Tag Archives: Government

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the Pledge to America … deceptive and or failed promises

11/04/2013 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Below is the Pledge Republicans made and posted on their website – First posted in 2/11/2011 … just a reminder

America is more than a country.

America is an idea – an idea that free people can govern themselves, that government’s powers are derived from the consent of the governed, that each of us is endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America is the belief that any man or woman can – given economic, political, and religious liberty – advance themselves, their families, and the common good.

America is an inspiration to those who yearn to be free and have the ability and the dignity to determine their own destiny.

Whenever the agenda of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to institute a new governing agenda and set a different course.

These first principles were proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, enshrined in the Constitution, and have endured through hard sacrifice and commitment by generations of Americans.

In a self-governing society, the only bulwark against the power of the state is the consent of the governed, and regarding the policies of the current government, the governed do not consent.

An unchecked executive, a compliant legislature, and an overreaching judiciary have combined to thwart the will of the people and overturn their votes and their values, striking down longstanding laws and institutions and scorning the deepest beliefs of the American people.

An arrogant and out-of-touch government of self-appointed elites makes decisions, issues mandates, and enacts laws without accepting or requesting the input of the many.

Rising joblessness, crushing debt, and a polarizing political environment are fraying the bonds among our people and blurring our sense of national purpose.

Like free peoples of the past, our citizens refuse to accommodate a government that believes it can replace the will of the people with its own. The American people are speaking out, demanding that we realign our country’s compass with its founding principles and apply those principles to solve our common problems for the common good.

The need for urgent action to repair our economy and reclaim our government for the people cannot be overstated.

With this document, we pledge to dedicate ourselves to the task of reconnecting our highest aspirations to the permanent truths of our founding by keeping faith with the values our nation was founded on, the principles we stand for, and the priorities of our people. This is our Pledge to America.

We pledge to honor the Constitution as constructed by its framers and honor the original intent of those precepts that have been consistently ignored – particularly the Tenth Amendment, which grants that all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

We pledge to advance policies that promote greater liberty, wider opportunity, a robust defense, and national economic prosperity.

We pledge to honor families, traditional marriage, life, and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values.

We pledge to make government more transparent in its actions, careful in its stewardship, and honest in its dealings.

We pledge to uphold the purpose and promise of a better America, knowing that to whom much is given, much is expected and that the blessings of our liberty buoy the hopes of mankind.

We make this pledge bearing true faith and allegiance to the people we represent, and we invite fellow citizens and patriots to join us in forming a new governing agenda for America.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What a shutdown means for veterans

10/02/2013 Nativegrl77

VoteVets.org

Add your name to VoteVets’ petition calling
for an end to the government shutdown

The Republican-sponsored government shutdown promises to have a drastic, and immediate, impact on veterans and military family members.

Starting today, the Department of Veterans Affairs may be forced to furlough up to 20,000 claims processors — wiping out all of the recent progress made reducing the backlog.

We could also begin to see immediate lapses in care. During the 1995 shutdown, some military hospitals canceled appointments and even some surgeries.

From there, things only get worse…

The VA believes that after two or three weeks “benefit checks it issues, including disability claims and pension payments will be disrupted.”

Worse still, the toll sequester has already taken on military readiness will be multiplied with each passing day.

But nothing ends this shutdown faster than the voices of veterans and military family members, particularly those personally impacted.

Add your name to mine on VoteVets’ petition calling for an end to the government shutdown, and let them know if you expect it to impact your family.

http://action.votevets.org/shutdown

In their zeal to deny coverage to the one million-plus uninsured veterans who will qualify for health care under the Affordable Care Act, Ted Cruz and his Tea Party allies are disproportionately placing the burden of a shutdown on military families.

We have an extraordinarily unique voice in this fight. It’s critical that you make yours heard today.

All the best,

General (Ret.) Wesley Clark

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell Mars, Inc. to set an example for the Snack Food 20

10/02/2013 Nativegrl77

by RAN

Today I visited the corporate headquarters of Mars, Inc. with Strawberry, an orphaned orangutan from Indonesia, to let the company know that consumers all across the world want Mars to stop using Conflict Palm Oil in its products.

Tell Mars and the rest of the Snack Food 20 to cut Conflict Palm Oil!

Mars and all of the Snack Food 20 companies need to hear from you too!

Unlike some of its fellow Snack Food 20 companies, like Kraft and Smucker’s, Mars is on the move. We have a chance to push Mars, the maker of wildly popular brands like M&Ms, Snickers, and Combos, to become an industry leader in sourcing responsible palm oil.

After RAN put the snack food sector on notice last April, Mars, Inc. responded by strengthening its palm oil commitment. The company has committed to working towards sourcing 100% of its palm oil from traceable sources that are not associated with deforestation, expansion on carbon-rich peatlands and the violation of human and labor rights.

Mars needs to hear from you right now—the power is in your palm! Tell Mars to turn its new commitments into a global palm oil policy and take action to cut Conflict Palm Oil from its products immediately.

At the Mars HQ, Strawberry and I gave representatives of the company a copy of the RAN report Conflict Palm Oil: How US Snack Food Brands are Contributing to Orangutan Extinction, Climate Change and Human Rights Violations and outlined RAN’s demand to cut Conflict Palm Oil. We’re confident the company is getting the message.

But Mars won’t change unless it hears from enough of us that we expect it to cut Conflict Palm Oil from its products. Tell Mars and the rest of the Snack Food 20 to cut Conflict Palm Oil from their products!

~ my 2cents ...

twisted Tuesday … a Govt shutdown?

10/01/2013 Nativegrl77

just another rant

Will somebody tell Republicans it is time to pay the bills? The media keeps reminding us that thousands of people will be out of jobs, as if anyone needs to be reminded. In what was/is considered the worse economic collapse, Republicans voted against the stimulus package in 2008, but they acted as if they voted for it when the money came in. While they were handing out checks left and right they continued to bad mouth PBO and the big government behavior, some Republicans asked for more money others said the money really did help but would deny it if asked. The fact is, even more tried to give the money back which not only hurt their constituents it put Teachers, Police and other first responders at risk of losing their jobs.

Yet, here we are in the year 2013 with Republicans deciding that holding America hostage in the 11th hour is the best way to do “The Peoples Business.” Apparently, they are still pissed that #ACA passed through Congress ~ became a law (ACA) which was then deemed constitutional by SCOTUS but they do not care so #ACA has been on the floor say 43 – 46 times. The Republican Party talks about how unfair the Democrats have been while wasting tax payer money and looking quite stupid at the same time. So, after hours and hours of legislative ping pong, Republicans continue to say NO to just about everything to people/voters who might otherwise be unemployed before the November elections. It baffles me and got to wonder how does this 1% behavior look to their constituents, not to mention it seems reckless and inadvisable but given the last few months of The Political Party of NO does not disappoint. They have proven not to be honest players, have not voted on any jobs bills and call unemployment bailouts; listen if this does not open your eyes what Republicans can do to let the public realize they are willing to use Americans as pawns to gain control of Congress. Though PBO is in his 2^nd term, Republicans continue to play political games, the governing party is in place and the fix needed is not.

Congress knows what to do to fix the problem, yet Republicans do not seem to care

The month of September has so many memories, good bad and the really ugly. It is a time when summer ends a time to remember history and is yet another step to move the debt deficit and new bills forward, not to experience past acts or behaviors. It is a month to invoke compassion, peace, love and cooperation, we all know the weather and the NFL won’t

Republicans seem to say one thing and do anther on the floor of Congress. If the economy had been ok prior to the election of President Obama, the amount of spending would be next to nothing …people just seem to have amnesia … but we cannot let Republicans gain control of what will be not only a correction but a move toward the 21st Century. It may cost a little more but what better way to spend money …on All Americans not a select few not for a group who practices exclusion. The notion that the collapse of our economy just happened is stupid and people need to realize the sad reality that the last guy could have fended off this but opted to pass the buck on the next President. I remember Bush saying this guy has no clue, it was an offensive comment then, and now 5.5 yrs. later, it does not take a rocket scientist to know that the state of our economy was a lot worse than we will ever really know. I would like to know whom among us is that stupid to think it would be corrected in 20 months when the fix is for about 30 years of errors that got us into this financial crisis?

I blame the Republican Tea Party for our current lack of improvement with all their no votes, blocking major legislation and using Americans as pawns to gain back control by any means necessary. Conservatives continue invoke fear, promote hate toward people considered to be in the Protected Classes and that is not just scary but should be a red flag for those who expect Politicians to speak out and up for All Americans; clearly The Republican Tea Party is not for everyone.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What’s all this about Obamacare?

09/30/2013 Nativegrl77

Get yourself ready

Next week is a pivotal one for our country. Millions of Americans who need health coverage can begin signing up for it through new insurance marketplaces.

The marketplace isn’t like anything you’ve experienced. It’s a one-stop resource where you can easily compare policies and prices, see if you qualify for financial help, and enroll in a plan.

Like anything new in health care, it can be confusing. So Consumer Reports created
HealthLawHelper.org, an online tool to help you understand your options, responsibilities, and steps to take. Just answer a few questions about your family situation, and you’ll Chris Meyer, Vice President receive personalized information on what to do next.

We’ve identified a glitch with Health Law Helper for people using IE8, so switch browsers if you can. We’re working on it!

Chris Meyer, Consumer Reports

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Navigating Medicare can be confusing, especially if you’re new to the program. Here’s what you need to know.

350,844
consumer messages sent to the top six hip and knee makers asking that implants be warrantied. Send your own email here.

How will health reform affect you?

We know you’re wondering. And with next Tuesday’s biggest change – the opening of health insurance ‘marketplaces’ – you’ll likely need some help to cut through all the noise and confusion.

Consumer Reports’ new online tool, HealthLawHelper.org, does that. Just answer a few short questions about your family situation – your answers are anonymous – and you will get personalized information on what steps, if any, you may need to take. Even if you have coverage, it’s worth checking out. (You may experience problems with the tool if you use IE8, so try a different browser while we fix the issue).

It’s quick, easy and free. Take two minutes to find out what you need to know about health reform. The results may surprise you!

Enough with the defund Obamacare votes!
Despite taking 42 votes to gut the health law, a group in Congress is still trying to block it, even attempting to hold hostage our nation’s finances. It’s time politicians focus on implementing health reform right, rather than picking it apart before it’s given a chance. Tell Congress to stop obstructing and move forward.

Health reform: What’s real, and what isn’t
Judging from talk radio and Facebook posts, you’d think Obamacare will upend everyone’s health care. That’s not the case. At least 80 percent of people will notice little change because they already have insurance that meets the law. From the mandate to Medicare to who gets what help, get the straight story in our latest Consumer Reports coverage.

Will you be using the new marketplace?
If you’re among those who need coverage, either because your job doesn’t offer it, you’re retired but too young for Medicare, or you simply can’t afford it, we want to hear from you. Tell us about your situation and what you are hoping to find in the insurance marketplace.

Get the biggest bang for your health-care dollar
Consumer Reports has ranked 987 health insurance plans nationwide to help you choose the best one for you and your family. Check out where your plan ranks, or see how the plan you’re considering stacks up.