Say YES to Prop 121 – Arizona Open Primary! Punish both parties and give independent voters ability to bring this Nation together.

Do you miss the days of Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill where our political leaders used to be able to work in a bipartisan fashion? Indeed it would be nice going back to the good ol’ Reagan and Tip O’Neill days and breaking partisan gridlock to do the jobs Americans voted and pay them to do.

More than ever we need to go back to working on solutions….shedding the partisanship. We need to go back to the Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill days. We are hungry for that. We can no longer support the Tea Party and those who chant Hell No to everything. Americans want politicians to do what they are paid to do and work with each other across the political aisle for what is in the best interest of the United States. More Tea Party supporters have proven to be divisive with their “Hell No” to everything approach and it is destroying the unity message we yearn for because a house divided will not stand.

One of the great modern rivalries in American politics was between President Reagan and the then Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill. If Reagan believed that government was the problem—O’Neill, an unreconstructed New Dealer—believed it could be the solution. Yet these two very different politicians—from rival parties and with opposing philosophies of government—were able to bridge the gulf between them, often with cordiality—and always with civility.

Reagan summed up their relationship when—after one of their famous St. Patrick Day lunches—he wrote in his diary: “Tip is a real pol…[he can] be a friend while politically trying to beat your head in.”

These days, it appears our Nation has gone to the extreme and to the fringe groups.

Here is why you should support prop 121:

Prop 121, the Open Elections Open Government citizen’s initiative, will establish a “Top Two” election system in Arizona.

Arizonans, indeed ALL Americans, are clamoring for change to our current election process that seems to yield little these days beyond partisan sniping and gridlock. Most voters feel our government is broken because our election system is broken.

Prop 121, the Open Elections Open Government Act, will do away with current partisan primary elections in Arizona in which only a limited number of voters now participate and are only permitted to cast ballots for the candidates from one party.

In its place there will be a primary election open to ALL voters and ALL candidates. The top two candidates from that election—regardless of political party—will then face off in the November run-off election. Prop 121 will affect county, state and federal elections (except presidential) and candidates will be permitted to indicate party preference on the ballot if they so choose.

The result of Prop 121 is a “Top Two Primary” in which every voter will be permitted to vote in both the Primary and General Election. Voters will have real choices, with candidates who better represent all the people of Arizona rather than just the extreme views of narrow interests, the political bosses, and lobbyists. Forms of the top two election system have already been successfully established in several states.

Prop 121 is opposed by political bosses and lobbyists who like things just the way they are, and who fought, but fortunately failed, to prevent you from voting on this important amendment.

We urge you to join with respected community leaders from across our state who are tired of hyper-partisanship and want our government to work for us.

Vote YES on Prop 121.

Read the full text of the initiative to learn more and provide feedback.

Arizona is infamous for being extreme, and this is precisely why I believe power should be taken from both Party bosses and more power should be given to the People via independent voters.

The Arizona Republic Recommends a “Yes” Vote on Prop 121

Editorial Opinion – The Arizona Republic – 10/11/2012

As an independent registered Arizona voter, I believe career politicians ought to have term limits. We are sick and tired of career politicians like the former Congressman Jeff Flake who did not work in a bipartisan fashion on issues important to Americans because he was busy toeing the extreme Tea Party line.

Here is the thing though …. Wil Cardon, his Republican opponent accused Jeff Flake for lying about Flake’s term limit pledge.

Indeed Flake flaked out on another promise, and it’s time for Arizonans to see Flake retire.

Here’s more on how Jeff Flake lied about the pledge he made below for populist reasons:

The spot alleges Flake broke his self-imposed three term term limit.

The commercial even features a clip of of the Congressman explaining why.

According to the footage attributed to Reason.tv , Flake responds with “I lied” when asked about the term limit pledge.

Needless to say, that part of the ad’s claim is fact.

While a spokesperson says Flake was just joking about lying, he does concede Flake pledged to only serve three terms in Congress.

Flake now considers that pledge a mistake. Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/fact-check-wil-cardons-attack-on-flake#ixzz27mLZ3fLi

For those of you who may not know, the Tequila Party is a woman-led political grassroots movement, and we support women who have a strong record of helping women via breast cancer patients and women who have been victims in domestic violence abuse incidents.  Amanda has helped so many breast cancer patients and began a cafe to teach skills and empowerment of women who have been abused.

The Democrat candidates of Arizona’s District 3 participated in an Arizona Public Media Forum that aired on PBS Monday August 13, 2012.  To watch the debate online, click here.

State Senator Amanda Aguirre came out on top, having won the Democratic Primary Forum with her firm answers, strong convictions and bold vision for Arizona’s Congressional District 3.  Representative Raul Grijalva, on the other hand, showed once more that he puts his own interests above those of the Arizona people, and ignored Aguirre’s challenge to answer for his 400-plus missed votes in Congress.

DREAM Act activists protested  Florida Senator Bill Nelson at his office this past week that led to arrests in their support of Claudio Rojas.  Nelson’s office told the Tequila Party Movement (we are the Latina counter movement to the extremist Tea Party) that they communicated to the DREAMers of their letter to Janet Napolitano before they occupied their office.    You can see their letter here.

The Tequila Party Movement asked if Nelson’s office would consider dropping the charges against the youth who were arrested, and we just received a response from Sen. Bill Nelson’s office that their Florida regional director has communicated to authorities that they did not want to press charges.

COOL BEANS!

This is great news!

The DREAM Act youth are desperate to come out of the shadows.  We are thankful to President Obama for the compassion he has shown to our youth and our people via the deferred action or DREAM Act relief.  Make no mistake … we know that this was a bold step for any President to make, and we were glad Obama did it within his first term.  Recall to your memory as Americans that Reagan did not give amnesty until his SECOND TERM as President, and Bush did not address immigration until his second term as well.

Thank you Florida Senator Bill Nelson!

From the Lou Show:

THE SHERIFF’S CANDIDATES REPLAY SHOW

A replay of four interviews related to the race for Sheriff in Maricopa County:

John Rowan

West Kenyon (giving his view on the Independent Vote), and

Mike Stauffer

Paul Penzone

June 12, 2012

FBI Headquarters
Director Robert Mueller
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
(202) 324-3000

Subject:  Outside Investigation Necessary Regarding Another Latino Inmate Death In Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Prison

Dear Mr. Robert Mueller:

We are seeking outside investigation with regard to the death of  Raymond Farinas, a 40-year-old Latino  who was recently booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff Office (MCSO) jail in Phoenix.  According to Raymond’s mother, Carmen Ramirez, said her son called her on June 3 and asked her to post his $1,000 bond, which she immediately paid. Then she said she repeatedly called the jail for information on her son’s release.  Later that evening, two Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies arrived at her Phoenix home notifying her of her son’s death.

This appears to be the second time within the past year the Maricopa County Sheriff Office has not released any information on Latino-related deaths. The MCSO appears to hiding information that is reminiscent of Marty Atencio’s death – a Latino veteran who recently died in Arpaio’s prison.

We  believe the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) should conduct a full investigation with regard to the possible excessive abusive actions by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) under the leadership of Sheriff Joe Arpaio since Carmen Ramirez alleges she saw bruises on her dead son’s body. The mother claims her son was allergic to peanut butter and would never have eaten peanut butter due to allergies.   Why would the MCSO under the supervision of Joe Arpaio feed peanuts to inmates who could suffer from  peanut poisoning?  If not by peanut poisoning, where did Raymond get the bruises and the cut his mother saw on his body?

We are seeking the help of the FBI.  An investigation should be conducted by the FBI in light of the recent findings provided by the feds via the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Sincerely,

Shirl Mora James
Lead Co-President of National Tequila Party Movement
Civil Rights and Immigration Attorney

DeeDee Garcia Blase
Founder, Co-President of National Tequila Party Movement

Mike Stauffer is an independent candidate and Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s strongest opponent.

Here is Mike Stauffer’s reaction to the autopsy report of a Latino Veteran who died under the supervision of Joe Arpaio.

Mike Stauffer reacts to Latino Veteran autopsy (print screen by DeeDee Garcia Blase)

From Talking Points Memo:

Attorney Michael Manning told TPM he planned to ask for an outside agency to examine the case of Ernest “Marty” Atencio, who lost consciousness and later died following a fight with law enforcement officers inside one of the sheriff’s jails in Phoenix.

Manning said the results of an autopsy released this week, six months after the death, proved what surveillance footage from the jail had already led him to believe: that Atencio would still be alive if sheriff’s detention officers and Phoenix cops hadn’t ganged up on him, pinned him down and given him electric shocks with a stun gun.

“When you look at the report, coupled with the video of Marty’s torture and death, plus interviews with witnesses, it confirms that this was a fairly gratuitous manslaughter of Marty Atencio,” Manning said. “They took it to the lethal level and really killed him in an absolute jailer riot.”

A military veteran with a history of schizophrenia, Atencio was arrested by Phoenix police on suspicion of assault and brought to one of Arpaio’s jails in the early morning of Dec. 16, 2011. The arrest took place just hours after the Justice Department released a scathing report accusing the sheriff and his office of regularly abusing the civil rights of Latinos.

Surveillance video released just days after the death showed that at some point during the booking process Atencio folded his arms and backed up against a wall. That’s when officers grabbed him and began to wrestle him to the ground. During the struggle, the video showed, one of the sheriff’s detention officers used a stun gun to shock Atencio into submission. Soon he was dragged into a holding cell, where he was stripped naked and left laying motionless on the floor for several minutes until medical help was called. He was quickly declared brain dead and several days later was taken off life support.

…. Manning said on Thursday that fellow jail inmates have said officers there used Atencio’s mental health issues to taunt and toy with him while they were booking him.

“They knew he was mentally ill. They teased him. They mocked him. They tried to make him clown for them and ultimately ganged up on him and killed him,” Manning said. “They were playing with him. It was sport to them that night.”

Representatives of both the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Phoenix Police Department declined to talk about autopsy report, citing potential lawsuits.

The Tequila Party Movement wrote the FBI with regard to Marty’s death. In our letter to the Director of the FBI, we seek an outside investigation with regard to the incident of Ernest M. Atencio, a 44-year-old Gulf War veteran who was  booked into the jail in Phoenix, when he was allegedly tasered and suffered a heart attack according to his family.  We have been told that an internal investigation is being carried out, however, we believe the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) should conduct a full investigation with regard to the possible excessive abusive actions by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) under the leadership of Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

See our  joint open letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller regarding Gulf War Veteran Ernest M. Atencio below:

December 19, 2011

 

FBI Headquarters

Director Robert Mueller

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
(202) 324-3000

 

Subject:  Gulf War Veteran Ernest M. Atencio while in custody of Sheriff Joe Arpaio

Dear Mr. Robert Mueller:

We are seeking outside investigation with regard to the incident of Ernest M. Atencio, a 44-year-old Gulf War veteran who was recently booked into the jail in Phoenix, when he was allegedly tasered and suffered a heart attack according to his family.  We have been told that an internal investigation is being carried out, however, we believe the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) should conduct a full investigation with regard to the possible excessive abusive actions by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) under the leadership of Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

According to recent news media, his family told local TV station Channel 5 that he was a ‘loving and sweet boy’ who suffered from a mental illness and is now fighting for his life.

Commensurate with the Daily Mail Reporter, one U.S. veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan attempts suicide every 80 minutes, according to new study.  The report reveals 1,868 veterans made suicide attempts in 2009 alone. Many veterans face dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, high employment and a loss of military camaraderie after returning from tours.

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, while Latinos make up 9.5 percent of the actively enlisted forces, they are over-represented in the categories that get the most dangerous assignments – infantry, gun crews and seamanship – and make up over 17.5 percent of the front lines.  DOD numbers reveal 35,000 non-citizens currently in the active Armed Forces.

The MCSO should have been trained on how to handle war veterans particularly when there is a history of mental illness and they should be vigilant with regard to the excessive abuse of these veterans.  We are seeking the help of the FBI.  An investigation should be conducted by the FBI in light of the recent findings provided by the feds via the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Sincerely,

Bernie Abeytia

Immediate Past American GI Forum Commander of the State of Arizona

 

Shirl Mora James

Lead Co-President of National Tequila Party Movement

Civil Rights and Immigration Attorney

 

DeeDee Garcia Blase

Founder, Co-President of National Tequila Party Movement

 

 Adam Bustos

National President, SOMOS REPUBLICANS

 

 

“…the next time you’re down in Washington, D.C., to go to the Vietnam War Memorial and look at the names engraved in black granite, you’ll find a whole lot of Hispanic names…who love this country so much that they’re willing to risk their lives in its service….remember that these are God’s children…” – Senator John McCain

I will be attending the webcast meeting. From the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce:

U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce™
Join the Breakthrough Campaign

Together, we will end the more than 15 years and $90 billion of discrimination against women-owned federal contractors 

Dear DeeDee Garcia Blase:

I am reaching out to you to announce a very important advocacy campaign.

Breakthrough:  Fair Access to Federal Contracts for Women-Owned Firms

The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce is stepping up again to lead the charge to finally put an end to decades of financial discrimination against women-owned federal contractors. No more will we allow politicians to proclaim their love of women without putting the money (due us) where their mouths are — we expect our fair share of federal contracts. With your support and focused leadership on this very important issue, the political shell game will end here and now.

Year after year the federal government takes our tax dollars and spends our hard earned revenues without regard for the legal and moral obligation to award women-owned firms our fair share of federal contracts.

>>Learn more about this important campaign here

>>Join me for a web-cast meeting Wednesday, May 16th at 1:00 pm EST.

>>Go to the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce Action Center to contact Congress and President Obama.

Did you know?

In 1994, Congress established an incredibly low 5% goal for contracting with women-owned firms. Since 1994, year after year, the federal government has failed to meet or beat the 5% goal for federal contracting with women-owned small businesses. The consequences of this discriminatory failure? Women-owned firms have lost $90 billion of dollars in opportunities. This colossal opportunity loss negatively impacts women’s business growth, retirement preparedness, our families, our employees, our employee’s families and our communities.

Between FY 1995 – FY 2010, the total lost to women-owned firms due to the failure of the federal government to meet the 5% contracting goal is $89,926,788,994.

We’re drawing the line in the sand today. Help us end this discrimination once and for all.

I look forward to working with you on this important campaign.  Working together, we will get this done.

Margot Dorfman, CEO
U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce

P.S. In addition to the Breakthrough webcasts, register for:

• WOSB/EDWOSB Overview and Certification Process – 5/15/2012.
• Or, secure a women-owned business certification from the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce.  We are an authorized 3rd party certifier for the federal government WOSB/EDWOSB women-owned contracting set-aside program.

Did you folks read the latest headlines regarding our Senator John McCain?

He is now trying to cast Mitt Romney as an Immigration Reform Advocate.  Republicans continue to insult the intelligence of Latinos as they try to rewrite history.  I suppose McCain forgot about this circulated mass mailer below when Romney and McCain were fighting it out during the Republican Presidential primaries of 2008. I watched Mitt Romney systematically move Senator John McCain far to the right on matters affecting immigration during the 2008 GOP Presidential Republican primaries.  If it had not been for Mitt Romney, Latinos may have felt more comfortable in voting for John McCain over President Obama.  I attribute the loss of the McCain Hispanic vote to multiple-choice Mitt Romney.

McCain has been in the Senate too long, and his forgetfulness is causing me to be a strong believer in term limits.   Besides, McCain is no longer an amigo when he decided to vote against the DREAM Act of 2010.

A Flashback When Romney Moved McCain to the right on immigration thereby costing him the Latino vote against President Obama in 2008.