Yvette Ollada

So I've been using so many platforms over the past--oh, I don't know--nine years? I think I was such a twitter freak that I never really setup my tumblr. But it really is such a good spot to keep everything. So here I go aggregating all my stuff from everywhere else so that it has a new home here on my tumblr. (Anything listed as posted prior to today, Sep 5, 2011, was posted after today.)

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I-1464 seeks big changes to Washington state campaign-finance system

Washington voters will soon decide whether to make the most sweeping changes to the state’s campaign-finance system in decades.

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City Inside/Out: Initiative I-1433 Debate | seattlechannel.org

Should the state's minimum wage increase from $9.47 to $13.50 an hour over the next four years? And should workers be given up to seven paid sick and safe days per year? Hear both sides of the issue.

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Don’t complain ABOUT government…Complain TO it!

As someone who represents special interests (HOWEVER, in my case it is children’s issues, rather than big $), I wish people had a better understanding of how Washington really works.  You can’t just complain ABOUT government, you have to…

ENTER: LOBBY IT!

If you aren’t “into” politics, this article explains why you should be. My girlfriend told me about it & it is the best I’ve seen on the subject. It’s by Jack Abramoff—that’s right, the (former) SUPER LOBBYIST.

Enjoy! :D

(photo credit: Playboy)

SO YOU WANT TO HIRE A LOBBYIST

by JACK ABRAMOFF

Many people assume the lobbying business was born during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. The general, who loved his whiskey and cigars, would repair to the lobby of the Willard Hotel, which sits a few blocks from the White House. As soon as Grant lit his stogie, he would be set upon by mendicants and petitioners of all stripes—who had the kind of presidential access their lobbyist heirs can only dream about. Although that prestigious hotel assiduously promoted the mythic origin of the word lobbyist, the appellation was in use long before Grant’s tenure.

The word is probably sourced from the lobbies in the House of Commons, where the British public could speak with members of the government, but the act of lobbying got its start as soon as early man figured out he needed something from someone else. In fact, its practitioners are often compared to those working in the world’s oldest profession, though it’s not clear who should feel more insulted. Because our politicians can’t imagine a human activity they shouldn’t control, their lobbyist friends, generally seen as snake-oil salesmen, seldom lack work.

The dysfunction of our national government does not result only from overregulation and unrestrained spending. A culture of corruption has long plagued our body politic. Moneyed interests on both ends of the political spectrum have employed legions of lobbyists, strategic advisors and public relations experts to control our national legislative and executive branches.

I should know, since I was one of them.  (Read More: http://bit.ly/plyboylobst)

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Great clip from "Morning Joe" this morning explaining why the California system of government (direct democracy) is the WORST in the Union.  This is why representative government is best and it is important to remember why we still have the electoral college system--IT WORKS!

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ENTER: Highlights of my NYC adventures!

 NYC has tons of great spots but here are my TOP 5 not to miss while in the City, that you may or may not have heard about yet!

1) Olivia Bistro

2) Cafe Habana on Prince

3) The Hurricane Club

REST HERE

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ENTER: Swoon!

I've been back to New York a few times since OXO.  Why?  Because I'm obsessed.  Yes, with the city.  ...and those of you who know me better than that, YES a guy too--or three ;P READ POST on my Dreams ‘n’ Os blog

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Picking up where I left off in my Dreams 'n' Os blog. ENTER: The Good life!

When we left off I was just back from my OXO trip to New York and writing about the experience.  Yes, I fell in love with New York all over again.  So much so that I've been back at least four times since since that trip, and I'll be there again in a couple weeks! READ POST on my Dreams 'n' Os blog

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All my online stuff!

So I've been using so many platforms over the past--oh, I don't know--nine years?  I think I was such a twitter freak that I never really setup my tumblr.  But it really is such a good spot to keep everything.  So here I go aggregating all my stuff from everywhere else so that it has a new home here on my tumblr.  (Anything listed as posted prior to today was posted after today.)

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Places I've been on dates around the Bay that I would recommend.  

ENTER: The San Francisco bachelors--a different breed! ;)

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Places I've been on dates in LA and the OC that I would recommend.

ENTER: Guys that don't get dumped because they know how to treat a girl!

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The Best (and Worst) in food of LA!

ENTER: Wining and dining with a LONG A$& commute (from OC)! 

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The Best (and Worst) in food of the San Francisco Bay Area!

ENTER: My favorite city to eat & not so favorite to diet!

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ENTER: My love affair with New York!

A big, big, big THANK YOU to my friends and family for getting me to New York! READ POST on my Dreams 'n' Os Blog

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Introducing my informal personal blog: Dreams 'n' (Cheeri-) Os.  ENTER: Legally Blonde meets Bridget Jones

The title was inspired by the Martina McBride song "This One's For the Girls."  READ POST on my Dreams 'n' Os blog

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FB Fan Page Note about my entry in the OXOniac contest.  ENTER: Full Fledged New Media Campaign.

I believe it is my purpose in life to help others. (Some of you may say, "How can you do this if you cannot even take care of yourself") Being an activist in the anti-slavery and human rights movement I have come to appreciate my circumstances in life. Most women around the world live in fear EVERYDAY they wake up in the morning. Most women have to make dangerous and humiliating sacrifices just to feed themselves and their children. Though I am not in the best financial position, I am way more privileged than the great majority of women around the globe. I consider myself extremely blessed to be an American and go to bed sheltered, not hungry, and SAFE. Therefore, I don't think that I "need to just focus on myself right now." If there is anything I can ever do to help others less fortunate, I will take the opportunity every time. READ NOTE

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So I lost Murphy-Goode but won OXO!  ENTER: The salad spinner girl! :P

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FB Fan Page Note about my Murphy-Goode Contest entry.  ENTER: Living my dreams!

Thank you friends for all your support! I could not have done this without ALL of you! Our event New Media Vault to "Do Some Goode for Charity" had over 400 attendees, which I was very happy about because it was planned in less than 10 days. Everyone enjoyed the Kogi BBQ paired with Liars Dice Zin and our jewelry sales to benefit survivors of human trafficking were phenomenal. I could not have asked for a better outcome.  READ NOTE