Daily Archives: 10/24/2011

Tweet at your Republicans in Congress as well… #PASSTHEBILL #theAmericansJOBSACT


Democrats in the Senate tried to pass a simple piece of President Obama’s jobs plan that shouldn’t be controversial: provide money to prevent further layoffs of teachers, cops, and firefighters at the local level, and pay for it by taxing the income of millionaires an extra 0.5%.

This morning a lot of media outlets reported that the Senate “rejected” or “voted down” this proposal.

But that’s not what happened. The measure didn’t come to an actual vote.

That’s because every single Republican senator filibustered the bill — meaning they wouldn’t even let an up-or-down vote happen. Republicans have unilaterally decided not to allow even that simple majority vote on anything that might help the economy before the next election.

To be clear: This bill would have created jobs, and both parties have supported similar measures in the past.

But, sadly, some in the Congress do not feel any responsibility to act. As someone who has spent a lot of time working in and with the Senate, I can tell you that it’s a particularly low moment for the legislative branch of our government.

It doesn’t need to be this way. That’s why the President and our campaign are focused on fixing what’s broken in Washington. Right now, that means we’re going to keep the pressure on Congress to act, until every single piece of the President’s jobs plan — the parts to help veterans find jobs and get small businesses hiring more people — gets a vote.

So please, reach out and keep reaching out to Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, and ask him to give each piece of the American  Jobs Act a fair vote.

You can reach his office at (202) 224-2541.

Call now — then let us know how it went.

If you’re on Twitter, be sure to tweet at your Republicans in Congress as well.

We’ll have more on this soon.

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

1 Comment

Shocking moment at GOP debate — fight back!


When audience members booed an openly gay soldier at last month’s GOP presidential debate, my heart dropped to my feet.

It was offensive enough that the audience would jeer one of our service members. But that none of the presidential hopefuls on stage stood up for this brave young man? Unconscionable.

And they say they want to be Commander-in-Chief.

These candidates lend a megaphone to a shared platform of hateful attacks on equality. We see them every day from leaders of the religious right all the way down to a New Jersey schoolteacher’s ugly Facebook tirade earlier this month. But there’s no slur too small for us to call out – and no lie too large for us to tear down.

And that’s where you come in, Carmen. You and I and all straight allies can stand up to these right-wing attacks and create a safer world for the LGBT community. Help us fight back by becoming a first-time HRC member before MIDNIGHT TOMORROW.

With less than 48 hours left to our deadline, we’re still 142 new members short of our goal – and we need your support now. Don’t wait any longer – please join today.

There’s a groundswell of support for equality lighting up our country, but dangerous, hateful talking points are still far too commonplace. GOP contenders are pledging to reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and fight for a constitutional ban on marriage equality.

Every statement from the National Organization for Marriage and every speech by the head of the American Family Association drips in anti-LGBT anger – from calling equality supporters “anti-marriage goons”  to labeling homosexuality a “threat to public health.”

Hurtful, bigoted words like these get beamed into living rooms across the country and plastered across Facebook.

School administrators, teachers, and students take them as license to discriminate and to bully. Athletes take them as a sign that it’s okay to use anti-gay slurs. And Republican leaders in the House of Representatives use them as reasoning behind their multi-million dollar, taxpayer-funded court case in support of the Defense of Marriage Act. We can put an end to the hate, but not without your help. Will you fight back with us now?

We want you with us. Become an HRC member today to help defend our victories and build a world free of right-wing discrimination.

Time and time again, HRC has relied on a simple belief: equality is a right that should be afforded to all. It’s why you and I are part of this cause – and it’s what propels us through victories and setbacks. Thank you for everything you do to support this simple yet profound purpose.

For our future,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

Congressional Budget Office:Cost Estimate -HR2937:Pipeline Infrastructure&Community Protection Act, HR1299:Secure Border Act


Run For Coverage!


How New Health-Care Laws Affect You … from Marie Claire

It’s health plan enrollment season again. And those who actually take the time to read the literature may save a heap of cash next our. Why? The benefits mandated by the

Affordable Care Act, a law requiring private plans to cover an array of preventative services and treatments at zero out-of-pocket cost. Women, especially,stand to gain, so read on.

__ What’s Covered Now: Mammograms and cervical cancer screenings;depression screening and counseling;obesity screening and counseling;folic acid supplementation;smoking interventions and counseling;breast-feeding support; chlamydia and gonorrhea screening

__ Coming Soon! Additional coverage for women,effective August 2012 -most significantly,100% covered FDA-approved prescription contraceptives. Also added were a doctor’s visit to determine which preventive services are recommended;rental of breast-feeding supplies;domestic violence screening;HPV DNA testing;sexually transmitted infection counseling; and HIV screening and counseling

__The Fine Print: Many plans(specifically,those created before March 23,2010)are grandfathered from providing such coverage. And coverage may not apply if you go out of network. Plus, some plans may choose not to cover brand-name contraceptives if a generic is available(unless the brand-name is doctor-recommended).

__Get What You’re Entitled to: Not sure if your insurance is up to par? Ask your benefits dept, or check out  www.healthcare.gov/prevention

The choices we make today will help determine how many Tea Party Republicans we can afford to target for defeat in 2012.


See Democratic Leader Pelosi’s message from yesterday? We’ve already passed our original goal of 600 Victory Partner members with 921 new monthly supporters. Help us hit 1,000 new members to our Victory Partners Program right now >>

We’ve recruited strong candidates in over 60 Republican-held or open seats, but we’re going to need a consistent set of resources to help them compete.

Will you join our Victory Partner monthly giving program? A contribution of just $10 a month will provide the foundation for a strong grassroots base across the country.

Thanks,

Robby

Robby Mook
DCCC Executive Director

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From: Nancy Pelosi
Sent: Friday, October 21st, 2011 12:57pm
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: This is groundbreaking…
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Friend –

It’s game time.Just over two weeks from now, we’ll be one year out from the 2012 election. The choices we make today will help determine how many Tea Party Republicans we can afford to target for defeat in 2012.

We have recruited a groundbreaking 60 Democratic candidates to compete in Republican-held or open seats. Many of these districts are held by Republicans who voted to destroy Medicare to fund tax cuts for Big Oil and Billionaires.

With just 25 Republican-held seats between us and a Democratic Majority this achievement represents a giant step down the path to victory in 2012.

But our candidates are already under attack from the radical right, and it’s only going to get worse. They must have the resources they need to fight back.

That’s why I’m asking you to join our Victory Partners Program and pledge your ongoing support from now through Election Day.

Victory Partners are a dedicated group of grassroots Democrats who spread out their support by making modest monthly donations. This ensures we have the steady, reliable resources we need to support our Democratic candidates and hold Republicans accountable for voting to end Medicare and blocking President Obama’s American Jobs Act.

I have set a goal of recruiting 600 new Victory Partners in the next 24-hours — ten for each Democratic Challenger — to show our candidates that grassroots Democrats are ready to stand with them and hold Tea Party Republicans accountable every step of the way through the 2012 election.

You can pledge a contribution of just $10 a month on your credit card, and you may cancel your Victory Partners membership at any time.

Join our Victory Partners program today and help drive our Democratic candidates to victory in 2012.We hit our candidate recruitment goal three months ahead of schedule. We have the momentum. But we need you with us. Join with our Democratic candidates by becoming a Victory Partner right now.

Thank you.

Nancy Pelosi

President and Mrs Obama on the American Jobs Act Bus Tour


We Must keep the Audacity for Hope and Change alive … #VOTEBARACKOBAMA2012

President and Mrs Obama on the American Jobs Act Bus Tour

Confession​s of an ex-politic​al candidate …for a seat on the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council


Confessions of an ex-political candidate

by Lori Ann Potter

In 2003 I ran for political office.  I was a candidate vying for a seat on the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, and  I learned s ome stuff about tribal politics that I’d like to share.  So without further adieu, I hereby dedicate this week’s post to tribal communities everywhere and their political candidate hopefuls.  Here is my top ten lessons-learned during the 2003 campaign season:

  1. “Big families” mean “more votes”.  The largest families typically hold the lion’s-share of strategic political power on our reservation.   This being the case, it didn’t take “rocket science” for me to realize the odds were considerably stacked against me.  With only seven direct relatives at proper voting age (at least 18 years old), I hail from the second smallest family line at Mashantucket. You can easily fit all of us into one mini-van.
  2. I did alright.  When everything was tallied I received 45 votes, landing somewhere in the middle of all the candidate vote totals.  It was not enough to win, but with approximately 20% of the overall vote, I have to admit it wasn’t bad for a first-time campaign.  And I can now cross “run for office” off my bucket list.
  3. 45 Votes may as well be 4 votes because they still won’t win an election.  From what I’ve observed, it takes between 80-120 votes to win a tribal council seat – depending on how many candidates are running, how many seats are vacant, and how many voters show up that first Sunday in November before polls close at noon.
  4. Every year, there are “secret deals”.  Alliances are commonly forged privately between one or more mid-sized family candidates and larger-family representatives.  Basically what happens is this: candidate “A” seeks support from council members representing the largest family line, offering his or her unequivocal political allegiance in exchange for whatever number of votes is needed to win.
  5. “Secret deals” aggravate me.  I just can’t bring myself to align politically with people in “power”.   A former chairman once confronted me about it privately when he was still in office. “We don’t support placing you in a leadership position because we don’t know where you stand politically,” he declared, matter-of-factly.  I quipped right back: “If you or anyone else wants to know ‘where I stand’ on any political matter, all you need to do is ask me and I will tell you.”  He wasn’t fond of my abrupt honesty.  I simply doubt that it’s in my tribe’s best interest for any candidate to promise their unwavering support to a dictatorship without regard to the potential outcome such support may b ring.  I believe doing so lowers one’s standard of ethics considerably, focusing instead on power brokering, scoring titles or raking in a much higher paycheck.  When such “deals” are done, their outcome always points to a manipulative, fear-based style of leadership. Frankly, I’d rather sleep at night.
  6. People who feel threatened by you will do really stupid things.  I paid way too much for ten double-sided campaign signs, only to discover that all but one were completely destroyed by the vandalism of strategic knife-slashes, burn marks, tire treads, and the sharpie-inflicted “enhancements” of mustaches, F-bombs and smatterings of other colorful expletives.  Mind you, that’s in addition to all the wildly half-baked gossip that kept bumbling its way back to me.  It’s amazing how inventive lies can become.
  7. Campaigning can be hazardous to your health.  Yes, the rumors are true.  Some candidates have indeed received “threats”.  A few have even dodged potentially harmful or even fatal “accidents”.  For instance, in 2003 one candidate shared with me a threatening hand-written note she received.  It was tied to a rock that shattered her living room window, warning her to drop out of the race …or else.  Another candidate walked out to his vehicle one night after a long meeting and discovered his severed brake-line with the fluid trickling down to the moonlit pavement below.  I know because I was there.
  8. Half of the people who promise to vote for you actually will.  If you are a hopeful candidate this season, please heed these words of advice.   When people shower you with smiles, compliments, shoulder-pats and hugs, promises to “have your back” in the voting booth and other random “feel-good” fluffy stuff… For the love of all common-sense and decency don’t fall for that crap!   And to all of the folks out there who get their kicks from pumping candidates’ heads full of sanctimonious euphoric nonsense - stop it!  Have enough courage to represent the real you.  If you cannot commit, then do not promise that you will.
  9. Losing an election can be the best thing that ever happened to you.   In my situation, I went right back to school and finished two degrees that I might never have achieved had I won that election.  And with the added perspective gained from several years working with my tribe’s constitution review team, I can see that the root of our political problems is directly linked to the governing foundation spelled out in my tribe’s constitution.  At Mashantucket, all powers of government are centralized into one branch – a tribal council of seven people.  Because they hold this magnitude of power, the tribal council can do whatever they want with whatever funds or resources they choose whenever they feel like it.   So just imagine for a moment what would happen if a tribe had no checks and balances on its government power, while hundreds of millions of dollars filter down from their casino through one group of seven leaders every year for 20 straight years.  Would those seven leaders have the strength to uphold integrity rather than yield to fear and temptation?
  10. You don’t need a leadership position in order to make a difference.  Some of the most powerful leaders in world history have been those who were not holding leadership positions when they wielded the most influence, overcame unbelievable odds, and radically disrupted the status quo of dictatorships.  Moses contended with Pharaoh and won freedom for Israel.  Martin Luther challenged Catholicism and the Protestant church was born.  Rosa Parks rebelled against racist laws by not moving to the back of a bus. Helen Keller was so influential with advocating women’s rights that she was placed on the FBI’s “watch list” despite being blind, deaf and mute.  And a boy named David once hurled a small stone at a giant warrior, killing him instantly in front of  his own army cowering in fear, decades before he was crowned King.   All of them “underdogs”.  All of them championed their values no matter what the cost.  And all of them were history makers.

the Progress Report


Oops, They Did It Again!

By         Josh Dorner

Republicans Vote Down American Jobs — AGAIN

In their never-ending quest to protect millionaires and billionaires, Senate Republicans once again voted down American Jobs. Last week, they joined together to unanimously oppose the millions of jobs that would be created by the American Jobs Act. Last night, the Senate took up one part of the president’s jobs plan — a provision for nearly 400,000 jobs for teachers, firefighters, and cops — and Senate Republicans had another chance to go on record. And again they all voted no.

Here’s the rundown.

WHAT:

The Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act

THE INVESTMENT:

$35 BILLION ($30 BILLION for teachers and $5 BILLION for first responders)

HOW IT WAS PAID FOR:

By a one-half of 1 percent surtax on any income above $1 MILLION (the first million dollars is still taxed today’s low rates)

HOW MANY AMERICAN JOBS THE GOP VOTED AGAINST:

At least 392,100 — with jobs in all 50 states

HOW MANY JOBS YOUR SENATOR VOTED AGAINST:

Check out our handy state-by-state spreadsheet HERE.

Some examples:

WHAT’S NEXT:

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Rebuild America Act today. The bill will invest billions in our crumbling roads, bridges, airports, and other infrastructure projects across the country, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Senate is on recess next week and will attempt to take up the bill when it returns.

Watch this space for more details.

IN ONE SENTENCE: Republicans had a choice between American jobs or protecting millionaires, and once again Republicans chose to protect millionaires and billionaires instead of keeping teachers, cops, and firefighters on the job.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Only 3 percent of medical school students say they want to practice in rural areas, according to research from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The health reform law won’t do much to encourage Walmart to provide better health care coverage for their employees.

Jon Huntsman was “embarrassed” by the last GOP debate: “It was more game-show-like than anything else.”

Median wages and the great stagnation.

Herman Cain’s plan for the poor: Give up worker protections and move to the inner city.

And Herman Cain compares Social Security to slavery.

The win-win case for more immigration.

“America’s war in Iraq will be over.”

Other recent Progress Reports

Oct 20, 2011: The Romney Rule

Time to Repeal the Romney Rule You’ve heard of the Buffett Rule proposed by President Obama — the simple idea that no millionaire should be able to use tax loopholes to cheat the system and pay a lower tax rate than hardworking middle class Americans.  All President Obama is proposing is that millionaires and billionaires [...]

Oct 19, 2011: The 99 Percent Effect On The Media

How the 99 Percent Are Changing America One News Story at a Time As ThinkProgress cataloged, the corporate media sought early on to attack the Occupy Wall Street protest and the 99 Percent Movement as a whole. Right-wing outlets like Fox News and The Daily Caller continue to do so, but the 99 Percent Movement appears to [...]

Oct 18, 2011: Will The GOP Say No To 400,000 Jobs?

Who Will the GOP Put First: Teachers & First Responders OR Millionaires & Billionaires? Last week, the Senate GOP voted down the president’s jobs plan — and thousands of jobs in each and every state across the country. But President Obama isn’t taking no for an answer and is breaking his jobs plan into pieces [...]

Oct 17, 2011: A Closer Look At Alabama’s Disastrous Immigration Law

The fact that Alabama has HB 56, the nation’s harshest anti-immigrant law on the books, has become a point of pride of some Alabama Republicans. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Scott Beason (R), has bragged about its success even as farmers described to him the crops they were losing without enough workers to pick them. [...]

The end of the Iraq war


President Obama announced that by the year’s
end, our servicemen and women currently in Iraq will all be home, and
the Iraq war will end. This is a historic moment that so many have been
working toward for years. Watch the video of the President’s message—and
then pass this news on.

What I’m Reading …Guy Cecil


Great news! Thanks in large part to our great grassroots supporters, the DSCC handily outraised the Republicans in the third quarter: $4.53 million to $3.4 million. You deserve much of the credit: Thank you. Individual Democratic Senate candidates also posted impressive fundraising totals, while Republicans are still struggling to find strong candidates in a number of swing states. Meanwhile, even a Fox News analyst is calling out Republicans on their voter suppression schemes, and the New York Times has a good look at how the 2012 Election could boost – or reduce – the number of women serving in the Senate. And one Democratic senator has had it with Republican obstruction – check out this great video of Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet.

Feel free to share this with friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. If this email was forwarded to you, and you’d like to see what I’m reading each week, you can sign up here. While you’re at it, head on over to Twitter and follow me @guycecil. I mostly talk politics, but I do love my Florida Gators.

Democrats Win 3rd Quarter Fundraising Race
This is really great news: Third quarter fundraising totals are in, and the DSCC (thanks to you) outraised the Republican Senate committee by more than a million dollars: $4.53 million to $3.4 million. The fundraising edge also extends to individual races across the country. Democrats outraised Republicans in 9 of the 11 most competitive contests, thanks to the hard work of our excellent candidates and the generosity of Democratic supporters.

GOP Has Recruiting Blues in Red States
Here’s proof of just how unpredictable politics is: Republicans are struggling to find credible candidates in a number of red states, complicating their drive to take back the Senate. Two of the best examples are Missouri and Florida, where the GOP’s candidates are weak and fundraising is lagging. Full Article »

Analysis: Time to Fight GOP on Voting Rights
Juan Williams – who just happens to be a Fox News political analyst – has a good take here on how Republicans are using new laws to try to disenfranchise voters and skew the results of the 2012 Election. Williams notes that the DSCC formally requested that the Department of Justice do what it could to stop voter suppression in Florida. Williams says it’s time for Justice to act before voters’ rights are violated. Full Article »

Fight Back With Our Election Protection Project
The GOP’s strategy is to suppress the vote and win the 2012 Election. Here’s how you can help stop them: Check out our Election Protection Project, where you can read up on the new laws, sign our petition, register to vote and share information with family and friends on social networks.

Will 2012 Be The Year of the Woman? Maybe.
2012 could be great – or awful – for the representation of women in the United States Senate, according to the New York Times. 10 presumed Democratic nominees are women, including six sitting senators, and a number of other women are competing in Democratic primaries. Meanwhile, Republicans are lagging in their recruitment of women. If Republicans take the Senate, it could be a disaster for women’s representation in the Senate – not to mention women’s rights. Full Article »

Democratic Senator Calls Out GOP’s Obstruction
Here’s a video you’ve got to see: Colorado’s Sen. Michael Bennet, who won re-election last year, gave a powerful speech on the floor of the Senate during which he lambasted the Republicans’ continued obstruction of an education bill. Our nation needs more leaders like Sen. Bennet, and we’re working hard every day to elect them. Full Article »

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http://www.dscc.org, and not authorized by any candidate or
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