Gallup
Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport and USA Today Washington Bureau Chief
Susan Page discuss the dilemma Republicans face in picking their party’s
presidential nominee, Americans’ views on taxing the rich to pay for
Obama‘s jobs plan, and the part of the new health law that appears to be
working.
It’s not rocket science.
Republicans have to choose whether to defend tax breaks for Billionaires and Big Oil companies or to protect the middle class, seniors and American jobs.
As President Obama said, “It’s not class warfare. It’s math.”
But each of us also has a choice to make: Will we stand with President Obama to create jobs — or not? Will we take on the Tea Party’s smears and mischaracterizations — or not?
I can tell you the political world here in DC will be scouring our September 30th FEC fundraising report to see if grassroots Democrats are strong and united behind President Obama’s plan to create jobs. We’re nearly halfway to our $1 Million grassroots goal.
Will you stand with us and President Obama right now?
Contribute $3 or more right now to show Tea Party Republicans that America will not put tax breaks for Billionaires and Big Oil ahead of middle class jobs. Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by my fellow House Democrats.
The lines are clearly drawn. The Republicans have their right-wing shadow groups and billionaire backers like the Koch Brothers on their side. I’ll take my chances standing with you.
Contribute $3 or more today and we’ll know we have you on our side >> WWW.DCCC.ORG
Thank you,
Steve Israel
DCCC Chairman
This morning, the President proposed the “Buffett Rule,” which would require those earning more than $1 million a year to pay the same share of their income in taxes as middle-class families do.
This proposal makes sure millionaires and billionaires share the responsibility for reducing the deficit. It would correct, for example, the fact that Warren Buffett‘s secretary currently pays taxes at a higher rate than he does.
The other side is already saying it’s “class warfare” — that’s their rhetorical smokescreen for providing millionaires and billionaires special treatment.
As the President said this morning, “This is not class warfare — it’s math.”
The wealthiest Americans don’t need further tax cuts and in many cases aren’t even asking for them. Requiring that they pay their fair share is the only practical way forward. The Republican alternative is to drastically slash education, gut Medicare, let roads and bridges crumble, and privatize Social Security. That’s not the America we believe in — but many in the Republican leadership actually prefer those policies, which explains their refusal to act.
That’s why they’ll say “tax increase” over and over again, trying to muddy the waters and trick ordinary Americans into thinking the Buffett Rule will hurt them. And if we don’t speak out right now, they just might get away with it.
Of course, the Buffett Rule won’t really touch most Americans — only 0.3% of households will even be affected.
And without it, the only way to reduce our debt is to savage the programs that seniors and middle-class families rely on.
That’s exactly what the President refuses to do — in fact, he’s said he’ll veto any bill that changes benefits for folks who rely on Medicare but doesn’t raise serious revenue by asking the wealthiest Americans or biggest corporations to pay their fair share.
This isn’t just a commonsense approach to cutting the deficit — it’s the only way to make sure we can provide security to people who work hard and play by the rules.
So right now, I’m asking you to say you’ll stand with the President on something that won’t be easy. Get the President’s back today:
Thanks,
Messina
Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America
the Senate Convened at 9:30am September 21, 2011
10:38amET –
The McCain amendment #625 (TAA 2-year extension) is now pending to the Casey amendment #633 (TAA) to H.R.2832, the GSP bill.
9:36amET –
At approximately 12:30pm today, the Senate will conduct 2 roll call votes in relation to the following amendments to the Casey amendment #633 (TAA) to H.R.2832, the GSP bill:
Hatch amendment #641 (TAA enactment dependent on FTA enactment) (60-vote threshold) and
McCain amendment #625 (TAA 2-year extension) (60-vote threshold).
The following amendments are pending to H.R.2832, the Generalized System of
Preferences Act:
The following amendments to H.R.2832 have been considered:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
7:35 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
6:03 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
5:53 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
5:50 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 – 25(Roll no. 720).
5:44 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:43 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 195 – 230(Roll No. 719).
5:12 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3:53 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to H.Res. 405, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Rogers (KY) motion to agree to the Senate amendment with an amendment toH.R. 2608.
3:52 P.M. – Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment.Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 405, Mr. Rogers (KY) took from the Speaker’s tableH.R. 2608with the Senate amendment thereto, and was recognized for a motion.
3:51 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 – 2, 2 Present(Roll no. 718).
3:45 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.
3:44 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 – 0(Roll no. 717).
3:37 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:36 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 405,H. Res. 399is laid on the table.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 185(Roll no. 716).
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:29 P.M. – On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 188(Roll no. 715).
1:52 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate onH. Res. 405.
1:51 P.M. – Considered as privileged matter.
1:50 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.
1:27 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2883.Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Davis (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
1:26 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.
1:06 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2943.Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Davis (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
1:05 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.
12:56 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onS. 846.Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
12:55 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.
12:37 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onS. Con. Res. 28.Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Harper moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
12:36 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:35 P.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the continuance of the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism is to continue in effect beyond September 23, 2011 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-57).
12:04 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:02 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. McGovern to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Judith Wright, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Northborough, MassachusettsThe House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 21.
10:43 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
10:01 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.The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom McClintock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
The state of Georgia will execute Troy Davis on September 21 despite powerful doubts about his guilt. Please read on to learn how you can help stop this injustice. |
The state of Georgia plans to execute Troy Davis this Wednesday, September 21 despite major doubts about his guilt.Killing a man who may be innocent is not justice, and more than 92,000 ColorOfChange members have spoken up to say so. But to save Troy, as many people as possible need to speak out.
The fact is, no physical evidence connected Davis to the murder. Seven of the original nine witnesses have recanted, with many saying their testimony was a result of law enforcement pressure. Of the remaining witnesses, one is highly suspect and the other could be the actual culprit in the officer’s murder.
No one should be executed when so much doubt remains about his guilt. You can help us stop Troy Davis’ execution in five ways:
Since Troy Davis’ 1991 conviction, numerous facts have emerged that introduce significant doubt as to his guilt. These facts include:
In light of this evidence, the Supreme Court granted Davis another chance. But instead of an actual new trial before a jury, which would mean the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt is on the prosecutor, he got an evidentiary hearing before a single federal judge where Davis’ lawyers had the burden to meet an impossibly high and undefined legal standard.
Under these difficult circumstances, the judge rejected the new evidence and cleared the way for Troy’s execution. But even he acknowledged lingering doubt, noting that the case against Davis was not “ironclad.”
But “ironclad” is exactly what the evidence should be in order to put someone to death. When the case isn’t ironclad, the process is prone to human error, and innocent people may die. That’s what evidence suggests happened to Cameron Todd Willingham, a Texas man who was executed after being convicted of setting the fire that killed his children. A new review of the case used to convict him shows that Willingham was killed even though there’s no evidence he set the fire. But now it’s too late to do anything about it.4
It will take all of our combined efforts to make sure Troy Davis isn’t the next Cameron Willingham. Please join me and my friends at ColorOfChange.org in asking Georgia officials to save Troy Davis’ life by commuting his sentence to life in prison. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.
Thanks and Peace,
— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 17th, 2011
Help support our work.ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:
http://www.colorofchange.org/donate
References:
1. “Troy Davis – Finality over Fairness,” Amnesty International USA
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/970?akid=2228.1174326.Cllb_a&t=7
2. See Reference 1
3. See Reference 1
4. “The Haunting of Rick Perry,” The New York Times, 6-23-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/958?akid=2228.1174326.Cllb_a&t=9
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