Karen Sandefur's blog

This past Friday, the Downstate Democrats for Change(DFA-Metro East Chapter) sponsored a fundraiser for Daniel Davis. It was held at Ramon’s in Collinsville. I hadn’t met Daniel yet. So, I browsed through his campaign website, Daniel Davis for Congress.

"The number of inmates in American prisons is outpacing the system's ability to hold them all. In one startling example, California prisons hold 70,000 more inmates than they're designed for, even though the state has built a dozen new prisons in the last 15 years.

One of the biggest reasons is rampant recidivism. "Right now, seven out of every 10 inmates that leave this prison comes back," California Warden Mike Poulos tells NOW. "We need to stop that revolving door.""

NOW went "inside an Illinois prison that may have the answer to California's problems. With its innovative plan to keep released inmates from coming back, the Sheridan Correctional Center is trying to redefine "tough on crime" by being the largest fully dedicated drug prison in the country. The approach involves aggressive counseling, job training... and following the convicts after they get out."

In case you missed it on Friday night, NOW has started providing the videos on their website. http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/322/index.html

This is the sort of thing that makes me so proud to be an Illinoisan.

VoteVets has included Illinois Congressman Timothy Johnson on their list of targets for their three commercials.

In the words of Jon Soltz, "For too long, the President has maintained that he's just listening to commanders on the ground, which is utterly false. These ads set the record straight, directly from the mouths of those men. The President isn't listening, he hasn't listened, and he hasn't shown an interest in listening to commanders on the ground in Iraq. If the President won't listen to commanders, then Congress must. They must force about a surge in diplomacy, and not allow a war without end."

This is the link. http://www.votevets.org/

I wasn't sure what to think about this report. http://www.bluehampshire.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=540 But, then I saw Sen. Gravel's youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJHdsWO5BKg If the Democrats are serious about standing up to unfair and unbalanced media, I believe they need to hold CNN's feet to the fire until they give Sen. Gravel a place in the NH Debate.

Stover supporters participated in the Alton Parade on Saturday Aug. 26. They alternated formations with the letters in Danny Stover's last name. Apparently, this was a big hit with the parade attendees.

To take a quote from the CDA website, "This coming summer, for the first time in a non-presidential year, CDA is proud to announce that it is moving convention out of D.C. and into the states! CDA's most important annual event can no longer afford to be solely based in D.C. and has chosen St. Louis for this important first."

I think it may be to Dr./Gov./Chmn. Dean's credit for stressing the need to reach out to all 50 States. I certainly hope this helps Midwestern College Dems to feel like they matter. And I especially hope our students in Illinois will take advantage of this. The registration fee is up to $70 now, as the deadline is fast approaching, July 19. Take a look at the headliners. They'll be well worth the price.

http://convention.collegedems.com/index.php

I know this is late in coming, but I want to report on a wonderful opportunity I had the night of June 10th. The Downstate Democrats for Change organized Trivia for Democracy with all the bells and whistles to create a really fun night for a great cause, raising money for Danny Stover's campaign. I am so proud to be part of this group. They're some of the nicest, hardworking people you'll ever meet. I'm sure I speak for us all in saying, we really appreciate all the people who participated in the event, along with the IBEW for lending their facility in Collinsville, in order to help support Danny's campaign. I have to give Danny and his wife special props for coming out and helping us(even through the clean up afterwards).

We all recognize how important it is that Danny wins the election in November, so we can send him to DC and work in the best interest of ALL Americans. If you go to his website http://www.stoverforcongress.us/ and read his stance on the issues our nation is struggling with, you'll see he has some real sensible approaches to them.

For more pictures, see the Gallery...

Last year Governor Rod Blagojevich proposed and implemented a rule that requires pharmacies in Illinois that stock contraceptives to dispense those medications without delay. This action was in response to numerous incidents in which women were refused lawful prescriptions for contraception at some pharmacies in Illinois.

However, some women and medical providers still encounter hassles when they attempt to have a prescription for contraception filled. In at least one instance the pharmacy staff misled a prescriber and told her that the medication was out of stock when it actually was available at the store at that time.

Downstate Democrats for Change is hosting TRIVIA FOR DEMOCRACY! There will also be 50/50 Tix, Attendance & Cash Prizes and a Silent Auction.

Come and meet the candidate! Proceeds of the event will support the campaign for Danny L. Stover, Democratic Candidate for U.S. Congress, IL District 19.

WHERE:
IBEW Hall, Local 309
2000A Mall Street, Collinsville
(next to former Petite 4 Cinema and visible from Hwy. 157)

WHEN: Saturday, June 10, 2006
Registration: 6:15 p.m.
Trivia Game: 7:00 p.m.

$100 per table of 8 in advance
$12.50 / person in advance or $15 at the door

Recently, I've been getting to know some Democrats in Madison County, IL, who've formed a grassroots organization called Downstate Democrats for Change(DD4C). We've been working together on putting together a 50-State Canvass event this coming Saturday, April 29th, and having a wonderful time doing it. 

There will be 3 groups walking neighborhoods in Edwardsville, Highland and Collinsville. The canvass will have two main goals:

1. Distribute the DNC doorhangers and fliers to let our neighbors know about the Democratic Vision for Rebuilding the American Community.

2. Distribute fliers for Dan Stover, who is running for US Congress in Illinois' 19th District.

So, as you can probably see, there is a lot of work to do be done. If you and/or someone you know would like to help with the DD4C's efforts this Saturday, please, sign up for the DD4C 50-State Canvass.