Panoramic photos courtesy of Joe Patterson

DEC welcomes new hires David A. Fernandez, Hayley Markman

 

David A. Fernandez has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Manatee County Democratic Party. David is a Commercial litigator with the firm Englander Fischer specializing in business, real estate and bankruptcy law. David is an eight year Navy veteran and is a veteran of operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Management from the University of Phoenix, a Master's in Human relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson College of Law.

As Executive Director David will be responsible for fundraising on behalf of the Democratic Party to meet the goals of the Democratic Party Campaign plan. David will also oversee the activities of the Assistant Executive Director and be the liason for the Chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee, Richard O'Brien.

Please help me welcome David to his new post, I am certainly looking forward to working with him.

Hayley Markman has been promoted to the post of Associate Executive Director of the Manatee County Democratic Party. Prior to this, Hayley completed a successful stint as Assistant to Richard O’Brien, Chairman of the Manatee County Democratic Party. Hayley recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a major in Political Science and plans on attending law school. She is determined to use all the many tools available in order to benefit those who search for justice.

As Associate Executive Director, Hayley will be responsible for overseeing the execution of the Democratic Party Campaign Plan. She will also supervise the daily administration of the Democratic Party. These duties involve:
• Liaison with candidates, campaigns and staffs to aid their efforts in any and all constitutionally allowable ways. For all campaigns, she is the “go-to” person.
• Coordinating and supporting PDT Leader, Mary Duda and Volunteer Affairs Leader Kristine Ryan
• Supervising interns and their projects.
• Selecting, assigning and supervising project leaders for events such as parades, fund-raisers, rallies, voter registration, etc. in coordination with leadership structures.
• Aiding and coordinating party resources for canvassing, both in person and by phone.

I know that Hayley is excited to put many of her talents to work in her new post. Good job, Hayley.

 

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Not Everyone Thinks That Corporations Are People

 

'Citizens United' Backlash: Montana Supreme Court Upholds State's Corporate Campaign Spending Ban

WASHINGTON — The Montana Supreme Court has put itself on a collision course with the U.S. Supreme Court by upholding a century-old state law that bans corporate spending in state and local political campaigns.

The law, which was passed by Montana voters in 1912 to combat Gilded Age corporate control over much of Montana's government, states that a "corporation may not make ... an expenditure in connection with a candidate or a political party that supports or opposes a candidate or a political party." In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its landmark Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, struck down a similar federal statute, holding that independent electoral spending by corporations "do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption" that such laws were enacted to combat.

That reasoning — described by the Citizens United dissenters as a "crabbed view of corruption" — compelled 23 of the 24 states with independent spending bans to stop enforcing their restrictions, according to Edwin Bender, executive director of the Helena, Mont.-based National Institute on Money in State Politics. Montana, however, stood by its 1912 law, which led several corporations to challenge it as unconstitutional.

By a 5-2 vote this past Friday, the Montana Supreme Court declined to recognize the common understanding that Citizens United bars all laws limiting independent electoral spending. Instead, Chief Justice Mike McGrath, writing on behalf of the majority, called on the history surrounding the state law to show that corporate money, even if not directly contributed to a campaign, can give rise to corruption....read more.

 

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"Don't Compare Me to The Almighty, Compare Me to the Alternative"

 

The Republican National Committee just unrolled their new strategy for beating President Obama this fall. They're calling it "Obama vs. Obama," and the idea is to say President Obama hasn't made good on his campaign promises.

But there's a hitch in their talking points: They're (prepare to be shocked!) not true. For every day they try to weave a false tale about the president, we'll fight back with the facts about his record.

Check out our first piece: a video showing President Obama's victory speech in Iowa from four years ago today, along with a rundown of the promises he's kept. Take a look — and then make sure you share it with your friends.

The bottom line here is simple: This is a President who does what he says he's going to do.

Other presidents and lawmakers tried for 70 years to pass health reform — but this president took on the insurance industry and got it done. When President Obama took office, nearly 150,000 troops were deployed in Iraq; in December, the last American troops there left. The middle class was under assault for decades, and this administration worked to make the tax code more fair and give all working families the tax cuts they deserve. And since taking office, President Obama has taken the most significant federal action ever to reduce greenhouse gases and our dependence on foreign oil — almost doubling our fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks.

These aren't talking points. These are facts.

It's 2012. More and more people are going to start paying attention to this race, and fast. But the Republicans have apparently decided to make this easy for us — because when the other side's strategy is to distort the record, all you need to push back with is reality.

Watch the video, get the facts, then pass it on.
From Obama For America

Watch video:

 

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Hands Off Social Security

 

Roughly 200 people packed the Senate Budget Committee room and hallway Nov. 17, 2011, to hear Sens. Bernie Sanders, Barbara A. Mikulski, Ben Cardin and Rosa DeLauro urge the super committee to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Watch video: "Hands Off Social Security"  (11/17/11)

 

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Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus premieres new website

 

The much anticipated and newly designed Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus website is now up and running at www.floridaglbtdemocrats.org. Read about this and more in the November Florida GLBT Newsletter...read more.

 

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Why is the 99% Movement so important to our future?

 

This is Wall Street's worst nightmare. They may try to downplay the movement and distort the message but the people are standing up and saying, " we are mad as heck and we are not going to take it anymore".

Here is a video featuring some strong words from Elizabeth Warren about why Wall Street is to blame:

Watch video: "Why #OccupyWallStreet? 4 Reasons."

If you haven't heard already, we have our own movement that is alive and well right here in Bradenton. Come to McKelvey Park on 43rd Street and Manatee Avenue West this Sunday, Oct. 30th between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Contact the Manatee County DEC HQ for info at (941) 761-8385.

 

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Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus pres issues statement on official repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

 

Tuesday, Sept. 20 marks a historic moment in our long journey toward equality with the official repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Our Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus President Sally Phillips issued a statement regarding this milestone earlier this morning, and we wanted to share it with you! ...read more.


Watch video: DADT Repeal Celebrated Nationwide  (9/20/11) — Lt. Josh Seefried of the U.S. Air Force and the founder of Outserve who revealed identity for the first time today, and Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach (ret.), U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, talk with Rachel Maddow about the significance of the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

 

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PolitiFact Florida:
Florida Sen. Bennett says people in Africa "literally walk two and three hundred miles" in order to vote.

 

Published on PolitiFact Florida, sponsored by St. Petersburg Times & The Miami Herald:

Think we have it tough? In Africa, people walk up to 300 miles to vote, GOP senator says

Republicans and Democrats in the Florida Senate argued on May 5, 2011, over the purpose of a major elections overhaul, with Democrats saying the bill will suppress votes and Republicans countering that it will help prevent fraud.

HB 1355, which passed both chambers and now heads to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott, eliminates a four-decade-old provision that allows voters who have moved or changed their last name to update their information at the polls on Election Day. Those voters would have to file provisional ballots that are reviewed after the election. The bill also requires third-party groups like the League of Women Voters to register with the state and to turn in signed voter registration forms within 48 hours instead of the current 10 days...read more.

 

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Affordable Health Care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Welcome

 

Welcome! The Democratic Executive Committee of Manatee County is proud to welcome you to the party of inclusion. We are the party that is dedicated to creating jobs, protecting the health of all Americans, preserving our environment and standing behind soldiers, seniors, businesses and students in their pursuit of quality of life and happiness.

In the past two years alone, President Obama and the Democratic Party have stabilized a devastated economy, saved tens of thousands of jobs in the automotive industry and throughout the nation, secured the college loan system, and steadied banking, mortgages and the stock market.

We have passed healthcare legislation that will mean it will soon be illegal for insurance companies to drop you when you are sick. Seniors who fell into the donut hole and could not afford their medications will now receive help instead of doing without. Countless millions will be insured who would otherwise be left vulnerable. Insurance companies will be required to spend 80% of their premiums on actual coverage, and children with pre-existing and/or terminal conditions nationwide will get the coverage they and their families deserve.

The party that brought Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, unemployment insurance, comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, college loans, the G.I. Bill, small business loans, clean air and clean water to the nation is now working on job creation, an American health care safety net and a common sense immigration policy.

There are many ways to get involved locally such as joining our great clubs or the Democratic Executive Committee, or participating in events and volunteer activities. You can also receive our e-mailed newsletter or informational e-blasts. I encourage you to join us. You are part of a larger American family and we, the 67,368 Manatee Democrats, welcome you.

With warm regards,
Chairman Richard O’Brien
Manatee County Democratic Party
(941) 761-8385
Send an email.

 

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About Us

 

The Manatee County Democratic Executive Committee is the official governing body of the Manatee County Democratic Party and works in cooperation with the Florida Democratic Party and the National Democratic Committee.

 

The Manatee County DEC conducts Democratic Party campaigns in Manatee County under the general direction of the Florida Democratic Party. It is responsible to build the party, to register Democratic voters and to encourage Election Day turnout among Democratic voters.

 

The essence of the Manatee County DEC mission is to encourage participation of all Democratic voters and to disseminate the Democratic message, platform and philosophy. The Manatee County DEC is the official charter of Democratic clubs and groups in the Manatee County area. There are five active clubs in the county.

 

Manatee County Democratic Executive Committee
5910 Cortez Road West, #140
Bradenton, FL 34210
(941) 761-8385

 

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