America's Cabinet-- No Trumpists Need Apply

For those who despair about the future of the Democratic Party when they look at the dysfunction and failure in Congress and the geriatric leadership from a calcified self-serving seniority system that elevates the worst elements of politics-- money and corruptibility over ideas and dynamism-- it's worth looking at a branch of People For The American Way, Young Elected Officials. Last month the group of elected officials under the age of 35 introduced "America's Cabinet," a group of young elected officials that will hold the Trump Administration’s cabinet accountable. They were introduced to the American public at the National Press Club where they offered a positive vision of what our country could be with effective leadership and fresh, innovative solutions to everyday problems.

On the day Señor Trumpanzee read his regime's State of the Union speech, most of the media attention had been focused on the outrage of the day and very little focused on how to actually move our country forward in ways that dramatically-- and positively-- affect people’s lives. PFAW announced that "America’s Cabinet is going beyond simply voicing opposition to the harmful policies coming out of Washington today. They are instead presenting specific reforms and policies that will make this nation one that works for all Americans. Since our launch, cabinet members have held local State of the Union watch parties and have been actively monitoring and responding to policy coming out of the current administration."

So what are the policies America's Cabinet is getting behind? The first one they list is "health security," would "guarantee for all Americans affordable, quality health coverage so they can lead long, enjoyable and productive lives by expanding public health plan options."

Already, 42% of children and 94% of seniors have government coverage. Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the VA’s health care system are all highly rated by the tens of millions of Americans who use them. At the same time, there is a dissatisfaction with private insurers and a desire for more simplicity, security, and affordability.

We should guarantee that every American can participate in Medicare and Medicaid. Currently, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans are private plans delivering services within a government framework. Private plans could also be given access to Medicare provider payment rates at significantly lower costs. Additionally, if we then allow Medicare to negotiate for drug prices the way the VHA does, its massive procurement power could result in paying 80 percent less for brand name drugs, saving as much as $16 billion annually-- and that’s only using the clout of the program’s 57 million beneficiaries it has today. This would also be a shot in the arm for entrepreneurs and small businesses, who provide health-related benefits for their employees.

If we’re not strong, physically and mentally, no other policy idea will matter as we won’t be able to enjoy the benefits. Hospitals and doctors must be accessible, just as we must have the capacity to find cures to diseases and solve other health challenges. Each of us deserves this basic guarantee and our country can’t afford to do otherwise.

We are ready for this. More than 70 percent of Americans somewhat or strongly favor allowing 55- to 64-year-olds to buy into Medicare if they have no other coverage. And, among Republicans, opposition to government health care has dropped nine percentage points since 2013, from 75 percent to 66 percent.

Number one sounds good, right? Here are their 9 other agenda items:

• 2. Combat sexual harassment and discrimination
Adopt an all hands-on-deck approach across the federal government, ensuring that our government is a safe and fair place for women to work.

• 3. Manufacturing Moonshot
Help grow small/medium size companies by committing to secure the supply chain here at home for all our defense and adjacent industry needs.

• 4. Ownership America
Create a path toward home ownership and affordable housing for residents of public housing by partnering with building trades unions to provide quality employment opportunities paired with home loan access.

• 5. Green Schools for All
Develop a national green schools infrastructure program to build and renovate green schools across the country, feed our students through farm-to-school programs, and create quality local employment opportunities for parents.

• 6. Employee Voice
Pilot a program that requires companies to include front line employee voices on their board if the company seeks to do business with the government or benefits from public subsidies.

• 7. Corrections transition
We will reinvent the criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation rather than retribution by improving prison conditions and investing in professional development to meet the expectations of modern day corrections officers.

• 8. World Class Infrastructure
By investing in rebuilding our decaying infrastructure and hiring the best trained skilled trades workers to do it alongside a new generation of service recruits, we can get America back on track.

• 9. Family Re-investment
Promote Universal Family Care to support families with child and eldercare needs and professionalize the care industry so that our loved ones receive quality care.

• 10. Middle Out Economics
We must reinvent our antiquated labor law system to reflect the changing nature of work, support our democratic values, and promote the freedom of individuals to associate as they choose.

There are 19 officials from 13 states in the cabinet. It sure sounds a lot better than the Trumpanzee cabinet!

“As a nation built by immigrants, we must adhere to immigration policies and tactics for immigration control that recognize the strengths that these individuals bring to our nation,” said Minnesota State Representative Ilhan Omar (Secretary of Homeland Security), who was selected as the Secretary of Homeland Security for America’s Cabinet. “Tearing families apart at our border, holding them in overcrowded detention centers without basic human necessities, and preventing people from entire countries from entering the United States makes our country less safe, not more. I want to use America’s Cabinet as a platform to raise the dialogue around these current dangerous and unconstitutional policies that do not reflect the values of our nation and are un-American.”

“Now more than ever, the American people need new, bold leadership,” said Baltimore City Councilman Brandon Scott (Secretary of Housing and Urban Development), who was selected as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. “We need leaders with vision who are working to strengthen families and communities in our urban centers, lifting millions out of poverty by empowering and investing in them to rebuild every aspect of their community. As Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for America’s Cabinet, I look forward to meeting the American people to listen to their needs and to discuss new bold policy ideas that will improve the lives of all Americans.”

“We must articulate an alternative vision for America to implement policies that correct historic injustices, uphold our democratic rights and expand opportunity for all people.” Said Jane Kim (Attorney General), who is a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

“In today’s political climate, it’s so important for young progressive leaders to step up and demand that our country live up to the promise of opportunity and fairness for all,” said Colorado State Senator Dominick Moreno (Secretary of Health and Human Services), who was selected as the Secretary of Health and Human Services for America’s Cabinet. “For that reason, America’s Cabinet seeks to move beyond the politics of opposition and derision by offering bold policy proposals in order to create a government that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.”

“America is ready for a new generation of leadership, and America's Cabinet is showcasing how young leaders are making a difference across the country right now,” said Michigan State Representative Jon Hoadley (Secretary of Treasury), who was selected as the Secretary of the Treasury for America’s Cabinet. “Starting today-- on day one-- America’s Cabinet is offering real policy solutions to challenges faced by Americans every day, both those we’ve faced for generations and those newly created by the Trump administration.”

"This challenging political era demands dedicated leadership focused on real solutions and real people,” said Wisconsin State Representative David Bowen (Secretary of Labor), who was selected as the Secretary of Labor for America’s Cabinet. “If no one else will, America's Cabinet will meet that demand for the American people. I count it an honor being a part of this group of young elected leaders willing to push against the status quo for the sake of our communities, who deserve more."

These are the cabinet members:

Bright Spot In The Electoral Landscape: The YEO Network

Newly elected Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum with Dolores Huerta and Michael Keegan

Every few days since the Democrats' election day Dunkirk, Steve Israel, the disaster's chief pilot, has put out another excuse for why it was a really glorious year for Democrats and why he's a hero. No one takes it seriously-- well, no one but the sclerotic Democratic House leadership, who would be condemning itself by condemning Israel's gross incompetence and grotesque corruption. The latest was how the average number of seats lost in the sixth year of a presidential term is "x" and he only lost "y." Maybe Pelosi can give him another career boost.

The one service Israel did perform-- inadvertently-- was in helping rid the Democratic conference of a slew of useless Blue Dogs and New Dems from the Republican wing of the Democratic Party. For the most part, House progressives did alright. Completely apart from what Steve Israel and his decrepit and dysfunctional DCCC and the DC Establishment Democrats did, the Young Elected Officials Network of People For the American Way fought the headwinds and came out pretty well. The organization's leader, Andrew Gillum, was elected mayor of Tallahassee-- in a landslide. In a 3-way race, Andrew won a low-dough, grassroots campaign with an impressive 75.68% of the vote. And, unlike Israel's dreadful collection of candidates, he didn't run from Democratic values or try to confuse voters with Republican-lite talking points. He focused on restorative justice issues, such as providing support for people with criminal records to find jobs to provide for their families; early childhood education issues, such as expanding and improving access to quality k-5 education services; and social justice issues, such as developing a blueprint of the most economically and socially challenged areas of the city to develop comprehensive strategies for improvement as well as seeking a Promise Neighborhood designation from the federal government. The voters knew exactly what they were getting and elected him overwhelmingly.

And Gillum's landslide in Florida was far from the only accomplishment the YEO Network had in 2014 cycle. In a year when young people faced unparalleled challenges from anti-democracy conservatives at the ballot box and an ongoing cynicism about their participation, young people increased their share of the electorate-- and won elections in increasing numbers. The YEO Network had an 86% win rate, a clear victory for their new model of leadership.

Unlike the DC careerist politicians, they are very clear about the importance of investing heavily in local leadership. "We learned again this cycle," said Gillum, "how critical state and local leadership is, now more than ever. In this election we saw paid sick days and minimum wage increases pass in both red and blue states, and groundbreaking criminal justice reforms succeed at the local level. Our YEOs are both pragmatic and unapologetically progressive; they use innovation and common sense to make real change in their communities. In 2015 we will be celebrating 10 years of the YEO Network, and we couldn’t be more proud of all they have accomplished."

They helped celebrate the first two YEO elected to statewide office-- Timothy Keller, New Mexico's new State Auditor, and state Senator Michael Frerichs, Illinois' new State Treasurer.

Colorado was one of the states where the YEO Network did especially well this cycle. The Network's state director, Faith Winter, Mayor Pro-Tem of Westminster, Program Director for Colorado Conservation Voters, and executive director of Emerge Colorado, was elected to the state House. And Chrisanta Duran, the youngest Latina ever elected to the Colorado state Legislature, was just elected House Majority Leader in the Colorado State House of Representatives. Wisely, the Washington Post named her to it's list of 40 Leaders Under 40 to watch.

Danielle Adams Withdrawing From Her North Carolina Congressional Race, But...

Durham County Soil & Water District Supervisor Danielle Adams, a young and promising YEO from North Carolina has decided to withdraw her candidacy for Congress. This is bad news for progressives because it leaves the Democratic nomination open to some hack garden variety Democrat with no chance of winning the seat. However, it might not be bad news for North Carolina because the reason Danielle withdrew was so she could contest a suddenly opened state House seat.

"Nothing about the choice has been easy," she told me yesterday. "The recent government shutdown illuminated to me that the kind of politics one has to play at the Congressional level isn't conducive to my personality... rather I'm not quite suited for what is required of a candidate. I don't want to be that kind of candidate or elected official-- I'm an issues person. Someone who cares about doing what's right and protecting my constituents." This is the questionnaire she filed out for the Democratic Party appointment to the House District 50 seat:

1) What are the three most important issues facing NC House District 50? If appointed, how will you address those issues?

The top three issues facing the district are environmental quality, rural economic development, and land preservation.

House 50, by census standards, is a rural district that is blessed with incredible beauty and abundant natural resources. With increased urbanization and a dismantling of environmental regulations by the Republican majorities, it is more important than ever to have an environmental champion serving this district. In the legislature I would work to ensure that we work to protect our natural resources through reasonable regulation while listening to experts on air, water, forestry, and soil quality in the district.

Rural economic development is a huge issue for the district. In the General Assembly I would ensure that local officials were supported in being able to create the transportation and water and sewer infrastructure needed to attract businesses to the community without overstepping or preempting the authority of county and municipal governments.

Farmland preservation is another critical issue facing House 50. According to 2011 Ag Statistics, Durham County has 242 farms encompassing 26,150 acres-- much of which lies in the district and Orange County boasts 604 active farms covering 60,057 acres of lush land. These operations had cash receipts of $9,207,598 and $27,448,205 which clearly indicate how vital it is to ensure that landowners are capable of keeping their land without feeling the need to sell to developers. I would work to ensure the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund has a reoccurring budget that is adequate to compensate landowners for giving up their development rights.

2) Have you ever run for elective office? If yes, what office(s) did you seek and how did you place (first, second, etc), and what percent of the total vote did you earn?

I ran for office in both 2008 and 2012. On both occasions I ran for the Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors and came in first place both times in a field of three. In 2012 I performed very well in the precincts making up the NC House 50 District and outperformed the Republican Party challenger who out raised me 6 to 1 during the election.

Comparatively, even with the voter drop­off to my down ballot race, I was able to receive more votes than Senator Foushee in the precincts that are wholly included in the House district. In 2008 I received a total of 42,059 votes or 45.61% of the votes and in 2012 I received 80,043 votes or 72.09% of the vote.

3) How will you promote economic development while protecting our watersheds?

House 50 is home of some of the world’s top pharmaceutical, R&D, defense, and technology companies and to some of the most beautiful working agricultural land in our region. It is important for the district to continue to strike a balance between rural economic development and conscientious natural resource conservation and preservation.

Capitalizing on the top notch institutions of higher education in Orange and Durham counties as well as the world class research being conducted in RTP ­ in the General Assembly I will work to continue to make North Carolina a great place to do business and to live. This would involve reevaluating our corporate tax structure to make sure that the tax breaks given to businesses that relocate to North Carolina really are investing and contributing to our communities while ensuring that we are able to attract businesses to the area with the availability of tax-­advantaged corporate parks in our rural corridors.

Because House 50 is encompasses the Upper Eno River Basin and is a key portion of the Upper Neuse River Basin I would continue to push for investments in Farmland Preservation-- as well as protections for our critical watershed areas. Due to my background as an elected official, for me, this means budget investments in Soil and Water Conservation, DENR, and the Department of Agriculture. These investments would help grow our district’s various agribusinesses (e.g. forestry, equine, aquaculture, and dairy) while providing funding for best management practices cost share, watershed monitoring, and wetland and watershed protections.

4) What is your record as a public official or what other experience demonstrates your ability to be effective in the NC House of Representatives? (This might include career or community service; be specific about its relevance to this office.)

I currently represent twelve counties from Area IV on the legislative committee of the NC Soil and Water association for soil and water districts and serve as secretary of the Durham district. I am the immediate past secretary of the state association. I also serve as an ex­-officio member of the Upper Neuse River Basin Association representing six Soil and Water Districts.

I am an ambassador to Oxfam America's Sisters on the Planet advocacy program where I've lobbied on Capitol Hill for funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as for other policies that impact global hunger issues like rising food prices, and sustainable agriculture in drought­-stricken communities. I’ve also lobbied on the Hill on behalf of the National Cattleman's Beef Association and the National Grange for rural broadband access.

I am a member of the Young Elected Officials Network (a sub­organization of the People for the American Way) and serve on the "Ensuring a Sustainable Future" policy council where we develop annual progressive policy focuses for the 700+ past and present members. I also serve as State Director for the network and recruit, mentor, and assist progressive young candidates and elected officials in NC.

I served as the Alternative Transportation project manager for Appalachian State University where I proudly introduced ride-sharing, car sharing, and revamped our entire transportation program while facilitating cooperation between ASU and the Boone Town Council.

I received Spectacular Magazine's Emerging Leader Woman of the Year and NCASWCD's Outstanding Supervisor of the Year awards.

5) Have you ever owned a business or managed people? Please explain your experience.

I have not ever owned a business, however, I do not view this as a disadvantage. Outside of management experiences from an elected capacity, my experiences have been within academic or political forms. In 2002 I won my first election for office while an undergraduate at Shenandoah University where I served as both the freshman class and sophomore class vice presidents. I began managing various campaigns for myself and others over the past 10+ years.

In my tenure as an elected official in Durham I have had the opportunity to be supported by an outstanding department of Soil and Water staff, that is very responsive and works hard to comply with the wishes of our board, and I have served on numerous local, state, and national boards-- where these positions of leadership have required management communication with staff.

I was recently elected as a co­-chair of the Young Elected Officials Network Black Caucus, where I assist in the organization of policy positions and actions by our members. One current project is working with our colleagues in Florida and nationwide to help repeal “Stand Your Ground” laws. As State Director for the network, I work with other progressive young elected officials by ensuring that information is disseminated, that they are connected with nationwide partners, and working with staff to ensure that candidates and officials get the support they need.

These leadership and managerial experiences serve as examples of my energy, enthusiasm, and fearlessness in service.

6) Currently, Republicans have a majority in the House, Senate, and Executive Office. What is your strategic plan for securing bipartisan support?

The Division of Soil and Water is currently under the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a department headed by Republican Commissioner Steve Troxler. Since being elected in 2008, I have been surrounded by numerous conservative voices in the world of Soil and Water Conservation. I have grown to understand what is necessary to compromise and work with less progressive voices. As a result, I have matured into becoming a pragmatic progressive capable of reaching across the aisle to move forward policies that are in the best interest of the community.

I believe this history makes me uniquely qualified to fill the vacancy over other candidates. In Durham and Orange counties it is easy to get comfortable in our Democratic and progressive safe havens but in my position, I have had to continually work with Republicans to advocate for legislation that is important to Soil and Water Districts.

I currently serve as one of eight supervisors (out of 496) on the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ Legislative Committee. In this capacity I have seen that the Republicans not only have majorities in the House, Senate, and Executive-- that hold majorities in the eyes of our rural, agricultural communities. I’ve had almost five years of experience working hand in hand with conservatives and strategically, I strongly believe that it is possible to bring House 50 what it needs because I know how to speak to the shared values we all have so that we can move forward.

7) Do you plan to run in the 2014 primary? If so, please explain how you plan to be re­elected. Do you have support to win the primary and general election?

Absolutely. If given the opportunity to serve I would not wait idly by until the legislature convenes in May. I believe that the two most important questions a public servant can ask their constituents are “What do you need?” and “How can I help?” If appointed to fill the vacancy I would immediately set out to hold town hall meetings and speak to residents find out what they need and how I can help.

As a Supervisor I’ve learned that the best way to serve my community and gain their support, is to get to know the people in it and to take care of them. A strategy I believe proved successful in the almost doubling of my 2012 vote totals (a lower turnout election) over 2008.

I am confident I would have support to win in both the primary and general elections as I have a strong base and strong community ties in Durham, and strong relationships and support in Orange County as well. These relationship have been forged over years of participation in the former 4th Congressional District and in my work with Soil and Water, working with Orange and Durham County districts while serving on the Upper Neuse River Basin Association.

An advantage that I possess is that I have a built in campaign team from my previous elections and my 6th Congressional District exploratory committee that is ready and waiting for the green light to win this seat and keep it blue.

8) This position comes with little pay; however, it requires a lot of time. How will you manage employment and time commitments as a NC House representative?

The reality of the current economic climate is that many recipients of higher education and many highly skilled workers are unemployed or underemployed. I fall into the group of the latter. Although not ideal, being underemployed has not only increased my resolve to defend students, workers, and families it has provided me the time to dedicate to my constituents in my current elected position.

I fervently believe that our General Assembly should transition to becoming a professional body so that our Representatives are wholly committed to the people they serve in.

9) What bills are you yearning to introduce?

I would love to usher North Carolina into a new progressive era by introducing a variety of new bills:

●  Paid sick leave

●  A Corporate Responsibility Act that would prohibit the state from awarding 
contracts over a certain financial threshold amount to businesses or individuals that contribute to candidates, political parties, or sitting office holders

●  Campaign Finance Reform that limits special interests and provides for public financing of statewide races.

●  Deceptive Practices Provision that would create stronger penalties for individuals and organizations that intentionally communicate materially false information about the time, place, manner, qualifications, or restrictions on voter eligibility with regard to elections in North Carolina.

●  Success in Higher Education Act that would create collaboration between public four­year institutions and community colleges that would award students who transfer into four year institutions the opportunity to receive an Associate’s degree upon completion of 60 credit hours of coursework if they meet the requirements of an available Associate’s degree program.

●  Financial Literacy Education Act that would require personal financial literacy to be incorporated into existing Math curriculum in public secondary schools.

●  Right to Rent Act allowing low to moderate value homeowners facing foreclosure to remain in their homes as renters at the fair market value of their home which can often be less than what their current mortgage values are.

●  Domestic and Migrant Workers Bill of Rights/Protections.

●  Universal health care/single­payer system.


10) What are your positions on the laws concerning voter suppression, reduced access to abortion services, the refusal to expand Medicaid, and charter school expansion?


I believe that every eligible voter has a right to participate in fair elections and that any measures put in place to suppress voters in that process are unjust and deplorable. Public officials should do all that we can to increase voter participation and ensure easier access to the ballot box.


I believe that the reduced access to abortion services and the intrusion of our government into the discussions of a woman’s health between her and her doctor are affronts on the millions of women across our state. The reproductive health choices made by women are deeply personal and done so thoughtfully, I am fundamentally opposed to limiting access to a clean and safe abortion. Women in all economic classes should have access to the same care.


I believe it was cruel, immoral, and unjust to deny Medicaid expansion. I stand by the need of the coverage and always support the accessibility, affordability, and availability of care to all North Carolinians.


I am the product of the Durham Public School system and I am proud of the fact that my high school, Durham School of the Arts, was ranked 1st in North Carolina for Best High School by US News and World Report. I believe it is necessary to provide parents with educational options for their children but I do not believe that diverting taxpayer dollars to expand the Charter School system instead of investing in per pupil spending, raising teacher pay, and investing in Teaching Fellows-- is sound legislative policy.

She also told me that she would like to contribute the $939 Blue America had raised for her back to the PAC. "I would like to take all of the money donated to my campaign through Blue America donors and donate it to the general Blue America campaign fund. The money should go towards progressive candidates that have a real shot at winning." I'm pretty sure this isn't the last time we'll be hearing from Danielle Adams.

People For The American Way Endorses Carl Sciortino For Ed Markey's Old House Seat In Massachusetts

There are a number of garden variety Democrats-- and worse-- running for Ed Markey's old House seat (MA-05), but there is only one strong progressive in the race: state Rep. Carl Sciortino, who was endorsed by Blue America last February. We endorsed Carl so early not just because of his great voting record and not even just because of his great record of progressive leadership in the Massachusetts legislature. John, Digby and I had first met Carl several years ago at a People For the American Way Young Elected Officials conclave. Even among a group like that, filled with young leaders from all over the country, Carl stood out as someone who could accomplish a lot of good. We were stoked when he decided to run and could hardly wait to help raise campaign contributions for him.

And we were very gratified this week when People for the American Way itself endorsed Carl. Their reasoning was impeccable:

People For the American Way Voters Alliance PAC today endorsed Carl Sciortino for Congress, praising his strong record of progressive leadership. Rep. Sciortino, currently a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, is running to represent Massachusetts’ fifth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat was recently vacated by Ed Markey on his election to the U.S. Senate.

Since his election in 2004, Carl has fought tirelessly for progressive causes. A founding member of the Massachusetts House Progressive Caucus, he has pushed for closing corporate tax loopholes, advocated for better access to transportation and healthcare, stood up for workers’ rights, and been a staunch defender of LGBT rights. The 2012 Transgender Equal Rights Bill, which Carl co-authored, provided legal protection against discrimination for transgender individuals in Massachusetts.

Before his election to the state legislature, he served as Massachusetts state director of the affiliated People For the American Way Foundation's Young Elected Officials Network.

“Carl is a strong leader, a committed public servant, and a true progressive,” said People For the American Way Voters Alliance PAC political director Randy Borntrager. “He knows that being a progressive means standing up for Americans from all walks of life; it means fighting for a woman’s right to choose, for better transportation access, for workers’ rights. And he has done all of this in Massachusetts. He has also been a real champion for LGBT rights, achieving a number of significant victories for LGBT people, including the Transgender Equal Rights Bill.

“There’s no question that Carl would defend these principles just as strongly in the U.S. Congress, where we need his powerful progressive voice more than ever. Carl will bring an unmatched dedication to progressive values to his constituents to the U.S. Congress, and we’re proud to endorse him.”

Carl Sciortino said, “We need to change the conversation in Washington and fight hard for progressive values. As a state representative, I have fought to close corporate tax loopholes, protect access to abortion clinics, and to make the economy work for regular people-- not Wall Street or the big banks. In Congress, I will fight against those who put corporations over the rest of us and Tea Partiers who want to tell women what to do with their bodies.”

Aside from Blue America and People For the American Way, Carl has been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, MassEquality, the Victory Fund, and another major endorsement will be announced in a day or two. Meanwhile, though, if you'd like to help Carl get into Congress, you can contribute to his campaign here.

Guest Post By Nate Shinagawa (D-NY)

Tomorrow is primary day in New York and there's a YEO running. A YEO? Sure, a member of People For the American Way's Young Elected Officials program. Check this out if this is the first you're hearing about it. One of the best congressional candidates running anywhere, Nate Shinagawa, is who I'm talking about and I asked him how he was drawn to public service. His guest post follows but I just wanted to tell you a little about him first.

At 28, Nate is younger than most people who run for Congress-- right there with Blue America-backed Trevor Thomas in Grand Rapids. And don’t think for a second that his youth means inexperience-- Nate is no stranger to elected office, having served for the last six years on the Tompkins County Legislature; he's now Vice Chair. In fact, Nate has spent more time in elected office than all of his primary and general election opponents in New York’s 23rd District… combined.

Elected to the Tompkins County Legislature shortly after graduating from Cornell University, Nate quickly established himself as a leading progressive voice in the community, having fought for better access to healthcare, environmental protection, and investment in sustainable jobs. And he's done more than just fight for progressive ideals-- he's also worked tirelessly to raise up young progressives and help them get into elected office. Like I said, he's been a member of the Young Elected Officials network for over 6 years, brainstorming with other YEOs around the country on mutual concerns and on how to apply effective progressive solutions to the problems that plague working families and American communities. He's served on the YEO steering committee and has worked for two years as a faculty member of the Frontline Leadership Academy, a program offered through YEO which trains young candidates on how to run a successful campaign. In this way, Nate is more than just a progressive candidate-- he represents the next generation of progressive leaders.

Nate's district is New York's newly formed 23rd (much of the old Eric Massa district) where he will face freshman Tea Party Republican Tom Reed. Defeating an incumbent is never easy, but Reed is vulnerable: He’s running in a new district, which now includes the more liberal Tompkins County, and counts more independents and fewer Republicans than his previous district. Polls show Nate, an independent-minded progressive Democrat who is also the endorsed candidate of New York's Working Families Party, beating his two Democratic opponents handily tomorrow. And then we take on Reed.

Today's Youth Can Be Today's Leaders

by Nate Shinagawa

During my senior year of college, there was a labor dispute at a local pizza parlor. The workers there complained that they hadn’t received all of their paychecks, and that they hadn’t been properly paid for overtime. The shop had taken particular advantage of undocumented workers, paying them even less than minimum wage. At the time, I had been involved with a group of student labor activists that frequently worked for workers’ rights in the community. So when I heard of the dispute, my friends and I decided to do everything we could to help.

We quickly became heavily involved in their protest. Hearing about the management’s abusive labor practices only bolstered my resolve to fix the situation. We argued and demonstrated until finally, the pizza place granted the workers all of their back pay, and compensated them for the overtime they should have received. Fighting for their rights was more fulfilling than anything I had done before-- I could see the results of our hard work, and I was glad to have made a real difference in my community. I knew then that I wanted to commit myself to service.

In a way, my desire to enter public service actually began long before this incident. My grandfather, a Japanese American in California, had been put in an internment camp with his family during World War II. After the war, despite the injustice he suffered, he decided to enlist in the Marines and later in the Air Force. He did so because he still believed strongly in the ideals of America, and because he wanted to prove his loyalty to the country he loved. My grandfather instilled the value of service in my father, who in turn instilled it in me.

When I was thirteen, a former student of my father named Kuanchung Kao was murdered in a case of racially motivated police brutality. Local officials covered everything up, and only a tiny settlement was given to the dead man’s wife and three children. My father refused to allow government, which is supposed to protect us, to fail at such a basic level. He decided to get involved in the case, and helped win a fair settlement for the family-- even as my own family faced intimidation from local officials and the KKK. This incident deeply affected me, and compelled me to pursue a career of service.

Still, as a college student, I figured my aspirations for public service were a long ways off. But after the ordeal with the pizza shop had concluded, a man with whom I had worked suggested something I hadn’t previously considered: that I run for a seat on the county legislature.

Running for office at the age of 21 seemed almost absurd to me-- I hadn’t even graduated from college yet; how was I going to convince people to support me in a bid to lead an entire county? I was hesitant, but at the same time, I felt strongly that running for office might give me a great opportunity to continue a difference in my community. So I stuck to my convictions, and decided to make the leap.

That decision proved to be one of the best I ever made. Six years ago, I was elected to be a county legislator, and I have felt so fortunate to serve my community in that role. When the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance faced huge funding cuts, I was able to work with the organization to find alternative sources of funding. In 2006, when Governor Pataki attempted to close a local nursing home, I successfully stood up to the Governor to save it. And for the last four years, I’ve been outspoken critic of hydraulic fracturing, voting consistently for bans, moratoria, home rule, and further study of the practice.

I’ve worked hard to fight for progressive values in my community, but I’ve also had another mission: to get more young people involved in the political process. Young adults have the potential to make such a significant impact in politics: we’re energetic, passionate, and thanks to social media, more connected than ever. Yet voter turnout among young people remains dismally low, and many feel as though they don’t have a stake in what goes on in the halls of government.

That line of thinking couldn’t be more misguided, which is why I’ve spent a lot of time and effort both working with other young politicians and encouraging more young adults to run for office. After all, young people have every reason to be invested in government-- we’re the ones that have to inherit the problems that get left behind. So for the last six years, I’ve been a part of the Young Elected Officials network, and have also served on their steering committee. Through this organization I’ve had the opportunity to meet with other young elected officials from all around the country. At our conferences I’m able to discuss the common and issues we face, and think of new, innovative solutions to tackling them.

Perhaps the most important test of my work with other young politicians came when my friend, Svante Myrick, decided to run for mayor of Ithaca, NY. Svante was young-- only 24-- and faced a number of older, more experienced candidates. But Svante stuck to his principles and launched an inspiring grassroots campaign, ultimately earning him significant majorities in both the primary and general elections. Svante now proudly serves as mayor, and as I see the wonderful things he’s been able to do for the city, I know that he was absolutely the best candidate for the job.

Our country faces so many problems that appear at times to be utterly intractable. There’s a lot of cynicism and discontentment-- now, more than ever, people feel as though government isn’t listening and isn’t leading. That feeling, in a way, is quite justified. Many of our leaders seem to be more preoccupied with handing out tax breaks to corporations and millionaires than with actually helping people in this country become more prosperous. They’ve forgotten the importance of building up communities and investing in people, and our country has suffered as a consequence.

But these problems are not intractable. We can fix them. That’s why I’m running for Congress-- to bring principled leaders who’ll stand up for all members of our community. That’s why I’ve worked so hard to get other young progressives into politics, so they too can be outspoken defenders of our shared values.

Government is supposed to empower people and invest in communities so that all can realize their highest potential. When we return government to that purpose, I’m confident we’ll get this country to thrive again.

Inspiration... Sublime Inspiration

I like will.i.am and admire the work he's done as a musician and as an activist. But the title of this post doesn't derive from him or any of the galaxy of celebrities who were at the People For the America Way 30th anniversary celebration here in L.A. last week. It derives from 3 young elected officials you probably never heard of-- state Rep. Alisha Morgan (D-GA), state Senator Angie Buhl (D-SD) and Tallahassee vice-Mayor Andrew Gillum (D-FL). will.i.am introduced the audience-- an audience waiting to hear from Alec Baldwin and Norman Lear, J.J. Abrams, Jane Lynch, Jon Stewart, Mary Kay Place, Ed Begley, Jr., Rob and Carl Reiner-- to these young elected officials and they took over the spotlight so intensely that I actually forgot it was will who introduced them!

Andrew is the leader of a People For the American Way project called Young Elected Officials. Angie and Alisha are two of the young officials. Their stories of overcoming political adversity that always haunts young people are absolutely awesome-- and that's why I have the video embedded above.

I brought a 33 year old first time candidate with me to the event, Dr. Lee Rogers, the Democratic opponent of right-wing carbuncle Buck McKeon. A few days before I asked him to come I had suggested his campaign to a DC mover-and-shaker... who laughed in my face. He vomited back a liturgy of statistics proving, in his limited mind, that McKeon was untouchable and that no Democrat, let alone a first time novice like Rogers, could possibly beat him. It didn't matter to him that Obama, albeit narrowly, won the district in 2008 and that the demographics are shifting precipitously away from the old white base that McKeon has used to prop up a long out-of-touch career. All that mattered were the Cook PVI (R+7) and that McKeon had beaten (unknown, hopelessly underfinanced) Democrats in 2010 (62-38%), 2008 (58-42%), 2006 (60-36%), etc... back into pre-history.

I imagine Lee hears a lot of this nay-saying. In fact, one of the things I admire about him is his positive spirit in the face of this kind of Insider negativity. The DCCC hasn't rushed to help him, despite McKeon, being one of the most heinous Republicans in the country, who, for example, has declared that there will be no defense budget next year unless Obama backs off implementing Don't Ask Don't Tell. He's the incredibly corrupt chairman of the House Defense Committee but in this case he's letting his Mormonism get in the way of protecting America and the hefty legalistic bribes he rakes in from defense contractors and arms manufacturers.

As I suspected he would be, Lee, a steel-nerved surgeon, seemed really moved by the presentation from the Young Elected Officials. I had introduced him to Alisha, an old friend, before the event and he had spent some time talking with her about how she-- the first African-American elected in Newt Gingrich's old Cobb County stomping ground, at 23 years old age-- had managed to overcome the heavy odds against her. "I was inspired," he told me yesterday "meeting Alisha and hearing how she and Angie overcame adversity, like age, to defy the political pundits and pollsters going on to win those races. It proves two things-- working harder than the other candidate makes a difference, and the voters can sense when an incumbent is arrogant with power. These two attributes are advantages to challengers, especially young ones with fresh ideas in this climate of gridlock partisanship. The basic definition of American democracy is liberty and justice for all, and this PFAW event helped me to realize that we still have many fights ahead of us." We sure do-- and if you'd like to help Lee overcome some of the obstacles he's have to overcome to succeed in replacing McKeon, you can do that on this Blue America ActBlue page.

Micah Ali Takes Compton School District Problems To Education Secretary Arne Duncan

Last we checked in with our pal Micah Ali, the most progressive member of the Compton school board, he was advocating for a different kind of charter schools-- ones that put students first, not profits first.

Micah's 33 and was elected to the School Board in 2007 and he's on his way to DC right now, to meet with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to share his experiences working on public policy supporting English language development strategies-- remember Compton is now a Hispanic majority city-- and the Breakfast in The Classroom program, so important for inner city students when you remember that breakfast sharpens memory and cognitive skills.

Micah is meeting with Duncan and other Department of Education officials as part of a convening of the Young Elected Official Network under the auspices of People for the American Way. Their annual meeting will be addressed by three of the most outstanding Members of Congress concerned with public education, Donna Edwards (D-MD), Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Jared Polis (D-CO). He's looking forward to it and he told us, "As a public education innovator, I, too, must commit myself to being a lifelong learner. The profundity of ideas generated and viable solutions learned from others attending the convening will undergird my constant fight for lower class sizes, parent engagement and vocational technical education for students, who prefer to pursue trades."

Meanwhile, back in Compton Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Anthony Mohr has just thrown out the corporate-inspired parent petition to force a charter conversion at McKinley Elementary. The paperwork wasn't put together properly.

The Compton Unified School District, which governs McKinley, argued that dating each signature was crucial in determining whether a signer's child was enrolled at the school and had legal rights over the child at the time, the AP reported.

Mohr said in his tentative ruling Friday that he understood the “pain, frustration and perhaps education disadvantages” his 14-page decision might cause but added that he needed to follow the law.

Mohr agreed to hear more arguments June 7.

Sleazy charter operators hope to funnel tax dollars into corporate profits-- and high management fees and salaries-- by de-unioninzing the education system. Foward-thinking progressives like Micah are at the forefront of putting the interests of students first and foremost while protecting the hard-won gains of his community's teachers.

Messages From Wisconsin State Senator Chris Larson And George Lakoff

As a board member of People For the American Way, one of the organization's groups I've been most proud to be associated with is Young Elected Officials and we've featured some of their activities here at DWT in the past. Today I'd like to pass along a letter from one of those Young Elected Officials, one of the courageous Wisconsin state senators who refuses to give Scott Walker the quorum he needs to ram through anti-union legislation that violates the Univeral Declaration of Human Rights, guaranteeing collective bargaining to all workers, something-- as Paul Krugman pointed out in his column today-- that is at the crux of Walker's ruthless power grab. This is a letter Senator Chris Larson sent to all PFAW members:

Friends,

I write to express my sincere thanks to you and the other thousands of PFAW supporters who have taken the time to show your support for us and for our state's public employees. Just one week ago, our Republican Governor Scott Walker announced that he would be using a budget adjustment bill to reverse 50 years of Wisconsin history and go after worker rights in Wisconsin. If passed, the balance in our society will again tilt to the powerful over the powerless. The ability to organize and get fair treatment are qualities that built our country. This is what the last generation fought for in the 60s and the 70s to make sure we all had a better life.

If this bill moves forward in Wisconsin, rights in all America we have grown to take for granted will no longer be so reliable. Workers will no longer be able to work as a group to negotiate anything besides wages. Republicans here have already passed a "tort reform" law that makes it much harder to seek justice in Wisconsin. But this new move by Walker is much worse. It is an unprecedented attack on workers, their communities and our tradition of working with labor to move our state forward.

If this passes here, it will pass in other states.

To be clear, Walker is seeking to scapegoat unions as the cause of the fiscal crisis in an effort to divide the middle class against itself. This, while he is opening tax loopholes for the richest in the country.

I appreciate your support and seek it for the ongoing fight ahead of us. Please speak out in any way you can. We need you to let your neighbors know that this assault on worker rights will hurt every person and every community across Wisconsin, and perhaps across the nation. It will drive down wages and decrease work place safety for all workers in our country, union and non-union alike.

Thank you for all you do for your community.

In Solidarity,
Chris Larson
Wisconsin State Senator

As Walker gets support from the same genre of conservatives currently thwarting the birth of democracy in the Middle East-- and the same type of conservatives who fught against the patriots in the American Revolution, first siding with the British and then fleeing to Canada, the West Indies and back to Britain-- George Lakoff published an important essay about the people behind Scott Brown really want and why they're provoking this confrontation with Wisconsin working families. This is for real Democrats, not Inside the Beltway careerist hacks like Steve Israel or Wall Street shills like Harold Ford who, for one reason or another, happen to be wearing blue t-shirts and have caused the Democratic Party more harm than the Republicans have.

The central issue in our political life is not being discussed. At stake is the moral basis of American democracy.

The individual issues are all too real: assaults on unions, public employees, women's rights, immigrants, the environment, health care, voting rights, food safety, pensions, prenatal care, science, public broadcasting and on and on.

Budget deficits are a ruse, as we've seen in Wisconsin, where the Governor turned a surplus into a deficit by providing corporate tax breaks, and then used the deficit as a ploy to break the unions, not just in Wisconsin, but seeking to be the first domino in a nationwide conservative movement.

The forces against independent journalism are growing. Help Truthout keep up the fight against ignorance and regression! Support us here.

Deficits can be addressed by raising revenue, plugging tax loopholes, putting people to work and developing the economy long-term in all the ways the president has discussed. But deficits are not what really matter to conservatives.

Conservatives really want to change the basis of American life, to make America run according to the conservative moral worldview in all areas of life.

In the 2008 campaign, candidate Obama accurately described the basis of American democracy: empathy-- citizens caring for each other, both social and personal responsibility-- acting on that care, and an ethic of excellence. From these, our freedoms and our way of life follow, as does the role of government: to protect and empower everyone equally. Protection includes safety, health, the environment, pensions. Empowerment starts with education and infrastructure. No one can be free without these, and without a commitment to care and act on that care by one's fellow citizens.
The conservative worldview rejects all of that.

Conservatives believe in individual responsibility alone, not social responsibility. They don't think government should help its citizens. That is, they don't think citizens should help each other. The part of government they want to cut is not the military (we have 174 bases around the world), not government subsidies to corporations, not the aspect of government that fits their worldview. They want to cut the part that helps people. Why? Because that violates individual responsibility.

But where does that view of individual responsibility alone come from?

The way to understand the conservative moral system is to consider a strict father family. The father is The Decider, the ultimate moral authority in the family. His authority must not be challenged. His job is to protect the family, to support the family (by winning competitions in the marketplace), and to teach his kids right from wrong by disciplining them physically when they do wrong. The use of force is necessary and required. Only then will children develop the internal discipline to become moral beings. And only with such discipline will they be able to prosper. And what of people who are not prosperous? They don't have discipline, and without discipline they cannot be moral, so they deserve their poverty. The good people are hence the prosperous people. Helping others takes away their discipline, and hence makes them both unable to prosper on their own and function morally.

The market itself is seen in this way. The slogan, "Let the market decide" assumes the market itself is The Decider. The market is seen as both natural (since it is assumed that people naturally seek their self-interest) and moral (if everyone seeks their own profit, the profit of all will be maximized by the invisible hand). As the ultimate moral authority, there should be no power higher than the market that might go against market values. Thus the government can spend money to protect the market and promote market values, but should not rule over it either through (1) regulation, (2) taxation, (3) unions and worker rights, (4) environmental protection or food safety laws, and (5) tort cases. Moreover, government should not do public service. The market has service industries for that.

Thus, it would be wrong for the government to provide health care, education, public broadcasting, public parks and so on. The very idea of these things is at odds with the conservative moral system. No one should be paying for anyone else. It is individual responsibility in all arenas. Taxation is thus seen as taking money away from those who have earned it and giving it to people who don't deserve it. Taxation cannot be seen as providing the necessities of life for a civilized society, and, as necessary, for business to prosper.

In conservative family life, the strict father rules. Fathers and husbands should have control over reproduction; hence, parental and spousal notification laws and opposition to abortion. In conservative religion, God is seen as the strict father, the Lord, who rewards and punishes according to individual responsibility in following his Biblical word.

Above all, the authority of conservatism itself must be maintained. The country should be ruled by conservative values, and progressive values are seen as evil. Science should have authority over the market, and so the science of global warming and evolution must be denied. Facts that are inconsistent with the authority of conservatism must be ignored or denied or explained away. To protect and extend conservative values themselves, the devil's own means can be used against conservatism's immoral enemies, whether lies, intimidation, torture or even death, say, for women's doctors.

Freedom is defined as being your own strict father-- with individual, not social, responsibility, and without any government authority telling you what you can and cannot do. To defend that freedom as an individual, you will, of course, need a gun.

This is the America that conservatives really want. Budget deficits are convenient ruses for destroying American democracy and replacing it with conservative rule in all areas of life.

What is saddest of all is to see Democrats helping them.

Democrats help radical conservatives by accepting the deficit frame and arguing about what to cut. Even arguing against specific "cuts" is working within the conservative frame. What is the alternative? Pointing out what conservatives really want. Point out that there is plenty of money in America, and in Wisconsin. It is at the top. The disparity in financial assets is un-American - the top one percent has more financial assets than the bottom 95 percent. Middle-class wages have been flat for 30 years, while the wealth has floated to the top. This fits the conservative way of life, but not the American way of life.

Democrats help conservatives by not shouting out loud, over and over, that it was conservative values that caused the global economic collapse: lack of regulation and a greed-is-good ethic.

Democrats also help conservatives by what a friend has called "Democratic Communication Disorder." Republican conservatives have constructed a vast and effective communication system, with think tanks, framing experts, training institutes, a system of trained speakers, vast holdings of media and booking agents. Eighty percent of the talking heads on TV are conservatives. Talk matters, because language heard over and over changes brains. Democrats have not built the communication system they need, and many are relatively clueless about how to frame their deepest values and complex truths.

And Democrats help conservatives when they function as policy wonks-- talking policy without communicating the moral values behind the policies. They help conservatives when they neglect to remind us that pensions are deferred payments for work done. "Benefits" are pay for work, not a handout. Pensions and benefits are arranged by contract. If there is not enough money for them, it is because the contracted funds have been taken by conservative officials and given to wealthy people and corporations instead of to the people who have earned them.

Democrats help conservatives when they use conservative words like "entitlements" instead of "earnings" and speak of government as providing "services" instead of "necessities."

Is there hope?

I see it in Wisconsin, where tens of thousands citizens see through the conservative frames and are willing to flood the streets of their capital to stand up for their rights. They understand that democracy is about citizens uniting to take care of each other, about social responsibility as well as individual responsibility, and about work-- not just for your own profit, but to help create a civilized society. They appreciate their teachers, nurses, firemen, police and other public servants. They are flooding the streets to demand real democracy-- the democracy of caring, of social responsibility and of excellence, where prosperity is to be shared by those who work and those who serve.

Swingstate Project crunched the numbers and came up with a list of Wisconsin state senators who represent districts that also gave majorities to Obama in 2008. This is the list (the bolded names are in districts where Obama took 55% or more of the vote and where John Kerry also beat Bush):

Frank Lasee (SD-1)
Robert Cowles (SD-2)
Leah Vukmir (SD- 5)
Alberta Darling (SD- 8)
Joe Leibham (SD- 9)
Sheila Harsdorf (SD-10)
Luther Olsen (SD-14)
Dale Schultz (SD-17)
Randy Hopper (SD-18)
Michael Ellis (SD-19)
Van H. Wanggaard (SD-21)
Mary Lazich (SD-28)
Pam Galloway (SD-29)
Dan Kapanke (SD-32)

There are senators who should be subjected to recall petitions asap.

And a word or two from Rachel Maddow the other day along lines similar to what Lakoff was saying:

A KILLER VICTORY! YOUNG NATIVE AMERICAN PLACES FIRST IN SOUTH DAKOTA HOUSE PRIMARY

I'm in DC and tonight I went to events for two Blue America endorsees, Andrew Rice (OK) and Howard Shanker (AZ). My plan was to go over to People For the American Way and then go see Darcy Burner (WA). But there was a tornado and it was like someone with a water tanker hovered about me and emptied it on my head-- and in my shoes. I'll see Darcy another time. But the folks over at PFAW were jubilant. The two Young Elected Officials who had races last night won. One Isadore Hall, is a friend of mine and after I saw a glowing endorsement in the L.A. Times I knew he had a lock on the race. He had been widely expected to win anyway... and he won big and will go from being an outstanding member of the Compton City Council to being a dedicated progressive in the California Assembly. The other winner, Kevin Killer, is someone I had never met.

Yesterday, while older South Dakotans were giving Hillary her last victory of the presidential race, a state known for electing conservative-leaning Democrats started a political career rolling for someone who is far from a conservative-leaning Democrat. Like Isadore Hall, Kevin Killer is dedicated to being a public servant in the best traditions of democracy, serving the community, protecting civil liberties and standing up for regular folks. Kevin, a Native American, won first place in a multi-member State House primary by just 5 votes. Kevin's District is unlike any other you've ever seen, and that's why I want to ask you to help him win the general election in November.

District 27 encompasses Bennett, Haakon, Jackson, and Shannon Counties and sprawls over 6,961 square miles (map)! That's more land than Delaware and Connecticut combined! It's larger than Hawaii on its own, and just slightly smaller than all of New Jersey! Shannon County itself is entirely inside the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and is the second poorest county in the country with a per-capita income of just $6,286. Wikipedia also taught me that it has the interesting distinction of having the highest percentage of Democratic votes for President in the 2004 election of any county in the US (85%). Across the four counties unemployment is estimated to hover at above 50%.

So why Kevin Killer? He's a young, inspiring, and selfless leader who has dedicated his life to improving the world for others. He can't win without our help. Against advice from friends and campaign volunteers, he spends his own scant savings on gas to fill up his car to travel the district--an unsustainable practice for such a large area. To win, he'll have to do targeted mailing in addition to the interpersonal campaigning that is so necessary in a district like his. That's why we're asking you to either help him fill up his car with gas or help him send out some mailings.

Kevin is an Oglala Lakota Tribal Member and lives in Pine Ridge. Unlike more than 80% of young people in his area, he went on to college in Denver where he studied at Metro State College and briefly at the University of Colorado. The death of his father in 1999 brought him back home before he finished and at 28, going to school part-time, he's only now become a Senior at Oglala Lakota Tribal College.

To support himself, he works at a burial assistance program with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. All the while, he found time to nurture an extensive progressive resume. He's a former canvasser for Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth, Senator Tim Johnson, as well as Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

In 2006, Kevin was chosen as one of the first Native Americans to take part in People For the American Way's Young People For Fellowship program. As a Senior Fellow and participant in a campaign training program called the Front Line Leaders Academy, he stood for office as "President of Young People For," a fictional office designed to test his lessons learned. In January of 2007, he was elected by a body of over 500 Fellows from across the country.

Now he's also well equipped to run for real office. In the past year, Kevin toured colleges as a trainer with Wellstone Action and participated in the 2007 INDN's List Campaign Camp in California. He's ready to campaign but he's also ready with progressive solutions. With his extensive travel and training, Kevin understands his district's needs and is running because he cares about his friends, family, neighbors, classmates, and elders-- and he wants to make a difference.

Kevin's most important issue during his campaign is to expand access to education. At Oglala Lakota College he is the Student Senate President and also the Student Representative on the Board of Trustees. In late 2007, Kevin joined the National Indian Education Association as a Student Representative. In District 27, his goal as a Representative is to develop initiatives to improve graduation rates and facilitate State and Tribal coordination through the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly.

Kevin also wants to bring new alternative energy projects like Wind Farms to create Green Collar jobs, provide income and cheaper, sustainable energy to the Reservation, and to lead South Dakota towards a more environmentally future.

Kevin is a natural-born leader and a true progressive born from the community-organizing tradition. I hope you understand how special he is and I hope you'll help us get him elected by donating at the link above. A recent wonderful interview in Indian Country Today shows exactly why he's the best candidate for the job:

Killer was rather modest when asked by Indian Country Today if he was the best candidate for the job, saying that there were many people out there who were qualified to run. Killer said that if he won the nomination, he would take the concerns of the other candidates with him.

''I think that it's come to a point in our history and as a rural community that we need to start voicing our concerns better for everybody. We need to start getting out there and really making sure those needs of our community are met.''

Kevin is running alongside Democrat Ed Iron Cloud III against Republicans Mark DeVries (incumbent, anti-choice, one of 8 Members of the House to vote against a minimum-wage increase in 2007) and Dawn M. Rasmussen (owner, Fresh Beads) to fill 2 seats from District 27. Let's help him win this one.