Reject the Status Quo …

02/13/2013 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

My question for all you mostly sane people today is: What would your neighborhood look like without Teachers, Police, EMTs, Firefighters and other public service workers if the Democratic Party had not passed bill HR1586. Two years ago folks like Bachman, Boehner called HR1586 a bailout and as the President’s 2nd term moves forward Republicans continue using Americans as pawns in their mission to make PBO look bad and make no mistake they are still willing to throw ALL of us under the bus! Hello … this includes you constituents who voted right of center and seem to be complacent about it all which by definition is: To be content and satisfied with your life and surroundings, even when something which may destroy these conditions is imminent.

We cannot be complacent with the status quo!

The leadership we need from folks in Congress … a willingness to act in a bipartisan way … put People ahead of Party! know that the sequester; a congressional act was not well thought out and will hurt ALL Americans, accept that cutting spending means austerity , be selfless and think about how to better the current status of the middle and lower classes because the rich are doing just fine, think globally, environmentally, respect Public Service workers, support education, allow more stem research, respect a woman’s right to choose, equal wages for women, safe and affordable health care for all families.

The fact is President Obama has gotten Congress to pass legislation that will be good for middle class families but to get the change 53% of we voted for we need democrats on the floor of Congress to step up.

It is important that we do not repeat history by understanding the past stop the current austerity program republicans keep shoving Americans into; remember that trust, respect and the votes Republicans are soliciting cannot be seasonal…

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Climate Reality …

02/13/2013 Nativegrl77

What I Love -- Share it with your friends

“It starts out like a good trip, then ends with a jolt of reality. Warm and fuzzy, beautiful, manipulative, and disconcerting all at once. This is brilliant.”

We launched our new digital experience, What I Love, last week, and within hours, users like the one above were sharing their excitement.

Around the world, thousands of people have been visiting the site to encounter the things they love — whether it’s a steaming cup of coffee to wake you up in the morning … a long walk surrounded by trees in a nearby forest … the smell of a pie or freshly baked cookies — and to learn about their uncertain futures.

Most of all, users keep telling us that the experience transforms how they see climate change. Renee W., a Climate Reality supporter, wrote “this is a very valuable site … to see what you love and how the climate changes are affecting what you love” is so important. Helen D. says that What I Love “brings it all home.”

So many others are discovering the experience … but we noticed that you haven’t quite yet. Perhaps you’ve been outside raking newly fallen leaves, or have had your nose buried in a good book. No matter what you’re up to, something you love is being affected by climate change.

Remember what’s most important and find out how those things are being affected by climate change … and how you can protect them.

It’s not too late. But without you protecting the things you love … one day it could be.

Thanks for your help,

The Climate Reality Team

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS: Republican led House :::::: the Senate led by Democrats

02/13/2013 Nativegrl77

the SenateConvenes: 10:00amET February 13, 2013

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 30 minutes
We hope to begin debate on Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Senator Hagel to be Secretary of Defense on Wednesday.

After a conversation with Senator McConnell and Senator Inhofe, it became clear to Senator Reid that Republicans are not willing to enter into an agreement for consideration of Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense. In order to move the process along, Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination. Under the rule, the cloture vote would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Friday. Senator Reid suggested on the floor that senators should plan accordingly.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of the nomination of Executive Calendar #8, William J. Kayatta, Jr., of Maine, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Confirmed: 88-12

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.31, Celebrating Black History Month.

Adopted S.Res.32, Congratulating the North Dakota State University football team for winning the 2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.

Adopted S.Res.33, Commemorating the 150^th anniversary of Emporia State University.

Adopted S.Res.34, Commemorating the 150^th anniversary of Kansas State University.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #2 to be Lieutenant General–Maj. Gen. William H. Etter

ARMY

Executive Calendar #3 to be Lieutenant General–Maj. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo

Executive Calendar #4 to be Brigadier General–Col. Barbara R. Holcomb

Executive Calendar #5 to be Brigadier General–Col. Patrick D. Sargent

Executive Calendar #6 to be Major General–

Brig. Gen. Brian C. Lein;

Brig. Gen. Nadja Y. West

—————————————————————————–

At 4:13:58 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

Last Floor Action:
7:21:54 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 14, 2013.

10:00:47 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day. 2/13/2013
10:00:52 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Doug Collins to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:47 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.
10:50:17 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:55 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 13.
12:00:58 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Archbishop Emeritus John Quinn, Diocese of San Francisco, San Francisco, California
12:02:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:03:00 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Gene Green of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:05:27 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.
12:22:01 P.M.	H.R. 592	Mr. Barletta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 592 — “To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify that houses of worship are eligible for certain disaster relief and emergency assistance on terms equal to other eligible private nonprofit facilities, and for other purposes.”
12:22:05 P.M.	H.R. 592	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:22:08 P.M.	H.R. 592	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 592.


1:07:21 P.M.	H.R. 592	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.
1:07:22 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business is the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
1:09:40 P.M.	H.R. 592	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 592 — “To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify that houses of worship are eligible for certain disaster relief and emergency assistance on terms equal to other eligible private nonprofit facilities, and for other purposes.”
1:38:27 P.M.	H.R. 592	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 354 – 72 (Roll no. 39).
1:38:27 P.M.	H.R. 592	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:44:35 P.M.	H.R. 267	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 267 — “To improve hydropower, and for other purposes.”
1:52:10 P.M.	H.R. 267	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 – 0 (Roll no. 40).
1:52:15 P.M.	H.R. 267	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:52:29 P.M.	H. Res. 64	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 64 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”
1:53:14 P.M.	H. Res. 64	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
1:53:44 P.M.	H. Res. 64	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:54:21 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:55:40 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
2:56:19 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13566, with respect toLibya, is to continue in effect beyond February 25, 2013 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-9).
2:59:22 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.
4:12:23 P.M.		The Chair announced, without objection that the Speaker’s appointment of members of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on February 8, 2013 is made notwithstanding the requirement of clause 11(a)(4)(A) or rule X; and the Speaker’s appointment, pursuant to clause 11 of rule X, clause 11 of rule I, and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, and notwithstanding the requirement of clause 11(a)(1)(C) of rule X, of the following Members of the House to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Mr. Thompson (CA), Ms. Schakowsky, Messers Langevin, Schiff, Gutierrez, Pastor (AZ), and Himes.
4:13:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

7:19:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 13.
7:20:02 P.M.		Mr. Woodall asked unanimous consent that, notwithstanding the requirement of clause 11(a)(1) of rule X, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence be composed of not more than 21 Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner. Agreed to without objection.
7:20:30 P.M.		The Chair announced, without objection, the Speaker’s appointment, pursuant to clause 11 of rule X, clause 11 of rule I, and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, and notwithstanding the requirement of clause 11(a)(1)(C) of rule X, of the following Member of the House to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Ms. Sewell of Alabama.
7:20:56 P.M.		Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 66.
7:21:44 P.M.		Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:21:53 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:21:54 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 14, 2013.

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Another Self-Inflicted Wound to the Economy?

02/12/2013 Nativegrl77

By ThinkProgress War Room

GOP to Blame for Latest Manufactured Crisis

The country is bearing down on March 1, the day that deep, damaging across-the-board spending cuts — known as the “the sequester” in Beltway parlance — start to kick in.

If Republicans hadn’t taken the entire economy — the full faith and credit of the United States — hostage in 2011, there would not be a sequester. Period. End of story. What’s more, an overwhelming majority of Republicans in the House and the Senate voted in favor of the cuts. At the time, Speaker Boehner said he’d gotten 98 percent of what he wanted in the deal that wrote the cuts into law.

In the year and a half since Republicans demanded — and received — the cuts, they have rebuffed every effort to substitute something else smarter, more balanced and less damaging to the economy in their place . The president repeatedly offered significant spending cuts and changes to social insurance programs, including Medicare and Social Security, as part of balanced plan that also included new revenues, but Republicans always said no in order to protect millionaires and special interests from having to pay their fair share in taxes.

Just months ago, Mitt Romney and Speaker Boehner actively advocated for closing tax loopholes and eliminating giveaways in the tax code. But now Republicans are saying no in order to protect the wealthy and special interests like Big Oil and Wall Street. They say they now prefer spending cuts that stand to kill several hundred thousand jobs and could potentially drag the economy back into recession to raising even a penny more in new revenue. Just months ago, leading Republicans like Rep. Paul Ryan said these cuts would “devastate” the country, but now they appear to be fine with them.

Here’s a few examples of what the choices we face actually mean — and which side Republicans are coming down on:

Republicans will let the wealthiest Americans keep special tax breaks instead of funding our military.
Republicans will kick 70,000 kids off Head Start and fire 10,000 teachers instead of ending giveaways to Big Oil.
Republicans want to cut 1,000 FBI agents and aid to thousands of schools instead of ending loopholes that allow people like Mitt Romney to pay a lower tax rate than middle class workers.
Republicans will cut thousands of food safety inspectors, which could shut down the entire meat industry, instead of eliminating giveaways for corporate jets and special tax breaks for horse breeders in Kentucky (the home state of Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell).
Republicans want to cut unemployment benefits and loans to small businesses rather than end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

We need to reduce our deficit, but we should do it in a balanced, targeted way instead of with blunt, across-the-board cuts that will harm the economy. Instead of governing, the GOP is only interested in gimmicks and games. As the President said again last week, we have got to stop governing by crisis. Our economy cannot afford to play the GOP’s games any longer.

BOTTOM LINE: Once again we find ourselves facing yet another crisis manufactured by the GOP. It’s time for the GOP to choose sides: the middle class and the military or millionaires and special interests.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

¿GOP en Español? Not no fast.

The latest frontier in the GOP’s war on abortion rights.

Anti-Hagel Republicans in disarray.

GOP Congressman invites Ted Nugent, who threatened the president’s life to be his guest at the State of the Union.

Pentagon to offer expanded benefits to same-sex partners.

NRA lobbyist dismisses the “Connecticut Effect.”

A few things you might not know about outgoing Pope Benedict XVI.

Why the GOP is and will continue to be the party of white people.

Karl Rove’s latest scheme could backfire for the GOP.

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Budget and Economic Outlook

02/12/2013 Nativegrl77

Testimony on the Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023

Testimony before the Committee on the Budget, United States Senate

This statement summarizes CBO’s new economic forecast and baseline budget projections, which cover fiscal years 2013 to 2023. Those estimates were released last week in the report titled The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023.