Tag Archives: Congress

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

“It’s something we have to fight for”

11/22/2011 Nativegrl77

I’d like to share a video with you. It features Mike McCarry, a 59-year-old veteran who juggles two jobs to make ends meet.

Mike talks about the veterans portion of President Obama’s jobs plan — the piece that Congress passed earlier this month thanks in part to your work, and that the President signed into law today.

But the fight for American jobs continues, and many in Congress — including almost every single Republican — still refuse to do the right thing for teachers, cops, firefighters, and middle-class families like they did for our vets.

Watch the video, then pass it along to your friends to keep the pressure on Congress:

It can be easy to get discouraged when members of Congress put party before people and block legislation that would help American families.

But you didn’t let up in the fight for our veterans’ future. The bill that went to the President’s desk for his signature today — which provides tax credits for small businesses that hire unemployed veterans — is proof that Congress can still come together and act when Americans demand it.

Here’s what’s next: After Thanksgiving, the Senate will vote on extending President Obama’s payroll tax cut, which puts $1,500 in the pockets of the typical middle-class family.

It’s the provision that Mitt Romney called a “little band-aid.” But $1,500 wouldn’t be a band-aid for me or Mike McCarry — and probably not for you either.

Our job right now is to make sure Congress does the right thing again.

Share this video with friends and family and encourage them to keep the pressure on:

http://my.barackobama.com/Vets-Jobs-Video

Thanks,

James

James Kvaal
Policy Director
Obama for America

~ my 2cents ...

Monday mashup … &some News

11/14/2011 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

Fall back y’all and we did.

The President and Mrs. Obama are at the APEC summit in Hawaii. The rest of us have to hear the continuous drone from Teapublicans who still think Americans want repeal HCR, Wall Street reform, cut Education by 20%, replace and eliminate social service programs that women, vets, older folks and the new poor use. I have to say Teapublicans in Congress must have taken a Pledge to wear earplugs in order to get through all their just say not campaign. Suffice it to say if these Teapublicans continue to go after the Middle Class Social Security Medicare/caid instead of JOBS it would definitely seem to be a recipe for trouble and likely force the USA into a double dip or deeper recession and will be the reason they will become unemployed; hopefully. I happen to think we went right into a depression what with losing 750 thousand jobs a month even before President Obama took office. The current rhetoric has absolutely nothing to do with JOBS or the Economy …If people are listening they have no intention of helping Americans unless it is on the backs of the Middle and Lower classes people …get that in your head!!! The Party of NO will be in control for about a minute and what we as Democrats need to remember is that we have to call Teapublicans out on every move they make to ruin the current President instead of focusing on and or creating Jobs. I have to say anyone with any common sense knows that the top 2% will not spend their tax cuts to create an environment so that people will be hired or create jobs and if they do it will be to outsource them for lower wages in China, Mexico etc. If you do not believe it, just tune into CNBC occasionally, and hear the words coming from various Teapublicans Ludlow and associates trot out on any given day.

I hope everyone is asking their Teapublican member of Congress what exactly the top 2% did with the Bush giveaways because it could not have been on hiring and creating jobs or we would not be in worse shape since the 2010 Midterm elections or see the mess all around us. I feel that after three years of gridlock from the Teapublican Party of No things are about to get heated within their own Family Values Platform party. Reports are and maybe Teapublicans need reminding that over 70% of Americans want to tax millionaires and billionaires, most do not want cuts to Soc.Security or Medicare, over half of us want the new Affordable Health Care Act to be law. Yet, conservative members of Congress have given themselves over to Mr. Norquist as well as the big money brothers Koch and if you start to think about it that ditch President Obama pulled us from is a whole lot closer now that we have an extreme part of Congress controlling the House of Representatives … The question is do Teapublicans care what happens to their own family friends and co-workers jobs and status in life if they continue this lemming march toward disaster?

Anyway –

“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” –George Orwell

I personally do not want to go back to colonial days we must move forward stay in the present so discrimination fails …the past fails and equal rights for all prevails.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the World. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead

Jus sayin

Other News …

Congress Returns to Negotiate Another Short-term Funding Bill

House Considers Expanding Gun-Carry Laws

Blue Cross CEO Discusses Health Care Business

House Democrats Examine Voting Law Changes

President Obama Opens APEC Summit

Grover Norquist Discusses Taxes and the “Super Committee”

News and Documentary Emmys Awarded

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Omar Samaha, FixGunChecks.org

11/03/2011 Nativegrl77

The Fix Gun Checks tour is on its way to DC to hand-deliver more than 350,000 signatures urging Congress to fix the national gun background check system — and there’s still time to add yours.

We’ve crisscrossed 21 states and launched more than 50 public events with mayors, law enforcement and supporters like you. Now we’re sending Congress the message that it’s time to fix America’s broken background check system.

Check out this inspiring video of the Fix Gun Checks tour and our journey to Washington, then sign our petition before we deliver it to Congress.

More than 10,000 Americans have been murdered with guns since the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona that left six people dead and 13 others injured, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

It’s past time for Congress to close the loopholes that allow dangerous people to get their hands on guns. And this month, more than 350,000 Americans will send that message directly to our leaders in Congress.

Thank you for your support,
Omar

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Support the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act

11/02/2011 Nativegrl77

Urge Congress to support local food systems, instead of subsidizing unhealthy processed foods — tell your members Congress to cosponsor Local Farms, Food and the Jobs Act !

Currently, billions of taxpayer dollars subsidize unhealthy, processed foods, while farmers who grow healthy foods work without support—but we can change that!

Leaders in Congress have introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act to support local farmers and food markets. A recent UCS report found that expanding local food systems will boost local economies, create jobs, and encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables. As a bonus, these farmers are also more likely to embrace practices that protect our air, water, and soil.

With enough support, this bill could become part of the larger Food and Farm Bill, currently moving through Congress at a lightning pace.

Write to your members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act today!

WWW.UCSUSA.ORG

Take Action Today!

Sincerely,

Jenn Yates
National Field Organizer
UCS Food & Environment Program

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

wicked weather Wednesday … &some News

11/02/2011 Nativegrl77

featured photo by Nick Lippert

just another rant … dang it’s cold

I received a comment in response to an article about Government regulations which I appreciate

HIM: Submitted on 2011/11/01 at 11:32 AM |

In reply to Stopping Obama/any President …and Regulatory agencies such as EPA, HHS, from issuing demands upon the people which will hurt us……kill our economy « Ordinarycitizenextraordinarytimes Blog.

ME:re: Getting the facts straight on regulation.
What we need are MORE Regulatory agencies doing their jobs … period
No disrespect, but the notion that there is over or excessive regulation going on in a time when lack of it created our … the USA financial crisis , it created the BP spill and tell me you have not forgotten the Massey Mine disaster have you? There are things that need strict guidelines and most parents want Clean Air, Clean Water and not only affordable health care but some of us would actually pay a smidge more to make sure that food, flights and anything else that seems too big to handle for an individual can be by the Government and not privatized. If, folks believe privatization only creates more jobs please remember that it also means your cost for services will go up and isn’t that what folks are already complaining about now? An increase in insurance premiums would be just a start. I like having firefighters, cleared roads, police, the EPA and FEMA available and they are all worth paying the Government to act for everyone not just a select few. I will not forget the man who failed to pay his protection fee which resulted in his house burning down; that is what privatization does. I expect the Government to be our children’s watchdog for their health and our future. I would say corrupt regulators need not apply and while you and the Heritage Foundation have a different attitude about regulations, it is my contention that your opinion should not be driving what Republicans in Congress do or say, especially in both Chambers of Congress. A lack of Regulation along with people who got used to excessive behavior drove our economy to the edge of disaster. The Grover Norquists of the world and Heritage foundation like organizations just do not understand that they only represent a small percentage of voters and after having read your 10/12 article; it definitely sounded like the Heritage Foundation would love to go around the voter if they could. I find it almost amusing to read how conservative groups rationalize their feelings about regulations. Then again, it just puts the light on how out of touch your group is and if this is the meme being pushed on members of Congress who are not only supposed to be working for the people paid by we the people, truly a sad example of what being members of Congress means.
The quote below is from ordinarycitizenextraordinarytimes

“Holding Congress Accountable- Congressional approval of proposed new rules would be an important step toward holding both regulators and Congress accountable for the regulations imposed on the private sector. It is no panacea for the problems of excessive regulation. But, especially if combined with other steps, it would be a significant step forward.”

Sir, again, a lack of Regulation with a big R is just the tip of the sinking ship and though I totally get Capitalism … I believe it should be with a lower case c, which includes small businesses, and those who aspire to get ahead not just or only for big C as in Corporations who more often than not seem to send opportunities and jobs overseas to avoid regulations which is harmful to everyone.