Tag Archives: Washington D.C

weekend views &some News …


The weather is just as mad as what is going on politically No?

With a couple of days, left in February the countdown to March Madness and the NCAA championships begins by those devoted college bb fans. The crazy climate(changes) around the country are just as mad but the madness in Washington, DC and specifically on the floor of the Senate begins on Monday the last day of February.

Last year at this time, President Obama was in Philadelphia talking about what HCR will do for everyone what the exchanges will offer when implemented. Though if you listened to the Media garbage back then, we were supposed to believe that it is his last ditch effort to push, jam, ram and or dupe Senators to get HCR through; but contrary to what Republicans and or “the Media” says the debate on HCR took about a year. I don’t know about you but that hardly qualifies for ramming or rushing in my opinion. The biggest issue for me about HCR was that Congress did not listen to the people and of course, “the media” kept the public from hearing all of what HCR could you for us personally. Now, after a few months of media network staff shake-ups we find out that FOX was NOT the only station with a strategy to limit the information “We the People” received by the bigwigs like Murdoch and the Koch brothers. The fact is there were more people who wanted a Public Option back then but apparently little or no airplay. Finding out that the 24/7 news cycle is actually manipulated to the extent that it is should make us all give pause and question what we see or hear on the television machine.

Most of us agree that the television machine and cable stations should not be allowed to just give us what THEY want us to hear see and use to judge how those bills will not only affect us but how it might affect our voting, but if we take the November elections into account, it worked . The information coming out of the airwaves was deceptive back then when Congress was trying to pass legislation before the midterm elections and now that Congress is getting back to work next week we all need to push for better, more accurate ok demand the truth when reporting opposed to what most if not all are delivering to us currently. In addition, if being manipulated by those in the News biz industry wasn’t bad enough those guest spots are now such jokes because they seem sound and act scripted. I want the real news fair and balanced on all stations whether owned by right or center politically or on the extreme right.

It would be great if left of center, the Democratic Party in both chambers of Congress actually conceives some sort of plan and or strategy and start calling the bluffs of the Republican Tea Party. The fact is the public deserves to know what kinds of disgusting amendments the Republican Tea Party tries to attach to reasonably fair and balanced bills in order that no one could vote for them. I admit I have yet to understand why the House and Senate adjourn early or take breaks so often leaving the people’s business until the last minute. It worked during the lame duck session but you have to wonder if they are dedicated public servants or a bunch of politicians who have no plan and just avoiding the obvious for as long as they can blaming the President for his lack of leadership. The lack of leadership in Democratic Party in Congress worked for two years; seemingly distracted by their election campaigns. The lame duck session was constructive their lack of good strategy bit us back with tea party members being elected and some of them extreme with the so-called mainstream conservatives trying to keep up in order that they keep their seats in Congress and that worked too. I thought the tea party was bad and they are but they have also given a few negative blows to their Republican sub-group voting against them which was unexpected by Republican led leader of the House. There were promises made in that so called “Pledge to America” that has yet to —– and is being questioned more and more and because of the tea party, folks right of center, think John McCain, Tim Pawlenty and a few others who use to be considered reasonable have now chosen to lean even farther right, practice exclusion, are seemingly birthers. If you pay attention to what Pawlenty has been saying, if elected President will reenact dadt at least who knows what else he will promise, maybe strip the constitution of the 14th and 17th amendments. Well, calling March mad because of college basketball is mild considering the madness that is in the political air definitely applies to what we will probably see on the floor of Congress for the next two years and it will probably make us all mad. Unless of course hearing about a completely new round of offensive gossip, promotion of falsehoods and outright lies about the President’s beliefs and or if he is an American is not enough. It seems like strategically filtered blips put into interviews by potential Presidential candidates and talking heads, which makes me mad because really it just does not belong on the airwaves in any form especially in the news. Most people expect truthful news maybe some spin but these days the spin is laced with some truth or maybe it’s the Republican truth accepted pushed at us by not just right wing stations but by seemingly progressive stations who actually are owned by righties definitely limiting left of center news get on the airwaves.

Last… as February leaves let the madness of March begin …Talk about March Madness, last March Republican Senator Paul Broun, from Georgia; stated that all you had to do was read it for yourself; he knows for sure President Obama was a Socialist. A reporter asked if he thought President Obama was born in the US, Broun stated he did not know but frankly as someone in public office, he should have said yes. It might just be me but isn’t that the response birthers usually give, maybe a tea party member. It is amazing to know that this kind of behavior is what we get and accept from people holding public office that we pay to do the business of the people. If Barack Obama were white, there would be absolutely no questions about his beliefs, race, and or religion. It’s offensive that a Public Servant would behave in such a way; but then the list of Senators behaving like Broun are many and should make people outraged or at least question his competency. It is ironic that a year ago Broun was acting out, still got elected, the charade is over and the truth of what the Republicans have planned for Americans is out.

What happened, the end results of the November elections is a warning to those who stayed home to protest, voted right of center for whatever reason and for registered Republican voters. I have a question for all those above -is this what you want and voted for yourselves or the future of your children because what I see spreading all over the country, mostly the south does not fit what less government has always been described as by any stretch of the imagination.

 Other News …

**Reports of a 2week compromise by dems&repubs in the Senate which might help avoid govt shutdown

**Tripoli braces for even more deadly clashes

**NFL mediations take place on Tuesday

**Security forces switch sides in Libya -join protesters

**Shuttle docks with space station for last and the 13th time

**83rd annual Acad Awards tonight

**will cnn back off the major coverage they planned of the tea party or will they show how right of centr they truly are

**Governors will make that trip to Washington, DC minus Scott Walker who is trying to figure out how they will get the dems at the table only to proceed with dismantling the unions with a quick vote -they just have to be in the room and the vote taken -and it’s all over –

From Wisconsin to Washington D.C.


I don’t know about you, but I am getting sick of this crap. People are really hurting. Jobs are not coming back fast enough, people are still losing their homes, and what are Republicans doing? The GOP is using the budget crisis to wage a war on working people.

Join our DFA Live call on Tues., March 1 at 8PM EST with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to talk about what Republicans are planning to do and what you can do to stop them.

From Wisconsin to Washington D.C., Republicans are taking advantage of a crisis they created when they gave away tax cuts to the rich.

Seriously, Speaker Boehner is threatening to shut down the government by March 4th if they can’t cut funding of groceries for low-income pregnant women and children, but two months ago he insisted upon tax cuts for people making more than a quarter of a million dollars a year.

That’s not all, Republicans in Congress are insisting on cutting many vital programs to support police, fire fighters, teachers, nurses, and the list goes on and on. Not to mention the fact that even though Social Security does not contribute to the deficit, Republicans are insisting that cuts to Social Security should be on the table.

This DFA Live will also feature Nancy Altman, Co-Director of Social Security Works. She will explain how the budget, Social Security and jobs are linked and what we can do to protect the vital programs that keep our communities strong.

Sign up now for the DFA Live on March 1 at 8PM EST with Sen. Sherrod Brown and Nancy Altman.

Cuts to Social Security and other vital programs are job killers. Speaker Boehner says that if the Republicans kill jobs, then “So be it.”

We believe Americans deserve a budget that creates jobs and protects vital programs with no cuts to Social Security.

Join our DFA Live on Tues., March 1 at 8PM to learn more about the issues and find out what you can do before March 4th to stop the Republicans.

Thanks for everything you do,

-Levana

Levana Layendecker, Communication Director

Democracy for America

TGIF & some News


featured pic is a campaign poster –

President Obama will be in the NYC today speaking from a General Electric Plant about JOBs and our economy he will then go to Maryland for a retreat with others from the Democratic Party.

Changes are happening …they are in the air and i like it.

If you listen to the tone of the Republican Tea Party since the midterm elections… the talk seems filled with a little more fear. The promises made to create JOBs have yet to happen or be attempted and while the public is beginning to finally hear, see and reject the carpetbaggers for who they really are I wonder if it will take all of the next two years for the Republican Tea Party to stop saying the midterm elections signaled a change and they heard the American people and are doing what they want. It is a fact that contrary to what Republicans keep saying …”talking points” or lies the polls by CBS say 48% want to keep President Obama’s new health care law and just 40% want to repeal it. In addition, pundits, reporters and talking heads suggest that politicians on both sides of the aisle are beginning to not only understand the new law better but are starting to like the new HCR law because it will help older folks, women, folks with pre-existing condition and children under 26 years old. It would be tragic if legislation done in a good faith effort for the people were struck down by Republican Tea Party. Still, I cannot begin to express how offensive the right was by campaigning with the promise to work on Jobs, Jobs, Jobs only to have decided to denounce and malign President Obama like Michele Bachmann who stated she and her comrades want to repeal not just legislation but this President instead of working for We the People to create Jobs.

The negative, nasty, ugly diatribe coming from the very people we placed in positions of power who get paid by American tax payers seem to be abusing it because the latest comments definitely give this voter the idea that they do not represent all the people of their States but those from Corporate America.

In an article this morning, the USA today reported that conservatives would end the federal government support of Amtrak, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Agency for International Development. I believe that this is just a start because rumors before the midterm elections were that the Departments of Educational and Agriculture would be cut if they had their way. The group promises to eliminate about $200 million a year for the District of Columbia. The article quotes Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen, calling the GOP proposal “radical” and Van Hollen’s spokesman, Doug Thornell told ABC news “Putting forward a plan that puts more people out of work and endangers our economic recovery calls into question how serious the GOP is about tackling our nation’s most difficult challenges.” This plan along with some other conflicts in what needs to be cut from the federal budget is developing a GOP rift. In contrast,  an interview today among other things, President Obama stated,”Republicans will need to explain to taxpayers how tax cuts for the wealthy squares with their desire to start reducing deficits and debt.”

While Folks like palin, cheney, boehner, limbaugh and other Republicans Conservatives continue to attack Obama for any move toward collaboration with other countries calling him a Socialist, twisting his words and the meaning, practicing fear mongering and otherwise being obstacles of change… which, is what we need … a way forward, an implementation of the changes “We the People” (53%) put President Obama into office that will move Americans toward the 21st Century contrary to what the right seems to want to do.

What was the past has to be accepted, exorcised and released for room to provide change we can believe in.

my take

Other News …

 **Vets and Doctors reports say that unless you don’t care it is better to stop letting you pets share your bed, lick you or kiss  …. for fear of detrimental diseases -cats are far more likely to infect you …open cuts sores etc.

**Gov.Brewer continues to make it harder for people to get the help they need for transplants -at least 2 patients have died -now she wants to drop folks from Medicaid …specifically those with mental issues

**Congresswoman Giffords will be moved to Houston for great care and so her husband will be able to work and be close to him as well

**WSJ reports 50% approve of what our President is doing …across the board  

**Iran and 6 World Powers begin nuke talks

**Obama picks GE Chief for Board —focus on jobs

**House GOP wants to cut $2.5trillion in the fed budget  by – go to USAtoday.com for article

  **Obama states “Republicans will need to explain to taxpayers how tax cuts for the wealthy squares with their desire to start reducing deficits and debt.”

**Manson denied parole

**FBI nabs numorous mafia

**rep. Cantwell is reported as looking for ways to put Boeing back on top

 

**Gov.Brown says Education is a civil rights issue

 

 

a message from President Obama … Progress



This time of year, Americans around the country are taking the time to exchange heartfelt messages with friends and loved ones, reflecting on the past year. They write of achievements and setbacks, of births, graduations, promotions, and moves.

These messages allow us to overcome the miles that separate us. And they allow us to continue one of the most basic American traditions that has held folks close for centuries — the simple sharing of stories.

And as families gather around holiday tables this season, we also have the opportunity to share the stories of the change this movement has achieved together.

It is a narrative woven by individuals across America — in big cities and small towns, hospitals and classrooms, in auto manufacturing plants and auto supply stores.

These are stories of rebuilding, and of innovation. Stories of communities breathing new life into old roads and bridges, of local plants harnessing alternative fuel into new energy. Stories of small businesses getting up, dusting themselves off, and beginning to grow again. Stories of soldiers who served multiple tours of duty in Iraq now coming home — and enjoying the holidays this year in the company of loved ones.

These are stories of progress.

They unite us, and they are ours to share.

We’ve pulled many of them together in one place, PROGRESS. You can see what our reforms have meant to Americans in every state — block by block, community by community.

Click here to read about stories of progress in your area — and share them with your friends and family.

The reforms that we fought long and hard for are not talking points.

And their effects don’t change based on the whims of politicians in Washington. They are achievements that have a real and meaningful impact on the lives of Americans around the country. They are achievements that would not have been possible without you. PROGRESS localizes them — and brings them to life.

It tells of how a green technology business in Phoenix, Arizona, is using a grant through the Recovery Act’s Transportation Electrification program to bring the first electric-drive vehicles and charging stations to cities around the country.

It tells how, thanks to closing the “donut hole” in prescription drug coverage, a diabetic woman in Burlington, Vermont will no longer have to choose between purchasing her monthly groceries or the insulin she needs to survive.

It tells about how 70,000 Washington residents’ jobs were saved or created by the Recovery Act.

And about how, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 21,300 small businesses in Washington’s 7th Congressional District are now eligible for health care tax credits — and how 8,900 residents in Washington’s 7th with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage.

There are thousands more stories like these.

In the coming days, as we gather with our loved ones at dinner tables around the nation, let’s pass them on. Let’s celebrate the spirit of service and responsibility that brought them to fruition. And let’s steady ourselves with the resolve to continue pressing forward.

Because the coming year will hold new challenges — battles that have yet to be fought, and stories of progress that have yet to be written.

Take a look at the progress we’ve made in your area — and share the stories you read with your friends and family:

http://progress.barackobama.com

Happy holidays, and God bless,

Barack

P.S. — Last week, seven OFA volunteers joined me at the White House for a special meeting — and they brought along your feedback from the Vote 2010 campaign. It was incredibly meaningful for me to be able to hear directly from supporters like you. And your input will be front and center as we plot our course moving forward into the new year. Please take a couple minutes to check out some photos and stories from the meeting.

PASS The Dream Act …do it for Gaby


Reform Immigration FOR America Share This Message:
Do it for Gaby
A vote on the DREAM Act: this week
This week, Congress will vote on the DREAM Act & decide the future of millions of America’s youth.
Gaby Pacheco is one of those millions. Use our click-to-call tool below to make a phone call and listen to Gaby’s story. After you listen, we will connect you to your Senator to tell them the pass the DREAM Act. 

Click here to hear Gaby’s story & call Congress

It’s important to remind Congress (and ourselves) that this fight is not about an abstract policy debate. This fight is about the lives of DREAM youth across the country. This is about Gaby and the millions like her.

Do it for Gaby.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America

We’re fighting to fix our broken immigration system, but we can’t win without you!
contribute $30 today to sponsor 80 faxes and 100 calls to Congress.