I am a long time member of the League of Women Voters and fully accept that it strives to be non partisan and non controversial in all its stands as it works for its consensus view of improvement in US politics at the national, state and local level. I fully support the fact that it does not point fingers at a political party or even a group of obstructionists and rather urges members to encourage legislators to educate themselves, be informed and vote for the betterment of the country at all levels of politics so its mailings are like the following on the failure of the Disclose Act.
But when the major main stream papers refuse to state it is the R's and not the D's who block things, it is too much to take.
Here is the League of Women Voters E mail, in full on the failure of the Disclose Act:
A few hours ago, the Senate fell just short of the votes needed to begin debate on the DISCLOSE Act -- the most important campaign finance bill since McCain-Feingold.
Without this critical legislation, corporations, unions and other organizations can make secret, unlimited political expenditures for campaign ads. That's why, with your support, the League launched an all-out effort to ensure the DISCLOSE Act went into effect before the November midterm elections. Special interests got in the way again though, and action on the legislation is delayed in the Senate for now.
But this fight is not over, and the Senate now has two choices: more obstructionism and partisanship, or a compromise that moves us forward on common ground.
Next week, your Senators will return home for a month-long recess. It's essential they hear from you -- their constituents -- on this issue. Schedule a meeting or make a quick phone call, whatever works best for you. Tell your Senators why you're disappointed the DISCLOSE Act didn't pass, and what actions you'd like to see them take on campaign finance reform this fall.
Our democracy belongs to people -- not special interests. For more than 90 years, the League of Women Voters has helped citizens make informed decisions through nonpartisan outreach and education. We have endured setbacks before, and will continue to work toward enhanced disclosure to ensure voters remain the cornerstone of our democracy.
Thanks for all you do,
Elisabeth MacNamara
President, LWVUS
P.S. What did you think of the Senate's vote today? Visit our Facebook page and join in the conversation.
That is all fine and in fact exactly what one would expect from the nonpartisan League.
But then if you go to the New York Times and the Washington Post--it is trash the D's and let the R's off the hook journalism once again!
From the NYT web:
Campaign Finance Bill Is Set Aside
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
Published: July 27, 2010
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday refused to take up a bill that would require more disclosure of the role of corporations, unions and other special interests in bankrolling political advertisements, after Democrats failed to persuade even one Republican to support it.
The bill was drafted in response to a Supreme Court decision in January allowing unlimited campaign spending by corporations and interest groups.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
And much the same from the Washington Post:
Senate Democrats unable to proceed on bill to disclose corporate campaign donors
By Dan EggenWashington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 27, 2010; 4:45 PM
Senate Democrats failed in their attempt to push ahead Tuesday with a far-reaching campaign-finance bill, marking a major political setback for President Obama and a significant victory for Senate Republicans and business groups prior to the midterm elections.
The Disclose Act, which would force corporations, unions and other groups to reveal the donors behind their political ads, fell three votes shy of the 60 needed to avoid a filibuster amid lockstep opposition from Republicans. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), who had signaled support for allowing the bill to proceed, was absent because of a funeral.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Do these folks just watch and repeat FOX or hire Karl Rove to write their copy? No actually FOX takes credit for Repiublicans blocking the bill and says the R's did it in its posting from AP---not that the D's failed!
Senate Republicans Block Campaign Finance Bill
Published July 27, 2010
| Associated Press
Senate Republicans blocked legislation imposing new restrictions on political activity by special interest groups Tuesday, likely dealing a fatal blow to a drive by the White House and congressional Democrats to rewrite campaign rules in the run-up to the midterm elections.
The 57-41 vote was three short of the total needed to advance the measure, which calls for greater disclosure on campaign advertising funded independently by corporations, unions and other organizations, but included an exemption for the National Rifle Association and a small number of other groups.
http://www.foxnews.com/...
No wonder the President's poll numbers go down in that no matter what goes on the MSM that is supposed to be objectve, is in reality trashing the D's and the FOX pr arm of the R's touts how they are leading the country in the right direction!
When oh when will the D's get their act together and get a message machine that can match that of the Republicans?