Tag Archives: black people

another magic Monday …& some News


On Tuesday, the House returns from their summer recess to consider Senate amendments to HR 1586, which encompasses $26.1 billion in aid to the states for Medicaid assistance and money to avert teacher layoffs.

Today, Republicans seem to keep on talking trash … keep putting Party and Profits before the People.

Not only is it trash it is such crap that it stinks.  Is it just me or  should this finally open the eyes of Republican constituents …They have said no to HCR which will help parents with children in college, no to Medicare that obviously will help current Seniors and future ones, they have said no to Wall Street reform… and i thought Republicans were fiscal conservative worry about the budget so on and so forth yet they sided with big Corporations like AIG, big Banks even met with them, no doubt received money and talking points and now they have thrown the baby out with the bath water and decided to be honest and should scare the rest of us into action against discrimination …reasonable fair and compassionate people believe in equality but …

The hate and vitriol Republicans seem to be projecting is on people of colour, their babies and I guess gay people. The issue at hand is about equality and in this 21st Century people need to decide what right do people have to tell each other what a family is or that as a group we have that right to tell you No you cannot love or marry who you want or love? It just seems strange to think about it seriously. Republicans have the reputation for being the party of No. It is true they have said no to things that would help ALL Americans. We all must have seen on cable the final outcomes from the votes of all but 2 Republicans in Congress in the Senate to get legislation passed where the Peoples Business, the lives  of Americans usually goes to die unless it benefits them financially.  That has been proven over and over specifically on their reaction and objection to letting the Bush tax cuts expire. The Bush tax cuts, which were only for the rich top 1-2%. The question i keep asking myself is are their constituents listening up because each and every No vote effects you too.

Americans have had to sort through the noise on the right, wade through the Media propaganda or nonsense, and get bombarded with crazy talk from the right. While we may gasp at all or most of what Republicans throw out at us day after day. It should open the eyes of all those who have been trying to decide which side of the isle they should be on … it is clear to me Republicans have tried to play both sides of the issues yes we want to help Teachers, First Responders, but it just isn’t fiscally appropriate or a responsible thing to do at this moment… huh? But Republicans are having complete melt downs when the talk is focused on letting the Bush Tax cuts expire, even Alan Greenspan stated that they were wrong and we should let them expire. Go figure

A few months ago, Eric Cantor and most Republicans were using the Lewin Group for facts and numbers to get the public to be scared and view the Public Plan as a government plan that will be the worst thing for families and businesses… Please do not think this is the case. The lewin group is in the business of insurance … specifically private care and a Public Option would have competed with them. The point is, people need to get the facts before believing what any Republican states is their source for the truth because their truth may not be accurate

Is talk cheap…

Take a moment to compare and contrast what the House of Bush did while in office … come on he sent 10mil a month to Iraq … i really cannot think of much this man did that helped all of Americans … he did give oil men and the rich huge tax cuts …

People who voted Obama into office need to step up and be counted on those polls. The process to pass legislation on Healthcare, Climate Change, Clean Energy, and Education were not easy. The Obama Admin change would not be easy and it has not been at all but this man had no idea that he would be facing an economic melt down or put up with Republican obstruction. When the President was debating with Republicans there were only three issues to worry about by themselves and could have been individually dealt with but the House of Bush, Paulson and others decided to run the government, Wall Street , Banks, AIG, Goldman Sachs, insurance into the ground. We have an Administration who has proven they can debate, compromise and get more than one piece of legislation passed into law with the perseverance of the Democratic Party in Congress. The Dems in Congress do need to get tough on the filibuster have the future in their minds each time a progressive legislation comes up…and from now on legislation in the Senate will be issues that will either move Americans into the 21st Century or not. Its obvious Republicans are going to be obstacles and again, be the party of no. The rest of us, at least 53% want to move forward fight for the middle class while Republicans continue to stay in the 19th century. It is sad to see so many people drinking the Republican kool-aid. The comments coming from the mouths of people on the right are offensive and should open the eyes of all Americans why 53% voted for Obama. We also need to recognize all the great things President Obama has done in such a short time and appreciate it for what it is. This President has worked for the middle class, has fought to get legislation moved onto the floors of both Chambers of Congress. Though few felt the effort would be fruitful he proved them all wrong. But,  we need this to continue until the ditch the last guy drove us into becomes a memory and the only person that seems able is President Obama and we need to give him a chance not throw him to the wolves just because he is not doing exactly what we want but challenge him to do better to push Congress to do the peoples business and accept that Republicans only want his failure and will do what they need to do to get it done even if it means bringing a double dip to Americans which will bring us ALL down people not just Democrats.

The public should remind themselves that the President can give the Democratic Party in Congress his agenda but they have to be willing to move it forward with enthusiasm and in a coordinated effort for the good of All Americans.

Other News …

**Cities are charging additional fees to services rendered in order to plug the budget holes they all have-beware

**Trial for youngest Gitmo prisoner is taking place as you read this

**BP is going to continue drilling the relief wells

**HP CEO Out, and with nearly 28mil –

**Honda is recalling the honda accord and civic

**Cnn Reports the the 2 remaining escaped prisoners might be heading for Indiana


C-SPAN …

watch Swearing-In Ceremony: 8/7 Elena Kagan Ceremony

watch Picnic: 8/7 (D) Jack Conway V  (TeaParty) Rand Paul the choice is obvious

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address watch Republican Weekly Address

House returns to vote on aid to the states

On Tuesday, the House returns from their summer recess to consider Senate amendments to HR 1586, which encompasses $26.1 billion in aid to the states for Medicaid assistance and money to avert teacher layoffs. The Senate passed this bill last week and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) immediately announced that she would call members back from the recess to pass the bill so the President could sign it before the school year begins.They are also likely to address a privileged resolution by Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., who is calling on the Democratic leadership not to hold a lame duck session after Election Day for, in his words, “the purpose of passing hugely unpopular legislation like a national energy tax, enormous deficit spending bills, and the kickback to Big Labor known as “Card Check”.

The House is expected to be in legislative business for only one day.


Experts Discuss The Role of Community Health Centers

The nation’s community health centers received additional funding in both the health care overhaul package as well as the stimulus bill. Today, the Center for American Progress hosts a discussion on these centers and their impact in their communities. Speakers include officials from health centers in New York City and Leesburg, Virginia. They will likely discuss health centers’ experiences serving their communities and how the Recovery Act funding impacted their services.   Last week, the Washington Journal explored how businesses are working to implement the heath care law that was signed by President Obama in March. Discussions ranged from changes to health insurance to individual health savings accounts.

Washington Journal Focuses on National Security and Energy

With national security continuing to be a major focus in Washington, retired General and former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Hayden joined the Washington Journal to discuss national security strategy. His appearance comes as James Clapper prepares to become the fourth Director of National Intelligence.The Washington Journal continues its month long series looking at issues in the news, with a week long discussion on energy. Virginia Tech’s Yvan Beliveau, director of the Myers Lawson School of Construction, discussed ways to construct energy saving homes and buildings. The government encourages retrofitting homes with energy saving technologies by providing consumers up to a 30% tax credit on these purchases.

Photos: Getty Images /Credit to

Google vs. the Internet?


Click here to sign the petition to Google:

“Google: Say no to the reported agreement with Verizon to kill Net Neutrality and the open Internet.”

Sign the petition

Big news: according to reports, Google is about to cut a terrible deal with Verizon that would end the fair, open Internet as we know it.1

The reported Google-Verizon deal would allow giant corporations to control which websites load quickly and easily on the Internet and dump everyone else onto an Internet slow lane. This is exactly the kind of unequal playing field that Google itself has opposed in the past.2

We only have a few days to stop it, so we’re launching a grassroots protest calling on Google to scuttle the deal. Will you sign our emergency petition to Google? Click here to sign:

http://pol.moveon.org/google/?id=22383-9640874-gX7kVex&t=4

The petition says: “Google: Say no to the reported agreement with Verizon to kill Net Neutrality and the open Internet.”

The Internet was founded on the principle that all data is equal—and that no corporation should be able to decide whose data goes faster or slower. It’s this principle, called Net Neutrality, that has made the Internet such an amazing platform for individual speech, democratic action, and entrepreneurial creativity.3

And until now, Google—which uses the corporate motto “Don’t Be Evil”—has been a staunch defender of Net Neutrality.4 But now, Google is threatening to turn the Internet into a closed, pay-to-play, cash cow for large corporations. This move is evil, and Google knows it.

Here’s why this is a big deal. President Obama’s new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair initially came out strong for Net Neutrality, in line with the President’s campaign promises.5 But the big telecom companies launched a lobbying frenzy, and soon the FCC was meeting with them behind closed doors.

Because Google and Verizon are two powerhouse corporations that have historically been on opposite sides of this issue, an agreement between them will put enormous pressure on the FCC to go along with their recommendations. Essentially, two giant corporations may be deciding the future of the Internet—if the Obama administration goes along, and if the public doesn’t push back right away. Click here to help stop them now:

http://pol.moveon.org/google/?id=22383-9640874-gX7kVex&t=5

Google was once a champion on this issue—Google chief executive Eric Schmidt once attacked “phone and cable monopolies” who “want the power to choose who gets access to high-speed lanes and whose content gets seen first and fastest.”6

But today’s news stories report that under the new deal, Verizon could be allowed to give some sites preferential treatment. Even more ominously, it appears that Verizon would have free rein to discriminate on the mobile Internet (smartphones, cell phones, etc). Since that’s where most people will access the Net going forward, this would essentially spell the end of Net Neutrality.

Google has issued a short, carefully worded statement challenging some of the details in The New York Times story, but it hasn’t denied that it is going along with this agreement to kill Net Neutrality.7 So much for “Don’t be evil.” Will you sign our petition today and tell Google not to be evil on Net Neutrality?

http://pol.moveon.org/google/?id=22383-9640874-gX7kVex&t=6

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Justin, Carrie, Steven, and the rest of the team

Nelson and Lincoln vote to extend Bush Tax Cuts …ThinkProgress.org


UNDER THE RADAR

ECONOMY — NELSON AND LINCOLN VOTE TO PERMANENTLY EXTEND BUSH TAX CUTS, MASSIVELY INCREASE DEFICIT: Last month, as the Senate was gridlocked by a Republican filibuster of a bill to extend much-needed unemployment benefits to millions of out-of-work Americans, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) stood with the GOP against the extension. Nelson claimed that his concerns about the deficit overrode his support for the extension; he voted against the bill that finally passed 60-40. Later that week, Nelson came out in support of an extension — “for now” — of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, which adds many billions more to the deficit than the unemployment insurance extension. In fact, extending the Bush tax cuts for one year alone would add $115 billion to the deficit, compared to the “relatively tiny budgetary cost of $33 billion” for the extension of unemployment extension benefits. Yesterday, Nelson provided further evidence that he is a deficit peacock — someone who claims to be concerned about the deficit but isn’t actually interested in taking serious steps toward a balanced budget. Before the final vote on the states’ aid bill that passed yesterday, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) offered two amendments that would “massively add to the deficit” by “freezing in place” the current tax rates on individuals and businesses, which, in effect, would permanently extend the Bush tax cuts. On both votes, only Nelson and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) “crossed the aisle to vote with all Republicans,” with the exception of “noted deficit hawk” Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH). Nelson and Lincoln (who also claims to be concerned about deficits) apparently don’t mind spending $3.1 trillion over the next 10 years to pursue ineffective tax cuts for the wealthy. DeMint, “one of the most fiscally conservative members of Congress,” is not so concerned when it comes to paying for his extraordinarily expensive amendments. Both came “with instructions to offset as necessary through spending reduction,” Senate-speak for “we’ll worry about the cost later.”

Big news …from firedoglake.com


Click here to say Just Say Now!

The war on marijuana is a complete failure.

Billions of dollars are wasted every year. Police officers’ lives put at risk daily. Out-of-control Mexican drug cartels have ravaged our borders, killing thousands of people every year. It’s so bad, even Mexico’s President called for a debate on legalizing marijuana this week

Our government needs a reality check – it’s time to end the war on marijuana.

So we’re launching a massive campaign to fight for legalizing marijuana that we’re calling “Just Say Now.” With the support of the grassroots group Students for Sensible Drug Policy, we’ll organize thousands of people to support legalization at the ballot box.

To kick off our campaign, we’re bringing attention to the unjust, unpopular, and racist reality that is the war on marijuana. It’s a war that must end now.

Ask President Obama to help end the war on marijuana. Click here to sign our petition.

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

We’re organizing our Just Say Now campaign to put a stop to the federal government’s war on marijuana. To do that, we’ll organize activists to identify and turn out supporters in states to vote for marijuana in the 2010 and 2012 elections.

This campaign will be a game-changer. Our partners at Students for Sensible Drug Policy have already organized 150 campuses and thousands of student activists. We’re poised to make a huge impact to legalize marijuana.

This November, California will vote to legalize marijuana, and 3 other states will vote on medical marijuana regulations. Thirteen states and DC have already legalized medical marijuana. Poll after poll shows huge majorities in states and the country support legalizing marijuana.

Despite this popular support, the federal government’s war on marijuana continues. Just last month, federal agents raided several completely legal medical marijuana farms and dispensaries.

Join us in calling on President Obama to help end this war. He should join the debate to legalize marijuana.

Click here to add your name to our petition to President Obama to end the war on marijuana:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

We’re excited to Just Say Now to legalizing marijuana. Thanks for all you do.

Best,

Jane Hamsher                        Aaron Houston
Founder, Firedoglake              Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

P.S. We have an online store with great items using our Just Say Now logo – t-shirts, stickers, buttons, and more. All proceeds will go towards our campaign to legalize marijuana. Check out our store!

http://firedoglake.com/justsaynow/store/


thorny Thursday &some News …


Today, President Obama is in Chicago talking about our progress and fundraising for Democrats running for office and the November elections.

Republicans and Tea party members keep saying they think Obama has it out for and against the constitution, even Palin, Boehner, Bachmann and most Republicans talk about the state of our constitution and try to use it against the Obama Admin. They say that they have to get their country back because the constitution is being misused,  now all of suddenly the 14th Amendment is not good enough, right for Americans now and needs to be adjusted, changed, or taken out completely. Is seems to me that what these people are afraid of is what our world of Americans looks like and what it will look like in the future and it will be more brown than these people want to accept.

In my continued effort to convince people politics and pop culture whether it is good, bad and the really ugly collision like ronald reagan happen constantly I offer up more proof. The very obvious one being Kevin Costner who has spent millions probably billions on machines that help with oil spills and apparently he not only is committed to our environment but put money where his words and efforts were and came through for his fellow man.  Then there is the show Jeopardy. It has updated their quiz show with an array of questions about the current Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Republicans like Mitch McConnell and more though i wonder what kind of questions any Republican is worthy of having on national tv. The last bit of News would be Wyclef, though he has stated he will run for President of Haiti he is getting a lot of opposition from the likes of sean penn, which is odd because it begs the question of how long has sean penn been helping Haiti and yes anyone running for such a high office should be looked at with cautious eyes sean penn wants to know what happened to the 400thousand that Wyclef was suppose to donate to Haiti. It is a question among others that should be answered but to just slam the man without much other than a statement is not right. It has been well known that wyclef jean has always been involved in helping the Haiti people with charities and comments here in the US about what the people of  Haiti’s need. I believe if you have a tie to Haiti know the politics have a plan to help get the financial system, political system back on track he should have to surround himself with the best the most honest group of people. Haiti and the people deserve the best should be ruled by its own people and that is important to me …Haiti is filled with riches whether it be a  great place to visit, vacation people from the US and France have done things in the past that are worrisome and though Haiti is independent it is also the poorest of the poor of countries …think about that and tell me why with all that it has to offer its people are not able to enjoy the obvious riches Haiti has …and that problem needs to be solved. Wyclef jean, born in Haiti has strong ties to the Country and must like people do here in the US prove why he would be a good President. My hope would be that Haiti remains independent and that any corrupt if there was or is any is crushed and the people can start small business for themselves and not have foreigners going into Haiti to pay low or minimum wages to use another country  people for sweat shops or cheap labor. People go to the Caribbean to vacation and Haiti though used by foreigners it doesn’t seem to reap the benefits and again has to be top priority to Wyclef jean if he is to be successful in his bid for President ..the economy and jobs because something is foul when millions of Haiti Natives have nothing but foreigners are visiting the prime parts of Haiti and parting…Haiti was Best Destination of 2010…great but there are millions still living  in tents after the earthquake because not only has the government been out of the picture some of the donations have not been paid yet. That is shameful -so, if Wyclef can ease all the tensions get people housing that is earthquake ready, a political system that works for everyone, financial system that works so everyone reaps the glorious Haiti riches not just some and get the corrupt foreigners out of there holding onto the best parts of Haiti and keeping Haitians from being apart of it. All you have to do is see the photos for yourself and know something isn’t right. Haiti may be the Best Destination of 2010 but at the expense of all of the People of Haiti , my question is who is at fault and responsible for  this, hopefully more will be done to help Haiti and its People because they deserve the help to stay independent, all Haitians deserve an opportunity for education, financial upward mobility and more of the revenue to solidify the future of Haitians needs to be dealt with differently…Wyclef knows and this will be more important as Haiti tries to solve a whole lot of issues.

Talk about more, what a month, only 5 days into August and there has been a lot of movement from legislation and judges with more good news day after day which is turning into great news … First we hear that not only did Judge Susan Bolton overturned parts, essential parts of SB1070 that would give the local police a legal right to engage in racial profiling and even her appeal was delayed until September. This action should and will set a precedent how laws like SB1070 actually try to override the federal law and cannot. It also shows just what folks like Gov Jan Brewer and Sheriff Arpaio were up to and while we all first thought the intent was solely to legalize racial profiling. It actually was an attempt to challenge the 14th Amendment and or change the language to keep children from being deemed legal citizens of the USA. This has been or should be a revelation for all Americans because we are a nation of immigrants. The prop8 ruling has people on the right scared and saying things that are outrageous, unkind and really just nasty. The prop8 ruling is about equality and in this 21st Century people should have the right to love and marry who they want, it will not damage the fabric of our lives or families  it just brings all of us into the new family and it is complicated for some and not so much for others. If a person or couple are not hurting you or your family why do you care? family values should apply to us all but it doesn’t say what makes a perfect family because by definition family or that whole village it often takes to raise children is made up of so many folks and what right do i have to say uh your this is that so your family cannot be together? people like Palin talk about family values and gotta say hers are questionable for me as a parent but that is my opinion but i don’t expect a law to say she was and is an unfit mom because she her child engaged in and had a child while still a minor? it’s food for thought thought when people try to push their ideology on you even though they don’t seem to be practicing it themselves.

The fact is The United States was built by immigrants at various points of our history and we cannot forget what Ellis Island means to so many people and impacts all our lives whether people want to admit it or not. If it were up to me my 1st Native people would take back their land which…ok it is just a thought not reality but it should give people food for thought about the people shoving and acting like we should go back in time not move forward, it’s upsetting offensive and very stupid. The jobs bill and the UI benefits that have been filibustered repeatedly had a break through yesterday when two Senators, Snowe, and Collins vote yes to cloture to move the bill forward with a 61-38.

The next report out there was that Speaker of the House has called her members back into Session from vacay to finish the deal. It is obvious people are not getting the full list of the incredible things being done by the Obama Admin and the Democratic Party in both Chamber of  Congress to get America and Americans back on track people need to take note that the changes happening are good for all of us but getting informed before deciding where you stand. It is important that people get the facts and make an informed decision to up and for President Obama or not getting all the information to make, an intelligent decision is the most important thing. My take on why people are not supporting the President as much is that folks are listening to the wacky noise on the right. The so-called News on various stations blowing out news you can use but should definitely be cautious of because you can get fooled … we all did and folks got hurt, jobs lost and businesses derailed to list just a few ACORN, Vann Jones, Shirley Sherrod and more for all we know. The thing that most of us need to ask ourselves is what is the common denominator of all the people who have recently been affected by a so-called writer and news station that cater to folks on the right. Just saying.

The BP disaster on the Gulf Coast has all but taken care of. The reports are that the static kill is in its final stage and while most folks are hoping for the best the clean up of the beaches, marshes and wetlands slowly begins its next phase because know one truly knows what impact the oil will have to the oyster beds, turtles, shrimp and bottom fish. However, there have not been enough reports to say whether the impact will take weeks, month’s maybe years to figure out the real damage to the fishing industry. Its my contention that oil spills in the past have on occasion showed up in our food and in two headed this or that and lack of certain fish runs and so on and so forth. The BP disaster will take years to document and hopefully a group or organization will keep track of the Gulf Coast on a monthly basis because as reported by many at the beginning of this thing back in April eggs were being laid, spawning interrupted and all of which may have been affected short but long term yet determined.

There are reports that an event will be held in memory of the Katrina disaster on August 31 and on September 1. The disaster was one I hope never happens again but begs the question …did the Government learn anything that has made them update emergency plans efforts that should have been put in place five years ago. I would also like to say that those levees and other barriers need stimulus money to take care of what they obviously did not do sufficiently after being warned by those that knew and told the State of LA what could happen. If memory serves there was a report a mock up and test of what would happen to the levees if they failed, which they did and need repairing on so many levels its not even a joke.

Other News …

Yesterday during a speech at the Center for American Progress, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner criticized the GOP talking point that allowing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy to expire will hurt small businesses. The Republican claim is “a political argument masquerading as substance,” he said. Geithner also noted that letting the cuts expire would affect fewer than 3 percent of small businesses

While participating in talks with the FCC on net neutrality, Verizon Communications Inc. and Google Inc. “have struck their own accord on handling Internet traffic.” The prior adversaries reached a compromise restricting Verizon from “selectively slowing Internet content” over the wires but “wouldn’t apply such limits” on mobile phones.

When the Senate returns from recess next month, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans to take up debate on the question of whether to extend the Bush tax cuts for the rich. “We’re surveying members to see what could be in a package that wins 60 votes and protects the middle class,” said a Democratic source.

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) “has blocked the nomination of James Clapper to be director of national intelligence,” just days after Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) lifted his own hold on the retired Air Force lieutenant general. Coburn’s office would not explain the hold, but it may involve the administration’s plan to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba

Contrary to several media reports, Kentucky U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul (R) “never received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University.” Paul left Baylor “early when Duke accepted him in its School of Medicine.” The Paul campaign said it never corrected the record because it was “not aware of the erroneous claim.”

After a federal judge struck down California’s ban on same-sex- marriage yesterday, the White House issued a statement explaining that President Obama “has spoken out in opposition to Proposition 8 because it is divisive and discriminatory” and “will continue to promote equality for LGBT Americans.” But gay marriage advocates note that Obama “has not been clear is how he squares his position for equality with his refusal to embrace actual equality in marriage.”

C-SPAN …

watch Pres. Obama at AFL-CIO

watch Senate Hearing: From Earlier

watch White House Press Briefing

watch Senate Hearing on For-Profit Schools

60 Senators Commit Support for Kagan Nomination, Assuring Confirmation

At least 60 Senators intend to support the confirmation of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, C‑SPAN has confirmed. With 60 votes potentially needed to bring debate to a close, and only 50 required for final approval, Kagan’s confirmation appears assured. The Senate is expected to vote on Thursday. Through two days of floor debate, Democrats have largely touted Kagan for “fair-mindedness” and a “non-ideological agenda.” Republicans have criticized her lack of judicial experience and characterized her as more driven by politics than rule of law. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) defended Kagan yesterday, saying she “will do her best to consider every case impartially, modestly, with commitment to principle and in accordance with law.” Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions (AL) called Kagan an activist who would “advance her own causes” under the pretext of being a judge.

So far, Nebraska Democratic Senator Ben Nelson is the only member of his party who intends to oppose Kagan in the final confirmation vote, though he will vote to end debate and move the nomination forward to a final vote. Only five Republican Senators have announced their support for the nominee: Susan Collins (ME), Lindsey Graham (SC), Richard Lugar (IN), Olympia Snowe (ME) and Judd Gregg (NH).If confirmed, Kagan would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth female Justice in the Supreme Court’s history. Following the vote, the Senate is expected to recess for a five-week break, returning in mid-September.

Trustees Release Annual Checkup on Federal Programs

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who also sit on the Board of Trustees, join a news conference to release a new report on the fiscal condition of Social Security and Medicare. The briefing follows an earlier announcement by the Obama Administration, projecting that new spending cuts would save the Medicare program $8 billion dollars by the end of 2011.Under the new health care law, signed by the president in March, Medicare spending will increase by 5.3 percent a year over the next decade and allow the program’s trust fund to remain solvent until 2029.

However, Republicans have argued that the cuts will undermine the system and question if the changes will be permanent. Critics also claim that any savings made from the spending cuts would actually be negated by extending coverage for more than 30 million uninsured Americans.

The largest cuts in Medicare spending include reductions to projected payment increases to hospitals and other healthcare providers over the next 10 years. The Medicare cuts are expected to begin immediately for private insurance plans, while being gradually phased for health providers.


Dems Manufacturing Policy Pressed in committee
With the unemployment rate of 9.5 percent on the mind of voters, the House Democratic Caucus has introduced their manufacturing agenda called “Making-it-in-America.” Democrats and the Obama administration created this agenda from a package of existing legislation in hopes to improve manufacturing and some aspects of U.S. trade policy.A Senate Banking subcommittee is taking up the legislative work by examining the current state of manufacturing in the U.S. and review the proposed legislative package. They are questioning industry experts from the Commerce Department along with William Strauss, a senior economist from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.