We bought a stimulus…where is the money going?

Where is my money going?

We’re paying more for everything in NYC- including our subway fare going up on May 31st to $2.50 for a one-way ride and to $103 for a monthly pass and now their saying they’re probably going to have to raise it again in June because they didn’t get enough money in state tax revenue- this is a new change, but there’s consistently increasing expensive things like just trying to get a gallon of milk for under $5 anywhere. We’re not saying that we have a problem paying for things- but if I’m paying I want to make sure my money is going to things that actually affect me- like our healthcare and education.

So for the first time in a long time, I can say I support the President’s budget because that’s what it does- it goes to programs I care about.

Check out www.rebuildandrenew.org for more info.

-Jessica L. Pierce

Posted by:

Heather Box

Education is the First Step towards Revolution

Happy Earth Day 2009, everyone.

We here at the League of Young Voters Education Fund and 99problems.org have covered so many issues affecting our communities over the last three months. Education is one that we always return to. The root of many problems, great and small, is ignorance and fear.

We’ve all seen the wonder of a child’s innocent mind without judgment, without prejudice. When does prejudice take hold? How do we teach our children to never judge without reason, and to fear no person because of his or her race, gender, or social background?

The fact is, we don’t know. But it must begin with awareness. Teach compassion, teach bravery and understanding, and we will open up the possibility of discussion, of cross-cultural conversation, as we begin to work together across the world to fix the problems we have caused and face the challenges of tomorrow.

Posted by:

Sam Patton

The X Fact(her): Keep Your Friends Close, Your Enemies Closer

“It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.“– The Art of War, Sun Tzu

It was the handshake heard round the world.

Prez Obama and Venezuelan President (aka Dictator) Hugo Chavez’s crossed paths at the recent Summit of the Americas. Chavez is best known for his anti-American views, support of Castro and communist Cuba, standing up for the poor man and trying to united Latina America and various third-world countries to combat what he considers the evil American Empire.

Venezuela is rich in natural resources including petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower and diamonds. It’s because of this that Chavez has gotten a platform at all. He shuns our country publicly, yet we still would like to do business with him and he knows it. The United States it the largest buyer of Venezelan oil. There’s no coincidence that the book Chavez handed Prez Obama before extending his hand for a shake was “The Open Veins of Latin America,” published in 1971 by Uruguayan Eduardo Galeano.

… Continue Reading

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Chloe

The Art of Activism: MOE-MENTUM and Jeff Chang

Update 8:56am PST

Jeff Chang, the hip hop author, master of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, dropped a new piece in The Nation today about Obama’s arts and cultural policy. “Creativity has become the glue of social cohesion in times of turmoil.”

See the power of MOE-MENTUM’s poetry in a new light.

The League of Young Voters Education Fund and 99problems.org were down in Chi-Town over the weekend, participating in one of the dopest youth training programs out there: the Tunnel Builder Institute.

MOE-MENTUM stopped in on Saturday at TBI and gave a jaw dropping performance of his poetry. He walked away from the street violence in Chi-Town because he wanted to make change in his community. Check him out on myspace

It always works like this: the people who inspire us get their inspiration from someone else, and so on down the line, each one of us emboldened and empowered by the art, the beauty and truth of another leader’s words. From our President at the top, to the 14-17 year old participants of TBI who stood up and hollered for MOE-MENTUM’s truth, we’re united by our power, helping our country into the future, hand in hand.

Posted by:

Sam Patton

Laz Alonso and Misty are working with Obama

Obama needs to hear from us if our issues are going to reach the top of his platform.

Get involved, make your voice heard- check out the League of Young Voters Education Fund: www.youngvoter.org

Posted by:

Heather Box