Great news that the President has not forgotten the people affected by Hurricane Sandy and is there visiting them today, while much of the media coverage had waned.
Wonder if he will have time to visit Occupy Sandy sites and congratulate them on their epic work? (Please send them some love and support here: http://interoccupy.net/... )
BBC
Barack Obama said that he'd support and stick with victims "until the rebuilding is complete."
This is great news indeed, and will look forward to him keeping that commitment.
(For more great news about Sandy aftermath and relief check out the excellent
What's Happenin'? Occupy Sandy Week 11.16.12 )
Hopefully it will come in the form of a direct hire jobs program that will put some of the millions of forgotten unemployed to work while creating long term sustainable solutions for areas which in the age of climate change are no longer safe for human habitation.
Stop the Vultures
Hopefully the help the Pres brings will go to the 99%, not the 1% vulture capitalists who have been gathering to privatize and profit from this horrible storm's aftermath. Naomi Klein has put forth a warning Naomi Klein: Shameless Sandy Disaster Capitalism while also issuing a call for a positive outcome:
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Naomi Klein: Sandy’s Devastation Opens Space for Action on Climate Change and Progressive Reform
At a speaking event in New York City this week, award-winning journalist and author Naomi Klein discussed why the reconstruction from Superstorm Sandy is actually a great place to usher in progressive change. Klein’s latest article for The Nation magazine is called, "Superstorm Sandy — a People’s Shock?" She is the author of the best-selling book, "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism," and is now working on a book about climate change. [includes rush transcript]
Sandy and The Social Safety Net
Its also obvious that these folks are going to need strong support in the form of a comprehensive safety net, and this is one area where the President can offer more reassurance than he has to date.
There was enough doubt in the President's plans vis a vis negotiations with the Repubs yesterday that Senator Bernie Sanders and other progressives leaders felt it necessary to have a press conference:
'The Raiders of Your Lost Retirement #6 -- "Bernie Sanders, Progressive Senators Pressure Obama.."
brooklyn bad boy - Medicare Medicaid Cuts Coming
BBB warned earlier this week that the Pres plans to negotiate cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.
De facto cuts to Medicare and Medicaid are apparently planned, hidden in the guise of cost saving and provider pay reductions.
How many people do you know that are currently already having trouble finding providers who will take Medicare or Medicaid as it stands now? Several times I have witnessed folks turned away because the only help they had was Medicaid or Medicare.
On top of the demoralizing, unnecessary austerity of his first term -- just ask Federal Workers who continue to have their pay frozen-- The President is warning he will be offering upbitter pills.
Thank You, Mr. President
Sincerely we should make a call or send thanks to the President for keeping the plight of those affected by Sandy in the forefront.
No Deal, Mr. President
We should join Bernie Sanders and other Progressive leaders and stop any deal that will cut the safety net of Sandy Vics and the rest of us.
We need more than hugs, we need jobs and a strong safety net, stat.
Like Bernie Sanders and others, we should jump up and take action now. We learned in 2008 we cannot, we must not sit silently.
AFL-CIO Trumka had a diary on the rec list yesterday which encouraged progressives to get involved with the 100 city action to stop austerity moves.
CLICK We Have Eight Weeks to Protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
First They Came For The Postal Workers
What's really at stake here is a move to privatize more of our public common good, our common assests, our common wealth.
HT to Pluto:
Privatization and Failed Government in the US
David KERANS | 18.10.2012 | 00:00
SNIP
Across much of Europe, so-called «austerity programs» have not only ravaged state spending on employment and the social safety net, but have opened the door to a wide range of schemes to privatize public assets, ranging from mineral resources to utilities, schools, land, roadways, etc. Much of the wealth societies have built up for public benefit over the last few generations or more is now at risk of falling into private hands, with serious, far-ranging consequences. SNIP
How Serious Are YOU About Protecting Our Net?
The threat of cuts is real. How far will you or I go to meet it?
Sanders' press conference, which comes ahead of an Obama meeting with lawmakers on Friday, showed some Democrats are already digging in their heels as negotiations begin.
"Over my dead body will we cut benefits to Social Security and Medicare," said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.).