Vote your conscience, vote DSA endorsed candidates

Election Day is this Tuesday. Twin Cities DSA has endorsed two candidates, one in a local race and one in a statewide race.

Andy Dawkins, who was a DFL State Representative from 1987 to 2002, is the Green Party endorsed candidate for Attorney General. He is facing incumbent Lori Swanson, who has a number of marks against her progressive record. See Andy's campaign site for all the information. There will be an election night party for Dawkins supporters 8pm, November 4, at O'Gara's Bar and Grill in Saint Paul.



Captain Jack (CJ) Sparrow is running against long-time DFL incumbent Peter McLaughlin for the position of Hennepin County Commissioner, District 4. Besides being an almost 30-year local activist in anti-poverty and homelessness issues and a 40-plus-year supporter of economic democracy in the form of cooperatives, CJ is a member of the DSA Local. His excellent campaign platform is propounded on his blog, Occupirate. He only wears the pirate costume for special appearances and demonstrations, by the way.

From the National Blog

In The Left and Voter Turnout, Duane Campbell argues that getting out the vote can be a vital part of our organizing efforts. He says

We need to select and engage in some electoral battles. Our selection could be based upon whether:

•  It is an important issue. 
• Our allies are working on it. 
• There is a democratic socialist thread in the campaign. 

 

Here is news from the Altlanta local of DSA, which is launching a movement called Moral Monday/GA, pushing an expansion of Medicaid. Note that this is not a blog, but is sort of treated like a blog. However, the individual articles don't have permalinks. Therefore, if you wait too long, the article about Moral Monday may have moved off the top spot or been deleted. Apart from that, nice website, and they are doing a lot, including working with Occupy Atlanta, which is also doing a lot.

Twin Cities DSA Meetings and Events: Spring 2013

Sunday, April 21, 2013, 5 PM. Book group: Discussion of Michael Harrington's Twilight of Capitalism facilitated by Ryan Chegwin. A Twin Cities DSA business meeting will follow at 6 PM. Mayday Books, 301 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis.

Sunday, May 19, 2013, 3 PM. Peak Oil: Presentation by Dan Frankot and discussion. Mayday Books, 301 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis.

Also, please visit the Twin Cities DSA information table at the 39th Annual May Day Festival. Sunday, May 5, 1–6 PM at Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis.

Ty Moore for City Council Volunteer Meeting and Ward 9 Canvass

Join the Ty Moore for City Council campaign at 4200 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, on Sunday, April 7, 12 noon - 2 PM for a volunteer meeting to discuss updates on the campaign and how to get plugged in. This week there will be a political discussion on Ty's support for Minneapolis Energy Options and building a movement for municipalized utilities in Minneapolis. Then, from 2 - 5 PM, canvass in Ward 9.

Twin Cities Local DSA endorses Ty Moore for Minneapolis City Council, Ward 9

The Twin Cities Local of the Democratic Socialists of America, at its March meeting, voted without opposition to endorse the candidacy of fellow socialist Ty Moore for the Minneapolis City Council seat for Ward 9. The seat is one being vacated by Gary Schiff (DFL) as he runs for Mayor. As the Democratic Socialists of America is not a political party nor a political action committee, endorsement by a local or sub-group is educational and informational in nature, and serves mainly as a notice to the public that we have decided that this candidate’s positions are strongly in line with our values and our organization’s goals. Members of the local, especially those who live in Minneapolis, are encouraged to support the candidate as individuals, but are free as ever to support whom they choose.

Ty Moore, who is a member of Socialist Alternative and running under that banner, is also endorsed by the Green Party of Minneapolis (which is a political party!) Our local invited Ty Moore to address our meeting on March 24 about his candidacy, why he is running and what he stands for. After his address, we had a formal motion to endorse, which passed with none opposed and one abstaining. We are very pleased as socialists to see an electable activist with broad community support running as a socialist for a local office.

Meeting Notice: Twin Cities DSA Membership Meeting, March 24, 2013

Twin Cities DSA will hold a membership meeting Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 6 PM. The meeting will begin with a half-hour business session. Then, guest speaker Ty Moore will speak about his candidacy for Minneapolis City Council, representing Ward 9. A social hour will follow. Location: 2nd floor conference room, Davanni's Pizza, 2500 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis.