A sizable crowd turns out to meet Rep. Cleaver
Rep. Cleaver with SDC president, Jim Giokaris	Jim Giokaris introduces Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
State Rep. Paul Levota (D-52) offers his perspective	Rep. Cleaver addresses the enthusiastic crowd

Authorized by Cleaver for Congress, David Fenley, Treasurer

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Summit Democratic Club
Highlights of June Meeting

Summit Democratic Club's June meeting featured Jason Kander, founder and director of Heartland Democrats of America (HDA). HDA's mission is to promote traditional Democratic values in America’s Heartland and to craft and air an inspiring and winning message in advance of the 2006 campaign season.

Heartland Democrats of America officially launched its campaign at a Values Rally, Friday, July 8, 2005, at UMKC's University Center.

HDA's new promotional video, produced by nationally renowned digital filmmaker Todd Norris, was unveiled to begin the event. Speakers included U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, State Senator Chuck Graham (Assistant Minority Leader of the Missouri Senate), State Senator Charles Wheeler, Councilman Alvin Brooks (Kansas City's Mayor Pro Tem), and State Representative Cathy Jolly. Many other elected officials attended the event as well.

HDA aims to engage in the “values debate” by asserting different, superior values to those put forward by conservatives, stressing five key areas: Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, Trust and Service. Jason asserted that discussing values instead of just policies will allow us to unite current Democrats and attract new ones by displaying the fundamentals that bind us together.

HDA has garnered attention and support from many prominent local and national figures, among them George Lakoff, author of Don't Think of an Elephant. Jason Kander has advised many of Missouri's Democratic representatives on using values-based themes to communicate the Democratic agenda.

Director Jason Kander represents the 5th generation of his family to live in Missouri and the 7th to grow up in America’s Heartland. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the American University School of Public Affairs in Washington, DC. His senior thesis examined the quality of Democratic politics in Missouri. He was a policy aide on the Congressional campaign of Dr. Jamie Metzl in Missouri’s 5th Congressional District. When Cleaver won the primary, he volunteered with Cleaver's campaign. Moved by the events of 9/11, Jason enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2002. This year, he was commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.

For more information, visit HDA's Web site at www.heartlanddemocrats.com

From Asst. Minority Leader Paul LeVota (D-52)
State Representative Brings “Dialogue” Radio Program to Columbia

Assistant Minority Leader Paul LeVota D-52 is pleased to announce the “Dialogue with Rep. Paul LeVota” radio program will now be aired weekly on The Eagle 93.9 FM every Sunday morning at 11:00 am, beginning May 15. 2005.

“I am proud to broadcast ‘Dialogue’ on The Eagle,” said LeVota. “This program is an electronic town hall meeting that seeks to inform the public about State governments and politics. I am glad to add Columbia to the dialogue,” said LeVota.

The “Dialogue” program began in June 2003 and is broadcasted throughout Missouri. Each program will consist of an update of the previous weeks happenings, an interview with a top policy maker, and a weekly commentary.

KCKN 1340 AM in Kansas City is the flagship station for “Dialogue.” Listeners are also encouraged to contact Rep. LeVota if they have a comment about the program.

Representative LeVota, elected in 2002, is serving his second term in the Missouri House.

Truman Days Update
Summit Democratic Club Wins Harry S Truman Democratic Achievement Award

Congratulations to all SDC members! At the Truman Days Banquet May 14, the club was awarded the Harry S Truman Democratic Achievement Award. The award is normally given to one man and one woman. This is the first year a group has achieved the distinction as well. President Jim Giokaris accepted the award for the club.

Summit Democratic Club
Highlights of April Meeting

The Summit Democratic Club's March meeting featured guest speaker Garry Kemp, Secretary & Business Manager of the KC Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO. Mr. Kemp discussed 3 MO House bills, HB876, HB877 and HB878, that would harm working families by cutting paychecks and benefits, silence our voice in politics and force unions, their leaders and shop stewards to compile extensive reports even as they let corporations and other organizations off the hook. For more information, see SDC's home page.

Kemp also led a discussion about how Democrats can win in rural Missouri and with union members. An estimated 30% of MO union workers voted Republican in the 2004 election. One of the strongest ideas to emerge was that Democrats should develop a strategy that allows them to define the political discussion rather than constantly being on the defensive against Republican attacks. Another was that Democrats should not shy away from the "values" discussion, instead focusing on core Democratic values and how they support Missouri families in real ways, as opposed to the so-called "family values" of Republicans, which are merely carefully crafted sound bytes to distract the public as they proceed to pass decidedly anti-family values legislation.

Two upcoming events, Truman Days and Old Tyme Days, were also discussed. SDC will share a hospitality suite with other Democratic clubs at Truman Days, and we will have a booth at Old Tyme Days. We will have literature from candidates and public service organizations available. While we cannot sell anything at the booth, the idea of having political buttons available and asking for a donation was discussed. If you'd like to volunteer to work at the booth, e-mail janzil@aol.com.

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Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures
Tell Matt Bartle to Support Stem Cell Research in Missouri

Click here for printable PDF of image at left

The Summit Democratic Club's March meeting featured guest speaker Sandra Aust, a nurse, breast cancer survivor and member of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures. Ms. Aust explained to the group of around 60 people how stem cell research may one day provide lifesaving cures and treatments to ease human suffering, and how a bill introduced in the Missouri Senate by Matt Bartle (and an identical bill in the Missouri House) may jeopardize that promise. On its face, Senate Bill No. 160 (House Bill No. 457) appears to outlaw only human cloning, but as Aust explained, the definition of human cloning in other Missouri statutes would make stem cell research and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) illegal. Under the bill, any scientist conducting stem cell research, medical provider offering SCNT therapy or patient seeking treatment would be a Class B felon, subject to a jail term of up to 15 years. Write or call Matt Bartle and tell him how you feel about this legislation, scheduled for debate on the Senate floor in early April, or read on for more information:

E-mail Matt Bartle
Mail, fax or phone:
431 State Capitol
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: (573) 751-1464
Fax: (573) 751-8442

The diagram above illustrates the difference between natural reproduction and SCNT. According to Aust, with SCNT, there is no egg fertilization or implantation in the uterus, therefore no human life or potential human life is created. Instead, a donated egg has its nucleus removed and the nucleus of a human body cell (such as a skin cell) is inserted, producing a cell with the 46 chromosomes of the cell donor. Stem cells can be harvested and developed into any type of cell in the human body, which can then replace damaged cells in the cell donor's body.

SCNT has the potential to lead to cures for diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, MS, ALS and spinal cord injuries. It could also lead to new treatments for cancer, heart disease, sickle cell disease and many other debilitating or fatal medical conditions. SCNT might also allow a patient's own cells to grow complete organs that will be accepted by the patient's body, solving the problems of organ availability, genetic matching and immune rejection. Finally, SCNT would allow researchers to grow and study defective cells associated with diseases in order to test the effectiveness of new drugs or other treatments. For more information, visit http://www.missouricures.com. You or your group can show support by joining the coalition at http://www.missouricures.com/join.php.

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Summit Democratic Club
Highlights of March Meeting

The Summit Democratic Club's March meeting featured guest speaker Sandra Aust, a nurse, breast cancer survivor and member of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures. Ms. Aust explained to the group of around 60 people how stem cell research may one day provide lifesaving cures and treatments to ease human suffering, and how a bill introduced in the Missouri Senate by Matt Bartle (and an identical bill in the Missouri House) may jeopardize that promise. For more information, visit our home page or www.missouricures.com.

Senator Charles Wheeler, M.D. spoke of his support for stem cell research and offered an update on the Missouri Senate's proceedings. Wheeler was optimistic about progress being made by Democrats, who are often able to work with moderate Republicans on the issues.

A representative of People for LS Parks and Seniors informed us of a sales tax issue on the ballot April 5, 2005 and asked for a YES vote for Parks & Senior Center. The Legacy For Tomorrow & Beyond Reduction and Extension of Parks Sales Tax would reduce the current Parks Sales Tax of 3/8 cent to 1/4 cent to begin in March 2008 and sunset in 10 years. The tax would fund: a new Senior Center proposed to be located at 2nd & Independence in downtown Lee’s Summit; a new outdoor family aquatics park and upgrade of the Recreation Center at Harris Park; four new neighborhood “spray grounds,” one in each quadrant of the City; a new community center in the southwest part of the City; Bailey Farm Park development; additional trails and greenway, more new neighborhood parks, and continued improvements at existing neighborhood parks; additional youth baseball, soccer, and softball fields; a new youth football venue and adult softball/volleyball venue at Legacy Park; multiple picnic areas, a destination skate park, a community playground, and a nature center at Legacy Park. For more information, visit www.peopleforlsparksandseniors.org.

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Summit Democratic Club
Highlights of February Meeting

Carolyn McKnight from the MAINstream Coalition in Johnson County, Kansas was the speaker for the Summit Democratic Club meeting on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the VFW Post 5789 in Lee’s Summit. MAINstream stands for Moderate Alliance of Informed Neighbors.  It was established in 1883 and at present includes three organizations, the MAINstream Education Foundation, The MAINstream Coalition and a MAINstream PAC to support candidates of either party who support MAINstream ideals. Their activities are focused mainly in Kansas on church-state issues. The organization was founded by the Rev. Bob Meneilly with a wide variety of community leaders and members. Carolyn McKnight was invited to speak because of our club’s and party’s concern with the current Republican leadership’s claims on religion and values as their exclusive ground.

More information about MAINstream is available on their website  www.mainstreamcoalition.org.

The upcoming Truman Days meeting and a booth at Old Tyme Days in Lee’s Summit were also discussed.

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From Phil LeVota; Chairman, Jackson County Democratic Committee:
James Carville to Speak at Truman Days Dinner

Download registration forms. Click here.

Harry Truman once said, “Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” The president was speaking of some of his fellow democrats and no better words were spoken to describe the beliefs of the Democratic Party. 

In honor of our plain-spoken, hometown hero, the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s annual TRUMAN DAYS will be held on May 13th and 14th, 2005 in Kansas City.  The two day event will be held at the Clarion Sports Complex (formerly the Adam’s Mark Hotel). 

The first night of “Truman Days” is Hospitality Night, Friday, May 13, 2005, where local democratic groups, labor unions, and elected officials/candidates host hospitality suites to promote democratic unity and a good time.  Admission to the hospitality suites is free to DEMOCRATS.  Hospitality suites are still available for any organization interested in hosting.

The second day (Sat. May 14, 2005) of Truman Days begins with the Truman Days Breakfast from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM.  Breakfast at the Clarion Hotel will consist of a great speaker and an opportunity to meet our local Democratic officials. 

After breakfast is a brand new event and idea for Truman Days.  From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the County Committee will be hosting 3 different one-hour informational seminars of interest to democrats.  Topics may include recruiting new Democrats, using technology in politics, framing issues/messages, and the future of the party.

Later, the evening events begin with the Chairman’s Cocktail Reception from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Clarion Hotel.  Come join fellow democrats in the pre-dinner festivities and the opportunity to meet and greet Democrats from across the country.

Immediately following the reception is the annual Truman Days Dinner.  An entertaining and informative program will be highlighted by the opportunity to hear from James Carville, an outspoken Democratic political strategist and commentator who emerged onto the national political scene after his consulting firm helped elect President Bill Clinton in 1992. Mr. Carville understands the importance of Missouri in national politics, so we are hoping to have a good draw of people from across the state to the event.  The Ragin' Cajun's enthusiasm and dedication to the Democratic Party will be inspiring, so start talking the event up to people and sell tickets.

Prices for the event are: Breakfast: $20, Dinner: $55, and seminars free with a dinner ticket.  Packages are available with discounts for table purchases and sponsorship.  More specific details are to come.  Call 816-821-8531 or e-mail plevota@yahoo.com with questions. 

For the past few months the stories of the Democratic Party’s demise have been broadly overexaggerated.  Save this date and tell your friends.  Come help us in our expression of party unity and show that the party of John Kennedy and Harry Truman continues to be the party of the people and is still alive and well.

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From the Independence Examiner:
Dems Want Fee Office Contracts Investigated

By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, DC - Missouri Democrats on Tuesday asked the Justice Department to investigate Gov. Matt Blunt for awarding state business to the wife and brother-in-law of U.S. Attorney Todd Graves.

In a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Corey Dillon, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said the arrangement poses a conflict of interest because the lucrative contracts would prevent Graves from investigating misconduct that might occur in Blunt's administration.

Read the full story. Click here.

Take action. Send an e-mail to Blunt and Graves.

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From the New York Times National Briefings, March 1, 2005:
Gay Couple in Ad [Attacking AARP] Seeks Apology

A gay couple depicted in a Internet advertisement placed by the conservative group USA Next last week wants an apology from the group, which is trying to link AARP with support for same-sex marriage. The advertisement showed two tuxedo-clad men kissing with the caption "The real AARP agenda." The two men, Richard M. Raymen and Steven P. Hansen of Portland, Ore., threatened legal action over the use of their wedding photograph. A letter from their lawyer called the advertisement "hateful" and "demeaning." Charlie Jarvis, chief executive at USA Next, which is attacking AARP over its stance on Social Security, called the issue "a tempest in a teapot." Glen Justice (NYT)

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From the R-VII School District:
Board of Education Election Is April 5

Five candidates have filed for three open seats on the Lee's Summit R-7 School District Board of Education. Election date is April 5. Candidates (listed in filing order) are Jeff Tindle, Jon R. Plaas, Jack Wiley, Roy Mussett and Dennis D. Jackson. Mr. Tindle and Mr. Plaas are current members of the Board of Education.

Deadline to register to vote in this April election is March 9. Additional information about voter registration as well as an on-line form for address and name changes is available at http://jceb.co.jackson.mo.us/ You may also call the Jackson County Election Board, 325-4600, or Cass County Election Board, 380-5100.

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From MoveOn:

Howard Dean Responds to Top 5 Questions from MoveOn Members to DNC Chair candidates

1) What will you do to insure that all voters, in each state, have access to a universally transparent, accountable voting system?
-- Sylvia S Pinyan, retired teacher 
  (January 27, 2005; Winston Salem, NC)

If elected Chair of the DNC, I intend to work with Members of Congress, the state Democratic parties, secretaries of state, the Democratic Governors' Association, other stakeholders, and the grassroots to ensure that every legitimate voter -- regardless of their political affiliation -- is able to vote and have their vote counted. We must address the obstacles that some voters in some locations faced this past November, like inadequate numbers of voting machines at certain polling locations, faulty electronic voting machines, and voting rolls that failed to include some properly registered voters' names. And critically, we must take steps to ensure the verifiability of all electronic voting. For instance, we need to use the referendum process (in states that allow this) to ban unverifiable voting machines and to protect voters from partisan secretaries of state.

2) What would be your list of 'ideals,' things the Democratic Party stands for and will fight for?
-- Tom Peters, commercial fisherman
  (January 26, 2005; Eureka, CA)

Whether you call them ideals or moral values, there are a number of basic principles that I believe the Democratic Party should stand up and fight for. Here are a few: a livable wage is a moral value. Affordable health care is a moral value. A decent education is a moral value. A common sense foreign policy is a moral value. A healthy environment is a moral value. The feeling of community that comes from full participation in our democracy is a moral value. It is a moral value to make sure that we do not saddle our children and grandchildren with our debt.

3) What will be your strategy for sending the message that a progressive agenda is as much about "moral values" as is the Republican agenda, ie: that economic justice and equality, tolerance, civil rights and environmental protection are ethical and moral matters?
-- Anna Schwartz, physician
  (January 26, 2005; Hastings-on-Hudson, NY)

I believe that there are no red states or blue states, just American states. And I am confident that Americans will vote for Democrats in Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Montana and all over the Untied States if we show up, knock on their doors, introduce ourselves, and tell them what we stand for. But we will not win by being "Republican-lite" -- Democrats must have the courage of our convictions. Every chance we get, Democrats need to stand up for what we believe in, frame the debate, and call for reform. Each time that we do this we drive home the point that our progressive agenda is right where the majority of Americans are. Because Democrats -- not Republicans -- are the party of fiscal responsibility, economic responsibility, social responsibility, civic responsibility, personal responsibility, and moral responsibility.

4) What is your plan for creating an effective Democratic message machine to clearly and powerfully present our point of view?
-- Lynn O'Connell, advertising
  (January 26, 2005; Alexandria, VA)

I am running for DNC Chair because I want to reform the Democratic Party and make it a truly national party. Improving the Democrat's message machine will be critical to our success. To drive home the point that we are where the majority of Americans are on the issues, we have to better integrate national and state party operations -- the success of the former depends directly on the success of the latter. Two, taking a bottom-up approach to the development of the Party's message, we need to set core principles that define the Democratic Party and what we stand for. Three, the Party must take advantage of cutting-edge Internet technology to fundraise, organize, and communicate with our supporters. And four, we must strengthen our political institutions and leadership institutes to promote our leaders and our ideas. All of this won't be easy and it won't happen overnight. It will require exceptional cooperation between the National Party and the State Parties, unprecedented use of the grassroots, unparalleled message discipline, and significant financial support. But taking the White House and Congress and every other office back from George Bush and the Republicans will make all of our time and effort worth it.

5) Many people like myself were energized during the 2004 presidential election. I volunteered to canvas neighborhoods and I made phone calls for democratic candidates. I made my first financial contributions for a political cause. How are you going to keep people like me involved? Do you want to keep people like me involved?
-- Lisa Scerbo, photographer
  (January 26, 2005; Mechanicville, NY)

It was new supporters like you that were one of the bright spots in the last election cycle. If I am elected DNC Chair, we intend to make the Democratic Party a truly national party by becoming competitive in every race, in every district, in every state and territory. We need you and other grassroots volunteers to stay involved -- our vision won't become a reality without your help. And we will keep you involved by building on our grassroots successes, expanding community-building initiatives like Meetup, and getting ordinary people to run for office. It is time we support all Democrats carrying the message of reform.

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From Communication Workers of America

Social Security Workers Must Push Bush Agenda

Federal union leaders say the Bush administration is ordering employees in the Social Security Administration to promote the distorted White House propaganda message that Social Security is in a "crisis" that can only be fixed by private investment accounts.

Visit the link below for the full article:
http://cwa-union.org/news/WhatsNew.asp?ID=575

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From The National Catholic Reporter:

What the rest of the world watched on Inauguration Day

By Joan Chittister, OSB

Dublin, on U.S. Inauguration Day, didn't seem to notice. Oh, they played a few clips that night of the American president saying, "The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands."

But that was not their lead story.

The picture on the front page of The Irish Times was a large four-color picture of a small Iraqi girl. Her little body was a coil of steel. She sat knees up, cowering, screaming madly into the dark night. Her white clothes and spread hands and small tight face were blood-spattered. The blood was the blood of her father and mother, shot through the car window in Tal Afar by American soldiers while she sat beside her parents in the car, her four brothers and sisters in the back seat.

Read more at the National Catholic Reporter

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From FactCheck.org:

Bush's State of the Union: Social Security "Bankruptcy?"

In his State of the Union Address, President Bush said again that the Social Security system is headed for "bankruptcy," a term that could give the wrong idea. Actually, even if it goes "bankrupt" a few decades from now, the system would still be able to pay about three-quarters of the benefits now promised.

Bush also made his proposed private Social Security accounts sound like a sure thing, which they are not. He said they "will" grow fast enough to provide a better return than the present system. History suggests that will be so, but nobody can predict what stock and bond markets will do in the future.

Bush left out any mention of what workers would have to give up to get those private acounts -- a proportional reduction or offset in guaranteed Social Security retirement benefits. He also glossed over the fact that money in private accounts would be "owned" by workers only in a very limited sense -- under strict conditions which the President referred to as "guidelines." Many retirees, and possibly the vast majority, wouldn't be able to touch their Social Security nest egg directly, even after retirement, because the government would take some or all of it back and convert it to a stream of payments guaranteed for life.

Visit the link below for the full article:
http://www.factcheck.org/article305m.html