Tag Archives: Race and ethnicity in the United States Census

July 4th & some News …


 In the summer of 2010 with a major vote looming we were asked to see our government’s deficit as something comparable to any person who is financially under water with some hard decisions that will hurt many but had to be made. We all know deals were made in the 11th hour and though folks hated what happened i wish people would open their eyes and acknowledge what would have been the alternative with a fresh set of eyes and information.

The Republican Party that was your father’s generation is no longer able to or wants to debate negotiate for  …

“The good of the many outweighs the good of the one.” … or few

So, now it is the summer of 2011, with another major vote looming that could either sink us into the ditch that President Obama pulled us out.  The Government asked us to be patient, ask ourselves how long it would take to get out of debt given the severity and trust that we will prevail. Neither the problem nor the solution that branches out globally can happen in just 24 months. In addition, we have a Political Party who practices exclusion with obstructionist behavior, some conservadems and not enough mainstream democrats seem willing to vote or fight for the people. It is not lost on most of us how many obstacles the Democratic Party is fighting like that 60-vote rule which has tied the hands of progress for the last 2years, Republicans threatening to bring the whole system to its knees by filibustering on every JOBs bill put on the Floor of Congress while the Democratic Party has promised not to buckle under pressure. It is one year later and the BS continues and the 11th hour is here.

The 4th of July weekend for many is just another day, some use it to contemplate on what Independence Day means to them, some partake in public services while others are thinking about war and the intent for independence and the power that it gives.  It feels more like our independence is being compromised every time the Republicans fail to do the right thing for their fellow Americans each and everyday. The 4th is also a time to think about war and how unimaginable what our Soldiers actually go through but it seems like a dose of hell daily. I can only image what Military families experience but we civilians definitely should be aware of their sacrifices and be grateful. It is a feeling civilians in war-torn countries feel, victims of dictatorship and  war correspondence cover. So, as we all celebrate our own style of independence give a shout out to those you know, love and miss who serve and protect us.

In other disturbing news that happened right about now back in 2010 and is resurfacing as the Republican Party plows through State Jobs,worker rights and State Parks – in State after State. Apparently, in a procedure that is not getting much news coverage but gained some steam after Governor Dave Freudenthal threatened the sale of the Grand Teton. Now, there are reports that the Governor of Florida wants to privatize some if not all State parks which if you do some research will find that most if not all belonged to the Native Americans and maybe it is just me but this seems like a reckless and disrespectful move.  It was disappointing to read how the federal government sets aside land and then while we real people look the other way sells it, privatized for things like mining and or logging which we all know has a whole lot of negative backlash let alone not at all environmentally responsible.  Yes, the government took land from the first nation’s people saying one thing doing another back in the day actually wanting to buy sell and or trade it to the highest bidder knowing the value will increase but stop and think about how words and deeds done in the best interest of our countries first people became corrupted. Yes, history repeats itself… like the land set asides in Texas and Florida that they said was placed in a trust for Native Americans only to find out that they can buy it back at fair market value…. dang, If I understand what I read, Congress voted to take land and sell it back at a profit was unbelievable, seemed unchallenged and done quietly. In my opinion, a trust should be a positive thing but reading how some guy voted into a public servant position, probably has no American Native background throw around his plan to sell the land as, “Trash land” to other non-native folk. I do not know what happened after 7/4/2010 but it was clear the interior Department, Bureau of land management and the State fought over control of first nation land and not one mention of first nation being represented at the meeting however the 800 thousand acres taken is impressive …No?  Today, the NPS is entrusted with land holdings that have transitioned into plenty of things such as state and national parks made for everyone to use but the fact is these parks are or pieces of them suffer from fires, pollution, crime and are not as green as they should be. In the case of Wyoming, reports are that the Governor is trying to sell pieces of the parks away. I was surprised and disappointed to find that the Gov. of Washington privatized so much of our forests and some water ways in 2005. The disappointment looms from the fact that most if not all forests and waterways in our Evergreen State belonged to native americans and though the intentions went from bad to a supposed good idea of  stewardship and production of our own sustainable products our forests seem abused and mishandled. There was a report of a loss of over 700 thousand acres to big corporate developers, right of ways and agriculture since 1978. I gotta ask when will  Republican Governors and unfortunately some from the Democratic Party currently shutting down their own governments, planning to privatize parks,  public service organizations and jobs and totally responsible for leaving huge deficits with supporting Republican legislators refusing to balance the books learn.

I always say get nervous when people talk States Rights and depending on the issue the impact will hurt and be felt by those covered under the term “protected class.”

“If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience.”  –George Bernard Shaw

Other News …

Essence Music Festival comes to smooth

Lack of rain is keeping the mosquito
count down this year

Casey Anthony Trial: State’s Rebuttal

Libya wants volunteers to fight

Exxon Pipeline Oil Spill Cleanup

Big Banks Easing Terms on Loans Deemed
as Risks

CSPAN …

Chief Justice, Dalai Lama on C-SPAN

Discussions on immigration, foreign policy also among Fourth of July highlights

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Highlights From BookTV

special Fourth of July programming

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Senator Akaka introduces bill for financial literacy counseling | Hawaii 24/7

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Bill Clinton Backs U.S. Tax Holiday on Foreign Profits, With Caveats – Bloomberg

Remind Obama: Change Takes Courage


He heard our voices

We need to keep the pressure up

President Obama heard our message loud and clear. Yesterday, he held a major meeting on immigration reform to give the process new life. -Click on link below

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1211?akid=679.164689.9Fc670&t=6

This jump start for the immigration reform debate is the direct result of thousands of us demanding that he keep his campaign promises. He knows that our immigration system is broken, that our families are being torn apart and we need relief. But we need to make sure the President keeps his word.

Tell the President we support his efforts, but words are not enough -Click on link below

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1198?akid=679.164689.9Fc670&t=7

We need action. He has heard us loud and clear, but will he listen? Bringing immigration reform back is a good first step, but it’s not enough.

Thank you,

Marissa Graciosa

Reform Immigration FOR America

This week in the Senate … the Republican led House


This Week –

**Monday in the Senate: Confirmation of Executive Calendar, Jimmie V. Reyna, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge;

Confirmed: 86-0  … First Latino on Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

**S.493 small biz –High Tech Start Ups

**GOP submits FY2012 Budget

**H.R4, 1099 Repeal HC Law Tax Reporting Rule

**Negotiations on amendments resume

**Net Neutrality and EPA

This Week –

**Monday in the House: H.R. 1246  to reduce the amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense for printing and reproduction

**HRes 200 Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 37) disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to regulating the Internet and broadband industry practices.

**Leaders are at the White House discussing the Budget – Boehner and his Freshman Tea Party members?

All because of You …BraVenew Foundation


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and the Cuéntame team

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What happened yesterday


Reform Immigration FOR America
We stood together and defeated hate
But the fight isn’t over
Yesterday we saw our community stand up together at the polls all over the country.
While the Republican party swept the House, taking back the majority, they ran into a firewall in their attempts to gain back the Senate. That firewall was the Latino and immigrant vote. That firewall was you. 

In California, our community stood up to defeat Meg Whitman, who vilified her own undocumented housekeeper to try to save political face.

In Colorado, Senator Michael Bennet was re-elected with the support of Latino voters. Anti-immigrant Tom Tancredo worked hard for Bennet’s opponent and was so polarizing that even other anti-immigrant voters stayed home.

But it didn’t keep our movement home. In Nevada, Latino voters turned out to reelect Senate majority leader Harry Reid. 16 percent of the electorate was Latino, and the community stood together against Sharron Angle’s racist rhetoric.

Our fight isn’t over. It isn’t even on hold. And yesterday’s elections showed that our power is alive and well.

Thank you for everything you do. You’re the reason we’re still fighting.

Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America