It's Time To Reform The Senate

by: PaulHodes

Wed Aug 18, 2010 at 11:18:35 AM EDT

That's why yesterday I announced my proposals to change the Senate rules to increase accountability and break the partisan gridlock in Washington. Right now, Washington Republicans in the Senate are blocking a vote on a critical bill that will provide tax cuts and increased credit to New Hampshire's small businesses. My plan calls for an end to anonymous holds and gradually lowering the threshold needed to end debate and hold an up or down vote on Senate bills.

Stop the Revolving Door

by: PaulHodes

Wed Aug 04, 2010 at 11:33:19 AM EDT

We have former employees of big corporations ending up in the agencies that are supposed to regulate them. We have former public servants securing high-paid jobs in the businesses they used to oversee.

That may be good for K Street, but it's bad for the American people.

Today I am announcing my plan to end the revolving door in Washington between public officials and corporate lobbyists.

A Sorry State of Affairs

by: PaulHodes

Thu Jul 29, 2010 at 11:24:39 AM EDT

You know what? I wasn't surprised by their filibuster. I was expecting it. I'm sure you were too.

But I think everyone here can agree - it is one sorry state of affairs that leads us to expect special interest-funded obstructionism from our public servants.  

On Assigning Blame, Or, "So, You Think I'm Retarded?"

by: fake consultant

Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 13:46:56 PM EST

LANGUAGE WARNING: Today's story is uncharacteristically blunt, and from this moment forward we will be using lots of inappropriate language in making our points.

Gentle Reader, you have been officially...warned.

With that in mind, if you take offense when confronted with language strong enough to knock a fuckin' buzzard off a shitwagon, please stop reading now.

It is by now fairly well known that Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's White House Chief of Staff, had a bit of a blow-up with liberals who were ready to start running ads against "blue dog" Democrats who were working very hard to shut down the health care reform effort.

Now we're not gonna get in the middle of that argument today; instead, since we're finally getting a chance to talk, I figured me and Rahm could get a few other things out of the way that have been on everyone's mind for the past year or so.

On Health Care, Vegas-Style, Or, Figure It Out In The Ambulance, Chump

by: fake consultant

Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 13:43:04 PM EST

For us it wasn't a matter of life or death, but it is the kind of story that explains, perfectly, why we need to reform the health care system we have today-and for that matter, it's also a great explanation of why a single-payer system would be a giant step forward for everyone in this country, whether you're insured today or not.

It's also hilarious and sad and frustrating, all at the same time-which makes today's story a pretty good allegory for the current American way of doing health care.

So follow along, have a good laugh...and at the same time, take a minute to consider what could be, and how much less irritating things should be.

Welfare Commissioner 2011

by: Peter Sullivan

Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 15:23:39 PM EST

Saturday. You. Me. Public Option.

by: Zandra Rice Hawkins

Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 17:54:25 PM EST

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a historic health care reform bill - H.R. 3962 -
a bill that includes a strong public option and numerous other provisions that will lower costs and improve care. This vote will be a moment that we have been working toward for months.

For anyone who has carried a sign, signed a petition, petitioned a stranger, found Frank Guinta not knowing how many people in New Hampshire are uninsured strange, insured yourself on the private market and then covered costs out of pocket because you were denied a claim, fought back against the claims of teabaggers, or enjoyed a cup of tea during a health care house party or a visit to a Congressional office to advocate for health care reform ... you need to be in Concord tomorrow at 2 PM.

Change that Works and Organizing for America (OFA) are hosting a public gathering in support of health insurance reform at the State House tomorrow, Saturday, November 7th at 2:00 PM.

Sen. Hassan and Peggo Hodes will be there, along with other notable New Hampshire leaders.

But, more importantly, I'm hoping you will all be there, too. We've stood on picket lines and sat in phonebanks together; let's celebrate and support this historic vote side-by-side too.

Hope to see you all there.

On Learning To Love Homegrown, Or, Baucus' Fundraising Considered

by: fake consultant

Thu Oct 08, 2009 at 23:59:06 PM EDT

We have seen a Democratic Senator propose a policy that would put people in jail for not buying health insurance and a Democratic President who has taken numerous public beatings from those on the left side of the fence for his inability to ram something through a group of people...and yes, folks, the entendre was intentional.

But most of all, we've been asking ourselves: "why would Democratic Members of Congress who will eventually want us to vote for them vote against something that nearly all voting Democrats are inclined to vote for?"

Today's conversation attempts to answer that question by looking at exactly how money and influence flow through a key politician, Montana's Senator Max Baucus-and in doing so, we examine some ugly political realities that have to be resolved before we can hope to convince certain Members of Congress to vote for what their constituents actually want when it really counts.

On Fighting The Madness, Or, Send This To A Deather

by: fake consultant

Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 18:31:26 PM EDT

In addition to the Town Halls, opponents are flooding the email inboxes of America's "low information" voters with no end of lies. Those emails are getting passed around and around and around, and by now some of them have probably appeared in your inbox.

But it's summer...and who has time to respond to this stuff?

Well, guess what, Gentle Reader: I've already done the hard work for you.

Today's story is an email response that you can send right back to your "inbox friends". It's a reminder of some of the frustrations that we all share in this country and some explanations of what's being proposed...and a few words about socialism, to boot.

So get out there and copy and paste and forward and reply, and let's see if we can't fight the madness, one email at a time.  

On Disarmament, Or, How Congressman Larsen Made A "Town Hall" Work

by: fake consultant

Sat Aug 15, 2009 at 08:03:41 AM EDT

I attended one of these meetings, and based on what I saw I'm here to tell you that it is possible to hold an event that features none of the images previously described.

Instead, what I say was an event where people asked their questions, the Congressman answered-and from time to time the angry members of the audience got their shout on, too...but not in a way that was able to ever take control of the venue.

There were helpful lessons that can be applied by others who want to have these meetings, and today's conversation examines what can be done to make them work for you, too.

Organizing for America Launches "Health Care Reform" Week of Action in New Hampshire

by: VABBY

Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 18:00:23 PM EDT

New Hampshire's Organizing for America (OFA), a grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) dedicated to supporting the President's agenda for change, will be hosting events throughout New Hampshire as part of OFA's 'Health Care Reform' week of action. Details about the events can be found below.

Hillary's Elbow & Healthcare Reform

by: robsprague

Fri Jun 19, 2009 at 12:51:32 PM EDT

But for those of us who care at all about healthcare reform - and who do not think 47,000,000 Americans not named Hillary Clinton should be without health insurance - this has been a very difficult and depressing week. The prospects for healthcare reform our are falling apart.  And here's why:

Moderate Democrats - who were always going to be problematic on this issue - are enjoying their moment of having it both ways.  They "want" health reform.  Um...As long as it doesn't cost any money.  So much for a big tent Democratic Party.  Ah, the Moderate Democrats and their Blue Dog Country Cousins: For Progressives, they are the bitter friends, the bosom enemies.

And Business groups, who have previously "supported" healthcare reform, are now openly "changing sides" and planning to spend lots of corporate dollars to oppose any & all reforms. This "change in position" on the part of business groups should not come as a shock to those of us who have tried to work with them in the past. Disingenuous doesn't even begin to describe them.

And here comes the feigned "shock" around the country about the fact that healthcare reform is actually going to cost money.  Americans who already have healthcare are making clucking sounds in their mouths and wondering if we can afford all this "stuff".

Because in the good old USA, this money thing - how we raise it and how we spend it - is a strange animal indeed.  

For instance, when it comes to building massive military might, money doesn't seem to be an insurmountable problem.  We "invest" 625 billion annually on guns. And on computer game drones that spit out missiles in Afghanistan.  And jet fighters that we never intend to really use.  $625,000,000,000.00.

But, God forbid that we should invest 100 billion annually on healthcare reform.  Fifteen percent as much as we hand out annually to the Pentagon.  Fifteen.  To be totally accurate, Healthcare Reform would be the waitperson's tip on our annual Pentagon meal. Would anyone care to look at our dessert menu tonight?   How's about one of those new helicopter that can fly upside down! And I'll bring four plates and forks.

But the problem is that leaders in the business community already have health insurance for their families, and politicians already have outstanding healthcare, and most of the good folks in America's middle class and the well-to-do are covered and cared for.  They - all of these fortunate ones - support healthcare care reform 1000%... as long as it does not cause them any particular inconvenience. Or cost them any money.  Or endanger their access.  

If Bill & Hillary Clinton made their healthcare reform strategy mistake by being too "hands-on", top-down and didactic. . .then Mr., Obama  might be making his mistake by trusting that Congressional Leaders could be trusted to take a larger role in the healthcare reform process.  Max Baucus?  Henry Waxman? A fading and much absent Ted Kennedy?  Mr. President, ya shouldn't be betting the family farm on Max Baucus.

And so now, after spending months as a hilarious side show, hosted by the moronic & outrageous Michael Steele, the Republicans (all nicely covered by Federal Health Insurance and sure to be healthy & kicking for the remainder of the Obama Administration) will begin their usual mindless mantra.  And they will repeat it over and over and over again:  "A public option in healthcare...it's...it's...it's socialism."

So, here we go again on healthcare reform.  And it's America-As-Usual for 47 million American citizens not as lucky as Hillary Clinton & her husband, Bill.  

My Op/Ed: Manchester Budget Like A Seinfeld Holiday

by: Peter Sullivan

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 14:45:54 PM EDT

The long-running NBC sitcom Seinfeld featured a fictitious holiday called Festivus. Part of the annual Festivus celebration was "The Airing of Grievances", where members of a family verbally lash out at each other and vociferously complain about their lives. While this practice makes some sense in a show about a group of neurotic New Yorkers, it hasn't worked very well as a way of crafting a city budget.

Walmart Shutters First Shop that Successfully Unionized

by: wuwm

Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 16:32:32 PM EDT

Answer: The execs get fat contracts while the workers get shafted.

A week after Wall Street bankers collected taxpayer-funded golden parachutes, Walmart announced that it was shutting down its first shop in North America that had successfully unionized.

Brian White at Blogging Stocks reports on the shuttered store in Gatineau, Quebec:

"The retailer would rather see the operation shut down entirely instead of having employees with any kind of power. ... Was the global retailer trying to get a message out to any other Wal-Mart location in North America -- "unionize and we will shut your doors?" If so, that's no way to run a business, right? Is Wal-Mart so afraid of unions in its stores that it would rather shut them down (or pieces of them) instead of continuing to operate?"

Rep. Henry Waxman Coming to Red River Theatre, Concord, NH

by: Alexander Lee

Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 15:10:55 PM EDT

No "straight talk" on the redeye express

by: Jack Mitchell

Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 11:46:07 AM EDT

McCain campaign violates own travel policy
Candidate's use of corporate planes at issue

By Brian C. Mooney
Globe Staff / April 27, 2008
Republican John McCain's campaign appears to have violated its own stated policy of not using the aircraft of companies with lobbying interests in Washington for campaign travel, according to a Boston Globe review.

The practice is legal, and the campaign of McCain, long an advocate of campaign finance reform, has changed its policy over the past year on use of private planes - from banning such corporate-jet travel to allowing limited use. McCain is the only remaining candidate who has flown on corporate jets during the campaign. Neither of the Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, uses private jets, and both have flown on commercial charter flights since the outset of the campaign.

Until September, when new ethics reforms went into effect, candidates were allowed to fly on corporate jets provided by supporters and pay only the equivalent of first-class airfare, even if the plane was a top-end corporate jet that would have cost many times that amount to charter. After Sept. 14, candidates had to pay the market-rate cost of renting such aircraft, and those who were making use of the loophole switched to commercial charter jets to transport the candidate, staff, and surrogates.

Last December, McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker told the Globe that McCain took no corporate travel but "on a few occasions, prior to the passage of the law" flew on the jets of "individual supporters." Many are major McCain fund-raisers.

But when the Globe last week identified campaign reimbursements to at least 10 corporations for private jet transport both before and after Sept. 14, another McCain spokesman said: "The campaign will not fly on private aircraft owned by public corporations employing lobbyists."

A check of the Senate Clerk's database of lobbyist reports, however, revealed that one company, Molded Fiber Glass Companies of Ashtabula, Ohio, that provided transportation last year for McCain, retains Washington lobbyists for Department of Defense appropriation bills and another plane provider, Harry Sargeant III of Gulf Stream, Fla., owns two companies that have used lobbyists in the past and another that provides fuel to the Defense Department.

Molded Fiber Glass was paid $1,183 last August before the reforms went into effect, and the company that owns Sargeant's aircraft was paid $2,619 shortly before the Florida primary in January under the new rules. Sargeant, a close friend of Florida Governor Charlie Crist, a key McCain supporter, hosted a fundraiser for McCain at his home last month.

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in an e-mail Friday that both flights "were completely permitted under campaign finance regulations, and until today we did not even realize the two instances didn't meet our internal standard, which is a much higher ethical standard than the previous or current law even requires."

The New York Times reported today that over a seven-month period beginning last summer, McCain's cash-short campaign used a corporate jet owned by a company headed by his wife, Cindy McCain, according to public records. For five of those months, the plane was used almost exclusively for campaign-related purposes, those records show.

According to the Times, McCain's campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of that plane from last August through February, records show. That amount is approximately the cost of chartering a similar jet for a month or two, according to industry estimates, the Times reported.

McCain was able to fly so inexpensively because the law specifically exempts aircraft owned by a candidate or his family or by a privately held company they control. The Federal Election Commission adopted rules in December to close the loophole - rules that would have required substantial payments by candidates using family-owned planes - but the agency soon lost the requisite number of commissioners needed to complete the rule making.
-snip

The 12 Days fo the NH Primary: Day 5 (Open Government)

by: Delegator

Tue Jan 01, 2008 at 13:00:58 PM EST

One of Barack Obama's issues that resonates most with people like me is his determination to change the political culture of Washington through ethics reform and open government. There are only two candidates who make this issue a major part of their campaigns, perhaps because most of the others have been in Washington long enough to know that they are tainted by the culture of lobbying, closed door deals, an legislation determined by the flow of money down the Potomac.

While I give props to John Edwards for also pushing this issue with passion, it will come as no surprise that I think Barack Obama has proposed the best plans to reform government and demonstrated the strongest track record by far on ethics reform for the past decade.

Obama: Reform in Washington

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Mon Dec 03, 2007 at 21:52:58 PM EST

If Obama and Edwards were serious about changing the status quo, they would stop taking money from special interests and people who work for lobbying firms. The pledge is a sham.  No, it is worse than a sham, because the intent is to make people think that these candidates do not take money from special interests, when they do - including money from people working for lobbying firms. It is snake oil.

I would like you to review the following tower of proof to the contrary:

Ethics and Lobbying Reform
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has fought for open and honest government. As an Illinois State Senator, he helped pass the state's first major ethics reform bill in 25 years. And as a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of numerous scandals.
In the first two weeks of the 110th Congress, Senator Obama helped lead the Senate to pass the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act, a comprehensive ethics and lobbying reform bill, by a 96-2 vote. This landmark bill was signed into law by the President in September 2007.
The final bill that the Congress passed closely mirrored and drew key provisions in a bill S. 230 that Senators Obama and Feingold introduced in January 2007 to establish a "gold standard" for reform. Among the provisions in the Obama-Feingold bill that were adopted by the Senate and the House were: strict bans on receiving gifts and meals from lobbyists; new rules to slow the revolving door between public and private sector service; and an end to the subsidized use of corporate jets.
Most importantly, the final reform bill contained a provision pushed by Senator Obama to require the disclosure of contributions that registered lobbyists "bundle" - that is, collect or arrange - for candidates, leadership PACs, and party committees. The New York Times called this provision "the most sweeping" in the bill, and the Washington Post said: "No single change would add more to public understanding of how money really operates in Washington."
In January 2006, Senator Obama laid the groundwork for the reform package that the Senate eventually adopted a year later. He started building a coalition for reform by helping to author the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act introduced with 41 Democratic sponsors. The bill proposed lengthening the cooling off period to two years for lawmakers who seek to become lobbyists and requiring immediate disclosure as soon as public servants initiate any job negotiations to become lobbyists. The bill would have opened conference committee meetings to the public and required that all bills be posted on the Internet for 24 hours before they can be voted on by the Senate. Finally, the bill would have ended all lobbyist-funded gifts, meals, and travel and strengthened the Senate office that monitors lobbyist disclosure forms. All of these provisions were incorporated in either identical or similar form into the final bill passed in 2007.
In addition, Senator Obama sponsored three other ethics-related bills in the 109th Congress that went even further on ethics, earmarks, and legislative transparency. By the time of the 110th Congress, his ideas for reform had gained support, and many of his proposals were passed by the Senate.

Edwards Evening News: Saving Democracy Edition

by: sirius

Sat Oct 13, 2007 at 21:19:18 PM EDT

Is it just me, or does John Edwards sometimes remind anyone else of your typical superhero?  You know, fighting for the little guy, saving democracy, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound?  Well, OK, maybe not that last one, but the man is inspiring.

Today, John gave a speech in New Hampshire that was all about saving democracy.  After years of having politicians tell us that the best we can expect is incremental change within our broken system, it is quite astounding to hear someone actually tell the truth about what is wrong with our system, and propose major reforms to fix it. To me, having the courage to confront our big problems and offer real solutions makes John a real hero, despite the conspicuous lack of spandex in his wardrobe.

Youth and Hope Meet Obama at UNH

by: mountainboy

Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 18:37:10 PM EST

  "Torn and not as torn," were the words the pair used to describe their preferences in the race. Grandmaison said she could support either Mr. Obama or his primary opponent, Hillary Clinton, because both have taken positions against the war. Grandmaison was also concerned about the high cost of college tuition and the availability of financial aid for students.  High tuition rates had forced her to leave her first college and she had spent a few months out school and living without health insurance. Schultz said that he had been a fan of Hillary Clinton since the 2004 campaign and would likely support her in the primary, but that as a responsible voter he would listen to all of the candidates before making up his mind.

  The faces outside the Field House were predominantly under 30, with about a third of those gathered hailing from older generations. Carrie Black, a 27 year old from Vermont and a graduate student studying nursing at UNH, had already knew which candidate she would support. "Obama. Absolutely." Black worried about the rising costs of health care and the increasing number of uninsured Americans. The war also stood out among her top issues. In the last election Black supported Howard Dean in the primaries and voted for John Kerry in the general election.

  Plymouth State University student Matt Balf also voiced support for Mr. Obama and stated that his relative inexperience in Washington was an asset. Balf went on to compare Obama's candidacy to that of Robert Kennedy in the 1960's. He cited Mr. Obama's youth, fluency, vision, and charisma as characteristics shared by the Kennedy during his tragically abbreviated bid for the presidency. Stacey Johnsons, a 29 year old New Hampshire based web designer, chimed in to compliment Mr. Obama for his honesty, "He is an open book." Johnson felt Obama also resembled a 1992 style Bill Clinton in his ability to inspire hope among younger voters. Allison Schmidt, a 24-year-old teacher from the Granite State, also supports Mr. Obama. "I support the fact he talks about people making sacrifices. Sometimes you just have to suck it up. It won't change without  actions."

  Nearby, John Thing of New Hampshire for Healthcare stood outside handing out signs and stickers reading, "I am a Healthcare Voter". New Hampshire for Healthcare is affiliated with the Service Employees International Unions and currently claims to have collected around 60,000 signatures in the state. Signers pledge to only support candidates who will work to increase access to affordable, quality healthcare. The group did not endorse a candidate during the last presidential primary, and Thing did not think they would this time around either.

  When the doors were finally opened a capacity crowd slowly filled the gymnasium, where the size-able press entourage currently tailing Barack Obama had already set up shop. In timely fashion Mr. Obama took his place on the stage to overwhelming applause and a frenzy of campaign signs and American flags."Ordinary people can do extraordinary things when given the chance," stated the confidently poised candidate. "That is one of the founding principles of our democracy." Obama launched into a typically fluent speech, stating that the high cost of healthcare in America today threatens the potential of everyday families, small businesses, and even the well being of the biggest corporations. He talked about education, stating that schools in America would improve when the nation invests in more teachers, and pays them more. He also proposed that the nation's current energy policy was the equivalent of "funding both sides in the war on terror" and called for increased investment in alternative fuels like ethanol. Closing his brief introductory statements he said,"I hope this campaign becomes a vehicle for your hopes and dreams."

  Turning to the crowd he fielded a question from a member of Priorities New Hampshire. The group is part of a broader "Priorities" movement that has called for reduced spending on defense. Cuts in funding would target obsolete Cold War era programs and the money saved would then be used to fund increases in social spending on health care and education. "Federal budgets are all about our priorities," Barack commented. "They reflect our values." But Obama iterated his belief that it would be necessary to increase spending on the military first, in order to bring it back to its pre-war levels of excellence. Mr. Obama stated that America will have to rebuild the National Guard, which has lost equipment and soldiers overseas. He emphasized the Guard's role in disaster relief, stating that failure to act would only lead to another crisis on par with the one currently being experienced in New Orleans. But he added that a well-reasoned re-allocation of funding from non-vital to vital areas of the budget was necessary, a statement which drew applause from efficiency hungry voters.

  Another question from the audience pointed out Mr. Obama's relative lack of experience in Washington. Obama seized on the opportunity to point out the advantage this lack of experience gives him over other candidates. "I have been in Washington for two years. I have been in Washington for long enough to know that Washington needs to change." He also pointed to his 10 years of experience as a professor of constitutional law as an asset, saying that he knows the constitution has been ignored for the past six years. Obama also pointed to his experiences as an activist, a teacher, and his service as a state senator for seven years in Illinois as evidence that he is well prepared to understand the problems facing America today.

  Asked about gay marriage, Barack Obama told the crowd that his opinion on the matter is informed by his experience as the son of a mixed-race couple. While it may not be possible to legalize gay marriage, it would be possible - and right - to grant gays and lesbians all of the benefits enjoyed by married couples through civil unions. "We can grant all the same civil liberties to gays and lesbians who love each other and want to get married," he said.

  A UNH freshman prodded Mr. Obama for policy details and the candidate responded eagerly, focusing on environmental issues. He called for a rigorous cap and trade system to reduce industrial emissions that pollute the atmosphere and stated that there is no reason every American built car cannot get 40 miles per gallon. Pointing to Brazil, where he claims that 70% of vehicles are powers by alternative fuels, Mr. Obama called for investment in ethanol, stating, "If Brazil can do it, so can we."

  On immigration, Mr. Obama did not hesitate to voice his opinion. "We are a nation of immigrants. That has been the beauty of this country." He pointed to immigrants as a source of renewal, calling them "strivers" who have reinvigorated the American economy time and time again. But he tempered his support for illegal immigrants by differentiating between plans calling for "amnesty" and his own plan, which calls for heavy fines against illegal aliens while still opening the doors to eventual citizenship. Obama stated that the United States is in no position to be rounding up the estimated 12 million illegals currently residing within our borders. He also called for the creation of a national database, which would allow employers to verify that their employees can legally work in the U.S.

  Mr. Obama fielded a final question about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina before heading off to meet his political destiny, whatever it may be. Katrina reminded Americans that having a good government matters, Obama remarked. "There was a disaster going on before Katrina hit," pointing to the high murder rates, rampant poverty, and detiorating education system that already existed in New Orleans. Calling for a "living wage" and renewal in cities and poor rural communities, Barack Obama told the crowd that hard work and ingenuity would recreate America. Mr. Obama claimed that his only opponent in this race is cynicism. Judging from the positive reponse he recieved from young New Hampshire voters last night, Mr. Obama may be well on his way towards beating that particular opponent.

The author, David W. Anderson, resides in New Hampshire. He is a 27 year old graduate student studying Political Science at the University of New Hampshire. Mr. Anderson has spent several years working with political campaigns and organizations in New Hampshire.

You can read his column, "Live From New Hampshire" at American Public Media's Gather.com:

http://www.gather.co...