As one of the top agriculture producing states in the country, Kansas has long been known as the breadbasket of America. But… read more

Aviation

Kansas has long been considered the “Air Capital of the World.” A world leader in general aviation manufacturing… read more
Education

As a father of three children, I recognize the valuable role education plays in shaping young minds to grow into successful … read more
Energy

When I travel home and visit with Kansans I often hear about one issue that hits everyone’s pocketbook – the high cost of ene… read more
Environment

It is important that Americans enjoy the benefits of clean air, soil, and water. According to the Environmental Protection Ag… read more
Family

Throughout my years as a public servant I have consistently supported efforts that promote strong family values based on a st… read more
Federal Judges

Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants presidential authority to “nominate, and by the Advise and Consent of t… read more
Foreign Policy

Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, United States foreign policy has evolved to meet both the increasing global terroris… read more
Health Care

As a member of the Senate Health Committee and Rural Health Caucus, I am a strong supporter of quality health care for all K… read more
Identity Theft

Advances in technology and the ease with which individuals can share financial and other personal information has heightened … read more
Immigration

There has been much debate about how to address illegal immigration, border security, and legal immigration policy. While I a… read more
Military Affairs

As a former Marine and a former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I stand in strong support of the men and women… read more
Second Amendment

I am a strong supporter of congressional efforts to preserve our Second Amendment right to bear arms. Furthermore, I am oppos… read more
Small Business

I have long supported efforts to help small businesses grow and expand. Small businesses are America’s job creators. They cre… read more
Social Security

Social Security is an important component of American workers’ retirement planning and also serves as a vital safety net for … read more
Taxes

My record on tax relief is clear. I have consistently supported efforts to reduce the tax burden on Kansans to allow them to … read more
Telecommunications-Broadband

The past century saw great changes in technology, bringing with it new or improved means of communications. These technologic… read more
Trade

Trade is important to our national economy with nearly one in five jobs depending on trade. In 2006, Kansas exports were a r… read more
Transportation

Being centrally located in the U.S. provides Kansans with many economic opportunities. Businesses, homeowners, and our farme… read more
Veterans

Throughout our nation’s history brave men and women have answered the call to duty to protect and preserve freedom and libert… read more

Resource: his website

I don’t know very much about Pat Roberts but his stance on “family values” struck me … and not in a good way.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Republicans’ plans for after the election: Video

10/30/2014 Nativegrl77

Dear fellow MoveOn member,

If they seize control of the Senate, Republicans will use a powerful but little-known tool to ram through legislation that favors big corporations and the 1% at everyone else’s expense.

I made this video to explain:

It’s on us to spread the word. Please forward this email, share the video via social media like Facebook and Twitter, and then sign up to make get-out-the-vote phone calls as part of MoveOn’s Voters Rising campaign.

Thanks for all you do.

–Robert Reich

P.S. You can also watch the video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/5SQP2KZflco

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

meet Pete Gallego … running for congress, democratic Party

10/30/2014 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Democrat finds a way to knock both the GOP and Obamacare in less than 30 seconds

http://wapo.st/1utPsa7 via @washingtonpost

So, given the new information re: Gallego statements about Obamacare aka ACA it is very important to read what Pete Gallego is for versus what the republican candidate will do say and vote for on floor of Congress … It is a given, that those running in (redstates) and are from the Democratic Party the issues they support may or may not push back at what the admin does, but having read the wapo story there are things to consider… It’s from wapo and folks in TX may already know that Pete just may be a blue dog and will need to answer to some things that will impact those who need healthcare now and in the future ~~ Nativegirl77

Gallego faces Republican Will Hurd, a former CIA operative, whoever wins will represent the 23rd Congressional District of Texas, a sprawling region that stretches from San Antonio’s western suburbs to the eastern outskirts of El Paso and includes the longest stretch of U.S.-Mexico border in any district. So, for those interested and support immigration would be doing them and their children will be best suited to vote for Gellego and inform him about how good ACA would be for your state as well.

Medicare

Medicare is one of the most important programs to seniors. More than 3 million Texans rely on Medicare for their health care. Medicare needs to be reformed and strengthened for future generations. But, we cannot make cuts to Medicare benefits that seniors have earned through a lifetime of work. I’ll protect Medicare, and fight efforts by extremists to end it or turn it into a voucher program. Our parents and grandparents should not be given vouchers and forced to negotiate with the insurance industry on their own. To strengthen the solvency of Medicare, I would support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, which would save the program $24 billion annually.

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Immigration

Our country is made up of immigrants who made the journey to the United States in search of the American dream. But we all know that our immigration system is broken. Making sure that our borders are secure is the most important aspect of immigration policy. Reform includes border security and putting the necessary boots on the ground to protect us from those who want to do our country harm. Reform also should include an earned path to legalization for people who stay out of trouble, pay a penalty, pay back taxes, learn English and stand in line. We need to create an immigration system that makes America safer, that is realistic, and that makes economic sense.

DREAM Act

I also support the DREAM Act which would let young people who were brought to this country as children, graduated from high school and stayed out of trouble, earn a path to citizenship through military service or by going to college. I was proud to vote for the Texas DREAM Act, and I look forward to voting for the federal DREAM Act in Congress.
Since extremists in Congress obstructed the passage of the DREAM Act, I support the deferred action policy that offers DREAM Act eligible youth, on a case-by-case basis, relief from deportation.

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Social Security

Social Security is a lifeline for many, and it allows our seniors to retire with dignity. Half of America`s seniors would fall below the poverty line without their Social Security checks. I pledge to protect our seniors by protecting the Social Security benefits that they have earned, now and in the future. I would oppose efforts to raise the retirement age, to slash benefits, or to privatize it. We must strengthen Social Security and make it easier for Americans to save for their retirement through automatic enrollment in retirement programs at their workplaces. Seniors shouldn`t be asked to sacrifice their health after they worked hard and paid into the system their entire lives. That`s way too high a price for people who have built our nation and paid their dues.

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Energy

The oil and gas industry in Congressional District 23 is a big reason that the U.S. is now a net exporter of crude oil for the first time since the1950s. Making the most of our domestic fossil fuel resources not only creates jobs we sorely need but also moves us toward energy independence from unstable regions. And while we must do the most with the resources we’ve been given, we must also be good stewards of our future and develop green energy to grow the energy-sector jobs of tomorrow. My son’s grandchildren might not have an oil and gas industry to support their economy, and it’s our responsibility develop the energy sources of the future today.

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Veterans

My father was a World War II Veteran. His service helped him go to college, open a small business, and propel our family to the middle class. Lots of folks in our district work as civilians, serve as active duty, or have a family member who does one those things at Laughlin Air Force Base, Lackland Air Force Base, Brooke Army Medical Center and Fort Bliss. We owe a great debt to the men and women who defend and have defended our country. I strongly support local military families and veterans and will work to increase funding for wounded veterans coming home and provide programs so these men and women can find jobs once they get here.

Resource: his website petegallego.com

wapo story

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

meet fred Duval … for Gov. Democratic Party, AZ

10/30/2014 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

AZ Illustrated Politics: Fred DuVal Says Legislature Flunked the Session

Posted By Jim Nintzel on Sun, May 4, 2014 at 9:05 PM

On Friday’s AZ Illustrated Politics: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred DuVal said lawmakers earned between a D (for “disappointing”) and F (for “failure”) for recently completed legislative session. DuVal called for more dollars for education and child-welfare programs; said he was opposed to expanding programs that provide public dollars for private schools; criticized lawmakers for passing anti-gay and anti-abortion legislation; and promised to reverse Gov. Jan Brewer’s push to deny driver’s licenses and in-state tuition for DREAM Act kids.

Republican National Committeeman Bruce Ash and Pima County Democratic Party chairman Don Jorgensen tackled immigration issues, the latest skirmish over equal pay in the race between Congressman Ron Barber and Republican challenger Martha McSally, and the legislative session.
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2014/ <— video for article above …fred–duval…
Jobs

“If you work hard and play by the rules, you should be paid enough to live on.”

Business and education leader Fred DuVal has experience in the renewable energy industry, helping get U.S. trucks off of foreign oil and onto American natural gas. Read Fred’s detailed blueprint to grow good-paying jobs in Arizona.

Read More
Opportunity

“It’s time to stop fighting and start fixing.”

The culture of corruption and polarization at the Capitol is hurting Arizona’s national reputation and holding back our economy. Read Fred’s plan to clean up the Capitol and introduce a new Ethics Commission, so we can put aside the political polarization.

Read More
Education

“Read my lips — no new cuts to our kids’ schools.”

Restoring funding to our children’s schools is the most important thing we can do to move Arizona forward. Learn about Fred’s experience helping run our public universities and keeping the doors of higher education open to everyone.

Read More
George Takei Endorses Fred DuVal for Arizona Governor

Phoenix, AZ — Business and education leader Fred DuVal, who is running for Arizona governor, today announced the endorsement of actor, author, activist, and social media mega-power George Takei.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have the support of an influential and prominent American and part-time Show Low resident like George Takei,” said DuVal. “George has dedicated his life to advancing equality, and together we’ll work to move Arizona Forward.”

Fred DuVal: When Will Brewer Stop Fighting DREAMers?

Phoenix, AZ — Business and education leader Fred DuVal, who is running for Arizona governor, released the following statement today criticizing Jan Brewer’s decision to re-litigate the Ninth Circuit’s decision blocking her callous prohibition on driver’s licenses for DREAMers.

“When will Jan Brewer stop fighting DREAMers? Her callous ban on driver’s licenses for DREAMers has already been thrown out, but she continues to do everything in her power to make it difficult for them to succeed.”

Resource: Fred Duval website … http://www.fred2014.com

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

meet david young, republican

10/30/2014 Nativegrl77

running against Staci Appel, Democratic Party

As Chief of Staff for Senator Grassley, David worked day in and day out on behalf of Iowans. He listened to their concerns, developed solutions, and navigated the federal bureaucracy to get results.

Like his friend and mentor, Chuck Grassley, David believes in a government that works for people. Public service is about helping your fellow man.

David Young has already set his sights on ending Social Security’s promise, saying that the Ryan budget didn’t go far enough and that benefit cuts, increasing taxes on benefits and increasing the retirement age are all on the table. Our seniors can’t afford David Young, we must respond now!

David Young is so extreme that 85% of his own party’s primary voters rejected him just a few weeks ago. With the Tea Party once again flexing its muscle in Iowa’s primary contests, our response is critical.

Zero Based Budgeting – this solution simply means that each year, the funding level for all government programs and agencies will begin at $0. This is a better budgeting practice than giving every program the same amount as last year, plus a raise.
Sunset Legislation – attaching a sunset clause to every law enacted by Congress means policies will no longer outlive their usefulness. When the sunset date arrives, Congress will examine the program anew and determine if it should continue for another finite period of time.
Full Federal Audit – the budget of every government department and agency should undergo a thorough outside audit to ensure taxpayer funds are being used in the most effective manner possible.
Flatter, Fairer, Simpler Tax Code – the current U.S. tax code is 74,000 pages long. Giving a percentage of your income to fund the government should not require us to hire professional assistance. Additionally, the longer the code the more loopholes exist and the more opportunity there is to skirt the system and engage in fraudulent activity.
Balanced Budget Amendment – it is often said states are the test tubes of democracy. The concept here is simple: never spend more money than you have revenue. In Iowa, this concept is just common sense.
Full Repeal of Obamacare – The disastrous rollout of government run Obamacare is the prophetic announcement of the real mess to come. Trying to fix our health care system via a top-down approach, will never improve a broken system. All Americans deserve the benefits of lower health care prices, better access to providers, and less government spending.