We are pleased to announce that the Burlington Area Progressives (BAP), in conjunction with Organizing For America (OFA) and Health Care for America Now will be beginning our fall schedule with

Health Care Forum
September 24th
CATHE Building,
125 East State Street
Burlington, WI
begins at 7PM

Featured speaker: Brian Rothgery of Health Care for America.
This group was just featured on the Stephen Cobert Report and
Brian is the Wisconsin representative for them.

Penny Sharp, manager of the largest
state certified mental health outpatient clinic in Southeastern WI.

Our third speaker will be a volunteer from
Organizing for America

Topics will include problems with our existing health care system in the US and alternatives and solutions. Following the presentations (aprox. 1 hour total) we will have an open discussion forum with a Q&A format.

We look forward to seeing you there!

So, here's the deal. At the Obama office we told people that anything we collected in the way of contributions to the office, the sales of yard signs etc., that was past what was due on the actual offices expenses was going to be donated to a local charity.
Here we are (Mary, Jay, Bill - the director of Love Inc, and me) giving him that leftover money. It totaled $1,167.25. Sweet! Even sweeter was that we found out today that First Banking was matching all cash contributions through Dec. 24th so that is now doubled to $2,334.50 BONUS!
I do have to say it felt pretty damn good to be out in the community doing a good deed on behalf of all the generous Obama supporters who knew that what didn't go to the campaign efforts would go to a good a cause. Let me repeat that. BAP did this on behalf of the Obama supporters. We don't get all the credit, we just did the leg work and suggested it in the first place. BAPpers did contribute also, but most of the excess was from Obama supporters.

BTW, Love Inc. is well known and well respected for doing so much in this area for people in need. And, a FYI........if you want to contribute to the quickly emptying food banks giving some can goods is okay. But, money is the best because they can buy bulk foods at 14¢ a lb. Now, I know it's fun to put some yummy foods in a basket or collection barrel, but really, they need cash to get more food than they can collect easily. Plus then they can buy things that aren't donated like personal care items which don't seem to come in too often (hint, hint).

Also, before this gets into a debate of why and if we could do this. We spoke to an attorney and I called the FEC head office and spoke to an auditor myself and yes we can, so we did!
Feel free to use the link and give something yourself. It will make you feel good.