Tag Archives: Barack Obama

Just another rant from 2009

The summer of 2009, filled with what apparently was just the beginning of nasty Teapublican behavior ugly rhetoric and a whole lot of pollution spewing out of all their holes… I called it the summer of my discontent

I believe in the right to freedom of speech, I do not believe that the speech should invoke fear, hate, lies and death. Americans should not go overseas and speak ill of the President, no matter who is in office. The position of President should be held with great regard definitely not disrespected by any American while in other countries.

I am a person of colour (mixed decent) from a huge family who has had to live with the fear of being non-white while driving, walking, shopping etc. Fact is, people of colour live this way, and it is not right. In the year 2009, we were blessed to have our first person of colour (Bi-Racial) as our President. I do not know him personally, but he seems to be kind, gentle, calm, cool and definitely not an angry man and has had nothing but angry words, behavior, and hate spewed at him. It is disguised by some as freedom of speech, others as a fear of government take overs; most if not all attitudes exposed a fear of change and (republicans) definitely get it, don’t want it and caused a $24billion shut down to express it. The election in both 2008&2013 results showed a diverse group of say 53% voted for Obama as our next President. It is a worthy reminder to Republicans because they lack a sense of acceptance that these events actually took place. However, we all know Republicans met the same night Barack Obama took the office of President devising a plan a of attack which has turned out to be… obstruction. The last administration failed us in my view, my opinion and right to freedom of speech. I don’t think I am alone in that feeling but I don’t wish he(bush) were dead, or any ill will on any level to him(bush). Yet, the comments from the likes of Joe Wilson or a rush Limbaugh, g beck and so many members of Congress and or Conservatives has taken me back because I feel the hate right through the TV. The lies and the miss-information has reached an all-time peak, I found myself so irritated, I had to join the effort to fight back against the Teapublicans rhetoric . As some ex and current people in politics use our 24/7 news cycles as a platform to spread what they call “news” which sounds and feels like old style Southern propaganda, once laced with disrespectful language against the Office of the President has become an all-out assault. Yes, as a person of colour I am upset, compelled to respond to each tweet that even remotely sounds like racial hate, fear, and whatnot. I was repulsed, it was disrespectful, it was sad, and inappropriate. I ask Congress , where are the grownups, knowing Joe Wilson and his other Teapublican comrades had/have to be told this behavior was inappropriate, told to apologize is beyond my understanding of adult behavior. Yes, this is what the first amendment covers, yet, I would wager that given the right circumstance this gross misuse of our 1st amendment rights by the democratic party would be given the hammer until they apologized on national TV.

Oh wait, this is happening.

What we all heard spewed by righties back in 2009 continues in 2013 seemingly embodied by southern men acting in old style southern political tactics and if you know your history, understand it, it is clear enough. Then add that old cliché : what goes around comes around and its meaning (A person’s actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person-wiki) is definitely scary but we must all Stand Up Speak Out and fight against that old cliché becoming an ugly reality. The GOP shutdown was just the beginning of a train to derail what could be an improvement of American lives, yet ole’school politics would rather increase the casualties

Our President is a man who wants to put us back on track because some greedy fools derailed it.

The solutions to our economic problem should have nothing to do with the colour of our President’s skin. It should be about folks who saw the problem, wanted to change it in a bipartisan way and Barack won the office twice. Though Teapublicans decided, “Just say no” was a much better way to do the People’s business. We all know change is hard, it takes time and obviously a certain group of people have been led to believe that President Obama is not only taking us somewhere else that could be bad for America, they use heritage, his skin colour and edit his conversation to portray him as the “the other.” or worse

These claims are outrageous.

The President’s agenda seems simple to me. Maybe he is ahead of his time or at least the clock that Teapublicans are trying to push us all onto. Americans deserve a right to live a good life, afford health-care, a life where upward mobility is possible, a right to be all we can be – educated, a right to jobs for the 21st century and equal rights should be the norm not a political football.

During the summer of 2009, the path to prosperity or the lack thereof was being laid out right before our very eyes by folks like rep. Paul Ryan. I wonder why my fellow Professional Lefties did not see it then because we now have a Teapublican paper trail. I wonder if the PL knows how their members of Congress voted during President Obama’s 1st term, let alone the fact that a number of blue dogs sided with the extreme right. That was then and though most if not all bluedogs were voted out of office in 2010, members of the tea party not only replaced most but have done their best to make our Government look silly chaotic seemingly without compassion morality and more Wall Street than Main Street

Those in public service , take an oath to do no harm call themselves Public Servants, but if you take a hard look at how the Congress of 112th,2nd Session has acted lest we talk about the 113th Congress …

you would be feeling discontented too

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

We did it!

12/19/2013 Nativegrl77

HCAN Supporter,

After a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for progressives to run a grassroots-powered, $60 million successful push for health reform, HCAN is bringing its five-and-a-half year campaign to a close at the end of 2013.

We want to thank all of HCAN’s partner organizations, allies and activists who led the fight to pass and implement the Affordable Care Act. Hundreds of thousands of people like you demonstrated the grassroots support needed to end the insurance industry’s stranglehold on our health care.

You sent hundreds of thousands of letters to your senators and representatives, gathered millions of petition signatures telling them to do the right thing, and made a remarkable number of phone calls to Capitol Hill. Without you, our coalition wouldn’t have won the biggest expansion of access health care in the last half century.

You did this. Your actions made this possible. You told Congress that America needed health care reform now. Thanks to you, we got it.

Online enrollment is back on track and millions are signing up for quality, affordable health care – many for the first time. There is still work to be done, and we need to keep fighting. We don’t imagine that Republicans and the tea party are going to stop attacking the law any time soon. We hope you will remain involved in the fight to support health care reform and build a strong middle class. To learn more, please visit HCAN’s leadership organizations in the links listed below.

Best wishes from all of us at Health Care for America Now.

AFL-CIO

AFSCME

Alliance for a Just Society

American Federation of Teachers

Americans United for Change

Campaign for America’s Future

Center for American Progress

Communications Workers of America

FairShare

Leadership Center for the Common Good

MoveOn.org

NAACP

National Council of La Raza

National Education Association

National Women’s Law Center

SEIU

UAW

USAction

United Food and Commercial Workers

Women’s Voices. Women Vote.

Working America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Photo: A Meeting in the Oval

12/18/2013 Nativegrl77

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with U.S. Trade Representative Mike Froman and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker in the Oval Office, Dec. 16, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The First Lady Reads “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” at the Children’s National Medical Center

Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Children’s National Medical Center with Bo and Sunny where she read “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” to a group of children.

We’re always looking for new ways to open the White House and engage with citizens online. And that’s why we’re excited to kick off “Of the People: Live from the White House,” a virtual field trip series with Discovery Education that’s designed to offer middle and high school students unique access to the White House.

In his weekly address, President Obama honors the memory of the 26 innocent children and educators who were taken from us a year ago in Newtown, Connecticut.

Calling all Student Filmmakers

12/17/2013 Nativegrl77

Movie Night at the White House

Ever dreamed of having your own short film screened in a movie theater? How about right here at the White House? Great news: We’re inviting K-12 students from around the country to create and submit one- to three-minute short web videos.

The topic: Highlighting the importance of technology in the classroom — and imagining how technology will change the educational experience for kids in the future. And finalists could have their videos screened at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, and posted on the White House website.

Find out how you or someone you know can apply.

Weekly Address: Marking the One-Year Anniversary of the Tragic Shooting in Newtown, Connecticut

In his weekly address, President Obama honors the memory of the 26 innocent children and educators who were taken from us a year ago in Newtown, Connecticut.

Last week, the Vice President wrapped up a six-day, diplomatic mission to Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea, while the President spoke on achieving peace in the Middle East at the Saban Forum, honored and lit the National Christmas Tree, and traveled to Johannesburg to honor the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.

Last week, Vice President Biden and Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, sat down to answer your questions on immigration during a live Skype event.

What Truly Matters: Ensuring All Americans Have Access to Quality Affordable Health Care

12/17/2013 Nativegrl77

Buenas tardes,

Over the last several weeks the President has highlighted the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). With HealthCare.gov now working smoothly for the vast majority of consumers, our top priority is to ensure that every eligible American who wants access to insurance is able to get it. We are two months into a six month open enrollment period and are laser-focused on continuing to reach as many Americans as possible to let them know about their new health care options and the various ways in which they can enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

The need for and interest in affordable health insurance extends across the country. For instance, through November, state and federal websites received 39.1 million visits; we have received applications to provide coverage for approximately 3.7 million individuals; and 2.3 million people were determined eligible to buy a qualified health plan. These numbers remind us that we cannot go back to a system that leaves millions of Americans vulnerable and without care. We must move forward.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the White House Youth Summit on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the White House Youth Summit on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building South Court Auditorium, Dec. 4, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

As you know millions of people are already benefiting from and will continue to benefit from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For instance, upwards of 17 million children can no longer be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. Additionally, starting in 2014, insurance companies can no longer charge higher premiums based on health status or history. These provisions provide millions of families with the peace of mind to know their children will receive the quality care they deserve.

Also, as a result of changes made by the ACA, millions of Americans are already saving money. For example, the ACA requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of premiums on medical care and efforts to improve the quality of care. If they don’t, insurers have to send consumers a refund to meet this threshold. Already almost 80 million consumers have saved $3.4 billion upfront on their premiums in 2012; and, based on 2012 spending, 8.5 million customers received an average refund of approximately $100 per family.

The ACA’s commitment to providing health security to all Americans means expanding Medicaid, mental health benefits, and parity protections. Due to the US Supreme Court decision, States can choose whether or not to expand Medicaid coverage to all adults with incomes below 133% of the federal poverty (around $32,000 for a family of four). Already, 26 States and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid to provide better care to more of their residents. One thing is clear, Medicaid expansion is both the right and smart choice for states.

Furthermore, for the first time, insurance companies must cover mental health and substance use disorder services at parity with medical and surgical benefits. As such, out-of-pocket costs for behavioral health services must be comparable to coverage for medical and surgical care. That is one of the largest expansions of mental health and substance use disorder coverage in a generation!

In addition to increasing access to health insurance and benefits, the ACA allocated money to increase access to community health centers. Health centers across the country have received funding to create new health center sites in medically underserved areas, to expand preventive and primary health care services, and to support major construction and renovation projects. This important investment supports community health centers double the number of patients they serve to nearly 40 million by 2015. As approximately 35 percent of patients served by community health centers in 2009 were Latino, this investment will positively impact Latinos and help to reduce ethnic and racial disparities in health care.

As HealthCare.gov continues to improve each day for the vast majority of Americans, it’s important to recognize that Americans interested in quality affordable health insurance can purchase health insurance multiple ways. There are four key ways to apply for health insurance: online at HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov, by telephone at 1-800-318-2596, by mail, and in-person at specified community centers (click here to find local help; En Español). The diversity of application processes allows Americans to select which process works best for them.

4 Ways to Get Marketplace Coverage

As we enter a critical enrollment stage before the holidays, we ask that you to partner with us to amplify the important enrollment deadline of December 23rd to sign up for coverage beginning January 1st, 2014. Even if “health care” isn’t the particular focus of your organization and even if you don’t have grassroots organizers lined up in key markets, there is still something you can do to help people get access to the “gift of health care” this Holiday Season. If you are interested in working with our digital team to send a blast e-mail out to your networks reminding folks to sign-up on HealthCare.gov leading up to the 23rd, please reach out to me at Latino@who.eop.gov.

As always, please share this information with your networks, get engaged in educating the Latino community about the Health Insurance Marketplaces, and use the hashtag: #OurSalud to join the conversation.

Julie Chávez Rodriguez Deputy Director White House | Office of Public Engagement

Agency Updates

How the Marketplace Works Four steps to gaining health coverage. En Español.

Four Ways to get Marketplace Coverage Learn about all the ways to apply for health coverage through the Marketplace. En Español.

#GetCovered: My Story More people are applying and getting coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace every day. Read personal stories of how the Marketplace has helped people across the country. You can share your story using #GetCovered.

Education Department Releases Updated Financial Aid Shopping Sheet to Provide Students with Additional Transparency in College Costs December 13, 2013 Today, the U.S. Department of Education released an updated version of the administration’s financial aid model award letter, known as the Shopping Sheet, and announced that nearly 2,000 institutions of higher education have voluntarily committed to using this important consumer tool.

The Health Insurance Marketplace: What You Need to Know December 4, 2013 Since it launched in October, we have made dramatic improvements to HealthCare.gov, taking it from a system that didn’t perform nearly as well as it should, to one that can help you learn about your new health insurance options, create an account, learn about financial help you may be able to receive, compare your options and select a plan. If you’ve tried HealthCare.gov and been unsatisfied with your experience, or if you’ve been wondering if you’re eligible for a more affordable option under the health care law, here are some tips for you. Remember, you MUST enroll in a plan by December 23, and pay your premium, to get coverage on January 1, 2014.

United States Agrees to Comprehensive Settlement with Suffolk County Police Department to Resolve Investigation of Discriminatory Policing Against Latinos December 3, 2013 The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced today that they have tentatively agreed to a settlement with the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) which calls for SCPD to implement new and enhanced policies and procedures to ensure nondiscrimination in the provision of police services to Latino communities in Suffolk County.

FACT SHEET: Youth CareerConnect Grants November 19, 2013 To compete in today’s global economy, America’s students need deep knowledge and skills that will prepare them for college and the jobs of the future. Yet far too many of America’s students are not meaningfully engaged or motivated in their academic experience while in high school. Many high school graduates lack exposure to learning that links their work in school to college and careers—especially in the critically important fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Moreover, many of America’s international competitors offer students a more rigorous and relevant education in their middle and high school years.

FACT SHEET: U.S.-Panama Relations November 19, 2013 The United States and Panama share nearly 150 years of history and strong cooperation. Our broad economic, security, and political cooperation reflect the wide range of shared interests.

Blog Highlights

Strengthening Health Centers to Strengthen Our Communities A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting a high-energy forum at a community health center in my home town of Detroit, and saw firsthand how vital community health centers are as a source of quality health care. Today, approximately 1,200 health centers operate more than 9,000 service delivery sites that provide care to over 21 million patients across the country. I am frankly in awe of the great work that these community health centers provide, especially to the Latino and other underserved communities. En Español.

President Obama and the First Lady Will Welcome Two Latino Kennedy Center Honorees to the White House President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome the 2013 Kennedy Center Honorees to the White House this Sunday, December 8, where they will applaud and thank them for their musical contributions to the world. Amongst the five honorees, two of the artists being recognized are Latinos: acclaimed musician Carlos Santana and renowned soprano opera singer Martina Arroyo.

Get Involved

White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics Webinar on Family Engagement This month’s webinar will focus on family engagement. The importance of a family’s role in a child’s academic, social, and emotional development is widely accepted and encouraged throughout the education sector. Join us to hear about two program models designed to create strong engagement between families and their children’s schools, and discuss ways to engage Hispanic families in education successfully.

Who: White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics What: A WEBINAR on Family Engagement When: Wednesday, December 18, at 2:00-3:10 pm EST Where: To RSVP, email WHIEEH@ed.gov with the subject line: “Family Engagement Webinar”. Please provide your name and organization.

Immigration Integration Project: Call for Applications Networks for Integrating New Americans is an innovative, national initiative that seeks to position adult education programs as key contributors to local, multi-sector networks formed to advance immigrant integration. The initiative will identify, strengthen, and document place-based models of immigrant integration that other communities can replicate and adapt. All materials can be found at: http://www.worlded.org/WEIInternet/us/project/display.cfm?ctid=na&cid=na&tid=40&id=13981.

Who: US Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education What: The project will select up to five forward-thinking community networks (also coalitions or initiatives) to receive technical assistance to address the linguistic, civic, and economic needs of immigrant adults. When: Preliminary applications are due Dec. 20, 2013 Where: Submit application online

White House Internship Program The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public service opportunities. The White House Internship Program’s mission is to make the “People’s House” accessible to future leaders from around the nation.

Who: Young Leaders in the Community What: Opportunity to gain professional experience, build leadership skills, and further exposure to the public service sector. When: Applications due January 5, 2014 Where: Apply online at White House Internship Program Website

Email internship_info@who.eop.gov for more information.

White House Fellows Program Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program is one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. White House Fellowships offer exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government. Selected individuals typically spend a year working as a full-time, paid Fellow to senior White House Staff, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials.

Who: Young Leaders in the Community What: The purpose of the White House Fellows program is to provide gifted and highly motivated young Americans with some first-hand experience in the process of governing the Nation and a sense of personal involvement in the leadership of society. When: Applications due January 15, 2014 Where: Apply online at White House Fellows Program Website