Today, let's take another trip to the always exciting Nevada Progressive archives. This time, we're traveling back to September 2011. Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) was caught doing a rare town hall meeting in Summerlin. And he had to answer a tough question from the audience on his vote for Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wisconsin) Medicare busting austerity budget earlier that year.
Ouch. He had to resort to rhetorical pretzel twists to defend that vote... Yet he voted for another Paul Ryan austerity budget in March 2012. But after he caught some political heat for those votes later that year, Rep. Joe Heck turned around and voted against the third Paul Ryan austerity budget last year.
Now, Heck seems to be feeling the "Ryan-mentum" again. This past June, Rep. Heck had Paul Ryan write a fundraising letter for his reelection campaign. Of course, the letter contains all the usual accusations of President Obama, Senator Harry Reid (D), and Nancy Pelosi being such meanie poopyheads who won't let the "YOUNG GUNS!!!" have any fun on Capitol Hill. Oh, and Rep. Ryan "can count on Joe as a leader in the struggle to revive our economy".
How so? Was he talking about the government shutdown that yanked $26 billion out of our economy? Is he talking about the continuing denial of unemployment insurance (UI) that's hut over e million Americans (including over 37,000 Nevadans)? Is he talking about the denial of a minimum wage increase that could have given our economy the extra boost we all need? Or is he just talking about his austerity program that's been suppressing economic growth?
Income inequality is a serious problem in this nation. Don't believe us? See the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Standard & Poors (S&P) reports. Income inequality hinders economic growth.
And Paul Ryan's austerity regime is worsening our income inequality problem. Is that what he meant when he "can count on Joe as a leader in the struggle to revive our economy"? He can certainly "count on Joe" to vote for his policies that harm the economy and hurt working families. And if that's the message they want to share with Nevada voters, we won't stand in the way of that.
Showing posts with label Unemployment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unemployment. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Political Stunt
They did it. They really did it. And as expected, they did it nearly entirely along party lines.
The final vote was 225-201. 5 Republicans ended up joining 196 Democrats in voting against HR 676. Both Reps. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) & Mark Amodei (R-Carson City) voted in favor.
So what did they vote for last night? Essentially, they celebrated the "Prelude to Impeachment".
Congress is about to leave for August recess. And the lower House of Congress had a lengthy "to do list" to tackle before leaving. The House accomplished nothing on that list. Instead, House Republican "leaders" embarked on their last ditch effort to placate their party's true leaders.
Suffice to say, they're still not amused. And suffice to say, none of the House Democrats were amused by this maelstrom of nonsense. Rep. Dina Titus (D-Paradise) certainly was not.
We can understand why Rep. Titus is upset. That full "to do list" remains completely unfulfilled. Comprehensive immigration reform? Nope, and they couldn't even agree on a supplemental border bill. Unemployment insurance (UI) extension? Nope, there's still no end date for the unnecessary #RenewUI tragedy. All inclusive ENDA? Nope, instead they want to launch this law suit because President Obama dared to make up for their inaction with a limited executive order targeting some anti-LGBTQ workplace discrimination! Oh, and they want to launch this law suit because the President may take some further executive action on immigration reform.
And of course, the list goes on. Among other things, they have screamed at President Obama for doing what they refused to do to combat both climate change and economic ruin. They have also fumed at President Obama for trying to fill some of the void they left when they refused to even consider raising the minimum wage and America's standard of living. Congress had the chance to do something on all this and more, but instead House Republican "leaders" decided to throw an Impeachapalooza pre-party.
And here we are. Here we are, gazing at perhaps the most epic of EPIC FAILs we've ever seen emerge from Congress. No wonder why Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) is not impressed.
Neither are most Americans outside the Beltway. Hell, even the Republicans' own "TEA" fueled base are not satisfied by this barely veiled political stunt. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Grand Marnier) may be patting himself on the back over this blatantly political stunt... And he's the only one amused by this.
The final vote was 225-201. 5 Republicans ended up joining 196 Democrats in voting against HR 676. Both Reps. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) & Mark Amodei (R-Carson City) voted in favor.
So what did they vote for last night? Essentially, they celebrated the "Prelude to Impeachment".
Congress is about to leave for August recess. And the lower House of Congress had a lengthy "to do list" to tackle before leaving. The House accomplished nothing on that list. Instead, House Republican "leaders" embarked on their last ditch effort to placate their party's true leaders.
Suffice to say, they're still not amused. And suffice to say, none of the House Democrats were amused by this maelstrom of nonsense. Rep. Dina Titus (D-Paradise) certainly was not.
We can understand why Rep. Titus is upset. That full "to do list" remains completely unfulfilled. Comprehensive immigration reform? Nope, and they couldn't even agree on a supplemental border bill. Unemployment insurance (UI) extension? Nope, there's still no end date for the unnecessary #RenewUI tragedy. All inclusive ENDA? Nope, instead they want to launch this law suit because President Obama dared to make up for their inaction with a limited executive order targeting some anti-LGBTQ workplace discrimination! Oh, and they want to launch this law suit because the President may take some further executive action on immigration reform.
And of course, the list goes on. Among other things, they have screamed at President Obama for doing what they refused to do to combat both climate change and economic ruin. They have also fumed at President Obama for trying to fill some of the void they left when they refused to even consider raising the minimum wage and America's standard of living. Congress had the chance to do something on all this and more, but instead House Republican "leaders" decided to throw an Impeachapalooza pre-party.
And here we are. Here we are, gazing at perhaps the most epic of EPIC FAILs we've ever seen emerge from Congress. No wonder why Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) is not impressed.
Neither are most Americans outside the Beltway. Hell, even the Republicans' own "TEA" fueled base are not satisfied by this barely veiled political stunt. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Grand Marnier) may be patting himself on the back over this blatantly political stunt... And he's the only one amused by this.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Impeachment Games
And it's on! We always suspected this is what they've been aiming for. But now, it's increasingly clear what their ultimate goal has been all along.
Benghazi. IRS. Bergdahl. And all the G-O-TEA's other haute faux "OBAMA SCANDALZZZ!!!111111!!!!!!1" They never really cared about any of that, especially since there's never actually been "any there there". No, they've just wanted some excuse, any excuse, to impeach President Obama.
Earlier today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Jack Daniel's) announced a law suit against President Obama. For what? And why? He doesn't know yet, but he'll get back to us when he figures it out.
Wow. Perhaps this is why even Fox "News" pundits are questioning the utility of this law suit over nothing...
Except that we know that it's not for nothing. Rather, we know the real goal of this suit. We know the real goal is a little thing called impeachment. Remember the 1990s? Go ahead and feel the deja vu.
Yet while House G-O-TEA "leaders" want "Impeachapalooza: The Sequel", the rest of the nation wants something else. Here's a hint: #4jobs. And for all those 3 million+ Americans who are still seeking jobs, they just want a chance to survive.
While House G-O-TEA "leaders" are obsessing over scoring political points with campaign tactics that used to be considered actual punishment for real high crimes and misdemeanors, Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas), Rep. Dina Titus (D-Paradise), and a bipartisan group of other House Members are introducing the same #RenewUI.
It's been nearly 6 months since Congress let the federal extension of unemployment insurance (UI) expire. Since then, over 37,000 Nevadans and 3 million Americans have been forced into unnecessary hardship. And even though the Senate has already passed bipartisan legislation to #RenewUI, House G-O-TEA "leaders" have still refused to bring it to the floor.
Instead, they're now playing impeachment games. It's nice for them that they don't have to worry about how they'll be paying the bills. Unfortunately for all the rest of us, we don't have the luxury of all this time & money to waste on impeachment games.
Benghazi. IRS. Bergdahl. And all the G-O-TEA's other haute faux "OBAMA SCANDALZZZ!!!111111!!!!!!1" They never really cared about any of that, especially since there's never actually been "any there there". No, they've just wanted some excuse, any excuse, to impeach President Obama.
Earlier today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Jack Daniel's) announced a law suit against President Obama. For what? And why? He doesn't know yet, but he'll get back to us when he figures it out.
Wow. Perhaps this is why even Fox "News" pundits are questioning the utility of this law suit over nothing...
Except that we know that it's not for nothing. Rather, we know the real goal of this suit. We know the real goal is a little thing called impeachment. Remember the 1990s? Go ahead and feel the deja vu.
Yet while House G-O-TEA "leaders" want "Impeachapalooza: The Sequel", the rest of the nation wants something else. Here's a hint: #4jobs. And for all those 3 million+ Americans who are still seeking jobs, they just want a chance to survive.
While House G-O-TEA "leaders" are obsessing over scoring political points with campaign tactics that used to be considered actual punishment for real high crimes and misdemeanors, Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas), Rep. Dina Titus (D-Paradise), and a bipartisan group of other House Members are introducing the same #RenewUI.
It's been nearly 6 months since Congress let the federal extension of unemployment insurance (UI) expire. Since then, over 37,000 Nevadans and 3 million Americans have been forced into unnecessary hardship. And even though the Senate has already passed bipartisan legislation to #RenewUI, House G-O-TEA "leaders" have still refused to bring it to the floor.
Instead, they're now playing impeachment games. It's nice for them that they don't have to worry about how they'll be paying the bills. Unfortunately for all the rest of us, we don't have the luxury of all this time & money to waste on impeachment games.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Do Just That
He may very well be one of the hardest working members of Congress. He's delivered packages. He's served cupcakes. He's helped constituents sort their way through the federal government. And he's worked to keep American families together and in their homes.
Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) has been trying his hardest to serve his constituents in NV-04. And believe it or not, he has reaped some results. It's just been difficult for him to push more actual legislation through the 113th Congress...
But that doesn't mean he won't stop trying. Rather, Rep. Horsford made clear he wants to continue pushing to secure House passage of comprehensive immigration reform (CIR), ENDA, real jobs bills, and more. At the Nevada State Democratic Party Convention this past weekend, Rep. Horsford made it clear that he won't let G-O-TEA obstruction stop him from continuing to work on legislation that so many Nevadans and other Americans would benefit from.
While House G-O-TEA "leaders" are debating when (not if?!) to embark on another Shutdown Shitfest and how little they intend to accomplish by the end of the year, Rep. Steven Horsford is actually reaching out to other Members of Congress who also want to accomplish something. And they're out to do just that.
Rep. Horsford's first term in Congress hasn't always been an easy one. Obstructionism has reached new lows. Vitriol has occasionally reached new highs. And we're all still enduring this.
Yet through it all, Rep. Horsford has been focusing on being productive and delivering the real goods for his constituents. And whenever he's been able to find an opening, he's found ways to do just that. We suspect NV-04 constituents are noticing.
Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) has been trying his hardest to serve his constituents in NV-04. And believe it or not, he has reaped some results. It's just been difficult for him to push more actual legislation through the 113th Congress...
But that doesn't mean he won't stop trying. Rather, Rep. Horsford made clear he wants to continue pushing to secure House passage of comprehensive immigration reform (CIR), ENDA, real jobs bills, and more. At the Nevada State Democratic Party Convention this past weekend, Rep. Horsford made it clear that he won't let G-O-TEA obstruction stop him from continuing to work on legislation that so many Nevadans and other Americans would benefit from.
While House G-O-TEA "leaders" are debating when (not if?!) to embark on another Shutdown Shitfest and how little they intend to accomplish by the end of the year, Rep. Steven Horsford is actually reaching out to other Members of Congress who also want to accomplish something. And they're out to do just that.
Rep. Horsford's first term in Congress hasn't always been an easy one. Obstructionism has reached new lows. Vitriol has occasionally reached new highs. And we're all still enduring this.
Yet through it all, Rep. Horsford has been focusing on being productive and delivering the real goods for his constituents. And whenever he's been able to find an opening, he's found ways to do just that. We suspect NV-04 constituents are noticing.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Real. Life. Tragedy.
In the last few days, we've been hearing plenty of moving stories... Of certain political careers ending while others are just beginning. Who's in? Who's out? Who's up? Who's down?
Yet while certain politicians and pundits are obsessing over some supposed political tragedy, millions of American families are living our real life tragedies.
Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) seems to understand this. While the usual suspects on Capitol Hill are debating how much more gridlock they want to inflict on the nation, Rep. Horsford wants to remind them of the real life consequences of all the inaction they've already taken.
For about 5.5 months, federal unemployment insurance has lapsed for just over 3 million Americans (including about 37,000 Nevadans). As the former number grows, so does the latter. And the longer this drags on, the more economic pain we'll all feel.
Over 3 million Americans are now enduring immense unnecessary hardship because the usual G-O-TEA suspects refuse to #RenewUI. Even Senator Dean Heller (R) and a few other Congressional Republicans have asked their colleagues to allow some justice for the over 3 million Americans who are falling into poverty simply because the usual G-O-TEA suspects in Congress don't want to play nice with others.
This week, many on Capitol Hill are mourning some alleged political tragedy. They're wailing and moaning and gnashing their teeth because they'll miss some "hot cocktail parties" and "networking opportunities". They're crying because their "climb up the political ladder" may have been interrupted.
Yet while they're mourning this supposed political tragedy, America is enduring a horrific real life tragedy. And this tragedy is entirely unnecessary.
Perhaps instead of obsessing over some alleged political tragedy, more of our elected "leaders" need to remember the real life tragedy that they can end today. No really, they can end it today. They can end the unnecessary hardship. They can help over 3 million Americans get back on their feet. All they have to do is #RenewUI. Hey, it may even help them avoid their own political tragedy this November.
Yet while certain politicians and pundits are obsessing over some supposed political tragedy, millions of American families are living our real life tragedies.
Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) seems to understand this. While the usual suspects on Capitol Hill are debating how much more gridlock they want to inflict on the nation, Rep. Horsford wants to remind them of the real life consequences of all the inaction they've already taken.
For about 5.5 months, federal unemployment insurance has lapsed for just over 3 million Americans (including about 37,000 Nevadans). As the former number grows, so does the latter. And the longer this drags on, the more economic pain we'll all feel.
Over 3 million Americans are now enduring immense unnecessary hardship because the usual G-O-TEA suspects refuse to #RenewUI. Even Senator Dean Heller (R) and a few other Congressional Republicans have asked their colleagues to allow some justice for the over 3 million Americans who are falling into poverty simply because the usual G-O-TEA suspects in Congress don't want to play nice with others.
This week, many on Capitol Hill are mourning some alleged political tragedy. They're wailing and moaning and gnashing their teeth because they'll miss some "hot cocktail parties" and "networking opportunities". They're crying because their "climb up the political ladder" may have been interrupted.
Yet while they're mourning this supposed political tragedy, America is enduring a horrific real life tragedy. And this tragedy is entirely unnecessary.
Perhaps instead of obsessing over some alleged political tragedy, more of our elected "leaders" need to remember the real life tragedy that they can end today. No really, they can end it today. They can end the unnecessary hardship. They can help over 3 million Americans get back on their feet. All they have to do is #RenewUI. Hey, it may even help them avoid their own political tragedy this November.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
The Actual Scandal
Here we go again. It's "SCANDAL!!!!" time. And more specifically, it's #Benghazi time.
Right now, House Democratic leaders are deliberating whether to participate in the new House Committee devoted to the G-O-TEA's favorite hashtag. Dare they risk legitimizing this farce? Or dare they miss an opportunity to call the G-O-TEA out on this farce?
It's not an easy decision... Unlike the actual scandal that needs to be not just investigated, but actually fixed.
It's been nearly 5 months since Congress let the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension lapse. That's meant the loss of over $5 billion in economic activity. And it's meant unnecessary hardship for over 34,000 Nevadans and over 2.3 million Americans. Oh, and it may also soon mean the loss of over 240,000 jobs if Congress doesn't act soon.
Last month, the Senate passed bipartisan UI extension legislation. Yet since that Senate vote, the lower House of Congress has not touched UI. Even as the UI lapse has taken its toll on our economy & on over 2.3 million Americans, House Republican "leaders" have refused to schedule a #RenewUI vote.
In recent weeks, Congressional Republican "leaders" have claimed they want to find "solutions to poverty". One actual solution is right here. Instead of wasting any more of our tax dollars "investigating" a "scandalous" hashtag, they can #RenewUI and end the unnecessary suffering of millions of people who are just trying to get by.
Here we go again. While a haute faux scandal is about to be "investigated" to filth, the actual scandal is ignored. And actual people are suffering because of this. Does anyone else notice what's wrong with this picture?
Right now, House Democratic leaders are deliberating whether to participate in the new House Committee devoted to the G-O-TEA's favorite hashtag. Dare they risk legitimizing this farce? Or dare they miss an opportunity to call the G-O-TEA out on this farce?
It's not an easy decision... Unlike the actual scandal that needs to be not just investigated, but actually fixed.
It's been nearly 5 months since Congress let the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension lapse. That's meant the loss of over $5 billion in economic activity. And it's meant unnecessary hardship for over 34,000 Nevadans and over 2.3 million Americans. Oh, and it may also soon mean the loss of over 240,000 jobs if Congress doesn't act soon.
Last month, the Senate passed bipartisan UI extension legislation. Yet since that Senate vote, the lower House of Congress has not touched UI. Even as the UI lapse has taken its toll on our economy & on over 2.3 million Americans, House Republican "leaders" have refused to schedule a #RenewUI vote.
In recent weeks, Congressional Republican "leaders" have claimed they want to find "solutions to poverty". One actual solution is right here. Instead of wasting any more of our tax dollars "investigating" a "scandalous" hashtag, they can #RenewUI and end the unnecessary suffering of millions of people who are just trying to get by.
Here we go again. While a haute faux scandal is about to be "investigated" to filth, the actual scandal is ignored. And actual people are suffering because of this. Does anyone else notice what's wrong with this picture?
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Benghazipalooza
Well, surprise, f**king surprise. We've known for some time that Congressional Republicans were preparing for the rave of a lifetime on Capitol Hill. Las Vegas may now have Electric Daisy Carnival, but DC Republicans plan to rival that with their own Benghazipalooza.
At Benghazipalooza, all bets will be off. And G-O-TEA politicians will definitely be all in for all the political debauchery. Hell, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Grand Marnier) has even given the green light for the ultimate #Benghazi fundraising extravaganza!
And he's wondering why virtually no one outside the G-O-TEA base is taking his (latest) "Benghazi investigation" seriously?
We're sure Rep. Joe Heck (R-Benghazi) is really craving a ticket to Benghazipalooza. He's been getting into that groove for some time. Perhaps Rep. Mark Amodei (R-??!!) also wants a ticket to the ultimate scandalicious celebration, since he's always aiming to be Mr. #TeaParty Cool.
Never mind that many Nevada workers stand to benefit from a raise in the minimum wage. Never mind that our economy also stands to benefit from an extension of federal unemployment insurance (UI). And never mind that our economy can also benefit from pro-worker policies like comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) and nationwide ENDA.
Nope, House Republicans care more about getting their party on at Benghazipalooza. They may even go directly from Benghazipalooza to their next big rave: Impeachapalooza. We guess it's nice that they can enjoy the luxury ofdereliction of duty taking extra time off work to have quality play time at their hot Capitol Hill rave. It's just too bad that all of us who live in the real world can't.
At Benghazipalooza, all bets will be off. And G-O-TEA politicians will definitely be all in for all the political debauchery. Hell, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Grand Marnier) has even given the green light for the ultimate #Benghazi fundraising extravaganza!
And he's wondering why virtually no one outside the G-O-TEA base is taking his (latest) "Benghazi investigation" seriously?
We're sure Rep. Joe Heck (R-Benghazi) is really craving a ticket to Benghazipalooza. He's been getting into that groove for some time. Perhaps Rep. Mark Amodei (R-??!!) also wants a ticket to the ultimate scandalicious celebration, since he's always aiming to be Mr. #TeaParty Cool.
Never mind that many Nevada workers stand to benefit from a raise in the minimum wage. Never mind that our economy also stands to benefit from an extension of federal unemployment insurance (UI). And never mind that our economy can also benefit from pro-worker policies like comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) and nationwide ENDA.
Nope, House Republicans care more about getting their party on at Benghazipalooza. They may even go directly from Benghazipalooza to their next big rave: Impeachapalooza. We guess it's nice that they can enjoy the luxury of
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
The Scandal Staring Them in the Face
For nearly 3 weeks, we've heard plenty of talk about "SCANDAL!!!" surrounding Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D). As usual, the "SCANDAL!!!" gossip has been proven false. But as usual, the 21st Century Know Nothings peddling the false rumors refuse to give them up.
And Senator Reid refuses to give up, either. Yesterday, he tweeted this.
Remember that the Senate has already passed bipartisan legislation to extend federal unemployment insurance (UI). Yet even with 2.5 million unemployed Americans now without this critical lifeline, House Republican "leaders" continue to fiddle while Rome burns (with the "Rome" in this instance being the 2.5 million Americans cut off UI).
Why? Why must all these American families endure such unnecessary hardship? What's to gain in forcing people into poverty? Our economy has actually lost $5 billion of economic activity thanks to the federal UI lapse.
Aren't Republicans supposed to be #4jobs? Aren't they now boasting of their "solutions to poverty"? Here's a helpful hint on both ends: #RenewUI. UI extension can pump money back into our economy while keeping unemployed Americans out of poverty while they're looking for new jobs.
So why can't the House just #RenewUI already? Oh, but Republicans are now too busy... Investigating the new "SCANDAL!!!" surrounding Senator Reid's Twitter account. Because, you know, it exists. And Senator Reid uses it to express his views on legislation and current events.
While G-O-TEA politicians feign "OUTRAGE!!!" over phony "SCANDAL(s)!!!", real people are suffering. And these real people are suffering because those who are allegedly in charge of the lower House of Congress refuse to bring up bipartisan legislation that's already passed the Senate. This is the real scandal that's staring them in the face.
And Senator Reid refuses to give up, either. Yesterday, he tweeted this.
"There are now over 2.5 million unemployed Americans waiting on Speaker Boehner to act on #RenewUI."
Remember that the Senate has already passed bipartisan legislation to extend federal unemployment insurance (UI). Yet even with 2.5 million unemployed Americans now without this critical lifeline, House Republican "leaders" continue to fiddle while Rome burns (with the "Rome" in this instance being the 2.5 million Americans cut off UI).
Why? Why must all these American families endure such unnecessary hardship? What's to gain in forcing people into poverty? Our economy has actually lost $5 billion of economic activity thanks to the federal UI lapse.
Aren't Republicans supposed to be #4jobs? Aren't they now boasting of their "solutions to poverty"? Here's a helpful hint on both ends: #RenewUI. UI extension can pump money back into our economy while keeping unemployed Americans out of poverty while they're looking for new jobs.
So why can't the House just #RenewUI already? Oh, but Republicans are now too busy... Investigating the new "SCANDAL!!!" surrounding Senator Reid's Twitter account. Because, you know, it exists. And Senator Reid uses it to express his views on legislation and current events.
While G-O-TEA politicians feign "OUTRAGE!!!" over phony "SCANDAL(s)!!!", real people are suffering. And these real people are suffering because those who are allegedly in charge of the lower House of Congress refuse to bring up bipartisan legislation that's already passed the Senate. This is the real scandal that's staring them in the face.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Why Can't They?
It's hard for us to think of any other House Freshman who's been out to accomplish so much during his first term in Congress. Rep. Steven Horsford has been working it like hardly anyone else has even tried. And not only is he working it, but he's now working on critical legislation that can make our economy work better while providing a critical lifeline for those Americans who are still looking for work.
Last week, Rep. Horsford joined several other House Democrats to urge their Republican colleagues to pass the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension bill that the Senate has already passed.
Just yesterday, Reps. Horsford & Matt Cartwright (D-Pennsylvania) took to The Huffington Post to make their case for bipartisan backed legislation that stands to create 300,000 jobs and increase national GDP by 0.3% while preventing 2.3 million Americans from succumbing to financial catastrophe. And they're not alone. None other than Senator Dean Heller (R) has asked his Republican colleagues on the House side to #RenewUI. And now, none other than Governor Brian Sandoval (R) is asking House Republicans to stop wasting time & #RenewUI already.
Over 34,000 Nevadans are needlessly suffering due to the federal UI lapse. It's now lasted nearly 4 months, and our economy has taken an unnecessary hit. What's the point of all this unnecessary hardship?
There's a reason why both Senator Heller & Governor Sandoval are speaking up now. They realize this is bad policy. And they know this is bad politics.
The ball is now in House Republicans' court. And if House Republican "leaders" refuse to allow a floor vote, then individual Republican members need to do step up to ensure a floor vote. And if that means a discharge petition, then they should prepare to sign (cough- Joe Heck- cough). If a handful of House Freshmen can bring this issue to the forefront, why can't more senior House members (particularly those in the Speaker's party) do everything they possibly can to pass legislation they say they want?
Last week, Rep. Horsford joined several other House Democrats to urge their Republican colleagues to pass the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension bill that the Senate has already passed.
Just yesterday, Reps. Horsford & Matt Cartwright (D-Pennsylvania) took to The Huffington Post to make their case for bipartisan backed legislation that stands to create 300,000 jobs and increase national GDP by 0.3% while preventing 2.3 million Americans from succumbing to financial catastrophe. And they're not alone. None other than Senator Dean Heller (R) has asked his Republican colleagues on the House side to #RenewUI. And now, none other than Governor Brian Sandoval (R) is asking House Republicans to stop wasting time & #RenewUI already.
Over 34,000 Nevadans are needlessly suffering due to the federal UI lapse. It's now lasted nearly 4 months, and our economy has taken an unnecessary hit. What's the point of all this unnecessary hardship?
There's a reason why both Senator Heller & Governor Sandoval are speaking up now. They realize this is bad policy. And they know this is bad politics.
The ball is now in House Republicans' court. And if House Republican "leaders" refuse to allow a floor vote, then individual Republican members need to do step up to ensure a floor vote. And if that means a discharge petition, then they should prepare to sign (cough- Joe Heck- cough). If a handful of House Freshmen can bring this issue to the forefront, why can't more senior House members (particularly those in the Speaker's party) do everything they possibly can to pass legislation they say they want?
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Discharge Time?
As expected, it passed last night. The US Senate finally approved a temporary federal extension of unemployment insurance (UI). Senators Harry Reid (D) & Dean Heller (R) voted for UI extension, along with 57 other Senators.
Yet even as this UI extension bill cleared the Senate, it faces a difficult struggle ahead in the House. Why? As usual, House Republican "leaders" value political gamesmanship over sound economic policy.
But at least this time, they're finally starting to feel some push-back from their own ranks. Even Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) is finally saying something. He has recently joined six other House Republicans in sending House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) requesting a House floor vote on the bipartisan UI extension bill that just passed the Senate.
So at least some House Republicans are finally starting to speak up... But will this sternly worded letter be enough? Or will they need to prepare for further action?
Last month, House Democrats drafted a discharge petition for UI extension. Reps. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) & Dina Titus (D-Paradise) quickly signed it upon its introduction. And if Rep. Heck and those six other House Republicans who just sent that letter really want UI extension, they may need to prepare to do the same.
Why? Speaker Boehner's media spinners still claim UI extension is "not necessary". Even though their decision to let the federal UI extension lapse has sucked $5 billion out of our economy and thrown over 2.3 million Americans (including over 34,000 Nevadans) into economic ruin, one of Boehner's top lieutenants (Rep. Tom Cole [R-Oklahoma]) actually just said federal UI should "come to an end".
Try arguing this to the over 2.3 million Americans struggling to survive because federal UI has been cut off for over three months. We bet they won't. Instead, they'll probably continue trying even more lame@ss excuses to spin away what the Senate just passed. What they still fail to recognize is that people can't pay our bills and/or buy groceries with spin. These unemployed Americans have been looking for work and continue to look for work. But until they find work, they need to survive. And simply cutting them off won't help these people survive, let alone find work.
What House Republicans looking to pass the bipartisan #RenewUI legislation that's already passed the Senate need to recognize is that they need to send a clear message to their "leaders" that ignoring reality is simply not an option. And while sternly worded letters are a start, they may not be enough to finish the job. If Speaker Boehner and his lieutenants continue to drown #RenewUI in their toxic "TEA", then the only way to rescue it will be a discharge petition. Are they ready to sign?
Yet even as this UI extension bill cleared the Senate, it faces a difficult struggle ahead in the House. Why? As usual, House Republican "leaders" value political gamesmanship over sound economic policy.
But at least this time, they're finally starting to feel some push-back from their own ranks. Even Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) is finally saying something. He has recently joined six other House Republicans in sending House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) requesting a House floor vote on the bipartisan UI extension bill that just passed the Senate.
So at least some House Republicans are finally starting to speak up... But will this sternly worded letter be enough? Or will they need to prepare for further action?
Last month, House Democrats drafted a discharge petition for UI extension. Reps. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) & Dina Titus (D-Paradise) quickly signed it upon its introduction. And if Rep. Heck and those six other House Republicans who just sent that letter really want UI extension, they may need to prepare to do the same.
Why? Speaker Boehner's media spinners still claim UI extension is "not necessary". Even though their decision to let the federal UI extension lapse has sucked $5 billion out of our economy and thrown over 2.3 million Americans (including over 34,000 Nevadans) into economic ruin, one of Boehner's top lieutenants (Rep. Tom Cole [R-Oklahoma]) actually just said federal UI should "come to an end".
Try arguing this to the over 2.3 million Americans struggling to survive because federal UI has been cut off for over three months. We bet they won't. Instead, they'll probably continue trying even more lame@ss excuses to spin away what the Senate just passed. What they still fail to recognize is that people can't pay our bills and/or buy groceries with spin. These unemployed Americans have been looking for work and continue to look for work. But until they find work, they need to survive. And simply cutting them off won't help these people survive, let alone find work.
What House Republicans looking to pass the bipartisan #RenewUI legislation that's already passed the Senate need to recognize is that they need to send a clear message to their "leaders" that ignoring reality is simply not an option. And while sternly worded letters are a start, they may not be enough to finish the job. If Speaker Boehner and his lieutenants continue to drown #RenewUI in their toxic "TEA", then the only way to rescue it will be a discharge petition. Are they ready to sign?
Monday, April 7, 2014
Stop Wasting Time. Just #RenewUI
Earlier today, we noted the inexcusable reality of House Republicans' stealth campaign to shut down any last chance of passing comprehensive immigration reform. We also noted their decision to instead focus on... Mindless crap. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Fierce) again took to the Senate floor to condemn House Republicans' latest time wasting gambit. And of course, he pointed out why they're so eager to waste our time (& taxpayer dollars).
As usual, the G-O-TEA Culture Warriors are taking their marching orders from the Kochs. And the Kochs just happen to love Rep. Paul Ryan (R-P90X), his austerity poisoned fiscal policies, and his willingness to subject the entire nation to manufactured crises in order to further the Kochs' radical ideological agenda.
Of course, the above mentioned G-O-TEA Culture Warriors don't like it when Senator Reid (or anyone else, for that matter) speaks the truth about their relationship with the Kochs. So they're now resorting to personal attacks on Senator Reid. And as always, they're running to the media and claiming victimhood in the most pathetic way possible.
Yet while the Kochs and their "TEA" powered ideological soulmates claim to be "victims" of people telling the truth about them, we now have over 34,000 Nevadans and 2.3 million Americans who have become real victims thanks to House Republicans holding federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension hostage. And we're supposed to be "OUTRAGED!!!" over Senator Reid speaking the obvious truth?
The Senate is set to pass its UI extension bill later today. Yet even with the Senate approving its UI extension deal, the lower House of Congress may still be nowhere near approving this deal. And why's that? It's still wasting time on legislation to hurt Paul Ryan's own constituents.
Once again, Senator Dean Heller (R) is asking his former House G-O-TEA colleagues to stop wasting time and join the Senate to #RenewUI already.
Perhaps the Kochs enjoy watching House Republicans waste our time & money on their ideological circle jerks, but the rest of us don't. We've already lost nearly $5 billion worth of economic activity thanks to the G-O-TEA's Koch addiction. Must they waste even more time & money while so many Americans suffer needlessly?
As usual, the G-O-TEA Culture Warriors are taking their marching orders from the Kochs. And the Kochs just happen to love Rep. Paul Ryan (R-P90X), his austerity poisoned fiscal policies, and his willingness to subject the entire nation to manufactured crises in order to further the Kochs' radical ideological agenda.
Of course, the above mentioned G-O-TEA Culture Warriors don't like it when Senator Reid (or anyone else, for that matter) speaks the truth about their relationship with the Kochs. So they're now resorting to personal attacks on Senator Reid. And as always, they're running to the media and claiming victimhood in the most pathetic way possible.
Yet while the Kochs and their "TEA" powered ideological soulmates claim to be "victims" of people telling the truth about them, we now have over 34,000 Nevadans and 2.3 million Americans who have become real victims thanks to House Republicans holding federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension hostage. And we're supposed to be "OUTRAGED!!!" over Senator Reid speaking the obvious truth?
The Senate is set to pass its UI extension bill later today. Yet even with the Senate approving its UI extension deal, the lower House of Congress may still be nowhere near approving this deal. And why's that? It's still wasting time on legislation to hurt Paul Ryan's own constituents.
Once again, Senator Dean Heller (R) is asking his former House G-O-TEA colleagues to stop wasting time and join the Senate to #RenewUI already.
Perhaps the Kochs enjoy watching House Republicans waste our time & money on their ideological circle jerks, but the rest of us don't. We've already lost nearly $5 billion worth of economic activity thanks to the G-O-TEA's Koch addiction. Must they waste even more time & money while so many Americans suffer needlessly?
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Overdue
So it finally happened. The Senate finally passed it. And the suspense should be over by now.
Of course, we're talking about the Medicare "Doc Fix". Because Congress hasn't been able to agree to permanently fix a glitch in the Medicare reimbursement law that was first passed in 1997, it's gone through this bizarre ritual of passing temporary "Doc Fix" bills to ensure doctors' compensation for treating Medicare patients doesn't plummet. But unlike previous times, this latest "Doc Fix" became the newest victim of...
You guessed it, the G-O-TEA's latest & greatest manufactured crisis! And surprise, surprise, Congressional Republican "leaders" tried to hold the Medicare "Doc Fix" hostage and demand ransom in the form of Obamacare repeal. Queue the eye rolls and guffaws.
As usual, G-O-TEA Senators attempted to cover their tracks by sharing "Obamacare HORROR STORIES!!!" Clearly, that blew up in their faces. And now that the Obamacare exchange is on track to meet its goals for the first quarter of 2014, enough Republican Senators agreed to let it go so Congress can finally pass a "Doc Fix" for this year.
To his credit, Dean Heller was one of the Republican Senators to break the logjam on the "Doc Fix". Also to his credit, Senator Heller has been one of the Republican Senators working on breaking the logjam on extending federal unemployment insurance (UI). Over 26,000 Nevadans & 2,000,000 other Americans have been left in a dangerous state of financial limbo for over 3 months. And these 2,000,000+ Americans have been left to suffer because of "TEA" tinged political games.
But now, the Senate finally looks set to pass a long overdue federal UI extension. Both Senator Heller & Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) support the bill, and it's expected to win at least 60 Senate votes this week. Yet even as the Senate inches closer to final passage, no one knows yet if UI extension will even have a House floor vote.
Even when House Speaker John Boehner (R) flew into town for a high dollar Wynn fundraiser last week, he refused to take any questions on UI (or anything else, for that matter). And even when Speaker Boehner has spoken up, only to say he wants to see more job creation, he's still standing in the way of legislation that can help create at least 200,000 jobs. And now that the Senate is on track to pass UI extension, neither Boehner nor his local lackey, Rep. Joe Heck (R-____), has uttered a peep about how they will respond in the House... If at all.
Why is this? Deep down, they and other House Republicans know that federal UI extension is just as overdue as the Medicare "Doc Fix". They must also realize that federal UI extension is just as overdue as that long ago promised "Republican alternative to Obamacare". Yet even as House Republicans look set to swallow the latest "Doc Fix", and even as they attempt to spin away the latest Obamacare news, they remain silent as over 2,000,000 Americans suffer.
UI extension is long overdue. Several Republican Senators know it. A host of economists know it. And far too many American families know it all too well. What will it take for House Republicans to accept this reality and end this unnecessary hardship?
Of course, we're talking about the Medicare "Doc Fix". Because Congress hasn't been able to agree to permanently fix a glitch in the Medicare reimbursement law that was first passed in 1997, it's gone through this bizarre ritual of passing temporary "Doc Fix" bills to ensure doctors' compensation for treating Medicare patients doesn't plummet. But unlike previous times, this latest "Doc Fix" became the newest victim of...
You guessed it, the G-O-TEA's latest & greatest manufactured crisis! And surprise, surprise, Congressional Republican "leaders" tried to hold the Medicare "Doc Fix" hostage and demand ransom in the form of Obamacare repeal. Queue the eye rolls and guffaws.
As usual, G-O-TEA Senators attempted to cover their tracks by sharing "Obamacare HORROR STORIES!!!" Clearly, that blew up in their faces. And now that the Obamacare exchange is on track to meet its goals for the first quarter of 2014, enough Republican Senators agreed to let it go so Congress can finally pass a "Doc Fix" for this year.
To his credit, Dean Heller was one of the Republican Senators to break the logjam on the "Doc Fix". Also to his credit, Senator Heller has been one of the Republican Senators working on breaking the logjam on extending federal unemployment insurance (UI). Over 26,000 Nevadans & 2,000,000 other Americans have been left in a dangerous state of financial limbo for over 3 months. And these 2,000,000+ Americans have been left to suffer because of "TEA" tinged political games.
But now, the Senate finally looks set to pass a long overdue federal UI extension. Both Senator Heller & Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) support the bill, and it's expected to win at least 60 Senate votes this week. Yet even as the Senate inches closer to final passage, no one knows yet if UI extension will even have a House floor vote.
Even when House Speaker John Boehner (R) flew into town for a high dollar Wynn fundraiser last week, he refused to take any questions on UI (or anything else, for that matter). And even when Speaker Boehner has spoken up, only to say he wants to see more job creation, he's still standing in the way of legislation that can help create at least 200,000 jobs. And now that the Senate is on track to pass UI extension, neither Boehner nor his local lackey, Rep. Joe Heck (R-____), has uttered a peep about how they will respond in the House... If at all.
Why is this? Deep down, they and other House Republicans know that federal UI extension is just as overdue as the Medicare "Doc Fix". They must also realize that federal UI extension is just as overdue as that long ago promised "Republican alternative to Obamacare". Yet even as House Republicans look set to swallow the latest "Doc Fix", and even as they attempt to spin away the latest Obamacare news, they remain silent as over 2,000,000 Americans suffer.
UI extension is long overdue. Several Republican Senators know it. A host of economists know it. And far too many American families know it all too well. What will it take for House Republicans to accept this reality and end this unnecessary hardship?
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Imagery
Apparently, once wasn't enough. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is back in Las Vegas today. This time, he's doing a fancy Strip fundraiser. And once again, he's refusing to do any media.
Hmmm... We wonder why. Could it be the troubling optics of doing a glitzy Wynn fundraiser while our Republican Senator, Dean Heller, & four other Senate Republicans demand he allow a floor vote in his chamber on the unemployment insurance (UI) extension bill that's about to pass the Senate? Perhaps that wouldn't be the best image to present to the media?
And oh, yes. That's right. It's finally about to pass the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) just filed for cloture. And he should now have at least 60 Senate votes for it.
So far, House Republican "leaders" have said they're "not worried" about UI extension. Are they that unaware of the over 2 million Americans (including over 26,000 Nevadans) who are suffering due to their intransigence? Are they that unwilling to end the unnecessary hardship of these people, many of whom live in their districts?
Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) should know better. He represents a wide swath of one of states hit hardest by the Great Recession. He must realize the economic impact of leaving over 26,000 Nevadans unable to pay their bills, buy groceries, and keep roofs over their heads. And he must realize how even more Nevadans will feel about the 113th Congress he's serving in should Congress go to recess without a House #RenewUI vote.
Lately, we've seen Republican "leaders" feign concern over their public image. We've seen them deliver flowery speeches on "fighting poverty". Yet when we compare their language to their votes, we find a huge disconnect. While they claim they want to alleviate poverty, they're promoting policies that worsen it. And their resistance to #RenewUI only further cuts down that "rebranded" image they're trying to present to us.
We really don't want to sound like a broken GIF. And we're sure you're doing this now. But really, this is the reaction we have when Republican "leaders" talk about cosmetic political imagery while failing to do something to alleviate the unnecessary hardship of way too many Americans.
And really, we couldn't stay silent on this when Speaker Boehner came into town to headline another swanky fundraiser while even our Republican US Senator is begging him (& Rep. Heck) to schedule a #RenewUI vote already. No really, that's some f**ked up imagery right there.
Hmmm... We wonder why. Could it be the troubling optics of doing a glitzy Wynn fundraiser while our Republican Senator, Dean Heller, & four other Senate Republicans demand he allow a floor vote in his chamber on the unemployment insurance (UI) extension bill that's about to pass the Senate? Perhaps that wouldn't be the best image to present to the media?
And oh, yes. That's right. It's finally about to pass the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) just filed for cloture. And he should now have at least 60 Senate votes for it.
So far, House Republican "leaders" have said they're "not worried" about UI extension. Are they that unaware of the over 2 million Americans (including over 26,000 Nevadans) who are suffering due to their intransigence? Are they that unwilling to end the unnecessary hardship of these people, many of whom live in their districts?
Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) should know better. He represents a wide swath of one of states hit hardest by the Great Recession. He must realize the economic impact of leaving over 26,000 Nevadans unable to pay their bills, buy groceries, and keep roofs over their heads. And he must realize how even more Nevadans will feel about the 113th Congress he's serving in should Congress go to recess without a House #RenewUI vote.
Lately, we've seen Republican "leaders" feign concern over their public image. We've seen them deliver flowery speeches on "fighting poverty". Yet when we compare their language to their votes, we find a huge disconnect. While they claim they want to alleviate poverty, they're promoting policies that worsen it. And their resistance to #RenewUI only further cuts down that "rebranded" image they're trying to present to us.
We really don't want to sound like a broken GIF. And we're sure you're doing this now. But really, this is the reaction we have when Republican "leaders" talk about cosmetic political imagery while failing to do something to alleviate the unnecessary hardship of way too many Americans.
And really, we couldn't stay silent on this when Speaker Boehner came into town to headline another swanky fundraiser while even our Republican US Senator is begging him (& Rep. Heck) to schedule a #RenewUI vote already. No really, that's some f**ked up imagery right there.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Cutting Sophistry
Even though they've failed before, they're about to try, try again. But can they actually succeed this time? Or will over 2 million Americans (including over 26,000 Nevadans) continue to be left in the cold?
It's been nearly 3 months since the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension lapsed. Since then, thousands of Nevada families have been enduring unnecessary hardship. And they, along with many more Americans throughout the nation, have been struggling to survive while the usual suspects on Capitol Hill fiddle around.
Earlier this month, the Senate reached a deal to #RenewUI. Yet as soon as the bipartisan backed Senate UI extension deal was announced, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Cointreau) quickly dismissed it. And last week, he pretty much declared any #RenewUI deal dead in his lower House of Congress.
But this week, Senators are moving forward with it anyway. And this time, even Senator Dean Heller (R) has urged Speaker Boehner to drop the excuses and cooperate with the Senate.
Will this bipartisan Senate pressure campaign work? First, we must wait & see how many votes the Senate deal will attain. Then, we must wait & see while the House works on...
Another G-O-TEA fantasy budget that not even House Republicans can agree on?! Really? Does he truly value Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Hunger Games) austerity fetish over the plight of 2,000,000+ Americans? (And will Rep. Joe Heck [R-Backbencher] really go along with this?) Perhaps so.
After all, House Republican "leaders" are still engaging in their most cutting sophistry while they're cutting so many Americans out of the chance to rebuild their lives... Or even survive. It's certainly the most cutting sophistry we've ever encountered. And for far too many Americans, it's cutting them into so much unnecessary pain.
It's been nearly 3 months since the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension lapsed. Since then, thousands of Nevada families have been enduring unnecessary hardship. And they, along with many more Americans throughout the nation, have been struggling to survive while the usual suspects on Capitol Hill fiddle around.
Earlier this month, the Senate reached a deal to #RenewUI. Yet as soon as the bipartisan backed Senate UI extension deal was announced, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Cointreau) quickly dismissed it. And last week, he pretty much declared any #RenewUI deal dead in his lower House of Congress.
But this week, Senators are moving forward with it anyway. And this time, even Senator Dean Heller (R) has urged Speaker Boehner to drop the excuses and cooperate with the Senate.
Will this bipartisan Senate pressure campaign work? First, we must wait & see how many votes the Senate deal will attain. Then, we must wait & see while the House works on...
Another G-O-TEA fantasy budget that not even House Republicans can agree on?! Really? Does he truly value Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Hunger Games) austerity fetish over the plight of 2,000,000+ Americans? (And will Rep. Joe Heck [R-Backbencher] really go along with this?) Perhaps so.
After all, House Republican "leaders" are still engaging in their most cutting sophistry while they're cutting so many Americans out of the chance to rebuild their lives... Or even survive. It's certainly the most cutting sophistry we've ever encountered. And for far too many Americans, it's cutting them into so much unnecessary pain.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Unnecessary Hardship
Last week, several US Senators announced a bipartisan compromise that would finally renew the extension of federal unemployment insurance (UI) if enacted. Senator Dean Heller (R) was the lead Republican negotiating a deal. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) quickly signaled his approval once the deal was announced. And the bill looked ready to pass the Senate.
Then yesterday, it died. Even before it could pass the Senate, the deal looked dead. And even though over 2 million Americans will be the ones suffering over this latest Capitol Hill SNAFU, the deal looks deader than ever.
And why's that? As usual, we can thank House Speaker John Boehner (R-FUBAR) for this. Yesterday, hepissed all over blithely dismissed the Senate's bipartisan UI extension deal by feigning concern over the very measures that Senate Republicans wanted in the bill. And of course, he offered the usual nonsensical excuses for why he won't let his lower house of Congress even vote on the upper house's UI extension bill.
So now, over 2 million Americans and all 50 states will be left to suffer. And it's all due to the lower house's G-O-TEA "leaders" refusing to let go of their agenda of nothing.
So far, over 26,000 Nevadans have suffered due to the lapse of the federal UI extension. Monty Kosta is one of those Nevadans. And he recently shared his story with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas).
This is why Reps. Steven Horsford & Dina Titus (D-Paradise) have signed a discharge petition demanding a House floor vote on UI extension. And this is why both of Nevada's US Senators, Dean Heller and Harry Reid, have urged House Republican "leaders" to show some real leadership in allowing a #RenewUI vote in their chamber. While some G-O-TEA politicians enjoy playing political games with people's lives, these people are experiencing unnecessary hardship due to these unnecessary political games.
While most of the rest of Nevada's Congressional Delegation have spoken out on UI extension, Rep. Joe Heck (R-??!!) has remained eerily silent. Why is that? He says he cares about job creation. So why not sign a discharge petition for bipartisan legislation that can end the unnecessary hardship crippling over 26,000 Nevadans while also giving our economy a much needed boost?
We (along with over 2,000,000 unemployed Americans) await his answer.
Then yesterday, it died. Even before it could pass the Senate, the deal looked dead. And even though over 2 million Americans will be the ones suffering over this latest Capitol Hill SNAFU, the deal looks deader than ever.
And why's that? As usual, we can thank House Speaker John Boehner (R-FUBAR) for this. Yesterday, he
So now, over 2 million Americans and all 50 states will be left to suffer. And it's all due to the lower house's G-O-TEA "leaders" refusing to let go of their agenda of nothing.
So far, over 26,000 Nevadans have suffered due to the lapse of the federal UI extension. Monty Kosta is one of those Nevadans. And he recently shared his story with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas).
This is why Reps. Steven Horsford & Dina Titus (D-Paradise) have signed a discharge petition demanding a House floor vote on UI extension. And this is why both of Nevada's US Senators, Dean Heller and Harry Reid, have urged House Republican "leaders" to show some real leadership in allowing a #RenewUI vote in their chamber. While some G-O-TEA politicians enjoy playing political games with people's lives, these people are experiencing unnecessary hardship due to these unnecessary political games.
While most of the rest of Nevada's Congressional Delegation have spoken out on UI extension, Rep. Joe Heck (R-??!!) has remained eerily silent. Why is that? He says he cares about job creation. So why not sign a discharge petition for bipartisan legislation that can end the unnecessary hardship crippling over 26,000 Nevadans while also giving our economy a much needed boost?
We (along with over 2,000,000 unemployed Americans) await his answer.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Quality Time
Earlier this month, NV-04 G-O-TEA hopeful Niger Innis fell into some very hot water over comments he made about making "the ultimate sacrifice" when he decided to run for Congress. Hello, when did a glorified paid vacation become "the ultimate sacrifice"? And what made this comment sound even worse was the reminder of his party's "leadership" committing to an agenda of nothing. So far, the only sacrifices House Republican "leaders" are making involve burning sound policy at the stake.
Wouldn't it be nice if these politicians (especially the "TEA" drinking ones) could learn about real sacrifice? Perhaps they should try following the lead of Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California). Last month, she spent a night in a homeless shelter. And instead of lecturing the other guests there on "moral values", she listened to the stories they had to tell. And she learned about the real sacrifices they had to make just to survive.
While Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) blames poor lazyblack people for poverty and extols the virtues of child starvation, he continues to neglect the reality of poverty in America. News flash: Poor people work hard. And those who aren't working can't find work.
Perhaps it would help if Rep. Ryan and other privileged Members of Congress take up Rep. Speier's challenge and spend some quality time with the underprivileged Americans who are bearing the brunt of the American austerity regime. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) did. During the holidays, he spent a day with a homeless constituent and followed him as he looked for work and housing. This person was caught in a "Catch 22" situation where he couldn't find a job because he didn't have a home... And he couldn't find a home because he didn't have a job.
This Connecticut man lost his unemployment insurance (UI) when Congress failed to extend it. Even when Senator Dean Heller (R) and a few other Congressional Republicans urged their colleagues to pass UI extension, those G-O-TEA colleagues tried to filibuster it to death. And in doing so, they made life that much harder for the impoverished Americans Senator Murphy and Rep. Speier recently spent time with.
We can't help but wonder if more in Congress would be more responsive to the real needs of America if they were to follow the example set by Rep. Speier & Senator Murphy. It's almost inexplicable to think that it's taken this long for Senator Heller to reach a potential deal on UI extension. And it's completely inexcusable to think that Senator Harry Reid (D) had to shame his & Heller's Republican colleagues until just enough of them agreed to #RenewUI.
This is the least we can do for those who have the most to lose. And it's too bad & so sad that so many on Capitol Hill fail to realize this. While they're cozying up to the Koch-topus of dirty money, they fail to notice their own constituents, especially the ones who may not have enough money to pay the rent and buy groceries.
We can't help but wonder what would happen if more of those G-O-TEA politicians were to step away from Capitol Hill more often to see how all the rest of us are living. Would it have taken them this long to realize what all of us knew from the start?
Wouldn't it be nice if these politicians (especially the "TEA" drinking ones) could learn about real sacrifice? Perhaps they should try following the lead of Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California). Last month, she spent a night in a homeless shelter. And instead of lecturing the other guests there on "moral values", she listened to the stories they had to tell. And she learned about the real sacrifices they had to make just to survive.
While Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) blames poor lazy
Perhaps it would help if Rep. Ryan and other privileged Members of Congress take up Rep. Speier's challenge and spend some quality time with the underprivileged Americans who are bearing the brunt of the American austerity regime. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) did. During the holidays, he spent a day with a homeless constituent and followed him as he looked for work and housing. This person was caught in a "Catch 22" situation where he couldn't find a job because he didn't have a home... And he couldn't find a home because he didn't have a job.
This Connecticut man lost his unemployment insurance (UI) when Congress failed to extend it. Even when Senator Dean Heller (R) and a few other Congressional Republicans urged their colleagues to pass UI extension, those G-O-TEA colleagues tried to filibuster it to death. And in doing so, they made life that much harder for the impoverished Americans Senator Murphy and Rep. Speier recently spent time with.
We can't help but wonder if more in Congress would be more responsive to the real needs of America if they were to follow the example set by Rep. Speier & Senator Murphy. It's almost inexplicable to think that it's taken this long for Senator Heller to reach a potential deal on UI extension. And it's completely inexcusable to think that Senator Harry Reid (D) had to shame his & Heller's Republican colleagues until just enough of them agreed to #RenewUI.
This is the least we can do for those who have the most to lose. And it's too bad & so sad that so many on Capitol Hill fail to realize this. While they're cozying up to the Koch-topus of dirty money, they fail to notice their own constituents, especially the ones who may not have enough money to pay the rent and buy groceries.
We can't help but wonder what would happen if more of those G-O-TEA politicians were to step away from Capitol Hill more often to see how all the rest of us are living. Would it have taken them this long to realize what all of us knew from the start?
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The Real "Joe Heck Scandal"
As of late, G-O-TEA politicians have been very eager to investigate phony nonexistent baseless bullshit "OBAMA SCANDALZZZZ!!!111111!!!!" And few have been as eager to waste time on investigate them as Rep. Joe Heck (R-Benghazi). Whenever asked, he's rejoiced responded that he's completely ready & able to investigate all these "scandals" to death.
Suffice it to say, this week offers an interesting turn of events for Rep. Heck. And why is that? Oh, some media personalities are now chortling over the new scandal involving Heck's campaign manager and the scene he created at a UNLV v. UNR basketball game in Reno.
Yet even as this scandal is cooking, some pundits continue to whisper about Heck's political future. Will he or won't he? Should he or shouldn't he?
With all this media buzz surrounding Heck's political team and political career, we can understand why some forget that he's still a sitting Member of Congress who's supposed to make critical decisions on a number of important policies. And with all the crazy that's come to define the 113th Congress, we can understand why many find it hard to believe that Congress makes any critical decisions on any important policies. Nonetheless, some important decisions seem to be flying under the radar.
One just happens to be the extension of unemployment insurance (UI). Since the federal UI extension lapsed in January, just over 26,000 Nevadans & 2,000,000 Americans have lost UI. And that means these families have lost a critical lifeline for survival. In the Senate, both Harry Reid (D) & Dean Heller (R) have been trying to round up 60 votes to pass UI extension in that chamber. And in the House, Reps. Dina Titus (D-Paradise) & Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) have both made #RenewUI a key priority.
Yet when we check @RepJoeHeck...
While Rep. Heck has been touting an education & workforce hearing he's bringing to Las Vegas next week, he's been supporting the very austerity regime that's hurt higher education in Nevada and elsewhere. And even as he's occasionally noted the economic struggles that remain in Southern Nevada, he's yet to offer any meaningful action. But now that House Democratic leaders are planning to start a discharge petition to #RenewUI, Rep. Heck now has a chance to match his words with concrete action.
So will he choose to act? Or will he choose more of the same austerity that's hindering economic growth? Believe it or not, this is the real scandal. The unnecessary suffering of all these American families, the unnecessary hit our economy is taking thanks to this newest "austerity bomb", is far more scandalous than any haute faux "OBAMA SCANDAL!!!" or idle 2016 speculation or UNR altercation.
So does Rep. Heck really want to raise all the fake scandals with a real one? Or can he recognize that it's long past time to #RenewUI?
Suffice it to say, this week offers an interesting turn of events for Rep. Heck. And why is that? Oh, some media personalities are now chortling over the new scandal involving Heck's campaign manager and the scene he created at a UNLV v. UNR basketball game in Reno.
Yet even as this scandal is cooking, some pundits continue to whisper about Heck's political future. Will he or won't he? Should he or shouldn't he?
With all this media buzz surrounding Heck's political team and political career, we can understand why some forget that he's still a sitting Member of Congress who's supposed to make critical decisions on a number of important policies. And with all the crazy that's come to define the 113th Congress, we can understand why many find it hard to believe that Congress makes any critical decisions on any important policies. Nonetheless, some important decisions seem to be flying under the radar.
One just happens to be the extension of unemployment insurance (UI). Since the federal UI extension lapsed in January, just over 26,000 Nevadans & 2,000,000 Americans have lost UI. And that means these families have lost a critical lifeline for survival. In the Senate, both Harry Reid (D) & Dean Heller (R) have been trying to round up 60 votes to pass UI extension in that chamber. And in the House, Reps. Dina Titus (D-Paradise) & Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) have both made #RenewUI a key priority.
Yet when we check @RepJoeHeck...
While Rep. Heck has been touting an education & workforce hearing he's bringing to Las Vegas next week, he's been supporting the very austerity regime that's hurt higher education in Nevada and elsewhere. And even as he's occasionally noted the economic struggles that remain in Southern Nevada, he's yet to offer any meaningful action. But now that House Democratic leaders are planning to start a discharge petition to #RenewUI, Rep. Heck now has a chance to match his words with concrete action.
So will he choose to act? Or will he choose more of the same austerity that's hindering economic growth? Believe it or not, this is the real scandal. The unnecessary suffering of all these American families, the unnecessary hit our economy is taking thanks to this newest "austerity bomb", is far more scandalous than any haute faux "OBAMA SCANDAL!!!" or idle 2016 speculation or UNR altercation.
So does Rep. Heck really want to raise all the fake scandals with a real one? Or can he recognize that it's long past time to #RenewUI?
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Agenda of Nothing
Who could possibly be proud of nothing? Who would boast of no accomplishments whatsoever? Who would dare to run a campaign based on nothing?
Apparently, Congressional Republican "leaders" would. No really, their agenda for the rest of the year is nothing. But then again, we've known this for some time.
Now, G-O-TEA "leaders" are admitting to the worst kept secret on Capitol Hill... And trying to turn it to their advantage. They're still trying to blame all their woes on President Obama, and they're still hoping they can demagogue health care all the way to victory this fall.
Why are they doing this? Why are Republican "leaders" vowing to do nothing for the rest of the year? And why do they think this "do-nothing guarantee" will be seen favorably by voters? Apparently, they think this will finally build "party unity".
So now, the truth comes out. The G-O-TEA obstruction agenda was never really about anything President Obama did, and it was never really about clearing space for other pieces of important legislation. It was all about trying to save face. And now, G-O-TEA "leaders" are trying to spin it into some "noble display of solidarity".
Give us a break. With so much still unsettled on unemployment insurance, job creation, immigration reform, civil rights, climate change, and more, Americans are not looking for a pretty face to be painted onto an agenda of nothing. They want action. And yes, some will even crash country club luncheons to make their disapproval of this agenda of nothing known.
So is it really a smart idea for Republicans to bet everything on an agenda of nothing?
Apparently, Congressional Republican "leaders" would. No really, their agenda for the rest of the year is nothing. But then again, we've known this for some time.
Now, G-O-TEA "leaders" are admitting to the worst kept secret on Capitol Hill... And trying to turn it to their advantage. They're still trying to blame all their woes on President Obama, and they're still hoping they can demagogue health care all the way to victory this fall.
Why are they doing this? Why are Republican "leaders" vowing to do nothing for the rest of the year? And why do they think this "do-nothing guarantee" will be seen favorably by voters? Apparently, they think this will finally build "party unity".
So now, the truth comes out. The G-O-TEA obstruction agenda was never really about anything President Obama did, and it was never really about clearing space for other pieces of important legislation. It was all about trying to save face. And now, G-O-TEA "leaders" are trying to spin it into some "noble display of solidarity".
Give us a break. With so much still unsettled on unemployment insurance, job creation, immigration reform, civil rights, climate change, and more, Americans are not looking for a pretty face to be painted onto an agenda of nothing. They want action. And yes, some will even crash country club luncheons to make their disapproval of this agenda of nothing known.
So is it really a smart idea for Republicans to bet everything on an agenda of nothing?
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Surrender
Last week, he expressed optimism. He was refusing to give up. And really, it's hard for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) to surrender a fight he's sure he can win.
But late last week, he came up one vote short. Even though Senator Dean Heller (R) and a few other Senate Republicans have called on their colleagues to renew the federal extension of unemployment insurance (UI), just enough Senate Republicans stood in line to block UI extension. Why? Apparently, they believe it's
"immoral" to help the 1.6 million Americans who desperately need this lifeline and undo the $1.76 billion worth of economic activity states have lost since the UI extension lapsed.
Instead, G-O-TEA disciples on Capitol Hill have been yearning for yet another manufactured crisis. This time, they wanted to try to skip the bill that they themselves agreed to late last year & again early this year. And since they either didn't remember or weren't bothered by the final result of their last manufactured crisis, they started hunting for the "sweet spot" of painful & unnecessary drama.
But now, that's all changed. Why? Someone must have encountered that pesky thing otherwise known as reality. And all of a sudden, House Republican "leaders" will allow a clean debt ceiling floor vote.
This week, the G-O-TEA has to surrender to reality. Republicans simply didn't have the votes for any ransom demand, and they didn't want to face another Shutdown Sh**fest like backlash. So now, the debt ceiling will be taken care of and the government will remain open. But then what?
That's a good question, yet we probably already know the answer. Since Republican "leaders" will likely face a "TEA" fueled rebellion over this debt ceiling surrender, they will then try to win the 'baggers back by vowing to block any & all other attempts at sane & rational governance. And that may very well mean they'll aim to kill the federal UI extension for good.
Here's why that would be an epic mistake. They already proved that the 'baggers aren't needed to pass legislation. So why not just pass the UI extension already and give our economy the boost it needs?
The federal budget deficit continues to fall, but economic inequality has yet to. And the few Members of Congress who have investigated for themselves know that poverty is still a serious problem in this nation.
So why hold up such a modest effort to curb extreme poverty? What's there to gain from letting millions of Americans needlessly suffer? We now know Congressional Republicans will surrender when they know they're guaranteed to lose another fight over unnecessary & ridiculous drama. So why not surrender this so that these Americans will no longer have to suffer?
But late last week, he came up one vote short. Even though Senator Dean Heller (R) and a few other Senate Republicans have called on their colleagues to renew the federal extension of unemployment insurance (UI), just enough Senate Republicans stood in line to block UI extension. Why? Apparently, they believe it's
"immoral" to help the 1.6 million Americans who desperately need this lifeline and undo the $1.76 billion worth of economic activity states have lost since the UI extension lapsed.
Instead, G-O-TEA disciples on Capitol Hill have been yearning for yet another manufactured crisis. This time, they wanted to try to skip the bill that they themselves agreed to late last year & again early this year. And since they either didn't remember or weren't bothered by the final result of their last manufactured crisis, they started hunting for the "sweet spot" of painful & unnecessary drama.
But now, that's all changed. Why? Someone must have encountered that pesky thing otherwise known as reality. And all of a sudden, House Republican "leaders" will allow a clean debt ceiling floor vote.
This week, the G-O-TEA has to surrender to reality. Republicans simply didn't have the votes for any ransom demand, and they didn't want to face another Shutdown Sh**fest like backlash. So now, the debt ceiling will be taken care of and the government will remain open. But then what?
That's a good question, yet we probably already know the answer. Since Republican "leaders" will likely face a "TEA" fueled rebellion over this debt ceiling surrender, they will then try to win the 'baggers back by vowing to block any & all other attempts at sane & rational governance. And that may very well mean they'll aim to kill the federal UI extension for good.
Here's why that would be an epic mistake. They already proved that the 'baggers aren't needed to pass legislation. So why not just pass the UI extension already and give our economy the boost it needs?
The federal budget deficit continues to fall, but economic inequality has yet to. And the few Members of Congress who have investigated for themselves know that poverty is still a serious problem in this nation.
So why hold up such a modest effort to curb extreme poverty? What's there to gain from letting millions of Americans needlessly suffer? We now know Congressional Republicans will surrender when they know they're guaranteed to lose another fight over unnecessary & ridiculous drama. So why not surrender this so that these Americans will no longer have to suffer?
Thursday, February 6, 2014
There's More to This Story
We've seen the headlines. We've seen the studies. And we've seen the rankings. But is there more to this story?
The hard working folks at Vegas PBS and Clark County School District say there is. And they have slides to illustrate their side of the story. While the tale of public education in Nevada is often told as a horror story, the Vegas PBS presenters who came to visit the Henderson Democratic Club last night beg to differ.
Jami Miller dove into the nitty gritty of Nevada school rankings to demonstrate where there's been improvement in recent years. She also took a glance at where schools are improving the most... And where they're not. (Sorry, Michelle Rhee.)
And that wasn't all. Debra Solt then stepped up to talk about what Vegas PBS is doing to improve Nevada's economy. But wait, how might a PBS station be doing that? Sure, "Sesame Street" and "NOVA" are educational... But how do they strengthen Nevada's worforce?
It turns out that Vegas PBS has been working one one big GOAL since 2010, and that's to improve Nevada's workforce by providing advanced training courses and making them more accessible to more Nevadans who need them.
It's amazing to think of everything Vegas PBS & CCSD are doing in the community to build a stronger and better educated workforce. And it truly is what we need more of. If we're to ever free ourselves from our own prison, then we must break from the mistakes of the past and build the solid foundation we need for a brighter future.
It's just too bad we can only imagine what our public education system could do if it wasn't so "grossly underfunded". Just imagine what our public infrastructure could support & sustain if we actually kept it up. Instead of having to explain why we're "not really in 51st place", we could aspire to be more than just 36th.
The hard working folks at Vegas PBS and Clark County School District say there is. And they have slides to illustrate their side of the story. While the tale of public education in Nevada is often told as a horror story, the Vegas PBS presenters who came to visit the Henderson Democratic Club last night beg to differ.
Jami Miller dove into the nitty gritty of Nevada school rankings to demonstrate where there's been improvement in recent years. She also took a glance at where schools are improving the most... And where they're not. (Sorry, Michelle Rhee.)
And that wasn't all. Debra Solt then stepped up to talk about what Vegas PBS is doing to improve Nevada's economy. But wait, how might a PBS station be doing that? Sure, "Sesame Street" and "NOVA" are educational... But how do they strengthen Nevada's worforce?
It turns out that Vegas PBS has been working one one big GOAL since 2010, and that's to improve Nevada's workforce by providing advanced training courses and making them more accessible to more Nevadans who need them.
It's amazing to think of everything Vegas PBS & CCSD are doing in the community to build a stronger and better educated workforce. And it truly is what we need more of. If we're to ever free ourselves from our own prison, then we must break from the mistakes of the past and build the solid foundation we need for a brighter future.
It's just too bad we can only imagine what our public education system could do if it wasn't so "grossly underfunded". Just imagine what our public infrastructure could support & sustain if we actually kept it up. Instead of having to explain why we're "not really in 51st place", we could aspire to be more than just 36th.
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