NTD NEWS
September 20, 2017
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Yesterday
President Trump spoke to the United Nations Assembly  and once again behaved the way we expected -- and  moreso. Some of his comments did have merit, such as references to the disproportionate financial burden the U.S. carries in supporting the United Nations organization. However his confrontational messages to Korea and Iran, spoken in a forum created to use diplomacy as the first resort for resolving international differences, was very much out of place. In fact, our President's threat to "totally destroy" North Korea sounded like something shouted by a demagogue in the 1930's.
The thing is, although Trump's unpredictable antics continue to be scary, as time has passed they are no longer shocking. We're growing accustomed to his chest thumping and saber rattling, his reckless language and pandering to a segment of voters who admire his style, mistaking reckless bombast for bold leadership. Millions of us may find his rhetoric disturbing but we're learning that he isn't likely to change. So as I said, the news from Trump's U.N. speech was not surprising.
However, there was something in the news that did surprise and concern me a lot. It was the reemergence of a serious effort by Republicans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). I honestly thought that right wing effort was shelved until after next year's mid-term elections.
 But now observers of the Republican controlled Senate believe this latest effort to destroy the ACA may have a real chance of becoming law. The recently introduced Graham-Cassidy Bill is being called "Trumpcare." (Attaching Trump's name to anything is a sure way to win Donald's favor.)
The basic concept is that each state would be given funds based on a complex calculation of their health insurance needs. Existing healthcare coverage now received under the ACA would continue... sort of... for a while. But the administration of that bundle of federal money and those present protections would be controlled by each state following their homegrown wisdom.
CNN has reported, "The legislation would eliminate federal funding for Medicaid expansion and for Obamacare subsidies that lower premiums, deductibles and co-pays in 2020. States would receive a lump sum of money annually through 2026."
As we know from our nation's history, all of our states have always been terrific at dealing equitably with all of its citizens. Right? I mean, coast-to-coast, we all share common values such as protecting a woman's right to control her own body or recognizing the needs of Americans with unique health issues. Right?
With fifty separate state governments overseeing America's healthcare, I'm certain that every American will have healthcare protections that are just swell, no matter where they live in the U.S.A. now or in the future. In fact now that I think about it as a guy under Medicare, I wonder how much better my protection would be if Republicans could extend the Trumpcare state-by-state approach to include Medicare? And I wonder how many Republican voting seniors would go along with that?
In an email sent out yesterday by New Trier's 9th District State Senator Daniel Biss  he noted: "Trumpcare would put insurance companies back in charge and allow them to make you pay a lot more if you have a pre-existing condition. If you're pregnant, you could be charged an extra $17,000. Having cancer could cost you an additional $172,000. If you have a child with asthma you could be charged an additional $5,000." Senator Biss went on to urge all of us to contact Senators Durbin and Duckworth to make sure they know we support their efforts to reject this disastrous legislation and to encourage them to urge their colleagues to vote "no" on Trumpcare. (Contact info below.)
President Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan are excited about the chances that this legislation will succeed. Vice President Pence is onboard too. And Senator Graham is enthusiastic about the support he is receiving from other big names. In a CNN report, the senator was quoted as saying: "I have got Alan Greenspan, Jeb Bush and Steve Bannon. If anyone can do better I'd like to meet them."
Wow! Citing those three names certainly reassures me.
This is all happening very fast. The Trumpcare Bill faces a September 30 deadline, just ten days from now. Meanwhile, the few Republicans still wavering on whether to support the bill must make a decision without seeing any data from the Congressional Budget Office. The CBO has not had time to review the new bill. -- What a dangerous way to create our laws!
The reality is, we can't control what our nation's President may tweet or blurt out next. But, we can stand strongly against this   proposed Trumpcare legislation. If you have friends or relatives in Maine (Senator Susan Collins), Alaska (Senator Lisa Murkowski) or Arizona (Senator John McCain), ask them to tell their still undecided Republican senator to oppose the Trumpcare bill. - For that matter, why not Google the contact info and tell those senators yourself. And of course be sure to contact Senator Durbin and Senator Duckworth ASAP.
This may seem like something beyond our control. But that's no excuse for just sitting back and watching a potential disaster happen.
Nels Howard
NTDO member since 1973
Are your NTD annual dues up to date? You can only vote at endorsement meetings if you're paid up.
Check with the NTD office if you're not sure when your "annual dues date" is.
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To renew your NTD membership or to become an official member of the New Trier Dems for the first time,
visit our
NTDO website. You'll see information on all your membership options.
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Mark your Calendar &
Get your tickets now!
For The NTDO Annual Dinner
With Illinois' Gubernatorial Race underway
and U.S. House investigations
of Russian election meddling going on,
this will be an NTDO Dinner
you won't want to miss!
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Sunday, October 8
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Reception at 5:00pm; Dinner at 6:15pm
Where: Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant,
4999 Old Orchard Center,
Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL
 New Trier Dems host our 2017 Annual Dinner and fundraiser with Featured Speaker U.S. Representative Mike Quigley from Illinois' 5th Congressional District. Rep. Quigley is a Member of the influential House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees the activities of the entire Intelligence Community. He will address current national security issues and provide an update on the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. For more information about Rep. Quigley, please visit his website.
Additionally:
Democratic gubernatorial candidates
Daniel Biss, Chris Kennedy, J.B. Pritzker and possibly others will reveal their plans for Illinois.
To
make a reservation for our
Annual Dinner, please visit the New Trier Dems' ActBlue page.
Note: This year the Dinner is introducing a new category of
"Next Generation" tickets for Democrats under 40 years of age:
-- Just $100 each.
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Upcoming Events of interest:
Sunday, September 24 in Skokie -
A Screening of the Documentary "Equal Means Equal" and Discussion with Rep. Lou Lang
 When: Sunday, September 24, from 6:00-9:00pm
Where:
Skokie Theater, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie
What: Friends for ERA Illinois and the League of Women Voters Evanston present a screening of "Equal Means Equal," a documentary supporting adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing equal rights for women. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with State Representative Lou Lang (D-16) and representatives from Illinois National Organizaition for Women (NOW) and the League of Women Voters. For additional information or to RSVP, register online.
Monday, September 25 in Glencoe - Drinks with Dems
 When:
Monday, September 25, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm
Where:
Tudor Wine Bar, 338 Tudor Court, Glencoe (directly across from the Writers' Theater)
What: Let's get together and talk politics! New Trier Dems and Tenth Dems invite all North Shore Dems for drinks, mingling and conversation with fellow progressives. Here's a great opportunity to network with like-minded people in our area and form connections with other activists. Drinks and appetizers will be available for purchase.
Wednesday, Oct. 4 in Northbrook -
An Evening with Mike Papantonio
 When:
Wednesday, October 4, from 6:30 - 9:00pm
Where:
Pinstripes, 1150 Willow, Northbrook
What:
Tenth Dems and United for Democracy sponsor an evening with
Mike Papantonio, an expert on the corporate media, who will address the power of the media in determining the messages they want us to hear. Mike, a practicing attorney, is one of the hosts of "Ring of Fire" on WCPT radio, and is president of the National Trial Lawyers Association. He has received honors for his trial work on behalf of consumers.
Admission includes food and a free glass of wine.
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FYI: The NTDO Events Calendar
for the rest of 2017
Oct. 8 2017 NTDO ANNUAL DINNER
Maggiano's Old Orchard, Skokie, 5 pm-9 pm
Nov. (Date & Place TBA)
"HEAD START FOR 2018" CONFERENCE
All North Shore Democrats Invited
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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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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.
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 "Join/Contribute" button
Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly to ActBlue 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, Suite 112, in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
Contact: newtrierdemocrats@gmail.com.
*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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