March 25th, 2010
Republican backlash against the recently passed health care reform has reached a new low. In retaliation to the reform, Republicans are using a rule that states committees can only meet with unanimous consent from both sides. Until now, there has been little issue.
Rather than distance themselves from the “Party of No” label slapped on them by Democrats earlier in the year, they seem to be embracing it. Because of their inability to move on, important security improvements for our troops are frozen.
“For months, Senate Republicans have resisted efforts to enact important reforms to our health insurance system. But when the dust settles and the emotions are calmed, history will show that President Obama and this Congress responded to a pressing national issue, and proved once again that we can act with the purpose of advancing an important national interest. Sadly, actions like today’s objections from Senate Republicans to the consideration of a highly qualified, historic nominee will be viewed as little more than petty, partisan politics.”
Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.)
Without unanimous consent, committees are allowed to meet for two hours following the opening of the Senate session — which on Wednesday was 9:00 a.m. The committees need consent to continue and consent again to continue after 2:00 p.m, according to huffingtonpost.com.
Tags: Committees, Health care, Republicans, Senate
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February 18th, 2010
A plane crash into an Austin IRS building has been deemed an intentional act by officials. The pilot was identified as Joseph A. Stack, 53.
The Austin resident set his house on fire before proceeding to crash a small plane into the building, which employs 200 workers.
A message left on a Web site registered to Stack appears to be a suicide note, according to cnn.com.
“If you’re reading this, you’re no doubt asking yourself, ‘Why did this have to happen?’ ” the message says. “The simple truth is that it is complicated and has been coming for a long time.”
In the lengthy, rambling message, the writer rails against the government and, particularly, the IRS.
The six page note laments the job market in Austin, blaming the government and corrupt unions for economic woes.
Two people were injured in the attack and one is missing. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said the incident is isolated, and the people of Austin and the United States are not in danger.
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February 9th, 2010
Former Alaskan Governor and hockey mom Sarah Palin said she would consider running for president in 2012 if the decision was right for her family and country.
In a CNN article, supporters of Palin say they would like to see her run.
Fremont Brown, a supporter who had “Palin 2012″ bumper stickers with him, said Palin is “the right person.”
“She has fervent heart and she’s conservative,” said the 59-year-old Brown, who owns a small business in North Carolina. “She was the only one truly qualified with executive experience of the four who ran in 2008. The others were glorified lobbyists.”
Honestly? The only one truly qualified with executive experience? Palin proved she isn’t qualified to run for any kind of office when she ditched her job as governor of Alaska, a state made up of 680,000 people and some polar bears. I went to a Sarah Palin rally at Elon University last year and was completely turned off by the blissful ignorance of Palin supporters. Hank Williams Jr. opened for Palin, really setting the stage for the stupidity that followed.
And one other thing. She would only do it if it was right for her family and her country? Please, spare me the whole “I’m a modern Republican and like to use buzzwords like family, patriotism and fiscal responsibility.” Maybe if she started writing words on her arm she could squeeze in more talking points and values in her speeches.
Tags: 2012, Alaska, Polar bears, Presidential Election, Sarah Palin
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January 27th, 2010
Political Analysts are saying the State of the Union address tonight is unlikely to ease any fears about economic recession.
According to the CNN article,
“The president will respond as he always does to emergencies: with a speech. In this case, it’s his State of the Union address,” said David Frum, a CNN contributor and former speechwriter to President George W. Bush. “The Obama team always assumes the best remedy for any Obama difficulty is more Obama.”
He is expected to comment on the new spending freeze, which will limit spending to security.
“I hope the President will use this historic moment to shine the spotlight on our troubling fiscal policies and lay out his plan for addressing these challenges head-on,” Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Indiana, said in a press release.
The State of the Union address is tonight at 9 p.m.
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January 22nd, 2010
This New York Times article reports Supreme Court justices voted 5-4 to give corporations unlimited spending when it comes to political contributions.
President Obama said it was “a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans.”
This can potentially change everything in our political process. When large insurance firms and oil companies are buying out our politicians, who can we turn to?
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