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If you are in the Portland area, and you do nothing else for the WFP this election year, this is where you can be most helpful!
WFP volunteers prepare to make Please respond to info@oregonwfp.org and let us know if you can be there! https://sites.google.com/site/wfpworkingfamiliesparty/oregon-working-families-party/wfp-update Oregon, 2010. North Dakota, 1915.
What could these two particular places and times possibly have in common? In 1915, a group of North Dakota farmers had had enough. They were being exploited by out-of-state milling companies, the railroads, and banks in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis. To fight back, these farmers formed what became known as the Non-Partisan League (NPL). By 1918, the Non-Partisan League had taken over BOTH houses of the North Dakota legislature...and the Governor's mansion. It had its ups and downs, but by the end of its years of organizing the NPL had enacted such progressive changes as a graduated income tax, a workers' compensation fund, and a complete ban on corporate farming in the State of North Dakota which remains in place till this day. One of the most enduring reforms enacted by the NPL was the creation of the Bank of North Dakota (BND). For 91 years now, the State of North Dakota has done its banking locally--in its own bank. The BND then teams up with local community banks to make credit available to small businesses and farmers, keep credit flowing in the state, and even make a profit while they do it. Every other state in the country--Oregon included--is still forced to do its banking with the Wall Street banks; the same banks that just crashed our economy. But Oregon is now pioneering a movement to create a new publicly-owned bank: the Oregon State Bank. And what's more, at least another dozen states are following our lead. In 2011 the Oregon Legislature will consider the Working Families Party proposal to create a state bank. You can help us build grassroots support for the Oregon State Bank by signing our petition: action.workingfamiliesparty.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=847 You'll notice your voter's pamphlet looks a little different this year--candidates can now run with the nomination of more than one political party. The WFP nominated some 30 candidates running for office across the state--from Bend to Portland, Fossil to Medford. When you see the "WFP" next to a candidates' name it is our "seal of approval" right on the ballot. Our members evaluated the records of the candidates. We asked every candidate for state office if they supported the Oregon State Bank, and we only gave our nomination to those who said they would stand with us on this critical issue. So now you can support the Oregon State Bank by voting for Working Families candidates. For more information about Working Families candidates and issues go here: Ballots are here - Vote Working Families! If you have't already, you should be receiving your ballot. For more reasons than one, this is a very important election. Remember, look for the "WFP" seal of approval, and vote with confidence that you are helping to build a movement of working people fighting for good jobs, good schools, quality health care, and fair taxes! Sincerely yours, P.S. We are part of a national movement fighting for the rights of working people--and, as such, we have powerful enemies. If you missed it, here is a recent it article in The Nation about the right-wing attack on Working Families in New York.
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