CARA Alert

2014 CARA Regional Conventions A Huge Success

The 3 CARA Regional Conventions culminated on Oct. 22nd in Buena Park. All 3 received great reviews from participants – with an overwhelming YES to continue to alternate between regional conventions and a statewide constitutional convention every other year (the next one will be in October of 2015 in Southern CA).  Each of the 3 conventions were slightly different – with different keynote speakers and guests. One constant for all 3 was the afternoon table discussions which ended in an election for the top issues that CARA members and activists want to work on in 2015.  Although each regional convention had a slightly different list of top priorities, the combined results are as follows:

TOP TEN ISSUES RECEIVING MOST VOTES (in order by highest vote)

1.    Preserve and strengthen Social Security; stop efforts to cut or privatize       

2.    Work to protect and expand Medicare and Medicaid; stop efforts to cut or privatize

3.    Support efforts to win universal single payer health care for all

4.    Advocate for increased funding for affordable housing

5.    Protect pensions and retirement benefits

6.    Fight to restore services and benefits in 2015 CA budget; work toward fair budget and taxes

7.    Support clean money campaign financing

8.    Advocate for expansion of food programs in CA

9.       Fight for increased funding for public transit, especially para-transit

10.   Advocate to strengthen and expand In Home support services

Each regional convention also held a door drawing for those present of beautiful gift baskets prepared by our CARA Action Teams (CATs). This year the CATs really went all out and we had dozens of incredible baskets at each of the 3 conventions – and lots of happy winners.  Congratulations to all of the gift basket winners and THANK YOU to the CATs who provided the prizes. We also held the drawing for our big drawing, which raised close to $10,000 (our goal!).  This drawing was held at our final Regional Convention in Buena Park on Oct. 22nd and combined all of  the tickets sold over the last several months.  The winners of our big drawing are as follows:

1st Prize ($1000)         David Renshaw

2nd Prize (IPAD)           Cecilia Flores

3rd Prize (Kindle)        Stan Corella

Holding three conventions is a lot of work.  We have a lot of people to thank. First, our host CATs helped coordinate the events, set up the rooms and acted as our go to volunteers: The Contra Costa- Solano CAT, the Fresno CAT and the Orange County CAT.  A big thank you to the host facilities – the City of Richmond, the VFW #8900 and UFCW Local #324 who made us feel welcome and provided us with the great facilities.  All of the CARA board members and volunteers deserve a great big thank you for helping with everything from selling ads, outreach, facilitating the table discussion, setting up the events, and more.  Our speakers and exhibitors were fabulous as always.  Everyone who bought an ad or sponsored the conventions – thank you for making these events financially possible.  And finally, our great staff at CARA – who move mountains – Kathrin, Vishnu and Jodi.  CARA is a true team effort and these conventions showed what a great team we are!!!!

VOTE YES ON PROP 45

FINAL PUSH TO GET THE VOTE OUT- SENIORS WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

We have just 8 days left to distribute our Yes on Prop 45 cards to voters and  get the word out. If you can help distribute CARA’s Yes on 45 cards, please call or email our office right away and we will send you some cards (call 510-663-4086 or email ksmith@californialliance.org).  CARA held a very successful phone bank on Oct. 19th  and we plan to do at least one more. If you are available to make phone calls from your home (you need a computer and a phone), call Vishnu at 714-244-7776 and he will set you up.  We need to reach every likely voter and make sure that they vote YES if we want to win.

Why Seniors and Our Allies are Supporting Prop 45

Affordability: Health insurance premiums have nearly doubled in California over the past 12 years, putting a strain on our pocketbooks.  This includes premiums for supplemental insurance to Medicare.  Meanwhile, health insurers’ profits soar, even as they sit on billions in reserve.  Prop 45 helps swing the balance in our favor.

Transparency: Decisions on rate hikes will be made public and taken out of corporate boardrooms.  We will have a voice and the power to hold them accountable when they try to raise our rates.

The Health Insurance Industry Opposes Prop 45.  They have already spent $40 million to fight PROP 45. They know the days of big rate hikes are over if Prop 45 passes.  These big corporations also know that Prop 103 passed by the voters several years ago worked, and out of control rate hikes stopped and auto insurance became more affordable – saving California drivers over $62 billion on their auto insurance. Since Prop 103, we have seen auto rates go up 3.8%, compared to 42.9% nationally.

Thirty five other states already have the power to deny unjustified health insurance rate hikes. Californians deserves the same. Vote YES on PROP 45 for accountability and lower health insurance premiums.

You can contact CARA at: 

NORTH:

CARA, 600 Grand Ave. #410, Oakland, CA 94610

415-550-0828 /510-663-4086 / 510-663-4099 (fax)/ jreid@californiaalliance.org

SOUTH:

714-244-7776/ Vishnu@californiaalliance.org

TOLLFREE 1-877-223-6107 / www.californiaalliance.org