(Cross-posted at DailyKos)

I have been dismayed at the willingness to let the Wall Street executives off the hook--allowing them to walk free, continue to collect bonuses and salaries and even give them jobs in government after they conducted what was perhaps the biggest fraud in financial history. We cannot let them escape justice. And, based on the evidence released today, we need to start with Lehman Brothers, and in particular Richard Fuld, the former CEO.

Here is what an independent bank examiner concludes:

It is hard to overstate how out-of-touch the insiders in Washington are--and how much they are far more attuned to the demands of Wall Street and the financial powers-that-be. You can't find a better example than the apparent bi-partisan deal to give the Federal Reserve Board more power--and, most astonishingly, the power to protect consumers.

Read the rest at DailyKos >

February 24th 2010

Dear Jim:

Your most recent e-mail solicitation (see below) on behalf of my opponent in the U.S. Senate New York Democratic primary prompted me to write this more detailed open letter as a follow-up to my original email. I look forward to your response.

DFA’s website states, “Democracy for America is our nation's largest progressive political action community. With over one million members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom-up.” I have great respect for the work DFA does and for you personally. I know you log many hours on the road trying to promote DFA’s mission.

So, to engage you in a discussion, my question is this: what is progressive? What is grassroots? And how do we work to change the country?

(To be delivered today at a rally in front of Goldman Sachs in Manhattan)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

We are here today to give voice to the millions of people who are shouldering the cost—financial and psychological—of the unpatriotic and un-American behavior of those who run Goldman Sachs and the other banks and financial institutions who destroyed our economy. And we are here today to say: never again. We will not let the robbery of the American people happen again.

While Goldman Sachs Reaps, America Weeps

New Yorkers joined us on January 21st at noon in front of the Goldman Sachs building, to protest the massive bonuses handed out to the very bank tycoons who caused this economic meltdown.

It's time for these modern-day robber barons - and their apologists in the media and Washington - to hear the voices of a people who demand economic recovery for everyone, not just those in the top 1%.

This event was co-sponsored by Democracy For America, Progressive Democrats of America, Democrats.com, United Auto Workers Region 9A, and the Tasini campaign.

Watch Jonathan's speech here:

People are noticing that Jonathan has a clear position in Afghanistan while his opponent is, typically, dodging. Check out this post over at That's My Congress: Gillibrand Ducks Afghanistan, Tasini Takes It On.

"Gillibrand’s opponent in the Democratic primary election, Jonathan Tasini, is not willing to stay silent on Afghanistan while our money and people are being thrown away." Read more here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  646-462-2120 or press@jonathantasini.com


Tasini Says He Would Vote “No” On Senate Health Care Reform Bill


New York, NY—Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate in New York, Jonathan Tasini, released the following statement today, concerning the Senate version of the health care reform bill:

If I were a member of the United States Senate today, I would vote NO on the bill before the Senate, understanding that such a vote would mean that the bill would not pass because of the undemocratic nature of the filibuster rule.

Contact: press@jonathantasini.com

TASINI: "I WILL BE A LEADER IN THE FIGHT FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY"

(New York, NY) — The following is a statement by Democratic candidate for US Senate Jonathan Tasini in response to the failure of the New York State Senate to pass the proposed marriage equality bill.

"I am deeply disappointed in the failure of the New York State Senate to pass the Marriage Equality bill today. I have been a staunch and unwavering supporter of the rights of LGBTQ people since the early nineties, when I fought for and won the right to full recognition of same-sex partners by the UAW. As Senator I will be out front on this issue, and will not rest until all LGBTQ Americans have full equality."

New York, NY—Candidate for U.S. Senate in New York, Jonathan Tasini, released the following statement today, concerning the House version of the health care reform bill:

“I am deeply disturbed that the House version of the health care reform bill turns the clock back on a women’s right to privacy and health. I agree 100 percent with NARAL Pro-Choice America which says, ‘The Stupak-Pitts amendment makes it virtually impossible for private insurance companies that participate in the new system to offer abortion coverage to women. This would have the effect of denying women the right to use their own personal private funds to purchase an insurance plan with abortion coverage in the new health system — a radical departure from the status quo. Presently, more than 85 percent of private-insurance plans cover abortion services.’

I call on Democrats in the U.S. Senate to reject any measure that ratifies this unconscionable attack on the rights of women.”

(Sign the petition!)

Let’s not forget who we are today. Let’s not forget the values and ideals for which we have fought so hard. Let’s not forget we are Democrats.

This morning I’m going to pull the lever for the Democrat in New York City’s mayoral race, Bill Thompson. I urge you to do the same.

Bill has promised throughout his campaign to fight on behalf of all New Yorkers. He will be a watchdog for the people, not beholden to big business and special interests.

Michael Bloomberg’s campaign is premised, respectfully, on a fraud: that he, and only he, can guide us through the economic crisis that has engulfed our city and the nation. That logic was behind his rationale to work to overturn the people’s will, expressed twice, that city-wide officials should be limited to two terms in office.

But, that premise is false: Michael Bloomberg never uttered a single public warning about the growing financial and real estate bubble. Not once.

Why? For the same reason that the cost of living has skyrocketed for the middle class while bankers, real estate developers, and business interests have lined their pockets to a degree unprecedented since the Great Depression. Michael Bloomberg listens to his business associates—but not to regular New Yorkers. He cannot be trusted to look out for the middle class.

We can move New York forward to better days. But, we need someone who has the interests of the people in mind. Do not believe the hype—the passion of our get-out-the-vote operation will sweep Bill Thompson to victory.

Please join me today and vote for Bill Thompson. Together, we can stand proudly for our principles and elect a Democrat as mayor of our city.

Believe it.