Money Matters-- Now's the Time Barber Needs Your Help!

by: robinia

Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 13:42:54 PM EDT

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

SD 51: Barber Has A Plan for Farming Revival

by: robinia

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 14:31:45 PM EDT

Check it out on the flip.  A couple of good quotes:

Barber plans to lead a farming resurgence when he takes office. A proponent of buying locally, he said, "When we buy local farm products the money circulates locally. When we buy strawberries from Chile, our local dollars go back to Chile. We can change all that through our own purchasing decisions. And the state can provide incentives to create these new markets.  Upstate New York can capitalize on its tremendous agricultural resource potential to create a vibrant economy. The time is now."

"Jim Seward has failed the family farm. If farmers get any more of this kind of leadership, they'll all be out of business."  

SD 51: Working Families Party Endorses Barber!

by: robinia

Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 17:05:42 PM EDT

Barber bus travels the rural roads, kicking off SD 51 campaign

by: robinia

Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 20:02:25 PM EDT

A week ago, building up to the theme of taking the State Senate, SD 51 candidate Don Barber and a bus full of supporters traveled all seven counties of the 51st SD, stopping at seven venues to announce the kickoff of Barber's campaign.  It was fun-- although the gerrymandered district is too far-flung to be easy to traverse. Here is a map .

On the Road with the Barber Bus: SD 51 Campaign Kicks Off Saturday

by: robinia

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 20:39:41 PM EDT

Time to get on the Barber Bus, and travel from Catskill in the East to Caroline in the West.  Actually, first the bus has to travel from Caroline to Catskill, and then, at 8:30 AM, Barber will begin announcing his candidacy on the banks of the Hudson River in Catskill, and in all seven counties in the district. The Bus will leave Caroline to begin to traverse the far-flung District at 4:30 AM.  I'll be there, although I can't swear I'll be awake!

Herkimerprogressive was kind enough to post the itinerary earlier (see below)-- if you can, meet the Barber Bus at one of the seven stops to support him as he announces his candidacy, county by county.

http://www.thealbanyproject.co...

Seven Top Tier State Senate Challenges and more coming!

by: politics64

Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 15:02:06 PM EST

SD 51 Carol Supervisor Barber V Seward
SD 48 Assemblyman Aubertine V Barclay
SD 43 Saratoga County Supervisor Yepsen V Bruno
SD 15 City Councilman Addabbo V Maltese
SD 11 City Councilman Gennaro V Padavan
SD 06 County Legislator Mejias V Hannon
SD 03 Assist. to County Exec. Dahroug V Trunzo