http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/three-days-before-election-new-american-tune-ad-launch-focuses-on-middle-class-americas-economic-struggles 2008-11-02. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2008 CONTACT INFORMATION: Brad Martin: 406.750.3457 (cell) Denver, CO – With just days left before the election, Progressive Future launched on national news outlets an ad focused on the recent economic challenges facing middle America. The ad weds images of ordinary Americans struggling through troubled times to singer Paul Simon's empathetic lyrics of "American Tune": "I don't know a soul who's not been battered/I don't have a friend who feels at ease/I don't know a dream that's not been shattered/or driven to its knees." The ad concludes with an image of Senator McCain, his arm draped around President Bush, as viewers hear the lyrics, "Still, when I think of the road we're traveling on/I can’t help it/I wonder what’s gone wrong." "This ad zeroes in on the challenges we're facing as a country and the choice we have on Tuesday," said Brad Martin, Progressive Future Political Director. "From record foreclosures, to high unemployment, to millions without health care, this country needs to move in a different direction." Martin cited recent statistics that document the economic ordeals highlighted in the ad. According to RealtyTrac® numbers from October 2008, home foreclosures have increased 21 percent from September 2007; one in every 475 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing in September 2008. The Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment numbers stayed at over six percent, or nearly 10 million, unemployed in September. The National Coalition on Health Care reports 47 million Americans are without healthcare insurance. "This song was written over thirty years ago, when people were hurting because of a different set of problems. Well, we're hurting again today," added Martin. "It's time to make a change." Progressive Future is running the ad on national network programs on CNN and MSNBC this weekend. Viewers can also access the ad at http://www.progressivefuture.org/american-tune The production is the second pro-Obama ad sponsored by Progressive Future. In the first ad, released on Wednesday, the group makes the case for Obama using footage of Ronald Reagan from his one and only debate against Jimmy Carter, where Reagan asked if Americans were "better off" than they were four years ago. The ad can be seen at www.betteroff08.com. In addition to sponsoring the "American Tune" and the "Better Off" ads, Progressive Future is conducting a grassroots program to elect Barack Obama. The group has organized efforts to persuade undecided voters through face-to-face contacts at the door in critical battleground states. In the final 96 hours of the election, the group is mobilizing its members and activists to conduct a get-out-the-vote drive. To embed this video in your website or blog, copy and paste the following code: <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hbuLchsauKs "> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hbuLchsauKs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </ embed> </object> . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/three-days-before-election-new-american-tune-ad-launch-focuses-on-middle-class-americas-economic-struggles Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:48:30 -0600 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/18-statewide-ballot-initiatives-in-ten-states-make-national-best/worst-list 2008-10-29. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2008 CONTACT INFORMATION: Adam Lioz, Progressive Future: (202) 251-8519 Kristina Wilfore, BISC: (202) 223-2373 Denver, CO – A new national survey of the 153 initiatives on statewide ballots this fall touted seven as moving America forward “toward fulfilling the promise of democratic progress” and slammed 11 as examples of regressing “at our peril.” Progress or Peril: The Best and Worst 2008 Ballot Initiatives details eighteen initiatives in ten states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Washington. The report was co-authored by Progressive Future and Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, and is available at www.ProgressiveFuture.org/progress-or-peril. Report authors noted that November’s national elections are just the beginning, and that voters will make many decisions—some just as critical—lower down the ballot. Twenty-four states feature statewide initiatives or referenda on their ballots. The eighteen initiatives featured in the report will affect more than 100 million people. “A lot is at stake on state ballots this year,” said Adam Lioz, Progressive Future Program Director and report co-author. “Americans will be answering some very basic questions about our core values—and we can take big steps forward, or giant leaps back. It’s been a long election season, but it’s critical that voters finish strong by making their voices heard all the way down the ballot.” Progress or Peril features initiatives the authors say will move us forward on: • Economic Security (OH Issue 5) • Education (CO Amendment 59) • Energy (MO Proposition C) • Health Care (MT Initiative 155) • Personal Autonomy (WA I-1000) • Using Public Resources (CO Amendment 58; CA Proposition 1A) The report profiles measures that the authors say will take our country in the wrong direction on: • Choice (CO Amendment 48) • Economic security (CO Amendments 47, 49, 54) • Equal Rights (AZ Prop 102; AR Initiative 1; CA Proposition 8; CO Amendment 46) • Health Care Access (FL Amendment 2) • Using Public Resources (MA Question 1; AZ Proposition 105) "Voters in 2008 are clamoring for change, but some of the most important and controversial laws in this country aren't made by politicians,” said Kristina Wilfore, Executive Director of Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. “This year’s ballot measures present voters with an opportunity to vote directly on laws that will truly decide on significant changes in state policy." . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/18-statewide-ballot-initiatives-in-ten-states-make-national-best/worst-list Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:24:07 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/28-years-later-new-ad-echoes-reagan--in-asking-if-americans-are-better-off 2008-10-29. Go to the Progressive Future Better Off O8 page. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 29, 2008 CONTACT INFORMATION: Brad Martin: 406.750.3457; (c) 202.543.3332 (w) Adam Lioz: 202.251.8519; (c); 303.893.0458 (w) Washington, DC – Following the 28th anniversary of the historic debate performance that many believe won Ronald Reagan the 1980 election, a new advertisement evokes Reagan’s famous words: “Are you better off than you were four years ago? Is it easier for you to go and buy things in the stores than it was four years ago? Is America as respected throughout the world as it was? If you don’t think that this course that we’ve been on for the last four years is what you would like to see us follow for the next four, then I could suggest another choice that you have.” In addition to being featured in an online outreach program to swing voters in battleground states, the advertisement, sponsored by Progressive Future, will run this week in Ohio and Florida. Viewers can also access the ad at www.BetterOff08.com. “Ronald Reagan asked the American people a simple question, and we’re asking it again,” said Jeff Goodby, who produced the ad through his firm Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. Mr. Goodby learned his craft from Hal Riney, who produced “Morning in America,” a one-minute spot for President Reagan’s 1984 re-election campaign that many consider one of the most effective political ads in American history. “With our economy in crisis and our soldiers still at war, Ronald Reagan’s question is as relevant today as it was in 1980,” said Brad Martin, Progressive Future Political Director. Martin noted that current public opinion polling and a new report by Third Way, a non-partisan think tank, underscore his point. A recent Gallup poll found that a record 91% of Americans are “dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time.” The Third Way report put the public’s frustration in concrete terms. The authors of “Are You Better Off” compared Americans’ financial well-being over the past eight years (2001-2008) with the previous eight (1993-2000). The researchers found that between large drops in wages and investment income, and higher prices for health care, energy, food, and more, the typical working household was an estimated $94,929 worse off over the past eight years than over the previous eight. The authors also broke down the comparison by state. Only two states experienced gains, while the residents of 15 states were at least $100,000 worse off during the Bush years. Ohio residents took a $121,409 step back, according to the report addendum. Florida residents fared better but still lost an estimated $16,040 worth of ground. Michigan residents took the biggest hit from the Bush years, falling behind by $181,735. Taking a broader view, the authors reported that the country as a whole is worse off across a range of metrics including unemployment, health care coverage, job creation, debt, and more. The report is available at www.ProgressiveFuture.org/better-off-report, and state-by-state breakdowns are available at www.ProgressiveFuture.org/better-off-state-report. “If you’re tired of George Bush’s failed policies, tired of paying more for groceries and gas, and sick of worrying about whether your retirement savings will disappear overnight, then Barack Obama is, in Reagan’s words, ‘another choice that you have,’” Martin added. Although independently conceived, several similar video concepts can be found on the internet, demonstrating the strength of the message. Through its media buy and additional online organizing program, Progressive Future will bring the concept to a wider audience. Progressive Future wishes to acknowledge and celebrate other versions of this concept and the many creative efforts of online videographers in support of Barack Obama. In addition to sponsoring the “Better Off 08” ad, Progressive Future is conducting field programs to elect Barack Obama. Just as the ad is aimed at connecting with independent-minded voters, many of whom voted for Reagan, the organization is currently focused on persuading undecided voters through face-to-face contacts at the door in critical battleground states. In the final 96 hours of the election, the group will shift its focus to mobilizing its members and activists to conduct a volunteer-based get-out-the-vote drive. . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/28-years-later-new-ad-echoes-reagan--in-asking-if-americans-are-better-off Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:46:11 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/statement-of-progressive-future-program-director-adam-lioz-on-widening-bailout-scope 2008-10-25. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 25, 2008 CONTACT: Adam Lioz Program Director, Progressive Future (303) 893-0458 Denver, CO – MSNBC reported today that the Federal government will expand the economic bailout to include major insurance companies hit by the financial crises. MSNBC reports that the Treasury department is moving to buy ownership stakes in a number of unsteadied companies, such as The Hartford, Prudential, and MetLife. Progressive Future Program Director Adam Lioz said of the expanding bailout, “With the bailout broadening across many sectors of our economy, government must act carefully to protect the interests of everyday Americans, not just corporate bosses. This means shoring up the housing and credit markets – but it also means investing strategically in a green recovery that will grow jobs here at home, help families cope with volatile energy prices, and move our country towards energy independence.” “Our leaders need to make the smart investments in our country that will help us heal, not just stop the bleeding,” added Lioz. “In times like these, we can’t afford to neglect what can make America stronger for the long run.” . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/statement-of-progressive-future-program-director-adam-lioz-on-widening-bailout-scope Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:33:57 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/progressive-groups-publish-young-voter-ballot-measure-guide 2008-10-24. CONTACT: Adam Lioz Program Director Progressive Future (303) 893-0458 Edith Sargon National Field Director Choice USA (202) 719-9445 . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/progressive-groups-publish-young-voter-ballot-measure-guide Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:27:38 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/progressive-future-and-health-care-for-america-now--join-forces-in-national-health-care-day-of-action 2008-10-22. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2008 CONTACT: Adam Lioz Program Director, Progressive Future (303) 893-0458 Jacki Schechner National Communications Director, Heath Care for America Now (202) 454-6196 . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/progressive-future-and-health-care-for-america-now--join-forces-in-national-health-care-day-of-action Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:04:55 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/statement-of-progressive-future-program-director-adam-lioz--on-slowing-alternative-energy-investment 2008-10-21. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2008 CONTACT: Adam Lioz Program Director, Progressive Future (303) 893-0458 . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/statement-of-progressive-future-program-director-adam-lioz--on-slowing-alternative-energy-investment Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:06:35 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/statement-of-progressive-future-program-director-adam-lioz-on-the--colorado-check-box-voter-registration-problem 2008-10-16. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2008 CONTACT: Adam Lioz: 303.893.0458 Statement of Progressive Future Program Director Adam Lioz on the Colorado "Check-Box" Voter Registration Problem "Progressive Future is calling on Secretary Coffman to step up and do the right thing. Our elected officials should be working to make voting as easy as possible for everyone, not keep eligible citizens off the rolls. "Let's make sure we have our priorities straight before this historic election. When everyone is able to participate, we can all feel good after Election Day, no matter who wins. When voters are turned away because government agencies refuse to correct their own mistakes, the real loser is the democratic process." . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/statement-of-progressive-future-program-director-adam-lioz-on-the--colorado-check-box-voter-registration-problem Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:42:22 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/grassroots-group-demonstrates-that-mccain-palin-ticket--would-leave-hefty-taxpayer-tab 2008-10-02. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: October 2, 2008 Sarah Payne, Media Associate (207) 319-5822 (cell) Grassroots Group Demonstrates that McCain-Palin Ticket Would Leave Hefty Taxpayer Tab St. Louis, MO – Progressive Future volunteers dressed as Governor Palin and Senator McCain greeted vice presidential debate attendees with a "taxpayer tab" of $27,000 for expenses such as the impending bailout, fossil fuel subsidies, and the Iraq war. Representatives from the group say the purpose of today’s event was to point out that Gov. Palin and Sen. McCain are not the right team to bring the change America needs or to lead the country out of the current economic crisis. "You don't ask the same people who drove our economy into a ditch to steer us back out," said Sarah Payne, Progressive Future Media Associate. "This Election Day voters should remember that exactly nine years earlier on Nov. 4th Sen. McCain was casting his vote in the U.S. Senate to abolish the key protections designed to tame Wall Street and prevent our current economic crisis." Along with the tax bill, the volunteers gave out a menu for "John and Sarah's Diner," serving up such Bush-friendly fare as "John's Wall Street Sliders," "Sarah's Baked Alaska," and "Phil Gramm's Foreclosure Whine." "Along with her running mate, Gov. Palin offers a double helping of economic destruction and half-baked ideas. This ticket will continue President Bush's failed policies and leave ordinary taxpayers paying the tab," concluded Payne. . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/grassroots-group-demonstrates-that-mccain-palin-ticket--would-leave-hefty-taxpayer-tab Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:32:39 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/for-less-than-a-second-of-the-iraq-war-average-tax-bill-could-fund-25-days-of-healthcare-and-more 2008-07-25. DENVER – An average American's tax bill bought only 0.04 seconds of the war in Iraq in 2007, according to Progressive Future's Invest in US Calculator. This same tax tab could have funded 25 days of health coverage for an uninsured American, or powered a home with renewable energy for 89 days. “Less than a second of war, or a month of health insurance for a poor child—I know where I want my taxes going, and I think most Americans agree that our leaders need to invest in us,” said Adam Lioz, Progressive Future Program Director. Progressive Future, a grassroots progressive nonprofit, unveiled the Invest in US Calculator today while launching its first major online initiative. The “Invest in US” campaign calls on current and future leaders to shift spending priorities away from the war in Iraq and towards solving pressing problems at home. The calculator shows citizens how much of their 2007 tax bills went to the Iraq war, and what they could have funded instead—days (or years) of healthcare, Head Start for a student, powering a home with renewable energy, or higher education for an Iraq war veteran. “To shift America’s priorities, it’s clear that citizens must lead,” added Political Director Brad Martin. “Our Invest in US campaign will help Americans raise their voices for change.” Martin pointed to recent events—from new momentum for a plan to get out of Iraq to Al Gore’s bold 100% renewable power challenge—and the upcoming elections as evidence that the time is ripe for Progressive Future’s call to invest in critical programs at home. By petitioning online and in the streets, the group aims to get 25,000 citizens to sign its Invest in US statement, and join the campaign. They’ll take the results to the media, the party conventions, and elected officials. www.ProgressiveFuture.org/invest-in-us-calculator . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/for-less-than-a-second-of-the-iraq-war-average-tax-bill-could-fund-25-days-of-healthcare-and-more Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:41:44 -0500 http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/progressive-future-honors-young-leaders-at-denver-dance-party 2008-08-27. On Wednesday, August 27th, Progressive Future threw a Denver dance party during the Democratic Convention to honor the next generation of progressive activists. The group honored three young activists for being on the Youth Engagement Honor Roll for having accomplished something significant in terms of engaging youth on a progressive issue in the last year. Rock the Vote, MoveOn.org Civic Action, Hip Hop Summit Action Network, United States Student Association, Campus Progress Action, the Bus Project, Young Voter PAC, Energy Action Coalition, the Student PIRGs, Hip Hop Caucus, Young People For, AlterNet, Qvisory, and the League of Young Voters were on the host committee. Arshad Hasan, Arianna Huffington, Rob McKay, Jimmy Miller, Eli Pariser, Christine Pelosi, Doug Phelps, David Sirota and Heather Thomas were on the Youth Engagement Honor Roll Advisory Committee. At the event, Eli Pariser, Doug Phelps and Arshad Hasan gave the winners a signed Shepard Fairey Obama "Hope" poster and a signed copy of Count My Vote book by Alternet's Steve Rosenfeld. Youth Engagement Honor Roll Awardees: Alex Aronson, University of Pennsylvania alumnus, Oregon Bus Project organizer Alex came to Oregon in 2005 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was awarded the university's Cochran Prize for Outstanding American History thesis. A lifelong progressive, he caught the youth vote bug in 2006, single-handedly registering 2,000 voters as lead organizer on the Bus Project's Building Votes program, which increased Oregon's 18-29 year-old electorate by over six percent. Since the 2006 election, Alex has emerged as one of the Bus Project's key leaders. In 2007 he oversaw the organization's voter access initiatives in the Oregon Legislature. Alex's 2007 policy work culminated in his direction and production of the 2008 Rebooting Democracy conference, a 500-person issues conference drawing participants from all across the west, and from a broad array of issue areas. He currently serves dual roles as the Bus Project's youth vote director, overseeing the Building Votes youth mobilization program, and as national coordinator for Trick or Vote, the Bus Project's signature nonpartisan Halloween costumed canvass. Lil' Mama, rapper & activist with Hip Hop Summit Action Network Born Niatia Jessica Kirkland, rap sensation Lil' Mama is indeed what she considers herself to be the voice of the young people. From growing up on the rough streets of Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood to losing her mother to cancer, Lil' Mama knows all too well what it is like to be forced to overcome both personal and financial struggles at an early age. It is through her music that Lil' Mama shares her childhood experiences. She helps shine light on issues such as teen pregnancy, high school dropout rates, and drugs that are affecting so many young people today. She lets these teenagers know that they are not alone in their struggle, while encouraging others to take action against these problems. Lil' Mama undoubtedly provides meaning to the phrase "actions speak louder than words." Although her music reaches thousands of listeners, it is her personal dedication to change that affects the lives of her audience. She has been a guest speaker for several Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) events, offering words of wisdom to teens struggling at home and school. . . But perhaps most impressive, is her recent education initiative "I Will Graduate" through the Entertainers for Education Alliance. "I Will Graduate" is a call to students, parents, and educators to increase the academic achievements of at risk youth. In August 2008, Lil' Mama call[ed] to action an inner city school of her choice by offering supplies to students for the upcoming school year. Lil' Mama uses her celebrity status to better herself as well as those like her. Sarah Dobjensky, UCLA junior, Student PIRGs New Voters Project coordinator for California A UCLA Junior and statewide California coordinator of the Student PIRGs New Voters Project, Sarah got her start mobilizing young voters in 2006, spearheading a 1,500-student peer-to-peer voter registration drive in the 2006 mid-term elections. Sarah went on to lead a campus effort to educate fellow students about student debt issues and the need to reduce college costs at the UCLA campus, ultimately help win the passage of the federal College Cost Reduction and Access Act of September, 2007. This primary season she mobilized groups of students on campus to attended events fundraisers, town halls and photo-ops organized by presidential candidates to ask about issues important to youth. The effort, part of CALPIRG's What's Your Plan? Campaign asked all the major presidential candidates face-face their plans on global warming, healthcare, financial security and college affordability on the primary campaign trail more than 100 times. This fall, as statewide student coordinator of the California Public Interest Research Groups (CALPIRG's) New Voters Project, Sarah will lead the largest on the ground non-partisan effort in the state to register students and turn them out to the polls. Spearheading a new young voter mobilization model that combines the power of online voter registration technology with tried and true grassroots organizing techniques, the goal of the campaign is to reach 80 percent voter turnout on more than a dozen college campuses in California. ### Progressive Future is promoting progressive values through grassroots action. We are a nonprofit organization advocating for core progressive principles such as community, fairness, security and liberty. We are organizing around critical issues such as economic fairness and security, health care, global security and educational reform. We make the case for sensible policy solutions and hold politicians' feet to the fire by activating citizens in their communities and helping progressive Americans make their voices heard. . . . http://www.progressivefuture.org/media-center/press-releases/progressive-future-honors-young-leaders-at-denver-dance-party Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:25:42 -0500