On May 12th it appeared that President Obama was defeated in the Senate on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) yet a few days later it passed. At that time, I wrote a blog cautioning supporters to not give up. http://pageposts1123.blogspot.com/2015/05/obama-defeat-think-again.html Today, it seemed that President Obama had lost another round, this time in the House. Yet, let's take another look. Was it really the astounding defeat the media is presenting it to be?
Perhaps not. According to a Reuter's article, there will be another vote on Tuesday for the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) portion of the bill that was defeated today. This is the part that aids workers who have been displaced by trade. Many Democrats joined with Republicans today to defeat this measure. Why would Democrats vote against something that benefits workers? The article says it was done to defeat the entire bill and deny the president TPA. If this passes, then President Obama will have the bill to sign and he will have Trade Promotion Authority as designed by our Congress.
So, my advice is to stay tuned because this isn't over. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/12/us-usa-trade-idUSKBN0OS0CC20150612
Friday, June 12, 2015
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
A Man with a Plan
President Obama is a man with a plan. He recognizes how crucial it is to address #ClimateChange both here at home and in developing countries throughout the world. That's why he has pledged resources to address the issue. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/09/white-house-climate-plan-developing-countries You can read about this initiative at the link.
At home, his plan is ambitious, but, doable. That is, if we can get the GOP on board. The Republicans in Congress have vowed to fight the new rules put forth by the EPA and they are aiming to cut back the money that President Obama has pledged to help developing countries deal with #ClimateChange.
There will always be challenges to the President's authority and to the EPA authority to put limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. But, there will be victories in the battle. Today was such a victory. The US Court of Appeals barred the coal mining companies from challenging EPA at least until they get all the regulations in place. Once the EPA adopts and releases the rules, then the challenges will begin anew.
Here is another issue where there is a clear distinction between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats tend to favor regulations to protect citizens and the environment and Republicans tend to fight those regulations to protect coal companies and their profit margins.
Let's all support our president and his efforts to address #ClimateChange. Read all about it here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change
At home, his plan is ambitious, but, doable. That is, if we can get the GOP on board. The Republicans in Congress have vowed to fight the new rules put forth by the EPA and they are aiming to cut back the money that President Obama has pledged to help developing countries deal with #ClimateChange.
There will always be challenges to the President's authority and to the EPA authority to put limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. But, there will be victories in the battle. Today was such a victory. The US Court of Appeals barred the coal mining companies from challenging EPA at least until they get all the regulations in place. Once the EPA adopts and releases the rules, then the challenges will begin anew.
Here is another issue where there is a clear distinction between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats tend to favor regulations to protect citizens and the environment and Republicans tend to fight those regulations to protect coal companies and their profit margins.
Let's all support our president and his efforts to address #ClimateChange. Read all about it here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change
Monday, June 8, 2015
Real People
"Karen Hines is worried about getting two pieces of very bad news this June. The first would be her cancer returning. The second would be her health insurance becoming abruptly unaffordable."
This is the lead in the Huffington Post article today regarding the Supreme Court decision coming soon on the ACA. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/07/obamacare-subsidies-supreme-court_n_7503600.html?ncid=newsltushpmg00000003
Folks who purchased their insurance coverage through exchanges run by the Federal government, stand to lose their subsidies if the court rules in favor of the plaintiff. "Hines would be one of over 6.4 million people in 34 states whose subsidies would disappear." Read her story and also Joe Lucas' in the article.
Tomorrow, at 11:45 AM ET President Obama will give a speech about healthcare. You can sign up to watch. https://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-in-america. Please RSVP.
This is the lead in the Huffington Post article today regarding the Supreme Court decision coming soon on the ACA. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/07/obamacare-subsidies-supreme-court_n_7503600.html?ncid=newsltushpmg00000003
Folks who purchased their insurance coverage through exchanges run by the Federal government, stand to lose their subsidies if the court rules in favor of the plaintiff. "Hines would be one of over 6.4 million people in 34 states whose subsidies would disappear." Read her story and also Joe Lucas' in the article.
Tomorrow, at 11:45 AM ET President Obama will give a speech about healthcare. You can sign up to watch. https://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-in-america. Please RSVP.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Voting Rights
"There are many problems in life that we can’t fix, at least not quickly. But preserving fairness and equality in our voting system is one that we can—and we should."
- Hillary on voting rights
I am so thankful that Hillary Clinton is making the assault on voting rights and issue in the 2016 Presidential Campaign. http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/06/04/3665728/hillary-clinton-voting-rights/
Today, she will give her first major campaign speech in Texas and this will be her topic. Why Texas? She chose Texas because they are working very hard to keep people from voting.
Last night, Rachel Maddow had a segment on efforts to obtain valid voter ID's for citizens in Texas. If you missed it, it's worth watching. It told of a Black man who'd voted all his life but now didn't have proper ID under new Texas law. After obtaining his birth certificate, they took him to register; only to be denied because of a typo on his official birth certificate. His only recourse now was to go to court to legally change his name to match the typo. That is how ridiculous efforts are to restrict peoples' voting rights. The story is at about the 17:59 minute mark. http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/texas-keeping-thousands-registering-voting-group-alleges
We have the Supreme Court to thank for this spate of voter ID laws that are currently making it a challenge for many to exercise their right to vote. When they issued their ruling in June 2013, they made it easier for states to restrict voting rights. http://billmoyers.com/2013/06/25/supreme-court-guts-voting-rights-act/
If you'd like to help change this, please check out the ACLU website for more information: https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/fighting-voter-id-requirements
Another place to sign up to help is: http://www.votingrightsmatter.com/ We can all do something. At a minimum, we can support and vote for candidates who are working to uphold voting rights for all Americans. Thank you Hillary.
- Hillary on voting rights
I am so thankful that Hillary Clinton is making the assault on voting rights and issue in the 2016 Presidential Campaign. http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/06/04/3665728/hillary-clinton-voting-rights/
Today, she will give her first major campaign speech in Texas and this will be her topic. Why Texas? She chose Texas because they are working very hard to keep people from voting.
Last night, Rachel Maddow had a segment on efforts to obtain valid voter ID's for citizens in Texas. If you missed it, it's worth watching. It told of a Black man who'd voted all his life but now didn't have proper ID under new Texas law. After obtaining his birth certificate, they took him to register; only to be denied because of a typo on his official birth certificate. His only recourse now was to go to court to legally change his name to match the typo. That is how ridiculous efforts are to restrict peoples' voting rights. The story is at about the 17:59 minute mark. http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/texas-keeping-thousands-registering-voting-group-alleges
We have the Supreme Court to thank for this spate of voter ID laws that are currently making it a challenge for many to exercise their right to vote. When they issued their ruling in June 2013, they made it easier for states to restrict voting rights. http://billmoyers.com/2013/06/25/supreme-court-guts-voting-rights-act/
If you'd like to help change this, please check out the ACLU website for more information: https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/fighting-voter-id-requirements
Another place to sign up to help is: http://www.votingrightsmatter.com/ We can all do something. At a minimum, we can support and vote for candidates who are working to uphold voting rights for all Americans. Thank you Hillary.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Facing Poverty
We must face the facts. According to the United Nation's Millennium Project over one Billion people world wide live on less than $1.00 per day! Contrast that with an Aspen Colorado Millionaire Mountain's ski home on sale for only $65 million! http://www.businessinsider.com/aspen-home-selling-for-65-million-2014-10 Something's wrong with this picture.
Before you turn away and move on to other tasks, please stop for a few minutes and read some of the horrid facts. http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/3-MP-PovertyFacts-E.pdf
Our president has addressed the topic of income inequality. In February, President Obama sent a report to Congress on our Economy. It's called The Economic Report of the President. https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/cea_2015_erp.pdf I'm glad that he has a plan and is looking at the big picture.
Yet, we need to look at the faces of poverty. Abstract ideas and policies are wonderful but we need to ground ourselves in reality. Occasionally, journalists attempt to draw our attention to the topic. Bill Moyers shared a photo slide show back in 2013. http://billmoyers.com/content/slideshow-poverty-in-todays-america/
Another source for first hand information on what it's like to live in poverty is: http://americanpoverty.org/photoessay/index.html
Or you can read actual stories written by people who have lived it. http://thevoicesofpoverty.org/
But, nothing will change if you move on and get busy with your life and forget what you've seen.
Act. Contact your representatives in Congress and at the state level and ask them what they are doing to address this issue. The Voices of Poverty website has a resources tab that details many programs which are trying to help. Pick one and send them some money. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food pantry. Just don't ever forget those faces and stories.
Before you turn away and move on to other tasks, please stop for a few minutes and read some of the horrid facts. http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/3-MP-PovertyFacts-E.pdf
Our president has addressed the topic of income inequality. In February, President Obama sent a report to Congress on our Economy. It's called The Economic Report of the President. https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/cea_2015_erp.pdf I'm glad that he has a plan and is looking at the big picture.
Yet, we need to look at the faces of poverty. Abstract ideas and policies are wonderful but we need to ground ourselves in reality. Occasionally, journalists attempt to draw our attention to the topic. Bill Moyers shared a photo slide show back in 2013. http://billmoyers.com/content/slideshow-poverty-in-todays-america/
Another source for first hand information on what it's like to live in poverty is: http://americanpoverty.org/photoessay/index.html
Or you can read actual stories written by people who have lived it. http://thevoicesofpoverty.org/
But, nothing will change if you move on and get busy with your life and forget what you've seen.
Act. Contact your representatives in Congress and at the state level and ask them what they are doing to address this issue. The Voices of Poverty website has a resources tab that details many programs which are trying to help. Pick one and send them some money. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food pantry. Just don't ever forget those faces and stories.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Gun Violence in America
In any discussion of gun violence you will hear the phrase, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." The ones using that argument seem to believe that any effort to curb gun violence is an affront to the 2nd amendment.
Yes, violent people will find a way to kill even if all guns magically disappeared. But, guns make it so much easier. They are the tool of choice for the violent person because they are effective.
When we had the Ebola crisis last fall, everyone was concerned about the number of people effected. Yet, when confronted with real data about gun violence, people don't seem to react with the same level of fear and concern.
The media that is supposed to inform us is not doing an adequate job in regards to gun violence. Here is a link to a website that collects data on gun violence in America. Gunviolencearchive.org
Please take a few minutes to check out the information available. Then, if you want to do something, write a letter to the editor. Or call your representatives in Congress and start a dialogue with them.
Nothing will change until we are as concerned about gun violence as we are about other issues effecting Americans. #WearingOrange
Yes, violent people will find a way to kill even if all guns magically disappeared. But, guns make it so much easier. They are the tool of choice for the violent person because they are effective.
When we had the Ebola crisis last fall, everyone was concerned about the number of people effected. Yet, when confronted with real data about gun violence, people don't seem to react with the same level of fear and concern.
The media that is supposed to inform us is not doing an adequate job in regards to gun violence. Here is a link to a website that collects data on gun violence in America. Gunviolencearchive.org
Please take a few minutes to check out the information available. Then, if you want to do something, write a letter to the editor. Or call your representatives in Congress and start a dialogue with them.
Nothing will change until we are as concerned about gun violence as we are about other issues effecting Americans. #WearingOrange
Monday, June 1, 2015
Gun Violence Awareness
Will you wear orange on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 to support gun violence awareness? National Gun Violence Awareness Day is tomorrow. I hope you will join me in wearing orange and being prepared to tell why.
“The idea was inspired by a group of Chicago teens who asked their classmates to commemorate the life of a slain friend by wearing orange,” gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety said in a statement. “They chose the color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods.” http://www.guns.com/2015/05/14/everytown-wears-orange-to-mark-first-gun-violence-awareness-day/
Let's make this inaugural event a success. Wear orange Tuesday!
“The idea was inspired by a group of Chicago teens who asked their classmates to commemorate the life of a slain friend by wearing orange,” gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety said in a statement. “They chose the color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods.” http://www.guns.com/2015/05/14/everytown-wears-orange-to-mark-first-gun-violence-awareness-day/
Let's make this inaugural event a success. Wear orange Tuesday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)