Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Republicans are trying to push forward a plan that would gut America‘s social safety net — and unless we act now, they may get their way.

Congress needs to raise the debt ceiling before August 2nd so that the government doesn’t default on its debts, which would wreak havoc on the economy. But Republicans are refusing to vote to raise the debt ceiling unless they can also pass massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, student aid, and other important programs that create opportunity and protect the most vulnerable among us.

Democrats in Congress are holding the line, saying that they won’t accept any cuts to these programs without asking huge corporations, millionaires and billionaires to contribute their fair share.

But as the deadline approaches, Congressional Democrats will be under immense pressure to compromise their principles, even if it means giveaways for the rich while most Americans suffer.

Please join us in calling on the White House and Congress to say NO to any deal that asks people who are already struggling in this economy to sacrifice even more, without asking corporations and the rich to pay their fair share. And please ask your friends and family to join us as well:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/907?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=3

The moral line is clear: the budget must not be balanced on the backs of poor and working folks while millionaires and billionaires pay lower taxes than ever. Americans oppose cuts to Medicare and Social Security by a 2-to-1 margin, and a large majority thinks that keeping benefit levels the same is a bigger priority than short-term deficit reduction.1 And an amazing 72% of Americans are united behind the idea of asking the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes.2

By speaking out, we can help give the President and Congressional Democrats the political space they need to stand strong against the GOP‘s dangerous demands. It’s especially important that we deliver this message to the House of Representatives, because it’s likely that any budget deal will have to happen with the blessing of Democrats there. If they stand strong, we can avoid the worst of the cuts.

Why do we need to raise the debt ceiling?

Congress sets the maximum amount the federal government can borrow to pay its bills on time. If our debt rises above the limit, the government will begin to default on its commitments. And when that happens, there will be far-reaching consequences for everyone, but especially poor and working folks.

If the government doesn’t pay its bills, it’s a lot like when you or I don’t pay our bills — it ruins our credit, and makes buying goods and services more expensive. Worse, it makes even having debt more expensive, which means that money the government will have to pay higher interest rates — money that won’t go to economic stimulus or preserving the social safety net.

Most reputable economists say that a government default would wreck the nation’s economy, halting the already-weak recovery and possibly taking the world’s economy down with it.3

That fact hardly matters to most Republicans in Washington, who are treating the prospect of default like a high-stakes game of chicken. Many see an opportunity to gut programs that they never could otherwise, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. It’s a disgusting, cynical strategy.

If enough of us speak out, we can help save the social safety net and force corporations and the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. Please join us now:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/907?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=5

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 24th, 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://act.colorofchange.org/go/205?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=7

1. GOP Divided Over Benefit Reductions: Public Wants Changes in Entitlements, Not Changes in Benefit,” Pew Research Center for People and the Press, 7-7-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/908?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=9

2. “Poll: Taxing the rich favored over Medicare cuts,” Politico, 4-20-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/909?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=11

3. “To the limit,” New York Times, 7-1-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/910?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=13

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

DFA … Huge new poll from Wisconsin – Charles Chamberlain, Democracy for America

07/25/2011 Nativegrl77

This is huge — A new poll from Wisconsin shows Democrat Fred Clark beating Republican Sen. Luther Olsen for the first time since the campaign began.

This is a must-win district for progressives. We need to win at least three of the six Republican recall races to take back the Senate and end the Republican war on working families in Wisconsin.

We’re already on the air with a new TV ad showing how Olsen’s votes to give huge tax breaks to millionaires and shut down small town schools has hurt communities across the state

We have never been closer to winning these recall elections and finally ending the Republican war on middle class Wisconsin families than we are right now.

That’s why national media outlets — CNN, The Atlantic, Talking Points Memo — have picked up our new ad taking on Olsen for his vote to destroy unions and middle class families. We were the first ones on the air, on the ground and on the phones, but Karl Rove and the Koch brothers are scrambling to catch up and we need to be ready for when they strike back.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director

Democracy for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House -the Senate

07/25/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET July 25, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At 3:40pm, the Senate will observe a moment of silence in memory of Officer Jacob J. Chesnut and Detective John M. Gibson of the United States Capitol Police who were killed 13 years ago defending this Capitol against an armed intruder.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Sessionto consider the following nominations, en bloc:
- Calendar #83 Paul A. Engelmayer, of New York, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York and
- Calendar #84 Ramona Villagomez Manglona, of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be District Judge for the Northern Mariana Islands for a term of ten years.
With one hour for debate equally divided in the usual form.
Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of Calendar #83. Calendar #84 is expected to be confirmed by voice vote

At 4:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations en bloc:

– Calendar #83 Paul A. Engelmayer, of New York, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York and

– Calendar #84 Ramona Villagomez Manglona, of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be District Judge for the Northern Mariana Islands for a term of ten years.

With one hour for debate equally divided in the usual form.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of Calendar #83. Calendar #84 is expected to be confirmed by voice vote.

Senator Reid also announced additional roll call votes are possible during today’s session

By unanimous consent, the previous order with respect to the roll call vote scheduled for 5:30pm today has been vitiated and re-scheduled until 12:15pm on Tuesday.

At 12:15pm on Tuesday, July 26^th, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations en bloc:

– Calendar #83 Paul A. Engelmayer, of New York, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York and

– Calendar #84 Ramona Villagomez Manglona, of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be District Judge for the Northern Mariana Islands for a term of ten years.

With 2 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form.

Therefore at approximately 12:17pm on Tuesday, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of Calendar #83. Calendar #84 is expected to be confirmed by voice vote.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 25, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:28 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 1383:: to temporarily preserve higher rates for tuition and fees for programs of education at non-public institutions of higher learning pursued by individuals enrolled in the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs before the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, and for other purposes

7:25 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.

7:17 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to supend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1383.Mr. Miller (FL) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

S. 1103:: to extend the term of the incumbent Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

7:16 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.

7:06 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1103.Considered under suspension of the rules.

7:05 P.M. – Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

7:04 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

7:03 P.M. – Mr. Webster filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 370.

H.R. 2584:: making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

7:02 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2584as unfinished business.On motion to rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Simpson moved to rise.

On agreeing to the Hochul amendment Failed by recorded vote: 141 – 271 (Roll no. 636).

6:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Richmond amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 221 – 192 (Roll no. 635).

6:49 P.M. – On agreeing to the Cleaver amendment Failed by recorded vote: 165 – 248 (Roll no. 634).

6:43 P.M. – On agreeing to the Huelskamp amendment Failed by recorded vote: 126 – 284 (Roll no. 633).

6:36 P.M. – On agreeing to the Moran amendment Failed by recorded vote: 175 – 237 (Roll no. 632).

6:10 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

6:09 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hochul amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Hochul demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

6:05 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hochul amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Hochul.

An amendment to reduce the amount in the Bureau of Land Management account available for the processing of applications for drilling permits by $4,452,000.

6:04 P.M. – On agreeing to the Richmond amendment Failed by voice vote.

5:59 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richmond amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Richmond.

An amendment to reduce the Management of Lands and Resources account by $10,617,000 and increase the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund account by the same amount.

5:58 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Richmond amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Richmond demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:53 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Richmond amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Richmond.

An amendment to reduce the Management of Lands and Resources account by $6,000,000 and increase the Regulation and Enforcement, Ocean Energy Managment account by $5,000,000.

3:46 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cleaver amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:39 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cleaver amendment under the five-minute rule.

3:38 P.M. – MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House in the Committee of the Whole observed a moment of silence in memory of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson of the United States Capitol Police.

3:37 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Cleaver.

An amendment to reduce the Management of Lands and Resources account by $3,000,000 and increase the Environmental Programs and Management account by $3,000,000.

3:36 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Huelskamp amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Huelskamp demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:19 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Huelskamp amendment under the five-minute rule.

3:18 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Huelskamp.

An amendment to reduce the various accounts by $3,000,231,000 and applies the savings to the spending reduction account.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Simpson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:08 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 363, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Moran amendment under the five-minute rule.

3:06 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Moran.

An amendment to reduce the funds in the Management of Lands and Resources account by $18,663,000 and increase the Indian Health Facilities account by $18,663,000.

2:58 P.M. – On agreeing to the Simpson amendment Agreed to by voice vote.Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Simpson.

An amendment to make technical and conforming changes to the bill.

2:12 P.M. – Subsequently, the Committee resumed it’s sitting.

2:11 P.M. – The Committee of the Whole rose informally to receive a message from the President.

1:48 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2584.The Speaker designated the Honorable John Campbell to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 363and Rule XVIII.

1:47 P.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2584with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The Chair of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an amendment has caused it to be printed in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII.Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 363.

1:46 P.M. – On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 108, 2 Present (Roll no. 631).

H.R. 1309:: to extend the authorization of the national flood insurance program, to achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and to increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes

1:36 P.M. – House requested return of papers pursuant to H.Res. 368

H. Res. 363:: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2584) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 205 – 131 (Roll no. 630).

1:05 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

1:04 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H. Res. 363and on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, both of which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 368:: requesting return of official papers on H.R. 1309

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 363:: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2584) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

1:03 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 363, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bishop (UT) demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until later in the legislative day.

1:02 P.M. – The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:18 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 363.Considered as privileged matter.

12:16 P.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on July 22, 2011 at 3:28 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. Res. 234 and S. 300.

12:03 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Clay to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:02 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Poe (TX) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Poe (TX) demanded the yeas and nays and the Speaker announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

12:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 25.

10:07 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 John Campbell to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Extreme Weather Got You Freaked Out? Tara Lohan, Senior Editor

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

I can’t believe the weather right now — the Midwest and East Coast are suffocating from the heat, while those in the Pacific Northwest are complaining about chilly temperatures and unseasonable rain (yes, there are some times of the year it doesn’t usually rain there). The Southwest is in the grips of a horrible drought, made worse by wildfires and dust storms, while parts of the Midwest and South are battling destructive floods.

As we’re increasingly seeing, extreme weather is the new normal and that’s one of the reasons AlterNet‘s newest book, Water Matters: Why We Need to Act Now to Save Our Most Critical Resource is so important. Our book assembles some of the best minds out there to break down what we are facing with a growing water crisis, and to connect the dots between climate change and our water woes. (You can buy the book here)

Beautiful photography and infographics, combined with essays from some of my favorite writers like Barbara Kingsolver, Bill McKibben, Maude Barlow, Tina Rosenberg, Sandra Postel, Elizabeth Royte and Wenonah Hauter, illustrate the dangers we’re facing, but also tell us what we need to be doing right now to get this planet back on track. This is a crisis affecting the U.S. and the rest of the world — from the California Delta to the Niger Delta and from Midwest to the Middle East.

This issue is literally life or death for millions of people and for the planet we call home. I hope you’ll choose to fight to save our most critical resource by buying a copy of Water Matters for yourself or a friend. Leading commentator Jim Hightower put it in perspective: “About two-thirds of our bodies are H2O, so water doesn’t just matter to us — it literally is us. So why are we letting our corporate and governmental leaders treat this essential life-sustaining resource so carelessly? That’s the core question posed by this beautifully written and beautifully designed book. Water Matters will engage, enrage and inspire you. Read it — and take action.”

You can buy your copy of Water Matters here — enjoy it while you’re trying to beat the heat (or cold, or rain, or drought or …).

Tara Lohan

Senior Editor
Environment, Food, and Water

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau -Thank President Obama & Elizabeth Warren

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

This morning, a group of public servants showed up to work at a brand-new agency created to protect everyday Americans from the abuses of Wall Street.

They’re the folks of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and they’ll be the cops on the beat protecting consumers from predatory credit card and mortgage lenders, bait-and-switch creditors, and anyone trying to make a quick buck by deceiving or manipulating Americans who are just trying to secure their financial future.

Many Americans don’t know it, but this bureau is just one part of a sweeping Wall Street reform law — the most pro-consumer and pro-taxpayer reform of our financial system since the Great Depression — that President Obama signed a year ago today.

Watch this video to get a quick overview of the law, and a briefing on the special interests trying to undermine it:

http://youtu.be/STAm_6csuxc
Whether you watch the video or not, please share this email with someone.

It’s important that everyone knows what this law means for all of us. Simpler mortgages. Clearer credit card rates, fees, and rules. Fairer loan terms. It’s based on the simple idea that if you make sure that people get clear information, they’ll make the financial decisions that work best for them.

And we can all rest a little easier knowing that our common financial future is more protected from the irresponsibility of a few. This law made structural reforms to ensure that the financial crisis we experienced in 2008 never happens again and that taxpayers aren’t on the hook to pay for Wall Street’s risky bets.

It’s up to you to make sure more people know about this. Most Americans don’t have all the details on how this law is working for them, and it’s our job to change that.

Take a look, and be sure to pass this one on:

Amazingly, each and every Presidential candidate on the other side opposes this law.

And the same opposition that tried to block it more than a year ago is still alive and well.

Right now, lobbyists are at work trying to weaken the tough regulations this law imposes.

That’s no accident — its provisions are designed to rein in the Wall Street, credit card, and mortgage banking interests these people represent.

As we know, there aren’t a whole lot of high-powered lobbyists in Washington looking out for the common good of everyday families.

That’s exactly why this law is necessary, and why our growing organization in all 50 states is so important. It’s up to us to make sure our friends and neighbors know about it.!!!

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina

Campaign Manager

Obama for America