Your Weekly News from the CCDP and Political Clubs
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Let's Talk about Feminism
by Jeff Quiggle
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I am a man and a feminist — and not just because feminism is important to a woman in my life.
I am a feminist — not because I have a mother, or a sister, or a wife, or a daughter, or women colleagues and friends — and I do have all of those. I am a feminist because I support full rights and equality for women. And that makes me a feminist.
For me, being a feminist is quite simple. One of my personal touchstones, a basis for my own personal activism, is the concept of personal freedom. Freedom is a foundation of our basic laws and of our society as a whole.
As a straight white male, I enjoy the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution. But women, and especially women of color, do not experience the freedom that I and other white men take for granted. Women are not treated as equals to men, not under our laws, and not by our society as a whole. People who are not treated equally are not free. Feminism is important because it works to ensure women have the freedom that I and other men take for granted, and which is the birthright of all Americans.
For example, a woman who is not able to exert control over her body or is not able to control her reproduction is not free. Not only are states seeking to make abortions illegal, punished similarly to murder, but in some states, certain types of contraception are classified as “abortifacients,” and a movement to outlaw them just as if they are outlawing abortions seeks to put an end to this option. Some states, including my home state of Texas, are seeking to make women’s health providers such as Planned Parenthood ineligible for Medicaid. This effectively shuts these clinics down further endangering many of their patients who are poor or don’t have insurance, and therefore are reliant on Medicaid. Laws that restrict women’s access to healthcare or limit the medical procedures they can have do not treat women as equal to men, who face no such restrictions on medical care. These laws make women less free.
Another example: in the United States, women are on average paid somewhere between 78% and 94% of what men in similar jobs and with similar qualifications are paid. This is merely an average, and the actual pay gap varies by state, in some states significantly. Even though most states have enacted equal rights laws, these pay disparities persist, and are even worse for women of color. She will have to work longer hours to get to parity, which may not even be possible. And since women are more often than men caregivers for children or elderly relatives, being paid less than men is more of a problem for women. A woman who is paid less than a man is not equal, hence is less free.
Women are also made less free because they are more often the victim of domestic violence at the hands of a husband or boyfriend. Politicians, typically Republicans, have valued the rights of men to keep their guns over the safety of women by opposing “red flag” laws that enable law enforcement to confiscate guns from people who are subject to restraining orders. For example, a man who has previously assaulted a woman partner is able to return with a gun and murder her. Where women fear for the lives or are murdered because of a violent partner with a gun, and our politicians’ refusal to pass laws that might protect them, women are less free.
Men who support personal freedom must advocate for women’s rights and equality for women. Otherwise they are helping to perpetuate the unequal status of women in our country. This is both patently unfair and dangerous to women. It is important, then, that men advocate for and support equal rights for women, and that means being a feminist.
In order to advocate for women’s rights and equality, men must first recognize the privilege that comes from being male in our society. Because we do not understand the discrimination and unequal treatment that women face because we are unaware of it. We need to watch for unequal treatment and call it out when we see it. How else can men be feminist advocates?
- Listen to women. When a woman — wife, mother, sister, friend, colleague — tells you about something that has happened to her, listen to her. Believe her. Ask how you can help rather than trying to solve the issue for her.
- Educate yourself about how women are treated unequally by reading about feminist issues, subscribing to feminist blogs and websites, and talking to women feminists about the issues that impact or concern them.
- Treat women with respect. Don’t expect that your wife or girlfriend play a gender stereotype role in your relationship. Don’t make sexual jokes or references. Support your spouse or girlfriend in her decisions about her own body and medical care.
- Be a vocal advocate for women’s rights and equality. March with them. Speak out about women’s issues and rights. Join women’s groups and be an active supporter.
To paraphrase Martin Luther King, Jr., “Inequality anywhere is a threat to equality everywhere.” When women are treated unequally to men, they are not free to reach their potential. When women are free to achieve, all of our society benefits, not just women. Unless men are willing to stand for equality for all, we are not living up to the ideals of the basic laws that our nation was founded on. Freedom for some means some are not free. Women deserve the same freedom that men enjoy, and men must advocate for that. This is why I am proud to call myself a feminist.
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US Senate Democratic Candidate Forum TODAY!
Thursday September 5, 2019
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If we can win the U.S. Senate seat that's up in Texas in 2020, we can likely also win several US Congress seats, win the State House majority and turn Texas blue overall in the POTUS election.
Jason Whitely, host of WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics," will moderate the panel discussion. Please note: from the group of known candidates, some have scheduling conflicts or may still be working on their schedule. We have posted the confirmed participants at this time. This list is subject to change.
When: Thursday September 5, noon (Doors open at 11:45 a.m.)
Where:
Collin College at Preston Ridge, 700 Wade Blvd, Frisco
[
map
] (F
acility is inclusive and accessible.)
Notes:
Event is FREE, but pre-registration is required.
RSVP Here.
Brought to you by Frisco Democratic Club, Plano Area Democrats and Women Organizing Women Dems.
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November 2019 - Texas Constitutional Amendments
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In our continuing series, we highlight the fifth of ten amendments that Texas voters will see on the November 5, 2019 statewide ballot.
Proposition 5 (SJR 24)
“The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.”
Currently some of the revenue raised by the sales taxes levied on sporting goods can be used to balance the state budget. Proposition 5 closes an unintended loophole in the current law that stops all the revenue raised by these sales taxes from being given to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission.
Proposition 5 would require a two-thirds vote in the Texas House and Texas Senate to reduce the amount for the parks, wildlife, and historical agencies. Also, the ballot measure would forbid the legislature from decreasing the amount for the parks, wildlife, and historical agencies by more than 50 percent.
How our Democratic Legislators voted
Of the Democratic legislators voting on this amendment in the 86
th
Legislative Session,
- 99% of the Texas House Democrats voted “yes/for”;
- 92% of the Texas Senate Democrats voted “yes/for”.
To read about Amendment 1, click
here.
To read about Amendment 2, click
here.
To read about Amendment 3, click
here.
To read about Amendment 4, click
here.
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Presidential Debates – September 12 from Houston
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The next round of Presidential Debates is scheduled in Houston, Texas. There will definitely be one Debate on Thursday, September 12th, and we will know soon if there are enough candidates left in the race for a second night of Debates on Friday, September 13th. Rooms have been reserved for both events. Rugby House in Plano and Cafe del Rio in Allen. We will update our Facebook Event Page when the schedule is confirmed.
RSVP for both events at these links:
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Tom Adair, Campaign Kickoff for HD 67
Please come help me kick off my campaign on September 7th. I am ready to listen and work hard to gain your trust, and I look forward to meeting everyone. We will have special guests speaking along with hors d'oeuvres and drinks. I look forward to meeting everyone.
When: Saturday September 7, 3:00 p.m.
Where: 3417 Norwood Circle, Richardson, TX 78082
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What You Can Do to Turn Collin Blue
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What can you do to Turn Collin Blue? Texas is being called "the" Battleground State. How can you ensure the win? If you are new to Texas or new to political activism, this class will be very informative. There are two sessions to choose from: Monday, September 16th, 4:00-5:30 p.m. and the same night from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Both sessions take place at the CCDP Office (1915 N Central Expy, Plano, TX 75075)
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How to Run and Win - Candidate Training Series
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An interactive workshop series to prepare candidates and campaign teams to win races, this campaign training series is designed to build the skills to elect Democrats in Collin County and across Texas. The six sessions cover the critical components of running a winning campaign. Each session will be presented by experienced activists and staff. This is for any Democrat in the area who is interested in either running for office or working on a candidate’s campaign team. Attendees will be asked to sign an Oath of Affiliation with the Democratic Party.
When: Session 1 – Wednesday September 11, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – The Winning Message
Objectives: Explain why you are running, use “The Message Box,” define how you are the right choice and your opponent isn’t, practice creating messages
Session 2 – Wednesday September 18 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Marketing to Win
Objectives: how to brand yourself, setting up a website and using social media, use of good graphics, use of VAN
Session 3 – Wednesday September 25 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Organizing to Win
Objectives: define three pillars of campaign team: Communications, Field Organization, and Funding and the roles of each
Session 4 – Wednesday October 2 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – The Win Numbers
Objectives: how to calculate the votes you plan to earn to win, using data of past results and forecasting how and where to get more votes
No Class in Observance of Yom Kippur, Wednesday, October 9
Session 5 – Wednesday October 16 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – It Takes Money to Win
Objectives: budgeting, donor prospecting, fundraising, compliance and reporting, ethics, how to “make the ask”
Session 6 – Wednesday October 23 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Creating the Winning Plan
Objectives: putting it all together, define goals, areas of responsibility, develop timeline, doing opposition research
Where: Collin County Democratic Party Office, 1915 N Central Expressway, Suite 150, Plano, TX 75075
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Plano Area Democrats Club September Meeting
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Come join us for another informative meeting and fun with like-minded friends!
GUEST SPEAKER: Cynthia King-Ryne, Legislative Co-Lead of Plano Area Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
TOPIC: Texas Legislative Re-cap – a review of gun laws that were proposed, passed or vetoed during the recent Texas legislative session.
When: Saturday September 14, 11:00 a.m. sign-in; 11:15 a.m. food service; 1:30 p.m. finish.
Where: El Noa Noa Tex-Mex Restaurant, 1915 N Central Expy, Ste 100, Plano, TX 75075 (Next to CCDP Office)
Plano Area Democrats Club is an action-oriented group focused on increasing political engagement of voters in the Plano area to support and elect candidates with Democratic values. We are Democrats residing in cities of Plano, Allen, or within the school districts for Plano or Allen. Come join us!
Facebook
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CCDWD Monthly Meeting, September 16th, 5:30 p.m.
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COME ONE, COME ALL!
You don't have to live in Collin County to participate.
Click on this
link to view the Meeting Materials.
Light refreshments available.
When: Monday September 16, 5:30 p.m.
Where: REACH of Plano, 720 East Park Blvd, Suite 104, Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 307-314-ABLE (2253)
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Join WOW Dems for the September general member meeting where we'll host our WOW Dems endorsed Texas House Reresentative Ana-Maria Ramos, State Senator Royce West, and guest speakers from RideShare2Vote.
When: Thursday September 19, 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
Where: Collin College Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75074
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Join your fellow Democrats for a fun Plano tradition. We need your help to set up and staff the Collin Democratic Party booth for the Plano Balloon Festival September 20-22.
This annual festival is a great opportunity to meet the community, register voters, and have some fun.
Sign up here
for your best time(s), and the Events team will reach out soon!
The Plano Balloon Festival takes place at Oak Point Park (
2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway Plano, Texas 75074)
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Frisco Democratic Club - General Meeting
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Save the Date.
When: Sunday September 22, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q, 9828 Dallas Parkway, Frisco
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Ice Cream, Chocolate & Wine FUNdraiser
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Do you like chocolate? How about ice cream infused with alcohol like Bailey’s Irish Cream? You will love WOW Dems’ fall fundraiser!
You’ll roll your own chocolate truffles with the guidance of Yeli Marshall, owner of artisan chocolate company: Yelibelly, and get to take home all of the chocolate you make! You’ll also enjoy two flavors of Yelibelly’s famous alcohol-infused liquid nitrogen ice cream plus toppings - as much as you can eat in 2 hours!
Your ticket also includes a chance to win one of ten bottles of wine you can enjoy at home with your handmade truffles
Chocolate, ice cream and wine to support women Democrats? Isn’t that all we could ever want and more?
https://www.yelibelly.com/
When: Thursday September 26, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 401 W 16th St, Plano, TX 75075
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Meet and Greet With MJ Hegar, Democrat for US Senate
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Veteran and Democratic candidate for US Senate MJ Hegar brings her campaign to Plano for a Meet and Greet with Collin County Democrats. Don't miss this chance to meet MJ and hear about her campaign for Senate.
This event takes place at Collin College Spring Creek Conference Center, Room C on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.) The Conference Center is located at 2800 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75074.
The event is free, but you must
sign up here
to reserve your seat.
Hosted by Plano Area Democratic Club and co-sponsored by the Frisco Democratic Club and Women Organizing Women Democrats.
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Join Team Sharon and the amazing James Munton on Thursday, October 3rd, for an evening of magic and merriment as we raise money for our campaign. James has performed at the White House and has the amazing and peculiar talent of making elephants disappear. With your help and his, we may just be able to turn a red state blue!
Appetizers, desserts, and beverages are included in your ticket or sponsorship. Sponsors will receive special recognition for their contribution.
Location: North Texas Performing Arts in The Shops at Willow Bend (Chapel Hill Entrance, 2nd floor near Dillard's) 6121 West Park Blvd. B216, Plano, TX 75093
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Reserve your tickets
here.
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The 2019 Ann Richards Dinner will be Friday, October 25th, 7:30 p.m. at the Delta Marriott Allen Hotel. This annual dinner brings together hundreds of Democrats from across the DFW Metroplex to support our work to transform and improve Collin County, elect our Democratic candidates, and turn Texas blue.
We are thrilled to host Samantha Power as the keynote speaker at this year's Ann Richards Dinner. Power was the United States Ambassador to the United Nations under President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017.
Called by Forbes "a powerful crusader for U.S foreign policy as well as human rights and democracy" when it named her one of the "World's 100 Most Powerful Women," Ambassador Power has also been named one of TIME's "100 Most Influential People" and one of Foreign Policy's "Top 100 Global Thinkers." A Pulitzer Prize winning author, Power is the Anna Lindh Professor of the Practice of Global Leadership and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and the William D. Zabel '61 Professor of Practice in Human Rights, Harvard Law School.
As a known fighter for LGBT and women's rights, atrocity prevention, and combating human trafficking, Ambassador Power is set to provide sharp and powerful insight and inspiration for Democrats across the Metroplex at this year's Ann Richards Dinner. Don't miss the 2019 Ann Richards Dinner.
Delta Marriott Allen is located at 777 Watters Creek Blvd., Allen, TX 75013
Sponsorship and tickets for the Ann Richards Dinner are available
here
.
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Socialize to Organize Plano
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Collin County came very close to electing Democrats to the Texas House in 2018. In 2020, we aim to change the balance of power. With your help, we can make this happen!
Come gather with Democratic neighbors on Sunday September 22 at 4:30 p.m. to get acquainted and learn how you can help turn Collin County blue! Appetizers and drinks will be provided. Since this event’s location is a private residence, please
email
for more details.
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Collin County voters will be using a new voting system beginning with the November, 2019 election. This new system features touch-screen technology and produces a marked paper ballot for voter review and tabulation.
The new voting machine made its debut at BITHOC where many of the attendees where able to “test vote” the system. If you didn’t get to try the voting machines at BITHOC, you still have an opportunity to do so at the Collin County Democratic Party office (1915 N. Central Expy, Ste 150, Plano) during regular office hours.
Watch for our fall and winter hours soon. After Labor Day, the office will have occasional evening and weekend hours to try out the new voting machine.
The new voting machine will be in the CCDP office through the November 2020 election.
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Yes, We Can Talk Politics
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Drinking Liberally
and
Living Liberally
are
informal, inclusive progressive social groups. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.
When: Friday September 6, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 401 Central Expy S, Allen [
map]
When: Friday September 6, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where:
5454 Main St #123, Frisco [
map]
When: Friday September 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 8604 Preston Rd #100, Plano [
map]
When: Friday September 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 2600 W, FM 544, Wylie [
map]
MADC joins Living Liberally in September.
When: Friday September 20, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 301 E. Virginia, Suite 103, McKinney [
map]
While drinking liberally, always remember to drink responsibly, and make liberal use of designated drivers. Drinking and driving is reckless and irresponsible, like a neocon war or corporatist tax cut. Liberals, don't do it!
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Collin County Democratic Party (CCDP) | 972-578-1483 |
Website
© 2019
Political advertising paid for by the Democratic Party of Collin County.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Political donations are not tax exempt.
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