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With millions of Americans losing their homes in the worst foreclosure crisis in memory, Senate Democrats are sponsoring the Foreclosure Prevention Act.

The Democrats' legislation is designed to rush federal assistance to people devastated by the mortgage crisis, but Republicans are starting another filibuster.

The opposition in the Senate comes primarily from three groups. There is the group of people opposed to giving bankruptcy judges any more power, the group of people who are in favor of individual responsibility and individual rights, and those who have taken up the side of the lenders.

Courts that deal with bankruptcy had more control of the foreclosure process at one time but lenders worked to make it harder for borrowers to get rid of debts. Lenders do not want laws to be created that will make it easier for borrowers and for judges to act to roll back their efforts.

The DSCC (Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, is requesting help from hard-working American homeowners, who are watching their home values fall with every foreclosure - for many of them, that's their children's college tuition and their retirement savings disappearing before their eyes.

Click here to tell Senate Republicans to stop filibustering the Foreclosure Prevention Act.

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Pennsylvania's Democratic Party continues to build its enrollment gains after the Commonwealth's initial reporting of registration statistics last week when Democrats breeched the 4 million mark.

The number of Democrats surged to almost 4.2 million, an increase of more than 235,000, or about 6 percent since November 2007. The Republican Party enrollment shrank by 1.5 percent to 3,197,586, while the number of independents decreased by 3 percent to 953,562.

These changes reflect efforts by the presidential campaigns of  Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton to enlist new voters in the Democratic Party. Only Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary on April 22.

The latest totals reflect ongoing work by county officials to process registration applications that were filed or mailed in by the March 24 deadline. State officials said it is likely to take another week or two to finish the job. The LCDC is awaiting word from the Lancaster County Elections board about the final enrollment totals for the primary election.

Today's Challenge, Tomorrow's History
By Kim Rentschler (Lancaster, PA)

We must not lose ourselves to find each other. We must not vacate our past to own our future. We must not lower our voices to raise our hopes, and we must not close our minds to open our hearts. For it is our individuality that makes us unique, our diversity that gives us strength, and our differences that make us whole.

As Pennsylvanians, our dialogue has been thrust to the forefront of national conversation. Amidst an election cycle mandating progress, each one of us has the unique opportunity to define our future. We cannot simply accept mediocrity, nor tolerate the inertia of indifference. We must fully engage our neighbors, communicate our experiences, and leverage our participation. We have lifetimes to share, and generations to guide.

For in creating change there is no right or wrong, no good or bad, no black or white. There is only tomorrow.

This is our moment to seize, our chance to be heard, our debate to begin, and our country to lead.

For although we may call ourselves Democrat or Republican, male or female, conservative or liberal, ultimately we are a people. We are a community, we are a nation, and together, we are America.

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National Regrets and Paying for Reagan-Bush Policies
by Stephen Crockett, co-host of Democratic Talk Radio

Our current list of national economic difficulties and governmental failures is a direct result of nearly 30 years of failed Republican policies. We are paying the price in many ways for our national love affair with slick, emotionally appealing Republican political rhetoric and candidates. We ignore the harsh reality behind the deceitful words.

We have all experienced bad relationships and failed romances. Long after the romances are over, we are still dealing with the negative consequences both emotional and financial. We can no longer keep paying the unhappy costs. Read more...

NewPA16.com is providing links to Rev. Jeremiah Wright's April 13, 2003 sermon, titled, “Confusing God and Government.” It has become know as the  the “God Damn America” sermon. The full text of the sermon may repudiate some news media reports about its intent.

Wright’s scriptural focus for the sermon was Luke 19:37-44. In this sermon, Wright spoke about the military rule during biblical days, led by Pontius Pilate. It was clear, through his language, such as “occupying military brigade” that he was making an analogy to the war in Iraq. “War does not make for peace. War only makes for escalating violence and a mindset to pay the enemy back by any means necessary,” he said.

Read and listen to the sermon as posted on The Roland Report by clicking here...

Listen to Rev. Jeremiah Wright's 9/11 sermon, click here.

On Tuesday of last week, Senator Obama condemned the more incendiary remarks of his pastor. But, drawing on his experiences as the son of a white mother and a black father, Mr. Obama went on to try to explain to white voters the anger and frustration behind Mr. Wright’s words and to urge blacks to understand the sources of the racial fears and resentments among whites.

Play video of Barack Obama's Philadelphia speech...

Peace is More Than the Absence of War
By Kim Rentschler (Lancaster, PA)

Wear your peaceful attitude proudly. Wear it at home, to work, at play. Encourage others to join you, enriching the attitude. Take pride as you see the attitude reflected in your children, growing within their friends and flourishing inside the minds of your family. For it is families who build communities, communities that build societies, and children who create the future.  Read more...

The Media and Our Mirror
by Carol Hunt, Founder, Giving Bridge
Ms. Hunt is a delegate for Barack Obama in the 16th PA Congressional District

Friday’s wide coverage across the major news cable channels of the Reverend Wright’s controversial and uncomfortable statements within various sermons was not only disturbing in itself, but how these statements continue to be discussed across the media. In viewing the coverage at the time, and then stepping away to digest it, several questions came to mind; Can I separate the story and its relevance from the sensationalistic presentation from the MSM? Can I, as a 43 year old white woman understand the innate cultural differences of the African American experience in all of its presentations? Read more...

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Comments:

Very thoughtful and well-written article--my hope is that it is made available for large viewing audience to read and ponder...it is about the character of society. (K. Reentscler)

The Coalition for Smart Growth invites you to attend a public meeting to learn about the power of trees to build communities and make our neighborhoods great.

The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 form 7pm-9pm at the Lancaster Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.

Speakers will include Dr. Bill Elmendorf, Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist for Community Forestry at PSU’s School of Forest Resources, and Julianne Schieffer, Penn State Extension Urban Forester for SE Pennsylvania.

Studies show that trees provide benefits to neighborhoods worth many times the cost of their planting and upkeep. Trees increase property values, make neighborhoods desirable and save energy, too. Learn why trees matter to your community, how to maintain community trees and increase Lancaster’s tree canopy. View flyer and registration form...

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

HealthCare for ALL Pennsylvanian’s Is Possible!

1.4 million Pennsylvanians have no health insurance. Millions more are underinsured. Untold thousands more think they have good coverage until corporate-run insurance companies reject their claim based on technicalities, "pre-existing" conditions—or denies life-saving procedures arbitrarily defined as "experimental."

The Health and Human Services Committee the the PA state legislature will be  holding a hearing on the “Family and Business Healthcare Security Act” (HB 1660).

This hearing is a critical step towards eventual passage of single payer legislation in Pennsylvania. P4P (Progressives4Pennsylvania is organizing a group to attend the hearing.

The hearing will commence at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 19 at the Majority Caucus Room #140 in the State Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120.

Contact: jpolicoff@comcast.net

Rainbow Rose Community, a local human rights group, announced plans today to hold a marriage amendment rally in opposition to Senate Bill 1250, the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment.” This amendment, sponsored by local Senators Michael Brubaker (R) and Gibson Armstrong (R), would write discrimination against gays and lesbians into the Pennsylvania constitution by denying them marriage rights, civil unions or other equivalents to marriage.

The planned event will be held at the Lancaster County Democratic Committee Headquarters, located at 53 North Duke Street, on Sunday, March 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The rally will include petition signing, a letter writing campaign, information on how to meet with local representatives and voter registration. Several speakers from the local community and statewide have been invited to talk about SB 1250 and other issues concerning LGBT rights. Among invited guests are Stephen Glassman, chairperson of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Stacy Sobel, executive director of Equality Advocates Pennsylvania; and Lois Herr, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee.

Information on the rally, links to information on LGBT rights, sample letters and more can be found at www.rainbowrosecommunity.org.  Email inquiries can be sent to info@rainbowrosecommunity.org.

Fifth Anniversary of the War in Iraq

It has been five years since the war in Iraq began. Since that time, nearly 4,000 United States soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed.

On March 15, 2008, the Lancaster Coalition for Peace and Justice will be sponsoring a peace rally and march in in downtown Lancaster.

12 noon - Rally for peace at Binns Park (Queen St between Orange and Chestnut) then procession to Townhall meeting

2 pm - Townhall Meeting at Southern Market (Corner of Vine and Queen)

7 pm - Candlelight Vigil at the Old Courthouse Steps (corner of Duke and King)

The Coalition, (LCPJ) is a cooperative of local peace groups which include church organization, veterans groups and affiliates such as Students for Democratic Society and Women in Black.

The LCPJ asks all individuals interested in peace to stand together and lend their support, whether it be through participation or donation. Visit the LCPJ website...

For more information about the peace rally, visit: http://lancastervoice.org/index_m15.htm

League of Women Voters to Host Evening With White House Correspondent Helen Thomas

In celebration of their 60th Anniversary, the League of Women Voters of Lancaster County (LWVLC) will host “An Evening With Helen Thomas,” Friday, April 11, at 8 p.m. in Franklin & Marshall’s Nevin Chapel in Old Main.  The program, which is open to the public, will be emceed by Sunday News Editor Barbara Hough Roda. College program sponsors include F & M Votes, The Center for Liberal Arts and Society, The Women’s Center, and the Government Department.

“Ms. Thomas is an icon and the only journalist to have covered eight Presidential Administrations,” comments Susan Leinberger, president of the LWVLC.  “The League believes her appearance is a wonderful gift to our community, as well as a unique learning experience.  She has always been a keen observer of life in the Capital City, and especially in the White House. We look forward to hearing numerous anecdotes, as well as her views on the upcoming Presidential election.”

Thomas went to the White House in January 1961 as a member of the UPI team headed by the late Merriman Smith. She remained there until May 2000. In July 2000 Thomas became a columnist for the Hearst News Service – where she continues today. During the years she covered Kennedy, Thomas was the first woman to close a presidential news conference with the traditional "Thank you, Mr. President."

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