Tag Archives: Barack Obama

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Think Progress


Some Inconvenient Truths About the National Debt

Jun 1, 2011 | By ThinkProgress War Room

How’d We Get Here?

As we draw closer to August 2, the drop-dead date by which the nation’s debt ceiling must be raised or the U.S. will risk economic calamity by defaulting on its obligations, Republicans continue to play political  games with the economy. Last night, House Republicans staged a political stunt by bringing a $2.4 trillion increase in the nation’s borrowing limit that was not paired with any spending cuts up for a vote.  Republicans designed the measure to fail (as it did, with the Democratic leadership also calling for a ‘no’ vote in protest) to try and gain political leverage over President Obama and the Democrats in the ongoing budget negotiations being led by Vice President Biden. Also tucked into this measure was poison pill language blaming President Obama for the nation’s fiscal woes. Since the GOP continues to have collective amnesia about how we got into this mess in the first place, here’s a handy chart from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP):

As our friends at CBPP note, “without the economic downturn and the fiscal policies of the [Bush] Administration, the budget would be roughly in balance over the next decade.”

Where the GOP Wants to Take Us: More Tax Cuts for the Wealthy & Big Oil, Less Health Care for Grandma

In order to raise the debt ceiling to pay for the debts we’ve already incurred as a result of these Bush-era policies, Republicans are demanding that the president accept elements of their disastrous — and extremely unpopular — budget plan, which includes:
A permanent extension of the Bush tax cuts, which (along with two wars) make up almost half of the debt we’ll owe by 2019 under current policies
A new  tax cut for the wealthy that would lower the top rate by almost one-third
A new tax cut for corporations — including Big Oil
Ending Medicare as we know it and slashing Medicaid
A hidden tax increase on the middle class

Missing from the GOP plan? Any new revenue for the government or any serious deficit reduction over the next decade.

Evening Briefing: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Voters in several states have buyer’s remorse.

South Africa’s Zuma fails to persuade Qaddafi to step down.

The House GOP prefers to keep campaign finance disclosure opaque.

Texas redistricting is underway and it isn’t pretty.

Forcing “forcible” out of federal rape policy.

Matt Drudge’s disgusting race war awareness campaign.

Supposed-Libertarian Rand Paul (R-KY) wants to imprison people who attend “radical political speeches.”

Which major corporations are making huge profits but pay negative tax rates?

News You Can Use: Get Your Go-Bag Ready — Hurricane Season Starts Today

After a spring filled with record floods and killer tornadoes fueled by an ever-warming planet, today marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.  Scientists predict that this season there will be 18 named storms, including 3-6 major hurricanes.   The La Niña effect, which helped steer storms away from the U.S. last year, is expected to ebb by June or July, increasing the likelihood of a major hurricane hitting the U.S during the peak of the season in late August and September.  Meanwhile, the GOP’s proposed budget for next year cuts disaster preparedness funding by $1.5 billion.

Lie of the Day: Palin’s Magical Mystery Tour Marches On–Complete With a $7 TRILLION Lie on Fox News

In between saying how much she “loves the smell of emissions,” playing hide-and-go-seek with the media, and eating dinner with Donald Trump, Sarah Palin sat down with Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren.  As is customary for Palin’s appearances on Fox, her interview included a ‘pants on fire’ lie about President Obama.  She claimed that the president has increased the national debt by “more than all other presidents combined.”  As ThinkProgress’ Judd Legum notes: “this is flatly false,” as the debt was $10.6 trillion when Obama came into office and has increased by $3.7 trillion since then — mostly due to Bush-era policies, as noted above.  That leaves Palin’s accounting off by a mere $7 TRILLION. Check out the video:

http://youtu.be/bsSzEtIvEFQ

www.ThinkProgress.org

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Pop Quiz: What would America look like under Rep. Ryan’s radical budget? AFL-CIO


Pop Quiz:
What would America look like under Rep. Ryan’s (R-Wis.) radical, Tea Party-inspired
budget?

A. A typical 65-year-old would spend $6,359 more
per year out of pocket for health care by 2022 because Medicare’s promise would
be replaced with underfunded vouchers.

B. At least 15 million people
would lose Medicaid health care.

C. $4.2 trillion in new
tax cuts would be handed out mostly to corporations and the rich.

D. All
of the above.

If you
answered D, all of the above, you’re right. The House Republican budget would do
all of those things.

All but four House Republicans voted for
this radical proposal. The
Senate will consider it this week.

How many Senate Republicans
will vote to give even more tax cuts to Wall Street and the wealthy and pay for
them by cutting deeply into services for seniors, children and low- and
middle-income working families?

Let’s make sure every
U.S. senator knows this “right-wing social engineering” bill—which is what
former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich recently called Rep. Ryan’s
budget—is not used as a starting point for a debate over America’s
future.

Here’s how you can help stop this
radical, Tea Party-inspired budget:

Forward this message to five friends—ask them to oppose the Ryan budget and make
sure it gets voted down in the Senate.

In
Solidarity,

Manny Herrmann
Online Mobilization Coordinator,
AFL-CIO

P.S. Want to read more about the Ryan budget? Read and share the full post on the AFL-CIO Now
Blog.

Sources:
http://blog.aflcio.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/medicare_costs_by_state.pdf
http://blog.aflcio.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/medicaid_losses_by_state.pdf
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/jobseconomy/jobs/upload/house_budget2012.pdf

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Our plan this summer …Mitch Stewart, BarackObama.com


You’ve been hearing from Messina about our overall strategy and what’s at stake in this election. My job as the Battleground States Director is to report back to you on the nuts and bolts of what we’re building in communities across the country.

I want to take you through it in detail, so you can understand how to get involved and shape our organization where you live.

We’re going to build it from the ground up. And we’re going to use this summer to roll out our team model and organizing structure through grassroots planning sessions in homes and by videoconference.

Here’s the full briefing — watch it here, and if you’re willing to get involved now and be part of the organization in your community, let me know:

———————

Some of these planning sessions are already under way, and we’re starting to get some feedback. I got one email from a supporter named Steven, who hadn’t been involved at all since 2008, and only went to his grassroots planning session on a whim.

As a result, he’s all-in — he wants want to get involved fast, and also has all sorts of new ideas for how he can apply his skills better this time and which friends and colleagues he can reach out to about joining the campaign.

The subject line of his email about the meeting was “Inspiring night.”

This kind of organization-building isn’t just an electoral strategy — it’s a reflection of what we believe in as voters and citizens. It’s a commitment to the kind of politics that begins in backyards and living rooms and empowers every single American to get involved and organize for the changes they want to see.

At a moment when it feels like the only thing that separates our opponents is how quickly they want to end Medicare as we know it, winning this way — driven locally, powered by the grassroots — will be a rebuke to those in Washington who still think that people across the country don’t have a seat at the table where decisions are made.

I’m asking you to pull up a chair. If you’re willing to get involved now, at this crucial point in the campaign, let me know here:

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Battleground States Director
Obama for America

P.S. — If you don’t have time to watch the video, here’s a quick rundown on where we stand:

— Messina mentioned the one-on-one initiative last month. We’re going to talk with every person who volunteered or made a donation last time. So the staff and I started making calls and meeting with people one-on-one. And then those people started having their own one-on-ones with others. So far more than 75,000 individual conversations have happened across the country. The results are a massive army of newly energized volunteers, plus thousands of pages of ideas and feedback that will inform how we shape our organization nationally.

— Grassroots planning sessions are under way across the country — we’ve had dozens so far with more than a hundred still to come. Everyone has been or will be invited to one.

— You heard about our Summer Organizer Program when we asked you to help recruit them. Well, there are now hundreds across the country, and they start next week. We were pleasantly surprised that the number of applicants far exceeded what we saw when we launched this program in 2008, and you’ll be hearing more about them — and in many cases from them directly — in the coming months.

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Congress: Are they really working for us or against Americans -the Republican led House:plays with&votes on the Debt Ceiling @4:45-6:30pmET -the Senate


The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET May 31, 2011

and … In order that President Obama fails to make any and all  Appointments like Elizabeth Warren and possibly Goodwin Liu Republicans have decided to act like children and continue to deny the President a full staff in his 1st term by holding Per-forma Sessions only.

Pro-forma session only, with no business conducted

 State work period May 30-June 4

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

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 31, 2011.

The House will vote on the raising the Debt Limit today –The debate on the debt ceiling starts at  4:45pmET the vote is set for 6:30pmET  today in a vote of  97 – 318 fails to agree to raise debt ceiling with 82 Dems voting with the Republicans

and … In order that President Obama fails to make any and all  Appointments like Elizabeth Warren and possibly Goodwin Liu Republicans have decided to act like children and continue to deny the President a full staff  in his 1st term by holding Performa Sessions – Is this doing the work of the People or playing politics ?

Technicaly, this week is a State work period May 30-June 4

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 31, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:52 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

7:51 P.M. – Mr. Reed filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 287.

7:39 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative
business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:30 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 1194:
to renew the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
approve demonstration projects designed to test innovative strategies in State
child welfare programs 

7:29 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.

7:15 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R.
1194.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

7:14 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be
postponed until a time be announced.

H.R. 1954:
to implement the President’s request to increase the statutory limit on the
public debt 

7:10 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays:
(2/3 required): 97 – 318, 7 Present (Roll
no. 379).

7:00 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

S. 1082:
to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other
purposes 

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): 387 – 33 (Roll
no. 378).

6:52 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1484:
to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the appeals process of the
Department of Veterans Affairs and to establish a commission to study judicial
review of the determination of veterans’ benefits 

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without
objection.

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): 419 – 1 (Roll
no. 377).

6:28 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

6:27 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was
the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated
earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

S. Con. Res. 16:
authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for
an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha 

6:25 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 voice
vote.

6:16 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. Con.
Res. 16.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution.

S. 1082:
to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other
purposes 

6:15 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.

6:08 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S.
1082.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Graves (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 802:
to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a VetStar Award
Program 

6:07 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.

6:00 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R.
802.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 1484:
to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the appeals process of the
Department of Veterans Affairs and to establish a commission to study judicial
review of the determination of veterans’ benefits 

5:59 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.

5:47 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R.
1484.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 1954:
to implement the President’s request to increase the statutory limit on the
public debt 

5:46 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.

4:46 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R.
1954.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Camp moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

4:45 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be
postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of
May 31.

2:11 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is
subject to the call of the Chair.

2:03 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.Mr. Culberson filed a report from the Committee on Appropriations on H.R.
2055.

2:02 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cravaack 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.

2:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of
May 31.

12:10 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is
scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:01 P.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the
conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start
of legislative business.The Speaker designated the Honorable Tim Griffin to act as Speaker pro
tempore for today.

12:00 P.M. – House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Join President Obama’s call for immigration reform


I went to El Paso, Texas, to lay out a plan to do something big: fix America’s broken immigration system.

It’s an issue that affects you, whether you live in a border town like El Paso or not. Our immigration system reflects how we define ourselves as Americans — who we are, who we will be — and continued inaction poses serious costs for everyone.

Those costs are human, felt by millions of people here and abroad who endure years of separation or deferred dreams — and millions more hardworking families whose wages are depressed when employers wrongly exploit a cheap source of labor. That’s why immigration reform is also an economic imperative — an essential step needed to strengthen our middle class, create new industries and new jobs, and make sure America remains competitive in the global economy.

Because this is such a tough problem — one that politicians in Washington have been either exploiting or dodging, depending on the politics — this change has to be driven by people like you.

Washington won’t act unless you lead.

So if you’re willing to do something about this critical issue, join our call for immigration reform now. Those who do will be part of our campaign to educate people on this issue and build the critical mass needed to make Washington act:

www.2012barackobama.com
In recent years, concerns about whether border security and enforcement were tough enough were among the greatest impediments to comprehensive reform. They are legitimate issues that needed to be addressed — and over the past two years, we have made great strides in enhancing security and enforcement.

We have more boots on the ground working to secure our southwest border than at any time in our history. We’re going after employers who knowingly break the law. And we are deporting those who are here illegally. I know the increase in deportations has been a source of controversy, but I want to emphasize that we are focusing our limited resources on violent offenders and people convicted of crimes — not families or people looking to scrape together an income.

So we’ve addressed the concerns raised by those who have stood in the way of progress in the past. And now that we have, it’s time to build an immigration system that meets our 21st-century economic needs and reflects our values both as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.

Today, we provide students from around the world with visas to get engineering and computer science degrees at our top universities. But then our laws discourage them from using those skills to start a business or a new industry here in the United States. That just doesn’t make sense.

We also need to stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents — and pass the DREAM Act so they can pursue higher education or become military service members in the country they know as home. We already know enormous economic benefits from the steady stream of talented and hardworking people coming to America. More than a century and a half ago, U.S. Steel‘s Andrew Carnegie was a 13-year-old brought here from Scotland by his family in search of a better life. And in 1979, a Russian family seeking freedom from Communism brought a young Sergey Brin to America — where he would become a co-founder of Google.

Through immigration, we’ve become an engine of the global economy and a beacon of hope, ingenuity and entrepreneurship. We should make it easier for the best and brightest not only to study here, but also to start businesses and create jobs here. That’s how we’ll win the future.

Immigration is a complex issue that raises strong feelings. And as we push for long-overdue action, we’re going to hear the same sort of ugly rhetoric that has delayed reform for years — despite long and widespread recognition that our current system fails us all and hurts our economy.

So you and I need to be the ones talking about this issue in the language of hope, not fear — in terms of how we are made stronger by our differences, and can be made stronger still.

Take a moment now to watch my El Paso speech and join this campaign for change:

www.2012.barackobama.com 

Thank you,

Barack