First Day Of The New Quarter... A Good Day To Stand Up And Fight Back

How many e-mails did you get last week reminding you that midnight (last night) was the end of the (manufactured, Inside-the-Beltway) quarter? I probably get more than most people. But I stopped counting at 100... and that was by Wednesday! Guess what today is! Yes, the first day of the new quarter. I always prefer to give on the first day rather than the last day. Take a look at Nick Ruiz's campaign video above. I'm betting he made it for no money. It's not going to be on TV-- just online. Can you post it where your friends can see it? Nick's a great candidate-- a true believer in the American Dream and a gutsy fighter who, if he ever gets into Congress, is going to be some pain-in-the-neck to any party leaders who aren't pushing an agenda that serves the interests of working families. And he's running against Tea Party crackpot {{Sandy Adams}}.

I was on the phone yesterday with a Democratic congressman who serves with Adams on the Science Committee. He told me basically the same thing everyone in Washington says about her: "She's as dumb as a post but real mean I never see her smile." He also told me her big contribution to the Science Committee this year was to propose that they abolish the National Weather Service and leave it to TV. Even her Republican colleagues-- other than Paul Broun-- were embarrassed for her. "Where does that moron think the TV stations get their information," whispered an exasperated Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) to a giggling Judy Biggert (R-IL). A confused looking Ben Quayle (R-AZ) said, "I give up; where?" There are 23 Republicans and 17 Democrats on the Science Committee. But Sandy Adams' harebrained proposal didn't go any further.

If central Florida voters decide to replace her with Nick Ruiz... well, watch the video up top... it's what he's all about and why he's running for office. Blue America hit-- surpassed-- our modest $5,000 total for him this quarter. We'd like to bring that up to $10,000 by the end of next quarter. Can you spare a quarter? We had 424 donors put in $5,148 for Nick's campaign. That's an average of $12.14. Small amounts can go a long way.

Another Blue America candidate-- every bit as much a fighter for progressive values as Nick-- didn't reach the $5,000 goal we were hoping for. New Mexico state Senator Eric Griego got to $4,026. I promise to try to work harder and help him raise more money in this new quarter. But I'm not down about it. In fact, yesterday I was buoyed when I saw what another New Mexico legislator said about him. Here's Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas in an e-mail he called "Warrior":

Republicans in Washington are working hard, fighting to maintain the interests of the rich and big corporations. Now more than ever, we need a progressive warrior on our side to fight for the middle class and working families of New Mexico. That is why I have decided to endorse Eric Griego for United States Congress. Eric will fight to build the economy, create jobs for New Mexicans and protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid from any cuts.
 
I have worked closely with Eric in the state legislature where we serve together and can tell you this: There is no one who has fought more passionately for our progressive values. From fighting to create jobs to promoting clean and healthy environment and holding polluters accountable, Eric has proven time and time again that he has the backbone to stand up to special interests to fight for us. Not only when it’s easy, but even when it’s hard.
 
Eric’s campaign is picking up a lot of momentum. This week, he also picked up endorsements from Congressman Raúl Grijalva, the Co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, MoveOn.org and Conservation Voters New Mexico. I’m proud to join their ranks because Eric is the progressive warrior we need in Washington to fight for New Mexican families.

Like Nick Ruiz, Eric Griego is well aware that the American Dream is under assault from the political right. "We’re at a crossroads," he warns. "The Tea Party Republicans and their big Wall Street and corporate sponsors say that we should live by the law of the jungle, that it's every man for himself.  That it’s okay to let only those who are rich or have political connections decide what’s best for us and our country. That the American Dream of each generation doing better than the one before it is dead.

"We believe in a different vision for America. We believe in a country of equal opportunity, where each person can have the chance to succeed if they work hard.  We believe that America is a community in which we pay forward to the next generation by investing in education, healthcare and public services, so that businesses can create jobs and hire productive workers. A society in which those who have worked hard to build America deserve to retire with dignity through social compacts such as Social Security and Medicare."
Eric could well be speaking for all the Blue America candidates. It's the first day of the new quarter-- a good day to understand what Republicans never forget. The class war is serious. And the forces of fascism aren't fooling around. Make yourself feel good and do something for our kids' futures. We reached our goal for Nick Ruiz because enough people gave $12.14.