Tag Archives: United States

July 15, 2011

Addressing the Debt and Deficit will take Shared Sacrifices

As we work to put together a deal to raise the debt limit, reduce the deficit and debt, and stave off an economic crisis – I believe that the sacrifices required need to be shared. It wouldn’t be right to ask middle class families, students, and our seniors to bear this heavy burden alone, while the very wealthiest corporations and individuals get off scot-free. That’s why on Wednesday I delivered a speech on the Senate floor to push for a balanced approach that recognizes that we must make smart cuts while also protecting seniors and addressing our national jobs deficit.

I believe it’s time for all sides to embrace compromise and assure Americans that their benefits and financial safety won’t be jeopardized by petty partisanship or political games. Families, seniors, and businesses in Washington state and across America are counting on us to get this right, and I am proud to stand up for their priorities.

Bridging the Gaps in VA Mental Health Care

On Thursday, I chaired a hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to address shortcomings in VA mental health care that have contributed to unacceptable waiting times for care, rising suicide levels, and a series of negative reports from VA watchdogs. At the hearing I heard from Daniel Williams, an Iraq veteran who described how an IED explosion during his 2003/2004 deployment to Iraq led to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) injuries. Williams told the committee how those experiences then led to a suicide attempt in 2004 that was broken up by his wife and local police. He also discussed how his PTSD was received by fellow soldiers, his concerns over the stigma attached to the mental wounds of war, and his frustrations with the mental health care administered by the VA.

I also heard testimony from Andrea Sawyer, wife and caregiver of Loyd Sawyer, who, after being deployed in Iraq, shared similar stories of frustration, including a failed suicide attempt. These two servicemembers, even after attempting to take their own lives, were met with red tape, wait times for initial appointments at the VA, and additional frustrations in seeking the mental health care they so desperately needed. These undue burdens are unacceptable and I will continue asking the tough questions until our service men and women have access to the quality of mental health care they deserve.

Helping Veterans Get off the Streets and Into Safe and Secure Housing

This week, I announced that public housing authorities in Washington state would receive a total of 175 housing vouchers to help local homeless veterans and their families get off the streets and into permanent housing. The vouchers, which can be used by eligible veterans for rental assistance in their local community, are a key reason why we are making real progress toward goals to finally end veterans homelessness. For some veterans, this support is long overdue, and I’m glad that homeless veterans across Washington state will have an opportunity to secure stable housing.

Commemorating Hanford’s Role in WWII and the Cold War

Earlier this week, I applauded the recommendation by the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and the National Park Service that Congress establish a national historic park to commemorate the Manhattan Project at three sites where much of the critical scientific activity associated with the project occurred, including Hanford, Washington. Hanford’s B Reactor played a critical role in the history of our nation, and establishing a national historical park will attract visitors from across the country and give them an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the contribution made by Hanford and the Tri-Cities during World War II and the Cold War.

“B Reactor recommended for national historical park” – Tri-City Herald

Ending Unfair Mexican Tariffs Once and For All

Last week, I applauded the agreement Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed with the Mexican government that will result in them dropping their tariffs on U.S. agricultural products by 50% in the next few days. Mexico has committed to eliminating the tariffs completely once the agreement becomes operational. This is great news for farmers and growers in Washington who have been suffering under these unfair and deeply damaging tariffs for far too long. Now that the agreement is signed, there is no reason why Washington farmers and growers should have to wait any longer. They have nothing to do with this dispute, and it is deeply unfair that they continue to be punished for it.

“Deal resolves dispute that needlessly hurt growers” – Yakima Herald

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Cement in Silicon Valley …Patrick Schmitt, Change.org

07/15/2011 Nativegrl77

California keeps a list of law-abiding quarries that are allowed to sell cement to government-funded projects. The list protects citizens by preventing quarries that violate state labor, mining, and environmental laws from getting any state funding.

Unfortunately, there’s one major, glaring exception: Lehigh Southwest Permanente Cement and Quarry in Santa Clara County has gotten away with ignoring state requirements since 2002 yet sells 85 percent of its cement to state-funded projects.

Lehigh is one of the top-polluting cement plants in the country — and the largest in an urban area. Their mining operation and manufacturing process pollute the air with mercury and send poisonous byproducts into rivers and creeks.

Cupertino City Councilman Barry Chang has had enough of Lehigh’s hazardous practices and blatant disregard for the law. He’s started a Change.org petition calling on the Office of Mine Reclamation and the State Mining and Geology Board to take over from Lehigh-influenced county officials and hold the quarry accountable. Click here to sign Councilman Chang’s petition.

All cement plants emit some mercury as well as carcinogens and asthma-inducing particulates, but Lehigh expels higher-than-average levels of all of these pollutants. Its limestone is especially high in mercury, which affects brain development.

If Lehigh isn’t put in check soon, they’ll have license to continue violating pollution laws — and move forward with plans to expand that will jeopardize more residents.

The community at large has already made major progress pressuring Lehigh – and local group No Toxic Air is suing the quarry for its extreme environmental violations. But residents need more public support to defeat Lehigh.

By holding Lehigh accountable, we can set a precedent for other communities in California and around the country facing industries that endanger communities and the environment.

Lehigh has been hurting the environment and its residents for more than 70 years. That’s far too long. Sign here to keep Lehigh from receiving any government funding until it cleans up its act — or shuts down:

http://www.change.org/petitions/remove-lehigh-permanente-quarry-and-cement-in-silicon-valley-from-the-ab-3098-list-immediately

Thanks for taking action,

– Patrick and the Change.org team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Obama: “I will not yield”

07/15/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

“I’ve reached my limit. This may bring my Presidency down, but I will not yield on this.”
– President Obama to Eric Cantor and Congressional Republicans
in a closed-door meeting at the White House.

President Obama has had enough of Republicans’ childish games.

Despite weeks of negotiations, Republicans are still holding our economy hostage with their ridiculous demands.

The President stuck his neck out in the face of vicious GOP attacks and media spin. Now he needs your support.

Stand with President Obama: Sign our petition right now telling the GOP to end special tax breaks for Millionaires, Billionaires and Big Oil.

That’s right: Republicans are still refusing to budge on ending even one penny of tax breaks for Billionaires and Big Oil.

We need to send an immediate message to Republicans. Stand with the President today >>

Rep. Steve Israel
DCCC Chairman

P.S. Once you sign the petition, forward this email to three friends and ask them add their names too!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

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

07/14/2011 Nativegrl77

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Save Black Mountain …Amanda Starbuck, Rainforest Action Network

07/14/2011 Nativegrl77

Everyone reading this email knows that we need to switch to a clean energy economy. It will create jobs, protect vulnerable communities, and save our ailing climate.

This obvious logic is an abomination for coal corporations like Massey Energy. Though Massey was bought earlier this year by Alpha Natural Resources, Massey’s corporate charter still exists. This means business as usual for Appalachia‘s most notorious mountain destroyer

Nestled at the base of Eastern Kentucky‘s rugged Black Mountain are two historic mining towns working hard to define a future beyond coal. Local residents of Lynch and Benham are in the midst of reinventing their towns as historic tourist destinations of Appalachia.

Much to their dismay, the coal barons at Massey Energy have other plans for Black Mountain. The same company whose negligence contaminated countless Appalachian waterways and took the lives of 29 coal miners just last year is one of several companies attempting to mine coal on Black Mountain.

Putting a coal mine on Black Mountain means putting the health and culture of local communities on the line.

Local Lynch city councilmember Bennie Massey explains, “The biggest thing is our water resource. Our water is really good now. You’re not just taking out the coal, you’re destroying generations of people who could live here and raise their families here.”

For a clean energy future,

Amanda Starbuck
Energy & Finance Program Director

Twitter: @DirtyEnergy