Tag Archives: cheney

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Americans V Republicans?


Prior to a vote on the small business jobs bill, Senator Olympia Snowe, who eventually voted no, described her frustration with the countless delays this legislation has encountered, by her Republican colleagues nonetheless…. (more info)

Senate Democrats today discussed The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Spill Accountability Act that was introduced earlier this week. Democrats are trying to pass this legislation to create jobs, lower consumers’ energy costs, protect the environment, and hold BP accountable for the Gulf Coast oil spill. Senate Republicans want taxpayers to foot the bill for BP’s disaster and let BP use endless legal battles to run out the clock on those whose livelihoods they destroyed. The Republican plan also does nothing to create jobs or reduce our nation’s dependence on oil. … (more info)

Senator Jeff Sessions today attempted to claim that President Obama’s judicial nominees have moved at a considerably faster pace than President George W. Bush’s did. False.

Senator Sessions skewed the math to his advantage. Take a look at the video for the real facts. … (more info)

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Internet Sales Tax Coming? …LiveCheap.com


The specter of an online sales tax doesn’t seem to be willing to go away. One of the advantages of Internet shopping is the absence of any sales tax which can amount to a decent cost saving on the average purchase, but this bargain for consumers represents lost income for States across the US that are battling to close the gap on ever-increasing budget deficits.

It is not surprising then that Democratic Congressman Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts once again raised the online sales tax bogey. He first brought the bill for consideration in 2007, but now many in Washington think that he may have better luck getting it passed in 2010.  For shoppers that have gotten used to saving 5 to 10 percent by shopping at websites like Amazon, they might be getting a rude awakening.

The bill is called the Main Street Fairness Act, which its loudest opponents argue that the name is deceptive. Delahunt says that tax increases are never pleasant, but sometimes they are just plain necessary. The revenue that the states have foregone because of not taxing online sales is approximately $52 to $56 billion over a six year period ending in 2012.

The congressman argues that imposing tax can help States across the country to make up for their budget shortfalls and the revenue that is collected will be put to work for the citizens of the State through local government initiatives. Every state needs funding to make sure its roads are maintained, water is treated and the supply guaranteed, and services like the police and fire departments are properly funded. These basic necessities are put at risk when the money in the coffers runs dry and the Internet sales tax offers a legitimate and reasonable way to inject some much needed cash into the system.

Those opposed to the bill are adamant that taxing online sales will only serve to worsen an already bad situation. Republican congressmen have put forth the argument that increasing the cost of goods and services online can put smaller online businesses at risk of closure because it essentially forces them to increase their price, possibly making them uncompetitive. They also say that making American citizens pay more at a time when personal budgets across the country have contracted is tantamount to taking punitive measures.

Ebay has put out a public statement opposing the law on the grounds it will hurt its hundreds of thousands of small businesses

.  “Year after year supporters of increased Internet sales taxes

recommend legislation that would impose significant new costs on hundreds of thousands of online small businesses and ecommerce entrepreneurs, which is sure to harm the economy and kill small business

jobs,” a statement from the online auction company said today. “At a time when unemployment rates are high and small businesses across the country are closing shop, we are confident that Congress will protect small internet retailers and the consumers they serve from another Internet tax scheme.”

On the flip side, the Democrats say that the online businesses have enjoyed an unfair advantage over brick and mortar businesses that have imposed the sales tax for far too long. They maintain that the Internet is no longer in its infancy and therefore should not be mollycoddled or given special treatment. In addition to this, they say that those who shop online tend to be the more savvy customers who make more money than those who still go to the brick and mortar stores- so in effect the tax would target a sector of the population that is more able to pay.

Amazon.com and Ebay.com are two of the Internet retail giants that would be impacted if the bill does in fact come into law, so customers are looking on anxiously to see what the future of Internet shopping is likely to be.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Shop at Target?


Target just gave a huge contribution to a anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-progressive candidate for governor in Minnesota. Will you send a message to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel that you won’t shop at Target unless they stop trying to buy elections? Click here:

Sign the petition


Get this: Target, the retail giant, just became one of the very first companies to take advantage of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision allowing unlimited corporate cash in elections.1

Target has spent over $150,000 in the Minnesota Governor’s race backing state Rep. Tom Emmer, a far-right Republican who supports Arizona’s draconian immigration law, wants to abolish the minimum wage and even gave money to a fringe group that condoned the execution of gay people. 2

Target must think customers won’t care. They’re wrong: We do care, and we need to let them know that we want Target—and all corporations—out of our elections.

Will you send a message to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel telling him that you’re not going to shop at Target unless they stop trying to buy elections? Click here to add your name to the petition:


Once we get 150,000 signatures, MoveOn members in Minnesota will hand deliver the petition to Target headquarters.

The stakes are much higher than one candidate and one company. Other CEOs are in “wait-and-see” mode following the Citizens United decision, according to a former Federal Trade Commission counsel quoted on NPR.3 If we don’t push back hard, this will just be the tip of the iceberg. Other corporations will learn that they can pour money into elections to buy the outcome they want—without paying a price with their customers or shareholders.

We all knew Citizens United would benefit candidates who stand up for corporate CEOs instead of everyday people. But you wouldn’t expect a company like Target to jump in and try to buy an election so quickly. After all, Target made its name by being thought of as the more progressive store in the wake of numerous WalMart scandals.

That’s why MoveOn members are following up on actions of groups like Human Rights Campaign and the Alliance for a Better Minnesota by telling Target that we won’t shop there unless they stop trying to buy elections. Please add your voice now:


Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Robin, Anna, Mari, and the rest of the team

Uncategorized

The Senate in Session -what’s going on …


The  Senate Covnenes: 9:30amET August 3, 2010

The Senate will convene at 9:30am and immediately proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Elena Kagan to by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Debate time on the Kagan nomination will be controlled as follows:

– Chairman Leahy –first 30 minutes

– Ranking Member Sessions—next 30 minutes

– 10:30 until 11am equally divided and controlled between the Leaders, or their designees

– 11-12:30pm equally divided and controlled, with the Majority controlling the first 45 minutes;

– 2:15pm-8:15pm divided in one hour alternating blocks, with the Majority controlling the first block

– 8:15pmET and beyond continuing to be divided in one hour alternating blocks of time.

There will be no roll call votes today.

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.3397, the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act.

Adopted S.Res.555, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of “National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month”.

Adopted S.Res.596, a resolution to designate September 25, 2010, as “National Estuaries Day:.

Adopted S.Res.605, a resolution designating September 13, 2010, as “National Celiac Disease Awareness Day”.

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00pmET on September 14,2010

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

mashup Monday &some News …


Democrats are reforming their own members when will Republicans actually drain the swamp they have of corrupt, immoral folks in their own party?


Progress for ALL AMERICANS

If not now …when

The President will speak at a convention for the Disabled Vets of America in Atlanta and while Congress or at least the House  is out on break we, the people will hear and see some outrageous things coming from the right and Republican politicians will be leading the train of crazy talk about all things reform and repeal. For months, our opponents have spread lies about reform to scare voters away. But the simple truth about what reform would actually do — save jobs, guarantee all Americans affordable, stable coverage, and significantly reduce the deficit — is something most Americans strongly support.  We all know that watching the change we all need taking place or trying to take place in both Chambers of Congress has been difficult but when HCR came up who knew that the health insurance reform that Romney helped pass and signed while Governor of Massachusetts is very similar to the bill passed by the Democrats of the Obama Administration. It was apparent after a few interviews that the people of Massachusetts hated the way their health care was created but ask one just one if they would be willing to give up their socialized health care they have now.

Progress for ALL Americans not just a select few … VOTE Democrats

The question is, come November, will the voters know and or accept the facts? Will they seek the truth or will they accept the noise nonsense and lies given by Republicans on a daily basis.

Republicans continue to disrespect the office of President, blocking his efforts to live up to his campaign promise and the 53% who voted him into office. We the People cannot afford to vote politicians who put Political Party over doing the Peoples business; though Republicans would have the public believe it is in our best interest. We need people to make the effort to listen to Republicans talk, make comments about repealing everything, and going back to the way the house of Bush governed, we need and must move into the 21st Century if we plan to get back on track, be the number one in the Nation.

The November elections are important and democrats must be out in droves to vote Democrats into office for each and every State ; stay informed and vote to keep democrats in to complete the fixes our economy needs so badly because they definitely were avoided by the house of Bush.

Democrats are reforming their own members when will Republicans actually drain the swamp they have of corrupt, immoral folks in their own party?

Other News …

The Financial Times’ Ed Luce documents the “crisis of middle-class America.” Noting the “median wage stagnation” that has afflicted most American families, Luce writes, “the annual incomes of the bottom 90 per cent of US families have been essentially flat since 1973 — having risen by only 10 per cent in real terms over the past 37 years. That means most Americans have been treading water for more than a generation.”Tprogress

**Lindsey Lohan was released from jail

The passage of the Affordable Care Act will save the Medicare program about $8 billion by the end of the year, “and $575 billion over the rest of the decade,” according to the Obama administration. The savings are anticipated to add “12 years of solvency” to Medicare’s trust fund for inpatient care.TPprgress

**2 killers from AZ are still on the loose

**High Court trims Miranda warning rights

**Spirit Airlines will charge for walk-on luggage from now on

**Ahmadinegad offers to speak to President Obama one on one

**Obama states there is a shift commitment to the iraq war

**BP is going to try and plug up the well for good -Static Kill


C-SPAN …

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

listen Adm. Thad Allen (Ret.) Conference Call (8/1)

Health Care Discussion on “50 Ways to Implement Health Reform”

C‑SPAN’s Washington Journal will begin a month long series looking at issues in the news, from health care to financial reform and politics. This morning, Tracy Watts a senior health care consultant for Mercer discussed how employers are working to implement the heath care law that was passed earlier this year. Later, the Alliance for Health Reform hosts a discussion titled “50 Ways to Implement Health Reform: State Challenges and Federal Assistance.” Health care administrators will give an overview of how states and the federal government will begin implementing provisions of the new health care law President Obama signed on March 23rd. Speakers include representatives from the Health and Human Services Department, insurance companies and the states.

watch Tracy Watts on WJ: Available Shortly
watch AHR-Health Reform: C-SPAN at 12:15pm ET
read AP: A Struggle To Fix New Law
visit Alliance for Health Reform

Senate this Week: Jobs, Energy, Kagan Vote

The Senate will begin its final week of work before the August recess at 2pm (ET) today. They will first resume work on H.R. 1586, a substitute amendment to a House-passed FAA reauthorization bill. The substance of the Senate amendment to this measure is $10 billion in education funding for teacher salaries and $16.1 billion in aid to the states from the stimulus fund for state Medicaid costs. The vote on the motion to proceed to the bill is expected at 5:45pm.

The Senate may also take up Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) energy package (S.3663) later in the week. This package would eliminate the $75 million cap on economic damages from offshore oil spills; it also would provide full funding for up to five years for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is mostly paid for by offshore drilling revenues. Sen. Reid will likely set up a cloture vote on this energy package.

Before the recess, the Senate will take up the nomination of Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth female Justice in the Supreme Court’s history.

visit Bloomberg: First Democrat to Oppose Kagan

watch Senate Floor: C-SPAN2 at 2pm ET
visit WSJ: Reid’s Energy Bill Delayed Until Tuesday

Allen Defends Oil Dispersant Oversight, Says Static Kill Possible on Monday

During Sunday’s conference call on oil spill recovery efforts, Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen responded to charges made by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) that the Coast Guard has “rubber stamped” BP’s use of oil dispersants. Adm. Allen said he and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson agree on guidelines calling for a 75% reduction in use of chemicals which breakdown oil in the Gulf.

However, incident commanders are authorizing additional dispersant use on a case-by-case basis, he pointed out.

On Saturday, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) sent a letter demanding that government officials provide his office with records documenting the amount of dispersants used.

Also during the call, Adm. Allen said that the hydrostatic or “static kill” could begin as soon as Monday evening. A sequence of tests must first be performed before mud can be pumped into the wellhead.