As I watched the debate last night, I couldn't get two things out of my mind. The first was the fact that John McCain couldn't look Jim Lehrer, the moderator, or Obama in the face. To me, this says that he doesn't even believe the lies coming out of his mouth. To Obama's credit (though I thought he should have come out much tougher on McCain) he diffused the constant lies and mischaracterizations coming out of McCains mouth.
The second thing that I couldn't get out of my head was the fact that the impression that John Stewart does of Dick Cheney is even more right on for McCain.
I hope that for the next debate, the election commission ties some bowling balls to the ceiling and let's them fly at the candidates heads to make sure that they look the American people in the face when they speak. My bet is that McCain ends up with a head trauma within the first 90 seconds of the debate. Perhaps it will also knock some sense into the man.
I was also talking with a 23 year old guy who I was working with today to register union members to vote in this important election. This was his first time volunteering for these critical efforts where labor union members contact fellow union members about political campaigns. He made an interesting point about the debate.
McCain said last night that he would freeze spending on everything except defense and veterans affairs. This means that he would cut money for education. This means that schools may not have enough money to bus students to and from school anymore given the higher gas prices. People would have to spend more money to get their kids to school, so, in a sense, this is either a tax increase on working people or a user fee.
McCain would freeze spending on the Department of Health, so, if you have a loved one with a disease like cancer, HIV, Alzheimer's or other terrible diseases where the Department of Health is investing money to find a cure, it will be less likely that a cure is found.
McCain would take all that money to continue funding the chase after nobody in Iraq instead of going after the terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan as Obama pointed out. What really makes no sense is that McCain said that he and Joe Lieberman supported the 911 commission findings and put them into law. I can tell you for a fact that this is not true. The 911 commission recommended that commercial airline crews receive security training and they are not receiving the type of training the 911 commission suggested.
The debate showed us that McCain is running the nastiest and ugliest campaign since Bush. Figures, he uses most of the same people Bush did. In Obama's effort to take the high road, he missed an opportunity to confront McCain on his dirty campaign tactics.
I would have liked to have seen Obama ask John McCain why his campaign and the Republican party is going to contest the vote of every person in Michigan who has had their home foreclosed, has received a foreclosure letter from the bank or is in the process of foreclosure. Talk about kicking a Michigander while he or she is down. You lost your house and your vote buddy. Here's a story on this ugly matter. I assume that McCain is doing the same thing in Louisiana and Mississippi regarding Katrina refugees.
I would also liked to have seen Obama confront McCain on the issue that the McCain campaign is sending false absentee ballots to people who have voted early encouraging them to vote again. This is illegal and will result in those votes being tossed out.
The next debate should be even more interesting as many feel Obama does understand what he needs to do to convince Americans that he will lead the country in the right direction. Stay tuned.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Stupid S*%# from Planet McBush pt. 6
It’s been a while since this series has appeared since the amount of crap coming from the Republicans has the force of a fire hose. This installment will have several quick hits. Enjoy!
The National Enquirer continues its election coverage.
The big news of the week: operation photo-op.
The McCain campaign is keeping the shroud of secrecy around Gov. Palin.
CNN’s Campbell Brown threw in her two cents regarding the protective safety net around Palin.
McCain was caught in a lie yet again regarding his thirteen cars.
The McCain campaign was busted about not having any lobbyists on board. It turns out Rick Davis, McCain’s campaign manager, was getting $15,000 a month for lobbying for Freddie Mac up until they had to be bailed out by John and Jane taxpayer.
More news on “Troopergate”.
The pile keeps getting higher so more will follow.
The National Enquirer continues its election coverage.
The big news of the week: operation photo-op.
The McCain campaign is keeping the shroud of secrecy around Gov. Palin.
CNN’s Campbell Brown threw in her two cents regarding the protective safety net around Palin.
McCain was caught in a lie yet again regarding his thirteen cars.
The McCain campaign was busted about not having any lobbyists on board. It turns out Rick Davis, McCain’s campaign manager, was getting $15,000 a month for lobbying for Freddie Mac up until they had to be bailed out by John and Jane taxpayer.
More news on “Troopergate”.
The pile keeps getting higher so more will follow.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Phone Bank is Rolling!
All systems are go!
The UAW local 602 phone banks are rolling! Finally, we have started our push to contact all UAW members of region 1-C. the hours are from 9 a.m. to between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. depending on the numbers that are here. Friday the phone bank will likely close a little earlier (6’ish).
The public is welcome and you can get a hold of the phone bank at (517)484-1156. The address of UAW local 602 is 2510 W. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI. 48917. PLEASE stop by and help if you can.
The UAW local 602 phone banks are rolling! Finally, we have started our push to contact all UAW members of region 1-C. the hours are from 9 a.m. to between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. depending on the numbers that are here. Friday the phone bank will likely close a little earlier (6’ish).
The public is welcome and you can get a hold of the phone bank at (517)484-1156. The address of UAW local 602 is 2510 W. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI. 48917. PLEASE stop by and help if you can.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Understanding the Financial Problems- Who's Looking Out for Us?
The past week has shown all Americans that the financial house of cards built by the free traders and market fundamentalists is just that- a house of cards. The major story we're all watching is the government bailout of several huge multinational financial institutions, insurance companies and commercial banks. The question we working people should be asking is- what does this $700 billion bailout mean for us? What are WE getting?
The Bush Administration has finally, finally admitted that fundamentals of our economy are not strong; contrary to the rhetoric that Bush and McCain have been telling us. Their solution, however, is only half a loaf. Put simply, we don't get a slice under their version. Thankfully, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) are working to make sure that everyday people like us get our piece too. These Democrats are insisting that if the government is going to use our tax dollars to bail out these businesses, the people (us) must have some assurances.
1) Firms and businesses that receive help will need to adhere to some regulations. No more out of control CEO salaries, bonuses and perks for these folks. Taxpayers (we) should not be funding the extravagant salaries and lifestyles for these people.
2) There will be job losses. There are job losses already. People also need help. Democrats want to extend unemployment benefits for those who need them. Especially in hard-hit states like Michigan.
3) Invest in our infrastructure. The simple act of building bridges, repairing bridges, building high speed rail lines,building schools, making government buildings and schools more energy efficient creates jobs. They want to invest in our country- in the people (us)
These are just a few of the ideas Democrats want included in this massive bailout and they're right to push for these principles. We're going to hear a lot from Republican leaders like John Boehner (R-OH) and Mitch McConell (R-KY) that Democrats are playing politics and that this is no time for partisanship. This is a bunch of crap on their part. Insisting that the government help the people. working people, is not partisanship or "politics", it's wise investment and forward-thinking. Ask yourself this- what good is it to me if my money goes to bailing out these corporations if I'm not getting a return on my investment. How does this help me if me or my significant other doesn't have a job during these hard times, but all the money just went to corporate CEO's who have been living high on the hog and now we're out of unemployment benefits and can't afford health care for our family.
This bailout is a great indicator of core political party beliefs for people to look at when casting their vote this November. Free trade and free market Republicans are almost ashamed to have to "interfere" in this meltdown. The supporters of McCain and Bush are pressing them to let these companies fail and whatever happens to the workers- so be it. The party of Obama is pushing for the oversight that McCain and Bush won't and didn't exercise. The lack of regulation over some aspects of businesses is what led to this financial meltdown. The free trade, free market and anti-regulatory mentality of the Republican party is to blame and we have a chance to change that mentality by exercising our right to vote. It is that simple.
The Bush Administration has finally, finally admitted that fundamentals of our economy are not strong; contrary to the rhetoric that Bush and McCain have been telling us. Their solution, however, is only half a loaf. Put simply, we don't get a slice under their version. Thankfully, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) are working to make sure that everyday people like us get our piece too. These Democrats are insisting that if the government is going to use our tax dollars to bail out these businesses, the people (us) must have some assurances.
1) Firms and businesses that receive help will need to adhere to some regulations. No more out of control CEO salaries, bonuses and perks for these folks. Taxpayers (we) should not be funding the extravagant salaries and lifestyles for these people.
2) There will be job losses. There are job losses already. People also need help. Democrats want to extend unemployment benefits for those who need them. Especially in hard-hit states like Michigan.
3) Invest in our infrastructure. The simple act of building bridges, repairing bridges, building high speed rail lines,building schools, making government buildings and schools more energy efficient creates jobs. They want to invest in our country- in the people (us)
These are just a few of the ideas Democrats want included in this massive bailout and they're right to push for these principles. We're going to hear a lot from Republican leaders like John Boehner (R-OH) and Mitch McConell (R-KY) that Democrats are playing politics and that this is no time for partisanship. This is a bunch of crap on their part. Insisting that the government help the people. working people, is not partisanship or "politics", it's wise investment and forward-thinking. Ask yourself this- what good is it to me if my money goes to bailing out these corporations if I'm not getting a return on my investment. How does this help me if me or my significant other doesn't have a job during these hard times, but all the money just went to corporate CEO's who have been living high on the hog and now we're out of unemployment benefits and can't afford health care for our family.
This bailout is a great indicator of core political party beliefs for people to look at when casting their vote this November. Free trade and free market Republicans are almost ashamed to have to "interfere" in this meltdown. The supporters of McCain and Bush are pressing them to let these companies fail and whatever happens to the workers- so be it. The party of Obama is pushing for the oversight that McCain and Bush won't and didn't exercise. The lack of regulation over some aspects of businesses is what led to this financial meltdown. The free trade, free market and anti-regulatory mentality of the Republican party is to blame and we have a chance to change that mentality by exercising our right to vote. It is that simple.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Time To Win An Election!
The week vacation with the family is over and it’s time to win an election!!!
I can’t thank “Mother” enough for covering in my absence. Good stuff!
The UAW local 602 phone bank is being put together as we speak and will likely be functioning by Tue. Sept. 23; more on that in another post after the details get ironed out. Any UAW CAP endorsed candidates wishing to have yard signs distributed for them can contact the phone bank once the phone lines are set up; again more in another post.
It’s good to be back; but I am growing more and more frustrated with the walls I am encountering gathering lit and signs; UGHH!!
I can’t thank “Mother” enough for covering in my absence. Good stuff!
The UAW local 602 phone bank is being put together as we speak and will likely be functioning by Tue. Sept. 23; more on that in another post after the details get ironed out. Any UAW CAP endorsed candidates wishing to have yard signs distributed for them can contact the phone bank once the phone lines are set up; again more in another post.
It’s good to be back; but I am growing more and more frustrated with the walls I am encountering gathering lit and signs; UGHH!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
McCains POW Experience- Cutting Through The Commercials
We've all seen the campaign commercials by John McCain. The commercials where he receives a purple heart while on crutches and his graduation from the Naval Academy. The announcer tells us that John McCain refused early release from Vietnamese captors. These are all true statements for the most part. However, an article written by a former Navy POW who attended the Naval Academy with John McCain helps us cut through the campaign soundbites and understand that things are not always as they appear.
I will say this. I'm not disparaging McCains service in the Navy. I'm not arguing that he had it easy after his capture. I am not doing this to any veteran of any war. What I am doing is giving people the opportunity to understand that the way these commercials portray the events of McCains life are deceptive. Please see the story here
I will say this. I'm not disparaging McCains service in the Navy. I'm not arguing that he had it easy after his capture. I am not doing this to any veteran of any war. What I am doing is giving people the opportunity to understand that the way these commercials portray the events of McCains life are deceptive. Please see the story here
Friday, September 12, 2008
McCain Health Care Plan- Tax Your Health Care Benefits
No new taxes, the Republican presidential mantra. McCain spouts this off like Reagan, Bush 1 and Bush 2 did in their presidential bids. But, like so many other issues McCain talks about- he's flat out lying--lying to Americans as Karl Rove has coached him to do.
Some employers offer good health care plans for their workers. They are rewarded through the tax code for doing so and working families have good and affordable health care. Over 40 million do not have health care and that is a top priority for America. McCains answer to this priority is to tax the health care benefits we receive. The benefits we work for. The benefits we bargain for.
Under McCains plan, he will say that in 2009, he offers a tax break for those with employer sponsored health care. For one year, 2009, that would hold true. The tax break will be very small. The real truth is that after 2009, families will pay thousands of dollars in extra taxes. A tax increase. Go to page 14 of the report at http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/health_taxes21.pdf
You need to copy and paste the web address into your browser. Sorry.
FactCheck.org also tells the story how McBush2 is talking out of two sides of his mouth (among other places) Copy and paste this link http://www.factcheck.org/mccains_5000_promise.html
This double speak and outrageous claims are the campaign plan of McBush2. Again, instead of offering sound policies, McBush2 is using the same tactics Bush and Rove used. Our country has real problems right now and these same characters aren't the ones who are going to solve, let alone care about, the challenges working families face.
Some employers offer good health care plans for their workers. They are rewarded through the tax code for doing so and working families have good and affordable health care. Over 40 million do not have health care and that is a top priority for America. McCains answer to this priority is to tax the health care benefits we receive. The benefits we work for. The benefits we bargain for.
Under McCains plan, he will say that in 2009, he offers a tax break for those with employer sponsored health care. For one year, 2009, that would hold true. The tax break will be very small. The real truth is that after 2009, families will pay thousands of dollars in extra taxes. A tax increase. Go to page 14 of the report at http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/health_taxes21.pdf
You need to copy and paste the web address into your browser. Sorry.
FactCheck.org also tells the story how McBush2 is talking out of two sides of his mouth (among other places) Copy and paste this link http://www.factcheck.org/mccains_5000_promise.html
This double speak and outrageous claims are the campaign plan of McBush2. Again, instead of offering sound policies, McBush2 is using the same tactics Bush and Rove used. Our country has real problems right now and these same characters aren't the ones who are going to solve, let alone care about, the challenges working families face.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Media Confuses Americans About Drilling
A couple weeks ago, this blog featured a story about the minuscule impact on gas prices of offshore drilling and drilling in ANWR. The story generated a response from a well-paid economist and then a follow up story about those comments. In his speech last night,Senator McCain continued to mislead Americans about the drilling issue that they created. And why wouldn't he continue to mislead Americans when the media appears to be his partner in crime.
For all of his huffing and puffing about left-wing bias in the media and other malarkey, he and Governor Palin received a media darling welcome by the media after this latest tantrum. The truth is, the media is aiding and abetting on their most potent (and totally false) issue.
The Center for Economic and Policy Research analysed news coverage of this issue. The results explain the wide-spread confusion amongst Americans by revealing some truly shocking information. The paper shows that in 267 television news broadcasts, the Energy Information Agency data was cited only once. This is the very same data presented on this blog which refutes these false claims about the impact of drilling on gas prices. Also, in 91 percent of the news programs in this sample, there was not even an opposing opinion presented. You can see the paper at http://www.cepr.net/index.php/publications/reports/-oil-drilling-in-environmentally-sensitive-areas:-the-role-of-the-media/ . Apologies that you will have to copy and paste this link yourself. Something is stopping me from linking directly to the paper. I was able to copy the summary of the report below.
Oil Drilling in Environmentally Sensitive Areas: The Role of the Media
September 2008, Mark Weisbrot and Nichole Szembrot
This paper examines television news coverage of proposed drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive zones in the United States. It finds that these broadcasts almost completely ignored data, and conclusions, from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Agency (EIA). The EIA finds that the benefits from such drilling would be too small to have a significant effect on the price of oil. There is no legitimate reason for this omission in the media. Just as economic reporting regularly uses data (unemployment, inflation, GDP, trade) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, or Bureau of Labor Statistics, reporting on energy relies on data from the EIA. The omission of the relevant data from this recent reporting may have contributed to the widespread public misunderstanding of this issue, with polls showing 51 percent of respondents believing that "federal laws that prohibit increased drilling for oil offshore or in wilderness areas" were a “major cause of the recent increase in gasoline prices.”
The tantrums from the right are nothing new as these tantrums have been very successful in the past when former Republican Leader Tom DeLay, who is now under indictment for his connections to lobbyist Jack Abramoff (again sorry, won't let me link to the story of Jack so you must paste the link) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080905/ap_on_go_ot/abramoff_glance_3
threatened news outlets that the Republican controlled Congress wouldn't do interviews with them unless they started to show Republicans in a more positive way. The result was Hannity and the other guy, Scarborough report, Fox "news" and other Republican mouth pieces.
Not to mention that you can't drive anywhere in the country and not be subjected to the drug induced rantings of Rush Limbaugh.
The drilling issue is the brain child of Karl Rove. Just like the immigration issue and the Iraq debacle. McCain is using the same people who put Bush in office and as we know, they will do anything to make sure that McCain wins and big oil continues to make record profits and receive sweetheart deals on taxes and land leasing while our wages shrink, our jobs get offshored and health care costs skyrocket. Don't lose your focus- this election is all about the economy. Obama and Biden see things from our perspective and want to help working families in Michigan and the rest of the nation.
For all of his huffing and puffing about left-wing bias in the media and other malarkey, he and Governor Palin received a media darling welcome by the media after this latest tantrum. The truth is, the media is aiding and abetting on their most potent (and totally false) issue.
The Center for Economic and Policy Research analysed news coverage of this issue. The results explain the wide-spread confusion amongst Americans by revealing some truly shocking information. The paper shows that in 267 television news broadcasts, the Energy Information Agency data was cited only once. This is the very same data presented on this blog which refutes these false claims about the impact of drilling on gas prices. Also, in 91 percent of the news programs in this sample, there was not even an opposing opinion presented. You can see the paper at http://www.cepr.net/index.php/publications/reports/-oil-drilling-in-environmentally-sensitive-areas:-the-role-of-the-media/ . Apologies that you will have to copy and paste this link yourself. Something is stopping me from linking directly to the paper. I was able to copy the summary of the report below.
Oil Drilling in Environmentally Sensitive Areas: The Role of the Media
September 2008, Mark Weisbrot and Nichole Szembrot
This paper examines television news coverage of proposed drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive zones in the United States. It finds that these broadcasts almost completely ignored data, and conclusions, from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Agency (EIA). The EIA finds that the benefits from such drilling would be too small to have a significant effect on the price of oil. There is no legitimate reason for this omission in the media. Just as economic reporting regularly uses data (unemployment, inflation, GDP, trade) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, or Bureau of Labor Statistics, reporting on energy relies on data from the EIA. The omission of the relevant data from this recent reporting may have contributed to the widespread public misunderstanding of this issue, with polls showing 51 percent of respondents believing that "federal laws that prohibit increased drilling for oil offshore or in wilderness areas" were a “major cause of the recent increase in gasoline prices.”
The tantrums from the right are nothing new as these tantrums have been very successful in the past when former Republican Leader Tom DeLay, who is now under indictment for his connections to lobbyist Jack Abramoff (again sorry, won't let me link to the story of Jack so you must paste the link) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080905/ap_on_go_ot/abramoff_glance_3
threatened news outlets that the Republican controlled Congress wouldn't do interviews with them unless they started to show Republicans in a more positive way. The result was Hannity and the other guy, Scarborough report, Fox "news" and other Republican mouth pieces.
Not to mention that you can't drive anywhere in the country and not be subjected to the drug induced rantings of Rush Limbaugh.
The drilling issue is the brain child of Karl Rove. Just like the immigration issue and the Iraq debacle. McCain is using the same people who put Bush in office and as we know, they will do anything to make sure that McCain wins and big oil continues to make record profits and receive sweetheart deals on taxes and land leasing while our wages shrink, our jobs get offshored and health care costs skyrocket. Don't lose your focus- this election is all about the economy. Obama and Biden see things from our perspective and want to help working families in Michigan and the rest of the nation.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
What Republican Women Think of Palin
Open microphones are the best thing ever. After Republicans Mike Murphy and Peggy Noonan appeared during an MSNBC segment at the Republican convention, and thought the microphones were dead, they had a very candid discussion about the abilities of Governor Palin and her being the V.P. choice of McCan't. Caught on Youtube here
Murphy: It's not going to work.
Noonan: It's over.
Murphy: But still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.
Todd: I think this was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson... She's never looked comfortable with this.
Murphy: they're all bummed out
Todd: I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?
Noonan: The most qualified? No. I would think they went for the, excuse me, political bulls**t about narratives...
Noonan: Every time Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it.
Murphy: It's not going to work.
Noonan: It's over.
Murphy: But still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.
Todd: I think this was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson... She's never looked comfortable with this.
Murphy: they're all bummed out
Todd: I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?
Noonan: The most qualified? No. I would think they went for the, excuse me, political bulls**t about narratives...
Noonan: Every time Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
It's Time!
Just over 60 days! The 2008 presidential election is approaching quickly. For most of us who put down the mouse and actually hit the streets to campaign, this can mean long hours away from home and less time for all things periphery; blogging. Sound like an excuse? Hell yes it is! The posts will be fewer and further between; unless some of the other bloggers here can pick up the slack (PLEASE!)
This election will be won on the street and in the field. Door to door contact is one of the most effective means of campaigning and I plan on hitting at least three congressional districts and likely five or six different counties! In the upcoming months many of my posts will likely contain info. Regarding campaign events, phone bank locations and hours as well as door to door blitzes. I hope that any or all of you will join the team and campaign along side me. Let’s roll!!
This election will be won on the street and in the field. Door to door contact is one of the most effective means of campaigning and I plan on hitting at least three congressional districts and likely five or six different counties! In the upcoming months many of my posts will likely contain info. Regarding campaign events, phone bank locations and hours as well as door to door blitzes. I hope that any or all of you will join the team and campaign along side me. Let’s roll!!
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