February 2017 update

Hello friends and fellow supporters of democracy

We wanted to let you know first and foremost, that the next meeting of the Democratic Party of Grant County will be on Thursday, February 8th beginning at 6 p.m.  Our meeting will take place at Wisconsin Bank & Trusts's community room located on the lower west side of the bank building.  The address is 10 Keystone Parkway which is right on Bus. Hwy 151 in Platteville, right by Menards.  All who are able, are encouraged to attend.

Also we wish to inform you of an amazing tool which has been created to help people push back against the Trump administration's unhinged extremism.  People have been asking us what they can do to help preserve America and democracy in these dangerous times and many of the answers lie here: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/web

Trump set a record with the lowest approval rating of any new American President when he took office.  After just one week, his approval ratings dropped a staggering points (down from 32) meaning he immediately lost a quarter of what support he had, which was only the most conservative of citizens to begin with.  Noted and distinguished Republicans across the country are attacking Trump's flawed and disastrous ideas.  Lindsay Granham, John McCain, Paul Ryan, Jim Sensenbrenner and now even Charles Koch of the Tea Party and Americans for Prosperity are firing off shots at Trump.

http://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=587F2A2D-8A47-48F7-9045-CF30F0A77889

We should also mention another important piece of news which is the striking down of the unconstitutional gerrymandering which has affected voters all across Wisconsin.  It seems likely that Wisconsin may well again have free and fair elections in the future.  This is a great article about it:  http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/blogs/wisconsin-voter/2017/01/28/more-evidence-skewed-gop-map-wisconsin/97184730/ 

We have our work cut out for us to preserve America and it's way of life.  There is much to do and we certainly encourage everyone to step up to the plate and find out what they can do to help.  People are organizing everywhere in defense of democracy, liberty and freedom.

And along those lines we should mention that the Berniecrats are still very much in the fight with us.  The first Grant County meeting of the Bernie Sanders' organization, Our Wisconsin Revolution will be held on February 19th from 5 - 7 pm at Berry Yo which is located at 305 Bus. Hwy 151 in Platteville.  There will be a large crowd there so please RSVP if you are planning to attend, you can do so by following this link: https://ourwisconsinrev.com/events/platteville

Thank you all and remain strong, working together we can create a better, brighter tomorrow.

RON KIND NEEDS YOUR HELP IN SAVING YOUR HEALTHCARE

Millions of Americans rely on the A.C.A. (Affordable Care Act) also known as Obamacare, for health insurance.  Chances are that you or people you know, rely on the A.C.A.  Congressman Ron Kind is fighting to save Wisconsinites ability to see a doctor when their health or life are threatened.  Donald Trump has vowed to remove access to healthcare for us.

Ron Kind wants to hear from you regarding your A.C.A. stories.  Has access to healthcare through Obamacare saved you or someone you know life or helped with a debilitating illness or injury?  Has access to healthcare saved you or someone you know from bankruptcy or homelessness.  Ron Kind and his team are fighting to save the A.C.A. but they need to hear real information from real, local people to do that.

If you have an A.C.A. story to share, please send it in an email to dremiker@ronkind.org  Please include your name, address and a contact phone number.  You can help save your access to healthcare and perhaps save the lives of others.

Did you know that medical costs are the leading cause of bankruptcy and homelessness in America?

Did you know that 19% of Democrats and 77% of Republicans don't know that A.C.A. and "Obamacare" are the same thing? Obamacare is the common nickname for the A.C.A.

Women's March on Madison information

Chartered bus service from Grant County to Madison for the Women's Rally at the Capitol, will not be available. We are encouraging all who can, to help organize ride sharing for family and friends in their communities.

In Platteville, we are encouraging those who can provide rides and those that would like a ride, to meet at the east end of the parking lot at Piggly Wiggly. We will drive into Madison from there and for the return trip, we hope to be able to drop everyone off at their homes that evening.

Thank you very much and we looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible, on the morning of Saturday January 21st at 10 a.m.

There is a big ramp located near the start of the March, it is the Lake Street/Frances Street ramp. It's a block from Library Mall. http://www.cityofmadison.com/…/garagesLots/facilities/state…

Or if you prefer to park near the Rally, I'd try to get into the State Street Garage at Johnson and Wisconsin.https://www.cityofmadison.com/…/faciliti…/StateStCapitol.cfm
There are four other public ramps off the Capitol Square as well.

The Women's March on Madison is excited to announce that we will be joined by U.S. Representative Mark Pocan at our rally at the Capitol on January 21st. 

U.S. Rep Pocan is a lifelong advocate for progressive causes and one of only a handful of openly gay members of Congress. 

We are thrilled to have U.S. Rep Pocan join our fantastic group is speakers and performers. 
https://m.facebook.com/repmarkpocan.

Local information for Marchers!

PARKING:​ Street parking is possible but please pay attention to alternate side of the street parking regulations during winter: https://www.cityofmadison.com/…/Pa…/alternateSideParking.cfm
Parking Meters are enforced from 8am – 6pm on Saturdays.

There are many Parking Garages: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parkingUtility/garagesLots/
Accessible Parking: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parkingUtility/accessible/
Bus parking: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parking…/documents/tourBus.pdf.
Park and Ride: https://www.cityofmadison.com/…/planyourtrip/parkAndRide.cfm

METRO TRANSIT:​ Reliable, cheap, and frequent but check the schedule often for route changes:
​​​http://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/
They have a fantastic app “MAD Next Bus” available for free download.

TAXI:​ Green Cab of Madison: https://www.greencabofmadison.com/
​​​Badger Cab: http://badgercab.com/index.php
​​​Union Cab: http://unioncab.com/
​​
LODGING AND FOOD:​Google is your best bet as the hotels/motels and food options are too numerous to list.
OTHER RESOURCES:​Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce: http://greatermadisonchamber.com/
​​​ISTHMUS: http://isthmus.com/
​​​MADISON365: http://madison365.com/
​​​DOWTOWN: https://visitdowntownmadison.com/
Library Mall: approximately 725 State Street/Madison
The Mall to the Capitol, via State Street, is about a ten minute walk.
Thank you!

January meeting location change.

The next meeting of the Democratic Party of Grant County will be held on Wednesday the 11th of January beginning at 6 p.m.  Our normal meeting spot at Berry Yo in Platteville, will be closed that week so the next meeting will take place at 100 East Main St, in Platteville,

There will be a lot to discuss at this meeting and we hope that all of you who are able, will attend.  There is a rather large agenda to go through but if all goes well, this should not be an overly-long meeting.

We hope that all of you have had a happy and joyous holiday season, and we look forward to sharing stories with you all.  Thank you for taking part and for being engaged and informed citizens.  Grant County is a much better place for having you here.

Women's March on Madison in January

This is a local event to march in solidarity with those going to Washington DC. If you are interested in connecting with Wisconsinites heading to the large march in Washington,  please head over to this page: https://www.facebook.com/events/208275672945652/ 

Women's March on Madison is the collective voice of all Wisconsin advocates for equality and inclusion. We are committed to fighting for the safety, health, and success of our communities. Let no voice go unheard. Let no one live in fear. Let all of us rise up for equal opportunity.

In solidarity with the Women's March taking place in Washington, DC, we will march peacefully in Madison, WI. 

We are coming together to demonstrate our support for the community members who have been marginalized by the recent US election.

This is an INCLUSIVE march, and EVERYONE who supports women's rights is welcome:

- Women & Girls & Femmes & GNC
- Men & Boys
- Families
- People of Color
- Immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees
- LGBTQIA+ Community
- People with Disabilities
- Climate Change Advocates
- ALL religious communities
- Anyone else who wants to come out in support.

To volunteer, please fill out our Google Form: https://goo.gl/forms/4CaIZwIF6W7kDsqm1 

Information on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/events/361478110866299/ 

Transportation by bus is being arranged for Grant County folks who wish to take part in this historic event.  More details will be released regarding the bus rides as soon as it becomes available.  Here is a related story concerning the national march on Washington D.C.:  http://www.wpr.org/womens-march-washington-could-make-history 

Auditing the Election

We are currently looking for volunteers to help observe and document the recount of the November 8th election results. Unless the Republican Party asks their agent, Attorney General Brad Schimel to stop,change or otherwise affect the recount, the recount will take place at the Administrative Building in Lancaster. The street address is 111 S. Jefferson street.

This will happen on Thursday the 1st of December and begins at 9 am. Please let us know if you can help by sending an email to demvictory@yahoo.com. This is a relatively short and simple process but it is of the utmost importance. 

Thank you.

The home stretch

This is it friends, one week until election day.  And up and down the Democratic ballot, things are looking pretty good for us.  Only one more thing is needed to continue our forward progress and ensure victories for our candidates and our families and ourselves....and that is you.

We need you.  Democracy needs you.  Nothing magically just happens in life.  Democracy requires participation and that means more than just voting.  It means talking to people about the candidates and issues.  It means displaying yard signs and writing letters to the editor, to your local paper.  It means volunteering just a little, tiny bit of your time and effort, and in return you can make Wisconsin a better place for yourselves and your progeny.

DID YOU KNOW That of the many, many Jesse Bennett for Assembly campaign volunteers, there are two who have logged in more than a thousand hours of volunteer time each?

It's true, and amazing as that is, still just a little bit more is needed.  Starting tomorrow (Wednesday) we will be distributing Jesse Bennett campaign literature in communities throughout Grant County.  With so many close elections over the last two cycles, it would be horrible if we lose this election by a couple of votes.  By a couple of votes that could have been swayed if voters had had enough information on candidate Jesse Bennett.

Could you please find it in your heart to donate an hour or two of your time?  Especially after so many others have worked so hard and so selflessly for so long?  Volunteering is easy, convenient, fun and patriotic.  We aren't asking you for very much.  We just need some people to step up and get literature ready for distribution.  Using a hole punch, putting a rubber band through the hole.  Bundling up literature in preparation for distribution and of course...distribution.

Distribution is simple and easy.  No door knocking, just walking a few blocks through a neighborhood, hanging a piece of literature on a doorknob and moving on to the next one.  That is it! It is just that easy to have a huge effect on the future of your home and state.  Very easy and very necessary.  Democracy doesn't work, can not exist, without citizens taking part in democracy.  We hope you can find a couple hours between Wednesday and Sunday this week to help.

We will distribute literature in Lancaster on Wednesday (tomorrow) starting at 10 am and are meeting at the courthouse there.

We will distribute literature in Benton & Dickeyville starting at 10am Thursday and are meeting at the Democratic Party office in Platteville that morning.

Saturday we will be distributing literature in Platteville.  That morning we will also meet at 10 am at the Platteville office located at 960 Washington Street.

We could also use some folks to help us on election day by driving folks without transportation to their voting places.  However you would like to volunteer, let us know by sending an email to demvictory@yahoo.com and tell us what you would like to do and when you can help.

Speaking of election day, if you have any questions regarding where you should go to cast your ballot or other voting related matters, just click on this link for all the information you need https://www.iwillvote.com/home/

 Thank you for your time and consideration.  Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested in volunteering and if you haven't already, please vote on Tuesday November 8th.