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NTD NEWS
January 11, 2017
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 Today, I watched President-elect Donald Trump's first press conference since winning election in November. In fact it was the first time he has faced the press in a Q&A since last July. But that time lag between hearing him as a candidate and as President-elect changed little. It was pretty much the same old, same old. We all saw the same flashes of petulance and vindictiveness mixed in with loads of hyperbole... If President Trump does start holding press conferences regularly someone will probably start a drinking game that calls for a shot or a chug every time Trump uses the words fantastic! terrific! or incredible!
What a strange man. And soon he will be our U.S. President. Over the years, we've had some pretty odd birds in the oval office, but none like Donald Trump. I still think it's too soon to know exactly how he'll handle his presidency. But however he approaches his responsibilities, I can't imagine the result in the long run will be good for our nation (or the world). When President-elect Trump is discussing critically important issues with accomplished congressional leaders or department heads behind closed doors, surely he can't be as tedious and self-absorbed as he is on camera -- can he? Jeez, I hope not!
I suppose that in Trump's younger days his bravado was a personal tool that helped him make deals. It certainly helped him win fans in some parts of our country. But if such grand posturing ever was simply a schtick that he used to make deals, it seems it is now imbedded in his nature. And although such brashness played well among millions of disgruntled voters, we Democrats should remind ourselves that millions more didn't buy into it.
We all now know that nearly 3 million more Americans voted for the  Democratic Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, than voted for Donald Trump. Beyond that number, here's another encouraging fact: the 48 members of the Senate Democratic caucus in their most recent elections (dating back to 2012) collectively were elected with 78.4 million votes compared to 54.8 million votes for the Republicans. That's 23.5 million more American voters who chose what the Democratic Party had to offer.
Numbers like those shine a light on three facts: 1. Our Electoral College system is an obsolete constitutional construction written to accommodate less populated slave states, and today it is very inequitable. 2. Our Senate system mandating two senators per state no matter the population of that state (California has 66 times the population of Wyoming) distorts the will of the majority of the American people, 3. The policies and positions of the Democratic Party and its candidates are favored by far more Americans over what the Republican Party has tried to sell.
There are other things too that have taken us to our present situation. Decades-long right wing strategies at state levels have achieved gerrymandering to put a majority of Republicans in today's U.S. House. Meanwhile, Democratic strategists have failed to counter years of consistent messaging by the right with a consistent message of our own.
In nine days, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. His speech to the world on January 20 will give us further clues as to what we can expect over the next four years. But after his swearing in we shouldn't sit back and wait to see what he actually does. That would be a "huuuge" mistake.
Last Sunday there was a gathering in the southern part of Jan  Schakowsky's 9th Congressional District. It was attended by at least 500 men and women of all ages and backgrounds. Several organizations, among them the ACLU, ACA Defenders, Chicago Cares and The Women's March on Washington, were there to briefly speak out for the missions they represent. But the main speaker was our Congresswoman.
Jan didn't mince words. She urged everyone to begin speaking out in defense of the values and programs that the right wing seems determined to destroy. And to speak out not just on a national level. This means mastering the use of social media to keep grassroots activists engaged concerning candidates and issues And it means attending town meetings, including Republican and/or Trump meetings.
Congresswoman Schakowsky said, "We are an army fighting to save our country. We are the resistance. We need to get into trouble." As an example she said, "If Trump has a Muslim registry, we should show up to register as Muslims." Then she offered an idea of what one of our resistance activities might be in the coming months. "Other states have bad voter ID laws. We may be traveling to some of those states for their legislative races."
One of the last things the Congresswoman said took my memory back to another tumultuous presidential election and an event that helped lead to the Presidency of Richard Nixon. It was the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention and the police riots that shocked the world. The campaign of Donald Trump with its hateful language and bullying bluster leading to his shocking victory had a similar impact on millions of observers.
The words Jan quoted from 1968 are still appropriate today, "The whole world is watching."
Nels Howard
NTDO member since 1973
PS. Here's an invitation to "Join the Resistance" with a choice of activities suggested by Congresswoman Schakowsky and her staff. Click here.
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 Save the date: Sunday Jan. 29, 1- 4pm --
It's the
New Trier Committeeman's Annual Pizza Party at J.P.'s Pizza in Wilmette on 4th St. just north of Linden.
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Have you visited Senator Biss' website "The Road Back" --
click on the link to his video -- then, throughout the summer follow his plan's development on the website.
Daniel explains a lot about how Illinois got where it is today and how we can begin the journey on the road back toward achieving our state's tremendous economic potential.
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Saturday, Jan. 21 in Chicago --
The Women's March on Chicago
When:
Saturday, January 21. at 10 am (Show up closer to 9 am)
Where:
Petrillo Band Shell in Grant Park, Chicago
What:
The Women's March on Chicago amplifies and honors other marches being held across our nation and around the world.
Help send the new administration a message that women and their supporters will CONNECT, PROTECT and ACTIVATE for women's rights, civil liberties, and diverse issues. Let's March!
Tickets are not required for entry. Registration helps estimate crowd needs.
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Other upcoming events and news items:
Two Opportunities this Sunday Evanston to get yourself ready
to begin your Trump Resistance
Free Community Organizing Training.
WHAT:
Free Community Organizing Training
WHY:
Learn tools and strategies to impact elections and issues that matter to you
WHEN:
9:00 am - 1:00 pm on Sunday, January 15th
WHERE:
Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St., Evanston
RSVP -- (Training spots limited to the first 300 who sign up.)
Jan. 15 in Evanston --
A MoveOn grassroots organizing activity
People of all ages and backgrounds are rising up to organize over 450 community meetings in more than 40 states. Here's one that is happening near you:
Community meeting to resist Trump
Sunday, January 15, 3:00 PM
Evanston, IL
Click here to RSVP and get the details.
http://act.moveon.org/event/cmty-mtgs-trump_attend/6193/signup/?t=2&akid=175982.3204353.50q0yq
Sunday, January 22 in Evanston --
The Democratic Party of Evanston. is hosting a "Big Ideas" event to discuss the path forward.
 Who: Democrats and Progressives
What: Big Ideas organizing event
When: Sunday, January 22, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster, Evanston
The Democratic Party of Evanston invites you to a grassroots organizing event to chart the path forward and form action groups for progressives to work together in 2017 and beyond. RSVP here or via Facebook
Friday, Jan 20 in Deerfield -- Tenth Dems Round-trip Transportation to the Women's March on Washington
 When: Friday, January 20, 2017 at 8:00pm
Where: Depart from The Home Depot, 655 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield, IL
What: Tenth Congressional District Democrats is chartering a bus from Deerfield, IL to Washington, D.C. for the January 21st Women's March on Washington to arrive the morning of the March. It will leave Washington D.C. 45 minutes after the event ends, and will arrive back in Deerfield on Sunday morning, January 22nd. We will be sleeping on the bus for two nights.
Purpose of the March: Because women's rights are human rights. We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.
To sign up for the bus online, select Women's March on Washington at the top of the screen, and then pick Illinois and Deerfield from the drop down menu.
For further information about the March, please contact Kim Parson via text or call 847-714-3145.,
Friday, Jan 20 in Evanston -- Transportation for the Evanston Women's March on Washington
 Evanston residents who want to attend the Women's March on Washington on Saturday, January 21 but don't want to spend a lot on flights and hotels, have a perfect alternative: take a bus journey with other Evanstonians overnight to the March and back.
Their goal is to have a diverse, inclusive group of women, and anyone who supports human rights, on buses specifically for Evanston residents so that the journey to Washington DC is a community-building experience, and just as important as the destination.
PLEASE SPONSOR A RIDER -- so that every Evanstonian who wants to go to the WMW is able to do so, to help click here. The bus trip will now cost $164 per rider per Rallybus. Every amount is deeply appreciated. Thank you.
Note: We increased our initial fundraising goal to $3,542 so that twenty riders who need 100% support will be able to march in DC ($3,542 includes the gofundme processing fee of 8%). And even more riders will be able to go, should some riders need partial subsidy. Any funds not utilized by riders will be donated equally to Curt's Cafe and the Moran Center for Youth Advocacy; two Evanston non-profits.
Following the lead of the national organization, Evanston marchers will travel to DC on RallyBus, a company that determines the price of a ticket based on the number of riders. Two buses are already full annd a third is filling up fast.
For information on how to receive financial support for the trip or how to sign-up for the March go to wmwevanston.weebly.com .
If you're not traveling to Washington on Jan. 20, you can Laugh with fellow Democrats at the Capitol Steps in Skokie!
When: Friday, January 20, at 8 PM
Where: Center Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
What: Join Tenth Dems at an upcoming performance by the political satire comedy troupe The Capitol Steps. For more information email [email protected] or call 847-266-8683 --
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Next week, the Illinois Senate may be considering a bill to make silencers on guns legal in Illinois. (Unbelievable!)
 The bill was passed in the Illinois House in May. The bill's sponsor is Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Democrat from Harrisburg says gun owners want silencers to avoid hearing loss. Phelps acknowledges not everyone is going to support the use of the noise-reducing devices. (You think?! -- How about using earplugs instead?)
Mark Walsh of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence says about 1,000 die annually in this state from gunshots and allowing silencers "is a bad policy."
Call and/or email the offices of Senate leadership and leave a message for Senate President John Cullerton here (773-883-0770)
and here. --- and contact Republican Leader Christine Ragdono at (630-243-0800) or by email: [email protected]. Also be sure to contact our New Trier State Senators, Senator Julie Morrison and Senator Daniel Biss.
and contact Republican Leader Christine Ragdono (630-243-0800)
or by email:
[email protected]. Also be sure to contact our New Trier State Senators, Senator Julie Morrison and Senator Daniel Biss.Their links are below.
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Your Legislators:
 Democratic Legislators
who represent New Trier Township in
Washington, Springfield and Cook County
You'll be hearing a lot from these exceptional public servants. --
And they want to be hearing a lot from you.
The fact is, they need to hear from you and want to hear from you in order to represent you most effectively. So, the first thing you can do is get to know who these people are. The links below to their campaign websites are a good place to start.
Jan Schakowsky
, 9th U.S. Congressional District Representative
and Chief Deputy House Democratic Whip. The new Ninth District boundaries include all of New Trier except for Glencoe.
Brad Schneider, 10th U.S. Congressional District Representative which includes a number of precincts in Glencoe. (His Congressional website is under construction.)
Daniel Biss,
State Senator for Illinois' 9th State Senate District.The Ninth District includes all of New Trier Township.
Julie Morrison, State Senator for Illinois' 29th State Senate District. The district includes New Trier's northernmost precincts.
Robyn Gabel,
IL 18th District State Representative. The 18th District includes much of New Trier up to Hazel Avenue and Dundee Road.
Laura Fine
, IL 17th District State Representative.
The 17th District includes the East Glenview and West Wilmette areas of New Trier Township.
Scott Drury
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IL 58th District State Representative.
The 58th District includes the northernmost precincts in Glencoe.
Larry Suffredin, Cook County 13th District Commissioner. The 13th District includes all of New Trier, Evanston and Niles Townships.
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| Dear Fellow Democrats, If you are not already an NTDO member, and enjoy our Newsletter, we hope you consider joining us as a dues-paying member. NTDO is a not-for-profit political action organization. We depend on our membership dues to support our Democratic causes and candidates. There are two options for dues payments: by check or credit card. By Check: Make check payable to NTDO and mail to our office: NTDO 800 Oak St., Suite 112 Winnetka, IL 60093 OR By Credit Card: visit our website by clicking here Click on the "Get Involved" tab
Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly there by clicking here.
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Still not a member of the New Trier Dems? Your participation in grassroots political action will make a difference. -- Come join us.
 When you're a member of the New Trier Democratic Organization, you have an active role in affecting the political process; participating in grassroots campaigns, staying in touch with elected officials, playing a role in deciding which candidates are endorsed. You'll also gain free admission to select forums and events throughout the year.
Come be a part of New Trier's grassroots political community.
About Us:
The New Trier Democratic Organization is made up of hundreds of grassroots volunteers dedicated to advancing progressive ideals through the political process. We welcome your participation.
Sincerely,
Dean T. Maragos, Committeeman New Trier Township
We are located at 800 Oak Street in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
*This Internet communication paid for by the New Trier Democratic Organization and not authorized by any federal or state candidate or campaign committee. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is available for purchase from the State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois.
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