| This is the week when the campaign finance reports are due. Don Barber's campaign is down to the wire-- we have almost raised enough to leverage DSSC funds... but have not yet quite reached the goal set for us to reach by the end of the day on Friday.
While Golisano throws his weight and money around in an "uncoordinated" effort to help whomever he likes best, and Spitzer contributes a big 5K (is that half a date w/his high-end whores?) to the Upstate Rural Caucus (as per Robert's post below), the true reformers are out there on their own. They have only us to depend on, because they will only speak for us.
Please read this appeal from Barber Campaign Strategist Amy Little (yeah, she is the one who worked with the Hall campaign when the establishment Dems didn't think he stood a chance, either). She makes an excellent case for how helping Don Barber make it is important for any reform-minded NYer. More follows from the Communications Director. They need our help-- cash in whatever increment you can manage this week-- but, also to get the word out. We are up against a lot-- let's all pull together now!
Dear Fellow Take New Yorkers:
In NY's 51 district, Don Barber is running against Republican Jim Seward, Bruno's Majority Whip, Chair of the Insurance Committee, who has gone unopposed for 22 years and gets most of his money from the insurance industry. Needless to say, if we want to advance health care issues in NY, we need to get rid of Seward.
Don is a true progressive. A farmer, successful small business owner, and 6-term Town Supervisor, Don is an amazing person with unequivocal integrity, honesty and openness. He is running another one of those exciting grassroots campaigns and depends on those individuals who understand the need for change to help.
This Friday, July 11 (just 2 days from now), is the close of the fundraising period for NY state candidates. Please consider making a contribution before Friday at http://barberforsenate.com. Know that your contribution will help win a campaign that is running against an entrenched Republican with big bucks from the Insurance Industry, which also has big bucks.
Just think, you can participate in getting rid of the Republican iron fist in NY and the Insurance Industry's best friend in the Senate, as well as advance any issue you care about, by helping get Don Barber elected.
Several Take NY'ers are helping in one way or another on this campaign because taking this seat will powerfully disrupt the business as usual in New York's policy making.
Anyone else want to comment about Don Barber?
Amy Little
Don Barber believes that taking money from the insurance industry while chairing the Senate Insurance Committee is unethical, plain and simple. By blocking regulation of HMO rates, Seward has allowed rates to rise 79% since 2001. Think of how much money Jim Seward has made for the insurance companies in that time, and how much the suffering of New Yorkers has increased as a result. This is about ethics, but it's also about believing that health care is a human right, not something the well-off can buy while the rest of us are denied care every day.
Don is fighting for all of us, and he deserves our support.
Do it now, ActBlue, or the Barber website |
