Daily Archives: 06/28/2010

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Call Senators Cantwell/202-224-3441 and Feingold 202-224-5323 -Tell them to vote for Financial REFORM =Final Vote


Is it possible that Senators Cantwell and Feingold will continue to vote No to Financial Reform for the final vote?

Last week a bill that could have made sweeping changes to how business is done on Wall Street, in big Banks possibly in all things financial may now be in trouble today. Even Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln contributed to the reform bill but had to water down her strong derivative trading rule because of all the complaints coming from Republicans and Democrats.

The President stated that this bill will be finalized yet, no one expected the worst, and that was the death of Senator Byrd. Because of the unfortunate death of Senator Byrd and the 60 vote rule, the financial reform bill however watered down it is may not make it through the final vote. The problem is that democrats feel the bill could be stronger then its current form and with Cantwell stating she is now focused on aerospace jobs. Houston we now have a problem with the democratic party of two maybe more. Senator Cantwell, of Seattle, and Wisconsin Senator, Russ Feingold voted no during the conferees meetings; has not shown any efforts to vote the bill into law and have stated they may continue to say no. This attitude has now moved across the aisle as Republican Scott Brown, who voted for reform in May, and four other Republicans have stated they may vote no for the final vote.

We are at a moment that requires all of us to participate in getting this bill across the finish line. Congress works for We the People and though the bill has been watered down, it is definitely a start to getting America back on track in ways that obviously the last guy did not try or seem interested in doing. People on the right have said they want less government, unless and until their states need it. It is obvious every state needs financial reform, this being the biggest since the depression and explains how and why our economy was in such a vulnerable state. In addition, because Congress and previous Presidents failed to make the adjustments need to stave off such an incredible economic crisis we have to temper back Wall Street and reform the bad behavior that comes along with taking risks with other peoples money.

Again, the 27-16 vote for financial reform is a start but Congress has shown us that anything to do with reform will be treated like an ugly vegetable making Congress all but freeze up.  If you listen to radio you will know why democrats  just cannot get on the same page or vote as one Political Party and while it is true that any reform could have ill effects on the rest of the world we do need reform and even if it’s watered down.

This is a call to action for democrats, actually anyone who finally wants reform to call Senators Cantwell and Feingold because without the vote of Senator Byrd the needed vote of 60 is now one vote further away from passing.

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Should we add your name in support of Wall St. reform?


Organizing for America

After more than seven months of work and a prolonged effort by Organizing for America supporters, House and Senate leaders just agreed on a final Wall Street reform bill. They’re moving fast toward final votes.

This is the final hurdle to enacting the toughest financial reforms since the Great Depression — and delivering another historic accomplishment for the American people.

These votes in the House and Senate will come down to the wire. Lobbyists for the big banks will be knocking down the doors on Capitol Hill this week, so we’re going all-in over the next few days to fight back — and that starts with a massive public display of support for the bill.

Many in Congress are fighting hard alongside President Obama for Wall Street reform — they need to hear our support. Others are standing with the special interests — and it’s even more important that they hear from us too.

Add your name now to the growing list of OFA supporters who are standing with the President on Wall Street reform.

Stand with the President for Wall Street reform. Add your name.

Reform doesn’t just help create a more stable economy, it greatly improves the daily lives of all American families. Here are five of the most important benefits of the bill:

1) Reform forces credit card and mortgage companies to play by the rules. No more hidden fees or pages of fine print.

2) Families who are hoping to buy a home or pay for college are put on a level playing field with lenders. Reform ensures they’ll get the information they need presented clearly and concisely so they can make good decisions. The same goes for small businesses and community banks who play fair and deserve to see their businesses grow.

3) The legislation cracks down on predatory lenders looking to mislead people into taking on irresponsible debt.

4) Wall Street reform establishes an independent agency — the Consumer Financial Protection Agency — whose sole job is to protect consumers and enforce the new consumer financial protections, which would be the strongest ever enacted.

5) Finally, American taxpayers will never again be asked to bail out the big banks that are “too big to fail.” Let’s be absolutely clear about this, no matter what our opponents in Congress say.

But these changes will only happen if the President can sign it into law. We need to get the bill to him.

Stand with the President in support of this crucial reform:

http://my.barackobama.com/WSRFinalSignOn

Thank you,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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Take the Texas GOP to task!


Human Rights Campaign


Unbelievable. Since we sent the email below on Thursday, 53,438 people like you have spoken out against the Texas GOP’s vile anti-LGBT platform.

Despite the huge outcry – and the coast-to-coast media attention – the national Republican Party hasn’t said a word. And we’re not going to give up until they reject this extremism.

We need your help to turn up the heat in the media, hold the RNC’s feet to the fire, continue to educate the public, put pressure on policymakers, and send the message that this kind of hateful ideology won’t stand. Can you chip in $5 right now?

The Texas GOP doesn’t want gay people to have custody of children. We can make sure bigots like them don’t have custody of our democracy. Chip in $5 right now.

– Joe

P.S. Here’s last week’s message:

Human Rights Campaign

Sign the petition to RNC Chairman Michael Steele:

What you are about to read is shocking but true.

The 2010 Texas Republican Party Platform says gay people shouldn’t have custody of children.1

It says issuing a marriage license or performing a marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple should be punishable by jail time.2

It wants to restore 19th-century Texas statutes outlawing sex between men.3

It’s one thing for extremist groups to spout this type of bigotry. But one of the nation’s two main political parties? That’s taking it WAY too far.

The Republican National Committee is trying to avoid the issue, but a huge public outcry can force them to take sides. Is this really what they want voters to think the GOP stands for as the 2010 elections approach?

At a time when Americans are looking for real solutions to the challenges we face, the Texas GOP decided to focus on propaganda, not policy:

“Homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases.”

“Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable ‘alternative’ lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should ‘family’ be redefined to include homosexual ‘couples.'”

“We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married.”

They’re not just against marriage equality; they’re against basic equal rights. They think it should be 100% legal to fire someone for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Even their word choice shows a possible anti-transgender bias, using the phrases “natural man” and “natural woman.” The list goes on – far beyond the usual Republican talking points on “traditional family values” and even the GOP platforms in other conservative states.

And they don’t stop with attacking LGBT citizens. They also call for evicting the United Nations from the U.S., requiring drivers’ licenses to indicate citizenship, opposing legislation to allow stem cell research, rescinding no-fault divorce laws, reversing Roe v. Wade, and shutting down the U.S. Department of Education.

I want to be clear: HRC is a bipartisan organization. We’ve endorsed Republican candidates for election. So this isn’t about party politics – it’s about deep intolerance that deserves to be rejected.

After you’ve signed, please spread the word to your friends – LGBT and straight, Republican and Democrat – and help us get the word out.

Let’s not allow the national Republican Party to hem and haw their way out of this one.

Sincerely,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

P.S. The full platform is available here (PDF).
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White House meeting -clean energy Summit


This is a big week. Tomorrow, President Obama is bringing a bipartisan group of Senate energy leaders to the White House to craft a clean energy bill in response to the Gulf oil disaster. And afterward, on Thursday, the Senate Democratic Caucus will meet again to decide its course of action.

But in the face of pressure from corporate lobbyists, there’s a very real chance that the Senate will wind up with a bill of half-measures, slapping a band-aid over the approximately 3 million barrels spilled into the Gulf so far, while ignoring the untold damage we cause by consuming over 2,000 times as much oil every year. We have to address the underlying causes of our addiction to dirty energy, not just the symptoms — and as President Obama said earlier this month, “The only way the transition to clean energy will ultimately succeed … is by finally putting a price on carbon pollution.”

Join Repower America and 17 other organizations in signing an urgent letter to President Obama and Senate energy leaders demanding they make comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation a reality — and we will deliver your signatures directly to the White House.

Sign the letter

Nearly one full year after the House of Representatives passed comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation, the President is calling on the Senate to find consensus and pass a bill that addresses America’s addiction to fossil fuels.

But time is running out to pass this legislation before Capitol Hill grinds to a halt in August so lawmakers can campaign for the November midterm elections — even as oil may still be still pouring into the Gulf. To adequately address the disaster on our hands, this legislation must accomplish four essential goals:

  1. Respond directly to the Gulf oil disaster to begin to remedy the damage and hold BP accountable
  2. Reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels
  3. Set limits on carbon pollution
  4. Improve energy efficiency and expand renewable energy production

Our letter to the President and Senate leaders emphasizes these essential points and stresses the need to include them in a comprehensive climate and clean energy bill, and pass this bill as soon as possible. Seventeen partner organizations have already signed on, but that’s not enough: We also need as many citizen co-signers as possible to demonstrate to our leaders in Washington that Americans all across the country demand a comprehensive solution.

Read the letter and add your name before the White House clean energy meeting tomorrow.

Thanks for your work to help America get the strong bill we deserve,

Maggie L. Fox
Chief Executive Officer
The Climate Protection Action Fund
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another manic Monday &some News


We are at a moment when Americans should speak up and out for the need to spend, to stimulate our economy, the end of G8/G20 summit showed how other countries are having a tough time with the decision to keep stimulating or to draw back and focus on the deficit;  this week will be full of  event that impact our lives in so many ways in Congress, the confirmation of a new Supreme Court Justice, or President’s second nominee that could change some outcomes on the panel and definitely debates/votes on a Jobs Bill this week.  …take part -call your representative tell them not to give up because rumors are that they will give HR4213 one more effort. Americans should not let the hammer of fear wielded by Republicans get the best of what the Obama Administration campaigned on and can’t do by himself –

Today we all found out that Senator Robert Byrd, the longest serving member of the Senate died at 92. This was a man who was ill during the HCR but came in to vote when he had to even though he was ill, he was once a KKK member and as he lived life he stated that intolerance has no room here on the planet. I have heard all day that this man will be missed. The Elena Kagan confirmation hearings start today and while we have all watched as Sonia Sotomayor was questioned, possibly abused verbally we all need to be aware of what goes on and take part because the Congress will only create laws and or pass legislation with the push of the people at their backs. Republicans and maybe a couple of Democrats will act and or vote with a personal agenda involved, which is okay in a normal situation but we almost had our complete financial system crash, which effected everything else here in the states as well as globally. I would like someone to tell me that should a crisis can be solved in 18 months. The downfall of our economy began a couple of Presidents ago but this particular one has to get it under control before everyone decides to vote for him again or holding votes because of the slow road of progress of DADT, Climate and Clean Energy over his head? Absurd behavior

As budget reductions, begin to happen here in Seattle. You have to wonder just how many people will be affected and how many other states are beginning to cut what they consider non-essential programs and how this is a direct result from the stalling blocking and obstructionist behavior of Republicans in the Senate because they have decided to say NO to a Jobs Bill. For an example, City Light programs like the “Fridge Program” and the popular Skagit Tours programs are suspended for the rest of the year and will not return until 2011. Seattle City Light recommends that people should still unplug your old second or third freezer or refrigerators’. Those people who already have appointments will still get the free pick-up. The domino effect from budgets having to be cut because states will have to cut whatever can be called non-essential will be things that could lead us all into the 21st Century but Congress has said no we cannot help the states we have big deficits. The cuts to our first responders will be deep all over the country and in a time when the gulf coast needs help the failure to pass a jobs bill and tax extenders will increase the problems there as well. The fridge program might seem small but the effort is to bring folks into the 21st Century increase savings by getting old appliances off the grid, apparently the savings can be big.

The Cash for Appliances and City light’s WashWise program is still running and people can get up to $200 by buying qualified washers; you can get a $75 rebate for Energy Star refrigerators. These two programs run until 12/31/2011 or until the funds run out. To get more information go to www.cashforapplianceswa.com or www.washwiserebate.com and for details about Energy Conservation call the help line 206-684-3800. If you want info about visiting the upper, Skagit River or the North Cascades go to www.ncascades.org or http://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm.

Other News …

**Supreme court Justices extended gun ownership rights to everyone w/some limitations

**Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) admitted to David Gregory that he does not agree with Brewer’s fallacious comments, but refused to address whether such gross exaggerations “make the debate harder”:TP

**In his New York Times column, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman warns we are in the early stages of a “third depression.” “This third depression,” he writes, “will be primarily a failure of policy” as the world’s leading governments obsess “about inflation when the real threat is deflation, preaching the need for belt-tightening when the real problem is inadequate spending.”TP

**A USA Today/Gallup poll finds a majority of Americans (53 percent) approve of President Obama’s decision to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal with Gen. David Petraeus. A greater percentage — 58 percent — back the plan to start pulling out U.S. troops in July 2011.TP

**The “headline achievement” of the G-20 summit was an agreement by developed nations to “halve their annual deficits within three years.” Although the U.S. signed on to the plan, President Obama urged continued spending to support growth, stating, “[W]e must recognize that our fiscal health tomorrow will rest in no small measure on our ability to create jobs and growth today.”TP

**Boeing workers voted to ratify a union contract against union leader advice

C-SPAN …

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address watch Republican Weekly Address

watch Pres. Obama Concluding Press Conference

watch From Sunday, June 27 PM Haper G20 briefing

watch Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) in Las Vegas

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (1917-2010)

92-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) died earlier this morning. First elected in 1958, Sen. Byrd was the longest serving U.S. Senator and Member of Congress in history. He is also the author of five books, including a series on the history of the Senate.

House Majority Leader Discusses National Security Issues

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)speaks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the Democrats National Security Strategy. He will likely discuss President Obama’s strategy that was released in May and the prospects for passage of additional funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.Tomorrow, Gen. David Petraeus will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee in a confirmation hearing to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal as lead commander of troops in Afghanistan. McChrystal resigned last week in the wake of a recently released Rolling Stone article. In the story, General McChrystal and members of his staff are quoted as criticing the Vice President and other members of the Administration.

Kagan confirmation hearing begins

The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up the nomination of Elena Kagan to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Judiciary Committee members and Elena Kagan will make opening statements and move to the question and answer session beginning Tuesday. She will be introduced by Massachusetts Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Scott Brown (R-MA).The committee plans four days of hearings with the questioning of the nominee Tuesday and Wednesday and outside witnesses on Thursday. If confirmed, Elena Kagan will replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Court.

watch C-SPAN’s Senate Confirmation Hub Page
watch Opening statements on C-SPAN3 at 12:30pm ET