Contact Your Senators...Health Care Now !...11/10/09

First Hurdle Cleared: House Passes Healthcare Reform! Fight Now Moves to the Senate; Keep the Calls Going...

Late Saturday evening the U.S. House of Representatives passed an historic healthcare reform bill by a vote of 220-215. The legislation contains the key provisions our union sought: a strong public option to increase competition and lower costs, requirements for employers to either provide coverage or pay into a system to ensure employees can get coverage, and NO TAX on benefits.

HOW THEY VOTED:

All Republicans voted WRONG (against the bill) except for: Joseph Cao (LA-2).



All Democrats voted RIGHT (for the bill) except for the following :: Adler (NJ-3), Altmire (PA-4), Baird (WA-3), Barrow (GA-12), Boccieri (OH-16), Boren (OK-2), Boucher (VA-9), Boyd (FL-2), Bright (AL-2), Chandler (KY-6), Childers (MS-1), Davis (TN-4), Davis (AL-7), Edwards (TX-17), Gordon (TN-6), Griffith (AL-5), Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL), Holden (PA-17), Kissell (NC-8), Kosmas (FL-24), Kratovil (MD-1), Kucinich (OH-10), Markey (CO-4), Marshall (GA-8), Massa (NY-29), Matheson (UT-2), McIntyre (NC-7), McMahon (NY-13), Melancon (LA-3), Minnick (ID-1), Murphy (NY-20), Nye (VA-2), Peterson (MN-7), Ross (AR-4), Shuler (NC-11), Skelton (MO-4), Tanner (TN-8), Taylor (MS-4) and Teague (NM-2).



Please Call Your Senators: The Senate will begin debate shortly on their version of a reform bill. Their bill is not as strong as the House bill. A key concern is that it contains a tax on benefits that needs to be removed.



1 - Dial Toll-Free, 866-203-4960
2 - Ask for your Senators. Note: Make two calls, one to each Senator.
3 - Tell him or her that you are a voter in their state and they need to:
Support healthcare reform that:



Has a strong public option, Ensures employers provide care or pay into a system to ensure everyone can get care, and Does not tax benefits. You can contact


Senator Lamar Alexander(R) Tennessee > http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/


and you can contact Senator Bob Corker(R) Tennessee > http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/ <


All other Tennessee elected officials may be contacted by clicking on the title of this article !

How Health Care Reform Would Help YOU !...11/10/09

Here’s How the House’s Health Care Reform Would Help You
by Seth Michaels, Nov 9, 2009

With successful passage of a historic health care reform bill this weekend, experts are weighing in on the benefits that the bill would bring to working families.
Maggie Mahar, a longtime observer of health care policy, says the progress Congress has made on health care is “astounding” and the House bill would move millions of families to less expensive, more comprehensive health care coverage, protecting them from medical bankruptcy, lifetime coverage caps and other consequences of our current flawed system. A study by MIT health care economist Jonathan Gruber suggests the changes in the House proposal will lower premiums by hundreds or even thousands of dollars for middle-class families who are looking to buy insurance.This legislation includes numerous benefits for working families, immediately and in the long term, whether you have insurance now or not: It will end the national scandal of medical bankruptcy—the number one cause of personal bankruptcy—by eliminating lifetime caps on insurer payments and limiting annual out-of-pocket costs. Medical bankruptcies affect up to 4,000 families every day in the United States—and 78 percent of them are fully insured.
It ends abusive insurance company practices, including the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions and “rescissions”—the practice of canceling coverage when patients file claims.

It provides subsidies to help middle-class and lower-income families afford coverage. Through an exchange, it offers people a wide range of choices of insurance, including a public health insurance option that competes with private insurers.

It narrows the “donut hole”—the gap in Medicare coverage for prescription drugs.

It creates incentives to increase the number of doctors and boosts funding for community health centers.

It allows young people to be covered by their parents’ insurance up to age 27.

It creates a new fund to help employers give health coverage to early retirees.

It provides for efficient, computerized medical records and other tools to streamline medical care and increase quality.

It cuts costs to the federal government as well as to families, reducing the deficit by more than $100 billion over the next 10 years—thanks, in part, to the existence of a public health insurance option, which lowers costs across the system.
Ad it’s fairly funded—through employer responsibility and a surtax on the very highest earners, not a tax on middle-class health benefits.

That’s a huge, historic win that will make a real difference in the lives of people of all ages. Here’s a two-page fact sheet that explains more.
Meanwhile: President Barack Obama praised the House members who showed courage in taking this critical vote.
Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and other reform supporters are thanking representatives who voted “Yes.” You can thank your member of Congress here. They showed courage by fighting against insurance companies and for working families—and they need to hear from you to know that they did the right thing.
And the Senate could begin debate on its own health care legislation next week.

District#8~Tennessee...Recent Votes...11/10/09

Recent Votes in District#8-Tennessee - That Affect You...

Recent Senate Votes:

Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (98-0, 2 Not Voting)The Senate passed this bill that would extend unemployment benefits in states with a jobless rate over 8.5% and tax credits for some homebuyers and businesses. The bill was sent back to the House for final approval. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Bob Corker voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (71-28, 1 Not Voting)The Senate completed its work on this $64.9 billion legislation funding the Justice Department, Commerce Department, National Science Foundation and related agencies and programs. The House and Senate will now go to conference to work out differences between their versions of the bill. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Bob Corker voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes:

Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (331-92, 9 Not Voting)The House passed this bill that would move the date credit card companies would have to comply with new credit card regulations from February 22, 2010 to December 1, 2009. The Senate has a similar bill, though it is unclear whether it will take action on either bill. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (403-12, 18 Not Voting)The House gave final approval to this bill extending unemployment benefits and tax credits for some homebuyers and businesses, sending it to the President. The President signed it on Friday. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (230-193, 11 Not Voting)The House passed this bill intended to bolster security at chemical plants. It now goes to the Senate.

Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Affordable Health Care for America Act - Vote Passed (220-215) On Saturday the House approved this health care reform bill by a slim margin. The Senate is expected to begin work on its own health care reform bill soon. Rep. John Tanner voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Editorial : Why Did our Congressman John Tanner (D) Blue Dog vote No on Health Care ? Stay in touch, John ! You voted against your District#8 !

Trusted groups AARP and Consumer Reports fight for healthcare
By Craig Newmark - 11/09/09

I've already praised Consumer Reports for standing up for Americans, taking on some really powerful and ruthless politicians. Now the AARP has taken up the fight on behalf of us, adding its voice.
Consumer Reports and AARP are two of the most trusted organizations in the U.S., having earned that trust, and they continue to earn it. I've been an AARP member for almost seven years, as the card shows. I'm hoping the expiration date on that card refers to my membership only ...

Lamar Alexander(R)Tennessee...Out of Touch...11/10/09

Alexander: Health Care Reform Should Lower Costs, Not Add to Debt...

November 7th, 2009 - WASHINGTON

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today released the following statement regarding the Senate’s upcoming consideration of health care legislation and after House Democrats passed a health care bill that will increase costs: "This bill is indeed historic in its combination of higher premiums, higher taxes, Medicare cuts and more federal debt. Millions of Americans will be forced into government plans when their employers stop offering health plans. I do not see how Tennessee can pay for its part of the Medicaid expansion without a new income tax or seriously damaging higher education, or both. "Health care reform is supposed to be about reducing, not increasing, costs. Instead of this 2,000-page bill, we should start step-by-step to reduce costs by allowing small businesses to combine their health plans, permitting individuals to buy insurance across state lines and reducing junk lawsuits against doctors."

Editorial : What a load of crap ! Remember, Senator Alexander is a business owner ! All the Republicans have is, buy insurance across state lines and passing laws so you and I cannot sue Dr.`s or The Health Care system. Senator Alexander, we know, who you are representing, and it is not middle class Tennesseans. Tennesseans just want what you have Senator, We pay for your`s ! The Best our Tax /Money can buy YOU !

H.R. 3962 ~ Health Care Reform...How did Your Congressman Vote ?...11/09/09

How Did Your Congressman Vote on H.R. 3962

Health Care Reform...

Thank you for speaking out and telling your Representative what you think of their vote on this historic health reform bill in the House of Representatives. Can you tell your friends about our tool, so they can find out how their Representative voted and contact them ? Click here to spread the word. Thank you, and keep up the fight ! You can reach Congressman John Tanner at >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

> http://www.house.gov/tanner <> I called Washington D.C. and informed his office, how displeased I was ! I also sent him a e-mail, saying the same thing. I encourage you to do the same thing !

Tennessee Congressman, Vote Against Health Care for Tennesseans !

Tennessee`s CongressMan/Woman, Vote Against Tennesseans !
With Exception of Steve Cohen(D) & Jim Cooper(D)

HealthCare Bill H.R.3962

By: Don Jones, District#8~Tennessee

Tennessee's`s Congressmen/Women by a vote of Seven (7) to two (2) voted against the Health Care reform bill S.R.3962 ! I`m sorry to report that our very own John Tanner (D), District#8, was among those who voted against Tennesseans, Along with Lincoln Davis(D) and Bart Gordon(D) Tennessee Republicans Marsha Blackburn, John J. Duncan Jr., Phil Roe and Zach Wamp ! The only Tennessee Congressman with enough guts to vote for their constituents was Steve Cohen(D) and Jim Cooper(D) ! Let me just say that the Republican`s, I was not surprised ! Marsha Blackburn, never met a millionaire she did`nt like ! Steve Cohen is a Tennessee Congressman after my own heart ! Jim Cooper, you too did the correct thing ! As for the Tennessee Blue Dogs, you screwed up. Evidently, our Tennessee Blue Dog coalition is so out of touch with their constituents, it is pathetic. I`m sorry, but this Health Care reform is not and should never be a partisan thing ! It is a matter of Life and Death thing ! Having said that. I`m so disappointed in our very own Blue Dog (D) John Tanner, in my District#8~Tennessee ! John, District#8 merely wants what we buy for you, affordable and Best Health Care that our money can buy ! You will have a chance to redeem yourself, I hope you reconsider and vote for Tennesseans ! If you will click on the title of this article, or the link below it will take you to >

> http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html <

You can contact your Congressman and tell them of your disappointment at their vote against H.R.3962 !

From Jim Cooper(D) Tennessee >

Thanks for writing to my office to express your views. Although I welcome your perspective, you may also wish to contact the member who directly represents you in Congress. Based on the address you've submitted with your letter, it does not appear that you are a resident of the 5th district of Tennessee. Please visit www.house.gov to find your representative and how to contact him or her. I commend you for your interest in the issues important to this nation and wish you luck in the future. If you believe you have received this message in error, please contact my Washington office at (202)225-4311 or Rep.Jim.Cooper@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely, Jim Cooper(D)Tennessee

Member of Congress

Cong. John Tanner, District#8~Tennessee - Votes Against Health Care Reform ! Tennesseans Lose Again...11/09/09

Tennesseans Lose Again !

Dear Congressman Tanner(D) Blue Dog ! 11/09/09

District#8~ Tennessee

I'm deeply disappointed to learn you voted against health care reform in the House. You took the side of the insurance industry. You turned your back on the American people.This is an historic moment, and the legislation in the House represents a broad consensus of various parties interested in fixing our health care system. The bill that passed in the House will make health care affordable, do away with insurance company abuses, lower costs, help small business and our economy, and bring real choice and competition to the marketplace.You will have another chance to consider this historic health bill when you vote on the Conference Report. As a constituent, I hope you will reconsider and cast your vote on my side next time.

Don Jones, District#8~Tennessee

Vice-President Joe Biden ~ Unions Needed to Build Middle Class

VP Biden : Strong Unions Needed to Build Middle Class
by James Parks, Nov 5, 2009

The nation cannot rebuild its middle class without strong unions, Vice President Joe Biden said today. Biden said he and President Obama believe it is impossible to grow the middle class without growing unions. Biden, who chairs the White House Task Force on Middle Class Families, met with a panel of scholars assembled by the Center for American Progress (CAP) and Economic Policy Institute (EPI) to discuss the challenges facing America’s middle class in the 21st century economy. At the live webcast event, EPI President Lawrence Mishel said unions set standards in the workplace. Decent standards help ensure “employers are not competing to see who can make the jobs worst, but who can make the products better,” Mishel said. Heather Boushey, CAP’s senior economist, said unions are important for workers so they can approach employers about sharing the benefits of productivity and about the ways to have more workplace flexibility. And it can’t just be about one worker. These are challenges for everyone. I don’t think we can overestimate the important role of unions in building a middle class and what they can do if we help them grow again. Biden said middle-class life is much more fragile than it should be with families struggling to pay medical bills. In America today, it is more than likely that both parents work long hours but find it harder to buy a decent home and send their children to college, he said. It’s not just about a paycheck, it’s about a standard of living. [It's about] any family that can’t afford to go without two paychecks in a row without finding themselves really up against it and having to make really difficult choices.The panel identified several trends that affect middle-class families, including a steady erosion of good manufacturing jobs, corporate attacks on unions, the growing economic role of women, the need for a work-and-life balance in today’s economy, economic inequality and mobility, and the increased gap between productivity and wages. University of Massachusetts professor Ralph Whitehead and Mishel pointed out that although U.S. workers are more productive and better educated than workers of previous generations, they do not share in the benefits of the economic growth that results from their efforts. Other panelists included Melody Barnes, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, and Jim Kessler, vice president of the nonpartisan think tank Third Way.

Seniors for Health Care Reform...11/07/09

Alliance Formally Endorses House Health Care Bill

On Tuesday, the Alliance sent a letter supporting the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, to all members of the U.S. House. The letter urges prompt passage of the health reform legislation, saying it makes important, positive changes in the health care needs of older Americans - none more important than Medicare improvements. “The bill closes the Part D doughnut hole coverage gap beginning in 2010,” said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Medicare beneficiaries will immediately see that gap closed by $500, in addition to 50% price discounts for name brand drugs for seniors in the gap until it is fully closed. The elimination of co-payments for Medicare preventive services is also a major improvement.” In addition, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, a position long advocated by the Alliance. Eliminating Medicare Advantage overpayments will extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund. Companion legislation to H.R. 3962 will improve how physicians receive Medicare reimbursements, allowing older Americans the ability to keep their choice of doctor. Many Alliance members are not yet Medicare eligible, and H.R. 3962 helps them as well. The provisions creating a reinsurance fund for retirees ages 55-64 and insurance reforms on age rating, the elimination of pre-existing conditions as a basis for denial of coverage, and the creation of an insurance exchange, as well as a public option, will all benefit pre-Medicare eligible retirees. Alliance members had the chance to speak with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about health insurance reform on a conference call on Thursday. In her remarks, Secretary Sebelius mentioned the Alliance’s work in support of health care reform and gave her thanks. That same day was a national call-in day for Alliance activists to contact Congress about health reform priorities. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) said she expects the House to consider H.R. 3962 during a rare Saturday session on November 7. She predicted a final vote would come about 6 p.m. All of the votes will have to come from Democratic ranks, since Republicans are expected to unite in opposition to the bill. In an analysis released Wednesday, the Congressional Budget Office said a separate GOP plan would reduce the number of uninsured by 3 million, compared with the Democratic bill that would reduce the number by 36 million.

Editorial : I suggest you contact Rep. John Tanner(D),(Blue Dog) District#8-Tennessee and inform him that you are asking him to help aid and vote for H.R. 3962 ! his web-site > http://www.house.gov/tanner <> If you do not live in the Congressman`s District#8, but do live in Tennessee, Click here > http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html <> I also urge you to call your Congressman/woman at > (call your Rep. at 202-224-3121)

AARP & Health Care...I Get Letters...11/05/09

Dear Donald,

The House votes this week on a final Health Reform Bill!

The bill contains a number of critical components that AARP fought for and that we believe will improve the health of our members and their families.
Click here to tell your representative to vote for the bill.
It's been months – even years – in the making. But this week the House of Representatives will vote on a final health reform bill that includes crucial provisions that will improve the health and lives of our members.That's why we've chosen to support the legislation about to be voted on by the House – the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Donald, we've come this far because you've taken action. Now, as we're facing one of the most critical moments in the fight for reform, your member of Congress must hear from you before the vote!

Click here to tell Rep. Tanner to vote for this bill – and move us one big step closer to making reform a reality.

I'll be the first to admit that the bill isn't perfect. But there are so many provisions that would make our broken system work better for older Americans, critical components that AARP fought hard for, such as: Ensuring seniors' access to doctors so they can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one; Preventing insurance companies from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of their health or their age; Saving seniors from having to pay thousands in out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs by closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or "doughnut hole"; and Ensuring that people who already have coverage through their employers, including retirees, don't lose that coverage. We know that opponents of reforming our health care system are stepping up their attacks in an attempt to derail this legislation. They will probably even attack AARP for supporting this bill. But this isn't about us. It's about improving the health and lives of our members. And, in the end it won't be the words of the television talking heads or the newspapers – or even AARP – that will ring in your member of Congress' head when it's time to vote tomorrow. It will be YOURS.

Tell Rep. Tanner to support reform and cast a vote to pass this crucial bill.

As we near the final, most difficult stages of this process, I will need your help more than ever. Thanks in advance for giving it all you've got.

Sincerely,
Barry Jackson,

AARP Online Advocacy Manager

Editorial : I sent my letter on-line to Congressman John Tanner, have you ?

Republicans Represent The Rich !...11/04/09

'Very, very close to zero' GOP`ers will vote for House health bill
By Molly K. Hooper - 11/04/09

Republicans will overwhelmingly reject the Democrats' healthcare reform measure when it is reaches the House floor, according to a key lawmaker. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), who serves as deputy GOP whip, told The Hill that the number of Republicans supporting the sweeping legislation will be “very, very close to zero.” “I don’t know of a Republican out there advocating it," the lawmaker said. Every House Republican rejected the Democrats' stimulus bill earlier this year while eight GOP lawmakers backed the climate change measure that passed 219-212.Three centrist GOP lawmakers have told The Hill that they will likely vote against the Democrats' 1,990-page healthcare measure.Republican Reps. Mark Kirk (Ill.), Mike Castle (Del.) and Joseph Cao (La.) all say that without significant changes, they will oppose the bill.Kirk and Castle, who are both running for the Senate, were two of eight House Republicans who supported climate change legislation. Cao, who voted against the climate bill, is being targeted by Democrats in the 2010 cycle.Cao has said he would oppose a bill that does not have strong prohibitions against abortions. He says that the current bill does not meet his standard.House Democrats may amend the abortion-related provisions before the floor vote in an effort to attract more Democrats to support the bill.Castle said that he doesn’t trust the cost estimates of the Democrats' bill.He added, "I’m not sure that the public option is truly workable at this point.”Kirk said the Democrats' bill would allow the government to interfere in the doctor-patient relationship.

Editorial : Surprise, surprise . As if we did`nt know that Republicans represent BIG INSURANCE ! The Government will interefere with doctor-patient relationship, "ROFLMAON" ! These republicans are sick, or maybe it is just greed...You betch`a ! The GOP has no credibility. It would be a different if they could make their case on not supporting these bills. They are showing themselves as being ideologues and just wanting the current Administration to fail. They are not even considering what the American public may need.

Senate to Vote on Extended Unemployment Insurance

Senate Clears the Way for Vote on Aid for Jobless Workers
by Mike Hall, Nov 3, 2009

After weeks of obstruction by Republican Senate leaders, millions of jobless workers who have or who will soon run out of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may finally have a chance to grab an economic lifeline in the form of extended UI benefits. The U.S. Senate yesterday approved a procedural motion that clears the way to a vote on legislation (H.R. 3548) that would provide an additional 14 weeks of benefits to unemployed workers in all states and up to 20 weeks in states with especially high jobless rates.The Senate could vote as early as tomorrow, but a Thursday vote is more likely. Call your senators today and urge them to take swift action and pass H.R. 3548. You can call the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected to your senators or click here to find your senators’ office numbers. Since the U.S. House passed its version of the bill Sept. 23, some 7,000 unemployed workers a day have run out of benefits. The long-term jobless rate is at its highest level since 1981 and more than a million jobless workers will run out of benefits by year’s end without action. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said when he attempted to bring the UI bill to the floor shortly after it passed the House, Republicans decided they would rather fight a partisan fight than help unemployed men and women in their own states. They decided to make a political statement by demanding completely irrelevant amendments, amendments that have absolutely nothing to do with unemployment specifically or even the economy generally. And they decided that that political statement was more important than helping their constituents afford to pay their bills. That’s wrong, and it’s an outrage.
I am deeply disappointed in the way Republicans have shown a complete lack of regard for the people behind those staggering numbers.While workers anxiously wait for an average unemployment check of $292 a week, the same Republican lawmakers who have slowed the bill, are in no hurry to rein in bailed banks that are using billions of taxpayers’ dollars to give to their CEOs and other executives bonuses or to fight financial industry reforms. They have strongly criticized Obama administration efforts to stop the tax-dollar-funded excessive bonuses and other banking reforms.

Editorial : You can call Tennessee`s two(2) Republican Senators, Lamar Alexander & Bob Corker, it probably will not do any good, but it can`t do any harm ! Or you can click on the title of this article. It will take you to http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html and you can e-mail them !

I Get Letters ~ District#8-Tennessee...Real Health Care Reform...11/04/09

Don,

The House's first full vote on health reform legislation may come as early as this week. It'll be the first time in more than 60 years that the full body votes on comprehensive reform, and we expect it to be very close. But with just a few days before the vote, the insurance industry and their allies are putting extraordinary pressure on every representative to defeat it. We know that their expensive lobbyists will be dashing to each congressional office, attempting to twist arms. The only question is whether the phones will be ringing off the hook with constituents supporting reform while that happens. Can you call your representative right now and tell them to vote in favor of real health insurance reform? Then, click here to report your call. According to our records, you live in

Tennessee's 8th congressional district.

Please call: Rep. John Tanner at 202-225-4714

(Not your representative? Click here to look yours up.)The House bill incorporates the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans to guarantee security and stability for those with insurance, provide affordable options for those without -- including the choice of a public insurance option -- and reduce costs for families and small businesses, all while decreasing the deficit.Many representatives are standing with the President and fighting hard for reform. They need to know that they have our thanks and our support. And we need to remind the rest of Congress that Americans need them to rise above partisan divides and stand up to the special interests. Please call: http://my.barackobama.com/HouseVote It's down to the wire. Your hard work helped bring us to this historic moment. Now let's bring it home.

Editorial : I called and encouraged Congressman Tanner to help aid and support Real Health-Care Reform ! Have YOU ?

District#8~Tennessee - Recent Votes...11/03/09

Recent Senate Votes :

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (72-28)The Senate gave final approval to this $32.3 billion bill funding the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for the 2010 fiscal year. The bill also includes a continuing resolution funding government operations through December 18, 2010 as 7 of the 12 annual spending bills remain to be completed. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Bob Corker voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes :

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (247-178, 7 Not Voting)The House passed this $32.3 billion bill funding the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for the 2010 fiscal year. The bill also includes a continuing resolution funding government operations through December 18, 2010 as 7 of the 12 annual spending bills remain to be completed. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (389-32, 11 Not Voting)This House bill would reauthorize several Small Business Administration loan programs. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes :

Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 - H.R.3548 The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill that would extend unemployment benefits in states with a jobless rate over 8.5%.

___________________________________________________________________

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.2847 The Senate may return to this $64.9 billion legislation funding the Justice Department, Commerce Department, National Science Foundation and related agencies and programs.

___________________________________________________________________

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.3082 The Senate may also take up this $133.9 billion bill funding military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

___________________________________________________________________

Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 - H.R.3639 This House bill would move the date credit card companies would have to comply with new credit card regulations from February 22, 2010 to December 1, 2009.

____________________________________________________________________

Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 - H.R.2868 The House is scheduled to work on this bill intended to bolster security at chemical plants.

___________________________________________________________________

Affordable Health Care for America Act - H.R.3962 The House is expected to begin debate on health care reform this week.

__________________________________________________________________

The Great Connection ~ Wal-Mart & China...11/02/09

The Emma Maersk (part of a Danish shipping line).

What a ship....no wonder 'Made in China ' is displacing North American goods big time. This monster transports goods across the Pacific in about 5 days!!! This is how Wal-Mart gets it's stuff from China . 15,000 containers and a 207' deck beam! The crew-size: 13 people on a ship longer than a US aircraft carrier (which has a crew of 5,000). Notice that 207' beam means it cannot fit through the Panama or Suez Canals . It is strictly transpacific. Cruise speed: 31 knots.. The goods arrive 4 days before the typical container ship (18-20 knots) on a China -to- California run. So this behemoth is hugely competitive when carrying perishable goods..The ship was built in five sections. The sections floated together and then welded. The command bridge is higher than a 10-story building and has 11 cargo crane rigs that can operate simultaneously. Additional info: Country of origin - Denmark Length - 1,302 ft Width - 207 ft Net cargo - 123,200 tons Engine - 14 cylinders in-line diesel engine (110,000 BHP) Cruise Speed - 31 knots Cargo capacity - 15,000 TEU (1 TEU = 20 cubic feet) Crew - 13 people First Trip - Sept. 08, 2006 Construction cost - US $145,000,000+ Silicone painting applied to the ship bottom reduces water resistance and saves 317,000 gallons of diesel per year. Editorial Comment ! A recent documentary in late March on the History Channel noted that nearly all of these containers are shipped back to China , EMPTY. Yep, that's right. We send nothing back on most of these ships. What does that tell you about the current financial state of this country ? Just keep buying those imported goods (mostly gadgets) until you run out of money. Then wonder what the cause of unemployment (maybe your job) in the U.S. and Canada might be? I believe it is time to start shopping somewhere besides WalMart.
LOOK FOR MADE IN AMERICA. We can do it if we stick together. American Made Only.

Editorial : Thanks to Buddy for this ! Ya Think Wal-Mart is your friend ? I think not !

Real Health Care Reform ~ Call Today !...11/02/09

Make the Call for REAL Health Care REFORM Today !

Healthcare reform legislation is finally moving forward in Congress. Key decisions about the shape of the final bill are being made right now, and our legislators need to understand that reform must be meaningful and not add any burdens to the middle class in order to be successful. Please weigh in with our legislators on three key issues for healthcare reform. First, we need a strong public health insurance option. A public option inserts much-needed competition into the healthcare market to drive down costs and provide consumers with an alternative to the private-run plans currently available. Second, employers need to provide healthcare or pay into a system that will help ensure everyone is covered. And, third, we do not want our benefits to be taxed as part of any reform plan. We’re already paying too much for healthcare!

Action Instructions:

1 - Dial Toll-Free, 866-203-4960.

2 - Ask for your Senators and Representative. Note: Make three calls total, one to each Senator and one to your Representative. You can call all three on the same day, or spread the calls out over a couple of days. The important thing is that each person gets the message!

3 - Tell him or her that you are a voter and they need to:
Support healthcare reform that:
Has a strong public option,
Ensures employers provide care or pay into a system to ensure everyone can get care, and Does not tax benefits.

Rush Limbaugh ~ The Greatest Showman on Earth !...11/01/09

Rush Limbaugh A Dangerous Showman !

Limbaugh = Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Baily !

By Don Jones

I have purposely not written about Showman Rush Limbaugh, WHY ? I have watched his interview on Fox news this morning. He is a SHOWMAN ! One thing he is not, is a political guru ! He puts on a SHOW ! The Problem is that to some people, he is their actual source of political news, and that is dangerous ! I watch wrestling (rasslin) but, I do not for one minute believe it ! Wrestling is on occasion, entertaining. Limbaugh is not a person of integrity, he is after ratings ! He makes more money the higher his ratings. Thus, he is/wants to be controversial. If he can`t create a controversy, no ratings. Having said all of this, this will be my last words on Limbaugh ! It/He is a waste of my time and yours, unless you just want to be amused...? Glen Beck...Ditto !

Senator Jon Kyl(R)Arizona...Hipocrite...You Bet...10/31/09

Senator Jon Kyl (R) Arizona...More Brass than a Monkey !

Rep. Weiner, Seniors Tell GOP Public Option Opponents to Give Up Their Medicare Last Thursday, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) revealed that 151 members of the House and Senate presently accept government-funded and administered single-payer health care - Medicare. Weiner requested that the 55 of the 151 members who fervently oppose a public option in the health insurance reform bill relinquish their Medicare benefits. Today, seniors in Arizona are calling out Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) for accepting Medicare benefits but opposing a public option for Arizonans. They are gathering in front of Kyl's Phoenix office in Halloween costumes, telling him that it is inappropriate to receive Medicare and fight against a public option.

Editorial : You really must have brass to be a complete hypocrite, Senator Jon Kyl (R) Arizona...Shame on YOU !

Republicans Have Become the Enemy !...10/30/09

Tanker Contract: Corporate Serfdom or Quality Jobs?
by Tula Connell, Oct 29, 2009

Corporate serf masters: Same tactics, no matter what the century.

The governors of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama are pushing the U.S. Defense Department to award in 2010 a $35 billion to $40 billion tanker contract to European-owned EADS/Airbus rather than U.S.-based Boeing Corp. In doing so, Republican Govs. Haley Barbour, Bobby Jindal and Bob Riley are seeking to pit worker against worker, North against South, as a ploy to cover what’s really at stake: family-supporting jobs. See, these governors loooove job creation in their states—as long as those jobs don’t pay much. Or offer affordable health insurance and retirement security. And especially as long as those jobs aren’t union. If Boeing is awarded the contract for the refueling tanker aircraft, 44,000 family-supporting production jobs will be created across the country. In contrast, the few thousand jobs created under an EADS contract would be low-paid assembly jobs with no union protection. In announcing a new alliance to lobby for the Europeans to win the tanker contract, Barbour made clear what’s really at stake for this set of anti-worker politicians: Killing union jobs because unions are the best defense against the type of corporate serfdom these latter-day peasant-masters want to perpetuate. At this week’s launch of the Aerospace Alliance, Barbour said that if the Gulf Coast site is chosen, you don’t have to worry about [workers] being out on strike when America needs them. The Republican governors’ divide-and-conquer tactic has been used time and again by anti-union management: Create division between workers so they will not join in solidarity against the real threat—corporate puppet masters and their political puppets.
In the short-term, the tanker contract is about jobs. But it’s also about the future of the nation’s economy. Unless production-related employment in the United States is increased, our nation will sink further behind the industrialized world in research and development and the high-level involvement in manufacturing that propelled our economy to the top. Granting the tanker contract to Boeing is a step toward returning critically needed production jobs to the United States. And it’s a step away from the corporate-serfdom fantasized by corporate-bought lawmakers.
This is a cross-post from the Firedoglake blog.

Editorial : How can these poor states of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama...keep electing Republicans...WAKE UP SOUTH ! As far as this writer is concerned, these Governors are enemy`s of America !

U.S. House of Representatives ~ Bill on Health Care

Congressman Jason Altimire Pennsylvania 4th. District

Dear Friends,

Today, a revised health care reform bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.In order to give you the opportunity to review and comment on the House health care reform bill before Congress votes on it, I have added a link on my website to the text of this legislation. To read the text of this bill, you can either click here or go to www.altmire.house.gov and click on the box entitled “Read the Bill: Health Care Reform.”After taking a look at the new bill, I hope that you will contact me so that I may have the benefit of hearing your views leading up to the House vote. I appreciate your insight throughout this process and greatly value your input and advice. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the revised bill.

Sincerely,
Jason Altmire(D), Congressman 4th. District Pennsylvania

Editorial : Thanks to Mike Stanley for this !

Senior to Senior`s Healthcare...10/30/09

Get the Word Out About Health Reform with a New 2-Minute Video for Retirees! A video from Seniors to Seniors (www.seniorstoseniors.org), a coalition of aging groups including the Alliance, shows how health reform will improve Medicare. The video, featuring Alliance state and national leaders Phil Feaster and Judy Cato, is available to you free by turning on your computer's speakers and going to: http://ara.typepad.com/blog/2009/10/seniors-to-seniors.html.

Editorial : I urge you to watch these video`s ! I`m a Senior, I highly recommend this ! We have a pretty good medicare plan. I want us to keep and improve it. Especially the Prescription Drug plan.

Social Security & COLA ~ I Get Letters~Senator Bob Corker(R) Tennessee

Letter (#1)

Dear Don,

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office regarding your support for a Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in 2010. Your input is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts. I understand your concern for your Social Security income, especially during these difficult economic times. You may know that the COLA for Social Security is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and that this formula has been in use since the early 1980s. Depending on economic growth or shrinkage and the rate of inflation, the COLA may increase or decrease year to year. For 2009, Social Security recipients received a 5.8% COLA increase, a historically high COLA due in part to high energy prices in 2008. The Social Security Administration has determined that there will be no COLA for 2010 and possibly for 2011 due to a relatively unchanged CPI. This is in part due to the financial crisis and economic downturn. By law, Social Security payments cannot go down even if the CPI goes down; however, it is possible that they will not increase. I know that millions of Americans rely on Social Security benefits to meet their financial needs, and therefore we must balance whatever action is taken with the need to ensure that Social Security is financially solvent so that it will be there for seniors in the years to come. There is no doubt in my mind that there will soon be much further discussion on this critically important issue. The insight and information you have given here will certainly help my staff and me more effectively look into this issue, and I thank you for your input. Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me as I serve you in the United States Senate.

Sincerely,

Bob Corker(R)Tennessee

United States Senator

___________________________________________________________________

Letter (#2)

Dear Don,

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA). Your input is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts. Like many Tennesseans, I am frustrated with our economic situation. I believe in our free market economy, and at the same time, I understand there are problems with the rules and regulation by which our financial markets operate. As you know, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency was a part of the Administration's recently proposed plan for financial services regulatory reform. As a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, I agree that our financial services regulatory structure needs to be thoroughly examined to ensure that the appropriate regulators have the tools necessary to fulfill their goals and protect consumers. At the same time, when a new financial regulatory agency is created, it is important that Congress fully debate and understand the impacts that it will have on our financial markets. I cannot support the CFPA in its current form, however I will be working with my colleagues to strengthen this legislation to help protect consumers, while not dictating which products which consumers can and cannot purchase. Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me as I serve you in the United States Senate.

Sincerely,

Bob Corker (R)

United States Senator Tennessee

COLA & Social Security...10/29/09

Take Action On Social Security

Earlier this month the Social Security Administration announced that for the first time in 35 years, seniors are not expected to receive a Cost-Of-Living Adjustment, the yearly increase that helps them make ends meet and keep up with rising prices. This is a serious problem and unless Congress acts, millions of seniors will see their checks stay the same – or even decrease – while the costs of health care, including prescription drugs, continue to skyrocket. Click on the link below.

Tell Congress to act fast to make sure seniors get the Social Security relief they need next year!

I Get Letters ~ AFL-CIO ~ Health Care...10/29/09

Health Care Reform ~ Life Saving Matters...

Dear Don,

I was talking to a lobbyist a few days ago, and I asked him how many times he tried to meet with each of his target legislators. He immediately burst out laughing. Why? Because he tries to meet with each of them as many times as he can. We need to do the same thing. If you’ve written a letter to your senators and representative already about why we need real health care reform, we need you to write another one. If you’ve written two letters to your senators and representatives about why we need real health care reform, we need you to write another one.One letter is not enough. Two letters are not enough. No matter how many letters you’ve written, we need you to write more. Relentless. That’s what the lobbyists are. Relentless in their pursuit of corporate interests. We must be relentless, too. We cannot stop. We cannot rest. We must continue to fight for reform. Write a letter today. Write a letter tomorrow. It is our time. Without a relentless effort by every one of us, we won’t win real health care reform with a strong public health insurance option to lower costs, reform that doesn’t tax our benefits, reform that will require employers to pay their fair share. Write a letter today. And get ready to write more letters next week. Momentum is on our side, but the lobbyists for Big Business and the insurance companies aren’t letting up. We can and will win with your help.

P.S. It really does matter. We keep hearing from members of Congress about the letters they are receiving. Keep ‘em coming. Write your senators and representatives today.

Editorial : I urge you to write a letter to your representatives = Senators and Congressman. Here is what I wrote. > Health Care reform is vital to saving lives, all Americans deserve good health care. not only will it reform health care, but, also health insurance. I urge you to help aid and assist this endeavor.

I Get Letters ~ Democrats.com/ ...10/28/09

Health-Care...We Need a Public Option...

Dear Don,

After months of debate, an overwhelming majority of Americans support a "robust public option" similar to Medicare. And thanks to the heroic efforts of progressive activists, we have almost enough votes in the Senate and House to pass it.
The Democratic majorities in the Senate (60/40) and the House (258/177) are large enough to pass a "public option" even with no Republican support. But a handful of conservative "Democrats" are blocking the will of the Democratic majority. These conservative "Democrats" refuse to listen to the Democratic voters who elected them. That means it's up to our Democratic leaders - Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and President Obama - to persuade them.
Join the Democratic Donor Strike for a Robust Public Option: Click on...>

http://www.democrats.com/donor-strike-for-public-option?cid=ZGVtczIwOTY1NGRlbXM%3D

Joe Lieberman is Taking Care of Joe Lieberman...10/28/09

Posted: October 28, 2009 09:50 AM

Is Anybody Still Surprised by Joe Lieberman ?

Joe Lieberman's latest announcement that he will vote against cloture for a health care bill that includes the public option should surprise nobody, as Lieberman, in recent years, has demonstrated that his ideological home is no longer in the Democratic Party. Lieberman has also shown once again that he gets a lot more attention and a higher profile by being a Democrat and taking these positions. While he is no longer viewed as a voice of moderation, maturity and sound judgment from within the Democratic Party, as was frequently the case in the late 1990s, he is still in a stronger bargaining position, and a media favorite, because he is a Democrat. By wavering between the two parties while never fully abandoning the Democratic Party, Lieberman has made himself far more important than he should be. If he were to formally switch parties, he would suddenly be of little interest to the Republicans as he would be just another member of the minority who would probably be suspect because his right wing credentials would not be strong enough for the Limbaugh-Palin wing of the party. Switching parties would also mean that the Democrats would finally stop courting him on the foolish hope that he will act like a Democrat when it really matters. More accurately speaking, if Lieberman were a Republican, and run that way in 2006, he would not be a senator. That Lieberman still has any power in Washington is a tribute to the failings of the Democratic Party in recent years. It was only three years ago when Lieberman, seeking his fourth senate term encountered a primary challenge from political neophyte Ned Lamont. Lamont's candidacy was based on the notion that Lieberman, due to his support of much of President Bush's program including the war in Iraq, had been too conservative for too long and was no longer fit to be the standard bearer of the Democratic Party of Connecticut. This rather reasonable premise seemed to outrage much of the Democratic members of the senate as Senators Schumer, Clinton, Dodd and other prominent Democrats, including the then junior senator from Illinois, rushed to support the embattled Lieberman in the primary. Support for Lieberman from Democrats was one of those moments where Democratic senators showed that membership in the club was far more important than a silly thing like consistently taking positions against most of the party or supporting an unpopular Republican President as he dug the country into an ever deeper hole.The decision of so many leaders of the Democratic Party to support a senator who while opposing most of the party on an increasing number of important issues, was still a colleague and, presumably, a friend, was a mistake, but that mistake was compounded by the failure of any of these prominent Democrats to insist that Lieberman back the winner of the primary before agreeing to support him in that primary. This kind of agreement is very common in primaries and one of the things which helps hold the party together. By not demanding this as a condition for their endorsement, all these Democratic leaders opened the doors for Lieberman, after losing the primary to Lamont, to continue to contest the general election. Most of those prominent Democrats endorsed Lamont after he won the primary, but because they had not done their political work in advance, had much less leverage with Lieberman as they should have. Lieberman, of course, went on to win that election as an independent. He made this decision to oppose the Democratic Party nominee partially because he correctly assumed that win or lose there would be no consequences from the leadership of the Democratic Party for any of his actions. He was, of course, right as the Democrats welcomed him and even courted him as part of their efforts to retake the senate after the 2006 election. Since his election as an independent in 2006, Lieberman has successfully reinvented himself as every Republican's favorite Democrat, always available to endorse a Republican candidate, or support the Republican position on a piece of legislation, but somehow still managing to generate more media attention because he is nominally a Democrat. Lieberman, for example, repaid that senator from Illinois for his 2006 primary endorsement by endorsing his Republican opponent in the 2008 presidential election. It is astounding that as late as 2009, some still considered Lieberman a Democrat and believed that by offering him good committee assignments, Lieberman could be convinced to work with the Democrats on needed legislation. Lieberman's latest pronouncement makes it clear beyond a shadow of a doubt, what was clear to many a few years ago. There is no sense pursuing Lieberman's support or offering him any incentives because when he is needed most by the Democratic Party he can only be depended to abandon the party, its goals and its leaders. > http://www.democrats.com/joe-must-go?cid=ZGVtczIwOTY1NGRlbXM%253D

Editorial : Ever wonder how some of these guy`s get elected ? I wonder how Joe baby keeps his seat in the Senate. He takes care of one person, that`s Joe Lieberman.

GoodYear Third Quarter Profit ! 10/28/09

Associated Press

Goodyear 3Q Profit Surges, Shares Sink on Outlook

By THOMAS J. SHEERAN , 10.28.09,

CLEVELAND --

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s profit more than doubled in the third quarter, helped by cost-cutting, new products and lower raw material costs. But its shares plummeted on its forecast for lower operating income in its key North American market this quarter.The third-quarter performance disclosed Wednesday marked a reversal by Goodyear, which had reported $554 million in losses in the first six months of the year as the recession staggered the automotive industry, a key customer.The company, the biggest U.S. tiremaker, said it expects year-over-year global industry growth in 2010 and said its new products, especially high-end tires, and cost-cutting would give it the opportunity to capitalize on the opportunity."The strength of our brands and steady stream of new and innovative tires such as our branded fuel-efficient tires provided marketplace momentum and led a strong third quarter performance," said Robert J. Keegan, chairman and CEO. Analysts pressed company executives in a conference call on the company's outlook for its home North American market. Executives said the issues included fixed costs, seasonal sales trends and material expenses. "Overall the world's economies are showing increasing signs of recovery but certainly not as fast, as strong or as consistently as we'd all like to see globally," Keegan said in the call.
Goodyear shares, which had been up in premarket trading, tumbled $3.20, or 19.1 percent, to $13.54 in midday trading.The company earned $72 million, or 30 cents per share, in the July-September period compared with $31 million, or 13 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue fell to $4.4 billion from $5.2 billion a year ago.
Goodyear said it earned 45 cents before charges. That beat the 40 cents a share that analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected, on average. Analysts typically exclude one-time items from their estimates. For the first nine months of the year, Goodyear lost $482 million, or $2 per share, on revenues of $11.9 billion, compared with earnings of $253 million, or $1.05 per share, on revenues of $15.4 billion a year ago. Goodyear squeezed out $195 million in additional savings during the third quarter and has trimmed $540 million in expenses in the first nine months of the year. During the third quarter, Goodyear trimmed its global work force by 300 jobs and eliminated about 5,500 in the January-June period, passing the 2009 target of 5,000.

______________________________________________________________________

Goodyear Goes Flat, Excites Speculation Andrew Wilkinson, Interactive Brokers, 10.28.09, 03:40 pm.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber ( GT - news - people ): Shares of the largest tire producer in the U.S. plummeted 24.5% to $12.74 after the firm forecast an operating loss in North America this quarter. The dismal forecast overshadowed bullish third-quarter results wherein profits more than doubled to 30 cents per share on cost-cutting efforts. Option trading on the stock reflects the mix of positive and negative news on the company. Some investors purchased calls at the November 15 strike 2,700 times for an average premium of 80 cents apiece, while others sold 2,500 calls at the same strike for 35 cents each. Goodyear call-buyers are perhaps expecting shares to rebound ahead of expiration. Profits will accrue for these rubber-optimists if shares rally 24% to $15.80 by expiration. Conversely, call-sellers hope to retain the 35 cent premium received on the sale in the event that shares remain south of the $15.00 level. One other bullish sign for the tire company was the sale of 1,500 puts at the November 12.5 strike for 46 cents apiece. Put-sellers at this strike will retain the full premium received as long as shares trade above $12.50 through expiration day. Option implied volatility has surged 31% during the past week to reach 63% today.

I Write Letters~Senators Alexander & Corker (R`s) Tennessee

Message Sent to the Following Recipients:
Senator Alexander & Senator Corker(R`s) Tennessee

By Don Jones 10/27/09

Message text follows:

Dear Senator ;

Your recent vote against the S.1776, Medicare Physicians Fairness Act is appalling. You seem to forget that we seniors, most of us, do not have access to the great health care insurance we buy YOU ! In your vote you showed the contempt and lack of caring, if we die or not ! Please reconsider your vote and do not leave us seniors hanging in limbo, or worse yet, Just let us die. I realize, I `m asking that you stop being republicans for a while and be humans who care. I would just once, enjoy writing something positive about you !

Sincerely,

Don Jones

Don Jones sent this message via Congress.org, which uses the Capwiz·XC system. Congress.org is a free public service of Capitol Advantage and Knowlegis, LLC. You may access Congress.org here: http://congress.org

Health-Care & The Public Option...10/27/09

The Public Option is back!
By Peter Fenn - 10/26/09

After the sound and fury and uncivil action at town meetings in August, it looks as though level heads may prevail on healthcare after all.The public option is back because the attacks have been over the top and the facts have come to light, moving the ball forward. Now, 57 percent of Americans say they favor a government-sponsored healthcare option. Even 76 percent favor it for those who can’t afford a private plan. An incredible 73 percent of physicians favor the public option. Why the change? Why the rapid movement? First, the answer for members of Congress is “The Big Insurance Companies made me do it!” They should have kept their mouths shut and their heads low. Instead they are now the face of just who wants to stop reform … shades of Darth Vader rides again! Those poor, humble insurance companies just saw their profits go up 428 percent in seven years. Yes, just as your premiums were doubling over the last decade. They made $2.4 billion in 2000, and that skyrocketed to $12.9 billion in 2007. Now, just why wouldn’t the insurance companies love the status quo? The second reason for the expanding support is that many small businesses are coming aboard. They are seeing health insurance costs rise — from $4,500 per employee in 2008 to an estimated $5,500 in 2010. Forty percent of our labor force works in a small business, and a cost of over $2.4 trillion over the next 10 years will break their backs. Now that we know that healthcare reform will cut that bill by $855 billion, over a third, small business “gets it.” Finally, it is clear that reform is going to provide better care at a lower cost for more people than the status quo. All the talk about a “government-run program” is going up in smoke. All the projections about disaster just around the corner, socialism, death panels, rationing, are going the way of Halloween. Let’s hope that members of Congress rise to the occasion and pass a bill that takes us a big step forward to real reform.

District#8~Tennessee Recent Votes...10/27/09

Recent Senate Votes :

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (79-19, 2 Not Voting)The Senate passed the conference report of this $42.8 billion bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, sending it to the President. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Bob Corker voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009 - Vote Rejected (47-53)The Senate failed to garner the necessary votes to begin debate on this bill that would repeal the Medicare physician payment formula that results in annual cuts that Congress reverses every year. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Bob Corker voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - Vote Agreed to (68-29, 3 Not Voting)The Senate gave final approval to this bill authorizing defense spending, which also contains a provision that extends the definition of federal hate crimes to include crimes in which victims are targeted because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Bob Corker voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes :

Solar Technology Roadmap Act - Vote Passed (310-106, 16 Not Voting)The House passed this bill that intends to guide research, development, and demonstration of solar energy technologies. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 - Vote Passed (385-11, 36 Not Voting)The House approved this bill that authorizes $10 billion for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2010. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Editorial : As you can see, our two Republican Senators Alexander & Corker, voted against Senior Tennesseans ! Why ? The bill merely keeps what we have already.

Liz Shular, Secretary-Treasurer AFL-CIO

Shuler : We Need to Let Young People Know About Unions
by Seth Michaels, Oct 23, 2009

Nearly 300 young activists and students came to Washington, D.C., last week for the A Better Deal 2009 conference, and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler was on hand to let these young people know that the labor movement is here to fight for them. Sponsored by Demos and an array of youth and progressive organizations, A Better Deal 2009 looked at jobs, debt, education, health care and other issues facing young people in a challenging economy. The Electrical Workers (IBEW) were there as well and have a great new video on the conference and young people’s concerns about building a strong economic future.
Here’s what Shuler has to say on the need to make the union movement accessible, relevant and attentive to the next generation: I think now is the perfect time to reach out to young people, because of the economic devastation that we’ve been experiencing. I think young people have been disproportionately affected, and we need to connect the dots for them and make sure they know that the labor movement is the best answer to their economic troubles. They have in their minds that the labor movement is something their grandparents were involved in, but we have a lot to offer young people today, and we just need to educate them. To hear more from young people who attended the Demos conference, check out the IBEW at Daily Kos.

The Church, The Christian, and Politics ?

What Would Jesus Do ?

By Don Jones...10/25/09

It is Sunday morning, I have followed my usual routine, I`ve watched the Sunday morning news - talk shows. I then went to church. I have a fellow christian friend at church his name is, lets call him, Bobby, now Bobby and I are of the same persuasion when it comes to politics. We usually vote the Democratic ticket and we both love Tennessee football. We are both liberal thinkers. Now in some Church's liberal has become a political word, and not a good word at that. Where they get this, I have no idea. Now, I have another christian friend at my church, his name is, lets call him Joe ! Joe is of the conservative persuasion. now that`s alright, except, I`m not sure what a conservative right wing republican is, or if he is one ? I have found that most conservatives have come to a conclusion that if you are liberal democrat, that is a very bad thing. I do not believe their conclusion. There are some republicans, who believe that you cannot be a christian and be a democrat. I do not believe that. There are some Democrats who believe that if you are a republican, you cannot be a christian. I do not believe that. What would Jesus do ? I believe that Jesus would be a liberal. I believe he was a liberal. He cared about the poor and the oppressed. His ministry was among them. Jesus drove the money lenders from the temple ! He healed the sick ? He fed the multitudes/poor ! Now, if you do not agree with me, that`s alright ! I may not understand, why you do not ? But, that's alright too ! My point being that, if Christian's cannot disagree without being disagreeable, then no one can. Jesus loved/loves the believer and the lost. Can we do less ? I think not ! I believe our forefathers were probably more smart/intelligent than we give them credit for ! The separation of Church and Government is an absolute must. If you practice what you preach by example, that is all you must do. If Jesus loves the saved and the lost, are we to be so petty as to not love our fellowman ? I`m not saying that Republican`s are our enemy`s ! I`m saying we must love them, even if we disagree with them ! If we are to be examples of love and share our Christ, we must keep politics out of the church. Want to persuade someone to become a born again christian ? Do it by example. Not by political party. I`m a Christian and a Democrat. If you are a Christian and a Republican, I must love you and accept that fact ! I may disagree with your political philosophy. I still must love and accept you as a Christian. The next time you have a discussion with someone, who is of a different persuasion than you, try finding out, what you agree on. Then proceed to have social intercourse. I bet you will find out that you agree on more than you think you do ? ! "God Is Love"!

No, Lamar Alexander, Obama Ain`t no Nixon !...10/23/09

No, Lamar, Obama ain’t no Nixon
By Bill Press - 10/22/09

Hey, wait a minute. This is really getting nasty. It’s OK for Republicans to compare President Barack Obama to Hitler, but now they’ve gone too far. Now they’re comparing him to Richard Nixon. That’s over the line. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) was the first, accusing Obama of preparing his own “enemies list” because of critical comments made by White House aides about Fox News — and because, Alexander says, Obama’s not willing to work with Republicans.
Which is not only silly, it’s stupid. Obama doesn’t have an enemies list. Fox News has the enemies list. And there’s only one name on it: Barack Obama. And no Democratic president has done more to reach out to Republicans than Obama — only to be stabbed in the back, time and time again. Speaking of being stabbed in the back. Judd Gregg — yes, the same Sen. Gregg (R-N.H.) whom Obama once named Commerce secretary — that Judd Gregg then stepped up to the mic and, using a newly minted political smear, accused Obama of “Nixon-fying” the White House.Does Gregg forget ? Nixon broke the law. He would have gone to jail had he not been pardoned by Gerry Ford.No, Obama’s not “Nixon-fying” the White House, whatever that means. But Alexander and Gregg are “Beck-afying” the Senate. Like Glenn Beck, they sound like a couple of cry-babies.

Editorial : Poor ole Tennessee, we`re stuck with Senator Lamar Alexander(R). If that`s not bad enough, we elected Bob Corker(R) to represent us also. Geeze, how dumb can we be ? Wake up Tennesseans ! Don`t laugh Kentucky, you`ve got Mitch McConnell !

China Building Automobiles at a Rapid Pace...10/23/09

China’s Car Sales Rise 84% in September...2009

China’s passenger-car sales increased 84 percent last month as government stimulus measures and an economic rebound spurred demand. Sales of cars, sport-utility vehicles and multipurpose vehicles climbed to 1.015 million, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Car sales were up 90 percent in August. General Motors Co., the largest overseas automaker in China, more than doubled September sales from a year earlier to 181,148 vehicles. In the first nine months, it sold 1.29 million vehicles, surpassing its total for all of 2008. Volkswagen AG boosted nine-month China sales to 1.06 million vehicles, topping the 1.02 million it sold in the whole 2008.

Goodyear to Close Spartanburg plant

Goodyear announced Oct. 21 that it intends to close its Spartanburg, S.C. retread plant by the end of this year. The facility currently employs approximately 90 associates. The plant produces retread materials for commercial truck and aircraft retread applications. Spartanburg production will be consolidated into NAT plants in Social Circle, Ga., and Buffalo, N.Y.,
according to the company.

Democrats Seek Real Health Care Reform...10/23/09

Rally Today Against Insurance Company Greed, and Other Health Care News
by Seth Michaels, Oct 22, 2009

Today, health insurance industry bigwigs are meeting in Washington, D.C., to plot out their strategy to defeat health care reform. We’ll be rallying to show them that we won’t accept anything less than affordable, high-quality coverage for everyone. Here’s what else is happening in the fight for health care:
Health insurance companies, drug companies and their front groups have been breaking records in their fight to keep control over our health care, spending millions this summer on TV and lobbying in D.C. Senators are looking to rein in the insurance industry by ending the industry’s exception from anti-trust laws.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is taking the lead on fighting for a public option to compete with insurers. So is actress Heather Graham, in a great new ad by MoveOn. Thanks to the catastrophic loss of jobs during this economic crisis, some 4 million people have lost health coverage, Families USA reports.
Alliance for Retired Americans members Phil Feaster and Judy Cato join health care experts in a new video to explain why health reform will help seniors get better prescription drug coverage and preventative care. Supporters of health care reform aimed to deliver 100,000 phone calls to Congress on Tuesday. Instead, they made more than 300,000 calls. When an anti-reform “expert” came to Capitol Hill to claim that reform along French, Swiss or German lines would increase bankruptcies, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) set her straight. (Thanks again, Minnesota!) In Sacramento, Calif., hundreds of people showed up for an overnight vigil for health care reform that started Monday and ran through Tuesday, and health care supporters met Tuesday in Bakersfield as well. Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) has set up a new website to honor and raise awareness about the thousands who die from lack of health coverage every year.

Poor ole Wall Street ~ Sure it is ! lmaon...10/22/09

Why Wall Street Reform is Stuck in Reverse
By Robert Reich...

At a conference in London, a Goldman Sachs international adviser, Brian Griffiths, praised inequality. As his company was putting aside $16.7 billion for compensation and benefits in the first nine months of 2009, up 46 percent from a year earlier, Griffiths told us not to worry. "We have to tolerate the inequality as a way to achieve greater prosperity and opportunity for all," he said. Eight months ago it looked as if Wall Street was in store for strong financial regulation -- oversight of derivative trading, pay linked to long-term performance, much higher capital requirements, an end to conflicts of interest (i.e. credit rating agencies being paid by the very companies whose securities they're rating), and even resurrection of the Glass-Steagall Act separating commercial from investment banking. Today, Congress is struggling to produce the tiniest shards of regulation that would at least give the appearance of doing something to rein in the Street. What happened in the intervening months? Two things. First, America's attention wandered. We're now focusing on health care, Letterman's frolics, and little boys who hide in attics rather than balloons. And, hey, the Dow is up again. The politicians who put off Wall Street regulation for ten months knew that the public would probably lose interest by now. Second, the banks keep paying off Congress. The big guns on Wall Street increased their political donations last month after increasing their lobbying muscle. Morgan Stanley's Political Action Committee donated $110,000 in September, for example, of which Democrats got $43,000.
Official Wall Street PAC donations are piddling compared to the tens of millions of dollars that Wall Street executives dole out to candidates on their own (or with a gentle nudge from their firms). Remember -- the Street is where the money is. Executives and traders on the Street have become the single biggest sources of money for Democrats as well as Republicans. And with mid-term elections looming next year, you can bet every member of Congress has a glint in his or her eye directed at the Street. That's why the President went to Wall Street to raise money Tuesday night, gleaning about $2 million for the effort. He politely asked the crowd to cooperate with reform -- "If there are members of the financial industry in the audience today, I would ask that you join us in passing necessary reforms" -- but those were hardly fighting words. It's hard to fight people you're trying to squeeze money out of. Which is the essential problem. Ken Feinberg, the President's "pay czar" came down hard on executive pay yesterday, for those banks still collecting money under TARP, as well he should. But Feinberg isn't trying to pass new financial reform legislation, and TARP no longer covers several of the biggest banks with the highest pay and bonuses -- although they're still getting subsidized by the government with low-interest loans. Wall Street and the Treasury want us to believe that the TARP money will be repaid to taxpayers, but Neil Barofsky, the special inspector general keeping watch over TARP, said yesterday that just 17 percent of the TARP money has been repaid, and "[i]t's extremely unlikely that taxpayers will see a full return on their investment." Later he told a reporter that it's unlikely "we'll get a lot of our money back at all." Brian Griffiths, the Goldman international adviser who told us inequality is good for us, doesn't know what he's talking about. America is lurching toward inequality once again, led by the financial industry. The Street is back to where it was in 2007, but most of the rest of us are poorer than we were then -- largely due to the meltdown that occurred because Wall Street overreached. The oddity is that we bailed out the Street, including Griffiths and his colleagues, but apparently won't even be repaid. And now that Griffiths et al, knows his firm and the other big ones on the Street are too big to fail, he and his colleagues will make even bigger gambles in the future with our money.

Editorial : Wall Street wants it both ways. No scrutiny and BIG BONUS`S ! It`s Enough to make one sick ! Just send your money, tax-payers !

I Get Letters~Seniors Voted Against > by Senator Bob Corker(R)Tennessee

Senate Bill S.1776 is/was to Protect Seniors...Corker Voted Against.

Dear Don,

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office about S. 1776, a bill that would prevent Medicare payment cuts to physicians and eliminate the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. Your input is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts. I agree with you that the payment system for physicians is fundamentally flawed. The SGR formula has left every Congress since 2002 scrambling to prevent drastic pay cuts to Medicare providers, and I have continually expressed frustration that the health care reform bills before the Senate ignore the problem and continue to kick the can down the road. It's irresponsible and our seniors and the doctors who care for them deserve better. I have consistently voiced strong support for a permanent solution to the SGR dilemma and wholeheartedly believe it should be fully addressed - along with its cost.
However, I voted against S. 1776 because it is a dangerous and short-sighted bill that eliminates one payment model without replacing it with another and, most importantly, adds $246.9 billion to the debt piling up on future generations. In a 47-53 vote the Senate rejected moving forward with the bill.
According to news reports, the Obama administration and Democratic leadership in Congress offered S. 1776 as a way to buy the American Medical Association's (AMA) support of health care reform. While I understand the AMA's frustration with Congress and wholeheartedly agree that health care reform will not be meaningful without resolving this issue, I'm just truly disappointed that $246.9 billion in debt on the backs of our grandchildren is a price the AMA is willing to pay for any solution, whether it's a good one or not.
I assure you that I have been working to ensure that the flawed SGR formula is addressed in a permanently sustainable fashion in health care legislation. The insight you have provided here will certainly help my staff and me more effectively look into this issue. Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me.

Sincerely, Bob Corker,

United States Senator (R) ~ Tennessee

Editorial : Not only did Senator Corker vote against the Senior Citizens of Tennessee, he blames it on the Democrats, such hypocrisy is not sustainable. Wake up Tennessee Senior Citizens ! I have gone to Senator Corker`s site and e-mailed him the following e-mail ! You can also. Just click on the title of this article ! God, Save Us from our Two Republican Senator`s !

Dear Senator Corker; 10/22/09

Not only did you vote WRONG on S.1776...you tried to blame it on the Democrats ! You have put all Tennessee Seniors at risk ! Not only do I question your integrity and honor, I do not believe you understand the seniors problems at all ! Your thinking is fundamentally flawed.Please visit my blog at.... > http://wwwsecondchance.blogspot.com/ < = Underdog

Blue Dog Coalition ~ Democrats ?...10/22/09

Blue Dog Democrats in the House !

Blue Dog Leadership Team:

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD),Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration

Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy

Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-03),Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications

Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), Blue Dog Whip

Blue Dog Members:

Altmire, Jason (PA-04)

Arcuri, Mike (NY-24)

Baca, Joe (CA-43)

Barrow, John (GA-12)

Berry, Marion (AR-01)

Bishop, Sanford (GA-02)

Boren, Dan (OK-02)

Boswell, Leonard (IA-03)

Boyd, Allen (FL-02)

Bright, Bobby (AL-02)

Cardoza, Dennis (CA-18)

Carney, Christopher (PA-10)

Chandler, Ben (KY-06)

Childers, Travis (MS-01)

Cooper, Jim (TN-05)

Costa, Jim (CA-20)

Cuellar, Henry (TX-28)

Dahlkemper, Kathy (PA-03)

Davis, Lincoln (TN-04)

Donnelly, Joe (IN-02)

Ellsworth, Brad (IN-08)

Giffords, Gabrielle (AZ-08)

Gordon, Bart (TN-06)

Griffith, Parker (AL-05)

Harman, Jane (CA-36)

Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie (SD)

Hill, Baron (IN-09)

Holden, Tim (PA-17)

Kratovil, Jr., Frank (MD-01)

McIntyre, Mike (NC-07)

Marshall, Jim (GA-08)

Matheson, Jim (UT-02)

Melancon, Charlie (LA-03)

Michaud, Mike (ME-02)

Minnick, Walt (ID-01)

Mitchell, Harry (AZ-05)

Moore, Dennis (KS-03)

Murphy, Patrick (PA-08)

Nye, Glenn (VA-02)

Peterson, Collin (MN-07)

Pomeroy, Earl (ND)

Ross, Mike (AR-04)

Salazar, John (CO-03)

Sanchez, Loretta (CA-47)

Schiff, Adam (CA-29)

Scott, David (GA-13)

Shuler, Heath (NC-11)

Space, Zack (OH-18)

Tanner, John (TN-08)

Taylor, Gene (MS-04)

Thompson, Mike (CA-01)

Wilson, Charles (OH-06)

Editorial : Tennesseans ought to know !

Retirement Sucks ~ Richard Trumka ~ Telling it Like it IS !

Trumka: Retirement Security Promise Must Be Kept
by Seth Michaels, Oct 21, 2009

The ability to retire after a lifetime of hard work is not just an economic issue, it’s a moral one, said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, speaking today at the Retirement USA “Re-Envisioning Retirement Security” conference. Joining U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and an array of experts and leaders, Trumka took part in a conversation about the breakdown of the promise of retirement security and what we need to do to restore it. Trumka called the retirement security crisis one that threatens American workers with yet another painful consequence of the “you’re on your own” social and economic model of the last thirty years. Trumka noted that while day-to-day headlines focus on the short-term impact of the economic crisis, its effect on workers’ pensions and their ability to save for the future has been equally devastating. In the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, Trumka said, the union movement helped to build a strong system for retirement security that included three important factors: Social Security, personal savings and private defined-benefit pensions: As a result of these efforts, our parents could retire after a career of hard work, confident of a stable income they would not outlive. They could sleep at night knowing that should they die, their spouse would continue to have a dependable income. For millions of Americans—teachers and bus drivers, factory workers and flight attendants, construction workers and nurses—these reliable, employer-funded pensions made their lives immeasurably better. Unfortunately, policy choices in recent decades have eroded the essential systems of retirement security. As bargaining power for workers disappeared, so did their pensions. As wages stagnated and personal debt skyrocketed, workers were less and less able to save for the future. Trumka noted that only 13 percent of workers say they’re very confident they’ll have enough money to retire. And since it’s harder than ever to afford retirement, we’re seeing older workers taking entry-level jobs—making it even harder for younger workers to get a start on the career ladder. It is unacceptable, Trumka said, to go back to the era when seniors could expect only crippling poverty upon retirement. We need to rebuild workers’ bargaining power so they have access to dependable pensions. We must restore the promise that if you work hard all your life, you can retire with dignity.
Trumka recommended reforming and strengthening both labor law and laws governing pensions, so that workers can bargain for better retirement benefits and trust that they will get to keep what they bargained for. We also need to make sure that workers, who are more likely now to be temporary, freelance or contract workers—have portable pensions.

I Get letters ~ AARP ~ Seniors at Risk ! 10/22/09

Seniors at Risk, Hey That`s ME !


Dear Donald,

The Senate just voted against a measure that would have ensured that those in Medicare can continue to see their doctors. This is a big setback for seniors' rights – and it's important to hold your senators accountable. Click here to find out how your senators voted – and let them know what you think! Just yesterday, the U.S. Senate cast a vote that puts all seniors at risk of losing the ability to see their long-time doctors. 53 senators cast votes against this important measure and prevented the Senate from ensuring that seniors' can continue to see their own doctors. We need you to make sure your senators know how disappointed you are in their failure to pass the Medicare Physician Fairness Act. Click here to find out how your senators voted – and then make sure they hear from you today! Today's vote was an unfortunate setback for seniors and Medicare doctors. But it isn't over yet. More important votes remain for health care reform, and unless we send a powerful message today, there is still a chance we could lose the battle for reform that works for older Americans. That's why it's crucial that you reach out now – by thanking the senators who voted for seniors' rights and by telling the ones who didn't that you are disappointed. The message we send today will let your senators know that older Americans are paying close attention to the decisions they are making and will hold them accountable for their votes.
Find out how your senators voted – and remind them of what's at stake for seniors and their doctors. Thank you for standing up and making sure your leaders are held accountable.

Sincerely,
Barry Jackson, AARP Online Advocacy Manager
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization !

Editorial : Both Tennessee Senators Alexander(R) and Corker(R) Voted Against Seniors in Tennessee ! The BIG question, WHY ? These Senators have the best insurance we can buy them. WAKE UP Tennesseans ! Click on the title of this article or click on the link below.

http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html

Republicans Enemy of America ?...10/22/09

Grayson: Republicans are 'the enemy of America'
By Jordan Fabian - 10/21/09

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) fired his latest salvo at Republicans on Wednesday evening, calling them "the enemy of America."
The congressman, who gained attention for saying the GOP's health plan is for the ill to "die quickly," made his remark in response to Sen. Lamar Alexander's (R-Tenn.) comment today warning the Obama administration to not draft a Nixonian "enemies list."
Grayson said on MSNBC that the GOP is the enemy of anybody who wants "anything good for this country," including healthcare reform, climate change legislation and "certainly the enemy of peace."
He also took a swipe at Fox News, saying that 99 percent of Americans have the "good sense" not to tune into the network.

Editorial : Ditto ! As you can see our Senator Lamar Alexander is at the forefront of those against the middle class ! Thanks congressman Grayson for telling it like it is !

14 Senators Urge Unemployment Extension
by Seth Michaels, Oct 20, 2009

More than 1 million people hurt by the bad economy are at risk of losing their unemployment insurance by the end of the year. During the toughest economic crisis in more than a generation, 7,000 people every day are seeing their UI expiring—and it’s due to the petty obstructionism of two senators who are blocking the needed extension of UI benefits.This afternoon, 14 senators from across the country joined together to urge swift passage of a UI extension, to give workers access to the system they’ve paid into and to keep families and communities economically secure. With unemployment officially at 9.8 percent and an estimated 26 million out of work or discouraged, we can’t wait any longer to extend UI. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said that the obstruction of desperately needed assistance to struggling families must end: We can stand together now, pass this vital piece of legislation, and provide families with the means to stay in their homes and pay the bills as they look for work in these extraordinarily turbulent times. Slow-walking these benefits doesn’t just hurt individuals and families; it is bad for businesses and the broader economy. Helping people stay afloat is not a partisan issue—it is an urgent national issue that demands action now. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said that UI extension is necessary to prevent even further weakening of our economy: The unemployment extension bill before the Senate is a great bill—one that will stimulate the economy and help unemployed workers across the country struggling to get back on their feet. Helping people who are about to lose a lifeline is the essence of what we do as public servants—that is why this delay is so disappointing. I ask those members who are holding up this urgent legislation for political purposes to do the right thing and pass this extension immediately. The pending bill in the Senate would extend unemployment benefits for an additional 14 weeks, or 20 weeks in states with especially high unemployment. Unemployment benefits allow workers looking for jobs to continue to support their families and local businesses, providing a needed economic boost. Unfortunately, efforts to pass this bill have been blocked twice by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). Click here to tell the Senate it’s time to pass an extension of UI benefits.

Editorial : Senator`s Hatch & Kyl, need to be unemployed ! I urge you to send them e-mails through this site and tell them to get on board to assist the American people or resign ! Hatch & Kyl..."OUT of Touch" ! God Help Us from Elected Officials like Kyl & Hatch !

I Have Great Insurance...Why Would I Want Health Care Reform ?

“I Have Great Insurance . . . Why Would I Want Healthcare Reform?”

It’s true that many USW members enjoy some of the best healthcare insurance around. For years, many of us have made it a top priority at the bargaining table. Now that the national debate is focused on reforming healthcare, many members are wondering: Why would I want reform?

Here’s Why:

Healthcare is often the most difficult issue in our negotiations. Premium costs have risen 138 percent in the last decade. Employers try to pass off those costs to us. Throughout our union, we’re seeing plan changes with higher deductibles, co-pays, etc. We’re also seeing fewer wage and benefit increases as trade-offs for maintaining coverage. Many employers are even trying to dump health insurance altogether both for us and especially retirees. And, it’s only going to get worse. . . Rising costs will continue to make negotiations harder. Within 10 years, the average family plan will cost more than $30,000 per year. We can expect more strikes, disputes and bargaining trade-offs if nothing changes as we struggle to keep our coverage in place. Rising healthcare costs continue to be a driving force in companies shifting production overseas. Easing the healthcare burden gives employers one less incentive to abandon U.S. workers.
We’re paying twice for the uninsured. As taxpayers, we know we pay for things like Medicare, Medicaid and VA benefits. But, did you know that through our insurance premiums, we also pay for the 46.3 million who are uninsured? When the uninsured get medical care they can’t pay for, those of us with insurance foot the bill. Right now the premium cost for family coverage includes about $1,100 due to this cost-shifting. With a reformed system, the burden won’t be so heavy on a few. We might not always have the jobs we have right now. Many Steelworkers are employed in industries that are under constant attack from foreign competition and the economic crisis. While our union continues to fight on nearly every front to protect jobs, what happens if your job ends? What happens if you get sick and can’t work? What happens when you retire? Without healthcare reform, our ability to get healthcare and remain financially secure are always uncertain. It’s our friends, family members and neighbors who are the uninsured. One of them dies every 12 minutes because they lack insurance. It’s just wrong.

J.D. Evans Update on His New Heart !...10/21/09

J.D. Evans~New Heart !

I have just talked with my Friend and Brother J.D. Evans at Vanderbilt`s Stallworth Center in Nashville Tennessee. As I reported earlier, he was having problems seeing, he had lost his sight. Today, he said he was seeing much better and could even read some, if the print was not too small ! Folks, two things are at work here, God has answered prayer and Vanderbilt is one of the best Medical Centers in the United States ! He informed me that his wife was recovering nicely from her fall at the Hospitality House, while in shower. He was very upbeat and his attitude seemed much improved. Ah, the up`s and downs of Heart-Transplantation ! He asked me to keep praying for him and his family. Being a Heart-Transplant myself, it seems to please J.D. that I call him and check on him. He asks the same questions that I did, when I went through this very same thing. If you wish to call him , please do so, call (615)963-4111, it is directly into his room ! He is in Room#2004

I Get Letters ~ Senator Bob Corker(R)Tennessee...10/21/09

Dear Don,

Thank you for contacting my office about the official title of health care reform legislation. Your opinion is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts. I've spent two years and countless hours in bipartisan meetings working toward comprehensive health care reforms that would enable all Americans to have the opportunity to access affordable private health insurance; however, I don't have the power to determine the name of the bill. Regardless of what the bill is called, I do not feel that the current legislation being debated adequately bends the cost curve to make health care and health insurance more affordable. It is my hope that Congress takes its time and produces a bipartisan, common-sense health care bill that lowers health care costs and expands access to those who need it most while strengthening coverage for those already insured without adding to the federal deficit or creating further unfunded liabilities.Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me.

Sincerely,

Bob Corker(R)

United States Senator ~Tennessee

Editorial : Dear Senator Corker, I just want what you have and I pay for, the best health care coverage tax money can purchase YOU ! I really do not understand your opposition to S.1776 this bill is necessary to keep our seniors from becoming third world country ! Get on board Senator Corker !

District#8~Tennessee Recent Votes...

Tennessee District#8~Recent Votes

Recent Senate Votes:

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (80-17, 3 Not Voting) The Senate approved this $33.5 billion bill funding the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies and programs for FY 2010, sending it to the President. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Bob Corker voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent House Votes:

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (307-114, 11 Not Voting) The House approved the conference report of this $42.8 billion bill funding the Department of Homeland Security. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act - Vote Passed (241-173, 18 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that is intended to help address California’s cycles of drought and reduce dependence on water from the troubled Bay-Delta ecosystem. Rep. John Tanner voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Votes :

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.2847
The Senate is expected to work on this $64.9 billion legislation funding the Justice Department, Commerce Department, National Science Foundation and related agencies and programs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009 - S.1776 The Senate is also expected to start work on this bill that would repeal the Medicare physician payment formula that results in annual cuts that Congress reverses every year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solar Technology Roadmap Act of 2010 - H.R.3585 ...The House is scheduled to vote on this bill that intends to guide research, development, and demonstration of solar energy technologies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 - H.R.3619 ...The House is expected to vote on this bill to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2010.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editorial : Medicare Physicians Fairness Act S.1776~Better watch this one, The Republicans want to enact it. Would cut seniors badly. Contact your Senator`s Alexander & Corker of Tennessee, both Republicans, and inform them to support seniors this time.

I Get Letters ~ AARP...10/19/09

Critical Vote for Seniors...

Dear Donald,

Your senators will make a critical decision THIS WEEK about fair pay for Medicare doctors. If the Senate drops the ball, Medicare patients may have more trouble seeing their doctors. Dial 1-800-485-0189 and tell your senators to protect seniors' rights to see the doctor of their choice. Click here to make your call!
This week, the U.S. Senate is making a critical decision: pay Medicare doctors a fair rate, or let a pay cut go into effect – putting the health of American seniors at risk. If we don't speak up now, seniors could lose access to their trusted, long-time doctors and have a tougher time finding one that will take Medicare.
Each of your senators has a critical vote on preventing a pay cut for Medicare doctors, so we need your help today! Click here to make a FREE call to your senators before the upcoming vote – it will only take a minute.
Calling your senators is easy! Dial 1-800-485-0189 and after entering your zip code, press "1" to get connected to your first senator's office. Tell the staff person who answers the phone where you are calling from, and that you strongly urge your senator to support S 1776, the Medicare Physicians Fairness Act. Your call might end right there, but if you would like, you can also mention that it isn't right that Congress' failure to fix a broken Medicare payment system might end up costing seniors their ability to see their doctor. Since both of your senators have key votes, please call 1-800-485-0189 a second time to get connected to your other senator's office. Once again enter your zip code, then press "2" to be connected with your second senator.
After you're done, click here to let us know you called. This step is important so please don't skip it! There isn't much time – the Senate is set to vote this week. We're asking you to take action today because you live in a key state and both of your senators' votes are crucial. Help make sure seniors don't lose their doctor – please click here to call your senators today before the vote.
Every single call today will make a difference, Donald. Thank you for your help – I know we can get this done together. You can click on the link below or the title !

http://aarp.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=Protect_Seniors_Choice_of_Doctors_2s&autologin=true

Editorial : I called, did YOU ?

Republicans Block Extended Unemployment Benefits.. 10/19/09

Kyl and Hatch Block Unemployment Aid for Tens of Thousands of America’s Jobless
by Mike Hall, Oct 16, 2009

Because of the actions of two Republican senators, every day this month 7,000 jobless workers have lost their unemployment insurance (UI) coverage. Each day these two Republicans continue to stand in the way of Senate passage of a UI extension, 7,000 more workers will run out of benefits. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has tried twice to bring the UI measure to a vote on the Senate floor. First Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), then Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) blocked action. Christine Owens, executive director for the National Employment Law Project (NELP), says workers are “devastated” by the Republican roadblock. Unemployed workers across the country are devastated and dismayed by the failure of the U.S. Senate to extend their lifeline. Every day, 7,000 additional workers are facing the total loss of benefits, in many cases after struggling to find work for more than a year and a half. Ricky Macoy, a Navy veteran and an electrician with 30 years of experience, lost his job after a government contractor pulled the plug halfway through the project. He was supporting himself and his 11-year-old son through a combination of his unemployment insurance, his savings and by pawning his tools. His unemployment ran out two weeks ago, his savings are depleted. He tells NELP: We have survived some hard times, especially this past year when work was nowhere to be found. Unemployment benefits have kept us afloat, but now we may soon end up homeless without them. What the Senate does now will make all the difference for me and my family. The official unemployment rate now is 9.8 percent, while the number of those who have given up looking for work or are underemployed stands at an appalling 26 million workers. Click here to tell the Senate it’s time to pass an extension of UI benefits. In September, the House overwhelmingly passed a UI extension that called for an additional 13 weeks of (UI) for jobless workers in high unemployment states (more than 8.5 percent) who have exhausted their benefits without finding new work. Last week, the AFL-CIO urged the Senate to approve legislation that provides 14 weeks of benefits to all jobless workers who can’t find new work and an additional six weeks for those in high unemployment states. Says AFL-CIO Government Affairs Director William Samuel: Failure to extend benefits would pull the safety net out from under laid-off workers who are struggling to find jobs that have become increasingly scarce…a record 5 million workers have been unemployed for six months or more and there are now six unemployed workers for every available job in the United States. NELP estimates 400,000 workers exhausted their benefits in September and without any extension, another 1.3 million will run out of benefits by year’s end. Says Owens: It’s shameful and callous. Because the Senate has not acted, hundreds of thousands of workers are languishing without any means to support their families in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. It’s time for the Senate to do right by the families hardest hit by the recession—the Senate needs to do whatever it takes, working weekends included, to make this happen.

Editorial : Is there no end to the Republican hypocrisy ? I`m not surprised, just mad ! Maybe those two Senators need to be unemployed.

No COLA for Seniors ? 1.8% Is Not Too Shabby !

President Obama Supports $250 Payment to Seniors

On Wednesday, White House officials announced support for a one-time $250 payment to Social Security recipients and other retirees in 2010. This is in lieu of a cost of living allowance (COLA) that would have been $0. The payment would be modeled on the stimulus payment earlier this year: it is a one time payment, and the money would come from general revenues, not the Social Security Trust Fund, so there would not be any solvency issues. There is no timeline yet, but the payment is expected to be made early in the year. “Retirees are grateful for President Obama’s call for an extension of the $250 payment to help those who are struggling in this current recession,” “This generous act of compassion will help 49 million Social Security recipients, many of whom have seen their retirement savings and home values badly shaken by this economic crisis.” For the average Social Security recipient, this would be the equivalent of a 1.8% increase for 2010. As far as this writer is concerned, this is as good as a COLA raise ! And much better than $0 !

Health Care & A Public Option...10/16/09

As Insurance Industry Continues Its Campaign of Lies…

Obama administration officials and Congressional Democrats fired back on Monday at a misleading insurance industry report that said premiums would climb sharply with the passage of comprehensive health legislation. The report, by Price Waterhouse Coopers, was attacked on several fronts. White House officials said the industry had ignored features of the bill that would lower costs for consumers, like subsidies for people who could not afford insurance. Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, said she was surprised by the report because she met last week with Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), which commissioned the report, and they vowed to work together. Price Water house Coopers acknowledged that numbers in the report could be misconstrued. "America's Health Insurance Plans engaged Price water house Coopers to prepare a report that focused on four components of the Senate Finance Committee proposal," the company said in a statement. "As the report itself acknowledges, other provisions that are part of health reform proposals were not included in the PwC analysis." For example, Finance Committee aides said, the study assumes that a proposed 40% fee on insurers that offer high-cost insurance, and more than $100 billion in taxes on the health care industry, will be passed directly onto consumers without forcing any kind of behavioral changes by individuals or companies. In essence, the study looked at the worst-case scenario and failed to consider mitigating forces such as tax credits to purchase insurance, Democrats said. “The misleading and harmful claims made by the profit-driven insurance companies are politicking for corporate gain at its worst,” Sen. John Rockefeller (D-WV) said in a statement. “Their recent statements only further highlight that our focus here in Congress must be on the inclusion of a public health insurance option in the marketplace to protect families and put more money back in their wallets by creating greater competition and driving down costs.”

Editorial : Without a Public Option, there is no competition ! The Insurance company`s have no competitor`s. That`s not good for you and I !

Should Medicare Encompass all Uninsured ?

Leading Blue Dog wants to open up Medicare to uninsured
By Mike Soraghan - 10/15/09

Blue Dog Rep. Mike Ross, who made headlines by rejecting a compromise he'd negotiated on a public health insurance option, has suggested to Democratic leaders that the government-run Medicare program be opened to those without insurance. Ross (D-Ark.) has made the suggestion in meetings with House Democratic leaders and brought the idea to the closed-door House Democratic Caucus meeting Thursday. "I — speaking only on behalf of myself — suggested one possible idea could be that instead of creating an entirely new government bureaucracy to administer a public option, Medicare could be offered as a choice to compete alongside private insurers for those Americans eligible to enter the national health insurance exchange, but at a reimbursement rate much greater than current Medicare rates," Ross said in a statement to The Hill.The position is surprising because centrist Democrats such as Ross, chairman of the Blue Dogs' healthcare task force, have resisted a public insurance option with rates tied to Medicare. Centrist Democrats who can support a public plan generally prefer that the officials who run it negotiate rates with each provider.That has emerged as the highest-profile debate within the House Democratic Caucus right now on healthcare. Liberals support a public option with reimbursement set at "Medicare plus 5 percent." Centrists either oppose the public option or support "negotiated rates. "A Ross aide said that under Ross's suggestion, the Medicare rate structure might not be the same, and could even wind up negotiating with each provider.Ross led a group of seven centrist Blue Dogs who blocked consideration of the health bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee, in part because of their dislike of a public option.Talks with Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) produced the "negotiated rates" compromise. Ross signed on with three other Blue Dogs, and the committee voted on the bill in late July. But Ross returned from the stormy August recess and reversed his position, saying he could not support any kind of public option. It's not clear how that squares with his current position on Medicare and the House bill. Ross said that while he's suggested it as an alternative, he doesn't necessarily support it."While I do not support a government-run public option, I do believe there are numerous other alternatives worth review and have presented and discussed many of these ideas in a concerted effort to advance the legislative process," Ross said in his statement. But regarding opening Medicare, he added this caveat: "Let me be clear: I do not endorse this idea, as it was just one of many ideas we, as legislators, have brought up and discussed in the numerous, ongoing negotiations and discussions we have had on healthcare reform over the past several months.

Editorial : Cong. John Tanner ~ District#8-Tennessee is a Blue Dog Democrat, Where is he on this ? His office in Union City TN > 731-885-7070

District#8~Tennessee ~ Recent Votes...10/15/09

Recent Votes ~ District#8 ~ Tennessee

Recent Senate Votes:

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (93-7)The Senate approved this $636.3 billion bill funding the Department of Defense during fiscal year 2010. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Bob Corker voted YES......send e-mail or see bio


Recent House Votes:

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (263-162, 7 Not Voting)The House approved the conference report of this $23.3 billion funding bill for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration and other related agencies and programs. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Department of Defense Authorization, FY 2010 - Vote Passed (281-146, 6 Not Voting)The House passed this bill authorizing defense spending, which also contains a provision that extends the definition of federal hate crimes to include crimes in which victims are targeted because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Editorial : Did your elected representatives vote like you wanted ? Let them know ! > http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html <>

J. D. Evans...Heart-Transplant ~ Update...10/15/09

J. D. Evans, Heart-Transplant ~ Vanderbilt University Hospital...

by: Don Jones, Htx.#189-Vandy

I have just talked with our Brother and fellow Heart-Transplant patient, J. D. Evans on the phone, at Vanderbilt ! I`m sorry to report that J.D. is not doing as well as he would like too ! It seems that as with most Heart Transplants, he`s having a after transplant problem of sorts. J.D. has lost his eye-sight ! We are praying that this is a temporary problem ? He informed me, he could see light and colors, and at times facial features. This loss of eye sight was caused by a stroke after surgery. J.D. is in a wonderful place, they will get this problem straightened out ! It is just so depressing not to be able to see. J.D. covets our prayers and thoughts as he strives to get better. He has been moved from the Vanderbilt University Hospital to the Stallworth Rehabilitation Center, yesterday was his first day on the treadmill. Oh, how I remember ! If you would like to contact he or his wife, she is with him. Call (615) 963-4111 ! He is in room 2004. Send him a card or call him, I know, he would appreciate it. A word of kindness and cheer is so important after transplant. I talked with his wife, she is staying at the Wal-Mart Hospitality House, close by. It seems that she fell out of the shower, she banged and bruised herself up quite a bit. These two people need our love and our support ! Remember the wife, as she is in this whole process just as J.D. is !

President Obama Proposes $250.00 for Social Security Retirees !...7/14/09

Obama Proposes $250 for Retirees to augment Social Security Checks

By Walter Alarkon - 10/14/09

President Barack Obama proposed giving payments of $250 to more than 50 million retired Americans who won't get an increase in their Social Security checks next year.The announcement on Wednesday came ahead of the Social Security Administration's expected announcement that seniors will not receive a cost-of-living adjustment in 2010 because of the poor economy. "Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession," Obama said.The cost-of-living increase is pegged to inflation. In 2008, the increase was 5.8 percent, due in large part to gas prices that soared past $4 a gallon. But because of lower energy costs and the recession, Social Security officials are expected to announce Thursday that prices went down and that they won't be increasing Social Security checks.Obama's proposal will cost $13 billion, the White House said. A senior administration official said that the president won't insist that the proposal is paid for, but Obama will insist that the payments don't affect Social Security's solvency. The Social Security trust fund is expected to run out in 2037, according to administration projections released last May.The White House proposal amounts to an extension of a program started in the $787 billion stimulus.More than 50 million people each received payments of $250 last May. The administration expects that approximately 57 million would get $250 in 2010. Of those, 49 million would be Social Security beneficiaries. The rest of the recipients would be veterans, railroad retirement beneficiaries, disability beneficiaries, those on Supplemental Security Income and public-employee retirees not eligible for those programs.With unemployment persisting near 10 percent despite expected economic growth in coming quarters, White House officials have signaled interest in extending other parts of the stimulus, including increased unemployment benefits and COBRA health coverage for the jobless. Despite the support for more stimulus measures, a senior administration official refused to call it a "second stimulus.""These are continuing a few elements of the economic recovery act, which, first of all, were very successful in achieving their purpose and second of all will remain needed in 2010," he said.

Health Care Reform ~ Vital !...10/14/09

Health Care Reform ~ Important...

Despite increasingly desperate attacks from the insurance lobby, the Senate Finance Committee took the historic step of voting reform legislation out of committee with bipartisan support. They're the final committee to do so -- and the negotiations over the final bill will now move to the full House and Senate.Soon, every senator and representative must decide where they stand. Lobbyists will be racing to each office, trying every trick in the book to derail the President's plan. In fact, just this week, the insurance lobby released a self-serving report falsely claiming that reform would increase costs. Journalists called it "deceptive" and said "something doesn't smell right here." A prominent M.I.T. economist described the study as "deeply flawed."It's a blatant scare tactic designed to frighten voters and bully Congress -- and it's just the beginning. We need to speak out right away to show Congress that their constituents are watching closely, and we're counting on them to say "no" to the lobbyists and "yes" to reform. Click on the link below to contact congress via e-mail !


Send a message urging Congress to stand with voters, not D.C. lobbyists, and pass real reform.

Need a Job ? Nucor Steel is Hiring...10/13/09

Need A Job ? Try This !






Nucor Steel is hiring up to 600 people in the Memphis TN. Area. The 600 positions are all entry level positions from what I understand and the number to call for interested individuals is 800-404-7643.

Click on the following web-site...for more information.

http://www.nucor.com/products/locations/

Editorial : I realize this is not much to go on, however, it came from a very trustworthy source. Nothing ventured, nothing gained !

I Get Letters ~ Senator Bob Corker (R) Tennessee...10/13/09

CEO Compensation...Too Much Money...!

Dear Don,

Thank you for contacting my office with your concerns about S. 1074, the Shareholder Bill of Rights Act. Your input is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts. Like you, I believe that we need to ensure that we have appropriate corporate governance regulatory measures. As you are aware, S.1074 would establish certain guidelines for shareholder votes on executive compensation and governance, while also directing the Securities and Exchange Commission to establish certain rules on governance. Similarly, the Senate Banking Committee, of which I am a member, is working on governance provisions which may be included in a comprehensive financial regulatory reform package later this year or early next year. Please know that I plan to be working with my colleagues on the committee to find a balanced approach to governance and corporate pay without stifling innovation or growth. Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me as I serve you in the United States Senate.

Sincerely, Bob Corker(R)

United States Senator~Tennessee

Call Congress for FREE !

How to Call Congress for Free...

Is calling Congress racking up long-distance charges on your phone bill ?
One interesting quirk about the U.S. Capitol is that there are no official toll-free lines to the Congressional switchboard.That means you foot the bill most times you call the official number (202-224-3121 for the Senate;

(202-224-3121 for the House) with a question or concern for your elected officials.
But toll-free lines offered by different lobbyist groups present a free alternative to calling the official Congressional numbers. Some members also foot the bill for their constituents calls.

Visit Congress.org to see a list of official toll-free numbers or read more about lobbyist-paid numbers.

Health Care & The VEBA`s ?...10/12/09

Health Care Reform & The VEBA`S...
by : Don Jones...10/12/09

During this long debate on Reforming Health Care, I have heard very little in regard to the many existing Volunteer Eemployee's Benefit's Association`s (VEBA) and this health care reform will affect these VEBA`S ? I`m certain, it will affect them, the question is will it be a positive or negative impact ? Those Retired United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and United Auto Workers (UAW) perhaps it is time, you found out ? As I understand it, health care reform, will affect those of us retired and members of these VEBA`S ? I`d almost laugh, if it was`nt so tragic, but I believe this reform will affect us ! It is just a matter of how ? They call them Volunteer Employee`s Benefits association`s , I did`nt volunteer, did you ? I do know that, if this money in the VEBA`S is not replenished, it will soon be all gone ! It must be invested and money made on the investment. Looking at the stock market today, I cringe at that very thought. The Health Insurance Company`s are in control at the moment. That alone should worry you. Does me ! Goodyear has negotiated all of us retiree`s away. They handle my pension alone now. I`m sure CEO Bob Keegan is trying to figure out a way to get that, as well as my health benefits. I do not know who to tell you to contact in regard to your/our VEBA, perhaps Jerry Ivey or David Nelson (731)885-6641 ? Or Their local`s web-site > http://www.local878l.com/ < Or maybe Cong. John Tanner >(731)885-7070 or his site http://wwwhouse.gov/tanner You can be sure of one thing though, someone on wall street is trying to figure out how to get their hands on your/our VEBA money.

Social Security COLA= No Raise ! Medicare Part "D" Will Rise 11% ! Duh ?

Social Security COLA = 0% ~ Medicare Part"D" to Rise 11% = DUH ?

As one of my close friends says, "something wrong with this picture" ? You bet !

Medicare Part D Premiums to Rise for Many in 2010 Monthly premiums for Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans will rise 11% on average, to $38.85 in 2010, if beneficiaries opt to stay in their current plans, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of the 2010 Part D plan offerings. Up to 1.2 million people on Medicare would see monthly premium increases of at least $10 unless they switch to a less expensive plan. Furthermore, for the first time since the Medicare drug benefit began, a majority of stand-alone drug plans (61 %) will require enrollees to meet a deductible before coverage begins. "Without real health care reform, prescription drug and medical bills will continue to break seniors' backs,"! Max Baucus(D)Montana and the members of the Senate Finance Committee have received 46 $Million Dollars thus far from Big Health Insurance Company`s ! Duh ? Who do they represent ? You got it...Big Health Insurance !

Health Care ~ Public Option ~ John Tanner(D) Blue Dog !...10/10/09

A Public Option, A Good Thing !

Here's the good news: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is about to bring a health care reform bill with a public health insurance option to the House floor.
Here's the bad news: A Capitol Hill newspaper reported yesterday that conservative Democrats are scrambling to try and stop her.

(.1) They're claiming that the bill is too expensive—but the truth is that reform won't add a penny to the deficit. And a strong public option will save billions more than legislation the conservatives prefer.

(2.) Your representative, John Tanner District#8~Tennessee, is a member of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition. Can you call him today and tell him that real reform with a public option will save money ?
Here's where to call: > Representative John Tanner Phone#: 202-225-4714

(3.) You can also go to his web-site and e-mail him !

> http://www.house.gov/tanner < I urge you to do so !

Editorial : Health Insurance is spending $6 million dollars a day to stop the public option, WHY ? because, with no public option, you and I must purchase health insurance from them ! Tell Cong. Tanner, you want the same option that he has ! The Very best that your money can buy !

I Get Letters ~ President Barack Obama...10/08/09

President Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Don --

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Editorial : At last, our President has brought honor to our great country ! No,

the thanks is ours Mr. President, For you ! "God Bless You and our Country" !

Goodyear Union City Tennessee-Read Carefully ! 10/08/09

Goodyear Union Contract...Further Thoughts
10/08/09

The following item appears in the Oct. 5, 2009 North America Equity Report from J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. Goodyear does not comment on analysts’ reports. GT management seems highly confident in the savings it announced from the USW contract, and we continue to believe there could be upside to announced savings given potential for up to a 30% (3,000) reduction in USW headcount over the contract life. Of this, about half will likely come from Union City, which was announced to be on "unprotected status." Management’s choice on if/when to close Union City seems primarily a function of logistical considerations. Unlike Tyler (closed as part of the 06 labor contract), we understand that Union City is a much more complex plant in terms of the variation of products its [sic] manufactures, and whose production would likely have to be largely replicated at other GT network plants (Tyler was a large producer of private-label tires, a segment from which GT chose to largely exist). Relocating Union City’s production is likely a product line by product line process and is further constrained in timing by the fact that the plants to receive Union City’s production are likely primarily based in low-cost countries that are themselves currently bumping into capacity constraints given recovering demand in many emerging markets. All in all, we expect Union City to be shut, but not completely so for 1-2 years, with full savings likely in 2011. We maintain our Overweight rating on Goodyear and would feel comfortable owning the stock into Q3, particularly in light of the recent pullback.

Editorial : This writer has maintained all along that these tires would be built, but, not in Union City Tennessee ! China ! China ! China ! Our race to the bottom continues. All one must do, is look at Eastman Kodak, it is now almost non-existant in this country. Good ole Bob Keegan, top right, did it to Kodak, he`s now doing it to Goodyear ! I have one question, in all of this ? Where is the United Steelworkers and what are they doing ? If anything ?

Goodyear ~ Read & Weep !...10/08/09

Goodyear to Phase out Union Pension plan, set up 401(k)
Sep. 30, 2009

Jerry Geisel

AKRON, Ohio—Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. will phase out a defined benefit pension plan covering union employees and set up a 401(k) plan under a new contract with the United Steelworkers union. Under the four-year agreement, nearly all USW-represented employees hired since October 2006 will not be offered the defined benefit plan. Instead, effective Jan. 1, 2010, Goodyear will set up a new 401(k) plan in which the tire and rubber giant will make automatic contributions equal to 3% of employees’ pay. In addition, Goodyear will match 50% of employees’ contributions up to the first 4% of pay, a Goodyear spokesman said Wednesday. The pension action is Goodyear’s second in less than a year. It froze its defined benefit plan for salaried employees on Dec. 31, 2008, and beefed up salaried employees’ 401(k) plan. In 2007, Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear took another step to rein in benefit obligations through an arrangement—also agreed to by the USW—in which Goodyear contributed about $1 billion to a special tax-exempt health care trust that is providing benefits to USW-represented retirees.
In turn, Goodyear eliminated future obligations to provide retiree health care benefits, removing a projected $1.3 billion from its balance sheet and improving cash flow by $145 million a year.

Editorial : Our race to the bottom is almost complete ! How much longer it will take us depends on, how much more we are willing to give up !

Dear Senator`s Lamar Alexander(R) & Bob Corker(R) Tennessee

Dear Senator`s : Please Support Public Option and Save My Life
by Mike Hall, Oct 8, 2009

Today, state and local union activists are continuing to deliver the more than 42,000 personally written letters from union members and Working America members calling on Congress to pass comprehensive health care reform legislation.The letters are part of a massive nationwide week of health care action. Union leaders and activists are spending two days in Washington, D.C., delivering the letters and talking with their senators and representatives about the need for strong health care reform legislation that provides guaranteed coverage for all, includes a public health insurance option and more.
Yesterday, working Americans across the country took part in the National Call-In Day for Health Care Reform, sending their senators strong messages.
Here is a sample of what people wrote to their senators. Margaret from Newark, Del., doesn’t mince words in her letter to Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.), who voted against a public option in the Senate Finance Committee last week: Health care is too expensive. Some of us have no health insurance or Medicare. Fix the health care bill now. It should include a strong public option and ensure that employers provide coverage to their employees or pay into a pot. Cathy from Newark, Del., tells Rep. Michael Castle (R-Del.): I am without health care at this time and can’t afford my meds. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and uncontrolled diabetes. If this bill passes, I will get access to the medicine I need to save my life. Please support a strong public option.
Jonathan from Maple Falls, Wyo., tells Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Wyo.), who supports taxing health care premiums—and who voted against a public option—that he is opposed to having his health care benefits taxed. I am the sole source of income for a family of five, and, quite frankly, this proposed tax would cut into my grocery and housing money….I have a family of five, a 30-year mortgage, car, insurance costs, etc. You do the math!
Pamela from Omaha writes to Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) that she recently had appendix surgery and her health care provider only covered $50 out of $17,672. I am a production employee…and have been paying into my health plan for over two years and feel this is completely ludicrous.
Gail in Augusta, Maine, tells Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) that as a school nurse, she sees just how many moms and dads are working two and three jobs just to pay for food, let alone health. So by necessity, I am their primary care provider. This needs to be addressed for the children as well as the parents, who are without health. In this age, with health care issues on the rise, we need your support for a public option.
Charles in Arlington, Wash., says that when he voted for Barack Obama and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), “I voted for change” and that includes health care reform. We need, and the people have expressed their desire for, real health care reform. This means including the most important aspect of health care reform, providing the American citizens with a public option. This is the ONLY way we can be sure that the health insurance companies in these United States will deal with their clients in an honest and fair fashion. Roy in Fargo, N.D., tells Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), who voted against a public option, that he has health insurance, but still cannot afford health care. I have over $10,000 in medical bills, and something needs to be done. I voted for you to represent my views. Please support public option.

Editorial : Dear Senator`s Alexander(R) & Corker(R) as one of your constituents, I would ask that you provide coverage for me, as I do for you ! "The Best" ! I ask my readers to click on the title and go to these Senators web-site and e-mail them, that you only want what they have.

Call Tennessee Senator`s Lamar Alexander(R) & Bob Corker (R)

TODAY: National Call-in Day for Health Care Reform
by Mike Hall, Oct 7, 2009

Do you want real health care reform that provides affordable and quality care for all ?
Then join today’s National Call-In Day for Health Care Reform and tell your two senators that we can’t wait any longer for health care reform that:

* Controls costs and doesn’t tax our benefits.
* Provides guaranteed coverage to all Americans.
* Includes a public health insurance plan option.
* Holds insurance companies accountable.
* Requires all employers to pay their fair share.

You don’t even have to let your fingers do the walking—we’ll dial for you.
Place your call by clicking the “Call” button at the bottom of the box above. You will be asked to provide information so we will know to which senators we should place your call. Choose which of your senators you want to call first. Once you click, you’ll see some simple talking points to help you to know what to say. Shortly after, we will call you, play a short message and connect you directly—all at no cost to you (unless your phone service provider charges you for incoming calls, you may be charged for the call time).
Then hit the green “go back” arrow and call your other senator.
If you would rather call later and dial yourself, call 1-877-323-5246.
In addition, more than 100 local and state union leaders from more than two dozen states are in Washington, D.C., today to meet with their lawmakers. They also are delivering tens of thousands of handwritten letters from union members and Working America members and other activists demanding comprehensive health care reform that reins in health insurance company abuses and provides coverage for all. We will bring you more on their visits later today and tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee, which was expected to vote on its flawed bill by today, has postponed action until later this week, or early next week. Last week, the committee voted down a public health insurance option. Its version of the health care reform also contains unfair taxes on workers’ health care benefits. After the Finance Committee acts, the next step is to merge that bill with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee legislation that includes a public option and doesn’t tax workers’ health benefits. That could be on the Senate floor sometime next week or the following week. House action likely will come soon after the Senate moves.

Editorial : You can call Senator`s Alexander(R) & Corker(R) they will vote against you, but call them anyway. They represent BIG INSURANCE ! NOT YOU !

Call your Congressman/Woman ~ Health Care Reform...10/06/09

National Call-In Day for Health Care Tomorrow - Call Your Congress Members...

Article Brief USW members are asked to call their members of Congress tomorrow and ask them to support health insurance reform that helps working families, not insurance companies. Click here fo rmore.Tomorrow is a National Call-In Day for health care. Union members are asking to call 1-877-323-5246, get connected to their members of Congress and ask them to support health insurance reform that is good for working families.We need to do this to combat the big insurance companies that are trying to derail real reform and continue putting profits over people. Click here for more information on the National Call-In Day. And click here to visit our Health Care Tool Kit for valuable resources. When you call your member of Congress, ask him or her that we need health insurance reform now that:

Controls costs and doesn't tax our benefits.

Provides guaranteed coverage for all Americans.

Includes a public health insurance plan option

Holds insurance companies accountable.

Requires all employers to pay their fair share.

Provides help for VEBAs and empoyers who offer pre-Medicare coverage for early retirees.

Click here to download a flier outlining where our union stands on health insurance reform.

Cong. John Tanner, Web-Site > http://www.house.gov/tanner < Union City Tennessee office phone# (731)885-7070

District#8~Tennessee - Recent Votes...10/06/09

Tennessee District#8~Recent Votes...

Recent Senate Votes:

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (62-38)The Senate approved this $4.66 billion bill that funds the legislative branch for Fiscal Year 2010, sending it to the President. The bill also includes a continuing resolution to fund government operations through October 31, as this is the only one of the 12 annual appropriations bills to have been completed before FY 2010 began. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Sen. Bob Corker voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

____________________________________________________________

Recent House Votes:

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (308-114, 10 Not Voting)The House approved this $33.5 billion bill funding the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies and programs. Rep. John Tanner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

___________________________________________________________________

Bills of the Week:

H.R. 3676 > would make the E-Verify program to certify employees' immigration status permanent.
Click here to tell your Members of Congress what you think of this bill.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

S. 1725 > would repeal retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies for a terrorist surveillance program.
Click here to tell your Members of Congress what you think of this bill.

Trumka Making a Difference...10/05/09

Connecticut Attorney General to Investigate Insurance Company Abuses, Trumka Makes a Difference
by Seth Michaels, Oct 2, 2009

The state of Connecticut has asked six leading insurance companies—Aetna, ConnectiCare, HealthNet, Anthem, United Health Group and WellCare—to fully disclose what they’re telling their members about health care reform. The request comes after Humana, another insurance provider, was caught providing misleading and scare-mongering information to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D customers about the future effects of health care reform legislation.The investigation follows a call by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka for more accountability for insurance companies and a serious examination of whether these companies’ political activity and lobbying are a contributor to skyrocketing rates and rising costs for consumers. In recent days, Trumka sent a letter to Connecticut’s insurance commissioner, Thomas Sullivan, asking him to investigate the impact of health insurance companies’ lobbying expenditures on health insurance premiums and adopt regulations to prevent lobbying costs from being transferred to consumers through excessive rate increases. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced this morning that he and state Healthcare Advocate Kevin Lembo demanded to see all marketing materials, Web content and other documents provided to customers that reference health care reform and Medicare. Here’s what Blumenthal and Lembo said in a letter sent today to insurance company CEOs: Policyholders deserve clear and complete information about their Medicare benefits under existing law as well as under any proposed changes contained in federal health care reform proposals. We intend to review these documents to ensure that the information provided to policyholders is accurate and does not mislead consumers. John Olsen of the Connecticut AFL-CIO joined Blumenthal at the announcement. Insurance companies and their allies have used scare tactics and falsehoods as tactics to defeat health care reform, targeting seniors in particular, even though real health care reform will help protect retirees and strengthen Medicare. Cal Bunnell, president of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, praised Blumenthal for demanding accountability from insurance companies:
Connecticut retirees applaud Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s bold and decisive action today to stop deceptive scare tactics aimed at senior citizens. The recent revelations of fear-mongering mailings by Humana, Inc. make it more important than ever to be vigilant in protecting the public interest.
During these difficult economic times—and at such a critical juncture in the health insurance reform debate—seniors must be able to trust the information they receive. Humana’s recent actions fail to meet that standard. You can contact your insurance company to demand accountability here.

J.D. Evans Another Miracle at Vanderbilt...10/03/09

J.D. Evans Receives His New Heart @ Vanderbilt...

I have learned via my Heart-Transplant grape vine that our friend and brother, Mr. J.D. Evans has received the "Gift of Life" at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville Tennessee. J.D. is one of my co-workers at Goodyear Union City ! He was a Steward in Final finish, and a good one ! He and his wife live in Sharon Tennessee. I have talked with J.D. on the phone at Vandy. He is doing well and in good spirits. If you would like to send him a card, send to J.D Evans, Vanderbilt University Hospital, 1211 22nd. Avenue South. Nashville, TN 37232...Room#5008 ! You can call him at (615)322-1000 Rm#5008 ! J.D. was getting in bad shape ! The "Gift of Life" is a marvelous legacy. If you are not a Organ/Tissue Donor, I would encourage you to become one...Simply sign your Drivers license and inform your family of your wishes.

Retirees With Write Stuff...10/03/09

"Retirees with the Write Stuff"

The Letters to the Editor page is often the most widely read section of a local newspaper. Many members of the Alliance realize that it is an ideal forum where we can share our stories and show how deeply we care about the issues. Letters to the Editor are free, which helps when we are going up against big drug and insurance companies with high-priced lobbyists. "Retirees with the Write Stuff" is a project of the Alliance that rewards retirees whose letters are published. Most recently, Shane Fox of Texas http://ara.typepad.com/blog/2009/09/in-yesterdays-tyler-morning-telegraph-tx.html and Donna McGrath of Nebraska contributed to their state and local papers. If you have had a Letter to the Editor published recently, please send us an email at letters@retiredamericans.org so that we can recognize you and send you a "Write Stuff" pen. If you need assistance with the letter-writing or submission process, please contact your state Alliance !





Editorial : I find this extremely helpful, I hope you do also ?

Letters to the Editor`s~Health Care Reform...10/02/09

10/02/09

Dear Editor ;

I live in Martin Tennessee, I am retired and a Heart-Transplant Patient.I am retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. I am on many and varied drugs. My immunosuppressant's are very expensive. Recently my Drug supplier, Express Scripts, advised me that my main drug called CellCept was being raised in price, from approximately $50.00 per 3 month supply to $1,900.00 per 3 month supply. I called them and informed them I could not pay/afford this drug any longer. I asked them why my cost was increased so dramatically ? They informed me that my drug coverage would not allow that drug any longer as there was now a generic, I must use it or pay the difference. I called my Heart-Transplant team at Vanderbilt, they informed me that they did not want me on the generic, as they/Vandy were having problems with it. So, I ask you, who is running the health care system, my Dr.`s or my insurance company ? The Answer is a simple one, "The Insurance Companies"! That is just one drug there is another drug called Sandimmune Cyclosporin, The same criteria apply`s too ! I am now trying to get on a free drug program from Novartis. If I do not succeed, I will just die ! I cannot afford these drugs any longer ! Just for your information, I am on a drug called Ventavis For pulmonary hypertension, the cost is approximately $11,000.00 per month. Another drug for pulmonary hypertension called Revatio, it`s cost is approximately $1,100.00 per month ! The insurance company pays for this, why ? I am afraid to ask. I am grateful to be alive and Vanderbilt is the most outstanding/life saving hospital I know of ! Most of the Dr.`s there are for health care reform. Why ? Because, they are tired of being countermanded ! The insurance company`s tell them what they can and cannot do ! President Obama is trying to reform health care, he needs our help.

Don V. Jones

Goodyear~Union City Tennessee, News Not Good ! 10/01/09

Goodyear Union City Plant Highlighted in Contract Review

Goodyear Union City received a fair amount of attention during a Sept. 29 conference call between Goodyear’s leadership and representatives of the investment community. Goodyear conducted the call to review the recently-ratified, four-year labor agreement between the company and the United
Steelworkers. "Earlier this year, we were able to work with the Steelworkers to adjust both our staffing requirements and our production levels to correspond with the current dramatic decline in demand in our industry,"
Goodyear Chairman Bob Keegan said in prepared remarks. "This included removing the protected status of our Union City, Tenn., plant and the previously-announced adjustments at contract review Buffalo, Danville and Topeka."
Six of seven plants represented by the USW remain protected from closure over the term of the four-year agreement. "This innovative agreement can truly change the way we run these factories," said Rich Kramer, Goodyear’s chief operating officer and president of North American Tire. "It’s an agreement that gets us excited about our future competitiveness." Kramer noted that in the months preceding master negotiations, Goodyear had worked with the USW on several local agreements. Goodyear and the USW agreed to allow Goodyear to trim the Union City work force through associate buyouts. Kramer said the buyouts, the first phase of which Union City completed earlier this year, are anticipated to save $75,000 - $100,000 per person, and yield savings of $40 million in 2009. Savings are expected to grow to $75 million in future years. "These adjustments, such as the one reached with our Union City plant, generated significant savings and
provided a bridge from the 2006 contract," said Kramer. "It improves our ability to successfully react to external obstacles of a vastly different economy and rapidly-changing consumer preferences that increase competition." During a subsequent question-and-answer session with investors, Kramer was asked whether closing Union City would produce additional incremental savings. "We’ve not made any announcements relative to Union City’s future, other than changing it to a five-day schedule," Kramer said. Kramer also was asked if Goodyear chose to take further actions to reduce capacity at Union City, would a notice period be required. "We can do that as we see fit," he said. "There wouldn’t be a notice period at this point."

Editorial : Goodyear can now do as they wish ! This writer is not impressed with their attitude nor their business operation. As I have said many times in the past, Bob Keegan and his henchmen are not interested in Goodyear Union City or for that matter any North American Tire Company owned by Goodyear ! When they close it down, not if ? They will continue to build those tires in China. Mr. Keegan did the same thing to Kodak, when he was CEO there ! It is as always, the bottom line is Profit/Greed and break the Union ! To Gadsden, Buffalo, Danville and Topeka, You were saved this time, because your respective states, gave Goodyear Money from your Tax-Payers. Tennessee Could not come up with enough money, so Union City is expendable ! Is that the same as extortion ? As far as the United Steelworkers, they really had no choice, but to give back everything that Goodyear wanted, and Goodyear wanted it all ! Our race to the bottom continues !

Health Care Can`t Wait ! Politicians have Sold US Out !

Send a Letter Today Urging Congress to Pass Quality Health Care Reform...
by Mike Hall, Sep 30, 2009

Local unions, central labor councils, state federations and national unions are redoubling their efforts to ensure health care reform legislation—which could be on the Senate floor as early as Oct. 13 and in the full House later in the month—is real reform that Controls costs. Provides guaranteed coverage. Holds insurance companies accountable. Includes a public health insurance plan option.
Requires all employers to pay their fair share. Rejects new taxes that would hurt working families—who already are being crushed by soaring health costs.
Please join union members across the nation in writing your senators and member of Congress to tell them to pass real health care reform. It’s critical working families speak up and provide a loud counter voice to the health insurance industry’s money and influence. Congress needs to hear from people who can tell their lawmakers about their personal struggles with a broken health care system and why we need real health care reform. Letters from union members, many of which will be written during breaks on the job site, at local union meetings and via special letter-writing events, will be delivered to lawmakers next week when activists and union leaders travel to Capitol Hill to meet with them or during the Columbus Day recess when union activists meet with the representatives in their home districts during the Columbus Day recess. Contact your local central labor council or state federation for more information on actions in your area. Union members also can go to the Working Families Tool kit
(www.WorkingFamiliesToolkit.com, registration required) for sample letters, fact sheets, fliers and more information on health care reform. We’re also planning a national health care call-in day to Congress on Oct. 7. Union members can urge their representatives and senators to back health care reform that includes a strong public option. Call 1-877-3-AFL-CIO (1-877-323-5246).
Other actions will include worksite leafleting, letters to the editor and op-ed pieces and other grassroots actions. The health insurance industry has spent millions to block inclusion of a public health insurance option. That paid off yesterday when the Senate Finance Committee voted 15-8 to kill an amendment by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and another by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to include such an option in their version of health care reform. But the Finance Committee’s bill is not the only player in the game. Both the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension’s Committee (HELP) and the House bill (H.R. 3200) contain public option provisions and many other improvements over the Finance bill.This is your chance to make your voice heard and tell Congress “Health Care Can’t Wait!“

Editorial : It seems that the time has come for US to represent ourselves, our elected representatives are no longer representing US, but are the exclusive representatives of large Health Insurance Company`s ! Alexander, Corker are you reading ?

Health Care ~ Public Option, Killed in Senate !...

Rockefeller’s Public Option Killed in Senate Finance’s Health Care Bill
by Tula Connell, Sep 29, 2009

UPDATE: Schumer’s public option amendment got killed as well, 10-13, with Baucus, Conrad and Lincoln voting against it. Disgrace. Looks like one version of public option just got killed in the Senate Finance Committee. Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s public option amendment, the strongest of the public option amendments offered, was just voted down 15-8, with five Democrats voting against it: Sens. Max Baucus (Mont.), Tom Carper (Del.), Kent Conrad (N.D.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and Bill Nelson (Fla.).
As Rockefeller said before the vote: Why would we not do this? People come second and the profits come first if we’re against this. Looks like the People lost this one. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will now offer another public option amendment. Let’s hope the Nay-saying Dems have time to check the People’s pulse before they shoot down another public option. According to a Wall Street Journal/NBC poll out today, half of 18- to 34-year-olds surveyed say they support a public insurance option as part of health care reform. Last week, a poll by the New York Times/CBS found 65 percent of those surveyed support a public option and only 26 percent oppose it. A public option would give consumers a choice—and private insurers are opposed to it because they’re afraid it will reduce their massive profits. So who exactly is being represented in this vote?

Editorial : The Republicans with the help of the (5) five Democrats above, have killed the Public Option for you and I ! The Republicans and the five rogue Democrats have successfully represented the BIG Insurance Company`s again ! It seems that the Health Insurance Company`s have bought the best representation that their millions can buy ! Once more the middle class and poor lose ! Oh, in case you were worried about your Senators Health Care Insurance coverage, it will not be affected, Your Tax Money buys them the very best and will continue to do so ! "God Bless America"!