Tag Archives: United States

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DADT … Jim Messina, BarackObama.com

07/25/2011 Nativegrl77

President Obama and our military service chiefs certified the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In 60 days, it will be done.

This is huge and welcome news for every one of us who opposes discrimination of any kind. But now, the fight for equal rights moves on.

Here’s the next front: This week the President endorsed a bill to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, a discriminatory law that forces the federal government to ignore the rights of those in same-sex marriages, even those performed in states where gay marriage is legal. The New York Times has said it “ranks with the most overtly discriminatory laws in the nation’s history.”

President Obama sees repeal as a moral and legal necessity, while the Republican candidates oppose it. But millions of people — gay and straight — are watching what they’re doing, want this law gone, and will make their voices heard.

Can you be one of them? We’re putting together the group of people who want to be at the forefront of our efforts on this issue as the campaign develops over the next 16 months — the first to know when news breaks, and the first to help spread the word to your friends and in your community. Join us for what’s next:

BARACKOBAMA.COM

Under DOMA, rights afforded to straight married couples — such as receiving Social Security benefits for spouses or filing joint federal income-tax returns — do not apply to same-sex married couples.

It’s no secret that the President has long opposed this law. In February, he directed the Justice Department to stop defending a key portion of it in court. And this week, he endorsed the first Senate bill that would repeal the law in its entirety.

We can already see the direction the other side is headed in response. They called a witness at the Senate hearings this week to testify that repealing DOMA would “pave the way for polygamous and other polyamorous unions.” That’s the type of rhetoric we should be prepared to hear in the run-up to the next election.

But the broad American consensus is on our side. We’ve all seen that change in Washington doesn’t come overnight, and fighting for it can carry significant political risks. When opportunities to make real progress come up, it’s critical to show Washington that millions of voters have President Obama’s back.

This is a defining issue for many of us in this movement, and for this President. Join this fight today:

Thanks for your help,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

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Forcing the poor and middle-class to pay … Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org

07/25/2011 Nativegrl77

Republicans are trying to push forward a plan that would gut America‘s social safety net — and unless we act now, they may get their way.

Congress needs to raise the debt ceiling before August 2nd so that the government doesn’t default on its debts, which would wreak havoc on the economy. But Republicans are refusing to vote to raise the debt ceiling unless they can also pass massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, student aid, and other important programs that create opportunity and protect the most vulnerable among us.

Democrats in Congress are holding the line, saying that they won’t accept any cuts to these programs without asking huge corporations, millionaires and billionaires to contribute their fair share.

But as the deadline approaches, Congressional Democrats will be under immense pressure to compromise their principles, even if it means giveaways for the rich while most Americans suffer.

Please join us in calling on the White House and Congress to say NO to any deal that asks people who are already struggling in this economy to sacrifice even more, without asking corporations and the rich to pay their fair share. And please ask your friends and family to join us as well:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/907?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=3

The moral line is clear: the budget must not be balanced on the backs of poor and working folks while millionaires and billionaires pay lower taxes than ever. Americans oppose cuts to Medicare and Social Security by a 2-to-1 margin, and a large majority thinks that keeping benefit levels the same is a bigger priority than short-term deficit reduction.1 And an amazing 72% of Americans are united behind the idea of asking the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes.2

By speaking out, we can help give the President and Congressional Democrats the political space they need to stand strong against the GOP‘s dangerous demands. It’s especially important that we deliver this message to the House of Representatives, because it’s likely that any budget deal will have to happen with the blessing of Democrats there. If they stand strong, we can avoid the worst of the cuts.

Why do we need to raise the debt ceiling?

Congress sets the maximum amount the federal government can borrow to pay its bills on time. If our debt rises above the limit, the government will begin to default on its commitments. And when that happens, there will be far-reaching consequences for everyone, but especially poor and working folks.

If the government doesn’t pay its bills, it’s a lot like when you or I don’t pay our bills — it ruins our credit, and makes buying goods and services more expensive. Worse, it makes even having debt more expensive, which means that money the government will have to pay higher interest rates — money that won’t go to economic stimulus or preserving the social safety net.

Most reputable economists say that a government default would wreck the nation’s economy, halting the already-weak recovery and possibly taking the world’s economy down with it.3

That fact hardly matters to most Republicans in Washington, who are treating the prospect of default like a high-stakes game of chicken. Many see an opportunity to gut programs that they never could otherwise, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. It’s a disgusting, cynical strategy.

If enough of us speak out, we can help save the social safety net and force corporations and the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. Please join us now:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/907?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=5

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 24th, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/205?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=7

1. GOP Divided Over Benefit Reductions: Public Wants Changes in Entitlements, Not Changes in Benefit,” Pew Research Center for People and the Press, 7-7-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/908?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=9

2. “Poll: Taxing the rich favored over Medicare cuts,” Politico, 4-20-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/909?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=11

3. “To the limit,” New York Times, 7-1-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/910?akid=2071.1174326.rdN0yZ&t=13

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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau -Thank President Obama & Elizabeth Warren

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

This morning, a group of public servants showed up to work at a brand-new agency created to protect everyday Americans from the abuses of Wall Street.

They’re the folks of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and they’ll be the cops on the beat protecting consumers from predatory credit card and mortgage lenders, bait-and-switch creditors, and anyone trying to make a quick buck by deceiving or manipulating Americans who are just trying to secure their financial future.

Many Americans don’t know it, but this bureau is just one part of a sweeping Wall Street reform law — the most pro-consumer and pro-taxpayer reform of our financial system since the Great Depression — that President Obama signed a year ago today.

Watch this video to get a quick overview of the law, and a briefing on the special interests trying to undermine it:

http://youtu.be/STAm_6csuxc
Whether you watch the video or not, please share this email with someone.

It’s important that everyone knows what this law means for all of us. Simpler mortgages. Clearer credit card rates, fees, and rules. Fairer loan terms. It’s based on the simple idea that if you make sure that people get clear information, they’ll make the financial decisions that work best for them.

And we can all rest a little easier knowing that our common financial future is more protected from the irresponsibility of a few. This law made structural reforms to ensure that the financial crisis we experienced in 2008 never happens again and that taxpayers aren’t on the hook to pay for Wall Street’s risky bets.

It’s up to you to make sure more people know about this. Most Americans don’t have all the details on how this law is working for them, and it’s our job to change that.

Take a look, and be sure to pass this one on:

Amazingly, each and every Presidential candidate on the other side opposes this law.

And the same opposition that tried to block it more than a year ago is still alive and well.

Right now, lobbyists are at work trying to weaken the tough regulations this law imposes.

That’s no accident — its provisions are designed to rein in the Wall Street, credit card, and mortgage banking interests these people represent.

As we know, there aren’t a whole lot of high-powered lobbyists in Washington looking out for the common good of everyday families.

That’s exactly why this law is necessary, and why our growing organization in all 50 states is so important. It’s up to us to make sure our friends and neighbors know about it.!!!

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina

Campaign Manager

Obama for America

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Raw Politics: ‘This is no time to compromise,’ Republican says (via Anderson Cooper 360)

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

Editor’s note: CNN’s John King speaks with Rep. Tom Graves, R-GA, about the debt ceiling, deficits, taxes, and spending. Related: Possible deficit reduction deal emerging, sources say Related on CNNMoney.com: What happens if Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling? … Read More

via Anderson Cooper 360

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Ten Minutes…Until Evacuation

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

Community and neighborhood evacuations are more common than you might think. A wildfire, hurricane, tornado, mudslide, toxic industrial accident or other imminent disaster could force you to leave your home—in some cases, within minutes of the evacuation order.Knowing what to do and what to take with you should the order come can help you preserve your most important possessions.

Plan it out.
Discuss an evacuation plan with members of your household well in advance of an emergency. Ask everyone to make a list of items they consider essential to bring and then prioritize.

Prepare a box with essential documents such as birth certificates, insurance records, passports, tax returns, wills and cherished photographs. Be sure to place this box in a secure location, such as a fireproof safe.

Create or update a home inventory list to accurately record your possessions and add the list to your essential document box.

Plan your escape routes. Choose more than one route, going in different directions, as some streets may be blocked off.
Choose a meet-up place for family members should an evacuation order come when you’re not together.
If you have some advance warning, fill your car’s gas tank and keep it topped off. Keep some cash on hand too—ATMs may not be operable in a disaster.

Pack it up.
For efficiency and speed, divide packing duties among household members. The Insurance Information Institute and the Department of Homeland Security offer suggestions for items to bring if you have only minutes to pack:

Your prepared document box
Prescriptions, first aid supplies, basic toiletries
Computers or laptops
Clothing for three days
Comfort items, such as a child’s blanket or stuffed animal
Pet supplies, including food, medicine, toys, vaccination records and a leash or carrier
Bottled water
Flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries
Cash

Go to statefarm.com to learn how to be prepared in the event of a natural disaster, and visit the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for a detailed preparedness plan.

Source: StateFarm

5 Easy Ways to Improve Fuel Mileage

As prices at the pump continue to tick higher, everyone is looking to stretch each gallon of gas. Being smarter about the way you drive could help you go a lot farther on each tank. Here are five ways to improve your fuel mileage.

Ease your speed – Your right foot is the key to better gas mileage. According the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph on the highway is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon. Stick to the speed limits and you’ll save big.
Be smooth – Imagine you’ve always got an open cup of hot java in the beverage holder. That could help you avoid pedal-to-the metal acceleration and last-second braking. According to the DOE, driving less aggressively could deliver up to 33 percent better fuel economy.
Don’t idle away – Sitting with your engine idling while waiting to pick up the kids is just a waste of gas. Cutting the engine if you know you’ll be stopped for more than 30 seconds can provide 10 percent better fuel economy. You don’t want to do this at a stop light, of course.
Plan your drive – Run all of your errands in one trip. According to the DOE, several stop-start drives can use twice as much fuel as one trip to the mall. And if you see a parking spot, take it, even if it means a longer walk to the store. Circling the lot wastes fuel.
Lighten your load – That set of golf clubs in your trunk adds weight to your car. That means your engine has to work harder. Also ease the load on your engine by switching off the AC and heated rear screen when you don’t need them.