"I know the anxieties that are out there right now.  They're not new.  These struggles are the reason I ran for President.  These struggles are what I've witnessed for years in places like Elkhart, Indiana; Galesburg, Illinois.  I hear about them in the letters that I read each night.  The toughest to read are those written by children -– asking why they have to move from their home, asking when their mom or dad will be able to go back to work." -- President Obama, State-of-the-Union Address - January 27, 2010
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BREAKING NEWS!
The President Plans Bipartisan Summit on Health Care

According to Jeff Zeleny of the New York Times, President Obama plans to "convene a half-day bipartisan health care session at the White House to be televised live this month, a high-profile gambit that will allow Americans to watch as Democrats and Republicans try to break their political impasse." more...


President Obama Delivers His First State-of-the-Union Address to Congress


State-of-the-Union

On the evening of January 27, 2010 we gathered at Demet and Bill's house to watch and listen to Barack Obama's first State-of-the Union Address. Although there was some dissention in the group (nuclear power and off-shore drilling, for instance), we were satisfied that he addressed most of the pressing issues that face the country today. We were all especially gleeful as he wagged his finger at members of the Supreme Court for their latest ruling (see below). (more on our State-of-the-Union Watch Party coming soon)

US Supreme Court Abolishes Restrictions on Big Business Political Spending

"So much for the demise of corporate America," writes David A. Kaplan (CNN/Money) "at least in the popular imagination. Just a little while ago, we were petrified about the auto companies in Detroit and the larger manufacturing infrastructure. Wall Street behemoths like Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns were crushed. AIG was saved only by Uncle Sam. Even the iconic Goldman Sachs, today riding high with record profits of $13.4 billion for 2009, needed a temporary bailout. The president acted, Congress enacted emergency legislation, crises were stemmed. Now, though, comes the U.S. Supreme Court to rescue corporations not from financial ruin but from laws barring them from swaying elections. Who knew this was such a problem?" more...

ELECTION 2010

Message from Demet

There is no question that we suffered a devastating loss last night [Jan. 19], but we will in no way let this to deter us from working even harder for our dreams. I don’t think I can express this any better than Doug Edison and strongly encourage you to read the terrific message he wrote below.

I am very grateful for Doug’s leadership and for everyone’s incredible efforts since called to action. Thank you all so much working hard since last week, whether it was organizing phone banks, making calls from home or phone banks, attending to rally or visibility events, giving rides to people or knocking on doors on the election day even when it was snowing or urging friends and family to vote yesterday!

Let’s use this opportunity to learn from the mistakes and keep working hard for our shared goals in 2010 and beyond. Organizing for America is also asking our input about where to go from here in the fight for the health care reform. Please send any comments and suggestions you may have so that we can put them in one report and share it with the OFA-MA state director John Spears .... Thank you and [I] look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting.
-- Demet

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die." Edward Kennedy

Message from Doug

The natural reflex of a campaign such as this it to recoil in shame and anger. I would submit we have nothing to be sorry for, we were asked to stop a racing train with a cargo net and we almost did. A week is not enough, but that is what we were given. To be told that our driven citizens were not necessary is the height of arrogance and the price was paid. This is not a crisis, but an opportunity. Let's re-form ourselves into what we truly want to be. Obviously, the status quo is not tolerable. For all those who worked tirelessly with me this past week, thank you. You are my friends. I love you all. And, we accomplished great good. Do not despair. Tomorrow is another day. This can actually be a liberating moment. The dream shall never die.

boxtop
Coming Events

February 11, 2010
6:30 PM

Democratic Caucus

Registered Democrats for all seven wards of Haverhill will be holding a caucus to elect delegates and alternates to the 2010 Massachusetts Democratic Convention. more....




"History suggests that unless a progressive president is able to mobilize widespread support for significant change in the country at large, it's not enough to have a congressional majority." -- Doris K. Goodwin
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GHO Participates in Another
Community Meal

On January 16, 2010, GHO members, cooked, set tables, and served meals to people who depend on the generosity of those of us who are blessed with roofs over our heads and regular warm meals whenever we need them.

Community Meal


Because of the Martha Coakley Rally, less people participated than usual; but the spirit amongst those who were there was not any less enthousiastic.

On the menu were lasagna (prepared by Bill, Demet, Lisa, and Mary), buttered bread, various beverages, brownies (baked by Eva), and Oreo cookies (donated by Roz).

Non-members also came to help as did Doug Edison, who took time off from his work for Martha Coakley.

Make Your Voices Heard!

Now that Health Care Reform is basically in the hands of the joint House and Senate committee and we are no longer fillibuster-proof, we need to figure out what we can do to make sure that the Health Care Reform bill will pass.

But now our attention should also be turned to other topics of great importance. In a blog we created quite a while ago, we all have the opportunity to express our feelings on any and all topics that are of importance to us.

Please use this platform for your thoughts especially if you have other commitments (such as family, jobs, etc.) that prevent you from attending meetings. Using our blog can let the rest of us know what is important to you and how you feel about certain issues. So, go to our blog and let your thoughts, opinions, and feelings be known.

Jobs and Economic Growth Forum -- January 2, 2010

Our January, 2010 meeting was dedicated to the President's Jobs and Economic Growth Forum in which we discussed the questions posed to us by the President's team. more....


Weekly Address: Fighting for the Public Against Special Interests (January 23, 2010)

Have you ever wondered about what Republicans receive in their mailboxes from the RNC? Here is a sample: 2010
OBAMA AGENDA SURVEY
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Town Hall in Elyria, OH - January 22, 2010
Town Hall in Nashua, NH - February 2, 2010

A Conversation with the President - February 4, 2010

More News

For more detailed information about Health Care Reform, please go to

HealthReform.gov     and     Health Care for America Now!

and check out our Issues section.

"MAKE NO SMALL PLANS. THEY HAVE NO MAGIC TO STIR MEN'S BLOOD." -- Daniel Burnham


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