Lobbying–2009

Mark Roman and Lisa Savage met with Rep. Chellie Pingree and congratulated her on voting “no” last week to the supplemental war funding bill. Also discussed the bill she is co-sponsoring (H.R. 2404) to require the administration to provide Congress with a plan for an exit strategy for U.S. military operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2009.

We discussed our mutual concerns about the dependence of the U.S. economy on building weapons of mass destruction, and the urgent need to convert Maine’s factories to peaceful production without throwing lots of people out of work. We shared a copy of the UMass Amherst report by economists there detailing why investment in peaceful production actually generates more jobs than the same investment in building weapons.

Chellie mentioned how much she appreciates CODEPINK actions in Washington. She also told us that the support of peace constituents in Maine helped her decide on a “no” vote for more war funding, and she believed this to be true for Rep. Mike Michaud as well. She agreed to meet with our statewide coalition of peace activists during Congress’ recess in August to discuss not escalating in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In advance of the announced “surge” of troops into Afghanistan.

Participants: Lisa Savage, Jane Edwards, Chris Rusnov, Mary Benzinger, Bob Hayes, Elery Keene, John Benzinger, Maal Sibulkin. Saturday, March 21, 2009, 16 Common Street,Waterville, ME 04901

Summary:

We presented MM with the report titled "Afghanistan: Ending a Failed Military Stragety", compiled by the group September Eleventh Families For Peaceful Tomorrows. She called his attention to the first of ten reasons to end the occupation of Afghanistan: Military occupation of Afghanistan does not curb terrorism.

We asked the question, "With no clear mission plan or firm exit straegy, when will the United States end it's occupation of Afghanistan? We are concerned about the loss of life, not only among American military, but among women, children and civilians in Afghanistan."

We presented information from a study done at University of Massachusetts, Amherst economics department on the number of jobs generated by $1 billion investments in weapons manufacturing as compared with an increased number of jobs created by the same investiment in wind turbine or light rail manufacturing. MM spoke of the effect of lobbyists on congressional decisions.

We spoke about the economic costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We expressed that the best way to support the troops would be to bring them home.

We connected issues such as the social costs of military spending were discussed, including the lack of universal health insurance. We urged that single payer be kept on the table.

The meeting lasted just over an hour. MM told us he has already planned a self-guided trip to Afghanistan on a fact-finding mission in the next two weeks, to talk to troops and Afghanis. He stated the fundamental problem as he sees it in A. or the related Palestine as economic privation on the part of the people there. Military action was not seen as effective in solving that problem.

FURTHER STEPS: We will watch for a written response to our question. We have now met with both Sen. Olympia Snowe's staff and Sen. Susan Collins' staff, and MM. We are still working for a date to meet with Rep. Chellie Pingree (co-sponsor of the Department of Peace bill).

Report back on visit to Senator Olympia Snowe’s state office by representatives from CODEPINK Maine and Waterville Area Bridges for Peace & Justice.

In advance of the announced “surge" of troops into Afghanistan.

Participants: Mark Roman, Jane Edwards, Elery Keene, Robert Hayes & Steve Aucoin. We met with Regional Representative Deborah McNeil on Monday, March 10, 2009.

Summary:

We presented a copy of a report compiled by September Eleventh Families Against Violence, titled "Afghanistan: Ending A Failed Military Stragety” for Senator Snowe.

Jane spoke about the bombing and killing of so many people, and the stress of multiple tours on veterans.

Mark read aloud the list of ten reasons to end the occupation of Afghanistan included in the Primer. He also asked the question, “With no clear mission plan or firm exit strategy, when will the United States end its occupation of Afghanistan?”

Elery presented a letter he had written to this point and requested a written response to the question.

Mark presented information from a study done at University of Massachusetts, Amherst economics department on the number of jobs generated by $1 billion investments in weapons manufacturing as compared with an much larger number of jobs created by the same investment in wind turbine or light rail manufacturing. This was tied to the prevalence in Maine of weapons industries, and the effect that ending those investments would have on the local, already depressed economy.

The meeting lasted about 30 minutes. KC seemed familiar with CODEPINK and also to note that peace activism continues even since the inauguration. She said she would pass our information on to Senator Snowe.

FURTHER STEPS: We will watch for a written response to our question. We will continue to work on scheduling face to face meetings with Maine’s two representatives, Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree.

Report back on visit to Senator Collins’ representative by representatives from CODEPINK Maine and Waterville Area Bridges for Peace & Justice.

In advance of the announced “surge” of troops into Afghanistan.

Participants: Mark Roman, Jane Edwards, Elery Keene. We met with State Office Representative William S. “Bill” Card (BC) on Thursday, March 5, 2009.

Summary:

Mark presented BC with the report titled “Afghanistan: Ending a Failed Military Stragety”, compiled by the group September Eleventh Families For Peaceful Tomorrows.

Mark also read the list of ten reasons to end the occupation of Afghanistan. We left a copy of that list .

Mark asked the question, “With no clear mission plan or firm exit stragety, when will the United States end it`s occupation of Afghanistan?” We requested a written response to the question.

Mark presented information from a study done at University of Massachusetts, Amherst economics department on the number of jobs generated by $1 billion investments in weapons manufacturing as compared with an increased number of jobs created by the same investiment in wind turbine or light rail manufacturing. This was tied to the prevalence in Maine of weapons industries, and the effect that ending those investments would have on the local, already depressed economy.

Elery and Jane each made brief personal statements on issues that concerned us pertaining to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The meeting lasted about 40 minutes and BC seemed to listen as he took four pages of notes. He said he would pass our information on to Sen. Collins.

FURTHER STEPS: We will watch for a written response to our question. We meet with Senator Olympia Snowe’s staff on Tuesday, March 10 and continue to work on scheduling face to face meetings with Maine’s two representatives, Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree.