Tag Archives: United States Congress

just another manic Monday …&some News


Today the President will talk about the debt ceiling, the deficit and announce a new consumer protection agency as well as the head that will definitely protect us consumers.

It’s summer here but only reaching around 69 and lasting about 2-3days – just another rant coming up below …

I am willing to accept anyone as long as the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau head has Elizabeth Warren’s seal of approval. Contrary to what the professional and or elite left might be stating this is not worthy of staying at home instead of voting for all Democrats in 2012 , voting right of center or whatever they all seem to be pushing at the moment which i cannot even put into writing … i don’t plan to go there. I get it …we have a huge tent with a lot of different views and beliefs but since none have been the President of the US of A before i say unless you know what happened behind closed doors don’t be so easy to throw your leader to the wolves. I gotta say I do not get throwing the leader over the cliff if you don’t get your way right away attitude at all especially after the last guy left without paying for the 2Wars & 2Tax cuts for his rich oil friends and who must have outsourced all that money because the man only created about 3million jobs in 8yrs.

The next few weeks and months, leading up to the 2012 elections the talk will be filled with good, bad, and ugly rhetoric mostly by folks who are paid to rile the base on both sides of the aisle. The last few weeks have given us all some eye opening news what with some telling us they are liberals when in actuality they are something more right of center but they get paid to play both sides of the aisle. It must be difficult getting a check in “the media industry”…. I guess. We have online blogs, newspapers, and op-eds and some not all have comment pages that require your email address in order to respond. There are new activist news blogs, or so-called online news sources, newspapers with well-known folks writing op-eds some try to pass them off as the truth others know they have an audience who expects negative rhetoric pumping up the opposition on what I have to say are non-partisan issues. I do not normally respond to comment pages but John Nichols is a well-known progressive reporter/writer and like many other progressives are doing some damage to the cohesiveness of a Political Party that has a huge tent yet leans left. I am not likely to believe everything in an article or interview word for word, no matter who it is. I read the stuff but i would not be so mindless to take what he or anyone else says and vote for or against anything let alone President Obama in 2012 just because of the rhetoric, but hey, that is just me. It is clear a number of so-called writers have been using headlines to bash the President and call me sensitive but people who read them and decide the person writing them is speaking to you personally is beyond my understanding. I have a tendency to want the information and the facts from say the President or others in control instead of those playing political games or mind games. The environment is ripe with doom and gloom but as we get closer to that August 2nd deadline, it does seem more of a reality than folks including me want to believe. It is also offensive to listen to Republican members of Congress act as if the impact from not raising the debt ceiling is a scare tactic and not the truth. I ask … why do we have to find out but then reality hits and truth is both sides of the aisle see this as the big moment to change the way we all live our lives. The problem is one side is devoted to a family values platform, practices exclusion, discrimination and those who already have feel they should have even more while others paraphrasing Jeff sessions that have none need to work harder for a better life… is that with no safety-net?. Yes, it is. I wonder if they went so far as to imagine what our neighborhoods would like after about a month. The haves would be doing their thing while the used to have are barely living and the others well the image I have is one that looks like a third World country.  I am sure those who were unwilling to work for minimum wage jobs are outsourced and if you happen to be an out of work union person and failed to comply with the new deal expect to be held to a low wage job because the party of tea said so. Last, women, gays, and minorities would be “seen but definitely not heard”.  Yes, the story, a seemingly hazy fictional thing full of BS, but listen to those running for President from the right. If you cleared away the Republican haze you would see the future and it could be green it definitely seems like a FDR moment but as we all know this is not the Republicans most might say they disagreed with but respected. We all know life has changed as the last guy took a surplus spent it and while the ship was sinking not too much was being done to fix it. So, we know the last guy had a surplus, didn’t pay for, but waged 2wars and 2huge Tax cuts to the rich the part where things fall apart is a bit blurry but some say recessions are cyclical. I do not believe this is a typical recession year; in fact it feels like that car though a complete wreck by now is about to be totaled by Republicans with behavior unfit for any Public Servant. I have to say that any member Congress who signed off on the Grover Norquist pledge failed to take their position seriously and obviously do not understand their jobs, or realize that they represent the people of America not just their state. If you listen to the likes of a Kucinich’s or pundits, writers and reporters like this guy you should probably keep in mind that most articles now are filled with opinion news and should be taken in topically. I get progressives have a short memory and along with that a short loyalty program. I have to say when you are armed with the facts you do not give up on your Leader. We should put his feet to the fire but telling people to show your distaste by not voting is reckless and irresponsible. It is not lost on me that professional or elite progressives are more likely to have tantrums, a personal agenda or choose to bypass talking to members of Congress by throwing in a 3rd option which got us into the predicament we are now in. I resent them and the people who drank the kook-aid because they should have been more aware of the obvious. Again, this is not your father’s conservative political party; it is a ruthless somewhat tyrannical, racist, exclusionist group. They do not deserve to govern, and as we see, the House of Representatives led by Republicans seem unable to represent all Americans let alone govern. I don’t know about you but I have to ask myself daily if folks have been paying attention for the last 24months or watching even the slight opposition of our own members of Congress voting in ways that hamper President Obama. I was glad to see that most if not all blue dogs were voted out, yet the filibustering done by the Republican Tea Party, the stalling ,blocking and scaling down of bills, nominees has gone unacknowledged by most talking heads with strange comments of who ultimately has to take responsibility for the problems that are not getting solved. I read the op-ed and have since lumped Nichols with hamsher, adamgreen, arrianna and others who clearly have an agenda that is far more left of center and while it makes sense to them left the whole idea is to represent all the people and that is a centrist. I would not begin to assume all people lean left but we do have two factions who seem to be willing to ruin it for everyone. I am not saying that I am happy with everything the President has done but weighing in on who has done more to stop progress is glaring not to mention McConnell’s statement to make Obama a one term President is just one of many reasons why we should all give the President a 2ndterm. I will say it …if Republicans had actually put in a good faith effort to move forward with legislation designed to help all Americans and the outcome was as we all see it today. I would have to think about whom to vote for in any election. The fact is …It’s the Republicans Stupid. People need to get informed with facts not take an Op –Ed or opinion news to decide your future. I do know that legislation is created and passed by Congress, that Republicans & big Corporations are sitting on billions of dollars instead of investing in America, have laid off and outsourced over 1.5million jobs to china, India and Mexico since Obama was elected. It does not help when Americans hear news of a republican member of Congress possibly having bets against the system while in Congress seems illegal to me and crooks, liars and the shady need not apply to be a part of Congress or the Whitehouse.

I support Pres. Obama and will vote for Barack Obama in 2012 because I know given the tools to move forward we all would have the opportunity for the following and much more such as green jobs, can rest knowing that the Hyde Amendment is intact, women have the right to choose and think for themselves. That we are a people who care about each other and believe in Fair Share, clean water, clean air, climate change, love and marry whom you want. It is difficult to think people out there do not see the obstacles he has had getting legislation through let alone believe it is coming from an extreme part of the Republican Party and some conservadems. The 2010 midterms are usually a no big deal event but voters though warned by President Obama failed or refused to listen to what was at stake, members of Congress were to self-centered opting to focus on their own campaigns instead of what lay before them … American issues. There were pundits that obviously had some sway telling folks to stay home or voting right of center. I will never understand voting against your own interest when the stakes are so high and I will never forget the BS thrown at us by people who call themselves progressives who must have been right of center to begin with not to mention opinion news. -People who actually vote need to use their own minds instead of listening to someone who really does not care about you however; they do care about their own ratings and wages though.

I still have hope for change but we need the audacity to see the future. Unfortunately, Republicans really want to protect right of center ideology …, which only about 20% of our population believes in – does this make any sense?

Other News …

Nelson Mandela turns 93

J.Lo and Marc Anthony will still do reality show

Eye test for Alzheimer’s could revolutionize diagnosis: How does it work?

Casey Anthony Release: Parents Refused to be Decoys

Debt Ceiling Debate Moves From White House to Congress, Prospects Uncertain

What did you think of the final ‘Harry Potter’ film?

US General Petraeus hands over command in Afghanistan amid wave of attacks

stunned by heartbreaking loss to Japan in Women’s World Cup final

CSPSN …

Former “Gang of Six” Member Unveils Spending Plan

Congress working on debt limit plans

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Obama to Pick Richard Cordray to Head New Consumer Agency

Known as outspoken bank critic

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NRC Chairman Discusses Nuclear Power Industry

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Liette Gidlow of Wayne State University in Detroit specializes in 20th century politics, women’s history, and culture. In this week’s class, Professor Gidlow looks at the issue of civil rights in the early 1990’s.     

More Info »

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Thomas Jefferson purchased a 1,334 acre tract in Virginia as a testing ground for various agricultural methods and labor systems – experiments that presented alternatives to slavery. In this discussion, a panel reflects on Jefferson’s motivations, his relationship with his confidante William Short, and their exchange of ideas on how to best manage this land known first as “Indian Camp” and then later named Morven.  

More Info »

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Debt ceiling: Moody’s puts U.S. on notice (via Anderson Cooper 360)


NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The public pressure on lawmakers to raise the debt ceiling was ratcheted up Wednesday when a major rating agency said it would put the sterling bond rating of the United States on review for possible downgrade. Moody’s Investors Services said it had initiated the review because of “the rising possibility” that Congress will fail to raise the debt ceiling by Aug. 2 — something that could lead to a U.S. default on its debt. … Read More

via Anderson Cooper 360

Demand Fair Change, Not Spare Change™


National Women's Law Center - Don't Discount Women: Demand Fair Change Not Spare Change
The Flip Side of the Coin
Add your voice to our storybank to support critical domestic programs for women that are at risk.
Share Your Story

The temperature is rising in Washington over negotiations on cutting federal spending as part of a deal to reduce the deficit and raise the country’s legal borrowing limit, known as the debt ceiling.

There’s a lot on the line for women and families: Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, maternal and child health programs, Head Start, unemployment insurance, and more are at risk of being cut dramatically. At the same time, some political leaders are threatening to cause the United States to default in order to protect tax breaks for the super-duper rich.

It’s a price we can’t afford to pay. Hedge fund managers and CEOs with corporate jets are one side of the coin. The rest of us are the Flip Side of the Coin, and we want to hear from you. Tell us what domestic programs have meant for you and your family!

Women and their families should not bear the brunt of deficit reduction — women need fair change to survive and thrive. Instead of drastic spending cuts, Congress should protect key domestic programs and services and increase revenues from the wealthiest in our society.

Help us protect these critical investments by putting a face on them: add your voice to our “Flip Side of the Coin” storybank! We will compile the stories we gather and use them in our advocacy efforts, from testimony before Congress to important written materials, to protect vital programs.

With your help, we’re going to Demand Fair Change, Not Spare Change™ for women and families in the budget debate.

Sincerely,

Joan Entmacher Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center
Judy Waxman Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center

Paul Ryan gets our message ! boldprogressives.org


We made Rep. Paul Ryan feel big pressure this week in Wisconsin.

Along with his challenger, Rob Zerban, we delivered 65,000 signatures to Ryan’s local office — opposing his plan to end Medicare.

Local and national media covered our activism! The local newspaper headline blared, “Zerban presents petition on Medicare to Ryan’s office.”

Many candidates and political committees promise to do stuff in the future. We’re committed to doing effective work now.

We work with leaders in Congress and on the campaign trail who are committed to being bold progressives and partnering with the grassroots to move the ball forward on issues we care about.

That’s why we partnered with Sen. Al Franken to re-ignite public pressure for Elizabeth Warren — and partnered with other bold leaders on the public option and Wall Street reform.

Now, we’re showing how candidates can use their campaigns to pressure Republicans back home on Medicare — in a way that impacts the current debate.

Watch video from this week’s event. Then, add your name to Rob’s letter so he can keep doing events holding Paul Ryan accountable.

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, Jeremy Feigenbaum, Neil Sroka, and the PCCC team

mashup Monday &some News


The featured picture is of the I-5 Peace Arch.

  I needed some feeling of peace today. Actually, we probably will all feel the need for some peaceful thoughts as we watch members of Congress play politics with American lives. Congress might have until August to raise the debt ceiling but the evidence is becoming quite clear that Republicans have absolutely no intention of helping their Fellow Americans and or the Economy move toward that path of progress let alone the 21st Century, so the picture on the left is of our I-5 Peace Arch on the Canadian Border.

 In 2010, right around this time a vote was taken and while the Democratic Party was trying to get Americans back to work by introducing legislation to be passed Republicans acted and continue to act as if Corporate America is the only people, they trust and the following was what happened.  Last night, June/2010 the following comments were made after the jobs/tax extenders bill failed in the Senate again 56-40 -”Tonight, every single Republican voted to deny states critical aid that would keep firefighters, police offices and teachers employed,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “And tonight, every single Republican voted to tell the one in ten Americans who have lost their jobs that they are on their own.” Please call your representative in Congress.  The American people are about tired of the BS offered up by both sides of the aisle but after watching  listening to TV and or radio the sad sad reality is that people are willing to vote against their best interest.

Apparently, folks have forgotten that it has been a Republican mission to vote against their fellow Americans calling it unnecessary spending though if anyone recalls that these are the same folks who voted against stimulus money while  taking the stimulus money, shoot every state was going to get it whether they said no because it was an emergency. It was slightly amusing though shortly lived and definitely offensive now that the number of Politicians with negative comments about the stimulus funds even though they held elaborate ceremonies with ribbon cutting, offering huge checks, took responsibility for the effort and some even asked for more money.  I am not sure how anyone else feels but knowing that the number of Governors that took the stimulus money to balance their budgets was disturbing enough. It was not just disturbing but hearing how Republican Governors made a choice of Profits over the People in their states by giving money  to private sector who turned out to be friends like the Koch brothers is felonious at best . It is also quite possible some of those very Republican Governors have businesses that received direct or non- direct advantages sort of like those drug testing clinics that belong to the governor who has decided that all state employees be tested for drug use. I may be wrong but reports are he is the only one with those clinics and this past weekend there were reports that rep. Paul Ryan stands to make a lot of money if his plan is implemented. If all that we have heard about our so-called Public Servants is correct, the stimulus money was obviously misused and some folks in office abused their positions.  We have Governors saying their states are broke though some had surpluses while the private sector being a Republicans best friend is still unwilling to open up the purse strings or stop sending jobs offshore until Americans accept lower wages and or compete for  what used to be Public Service jobs turned private and fee based . The current attitudes coming from Republicans will only drive unemployment up.  The obvious choice would be to place a Public Jobs Works bill on the table that would create jobs that will take care of our crumbling infrastructure, accept that at this moment in time we need everyone to participate. The idea that people are actually against fair share is beyond me but that Republican view currently being forced upon our fellow Americans in some states right this very moment is a reality.  It’s the 21st Century people. We need members of Congress to walk through a feature like our Arch to bring peace over them and maybe they will all come to the same conclusion two and a half years later. That all members of Congress need to participate in fair share as well as vote yes to Jobs bills that include county, state, or federal workers. Since when do we have  to tell companies like BP or other big Corporations that they should be held completely accountable for their errors; let us hope all Americans heard the Barton, Bachmann; cable heads and Boehner comments about a year ago because those- Corporatist-Republicans are still at it. The escrow was for We the People and was not a Chicago style take down as suggested. Republican Congressmen like Barton came out in support and the protection of a company that has ruined not only the Gulf Coast, the livelihoods, the environment the Marshes, Estuaries and now the beaches in Louisiana are suffering, which may affect every aspect of their economy for decades. Barton pulled those comments back but as I have said, those comments cannot be put back into any bottle and hopefully Americans will not forget or forgive.

If you just cannot enjoy our I-5 Peace Arch on the Canadian Border try breathing deeply in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth … repeat as needed

Other News ….

Your tributes to the Big Man, Clarence Clemons

Casey Anthony Trial Update: Defense case continues after dramatic beginning

Protesters take to streets in Syria after Assad speech

Euro, Stocks Recover as Debt Concern Eases

Tunisia’s Ousted President Says He Was Tricked Into Leaving

Is Rick Perry Going to Run for President?

Inappropriate Jokes

CSPAN

Governors Discuss Job Creation

Study released on states and job growth

A Look at “Mystery Phone Fees”

Huntsman announcement, Panetta Vote, Clinton on Capitol Hill

Senate to vote Tuesday on Panetta as SecDef
Issue for Jon Huntsman: His family’s Iran Business