This week's Downtown paper (part of Our Town weekly newspapers) features a front-page story on Jonathan and the campaign with some great photos of Jonathan petitioning in Bryant Park. You can pick up a free copy of the paper at one of their little black "Downtown" distribution boxes around lower Manhattan.

Liberty News is a progressive television program that gets broadcast on various public access stations across the country. Jonathan is featured in their July segment which can be viewed on their website.

We've had a great Fourth of July weekend so far petitioning out on the streets of New York City. Our volunteers upstate and on Long Island have also been out at markets, festivals, parks and beaches gathering signatures to make sure Jonathan gets on the ballot.

We invite folks in the New York City vicinity to join us tomorrow as we petition in Prospect Park (12-4PM) and the Brooklyn Promenade (4PM until dark).

We also need volunteers outside of the Belle and Sebastian Concert in Battery Park at 1:30 to petition people waiting in line.

Call us at the office to RSVP 646 415 8361

Arianna Huffington, political commentator from the Huffington Post was quoted in the NY Times article today describing Clinton’s strategy in the flag burning debate as “stars, stripes and triangulation.” Huffington said, "It seems in line with her stance on so many issues — trying to strike right in the middle and triangulate, by not supporting the amendment because that would upset the base too much and at the same time supporting a legislative proposal that will appeal to the center. It's a truly tragic way of leading."

The article discussed the divide in the Democratic Party over whether the best electoral strategy is to stake out the middle ground versus “unapologetically liberal positions.” Democratic consultant Steve McMahon was quoted as saying, “What's politically pragmatic isn't always what's pleasing to the left. But pragmatism is what wins elections for Democrats."

How much longer can the Democratic base continue to support this “pragmatism” which has so clearly not served in our interests over the last few years?

Jonathan and supporters march in the parade

Jonathan greets the parade crowds and gathers petition signatures

Yesterday's NY Times column by Anna Bernasek examined the economic costs of the growing income gap in the U.S. The article found that “more than 40 percent of total income is going to the wealthiest 10 percent, their biggest share of the nation's pie in at least 65 years.”

The economic costs of this disparity discussed by Bernasek included poorer overall population health, reduction of workforce productivity and efficiency, and increased corruption as a result of the exchange of wealth and political power.

Most Democrats agree that the trend of growing income inequity in our country must be reversed. However, with $25 million in campaign contributions from people like Rupert Murdoch and companies like Wal-Mart, one must wonder where our Junior Senator's interests actually lie.