Tag Archives: republicans

a repost

What You Need To Know From The Latest Social Security Trustees Annual Report

The latest annual report from the trustees for Social Security and Medicare came out today. It provided some very good news on the health care front: the report extended Medicare’s solvency by four years from 2026 to 2030. This improved financial health can be attributed in part to the Affordable Care Act, which is helping to reduce costs.

Just a few years ago, before the Affordable Care Act was fully implemented, the trustees predicted that the Medicare trust fund would run out by 2016. Another reason to be thankful for the ACA.

On the Social Security front, some news reports are focusing on the financial shortfall that the program faces in the next 75 years. But it is both expected and manageable. Here are the four key takeaways, from a post by Center for American Progress experts Rebecca Vallas and Christian E. Weller:

1. Social Security can continue to pay all promised benefits for the next two decades. As was the case in last year’s report, the Trustees continue to estimate that Social Security will be able to pay all scheduled retirement, disability, and survivorship benefits through 2033. Social Security has two trust funds: one for the retirement and survivorship benefit programs, and one for the much smaller Disability Insurance (DI) program (although experts generally consider the two funds together due to the interrelated nature of Social Security’s programs). Individually, the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund is projected to deplete its reserves in 2035, and the DI trust fund will do so in 2016. After 2033, the Trustees project that Social Security income from payroll taxes will be sufficient to cover 77 percent of promised benefits after 2033, unless policymakers implement changes before then.

2. Social Security’s shortfall is modest. The Trustees project that the entire Social Security shortfall for the next 75 years will be about 1 percent of GDP, or 2.88 percent of taxable payroll. The bulk of this shortfall, 2.55 percent of payroll or 88.5 percent of the entire shortfall, is attributed to OASI. The Trustees have long projected both the OASI and DI shortfalls. While an aging population is frequently discussed as the driving factor, recent analysis by Monique Morrissey at the Economic Policy Institute finds that as much as half of the shortfall is attributable to rising inequality and wage growth that has lagged behind gains in productivity.

3. The fact that action will soon be needed to address Disability Insurance’s finances has long been expected. As with last year’s report, this year the Trustees continue to project that the DI trust fund will be exhausted in 2016—something that has been expected for nearly 20 years.

4. A routine step would ensure that Social Security can pay all benefits in full through 2033. Rebalancing—an adjustment in the share of payroll taxes allocated to each of the trust funds—has occurred in a bipartisan manner 11 times in the program’s history to account for demographic shifts or other changes. About half the time funds have been reallocated toward OASI, and about half the time toward DI.

BOTTOM LINE: The trustees for Social Security and Medicare brought the good news that Medicare’s financial health is better than expected. And the predictions it makes for Social Security are both expected and manageable–permitting our elected officials can take action to strengthen this program that is a bedrock of economic security for working Americans.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The Supreme Court’s decision on voting access … a repost

10/19/2016 Nativegrl77

First posted 8/6/2015

The Supreme Court announced a major decision about voting access in the United States. You can start a petition now to address these issues and make your voice heard.

The Supreme Court announced a landmark voting access decision in the case of Evenwel v. Abbott, upholding the current standard for creating congressional districts – the geographical lines that determine where you vote and who represents you in Congress – around the country.

This is the first Supreme Court decision regarding voting access and congressional districts in 50 years, and it has reignited debates about these issues around the country.

Over the past few years, hundreds of thousands of Change.org users like you have taken action to protect voting rights, expand voting access, and ensure that the United States maintains a free and open democracy. From the Voting Rights Act to expanding early voting around the country, users have started petitions to voice their opinions. Now you can add your voice to the conversation.

You can start your own petition about voting rights, voting access, or issues concerning America’s voting process by clicking here. It only takes about five minutes.

Change.org users are using these tools to ask their states to create nonpartisan committees to draw up the new congressional districts, to ask Congress to address issues of voter access, to call on governors to create early voting in in their home states, and much more.

Want to do the same? All you have to do is go to the dedicated start a petition page for voting rights and access and follow a few easy steps: https://www.change.org/start-a-petition/protecting-democracy.

In just a few moments, you can make your voice a part of the conversation.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

The Staff at Change.org

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Fighting for Homeless Veterans in Washington State …have things improved

10/18/2016 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Fighting for Homeless Veterans in Washington State

Last week, I stood with fellow Democratic Senators to discuss how the Republicans’ reckless spending proposal would cut 10,000 housing vouchers that would bring homeless veterans off the streets and into supportive housing. We owe it to our veterans to provide them with the resources and support they need to put a roof over their heads. And this is just one more example of the Republicans putting politics and ideology over families, communities, and even those who have served our nation.

Watch the press conference >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc9AA9ZMLy0&tracker=False

“Veterans housing program targeted”” – The Olympian http://www.theolympian.com/2011/03/11/1574690/veterans-housing-program-targeted.html

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Contrasting Republican and Democratic Budget Proposals: Reckless Cuts VS. Sensible Solutions

Last week, I spoke on the Senate floor to contrast the Republican and Democratic spending proposals currently being debated in the Senate. I am extremely disappointed that Republicans who came into office promising to work with us on helping our economy, have proposed an extreme budget that would destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs, devastate workers and small business across the country, and threaten our fragile economic recovery. The Democrats offered a plan to cut spending responsibly, while continuing to make the investments we need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our competitors.

Watch video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDujvIW0o20

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Standing Up for Washington State Veterans’ Caregivers

Earlier this month, I pointedly questioned Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki about the VA’s decision to limit a critical benefit for the caregivers of severely injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The VA’s decision, which cuts back stipends for those who have left careers behind to care for their injured loved ones, ignores the will of Congress in passing the caregivers law last year.

and watch the hearing >> http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=5ee43015-815c-4f30-a682-7fa0115ebb63

Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help” – The News Tribune

“VA blasted for limits on caregiver benefits” – Army Times

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Working to Lower Tariffs on Washington State Farmers and Growers

I was encouraged by the announcement made by President Barack Obama and President of Mexico Felipe Calderón earlier this month that they had reached an agreement on a path forward for resolving the cross-border trucking dispute and ending the retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. The Mexican government has committed to suspending 50% of the tariffs once a final rule is published and an agreement is signed. The other 50% of the tariffs will be suspended when the program commences. While this agreement is absolutely encouraging, I am deeply disappointed that the Mexican government has refused to immediately lift the tariffs that are devastating Washington state farmers and growers.

Over the past two years, I have pressured the Obama Administration to work with the Mexican government to remove retaliatory tariffs on Washington state farmers and growers. Earlier this year, I praised an announcement by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood that the Administration would be moving forward with a proposal to negotiate an end to Mexican tariffs on agricultural products. I criticized the Mexican government’s response to this proposal when they refused to make any changes to the list of products affected by the tariffs. Their newest agreement is a step in the right direction and I will continue calling on the Mexican government to immediately drop these harmful tariffs.

http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=a2aa1596-544f-46f4-ba8f-d37ec06c049b&ContentType_id=0b98dc1b-dd08-4df2-adac-21f6ae03beed&Group_id=97a054dd-8a74-4cd0-8771-fbc3be733874

“Mexico tariffs on ag products may end” – Yakima Herald-Republic >> http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/03/03/mexico-tariffs-may-end

To comment: http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactMe

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Rescind my city’s cruel anti-homeless feeding ban … still?

10/18/2016 Nativegrl77 3 Comments

Randall Kallinen

Sign the petition

Helping my city’s homeless could land me in jail with a $2000 dollar fine.

Last November, a 90-year-old Florida man was arrested and faced 60 days in jail for feeding the homeless. A few months later, a San Antonio woman was hit with a $2000 dollar fine for doing the same.. These “feeding bans” have popped up all over the United States. In fact, more than 70 cities around the country have instituted or tried to institute similar ordinances.

My name is Randall Kallinen, and I am deeply saddened to say that my beloved city of Houston has followed suit. Now, a good deed could cost you $2000 here, too. This is just the wrong direction to be taking. It’s anti-compassion and anti-humanitarian, and we need to turn it around.

Tell Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council that feeding the homeless isn’t a crime. Change the law and allow good samaritans to feed the hungry.

As a civil rights lawyer for over 21 years, homeless advocate and the president of Houston’s ACLU chapter for 3 years, I speak from experience when I say that humane acts of kindness should be rewarded, not punished. When Houston passed this ban 3 years ago, organizations from across the religious and political spectrum spoke out because they understood that being a good samaritan isn’t a religious or political issue, but rather a matter of human rights. Now most have been frightened off from giving to the needy. Helping those in need should be considered a fundamental right, particularly now when more and more people are experiencing food insecurity and the government is failing to fix the problem. Houston’s cruel “anti-feeding” ordinance stands in the way of that right, and it is up to you and me to overturn it.

Because of our size, as Texas goes, so goes the rest of the country in many political matters. Too many cities have already adopted these anti-humanitarian measures. Getting Houston to rescind this draconian ordinance where you must seek permission as where and when to feed more than 5 less fortunate outside on public property could go a long way toward turning the tide across the nation.

Criminalizing charity penalizes our community’s most vulnerable. Can you help to make sure that doesn’t happen?

Let’s put an end to this misguided ordinance and return the spirit of giving and charity to the city of Houston. Join me and tell Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council that every human deserves compassion. Tell them to rescind the “anti-feeding” ordinance.

Sign the petition

~ my 2cents ...

Has Congress embarrassed Americans … hmmmm the hyde amendment 40yrs

10/01/2016 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

So, over 50% voted to keep President Barack Obama for a 2nd term. In my opinion, republicans are still acting as if they had carpets pulled out from under them as they professed right up to the day we were informed that PBO won both the electoral and popular vote that Romney had won. Now, in this 2016 year, the 114th Congress is even worse than we could have all imagined as they meet less, seemingly vote against their constituents in every session and refuse to let President Barack Obama govern every chance they get. I need, want constituents to wake up and wonder how some of these folks got away with making millions to consider them as carpetbaggers now. Today, we must all be as patient as those who stood in line for hours to vote, be ready to fight back, stand up and speak out against Republicans members of the 114th Congress in Campaign2016 while they manage to continue to hold Americans hostage.

If you listen to FOX, they seem to be whipping up the notion to take hostages, Senator Cruz cost Americans $24 Billion so do not be surprised. I have major issues with FOX being considered a news program when they are actually a Republican station spreading the GOP word, so any use of them as a resource is just a distraction as they say oh we believe in progress while voting NO on the floor of Congress least we talk about what legislation republican Governors are signing. I get that POTUS negative numbers are media worthy but voters are starting to tune in. I am particularly concerned about a woman’s right to choose as some Republican Governors continue to pass unacceptable legislation to make abortion or contraceptives hard to get while screaming about their religious freedoms being violated. It is in all our best interests, as Women and as voters who care about equal rights to keep the image of the all-male panel in mind that not only refused to listen to Sandra fluke, they denied Eleanor Holmes Norton a seat at the table as well.

I don’t know about you but I was pissed, scared and determined not to let a group of men turn back the clock on women who fought and suffered from a lack of Equality in all its forms so that women of the future may have the right to choose maybe experience some respect and freedom. Yet, we all saw heard and watched gasping. I am still asking , are these men were serious and di they think women are too stupid to make their own health care decisions or is there another reason for the sudden need to ban birth control possibly trash roe V wade altogether. I know Women’s suffrage was about whole lot more than reproductive rights, we all must remember how long it took Congress to pass VAMA among many other legislation to help women. They(Republicans) continue to stall or filibuster bills that will help main street, single women with children and the poor while Congress, specifically republicans have decided, no business is good business for their future Elections, but as VP Joe Biden stated in his 2012 debate, roe V wade is only as safe as the Supreme Court justices allowed to sit on the court are objective.

In my opinion, The Hyde amendment was a knee jerk reaction from a man or group of men who believed they had the right to invade a Woman’s personal space, health care choice and their right to choose while demanding their religious freedom. Such hypocrisy by Republicans maybe a few Conservadems definitely needs more airtime.

Unfortunately, in the end it became a law.

Resources: Taken from the Center for American Progress :

The History of the Hyde Amendment – Click on the link below for more information

Click on link for the full story … below

Unhappy Birthday to the Amendment That Started the War on Women

We can thank former Rep. Henry Hyde (R.-Ill.) for setting us on this path. The attacks on contraceptive coverage can be traced back to an amendment of his that turns 36 years old today. The Hyde Amendment…

By Jessica Arons | Monday, October 1, 2012

Introduction: 30 Years is Long Enough, by Jessica Arons
Part One: Hyde Amendment History, by Marlene Gerber Fried
Part Two: Dignity and Justice for Some?, by Sarah Horsley
Part Three: Does the Hyde Amendment Violate Human Rights?, by Patty Skuster and Jamie D. Brooks
Part Four: Expanding Reproductive Choice, by Susan Jenkins
Part Five: The Future of Hyde, by Toni M. Bond Leonard