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WIPP Applauds Rep. Bean (D-Ill.) for Support of Small Business Access to Capital
U.S. President George W. Bush (right) and U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales at the swearing-in ceremony of immigrants as U.S. citizens, during a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony at the Daughters of the American Revolution Administration Building in Washington, D.C., March 27, 2006. (Robin Weiner/U.S. Newswire) 3/27/06
WASHINGTON, April 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In a bi-partisan national poll of likely voters, an overwhelming majority, 90 percent, said that they would support a candidate that is working to reduce hunger and poverty in our country. Eighty-five percent considered a candidate's position on reducing hunger and poverty to be an important factor in deciding whom to vote for Congress; Sixty-six percent are more likely to vote for a candidate for President who makes fighting hunger and poverty a major priority.
"Congressional candidates can not ignore hunger and poverty in the upcoming elections," said Max Finberg, Director of the Alliance to End Hunger. "Voters have said overwhelmingly that a candidate's position on hunger and poverty is an important factor in deciding their vote for Congress. Americans are telling us loud and clear that these are important issues, and this poll shows that Americans want to hear more from political leaders about real solutions."
The poll also shows that Americans have become more concerned about hunger and poverty in the United States, and believe that the government should be doing more.
-- 48 percent of voters feel that the hunger problem in the United States is getting worse, up from 38 percent in 2003;
-- 62 percent feel that the government spends too little money to reduce hunger in the United States, an increase from 55 percent in 2003;
-- 76 percent of Republicans and 90 percent of Democrats say that a candidate's position on reducing the hunger problem is important when deciding their vote for Congress.
Tom Freedman, a Democratic consultant who conducted the poll said "the poll shows poverty and hunger are areas where voters say problems are getting worse. These results show voters want action. This is an issue that has moved up voters' agendas." Jim McLaughlin, a Republican pollster who also conducted the poll said that "the results show hunger is an issue of concern to Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. It's an issue where voters would love for politicians to take a break from partisanship and actually get something done."
---
This poll of 1,000 likely voters was conducted by McLaughlin and Associates and Freedman Consulting, between March 27 and 29 via telephone by professional interviewers. The sample included 1,000 likely voters with a margin of error of plus/minus 3.1 percent at a 95 percent confidence interval. The poll was commissioned by the Alliance to End Hunger and sponsored in part by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
(February 1, 2006 - The Black AIDS Institute). President Bush once again pledged bold action last night to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America, citing the disproportionate impact among African Americans in particular. The Institute applauds that pledge. Unfortunately, this is not the first time we’ve heard it -- and we’re sadly still waiting for the administration to act in a way that is congruent with its words. [Continue]
| Economy | Elections | George W. Bush | Dick Cheney | Healthcare | Military | Taxes | Voting | Weapons |
Elliot Spitzer Prostitution Scandal
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Looking for Pennsylvania Democratic Convention Delegates? Obama? Clinton? Eligible to vote in the April 22 Primary? The www.pennsylvaniaprosperity.org website provides you with the answers to these questions, plus candidate profiles and more.
All eyes are on Pennsylvania as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton try to win as many delegates as possible. (John McCain and Ron Paul remain as GOP contestants although McCain has "clinched" the nomination.) The popular vote for President is a "beauty contest" in Pennsylvania. Total votes for candidates have little bearing on the nomination process. (They may sway Super Delegates.) The elections that will count are the selection of Democrat and Republican convention delegates elected Congressional district-by-Congressional district. To vote for Democratic or Republican convention delegates, an individual MUST be registered in that major political party by no later than March 24. An official form is available by logging into www.pennsylvaniaprosperity.org and entering the new voter's zip code in the blue EZ Vote box on the top left of the webpage.
More than 1 million voters registered as "Independents," or with a "third party," or with no party affiliation will not be able to participate in the presidential nominating process without changing their registration to one of the major parties. An individual can change their registration by logging into www.pennsylvaniaprosperity.org and entering their zip code in the blue EZ Vote box on the top left of the webpage. (An individual who has changed their registration can change again beginning April 23 with the same form.)
To learn more about Pennsylvania's delegate selection process and review a list of all delegate candidates (Democrats are identified by their Presidential nomination pledge to Obama or Clinton. Republican delegates do not disclose their pledges.) go to: http://www.pennsylvaniaprosperity.org/page.asp?g=PENNSYLVANIA&content=2008_Del egates&parent=PENNSYLVANIA. (Or click on the 2008 Presidential tab on the site's left navigation bar.)
For information on all of the presidential candidates, including links to candidates' official websites, Project Vote Smart Ratings, and policy positions on energy and health care (more to come) go to: http://www.pennsylvaniaprosperity.org/page.asp?g=PENNSYLVANIA&content=2008_Pre sidential_Candidates&parent=PENNSYLVANIA.
For a Voter's Guide providing information on the candidates running for office in the 19 Pennsylvania Congressional Districts, three State Row Offices, 25 State Senate seats, and 203 State House seats go to: http://www.pennsylvaniaprosperity.org/page.asp?content=2008_State_Races&g=PENN SYLVANIA. By entering a zip code, individuals can find contact information, biographical information, and survey responses from the candidate's running in their area. The Voter's Guide will be continually updated throughout the election cycle.
The Pennsylvania Prosperity Project (PAP2) is a non-partisan web-based effort managed by the Pennsylvania Business Council that focuses on providing objective information about public policy issues and candidates for federal, state, and local office. PAP2 also provides a comprehensive Voter Toolkit that allows individuals to obtain the necessary forms to register to vote, apply for an absentee ballot, locate polling locations and contact county elections offices. In 2006, 136,000 voter registration forms were downloaded through the PAP2 website and 119,000 absentee ballot requests were downloaded.
www.pabusinesscouncil.org
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
David W. Patti
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=74298
Source: Pennsylvania Business Council
Web Site: http://www.pabusinesscouncil.org/
http://www.pennsylvaniaprosperity.org/
Rockefeller Foundation Commits to Funding Coalition Efforts to Make Infrastructure Funding a National Priority
HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today joined with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to announce that they are creating a non- partisan coalition for federal infrastructure investment.
The Building America's Future Coalition will be comprised of state- and locally elected officials from around the nation and will become a repository of best practices on infrastructure funding issues. In the short-term, the coalition will work with the presidential candidates and the platform committees of the national political parties to ensure that the next president understands the enormity of the infrastructure crisis and is committed to increasing federal funding.
"We can all look at recent headlines about levees in New Orleans, air traffic congestion in the Northeast or the bridge collapse in Minnesota to realize that our nation's infrastructure is in need of serious attention," said Mayor Bloomberg. "But those examples only scratch the surface of the problem. The funding needs to maintain our existing infrastructure, and to improve and expand infrastructure as our nation continues to grow, just hasn't been the priority it needs to be. Today, I'm joining with Governor Rendell and Governor Schwarzenegger to create a coalition that will focus attention on our national infrastructure shortcomings in a non-partisan way and will work to ensure the federal government makes this a top priority."
"In the past 20 years, state and local governments have been forced to pay more and more of the cost for infrastructure repairs and expansion," said Governor Rendell. "Three-quarters of our nation's infrastructure spending is by state and local governments. In the past five years Pennsylvania has increased state funding for bridge repairs by 300 percent, yet the number of structurally deficient bridges has increased. Our country can't do it without federal leadership.
"America's infrastructure crisis is far broader than bridges and roads," said Governor Rendell. "The infrastructure crisis includes the basic necessities communities and businesses need to survive: schools, waterlines, wastewater treatment systems, dams, flood mitigation, hospitals, energy, aviation, rail lines, and ports. This is an issue that crosses party lines and we need significant federal investments now to ensure the safety of our citizens and economic prosperity of our nation."
In the past five years, Governor Rendell has guided Pennsylvania to make significant investments in a range of infrastructure areas, including doubling funding for state programs that fund improvements to freight rail lines and doubling the size of the state's aviation funding program. He also drove the effort to deepen the Delaware River shipping channel.
The national infrastructure needs are more than $1 trillion dollars.
"America needs $1.6 trillion worth of infrastructure over the next five years, yet federal investment has been cut in half as a percent of gross domestic product since 1987," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This is disastrous because without adequate infrastructure to quickly and safely move goods and people our economy and our traffic will stop dead in its tracks. I could not be happier to join Governor Rendell and Mayor Bloomberg to shine an even brighter spotlight on this critical issue."
The Rockefeller Foundation has committed significant funding for coalition staffing and resources.
"For almost a century, the Rockefeller Foundation has supported breakthrough solutions to society's most pressing problems, and one of the most urgent challenges today is our aging and inadequate transportation infrastructure," said Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation. "This coalition represents another mile-marker on the road to policies that protect the environment, keep citizens safe, and expand access and opportunity to underserved communities. We're proud to play a role in this crucial endeavor, and we congratulate Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Rendell, and Governor Schwarzenegger for their leadership on this critical issue."
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) graded America's infrastructure as a "D" in 2005. The review should be a wake-up call to decision makers in the federal government. In each category ASCE found deteriorating conditions approaching dangerous levels of disrepair, with needs outpacing allocated funds. The ASCE estimated that the infrastructure funding shortfall was in the neighborhood of $1.6 trillion over a five year period.
As the funding gap widens and the condition of our infrastructure further deteriorates, America's infrastructure crisis becomes graver every day. The primary job of the coalition created today is to create an environment where infrastructure funding is treated like the national priority it should be.
In the short term, the coalition will work with the presidential candidates and the platform committees of the national political parties to ensure that the next president understands the enormity of the infrastructure crisis, is committed to increase federal funding, and that both party platforms reflect these commitments. In structure, the coalition will also resemble a think tank, performing analysis and offering opinions on emerging infrastructure issues, including federal, state and local legislative proposals.
The coalition will be made up of state and local elected officials from throughout the country. It will also work closely with associations that represent these officials, including the National Governors Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of County Officials, the National Conference of State Legislators, and the Council of State Governments.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, annual public spending on infrastructure, in inflation-adjusted dollars, has risen steadily from $105 billion in 1956 to more than $312 billion in 2004, an average of 2.3 percent per year. However, as a share of total non-defense federal expenditures, federal infrastructure spending has actually declined. Between 1956 and 1966, infrastructure spending as a share of total non-defense federal expenditures was approximately 10 percent. Since then, it has steadily declined, so that, for the last 20 years, federal spending on infrastructure has averaged 3.5 to 4 percent of total non-defense expenditures.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.
Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Web site: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In today's press conference, President Bush repeated a number of incorrect or misleading statements the Administration has made in recent months regarding congressional efforts to strengthen children's health coverage through the SCHIP program, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The most significant of these is, as the President said today: "I want... the Congress to be focused on making sure poor children get the health insurance they were promised. Instead, Congress has made a decision to expand [SCHIP] eligibility up to $80,000."
The President's statement has been directly contradicted by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), a key member of the bipartisan group that is currently negotiating the congressional agreement to strengthen SCHIP. Senator Grassley told the Des Moines Register that the President was incorrect to claim that the emerging agreement would include coverage up to that income level. (CongressDaily quotes Senator Grassley as stating that the President's "understanding of our bill is wrong, and I would urge the president to reconsider his veto message based upon the bill we might pass, not something that some staffer has told him wrongly about our bill.")
Moreover, the overwhelming majority of children who would gain health coverage under the emerging agreement are precisely the low-income children the President says he wants to focus on. A Congressional Budget Office analysis of the SCHIP bill passed by the Senate last month -- which the emerging agreement will closely resemble -- found that at least 85 percent of the otherwise-uninsured children who would gain coverage under the bill have incomes below states' current SCHIP eligibility limits. (For more information on the CBO analysis, see the Center report "CBO Estimates Show Large Gains in Children's Health Coverage Under Senate SCHIP Bill". http://www.cbpp.org/7-16-07health.htm)
The emerging agreement will also be effectively targeted on uninsured children. CBO found that two-thirds of those who would gain SCHIP coverage under the Senate SCHIP bill would otherwise be uninsured. That makes the congressional approach considerably more efficient than the Administration's 2006 proposal to provide tax breaks for the purchase of private health insurance. Less than one-quarter of the benefits of those tax breaks would go to people who would otherwise be uninsured, according to an analysis by MIT economist Jonathan Gruber.
The President's statement that Congress should "focus on making sure poor children get the health insurance they were promised" is particularly ironic given that on August 31, the Administration announced that it would completely eliminate federal Medicaid matching funds for Medicaid outreach and enrollment activities undertaken by school personnel, even though this is widely recognized as one of the best ways to reach poor children who are eligible for publicly funded coverage but are unenrolled and uninsured. (See: "Congressional Action is Needed to Prevent the Administration From Eviscerating Efforts to Enroll Uninsured Low-Income Children in Health Coverage Through the Schools." http://www.cbpp.org/9-17-07health.htm)
The President also claimed today that the emerging congressional SCHIP agreement is "an incremental step toward the goal of government-run health care for every American." This, too, is incorrect. Most SCHIP beneficiaries receive coverage through private managed care plans that contract with their state, not through government doctors. The American Medical Association and the trade associations for the private insurance companies and the drug companies -- hardly supporters of "government-run" health care -- support expanding SCHIP to cover more uninsured low-income children. (See: "The Administration's Dubious Claims about the Emerging Children's Health Insurance Legislation: Myth and Reality." http://www.cbpp.org/7-17-07health.htm)
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization and policy institute that conducts research and analysis on a range of government policies and programs. It is supported primarily by foundation grants.
Source: Center on Budget & Policy Priorities
CONTACT: Shannon Spillane of Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,
+1-202-408-1080, spillane@cbpp.org
Web site: http://www.cbpp.org/
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Freedom's Watch President Bradley A. Blakeman today praised the passage of the resolution (S.Amdt.2934) sponsored by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) condemning the outrageous MoveOn.org ad attacking General David Petraeus. Last week, Freedom's Watch launched a multi-million dollar television advertising campaign calling on political leaders to condemn MoveOn.org's ad and to continue to support our troops.
Watch the ad here: http://www.freedomswatch.com/video.aspx.
"I applaud the Senate and Senators Cornyn and Inhofe who co-sponsored this amendment that lets left wing radical groups like MoveOn.org know that tasteless and offensive tactics will not be tolerated or go unchallenged," said Blakeman. "We will continue to fight to make sure our troops have the resources they need to succeed in the War on Terror."
For more information about Freedom's Watch, please visit http://www.freedomswatch.org/.
Source: Freedom's Watch
Web site: http://www.freedomswatch.org/
The Latino Coalition Announces 2006 Endorsements
Reid: A First Start for America's Economic Future Is Fiscal Responsibility
PHOENIX, Ariz., May 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In perhaps the most important vote on the Senate immigration bill, Arizona Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl stood with millions of illegal aliens and against the interests of the American public. An amendment offered by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) on May 24 would have stripped the amnesty provision, known as the Z-visa, from the Senate immigration bill. When presented with a direct opportunity to halt this massive reward for millions of people who violated U.S. immigration laws, Senators McCain and Kyl voted in favor of amnesty for illegal aliens. As a result, the illegal alien amnesty remains part of the Senate bill.
"In the end, should this unpopular and reckless legislation pass the Senate, we will inevitably hear the excuse from senators that they had no choice but to vote for amnesty because it was part of the package," said Rusty Childress of United for a Sovereign America. "This direct vote on the amnesty provision exposes that excuse for the sham that it is, because this vote was a chance to take it out of the package. Given the chance to vote on the amnesty provision by itself, Senators McCain and Kyl voted in favor of amnesty for 12 to 15 million illegal aliens and countless other taxpayer-funded benefits for the people who broke our laws."
The Z-visa provision of the bill now under consideration by the Senate would allow virtually every illegal alien in the country to remain in this country indefinitely, with work authorization and immunity from deportation, and virtually no background checks. The documentation to qualify for the Z- visa is so flimsy that, in addition to illegal aliens already here, it is certain to invite massive fraud.
"When given a direct opportunity to represent the interests of law-abiding Americans and legal immigrants, Senators McCain and Kyl instead stood with the special interests that stand to benefit from this amnesty. The illegal aliens and their supporters receive countless benefits, including the right to remain in this country indefinitely, while the people they are supposed to represent get stuck with the bills and yet another set of worthless promises that immigration enforcement will happen in the future," said Childress.
"As Arizonans and as Americans, we demand a full explanation from Senators McCain and Kyl for why they have betrayed the trust of the people who elected them, and voted to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens," Childress concluded.
Source: United for a Sovereign America
Kerry to Receive Endorsement of Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin and Talk with Two Dayton Residents About The Real Impact of the Bush Economy
Dayton, OH (2/18/04) - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is in Ohio today as part of a four-day dialogue with American workers about the devastating impact of the Bush economy on middle class families and detail his plan to re-tool the American economy beginning with the repeal of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
As reported in today’s The New York Times, even the President’s top advisors don’t think his policies will improve the nation’s unemployment rate and sluggish economy: “Treasury Secretary John W. Snow distanced himself on Tuesday from the Bush administration's official prediction that the nation would add 2.6 million jobs by the end of this year.
“Mr. Snow and Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans both declined to endorse the White House prediction and cautioned that it was based on economic assumptions that have an inherent margin of error.
“‘I think we are going to create a lot of jobs; how many I don't know,’ Mr. Snow said, adding that ‘macroeconomic models are based on a lot of assumptions’ and are ‘not without a range of error.’”
Kerry will participate in a discussion with workers who have been affected by layoffs at the Delphi Corporation in Dayton. With high unemployment and a declining manufacturing base, Ohio embodies the President’s
failed economic policies. Ohio has lost 153,000 manufacturing jobs since Bush took office and nearly one in ten Ohio counties have unemployment above 9.0 percent.
When he arrives at the airport in Ohio, Kerry is expected to receive the endorsement of Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin. A Dayton native, Mayor Rhine McLin became the first female Mayor of Dayton when she was elected to the City Commission for the term beginning January 7, 2002. She previously served six years in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1988 to 1994, and was then elected State Senator for the 5th Ohio Senate District, serving Montgomery and Miami Counties.
When elected in 1994, she became the first African-American woman to serve in the Ohio Senate. In 1998, McLin was elected by her peers to serve in leadership as the Minority Whip. Two years later, she was elected again to serve in the Senate leadership as Minority Leader.
At the town hall meeting, Kerry will be joined by two local Dayton residents who have experienced firsthand the impact of the Bush economy, Lucy Hopkins and Vicki Johnson. Lucy was laid-off from Delphi’s Moraine plant on November 30th. She was employed as a millwright, a position not given to many women, because of the physical difficulty of the job including movement of heavy machinery and welding. Lucy has three daughters. Vicki is currently employed as an electrician at Delphi’s Needmore Road plant in Dayton. Vicki has watched many friends and co-workers lose their jobs and worries that she could be next. Vicki sits on the UAW Local 696 legislative committee and has one daughter.
At tonight’s Columbus, Ohio rally on the eve of the national AFL-CIO endorsement, Kerry will be introduced by Ohio AFL-CIO President William Burga. The Ohio AFL-CIO, founded in 1958, represents 850,000 active union men and women through 48 international unions and 1,600 local unions and 300,000 union retirees.
President Bush Declares End of Combat in Iraqi War – but Where are the Weapons?
5-2-03. President Bush addressed the nation Thursday declaring an end to combat in the six-week war on Iraq. This signifies a shift in soldiers’ roles to police and opens the door for humanitarian aid from countries who opposed a military solution to the Iraqi problem. Despite the heroic images of Bush coming home with the troops, he has a major challenge ahead: proving the war was not futile, that there are indeed weapons of mass destruction. According to Bush, “we have difficult work to do in Iraq. We are bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous. We are pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held account for their crimes.”
Political analysts believe George Bush’s declaration also signifies a shift from his preoccupation with military dominance to his domestic plans
Now that the war is “over,” what about those weapons of mass destruction that supposedly started the war? And where is Saddam Hussein? Secretary of State Colin Powell and Britain’s prime minister Tony Blair insist with confidence that banned weapons will be found and that Saddam Hussein had years to conceal them. And now there is speculation that even if there is no “smoking gun,” this could mean the evidence was destroyed before the coalition invaded Iraq.
Internet Users Vote in Online Mock Democratic Party Primary
6-24-03. Organized by MoveOn.org, a liberal advocacy group, the virtual primary is not binding. Voting stards Tuesday at noon, eastern time and ends Wednesday, at midnight. With the voting results, MoveOn.org will make a decision on whether or not they plan to endorse a candidate for the 2004 Democratic primary. One candidate will need to get fifty percent-plus- one of the votes or MoveOn.org may have to have another runoff. The organization was founded in 1998 to oppose the impeachment of President Clinton.
On Tuesday, the millions of people who have registerd by midnight Monday will receive an e-mail with a link to an online voting both and be presented with an e-ballot. According to the organizing director, Zack Exley, there will be be "one person, one vote. They get to select which of the nine Democratic declared candidates they want to become president."
The validity of this type of polling is questionable because samples will likely be unbalanced by racial, economic, and social lines.
There are nine candidates for the Democratic Party Presidential nomination.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Speaks to U.N. Security Council on Iraqi Weapons Violations
(Feb 5, 2003). Colin Powell, U.S. Secretary of State, addressed the U.N. Security Council about key evidence that the U.S. has that Iraq has violated U.N. resolutions. Powell says that no effort has been made to disarm and that this is further evidence of their unwillingess to follow resolutions about weapons of mass destruction. Powell played tapes of discussions between Iraqi officials about upcoming inspections. The Bush Administration is expected to seek a new U.N. resolution that will declare Iraq in violation of Securitry Council Resolution 1441, set a deadline for compliance, and give the blessing for military action.
Colin Powell's media presentation included video, slides, and audiotapes from intelligence intercepts. Key points include: intercepted conversations about evidence concealment and ways to coach scientists on answering questions, satellite photos of material being moved from Iraqi sites before U.N. inspector visits, travel details in and out of Iraq by al Qaeda operatives.
George Tenet, CIA Directors, was along for the political ride as a personal endorsement of the Secretary of State's argument.
MID-TERM ELECTIONS 2002
The midterm elections are very important. Control of the House and Senate depend on its outcome because they are so closely divided. Political analysts predict slim majorities again after the election on November 5. Control may switch, but not by a very large margin.
Numerous turnovers are expected in the governors' races. There are 36 governors up for re-election. The majority of them are Republican candidates. It has been noted that most Americans consider the gubenatorial races the most important thing because governors run states and make important decisions, Congress runs their mouths. Democratic candidates should benefit because of the timing of the 2002 elections. They lost a lot of races in 1994 and many Republican governors were re-electred in 1998. Governors have limited terms and many cannot run again.
The country still seems to be politically divided right down the middle like in the presidential election of 2000. Contention exists over domestic issues like Medicare, Social Security and abortion.
Oddly enough, the events of September 11, last year seem to have not had an effect on the political climate. Things are more or less the way they were last election cycle. Bush, however, has had strong approval ratings as a result; as well as government and Congress, which hit record highs.
Reno Refuses to Concede Defeat in Florida Governor Race The State of Florida is in the center of the political hot seat again, following the embarrassing voting aftermath of the 2000 presidential election. Bill McBride has declared victory in the Democratic gubenatorial nomination despite former U.S. Attorney General, Janet Reno's, refusal to admit defeat. Reno wants election officials to review vote totals in Miami-Dade County to measure the accuracy in 81 precincts, including new touch-screen voting equipment. One precinct in Broward County reported no voters casting ballots at all. Both counties are Reno strongholds.
The narrow vote total margin, was not close enough for an automatic statewide recount. The Florida primaries were plagued by problems--delayed poll openings and technical glitches. Voting was extended for two hours to offset problems.
According to Janet Reno, "the right to vote is one of the most precious possessions we have." Reno, herself, had to wait in line for more than an hour to cast her own vote.
Republicans and Democrats have been flinging accusations as to who is to blame for the current Florida voting fiasco. After the 200 presidential debacle, the Florida Legislature overhauled the election laws and required counties using punch-card systems to upgrade to new electronic machines.
Florida's governor, Jeb Bush, brother of U.S. President, George Bush, wants a "fact-finding" investigation to figure out what went wrong and fix it before the November election. He said, "We put more money into the budgets to upgrade the machines and for training. The state has done its part. We responded to the 2000 election. And [what happened Tuesday] is unconscionable."
With the surge in patriotism after the tragedy of September 11, several states have passed legislation allowing the posting of the motto, "In God We Trust," in schools. The motto was placed on coins in 1864 during the Civil War. Congress passed a bill to have it placed on paper currency in 1955. It was declared the national motto in 1956.
According to Tim Wildmon, the American Family Association Vice President, "America has a rich Christian, and really religious heritage. If the president of the United States can be sworn in by placing his hand on the Holy Bible, certainly kids can know what the national motto is."
For those who oppose the relisious overtones, Utah State Representative Richard Siddoway, says, "If you're going to have to get rid of any mention of God and religion, you're going to have to get rid of the Declaration of Independence and you're going to have to get rid of the national anthem and, of course, the Pledge of Allegiance."
On Wednesday, March 6, President Bush backtracked on a controversial element of his welfare reform plan. Originally, he said that welfare recipients who are required to take community service jobs should not be covered by minimum wage and other worker protection laws, now he says they will. The 36-page plan for renewal of the 1996 welfare overhaul includes recommendations to Congress that include a significant increase in the number of people each state must put to work.
President Bush believes by toughening present laws, he can push more people from public assistance into jobs. He says, "Work is the pathway to independence and self-respect. Many are learning it is more rewarding to be a responsible citizen than a welfare client; it is better to be a breadwinner respected by your family." He has been criticized because the nation is in a recession and forcing people with little education and experience in a bad economy is not wise.
Bush has pledged $200 million in federal funds for programs targeted at encouraging low-income couples with children to marry and would allow states to put recipients in education and training programs. He calls it a "tough-love" approach.
President George W. Bush Straddles Diplomacy and Re-Election Politics
9-23-04. On Wednesday, September 22, President Bush met with Pakistans president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, a crucial ally in the war against terrorism. Musharraf says he will end the presence of al-Qaida in his country; however, the U.S. needs to gain the confidence of the Muslim community. Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup back in 1999. His main political strength is from the military.
With less than six weeks before the presidential election in the United States, it is no coicidence that Bush is trying to flex his muscle in foreign policy. He also met with Iraq, Japan, and Afghanistan the day before. Bushs response to spreading violence: is not to retreat it is to prevail.
After New York, Bush is set for Pennsylvania, a state at the top of his campaign wish list. He lost the state in the 2000 election and has visited it more than any other 37 times. He will stress his education and health care agendas and visit the flood damage in Allegheny County.
According to four polls, the race in Pennsylvania is a statistical dead heat.
Colin Powell Says Violence Down in Haiti
3/1/04. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is pleased with the international community response to the crisis in Haiti. He says, "the looting and violence has gone somewhat overnight. We'll have to see what daylight brings." Powell, who constantly has to defend President Bush, rejected critics' claims that the administration waited too long to take action. Bush has said that "I urge the people of Haiti to reject violence and give this break from the past a chance to work and the United States is prepared to help."
3/1/04. United States, Canadian, and French peacekeeping troops have been deployed to Haiti, including 200 marines to Port-au-Prince.. On Sunday, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Haitian President, resigned and left Haiti, reportedly in Bangui. New interim president, Boniface Alexandre, Haiti's Supreme Court Chief Justice, was installed as mandated by Haiti's constitution. Aristide was the first democratically elected president in Haiti's 200 years of independence. His term was set to end in 2006; however, his election was allegedly fraudulent and opponents wanted him out. The United Nation's Security Council has voted unanimously send a multinational peacekeeping force to Haiti for about three months.
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