-Just the facts – What the Obama2012 Campaign is doing and a reminder of what President Obama has done –

First Lady Michelle Obama: “Join me in standing up for all those who have served.”

“The beginning of the Iraq war was a moment that no American will ever forget. Nine years later, we remember those who gave their lives, and honor the sacrifice of all the brave women and men who have served our country. In 2008, Barack made a promise that as President, he would bring the Iraq War to a responsible end—he kept his word. When he took the oath of office, more than 140,000 troops were stationed in Iraq. This past December, the last of our soldiers came home.
Now that our service members are home, we are doing everything we can to support our veterans and their families in the challenging transition to civilian life.
Barack expanded the Veterans Affairs budget and made it possible for more than 500,000 veterans previously denied care to become eligible for VA health care. And he streamlined the claims process to ensure that our veterans can get the high quality benefits and services they’ve earned — and get those services more quickly.
Barack helped pass tax credits to encourage small businesses to hire our wounded warriors
We also know that when our men and women in uniform are called to serve, their families serve right along side them. That’s why we’ve been working to expand employment opportunities, job training programs, and wellness services for military spouses and families — the folks who bear the greatest burden of their loved one’s deployment.
In the end, we all have an obligation to support those who have served our country so selflessly—from our veterans with special health needs, to all those seeking to join the civilian workforce, to families coping with the grief of losing a loved one. So I hope you’ll join me in standing up for all those who have served.
Visit BarackObama.com/Veterans to get involved, and to learn about all the ways your President is working to support our veterans and military families.
Thank you.”

Uploaded by BarackObamadotcom on Mar 18, 2012

Help build this campaign: https://my.barackobama.com/feb2012resultsvid
We wanted to take a moment to share what volunteers across the country have been up to:
-Opened five new field offices in Pennsylvania -Opened seven new field offices in Ohio -Recruited 65 new team leaders in Nevada -Registered 5,000 new voters in North Carolina -Made 28,000 calls in Washington state -More that 2,414 students attended the Greater Together summits
Overall, we’ve been able to raise more than $45 million in February. More than 1,552,000 people have donated to Obama for America from April 2011 to February 2012. More than 348,000 grassroots donors gave in February alone, of those donors, more than 105,000 were first time donors.
This campaign continues to be funded by folks in all 50 states giving what they can. That’s why the average donation was $59.04. Also 97.7% of donations were $250 or less.
Thank you for all the hard work done so far, and for all the hard work yet to come.

by BarackObamadotcomon Mar 18, 2012

Leave a note for the troops: https://my.barackobama.com/sharonpottervid
Sharon Potter is the first female in the state of Nevada to receive a purple heart by way of serving in Iraq. She stands with President Obama because of his continuing fight to ensure that our nation’s veterans and military families are taken care of.
In Sharon’s words:
“As veterans we’re the ones that sign on the dotted line with our lives and no veteran should have to come home and fight for their benefits.”

At 18-months old Jackson’s insurance company listed him with a pre-existing condition: ear infections. Starting in 2010 insurance company’s were banned from denying coverage to children for pre-existing conditions. As Jackson’s mom says:
“The Affordable Care Act makes it so that I know that my children are covered and that is an amazing thing.”

When Liam was five-months old his insurance premiums went up by 100 dollars a month. As Liam’s mom Rebecca says:
“It was completely unbelievable that insurance for a five month old could be that expensive. I called them and what I was told was: ‘You can change your plan or go somewhere else’”.
Since the Affordable Care Act passed, the insurance commissioner in Rebecca’s state has been reviewing the rates to make sure families get a fair deal. Because of this, Rebecca and her family received a refund.
In 2012, Liam got a insurance renewal notice in the mail, this time, his premium was reduced. As Rebecca says:
“Before the Affordable Care Act I felt totally helpless and I now I feel like there’s somebody looking out for us. I’m very grateful that the President has fought for health care reform.”

the Progress Report: Even President Ronald Regan Wanted millionaires to Pay Their Fair Share -it’s on Tape

NEW VIDEO with a Republican President backing the BUFFET Rule

Even the Gipper Wanted Millionaires to Pay Their Fair Share

Last fall, when President Obama debuted the Buffett Rule — the simple idea that millionaires and billionaires should pay at least the same tax rate as middle class workers — we climbed into the wayback machine and found a video of President Ronald Reagan decrying “crazy” tax loopholes that allowed a millionaire to pay a lower tax rate than a bus driver.      Click on the pictures and links for all the Progress Report info and   Watch it:

With the Senate set to vote one week from today on a Buffett Rule bill that would make sure millionaires and billionaires pay a minimum tax rate of 30 percent, we now present another video of former President Reagan supporting the principle behind the Buffett Rule.  In today’s video, President Reagan describes a letter he received from an executive who wanted to come to Washington and tell Congress why it’s “wrong” that he was able to “take advantage of the present tax code” to pay a lower tax rate than his secretary. Watch it:

Sounds pretty familiar.

IN TWO SENTENCES: We need to build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.  We can start by passing the Buffett Rule to make sure millionaires and billionaires can no longer take advantage of unfair tax loopholes to pay a lower tax rate than millions of middle class workers.

(more…)

Other recent Progress Reports

Apr 6, 2012: Major Corporations Flee Conservative Voter Suppression Group

Progressives Put Spotlight on Shadowy Conservative Group You’ve probably never heard of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), but one of its biggest accomplishments has been in the news lately: so-called “Stand Your Ground” laws that encourage people like Trayvon Martin’s killer George Zimmerman to shoot first and ask questions later.  ALEC is also responsible [...]

Apr 5, 2012: GAME ON: Mr. 1 Percent, Revealed

Mitt Romney, Part 1: Of, By, and For the 1 Percent No matter how hard he shakes his Etch A Sketch over the next seven months, Mitt Romney won’t be able to erase the fact the he and his policies are of, by, and for the wealthiest one percent of Americans — policies that will [...]

Apr 4, 2012: Today’s TOP 10 Romney Distortions, Half-truths, & Lies

Mendacious Mitt While the media rushed to declare the Republican presidential primary effectively over after last night’s victories for Mitt Romney in Wisconsin, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, they have been considerably less eager to call out Romney’s numerous and oft-repeated distortions, half-truths, and outright lies. Here’s the rundown of Romney’s top ten lies [...]

Apr 3, 2012: The GOP ‘Prescription For Decline’

President Obama: 2012 is ‘Make-or-Break Moment for the Middle Class’ Speaking today to a convention of news editors, President Obama laid out in the clearest possible terms the two competing visions for America’s future and the choice the country faces over the next few months: I believe this is a make-or-break moment for the middle [...]

the Daily Share: Gay, Palin, Hillary Clinton and more

Ten Countries That Have Never Heard Of ‘Gay’ Marriage

A Lady Gaga Parody Every Girl Needs To See

The Truth About ‘Obamacare’ In Under 4 Minutes

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We Think We’ve Found A New Slogan For Fox News

What’s Big, Orange, And Makes A Ton Of Sense?

If The GOP Developed A Board Game It Would Look Like This

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Which Candidate Supports Anti-LGBT Groups? You Might Be Surprised

Hillary Clinton Urges Women Not To Take Any Sh_t

You’ll Never Guess Who Called Out The GOP On Its War On Women

Truth to Power – Speaking it well, President Obama

by     whitehouse

President Obama discusses the fundamental issues at stake for our Nation, and how we can restore a sense of security for people who are willing to work hard and act responsibly in this country. April 3, 2012.

Shine a light on injustice in Arizona … Donna De La Cruz, Reform Immigration FOR America

Join the Vigil for Justice and the American Dream

The tradition of holding candlelight vigils is close to our community: we gather together and light candles to remember, to protest, and to inspire.

The light represents our faith and our dreams overcoming the darkness.

We are launching the Vigil for Justice and the American Dream, a virtual vigil to stand for equality under the law. While the Supreme Court hears the case against Arizona’s SB 1070, we will light our candles in solidarity with immigrant families across the US.

When you light your candle, you can see it appear on an interactive map with those joining our vigil around the country. While we wait for a decision from the court, our vigil will light up the darkness with hope and strength.

Will you light your candle for justice and the American dream for every family?

The Supreme Court needs to know that it doesn’t matter where these anti-immigrant laws are passed — state-sponsored discrimination hurts us all.

Help light up entire nation for justice for every family. Click here to light candle and join the vigil.  

With hope,

Donna De la Cruz Reform Immigration FOR America

Stand UP for Medicare … Sherrod Brown

I’m proud to call myself a progressive. I know what our community has achieved over the years on behalf of working families. And I’m proud to stand with fighting progressives like you any day of the week.

Click here to sign this important petition.

But there’s never been a more important time for fighting progressives to stand together than right now. Medicare — one of our proudest achievements and a critical element of seniors’ economic security — is under attack.

Click here to stand with fighting progressives and help defend Medicare!

This isn’t the first time Republicans have tried to pass the Ryan plan, which would end Medicare as we know it and leave seniors out in the cold when it comes to health insurance. But the far right only has to win this fight once — we have to show that we’ll always be there to defend this important pillar of American society.

 By signing my petition, you won’t just be helping to defeat this latest Republican attack on Medicare. You’ll be sending them a clear signal that fighting progressives like you and me will always be there to fight back whenever Republicans threaten the economic security of American seniors.

The far right is determined to get its way sooner or later. They think it’s just a matter of time before our coalition cracks and our defense of Medicare weakens. They’re willing to try as many times as it takes.

We have to show them that we’ll never waver in our defense of Medicare. Please sign my petition today — let’s see how many fighting progressives we can put together to show the GOP that our coalition is stronger than ever.

It’s not enough to win this fight once. We have to make a strong enough statement that it resonates for years. We have to show Republicans that Medicare will always have defenders in the fighting progressives of America.

Click here to sign this important petition.

Thank you,

in the Library … True, by Riika Pulkkinen

True, by Riikka Pulkkinen

Appearing in March, 2012

Other Press

“In Finnish author Pulkkinen’s first novel to be translated into English, a dying woman and her family become a prism illuminating love from a variety of often-uncomfortable angles… Eeva remains tantalizingly elusive as she becomes more real, a girl from the country swept up by the cultural changes of the 1960s. The emotional intelligence of the prose avoids melodrama to develop authentic poignancy.” – Kirkus (starred review)

“Maybe the recent flurry of genre fiction from Scandinavia has sparked an interest in translations of its literary fiction as well. Or maybe this prize-winning Finnish novel was simply too good to pass up… the story is made fresh by its complex play of past and present and richly rendered characterizations… A beautiful, sensuous novel.” – Library Journal

“True is a psychological drama that explores memory and forgetting, the mind’s desire to select and bend reality. Elsa’s story demonstrates that lies can offer mercy, and that truth at best remains subjective, alterable, sometimes imagined, and easily disguised… Riikka Pulkkinen, a celebrated, young, Finnish author, depicts the three generations story with skill and exceptional maturity.” – Elliot Bay Books

Nielsen Wire: News and Insights, April 2012

Featured Coverage: Consumer 360 Russia

Not all Categories are Equal: Extending FMCG Gains in Russia Stabilizing sales growth is not entirely unexpected, especially in core categories, in the wake of two years of hyper growth during the recovery. Thus, as FMCG brands and marketers look ahead through 2012 and beyond, there are three core strategies to extend recent gains. (full story)

Small Stores in Big Cities: The Future of Retailing in Russia Small may be the new big. The Russian retail universe remained virtually static in 2011, declining one percent vs. a year ago, but channel development has been dynamic. (full story)

Spend Smart - Maximize Your Marketing Efficiency in Russia Finding the best mix of media and trade promotions to drive incremental sales doesn’t always need to cost a lot. Nielsen research shows that investing efficiently in a mix of new and traditional advertising and promotional vehicles can increase your return on investment. (full story)

How to Win in Russia Boasting the second highest GDP in Europe, a robust growth rate in disposable income, and recent middle class expansion to 25 percent of the population, Russia’s economy offers many reasons to expect future consumption growth. In fact, many view Russia as the new European growth engine. (full story)

Russia’s Digital Shopping Future With an abundance of young, tech-savvy consumers and the largest online population in Europe, e-commerce is already altering the Russian retail landscape and is poised for significant growth in the years ahead. (full story)

Russia- The New European Growth Engine Boasting the second highest GDP in Europe, a robust growth rate in disposable income, and recent middle class expansion to 25 percent of the population,

More Top Stories

Double Vision – Global Trends in Tablet and Smartphone Use while Watching TV Watching TV while using a tablet or smartphone is more common than not according to a Q4 2011 Nielsen survey of connected device owners in the U.S. , U.K., Germany and Italy. (full story)

Off the Green, Mickelson Proves He’s Golf’s Master in Marketability The on-the-fairway battles between pro golfers Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are well-documented, but when it comes to off-the-green marketability, it’s a runaway victory for Mickelson, according to Nielsen and E-Poll’s N-Score, which measures endorsement potential. (full story)

Report: The Diverse People of Africa With young and quickly growing populations paired with a rising gross domestic product (GDP) that has grown faster than that of the rest of the world every year since 2001, African markets brim with opportunity. (full story)

It’s All In the Mix: Maximizing Return on Brand Investment Marketers commonly assume that investment in branding and advertising will increase sales, profits and brand loyalty, but a recent Nielsen study suggests that marketing dollars spent do not necessarily mean revenue realized. (full story)

The Global, Socially Conscious Consumer Research suggests that there is a segment of socially conscious consumers that cause marketers should pay attention to. Who are these socially conscious consumers?  What causes are most important to them? What’s the best way to reach them? (full story)

Five Ways to Drive True Innovation and Increase Sales Gaining increased retail shelf space can provide a major boost in driving sales growth for the brands and product portfolios of consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers. Yet, increased shelf space-which requires significant retailer support-can be difficult to achieve. (full story)

American and European Tablet Owners More Comfortable Paying for Content Nielsen looked at willingness to purchase media content among tablet owners in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Italy and found that Americans are the most likely to pay for all categories of media content, except news. (full story)

A Store in Your Pocket: Retailer Mobile Websites Beat Apps among US Smartphone Owners Smartphone owners are increasingly using their devices for shopping, from researching products and reviews, to comparing prices, finding retail locations, and redeeming coupons. (full story)

Russia’s economy offers many reasons to expect future consumption growth. In fact, many view Russia as the new European growth engine. (full story)

Media Matters for America: Big Oil, Unemployed,ALEC and more

Immigration Proposal To Keep Families Together Sparks Conservative “Amnesty” Attack 

Echoing Big Oil, Right-Wing Media Deny Oil Companies’ Tax Breaks Are Subsidies

Conservative Media Promote Deceptive Unemployment Talking Point

Local Media Fail To Cover Climate Denial, ALEC Link

Right-Wing Media Applaud Fifth Circuit Judge’s “Highly Inappropriate” Order