PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING We advocate a full-fledged PB process similar to the one designed and implemented in Chicago’s 49th ward by Ald. Joe Moore, ward residents, and the Participatory Budgeting Project over the last 9 years. We know of no other modern method that (a) so easily implements our American ideals of popular sovereignty, (b) so effectively facilitates practical, informed decision-making, and (c) so quickly cuts through civic stalemates — all at once. This latter is especially important at this moment in U.S. history as impasses are impeding decisions at every level even as resources are more desperately needed, e.g., — Federal: health care, gun violence — State of Illinois: no budget in two years — and counting — Evanston: divided electorate (mayoral election, equity issues vis-a-vis police department, library, housing) At the same time, PB provides a profound personal experience of direct democracy in a short time, often to a large number of people all at once. This is because PB is grassroots democracy of the most practical variety — real people coming together to make real decisions about real resources and real issues in real time with real results. The PB process is a proven, flexible method being adopted by local jurisdictions all over the U.S., after years of success in other countries. RESOURCES and synergies available to an Evanston-Northwestern PB project are abundant: — Ald. Joe Moore (Chicago, 49th ward) is a Board member of the Participatory Budgeting Project — The Chicago-based PBP staffperson, Maria Hadden, is a senior coordinator of many types of PB projects — Great Cities Institute (University of Illinois-Chicago) is a formal partner with PBP — The 2016 documentary film on PB, Count Me In, was made by Chicago filmmaker Ines Sommer, who is well known to Evanston and NU — Additional sweat equity by Evanston PB advocates Additionally, Evanston has tried a limited version of PB, thanks to City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz's long-standing interest in public involvement. Our previous PB experience will be helpful in designing the full-fledged, in-depth process that has been such a game-changer in so many other locales. An especially synergistic resource for a 2017-18 Evanston-NU PB project is this year’s choice of One Book, One Northwestern: Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality, by Danielle Allen. PB not only organically defends equality (and equity) but it actually demonstrates the manifestation of equality. GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND The Good Neighbor Fund itself seems an ideal centerpiece for a first-time Evanston experience of a complete PB process. Created in 2015 by an agreement between the City of Evanston and Northwestern University, the Fund stands as a breakthrough moment in the history of Evanston town-gown relations. The GNF is an annual $1,000,000 donation to the City of Evanston by Northwestern, allocated each year for “capital projects supporting city infrastructure and facilities, specific support for existing city services, and special projects.” During the first two years of the GNF (2015, 2016), allocations were made based on joint deliberation by Evanston’s mayor and NU’s president — but with no public discussion and little opportunity for direct public input. IMPACTS-UPON-IMPACTS OF A PB PROCESS The current agreement runs for three more years with the next GNF installment to be made after July 1, 2017. In response to Americans’ re-awakened interest in collective decision-making. this third year is an opportunity for even greater impact. Positive, long-lasting impacts of using a PB process to allocate the 2017 Good Neighbor Fund are potentially many, with ramifications far beyond the initial GNF investment: 1. Inclusion: open to everyone in Evanston and at Northwestern 2. Value-added budgeting — more bang for the buck. PB research has shown that the community-at-large is much more creative with limited resources than a single decision-maker or a small group of traditional stakeholders. (Ald. Moore has been especially eloquent on this surprising aspect of PB.) 3. Community education: fun and painless action-learning for all participants, including residents, officials, university, media 4. A living process: rejuvenation of institutions, traditions, people, community 5. Practical, effective communications, including all kinds of checks-and-balances, are built into the decision-making process, minimizing any later need for damage control and maximizing effectiveness of the Good Neighbor Fund. 6. Stewardship: more people caring about implementation, maintenance, tracking, etc., of the GNF investments 7. Satisfying human experience: Compared to ten minutes in a voting booth every two or four years (voting for representatives who may or may not actually represent one’s views on every issue), a single PB process affords numerous opportunities for direct, personal, and extended input. PB is an adult life experience like no other — filled with imagining, speaking, listening, research, writing, arguing, synthesizing. Adults-in-training (children, youth, young adults) can also learn PB and have the same satisfying experience. 8. Foundation for the future: a more nuanced understanding of democracy and government that can create better budgeting at the county, state, regional, and federal levels. RELEVANT LINKS BLOG www.FoodFarmsDemocracy.net Good Neighbor Fund — official NU webpage & description of fund http://www.northwestern.edu/communityrelations/about/our-partnerships/good-neighbor-fund.html 2015 allocation (news article) https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2015/10/good-neighbor-fund 2016 allocation (news article) https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2016/10/second-million-dollar-donation-to-evanston/ Evanston Now op-ed June 21, 2017 (with comments) http://evanstonnow.com/story/government/debbie-hillman/2017-06-21/77848/participatory-budgeting-for-nu-good-...

PETITION TO GIVE CONGRESS THE SAME HEALTHCARE
 THAT IS EQUITABLE TO VETERANS AND ALL AMERICANS TO ENSURE JUSTICE IN THE FORTHCOMING HEALTH PLAN. United States veterans who do not qualify for care at VA Hospitals and their family members will be affected by whatever healthcare bill is passed and enacted by Congress. The current fight over fairness in the Health Bill by Congress can be fairly decided if the healthcare bill that is passed applies to “All Americans” including those who have been voted into Congress and the Senate to serve at American’s pleasure. Currently, United States Senators and Congresspersons are exempt from the provisions of the current healthcare bill because they have been given a healthcare plan for themselves and their family members that is far better than what they are willing to give to all Americans. This includes veterans who have served the nation and faced dangers that could have taken their lives and their family members who could be deprived of their love and companionship. This petition is to ask that Congress and the Senate put some skin in the game as it regards their decisions on the healthcare bill. It is our belief that a Special Class of Americans has been created by giving United States Senators and Congresspersons special healthcare programs and benefits that are not available to all American citizens. The current decisions as it regards a healthcare program for America does not, in any way, impact them and their family’s healthcare. This makes them subject to making decisions that will adversely affect those they were elected to serve. We found the following wording online that we feel is perfect for a new amendment: “Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States “. In order for Congress to make their decisions on healthcare meaningful and just, Congresspersons and Senators should be affected by the healthcare bill that they pass for all Americans. In so doing, they will be more careful and thoughtful regarding the planning and implementation of a bill that would affect all Americans including themselves and their family members. The purpose of this petition is to compel Congresspersons and Senators to set aside the elite system of the healthcare that they receive in exchange for the same healthcare program that they vote to pass for all Americans. This honest approach will ensure that these servants of the American people will not only be voting for the type of healthcare that average Americans will receive in the future, but also for the type of healthcare that they and their family members will also receive and live with. We ask the following: Dissolve the special healthcare benefit programs for Congresspersons and Senators and mandate that they use the same healthcare plan that they vote to establish for the care of all Americans. Enact a healthcare plan that benefits all American citizens equally and that does not create “A Special Class of Citizen” of election who has a much better health plan than the plan they offer the average American family and the veterans of the United States military who have defended this nation with their lives. If you are an American citizen and a veteran, we ask that you sign this petition which we believe to be fair to all because it corresponds to the constitutional rights intended for all of us who fought in service of this country.

Nothing can describe the rage Black people are feeling right now. The officer who killed Philando Castile, Jeronimo Yanez, was found not guilty by a mostly-white jury after 5 days of deliberation. And the pain is unbearable. Despite having no faith the police would be held accountable in this case, the anger and frustration isn't diminished. Because once again we sit and watch a mother scream in pain because the person who murdered their loved one got away with it. Even more enraging is that Yanez could actually PROFIT from the pain and suffering he's caused. Right as the verdict came down, the City of St. Anthony fired Yanez from the department--and announced they will begin negotiating a "separation agreement" to help Yanez "transition into a new career." So let's get this straight: Yanez has been on a paid vacation for almost a year and now the department is offering him to walk away with a wad of cash? Hell no. Ain't no way we can allow him to profit from the murder of Philando Castile by any means. Sign the petition demanding the City of St. Anthony cease all severance negotiations with Yanez immediately.

The City Clerk is the doorway to democracy, information, and accountability in Detroit. But right now, every Detroiter doesn’t have equitable access to in-person services close to where they live. In order to drop off their ballot in person, or make official records request face-to-face with someone, Detroiters must get to one of two locations in or near downtown, search for parking, risk a parking ticket, even go through security. That's not accessible service. By opening real service centers in all seven City Council districts, the City Clerk can meet people where they are, close to home, making information easier to access, empowering Detroit residents and business owners can focus on making their communities the best they can be.

On June 15, the UN Security Council unanimously called for a cease-fire in the conflict between the Saudi-UAE coalition and the Houthi-Saleh forces in Yemen. "The U.N. Security Council urged the warring parties in Yemen on Thursday to immediately agree on a cease-fire and keep all ports open for humanitarian aid to confront the threat of famine and the rapid spread of cholera," AP reported. [1] On June 13, the U.S. Senate narrowly failed to block an arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Senators opposed to the deal stressed the need to end the humanitarian crisis in Yemen rather than escalate it. [2] "The Saudi-led war in Yemen has created a humanitarian disaster," Senator Bernie Sanders said. "Millions are at the risk of starvation...chaos in Yemen has also been strategically disastrous for the United States, providing fertile ground for the extremist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS...it is long past time that we begin to take a very hard look at our relationship with Saudi Arabia...it is important that we begin to discuss...the decades long effort by Saudi Arabia to export an ultra-reactionary form of Islam throughout the world." [3] "The human rights and humanitarian concerns have been well documented and are important,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said. “Of equal concern to me is that the Saudi government continues to aid and abet terrorism via its relationship with Wahhabism and the funding of schools that spread extremist propaganda throughout the world." [4] But the Trump Administration plans to escalate U.S. participation in the Saudi bombing of Yemen, with U.S. military advisers in the Saudi air operations control center in Riyadh. [5] U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen has never been authorized by Congress. [6] House Members can challenge U.S. participation in the war with amendments on the National Defense Authorization Act and the Department of Defense Appropriation. In addition, a single House Member can invoke Congressional war powers force to a debate and vote on withdrawing U.S. participation from the Saudi war in Yemen - which the UN Security Council has unanimously said should stop immediately to save Yemen from cholera and famine. The last time the House voted on any aspect of U.S. participation in the Saudi war was June 2016, when the House narrowly failed to prohibit the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia. [7] Urge your Representative to force a House vote to withdraw U.S. backing from the Saudi war and blockade in Yemen by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/un-urges-yemen-cease-fire-and-open-ports-to-confront-cholera/2017/06/15/ec92b4b8-5219-11e7-b74e-0d2785d3083d_story.html 2. https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/saudi-yemen-war-famine?r_by=1135580 3. Senator Bernie Sanders, "We Must Reevaluate Our Relationship With Saudi Arabia," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqbebpDHCnE 4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chuck-schumer-trump-saudi-arabia_us_593ec911e4b02402687bae98 5. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-arms-training-yemen.html 6. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/05/02/alarm-grows-in-washington-as-saudi-coalition-attack-on-yemen-port-appears-imminent/; https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2017/05/19/trump-may-be-helping-to-create-a-famine-in-yemen-congress-could-stop-him/ 7. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/obama-heeding-close-house_b_10516480.html

Our elected officials should govern in the public interest, not for personal financial gain. But Donald Trump's global business empire exposes him to massive conflicts of interest -- and the President is brazenly refusing to address them. And by doing so, he's violating our Constitution, says a new lawsuit by nearly 200 Democratic members of Congress. The "emoluments clause" of the Constitution forbids elected officials from taking payments from foreign governments, but the Trump Organization has business entanglements in more than 20 countries. We already know that foreign dignitaries are purposely patronizing Trump-owned hotels and other businesses to curry favor with the President -- and that could be just the tip of the iceberg. Especially given the dark cloud already hanging over this administration and its potential ties to Russian election meddling, it's critically important that the American people know if our President is receiving money from foreign governments. That's why we must call on the House Oversight Committee, and its Republican leader Trey Gowdy to use Congress's oversight role to fully investigate the President’s conflicts and overseas business ties. The Democrats wouldn’t have to sue if Congress was doing its job -- and we should use this moment to push them into action. Americans agree that strong oversight is necessary to ensure that public servants look to their time in government as a way of contributing to society, not a way of enriching themselves and their friends. Add your name and demand that Congress investigate Donald Trump's conflicts of interest.

I started this because I watched the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing live, and thousands watching with me were absolutely horrified at the incompetence and lacking mental capacity of the Attorney General. I believe the American public deserves a competent lawyer making critical decisions, an Attorney General who knows what he is talking about and is able to recall his actions in regard to the safety of our democracy.

Please sign today to help our country and penalize any collusion with Russia! According to the Palmer Report: A new report connects the financial dots between Russian money and Mitch McConnell, Scott Walker and other Republican leaders. The newly unearthed research has been produced by political pundit Scott Dworkin. This week he’s posted a treasure trove of documents tying various Republican Party leaders to campaign funding that’s coming from entities that appear to be close to the Russian government. For instance he’s found that a Super PAC linked to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took $2.5 million from a pro-Kremlin oligarch in Ukraine during the most recent election. Dworkin has also determined that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker took $1 million in similar fashion during the last election cycle (link) – and he’s publicly posted the relevant documents to support his assertions. He’s also tied Republican leaders including Ted Cruz, John McCain, and Marco Rubio to much smaller amounts of Russian money (link), suggesting Russia has been trying to cover its bases across the entire GOP. And so, even as everyone from the Senate Intelligence Committee to the FBI to newly appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller digs in and attempts to determine why Donald Trump is so personally and politically loyal to Russia, and whether it’s due to a money trail, some of his most prominent allies in the Republican Party have already been confirmed to have taken money that’s come from Russia or its intermediaries. (http://www.palmerreport.com/politics/mcconnell-russia-money/3046/) Note, Legislators can be removed by the House in which they serve. What might also need to be considered, is recall. Art 1, section 2 "The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" Article 1 section3 "The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law." "Under Article I, Section 5, clause 2, of the Constitution, a Member of Congress may be removed from office before the normal expiration of his or her constitutional term by an “expulsion” from the Senate (if a Senator) or from the House of Representatives (if a Representative) upon a formal vote on a resolution agreed to by two-thirds of the Members of that body present and voting." (2nd source) "As to removal by recall, the United States Constitution does not provide for nor authorize the recall of United States officers such as Senators, Representatives, or the President or Vice President, and thus no Member of Congress has ever been recalled in the history of the United States." As noted in the second source to permit recall would require a Constitutional amendment. That is a cumbersome process. The process of recall would require spending tax money on a recall vote. There would much political debate, name calling and maneuvering. in the case of Representatives with only a 2 year term, recall would be impractical. It would be simpler to vote them out of office at the next regular election. Source(s): http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-pub... Also see: http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/florida-senator-bill-nelson-supports-robert-mueller-as-special-counsel

We don't require our representatives to have a specific background, sometimes to our detriment. All we ask is that they have the desire to serve their constituents honestly and to work for the public good. Recently 2 potential candidates, Kim Weaver (Iowa) and Michael Treiman (New York) received threats of violence against their families and themselves if they continued to run for office. As a result, both dropped out of their respective races, leaving their opponents to run unopposed. This is a direct attack on our democracy. This is not and should not be a partisan issue. Anyone who attempts to subvert our democracy by threatening potential candidates with threats of violence and/or death endangers the very foundation of our government and should face imprisonment and heavy fines.

The United States government has a history of refusing to recognize leaders of foreign countries who obtain their positions through illegitimate means. In a country founded on the principle of the people as sovereign, our responsibility as citizens requires us to apply the same expectations to ourselves as to our neighbors in the world. An emerging body of evidence strongly suggests that a hostile foreign power colluded with influential members of the Trump campaign to undermine the integrity of our electoral system and install a puppet administration. We reject this undermining of our democratic traditions.

Billions of our dollars are being wasted on futile, endless wars, while serious problems here at home go neglected. The climate catastrophe and nuclear weapons threaten the existence of all of us.

After becoming disabled, I had to dissolve my debts through bankruptcy and became destitute, not being able to hold a job or even rent an apartment because of many property managers' requirements of credit checks of their potential occupants. My case is not unique. A study has shown the majority of US workers are less than two paychecks away from being homeless. Let's not let the disabled and destitute have to live in tent cities to survive.