Participation, Transparency, & Accountablity - SaveOurDemocracy.org

Thomas Paine once wrote:

"There is too much common sense and independence in America to be long the dupe of any fiction, foreign or domestic. "

Democracy means literally rule by the people - and is grounded in the values of participation, transparency and accountability. It means that decisions are made from the bottom up.

What are you doing to educate your self on the issues of today?

How are you staying informed?

How are you holding your elected officials accountable?

You can start by joining http://www.saveourdemocracy.org/.

Nancy-Ann DeParle, She Knows Medicare Fraud - From WSJ.com's Political Diary

Obama's Expert on Medicare Fraud

It turns out that President Obama's Health Care czarina, Nancy-Ann DeParle, knows a lot about all that Medicare waste, fraud and abuse that Mr. Obama wants to weed out.
Mr. Obama says he can free up $500 billion to pay for an expanded middle-class health care entitlement by eliminating waste and fraud in Medicare. Many are skeptical, but at least he has an underling who knows all about the subject.

Ms. DeParle ran the Medicare program under Bill Clinton, then left to serve on the boards of several medical care companies that later were charged with Medicare fraud. Five of the companies subsequently paid out $566 million in fraud or product liability settlements, with Medicare often being the victim of the alleged fraud. Meanwhile, she earned millions of dollars in board fees.

We can thank Investigative Reporting Workshop of the American University School of Communication for this information. It conducted a multi-month investigation. In one case, Ms. DeParle joined the board of Specialty Laboratories Inc., a California medical testing company, just two months before "federal investigators suspended Medicare payments and threatened to revoke Specialty's license to operate. The company agreed to pay a $700,000 fine. . . . Specialty was also sued this year by the state of California which seeks to recover hundreds of millions of dollars for the state's Medicaid program for what [California Attorney General Jerry] Brown termed 'massive . . . fraud and kickbacks' over the past 15 years."

One should be careful in jumping to conclusions about true culpability for alleged Medicare fraud. It's not infrequent that regulators bully firms into paying penalties to avoid legal costs or remain in good standing as government contractors. In some cases, the DeParle-connected firms did not admit to fraud or the cases are still unsettled.

But the bottom line, according of the AU Reporting Workshop, is still hard to jibe with the Obama administration's verbal war on the evils of lobbying: "In touting DeParle's accomplishments when he appointed her in March, Obama didn't mention the lucrative private-sector career she built since September 2000, when she left her government job running Medicare for the Clinton administration. Records show she earned more than $6.6 million since early 2001 . . . And the public wasn't told that much of that corporate career was built at companies that have frequently had to defend themselves against federal investigations. Critics see DeParle's re-emergence as a classic case of Washington 'revolving door' syndrome, despite Obama's suggestions that he would shut that door."

By the end of the Clinton administration, Medicare fraud was estimated by the U.S. General Accounting Office to costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year. This happened on Ms. DeParle's watch. It makes one wonder how this czarina is going to root out waste when so much of it piled up the last time she was in charge.

-- Stephen Moore

The Specter Steamroller - From WSJ.com's Political Diary

All-Out for Specter

The big question since Sen. Arlen Specter switched parties was just how hard his new Democratic patrons would fight to get him re-elected next year. The early answer? Hard enough that Majority Leader Harry Reid is willing to shut down the nation's business on behalf of the Pennsylvania Senator this afternoon.

Mr. Reid announced on Friday that the Senate would hold no votes after 3 p.m. today. According to CQ Politics, "His office later said that the scheduling decision was meant to accommodate a long-planned fundraiser that President Obama is headlining in Philadelphia to benefit Specter's campaign," CQ reported. And not just any fundraiser: The event will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and feature many of the state's prominent Democrats, including Gov. Ed Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

One of the organizers, Comcast executive and Democratic heavyweight David L. Cohen, circulated the details to potential guests in a widely reported email: The night will include a cocktail reception at $1000 per head, a special reception open to those who raise at least $10,000, and a super-special dinner for which "an individual must write (not raise) a minimum of $10,000 or raise $50,000 to attend." Attendees at the dinner, Mr. Cohen added, will get their picture taken with President Obama and Senator Specter. Organizers are hoping to raise $2.5 million.

One Pennsylvania Democrat not likely to show up is Rep. Joe Sestak. The party went to great lengths to dissuade Mr. Sestak from running against Senator Specter in next year's Senate primary. Gov. Rendell at one point promised that the Democratic congressman would "get killed" and "marginalized" and fade "into political obscurity" if he defied the party's wishes. But Mr. Sestak sensed an eagerness among the liberal base for an alternative to the party's Republican-turned-Democrat designee.

Yesterday, the now-candidate fired off a pointed response to the Reid announcement: "I urge Arlen Specter to speak with Harry Reid and ask that the Senate hold votes Tuesday afternoon, instead of delaying the public's business. This gets to a larger issue, and why I am running against the establishment's wishes, because too often it favors the powerful and well-connected who are also too often rewarded at the cost of those who are at the bottom. Can Arlen Specter -- or anyone in this fundraiser -- explain why it is okay to hold up the entire U.S. Senate to benefit his political campaign, but it's -- in Arlen's own words -- a 'court martial' offense for missing a few primarily procedural votes?"

That's a question some Pennsylvania Democrats are probably asking themselves. A Franklin & Marshall poll late last month showed Mr. Specter still leading his challenger by 26 points, even as his "unfavorable" ratings have also been rising steadily since his party switch. But party leaders appear to be doubling down. The fundraiser is part of a bigger Specter strategy to stockpile enough to cash to swamp his lesser known rival, whose greatest foreseeable challenge will be in raising enough money to remain competitive.
-- Kim Strassel

Where Does the "WE" Come from in Health Care

I felt the need to share a post from the Black Conservatives Yahoo Groups Courtesy of NYCBlackAmerican

The collective 'we' are building up massive debt in trying to keep up with health care costs. Well, let me tell you a little something about this part of the 'we'.

• For 44 years, I contributed to my own health care insurance program. When I was dissatisfied with the program, I changed it at the once-a-year option I got to do so.
• I paid social security taxes.
• I paid for medicare, Parts A & B.
• I paid my co-pays which were not reimbursed by anybody and, in some cases, had to meet a deductible before I could even begin to claim benefits.

Now, where has all that money I and my employers paid into the Medicare system gone to? Here are some of the benefits distributed by Medicare Part B using my dime: physicians' services; home health care; services and supplies , including drugs and biologicals which cannot be self-administered, furnished incidental to physicians' services, diagnostic x-rays and other tests; surgical dressings, and splints, casts and other devices used for fractures and dislocations, etc., etc.

My private insurance, which I must keep, also provides me with all of these services. I am only eligible for Medicare Part A, hospital insurance. I hope my hospital takes it [many do not]. Why do I need Medicare? I don't and did not choose to have it.

So, when Obama speaks in terms of 'we', just who is he talking about? Not me. The federal government has squandered all the money it collected from me and my employer over 44 years, and now wants to make me a party to that mismanagement. I don't think so.

Launch of a Creative New eGrassroots™ Public Policy Organization

For Immediate Release

August 26, 2009

Contact: Travis Fitzwater – Media Relations

Phone: (314) 227-1145

Email: info@saveourdemocracy.org

Web Address: www.saveourdemocracy.org

Launch of a Creative New eGrassroots™ Public Policy Organization

St. Louis, MO - A new eGrassroots™ public policy research organization formed for the purpose of promoting dialogue and discipline of the principles found in the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and additional Founding papers.

The group, SaveOurDemocracy.org, is a cutting-edge collaborative operation which will provide resources for the development of a well-organized educational system of advanced, factual, information-gathering techniques into mediums that are fresh, applicable and user-friendly to accommodate today’s tech savvy public. “Our goal is to provide simplified technology that allows the general public to learn and engage as their schedules permit,” says Board Chairman, MG Paul E. Vallely, US ARMY (ret) and former Fox News Channel Military Analyst.

The first order of business for SaveOurDemocracy.org will be the soft launch of its website to provide a centralized point for information for the anywhere constituent™.

"It's time take a page out of the private sector marketing playbook and start getting educational materials to the anywhere voter™" Vallely said. "SaveOurDemocracy.org will be the primary organization that will provide the tools that enable the voter to vet policy initiatives."

During their recent monthly meeting, the organization elected a board and developed an organizational plan. The mission of the group is to provide factual and usable information that is consumable and accessible to the people of the United States. Please join in our journey to Save Our Country, to Save Our Republic and to Save Our Democracy.

For more information about how to become involved in the organization, please visit www.SaveOurDemocracy.org.

Save Our Democracy.org, Inc. is a Missouri not for profit, nonpartisan organization. Contributions or gifts to Save Our Democracy.org are not tax-deductible. Funds contributed to Save Our Democracy.org will not be used to support or oppose any candidate for state or federal office and Save Our Democracy.org does not support or oppose any political party. Save Our Democracy.org is a public policy research organization formed (and existing) for the purpose of promoting discussion of the principles found in the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence and application of these principles to present public policy issues.

Focus on the BIGGER HealthCARE Picture

Insurance is only a small part of the problem. The bigger issue is ACCESS to care. Which is the real challenge of preventive and primary care. Lot's of people have coverage, and still cannot get care, because of lack of medical personnel, the attack on the nurse practitioner (including midwifery), and advanced or modern facilities. Even those who do not have coverage, still in an emergency get CARE, IF THEY CAN GET TO IT.

A few years ago, I suffered a miscarriage. I had EXCELLENT INSURANCE. however the town where I live although has many doctors and hospitals, only one facility has an OB/GYN unit and a handful of OB/GYNs and only one taking new patients, after a 5 week wait list. There are many places across America with this same phenomenon.

I like to say that Health care today, is lacking localized medicine, and like WALMART has killed the neighborhood retailer and grocer, BIG BOX hospitals with its Hospitalists have killed the neighbood clinic! A Hospitalist, is a hospital employed doctor, so instead of having his own practice, 0r is a partner in a practice of other doctors, this doctor just gets a salary from the Hospital. In this model, the hospital worries with the basic business operations of insurance, billing, staffing, etc. related to caring for the patient. It is not necessarily like a HMO, but could at times feel like one. This model is encouraged by the lack of tort reform. Without that, then the malpractice insurance makes it unsustainable for the local health care facilities to exist.

So can we please get back to the issue of CARE, and ask our elected officials how is providing insurance going to fix this umbrella problem!!!

My $ 0.02

Tanya Callaway Crews

Under 40 Grassroots GOP We Are doing It for Ourselves!!! We are not Waiting!!!!

Sooner or later it was bound to happen! The way we get our message out Peter Cowman!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPF9-o-YHGM

BREAKING: A Honeymoon Cut Short - from WSJ.com Political Diary

Fractured Fairytale

A surprising development in off-year races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia is just how much trouble the Democratic nominees have had in nailing down African-American voters.
Yesterday, Sheila Crump Johnson, the billionaire co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell for governor of Virginia. Ms. Johnson has been a prominent contributor to Democrats for years -- boosting Barack Obama's candidacy and serving as the second-largest donor to sitting Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine.

Ms. Johnson told reporters yesterday she was backing Mr. McConnell because "he understands that we have to help businesses in our state -- both big and small -- thrive so that we put Virginians back to work."

Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for governor, is worried about other potential Democratic defectors. Former Gov. Doug Wilder says he hasn't responded to appeals from aides to President Obama to endorse Mr. Deeds. "I told them, 'You need to tell me why,'" Mr. Wilder told reporters, noting that he's had differences with Mr. Deeds during the latter's 18-year-career in the legislature.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine continues to struggle to nail down black support despite a fly-in appearance by President Obama last week. A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Mr. Corzine winning African-American voters by only 66% to 29% -- well below normal numbers for a Democratic nominee. Republican Chris Christie has some appeal to minority voters because of his reputation as a crusader against public corruption.

The Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, leader of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, says Mr. Corzine could bolster his inner-city support by backing a pending bill in the legislature that would allow companies to use tax deductions to pay tuitions for poor kids to attend the public, charter or private school of their choice. "If you announced today that you have $500,000 in scholarships in Orange tomorrow, people would line up in Orange tonight," Rev. Jackson, who heads a large church in Orange, told North Jersey News. But he says Mr. Corzine appears to be boxed in by his need to placate the powerful New Jersey Education Association, which represents the state's public school establishment.

It would be a rich irony if a year following the election of the nation's first black president, Republicans might be elected in two key Obama states this fall on the strength of their minority support.
-- John Fund

Northeastern Pennsylvania 10th & 11th Congressional Updates July 21, 2009

Upcoming Votes

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - S.1390
The Senate is scheduled to continue work on this bill to set funding levels for the military and authorize Department of Defense programs.

Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009 - H.R.2920
The House is scheduled to vote on this bill intended to reinstitute and update the Pay-As-You-Go requirement of budget neutrality on new tax and mandatory spending legislation.

Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.___
The House is scheduled to work on this bill funding transportation and housing programs for the next fiscal year.

Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.___
The House is also expected to work on this funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and other related agencies and programs.

Recent Senate Votes

Cloture Motion; Nomination of Robert M. Groves, to be Director of the Census - Vote Agreed to (76-15, 9 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to this procedural vote allowing a vote on the nomination of Robert Groves to be the Director of the Census, who was later confirmed by a voice vote.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

Cloture Motion; To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes - Vote Agreed to (63-28, 9 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to end debate on this amendment to the Military Construction authorization bill that would include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability in the definition of hate crimes. The amendment was later approved by voice vote.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

Recent House Votes

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (219-208, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting)
On Thursday, the House voted on this $24.1 billion bill funding the Treasury Department, the executive branch, the judicial branch, the District of Columbia and independent agencies.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted NO
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES


Restore Our American Mustangs Act - Vote Passed (239-185, 9 Not Voting)
On Friday, the House passed this bill that intends to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted YES
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (320-97, 16 Not Voting)
The House approved this $33.3 billion bill funding the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies and programs.
Rep. Christopher Carney voted YES
Rep. Paul Kanjorski voted YES

Please Call Your PA Legislature in Support of HB 1588

Today, HB 1588, is set for a vote on the House Floor. This bill allows for $35.00 from Marriage Licences and $25.00 from Divorce Fees to be allocated to a fund to help victims of Domestic Violence.

Please contact your State Legislature and tell them to VOTE YES on HB 1588.


Here is the summary Courtesy of Pennsylvania Legislative Services

HB 1588 - (PLS Summary)(PN 1969) Amends Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary) by stating that the fee for issuing a marriage license or declaration and for returns to the department shall be $38, of which $2.50 shall be retained by the county where the license is issued and $35.50 shall be remitted to the State. The money remitted to the State would be transferred to the State Treasurer and be placed in the General Fund. Of the money remitted to the state, $35 shall be forwarded to DPW for use for victims of domestic violence. The bill also charges a $25 fee for the commencement of an action for divorce or an action for annulment of marriage. The money collected shall be made available for use for victims of domestic violence.

A Health Care Bay of Pigs? - WSJ.com's Political Diary

Stuck on Health Care

President Obama is getting a clear message from his allies that he may have to scale back his health care goals in order to win passage from Congress. Even his own Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told NBC's "Meet the Press:" "Our Democratic friends are having a hard time selling this to their own members, a very difficult time."

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, one of Mr. Obama's earliest supporters in his 2008 campaign, has also weighed in with some advice not to demand too much from Congress, based on his own experience inheriting implementation of his state's "universal" health care plan -- which was passed in 2005. Mr. Patrick recently had to impose cuts in the program, which has seen large cost overruns.

"The untold story about the Massachusetts experiment has been that we finally recognized that there were more than just the usual two choices, which were to have a perfect solution or no solution at all," Gov. Patrick told ABC News at the National Governors Association meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi. "There is a cautionary tale for Washington because people are going to fret over a perfect solution and because there isn't one, we're going to get stuck -- or we are at risk of being stuck."

Concern about the floundering Obama health care plan is rooted in memories of HillaryCare, the Clinton administration's bold attempt to remake health care in 1993. First Lady Hillary Clinton was offered several compromise solutions that would have gotten her much, but not all, of what she wanted. She insisted on "all or nothing." The result was a plan that never made it to a Congressional vote and resulted in a political debacle for Democrats.

Mr. Obama is smart enough to scale back his ambitions to win passage of something from Congress and then declare "victory." From the comments of his allies, I detect the first effort on their part to prepare liberal diehards for the fact they may end up with less than a full loaf this year.
-- John Fund

BREAKING::: Action Alert - S. 1390: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

A couple of hours ago Majority Leader Reid filed a hate crimes amendment to the DOD Authorization Bill. He then filled the tree, which means no amendments can be offered to his amendment, and filed cloture on the amendment.

Action Alert - S. 1390: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

This week, the Senate is considering S. 1390: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. There are some members who are attempting to amend this bill with H.R. 1913: Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 or S. 909: Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act .

To track updates to this bills visit http://concernedinnepa.blogspot.com/.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP THIS?
Stop what you’re doing… and email, phone and/or fax all Senators now. Tell them NO Hate Crimes Legislation!

Go here to find your US Senate contact information: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Forward this alert to all your friends, family, neighbors and encourage them to do likewise.. now!

Here is a sample letter that you can email or fax to your Senators

Dear Senator:

I am very disappointed that the Senate is considering fast-tracking the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913) by attaching it as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. I respectfully request that you please Vote NO on any amendments to S. 1390 which are related to Hate Crimes Legislation, for the following reasons:

(1) This Hate Crimes Legislation is so controversial that it must be considered as a stand-alone bill, not rushed as an amendment.
(2) Hate Crimes legislation is unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment requires that all citizens be given equal treatment under the law. Hate crimes laws create special classes of victims and do not treat all victims fairly.
(3) Hate Crimes legislation could ultimately lead to prosecution for thoughts and restrictions on free speech and religious liberty. Although it prosecutes only “acts of violence” and does not prosecute expressions or opinions, it opens the door to examining the thoughts of not only a criminal, but everyone with whom he may have come into contact. This bill could be used to advance the politically correct agenda by providing greater protections for certain classes of people. Future legislation could expand these protections and place restrictions on religious liberty and free speech.
(4) Hate Crimes are unnecessary. Many states already have a hate crimes law and there is no evidence that the states are failing to prosecute hate crimes. States which do not have hate crimes laws still prosecute the crimes under existing criminal laws. A federal hate crimes bill would only increase the control and scope of the federal government.
(5) All crimes are hate crimes!

Additionally for these reasons, I respectfully ask that you honor the Constitution, and respect States rights in future Hate Crimes legislation and vote NO in the future.

I look forward to hearing your position in this matter, and will continue to follow your actions and record!

Sincerely,

-Name-
-Address-
-City State Zip-
- Email/Phone -

Corzine Plays a Weak Hand, Weakly - Corzine Plays the Bush Card - WSJ.com's Political Diary

Democratic Governor Jon Corzine of New Jersey is being dragged down by the weak economy. Up for re-election this November, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds him trailing former federal prosecutor Chris Christie by 53% to 41% among likely voters.
Mr. Corzine's basic problem is that only a third of New Jersey residents think he is doing a good job, and they blame him for high taxes -- cited by 45% as the state's biggest problem -- and a general decline in the state's quality of life. All this plays to Mr. Christie's strengths as a corruption-busting prosecutor who says he will offer "real choices rather than fake reform" if he is elected.
That said, Mr. Corzine will no doubt spend millions from his personal fortune to paint his opponent as an inexperienced extremist. In 1993, such tactics helped revive unpopular Governor James Florio enough that he lost his re-election bid to Republican Christie Whitman by only one percentage point.
But Mr. Corzine will have to attack carefully. One of his favorite tactics appears to be already backfiring. Linking Mr. Christie to George W. Bush is falling flat with voters. Quinnipiac found that only a tenth of voters say Mr. Corzine's attempts to tie his opponent to the Bush era are fair, with 77% of voters saying Mr. Corzine should stick to state issues. The poll also reveals the governor's weakness among his own base voters. Mr. Christie currently wins almost a fifth of votes of both Democrats and African-Americans, high numbers for a Republican in the Garden State. Mr. Corzine clearly hopes to remedy this shortfall with a rally with President Obama in Holmdel on Thursday. This fall's race will be not only a test of Mr. Corzine's wallet but of Mr. Obama's continued popularity amid a declining economy.
-- John Fund

Power of 5 USA

RNC Chairman Steele on Sen. Specter's switch to the Democratic Party

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:
“Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not.
Let’s be honest-Senator Specter didn’t leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.
Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don’t do it first.”

Scranton Tea Party

SCRANTON TEA PARTY!!!

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Lackawanna County Courthouse Square
City/Town: Scranton, PA
Contact: Scrantonteaparty@aol.com - Laureen
Contact: Kathiedelguercio@echoes.net - Kathie
Don't keep sitting in your living room yelling at the TV.....DO SOMETHING! Get involved because YOU can make a difference!
We the People of Northeast Pennsylvania are fed up with the bailouts and stimuli our federal government is forcing down our throats! From Bush's $700 billion bailout to Obama's $787 billion stimulus package, this out of control spending MUST be stopped!
Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Greens, Libertarians, etc. now is your chance to have your voices heard! We will speak about the things you can do to make a difference. Informational flyers will be passed out and the media will be on site to voice your concerns. A voter registration booth will also be available for your convenience.
THINGS TO BRING: Please bring flags, cameras, camcorders, and creative homemade signs.

PARKING:
Daily Parking Garage Rates - 1 Hour $2.00, 2 Hours $2.75, 3 Hours $3.50, 4 Hours $4.25
1) Linden Street Garage is located on the corner of Linden Street and North Washington Avenue.
2) Medallion Parking Garage is located at 142 Adams Avenue - next to the Hilton Hotel on Adams Avenue
3) Casey Garage is located on the corner of Lackawanna & Adams Avenues. The elevator is next to Scranton Hobby.
4) The Mall at Steamtown Parking Garage – FREE PARKING from 10:30 am till 9:30 pm! The garage entrance is located on South Washington Avenue. From Lackawanna Avenue, turn left onto Washington Ave. Go down the hill a half block to the next light, which is the entrance to the Steamtown Mall. Enter in the right hand lane and drive up the ramp to the second level, which is the street level. Park and exit at the street level pedestrian gate. Walk down Washington Ave. to the Courthouse Square.

ACTION ALERT: HAPPY FRIDAY

Pending Legislation - Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA)

Washington, DC - Congress is considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans: The Americans With No Abilities Act.

(AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.

'Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society,' said California Senator Barbara Boxer. 'We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they have some idea of what they are doing.'

In a Capitol Hill press conference, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) pointed to the success of the U.S. Postal Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance. Approximately 74 percent of postal employees lack any job skills, making this agency the single largest U.S. employer of Persons of Inability.

Private-sector industries with good records of non-discrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement 'warehouse' stores (65%). At the state government level, the Department of Motor Vehicles also has an excellent record of hiring Persons of Inability (a whopping 83%).

Under The Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million 'middle man' positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance.

Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given so as to guarantee upward mobility for even the most inept employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations that promote a significant number of Persons of Inability into middle-management positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium-sized businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.

Finally, the AWNAA contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the Non-abled, banning, for example, discriminatory interview questions such as, 'Do you have any skills or experience that relate to this job?'

'As a Non-abled person, I can't be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,' said Mary Lou Gertz, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint, Michigan, due to her inability to remember 'rightey tightey, lefty loosey.' 'This new law should be real good for people like me,' Gertz added. With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): 'As a Senator with no abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every American with no abilities. It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so.'

Channeling Lincoln...

I was just having a conversation last night at a Lincoln Day Dinner, and the consensus at the table was that we understand the compound folks. If I had kids, I would be stocking up, and going into lock down.

At this dinner, the Pike County Historical Society had brought the American flag that Lincoln's Head was placed the night he was shot in Ford's Theater. It was moving and it made me reflect on what is happening now and how we should be thinking and approaching solutions.

What is unfortunate I think is that I think we may have missed how "hopeless" and "helpless" the electorate felt that they were just willing to try ANYTHING, and how utterly frustrated they were with being unable to change their situation on their own. On a Macro level we see evidence of that with the series of ineffective solutions to date from Congress, the Fed, etc.

I think that in man's recognition of mortality, survival instincts have kicked in, but in recent history, it has been rare that a person has had to "fight to the death". Think about it. The last global battle was WORLD WAR II!!! How long did it take for the world to recognize that there was problem? When the IPO, DOT BOMB happened, it was limited damage, because of the exposure was mainly with paper valuations. But it occurred after too many people tried to get rich quick without a sound business plan, and straying away from basic business fundamentals of quantifiable capital and demonstrative revenue. At the core of the current issue, is the same thing that happened with the tech, the capital was an "IDEA" that was not quantifiable. Whether the IDEA of Capital was a Mortgaged Back Security or the speculative new housing developments that folks were guessing that they would be able to quickly flip the house, the capital was not QUANTIFIABLE and the REVENUE was not Demonstrative....Money was made on the SALE not on the sustainability of the model. Folks were just guessing.

I remember when the Margin calls first started coming in...and I watched millions in my portfolio dwindle away... but we took our lumps and moved on. The challenge this time is that the folks just want to pass their problem to the next person. No one wants to take their lumps. I strongly believe that this mentality is steeped in the removal of discipline from several generations. Without a mechanism to reinforce PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ONE'S ACTION, we are in effect, ineffective with handling, dealing or overcoming a challenge as an individual.

I mean just think...we have books on tape, so you don't have to read anymore, we have microwaves and TV dinners, so you don't have to know how to cook, PDA's so you don't have to memorize phone numbers and appointments. We have a country of PROJECT MANAGERS, with no practical life experiences, so they are just accepting whatever status report that comes in and updates them on what is happening to them. Any person that had a bit of practical experience could not in good conscience believe that there was NO REAL ESTATE BUBBLE. Price in relation to poor construction and too much supply? The salvage value of real property on new was like 5 years.

A culture of people who came to accept DISPOSABLE housing and no longer demanding DURABLE housing... Not understanding what happened to them, and not knowing how to resolve the issue, or power through the difficulty....

Well, here we are....

I suggest we do what we believe, pull up our bootstraps and wade through this Swamp of Bull$#it, Lead by example and POWER THROUGH. On the 200th anniversary of the birth of the man that pulled the United States of America Back together when Most saw no light at the end of the tunnel. Our Founder Abraham Lincoln would expect NO LESS!!!! It won't be easy or painless. THERE WILL BE CASUALTIES. BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER... We each have a little Lincoln inside of us. Channel that and put on the whole Armour of GOD. The truth and history is with us, go take an nap and get some rest... YOU WILL NEED IT IN THE BATTLE AHEAD!!!!

What’s that again about helping the middle class?

What’s that again about the middle class?

The recent request for additional support for Chrysler has me taken aback. The Fiat deal provides that 30% of the American Company is given as a “payment” for the intellectually property for the green technology, or sweat equity. Also with the PRIVATE Equity owner not investing more than 7% since its initial purchase of Chrysler in 2007.

Should they be investing more of its OWN money, before asking the American Taxpayer? Where is the outrage?

Employee Free Choice Act

Many have strong feeling for or against this "Employee Free Choice Act". As a small business owner, I know what it means to me. However, It would be Fantastic if we put some thoughts down to share and vet through discussion.

So what do you think? The current administration is thinking that this would be good for the workers...

I think that the unions, in their quest to "secure" a worker's job for "all prosperity" did not prepare or enable that worker for CHANGE in the workplace, introduction of new technologies, and global competition. So now why is that my fault? If the union is not attractive and provides not VALUE PROPOSITION to the worker, to motivate them to join, why should they be publicly harassed?

I think that the Unions should go to the woodshed and recreate themselves instead of asking the Gubment that don't know nuffin' 'bout runnin' no bidness to legislate.

Thoughts?

Top Secret Stimulus - Post from WSJ Political Diary

Democrats apparently are in a mad rush to pass their stimulus bill before the public or Members of Congress have much chance to read it. Just a few days ago the House overwhelmingly passed a new procedural rule requiring 48-hour public notice before any bill faces a roll call vote. The idea was to allow voters to review bills online before they are approved by Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been crowing about this new era of transparency.

But the stimulus bill, which numbers more than 700 pages and was just renegotiated by the House and Senate Democratic leadership, may be voted on less than 24 hours after the agreement was reached. Last night, House Republicans were vocally complaining that they still didn't know the line-by-line details of the biggest spending bill to hit Capitol Hill since World War II. We also hear that House Blue Dog Democrats are furious with Ms. Pelosi for forcing a vote that clearly violates the party's own brand new sunshine rule.

Many squeamish House Democrats who represent mostly Republican districts are getting slammed back home for voting in favor of the original House stimulus bill. These moderates are also angry that the Democratic leadership bill made more room for pork by slicing Barack Obama's much-heralded tax cut for families by 20%. Couples were supposed to get $1,000, now they will get $800 off their income taxes.

A House Republican leadership staff member tells me: "Yep, looks like they will waive that [disclosure] rule even before the ink is dry on it." Rep. Dave Camp, ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, adds: "Frankly, because this process has been so rushed, we are literally flying blind."

One rumor is that Democrats want to speedily enact the bill in the House without public vetting because Nancy Pelosi has to fly to Italy over the weekend. Democrats in the leadership are also getting weary of this stimulus debate. They're aware of the shrinking public approval and want to strong-arm the bill through Congress before rank-and-file House members get cold feet.

So the era of transparency and openness on Capitol Hill has come and gone. Mr. Camp pleads: "The American people have a right to know what's in this bill." Ms. Pelosi thinks it best that they learn about the bill's contents only after Barack Obama has signed it into law.

-- Stephen Moore

Response from an Email Chain -

We MUST engage and embrace - which will in turn always GROW our party, re-enforce our message, strengthen our bench, hell, at this point Build our bench, the GOP has been pushing people off the bench for years...( I mean we really can't complain that Obama's Cabinet is a retread of Clinton's Team...Bush 43 was a re-tread of Bush 41 and Reagan) There is lots of young private sector talent that we should be recruiting... But for CRAFT (California Republicans Aligned For Tomorrow) going after Meg Whitman, formally of eBay, the GOP would probably not have a good shot at the Governor's Mansion.... It is going to be a journey, because she is not a CA political insider, and a woman... But she has a record of PROVEN results.

We have to stop throwing stones, the American electorate is not that stupid...We should be about the business of creating REAL opportunity, articulating SUSTAINABLE solutions, developing ACTIONABLE plans, and supporting ELECTABLE candidate...

I could go on, but this is just my .02

Amendment Proposed For Economic Recovery and Revitalization Act

Amendment Proposed For Economic Recovery and Revitalization Act
An amendment to the bill to increase the transit funding allocation is being introduced by U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Steve Ellison (D-MN) and Michael McMahon (D-NY) to increase transit capital funding.


Specifically the amendment would provide $1.5 billion in funding for transit capital improvement program and $1.5 billion for the New Starts Program, raising the total funding level for transit and rail in the recovery bill to $12 billion.


The $3 billion dollars in this amendment would restore the transit portion of the recovery bill to level proposed by Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN). The USDOT reports that $12 billion is needed annually to maintain and improve our transit systems. FTA reports that $4 billion in existing New Start funding agreements are outstanding.

Our nation's transit and intercity rail systems are struggling to meet maintenance, repair and capital needs. In a national poll released earlier this month by Transportation for America and the National Association of Realtors, fully 80% of respondents said stimulus funds should not only create jobs, but also help the goals of reducing oil dependency, improving the environment, and increasing transportation options. Now is the time to increase much needed funding for public transportation.

Transportation For America has identified more than $5 billion in new transit extension and rail projects that could be ready to go in 120 days, generating over 178,000 new jobs. These investments could put people to work in the manufacturing sector building new rail cars and bus vehicles, in the steel and concrete industries, in design and planning professions, and in their construction and operation. New transit lines have also been demonstrated to generate substantial economic development, which yield economic benefits far beyond the life of the recovery bill.