Let’s just call this so-called “Deficit Commission” what it really is — an attack on the middle class.

From the very start, right-wing Republicans have been using the commission as a platform to destroy Social Security. They want to cut benefits and raise the retirement age, knowing full well that it will throw millions of seniors into poverty.

It’s wrong. That’s why we supported candidates who stood strong for Social Security and that’s why we’re working today to hold them accountable to the promises they made.

Call your Senators right now and tell them Hands Off Social Security.

Call now at 1-866-529-7630 and tell Congress “No cuts, no raising the retirement age”

When we asked DFA members where they stood on Social Security, the answer was clear — you said to stand strong for Social Security — No cuts, no raising the retirement age — and that is exactly what we’re doing.

We’ll deliver our Hands Off Social Security petition, with almost 100,000 signatures from across the country, directly to members of the House of Representatives this week. But today’s target is the U.S. Senate. Whether your Senator is a supportive Democrat or a right-wing Republican bent on destroying Social Security, your call still has an impact. Strong supporters use these calls to back them up on the Senator floor and some Republicans will think twice about sticking their neck out against seniors if their offices are flooded with calls too.

So don’t throw your hands up and think this call isn’t worth it, especially because DFA members aren’t alone when it comes to protecting Social Security. On Election Day, we polled voters nationwide to ask them where they stood and 85 percent said they don’t want to see ANY cuts to Social Security.

That’s right, even people who voted for Republicans to take back Congress said they don’t want any cuts to Social Security.

Make sure Congress gets the message — Call your Senators right now at 1-866-529-7630 and tell them Hands Off Social Security.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell Congress: Women Can’t Afford Social Security Benefit Cuts

11/30/2010 Nativegrl77


	Tell Congress: Don’t Cut Our Social Security!



	Your Senators need to hear from you that jeopardizing the well-being of women and families is no way to improve the nation’s bottom line.

	Call 1-866-529-7630 today!

Can women and their families afford deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid?

We don’t think so. But as the President’s Fiscal Commission meets this week, deep cuts to these and other vital programs for women and their families are on the table.

We need your help to make sure these proposals don’t stay on the table — starting with joining the National Call-In Day on Social Security.

Tell Congress: Don’t Cut Our Social Security! Call your Senators NOW at 1-866-529-7630.

After providing your zip code, you’ll be given a choice of which of your state’s Senators to be connected with first. Call both if you possibly can!
Tell the person who answers the phone: I am a constituent living in [your state]. I am calling to tell the Senator to say “NO!” to cuts in Social Security benefits. Social Security benefits are especially important to women — and women’s average benefits are just $12,000 per year. Women can’t afford Social Security benefit cuts.

Why are we so concerned? Commission Co-Chairs Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles have proposed:

Cutting Social Security benefits for the vast majority of beneficiaries by raising the retirement age, lowering the cost of living adjustment, and changing the basic benefit formula.
Shifting more Medicare costs to beneficiaries and requiring low-income Medicaid beneficiaries to pay higher co-pays.
Cutting overall federal funding for domestic discretionary programs by about 20 percent, jeopardizing funding for child care, education, training, and other crucial investments.
Relying on spending cuts, far more than revenue increases, to reduce the deficit. While some tax expenditures would be curtailed, much of that revenue would be used to cut tax rates for the wealthiest Americans and corporations rather than to protect vital services or reduce the deficit.

Bottom line — these proposals would hurt women and their families. The reductions to Social Security would disproportionately hurt women, who depend more on income from Social Security than men do. And the changes to Medicare and Medicaid would place an extra burden on women, who are the majority of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and who already spend a higher percentage of their (already-lower) incomes on health care than men.

Your Senators need to hear from you that jeopardizing the well-being of women and families is no way to improve the nation’s bottom line. Call your Senators NOW at 1-866-529-7630.

This will be a long, hard fight and we are counting on you to stand up for women and their families.

Sincerely,

Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. To find out more about the co-chairs’ Social Security benefit cuts, check out our blog.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Netflix under attack

11/30/2010 Nativegrl77

Tell the FCC: Protect the open Internet!

BREAKING: The New York Times just reported that Comcast is blocking Netflix unless a new fee is paid to Comcast — so Netflix’s price goes up and people use Comcast’s video service instead.

This outrageous abuse of power by Comcast comes on the very week that President Obama’s FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce whether he’ll fulfill Obama’s promise to protect the open Internet and Net Neutrality — which would prevent this type of corporate abuse.

The FCC needs to hear from us now, before the chairman’s big announcement this week.

Sign our message to the FCC: “Don’t let Comcast block Netflix or other online innovators for their own profit! Support the strongest Net Neutrality protections possible — and keep Obama’s promise.” Click here.

Then, please tell your friends. We’ll deliver thousands of messages to the FCC this week. Sign here.

What else could Comcast do if the FCC doesn’t protect Net Neutrality?

Internet providers like Comcast can drive their financial competitors (or political opponents) out of business by charging them more, for no good reason — exactly what’s happening right now.

For instance, Comcast could block or degrade iTunes, which competes with Comcast’s own online music store.

Worse, the FCC will soon decide whether to allow Comcast to buy NBC! Can you imagine what Comcast will do to block customers from getting video from ABC, CBS, and other media outlets? This is way more serious than just movies — the FCC’s decision impacts pretty much everything.

Tell the FCC to stop Comcast’s abuse of power and protect the open Internet. Click here — then pass it on.

Thanks for being a bold progressive,

Jason Rosenbaum, Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, Forrest Brown, and the PCCC team

P.S. You can read excerpts from the New York Times story on the petition page.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Bankrate.com

11/30/2010 Nativegrl77

Is closing your credit card account worth crimped credit score? | 2010-11-30

Closing paid-off cards may crimp your credit score but could bring spending discipline.

Black History

Congress – Debates & Votes Tuesday 11/30

11/30/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate will Convene and resume debates and or votes 11/30 at 9amET

Following the prayer and pledge and any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.510, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, and immediately proceed to a series of up to 3 roll call votes. Those votes will in relation to the following items:

– Coburn motion to suspend Rule 22 for the purpose of proposing and considering Coburn amendment #4697 (earmarks);
– Coburn motion to suspend Rule 22 for the purpose of proposing and considering Coburn amendment #4694 (substitute); and
– Passage of S.510, as amended, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

Upon disposition of S.510, the Senate will turn to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 4:00pm to allow for the party caucus meetings.

When the Senate convenes at 4pm, Senator Dodd will be recognized to give his farewell speech

Votes:
255: Coburn motion to suspend Rule 22 for the purpose of proposing and considering Coburn amendment #4697: (earmarks); Not Agreed to: 39-56

256: Coburn motion to suspend Rule 22 for the purpose of proposing and considering Coburn amendment #4694: (substitute); Not Agreed to: 36-62

257: Passage of S.510, as amended;
Passed: 73-25

There will be no further roll call votes during today’s session of the Senate.

Unanimous Consent:
S.3987, the Red Flag Program Clarification Act.

H.R.6162, Coin Modernization, Oversight, and Continuity Act of 2010.

H.R.6166, the American Eagle Palladium Bullion Coin Act.

S. Res.690, a resolution commemorating the 175th anniversary of the birth of Mark Twain.

S. Res.691, a resolution to permit the collection of clothing, toys, food and house wares during the holiday season for charitable purposes relating to serving those in need or members of the Armed Services and their families.

S.3386, the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (with a Rockefeller-Hutchison managers amendment)

Some of those who voted against S.510: Shelby,Sessions,McCain, Hutchins, Demint, Coker, Coburn, Thune, Bunning

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:30amET November 30, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 30, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

8:49 P.M. –: SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:47 P.M. –: Ms. Foxx requested that Mr. Franks of AZ be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on December 3. Ms. Foxx requested that Mr. Franks of AZ be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on December 2.

Ms. Foxx requested that Mr. Franks of AZ be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on December 1.
8:44 P.M. –: The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting his determination that it is appropriate to exercise the statutory alternative plan authority under 5 U.S.C. 5304a to set alternative January 2011 locality pay rates – referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 111-156).
8:43 P.M. –: ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H. Res. 1644:

expressing support for designation of a “National Veterans History Project Week”
8:42 P.M. –: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

H. Res. 1644:

expressing support for designation of a “National Veterans History Project Week”

8:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1644.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5953:

to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to display in each facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs a Women Veterans Bill of Rights

8:22 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

8:04 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5953.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1622:

honoring the historic contributions of veterans throughout all conflicts involving the United States

8:03 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

7:58 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1622.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5866:

to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requiring the Secretary of Energy to carry out initiatives to advance innovation in nuclear energy technologies, to make nuclear energy systems more competitive, to increase efficiency and safety of civilian nuclear power, and for other purposes

7:57 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

7:45 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5866.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Gordon (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 325:

supporting the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

7:44 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mrs. Biggert objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

7:38 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 325.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Peters moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 6398:

to require the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to fully insure Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts

7:37 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

7:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6398.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Doggett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 528:

commending the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies for its efforts to promote peace, stability and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia

7:26 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Poe (TX) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

7:20 P.M. –: DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 528. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Tanner moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 527:

commending the NATO School for its critical support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) efforts to promote global peace, stability, and security
7:19 P.M. –: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Poe (TX) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
7:10 P.M. –: DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 527. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Tanner moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H.R. 6411:

to provide for the approval of the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Australia Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
7:09 P.M. –: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
7:01 P.M. –: DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6411. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Tanner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1735:

condemning North Korea in the strongest terms for its unprovoked military attack against South Korea on November 23, 2010
7:00 P.M. –: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Poe (TX) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

H. Res. 1735:

condemning North Korea in the strongest terms for its unprovoked military attack against South Korea on November 23, 2010

6:41 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1735.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

S. 2847:

to regulate the volume of audio on commercials

6:40 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Terry objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

6:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2847.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Eshoo moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1690:

supporting the observance of American Diabetes Month

6:30 P.M. –

6:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1690.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 323:

supporting the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years

6:02 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

5:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 323.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. McCarthy (NY) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1313:

expressing support for designation of May as “Child Advocacy Center Month” and commending the National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on their 25th anniversary in 2010

5:38 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Roe (TN) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

5:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1313.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Woolsey moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1576:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Day of Recognition for Parents of Special Needs Children should be established

5:30 P.M. –

5:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1576.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Woolsey moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1598:

expressing support for the designation of the month of October as National Work and Family Month

5:23 P.M. –

5:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1598.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Woolsey moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1638:

supporting the goals and ideals of National GEAR UP Day

5:12 P.M. –

4:59 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1638.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Woolsey moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1430:

honoring and saluting golf legend Juan Antonio “Chi Chi” Rodriguez for his commitment to Latino youth programs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

4:58 P.M. –

4:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1430.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Woolsey moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

4:30 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

4:29 P.M. –

Mr. Perlmutter filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 1741 and H. Res. 1742.

H. Res. 1740:

recognizing and honoring the National Guard on the occasion of its 374rd anniversary

4:28 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 404 – 0 (Roll no. 586).

4:19 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1585:

honoring and recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base, California

4:18 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 408 – 0 (Roll no. 585).

4:09 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

4:08 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The House continued with unfinished business.

MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the late Honorable Stephen J. Solarz.

H.R. 4783:

to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated

4:03 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 256 – 152 (Roll no. 584).

3:33 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:32 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of the Rahall motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 4783, and motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 1724:

commending the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas, for its outstanding support in creating a unique and lasting partnership with Little Rock Air Force Base, members of the Armed Forces stationed there and their families, and the Air Force

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Rogers (AL) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

3:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1724.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Snyder moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1217:

honoring Fort Drum’s soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division for their past and continuing contributions to the security of the United States

3:20 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1217.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Owens moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1740:

recognizing and honoring the National Guard on the occasion of its 374rd anniversary

3:19 P.M. –

3:09 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1740.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Garamendi moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1585:

3:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1585.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Garamendi moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

3:01 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

H.R. 4783:

3:00 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the Rahall motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 4783 would be postponed until a time to be announced.

1:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1736, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Rahall motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 4783.

1:48 P.M. –

Mr. Rahall moved that the House agree to the Senate amendments.

1:47 P.M. –

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1736, Mr. Rahall took from the Speaker’s table H.R. 4783 with the Senate amendments thereto, and was recognized for a motion.

H. Res. 1736:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 4783) to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated

1:42 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 223 – 168 (Roll no. 583).

1:12 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:25 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1736

12:24 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

12:03 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:02 P.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 30.

10:39 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:32 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:31 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable John T. Salazar to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:30 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.