmich
3. NormAl1792
4. tgypsy [Honorary]
5. gregsullmich
6. SharonRB
7. SharonRB's friend
8. Muskegon Critic
9. ICanDoThis
10. Mr. ICanDoThis
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. Tim Delaney [Honorary]
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl [Honorary]
2. justiceputnam
3. Dragon5616 [Honorary]
4. DebtorsPrison [Honorary]
5. tmservo433 [Honorary]
6. shanikka
7. aha aha
8. jotter
9. norm
10. figbash [Honorary]
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7. slowbutsure
8. cooper888 [Honorary]
9. gotmooned [Honorary]
10. zenbassoon [Honorary]
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Denise Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7. TrueBlueMajority [Honorary]
8. belinda's dad
9. MBNYC
10. ericlewis0 |
Seattle, Portland & Texas Table:
1. Lefty Coaster
2. Sara R
3. loggersbrat
4. Albanius [Honorary]
5. linkage
6. nomandates
7. texasmom
8. texasdad
9. TexMex
10. 4Freedom [Honorary]
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Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. vicki
7. Cedwyn
8. Pam Miles
9. shermanesque and
10. doggie269
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
4. linkage (videographer)
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Friday, July 18th
Rally from Netroots Nation to Sound Call: ‘Turn on the Water. Tax Wall Street’
Nurses, Activists, Cite Public Health Emergency Demand Moratorium End to Water Shutoffs
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Cobo Center, Washington & W. Congress St
RALLY: 1:45 PM Hart Plaza
Latest diary: New Protest re: Detroit Water Shutoffs--Fri. 7/18, 12:30 PM @ Cobo Center (NN14 site)
Sunday, July 20th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Meet-up with Lyon County Democrats & Governor Candidate Paul Davis
Paul Davis (D-KS) who is running against Sam Brownback will be present. Potluck Dinner format and short meeting for Kossacks/Democrats afterwards. There will also be several other candidates and a full meeting of the county party.
POTLUCK!
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Emporia Senior Center
603 E 12th Ave • Emporia, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees:
x1628
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Latest diary: Tim Huelskamp Asserts Benghazi is a Bipartisan Conspiracy.. And the Man who Could Beat him this year
Saturday, July 26th
Meet the Candidates in Hutchinson, Kansas!
• Jean Shodorf (Candidate for Secretary of State)
• Brian E Davis (Candidate for State House of Representatives)
• Jim Sherow (Candidate for 1st District US House of Representatives)
• Jill Docking (Candidate, Lt. Governor)
• Various County Party Leadership
TIME: 11:00-3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyle Park
100 E. Ave. B • Hutchinson
BBQ, watermelon and other food provided. Bring a lawn chair.
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Sunday, July 27th
Phoenix Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for navajo
Event will be potluck, so please sign up here with food, beverages or booze
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mother Mag's Rooftop Terrace
(address given privately to RSVPs) • Downtown Phoenix
ORGANIZER: Send Mother Mags a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Mother Mags
2. navajo
3. Azazello
4. Mrs. Azazello
5. Sun Tzu
6. Stripe
7. Kane in CA
8. puzzled
9. Late Again
10. Mr. Late Again
11. rasbobbo
12. DaNang65
13.
14.
15. threegoal
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Maybees:
dewey of the desert
Mr. dewey of the desert
PSzymeczek
Skippah
arizonablue
Mr. arizonablue
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Latest diary: Arizona meet-up: Summer potluck with Navajo!
Saturday, August 9th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Saturday, August 9th
LA Kossacks Meet-up
With guest speaker Bill Zimmerman
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Guild Restaurant
611 W. 7th St • Downtown Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. susans
2. Shockwave
3. navajo
4. Meteor Blades
5. Knucklehead
6. SanFernandoValleyMom
7. Otoelbc
8. Chiwere
9. Vyan
10. 714day
11. Ducktape
12. Mugwump Blues
13. Just Saying
14. Just Saying's friend
15. Panorama City Chick
16. jakedog42
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
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.