Tag Archives: United States Congress

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This needs to be a headline …OFA


Yesterday, Democrats in the Senate successfully blocked the repeal of health reform — preventing Republicans from tacking it on as an amendment to a completely unrelated bill.

But Republicans in Congress aren’t finished with the political games.

Instead of focusing on creating jobs and growing the economy, they are insisting on re-litigating the battles of the last two years. They’ve vowed to do whatever it takes to tear apart the Affordable Care Act bit by bit, and they’re already planning to go after it at every turn.

These opponents of reform are in full campaign mode.

But we don’t just have the facts on our side — we also have the millions of Americans who already benefit from reform. And it’s up to us to help tell their stories, to make sure everyone understands the costs of repeal.

So, in the next week, we want to make sure those stories are on the letters pages of your local papers — one place we know lawmakers and folks in your community are sure to look.

http://my.barackobama.com/RepealLTE1?keycode=f73ee748a8755ee96cbf68fb490ba6bac3a1b3eea88077a8e4437e5b3f5b84a5&email=louvenia77@comcast.net

Will you write a letter to the editor exposing repeal — and highlight how the Affordable Care Act is improving lives in your community?

Using our letter-to-the-editor tool is easy, and we’ll even get you started with a few tips and helpful points you can use to make your case.

But, discussion points aside, you already know why we can’t afford repeal. The Affordable Care Act is helping millions of people around the country — and these are our friends and neighbors.

We’re on their side.

We’re on the side of the folks who used to worry about losing their coverage when someone on their plan got sick.

We’re on the side of the young adults who can now stay on their parents’ health plan until they turn 26.

We’re on the side of the seniors who used to pay thousands out of pocket because they fell in the “donut hole” in prescription drug coverage.

We’re on the side of the people the insurance companies can no longer discriminate against, like children who have a pre-existing condition.

That’s why we fought for reform in the first place.

That’s why we can’t stand by while the other side tries to tear it down, exposing millions of Americans once again to the whims of the insurance industry.

It’s why we can’t just sit back while a few activist judges rehash last year’s debate as they attempt to legislate from the bench and strike down provisions in the bill.

Because it shouldn’t be repeal that we should be reading about in tomorrow’s papers. The headlines we see should be about the people whose lives are improving because of reform.

They’re counting on you.

Tell their story — or yours. Write a letter to the editor today to protect our progress:

http://my.barackobama.com/RepealLTE

Thanks,

Yohannes

Yohannes Abraham

Political Director

Organizing for America

~ my 2cents ...

Monday mashup &some News -last day of January


As the weather gets just as nasty as the current political rhetoric more and more folks are opting to come out of the wood work and support Eygpt, its working people from all walks of life and some from all over the world.

On the flip side, Americans have seen members of Congress engage in what seems like a lot of overt discrimination, exclusion, and lack of compassion over the last two years. In the middle of all the nasty rhetoric, people spitting on Congress members, carrying racist signs during protests, leaving awful email or voice messages from people who clearly are not only upset but slightly or even more crazy than most some have unfortunately have acted upon their anger. It is clear, at least for me that the right person is in the office of President.

With election season right around the corner and the constant changes going on … We the People need to be even more aware more diligent in making sure our neighbors know the truth about health care reform, climate change, immigration reform and what positive things it will do for ALL Americans.

We are all waiting, watching, listening, and judging not only the behavior of President Obama but comparing and contrasting it from the current rhetoric and behavior coming from the Republican Party. It is obvious for me that they put Party and Profit before the People; folks like Senator John McCain, who called himself a maverick throughout the 2008 campaign, stated he would listen to the military about dadt then did a big flip flop stating he will no longer cooperate with Democratic members of Congress nor the Obama administration. The Republican Party and its leaders have managed to fool the public and side step their responsibility for some if not a substantial amount of the vitriol flung at the public and members of Congress.

In my opinion the night Joe Wilson decided he did not have to respect the place he was sitting, the moment or the office of President let alone President Obama himself, was the beginning of the nasty behavior.

In a time when we should be proud citizens of America to know 53% voted not only the countries first person of colour as President, he has proven to be the one who would rise to the occasion to tackle monumental challenges that others did not seem to want or accept. John McCain stated; our economy was strong though the evidence clearly showed we had been on a path to destruction and whatever Clinton did or said about our economy is just a distant memory. A Political Party, like the Republican Tea Party that keeps choosing Party and Profits over the fate of Americans is truly unacceptable. Republicans had over 8years to do something, anything about health care, climate change, bank regulation, immigration. I will admit I cannot even remember if the house of Bush even managed to allow any debates on those issues. What I do remember is a Bush doctrine that created 2Wars, 2 tax cuts for the rich, a lot of negative rhetoric concerning stem cell research, abortion, lack of a global warming treaty, the appointments of Justices Alito and Roberts, which made a direct impact on the outcome of elections and all our future ones as well. The house of Bush as we all know managed to avoid paygo now Americans suffer from his lack of restraint, forethought. The Republican Party did not look out for All Americans by choice then and here we are a whole new administration and the nonsense just seems to continue though Republicans are not in charge they refuse to let the governing party do just that … govern.

Even after the Arizona tragedy, people who call themselves tea party members, Republicans or whatever seem to be pushing their base in ways that just skims the lines of being against the law. It is offensive and troubling to know some of these people voted into office to be public servants, are now taking advantage of their power, and are practicing exclusion openly. This last week, last month talking heads, and folks on the right keep second-guessing their chances to take over both Chambers in Congress. The public should know or remember that the loss of seats in any election is tough but par for the course, but we must all remember what caused the downfall of our economy, who got us here and why; what could they have done to prevent the crash and didn’t do a damn thing.

my take

Other News …

**go to: cnn.com for the article on …Obama defends health care bill at Families USA conference

*million-man marches are planned in Eygpt

**The NE is in for more bad snow storms …called the monster

**A 129mph cyclone could hit Australia…already suffering from a lot of rain fall

**Huckabee is in Israel…

**Bill Clinton is in Haiti -observing the elections

**California Latinos protest AZ law and pust to end birthright citizenship on Saturday

**One of two sponsors of AZ citizenship bill-Rep.John Kavanagh,a Republican hopes for a lawsuit so it will go to US Supreme Court – also want to strike down the 14th Amendment -go to: cnn.com ;article written by Michael Martinez,cnn

**90% of GOP want tea party to have a say

CSPAN …

American History TV visits the Washington, D.C. home of Frederick Douglass, the ex-slave who wrote the influential “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,” spoke out for women’s rights, and pressed President Abraham Lincoln for the Emancipation Proclamation. Our tour guide is National Park Service Interpretive Ranger Kamal McClarin. http://c-span.com/Events/American-Artifacts-Frederick-Douglass-House/10737419165/

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the latest dietary guidelines for Americans at a press conference held at George Washington University. The guidelines, which are updated every five years, aim to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and obesity by encouraging improved nutrition and physical activity.   http://c-span.com/Events/News-Conference-on-Dietary-Guidelines-for-Americans/10737419274/   

With a GDP record,”economy is back” Washington Times

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/30/with-a-gdp-record-economy-is-back/

White House Launches Startup America Initiative

http://c-span.com/Events/White-House-Launches-Startup-America-Initiative/10737419256/

~ my 2cents ...

TGIF &some News …


Today marks the 25th Anniversary of the Chanllenger Space Shuttle tradgedy with thoughts of the families of our 7 Astronauts.

It has been a couple of days, The President and his SOTU address is all over the air-waves and as talking heads debate, interpret and beat down the ” WintheFuture. “ plan. It was odd to hear that the President’s “WintheFuture” plan was leaked but can imagine that the numerous right of center reporters were excited and ready to write their articles to disapprove of the President’s plan way before he gave the SOTU address let alone “WintheFuture and while Sarah Palin took a swipe at it she also made herself look less than Presidential material.

The Plan, “WintheFuture” did not stray too far away from his original statements in 2009 in my opinion but it did include an obvious roadmap at what needs to get done and how to get it done. The reports are that polls taken after the SOTU were great with Cnn reports 84% felt the SOTU was positive, 52% were very positive and CBS reported that 91% agreed to and liked the President’s proposals.  We the People need to push shove and the most important would be to call our Congress to move “WintheFuture” through so issues like abortion can be dealt with and the Dream Act, education, energy, and climate change can be more than just possible laws but realities. However, the Republican Tea Party managed to waste time for 2 years and continues to in hope for enough negative outcomes, negative responses by tea partiers, comrades and voters trying to make Obama fail in 2012. 

It is entirely possible that Republicans are not reading or listening to the news and or Polls because they definitely are not giving credit and or respect to the American people’s ability to ferret out the slight of hand these folks are engaging in. It is encouraging to see that more and more Americans like the new Health Care Law though if you spoke to Republicans they seem stuck in their midterm election win and not the change of attitude by even their own constituents. It is obvious the HoneyMoon is over but will the Republican Tea Party is it and accept they have gone to far right of center.

 I still feel the house of Bush and Republicans are completely responsible for the state of our economy. Apparently, people like Glenn beck got it; some Conservatives seem to be avoiding or walking away from Bush, stating that big spending big government happened, but if we get back into office, we will not do it again but the fact is they keep saying they want to go back to 2006 so the lesson was obviously not learned. 

 I have been listening to both sides since the midterm election and have heard nothing-different coming out of the mouths of Republicans, Conservatives and or the tea party movement that sounds anything different from the Bush Administration. We the People need to call our Members of Congress and ask; whose side are you on because 53% voted this President in and knew exactly what we were doing but the Republican Tea Party definitely are not listening because it would interupt their move to PRIVATIZE everything. Americans, over half voted for change we can believe in. I for one would love it if the Republican Tea Party stopped holding up our President’s ability to govern, stop being Obstructionists that have now defined who and what Republicans stand for. 

The Democratic Political Party needs to come together… negotiate, support and pass the issues our President campaigned on. We pay Congress to create, make and pass laws. There were a lot of folks left of center who seemed at odds with President Obama before the midterms and threatened to hold their votes hostage if he did not do as they wanted whiched seemed awfully childish to me and the other push was for President Obama to use his pen of power to get things done. In my opinion the push toward getting the President to use Executive Order to get things done is not in our best interest because it would make the law subject to being repealed way too easily. I also feel that having Congress do what we all pay them for is just plain ole common sense.

my take

Other News …

**Tea Parties first caucus recruits about 4 people …those who called themselves tea party members did not show up …hmmmm interesting for constituents to think about

**25th Anniversary ceremony at Kennedy Space Center

**Egyptians defy police and protest

**Rahm’s Mayorial campaign continues

**GDP growth up 3.2% falls short in 4th qtr tho it still is an indication of economic growth

**Nelson Mandela is released from Hospital

**Funeral for Ugandan gay activist,David Kato was held:and FYI: Uganda’s Rolling Stone is reported as having published names of several people saying they were gay with the headline “Hang them”

** Egypt: Nobel Peace Winner is under house arrest

**Seattle, City Officials have backed off from raising parking rates up to 4dollars an hr due to substantial complaints-though free parking is still after 8pm instead of the old 6pm time

**Arizona: a bid to block citizenship for illegal immigrants “anchor babies” -Lawmakers in AZ and some other States are challenging the 14th Amendment … AGAIN

CSPAN …

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs conducts a daily briefing at the White Houss:  http://c-span.com/Events/White-House-Briefing-with-Press-Secretary-Robert-Gibbs/10737419201/

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Philip Crowley conducts a daily briefing at the State Department. http://c-span.com/Events/State-Department-Press-Briefing/10737419203/

A number of Senators debated Senate Resolution 10, which would change Senate rules on considering legislation. It would change how filibusters are conducted and require a Senator’s name to be made public if they put a hold on a bill. It would also change rules for offering amendments. http://c-span.com/Events/Senate-Floor-Debate-on-Procedural-Changes/10737419227/

Commander Charles Benson, U.S. Marine Corps psychiatrist, deputy surgeon and director of the Concussion Restoration Care Center at Camp Leatherneck conducted a briefing at the Pentagon on combat stress and concussion care of troops in Afghanistan. http://c-span.com/Events/Defense-Department-Briefing-on-Combat-Stress-amp-Concussion-Care/10737419202/

This morning, the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC) released a report on the causes of the 2008 financial and economic crisis. At the event, the Commission is delivering the results of its inquiry and its conclusions as to the causes of the crisis based on this inquiry. http://c-span.com/Events/FCIC39s-Report-on-Causes-of-2008-Economic-Crisis/10737419171/

CBO:2011-2021 forecast: The agency charged with reviewing congressional budgets unveiled it’s annual economic forecast for the federal government’s 2011 fiscal year. The new estimate predicts the federal deficit will reach almost $1.5 trillion in 2011. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Doug Elmendorf appeared before The Senate Budget Committee today to detail the latest CBO report and participated in a question and answer session with lawmakers.  http://c-span.com/Events/CBO39s-2011-2021-Forecast-Detailed-in-Hearing/10737419170/   

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing to investigate how Boeing and EADS received sensitive information about each other through an Air Force clerical error. Both companies are competing for a $50 billion contract to replace the Air Force’s aging refueling airplanes. The error gave both companies access to each other’s intellectual property which could have serious consequences for the bidding competition. A contract announcement could come as early as February. http://c-span.com/Events/Senate-Armed-Services-Cmte-Hearing-on-KC-X-Competition/10737419204/

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, French President Nicolas Sarkozy defended the euro and said France and Germany would never let the currency fail. He also outlined the economic and financial priorities of the G20. France will chair both the G8 and G20 summits this year.  http://c-span.com/Events/French-Pres-Nicolas-Sarkozy-Remarks-at-World-Economic-Forum/10737419205/

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Fix Gun Checks …


In 1968, two extraordinary leaders were gunned down by assassins: Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy.

Today, I was joined by Martin Luther King III and survivors, family members and friends of the victims of the shootings in Tucson, Virginia Tech, and Columbine, along with people affected by the nearly three dozen gun murders that happen every day but never make the headlines.

We came together to ask Washington to fulfill a promise made 43 years ago after the King and Kennedy assassinations. Back then, Congress passed legislation to prohibit felons, drug users, and the mentally ill from possessing guns.

Years later, Congress added a background check system to strengthen our existing gun laws. But the flaws in this system have been exposed again and again, first in the massacres at Columbine and Virginia Tech, and now in Arizona.

I’m writing to ask you to join me in calling on Congress and President Obama to fix our broken background check system before another tragic shooting claims more innocent lives.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FzBNpda3aMV6BCgg0tFvZBx3t7JWQYiV

Please sign the petition and tell Congress it’s time to stop dangerous people from buying guns.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=yJ3mnrfZDvN2XDsv8Ok5kBx3t7JWQYiV

Every day in America, 34 people are murdered with firearms. They’re often humble and quiet people — the kind of Americans that King and Kennedy tirelessly championed.

In fact, since 1968 more than 400,000 Americans have been killed with guns. But Congress can fix gun background checks and stem the tide of violence by taking two critical steps:

Get all the names of people who should be prohibited from buying guns into the background check system.

Require a background check for every gun sale in America.

These common sense reforms will save the lives of thousands of Americans each year. That’s why 550 Mayors from across the country are calling on Congress to take action right now.

Tell Congress that we need a genuine, credible background check system for all gun sales:

www.FixGunChecks.org 

We can’t afford more gun murders because of the flaws in our background check system.

Thanks for helping to stop these senseless shootings,

Mayor Michael Bloomberg

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the cost of repeal


 

 

Yesterday, Republicans put their priorities on display on the House floor — making them plain as day.

Repeal. Undo. Cancel. Roll back.

This is what House Republicans have decided to focus on first with their new majority in Congress.

At a moment when our country has the chance to come together, Republicans in Congress are prioritizing a measure that they know only serves to divide us — a vote to reinstate insurance company abuses that health insurance reform had remedied, and to take away benefits that are improving the lives of Americans right now.

Democrats fought long and hard for the reform that Republicans are now attempting to dismantle. Volunteers made countless calls, wrote notes to our lawmakers, and attended events to build support in communities in all 50 states. We talked to our friends and neighbors, and penned letters to the editors of our local papers. We did it because we knew reform would improve the lives of millions of Americans.

And even as I write this, that’s exactly what’s happening around the country. Reform is at work in the day-to-day lives of real people — from providers to patients, young adults to seniors, small-business owners to their employees. And unraveling those reforms comes at a real and meaningful cost.

We’re fighting back with a campaign to make sure folks know exactly how health insurance reform improves lives — and exactly what the Republicans’ repeal would mean for our country.

Donate $3 or more today to help fuel our work to get out the facts about reform — and the cold, hard facts of repeal.

In a world of political catchphrases, where there’s always a new story of the moment, it’s far too easy for substance to get lost in the shuffle. It’s far too easy for the sound bite of the moment — rather than the facts — to rule the day.

But when the truth is told, Americans are overwhelmingly against any bill that would put an end to the provisions in health reform.

Because repeal would mean returning to the days when insurance companies could deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions — as many as half of Americans under 65.

It would mean that a 22-year-old currently covered by her parents’ insurance plan could get dropped again.

It would mean undoing steps to close the “donut hole” in prescription drug coverage, forcing millions of seniors to keep paying more for prescriptions they need.

It would mean that a working mother would once again have to worry that her coverage could suddenly be dropped if her child gets sick or injured.

It would mean that millions of small-business owners would lose tax credits, and struggle once again with the crippling costs of providing health insurance to their employees.

And it would mean tacking on $230 billion to our national deficit over the next 10 years — a burden every taxpayer would have to shoulder.

This is the cost of repeal.

It’s a cost that would affect all of us — and it’s a cost that Republicans seem willing to undertake.

Not us.

Remember — we began this fight because this country’s health insurance system needed to do better by its people.

And now that millions of lives are being improved, it’s our responsibility to protect the reform we fought so hard for. We owe it to those whose lives are being made better — and we owe it to ourselves.

Please donate today to help us build up our campaign about the real consequences of repeal:

http://my.democrats.org/ProtectReform

Thanks,

Jen

Jen O’Malley Dillon

Executive Director

Democratic National Committee