Thursday night Senator Jim Bunning from Kentucky held a three-hour filibuster on the measure that would extend COBRA benefits to the many unemployed people. Instead of letting it go to a vote, Bunning led a one-man filibuster against the needed funding for the bill. When asked by some Democrats to allow the COBRA bill to go to a vote. Bunning’s answer was that he did not give a sh*t about the bill.
This is a prime example how Washington is broken and that leadership of the Republican Party cannot control their members. About one year ago Representative Joe Wilson yelled at the President "You Lie," which was blatant disrespect to the Presidency. The inability for the Republican Party to control their members casts a bad light on them and this country.
To put Bunning’s filibuster in terms of his old profession baseball would be like a pitcher coming into the seventh inning for a relief appearance. That the pitcher’s side had the lead, but knows that they are going to lose and calls for the catcher for a mound visit. Instead of resuming the game, they have a talk until the Umpire has to call the game off because it is no longer safe to play and awards the stalling team the win. The fans feel cheated by a selfish action by the pitcher to secure victory. As the people file out of the game two things happen, distrust with the team on the mound and distrust in the league's ability to conduct itself in a meaningful way. Any sports league would be bankrupt if this tactic could work, but in the representative bodies in Washington it is fair game.
It is important for all of us to call our representative and work on items that move ideas forward instead of stalling items for personal and political gain.
27 February 2010
24 February 2010
Representative Boehner is Upset with Obama's Healthcare Proposals
Hopefully everyone knows by now that President Barrack Obama is having a healthcare summit with both political parties to come with a compromise on some healthcare measures. This will allow bipartisan support to healthcare legislation. Prior to the meeting he has released an 11 page document stating the proposals that he wants to see in the final legislation. Today, House Minority Leader John Boehner complained that Obama's proposal was too small at 11 pages. To put this in perspective, the Republican plan that posted by Minority Whip Eric Cantor is only one page. In the past Boehner complained that the House bill was too long. Now in a reverse fashion he says Obama's proposal is too small. The newscycles only pick up on Boehner's detesting of Obama's proposals instead of what is in the proposal.
Now the problem that might occur is political positioning instead of bipartisan discussion. Granted, differing of views is important to the political process, but compromise is also important. Understanding the othersides view on the manner is very important. In this process of healthcare debate we have seen the Democrats bend over backward to appease the Republicans. Now it is time for the Republicans to bend for the Democrats. Both parties are walking into a meeting and should lookout for their constituents not their political party. This summit will be a great way to show that Congress is not broken.
Now the problem that might occur is political positioning instead of bipartisan discussion. Granted, differing of views is important to the political process, but compromise is also important. Understanding the othersides view on the manner is very important. In this process of healthcare debate we have seen the Democrats bend over backward to appease the Republicans. Now it is time for the Republicans to bend for the Democrats. Both parties are walking into a meeting and should lookout for their constituents not their political party. This summit will be a great way to show that Congress is not broken.
23 February 2010
Scott Brown Does Not Tow Party Line
Yesterday Scott Brown voted in favor for clouture for the Senate jobs bill. This is a big deal because the Republican Party leadership portrayed him as a roadblock to the Senate Democrat adgenda. The measure passed 62-30. Other Republican Senators that came over were: Snowe and Collins from Maine, Bond from Missouri, and Voinovich from Ohio. Bond and Voinovich are retiring after this session. It is good that people are willing to cross party lines to work for Americans and the common civic good than their parties interest. Hopefully, we will see more of this in the comming months.
21 February 2010
Why Government is Broken
All the rage on today's Sundays Talk Shows dealt with the public's perception of why Washington is broken. Republican representatives argue that it is the Democrats tactics via the administration and Congressional leadership as the main reason why Washington's is failing, while the Democrats argue it is the inflexibility of the Republicans that do not allow the movement of governmental policy. To their credit, they are both right and because they are both right we as a nation lose.
With the Republican blaming the Democrats for the failings and the sluggishness of Washington politics argue that the Democrats have full control of both branches of Congress and do not care about Republican ideas or amendments. Granted, this is true that Democrats do not need the Republicans blessing to pass many forms of legislation. The problem that the Republicans have is not that they disagree with the Obama administration's view on items, but actually put out legislation that is successful make a good counter argument. Example in November, the House Republicans put out a health care bill on their ideas of healthcare reform. When the Congressional Budget Office scored the bill, it said that it would only cover 3 million Americans instead of 36 million that the Democrats proposed.
That leaves Republicans with their favorite tactic deny that the Democrats have done anything and call them names. If this is not true an examples of Republicans failings of actually debating policy is when they tell the public about "death panels" and "killing grandma". Both of these items are not true, but they can stir emotions of people that do not have favorable views of Democrats and cause them to protest. Another example is claiming the stimulus package did not work, but request funds for their home state. Granted, the argument that if the money is being spent that all states should have a piece is valid. In reality though, they get to position themselves in a politically favorable view and get to receive funding at the same time.
Now the Democrats blame the Republicans as the Party of "No". This is evident by their non willingness to go along with any of the Democrat's major bills such as Healthcare and the Stimulus. The Democrats had an interesting position by having filibuster proof houses of Congress. By having this it allowed them the option to pass anything, but infighting and a strong Republican resistance caused the biggest problems. To help the Democrats out would be a branch of bipartisanship to the Republicans, but the problem with that is that the Republicans do not want to do anything that might help a Democratic agenda.
The problem going with bipartisanship is that people are not going to like the change. Liberal Democrats do not like the catering to the Republicans and Republicans do not like the catering to the Liberal Democrats. This leaves a problem with the Democrats in control of the Congress. If they lean too far toward the Republicans, their base is angry, and if they stay with their base the Republicans argue that they are too partisan. The best measure for the Democrats would be to go with what they can get for the American public.
The gridlock will continue if the political policies are still enacted. We have lost our political middle. The need to have moderates that are willing to work across the aisle is the only solution. For both parties if moderates are willing to broker a deal between both sides comprehensive legislation can be accomplished. Unfortunately, we as a nation have become polarized in our views of political policy and by our actions have helped caused this gridlock. The answer though does not come from the Tea Party or T.V. Pundits, but from the Youth of the United States. We as youth are able to move with our ideas and bring unity to this country for the common civic good. Instead of yelling at your opponent, have a good conversation and agree to disagree at least.
With the Republican blaming the Democrats for the failings and the sluggishness of Washington politics argue that the Democrats have full control of both branches of Congress and do not care about Republican ideas or amendments. Granted, this is true that Democrats do not need the Republicans blessing to pass many forms of legislation. The problem that the Republicans have is not that they disagree with the Obama administration's view on items, but actually put out legislation that is successful make a good counter argument. Example in November, the House Republicans put out a health care bill on their ideas of healthcare reform. When the Congressional Budget Office scored the bill, it said that it would only cover 3 million Americans instead of 36 million that the Democrats proposed.
That leaves Republicans with their favorite tactic deny that the Democrats have done anything and call them names. If this is not true an examples of Republicans failings of actually debating policy is when they tell the public about "death panels" and "killing grandma". Both of these items are not true, but they can stir emotions of people that do not have favorable views of Democrats and cause them to protest. Another example is claiming the stimulus package did not work, but request funds for their home state. Granted, the argument that if the money is being spent that all states should have a piece is valid. In reality though, they get to position themselves in a politically favorable view and get to receive funding at the same time.
Now the Democrats blame the Republicans as the Party of "No". This is evident by their non willingness to go along with any of the Democrat's major bills such as Healthcare and the Stimulus. The Democrats had an interesting position by having filibuster proof houses of Congress. By having this it allowed them the option to pass anything, but infighting and a strong Republican resistance caused the biggest problems. To help the Democrats out would be a branch of bipartisanship to the Republicans, but the problem with that is that the Republicans do not want to do anything that might help a Democratic agenda.
The problem going with bipartisanship is that people are not going to like the change. Liberal Democrats do not like the catering to the Republicans and Republicans do not like the catering to the Liberal Democrats. This leaves a problem with the Democrats in control of the Congress. If they lean too far toward the Republicans, their base is angry, and if they stay with their base the Republicans argue that they are too partisan. The best measure for the Democrats would be to go with what they can get for the American public.
The gridlock will continue if the political policies are still enacted. We have lost our political middle. The need to have moderates that are willing to work across the aisle is the only solution. For both parties if moderates are willing to broker a deal between both sides comprehensive legislation can be accomplished. Unfortunately, we as a nation have become polarized in our views of political policy and by our actions have helped caused this gridlock. The answer though does not come from the Tea Party or T.V. Pundits, but from the Youth of the United States. We as youth are able to move with our ideas and bring unity to this country for the common civic good. Instead of yelling at your opponent, have a good conversation and agree to disagree at least.
17 February 2010
Bayh Favors Sallie Mae Over College Students
Evan Bayh this week announced his retirement. All the major media outlets were shocked and awed by his comments that there was too much partisanship in the Senate. Politically leaves Indiana seat open and leaves another open chair by a retiring Democrat. Bayh is entitled to his retirement and there is no problem there, but Evan Bayh is showing what side he wants to be on discussions.
According to Ben Smith's Blog from Politico, "....expressing reservations about the plan for the government to eliminate private-sector middlemen and make student loans directly." As previously mentioned in a blog post on the 9th of February, Archie Duncan wanted to cut out the middlemen in student loans and use the 85 billion dollars for direct payment. Well now, liberated Senator Bayh believes this is a bad idea because it will hurt student loan corporation Sallie Mae in his state.
Granted it can be argued that looking out for business interests in your state is a required job for a senator, but when their decision could hurt 40,151 college students alone and about 18.3 million college students in the U.S. Now what is more important the 18.3 million college students or Sallie Mae who was bailed out by the federal government in 2008?
According to Ben Smith's Blog from Politico, "....expressing reservations about the plan for the government to eliminate private-sector middlemen and make student loans directly." As previously mentioned in a blog post on the 9th of February, Archie Duncan wanted to cut out the middlemen in student loans and use the 85 billion dollars for direct payment. Well now, liberated Senator Bayh believes this is a bad idea because it will hurt student loan corporation Sallie Mae in his state.
Granted it can be argued that looking out for business interests in your state is a required job for a senator, but when their decision could hurt 40,151 college students alone and about 18.3 million college students in the U.S. Now what is more important the 18.3 million college students or Sallie Mae who was bailed out by the federal government in 2008?
09 February 2010
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Wants to Save 85 Billion Dollars Over Ten Years by Cutting the Middle Man
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan with the Obama administration wants to change how financial aid is distributed to students. The new idea was formulated in the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which passed the House of Representatives. The Department of Education would dole out the funds for student loans. The amount that they give the banks is 88 percent of what is loaned out to prospective students. Under the current system about 85 billion dollars, which comes to 88 percent, is given to the banks to give student loans. That money the banks collect the interest and make a nice profit. The system is safe to the banks because the government provides the capital.
Now about hearing, the possible news that this lucrative deal might be lost Sallie Mae has been lobbying Congress for this bill to be defeated. In a New York Times article they figured that Sallie Mae's amount of 4 million dollars averaged to 25,000 dollars a day for when Congress is in Session. For most kids that is a year’s worth of tuition to a private school or a full four years to a state college. Arne Duncan is upset that the banks are using funds government funds to fun the lobbying. In the Huffington Post Duncan was quoted,
For something like this to pass the Senate, it is needed that people call their Senator to tell them that we want Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. This law is in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It is in every student’s best interest to call or write their Senator to pass this bill.
Now about hearing, the possible news that this lucrative deal might be lost Sallie Mae has been lobbying Congress for this bill to be defeated. In a New York Times article they figured that Sallie Mae's amount of 4 million dollars averaged to 25,000 dollars a day for when Congress is in Session. For most kids that is a year’s worth of tuition to a private school or a full four years to a state college. Arne Duncan is upset that the banks are using funds government funds to fun the lobbying. In the Huffington Post Duncan was quoted,
I think banks have had a sweet deal. They're a powerful lobbying force, and working-class families don't have lobbyists working for them. They're just trying to make ends meet and pay to go to college. And so you have strong, entrenched interests that have lobbied and continue to lobby to this day, and they're running ads in states. And you have, on the flip side, millions of working-class families trying to do the right thing and go to school.The reason why this has not been put into law is that like the many other laws that the House of Representatives have passed they are stalled in the Senate. Lobbying efforts by the banks have been more successful because of the worries that this measure will cut jobs in the financial services industry and leave the United States with more debt from students that do not payoff their loans.
For something like this to pass the Senate, it is needed that people call their Senator to tell them that we want Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. This law is in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It is in every student’s best interest to call or write their Senator to pass this bill.
03 February 2010
In a Daily Kos Poll Republicans Help Enforce Sterotypes
Four days ago The Daily Kos did a poll on how Republicans see themselves and the President. It was shocking the results that their survey. Many of the stereotypes that the poll covered were on Barrack Obama's birth, should Obama be impeached, is Obama a socialist, and does Obama want the terrorists to win. The poll surveyed 2,000 self described Republicans with a 2 percent margin of error.
On the first question should Obama be impeached, 39 percent responded that he should be impeached. The funny thing of this is that there has not been any proof of this statement at all. In the second question is Obama a socialist, 63 percent responded that Obama was a socialist. A false belief by Republicans during town halls and was rapidly flamed during the healthcare debate. Bernie Sanders from Vermont is the only person that calls himself a socialist and the correct term is Democratic Socialist. On the question of Obama's birth in this country, 36 percent responded that he was not born in the U.S. Many programs and fact checkers have shown the birth certificate and the birth announcement in the paper. To deny this as truth is another way to deny the legitimacy of this President. The final question that I will look at is does Obama want the terrorists to win, 24 percent responded in favor of that question. I would hope as American citizens we would be in favor of defeating our enemies and that would be a common goal.
A final note on the survey, it worries me that the South as a demographic lead on all these categories. The sad thing is that an argument could be made that a majority of these beliefs could be based more on racism then actual policy. If we as Americans cannot get away from our fears our country will not grow. To become better citizens we need to move on and learn to accept our neighbors as friends and not enemies. If we do not do this personal growth, we will lose our unity as one people and be demolished by other interests.
On the first question should Obama be impeached, 39 percent responded that he should be impeached. The funny thing of this is that there has not been any proof of this statement at all. In the second question is Obama a socialist, 63 percent responded that Obama was a socialist. A false belief by Republicans during town halls and was rapidly flamed during the healthcare debate. Bernie Sanders from Vermont is the only person that calls himself a socialist and the correct term is Democratic Socialist. On the question of Obama's birth in this country, 36 percent responded that he was not born in the U.S. Many programs and fact checkers have shown the birth certificate and the birth announcement in the paper. To deny this as truth is another way to deny the legitimacy of this President. The final question that I will look at is does Obama want the terrorists to win, 24 percent responded in favor of that question. I would hope as American citizens we would be in favor of defeating our enemies and that would be a common goal.
A final note on the survey, it worries me that the South as a demographic lead on all these categories. The sad thing is that an argument could be made that a majority of these beliefs could be based more on racism then actual policy. If we as Americans cannot get away from our fears our country will not grow. To become better citizens we need to move on and learn to accept our neighbors as friends and not enemies. If we do not do this personal growth, we will lose our unity as one people and be demolished by other interests.
Top Military Official for the "Removal of Don't Ask Don't Tell" and Republicans are Upset with the Answer
Today Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen came before the Senate Arm Services Committee and passionately stated the need to remove "Don't Ask Don't Tell" from American law. In Adm. Mullen's testimony according to the New York Times he said, “No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens." This statement caught everyone off guard, but a bigger bombshell dropped by Mullen really angered some Republican Senators. Mullen continued, "allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do.”
Many Republicans led by Committee Chairman John McCain do not want to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" They believe that the system is effective. According to the USA Today, Senator McCain argued, "At this moment of immense hardship for our armed services, we should not be seeking to overturn the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy." Other fears by Republican lawmakers are the possible expansion of these terms including transgender and hermaphrodites.
The view that everyone should be treated equally should go for everything. "Don't Ask Don't Tell" should be repealed. This law is doing two things that hurt America. First, it does not allow every able body person to serve his or her country. In a time of war, our armed services need as many people as we can get. By limiting, this number because some people do want gays and lesbians in the military hurts our armed forces. Second, it discriminates against a person's sexual orientation. We are a country that has fought against discrimination on all levels and for all ideas, but when it comes to equal rights for all sexual orientations, we have fallen behind other industrialized countries.
From AOL News in an article titled, "In Israeli Army, Gays Are 'No Big Deal'" the author Linda Gradstein shows in her article that being Gay in the Israeli Army is not a big deal and it is accepted. She also says that, "The right to be openly gay has been acknowledged in the Israeli military since 1993, and there is little evidence that policy has caused any problems." AOL also ran a story on the British system. In Theunis Bates story, "British Army Actively Recruits Gay Soldiers," that the British Government is recruiting openly gay men for military service. Theunis writes about how fears were not realized,
Many Republicans led by Committee Chairman John McCain do not want to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" They believe that the system is effective. According to the USA Today, Senator McCain argued, "At this moment of immense hardship for our armed services, we should not be seeking to overturn the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy." Other fears by Republican lawmakers are the possible expansion of these terms including transgender and hermaphrodites.
The view that everyone should be treated equally should go for everything. "Don't Ask Don't Tell" should be repealed. This law is doing two things that hurt America. First, it does not allow every able body person to serve his or her country. In a time of war, our armed services need as many people as we can get. By limiting, this number because some people do want gays and lesbians in the military hurts our armed forces. Second, it discriminates against a person's sexual orientation. We are a country that has fought against discrimination on all levels and for all ideas, but when it comes to equal rights for all sexual orientations, we have fallen behind other industrialized countries.
From AOL News in an article titled, "In Israeli Army, Gays Are 'No Big Deal'" the author Linda Gradstein shows in her article that being Gay in the Israeli Army is not a big deal and it is accepted. She also says that, "The right to be openly gay has been acknowledged in the Israeli military since 1993, and there is little evidence that policy has caused any problems." AOL also ran a story on the British system. In Theunis Bates story, "British Army Actively Recruits Gay Soldiers," that the British Government is recruiting openly gay men for military service. Theunis writes about how fears were not realized,
In fact, the biggest news about the change was that it resulted in no news. Academic studies published in peer-reviewed journals found that allowing openly gay troops to serve in the U.K. had no negative impact on cohesion, readiness, recruiting, morale, retention or any other measure of effectiveness.Here are two well trained armies with independent studies that show that openly gay members of the armed forces do not pose a threat to the cohesion, readiness, recruiting, moral, retention or effectiveness. Britain and Israel are known for their tough militaries and take pride in their accomplishments. Anything to lessen their effectiveness would be changed.
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