Laurel Lambert Schmidt Gets IVI-IPO Endorsement

The Independent Votes of Illinois and Independent Precinct Organization has just endorsed my candidacy for Representative to Congress in the 3rd District. It was a lengthy process that included an 8 page questionnaire and personal but extremely congenial interview. Check out all their endorsements here: http://www.iviipo.org/2010Endorsements.html.
–Laurel

Join us in Brookfield to Parade for Peace July 3

The Laurel Lambert Schmidt for Congress Campaign will be joining Near West Citizens for Peace and Justice in a peace contingent in Brookfield’s Independence Day Parade, Saturday, July 3. Meet us at Garfield (1 blk S of 31st St) and Kemman at 9:30 and put on your best Peace or Green wear. — Laurel

Laurel4Congress at the Blue Moon in Beverly!

I’ll be at the Blue Moon Coffee House in Beverly later today to talk about my candidacy at the invitation of “Mr. Grassroots,” John Presta. Join us for the discussion at 7:00 pm: 1742 W. 99th Street, Chicago.

Rich Whitney & Laurel4Congress Benefit Brunch May 8 in Riverside

The laurel4congress.org campaign is pleased to announce there will be a joint benefit with Rich Whitney in the form of an open house/brunch at Laurel’s house in Riverside, 203 Parkview Rd. on Saturday, May 8.

Meet Illinois Green Party candidates for Governor and Representative to Congress in the 3rd District, Rich Whitney and Laurel Lambert Schmidt, Saturday May 8 from 11 am to 1 pm!

Saturday is be Fair Trade day! We’ll try to be Green in what we serve: fair trade coffee and tea, local free range eggs, bagels from a union shop, and more.

There is a $20 suggested donation. Residents and friends of the 3rd Congressional District plus folks who want to volunteer with either campaign are cordially invited.

Our house is a four minute walk from the Metra Burlington line’s Hollywood/Zoo stop. If you’re driving we’re one block west of First Avenue and one block south of Riverside Brookfield High School.

Please respond by calling 773-991-8751.

–Laurel

Lipinski is silent on Immigration Reform

Rep. Daniel Lipinski has remained silent on what is a hot button issue with voters in the 3rd Congressional District. Except for Native Americans who migrated to the Americas before the dawn history and except for African Americans, who were brought here as slaves, WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS or the children of immigrants.

As a Green, I support Comprehensive Immigration reform, but as a citizen of my planet as well as my country I know that immigration reform means:

• Keeping families together
• Restoring due process
• Eliminating racial profiling
• Creating paths to citizenship
• Ensuring equal rights for all workers
• Ending raids and deportations

Arizona has it wrong. Stand up on May 1 to make it right! There will be a demonstration and march in Chicago’s Union Park at one pm on that day.

Vote for justice for all workers! Vote Green!

Lipinski is Dead Wrong on Health Care

By voting “no” on the health care bill that passed the US House last night (3/21/10), Dan Lipinski has put his  personal religious values before the well-being of millions of Americans who just might be able get health care coverage when before they could not.

It seems Lipinski was the only Illinois Democrat to vote “no” on the bill because (even with an executive order to the contrary) it contained insufficient restrictions on a woman’s right to an abortion.

Don’t get me wrong.   I am not a big fan of the bill.

• It maintains and even strengthens the power relations that are to blame for skyrocketing health care costs.
• There is no viable public option.
• I advocate single payer, or expanded Medicare for all and will work to make that come about.

However, in the US Congress one has to swallow bitter pills in the name of compromise and this health care bill is the only game in town.

By voting “no,” Lipinski solidifies his record as a social conservative.    He has also voted against stem cell research; against ENDA — the bill that prohibited employment discrimination of LGBT persons –  and for the Federal suppression of medical marijuana use.

Lipinski, however, continues to vote  in favor of numerous war appropriations bills.  I think it is fair to characterize Dan Lipinski as “Pro Life before Birth only.”

Vote Green Party!  What the 3rd Congressional District needs is someone who will work to improve the new health care bill, to work for jobs right here, to create sustainable communities and to bring our troops home.   I urge you to join my campaign and dump Dan Lipinski this coming November.

Laurel Lambert Schmidt