The ACORN 8 is a group of former ACORN officials who began to realize how corrpt the organization was. They leaked an internal report about ACORN's questionable activities to the New York Times during the presidential campaign. The Times ran a few stories then dropped it, fearing they would embarrass their candidate... Barack Obama. When the 8 requested ACORN records related to the embezzlement of $5,000,000, AND AFTER OBAMA WON THE ELECTION, they were dismissed!
The 8 have filed lawsuits, called for boycotts and sought injunctions. They filed 15 complaints with the FBI and U.S. District Attorney's Office. No one listened. It wasn't until the videos surfaced of Acorn employees offering help and housing to a couple posing as a pimp and a prostitute who told the employees they intended to import underage illegals for prostitution that anyone batted an eyelash. (WHY?
What is wrong with this story?) The House passed a bill to end all federal funding to ACORN (75 Democrats voted against the bill. That's right, despite the mounting evidence those Dems still wanted to give your tax money to ACORN) and the IRS stripped ACORN of it's participation in the agency's volunteer tax assistance program. Here comes the funny part: President Obama decided to cut Acorn loose and White House spokesman Robert Gibbs commented that Obama didn't know too much about the group. (What? He used to be their attorney for God's sake!) Obama is quoted as saying, "Frankly, it's not really something I've followed closely. I didn't even know ACORN was getting a whole lot of federal money." (A few years back Obama promised ACORN a "seat at the table" of his administration.. He helped train ACORN street organizers.)
On September 16, 2009 the Senate voted 83-7 to deny ACORN any further funding... hallelujah!
The seven dissenting votes: Roland Burris, Illinois; Bob Casey, Pennsylvania; Dick Durban, Illinois; Kirsten Gillibrand, New York; Patrick Leahy, Vermont; Bernie Sanders; Vermont; Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
Thursday, November 26, 2009
More ACORN Shame
Did you know that:
ACORN sued the state of California to get out of paying it's employees minimum wage?
ACORN fought against their employees attempts to unionize?
ACORN only paid employees overtime owed to them after being forced to do so by the government.
ACORN's head of Living Wage Resource Center testified that when setting a living-wage amount for
Oakland, CA: "We just made that number up."
ACORN was sued by it's own employees for failure to pay them. An ACORN spokesperson commented:
"At least 70 percent of the workers have been paid." (What about the other 30 percent ACORN??)
ACORN's former attorney was none other than Barack Obama.
ACORN sued the state of California to get out of paying it's employees minimum wage?
ACORN fought against their employees attempts to unionize?
ACORN only paid employees overtime owed to them after being forced to do so by the government.
ACORN's head of Living Wage Resource Center testified that when setting a living-wage amount for
Oakland, CA: "We just made that number up."
ACORN was sued by it's own employees for failure to pay them. An ACORN spokesperson commented:
"At least 70 percent of the workers have been paid." (What about the other 30 percent ACORN??)
ACORN's former attorney was none other than Barack Obama.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Constitution Says So. Really?
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) was asked: "Where specifically does the constitution give Congress the authority to mandate citizens purchase health care?"
His answer: "The very first enumerated power is the power to provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare, so it's right there on the front end".
You have got to be kidding! Really? The preamble of the Constitution of the United States gives Congress the authority to mandate that citizens purchase health care, or else? No! Let me see what it says....
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.
I don't see it. Do you? I don't see anything even remotely related to demanding that citizens purchase health care. I don't see anything in there about demanding that citizens do anything.
Who's Opposed to Civilian Trial for KSM? (1. and 2.)
1. Dozens of family members of 9/11 victims recently signed a letter to AG Holder and President Obama opposing a civilian trial for the alleged plotters. "We are heartsick and weary of the delays and the machinations, and I am afraid that the theatrics are going to take over at this point, and I very much regret that," Alice Hoagland told the attorney general. Hoagland's 31-year-old son Mark Bingham was killed when hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
2. The family of journalist Daniel Pearl who was kidnapped, tortured and be-headed by Al Queda in 2002 expressed disappointment with the White House's decision to try KSM in a civilian court. "We are respectful of the legal process, but believe that giving confessed terrorists a worldwide platform to publicize their ideology sends the wrong message to potential terrorists, inviting them in essence, to resort to violence and cruelty in order to gain publicity."In July 2002 Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh was sentenced to death by hanging for Pearl's abduction and murder. In March 2007 the Pentagon released a reported confession by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM). These are KSM's words: "I decapitated with my blessed right hand the head of the American Jew, Daniel Pearl, in the city of Karachi, Pakistan. For those who would like to confirm, there are pictures of me on the Internet holding his head."
2. The family of journalist Daniel Pearl who was kidnapped, tortured and be-headed by Al Queda in 2002 expressed disappointment with the White House's decision to try KSM in a civilian court. "We are respectful of the legal process, but believe that giving confessed terrorists a worldwide platform to publicize their ideology sends the wrong message to potential terrorists, inviting them in essence, to resort to violence and cruelty in order to gain publicity."In July 2002 Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh was sentenced to death by hanging for Pearl's abduction and murder. In March 2007 the Pentagon released a reported confession by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM). These are KSM's words: "I decapitated with my blessed right hand the head of the American Jew, Daniel Pearl, in the city of Karachi, Pakistan. For those who would like to confirm, there are pictures of me on the Internet holding his head."
Monday, November 23, 2009
The DSA and ACORN
During their National Convention the "DSA condemns in the strongest terms the right-wing crusade against ACORN." Here's their rationale:
"Incidents of corruption are possible in any organization, and ACORN has responded appropriately to the overblown recent sting. ACORN's real offense, in the eyes of the right, is that it organizes constituencies, such as minorities and poor people, which the political system too
often ignores. The crusade against ACORN is a continuation of the efforts of the right at vote-suppression, which must be resisted wherever it appears." WHAT?? The right is picking on ACORN because they want to suppress voting?
"Incidents of corruption are possible in any organization, and ACORN has responded appropriately to the overblown recent sting. ACORN's real offense, in the eyes of the right, is that it organizes constituencies, such as minorities and poor people, which the political system too
often ignores. The crusade against ACORN is a continuation of the efforts of the right at vote-suppression, which must be resisted wherever it appears." WHAT?? The right is picking on ACORN because they want to suppress voting?
Hey DSA members? I have some information to share that you're apparently not aware of:
1. During the last two election cycles ACORN was under investigation for election fraud and related offenses in 19 states.
AR 1998 A contractor with ACORN-affiliated Project Vote was arrested for falsifying 400 voter registration cards.
CO 2005 Two ex-ACORN employees were convicted of perjury for submitting false voter registrations.
CO 2004 An ACORN employee admitted to forging signatures and registering three of her friends to vote 40 times.
CT 2008 ACORN submitted a voter registration card for a 7 year old girl.
FL 2009 11 ACORN workers accused of forging voter registration applications. 197 of 260 applications contained personal ID information that did not match any living person.
IN 2008 Election officials threw out more than 4,000 ACORN-submitted voter registrations after finding they had identical handwriting and included the names of deceased Indianans, and even the name of a fast food restaurant.
MI 2008 A sizable number of duplicate and fraudulent voter registrations were turned over to the AG's office for investigation.
MO 2008 400 ACORN-submitted registrations rejected due to duplication or false information.
2007 Four ACORN employees indicted for identity theft and filing false registrations during 2006 election.
2006 Eight ACORN employees indicted in federal election fraud charges; forging signatures and submitting false information.
MN 2004 During a traffic stop police found more than 300 voter registration cards in the trunk of a former ACORN employee who had violated legal requirements that registration cards be submitted to the Secretary of State within 10 days of being filled out and signed.
NC 2004 ACORN investigated for submitting fake voter registration cards.
NM 2008 More than 1,100 ACORN-submitted voter registration cards being investigated after a clerk found them to be fraudulent.
2005 Four ACORN employees submitted as many as 3,000 fraudulent signatures on the ballot initiative.
2004 An ACORN employee registered a 13-year old boy to vote.
NV 2009 ACORN indicted on 26 counts of voter registration fraud and 13 counts of illegally compensating canvassers.
2008 ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters raided. Fraudulent registrations found included players names from the Dallas Cowboys.
OH 2008 ACORN activists gave OH residents cash and cigarettes in exchange for filling out registration form; two ACORN workers submitted "blatantly false" forms; ACORN and its affiliate Project Vote submitted registrations that had the highest rate of errors for any voter registration group.
PA 2009 Seven ACORN workers indicted for submitting falsified registrations. Six of the seven also indicted for registering voters under an illegal quota system.
2008 State election officials threw out 57,435 registrations, the majority of which were submitted by ACORN. Found to be "clearly fraudulent" signatures, vacant lots listed as addresses.
2008 ACORN employee sentenced to prison for identify theft and tampering with records. Second ACORN worker pled not guilty; free on bail.
2004 Numerous complaints from individuals to Director of Elections accusing ACORN employees of deliberately putting inaccurate info on their registrations. ACORN under investigation by the Dept. of Justice.
TX 2008 10,000 ACORN-submitted registrations found to be invalid.
VA 2005 Registrations submitted by Project Vote rejected, 83% of which carried false or questionable information; non-existent or commercial addresses; fraudulent social security numbers; convicted felons.
2005 56% of applications submitted by ACORN ineligible. Evidence of intentional voter fraud.
WA 2007 Three ACORN employees pled guilty, four more charged in worst case of voter registration fraud in Washington state history. More than 2,000 fraudulent cards submitted.
WI 2008 Over 33,000 ACORN-submitted registrations called into question.
1. During the last two election cycles ACORN was under investigation for election fraud and related offenses in 19 states.
AR 1998 A contractor with ACORN-affiliated Project Vote was arrested for falsifying 400 voter registration cards.
CO 2005 Two ex-ACORN employees were convicted of perjury for submitting false voter registrations.
CO 2004 An ACORN employee admitted to forging signatures and registering three of her friends to vote 40 times.
CT 2008 ACORN submitted a voter registration card for a 7 year old girl.
FL 2009 11 ACORN workers accused of forging voter registration applications. 197 of 260 applications contained personal ID information that did not match any living person.
IN 2008 Election officials threw out more than 4,000 ACORN-submitted voter registrations after finding they had identical handwriting and included the names of deceased Indianans, and even the name of a fast food restaurant.
MI 2008 A sizable number of duplicate and fraudulent voter registrations were turned over to the AG's office for investigation.
MO 2008 400 ACORN-submitted registrations rejected due to duplication or false information.
2007 Four ACORN employees indicted for identity theft and filing false registrations during 2006 election.
2006 Eight ACORN employees indicted in federal election fraud charges; forging signatures and submitting false information.
MN 2004 During a traffic stop police found more than 300 voter registration cards in the trunk of a former ACORN employee who had violated legal requirements that registration cards be submitted to the Secretary of State within 10 days of being filled out and signed.
NC 2004 ACORN investigated for submitting fake voter registration cards.
NM 2008 More than 1,100 ACORN-submitted voter registration cards being investigated after a clerk found them to be fraudulent.
2005 Four ACORN employees submitted as many as 3,000 fraudulent signatures on the ballot initiative.
2004 An ACORN employee registered a 13-year old boy to vote.
NV 2009 ACORN indicted on 26 counts of voter registration fraud and 13 counts of illegally compensating canvassers.
2008 ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters raided. Fraudulent registrations found included players names from the Dallas Cowboys.
OH 2008 ACORN activists gave OH residents cash and cigarettes in exchange for filling out registration form; two ACORN workers submitted "blatantly false" forms; ACORN and its affiliate Project Vote submitted registrations that had the highest rate of errors for any voter registration group.
PA 2009 Seven ACORN workers indicted for submitting falsified registrations. Six of the seven also indicted for registering voters under an illegal quota system.
2008 State election officials threw out 57,435 registrations, the majority of which were submitted by ACORN. Found to be "clearly fraudulent" signatures, vacant lots listed as addresses.
2008 ACORN employee sentenced to prison for identify theft and tampering with records. Second ACORN worker pled not guilty; free on bail.
2004 Numerous complaints from individuals to Director of Elections accusing ACORN employees of deliberately putting inaccurate info on their registrations. ACORN under investigation by the Dept. of Justice.
TX 2008 10,000 ACORN-submitted registrations found to be invalid.
VA 2005 Registrations submitted by Project Vote rejected, 83% of which carried false or questionable information; non-existent or commercial addresses; fraudulent social security numbers; convicted felons.
2005 56% of applications submitted by ACORN ineligible. Evidence of intentional voter fraud.
WA 2007 Three ACORN employees pled guilty, four more charged in worst case of voter registration fraud in Washington state history. More than 2,000 fraudulent cards submitted.
WI 2008 Over 33,000 ACORN-submitted registrations called into question.
DSA
The DSA just rapped up their National Convention on November 15th (2009). According to their "resolution on priorities" they will prioritize educating, agitating and organizing (the socialist agenda). Agitating is an interesting word choice.
They also say they intend to speak "publicly" against the "anti-socialist" rhetoric being used to "mobilize populist anger against any reform that would modestly redistribute wealth, income, and opportunity in the U.S. Sounds like they're getting ready to fight those of us who aren't into this redistribution of wealth thing, i.e. Obamacare.
They plan to use newspapers, web, radio and public access TV to educate us.
They're planning a "new round of massive federal financial aid to state and municipal governments." It's also noted that a section on Immigration Reform will be added later by the NPC.
And.... they reasserted their "commitment to passing single-payer healthcare legislation at either federal or state level; supporting a meaningful public option;" are calling for massive cuts in "wasteful and misguided defense spending"; and a restructuring of the U.S. and global economy. Quite an agenda.
They also say they intend to speak "publicly" against the "anti-socialist" rhetoric being used to "mobilize populist anger against any reform that would modestly redistribute wealth, income, and opportunity in the U.S. Sounds like they're getting ready to fight those of us who aren't into this redistribution of wealth thing, i.e. Obamacare.
They plan to use newspapers, web, radio and public access TV to educate us.
They're planning a "new round of massive federal financial aid to state and municipal governments." It's also noted that a section on Immigration Reform will be added later by the NPC.
And.... they reasserted their "commitment to passing single-payer healthcare legislation at either federal or state level; supporting a meaningful public option;" are calling for massive cuts in "wasteful and misguided defense spending"; and a restructuring of the U.S. and global economy. Quite an agenda.
Members of Congress who belong to the Democratic Socialists of America
Members of Congress who belong to the DSA (Democratic SOCIALISTS of America)
Nancy Pelosi CA
Lynn Woolsey CA
Neil Abercrombie HI
Xavier Becerra CA
Corrine Brown FL
John Conyers MI
Danny Davis IL
Peter DeFazio OR
Chaka Fattah PA
Bob Filner CA
Barney Frank MA
Luis Gutierrez IL
Maurice Hinchey NY
Jesse Jackson, Jr. IL
Marcy Kaptur OH
Dennis Kucinich OH
John Lewis GA
Jim McDermott WA
James McGovern MA
George Miller CA
Jerrold Nadler NY
John Olver MA
Ed Pastor AZ
Donald Payne NJ
Charles Rangel NY
Pete Stark CA
Bennie Thompson MS
John Tierney MA
Nydia Velazquez NY
Maxine Waters CA
Mel Watt NC
Henry Waxman CA
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Help Stop the Obama Health Care Reform debacle
Sign the petition to keep medical care in the hands of patients and doctors and away from government and insurance companies. Go to the website above and sign! Take action!
White House Visitors Log
The White House released a six-month log of visitors in late October. Did '60s radical William Ayers, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and filmmaker Michael Moore all visit the Obama White House, as the list indicated? Aides were quick to say: It wasn't that Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright or Michael Moore, although more details about the identities of the real visitors were not provided.
Topping the list of visitors was head of the Service Employees International Union, Andy Stern. 19 visits including 5 meetings with the President. Does anyone know how many times General Stanley McChrystal has met with the President? You know... the General appointed by Obama? The one in charge of strategy in Afghanistan who requested additional troops 3 months ago and never got them?
Topping the list of visitors was head of the Service Employees International Union, Andy Stern. 19 visits including 5 meetings with the President. Does anyone know how many times General Stanley McChrystal has met with the President? You know... the General appointed by Obama? The one in charge of strategy in Afghanistan who requested additional troops 3 months ago and never got them?
War or not war?
So: The administration "prefers to avoid" using terms with the word WAR in them and has banned certain interrogation techniques, right? Then why, on Wednesday November 18th, did AG Holder say, "We are at war, and we use every instrument of national power--civilian, military, law enforcement, intelligence, diplomatic and others---to win."
OBAMA, TERRORISTS AND OTHER NONSENSE
While announcing the 9/11 terrorists will be tried in a Federal court, the fact that 5 other terror suspects will apparently be facing military tribunals was under-reported. If terrorism is a crime, why not try all terrorists in civilian courts? If military tribunals are not inherently "unjust", why not try all terrorists in military tribunals? AG Holder did acknowledge the 9/11 attacks were an act of war but said it was also a federal crime. His rationale for the horrendous decision to try KSM et al in civilian court was that "we are most likely to obtain justice for the American people is in federal court.” IS THIS ADMINISTRATION IN TOUCH WITH REALITY?
FACT: The risk of failing to obtain justice are higher in civilian court.
FACT: The government must expose sensitive secrets to public scrutiny if the defense requests them in civilian court.
IN THE "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME" CATEGORY: 1. The Defense Department sent a memo thru the Pentagon stating that this administration prefers to avoid using terms like "Long War" or "Global War on Terror" and to please use "Overseas Contingency Operation." 2. The same day Obama signed an executive order banning the use of interrogation techniques not approved in the Army Field Manual White House Field Counsel Gregg Craig "acknowledged concerns from intelligence officials that new restrictions on CIA methods might be unwise and indicated the White House might be open to allowing the use of methods other than the 19 techniques allowed for the military." Huh? Let me get this straight. Techniques not approved in the Army Field Manual are banned but the administration is open to using them anyway?
FACT: The risk of failing to obtain justice are higher in civilian court.
FACT: The government must expose sensitive secrets to public scrutiny if the defense requests them in civilian court.
IN THE "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME" CATEGORY: 1. The Defense Department sent a memo thru the Pentagon stating that this administration prefers to avoid using terms like "Long War" or "Global War on Terror" and to please use "Overseas Contingency Operation." 2. The same day Obama signed an executive order banning the use of interrogation techniques not approved in the Army Field Manual White House Field Counsel Gregg Craig "acknowledged concerns from intelligence officials that new restrictions on CIA methods might be unwise and indicated the White House might be open to allowing the use of methods other than the 19 techniques allowed for the military." Huh? Let me get this straight. Techniques not approved in the Army Field Manual are banned but the administration is open to using them anyway?
Obama promise #511
Recognize the Armenian Genocide
"Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. … as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide." Obama called for Turkey's acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide while Senator. While visiting Turkey as President he was asked about the historical events. In his answer he failed to use the word "genocide". He was then asked, "have you changed your view, and did you ask President Gul to recognize the genocide by name?" He again failed to use the word "genocide". He was then asked, "So if I understand you correctly, your view hasn't changed, but you'll put in abeyance the issue of whether to use that word in the future?" His answer again, omitted the word "genocide".
Back in the states when issuing a statement on April 24th (the Day of Memorial for the Armenian genocide) he described the "heavy weight" of history and the "terrible events of 1915". Again, he did not use the word "genocide". When he made this promise, Obama specifically referred to a diplomat who had been fired for using the word genocide; Obama said the diplomat had used the word "properly." While he says his views haven't changed, Obama clearly avoids stating those views.
Promise: BROKEN
"Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. … as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide." Obama called for Turkey's acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide while Senator. While visiting Turkey as President he was asked about the historical events. In his answer he failed to use the word "genocide". He was then asked, "have you changed your view, and did you ask President Gul to recognize the genocide by name?" He again failed to use the word "genocide". He was then asked, "So if I understand you correctly, your view hasn't changed, but you'll put in abeyance the issue of whether to use that word in the future?" His answer again, omitted the word "genocide".
Back in the states when issuing a statement on April 24th (the Day of Memorial for the Armenian genocide) he described the "heavy weight" of history and the "terrible events of 1915". Again, he did not use the word "genocide". When he made this promise, Obama specifically referred to a diplomat who had been fired for using the word genocide; Obama said the diplomat had used the word "properly." While he says his views haven't changed, Obama clearly avoids stating those views.
Promise: BROKEN
Obama promise #508
Allow penalty-free hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts in 208 and 2009
The measure would have allowed workers to take money from their 401(k) retirement accounts before retirement, but without the usual penalty of 10 percent on top of regular taxes. The idea was to help cash-strapped workers get through hard times without having to absorb penalties for their bad fortune.
Penalty-free withdrawals weren't included in the economic stimulus bill that became the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Nor were they part of Obama's budget outline, which Congress approved on April 2, 2009.
Promise: BROKEN
The measure would have allowed workers to take money from their 401(k) retirement accounts before retirement, but without the usual penalty of 10 percent on top of regular taxes. The idea was to help cash-strapped workers get through hard times without having to absorb penalties for their bad fortune.
Penalty-free withdrawals weren't included in the economic stimulus bill that became the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Nor were they part of Obama's budget outline, which Congress approved on April 2, 2009.
Promise: BROKEN
OBAMA Promise #505
Create a $3,000 tax credit for companies that add jobs.
The credit was never part of the stimulus legislation and it was not included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which Obama signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009. There is no indication that this idea might re-emerge.
PROMISE: Broken
The credit was never part of the stimulus legislation and it was not included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which Obama signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009. There is no indication that this idea might re-emerge.
PROMISE: Broken
Promise #240 continued
Obama's comments against lobbyists were some of the biggest applause lines of his rallies: "Make no mistake: We need to end an era in Washington where accountability has been absent, oversight has been overlooked, your tax dollars have been turned over to wealthy CEOs and the well-connected corporations." "You need leadership you can trust to work for you, not for the special interests who have had their thumb on the scale. And together, we will tell Washington, and their lobbyists, that their days of setting the agenda are over. They have not funded my campaign. You have. They will not run my White House. You'll help me run my White House."
Mark Patterson has been named chief of staff for the Treasury Department. He is a former vice president for the financial giant Goldman Sachs, and was registered to lobby there from 2005 to 2008. Goldman Sachs received $10 billion in money from the TARP program and is considered a key player in the financial industry.
Promise: BROKEN
Mark Patterson has been named chief of staff for the Treasury Department. He is a former vice president for the financial giant Goldman Sachs, and was registered to lobby there from 2005 to 2008. Goldman Sachs received $10 billion in money from the TARP program and is considered a key player in the financial industry.
Promise: BROKEN
Promise $240 continued
Nomination of former Raytheon lobbyist William J. Lynn to be deputy defense secretary provides sufficient evidence for us to rate this a broken promise. Lynn's waiver requires that he not participate "personally and substantially" in any matter in which Raytheon is a party for one year, which directly contradicts Obama's campaign pledge and executive order to make ex-lobbyists wait two years. Lynn was a Raytheon lobbyist for six years, lobbying extensively on a broad range of defense-related issues, Grassley argued. Lynn would be the top operations manager at the Pentagon, with final authority on a number of contract, program and budget decisions. (Fortunately, Lynn's nomination was not confirmed.)
Lobbyist Jocelyn Frye is now director of policy and projects in the Office of the First Lady. She previously lobbied for National Partnership for Women and Families from 2001 to 2008. The organization advocates for fairness in the workplace, access to health care and "policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family." Many of the laws for which Frye lobbied are things Obama has supported.
Lobbyist Cecilia Muñoz is now director of intergovernmental affairs in the Executive Office of the President, managing the White House’s relationships with state and local governments. She has also been designated the administration's a principal liaison to the Hispanic community.
Lobbyist Jocelyn Frye is now director of policy and projects in the Office of the First Lady. She previously lobbied for National Partnership for Women and Families from 2001 to 2008. The organization advocates for fairness in the workplace, access to health care and "policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family." Many of the laws for which Frye lobbied are things Obama has supported.
Lobbyist Cecilia Muñoz is now director of intergovernmental affairs in the Executive Office of the President, managing the White House’s relationships with state and local governments. She has also been designated the administration's a principal liaison to the Hispanic community.
Promise #240
Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials
"No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration."
The administration has granted waivers to several former lobbyists, allowing them to serve. The administration also allows recusals, where former lobbyists simply recuse themselves from discussions concerning whatever interest it is for which they used to lobby. The recusals have not been made public, and we don't know how many have been issued.
During the campaign, Obama said many times that lobbyists would not run his White House. He said former lobbyists would not be allowed to "work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years." On his first full day in office, Obama signed an executive order to that effect. The order has a loophole — a "waiver" clause that allows former lobbyists to serve. That waiver clause has been used at least three times, and in some cases, the administration allows former lobbyists to serve without a waiver. t the waivers are granted by the Obama administration itself, and are little more than the administration saying a former lobbyist is okay. For a candidate who pledged to conduct business out in the open, there is little transparency about when a waiver is required.
"No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration."
The administration has granted waivers to several former lobbyists, allowing them to serve. The administration also allows recusals, where former lobbyists simply recuse themselves from discussions concerning whatever interest it is for which they used to lobby. The recusals have not been made public, and we don't know how many have been issued.
During the campaign, Obama said many times that lobbyists would not run his White House. He said former lobbyists would not be allowed to "work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years." On his first full day in office, Obama signed an executive order to that effect. The order has a loophole — a "waiver" clause that allows former lobbyists to serve. That waiver clause has been used at least three times, and in some cases, the administration allows former lobbyists to serve without a waiver. t the waivers are granted by the Obama administration itself, and are little more than the administration saying a former lobbyist is okay. For a candidate who pledged to conduct business out in the open, there is little transparency about when a waiver is required.
Promise #234
"I will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days."
1. Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 on May 22, only two days after the bill was finalized in Congress.
2. Obama signed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage for low-income children. He signed it on Feb. 4, 2009, just hours after it was finalized in Congress.
3. The the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act — got no such vetting. Congressional record shows that the law was passed in the Senate on Jan. 22, 2009, passed in the House on Jan. 27, and signed by the president on Jan. 29. So only two days passed between the bill's final passage and the signing. The legislation was not posted to the White House Web site for comment in any way that we could find.
Promise: BROKEN
1. Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 on May 22, only two days after the bill was finalized in Congress.
2. Obama signed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage for low-income children. He signed it on Feb. 4, 2009, just hours after it was finalized in Congress.
3. The the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act — got no such vetting. Congressional record shows that the law was passed in the Senate on Jan. 22, 2009, passed in the House on Jan. 27, and signed by the president on Jan. 29. So only two days passed between the bill's final passage and the signing. The legislation was not posted to the White House Web site for comment in any way that we could find.
Promise: BROKEN
Broken Promise #24
End income tax for seniors making less than $50,000
Obama's campaign pledge to end taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 has fallen off the radar.
It wasn't part of the tax cuts in the economic stimulus bill, also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It wasn't in Obama's first budget outline, which was approved by Congress on April 2, 2009. And it's not part of any proposed legislation that we can find.
Promise: BROKEN
Obama's broken promise #517
Obama campaign promise #517: Negotiate health care reform in public sessions televised on C-Span
"That's what I will do in bringing all parties together, not negotiating behind closed doors, but bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are, because part of what we have to do is enlist the American people in this process."
so far, substantial negotiations on health reform have been held behind closed doors. These include two agreements with the drug industry and hospitals to reduce costs over the next 10 years. In Congress, some of the committee bill writing sessions have been open, but negotiations are also taking place behind closed doors.
Obama promised — repeatedly — an end to closed-door negotiations and complete openness for the health care talks. But he hasn't delivered. Instead of open talks of C-SPAN, we've gotten more of the same — talks behind closed doors at the White House and Congress. PROMISE: BROKEN
"That's what I will do in bringing all parties together, not negotiating behind closed doors, but bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are, because part of what we have to do is enlist the American people in this process."
so far, substantial negotiations on health reform have been held behind closed doors. These include two agreements with the drug industry and hospitals to reduce costs over the next 10 years. In Congress, some of the committee bill writing sessions have been open, but negotiations are also taking place behind closed doors.
Obama promised — repeatedly — an end to closed-door negotiations and complete openness for the health care talks. But he hasn't delivered. Instead of open talks of C-SPAN, we've gotten more of the same — talks behind closed doors at the White House and Congress. PROMISE: BROKEN
The 9/11 Terrorists
In a military court on December 2008, the 9/11 terrorists admitted committing the crimes charged, bragged about the attacks and proclaimed that they wore the government's charges like a "badge of honor." Congress authorized the military court in 2006. In January 2009, newly sworn-in President Obama acted swiftly to suspend the military trial at Gitmo before that court could pronounce sentence on the admittedly guilty jihadists.
AG Holder tried to make the case that he chose a civilian New York trial as a more likely venue for securing a conviction. This is absurd! By the time Obama came to office, KSM was ready to go before a military commission, plead guilty and be executed. It’s Obama who blocked a process that would have yielded the swiftest and most certain justice.
The president has done more damage in ten months to the CIA’s ability to defend our people than any scheming terrorist could hope to accomplish. Obama’s Justice Department has been said to have “declared war” on the CIA for no apparent reason.
Fort Hood
"The terrorist who attacked our Soldiers at Ft. Hood was a member of Obama’s transition team. He was a member of the Homeland Security Policy Institute. It’s on page 32 of the Obama Transition Team documents."
"After the Fort Hood attack Obama warned people to not ‘jump to conclusions’ - you know, like he did when a white police officer was doing his job and got cussed out by one of Obama’s friends and they all ended up having to have a ‘beer summit’ with the President to improve race relations. Yeah, don’t jump to conclusions like he does."
Do not expect the president to label Malik Nadal Hasan a terrorist. He has purged the meaningful term “war on terror” from the White House lexicon. In a curious linguistic construction, the president called the Fort Hood tragedy a “horrific outburst of violence.” In fact there is no public record of Barack Obama using the word “terrorist” since he took office.
Government "runs" Medicare. Fraud consumes 13.3% ($60 billion dollars) of it's $452 billion dollar budget. ONE GUY robbed $20 mil from Medicare by registering bogus companies, stolen doctor/patient ID's and billing Medicare for phantom wheelchairs, artificial limbs, etc. Medicare electronically delivered $20,000 to $40,000 to his bank account----DAILY! Yeah, let's have the government run all Health Care.
Government Health Care....No!
Government promised 120 million doses of H1N1 vaccine to be deployed by mid-October. Turns out only 30 million doses will be on hand, and not til late November. Oh ya, I want government to interfere with my healthcare insurance options and figure out what care I deserve and how much I should pay for it!
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