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Fix the filibuster !

11/21/2012 Nativegrl77

On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 11:44 AM, Tim Leahy, Team Merkley <campaign@jeffmerkley.com> wrote:

Friends,

Senator Merkley’s campaign to fix the filibuster is gaining momentum. Over 200,000 people have now signed our petition to the U.S. Senate, and our campaign is getting noticed all across America!

Would you take a moment to join Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Tom Udall, Tom Harkin, and Jeanne Shaheen and sign on to this important campaign?

Senator Merkley is working hard to convince his colleagues in the Senate that the time is now for filibuster reform. And it makes a huge difference when he can point to a groundswell of grassroots support.

Please, sign the filibuster reform petition now – and then share it with your friends and family.

We can do this!

Tim Leahy

Team Merkley

—— Forwarded Message ———

From: Senator Jeff Merkley

Subject: Take Action: Fix the Filibuster

Date: Nov 15, 2012 19:14 a.m. PST

To: Friends

Friends,

Our country faces serious problems. And serious problems deserve serious consideration.

But far too often, we’ve seen good ideas stall in the Senate because a single Senator can stop everything and block an up-or-down vote without a single word uttered on the Senate floor.

Passionate debate is a good thing. Which is why I’ve proposed a “talking filibuster” — a requirement that if a Senator is going to block a vote by arguing that more debate is needed, then he or she must do so by taking the floor and making a case to the American people. That way, the American people can judge for themselves whether the obstruction makes those Senators heroes, or bums.

And when debate stops, it’s time for an up-or-down majority vote.

Please join me and Senators Tom Udall, Kirsten Gillibrand, Tom Harkin and Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren in this fight to reform the Senate by signing our petition.

In a few short weeks, we can make this change happen. But it won’t be easy. And it’s going to require that the American people speak with one, clear, loud voice.

Take action now: Tell the Senate to fix the filibuster.

Thank you.

Onward,

Jeff Merkley

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A Historic Trip to Asia

11/20/2012 Nativegrl77

The White House

Since taking office, President Obama has noted that the United States is a Pacific nation — and that Asia will play an increasingly important role in the future of world events. On a historic trip, his fifth to the region, President Obama is making the first-ever visit by a U.S. President to Burma and Cambodia.

Before the trip, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes put together a video to give us an overview of President Obama’s trip to Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia.

Watch the video to find out more about the President’s trip to Asia.

We have PBO’s BACK

11/20/2012 Nativegrl77

Voters sent a clear message to Republicans in the election: we must stand up for the middle class and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share.

It’s critical that we stand with President Obama in this fight. Will you add your name in support of ending reckless tax cuts for the rich before Congress returns to work next week?

Help us reach 100,000 strong backing up President Obama’s call to end the Bush Tax Cuts for the top two percent >>

Add your name right now to tell House Republicans to pass the middle class tax cuts right away.

http://dccc.org/Bush-Tax-Cuts

Thank you,

Nancy

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Three people you should listen to

11/20/2012 Nativegrl77

The White House, Washington

Hello –The conversations happening right now in Washington are going to set a course for the middle classin this country for years to come.And that’s a discussion that you should be part of.

Unless our leaders can come up with a solution, 98 percent of American families are looking at a tax increase — with a typical family of four paying $2,000 more starting on January 1.

So it’s time for you to step up. We know from experience that when real people come together to speak with one voice, their perspective becomes impossible to ignore.

Here are three Americans who have taken that first step.

Listen to them, then keep the conversation going by telling us why you think it’s important to keep taxes from going up on the middle class.

Right now, there’s reason to be hopeful. This has the potential to be one of those moments in our politics when lawmakers from both parties come together to do what’s best for the country.

You know where President Obama stands when it comes to tackling our nation’s deficits. He’s committed to doing it in a balanced way, but not at the expense of the middle class. Time and time again, he’s argued that we have to combine spending cuts with asking the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more in taxes.

And leaders ranging from the heads of labor unions to the CEO of Walmart are saying that it doesn’t make sense to drag this out and leave the middle class uncertain about what they’ll be asked to pay in taxes.

If that’s a position that you agree with, then we’re asking you to make a statement of your own.

I can tell you that no one makes that argument better than real people who have to wrestle with paying bills and juggling family responsibilities every day.

It’s on you to add your voice and bring your friends and neighbors into the debate.

Watch this video, then tell us what you think:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/engage/join

Thanks,

David

David Plouffe
Senior Advisor
White House

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First Lady Honors National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award Recipients.

11/20/2012 Nativegrl77

Twelve exemplary after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities program are honored by FIrst Lady Michelle Obama as recipients of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. November 19, 2012.