Chris Christie … a temperament not meant for a President of the free world

a Reminder -Gov. Christie Thinks A Family Making $6,000 A Year Is Too Rich To Qualify For Medicaid-does he still feel this way?

 by Marie Diamond on June 2, 2011

Despite recent polls that show Americans are just as protective of Medicaid as they are of Medicare, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is trying to gut the popular program in his state and prevent 23,000 people from receiving benefits. Christie has proposed cutting Medicaid eligibility to absurdly low levels: from the current maximum income of $24,645 to $5,317 a year for a family of three. Apparently, the governor believes a family of three making $6,000 a year is simply too rich to receive Medicaid.

The New Jersey press has reported that the main effect of his proposal would be to slash help for the working poor, tearing a huge hole in the state’s social safety net:

Adults in a family of three that makes as little as $103 a week would earn too much to qualify for health care provided by Medicaid under a sharply curtailed program Gov. Chris Christie wants the federal government to approve this year, according to state officials and advocates briefed on the proposal.[...]

The Christie administration is expected to propose cutting the maximum income level of Medicaid from $24,645 to $5,317 a year for a family of three [...]

“That is about a third of the poverty level,” Castro said. “That means that an uninsured parent working full time at a minimum-wage job wouldn’t be eligible. … A parent who works half-time for minimum wage wouldn’t even qualify.

“Unfortunately, the only way these parents can become eligible for health coverage in the future is if the parent applies for and is eligible for welfare,” Castro added. “That sends the wrong message.”

Democratic lawmakers are furious that Christie is insisting on making $300 million in cuts on the backs of poor and disabled residents. They point out that apart from the morally bankrupt idea of denying care to the neediest population, having more people uninsured will ultimately be more costly for New Jersey.

“Those 23,000 people are going to get sick this year,” said Louis Greenwald (D), a committee chairman. “Where are you suggesting they’re going to go?”

State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D), who sponsored the legislation creating FamilyCare in 1998, explained, “This completely dismantles the progress made over the last 12 years, and then some…I can’t imagine how it could be any worse.”

Since Medicaid — which provides health care services to at-risk populations including the indigent, blind and disabled — is jointly funded by the federal government, states must apply for a waiver before making major changes. That means Obama administration officials can still block Christie’s radical attempts to curtail enrollment.

Road Block – Chris Christie

A one-man roadblock to progress. It’s what I see when I look at Chris Christie.

Just look at the guy’s record as governor:

• Vetoed equal pay
• Vetoed marriage equality
• Slashed family planning funding
• Vetoed a minimum wage increase
• 400,000 people unemployed in New Jersey

And he’s the first anti-choice governor of New Jersey since Roe v. Wade.

It’s right there in front of us — Chris Christie is the wrong governor for New Jersey.

Christie’s set on being a brick wall against New Jersey’s progressive values. So let’s beat this guy and elect a pro-choice Democratic woman in his place.

Contribute to Barbara Buono right now and stop Christie in his tracks before he gets the chance to take his roadblock any further.

The guy only gets worse when you look at the company he keeps.
Scott Walker — Wisconsin’s dreadfully anti-worker governor — hosted a fundraiser for Christie, and Christie has called Walker “courageous” for his attacks on working families.

Mitt Romney called Christie the future of the Republican Party.

And fellow extremist-in-disguise Scott Brown fundraised for Christie just a couple months ago.

I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t mind a repeat performance of a true progressive sending a faux moderate packing — just like Elizabeth Warren did to Scott Brown.
Barbara Buono’s spent her career doing everything possible to improve the lives of New Jersey’s women and families. She’s everything Christie isn’t: staunchly pro-choice, a true friend to workers, and dedicated to real service for the people of her state.

Contribute to Barbara right now. Chris Christie is dangerous to New Jersey women and families — we’ve got to do everything possible to stop him.

The people of New Jersey deserve better. They deserve a true reformer like Barbara who actually cares about the people she represents, not her own self-interests.

Make it happen.

Jonathan Parker
Director of Campaigns, EMILY’s List

House Dem Women : Hold Press Conference In Support of Amb. Susan Rice

UCS and Sandy

 

		Register for the Webinar Today Join UCS experts for a webinar on the relationship between Hurricane Sandy and climate change, the storm’s economic and health impacts, and how we can prepare ourselves and our infrastructures to be more resilient. Webinar Invitation Sizing up Sandy Dear Carmen, After the largest Atlantic hurricane on record affected U.S. states from southern Florida to northern Maine and as far west as Wisconsin, analysts from the Union of Concerned Scientists are looking at the implications of the storm in our Hurricane Sandy: Confronting the Realities of Climate Change blog series. In this series, our analysts are bringing their varied expertise to bear on a fascinating range of questions—from the relationship between the storm and climate change, to the economic costs and health impacts, to how we can prepare ourselves and our infrastructure to be more resilient. Now we invite you to hear more from these and other UCS experts and to ask your own questions. Webinar: Sizing up Sandy Date: Tuesday, November 27 Time: 7:00 p.m. (EST) Register Today! The webinar will be moderated by UCS climate scientist Brenda Ekwurzel and will feature: Todd Sanford, climate scientist – resilient ecosystems Rachel Cleetus, senior climate economist – health and economic impacts Laura Wisland, senior energy analyst – resilient energy systems Calen May-Tobin, climate policy analyst/advocate – mapping and good information Marchant “Lucky” Wentworth, Washington representative – political landscape and opportunities Please register for the webinar today. You may submit questions on the registration page for the UCS experts to address during the webinar. There will also be opportunities to ask questions during the webinar itself. We look forward to your participation. Sincerely, Jean Sideris Climate Outreach Coordinator Climate & Energy Program Union of Concerned Scientists

CBO

Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output from July 2012 Through September 2012

As required by law, CBO prepares regular reports on its estimate of the number of jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was enacted in response to significant weakness in the economy.

In total, CBO estimates that ARRA will increase budget deficits by about $833 billion over the 2009–2019 period. By CBO’s estimate, close to half of that impact occurred in fiscal year 2010, and more than 90 percent of ARRA’s budgetary impact was realized by the end of September 2012.

CBO Releases Latest Quarterly Report on ARRA’s Effect on Output and Employment

As required by law, CBO prepares regular reports on its estimate of the number of jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was enacted in response to significant weakness in the economy

Support Family Caregivers

November is a time to acknowledge and celebrate family caregivers. These individuals provide long-term care and make an extraordinary difference in the lives of their loved ones.

Learn about the kinds of support family caregivers provide and get resources to assist caregivers.

Cobbler V Gobbler

Thanksgiving Decision: Cobbler or Gobbler?

On Wednesday, President Obama will pardon the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey and this year, for the first time ever, the American public will get its say. People all across the country are flocking to cast their vote.

Born on the same day on a farm in Rockingham Country, Virginia, Cobbler and Gobbler may look alike, but they’re no birds of a feather. Cobbler craves cranberries, is known for his strut, and enjoys the musical stylings of Carly Simon. Gobbler, a patient but proud bird, loves to nibble on corn and enjoys any music with a fiddle.

Which of two turkeys will be named the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey? Go to the White House Facebook page and “Like” and “share” their post to cast your vote. No matter what choice you make, both birds will enjoy a happy life at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens after the ceremony, but only one can be the National Thanksgiving Turkey.

So help us choose:

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:First Lady Honors National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards Recipients
The First Lady honored 12 of the nation’s most outstanding arts and humanities programs for young people. These programs are recipients of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards.

Shop Small on Saturday, November 24th 2012
In between the Black Friday sales and the Cyber Monday deals is Small Business Saturday (November 24th) – a day set aside to support the small businesses that play a vital role in creating jobs and economic opportunities all across the country.

President Obama Promises Support for the People of Burma
When President Obama arrived in Rangoon on Monday, he became the first sitting president ever to visit Burma — the Asian nation bordering Thailand, China, and Bangladesh.

RainForest Action Network

 

		All year you stand with us and tackle the hard, serious and often challenging crises our planet is facing. In the process, we’ve shown you some painful images: photos of orangutans left to die on palm oil plantations, tigers pushed out of their natural habitat. Images that are often horrifying and hard to look at. But these images also represent what’s really happening to the world’s rainforest creatures, and you’ve never flinched. Instead, you step into action with us. But that’s not all there is to show. These animals are also hilarious, ridiculous, the cutest things you’ve ever seen…and just totally awesome. We thought we would show you that side for a change, to remind all of us why we work so hard to protect animals and the places they call home—and to thank you for giving this work all you have. Thank you for all the emails and phone calls you’ve made this year. Thank you for all the rallies and marches you showed up at. Thank you for the donations you made, the direct actions you took part in, and the work you did to spread the message. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For the planet, Your friends at Rainforest Action Network

Claude Monet

 

ON THIS DAY

November 14

Claude Monet Born: November 14, 1840 Died: December 5, 1926 Age: 86 years old Birthplace: Paris, France Occupation: PainterRead Claude Monet’s biography>>