Tag Archives: politics

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Washington State …mail in your Ballot and VOTE for Patty Murray!


Organizing for America

The primary election here in Washington ends on Tuesday, August 17th — but in most parts of the state every day is Election Day because mail-in ballots have already been sent.

When you cast your ballot, be sure to vote for Patty Murray. She has been a strong ally of the President, fighting for health insurance reform, Wall Street reform, and more. She’s fought for Washingtonians, now we need to make sure she can continue to represent us in the Senate.

If you are submitting your vote by mail, you have until Election Day to send in your ballot. In order to be counted, your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, August 17th.

In Pierce County, you can either request an absentee ballot, or vote at your polling place between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17th.

Check here for more information about mail-in ballots and polling locations.

Washingtonians will cast their votes for candidates who will represent them in state and local government and in the halls of Congress — so it’s crucial that as many voters as possible make their voices heard.

Vote by mail is available to all voters, so be sure that you return your mail-in ballot. You can find more information about early voting and find polling locations and times here:

http://wa.barackobama.com/WashingtonVotes

Thanks,

Dustin

Dustin Lambro
Washington State Director
Organizing for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

3,300 teachers in Washington


Organizing for America

I want to thank the OFA supporters who stood with House Democrats as they raced back to Washington this week to cast a vote on a state assistance bill. I’m proud to say they passed the bill yesterday and the President immediately signed it into law.

And, because of it, hundreds of thousands of jobs will be saved — including an estimated 3,300 public school teachers across Washington.

Republicans called this bill a “bailout” and a “handout.” They called the police officers, firefighters, and teachers whose jobs were on the line “special interests.” And nearly every House Republican voted no.

But Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats did the right thing, reminding us again of what we’re fighting for in the upcoming elections. When voters cast their ballots in November, it’s up to us to make sure they remember who’s fighting for them.

Thanks for all you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

wild Wednesday &some News …


The climb out of the economic ditch has been slow but is happening and should be recognized by most people even with all the noise being made to cover the achievements made by the Obama Administration. Yesterday, the YES vote in the House of Representatives for HR1586 passed after much debate and negative comments from Republicans. The Bill will arguably guarantee workers will not be laid off and it was clear the Democratic Party saw this as an emergency vote unlike those on the right who are suppose to do the people’s business but are definitely choosing not to participate in. The very people put into Political office called HR1586 a bailout, stating that is not a responsible thing for Congress to, yet if you ask any Teacher or Firefighter in any state, I am sure they would feel it is about time somebody in Congress help out their fellow American… HR1586 will not only help Teachers, First Responders, and other Gov’t jobs but will extend stimulus money to help States pay Medicaid. The fact is Republicans keep talking trash and anyone listening would have heard comments like, “Where do the bailouts end?” asked Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio. “Are we going to bail out states next year and the year after that, too? At some point we’ve got to say, ‘Enough is enough.'” Moreover, while Boehner and his crazy train continue to prove they are not only unqualified to handle the peoples business on the floor of Congress or their own States. They probably would be telling ALL Americans that they will repeal any and everything considered an entitlement. The list would include everything that would help the average person on Main Street, deregulate Wall Street, Oil industry. It is clear Republicans would shake the middle class yet make sure that any tax cut is kept in place and probably remains unpaid for -hey that is what they want but are unwilling to be honest about where the money would come from to pay for them …if at all. The cost to pay for keeping the Bush Tax Cuts in place would be $830Billion dollars. The thought anyone would say that out loud with millions of their own constituents listening to them is not only outrageous, it is offensive.

It is time we All listen to Politicians we can trust and right now that is the Democratic Party. I will admit that even the Democratic Party has conservdems that may not be the best representation of the Democrats ideology on a whole. Conservadems, vote to represent the States who voted them into office and apparently are more right of center depending on the issue. Republicans unlike Democratic Rep. Jay Inslee said his state of Washington would get funds to keep 3,000 teachers he continued Republicans, he said, “think those billions of dollars for those corporate loopholes is simply more important than almost 3,000 teachers and classrooms in the state of Washington.” In addition, we have Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., w ho said Republicans ignore the fact that the law would not add to the federal deficit. “They want to do everything in their power to make certain that President Obama can’t get this country going again. I think in November they are going to find it was a dumb policy.”

Other News …

Tea Party groups are planning a rally this Sunday near the Mexican border in Arizona to support the state’s new harsh stance on illegal immigration and U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth, who is challenging Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in the GOP primary. Dozens of speakers will attend the event, including Hayworth and Nevada GOP U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle.

A Congressional analysis released yesterday finds that, if the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire, taxpayers earning more than $1 million would “still receive on average a tax cut of about $6,300” compared with what they would’ve paid in 2001. The analysis also found that “less than 3 percent of filers with small-business income” are subject to the top two income tax rates.

Tea Party groups are planning a rally this Sunday near the Mexican border in Arizona to support the state’s new harsh stance on illegal immigration and U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth, who is challenging Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in the GOP primary. Dozens of speakers will attend the event, including Hayworth and Nevada GOP U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle.


C-SPAN …

watch Spkr. Pelosi Signing Ceremony

watch Agriculture Civil Rights Conference
watch House GOP

watch Pres. Obama on Teacher Jobs
watch State Dept. Briefing

watch Census Director Briefing visit Census Website

House Adjourns After Passing Aid to States; Senate Returns to Full Agenda After Break

House members returned to DC yesterday for one day to consider several pieces of legislation. They passed the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act (H.R.1586) by a vote of 247 to 161 which President Obama signed into law last evening. The bill includes Medicaid assistance and prevents the firing of teachers and law enforcement officers by providing states $26.1 billion in federal aid.

During yesterday’s session, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) took to the floor to respond to the Ethics Committee charges against him and the trial he faces later this fall. Saying that his actions may have been “stupid or neglect[ful] but… not corrupt,” Rangel announced that he had no intentions of resigning and wanted to have a hearing to refute the charges.

The House also approved a $600 million border security bill that will now go back to the Senate for a vote. There are reports that the Senate may meet this week to vote out this bill by unanimous consent.

When the Senate returns next month members are scheduled to take up work on financial incentives geared to small-businesses, appropriations bills for the fiscal year and climate change legislation. They are trying to pass this legislation before the October recess so members can return to their states to campaign for the midterm elections.

Sen. Bennet Wins Colorado Senate Democratic Primary

In Colorado, Sen. Michael Bennet, backed by President Obama, defeated former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff who was supported by Frmr. President Clinton. On the Republican side, Weld County district attorney Ken Buck defeated former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton for the GOP nomination. In Connecticut, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon has won the Senate Republican nomination defeating Rep. Rob Simmons. She’ll face Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) in November. Both parties were holding Senate primaries seeking to replace retiring Sen. Chris Dodd (D).

In a tight race in Georgia, the Republican runoff election for Governor between ex-Congressman Nathan Deal and former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel may come down to absentee ballots. Candidates each claimed 50 percent of the vote with 99 percent of precincts reporting in early morning hours Wednesday.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Big News …JustSayNow.com


Since I wrote you last week, more than 45,000 people have signed on to our petition to President Obama to end the war on marijuana.

But it’s not just us: in that same time, two Catholic cardinals in Mexico and current Mexican President Felipe Calderon called for a debate on legalizing drugs. Then former Mexican President Vicente Fox said that we should regulate marijuana, after his country announced that more than 28,000 people have been killed in the war with drug cartels.

Legalizing marijuana is a moral issue. While our government continues to waste billions every year fighting an unwinnable war on cartels funded by marijuana prohibition, thousands more will needlessly die.

The movement to legalize marijuana is real. Will you join us? Please click here to sign our petition to end the war on marijuana:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

The media is paying attention to our campaign. Here’s just some of what the press has said this week about our petition to end the war on marijuana:

Huffington Post: “‘Just Say Now’: Left-Right Coalition Launches Campaign to Legalize Pot”
The Guardian: “Liberals and libertarians pressing for an end to prohibition”
Willamette Week: “Want to End the War on Marijuana? Sign this Petition”
NBC News: “Just Say Yes – to Marijuana Legalization”
The Atlantic: “A new, and potentially quite significant, arm of the [marijuana legalization] movement”

Momentum is on our side – can you please join us?

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

My email to you from last week is below.

Thanks for all you do.

Best,

Jane Hamsher
JustSayNow.com


Subject: Big news

Click here to say Just Say Now!

The war on marijuana is a complete failure.

Billions of dollars are wasted every year. Police officers’ lives put at risk daily. Out-of-control Mexican drug cartels have ravaged our borders, killing thousands of people every year. It’s so bad, even Mexico’s President called for a debate on legalizing marijuana this week

Our government needs a reality check – it’s time to end the war on marijuana.

So we’re launching a massive campaign to fight for legalizing marijuana that we’re calling “Just Say Now.” With the support of the grassroots group Students for Sensible Drug Policy, we’ll organize thousands of people to support legalization at the ballot box.

To kick off our campaign, we’re bringing attention to the unjust, unpopular, and racist reality that is the war on marijuana. It’s a war that must end now.

Ask President Obama to help end the war on marijuana. Click here to sign our petition.

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

We’re organizing our Just Say Now campaign to put a stop to the federal government’s war on marijuana. To do that, we’ll organize activists to identify and turn out supporters in states to vote for marijuana in the 2010 and 2012 elections.

This campaign will be a game-changer. Our partners at Students for Sensible Drug Policy have already organized 150 campuses and thousands of student activists. We’re poised to make a huge impact to legalize marijuana.

This November, California will vote to legalize marijuana, and 3 other states will vote on medical marijuana regulations. Thirteen states and DC have already legalized medical marijuana. Poll after poll shows huge majorities in states and the country support legalizing marijuana.

Despite this popular support, the federal government’s war on marijuana continues. Just last month, federal agents raided several completely legal medical marijuana farms and dispensaries.

Join us in calling on President Obama to help end this war. He should join the debate to legalize marijuana.

Click here to add your name to our petition to President Obama to end the war on marijuana:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

We’re excited to Just Say Now to legalizing marijuana. Thanks for all you do.

Best,

Jane Hamsher                        Aaron Houston
Founder, Firedoglake              Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

P.S. We have an online store with great items using our Just Say Now logo – t-shirts, stickers, buttons, and more. All proceeds will go towards our campaign to legalize marijuana. Check out our store!

http://firedoglake.com/justsaynow/store/


~ my 2cents ...

tame it Tuesday &some News …


Today is definitely one that needs taming, the air is thick with pollen and by the end of the week, the 206 should be experiencing high temps again…

Ten years ago a procedural vote on HR1586 in the House of Representatives took place ..a Vote to help Teachers, Govt workers, Firefighters, and 1st Responders..it extends the stimulus money to help States pay Medicaid, a $26Billion Bill.   …in a time when a deep recession has occurred and need to pump money into the system is obvious …Republicans want tax cuts for the wealthy and no one on the right seems to know how or who would pay for the $830Billion needed to pay for them, they don’t want reform they only want what will keep the upper 1-2%happy and made threats using Wall Street back then now it’s average Americans that are a target.  The action republicans continue to engage in is offensive and All Americans should be outraged …it’s time to open your eyes people. If you are listening … the target in on the Poor, Impoverished, and People who they continue to believe are dragging them down? because they want to spend money on the wealthy without paying for it? I will say this over and over again… All citizens have been made a victim and for Republicans and a few conservadems have shown themselves to be unworthy to be in Congress …that is supposed to represent the People

No Doubt the Democratic Party is working for the People and NOT against Us. The Speaker of the House called Congress at least those that are in the House of Representatives back into Session. The reports back then were that they would only meet on Tuesday and vote to fund Teachers, First Responders in this time of financial crisis that Republicans have and continue to vote against Americans whenever possible and apparently, things haven’t changed.

The House of Representatives were in Session Monday night for about 2-3 hours, which was a surprise to see this morning. Republicans started saying No 20 months ago and have not stopped, have voted time, and time against their own constituents. We the People have to stand up against this come to the November elections.

It is so offensive to think Politicians not only would want to say No to workers in such a deep recession of the US but run away from all things called Reform. It is obvious we need to reform a whole lot of things the last guy left us –because that  is who pushed us into the ditch. We did not fall completely over the edge but if we give Republicans control, we definitely will not just be in a deep recession but a depression. If it sounds cynical well it is because for 20 months not one Republicans has given us concrete plans to get Americans back on track

Today seems like a day when we all, maybe it is just me because i do need to breathe in slowly in deeply -breathe out, repeat as needed. –

–With all the noise coming from the right about stripping citizenship from children of immigrants , how SB1070 had hidden consequences and definitely an intent to oust Brown people out of Arizona, which, if you know your history has only been a US state since 1912. It begs the question of who owned Arizona before right? well, we all know but it points to the class system and how people of privilege seem to be rearing their ugly head.  The crap that upsets me is equality is a right not a privilege and no one especially Politicians should not forget that. I know this much is true…If my Ancestors had not gone through the journey to America …good bad and possibly ugly as well as those who gave in to their passion and love for each other, my family would not exist and i thank them for taking the risk

There are so many things going on in the News right now that should bother all of us and while clearly as a whole we are in a better place,  it is the 21st Century and the ugly struggle continues. Yet, the whole Elena Kagan confirmation hearings gave me that eerie feeling of how it must have felt back in the day when folks of colour and the women were treated so poorly. There seemed to be a whole lot of folks engaging in specific toxic talk that seems embattled and begs us to ask ourselves where Republicans are regarding race. They have to know the public is watching the conversation on national TV right so it was very confusing to hear people, voted supposedly into office to create and pass laws for all people have made a choice to put Party and Profit before the Peoples business.

Now, Republicans seem to be using old white strategy, reasonable suspicion, and the14th Amendment to scare; I guess White people. There are people in the News or analyst stating that when there is a recession of the kind we are now having people get restless and start to look for a target and unfortunately, it seems to be the other… Well, for me that is just not acceptable. We live in a country made up of immigrants and while it is true that we need comprehensive immigration the nonsense coming from Politicians on the right saying we need to look at changing, adjusting, or stripping the 14th amendment because it is outdated or for whatever reason just crosses the line of sanity.

America is a country of diverse backgrounds and if you listen to the vitriol being put out there, on the airwaves you would have to wonder if racism is coming from folks we vote into office and how can we stop that before they get there. Is there a test, criteria to be met before you can run for office? Ok, I know there are far and few because if there were rules laws then we definitely would not be seeing even half of who is currently sitting in the Senate.

Is there a voice of reason in the Republican Party of No? Because the Elena Kagan confirmation hearing if nothing else brought the Republican stank out and into the open. It was obvious to me that it should have people of colour deciding just who they will be voting for in the upcoming elections and it cannot be for Republicans, as the rhetoric doesn’t just seem racist it is that and with that disrespect follows. The comments about the man Elena Kagan clerked for, Thurgood Marshall who just so happens to have a lot of respect from a hell of a lot of people were disrespected on national TV. I still wonder what these nasty Republicans felt like when his Widow walked into the ceremony for Elena Kagan. The fact that she was there was covered by the Media and cable but nothing was said about any remorse or apologies or possible embarrassment Republicans may have felt considering the things that were said during the confirmation hearing.