Lansing Area Progressives

Progress Michigan on the Airwaves

Julielyn — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:54:53 EDT

Progress Michigan is pleased to be a part of the movement that's helping Michigan move forward with our innovative strategies and technologies. Using this website and a winning combination of online outreach combined with a proven method of workign with traditional media, we seen many successes, despite having only been around for less than a year.

Michigan's progressive blogosphere plays no small role in making sure that our state's residents are informed and activated. It's no secret that Michigan is one of the leading states nationally when it comes to the size and strength of the people-powered netroots. It's also one of the reasons we're proud to feature feeds from two of the state's largest blogs just to your right on this website. If you haven't started tuning in to the blogs, there's no time like the present! Both Blogging for Michigan and Michigan Liberal are easy to read and participate in, and we encourage you to start getting involved with them as well the numerous other progressive blogs around this state.

Last week you read right here how the Healthcare for Michigan Campaign is rolling full steam ahead in the fight for healthcare coverage for every Michigan citizen. Progress Michigan was pleased to play a small role in assisting the Campaign take part in a live-blog at MichiganLiberal. Shortly thereafter, it spurred Walt Sorg, host of AM Lansing to talk to us about it, and more importantly how the Internet is truly changing the face of politics. You can listen to the full interview here.

Nearly 50 Progressive MI Job Openings

Julielyn — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:03:47 EDT

That's right nearly 50 job postings are awaiting you on our Progressive Jobs Bank. From Macomb to Lansing to the Upper Peninsula and everywhere in between there's a job out there, and it could be your perfect job.

Whether the environment, youth, campaign staff or working families is your area of passion, it's listed on our jobs bank.

Stop by and check it out, and when you apply for your dream job, be sure to mention that you found it at Progress Michigan.

Got a job you're looking to hire for? Send it to jobs[at]progressmichigan.org and we'll make sure the entire state sees it!

Primary Do-Over? You Decide!

Julielyn — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:39:46 EST

The nation is in the midst of one of the most closely watched Democratic Presidential primaries ever, yet Michigan is on the sidelines.

A debate is raging whether Michigan should hold another presidential primary or caucus to restore its voice and call attention to the issues facing the state, or live by the rules! What do you think?

Should the Democratic Party host a do-over caucus or primary in Michigan, or no?

Vote online here!

http://progressmichigan.org/primarypoll

Check out the new Progressive Michigan Job Bank

Julielyn — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:16:44 EST

Progress Michigan is pleased to announce the unveiling of it's Progressive Michigan Job Bank, devoted exclusively towards the advertising and promotion of progressive job openings in Michigan. Interested parties from progressive organizations across the state are invited to submit their job posting to jobs@progressmichigan.org for promotion.

The Progress Michigan Progressive Job Bank is another way that Michigan's progressive community can continue to build and strengthen its diverse and talented work force. We're pleased to be able to offer this to employers and job-seekers alike.

35 Years Later, I'm Grateful for the Choice

Julielyn — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:46:16 EST

Thirty-five years ago today nine men in Washington D.C. opted to give women a choice when it comes to making reproductive decisions about their bodies. As a woman, I'd like to say thanks.

Not one to kick a gift horse in the mouth, I'd like to just ask why it was we needed permission in the first place, because I still haven't figured that one out. Of course, the LGBT community is still trying to figure out why the government is in our bedrooms, dictating who we can love, so maybe the two of us can battle that one out together. But I digress...

Fast forward to 2008 - it's hard to fathom why thousands have been insulted, intimidated, picketed, maimed and even killed by those who wish to take a woman's basic choice away from us. The mere mention of Roe v. Wade often strikes a certain amount of discomfort for many. For others it invokes a sense of justice, and then there are those who are overcome with rage. Clearly it's one of the most publicly tumultuous decisions ever handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The part that really gets me is that so many of these self-righteous crusaders don't even have a uterus, and probably would have no idea what to do with it should they find themselves with one.

The knowledge of being an owner of an instrument that miraculously produces life is a heavy burden that most young girls are handed early on. For me, it weighs very heavily. As an almost-thirty-something, I still have no idea whether or not I belong bringing a child into this world, whether I have the means to bring them up properly and be the responsible adult that every child needs guiding the way. Without a doubt, it's a deeply personal issue and one that should never be considered lightly.

But let's forget the politics, the ideology, the drama. Let's remember what it is at the very granular level - a woman's choice, and sometimes, too many times, the very health and life of a woman. Like most women, I hope to God it's a choice I never have to make, but it's important to me and millions others that the choice is there, and the same for the next generations of women that come after us.

It's an issue of health, of equality, and of civil liberty. Imagine, if women don't have a say over their own bodies, what comes next? What personal right, freedom could you be asked to give up next?

Cheap Goods have High Costs (Take Action!)

Julielyn — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:57:12 EST

Do you know what all of these have in common?

Toxic toys, red-leaded steel, counterfeit circuit breakers, poisoned pet food, contaminated human food, the list of things to watch out for, stay away from just keeps growing.

They are all imported items.

They are all things that could be safetly produced by American workers, many of them right here in Michigan where we have such a strong and proud workforce.

Instead these jobs are outsourced to countries without strong labor, environmental, health, or consumer safety protections. What's wrong with this picture?

Like all great change that's occured here in Michigan and across our country, it takes motivated people to gather together and say No.

You can help by joining others in your community and telling your Congressman to stop putting Michigan families at risk and start helping working families.

The United Steelworkers has declared this Wednesday, Jan. 16th as a national day of action. By taking action we can help protect our families, homes, workplaces and communities from toxic imports.

Find the event in your district and sign up. Men and women from all over the state will visit the district offices of 100 members of Congress to tell them that cheap goods have a high price. On this day, we will demand that they take action. We will put them on notice that our trade laws must champion safety and environmental standards as well as workers' rights.

Join us! Wednesday, January 16th at the following locations times:

Rep. Pete Hoekstra, 9:00 am - 3rd Street, Suite 203, Muskgeon, MI 49440 (contact: Tonya Devore 616.604.1997)

Rep. David Camp, 4:30 pm, 135 Ashman Dr. Midland, MI 48640 (contact: Tammy Beebe 989.667.0660)

Rep. Thad McCotter, 4:30 pm, 17197 N. LaurelPark Dr., Livonia, MI 48152 (contact: Linda Lucas 248.229.0473)

Rep. Mike Rogers, 1:00 pm, 1327 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912 (Contact Ed Leary 231.557.8889)

Rep. Tim Walberg, 4:30 pm, 800 W. Granson, Jackson, MI 49202 (Contact: Jay McMurran: 734.218.4613)

Rep. Fred Upton, 4:30 pm, 157 S. Kalamazoo St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (Contact: Sue Browne 269.945.4443 (will meet at 4:00pm to assemble)

Because in the end, cheap goods really do have high costs.