Jessica Morse, a Placer County native, has officially thrown her hat in the ring for California’s 3rd Congressional District, the most geographically diverse in California. She states the residents of Placer County deserve a representative who works with us and for us, especially in support of women’s reproductive rights. To her, this is critical as the seat is currently held by Kevin Kiley, who has maintained an anti-choice record and, if re-elected, would be the deciding vote against women’s interests.
She believes VOTERS WANT:
November 2023 CADEM Endorsing Convention Memories
This year's CADEM Endorsing Convention will be remembered for more than its convention business. We asked our Placer delegates to share their impressions and photos of the conference.
Read moreNovember 2023 CADEM Convention Photo Gallery
Enjoy our snapshots of the many activities and events at this year’s Endorsing Convention in Sacramento.
Read moreMastering the Art of the Lie
Weaponizing Lies to Spin a War, Kill Democracy…and Only God Knows What Else
Myra Jolivet, SMPS
And now — in the midst of a war between Gaza militants and Israel, when people around the world are desperate to know what’s happening — Elon Musk has personally recommended that users follow accounts notorious for promoting lies. “For following the war in real-time, @WarMonitors & @sentdefender are good,” Musk posted Sunday.
Good?
Read moreWisdom from Timothy Snyder
Editor’s note: this summary continues the series based on author and history professor Timothy Snyder’s book “On Tyranny.” The goal is to pass on his insights, wisdom, and forecast to those who have not read his works.
BE CALM WHEN THE UNTHINKABLE ARRIVES
“Modern tyranny is terror management…” used with precision by Adolf Hitler. The German nation elected him and then created chaos and artificial threats to his nation to consolidate his power. He convinced his people this was “for their own good.”
Snyder states Hitler’s tactics were the “archetype of terror management.”
Read moreA Message from Our Chair Kathleen Crawford November 2023
November is traditionally focused on Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, but my message this month has to do with that “other” activity – our democracy and Elections. Yes, the 2024 Presidential election is one year away, but there is another much less recognized election coming up as part of the Primary Election on March 5, 2024. Have you ever wondered how people get on the Central Committees? Let me outline it for you!
Let the Children Learn
As noted in previous newsletters, our PCDP Communications Committee will share a monthly message on the issues we confront in Placer County.
The American Dream – that enigmatic hope for a successful future we imagine our children will be able to attain. We love, feed, house, and guide our children, but much of their future depends on the interactions they have when we are not around. We depend on our public school system to provide our children with the skills they will need to succeed in an ever-increasingly complex world. Young minds will need to develop a strong understanding of earth sciences, history, cooperation, and technology to face the challenges ahead.
Read moreReady to make a difference? It's time to take action with the Placer Dems!
The March 5, 2024, Primary Election may still be four months away, but there’s no time like the present to reach out to voters and secure their pledge to vote.
We’re asking you to step up—literally. The key to winning elections is voter turnout, especially by our younger voters. Getting voters to pledge to vote, and then following up with a self-addressed reminder card can increase a percentage and be the difference between victory or defeat.
Forced Outing is Wrong, Always
I attended a recent meeting of the Placer Hills Union School District. The agenda included an item titled “Board Requested time to discuss AB1314, HR 1585.” A quick look revealed that these bills seek to force teachers and counselors to inform parents if their student exhibits any signs of identifying with anything other than their “gender assigned at birth.” AKA forced outing of students by school staff.
There were approximately eight people who spoke against the district supporting these bills. These speakers included community members such as myself, a high school student, and several teachers and counselors who work for the district. There were no speakers in support of these bills.
Tired tropes
The board member who spoke in support of these bills, Ray Lawrence, brought out some tired tropes in support of these bills. He insisted that parents should have access to everything in the student's official file (they already do). The fact that other board members cited exact language negating the need for these bills did not dissuade Lawrence as he continued to insist that the district consider supporting these bills.
Meet Joe Mlakar - our Musical PCDCC Member
At the recent Democratic Oktoberfest, we were treated to great “Bavarian” music as we enjoyed meeting new friends and greeting long-term Democratic acquaintances. The music makers were PCDC member Joe Mlakar and his brother John. I was curious where Joe had learned to play such fun music and why we hadn’t heard him previously.
Read more2023 CADEM Endorsing Convention Preview
Sacramento will host the Endorsing Convention of the California Democratic Party on November 17-19, 2023. During the convention, the party will endorse candidates for the March 2024 primary election.
But that's not all the convention does.
FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATURE YEAR 2023 PRODUCTIVITY RESULTS
The first sessions of the 118th Congress and the 2023-2024 California Legislature have given us an interesting and intriguing year as shown by the results they produced when comparing our California State Assembly to the U. S. Congress.
The California Assembly is represented by 62 Democrats and 18 Republicans. Upon the closing of the current session of the California State Legislature, Governor Newsom was presented with some 1,100 measures passed by our Democratic majority legislators for his signature. Compare this to only 18 Federal Congressional bills becoming law during the current first year of the 118th Congress with a Republican majority House of Representatives. What does this reveal about the state of our legislator’s focus on carrying out the business of the people?
On Tyranny….Timothy Snyder
Editor’s note: this summary continues the series based on author and history professor Timothy Snyder’s book “On Tyranny”. The goal is to pass on his insights, wisdom, and forecast to those who have not read his works.
Snyder asks, “What is patriotism”? In his examples of what is not patriotic, he suggests “It is not patriotic to ask those working, taxpaying American families to finance one’s own presidential campaign, and then to spend their contributions in one’s own companies.” I’m sure you know who immediately came to my mind.
A Message from Our Chair Kathleen Crawford October 2023
October is one of our most beautiful weather months in Placer County – cool mornings and evenings are combined with warm afternoons. Plus, we get to look forward to the fun for children and many adults at Halloween followed by the winter holidays!
Our Democratic fundraiser on October 4, 2023, a traditional Octoberfest at Kathrin’s Biergarten in Rocklin is a sellout and a great time will be enjoyed by a hundred Democrats ready to take action to turn Placer purple! Many thanks should be given to the Fundraising Committee team and the Communications team for expanding our invitation outreach successfully. It will be a great evening to meet new like-minded Democrats!
The GOP looks unable to govern and the country is facing a government shut down. This means Democrats need to double down on our messaging. We must articulate our messages that promote our values of consensus governing in a sound fiscal manner and advancing public policy measures. This includes our priorities that protect our freedoms (including women’s bodily autonomy) and promotes civic engagement and voting participation. Up until the ill-advised and unnecessary government shutdown, Bidenomics was working to safeguard the progress made on curbing inflation while keeping unemployment low and repairing/replacing vital infrastructure programs across the country, including right here in Placer County. Democrats are the grownups in Washington DC.
October begins the endorsement process in the CA Democratic party (CADEM). This process allows the ADEMS, Central Committees and Chartered Clubs to participate in the pre-endorsement conference held regionally by the Regional Directors to recommend endorsements on Assembly, Senate and Congressional races to the November Statewide Endorsing Convention to be held in Sacramento the weekend of 11/17-19, 2023 which will formally endorse candidates.
To build momentum in the next 5 months until the March 5 Primary, we must continue to increase activities. Please consider signing up for the Community Engagement Activities – I hope to meet you at more than one activity.
Enjoy the beginning of our best season – fall or autumn with cooler weather, colors changing, and for many the thrill of football games and kids’ soccer season. Campaign mode is in full gear and your participation is essential!
Please let me or any member of the Central Committee know your suggestions and comments. You can contact me at chair.pcdp@gmail.com
Kathleen
School Board Update
The other side thinks they are winning. They think they have the momentum. Those who support policies that would harm transgender, and gender non-conforming youth are becoming increasingly emboldened. At the recent Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District board meeting, “Proud Boy” Jeffrey Perrine received a round of applause from the audience after speaking on the district’s parental notification policy. That board then went on to unanimously approve their policy to “out” students who want to be themselves at school, without any board discussion on the policy. No explanation for why it was on the agenda; no justification for why the policy was needed. Two school boards in Placer County now have policies that explicitly target and harm LGBTQ+ students. The other school boards are watching, and the other side is pressuring them to adopt these policies.
Read more