ONN PAYDAY BAR EDITION
We're calling this the "Payday Bar Edition" because it's a Friday payday for many of us, and that provides us with the opportunity to use some of that cash to donate to the Obama campaign instead of spending it in a bar. (Yes, that was nutty.) We need your help to keep the machine rolling because if President Obama is a clear winner before election day, his coattails will help elect Democrats from the United States Senate to the local city council. Please, please, please give what you can.
Here's something to think about as you consider a gift: Koch Industries generates revenue of approximately $100B each year. Koch-related PACs have indicated they will donate $400m this cycle to elect Republicans. What is that relative to a donation from a person grossing $30k per year? What about a family that makes $50k? The following list shows what you can do to keep pace with the Kochs:
Family earning $25,000 per year: $100
Family earning $30,000 per year: $120
Family earning $40,000 per year: $160
Family earning $50,000 per year: $200
Family earning $75,000 per year: $300
That's how we beat the Kochs. That's how we beat the Republicans. Even though you can bet that Koch Industries is managing to pay a lower tax rate than you and I, we can still out-pace their campaign spending. Please give what you can.
ABSENTEE AND EARLY VOTING
You can vote today in South Dakota and Idaho. If you live in North Carolina, you can send in your absentee ballot. You don't need an "I'm on vacation in November excuse" for one either. They are one of the "no excuse" absentee ballot states. As the Chicago Tribune notes, "By the end of September, 30 states will have begun either in-person or absentee voting, and eventually all the states will join in."
"Early voting accounted for a record 30 percent of all votes cast in the 2008 election. In Florida, more than half of the votes were cast before Election Day.
More than half of the African-Americans who cast ballots in Florida four years ago - 54 percent - voted early, nearly twice the rate of whites. In five of the state's 67 counties, at least two-thirds of blacks cast their ballots before Election Day, according to a Reuters analysis of state voter data.
...
'You can start showing up and voting on October 2nd - that's 15 days away,' Obama said on Monday in Columbus, drawing laughs when he added: 'I see some young people here. Young people, you got to use early vote because you might not wake up in time on Election Day.' "
The President, Today
Earlier today, President Obama announced two new projects in his aptly titled, "We Can't Wait Initiative." Both projects deal with expediting plans for construction of people-moving infrastructure in California.
California High Speed Rail – Central Valley Construction
State: California
Coordinating Agency: Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration
Target date for completing Federal permit and review decisions: October 2013
The Fresno to Bakersfield section of the California High Speed Train (HST) System extends approximately 114 miles in California's Central Valley and is a portion of Phase 1 of the HST system. Stations are planned at Fresno and Bakersfield, and a third Kings/Tulare Regional Station is being considered near Hanford.
The high-speed train project will support job creation in a region that is currently experiencing some of the nation’s highest unemployment rates. Once operating, projections estimate 4,500 boardings daily in Fresno and 5,100 in Bakersfield, with travel time between Fresno and Bakersfield estimated at 37 minutes.
San Francisco Downtown Ferry Terminal
State: California
Coordinating Agency: Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration
Target date for completing Federal permit and review decisions: July 2014
The Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal expansion project will improve waterside and landside facilities at the city's busy Ferry Terminal. The project, managed by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, will expedite boarding for more than 10,000 daily passengers, provide better access to jobs and entertainment centers downtown, and improve connections to area pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities. Ferry Terminal improvements will also expand the region's ability to provide vital transportation services in the event of an emergency.
These look like the perfect projects, putting people to work while at the same time dealing with escalating infrastructure demands, fossil fuel issues, carbon emissions and pollution.
President Obama Campaigning, Today
Besides his appearance in Virgiinia -- here's a full transcript of that speech -- the President also appeared by satellite at the AARP Convention. He was warmly received and applauded, which wasn't quite the reception that Paul Ryan received. The President's entire speech can be found here and what follows is a snippet:
Now, we’ve come a long way, but we’re not there yet. And that’s why I’m asking you for a second term as President. (Applause.)
There’s been a lot of talk about Medicare and Social Security in this campaign, as there should be. And these are bedrock commitments that America makes to its seniors, and I consider those commitments unshakeable. But given the conversations that have been out there in the political arena lately, I want to emphasize Medicare and Social Security are not handouts. (Applause.) You’ve paid into these programs your whole lives. You’ve earned them. And as President, it’s my job to make sure that Medicare and Social Security remain strong for today’s seniors and for future generations.
It probably won’t surprise you, though, that there’s a lot of talk about Medicare and Social Security that hasn’t been completely on the level over the last several months. So here’s what you need to know:
I have strengthened Medicare as President. (Applause.) We’ve added years to the life of the program by getting rid of taxpayer subsidies to insurance companies that weren’t making people healthier. And we used those savings to lower prescription drug costs, and to offer seniors on Medicare new preventive services like cancer screenings and wellness services.
In fact, the health reform law we passed has already saved more than 5.5 million seniors and people with disabilities nearly $4.5 billion on their prescription drugs. (Applause.) Seniors who received a discount have saved an average of more than $600 this year alone. And over the next 10 years, we expect the average Medicare beneficiary to save nearly $5,000 as a result of this law.
Obama For America ("OFA"), Today
The Obama Campaign came out with two new internet ads today based on Romney's "47% Solution." The first deals with, and is entitled, "Seniors":
The second OFA internet ad is entitled, "Where Change Comes From," and in it, the President makes the case for you, the people as the makers of change. (I think he's also giving out a strong hint about how a Democratic House of Representatives might be helpful to see action on important matters, but that might be just me, seeing things.). Here's that video:
Finally, Having Fun With Paul Ryan, Today
In conclusion, we'll have some fun playing "World of Mittcraft," the hit (MMORPG) massively-multiplayer online role-playing game. But before we do that, let us thank Paul Ryan for, I believe, making the most important news of the entire election campaign as he told the Seniors attending the AARP National Convention in New Orleans that he would repeal ObamaCare and got booed. Multiple times. The backbone of the Republican plan to defeat President Obama and Democrats by destroying healthcare reform was crushed by Seniors with their boos. Today. By your Nana.
Link to Transcripts and Documents.
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