In Texas, Governor Rick Perry has rejected over $500-million dedicated to the rescue of the state's financially doomed unemployment fund. This tactic is straight from the Republican Resistance movement headed up by drug-addict, Rush Limbaugh, and hell's imp, Dick Cheney.
Perry continues the tradition of Texas Republicans in punishing the poor, working families, minorities, and older people by pursuing the nihilistic politics of the past which helped create the mess we're now in. Perry claims that accepting the money will cause future tax increases on businesses to continue the funding of jobless benefits. Perry lies!
The truth is that the fund already is a short six-months away from deficit at which time there will be required---yes! that is correct: An unemployment tax increase for businesses! The governor knows this and his refusal to accept the money to stave off that increase amounts to no more than a politically based assault on the poor and working families of Texas. Oh yeah, just a tad of posturing also---if you're inclined to be cynical.
Here is the truth, accepting the $555-million and making some tweaks and adjustments to the current unemployment program would allow its solid funding for the next ten years. Perry knows this, but lies in order to frighten businesses and play the old anti-government card so beloved by uninformed and reactionary conservatives as he preps for his 2010 reelection bid.
What Perry does not seem to know is that we had an election in 2008 resulting in the vividly clear and resounding loud message that we Americans have had a gut full of being lied to and gamed by our politicians. Perhaps we can drive that message home for him in 2010.
Meanwhile, the Legislature could try to accept the money by way of provisions in federal laws. That, however, would require a two-thirds veto proof majority. The only way that will happen is if you stay informed and let your State Representatives know that you would support them in such an action.
14 November 2008
Progressives Gain through Grassroots Efforts
A week ago regional and local community organizers and officials with the Alliance for Retired Americans held a conference call to review their efforts during the election. Especially important was the day-by-day, and in some instances hour-by-hour, efforts to educate, organize and mobilize Older Americans to vote for "progressive" candidates in states such as North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Colorado and New Mexico; states which previously had been solidly behind George W. Bush.
For the first time in many election cycles, seniors began shifting their votes from Republican to Democratic. This was a seismic shift, and one reflecting a return to established American values and a repudiation of Reaganomics and the neo-conservative policies of hate, division, and rancor.
Mirroring this grassroots approach were other progressive groups targeting young voters, Hispanics, African-Americans, women and religious voters. Obama and the democratic party err if they believe this shift was merely to the Democratic party name plate. The shift was toward a more progressive agenda for governance, and while the Democrats captured that "change" this cycle, they very well could lose it if they attempt a Clintonian centrist approach.
Many wondered if the "young voters" would turn out. They accounted for 60% of the increase in overall voters in this cycle. More over, this broad demographic of "young voters" shifted their allegiance, with two-thirds of voters under thirty voting for Obama. Again, progressive grassroots organizations such as MoveOn.Org and People for the American Way (PFAW) with campus, community, street, and online outreach were instrumental in educating, organizing and mobilizing young people. Expectations were raised.
While there was no comparable surge in Hispanic votes nationally, it did surge dramatically in the aforementioned western states which "flipped" from Red to Blue this election cycle. And, once again, we see a two-thirds preference for Obama and progressive policies in the final vote count.
Social and cultural issues have cost the Democrats with religious voters for several decades. This cycle, "regular worshipers" shifted to the Democrats by 8% over the number voting for John Kerry in 2004, and by 11% did those identified as "occasional worshipers". Astoundingly, evangelicals, while overall strongly supportive of John McCain, showed a major shift in the Midwest, where 33% voted for Obama. Those new progressives come with expectations.
The challenge for Obama and Democrats will be to hold on to this growth of progressive voters for coming years and elections. Promises must be fulfilled and expectation met. A so-called center-right policy will not achieve that.
A strong progressive agenda and restructuring of government and economic policies in favor of the people rather than corporations and Wall Street will.
For the first time in many election cycles, seniors began shifting their votes from Republican to Democratic. This was a seismic shift, and one reflecting a return to established American values and a repudiation of Reaganomics and the neo-conservative policies of hate, division, and rancor.
Mirroring this grassroots approach were other progressive groups targeting young voters, Hispanics, African-Americans, women and religious voters. Obama and the democratic party err if they believe this shift was merely to the Democratic party name plate. The shift was toward a more progressive agenda for governance, and while the Democrats captured that "change" this cycle, they very well could lose it if they attempt a Clintonian centrist approach.
Many wondered if the "young voters" would turn out. They accounted for 60% of the increase in overall voters in this cycle. More over, this broad demographic of "young voters" shifted their allegiance, with two-thirds of voters under thirty voting for Obama. Again, progressive grassroots organizations such as MoveOn.Org and People for the American Way (PFAW) with campus, community, street, and online outreach were instrumental in educating, organizing and mobilizing young people. Expectations were raised.
While there was no comparable surge in Hispanic votes nationally, it did surge dramatically in the aforementioned western states which "flipped" from Red to Blue this election cycle. And, once again, we see a two-thirds preference for Obama and progressive policies in the final vote count.
Social and cultural issues have cost the Democrats with religious voters for several decades. This cycle, "regular worshipers" shifted to the Democrats by 8% over the number voting for John Kerry in 2004, and by 11% did those identified as "occasional worshipers". Astoundingly, evangelicals, while overall strongly supportive of John McCain, showed a major shift in the Midwest, where 33% voted for Obama. Those new progressives come with expectations.
The challenge for Obama and Democrats will be to hold on to this growth of progressive voters for coming years and elections. Promises must be fulfilled and expectation met. A so-called center-right policy will not achieve that.
A strong progressive agenda and restructuring of government and economic policies in favor of the people rather than corporations and Wall Street will.
12 November 2008
HHS & VA Team Up in Alzheimer's Intiative
The U.S. Department of health and Human Services has joined with the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs in a new $36-million grant program for states to help older Americans and veterans remain independent and to support people with Alzheimer's to remain in their homes and communities, according to HHS Secretary, Mike Leavitt, and VA Secretary, Dr. James Peake.
The joint initiative builds on similar missions of HHS and the VA by providing "essential consumer directed" home and community based services to older Americans and veterans of all ages, as part of an existing Nursing Homes Diversion grants program.
Secretary Leavitt touts the program as a means to insure that "many people who would have been placed in nursing homes will be able to remain at home." According to the Administration on Aging, the number of veterans over age 85 has tripled during the past decade, creating a tremendous demand for long-term health care.
This joint VA - HHS program targets people not eligible for Medicaid, but who are at high risk of nursing home placement and "spend-down" to Medicaid, says, Assistant Secretary for Aging, Josefina Carbonell. "The program offers consumers more control over their long-term care, including the ability to determine the types of services they receive and the manner in which they receive them, including the option of hiring their own care workers", she said.
A little over $19-million of the grant goes to the new collaboration between the HHS and the VA, and the other $17-million goes to improve existing home and community based services to people with Alzheimer's and their family caregivers.
One does not have to be an expert to recognize that this level of funding barely amounts to seed money and that much more will be required to make the program effective and to carry it forward to meet current and future needs. Secretary Leavitt says the initiative supports Bush's New Freedom Initiative which calls for all federal agencies to help people who need long-term care and prefer to live in their own homes and communities.
On the face of it, that sound laudable. But, without significantly more funding and infrastructure such as local, visiting para-medicals equipped with wireless telemetry to a presiding physician's office or clinic, suburban and rural care-givers and patients will be adrift.
We are not entirely prepared to criticize this small initiative as cynical, or too little, too late. But, we are concerned that it is a very, very small and hesitantly tentative step onto a path which leads a great distance through many obstacles.
We hope the Obama administration will recognize the dire and immediate need facing today's and future generations of older Americans and veterans as we search for effective ways to help them age in place.
The joint initiative builds on similar missions of HHS and the VA by providing "essential consumer directed" home and community based services to older Americans and veterans of all ages, as part of an existing Nursing Homes Diversion grants program.
Secretary Leavitt touts the program as a means to insure that "many people who would have been placed in nursing homes will be able to remain at home." According to the Administration on Aging, the number of veterans over age 85 has tripled during the past decade, creating a tremendous demand for long-term health care.
This joint VA - HHS program targets people not eligible for Medicaid, but who are at high risk of nursing home placement and "spend-down" to Medicaid, says, Assistant Secretary for Aging, Josefina Carbonell. "The program offers consumers more control over their long-term care, including the ability to determine the types of services they receive and the manner in which they receive them, including the option of hiring their own care workers", she said.
A little over $19-million of the grant goes to the new collaboration between the HHS and the VA, and the other $17-million goes to improve existing home and community based services to people with Alzheimer's and their family caregivers.
One does not have to be an expert to recognize that this level of funding barely amounts to seed money and that much more will be required to make the program effective and to carry it forward to meet current and future needs. Secretary Leavitt says the initiative supports Bush's New Freedom Initiative which calls for all federal agencies to help people who need long-term care and prefer to live in their own homes and communities.
On the face of it, that sound laudable. But, without significantly more funding and infrastructure such as local, visiting para-medicals equipped with wireless telemetry to a presiding physician's office or clinic, suburban and rural care-givers and patients will be adrift.
We are not entirely prepared to criticize this small initiative as cynical, or too little, too late. But, we are concerned that it is a very, very small and hesitantly tentative step onto a path which leads a great distance through many obstacles.
We hope the Obama administration will recognize the dire and immediate need facing today's and future generations of older Americans and veterans as we search for effective ways to help them age in place.
10 November 2008
Happy Birthday Chesty Puller, wherever you are!
Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller - In Korea, when told by his adjutant that the regiment was surrounded by the Chinese, his reply was, "Good, that will simplify the problem!"233 years ago, following an act of congress, the United States Marines began recruiting in Philadelphia at Tun Tavern, a combination bar and brothel. And, to this day, it is said that good Marines are never far from either.
Marine Corps Birthday: (excerpt from Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines, copyright 2001 Marion F. Sturkey)
Ask any Marine. Just ask. He will tell you that the Marine Corps was born in Tun Tavern on 10 November 1775. But, beyond that the Marine's recollection for detail will probably get fuzzy. So, here is the straight scoop:
In the year 1685, Samuel Carpenter built a huge "brew house" in Philadelphia. He located this tavern on the waterfront at the corner of Water Street and Tun Alley. The old English word tun means a cask, barrel, or keg of beer. So, with his new beer tavern on Tun Alley, Carpenter elected to christen the new waterfront brewery with a logical name, Tun Tavern.All U.S. Marines are gung-ho.
But, few can match the vision and total commitment of the famous 13th Commandant, Gen. John A. Lejeune. In 1921 he issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921.Gen. Lejeune's order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps. It further directed that the order be read to all Marines on 10 November of each year to honor the founding of the Marine Corps.
Thereafter, 10 November became a unique day for U.S. Marines throughout the world. Soon, some Marine commands began to not only honor the birthday, but celebrate it. In 1923 the Marine Barracks at Ft. Mifflin, Pennsylvania, staged a formal dance. The Marines at the Washington Navy Yard arranged a mock battle on the parade ground. At Quantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Marine baseball team played a Cuban team and won, 9 to 8.
The first "formal" Birthday Ball took place on Philadelphia in 1925. First class Marine Corps style, all the way! Guests included the Commandant, the Secretary of War (in 1925 the term "politically correct" didn't exist; it was Secretary of War, not Secretary of Defense), and a host of statesmen and elected officials. Prior to the Ball, Gen. Lejeune unveiled a memorial plaque at Tun Tavern. Then the entourage headed for the Benjamin Franklin Hotel and an evening of festivities and frolicking.
Over the years the annual Birthday Ball grew and grew, taking on a life of its own. In 1952 the Commandant, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., formalized the cake-cutting ceremony and other traditional observances. For example, Marine Corps policy now mandates that the first piece of cake must be presented to the oldest U.S. Marine present. The second piece goes to the youngest Marine. Among the many such mandates is a solemn reading of the Commandant's birthday message to the Corps. Like the U.S. Marine Corps itself, the annual Birthday Ball has evolved from simple origins to the polished and professional functions of today.
Nonetheless, one thing remains constant, the tenth day of November! This unique holiday for warriors is a day of camaraderie, a day to honor Corps and Country. Throughout the world on 10 November, U.S. Marines celebrate the birth of their Corps -- the most loyal, most feared, most revered, and most professional fighting force the world has ever known.
08 November 2008
Future Headlines!
From Daily KOS
"I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States..."
"In the news today, President Obama called on Americans to..."
"The Obama administration says it's tackling the issue aggressively..."
"Republicans condemned/accused/attacked President Obama today..."
"The House and Senate have passed, and President Obama signed, sweeping legislation..."
"The first question of this and all future press conferences will go to Helen Thomas. Go ahead, Helen." "Thank you, Mr. President..."
"President Obama's cabinet picks have been hailed as smart, shrewd, and diverse..."
"For the first time in years, polling shows that Americans feel like the country is on the right track again..."
"President Obama, with the backing of General Petraeus and the Iraqi government, announced significant troop reductions this week..."
"Once again, the Republican effort to mount a filibuster failed miserably..."
"After two weeks on the job, Republicans called for Obama's impeachment today, and were literally laughed out of the chamber..."
"OPEC panics as Obama White House announces massive alternative energy push..."
"You're watching Alaska Cable Access Channel 2. Welcome to Hockey Talk with your host, Sarah Palin..."
"I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States..."
"In the news today, President Obama called on Americans to..."
"The Obama administration says it's tackling the issue aggressively..."
"Republicans condemned/accused/attacked President Obama today..."
"The House and Senate have passed, and President Obama signed, sweeping legislation..."
"The first question of this and all future press conferences will go to Helen Thomas. Go ahead, Helen." "Thank you, Mr. President..."
"President Obama's cabinet picks have been hailed as smart, shrewd, and diverse..."
"For the first time in years, polling shows that Americans feel like the country is on the right track again..."
"President Obama, with the backing of General Petraeus and the Iraqi government, announced significant troop reductions this week..."
"Once again, the Republican effort to mount a filibuster failed miserably..."
"After two weeks on the job, Republicans called for Obama's impeachment today, and were literally laughed out of the chamber..."
"OPEC panics as Obama White House announces massive alternative energy push..."
"You're watching Alaska Cable Access Channel 2. Welcome to Hockey Talk with your host, Sarah Palin..."
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