Seniors Against Assault Weapon Violence has arranged for bus/coach transportation to the March for Our Lives event in Orlando. The event is Saturday, March 24, at Lake Eola in Orlando. The rally will be from 12 Noon to 3 PM. We will leave at 10 AM from Freedom Park parking lot in Solivita, and people will gather by 9:45 AM to be ready to board at 10. We will leave the rally at 2:45 to be picked up by the bus at 3 PM, which should get us back to Solivita by 4 PM.

The cost of the 54 passenger bus is $375. Until we know how many people are going, we will not know the exact cost. At present we have 15 definite people signed up and at least 10 maybes. We expect to get more people signing up, and optimistically hope for 50. However, due to not knowing if we will get that many we are asking people to give Shelli a $20 check to hold their places on the bus. These checks will not be cashed unless the cost does turn out to be $20. It will likely be less, in which case we will be able to advise people prior to the trip what the exact cost is. The only other cost will be the gratuity for the driver. That is usually done by passing a large envelope, which we will provide, and people can add what they think is appropriate.

The bus is equipped with a bathroom, and wifi. I think it also has electric outlets for charging phones.

We will need the phone numbers of those people who are going, so that when we get ready to depart from Orlando we can call anyone who is not on the bus to make sure no one is left behind. We will also give out our phone numbers so people can reach us in case of any problem that day.

Hope you can join us.
Shelli Greenfield
973-207-1664

Dorothy Schwartz
732-207-3358

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2018

TALLAHASSEE – In an effort to give Florida voters a chance to decide for themselves whether civilians should possess weapons of war, former Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith today filed an amendment with the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) which, if the voters agree, would ban assault weapons in The Sunshine State.

“Since the 2016 horrific shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, and especially after the Valentine’s Day tragedy at Stoneman Douglas High School, Floridians have signaled their support for an assault weapons ban,” said Smith, who is currently a member of the 2017-2018 CRC and may directly submit an amendment proposal. “Since the Legislature did not act, I wanted to give the people the power to decide for themselves.”

The CRC is a 37-member organization established every 20 years, tasked with reviewing the state constitution and recommending any needed changes. Members are appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, Senate President and House Speaker.

Under Smith’s proposal the sale or transfer of assault weapons would be prohibited. The legislature may enact legislation within the amendment’s framework to provide exceptions to the prohibition on the transfer of assault weapons legally possessed prior to the effective date of the ban.

In his amendment, an “assault weapon” is defined as a semiautomatic rifle that is able to accept a detachable magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that is capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition, or that has a fixed magazine capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition.

The amendment, which will now undergo vetting by the CRC committee process, must garner 22 votes by the full CRC membership in order to appear on the November 2018 ballot.

If successful, and if 60 percent of Florida’s voters then sign off on the Smith amendment, the assault weapons ban would become part of Florida’s state constitution.”

President’s Message

There is so much information to share with you that I ask that you please forgive me for its length. Karen Weizal, of the Polk Democratic Executive committee, asked that I share with you details of an event as part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s “March for Our Lives Events” campaign at 1 Highlander Way; Lake Wales, FL on Saturday, March 24 at 6 PM. RSVP here to join her by clicking the following link: http://act.everytown.org/event/march-our-lives-events_attend/9766/?source=taf&referring_akid=.6455839.zP7wB6

Our Blue Wave Dance is March 14th in the Ballroom; doors open at 6:30 PM. Music by DJ, Irwin Zalko. Please bring a snack for your table; Cash bar. Tickets $10 per person. DO NOT respond directly to this email to order tickets. Email or call Kate Kohout at katekohout@yahoo.com or (863)-496-0481. Include your name, number of tickets and your phone number.

In his opening statement in a recent email blast, Ryan Torrens (candidate for Florida Attorney Genera) said last week said that “I am ashamed of my party”. We had the pleasure of having him address our club last month, and those in attendance found him to be a compelling and passionate speaker. I feel that he is one of the best candidates that Florida Democrats have had in a long time. His opponent is being backed by the Koch brothers, and has amassed a multi-million dollar war chest.

To quote Mr. Torrens, “I believe that one of the reasons the Democratic Party keeps losing in Florida is because my party has lost touch with working people in our state. My party used to be known as the party who fought for the underprivileged, the forgotten, and those struggling to get ahead. It was my party who fought for everyone to have fair chance to achieve their dreams. It was my party who fought for the laid off factory worker and the single mom, living paycheck to paycheck.” He said that Democratic members of the Florida Legislature voted in favor of payday lenders, and Democratic members of the U.S. Senate voted to relax the rules for big banks instead of fighting for the people who sent them there. And most ironic of all, they did this during National Consumer Protection Week. This is exactly why so many voters have called out Democrats with their talk of fighting for the working man. Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.

Mr. Torrens further stated that “we need to return to the party of LBJ, who fought for health insurance for the elderly and the poor. We need to return to the party of FDR, who fought for the workers who were relegated to a life of poverty and humiliation due to the ravages of the Great Depression. Only when we do this will the voters place their trust in the Democratic Party once again.
‘ It’s time to go back to basics. It’s time to actually fight for what our party claims to believe in. It’s really easy to show up at a fancy party, cocktail in hand, and talk about how progressively-minded you are. When the fight is on, like it was yesterday, our people expect us to to fight for them. Our party let the people down yesterday. What a shame.

‘We’re doing things differently in this campaign. I’m campaigning as the people’s lawyer. It’s who I am and it’s what I do. Fighting for all Florida consumers isn’t Democratic or Republican and it isn’t liberal or conservative. It’s just the right thing to do. We’re going to win this election, but only with your support. I don’t care what your party is. If you believe it’s time to put the AG’s office back on the side of the consumers, join our team today.” Mr. Torrens recognizes that the wind is at our backs, and it’s time to take advantage of that momentum.

Lastly ,Marilyn Shapiro of our club shared with us one of her writings “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”:
According to the Bipartisanship Policy Center, our country’s history of working across the aisle can be traced back to as early as 1787. Our founding fathers, struggling with congressional representation regarding the populations of the colonies, reached what later was know as the Great Compromise. It was decided that our new government would exist with a proportional House of Representatives and a Senate with equal representation. Once adopted, both sides felt vindicated.

At their best, and despite their differences, presidents and parties have work together to use compromise for the common good of our country. Lincoln created his “team of rivals” because he believed that he had no right to deprive the country of its strongest minds simply because they sometimes disagreed with him. In the last sixty years, the Civil Rights Act (1964); putting man on the moon (1977); the Endangered Species Act (1973); the American’s with Disabilities Act (1990); welfare reform (1996), and No Child Left Behind (2001) all were put into effect because of compromise.
In the current political climate, compromise appears to be all but impossible. Lines have been drawn in the sand, pitting the Republican majority against the Democratic minority with unprecedented rancor. Nuclear options, closed door sessions, and a proliferation of what is regarded as “fake,” exaggerated, and even inflammatory news have torn our country apart in ways that many of us — from gifted historians to concerned citizen—cannot remember.

The battle has spilled over to our personal lives, dividing family and friends. The situation has become so flammable that recommendations on how to get along with family and friends with differing political views have become hot topics on everything from television to newspaper articles to Miss Manners. How do we deal with its aftermath when where one stands—whether to the left, to the right, or in the middle—when politics become personal?
I myself had become caught up in the “us versus them” mentality. In the months before the election, I had spent hours watching television, listening to podcasts, and reading articles—usually with left leaning perspectives. Sharing all this news became my first priority, either through social media or animated, face to face conversations.

And it hurt me. I had cut off contact with a relative after a Facebook fight about the election last fall, reconciling only after four months of protracted tension. One of my new neighbors, knowing how I felt about the November 8 outcome, had purposely avoided me with little more than a smile and hello. Friends invited me to their get-togethers but suggested I leave my politics at the door. As a result, I decided that I could still do what I need to do—stay informed, call my legislators, volunteer to work during the next election cycle. However, as Miss Manners suggested in her June 25, 2017, column, I was no longer going discuss politics in social situations without mutual consent to do so.

While organizing a small dinner party, I realized how difficult the situation had become. One of the guests, whose leanings were unreservedly to the left, called to see if I was inviting a couple known for their strong Republican views. When I asked him the reason for his request, he told me that he recently had had a heated exchange with the couple regarding politics. He and his wife would feel uncomfortable attending if they were going to be there.

Even though the “Republicans” were not on the guest list for that evening, his request troubled me. Since the elections, I had heard similar comments from other friends who had questioned my continued friendship with any of “those people” who didn’t vote the way they had. I also observed many friends drawing lines in the sand. I came to the realization that enough was enough.

I didn’t have a good response for my dinner guests during that phone call, but I do now. When the issue comes up, I tell people, “I will be friends with whom I want. Politics will NOT be a decision in my friendship.”

In Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked, Chris Matthews, the former Chief of Staff for House Speaker Tip O’Neill and MSNBC journalist, reported that the political battles between the House Speaker and President Ronald Reagan were “legendary,” but they respected and even liked one another. Reagan often had both Republicans and Democrats—including O’Neill—over for cocktails. “After six,” O’Neill would insist, “we are all friends.”
The only difference with me, the avowed liberal Democrat, and Tip O’Neill is that I won’t limit my friendships to after six o’clock. As Thomas Jefferson so wisely said over two hundred years ago, “I never considered a difference in opinion on politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause enough in withdrawing from a friend.”

So I will continue to have friends for dinner, no matter our political affiliations. We will break bread. We will drink wine. We will laugh and enjoy each other’s company. And maybe, just maybe, once in a while we will “reach across the aisle.” We will discuss politics, learn what divides and unites us, and, if necessary, agree to disagree. I only wish the same for our president and the members of our United States Senate and House of Representatives.

Stanley P. Dillard, Sr. President
Solivita Democratic Club
863-427- 4480

The Solivita Democratic Club invites you to join us as we welcome Congressman Darren Soto on Thursday, March 29th, 6:30 pm in the PALMS Club Room; doors open at 6 pm.

Hear first- hand how things are going in Congress. Now is the time to have your questions addressed on the actions of ICE, the status of Medicare, Social Security and our Economy.

Join Us.

Watch our Website for updates.

Our first meeting of 2018 began by adding six new members to our growing club roster!

For the first time, our Solivita Democratic Club meeting and the Club Expo took place on the same night, and at the same time. Our meeting was relocated to Mosaics, and our exhibit table for the Expo was located at the entrance of the restaurant. The smell of food enticed people to drift into our meeting space, and we attracted a wider than usual public audience.

For 2018, the plan for the Solivita Democratic Club is to be more assertive and visible. We anticipate having a consistent presence at the Farmers Market, complete with signage and our Democratic Donkey Mascot each week.

In addition, we plan to make available a written document which answers the question “Why Vote Democratic?” Also, our club will aggressively court young potential Democrats by sponsoring an essay contest around the very same question. The Solivita democratic Club will offer a prize of $350 to the Valencia College student winner (subject to the approval by the dean of the college). We feel that this is an excellent real life civics lesson and opportunity for young people to learn about our government and politics.

The club elected new board members to fill the expiring terms of Bea Motley, Ellis Moose, Celeste Williams. Please extend a warm welcome to Amy LaRue— Membership Chair, Mary Ellen Schneider—Secretary & Webmaster, Dorothy Swartz— Campaigns/Special Events, and current president Stan Dillard to fill the position of Reflections Writer.

Our featured speaker for February will be Ryan Torrens, candidate for Florida State Attorney General. We ask that everyone please turn out to hear Mr. Torrens, who will be traveling from Tampa to address our club members.

Regards,
Stanley P. Dillard, Sr.
President

Friday morning January 5th with wind out of the north and freezing temperatures, my wife Bernice I erected a tent to sell tickets for the February “The Big Apple Sound” show. The Farmers Market typically draws large numbers of residents and venders to the parking lot. When we finished setting up, we were the only vendors present aside from the farmers. We were eventually joined by CDD Amenity Committee, Veterans, the Republican Club who erected a table within a few feet of our exhibit. They were unaware that I am the current president of the Solivita Democratic Club; they were rather loud and vociferous about being republicans. They said that many of their new members are disaffected former Democrats, who have become disenchanted with the party; many of whom are from our club. Their current membership is 547 and growing. A substantial number are so called Dixiecrats (George Wallace-Alabama, Lester Maddox-Georgia). He said that their new members feel that they cannot identify with Democrats anymore, and that the party has gotten away from mainstream values. The club consistently has a presence at the market most weeks in both oppressing heat and freezing cold. This probably explains their growth. However, our club has plans to end their political monopoly of public in Solivita very soon. Patrick Coleman has been tasked to lead a team to develop materials that emphasize the theme “Why Vote Democratic”, which would be distributed at various venues including the Farmers Market. Len Guminski proposed going one step further by sponsoring an essay contest for students at Valencia College, to attract young people and potential voters to the Democratic party. The Board agreed on a prize of $350 for the winner. The contest would also be a real-life introduction to civics and our system of government
The republican representative boasted about being the party of conservative values that demonized Liberals, a label that many Democrats have run away from by calling themselves Progressives. We as a party have let the GOP define us. The following is a copy of a letter to the editor reprinted from the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled “Defining Liberal” which I have carried in my wallet for over 35 years:

“When did liberal become a four-letter word? A day doesn’t go by when one doesn’t hear ad hominin attacks by the right using the word liberal to describe its opponents as if it meant some sort of abomination of humanity. The dictionary definition is: ‘favoring progress or reform, as in politics or religion; not intolerant or prejudice; generous; lavish in giving; giving freely or in large quantity; ample: not literal or strict.’ How then can the right honestly justify the nefarious use of this word if they really do represent the truth as they claim to?” Joseph John Hrvnack- Stratford PA
Lastly, it’s time to elect new Board Members. The board is not s clique and is open to all members who wish to participate, and following positions will need to be filled for 2018 and 2019:

Membership Chair:
Responsible for all areas connected to Membership.
Develop ideas that will increase Membership
Maintain database that keeps track of Members’ names, addresses, phone numbers, email address, payment of dues, meeting attendance for members and guests, guest speaker and refreshments served
Develop ideas that enhance membership appreciation and camaraderie
Reflections Writer:
Position is under the direction of the Publicity Committee.
Responsible for development and submission of articles and pictures, placed in our Reflections magazine. Articles must be written and submitted on a timely basis advising of time and place of each meeting, as well as anything that may be of interest to our readers
.
Secretary & Webmaster:

Campaigns/Special Events:

Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday, January 10th in Mosaics.
.

Regards,
Stanley P. Dillard, Sr. President
Solivita Democratic Club

The party has the momentum and grassroots support that it takes to win in 2018

Today, the members of the Florida Democratic Party used their grassroots power to elect Terrie Rizzo as the new chair of the Democratic Party. Chairwoman Rizzo is committed and ready to continue the string of victories seen by Democrats this year.

“Acting Chairwoman Judy Mount led the Florida Democratic Party in the lead-up to today’s election. Chairwoman Mount was the first African-American woman to lead the state’s Democrats and we are grateful for her dedication and leadership.” said FDP spokesperson Johanna Cervone. “Democrats around the country are resisting Donald Trump and the Republican party’s disastrous policies that only serve the wealthy few while leaving working families behind. Our state has seen a swell of momentum that has resulted in major election wins for Democrats in 2017. Florida Democrats are organized, energized and taking on Donald Trump, Rick Scott and the GOP. Under Chairwoman Rizzo’s new leadership, FDP is ready to flip Florida blue in 2018 and begin creating an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.”

Chairwoman Rizzo Bio:

Terrie Heinrich Rizzo is the three-term Chairwoman of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, the “Chair of Chairs” of the Florida Democratic County Chairs Association (DCCA), and one of Florida’s ten elected members of the Democratic National Committee. She is proud to be part of the Florida Democratic Party team that will Flip Florida Blue in 2018 and retake the White House in 2020!

DEMOCRATIC ACTIVISM AND PARTY MANAGEMENT:
Always an “engaged citizen and passionate Democrat”, Terrie first become politically active with Democrats Abroad while living in Europe during the 2000 Presidential Election, and vowed to “get involved and make a difference.” After moving back to the United States, she started her path to activism as a volunteer with the 2004 John Kerry Campaign, then as DEC Committeewoman for her precinct in Boca Raton, and was elected to be Palm Beach County DEC Vice Chair in 2006.

Terrie assumed the position of the Palm Beach County Chairwoman in 2012 and was unanimously re-elected without opposition in December 2014 and 2016. Under her leadership, Palm Beach County Democrats have developed an organization which is widely regarded as one of the best county organizations in the state of Florida and nationally, focusing on year-round organizing, training and precinct development, and emphasis on voting by mail.

In January 2017 she was elected by state Democrats as one of Florida’s ten representatives to the Democratic National Committee, and in April 2017 she was elected by her fellow county chairs as “Chair of Chairs” of the Florida Democratic County Chairs Association. She also served as an elected Florida Delegate to both the 2012 and 2016 National Conventions.

FUNDRAISING:
When Terrie’s team took the helm of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, the organization was not self-sufficient and in debt. UnderTerrie’s leadership the Palm Beach DEC went from a negative operating budget to raising over $600,000 in the 2016 cycle. Palm Beach DEC does not have paid staff or consultants, so 100% of those fundraising dollars went to support campaigns and grassroots organizing. Her team has developed the innovative Blue Victory Precinct Leader’s Manual and Victory Express Precinct Newsletter, now used by over 35 counties in Florida.

PERSONAL:
Terrie is especially committed to the importance of grassroots involvement inclusion and diversity, and participation by all, and she is inspired by her favorite political quote: “One person can make a difference and everyone should try.” – John F. Kennedy.

As a Navy brat, and later as an adult, Terrie has had the privilege of living in many areas of the United States and abroad. Terrie has over 40 years of experience in the fields of health & fitness education and communications. She is a specialist in adult exercise and ergonomics. Since moving to Florida, she continues to instruct multiple fitness classes weekly and provides coaching & personal training for private clients, specializing in “fitness over 50”. She says she has the best jobs in the world, helping people be fit and healthy and helping elect Democrats!

In addition to being a political junkie, Terrie enjoys traveling, dining, sports (especially football), and the theater, and she is a voracious reader. She and her husband, Mike, an Information Technology executive and consultant, have been married for over 45 years and have one son, Matthew, daughter-in law, Kate, and two grandchildren, Annika and Bo, who live in San Francisco — Democrats (and future Democrats) all!

The Florida democratic Party will be electing a new chairperson on Saturday, December 9, to fill the vacated seat left by the resignation of former chair, Steven Bittel.

This is your opportunity to hear from the next leader of Democrats in Florida.
Each of the four declared candidates for Florida Democratic Party Chair participated in a candidate forum:
Alma Gonzalez, Stacey Patel, Terrie Rizzo, and Monica Russo.

Video of the event is available on the Facebook page of the
Miami-Dade Democratic Party
and will be posted as a podcast (CLICK HERE).

WILL 2018 BE THE YEAR OF THE MILLENNIALS AND ANGRY FEMALE VOTERS?

This may seem like a stretch, but why should you attend the ongoing CDD meetings with regard to the amenities, and transfer of ownership of our community from the developer to our residents? Many people don’t seem to turnout, especially minorities who live here. By attending and participating in the hearings, we can be more informed about issues which affect us. It may seem like a small and trivial point, but taking an interest in happenings in our community has the potential of becoming habit, much like voting should be in political elections.

The consequences of not voting are immense with its potential effects on real wages, affordable higher education, accessible health care, Medicaid, Medicare, and housing affordability. However, there is one area we tend to overlook by not voting with regularity, which is not obvious at first. The party that wins elections has the potential to control not just the administrative and legislative branches, but also gains the power to restrict your rights through control of the judicial branch of our government with lifetime appointments; which could affect our children’s and grandchildren’s future for the next 40 years or more.

Donald Trump has nominated more unqualified judicial appointees than any other president so early in his first term, according to the American Bar Association. The ABA Standing Committee has been ranking prospective judicial candidates before they are officially nominated for a position since the Eisenhower administration. Presidents then nominate candidates deemed qualified by the group.

ABA President Linda Klein said that the “ABA the standing committee’s work has done much to instill public confidence and trust in the judiciary”. The committee has reviewed over 600 candidates for federal judicial posts during its existence, and all of whom were deemed qualified for the bench until now, when the ABA ranked Trump nominees Charles Goodwin, Leonard Grasz, Holly Teeter, and Brett Talley as unqualified.

In addition, 91 percent of Trump’s nominees are white, and 81 percent are male, according to an Associated Press analysis. Three of every four are white men, with few African-Americans and Hispanics in the mix, and 19% are female of any race or ethnicity (Women equal 51% of the population). Unlike President Obama, this administration feels that it has no obligation to appoint a diverse judiciary, which reflects the make-up of the U.S. population. You can continue this fiasco by staying home every election cycle, or change it by exercising your right to vote and encouraging like-minded people, your millennial children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to vote for Democratic candidates at every level of government, and at every opportunity.

Are we at a time when women in this country finally stand up to sexual harassment, and child molestation by those who either seek or hold high and powerful offices such as: Alabama Judge Ray Moore, and Donald Trump? Would you agree that it’s time for the “Blame the Victim” mentality to end with the women of this country finally exercising their political rights and muscle? The profile of the typical republican voter is older, white and male.

Millennials tend lean democratic/ independent, and voted for democratic leaning independent Berny Saunders. Hopefully, those women and millennials who took to the streets after the election of 2016 to the theme of “Not My President”, show up in large numbers at the polls. Will 2018 be the year of the Millennials and angry female voters? I certainly hope so.

Stanley P. Dillard, Sr.
President, Solivita Democratic Club

Hi, Solivita! I look forward to finally making an appearance there at your December 13th meeting.

I am attending the annual convention of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). The thing I appreciate about our lobbying organization is that they take a principled stand on a number of issues of importance with healthcare being one of many issues of peace and justice both nationally and internationally. I agree we are living in critical times for many reasons. We need leaders that have a broad understanding of what is happening across the US and the world and have a sound moral and ethical foundation with which to make decisions. Our entire political landscape has become so corrupt that it is hard to know what to do. However, in the midst of this we do need to stand up and be counted.

Healthcare is one of many critical issues facing us – we cannot continue to spend more and more for the care that we all need. Ultimately a single payer national healthcare plan is the only solution – whether we can get there is another question. It is also not just to balance our healthcare budget on the backs of the poor and the low income working people. This issue of taxation is also conspicuously important. Republicans deficit hawks use this issue to bludgeon Democrats and then when they get in they start cutting taxes which in effect creates even higher deficits. Historically the Republicans have raised out debt and Democrats bring it down. We are seeing that yet again. Except now the tax cuts for corporations are going to be partially (but certainly not completely) offset by cuts to services for the poor and even the working class. The Republicans are desperate to pay off their political handlers. They are driving for this. If we give in easily then we as a Democratic Party are complicit in this act. Also, we cannot have bipartisan support for raising military spending and then fight against the cuts to spending for people. Makes no sense. That is an internal debate that needs to happen.

See you in December,
Catherine Price