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May 09, 2012
YDA statement on President Obama Supporting Marriage Equality from Executive Director Emily Tisch Sussman:
“Young Democrats all over the country are elated to hear President Obama fully endorse marriage between two people who love each other regardless of their sexual orientation. As a generation, young people know that love is love, and the law should reflect that. Young people coalesced around President Obama because we knew that he saw us as individuals who all deserve the same rights. Today, he has solidified that notion.
The Young Democrats of America is proud of our role in championing full marriage equality for many years. YDA state affiliates have been leaders in many state amendment fights such as Prop 8 in California, and North Carolina, yesterday. As a national organization, YDA recently called on the Democratic party to include marriage equality in the platform. We have faith that the country is moving in the right direction toward inclusion and that President Obama will lead us.”
Press inquires can be made at office@yda.org
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April 10, 2012
For Immediate Release: April 4, 2012
Contact: Amanda Narod
YDA Statement on Rick Santorum’s Exit From Presidential Race
“With or without Rick Santorum in the race, the Republican Presidential nominees are offering nothing for young people, and young people know it,” states Emily Tisch Sussman, Executive Director of Young Democrats of America. “The most recent primary in Maryland had a youth turn out of 2 percent, and the important swing state of Wisconsin had a mere 8 percent. Compare that to the excitement and passion of the 2008 Democratic Primary, it is clear that the field of Republican candidates do not appeal to young people. Young people are engaged and aware that the Republican candidates have a vision for the future of our nation that is inconsistent with the America we believe can and should exist.”
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February 23, 2011
FEBRUARY 23, 2011 - The Young Democrats of America (YDA) and the New Hampshire Young Democrats (NHYD) strongly oppose efforts by Republicans in the New Hampshire legislature to disenfranchise young voters across the state.
HB 176, which is backed by Speaker Bill O’Brien, would prevent students and members of the armed forces from voting in the town where they study or serve. The legislation is clearly in conflict with previous court rulings, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Constitutional rights should never be at risk because of partisan politics,” said Rod Snyder, YDA Presient. “Republican lawmakers in New Hampshire are undermining basic democratic principles. They are trying to create a scenario where politicians choose their voters rather than the other way around.”
“Instead of focusing on the economic issues they were elected to address, the Republican majority in the New Hampshire House of Representatives is working to stop many Granite Staters from voting,” said Kaili Lambe, NHYD President. “Speaker O’Brien’s recent statement that ‘kids are voting liberal, voting their feelings, with no life experience’ is not only condescending but reveals the true political motivations behind HB 176.”
On Thursday, February 24th, the House Election Law Committee will hold a hearing on the disenfranchisement bill. The New Hampshire Young Democrats are mobilizing young people of all political persuasions to testify against this undemocratic proposal.
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February 18, 2011
Brothers and Sisters,
We are witnessing a pivotal and ignominious event in the history of American labor relations. Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin and his Republican allies in the State Legislature are intent on an unprecedented political power grab at the expense of hundreds of thousands of workers and their families. With no mandate, but from far-right, anti-union ideologues, they have begun to ram legislation through that is designed for one main purpose: bust the public employee unions.
Governor Walker’s goal is to strip the freedom to collectively bargain from public sector employees in Wisconsin. He wants to eliminate any talk of pensions, health care, sick days, and virtually anything else. The unions would only be able to discuss pay raises, which would be capped. All of these major labor policy changes under the guise of a “budget” bill. These are unreasonable constraints to place on workers struggling in today’s economy and as young workers, with many years left in the workforce, Governor Walker is intend on leaving us with bleak prospects for our future and our dreams.
Governor Walker expected working families to lie down and take these massive concessions without him even so much as meeting with them to negotiate. However, the working men and women of Wisconsin would not stand idly by and allow this to happen. They came out to Madison in droves, to the tune of thousands of union members and their families…and they’re not leaving. They have brought their protest signs, their sleeping bags, and their indomitable spirits to the fight. Solidarity does not sleep.
Make no mistake about it: Governor Walker’s goal is to busts the public employee union for reasons more political than budgetary. Wisconsin is a test case for the far-right, anti-union ideologues in other states. If Governor Walker succeeds with his power grab in Wisconsin, then they will follow suit with assaults on working men and women in their states, as well.
I urge all Young Democrats across the country to be vigilant and watch these events as they unfold. If you have family or friends in Wisconsin, tell them to call their state legislators and express support for the workers and tell them to stop Governor Walker’s attempt to take away freedom from working families. The number is 1-(877) 753-5578 and talking points are available from AFSCME-Wisconsin <http://tinyurl.com/4mtr2hj>. If we stand together for justice today, together we will build a better tomorrow.
In Solidarity,
Michael Corbett
Labor Caucus, Chair
Young Democrats of America
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January 26, 2011
Last night, President Obama used the State of the Union to challenge America to take the future of our nation into our own hands, and together, rededicate ourselves to rebuilding America into the global leader in education, innovation, transportation, and manufacturing.The Young Democrats of America applaud the President for his vision for America’s 21st century global competitiveness, his laser-like focus on jobs and new industry creation, budget reduction and fiscal responsibility, and strategic investments in education, transformative infrastructure, and technology.
“Last night President Obama challenged our nation to, as we have done so many times in our history, accept the call to work together as Americans to build a future that speaks to the collective aspirations for what we all believe our country can and should be; a competitive nation, a global leader, and an innovative citizenry, that accomplishes great things with respect for our differences and even more regard for what unites us”, said YDA President Rod Snyder of West Virginia.
“We look forward to working with President Obama as we chart this new frontier for America. This is our generation’s Sputnik moment. This is the moment where our President has called on us as Americans to overcome rancor and divisiveness in order to win the global race for excellence in the 21st century”, said YDA Executive Vice-President Colmon Elridge of Kentucky. “Winning that race is not a Democratic or Republican virtue, it is an American virtue.”
In the coming days YDA will begin working with the White House, Democrats in the House and Senate, and allied organizations, on engaging our membership and all Americans on how we can help achieve the vision laid out by President Obama.
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