Tag Archives: Democratic

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

We didn’t win on filibuster reform, but three senators fought hard


 Tell Sens. Merkley, Udall and Harkin: Thank you for showing what real leadership looks like on filibuster reform.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=6896&id=15715-2591629-a2G1Mzx&t=1

These three champions of filibuster reform deserve recognition for their leadership.

 Clicking here will automatically add your name to this petition to Sens. Tom Udall, Tom Harkin and Jeff Merkley:

“Thank you for showing what real leadership looks like on filibuster reform. We support you in the continuing fight to fix the Senate.”

  The end game for Senate rules reform has become clear, and it’s not pretty.

Despite the best efforts of Senators Merkley, Tom Udall and Harkin, in the near future we’re likely to see only a weak, bipartisan gesture towards Senate reform. At most there will be a few minor tweaks to how the Senate is run without any attempt to address its underlying dysfunction.

While disappointed, we cannot and will not stop fighting for reform as long as the Senate remains a place where good legislation goes to die. The stakes are simply too high.

And as we recommit to this fight, we should recognize the tremendous effort by Democratic champions for filibuster reform, particularly Sens. Tom Udall, Jeff Merkley and Tom Harkin to put this issue on the table.

Tell Sens. Merkley, Udall and Harkin: Thank you for showing what real leadership looks like on filibuster reform. Click here to automatically add your name to the petition.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=6897&id=15715-2591629-a2G1Mzx&t=9

By all accounts, the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats supported the move known as the “Constitutional Option” to fix the filibuster and other Senate rules by majority vote. This would allow Democrats to change the rules with 51 votes.

However, the Constitutional Option was only available on the first “legislative day” of a new session of Congress (a technical term that does not correspond to a calendar day).

When the Senate adjourned on Tuesday night, the first legislative day ended, and the Democrats lost their only opportunity in this session of Congress to pass Senate rules reform with a simple majority vote. Any rules changes in this Congress now face a 2/3rds supermajority requirement to pass, and nothing significant will have the votes to overcome that threshold.

The inability of the Democrats to capitalize on this opportunity is a substantive failure for all of us who wanted to see Senate reform enacted any time soon. But even more than that, it demonstrates a monumental failure of leadership by the top Democrats in the Senate.

Democratic leaders like Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer have time and again blamed Republican filibusters for their inability to move the Democratic legislative agenda through the Senate.

This was a sentiment shared by their colleagues. Just a month ago, Democrats in the Senate were so fed up with the endless abuse of the filibuster by Republicans that every single returning senator in the Democratic caucus signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid about the need for rules reform.

However, a handful of reluctant Democrats (we’ve been told as few as six or seven) were unwilling to support the Constitutional Option. And Democratic leadership decided it would rather negotiate with Republicans than bring the caucus into line.

Nominally, these holdout Democrats were worried about setting a precedent for the Republicans — under the false notion that not taking action when they had the chance would make Republicans hesitant to change the rules to their own advantage when they eventually regain the majority.

In essence, these weak-kneed Democrats were willing to forfeit any chance at governance in the next two years, including giving up a reasonable chance to address the crisis in the judiciary and end the Republicans hostage-taking approach to judicial appointments. And all in the hopes that when the Republicans take power they will play nice.

The Democratic leadership faced a choice — they could whip the votes for the Constitutional Option and undercut the ability of the Republican minority to abuse the rules, or they could accept the decision by a fraction of their members to give the Republicans what is in effect a veto over the Democratic agenda. I think you know what they chose.

When push came to shove, rather than address the issue of filibuster reform head on, the Democratic leadership forfeited their ability to stop the abuses.

We now face a long-term effort to fix the Senate. Without buy-in from the leadership of the Democratic caucus, we’ll continue to need rank and file Democrats like Sens. Udall, Merkley and Harkin to join us in this fight.

And as they continue fighting, they need to know we support them.

Tell Sens. Merkley, Udall and Harkin: Thank you for showing what real leadership looks like on filibuster reform. Click here to automatically add your name to the petition.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=6897&id=15715-2591629-a2G1Mzx&t=10

Thank you for standing up for real filibuster reform.

Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager

CREDO Action from Working

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the House is on break until 2/8 – the Senate will be in Session on 1/27 –the snow is a problem


the Senate Convenes: 10:30amET January 27, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of several resolutions relating to changing the Senate rules, en bloc. There will be up to 8 hours for debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. If all time is used, at approximately 7:15pm there will be a series of up to 5 roll call votes in relation to the following resolutions:

-The Senate will recess from 1pm until 2:15pmET to allow for the Democratic caucus meeting.

Votes:

Series of up to 5 roll call votes expected to begin around 4:30pm:

2: S.Res.28 (Wyden), to establish as a standing order of the Senate that a Senator publicly disclose a notice of intent to objecting to any measure or matter (60-vote threshold); Adopted: 92-4

3: S.Res.29 (Udall (CO)), to permit the waiving of the reading of an amendment if the text and adequate notice are provided (60-vote threshold); Adopted: 81-15

4: S.Res.8 (Harkin), amending the Standing Rules of the Senate to provide for cloture to be invoked with less than a three-fifths majority after additional debate (67-vote threshold); Not Adopted: 12-82

5: Now voting on S.Res.10 (Udall (NM)), as amended by Udall (NM) amendment #1, to improve the debate and consideration of legislative matters and nominations in the Senate (67-vote threshold);Not Adopted 44-51 and

_

6: S.Res.21 (Merkley), as amended by Merkley amendment #2: (substitute) (67-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 46-49

 Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res31: a resolution commemorating the 110th anniversary of the United States Army Nurse Corps.

Adopted S.Res.32: a resolution designating the month of February 2011 as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”.

Adopted S.Res.33, a resolution recognizing the 150th anniversary of the admittance of the state of Kansas to the United States as the 34th state.

_________________________________________________________

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for Febuary 8, 2011

 

~ my 2cents ...

TGIF & some News


featured pic is a campaign poster –

President Obama will be in the NYC today speaking from a General Electric Plant about JOBs and our economy he will then go to Maryland for a retreat with others from the Democratic Party.

Changes are happening …they are in the air and i like it.

If you listen to the tone of the Republican Tea Party since the midterm elections… the talk seems filled with a little more fear. The promises made to create JOBs have yet to happen or be attempted and while the public is beginning to finally hear, see and reject the carpetbaggers for who they really are I wonder if it will take all of the next two years for the Republican Tea Party to stop saying the midterm elections signaled a change and they heard the American people and are doing what they want. It is a fact that contrary to what Republicans keep saying …”talking points” or lies the polls by CBS say 48% want to keep President Obama’s new health care law and just 40% want to repeal it. In addition, pundits, reporters and talking heads suggest that politicians on both sides of the aisle are beginning to not only understand the new law better but are starting to like the new HCR law because it will help older folks, women, folks with pre-existing condition and children under 26 years old. It would be tragic if legislation done in a good faith effort for the people were struck down by Republican Tea Party. Still, I cannot begin to express how offensive the right was by campaigning with the promise to work on Jobs, Jobs, Jobs only to have decided to denounce and malign President Obama like Michele Bachmann who stated she and her comrades want to repeal not just legislation but this President instead of working for We the People to create Jobs.

The negative, nasty, ugly diatribe coming from the very people we placed in positions of power who get paid by American tax payers seem to be abusing it because the latest comments definitely give this voter the idea that they do not represent all the people of their States but those from Corporate America.

In an article this morning, the USA today reported that conservatives would end the federal government support of Amtrak, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Agency for International Development. I believe that this is just a start because rumors before the midterm elections were that the Departments of Educational and Agriculture would be cut if they had their way. The group promises to eliminate about $200 million a year for the District of Columbia. The article quotes Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen, calling the GOP proposal “radical” and Van Hollen’s spokesman, Doug Thornell told ABC news “Putting forward a plan that puts more people out of work and endangers our economic recovery calls into question how serious the GOP is about tackling our nation’s most difficult challenges.” This plan along with some other conflicts in what needs to be cut from the federal budget is developing a GOP rift. In contrast,  an interview today among other things, President Obama stated,”Republicans will need to explain to taxpayers how tax cuts for the wealthy squares with their desire to start reducing deficits and debt.”

While Folks like palin, cheney, boehner, limbaugh and other Republicans Conservatives continue to attack Obama for any move toward collaboration with other countries calling him a Socialist, twisting his words and the meaning, practicing fear mongering and otherwise being obstacles of change… which, is what we need … a way forward, an implementation of the changes “We the People” (53%) put President Obama into office that will move Americans toward the 21st Century contrary to what the right seems to want to do.

What was the past has to be accepted, exorcised and released for room to provide change we can believe in.

my take

Other News …

 **Vets and Doctors reports say that unless you don’t care it is better to stop letting you pets share your bed, lick you or kiss  …. for fear of detrimental diseases -cats are far more likely to infect you …open cuts sores etc.

**Gov.Brewer continues to make it harder for people to get the help they need for transplants -at least 2 patients have died -now she wants to drop folks from Medicaid …specifically those with mental issues

**Congresswoman Giffords will be moved to Houston for great care and so her husband will be able to work and be close to him as well

**WSJ reports 50% approve of what our President is doing …across the board  

**Iran and 6 World Powers begin nuke talks

**Obama picks GE Chief for Board —focus on jobs

**House GOP wants to cut $2.5trillion in the fed budget  by – go to USAtoday.com for article

  **Obama states “Republicans will need to explain to taxpayers how tax cuts for the wealthy squares with their desire to start reducing deficits and debt.”

**Manson denied parole

**FBI nabs numorous mafia

**rep. Cantwell is reported as looking for ways to put Boeing back on top

 

**Gov.Brown says Education is a civil rights issue

 

 

~ my 2cents ...

whacky Wednesday &some News …


President and Mrs. Obama are hosting the president from China in a State visit and a dinner scheduled for tonight though some are not happy but if we want to move forward this might be the way to do it and maybe use this as a template for dealing with Cuba.

Word of the day is all about the act of Observation …maybe for the next few weeks, months and years

In November I asked —at what point will the various cable, radio and main stream stations do the right thing and stick to the truth instead of skewing it to keep their ratings high, to tell me you did not agree that partisan behavior on what is supposed to be “the place to get real news” seems to be siding with the extreme right. It was definitely offensive on so many levels and hard not to be outraged by but now these same stations, well except the obvious ones seemed to have moved to the center on most News topics but not enough to sedate this viewer and voter. I gotta say the more recent News source: “Politico” has been a new right of center challenge to me as a reader and or tv viewer, though i am sure there are more moving to the right as the 2012 elections gain more interest.  The overt bad behavior by current and or new Republican members of Congress who are supposed to represent all of the people in their respective States has gotten even worse, have either acted or stated for all to hear and see that special interest groups can kiss their butts. The only solution that seems rational going forward is putting democrats back in power in 2012.

Observe …stop and think about all the things that the Obama admin as well as our Democratic led Congress managed to achieve despite the Republican Tea Party. Observe and analyze who what when and why things have not improved as some out there on the left want and then remind them that a President that goes too far left of center is not representing all Americans. The truth is …most people use to be moderate and expect the President to be not just moderate but bipartisan; people have got to realize he tried leaning left and while folks on the right said one thing and did another we all know this is going to be standard behavior no matter what but a President who leans too far left gets a shellacking…right. If you were watching it makes you wonder if taking a hard left is the only way to solve the gridlock. Then reality comes back and we have to remember the Democratic Party has a huge tent with various degrees of democratic ideology and while the Republican Tea Party is united no matter what their colleagues say or do Dems on the other hand fight each other to get legislation on the floor of the Senate debated let alone get a vote and move toward the 21st Century. We all know our ability to move forward is being held hostage by the Republican Tea Party until they ruin our barely recovering economy. I wonder what will happen if in fact we fall into a deep recession due to an insufficient amount of dollars and or voted down raising the debt ceiling. Just a reminder; Republicans are to blame for any lack of progress made thus far.

I have to say my Observation of “the Media” which seemingly is not just giving Republicans more airtime but is defending them in some cases and while it is obvious those folks know who is buttering their paychecks …the fair and balanced slogan when describing the news process has become a bad joke. I wonder many others have been watching and listening to political shows with well-educated people making comments about how much of a disaster the mid-term elections were for President Obama’s future. The fact is that Congress goes through change and this year is really no different than any other but the combination of the failure of the last guy, the deficit he left and finding out that Wall Street, Oil and the Banks as well as AIG made bets not only with the people’s money but against us as well – you would think some would understand that after years of corruption it might take a minute to make all the corrections given the fact that some of the parts needed to make the fix are not cooperating. I am no expert but people need to observe, compare and contrast their own lives to what happened and times that by a trillion and realize the correction will take a long time especially since folks on the right were able to downsize/block and or stall most of the financial fixes in the Senate for the last two years. The 60 vote rule and the filibuster definitely are not positive tools in the Senate thus the need to make sure our voices as Democratic voters are heard more often.

I do feel this is a pivotal moment and if we really want change folks we need to participate in the change when 53% voted for Senator Obama to be President Obama. We all need to understand why the process of change cannot only be done by the President; that Congress in both Chambers need to do the work of the People too and now after the midterms the House of Representatives is representing the Republican Tea Party, the Senate faces obstacles so, the only solution is getting truer Dems in both Chambers of Congress in 2012. I know that was such a simpleton statement right, had folks listened and voted left of center for the midterms elections- what if …sigh

President Obama is doing the best he can with what the last admin gave him and again it took a long time for all the dominos to fall and while there are those on the right who choose to provoke fear; lately that has turned into action by those feeling certain TV or radio personalities were giving them subliminal instructions to act against those who support the President or the Democratic Party.

It would be great if “the Media” would stop giving folks on the right passes when they make outrageous, racist, and often incendiary comments…we hear it from Fox News but now the new move from other cable stations taking a hard right has this viewer wondering where the money is coming from supporting the more extreme view on air. What we saw before and or during the midterm elections by so-called reporters or talking heads was the dance of News manipulation which is a sad representation of what real journalists, reporters and commentators use to be.

Other News …

**Congresswoman Giffords continues to improve

**say what you want about Gervais the Globe viewer numbers …17 million

 **President from China is here on a State visit and dinner with President and Mrs. Obama

**Baby doc Duvalier escorted from hotel – i would like all young Haitians to look his name up…and his families history

**Arab Leaders watch Tunisia

**129million have health conditions

**President Obama orders regulation review

 

 

CSPAN …

White House Briefing

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said President Obama will confront Chinese President Hu Jintao on issues such as human rights and currency values. At this daily briefing, reporters questioned the decision to hold a formal State Dinner for the Chinese leader. We also hear about a new executive order calling for a government-wide review of federal regulations. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/White-House-Briefing-with-Press-Secretary-Robert-Gibbs/10737418992/ 

Right of Center organization:  National Center for Policy Analysis

As the House prepares to consider a bill to make changes to the health care law known as the Affordable Care and Patients Protection Act, the National Center for Policy Analysis released its recommendations to Congress on 10 proposed changes to the law and discussed why it should be repealed. Speakers included health care analysts from the Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, Cato Institute, and the American Action Forum – all who support NCPA’s recommendations. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/Nat39l-Center-for-Policy-Analysis-Discussion-on-Changes-to-Health-Care-Law/10737419010/

 House Democrats hearing on GOP legislation Repealing Patient Rights

House Democrats assembled a panel of Americans opposed to repealing the 2010 health care law. They include the mother of two girls with leukemia, a former student receiving insurance through his parents’ plan, and the owner of a small pediatric practice. This event began shortly before House Republicans brought their repeal legislation to the floor. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/House-Democrats-Hearing-on-GOP-Legislation-Repealing-Patients39-Rights/10737419015/

State Department Press Briefing

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Philip Crowley conducts a daily briefing at the State Department. Topics discussed include Chinese Pesident Hu Jintao’s arrival and scheduled private dinner with President Obama,Tunisia’s transitional government and the Sudan referendum. Mr. Crowley then responded to reporters’ questions. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/State-Department-Press-Briefing/10737418993/

R. Sargent Schriver 1915 – 2011

R. Sargent Shriver passed away at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland today. He was 95 years old.more >> http://c-span.com/Events/R-Sargent-Shriver-1915–2011/10737418971/  

U.S. Conference of Mayors 79th Annual Winter Meeting

More than 220 of the nation’s mayors, led by U.S. Conference of Mayors President Burnsville, MN Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, convene for the 79th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. >>   http://c-span.com/Events/US-Conference-of-Mayors-79th-Annual-Winter-Meeting/10737419027/

 

House Republicans Move to Cut Spending Levels

Updated 3 hr., 18 min. ago

U.S. House of Representatives (C-SPAN)The House Rules Committee will take up a resolution today aimed at reducing spending to 2008 levels for the remainder of fiscal 2011. The resolution directs House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) to cut around 20 percent of non-security, discretionary spending. The House may act on the resolution as soon as next week.

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a Republican plan to cut Congress’ budget by 5 percent. The resolution, introduced by GOP Transition Team Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), will require House members to reduce their budget to 95 percent of their 2010 allowance. The plan also calls for greater transparency regarding bill creation and actions taken by House committees. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/House-Republicans-Move-to-Cut-Spending-Levels/10737418996/

 

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

wicked Wednesday &some News


trying to pub since early morn…ugh

The President is in Arizona to talk about the awful tragedy that happened on Saturday and call for a moment of National Unity and Healing.

It is a day to remember the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It is a time to ask how far they have come and acknowledge how much more work, and funding Haiti needs. The State of Arizona experienced an awful tragedy none of us will truly understand, a number of people gunned down six killed and Congresswoman Giffords shot in the head, she and several survivors are on the mend. The reports are that Gaby Giffords is doing well.

It has been five days since the awful incident in Arizona and while some on both sides of the political aisle are agreeing that, the language used may not be appropriate. There are those long considered leaders in politics, TV, pundits, hosts have chosen to either ignore the obvious opportunity to tamp down the ugly rhetoric or come on national TV to act as if they were the victims. This is unacceptable to me. I am not sure if people will finally come together to tell those on the right by so-called Public Servants throw out violent rhetoric and  language; like blood libel, 2nd amendment remedies, do not retreat reload and last… i want everyone in Minnesota armed and dangerous. It is with great sadness to mention one of several Sharon Angle interviews this one with the RGJ in May, Angle said, “We’re called as Americans to be vigilant to protect our liberty. At some point in each of our lives, we’re called to service to defend and protect our Constitution “What is a little bit disconcerting and concerning is the inability for sporting goods stores to keep ammunition in stock. That tells me the nation is arming. What are they arming for if it isn’t that they are so distrustful of their government? They’re afraid they’ll have to fight for their liberty in more Second Amendment kinds of ways? “That’s why I look at this as almost an imperative. If we don’t win at the ballot box, what will be the next step?”

The pledge to America in my opinion seems like a doctrine of what the right(the Republican Tea Party) thinks and says they are all about but in my opinion are definitely without: compassion, any sense of service; community or for helping your fellow American, which, is why Obama was voted in.

The fact is… 53% wanted a huge change in the way thing get done not only in Washington DC but also on a global level, conservatives and their comrades the Republican Tea Party are fighting it. It is a moment when those of us that voted for President Obama need to help make this change a reality in 2012 by getting more true democrats on the floor of Congress. It was with great sadness that this was not accomplished during the 2010 midterms but those easily hoodwinked, fooled or who just did not care voted right of center. In my opinion, any or all things that have been accomplished and will help create positive improvement are at risk because the RTP has a need to not only privatize but ruin the Presidency; which if we all pay attention is a calling to take back their country – I ask what does that mean to you? For me it means there is a group of people afraid of the unknown, willing to use race or those of us that are other because we are brown, black or under the protected classes. I have to say some call it socialism some like me just want the country to stop being self-destructive, be civil, maybe help people by giving them an opportunity to prosper and flourish. I maybe naïve, but doing better than the next generation use to be a dream your parents had for you and you would pass on but if we listen to the right talk at some point these folks were trained taught to think completely differently than the rest of us. Though scary even folks on the right say this is not your fathers Republican Party and the radical right use to be visible but not so many got into public service positions let alone get on the floor of Congress. This has been an outrage for me since before 2008 but in light of the latest incident we have to hold some radio and tv pundits, politicians, tv hosts and bloggers accountable for their lack of self-control.

Other News …

**Haiti and the World remember that 2010 terrible earthquake

**Snow storms in 49 States

**Brazil is hit with rain and mud kills 99

**Riots reach Tunisia’s capital, so they now have a curfew

**Tracking bands hurt Penguin -seabirds

**Our 2010 ended strongly

**Lebanon govt falls Hezbollah pulls out

**Quinn wont say if he will sign off on death penalty bill

**

CSPAN…

The National Alliance to End Homelessness released its State of Homelessness in America report that found the nation’s homeless population increased by approximately 3 percent from 2008 to 2009 and cited the recession as contributing factor to the increase.  The report also showed California, Florida, and Nevada have the highest rates of homelessness. Speakers included the group’s president Nan Roman and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who is a senior Democrat on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The event took place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

More Info »

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner spoke at John Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Study in Washington, DC. His remarks focused on the U.S. and China’s economic future and what to expect from Chinese President Hu Jintao’s upocming state visit.

More Info »

On the third day of voting in the South Sudan independence referendum, one of the lead U.S. negotiators for Sudan and the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs spoke with reporters at the State Department to provide an update on the vote.

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The Brookings Institution hosted a discussion on the earthquake in Haiti.  Activists who recently traveled there gave an assessment of the current situation, and also their insights on the remaining problems that are hindering reconstruction efforts. Topics of discussion include humanitarian aid concerns, rubble removal efforts, disease response as well as sexual violence and sanitation concerns in Haitian camps.  Among the speakers was actor and humanitarian Sean Penn who currently heads a group devoted to providing relief to Haiti.

More Info »