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It's been a busy year for progressives in California. Without sounding too dramatic, in 2007 we took huge steps towards achieving our boldest dreams. From ending the war in Iraq to providing health care to every person in California; from fighting to stop the Bush administration from eroding civil liberties and torturing, to blocking Blackwater; from seeking fair and humane immigration policy reform, to protecting the integrity of our elections – you have been working hard and earning huge victories this year.
Here, I'll highlight some of the biggest moments of 2007. As you'll see, this list contains some incredible victories, but every item on this list contains elements we'll continue to fight for in 2008 and beyond. As big as 2007 was, there's no question that 2008 will be even bigger.
Without further ado – here's Courage 2007 In Review.
Your work with Courage Campaign was instrumental in moving California's Presidential Primary from its irrelevant June date up to February 5, 2008. After this move, Courage Campaign tracked the Presidential Candidates to encourage them to stop treating California as only an ATM machine for their campaigns.
In addition to cataloguing how some candidates treated California better than others, we also invited John Edwards to answer your questions directly via our website in a Courage Youtube Video:
We're standing with Potrero as it fights to Block Blackwater
Blackwater, the notorious mercenary corporation, has plans to build a giant, noisy, and dangerous military base near Potrero, California. We've been working with Potrero residents as they fought to recall planning commission members who voted against Potrero's people by approving Blackwater's plans. In 2008, we'll continue to keep Blackwater out of California.
California's Democratic Senator, Diane Feinstein, cast yet another pro-Bush vote to confirm a pro-torture nominee for US Attorney General, and together we fought the party establishment to hold her accountable for her many regressive votes. We won a huge victory in stopping Feinstein from voting to allow AT&T to violate civil liberties by spying on our telephone conversations without a court order. In 2008, we'll continue to ensure that our elected officials properly represent the progressive values that they were elected to uphold.
We're leading a grassroots effort to defeat the latest GOP Dirty Trick to steal the White House
Our effort to stop the GOP-backed effort to steal 20 Electoral College votes from California has been wildly successful. After catching petitioners apparently violating election law, NoDirtyTricks.com attracted national media attention. The effort to put the Dirty Trick on the ballot has stalled again and again, in large part due to our efforts. In 2008, if this measure somehow makes it to the ballot, we'll fight even hard to make sure that it has no chance of passing.
We're standing with the solid majority of Americans who want a fair, humane immigration policy.
By teaming up with grassroots leaders in "Dreams Across America," we joined with the growing movement to enact fair and humane immigration policy reform that protects American workers.
We're holding the governor to his word with "Total Recall"
Our ongoing series, "Total Recall" makes sure that the governor keeps his promises and holds true to his "post-partisan" mandate. When Governor Schwarzenegger has done far less than he promised, we've worked to remind him of his duty to fix the prison system, to make California's education system the best in the world, and to provide health care to every Californian. Schwarzenegger has fallen short again and again, so "Total Recall" will likely have a busy 2008.
We're standing with workers in our community
As grocery workers in our community endured more contentious contract bargaining, we stood with them to ensure that they receive the living wage that they deserve. We also stood with teachers at the University of California during their difficult contract bargaining, and we're standing with the striking writers as their struggle for fair contract continues.
Secretary of State Debra Bowen has worked closely with us as she has taken bold steps to maintain the integrity of our elections. She joined us for a conference call where she answered your questions about her "top-to-bottom" review of the electoral machinery in California.
We're fighting Wal-Mart to prevent it from taking over California's Main Streets
Again and again, we've stood with local communities across California to keep out dangerous corporations like Wal-Mart.
Every day, in countless other ways, 2007 was a huge year for progressive change in California. 2008 will be even bigger.
What did I miss? What are your personal 2007 highlights? Let us know, in the comments.