Tuesday: State of the Union watch party in Newport News

Friend -- On Tuesday, January 25th, President Obama will deliver the annual State of the Union address, sharing his vision for job creation, health care, and more -- issues OFA will continue to organize around all year. This is an important speech for the nation and for this movement. That's why supporters in Newport News and across the country will be attending watch parties -- and sticking around after to craft the strategy we'll use to support the agenda President Obama will lay out. Can you make it? Here are the details: What: State of the Union watch party Where: Andrea's House Newport News, VA 23601 When: Tuesday, January 25th 8:00 pm If you can't make that watch party, see if there's another one that's more convenient. Folks at the Newport News watch party won't just hear from the President and connect with fellow supporters -- they'll also help plan the next steps for OFA VA. After the speech, volunteers will participate in brief strategy sessions to plan local action, and we need your ideas. The steps we take this year in Newport News and beyond will be a vital part of helping enact the President's agenda. We're determined to make 2011 a year of job growth and remarkable progress, and that starts with all of us on Tuesday. Attend a watch party and strategy session, and tell us your ideas for the new year: http://VA.barackobama.com/SOTUWatchParties Thanks, Jeremy Jeremy Bird Deputy Director Organizing for America

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Promises Kept

Friend -- It was two years ago today that Barack and I were sworn in, and I remember what he said like it was this morning: "The challenges we face are real, they are serious, and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met." Even then, we knew it would take time. We knew it would be hard. And we knew we would sometimes make mistakes. But we did not lose sight of what we came to do. Together, we took on difficult issues that had been put off for decades. And some say we have accomplished more in two years than any administration since Roosevelt's. Take it from me, that's something you should take to heart -- because none of it would have been possible without your hard work. But the job's not done. I am reminded of that every time I travel to the small towns in Pennsylvania, Iowa, New Mexico -- all over -- and on the weekends I get home to Delaware. I meet folks who are still struggling, who want to know when the recovery will start to turn things around for their family. These people are why we can't quit. And moving forward with this new Congress, we will need to defend what we've achieved together as aggressively as we pursue the goals that remain. I believe in the power of public service because I've seen what it has done throughout our country's history to combat social and economic injustice. And I am proud to say it's a story that continues in the remarkable progress we've made in the past two years. To tell it, Organizing for America has written Promises Kept. Take a look at the Promises Kept report of all the work we've done in two years -- you can download a copy or have a few sent to you to share with friends. There's a whole lot to be proud of. Of course, the big ones come to mind first: historic health insurance reform, which is reining in the insurance companies and helping control the cost of care for millions of Americans; Wall Street reform, which put in place the toughest consumer protections ever; and the end of combat operations in Iraq, which brought more than 100,000 troops home. And there is so much more you've helped achieve that is right now improving lives across the country:     -- We passed the Recovery Act, which saved and created more than 3 million jobs, provided the largest middle-class tax cut in a generation, and made landmark investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and education.     -- We made critical investments in General Motors and Chrysler, saving tens of thousands of jobs -- and perhaps the companies -- and spurring a rebirth of the American car industry.     -- We wrote into law student loan reform and credit card reform, which ended the worst abuses of the banking industries and are making lending fair for American families.     -- We put two new Supreme Court justices on the bench -- Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, who bring rich and diverse experience to the Court.     -- We have begun to reset America's relationship with the international community, from the ratification of a new START nuclear arms treaty with Russia to tough new sanctions on Iran to strengthening our long-term partnership with a unified Iraq.     -- And we finally repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which was the right thing to do -- not only because it makes our military stronger at a time when it needs to be the strongest, but because we are seeking that military might with an abiding sense of justice. Telling the story of the past two years will be critical to the fights ahead. And it's not just the story of this president or this White House -- it's your story. And it is literally proof that the organizing you do on the ground -- the conversations you have with your friends and neighbors -- is working. Now, I'm not going to say the last two years were easy -- and I won't tell you the fights ahead are going to get any easier. But I didn't sign up for a cake walk. And I'm pretty sure you didn't either. We're here to move our country forward. We're here to lay a new foundation for this country -- for our economy, for our politics, and for our children's and grandchildren's futures. And, as Barack says, what we will be able to accomplish together is in your hands. It's how hard we all work, and how well we all tell this story. Take a few minutes to read Promises Kept -- and let's keep moving: http://my.barackobama.com/PromisesKept Thanks for everything, Joe

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No other way to put it

Friend -- At 5:53 p.m. Eastern Time today, the House moved to repeal health insurance reform. Every single Republican -- all 242 -- voted for repeal. This is a vote for insurance companies. There is no other way to put it. Because if the question is what is best for Americans, repeal would never come up: Health reform is already at work improving the lives of millions of people. Repeal will result in 32 million fewer Americans with health coverage -- and add $230 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years. Republicans in Congress need to know there's a political price to pay for siding with special interests over the constituents in their districts. We're putting together a dedicated team of organizers and volunteers across the country to protect our progress on health reform -- and we need 2 donations from Yorktown to make sure they have the resources they need. Chip in $3 or more to support Organizing for America and help stop repeal before it's too late. The Affordable Care Act addresses and ends some of the worst insurance-industry abuses against families, children, seniors, and the sick -- the cost of repeal would be steep:     -- Families, many already struggling to get by, could lose their coverage if someone is in an accident or becomes sick -- right when they need it the most.     -- A woman with cancer could have her coverage stripped away because of a tiny mistake on a form.     -- Pregnant women, children born with disabilities, and anyone with a pre-existing condition -- as many as half of Americans under age 65 -- could face discrimination or be denied coverage by an insurance company that deems them too costly.     -- A senior on Medicare who falls in the "donut hole" in prescription coverage would once again have to make up that cost out of pocket -- and start paying for all preventative care.     -- The deficit would increase by $230 billion over the next 10 years -- placing an unfair burden on our children and grandchildren and future generations who will have to pay for this mistake.     -- Insurance companies could go back to working for corporate profit and CEO bonuses -- instead of for the people who pay their premiums. These cruel and unjust practices are exactly why we organized, donated, volunteered, and spoke out for months, helping to pass legislation 100 years in the making. It's why we worked with the President and Democrats in Congress to reform a broken and unsustainable health care system. Now, that progress is being threatened -- and we have to do everything we can to protect it. Organizing for America is running a full-fledged campaign to drive this message home in communities across the country. Our organizers and volunteers will be knocking on doors, writing letters to their local papers, talking to neighbors, and calling their senators. Support from 2 folks in Yorktown will ensure we have the tools and resources we need to counteract and stop the repeal effort. Please donate $3 or more today: https://donate.barackobama.com/StopRepealNow Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America

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Tell Rep. Wittman to vote down repeal

Friend -- Tomorrow, House Republicans led by John Boehner will vote on the repeal of health reform -- moving to end the law that keeps insurance companies in check. From denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, to pursuing profits with no accountability, to raising rates arbitrarily on families and businesses and canceling coverage when people get sick -- insurers could return to promoting their own financial health at the expense of those seeking care. And with repeal estimated to add $230 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years, the Republicans' first agenda item delays our economic recovery and does nothing to create jobs. Repealing the Affordable Care Act is bad for our health, our economy, and our country. According to our records, you live in Virginia's 1st Congressional District. Your member of Congress, Rep. Robert J. Wittman, needs to know where you stand. Call Rep. Wittman now at (202) 225-4261. Tell the person on the phone that you're a constituent, that Virginia does not support repeal, and that you're counting on them to protect the Affordable Care Act, regardless of party affiliation. Then click here to let us know how it went. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, repealing the Affordable Care Act will add hundreds of billions to the deficit, increase costs for those who are covered, and result in 32 million fewer people receiving coverage. Health reform continues to provide greater freedom and control in our health care choices -- it's no surprise most Americans oppose repeal. Chances are the Affordable Care Act is already benefiting you or someone you know. Reform is at work for you:     -- If you're a senior who fell into the "donut hole" of prescription drug coverage and needed help covering that cost;     -- If you're a young adult who can benefit from staying on your parents' insurance until age 26;     -- If you've ever worried about your insurer dropping your coverage unexpectedly if you or someone on your policy gets sick or injured;     -- If you're a small-business owner trying to compete with large employers while providing insurance to your employees; or     -- If you're a taxpayer worried about the national deficit. The very first item on the Republicans' agenda involves reducing this important legislation to an abstract, partisan fight. Instead of working to find solutions to build on our recovery and make the United States more competitive, Republicans in Congress would rather appease their right-wing base and insurance-industry allies by re-litigating the last two years -- and returning control of our health care system to insurance companies. They need to know we're paying attention: We will not stand by and allow Republicans to undo our progress. Call Rep. Wittman now at (202) 225-4261. Say you're counting on the new Congress to do the right thing by their constituents -- and that's not repealing health reform. Then please let us know what you heard: http://my.barackobama.com/RepealCalls Thanks for your help, Yohannes Yohannes Abraham Political Director Organizing for America

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Standing together in service

Friend -- The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., is usually remembered for his heroic leadership of the civil rights movement -- he led the successful Montgomery bus boycott, delivered the "I Have A Dream" speech at a time when such words were still controversial, and ultimately gave his own life to the cause of equality. But Dr. King was much more than a civil rights champion -- he was a man who lived his entire life in service to others, speaking out against poverty, economic injustice, and violence. Wherever he saw suffering, he did what he could to help, no matter who it was that needed him or why they were in pain. Through his leadership, he showed us what we can accomplish when we stand together. Each January, we remember Dr. King on his own holiday -- and one of the best ways to preserve his legacy is to engage in service ourselves. As Dr. King told us, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" That's why from tomorrow, Saturday, January 15th, through Monday, January 17th, Organizing for America volunteers will be participating in service projects all across the country in Dr. King's honor. There will be food drives, neighborhood clean-ups, education projects, blood drives, and more. There's an event in Hampton -- please attend if you can, and help make this country an even better place. Here are the details: What: Service event Where: The H.E.L.P. House 3006 Victoria Blvd. Hampton, VA 23669 When: Monday, January 17th 10:00 am If you can't make that particular service event, you can find others in your area here. This movement is about so much more than politics -- it is about coming together through progress, change, and community. Lifting each other up in dedication and service is one of the best ways not only to honor Dr. King, but to honor each other. By giving service a new role in this country, we can establish a new foundation for our economy and a brighter future for our children. That is why service is key to achieving our national priorities, and why Barack recently helped out at a Boys and Girls Club service event. Since moving to Washington, D.C., two years ago, he and I have gotten to know the community through similar service projects, including past Martin Luther King Day events. I treasure those opportunities, and I look forward to another one next week. Every time we pitch in, we get so much back, and always learn amazing things from our neighbors. All of us have something to contribute, and all of us can make a meaningful difference in someone's life. It's a great way to remind others that they are not forgotten, and to remind ourselves that there are always things we can do. Please help Barack and me honor the legacy of Dr. King, and join us in service to our country once again this year: http://VA.barackobama.com/MLKservice Thanks, Michelle

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