Tag Archives: McCain

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The 114th

01/07/2015 Nativegrl77

This afternoon, members of the 114th Congress of the United States will swear to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies … an oath that begins with the same words the Oath of Enlistment begins with for most military men and women.

But this is a different Congress — a wave swept in a number of new Tea Party Representatives and Senators hell-bent on rolling back progress on veterans’ issues at home and escalating our military involvement in wars abroad.

Before the new Congress is sworn in, we want to know what are the issues you’re most passionate about in 2015. Let us know here.

Out of 535 members of the new Congress, only 25 have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, and only 100 have served at any time. That’s down from a time not too long ago when a majority of Representatives wore the uniform at some point in their lives.

With more Tea Partiers and fewer members who have served, that makes protecting veterans’ health care more difficult, preventing further escalation in Iraq and Syria more challenging, and enacting programs to help veterans to transition at home after returning from abroad so much more important.

Your priorities are our priorities — let us know the issues you’re most concerned about here:

http://action.votevets.org/priorities

Of course, we’ll continue working towards electing more veterans in 2016. There are a number of veteran leaders consider Senate and House runs that we’ll be following closely.

Thanks for standing with us.

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran and Chairman
VoteVets.org

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

did you know Social Security Admin is closing dozens of their offices

01/03/2015 Nativegrl77

The Social Security Administration has lost its mind.

They’re about to close dozens of field offices. But don’t worry, they say. Seniors will use their smartphones or laptops if they need help.

The SSA may think they’ve got a great money saving idea, but this could be disaster for seniors with vision problems or arthritis, or those who can’t afford a computer.

Social Security is a great system, but it’s often complex. While many seniors are expert computer users, others will struggle.

Our parents and grandparents deserve to have a human face to guide them. They’ve done too much for us to be abandoned now.

Please sign our petition demanding the Social Security Administration keep community field offices open.

It’s the least we can do

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Kid President: Ideas Change Things! #BookItForward

12/23/2014 Nativegrl77

~ Culture & History, ~ pop culture

POTUS takes over the Colbert report

12/23/2014 Nativegrl77

Watch the President Take Over Stephen Colbert’s Job:

Last night, President Obama made his first in-person appearance on “The Colbert Report.” Arriving a few minutes early, the President took over host Stephen Colbert’s opening segment “The Word” to discuss health care:

Most young people can get covered for less than $100. How is the President going to get that message out to the kids? He could try to appeal to them directly through a speech or a press conference, but young people don’t watch real news shows like this one.

As for other topics discussed during the rest of the show, the President sat down with Colbert to talk about the economy, recent actions on immigration, climate change, and the presidency vs. punditry.

Check out some other great moments from last night’s interview here.

President Barack Obama tapes “The Word” for “The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert” at Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. December 8, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Join Shakira and Secretary Duncan for a Twitter Q&A on Early Education

Tomorrow, GRAMMY-winning artist Shakira and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be taking to Twitter to answer your questions about early education.

On Sunday evening, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a reception for this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees: singer Al Green, actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, ballerina Patricia McBride, singer-songwriter Sting, and comedienne Lily Tomlin.

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The Faces of Health Care: Jenna R.

In February, Jenna went online to California’s Marketplace (Covered California) and found insurance that would cover her asthma. Before she knew it, she was hospitalized again but this time she had insurance that covered prescriptions. Her doctor gave her a prescription that she could finally afford — and it’s changed her life.

Say thanks to those who fought for the planet

12/23/2014 Nativegrl77

2014 has been a busy year for people and the planet. We’ve mobilized, fought hard, and demanded that our leaders confront climate change and move toward a sustainable green economy. As we wrap up the year and move into 2015, Earth Day’s 45th anniversary, we want to take a minute to thank some of those leaders who have fought for our planet. Won’t you join us? Thank someone who made a difference, and let them know you want them to keep on fighting:

Thank New York’s Governor Cuomo for banning fracking in New York State
Thank His Holiness Pope Francis for announcing he will be releasing an encyclical on climate;
Thank President Obama for strengthening his action plan to fight climate change; and
Thank the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for standing up for clean air.

And, while you’re at it, thank yourself for staying informed, being active and working for change. We’ve got a lot to be thankful for, including you. THANK YOU!

Wishing you all the best for the holidays, we thank you, and look forward to great things to come in 2015.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Rogers,
President
Earth Day Network