Exciting times, with so many stepping up and taking direct action to make Democracy work for Mainstreet!
Hard to really tell given past history, but it seems that feedback from the base and downticket is having an impact on the Presidential campaign!
Mr. Obama backed away from proposing sweeping changes to Medicare, following the advice of fellow Democrats that it would only give political cover to a privatization plan supported by House Republicans that turned to be unpopular with older Americans.
Administration officials said 90 percent of the $248 billion in 10-year Medicare cuts would be squeezed from service providers. The plan does shift some additional costs to beneficiaries, but those changes would not start until 2017.
Now where are medicare users going to get that money I wonder? And is this another set up pitting those with benefits against those who are younger and will not get them? Looking forward to wading into the weeds of the plan...
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Of course many are glad to see the jobs money in the plan, though frankly it is far too little too late after three years of growing massive unemployment. Yes, of course, he inherited this mess, but we need massive help now. Yes, the Republicans control the House, but what better way to contrast than to show audacity and push forth a transformational figure? Millions can't even get unemployment checks any more. My 60 year old former union factory worker brother is one of them. Is there help for them in the President's Plan?
Ending the Ten Years Wars and War Profiteering
Great to see talk of cutting war spending in Iraq and Afghanistan. Progressive Caucus proposed this. Have to ask, is the Administration to be trusted on this, or is it merely in campaign mode again?
UPJ email this morning:
Under the US-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement all US troops are supposed to leave Iraq by December 31 of this year. However, the Obama Administration is trying to persuade the Iraqi government to continue an American military presence beyond that date.
In response Barbara Lee has introduced HR 27577 Iraq Withdrawal Accountability Act of 2011 that would require the removal of all US troops and contractors from Iraq on or before the promised deadline December 31 2011.
This important bill now has 37 co-sponsors.(See list below). If your member of Congress is not on this list, please call their office and ask them to do so. Let them know it is long past time to bring all US troops and contractors home from Iraq. Congressional Switchboard: 202 224-3121
Circulate this message widely and keep us posted about the response you receive from the Congressional office.
UFP Legislative Working Group unitedforpeace.org
COSPONSORS(37), ALPHABETICAL(
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] - 8/16/2011
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 8/16/2011
Rep Christensen, Donna M. [VI] - 9/7/2011
Rep Chu, Judy [CA-32] - 9/7/2011
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 8/16/2011
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 8/16/2011
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] - 8/2/2011
Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] - 8/16/2011
Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [TN-2] - 8/16/2011
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 8/1/2011
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 8/16/2011
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 8/1/2011
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 8/1/2011
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 9/7/2011
Rep Hahn, Janice [CA-36] - 9/7/2011
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 8/16/2011
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 8/1/2011
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] - 8/16/2011
Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 8/16/2011
Rep Johnson, Timothy V. [IL-15] - 8/19/2011
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 8/1/2011
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 8/16/2011
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 9/9/2011
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 8/19/2011
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 9/7/2011
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 9/7/2011
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 8/16/2011
Rep Pingree, Chellie [ME-1] - 9/13/2011
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] - 8/16/2011
Rep Richardson, Laura [CA-37] - 8/16/2011
Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-47] - 8/19/2011
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 9/7/2011
Rep Speier, Jackie [CA-12] - 8/16/2011
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 8/16/2011
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] - 9/13/2011
Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] - 8/1/2011
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 8/1/2011
If your Rep is not on the list, please contact. Also, please support efforts to oppose the War Profiteerswho are getting face time with the Catfood II 'Super' Committee and taking their 'Second to None' show on the road.
Change
The President's campaign seems to be changing with our input, but the President is still talking about deficits which is Republican fail talk . Lets keep up the pressure for Jobs/Jobs/Jobs/real Democratic values.
Action
Many progressives are out taking direct action now and in October to lobby for change.
If you have not already, please consider joining the almost 300,000 who have signed on to work for the Contract for the American Dream / Rebuild the Dream (Each point in the Contract has drop down menu at the link.)
I have a dream. It is deeply rooted in the American Dream.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King1963 March on Washington
We, the American people, promise to defend and advance a simple ideal: liberty and justice . . . for all. Americans who are willing to work hard and play by the rules should be able to find a decent job, get a good home in a strong community, retire with dignity, and give their kids a better life... (continue reading the preamble)
10 Critical Steps to Get Our Economy Back on Track
I. Invest in America's Infrastructure
II. Create 21st Century Energy Jobs
III. Invest in Public Education
IV. Offer Medicare for All
V. Make Work Pay
VI. Secure Social Security
VII. Return to Fairer Tax Rates
VIII. End the Wars and Invest at Home
IX. Tax Wall Street Speculation
X. Strengthen Democracy
8:18 AM PT: Military Retiree cuts still on the table
Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts
New York Times - James Dao - Mary Williams Walsh - 13 hours ago
Cuts that deep will almost certainly entail reducing personnel benefits for active and ... The typical beneficiary, they add, is not a general but a retired ...
http://www.nytimes.com/...
The President should come out in opposition to this soon, or this will be another election snake pit.