Detective Daisy wants to know how the economy got the way it is today. She's going to watch Bill Moyers new program. Photo Credit: Detective Daisy by Bertd on flickr cc
Bill Moyers & Company Premiere Program:“How America’s Gross Inequality is no accident, but was in fact “politically engineered”"
In this election year Bill Moyers is back and his first interview deals with one of the most important issues of our time: “How Washington and Big Business colluded to make the super-rich richer and turn their backs on the rest of us.”
Moyer’s wants to find the answers to certain questions:
What caused America’s economy to “simply stop working” for most people while still working for the super rich?
“Who is the culprit?”
Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson, authors of the book, “Winner-Take-All Politics” acted as forensic journalists. They did exhaustive research on the “who-done-it-to-America’s economy and middle class” in the spirit of what Bill Moyers said was “Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.” They discovered the trail went back over 30 years to the present.
Hacker said:
“American politics did it. What government has done and not done, and the politics that produced it, is really at the heart of the rise of an economy that has showered huge riches on the very, very, very well off.”
What are your thoughts about this issue?
The cats have a discussion about Jacob Hacker & Paul Pierson's book Winner-Take-All Politics: How Washington Made the Rich Richer - And Turned Its Back on the Middle Class. Photo Credit: Who is the more curious cat by gerriet on flickr cc
Political kitty got sleepy listening to Mitt Romney's New Hampshire acceptance speech filled with typical partisan talking points. Photo Credit: Cat Posing by David Masters on flickr cc
Mitt Romney’s speech in New Hampshire
Mitt Romney seems to belong to the “create your own reality” crowd that hung around with G. W. Bush and Karl Rove a few years ago. At least that’s what it sounded like when Romney sprinkled every phrase with words that seemed to be directly from a “talking points memo” written by Frank Luntz.
Does Romney think everyone will just believe what he says no matter what he says? Guess so, because he made up a lot of stuff about President Obama that was laughable and totally bizarre. Romney makes up things like accusing President Obama of being envious of who, the 1%? That must be some kind of talking point that scored well in focus groups. Romney kept using words like “envious” and “resentment” peppered in his speech in New Hampshire.
Hopefully most people will realize that Romney is playing word games.
Romney on Defense
Romney must think the U.S. spends very little on weapons because he kept saying how he wanted to make sure we had overwhelming military power. He should probably check out the SIPRI Yearbook 2011 on worldwide military expenditures which states the U.S. in 2010 spent $698 billion dollars which was 43% of the entire world’s expenditure on the military. The only country that was a far second place in military spending was China which spent $119 billion dollars in 2010. This is roughtly six times less than what the U.S. spent on its military.
I guess Mitt Romney heard that claiming the U.S. needs to spend more on defense would rile up his base. Never mind that we are already spending a ridiculous unnecessary amount on defense compared with the rest of the world. After China, the country placing third on military expenditures in 2010 was our ally, the United Kingdom, with a mere $59.6 billion spent on defense.
President Obama maintained high levels of U.S. defense spending from 2009 to the present, yet to listen to Romney you would think we suddenly stopped spending anything on defense.
The word games and talking point duels have begun for the hearts and minds of the American people. Let’s hope the people’s minds can withstand the onslaught from now until the 2012 election.
New Deal Art - Insight - highlighted on the Living New Deal: Still Working for America project at Univ. of CA Berkeley
Curious Ada asks, "President Obama when will you create a 21st Century Works Progress Admin. to put millions of people to work?" Photo credit: Curious ada by Eirik Newth on flickr cc
The Case for a 21st Century Works Progress Administration in America Now
Dear President Obama:
The Depression caused by speculation in the stock market caused millions of people to lose their jobs. However, during the first 100 days of his administration in 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt tasked Harry Hopkins with putting Americans back to work through the Civil Works Administration which became the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1935. Harry Hopkins put 4 million people to work within two months of the establishment of the CWA. As Thomas Frank said in his article “Easy Chair: More Government Please!”,
“Harry Hopkins …government-loving..Harry Hopkins — the all-time greatest job creator in American history.”
The Works Progress Administration which Hopkins ran from 1935-1938 created about 3 million jobs per year. All New Deal programs put 8 million people in America to work building roads, planting trees, building libraries, schools, post offices, painting murals, performing plays, performing music, writing guidebooks for parks, building dams, constructing bridges, and creating national trails. The United States would not be the same today without the amazing works of art and infrastructure built during the New Deal.
Here is a list of many New Deal era achievements of the Civil Works Administration, Works Progress Administration, and the Civilian Conservation Corps:
650,000 miles of road
78,000 bridges
125,000 civilian and military buildings
800 airports
700 miles of airport runways
1500 nursery schools
900,000,000 (900 million) hot school lunches
5,000 concerts to audiences totaling 150,000,000 (150 million people)
Theatre performances for audiences of 30,000,000 (30 million people)
475,000 works of art created
276 full-length books were written
Ronald Reagan’s Father worked for the New Deal era Works Progress Administration
Ronald Reagan in his memoir, An American Life, referred to the Works Progress Administration massive jobs program as:
“one of the most productive elements” of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.
Thomas Frank said in his article “More Government Please!”, while Reagan was Governor of California, in 1971 he proposed a “WPA-style public works program replace the state’s welfare apparatus.”
Now is the Time to Put America Back to Work for the 21st Century Progress
President Obama, millions of Americans are still out of work, in spite of tax breaks extended to many so-called “job creators.” The “job creators” need some help from the U.S. government which proved to be the best job creator to get the economy going in the 1930s and 1940s. The result of putting people to work building America is that we have a lasting concrete legacy that Americans are enjoying and benefiting from today.
Many people in America need to understand how wonderful a new Works Progress Administration would be. Put Americans to work repairing our infrastructure, building new buildings, roads, bridges and more for the 21st century. The best entity that can truly invest in America’s present and future at this crucial moment is the U.S. government. We need more Harry Hopkins and Frances Perkins in 2012. I’m certain there are young men and women ready to take on the challenge of building America now with you leading the way. Let’s begin right away by enacting the appropriate legislation and executive orders!
Everyone wins if we create a new Works Progress Administration to rival the New Deal Era one. Today without delay is a good day to begin for the sake of present and future generations.
Sincerely,
Kitty Reporter
Pick Yourself Up and Dust Yourself Off by Frank Sinatra
Words of Wisdom from Frank Sinatra to Pick Ourselves Up
This is what we can do in America…”pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start all over again” with a Works Progress Administration
“…work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won.
Will you remember the famous men who had to fall to rise again so take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.”
Jungle Cat was glad to get out of the Iowa Caucuses and move on to better things. Photo Credit: In the jungle, the might jungle by Cats in trees on flickr cc
This song by The Cadets called “Stranded in the Jungle” is a great example of early rock ‘n roll that has a cinematic quality to it when they cut back and forth between:
“Meanwhile back in the States….”
to
“Meanwhile back in the Jungle…”
I hope you enjoy it too. Here is the video of The Cadets singing this song.
Jungle Kitty said, "Great Kookamooga, get me outta here!" when she saw the political games being played in D.C. and on K Street. Photo Credit: it's not a jungle by chrissy polcino on flickr cc
Great Kookamooga!
As the guy stranded in the jungle jumps out of the cooking pot–with him being the one who was cooked–he says,
“Great Kookamooga, get me outta here!”
Now that that the Iowa Caucuses are finally over we can all finally jump out of the cooking pot of politicians vying for the top stop. We can move on to other things.
Here’s a list of things that need positive attention in 2012:
Lillian the Christmas Cat wishes everyone a Happy Holiday and a very Happy New Year! Photo Credit: Lillian by carterse on flickr cc
Today is Christmas. It is both a religious holiday and a cultural holiday. We celebrate together with our friends and family, showing appreciation and giving to one another regardless of our religious beliefs.
Today I listened to NPR’s radio stories about Christmas. Very touching. I laughed and cried and enjoyed hearing stories from the archives and also listening to David Sedaris’ long and short versions of his Elf Adventures from his “Santaland Diaries”.
Any catnip for me? Photo Credit: Quillan under the tree by Lil Shepherd on flickr cc
Do you have any treats for me? Photo Credit: Quillan by Lil shepherd on flickr cc
Cat in a Tree says Happy Holidays! Photo Credit: Cat in a Christmas Tree 2 by orangeaurochs on flickr cc
Listen to this version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens where all the voices except one (done by Mimi Kennedy) are performed by the versatile Jonathan Winters. What an amazing range he has!
Here are Tinsel Tales: NPR from 2010 that have some gems as well. Baily White’s ‘Low Glamour Christmas Party’ and ‘Ode to Christmas’ by Chuck Kramer are highly recommended.
Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza and a very Happy Holidays however you celebrate it!
Elf Kitty says, Thanks for the pretty lights! Photo Credit: DSC_2691 by AceLain on flickr cc
Justice Cat told AG Holder she is watching out for any Voting Rights Act Violations. Photo Credit: Watching Cat by Muffett on flickr cc
This cat is watching out for any efforts to suppress the vote of young people, elderly or minorities. Photo credit: cat by jwright4701 on flickr cc
State Voter ID Laws and Redistricting for Voting Rights Act Violations:
Attorney General Eric Holder delivered a message focused on upholding the Voting Rights Act at the President Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum at the University of Texas on December 13, 2011. Attorney General Holder recalled the civil rights achievements of President Johnson including the historic Voting Rights Act passed in 1965 that protects the rights of voters to have access to voting free of any forms of discrimination.
Holder said:
“In 1965, when President Johnson signed the landmark Voting Rights Act into law, he proclaimed that, “the right to vote is the basic right, without which all others are meaningless.”
The Attorney General said:
“Today, as Attorney General, I have the privilege – and the solemn duty – of enforcing this law, and the other civil rights reforms that President Johnson championed…The right to vote is not only the cornerstone of our system of government – it is the lifeblood of our democracy. And no force has proved more powerful – or more integral to the success of the great American experiment – than efforts to expand the franchise.”
Holder heard from many people across the United States who were deeply concerned about the the need to protect the voting rights of all citizens. He relayed excerpts of a recent speech by Congressman John Lewis, man who has worked his whole life and who continues to work for voting rights:
Congressman Lewis said on the House floor this past summer that the voting rights of U.S. citizens are ”under attack…[by] a deliberate and systematic attempt to prevent millions of elderly voters, young voters, students, [and] minority and low-income voters from exercising their constitutional right to engage in the democratic process.”
Holder said the Department of Justice is currently reviewing new laws passed in various states based on the DOJ’s obligation under the Voting Rights Act. Holder said, “Texas and South Carolina, for example, have enacted laws establishing new photo identification requirements that we’re reviewing. We’re also examining a number of changes that Florida has made to its electoral process, including changes to the procedures governing third-party voter registration organizations, as well as changes to early voting procedures, including the number of days in the early period.”
According to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, the Justice Department reviews laws passed in various states to prevent violation of the Voting Rights Act. Holder said this important Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act helps combat discrimination and was put into the law due to “well-documented history of voter discrimination in all or parts of the 16 states to which it applies.”
Attorney General Holder said that “in jurisdictions across this country – both overt and subtle forms of discrimination remain all to common.” He said that in October 2011:
“the Justice Department objected to a redistricting plan in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, where the map-drawer began the process by meeting exclusively with white officeholders – and never consulted black officeholders. The result was a map that diminished the electoral opportunity of African Americans. After the Justice Department objected, the Parish enacted a new, non-discriminatory map.”
Holder also said that in Texas the Department of Justice “argued that in court filings that proposed redistricting plans for both the State House and the Texas Congressional delegation are impermissible, because the state has failed to show the absence of discrimination. The most recent Census data indicated that Texas has gained more than 4 million new residents – the vast majority of whom are Hispanic – and that this growth allows for four new Congressional seats. However, this State has proposed adding zero additional seats in which Hispanics would have the electoral opportunity envisioned by the Voting Rights Act. Federal courts are still considering this matter, and we intend to argue vigorously at trial that this is precisely the kind of discrimination that Section 5 was intended to block.”
This cat is watching out for any efforts to suppress the vote of young people, elderly or minorities. Photo credit: cat by jwright4701 on flickr cc
Holder asked “what kind of nation – and what kind of people – do we want to be?”…
Attorney General Holder said, “For me – and for our nation’s Department of Justice – the answers are clear. We need election systems that are free from fraud, discrimination, and partisan influence – and that are more, not less, accessible to the citizens of this country.”
Holder Recommended Election Reforms to Improve Citizens Access to Voting
1. Allow citizens to be able to register to vote at a “wider variety of government offices – beyond just the local department of motor vehicles.”
2. The Voting Rights Act insures protections for language minorities. Important to insure all Americans have a choice to vote in their native language.
3. Need for Neutrality in redistricting efforts. “Districts should be drawn to promote fair and effective representation for all – not merely to undercut electoral competition and protect incumbants.”
4. Tougher laws for those engaging in fraudulent voting practices.
Election Fraud in Maryland
Holder relayed that last week “the campaign manager of a Maryland [GOP] gubernatorial candidate was convicted on election fraud charges for approving anonymous “robocalls” that went out on Election Day last year to more than 100,000 voters in the state’s two largest majority-black jurisdictions. These calls encouraged voters to stay home – telling them to “relax” because they preferred candidate had already wrapped up a victory.”
5. Modernize registration. Holder said all citizens should be “automatically registered to vote” because “the ability to vote is a right – it is not a privilege.”
Holder also urged citizens to be vigilant and to keep their local officials and the Department of Justice apprised of violations of the Voting Rights Act.
This cat thinks the XL Pipeline which would transport tar sands oil is dirty and bad for cats and people. Photo credit: cat by ilkerender on flickr cc
Keystone XL Protesters Surround the White House
President Obama put off making a decision about the XL Keystone Tar Sands Pipeline by sending it back for review by the State Department. The final decision of whether to build the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline for transporting dirty tar sands oil is postponed until after the 2012 election.
On November 6th, more than twelve-thousand (12,000) demonstrators circled the White House to protest the development of the proposed XL Keystone Pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico through the heart of America. The demonstrators want the U.S. to develop clean energy, not dirty polluting tar sands oil that could harm the environment in the production and transportation through pipelines across ecologically sensitive areas of the country.
Keystone XL Pipeline Protests at White House
The Nov. 6th action capped weeks of protests in D.C. and around the country of protestors saying no to the dirty tar sands oil pipeline. Some scientists claim mining and processing the tar sands oil would unleash massive amounts of CO2 into the earth’s atmosphere which could cause a tipping point on global warming. Extracting the dirty oil from the tar sands would require thousands of gallons of water, a precious resource.
12-year-old speaks against Keystone XL pipeline
The initial route proposed for the XL Keystone pipeline could jeopardize important water resources like the Ogallala Aquifer. The oil would be exported to Asia and beyond, not even used within the U.S.
Keystone XL Pipeline protest, Lincoln, NE 8/5/11
Canada Should Kick its Dirty Tar Sands Oil Habit
Keystone Pipeline
To produce 1 barrel of oil from tar sands oil takes 4 to 5 barrels of water and then the water is unusable. This is a terrible waste of an important life-sustaining resource.
Stop the Keystone XL Dirty Tar Sands Pipeline
Canada wants to develop it’s large amount of dirty tar sands into oil and expects the U.S. to help. Canada and the tar sands are like a drug dealer trying to sell its crack to friends, the U.S.
Robert Redford: Join the Nov. 6 Keystone XL Protest
Could there be pipeline spills from tar sands oil pipelines that might harm people? Yes. In 2010 over 800,000-900,000 gallons of tar sands oil spilled in Kalamazoo, Michigan killing fish, wildlife, and causing horrible health problems and deaths for people living along the Kalamazoo River and creek that runs into that river.
Enbridge Tar Sands Oil Pipeline Spill Devastates Kalamazoo River, Michigan
Through the reporting of whistleblower, John Bolenbaugh, we can see directly how the real severity of the tar sands spill has not been adequately reported by some local media which made it seem as if the oil spill was almost cleaned up.
John Bolenbaugh, Very Sick Kid and His Mom and Kaz
John Bolenbaugh, Military Officer Says He Saw a Cover Up of Oil Spill
However, John Bolenbaugh’s videos document that Enbridge put down canvas over the oil and then put grass seed on top of the canvas in the marshy areas. While some local News Reports claimed Enbridge was trying to bring the oil up from the bottom of the river, Bolenbaugh physically shows foliage growing on top of canvas that hides large amounts of oil.
The oil has horrible health effects on the local citizens near the river. People near the oil spill have seizures, neurological problems, headaches, sore throats, and respiratory problems.
If the XL Keystone pipeline is built anywhere, the chances of spills similar to what happening in Michigan are very possible. The Enbridge Company spill is a warning to what could occur if the XL Pipeline is built through the heart of America.
This Florida cat wants Gov. Rick Scott to stop making it harder for Floridians to register to vote and cast a ballot. Photo credit: Florida Bobcat by minds-eye on flickr cc
Voting Laws Worked in Florida for Decades yet Rick Scott Changed them Despite Overwhelming Voter Disapproval
For seventy-two (72) years the non-partisan Florida League of Women Voters ran registration drives to help eligible voters register to vote in the state of Florida. The reason they could do this is that the state required completed registration forms by ten (10) days after a Florida registration form was completed.
In May 2011 Republican Governor Rick Scott and the Republican legislature in Florida changed all that when they passed overly stringent election law H.B. 1355 which creates unnecessary barriers to registering to vote and casting a ballot. The bill cuts early voting from fifteen (15) days to eight (8) days. And, even though election officials requested the state provide more early voting sites for voters, the Governor and Secretary of State rejected that request.
According to the Miami Herald, Governor Scott’s office received“14,000 calls and e-mails in opposition” of the voting restriction bill and only “1,300 in favor” of the bill.
“Majority oppose. Urging Governor to veto these bills because they change our voting laws, making it more difficult for some voters to cast their vote.”
This restrictive new election law requires organizations like the League of Women Voters return completed Florida registration forms to the proper authorities within a mere 48 hours or 2 days instead of the previous 10-day deadline.
If a person or organization responsible for registering a Florida voter fails to get the registration form into the proper office within 48-hours, they could face fines as high as $1,000 and possible civil prosecution. Is this something that will encourage people to register to vote or help others to do it? No, it discourages third party organizations because they could face stiff fines.
Governor Scott Passed Election Bill Despite Voter Disapproval of Law
Governor Scott and the Florida legislature completely dismissed the will of the Florida voters who protested passage of the election law. They are not interested in insuring that more people are able to register to vote or actually vote.
Florida is a key battleground state for the 2012 election and the GOP War on Voting is underway. Part of the multi-pronged approach includes altering election laws. However, when GOP leaders make jokes about voter suppression, they reveal their real intentions about how they hope to win an election, not on the merits, but through dirty tricks.
For example, recently former Republican Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee urged Ohio voters to deceive citizens who are against Gov. Kasich’s anti-union measures by telling them they could vote on a different day than November 8th. This is from a party that invokes the words “freedom,” “patriotic” and “common sense” in almost every other word.
The Ed Show: Issue 2 Supporter Mike Huckabee Urges Voter Suppression of Opponents
This cat sees lots of women coming forward accusing Herman Cain of sexual harassment. They want Mr. Cain to tell the truth. Photo Credit: Angry birds vs angry cats by mseckington on flickr cc
Herman Cain attacks women who have come forward to say that he sexually harassed them. First he blamed Rick Perry for playing dirty tricks and getting the story into the media and then the Democrats. Then he said he never did anything the women claim he did. He’s even willing to take a lie detector test. OK. Let’s get it ready.
Herman Cain on the talk show circuit and press conferences:
“I have never acted inappropriately with anyone. Period.”
Jon Stewart VS Herman Cain (Sexual Harassment)
The Evidence to the Contrary of Herman Cain’s Protests
4th Cain Accuser Comes Forward
The above video from Associated Press features Herman Cain’s fourth accuser, Sharon Bialek, former employee of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation who says Herman Cain made inappropriate sexual advances towards her. She was embarrassed to discuss the details with others.
Let’s take a closer look. Why would five (5) separate women come forward who did not know each other and talk about incidents with Herman Cain that occurred where each one independently claims he sexually harassed them?
The Female Victims of Herman Cain have more to lose than Herman Cain
The (currently five) women who have come forward to reveal moments with Mr. Cain where he took advantage of them, risk uncomfortable scrutiny about whether their claims are really true. Why would any woman in her right mind risk being attacked by the media for wrongfully accusing Herman Cain of sexual harassment? Common sense says that most women would not come forward, unless they believed it was their duty to reveal the truth about a man who continues to deny he did anything wrong, and who is running for President of the United States.
Herman Cain Sexual Harasser and Denier
As Cain Denies Allegations, Supporters Malign Female Accusers, Sexual Harassment Victims
If Herman Cain did sexually harass the five women who have come forward so far to say that he did, then how can anyone take him seriously as a possible Presidential candidate? If he lies about this and minimizes the truth about what really happened between him and these women, what else will he lie about? Can he be trusted? Is he delusional?
Peace Cat wants to know why the U.S. spends $60 billion/year on its nuclear arsenals when nuclear weapons are bad for cats and people. Photo Credit: Untitled (cat) by ruben i on flickr cc
According to a recent article by David Krieger of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation entitled, “The High Costs of Nuclear Arsenals,” U.S. expenditures on nuclear weapons from 1970 to 2005 cost $7.5 trillion. Kreiger said, “Today the figure is approaching $8 trillion, and that amount is for the U.S. alone.”
Krieger reveals the shocking fact that the U.S. and 9 nuclear nations together spend $105 billion yearly on nuclear arsenals and delivery systems. Of that $105 billion spent on nuclear weapons, the U.S. spends 60% of the amount or approximately $60-63 Billion dollars. Annually, the U.S. spends more on nuclear weapons than 8 other nuclear countries combined!
The most important part of the nuclear related budget is the money spent on safely dismantling nuclear weapons and preventing proliferation of nuclear grade materials. However, over the past few years, that necessary expenditure has decreased. Krieger states in his article:
“The one place the US is saving money on its nuclear weapons is where it should be spending the most, and that is on the dismantlement of the retired weapons. The amount that the US spends on dismantlement of its nuclear weapons has dropped significantly under the Obama administration from $186 million in 2009 to $96 million in 2010 to $58 million in 2011. In the 1990s the US dismantled more than 1,000 nuclear weapons annually. We dismantled 648 weapons in 2008 and only 260 in 2010.”
Human Security vs. Nuclear Nightmare
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – UN – M8
The above song about Millennium Goals was performed by students and staff at the John Muir Middle School in California.
The eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals for ending poverty can be achieved by 2015 if we spend $40 to $60 billion annually according to the World Bank:
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender quality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environment sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development
Let’s Get Our Priorities Straight
Human security is more important than building nuclear weapons. What would it take for the U.S. and the world community to refocus its spending efforts on achieving the UN Goals for alleviating poverty instead of amassing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction?
Isn’t it ridiculous that we have the tools to achieve the eradication of poverty and to increase the quality of life for all humanity yet wealthy nations continue to spend massive amounts of funds on weapons that could destroy all life on this beautiful planet?
The song sung by the young students of John Muir Middle School are encouraging all of us to recognize that we can make a difference and achieve the eradication of poverty. It’s a matter of where we focus our priorities, energy and money.
Are they all connected some how? Yes… Did you ever know Karl Rove not to be thinking of the next election? He plans ahead. Democrats could learn more about that.
Too bad Karl’s mind appears mostly to be on one track. It’s the ends…the ends…the ends. The means, well, it seems Karl may care little about the moral consequences of that part. He’s so Machiavellian. I guess he’s proud of that and the Science of Dirty Tricks. Unfortunately, everyone loses in the end when it’s only about dirty tricks and getting elected at all costs.
My husband told me he’s tired of hearing about Karl Rove. Today he said I should refer to Rove as, “the one who shall not be mentioned–at least for 24 hours.” I’m not sure I can do it. You see, I think elections and Karl Rove are so interconnected that it is like velcro–very sticky.
Who is Being Obstructionist Now? Are the Republicans going to just oppose everything that President Obama proposes because they are focused on 2010 and nothing else? Is that what you want from elected officials? Whatever happened to making this a better country for all people?
Fight back with positive action. Your action. Call your Congressmen and tell them you want meaningful health care reform. Stop the negative tactics perpetrated by Fox News. They want to divide this country and confuse people. Be aware of underhanded Dirty Tricks and educate your friends about them. Most of all, get involved. Remember, you can make a positive difference.
Karl hints about how he learned so much from his days in College Republicans.
I first learned about Rove and the now infamous Ozarks election where he eventually became chairman of the College Republicans from The New Yorker article The Controller by Nicholas Lemann published May 12, 2003. In that article Rove kept changing the rules of the College Republicans election so he could win. Did “the one who shall not be mentioned” make a habit of changing the rules of elections throughout his career without informing the other side?
Even Karl refers to himself as “You-Know-Who” according to a recent article by Scott Horton in Harper’s Magazine.
Rove calls himself“Grendel,” “Moby Dick,” and “Lord Voldemort.” from “Karl Rove’s Convenient Memory Lapses,” by Scott Horton (Harper’s Magazine)
Here’s a flashback into how Karl began his political career changing the rules of elections by his little ol’ self in 1973 when he ran for chairman of the College Republicans:
The national convention was in June, in the mountain resort of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. All through the late spring, Edgeworth and Dolan were hearing stories about the Rove forces staging credentials challenges at state and regional conventions, using some technical pretext. Shortly after the Midwest regional convention, for example, according to Edgeworth, the Rove forces, in order to justify the unseating of the Edgeworth delegates on procedural grounds, produced a version of the Midwestern College Republicans’ constitution which differed significantly from the constitution that the Edgeworth forces were using. The net result of all the challenges was that a number of states sent two competing delegates to Lake of the Ozarks, one pledged to Edgeworth, the other to Rove, each claiming to be legitimate. Then the meeting of the credentials committee, before the convention itself, turned into a donnybrook…
…During the summer of 1973, while Bush’s staff was conducting an inquiry into the Lake of the Ozarks affair, Terry Dolan, promoting the Edgeworth cause, leaked to the Washington Post a tape recording in which Rove and another College Republican are heard recounting at a training weekend some amusing stories about minor campaign espionage they had engaged in during various campaigns. The Post published a story about the tape under the headline “GOP PROBES OFFICIAL AS TEACHER OF TRICKS.”
…As if all this weren’t enough, people in politics love to speculate that Rove is up to much more than is apparent. In the same way that prophetic fundamentalists are always on the lookout for emblazonings of the number 666, the Mark of the Beast, in Washington everybody is highly attuned to the possibility that most of what goes on bears the Mark of Karl Rove. There are many cases where Rove is suspected of having engineered a brutal bit of political business without leaving any fingerprints, in the manner of the Lake of the Ozarks affair.
from “The Controller,” by Nicholas Lemann, May 2003, The New Yorker.
The Health Care Reform Factor in 2010
OK. This is the chance for all Americans to finally have an effective, fair health care policy that provides quality health care at reasonable cost. What would the best Health Care Reform act include:
Elimination of the pre-existing condition screen used now by insurance companies to throw people off of their health care plans
Closing the donut hole of the prescription drug plans for seniors
Expand Medicare to focus on things that help people prevent illness and catch problems early by including regular annual exams
Provide a public option to compete effectively in the market place with current insurance companies in order to bring down costs overall
In order to achieve an effective Health Care Reform Act, President Obama needs to bring his message directly to the American people in a fireside chat similar to the fireside radio chats started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. President Obama should clearly explain the type of program he thinks would be best for all Americans through a TV chat and simultaneous internet broadcast.
President John F. Kennedy delivered a televised speech from Madison Square Garden in 1962 about the need for Health Care Reform in America. President Kennedy said that night why he was in New York City to give a major speech on the health care crisis in America and the important need to pass a Health Care Program in the United States:
“What we are now talking about doing, most of the countries of Europe did years ago!”
“The British did it 30 years ago and we are behind every country pretty nearly in Europe in this matter of medical care for our citizens.”
“The business of government is the business of the people and the people are right here.”
President John F. Kennedy Delivers Live Speech at Madison Square Garden in 1962 about Why Americans Should Support Health Care Reform Part 1
President John F. Kennedy Delivers Live Speech at Madison Square Garden in 1962 about Why Americans Should Support Health Care Reform Part 2
Karl Rove is worried. He knows that if President Obama passes an effective Health Care Reform Act, Americans will be happy. That’s why an article in the Weekly Standard claims that Rove’s approach might be to:
“Scare the hell out of the Amerian people and run against the health care reform in 2010 and 2012.”
Rove is partly for Health Care Reform on the issues Republicans already agree on because their focus groups told them they would lose elections in 2010 if they weren’t for these things – like eliminating the pre-existing condition screen used by insurance companies to throw people off of their health care plans. However, the spin doctors on Fox and Rush Limbaugh are confusing our poor seniors scaring them into thinking the socialists will be taking over America if other changes are made.
When President Theodore Roosevelt passed Social Security in 1935 as part of the New Deal, some naysayers thought the sky was falling. Medicare was passed in 1965 under President Lyndon Johnson. Yet, we see misinformed seniors yelling at Town Hall Meetings, “Stay out of my Medicare. I don’t want the government messing with my medicare!” These poor people do not realize that Medicare is every bit a government program, and it allows seniors to have their own choice of doctors!
Good health is a prerequisite to the enjoyment of “pursuit of happiness.” Whenever the miracles of modern medicine are beyond the reach of any group of Americans, for whatever reason–economic, geographic, occupational or other–we must find a way to meet their needs and fulfill their hopes. For one true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members. Let this be the measure of our nation.
It’s time to stop the Dirty Tricks and provide truthful information to seniors and others about the benefits of Health Care Reform.
It’s hard to believe that Senator Ted Kennedy passed away the evening of Tuesday, August 25, 2009. He was a fighter for the people and he fought until the end of his life for issues he deeply believed in and for the sake of his constituents. He was determined to insure the safe passage of meaningful Health Care Reform in the United States. Now is the time for all people to put aside petty party self-interests and work together for the sake of present and future generations in the U.S.
Senator Kennedy was a bold and cheerful Lion of the Senate. He could have a good laugh with anyone on both sides of the aisle in the corridors of Congress, but when he roared, he roared for the people to help many citizens who depended on his strong voice to stand up for their concerns. At one time in my life, I’m proud to say that Senator Kennedy was my Senator. I will always think of him as my Senator. He truly was the people’s Senator. It’s time to pass the torch of unfinished business that he so wanted to see happen in America to a younger generation.
Our deepest condolences and sympathies go out to the Kennedy family and all the people of Massachusetts who loved their Senator and all the wonderful things he did for all Americans.
Senator Kennedy Speaks at the Democratic Convention 2008
“Edward M. Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.”
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Today on NPR’s All Things Considered, Mara Liasson and Robert Siegel reported that the Republicans in Congress have already decided that they won’t be moved by President Obama’s speech scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Robert Siegel reported Republicans said the upcoming speech set for a special session of Congress “will not turn them around”.
Oh really. The Republicans in Congress have not even heard the President’s speech and already they have decided they won’t listen. Meaow! Sounds like someone is being very catty.
Isn’t that ridiculous! That is rude and also against civil discourse. At least listen to what the President has to say.
Open minds together.
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone in Congress could listen to each other and work towards a common goal of finding the best health care reform policy for all Americans instead of getting bogged down in silly partisan politics?
Is it possible? Yes.
A Dream Come True: Something Refreshing: The Change We Can Believe In
It requires two to tango. That means Senators and Congressmen on both sides of the political aisle have an open mind when listening to the President’s speech on Health Care.
Remember, President Obama was elected by a much larger margin than other recent presidents in the last two centuries in both the popular and electoral vote.
The French Health Care Model: What Can We Learn for America?
This CBS report about French Health Care for all of its citizens is amazing.
French citizens are all covered by national health care and then they pay a nominal cost for private insurance. Every man, woman & child is covered by Health Care.
Their mortality rate is less than the U.S. according to World Health Organization statistics.
It works because private insurers are well-regulated so they cannot reject any person who applies for their insurance – no pre-existing condition issues.
Doctors answer 911 and help send the proper emergency response teams to meet the needs of citizens.
The U.S. needs to learn from those countries that have successfully covered all their citizens like France, Canada & the UK. What are the best things we can apply to the U.S. and what can we do better by learning from the weaknesses in their systems?
Americans need to demand that scare tactics from politicians and various media outlets end and that we have true dialogue to come up with the best Health Care solutions for U.S. Citizens. The loud uncivil yelling coming from the right wing is pointless and counterproductive and does more harm than good.
Show your support for Positive Health Care Reform with:
President Obama will speak to school children on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 about why they should stay in school. If I were school age I would be excited and proud that my president was going to come to my school to speak with me. President Obama knows that well-educated children will be better prepared for dealing with future challenges. He wants to encourage children that staying in school is actually cool.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan explains why President Obama wants to speak with children about education
Many cliques in schools make kids feel uncool if they care about school and studying. President Obama wants to send a message directly to children that education is a good thing for everyone, regardless of age, color, religion or ideology.
So why is Fox news and the right wing blab machine trying to label this talk as socialist or saying the President has no business speaking with children in school? Because they can. It is crazy and sad that they waste their news talk time to attack President Obama yet again. They are like the stupid bully who has nothing better to do than tear down other people.
The following video reveals the baseless attacks by right-wing media pundits. It is time that the right-wing media and GOP spokespeople like Jim Greer from Florida stop their attacks on our president in an irrational manner with twisted inaccurate fear mongering. School children should be encouraged to write their president. Now that President Obama is in office, it is important to teach children that they can write letters to their president with their ideas and suggestions.
The New York Times editorial on September 4, 2009 also claims the push back from strident “right-wing demagogues on talk radio and the Web, along with Republican Party officials” voices is “silly and offensive.”
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota has fallen to a new low when he questions President Obama’s motives for speaking with young children about education. And Pawlenty wants to be President? He has strange ideas about dialogue and interacting with youth if he thinks it is wrong for a president to encourage children to stay in school instead of drop out.
The real fear is that President Obama will appeal to youth who will become voters in 2010 and 2012. That is the real fear for Pawlenty. He sees that children will be happy their president came to school to meet with them. These happy young adults will then vote in 2010 and 2012. In 2012 the children who today are 15 will be 18 years old.
President Obama wants to make sure these children can effectively handle problems they will face individually and collectively. Good education is a key component to being a well-rounded individual. In addition to having a healthy life-style, education and life-long learning should be part of the mix for any person, young or old.
Any school that refuses to have the live feed to their students of President Obama’s speech is doing a disservice to their students. Too often young people think adults and politicians do not care about them personally. By allowing children to see and hear President Obama address them personally, children will experience first hand their leaders, and specifically, that their president, cares about their welfare and their future.
Texas schools – let your children hear the President!
Support the right of children to connect with their U.S. President. Click on the photo for more information about this gift for yourself or others.
As covered by the Miami Herald, “an overwhelming majority of parents have not complained about Obama giving their children a lecture on the importance of education.”
That’s right, the squeaking about President Obama’s speech is really small. However, the media echo chambers make these miniscule amounts of people seem larger than they really are. Are the trolls out in full force in some sort of organized manner?
Applause for those who are not swayed by internet trolls and crazed media personalities claiming the sky is falling if President Obama speaks to school children:
According to the Miami Herald, Republican Governor Charlie Crist said of the speech set for Sept. 8, 2009 that will encourage children to stay in school and work hard, “That is certainly an acceptable message by anybody’s standards.”
Parent Lisa Greenwell of Deerfield Beach, Florida, plans to watch the speech again with her children after they hear it live at their school.
She said of President Barack Obama, ”You are the president. Please speak to my children.”
Thank goodness for Broward Superintendent of Schools Jim Notter. Notter plans to have Broward schools broadcast the president live on the district’s television station.
Superintendent Jim Notter said, “I know that this is a quality teachable moment that we need to capture for our students.”
“The right wing’s reaction to President Obama’s planned back to school speech has brought about criticism from mainstream Republicans. Today Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich, and Sen. Lamar Alexander all went on the Sunday talk shows and supported the idea that the president should be allowed to speak to school children.”
Newt Gingrich said on Meet the Press:
“My daughter Jackie Cushman just wrote a column in which she said, “if the president gives a speech as a parent to students to encourage them to learn and stay in school, it is a great thing for him to do.” It was a good thing for Ronald Reagan to do. It was a good thing for George H. W. Bush to do.”
The Lesson Plan Non-Issue
The sad thing is that Jim Greer, Chairman of the Florida Republican Party, has been going on news programs spouting his own propaganda about how the speech by President Obama is propaganda because there were “sample” lesson plans for teachers to use for their class.
These were “sample” lesson plans. That means the teachers could use them or not. They were not mandatory lesson plans. If I were a teacher I would appreciate someone creating a possible template to use for the class to listen to the speech. A teacher can always modify a lesson plan or not use it, depending on the situation. Actually it is a useful aid. However, Mr. Greer and his colleagues have tried to make it sound as if these lesson plans are directly from Karl Marx. That is totally absurd. They are making a tempest out of a teapot.
The Real Agenda Behind Attacks on President Obama
So what is the real point of all this fear-mongering about a speech to children in school? It is only another opportunity to attack the legitimacy of President Obama and his administration. There are racist overtones to the attacks on President Obama, and there is also equally dangerous demonization of President Obama which sends the wrong message to children. What is Mr. Greer and others really saying to young people about their president and their country by their misplaced attacks on the speech?
How can anyone reason with Mr. Greer who sees nothing wrong with the former presidents like President Reagan, President H.W. Bush and President G. W. Bush previously speaking with school children about education and even taxes, yet he continues to attack President Obama for speaking with school children? Why the double standard here about President Obama?
Mr. Greer’s attacks are blatant partisan politics gone wild. He should be praising President Obama for encouraging all children, regardless of political party or ideology, to stay in school and work hard.
When asked by CNN’s Anderson Cooper if he had read the speech already available online, Greer said he had not read the speech.
That’s right, Greer was attacking President Obama’s speech as being a partisan policy speech without reading it.
The children who get a good education will make America great. That is the truth and the real message of President Obama’s speech.
Here is a cute video called Kids Can Change the World:
Students who watched the speech said their were inspired by the fact that President Obama said that education was a great equalizer. One young woman interviewed on the MacNeil Lehrer report of PBS said that she was encouraged by President Obama’s claim that no matter what type of financial situation you were born into, through getting a good education, a student could get a job equal to those students who were born into more fortunate financial circumstances. The great equalizer–getting a good education and applying it to your life.
President Obama’s Message for America’s Students September 8, 2009
Even Jim Greer, Chairman of the Republican Party in Florida, said that after he reviewed the speech online, he would let his kids watch it. Ironically, the sticking point for Greer was the lesson plan that previously had urged students to write a letter to President Obama about what they wanted to do for America. Did Greer object to President H.W. Bush’s claim for students to also write him about a similar topic when he spoke directly to school children during his administration?
It is clear that President Obama’s speech was something that was meant to inspire young students to stay in school and to realize that you do not have to be perfect, that having some failures in your life can actually be the cause of ones determination to succeed.
How encouraging to students that their president took time out to speak directly to them about their present and future.
Students react positively to the President’s speech:
The Non-controversial Speech plugged as “Controversial” by right-wing political pundits with their own hidden agenda
So it turns out that all the pundits gone wild about President Obama’s speech were little more than frantic squawking similar to the children’s fable about Chicken Little running around crying that the sky was falling when it was not falling.
Chicken Little: "The Sky Is Falling!"
Has anyone bothered to look into the potential hidden agendas of the people attacking President Obama for his efforts to encourage youth of America to stay in school? I hope that Americans stop falling for the constant attempts by certain politicians and media personalities to attack the integrity of President Obama with baseless criticisms, mean-spirited rumors and racist innuendos.
Has anyone looked into the obvious and unstated agreement between the Republican party and their media propagandists to criticize every single action by President Obama on ideological grounds, including how he happens to throw a baseball and the fact that he and his family have a garden. These are clearly trivial matters that indicate the extreme measures that Republicans will go to in order to denigrate this president.
President Obama reminded all Americans that Health Care Reform affects real people. He gave a passionate speech before a joint session of congress where he laid out a clear vision of a plan to cover all Americans. He also alerted Congress that they must act together:
Everyone in this room knows what will happen if we do nothing. Our deficit will grow. More families will go bankrupt. More businesses will close. More Americans will lose their coverage when they are sick and need it the most. And more will die as a result. We know these things to be true.
That is why we cannot fail.
…
We are the only democracy — the only advanced democracy on Earth — the only wealthy nation — that allows such hardship for millions of its people. There are now more than 30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage. In just a two-year period, one in every three Americans goes without health care coverage at some point. And every day, 14,000 Americans lose their coverage. In other words, it can happen to anyone.
Initial public response among those who watched the speech was positive… Two out of three Americans who watched the speech said they favor Obama’s health care plans — a 14-point gain from before the speech. 67% of those polled support health care reforms outlined in the speech.
During the speech Representative Joe Wilson (R) of S. Carolina rudely and inaccurately interrupted President Obama’s speech with an angry “You lie!” when President Obama said that illegal aliens will not have their health care paid for by the government. Obviously Mr. Wilson is in some alternate universe because there is nothing in the bill that supports his inappropriate outburst.
President Obama did his best to bring together both democrats and republicans.
Section 246 of the Health Care bill is entitled: ”No Federal Payments for Illegal Aliens.” Mr. Wilson must have missed that section. FackCheck.org also points out some of the purposely distorted myths circulating around the right wing blogosphere. President Obama addressed many outright lies about the bill such as the non-existent “death panels.”
Representative Charles Bustany (R) of Louisiana, defendent in numerous malpractice suits, gives Rebuttal to President Obama’s speech:
For weeks now the right wing media and political pundits have attacked President Obama and the Health Reform initiatives with angry words and degrading images. Yet, when President Obama stood up to his critics and presented a fact-based speech, Representative Charles Boustany, who gave the rebuttal to the speech continued to mislead the public with his disregard for what the President just said.
Boustany said:
“Replacing your family’s current health care with government run healthcare is not the answer…”
This is not what President Obama said. In fact, he said the people who would be eligible for the public option are those people who do not have any health care which are about 5% of all Americans. Bustany is purposely pushing a hot button for many Americans that fear their current health care will be taken away from them. President Obama clearly stated that his plan would allow people to keep their existing health care plan from a private insurer if they desired.
Here is precisely what President Obama said about the public option issue:
Now, I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business. They provide a legitimate service, and employ a lot of our friends and neighbors. I just want to hold them accountable. (Applause.) And the insurance reforms that I’ve already mentioned would do just that. But an additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange. (Applause.) Now, let me be clear. Let me be clear. It would only be an option for those who don’t have insurance. No one would be forced to choose it, and it would not impact those of you who already have insurance. In fact, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates, we believe that less than 5 percent of Americans would sign up.
Bustany continued to reiterate a talking point Republicans keep bringing up and it puzzled me as to why until I read an article in Talking Points Memo
Republicans claim you should be able to purchase your insurance across state lines.
Would this mean de-regulation of the insurance companies?
How would this work? What are the implications for any real and necessary malpractice suits? Where would a wronged patient bring a lawsuit against an insurance company? Would they have to go out of state if that insurance company was out of state?
Deregulation is a double-edged sword. All the potential unintended consequences need to be explored. What might sound good, like deregulation of financial institutions, could have nasty repercussions, like that AIG meltdown. Wherever there are loopholes, some people like the Madoffs and AIGs of the world will unfortunately exploit them.
Proper regulation of certain industries like insurance companies, can bring long term benefits to the insured and the insurers against those people that would try to game the system.
President Obama also wants to get rid of Waste, Fraud & Abuse in the System in order to bring down costs and make the system more effective for everyone:
In his speech he stated:
And here’s what you need to know. First, I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits — either now or in the future. (Applause.) I will not sign it if it adds one dime to the deficit, now or in the future, period. And to prove that I’m serious, there will be a provision in this plan that requires us to come forward with more spending cuts if the savings we promised don’t materialize. (Applause.) Now, part of the reason I faced a trillion-dollar deficit when I walked in the door of the White House is because too many initiatives over the last decade were not paid for — from the Iraq war to tax breaks for the wealthy. (Applause.) I will not make that same mistake with health care.
Second, we’ve estimated that most of this plan can be paid for by finding savings within the existing health care system, a system that is currently full of waste and abuse. Right now, too much of the hard-earned savings and tax dollars we spend on health care don’t make us any healthier. That’s not my judgment — it’s the judgment of medical professionals across this country. And this is also true when it comes to Medicare and Medicaid.
What are the costs of this Health Care Reform package?
President Obama said:
Now, add it all up, and the plan I’m proposing will cost around $900 billion over 10 years — less than we have spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and less than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few Americans that Congress passed at the beginning of the previous administration. (Applause.) Now, most of these costs will be paid for with money already being spent — but spent badly — in the existing health care system. The plan will not add to our deficit. The middle class will realize greater security, not higher taxes. And if we are able to slow the growth of health care costs by just one-tenth of 1 percent each year — one-tenth of 1 percent — it will actually reduce the deficit by $4 trillion over the long term.
The bottom line, President Obama is determined to pass a Health Care Reform Bill. He wants to do it in a bipartisan way with Republicans. He has said his door is open for anyone who wants to have a constructive conversation or present a plan. He said:
Now, this is the plan I’m proposing. It’s a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight — Democrats and Republicans. And I will continue to seek common ground in the weeks ahead. If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open.
But know this: I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than to improve it. (Applause.) I won’t stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what’s in this plan, we will call you out. (Applause.) And I will not — and I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now.
President Obama ends his speech with the determination to live up to fulfilling the promise of revealing the great character of America by taking the important step forward to protect all Americans against fear of bankruptcy from health issues. He determined that now is the time to take appropriate action and “Deliver on Health Care.”
President Obama stated:
We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act even when it’s hard. (Applause.) I still believe — I still believe that we can act when it’s hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history’s test. Because that’s who we are. That is our calling. That is our character. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
So now my Kitty Reporter readers and viewers, we as citizens of this great nation must also act. We must let our congressional representatives know that we support Health Care Reform. We must let the president know that we support his efforts to bring about positive change for all the citizens of America. We must let our own voices be heard to rise up against the din of negative tirades from media personalities and politicians who mislead the public. We too must speak up to set the record straight and usher in positive change.
Reich also urges Americans to stop being scared by the right wing pundits and politicians and to make their voices heard now during the debate before the health care reform package is passed.
We need an effective health care reform package, not something watered down due to special interests.
Make Your Voices Heard – This is Your Last Chance
Reich said the “public option” would not be subsidized by the government or set the rules for anyone. If it did not offer good service, you could keep your existing plan. It would compete alongside the private insurers.
A national public option would have the “scale and authority to negotiate lower prices from health care providers” whereas the “cooperatives” would be “too small and scattered to have the scale and bargaining power of a public option.” Reich adds that the cooperatives would therefore “be designed to fail.”
Reich claims the powerful interests that want to see the health care reform plan fail are:
Drug companies
Insurance companies and
Political operatives
Reich said the “political operatives” want to “confuse and scare” the public about “change,” so the public will stay with a “flawed system” that everyone hates and that “costs too much.”
That’s why We The People must speak out now for the public option. It is the only option that will be large enough to negotiate lower prices to bring down health care costs for everyone.
NEWS FLASH:
I just saw this post by athirdwaycentrist blogger blogging that The Real ‘Norma Rae’, Crystal Lee Sutton, is dead of cancer at 68 after her battle with her health insurer. According to the article on Raw Story, her insurer delayed her treatment for her brain cancer.
Ms. Sutton’s death is why we must pass meaningful health care reform this year. No one should prematurely die because their insurer refuses them necessary treatment for their illness. This is an obvious example of how our current U.S. system places more value on profit for shareholders than the health of each person. This would not have happened in Canada, the UK or France because these countries have properly focused on providing good health care for each individual instead of trying to deny coverage.
The World Health Organization’s recent statistics show the U.S. ranks 37th in the world for health outcomes. So, when you hear people like Glenn Beck or any politician claiming the U.S. “has the best health care system in the world.” You know that something is wrong with that statement if we rank 37th in the world for health outcomes.
Some politicians want to create their own reality, but facts do not lie and the fact is that we are spending a lot of money in the U.S. for health care and yet we are not getting our money’s worth for our citizens.
Representative Joe Wilson’s inappropriate outburst at President Obama’s health care address to a jt. session of congress is part of the continuing saga by Joe Wilson and others to twist what President Obama said in his speech and the details of the proposed reform package.
So, why did Joe Wilson allow himself to rudely interrupt the President? Maureen Dowd of the New York Times wrote a piece entitled, “Boy, Oh, Boy” that addressed this prickly question. She said:
But Wilson’s shocking disrespect for the office of the president — no Democrat ever shouted “liar” at W. when he was hawking a fake case for war in Iraq — convinced me: Some people just can’t believe a black man is president and will never accept it.
Is that it? Are the relentless smear campaigns about President Obama fundamentally about the fact that he is the first black president in the U.S. and some people south of the Mason-Dixon line and in other parts of the country have trouble wrapping their minds around that fact?
What else could explain why there is a seemingly perpetual effort to smear President Obama and to misinform the public through Fox News and other media personalities like Rush Limbaugh to purposely scare Americans about proposed health care reforms?
In his play, Coriolanus, Shakespeare wrote about how certain elements of the common people could be riled up and manipulated by self-professed tribunes of the people. Fox News seems to be playing this role together with congressmen who may have hidden racist ideologies percolating in their veins.
What is the antidote to save the people from the proliferation of lies parading as news that are fed to them by the right wing media, courtesy of monied interests that want to preserve the status quo and protect their financial assets?
It’s time to take the gloves off and call these attacks on President Obama what they are: racist diatribes for political gain.
There is no excuse for Rep. Joe Wilson’s disrespectful behavior towards the president, he should be severely reprimanded by Congress. There is a time and a place for discussion and voicing disagreement, and Mr. Wilson was out of line in claiming he couldn’t control himself at that moment.
This country is a melting pot of people and we should be proud of that heritage. It is a victory for our country that we have a young black president who is actually a melting pot unto himself. He is both black and white, he is a perfect blending of cultures, like our nation. He also brings the great welcoming Aloha spirit of Hawaii to our nation’s capital.
President Obama is asking for true dialogue, not demagoguery by factions within congress, on the right wing airwaves, or in the corridors of financial and political power. We must also become critical thinkers to contribute to the dialogue and to let the demagogues know that their empty harmful rhetoric must change for the sake of meaningful dialogue and progress for health care reform.
Good news. The House today passed a resolution 240 to 179 disapproving Rep. Joe Wilson’s disrespectful violation of House Rules by shouting out, “You Lie” during President Obama’s televised nationwide speech about Health Care Reform. Various Congressmen claimed that Joe Wilson’s conduct during President Obama’s speech was unwelcome and not approved by the House of Representatives. According to the “U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Rules: Decorum in the House and in Committees”, Wilson’s outburst was a breach of “decorum.” Despite Wilson’s so-called apology to President Obama, at the urging by his Republican colleagues, House members were angry at Wilson’s lack of apology to the House for his inappropriate actions and breaking of House Rules.
According to official House Rules, Congressmen are allowed to debate the president in floor debates. However, to preserve respect and decorum the following rules of conduct are listed:
Under section 370 of the House Rules and Manual a Member of the House could not:
call the President a “liar.”
call the President a “hypocrite.”
describe the President’s veto of a bill as “cowardly.”
charge that the President has been “intellectually dishonest.”
refer to the President as “giving aid and comfort to the enemy.”
refer to alleged “sexual misconduct on the President’s part.”
House Floor Debate: Resolution on Rep. Joe Wilson from C-Span
This video documents the Resolution against Wilson is due to blatant violation of Code of Conduct of House Rules.
This is not an attempt to “muzzle” voices as some Republicans claim. This is an attempt to raise the level of discourse in the Congress from disrespectful actions by Rep. Joe Wilson while President Obama spoke to the nation– to respectful restoration of civil dialogue between Congress and the President of the U.S.
The type of outburst rudely spoken by Rep. Joe Wilson during a presidential address to a jt. session of congress has never occurred in the history of the United States at a similar venue.
It’s possible to disagree with the President in a Civil Manner
How would you like it if someone rudely interrupted you while you spoke? There was plenty of time for the Republican representative to give a different perspective to Americans after President Obama completed his speech to a joint session of congress. It was unacceptable that Rep. Joe Wilson purposely allowed himself to lose control of himself (as he claims) and to yell out, “You lie!” during President Obama’s speech.
Republicans claim that they are the victim of a “witch hunt” due to passing of the resolution is ridiculous as is Rep. John Boehner’s comments on the House floor stating the resolution passed was due to “partisan politics”.
If the tables were turned and if a democratic representative had violated House Rules of Conduct in the same manner as Rep. Joe Wilson did, but towards former President G. W. Bush, how would Mr. Boehner have reacted?
The fact is that Rep. Joe Wilson broke an age old House Rule in effect since 1909. He violated the Code of Conduct becoming to a representative in the House. He rightfully should be admonished for his lack of apology to the entire body of the House for his highly unusual breach of common courtesy and conduct to the President of the U.S.
Nancy Pelosi: Floor Apology Or House Resolution For Rep. Joe Wilson
Representative Joe Wilson had ample time to reflect on his behavior and apologize to the House. However, he failed to do the right thing and therefore the House properly passed a resolution to disapprove of his disgraceful unprecedented uncivil behavior.
“I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African-American,” Carter said. (From Guardian.co.uk)
Jimmy Carter says Racism is behind the Right winger’s Protest
Even though the White House released a statement saying President Obama does not believe he’s being criticized because of his race, the fact is that certain right wing media personalities like Rush Limbaugh are doing their best to stir the pot with racist feelings against President Obama and his policies.
This absolutely must stop. Whether it is for ratings or political gain, scaring people about race is wrong. We must come together in this country in a respectful manner to have reasoned dialogue and debate about issues like Health Care Reform, Energy Policy and Reform of Financial Regulations to prevent a repeat of our financial meltdown in 2008 and early 2009.
Even though a majority of Americans of all colors voted for President Obama in 2008, there are groups of people within the U.S. who openly or secretly hold onto racist viewpoints and who may have difficulty being civil about their strong feelings. The anger at President Obama in many instances is off the scales and it is not just because of philosophical or political differences.
It is my deepest wish that Americans will be able to put aside their petty differences and engage fully with each other in a peaceful manner to come up with solutions to our current health care issues and financial problems.
Before we can move forward, however, it is important to also be aware of what is really going on with some people regarding the race issue. Ignoring the problem or saying it does not exist does not necessarily make it vanish into thin air.
What is needed is for more people to come forward to urge their hot-headed colleagues to calm down and search their hearts for whether they have racist feelings towards people of color and also towards people who have a different religion than their own.
I think it was appropriate of President Carter to clearly state that some folks are racist. Awareness that we have a problem is the first step to recovery and progress.
Therefore, various congressmen like Rep. Joe Wilson need to search their own hearts to find out what is truly there that may need to be reformed for the betterment of themselves and for all Americans.
It’s Time to Promote Civil Discourse Please:
Civil Discourse Please with Dialogue and Listening
Is there some sort of crazy gene floating around the internet these days?
Why else would there be people saying President Obama is the anti-christ or that he is like Hitler?
I do not see the relationship or resemblance. In my searches for information about current issues I’ve been encountering more and more mean-spirited deluded people posting hate type speech about President Obama. These people seem to be confused and venting their frustration after hearing someone like Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh launch into one of their fear messages full of lies and innuendos about a government takeover. Most of the things they say have nothing to do with reality and facts and for some people that is fine with them. However, the people listening to these twisted tirades live in the U.S.–not in caves in Afghanistan!
We complain that it is difficult to dialogue with terrorists but are some people in the right wing media like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Hannity and O’Reilly any better when we try to engage them in civil discourse?
Have you ever tried to have a basic conversation with any of these people about anything of substance? If anyone disagrees with Rush Limbaugh, he cuts them off and begins his denigrating name calling. Rush does not seem to allow people to ask any second or third questions about what he spouts on his show.
Fact Checking Anyone?
In this video, we hear Glenn Beck screaming at a woman caller trying to engage him in reasonable dialogue about health care reform. As you will see, being asked reasonable questions becomes just too much for Glenn, he starts hysterically yelling at her with mindless scary attacks after she asks him:
“What would you do to change this health care system for the better?”
Words seem to elude Beck and he just howls at the poor woman caller to “get off his phone.” It kind of reminds me of those cartoon characters that have steam coming out of their ears and their face becomes beet red with anger and their heads explode with rage. Ay Carumba!
Glenn Beck Screams at Caller Who Tries to Engage Him In Dialogue about Health Care Reform
Why, Mr. Beck are you subjecting people to your craziness? And why are people believing you?
That is the saddest thing of all. I do not understand why people think that kind of craziness is worth their ears and eyeballs.
The Antidote to Inflammatory Hate Speech of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck
It is time to take a breath and cool out. The only way to solve our current challenges is to sit down and talk it over with each other with open minds and stop the fear mongering.
Join the campaign for a return to civility and encourage:
Civil Discourse Please through real dialogue and listening
Civil Discourse Please Dialogue Men's T-Shirt by KR Designs
A New Poll: 77 Percent of all Americans support “Choice” of a Public Option!
So, if 77% of all Americans support a public option choice, why are some democrats waivering?
That means 3 out of 4 Americans support the public option!
It’s time for some courage and backbone to stand up for what the people really want.
HELLO, Congress are you listening?
Apparently Sen. Max Baucus is only listening to the people who give him lots of money, the Medical-Insurance Companies.
After many days and hours with the so-called Gang of Six, three conservative democrats and 3 Republicans, not a single republican in the Senate Finance Committee signed the bill prepared by the Senate Finance Committee under the leadership of Sen. Max Baucus.
The Gang of Six and the $Money$ they have accepted from the Medical-Industrial Complex:
Max Baucus, a conservative democrat, has taken $2,890,631 from the Medical-Industrial Complexplus an additional $1,196,463 from the insurance companies.
Who exactly is Baucus really serving here? The people or the insurance companies that give him lots and lots of moolah?
The number next to each senators’ name is the number of votes they received in the last election:
Jeff Bingaman, conservative democrat, 383,228 votes Kent Conrad, conservative democrat, 149,317 votes Max Baucus, conservative democrat, 349,394 votes Olympia Snowe, moderate republican, 398,723 votes Chuck Grassley, conserative republican, 1,038,175 votes Michael Enzi, far-right republican, 189,046 votes
I’m not sure Sen. Max Baucus listened to President Obama’s nationwide speech about health care before the jt. session of Congress. President Obama made the following points that he said were important to a successful health care reform package:
Immediately end the pre-existing condition prejudice by insurance companies. Why is Baucus saying this would not go into effect until 2013? Why the 4 year wait?
Public option. There is nothing in the Baucus plan resembling a meaningful public option that could effectively bring down health care costs.
Here’s the real answer to reform, if people want to keep the public option, forget the Republicans, it’s time to call the Blue Dog Democrats and let them know that an overwhelming number of democrats and Americans (3 out of 4 citizens!) want the public option.
A famous saying used by some lawyers may reveal why Fox news, astroturf organizations and the fringe of the Republican party are teaming up to scare people:
“When the facts are against you, argue the law. When the law is against you, argue the facts. When the law and the facts are both against you, pound the table.”
Baby Finster of Looney Tunes Pounding Poor Bugs Bunny
That explains why “the table pounders” at Fox News and inside Congress are just trying to yell louder than anyone else so they appear as if there are more of them than of those who want meaningful reform. But the real facts and truth–they are in the minority no matter how loudly they yell or pound their fists in tantrums.
People who really want the public option, closing the Rx donut hole now and ending the pre-existing condition now must make their voices heard to their representatives and to those standing in the way of progress.
Let’s take the fear-mongering out of the debate and replace it with the truth. Time to take the phoney issues stirring people up out of the mix.
Demonstrate your vote to include the Public Option for Health Care Reform:
It’s time to abolish nuclear weapons. Now is the moment, now is the time for the U.S. to lead the way in calling for full compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to call upon all nuclear nations to finally step up and work towards total nuclear disarmament.
Nuclear Physicist Joseph Rotblat who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 on behalf of the Pugwash organization, was an outspoken advocate of total nuclear abolition. Dr. Rotblat was the only scientist to have the courage of his convictions to leave the Manhattan project when he learned that the Germans were nowhere near building a nuclear weapon.
Eleven Signatories of The Einstein-Russell Manifesto to stop development and use of nuclear weapons
On July 9, 1955, Joseph Rotblat together with fellow well-respected scientists, many who worked on the Manhattan Project, signed the historic Russell-Einstein Manifesto which was a letter addressed to leaders of the world to renounce the use and development of nuclear weapons for the sake of humanity.
Lord Bertrand Russell said at that time on a special media broadcast, “We appeal as human beings to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open to a new Paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death.”
Resolution:
We invite this Congress, and through it the scientists of the world and the general public, to subscribe to the following resolution:
“In view of the fact that in any future world war nuclear weapons will certainly be employed, and that such weapons threaten the continued existence of mankind, we urge the governments of the world to realize, and to acknowledge publicly, that their purpose cannot be furthered by a world war, and we urge them, consequently, to find peaceful means for the settlement of all matters of dispute between them.”
Max Born
Percy W. Bridgman
Albert Einstein
Leopold Infeld
Frederic Joliot-Curie
Linus Pauling
Cecil F. Powell
Joseph Rotblat
Bertrand Russell
Hideki Yukawa
Herman J. Muller
At a conference in Boston in the late 1990′s Joseph Rotblat once told a story about how when he and his colleagues proposed to other Pugwash international scientists that the world would be safer if nuclear weapons were completely abolished, his colleagues said he was not thinking properly. However, after they created a study group within Pugwash to actually look into the validity of Rotblat’s bold proposal, after a few years, scientists agreed with Rotblat and realized that the concept of so-called “deterrence” was actually a crazy idea that does not keep us safe. Abolition was determined to be the best way to insure the survival of all humanity.
Now, even realpolitik internationalists like Henry Kissinger have signed on to abolition as a means of insuring the safety of humanity.
Why are we so attached to our nuclear weapons?
If President Reagan and President Gorbachev were ready to abolish nuclear weapons, then at this crucial time in the 21st Century, President Obama and President Medvedev should take up the banner for this generation and begin the task of total abolition of nuclear weapons. There is no place on earth for nuclear weapons.
The International Day of Peace, September 21, 2009:
The International Day of Peace celebrated by citizens around the world is a call to nations and all people to end war as a means of settling conflicts. Please celebrate this important day in your community and urge your leaders to strive for nuclear abolition as a means to begin this important task for the sake of humanity.
The United Nations’ International Day of Peace – celebrated every year on September 21 – is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.
This significant“International Peace Day” was established by U.N. resolution in 1982 and has grown yearly to include millions of people around the world who participate in all kinds of cultural and educational events, large and small.
Tell World Leaders Why We Need to Disarm:
This website allows you to send a message to world leaders on September 21st, 2009 to let them know why disarmament of all kinds, especially nuclear is key to the survival of all humanity. Please add your voice here.
What is wrong with the people who post polls asking if President Obama should be killed? Everything is wrong with them. Free speech is one thing, but hate speech or inciting others to do harm to the President or anyone is wrong, wrong, wrong.
Violence begins in the hearts and minds of people and it must stop there.
Unfortunately, many media personalities like Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and others claim their hate speech is just “political” speech.
It is time for the Congressional and Senatorial leadership on both sides of the aisle – Republicans and Democrats – to come together and urge Americans to realize that it is possible to engage in civil discourse without violence or hate speech.
In fact, that is what sets us apart from barbarians and ignorant people.
Homo Ethicus
Right Wing Media Must STOP Invoking Hate Speech Now
As indicated in the above video, the hate speech, the inflammatory speech to incite people has been a constant din on FOX National News and Rush Limbaugh’s talk show. What is the purpose of this type of so-called commentary and reporting? The perpetrators of this type of insidious hate speech need to realize their attacks have nothing to do with civil dialogue. It’s only purpose is to create stereotypes and feelings of hate.
This is outrageous and a symptom of a lack of proper civil dialogue about issues that confront all Americans. Stereotyping and demonizing the President will not solve anything. It is time to cool down the rhetoric.
Here is a fantastic video produced by an organization called avaaz.org dedicated to bringing awareness about various social issues. This video shows snippets of coverage around the world of events that took place on September 21, 2009 – also the same day as the International Day of Peace – to encourage people and governments to begin making concrete meaningful efforts to protect our precious environment from global catastrophe due to pollution and climate change.
Here’s the video:
The United Nations Summit on Climate Change
Ban Ki Moon, United Nations Secretary General
“The objective of the Summit on Climate Change, which I am convening on 22 September, is to mobilize the political will and vision needed to reach an ambitious agreed outcome based on science at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Thirteen-Year-Old Yugratna Srivastava Addresses UN Climate Change Summit:
A young passionate 13-year old girl from Lucknow, India, Yugratna Srivastava, addressed world leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York. During her speech which was cheered on by those in attendance Yugratna said,
“For my generation in India, climate change means global warming, scarcity of food and drinking water and an outbreak of accentuated epidemics.”
Yugratna represented the world’s three billion young people at the UN Summit on Climate Change in New York. She is a member of the environmental organization Tarumitra (Friends of Trees), which is dedicated to protecting trees and forests from being destroyed. The organization also builds roadside gardens and cleans up rubbish dumps.
Show your support for a Sustainable World. Send this postcard and postage stamp to your friends, family and public officials and urge them to take action to protect Mother Earth:
Sustainable Design is Good for Mother Earth Postcard
Stopping the Tide of Terrorist Activities in Afghanistan
History has clearly shown the world that war is a slippery slope in Afghanistan. Just killing the so-called “enemy” of the moment does not seem to change the problems in that region. Remember, at one time we supported the mujahadeen against Russia. Later these “Afghan freedom fighters” morphed into the Taliban and many joined up with Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda!
So what is needed besides a military presence in that region?
What are the goals of the U.S. in Afghanistan?
A movie called “Charlie Wilson’s War” featuring Tom Hanks as Congressman Charlie Wilson documents the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan in the early 1980′s. The problem, we gave lots of weapons and military training to future Taliban and the nascent groups that then became Al Qaeda.
“We must recognize now, as we learned years ago, that a strong military alone is not enough to ensure our long-term national security.”
“If we had done the right thing in Afghanistan then — following up our military support with the necessary investments in diplomacy and development assistance — we would have better secured our own country’s future, as well as peace and stability in the region.” (Charlie Wilson)
Just killing off one terrorist group will not stop the fundamental problem of people becoming terrorists. In fact, it may just incite more people to want to become terrorists! So, what is the fundamental solution to ending conflict and terrorist activities? As Wilson finally concluded, the country is in dire need of help with basic needs. Charlie Wilson says in the Washington Post:
“But the Afghans, with our weapons, had done nothing less than help precipitate the collapse of the Soviet Union. And instead of intensifying our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to help the Afghans meet their postwar challenges, we simply walked away — leaving a destroyed country that lacked roads, schools, and any plan or hope for rebuilding.”
“It takes much more to make America safe than winning on the battlefield. Had we remained engaged in Afghanistan, investing in education, health and economic development, the world would be a very different place today.” (Charlie Wilson)
Charlie Wilson also explains the interconnectedness of all things and all people when he said in the same article:
“The aftermath of a congressional committee’s decision so long ago has turned out to be a warning that America is not immune to the problems of the very poorest countries. In today’s world, any person’s well-being — whether he or she is in Kandahar, Kigali or Kansas — is connected to the well-being of others.”
The Role of Dialogue, Diplomacy & Development in Securing the Peace in Afghanistan
Charlie Wilson pointed out in the Washington Post article of 8/2008 that the U.S. spends only 1% of the federal budget on critical elements of foreign policy related to diplomacy and development as compared to the 22% spent each year on the military and weapons.
Now is the time to create more balance in our foreign policy by properly funding non-military operations that help heal the areas of conflict.
Charlie Wilson concluded his article in the Washington Post with a plea to the next President who at the time of the writing of the article had not yet been elected. He said:
“Robust investments in health, education and economic development are critical elements of our national security. I hope the message of our experiences in Afghanistan will resonate with the next president, whoever he is, as he puts in place his strategic vision for America’s role in the world.”
The Road to a Secure Peace in Afghanistan Mr. President:
Three months after Charlie Wilson’s article in the Washington Post, the people of America chose Barack Obama as their 44th President of the United States on November 4, 2008. Barack Obama won the election 52 percent to 46 percent for John McCain. He also won 349 electoral votes compared to 173 for McCain. Basically, President Obama has a mandate from the people. Many people voted for Obama to “get out of Iraq and Afghanistan” and to stem the tide of endless military contracts going to cronies in the former administration. President Obama inherited the problems of the prior administration as well as a new set of challenges confronting the U.S. and world.
A “decider” can best decide what action to take by having the ability to listen objectively to competing views in order to chart the best course forward. In deciding the next step in Afghanistan, the key is to ask,
Will this action protect U.S. & Afghan lives?
Will this action help the people of Afghanistan move away from the causes of terrorism?
In answering those important questions, Mr. President, please consider the wisdom of Charlie Wilson to realize that military solutions are not always the best and final solution to solving a protracted conflict. It’s time for “Smart Soft Power” approaches.
Professor Joseph Nye co-chaired the Commission on Smart Power with Richard Armitage for the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
The Commission on Smart Power’s Report states in the Executive Summary:
To maintain a leading role in global affairs, the United States must move from eliciting fear and anger to inspiring optimism and hope.
The United States must become a smarter power by once again investing in the global good-providing things people and government in all quarters of the world want but cannot attain in the absence of American leadership. By complementing U.S. military and economic might with greater investments in soft power, America can build the framework it needs to tackle tough global challenges.
An interesting conference called “The Obama Administration Faces Afghanistan” sponsored by the Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies (SIWPS) at Columbia University, took place on April 24, 2009. This conference consisted of a series of panels that looked at the many issues confronting leaders making decisions about solving problems in Afghanistan. The video below is the first panel.
Panel 1: Afghanistan in Regional and Global Perspective: Kimberly Marten
In order to effectively help Afghanistan, it appears that the U.S. needs to work together with other nations. The fundamental problems in the region are intertwined with basic survival. People need a way to make a living for themselves and their families. Since the literacy rate is quite low, Afghans would benefit from educating both males and females to aid their society. Therefore, the fundamental issue is one of non-military solutions for basic human problems.
What happens in Afghanistan can affect the entire world. Therefore, it is in the interest of the global community to assist with a multi-pronged approach to wean the people away from terrorism and encourage peaceful economic and social development of the region. That would be a win-win situation for Afghanistan, the U.S. and the world community.
Billionaires for Wealthcare Satirical Musical at AHIP Insurance Conference
News Commentator Rachel Maddow reported about the guerilla musical parody of “The Sun Will Come Out” sung by members of the Billionaires for Weathcare at the lobbying group America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) conference for health insurers in Washington D.C. on October 24, 2009.
During Republican pollster Bill McInturf’s talk at the conference, members of Billionaires for Wealthcare in the audience suddenly burst into song about the public option saying, “without it, It’s a Corporate Give-A-Way.”
Opera at DC Conference of Health Care Insurance from Billionaires for Wealthcare by Rachel Maddow
Here is the text of the musical parody sung to the tune “The Sun Will Come Out.”:
Thank you
For killing the public option
And blocking any hope of its adoption
Thank you, Sir!
But what about competition?
It’s an old American tradition
So I’ve heard?
When Olympia Snow
Said No, It Croaked
No, the option’s not dead
Or Red!
Explain!
If we get a public option
We can sniff out waste
Just like a dachsund
Costs go down!
The Option
The Option
The Public wants Options
Without it, It’s a giveaway
The Option
The Option
The Public wants Options
Without it,
It’s a corporate
Give-A-Way!
Momentum Building for the Public Option
According to a report by Bill Moyers, “The Journal: Profits over People” on PBS, Seventy-Two percent (72%) of Americans want Health Care Reform to include a Public Option that competes with private plans. Thousands of doctors, nurses, and Americans from around the country protested this June 2009 in D.C. chanting:
“What do you want? Healthcare! When do you want it? NOW!
Moyers said the healthcare insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies are spending more than $1.4 million/day to make sure a public option won’t happen. More than 350 former members of Congress and “government staffers” are being employed to try and stop health care reform and implementation of a public option.
What are the motives for this massive effort to stop health care reform?
Is it because these organizations care about the health of Americans? Not likely. According to some former health care insurance executives, it is based solely on maintaining corporate profits as whistleblower, Wendell Potter, former Head of Corporate Communications of Cigna health insurance (the U.S. 4th largest health insurer), testified before the Senate Commerce Committee this past summer. Potter claimed that the insurance companies are engaging in a “duplicitous” and well financed charm offensive that really is a PR and lobbying campaign to prevent implementation of a public option with the goal of benefitting “wall street far more than average Americans”. Potter also testified that,
“The industry and its backers are using fear tactics, as they did in 1994, to tar a transparent and accountable publically accountable health care option as “government-run healthcare”.”
“But what we have today, Mr. Chairman, is Wall Street run healthcare that has proven itself an untrustworthy partner to its customers, to the doctors and hospitals that deliver its care, and to the state and federal governments that attempt to regulate it.”
Wendell Potter’s candid snapshot of the current state of Health Care in America as provided by most insurance companies shines a harsh light on the standards and practices of insurance companies.
Many legislators on both sides of the aisle have received generous donations from the health insurance industry in order to try and steer health care reform the way it wants – which is not necessarily what is best for Americans.
This is a rare opportunity in the U.S. to finally accomplish much needed Health Care Reform to provide all Americans with excellent affordable health care. A public option will drive down costs, and other necessary regulations will prevent Health Care insurance companies from deliberately denying people insurance, especially at the very moment they need it most — when they get sick.
Universal Healthcare for all Citizens? Don't Be Silly
If France, the UK, Canada and other developed nations around the world can offer its citizens uncomplicated affordable health care, isn’t it time the U.S. finally began putting people before profits? Yes, it is.
President Barack Obama has swiftly taken action every day since his election to deal with every aspect of the problems confronting the United States by:
Restarting the economy
Working to eliminate nuclear weapons
Working with Congress to pass and implement an effective Health Care Reform bill and policy to make good health care affordable for all Americans
Developing new alternative energy sources to wean us away from oil
Working every day to effectively end two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan with a strategy that utilizes a combination of hard and soft power to create value and peace in each region
Working to bring all nations together in making the United Nations an effective body for dialogue, diplomacy to jointly solve world problems like poverty, health, war, education, climate change, and pollution.
Interview about the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
The Reasons President Obama Awarded The Nobel Peace Prize
Geir Lundestad, Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said in the above interview:
Nobel mentions that this should be for achievement in the preceding year and this indeed is for achievements in the preceding year.
And he mentions three criteria
1) Fraternity between nations
Obama has done an awful lot for fraternity between nations…
2) Reduction in standing armies
He has produced the vision of a nuclear free world and we are expecting very substantial arms control agreements and
3) The holding of peace congresses
The modern version of course is international diplomacy
So we feel that this decision is very closely based on Alfred Nobel’s will. We basically feel he has produced a new international climate:
The emphasis is again on the UN and the multilateral institutions
The emphasis is on dialogue and negotiations
The emphasis is on arms control and disarmament–the zero option
The emphasis is on a new climate agreement with the U.S. being a very important partner and
The emphasis is on democracy and human rights.
He has produced an entirely new international climate
President Obama supports the ideals of the Nobel Committee
The Nobel Committee awarded President Obama the prize to encourage his efforts to continue on the path of supporting the ideals of the 108 years of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee established by Alfred Nobel. Geir Lundestad, Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said:
“And when Obama then comes along and we have this wonderful spokesperson, we feel he has achieved something by changing the tone and the climate and we want to give him whatever support he can get in producing concrete results based on these ideals.”
President Obama on Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
President Obama said in the above video in front of the White House on Oct. 9, 2009:
I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.
…I know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not been used just to honor specific achievement, it’s also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And, that is why I will accept this Nobel Peace Prize as a Call to Action. A call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st Century.
These challenges can’t be met by any one leader or any one nation, and that’s why my administration has worked to establish a new era of engagement in which all nations must take responsibility for the world we seek. We cannot tolerate a world in which nuclear weapons spread to more nations and in which the terror of a nuclear holocaust endangers more people. And that is why we have begun to take concrete steps to pursue a world without nuclear weapons.
The Critics from the Back Gallery
It is absurd that critics of President Obama are claiming he should not accept the peace prize. A recent article in the New York Times by Ross Douthat, “Heckuva Job, Barack,” is demeaning and ridiculous. Douthat claims President Obama should not accept the Nobel Peace Prize because he is only in his first year as President of the U.S. If Dick Cheney or George Bush were awarded the peace prize, would Douthat tell them to return it? The length of time a person has spent in office does not necessarily determine the quality or effectiveness of their administration.
What has President Obama set in motion against the tide of criticism, abuse and sarcastic skeptics? His efforts to change many misguided policies of his predecessor are like trying to push a boulder up a hill. He has made much progress in just nine months and it is clear that he is not ruffled by the constant barrage from critics who only want to tear him down with their petty and often times racist comments.
There are so many important issues confronting Americans each day. We need everyone to work together to solve the basic issues of poverty, education, health care, violence and the economy. While it is fine to present alternative points of view to the President or to any group, it is not OK to be purposely demeaning and disrespectful without providing substantive constructive suggestions.
It is time to end the mean spirited attacks of those who yell loudly from the back gallery because they want attention to turn to them and their ideas. The reality is that the people of America spoke clearly in the last election for positive change. However, instead of looking at the facts, there are media personalities and politicians who want to confuse and scare the public instead of educate or inform them.
The Need to Educate Everyone to be Critical Thinkers
We need to help the next generation to be real problem solvers who are able to be creative thinkers and doers in meeting and overcoming the challenges that will confront them in the 21st Century and beyond. The real value of education is to enable each person of all ages, to be able to feel comfortable in engaging in civil dialogue in order to participate in the solution of various issues.
Are we training young people to be critical thinkers?
Bottom Line: President Obama Deserves the Award
Based on the criteria set forth by the founder of the Nobel Peace Prize, it is clear that President Barack Obama deserves to be awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. This is an award that reflects the positive new direction of sustained engagement for a nuclear free world President Obama is charting for the United States and the world.
Congratulations and please continue the work for more successes!
Today is Blog Action Day where people all over the world will write about the Global Wake Up Call for all people and all nations to take action to protect our precious earth from the ravages of climate change.
It is our responsibility to make a difference.
We are the ones who must urge our leaders to take action.
We must make the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen from Dec. 7 – 18, 2009 successful by speaking out and letting our representatives know that it is time to take appropriate steps to curb climate change.
Human Voices – TckTckTck
Kumi Naidoo Discusses Copenhagen
Tck Tck Tck – It’s Time to Act on Climate Change
Issues that Confront the World:
Need for Clean Water
Protect Farm land
End Pollution and stop greenhouse gases from heating up our planet
Stop the oceans from getting warmer
Promote Green jobs
Promote Green technologies
Promote Sustainable development
All countries must help each other in stopping the ravages of Climate Change
Rachel Maddow on Joe Lieberman, Virginia Foxx, Health Care Reform
Rachel Maddow on Joe Lieberman, Health Care Reform and the Public Option
Well, what happened in just 3 years to Senator Lieberman? Has Senator Lieberman forgotten his campaign promises?
This is a unique time in our history in the U.S. If the democrats have more guts, they would be able to pass legislation to enable all Americans to have excellent health care. Lack of health care creates suffering for families and actually puts a strain on the entire health care system when people wait until it is sometimes too late to deal with health issues. Thus, forcing them to over-utilize emergency services in hospitals that drive up costs of health care for everyone.
Wouldn’t it be better to have a comprehensive program that covers everyone in America?
Senator Barbara Boxer (D) of California decided it was time to move needed legislation on Climate Change out of her committee on Environment and Public Works on Thursday, November 5, 2009. Republican Senator Inhofe complained that Bill S. 1733, The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, passed without any Republican support on an 11-to-1 vote, with all Democrats in Boxer’s committee voting for the bill except Senator Max Baucus of Montana. Boxer probably thought the stonewalling tactics of the Republicans were standing in the way of the people’s business, and she wisely decided it was time to trump their silly games in the Committee.
Stop Silly Stonewalling Tactics by Republican Senators
While Inhofe self-righteously claims the Democrats ignored Republicans on the bill, it is important to note that the Republicans were purposely slowing things down in the committee by not showing up for committee hearings or sending one person at a time, less than the number of minority party Senators, for proper debate or for taking a vote to move the legislation out of committee. Fortunately, Sen. Boxer used an exception clause to allow her to have the bill voted out of committee in spite of the underhanded tactics of the Republicans. They were using their little parlor tricks to stall the bill so it would not get to the floor before the upcoming Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change in December 7-18, 2009.
When Senators refuse to engage in civil discourse about the topics in their committee and instead stall by utilizing these type of annoying tactics, it may become necessary to call for an exception clause in order to continue the work of the Senate. It seems as if many Republicans only want to stop important legislation that would benefit Americans and people of all political parties.
Republicans Boycott Climate Change Debate
Bernie Sanders said in the opening statements of committee members in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works when they began mark-up of Bill S.1733:
“This country faces the most serious set of problems that we have faced since the Great Depression. Now should be a time of working together vigorously, not slowing things down. And here we are today, dealing with an issue that some believe is the most important issue facing not only the people of America, but the people of the world– the future of the planet that we are going to leave to our children and our grandchildren. And today we begin the mark-up and we look around and Guess What! Not one Republican is in this room! What is going on here? So I think, to say the least, that is a very sad state of affairs.”
The Time Is Right for Climate Change Legislation Before the Copenhagen Summit 2009
This is a rare time in history when meaningful legislation on Climate Change can finally be passed after 8 years of turning back the clock on a rational view of the issue based on science and cause and effect. It’s OK to have dialogue and debate. However, it is not OK for party ideologues to purposely stand in the way of positive change for the better of all Americans and for the world.
THANK YOU SENATOR BOXER. If other Senators in other committees use these stonewalling tactics, for the sake of all Americans, let’s hope other sensible Committee Chairs decide to use “exception” clauses to bypass rules that the Republicans hope to leverage in order to stand in the way of positive change that we all need.
Chancellor Merkel Addresses Congress (4) on world issues, Meets with Pres. Obama
Chancellor Merkel urged President Obama and the Congress to join other nations at the upcoming Copenhagen Summit to take concrete steps to alleviate global warming by signing a Climate Change Agreement to limit carbon emissions.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Article XIV Conference at the United Nations headquarters during the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, New York, September 24, 2009. (U.S. State Department photo/Public Domain)
In order for the U.S. to be a believable agent of change in the nuclear regimes around the world, it must lead the way in showing good faith to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and then move swiftly to eliminate nuclear weapons through taking concrete steps and encouraging other nuclear nations to follow suit.
It is time for countries to use their precious financial and natural resources for purposes other than preparing for war. Far too much money is spent on nuclear weapons and other weapons of destruction. If we spent a small percentage of the money used to fund the wars around the world, we could eliminate poverty, illiteracy and hunger.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Global Military Expenditures set a new record in 2008 totalling an estimated “$1464 billion. This represents an increase of 4 percent in real terms compared to 2007, and an increase of 45 percent since 1999.”
‘The idea of the “war on terror” has encouraged many countries to see their problems through a highly militarized lens, using this to justify high military spending,’ comments Dr. Sam Perlo-Freeman, Head of the Military Expenditure Project at SIPRI. ‘Meanwhile, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost $903 billion in additional military spending by the USA alone.’ (SIPRI)
Nuclear Weapons are a Danger to All Humanity
Nuclear weapons are a danger to all humanity and it is time to stop refining and redesigning them. The U.S. National Ignition Facility and Stockpile Stewardship Program have been used by those wishing to continue nuclear weapons development as a means to keep the wheels of technology moving forward for the next generation of nuclear weapons.
Enough.
We do not need these weapons. There are so many nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the nuclear-nation arsenals to annihilate the world several times over. Instead, we should be using our scientists brain power and our resources to find clean energy for every possible use and wean ourselves from polluting fossil fuels. We must solve the problem of why we need these horrible weapons of death in the first place and instead, focus on working together with other nations to solve our common problems such as the destructive effects of global warming.
President Barack Obama promised to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and work towards the elimination of all nuclear weapons. There are many level-headed scientists that support this philosophy, especially those scientists who created the first nuclear weapons through the Manhattan Project.
President Obama Calls for Elimination of Nuclear Weapons in Prague
“As the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon, the United States has a moral responsibility to act. We cannot succeed in this endeavor alone, but we can lead it; we can start it,” Obama said.
“So today, I state, clearly and with conviction, America’s commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.”
Obama Presided Over Historic UN Security Council Summit on Nuclear Disarmament
At the United Nations Security Council Meeting on September 24, 2009, President Barack Obama stated:
It is the story of a world that understands that no difference or division is worth destroying all that we have built and all that we love. It is a recognition that can bring people of different nationalities, ethnicities and ideologies together. In my own country it has brought democrats and republican leaders together. Leaders like George Schultz, Bill Perry, Henry Kissinger and Sam Nunn who are with us here today.
And it was a Republican President, Ronald Reagan, who once articulated the goal we now seek in the starkest of terms: “A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. And no matter how great the obstacles may seem, we must never stop our efforts to reduce the weapons of war. We must never stop at all until we see the day when nuclear arms have been banished from the face of the earth.”
That is our task. That can be our destiny. And, we will leave this meeting with a renewed determination to achieve this shared goal.
Brother Blue and Peggy Melanson at findingcourage.com
Dr. Hugh Morgan Hill also known as Brother Blue, passed away on Nov. 3, 2009 at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His wonderful storytelling throughout Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts will be greatly missed, especially his versions of Shakespeare and King Lear.
Brother Blue doing a piece of King Lear
Brother Blue frequently dressed in all blue and drew pictures of butterflies on his hands and face. His brother’s love of butterflies lead Mr. Hill to use it as an important symbol in his storytelling which often included themes of personal transformation. He wore a blue cap with butterfly and peace motifs pinned on it. He brought joy, happiness and whimsy wherever he went. Just seeing him walk through Harvard Square in his colorful dress made you smile. He was a modern day troubadour and shaman.
Mr. Hill regarded storytelling as a sacred duty and a path to universal harmony.
“When you tell a story, you tell it to all creation,” he once said. “It’s cosmic. It never goes away.”
Children and adults who heard Brother Blue’s parables and stories will remember his inspirational and thought provoking tales. His wife of 59 years, Ruth Edmonds, who is curator at the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe, frequently accompanied him during his storytelling performances.
Brother Blue and his wife Ruth Edmonds: www.artofstorytellingshow.com
Brother Blue, thank you for all the years of storytelling you brought to the world. You also motivated many young people to take up the craft of storytelling to the next generation.
What is Beck trying to achieve through his hate speech? Does he have a wish to make this happen? Well, it seems he might, and that is very unpatriotic, idiotic and —very dangerous.
Mr. Beck tries to paint himself as an everyman by saying things like:
“Nobody talks about the little guy. Nobody talks about the individual.”
These comments are designed purposely to upset viewers and to mislead every person who listens to him into thinking he is the only person who really cares about “the little guy.” There are plenty of people–democrats, republicans and independents–who care about “the little guy.”
His rhetoric is highly inflammatory, full of misinformation and in many instances right out of Joseph Goebbel’s propaganda playbook.
The Power of Words for Good or Evil
Professor Howard Gardner, Chair of the Steering Committee of Project Zero at Harvard Graduate School of Education and the school’s John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education, stated in an Interview with Howard Gardner by Joel Kurtzman,
“Goethe and Goebbels, for example, were both brilliant users of the German language, but one used it to write poetry and the other to incite hatred.”
Beck uses psychobabble to say things like: “Please ponder this over the holiday season” regarding his crazy exercise to have people imagine terrorist attacks on U.S. monuments. He wants people to think specifically over the holiday season that no one cares about them except of course Glenn Beck. If he cared about them, he wouldn’t be asking them to imagine horrible images of destruction! What kind of twisted mental gymnastic exercise is he asking people to do? It is a gross misuse of language.
At the same time Beck talks about “the little guy,” the words “America is about families, family values, and guiding principles” flashes on the screen during his monologue as a subliminal message to make viewers think that is what Glenn Beck is all about and what Fox is all about.
Yet, what does that mean when Beck uses his show to ask people to “imagine” a terrorist attack on D.C. during a time when people are celebrating the holidays with their families?
Now that is evil and against families. Why does he have to go to such ridiculous extremes by invoking such unthinkable thoughts?
Instead, as an antedote to his warped vision, let’s imagine the complete opposite vision – a more positive view – that we will find a way to prevent terrorism in the U.S. and in the world – to counter Mr. Beck’s horrible conscious effort to bring terror to the U.S. through his direct manipulative language on national TV.
It is OK to have a different perspective on issues, just stop the hate and disinformation. However, it appears there is a campaign of this hate news on certain Fox National News teams like O’Reilly, Hannity & Glenn Beck shows. Also, Karl Rove manages to throw in some nasty comments every chance he can get about anyone who is not in his party.
What is the real solution? Getting the truth out about the lies perpetrated on Glenn Beck’s show.
What is Glenn Beck really trying to do through his show?
Glenn Beck’s invocation of “the little guy” is right out of Nazi propaganda developed by Goebbels who was Hitler’s propagandist during World War II. Beck consistently uses Nazi rhetoric to defame the Obama administration and the democrats. He utilizes the very brain washing tactics of Joseph Goebbels himself who talked about the “little guy” who was the so-called unheralded German and then combined this with a racially pure philosophy to justify killing Jews and non-Aryan people.
Robert McChesny on Goebbels Press Model
Similarly, Glenn Beck’s rhetoric on his show is designed to:
Scare people with untruths, especially people on the right and in the south;
Upset the public by attacking the Obama Administration and equating it with negative symbols and people;
Do everything he can to slander the Obama Administration no matter what they do by using emotional outbursts and misleading statistics.
Stop Hate News on Fox
Tell Glenn Beck he must stop his crazy hate speech parading as news.
Tell Fox News to stop spewing hate news on the airwaves and on the internet.
Report hate news speech of Fox to the FCC and your Congressmen & Senators.
CIRES: Univ. of Colorado: Greenland Melting 1992 v 2002
Fox has got to be kidding, right? They are attempting to brand Al Gore and any scientist claiming there is Global Warming happening on our planet as — meaow — cult figures?
It shows that Fox News folks are running out of material to fight the overwhelming scientific evidence that global warming is happening, and now they stoop to blaming it on — a cult? Or, that the “mainstream media isn’t covering this whole climate-gate thing.”
Does Fox News ever refer to scientific facts?
Not really. Instead they are determined to equate scientists who provide research data on global warming as part of a “hoax.”
Fox commentator Michelle Malkin accuses Dr. John Holdren, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy since March 19, 2009, of being a “Global Warming hysteric for the last 30-40 years.”
Ms. Malkin’s name calling of Dr. Holdren, who previously was the Teresa and John Heinz Professor of Environmental Policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, has no basis in reality. In fact, she fails to cite one fact to back up her petty slanderous slurs of Dr. Holdren.
Is Fox News Really a Cult?
A member of Fox News so-called “Great American Panel” claims scientists who believe in global warming are part of a cult and here’s why:
“It’s a cult and not science because science has to deal with all the evidence whether you like it or whether you don’t. Cults lock out evidence that they don’t like and they locked it out.”
Well, then according to the above definition of what a “cult” does, would Fox be considered a cult because — stay with me — meaow – Fox “locks out evidence” that it does not like in its so-called news programs. Therefore, Fox News is — a cult.
Wow.
Media Matters Week in Review for Dec. 11 captures Glenn Beck claiming that “environmentalism is the new socialism.”
Fox News just attacks environmentalists or climate change scientists without any meaningful evidence to disprove their scientific data that humanity is contributing to climate change.
Oh, there they are? Thanks Obama White House computer tech team for finding those misplaced, mislabeled e-mails of George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and other figures in the Bush 43 White House.
Found Them! - Here are the 22+ Million Bush White House E-Mails We Were Looking for! (photo from tm lv on Flickr creative commons)
The fired U.S. Attorney Scandal connected to voter fraud issues supposedly not properly prosecuted by those U.S. Attorneys who were fired.
Meoaw. And, some folks thought those e-mails were just buried in cyberspace never to be found. Aren’t they glad someone finally took the time to discover where they had disappeared to?
However, it is clear that many more e-mails were discovered missing during this crucial period of time. Was there a concerted effort by certain Bush administration officials to purposely circumvent the Presidential Records Act which requires archiving EOP e-mails? Do I smell something foul coming from that computer server?
Spilled Milk Complaints from Bush White House Spokesperson
Spilled Milk by planetc1 of flickr Creative Commons
Was this before or after the law suit filed in 2007?
Gee, it’s surprising that the Bush Administration had so much trouble finding their own e-mails even though they had lots of capable technical staff like Republican IT expert, Michael Connell. Unfortunately, Michael Connell died mysteriously in his private plane when it crashed on December 19, 2008 on a return flight from the Washington area to Akron, Ohio.
Michael Connell’s Convenient Plane Crash
Connell Afraid Dick Cheney and George Bush would “Throw Him Under the Bus”
Was Michael Connell the Computer Expert Who Knew Too Much?
The question: Did Michael Connell try to find the e-mails before his untimely demise, or was he trying to lose them for Karl Rove and others in the “tubes” of cyberspace? Surely someone must know the truth.
The tally is still out on the extent to how many e-mails were somehow misplaced and/or mislabeled by the George W. Bush administration. What is clear is that the Bush Administration deliberately decided to disconnect the archive system put in place by former President William Jefferson Clinton. Now why do you suppose they did that?
According to Meredith Fuchs, general counsel from the National Security Archive,
“Many poor choices were made during the Bush administration and there was little concern about the availability of e-mail records, despite the fact that they were contending with regular subpoenas for records and had a legal obligation to preserve their records.” (from Associated Press)
Was that deliberate bad IT work or was it deliberate IT work? Who might have put those inconvenient e-mails in the mislabeled folders?
Are these 22+ million missing E-mails Bush’s 18 missing minutes a la Richard Nixon?
Let’s hope the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee pursue questions like these in the near future.
What Will Be Done with the Found E-mails?
The National Archive will now sift through the e-mails and process them according to procedures for releasing presidential and agency records, and that may take a while, hopefully not four or more years as some predict. And, if damning evidence is found in those e-mails about misuse of the government for political ends or of deliberate election rigging in 2004, will anything be done about it?
The important thing is to make sure this type of subterfuge does not happen now or in the future, and that if any laws were broken, the proper parties are effectively prosecuted.
Big Applause to CREW and National Security Archive for their determined efforts to bring the missing 22 million e-mails and more to the light of day.
Snidely Whiplash by NightRPStar of flickr creative commons
Gail Collins has it right. The Health Care Bill like The New Perils of Pauline has been tied up on the railroad tracks held hostage, not only by the Republican Senate Gang of 40, but by Snidely Whiplash Lieberman who once upon a time claimed he was a democrat in a far off distant land. The unfortunate price of getting Snidely Whiplash Lieberman to move away from Pauline is to give in to not only cutting out the public option, but also to not extend Medicare to citizens younger than 65 years old.
Rachel Maddow reported recently that Lieberman spoke out in favor of expansion of Medicare for people 55 and older both in 2000 and in 2006. Then, as a news conference video from the Connecticut Post in October 2009 shows, Senator Whiplash Lieberman proclaims he is still for expansion of Medicare for folks younger than 65 years old. This clip proves his recent turnabout on medicare expansion is a flip-flop reneging of his earlier campaign promises in Connecticut to his constituents.
Lieberman to the Connecticut Post October 2009:
“When it came to Medicare I was very focused on a group post 50, maybe more like post 55, people who have retired early or, unfortunately, who have been laid off early and who lose their health insurance, and they are too young to qualify for Medicare. And, what I was proposing was that they have an option to buy into Medicare early. And again, on the premise that that would be less expensive.”
Lieberman Busted Flip-Flopping On Healthcare
Today, the Connecticut Post Online reveals the warm feelings paved with dollars that exist between Senator Snidely Joe Lieberman and health care professionals and the Insurance Industry companies like Hartford-based Aetna insurance company, The Travelers Companies and pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma and Pfizer.
According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Senator Lieberman has received $2.1 million in campaign contributions from health professionals and the insurance industry since 1989.
Money! by Tracy O creative commons on flickr
Senator Ben Nelson aka the Grinch:
and the grinch riseth by finstre of flickr creative commons
As we approach Christmas the new theme for the Perils of the Health Care Reform Bill could be that Senator Grinch Nelson’s bribe to vote for breaking the Senate filibuster and also vote for the health care bill is dependent on turning back a woman’s right to choose abortion and have it covered by health insurance.
Many Republicans are Very Afraid of Successful Passage of the Health Care Reform Bill
Millions of dollars have been pumped into the anti-health care reform media machine from insurance companies and astroturf organizations like Americans for Prosperity as part of a well-orchestrated effort to do everything possible to stop the train called Health Care Reform. These organizations and their supporters do not want President Obama to succeed at anything because they have an eye on 2010. And, they are also concerned that if Americans realize how much better it will be for them to have 31 million more Americans with health insurance coverage, and that voters will also like elimination of the pre-existing condition litmus test used by insurance companies, voters will realize that the Health Care Reform bill might lead to expansion of Medicare down the road. Positive change will then encourage voters to continue to vote for more change and to keep Democratic Senators, Congressmen and their Democratic President in office in 2010 and beyond.
Because, what is next after Health Care? Well, more energy reform which might not be what the oil companies want to see happen. But, that’s for another blog entry.
The current tactics of Senator Mitch McConnell who is acting like a Grinchette by making the Senate clerk spend 6-8 hours reading a Defense Bill to stall and stall and stall the health care reform bill is an underhanded expensive disruptive action which is also unsupportive of our troops! The Republicans have lost their way and are left with staging outrageous negative so-called prayer sessions that would probably make the real Jesus throw up if he witnessed what some people were doing in his name. It is time for them to stop misleading Americans into thinking Health Care Reform will destroy the fabric of this country. They have drunk the Kool-aid of Fox News craziness and must be saved from their confused ideologies and extremist tactics.
Health Care Reform Santa Train Newaygo amtrak russ creative commons flickr
However, Let’s hope the Health Care Reform train will leave the station and arrive safely at it’s destination before Christmas. The little Grinchettes in the Senate who want to spoil Health Care Reform will be disappointed when it passes. Maybe some day they will be for Health Care Reform as they are now big supporters of government programs like Medicare.
The Health Care Reform Bill is the First Step and Must Pass Now
What would Senator Edward Kennedy do now even though the bill has been attacked by Republicans and conservative Democrats?
He would pass it because he learned from his own mistake years ago when he did not support health care legislation because it was not perfect. In 20-20 hindsight he realized that incremental changes over time will lead to overall positive change. That is what some Republicans fear the most.
In a Washington Post article on Dec. 18, 2009, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, Senator Kennedy’s wife said:
“The bill before the Senate, while imperfect, would achieve many of the goals Ted fought for during the 40 years he championed access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.”
Time to Stop All the Grinches and Grinchettes from ruining everyone’s Christmas present of Health Care Reform.
Yuba the Reindeer by AlishaV creative commons flickr
Onward Dasher, Onward Rudolph, Onward Blitzen, Up, Up and Away for all the little children waiting to get their health care coverage! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to All and to All a Good Night!!!
Santa at the Beach Ornaments from Weaselmcfee creative commons flickr
OK, Why are we obsessed with Karl Rove as these Milwaukee Students show in demonstrating during Karl Rove’s speech on December 3, 2009 at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee?
Karl Rove War Criminal Protest UW Milwaukee 12/03/09 (nausmr channel on You-Tube)
Is it because we want to finally follow the Mark of Rove back to its source as Nicholas Lemann talks about in his article about Karl Rove called The Controllerin The New Yorker of May 12, 2003?
Karl Rove chastised the protestors at his speech at University of Wisconsin accusing them of not “respecting the rights of others.” Choke, gag, sniff, sniff. Unbelievable isn’t it?
Karl Rove’s Visit To UWM Incites Protest
Karl Rove says in the above video at Univ. of Wisconsin:
I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll keep my remarks short, and then you can get a microphone and ask me any damn question you want. Until then, do something that may come hard to a liberal intellectual, and that is “show respect for the rights of others.”
Scratch, Scratch, hisss, hisssssss…MEAOW! Karl, you have got to be kidding right? People in glass houses… like you.
Glass House 01 by digitalrob70 creative commons medium
Hisssssss by mattieb creative commons on flickr
What’s In the 22 Million Newly Found G.W. Bush Emails?
Now that the 22 million plus emails have been recovered by the Obama White House computer experts, let’s dig in and find out what they say == and soon. Time is a ticking.
Wonder if Karl Rove is worried at all about any of the emails that were recovered from the deep bowels of the Office of the Executive President server at the White House?
Maybe it’s that persistent gene many of us have that causes us to want justice properly administered.
We want Rove to finally own up to whether there is any truth to all the Mark of Rove stories about his dastardly deeds. Are the stories myths, urban legends or facts?
Maybe it’s all the arrogant acts associated with Karl Rove.
Shall we recount some of them?:
Political prosecutions under George W. Bush that rose to 50% attacking democrats in the lead up to the 2008 election and in many cases ruining lives of people who are innocent. Also, according to the Shields Report, an academic analysis of the Bush years, the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted seven times more Democrats than Republicans. There were more than 600 cases brought against Democrats in the U.S. between 2002 and 2008. A documentary, The Political Prosecutions of Karl Rove documents some cases.
Destroying the career of beautiful and intelligent spy, Valerie Plame. She looks like the female James Bond – and she tried to make our world safe from nuclear weapons, but her cover was deliberately blown in an attempt to get back at her husband, Joseph C. Wilson, a former Ambassador to African countries and to Iraq—not the Congressman who we all remember made a ridiculous outburst in the Jt. Session of Congress when President Obama spoke earlier this year.
The U.S. Attorney job hit list to get rid of those uncooperative GOP U.S. Attorneys who stood on principle and refused to go after phony voter fraud cases.
The politicization of the Justice Department as a way to control the political playing field. Did Rove try to eliminate potential political opponents like former Governor Don Siegelman of Alabama who was gaining a lot of power in a Republican leaning state?
Abu Graib – working out the details of the “we torture but will call it something else” memos to undermine the Geneva Conventions.
So what is next for Karl Rove?
He has been talking about a book coming out for a year. Perhaps with the emergence of the formerly mislabeled 22 million emails, the timing isn’t exactly right yet.
Will the Congress reinvite Rove to return to the House Judiciary Committee for further questionning about his role in the 2004 election in Ohio or the U.S. Attorney scandal? We can hope.
Especially in light of the fact that Rove’s former GOP IT Guru, Michael Connell, died suddenly in a private plane crash in Ohio on December 19, 2008, just days before Cheney and Bush left office, there are some unanswered questions to ask Rove. How convenient for the Bush Administration that their special IT guy could no longer tell any unusual tales of his work for them and the GOP.
Will there be any detectives researching to find out if any death threats Connell received prior to his demise could be traced to Rove? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, many folks want the truth about Karl’s activities to finally be revealed for the sake of not letting others get away with murder and political manipulations that make a mockery of our justice system and government.
Government is only as good as the people who run it. Isn’t it ironic that the very people who seem to hate government so much and claim it is so terrible are the ones who abuse their power most when in power! MEOW!!!
Massachusetts Democrats Push Back Bank-Rolled Tea Partiers
The Tea Party has sponsored a candidate in the upcoming Special Election for Senator for Massachusetts who is no relation to Senator Edward Kennedy. Will Massachusetts voters realize that Tea Party Candidate Joseph L. Kennedy running as the “Liberty” candidate is far far to the right of Senator Edward Kennedy and is not a relative?
The democratic candidate Martha Coakley supports Health Care Reform.
“When I am attacked, or my record is attacked, or my record is misrepresented, I’m going to fight back.” “We are going to make every effort to make sure that people know what the real differences are between me and Scott Brown so they can make a real choice on Jan. 19.”
Martha Coakley for U.S. Senate
Joseph L. Kennedy and Scott P. Brown, the Republican candidate, hope to block health care legislation.
Scott Brown is getting millions of dollars from the Republican party who see this election as an opportunity to block Health Care Reform and possibly future energy legislation.
People of Massachusetts must recognize that every person’s vote counts in the upcoming Special Election on Tuesday, January 19th. Democrats will have to continue to get out the vote to guarantee that Martha Coakley wins this important election.
The Right Wing Media Machine
Meanwhile, the negative right wing media machine is churning out articles on the internet, TV and print media to confuse voters about Martha Coakley’s record and platform. Where is all the negative press coming from about Martha Coakley? According to Media Matters and the Huffington Post, the new free paper, The Washington Examiner has a decided “right wing tilt.”
Media Matters reported that The Washington Examiner is owned by Denver billionaire Philip F. Anschutz. SourceWatch states that Anschutz is one of the “largest land-owners in Colorado, a major player in the oil, railroad and media markets.”
Anschutz owns Clarity Media Groupwhich owns conservative papers such as the San Francisco Examiner, Washington Examiner, and newly acquired The Weekly Standard which was previously owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation.
In addition, Anschutz is building up websites for many of Clarity Media Group’s holdings.
Can We Handle the Truth?
Who can you trust these days in the media? What is really fair and balanced? According to the dictionary:
Fair:
pleasing to the eye or mind;
superficially pleasing;
a. clean, pure or b. clear, legible
not stormy or foul
ample
a. marked by impartiality and honesty: free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism, b. (1) confirming with the established rules: allowed (2): consonant with merit or importance: due, c. open to legitimate pursuit, attack or ridicule.
Well, it seems there are many meanings of “fair”. Now I understand why Fox News uses “fair” and balanced. There are so many meanings which one do they actually use?
Americans Need Patience in Expecting Positive Change
President Obama has been in office only one year and he has already prevented a major depression and moved along much needed Health Care Reform. Yet, he is constantly attacked for not moving fast enough.
Republican pundits want to forget that Obama inherited from the Bush Administration:
An expensive and devastating War in Iraq which was a war of choice,
A wrecked economy in part due to greedy unregulated bankers and traders on Wall Street,
A government that was stripped of its ability to protect the environment or prevent abuse of the food and drug administration.
As President Obama is doing his best to navigate the political world of Washington, he is also cleaning up the mess left by Bush and Cheney where they used government as their personal pocketbook for awarding favorite corporations like Halliburton and Blackwater billions of dollars $$$ of no-bid contracts, especially in Iraq.
So, let’s give President Obama a chance to take a breath. He was voted into office to create “change we can believe in.” Now we have to give him time to do it. Remember, even though he has a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress, the democrats in Congress are across the spectrum from liberal to ultra-conservative.
Now we are on the eve of a key election in Massachusetts. Senator Edward Kennedy spent 46 years in the Senate and he was able to broker many successful deals that benefitted the American people.
On January 19th Senator Ted Kennedy’s successor will continue the fight to make government truly work for and by the people of Massachusetts and the United States. However, if people in Massachusetts are hoodwinked by slick multi-million dollar media campaigns that use every dirty trick to confuse voters about the real Martha Coakley, then that will be a sad day for Massachusetts and the nation.
People of Massachusetts WAKE UP and REALIZE that big money is trying to make Scott Brown look like the perfect candidate. He reminds me of a slicked up George Bush. Watch out for the hype.
Vicki Kennedy: Martha Coakley will ‘fight for us’
Martha Coakley is the person who will truly continue the work of Ted Kennedy, not a right-wing stealth candidate like Scott Brown who would only block true “change we can believe in.”
So, Massachusetts, please Get Out the Vote and elect Democratic candidate Martha Coakley who will insure the 60 seat filibuster proof Democratic majority in the Senate and guarantee the passage of meaningful Health Care Reform!
Why did Voters receive Pre-Inked Ballots for Scott Brown on 1/19/2010?
Ballots Pre-Marked for Scott Brown Reported in January 19th Election
Scott Brown seemed to have won the Massachusetts Special Senate Election by over 100,000, but did he really win it by that large a margin? Did Secretary of State Galvin fully investigate some unusual reports about already pre-inked ballots for Scott Brown given to voters as they went to cast their vote on 1/19/2010?
What’s up with the pre-inked ballots for Scott Brown that showed up in at least 3 different cities in Massachusetts–Boston, Cambridge and Beverly–on January 19, 2010 during the heat of the special election for the Senate seat formerly held by Senator Edward Kennedy?
Secretary of State Galvin downplayed the problems of voters receiving pre-marked ballots for Scott Brown.
The election is over and Scott Brown has been sworn into the Senate. However, there are still unanswered questions regarding why poll workers were lax in possibly distributing already cast ballots to new voters. Or, if there is another explanation regarding how and why some voters received pre-marked ballots for Brown.
Mmmm. It’s interesting that some Republicans were accusing Democrats of potential election fraud before the election, but the irregularities that showed up included pre-marked ballots for Republican Scott Brown in privacy sleeves to prospective voters in Beverly, Massachusetts. According to an explanation from the Secretary of State’s office, the poll worker claims that somehow a “used” ballot was incorrectly placed in the privacy sleeve and handed to a new voter. This might have occurred but it is highly unlikely given the fact that voters must put their ballots in a locked box before leaving the polls.
Are Massachusetts Elections Safe and Secure? Better Check Twice!
According to this article that minimizes the pre-marked ballot issue: Beverly, Massachusetts City Clerk Fran McDonald claims that “an election worker grabbed what he thought were blank ballots but what he took instead, were ballots that had already been cast.” McDonald said only “three” ballots marked for Scott Brown were involved at the Centerville Elementary School polling location in Beverly, MA. Apparently police “went to city hall to notify McDonald of the problem” when it was reported to them at 4:48 pm on 1/19/2010 by a concerned voter who had received a ballot already marked for “Scott Brown.”
Unanswered Question: If the ballots were already cast, why weren’t they put into the scanned locked box?
How would a cast ballot in a locked box be given to a poll worker who then automatically hands it to a new voter? Also, were these errant ballots saved for reference? According to the Mass. Secretary of State’s election procedures, all ballots, cast, spoiled or unused are supposed to be kept as part of checking the tally at the end of the election.
If this happened once, then maybe it would be just a fluke, but pre-marked ballots for Scott Brown were reported at least five times in three different cities. Something does not smell right here.
Kitty Reporter recommends that Secretary of State Galvin seriously investigate the cause of these irregular pre-marked ballots to protect the integrity of Massachusetts elections.
Bev Harris of BlackBoxVoting.org Statistics on Hand Count Precincts vs. Electronic Voting Machine Precincts:
Beverly Harris of BlackBoxVoting.org has listed some interesting statistics regarding tallies from precincts that were hand-counted vs. those that used electronic voting machines that scanned ballots onto a memory card.
Harris points out that the combined 71 hand count locations revealed results where Coakley was ahead overall by a margin of “3.35%.”
The Electronic Voting Machines in Massachusetts:
According to Harris,
There are 91 locations with ES&S Electronic Voting Machines
187 locations with Diebold Electronic Voting Machines
2 locations with “mystery” electronic voting machines
Harris claims in her article on 1/20/2010 that:
“The greatest margin between the candidates was with ES&S machines — 53.64% for Brown, 45.31% for Coakley, a margin for Brown of 8.33%.”
…
“Diebold’s results are 51.42% for Brown, with 791,272 Republican votes counted by Diebold, vs. 47.61% for Coakley, with 732,633 Democratic votes counted by Diebold, for a spread of 3.81% favoring Brown.”
What Does It All Mean?
Is it unusual that all of the electronic voting machine precincts combined favored Scott Brown and all of the combined hand counted precincts favored Coakley? Perhaps a panel of statisticians should review if this is normal or indicative of a larger problem with this election.
Random hand-counting of precincts recommended:
Based on the variance in overall results between the hand-counted precincts and the electronically scanned ballots from mostly ES&S & Diebold machines, wouldn’t it be a good idea for Secretary of State Galvin to have done some random hand-counts of ballots, especially in those precincts that seemed to supposedly mistake cast ballots with uncast ballots?
Also, if the story is true that some poll worker mistakenly gave a cast and scanned ballot to a new voter, how did that happen? What kind of training do poll workers receive in Massachusetts and what is the chain of custody of all election materials – before, during, and after the election?
Harry Hursti Proves that Scanned Electronic Ballots Can Be Hacked!
Harry Hursti has widely demonstrated that having a paper ballot scanned into an electronic scanner does not guarantee that the scanner will properly count the ballots, either at the precinct level or in the central tabulation systems. He testified in New Hampshire regarding the insecurity of the voting machines used in that state and serviced by LHS Associates. LHS Associates also services Massachusetts ES&S and Diebold electronic voting machines.
BlackBoxVoting.Org and Harri Hursti Proves E-Voting Machines Can Be Hacked
German High Court Outlaws Electronic Voting Machines March 2009
Some people think it’s OK to use electronic voting machines as long as you have a paper ballot that can be scanned. However, computer expert, Harry Hursti, has proven that even having a paper ballot is only accurate when it is hand-counted. Why? Because memory cards that carry information from the scanned ballot can be manipulated through insertion of malicious vote-rigging code. If just one memory card is compromised, it can potentially change the results of an entire election once the code is downloaded to the central tabulation machine.
And that is only one possible way to manipulate electronic voting machine results. There are many other ways to change the votes…That’s why the German High Court Outlawed Electronic Voting in March 2009, according to an article by Michael Collins in Scoop Independent News.
The Justices of the German High Court decided on March 3, 2009 that electronic voting machines were unconstitutional because they counted votes in secret out of public view. In their decision they wisely stated that:
Electronic voting machines do not allow citizens to “reliably examine, when the vote is cast, whether the vote has been recorded in an unadulterated manner.”
Mid-Term Elections in the U.S. November 2010
Is the Massachusetts Special Senate Election of January 19, 2010 the canary in the mine shaft for upcoming elections around the United States?
Americans deserve to have elections that are accurate, safe and secure where all votes are counted as cast without any manipulation or fraud. However, if election officials gloss over problems in their election to get it over with in the most expedient manner without real attention to whether the election was accurate, then voters are in trouble. Regardless of party affiliation, all Americans deserve to have elections that reflect the truth.
State and local election officials must be held accountable by voters in order to protect democracy in this country.
The Washington Post has a useful link that shows who is voting yes for the current Health Care Bill as of March 18th and who is undecided and who plans to vote no.
Here are a few interesting facts:
In many districts where the Congressperson receives lots of $$$$ from the Health Care Sector, that person plans to vote No or voted No in November the first time the bill went through.
Also, in many instances the more money a representative receives from the Health Insurance Industry, the less number of people are insured in their district. MEAOW!!!:
Watch Live C-SPAN Coverage of Congress Passing the Historic Health Care Legislation:
People who Voted No in November 2009 or Plan to Vote No on Bill:
Joe Linus Barton, (R) of Tx-6received $2,976,021 from the Health Care Industry and 23.30% of people in his district are uninsured.
Brian Phillip Bilbray,(R) of CA-50 received $820,061 from the Health Care Industry and 15.80% of people in his district are uninsured.
Roy D. Blunt, (R) of MO-7 received $2,878,537 from the Health Care Industry and 19.50% of people in his district are uninsured.
John Andrew Boehner, (R) of OH-8 received $2,728,844 from the Health Care Industry and 12.40% of people in his district are uninsured.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R) of FL-18 received $987,102from the Health Care Industry and 32.70% of people in her district are uninsured!
Jason Altmire, (D) of PA-4 received $610,035 from the Health Care Industry and 8.60% of people in his district are uninsured.
John Jenkins Barrow, (D) of GA-12 received $503,828 from the Health Care Industry and 21.30% of people in his district are uninsured.
Hey Congress. Pass Health Care Reform Now!
Why It’s Time to Pass Health Care Now
The Health Care Reform Bill Cuts the Deficit by $138 Billion according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Beware of Inflammatory Talking Points from Republican Congressmen and Political Pundits:
See how many times you can find these talking points in each newscast. Keep track and let me know the big numbers:
Talking Points to watch out for:
We will lose our Freedom
This is a government takeover
This is a Socialist plot
People crying on how terrible this is.
The subtext: ”Be very afraid” in spite of the fact that these words are emotion laden to push your buttons and have no basis in reality. The problem is that Frank Lutz and his cronies have done focus groups to find out what upsets people and makes them angry.
The antidote to Misleading Talking Points:
People have multiple sources for their information and news about the world.
Ask questions of the people making inflammatory statements
Where are their sources of information?
Is it merely an echo chamber or faux news bouncing back and forth?
Be critical thinkers
The U.S. Capitol by kevindooley flickr creative commons
Congratulations to Congress and the Obama Administration for passing historic Health Care Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives 220 to 211. This is the first time when Comprehensive Health Care Reform for all Americans has passed. Implementing Medicare was important legislation enacted almost 50 years ago, but it was only for Seniors, not for all Americans. The next step to complete this important task comes on Tuesday, 3/23/2010 when the Senate will embrace added changes made by the House and pass the bill through a simple majority of reconciliation.
House Passes Senate Health Care Bill
President Obama on the Passage of Health Reform
President Obama said this evening on passage of the Health Care Reform Bill in Congress:
“We proved that we are still a people capable of doing Big things, of tackling our biggest challenges. We proved that this government of the people and by the people still works for the people.”
…
“In the end, what this day represents is another stone firmly laid in the foundation of the American Dream. Tonight we answer the call of history as so many Americans have done before.
When faced with crisis we did not shrink from our challenge, we overcame it. We did not avoid our responsibility, we embraced it. We did not fear our future, we shaped it.
Thank you. God Bless you and May God Bless the United States of America.”
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s final floor speech for the health care reform bill
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, said at a press conference after the Bill Passed:
“It is with great pride and great humility that we undertook this great act of patriotism that occurred on the House floor tonight.
It honored the vows of our founders for us to be a land of opportunity all the way back to before we were a country in the Declaration of Independence talking about “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” That defines opportunity, and so too did this Bill tonight.
Opportunity for affordable education, to lower the cost of education and the other part of the Bill, the main part of the Bill, to provide quality affordable health care for all Americans enabling people to have the freedom to have a healthier life, to have the liberty to pursue their own happiness. They could change jobs without losing health care. They could become self-employed, they could start a small business. They could follow their own passion, and wouldn’t that be great for them, and for our economy and for our society.
So we believe that this Act that was passed tonight is an All American Act honoring our Founder’s vows to the future, and honoring our commitment to the future by making it a healthier one and a fiscally sound one.
32 million more Americans having access to health care.
$1.3 Trillion saved for the taxpayer and
Accountability for the insurance companies so they cannot come between patients and their doctors.
It happened because we had the leadership of the President of the United States as a visionary as a strategist and as a persuader.”
Majority Whip, Representative James E. Clyburn said at the House Democratic press conference:
“I consider this to be the Civil Rights Act of the 21st Century. I do believe that this is the one fundamental right that this country has been wrestling with for almost 100 years. I think tonight we took a giant step toward the establishment of a more perfect Union.”
House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman, Rep. Xavier Becerra of California said at the Press Conference:
“I have a riddle for you. What do pre-existing conditions, donut holes and medical bankruptcies have in common with CD’s, hummers and polyester suits? After today’s vote I think it’s a lot safer to say that they’re, “Gone baby Gone.”
America is about ideas, it’s about change, it’s about progress, and America is about leadership. Today, in the House, I believe we made America proud. And all of us who had the courage to know to vote for change and to vote for Health Care Reform are ready to say we are ready to put America back on track and back to work.”
Dean of the House Representatives, Rep. John Dingle, said at the House Democratic press conference:
Because Pop started out on this, Madame Speaker, in 1914, where they fired him for Union activities and sent him west to die of tuberculosis. Well he fooled them, and if he hadn’t done that I wouldn’t be here talking to you tonight.
But what we’ve done tonight is something that is behind every other major industrial country in the world. But we finally did it and we did it without a single Republican vote, and that was a remarkable feat of leadership by yourself, Madame Speaker, and by Senator Reid over in the Senate where he provided some very remarkable leadership.
This is an extraordinary bill. You’ve heard the good things that it does. There is one very large gripe which we’re hearing, and it’s the only complaint that I’ve heard which is right. And that is that the insurance companies are complaining that we’re going to cut medicare. And they’re right. But we’re only going to cut the Medicare which overpays them by 150%.
Now that will show a little bit about the kind of falsehoods. I’ve got to tell you the air has been redolent with falsehoods and deceit. And, Madame Speaker persisted clear through this, and my colleagues stuck. And, nobody ran when the heat got high.
I want you to know that I’m very proud of this leadership and of my colleagues who made some very hard and difficult votes for which they should be proud and for which they will be rewarded for re-election because they showed courage and wisdom and they did something that was very important.
But my dear friends, there is something else. Now when Americans lose their jobs, now when Americans go to bed, they won’t have to worry when they get up the next morning, “Are they going to have health insurance?”
I can sleep now. Health Care Reform Passed the House.
We have established a basic principle now finally and the Bill is going to the President to be signed that says: Health and good health and health insurance and health care are not a matter of privilege for the privileged few, but rather they should be for everyone.
And, that the government has finally decided, that we’re going to take care of that. So, when it’s seen what we have done for the people, they’re going to understand and they going to rejoice. And they’re going to finally recognize that those who were out to tell falsehoods and make untrue statements about this matter deserve to be rejected at the polls.
And they are going to understand finally that this nation is moving forward in a fiscally responsible way saving not billions & hundreds of billions, but trillions of dollars!
So when you’re looking for good people to solve difficult problems, look at my colleagues out there on the floor who did it, and look around me, because they are the best.
Time to Close the RX Donut Hole for Seniors, Republicans Disagree - Huh?
It’s unbelievable. The Congress has finally passed an historic comprehensive Health Care Reform Bill that will benefit all Americans regardless of party affiliation. Yet, Michelle Bachman and other Republicans are desperate to stop remedies to help Americans. They have a misguided plan to try to repeal this legislation. Sounds like sour milk.
MEAOW! Close the RX Donut Hole for Seniors!
Meaow! Meaow! Meaow!
Do Republicans want Seniors to continue to be subjected to the dreaded Donut Hole? Many Seniors can’t afford purchasing their drugs when they hit their RX donut hole. They have to pay 100% of prescription drug costs in the donut hole. For some people costs can skyrocket beyond anything they can afford.
Dangers of the RX Donut Hole
Do Republicans want Seniors to have to choose between eating or their medications? Then why do they want to repeal legislation that finally closes the RX Donut Hole for Seniors?
When a senior reaches the threshold of the “donut hole”,
the senior has no coverage until his or her drug costs reach $5,100-a gap of $2,850. In 2007, the gap will increase to $3,051, and it is projected to grow to $5,066 in 2013. While in this coverage gap, seniors continue to pay Part D premiums.
Inflammatory Talking Points & Rhetoric across the Right Wing Blogosphere Incite Protestors to Spew Racist Comments & Break Windows
It is unfortunate that some people in Congress and in the Right Wing Media actively support and encourage violence and hatred against others who do not agree with their views. This is dangerous, mean-spirited and unnecessary and must stop. There is no place in our society for racism. It is disgraceful that protestors yelled the N-word to civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis and also slandered Rep. Barney Frank.
President Obama has found his spine and he is standing up straight and tall for the American people by appointing 15 people during the Senate’s recess! MEAOW!
It's Time Republicans Stop Being So Obstructionist
“The United States Senate has the responsibility to approve or disprove of my nominees…But, if, in the interest of scoring political points, Republicans in the Senate refuse to exercise that responsibility, I must act in the interest of the American people and exercise my authority to fill these positions on an interim basis.”
Stop the Log Jam in Congress & the Senate:
It is a shame when paid representatives of the people in the Senate & Congress decide to just play politics and obstruct positive progress for all Americans by:
Only voting NO even if the legislation is good for all Americans
Holding up important judicial appointments
Holding up important Homeland Security appointments
Holding up any appointment that President Obama wants because they want to stop progress
When G. W. Bush was President, Democrats were more civil and gave his proposed appointees a hearing. The Republicans tactics seem to be stall, stall, stall, stall, no, no, no, no. This is unacceptable.
Yet, who loses because of their childish actions? The American people!
President Obama has every right to exert his power in the interest of the American people, especially when one party is determined to act purely out of political partisanship by obstructing needed change in this country instead of working towards improving the common interests of Americans.
What will it take to bring people together on both sides of the aisle to work together?
When will Republicans Really Start Working Together with Democrats?
CBS News journalist Bob Schieffer on Face The Nation corrects Jim DiMint when he quotes polls regarding the number of people in America who want Health Care. Mr. DiMint continues to ram talking points down the throats of listeners that are meant to inflame others and not give real information.
DiMint calls the Tea Party Movement an “American Awakening.” Jim DiMint is egging people on. Let’s remember that a lot of the information Tea Partiers receive from Fox News is purposely twisted and untrue to scare people. Mr. DiMint is bent on just gaining seats in November for Republicans, and until then it is clear that he only wants to confuse and anger voters with his inflammatory rhetoric.
Also, Mr. DiMint always includes the word “freedom” sprinkled in his speech.
I guess he thinks if he says “Freedom,” then everything else he says will be OK.
Also, it seems the Republicans refuse to call Health Care Reform, Health Care Reform. They try to misname it and attack it by saying things like:
“Obamacare” or when referring to Health Care Bills under Clinton as “HillaryCare.” This is a horrible tactic that is used solely to anger people and confuse them about Health Care Reform. It is disgusting. (Coughing up a hairball now)
Republican Senator DiMint of South Carolina claims, “We’re still looking into ways to work with the President…”
MEAOW! Actions speak louder than words Mr. DiMint. We’ll believe it when we actually see you walking the talk!
We can work together, why can't Republicans and Democrats? Meaow!
President Obama Talks About What Health Reform Does This Year: In 3 Minutes:
Scott Brown of Massachusetts is already showing that he bends the truth — a lot. He’s sending out fundraising literature claiming Rachel Maddow is going to run against him in the next election in Massachusetts.
Scott Brown Claims Rachel Maddow Plans to Run for Senate in 2012
However, Rachel Maddow has stated over and over again on her MSNBC program that she is not running for office and has no plans to do so. Yet, Brown continues to wrongfully claim she is running against him. Oh, the games Scott Brown plays. He’s quite a character. MEOW! He is so brazen that he is lying in the open even though Maddow has gone on TV discrediting his lies.
What does Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) hope to achieve with his lies about Rachel Maddow?
Scott Brown, Smart Cats see right through your slick phony campaign against Maddow!
If Scott Brown lies now, what else could he be lying about? Can we trust anything he says? Let’s see if Massachusetts voters finally see the real Scott Brown who is acting like a real slick operator who campaigns against imaginary candidates in order to try and raise money.
Massachusetts voters, if you decide you want a different person representing you in the Senate in 2010, then you better make sure your elections are free from manipulation. Just remember that on January 19, 2010, there was evidence of pre-inked ballots for Scott Brown that mysteriously were given to voters on their way to casting their vote in the Special Massachusetts Senate election.
The Banks are Betting Against California with Credit Default Swaps!
According to Reuters article:
“When C.D.S. prices are higher, that suggests the issuer is less credit-worthy and more at risk of default. That can increase the premium investors demand to take on extra risk of owning that issuer’s debt.”
Do these banks think it is OK to underwrite California municipal bonds and play the market at the same time betting on California’s creditworthiness? I guess so.
Oh, that’s so much like them. They do not care how their betting against states like California, countries like Greece and sub-prime mortgages with massive amounts of money can destroy people, states, countries and the world economy. How is it that these guys give each other big fat bonuses whether they help or hurt the economy?
It is time for Congress to grow its spine again and create some boundaries for this kind of activity. It seems that some Wall Street Wizards continue to think they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, no matter who suffers because of their selfish actions.
President Obama said today, April 8, 2010 at the Treaty signing:
“The key is for the United States and Russia to show leadership on this front because we are so far ahead of every nation with respect to possession of nuclear weapons.”
Obama, Medvedev Sign Treaty to Cut Nuclear Arms
Obama, Medvedev Sign Off on New Nuclear Pact
Next week President Obama will meet with 47 countries at a specialNuclear Security Summit to discuss ways to further reduce and eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons.
The eleven signatories of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto would be happy to learn about today’s historic Nuclear Disarmament Treaty and the upcoming conference hosted by the United States and President Obama. These courageous scientists who wrote the Russell-Einstein Manifesto sent an important message to leaders of the world and all humanity on July 9, 1955 urging them to eliminate the use of nuclear weapons due to the horrible danger they posed to the world.
The Russell-Einstein Manifesto stated:
“We have to learn to think in a new way. We have to learn to ask ourselves, not what steps can be taken to give military victory to whatever group we prefer, for there no longer are such steps; the question we have to ask ourselves is: what steps can be taken to prevent a military contest of which the issue must be disastrous to all parties?”
…
“There lies before us, if we choose, continual progress in happiness, knowledge, and wisdom. Shall we, instead, choose death, because we cannot forget our quarrels? We appeal as human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open to a new Paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death.”
The Senate must Now Ratify the New Nuclear Disarmament Treaty
President Obama and President Medvedev have taken the important step of signing this new Nuclear Arms Control Treaty and the Senate must now step up and ratify the treaty. This is a time for people of all parties to bridge the partisan differences and forge common ground for the sake of humanity.
Here is the Resolution that the Russell Einstein signatories urged every person and nation to uphold:
Resolution:
WE invite this Congress, and through it the scientists of the world and the general public, to subscribe to the following resolution:
“In view of the fact that in any future world war nuclear weapons will certainly be employed, and that such weapons threaten the continued existence of mankind, we urge the governments of the world to realize, and to acknowledge publicly, that their purpose cannot be furthered by a world war, and we urge them, consequently, to find peaceful means for the settlement of all matters of dispute between them.”
Max Born
Percy W. Bridgman
Albert Einstein
Leopold Infeld
Frederic Joliot-Curie
Herman J. Muller
Linus Pauling
Cecil F. Powell
Joseph Rotblat
Bertrand Russell
Hideki Yukawa
Sir Joseph Rotblat who was the last living signatory of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 for his nuclear disarmament work with the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. Dr. Rotblat passed away at the age of 96 in 2005 after dedicating his life to the pursuit of peace and to abolishing nuclear weapons.
He left the Manhattan Project the end of 1944 when he learned that Germany had abandoned pursuing the development of a nuclear weapon.
Protecting Present and Future Generations
Let’s hope that the U.S. Senate will set aside their differences and acknowledge that this Treaty will help protect present and future generations. The best legacy we can leave our children is to ratify this nuclear disarmament treaty which President Obama hopes is an important first step on the road to eliminating these weapons.
What is Happening to the Supreme Court? It's hard to watch...
According the National Women’s Law Center, the role of the “Chief Justice leads and shapes the character of the Supreme Court he presides over”:
“First, the Chief Justice defines and symbolizes the Supreme Court.”
“…the Chief Justice leads and shapes the character of the Supreme Court that he presides over.”
…
“When the Justices meet to discuss cases and to vote on them, the Chief Justice leads the discussion. The Chief is also the first to circulate a list of the cases he (or she, although we have never had a female Chief Justice) thinks the Court should agree to hear in the next term. The Chief Justice can also influence the Court by assigning opinions among the Justices.”
…
“These procedural powers allow the Chief to shape the Court’s agenda, and in some cases to substantially affect how an opinion is written.”
According to Linda Greenhouse, formerly chief Supreme Court correspondent for the New York Times and winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize, in her commentary posted on opinionator.blogs.nytimes.comcom on March 25, 2010, she said of Chief Justice Roberts in regards to whether the Supreme Court would possibly find “the new health care legislation unconstitutional”:
“John Roberts is an acutely image-conscious chief justice, as watchful and protective of the Supreme Court’s image as he is of his own. I find it almost impossible to believe that this careful student of history would place his court in the same position as the court that has been rewarded with history’s negative judgment for thwarting the early New Deal.”
Let’s hope that Linda Greenhouse’s appraisal of the Roberts Court rings true and that the Supreme Court will reject the truly frivolous lawsuit filed in March 2010 by fourteen state attorneys general asking “federal judges to declare the new Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act unconstitutional.” This lawsuit was filed as soon as President Obama signed the bill. However a recent article by Adam Liptak in the New York Times on July 24, 2010 reveals that the Roberts Court is the “most conservative one in living memory, based on an analysis of four sets of political science data.”
The Alarm Bells Went Off when the Roberts Court voted to allow Corporate Money to Freely Flow in the Citizens United Case:
Meaow! Meaow! Meaow!Finally, McCain-Feingold passed in 2002 and there were some restraints put on corporate spending in elections in order to prevent the outright buying of candidates in oh so many little ways!
Chief Justice John Roberts as part of his responsibilities decides who writes the briefs when he is in the majority Supreme Court opinion. He cleverly wooed Justice Kennedy by giving him the job of writing the majority opinion of Citizens United v Federal Election Commission. Justice Kennedy, potential swing voter on this important case, voted with Roberts to claim that corporations and unions should not have their free speech stopped in any way by invoking the First Amendment. Kennedy wrote in his brief:
“If the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits Congress from fining or jailing citizens, or associations of citizens, for simply engaging in political speech.”
Isn’t this just ducky that this decision comes as we are gearing up for November 2010 mid-term elections. Also, the Roberts Court was responsible for asking the plaintiffs attorney in the Citizens United v FEC case to broaden the scope of the questions raised in the lawsuit. The Citizens United plaintiffs then brought in first amendment issues. Wasn’t it activist for the Court to suggest to plaintiff’s attorneys to broaden the scope of this case? MEAOW – Yes.
Smart ducks disagree with the Roberts Court decision on Citizens United. They understand that too much corporate money in elections will create an unfair playing field. Are elections supposed to be up for grabs and go to the candidate with the biggest corporate war chest from inside or outside a particular candidate’s campaign?
Little Duckies protest the Citizens United Supreme Court Decision
Was Roberts surprised when many legal scholars including President Obama cried foul that corporations are now interpreted to have the same right as citizens based on the Citizens United Case?
Wow, wasn’t Chief Justice Roberts someone who at one time said he believed in settled law, and not acting in an “activist” manner? Hmmm, at his confirmation hearings, Roberts said:
“Judges are like umpires…Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply them. The role of an umpire and a judge is critical. They make sure everybody plays by the rules. But it is a limited role. Nobody ever went to a ballgame to see the umpire.”
Oh, wait, when Roberts decides something, he does not think he is being a “judicial activist”.
However, the Supreme Court majority 5-4 decision on the Citizens United Case:
Overturned 103 years of settled law
Now allows corporations to give endless amounts of money for attack ads or other political ads to be able to support the candidate of their choice up until election day.
The recent Roberts Court decision in the Citizens United Case is a major activist action.
In his role as the Senior Justice on the Court, Justice Stevens decides who writes the opinion when the Chief Justice is in the minority decision. His dissenting opinion in the Citizens United Case stated:
“At bottom, the Court’s opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self-government since the founding, and who have fought against the distinctive corrupting potential of corporate electioneering since the days of Theodore Roosevelt. It is a strange time to repudiate that common sense. While American democracy is imperfect, few outside the majority of this Court would have thought its flaws included a dearth of corporate money in politics.”
How would you define an “activist” judge?
At the Alabama Law School on March 9, 2010, Justice Roberts gave a lecture on the History of Law and also took questions from students.
One student asked Roberts:
“Chief Justice Roberts, earlier in the season the Supreme Court had a 5-4 decision to remove corporate funding limits on presidential elections. Some critics would say that provides opportunity to corrupt democracy. I wonder what your rebuttal to that would be?”
Justice Roberts answered:
(Slight Laugh), Oh, I did vote on that, and, uh I’ll have to let my opinion in that case speak for itself.
See C-Span’s coverage of the student exchanges with Roberts at 42:25 minutes into the following video:
Listening to NPR on Saturday, April 10, 2010, I heard Ira Glass on This American Life report about Hedge Fund Magnetar’s role in deliberately creating highly risky CDOs (Collateralized Debt Obligations) that were purposely designed to fail, and then Magnetar bet against these same CDOs by purchasing Credit Default Swaps (CDSs) on the same CDOs. MEAOW!
So what does it all mean?
Bottom line: It was an inexpensive way for Hedge Fund Magnetar to take advantage of the lack of proper transparency and regulation in our U.S. and international economic system by directing CDO managers to design a highly risky security and then betting against it with little up front investment, and then bringing home millions of dollars $$$ when the CDO failed.
And, meanwhile, all the bankers and other greedy little Wizards of Wall Street banditos get big pay-offs. In every type of deal, win or lose, many Banks collect sizable fees for every transaction involved along the way of this road to economic hell for many unsuspecting investors – unless you are investors with Magnetar.
Stop the Fat Cats on Wall Street from Betting Against their own Securities Like Magnetar Did
Ironically, the head of Magnetar Hedge Fund picked that name “Magnetar” for his hedge fund because he is an astronomy buff. Yet, here is a description of the destructive power of a real magnetic Magnetar in the cosmos:
Nasa: What a Magnetar Might Look Like
A Magnetar is “a type of neutron star with an extremely powerful magnetic field” that gives off high-energy electromagnetic radiation like X-rays and gamma rays. It is like a death star. It sucks things into it that then are literally torn apart. Some magnetars are even more massive than our own Sun.
“The density of a magnetar is such that a thimbleful of its material would weigh over 100 million tons on Earth.”
“The magnetic field of a magnetar would be lethal even at a distance of 1000 km, tearing tissues due to the diamagnetism of water. At a distance halfway to the moon, a magnetar could strip information from all credit cards on Earth.”
Magnetar: The Anti-Matter Producers of Wall Street
Well, according to the excellent reporting of Pro Publica and This American Life, the intrepid investigative reporters compare the plot of the Broadway Show – The Producers – to the designed-to-fail CDOs created by Magnetar.
As The Producers from the Broadway hit show believe in their song We Can Do It, a flop pays off bigger than a successful Broadway show and they tell you how, step by step.
The Producers: We Can Do It
The parody of We Can Do It produced by talented singers and instrumental musicians in the video link below sing about how Magnetar and other Producer-like bankers and hedge funds on Wall Street created their own formula for raking in the moolah by Betting Against the American Dream:
The proof is in the billions of dollars reaped by Magnetar and its investors for playing the market both ways. The problem is that their slick betting hurt a lot of people and it does not look like it was innocent.
What can Congress do to insure that Big Banks, Big Hedge Funds, and Big Brokerage Firms can’t do this kind of double-dealing in the future?
Here’s what happened if you compared Magnetar’s actions to a rigged horse race:
Magnetar rigged the horses and then bet that they would fail and collected on their bet because they designed the horses to lose.
Did Magnetar Reap Big Bucks $$ on Wall Street by Designing CDOs to Fail and then betting against them?
Stopping the Greedy Wall Street Wizards from Creating the Next Economic MeltDown before it’s too late:
Register your concerns about the deceptive practices of Hedge Fund Magnetar and similar financial organizations by calling and/or writing Senator Chris Dodd, Head of the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.
Urge Congress, the Senate & the President to immediately pass effective legislation including a real Consumer Protection Agency with regulatory and enforcement power to stop deceptive practices of the Hedge Funds like Magnetar.
Demand more accountability and transparency of Hedge Funds, Banks and Brokerage houses.
On April 12, 2010, President Obama welcomed more than 40 heads of state to the historic Nuclear Security Summit to discuss and plan for safeguarding and stopping the spread of nuclear materials.
Feel-good communiqués will not be enough. The meeting needs to produce concrete deadlines, working groups and future meetings to measure progress.
Beyond the 20,000-plus nuclear weapons in the Russian and American arsenals, experts estimate that worldwide there are roughly 2,100 tons of material that altogether could be used to make some 120,000 bombs. A bomb’s worth can fit in a suitcase. Most of that material is held by the United States and Russia, but there are also stocks in other weapons states and in countries with civilian power programs.
Next step, get all nations to sign and abide by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and to work towards total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Recent comments by Senator Lieberman that we must “modernize our nuclear stockpile” are absurd. Doing this would send the wrong message to the world and undermine President Obama’s efforts to work towards elimination of nuclear weapons.
Tell Senator Lieberman he should ratify the new START Treaty. His comment about “modernizing our nuclear stockpile” really means he wants the U.S. to develop a new class of nuclear weapons. No, No, No, Joe, MEAOW! Nuclear weapons are bad for all living things, especially cats and people.
No new nuclear weapons for you Joe, just Ratify the New START Treaty
Nuclear weapons are a danger to all mankind. There should be no amount of money spent on the development of any new type of nuclear weapon. What is Lieberman’s real motivation for saying this inflammatory comment on the eve of the Nuclear Security Summit?
Jonathan Mann of RockCookieBottom.com wrote a great song to encourage us all to create A Culture of Peace and to finally once and for all Stop the Nuclear Menace:
Song a Day #434: How to Stop the Nuclear Menace (in Song) by Jonathan Mann
Albert Einstein worked for non-use of nuclear weapons:
Albert Einstein thinks nuclear weapons are bad for humanity
President Obama signed into law on May 22, 2009, the “Credit CARD Act also called the “Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights.”
The timing of Citicard now starting in April unloading its low-interest credit card holders before the legislation fully kicks in on August 22, 2010 to protect consumers is just a coincidence right? Mmmm…
Fat Cat Bailout Bonuses of Citigroup
Photo derived from Fat Cat by danperry.com on Flickr creative commons
The newlegislation fully goes into effect on August 22, 2010 to protect credit card holders, and Citicard starts investigating card holders in February 2010 and unloading credit card holders in April who pay on time more-than-the-minimum-balance but coincidently also have low locked in interest rates under 8%. Foul Foul Foul Citicards!
Could it also be that there was a directive from the upper echelons of Citigroup to remove low interest credit card holders in Citigroup’s Citicard division? Better find those hot emails before they bite the dust in cyberspace.
Wow, Mr. Pandit and his team of Wall Street Wizards must be happy, especially since a lot of that ability to stay afloat was thanks to the little taxpayers who footed the bill. You would think Citigroup would appreciate the little guys given that Citigroup was swimming in kitty litter stench from their wild ride with the mortgage backed securities scandal not only in the U.S., but also in foreign markets.
“Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2007, certain of Citigroup’s regulators and other state and federal government agencies commenced formal and informal investigations and inquiries, and issued subpoenas and requested information, concerning Citigroup’s subprime mortgage-related conduct and business activities,” the bank said in its annual report. “Citigroup is involved in discussions with certain of its regulators to resolve certain of these matters.” (from NYT DealBook Blog: Citi Distances Itself from Goldman’s Troubles)
In addition to providing Citigroup with $45 billion in TARP money, the federal government has also agreed to back roughly $300 billion in soured assets that remain on Citi’s books.
Bikram Pandit appeals to American taxpayers on their use of TARP funds and acknowledges the economic challenges average Americans face:
Opening Statements by Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit to Congress
So now they are possibly targeting their little pesky clients with low credit card interest rates. You know, it could possibly affect Citi’s bottom line having people with such low interest rates.
HelloSenate Banking Committee, maybe Mr. Pandit together with President and CEO of Citicards, Kendall E. Stork, need a return trip to a hearing for a little tete-a-tete about how Citi might be finding ways to get around the new consumer Credit CARD Act protection legislation. And Mr. Geithner, remember the average person in the U.S., what are you doing to protect them from unfair credit card company practices and the big rush to jack up interest rates or get rid of people who have low locked-in interest rates?
The NYT article regarding “lavish bonuses” to bailout companies like Citi reported:
The report does not include certain other highly paid employees, like brokers who are paid on commission. The report also does not include some bank subsidiaries, like the Phibro commodities trading unit at Citigroup, where one trader stands to collect $100 million for his work last year.
Free enterprise does not mean the Wild Wild West of Greedy Little Wall Street Wizards, Sharks and Piranahs can do whatever they want without regulations solely for the-profit-of-it-all.
Greedy Wall Street Shark!
Photo derived from Shark! by happosal Flickr creative commons.
Time for Citigroup to stop hurting its innocent customers. And, also Congress it’s time to pass a meaningful Consumer Protection Bill that will regulate the Greedy Little Wall Street Wizards. It is clear self-regulation will never happen on Wall Street. Also, Americans are disgusted that the bankers abused the bailout money by giving themselves obscene bonuses. The hubris of it all.
Readers, if you want to find out if Citigroup is unfairly targeting its clients, encourage the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee to launch investigations on Citigroup and Citicards. These institutions should not be able target low interest cardholders unfairly before August 22, 2010 or after.
The Huffington Post also did a recent story about other Credit Card Companies unfairly raising rates on its consumers. See this article by Arthur Delaney. Delaney reports about Citi:
Craig Gibson of Tyler, Texas wrote that rates went up on cards he holds with American Express, Chase, and Citi. He chose to “opt-out” rather than continue his Citi card at the higher rate, but he isn’t too happy to have been forced to choose.
“The catch is that, if you accept the new rate, you are getting screwed for nothing!” Gibson wrote. “And, if you opt-out, like I did, then when you close the account, you get screwed on your credit report! For nothing!”
Were there special deals struck with certain U.S. federal agencies to allow Citi to discard its low-interest credit-card holders before August 22, 2010?
According to this co-authored article by ProPublica & Politico, it appears that Citigroup is heavily monitored by several government agencies.
Uh-oh, did Citi got the green light to unload low interest cardholders from the government! Let’s hope this possible scenario is not so because it would be a low blow to consumers that Congress is supposedly trying to protect.
“Though the Federal Reserve is the primary regulator of Citigroup, the bank holding company, other regulators have jurisdiction over pieces of the firm and work closely together: the Comptroller of the Currency supervises Citibank; the FDIC insures Citibank’s deposits; and the Securities and Exchange Commission oversees investment banks, like Smith Barney. As part of the bailout, Citigroup indicated it had previously entered into regulatory agreements with bank supervisors but did not disclose details.” (ProPublica & Politico Article)
Tell Congress and the President to close the big loopholes in the current Credit CARD Act that allows credit card companies to target low-interest holding credit card clients.
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:
Oil Slick in the Gulf of Mexico May 17th View by NASA Goddard Photo and Video flickr creative commons
There are people on the internet offering solutions to cleaning up the BP oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon oil well. Now would be a good time for BP and the U.S. Government to employ any worthwhile ideas.
Gulf Oil Spill Solution
Using Switchgrass and other organic material to create a skin around the oil, the man in this video demonstrates how the oil can be skimmed off the water and can even be recovered after it is taken out of the water. There are no messy toxic dispersants left in the water. With the help of skimmers, after applying the organic material to the oil, it can be scooped out of the water.
Here are some excellent ideas worth trying. Is anyone checking them out from BP or from the U.S. Department of Interior?
Oil Spill Easy Clean-Up Solution
Proven EPA and Coast Guard Approved Oil Spill Cleanup Solution
Another idea for actually plugging the leak appeared in this article:
“Scientists Claim Ability to Halt Deepwater Horizon Spill Within 24 Hours”
“A team of former NASA, NOAA and US Army scientists have offered technology and capabilities to BP, the White House and U.S. Coast Guard promising to halt the massive oil spill happening at the Deepwater Horizon disaster site within 24 hours.”
“The team is led by former NASA Scholar/Scientist Dr. Joseph A. Resnick, Chief Scientist for NxGenUSA Corporation of Pittsburgh, PA.”
What the Public Can Do:
Contact the Department of the Interior with your suggestions for remediating the spill: http://www.interior.gov/
Contact your Senators and Congressmen regarding your ideas for the clean-up.
Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121
Contact President Obama with your suggestions for clean-up and plugging the leak.
You can also call or write to the President:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address
Tell Congress and President Obama to stop all deepwater drilling until there are clear methods to effectively and quickly deal with disasters like the BP Massive Oil Spill in the Gulf.
OIled Brown Pelican upon intake May 20, 2010 at Fort Jackson, Louisiana Oiled Wildlife Center.
Gulf-Oiled-Pelican-Intake-2010 by IBRRC flickr creative commons
Clean Up the Oil Now BP! Stop Messing My Beaches and Wetlands!
Former Secetary of Labor, Robert Reich, recently wrote an article in the Huffington Post outlining why President Obama should temporarily put BP in receivership in order to insure proper resources are devoted to capping the oil leak and cleaning up the oil washing up on beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. Reich stated in his article:
“The Obama administration keeps saying BP is in charge because BP has the equipment and expertise necessary to do what’s necessary. But under temporary receivership, BP would continue to have the equipment and expertise. The only difference: the firm would unambiguously be working in the public’s interest. As it is now, BP continues to be responsible primarily to its shareholders, not to the American public. As a result, the public continues to worry that a private for-profit corporation is responsible for stopping a public tragedy.”
Saving the Beaches and Wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico
Efforts to prevent oil from seeping onto the beaches need to be stepped up. Rachel Maddow has shown miles of beaches without anybody doing anything to insure that oil is removed from the white sands or even that the booms are properly secured to prevent oil from reaching the wetlands.
Rachel Maddow – Busted booms fail Louisana Coast
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow – Professor Riki Ott: the heath threat to Gulf Oil Disaster cleanup crews
What exactly is being done now?
What needs to occur to protect the wildlife and environment?
It’s time for a multi-pronged approach to bring in all necessary resources to:
Stop the leak
Clean up the surface oil on the water
Clean up the underwater plumes of oil
Clean up the beaches and areas where oil has gone into wetlands
Save the animals and other wildlife affected by the oil
BP has mostly had a slick PR campaign on the internet, radio and TV to promise to clean up the spill, yet that could take months. What is needed right now is mobilization of the national guard and technical teams implementing new methods to stop the leak and clean up existing oil.
Oil Companies Reaping Billions Must Devote More R&D Towards Safety & Remediation of Oil Leaks
The 6 Most Profitable Global Companies in the World in 2009 - Oil & Gas
It is a crime that the 6 most profitable companies in the world, all oil and gas companies, have failed to spend even modest amounts of money to be adequately prepared to quickly stop a leak in both shallow wells and deepwater wells and to effectively and quickly clean up the spill before it reaches land.
Even though other offshore wells have had disasters in the last 30 years, Rachel Maddow reported that oil companies have continued to use the same old methods that never worked well in the first place.
What have these oil companies been doing over the last 30 years?
Not much….
It’s time for the U.S. to require oil companies to devote more resources towards having back-up safety plans to more effectively deal with:
Deepwater well problems and stopping various types of leaks that could occur up to the deepest wells which are over 10,000 feet
Cleaning up oil on the surface of the water as well as in underwater plumes
Preventing oil from reaching beaches and waterways
Effectively cleaning oil from beaches, plants, waterways and animals with safe nontoxic methods
Why haven’t oil companies advanced more in safety measures for spill remediation in the last 30 years?
Because they wanted to just make more profit and arrogantly refused to think that anything would go wrong with their drilling procedures.
In BP’s case it is clear that various officials deliberately cut corners in developing the Deepwater Horizon well which resulted in the current disaster.
What Can Be Learned From BP’s Oil Spill Disaster?
The U.S. government failed to properly require BP to have failsafe systems in place to prevent the poor workmanship that lead to the well failure. President Obama and the Congress must pass necessary legislation and regulations that will insure that existing shallow and deepwater offshore wells have safety mechanisms in place to prevent similar disasters from occurring.
And, all oil companies must be required to demonstrate technology that could be used in a short period of time (less than a few days to a few weeks at the maximum) to be able to cap wells that experience various types of failures similar to the Deepwater Horizon well failure.
Where are the risk management experts to anticipate various possible disaster scenarios that could occur in a deepwater well, and where is the research and development to create the necessary fixes to these potential disasters?
It is unacceptable that any offshore oil spill should require 4-6 months or more to cap the well with the only currently known successful method – drilling a relief well. All oil companies should be required by law to come up with faster and more effective methods of capping the wells before any further drilling of any kind takes place.
Oil companies should be fined for every day they do not have adequate safety measures and effective remediation measures in place in case of another oil spill.
To compare the situation to fire codes in a building, in earlier years, sprinklers were not required to put out a fire. However, it became evident that lives and buildings could be spared with certain safety codes in place in case of a fire.
In the same vein, oil companies should be required by law to follow specific safety standards in the development of their wells. There should be more rigorous EPA oversight to insure wells are built to a stricter code and that there are multiple redundant failsafe measures in place.
BP Your Oil is Smelling & Fouling Up My Environment! MEAOW!
It is scandalous that the most profitable oil companies in the world like Exxon-Mobil, BP, Chevron and Shell that reap billions a year in profit from drilling in U.S. waters have no current fast and effective means to stop oil leaks offshore on the bottom of the ocean.
Next Steps
It is clear that the U.S. government needs an emergency plan in place to more effectively handle oil spills and oil leaks in waters offshore.
In addition, now is the time to call for a Marshall Plan to wean the U.S. off of it’s addiction to oil and to create a comprehensive approach to developing new and safe green technologies.
There is no such thing as true “clean” coal and nuclear power has many potential hazards – especially the fact that nuclear waste lasts thousands of years and must be safely stored.
Therefore, now is the time to more fully look into advanced clean technologies that include:
fuel cells,
new solar approaches,
wind,
geo-thermal,
co-generation plants,
small-scale communities that utilize the cradle to cradle approach and a closed system use of recycling waste back to energy.
President Obama and Congress must forge ahead without being swayed by the oil companies to continue on with business as usual. It is clear that the BP Deepwater Horizon well disaster demonstrated that business as usual in the energy business is not working and it’s time for a real change we can see and believe in.
Every day we hear more and more about oil seeping onto the pristine beaches of the Gulf of Mexico states.
What is going on? Why isn’t the U.S. government taking more action to prevent the oil from reaching the beaches? Once the oil reaches the beaches, wetlands or waterways flowing into the Gulf, it is much more difficult to prevent death and destruction of plants and animals. Also, it increases the cost of the clean-up.
President Obama, why not get the national guard to help more. The booms are not enough. Why not use every possible resource, technical as well as human intervention to stop the oil!!!
Is It Safe to Walk on the Gulf Coast Beaches Yet?
This is the time to show that government can play a positive role in stopping this gulf oil disaster.
It’s Time for a Marshall Plan for Cleaning up the Oil and Moving Towards Renewable Energy
President Obama gave a speech about the BP Oil spill on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 to the nation. This was a perfect opportunity for him to address our energy problems squarely and also address the need to have a Marshall Plan approach to moving to energy independence.
President Obama Addresses Nation on BP Oil Spill
It is also time for the government to require all oil companies with existing offshore wells to provide:
Proven failsafe redundant technology to prevent future catastrophic leaks/spills from wells being developed to wells already in operation.
Develop and produce non-toxic effective clean-up procedures and technology that will take oil out of the water in all depths of the ocean (surface oil to deepwater plumes).
Develop and produce non-toxic effective technology and procedures to prevent oil from reaching beaches, waterways and wetlands. Have a system that will effectively stop the oil and enable it to be taken out of the water.
If oil does reach beaches, waterways and wetlands, develop better more effective non-toxic methods to effectively remove the oil from these areas and from the wildlife affected.
Kevin Costner to the Rescue!
Kevin Costner has a machine that will remove oil from the water. It’s time to produce these on mass and get more machines out to the gulf now! BP has purchased those available, but more need to be created and put into service.
Costner Offers BP Oil Clean-up Device – 2 Reports
Open for Questions: Gibbs on Oval Address, BP Oil Spill
BP apologizes to the American People and Vows to Give $20 Billion for Remediating the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster
Rachel Maddow Offers Bold Response to BP Oil Spill in Presidential Speech Rewrite if She was President
Ed Markey shows pictures of Oil Spill Clean-up Plans in Gulf on HuffPost
How is it that the top 5 oil companies have almost identical oil spill remediation non-plans that all include protecting “walruses” in the Gulf Coast?
Was there a Cliff Notes environmental plan ghostwriter for BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and ConocoPhillips oil companies?
Rachel Maddow interviewed Congressman Edward Markey on June 16th and he knew something was strange when all the environmental clean-up plans for potential oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico were 90% identical and uncannily included:
a reference to “walruses” that have not existed in the Gulf for millions of years and
a reference to the same supposed “expert” who is deceased since 2005.
“In preparation for this hearing, Congress reviewed the oil spill safety response plans for all the top five oil companies.
What we found was that Exxon, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell and BP have response plans that are virtually identical. The plans cite identical response capabilities and tout identical ineffective equipment. In some cases, they use the exact same words and made the exact same assurances.”
It is remarkable how all 5 BIG oil companies had virtually the same “cookie-cutter” clean-up plan for the Gulf of Mexico. Imagine that! Meaow!
Waxman on Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Drilling Safety Plans
Representative Henry Waxman, Chairman of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy & Environment said in the above video at the recent hearing with the Big 5 Oil Executives that each of the oil-spill “cookie-cutter” 500 page contingency plans for the Gulf of Mexico of:
ExxonMobil
Chevron
ConocoPhillips
Shell
are no better prepared to deal with a major oil spill than BP.
Waxman also stated: “There are no walruses in the Gulf.”
BP Clean up the Gulf, Tarballs are Bad for Cats and Living Things!
This week’s top news included a strange apology to BP by Congressman Joe Barton, (R) Texas, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Energy and Environment. According to the Center for Responsive Politics Congressman Barton has taken $1.4 million in campaign contributions from the oil industry since 1989.
Barton, a former oil and gas consultant with Atlantic Richfield and Gas Company (ARCO) which is now part of BP, said at the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations hearing on June 17, 2010 with BP CEO, Tony Hayward:
“But I’m ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday. I think it is a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown.”
There was no “shakedown” of BP’s CEO by President Obama and his administration as Barton claims. In May BP publicly pledged on its own to compensate those affected by the Gulf Oil disaster.
OMG Cat Reacts to Congressman Barton
Rachel Maddow: Joe Barton Apologizes To BP & Tony Hayward
Oh, the political fallout:
Republican leaders were unhappy with Barton’s misplaced public apology to BP. What was Barton thinking? Especially with the November elections on the horizon. And, as a result Barton later that same day returned to the hearing room and apologized about his prior apology to BP. Barton tried to retract his earlier statement by saying:
“If anything I’ve said this morning has been misconstrued…I want to apologize for that misconstruction.”
MEAOW – why why why was Barton so protective and concerned about BP? This is the company that cut corners in drilling the deepwater well in order to save money and get the oil out faster which resulted in multiple well construction failures that lead directly to the biggest environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and included 11 tragic deaths of people at the drill site. Yet, Barton felt he personally had to apologize to BP.
Flawed Energy Policies under G. W. Bush Lead to Poor Regulations of Deepwater Wells
It turns out that the very reason that BP was able to drill the Deepwater Horizon well goes back to the 2005 Energy Bill passed under George W. Bush that incorporated advice from the secret meetings with Dick Cheney’s Energy Task Force.
Who made up the “National Energy Task Force?” Well, Cheney did everything he could to prevent that information from reaching the light of day. However, in 2007, 6 years after the task force was assembled, the Washington Post revealed the list.
Dick Cheney’s 2001 Energy Task Force Guys from Big Oil:
According to the Washington Post article on July 18, 2007 by Michael Abramowitz and Steven Mufson, the list of oil and gas industry executives who visited Cheney’s 2001 Energy Task Force read like a who’s who of Big Oil & Energy companies:
One of the first visitors, on Feb. 14, was James J. Rouse, then vice president of Exxon Mobil and a major donor to the Bush inauguration; a week later, longtime Bush supporter Kenneth L. Lay, then head of Enron Corp., came by for the first of two meetings. On March 5, some of the country’s biggest electric utilities, including Duke Energy and Constellation Energy Group, had an audience with the task force staff.
British Petroleumrepresentatives dropped by on March 22, one of about 20 oil and drilling companies to get meetings. The National Mining Association, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America and the American Petroleum Institute were among three dozen trade associations that met with Cheney’s staff, the document shows.
…Cheney had other meetings, such as with John Browne, then the chief executive of BP, that were not listed on the task force’s calendar.
Dick Cheney’s 2001 Energy Task Force’s Executive Director Andrew D. Lundquist
Andrew D. Lundquist has moved easily between high level administrative energy policy related government jobs to oil industry lobbyist. Before becoming the Executive Director of Cheney’s secretive Energy Task Force in 2001, Lundquist was an aide to Republican Senator Ted Stevens and Senator Frank Murkowski of Alaska. In 2000 he then became G.W. Bush’s Presidential Campaign “energy expert” and was nicknamed “Light Bulb” by G. W. Bush.
According to the above referenced Washington Post article,
lobbyist Lundquist has represented
“BP, Duke Energy and the American Petroleum Institute.”
The Center for American Progress (CAP) provides articles and related documents about the connections between Dick Cheney, Joe Barton, Tom Delay and G. W. Bush’s Energy Policy that lead directly to allowing BP and other oil companies to bypass environmental laws and prior regulations that would have required oil companies to provide more safety measures that could have possibly prevented the BP Gulf Oil Leak disaster in April 2010.
The article also reveals Congressman Joe Barton’s key role in getting the Bush Energy Bill of 2005 through the House and to eventual final passage:
“Barton shepherded a bill through the House that included tens of billions in subsidies for Big Oil and other forms of dirty energy and dozens of other provisions to reduce or eliminate royalties paid by Big Oil to taxpayers, waive or eliminate environmental and safety reviews, and otherwise enhance Big Oil’s ability to exploit our natural resources with little or no oversight and with maximum profit.”
In May 2001, Dick Cheney’s National Energy Task Force created a document called the:
General Stanley McChrystal was removed from his position as Commander of the International Assistance Force (ISAF) on June 23, 2010 for violation of the Military Code of Conduct based on his gossipy comments to Rolling Stone. General David Petraeus will replace McChrystal in Afghanistan.
President Obama’s Statement on General McChrystal and Afghanistan
President Obama stated in the above video about the comments made to Rolling Stone by General McChrystal:
“The conduct represented in the recently published article does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general. It undermines the civilian control of the military that is at the core of our democratic system. And, it erodes the trust that’s necessary for our team to work together to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan.”
McChrystal needs to brush up on his negotiation, mediation and general diplomatic skills or at least have an aide who can advise him in these areas that he seems lacking based on how he comported himself in the Rolling Stone article, “The Runaway General” by Michael Hastings.
McChrystal may have concerns about his troops, but there is a time and place to get your concerns and suggestions heard by the President.
First suggestion, speak directly to the President if possible in private, not publicly trash him and his team in Rolling Stone magazine.
Negotiation 101:
Sometimes it is appropriate to raise issues in a public forum.
Sometimes it is best to raise issues in private.
A General in the Army should have diplomatic skills as well as military strategic skills.
In addition, McChrystal should know that in the military, soldiers must work together as a team. Trashing your civilian COIN (counterinsurgency) teammates in public does not bring about harmony and positive results.
General McChrystal What Were You Thinking When You Made Catty Comments to Rolling Stone’s Hastings About COIN?
What did McChrystal expect would happen by his comments to Hastings for the Rolling Stone article? It is disappointing if McChrystal did not think through the possible repercussions from his chatty negative comments. For someone in his position, McChrystal should understand that what he says, who he says it to and when he says it has profound impact in either a positive or negative way.
The Truth About Cell Phones...Photo Credit: Cat out of the bag by photofarmer on flickr cc
Is our beloved smartphone really safe to put right next to our ear? Not according to some scientists. Can cell phone companies make their phones safer? Will they?
Maureen Dowd wrote an interesting column on 6/27/2010, “Are Cells the New Cigarettes?” about how San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and the city’s Board of Supervisors passed legislation requiring cell phone companies to clearly list the amount of radiation each cell phone emits.
According to Dowd,
Different phone models emit anywhere from 0.2 watts per kilogram of body tissue to 1.6 watts, the legal limit. The amount of radio frequency energy seeping into the body and brain is measured by a unit called the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom received warnings from the hotel lobby and the cell phone lobby that cell phone companies might take their conventions elsewhere if Newsom insisted on making them reveal to the public what they are already supposed to reveal.
According to Dowd the cell phone companies have tried to make cell phone safety information hard to find by burying it in obscure tiny print in information about each cell phone. Why, possibly because they do not want to let consumers know the dirty secret of how their smartphone or cell phone could make them sick or give them nasty brain tumors.
According to a Swedish study that tracked youth that began using cell phones before age 20 for 10 years, there was a 400% increase in brain tumors!
400% increase!!!!
Ok so why doesn’t the cell phone industry start making safer cell phones?
Cell Phone Makers Using Techniques From Cigarette Companies To Hide Health Concerns
Meaow, this kind of reminds me of BP’s negligence in the Gulf of Mexico.
Are many corporations so busy trying to make the most profit for themselves and their shareholders that they cut corners in areas where they don’t want anyone to see or where they think they can get away with it?
There are studies that reveal the dangers of using cell phones and other electronic devices including everything with WiFi. However, as the video above shows, many scientists that got results showing dangers with this technology suddenly got unfunded!
There are real scientists and doctors who are finally speaking out about the real proven dangers of the technology we are using and love to use.
Questions that need answers about this technology:
How safe is bluetooth? Those Star Trek looking flashing blue light handsfree devices that many people seem to have permanently glued to their heads as if they grew a new appendage. What kind of SAR rating do these little babies have? How do they affect our brains with the constant beaming of electromagnetic radiation so close to our brains? Anyone, Anyone?
How much radiation do we get from our laptops that frequently sit on our laps for hours at a time – while we write blogs, emails, surf the net, create videos, or do research?
What’s the radiation from all our WiFi devices everywhere?
How safe are the GPS systems in our cars where satellites beam directions to us from outerspace?
The technology that uses microwaves and electromagnetic energy is here to stay, so what is needed to make sure:
What is safe?
There are studies to update new potential health and environmental hazards from use of the technology
Companies are putting real effort to make these devices safer.
Do we need to pass laws to make companies be more proactive?
YES, YES and YES.
A few years ago an engineer who worked for a cell phone company told me that cell phone companies could make cell phones less dangerous to the human body, but it would be expensive for them and therefore, many companies were not interested in changing their technology–unless they had to. It was all about the money $$$.
Does Congress need to pass laws to make these companies do what we hoped they would do from the outset: Care about their customers and give them information regarding potential risks they incur by using their products.
Also, those cities like San Francisco that start making efforts to make cell phone companies more accountable need to be protected from those who threaten them – like the big convention lobbyists and cell phone lobbyists.
The only way to level the playing field is for Congress to make a federal law to require cell phone companies to do what Gavin Newsom and his City Council want them to start doing – as a first step: Let the public really know what type of radiation each individual device will be putting into their little bodies and brains with average use. Also, “average use” needs to be better defined.
And, money $$$$$$ shall not be the only determining factor for what corporations can or cannot do.
Didn’t we learn our lesson from the BP oil spill?
As evidence showed, until the huge BP Gulf Oil spill, BP and all the other oil companies did not put any significant research and development into making sure any leaks in the drilling process or during extraction of oil from offshore oil wells would be able to be plugged and cleaned up quickly before reaching any shore.
The only reason oil companies didn’t do what they should have been doing – making sure they had fixes for any possible disasters that could occur in their offshore drilling rigs – was because no one made them do it and they did not want to spend any money to do it since no one was forcing them to do it.
Look at what is going on with BP, if they had just spent a little of their billions of dollars of profts each year on research and development for up-to-date technology for quickly remediating oil spills and leaks and finding new and better ways to quickly plug leaks and problems with development in their drilling rigs, then they wouldn’t be out the billions of dollars they are out now. They were penny wise and pound foolish.
Next Steps for Improving Safety of Cell Phones
The same goes for the cell phone companies. If they spend more to make safer technology, they will save themselves in class action lawsuits that most likely will occur in the future if they refuse to fix what they already know is a problem.
Covering up the flaws in the system never works for anyone. And, it is bad karma.
Nuclear Weapons at Retirement Age: 65 years old today, July 16, 2010
Today marks the 65th Anniversary of the first nuclear bomb explosion test called “Trinity” on July 16, 1945 in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
This year also marks the 65th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945), the first time nuclear weapons were used on a population in the history of the world.
Nuclear Weapons Make Us All Less Safe
Cold war architects Henry Kissinger, George Schultz, Sam Nunn and William Perry admit that nuclear weapons make everyone less safe.
It is time to turn away from the cliff as Dr. Kenneth Boulding urges and go in a new direction towards a sane policy of reducing the threat of nuclear war for present and future generations.
National Security Through Stable Peace: Conversations with Dr. Kenneth Boulding
In the above video Dr. Kenneth Boulding explains how the world has changed and how nuclear weapons do not make us more secure. Dr. Boulding said:
My generation is sort of obsessed by the second World War and the first World War for instance which we lived through. Now the world is different. It’s a very different situation.
We’ve moved into what I call a new region of time. The system has changed. It’s just like going from the land into the sea almost. When you go from the land into the sea you find remarkably few elephants. The whole system is different. That’s what’s happened with the nuclear weapon. We haven’t realized this. We’re still living in a world that has passed away.
“We cannot wait for a nuclear Pearl Harbor or 9/11. We must get ahead of the game to prevent an even more catastrophic event than those that have been seared into our memories,” Shultz said. “If we wait — if a nuclear accident occurs — the world will be changed so dramatically that we will not recognize it.”
“So wake up, everybody. The danger is real and the potential consequences are of catastrophic proportions,” he added.
2010 should be the year to put these horrible weapons into retirement.
“Nuclear disarmament is the only sane path to a safer world” (Ban Ki-moon)
The Promise of the New START Treaty
The United States Senate will take up ratification of the New START Treaty. This is the first step towards total elimination of nuclear weapons pledged by President Obama.
Commit to Global Nuclear Disarmament – Matthew Yglesias
Rachel Maddow – Mitt Romney Plays Nuclear Politics for 2010 and 2012
It’s insane, MEAOW, Mitt Romney is trying to distinguish himself for a possible run in 2012 for the presidency by claiming he wants nuclear weapons. And his point is….
Get Smart! Learn from the Documentary the Age of Stupid!
This compelling documentary takes us to 2055 and looks back from there to 2005 where the evidence of unusual climate change became increasingly evident worldwide. This film does a great job of incorporating imaginative envisioning into showing us where we are headed now as a global community if we do not change our ways. And, MEAOW, we do not want to go there!
This is a real cautionary tale based on real interviews with people affected by stupidenergy policies of their respective governments and stupid governmental policies of dealing with major energy corporations that just want the resources from every willing country in the world, including Nigeria and the U.S.
Turns out BP is not the only major oil company that deserves a corporate brain and heart transplant.
Watch this documentary and learn what Shell Oil is doing to Nigeria. Now that is really really stupid and bad for the people stuck with the pollution from Shell’s oil production plants leaking dirty oil into Nigeria’s waterways and killing the fish.
You can watch the entire documentary on Snag Films.
Time for a Re-Envisioning of Our Collective Future on Planet Earth
This movie gives plenty of reasons why we need to take swift action now to move from a society that puts everything on profit first and quality of life (for all people and living things) second. The Age of Stupid highlights the need to re-envision what kind of future we want for ourselves and succeeding generations. Now is the time to change our priorities to focus on a global ethic that puts people, cats and other living things before profits.
The Age of Stupid
How to Create the AGE of NOT STUPID
Go on this website, www.notstupid.org and listen to the children of today who will be adults in 2050. What kind of world will we give to them? What choices do we make individually and collectively that will decide their fate?
It is not too late. There are things we can all do now to help create a better future.
Envisioning a Positive Future:
What do you want the future to be for you, for your family, for your children and grandchildren?
What do we need to do to create a hopeful future for humanity?
What would that time look like?
Sit down now and write out what your plan is to protect the present and the future?
Remember, every bit helps.
Transition Towns
What would a community look like if it ran out of oil? These are questions the originator of Transition Towns concepts and co-founder of the Transition Towns Network, Rob Hopkins, asked himself and the first Transition Town Totnes. There is a Transition Town handbook with 12 steps of how a community can begin transitioning away from an oil-based community to a sustainable community. These concepts for other Transition Towns have spread all over the world.
Transition Towns – Karen Jones
Green communities case study – North Howe Transition Town
Educate yourself, your family, your friends and your government representatives, including perhaps the Mayor of your city or town, the Governor of your State and the President of your Country.
How?
Individually and together. Send letters to your governmental officials and join one or more organizations that are working for a world that acts responsibility to reduce carbon emissions and move towards clean energy worldwide.
Of the 50,000 oil wells drilled in the Gulf, 23,500 have been “permanently abandoned” and another 3,500 oil wells are categorized as “temporarily abandoned,” according to an AP report.
3,500 “Temporarily Abandoned” Oil Wells Classified as “Temporary” for decades!
Did you know that when the BP disaster happened on April 20, 2010 killing 11 workers, it was because BP was turning its Deepwater Horizon Macondo well into a “Temporarily Abandoned” shut-in (SI) well!
27,000 abandoned wells in the Gulf! Who is checking these wells?
Committee members wrote in a letter Thursday to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that they were responding to an Associated Press investigation released last week on the 27,000 abandoned wells in the Gulf. The AP reported that the wells are not routinely inspected when plugged or subsequently monitored for leaks.
Jeff Donn’s article further states that:
Some wells have been abandoned in the Gulf since drilling first began in federal waters in the 1940s. Oil companies leave them behind when they are done using them to explore or produce.
Jeff Donn was also interviewed on WBUR’s program, “Here and Now” in a segment called, “Permanent Seal Would Make BP Well One Of Thousands Abandoned In The Gulf”
Jeff Donn relayed that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) looked at the potential for leaks in these offshore abandoned wells in 1994. They found these wells could damage the aquatic environment.
A major concern about the safety of the wells is that cement used to plug the wells could erode. The well plugs if not cemented properly, could crack.
Who is Checking these Wells to Make Sure they Are Safe and Secure?
The oil companies have had a cozy relationship with the U.S. Government because next to nothing has been done to insure the temporarily abandoned (TA) wells or the permanently abandoned (PA) wells are safe.
Federal Regulations require that these wells be reviewed at least once per year. The document entitled, “Risk Assessment of Temporarily Abandoned or Shut-in Wells” prepared for the Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) on October 2000 by C-FER Technologies Inc. stated on page 1:
The MMS provides regulations for placing a well in temporary abandoned (TA) or shut-in (SI) status. In addition to meeting the mechanical requirements (for plugging and stub clearance) the operator must:
“…provide, within one year of the original temporarary abandonment and at successive one-year intervals thereafter, an annual report describing plans for reentry to complete or permanently abandon the well.” (30 CFR Ch. II, 250.703)
The above report claims true risk of the abandoned wells cannot be fully determined without more data. The authors of the report recommend creation of a database that includes more updated information on each well.
What’s smelling up the avenues of K Street in Washington D.C.?
Ah, that pungent smelly aroma of cigar stench.
Just a bunch of guys getting together to enjoy a little smokarooni amongst fellow cigar lovers. Don’t pay any attention to the fact that they just coincidentally happen to be from major pharmaceutical and oil companies and congress. And, from big tobacco…
They are just a bunch of smoke-loving cigar guys and gals–mostly guys–enjoying “comraderie.”
Of course, if they happen to talk about other things, “wink” “Wink” – it’s only amongst cigar lovers. And, Hey, it’s all OK with the House Administration Committee.
What?
Yes, certified and approved said one of the guests walking up the stairs in the Huffington Post Report and the Huff Post Investigative Video on You-Tube.
Huffington Post Investigative Report on the Congressional Cigar Association – Smokin’
Just a bunch of regular ol’ guys smokin.
Smokin with Cuban Pete from the Mask…
2010 Election in CA 50th with Bilbray and Busby
The race in CA’s 50th district between Brian Bilbray (R) and Francine Busy (D) is heating up towards November 2010 election.
Funny thing, it turns out Brian Bilbray, the incumbant congressman of CA 50th district, was lobbied by Thomas Kim of Thomas Capitol Partners. Kim’s staffers are on the six-member board of the Congressional Cigar Association (CCA). Bilbray sponsored the congressional staff organization and sent a letter in February 2009 to the House Administration Committee. However, Bilbray staffers claim he hasn’t been involved with the group since he recommended its founding.
Americans need more jobs. However, in July, Senate Republicans Blocked Key Legislation that would have created Loans for Small Businesses that would have helped create more jobs
Why are Republicans against helping Small Businesses Get More Credit?
The needed legislation, H.R. 5297: Small Business Jobs and Credit Act if 2010, would have cost $30 billion to help create loans to small businesses that currently are experiencing a credit crunch from banks. The bill would help community banks with less than $10 billion in assets have more money to lend.
The House passed the bill on June 17, 2010. Then it went to the Senate and was blocked on July 29, 2010 due to various Republicans claiming it was a “bailout” bill.
The $30 billion for the small business assistance bill would have opened up at least $300 billion in credit for small businesses! Yet Republicans claim this is a “bailout” even though the bill includes $12 billion in tax breaks for small businesses !
Hypocrisy in Action
Republicans complain there are not enough jobs being created by the Obama administration. Then they refuse to pass any legislation that would actually create jobs.
WHO LEFT US WITH HUGE DEFICITS by Speaker Pelosi flickr cc
Why?
The November 2010 election races have begun.
Get ready, Get set, Go! and Watch Out for:
Misleading talking points
Attempts to redirect meaningful issues to emotional hot button issues
Lots of money from corporations thanks to the Roberts Court decision on Citizens United
Misleading Talking Points Crafted by Political Pundits
Talking Points: 5-10 second sound bites. These phrases are frequently repeated in the same news cycle on many media: on the internet blogs, print and video news media, and on radio talk shows.
THE ECHO CHAMBER of TALKING POINT HORRORS
Chamber of Horror Echo Talking Points of Republicans
Many political pundits look for those “shock and awe” irritating talking points that mostly rile people up or make them fearful of the current administration. They attack people instead of the problem. Very petty. Very catty. MEAOW!
Case in Point:
The Small Business Lending Bill stalled in the Senate would help small businesses get money to grow their businesses so they could create jobs which would in turn employ people and grow the economy. Yet, the talking points used to stall this bill claimed this bill will add to the deficit. This “deficit” talking point theme is meant to redirect attention away from the real issue – the need to create jobs – and, instead, get people fearful about the deficit.
Just Say No to Fearmongering by Newt Gingrich and John Boehner
It seems that Republicans suddenly want to work on the deficit when for 8 years very little effort was made to stop the huge trillions of dollars of debt run up by the Bush administration. Yet, now, in a time when the prevailing wisdom by many economists is that we need to put money into the economy in order to grow the economy, Republicans suddenly got “deficit” religion.
Their one note chorus is “extend the tax cuts.” Even though the tax cuts according to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would cost $700 billion and would benefit primarily the top 2% of the highest earners in the U.S.
John Boehner coined a special talking point pinging around the airwaves when Speaker Pelosi announced she would bring back Congressmen for a vote on a different jobs bill:
“stimulus paid for” with “job-killing tax” on U.S. job creators.”
Let’s review this series of talking point non-points. It contains hot button words like “job-killing” and “tax.” Very scary words. Then in the same sentence Senate Minority Leader John Boehner says, “U.S. job creators.” Who exactly are these job creators and what the heck is Boehner talking about when he says “tax?” Does “tax” refer to ending the 10 years of Bush tax cuts passed in reconciliation in 2001 and 2003?
Do Republican politicians really want to create jobs for Americans? They have a chance to show they do by passing new Jobs legislation in August that would help educators.
As Lady Gaga recently said in Arizona, “We have to get active.”
Yes, time to get “active” and let your voice be heard. Also, better get out the vote. Just remember, President Obama inherited a great big mess from the previous administration. He is trying to chart a new course. It is like turning around a great massive ship of state. Patience, Patience, Patience….and “get active.”
Time to Ratify the START Treaty. No nuclear weapons for you kitten! Photo Credit: Greek Cat Family by ZeroOne on flickr creative commons
On Wednesday, August 4, 2010 the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was supposed to have a business meeting to discuss two important pieces of pending legislation:
1. S. 2982, The International Violence Against Women Act of 2010, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
2. Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, signed at Prague on April 8, 2010, with Protocol (Treaty Doc. 111-5) **held over from August 3 business meeting**
Time for the U.S. Senate to Ratify the START Treaty in September 2010
Japan Hails U.S. Move to Attend Hiroshima Memorial
U.S., Nuclear Powers Join Hiroshima Memorial
This is an historic year. Today, August 6, 2010 marks the 65th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. Monday,August 9, 2010 marks the 65th Anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki.
The United States is the only country in the world to ever use nuclear weapons against a population. It would be fitting for the U.S. to begin the necessary reduction and eventual elimination of nuclear weapons on the 65th Anniversary year of the birth of these horrible weapons.
No person or country should ever experience the horrors of nuclear war. It is absolute hell on earth and it is totally a man-made hell. It is time to take responsibility for the reduction and elimination of these weapons for the sake of present and future generations.
This is not only about partisan politics of the moment and the midterm elections. Cold warriors like Henry Kissinger, Sam Nunn, William Perry & George Shultz plus thousands of scientists, politicians and military men and women and common people from around the world agree that having zero nuclear weapons actually makes us all safer.
New START Fact Sheet from Women's Action for New Directions
The first step: vote the START Treaty negotiated between the U.S. and Russia, out of the Foreign Relations Committee.
The next step: At least 2/3 of the Senate Ratify the Treaty–67 Senators.
In Hiroshima, Ban Ki-Moon says nuclear weapons-free planet ‘only sane path’ to safer world
UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon said today at Hiroshima’s memorial ceremony commemorating the 65thAnniversary of the dropping of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb that killed over 140,000 people:
“A world free of weapons of mass destruction. That is the only sane path to a safer world.”
Therefore, for the sake of humanity, the U.S. Senate must ratify the new START Treaty in 2010.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER REGARDING CERTAIN ADS THAT SHOW UP ON THIS BLOG GENERATED BY WORDPRESS AND GOOGLE
PLEASE NOTE:It seems there may be some ads showing up on the bottom of my blog that are the complete opposite message of the point of this blog. Any ads that show up claiming Congress should wait until after the November 2010 election to pass meaningful legislation is absolutely ridiculous. The ads are being automatically generated most likely by organizations that buy up “keywords” targeting certain groups, blogs or people.
Kitty Reporter thinks Congress should continue to work hard now before, during and after the November midterm elections to pass needed legislation that will benefit the American people regarding: arms control and nuclear disarmament, jobs, education, sane energy policies, stimulus to the economy, and other issues that would improve the quality of life for all Americans and not just the top 1-2%.
No matter what happens during the November 2010 midterm elections, the Republican leadership in the Senate and House have no right to tell their colleagues to wait until after the November 2010 midterm elections to pass needed legislation.
No one knows who will win elections in November. Those that espouse this partisan rhetoric of stopping the progress of the American people’s business have no business being in Congress.
Republican Party of “Vote No” turns into Party of “No Vote” and “No Work”
You want Congress to Stop Working between November and January 2011! Photo Credit: Max is startled by Nicki-G on flickr creative commons
Since when did one party have the right to claim that “no legislation” should be passed until after an upcoming election?
Never. This is a new low and a waste of taxpayers dollars. Because the Republicans would still expect that they would be paid for jamming up the works in the Senate and House…
A new absurd strategy by Republicans and various AstroTurf organizations is to put forth silly ads like this:
Republican Sham Ad Campaign to Stop Work
What do Republicans in Congress plan to do from August until January 2011 while they are claiming everyone should just wait until after November 2010 elections and January 2011 before passing needed legislation? Nothing?
Not exactly. They have plans to announce their ideas for what they will do AFTER January 2011, that will happen in September some time.
Bloomberg’s Peter Cook: “Do Republicans need to articulate what you would do in power as opposed to simply campaigning against what the President has done?
Sen. McConnell: “I think we clearly do need to make sure Americans know what we would do. And we’re going to make that announcement in late September so the voters will have an….”
Bloomberg’s Peter Cook: “But you have right here to spell it out.”
Sen. McConnell: “But I think I won’t scoop myself. We’ll be making that uh uh announcement in late September.”
Talking Point Alert:
Recent talking points on the Chamber of Horror Echos swirling around the airwaves:
Lame Duck Congress
Sham Lame Duck
Beware of Lame Duck Congress
Radical government expansion
“taking over”____ fill in the blank
tax increases
“They know who is in charge”
“restoring some sort of “balance””
“explode costs”
“cap and tax”
“put government in charge”
“We really ought to start over.”
“repeal and replace with “common sense” choices”
Where do these talking points all come from?
Various memos written by “Word Doctor” Frank Luntz explain why certain phrases will motivate the base of the GOP. Luntz uses focus groups and craftily worded polling surveys. Here is a link to an article on TPMDC regarding Finance issues. Here is a link to the actual referenced memo from Frank Luntz. Below is one part of the memo with key talking points.
GOP Talking Points from Frank Luntz Word Doctors...Hot Button Phrases
Translation of Talking Points:
Republicans are fearful that the Democrats might actually succeed in passing legislation that would:
Create needed jobs for Americans
Create energy reform to wean U.S. off oil
Ratify the landmark START Treaty signed by the U.S. and Russian Presidents in Prague on April 8, 2010 to reduce nuclear arsenals of both countries
Instead of doing the work they were sent to Congress to accomplish for the American people, Republicans on the other hand are urging that Congress stop the presses, throw a monkey wrench into the works, do nothing but complain, take it easy…on taxpayers dime…til after November 2010.
Also, Republicans want to scare Americans into thinking Democrats only want to “ram” through bills that would increase taxes. Of course these pronouncements are twisted and full of non-facts. Here’s a sampling of the ridiculous pontificating from GOP leaders encouraging a shutdown of the Congress from November 2010 to January 2011:
Republicans want to shutdown Congress until 2011 (Photo Credit: U.S. Capitol by cliff1066 of flickr creative commons)
On July 29, 2010 Rep. Tom Price (R) of Georgia offered a Resolution in the House of Representatives pledging:
“Not to assemble between the dates on or between the dates of November 2, 2010 and January 3, 2011 except in the immediate unforseen emergency requiring the act of Congress.”
Basically there is a lot of very hot air coming from the Republican side of the aisle that is adding to Global warming in D.C. and making an already hot summer even steamier. Their bloviating could power many hot air balloons.
Lots of Hot Air Coming from D.C. (Photo Credit: Denver Broncos hot air balloon by bugeaters on flickr creative commons)
Real Definition of “Radical Government Expansion”
Just remember, keeping the Bush tax cuts permanently is the most radical expansion of government because it will increase the deficit by $700 billion. Also, these tax cuts only help the top 1-2% top earners in the U.S. and will not create new jobs.
Bright Idea:
What would really be refreshing is if the Republicans and Democrats could actually get something done before the November elections. Of course, that would mean there would have to be real dialogue and cooperation on behalf of Americans instead of demagoguery. One can hope…
Again, Lady Gaga had a great idea, “We have to get active.”
Call Senator Mitch McConnell and Congressman John Boehner and tell them to stop holding up the business of the American people because people like that have no business being in Congress.
The only “Job killing” happening in Congress are the attempts by Senator McConnell to stop legislation that would create jobs.
Here is another synopsis of some GOP strategies towards the midterm elections:
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow: Issue by issue dissection of GOP’s embarrassing 2010 strategy
Twisted Logic
McConnell says, “where are the jobs?” when he is directly responsible for the jobs killed when needed money failed to go to states on demand of the Republican party. Now McConnell and Boehner loudly blame democrats for something Republicans specifically requested in order to pass the economic stimulus bill in 2009.
This little dance of Republicans and Fox News claiming “blame it on Obama, Pelosi and Reid” can be traced back to Republicans not considering public sector jobs worth saving. Jobs are jobs, and as Rachel Maddow pointed out in her interview with Ezra Klein from the Washington Post, jobs in both the public and private sectors are worth saving. When people have jobs, they are able to put money into the economy.
However, now we see that by not sending money to the cash-starved states and their public sector jobs, state and local governments are cutting people from their work force.
The key issue here:
A clash of philosophical differences between Democrats and Republicans:
Democrats believe government can play a positive role in American life for the common good.
Republicans believe government somehow infringes on their “freedoms”.
When will Republicans see that everything is not black or white?
Yes, sometimes people within government do stupid and self-serving things across all party lines. But this is not always the case. There are plenty of dedicated public servants in government, local, state and federal, who like their jobs and do the best they can to do a great job.
And, not all corporations are bad either. It depends on the philosophy and actions of those in power in a corporation or small business organization. What is their business ethic? How is this carried out within their company and within the environment?
Let’s look at what will help Americans now: Jobs, Job, more jobs….
Reich’s Winning Touchdown Suggestions for More Jobs:
“The most important thing right now is to get the jobs back and get the economy growing again. And then, after people are working again and the economy is growing, we can pay down that debt. But, if government doesn’t spend more right now on getting us back to work, we’re going to be out of work for years. And that debt is going to be with us even longer.”
The Government Needs to:
1) Pass A NEW Stimulus Bill
2) Create a New WPA Program
3) Have a One-year payroll tax holiday on first $20,000 of income
Reich says to Pay No Attention to this Deficit Hawk who will only kill jobs when we need them now - Photo/Image Credit: Angry Bird by alex_lee2001 flickr cc
Reich states,
“Joblessness is a Huge waste of the most important resource we have: Our people.”
“One out of six people are unemployed. This is no time to be worrying about the debt.”
Who are the deficit hawks? What are their big ideas for creating jobs?
Jared Bernstein, Chief Economist and Economy Policy Advisor to Vice President Joseph Biden, stated in his Huffington Post article that:
“John Boehner wants a lot of people to lose their jobs.”
“The Congressman is advocating to kill the expansion of the Butler County Community Health Center…[in Ohio]…That would be the direct consequence of his suggestion that we shut down the Recovery Act.”
Rep. John Boehner is very attached to his almost mantra-like talking points. See how many times you can count these talking points in any political newscast with Newt Gingrich, Mitch McConnell and Mr. Boehner:
Talking Points Alert:
“We’re broke”
“Reckless spending”
These are non-specific rile ‘em up words. These words push people’s buttons even though they have nothing to do with offering suggestions that will actually help Americans get more jobs. File them under: Mindless Complaining Talking Points you can Forget Now.
Robert Reich says just ignore the debt-mongers who would cause a slow down of creating needed jobs. This ostrich reminds me of a debt-monger. Head in sand. Photo credit: Stare by bensonkua of flickr cc
Boehner and McConnell would like folks to think everything will be OK if we return to tax cuts and cutting the deficit. As Reich explains, if we cut the deficit now, we will not have jobs for a long long time. Maybe that’s what Boehner and McConnell want now — especially before the Midterm 2010 elections. That fits in nicely with their blame and complain campaign tactics.
Should We Just Say No to Mr. Boehner’s ridiculous anti-jobs campaign?
HTC Hero Sprint not yet totally hands-free voice activated! Why?
It’s not easy getting an HTC EVO droid. Instead, some folks are buying the Sprint HTC Hero. However, for anyone driving in California, it turns out this droid is not really a hands-free voice-activated phone.
Here is a piece of a thread from the HTC Forums about the HTC Hero and its lack of hands-free voice-activated capability:
Community.htc.com forums about HTC Hero by Sprint with no current hands-free voice-activation dialing or bluetooth capability. Is there a software upgrade in the words to fix this?
It’s Illegal in California
In 2008 and 2009 two new cell phone laws went into effect in California. One prohibiting drivers from using a “hand-held” phone while driving. The other prohibiting a driver to text and drive. The only way a person over 18 can communicate via phone in California while driving is by using a “hands-free” cell phone.
Cell Phone Police Kitty says, "Is your phone hands-free?" Photo Credit: On the window, a balancing act by photogirl7 on flickr cc
Unless there is a software upgrade to fix this unfortunate glitch in the HTC Hero droid phone, the Hero cannot be used while driving in California because it is not hands-free.
In order to activate the voice-activation capability in the HTC Hero phone, the user has to find the app on the phone and tap it. Now isn’t this silly?
HTC in its 2.2 Android software for the EVO now includes the hands-free voice-activation capability. However, the HTC Hero does not have this software upgrade — yet.
HTC and other phone hardware and software developers would create happier customers if they made it easier for their customers to use their droid phones in a hands-free mode – especially while driving a vehicle in California.
And for all you folks in other states or parts of the world visiting California, if you drive in California, you are also liable for a ticket and fine if you use your non-hands-free droid phone while driving.
Many states are implementing strict laws to restrict cell phone usage including texting while driving.
As of August 2010 the Governors Highway Safety Association listed all the states (8) and other districts and commonwealths that prohibit hand-held cell phones while driving:
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Washington
Federal District: Washington D.C.
Commonwealth: The Virgin Islands
For some strange reason HTC decided to create a great phone with the inability — at least to date, maybe they will change the software– to make phone calls without touching the screen!
That means, this phone cannot be used on California highways unless the user flirts with getting slapped with a big fat ticket and a fine.
Safety First Please
With so many statistics showing the dangers of driving and texting or driving and talking on a phone, you would think the cell phone industry would have the foresight to create their newer generations of phones already capable of being hands-free voice-activated directly or with a bluetooth device. However, many new droids currently on the market do not have that capability.
Should Hands-Free Voice-Activated Cell Phones be the Industry Standard?
Yes, yes and yes. What will it take for the cell phone industry to make this happen?
Happy Birthday Social Security. No Privatization of Social Security Please! Photo Credit: Lance the Cat... by nicephore flickr cc
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act on August 14, 1935. On the 75th Anniversary of the Social Security Act becoming law President Obama gave an impassioned address declaring he is dedicated to making sure Social Security benefits are protected for older Americans.
In his address President Obama reminded Americans of the dangers of privatizing social security. However, in spite of recent ups and downs of Wall Street, the President states that privatizing Social Security is still a cornerstone of the Republican political agenda.
President’s Weekly Address Honoring Social Security
President Obama said in his Weekly Address to Americans:
“One thing we can’t afford to do, though, is privatize Social Security. An ill-conceived idea that would add trillions of dollars to our budget deficit, while tying your benefits to the whims of Wall Street traders and the ups and downs of the stock market.”
…
“Some Republican leaders in Congress don’t seem to have learned any lessons from the past few years. They are pushing to make privatizing social security a key part of their legislative agenda if they win a majority in Congress this fall.”
Banks Get Big Fees if Social Security is Privatized
Behind the green door of why Republicans are pushing for privatization of social security is a big fat secret out in the open.
Who benefits? The Banks and financial institutions that would manage the privatized Social Security money that you earned. Of course it is framed as being for your benefit. However, the big winners are the folks that get hefty fees for all the transactions and management that would result from privatizing your social security.
It would be like playing russian roulette with your nest egg savings.
Of course not every banker is a snidely whiplash type of person. However, Wall Street in general tends to have a herd mentality and that mentality is based solely on profit for Wall Street, as the housing derivatives catastrophes reveal.
In the name of profit for the bank or brokerage firm, some institutions like Goldman Sachs will even double cross their own investors in the name of making profit for themselves. Remember, the institutions that would manage your nest egg have to always keep increasing their quarterly profits so their shareholders are happy. The games played on wall street keep changing to avoid new regulations.
We still do not know the entire black hole of debt created by the synthetic collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) that were created by slicing and dicing bad mortgages and repackaging them into securities that were bought up like chocolate by firms eager to turn a quick profit.
Wall Street Wizards and Social Security
All those crazy crazy exotic securities created by wall street wizards came into existence due to the cozy relationships between the folks on various regulatory boards with the firms they regulated. Also, not much regulation happened under G.W. Bush and the Republican congress that suffered under the notion that wall street could just police itself and that the market could do not wrong. We see how well that went with the collapse of the economy in 2007 and when all the skeletons in the closet started breaking down the doors. The Madoff Pyramid Scheme was just a little symptom of what was to follow.
But hey, Republicans must have short term memory problems because their one-note samba approach to dealing with every problem under the sun seems to be:
GOP Rep: Let’s Privatize Social Security And Cut Benefits
Where most people clearly understand the scientific concept of cause and effect, many Republican leaders do not seem to grasp even this fundamental law of the universe.
Social Security and the Market:
The benefit of Social Security now in 2010 is that it thankfully has a set formula for payout to you the beneficiary that is not affected by the ups and downs of the market. If Social Security were privatized as Republicans propose, the market fluctuations would be tied to your benefit.
Under G. W. Bush there were some Republican policy and public relations folks who claimed that they “created their own reality.” Even if these folks achieved that feat, whatever reality they created was not the one most Americans chose to take part in based on the overwhelming majority that voted for President Obama in 2008.
Any thought of privatizing Social Security should be put to rest once and for all as a bad idea whose time should never come.
Protecting Social Security = No Privatization of Social Security by KR Designs
Caught in a Fish Bowl.... Photo credits by admiller of flickr cc
Does it bother you that Glenn Beck twisted the true meaning of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech?” on August 28, 2010?
Glenn Beck is NOT Martin Luther King Jr.
If Martin Luther King, Jr. was alive today, what would he think about Glenn Beck’s misappropriation of his speech?
Glenn Beck wages campaigns of disinformation.
Who’s the Real Glenn Beck? Faux Civil Rights Icon or Fox Shock Jock?
Glenn Beck, the 2010 Elections and False History
What does Glenn Beck mean when he claimed that he is “restoring honor to America”? His coded language is calculated to incite and confuse people into thinking we have lost our honor. We have not lost our honor. This is a false argument.
November 2010 midterm elections are fast approaching. Glenn Beck also paid a visit on Friday 8/26 to FreedomWorks which is primarily brought to you by the Billionaire Koch brothers and friends.
Glenn Beck has his own agenda according to Alexander Zaitchik, author of the book “Common Nonsense” which is about Glenn Beck’s turbulent life story that includes mean-spirited attacks on opponents and radio hosts viewed as competitors. According to Zaitchik, Beck knows how to play his audience, which is where the crying and tears come in. If Beck thinks he is helping America by his approach he is sadly mistaken.
Dialogue and Joint Problem-Solving Needed to Solve Nations Challenges
This country needs dialogue and problem-solving about issues we all confront together. However, whatever Beck’s real motivation, his current approach to explaining current issues to Americans tends to create misunderstanding, division and encourage factionalism instead of cooperation and respect for others.
Is Glenn Beck Afraid of True Dialogue with Others?
During Beck’s radio talk show callers who have alternate views than Beck are howled at on the airwaves with deafening screams from Beck as indicated in many You-Tube viral videos.
The Source of Glenn Beck University
Beck’s knowledge of history and current affairs is mainly based on books by people who have written their own version of history that has nothing to do with a reasoned academic historic perspective. One of Beck’s favorite authors is David Barton who Zaitchik claims is a “denier of the Holocaust.” Beck’s taste in books leans towards propagandists and ideologues who create a fictitious history based on radical xenophobic racist views. Zaitchik has interviewed many Beck fans and claims their support of Beck is “subrational”.
David Barton Debunked by Chris Rodda, journalist and author of Liars for Jesus: The Religious Right’s Alternate Version of American History:
David Barton Lies About Chris Rodda – Part 1
David Barton Lies About Chris Rodda – Part 2
Please see the remainder of Chris Rodda’s videos debunking of David Barton’s revisionist American history. Chris Rodda’s website Liars for Jesus has links to actual source documents where you can see with your own eyes the documents she uses to reveal David Barton’s deliberate attempts to mislead his unsuspecting audiences. Hats off to Chris Rodda for helping Americans understand their true heritage.
Beck reads many conspiracy books and recommends them to his fans who then read the books and subsequently may become more fearful and xenophobic. The methods of Glenn Beck echo other mass manipulators: Adolph Hitler, Joseph Goebbels and Joseph McCarthy. For example:
Hitler orchestrated a hate campaign against one segment of the population, painting them as less than human and alien. Beck also targets certain groups.
Hitler and Goebbels based their propaganda on the tactic of the Big Lie. If you say the lie over and over again, people will begin believing it. Saying, how could this possibly be a lie–it’s too big.
Irreparable loss of white dominance. Beck uses untruths to explain why many whites are experiencing dissatisfaction with their lives.
Beck uses emotion and religion to manipulate his audience and create hatred of the other. Hitler did too.
Beck inoculates himself against being called a Nazi by attacking President Obama as being a Nazi.
Beck sets himself up as a martyr being attacked and threatened by others. Hitler did the same thing.
Hitler’s Nazi national socialist movement gave power to major German corporations. Beck paints himself as an everyman and has built a media empire with many corporate sponsors with their own agendas that help bring in his annual revenues of over thirty-two million dollars.
Hitler claimed to work to “restore values” saying we have lost the values of the past because of certain groups of people. Beck blames blacks and Obama, Hitler blamed the Jews. McCarthy used scare tactics claiming the communists destroy democracy.
Beck espouses ideas of purity and exceptionalism. The idea that America is different from other countries, it has a mission from God to lead the world. Hitler and Goebbels used this same approach to manipulate the Germans in World War II. They preached that they lived by their own rules and had a mission from God to rid the world of the Jewish people and create racial purity for the German Aryan people.
Character assassinations of perceived enemies. Joseph McCarthy attempted to destroy people on his Reds list. These people would be blacklisted and accused of being the dregs of the earth. They were portrayed as pariahs in society. They were generally pegged as guilty first and frequently not given the chance to prove their innocence. Beck constantly attacks President Obama in ways similar to Hitler, Goebbels and McCarthy. Beck continually demonizes President Obama without cause.
Glenn Beck frequently cries and screams during his broadcasts. His tirades tinged with emotional nationalism include wrapping himself in patriotic symbols like the flag and colonial hats. Hitler’s propaganda pieces included nationalist themes except that Hitler just screamed while Beck screams and cries.
Why does Beck promote Holocaust deniers at the same time he accuses Obama of being similar to Hitler?
Glenn Beck isn’t the “rodeo clown” he imagines himself to be. He’s at the vanguard of a movement to devalue intelligence, education, and the truth. Every night, unbeknownst to most Americans, he’s actively working to make the national discourse more debased, radical, empty, hateful, and jumbled than it already is.
Common Nonsense: Glenn Beck and the Triumph of Ignorance by Alexander Zaitchik
FreedomWorks Agenda
What is the real agenda behind the religious fervor of Beck’s August 28th speech and rally? Is it to get certain people elected in November 2010 who will implement the political agenda of organizations like FreedomWorks and Dick Armey?
The Koch Brothers established an organization in 1984 called Citizens for a Sound Economy which divided into two organizations in 2004: FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity. Koch industries is the second largest privately owned company in the United States. Annual revenues are estimated at one-hundred billion dollars. Koch Industries operates crude oil gathering systems and pipelines across North America in addition to other types of companies including financial trading and consumer products. The article in The New Yorker by Jane Mayer, “Covert Operations: The billionaire brothers who are waging a war against Obama” details their bankrolling organizations that are bent on preventing implementation of President Obama’s policies to protect the environment and pass significant energy reform.
Jane Mayer relates that according to a study by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Political Economy Research Institute, Koch industries is “one of the top ten air polluters in the United States.”
The New Yorker Article by Mayer states in regard to David H. Koch that he has funded “stealth attacks on the federal government and the Obama administration in particular.”
Rachel Maddow On FreedomWorks: Grassroots Or Astroturf? (HQ)
Where is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Real Dream?
Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke passionately about having a dream where people of all colors and religions could work together for a better world. Glenn Beck’s vision seems to be a color-phobic, one-religion type view of what the U.S. should be. His coded messages are filled with religious keywords that basically rile up people against Americans who are not white and who are not a certain type of Christian.
Decoding Glenn Beck’s Speech
We need to restore sanity to the airwaves by telling Glenn Beck that his brand of hate-filled journalism is not welcome.
Beck’s claim that “America today begins to turn back to God” is calculated to inject a form of narrow religious ideology into the discussion about what will help people in this country. The statement serves to pit Beck and everyone at the rally against those other people who do not believe in Beck’s particular brand of religious ideology.
The U.S. Constitution established the separation of church and state so people would have freedom of religion and not be bound to one form of religious ideology to run this nation. What is needed is true respect for the diversity and religions of others. The strength of this nation is based on the fact that we are made up of many rich heritages of those who have come here seeking a better life where they would be free to follow their religion and to have the ability to express their ideas without fear of being imprisoned.
Glenn Beck Wandering in Darkness
Glenn Beck claiming that “for too long we have wandered in darkness” is setting himself up as if he is the new messiah. His rhetoric is similar to cult figures who stir up others emotions and then manipulate them. Beck is full of doublespeak that has little basis in reality except to twist the truth.
Is Glenn Beck trying to divide this nation into those who see the world the way he sees it and those other people who do not see things his way? Isn’t this similar to the way many dictatorships create a culture of fear?
Many of the founding fathers like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were deists, who saw God as a clockmaker who set the universe in motion and then did not intervene in people’s lives.
Glenn Beck is rewriting history to suit his own political and religious agenda which has nothing to do with the true history of America, religious freedom and the Constitution of the United States.
Will the Real Fear-Monger Please Stand Up
Glenn Beck completely misunderstands the true history of this country and instead espouses a brand of homegrown American fascism. It is Glenn Beck’s vision or no vision. He accuses the Obama administration of inciting fear when the above video clearly shows the real fearmonger is Glenn Beck.
Glenn Beck generally promotes an attitude of racial, religious and intellectual intolerance through fear tactics. Many of his audience are underemployed or unemployed. They are angry. However, Glenn Beck is blaming the Obama administration when the real reason many people are unemployed is due in part to poor policy choices of the Bush Administration which resulted in Wall Street gone wild because there was little or no real oversight. The speculation by banks, brokerage houses and hedge funds in synthetically created mortgage-backed securities fueled a bubble and bust syndrome that resulted in banks tightening credit to businesses and individuals.
What is needed now to create a more positive future for America is to awaken the true spirit of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech.”
President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Special Mideast Envoy, George Mitchell and the Obama administration began an important step in advancing efforts for a Middle East peace that will have positive effects worldwide.
On September 1, 2010 President Obama met privately with Prime Minister of Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Move Forward No Matter What
President Obama and his foreign policy team continue to make progress on diplomatic fronts. It is fitting that just a few days after the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech, President Obama is hosting representatives from Israel and Palestine to come together and dialogue about how to create a lasting peace in the Middle East.
President Obama on Bilateral Mideast Peace Talks
President Obama said in his news conference on September 1, 2010 accompanied by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Special Mideast Envoy, George Mitchell:
So only Israelis and Palestinians can make the difficult choices and build consensus at home for progress. So only Israelis and Palestinians can prove to each other their readiness to end this conflict and make the compromises upon which lasting peace deserves. What the rest of us can do, including the U.S., is to support those conversations, support those talks, support those efforts – not try to undermine them.
…
And despite what the cynics say, history teaches us that there is a different path. It is the path of resolve and determination, where compromise is possible, and old conflicts, at long last, can end. It is the path traveled by those who brought peace to their countries, from Northern Ireland – where Senator Mitchell was so deeply involved – to the Balkans, to Africa, Asia, to those who forged peace between Israel and Egypt and Israel and Jordan. This path is open to Israelis and Palestinians. If all sides persevere, in good faith and with a sense of purpose and possibility, we can build a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
The historic talks have begun as of September 1, 2010. These are the first such high level direct talks for Israel and the Palestinian Authority in two years.
During his 2008 Presidential Campaign, President Obama pledged that bringing a lasting peace to the Middle East would be a high priority of his administration. Together with Secretary Hillary Clinton and Special Envoy, George Mitchell, President Obama is making good on his promise. He is helping to create an environment for the parties to dialogue and come up with workable and lasting solutions in the Mideast.
The first debate between Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina took place on September 1, 2010 at St. Mary’s College in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
In analyzing the debate, it is clear that Fiorina tried to get the upper hand by bashing Boxer with twisted facts about Boxer’s record. This seems to be the type of games this woman likes to play. Just use an authoritative sounding voice, throw in some negative descriptive words and pseudo-facts. Who will notice?
Carly Fiorina’s M.O.
Leopards do not change their spots...Photo credit: Fierce by furryscaly on flickr creative commons
Is this Ms. Fiorina’s M.O. (modus operandi)? Is this how she would be in office too? Do leopards change their spots overnight?
At one point Senator Boxer said,
“Yes, I think we are entitled to our opinion, but we are not entitled to our facts.”
Here are some of Carly Fiorina’s favorite descriptive words:
killed
destroyed
strangled
despair
extreme
bitter
uncertainty
Is Carly Fiorina using tortured versions of the truth designed to scare people and make them angry and very afraid?
Watch out for Talking Points Gone Wild!
Here’s where the dirty politics playbook comes in. Ms. Fiorina has those sound bites down to make sure she uses them in her campaign. Are Carly’s sound bites misleading?
One would hope that the news media would help set the record straight. However, frequently the media tends to quote what someone says, even if it is false. Then the spin machine goes around and around.
That is why Barbara Boxer urged viewers and listeners of the debate to make sure they understand the big picture.
Does Fiorina like to cherry pick facts so she can twist the information to appear the way she wants?
Twisted Logic
For example Ms. Fiorina attacked Barbara Boxer’s 18 year record of accomplishments as Senator in California.
Ms. Fiorina mischaracterized and minimized Boxer’s accomplishments to confuse voters.
Successful passage of legislation, especially in the Senate, involves cooperation and co-sponsorship with other Senators, usually on both sides of the aisle. Measures that make a big difference to a bill can be implemented through amendments and at many stages along the life of a bill as it goes through committees and finally to the Senate floor.
Senator Barbara Boxer stands by her principles and also works together with Republicans and other Democrats and Independents to achieve results for her constituents in areas of helping business, improving education, jobs, tax relief, the environment, health, public transportation, agriculture, human rights, privacy issues, veterans, and more.
Will the Real Carly Fiorina please stand up
“Mean Girls”
Carly Fiorina has that high school “Mean Girls” quality down to a T as we see from her catty description of Boxer’s hair before a T-V interview.
Carly Fiorina Trashing Sen. Boxer’s Hair Caught by Hot Mic
Carly Fiorina received a 21 million dollar golden parachute from Hewlett-Packard after she was fired in 2005 as Chairman and CEO. She began working at HP in 1999.
An article in CNNMoney.com reported how Hewlett-Packard’s stock jumped up six to 10 points upon news that Fiorina was forced out of HP in 2005:
“The stock is up a bit on the fact that nobody liked Carly’s leadership all that much,” said Robert Cihra, an analyst with Fulcrum Global Partners. “The Street had lost all faith in her and the market’s hope is that anyone will be better.”
…
And even after factoring HP’s big move Wednesday, the stock was still trading at around the same price it was at when the company announced its merger with Compaq in September 2001.
With Fiorina at the helm of Hewlett-Packard, as Boxer pointed out in the debate, Fiorina cut 30,000 jobs from Hewlett-Packard in the U.S. and sent thousands more overseas to China and India. Fiorina increased HP’s revenue and cash flow in large part by getting rid of jobs and people at HP. That sure freed up some money.
Would it have been possible for Ms. Fiorina as CEO of HP to have found ways to keep jobs instead of axing them to increase profits?
Kitty Reporter suggests folks open their eyes and see the real Carly Fiorina for who she is and kittens– the empress has no clothes when it comes to being a responsible actively voting U.S. citizen… Here’s why:
What kind of example is that for voters? Now that she is over 50 she understands the importance of voting? That’s a bad civics lesson for Americans and especially for our young people who are eligible to vote at age eighteen.
Carly Fiorina’s living example of her voting message to young Americans:
It’s OK not to vote until you run for office. Hey, I was too busy working as a CEO and couldn’t be bothered with those little elections until after I no longer was a CEO. See, I didn’t vote until I was in my 40′s and 50′s!
That’s over 30 years of non-voting at the precise time when young people should understand it is a privilege to vote and that each person’s vote can make a difference.
According to SFGate.com, Carly Fiorina was a registered voter in Morris County, New Jersey, and according to their voting records, Ms. Fiorina was removed from the rolls in 2005 as “inactive” because she had not voted “in a single election” since 1997.
According to the SFGate.com, in 2000 Ms. Fiorina registered to vote in Santa Clara County. However, her voting record appears to be virtually non-existent in major elections in California. The Chronicle reported that she voted in “five of 18 elections since registering in California in 2000.”
What elections has Ms. Fiorina actually voted in both in California and nationwide?
Before moving to California, public voting records in Ms. Fiorina’s prior home states, New Jersey and Maryland, reveal she never voted in one election! She was not even registered to vote in Maryland even though she lived their since the 1980s.
Wow, and now she wants Californians to vote for her to be their senator? Why? Because now she wants to enter the political arena? Why?
This Cat Says Pass that Small Business Jobs Bill Now! Photo Credit: Hi! by Trish Hamme on flickr cc
President Obama on August Employment
Today in the Rose Garden of the White House, President Obama and his economic team stood by the President as he gave a message urging the Congress to:
Make passing a small business jobs bill its first order of business when it gets back into session later this month.
Benefits of the Small Business Jobs Bill to Be Passed by the Senate
President Obama stated that:
70,000 new Small Business Administration loans were approved since he took office in 2009, the small business jobs bill will more than double the amount small business owners can borrow to grow their companies.
Capital gains taxes on key investments would be completely eliminated so small business owners can buy new equipment and expand.
$55 billion in tax cuts for large and small businesses will be accelerating for job-creating investments in the next 14 months.
The Small Business Jobs bill is completely paid for. “It will not add one dime to our deficit.”
President Obama said:
So, put simply, this piece of legislation is good for workers; It’s good for small business people; It’s good for our economy.
OK, the 2010 midterms are only several weeks away. Republicans complain about the economy and then appear to do everything they can to make sure nothing improves. They say President Obama doesn’t help small businesses yet when there is a bill before Congress to help small businesses what do they do? Try to stop it!
President Obama chided Republicans by saying:
And yet, Republicans in the Senate have blocked this bill – a needless delay that has led small business owners across this country to put off hiring, put off expanding, and put off plans that will make our economy stronger.
President Obama urged Congress to set aside partisan politics and be the leaders Americans truly want:
And, I’m confident that if we’re willing to put partisanship aside and be the leaders the American people need us to be, if we’re willing to do what’s best not for the next election, but for the next generation, then we are not only going to see America’s hardworking families and America’s small businesses bounce back, but we’ll rebuild America’s economy stronger than it’s been before.
History of Our Economic Woes Before 2009
Remember that under George W. Bush the economy went way way south and millions of jobs were lost. Then, Americans overwhelmingly elected President Obama in November 2008 as more of the full extent of U.S. economic problems came to light.
The economy tanking took time to be fully revealed and it will naturally take time to recover. Yet, many Republicans expect President Obama to act like a super hero and perform miracles while they conveniently ignore how we got into this mess in the first place.
Saying that the economy is not growing fast enough, or that jobs are not being created fast enough while sitting on their hands to help, is not only cowardly, it is negligent.
Remember that while Rome burned, Nero fiddled. Well, it seems that Boehner, McConnell and his colleagues are fiddling with voters by creating clouds of misunderstandings through their rhetoric that is big on blame and little on solutions.
Are McConnell and Boehner capable of setting aside petty politics for the sake of people who need loans and tax breaks for their small businesses? One can dream that it is possible.
As President Obama said, there are no silver bullets to bring the economy back. It requires multiple approaches. He is set to announce a more comprehensive plan next week for helping the economy.
Since January 2009 the Obama administration has already brought back nearly 700,000 jobs.
In all of the 8 years that George W. Bush was in office, he only created an increase of 1.1 million new jobs. President Clinton created over 23 million jobs during his 8 years.
Already in the second year of President Obama’s administration, in the midst of an ever increasing economic recovery, almost 1 million new jobs have already been created. Yet Republicans want Americans to return to policies they supported and still support that got us into the worst recession in 70 years. Do they think everyone in America has Alzheimers?
It seems that is a pretty good track record that sure beats what G. W. Bush achieved in terms of job growth.
Listen to Robert Reich. He's a cat with great ideas on the economy... Photo credit: I am King by Rusty Boxcars on flickr cc
In searching for answers I came across Robert Reich’s recent blog post on 9/3/2010: The Real Lesson of Labor Day. He claims there is something wrong with the structure of our economy.
Reich stated:
… the real problem has to do with the structure of the economy, not the business cycle.
Reich traces the Origins of the Current Economic Crisis
He said:
Where have all the economic gains gone? Mostly to the top. The economists Emmanuel Saez and Thomas Piketty examined tax returns from 1913 to 2008. They discovered an interesting pattern. In the late 1970s, the richest 1 percent of American families took in about 9 percent of the nation’s total income; by 2007, the top 1 percent took in 23.5 percent of total income.
Also in an earlier posting Reich claimed that “Americans are keeping their jobs or finding new ones only by accepting lower wages.“
Reich continues:
Meanwhile, a much smaller group of Americans’ earnings are back in the stratosphere: Wall Street traders and executives, hedge-fund and private-equity fund managers, and top corporate executives.
According to Reich, when a smaller segment of the U.S. population (1%) have more of the money, that means the majority of Americans, 99%, have less purchasing power. Also, Reich says the people with the most wealth don’t always spend their money in the U.S., they send it offshore and invest in commodities and other securities. These investments do not necessarily lead directly to a better economy and more jobs.
Reich wrote that between 2000-2007 median wage earnings adjusted for inflation remained practically the same. That’s not good because the only way the middle class could pay for things was to borrow like crazy including home equity loans.
Reich stated:
The problem isn’t that typical Americans have spent beyond their means. It’s that their means haven’t kept up with what the growing economy could and should have been able to provide them.
So what is the solution?
Reich offers some suggestions in multiple blog postings:
Governments give employees more bargaining power to increase wages
Increase Safety Nets regarding Job loss or Reduced Pay:
Offer unemployment insurance to part-time workers
Wage insurance if salaries drop
Transition assistance for people to relocate to new areas for jobs
Prevent large profitable corporations from laying off large amounts of people simultaneously.
Require profitable companies to pay severance – perhaps a year’s worth of wages to anyone they lay off.
Require companies subsidized (i.e., for research) by the U.S. government to create jobs in the U.S.
Link minimum wages to inflation.
Things the Government can to do relieve financial stressors:
Medicare for all
Better public education
early childhood education
more affordable public universities
more extensive public transportation
Reich stated that starting in the late 1970s economic safety nets for most Americans were shredded in large part due to deregulation and privatization. Also higher education became more expensive and public transportation was cut.
Good Education for Students More Important Than Wall Street
Robert Reich: Why We Need to Save Our Schools Now
We need to insure that our current and future generations are equipped to meet challenges that will confront them. We especially need young people well-educated in the fields of science, engineering, technology and math (STEM).
And, it is important that students not just run off to Wall Street to be the latest quants because the salaries are astronomical. We need engineers who can help us solve our technological issues for the 21st century and beyond.
Improving the Economy Now and for the Long Term
Improving the economy for the short and long term requires creative thinking and bold action.
Robert Reich offers additional suggestions to improve the economy and create more jobs:
Massive public spending on infrastructure: jobs, schools, parks, a new WPA
Exempting the first $20,000 of income from payroll taxes and applying the payroll tax to incomes over $250,000
The Challenge
Congress needs more political backbone – on both sides of the aisle – instead of relying on misleading hot button talking points that only create hardened partisan divisions.
Americans need to educate themselves about these issues from independent sources and ignore the politicians who only want to scare them into voting for them. Any politician who uses tired rhetoric and scare tactics to get elected doesn’t belong in office. One has to ask why they are running for office in the first place.
Will Banker Cat start lending to businesses? Photo credit: The Banker (cat) by iluvcocacola on flickr cc
Andrew Ross Sorkin of the New York Times said some bankers and hedge fund managers are upset with President Obama. Sorkin claims it’s because these people thought Obama was one of them, but they feel he has turned on Wall Street by passing economic reforms that they think affect their bottom line.
However, Sorkin reported that Daniel Loeb, who manages about $3.4 billion dollars at his firm Third Point Partners did admit that:
“Many people see the collapse of the subprime markets, along with the failure and subsequent rescue of many banks, as failures of capitalism rather than a result of a vile stew of inept management, unaccountable boards of directors and overmatched regulators not just asleep, but comatose, at the proverbial switch,” he wrote. “It is easy to see why so many people have concluded that the entire system is rigged.”
So What Does Mr. Loeb Recommend to Prevent Another Economic Collapse?
What is surprising is that Mr. Loeb seems to understand that there was something wrong with dealings of some on Wall Street that resulted in the economic collapse in 2007-2009. However, what specific suggestions does Mr. Loeb offer President Obama and Congress to prevent another economic meltdown due to abuses of Wall Street traders and bankers gone wild?
Does Mr. Loeb expect Wall Street bankers and hedge fund managers to regulate themselves? History proves that self-regulation on Wall street does not work. Of course, there may be some folks who are upstanding hedge fund managers or bankers, but it is clear that there were many other people who greatly contributed to our current economic woes and President Obama is looking for ways to prevent history from repeating itself.
However, even though the U.S. helped these banks stay afloat with the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) coined as the “bailout”, the major banks are mostly hoarding their money to invest in other things than jobs and the economy. They want to increase their profits and they do not seem to care about helping the Mom and Pop small businesses that just need money to expand their business, create jobs and stay afloat.
Since the big black hole of the derivatives melt down with the packaged synthetic collateralized debt obligations of various mortgages, banks tightened up credit. They developed new higher standards of creditworthiness of individuals and businesses so ridiculously high that few people and companies meet their standards for loans.
Here are the big banks that benefitted most from the Economic Recovery Act:
President Obama invited top bankers to the White House in December 2009 for a discussion about how they could help Americans. What happened?
President Obama on Meeting with Bank CEOs
December 14, 2009
President Obama stated in the above video:
My main message in today’s meeting was very simple: that America’s banks received extraordinary assistance from American taxpayers to rebuild their industry, and now that they’re back on their feet we expect an extraordinary commitment from them to rebuild our economy. That starts with finding ways to help creditworthy small and medium-sized businesses get the loans that they need to open their doors, grow their operations and create new jobs.
This is something I hear about from business owners and entrepreneurs across America: that despite their best efforts, they’re unable to get loans.
…
Short-term gains are of little value to our banks, if they lead to long-term chaos in the economy.
The majority of wealth in the U.S. as Robert Reich, Former Labor Secretary, writes about in his blog has shifted to the top 1% of Americans. In fact over 23% of the wealth of this country is concentrated in just the top 1%!
They Worked Hard for their Money, Right?
Some people will say, “Well, these people who amassed 23% of the wealth in the U.S. worked hard for their money.”
Yes, and no.
How much did crazy speculation and possible deceptive practices play in accumulation of some of this wealth?
Will They Ever Stop Whining and Hoarding Money?
The bankers need to get over themselves and start seeing their part in making or breaking the economy. The U.S. voters will not be happy with another banker bailout and it is time for the banks to give back to the American people for helping them stay afloat. When they do, in the long run it will be good for them. They need to forego their immediate greedy economic gain for the longer term interest of a better economy for all.
Credit Card Rate Increases by Banks from 7% to 30%
CITIBANK jacks up Credit Card rates to 30% – for no reason
Citibank Raises Credit Card Rate to 29.99%
Banks like Citicard got around the Credit CARD Act by raising interest rates from 7% to 29.99% on their cardholders before all portions of the new law came into effect. The problem is that the U.S. government bailed out the banks and then the banks punished average consumers for the bank’s own risky abuses of the economic system. Banks like Citicard caught up in the real estate derivatives bubble basically stuck it to their customers as a way to recoup their losses. (According to the New York Times Charles O. Prince III, Citigroup’s CEO in 2007 learned that Citigroup had $43 billion dollars in mortgage-backed securities.) That’s not exactly a helpful way to prevent a further economic collapse when average people are struggling with job losses, possible foreclosures at the same time they are paying down their debt.
Here’s what Citibank does to their good customers!!
Also, companies like Citicard decided before the full implementation of the Credit CARD Act to get rid of locked-in low-interest credit card users of 7-9% interest rate because they could. Citicard changed its terms of creditworthiness for cardholders, even those who paid their monthly bills regularly and on time! One wonders if there were other reasons that Citicard got rid of cardholders. Could it have possibly been because they did not like the fact that long-term cardholders of 10 years or more had low interest rates and with the new Credit CARD Act, they would be limited in how they applied various interest charges and other fees? Mmmm?
As the stories of those in the above videos prove, many folks had their credit limits slashed overnight in some cases without warning before the full implementation of the Credit CARD Act.
Pigs Can Fly by Kitty Reporter
Will Credit Card Rates ever go down again? And will banks start increasing lending to small businesses? Will pigs fly? It could happen….
Harris Country should use Hand-Counted Ballots in 2010. Photo Credit: I'm so serious today by akk_rus on flickr cc
Voter Suppression Brought to New Heights in Texas
Glenn W. Smith at Huffpost uncovered a doctored photo posted at King Street Patriots, a right-wing tea-party organization trying to defame the nonpartisan organization “Houston Votes.”
King Street Patriots doctored photo of woman with photoshopped message
The real handwritten message before changed by Truethevote
The full message seen in original photo: "Don't Mess with Our Vote."
Smith shows a photo of a black woman holding a sign that was photoshopped for a video posted by King Street Patriots. The video is now “private.” You can only watch it if you “friend” this You-Tube site. Originally the black woman in a rally against voter suppression tactics during the 2000 election held a hand-written sign that said, “Don’t Mess with Our Vote.” However someone who created the video for King Street Patriots changed those words to “I only got to vote once.”
True the Vote and King Street Patriots are doing a classic voter suppression tactic by attacking “Houston Votes,” an organization trying to help people register to vote, regardless of party affiliation. The stakes are high because the governorship of Texas is up for grabs between Republican Rick Perry and challenger, Democrat and former mayor of Houston, Bill White.
As Smith points out, it is more than a little suspicious that all 10,000 voting machines in the Harris Country warehouse suddenly caught fire at about 4:00 am in the morning of August 27th. The three alarm fire occurred the same day that Houston Votes released a press release regarding voter suppression tactics in Harris County, Texas.
The New York Times reported about the Harris County fire that destroyed all of the county’s voting machines on September 11, 2010.
Dirty Politics Again for 2010?
The voter suppression and voter fraud issues surfacing in Texas elections show that many people are concerned about the outcome of the upcoming 2010 November election. The question is:
What really caused the blaze that destroyed all voting machines? Was is it an accident or was it arson?
Why is it that most of the time an organization tries to register minorities or democrats, there is an opposing organization that accuses it of voter fraud?
By demonizing these organizations, as ACORN was demonized with edited videos, there once again seems to be a deliberate attempt to stop voter registration for minorities and democrats.
Truthiness in Voter Suppression Tactics
Words like “Truth” and” True” appeal to most people. However, deceptive advertisers in any type of campaign can use these words to confuse people.
Voter Suppression Tactics in Harris County in 2008: Is it happening Again in 2010?
An example is when right-wing organizations like King Street Patriots and True the Vote use “True”and getting to the “truth”as keywords for their mission statements. The problem is that these folks have a strange idea of “truth” because they participated in doctoring a photo of people holding up Gore/Lieberman signs in 2000 which were photoshopped to “I’m with stupid” to accuse Houston Votes of voter fraud.
Will the average voter be smart enough to see through the lies perpetrated by these well-funded organizations? Where is the major media to get at the heart of this story?
Deception ≠ Truth: Photo Fraud by King Street Patriots
Because their real intent — as it has been for similar voter suppression efforts for decades — is to create barriers between the ballot box and the voters. They want to suppress the vote of people they suspect of opposing their agenda. In this case, as in most, that means assaulting the voting rights of the poor and minorities.
What can be done to stop the lies perpetrated by these organizations like King Street Patriots and True the Vote funded by people with megabucks?
Of course, they say they just want fair and open elections. “It’s really about truth,” says King Street founder Catherine Engelbrecht in an 8-minute video that includes doctored images and phony charges of “fraud” against…well, you only see pictures of African-Americans when fraud is discussed, so the implication is clear.
….
Their lies betray their real goal: to limit the voting rights of their political opponents. Let me detail one of their lies. They claim repeatedly that in Houston, six people are registered to a vacant lot. The claim is the symbolic center of their phony accusations of voter fraud.
…
King Street Patriots appears to be connected to the national right-wing network funded by the notorious Koch brothers. Jane Mayer’s recent piece on them in the New Yorker should be mandatory reading. I think the voter intimidation and suppression campaigns in 2010 will be better funded and more organized than ever before. And I think the best way to discredit them is to expose their lies.
Some folks are getting very riled up thinking that the only thing that will fix this country is if taxes are cut on the really really wealthy.
The mythmeisters funded by billionaire moguls like Rupert Murdoch have been busy selling this convenient election season myth about how tax cuts for the very wealthy create jobs. It is not based in any reality with facts to back it up. It sounds snappy for the media spots. Problem is that it is totally untrue.
DN! Obama Fights to End Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy
The fact checkers understand how the economy works and what really creates jobs that everyone wants for Americans, especially for those people who had jobs shipped overseas or just cut due to consolidation of businesses.
According to former Pulitzer Prize NYT columnist David Cay Johnston, there is absolutely no hard evidence that proves that cutting taxes for the very wealthy creates jobs. As David Cay Johnston, distinguished visiting lecturer at Syracuse University, said on NPR’s Here and Now, Boehner is spinning untruths about the economy.
David Cay Johnston says in the above interview with Democracy Now! that:
A recession is by definition the collapse of demand. People don’t have money to spend.
If you own a small business you don’t care nearly as much about a tax cut as having more customers who can spend more money to buy your products and your services.
30 years of supply side economics have left us with American corporations having enormous amounts of capital of $1.8 trillion dollars in cash.
Johnston claims that 30 years of supply side economic policies have enabled corporations to drive down wages and simultaneously increase profits. Now corporations are sitting on huge piles of unused capital, approximately $6,000 for every person in the United States, and this is contributing to lack of jobs in this country. Johnston advises President Obama to put more money into the economy to create balance in the system where people have money to spend.
In addition, banks are currently hoarding money. They need to free up credit to lend to all kinds of businesses in order to expand manufacturing which will also create jobs. This has nothing to do with tax cuts. We need to spend money in order to fix the economy, not starve the economy.
What is the Antidote to the Mythmeisters of Voodoo Economics and Mythical Jobs Created from Tax Cuts for the Very Very Wealthy?
Together, the industry’s 25 best-paid managers collected a record $25.33 billion, more than double the amount they took home in 2008 when the financial crisis left many prominent funds nursing heavy losses.
However in 2007, twenty-five (25) heads of hedge funds made over $1 billion/year or close to $1 billion for themselves for a total of $22.5 billion.
Gulp, gasp. How is that possible in this economic climate? Were many jobs created by these non-transparent mega-billion dollar Hedge Funds? No. This wealth was made for a select few who already have millions to invest.
Did the Hedge Funds create new jobs and services? No, mostly hedge funds bet against the market. So, what exactly are these Hedge Funds?
In order to even be part of a hedge fund, you have to be very very wealthy. Entry into most hedge funds requires that a person invest at least one million dollars to even get their foot in the door.
There are huge Hedge Funds that have very little oversight, especially in the derivatives area, since they are not required to register derivatives like a stock. According to economist, Hernando de Soto, interviewed on the BBC, no one really knows the extent of derivatives worldwide. The Securities & Exchange Commission estimates there are approximately $680 TRILLION DOLLARS worth of derivatives!!! According to Hernando de Soto the amount of money invested in derivatives dwarfs the amount of goods produced by the entire world over eleven times more. He said in the BBC interview:
The whole world produces 60 trillion dollars of goods a year.
Hedge Funds, Big Banks and Derivatives: Very Cosy
Who actually has all these derivatives? Well, we do not know. Why? According to economist Hernando de Soto, derivatives should be treated like any other security, they should be tracked. It isn’t about right or left or to regulate or not regulate. De Soto said derivatives should be as transparent as stocks. There is no reason why they are hidden from view.
The problem with our economy is that fewer and fewer people have more and more of the wealth and they can only spend so much. As Robert Reich aptly said, the economy would do much better if more people had money to spend. That is exactly what President Obama’s tax cuts for people who make $250,000 or less will do. It will put more money in the hands of more Americans.
At the same time, by not extending the tax cuts for the very very wealthy — except for their first $250,000 (they get a tax cut on that part too), the government will be able to have more money to pay for what we have already spent – like the trillions of dollars of money spent on Iraq and Afghanistan that were spent from 2001 to the present.
According to Robert Reich, balancing the budget at this time will not create jobs. If anything, it will do the opposite, it will extend the recession and make it more difficult for average people to get jobs. What is needed now is more jobs programs to put people back to work. Also people laid off of their jobs because of the economy need to get new training for new jobs.
Fox News Fear Factor
The spinmeisters at Fox frequently use their position to scare people, especially older people into thinking everything will be OK if only the wealthy have their tax cuts forever and ever.
Where is the evidence that this is true? There is no evidence.
Just because John Boehner says certain talking points does not make them true. Perception may seem like reality but on closer examination with evidence-based data we can see that perception does not a job make. That goes for the faulty thinking that we can cut taxes on the very very wealthy and balance the budget and suddenly jobs will magically appear out of the ether.
Formula for Creating Jobs
Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Do Not Create More Jobs!, Photo Credit: Six is a serious kitty by ktylerconk on flickr cc
1. Enable more Americans to have more money to spend beyond the 1% of very very wealthy Americans who make up 3.1 million people out of all 310 million Americans (and who now have 23.5 % of the wealth in the U.S.)
2. Create jobs programs through government funded programs to improve infrastructure of roads, bridges, buildings throughout the U.S. This puts money into the economy.
3. Create incentives for all kinds of businesses to hire more people, including payroll tax holidays.
4. Create incentives for banks to loosen credit to businesses and individuals so more people have money in the economy to spend on goods, to create jobs and to enable manufacturing in the U.S.
5. Paul Krugman suggests the government needs to spend more money in order to increase demand in the market place, not spend less and tighten the budget. We cannot starve the economy. We need to feed the economy with more money.
Register to Vote for November! Photo Credit: Dewey reads up on the election by angela n. on flickr cc
Change happens in different ways. Sometimes it is dramatic, sometimes it is gradual over time. However, even a slight change can create a great change over time. The fact is that there has been a lot of positive changes happening since President Obama took office.
The Positive Results of Promised Change under the Obama Administration include:
Passage of Significant Healthcare Reform for the first time since establishment of Medicare in 1965.
Formally ending military operations in Iraq after 7 long years of a war of choice that we still do not have a satisfactory reason for initiating.
Passage and implementation of a Financial Stimulus Package that prevented a Depression in the United States and possibly the world.
Establishment of a Financial Consumer Protection Bureau and other financial reforms like the Credit CARD Act to protect consumers from unfair predatory lending practices by banks and other institutions.
Concrete efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Restarting the Middle East Peace Negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Re-establishing the United States efforts for promotion of dialogue and diplomacy around the world as a means of promoting goodwill and resolving conflicts.
Voting is a Right and a Privilege
Coffee Party: How We Began
The Coffee Party is a true grassroots organization started by diverse individuals who want to restore dialogue and cooperation to the public discourse on how to solve problems facing all Americans. This organization is nonpartisan and encourages respectful dialogue and civic participation that includes all voices from every corner of the U.S. Their website coffeepartyusa.com provides ways to connect with other people in solving issues confronting Americans across party lines.
We need cooperation in order to solve problems. You know if you have people that are out to obstruct even dialog, then we can’t have a functioning government.
The midterm elections on November 2, 2010 are extremely important. Democrats who hoped President Obama would have done more by now need to ask themselves if their expectations are reasonable. First of all President Obama inherited a big fat mess from the previous Republican administration. Also, he pledged to create a hands-across-the-aisle approach to working together with Democrats, Republicans and Independents. He sincerely made efforts. However, as we saw in nightly media attacks on Obama that continue in bizarre and slanderous ways, the majority of Republicans had no intention of working together with President Obama in any significant way. Even when President Obama incorporated their ideas into legislation, they did not vote for important bills.
The results of 8 years under Republican President G. W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney showed us how much destruction of the economy, the environment, American foreign policy, and U.S. standing in the world could take place in a short time. Deregulation of the financial system lead to a black hole of crazy exotic derivatives that we still do not know the full extent of costs.
When Obama inherited the economy, it was a disaster. After years of de-regulation it was a wild west on Wall Street in the midst of the sub-prime derivatives craze.
Lessons from History in Japan and the U.S.
What can we learn from history? Democratic President Bill Clinton inherited a recession from President H. W. Bush.
What did he do to get us out of it? He spent lots of money to stimulate the economy, create jobs which ultimately created tax revenue from all the people working. Clinton spent his way to a healthy economy. Then, he balanced the budget AFTER he got us out of the recession — not before. Remember that Clinton left G. W. Bush with a surplus of $127 Billion Dollars according to the LA Times article. However, when President Obama took office he inherited a record $455 Billion Dollar Deficit from G. W. Bush!
American history shows us in general that cutting government spending and balancing budgets simultaneously does not get us out of a recession.
A lesson we should learn from the “lost decades” of Japan was that they held back on spending during their economic crisis in the 1990s which slowed down their economic recovery. Paul Krugman recently wrote in the New York Times:
Like their Japanese counterparts, American policy makers initially responded to a burst bubble and a financial crisis with half-measures. I’ve lamented that fact, but at this point it’s water under the bridge. The question is: What happens now?
Republican obstruction means that the best we can hope for in the near future are palliative measures — modest additional spending like the infrastructure program President Obama proposed this week, aid to state and local governments to help them avoid severe further cutbacks, aid to the unemployed to reduce hardship and maintain spending power.
That is a history lesson we need to learn from and remind Republicans when they spout inflammatory rhetoric about tax cuts, balancing the budget and not putting more stimulus money into the economy to create jobs. These are failed policies as history shows us.
Boehner’s Economic Recipe is Half-Baked
The current Republican recipe for job creation espoused by John Boehner is a half-baked cake, it’s inedible and poorly made with the wrong ingredients — basically a recipe for economic disaster as Paul Krugman alludes to in his NYT article referenced above:
It’s hard to overstate how destructive the economic ideas offered earlier this week by John Boehner, the House minority leader, would be if put into practice. Basically, he proposes two things: large tax cuts for the wealthy that would increase the budget deficit while doing little to support the economy, and sharp spending cuts that would depress the economy while doing little to improve budget prospects. Fewer jobs and bigger deficits — the perfect combination.
Lessons to Learn from Clinton
Under Clinton the economy did well with the rich not having any exhorbitant tax cut. History shows that when the rich get a tax cut, they do not spend for jobs. Instead they mostly spend for their own investments and consumption items, not creating jobs. Under Clinton, the rich paid more of their fair share and the economy did well. Clinton balanced the budget in two budget cycles and left President G. W. Bush with a record $127 Billion Surplus.
Based on the $455 Billion Deficit created during Bush’s 8 years from supply side and trickle down theories it is clear these did not work and will never work. However, Republicans still cling to variations of the trickle-down theory which history shows are failed policies. There is no such benefit in the trickle-down theory except for the very rich.
All eligible voters, especially those people who want a return to civil discourse, it’s time to register to vote and get out there and vote on November 2, 2010. The tea partiers are riled up, now it’s time for the rest of America to get out there and do their civic duty – VOTE!
Elizabeth Warren Appointed to set up new Consumer Watchdog Agency
Finally Elizabeth Warren will set up the Consumer Watchdog Agency! Photo Credit:Kitty by a4gpa on flickr cc
Rachel Maddow- Elizabeth Warren on policing the credit industry
It’s a victory for Americans that President Obama appointed Elizabeth Warren to be Special Advisor to the Treasury Secretary and Special Assistant to the President on Friday, September 17, 2010. Warren will set up the Consumer Financial Protection Agency she proposed in 2007. She will also advise President Obama on economic issues.
Professor Elizabeth Warren vows to get rid of the tricks and traps hidden in the fine print of loan contracts that deceive consumers into paying more for loans than they expected to pay.
Christine O’Donnell and the First Amendment regarding Separation of Church and State
Constitution Cat astounded O'Donnell doesn't believe the separation of church and state is in the Constitution Photo credit:Who let the cat out of the bag by mava on flickr cc
The video clip of Republican Christine O’Donnell thinking she has one-upped Democrat Chris Coons in a debate before law students is astounding. Delaware Senatorial Republican candidate Christine O’Donnell claims she will defend the Constitution. Christine O’Donnell has no clue about the true meaning of the First Amendment establishment clause which clearly reveals the founders vision to have separation of church and state.
CNN: Christine O’Donnell blanks on First Amendment
In the above CNN clip on You-Tube Christine O’Donnell is asked what qualifies her to be a senator? O’Donnell states:
“For one, I have a graduate fellowship from the Claremont Institute in Constitutional Government and it is that “deep analysis” of the Constitution that has helped me to analyze and have an opinion on what is going on today to determine that our leaders in Washington have lost their way.”…”So number one it is my study in the Constitution.”
Gulp, gasp, Meaow! What do they teach people in the Claremont Institute?
Maddow explains First Amendment to Constitution regarding separation of church and state
Actually the Claremont Institute’s program that O’Donnell participated in is only a seven day course which she attended in 2002. The Claremont Institute is a conservative think tank based in Claremont, California.
It is frightening to think that O’Donnell thinks she has a grasp of the Constitution when she failed to understand a key Amendment of the Constitution that is part of the Bill of Rights. The first 10 amendments of the Constitution are known as the “Bill of Rights” and were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The problem is that Ms. O’Donnell and many of the Tea Party candidates do not understand the First Amendment. They claim that because there is not a literal phrase “separation of church and state” in the First Amendment, they deny that it actually indicates that the founders wanted to separate church and state.
Christine O'Donnell to Chris Coons: "Where in the Constitution is separation of church and state?"
This is very alarming. First of all, this country was founded on the premise of freedom of religion. Freedom of religion that would not force one religion on another, even if people of that religion were in the majority. However, Ms. O’Donnell and other tea partiers seem to completely miss this important point.
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
Why do all the tea partiers hold the same strange interpretation of the First Amendment? Where do these warped views of history and the Constitution from tea partiers originate from?
Glenn Beck has had Claremont Institute President Brian Kennedy on his show. Beck and Kennedy falsely claim that Democrats and progressives do not believe in the Constitution. It seems whatever Kennedy is teaching folks at his Institute will undermine “freedom” and the “Constitution” considering a former student of Claremont Institute’s program, Christine O’Donnell, does not even have any idea about the First Amendment.
Are these strange views of the Constitution part of Glenn Beck University? Glenn Beck and Brian Kennedy do not respect truth and seem to substitute their ultra-conservative ideology as their version of history.
How could anyone trust that these people will serve America when they do not even understand the real meaning of the Constitution?
The even scarier point is that Ms. O’Donnell thought the students that laughed at her were laughing with her. She seemed to chastise her opponent by saying in a questionning way, “The First Amendment does?”
“Where in the Constitution is separation of church and state?”
Where are the real historians willing to stand up to Brian Kennedy, the Claremont Institute and Glenn Beck regarding their revisionist history that miscasts the Constitution in Tea Party terms?
Save Our Democracy
If Americans want to make sure the economy grows and our freedoms remain intact, then they better get out and vote, especially Democrats and Independents. We cannot afford to have extreme Tea Party candidates in Congress that want to get rid of Medicare and Social Security and who disbelieve that the Constitution’s First Amendment establishes the premise of the importance of separation of church and state in the United States.
Do Tigers Have Spots? Photo credits combination: Twister by Steve Snodgrass on flickr cc and Big Tiger Cub! by digitalart on flickr cc
Trickle-Down Economics
John Boehner and other fellow Republicans made their big announcement on September 23, 2010 about their Pledge to America which is a recycled version of their 1994 Contract with America.
Bush “Fool Me Once…”
As G. W. Bush said:
“Fool me once…Shame on you. Fool me… Can’t get fooled again!”
The same old policies being trotted out by John Boehner and the GOP are a deja-vu of what created so many economic problems that brought the U.S. economy down and created a huge deficit that the Obama administration inherited from G. W. Bush in 2009.
Basically Boehner and the GOP’s Pledge To America would:
Keep the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy 1% that will cost Americans $800 Billion Dollars! (Is that fiscally responsible?)
Privatize government including Medicare and the Veteran’s Administration and Social Security!
Repeal Healthcare Reform even though there are many things in it that all Americans across party lines want that actually kicked in on 9/23/2010:
elimination of lifetime financial caps on health care policies
elimination of pre-existing conditions preventing someone from not getting health care or being kicked off a plan
ability to have children on a parents health plan until 26 years old
However, most people have to decode the language of the Pledge To America pamphlet which is very abstract and broad with patriotic sounding words and unspecific ideas that talk a lot about “freedom” and “honor” and more of the same.
Rachel Maddow decoded much of the pamphlet in her recent news program:
Maddow: GOP’s Abstract ‘Pledge’ Has Consequences in the Specific
Does Boehner Believe Tigers have Spots?
For the November 2, 2010 elections, hopefully Americans will wake up and realize in order to be smart and ensure true economic recovery, we need to continue in the direction we are headed with implementation of upcoming legislation recommended by the Obama administration. Ignore misleading talking points spouted by Boehner and company that are meant to give people a false sense of security that Republicans will improve the economy. The election platform Boehner stands on will bring the U.S. economy and the middle class down the tubes again.
What does it take for Americans to wake up and understand the difference between an empty talking point and a good policy?
We can dialogue, What about the Senate! Photo credit: Cat's sofa by JiJy on flickr cc
Thank-You Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon
Today, September 29, 2010 on the floor of the Senate at 4:12 pm ET, Senator Merkley urged senators across both sides of the aisle to restore the Senate to the proper deliberative body envisioned by the framers of the Constitution. Senator Merkley also said:
We have a responsibility to all the citizens in this nation to make this chamber the deliberative body that the framers envisioned for this country.
…
“We cannot really have a democracy that works if we can’t debate and vote on Bills.”
“This situation where the House passes 300 bills that never see the light of day, that never see consideration in the Senate because we can’t get anything done on the floor of the Senate, must end. We have a responsibility to restore this body to being the greatest deliberative body on the planet.”
Abuse of Advise and Consent and the Filibuster
As Senator Merkley pointed out, in past years the Senate at one point only used the Filibuster 3 times, however, in the 110th Congress the Senate Filibuster was used 49 times!
Senator Merkley recommended that full debate on the Senate Rules commence at the beginning of the 112th Congress in January.
Why did Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming) Block 240,000 Jobs in the Senate? Photo Credit: Cat in the sink by jns001 on flickr cc
Hypocrisy Watch
Since March 2010 various Republican Senators have bashed Democrats claiming that they haven’t created more jobs. Yet, as Rachel Maddow reported on 10/8/2010, are GOP senators deliberately doing this in an attempt to tank the economy? Is it only about the November elections?…You be the judge.
The amazing double-speaky Orwellian talking points used by GOP Senators on the floor of the Senate are likely to make listeners angry. What is really the truth? What are the real honest neutral facts about our economy and jobs situation?
What are Republicans doing to help create more jobs?
What are Democrats doing to help create more jobs?
What is President Obama doing to help create jobs?
What are major companies with over $1.8 Trillion Dollars in excess cash doing to create jobs?
Frank Luntz, GOP wordcrafter of talking points and author of “Words that Work, It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear,” has been on a mission. He has trained many people in his techniques, especially Republican politicians and their handlers, to craft messages that get folks angry about something in order to direct them to do what they want listeners to believe and do.
Luntz does not seem worried about facts in his messaging. It’s all about what people feel and hear. The message just has to work the way folks want it to work. You know….create your own reality type of thing. Does Luntz and his fellow Republicans believe that the ends justifies the means – even if the means are just a teensy weensy bit manipulative and not entirely accurate?
Anyway, the latest soapbox of politicians on the right is an attempt to confuse voters about the factual history of how we got into our current messy economic situation. The talking points from Luntzian-type politicians are created to confuse voters about what policies and steps will truly help create jobs and improve the economy.
The combo of the millions of dollars from anonymous billionaires funneled to organizations that run slick politically charged ads, and the manipulative techniques taught by Frank Luntz to craft deceptive messages is a true mix of gobbledygook that pollutes folks minds/brains and ears.
The PR techniques used by Frank Luntz and company on innocent victims are like feeding candy-coated poison to unsuspecting bunnies. This is bad, very bad, and it can be deceptively dishonest, unamerican and oh – it is bad for democracy and —- freedom.
Here’s how Republican Senators are crying fire! fire! about no jobs being created at the same time they are setting fire to the economy–in a bad way– by not allowing jobs bills to go forward to help Americans.
Hypocrisy Alert!
The video below shows how Senators Judd Gregg, Orrin Hatch and Mike Enzi all complain about no jobs being created at the same time they block the very legislation that would save 240,000 jobs for Americans. The TANF Emergency Fund, Welfare-To-Work Program created 240,000 Jobs, yet Republicans in the Senate repeatedly blocked extension of this program that would help needy families earn a living and feed their families. Wouldn’t this be a good time to say to the blockers of this bill:
“Liar! Liar! Pants on Fire!”
These 3 Republican Senators blocked the jobs legislation numerous times in the Senate that would have saved 240,000 jobs for Americans…
Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire) – blocked it March 2010
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) – blocked it September 2010
Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming) – blocked it September 28, 2010
Liar! Liar! Pants on Fire! to those who Blocked Jobs Bill
Rachel Maddow – Successful jobs program dies after GOP block
Voters– What are you going to do about the fire makers destroying jobs of Americans? These guys are arsonists burning down current and potential jobs with their obstructionist actions in the Senate!
Will you allow the same folks who yell “No Jobs” to be in power in November while they are at the same time blocking legislation that would create jobs now to improve the economy? Would you want a known jobs-killer to make economic policy? Would you want a known arsonist to protect your home from fire?
It’s time for voters to regain their senses and remember that policies established by folks like Newt Gingrich and John Boehner have historically made the economy worse. What is needed are politicians who will pass effective jobs bills and allow the healing of our economy to continue.
Splish Splash - Water puts out Fire like Truth puts out Lies: Photo Credit: lephant trekking Khao Sok National Park Thailand by Rene Ehrhardt on flickr cc
A splash of water on fire puts it out…. Truth, like water, and getting out the vote will be a great remedy to putting out the destructive economic policies of job-killers and job-legislation blockers like Senators Mike Enzi, Orrin Hatch and Judd Gregg.
What happened to all those electronic ballots? Photo credit: Just browsing by Wilson Afonso of flickr cc
Shelby County’s Vote Tallies Do Not Add Up for August 5, 2010 Election
While some political pundits yell voter fraud, the biggest voter fraud perpetrator is the electronic poll book program in Shelby County, Memphis TN and the people who improperly programmed it. On August 5, 2010 some 5,400 eligible voters were turned away from the polls because the electronic poll book said they had early-voted already. The electronic poll book created the biggest voter fraud by preventing these voters from being able to cast a single vote even though they came to the polls on time.
In addition, recent news items claiming people who commit voter fraud would be prosecuted and put in jail scared many eligible voters from challenging election officials who incorrectly said the poll book indicated they had already voted.
What are election officials in Shelby County doing about it? They are backpeddling claiming it was all due to a little error of inserting the wrong elections database from May 2010 into the poll book that showed that people had already voted. What???
Was Shelby County the only place where this happened in Tennessee?
“We found in our election contest something called a manual override which allows the person taking the downloads of the electronic votes to be able to go in and manually alter, change and modify the totals.”
I found the phantom voters, they went in here! Photo credit: ezimba-web-Blends Cat on Computer by krossbow on flickr cc
When AfterThePress.com interviewed Richard Holden, Administrator of Elections in Shelby County, and asked him if people are losing confidence in the election system in the county due to abberations in the recent election. Holden said:
“I think there’s a tiny group of activists that would like the voters to lose confidence in them.”
The so-called “tiny group of activists” Holden tries to put down as fringe-type folks are far from that. Ten candidates who ran in the August 5th election filed suit against Shelby County for mismanagement of the election.
Holden also thinks it is perfectly OK to have paperless electronic voting machines that cannot be cross-checked with a paper ballot. Holden’s reasoning, he thinks it will be too expensive to use paper.
Instead of using paper poll books where people sign in to each polling station, Shelby County, TN used electronic poll books in its August 2010 primary election.
Can electronic poll books be manipulated in an election to disenfranchise voters?
These poll books use electronic databases with no paper to confirm a voters eligibility when they check into the polls.
Database Wars of Electronic Poll Books
One thing for certain, at least 5,400 people were improperly turned away from exercising their vote on election day in Shelby County, Tennessee because the computerized poll books incorrectly claimed they had already voted.
Election integrity sleuth Beverly Harris of Blackboxvoting.org, discovered that the “wrong poll book database” was not from May as Shelby county election officials claimed. Instead it was a strange hybrid of the May database poll book information plus something else still to be fully deciphered.
In addition, Bev Harris explains that there were numerous occurrences of unusual computer access to the central election computer in the wee hours of August 12th after the election as shown here. It appears that someone manually altered something on the election servers. Was that the vote totals? Also, somehow, even though there are surveillance cameras in the Shelby County election building, that piece of tape was missing from the lawsuit. Shelby officials did not provide it.
However, it is evident that from the Shelby County Election Commission’s election computer log, someone did access the Shelby County election computers at 4:55 am on August 12, 2010. Will election officials reveal who and why this occurred?
Where is the major media when you need them!
According to Harris, this database problem with electronic poll books could possibly be the tip of the iceberg not only in Memphis TN, but throughout any county in the U.S. that uses similar electronic poll books. The fact is electronic poll books are not that reliable and are susceptible to manipulation by computer savvy folks.
Harris said it could be the beginning of “database wars” in elections where county officials will claim they must have put in the wrong database and that’s why so many people could not vote or why strange votes showed up here and there and everywhere.
Who Will Demand Accurate Elections?
Many democrats and republicans sometimes become all wimpy about elections. Unfortunately, some of these politicians don’t want to be accused of sour grapes. They may feel pressure from their party to not confront the problem which could reveal a bigger can of electronic election worms with our crazy crazy electronic voting machines and electronic poll books. These things are mucho mucho hackable – in a matter of minutes, seconds.
Also, when you have some people on the bench that just want the problem to go away because they don’t want to mess up their judicial careers, then how can people who file a reasonable lawsuit get justice? The courts should protect voters right to manipulation-free elections, not aid in the cover-up by implying there is nothing to see here….so move along.
Here’s the real issue – follow the electronic trail – especially when there is no real paper trail to speak of.
However, in the Shelby County situation, according to Blackboxvoting.org and Beverly Harris, she thinks the Shelby county debacle could be a trial balloon.
It would only take messing up a limited number of counties somewhere in the U.S. for a certain party to regain power in the House and Senate.
Let’s keep our eye on the ball people. We must insure that U.S. elections in every county across the nation are accurate, safe and secure. Electronic poll books can be manipulated to disenfranchize voters and also to create phantom voters and votes as seemed to appear in Shelby County.
According to the lawsuit filed against Shelby County, the certified election results of Shelby County election of August 5, 2010 showed that there were 6,802 phantom voters. There were more votes than people who actually voted. Hello!
In the lawsuit filed by 10 candidates in Shelby County against Shelby County Election Commission and the Shelby County Government, paragraph number 38 of the Introduction states:
According to SCEC [Shelby County Election Commission] records, the Participating Voters List includes 176,119 voters who participated in the August 2010 election. Without explanation, the Certified Statement of Votes Cast lists 182,921 votes as being cast in the August 2010 election. Thus, according to SCEC’s own records, 6,802 more votes were cast than individuals who participated in the August election.
Let’s look under all the rocks to make sure little electronic worms are found and removed so our midterm elections on Nov. 2 are free from the real potential election fraud —- electronic election fraud.
Are Paperless Electronic Voting Machines Safe for Democracy? Photo Credit: Updating Facebook by angeloangelo on flickr cc
In reviewing present and past elections where numbers do not add up or people were disenfranchised from being able to cast a vote, there seems to be a pattern:
Why not check out your local county election commission and find out what types of machines will be used for the upcoming November 2010 election.
Are your County’s Elections Open and Transparent?
In order to determine if an election was properly administered, voters must have access to certain information to determine if recounts need to take place:
1) Do electronic machines have a manual override system that would allow rigging the machine and the vote totals?
2) Are machines sealed after an election?
3) Is the public allowed to monitor the election process, before, during and after the election?
4) Will election officials allow election observers to record serial numbers of voting equipment to make sure machines unsealed after an election are not being used to manufacture machine poll tape totals?
5) What happens to the used memory cards for each machine after an election? Are they properly sealed. These cards contain the ballots of voters on them.
6) Are there surveillance cameras where election materials and equipment and computers that tabulate the vote are kept?
7) Can election observers have access to computer logs to see if there were improper access to the central computers that tabulate the votes?
9) What are recount procedures if the public requires a recount of the vote?
10) Where are the checks and balances in the election system to ensure the election is accurate?
With so many corporations putting millions of dollars into organizations that do not have to disclose who is funding political ads, there is a lot at stake for elections.
The public must be wise.
Video the Count: What to do on Election Night
Democracy works only if the people living in the democracy make it work.
Mark Crispin Miller reported that Kevin Zeese, attorney and spokesperson for Protect our Elections, criticized the activities of Crossroads GPS in seemingly operating as a political committee yet not disclosing its million-dollar donors:
Kevin Zeese, attorney and spokesperson for Protect Our Elections [said], “This is the first election since Citizens United allowed unlimited spending by corporations on elections. They [Crossroads GPS] have abused this already too broad power by misusing the tax laws and avoiding campaign finance laws. It is a violation of federal election laws to launder anonymous donations for electioneering activity through nonprofit groups that are allowed to receive anonymous contributions only if their primary purpose is non-electoral activity.”
Why did the electronic poll book tell this cat he already voted when he hasn't cast a vote yet? Photo Credit: Cat Sat on Computer by dougwoods on flickr cc
In Shelby County, only a small percentage of voters erroneously told they already early-voted decided to cast a provisional ballot. Why didn’t more voters attempt to vote when they were told wrong information at the polls? Could it be because a few days before the election, the Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons was all over print, internet and the TV touting that two people had been arrested for “voter fraud” from the 2006 election?
Two Indicted for Voter Fraud During 2006 Elections in Memphis_July 2010
In the above article what is strange is that the Shelby D.A. Gibbons had to go all the way back to the 2006 election to find two voter fraud culprits. Both people were accused of “voter fraud” because they had been arrested, not because they tried to vote more than one time! The arrests went back to 1985 for Dale Brown and 1997 for Kelvin Green. Do you think maybe these folks thought it was OK to vote after 9 to 21 years? The article states:
“According to prosecutors, Brown was convicted of aggravated assault in 1985, but voted in the statewide primary and county general election in 2006. Prosecutors said that Green also voted in the election after being convicted of driving while being a habitual motor vehicle offender in 1997.”
District Attorney General Bill Gibbons and his team are all excited because they caught two people who voted once in the election and who might have thought it was OK to vote since they had been arrested 9-21 years before? This is the big voter fraud scandal?
Voter Intimidation Through Message and Perception
The subtext of Shelby County D.A. Bill Gibbons efforts to dig up voter fraud people is that he will go to great lengths to find any person committing voter fraud — even if it is by accident. However, did the news stories come out to scare people before the August election?
Did the Shelby County election officials and law enforcement people knowingly create an atmosphere of voter intimidation that made voters afraid to cast a provisional ballot for fear they might be accused of “voter fraud” and possibly arrested?
Should the Department of Justice investigate the possible hostile environment of voter intimidation created in Shelby County, Memphis, TN — especially regarding people of color?
What would you do if you went to the polls and were told that you had already voted when you knew you had not voted?
When complaints came into the Shelby County Election Commission the day of the August 5, 2010 election, officials claimed they had fixed the problem. Actually, they had not fixed the problem and by the end of the election day 5400 eligible legal voters were initially told when signing into the Shelby County’s electronic poll book that they could not vote because the poll book had information indicating they had already voted!
Wrong Databases in Electronic Poll Books and Voter Fraud Intimidation Ads = Civil Rights Violations
Will the Department of Justice take a closer look at the goings on in the relationship between the Shelby County Election Commission and the Shelby County, TN District Attorney General Bill Gibbons office?
Voter Fraud by possible improper Registration = 2 people who may not have realized they were still considered “felons” after 9-21 years after their arrests?
Fear of Voter Fraud Arrests
Gibbons referred a case on August 10, 2010 to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to find out whether there was deliberate tampering with the Shelby County electronic poll book database for the Aug. 5th election. When will TBI let the public know the results — anytime before the November 2, 2010 election?
Shelby County District Attorney General Opens Investigation on Poll Book Issue 8_10_10
Meanwhile, Gibbons office sent out this NEW warning to would be voter fraud people — just in time for Shelby County voters on November 2, 2010.
Shelby County District Attorney General Gibbons Warns Would Be Voter Fraud Perpetrators for the Nov. 2, 2010 Election
Social Studies Cat asks: Why did the Texas Board of Education take out Thomas Jefferson from their history books? Was it because Founding Father Thomas Jefferson wrote about the separation of church and state as indicated in the First Amendment of the Constitution? Photo Credit: CC Reads Sirota by kwbridge on flickr cc
Conservative Texas Board of Education Censors History Books
It seems the Texas Board of Education folks don’t like Thomas Jefferson. Otherwise, why would they have removed him from their textbooks?
Is this a problem for more than Texas students? Yes, because Texas is the second largest consumer of school textbooks after California. Texas makes up 10% of all school textbook purchasers. Some school textbook publishers have altered their textbooks due to pressure from Texas School Board curriculum folks.
Problem in TextBook City
DN! Texas Conservatives Approve Changes to School Curriculum
The problem is that most parents are unaware of how sanitized and ultra-conservative their child’s textbooks have become over the years. Little by little the textbooks have had important elements of history replaced with conservative ideological perspectives.
For example:
Texas State Board of Education — Social Studies Hearing
Now, the latest thing the Texas Board of Education did was to banish U.S. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson from the history textbooks because they did not like his view of the First Amendment that established the separation of church and state.
Texas Board Adopts New Social Studies Curriculum
The Texas Freedom Network indicates on their website the goings on of the Texas Board of Education. Here is some information they provided:
Live Blogging regarding minutes of meeting of the Texas Board of Education Debate on Social Studies Issues. The following excerpt from a blog report was posted on May 11, 2010 regarding a recent meeting of the Texas Board of Education:
12:28 – Board member Mavis Knight offers the following amendment: “examine the reasons the Founding Fathers protected religious freedom in America by barring government from promoting or disfavoring any particular religion over all others.” Knight points out that students should understand that the Founders believed religious freedom was so important that they insisted on separation of church and state.
12:32 – Board member Cynthia Dunbar argues that the Founders didn’t intend for separation of church and state in America. And she’s off on a long lecture about why the Founders intended to promote religion. She calls this amendment “not historically accurate.”
12:35 – Knight’s amendment fails on a straight party-line vote, 5-10. Republicans vote no, Democrats vote yes.
12:38 – Let the word go out here: The Texas State Board of Education today refused to require that students learn that the Constitution prevents the U.S. government from promoting one religion over all others. They voted to lie to students by omission.
Here was the amendment again: “examine the reasons the Founding Fathers protected religious freedom in America by barring government from promoting or disfavoring any particular religion over all others.” And this board, on a vote of 10-5, said they don’t want Texas students to learn about this basic protection for the religious freedom of everyone in America.
Education Dean talks about Texas textbook decision
Parents, how about checking your child’s history textbooks to see if any important historical facts have disappeared.
What do you mean the Senate Republicans Blocked the DISCLOSE Act? Is it OK with them for anonymous donors to give multi-millions of dollars to election campaigns? Throw these obstructionist pols out. This lion wants sunlight and transparency on campaign finance. Photo credit: Mufasa y Yvonne in Willowick Ohio on flickr cc
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans blocked the passage of the DISCLOSE Act which would have shed sunlight on the people and organizations behind attack ads. Even though the vote was 57-41 for the DISCLOSE Act, because there wasn’t a 60 vote majority, the measure did not pass. This is evidence of further abuse of the filibuster by Republicans. They are holding important legislation hostage that would improve the lives of all Americans.
Mega-Millions by Unknown People, Corporations and Organizations Flowing into 501 (c) 4 organizations like Crossroads GPS, Run by Karl Rove, and into the 2010 Election via Attack Ads
Not passing the DISCLOSE Act is a loss for all Americans. This act would have mandated that organizations must reveal the sources of funding for political ads and political campaigns. American voters from all parties benefit by knowing who is funding political attack ads and exactly how much they are giving.
For example, it is important to know if an oil company executive is behind political attack ads against a particular candidate. At the present time oil companies receive huge subsidies from the U.S. government even as they reap billion dollar profits every year. They are the biggest organizations feeding at the U.S. government trough. The irony is that many tea partiers have no clue about how these companies fuel culture wars that purposely distract voters from the real issues like creating more jobs and weaning us off oil.
Key Information for American Voters
As reported in the LA Times, according to the nonpartisan organization Democracy 21, this campaign cycle will see approximately $300 million in anonymous sources pumped into various 2010 election campaigns.
Many tea party folks seem to be following candidates funded by major billionaires who do not have their interests in mind. Billionaires like the Koch brothers help fuel the social wedge issues in the media to confuse voters from what would really improve the quality of life for them and all Americans.
Rachel Maddow: The Real Republican Tea Party Candidate Narrative: It’s The Extremists, Stupid!
Tea Party candidates claim corporations need to have their corporate taxes cut to keep them in the U.S. However, many large corporations are already paying little or no taxes. They pay less than average Americans! According to the IRS and reported by Rachel Maddow on October 21, 2010, in 2009 the following corporations paid 0.0% in taxes:
Bank of America paid 0% in taxes in 2009
Citibank paid 0% in taxes in 2009
GE paid 0% in taxes in 2009
Bank Of America, Citi Bank & General Electric All Paid ZERO Taxes Last Year!
A very real threat to Americans are the types of policies promised to be implemented by many Tea partiers and ultra-conservative Republicans.
Here is just a partial list of what Tea Party and Republican candidates would do if elected:
1) Get rid of Medicare
2) Privatize Social Security
3) Eliminate the Veteran’s Administration health care system that helps our veterans
4) Repeal the recent Health Care Reform that finally ended that horrible pre-existing condition penalty and life-time cap on how much a person could spend on health care if they used certain insurance companies
Remember that Republican Policies Brought you the Economic Crash of 2008 and Beyond
Tell me when the Senate finally passes The DISCLOSE Act and the Feds investigate Crossroads GPS and Karl Rove. Oh and also I cannot believe Tim Griffin is running for Congress in Arkansas. Wasn't he the guy who headed the voter caging operation in 2004 to suppress the votes? Yeah he was. And he wants be a congressman? Photo Credit: I do see you by eye of einstein on flickr cc
The Republicans want Americans to have amnesia regarding the 8 years of policies that destroyed our economy and eliminated millions of jobs for Americans. Also, even though Republicans initially helped shuttle through legislation to prop up companies that lost billions from risky speculation in the mortgage derivative scandals, these same organizations spit in the eye of Americans by using money to pay million dollar bonuses to themselves.
Now many financial organizations are trying to defeat the incumbent democrats because they want to pass legislation to prevent future meltdowns of the market and to protect consumers from predatory practices of some financial organizations.
The Solution to Solving America’s Problems
We really need politicians who will truly work together to solve the very real problems facing average Americans throughout the U.S. The American people need to demand that politicians work together instead of using political grandstanding to score their own agendas.
What's all this hissing about voter fraud? Poll watching cat will be checking the electronic paperless voting machines for phantom votes! Photo credit: Angry Blue Eyed Grey Cat by Felinest on flickr cc
Less than one week until the elections and the “voter fraud” scare tactics are once again in full play. The article in the New York Times, “Fraudulent Voting Re-emerges as a Partisan Issue,” by Ian Urbina on Oct. 26 2010 explained:
“A report by the public-integrity section of the Justice Department found that from October 2002 to September 2005, the department charged 95 people with “election fraud”; 55 were convicted.
Among those, fewer than 20 people were convicted of casting fraudulent ballots, and only 5 were convicted of registration fraud. Most of the rest were charged with other voting violations, including a scheme meant to help Republicans by blocking the phone lines used by two voting groups that were arranging rides to get voters to the polls.”
However, Republicans and Fox News keep promoting the false idea that voter fraud is a major threat to elections. As the article explains, there were “other voting violations” in past elections that included a scheme by Republicans to block the vote by jamming phone lines of two voting groups trying to arrange rides to bring voters to the polls!
Pay Attention to the Real Danger to Free, Fair and Accurate Elections – Blocking the Vote with Scare Tactics of “Voter Fraud”
There are multiple fear campaigns throughout the U.S. going on full tilt like the large billboards showing up in Wisconsin warning Americans they could get 3 years in jail and be fined $10,000 for “voter fraud.”
This video has audio of a Republican Tea Party group plotting to send out post cards that they hope will be returned as “undeliverable” so they can get people kicked off the voting rolls. Tim Griffin, Karl Rove’s protege, helped write the play book on voter caging even though he claims he had to look up the word to know what it was. He told a reporter even though he received emails and lists of excel spreadsheets with mostly minority voters labeled “caging list”, he claims he did not know exactly what “caging” meant. His story is that he found out it was a “direct mail” term.
SaveWisconsinsVote 2010.org details the campaign in Wisconsin to suppress the vote through caging operations.
WI Voter Caging Audio
Here’s the problem, with electronic poll books, there is a real chance an eligible voter might incorrectly be told they already voted when it is really a database error in the poll book. When this happens, the voter should report it and request a provisional ballot despite threats from some folks that they could be accused of voting more than once.
The above scenario actually occurred in Shelby County, Memphis, TN in their August 5, 2010 election. 5400 legal voters were incorrectly told they had voted when they went to polls because there was a “database error” in the electronic poll book.
This video shows Republicans telling hispanics and latinos to just stay home and not vote:
Block The Vote: ‘Latino’ Group Hired By The GOP To Suppress The Hispanic Vote
For Democracy to work all eligible voters need to exercise their civil right to vote on November 2, 2010.
No Pollsters have called me! I'm voting for Democrats Cause I Like Health Care, Medicare and Social Security and Tea party and Republican candidates want to get rid of these things! This cat wants progress in the right direction. We just came out of 8 years under G.W. Bush which put us into this economic mess. So why would I want to go back to that kitty litter economy? Wake up America and Get Out There and VOTE! Photo Credit: Cell phone-iphile by swanksalot on flickr cc
Various research shows that people polled who only use a cell phone tend to vote democratic by at least 4 points over Republicans. Do recent polls touted in the media properly include and weight cell phone users? Are cell phone users the October-November surprise that will keep Democrats in power in Congress and also win more gubernatorial seats?
What will be important in this election are exit polls. Exit polls are also important because if any county official decides to mess with the electronic vote, exit polls would be an extra check to see if something is not right with the tabulation of the vote.
Pew Research Cell Phone Challenge for Polling 2010
In the Pew Research Center’s latest poll, conducted Aug. 25 to Sept. 6 among 2,816 registered voters, including 786 reached by cell phone, 44% said that if the election were held today that they would vote for the Republican candidate for Congress in their district or leaned Republican, while 47% would vote for the Democratic candidate or leaned Democratic. Among the landline respondents, 46% preferred the GOP candidate and 45% the Democratic candidate, a four-point shift in the margin. In this survey, both estimates would have shown a close race between Republicans and Democrats.
This smart cat wants more progress in Congress, not more obstructionism from McConnell and Boehner who pledged to stop legislation until 2012. Smart Cat says, "Get out the Vote" for Restoring Sanity to Politics. All those voters who turned out in 2008 to vote for Obama, time to return to the polls to insure change continues in a positive way. Photo Credit: lookin' at you by eye of einstein on flickr cc
What Do Voters Want from their Political Leaders in Congress and the White House?
We’re making progress for all Americans now. The Obama Administration and Democratic majority House and Senate have passed landmark legislation that benefits all citizens of all parties. President Obama has made good on his promise to “create change we can believe in.” Historians agree that President Obama in just two short years has enacted more important legislation than any President since Lyndon Johnson and possibly since Franklin Roosevelt.
Here are some of the key accomplishments of the Obama Administration to date:
1) Passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus) Signed: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009
This act helped prevent a major depression brought on by failed economic policies of the Bush administration.
6) President Obama signs landmark Wall Street Reform: Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
Signed: July 21, 2010
This morning the President signed yet another landmark piece of legislation putting the middle class above the special interests that for so long had a stranglehold on America’s government. To get an entertaining overview of what’s involved in Wall Street Reform, from ending bailouts and holding Wall Street accountable to the strongest consumer protections ever, take a few minutes to watch our entertaining animated video or get into the nuts and bolts on our Wall Street Reform page.
Eliminates life-time caps on a person’s health care policy
Enables parents to keep their children on their policy until age 26
Voters Must See Through Media Spin of Fox News and Rush Limbaugh
Contrary to media spinmeisters over at Fox, the Obama Administration has accomplished many good things for all Americans through historic legislation.
Will Americans have the Courage to Stop Partisan Politics of Senator Mitch McConnell and Rep. John Boehner?
Senator McConnell's partisan politics pledge to block key legislation even if it benefits all Americans--in order to try to defeat Obama in 2012: As reported on MSNBC Countdown with Keith Olberman October 2010
In 2008 Americans voted for change. President Obama did his best to work with Republicans with every bill before Congress in 2009 and 2010. However, Republicans refused to work with President Obama in a fair civilized manner. Instead, they continually mischaracterize key legislation that benefits all Americans and have done everything they can to prevent key legislation from passing.
It is crystal clear from direct statements and actions of Senator McConnell and Representative Boehner that they only want to stop progress of the Obama Administration and prevent any meaningful legislation from passing. Their gross misuse of the filibuster and obstructionist tactics in the Senate and House are deeply disturbing. Republicans have not allowed a simple majority. They filibuster everything solely for political reasons as the following video shows. Their actions reveal clearly that they no longer care about all Americans.
Chart: Record Breaking Republican Obstructionism! (Courtesy of Rachel Maddow)
Countdown Keith OLbermann McConnell lays out GOP blueprint
The Republican Party’s number one goal for the next 2 years
What kind of leaders do Americans need in Congress in order to create more jobs and enable all Americans to develop their unique talents and abilities to live with happiness and dignity?
True Leaders need to be able to listen to each other across party lines and work together for the sake of all Americans. The mean-spirited negative rhetoric with racist undertones spewing from Fox News undermines the fabric of the greatness of this country. The United States has a rich heritage of diversity. Hopefully, Americans will awaken their inner wisdom to truly see who the genuine leaders are to enable all Americans to achieve their limitless potential through excellent stewardship of this nation. May they all go to the polls and caste their vote and have it properly counted. That is the badge of a true democracy.
Hoot asks, "Hey Fluffy, do you think Democrats will get out the vote on November 2nd?" Fluffy, "We can hope." Photo Credit: Hoot and Fluffy by photofarmer of flickr cc
The Echo Chamber of Bounce from Pollsters to Political Pundits
How much do pollsters and nostradamus-type political pundits affect the outcome of an election? Are voters swayed by what is “predicted” in an election? Is that good? Is that bad? Nate Silver of the oft-quoted 538 of the New York Times admits that pollsters may not be accurate — especially because Gallop does not poll many voters with cell phones! This is a whole segment of voters that are weighted in a strange way in Gallop’s polls as indicated below! If they polled more cell-phone-user-only people they would get a higher of percentage of people leaning Democratic.
Interviews are conducted with respondents on landline telephones (for respondents with a landline telephone) and cellular phones (for respondents who are cell phone only). Each sample includes a minimum quota of 150 cell-phone-only respondents and 850 landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas among landline respondents for gender within region. Landline respondents are chosen at random within each household on the basis of which member had the most recent birthday.
Also, has anybody tried to find accurate statistics on how many eligible registered voters exist in the U.S. in 2010 by party affiliation? I’ve googled this and gone on other search engines. Here’s what I found – but it is only from 2004:
There are approximately 17 million more registered Democrats than Republicans. Is that why Republican pundits are spending so much time touting polls that show Republicans winning big? Are they really afraid that Democratic voters might come out to the polls full force? That could upset the “poll predictions.”
A lot can happen on election day.
Do voters really believe the feeling-based focus-group-driven talking points crafted from the Frank Luntz school of word manipulation? Luntz seems more concerned about how what a politician says makes someone feel regardless of whether it is true or factual. Luntz does not seem to be very concerned about objective facts.
There is Hope if Americans Can See Through the Foggy-Brain Attack Ads and Mindless Talking Points
Republicans have been waging a psych-out campaign for months to do everything they can to make Democrats and Democrat-leaning Independent voters stay home and not vote. From Robo-calls to threats about voter fraud, to getting voters purged from rolls with caging operations Republicans want to block the vote for the opposition. Also, their pundits report how Republicans will win big which may send a subliminal message to Democrats to not even bother to vote. Democrats must go to the polls anyway because no one really knows what will happen until all the votes are cast and counted.
Stephen Colbert reported how there were ads in Nevada targeting Latinos and Gays to just stay home to send a message to Washington. This is an attempt to suppress the vote for Democrats and Independents.
Get Out and Vote for the sake of Protecting our Democracy
This video below is called:
Why I can’t vote Republican! “I Remember”
Republicans have gone on the record saying they want to:
Repeal Health Care Reform
Get rid of the Department of Education
Abolish the EPA
Privatize Social Security
Privatize Medicare and Reduce it
Privatize the Veteran’s Administration programs – especially the Health Care programs
Extend Bush’s Tax Cuts which will create an $800 Billion deficit (how’s that for reigning in spending!)
Are the above policies and roll backs of significant programs what Americans want? Do they understand what that would mean for them personally, especially older adults turning 65 years old and Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan?
Voter Suppression: Inside The Republican Vote Fraud Machine
Block the Vote Tactics by Republicans in Pennsylvania
Every vote counts. Even the Gallop Poll predictions state, “Turnout holds the key.”
This Election Tiger Cat says "Stop Dirty Tricks" in New Hampshire! Call the DOJ Photo credit: Up Close and Personal by Yvonne in Willowick Ohio on flickr cc
The Seacoastonline.com reported on November 1, 2010 at 5:30 pm through an AP story that:
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Democratic Party has lost phone service — on some or all lines — at local campaign offices at 11 locations around the state.
Michael Brunelle, the party’s executive director, said two phone and Internet providers haven’t pinpointed the problem. Service was affected in Concord, Manchester, Milford, Dover, Hampton, Nashua, Keene, Plymouth, Exeter, Londonderry and Somersworth starting at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
The party also alerted the state attorney general’s office as a precaution.
In 2002, a scheme to disrupt Democrats’ get-out-the-vote efforts by jamming telephones with hang-up calls resulted in criminal convictions for former state GOP executive director Charles McGee and former political consultant Allen Raymond.
If you have voting questions or problems like voter suppression tactics on election day here are some resources:
Boehner says he'll problem solve. Will that mean he will actually solve real problems by creating more jobs beyond tax cuts for the top 1%? Photo credit: BC CATS by John Schanlaub on flickr cc
The November 2, 2010 election was a message to politicians. Will they be able to interpret that message properly?
President Obama spoke to Americans today saying he will listen to both Republicans and Democrats and work with them to find real solutions to economic problems.
Presidential Press Conference, Post-Election 2010
Yet, when Republicans are asked specifically what they will do it sounds like their ideas are the same that they have always proposed in the past. Ideas that were rejected by Americans in the past. Ideas that helped create large deficits with little benefit to the middle class:
1) Keep Bush Tax Cuts and have More Tax Cuts for top 1-2% wealthy
2) Reduce government spending
3) Cut and Privatize Social Security
4) Cut Medicare
5) Repeal Health Care Reform.
If Republicans want fiscal responsibility, keeping the Bush tax cuts for the top 1% will not accomplish that. It will increase our deficit by $800 billion. Do Americans understand this point?
What exactly would Republicans do about repealing Health Care? What part of Health Care would they repeal? Do Republicans want to:
1) Put back the pre-existing screen used by insurance companies to keep people from getting health care?
2) Put back caps on people’s insurance policies so people have a limit on how much they can spend on health?
Also, do people really want to cut Social Security?
Do Americans want to cut Medicare?
Do Americans really want to get rid of the Department of Education?
Or, was this election message just frustration about the lack of jobs and a lashing out at the people in power?
Will the People like Boehner who Say they are Problem Solvers, effectively Solve Problems?
Election Kitty says, "Here you go Mr. Boehner, the ball's in your court now. Your program to create jobs is exactly what???" Photo credits: Foster Cats by sneakerdog on flickr cc
John Boehner claims that Republicans are the “problem solvers”. This is interesting considering they were obstructionist for two years. He also paints himself as someone wanting to “reform” the way things are done in Washington. Mr. Boehner has been in Congress and Washington D.C. for nearly 20 years since getting elected in 1990. As one of the biggest Washington insiders with ties to big Tobacco and big Oil, Mr. Boehner at one time handed out checks from the Tobacco industry to colleagues on the floor of the House. He has had lots of time to “reform the way things are done in Washington.” Is Boehner trying to reinvent himself and the Republican party as not being Washington insiders?
Saying you want to be a problem solver does not automatically mean you effectively solve problems. Will Americans be able to see that fine point, especially in 2012?
What will Republicans and Democrats do in the next two years to show the American people that they understand what the big message is that they want?
First, what really is the message from the American people? What do Americans want from their political leaders? Who decided what that message is? There are many messages. Which ones should President Obama, the Democrats and Republicans listen to?
Frank Luntz Talking Points University
It is clear that Frank Luntz has schooled John Boehner in talking points that will make the American people think they are getting something new and something different in his “A New Way Forward Speech”. Is this so-called “new” approach repackaging an old fruit cake from two years ago that has fancy new outer wrappings?
It is up to the American people to hold John Boehner to his talking points. He said, “We have a responsibility to listen to the American people, and listen we will.”
Who are the people Boehner is listening to? The middle class or the top 1%?
Standing in front of a backdrop of a repeated phrase in white offset by blue of “A Pledge to America” Boehner created a photo-op to get his message to viewers, something right out of the Frank Luntz handbook on messaging. Luntz promotes visual cues as an important way to multiply the effect of your talking points. It looks good, but is that all it is — perception as the message? Make people feel like you’re listening, just do it your way anyway? Make people feel like there is change, but repackage old ideas into new wrapping paper? Who will notice? It feels like you’re doing something cause you’ve used words and images that “connect” with your viewers and make them feel good.
This cat must admit, Boehner and Army are good at keeping on message. Democrats could learn something from that. Luntz teaches that repetition is an important part of getting your message across. He urges the messenger to keep saying the same thing over and over again.
Listening Across Party Lines
The irony is that President Obama has always listened to the Republicans. He has opened his door to them much more than Republican presidents have opened their doors to Democrats. He has not just listened to their ideas, he has incorporated them into important legislation which then Republicans have not voted on.
Did Republican talking points and deceptive ads demoralize many Americans, especially young people and minorities and discourage them from coming to the polls on November 2nd? What about the American people’s voices who did not vote on November 2nd? What about their voices? Will they have a chance to be listened to? What prevented these Americans from casting a vote on Nov. 2nd?
Will Republicans truly be open to hear all voices when listening to Americans? Or, will they continue to blame President Obama and chastise him and Speaker Pelosi in their talking points in a finger-pointing strident manner?
How will Boehner propose to create jobs for Americans and cut spending at the same time? Would Boehner support a jobs bill to promote job growth? This might be a “government program” but it could be a positive program to get people back to work and put more money in the hands of Americans. How will Boehner concretely deal with proposals for putting people to work beyond a trickle-down theory of tax cuts?
Where do we go from here?
Please leave a comment about what you think will help bring together this country and also what you think Americans were trying to say last night in the election–even the people who did not come to the polls to vote.
If you voted on November 2nd, what message were you sending to your political representatives? If you did not vote on November 2nd, why not? What message would you like your senators and congressmen and President Obama to hear?
We're setting an example for Republicans and Democrats to Work Together for the American People. Time to ditch the "we will not compromise" grandstanding. Photo credit:Lovely kiss by Piez on flickr cc
Reading the Election Tea Leaves: What Do the American People Really Want and Need?
It is clear that Americans want something different from Washington. What might that be? Do they want results and progress to get people back to work? Do they want their politicians to get things done to create more jobs and to improve the economy? Yes, yes and yes.
However, the opposite of cooperation and working together echos back and forth from Boehner, McConnell, Army and Mr. Barbour. Their mantra before and after the election was and still is “We will not compromise.” Does this sound like an invitation to work together to accomplish change the American people voted for? No.
If they stick to their rigid “we will not compromise” stance, it will be clear that they are clogging up the works to get the economy moving again instead of helping Americans get jobs. If they plan to do that for 2 years, well, I’m sure there will be a reaction from the American people of turning them out as well in 2012.
Shields and Brooks on Meaning of Election Results 2010
The Way Forward
Boehner’s election evening speech “The Way Forward” sounded aspirational. Yet, what does it really mean? Is Speaker-in-Waiting Boehner willing to extend an open hand across the aisle to work with his fellow colleagues on behalf of the American people? Both parties must find common ground on behalf of the American people in order to solve the problems we all face at this moment in time.
We Hear You Loud and Clear Because Your Tone Speaks Louder than Your Talking Points
Boehner and McConnell both talk about changing the “tone” in Washington. What “tone” do they want to change it to–their way or no way? It sure sounds pretty dictatorial and rigid and nasty. How about changing the tone to one of mutual respect and cooperation and civility. Now that would be something that could help achieve results.
One thing many voters want — stop the bickering.
Stop the Rhetoric that Confuses, Misleads and Angers
Many Americans are busy just taking care of their families. They may not have loads of time to understand all the details regarding politics. Certain political pundits and politicians know this and they take advantage of it to mislead the public with inflammatory and deceptive language. Please stop it. Otherwise, those that do this are no better than the masters of manipulation — Joseph Goebbels. Goebbels classic tactic to manipulate the masses was to demonize minorities and blame them for everything that was wrong with the economy and in German society. Scapegoating in a negative personal demonizing way is in itself evil. This type of rhetoric must stop and be replaced with mutual respect and cooperation.
Did Neuromarketing consultants employed by Republicans in the 2010 elections manipulate my vote? Photo credit: Marcello The Cat by akk_russ on flickr cc
An article appeared on the Fast Company website by Kevin Randall entitled, “How Neuromarketers Tapped the Vote Button in Your Brain to Help the GOP Win the House.” This is real stuff. Neuromarketing Consultants employed solely by Republicans use neuroscience and marketing techniques to find ways to get inside your mind, brain and heart and get you to vote a certain way. How much of what happened in the 2010 could be in part due to the work of these little-known consultants who were employed by Republicans before and during the 2010 elections?
I first noticed the article featured on the blog of Brown Shoe Diaries on WordPress. The Fast Company article explains the Orwellian details of how many voters might have been the unsuspecting recipients of political ads and print media designed to manipulate the voter and viewer in an almost Pavlovian way. The methods were based on focus groups of people who watched various stimuli to determine how they responded physically, emotionally and mentally.
How much of the results from the 2010 election were based on Neuromarketers who successfully pushed voters buttons that drove them to vote for one candidate over another? Why are these consultants who appear to only be used by Republicans to date hiding in the shadows?
Should neuromarketing be banned from political ads the way certain subliminal advertising was banned at one time?
Who will seriously study how this type of advertising may be poisoning the political discourse? Are these neuromarketers helping their clients manipulate others with new types of brainwashing techniques? Should there be a disclaimer to ads that use this type of research so viewers know they could unwittingly be subject to mental manipulation beyond their control? Is this fair advertising?
Should political candidates be mandated to reveal if they employ neuromarketers in their campaigns? We now have warnings mandated by law on cigarettes, “WARNING: Cigarette smoking could be dangerous to your health.”
The Neuromarketer disclaimer could be,
“WARNING: This ad utilized neuromarketing techniques that could result in manipulation of your emotions, brain and vote beyond your control.”
By any measure, Pelosi has been one of the most effective House speakers in American history, especially given her relatively short tenure.
Speaker Pelosi laughs off the perpetual childish attacks on her from Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and every right wing political pundit.
Before, Speaker Pelosi decided to announce her decision to run for Minority Leader, the Republicans were vehemently urging her to leave Congress all together. Unfortunately, many spineless Conservative Democrats seem to be infected by the fearmongering from Fox News. Now Fox News and many Republicans have a new tactic, reverse psychology. They think that if they support Pelosi being Minority Speaker, maybe Democrats won’t want her.
However, Speaker Pelosi, who according to this Cat is a major Female Lioness in the House and in all politics, wisely discerned that she is the target of Republicans because she has been such an “effective” Speaker of the House.
Rachel Maddow said Speaker Pelosi claims Republicans hate her because she is so good at passing legislation. They want to stop her. She is too good! Of course they don’t want her around to try and prevent rollback of important legislation that she shuttled through Congress.
What Mitch McConnell and John Boehner seem to forget, is that there are many Americans who do not agree with repealing Health Care Reform or Financial Reform. However, to listen to them, you would think they have read the minds of all Americans based on the 2010 mid-term elections.
The Conservative Media-Driven Misinformation about President Obama and Democrats
If someone listens to national Fox News all day, they will get a very skewed view of what is going on in America and the world. It seems that Fox News loves to perpetuate all sorts of nasty rumors about Speaker Pelosi and Barack Obama. The namecalling is embarrassing, but that seems to be one of their little tactics to attempt to undermine what has really been accomplished by the Obama Administration since 2009.
Rachel Maddow Debunks the Crazy Rumors Echoing around Conservative Media Airwaves that Many Fox Viewers Believe are True!
Speaker Pelosi is a great example to young leaders on how to stand up to bullies and slanderous press. She is the first woman Speaker of the House in the History of the United States and she has been one of the most effective Speakers in passing landmark legislation in the history of the United States. No matter what silly songs and slanderous comments Rush Limbaugh plays and says about Speaker Pelosi, it will not take away all the accomplishments she has achieved. Remember that America!
Time to Go to the Chalkboard for Details of GOP Jobs Plan
What is the GOP Plan for Jobs? Photo Credits: This photo is build upon: Kittens by abcrumley on flickr cc and Chalkboards cci2-2008 by FolkeB on flickr cc
Frank Rich’s op-ed piece, “Barack Obama, Phone Home” offered these pearls of wisdom to President Obama about how to get the GOP to engage in their so-called “adult conversations” about their plan for creating jobs for Americans. Frank Rich suggests Obama ask the Republicans in Congress to “fill in their own blanks.”
“He [President Obama] could start by offering them what they want, the full Bush tax cuts, in exchange for a single caveat: G.O.P. leaders would be required to stand before a big Glenn Beck-style chalkboard — on C-Span, or, for that matter, Fox News — and list, with dollar amounts, exactly which budget cuts would pay or them. Once they hit the first trillion — or even $100 billion — step back and let the “adult conversation” begin!”
G.O.P. Proposed Extension of Tax Cuts would increase Deficit by $700 Billion
Consumer Protection Agency Necessary to Protect Consumers from Unfair Practices
Rachel Maddow – Can America’s Middle Class Be Saved?
Elizabeth Warren on Rachel Maddow explains that the Consumer Protection Agency exists to protect the middle class. Recent polls show 96% of American families say “we have to get rid of the fine print in contracts.” Across the board, “this is not a partisan issue, this is a middle class issue” that spans all parties – Republicans, Democrats, Independents. This agency exists to help consumers get better information to help them make better decisions about things like knowing the true cost of a credit card.
More money stays in the pockets of American families when there are no more “tricks and traps” in contracts, especially for credit cards or loans. She said that Republicans have vowed to undercut the Consumer Protection Agency even “before it draws its first breath.” Undercutting this agency as the GOP has said it plans to do would be equivalent to undercutting protections for the middle class.
Can the party leaders come together to resolve our current economic challenges? Let’s hope so.
Budget Cat is Still Looking for the Missing $2.3 Trillion Rumsfeld said could not be found on 9/10/2001. Has anyone found the money yet? Photo Credit: keeping track of my clutter by theogeo on flickr cc
One Way to Be Fiscally Responsible – Find the Missing Money in the Defense Department
On September 10, 2001, Donald Rumsfeld gave a speech at the Pentagon where he stated:
“According to some estimates, we cannot track $2.3 Trillion dollars in transactions.”
“The adversary is closer to home, it’s the Pentagon bureaucracy.”
“In fact, it could be said that it’s a matter of life and death.”
CBS News reported,
“In the rush to fund the war on terrorism, the war on waste seems to be forgotten.”
According to the CBS report in the video below, the Pentagon Audit admitted it could not account for “25% of what it spends.”
Will Whistleblowers who try to track the money in the defense department be able to find the money and where it went? Or, will other people cover-up where the money is really going?
Here’s a you-tube video of Rumsfeld’s $2.3 Trillion missing money talk as reported by CBS News.
2.3 Trillion $$ of the Taxpayer’s Money is Missing
Donald Rumsfeld Unknown Unknowns !
U.S. Defense Budget 2000 to 2011
U.S. Defense pending Trends 2000-2011 ($ Billion)
Should Congress Start Looking for Missing Money in the Defense Budget?
What do you think Congress should do to be more fiscally responsible? A penny saved is a penny earned. How about Congress investigating what is happening to the money already going to various programs. Shouldn’t the American people know where their tax dollars are going?
Spy Cat thinks Valerie Plame was a great CIA operative who protected the world from nukes. To bad her career was abruptly ended by the reckless abuse of power by people connected with Vice President Dick Cheney's office like Scooter Libby, Karl Rove, and others wishing to get back at her husband Ambassador Joe Wilson for speaking truth to power regarding no WMD in Iraq in 2003. Photo credit: Zhuzha - Spy Cat by Marcus Vegas flickr cc
Valerie Plame, True-Life Jane Bond in Stopping Nuclear Proliferation
Valerie Plame risked her life for her country for over 20 years while working for the CIA as a covert counter-proliferation operative. She moved throughout the middle east as a non-official cover (NOC) following up leads to stop terrorists from acquiring nuclear materials. What makes this movie so compelling is that it is based on fact, not fiction.
However, what is very painful to watch are the parts of the film that reveal the CIA bureaucrats willing to throw Valerie Plame under the bus once she was outed. Was this because they were afraid for their own careers and lives? The deliberate outing of Valerie Plame was a horrible disgrace. Then to add insult to injury, her colleagues of many years refused to stand up to the political manipulators who put her and her family’s lives in jeopardy from that thoughtless and criminal act of revealing the identity of an undercover CIA agent.
Valerie Plame Wilson Part1 “I’d like to know…”
Valerie Plame Wilson Part2 “story of a brilliant career”
Valerie Plame had multiple threats on her life after her true identity as a CIA operative became public. When she asked for protection from the CIA agency that she worked for 20 years, her superiors refused to send anyone to investigate the threats or to protect her. In addition to that, the Fox News negative media machine continued to attack her character and career as a covert counter-proliferation expert by insinuating that she was a low level person in the CIA, possibly a “secretary” who wasn’t good at her job. Robert Novak, the person who wrote the newspaper column that revealed her identity, continued to consistently talk about her as if her work was of no real significance. He was unapologetic about the damage he deliberately inflicted on her in order to run his story about the connection between Ambassador Joe Wilson and his CIA wife, Valerie Plame.
Liman: Plame affair ‘Fair Game’
Director Doug Limon says he made the film “Fair Game” to reveal abuse of power by the Bush-Cheney White House.
The movie shows the types of harrowing situations Plame faced in order to protect the United States and the world from the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
What is totally revolting is that Karl Rove coined the phrase that Valerie Plame was “Fair Game” in a conversation with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews. That’s where the title of her book and movie came from. Yet, Karl Rove has not gone to jail for his role in outing and destroying the career of a CIA agent. Does that seem fair to you?
Karl Rove: “Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson are Fair Game”
McClellan says Rove is lying about Plame, shoulda been fired
Matt Cooper Proves that Karl Rove is a liar
Valerie Plame was an excellent covert agent. She acted bravely in numerous situations to stop nuclear terrorism.
VALERIE PLAME TESTIMONY: Highlights
This movie will open your eyes to show how power can absolutely corrupt people. The key question is how do we prevent this type of abuse from happening again? And, will all the villains who destroyed the career of Valerie Plame ever be truly brought to justice? Remember that Valerie Plame is the real hero in this scenario. She was the person putting her life in danger day after day to make the world safe from nuclear threats. This is the person the Bush-Cheney administration targeted to take down because her husband poked a hole in the flimsy excuse used to go to war in Iraq by President Bush.
The accomplice to the massive abuse of power wielded by Vice President Dick Cheney and others in the G. W. Bush administration was Fox News and the pundits that maliciously attacked Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame. The problem is that these pundits continue to make efforts to destroy anyone who does not subscribe to their political or religious ideology. Another key question is how to help Americans to be better critical thinkers who can tell the difference between propaganda and truth in journalism.
Foreign Policy Cat says its time for all Senators to Ratify the New START to make the world safe from nuclear weapons. Republicans should listen to Senator Lugar and pass START in this session of congress before 2011! Photo Credit: mine?_no_mine!-by-eye-of-einstein-on-flickr-cc.jpg
Foreign Policy Cat says its time for all Senators to Ratify the New START to make the world safe from nuclear weapons. Republicans should listen to Senator Lugar and pass START in this session of congress before 2011! Photo Credit: mine?_no_mine!-by-eye-of-einstein-on-flickr-cc.jpg
Elder Statesman, Senator Lugar, Stands up to Republican Leadership on the New START Treaty and calls for Immediate Passage of the Treaty before 2011
On Wednesday, 11/17/2010, Senator Lugar at a press conference with Senator Kerry and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton encouraged his fellow Republicans to do what is right for the country and pass the New START Treaty now before January 2011. Throughout his political career Senator Lugar has reached across the aisle to work with fellow colleagues on national security and foreign policy issues on behalf of all Americans.
Lugar demands passage of New START Treaty
Lugar stated in his press conference with Senator Kerry and Secretary of State Clinton,
“It is the voice of the American people that has to inform Senators that his treaty must be ratified, and it must be ratified in this session of the congress.”
Lugar went on to say that “since last December 5, 2009, we’ve had no boots on the ground to inform us about what is in fact occurring with regard to the nuclear weapons of Russia. This is very serious.” He further stated that “There are 13,300 nuclear warheads aimed at us…Any one of those warheads could obliterate the city of Indianapolis.”
Senator Lugar passionately implored the Senate to pass the New START. He also said, “We’re talking today about the national security of the United States of America. The point is not simply a debate amongst Senators.”
The goal of NUNN-LUGAR is to lessen the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, to deactivate and to destroy these weapons, and to help the scientists formerly engaged in production of such weapons start working for peace.
President Obama and President Medvedev Signing New Nuclear START Treaty
President Obama Today is A Milestone for Nuclear Security & Nonproliferation
The world will be safer and more secure with reductions of nuclear weapons that can be verified through a comprehensive verification regime. Passage of this important Treaty will signal to the world that the United States is committed to working towards a world free of nuclear weapons. It will also demonstrate to all nuclear and non-nuclear nations that the U.S. is determined to stand by its word to create a more peaceful world for all and fulfill its obligations to implement the NPT.
As President Obama said at the signing of this landmark Treaty in Prague on April 8, 2010:
“Nuclear weapons are not simply an issue for the United States and Russia. They threaten the common security of all nations. A nuclear weapon in the hands of a terrorist is a danger everywhere, from Moscow to New York. From the cities of Europe to South Asia.”
…
“This ceremony is a testament to the truth that old adversaries can forge new partnerships.”
President Obama said the above phrase at the signing ceremony in Prague. However, the words are also fitting for Republicans to come together with Democrats and pass this important Treaty that will make the world safer for Americans and all people of the world. As Senator Lugar implored, the time has come for all Senators to do what is right for all Americans, pass the New START Treaty in this session of Congress.
During his remarks at the signing ceremony in Prague, President Obama recalled the recent words of the Russian Nuclear Scientist Arkady Brish, who helped build the Soviet Union’s first atom bomb. President Obama said, “At the age of 92, having lived to see the horrors of a World War and the divisions of a Cold War, he said:
“We hope humanity will reach the moment when there is no need for nuclear weapons. When there is peace and calm in the world.”"
Arms Control Cat says to Senator Jon Kyl: “Time to pass the New START Treaty for all Americans in this session of Congress.” Photo Credit: braveheart-ii-by-bobmacinnes-on-flickr-cc.jpg
Dear Senator Kyl:
Please support your Republican colleague in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Lugar, in calling upon your fellow Republicans to immediately ratify the landmark and important New START Treaty.
The message sent to politicians by voters in the 2010 elections was that they want Congress to work together to solve problems facing all Americans. They want people on both sides of the aisle to put aside petty differences and politics as usual and pass legislation that will get people back to work and improve the lives of all Americans.
According to a CNN Poll released on 11/16/10, nearly 73% of the public“says the U.S. should vote in favor of a recently signed treaty between Barack Obama and Russia that would reduce the number of nuclear weapons in each country.”
Your recent call to block passage of the New START Treaty seemed to be based solely on partisan politics and a misunderstanding of the benefits of this Treaty for improving our national security. Even though you claim we need to go slow in ratifying this Treaty, it appears to be a stalling tactic to prevent meaningful legislation from being passed during the Obama administration. If this is really your agenda and the agenda of the Republican leadership, it is disgraceful and bad for the American people. It shows that Republicans are unwilling to put aside petty politics. Instead it shows Americans that Republicans are continuing their obstructionist behavior as usual, but hiding behind false claims that it is based on national security concerns. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. Dress it up with a bow or hat, it is still a duck.
If it looks and quacks like a duck...it's a duck! Photo Credit: snorkel duckey says hello by Jo Naylor on flickr cc
Ratifying the New START Treaty is good for everyone, Republicans, Independents, Democrats and all the people of the world.
According to former President Ronald Reagan’s original chief START negotiator, Richard Burt, he said,
“there are only two governments in the world that wouldn’t like to see the START treaty ratified, the government in Tehran and the government in North Korea.”
There is no need for any tinkering with the Treaty at this stage of the Senate Ratification process. You were part of the extensive Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings that took place a few months ago to fully discuss all aspects of the New START Treaty and why it is important for our national security to pass it now!
Do you want to be remembered in the history books as the person who prevented progress towards making the world a safer place for all people, or, will you come to your senses, put aside your partisan politics and call for your fellow senators to immediately ratify the New START Treaty?
Here is what this Treaty will do to make the world a safer place for Americans and all people throughout the world:
1) It will implement a verification regime that enables both sides to verify the process of safely decommissioning nuclear weapons through physical inspections of nuclear sites. This is a transparency and confidence building program that will increase trust between both nations.
2) Both sides will reduce the number of nuclear weapons 30% from their current high levels to 1,550 deployable weapons.
Meeting with President Obama, Henry Kissinger and other Foreign Policy Experts to Encourage Passage of the New START Treaty
As many Republican foreign policy experts like Henry Kissinger, George Shultz and Senator Lugar have said, the world must recognize the importance of getting rid of nuclear weapons for the sake of humanity. Passing the New START Treaty is a good first step towards that path for peace.
In addition, seasoned military experts have also signed on to the importance of eliminating the threat of nuclear weapons for the sake of human security of the United States and Global Security for all peoples in all nations. The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff are unanimously for immediate passage of this Treaty. General Colin Powell supports this Treaty together with former Republican Secretary of State James Baker.
There is no sane justification for maintaining the current stockpiles of nuclear weapons or for developing a new breed of nuclear weapons. There is no excuse that can be made to stall passage of the START Treaty at this time.
Nuclear weapons are an evil and a grave danger to all life on this planet. The New START Treaty is an excellent beginning to bring down the levels of nuclear weapons and demonstrate the seriousness with which the U.S. stands behind its policies to support the Non-proliferation Treaty.
Will you, Senator Kyl, please set aside your political partisan agenda and realize that as a Senator in the United States Congress, you are there to help the American people improve the quality of their lives, regardless of party?
The common good for all Americans should be what is on the mind of every single Senator in the Senate. Human beings are human beings. Families are families. You are first a human being who happens to be Republican. However, you are a member of the human family. Therefore, please think first about the human family that is made up of people from every race, religion, socio-economic background, culture, political party or non-party.
Please search your heart and know what you are doing and who you are doing it for. Who is your master Senator Kyl – partisan politics or the American people?
Please vote for the immediate ratification of the New START Treaty in this current session of Congress. There is no need to hold over any vote until January 2011. The world will be on a better path with this Treaty signed now before Thanksgiving and before Christmas 2010. What better gift to the American people and to the world than giving them a New START Treaty already signed by the President of the United States and the President of Russia and ratified by the Congress in 2010.
Please be a true leader and listen to your higher self and ratify this New START Treaty. It is the right thing to do. Signing this Treaty makes the world safer for Republicans and Democrats. Everyone wins by Republicans signing on to this Treaty. Everyone wins!
Sincerely yours,
Kitty Reporter
GOP vs. START
CNN Coverage of Press Conference with Senator Lugar, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Kerry on Urging Ratification of New START Treaty in Current Session of Congress
Kitty Reporter talks to Ms. Milk Cow about her experience with injections of Posilac or rBGHInvestigative Reporter Cat says she is improving her ability to report the truth for PBS and NPR to protect American’s freedom of the press. Photo credit: My preview copy of The Art of Non-Conformity by RowdyKittens on flickr cc
Many talking points echoed over and over and over again ad nauseum include the word “freedom.” You know you hear it often on Fox News and Glenn Beck about how our “freedoms” are in jeopardy because of the “liberals.”
This is mindless blather trying to scare people. Liberals, Democrats (right, left and center) and Progressives all love “Freedom.” The GOP and Tea Partiers are not the only people who love their “Freedom.” All Americans love their “Freedom” and want to keep it.
Freedom of the Press from Censorship by News Station Sponsors
An important ingredient to keeping our “freedom” is insuring we have an independent press that can report factual investigative reports that provide accurate information to the public. Journalists need to be able to cover issues without fear that their stories will be edited because a news organization’s sponsors might pull their financial support from that news station if it feels a news report might reveal information to the public that could affect its bottom line.
Farm cat wants to know if this milk has rBGH in it and if its safe? Photo credit: lucky cat by anomalous4 on flickr cc
THE CORPORATION [17/23] Unsettling Accounts
The story of Fox News Reporters Jane Akre and Steve Wilson and how Monsanto Influenced the Editing of an Investigative News Report about its Bovine Growth Hormone product called Posilac
Florida Fox Reporters Akre and Wilson discovered that Monsanto had possibly deleted or failed to report important negative findings from their FDA-related clinical trial studies of how Posilac affected rats in a short 90-day test for human toxicity. Why did the FDA rapidly approve Monsanto’s rBGH, Posilac? Did they overlook or deliberately ignore key health safety information before rubber stamping approval of the bovine growth hormone Posilac for widespread use in cows, thus affecting milk and all milk-related products for human consumption?
Also, research from Monsanto’s own studies showed that the animals that consumed Posilac had problems with their lymphatic system.
When the reporters tried to air their comprehensive factual and balanced report, Fox News received threatening faxes from the lawyers of Monsanto that claimed there would be “dire consequences for Fox News” if the story aired in Florida.
The Faxes were addressed to Fox News CEO Roger Ailes from Monsanto’s lawyers. Fox has numerous affiliate stations across the U.S. and Monsanto was a major sponsor. Monsanto promoted products like the pesticide Round-up and artificial sweetener Nutrasweet that contains the controversial chemical “aspartame.” A lot of money was at stake if Monsanto left Fox.
The Fox News Station Manager, “Dave”, made Akre and Wilson rewrite their Posilac story at least 83 times in order to avoid displeasure from Monsanto. The reporters had to sanitize or remove words like “cancer” and other terms that might make the public question the safety of Posilac.
According to Monsanto’s promotional video to farmers that might buy Posilac, a spokesperson said in the video:
“Posilac is the single most tested new product in history, and is now available to you specifically so you can increase your profit potential.”
THE REAL STORY: The above statement is highly exaggerated since Monsanto only did a 90-day clinical trial on 30 rats for health safety concerns from Posilac. However, according to Dr. William von Meyer, Research Scientist:
“A human drug requires two years of carcinogenic testing and extensive birth defect testing. BGH was tested for 90 days on 30 rats at any dose before it was approved.”
CeaseSPIN.org reporter Mike Gaddy reported on Feb. 28, 2003:
Appellate Court Rules Media Can Legally Lie. By Mike Gaddy. Published Feb. 28, 2003
On February 14, a Florida Appeals court ruled there is absolutely nothing illegal about lying, concealing or distorting information by a major press organization. The court reversed the $425,000 jury verdict in favor of journalist Jane Akre who charged she was pressured by Fox Television management and lawyers to air what she knew and documented to be false information. The ruling basically declares it is technically not against any law, rule, or regulation to deliberately lie or distort the news on a television broadcast.
On August 18, 2000, a six-person jury was unanimous in its conclusion that Akre was indeed fired for threatening to report the station’s pressure to broadcast what jurors decided was “a false, distorted, or slanted” story about the widespread use of growth hormone in dairy cows.
According to the Florida Appeals Court judge’s ruling, Jane Akre’s whistleblower case was overturned and her $425,000 reward returned because the judge claimed there was nothing in Florida law that required a news station to report truthful news. Therefore, Jane Akre lost her whistleblower status because, Orwellian as it might sound, Fox News did not have to legally report the truth!
Monsanto played its hand at bullying Fox into not running the original Posilac story. They flexed their financial muscle to show Fox who was really in charge. The Monsanto lawyers basically controlled what was reported and not reported about the safety or harm posed to the public and animals injected with the artificial bovine growth hormone, Posilac.
Fox News Florida Affiliate Station Manager “Dave” said to reporter Steve Wilson:
“We just paid $3 billion dollars for these television stations. We’ll tell you what the news is. The news is what we say it is!”
“If you refuse to present this story the way we think it should be presented, you’ll be fired for insubordination.”
This website, CeaseSPIN.org provides more details about the unbelievable saga of how Fox News legally can misinform the public.
In 2008 Monsanto decided however after this lawsuit to unload their Posilac (also called bovine somat0tropin or rBST or rBGH) business to Elanco Animal Health, a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company. Bovine growth hormone is banned in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and most of Europe due to health safety concerns. However, it is still FDA-approved in the United States. Why?
Why PBS and NPR are Essential for Freedom of the Press and Democracy
There are not many places where Americans can get real news based on what are called facts instead of spin or watered down information. One place that many Americans turn to is PBS and NPR. However, even that seems to be too much for many conservatives. They think the U.S. government shouldn’t help promote a press free from influence by corporations. That’s why they are always trying to find one excuse or another to get rid of these pesky public news organizations.
However, based on the fact that for-profit news organizations do not have to report the truth, at least NPR and PBS have less pressure from corporate sponsors to report lies. That’s why in order to protect American’s right to know the truth about what is going on in the U.S. and the world, we need PBS and NPR. What news do you trust?
A reporter at PBS or NPR might decide to do an investigative report about Monsanto’s products and they would not be threatened by the Monsanto lawyers in the same way that Fox News was in Florida. However, unfortunately the people threatening PBS and NPR are Congresspeople who receive lots of money from corporations like Monsanto. That’s why voters must protect NPR and PBS from those that wish to defund these organizations. Remember that public broadcasting stations equal freedom of untainted information. That’s the kind of Freedom that will protect our Democracy.
Decoder Cat is reading about GOP Talking Points and how to Decode them for the American people. Photo Credit: Cat reading book byfaeryhedgehog on flickr cc
Are the GOP Leadership Capable of Real Dialogue and Working together with their Colleagues across the Aisle and with President Obama?
Americans can hope that John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Eric Cantor and Jon Kyl will overcome their tendency to constantly mouth talking points that are big on rhetoric and short on specifics to solve real problems.
Talking Points Alert:
Here is a menu of the latest talking points bandied about the airways by Republican politicians. They all got the memo from PR word-guru Frank Luntz who is the GOP wordmeister of focus-driven talking points. He strives to find the words that will stimulate some sort of emotional reaction from his listeners. However, if someone wants to know what the actual talking point means, usually the answer is another vacuous talking point. It’s like people that end up taking all kinds of medications. Sometimes a medication is taken because it is supposed to stop the bad effects of another medication. That’s what Luntzian Talking Points achieve for the GOP.
People say the talking point, like Sarah Palin, and if a news reporter dares to ask for clarification about the talking point, they usually just get the same talking point repeated back or the secondary talking point meant to try and distract the reporter from getting more details. And, because the media is frequently driven by two to five-second sound bites, Luntz has trained his pupils well. They just repeat, like little parrots, the talking point over and over again.
Talking Points Du Jour:
Tax and Spend
We’re going to have an “adult conversation”
The growth of government is out of control
Enough is enough
Reign in the red tape factor in Washington D.C.
Return power to the house where it belongs – in the hands of the people
Job killing (fill in the blank)
Help small business
A new governing agenda
I’m serious about cutting government spending
Stop the out of control spending
New government bureaucrats
New federal bureaucrats
Biggest tax hike in history
End the economic uncertainty
Listen to the American people
We’re going to get to work
King of Talking Points Spin, John Boehner
Recently Diane Sawyer interviewed John Boehner about what he will do when he becomes the Speaker of the House in January 2011. Sawyer tried to interrupt Boehner’s on message talking points, but he kept repeating them.
Diane Sawyer Interviews John Boehner
Partial transcript of Boehner’s talking points:
Sawyer: Jobs- How many jobs can you create and how soon?
Boehner: …..Until the uncertainty starts to go away.
Sawyer: So how long will that take? Will it take until February of next year?
Boehner: Well, I’m hoping that it can start yet this year…Let’s make sure that we extend all of the current tax rates for all Americans. That will begin to reduce the uncertainty.
Decoding the GOP Talking Points: What does it Really Mean?
“reduce the uncertainty”
Boehner wants people to believe that the economy will somehow improve if only we could “reduce the uncertainty.” Then, in the next sentence Boehner provides his answer for what he and the GOP think will “reduce uncertainty.” Boehner and McConnell harp on how uncertainty will supposedly end if the Bush tax cuts are extended indefinitely for all Americans.
This silly “certainty” talking point concept has no basis in evidence-based economic policy that will create real jobs. However, Frank Luntz must have done some sort of focus group that showed that people like the word certainty. Of course people like certainty. However, saying the word to make people think it has any connection to tax cuts is absurd.
However, Boehner and the GOP are trying to at least connect the faux idea that the economy will improve and jobs will magically appear if only tax cuts are extended because that will somehow stop the uncertainty? This twisted logic works for some people who just give up their minds and brains to people saying these targeted talking points.
What? Boehner’s tactic is that he authoritatively peddles the talking point of the day to Americans via the great big echo chamber of the media that usually never asks deeper questions about what it all really means. Even Diane Sawyer didn’t press Boehner on his responses.
The Media Could Do Better in Asking Follow-up Questions
Diane Sawyer you’ve got to do more follow-up questions for real answers when you get the on-message talking points hammered at you by the GOP. Otherwise Boehner is just using you to get his silly talking points out into people’s brains. Diane, are you going easy on Boehner and his talking points because you want to make sure you will be able to interview him in January when he becomes Speaker of the House? It seemed like you asked him lots of soft ball questions that only scratched the surface. Also your question to Boehner about President Obama, “Did he get it?” regarding the election was like handing Boehner a baseball bat. Since when did Rep. Boehner become the person who understands exactly what the American people have said from the 2010 election?
Rep. John Boehner, a longtime member of Congress since 1991 for nearly 20 years, is one of the dreaded “government bureaucrats” responsible for many failed economic policies that tanked this economy. However, Frank Luntz crafts talking points to deceive Americans about the truth. You see, it is only about “Words that Work” according to Luntz. Truth has nothing to do with words that work to manipulate voters.
Also, this election is not the biggest “repudiation” of a President’s policies as Boehner claims. The Senate is still Democratic. What happened in 2006 midterm elections was a repudiation of G. W. Bush’s policies. Then both houses were taken back. That was a pretty big rejection of GOP policies then.
Could it be that the American people are confused by the misleading talking points just mindlessly repeated by most of the press? Perhaps they want the Republicans and Democrats to work together to solve problems that affect Americans.
Ironically another talking point used over and over again by the GOP is that they say they will end the “out of control spending in Washington.”
Hello…… Anybody home? One of the biggest “out of control spending” that will create a bigger hole in the deficit is extending the Bush tax cuts indefinitely for people who earn more that $250,000 year. Early estimates on the cost to taxpayers is at least $700 Billion!!!
As Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich indicated, people who are top earners in the U.S. already control 23.5% of all the wealth in the U.S. They have so much money, they don’t know what to do with it so they are investing overseas. They already have lots of money to create jobs but guess what, they are not creating jobs!
However, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and the GOP want to give even more money to the people who are just hoarding it. It is a false idea that if businesses know they will have the Bush tax cuts, they will then start hiring people. What does one thing have to do with the other? Nothing? Yet, Luntz wants people to think there actually is some kind of connection when there is no connection whatsoever. It is all smoke and mirrors.
Stay tuned for more decoding and deconstructing of GOP Talking Points.
Next time you hear a talking point, please post a comment and your thoughts about it.
Here is a nifty website where you can play GOP Talking Point Bingo. We need to have a new Bingo Card for the current repertoire of GOP Talking Points.
Here’s a video that shows how Mitch McConnell uses Frank Luntz talking points earlier in 2010 regarding Financial Reform issues:
Nuclear Arms Control Cat says, "Senator Kyl, it's time to ratify the New START Treaty. Come here, I want to talk with you." Photo credit: my cat- nerina by fazen on flickr cc
73% of Americans told a CNN Poll they want the Senate to Ratify the New START Treaty now.
So why are Senator Kyl, Senator McConnell and other GOP leaders claiming they understand what the American people want yet they try to stop passage of an important Treaty to continue the Verification Regime Program of nuclear weapons? I guess they didn’t see the poll or maybe they are just using their own cloudy crystal ball.
For the 73% Americans that want to ratify the New START Treaty in this current session of Congress, perhaps you might want to give Senator Jon Kyl and Senator Mitch McConnell a little telephone call to let them know that you want them to ratify the New START Treaty before January 2011!
Here are the direct lines for each Senator:
Senator Jon Kyl:
Phone: (202) 224-4521; Fax: (202) 224-2207
Senator Mitch McConnell:
Phone (202) 224-2541; Fax: (202) 224-2499
Main Switchboard for Congress:
202-224-3121
Please contact your Senators and the above two Senators to make sure they understand what the American people want.
Weekly Address: New START Treaty “Fundamental” to Security
Valerie Plame Wilson, former CIA Counter-Proliferation Undercover Agent, says it’s time to pass the New START Treaty for greater national security
On November 23, 2010 Valerie Plame Wilson posted a plea “to the Senate to ratify the New START Treaty without delay.”
New START is supported by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen; high-ranking members of the Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, H. W. Bush, Clinton, and W. Bush administrations—including such national security experts as George Shultz, Henry Kissinger, James Baker and Brent Scowcroft; the current commander and seven former commanders of U.S. Strategic Command and the entire current U.S. military leadership.
Admiral Mullen said the treaty “allows us to retain a strong and flexible American nuclear deterrent…. I believe, and the rest of the military leadership in this country believes, that this treaty is essential to our future security…. I hope the Senate will ratify it quickly.”
Senators Kyl and McConnell, the people have spoken in the CNN poll and 73% of Americans polled want to pass the New START Treaty now in this session of congress. Did you get the message? Do you "get it?"Photo credit: If cats had frowns by Tomi Tapio on flickr cc
Nancy Pelosi should be on the cover of Newsweek and Time as the First Woman Speaker of the House! Photo credit: Clover by squirrel cottage on flickr cc
O.K., but you could admit to having deep emotions about your setback in the House.
I have deep emotions about the American people. If I were to cry for anything, I would cry for them and the policies that they’re about to face.
Are you referring to the repeal of the health reform law, which the Republican leadership is threatening to do?
That’s why I ran. That’s one of the reasons I ran for leader — to fight any changes. Any undermining of the health care bill, of the Wall Street reform bill, of the consumer protection bill — I’ll fight that.
Historic First Woman Speaker of House Never Yet on Newsweek or Time Cover!
In the NYT Magazine article Nancy Pelosi tells Deborah Soloman that she was never on the cover of Newsweek or Time magazines even though she was the first woman Speaker of the House in the history of the United States Congress!
This is sexist prejudice to the hilt! Nancy Pelosi also said that some people may think the Speaker’s job may not be that important or hard because a woman was doing it. Is that why the media did not recognize her accomplishment when she became Madame Speaker of the House in January 2007?
Uncivil Attacks on Speaker Nancy Pelosi by Media
The media certainly loves to attack Nancy Pelosi, especially Fox News including Glenn Beck, Hannity and O’Reilly. Then there is Rush Limbaugh who launches hate-filled attacks on Ms. Pelosi. Rush Limbaugh loves to sling the mud and call people names. This is basically his brand of infotainment. It certainly is not real news.
Nancy Pelosi is one of the most effective Speaker’s of House than any other Speaker before her. She has passed hundreds of pieces of legislation successfully in her short 4-year term which is a credit to anyone, male or female!
Yet, where are the magazine covers for her? Also, Ms. Soloman’s questions to Ms. Pelosi show a missed opportunity to find out more about Ms. Pelosi and her role as Speaker of the House.
Nancy Pelosi does say that John Boehner:
“is known to cry. He cries sometimes when we’re having a debate on bills.”
However, Speaker Pelosi has “deep emotions about the American people.” She said: “If I were to cry for anything, I would cry for them and the policies that they’re about to face.”
That is why Nancy Pelosi is rightfully going to be the Minority Leader in January 2011 so she can protect the legislation that was passed for the American people under her term as Speaker.
Hats off to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She still deserves to be on the cover of Time and Newsweek magazines for the fact that she passed landmark legislation for Health Care Reform, Financial Reform and Consumer Protections that benefits all Americans.
Passage of Middle Class Tax Cuts
To her credit, she just passed important legislation to extend tax cuts for people making $250,000 or less and to let tax cuts for the top 1-2% expire. However, almost all Republicans voted against tax cuts for the middle class because they couldn’t extend tax cuts for the top 1-2% which would increase the deficit by $700 Billion Dollars!
Economist cat says: The CBO said #1 option to create jobs and improve the economy is extending unemployment benefits. They did the real math folks and it's time for the Senate to pass the legislation. Photo credit:Cozmik Debris by kevindooley on flickr cc
9.6% Unemployment Must Be Dealt With: How? The CBO says #1 Option: Extend Unemployment Benefits
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a non-partisan office created in 1974. Their report:
As the above report states, the CBO claims that just extending the Bush Tax Cuts will “worsen the fiscal outlook”
CBO November 2010 Shows Fiscal Outlook Worsens with Permanent Bush Tax Cuts
Fiscal Policy for Sustainable Path from CBO shows Permanent Tax Cuts would Worsen the Fiscal Outlook
Projected Federal Revenue through 2020 with options from CBO Nov. 2010 demonstrates permanent tax cuts are unsustainable for U.S. economy
CBO on Benefits of Unemployment Insurance Extension vs. Tax Cuts for Jobs & the Economy 2010
Rachel Maddow: GOP chooses wealthy over U.S. economy
Increasing aid to the unemployed is the single most effective thing that will help save the economy, not extending the Bush tax cuts for the top 1%.
The Rich Get Richer while others Flatline graph on Rachel Maddow Show
The above video includes a very good summary from Rachel Maddow of the single most effective option for creating jobs: “Unemployment Benefits.”
The Poor Get Poorer (Graph on Maddow Show)
During the G. W. Bush Administration from January 2001-January 2009 the Rich Got Richer and the Poor Got Poorer. This is not a mere talking point from Frank Luntz. This is an objective fact as pointed out in the above graph from Rachel Maddow’s show based on Census Department Data.
FACT:
During the Bush Administration and the Republican Held Congress, the gap between rich and poor grew to be the largest it has been at any time since the Gilded Age in the 19th Century which is over 100 years!
The real reasons the Rich got Richer and the Poor Got Poorer, because of the Bush Tax Cuts and relaxation of fiscal regulations in the financial sector.
So, shouldn’t everyone in Congress be listening to the Non-partisan Congressional Budget Office?
Funny Fuzzy Math of GOP based on Faulty Ideology instead of Objective Reality
It seems that many Senators and Congressmen and women in the Republican Party have their own type of Funny Fuzzy Math to determine what they believe will help create jobs and stimulate the economy. Unfortunately their belief that extending the Bush tax cuts will create jobs would add $700 billion to the deficit and would not create jobs. There is something called “cause and effect.”
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) proved that the single best way to help stimulate the economy and create jobs is to extend unemployment benefits because:
1) People will have money to spend which will help the economy.
This is from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. This is an office that studies the facts and does number crunching to figure out how various policies create certain real world results.
However, many Republicans are demonizing people who are unemployed and who need unemployment insurance. If we take a look at what caused the economic problems, we see that it was largely based on lack of regulation of the financial sector during the Bush years 2001-2008. During that period protections for consumers were ignored or repealed and instead it became a wild wild west on Wall Street. The idea that the market will “self-regulate” is a complete joke.
The GOP are using the media to revise history and hoodwink the public into thinking all the economic woes we are experiencing are because of the Democrats and the Obama administration. It is up to bloggers and other people to get out the truth about what caused the economic messes we are in and what will actually help all Americans, not just the top 1% or 2% of wealthy people in the U.S.
Double Talk Based on Luntzian Talking Points
Why do people believe folks who spew the Luntz talking points? Even though these talking points are solely created based on getting the listener to “think and feel” a particular way.
The fact that GOP Senators and Congressmen demean those who are unemployed as if they only want to abuse their unemployment insurance is ridiculous and mean-spirited. Many people currently unemployed include, scientists, teachers, Vice Presidents of corporations, managers, etc.
The idea that these people should now be cut off from any type of income unless it is “paid for” while Republicans want to extend $700 Billion worth of unpaid tax cuts for the top 1-2% is mindboggling and very disturbing.
Americans wake up! Any policy decision on the economy should be based on sound objective criteria, not on ideological goobldygook. I dare the Republicans to prove their twisted economic policies with objective real mathematical facts instead of their abstract ideological baloney.
Arms control lioness says: "Stop the party politics and pass the New START Treaty now which is in the interest of all Americans and improved national security." Photo Credit: Annoyed Lioness by ahisgett on flickr cc
Will the Democrats have the guts to bring this issue to a vote now before January 2011?
5 Former Republican Secretaries of State Say Pass New START Treaty
On December 2, 2010 Henry A. Kissinger, George P. Shultz, James A. Baker II, Lawrence S. Eagleburger and Colin L. Powell, all Republican former Secretaries of State, wrote an Op-Ed piece in The Washington Post calling for passage of the New START Treaty.
They co-wrote:
The commander of our nuclear forces has testified that the 1,550 warheads allowed under this treaty are sufficient for all our missions – and seven former nuclear commanders agree. The defense secretary, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the head of the Missile Defense Agency – all originally appointed by a Republican president – argue that New START is essential for our national defense.
…
Whenever New START is brought up for debate, we encourage all senators to focus on national security. There are plenty of opportunities to battle on domestic political issues linked to the future of the American economy. With our country facing the dual threats of unemployment and a growing federal debt bomb, we anticipate significant conflict between Democrats and Republicans. It is, however, in the national interest to ratify New START.
Yet, why are Republican Senators stalling on passage of the New START Treaty?
Republican Senators must come to their senses for the sake of the American people and immediately pass the New START Treaty during this current session of Congress. Their political obstructionist stonewalling is detrimental to the human security of the United States and the world and is based on petty partisanship. Their real agenda is to try and make President Obama a one term president as they have gone on record saying that is what their primary goal is towards 2012.
All the GOP current politicians want to do is stall important legislation that would benefit Americans. That way they can continue to complain about President Obama and the Democrats. Meanwhile, they are acting out of selfish self-interest instead of basing their actions on what will help Americans be safer.
Can New START Treaty Survive Partisan Divide in Congress?
The Transcript of the PBS News Hour Video is here.
As Richard Burt, former arms control negotiator for Ronald Reagan points out in his PBS NewsHour interview, Senator Kyl’s and James Woolsey’s arguments have no merit because the New START Treaty has been thoroughly discussed and vetted:
There have been over 20 briefings of the Congress, of the Senate on this Treaty.
There have been over 900 questions answered about the details of the New START Treaty.
This Treaty has undergone as much examination as the treaty Republican Richard Burt helped negotiate under Ronald Reagan in 1991.
Burt said,
“And it’s interesting that Senator Kyl is focusing on nuclear modernization, rather than potential pitfalls in the treaty itself, because I think most of the arguments against the treaty are essentially bogus.”
Why has this Treaty become so politicized and controversial? Richard Burt answered this question from PBS NewsHour commentator Margaret Warner:
Richard Burt, former arms control negotiator for President Ronald Reagan said in the PBS New Hour Transcript:
RICHARD BURT: Well, again, I don’t think it’s because of problems with the treaty. Jim talks about ballistic missile defense.
The — there are no constraints on this administration or any future administration’s options for developing ballistic missile defense. The language in the treaty which is in the preamble is exactly the same as in the language in the treaty I negotiated and previous administrations negotiated.
Why is it getting so politicized? Well, first of all — and, here, I can say this as a Republican — this is the first time a Democratic administration has sought to get ratification for a strategic arms treaty. And I think that is a — it makes — creates a difficult dilemma for Republicans. [bolded for emphasis by KR]
It’s hard for Republicans to oppose a Republican administration’s treaty, particularly in the current hyper-partisan and polarized atmosphere in Washington. I think it’s much easier for Republicans to oppose this administration.
But, in thinking about the problem of ratification or non-ratification, we have to look at the consequences of what happens if this treaty goes down. We lose the verification system that has already lapsed under the treaty that I negotiated. We — we miss the opportunity to improve relations with the Russians, who have supported us on Iran and U.N. sanctions and increasingly in Afghanistan. And we become — we lose all credibility on the problem of stopping nuclear proliferation.
Margaret, there are only two governments in the world that wouldn’t like to see this treaty ratified, the government in Tehran and the government in North Korea.
As Burt indicates, the major reason this Treaty is being stalled is because Republicans are having a hard time allowing successful passage of any Arms Control Treaty by a Democratic administration and Democratic congress! This is pure political partisanship.
However, Democrats have always been able to set aside party politics and helped overwhelmingly pass former Arms Control Treaties from Republican Presidents and Republican Congresses. It seems Republicans need to learn that they need to put the interest of Americans before their petty selfish party politics.
Republican arms control negotiator Richard Burt said that the New START Treaty’s language about development of a missile defense is the same as the Treaty he helped negotiate under Ronald Reagan. There are no constraints. Yet Woolsey and others erroneously point to this as an issue.
Burt explains that:
It’s hard for Republicans to oppose a Republican administration’s treaty, particularly in the current hyper-partisan and polarized atmosphere in Washington. I think it’s much easier for Republicans to oppose this administration.
CBS Notebook: The New START Treaty
In the last few days 5 former Republican Secretaries of State and numerous military leaders all concur that it is in the best interest of the United States to pass the New START Treaty.
Passage of this START Treaty will pave the way for further successful efforts in reducing the threat from nuclear weapons around the world.
Here is a video that explains the details:
Weekly Address: New START Treaty “Fundamental” to Security
Holiday Cat thinks Senator Bernie Sanders idea to create jobs by investing in building bridges, roads and other infrastructure is a great idea. Warren Buffet said he doesn't need a tax break from the GOP. How about listening to him! Photo Credit: Cat with collar by tibl on flickr cc
Why do Republicans insist that Tax Cuts for the Top 1-2% Earners in the U.S. will create jobs? This is a myth.
Tax Cuts for TOP 1-2% and CertaintyMyth of Jobs
The Bush tax cuts have been in place for 10 years (2001-2010) and the number of jobs created under George W. Bush was one of the lowest number in the history of America during an 8-year Presidential administration.
There was a net loss of 600,000 private sector jobs from 2001-2008
There was a 1.1 million net gain of jobs created from 2001-2008 (1 million in the public sector according to Senator Bernie Sanders).
So what have the top 1-2% been doing with all the money they were able to gain from the Bush tax cuts if they were not creating jobs?
In contrast, President Bill Clinton’s administration created a net 23.1 million jobs during his eight-year administration.
Jobs from G.W. Bush to Obama Photo Credit: America is on the Path of Economic Recovery by Speaker Pelosi flickr cc
Starving Government as an Excuse to Slash Medicare & Social Security
Is there another agenda behind why the Republicans insist on extending the Bush Tax Cuts for the top 1-2% at least another 2 years?
The answer is Yes according to Senator Bernie Sanders and other critics of the current tax proposal before Congress. If President Obama’s current tax proposal is implemented, it would mean that less money would be collected by the IRS to pay for programs like Medicare and Social Security which would give the GOP an excuse to cut these programs. The GOP claim they want to “stop the spending” in Washington even as they refuse to acknowledge the hypocrisy of pushing for tax cuts for the top 1-2% of Americans.
Senator Lamar Alexander of (R) Tennessee repeatedly kept trying to correct NPR reporter Melissa Block by saying that the Bush tax cuts were not tax cuts. He insisted that letting the tax cuts expire would create the biggest tax increase in history. This is absurd.
The false argument that Alexander claims is that the people getting the tax cuts are the job creators. Where is this substantiated? If the Bush Tax Cuts were so stimulative to the economy for all Americans, then how come so few jobs were created under G. W. Bush between 2001 and 2008?
Lamar Alexander’s claims that if the tax cuts expire “it will be the biggest tax increase in history” is a gross misstatement of historic facts. I think Senator Alexander needs a little history lesson. At one time the U.S. income tax rate for the highest earners was as high as 94%! In fact, the rate increased for the top bracket of earners from 1943 to 1944 from 88% to 94%. Prior to the G.W. Bush Tax cuts the rate for the top earners in America had been reduced to 39.6%. That means if the tax cuts for the top 1-2% expire on January 1, 2011, they will return to the former low rate of only 39.6%. That’s a far cry from 94% rate in 1945.
The tax rate on the top earners increased from 1916 to 1917 from 15% to 67%.
Also, according to the graph on wikipedia regarding tax rates, it is interesting to note that tax rates on the highest earners in the U.S. were reduced from 46% to 25% between 1924 to 1925. Then the stock market crashed in 1929 when tax rates for the highest earners had fallen to only 24%. The only time in the 1900′s when the tax rate was less than 24% was in 1916 when it was 15% and between 1913-1915 when it was 7% for top earners.
It’s interesting that the worst economic downturns in the 1900′s and early 21st century occurred when the tax rate for the top earners was extremely low.
Historic Gap between Rich and Poor in the U.S. in 2010
The gap between rich and poor in the U.S. is at an all time high and extending the tax cuts for the top 1-2% will only increase the divide.
The extension of the Bush Tax Cuts for the top 1-2% of top earners from 2011-2012 as proposed in the Obama-Republican agreement would in combination with other parts of the bill incur $900 Billion Dollars to the deficit and increase the national debt which has already ballooned to $13.7 Trillion dollars!
The Bush Tax cuts are “Tax Cuts” any which way you slice or dice them. They were put in place until December 31, 2010 when they were meant to expire. Senator Alexander’s word dances are hilarious.
Here’s what really happened. The tax rates in 2000 under President Clinton before George W. Bush came into office in 2001 were only 39.6% for the top income rate and the corporate tax was 35%.
Then instead of keeping the government on an even keel and using the huge Clinton budget surplus of $236 Billion/year, or a $5.6 Trillion Dollar projection over 10 years, wisely for future costs in Medicare and Social Security, Bush and the Republicans went on a spending spree by allowing the top 1-2% of Americans to get a large tax break. Under Bush the top income tax rate went from 39.6% to 35%.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Rates 2008 to 2010
U.S. Federal Tax Rates 1999 to 2000
Senator Bernie Sanders Economics Class on the Floor of the Senate to Americans
On Friday, December 10, 2010, Senator Bernie Sanders gave an extended speech on the floor of the Senate to take his concerns directly to the American people regarding the proposal brokered by the Republican leadership in Congress and President Obama.
In over 8 hours straight from 10:25 am to 7 pm ET on the floor of the Senate, Mr. Sanders clearly explained why he thinks the proposal for tax cuts needs to be altered. He backed up his proposals with facts, not just talking points.
Sanders Filibuster Begins…
Bernie Sanders’ “Berniebuster” Filibuster on Keith Olbermann — 12/10/10
Senator Sanders made the following major points:
1) There is no proof that giving tax cuts to the top 1-2% of Americans will create jobs. Corporations already have nearly $2 Trillion Dollars of cash on hand and yet they are not creating jobs. Sanders said it might be because corporations do not think Americans have enough money to pay for goods and services.
2) Cutting payroll taxes for one year from 6.2% to 4.2% would reduce the amount of money going to pay for social security at a cost of $120 Billion Dollars. Sanders believes the Republicans will use this to extend cutting payroll taxes permanently which would limit the amount of money coming into the government to pay for social security. Sanders said social security has been the most successful government program for 75 years and in order to enable it to continue for at least another 75 years to help the middle class, we need to continue paying into the pot of social security.
3) Sanders claims that cutting the estate tax to 35% with a $5 million exclusion before any tax is applied with Republicans pushing to eliminate it permanently would add over a trillion dollars of debt! For example, the heirs to the Sam Walton family that owns WalMart stand to inherit $86 Billion Dollars. If the estate tax was abolished as Republicans want, one family would get a tax break of $32.7 Billion Dollars.
In 2001 the exclusion for the estate tax was $675,000 and could be taxed at a rate of 55%. Under Bush the rate dropped to 45% in 2009 with an exclusion of up to $3.5 million dollars. Then, in 2010 the estate tax was temporarily repealed so there was no exclusion and no tax at all for any amount! That means that there was no tax on any one who inherited any amount!
4) Sanders said that he and his colleagues recently proposed a one-time check of $250 to go to Seniors and disabled Veterans since they have not had a cost of living increase (COLA) in two years and most of them live on only $14,000-$15,000 a year. The entire program would cost $14 Billion, yet only 53 Senators voted for this. Senator Sanders finds it outrageous that people who really need assistance are being ignored by Republicans while millionaires and billionaires stand to get more tax breaks. In the Bush years the wealthiest 400 people saw their wealth increase by some $400 Billion Dollars!
5) Senator Sanders says real job creation that benefits more Americans will be achieved if we invest in:
physical infrastructure
human infrastructure
education infrastructure
Sanders said that 170,000 high school graduates are prepared to go on to college but are unable to do it because they cannot afford it.
Sanders said:
What are we doing in wasting the extraordinary intellectual potential of these young people?Because our country is too busy giving tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires and fighting two wars, they are too busy to invest in these young people. How will we compete with China and India around the world when we are not investing in education?
There are some jobs out there but according to Sanders, they cannot be filled by many of our young people because they don’t have the skills to fill certain kinds of sophisticated high tech jobs.
If you don’t invest in your young people, they are not going to become productive tax paying workers.
Fiscal cat says, "I've looked at the Federal Reserve Board transactions information about their huge $multi-trillion dollar loans at near 0% and am stunned. Meanwhile other cats and people have credit card rates that shot up to 29.99%. Something smells here. Senator Sanders said, "this is socialism for the very rich and rugged free market capitalism for everybody else."" Photo credit: Mickey by lisadragon on flickr cc
How much did the Feds actually spend to stop the economy from going completely into the Black Hole of oblivion? 3.3 Trillion? 9 Trillion? More?
Fed Disclosure Sheds Light on Scope, Risk of $3 Trillion Safety Net
Fed Doled Out 9 Trillion
Senator Bernie Sanders would not take no for an answer on March 3, 2009 when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke refused to disclose to the Senate Budget Committee who precisely the Federal Reserve bailed out behind the scenes towards the end of the Bush administration and how much they really received.
Fed Stonewalling – Bernanke Flatly Refuse to Say Which Banks Took Trillions in Taxpayer Loans
Senator Sanders thought the American taxpayers who footed the Wall Street and corporate Bailout and risked everything should know who the Federal Reserve was bailing out behind closed doors. He immediately crafted a bipartisan amendment that was added to the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that forced the Federal Reserve Board to shine sunlight on their activities and let the American people know exactly what they did to keep certain financial and corporate institutions solvent during the dark economic times towards the end of the Bush administration.
Mind-Blowing Fed Secrecy: Sanders Offers Amendment to Wall Street Financial Reform Bill
On Friday, December 10, 2010, which is also the anniversary of the day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed in 1948 by the General UN Assembly, Senator Sanders gave an economics lesson to the American people about how Democrats and Republicans could vastly improve tax legislation initially proposed by the GOP leadership and President Obama. Senator Sanders ideas would really achieve the goal of creating needed jobs for Americans and helping to further kick-start the economy.
In his educational filibuster-style speech Senator Sanders revealed the details about who the Federal Reserve bailed out and how much they received. This information became available in a data dump on December 1, 2010 on the Federal Reserve website as required by the Wall Street Reform bill Senator Sanders helped pass through Congress.
Here is an excerpt from an article that appeared on Huffington Post by Senator Bernie Sanders on December 2, 2010, “A Real Jaw-Dropper at the Federal Reserve” that reveals the eye-popping unbelievable amounts loaned to major financial institutions and corporations by the Federal Reserve. In many cases these same institutions were responsible for getting us into the deep economic ditch that the American economy and world economy sunk into in 2007-2009. Effects of the greedy irresponsible activities of Wall Street are still causing repercussions today. Do they really care?
Who Benefited from the Multi-Trillion Wall Street Bailout by the Federal Reserve?
The amounts loaned to these institutions by the Federal Reserve at near 0% interest rates defy imagination because the cumulative transactions to Citigroup, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Merrill Lynch exceed the amount of money spent on the annual U.S. Budget! The dollar figure of “$3.3 trillion in emergency loans that until now were totally kept from public scrutiny” reveal the true cost of the Wild West consequences of Wall Street’s self-serving activities, before, during and after the economic escapades that resulted in millions of jobs being lost that also left the U.S. economy in the literal toilet.
From Bernie Sander’s article on Huffington Post:
After years of stonewalling by the Fed, the American people are finally learning the incredible and jaw-dropping details of the Fed’s multi-trillion-dollar bailout of Wall Street and corporate America. As a result of this disclosure, other members of Congress and I will be taking a very extensive look at all aspects of how the Federal Reserve functions and how we can make our financial institutions more responsive to the needs of ordinary Americans and small businesses.
What have we learned so far from the disclosure of more than 21,000 transactions? We have learned that the $700 billion Wall Street bailout signed into law by President George W. Bush turned out to be pocket change compared to the trillions and trillions of dollars in near-zero interest loans and other financial arrangements the Federal Reserve doled out to every major financial institution in this country. Among those are Goldman Sachs, which received nearly $600 billion; Morgan Stanley, which received nearly $2 trillion; Citigroup, which received $1.8 trillion; Bear Stearns, which received nearly $1 trillion, and Merrill Lynch, which received some $1.5 trillion in short term loans from the Fed.
When I told a colleague the amounts quoted by Senator Sanders, he thought perhaps there was a typo or a misprint. However, the numbers are accurate even though you will see they are in the absolute stratosphere.
Excerpts from Senator Sanders speech on December 10, 2010 on the floor of the Senate:
As it turns out, while small business owners in the State of Vermont and throughout this country were being turned down for loans, not only did large financial institutions–and I am talking about every major financial institution–receive substantial help from the Fed, but also some of the largest corporations in this country–not financial institutions–also received help in terms of very low interest loans.
So you have every major financial institution, you have some of our largest private corporations, but here is something we also learned, and that is that this bailout impacted not just American banks and corporations but also foreign banks and foreign corporations as well, to the tune of many billions of dollars.
Then, on top of that, a number of the wealthiest individuals in this country also received a major bailout from the Fed. The “emergency response,” which is what the Fed described their action as during the Wall Street collapse, appears to any objective observer to have been the clearest case that I can imagine of socialism for the very rich and rugged free market capitalism for everybody else.
In other words, if you are a huge financial institution, whose recklessness and greed caused this great recession, no problem. You are going to receive a substantial amount of help from the taxpayers of this country. If you are a major American corporation, such as General Electric or McDonald’s or Caterpillar or Harley-Davidson or Verizon, no problem. You are going to receive a major handout from the U.S. Government.
But if you are a small business in Vermont or California or Virginia, well, guess what, you are on your own because right now we know one of the real impediments to the kind of job creation we need in this country is that small businesses are not getting the loans they need.
Furthermore, what we now know is the extent of the bailout for the large financial corporations. Goldman Sachs received nearly $600 billion. Morgan Stanley received nearly $2 trillion. Citigroup received $1.8 trillion. Bear Stearns received nearly $1 trillion. And Merrill Lynch received some $1.5 trillion in short-term loans from the Fed.
Questions of the Day:
Should Congress require the Federal Reserve Board to disclose all secret deals with banks and corporations? Why or why not?
Was the Federal Reserve Board special multi-trillion dollar loans and other arrangements for financial institutions and corporations similar to “socialism for the very rich and rugged free market capitalism for everybody else?” as Senator Bernie Sanders said on the floor of the Senate?
Disarmament kitty says, "Nuclear weapons make everyone less secure. Senators on both sides of the aisle should pass the New START Treaty immediately before Christmas for the sake of present and future generations." Photo credit: Lulu getting comfy by andersbknudsen on flickr cc
Passing the New START Treaty before Christmas
Passing the New START Treaty is a good thing for Republicans, Democrats, Independents and everyone else in the United States and the world.
Hopefully Senators will seek common ground for what is best for the American people, instead of what is politically expedient for partisan politics.
As all living former Republican secretaries of state, military experts, strategic nuclear experts, and Republican arms control expert negotiators like Richard Burt have said on the record, the New START Treaty should be passed immediately.
All Senators Should see the Global Zero Movie: “Countdown to Zero”
Perhaps then they would stop using the New START Treaty as a political partisan football and seek common ground to make the world safer by signing the START Treaty.
Global Zero.org is an organization dedicated to helping citizens and leaders throughout the world understand and support the importance of reducing the nuclear arsenals of the world to Zero.
Linguistic Tiger says, "The environment and the economy are interconnected. Short-term greed is bad for tigers in the jungle and on Wall Street. We need new thinking." Photo Credit: tiger in the morning sun by catlovers on flickr cc
George Lakoff is the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at the University of California at Berkeley. He wrote a series of articles in the Huffington Post analyzing how well Democrats are getting their message out to the American people. He urges Democrats to develop a more effective moral message about how government provides necessities to people.
George Lakoff pt6 – Frameworks, Empathy and Sustainability
In the above video George Lakoff talks about how to create new frames in people’s brains. He claims that many people may not yet have frames in their brains to understand the connection between economic collapse and ecological collapse.
Lakoff explains that both economic and ecological collapse are caused by “short-term greed.” By talking about both together, people will be able to better understand the systemic connection and grasp why creating a sustainable economy will also help prevent and reverse the causes and effects of global warming. A by-product of clearly understanding the connection between the economy and the environment would be effective policies and practices that lead to a stable economy and jobs. Lakoff says that effective communicators need to help people connect the dots to see the interrelationship of things that may at first glance appear to be unrelated.
If Democrats could be more unified in their moral message to Americans, would they have won more seats in the House and Senate? Are the election results of November 2010 more about communication of ideas and perception of reality than reality itself?
President Obama achieved more in his first two years of office in helping Americans than many former Presidents did in the same amount of time. Nancy Pelosi passed more landmark legislation through the House in four short years than other Speakers of the House who had more time.
Yet, did Republicans hijack the way Americans understand the good things achieved by Democrats by crafting messages that convinced people differently than the real truth?
It’s all in Our Brains
George Lakoff studies how people perceive and use words to communicate ideas and feelings and how words affect the brain. Why do some messages appeal to people more than others? Does the emotional mind supersede the rational mind?
According to Lakoff, Republicans have been honing their message in ways that actually change the brains of people. They then use Fox News, radio and print media to repeat and repeat their message over and over again. The echo chamber of the media aids in penetrating and altering people’s minds. Many Republicans crafting messages come from advertising and marketing backgrounds. They have made careers examining what words, phrases and images move people to think and feel a particular way.
Democrats may want to review how and what they communicate and see if they could frame their messages more effectively to Americans. Lakoff explains that even using Republican talking points to refute those very talking points stimulates the “conservative” thinking part of people’s brains. He therefore urges Democrats to develop their own unique words to communicate their moral frame of reference about Progressive values and policies.
“Reason is physical, it does not fit the world directly but only through the brain and body, it uses frames and conceptual metaphors (which are neural circuits grounded in the body), it requires emotion, it serves empathic connections and moral values as well as self-interest, and language fits frames in the brain not the external world in any direct way.
Conservatives who are savvy about marketing their ideas are closer to the way people really think than Democrats are, because people who teach marketing tend to be up on how the brain and language work. And over the past three decades they have not just built an effective message machine, but they repeated messages that have changed the brains of a great many Americans.”
George Lakoff further states in Untellable Truths:
“All politics is moral. Policies are proposed because they are assumed to be right, not wrong. The moral values behind a policy always should be made clear.
Conservatives and progressives have two different conceptions of morality.”
Obama Got It Right in the Beginning
Lakoff encourages Democrats to continue the moral themes President Obama campaigned on. He stated in his article “Untellable Truths”:
“Democrats need to unite behind a simple set of moral principles and to create an effective language to express them. President Obama in his campaign expressed those principles simply, as the basis of American democracy.
(1) Empathy — Americans care about each other.
(2) Responsibility, both personal and social. We have to act on that care.
(3) The ethic of excellence. We have to make ourselves better so we can make our families, our communities, our country and the world better. Government has special missions: to protect and empower our citizens to have at least the necessities.”
How could the valuable moral message of Progressives and Democrats be better communicated? What needs to be done differently?
Lakoff tells the untellable truths:
“The conservative message machine has so dominated political discourse that they have changed the meaning of words and made some truths untellable by political leaders in present discourse. It takes a major communication effort to change that.”
“There is a Principle of Conservation of Government: If conservatives succeed in cutting government by the people for the public good, our lives will still be governed, but now by corporations. We will have government by corporations for corporate profit. It will not be a kind government. It will be a cruel government, a government of foreclosures, outsourcing, union busting, outrageous payments for every little thing, and pension eliminations.”
The Moral Mission of Government
George Lakoff explains in his article that conservatives speak about individual responsibility as moral and they neglect the moral importance of social responsibility.
Pundits like Glenn Beck have attempted to make anything with “social” in it sound like a bad word. Democrats and Progressives could reassert the positive value and moral imperative of Americans living up to their social responsibility in society, and the role government can play in supporting that important ethic.
We are social beings. We live in families. We live in communities. We are interdependent. We need each other. Studies show that people who have positive social relationships thrive more. What is “social responsibility?”
“Social responsibility is an ethical ideology or theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. This responsibility can be passive, by avoiding engaging in socially harmful acts, or active, by performing activities that directly advance social goals.”
Linguist George Lakoff encourages Democrats and Progressives to reframe more clearly their moral message to the American people. Is America having a greed crisis? Is that why so many people are unemployed? Is privatization really government for profit? Are tax breaks for the top 1-2% of Americans really public theft? Can Americans remember that empathy is the basis of true democracy and that we need to take social as well as personal responsibility?
Stay tuned for more commentary on language. For Democrats and Progressives to be successful in winning the hearts and minds of the American people and reinvigorating the Progressive movement, they must create meaningful frames that clearly describe the positive moral value of good government.
International mediator Johan Galtung’s recipe for successful agreements that could bring together Democrats, Republicans and Independents
Johan Galtung, father of peace research, has spent 60 years paring down into 6 words how to precisely describe the ingredients of effective lasting solutions. He recently said that lasting conflict resolution of issues is based on “cooperation for mutual and equal benefit” of people.
Galtung’s message is that there will be conflicts when only certain people benefit from policies or actions or individuals or governments. The key to successful U.S. government policies are those policies, laws, regulations for “mutual and equal benefit” of Americans. Currently in the United States the division between rich and poor is extremely high. Lakoff implores Democrats to rework their communication style so that Americans can clearly understand the value of implementing progressive policies that work for the mutual and equal benefit of all Americans instead of a handful of Americans.
The kittens feel safer now that the Senate passed the New START Treaty! Thanks Senators. Good work for America and the world! Photo Credit: Ahhhh...Kittens by ncfc0721 on flickr cc
Senate Republicans break with their Minority Leader and Vote to Ratify the New START Treaty
President Barack Obama said on Dec. 22, 2010:
“This has been a Season of Progress for the American People.”
Presidential Press Conference on a Historic Congressional Session
On Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, the Senate ratified the New START Treaty. It is the first time in the history of the United States that an arms control treaty has been ratified during a Democratic Presidential administration.
What is heartening about the passage of the START Treaty is that thirteen Republicans voted their conscience instead of falling in lock-step behind Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who wanted his fellow-Republicans to block the START Treaty.
It would be good for Americans if Republicans and Democrats could continue to put their partisan politics aside for every piece of legislation and focus on what will help all Americans. It is up to the public to remind Congress of this important goal. Working together for the common good of all Americans entails real dialogue and listening to many points of view.
Put Aside the Toxic Talking Points
Americans need Congressional leadership that will benefit them and their children.
When some politicians and pundits poison the political discourse and airwaves with their toxic talking points, Democrats must be able to provide a clear moral alternative to the policies of divisiveness and small-mindedness.
Government is by and for the people. Many Americans have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own. However, some Republicans are scapegoating people who need unemployment assistance at this time while they are searching for work.
As the Congressional Budget Office states, there are strict requirements for who is eligible for unemployment insurance:
“The unemployment insurance program provides temporary income support to some experienced workers who lose their job. People who have been laid off from their job, who have a sufficient recent work history, and who are actively looking for work will generally qualify for UI benefits. People who quit their job or lost their job because of poor performance or misconduct are not generally eligible for UI benefits, nor are people newly entering the labor market or reentering it.”
It is time for Democrats to help Americans clearly understand the role of good government.
Paul Krugman Talks About How To Stimulate The Economy On The Rachel Maddow Show
“Evidence suggests that spending for carefully selected infrastructure projects can contribute to long-term economic growth by increasing the capital stock and raising productivity. (During a prolonged economic downturn, infrastructure spending can also mitigate losses in output and employment.)”
A CNN article indicates the importance of the food stamp program because it gives families money they can use immediately which helps stimulate the economy.
All Americans won with the Senate ratification of the New START Treaty. Republicans, Democrats and Independents came together to vote for the reduction of nuclear weapons. Reductions of nuclear weapons makes the world safer for everyone.
Closing the Empathy Deficit is a good thing to do. Let's hope Republicans and Democrats can work together on this issue. Photo Credit: Kittens! by jameswragg on flickr cc
Thank you to Edwin Rutsch who left a comment on this blog about his Culture of Empathy.org website and documentary project. His website contains a historical record of President Obama’s interviews and speeches about the importance of empathy.
2004-11-23 – Barack Obama Promotes Empathy: Charlie Rose Show
In a 2004 interview with Charlie Rose when asked what was the empathy deficit, Barack Obama said:
“[The empathy deficit is] The inability of people to stand in other folk’s shoes.”
“It’s hard work to understand people who are not like you. It’s hard work to empathize with people who have different experiences and values than you.” “But the hard work is worth it.”
“Under the surface people care about the same hopes, the same dreams.
“Ultimately that will be our salvation. That’s going to be how we’re going to be able to live in this increasingly complex fast paced and diverse world.”
Here are some You-Tube videos of passionate speeches of President Barack Obama beginning in 2004 to the present where he explains that all people need to use their imaginations to work hard to put themselves in other people’s shoes.
2008-01-20 – Barack Obama Promotes Empathy: King Day at Ebenezer Baptist Church
President Barack Obama on 2008-01-20 said at the Martin Luther King Day Celebration at the Ebenezer Baptist Church:
“In the words of Dr. King, we are all tied together in a single garment of destiny.”
…
“We have a deficit when CEOs are making more in 10 minutes than workers are making in an entire year.”
Will President Obama and Democrats help close the empathy deficit as we go into the New Year of 2011?
What would it take to close the empathy deficit? Is the empathy deficit the reason that tax cuts for the richest 1-2% of Americans are being extended 2 years while unemployment benefits are extended for only 1 year?
2010-06-07 – Barack Obama Promotes Empathy: Kalamazoo Central High Commencement Kalamazoo
Defense analyst kitten says, "More jobs will be created by non-defense spending according to the The Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (PERI) – entitled “The U.S. Employment Effects of Military and Domestic Spending Priorities".” Photo Credit: Kitten Warabi (looking) by raneko on flick cc
President Dwight Eisenhower cautioned Americans regarding the military industrial complex. In his parting speech to Americans when he left office in January 17, 1961, Eisenhower said:
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.
Eisenhower warns us of the military industrial complex.
In 2009 the United States spent $712 Billion Dollars. China, which ranks No. 2 in military expenditures in the world, spent $100 billion in 2009 which is only 6.53% of the world’s military expenditures.
U.S. military spending is 7 times more than China and 13 times more than Russia. The U.S. spends more on military expenditures than the following 14 countries combined:
China
France
United Kingdom
Russia
Japan
Germany
Saudi Arabia
India
Italy
Brazil
South Korea
Canada
Australia
Spain
Defense analyst kitten says, "It is obscene that the U.S. spends almost 50% of all military expenditures worldwide!" Photo Credit: Kitten Warabi by raneko on flickr cc
US Military Spending vs Rest of World from SIPRI from globalissues.org
In 2009 total military spending topped $1.531 Trillion worldwide.
Pie Chart of Military Expenditures til 2009 SIPRI from globalissues.org
The entire United Nations budget is only 1.8% the amount of worldwide military expenditures. The United Nations annual 2009 budget was approximately $30 billion or $4 for each person in the world.
At a time when a deep economic recession is causing much turbulence in the civilian world – buffeting both airlines and aerospace companies – defence giants such as Boeing and EADS, or Finmeccanica and Northrop Grumman, are enjoying a reliable and growing revenue stream from countries eager to increase their military might.
Do we really need to spend so much money on defense? Why?
What would happen to these companies if we moved towards a Culture of Peace? Could these companies turn their military technology into something else?
How much resources go into the military industrial complex? Could these resources be better used for improving infrastructure–roads, bridges, rail systems, schools?
Spending money on defense creates less jobs than those in other sectors of the economy. Blogger at NakedCapitalism.com has an interesting post that confirms that:
a study by one of the leading economic modeling companies shows that military spending increases unemployment and decreases economic growth.
The U.S. Employment Effects of Military and Domestic Spending Priorities_PERI_Robert Pollin & Heidi Garrett-Peltier_PERI 2009
What about the black budgets. How much money is off the grid?
Here’s a link to a relevant political cartoon about defense spending vs. domestic spending posted on The Portland Observer.
What role does the media play in promoting a culture of violence vs a culture of peace? This report by the Institute for Economics and Peace provides an in-depth report.
Where do we go From Here to Spend more Wisely?
The new Congress will begin on January 4, 2011. Many claim they want to rein in spending. It seems like a good place to begin is with the Defense Budget. As Robert Pollin and Heidi Garrett-Peltier explain in their PERI report of 2009, more jobs are created per dollar for non-defense related spending than for defense-related spending.
What does it mean to truly be “fiscally responsible?” Could we say it is obscene that the U.S. spends approximately 50% of all military expenditures in the world?
Where do we begin and how to reduce military expenditures in the U.S.? What are your ideas and thoughts on the topic?
Please share relevant information for the discussion.
Cat and bird discuss recent blackbird deaths in Arkansas. Photo Credit: Michi with bird by riquard on Flickr cc
Redwing Blackbirds Shocked to Death
Surviving RedWing Blackbird upset about Tim Griffin selection for U.S. House Judiciary Committee. Photo Credit: Shout Out by ibm4381 on flickr cc
Redwing Blackbirds fell from the sky on 12/31/2010-1/1/11. A surviving Redwing Blackbird from the more than 5,000 birds that suddenly dropped from the sky over Beebe, Arkansas, has informed Kitty Reporter that the flock of Redwing Blackbirds were shocked to death when they got wind that Tim Griffin, newly elected Representative from the 2nd District of Arkansas, was slated to be on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for the 112th Congress as indicated in the Talking Points Memo article. Here’s a timeline from TPM of the Bush-Cheney U.S. Attorney Scandal.
Scientists state that Redwing Blackbirds have the special ability to make their songs heard to only certain other Blackbirds. They have incredibly exceptional hearing skills as well. It turns out that a particular Redwing Blackbird in Washington D.C. overheard then Speaker-elect John Boehner talking about how Tim Griffin should be on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. This Blackbird came to Arkansas over the Christmas holidays and told his friends and family the news.
The flock of Redwing Blackbirds were so upset that Tim Griffin was going to be on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee that their blood starting clotting in their bodies and they became terribly confused. They started dropping to the earth because they became very disoriented from the horrible news about Tim Griffin.
It turned out that one Redwing Blackbird knew all about Tim Griffin’s vote-caging operations in 2004 because one of his black U.S. military friends who used to feed him had been denied the right to vote. This Redwing Blackbird heard his friend tell his family when he returned from serving his military duty overseas in Iraq that he was denied the right to vote. Someone had sent him a postcard which was returned since he was overseas, and then he was told he was ineligible to vote even though he had filed to have an absentee ballot.
The Redwing Blackbird from Washington D.C. visiting family in Arkansas said he heard one of Boehner’s aides saying it would upset Democrats having Tim Griffin on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. Monica Goodling who had worked on opposition research for Tim Griffin in 2004 when he worked for the RNC testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in May 2007 about Tim Griffin’s voter caging operations. Ms. Goodling claimed voter caging was merely a “direct mail” term even though it is clear that voter caging operations are designed to “cage voters” so they will be unable to cast a vote and have it counted.
Tim Griffin, a protege of Karl Rove, was installed in former Arkansas Attorney General Bud Cummins position as part of the 9 U.S. Attorney’s who were removed and replaced because they had not prosecuted what the Bush-Cheney Administration considered sufficient number of so-called “voter fraud” cases before the 2004 election and in the run-up to the 2006 election.
Senator Whitehouse Explains Voter Caging
Headzup: Fred Thompson to Hire Cager Tim Griffin
Other Redwing Blackbirds who knew about Tim Griffin were aware of his vote caging operations in the run up to the 2004 election. The outrage in the Redwing Blackbird flock literally caused the Redwing Blackbirds blood to boil and start clotting due to the weather. Only one Redwing Blackbird lived to tell the tale about why his fellow birds all fell from the sky that fateful night.
Linda Sanchez Questions Monica Goodling about U.S. Attorney Scandal, Tim Griffin and Voter Caging Lists
100,000+ Drum Fish Die in Arkansas River
Surviving Arkansas Redwing Blackbird talks to fish in Arkansas River. Photo Credit: Tail Splash by banketaro on flickr cc
Hundreds of thousands of Drum Fish died in the Arkansas River because they too heard the story about how Tim Griffin would be put on both the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. The fish were so upset about this that they became very sick and died. The Redwing Blackbird relayed all this information to Kitty Reporter and said he hopes that Tim Griffin is voted out in 2012 because his being on both committees is similar to having the wolf in sheep’s clothing amongst a flock of sheep.
Stay tuned for more updates about this breaking story…
Bush-Cheney Justice Scandal: Political Blacklisting at Justice Dept.
Political cat warns Americans to be wise listeners and ask more questions. Photo Credit: Good Morning Wendy by Froskeland on flickr cc
The Good, the Bad and the Stupid
Is everything in life always good or always bad or always stupid? No, of course not. Yet, the new Manipulative Talking Points (MTP) coming from the mouth of GOP wordcrafter Frank Luntz on Robin Young’s radio show Here and Now, on 1/18/11, seem to want you to see the world that way.
Will you believe that? Well, it depends how the information is packaged to you. Mr. Luntz uses focus groups to determine exactly how to arrange your perception of reality. You see, facts are not important to Mr. Luntz as he has stated in his books. Getting you to buy a product or believe a particular ideology is what is important to Mr. Luntz and his clients. The Luntz messaging techniques are frequently devoid of factual, scientific, objective reality of whatever is being packaged for you.
Luntz and his proteges manipulate and shape a particular message for their clients with the hope that people who receive that message see reality the way the shaper wants them to see it.
The kittens inform Americans that there are good regulations and good policies. Photo Credit: One bed, two cats b J l J y on Flickr creative commons
The key question: Will the public be able to discern what is a manipulative messaging technique from objective reality? Or, will these manipulative messaging techniques devised by Frank Luntz and colleagues make people stupid?
Will Frank Luntz Messaging on Fox and Friends Make People Stupid?
Is it possible to protect the public from becoming stupid by listening to manipulative talking points? The Luntz messaging is not about informing people, it is about bombarding people with messages that get people upset or that give them a false sense of security.
The new filter that Luntz, the GOP and the conservative think tank folks are trying to force-feed the public is the word “bad.” Recently, GOP politicians, conservative pundits and conservative academics ramped up usage of the word “bad” in front of everything that comes from politicians other than themselves.
Why? They want people to associate “bad” with anything that does not originate from them in an attempt to cause people to hate those things and think they are morally harmful. This is ridiculous and a roadblock to honest civil discourse. Frank Luntz also claimed on Here and Now that he was attending some conference on “civility.” It would be interesting to know exactly where this conference is and what will be discussed. Be watchful for a new definition of “civil discourse” and “civility” now that it is clear people are tired of the hate-filled stereo-typing coming from certain news organizations and politicians.
Frank Luntz wants everyone to see the world in black and white and good and bad as interpreted by those who are his clients and who want to sell you their particular world view.
Regulations and Policies that protect Americans from predatory practices of certain financial institutions that lead to the tanking of our economy in 2007 to the present.
Regulations and Policies that insure your child’s toys are safe and free from harmful chemicals and elements like lead which can damage a child’s brain and nervous system.
Regulations and Policies that protect Americans from toxic air and guarantee we breathe clean air.
Science to Protect the Air We Breathe
What’s the Point?
There are good regulations and good policies. To think every regulation is bad is stupid, and it is up to responsible individuals and media to properly inform the public instead of regurgitating talking points that disinform people and make them very very stupid.
This cat listens to NPR and watches PBS and thinks Americans should keep funding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Photo Credit: Persian - Chilerito from Magnus Brath on flickr cc
The GOP claim they will eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to “cut the deficit”.
NPR and PBS are crucial non-partisan news organizations of CPB that provide a needed service in keeping Americans well-informed about news that affects their lives. In an age of media corporations that frequently are purely political and that wield their ideological partisan philosophy through specific filters, PBS and NPR are trusted independent news sources free from self-censorship due to advertisers or political leanings.
On the Diane Rehm show‘s program, ”The Future of Public Broadcasting,” Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX) stated that part of the GOP agenda is to cut the Corporation for Public Broadcasting:
REHM 11:32:04
And I understand that the CUTS Act includes an elimination of funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. Tell us why?
BRADY 11:32:14
Well, because simply, we can’t afford it anymore. We’re in, as I said, $1.4 trillion deficit just this year alone.
…
“…if you can find some other way to get this financial mess in order, I would welcome those ideas.”
It’s good to know that Congressman Brady claims he is open to other ideas for getting our financial house in order. Now would be a good time for Americans to express their support of NPR, PBS and the CPB to the Republican majority of Congress.
Are GOP proposed cuts to CPB and NPR based on partisan politics?
It is tiring that every time the GOP get into power, they always want to eliminate or drastically reduce the budget for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NPR and PBS.
The U.S. federal budget for FY 2011 for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is only $430 million. This amount represents less than one 25 of 1% of the government’s discretionary spending according to Ms. Patricia Harrison, CEO & President of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
President Lyndon Johnson explained the value of the creation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 1967 during the signing of the Public Broadcasting Act. (From Diane Rehm Show Broadcast):
PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON 11:08:37
This corporation will assist stations and producers who aim for the best in broadcasting good music and broadcasting exciting plays and broadcasting reports on the whole fascinating range of human activity. It will try to prove that what educates can also be exciting. It will get part of its support from our government, but it will be carefully guarded from government or from party control. It will be free and it will be independent and it will belong to all of our people.
Compared to Other Countries, the U.S. Pays a Mere $1.35 per person for public media.
Cost Per Person of Public Media in U.S., UK, Canada & Japan
It seems like $1.35 per person is a pretty reasonable amount to spend for getting a non-partisan independent news source. Compared to other countries, we’re getting tremendous value for our investment.
Josie the Cat loves red and she would love all the red tape gumming up Congress if the ill-conceived GOP REINS Act passes.Photo Credit: Josie loves red! by ninette_luz on flickr cc
The REINS Act was proposed in the last Congress as H.R. 3765 by Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) and S. 3826 by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).
This Act is called the “Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act”.
The title alone is ridiculous. If there was a Republican President, would Mr. Davis and his co-sponsers have titled the Bill the same way?
Republicans claim they want to bring a different tone to Washington and cut through bureaucracy and save Americans money. Really, and what might be the effect of implementing this horrible REINS Act?
On 1/24/11 the House Judiciary Committee had hearings that reviewed some consequences of this bill. The big question, is the bill unconstitutional? What the GOP wants to do is basically run portions of the executive branch as well as the House by making every regulation with an economic cost of $100 million subjected to congressional approval by an up or down vote after the regulation has been created.
Cohen on the REINS Act in House Judiciary Committee Hearings
It is an attempt to change regulations or prevent any regulations from being put in place. Words that come to mind directly associated with this REINS Act are:
Logjam
Gridlock
Obstruction
No Protections for Consumers
Overreaching
Unconstitutional interference with the Executive Branch
Red Tape
Self-serving
Stupid
Ill-conceived
The consequences to Americans if this bill is passed?
1. Logjam of Regulations past, present and future.
2. Existing regulations would be in jeopardy that protect us from food borne illnesses, tainted medications, pollution, and more…
Who benefits from this REINS Act Bill? Certainly not the majority of Americans.
Well, this bill is being floated as helping business from too much regulations. This is a big fat excuse. In the House Judiciary Committee hearings one Congressman questioned a panel asking if the Chamber of Commerce would be determining which regulations are approved and which are not.
Will this Bureaucratic Nightmare REINS Act Pass?
At most the red-tape REINS Act may pass the House, but most certainly it would not see the light of day in the Senate and if ever this monstrosity got through the Senate, President Obama would veto it.
Hypocrisy in Action
The GOP claim they want to streamline government. The REINS Act would add another layer of bureaucratic red tape to the already busy schedule of Congress. And, there would be great uncertainty every two years because regulations would always be susceptible to change. This certainly is a big nightmare scenario that would create confusion in the private sector.
And, by the way, how have the 112th Congress been doing since January 5, 2011? Well, they have spent a lot of money grandstanding and claiming to pass legislation to stop “job-killing” this or that.
Talk is cheap and so are Talking Points that are meant to anger voters.
Will the 112th Congress be considered the “Mean-Spirited” Congress in the History Books?
Since Speaker Boehner has taken over Congress, his troops have focused on taking Health Care away from people by making a show of repealing the Health Care Reform Act passed in 2010. However, the more Americans learn about the really really good things in this Act, the more they want to keep Health Care Reform like
elimination of pre-existing conditions
keeping your child on your health care until age 26
no caps on health coverage
cost-saving approaches to help Americans have more preventive care
enabling Medicare recipients to have annual check-ups.
The REINS Act is a dangerous bill that would gum up the works in Washington and cost taxpayers more money in the process.
Here's the kind of logjam the GOP REINS Act would create in Washington D.C. and in the Congress. Photo Credit: Logjam by foxtongue on flickr cc
Talking Points Memo did a story about this July 2010. The REINS Act has reared its ugly head again.
BP Oil Spill: Example of Why Certain Necessary Regulations Protect Americans and when Lack of Regulations Harm Americans, the Economy and the Environment
Manny the Cat watched President Obama's 2011 State of the Union Speech with great interest. He especially liked the part about how it's time to stop subsidizing the oil companies with huge tax breaks and instead create jobs rebuilding America's infrastructure and develop clean energy. Photo Credit: Manny is Attentive by jwendt2020 on flickr cc
President Obama gave his State of the Union Speech Tonight, 1/25/11 and urged Americans to Win the Future
“We do big things.
From the earliest days of our founding, America has been the story of ordinary people who dare to dream. That’s how we win the future.
We do big things.
The idea of America endures. Our destiny remains our choice. And tonight, more than two centuries later, it’s because of our people that our future is hopeful, our journey goes forward and the state of our union is strong.”
The Transcript of President Obama’s State of the Union Speech.
We Are Part of the American Family:
“We are part of the American family. We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed; that the dreams of a little girl in Tucson are not so different than those of our own children, and that they all deserve the chance to be fulfilled.”
Education:
“Maintaining our leadership in research and technology is crucial to America’s success. But if we want to win the future — if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas — then we also have to win the race to educate our kids.”
“In fact, to every young person listening tonight who’s contemplating their career choice: If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference in the life of a child — become a teacher. Your country needs you. (Applause.)”
Health Reform:
“If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I am eager to work with you.”
Economy: Investment in Research & Development:
“We’ll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology — (applause) — an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people.”
Energy
“We’re telling America’s scientists and engineers that if they assemble teams of the best minds in their fields, and focus on the hardest problems in clean energy, we’ll fund the Apollo projects of our time.”
“With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have a million electric vehicles on the road by 2015. (Applause.)”
“So tonight, I challenge you to join me in setting a new goal: By 2035, 80 percent of America’s electricity will come from clean energy sources. (Applause.)”
Paying for Clean Energy Research and Development by Eliminating Subsidies to Oil Companies:
“We need to get behind this innovation. And to help pay for it, I’m asking Congress to eliminate the billions in taxpayer dollars we currently give to oil companies. (Applause.) I don’t know if — I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’re doing just fine on their own. (Laughter.) So instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy, let’s invest in tomorrow’s.”
Infrastructure
“The third step in winning the future is rebuilding America. To attract new businesses to our shores, we need the fastest, most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information — from high-speed rail to high-speed Internet. (Applause.)”
Jobs Through Rebuilding Infrastructure
“We’ll put more Americans to work repairing crumbling roads and bridges. We’ll make sure this is fully paid for, attract private investment, and pick projects based [on] what’s best for the economy, not politicians.”
Immigration Reform
“Now, I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. And I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows.”
Nuclear Disarmament
“Because of a diplomatic effort to insist that Iran meet its obligations, the Iranian government now faces tougher sanctions, tighter sanctions than ever before. And on the Korean Peninsula, we stand with our ally South Korea, and insist that North Korea keeps its commitment to abandon nuclear weapons. (Applause.)”
Smart Cat wants to stay in the box until Senator Lautenberg's gun safety bills are passed. Photo Credit: Cat in a big box by CelloPics on Flickr creative commons
Ms. Collins has a terrific sense of humor and can make you laugh even if the news is horrible.
It is truly mind-boggling that 4-year Utah State Representative Carl Wimmer sponsored a bill to make the Browning M1911 pistol the official state firearm. Then, Utah State Senator Mark Madsen thought it would be appropriate to schedule the Browning Day celebration giving recognition to the creator of the pistol on the same day as the Martin Luther King Day celebration since according to Madsen:
“both made tremendous contributions to individual freedom and individual liberty.”
Considering that Martin Luther King, Jr. promoted non-violence which includes avoiding the use of any firearm, the fact that Mr. Madsen recommended a joint celebration of a gun creator with a man who fought non-violently for human rights is pretty over the top.
Talking Point Alert
Ms. Collins did bring to everyone’s attention that a key Republican talking point that is sprinkled throughout almost every sentence used by GOP politicians ad nauseam is the word: “The Constitution.” Ms. Collins said in the NYT article:
“On Monday, the Utah State Capitol celebrated Browning Day, honoring John Moses Browning, native son and maker of the nominee for Official State Firearm. There were speeches, a proclamation, a flyover by a National Guard helicopter, and, of course, a rotunda full of guns. “We recognize his efforts to preserve the Constitution,” Gov. Gary Herbert said, in keeping with what appears to be a new Republican regulation requiring all party members to mention the Constitution at least once in every three sentences.”
The Constitution is important. We all know this. However, overuse of the word to somehow lend credibility to whatever comes before or after the word gets tiring. It’s like Rudolph Giuliani’s constant use of the word 9/11. These are code words that illicit a particular feeling from those who listen to the use of the word based on Frank Luntz style focus groups.
Perhaps Luntz-type focus groups have somehow revealed that some Americans have a pavlovian response to the mere mention of the word “Constitution.”
One of Pavlov's Dogs on Wikipedia salivating
Actually, Ivan Pavlov used conditioning on dogs to make them salivate at just the sound of a bell. Are Luntz et al. turning Americans into sick puppies that react at the mere mention of certain words?
Do Some Folks in the U.S. Have “gun” envy?
What is all this fixation with guns and having flyovers and proclamations honoring guns? How much did all that cost the State of Utah? Do the citizens care how their money is spent? And, please, a “rotunda full of guns” in the Utah State Capitol, especially on the heels of the recent shootings in Arizona?
Modest Remedies for Saner Gun Practices
Senator Frank Lautenberg is proposing that:
1. End easy access to 30-bullet magazines for semiautomatic guns similar to the one used by the recent Arizona shooter that killed 6 people and seriously injured many others.
2. Make it more difficult to sell guns to folks on the terror watch list.
3. Prevent mentally ill people from gaining access to guns at a gun show.
All three of these suggestions are common sense sane preventions to gun violence and yet still allow people to have guns.
Lautenberg interview with MSNBC on high-capacity gun magazines
Scientific Research Needed to Accurately Track the Cause and Effect Usage of Guns and Violence in U.S.
Gail Collins highlighted the fact that there currently is a lack of scientific studies tracking the relationship between gun ownership in this country and violence. Why? Because the National Rifle Association gun lobby apparently has a lot of money and influence to scare people into not doing research about it.
Meanwhile, folks like Utah’s new United States senator, Mike Lee, make statements claiming things that are totally based in la-la land instead of based on any real scientific study. Collins quoted Senator Mike Lee’s made up statistics on CNN where he said, “There is abundant research suggesting in cities where more people own guns, the crime rate, especially the murder rate, goes down.”
Really, and where exactly did Mr. Lee get that research?
Will the President and Congress Have the Guts to Stand up to the NRA and Pass Lautenberg’s Gun Safety Legislation?
The U.S. has the highest rate of firearm deaths among 25 high-income nations.66 Another study concluded that among 36 high-income and upper-middle-income countries, the U.S. has the highest overall gun mortality rate.67
The overall firearm-related death rate among U.S. children under the age of 15 is nearly 12 times higher than that among children in 25 other industrialized nations combined.68
The firearm-related suicide rate for children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old in the United States is nearly 11 times higher than that in 25 other developed countries.69
Americans own far more civilian firearms – particularly handguns – than people in other industrialized nations and U.S. gun laws are among the most lax in the world.70
What are the Factors that Drive Arab Youth into Terrorist Organizations? Recently there was a report on National Public Radio from American Abroad Media (AAM) called “Overlooked and Underpaid: Arab Youth in Today’s Economy” regarding the vicious cycle of lack … Continue reading →
This cat wants to know why Fox News switched CPAC 2010 and 2011 Straw Poll videos? Fox News really does create its own weird reality. Photo Credit: Gray Persian Cat by Magnus Brath on flickr creative commons
Proof that Fox News Creates its Own Phony Reality and Claims its Real News
Here are You-tube videos showing news coverage by Fox News of the 2011 CPAC conference and unfiltered coverage of the 2010 CPAC coverage:
Busted:Fox News CPAC Ron Paul Video Deception [Coverage of 2011 CPAC]
The above video (uploaded on February 15, 2011) compares the audio and video between the 2011 and 2010 CPAC Straw Polls for who the conference participants picked as their 2012 Presidential Candidate for the Republican Party. In 2010 the CPAC group picked Ron Paul and many people in the audience had mixed reactions. However, in the 2011 CPAC Straw Poll Ron Paul once again won and he had a sustained positive reaction from the crowd as this video reveals.
However, Fox News for some odd reason decided to play the 2010 CPAC Straw Poll Clip before an interview with Ron Paul after the 2011 CPAC conference and show it as if it was the 2011 Clip. Ron Paul said in his 2011 Fox interview that he was not at the CPAC conference when they selected him for the second year in a row. He apparently was unaware at the time of his 2011 interview on Fox that they had deliberately shown a clip with mixed reactions from the 2010 CPAC Conference!
Here is a video on You-Tube from the 2010 CPAC Conference Straw Poll Results for 2012 uploaded on February 21, 2010 that shows the mixed audience reaction.
2010 CPAC Conference Straw Poll Results
Announcer of CPAC Straw Polls in 2010 and 2011 wears different colored shirt each year:
Here is a video from the 2011 CPAC Conference Straw Poll Results that shows the real reaction from the crowd towards Ron Paul. In 2011 the crowd sounds pretty happy. No booing here for Ron Paul. So why is Fox News twisting this story? Also, notice that the same guy who announced results last year, Tony Fabrizio, Republican pollster, is wearing a white or off-white shirt at the 2011 CPAC Conference. In 2010 Fabrizio wore a blue shirt with a blue name-tag necklace. This year he is wearing a white shirt without a name-tag necklace.
Official Reading Of CPAC 2011 Straw Poll
CPAC Pollster Tony Fabrizo 2010 and 2011 announces Straw Poll for 2012
If Fox News is willing to alter viewers perceptions of reality by switching videos from one year to another for CPAC straw polls claiming 2010 is 2011– what else are they willing to do to confuse and lie to voters?
Why is Governor Walker trying to destroy Teacher's Unions in Wisconsin? Photo Credit: kitty backyard by Donna & Andrew on flickr cc
Did Governor Walker Orchestrate Wisconsin’s Budget Shortfall?
Jonathan Williams, director of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) which represents conservative state lawmakers, and Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, discussed the Wisconsin budget and union issues from very different perspectives on the PBS New Hour.
Weingarten said the Wisconsin budget crisis was primarily caused by Governor Walker’s millions of dollars of tax breaks for businesses passed by the Republican legislature in January 2011. Prior to these tax breaks initiated by Walker the Wisconsin Budget office said there was an expected $127 million dollar surplus for 2011. However, the unexpected special interest spending bill in January 2011 wiped out any possible budget surplus forecasted by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The budget crisis seems to be manufactured or at least exacerbated by the Wisconsin GOP Governor and Republican legislature. Is it a replica on the state level of what G. W. Bush did when he came into office in 2001 when he and the Republican Congress passed tax cuts which wiped out the Trillions of dollars in surplus estimated over 10 years inherited from President William Clinton’s administration?
The One Wisconsin Now blog indicated that Governor Walker created the fiscal deficit with a “scheme to pay for $140 million in special interest spending”. The Wisconsin Republican tax breaks which created a fiscal crisis are being used as an excuse by GOP Governor Walker to destroy the teachers unions in Wisconsin.
Governor Walker Failed to Meet with Union Leaders to Hear their $100 million concessions
When interviewed on PBS NewsHour Randi Weingarten said that Governor Walker refused to dialogue with Union representatives even though they had proposed $100 million in concessions prior to demonstrations from the Unions.
Jonathan Williams from ALEC claimed that Governor Walker “values” and “wants to protect” teachers. Weingarten said if Governor Walker was really concerned about protecting teachers, then he would be willing to negotiate directly with them. Weingarten said the unions wanted to work together with the Governor to help solve Wisconsin’s financial challenges. However, the workers were not willing to completely give up their rights to collective economic bargaining.
The current protests in Wisconsin are a result of the GOP using governorships to wield mean-spirited political power to undermine Unions.
Is the GOP deliberately targeting Unions as their newest enemy to take down before the 2012 election? Many worker’s unions support the Democratic party in elections. The attacks on organized labor smell of systematic partisan dirty tricks.
“In its Jan. 31 memo to legislators on the condition of the state’s budget, the Fiscal Bureau determined that the state will end the year with a balance of $121.4 million.
To the extent that there is an imbalance — Walker claims there is a $137 million deficit — it is not because of a drop in revenues or increases in the cost of state employee contracts, benefits or pensions. It is because Walker and his allies pushed through $140 million in new spending for special-interest groups in January. If the Legislature were simply to rescind Walker’s new spending schemes — or delay their implementation until they are offset by fresh revenues — the “crisis” would not exist.
Governor Scott Walker is not calling for changes in the unions for his supporters – firefighters, police and State Troopers. Why is he picking on teachers, nurses and other public employees and yet not touching the Unions that supported his campaign?
Walker has introduced a bill that would strip public employees across the board — from teachers to snowplow drivers — of their right to collectively bargain for sick leave, vacation, even the hours they work. But absolutely nothing would change for local police, fire departments and the State Patrol.
The bill smacks of political favoritism for public safety unions that supported Walker’s election bid last year and sets up new haves and have-nots in Wisconsin government, said Paul Secunda, a Marquette University professor who specializes in labor law.
“That’s called ‘thank you, I got your back,’” Secunda said. “There’s no surprise there. This is the worst type of favoritism there could be.”
Dirty Politics towards 2012
Republicans said they would focus on jobs, yet Governor Walker is doing everything he can to undermine workers in his state. It’s pretty bad when the Governor of a state plays politics routlette with pensions and wages of workers.
It is very interesting how newly elected Republican Governors from:
Florida (Gov. Rick Scott),
Ohio (Gov. John Kasich),
Wisconsin (Gov. Scott Walker),
Idaho (Gov. C. L. Otter),
New Jersey (Gov. Chris Christie) and
Nevada (Gov. Brian Sandoval)
all seem to have the same idea to undermine job security of teachers and bust Unions.
Dirty Dirty politics. With Citizens United, the big money is in the room together with the republican Roberts Court that overturned 103 years of settled law to enable big money to have the biggest free speech.
The Little Men Behind the Money Curtain
Karl Rove and Crossroads GPS are going after mega-billions for the Republican party. Rove is attempting to gather big spenders for the 2012 election.
A Toxic Combination
Big Money + Manipulative Fox News wielding its own reality creation, inc. = Potentially Horribly Confused and Misinformed Voters
This article showed that large corporate funders gave money to various Republican governors in their elections and for their Inaugural Balls.
Are Republican Governors like Wisconsin’s Scott Walker now playing the tune of the pied pipers that footed their bills?
The outcry from hard-working people coming together to protest the nasty political grandstanding tactics of Governor Walker shows that Americans are willing to stand up for their human rights against bullies.
Smart Fiscal Cat says, "Enough with Disaster Capitalism! Naomi Klein has some good advice for solving our deficits." Photo credit: Kittens by BinaryApe on flickr cc
In an article in the New York Times, “‘World Does Need Order, Soros Says” by Chris V. Nicholson, Billionaire investor George Soros was quoted as saying:
“The world does need order,” he said, “and that order needs maintenance. The idea that markets can correct their excesses turned out to be false.”
Soros then explained that the political infighting and trumped up deficit “Fiscal Crisis” touted by the GOP is a ruse to starve government. Soros spoke to the Traveller’s Club in Paris recently regarding global financial regulation. The event was sponsored by the French-American Foundation. Soros said:
The budgetary crisis unfurling in the United States on a state and municipal level has parallels to the European situation, Mr. Soros said, but is worse in some ways.
“It is exaggerated by political infighting, because the Republicans are engaged in a maneuver of starving the beast for political purposes,” he said, explaining that the G.O.P. was trying to shrink the government by blocking tax hikes, while attacking public employee unions, a major source of funding for the Democrats.
GOP Efforts to Shrink Government and Attack Public Employee Unions
The GOP has revealed its agenda for the 2012 election regarding Unions. As Rachel Maddow reported on 3/8/2011, when going to the Republican National Committee (RNC) website, their front page is all about Union-bashing.
Rachel Maddow: It’s Not About The Budget
False Enemies
George Soros stated that the GOP are vilifying Unions because they are a major source of funding for Democrats. Naomi Klein, Nation Columnist, reveals that GOP Strategy is “Disaster Capitalism.” Naomi Klein explains the way to diffuse this balloon of shock capitalism is to name it, call it out. Also, it is equally important for Democrats to provide an alternative approach to making government work by providing more choices for how to solve fiscal problems.
WI Governor Scott Walker’s Trial Balloon Failed
The GOP strategists hoped Scott Walker’s vehement attacks and tyrannical efforts to destroy the public employee unions in Wisconsin would cause other Republican leaning states to take similar action. Hopefully the GOP now realizes that undermining public and private unions in many cases crosses party lines and is not appreciated by a majority of Americans according to recent polls.
It’s interesting that Democrats never attempt to destroy corporations which are a major source of Republican funding. Does the GOP want a one-party system in America? Is that their idea of “freedom” and “free speech?” Is it “freedom” and “free speech” by a designated group of people?
Political Cat says, "The cat is out of the bag. Scott Walker and Republican Senators in WI violated 24-hour notice to Democratic legislators. It is a violation of WI open meetings law." Photo credit: Letting the Cat out of the Bag by SallyB2 on flickr cc
Wisconsin Governor Walker tramples on workers rights and turns back 50 years of civil rights for workers
Creating a separate non-fiscal last minute bill to eliminate collective bargaining from certain Wisconsin public unions shows Walker’s partisan political machinations. Walker together with Fox News and the RNC seem to have a concerted effort to demonize public employees who belong to unions. Why? Because by destroying unions, the GOP strategists hope to limit financial resources available to democrats for the 2012 election.
Conservative Media Spin Demonizes Teachers for Partisan Politics
The conservative media spin machines have used their airwaves to demonize teachers. Frequent Fox News pundits make excuses for CEOs who made huge multi-million dollar bonuses from certain “contractual agreements” in spite of being bailed out, and then they attack teachers for making $30,000 – 50,000/yr. plus benefits. Also, an average teacher works much longer hours than the school day to prepare materials for class and review papers and tests. Teachers frequently volunteer to help students in after-school programs or they coach. It is disgraceful that Republicans are targeting teachers who take low pay to help children get a good education.
In the above TYT Network video, Cenk Uygur explains that AP said State workers in 2008 earned 11% less than private workers on average for people in public unions including benefits.
A majority of Americans cannot afford to send their children to private schools. They depend on the public school system. Scott Walker’s anti-teacher union bill is meant to undermine dedicated educators who want to help prepare the next generation of American leaders. Does Scott Walker care about educating young Americans?
Republican State Senator Scott Fitzgerald admits on Fox News that if the collective bargaining is stripped from unions, certain unions may have less money to support President Obama in Wisconsin in 2012. It is clear that the union-busting move to end collective bargaining in WI is a pure political move.
WI Leader Admits His Union-busting agenda is intended to hurt Obama reelection
Scott Walker has wasted millions of dollars in his other schemes to privatize government. He hides behind the lie of wanting to cut deficits as he also increased the deficit through passing sweet tax breaks and other deals for his cronies who got him elected.
Next Step for Supporters of Collective Bargaining Rights
Will Governor Walker’s tyrannical heartless elimination of public employee’s collective bargaining rights galvanize public employees and people who believe in collective bargaining across the political spectrum to recall various Wisconsin politicians?
The Mark of Rove and Koch Brothers United?
On January 30, 2011 the Koch Brothers hosted a huge strategy meeting with various GOP luminaries at Rancho Mirage. Common Cause ran another meeting called “Uncloaking the Kochs.”
Karl Rove runs American Crossroads. Most of the funding comes from billionaires. Now the Rove Crossroads GPS and American Crossroads organizations are funding Orwellian made-up ads claiming public workers are hurting America. Really? The manipulative wording, lighting and photography seems straight out of proteges of Frank Luntz. It’s clear the game plan is the 2012 election. Will the middle class have rights by 2012?
The Controller, a Profile of Karl Rove, appeared in the New Yorker in 2003. This landmark article revealed Rove’s big wish to return to the years of President McKinley. Guess what, there was no collective bargaining in those ancient days, and no FDA, and no protections for Americans. It was a corporate wild west.
In “The Controller” New Yorker article Karl Rove says about destroying a political party:
“I don’t think you ever kill any political party. Political parties kill themselves, or are killed, not by the other political party but by their failure to adapt to new circumstances. But do you weaken a political party, either by turning what they see as assets into liabilities, and/or by taking issues they consider to be theirs, and raiding them?” The thought brought to his round, unlined, guileless face a boyish look of pure delight. “Absolutely!”
Karl Rove mentions in the Controller that everything he does could be undone by a “Democratic Karl Rove.” However, Rove said it might happen in a “few decades” to undo his “handiwork.”
Rove’s GOP plan seems to eliminate the benefits offered from government of, by and for the people that provide, good public education, social security, medicare and protection of human rights. The GOP in state and federal power want to starve government by giving tax breaks to the wealthy instead of funding programs that serve humanity as a whole. Every newly elected Republican Governor has on their agenda to give tax breaks to the wealthy and eliminate collective bargaining rights.
This is mean-spirited politics meant to manipulate the masses for the bidding of a few. America is better than that. Creating young people who are critical thinkers and who will ask questions is not on Karl Rove’s agenda. The horrible bashing of teachers shows the depravity of the Rovian Strategic plan to create a permanent Republican majority in power.
Media cat says, "Wow, that James O'Keefe gets around. ACORN and now NPR secret videos. Does this have anything to do with the 2012 Election? You think?" Photo credit: JellyBean versus the Digi-Key packaging materials
NPR Profiled Andrew Brietbart in February 2010
NPR Profiled Andrew Breitbart in a story entitled, “Conservative Blogger Faces Criticism Over Protege,” on Feb., 2, 2010. The NPR report by David Folkenflik mentions the January 2010 arrest of 25-year old conservative provocateur and videographer, James O’Keefe.
Why was O’Keefe arrested? According to the NPR article, “He was charged with trying to get into Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu’s federal office in New Orleans under false pretenses to commit a felony.” At the time O’Keefe was under contract to write for Breitbart’s media group.
James O’Keefe Following Arrest For Alleged Landrieu Office Break-In: ‘The Truth Shall Set Me Free’
Beck, Hannity & O’Reilly Ignore O’Keefe Arrest
James O’Keefe, ACORN, and Pimp Costumes of Deception
James O’Keefe, protege of Andrew Breitbart, is better known for dressing up as a pimp and creating a sensational deceptive video about ACORN which lead to federal defunding of the program. However, months later in various court battles it was determined that the accusations and reports resulting from O’Keefe’s deceptive gotcha journalism techniques and unusual video editing revealed that ACORN was innocent of the attacks made by Fox News and other conservative media outlets.
By the time the truth came out about the manipulative reporting and taping of the ACORN incident in San Diego, the damage was done. ACORN lost federal funding. They were raked across the coals by Fox and Breitbart’s news organizations. They were accused by conservative media as being guilty. Few people might have realized much later that they were completely exonerated of the crimes Breitbart and O’Keefe accused ACORN of committing.
Why did Breitbart and Fox News attack ACORN?
Well, possibly because they were very successful in helping people register to vote for the 2008 election. Towards 2010, the Breitbart/O’Keefe duo consistently targeted ACORN to try and find some sort of scandal related to their voter registration activities.
Even though ACORN is non-partisan, many people who registered to vote through ACORN signed up on their own as Democrats or Independents. Of course ACORN did not encourage people to sign up for any particular party. Is that the real reason ACORN was targeted by Breitbart, O’Keefe and Fox News?
The GAO found ACORN did not misuse funds from the federal government. This story in the Huffington Post by John Atlas shows how ACORN was exonerated of all attacks by FOX and Breitbart and the Federal Appeals Court reversed the lower court’s decision to ban funding from ACORN.
It seems that Breitbart and O’Keefe go after organizations that:
1) help people register to vote legally – like ACORN
2) provide non-partisan news and investigative news sources for Americans — like NPR
Dirty Politics towards 2012 Election
With the so-called embarrassing hidden video of the NPR fund-raising executive, Ronald Schiller, taped secretly by James O’Keefe, it appears that games of dirty politics are ramping up towards 2012. The timing of this phony scandal just happened to occur during the budget debate about funding for NPR. Isn’t that just a wee bit coincidental?
Political Cat wants to know why James O'Keefe is attacking NPR at this time when Republicans in the House want to de-fund NPR. Is there some coordinated effort going on? Photo credit: Cat by scragz on flickr cc
Strategies of Junk Journalism from James O’Keefe and friends
Today, James O’Keefe and his blog released a secretly taped 44-minute telephone conversation on You-Tube which is Part II of the deliberate attempt of O’Keefe to undermine the public’s view of NPR.
Hopefully, the public will see through this calculated viciously planned attack on NPR. These videos and cherry-picked analysis by O’Keefe are being circulated throughout the conservative blogosphere in the same way O’Keefe’s videos of ACORN were dribbled to the public day after day. O’Keefe has already shown his penchant for political editing of recordings and video. Editing done to slant the viewers perspective according to his point of view.
It appears the sole reason of Mr. O’Keefe’s efforts is to create news by baiting people in a crazy kind of made-up sting operation. Are his videos and audio recordings orchestrated attempts to entrap his prey in order to use it for his own political devices and perhaps the political dirty tricks of others?
What is Going On with O’Keefe’s Sting Operation of NPR? Why Now? Why Target Fundraisers at NPR?
This series of attacks on NPR at a time when the Republican House is trying to defund NPR seem absolutely timed together. In Part II of the secretly taped telephone conversations Betsy Lily, Senior Director of Institutional Giving for NPR, is doing her best to relay to Mr. “Ibrahim Kasaam” that she must check with NPR’s legal counsel about whether the made-up front group “Muslim Education Action Center Trust” can give a $5 million dollar anonymous gift to NPR. She continually tells Mr. Ibrahim Kasaam that there is certain paper work that must be submitted, even if the gift is anonymous.
However, O’Keefe, is trying to make it seem as if what Ms. Lily is doing is somehow not correct.
The facts that anonymous giving is common and legal, but that NPR reports all donations to the IRS and that NPR did not accept the fictitious Muslim charity’s offer are not detailed in either:
— The blog where O’Keefe has posted the recording of that conversation.
— Or the report about it at The Daily Caller, which this week has been the outlet where O’Keefe’s revelations have been broken.
Betsy Lily did not know all the answers, but from the tape it is clear she deliberately tells the Made-up Muslim Group she is checking with NPR’s legal counsel throughout the entire process.
Who orchestrated this bit of gotcha journalism? Was this something O’Keefe cooked up himself or was there a larger plan coordinated with others? And for what specific purpose?
Why is O’Keefe Targeting Fundraisers of NPR?
O’Keefe’s fishing operation is not based on any prior evidence of improper fiscal behavior of NPR employees.
Oh wait, there was some improper behavior of the chairman of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, Kenneth Tomlinson, an arch conservative Republican under the G. W. Bush administration. Here is the information:
The NPR article on Republican appointee Tomlinson states:
The State Department inspector general found that Tomlinson had improperly hired a friend as a contractor, starting at $88,000 a year; that Tomlinson had staffers run personal errands, such as buying a belt, flowers, and books; that he charged the government for too many hours on the clock; that he charged the agency for days he also worked for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; and, incredibly, that Tomlinson operated his horseracing business out of his government office.
The Real Reason NPR is a Target of the GOP, Andrew Breitbart and James O’Keefe and friends
NPR is one of the only investigative non-partisan sources of news left in the United States. Many major corporate media outlets have sponsors to consider. Fox News went to court in Florida and the court found that Fox can legally report information that is not true. They do not have to report the truth even though they claim they are a news organization. The key is what kind of news do they report?
NPR’s Mission and Vision of News
NPR investigates many kinds of stories that cross political lines. Yet, it seems the GOP are most sensitive about stories that are about them. Here is a news report from NPR that might have upset some GOP strategists:
James O’Keefe’s actions and the vilification by the GOP towards NPR seem like the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland saying, “Off with their heads” to anyone who said something the Red Queen did not like.
It’s time the American public woke up to this menace based on strategies of “The Big Lie” developed by totalitarians during the 20th century in which innuendo and sensationalism account much more than the eventual emergence of the truth. There is no accident of O’Keefe’s propaganda videos about NPR emerging at the very moment the Senate is set to vote on the U.S. Budget and the possible defunding of NPR.
Political Cat thinks Elizabeth Warren looks like a lioness. Photo credit: wild cat by ramoncunha on flickr cc
Elizabeth Warren Goes before House on Subcommittee Institutions and Consumer Credit
Joe Nocera’s article in the NYT, “An Advocate Who Scares Republicans”regarding the recent appearance of Elizabeth Warren, President Obama’s advisor on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, at a hearing before the House subcommittee, indicated she was being treated like a pinata.
“And thus the real purpose of the hearing: to allow the Republicans who now run the House to box Ms. Warren about the ears. The big banks loathe Ms. Warren, who has made a career out of pointing out all the ways they gouge financial consumers — and whose primary goal is to make such gouging more difficult. So, naturally, the Republicans loathe her too. That she might someday run this bureau terrifies the banks. So, naturally, it terrifies the Republicans.
The banks and their Congressional allies have another, more recent gripe. Rather than waiting until July to start helping financial consumers, Ms. Warren has been trying to help them now. Can you believe the nerve of that woman?”
Why is Ms. Warren being attacked?
Ms. Warren is doing her best to help all 50 of the states’ attorney general swiftly reach a settlement with banks involved in the mortgage backed fiasco that contributed to the tanking of the American economy and worldwide economy. Elizabeth Warren wants to help the states’ attorney general reach a fair settlement that also includes “basic rules about how mortgage servicers must treat defaulting homeowners, as well as a requirement that banks look to modify mortgages before they begin foreclosure proceedings.”
However, banks and Republicans on the House committee that questioned Ms. Warren do not seem to appreciate her helping to put guidelines in place that would protect the consumer.
This blog post by Adam Levitin of Credit Slips Blog also explains the attacks in the media on Ms. Warren by the Wall Street Journal and Mary Kissel who worked for Goldman Sachs before joining the WSJ. Levitin refers to this article in the HuffPost by Zach Carter.
Good for the Consumer & Good for the Banks
Come on people. It is possible to find basic rules that provide clear guidelines for consumers and for the banks. Why are the banks so upset with Ms. Warren? Ms. Warren is not anti-banks or anti-business. She just wants to make sure everyone is playing fairly in the world of finance. She wants to demystify the microscopic lengthy contracts that hide the truth about loans and mortgages in the paperwork. She wants to make things absolutely clear to everyone. You would think that would be a good thing.
Representative Steve Pearce, (R-New Mexico) was looking in some kind of crystal ball and acting a big Nostradamasy when he claimed the Consumer Protection Agency would be no better than the “S.E.C. and Mr. Madoff.” Really? He never fully explained this bit of theatre.
Exactly what are the recommendations from the Republicans about how to prevent another meltdown of the economy fueled by outrageous gaming of the system by banks, mortgage companies and brokerage houses? It seems the Republican Congressmen are very good at criticizing anyone with ideas on finance and not so good with addressing the nitty gritty problems other than consulting their talking points memos (a la Frank Luntz) and spewing out little sound bites for the cameras and other media to sop up.
The Current GOP Financial Game Plan Only Makes Things Worse for Americans
Many new Congressmen, especially Tea Party and other Republican politicians, were swept into office in 2010 because they promised to create “jobs” for Americans and to “do things differently.”
Is This The Real GOP Game Plan?
1. Starve government and especially any agency that might help people other than the very very wealthy–those people get big tax breaks that take more money out of the system so there is less for really useful programs.
2. Roll back any legislation that might help people because it would show that President Obama and his fellow democrats are doing good things for all Americans–including people of every party. They can’t let that happen! What would Karl Rove say?
3. Talk a lot about creating jobs but do nothing and then blame President Obama and the democrats for lack of job creation. Continue using Orwellian talking points to confuse people into thinking the GOP is for jobs when in reality they don’t care because the folks looking for jobs are probably all democrats anyway.
4. Work on issues that stall Congress and hold up anything that might really help people because they want to wait until 2012 when they can continue to blame everyone else for all the mess they have helped create.
Thank-you Elizabeth Warren, Someone has to Stand up for the Consumers
Thank you Ms. Warren. We need about 1000 more of you in government focusing on all the problems confronting America and the world. Then, we would surely make positive progress and create jobs and even world peace. It could happen.
Haru the Cat says, "Please send relief aid to Japan. We need more people to help on the ground. Our military need more help." Photo Credit: Haru by raneko on flickr cc
The people of Japan need world assistance. Even though they are a developed country, the fact that they sustained a triple whammy of 9.0 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear reactor problems has touched many people around the world.
The people of Japan have recently found that the radiation from the Fukushima reactors have contaminated local produce and milk, particularly spinach.
Japan Sees Radiation in Milk, Spinach Near Plant
Radiation concerns grow in Japan
When sending money to organizations, be careful to send it to well-established organizations. There are scammers out there who want your money. So make sure you contribute to an organization you can trust like the Red Cross.
All Hands Update:U.S. Military Humanitarian Assistant and Disaster Relief in Japan
Japanese Cat thinks nuclear power plants are too dangerous for cats and living things. Go green sans nuclear! Photo Credit: Chibiko in bags by Yasuhiro on flickr cc
In the wake of the Japanese Nuclear disaster in Fukushima, it is clear that we have a serious problem with nuclear power in the U.S. and worldwide. What were the real underlying causes of the Japanese nuclear disaster? Should nuclear power be abandoned because of the potential dangers? Should all nuclear power plants be shutdown, cemented over and put to rest, especially those plants located near or on earthquake fault lines near populated areas, and food and water sources?
Yes, it is time to face the reality that nuclear power is too dangerous. Does the U.S. want to risk its own disaster if earthquakes occur in any area throughout the United States?
The danger of old U.S. nuclear plants
There are many aging plants in the U.S. and the world similar to the GE and Westinghouse plants bought by Japan decades ago which make up the Fukushima nuclear facility. In the wake of natural or manmade disasters it is clear that nuclear energy can quickly become a nuclear nightmare. Certain types of radiation from the uranium, cesium and plutonium released are deadly and can make areas totally uninhabitable for thousands of years.
Japan – Plutonium detected in Fukushima soil adds to environmental woes
The Dangers and Idiocy of Nuclear Spent Fuel Rods in Cooling ponds near or inside Nuclear Reactor Containment Buildings
As nuclear experts are now saying, the potential radiation that could be released from the spent fuel rods or the fuel rods in the reactor core of the Fukushima plant and other nuclear plants are catastrophic. The amount of nuclear radiation from Fukushima type plants if released would be thousands of times greater than the radiation released over Nagasaki. This radiation would seep into the food chain and could become a silent killer threatening people throughout the globe. The fact that Japan has over 50 nuclear power plants, many aging, is a dire warning to other countries with nuclear power plants near populated areas or near sources of food and water.
Time to Stop Development of Nuclear Energy and Find New Clean Sources of Energy
The Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters are warnings to all nations that nuclear energy even for peaceful purposes is extremely dangerous. No matter how many risk assessment models are done by nuclear engineers, they cannot always plan for every possible outcome. Also, the utility or energy companies paying for the development and construction of nuclear energy plants want to spend as little as possible so they can make more profit. Are nuclear engineers pressured to develop nuclear energy power plant related risk assessment models that barely cover minimum safety concerns so utility companies don’t have to spend additional money for safety?
The tragedy of Japan is that there are organizations and scientists and common citizens who have warned of the potential dangers of nuclear energy. Now is the time to say enough is enough, no more nuclear plants because the dangers are too great and science cannot prevent natural disasters or manmade disasters based on lack of effective safety planning for unexpected events.
There are other forms of energy that we could easily use:
Solar,
wind,
fuel-cell technology,
conservation.
However, using these technologies might not give a monolithic highly centralized utility company lots of money because the energy could be decentralized. Are we not seeing more solar plants because highly centralized solar energy plants are too expensive? Or, are oil companies doing everything they can to reap every last ounce of profit and trying to prevent real efforts of changing over to non-petroleum, gas or coal-based energy?
Boxer Urges Nuclear Regulatory Commission Review of US Nuclear Power Plants
How does the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) handle requests for increases in safety? Not really well according to the recent appearance of the NRC head who wanted to side-step the entire issue of safety concerns of U.S. Nuclear Plants.
The issue is that as the Union of Concerned Scientists pointed out in its recent report, over the years reactors have developed leaks that have gone undetected. Also, it is time to revisit how safe nuclear reactors really are in the case of earthquakes, tsunamis or other natural disasters.
It is outrageous that the U.S. requirement for battery back-up is only a mere 8-hours! We saw that Japan’s 12 hour battery backup was not nearly enough for what was needed when the electricity in the plant failed and the generators failed.
What failsafe systems are required of U.S. Nuclear plants – especially those aging plants over 40 years old?
Another danger is that the U.S. cannot afford to underestimate the type of earthquake that might occur near a nuclear power plant. Japan thought the largest earthquake they would experience would be a 7.9. However, they got whacked with a 9.0 level quake or possibly a 9.1 level quake according to some seismologists!
Political kitty thinks voter ID Laws are a bad idea for democracy. Photo Credit: Am I cute? by Spodeworld on flickr cc
Invoking Dorothy’s Magic Red Slippers to get rid of the Repressive Voter ID Laws
Everyone. Click your heels together 3 times and say:
There is no such thing as voter fraud. There is no such thing as voter fraud. There is no such thing as voter fraud…”
Oops….except when it comes to Indiana GOP Secretary of State Charlie White
That’s right, the very person who is supposed to protect your vote, count your vote, keep your vote safe and secure and stop “voter fraud” apparently committed voter fraud. The irony is that he is a Republican who wants stringent voter ID laws to stop voter fraud.
Donna Brazile wrote this article in the Huffington Post outlining the irony of the indictment of Mr. White.
While many sources prove that there is virtually no voter fraud in U.S. elections, it is bizarre that the person trying to pass harsh voter ID laws in Indiana, Charlie White, to supposedly prevent “voter fraud” has actually committed real voter fraud. This story is still relevant because many newly elected Republican governors in various states like Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida are promoting the passage of repressive voter ID laws and also shortening opportunities for voters to actually participate in early voting.
Keeping Elections Accurate, Free and Fair
What will actually keep elections transparent, honest and easy for American citizens to participate in?
1) Better oversight of how election ballots are counted.
2) Better tracking of chain of custody for all voting machines, equipment and ballots to insure there is no hanky panky going on.
3) Motor Voter Laws that make it easy for Americans to register to vote.
4) Help young people, especially students, be able to easily register to vote at their colleges or adopted cities while they are going to school.
Are Governors Helping their Citizens to Be Able to Register to Vote?
According to the Brennan Center and the Women’s League of Voters, restrictive voter ID laws could disenfranchise millions of people in the upcoming 2012 elections. Is that what the purveyors of the Voter ID Laws want? It would seem that is the case. However, it is pretty disgusting when you listen to the people pontificating about these horrible voter ID laws that would disenfranchise so many innocent people, especially students, working poor and seniors at the same time they pepper every speech with words like “the constitution says…” or “freedom.” Voting is a right of every citizen. However, there seems to be an orchestrated effort to make it difficult for certain citizens to exercise their right to vote.
Besides Texas, states that enacted voter ID laws this year include Kansas, Wisconsin, South Carolina and Tennessee. Indiana and Georgia already had such requirements. The Maine Legislature voted to end same-day voter registration. Florida seems determined to go back to the chaos of the 2000 election. It shortened the early voting period, effectively ended the ability of registered voters to correct their address at the polls and imposed onerous restrictions on organized voter-registration drives.
Energy Cat asks, "Why are oil companies still getting billions of dollars in subsidies from the U.S?" photo credit by Cat by denizen24 on flickr cc
Is it a joke?
5 Oil Executives appeared before the Senate Finance Committee to explain why they still want $2.1 billion/year subsidies from the U.S. government. This does not make sense since in 2005 when oil was $55/barrel, the oil executives said they did not need the subsidies anymore.
Rachel Maddow on Big Oil Executives Subsidies
OK So now it is 2011 and oil is $100/barrel and gas at $4 to $4.50/gallon around the U.S. Oil profits are at an all time high. Why oh why do these oil guys need their subsidies which could be spent on education or to help people who really need it?
Maybe they are addicted to the subsidies like America is still addicted to oil. Why should we feed their addiction, wouldn’t that make us co-dependent?
Anyway, as Senator Jay Rockefeller said in the hearing,
“How much profit on a barrel of oil do you have to make to not be needful of these subsidies that we think you don’t need, but you say your life depends on?”
“At some point, you know, you wouldn’t need the subsidies. I think you’re there already, but you don’t. So at what point do you think that you don’t need these subsidies?”
Then Chevron’s Chief Executive, James Watson, tried to reframe the debate to make it sound like whatever the government is giving the oil companies, it isn’t a subsidy. Oh, really.
Chevron Chief Executive James Watson receives at least $5.5 million/year in pay. At the Senate Finance Committee hearing in response to Senator Jay Rockefeller’s questions Watson said:
“As we described, we don’t receive subsidies, Senator. I don’t think the American people want shared sacrifice. I think they want shared prosperity.”
Wow, oh wowie, that statement is soooo full of kitty litter and Senator Rockefeller let this guy know he thought the statement was ridiculous when Rockefeller cut the oil guy off and said:
“Oh, that’s a lovely statement, but do you understand how out of touch that is? I think you’re out of touch–Deeply, profoundly out of touch, and deeply and profoundly committed to sharing nothing!”
Thank you Senator Jay Rockefeller. Now if only you could help Senator Orrin Hatch get his facts straight. Even though the oil companies are making sooo much profit since 2005 the more profits they receive the more jobs they cut.
As Rachel Maddow clearly pointed out on her recent program, oil companies are making record profits and not creating jobs. How much profit do they have to make to bring more jobs to American shores?
Senator Robert Menendez co-sponsored the bill that would repeal oil company subsidies and asked CEO Mr. James Mulva of ConocoPhillips if he was accusing Senators of being unamerican for questioning the oil companies insistence on continued subsidies. Menendez said that the oil companies are making $125 billion in profits this year and they can afford to receive $123 billion without the subsidies.
Senator Menendez addresses CEO of Conoco-Phillips about his “Unamerican” Slur on Senators Who Want to Repeal Oil Subsidies
Political kitty had to cool out from listening to the Koch Echo Chamber on Social Security. Photo Credits: Funny animal (cat) by didbygraham flickr cc
Senator Bernie Sanders Exposes the Koch Brothers PR Campaign to Attempt to Raise Age of Social Security to 70 Years Old!
Why are the Koch Brothers so determined to use think tanks, the media and public officials to force their ideology on the American public? Why do they want to raise the age of Social Security to 70 years old?
The Koch Brothers have no personal need for Social Security with their $100 billion dollar annual revenues from their Koch Industries. The conglomerate operates oil refineries and controls thousands of miles of pipeline. According to the New Yorker article: “Forbes ranks it [Koch Industries] as the second-largest private company in the country, after Cargill.”
However, people who only make a living wage do need Social Security before age 70 years old. If the age of retirement were raised to 70 years old instead of the present retirement benefit received at age 66, a worker’s benefits would be cut 20% from a typical benefit of $14,000 year to $11, 200 year. Do you know anyone who could live on that? Yet, the Koch Brothers are using a slick media blitz campaign to confuse the public.
Senator Bernie Sanders explains the well-orchestrated and well-funded “echo chamber” of manipulation promoted by the Koch Brothers intricate web of think tanks and media outlets.
Why are the Koch Brothers perpetrating myths about Social Security?
Why do they want to privatize Social Security?
The Koch Brothers want to dismantle the federal government by attacking a successful program that has helped millions of Americans.
Privatizing Social Security would be a major disaster for average Americans and the Koch Brothers know this.
It is important for the public to question the echo chamber of disinformation about Social Security.
The Real Facts About Social Security:
1. Social Security belongs to American workers who contributed to it.
2. Social Security will never go bankrupt. As long as there are workers and employers who pay into Social Security it will remain financially healthy. However, we need to help people get back to work by creating more job opportunities for Americans.
3. Raising the retirement age is a horrible idea and would reduce your benefits coming to you from work that you did over your life time.
4. Privatizing Social Security would be a disaster as we can see from the collapse of the markets in 2008. Privatizing Social Security would undermine the program and make it insecure.
Learn about how we can continue strengthening Social Security which is your right as an American.
Suspicious Kitty thinks something smells at Fox News Politics about the hacked Obama Tweets. Photo Credit: Classic Tabby Scottish Fold by eviltomthai on flickr cc
Fox News Politics Claims Twitter Feed Hacked
Fox News claims its Fox News Politics twitter feed was hacked into on July 4, 2011 with a malicious series of tweets masquerading as the real FoxNewsPolitics and spewing false rumors about President Barack Obama’s demise.
However, why did Fox News allow the particular twitter feed to keep the vicious tweets up on the website for over 23 hours?
Apparently Fox claims it was sorry for causing so much distress to others. However, it did not care to remove the cause of distress which could cause more distress. And, the twitter account with the offending tweets did not have a disclaimer from the real Fox News Politics!
According to news reports, Fox News eventually alerted the secret service to investigate the perpetrator(s) of the fake tweets about President Obama. It appears that Fox News made little attempt to fully quash the false Obama rumors on all relevant locations of its news sites. Did Fox News want the rumors to stir things up?
Do I smell the repulsive scent wafting from the Fox News Politics twitter account that has a decided aroma of unclean kitty litter? Why Meaow, yes, it’s a kitty litter mess. They still haven’t fully cleaned their kitty box of all the smelly contents.
DOD Inspector General Kitty asked Bunny if she saw the money from the DOD Budget. Photo Credit: Bunny and Cat (9) by AlishaV on flickr cc
Possible Gold Mine of Untracked Money in DOD
The accounting practices of the Department of Defense are so ridiculous that it should be a Saturday Night Live Skit. This assessment comes from the DOD’s own Inspector General! Here are some articles that lay out the crazy way the Department of Defense keeps track or does not keep track of all the billions of dollars given to it each year.
It is such a joke, but one that is not really funny.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Rabbit wants to know what happened to the Pentagon Money. Photo Credit: Who is that on the other end of the tube. by jpockele on flickr cc
Here is a list that was put together by Winslow T. Wheeler, Director of the Straus Military Reform Project of the Center for Defense Information, regarding why there are billions and billions of dollars that disappear into the black hole of the Department of Defense Budget. In his article, “The Pentagon’s Black Hole” on The Huffington Post, Wheeler identifies 13 “material weaknesses” which where pointed out by the DOD Inspector General Report called: “Summary of DOD Office of the Inspector General Audits of Financial Management.”
1. Financial Management Systems: The systems DOD has put in place to control and monitor the money flow don’t facilitate but actually “prevent DOD from collecting and reporting financial information … that is accurate, reliable, and timely.” (See p. 4.)
2. Fund Balance with Treasury: DOD managers do not know how much money is in their accounts at the Treasury, nor when they spend more than Congress appropriates to them. (See p. 5.)
3. Accounts Receivable: DOD does not “record, report, collect, and reconcile” funds received from other agencies or the public. (See p. 6.)
4. Inventory: Inventory records are not reviewed and adjusted; unreliable and inaccurate data are used to report inventories, and purchases are made based on those distorted inventory reports. (See p. 7.)
5. Operating Materials and Supplies: “In addition, DOD cannot accurately report the value of operating materials and supplies.” (See p. 7.)
6. General Property, Plant, and Equipment: “The cost and depreciation of the DOD general property, plant, and equipment are not reliably reported ….” (See. p. 8.)
7. Government-Furnished Material and Contractor-Acquired Material: “…the value of DOD property and material in the possession of contractors is not reliably reported.” (See p. 9.)
8. Accounts Payable: DOD does not know who owes it money, nor how much. (See p. 10.)
9. Environmental Liabilities: DOD does not accurately estimate or report the cost of cleaning up its facilities, does not track its environmental liabilities, and does not even have a complete record of its ranges and operational activities. (See p. 11.)
10. Statement of Net Costs: DOD’s “systems do not always capture actual costs in a timely [or accurate] manner.” (See p. 11.)
11. Intragovernmental Eliminations: DOD tracks neither buyer nor seller amounts when conducting transactions with other agencies. (See p. 12.)
12. Other Accounting Entries: DOD sometimes enters “unsupported” (i.e. imaginary) amounts in its books. (See p. 13.)
13. Reconciliation of Net Cost of Operations to Budget: DOD uses those imaginary figures to make the books balance. (See p. 14.)
Then, Wheeler reveals in his article above that “DOD management has acknowledged that all 13 “material weaknesses” continue to exist (because over the decades they have done nothing to fix them.”
Wheeler then adds “three additional “Issue Areas”"
1. DOD’s “audit trails” are not kept “in sufficient detail.” Put simply, no one can track the money.
2. DOD’s “Internal Controls,” intended to track the money, are inoperative. Thus, DOD cost reports and financial statements are surely inaccurate, but the errors cannot be identified because the data cannot be verified.
3. “Compliance with Laws and Regulations:” DOD does not observe many of the laws that govern all this.
Has anything changed at the Pentagon since 2009? We know that under G. W. Bush huge pallets of cash totaling more than $12 billion dollars were given to people in Iraq with no paper trail. The money in stacks of $100 bills was shrink-wrapped and flown to Iraq on wooden pallets. Over $12 Billion dollars – disappeared into someone’s pocket.
Over 6 Billion Dollars Missing From Money Flown Into Iraq By U.S. Military! “Believed To Be Stolen!”
As reported in this article by the Guardian of the UK, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) of the U.S. in Iraq reported in one of it’s memorandums from a CPA meeting:
The memorandum concludes: “Many of the funds appear to have been lost to corruption and waste … thousands of ‘ghost employees’ were receiving pay cheques from Iraqi ministries under the CPA’s control. Some of the funds could have enriched both criminals and insurgents fighting the United States.”
According to Stuart Bowen, the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, the $8.8bn funds to Iraqi ministries were disbursed “without assurance the monies were properly used or accounted for”. But, according to the memorandum, “he now believes that the lack of accountability and transparency extended to the entire $20bn expended by the CPA”.
Keep in mind that for Fiscal year 2010 National Defense was more than 23% of our budget or $722 billion. Yet, there are factions within Congress that claim we cannot cut anything from Defense. Does this make any sense? For some crazy reason, I don’t know, perhaps because those senators and congress folks on both sides of the aisle get money from various defense sector corporations, there are politicians that draw a line in the sand saying, “Leave Defense Alone!”
Yet, right now there are petty debates over cutting other programs like education, medicare, medicaid, and social security.
It’s time to take a large flashlight and find out what went down the rabbit hole of the Pentagon accounting system.
Does the Black Hole in DOD lead to a Black Budget?
Alice & the Rabbit search for the Missing DOD money down the black rabbit hole. Photo Credit: Down the rabbit hole by Smath on flickr cc
Even though the cold war is over billions of dollars a year are going to projects so secret that possibly the President of the U.S. does not even know they exist. Here’s an article by Phil Patton of Wired, “Exposing the Black Budget” that explains the secret Black Budget that also needs some sunlight on it.
Political Punky Kitty wants Congress to cool out and think about what's good for all Americans and cats too. Photo Credit: Surprised Punky by ellie on flickr cc
What will bring Congress together for the American people instead of political grandstanding?
So, why are many Republicans, including Eric Cantor, deciding now is the time to put the entire U.S. economy in jeopardy, especially since we are still pulling out of the latest ditch from the wild wild Wall Street days of over-the-top speculation with trillions of dollars of money–mostly other people’s money.
According to this story on NPR, the U.S. Debt ceiling has been raised 102 times since 1917.:
ANDREA SEABROOK: It has been raised 102 times since 1917, when the debt ceiling was first established. Just in the last decade alone, it was raised eight times under President Bush, and it’s been raised three times so far under President Obama.
Of course no one wants to increase the debt, but this current infighting about whether and how to raise the debt ceiling seems purely political. Will Congress come together and work for what is in the interest of the American people instead of holding important programs like social security, medicare, and education hostage?
The Blame Game and Russian Roulette with the American Economy
Rep. Peter Welsh (D-Vt) explains on Rachel Maddow that much of our recent huge debt is due to the Iraq War and Afghanistan War started under the G. W. Bush administration. However, some Republican pundits and politicians use crafty talking points to try and blame President Obama for all of our present debt problems. They seem to have memory problems with anything before 2009.
Rep. Welsh warns that women and the elderly will suffer most if the debt ceiling is not raised this month. There may be higher credit card interest rates on credit cards to people who can least afford it and seniors would not get their social security checks on time.
What Remedies Will Create Jobs and Help Reduce the Debt? What are the most important priorities now for a healthy economy?
Max the Cat says it's time to find real common ground and raise the debt ceiling while helping to create more jobs for Americans. Photo Credit: Max...somewhat surprised by juhansonin on flickr cc
The U.S. needs to take in more money as well as cut programs that are wasteful. In addition we need people to stop the fraud, abuse and political pay backs that waste taxpayer’s money.
Tax rates for the top 1% are extremely low. In comparison, less wealthy people are paying a higher proportion of their income than the top 1%. Why? Many people in the top wealthy 1% make their money from investments which only have a 15% capital gains tax. And, many corporations pay little or no tax. And, these corporations are sitting on over $2.3 Trillion dollars in cash instead of investing in putting people back to work. How much more money do they need?
Robert Reich explains how the argument against raising taxes on the top 1% is becoming less appealing. He states,
In short, the no-tax pledge is evaporating in the fresh air of reality.
When the recession hit in 2007 many corporations decided to lay off hundreds of thousands of workers. This left the remainder of employees to do the job of 2 to 3 people for their job and most of the time without an increase in pay. Then the corporations could brag about how profitable they became to their shareholders–at the expense of their worker bees. Since 2009 the bonus and pay increases to corporate CEOs has grown in some instances from 20-125%! Yet, the number of jobs in the U.S. is growing slowly and middle class wages have not increased. Does this make sense?
Talking Point Alert: Certainty
Some business owners claim they want “certainty” before they decide to create more jobs. What would give them “certainty” and is this a manufactured argument by Grover Norquist, Frank Luntz and his focus groups in order to manipulate the system and starve government?
Staying Focused on Jobs
Remember very few jobs were created under G. W. Bush in spite of the tax cuts. New thinking is required to encourage corporations to create more jobs. In the mean time, a job is a job, whether it comes from the private or public sector. Let’s remember that Congressmen and women are public servants who are supposed to serve the American people. Teachers who educate our children in public schools are also public employees. Firemen, policemen, and public transportation workers are important people who help us live better and safer lives. It’s time for politicians to think outside the box beyond their party politics and rigid ideologies. Let’s recognize what works for all Americans.
Fiscal Cat thinks it’s time to raise the debt ceiling and leave Medicare, Social Security & Medicaid alone. Photo credit: Cat by NathanF on flickr cc
Ronald Reagan On Debt Ceiling: It’s the responsible and right thing to do for U.S.
From Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Radio Address, September 26, 1947:
“Congress consistently brings the government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility. This brinkmanship threatens the holders of government bonds and those who rely on social security and veteran benefits. Interest rates would skyrocket, instability would occur in financial markets, and the federal deficit would soar. The United States has a special responsibility to itself and the world to meet its obligations. It means we have a well-earned reputation for reliability and credibility – two things that set us apart from much of the world.”
Under Ronald Reagan’s presidency, the debt-ceiling was raised 18 times.
President Ronald Reagan Diaries:
Tuesday November 1, 1983
Dear Diary:
“Day began with G.O.P. cong. leadership – a full cabinet room. Last night the repub. sen. very irresponsibly refused to pass an increase in the debt ceiling which is necessary if we’re to borrow & keep the govt. running. After we gave them all a rundown on Lebanon & Grenada we took up the budget & the necessary legislation. I sounded off & told them I’d veto every d – - n thing they sent down unless they gave us a clean debt ceiling bill that ended the meeting.” (“The Reagan Diaries”, p. 192)
Who are you Going to Believe?
Instead of ghostbusters, we need talking-point busters. We’re fighting for the truth vs. something sort of kind of like maybe around the truth, but slightly altered this way and that.
For some people in the Freshman class in Congress, it is clear that these folks might be allergic to facts and objective reality. Especially when they make comments claiming it is good for America’s credit rating to not raise the debt ceiling. Or that it won’t really matter that much.
Talking Point Alert:
Have you noticed that certain conservative political commentators and politicians avoid saying “wealthy people”, “rich” or “the wealthy 1%.” Instead they call these people so-called “job creators” and claim not raising taxes or reducing taxes will enable these folks to create more jobs. Okay, where are the jobs that were created from all the money these folks have raked in since the extension of the Bush tax cuts?
Where is this money? It is being banked. That’s right. The so-called “job creators” are sitting on over $2 trillion dollars in cash and they are not creating jobs when last checked. This misleading bait and switch must be the latest talking point from some focus group perhaps from Frank Luntz? Here Jon Stewart illuminates the issue on HuffPost in their article and video from his recent Daily Show,
Also, according to the CBS polls on July 18, 2011, Americans do not want to cut social security, medicare and medicaid, but they do want to raise the debt ceiling.
“About 66 percent of Americans believe any final deal should include a combination of both spending cuts and tax increases. This includes 55 percent of Republicans, and 53 percent of tea party supporters.”
What will it take to bring sanity to the floor of the House and Senate? The debt-ceiling should be raised and then we deal with the rest of the budget issues. It is wrong to make social security, medicare, and medicaid put on the chopping block as a threat by certain factions in Congress that claim they won’t raise the debt ceiling unless these programs have cuts.
Who would be most affected by those cuts if they happen?
The elderly and the people who can least afford it.
Meanwhile, just cutting the budget is only part of the answer. Yes, perhaps there is waste, fraud and abuse that we need to address in government. There is also a lot of that in corporate America as well. However, government can help us by making sure we have a healthy environment, good education and protections and civil rights for all Americans.
Doobie thinks some people in Congress don't know how to add and they are deciding on the Budget. Otherwise they would understand why we need to raise the debt-ceiling. Photo Credit: Doobie--my crazy cat by stpauliesgirl on flickr cc
Banks Funded Tea-Party Candidates. Are they Having Second Thoughts Now?
Why is President Obama backing reducing social security benefits to senior citizens and the veterans in order to pick up the tab for the extension of the Bush tax cuts done in 2010?
It’s clear that Americans favor keeping social security & medicare as pointed out by Raw Story’s article, “61 percent say tax the rich to fix budget deficit.”
Fry the Cat is astounded that the Gang of Six Proposal would cut Medicare, Social Security & Medicaid! Photo Credit: Fry inside the sack by kalbara87 on flickr cc
Devil is in the Details
While the bipartisan effort of the 3 democrats and 3 republicans making up the Gang of Six is a great start, what does it mean?
According to Senator Bernie Sanders, (VT), the draft outline of the plan talks about cutting the deficit, but it vaguely talks about getting revenue. Sanders claims there are no current mechanisms that clearly state what and how revenues will be brought in. Lots of info. about cuts, not so much on the revenue portion.
Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit because as Senator Sanders states, “social security is funded by the payroll tax, not the federal treasury.” Yet, for some strange reason the Republicans and Democrats and President Obama are allowing social security to be on the chopping block. Sanders states that democrats need to stand up to their promises to protect social security. Will they?
Sanders stated on the floor of the U.S. Senate that the Gang of Six Plan “will be a disaster for working families in this country, for the elderly, for the sick, for the children and for low income people.”
Senator Sanders stated before the Senate on July 20, 2011, “Social Security has been an extraordinary success in our country. For 75 years with such volatility in the economy, social security has paid out every nickel owed to every eligible American.”
“Social Security has a $2.6 trillion dollar surplus today and can pay out every benefit owed to every eligible American for the next 25 years!”
Sanders warns all Americans that the Gang of Six Plan would create major cuts in Social Security. He said Social Security Cuts would go into effect by 2012.
“That means that 10 years from now, the typical 75 year old person will see their social security benefits cut by $560/year, and the average 85 yr. old citizen will see a cut by $1000/yr.”
Sanders states that there will be massive cuts in Medicare of $300 billion over 10 year period if the Gang of Six Plan is implemented.
Game of Chicken in the Congress
In one type of game of chicken, two people race their cars towards a cliff. The one who veres away first is considered “chicken.” However, it is a very high stakes game and both people could lose their lives if they are so ego-driven that they want to win so bad.
Is that what is happening in Congress now? Is there a high stakes game of chicken with our economic health which could affect the entire world economy?
Sanders said we need to fight for a “fair deal” for the American people.
The cats and dogs in the neighborhood want Boehner and Pelosi to work together to raise the debt-ceiling. Where are the grownups? Photo credit by Happy New Year '09 by raneko on flickr cc
Boehner walks out on Budget Talks Today…Here’s what is really going on:
Can Boehner and the people he claims he represents get beyond party politics?
Negotiation 101:
In an optimal negotiation both sides listen to each other’s point of view and then work in good faith to come up with a solution that meets each other’s concerns. If both parties actually listen to each other’s concerns and get beyond their individual rigid positions, then hopefully a third solution will emerge that takes into account the needs and concerns of both sides.
Boehner & Cantorian Negotiation: Edward’s Game
Today House Speaker Boehner expected that the President and the Democrats would basically move their proposal to the one proposed solely by Boehner and Cantor. That is not a negotiation. That is a bullying tactic called Edwards Game.
Edward’s Game works this way:
The Mayor Negotiates with Alien Visitors
You start out negotiating with someone and you think they will come to a fair solution if you just give up some of your points thinking that if you do, then surely the other side will see how you are listening to them and wanting to come to a solution for the good of all the parties. However, in “Edward’s Game” the other side decides when you begin giving in to their demands that they want more and more. Over time the result of the negotiation is that the other side gives away everything they wanted trying to get the other party to just come to a solution. However, the other side keeps wanting the other person or group to give more and more and more. Maybe even going beyond the initial opening potential solutions offered by both sides until the other side is way way beyond what they ever intended to give in to.
The Duck Negotiates
The Negotiation: Boston Terrier vs. French Bulldog
The moral of “Edward’s Game” is that one should never ever play it because you can never win with someone who never intends to really listen to your concerns. They only want to get everything their way. They do not care about the other side. They do not listen to the other side. They just keep moving the line further and further towards their side until they get everything they wanted and possibly more. That is not a fair negotiation, that is a stupid game to play.
Right now, Boehner and Cantor are playing Edward’s Game.
However, sometimes people use a different kind of math that only they understand:
Then there are those who will continue to be positional and create stalemate where everyone loses:
The Optimal Negotiation:
Trillions of dollars have been spent on two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet tax rates have gone down in the last 10 years and remain extremely low. We have more expenditures with no additional or less revenue. How can we properly run our country without harming citizens if we do not have enough revenue coming into the government?
Without revenue the burden falls on the elderly and the young while the wealthy pay less and the poor and middle class pay more. Is that fair?
Negotiation Kitty wants Congress and the President to come together to raise the debt-ceiling without cutting Medicare and Social Security. Photo Credit: Project 365 #205- 240710 How Much is that Pussy in the Window by comedynose on flickr cc
Paul Krugman wrote a piece published in the New York Times called “Messing with Medicare” where he questions why President Obama is contemplating raising the age of eligible Americans in order to get a deal with Republicans to raise the debt-ceiling.
Paul Krugman:
“Also, did I mention that Republicans are doing all they can to undermine health care reform — they even tried to undermine it as part of the debt negotiations — and may eventually succeed? If they do, many of those losing Medicare coverage would find themselves unable to replace it.”
”So raising the Medicare age is a terrible idea. Means-testing — reducing benefits for wealthier Americans — isn’t equally bad, but it’s still poor policy.”
President Obama wanted to reduce the “Empathy Deficit” on the 2008 Campaign trail: Where are we today?
In his 2008 presidential campaign and in other instances President Obama spoke frequently about bridging the “empathy deficit.” Why then does he think it is OK to make it more difficult for seniors to get Medicare or Social Security?
Only cutting the deficit is a bad idea. Two wars have cost this country a lot of money. We need to make sure the top 1% are paying their fair share and keep away from Medicare and Social Security Cuts. Photo Credit: No flash, please by Marilane Borges on Flickr cc
President Obama: 2008 Campaign
Question from Curry on the Trail (From the Today Show): What was the best thing your Mom every taught you?
Obama: “Empathy. Making sure that you can see the world through somebody else’s eyes; stand in their shoes. I think that’s the basis for kindness and compassion.”
Road to the White House – MSNBC debate
“Part of what we’ve lost is a sense of empathy towards each other. We have been governed in fear and division. And we talk about the federal deficit but we don’t talk enough about the empathy deficit—a sense that I stand in somebody else’s shoes; I see through their eyes–People who are struggling trying to figure out how to pay the gas bill or try to send their kids to college. We are not thinking about them at the federal level.
That’s the reason I am running for President because I want to restore that.”
Walking in the Shoes of our Senior Citizens:
President Obama ran in 2008 on the importance of being able to “stand in another person’s shoes.” Raising the age of eligibility for Medicare for our elderly shows a lack of empathy for their needs and concerns.
As President Obama said, he ran in 2008 to understand the needs of working people. He ran to “restore” a sense of “empathy” and fairness to the American system of government where people making fiscal decisions in the federal government think about the needs of the majority of Americans.
Spouting off about “deficits” without understanding the costs to Americans from heartless cuts to Medicare and Social Security is widening the empathy gap. In order to close the divide, President Obama must set the tone and help Congress understand that the debt-ceiling is separate from Medicare and Social Security. Connecting the issues is an artificial attempt to hold these successful programs hostage. It is unfair and uncalled for.
It is the role of Americans to let Congress and President Obama know their concerns about putting Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block as the sacrificial lamb to raise the debt-ceiling.
William Ury, negotiator and conflict resolution expert, mentions that the community plays the role of “the third side” in helping to bring parties in conflict to gain a better perspective on how to resolve an issue for a “sustainable solution” which meets the needs of all parties. It is time for Americans to step up and bring sanity to the debt-ceiling negotiations so our politicians gain insight into what will be in the best interest of all Americans, not just the top 1%.
Negotiation Expert William Ury said in a TED Talk presentation in Chicago:
“And the third side of the conflict is us. It’s the surrounding community; it’s the friends, the allies, the family members, the neighbors; and we can play an incredibly constructive role.”
“Perhaps the most fundamental way in which the third side can help is to remind the parties of what’s really at stake, you know for the sake of the kids, for the sake of the family, for the sake of the community, for the sake of the future.”
Fiscal Cat says it's time for the Pod People in Congress to wake up before it's too late! Photo credit: happy thanksgiving by minka6 on flickr cc
What Could Possibly Explain the Craziness in Congress & the Senate and the Delay to Raise the Debt-Ceiling?
Pumpkin the Cat wants to make sure she is safe from the Crazy Economic Pod People and Pod Cats that want to tank the U.S. Economy. Photo Credit: Pumpkin, she looks lost by turtlemom4bacon flickr cc
The Pod People were installed as Tea Partiers and they have revealed their true intent — to tank the economy and gut anything positive that good government could provide for Americans. The fact that Congress is willing to throw Mom & Dad & Grand-pa and Grand-ma into the ditch from the so-called “Balanced Budget Amendment” that would gut Social Security and Medicare is so bad we could laugh til we cry.
Many Tea Partiers got into office in 2010 from Astroturf organizations funded by billionaires like the Koch Brothers.
Is the Chamber of Commerce happy with the way things turned out now? How is that working for you Wall Street?
Conspiracy of Stupidity has Infected Washington D.C.
The drum beat in Congress, the Senate & Fox News from Republicans and Tea Partiers is to play the blame game for every single problem in the economy on President Obama and the Democrats. Well, if we take a trip down memory lane the truth is revealed and it shows a completely different picture of the true reality.
Down Memory Lane to Find Out the Cause of our Financial Problems in the U.S.
Under G. W. Bush Trillions of dollars was spent on 2 expensive wars with little financial accountability regarding where the money actually was spent. When Bush took office in 2001 he immediately raided the Budget Surplus accumulated under Clinton by passing two sets of tax cuts for the wealthy. This created a huge gap in revenues at the same time more money was siphoned out from an unfunded Prescription Drug program passed under a Republican Congress that purposely was prevented from negotiating with Big Pharma. This RX bill was practically written by folks in and out of Big Pharma companies.
Under Bush & the Republican led Congress, roll back of financial regulations and the lack of enforcement of existing regulations contributed to the mortgage-backed security scandal which created a horrific sucking sound that threatened to pull the entire world economy into an abyss from exotic financial instruments created to primarily give huge amounts of money to Hedge Fund managers, high-speed traders, large banks like Citigroup and financial institutions like Morgan Stanley.
OK, then before Bush left office even his advisors realized there needed to be a major stimulus to prevent a major depression due to the selfish and irresponsible behavior of major financial institutions, banks, hedge funds, and brokerage houses. Back room deals were struck to save these institutions even though they still have not changed their behavior and they did not help the people who funded their little spending sprees. They are still acting like dry drunks. I think many financial institutions need therapy to learn more responsible civilized behavior.
You see the banks, even though they got 0% interest loans from the government, then turned on the average American and raised their credit card interest rates overnight to 29.99% or more. So, after 2 years of suffering (2007 – 2009) where millions of people lost their jobs due to the tightening of the belts of corporations, the banks have made it hard for average Americans to have credit or use their credit without steep interest rates. No wonder CEOs of the large banks are making top salaries of 50% increases or more.
Back to Washington D.C. and the Current Situation
Some folks must have gotten the memo to just point the finger to blame anyone but the Republicans. So every day on Fox News and the floor of the Senate and Congress large graphics are displayed to blame Obama and the Democrats for the debt. The Republicans and Tea Partiers (are they really Republicans?) instigated an artificial financial crisis because they think they will be able to blame President Obama and the Democrats if the economy tanks.
I hope the American people are wise enough to see through the charades of the Tea Partiers and their funders. I think there is going to be a rude awakening to the Republicans & Tea Partiers in 2012. Even though the Koch Brothers and their template legislation circulating to make it very difficult for most Americans to register to vote due to restrictive voter I.D. laws, many angry Americans are already saying, “I’m not going to take it anymore!” These previously mild-mannered folks will do everything in their power to register people and to bring out the vote to bring in more rational and reasonable non-Pod people in the Senate and Congress.
Are Tea Partiers Acting like Financial Jihadists?
The Tea Partiers are holding America hostage by refusing to raise the debt-ceiling which could cause the U.S. government to default on its financial obligations for the first time in the history of the United States. While many Tea Partiers rant about Muslims and the dangers of people who are non-Christian, they are acting like terrorists by threatening to bring down the entire U.S. economy unless their ridiculous policies of radically slashing government are accepted. They are using the very tactics used by bullies in a school yard.
Senator McConnell has been infected by the Pod People Tea Partiers because he previously was willing to dialogue with Democrats and then he supported a filibuster which would prevent movement on an alternative bill to raise the debt ceiling until 1 am on Sunday, 7/31/2011. Why? Why delay dialogue and discussion?
What will help Senator McConnell and the Republicans to come to their senses and get beyond their partisan politics that threatens the well being of all Americans, including people in their own party? What will help them stop acting like Pod People run amok?
This Smart Cat wants Congress to Get Serious about Creating Private and Public Sector Jobs. Photo Credit: 365 x 19 Pussy Cat Posing by david masters on flickr cc
What Solutions will put 14 Million People Back to Work?
A Job is a Job and the Congress just slashed about 1 million jobs with their recent debt-ceiling deficit cuts only bill. Didn't they say they wanted to create jobs? Photo Credit: jobs by Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! on flickr cc
First let’s realize that jobs from either the public or private sectors are still jobs and they put people to work where they get money that they can use to pay their bills, pay their mortgages, and put money into the economy which benefits everyone in the long term.
Investing in Our Country
By investing in our communities, we protect the future. The public structures and systems that enable our families and neighborhoods to be safe are part of the public good. Remember that public jobs of policemen and firemen keep us safe. Teachers who educate our children insure that young people will be prepared to meet future challenges and will be engaged citizens.
Therefore, investing in the public common good is good for all of us.
Pass the Bill to Reauthorize the FAA
It is time for the Congress to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) so 4,000 agency workers and the thousands of their contractors can go back to work. Right now there is a shut-down of the FAA and contractors that is putting 70,000 people out of work. This is a manufactured crisis that could easily be resolved. At a time when Republicans are saying they want to put people back to work, they are engineering activities to hurt people in unions from being able to keep their jobs. FAA workers protect Americans by making sure planes fly safely and that our entire aviation system works properly, both in the skies and on the ground. This work stoppage is affecting workers in both the public and private sectors.
A New Public Discourse on Creating a Prosperous America for All
The government is us. We are America. We get benefits from cooperative efforts for the public good. Government insures that we have well-maintained roads, lights, bridges and infrastructure in our towns, states and the entire nation.
So why are Republicans proud of undermining worker rights? This is completely unnecessary. The FAA stoppage is also costing all of us money in uncollected airfare taxes estimated at $250 million. Also, until legislation is passed, $2.5 billion is being held up in various airport projects nationwide.
A job is a job is a job – public or private. We need to put people back to work, not throw people unnecessarily out of work. It’s time for Congress and President Obama to work together to put people back to work.
Two cats from S&P eye the bird of the U.S. after downgrading it. What will they do next? Photo credit: Cats n Nuthatch by d a murphy on flickr cc
Twisted Reasoning
Standard & Poors (S&P) said they wanted the U.S. to cut $4 Trillion from the deficit in order to possibly maintain their rating. So Who exactly does Standard & Poors represent and how do they make their money? In 2009 S&P had revenues of $2.61 billion dollars.
S&P was founded in 1860 and in 1966 was purchased by the McGraw-Hill Companies. The Chairman and President and CEO of the McGraw-Hill Companies is Harold W. (Terry) McGraw III.
Who decided that the S&P would be the arbiter of who is credit worthy? Are they biased in their decisions? Does their track record show they favor private organizations over public organizations? Should S&P be ignored? Is their credit rating a bunch of hot air to heat up the 2012 election and raise interest rates?
Follow the connections and you will see that S&P has friends in private lending institutions through organizations like the American Bankers Association (ABA). This organization represents the banking industry and the “ABA lobbies to influence federal legislative and regulatory activities.”
“S&P has run the CUSIP Service Bureau, the only ISIN issuer in the United States, on behalf of the American Bankers Association. In its formal statement of objections, the European Commission alleges “that S&P is abusing this monopoly position by enforcing the payment of licence fees for the use of US ISINs by (a) banks and other financial services providers in the EEA and (b) information service providers in the EEA.” It claims that comparable agencies elsewhere in the world either do not charge fees at all, or do so on the basis of distribution cost, rather than usage.”
Facts reveal that Standard & Poors (S&P) math was off by $2 Trillion dollars in calculating the debt issue of the U.S. However, John Chambers, Chairman of Sovereign ratings at S&P, sidestepped the math errors of its organization when interviewed by the press.
Major Conflict of Interest Issues at S&P, Moodys & Fitch Ratings
The dirty little secret about credit rating firms is that their credit ratings could serve as an excuse for banks and other lending institutions to justify changes in interest rates.
Case Study of How S&P Credit Ratings Affect Cities and States
Consequences of S&P consistently undervaluing public debt
When S&P claims that public governments are more of a credit risk, this causes the tax payers to have to pay more to get services they need and want. One danger of S&P downgrading the U.S. credit rating could be increasing the debt because the U.S. would have to pay more to pay off its debt. That could cost taxpayers billions and billions of dollars.
“S&P’s intrusion into American politics is also ironic because, as I pointed out recently, much of our current debt is directly or indirectly due to S&P’s failures (along with the failures of the two other major credit-rating agencies — Fitch and Moody’s) to do their jobs before the financial meltdown. Until the eve of the collapse S&P gave triple-A ratings to some of the Street’s riskiest packages of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations.”
Basically Standard & Poors is playing Russian Roulette with the American and World economy after they already helped tank it in 2007.
Political kitty says the S&P credit rating downgrades of the U.S. and other institutions are purely political and meant to scare people and cats. This kitty thinks it's time to just ignore S&P. Maybe they need to sit in a corner for a time out. Photo credit: Ceiling cat saw what you did there by jeffreyww on flickr cc
The Smell at S&P Seems to be Getting Stronger
S&P Downgraded the U.S. from AAA to AA+ on Friday, August 5th. Then on Monday, August 8th they downgraded Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and various insurance and mortgage companies. However, they have not downgraded banks yet. Mmmmm.
John Chambers, Managing Director of S&P Sovereign Ratings Committee and major “decider” on downgrading U.S. credit rating, said on Bloomberg,
“Usually when you lose a AAA rating you don’t get it back right away. So there have been 5 governments that have gotten their AAA back, but it has taken between 9 and 18 years to do so.”
Mr. Chambers never directly answered the question of what the U.S. would have to do to get its AAA ratings back faster than 9 to 18 years other than to say there needed to be a compromise between the Republicans and Democrats which he then said he didn’t think could happen in six months. Does John Chambers relish his “sovereign” ratings power to appear to make or break countries?
Psychological Attack on America
Is S&P’s downgrade strategically timed to create an environment of fear and uncertainty to undermine the confidence of markets and all americans in order to force their political and economic will on the American public?
Is there a political motive behind Standard and Poor’s credit downgrades?
Today, the Senate Banking Committee announced it was considering investigating S&P. This sounds like an excellent idea, especially since the bailout of the banks beginning in 2008 from the mortgage-backed security scandal was largely due to S&P’s AAA ratings of junk bond like CDOs and other mortgage backed securities. Then the U.S. in the last days of the G. W. Bush administration decided to bail out the perpetrators of the sinking of the economy to prevent the black hole of a depression from overtaking the U.S. and possibly the world.
What is disturbing are concerted efforts to blame everything on President Obama. Perhaps the folks pointing their fingers need to look at a mirror to see the finger pointing back at them.
The rating system of S&P seems suspect to some sort of bias. The question is why do markets believe them and why do we allow them to have so much power? These folks deciding what is creditworthy seem to use flawed data and a flawed philosophy.
Barney Frank stated on Rachel Maddow of S&P:
“While they have been overvaluing private debt, they consistently undervalue public debt. These people have for years been giving cities and states and counties varying ratings, despite the fact the cities, states and towns almost never default.”
This is detrimental to public governments that raise money to improve their communities because if a state or county has a poor rating, they will have to pay a higher interest rate in order to accomplish their goals of raising capital to build roads, improve infrastructure or provide certain services.
It is clear from S&P’s own analysis that much of their reasoning for downgrading various entities is subjective and not always based on the real numbers.
S&P Now Threatening Downgrade to Warren Buffet’s company Berkshire Hathaway
“If anything, it may change my opinion on S&P.” – not his opinion of U.S. Treasuries.
Then a few hours later S&P put Berkshire Hathaway on “notice for a possible downgrade.” Is S&P flexing its credit rating sword to anyone who doesn’t like their ratings? Boy are they thin-skinned. Most bullies don’t react well to criticism.
Also, apparently “Berkshire Hathaway” is the “single biggest shareholders in S&P’s competitor, Moody’s.”
Lucky $1 Billion Bet or Insider Trading?
Who or what bet big money on July 21, 2011 that the U.S. would suffer a credit downgrade? According to this article, the person or entity placed $1 billion dollar bet that the U.S. credit rating would be downgraded and possibly now received $10 Billion dollars from that trade!
Is Manipulation of the Markets and World Economy Being Purposely Engineered?
Why would S&P purposely downgrade the U.S. credit rating at this time and then subsequently downgrade other entities that could shift the U.S. into another recession?
Questions about the Credit Downgrades from S&P:
1. Does S&P Benefit from the Downgrades in any way?
2. Was S&P told to downgrade the U.S. now for political and other reasons?
3. Is this a deliberate attempt to shift currency markets? Already investors are putting money into gold and European currency because of their fear from S&P’s raised eyebrows.
Averting Meltdown of the U.S. and World Economy
What can the U.S. do now to deal with S&P’s irresponsible actions that seem to be multiplying every day?
S.E.C. Cat tries to warn the 3 Credit Rating Agency Birds that they Could be Liable for their Inaccurate Credit Ratings. Photo Credit: Angry Birds vs Angry Cats by MSeckington on flickr cc DSC_0490
The New York Times Business Section ran a piece called, “S&P, Accused of Faulty Math, Fights Error Disclosure Rule,” about how the President of S&P, Devon Sharma, sent a letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) about his difference of opinion regarding “error disclosure rules” that would make a credit rating agency publicly reveal the details of their errors.
Funny thing, you see Monday, August 8, 2011, a few days after the big day, Friday, August 5th when S&P blew up the U.S. and world economies, was the last day to provide “comments” to the S.E.C. regarding the pending rules on credit rating agencies and how they:
1. Deal with errors internally in their organizations when rating a particular organization, corporation or country
2. Would be required to make public any major error discrepancy and also its methodologies for deciding on the credit rating for a particular country or organization or corporation.
Here is the letter that Mr. Devon Sharma wrote to the United States S.E.C. As the New York Times indicated, Mr. Sharma thinks credit rating agencies should have privacy regarding the errors they make. Also, he does not think it is appropriate for an agency like the S.E.C. to create a “definition” of what might constitute a glaring “error” in calculating the creditworthiness of a country, or state, or city, or corporation.
Yes, Mr. Sharma who is unelected by the people of any country, including the United States, thinks that credit agencies like Standard and Poor’s which he is President of, should police themselves and that everyone should trust that they will rectify any errors in credit rating methodologies they might make.
S&P Says Trust Us, Don’t Pay Any Attention to the 2008 Debacle where we Over-rated Junk Mortgage Backed Securities
S&P has yet to reveal how it managed to rate junk mortgage-backed securities AAA. This mis-rating of corporate securities lead to the collapse of the U.S. economy which sent shock waves around the world in 2008 and beyond. It also was directly related to the bailouts under G. W. Bush and Barack Obama of the banks and brokerage houses that cost taxpayers billions of dollars and many jobs due to their irresponsible overspeculation.
S&P still has failed to fully reveal how it calculated its “math” and “assumptions” for giving AAA ratings of toxic corporate securities that sunk the U.S. economy.
As Congressman Barney Frank revealed, there seems to be a real problem with the way S&P consistently downgrades the creditworthiness of public governments–cities, states and countries, yet simultaneously consistently overvalues the creditworthiness of private corporate debt.
Who exactly are these small biased committees of people who decide credit ratings of countries and public and private entities that could result in billions of dollars of unnecessary additional costs to taxpayers, and why does the world pay any attention to their credit ratings?
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Law would Expose Credit Rating Agencies to Civil Liability–it’s a good thing
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law would turn the tables on credit rating agencies and make them financially liable for their mistakes. Yes, Dodd-Frank could expose S&P and other credit rating agencies to possibly being sued if their credit ratings are inaccurate. S&P does not like this. It might cut into its profits of over $2 billion (which it made in 2009).
Now Do We Get The Big Picture of S&P’s Pre-Emptive Strike on the U.S.?
OK, so S&P decided possibly to check out how powerful its credit rating swordsmanship was, so it cut the credit rating of the U.S. to see if anything might happen. Were they testing the waters? As we can see from the wild swings of the market over the last few days, and the fear and panic unleashed hopefully temporarily, S&P is probably very happy with itself on how much power it seems to have right now before pending regulations. Now, it is not liable for bad credit ratings. Hopefully the S.E.C. and Congress will come to its senses and stop placating the bullies at S&P and the other credit rating agencies. Why should they be shielded from civil liability if their credit ratings are inaccurate and create great cost to people and public and private entities?
It seems that S&P currently is on a wild rampage as the biggest bully in town to use its little credit-rating-cutting sword to attack anyone who questions their methodologies or confronts them with glaring $2 Trillion dollar errors — even the great Warren Buffett.
The 2$ Trillion S&P Error-Filled Assumption Called by the U.S. Government
When S&P sent a draft press release to the U.S. government informing them that they were going to be downgraded, the U.S. government said, not so fast, you are miscalculating your credit rating of the U.S. by $2 Trillion dollars.
S&P did not blink an eye. Instead they tried to wave away this inconvenient bit of news by saying that the $2 Trillion Dollar error wasn’t an important “assumption” in their final decision to downgrade the U.S. government. Really?
So now S&P wants to keep the total picture of how they downgraded the U.S. private and we should just trust S&P is doing the right thing. It is time to lift the curtain and reveal the truth about the motives and reasons why S&P is flexing its credit rating sword.
“The credit rating agencies are taking advantage of the country’s financial problems to increase their own political power. They want to ensure that regulators do not reduce their autonomy and influence.”
“The S.&P. downgrade has elevated this simmering standoff to an overt clash. Politicians will be tempted to wave a white flag by granting the agencies a pass from tough regulation in exchange for the agencies’ not downgrading federal debt further. While that approach may give the United States breathing room in the short run, the government should not give in to such extortion.”
S.E.C. Cat wants S&P Angry Bird to disclose how it arrived at its downgrade of the U.S. in spite of its $2 Trillion Dollar Miscalculation. Photo Credit: Angry Birds vs Angry Cats by MSeckington on flickr cc DSC_0497
Wise Economist Cat thinks Warren Buffett is right about raising taxes on the super-rich. Photo Credit: Macro Dini and Her 3rd Blue Eye by jessicafm on flickr cc
Warren Buffett’s New York Times Op-ed said “Stop Coddling the Super-Rich”
Self-made businessman Warren Buffett is worth over $40 Billion dollars. His article in the New York Times today calls for the Super-Rich (like himself) to pay their fair share of taxes. He said that while “our leaders have asked for “shared sacrifice”" his “mega-rich” friends were left “untouched” by Congress.
Warren Buffett “Stop Coddling the Super-Rich”; Billionaire Investor Renews Call for Higher Taxes
Buffett clearly states that the sacrifice called for by politicians has fallen on the backs of the poor and middle class who fight for us in Afghanistan. Buffett acknowledged that most Americans are desperately trying their best to make ends meet even as the ultra-rich get big tax breaks. Why? What makes the super-rich more important than everyone else?
The buzz word in Republican and Tea Party circles is that the top 1% are “job creators.” However, the so-called “job creators” who are swimming in cash, failed to put that money towards creating jobs in the era of big tax breaks from 2001-2011.
Have Tax Breaks for the Super-Rich created Jobs?
According to Warren Buffett: “People invest to make money, and potential taxes have never scared them off. And to those who argue that higher rates hurt job creation, I would note that a net of nearly 40 million jobs were added between 1980 and 2000. You know what’s happened since then: lower tax rates and far lower job creation.”
Warren Buffett says less jobs have been created since the tax rates under G. W. Bush went down for the super-rich. Under George W. Bush there were only approximately 2 million jobs created. Interestingly, more jobs were created when the top 1% paid higher tax rates between 1980 to 2000.
What Tax Rates are Fair for the Super Rich and Everyone Else?
Buffett said he only paid 17.4 percent rate for his income tax in 2010 due to all the tax loopholes and tax breaks to the super-rich. However, those folks who work for him with less incomes paid higher rates of 33 percent to 41 percent.
Buffett said it’s “nice to have friends in high places.” However, he wants to pay what is fair and he admits that no matter how much people are whining about how the rich pay so much tax, in reality they pay less tax than those with less income. Buffett said Congress seems to favor “people who make money with money”. Why is it that Congress gives higher tax rates to those who make money from “a job?”
Buffett said the “mega-rich pay income taxes at a rate of 15 percent on most of their earnings, but pay practically nothing in payroll taxes.”
What Government Does Best when Corporations Sit On Their Money
Government can immediately create jobs for many people looking for work. This would have beneficial economic effects where dollars spent actually multiply their value. A public works program of helping states fix roads, bridges, and schools would benefit the private and public sectors. Without good infrastructure, it’s hard to have effective business.
These 3 Kittens want the U.S. government to create jobs by putting people to work improving roads, schools, bridges and communities. There need to be more jobs for young graduates too. Photo Credit: Three Musketeers by D.Meutia on flickr cc
Government serves a purpose for the common good. It’s time to realize the positive value of government.
Political cat reacts to Rick Perry's stimulus-bashing comments about the stimulus even though Perry gladly took $17.4 billion for Texas to help create 40,000 jobs. Why does Rick Perry fail to see how the Obama stimulus money helped create Texas jobs?Photo Credit: Divine Vessel's Chubbsie... by exfordy on flickr cc
Is Rick Perry Confused or a Hypocrit?
Rick Perry’s Texas Jobs are ‘Gov., Stimulus’ Jobs
Perry on Stimulus Funds – Oct. 15, 2010
This young kitten wonders why Rick Perry took $17.4 billion in stimulus funds but declined over $500 million to help educate youth in Texas. Photo credit: Catca by panli54 on flickr cc
Rick Perry hates big government and bashes the bailouts and the stimulus promoted by the Obama administration to help create jobs previously lost under President G. W. Bush. Yet, this article in the Texas Tribune outlines how much money Rick Perry took from the Obama Stimulus in order to pay for Texas programs and create over 40,000 jobs.
At a discussion featured above in the You Tube video from The Texas Tribune about Texas stimulus money, Perry says he doesn’t like federal money given to Texas with “strings” attached. Yet Perry is OK with “strings” attached to giving educational funds to school districts in Texas when he decides on the strings. He is OK with strings he likes…
Rick Perry seems to hate the things the federal government would do to help states to create jobs and stimulate the economy, the very government that enabled him to brag about how many jobs he created in Texas.
Could Rick Perry brag about how many jobs he created if he declined the $17.4 Billion he got from the 2009 Obama stimulus?
Comments about Rick Perry and Stimulus Money Texas Tribune, "Rick Perry took $17B in stimulus funds from the federal government to balance Texas' budget and create Texas jobs. Thanks, Barack Obama, for creating all those American jobs in Texas."
Comments about Rick Perry and Stimulus Money Texas Tribune 1: Kim Batchelor says, "In fiscal 2009, the IRS collected about $163 billion from Texans and the state Texans and the state received about $224 billion, for a net gain of $61 billion dollars."
News Wrap: Rick Perry Takes Heat for Criticism of Fed’s Stimulus Efforts
Cats and Dogs can be civil with each other. How about Republicans and Democrats? Photo credit: Buddy and Chubbs by ckay on flickr cc
Rachel Maddow said we understand something better when it has a name. She decided to name the phenomena of whenever the Republicans propose something and then President Obama supports it, then the Republicans decide they are against the thing they initially proposed and supported because President Obama is for that thing. Maddow named this crazy phenomena ”The Great Flabbergasting.”
Maddow illustrated that Republicans do not seem to care about what is best for Americans. Instead, their decisions appear to be about making sure that anything President Obama is for, they are against. This is unfortunate because it is a waste of taxpayers money and counterproductive to the wellbeing of all Americans regardless of party.
Isn’t it silly that the Republican politicians propose something, the President supports it, then they decide they are against that very thing?
Cats and Dogs Get Along…Perhaps Republicans & Democrats Could Too
Cats and Dogs can be friends and work together. Now it is time for Republicans and Democrats to work together to put people back to work. This cat & dog want to know what Congress will do to put Americans back to work? Photo Credit: Chuy and Neko by meknits on flickr cc
In a purrrfect world cats of every party in the U.S. would get along, play nice and share their food. Even cats and dogs can get along. That means there actually is hope that Republicans and Democrats could get along too for the sake of what is best for this country and all its citizens.
Cats & Dogs Living Together
These cats get along despite their territorial natures. They want Republicans to learn from them and stop being Flabbergasted by President Obama! Work together already! Photo Credit: Cats by Anna's Photos on flickr cc
Of Course in Order to Work Together We Need to Get Beyond the Same Old Talking Points…
Political Cat wonders what Karl Rove thinks about Rick Perry's outlandish remarks on the campaign trail. Photo credit: squishy things by vikdoriya on flickr cc
Karl Rove engineered a Republican takeover of the Texas Supreme Court a few decades ago and then went on to groom Rick Perry to become the Texas agriculture commissioner in 1990. Perry later became Lt. Governor of Texas in 1998 and eventually became Governor of Texas in 2000 when G. W. Bush resigned to become President.
Al Hunt, Executive Editor of Bloomberg News on Perry’s Bernanke Comment, Buffett’s Tax Call
The Problem with Making Copies of Copies
Karl Rove coached G. W. Bush before he became President. Then Karl Rove coached Rick Perry. However, Rick Perry has certain similarities to G. W. Bush but he seems to be more extreme. Did Rick Perry turn out similar to Michael Keaton’s character “Doug” in the movie Multiplicity when Doug made clone copies of himself and then his copy, Doug#3, made a copy of Doug #2 which resulted in Doug#4 who is a little off or “special”?
Is Rick Perry a bad copy of G. W. Bush? In the movie Multiplicity, Doug #3 said that sometimes “when you make a copy of a copy it isn’t quite as sharp as the original.” Is that what happened with Perry?
Multiplicity #4 and Rick Perry
Has Rick Perry taken his education in learning how to use manipulative talking points to a completely different level than perhaps Karl Rove envisioned? Karl Rove how is your protege Rick Perry doing now?
Karl Rove Piles On Rick Perry
Papantonio: Rick Perry Not Ready for Prime Time Politics
S.E.C. Cat wonders if she follows this string will it unravel the truth about the role S&P played in the 2008-2009 economic crisis? Photo credit: Cat String 7 by oskay on flickr cc
Deven Sharma, current president of Standard and Poor’s, announced today that he will step down to “pursue other interests.” As of September 12, 2011, Sharma will change his role at the S&P rating agency from president to advisor to the parent company, McGraw-Hill Companies, until the end of the year. He will be replaced by Douglas Peterson, currently the chief operating officer of Citibank.
The Timing of Sharma’s Departure from Standard & Poor’s
S&P’s Sharma to Leave, Replaced by Citi’s Peterson – Bloomberg
On August 5, 2011, S&P downgraded the U.S. from AAA to AA+ even though the S.E.C. confronted S&P with a $2 Trillion dollar error in their calculations. S&P simply brushed off their $2 Trillion dollar miscalculation of U.S. Debt and claimed that it still would downgrade the U.S.
Debtmageddon
In the last few days the S.E.C. has finally announced it is investigating S&P for its role in the economic meltdown between 2008-2009 which many claim was due in large part to S&Ps incorrect AAA ratings of junk bond mortgage-backed securities. Sharma has been President of S&P since 2007.
The U.S. downgrade on August 5 helped lead to the biggest sell-off in share markets since the global financial crisis three years earlier and sparked a row with the U.S. Treasury over some of the agency’s calculations in arriving at the new rating.
The U.S. Justice Department is also investigating the ratings agency over its actions on mortgages leading up to the 2008-2009 crisis, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.
Even though McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. claims there is no connection between Sharma’s departure and the recent flack over downgrading the U.S. from AAA to AA+, the timing of Sharma’s departure is stunning.
Is McGraw-Hill restructuring of S&P an attempt to placate an angry public over S&Ps continued missteps and seemingly self-interested actions in the market place from how it rates corporations differently from cities, states and countries? And is Sharma’s departure an effort to divert attention from S&Ps lobbying efforts to derail stiffer requirements for transparency about its rating practices and methodologies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act?
Fiscal Cat says it's time for Congress to require transparency of rating agencies like S&P. Photo Credit: Cat's eyes. by Shiva Photographie on flickr cc
Book Reviewer cat thinks Dick Cheney's Memoir is just a way for Dick Cheney to blame everyone else for any problems that arose during his and G. W. Bush's administration. Photo Credit: Yawn by kalbara87 on flickr cc
Former Vice President Dick Cheney refuses to apologize or take responsibility for things that went wrong under his and G. W. Bush’s administration between 2001-2009:
Costly Iraq War started under false pretenses
Economic Crisis due to inability of Wall Street & Banks to “self-regulate” or police themselves
Cheney letting his Chief of Staff to leak the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame
… just to name a few mistakes on Vice President Cheney’s watch.
Powell Fights Back Against Cheney Book Iraq Claims
Colin Powell said on Face the Nation that Cheney takes “cheap shots” at him and Condi Rice in his new book. Does Cheney want to create his own view of history? Will anyone believe it?
Lawrence Wilkerson on Dick Cheney’s “In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir.” 1 of 2
Lawrence Wilkerson, Former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell said,
“I could characterize Cheney’s book as singularly insignificant” and his book “is more like a grocery store tabloid.”
Glenn Greenwald on Dick Cheney’s “In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir.” 2 of 2
Maureen Dowd wrote an informative column, “Darth Vader Vents,” about Dick Cheney’s new memoir.
In her column on Cheney whom she calls Darth Vader, Maureen Dowd recounts a portion of Cheney’s memoir where he talks about how he received a letter from the Commander of Camp David’s Laurel Lodge about his large dog, Dave:
“There were few times before the bitter end that W. was willing to stand up to Vice. But the president did make a bold stand on not letting his little dog be gobbled up by Cheney’s big dog.
When Vice’s hundred-pound yellow Lab, Dave, went after W.’s beloved Scottish terrier, Barney, at Camp David’s Laurel Lodge, that was a bridge too far.
When Cheney and Dave got back to their cabin, there was a knock at the door. “It was the camp commander,” Cheney writes. “ ‘Mr. Vice President,’ he said, ‘your dog has been banned from Laurel.’ ””
The President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (Jobs Council) was created to provide non-partisan advice to the President on continuing to strengthen the Nation’s economy and ensure the competitiveness of the United States and on ways to create jobs, opportunity, and prosperity for the American people.
The current discussion focuses on the need for more high tech jobs, particularly engineers in the U.S. There is a need to create high tech manufacturing right here in the United States.
The discussion indicated so far that the U.S. needs more engineers right now.
America graduates only 120,000 engineers a year compared to China and India’s 1 million engineers per year!
The U.S. currently is behind in graduating engineers ten to one!
Math and Science Key to Excellent Engineers
In order to be an engineer you have to be good at math and science. This starts in K-12. If we want good engineers then we have to begin teaching the love of math and science early. That means we need to fund public schools better. Our young people are the future of America.
Linguistic Cat says to call Medicare and Social Security Safety Net Programs. Enough with the "entitlement" jargon! Photo Credit: Untitled by gesika22 on flickr
Since When did we start calling Medicare and Social Security “entitlement” programs?
Have wordmeisters like Frank Luntz and Karl Rove hijacked the language to undermine Medicare and Social Security? It seems that way. Let’s start using the proper terms for Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid and other programs. They are social safety net programs or safety net programs. Calling them “entitlement” programs is just a means to get people upset. The unsaid subtext of this word “entitlement” is “who made you entitled?” Why are you entitled to this?
The other unsaid connection that folks like Cantor want to make is why should you be entitled when we have such a large deficit? They want to shame people. Why should you have these programs?
This word “entitlement” incorrectly mischaracterizes successful and necessary programs of Medicare, in existence since 1953, and Social Security, in existence since 1939. Certain factions within the Republican party want to dismantle these programs even as voters across all party lines tell politicians to “keep their hands off Medicare and Social Security!”
It’s time that we stopped calling these programs “entitlement” programs and call them what they are, “safety net programs” that our elderly deserve and need.
People who get medicare and social security have a right to these programs. Some right wing pundits and politicians say “entitlement” programs with a sneer and a denigrating tone of voice. Many of these people’s parents get social security and medicare. Are they against their parents receiving these programs?
It is time to reframe the issue of Medicare and Social Security and let people know that these programs insure that our elderly are able to survive and thrive in their golden years.
Safety Nets of All Kinds for American Citizens
Safety net one minute (06-15-11).wmv
Suzanne Durham’s Story About Federal Safety Net Programs
The Kittens agreed it was time for the U.S. to finally ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) for everyone on earth. Photo Credit: The Polychora at two weeks by General Wesc on flickr cc
“For the United States…One of our highest priorities is the ratification and entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. The Treaty is an essential step toward the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons, the vision President Obama articulated in Prague in April 2009.
The CTBT is central to leading nuclear weapons states toward a world of diminished reliance on nuclear weapons and reduced nuclear competition. With a global ban on nuclear explosive tests in place, states interested in pursuing or advancing their nuclear weapons programs would have to either risk deploying weapons uncertain of their effectiveness or face international condemnation, and possible sanctions, for conducting nuclear explosive tests.”
Nobel Laureate and former Manhattan Project scientist, Sir Joseph Rotblat, offers concrete steps to a safer world and why abolition of nuclear weapons is the sanest and safest way to insure a peaceful world:
Sir Joseph Rotblat – Steps to a Safer World
Joseph Rotblat
In Joseph Rotblat’s acceptance speech of the Nobel Peace Prize, he included a quote from the Russell-Einstein Manifesto which he signed after WWII urging all nations to reduce the threat of nuclear war:
“Above all remember your humanity and forget the rest.”
What are your thoughts about nuclear disarmament and the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty?
Storm the Cat loves the Apple iPad and appreciates Steve Jobs. Photo Credit: Storm Plays "Cat Fishing" by Numinosity (by Gary J Wood) on flickr cc
Steve Jobs:
Thank you for co-founding Apple, Inc. You and others at Apple, Pixar and Next unleashed so much creativity by the products you and your colleagues designed and developed. You will be greatly missed by the whole world. Thanks for inspiring present and future generations.
Here are some words of wisdom from Steve Jobs from his Commencement Speech at Stanford in 2005.
Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Steve Jobs said at the 2005 Stanford University Commencement:
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path, and that will make all the difference.”
…
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking, and don’t settle.”
…
“Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become, everything else is secondary.”
Heartfelt condolences to family and friends of Steve Jobs. He was one in a million.
Pretty Chloe agrees with Robert Reich on how to improve the economy and create jobs. Photo Credit: Pretty Chloe by Tiger Girl on flickr cc
Robert Reich Outlines 7 Lies about the Economy
Economist Robert Reich, a man of many talents, displays his economic and artistic abilities in this video as he illustrates 7 Key Lies trumpeted by the GOP about what they claim are the causes of our economic problems.
Robert Reich wisely stated, “Big lies start to be believed unless they are rebutted with the truth.”
Robert Reich – 7 Lies
Do voters really fall for the GOP deceptive talking points that push people’s buttons and basically offer no real solutions? What will it take for voters to clearly understand the basic truths of what will truly improve our economy that Reich points out?
Congress has an opportunity to pass the Obama Jobs Bill, or at least portions of it that would fund infrastructure projects and keep teachers, firemen and police in their jobs in states all across America. If the GOP really want to create jobs, then they should pass this bill. It will help all Americans in the short term and the long term.
Robert Reich: Jobs Not Cuts
Reich debates whether we need to focus on cutting the deficit or creating jobs now.
Robert Reich also talks about the Military Industrial Congressional Complex
What are our priorities for improving the quality of life of voters in this country? Is it giving more billions towards unnecessary weapons systems for overkill or is it improving infrastructure, providing early childhood education, providing excellent public education K-12?
Studies show that putting money towards education provides more jobs than the same money used for defense related jobs. This article in Huffington Post reveals the $60,000 billion in U.S. funds lost to waste, fraud and abuse due to out-of-control spending and little or no oversight of funds used in Iraq and Afghanistan wars in the last 10 years.
Wolfie the Oakland cat is disgusted with the Oakland police who brutally used tear gas, flash grenades and rubber bullets on peaceful Occupy Wall Street protestors. Photo credit: Wolfie by maureen lunn on flickr cc
Shock and Awe in Oakland, CA: What were the leaders of Oakland thinking when they turned their streets into a war zone? Obviously they were not thinking at all!
Here is a shocking video of an Oakland, CA policeman deliberately targeting an Occupy Wall Street protestor who was already hit in the face with a possible tear gas canister. He appears to wait until a small group of people came to help the injured protestor and then he throws another explosive device directly at the group.
What was this police officer thinking? Is he a sadist? Why would he wait until people were trying to help an injured person and then compound the injury by hurling another flash grenade into the small group of good samaritans?
On top of it, the police are caught firing rubber bullets into the protestors on many videos all over the internet. However, according to Rachel Maddow they have the nerve to deny that they fired rubber bullets.
The violence perpetrated by the police was totally out of proportion to the situation. The news reports look like a war zone. Who allowed the police to take such over-the-top actions? Was it the Mayor or Police Commissioner?
Occupy Oakland Police Riot
The man in the video below shown throwing a flash grenade into the protestors should be disciplined and/or suspended.
Oakland Policeman Throws Flash Grenade Into Crowd
Rachel Maddow Police respond to Occupy Oakland with violence
The sad thing is that the police are also in the 99% of Americans who have not seen their incomes rise very much since the 1980s while the top 1% have had their incomes rise astronomically.
Maddow reported that according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Income Growth for the top 1% of American earners rose approximately 275 percent between 1979 and 2007. Here are the earnings in after tax income growth for everyone between 1979 and 2007:
This smart cat thinks Congress should read Madrick's "The Age of Greed", especially Paul Ryan to understand why cutting deficits now is absolutely wrong for the economy. Photo Credit: Braveheart II by Bob MacInnes on flickr cc
In “The Age of Greed,” Jeff Madrick, former economic columnist for the New York Times and current Senior Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute and the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis at the New School, recounts the history of the people, organizations and policies that lead to our present economic woes. This book outlines the effects of de-regulation of the financial sector and how that contributed to unbridled greed by banks and other financial institutions and the undermining of a fair and equitable economic system for all.
09-19-11 1b – Do The Math, with Jeff Madrick – Countdown with Keith Olbermann
Madrick thinks President Obama’s new jobs plan is bold and focuses on needed investment in infrastructure and development of jobs.
The Real News: How Dangerous is this Moment?
In this interview with The Real News, Madrick talks about the problems that de-regulation has created in today’s American economy:
“We’ve allowed finance to dominate the American economy and the world economy as a consequence.
When finance dominates an economy, it begins, I think it’s become quite clear, to play games among themselves to make money…It becomes paper shuffling.”
History Shows: Myopic Focus on Cutting the Deficit will Worsen Economy and Prolong the Recession
In a C-Span Book TV program from 8/30/2011, Madrick talked about how the Tea Party and other Americans have been mislead by the media and politicians into thinking less government and less regulation will improve the economy. Madrick points out the fact that few to no leaders stood up in 2010 to clearly explain that in a time of recession, focusing on cutting the deficit makes the economy worse and increases the suffering of working people.
Solutions to Getting Out of the Recession and Improving the Economy
Jeff Madrick said President Obama should clearly explain to the American public that history proves that the way to get out of a recession is to:
Require spending on Jobs programs
Have serious energy investment
Invest in modern infrastructure
Revitalize social programs to benefit others
Give more support for research and development
According to Madrick we have had a “war economy” for a long time and it failed to help us. He said that government has accomplished few “big things” since the 1980s. He said this is primarily due to the financial sector gaining increasing control of the political process through their financial contributions to Congress on both sides of the aisle.
As a result, the claims of some politicians who erroneously focus on the myth that we have to cut deficits and can’t spend on social programs is increasing the gap between rich and poor and keeping our nation’s working people’s wages static while the corporate class increase their own profits and personal wealth.
This cat loves to listen to Zoe Keating's original cello pieces. Photo Credit: He sings, too by Magic Madzik on flickr cc
I came across Zoe Keating’s music by chance. I’m glad I did. Her music is inspirational and beautiful. See for yourself. I’m including various videos of her playing her own pieces. Enjoy and tell me what you think.
Zoe Keating playing Optimist at TEDxSF
Optimist (Live) by Zoe Keating
Zoe Keating, Wired interview
Zoe Keating- Choreography by Sarah Brinson
Zoe Keating-Avant Cellist
Zoe Keating:
“I’m creating a world… It is a world of feeling and emotion and color and light.”
“Music is this thing that happens in a moment in time. And that moment of time only happens once.”
It is possible to dialogue, debate and disagree in a respectful manner. Join the campaign for promoting true civil discourse in the U.S. and the world. Isn't it time we learned to find common ground. After all, we live together on this beautiful blue planet.
Does Mitt Romney just make things up?
Political kitty got sleepy listening to Mitt Romney's New Hampshire acceptance speech filled with typical partisan talking points. Photo Credit: Cat Posing by David Masters on flickr cc
Mitt Romney’s speech in New Hampshire
Mitt Romney seems to belong to the “create your own reality” crowd that hung around with G. W. Bush and Karl Rove a few years ago. At least that’s what it sounded like when Romney sprinkled every phrase with words that seemed to be directly from a “talking points memo” written by Frank Luntz.
Does Romney think everyone will just believe what he says no matter what he says? Guess so, because he made up a lot of stuff about President Obama that was laughable and totally bizarre. Romney makes up things like accusing President Obama of being envious of who, the 1%? That must be some kind of talking point that scored well in focus groups. Romney kept using words like “envious” and “resentment” peppered in his speech in New Hampshire.
Hopefully most people will realize that Romney is playing word games.
Romney on Defense
Romney must think the U.S. spends very little on weapons because he kept saying how he wanted to make sure we had overwhelming military power. He should probably check out the SIPRI Yearbook 2011 on worldwide military expenditures which states the U.S. in 2010 spent $698 billion dollars which was 43% of the entire world’s expenditure on the military. The only country that was a far second place in military spending was China which spent $119 billion dollars in 2010. This is roughtly six times less than what the U.S. spent on its military.
I guess Mitt Romney heard that claiming the U.S. needs to spend more on defense would rile up his base. Never mind that we are already spending a ridiculous unnecessary amount on defense compared with the rest of the world. After China, the country placing third on military expenditures in 2010 was our ally, the United Kingdom, with a mere $59.6 billion spent on defense.
President Obama maintained high levels of U.S. defense spending from 2009 to the present, yet to listen to Romney you would think we suddenly stopped spending anything on defense.
The word games and talking point duels have begun for the hearts and minds of the American people. Let’s hope the people’s minds can withstand the onslaught from now until the 2012 election.