Republicans Love Wall-Street ! Main Street is Not Needed !

GOP Blocks Wall St. Reform Bill
By Alexander Bolton and Silla Brush - 04/26/10

Senate Republicans held ranks on Monday and blocked a Democratic effort to overhaul the financial system and crack down on Wall Street.
In a 57-41 vote, Democrats fell short of the 60 votes necessary to proceed to the Wall Street bill. One Senate Democrat, Ben Nelson (upper left)(Neb.), joined Republicans in voting against the motion. Nelson had reportedly been pushing for a provision backed by Warren Buffett that would have largely exempted existing derivatives contracts from the bill’s new rules. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) immediately moved to intensify the pressure on Republicans by scheduling additional procedural votes on Tuesday and Wednesday that would open debate on the financial reform bill. President Barack Obama issued a statement to express his “deep disappointment” that Republicans had blocked opening debate on the measure as other Democrats in the House and Senate rushed to put out statements charging the GOP with holding up the bill. Reid will have the Senate vote on a motion to reconsider the measure Tuesday and also set up a new vote on a motion to proceed to the bill for Wednesday. Democrats believe the series of votes will give them political ammunition against the GOP even as they continue negotiations on the issue with Republicans. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) said he would meet again with his Republican counterpart after the vote to discuss a possible compromise. Republicans framed their votes as a call for Democrats to work with them on bipartisan legislation and said their opposition would not prevent them from pursing a compromise bill. “My vote is not a vote against financial reform; instead it’s a vote to insist that the parties continue bi-partisan negotiations to come up with a commonsense bill we can all be proud of,” Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) said in a statement. The Monday vote came on the eve of one of the highest-profile congressional hearings into the crisis, in which the most storied Wall Street bank is set for a grilling about practices that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said amounted to fraud. Senators are set to question Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and firm employee Fabrice Tourre about SEC charges that the firm defrauded investors on investments tied to the housing market. Dodd said last week that he would continue to negotiate with Republicans even if they blocked an effort to bring his bill to the floor. Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.), the senior Republican on the Banking Committee, said he would like to reach an agreement this week or next. “I don’t want to unduly delay anything,” he said before Monday’s vote. Both members say they are making progress, but the parties remain split on major elements, such as the scope of a new consumer protection office, the power to dissolve a failing financial firm and new regulations on the multitrillion-dollar derivatives market. Republican aides said Dodd and Shelby were in close talks on a proposal, known as the “Volcker rule,” to limit the power of big banks. They were also discussing how much power the federal government should have to pre-empt state rules on consumer protection. Centrist Republicans such as Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) have suggested spending three or four weeks on crafting a bipartisan compromise. But Democrats, who are eager to move forward on other issues, say enough time has been spent negotiating the financial regulatory bill. The failure to begin debate raises questions over what the Senate will do on the floor this week. It could take up the Food Safety Modernization Act, but a senior Democratic aide said Reid wants to focus on Wall Street reform document. Democrats seized on the vote to portray Republicans as standing up for Wall Street banks that helped push the economy into the worst recession since the Great Depression. “A party that stands with Wall Street is a party that stands against families and against fairness,” Reid said Monday. Seeking protection from Democratic attacks, Senate Republicans said Monday that they have worked on an alternate Wall Street reform bill but offered few details other than to say it would address Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Democrats say the government-sponsored mortgage entities, which share blame for fueling the housing bubble, should be reformed in separate legislation. The legislation would respond to the concerns of some centrist Republicans who have argued in private meetings that the party should be able to propose its own solutions if it blocks the Democratic proposal. But few lawmakers were aware of the effort to draft an alternative, giving it the appearance of a last-minute scramble for political cover.
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (upper right)(Ky.) said Democratic leaders were trying to stampede his fellow Republicans into supporting bad policy.
“Republicans are also acutely aware of the fact that government solutions to big, complex problems like this one are rarely as effective as they’re made out to be, especially when they’re rushed,” McConnell said. He declared that Republican concerns about economic stimulus and healthcare reform legislation have since been vindicated by public opinion and told Democrats to slow down. “Americans have been rushed by this Congress before,” he said. “They’ve seen the results. They’re not going to be rushed again.” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs predicted Monday that Republicans would have trouble holding a unified front against Wall Street reform, which polls show has broad public support. A Washington Post/ABC News poll published Monday showed that almost two-thirds of the public supported stronger regulation of financial institutions. The survey also found that 52 percent trust Obama more than GOP lawmakers to regulate Wall Street. In a preview of the Goldman Sachs hearing, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the panel, accused the bank of misleading the country and spreading “poison” throughout the national economy. Levin said the bank sold securities it knew were backed by dubious mortgages and then bet heavily against the investments, earning an estimated $3.7 billion off these short bets.

Jay Heflin contributed to this article.

Editorial : Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker (R`s) Tennessee were among those who towed the line for McConnell ! Better wake up Tennessee !

Hey Senior`s ~ Your Fate is Being Decided Behind closed Doors

Social $ecurity and Seniors !

Seniors Need to Follow This ! Hey That`s Me !

This morning a new Federal commission is meeting for the first time, and it could determine the future of Social Security. The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is a bi-partisan group charged with recommending ways to lower the federal debt. No retiree likes debt, but we should be worried because some are urging the panel to cut Social Security to reduce the budget deficit. Unfortunately this new Commission is making it hard for us to follow its work. It plans to hold most of its meetings outside of the public eye, behind closed doors in the U.S. Capitol. Click http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/open_gov to tell your elected officials that this Commission's deliberations - and the future of Social Security - are too important to be kept secret. The meetings should be open to the public, and there should be hearings across the country to listen to the American people. Social Security is one of our nation's greatest success stories, and there is no reason to hide it away. Act today to send these meetings out into the sunshine, so everyone can see firsthand just how important Social Security is to Americans of all ages. Click on link above or on the Title of this article !

Big Banks ~ Too Big ? You Bet`cha !

Big Banks Need Regulating !

America's four largest banks - Citibank, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and WellsFargo - have assets of $7.4 trillion, equal to 52% of our entire GDP.The collapse of any one would endanger the American economy, even the world economy. They are truly "too big to fail." They also have too much economic and political power because of their enormous size. Tell Congress: Break Up the Big Banks Now http://www.democrats.com/break-up-the-banks-now
Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ted Kaufman (D-DE) introduced a bold bill - the SAFE Banking Act (S. 3241) - to break up the big Wall Street banks. This may be the biggest reform of Wall Street and corporate power in 80 years.
According to the New York Times, "The [SAFE Banking Act] would reinforce a 1994 law that bars any single bank from holding more than 10% of the nation’s total deposits, or about $750 billion. In the years since then, large firms have obtained waivers or used loopholes in the law to exceed that ceiling." It would also limit total bank borrowing to 2% of GDP.
Tell Congress: Break Up the Big Banks Now : http://www.democrats.com/break-up-the-banks-now The bill has broad progressive support, including Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Chris Hayes of The Nation, Prof. Lawrence Lessig, Heather Booth of Americans for Financial Reform, Adam Quinn of Credo, David Arkush of Public Citizen, and Jan Frel of Alternet. In addition, three Federal Reserve bank presidents – James Bullard, president and chief executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Kansas City Fed President Thomas M. Hoenig, and Dallas Fed President Richard W. Fisher – all support breaking up too-big-to-fail banks.
Tell Congress: Break Up the Big Banks Now http://www.democrats.com/break-up-the-banks-now

Republican Senators Unite Behind Big Money !

Senator Mitchell McConnell (R) Kentucky...Represents Big Money !

Last week, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell got all 41 GOP senators to promise to oppose Wall Street reform. He thought President Obama would back down in the face of a unified show of force. He was wrong. Instead, the President stood in front of Wall Street bankers Thursday, going to bat for consumers and confronting the toughest of crowds with a strong message: Reform is good for Americans, good for the market, and it's time to get on board. Bipartisan discussions have begun again -- but Wall Street lobbyists are still swarming Capitol Hill, trying to trip up negotiations and maintain the gridlock that has defined Washington for far too long. So now, it's up to us. We need to show Republican senators that the American people are watching closely to see whose side they end up on. Tell Republicans in the Senate to stand up to the special interests and work with the President to pass Wall Street reform.
The President laid out a bold plan to hold Wall Street accountable, to protect American taxpayers by ensuring they'll never again be asked to bail out a big firm "too big to fail," and to put in place the strongest consumer financial protections ever proposed.But this fight isn't just about fixing Wall Street. It's also about fixing Washington. For too long, it's been a place where special interests have set the rules and petty partisanship has stood in the way of progress. As the President said Thursday, "We can and must put this kind of cynical politics aside."Thanks to strong leadership from the President and Democrats in Congress, the gridlock is starting to crack, and Republicans are slowly giving signs that they'll come on board. The Senate has even scheduled a preliminary vote for Monday at 5:15 p.m.But Wall Street lobbyists are flooding in to firm up opposition -- trying to carve out loopholes and exemptions for big banks and lenders who have long exploited consumers.The only sure-fire way to make sure that the special interests don't get their way is to show Senate Republicans that Americans are standing firmly with the President. Tell them to join us to fight for American families who are counting on reform, not the big Wall Street banks. Send a letter today: Click on this link or the title of this article : http://my.barackobama.com/WallStreetReformLetters

Check out our online Wall Street reform resource center.

President Obama ~ Wall-Street & Bank Reform !

Reform for Wall Street & Banks ? You Bet`cha !

by Don Jones...4/22/10

I listened to our President on television, asking for our elected officials to reform Wall-Street and our Banks,that are to big to fail ? He sounded rational and reasonable. I agree with him, these institutions need to be reformed. It seems that our Banks have become little more than loan sharking institutions. Wall-Street a huge casino. I do not believe that this should happen or allowed to happen. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had this same problem as does President Obama ! History does repeat itself. Banks do not respect us and are raising their interest rates, fees, and charges all they can, not all they need, before more stringent regulations kick in early 2010. Perhaps we all should join Credit Unions since they can only raise Credit Card interest to 18% ? Have you ever thought about keeping your money in a coffee can and bury it in the backyard ? These days it seems like a pretty good idea ? I have a passbook savings account at a local bank, so I can put money in or take it out, when I want too. I noticed the other day it was paying a whopping 0.30% interest ! Not too good ! I hope and pray that our politicians will help aid and assist our President to reform our Banks and Wall-Street ? I`m also hoping that our next reform will be our Trade policy`s! "God Bless America"!

Healthcare rReform - Just the Facts !

Facts About Health Care Reform
by Mike Hall, Apr 1, 2010

Yesterday, we found out that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is set to spend $50 million in this fall’s election to (take your pick): 1. attack; 2. bend the truth; or 3. down right lie about the new health care reform law that President Obama put the finishing touches on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal describes the Chamber’s efforts as “an aggressive strategy to blunt the impact of the new law.”

BTW, Christina Bellantoni on TPM yesterday noted:
The new push for the 2010 midterm elections adds to a more than $144 million ad campaign the Chamber mounted on behalf of its business membership in the last year against passage of the measure. Before you’re innundated with ads claiming health care reform will destroy the economy, the nation and world as we know it, here are a few of health care reform’s many benefits for working families. (Check out the video of Washington State working families celebrating the new law.)
Two important facts,

first: If you have employer-sponsored health care coverage won at the bargaining table, you’ll keep it. Second, the tax on health care benefits in high-cost plans has been reduced by 85 percent and delayed until 2018. In addition, the new law:

•Ends insurance companies’ most abusive practices, including denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, beginning in 2014 for adults, and this September for children. The insurance industry already tried to weasel out of covering sick kids, but that sleazy maneuver came to a quick end.

•Eliminates annual and lifetime limits on benefits and ends discriminatory premiums for women and requires government review of excessive rate increases.

•Lowers health care costs for working families by creating new health insurance exchanges to increase competition and provides tax credits and cost-sharing assistance for middle- and lower-income families to purchase insurance.

•Helps seniors purchase prescription drugs, closes the Medicare prescription drug “donut hole” and ensures seniors get free preventive care under Medicare.
Click here for more information on the new health care reform and check back next week when we take a look at some health care reform facts vs. fiction.

Lets End the War on Drugs !

March 31, 2010 08:38 AM

Let's End the War on Drugs
By: Sting

Whether it's music, activism or daily life, the one ideal to which I have always aspired is constant challenge -- taking risks, stepping out of my comfort zone, exploring new ideas. I am writing because I believe the United States must do precisely that -- and so, therefore, must all of us -- in the case of what has been the most unsuccessful, unjust yet untouchable issue in politics: the War on Drugs.
The War on Drugs has failed -- but it's worse than that. It is actively harming our society. Violent crime is thriving in the shadows to which the drug trade has been consigned. People who genuinely need help can't get it. Neither can people who need medical marijuana to treat terrible diseases. We are spending billions, filling up our prisons with non-violent offenders and sacrificing our liberties.
For too long, the War on Drugs has been a sacrosanct undertaking that was virtually immune from criticism in the public realm. Politicians dared not disagree for fear of being stigmatized as "soft on crime." Any activist who spoke up was dismissed as a fringe element. But recently, I discovered just how much that's changing--and that's how I came to speak out on behalf of an extraordinary organization called the Drug Policy Alliance. I learned of DPA, as they're known, while reading what once might have been the unlikeliest of places for a thoughtful discussion of the Drug War -- the op-ed page of the Wall Street Journal.
It featured an op-ed that dared to say in print -- in a thoughtful, meticulous argument -- what everyone who has seriously looked at the issue has known for years: the War on Drugs is an absolute failure whose cost to society is increasingly unbearable and absolutely unjustifiable.
The author of that piece is a former Princeton professor turned activist named Ethan Nadelmann, who runs DPA. I was so impressed by his argument that I began reading up on the group. Their work spoke directly to my heart as an activist for social justice -- because ending the War on Drugs is about exactly that.
For years, the Drug War has been used as a pretext to lock people in prison for exorbitant lengths of time -- people whose "crimes" never hurt another human being, people who already lived at the margins of society, whose voices were the faintest and whose power was the least. Civil liberties have been trampled. Law enforcement has been militarized. Literally hundreds of billions of dollars -- dollars denied to urgent problems ranging from poverty to pollution -- have been spent. People who do need help with drugs have been treated as criminals instead. Meanwhile, resources to fight genuine crime -- violent crime -- have been significantly diminished. And in exchange for all this, the War on Drugs has not stopped people from using drugs or kept drugs from crossing the borders or being sold on the streets. To me, it all adds up to a clear message of exactly the sort I've always tried to heed in my life: It's time to step out of our comfort zone and try something new. That's where DPA comes in. Their focus is on reducing the harm drugs cause rather than obsessively and pointlessly attempting to ban them. I'm partnering with DPA because they champion treatment, advocate effective curricula for educating young people about drugs -- and from local courtrooms to the Supreme Court, they are utterly relentless defenders of the liberties that have been sacrificed to the Drug War. Now, political conditions in Washington seem finally to be aligning in favor of profound change in drug policy. President Obama has openly said the Drug War is a failure. Legislation to decriminalize marijuana is pending on Capitol Hill. But success is far from guaranteed. Indeed, the echoes of the old politics of intimidation and demagoguery that have long surrounded the War on Drugs can still be heard. We must all work to ensure this issue becomes a priority and is acted upon in a meaningful and sensible way. That's why I hope you'll join me in becoming a member of the Drug Policy Alliance today. We need a movement that will put the team at DPA in a position to take maximum advantage of the political changes in Washington while continuing to fight for sanity in drug policy across the nation.
Everyone knows the War on Drugs has failed. It's time to step out of our comfort zones, acknowledge the truth -- and challenge our leaders ... and ourselves ... to change.

Questions & Answers on HealthCare !

Listed Below are Links to Answer`s on Healthcare Questions ?

I thought You might be interested ? Just click on the link question and it will take you to the answer ! I hope these help ?

How will insurance for Members of Congress change under the new health care law?

Which religious groups are exempt from the new health insurance mandate?

What is considered a 'Cadillac' health plan under the new law?

Will military benefits be affected?

Does everyone in Congress get a pension — even if they leave office early because of a scandal?

Stop The Bleeding of Our Jobs to China !

Save Jobs
Write the President and Congress
How Much More Can We Take

· Our trade imbalance with China has cost America 2.4 MILLION JOBS since 2001!

· A big reason is that the Chinese Government deliberately sets its money value up to 40% lower than the dollar. This manipulation means they can sell their products up to 40% cheaper in the U.S.

· The stunning damage to jobs can be seen on a special map that shows each state and Congressional District losses. Take a look at:

http://www.americanmanufacturing.org/china-job-loss/

We Have a Chance to Act NOW Insist that the President formally label China a “Currency Manipulator”
Urge Congress to Pass Strong Legislation with Penalties

We Have a New Quick and Easy Website Letter Writer :

Go to: http://www.americanmanufacturing.org/
Click on: TAKE ACTION: Write to Congress and the President
Fill in: Your Name and Address Information in the Form
Click: “Send Message” an you’ve sent the message

If You Don’t Have Access to a Computer you can fill out the Letter on the Back of this Flyer and AAM will see that the President and Your Congress people get it.

Health Care and YOU !

Better Than NO Health Care Bill ~ YOU bet`cha !

Yesterday, the House of Representatives made history. Even with the bill's flaws, health care reform is the most important piece of progressive legislation in decades. Below is a list of ten of the most important things health care reform will accomplish for everyday Americans—none of which would've been possible without the dogged efforts of grassroots progressives and the support of Representative Alan Grayson. But Republicans are already unleashing their spin machine to target Democrats who voted for reform, so we've got to show that we've got their backs. We've set a goal of making 3 thank-you calls from Mount Dora to Rep. Grayson's office today—can you join in? Here's where to call:
Representative Alan Grayson Phone: 202-225-2176
And after you call, take a moment to check out the list and share it with all your friends. Big Insurance and right-wing extremists are already ratcheting up their campaign to spread misinformation about the bill, so it's critical that we get the truth out as widely as possible.
_____________________________________________________________

10 THINGS EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM

(1.) Once reform is fully implemented, over 95% of Americans will have health insurance coverage, including 32 million who are currently uninsured.

(2.) Health insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny people coverage because of preexisting conditions—or to drop coverage when people become sick.

(3.) Just like members of Congress, individuals and small businesses who can't afford to purchase insurance on their own will be able to pool together and choose from a variety of competing plans with lower premiums.

(4.) Reform will cut the federal budget deficit by $138 billion over the next ten years, and a whopping $1.2 trillion in the following ten years.

(5.) Health care will be more affordable for families and small businesses thanks to new tax credits, subsidies, and other assistance—paid for largely by taxing insurance companies, drug companies, and the very wealthiest Americans.

(6.) Seniors on Medicare will pay less for their prescription drugs because the legislation closes the "donut hole" gap in existing coverage.

(7.) By reducing health care costs for employers, reform will create or save more than 2.5 million jobs over the next decade.

(8.) Medicaid will be expanded to offer health insurance coverage to an additional 16 million low-income people.

(9.) Instead of losing coverage after they leave home or graduate from college, young adults will be able to remain on their families' insurance plans until age 26

(10.) Community health centers would receive an additional $11 billion, doubling the number of patients who can be treated regardless of their insurance or ability to pay.

Editorial : Thanks to Mike Stanley for this. God Bless America !

National & State Organ Waiting List...as of 3/05/10

National & State Organ Waiting List as of

> 3/05/2010... <

As most of you know, I`m a Heart-Transplant 8/17/94...I also direct the Organ/Donor Awareness program, for the Masonic Grand Lodge of Tennessee, (The FreeMasons) Nashville Tennessee. Listed below are some stats, you might find interesting ? Click on link below or the title of this artice for more information. > http://www.gmwp.org/vision2013/oda <

National Waiting List :

Kidney---83,904

Liver---15,865

Pancreas---1,474

Kidney/Pancreas---2,210

Heart---3,147

Lung---1,856

Heart/Lung---71

Intestine---239

Total > 106,400

State of Tennessee Waiting List :

Kidney---1,915

Liver---208

Pancreas---14

Kidney/Pancreas---19

Heart---120

Lung---31

Heart/Lung---0

Intestine ---- 0

Total > 2,288

Vanderbilt :

Kidney---727

Liver---124

Pancreas---7

Kidney/Pancreas---7

Heart---26

Lung---18

Heart/Lung---0

Intestine---0

Total > 909

"Give The Gift of Life, Be an Organ/Tissue Donor, It`s the Masonic/Eastern Star thing to Do " !

Allomap Testing for Heart Transplants

Allomap Testing
> http://www.vanderbilthealth.comtransplant/11428 <

AlloMap testing is a noninvasive method for determining the risk of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in heart transplant recipients. The test translates the complex signals of the immune system’s multiple genes and pathways, specifically those associated with heart transplant ACR, into an objective, actionable score. 

AlloMap testing is a safe, convenient and proven new method to significantly improve heart transplant recipients’ satisfaction. Rather than having an invasive procedure in a heart catheterization lab, only a simple and quick blood draw is necessary. The blood sample is sent to the XDx clinical laboratory, a state-of-the-art clinical lab in Brisbane, where complex gene information is extracted and analyzed. Using the XDx proprietary algorithm, the information is translated into a single score that distinguishes rejection from quiescence, or a stable state. Read more. Allomap Protocol

Editorial : How Sweet it Is ! Biopsy`s are not very much fun. Allomap is the way ! Hoo-Ray ! This from a Heart-Transplant patient almost 16 years post ! Hey That`s ME !

Wal-Mart & The China Connection !

First Wal-Mart Union Begins in China Thanks to Gov't
By Andrew McLemore
Published: Sunday August 3, 2008

The first Wal-Mart trade union in China was formed after the company bowed to government demands for organized labor in its stores, The New York Times reported Friday. Wal-Mart's reluctance to allow unions, particularly in the United States where they remain banned from stores, has been a point of controversy for many years. But the government-controlled All-China Federation of Trade Unions fought for the right to create branches in the company's 60 outlets. Beth Keck, director of international corporate affairs for Wal-Mart, said she was aware of the reports of Chinese unions forming and said the company hopes to have a "cordial and productive relationship" with the federation.
"We know they have been interested in having a relationship with our company for some time," Keck said. "We will, of course, be looking forward to how this will evolve." Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has operations in 15 countries, many of which have at least some employees that are union members.
The United States, Keck said, is the "clear exception." The change comes at a time when Wal-Mart is already battling the proposed Employee Free Choice Act -- which might allow unionization of Wal-Marts on this side of the ocean -- by attempting to sway its employees from voting Democratic. While the company insists it is not telling employees how to vote, some who attended meetings with Wal-Mart human resources managers that delivered the company's anti-union line scoff at the notion. "The meeting leader said, 'I am not telling you how to vote, but if the Democrats win, this bill will pass and you won't have a vote on whether you want a union,'" a Wal-Mart customer-service supervisor from Missouri told the paper. "I am not a stupid person. They were telling me how to vote," she said. Wal-Mart has fought against unions for years and has many systems in place to prevent them from forming. As soon as Wal-Mart managers see a potential union, they are supposed to call a hotline, prompting a visit from a special team from Wal-Mart headquarters, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Former Wal-Mart manager Jon Lehman told Frontline what he would tell employees regarding unions. "I used to stand up in front of my workers and lie to them," he said. "I used to say the talking points, that the union's a cult: 'You don't want to join a union. It's a cult. Why pay someone to speak for you? You can speak for yourself.'

Editorial : The reason for this article is > I have received notes informing me that Wal-Mart has Union stores in China. Thought I better check it out and see for myself. Ok, let me see, The Chinese Government is sponsoring these so called labor unions and Wal-Mart is ok with that ! SORRY ! These are Communist State Unions run by and for Wal-Mart and the Chinese Communist Government ! NOT UNIONS, as we know and operate in the good ole USA ! Wal-Mart does not have Unions in China !

Health Care ~ Now or Never !

Health Care ~ Now or Never !
By Don Jones...3/14/10

Health Care, Health Care, Health Care. We have been discussing this all important item since before time almost ! We now seem so close, yet the Republicans are fighting it tooth and toenail ! Why ? Big insurance company`s, yes ! Our entire economy is and will be affected by any kind of national health care. Our manufacturer`s are leaving for foreign Country`s to avoid paying for health care for employee`s, and paying livable wages ! Yet, are politicians are not only allowing this, they are through incentive programs paid for by YOU the tax-payer. Have we all gone NUTS ? No, not really. It seems that greed is the main driver for all of these difficult and strange things happening to our middle class ! We tend to want to blame Unions. NOT SO ! It is pure unadulterated corporate greed ! The Republican party has made our free democratic trade unions a thing to be feared and loathed. How ridiculous. Who is to be blamed ? It is us. That`s correct, us ! WE vote for individuals who do not reflect our values as the middle class. The American dream may be lost soon ! We are swayed by hear say, innuendo, and just plain lie`s ! Even some of our church`s have mislead us. Our news media is no longer a news media. They talk 24 hours a day, and talk, talk, talk, is not a good idea. They speculate, they interview each other. Some cable news stations should be prosecuted for calling themselves a news station ! They are kinda like wrestling (rasslin) sometimes entertaining, but never "THE NEWS"! Our economy is in the pits ! Our manufacturing is moving to China for cheap labor and no health care ! I have heard that Big Unions are the fault. Not So ! It is Corporate greed. First of all, there are no longer Big Unions ! It seems that our politicians have sold us down the river ! Our fat cat politicians get fatter, we get poorer. If you vote for Republicans because they stand for your values, better check again. They mislead you with gun control, abortion, free trade and health care ! They say that their party is opposed to all of these things. They do this by convincing you that the Democrats want to take your guns, have abortion on demand, cripple trade and end our health care system. NOT SO ! Those of us who are the most vulnerable are listening to these lies ! Big money is buying our politicians. America`s race to the bottom continues, with the guidance and assistance of those we elect to represent us. BIG UNIONS, what a bad joke ! There are now 400 family's who are more wealthy than 155 million Americans combined. During this time of economic recession, when most middle class Americans are hurting, our very rich are getting richer ! Without a National Health Care Bill there is no recovery or America as we have known it !. Republicans = For The Very Wealthy ! Democrats = For the Working Class !

Better Wake up America ! It is almost gone. One Man`s opinion.

Alan Simpson (R) No Friend of Seniors !

Alan Simpson Strikes at Seniors, Social Security, and Medicare

Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson(R) sat down with the CNBC television network last week to discuss his post as co-chair of the President’s Fiscal Commission on the national debt. Throughout the conversation, he leveled several attacks against seniors and senior advocacy organizations, accusing them of not caring “a whit about their grandchildren…not a whit.” When asked about cuts he would recommend to the President and Congress, he replied, “We are going to stick to the big three,” meaning, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. To see the interview, click on http://bit.ly/9Hwg6U. “Alan Simpson’s prior record in the Senate has proven his determination to cut Medicare and Social Security. His appointment has caused widespread alarm among seniors, veterans, and disabled Americans, who increasingly rely on these programs during the economic downturn !

Health Care Must be Fixed !

Obama Calls for Reconciliation in Order to Pass Health Care Reform Quickly...

In a health care speech by Barack Obama on Wednesday, the President called for an “up or down vote” that would leave Republicans unable to kill the bill through a filibuster. The current Democratic plan is to have the House vote to approve the already-passed Senate bill, plus fixes, then have the Senate pass these fixes through reconciliation. Under this scenario, only a simple majority in the Senate, rather than a super-majority of 60 votes, would be needed to pass health reform. The President stated that he wants action within a few weeks, echoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) call for an informal deadline of March 18. Despite Republican criticism that a decision to bar the filibuster would be “met with outrage” by the public, Democrats shot back with claims that the same rules had been used five times during George W. Bush’s administration. The Obama White House is still working to include bipartisan measures, and announced that they were exploring GOP proposals that include additional crackdowns on fraudulent medical charges and new rules for medical malpractice suits. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to fix a health care system that is not benefiting millions of Americans, including many seniors.”!

Keep It Made In America

Keep it Made in America

Dear Don,

The Whirlpool Corp. is closing a refrigerator manufacturing plant in Evansville, Ind., putting more than 1,100 people out of work. Even worse, Whirlpool will continue to produce these refrigerators, but not in Evansville and not anywhere else in America. They are planning to manufacture them in Mexico, where weaker labor and environmental laws make them "cheaper" for Whirlpool to produce.This is outrageous and unacceptable, especially in light of Whirlpool's profitability and the $19 million dollars in economic recovery money Whirlpool recently received from the federal government as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Those are OUR economic recovery funds, not Mexico's.To protest Whirlpool's decisions and demand good jobs in America, I'm heading to Evansville next Friday to rally and march with local workers and labor leaders--and I'd like you to join me. No, I'm not asking you to join me in person, but I Would like you to sign a petition in solidarity with the Evansville workers for me to deliver to Whirlpool's management.Click here to sign our petition to Whirlpool: Keep It Made in America: Save Our Jobs:http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/evansville/wxews8b447dmjbi6?Too many people have lost their jobs. Too many jobs have been sent overseas. Enough is enough. Whirlpool's management can't take our money, shut down our factories and lay off our workers.It's not acceptable--and together we're going to deliver a loud and clear message to Whirlpool: Keep It Made in America and Save Our Jobs. Sign our petition today:http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/evansville/wxews8b447dmjbi6 ?Tell your friends to sign the petition in solidarity :http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/evansville/forward/wxews8b447dmjbi6?Together we will fight against corporate greed and for good jobs. Together we will rebuild the American economy, because everyone deserves a good job NOW!

In solidarity,

Richard L. Trumka AFL-CIO President

P.S. Please sign the petition today:

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/evansville/wxews8b447dmjbi6?. Our power is in our numbers. Together we can make a difference.--------------------------------------------------

Senate Filibuster ~ What is It ?

What is a Senate Filibuster ?

A filibuster is a tactic used by the Senate's minority to delay or defeat a bill or amendment. Under Senate rules, a final up-or-down vote on a bill cannot be taken until Senators agree to end debate on it. A filibuster takes advantage of this rule to prolong debate indefinitely. The vote to end debate is known as cloture, from the French word for "ending." Although most votes in the Senate are decided by a simple majority of 51 votes, it takes three-fifths of the "duly chosen and sworn" senators to pass cloture. In practice, that usually means 60 out of 100 senators, regardless of whether they are present for the vote. The only time it would take fewer than 60 votes is if a Senate seat were vacant due to death or a disputed election, for example. In today's political climate, the threat of a filibuster usually causes the Senate majority leader to count cloture votes. If there are not 60 votes, a bill will probably not make it to the floor since that would clog up the calendar, hurting the chances of other legislation.

Editorial : And we wonder why nothing gets done in Washington D.C. ? Politics as usual !

Health Care ~ For America, NOW !

Write a Letter to your Local Newspaper

An alarming new study shows that health care costs increased last year at the fastest rate in more than a half century. Health care spending rose to an estimated $2.5 trillion in 2009, or $8,047 per person -- and is now projected to nearly double by 2019. If we don't act, this growing burden will mean more lost jobs, more families pushed into bankruptcy, and more crushing debt for our nation.The conclusion is clear: This isn't a problem we can kick down the road for another decade -- or even another year. We need to pass health reform now.We're incredibly close. But too many in Washington are now saying that we should delay or give up on reform entirely. So we need to make it crystal clear that Americans understand the stakes for our economy and our lives, and that we want action.Can you write a letter to the editor of your local paper right now?In just five minutes of your time, you can tell thousands of readers about this new report on spiraling costs, and why abandoning reform is just not an option.You can also help by posting this note on Facebook, letting your friends know about the new costs study and asking them to join you in writing a letter to a local paper. President Obama and many allies in Congress are working hard to finish the job -- but we can't rest until it's done. Your note will help break through the Washington spin and show members of Congress and the media what local voters really believe. Click here to get started:http://my.barackobama.com/FinishTheJobIt's clear that we're in the fight of our lives to pass real reform. But after a century of trying, the finish line is finally in sight. As President Obama reminded us all in his State of the Union address, we're fighting for our families and our country -- and we don't quit.Thanks for making it possible.

Republicans Scare Me ! They Want to Privatize Social Security ! God Save Us !

Republicans Scare me to Death !



Solve Deficit by Privatizing Medicare and Social Security ? Texas Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling suggested in an interview Monday that the only way to curb the budget deficit is by cutting entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. He said, "I'm willing to say that part of the social contract will need to be re-engineered." It was a flashback to the Bush-era where schemes to privatize Social Security and cut benefits were widely rejected by seniors and other Americans. Click here to watch the interview on the subject: http://bit.ly/b0j3iY.

Editorial : Same Old crap, cut us and give it to Wall-Street ! The one thing you can say positive about the Republicans is, they are consistent ! Take from the poor and give to the Rich ! Hey Folks, I don`t make this stuff up ! Ole Jeb Scare you ? Does ME !

President Obama Includes Stimulus Payment for Social Security Recipients...Hey Thats Me !

One Time Payment for Social Security Recipients...?

The President's Budget Includes $250 Stimulus Payment for Social Security Recipients. President Obama's Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposes a $250 payment to Social Security recipients. The relief would come at a time when Social Security beneficiaries will not be receiving a normal cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) because of a formula that forbids adjustments during times of negative inflation. "Without a COLA, far too many of America's seniors will find it even more difficult to purchase basic necessities, heat their homes and pay for their medications. "The President's budget proposal will provide Social Security beneficiaries with the equivalent of a 2% increase in benefits and will help greatly to bolster their financial security."As expected, the budget also calls for a Bipartisan Fiscal Commission that will address the growth of entitlement spending, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. A plan to freeze non-security discretionary spending for three years to address the budget deficit would not affect those programs. "We must watch this fiscal commission development carefully, so that the budget is not balanced on the backs of seniors," Other items in the budget are aimed at supporting seniors. These include $3.3 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); funds to reduce Social Security backlogs; and money to help families care for aging relatives at home. Retirement security initiatives include establishing automatic workplace IRAs, with employees being able to "opt-out" if they choose; doubling the credit for small employers starting a retirement plan; and providing a 50-percent match on the retirement savings of families that earn less than $85,000.

The War on Drugs ~ Lost a Long time Ago !

The War on Drugs , We`re Fighting the Right War, The Wrong Way...

By: Anonymous. I could have written this, but I did`nt !

Don Jones = Underdog

As it is, there is very little real treatment available in this country. The little treatment for addiction that insurance companies will authorize is pitiful. Those who get treatment are usually users who have committed a criminal offense...society has criminalized it's concept of addiction, and this is a sad fact. I believe we could wipe out the "drug problem" with one easy weapon...Treatment. If we treated addicts and alcoholics the way we treat cancer we would be way ahead of the game. One part of me wants to defend users of medical marijuana, but I've treated far too many "pot heads" who used this as a scam to be high most of the time. We need a total revamping of how we look at alcohol and drugs. We need to treat people with a disease. And....in some cases even the medical use of any substance would be counter indicative of a transplant. Would you transplant someone who was addicted to opioid pain killers ? On top of all of this is the fact we know insurance companies will look for any reason to not provide treatment, especially if it is an expensive one. No easy answers, lots of problems and it isn't going away any time soon. In my opinion, we lost the "War on Drugs" a long time ago...we should raise the white flag and start treating people who need treatment.

Editorial : I have been saying this for a very longtime now ! Alas, No one seems to listen ! We will never win a war on drugs, using the tactics we are at present.

Response from : Martin TN. Chief of Police

Criminalizing addiction and decriminalizing illicit drugs aren’t mutually inclusive in my opinion. I have sympathy for those who addicted to drugs commit criminal offenses to support their addiction. Like so many other arguments in our country today, facts are twisted to fit a political stance. More times than not, the criminals we deal with are criminals first and drug addicts second and that my friend is a fact based on twenty years of work in the field and hundreds of interviews and thousands of excuses. There are however, occasionally, drug addicted persons who, minus the impetus of drugs in their lives, could and probably would be productive citizens. My problem with your hypothesis is that it fails to separate the chaff from the wheat. I obviously feel very strongly about harsh penalties for drug offenses but make no mistake, my focus as is that of most of my piers is not that of punishment for the addict but rather punishment for those who prey on addiction by profiting from it. That is the drug dealer. The person who makes money on the addict. This is not a war we can concede whether we are winning or not! That also includes doctors who freely dispense prescription drugs with little or no evaluation as to need or purpose. Again, a drug dealer. Just one with letters behind his or her name.

David Moore, Chief of Police
Martin Tennessee Police Department
101 University St./ P.O. Box 9
Martin, Tennessee 38237
ph. (731) 587-5355 x236
fax (731) 587-5183
dbmoore@martindps.org

National Organ Transplant Waiting List !

Organ Transplant Waiting List.<>USA ~ Tennessee ~ Vanderbilt
1/26/2010

National List :

Kidney ---- 83,009

Liver---- 15,770

Pancreas---1,490

Kidney/Pancreas---2,195

Heart---3,013

Lung---1,828

Heart/Lung---76

Intestine---229

Total : 105,294



Tennessee :

Kidney---1,867

Liver---208

Pancreas---14

Kidney/Pancreas---20

Heart---117

Lung---32


Heart/Lung---0


Intestine---0


Total: 2,238



Vanderbilt :

Kidney---709


Liver---127


Pancreas---7


Kidney/Pancreas---6


Heart---27


Lung---20


Heart/Lung---0


Intestine---0


Total: 890

"Give The Gift of Life, Be an Organ/Tissue Donor, It`s the Masonic thing to Do " !