Sunday, May 30, 2010

Outreach: African-American Media Outlets

Outreach: African-American Media Outlets
The media contact points beneath the following sample letter are just a start. Save your letters and we'll continue forward with this effort next week. Let's get be aggressive and hit this effort with big numbers of e-mails.

[Sample Letter]

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that once barred workplace discrimination on the basis of race and skin color, is now dead for the vast majority of African-Americans. As a result, the economic gains made by black Americans over the past several decades are evaporating into thin air. Employment credit checks quietly became a workplace discrimination tool in the 90s and today have grown to 50+ percent for all jobs and 80+ percent of all white collar jobs. Long before the Great Recession, “bad credit” in the African-American community was 48 percent. With the outrageously high unemployment numbers now in black America the percentage must be a staggering 60 or 70 percent, if not higher.

While many want to minimize it as mere coincidence instead of racism and bigotry, the reality is that racial inequality in the workplace is now rampant once again. By easily adding a couple additional filters to credit checks (such as predominately black neighborhoods along with first and last names) and the result is that African Americans don’t work. The “Whites Only Need Apply” sign has simply been replaced with a “credit check required for employment” policy – Title VII doesn’t exist! This is happening in a nation that has a black president, celebrates MLKs birthday and each year commemorates the passage of the Civil Rights Act with nostalgic fervor?

HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act, stalled in the House, would outlaw employment credit checks for all Americans and help to restore racial equality in hiring and promotions. Have you or your readers ever even heard of the legislation? Do you see or read about support for the legislation from the Congressional Black Caucus, NAACP, National Urban League, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton? With the exception of the NAACP’s weak support thus far, you won’t see any support whatsoever from the civil rights community because it doesn’t exist. As long as there is no “whites only need apply” sign in the window, the majority of the civil rights community appears to be blind to what quietly just happened in less than two decades.

Your readers and the African-American community at large deserve to know HR3149 exists so they can come together and support it. Without you reporting on it, that won’t happen. It also won’t enable your readers to ask difficult questions such as why there is virtually zero support from black leaders and civil rights advocates. Millions of dollars in corporate PAC money is buying votes and stalling the legislation in Congress which begs the question, could corporate money be muzzling some civil rights advocates as well? Something is clearly amiss . . . otherwise, HR3149 would be law. It’s just that simple!

During a time when unemployment is rampant in the African-American community, backdoor racial discrimination in the workplace via employment credit checks is killing what little opportunity there is. If Title VII of the Civil Rights Act were officially rescinded you’d write an article daily and call for mass protests, but backdoor racial discrimination via employment credit checks and no support for HR3149 from civil rights advocates is just fine? I ask that you perform your duty of informing your readers about HR3149 and to go the extra mile by reporting who is not supporting the legislation and ask the question, why?


[End Sample Letter]

Contact Points - We'll pick up this media outreach again, next week, so save your letters . . .

The Root
readerfeedback@theroot.com

Articles/submissions*
submissions@theroot.com

* Guidelines for submissions
http://www.theroot.com/contactus

Ebony/Jet
tglover@ebony.com

African American News & Issues
http://www.aframnews.com/websitepublisher/contact-us.html

Afro American Newspaper
editor@afro.com

editor@afro.com

Atlanta Daily World
publisher@atlantadailyworld.com

adwnews@atlantadailyworld.com

Atlanta Tribune
kmines@atlantatribune.com

kwhittaker@atlantatribune.com

Baltimore Times
btimes@btimes.com

Bay State Banner
mbm@b-banner.com

hmanly@bannerpub.com

Chicago Defender
mhouse@chicagodefender.com

lransom@chicagodefender.com

rgillespie@chicagodefender.com

Columbus Post
pthornton@ColumbusPost.com

Final Call
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/contactus/contactus.shtml

Ink News Online
editor@inknewsonline.com

Insight News
INFO@INSIGHTNEWS.COM

Jackson Advocate
jadvocat@aol.com

The Miami Times
scharite@miamitimesonline.com

Mississippi Link
publisher@mississippilink.com

editor@mississippilink.com

New England Informer
info@edofolks.com

neinformer@verizon.net

New Journal and Guide
njguid@gmail.com

New Pittsburg Courier
http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1&Itemid=84

People’s Voice Weekly
tonydmalone@yahoo.com

caclarkfrieson@msn.com

South Florida Times
http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3

Tennessee Tribune
editorial@thetennesseetribune.com

Tri-State Defender
editorial@tri-statedefender.com

Weekly Challenger
editor@theweeklychallenger.com

Weekly Press
Theweeklypress@yahoo.com

Westside Gazette
wgazette@bellsouth.net

Black Press USA
info@blackpressusa.com

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Outreach: Non-Supportive Civil Rights Advocates

Outreach: "Non-Supportive" Civil Rights Advocates
The civil rights groups and leaders provided via the contact points beneath our sample letter below, are batting a 100% zero, or very close to it, in regard to support for passage of HR3149. While we can't speak for you, we do speak for our perspective via the following sample letter. You look at the percentages and racial divide in workplace discrimination via employment credit checks. You go review the websites and priorities of the groups and individuals listed and make up your own mind. Write from your own perspectives and experiences . . . not ours. Ten minutes of website review and some googling and you'll find vitrually zero support for HR3149 and that has to change, so let's get started . . .

[Sample Letter]

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that once barred workplace discrimination on the basis of race and skin color is now dead for the vast majority of African-Americans. As a result, the economic gains made by black Americans over the past several decades are evaporating into thin air. Employment credit checks quietly became a workplace discrimination tool in the 90s and today have grown to 50+ percent for all jobs and 80+ percent of all white collar jobs. Long before the Great Recession, “bad credit” in the African-American community was 48 percent. With the outrageously high unemployment numbers now in black America the percentage must be a staggering 60 or 70 percent, if not higher.

While many want to minimize it as mere coincidence instead of racism and bigotry, the reality is that racial inequality in the workplace is now rampant once again. By easily adding a couple additional filters to credit checks (such as predominately black neighborhoods along with first and last names) and the result is that African Americans don’t work. The “Whites Only Need Apply” sign has simply been replaced with a “credit check required for employment” policy – Title VII doesn’t exist! As long as there is no sign in the window, the majority of the civil rights community appears to be blind to what quietly just happened in less than two decades.

If that were not true, HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act, that would outlaw the practice of workplace credit checks, would be law already. From you there’s no push in the media, there’s no mention on your website and there’s no effort to protest workplace inequality for African-Americans? This is the reality in a nation that has a black president, celebrates MLKs birthday and each year commemorates the passage of the Civil Rights Act with nostalgic fervor instead of lamenting the death of Title VII?

In poll after poll, HR3149 is supported by 90 percent of Americans of all races and skin colors. However, a “divide and conquer” approach between the elite who have a voice and the have-nots without a voice is keeping the issue muzzled. The lines of division are not racial but socio-economic instead. Those with influence along with the political elite of all races could care less if “the people” are starved via workplace credit checks. If that were not the truth, HR3149 would now be law instead of being stalled by the millions in corporate dollars being paid out in PAC money. The money can also be found in foundations and funding specifically selected to muzzle voices. Americans from all racial backgrounds now see that money easily buys conscience and waters down passion.


While the percentages of “bad credit” may vary with Hispanics at 34 percent and whites at 27 percent, there is no racial divide between Americans impacted. There is however a growing division between the elite and those Americas being stomped under their boot of power and control. As a civil rights leader, isn’t it time that you reevaluate your position and support of HR3149? Well over half of black America is now locked out of the workplace and silence by you means that you stand with the elite and the corporations. Please stand with Americans of all backgrounds and skin colors and perform your charter to ensure equality in America. Restore Title VII to the Civil Rights Act by pushing through passage of HR3149 before the tide turns in November. Time is running out . . .


[End Sample Letter]

Contact Points . . . e-mail, call and write via snail mail. The time has come to command attention and only an aggressive across the board effort will work.

National Urban League

http://www.nul.org/contact-us

PH: (212) 558-5300

Snail Mail:
Mr. Marc Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

http://sclcnational.org/net/write.aspx?s=2607.0.12.2607

PH: 404.522.1420

Snail Mail:
Rev. Dr. Byron Clay
Interim President & CEO
S C L C
P. O. Box 89128
Atlanta, GA 30312

National Action Network

http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net/contact.html

PH: 212.690.3070

The Al Sharpton Show 877.532.5797

Snail Mail:
Rev. Al Sharpton
President
National Action Network
Crisis Department
106 W. 145th Street
Harlem, New York 10039

Rainbow Push Coalition

info@rainbowpush.org

PH: 773.373.3366

Snail Mail:
Rev. Jessie Jackson
President
Rainbow Push Coalition
930 East 50th Street
Chicago, IL 60615

Southern Poverty Law Center

http://www.splcenter.org/contact-us

Friday, May 28, 2010

Outreach: 2 Supportive Civil Rights Groups

Outreach to the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Leadership Conference

[Sample Letter]

First let me thank you for your involvement and backing of HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act. I’m part of a citizen activist group based primarily on Facebook with more than 3000 members and although we grow everyday, we know all too well that without the support of groups and organizations like yours, HR3149 doesn’t have a chance. Long before the Great Recession we’re in, “bad credit” in the African-American community was 48 percent. With the outrageous unemployment numbers now in black America, what do you think the percentage is now . . . 65 maybe 70 percent? The rate of 50+ percent of all jobs and 80+ percent of white collar jobs requiring an employment credit check is increasing at alarming rates?

While worthy of pride for Americans of all skin colors, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is now celebrated far too often as if it’s an end-all crowning accomplishment. Many people consider Title VII of the Act (that prohibited workplace discrimination on the basis of race and skin color) to be the top accomplishment achieved by the legislation. Except for an ever shrinking small percentage of black America, Title VII is now completely dead and non-existent due to the implementation of employment credit checks. While many want to minimize it as mere coincidence instead of racism and bigotry, the reality is that racial inequality in the workplace is now rampant. Adding a couple additional filters to credit checks (such as predominately black neighborhoods along with first and last names) and voila African Americans don’t work. The “Whites Only Need Apply” sign has simply been replaced with a “Credit Check Required for Employment” sign . . . 1963 is reality in 2010. As a result, the economic gains made by African Americans over the past several decades are eroding at a record pace. This is happening in a nation that has a black president, celebrates MLKs birthday and each year commemorates the passage of the Civil Rights Act with nostalgic fervor?

Just like 90 percent of Americans, you know it’s wrong and you’re officially backing HR3149 and we’re confident you’re doing what you can. The reality is that it isn’t and can’t be your sole focus, you have 100s of competing priorities, limited resources and there are only so many hours in the day. While a lot of things need to happen, first and foremost, the issue of employment credit checks and HR3149 needs much more media attention. Our little Facebook group via media outreach efforts has already delivered a significant amount of coverage and we’re confident that your efforts have delivered their share as well. Nonetheless, it hasn’t been enough to even scratch the surface of what’s needed to actually succeed. HR3149 is DOA until every candidate is being questioned about it and the media is reporting their answer. Virtually no one in America has even heard of HR3149. The recent House hearing a few weeks ago that included HR3149 received a single Bloomberg News article and a pick-up in three or four obscure publications.


The window for HR3149 is closing fast and time is not on our side. Our foes are formidable to say the least but at the moment we have the ballot box. The diverse groups supporting the legislation are never going to see the issue from the exact same perspective, have unified messaging or be dedicated 110 percent to getting this done, but collectively we can do far better than we’ve shown to date. The American people and most especially African-Americans deserve far better than what we’ve separately delivered to date. So we’re reaching out to you and we pray that you will answer the call. Let’s talk, let’s share, let’s organize, let’s innovate, let’s get energized and let’s prepare now for the huge fight we now know that's ahead. Shooting us and e-mail at
hr3149@hotmail.com with your thoughts, plans, a high level overview of your efforts to date would be a great starting point. We’ll turn on a dime and support anything you have going and we have some ideas you might find intriguing You’re of course welcome to join our HR3149 Facebook group at: http://groups.to/h.r.3149 if you wish, but just joining groups as you know does nothing. A collective path is the only path to victory. We all have to step up now and do more . . .

[End Sample Letter]

Contact Points:

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

barnwine@lawyerscommittee.org

awiggins@lawyerscommittee.org

Leadership Conference

http://www.civilrights.org/about/contact_us/

Outreach to the NAACP

[Note: As always any sample messages, letters, etc. that we provide are just that, “samples.” The samples are just what we’re sending out from this end and you are strongly encouraged to use your own judgment, voice and perspectives. Our prose, tone and approach can always be improved upon and quite frankly a good mix of perspectives is better than following our samples verbatim. We don’t do messaging for the group (nor do we aspire to) or ever speak for the group, but instead merely facilitate our members’ ability to speak at once for more power and volume. If you’re a “professional communicator” or would like to help with recruiting, research, administration, etc. shoot us a note and we’ll be happy to get you involved. There is no lack of work to be done.]

While the fact that the NAACP is “officially” on board in support of HR3149 is good news, as far as we can tell, their efforts and focus on the issue have weak at best. They alone, within the context of civil rights groups, have the membership, the organization, the clout and the resources to make HR3149 happen overnight. Our sample letter below is simply our two cents worth from our perspective. Your e-mails, letters and phone calls need to reflect YOUR perspective, not ours. However, the facts are the facts – they are NOT doing their job in proportion to the percentage of black Americans impacted by workplace credit checks. It’s not a priority for them, it hasn’t been and that has to change.

[Sample Letter]

First let me thank you for your official support of HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act. I saw the communique that went out on December 23
in support of the legislation, but haven’t seen anything since, nor do I see any recent mention on your website, nor have I heard you speak out on the issue in the media? Long before the Great Recession we’re in, “bad credit” in the African American community was 48 percent. With the outrageous unemployment numbers now in black America, what do you think the percentage is now . . . 65 maybe 70 percent? Do you think the issue of discrimination of African Americans via workplace credit checks has gone away? Are you not aware that the rate of 50+ percent of all jobs and 80+ percent of white collar jobs requiring an employment credit check is increasing at alarming rates? Did you think that one communiqué that went out during the holidays was going to get the job done?

While worthy of pride for Americans of all skin colors, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is now celebrated far too often as if it’s an end-all crowning accomplishment. Many people consider Title VII of the Act (that prohibited workplace discrimination on the basis of race and skin color) to be the top accomplishment achieved by the legislation. Except for a small percentage of black America, Title VII is now completely dead and non-existent due to the implementation of employment credit checks. While many want to minimize it as mere coincidence instead of racism and bigotry, the reality is racial inequality in the workplace is rampant. By adding a couple additional filters to credit checks (such as predominately black neighborhoods along with first and last names) and voila African Americans don’t work. The “Whites Only Need Apply” sign has simply been replaced with a “Credit Check Required for Employment” sign . . . 1963 is reality in 2010. As a result, the economic gains made by African Americans over the past several decades are eroding at a record pace. This is happening in a nation that has a black president, celebrates MLKs birthday and each year commemorates the passage of the Civil Rights Act with nostalgic fervor?

As you advocate for jobs, how is it that you think the applications of the overwhelming majority of African Americans has any chance whatsoever of passing the credit check filter? Without passage of HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act there little if any hope of a job for most under and unemployed black Americans. It’s just a fact! If the largest civil rights group in America doesn’t focus its vast resources on passage of HR3149 then who will? Who should more than you? The answer is no one. If you don’t lead the charge then who will?

If Congress were threatening to strip out Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, you’d be sending out communiqués on a daily basis, you’d be all over the news and urging people to march in the streets just like the early 1960s. Did the baton get dropped, has black America been forgotten by the NAACP, has the red hot passion to once existed been replaced with complacency when it comes to the right to work? If African-Americans don’t even have the right to work in America, is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 worthy of wallowing in celebration and nostalgia, or instead is it not time to awaken and stop racism in the workplace via workplace credit checks?

I ask that you wake up and join the fight to pass HR3149 in order to restore Title VII to its critical role within our American society. Without the basic right to work, there is no equality in America.

[End Sample Letter]


NAACP Contact Points
Nothing short of an all out push via all channels to include, e-mail, snail mail and telephone are adequate. Push and be aggressive . . .

e-Mail:

washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org

Snail Mail:

Benjamin T. Jealous
President and CEO, NAACP
NAACP National Headquarters
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215

Phone:

Hilary O. Shelton – 202.463.2940

Baltimore Headquarters:

Toll Free: (877) NAACP-98

Outreach to Civil Rights Groups and Black Media

We’ve previously asked for group member volunteer(s) to head up this effort on an ongoing basis, but we haven’t yet had members to step-up. Shoot us a note if you can get more involved and contribute. (We need the same type of ongoing effort for organized labor groups as well.) Black Americans suffer the result of workplace credit checks at almost twice the rate of white Americans and per the EEOC, this constitutes racial discrimination. So where is the outrage, passion and support for HR3149 from civil rights leaders and black media? We don't see it, do you?

Therefore it's our obligation as a group to bring the issue to the forefront of civil rights leaders and black media in America as a show of solidarity and to move HR3149 forward to the benefit of all Americans. We’re rolling out an effort that will spill into next week to focus just on those groups, leaders and media outlets. So let’s get started . . .

Saturday, May 22, 2010

A Turning Point or Swan Song?

If you caught the news via our group wall or last week’s activity requests, you’re aware there was a proposed amendment to the Wall Street reform bill that would have outlawed employment credit checks. Our hunch was that it didn’t have much of a chance and we couldn’t have been more wrong! If you’re squeamish pardon the metaphor, but the amendment got clubbed like a baby seal! You can read the who and why in this week’s sample letter(s). In short, man’s inhumanity to man and pure greed knows no bounds. The good news is that A) we now know the size of the force we’re fighting B) we know that we have to mobilize our allies and bring more to the table and C) it’s time to stop playing games and grow our FB group into a real number.

Being slow to anger is a good trait, but if you’re not angered enough now to get involved 100% and recruit every American to the cause you can find, then you just don’t have right stuff. Sure the squashing of SA 3795 was about money and greed, but more than anything it’s about POWER and CONTROL of the people. The message the power brokers just sent was ‘we have the power and control and YOU don’t have the guts to fight.’ The age of ‘big brother’ has arrived and if the power brokers starve every man, woman and child in America via employment credit checks, they could care less. These people are PIGS! The question is, ‘do YOU really care?’ Not only do they own you and your family, but they own every future generation as well. If YOU don’t make a stand NOW to grow our numbers, send that extra e-mail and make that extra phone call they will own America forever with no force or laws to stop them. Employment credit checks exemplify the worst that exists within the heart of man. A ‘human’ that would starve a child with an employment credit check is not a human at all. This is not happening in some communist nation or third world country, this is happening in America and YOU and only YOU have the power to stop it . . .


We live in Washington, but before we got involved in this, even we were naïve. If you simply joined the group and are sitting there hoping and doing nothing else, there is a better chance that the tooth fairy will visit you tonight than you contributing to passage of HR3149. Time is running out and if we don't get this done before November our chances fall off a cliff. The time has come to rise up and get real so let’s get started!

Outreach to Allied Groups Backing HR3149

[Note: As always any sample messages, letters, etc. that we provide are just that, “samples.” The samples are just what we’re sending out from this end and you are strongly encouraged to use your own judgment, voice and perspectives. Our prose, tone and approach can always be improved upon and quite frankly a good mix of perspectives is better than following our samples verbatim. We don’t do messaging for the group (nor do we aspire to) or ever speak for the group, but instead merely facilitate our members’ ability to speak at once for more power and volume. If you’re a “professional communicator” or would like to help with recruiting, research, administration, etc. shoot us a note and we’ll be happy to get you involved. There is no lack of work to be done.]

Outreach to Allied Groups Backing HR3149

Just for the record, if you’ve been on this journey with us since the beginning, we never thought a Facebook group alone would get this done. That was never been more apparent than with the cold slap in the face that SA 3795 received this past week. The good news is that we’re far from being alone in this fight as evidenced by the 30+ groups and organizations you’ll find listed below that back HR3149. We simply have to give them a wake-up call by demonstrating our group numbers and passion. In the event you can find the time to make a few phone calls in addition to sending e-mails that will help as well. It political terms this is our effort to "motivate the base." So let’s get started.

[Sample Letter]

First let me thank you from my heart for your involvement and backing of HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act. I’m part of a citizen activist group based primarily on Facebook with more than 3000 members and although we grow everyday, we know all too well that without the support of groups and organizations like yours, HR3149 doesn’t have a chance.

That was never more apparent than this past week when Senator Feinstein’s SA 3795, similar legislation to HR3149, was killed as an amendment to the Wall Street reform bill. Saying it was “killed,” according to our sources, doesn’t even begin to describe the carnage. It had barely been mentioned in the media and immediately, instantaneously the opposing forces rose up and ripped the amendment to shreds. From what we understand the opposing effort was an absolutely massive hourly siege of letters, phone calls, e-mails and arm twisting. Much of the mobilization you could watch take place via Google and the speed and precision with which they pulled trigger demonstrated a smooth, mobilized organization that was just waiting to strike.

Now get this, that’s the good news. Now here’s the bad news. As expected the big three credit bureaus and their background industry minions pounced, but the alarming news is that an existing organization of 20 “employer” groups that included the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Retail Federation, just to name three, clobbered every single Senator with a hand in SA 3795. We’re still trying to get the names of the other 17 truck drivers but just the license plates of those three culprits says all we and you need to know. If thousands of corpses from employment credit checks lined main street USA in every town in America, the big three credit bureaus and background check companies will continue to sell personal credit reports to employers of any American left breathing. Their greed knows no bounds and they have no conscience. The employers/power brokers meanwhile will never scrape bottom of having someone with good credit to hire unless our nation experiences a complete economic Armageddon. The irony is that these same people will send food and money to third world countries and condemn genocide and ethnic cleansing, but it’s ok to kill off the 48 percent of black Americans with bad credit? Not to mention 34 percent of Hispanics and 27 percent of Caucasians.
Somewhere around 100 million Americans have damaged credit already - well over 1/3 of the entire workforce. At least 25 million of our people are under or unemployed. More than 50 million children are starving and living below the poverty line. Between 8 and 11 million Americans have lost jobs and the economic tsunami that’s rising in Europe is heading our way. In this environment a father will drive his Mercedes out of the country club, drop his well fed child off at private school and then go to work at the credit bureau – to sell fellow Americans’ personal credit information to employers to ensure their children go hungry? All the while, no Hollywood celebrities speak out and no rock stars organize benefit concerts, just a nation of proud Americans . . . many of them in church on Sundays.

Just like 90 percent of Americans, you know it’s wrong and you’re officially backing HR3149 and we’re confident you’re doing what you can. The reality is that it isn’t and can’t be your sole focus, you have 100s of competing priorities, limited resources and there are only so many hours in the day. That exact same reality is true for our Facebook group and the 30 or so groups and organizations pushing for and backing HR3149. No one is faulting you, nor is anyone casting any blame. You may already be doing all you can do, but together one single hour found becomes 31 hours and those hours grow exponentially through networks and members. If that single hour is not found here and there throughout the weeks and very few months left, HR3149 is DOA if not passed before the November election. That’s the reality . . . the media tried to strike up the band in March when a couple census jobs were added and can’t wait to claim “problem solved” so they can cancel any reporting on workplace discrimination due to damaged credit. It’s an ugly blight upon the free enterprise system and covering Dancing With the Stars if much more fun.

While a lot of things need to happen, first and foremost, the issue of employment credit checks and HR3149 needs much more media attention. Our little Facebook group via media outreach efforts has already delivered a significant amount of coverage and we’re confident that your efforts have delivered their share as well. Nonetheless, it hasn’t been enough to even scratch the surface of what’s needed to actually succeed. HR3149 is DOA until every candidate is being questioned about it and the media is reporting their answer. Virtually no one in America has even heard of HR3149, but they can all name at least one of Tiger Woods mistresses? The recent House hearing a couple of weeks ago that included HR3149 got one Bloomberg News article and a pick-up in three or four obscure publications. Jobs and the economy are not the focus of the political class or the corporate owned “free press” in American and without HR3149 there is no jobs rebound!

Although we have some expertise within our group, we’re not the experts. Nonetheless, we believe that 98 percent of winning the HR3149 battle is simply a matter of media exposure and coverage. Just the money spent on one single Super Bowl ad could get it done. Instead, we have at least 31 different organizations and groups. Collectively that’s more than enough to make HR3149 the news instead of Tiger Woods.

The window for HR3149 is closing fast and time is not on our side. Our foes are formidable to say the least but at the moment we have the ballot box. Our diverse groups are never going to see the issue from the exact same perspective, have unified messaging or be dedicated 110 percent to getting this done, but collectively we can do far better than we’ve shown to date. The slaughter that SA 3795 took was embarrassing, humiliating and pathetic. Our efforts were a joke! How many e-mails, letters and phone calls did you produce? The American people during the second worst economic disaster in our history deserve far better than what we’ve separately delivered to date. So we’re reaching out to you and we pray that you will answer the call.

Let’s talk, let’s share, let’s organize, let’s innovate, let’s get energized and let’s prepare now for the huge fight we now know that's ahead. The opposition tipped their hand and we've seen their cards so let’s use it. Shooting us and e-mail at
hr3149@hotmail.com with your thoughts, plans, a high level overview of your efforts to date would be a great starting point. We’ll turn on a dime and support anything you have going and we have some ideas you might find intriguing You’re of course welcome to join our HR3149 Facebook group at: http://groups.to/h.r.3149 if you wish, but just joining groups as you know does nothing.

In closing, we freely admit that we’re NOT the experts, YOU are. However, it doesn’t take an expert to view what happened with SA 3795 to see that HR3149 has no chance whatsoever without a major collective effort from all of us working together. The writing appeared on the wall last week and if you read it you’ll find the time and resources to do more and we’ll hear from you soon. A collective path is the only path to victory. We all have to step up now and do more . . .

[End Sample Letter]

Contact Points for Our HR3149 Friends and Allies

The time has come to go the extra mile, in addition to e-mails, google some of the these groups and make a phone call. Share your personal story and let them know just how important this issue really is. We have to have motivated passionate allies in order to win, its just that simple.

AFL-CIO (Select “Questions about the AFL-CIO” option)

http://www.aflcio.org/siteguides/contactus.cfm

Asian American Justice Center

knarasaki@advancingequality.org

lcampbell@advancingequality.org

Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO

http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/contact_us

Consumer Action

http://www.consumer-action.org/index.php/forms/outreach_contact/

Demos

hmcghee@demos.org

cgibson@demos.org

Legal Action Center

lacdc@lac-dc.org

lacinfo@lac.org

National Association of Consumer Advocates

ira@naca.net

NCRC

jtaylor@ncrc.org

tmiller@ncrc.org

National Consumer Law Center

consumerlaw@nclc.org

National Employment Law Project

nelp@nelp.org

National Employment Lawyers Association

nelahq@nelahq.org

dlenhoff@nelahq.org

National Fair Housing Alliance

nfha@nationalfairhousing.org

National H.I.R.E. Network

lacinfo@lac.org

National Organization for Women

http://www.now.org/comments.html

National Partnership for Women and Families

info@nationalpartnership.org

dailyreport@nationalpartnership.org

National Women's Law Center

Info@nwlc.org

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

https://www.privacyrights.org/contact/Beth+Givens

https://www.privacyrights.org/contact/Paul+Stephens

Unite Here

tsnyder@unitehere.org

http://www.creditcatch22.org/contact/

United Professionals

http://www.unitedprofessionals.org/contact-up-2/

U.S. Public Interest Research Group

https://www.uspirg.org/about-us/staff/contact-gary-kalman

https://www.uspirg.org/about-us/staff/contact-andre-delattre

http://www.uspirg.org/about-us/staff/contact-Lisa-Gilbert

Women Employed

info@womenemployed.org

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Push in Senate for SA 3795 Amendment . . .

[Note: As always any sample messages, letters, etc. that we provide are just that, “samples.” The samples are just what we’re sending out from this end and you are strongly encouraged to use your own judgment, voice and perspectives. Our prose, tone and approach can always be improved upon and quite frankly a good mix of perspectives is better than following our samples verbatim. We don’t do messaging for the group (nor do we aspire to) or ever speak for the group, but instead merely facilitate our members’ ability to speak at once for more power and volume. If you’re a “professional communicator” or would like to help with recruiting, research, administration, etc. shoot us a note and we’ll be happy to get you involved. There is no lack of work to be done.]

As mentioned on our wall this past week, SA 3795 that would ban employment credit checks http://www.kstreetresearch.com/documents/050410Amendments/FEINSTEINAMENDMENTSA3795.pdf is a proposed amendment to S. 3217. Known generally as the Financial Reform Bill, S. 3217 is now being hotly debated in the Senate. Google S. 3217 and you’ll get 4+ million opinions, so we’re not going to add ours and will simply focus strictly on SA 3795. Don’t get confused, HR3149 is in the House and SA 3795 is in the Senate. In short, it’s the same legislation to ban employment credit checks but just another potential path to get there. SA 3795 will move fast by either remaining in S. 3217 as an amendment or will be removed by Senator Dodd when he introduces what’s called a “managers package.” (Basically what bill S. 3217 will have in it when it’s introduced for full Senate debate) Our goal is simply to push to ensure that SA 3795 makes the cut and is part of the “manager’s package.” If it stays in, this is a much faster path to protection from employment credit reports versus the HR3149 route, but even if it doesn’t stay in, the fact that it was introduced is great for our cause and supporting it with everything we can muster is to our advantage. Some “experts” say it has a good chance of making the cut if and only if it gets support by the people. As expected the credit bureaus are mobilizing all their numbers and forces to keep SA 3795 from staying in S. 3217 as an amendment. So our goal is to make more noise and deliver bigger numbers than they do . . . so let’s get started.

Senate Outreach to Include SA 3217 in S. 3217

1) Link to contact form for the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
http://banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

We urge every member to also place a call to the committee as well at (202) 224-7391.

2) Senate Majority Leader, link below, add name add personal info., etc. copy and paste sample letter below into form, edit to suit you and send.

http://reid.senate.gov/contact/

3) Senate Minority Leader, link below, add name add personal info., etc. copy and paste sample letter below into form, edit to suit you and send.
http://mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm

For #4 below, you'll need your 9 Digit Zip Code. Simply go to the link below and plug in your address and it will provide your full 9 digit zip.
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

4) Contact YOUR Senator(s)
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Simply click on the link above, choose your state, choose your senator(s), go to their website(s) and navigate their website looking for “contact info.” then follow their steps, copy and paste in the sample message below, edit if you wish and hit “send.”

[Sample Letter]

Any debate on S. 3217 without including SA 3795 (to restrict employers from using a “consumer’s creditworthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity” in making any employment decision or for the basis of taking any adverse action) would be disingenuous to the basic foundation of S. 3217. Wall Street’s greed and lack of oversight by Congress is directly responsible for this horrible economy, 8+ million lost jobs and the vast majority of the ruined personal credit reports in America. More than 100 million Americans (almost ½ of the entire workforce) now have damaged personal credit reports and 25+ million Americans are either under or unemployed. More than half of all jobs and 80+ percent of all white collar employers discriminate based upon personal credit reports. Putting a manhole cover on the Wall Street sewer without first freeing almost half the working population damaged with bad credit would be nothing short of cruel.

We the people can clearly see through any congressional show for the cameras to demonstrate ire against Wall Street just to get votes in November. By delivering a way out of the damage caused by Wall Street by including SA 3795 as an amendment to S. 3217 you'll demonstrate real concern for the people. More than 48 percent of African Americans, 34 percent of Hispanics and 27 percent of Caucasians are now suffering from “bad credit” and they come from every political party and socio-economic background. Even more compelling is the fact that 90 percent of Americans support a ban on workplace credit checks. Jobs and the economy are No. 1 in the minds the voter even though Washington has been focused on every thing else and SA 3795 is all about jobs. With damaged personal credit there are no jobs.

A recent AP-GfK poll projects that 63 percent of Americans are preparing to vote against incumbents in November and the lack of any help on the jobs front is the primary reason. Not only do “we the people” care about SA 3795 being included as an amendment to S. 3217, but we’ll vote on the issue in November. SA 3795 gives the people some hope NOW, while S. 3217 is about the future.
The American people are suffering by the millions and we hold incumbents and Wall Street 100% directly responsible. This November, we’re voting on the economy, jobs and protection from workplace discrimination based upon personal credit reports.

I urge you to provide the people with a way out of the financial ruin caused by Wall Street and Congress by including SA 3795 as an amendment to S. 3217. Anything less simply locks “the people” into a financial death spiral and ensures a vote against incumbents in November.


[End Sample Letter]

Friday, May 7, 2010

Ask Your Members of Congress to Support Pritzker Purge from Board

Ask YOUR members of Congress to Urge Obama to Purge Pritzker and Support HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795)

1) Find Your 9 Digit Zip Code Before you begin, you’ll need your full 9 digit zip code. Simply go to the link below and plug in your address and it will provide your full 9 digit zip.
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp

2) Contact YOUR member(s) the House of Representatives
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Simply click on the link above and follow the steps, select your state, enter your full 9 digit zip code, click “contact my representative,” answer the security question, plug in your personal information, paste in the sample message you will find below, edit if you wish and hit “send message.”

3) Contact YOUR Senator(s)
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Simply click on the link above, choose your state, choose your senator(s), go to their website(s) and navigate their website looking for “contact info.” then follow their steps, copy and paste in the sample message below, edit if you wish and hit “send.”

[Sample Message]

While reading a Chicago Tribune article (linked below) an alarming relationship came to light that causes me great concern. Penny Ptitzker, Chair, TransUnion sits on the President’s Economic Recovery Board. With TransUnion among the big three credit bureaus directly responsible for much of the 25+ million Americans suffering from under and un-employment this board position reeks of impropriety and cronyism. All the credit bureaus are profiting wildly from selling American’s personal credit reports to employers and all three use millions of marketing dollars to encourage the workplace discrimination practice. As documented in the linked article, Pritzker and TransUnion take it even further than that, however, with underhanded backroom arm twisting, “lobbying,” and manipulation of legislators.

Myself and millions of other Americans are questioning whether HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act stalled in the House (and just introduced SA3795) is due to our President’s personal friendship and long-time relationship with Penny Prtzker, Chair, TransUnion who led his campaign finance team and raised millions of dollars for his campaign. To have Pritzker on his Economic Recovery Board smacks in the face of justice and workplace equality. When the President promised “Change We Can Believe In” and Speaker Pelosi promised to “drain the swamp” the American people expected it to be done, however, hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit bureau PAC money are buying votes in Congress and the House Committee on Financial Services to keep the legislation stalled.

No support for HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) from the President and little from Congress as a whole lead the American people to believe money talks and “the people” be damned. As more than 25 million Americans suffer from under and un-employment and 100+ million suffer from damaged personal credit reports, the perception of having Pritzker on an Economic Recovery Board and no support whatsoever to date for HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) looks nothing short of horrible, cold and callous. It looks even worse to African-Americans who have “bad credit” at a 48 percent rate and Hispanics who have a 34 percent rate (27 percent for Caucasians).

Congress can’t talk jobs and the economy without very publicly supporting HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) and calling for Pritzker’s removal from the President’s Economic Recovery Board. I ask that you stand with the American people who are suffering by the millions by supporting HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) and urge the President to purge Pritzker from his Economic Recovery Board.

Link to Chicago Tribune Article on Pritzker and TransUnion

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0429-credit-checks-transunion--20100428,0,5056644.story?page=1


[End Sample Message]

Majority & Minority Leaders: House and Senate, RE: Pritzker

A Letter to Speaker of the House and Minority Leader and the Senate Majority and Minority Leader Asking them to Reach Out to President Obama and Call for Pritzker to be Purged from Economic Recovery Board

1) Speaker of the House, link below, add name, e-mail address, zip, copy sample letter below and paste into form, edit to suit you and send.
http://speaker.house.gov/contact/

2) House Minority Leader, link below, add name, e-mail address and send, or use the e-mail address provided.
http://republicanleader.house.gov/contact/

3) Senate Majority Leader, link below, add name add personal info., etc. copy and paste sample letter below into form, edit to suit you and send.
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/

4) Senate Minority Leader, link below, add name add personal info., etc. copy and paste sample letter below into form, edit to suit you and send.
http://mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm

[Sample Letter]

While reading a Chicago Tribune article (linked below) an alarming relationship came to light that causes me great concern. Penny Ptitzker, Chair, TransUnion sits on the President’s Economic Recovery Board. With TransUnion among the big three credit bureaus directly responsible for much of the 25+ million Americans suffering from under and un-employment this board position reeks of impropriety and cronyism. All the credit bureaus are profiting wildly from selling American’s personal credit reports to employers and all three use millions of marketing dollars to encourage the workplace discrimination practice. As documented in the linked article below, Pritzker and TransUnion take it even further than that, however, with underhanded backroom arm twisting, “lobbying,” and manipulation of legislators.

Myself and millions of other Americans are questioning whether HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act stalled in the House (and just introduced SA3795) is due to our President’s personal friendship and long-time relationship with Penny Prtzker, Chair, TransUnion who led his campaign finance team and raised millions of dollars for his campaign. To have Pritzker on his Economic Recovery Board smacks in the face of justice and workplace equality. When the President promised “Change We Can Believe In” and Speaker Pelosi promised to “drain the swamp” the American people expected it to be done, however, hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit bureau PAC money are buying votes in Congress and the House Committee on Financial Services to keep the legislation stalled.

No support for HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) from the President and none from the majority or minority leaders in Congress lead the American people to believe money talks and “the people” be damned. As more than 25 million Americans suffer from under and un-employment and 100+ million suffer from damaged personal credit reports, the perception of having Pritzker on an Economic Recovery Board and no support whatsoever to date for HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) looks nothing short of cold and callous. It looks even worse to African-Americans who have “bad credit” at a 48 percent rate and Hispanics who have a 34 percent rate (27 percent for Caucasians).

Congress can’t talk jobs and the economy without very publicly supporting HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) and calling for Pritzker’s removal from the President’s Economic Recovery Board. I ask that you stand with the American people who are suffering by the millions by supporting HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) and urge the President to purge Pritzker from his Economic Recovery Board.

Link to Chicago Tribune Article on Pritzker and TransUnion

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0429-credit-checks-transunion--20100428,0,5056644.story?page=1

[End Sample Letter]

Ask Obama to Purge Pritzker and to Support HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795)

[Note: As always any sample messages, letters, etc. that we provide are just that, “samples.” The samples are just what we’re sending out from this end and you are strongly encouraged to use your own judgment, voice and perspectives. Our prose, tone and approach can always be improved upon and quite frankly a good mix of perspectives is better than following our samples verbatim. We don’t do messaging for the group (nor do we aspire to) or ever speak for the group, but instead merely facilitate our members’ ability to speak at once for more power and volume. If you’re a “professional communicator” or would like to help with recruiting, research, administration, etc. shoot us a note and we’ll be happy to get you involved. There is no lack of work to be done.]

Ask Obama to Purge Pritzker and to Support HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795)

Whether you're loyal to the Democratic Party and ardent supporter of President Obama or detractor, any supporter of HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) has to be extremely concerned with our President’s ties to Penny Pritzker, Chair, TransUnion. Our President has yet to show one ounce of support for HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) and the following linked CT and HP articles speak volumes . . .

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0429-credit-checks-transunion--20100428,0,5056644.story?page=1

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/pritzker-saved-obama-much_b_145339.html

Use White House link below, copy sample letter below, open link, paste in letter, edit to suit you, fill in the blanks and send. The form within the link allows for only 2500 characters MAX, we edited the sample letter below . . . it fits, so keep the length of your letter close to the sample provided.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

[SAMPLE LETTER]

Unless I’ve missed something, you have yet to utter one word in support of HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act (and just introduced SA3795). With all due respect, myself and millions of other Americans are forced to question whether that is due to your personal friendship and long-time political relationship with Penny Prtzker, Chair, TransUnion (who led your campaign finance team and raised millions of dollars for your campaign). To have Pritzker on your Economic Recovery Board smacks in the face of justice and workplace equality. Millions of Americans are locked out of the workplace by TransUnion, Equifax and Experian selling their personal credit reports to employers. Worse than profiting directly from the suffering of Americans, all three credit bureaus deploy multi-million dollar marketing efforts to encourage the discrimination practice. Pritzker, however, takes it even further by directing TransUnion's seedy backroom arm twisting, “lobbying,” and manipulation of legislators (see linked article below) to ensure that children go hungry and their parents remain jobless. Pritzker also funds hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit bureau PAC money to buy votes in Congress and the House Committee on Financial Services to keep the legislation stalled. Is this someone you can hold up to the American people as a good person to deliver a jobs recovery?

An atmosphere of personal friendships, cronyism and corporate money buying Congress is NOT the “Change We Can Believe In” you promised during your campaign. As more than 25 million Americans suffer from under and un-employment and 100+ million suffer from damaged personal credit reports, the perception of having Pritzker on your Economic Recovery Board and no support for HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) looks nothing short of cold and callous to the American people. It looks even worse to African-Americans who have “bad credit” at a 48 percent rate and Hispanics who have a 34 percent rate (27 percent for Caucasians). Many Americans now must question whether you have lost touch with the "common man" and the American people and are beholding to a billionaire like Pritzker and her multi-million dollar political money machine.

You can’t talk jobs and the economy without very publicly supporting HR3149 (and just introduced SA3795) and you have yet to do so even once. Having Pritzker on your Economic Recovery Board looks bad for you, your party and makes any jobs talk seem hollow and disingenous. There are no jobs without HR3149 as law. I ask that you stand with the American people who are suffering by the millions by supporting HR3149 and put personal friendship aside by purging Pritzker from your Economic Recovery Board.

Link to Chicago Tribune Article on Pritzker and TransUnion
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0429-credit-checks-transunion--20100428,0,5056644.story?page=1

[END SAMPLE LETTER]

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

URGENT ACTIVITY REQUEST: ACT NOW!!!

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/financialsvcs_dem/hrfi_050510.shtml

Wednesday May 12, 10:00 a.m.

Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit to hold hearing on Use of Credit Information Beyond Lending Issues and Reform Proposals that will include HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act. This is the prelude hearing/discussion to what we've all been working toward for months and months. It just got sprung to us, so we have to shift gears and react NOW and into the weekend and next week. Bottom-line we want the hearing to get national coverage and exposure. We cobbled together the following quick draft media outreach letter and national media contact list in order to get this moving quickly. Please Act NOW! and stay tuned . . .

Media Outreach for Hearing Coverage

[Sample Letter]

On Wednesday May 12 beginning at 10:00 a.m., the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit is holding a hearing on the Use of Credit Information Beyond Lending Issues and Reform Proposals that will include HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act. This hearing and in particular HR3149 warrants your coverage because more than 100 million people are impacted and more than 25 million Americans are currently under or unemployed. In America today, you don’t work with damaged credit due primarily to the recession because 50% of all jobs and 80% of all white collar jobs require Americans to submit a personal credit report in exchange for the right to work. It’s wrong and it’s being perpetrated by the big three credit bureaus just to make a buck.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit bureau PAC money have been funneled into Congress and this committee in particular. The votes have been bought and the hearing will be a kangaroo hearing without your bright lights shinning upon the committee for all the world to see. The preliminary hearing to this one was a joke. No reporters, no cameras and zero national exposure. The three credit bureaus were given the floor and free reign to spew their vile propaganda and only one person was there to speak for “the people.” Without your cameras and reporters this hearing will be a repeat performance of corporations stomping upon the will of 90% of America that demand HR3149 be passed now!

Please don’t allow a repeat performance. Please perform the highly esteemed role that the free press in America has performed so valiantly over time by covering this hearing from gavel to gavel and exposing the PAC money buying votes within Congress and this committee. Without you, “we the people” and HR3149 don’t have a chance of success. I humbly urge you to please stand up for and represent the people of America that are being pummeled by the sale of their personal credit reports to employers in order to fund the corporate coffers and pure greed of the big three credit bureaus.


Information on the hearing is linked as follows:
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/financialsvcs_dem/hrfi_050510.shtml

End Sample Letter]

National Media Contact List


NBC News & MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29104230/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28437928/ns/msnbc_tv-morning_joe/

hardball@msnbc.com

Countdown@msnbc.com

rachel@msnbc.com

Washington Post:
letters@washpost.com

CNN MoneyUse link below, select "News Alert Problem or a Question"
http://money.cnn.com/services/speakup/speakup.html

CNN, CNN Website, etc.

caffertyfile@cnn.com

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11b.html?

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.am.html

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form4.html?2

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?24

CBS News: Use the following link and hit: CBS Evening News w/Katie Couric, CBS Morning News and The Early Show
http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/feedback/fb_news_form.shtml?tag=contentAux;ad-googleAdSense

Use the following link and hit: CBS Evening News http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php

ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346&cat=World%20News%20with%20Charles%20Gibsonhttp://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3052660http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3428117

MSNBC
john.schoen@msnbc.com

Fox News
yourcomments@foxnews.com

oreilly@foxnews.com

newsmanager@foxnews.com

Real Clear Politics.com

letters@realclearpolitics.com

john@realclearpolitics.com

tom@realclearpolitics.com

The Wall Street Journal
kristen.mcnamara@dowjones.com

Slate
Slatedcoffice@slate.com

nyoffice@slate.com

NY Times:
washington@nytimes.com

managing-editor@nytimes.com

national@nytimes.com

letters@nytimes.com

LA Times
Russ.stanton@latimes.com

Davan.maharaj@latimes.com

Jon.thurber@latimes.com

Sean.gallagher@latimes.com

NY Daily News

voicers@edit.nydailynews.com

The Source

editorial@thesource.com

Tavis Smiley

http://www.tavissmileyradio.com/tell.html

Washington Journal – Radio Call In.

journal@c-span.org

Real Clear Politics

letters@realclearpolitics.com

Counter Punch
counterpunch@counterpunch.org

The Hill

letters@thehill.com

Washington Monthly

editors@washingtonmonthly.com

Stltoday.com
siteeditor@stltoday.com

NY Daily News

voicers@edit.nydailynews.com

PBS/NPR
onlineda@newshour.org

Drudge Report
drudge@drudgereport.com

Salon
readermail@salon.com

jwalsh@salon.com

klauerman@salon.com

Truthdig

feedback@truthdig.com

Free Speech TV
viewercomments@freespeech.org

Washington Week w/Gwen Ifill
http://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/feedback.html

The Union Edge Talk Radio
http://theunionedge.com/contact

The Source
editorial@thesource.com

Politics Daily

http://www.politicsdaily.com/contact/melinda-henneberger

Insider
insider@govtrack.us

Washington Journal – Radio Call In.

journal@c-span.org

Roll Call
http://www.rollcall.com/cgi-bin/udt/fdc.collector?

http://www.rollcall.com/cgi-bin/udt/fdc.collector?

http://www.rollcall.com/cgi-bin/udt/fdc.collector?




Saturday, May 1, 2010

May 3, 2010 Press Release (Copy)

Contact: hr3149@hotmail.com
J. Romero, 702.878.2625
FB:
http://groups.to/h.r.3149/

Working America Calls for Obama to Purge TransUnion Chair from Board

May 3, 2010, WASHINGTON, DC: With more than 25 million Americans struggling with under/unemployment attempting to stand upon their financial feet again, TransUnion Chair, Penny Pritzker is sitting on President Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board. Chicago-based TransUnion along with Equifax and Experian are directly 100% responsible for millions of the under/unemployment numbers in America. It’s all about greed and profits from marketing workplace discrimination and selling Americans’ personal credit information to employers.

“With Pritzker on the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, his efforts are woefully misguided and doomed to failure, says HR3149 advocate Jacquelyn Romero. “Employment credit checks are a core cause of joblessness in America and impact more than 100 million citizens. With Pritzker on this board with an open door to the White House, HR3149 that would outlaw the practice of employment credit checks is doomed along with any hope of getting a job in America.”

Regardless of political party, allowing Pritzker (predatory lending purveyor via failed Superior Bank) to profit from workplace discrimination and sit on a presidential advisory board for economic recovery ‘spits in the face’ of justice and equality in the workplace. Instead, our President along with all Democrats and Republicans need to support passage of HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act so America can get back to work. That’s not going to happen with Pritzker within the White House walls and Congress lapping up credit bureau PAC money. Wall Street’s greed and no government oversight tossed millions into the street and Pritzker is 100% committed to keeping them there. The trillion dollar economic stimulus plan that oiled political palms passed overnight, but a FREE absolutely certain to work jobs fix for millions is stalled?

Long before the economic collapse, a third of working Americans suffered “bad credit” and now the figure is approaching half of the U.S. population (between 20 and 75 years old). Black America has “bad credit” at a 48% rate and the rate is 34% for Hispanics and 27% for Caucasians. More than 50 percent of all jobs and 80+ percent of white collars jobs force submission of a credit report just for the right to work. This is occurring in a nation that supposedly prides itself on liberty and freedom and the percentage of employers deploying these credit checks and the jobs impacted is growing rampantly as the economy worsens. The right to work is the most basic of all human rights and Americans no longer have that right in 47 states.

More than 60,000 businesses, impacting more than three million people, filed bankruptcy in 2009 but if a citizen hits a ‘bump in the road’ they never work again because of employment credit reports? As long as Pritzker sits on this economic recovery board and credit bureau greed prevails to provide even more money to buy Washington (instead of following the will of 90 percent of the American people that support HR3149) there will be no economic recovery for millions. We call upon our President to stand with “the people” instead of credit bureau greed by supporting HR3149 and asking for Pritzker’s resignation from this board effective immediately.

ABOUT: The HR3149 Political Action Group is a grassroots team of citizen political activists from all 50 states with one sole focus - passing HR3149 NOW. We receive no funding whatsoever from any individual or political party and are 100% non-partisan.