Daily Archives: August 15, 2008

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CA-37: Richardson declared a “public nuisance” to Dems who don’t like being constantly embarrassed

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Can you believe this?

First Rep. Laura Richardson was having problems making house payments, defaulting six times over eight years.

Then after a bank foreclosed on her Sacramento house and sold it at auction in May, the Long Beach Democrat made such a stink that Washington Mutual, in an unusual move, grabbed it back and returned it to her.

This week, in the latest chapter in the housing saga, the Code Enforcement Department in Sacramento declared her home a “public nuisance.”

The city has threatened to fine her as much as $5,000 a month if she doesn’t fix it up.

Neighbors in the upper-middle-class neighborhood complain that the sprinklers are never turned on and the grass and plants are dead or dying. The gate is broken, and windows are covered with brown paper.

“I would call it an eyesore,” said Peter Thomsen, a retired bank executive who lives nearby.

I think “embarrassing” is the best word for it.  Laura Richardson has no need or use for a home in Sacramento anymore, and in her letter to supporters trying to give an alibi for her recent conduct, she says that she isn’t rich and doesn’t have a second income to afford her lifestyle.  Then why the useless home in Sac’to that’s become decrepit?

If this was the only thing wrong with Richardson, it’d be enough, frankly.  But the fact that she voted to sink the Fourth Amendment and provide amnesty for lawbreaking to the telecoms in the FISA bill means that her votes are as embarrassing as her home upkeep.  It’s really unacceptable to have her as a representative of this state, honestly.

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Dan Lungren Takes A Big Bite Out Of Social Security

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(Moved video up top as it is pretty gosh darn funny. – promoted by Brian Leubitz)

Yesterday, we told you about California Democrats who were holding events to celebrate the 73rd birthday of Social Security.  Their intent was to both pay tribute to the program that has been a lifeline to millions of seniors for over seven decades AND to condemn John McCain and Republican members of Congress who are eager to privatize the system and let the corporate greed-mongers of Wall Street make a bundle.

For instance, Jeff Morris, the Congressional Democratic candidate who is going head-to-head with Wally Herger in CA-02, held his campaign kickoff at the Social Security office in Redding.

Julie Bornstein, the Democrat running to unseat Mary Bono Mack in CA-45 also held an event, to open her new campaign office in Palm Springs, with a special emphasis on celebrating 73 years of Social Security.

But Beverly and Leonard’s celebration in CA-03 took the cake, so to speak…

You may have seen the video of Beverly and Leonard in yesterday’s diary as they talked about the important role Social Security has played in their lives and discussed their plans to express their gratitude to the program by delivering a birthday cake to Dan Lungren.

Well, we think Beverly and Leonard did a really sweet job of making their point.  Yesterday morning, they walked into Dan Lungren’s office with their Social Security cake, cut it up, and served large portions to Lungren’s entire staff, making sure to drive home the message that because the cake was so large, there was plenty to go around — everybody could have a piece.

Wow.  Dan Lungren couldn’t have been more on target with HIS messaging.  Yes, there’s plenty of Social Security cake to go around.  It’s just that greedy Republican politicians want to get their hands on it and take the whole cake… leaving average Americans with the empty plate.

From the other events:

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In Redding, two Jeff Morris supporters who, at 73, are both the same age as Social Security, pose with Jeff’s Social Security cake.

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And Julie Bornstein?  Well, she’s going work to protect Social Security and make sure there’s a piece of it available for every American — not just a few wealthy investors.

Penny

Online Organizing Director

California Democratic Party

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Brad Sherman hosting a fundraiser for Charlie Brown on Wednesday, 8/20

This one is a bit out of my price range, but I did want to let all Southern California readers know that Congressman Brad Sherman is hosting a reception for Charlie Brown on Wednesday, August 20th, at 7pm in Beverly Hills.  Presuming Charlie is present, of course, it would be a good opportunity for anyone who hasn’t gotten the pleasure of meeting him in person to finally do so (and throw in some money to the campaign, for those who can afford it!).

# $2300 Charlie’s Angel Host

# $500 Co-Host

# $150 General Admission

So as to protect the privacy of the hosts, I will refrain from posting the address details here.  But to RSVP or get more information, call or send an email to Scott Abrams in Sherman’s office:

(818) 817-9555

Scott at BradSherman dot com

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[MoveOn] 8/19 Rally: CA’s $5.3B Could Help Energy Independence (Report)

Citizens to McCain:

No More Cash for Big Oil Companies –

Invest Money in Clean Energy Here

MoveOn.org Members Deliver Report on McCain’s Oil Company Handouts and What California’s $5.3 Billion Could Do For Energy Independence

On Tuesday, MoveOn.org members in Irvine will deliver a new report (attached) to public transportation commuters at a rally at the Santa Ana Train Station, showing just how much money John McCain is proposing to give to oil companies in tax breaks and subsidies. California’s portion of that money would come to $5.3 billion that instead could go toward clean and affordable energy and the jobs that go with it here at home.  

This event is one of the 130 Rallies for Clean Energy held around the country to draw attention to John McCain’s plans for an additional $39 billion in oil company tax loopholes and subsidies, which would come as oil companies have been reporting record high profits.  The report details the cost of spending that money on corporate handouts instead of the opportunity of building a clean energy future for California.  The report was produced by the Center for American Progress.

What:    Rally and report delivery on how much John McCain’s oil company handouts will cost California’s energy future

Who:     Local members of MoveOn.org

Where:   Santa Ana train station, 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd.

        (Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center), Santa Ana, CA 92701

When:    Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 4:30 p.m.

** Excellent visuals: Californians at Santa Ana train station with “SLOGAN FOR SIGNS” signs, fliers **

“We find it appalling that John McCain is proposing to give $39 billion in tax payer dollars to oil companies when they are already raking in $150 billion in profits,” said Kate Nikolenko, a MoveOn.org member from Irvine.  “This Big Oil Energy Plan shows just whose side John McCain is on. With $5.3 billion in California, we could make real progress toward ending our dependence on oil and creating new energy jobs.”

These Rallies for Clean Energy are part of a larger MoveOn.org campaign aimed at John McCain for putting Big Oil profits over the interests of most Americans in his energy policy.  

The report comes in the midst of McCain’s continued push for offshore drilling, which numerous experts have found won’t do anything to help lower gas prices(1)  but will increase oil company profits. In recent weeks, MoveOn has held events highlighting McCain’s decision to switch a position he has held on drilling for at least 8 years(2)  just as energy industry executives held a series of fundraisers for him in Texas netting him over $800,000 for his campaign(3).  In addition, almost 30 of Senator McCain’s campaign advisors and fundraisers have been identified as having lobbied for oil and gas interests.  

MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by 3.2 million progressive Americans. We believe in the power of small donors and grassroots action to elect progressive leaders to office and to advance a progressive agenda. We do not accept any donations over $5,000, and the average donation to MoveOn.org Political Action is under $100.

###

 (1) “Slick John McCain and the offshore oil ruse,” Salon.com, June 19, 2008; http://www.salon.com/tech/feat…

 (2) “Put Your Right Wing In, Take Your Left Wing Out,” Washington Post, June 17, 2003; http://www.washingtonpost.com/…

 (3) “Industry Gushed Money After Reversal on Drilling,” Washington Post, July 27, 2008; http://www.washingtonpost.com/…

 (4) “Oil Money: John McCain’s Close Ties to the Petroleum Industry,” Campaign Money Watch, Public Campaign Action Fund, July 11, 2008; http://www.campaignmoney.org/m…

Budget

A Statement Vote is Coming

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The Assembly Republicans have been practically begging for a vote. They really, really want to show the Club for Growth that they love them and put their anti-tax pledge over what’s best for the people of California.  We get the point, you oppose services to the elderly, you oppose school funding, you oppose state parks, you oppose services to the mentally impaired, you oppose law enforcement funding, etc.  

Of course, they won’t admit the last one, but to what other conclusion does the Party of IncarcerexTM want us to come? They don’t support funding counties and municipalities, thus they don’t support local law enforcement. Ipso facto and all.

So, Speaker Bass and the Assembly Democrats have decided to give the Republicans their greatest wish: a vote.  They’ll get to vote it down, and they can once again bow at the feet of the Club for Growth:

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, said lawmakers plan to vote Sunday on a modified version of the Democratic conference committee plan, which relied on tax increases on the wealthy.

“It will be on a compromise version from the conference committee to where we are now, and reflect a variety of areas where we’ve compromised,” Bass said. “And it is critical that we take action before Monday because the Democrats have taken budget reform very seriously.”

For his part, Senate President Pro Tem Perata has said that the Senate is on-call for a vote on Sunday, but nothing definite has been scheduled.  As every day passes, it becomes more clear that the Republicans lack the faintest notion of how to address the budget crisis. Any vote just emphasizes that all they have to say is one simple word.

No.

UPDATE by Robert: There’s going to be a rally at the Capitol in Sacramento at 12:30 today to protest the concept of a spending cap. It’s being put on be the SEIU California Council, AARP, CA Alliance for Retired Americans, and many others who understand the catastrophic damage a spending cap would mean for our state, especially for health care. It’s a good way to start pushing back against the Republicans, but it’s overdue, and needs to be the beginning of a much bigger effort to educate the public about what the Republicans want to do to this state.

California

Tomorrow In the OC: Obama, McCain, Rick Warren

Southern California actually becomes the center of the Presidential universe tomorrow afternoon, as Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church hosts John McCain and Barack Obama at a forum.  The candidates will not answer questions at the same time (though both will briefly appear on stage together), but they will have an hour a piece to share their views.

It’s likely that both fans and critics will be watching closely when Warren plays host to the two presidential contenders at his church complex in Lake Forest, home to 22,000 weekend worshipers.

The presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees won’t debate during the Civil Forum on the Presidency. But they will make a brief joint appearance, their first of the campaign, and Warren will interview each separately about the Constitution, poverty, AIDS, human rights and other subjects.

“America has a choice. It’s not between a stud and a dud this year,” Warren said. “Both of these men care about America. My job is to let them share their views.”

Warren may represent the softer face of evangelicals, but he still holds beliefs that hew strongly to the family values conservatism you would expect.  In fact, he says that he would have trouble voting for an adulterer.  I wonder which of the two Presidential candidates he’s obliquely referring to?

WARREN: John Edwards and others like him (emphasis added) have lost the trust of America because they lied, and fundamentally beneath every affair it’s dishonesty, its deceit, its deception. They’re lying to God. They’re lying to themselves. They’re lying to their wives and they’re lying to the public. How do you trust someone who’s constantly lying? You can’t. That’s why it is a myth to say their personal life doesn’t matter. It does matter — all of leadership is built on credibility.

TAPPER: Would you have compunctions about voting for someone who had cheated on his wife?

WARREN: Absolutely I would. Absolutely I would. Because if you can’t keep your faith to your most sacred vow – “’til death do us part” — how in the world can I trust you to lead my family? My government? My nation?…Absolutely I would. I think people first need to ask forgiveness and then earn trust back over time. Can trust be re-earned? Absolutely but it takes time.

I got my credential request in a little too late, but I am going to head down to survey the scene and give some kind of report.

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Olympic Spirit

Cross posted from www.21stCenturyDems.org/blog.

We often use sporting analogies when talking about politics, and if you are like me, your heart quickens a little bit and swells with patriotic pride when that Olympic theme music plays.  Here’s my surprising connection to this year’s Olympics.

Mike Lumpkin’s field director, Jessica Hayes, opened her home to Olympic rowers who where training in San Diego.  As you’ll see from the picture, these world class athletes are big fans and supporters of Mike‘s campaign.

Olympians Wyatt Allen and Dan Walsh are members of the US Men’s 8 crew, Patrick Todd rows on the Lightweight Men’s 4 crew, and Rachel Jeffers is an alternate to the Olympic team and three-time senior national women’s team member.  This is Patrick’s second visit to the Olympics, and he is a six time national team member.  Wyatt Allen is the 2007 USRowing’s Male Athlete of the Year and a 7-time senior national team member.  His team set a world record in 2007 at the Olympics on their way to winning the gold medal.  You might catch Dan on a commercial as this first-time Olympian and 8-time senior national team member is a part of Home Depot’s Olympic Job Opportunity Program.  Watch on Sunday as Wyatt and Dan row in the finals!

Although Mike and Jessica will be cheering loudly for the rowing team, there is a local team that will be the key to the election in November.  The San Diego County Democratic Party has been working for 18 months to put together their Grassroots Organizing Team for this cycle.  Called the “GO Team” these dedicated Party members are working on the precinct level to engage voters and deliver the message that we need their votes for Democrats all the way down the ticket.  These local heroes will be the heart and soul of the get-out-the-vote effort.

Mike’s race is the local race that leads the ticket, and turning out voters for Mike will be the key to success in the competitive state legislative and local races in the county.  Countywide there are currently 700 GO Team members, and the Lumpkin campaign is reaching out to these leaders to recruit more precinct captains for targeted precincts in the 52nd Congressional District.

Should have gone right to sleep after my day of travel back from San Diego (two times through the special security screening and missed flight made for quite an exciting day), but I just couldn’t resist watching the Women’s All Around gymnastics competition last night.  You may be too young to remember Olga Korbett who was my idol in 1972, but I bet you smile a little when you think of Mary Lou Retton winning in 1984.  Well, last night’s gold and silver victories for the USA by Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson will be the tear-in-the-corner-of-the-eye memory for a new generation of young women.

About to head back to the airport to travel to Kansas City for our next training; hopefully my flights on Sunday will allow me a few minutes to watch some rowing.  Keep an eye out as these athletes go for the gold.  Mike Lumpkin shares their determination, work ethic and patriotism.  Let’s keep working to achieve victory for Mike and more importantly for the people of the 52nd CD.  

Environment

California Leading On Environment … Most Of Us Anyway

Dave Johnson, Speak Out California

Take a look at the California Climate Change Portal.


This website contains information on the impacts of climate change on California and the state’s policies relating to global warming. It is also the home for the the California Climate Change Center, a “virtual” research and information website operated by the California Energy Commission through its Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program.

California Attorney General Brown recently announced the state will sue to block a huge Nestle bottled-water plant unless its effects on global warming are evaluated.  Why bottled water?  A recent Huffington Post piece by Diane Frances, Bottled Water: The Height of Stupidity talks about the bottled-water scam,

Bottled water is a joke, one of the biggest consumer and taxpayer ripoffs ever. I applaud California’s Attorney General Jerry Brown who said recently that he will sue to block a proposed water-bottling operation in Northern California by Nestle.

. . . Not only do society and the environment pay an unfair price for this consumer hoax, but consumers are being hoodwinked. They are paying from 300 to 3,000 times more than the cost of tap water without any benefit.

. . . The water is usually not superior to “city” water or tap water, and is merely a big branding hoax by soda makers. In some cases, this “designer” water is drawn from tap water and labeled for suckers to buy as though it is a superior product.

. . . One expert estimated that the amount of petroleum — used to make the bottles, transport, refrigerate, collect and bury them — would fill one-third of each bottle.

These plastic bottles are creating landfill problems worldwide, and are washing up on beautiful beaches around the planet.

The state is also suing the Bush Environmental Lobbyist Protection Agency over its refusal to allow California to regular greenhouse gas emissions.

California will sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for “wantonly” ignoring its duty to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from ships, aircraft, and construction and agricultural equipment…

The lawsuit follows two similar ones this year by California in conjunction with other states on car and truck emissions and ozone pollution.

“Ships, aircraft and industrial equipment burn huge quantities of fossil fuel, causing greenhouse gas pollution, yet President (George W.) Bush stalls with one bureaucratic dodge after another,” said Brown…

The state’s legislature and courts are also leading in land use decisions.  California Court Rules Land-Use Decisions Must Address Global Warming,

…a California court has rejected a proposal to build a controversial luxury resort and golf course, because the project’s environmental study failed to analyze the project’s greenhouse gas emissions.

. . . “The court affirmed what the California legislature made clear: that global warming must be addressed in land-use decisions,”…

In 2007 California passed Senate Bill 97, which affirms the requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land-use decisions. In June 2008 California also provided technical guidance on how to properly calculate and reduce greenhouse gases. The California Environmental Quality Act requirements are in addition to the requirements of the California Global Warming Solutions Act and the governor’s June 2005 Executive Order, which aims to reduce emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Our labor unions are also supporting these efforts.  California Labor Unions Support Global Warming Solutions: Green Jobs Seen as Future,

In California, building and construction trades unions have long promoted energy efficiency measures like retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency for their promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions AND create high quality jobs.

. . . A recent op-ed published in the San Francisco Chronicle articulates California labor unions’ general principles when it comes to global warming legislation. In the op-ed, Art Pulaski, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation, and Ken Jacobs, Chair of the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education, call for the California Air Resources Board to pay more attention to the key role California’s workers will play in restructuring the state’s economy to reduce its carbon footprint, and the impact this change will have on them.

Even our buildings are going green:  California adopts nation’s first statewide green building code,

On July 17, the California Building Standards Commission announced the unanimous adoption of the nation’s first statewide “green” building code. The code is a direct result of the Governor’s direction to the Commission and will lead to improved energy efficiency and reduced water consumption in all new construction throughout the state, while also reducing the carbon footprint of every new structure in California.

“Once again California is leading the nation and the world in emissions reductions and finding new ways to expand our climate change efforts,” said Commission Chair Rosario Marin.

. . . These new statewide standards will result in significant improvements in water usage for both commercial and residential plumbing fixtures and target a 50 percent landscape water conservation reduction. They also push builders to reduce energy use of their structures by 15 percent more than today’s current standards. They also push builders to reduce energy use of their structures by 15 percent more than today’s current standards.

California remains a leader on protecting our environment.  Well … most of us, anyway.  But some of us just can’t get along…  

Last year: Legislative Republicans Flunk Environment 101, League of Conservation Voters Says in 2007 Environmental Scorecard,

In fact, while Assembly and Senate Democrats averaged a commendable 94% and 89% respectively, Assembly and Senate Republicans averaged an embarrassingly low 5% and 9% respectively.

From May:  Protecting Our Air and Atmosphere Against Republican Rollbacks in California,

Remember last year’s budget debacle?

California’s legislative Republicans held up the budget for more than a month as they tried to roll back environmental protections – and as everyday Californians rolled their eyes at the lack of leadership they showed.

Now, they’re at it again. They’ve already said they plan to postpone implementation of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act, roll back diesel pollution reductions and undermine the 8-hour work day.

From June: California Republicans Leveraging to Delay Emissions Caps,

A minority of Republican state legislators in California are trying to use their leverage in approving a past-due state budget to force a roll-back of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions caps, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

July: California Republican Party: Drilling Now Can Lower Oil Prices Today

Oh well.  If you want a clean environment for your kids, you know what you have to do.

Click through to Speak Out California

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The Calitics Target Book – The Drive For 2/3

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The California Target Book released its August “hot sheet” listing potential competitive seats throughout the state legislature.  Well, two can play at this game.  Here are the competitive seats as I see them and a little precis about them:

State Senate

1. SD-19.  Hannah-Beth Jackson (D) v. Tony Strickland (R).  Sadly, thanks to Don Perata’s bungling and undermining this is likely to be the only competitive race out of the 20 up for election in the state Senate.  The good news is that it would be an absolute sea change to replace Tom McClintock with a true progressive like Hannah-Beth Jackson.  With Ventura County’s registration flipping to Democrats over the past year, Ronald Reagan country is no longer solidly red.  Hannah-Beth has been actively courting voters at community events (there’s a BBQ in honor of the “Gap” firefighters on Sunday) and she’s wrapped up lots of endorsements.  With this being the only competitive race, expect it to be costly, as both sides throw millions into capturing the seat.  A win here would put us one seat away from a 2/3 majority in the Senate.

Assembly on the flip…

State Assembly

1. AD-80.  Manuel Perez (D) v. Gary Jeandron (R).  Perez appears to have the right profile for this plurality-Democratic seat currently held by the termed-out Bonnie Garcia.  The most recent poll showed him with a double-digit lead, and he’s consolidating his support by earning the endorsements of the local Stonewall Democratic Club and his primary rival Greg Pettis.  This race is looking strong, and hopefully the raising of performance among Hispanic voters will aid Julie Bornstein in her CA-45 race against Mary Bono.

2. AD-78.  Marty Block (D) vs. John McCann (R).  Block, a Board of Trustees member at San Diego Community College and former dean at San Diego State University, also has a favorable registration advantage in his race against Chula Vista Councilmember John McCann.  This should be a case of party ID sweeping in a lawmaker in a progressive wave thanks to increased turnout for the Presidential election.  Block needs to do his part, of course, in making the case that the 2/3 majority is vital for responsible governance.

3. AD-15.  Joan Buchanan (D) v. Abram Wilson (R).  After a bruising primary, San Ramon Mayor Wilson has barely survived to defend the seat held by Guy Houston against San Ramon Valley school board member Buchanan, who did not have a competitive primary.  She has outraised Wilson by almost 2 to 1 so far in the race and the registration numbers are about even.  I think we have a real chance here.

4. AD-30.  Fran Florez (D) v. Danny Gilmore (R).  This is currently a Democratic seat held by Yacht Dog Nicole Parra, who has practically endorsed the Republican Gilmore for the seat.  That’s unhelpful, but in a Democratic year Gilmore has an uphill climb.  The California Faculty Association has targeted Gilmore in their ads that campaign on the budget, and voters in the Central Valley are fleeing the GOP in droves.  Gilmore has a shot, but I think Florez is in a comfortable position.

5. AD-10.  Alyson Huber (D) vs. Jack Sieglock (R).  Huber, about to hold her campaign kick-off this weekend, is in a district that is rapidly changing.  Registration has shifted over 3% in just two years.  This is a race in the Sacramento area that Randy Bayne covers intently, and he’s fairly high on Huber.  Jack Sieglock is your basic Republican rubber stamp that puts “conservative Republican” in his title, and I’m not certain the district is still organized that way.  This race is also seeing ads from the California Faculty Association.

6: AD-26.  John Eisenhut (D) v. William Berryhill (R).  This is Greg Aghazarian’s old seat, also in northern California in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.  Stanislaus recently flipped to Democrats, and Eisenhut, a local almond farmer, fits the profile of the district pretty well.  Berryhill, whose brother Tom is in the Assembly, is also a farmer, and is banking on the Berryhill name ID to win.  There’s a good synopsis of the race here.  Democrats actually have the registration edge in this district.

7. AD-36.  Linda Jones (D) v. Steve Knight (R). Linda is a teacher, school board member and former vocational nurse.  This is an outside shot, but I’m told that the Palmdale-area seat is turning around and may accept a Democrat this time around.

8. AD-59. Donald Williamson (D) v. Anthony Adams (R).  Adams is actually an incumbent, making this a more difficult battle.  But Bill Postmus’ explosion in San Bernardino county has soured the reputation of Republicans in the district, and Williamson, the San Bernardino County assessor, has a decent profile in the district.  This is certainly on the far outside edge of being competitive.

9. AD-37. Ferial Masry (D) v. Audra Strickland (R).  This is another Republican incumbent, and it’s in the same relative district as SD-19 – in fact, the Republicans in both races are Stricklands.  So maybe there will be a residual effect to Hannah-Beth Jackson’s efforts.  Masry, an Arab-American, has been getting good press in the district and definitely has an outside chance.

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Fighting Back on Heat Deaths: Farm Workers going to Sacramento

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I have been writing about the heat deaths of the farm workers in California since May.  (After the fold are links for diaries for background.)  

Six have died since May.  The latest one was Maria de Jesus Alvarez, 63, mother of nine, who died early this month.  The first one to die was 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, who died in May.  Marie was about one month pregnant when she died, and likely did not ever know she was pregnant.  The state fined the labor contractor $262,700 for failing to follow heat illness prevention regulations at the time Jimenez was stricken, but that won’t bring her back.  And the deaths have continued at an accelarated pace since then.

You can help to end this tragedy!

This Monday, August 18, more than 800 farm workers from throughout California want to go to Sacramento.

They want the chance to tell the governor and their elected officials to support AB 2386, “Secret Ballot Elections for Farmworkers,” which has moved out of the assembly and which will be voted on that afternoon in the state senate.

After the fold, I’ll tell you how you can help the farmworkers help themselves.

(also on docudharma and a version will be on Daily Kos tomorrow)

I have been writing for months on the deaths of farm workers in California from the heat. Six farm workers deaths are being or have been investigated because of heat-related causes since May.

This brings to 15 the number of farm workers whose death have been investigated as heat-related since Governor Schwarzenegger took office.

You can learn more details of this continuing tragedy in these diaries:

Sixth Farm Worker Dies from the Heat this Summer in California.  A Call for Action.

Another Farm Worker dies. Does anyone give a damn?  The Netroots Do.

United Farm Workers Calls for Manslaughter Charges Against Company in Death of 17 Year Old  

How many Farmworkers must die before someone cares??

Please Tell Fallen Farm Worker’s Family We Care

“How much is the life of a farm worker worth? Is it less than the life of any other human being?”

As UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez said at the funeral of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez:

How much is the life of a farm worker worth? Is it less than the life of any other human being?

The state has fined the labor contractor for whom Maria Isabel worked:

Atwater-based Merced Farm Labor, the contractor investigated in the death of Lodi teen Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez last spring, was fined $262,700 by the state [in July] for failure to follow heat illness prevention regulations at the time Jimenez was stricken.

Jimenez, a 17-year-old pregnant farm laborer, collapsed May 14 in a Farmington vineyard operated by West Coast Grape Farming and died two days later. Her death from heatstroke was ruled an occupational death by the San Joaquin County coroner.

State fines labor firm over death

Since then, five more farm workers have died from what appears to be heat-related causes.  

August 2, 2008: Maria de Jesus Alvarez.

July 31, 2008: Jorge Herrera.

July 9, 2008 Ramiro Carrillo Rodriguez.

July 9, 2008 Abdon Felix Garcia.  

June 20, 2008 Jose Macrena Hernandez.  

These deaths make it clear the state does not have the capacity to protect farm workers.  With all the budget cuts and other issues in California now, the state, even if well intentioned, simply has not been able to protect these workers.  So they must protect themselves.

We can make a difference and it will not take much.  

The vital legislation that Nunez has introduced–and the workers want to go to Sacramento and lobby for–protects farm workers’ right to a secret ballot election and will make it easier for farm workers to organize and enforce the laws that the state cannot enforce.

Please TAKE ACTION TODAY and ask California legislatures to support this vital bill. .

If you can’t attend please make a donation to help the United Farm Workers rent 14 buses, additional vans, plus pay for food and other supplies which will cost in excess of $31,770 for the day.

There is nothing more powerful than hearing a farm worker story face-to-face, especially to lawmakers.

Doroteo Jimenez, grape worker and uncle of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez who died in May explains why she must go to Sacremento.

I want to go to Sacramento and speak to the legislators.

My niece Maria Isabel died because growers treat us like tools instead of like people.  I spoke up and I was unjustly fired.  This needs to change now.  I don’t want to see other families suffer like our family has.  This bill can change farm workers’ lives for the better.

Please help us.

Margarita Hernandez, grape worker knows that that there must be changes in the workplace:

The reason for me to go to Sacramento is because I want changes in the working conditions at my job and the other companies. In the place where I work, Sun Pacific, we don’t have shade and the drinking water is without ice until 9 am-though they know that by that hour it is already hot. There have been people have felt sick from the heat and the company people always ask if they feel bad because of something they ate…I feel there is no respect for the farm worker, even though many farm workers have died. The companies don’t change their treatment towards the farm workers. That is why I am going to Sacramento. I have the hope that one day, we will be treated better.

Just to rent the buses and vans needed, will cost $26,570 and that does not cover the food and other supplies needed.

The UNF hopes that internet supporters would contribute $5,510 towards this expense.  This will cover the transportation costs of 140 workers at $39.36 per worker.   Let’s show them that Daily Kos can do it and more!

Can you make sure Doroteo, Margarita and others get seats on the bus?  

Where farm workers are protected by union contracts, the laws are honored.

And when growers know it is easier for farm workers to organize and bring in the union, employers are much more careful about obeying the law because they don’t want to give the union an advantage.

So the answer, sisters and brothers, is self-help-making it easier for farm workers to organize so the laws on the books are the laws in the fields. Then more important human beings like Maria Isabel won’t have to die.

Remarks by Arturo S. Rodriguez, President, United Farm Workers of America, Honoring Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, June 4, 2008

Please help.

Please TAKE ACTION TODAY and ask California legislatures to support this vital bill. .

If you can’t attend please make a donation to help the United Farm Workers rent 14 buses, additional vans, plus pay for food and other supplies which will cost in excess of $31,770 for the day.

Yesterday we mourned,

Today we act,

Tomorrow we will gain justice.

Si, Se Puede!