If you have not heard about the Lilly Ledbetter Act, here is the story behind it. It is a piece of legislation that helps ensure that women would not be discriminated in the work force with wage. This was a great piece of legislation for women. Obama's actions show he puts women first, that he cares about fairness to all people. I knew this before I read the story sent to me by Lilly Ledbetter , but it just serves to reconfirm it.
The Lilly Ledbetter Act
"My name is Lilly Ledbetter, and I was discriminated against because I'm a woman.
Some of you may have heard my story.
In 1998, after 19 years of service at a Goodyear factory, someone left an anonymous note in my mailbox listing the names and salaries of my male coworkers -- who I learned that day were making at least 20 percent more than I was, even though many had less education, less training, and fewer years on the job.
I went to court and won, but in an appeal, the Supreme Court claimed I should have filed my complaint within six months of the first unfair paycheck. Of course, they didn't say how I was supposed to fight for fair pay when I didn't know I was being paid unfairly.
But that's not why I'm writing you. I'm writing because President Obama heard about my case and went to work fighting for legislation that would prevent his two girls, and an entire generation of young women coming up in the workforce, from ever being disrespected in the same way. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act became the first piece of legislation he signed into law as president, exactly three years ago today.
Before he was elected, the President said he'd fight for middle-class people like me, and he kept his promise -- not just on fair pay, but on so many other issues that matter to women.
President Obama didn't have to make fair pay a priority. Lord knows he had enough to worry about those first few weeks in the White House.
But the President is driven by a strong sense of fairness, and the responsibility he believes we have to one another to correct injustice wherever we can.
Part of that comes from his own story. The President's grandmother worked in a bank her whole life, and kept working there long after she hit the glass ceiling. Some of the very men she had trained climbed the corporate ladder ahead of her.
That's part of why he continues to fight for bills like the Paycheck Fairness Act, which he supported in his State of the Union last week. And it's what drove him to fight for the Affordable Care Act -- which ended discrimination against women based on pre-existing conditions, and is providing free preventive services like mammograms and contraception.
Growing up in the South, I learned the value of a good day's work at a young age, picking and chopping cotton two seasons a year. It wasn't until much later that I learned that hard work isn't always enough when folks don't have a president who's looking out for them.
I'm excited to fight alongside President Obama in this election."~Lilly Ledbetter
I am excited too Lilly. Thanks for sharing your story with America.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Contraception Ruling Adjusted to Accommodate Religious Concerns
"President Obama’s announcement on the contraception ruling addresses concerns raised by religious leaders while still ensuring women can access free preventive care regardless of where they work. This decision changes nothing for women.
· President Obama announced today an adjustment to the Department of Health and Human Services’ contraception ruling that accommodates concerns while protecting women’s health.
· This decision changes nothing for women. Under the President’s new policy, all women will have access to free preventive care including contraception no matter where they work.
o If a woman works for a religiously affiliated university or hospital that objects to providing contraception coverage, her insurance company – not her employer – will offer her free contraception.
o As always, no religious institution will have to provide contraception directly, while female employees will have access to free contraception if they so want it.
· Today’s announcement reflects the President’s strong commitment to both preserving religious liberty and protecting women’s health. He listened to the concerns of religious organizations and understood them, having begun his career working with local churches that sometimes helped communities more than any government ever could.
· The President’s health reform ensured contraception would be covered with no out-of-pocket cost to women, and today’s announcement maintains that policy.
o Doctors prescribe contraception for medical and health reasons, including helping to reduce the risk of some cancers, serious infections and cysts.
o Despite the important health benefits confirmed by medical research, many women skip contraceptive care because of its cost.
o Nearly 99 percent of women have relied on contraception in their lives, but more than half of women between 18 and 34 years old have struggled to afford it.
o This is a commonsense idea. Twenty-eight states already require employers to cover contraception, covering more than half the U.S. population.
· People of good will on both sides of the debate have fought to find a solution that works for everyone. The policy announced today achieves that goal, protecting our Constitutional right of religious liberty while maintaining women’s access to free preventive care. Many organizations, including faith-based ones, have already come out in support of it:
o Catholic Health Services.
o Catholics United.
o Planned Parenthood.
o NARAL.
· While the President’s reasoned and just decision respects religious liberty and protects a woman’s right to make decisions about her health, Republicans would remove that right. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Speaker John Boehner, Senator Marco Rubio and other Congressional Republicans want to take this right away from women and put it in the hands of their employers. "
· President Obama announced today an adjustment to the Department of Health and Human Services’ contraception ruling that accommodates concerns while protecting women’s health.
· This decision changes nothing for women. Under the President’s new policy, all women will have access to free preventive care including contraception no matter where they work.
o If a woman works for a religiously affiliated university or hospital that objects to providing contraception coverage, her insurance company – not her employer – will offer her free contraception.
o As always, no religious institution will have to provide contraception directly, while female employees will have access to free contraception if they so want it.
· Today’s announcement reflects the President’s strong commitment to both preserving religious liberty and protecting women’s health. He listened to the concerns of religious organizations and understood them, having begun his career working with local churches that sometimes helped communities more than any government ever could.
· The President’s health reform ensured contraception would be covered with no out-of-pocket cost to women, and today’s announcement maintains that policy.
o Doctors prescribe contraception for medical and health reasons, including helping to reduce the risk of some cancers, serious infections and cysts.
o Despite the important health benefits confirmed by medical research, many women skip contraceptive care because of its cost.
o Nearly 99 percent of women have relied on contraception in their lives, but more than half of women between 18 and 34 years old have struggled to afford it.
o This is a commonsense idea. Twenty-eight states already require employers to cover contraception, covering more than half the U.S. population.
· People of good will on both sides of the debate have fought to find a solution that works for everyone. The policy announced today achieves that goal, protecting our Constitutional right of religious liberty while maintaining women’s access to free preventive care. Many organizations, including faith-based ones, have already come out in support of it:
o Catholic Health Services.
o Catholics United.
o Planned Parenthood.
o NARAL.
· While the President’s reasoned and just decision respects religious liberty and protects a woman’s right to make decisions about her health, Republicans would remove that right. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Speaker John Boehner, Senator Marco Rubio and other Congressional Republicans want to take this right away from women and put it in the hands of their employers. "
Thursday, October 20, 2011
WHICH MITT: ROMNEY SAYS HE’S A FRIEND OF WORKERS AND NOT THE RICH BUT HIS POLICIES TELL A DIFFERENT STORY
In New Hampshire today, Romney said, "Look, I'm not running for the rich people. Rich people can take care of themselves, alright. They're doing just fine. I'm running for middle-class Americans.” But, Democratic National Committee press secretary Melanie Roussell responded "Mitt Romney's policies tell a different story than his rhetoric. His economic plan would do next to nothing for middle-class families, but would give huge tax breaks to the wealthiest and corporations. So which Mitt is the real Mitt Romney?"
Romney’s economic plan would cut taxes on corporations and the wealthiest Americans and do almost nothing for the middle class
Romney Would Keep The Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Americans. “Mr. Romney said he would keep the Bush-era income-tax cuts unchanged. Mr. Obama wants the cuts, which were set to expire this year, to disappear for the wealthiest taxpayers.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Extending The Bush Tax Cuts For The Top 2 Percent Would Add $700 Billion To The Deficit. [OMB, The Budget for FY2012, Table S-2, pg. 173]
Romney Called For Lowering The Corporate Income Tax Rate To 25% From The Current 35% Though Tax Breaks Allow Many US Companies To Pay Little Or No Corporate Tax. “Mr. Romney called for lowering the corporate income tax to 25% from the current 35%. That rate is high compared with other advanced economies, but tax breaks allow many U.S. companies to pay little or no corporate tax. Mr. Romney said a lower rate would encourage companies to keep more operations within the U.S.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Cutting the Corporate Tax Rate To 25 Percent Would Cost $915.5 Billion. [Analysis of the Paul Ryan Budget Plan, Tax Policy Center, 4/7/11]
Romney Would Eliminate The Estate Tax. Romney “would seek a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, cut non-security discretionary spending by 5 percent, eliminate the estate tax and undo the 2010 health care overhaul championed by President Barack Obama.” [AP, 9/6/11]
· Eliminating The Estate Tax Would Cost $178 Billion. The CBO/JCT estimates Mitt Romney’s proposal on the estate tax would cost $178 billion. [CBO, “Reducing the Deficit: Spending and Revenue Options, March 2011]
Romney Said He Would Eliminate Capital Gains For People Making Less Than $200,000 But Most Capital-Gains Are Paid By The Richest Americans And The Romney Campaign Didn’t Offer An Impact Estimate. “He would eliminate taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains for people making less than $200,000 a year. A campaign spokeswoman declined to offer estimates of the proposal's budget impact ‘because they are still being refined and finalized.’ Most capital-gains taxes are paid by the richest Americans, and Democrats said Mr. Romney's plan would have scant effect.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Romney’s Plan To Allow Those Earning $200,000 To Save Their Money From Interest, Dividends Or Capital Gains Would Equate An Average Benefit Of $70 A Year. “On a more substantive note, Romney’s plan to help ‘the great middle class’ is to allow those ‘earning $200,000 a year and less ought to be able to save their money tax-free, no tax on interest, dividends, or capital gains.’ And how much would that benefit the average, middle-income earner? About $70 a year. No, that’s not a typo. Romney wants to give massive tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations, but his idea of boosting the middle class is a tax break that hardly matters at all.” [Washington Monthly, 9/22/11]
· Tax Policy Center: Romney’s Cut To Capital Gains For People Who Earn $200,000 Or Less Is “A Bit Of An Odd Way To Do It” Because It Would Effect A Small Number Of People – “It Is A Sort Of A Political Have Your Cake And Eat It Too.” “As a part of what Romney calls his ‘Middle Class Tax Savings Plan,’ the former Massachusetts governor said he would eliminate taxes on capital gains and dividends for people who earn less than $200,000. Joe Rosenberg, a research associate with the non-partisan Tax Policy Center, said cutting investment income taxes only for people making less than $200,000 is ‘a bit of an odd way to do it’ because such a small number of people at or below that income level bring in much money from capital gains or dividends. ‘It is sort of a political have your cake and eat it, too,’ Rosenberg said. ‘You’re not going to propose something extreme such as eliminating all capital gains and dividends, but you will throw it out there as a signal that you’re sympathetic to that point of view.’” [ABC, 9/12/11]
· Citizens For Tax Justice Director Criticized Romney’s Plan Saying “For People Earning Below $100,000, Cutting The Tax Rate On Interest, Dividends, And Capital Gains Means Almost Nothing.” “‘For people earning below $100,000, cutting the tax rate on interest, dividends, and capital gains means almost nothing,’ said Robert S. McIntyre, director of Citizens for Tax Justice. ‘For those people earning between $100,000 and $200,000, you might be talking several hundred dollars in tax savings. Then, the question is, does he really have a plan that cuts off exactly at $200,000? That would be nuts - the person who makes $200,001 would be kind of angry.’” [Boston Globe, 9/8/07]
Romney’s economic plan would cut taxes on corporations and the wealthiest Americans and do almost nothing for the middle class
Romney Would Keep The Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Americans. “Mr. Romney said he would keep the Bush-era income-tax cuts unchanged. Mr. Obama wants the cuts, which were set to expire this year, to disappear for the wealthiest taxpayers.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Extending The Bush Tax Cuts For The Top 2 Percent Would Add $700 Billion To The Deficit. [OMB, The Budget for FY2012, Table S-2, pg. 173]
Romney Called For Lowering The Corporate Income Tax Rate To 25% From The Current 35% Though Tax Breaks Allow Many US Companies To Pay Little Or No Corporate Tax. “Mr. Romney called for lowering the corporate income tax to 25% from the current 35%. That rate is high compared with other advanced economies, but tax breaks allow many U.S. companies to pay little or no corporate tax. Mr. Romney said a lower rate would encourage companies to keep more operations within the U.S.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Cutting the Corporate Tax Rate To 25 Percent Would Cost $915.5 Billion. [Analysis of the Paul Ryan Budget Plan, Tax Policy Center, 4/7/11]
Romney Would Eliminate The Estate Tax. Romney “would seek a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, cut non-security discretionary spending by 5 percent, eliminate the estate tax and undo the 2010 health care overhaul championed by President Barack Obama.” [AP, 9/6/11]
· Eliminating The Estate Tax Would Cost $178 Billion. The CBO/JCT estimates Mitt Romney’s proposal on the estate tax would cost $178 billion. [CBO, “Reducing the Deficit: Spending and Revenue Options, March 2011]
Romney Said He Would Eliminate Capital Gains For People Making Less Than $200,000 But Most Capital-Gains Are Paid By The Richest Americans And The Romney Campaign Didn’t Offer An Impact Estimate. “He would eliminate taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains for people making less than $200,000 a year. A campaign spokeswoman declined to offer estimates of the proposal's budget impact ‘because they are still being refined and finalized.’ Most capital-gains taxes are paid by the richest Americans, and Democrats said Mr. Romney's plan would have scant effect.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Romney’s Plan To Allow Those Earning $200,000 To Save Their Money From Interest, Dividends Or Capital Gains Would Equate An Average Benefit Of $70 A Year. “On a more substantive note, Romney’s plan to help ‘the great middle class’ is to allow those ‘earning $200,000 a year and less ought to be able to save their money tax-free, no tax on interest, dividends, or capital gains.’ And how much would that benefit the average, middle-income earner? About $70 a year. No, that’s not a typo. Romney wants to give massive tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations, but his idea of boosting the middle class is a tax break that hardly matters at all.” [Washington Monthly, 9/22/11]
· Tax Policy Center: Romney’s Cut To Capital Gains For People Who Earn $200,000 Or Less Is “A Bit Of An Odd Way To Do It” Because It Would Effect A Small Number Of People – “It Is A Sort Of A Political Have Your Cake And Eat It Too.” “As a part of what Romney calls his ‘Middle Class Tax Savings Plan,’ the former Massachusetts governor said he would eliminate taxes on capital gains and dividends for people who earn less than $200,000. Joe Rosenberg, a research associate with the non-partisan Tax Policy Center, said cutting investment income taxes only for people making less than $200,000 is ‘a bit of an odd way to do it’ because such a small number of people at or below that income level bring in much money from capital gains or dividends. ‘It is sort of a political have your cake and eat it, too,’ Rosenberg said. ‘You’re not going to propose something extreme such as eliminating all capital gains and dividends, but you will throw it out there as a signal that you’re sympathetic to that point of view.’” [ABC, 9/12/11]
· Citizens For Tax Justice Director Criticized Romney’s Plan Saying “For People Earning Below $100,000, Cutting The Tax Rate On Interest, Dividends, And Capital Gains Means Almost Nothing.” “‘For people earning below $100,000, cutting the tax rate on interest, dividends, and capital gains means almost nothing,’ said Robert S. McIntyre, director of Citizens for Tax Justice. ‘For those people earning between $100,000 and $200,000, you might be talking several hundred dollars in tax savings. Then, the question is, does he really have a plan that cuts off exactly at $200,000? That would be nuts - the person who makes $200,001 would be kind of angry.’” [Boston Globe, 9/8/07]
Monday, October 10, 2011
FACT CHECK – MITT ROMNEY’S FOREIGN POLICY SPEECH AT THE CITADE
Please see below a fact check of Mitt Romney’s foreign policy speech today at The Citadel.
Romney Claim: President Obama has weakened America.
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS KEPT AMERICA SAFE AND DECIMATED AL QAEDA
Upon Taking Office, President Obama Announced A Strategy To Refocus U.S. Efforts In Afghanistan And Pakistan And “Disrupt, Dismantle And Defeat Al Qaeda.” “As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people…So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future…And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: We will defeat you.” [President Obama, 03/27/09]
More Key Al Qaeda Leaders Have Been Eliminated In The Past Two And A Half Years Than At Any Time Since September 11, 2001, Including Osama Bin Laden. [President Obama, 06/28/11]
President Obama Declared An End To Combat Operations In Iraq. [BBC News, 09/01/10]
President Obama Has Withdrawn More Than 100,000 Troops From Iraq Since Taking Office, [Brookings Institute, 09/30/11]
Secretary Gates Said The US Military Cannot Afford To “Perpetuate The Status Quo” And Has To Adapt To Face New Challenges. “Our Navy has to be designed for new challenges, new technologies, and new missions – because another one of history’s hard lessons is that, when it comes to military capabilities, those who fail to adapt often fail to survive.” [Secretary Gates, 05/03/10]
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS STOOD UP FOR AMERICA AND IMPROVED AMERICA’S STANDING IN THE WORLD
America’s Image Abroad Has Improved Significantly Since President Obama Came Into Office. [Pew Global Attitudes Poll, 06/17/10]
USW International President Leo Gerard Said, “Today, President Obama Made Clear That He Will Enforce America’s Trade Laws And Stand With American Workers.” “For far too long, workers across this country have been victimized by bad trade policies and government inaction. Today, President Obama made clear that he will enforce America’s trade laws and stand with American workers,” USW International President Leo W. Gerard said.” [USW International Press Release, 9/11/09]
When Asked About the Obama Administration, Defense Minister Barak Said He “Can Hardly Remember A Period Of Better Support.” “Our countries are good friends. And I'm the minister of defense, I can tell you that I can hardly remember ... a better period of support, American support and cooperation and similar strategic understanding of events around us than what we have right now.” [Fox News, 08/03/11]
The Washington Post Refuted Mitt Romney’s False Claims That President Obama Went On An Apology Tour. “Republicans may certainly disagree with Obama's handling of foreign policy or particular policies he has pursued, but they should not invent a storyline that does not appear to exist. Note to GOP speechwriters and campaign ad makers: The apology tour never happened.” [Washington Post, 02/22/11]
Romney Claim: “The force level necessary to secure our gains and complete our mission successfully is a decision I will make free from politics.”
FACT: ROMNEY HAS TAKEN MULTIPLE POSITIONS ON AFGHANISTAN
FLIP: Romney: “It Is My Desire And My Political Party’s Desire To Support The People Of Afghanistan And Not To Leave.” “Although the media have not been invited to his events, a glimpse into Romney’s thinking was provided by an individual who attended the meeting between Romney and the young Afghans and who allowed a reporter to view a video of the event. At one point, Romney said he supports a longer-term US presence in Afghanistan and asked Afghans for their own suggestions about how the United States can help overcome the raging insurgency and endemic corruption here. President Obama’s administration has said it plans to begin reducing the number of US troops in July with the goal of handing over security to the Afghans by the end of 2014. ‘It is my desire and my political party’s desire to support the people of Afghanistan and not to leave,’ Romney said in response to a question about whether the United States was going to pull out of the country soon. ‘So we look to you to tell us the best ways that we can support you.’” [Boston Globe, 1/14/11]
· FLOP: Romney’s Went Middle Of The Road On President Obama’s Announcement Of Troop Reductions In Afghanistan Saying “We All Want Out Troops To Come Home As Soon As Possible.” “Some of the leading Republican presidential candidates offered dramatically different reactions to President Obama’s announcement of troop reductions in Afghanistan, a reflection of the schism in the Republican Party over the future of the war… Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is somewhere in the middle. In a statement, Mr. Romney said that ‘we all want our troops to come home as soon as possible,’ but he stopped short of praising Mr. Obama’s speech.” [New York Times, 6/23/11]
FLIP: Romney Criticized President Obama’s Announcement Of A Troop Withdrawal Timeline In Afghanistan Saying “The Taliban May Not Have Watches, But They Do Have Calendars.” “Romney praised the decision to send additional troops to Afghanistan, but criticized President Obama’s announcement of when troops will withdraw. ‘The Taliban may not have watches, but they do have calendars,’ Romney said.” [Boston Globe, 6/3/11]
· FLOP: Romney: “The Generals Actually Concur With The Idea That We Should Bring Down The Surge Troops And Ultimately By 2014, Take Our Footprint - Our Large Combat Footprint Out Of Afghanistan, That’s Something With Which I Concur.” On Moring Joe, Mitt Romney said: “The generals actually concur with the idea that we should bring down the surge troops, and ultimately by 2014, take our footprint -- our large combat footprint out of Afghanistan, that's something with which I concur.” [Morning Joe, MSNBC, 9/28/11]
Romney Said Of Afghanistan: “I Also Think We’ve Learned That Our Troops Shouldn’t Go Off And Try To Fight A War Of Independence For Another Nation.” At the New Hampshire Republican primary debate Romney said of Afghanistan: “I also think we've learned that our troops shouldn't go off and try and fight a war of independence for another nation. Only the Afghanis can win Afghanistan's independence from the Taliban.” [New Hampshire Debate, 6/13/11]
Byron York: Romney Seemed “Off Balance” When Asked What Strategy He Would Employ In Afghanistan Saying “I’m Not In That Position.” “Then there’s Afghanistan. ‘I’m a little surprised that, having made Afghanistan the center of his anti-terrorist strategy, he says he doesn’t have a strategy at this stage for what to do in Afghanistan,’ Romney says of the president. ‘I would have expected him to have accomplished that by this point.’ As Romney sees it, Obama has a choice. He can go along with Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s expected request for more troops, or he can betray his own campaign promise of a firm U.S. stand in Afghanistan. ‘I think his only choice, and the correct choice, is the former,’ Romney says. But it might not be that simple. When I ask Romney, ‘What would you have done?’ he seems slightly off-balance. ‘I’m not in that position,’ Romney says. He pauses a moment. ‘When you say, what would I have done, I, I – ‘ ‘Do you think we needed a new strategy in Afghanistan?’ I ask. ‘I’m going to Afghanistan and Iraq in a couple of months,’ Romney says. ‘I’ll get an assessment of what’s happening there and what the prospects are. But I certainly would support our troops with the additional troops which are being called for by General McChrystal, and provide the equipment and the manpower and the budgetary support which our troops deserve.’” [Byron York, Washington Examiner, 9/27/09]
· HEADLINE: Romney critical of Obama’s Afghan policy—but hesitant himself [Byron York, Washington Examiner, 9/27/09]
Romney Claim: “I will order the formulation of a national cybersecurity strategy, to deter and defend against the growing threats of militarized cyber-attacks, cyber-terrorism, and cyber-espionage.”
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA CREATED THE FIRST MILITARY COMMAND DEDICATED TO CYBER SECURITY
In 2009, The Obama Administration Created The First Military Command Dedicated To Cyber Security, Reflecting President Obama’s Commitment To Elevating Computer Security As A National Security Issue. “Defense Secretary Robert Gates created a new military command dedicated to cyber security on Tuesday, reflecting the Obama administration's plans to centralize and elevate computer security as a major national-security issue… The decision follows President Barack Obama's announcement last month that he will establish a new cyber-security office at the White House, whose chief will coordinate all government efforts to protect computer networks.” [WSJ, 06/24/09]
Romney Claim: President Obama has weakened America.
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS KEPT AMERICA SAFE AND DECIMATED AL QAEDA
Upon Taking Office, President Obama Announced A Strategy To Refocus U.S. Efforts In Afghanistan And Pakistan And “Disrupt, Dismantle And Defeat Al Qaeda.” “As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people…So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future…And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: We will defeat you.” [President Obama, 03/27/09]
More Key Al Qaeda Leaders Have Been Eliminated In The Past Two And A Half Years Than At Any Time Since September 11, 2001, Including Osama Bin Laden. [President Obama, 06/28/11]
President Obama Declared An End To Combat Operations In Iraq. [BBC News, 09/01/10]
President Obama Has Withdrawn More Than 100,000 Troops From Iraq Since Taking Office, [Brookings Institute, 09/30/11]
Secretary Gates Said The US Military Cannot Afford To “Perpetuate The Status Quo” And Has To Adapt To Face New Challenges. “Our Navy has to be designed for new challenges, new technologies, and new missions – because another one of history’s hard lessons is that, when it comes to military capabilities, those who fail to adapt often fail to survive.” [Secretary Gates, 05/03/10]
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS STOOD UP FOR AMERICA AND IMPROVED AMERICA’S STANDING IN THE WORLD
America’s Image Abroad Has Improved Significantly Since President Obama Came Into Office. [Pew Global Attitudes Poll, 06/17/10]
USW International President Leo Gerard Said, “Today, President Obama Made Clear That He Will Enforce America’s Trade Laws And Stand With American Workers.” “For far too long, workers across this country have been victimized by bad trade policies and government inaction. Today, President Obama made clear that he will enforce America’s trade laws and stand with American workers,” USW International President Leo W. Gerard said.” [USW International Press Release, 9/11/09]
When Asked About the Obama Administration, Defense Minister Barak Said He “Can Hardly Remember A Period Of Better Support.” “Our countries are good friends. And I'm the minister of defense, I can tell you that I can hardly remember ... a better period of support, American support and cooperation and similar strategic understanding of events around us than what we have right now.” [Fox News, 08/03/11]
The Washington Post Refuted Mitt Romney’s False Claims That President Obama Went On An Apology Tour. “Republicans may certainly disagree with Obama's handling of foreign policy or particular policies he has pursued, but they should not invent a storyline that does not appear to exist. Note to GOP speechwriters and campaign ad makers: The apology tour never happened.” [Washington Post, 02/22/11]
Romney Claim: “The force level necessary to secure our gains and complete our mission successfully is a decision I will make free from politics.”
FACT: ROMNEY HAS TAKEN MULTIPLE POSITIONS ON AFGHANISTAN
FLIP: Romney: “It Is My Desire And My Political Party’s Desire To Support The People Of Afghanistan And Not To Leave.” “Although the media have not been invited to his events, a glimpse into Romney’s thinking was provided by an individual who attended the meeting between Romney and the young Afghans and who allowed a reporter to view a video of the event. At one point, Romney said he supports a longer-term US presence in Afghanistan and asked Afghans for their own suggestions about how the United States can help overcome the raging insurgency and endemic corruption here. President Obama’s administration has said it plans to begin reducing the number of US troops in July with the goal of handing over security to the Afghans by the end of 2014. ‘It is my desire and my political party’s desire to support the people of Afghanistan and not to leave,’ Romney said in response to a question about whether the United States was going to pull out of the country soon. ‘So we look to you to tell us the best ways that we can support you.’” [Boston Globe, 1/14/11]
· FLOP: Romney’s Went Middle Of The Road On President Obama’s Announcement Of Troop Reductions In Afghanistan Saying “We All Want Out Troops To Come Home As Soon As Possible.” “Some of the leading Republican presidential candidates offered dramatically different reactions to President Obama’s announcement of troop reductions in Afghanistan, a reflection of the schism in the Republican Party over the future of the war… Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is somewhere in the middle. In a statement, Mr. Romney said that ‘we all want our troops to come home as soon as possible,’ but he stopped short of praising Mr. Obama’s speech.” [New York Times, 6/23/11]
FLIP: Romney Criticized President Obama’s Announcement Of A Troop Withdrawal Timeline In Afghanistan Saying “The Taliban May Not Have Watches, But They Do Have Calendars.” “Romney praised the decision to send additional troops to Afghanistan, but criticized President Obama’s announcement of when troops will withdraw. ‘The Taliban may not have watches, but they do have calendars,’ Romney said.” [Boston Globe, 6/3/11]
· FLOP: Romney: “The Generals Actually Concur With The Idea That We Should Bring Down The Surge Troops And Ultimately By 2014, Take Our Footprint - Our Large Combat Footprint Out Of Afghanistan, That’s Something With Which I Concur.” On Moring Joe, Mitt Romney said: “The generals actually concur with the idea that we should bring down the surge troops, and ultimately by 2014, take our footprint -- our large combat footprint out of Afghanistan, that's something with which I concur.” [Morning Joe, MSNBC, 9/28/11]
Romney Said Of Afghanistan: “I Also Think We’ve Learned That Our Troops Shouldn’t Go Off And Try To Fight A War Of Independence For Another Nation.” At the New Hampshire Republican primary debate Romney said of Afghanistan: “I also think we've learned that our troops shouldn't go off and try and fight a war of independence for another nation. Only the Afghanis can win Afghanistan's independence from the Taliban.” [New Hampshire Debate, 6/13/11]
Byron York: Romney Seemed “Off Balance” When Asked What Strategy He Would Employ In Afghanistan Saying “I’m Not In That Position.” “Then there’s Afghanistan. ‘I’m a little surprised that, having made Afghanistan the center of his anti-terrorist strategy, he says he doesn’t have a strategy at this stage for what to do in Afghanistan,’ Romney says of the president. ‘I would have expected him to have accomplished that by this point.’ As Romney sees it, Obama has a choice. He can go along with Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s expected request for more troops, or he can betray his own campaign promise of a firm U.S. stand in Afghanistan. ‘I think his only choice, and the correct choice, is the former,’ Romney says. But it might not be that simple. When I ask Romney, ‘What would you have done?’ he seems slightly off-balance. ‘I’m not in that position,’ Romney says. He pauses a moment. ‘When you say, what would I have done, I, I – ‘ ‘Do you think we needed a new strategy in Afghanistan?’ I ask. ‘I’m going to Afghanistan and Iraq in a couple of months,’ Romney says. ‘I’ll get an assessment of what’s happening there and what the prospects are. But I certainly would support our troops with the additional troops which are being called for by General McChrystal, and provide the equipment and the manpower and the budgetary support which our troops deserve.’” [Byron York, Washington Examiner, 9/27/09]
· HEADLINE: Romney critical of Obama’s Afghan policy—but hesitant himself [Byron York, Washington Examiner, 9/27/09]
Romney Claim: “I will order the formulation of a national cybersecurity strategy, to deter and defend against the growing threats of militarized cyber-attacks, cyber-terrorism, and cyber-espionage.”
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA CREATED THE FIRST MILITARY COMMAND DEDICATED TO CYBER SECURITY
In 2009, The Obama Administration Created The First Military Command Dedicated To Cyber Security, Reflecting President Obama’s Commitment To Elevating Computer Security As A National Security Issue. “Defense Secretary Robert Gates created a new military command dedicated to cyber security on Tuesday, reflecting the Obama administration's plans to centralize and elevate computer security as a major national-security issue… The decision follows President Barack Obama's announcement last month that he will establish a new cyber-security office at the White House, whose chief will coordinate all government efforts to protect computer networks.” [WSJ, 06/24/09]
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Texas Governor Rick Perry fails to give clemency to an innocent man
How many days ago did we watch The Republican Debate where people cheered about Governor Perry's execution record? What was Question asked of Perry in connection with Killing and innocent man? What was his response?
I have posted a story that is 17 pages called Trial by Fire . I ask you to take time to read. A story of how a Texas Governor named Rick Perry had the opportunity to save an innocent man, by reading a Report from Mr Hurst an arson scientist. This report, which was in the file, exonerated the man who was found guilty based on another report, that used no scientific facts to it's conclusion, and now he is dead.
Perry was given the file and yet ignored the report and did not grant clemency. This story is one I am sure he would not want out, but we must re post and get the truth out, if for anything else for the father who was executed for a crime he did not commit. This story should be told over and over again. Rick Perry should never hold the high office of our country. Read Trial by Fire
I have posted a story that is 17 pages called Trial by Fire . I ask you to take time to read. A story of how a Texas Governor named Rick Perry had the opportunity to save an innocent man, by reading a Report from Mr Hurst an arson scientist. This report, which was in the file, exonerated the man who was found guilty based on another report, that used no scientific facts to it's conclusion, and now he is dead.
Perry was given the file and yet ignored the report and did not grant clemency. This story is one I am sure he would not want out, but we must re post and get the truth out, if for anything else for the father who was executed for a crime he did not commit. This story should be told over and over again. Rick Perry should never hold the high office of our country. Read Trial by Fire
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT: IMPACT FOR Utah
Since I live in Utah I thought I would post this!
The American people understand that the economic crisis and the deep recession weren’t created overnight and won’t be solved overnight. The economic security of the middle class has been under attack for decades. That’s why President Obama believes we need to do more than just recover from this economic crisis – we need to rebuild the economy the American way, based on balance, fairness, and the same set of rules for everyone from Wall Street to Main Street. We can work together to create the jobs of the future by helping small business entrepreneurs, by investing in education, and by making things the world buys. The President understands that to restore an American economy that’s built to last we cannot afford to outsource American jobs and encourage reckless financial deals that put middle class security at risk.
To create jobs, the President unveiled the American Jobs Act – nearly all of which is made up of ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and that Congress should pass right away to get the economy moving now. The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. And it would do so without adding a dime to the deficit. The American Jobs Act has five components:
1. Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
· The President’s plan will cut the payroll tax in half to 3.1% for employers on the first $5 million in wages, providing broad tax relief to all businesses but targeting it to the 98 percent of firms with wages below this level. In Utah, 60,000 firms will receive a payroll tax cut under the American Jobs Act.
2. Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
· The President’s plan includes $50 billion in immediate investments for highways, transit, rail and aviation, helping to modernize an infrastructure that now receives a grade of “D” from the American Society of Civil Engineers and putting hundreds of thousands of construction workers back on the job. Of the investments for highway and transit modernization projects, the President’s plan will make immediate investments of at least $313,700,000 in Utah that could support a minimum of approximately 4,100 local jobs.
· The President is proposing to invest $35 billion to prevent layoffs of up to 280,000 teachers, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more and keeping cops and firefighters on the job. These funds would help states and localities avoid and reverse layoffs now, and will provide $303,000,000 in funds to Utah to support up to 5,100 educator and first responder jobs.
· The President is proposing a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools – investments that will create jobs, while improving classrooms and upgrading our schools to meet 21st century needs. Utah will receive $138,700,000 in funding to support as many as 1,800 jobs.
· The President is proposing to invest $15 billion in a national effort to put construction workers on the job rehabilitating and refurbishing hundreds of thousands of vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses. Utah could receive about $20,000,000 to revitalize and refurbish local communities, in addition to funds that would be available through a competitive application.
· The President’s plan proposes $5 billion of investments for facilities modernization needs at community colleges. Investment in modernizing community colleges fills a key resource gap, and ensures these local, bedrock education institutions have the facilities and equipment to address current workforce demands in today’s highly technical and growing fields. Utah could receive $37,100,000 in funding in the next fiscal year for its community colleges.
3. Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs.
· Drawing on the best ideas of both parties and the most innovative states, the President is proposing the most sweeping reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) system in 40 years help those without jobs transition to the workplace. This could help put the 40,000 long-term unemployed workers in Utah back to work.
· Alongside these reforms, the President is reiterating his call to extend unemployment insurance, preventing 6,600 people looking for work in Utah from losing their benefits in just the first 6 weeks. And, across the country, the number saved from losing benefits would triple by the end of the year.
· The President is proposing a new Pathways Back to Work Fund to provide hundreds of thousands of low-income youth and adults with opportunities to work and to achieve needed training in growth industries. Pathways Back to Work could place 700 adults and 1,400 youths in jobs in Utah.
4. Tax Relief for Every American Worker and Family
· The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last December by cutting workers payroll taxes in half next year. A typical household in Utah, with a median income of around $58,000, will receive a tax cut of around $1,800.
5. Fully Paid for as Part of the President’s Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan.
· To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.
The American people understand that the economic crisis and the deep recession weren’t created overnight and won’t be solved overnight. The economic security of the middle class has been under attack for decades. That’s why President Obama believes we need to do more than just recover from this economic crisis – we need to rebuild the economy the American way, based on balance, fairness, and the same set of rules for everyone from Wall Street to Main Street. We can work together to create the jobs of the future by helping small business entrepreneurs, by investing in education, and by making things the world buys. The President understands that to restore an American economy that’s built to last we cannot afford to outsource American jobs and encourage reckless financial deals that put middle class security at risk.
To create jobs, the President unveiled the American Jobs Act – nearly all of which is made up of ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and that Congress should pass right away to get the economy moving now. The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. And it would do so without adding a dime to the deficit. The American Jobs Act has five components:
1. Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
· The President’s plan will cut the payroll tax in half to 3.1% for employers on the first $5 million in wages, providing broad tax relief to all businesses but targeting it to the 98 percent of firms with wages below this level. In Utah, 60,000 firms will receive a payroll tax cut under the American Jobs Act.
2. Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
· The President’s plan includes $50 billion in immediate investments for highways, transit, rail and aviation, helping to modernize an infrastructure that now receives a grade of “D” from the American Society of Civil Engineers and putting hundreds of thousands of construction workers back on the job. Of the investments for highway and transit modernization projects, the President’s plan will make immediate investments of at least $313,700,000 in Utah that could support a minimum of approximately 4,100 local jobs.
· The President is proposing to invest $35 billion to prevent layoffs of up to 280,000 teachers, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more and keeping cops and firefighters on the job. These funds would help states and localities avoid and reverse layoffs now, and will provide $303,000,000 in funds to Utah to support up to 5,100 educator and first responder jobs.
· The President is proposing a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools – investments that will create jobs, while improving classrooms and upgrading our schools to meet 21st century needs. Utah will receive $138,700,000 in funding to support as many as 1,800 jobs.
· The President is proposing to invest $15 billion in a national effort to put construction workers on the job rehabilitating and refurbishing hundreds of thousands of vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses. Utah could receive about $20,000,000 to revitalize and refurbish local communities, in addition to funds that would be available through a competitive application.
· The President’s plan proposes $5 billion of investments for facilities modernization needs at community colleges. Investment in modernizing community colleges fills a key resource gap, and ensures these local, bedrock education institutions have the facilities and equipment to address current workforce demands in today’s highly technical and growing fields. Utah could receive $37,100,000 in funding in the next fiscal year for its community colleges.
3. Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs.
· Drawing on the best ideas of both parties and the most innovative states, the President is proposing the most sweeping reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) system in 40 years help those without jobs transition to the workplace. This could help put the 40,000 long-term unemployed workers in Utah back to work.
· Alongside these reforms, the President is reiterating his call to extend unemployment insurance, preventing 6,600 people looking for work in Utah from losing their benefits in just the first 6 weeks. And, across the country, the number saved from losing benefits would triple by the end of the year.
· The President is proposing a new Pathways Back to Work Fund to provide hundreds of thousands of low-income youth and adults with opportunities to work and to achieve needed training in growth industries. Pathways Back to Work could place 700 adults and 1,400 youths in jobs in Utah.
4. Tax Relief for Every American Worker and Family
· The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last December by cutting workers payroll taxes in half next year. A typical household in Utah, with a median income of around $58,000, will receive a tax cut of around $1,800.
5. Fully Paid for as Part of the President’s Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan.
· To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.
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