Little Blog Blue

DEAR BLUE VOTERS,
One might think that things would slow down after Memorial Day, but it
looks as if this year might get more and more interesting. I hope you'll
take a moment to look over the news items listed below. There is a rally
to support the increase in minimum wage on Monday, Food Drive on
Tuesday, Dauphin County Commissioners' meeting on Wednesday,
and a little humor at the end. Please be sure to check out the
website www.votebluepa.org for more info.

FINALLY, TALK RADIO WORTH LISTENING TO!!!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.unitedforprogress.com

This Saturday May 27th on United for Progress airing on WHYL AM 960
from 2 to 5 p.m. Rick Smith and Don Vasseur will speak to Cindy Daley
the Policy Director of The Housing Alliance on low income housing
in
the Harrisburg area and author Greg Palast, journalist and author of
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy . Rounding out the other hours our
regular guests from the Democratic National Committee and the Center
for American Progress will be on hand to lend insight to the topics
of the day.

Greg Palasts' book reminds us that money is at the root of the
current problems with this administration and that influence has
gotten extremely corrupt.

United for Progress is sponsored in part by: Pennsylvania
AFL-CIO;
National Education Association (NEA); Pennsylvania State Education
Association(PSEA); American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 13; Teamsters Local 776; and
Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties
(APSCUF). Service Employees International Unions (SEIU);
American
Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); and Union Plus.

RALLY TO SUPPORT THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

Rally & Lobby Day in Harrisburg

Please join representatives from Labor, the faith community, young workers, and other community leaders and advocacy groups as we continue to encourage legislators to help Pennsylvania's families by raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage for the first time in 9 years!!

When: Monday, June 5, 2006 (Lobbying begins at 11:00 a.m. Rally @ 1:30 p.m.)

Where: Main Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg, PA

Facts On Raising The Minimum Wage

The $5.15 per hour minimum wage has not been raised since 1997.
21 states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and New York, have raised their minimum wages due to inaction by the US Congress. Over half of the nation's population live in these states.
HB 257 passed the House of Representatives on April 5, 2006 by a vote of 145-50. It will raise the state minimum wage to $6.25 on July 1, 2006 and $7.15 July 1, 2007.
For information please contact Pearre Dean @ 717-329-8896 or Bethany Bobb @ 717-574-1460.

[More:]

YOU KNOW US, IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT FOOD…

WHAT: Join the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 as we recognize the 5th annual National Hunger Awareness Day with our own local twist. We’ll join with GIANT Food Stores to “BAG HUNGER” by offering a complimentary bag lunch. The lunch includes a complete lunch, with sandwich, snacks and dessert. Crystal Springs will provide bottled water. This event is free to the public, although donations are certainly appreciated.

Other Hunger Awarenesss events include an 11:45 news conference (also at the fountain of the Capitol Complex, Commonwealth Avenue) of a joint resolution by State Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) and Sen. Sean Logan (D-45) designating the week of June 5-11, 2006 as "Feed Your Neighbor Week" in Pennsylvania; and at 1:30 p.m. a panel and testimony about the role of the Federal Farm Bill in reducing hunger (East Wing, Capitol Complex, Room 60A)

WHEN: Tuesday, June 6, 2006

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Lunch Served

11:45 a.m. - News conference, Senate Resolution

1:30 p.m. - Federal Farm Bill Panel and Testimony

WHERE:Lunch and NewsConference:Capitol Complex, (fountain-side), Commonwealth Avenue between Forster and Walnut Streets, adjacent to Soldier’s Grove, Harrisburg, PA;

Farm Bill Panel/Testimony: East Wing, Capitol Complex, Room 60A

About National Hunger Awareness Day:

Tuesday, June 6, 2006 is National Hunger Awareness Day. Now in its fifth year, this day serves as a platform for domestic hunger-relief organizations to raise the level of awareness about the pervasive issue of hunger in America. Although each organization that works on the issue of domestic hunger approaches the problem from a slightly different position, National Hunger Awareness Day offers the opportunity to gather resources, supporters, and voices in focusing the nation’s attention on an issue that is vital to the health of all communities. Hunger relief organizations know that one of the primary ways to ensure that there are enough resources to feed hungry people is to increase awareness that domestic hunger is a growing problem in communities across the nation.

If you need more info, contact Amy:

Amy J. Mountain
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
564.1700, ext. 3015
561.4636 (fax)
amountain@centralpafoodbank.org
www.centralpafoodbank.org

DON'T LET THEM SELL SPRING CREEK!!!

If you've been reading the letters to the editor lately you've probably seen the ongoing discussion on the possible upcoming sale of the Dauphin County Nursing Home - now know as Spring Creek. After hiring a "management company" that has virtually bankrupt the facility, our Dauphin County Commissioners are considering selling the facility. The timing couldn't be worse. Not only is our population aging and Baby Boomers about to retire; the Federal Government is about to release millions of dollars to state and county owned facilities to help offset the cost of caring for the aging and disabled. Factor in that Spring Creek is also a care provider for disabled veterans, and we are at war (lest anyone forget!), and you see it doesn't make much sense to consider a sale at this point.

The County Commissioners meet every Wednesday at 10am. Please come out Wednesday to join us at this meeting. You will have company! For more information please contact Nichelle at savespringcreek@hotmail.com or 564-5123, 561-7096

WEBSITE TO CHECK OUT:

www.buyblue.org Need we say more?

A LITTLE HUMOR, AT OUR EXPENSE…

George W. Bush goes to an elementary school to talk with the kids and do a little PR.

After his talk he offers question/answer time. One little boy puts up his hand and George W. asks him his name, "Stanley" responds the little boy.

"And what is your question, Stanley?"

"I have 3 questions: First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN? Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes? And third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?"

Just then, the bell rings for recess.

George W. informs the kids they will continue after recess.

When they resume George W. says, "OK, where were we? Oh, that's right: question time. Does anyone have a question?"

A boy puts up his hand and George W. asks him his name. "Jimmie" responds the little boy.

"And what is your question, Jimmie? "

"I have 5 questions: First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN? Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes? Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden? Fourth, why did the recess bell ring 20 minutes early? And Fifth, what the hell happened to Stanley?"