The event will take place on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel.

Tickets for the event start at $25.00

Visit www.claireonline.com/potusevent to purchase tickets before they sell out!

Do you need a job? Every ten years our government is required to count every American. The Census is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that federal dollars are often tied to the population in a city. People from many walks of life use census data to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, and locate pools of skilled workers. When you do the math, it’s easy to see what an accurate count of residents can do for your community. Better infrastructure, more services, a brighter tomorrow for everyone depends on getting an accurate count. In fact, the information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services.

Census Bureau recruiters are calling many leaders in our community asking for assistance in hiring temporary census workers. Apparently recruiting in St. Louis City has been more challenging than some other areas, and the city is flagged as needing additional positions filled to meet the hiring goals of the Census Bureau. What’s best for St. Louisians is that the Census Bureau prefers to hire individuals who actually live in the region, because being forced to bring in people from the outside lowers census taker effectiveness, and perhaps more importantly depriving St. Louis residents of employment they could have had.

Even if you have a job or are not currently looking, please talk to your friends, family and neighbors encouraging anyone interested to apply for these jobs! And also, don’t forget to be counted, the Census Bureau will be mailing a packet of information and a 10 question questionnaire to you home – fill it out, send it back and be counted.

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently hiring temporary census takers to help conduct the 2010 Census. Hours are flexible, with a maximum of 40 hours per week. Pay is $15.25 to $17.00 per hour, plus mileage. Full details, including a practice test, are found at: www.2010censusjobs.gov. Call the St. Louis Census Bureau at 314-800-0660 to sign up for a test session near your home. Don’t wait; the Census is just around the corner.

I had the pleasure of meeting Melanie during the presidential primaries and campaigning alongside her for our nominee, Barack Obama. I can say unequivocally that she was one of the hardest working and most dedicated volunteers on the campaign. I will never forget Melanie’s speech on the Arch grounds in days before the historic election that sent Barack Obama to the White House. Melanie, speaking on the subject of healthcare reform, said we must “take on the big insurance monopoly and liberate American families form the slavery of skyrocketing insurance premiums and canceled coverage, which leave millions of us in a state of perpetual fear and insecurity …” Last year, we came closer than ever before to passing the kind of healthcare reform Melanie mentioned in her speech. Now, healthcare reform is in limbo because our congressional leaders do not have the courage to make tough decisions and send a final bill to the President’s desk.

This past weekend, during a speech to the Democratic National Committee, the President mentioned Melanie and used her story as an example of why we must continue working for healthcare reform. I will quote the President in full, because no one can articulate this message as well as he can. The President said:

“Think about this: She was fighting that whole time not just to get me elected, not even to get herself health insurance, but because she understood that there were others coming behind her who were going to find themselves in the same situation and she didn’t want somebody else going through that same thing. How can I say to her, “You know what? We’re giving up”? How can I say to her family, “This is too hard”? How can Democrats on the Hill say, “This is politically too risky”? How can Republicans on the Hill say, “We’re better off just blocking anything from happening.”

That can’t be the message that the American people are delivering. Yes, they’re nervous, they’re anxious, they’re in a tough time right now. The thing they want most are jobs. They really don’t like the process in Washington, the sausage-making. That part I understand. But I know that they don’t — but I know they don’t want to just offer nothing to the millions of people in America who are in the situation that that woman was in. That’s what we campaigned on. And we are going to keep on working to get it done -– with Democrats and I hope with Republicans and everybody else in between -– to bring down costs, to end the worst practices of the insurance industry, to finally give every American the chance to choose quality, affordable health care. We are going to keep on working to get it done.”

The President is right, we have come too far to quit. Melanie and the millions of Americans that cannot afford healthcare or are being denied access by greedy insurance companies deserve better. Congress and the White House should work around the clock to pass a bill that will extend coverage to the 31 million uninsured, put an end to some of the insurance industry’s worst and most abusive practices.

Democrats promised to deliver healthcare reform during the campaign cycle and now a year has passed. It is time to deliver on the promise – for all Americans, but particularly for our fallen friend Melanie. Let’s not let her work be in vain. Put pressure on our Federal representatives tell them not to back down, Melanie didn’t.

On April 6th St. Louis County voters will make a decision that will have dramatic implications for the future of our metropolitan region.  Voters will decide whether or not to authorize a one-half of one percent sales tax increase for MetroLink, MetroBus and disabled and senior public transportation.   The passage of this important ballot initiative will not only restore the services previously cut in March of 2009 but also provide funds for future improvements to MetroLink and MetroBus services.

I am writing about this issue now, four months before the April 6th election, because this tax increase is vitally important to our region.  Over 100,000 people rely on Metro every week to get to their jobs and 97% of all jobs in St. Louis City and County can be reached by riding Metro.  Also, according to estimates, Metro commuters earn a collective $2.2 billion dollars annually.

We all remember the drastic services cuts Metro was forced to make last spring.  The cuts impacted thousands of transit users — adding hours to some commutes and making it virtually impossible for others to rely on public transit to get to their jobs.  Luckily, emergency state and federal funds were able to temporarily restore some of the service cuts for this fiscal year.  This will not be the case in the coming fiscal year, due to budget cuts on the state and federal level.  Passing this ballot proposition will ensure that drastic service cuts like last spring’s no longer loom on the horizon.  This new tax will generate approximately $75 million a year for public transportation and will also trigger an additional $8 million in tax revenue from St. Louis City from a previous tax passed in 1997.

There is also an environment benefit to supporting the one-half of one percent sales tax increase.  Expanding Metro allows more even more people to utilize the bus and rail systems which reduce carbon emissions.  It is estimated that public transportation produces about half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, per mile, compared to private vehicles.  Improving our public transit is a way for St. Louisians to become greener and help reduce the United State’s dependence on foreign oil.

As you can see, there are both economic and environmental reasons to pass this tax increase.  I will likely revisit this issue as we get closer to the April 6th County elections, but until then, please be cognizant of the great services Metro provides and its importance to our regional economy.  Also remember that, even if you are not a regular rider, your family, friends and neighbors probably are and they depend on Metro every single day.  Please encourage everyone you know in St. Louis County to support this proposition on April 6th.

Go Behind the Scenes with Two of the Biggest Players in Washington’s Shell Game of Corruption, Insider Deals and Pay To Play Politics

St. Louis, MO – Today the St. Louis Democratic Party revealed a new Web site at www.BluntAndAbramoff.com to expose the connections between Congressman Roy Blunt and lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff who was the focus of a new documentary that premiered this past weekend at the Sundance Film Festival. (link )  Abramoff was sentenced to prison for conspiring to corrupt numerous public officials with gifts, meals, trips and campaign donations in what became one of the most infamous corruption scandals in history.

“During his 13 years in Washington, Congressman Blunt has become the ultimate Washington insider by wheeling and dealing with individuals like disgraced Majority Leader Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX) and lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff,” said Jack Coatar, Executive Director of the St. Louis Democratic Central Committee.  “Finally Missourians can see the clear connections between Congressman Blunt and the Washington insiders like Jack Abramoff who led our country down the wrong path through backdoor special deals, out of control spending and failure to hold Wall street accountable.”

Visit www.BluntAndAbramoff.com to see more about the Blunt/Abramoff world of Washington insider deals.

Congressman Blunt is running against State Senator Chuck Purgason and Kansas City auto consultant Mark Memoly in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

When I introduced myself as the party chair from St. Louis, people were very appreciative that I was calling and told me that my call underscored how important the Senate race in MA was to our country.

One voter, Matt, was watching a playoff football game with some friends when I called. I stated why I was calling and he was floored that I would call from St. Louis. I told him that if I could, I’d be in Boston right now knocking on doors for Martha (right after the game). I asked him to be my surrogate instead.

“Matt do us in Missouri a favor – go over to the campaign field office and volunteer for a couple of hours.”

He said, “Grassroots got us here and efforts like yours tonight will help us reshape our nation!”

Matt signed up for a shift in a Boston field office!

Do yourself a favor – help elect a Democrat to Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat by finding an OFA phone bank or go to www.barackobama.com to learn how to help move the President’s agenda forward.

Just like Matt, you can make the difference.

Brian Wahby

Chairman

St. Louis City Democratic Central Committee

For Immediate Release:                         January 12, 2010

Contact:                                                  Ryan Hobart    (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125

Jefferson City, Mo – In another example of blatant hypocrisy, Congressman Roy Blunt is trying to take credit for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants that will help the homeless population in his district, even though he voted against the funding. [HR 3288, Vote #949, 12/10/09]

On December 10^th, after voting against the bill, Blunt said the funding for this HUD program shouldn’t be spent, saying that it is “good money on a bad fix for what is broken”. [Congressional Press Release, 12/10/09]

One month later, Congressman Blunt’s office sent out another press release in which he said these grants are “needed” and “best used” to help the homeless population in his district. What he neglected to say is he voted against the funding that makes these programs possible. [Congressional Press Release, 1/11/10]

“At least we know Congressman Blunt is consistent on something, and that is his DC double speak,” said Missouri Democratic Party Spokesman Ryan Hobart. “He has tried to have it both ways on numerous issues like H1N1 preparedness funding, Medicare funding and now grants to help the homeless. His DC double speak may work to explain his contradictory positions to Washington insiders, but, in Missouri, actions speak louder than words.”

Despite Congressman Blunt’s vote, approximately $900,000 is going to help homeless shelters and projects in Missouri’s 7^th Congressional district.

Congressman Blunt is running against State Senator Chuck Purgason and Kansas City auto consultant Mark Memoly in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nomination for US Senate.

Although there is still much work left to do, last night’s vote is major step forward for the American people.  Does the bill do everything that we wanted, no. But last night’s vote is the first major step to reforming our broken system – an effort that progressives have been working toward for nearly a century. Now, we are on the cusp of making health care reform a reality in America.

As with any piece of legislation, compromise is part of the process.  However, some of the changes that have been made to bill are good additions that will make this historic bill even stronger:

• Between the time the bill passes and the time the insurance exchanges are up and running, insurance companies that try to jack up their rates will be punished.  Insurance companies that hike their prices may be barred from selling plans on the exchange.
• Starting immediately, insurers would not be able to deny children coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Discrimination on the basis of pre-existing conditions for everyone would be banned once the exchanges are open in 2014 – in the meantime, the bill creates a high-risk pool where adults with pre-existing conditions can buy affordable coverage.
• The bill includes explicit language that will protect a patient’s choice of doctors.
• Health insurers would be required to spend more of their revenue on providing you health care (between 80% and 85%) rather than on administrative costs and salaries.
• Small businesses will also receive additional assistance

These protections are in addition to the ones President Obama and Congressional Democrats have been talking about for months including, no longer will insurance companies be able to drop someone’s coverage if they become sick and no longer will anyone be subject to unlimited out of pocket costs. These types of out of pocket expenses are one of the major contributors to personal bankruptcy.

The bill will save families and small businesses money on their premiums, significantly reduce the national deficit, and add years to the life of the Medicare Trust Fund.  And perhaps most importantly, it will make coverage affordable for more than 30 million Americans who currently do not have it.

Are they items that we all would want in the health care reform package that did not make it in the Senate bill – yes, but know that we still have to merge the Senate and House bills in Conference and the final version of the bill is not yet clear.  Things in the bill might improve, or if we are not vigilant, may get worse.  The bottom line is this:  We are standing at the precipice of a historic policy shift in our country; we have move this policy farther in a shorter time than anyone since the 1960’s.  We need to continue to support President Obama, House and Senate leaders as they move toward final passage.  And then we need to stay engaged to make sure we get more Senators and Reps elected in the next cycle to improve on what the President and this Congress will have accomplished.

– Brian Wahby, Chairman

Contact:                                                Ryan Hobart    (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125

Congressman Blunt Continues to Go to his Base – Lobbyists and Washington Insiders

Blunt turns to “kingmaker” and “super lobbyist” for insider $$$

Jefferson City, Mo – On Thursday, Congressman Roy Blunt will once again take time to court his loyal base – Washington insiders and corporate special interests.  Blunt is looking to ensure he doesn’t lose his place as the #1 recipient of lobbyist money and will attend a fundraiser hosted by Washington Insiders – Fred “Republican Kingmaker” Malek and Charlie “Super lobbyist” Black. (CQ 12/1/09)

“Congressman Blunt continues business as usual, siding with D.C. insiders and lobbyists in hopes of bolstering his already top lobbyist fund-raising numbers,” said Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Brian Zuzenak. “While Washington power brokers may be pleased with Blunt’s record, a recent poll said 65 percent of Missourians believe he is part of the problem in Washington. In other words, Congressman Blunt’s years of reckless spending and favor-peddling in Washington for insiders like convicted felon Jack Abramoff, Fred Malek, and Charlie Black are catching up to him.”

Who is Fred Malek? For almost forty years, Fred Malek has been intimately involved in national Republican politics. He was a close adviser to President Richard Nixon and served as the Campaign Manager for President George H.W. Bush’s unsuccessful 1992 re-election campaign. He also helped with John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. In 2004, Malek and his investment firm were censured by the SEC for investment fraud and settled the matter by paying a fine of $250,000. (USA Today 10/15/08)

Who is Charlie Black? Charlie Black is a prominent lobbyist and former adviser to John McCain. McCain’s Presidential campaign came under some significant heat for keeping Charlie Black as an advisor because of his record as a hired gun for controversial clients. (Wall Street Journal 5/19/08)  Here is a Moveon.org ad from 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjCYmjjxp8I. He is also well-known for saying that a terrorist attack during the 2008 election would have been a “big advantage” for Senator McCain. (New York Times 6/24/08)

Congressman Blunt’s loyalty to lobbyists and the corporate special interests they represent has not gone without reward.  USA Today noted that Congressman Blunt has taken more money from lobbyists than any other candidate in the nation this year. During the first six months of 2009, Blunt took $310,534 from lobbyists, putting him ahead of both the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. (USA Today, 10/4/09) In the last fundraising quarter, Blunt took more money from Political Action Committees (PACS) than any other non-incumbent Senate candidate. According to Dave Catanese of KY3, only three 2010 U.S. Senate candidates took in more PAC cash than Blunt over the last three months – all are incumbents. (KY3 Political Notebook, 10/23/09; FEC.gov)  Congressman Blunt has also taken $718,785 from commercial banks, placing him in the top 10 recipients of big banking money from the U.S. House of Representative and Senate. (Center for Responsive Politics, 11/16/09)

Congressman Roy Blunt faces State Senator Chuck Purgason and Kansas City auto consultant Mark Memoly in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nominee for US Senate.