Daily Archives: 08/15/2012

Environmentalists for Obama


Stand Up For Medicare -

In the blink of an eye we could all lose.

Climate Change And Paul Ryan: Romney’s VP Pick Irks Environmentalists

Posted by Erin Hannigan:

“Unilateral economic restraint in the name of fighting global warming has been a tough sell in our communities, where much of the state is buried under snow…” Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney‘s vice presidential running mate, argued in a 2009 op-ed.

The Wisconsin congressman’s lack of support for clean energy and climate change programs has led many environmentalists to react with outrage over Romney’s pick. (Romney himself has reversed stances on man-made global warming, declaring, “we don’t know what’s causing climate change.”)

As 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben tweeted, “Meet Paul Ryan–it snowed in my district, so let’s not do anything about climate change”.

The Environment page of Ryan’s House website states that Ryan supports strong conservation programs, then adds: “Spending on programs contained in the Natural Resources and Environment portion of the Budget … has increased by 20.4 percent since the start of the current Administration. The House-passed budget recognizes the importance of these activities, which includes overseeing water resources, conservation, land management, and recreational resources. However, bigger government has not equated to better government, and it has only led to duplication, waste, and mismanagement.”

Earning a measly 3% in the League of Conservation Voters 2011 National Environmental Scorecard, the advocacy group tweeted with a link to Open Secrets, “Paul Ryan has received $244,250 (and counting) from the oil and gas industry.”

The Sierra Club raised similar concerns, with Executive Director Michael Brune stating in a press release: “There is a reason big polluters have given Paul Ryan hundreds of thousands of dollars and why the Koch Brothers are one of his top donors – he’s tried to turn their wildest fantasies into law. From rejecting the reality of climate disruption to attacking good-paying clean energy jobs to trying to gut the EPA’s ability to protect our air, our water, and the health of our families, Ryan operates out of the dirty energy playbook.”

Brad Johnson dissects Ryan’s voting record on ThinkProgress, including his efforts “to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from limiting greenhouse pollution, to eliminate White House climate advisers, to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture from preparing for climate disasters…”

In the same op-ed as his snow stance, Ryan argued, “e-mails from leading climatologists make clear efforts to use statistical tricks to distort their findings and intentionally mislead the public on the issue of climate change.”

Ryan’s emergence as the Republican vice presidential candidate comes as the U.S. sweltered through its hottest month ever recorded, a former climate skeptic declared his “conversion,” and the “godfather of global warming” blamed past heat waves directly on climate change.

Meet Paul Ryan: Climate Denier, Conspiracy Theorist, Koch Acolyte

Posted by Erin Hannigan:

By Brad Johnson

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Mitt Romney’s vice-presidential pick, is a virulent denier of climate science, with a voting record to match.

A favorite of the Koch brothers, Ryan has accused scientists of engaging in conspiracy to “intentionally mislead the public on the issue of climate change.” He has implied that snow invalidates global warming.

Ryan has voted to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from limiting greenhouse pollution, to eliminate White House climate advisers, to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture from preparing for climate disasters like the drought devastating his home state, and to eliminate the Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E):

Paul Ryan Promoted Unfounded Conspiracy Theories About Climate Scientists. In a December 2009 op-ed during international climate talks, Ryan made reference to the hacked University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit emails. He accused climatologists of a “perversion of the scientific method, where data were manipulated to support a predetermined conclusion,” in order to “intentionally mislead the public on the issue of climate change.” Because of spurious claims of conspiracy like these, several governmental and academic inquiries were launched, all of which found the accusations to be without merit. [Paul Ryan, 12/11/09]

Paul Ryan Argued Snow Invalidates Global Warming Policy. In the same anti-science, anti-scientist December 2009 op-ed, Ryan argued, “Unilateral economic restraint in the name of fighting global warming has been a tough sell in our communities, where much of the state is buried under snow.” Ryan’s line is especially disingenuous because he hasn’t been trying to sell climate action, he’s been spreading disinformation. [Paul Ryan, 12/11/09]

Paul Ryan Voted To Eliminate EPA Limits On Greenhouse Pollution. Ryan voted in favor of H.R. 910, introduced in 2011 by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas pollution. [Roll Call 249, 4/7/11]

Paul Ryan Voted To Block The USDA From Preparing For Climate Change. In 2011, Ryan voted in favor of the Scalise (R-LA) Amendment to the FY12 Agriculture Appropriations bill, to bar the U.S. Department of Agriculture from implementing its Climate Protection Plan. [Roll Call 448, 6/16/11]

Paul Ryan Voted To Eliminate White House Climate Advisers. Ryan voted in favor of Scalise (R-LA) Amendment 204 to the 2011 Continuing Resolution, to eliminate the assistant to the president for energy and climate change, the special envoy for climate change (Todd Stern), and the special adviser for green jobs, enterprise and innovation. [Roll Call 87, 2/17/11]

Paul Ryan Voted To Eliminate ARPA-E. Ryan voted in favor of Biggert (R-IL) Amendment 192 to the 2011 Continuing Resolution, to eliminate the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E). [Roll Call 55, 2/17/11]

Paul Ryan Voted To Eliminate Light Bulb Efficiency Standards. In 2011, Ryan voted to roll back light-bulb efficiency standards that had reinvigorated the domestic lighting industry and that significantly reduce energy waste and carbon pollution. [Roll Call 563, 7/12/11]

Paul Ryan Voted For Keystone XL. In 2011, Ryan voted to expedite the consideration and approval of the construction and operation of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. [Roll Call 650, 7/26/11]

Paul Ryan Budget Kept Big Oil Subsidies And Slashed Clean Energy Investment. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) proposed FY 2013 budget resolution retained a decade’s worth of oil tax breaks worth $40 billion, while slashing funding for investments in clean energy research, development, deployment, and commercialization, along with other energy programs. The plan called for a $3 billion cut in energy programs in FY 2013 alone. [CAP, 3/20/12]

In short, Paul Ryan stands with Big Oil against scientific fact and the future of human civilization.

Congressional Budget Office


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10 Things to know about Paul Ryan

1. His economic plan would cost America 1 million jobs in the first year. Ryan’s proposed budget would cripple the economy. He’d slash spending deeply, which would not only slow job growth, but shock the economy and cost 1 million of us our jobs in 2013 alone and kill more than 4 million jobs by the end of 2014.1

2. He’d kill Medicare. He’d replace Medicare with vouchers for retirees to purchase insurance, eliminating the guarantee of health care for seniors and putting them at the mercy of the private insurance industry. That could amount to a cost increase of more than $5,900 by 2050, leaving many seniors broke or without the health care they need. He’d also raise the age of eligibility to 67.2

3. He’d pickpocket the middle class to line the pockets of the rich. His tax plan is Robin Hood in reverse. He wants to cut taxes by $4.6 trillion over the next decade, but only for corporations and the rich, like giving families earning more than $1 million a year a $300,000 tax cut. And to pay for them, he’d raise taxes on middle- and lower-income households and butcher social service programs that help middle- and working-class Americans.3

4. He’s an anti-choice extremist. Ryan co-sponsored an extremist anti-choice bill, nicknamed the ‘Let Women Die Act,’ that would have allowed hospitals to deny women emergency abortion care even if their lives were at risk. And he co-sponsored another bill that would criminalize some forms of birth control, all abortions, and in vitro fertilization.4

5. He’d dismantle Social Security. Ironically, Ryan used the Social Security Survivors benefit to help pay for college, but he wants to take that possibility away from future generations. He agrees with Rick Perry’s view that Social Security is a “Ponzi scheme” and he supported George W. Bush’s disastrous proposal to privatize Social Security.5

6. He’d eliminate Pell grants for more than 1 million low-income students. His budget plan cuts the Pell Grant program by $200 billion, which could mean a loss of educational funding for 1 million low-income students.6

7. He’d give $40 billion in subsidies to Big Oil. His budget includes oil tax breaks worth $40 billion, while cutting “billions of dollars from investments to develop alternative fuels and clean energy technologies that would serve as substitutes for oil.”7

8. He’s another Koch-head politician. Not surprisingly, the billionaire oil-baron Koch brothers are some of Ryan’s biggest political contributors. And their company, Koch industries, is Ryan’s biggest energy-related donor. The company’s PAC and affiliated individuals have given him $65,500 in donations.8

9. He opposes gay rights. Ryan has an abysmal voting record on gay rights. He’s voted to ban adoption by gay couples, against same-sex marriage, and against repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell.” He also voted against the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2009.9

10. He thinks an “I got mine, who cares if you’re okay” philosophy is admirable. For many years, Paul Ryan devoted himself to Ayn Rand’s philosophy of selfishness as a virtue. It has shaped his entire ethic about whom he serves in public office. He even went as far as making his interns read her work.10

If there was ever any doubt that Mitt Romney’s got a disastrous plan for America—he made himself 100% clear when he picked right-wing extremist Paul Ryan as his running mate. Paul Ryan is bad for America, but we can’t beat him if Americans don’t know everything he stands for. Share this list with all your friends by clicking here, or simply forward this email.

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Carrie, Steven, Stephen, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “Ryan’s Budget, Robin Hood in reverse,” Economic Policy Institute http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278939&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=4

2. “12 Things You Should Know About Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan,” Think Progress, August 11, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278662&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=5

3.”Ryan Budget Would Raise Some Taxes; Guess Who Gets Hit?,” Off the Charts, April 12, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278692&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=6

“Middle class could face higher taxes under Republican plan, analysis finds,” The Washington Post, June 19, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278693&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=7

4. “Statement on Mitt Romney’s Selection of Rep. Paul Ryan for His Vice-Presidential Running Mate,” NARAL, August 11, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278694&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=8

“Paul Ryan’s Extreme Abortion Views,” The Daily Beast, August 11, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278695&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=10

“Paul Ryan Sponsored Fetal Personhood Bill, Opposes Family Planning Funds,” Huffington Post, August 11, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278852&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=12

5. “12 Things You Should Know About Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan,” Think Progress, August 11, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278662&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=13

“Ayn Rand would have HATED Paul Ryan,” Daily Kos, August 12, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278853&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=14

6. “Pell Grants For Poor Students Lose $170 Billion In Ryan Budget,” Huffington Post, March 27, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278696&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=15

7. “Ryan Budget Pads Big Oil’s Pockets with Senseless Subsidies,” Center for American Progress, March 20, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278697&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=16

8. “Koch brothers have Paul Ryan’s back,” Politico, August 11, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278940&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=17

9. “Paul Ryan as VP Matches Mitt Romney on Homophobia,” The Advocate, August 11, 2012 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278698&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=18

10.”Paul Ryan And Ayn Rand”, The New Republic, December 28, 2010 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=278699&id=48818-17809870-VGuhMjx&t=19

a message from Martin Sheen …Medicare


Help us reach 1 million signatures telling Republican that ending the Medicare guarantee for seniors to pay for tax breaks for special interests and the wealthy is unacceptable at http://www.StandUpForMedicare.com

Let your friends and family know what Romney means for Veterans


votevets.orgIt’s important to know just what Mitt Romney is proposing for veterans.  Frankly, it’s scary, and I thought you should know.
Behind all the rhetoric is one simple fact:  Mitt Romney has said he supports cutting funding for veterans, and supports virtually every veteran paying a higher tax rate than he does.  Mitt Romney can say all the right words, but the fact is, if he is President, he has already made clear that the promise to American veterans will be broken, and broken badly.
Indeed, behind Mitt Romney’s rhetoric are disturbing policies he supports:

  • Romney supports the Paul Ryan Budget

    • The budget calls for across the board spending freezes and cuts. If enacted, the Ryan GOP budget would cut $11 billion from veterans spending, or 13 percent from what President Obama proposes in his own plan.

  • Romney supports a tax cut for himself and the other 1 percent of richest Americans, when he already pays a lower tax rate than virtually all career military, and most veterans.

    • While we still don’t know the tax rate Mitt Romney has paid over several years, because he refuses to release the returns, we do know he paid a 13.9 percent rate in 2010.  That means he pays a lower rate than most career military members, enlisted and officers.  Of course, because of off-shore accounts, on which he paid no tax, in some years he may have paid no taxes at all, meaning every single military member and veteran paid more in taxes than he did, in real dollars.

  • Romney supports open-ended war in Afghanistan

    • In February, when the Administration began to outline a transition out from Afghanistan, Romney said, “The president’s mistakes, some of them are calculated on a philosophy that’s hard to understand and, sometimes, you scratch your head and say: How can he be so misguided and so naive? Today, his secretary of defense unleashed such a policy. The secretary of defense said that on a day certain… we’re going to pull out our combat troops from Afghanistan.”
    • The US is spending about $2 billion a week in Afghanistan.  That is money that could be invested in home, including investment in projects that create jobs that veterans could fill.

  • Romney “wondered” about privatizing the VA, and the VFW lashed out at the idea.

    • Though we know Romney would cut $11 billion in funding for the VA, we still don’t know if he would privatize the VA, like he said he thought about, last year.  In South Carolina, during the primary, Romney said, “Sometimes you wonder, would there be some way to introduce some private sector competition, somebody else that could come in and say, you know, each soldier gets X-thousand dollars attributed to them and then they can choose whether they want to go on the government system or the private system and then it follows them, like what happens with schools in Florida where they have a voucher that follows them. Who knows?”
    • In response, none other than the VFW, in front of which Romney is speaking on Tuesday, told Talking Points Memo, “The VFW doesn’t support privatization of veterans health care. This is an issue that seems to come around every election cycle.”

Click here to visit VoteVets.org and share this email with your friends and family. 

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We’re Telling Another Side to Monsanto’s Story … UCS


Monsanto Fail
Monsanto’s advertisements tell a wonderful story, but unfortunately, there’s a catch: Their claims are often exaggerated, misleading, or downright false. Help us share the other side of the story.

We’re Telling Another Side to Monsanto’s Story

 
Right now, the Monsanto Company is spending millions of dollars on ad campaigns and lobbying to convince you, and decision makers in Washington, that it is “improving” agriculture. UCS is setting the record straight—and we need your help.
We’re launching our own set of ads to tell another side to this story. Our tagline? Monsanto is failing to improve agriculture.
Our analysis has found that Monsanto’s pesticide-promoting, genetically engineered approach has led to new agricultural problems while doing little to feed hungry people and help farmers cope with drought. We’ve also shown that modern, science-based plant breeding and farming practices can achieve such goals more cost effectively than genetically engineered seeds.
While we don’t have the same advertising budget as Monsanto, we do have dedicated supporters like you who value agricultural policies based on objective, science-based analysis over profit-driven attempts to maintain the status quo.
Will you join us in fighting back against Monsanto’s ad campaign by sharing our ads on Twitter and Facebook? (And if you’re not on Twitter or Facebook, you can help spread the word here.)

Sincerely, Jenn Yates Jenn Yates National Field Organizer

It’s an American Classic – Our Social Security System


 
What’s an American classic? Something that stays fresh and wonderful generation after generation. Something that says, “This is America.” Like ice cream cones. The Statue of Liberty. Sunday drives. The March on Washington and “I have a dream.” I Love Lucy.And our Social Security system.

Social Security - It's An American Classic! Celebrate Social Security’s birthday. Share this on:

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On this date in 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. On its 77th birthday, we hail Social Security as an American classic! Why?

  • Social Security has brought Americans together across generations. Working together, we’ve built a system that provides income and security for workers and their families when they need it — when income is lost due to retirement, disability, or death.
  • For three-quarters of a century, through wars, recessions, natural disasters — and stock market crashes — Social Security has made every payment, on time and in full.
  • Social Security is the foundation of retirement security for most Americans — especially women. Without income from Social Security, half of women 65 and older would be poor.
  • Social Security is a family insurance plan that protects young workers, their spouses, and their children. More than 3.2 million children rely on Social Security.

And Social Security is still going strong! Even with no changes, it can pay 100 percent of promised benefits for the next 20 years, and 75 percent of promised benefits after that. Yes, there’s a long-term shortfall. But to put it in perspective: eliminating the entire 75-year shortfall costs about as much as extending the Bush-era tax cuts for the richest two percent.
Social Security will only turn 77 once! To celebrate this American classic you can:

When he signed the Social Security Act, President Roosevelt said that this law “represents a cornerstone in a structure which is being built but is by no means complete.” Since 1935 Americans have expanded and improved this structure, providing benefits for widows and children, workers with disabilities, benefits for divorced spouses (initially, after a 20-year marriage, later reduced to 10 years), eliminating sex discrimination in the award of benefits, and providing automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) that help protect the value of Social Security benefits from eroding over time.
We need your help to protect and strengthen Social Security! Later this year, Congress will make far-reaching budget decisions — and cuts to Social Security benefits, particularly by reducing annual cost-of-living adjustments, are reportedly on the table. After Congress returns, we’ll keep you posted and make it easy for you to take action to protect Social Security. In addition, the policy makers we choose in November will make important decisions about the future of our Social Security system. So be sure you’re registered to vote!
Sincerely,
Joan Entmacher Joan Entmacher Vice President, Family Economic Security National Women’s Law Center   

P.S. Want to learn more about what Social Security means to women and families in your state? Check out our state-by-state fact sheets!

Donna De La Cruz, Reform Immigration FOR America


 

Reform Immigration FOR America Share this message on: Facebook Twitter
Time to debunk this myth
Thank you for joining the RI4A Organizing Project and taking part in our movement to mobilize our communities in the fight for reform.
How often have you heard the anti-immigrant argument that “immigrants don’t pay taxes“?We hear it all the time — but it’s absolutely false. In 2010 alone, undocumented Americans paid over $11.2 billion in taxes, much more than many of America’s largest corporations pay. General Electric on the other hand paid absolutely no taxes despite its $14 billion in profits.
It’s time to debunk this myth! Share our graphic on Facebook and spread the word on immigrants’ contribution to our country.
With hope,
Donna De La Cruz Reform Immigration FOR America