Tag Archives: Democratic

Right now, Republicans are trying to cut programs that provide access to basic health care, housing assistance and job training. For many families, what happens could mean the difference between stability and homelessness, or life and death.

The GOP‘s war on Black, poor and working folks is bad enough. But as we’ve seen in the past, Democrats often refuse to fight for us. If that happens this time, the most vulnerable among us will be left in the cold while the wealthiest Americans continue to receive massive tax breaks.

Please click the link below to demand that Democrats defend the programs we need, not use them as bargaining chips as they negotiate with Republicans. Then ask your friends and family to do the same. It only takes a moment:

www.colorofchange.org

Republicans and Democrats in Congress are in a battle over the government’s budget. Congress has reached a deal to keep the government from shutting down for the next week while it negotiates a longer-term spending bill.1 While that short-term deal cuts some important funding for education and transportation, the truly devastating cuts are being debated now.2

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has proposed a plan to cut $61 billion from the budget, and many of their proposed cuts target services crucial to our communities’ well being. If Democratic leadership in the Senate and President Obama don’t commit to looking out for our interests this month, Black and low income communities will sink even deeper into economic crisis. Here’s what’s at stake:

Federal grants that help cities create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods would be cut. The Republican plan calls for cutting $2.5 billion in Community Development Block Grants, a 62% reduction nationwide. Cities use these funds to do things like provide affordable housing, expand business opportunities and support a range of services for low- and middle-income folks.3

Low-cost access to reproductive health will be seriously undermined. The GOP’s plan calls specifically for defunding Planned Parenthood nationwide, which means that pre-natal care, cervical cancer screenings and testing for HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections will move out of reach for people who can’t afford it or whose insurance doesn’t cover these vital services. As our families know well, Planned Parenthood offers a range of life-saving care. It’s the largest family planning provider in the country, offering the birth control that makes needing to make the difficult choice of having an abortion less likely.4

Half of the budget for a program that helps low-income people heat and cool their homes will be wiped out. Given these tough economic times, the number of people using the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is on the rise. More than 8 million households used it in 2010, up from 7.7 million and 5.8 million during the previous two years. President Obama has himself suggested cuts to this program, and we need him to change course. 5

The Women Infants and Children (WIC) program would face severe cuts. The budget for this key service providing baby formula, food and other services to poor women and their children would be cut by 10%.6

AmeriCorps will shut its doors. The national service program trains and places hardworking young people in jobs in our communities. Its 83,000 members work at places like Habitat for Humanity and Boys and Girls Clubs teaching, mentoring, and building homes among other crucial jobs.7

The list doesn’t end there. If Senate Democrats and President Obama don’t stand strong, we could see $1 billion cut from Head Start programs, nearly $6 billion cut from the need-based Pell Grant program that gives our young people access to higher education, and other cuts to elder and child care, job training, transportation and health programs that help our families stay afloat.8

Please join us in calling on Democratic leaders to stand up for our communities in the current budget battle. And when you do, please ask your family and friends to do the same. It only takes a moment.

Thanks and Peace,

www.colorofchange.org

— James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team

March 10th, 2011

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Republican proposal is packed with extreme cuts

03/10/2011 Nativegrl77

Democrats and Republicans have to reach an agreement to keep the government operating.

Right now, President Obama is calling on both sides to come to the table and reach a reasonable solution — a plan that builds for the future while eliminating wasteful spending in the present. A plan where cutting spending is done judiciously — not recklessly. A plan with investments that create jobs — not cuts that eliminate them.

But the current Republican proposal is packed with extreme cuts that are clearly serving a political agenda — cutting billions from Head Start, slashing Pell Grants and other programs that help students pay for college, and completely eliminating funding for Title X family-planning services.

It’s not a responsible plan to cut spending — but a set of policy prescriptions intended to appease the most extreme wing of their party.

And while cuts like these make the Republican plan objectionable — it’s the fact that it puts nearly 1 million jobs at risk that makes it absolutely unacceptable.

So we’re standing with President Obama in a very public way — with an open letter calling on Republicans to work with him and Democrats in Congress to pass a commonsense budget that works for the American people. Supporters will hand-deliver the petition, with your signature, to House Republicans — making sure our combined voices ring loud and clear.

www.democrats.org

Right now, the debate surrounding our budget should be about one thing — people.

An out-of-work father of three isn’t concerned with advancing the Republicans’ social agenda. All he’s thinking about right now is getting back to work so he can pay his mortgage and his gas bill.

A single mother who relies on Head Start for her four-year-old isn’t thinking about the political sound bite of the moment — she is concerned with making sure her daughter can keep up when she enters kindergarten next year.

The American people don’t care about political back-and-forth or partisan ideology. They want their government to do right by its citizens.

And that’s where the Republican plan falls short.

They would close more than 16,000 classrooms, lay off 55,000 teachers, and cause 218,000 children to be kicked out of early-childhood education programs.

They would slash homeland security investments and lay off thousands of police officers and firefighters, leaving our communities less safe.

They would defund health insurance reform, doing away with the cost savings and vital patient protections relied upon by millions of Americans around the country.

They would eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, ending thousands of health center jobs across the country and leaving millions of women without access to preventive care.

Now, President Obama knows that this must be a shared sacrifice, and that some cuts must be made — and he stands ready to work together to find a commonsense solution.

But the current Republican plan would knock this country down just as we’ve begun to stand back up.

The American people deserve better — and it’s up to us to demand it.

Add your name to call on congressional Republicans to stand down from their irresponsible proposal and work with the President on a reasonable plan that we can all support: www.democrats.org

Thank you,

Patrick

Patrick Gaspard

Executive Director

Democratic National Committee

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

BREAKING: Wisconsin …CodeRed from the PCCC team

03/10/2011 Nativegrl77

CODE RED: Wisconsin‘s Republican senators just voted to pass Gov. Walker’s anti-worker bill — without Democrats present.

They are bending the rules in order to break Wisconsin unions, and they need to be punished for this undemocratic action.

We plan on working all night to prepare new online ads and radio ads — and we’ll buy more TV ads in the districts of Republican senators up for recall.

http://act.boldprogressives.org/go/3227?akid=3495.392150.-YYCDp&t=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjb44QYB8nw&tracker=False

8 Republican senators are facing recall elections. Voters need to know what happened in Madison tonight. This was wrong.

http://act.boldprogressives.org/go/3227?akid=3495.392150.-YYCDp&t=3

Now more than ever — please consider chipping in $3 to help us punish Republicans for their war on working families and their undemocratic actions. Click here.

Then, please pass this email to others! Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, Jason Rosenbaum, Amanda Johnson, and the PCCC team

~ my 2cents ...

wicked weathered Wednesday &some News

03/09/2011 Nativegrl77

Beware the weather is churning March Madness is heating up and the nonsense in Politics and the behavior by Politicians is getting even worse.

After then Senator Barack Obama became President, someone said the sky was falling, that Marxism and or Socialism was coming to America and we will lose our freedom … oh and that certain Muslims are not to be trusted unless they become FBI informants and or give up their rights – freedom of religion

I thought this was the 21st Century people! I find it amusing yet it brings me to tears to see how easy folks seem to throw out labels to describe President Obama’s actions in a time when the jig is up so to speak. We all see and hear the rhetoric out there in I guess a desperate move to try and make Americans feel that “other” thing relevant again. I am hoping folks have had enough of it and can see through the Republican Tea Party for what they are and refuse to drink the Kool-Aid. If you need to get a blast from the past, engage in movements to make the tea party base scared see what the McCarthyism days were like just tune into the Peter King hearings and see what a racist who holds public office looks like. It is as if these people holding public office not only forgot the oath they took, they decided to use their positions of power to do whatever they can to alienate working American families by separating them from jobs, social services and education to name just a few things jumping around on the chopping block of the Republican Tea Party. Republicans have made a choice and it ain’t for the Middle Class.

I would like to remind anyone thinking of voting right of center in 2012 because they are not happy about the status of your own life at this very moment. After years of so-called creative accounting, procedures from Wall Street finally reared its ugly head. Life for middle America changed as we all know it and again like I keep saying the show House of cards by David Faber on CNBC was a cruel reminder and rude awaking at how greed affects the mind … a truthful documentation of the nasty journey our economy took … by who, for who and how it brought us all down …

I am definitely a part of the Democratic Party but if we have to subscribe to labels … call me a Marxist who believes in Socialism at this time. We need someone who cares, who is socially responsible and who believes the gap between the haves and have none needs to shrink. If that is wrong, school me. Even though my question is rhetorical, think about it. What could be wrong with caring for your fellow man no matter what race, sex, creed, and or religion not just the 2% who got their bonus dollars after holding the Middle Class hostage for what about two years but still not satisfied until they destroy what America use to be about. The fact is that 2% has been and continues to wheel and deal with folks like the Koch brothers and the US Chamber of Commerce beginning or ending at the house of bush is not clear. However, it is obvious they intended to make money at the expense of all investors and the crap trickled down to Main Street.

“We the People” need to admit. It’s time for a change and if you believe in equality, it you believe in Working Families, Working Class American Workers instead of Corporate American or the Rich we all need to make sure that the Democratic Party regains control and correct the blatant BS and or mess that Republicans have made of our country.

Other News …

**Peter King defends his hearings and will bring in other Muslims to prove it

**Libyan rebels might be losing the fight

**clashes in Tahrir square – 11 killed senselessly

**NPR CEO resigns amid tea party flap

**7.2 earthquake off coast of Japan

**41 in the Italian crime grp are being looked for

**Ben affleck talks about the horrors in Congo

**Mortgage Apps uptick to 16%, highest since June

**Suicide bombings in Pakistan killing dozens

**hey Glee with Gwenth Paltrow was great

CSPAN …

Senate to Vote on Competing Spending Bills

http://c-span.com/Events/Senate-to-Vote-on-Competing-Spending-Bills/10737420087/

Sec. Duncan Defends FY2012 Education Budget

http://c-span.com/Events/Sec-Duncan-Defends-FY2012-Education-Budget/10737420052/

Capitol Hill

Hearing to Ask if Federal Workers are Underpaid

pay-for-performance system evaluated

http://c-span.com/Events/Hearing-to-Ask-if-Federal-Workers-are-Underpaid/10737420051/

Committee Starts to Deal with Housing Finance Reform

first in series of hearings

http://c-span.com/Events/Committee-Starts-to-Deal-with-Housing-Finance-Reform/10737420082/

First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted the annual International Women of Courage Awards ceremony at the State Department. Afterwards, two award winners, a prosecutor from Afghanistan and a journalist from the East African nation of Cameroon, spoke with reporters. http://c-span.com/Events/State-Department-Press-Briefings/10737420056/

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What’s going on in Congress -the Republican led House:eliminated FHA prg (debating&voting) -the Senate dealing with budgets both were voted down

03/09/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET March 9,2011

Morning business until 10:40am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each equally divided and controlled with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

At 10:40am, the Senate will recess until 12:00pm for a Joint Meeting of Congress with the Honorable Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia.

At 12pm, the Senate will proceed to H.R.1, the House-passed funding bill with 3 hours of debate equally divided between the two leaders or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, at approximately 3pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes:

– Passage of H.R.1 (60-vote threshold)

– Adoption of the Inouye amendment #149, the Democratic alternative to H.R.1 (60-vote threshold)

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during today’s session.

Votes:

36: Passage of H.R.1 (60-vote threshold)

Not Passed: 44-56

37: Adoption of the Inouye amendment #149: , the Democratic alternative to H.R.1 (60-vote threshold);

Not Agreed To: 42-58

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.63 is a resolution designating the first week of April 2011 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week”.

Adopted S.Res.97, a resolution affirming the importance of exercise and physical activity as key components of a healthy lifestyle, including in combating obesity, reducing chronic disease, and lowering health care costs.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 9, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

2:43 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

2:36 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

2:35 P.M. –

The House received a communication from John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker notified the House that he has appointed the Honorable Jerry Lewis, the Honorable Fred Upton, the Honorable Andy Harris, and the Honorable Frank R. Wolf to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through the remainder of the One Hundred Twelfth Congress.

JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE – Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1024(a), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE: Mr. Hinchey, Mrs. Maloney, Ms. Sanchez Loretta of and Mr. Cummings.

2:34 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by recorded vote: 326 – 91, 1 Present (Roll no. 167).

2:26 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair annouced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed earlier in the legislative day.

H. Res. 150:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 830) to rescind the unobligated funding for the FHA Refinance Program and to terminate the program

2:25 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 240 – 180 (Roll no. 166).

2:18 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 186 (Roll no. 165).

1:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 150.

1:16 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 151:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 836) to rescind the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and to terminate the program

1:15 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 151.

12:25 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

12:04 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS IN RECORD – Mr. Hensarling asked unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Congressional Record of today. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 155:

electing a Member to a Standing Committee of the House of Representatives

12:03 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 9.

11:42 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED – The Speaker announced that the Joint Meeting was dissolved and that the House would recess subject to the call of the Chair.

10:50 A.M. –

JOINT MEETING – The House has reconvened in Joint Meeting with the Senate to receive an address by the Honorable Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 9.

10:04 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House would recess and would reconvene in a Joint Meeting with the Senate for the purpose of receiving the Honorable Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

10:03 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 23.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Womack to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:02 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Womack demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Womack objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

10:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

10:00 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Virginia Foxx to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.