Politics Blog

Category: The Economy

President signs extension of unemployment benefits

This is why it takes so long to get anything done in DC. The House finally passed a bill extending unemployment benefits, and also extending and expanding the homebuyer credit program along with tax breaks for small businesses. It passed after five weeks of wrangling with only 12 no votes. But in the course of those five weeks, Democrats had to break three GOP filibusters before the Republicans finally figured out broke voters won't be happy come election time.

To be fair, I think the business tax break was probably a good amendment and I won't fault the GOP for holding out on that one, but after they got it, they still dithered for weeks trying to force in an anti-ACORN amendment with the additional filibusters. As if that has anything to do with economic issues. In that interim an estimated 600,000 workers exhausted their benefits. Seeking meaningless vengence to make political points with their Palin-Beck worshipping base is not good governance.

In other GOP obstructionist news, we now know that Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn is the one who put an anonymous hold on a major Veterans Benefits Bill holding up much needed assistance to the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country. There's no excuse for that kind of petty politicking. He should be ashamed and so should the voters who put him into office. One hopes they'll remember this if he runs for re-election and make a better choice next time.

Category: Gay rights

State Rep to push for equal rights

A couple of under-reported items from Tuesday's elections. I found this news heartening. Kalamazoo voters overwhelming approved a city ordinance banning discrimination against gays. More importantly, following that win, "Speaker Pro Tempore Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township, introduced a resolution to amend the state constitution to allow same-sex marriage. Voters instituted the ban in 2004, when they approved Proposal 2."

Anticipating our commenters' response, yes I remember that last week I was horrified to learn of an attempt to amend the state constitution to ban abortions. The difference is Byrnes' amendment seeks to increase the right to choose, and the abortion amendment seeks to deny women a choice over their own bodies. I don't find that inconsistent. Others may disagree and no doubt, some will.

In other little remarked news from other states, the media virtually ignored that anti-tax/anti-spend initiatives went down to defeat in Maine and Washington state on Tuesday. It seems many Americans really do understand that government has a role to play in our lives and that we are all morally bound to kick in a little for the greater good.

Also, you may enjoy this slideshow of photos taken around the country on election day.

Category: Race Relations

Jumping to Conclusions

After the initial scramble for details and much needless speculation, the story of the Ft. Hood shooter is becoming a bit more clear. However, it's far from complete. No one knows yet why this man went off the rails. That will be revealed in the months to come when he goes to trial. So people should be careful before they jump to conclusions about his motives.

He is said to be a lifelong Muslim, and he shouted "Allahu Akbar"during the shooting spree. Some want to use that to indict all Muslims as radicals. But as I recall no one thought that phrase was so threatening when the Iranians were shouting it from their rooftops during the election protests. Moreover, I'm told there are thousands of Muslims in our military who have fought bravely and even died in service to our country. In any event, Ft. Hood's Gen. Cone says while it can't be entirely ruled out at this early point, the available evidence does not point to terrorism.

I fear this incident will bring out the worst in those predisposed to hate Islam. Already I've seen far too many willing to connect imaginary dots. But Adam Serwer reminds us that attitude only serves the true jihadists who are a very small percentage of the Muslim population. Read it all at the link, but I leave you with these thoughts from the piece:

In the past few months, we've seen a number of shootings performed by white men with right-wing fringe beliefs--but while an attempt to assign the responsibility for the murder of George Tiller, or the killing of police in Pittsburgh, or the assault on the Holocaust Museum to white men as a whole would rightfully be seen as idiotic, there are those who sit poised and prepared assign the alleged actions of one man to an entire people. This is, quite frankly, the best reaction groups like Al Qaeda could hope for--the strength of their narrative of a war between Islam and the West ultimately rests on our own actions. We should not indulge them or those that share a similar worldview.

Category: Health care

Poll: Most don't favor Dem health care reform

"The latest Rasmussen poll found that 42 percent of those surveyed favored the healthcare plan proposed by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats. That was down from 45 percent a week ago and unchanged from two weeks ago."

-- Reuters

Polls consistently shown that Americans are more worried about the economy than health care reform. And in this case, the public is right. Adding trillions to the deficit means the U.S. is headed for a wreck more serious than the burst real estate bubble.

Here for another analysis how health care reform can cost you dearly.

And here for poll.

Category: War

Terrorism at Fort Hood.

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is named as the initial shooter at Fort Hood today. While I don't want to think about this event in terms of simplistic details, or suspicions based on instinct, a lot of friends have been through Ft. Hood, and I can't help but wonder and hope people I know weren't there today.

Maj. Hasan was 39 years old, and if they have the other shooters in custody, the ages of the other shooters may be a hint of the true nature of these horrible murders. Mako out.

Category: Breaking news

Shootings at Fort Hood in Texas

Good Lord, this is turning out to be a crazy day. Apparently there's some shooters killing people at Fort Hood in Texas. Situation is of course chaotic and details are sketchy. Also seem to be changing by the moment, but the local newspaper has set up a twitter account FtHoodShootings where you can get their updates as they come in.

So far it looks like at least seven dead and twenty wounded. Horrible. Sending a comforting thought to the families.

Category: Health care

AARP cisses Millenials, children

What does AARP hate young adults and children?

AARP, the organization that recruits people over 50 years old with enticements such as consumer discounts available for a membership fee of $8 per year, has come out in favor of the monstrosity known as the House health care plan.

Any of the "reform" plans being discussed by the majority part in Congress "works" against young adults in at least three ways. One, it requires them to purchase health insurance, even when it makes no economic sense. Secondly, they limit the ability of insurance companies to offer healthy people discounts--and face it, most young adults are healthy, so they will take a double whammy. Finally, they will lead in time to massive tax increases (or rationing by government bureaucracy) to cope with the fiscal effects.

A note to anyone who is a member of AARP: Now would be a great time to cut up your membership card, put it in the mail, and send a revocation notice to the organization.

A new voice for Republicans

The head of the Republican National Committee is a man with a black face and a heart that is less than human. He is a man that has sold his soul trying to be elected to a national office. He lost in the elections he ran in but he won the moderate white voters long before he ran for senator or governor of any state.

He took the message of Dr. Martian Luther King Jr. and tied it to the voice of Ward Connerly and helped turn well-meaning folks against affirmative action. King's "I have a Dream" speech was given to press the federal government into action that would force the South into integration and justice for millions of people of color denied access to schools and jobs just because of the color of their skin.

In his book, "The Content of Their Character," Michael Steele makes it look like Dr. King said no laws should ever be challenged in the United States; just let those in charge decide what is best. So he was awarded the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee and is the new mouthpiece of the party.

Because of people like him and Ward Connerly, the University of Michigan has 11 percent fewer minorities today, after affirmative action was outlawed in Michigan. We don't need this guy in any public position.

Obama's supporters have tried to make Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, and Glenn Beck the new voice of the Republican Party, but it did not work in Virginia and New Jersey. The Democrats put up poor gubernatorial candidates is what they are spinning now, but the governor of New Jersey was no newcomer. He had won tough fights before, but read the tea leaves wrong this time.

The dirty fighting that was historically what the people of New Jersey looked forward to is not the thing they want now in the Obama era. Obama has changed many things in ways never thought possible. Campaigning in New Jersey and many other places must change to meet the new standard set by Mr. Obama, the man who won against all odds.

David Plouffe, one of the Obama talking heads, said the Democrats lost Virginia and New Jersey while winning New York because the politics involved were local. But isn't all politics local? The Democrats must do a better job of explaining the programs they want and how they will help people. There is no clear message in saying the party wants to be inclusive and bipartisan when its goals are not clearly stated.

The Republican Party won in Virginia and New Jersey because it was clear about its position on the economy and health care. They want no new taxes and the poor to stay uninsured.

Category: Republicans

Bachmann to lead assault on Congress today - UPDATED 3X

Just when you think the woman couldn't possibly get more unhinged, Michelle Bachmann ups the ante on craziness. For today's PR show, she intends to assemble a mob of Tea Party protesters and storm the halls of Congress in "one last stand" to attempt to kill health care reform.

Although the event was hastily conceived, thousands have pledged to be there. The present plan is to meet on the Capitol steps at 1:00 today and then invade the hallowed halls en masse to confront targeted Congressmen. Bachmann held a series of conference calls last night with the tea party people, to plot her strategy.

Bachmann told organizers on one of the calls that her goal for the day was a simple one. "Don't forget -- the purpose of this is to kill the bill," she said.

"I think if we stop it, it could be dead for 10 years," Bachmann added.

No doubt and so will millions of Americans who have no meaningful access to health insurance die right along with it. What a plan.

Update: Here's a shocker. Fox "News" has been actively promoting this Republican sponsored riot protest.

Update two: Hearing crowd estimated at 3000-3500. Bachmann due to speak shortly.

Last update: CSPAN covered it live. Assume they'll have archived footage later. About a dozen GOP Reps and one Freedom Works organizer spoke. It appears Bachmann did not lead the crowd in, but TPM reports long lines forming to get into the building. Blocking traffic and some chanting "Kill the Bill." Hearing someone arrested. Cause unknown. TPM is updating regularly at the last link so I'll close here.

Category: Climate Change

Majority favor action on climate change

I've seen numbers all over the place in the polling on this issue, but a new study by Pew Charitable Trusts Global Warming Campaign showed that 77 % of the respondents favored taking action against climate change while 18 % opposed doing anything, and 5% were undecided.

The article also addresses some of the other polling that shows less favorable results towards dealing with this looming danger to our planet and makes a pretty good case that the numbers aren't really that contradictory. I leave you to make your own mind about that, but the best quote in the piece describes the driving force behind the GOP opposition.

For Republicans, part of resistance to climate-change legislation is the desire "not be seen as the deciding vote to help a major Obama initiative," McInturff said. "I think that is the political dynamic."

Unfortunately, that appears to be the political dynamic behind all their positions these days. It would be really good for the country if somehow the Republicans would realize that good policy is good politics. I'd even bet their approval rating would go up if their leaders would show any signs that they're willing to work together with the Dems towards constructive solutions, no matter who gets the credit.