Tag Archives: Barack Obama

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Red to Blue …Jim Dean

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Paul Ryan‘s plan to kill Medicare is killing the Tea Party Republican majority in the House.

Right-wingers are running scared as poll after poll shows the vast majority of Americans oppose any cuts to Medicare — and now Republicans are falling behind in a special election in the most Republican congressional district in New York.

This is a Republican district — Barack Obama won New York State by 25 points in 2008 and still lost District 26.

Now, Democrat Kathy Hochul’s grassroots campaign has pulled ahead in the polls and the Republican establishment is throwing everything it has at her. Just yesterday, Karl Rove’s shady corporate front group American Crossroads announced they were dropping $650,000 into the district to prop up the right-wing Republican candidate.

Republicans took a majority saying they were going to create jobs. Instead, all they’ve done is attack American women, students, seniors and the poor — and the American people are sick of it.

www.democracyforamerica.com

The only thing that can beat big corporate money is people power — Please, contribute $10 to Kathy’s grassroots campaign right now and deliver a knock-out punch to a right-wing Republican in a red district.

The most recent poll has Kathy up just four points over the Republican candidate, so it’s going to be a tough fight in these final weeks. Believe me, Republicans across the country are watching this race. They know that if they can lose districts like NY-26 then they can lose the House in 2012.

But it’s not just Republicans watching. If Democrats win this seat by exposing the Republican plan to kill Medicare, they’ll be emboldened to go all out on offense defending it.

Your support today can make the difference. Now is the time to put Kathy over the top.

Contribute $10 now and help put an end to the Tea Party Republican majority.

The Republican attack on middle class families in Washington DC, in Wisconsin and across the country is backfiring on them. Join Kathy’s campaign today and we can really turn the heat up on them.

Thank you everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair

Democracy for America

~ my 2cents ...

wilful Wednesday &some News


It would be great if the Democratic Party would call out Republicans more often, heck it would be nice if talking heads getting paid to give the viewer news challenge everything people like Bachmann, McConnell, Boehner, Huckabee, Brown and Palin say. We all know freedom of speech is a right but how these people are using it and why they are getting away with it is what we all question because the rhetoric does promote fear, hate, and in some cases incited violence. The act or use of freedom of speech also means you should not only use it responsibly but be held accountable for any negative outcome as well, like what happened to Representative Gabrielle Giffords. I hope I am not the only one offended by Politicians willing to be on national TV saying questionable things that can be fact checked or are telling outright lies and allowed to because TV hosts, station owners, and reporters have opted in most cases to let them spread what can only be considered as their own truths. I have to say anyone with common sense should be able to easily hear loaded rhetoric and see through the negative or in the case of most Republicans, the noise, lies, and or half- truths that cable heads should have follow-up questions.

We all need to question authority on all levels. So, after hearing that Rep. Luis Gutierrez not only wants our President to exert his power and enforce immigration with an executive order he also stated that he has been patient and will probably withhold his vote to reelect Barack Obama. I have to ask you, i would like to ask if all leaders of the Latino caucus will do the same or  at least remind the community that change in any form on any issue and level takes time. I cannot imagine those who fought for civil rights were not on most occasions simply impatient that the mission was indeed taking too much time. We all know that even with the obvious impatience our fighters for civil rights stayed on task for the mission of freedom and never strayed, civil rights are definitely a part of our everyday lives just as human rights unfortunately more are trying to make “reasonably suspicious” a part of everyday language. The importance of directing our anger, impatience, and or opposition to the right party responsible is essenstial and that would be Republicans like Brewer. I feel and like to call legislation like SB1070  Race Control and it is spreading more and more . The President has consistently made moves to get the Dream Act started and voted on which would have moved American thought into the 21st Century. I truly believe we should spare children of undocumented any punishment because they were born on US soil and their parents were not Americans. We should challenge the President and his policies but what really helps create change is informing our members of Congress who not only make the laws but also pass them. We all need to make sure that they all know exactly what we expect from them. It definitely goes without saying that the President could invoke an executive order yet it is not law … and for that we need Congress to do their jobs for the rights of ALL Americans because We the People seem to be having trouble being treated fair and equal lately.

We may be in the 21st Century but our rights are being challenged, stripped and trashed by people like Governor Bob McDonnell, Scott, Walker, Snyder, others in the South, people from Arizona, which, I gotta say scares me as it should for all Americans. It is beyond me to think a State like Arizona which, for me is beautiful; truly a 7th wonder of the world, definitely unique and reminds me of the most representative of 1st nation/Mexican homeland . Though people say Arizona is a diverse state … imagine how many people are in hiding though they have been in the states for years but happen to be undocumented … this whole thing has my mind reeling. I would never have thought a birther law would pass anywhere in the USA let alone cross into what by all accounts is the business of being a Police State. I cannot help but feel this is just the beginning of reverting to the days when the line of who belongs and who does not will be enforced by people who took an oath to protect and serve, to help all people’s not practice legal racism.

Will they have the right to tell me and or my family i fit the profile of an illegal citizen ask for papers just because? Anyone of colour could be subject to a stop with lots of question and paper checks. I have to ask, is this the way America wants its fellow American to live and more importantly this move toward a Police State needs to be stopped so keep calling Republican Governors to stop the legalization of immigration laws through racial profiling.

Other News …

White House Poetry Workshop 2:25pmET www.whitehouse.gov/live

Renown poets and artists join the First Lady for a student poetry workshop, featuring students from California to New York

An Evening of Poetry at the White House  7:10pmET  www.whitehouse.gov/live  

A celebration of American poetry and prose featuring accomplished poets, musicians and artists.

 **Colorado man wins Seattle’s top library job

**Santana bringing George Lopez on tour for 5 shows

**Southern US Cities Brace for Historic Flooding

**Libya http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42989322/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

**Syria Military Steps Up Shelling, Killing at Least 20 – http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703864204576316784098385542.html  

**Three die in San Jose State campus shooting

CSPAN

 

**Defense Authorization Debated in House Armed Services Committee

 http://c-span.org/Events/Defense-Authorization-Debated-in-House-Armed-Services-Committee/10737421453/

Markup of FY2012 Authorization Act

**ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE

Gingrich to Announce Candidacy Via Web

Trump, Romney also on trail http://c-span.org/Events/Gingrich-to-Announce-Candidacy-Via-Web/10737421469/

**Lawmakers discuss AT&T/ T-Mobile Merger

Looks at impact on competition http://c-span.org/Events/Lawmakers-discuss-ATT-T-Mobile-Merger/10737421452/

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Barack H. Obama …Fixing what’s broken


I went to El Paso, Texas, today 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:

http://my.barackobama.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:

http://my.barackobama.com

Thank you,

Barack

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Bin Laden Justice a Testament to our Troops and Veterans


To get the complete articles go to: www.murray.senate.gov

Applauding our Service members and Veterans for Bringing Osama bin Laden to Justice

This week, I spoke on the floor of the Senate to applaud the most significant victory to date in our war on terrorism and to pay tribute to our service members, veterans, and intelligence operatives who worked so diligently to ensure that Osama bin Laden was brought to justice.

Read More

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Getting Critical Benefits for Family Caregivers of Veterans

Thisweek, I was very pleased to see that the White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs listened to my concerns and reversed their decision to restrict financial and health care support to familymembers caring for severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The change will allow more caregivers of more veterans to be eligible for the long-overdue benefit. I felt sostrongly about this issue that I personally brought it up with President Obama in the Oval Office. I’m pleased the he showed real leadership and worked to ensure the VA made this right.Going forward, I will monitor how the VA implements this program, looking closely at how caregivers of veterans with the invisible wounds of war are considered for this benefit.

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Training our Workforce

Last week, I toured the Pacific Fisherman Shipyard in Seattle with local workersand business owners to discuss legislation that would make sure workers have the skills and training they need to fill local jobs. According to a recent report released by the Washington StateEmployment Security Department, statewide job openings were up 31% last fall compared to a year earlier. This is great news; however, often employers can’t find local workers with theskills needed to fill those jobs. That’s why I’m working to pass my CareerPathways legislation which would help young people leaving high school get the skills and training they need to enter the workforce. I’m also working to reform and reauthorize the WorkforceInvestment Act which offers critical retraining to workers, including those who have recently been laid off

Read More

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Ensuring Workplace Safety

Last week, I honored Workers Memorial Day and the 40 thanniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the effective date of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In the past 40 years, we have made greatprogress in reducing workplace tragedies, but we still have a long way to go. Every worker, in every industry, deserves to be confident that while they are working hard and doing their jobs, theiremployers are doing everything they can to protect them. That’s why I joined so many others last week in recommitting to our efforts to make sure that workplaces are safe in everyindustry across America.

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Urging President Obama to Fill Vacancies on Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, DecreaseWaiting Time for Veterans Seeking Answers on their Benefits

This week, I sent a letter to President Obama urging him to quickly fill threevacant judicial positions on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. This court has the huge responsibility of reviewing rejected disability and health care benefit claims for veterans, anincreasingly large burden with a claims backlog that has doubled in recent years. Without the quick nomination of judges to fill these seats, veterans will continue waiting far too longto get answers on their benefits. Once President Obama announces his nominees, I will work with my colleagues to move them quickly through the Senate confirmation process.

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

making Monday &some News


Unless you live under a rock, much has happened in the news lately. While “the media” continues its quest for more info about OBL or have decided to put that special Media spin on the OBL story most seem to be having on and off camera tantrums. There are few reports on what Republicans Governors are doing, flooding in the South,Vermont’s quest for Single Payer, abortion, that family values platform, more oil spill news, Marches against discrimination and legislation that take away rights from our fellow Americans seemingly all led by Republicans are getting promoted on shows like fox and definitely take over real valuable news time. I am offended by and somewhat curious to know what the people from Right Wing Media tell family, friends and neighbors or others with diverse backgrounds that they know or kids know about the offensive platform and racist positions they push to millions. I do not understand allowing racism, discrimination and or lack of tolerance be a part of the news spot, segment unless of course the agency is private and then why would we subscribe to allowing a private entity promote discrimination, fear monger advocate or campaign for people who are racists or who fear the unknown. I wonder just how these people played or worked with others in school and were they mostly in private school or had vouchers.

Congress is back in Session with plenty to do and plenty of complaints about another recession or worse only a month ago or as talking heads and Republicans refer to it as a double dip. The fact is things look better than even “the Media” will allow us all to hear. The weekend panel shows swiped past the number of jobs gained by the private sector so quickly it seemed like bad news. Yes, the unemployment rate went up and just so, folks know … that was because more people jumped into the fray of looking for work again and unfortunately the Republican effort to squash Public Service jobs is succeeding . However, it is obvious that most if not all the JOBs BS could be avoided if folks in Congress would just work for the best interest of the people instead of what will keep them employed on the Hill. We all know Republicans voted against the unemployed, women, gays, children, first responders, people of colour and every social service that should be handled by our government or at the very least reformed to work better or is moved into the 21st Century. There are many, mostly those in “the media” who feel the vote for President Obama hangs on the employment numbers. I have to disagree with the idea that using polls and or jobs numbers to decide President Obama’s fate are legitimate. However, if you are having issues deciding whom to vote for President in 2012, which is odd because it seems obvious no one on the right is doing a thing to help we the people. I say use your vote for President Obama in 2012 to voice and or say how those NO votes made our Teachers, Police, First Responders and 99ers feel and vote out Republicans.

The party of no is living on borrowed time as more and more constituents probably have family, friends and neighbors directly affected or are now experiencing hard times with Republicans putting Profits before the People. It is hard to believe Republicans still think the outcome of the November midterms is still valid and unless they turned off their hearing aids, those comments and challenges from their constituents should put some fear into their moves between now and the 2012 elections. I can only hope that voters will continue to seek the truth, question and challenge what words Republicans seem to be leaving out of their speeches, seminars, and or town halls. If more people would just stop and listen more people would definitely see the light and stop supporting and or putting up with the Republican Tea Party lies let alone side with Wall Street waging a war on Main Street and those on The Street looking for work who might not have money but definitely have a vote .

Yes, the public is finally noticing the verbal conflicts, manipulation, and avoidance, lack of facts and truths having started calling out Republicans during that long break at town halls. It is upon us all to continue the push for more accurate information more truths to get the rest of those doubters to lean left.

Other News

 **Floods in Mississippi , Missouri

**Vermont continues it quest for Single Payer -insurance

CTV.ca

Hundreds Reported Arrested as Syria’s Crackdown Widens

Paula Abdul Joins Simon Cowell’s ‘X Factor’ as Judge – It’s Official

$2B for rail projects, speed upgrades announced

Newt Gingrich to launch presidential bid Wednesday

Yemen Security Forces Kill Two Protesters

EGYPT: Religious conflict becomes the revolution’s biggest enemy

CSPAN

U.S.-China Meet on Strategic and Economic Issues

http://c-span.org/Events/US-China-Meet-on-Strategic-and-Economic-Issues/10737421393/

Oil, Gas Prices and Budget Debate in Congress This Week

http://c-span.org/Events/Oil-Gas-Prices-and-Budget-Debate-in-Congress-This-Week/10737421391/

Tea Party Activists Take on GOP on Deficit

Address need for leadership http://c-span.org/Events/Tea-Party-Activists-Take-on-GOP-on-Deficit/10737421394/

Joel Lane was born in the colony of North Carolina in 1739 and lived there till his death in 1795. He was involved in North Carolina’s transition from colony to state and with Raleigh being chosen as the state’s capital.

http://c-span.org/Events/Joel-Lane-and-His-Slaves/10737421319/