Please Name Great Progressive Legislators in Your State

[MineralMan]

Even for folks like me, who follow national politics closely, there are many people in the Congress, Senate, state legislatures, and governors' offices about whom I know nothing - or next to nothing.

It would be really interesting if DUers could list politicians from their own states who stand out as excellent progressive voices. That way, those local politicians would get noticed by people who aren't from your state or congressional district.

I'll start with the congresswoman from my district in Minnesota. Serving in the House from Minnesota CD-4, Betty McCollum isn't known to many outside of Minnesota. She's a staunch progressive and is always working with the people living in her district to provide the best possible relationships. Her support for single-payer healthcare and other progressive issues makes her a favorite politician for me. She's fairly young and has a great career ahead of her.

Let's get to know the fine politicians from around the country. They are the core of the future, I believe.

When you post, please identify the state and congressional district or office held by your nominees. We may not recognize their names.

[sunwyn]

1. Dennis Kucinich, Sherrod Brown

[MineralMan]

4. Thanks. If you would, though, please include the state

and office held by the people you name. The whole point here is to identify these people for those who may not know who they are. Even if you think they're nationally known, like Dennis Kucinich, the information is needed.

[LaurenG]

10. It's Ohio. nt

[OHdem10]

39. I second.

[CitizenLeft]

63. yes to both. May I also add Rep. Marcia Fudge? Ohio 11th

She holds Stephanie Tubbs-Jones' seat, and is my rep. She has voted with the Congressional Black Caucus and the Progressive Caucus right down the line, as far as I know. She's only in her second term, so it'll take a while, but... I'd like to add her to the list.

[OnyxCollie]

69. Add Tim Ryan.

Supporter of HR 676.

Also wanted the Republicans to give up their health care.

[Kalyke]

2. Steve Cohen and... um... he's about it.

[MineralMan]

5. State and office, please.

[lunatica]

3. Mine are well known. Barbara Boxer and Barbara Lee

[MineralMan]

8. State and office? It will help those from other areas.

For example, I don't recognize Barbara Lee.

[lunatica]

27. California. Barbara Lee is my Congresswoman

Oakland

[MineralMan]

30. Thanks!

[lunatica]

41. From Daily Kos

Did you ever hear people say "Barbara Lee speaks for me"?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/12/3/925399/-Barbara-LeeCongressional-Profile-in-Courage

Barbara Lee has consistently taken a stand for peace and against curtailment of civil liberties. On September 18, 2001, seven days after 9/11 "changed everything", Lee was only member of Congress to vote against the AUMF (Authorization to Use Military Force) against terrorists, which led to the invasion of Afghanistan. She was the only member of Congress to have been proven correct on this issue.

For refusing to endorse an endless war against a concept, Barbara Lee was reviled as a traitor and she and her family received death threats.

Threats did not stop Congresswoman Lee. She voted against the AMUF in Iraq. She voted against the so-called Patriot Act and against its re-autorization, against allowing FISA wiretaps without warrants, against warrantless electronic surveillance, and she introduced legislation to repeal the MCA.

[YvonneCa]

73. Boxer, Pelosi, Bob Filner...

...all from California.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

6. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (my rep) and Sen. Dick Durbin Illinois

Jan :woohoo:

[MineralMan]

9. State and office will help those not familiar with the names.

Thanks.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

38. Get to know Jan Schakowsky !!!!!!!!!!!!

Jan's Budget Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D3fetUoBYk

Deficit Commission Member Rep. Jan Schakowsky Offers a Better Plan

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), one of the 18 members of the Deficit Commission, has offered her own plan in response to the Commission's proposals, which she has rejected. Rep. Schakowsky's major concern is that the Commission's recommendations to raise the age of enrollment in Social Security and cut Medicare benefits will take a serious toll on the middle class. Indeed, the two "deficit Hawks" chairing the Commission have shown their willingness to privatize Medicare and end Social Security, with an out-of-control Alan Simpson blustering, "Medicare is like a cow with 300 tits that keeps on giving" and casting Americans who receive support from government programs as worthless, undeserving, lazy people with his "lesser people" comment. Of course, Simpson should have been dumped then and there.

What a delight, however, to see a Democrat with real cajones -- metaphorically speaking, that is -- while Simpson obsesses about tits. Schakowsky is showing both chairs what "fight back in the sand box" is all about by going on offense, a lesson to be emulated by all Democrats. She has been very clear in stating that Social Security does not contribute to the deficit, is self-financing and is solvent until 2037, paying full benefits and then paying at 80% beyond that date. So why is it even on this table? According to the Congresswoman, there is no relationship between the deficit and Social Security. Most of us already know that, except, apparently, for Simpson and Bowles. But we understand their deeper motivation: decimating our bedrock safety nets like Medicare and Social Security that have been sticking in the craw of conservatives for decades. This is their main mission.

Without Social Security, millions of seniors would have been thrown into poverty during the past 75 years, and will be in the future if Simpson and Bowles get their way. One of America's shining achievements of our history, dumped in favor of more giveaways to the rich. Social Security is a stimulus program that trickles down to every community in our country, paying for food, clothing, housing, prescription drugs and countless other basic necessities. If anything, those benefits should be increased, as the current average payout of $14,000 per person per year hardly provides for the basics, let alone the lavish lifestyle imagined by Simpson and his crowd. An increase could generate further stimulus. Indeed, if we're able to bail out the financial and auto industries, we can increase Social Security benefits for the poor and middle class, who immediately spend those dollars in their communities. The Commission is also proposing cutting the COLA (cost of living adjustment for inflation) for Social Security, which already has not been paid for the past two years.

Of course, the question that begs to be answered is what the negative impact to the economy would be if the eligibility age for Social Security rises from 65 to 69, which is the Deficit Commission's proposal. Since there are no economists on the Commission, this question has certainly not been properly addressed.

The Schakowsky Plan could reduce the deficit by $427.75 billion by 2015, without burdening the middle class. This would surpass the projection of the President's target of $250 billion -- an amount that the Commission's plan would not even achieve.

Schakowsky's plan also calls for:

Raising taxes on the highest incomes.
Modifying Social Security without changing benefits paid out.
A $200 billion two-year stimulus investment, creating jobs and providing economic growth.
Cutting farm subsidies and the Pentagon budget by more than $100 billion (both of which are also being proposed by the Commission, though Schakowsky goes further by cutting unnecessary weapons systems, reducing troop levels and other measures).
Imposing taxes on corporations that out-source jobs and saving $132 billion from limiting or closing tax breaks on corporations.
Letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire.
Treating capitol gains and dividends as regular income, which could generate another $150 billion.
Removing the caps on payroll taxes for employers and lifting the threshold above $106,000 for employees, and imposing a 'legacy tax' above the cap.
And, most impressively, Schakowsky proposes a Public Option for health insurance, which would lower healthcare costs and allow the government to negotiate drug prices with the PHARMA industry to lower costs, like it does for the V.A. Drug costs could become a fraction of the amount that seniors now pay. Tellingly, both Bowles and Simpson acknowledge a Public Option may be necessary if costs don't go down, so perhaps a P.O. could finally be on the way? There is certainly no indication health care costs will decrease in 2011.

Conversely, the Simpson/Bowles plan includes numerous draconian measures that will hit the middle class and, most shamefully, our military, including cutting soldiers' pay and the military's health care system TRICARE. Schakowsky's plan offers no such cuts.

The Commission is expected to approve a plan by Dec. 1st, and then send it to Congress for a vote. In order for the plan to reach Congress, however, 14 of the 18 members of the Commission must approve it. Is consensus possible?

The president recently said on the air that he wants ideas. He must take a look at Rep. Schakowsky's plan alongside the Commission's and decide which one will benefit and speak for middle class America. His response will be telling.

Rep. Schakowsky offered an excellent understanding of economic policy in stating, "The goal of budget policy should be to assure long-term, widely shared economic growth. Sustained long-term economic growth requires that we end the trend of concentrating more and more wealth in the hands of the rich and less in the hands of a middle class that can then afford to buy the products and services that will sustain economic growth."

Hear, hear!


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pearl-korn/deficit-commission-member_b_789092.html

Jan on the public option and single payer health care
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfOWnZ82Pm4


Jan calling out Obama on the public option and attacks the media
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJBDo4VbJfg

Jan calls out Obama again: "Congress Has To Hold Hearings On Bush's Torture"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHTGc09AAK8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20RqXBLZcg4


Jan calls out BP (ahem...Mr. President)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w2h2tHJmWU

Jan's attack on the CIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWRyKBa1-Ck

[MineralMan]

42. Thanks for those details. They really help.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

62. Get to know Sen. Dick Durbin, Senate Majority Whip

I only wish he were as tough as nails like Jan. He has moments when he get weak kneed when I want him to fight hardest.

Durbin, author of Senate Jobs Creating Bill - Republicans "illogical," U.S. Chamber of Commerece - "Who are they working for?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC-XUu5tP8o

Durbin takes on Bankers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqVu0kLEMhI

Durbin: Drops a bombshell on Senate floor: "The banks own the Senate."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOJk11TrwDw

Durbin: Statements by Bush Adm. are lies; American people are being mislead about Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnQhMIdkOrA&feature=related

Durbin on health insurance summit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2zvxjEKqJI

Durbin attacks after Cheney over secrecy of matters related to security information
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB7VKyT3XWY&playnext=1&list=PL03883102A3243A30&index=43

Durbin on torture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD0er0K9UUo&playnext=1&list=PL92C9B98FA31A3F2F&index=14

Durbin is a far-left Democrat according to GovTrack's own analysis of bill sponsorship.

Durbin is a leader according to our statistical analysis of bills in this legislative session. Other Members of Congress tend to cosponsor Durbin’s bills. For more, see congressional statistics.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300038

Sponsored bills in 111th Congress (74, ranks #2)
S.3680 - A bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to permit leave to care for a same-sex spouse, domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent who has a serious health condition.

S.3342 - Healthy Schools Partnerships Act of 2010
A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a demonstration project to promote collaborations to improve school nutrition.

S.3219 - Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2010
A bill to amend title 11, United States Code, with respect to certain exceptions to discharge in bankruptcy

S.3033 - Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2010
A bill to amend title 11, United States Code, to improve protections for employees and retirees in business bankruptcies.

S.1472 - Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009
A bill to establish a section within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice to enforce human rights laws, to make technical and conforming amendments to criminal and immigration laws pertaining to human rights violations, and for other purposes.

S.1425 - Global Resources and Opportunities for Women To Thrive Act of 2009
A bill to increase the United States financial and programmatic contributions to promote economic opportunities for women in developing countries.

S.1346 - Crimes Against Humanity Act of 2009
A bill to penalize crimes against humanity and for other purposes.

S.1212 - Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2009
A bill to amend the antitrust laws to ensure competitive market-based fees and terms for merchants' access to electronic payment systems.

S.979 - SHOP Act
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses and the self-employed that would offer a choice of private health plans and make health coverage more affordable, predictable, and accessible.

S.957 - Public Health Emergency Response Act of 2009
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure that victims of public health emergencies have meaningful and immediate access to medically necessary health care services.

S.799 - America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009
A bill to designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in the State of Utah for the benefit of present and future generations of people in the United States.

[liberal N proud]

7. Sherrod Brown - Ohio

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. Keith Ellison, Minnesota 5th CD. And, of course, Sen. Al Franken.

[MineralMan]

13. Thanks for your post.

[bread_and_roses]

12. Maurice Hinchey

NY, CD 22

But so what? We're glad to have him, of course, and support him unreservedly, but he and his ilk are too few. However, he does serve as a good counter to those who justify everything the pusillanimous Ds do because "they can't get elected in conservative districts unless they swing right."

[MineralMan]

19. I didn't know that name. That's the point.

Now I do. So, to your question of so what, the answer is that now I'm aware of him, and will notice his name. Recognizing those who are doing the right thing seems important enough, don't you think?

[maryf]

44. and sadly while better than most

he is still a politician and doesn't go far enough at times...as in health care reform for instance...

[bread_and_roses]

49. all too true (n/t)

[NV Whino]

14. Barbara Boxer, Senator

Noreen Evans my state rep, and just about the entire crew who just got elected from Jerry Brown on down, but especially Debra Bowen, our secretary of state.

[RandomThoughts]

15. Actually I know a bit about a few politicians.

But talking about those sides is pretty sad, and trying to get them to move would not help.

All I know is brief glimpses of different things from different clips.


And I have met many types of people including some with no empathy at all, complete burn outs, to people that feel trapped, or people that feel superior, and you see different glimpses of that in many places.

But knowing politicians, you actually can get to know them from a few words at different times, but they are not always the same thing, depending what frame of mind they are in, but you can see the different parts from short comments many times.


And I am aware most of it can be called PR and theater, I doubt they do legislation till they have an idea of how they want it to end up, or in other words, much of it is decided before much of the distracting theater is added.

[Ozymanithrax]

16. Define progressive...

Boxer is a liberal, but progressive isn't defined so I don't know if you mean someone like Huey Long or Herbert Hoover, both progressives in their time but of decidedly different stripe.

[MineralMan]

17. Use your own definition. Who from your state stands out in

your mind. I'm not really interested in precise definitions for this list. If you think someone is worthy of notice, that's enough.

[Ozymanithrax]

24. I'm a liberal, and I don't make up the definition as a go along...

It is defined in political science. I've been trying to pin down what the modern progressive movement actually stands for. If you ask for good liberals, I could point out several, but I would choose them by how close the fit the real definition of liberalism.

I'll keep looking.

[MineralMan]

32. So, you have no names you can offer? That's sad.

[Ozymanithrax]

36. Not progressive. Huey Long, Herbert Hoover, and Teddy Roosevelt are all dead.

[jaxx]

18. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.

One of the most liberal members of the senate. :applause:


Unfortunately the other one is now a repub, same with the district rep.

[MineralMan]

20. Thanks!

[Bluenorthwest]

21. DeFazio and Merkely are my favorites here

If you don't know who they are and where they come from, look it up. Those who pay attention to the news should know them both well by now.

[MineralMan]

23. I know who they are. Not everyone does, though.

Would it be so difficult to include that information? It would help.

[golddigger]

25. Oregon.

[Arugula Latte]

61. Merkley has been great. I'm so impressed with him.

It's so rare when a politician lives up to expectations and even surpasses them.

[pinto]

22. CA Attorney General - elect, Kamala Harris

http://www.kamalaharris.org/issues

I think she's got a big future in the party here in CA, and nationally, if she chooses.

:thumbsup:

[MineralMan]

29. Thanks. Again, a name that most people outside of CA won't

recognize.

[monmouth]

26. Alan Grayson, (D) Sarasota, he's it...Florida sucks!...n/t

[Dr.Phool]

47. Florida really sucks.

Marco Rubio and Alan West aren't even the bottom of the barrel.

[madinmaryland]

28. Jim Robey, State Senator, and our three state delegates are

Guy Guzzone, Shane Pendergrass, and Frank Turner. For some reason, from each district we elect three delegates to the house of delegates. Our county, Howard, was nearly a complete sweep for the Democrats this year. Our county executive is Ken Ulman, who won in a landslide, and I suspect will run for governor in a few years, if Martin O'Malley decides to move on.

Our US Senator is John Sarbanes (D), son of former Senator Paul Sarbanes. US Senators are Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, both democrats.

[MineralMan]

33. Maryland, I presume.

[madinmaryland]

37. Yes. Maryland.

[sasha031]

31. John Kerry, Barney Frank, Duval Patrick

[dave29]

34. Lloyd Doggett -- may be known to some around here

http://doggett.house.gov/

Great progressive in Texas... famously redistricted by Tom Delay and still wins. Infrequently mentioned as potential Supreme Court Nominee.

P.S. Why on earth is this thread being unrecc'd?

[MineralMan]

40. Thanks.

I have no idea why anyone would unrec this thread. That's very disappointing. I can't see any possible reason for controversy here.

[cali]

35. although everyone knows Bernie Sanders, Vermont has lots of great progressive

legislators aside from from our Congressional delegation. There's our new guv, Peter Shumlin, my rep in the state house, majority leader Lucy Lariche, The speaker of the VT house, Shap Smith. Windham County just elected former diplomat Peter Galbraith to the Senate. There are many more.

[IDemo]

43. ...

...

[dave29]

45. I(-D)aho

They should just rename Iaho

[IDemo]

48. I a ho voted out the bluest of Blue Dogs, basically for being a commie sympathizer

Oops, I meant Pelosi sympathizer.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

46. Jim McDermott

[MineralMan]

53. Washington CD-7

[lumberjack_jeff]

55. +1

[Graybeard]

50. NY - Anthony Weiner, Jerry Nadler, Louise Slaughter

I hope Weiner makes a run for Mayor of NYC next time.

[MineralMan]

51. Thank you!

[lonestarnot]

52. Grijalva and Pastor

This is AZ afterall, :evilgrin:

[MineralMan]

54. Grijalva - AZ CD-7. Pastor AZ CD-4

For those who don't know.

[DailyGrind51]

56. Jan Schakowsky!

[MineralMan]

57. IL CD-9

I'll try to keep up with adding this information for those who don't include it, but I'm going to have to be out of the house for a while.

[tabbycat31]

58. Frank Pallone (NJ-6) and Rush Holt (NJ-12)

Our senators (Lautenberg and Menendez) are not perfect but not too shabby either.

I wish I could say the same about our governor.... grrr..

[Motown_Johnny]

59. John Conyers, John Dingell, Carl Levin (MI)

[provis99]

60. Andre Carson, 7th District of Indiana.

Nephew of the late Julia Carson, liberal and member of the Black Congressional Caucus. The rest of the Congressional Indiana representatives are teabagging dumbasses.

[alfredo]

64. Mary Lou Marzian (D-Ky) 34th district.

She's a good gal.

http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=4109

http://aclu-ky.org/content/view/91/

http://kentuckyfairness.org/getinformed/legislation.htm

[libodem]

65. Don't think the Great State of Idaho

Has had a great progressive legislator since Frank Church. Podunk Repukes around here.

[alfredo]

66. Susan Westrom (D Ky) 79th District Lexington Ky

She's one tough customer.

http://susanwestrom.com/

[alfredo]

67. Steve Kay Council at Large, Lexington Ky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7a_i7GODcI&feature=player_embedded#!

[Cairycat]

68. We've got some pretty good, if not perfect, legislators in Iowa

Senator Tom Harkin
my rep, Bruce Braley (IA-01)
and Dave Loebsack (IA-02)
both represent the eastern part of the state - it gets redder and dumber the farther west you go, culminating in Steve King.

[Blue_In_AK]

70. Several of Alaska's state Democratic legislators are good progressives.

I would say Senators Hollis French, Bill Wielechowski, and Representative Les Gara from Anchorage, off the top of my head. We have Elvi Gray-Jackson and Harriet Drummond, especially, on the Anchorage Assembly.

I could probably think of more, but I'm not really awake yet.

Mark Begich is progressive in some ways but Blue Dog in others, so I'm not going to include him.

Scott McAdams would have been a wonderful addition to this list, as would Diane Benson, who ran for lieutenant governor, but unfortunately they didn't win.

[Arkana]

71. John Kerry, Mike Capuano, Jim McGovern, Ed Markey, Barney Frank

[OregonBlue]

72. Senator Jeff Merkley - Oregon. He's turned out to be a really pleasant surprise. I voted for him but

actually thought he was another Ron Wyden. Wyden's a good reliable dem but not all that brave. When Merkley was head of the Senate he was pretty moderate. I love the guy. He's turned out to be a true Progressive.