Democracy for Utah - Promotions Committee

2006 Young Democrats Convention

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:43:16 -0700

Join the Young Democrats of Utah for a night of camaraderie, food and fun at their 2006 Annual Convention. Participants will hear from US Congressman Jim Matheson and elect the group's new leadership for the upcoming year. All politically active young adults ages 18-35 are encouraged to attend. A reception with refreshments will follow. For more information, visit www.YoungDemsofUtah.org

More Brainstorming on Bumper Sticker

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 12:50:51 -0600

At the last promotions meeting, someone came up with "CTP: Choose the Progressive." The reference is to the ubiquitous LDS CTR (Choose the Right) rings on the background of a protective shield. I like this one because it's playful and speaks to the local culture. LDS will recognize the symbol and will either be A) amused and come out of the closet to join us in our cause, or B) offended by a perceived sacrilege (it's not: it's pure Mormon kitsch) and not join us (we probably aren't designed for too-sensitive types like that anyway.)

D4U bumper sticker ideas

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:25:15 -0600

The Promotions Committee is working on a bumper sticker for Democracy for Utah. What's your catchy slogan?

Update: Guess I should clarify — it's a bumper sticker specifically to promote D4U.

About Us

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 21:50:47 -0600

Who We Are

Democracy for Utah is a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting American values such as civic participation, good government, social responsibility, equality of opportunity, and investing in our future. Our mission is to increase the number of progressives in elected office and in the Democratic Party leadership in Utah through a combination of volunteering, issue advocacy, education, candidate endorsements, and fundraising. Democracy for Utah is affiliated with the Democracy for America coalition founded by Governor Howard Dean.

Officers

President - Carrie Ulrich
Vice President - John Lee
Secretary - June Taylor
Treasurer - Ted Gurney

Committee Chairs

Social Action Committee - John Lee
Political Action Committee - Sheryl Ginsberg

Mailing Address

Democracy for Utah
P.O. Box 521332
Salt Lake City, UT 84152

Documents

Bylaws: D4UBylawsDraft12.rtf
Constitution: D4UConstitutionV1_5.doc

"Why Most Utahns are Democrats (but just don't know it yet)"

Tue, 16 May 2006 10:20:58 -0600

Steve Olsen is the Democratic candidate for Utah's U.S. congressional seat currently occupied by Rob Bishop. His pamphlet titled "Why Most Utahns Are Democrats (but just don't know it yet)" is the most compelling and provocative argument I've read that Utah can become--if it isn't already--a bluer state.

Sensitive, conciliatory without being wishy-washy about what Democrats stand for (and can stand for), this pamphlet is possibly the one best hope we Democrats have of winning converts in the Beehive State.

"V for Vendetta"

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 05:34:23 -0700

The movie "V for Vendetta" continues to get excellent reviews
(and the negative reviews seem uniformly obtuse).
Anyone want to join me?
Enjoy,
J

Why Intelligent Design Isn't

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:50:22 -0700

It's been requested that I post my op-ed as a blog entry, so here it is in its entirety. I would appreciate any comments and suggestions.

---

In 1999, a group of religious fundamentalists won election to the Kansas State Board of Education. In a 6-4 decision that year, the board decided to teach "science education standards that contain no mention of biological macroevolution, the age of the Earth, or the origin and early development of the Universe." As a result, only creationism was taught in Kansas schools, until the board reversed its decision in 2001.

But then in November 2004, the fundamentalists once again gained a 6-4 advantage on the board, and one year later, in a 6-4 decision, the board voted to replace the teaching of evolution with the teaching of an alternate theory called "intelligent design."

Unfortunately for all of us, it means that many students in Kansas will be left clueless about how the physical world really works, and will be left unprepared for the jobs of tomorrow that require such an understanding.

D4U op-ed gets published in the Tribune

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:17:41 -0700

Congratulations to David Pace, whose op-ed on bridging the religious divide was printed in Sunday's Salt Lake Tribune:

My attendance at Mayor Rocky Anderson's Bridging the Religious Divide meetings over the summer and fall made it clear to me that there is a Mormon/other divide here in Utah. But more important than the wall between members of one church and non-members, I learned that the division within myself is the one I should be most concerned about. [...]

The external power discrepancies in ethnically divided Utah are real, but the crucible in which any "bridging" will take place is mostly internal. We can start by saying "us" rather than "them." Perhaps then we might see the pattern of our self- and other-hatred, choose leaders who will walk the walk and begin to address the imbalances of power that, in the end, threaten all Utahns.

David G. Pace is promotions co-chair of Democracy for Utah.

Great job, David!

Unhappy with the legislature

Sat, 04 Mar 2006 12:29:04 -0700

The following is a draft of Ted Gurney's letter to the editor. Please read it over and provide any comments. –Carrie

Are you happy with the results of your Utah State Legislature? According to the Tribune-KUED poll you, the newspaper readership, have mixed to negative feelings. I think I agree with majority sentiment. I am not happy with weak action on tax policy, in particular the failure to eliminate fully the sales tax on food, the failure to raise the minimum wage to $7, inaction on the scandalous payday lending problem, the stingy increases in public education and higher education in a surplus year, no all-day kindergarten, and the complete failure to ban gifts from lobbyists. I am not hopeful about results of an extra session in May because the same cast of characters will still be around. What can we do about it? Remember we have an election coming up next November and we can replace some of those do-nothing legislators if we get to work organizing. I recommend Democracy for Utah, a group of outspoken free-thinking citizens who get together on the first Wednesday of each month in the downtown library at 7 PM. Join us and feel the democratic power. It's wonderful to feel you can actually have some influence.

Grassroots Op-Ed piece

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 11:46:14 -0700

Thanks to David (whom I co-chair the Promotions Committee with) for posting his Op-Ed piece first! And, as promised--and decidely late--here is my grassroots Op-Ed piece. Look for more Op-Ed topics coming soon including: Intelligent Design, Poverty and Taxes in Utah, and Veteran Benefits. Please keep the comments on these coming!

Growing Grass: When a Country's Leaders Aren't Leading

Trapped in a web of political spin on every issue facing this country--at an unprecedented time in U.S. history--our political leaders are forcing us to face the facts: Americans need to actively participate in protecting our democracy or it will be jeapordized.

It’s old news that the tragedy of September 11 polarized this country when it should have brought us together. Bush’s campaign slogan, “I’m a uniter not a divider” is so ridiculous and overshadowed by our country’s real troubles that no one seems to bring up the absurdity of it anymore. But, now that the division is years old, what are we going to, as a country, do about our impasse?

Religious Divide Implicates All

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 09:41:52 -0700

[The promotions committee, of which I am co-chair, is attempting to get D4U members to write letters and op-ed pieces about our issues. This is a draft of mine. –David]

My attendance at Mayor Rocky Anderson's Bridging the Religious Divide meetings over the summer and fall made it clear to me that there is a Mormon/other religious divide here in Utah. But more important than the divide between Mormons and non-Mormons, I learned that the divide within myself is the one I should be most concerned about.

D4U member quoted in Tribune's SOTU article

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 11:18:24 -0700

D4U member David Pace is quoted in this article from Wednesday's Tribune about the SOTU house parties:

About a dozen neighbors gathered in collapsible chairs around West Jordan resident Aaron Thompson's television set to watch the president's speech. It was a tough crowd.

Thompson, a Democratic activist, called the get-together of Democrats, skeptical independents and at least one troubled Republican "Camp Chair Truth Review."

"The reason we are all here," joked David Pace, "is nobody should have to watch this alone."

The group mostly listened intently, but razzed the president and his audience of dignitaries at points.

"Only George Bush can get away with winking during a State of the Union address," someone quipped.

"He seemed desperate," said David Pace.

Op-ed assignments from the November meetup

Mon, 07 Nov 2005 16:15:34 -0700

Kristy Griggs has asked the members of D4U to write articles that could be presented as possible op-ed pieces for newspaper and/or for our web site. The following is a list of topics that those of us at the November meetup have committed to (list provided by Sheryl Ginsberg).

June: Tax Reform
John Lee: The Marginalizing of Science
Kristy: Grassroots Politics
Josh: Alternative Energy
Leon: Corporations
Nick: Intelligent Design (Just add water)
Sheryl: Family Values
Chris: Environmental Education
Carrie: "I do the web site"

Articles should be under 1,000 words. Kristy requested that we have these ready to share at our next meeting in December. No late papers will be accepted. :)

Op Ed Piece Assignments

Sat, 05 Nov 2005 18:05:41 -0700

Kristy has asked the members of D4U to write articles that could be presented as possible OpEd pieces for newspaper and/or for our web site.
The following is a list of topics per prodding by Kristy. Sorry for any errors I might have made.
Sheryl

June: Tax Reform
John Lee: The Marginalizing of Science
Kristy: Grass Roots Politics
Josh: Alternative Energy
Leon: Corporations
Nick: Intelligent Design (Just add water)

Potluck this Sunday at 4 p.m.

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 11:41:32 -0600

Hi all:

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the potluck this Sunday (click here for event info). A sign-up sheet was supposed to be posted, but it doesn't look like it was. SO, if you're wondering what to bring, we still need:

Side dishes (green or pasta salads or other side dishes)
Snack/finger food (chips/dip, fruit, veggies etc.)
Drinks (alchoholic or otherwise)

Let me know if you have any questions! It's easiest to reach me via email: kristy.griggs@mccann.com or call my cell phone #870-6913.

Thanks,
Kristy