Michael Oakes's Blog

This Country is Yours

Michael Oakes — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:07:17 EST

This Country is Yours

By Michael Oakes

On the occasion of the election of President Barack Hussein Obama.

My people did a great thing yesterday. We elected Barak Obama president. We overcame the usual and unusual smear and fear campaign. We overcame “he’s a Communist,” “a Muslim”, “an Arab”, a “terrorist”, “Naïve”, “Not a friend to America.”, even a strange and threatening name, and the majority of Americans embraced him as one of us. What appeals so much isn’t his race, but that he is the best and brightest. He is a uniter in his core, being of mixed heritage himself. He is being hailed as a Native son on three continents. From the largest Muslim country on earth in Asia, to the heart of long-suffering Africa, to the heartland of America. From Kansas to Kenya, ordinary people, poor people, working people, people of every color and religion, are celebrating a new dawn for the dream of democracy that is America. In the midst of despair and darkness, as our nation and our world gazes into an economic abyss of unknown depth and duration, as we are mired in murderous war, a beacon of light, a torch of freedom is ignited, that says, “We are in this together. We can do this together. We will build a better day.”

Then there is race. I weep today for the millions of souls kidnapped from Africa. This country is yours. Dragged in chains onto the infamous ships. Dying in despair and horror in the hellish holds. This country is yours. Worked and bred like livestock for generations, plowing our soil, building this nation under the whip. This country is yours. I think of the slave women, repeatedly raped by their owners, and anyone else who felt the urge, and was white. Bearing the children of their tormentors, birthing them into enslavement, by the millions. I hear your cries. They echo through the centuries. Let this jubilant chorus echo back to you…This country is yours, your children are free. I see Frederick Douglas, beaten, blinded, running for freedom. I see him scratching dignity out of the barren soil of slavery, and rising to speak profoundly for his people’s freedom. I see you knocking on the White House door, and a black man answers- you are denied entry by the butler, until Lincoln gives word. Knock again Frederick, a black man will answer at that august portal of power, and embrace you now. Another articulate, powerful leader with the force of right, who stands on your shoulders. This country is yours. I see Harriet Tubman, risking all to gain her freedom. Then with unfathomable courage, hazarding life and liberty a hundred times over to reach into the belly of the beast and snatch her fellow human beings into the light of freedom. This country is yours. To the Native, driven to the brink of extinction, robbed of a continent and a culture, impoverished and spurned. This country is yours again. To the women who struggled for suffrage and equality. To the immigrant who had to battle prejudice while striving to survive in a new land. To the Gay citizen, still fighting for equality. This country is yours; and you are next in the seats of Power. I hear you Martin, words flooding down like a mighty stream. Ripped from us so young. Having given so much. We as a people have reached the Promised Land. This country is yours. And President Obama, we are all your servants now. To support you. To protect you. To lead with you. To urge you always toward the good. You are black, and white, and Asian, and Christian, and Muslim, and Democrat, Independent and Republican- for you are America, and so are we. And this country is ours. Grant us grace to use it for the betterment of all mankind, and leave it healthy, thriving, and sustainable for all our children. For this country is theirs.

McCain for Secretery of Defense?

Michael Oakes — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:56:55 EDT

Hi ,I had a response from family concerning the smears they had forwarded me, with one line and more anonymous e-mails attached.No mention of the phony smear e-mail you were so aghast at last time?No mention of the Bridge to no where lies?No mention on the lies about Sen. Obama's lack legislative achievements?No mention of her record as mayor: political firings, banning books, hiring lobbyists to bring in earmarks, and sending that town of 8-10,000 into $20 million in debt?Just another e-mail circulating with no name or source, which looks like more of the non-stop stream of fake e-mails the Right Wing keeps circulating. This one, to put the best spin possible on her actions. Of course it could be real- in which case it was not created but selected to put the best spin on her. If real, all it shows that one or two admitted Republican's who bash all Democrats as corrupt, got to chat with her and like her. Is this a surprise? Now, the details of this case are yet to come out. The Trooper may be bad news, but he deserves a hearing. Was the commissioner who refused to fire him without due process also deserving of being fired without due process? Well there is an ongoing investigation to find out. The Republican's are now trying to squash it. Is the Legislator running the investigation also corrupt? We don't know, but as the anonymous writer slanders all Democrats, we can't blindly accept his biased opinion. Was the Librarian who refused to ban books in Wasilla, and the Police chief, and other officials in that small town also deserving of being summarily fired or threatened with it? Well two of them sued her and one won, so we can likely say, not all of them. The point here is we really don't know her. She may have some good and some bad in her short record. Let's look at what actual facts come out in the wash. However, what we do know is that someone is spreading rumors, lies, and gossip as fact. I suggest we rely on legitimate news sources like the Newsweek fact check I sent you. Check out the Fact-check on Obama's web site, and follow them back to their legitimate sources, rather than taking in every anonymous e-mail as fact, whether it exonerates the Republicans or smears the Democrats. What troubles me for our country is the lack of concern for years evidence of serious corruption in the Bush Administration, which even McCain alluded to, though did nothing about. Election fraud, manipulation of intelligence to promote an illegal war, corporate corruption with Cheney's company, Halliburton, ripping off our military in time of war, and Bush's buddies at Enron nearly bankrupting our state, and destroying the lives of their own employees. Illegal spying, detention, and torture of innocents. Killing of civilians. 1.2 million dead, and 4 million refugees in an unnecessary war. Ignoring the overwhelming worldwide Scientific consensus, and refusing to follow much less lead the rest of the world in averting the disasters of Climate Change for our children. Corruption certainly seems to be in the eye of the beholder. But what can you behold in the posture of an ostrich? From most Republican's I've witnessed a "See no evil" attitude toward their own, and a self-serving credulity and shameless rumore mongering toward Democrates. Coupled with and a disdane for our free press and science, it poisons our civic discourse and undermines our democracy.But all these years you have refused to even watch V.P. Al Gore's Academy Award and Nobel Peace Prize winning documentary on the science of Global Warming, or Michael Moore's Oscar winning documentaries, because you said they were biased. Yet you'll watch Fox News, without knowing who and what its owner, Rupert Murdock is. You'll read and accept books published by the most discredited right wing smear artist. And you accept and pass on demonstrably false rumors, gossip, lies, and smears from fake and anonymous e-mails. Surely, this is biased.The last thing I want to note about the GOP convention, was the paucity of policy. The lions share of all the speeches were about John McCain's biography, with a heavy emphasis on his military family background and mostly his time as a POW. Solid policies were also sorely lacking in Palin's speech. Other than "drill baby drill", they said very little. The overall effect was emotional. The message seemed to be, we deserve to be in office because of our personal stories, not our wise leadership, sound judgment, and well thought out policies. The tone of all but McCain's speech was very sarcastic, derisive and divisive for our country; it was the same old appeal to culture wars that goes back to the '60's, and the Red bating of the "50's. The facts were spun, distorted, and ignored to amp up the emotional attack. And the overwhelming emphasis on military service and personal suffering, and the lack of concrete, comprehensive policies on the major issues of our day made me think he was running for Secretary of Defense, or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, rather than President. Commander in Chief is only one role our President must play. And he does not plan the strategy and tactics of our wars; that's what our great military does. The civilian authority decides when and where to use our military might - judgment which John McCain, and even more so Sarah Palin, have not demonstrated, and Sen Obama has. The President must exercise skill in diplomatic, economic, intellectual and moral leadership; everything I've seen demonstrates Sen. Obama can do all that, and Sen. McCain can not. Now you might bridle at least at the moral leadership; but when you support a bloody illegal war and never discuss the human and economic costs, when you support torture (as McCain ended up doing after initial resistance), when your instincts are to bomb our way to peace, no matter how patriotic you may feel, you only tarnish the reputation of America as a beacon of justice. Who would make a better war lord? Perhaps Sen. McCain. Who will make better policy and a better President. Definitely Sen. Obama. Who is the more known and qualified V.P., definitely Sen. Biden. That's my considered opinion.I know you may differ on all this, but at least let us differ honestly, base on the facts and not on lies, innuendo, and rhetoric. We owe that to our country.Love,Michael Oakes

-----Original Message-----
Subject: FW: Sarah Palin comments from people who know her

Abuse of Power maybe in the eyes of the beholders…… Sarah Palin First, comments by a political cynic and Second, those of a Palin relative that lives in Alaska gives us her feelings toward McCain's running mate And from a Alaska man who is a very serious cynic about all things political here is my take on Sara.I met and spoke with Sara Palin about two years ago at our downtown Park Strip. It is a place for walking, carnivals, political outdoor things and such. She was cooking hotdogs at a fund raiser and introducing herself to the public as a Governor hopeful.She came by and said the usual "Hi, I'm Sara Palin and I am running for Governor"...and I expected her to keep on to the next person but she asked me who I was and what I did in Alaska and we ended up talking for 15 minutes about me, Air America (she was all agog!) and my career in the Army and AAM. She is a pilot (Super Cub) I'm told although all she told me about that was that she loved flying.As I watched her over the next six months as she successfully ran for Governor I was really impressed. I was impressed greatly even before that after she resigned a good position (Alaska Gas and Oil Regulatory Commission) because a fellow Commission member (Chair of the Alaska Republican Party) misused their office and position. He was using the FAX, computers, printing room and all to promote the Republican endeavors while in a State job. That is a huge no-no in any government employment position.She resigned and made her point and within weeks Randy Ruderich (the above bad guy) found his ass out on the street and a subsequent investigation found him guilty and he was fined $12,000. Small change actually but a giant point was made.Next she went after our most horrible Governor ever, Governor Murkowski, and damned if she didn't beat him! All of us here in Alaska , except the Democrats, are sick of our State's corruption. That fact was shouted to the heavens after she was elected with an overwhelming point spread.After she got into office she started after corrupt legislators and with the FBI's help we've put four of them in prison, indicted six more and the "Corrupt Bastard's Club" as they arrogantly called themselves (even had hats made with CBC on the front!) suddenly found it no fun anymore. Club membership is now in the toilet!!The current flap which has cost her a ten point loss of popularity (she's still 82%!) was over firing a popular Commissioner of Public Safety who is responsible for our Alaska State Troopers. She fired him for no STATED reason which was her prerogative as the Gov. He served entirely at her option. She and her whole family had a bad, bad experience with a rogue Trooper who was married to Sara's sister. His name is Trooper Wooten. This dimwit Trooper had threatened Sara's father (death threat!), threatened Sara ("I'll get you too"), tasered his 12 year old stepson, drove drunk in his AST cruiser, got a pass by a fellow Trooper who stopped him for erratic driving a second time while in civvies and just a host of other things not yet released to the public. He got away with it and got another pass by the Commissioner's appointed AST Trooper Internal Affairs investigator with a tiny slap on the wrist. Five days off without pay to be exact!!This maverick Trooper is still on the payroll but only just. The Union intervening saved his malcontent ass. He'll yet get his I'm sure. Incredible heat is being heaped on the Troopers. Public heat, not the Governors office.The Democrats had the audacity to appoint a obviously biased investigator, Rep. "Gunny" French (so called because he lied about being in the USMC while running for the Legislature) is a staunch liberal and under the orders of Senate President Lyda Green who hates Sara. She hates Sara because after being elected Governor Sara told the whole Legislature in one of her first meetings with them that, quote; "All of you here need some Adult Supervision!!!". Sara was seriously pissed and not afraid of anyone there.That played wonderfully well with Alaskan's after all of our corruption and after all of her successful battles against a seriously entrenched corrupt government here in Alaska . It pissed off the whole Legislature though! They have stayed pissed but also afraid of her because of her popularity.She reminds me personally of our Alaska wolverine which will fight anything in it's path if it see's fit to do so. No respect at all for size or position. Wife Cindy is in this category too. Unfortunately.In closing I must tell you that she is the best, most moral and most focused leader I've seen since President Reagan. I feel, really strongly, that like Alaska the rest of our country will love her within a few weeks. Put simply, she represents middle America like NO leader we've ever had. I think McCain made a totally brilliant move in choosing her. She's a maverick who is probably tougher and more focused than McCain himself....and she won't be a total "Yes Man" or more appropriately, woman. McCain will love her.In 2012 she will be President.My best to all of you in the hurricane belt. I hope you are all OK. We just had another mini Air America reunion here in beautiful Soldotna , Alaska along the Kenai river. Milt Olson, Mike Seal and Ernie Brace (McCains POW buddy) were all here. Ernie's wife, Nancy, is a class act and a wonderful gal. I wish you'd come up and see us. We'll be doing this every year now I guess. Like our Flying Tiger pal's before us there are not that many Air America guys left. I'm 71 myself this September 16. Where the hell did the years go so fast?My best to you old buddy.Semper Fi from the friend of a friend A relative that lives in Alaska gives us her feelings toward McCain's running mate.We were excited to hear Sarah was McCain's choice.... She is an awesome candidate.... She has proven herself a strong leader in AK and Alaska girls are pretty tough.... Around here their favorite bumper sticker is that " Alaska Girls Kick Ass" and they aren't kidding....Sarah is known for being "common folk" ... she refused her security detail, and picks up her own dry-cleaning. She lives in her own home instead of the Governor's mansion so her kids can go to their regular schools.... He husband is an Alaska Native (Indian) her kids are named after Alaska things... "Trap" is the oldest, Bristol (Bristol bay), Willow and baby Paxon are named for places, and Piper for an airplane (AK's primary transportation) She and her husband Tod still net salmon commercially during the fishing season, and she is an avid hunter, and respects the state's traditions...One of the favorite recent stories concerns the birth of her last baby... She was scheduled to speak at a big conference of Governors in the Southwest and shortly before going on stage her water broke, and she went into labor with her 5th child... She still gave the speech which was 20 minutes long and no one knew she was in labor... she was then whisked to a plane and flew back to AK because she said it just wouldn't do for the Gov. of AK to have her baby out of state!She is also a strong leader, and managed to push through a LNG pipeline contract that the men had been talking about for 20 years without action and she has only been Governor for 2 years.... She has given the good old boys a run for their money, in a state where politics are pretty rough.... She has cut spending, and believes that the PEOPLE own the resources and not the government... remember AK has no income tax, and we actually get paid to live here.... this year we will get about $3300 apiece to compensate for gas prices and our usual share of government oil revenue... She is smart, practical and Real! She also cleans up well and has a good sense of decorum in addition to speaking well and being comfortable in crowds.... Overall we are thrilled by this choice and optimistic that the McCain/Palin ticket will bring the change that the country needs... Can you tell we approve?

Palin and McCain, lies and distortion.

Michael Oakes — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:53:13 EDT

Here's Newsweek's fact check on the convention speeches:http://www.newsweek.com/id/157206?tid=relatedclHi,This is a response to an e-mail forwarde by a family member, purpoting to show a NYT article by Mareen Dowd showing Obama was funded by Saudi's and Iranian's. It was a smear of course. I want to thank you for engaging in this discussion. I'm learning a lot. Here's the real scoop.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/barackobama/a/obama_funds.htm

Comments: New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd did not write this article. Not only does it not appear on her list of published columns, she has also denied being its author. "The line about it being the 'most shocking revelation,' I don't think I've ever said those words, except in a satire," Dowd said in a statement to the Huffington Post. "Also, it is about money, which I never write about."

Beyond that, the text is riddled with errors and falsehoods. I found no record of anyone in the Obama campaign stating that the average individual contribution amounts to between $10 and $25 (in fact, the stated average is around $100). Nor have there been any public revelations (apart from the unsupported allegations in this anonymous email) to the effect that "security people" (whoever they might be) have raised alarms about contributions flowing into the campaign from overseas. Obama's website states that no donations are accepted from foreign nationals, and all online contributors are required to certify that they are U.S. citizens.

This is in line with federal laws stipulating that foreigners may not contribute to U.S. political campaigns and prohibiting finance committees from "knowingly soliciting, accepting or receiving" such funds.

Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Where to begin? For starters, the average Obama contribution has been around $100, not $15. The campaign, by law, must disclose all donors who have given over $200. And, most obviously, a review of the paper of record shows that Dowd's column on June 29 was not on Obama fundraising but rather Hillary Clinton supporters.

Dowd herself found the email an exercise in absurdity, not to mention -- quite possibly -- the first time she's been indirectly involved in a smear campaign.

"The line about it being the 'most shocking revelation,' I don't think I've ever said those words, except in a satire. Also, it is about money, which I never write about," she told the Huffington Post. "Sometime you try and protest things you hear about, but sometimes it's just not worth it... It is hard to track down and control these things, and anyone who reads my column knows that this wasn't me. I got to the second line and I knew it wasn't me."

The Obama campaign, as is now its practice, addressed the fake Dowd column in a post today on its website, Fight the Smears. But sometimes it's worth noting just how outrageous and offensive -- both to Obama and the public's intelligence -- these attacks can be.

Smear campaigns have been a big part of politics for some time. Unfortunately, Right Wing Republican's have taken it to new heights with the combined power of the internet, the media, and the Government. I've found it difficult to cut through, but luckily the Democrats are trying, having learned from the past. It is sad that whole groups of American's have to be engaged in exposing wild lies and distortions instead of discussing real issues, but here's a link to Sen. Obama's official site. I find the pages on the issues and policies much more interesting, http://www.barackobama.com/issues/, but if you are one likely to be swayed by smears, this may help you separate the wheat from the chaff. There is an update specifically on the "Fake Maureen Dowd Column" (I couldn't open it but hopefully you can. I gather it was a fabrication) Apparently, e-mails full of lies are par for the course. I hope you can turn some of the indignation you feel towards Sen. Obama when you read these scurrilous smears and rumors, into righteous indignation toward those who spread them and subvert our democracy with propaganda worthy of Goebbels. After all, they are the same ones who smeared presidential candidates and Vietnam Vets Al Gore and John Kerry, and oh yes, John McCain. (Remember the "McCain fathered a child with a black women" lie sent out during the 2000 Republican primary in the south?)http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshomeandhttp://factcheck.barackobama.com/

Well, we're sure you were moved greatly by the speeches at the GOP convention. So was I. I can see clearly the appeal. After the last 8 years, even other Republican's look good. These ones have served their country, or have children who have or will, and I honor that. They would bring unique life experiences to the White House, including Mrs. McCain.

Unfortunately, they would also bring much of the same failed policies concerning our economy, taxes, energy, the war in Iraq, war with Iran, education and the environment. So take some of Gov. Palin's own advice and don't be swayed by what she herself belittles a "pretty speeches". Especially ones that focus so little on issues and policy. Especially ones, like hers, largely written by Bush speech writers and filled with the same old lies, distortions, and divisive rhetoric. Her main point seemed to be, trust me, I'm an good, honest, family person who will bring Christian integrity to the office. How could she then, in her first real address to the American people, lie about her own record, and Sen. Obama's? I was astounded that she repeated the sound bite, "I told Congress "thanks but no thanks" for the "bridge to nowhere", and said if we're going to build a bridge, we'll pay for it ourselves." Big cheers; isn't she gutsy, honest, and a reformer? The facts are that only two years ago, she ran for Governor on the slogan, "Build the Bridge", and as Tom Brokow reported, only suspended the project when Congress said the state would have to pick up the tab! And of course her unprecedented actions as Mayor to hire a Washington lobbyist and get her small town $25 million in Federal earmarks. Sen. McCain again emphasized that he would veto earmarks, and "Call out the names of those who sponsor them, and make them famous!" It seems he should start by calling out the name Sarah Palin. Though McCain is ten times the man Bush was, his policies are nearly identical. Unfortunately the lessons he learned from the suffering of war seem to be that you must keep fighting every war, no matter how ill conceived, hopeless, endless, costly, immoral and bloody. Not every patriot can support our country giving so much of our resources to military contractors for immoral wars and the endless occupation of an oil rich nation. Not every patriot supports passing a bankrupt government on to the next generation, which McCain sais he cares so much about. Not every patriot thinks it is honorable to never mention the 1.2 million Iraqi lives we've taken; the innocent civilian children, women, elderly we've killed, imprisoned, tortured and raped. While his own suffering was on display, he showed no compassion for the innocent victims of a war built on lies. And despite the image created by his well crafted and heart felt speech, his reputation and record are full of true examples of his hot headed temperament, unstatesmanlike comments, shoot from the hip decisions, and poor judgment. From opposing the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, to supporting George Bush against fellow decorated Vietnam Vet, Sen. Kerry, to peddling his influence as a Senator as one of the notorious Keating 5, to supporting this misguided war in Iraq from its ignominious inception through today, to clearly indicating his militaristic world view with statements like, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran.", 'We may have to stay in Iraq 100, 1000, even 10,000 years." And, "There will be many more wars for us to fight." It has been said, you can't work for peace while preparing for war. I know the macho, jingoistic slogan of coming from a position of strength. But does not power corrupt. Much of the world has seen America as a bully, an imperialist, militaristic, murderers, and a Great Satan. They don't feel this way because we fought a revolution for human freedom, because we fought each other for liberation, because we fought fascism in WW ll, because we fought totalitarian communist regimes, or even because we fight the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. The human heart knows when a fight is just. The world and history revile us when we use our power unnecessarily, un-wisely, callously. When we hypocritically speak of keeping the world safe for democracy, and prop up dictators. When we get bogged down in foreign Civil wars and proxy wars that lead us to commit atrocities and near genocide on civilian populations: like the millions killed in Vietnam, Korea, South America, and Iraq. All these mis-adventures, John McCain supported, and still supports. These failed, militaristic policies have not only reeked untold misery on humanity, they have stained our flag with innocent blood and hurt our countries standing in the world. Peace through war has never worked. The best examples of peaceful change for human kind are non-violent; Jesus, Buddha, Schweitzer, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Dr. King, the Dalai Lama. Barak Obama has demonstrated, certainly not the pacifism of a saint, but at least the wisdom and judgment of a statesman to know when and where, and who, and why to fight. This is the leadership our country needs now. This is the hope the people of the world now anticipate: an America that inspires, instead of dominates them. This is change that Sen. McCain, this wounded warrior from a military lineage, simply cannot muster. As John Adams said, "I practice war so my children can practice politics, and my grandchildren can practice music."But getting away from those personality/judgment/temperament considerations, it is his policies and platform that should concern us all most. Here is a link to Sen. Obama's detailed policies. This is the nuts and bolts of what he means by change.http://www.barackobama.com/issues/On the economy, precious little was said. Maybe that's because as McCain himself said, "The economy's not my strong point." Palin let herself be used as a mouthpiece to dissemble Sen. Obama's tax plan. "How are the fisherman, and the teacher, and the truck driver going to be helped by Sen. Obama's increased tax burden?", she went on and on. Well, they'll be helped because their tax burden would go down, and Bush's record tax cuts to the wealthiest people and corporations in the country would be eliminated, moving more of the burden back to those who can most afford it. McCain supported Bush's tax plan and unbridled military spending, and plans to continue it. The plan which in 8 years has taken America from the largest surplus in history, to the greatest debtor on earth. What's patriotic about that? McCain pledges to continue the greatest redistribution of wealth to the top in our nation's history, while millions of families are fighting for their homes. He'll do little to address the 45 million uninsured Americans. How's that fighting for his fellow American's, for the average Joe? He and Gov. Palin have an out dated oil centered energy policy that will lead us away from a sustainable future, be a disaster for our environment, and have virtually no impact on our energy needs. That means it's going to leave us in the same boat, still dependent on foreign oil for 97% of our demand. They give only lip service to the renewable alternatives that should be the center of a sustainable energy policy. They seem unable to reconcile the concepts of energy independence, sustainable economic development, environment, and Global Climate Change. They emphasize only the evils of foreign oil, and ignore the incontrovertible evidence and dire consequences of Global Warming, and the need to break our addiction to oil, period. This energy policy out oils Bush/Cheney. Sen. Obama has set a goal of energy independence in 10 years, with a focus on building a clean economy. Hardly "doing nothing", he has a detailed plan, widely supported by experts.And that's the problem with the Republican platform and policies for years. Rhetoric about small government, and unlimited spending. Acting like good old boys, reformers, and Hokey mom's, while taking millions from Political Action Committees, and Big Oil. Evoking FDR, Truman, and Kennedy, while dismantling the social safety net they strived to create: Social Security, Public Schools, worker protections, the right to organize, universal health care. Perpetuating tax breaks for the wealthiest, while driving millions into poverty. Crying out for de-regulation, even as we bail out Wall Street and Banks gone under due to de-regulation. Where's the change there?Showing no understanding that protecting our Environment is an economic, human health, and ethical necessity. No sense that clean water and air, healthy food and land, flourishing forests and diverse communities of life, are the birth right of every child. Stuck in the outdated and false dichotomy of ecology vs. economy. Still blind to what many big businesses and governments alike can see; that pollution equals waste, that green means efficient, that those nations and companies leading the way to sustainable development will win in the Global economy. With so much talk about leaving the world a better place, Palin and McCain literally smirk at someone trying to "Save the planet." No change there either.John McCain certainly fought for our country. Gov. Palin may be sincere in her convictions. On almost every issue important to our nation's future, they proudly proclaim that they are ready to lead, but in the wrong direction. They will perpetuate the hold on power and the failed policies of a Republican Party rank with corruption. Their policies have and continue to do great harm to the country we all love. From the unnecessary loss of innocent lives in an immoral war, to an unlevel playing field where the rich get richer and the poor get shafted, to the hypocrisy of calling for Change in Washington, while employing the same old partisan attacks, lies, and smears. Saying you've taken on Big Oil, when you are sponsored by them. The cynical choreography of having someone else make the false attacks and smears, while the candidate assumes an air of statesmanship. This is exactly the Bush/Cheney/Rove model. So, what else is new? The question is, will we fall for it yet again. The other major theme of all the speeches was the Sen. Obama has no accomplishments. Gov. Palin said "Here's a man whose never passed a single piece of legislation or even a reform." Here's a sample of Sen. Obama's record; you decide if Gov. Palin and the Republican's were "Talking straight":March 08, 2008Fact Check on Story that Minimizes Obama's Senate Accomplishments

REALITY: Obama Has Passed Several Important Laws In The Senate, Including Legislation To Prevent Terrorists From Obtaining WMDs, Increasing U.S. Investment In Alternative Energy, And Improving Services For Our Troops And Veterans

ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY

Obama Was A Key Player In Assembling And Passing The 2007 Ethics Reform Law, Which Curbed The Influence Of Lobbyists And Was Described As The "Most Sweeping Since Watergate." In the first week of the 110th Congress, Obama joined with Senator Feingold to introduce a "Gold Standard" ethics package. Many of the Obama/Feingold bill's most important provisions were included in the final ethics reform package passed by the Senate in late January: a full ban on gifts and meals from lobbyists including those paid by the firms that employ lobbyists; an end to subsidized travel on corporate jets; full disclosure of who's sponsoring earmarks and for what purpose; additional restrictions to close the revolving door between public service and lobbying to ensure that public service isn't all about lining up a high-paying lobbying job; and requiring lobbyists to disclose the contributions that they "bundle" - that is, collect or arrange - for members of Congress, candidates, and party committees. The Washington Post wrote in an editorial that "...Mr. Reid, along with Sens. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), deserves credit for assembling and passing this package." In September 2007, the AP reported, "President Bush signed a bill Friday that will require lawmakers to disclose more about their efforts to fund pet projects and raise money from lobbyists, a measure that backers call the biggest ethics reform in decades...Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. who had pushed for the bundling provisions..." [S. 230, 110th Congress; S.1, Became Public Law 109-110-81, 9/14/07; AP, 9/15/07; Washington Post, Editorial, 1/21/07]

Obama Passed A Bill Creating A "Google-like" Database For The Public To Search Details About Federal Funding Awards. In 2006, Obama was an original cosponsor of a bill to create a "Google-like" database of information on federal spending. The bill requires the OMB by January 1, 2008, to make available to the public a searchable, free website that includes the (1) amount; (2) transaction type; (3) funding agency; (4) North American Industry Classification System code or Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number; (5) program source; (6) an award title descriptive of the purpose of each funding action; (7) the name and location of the recipient and the primary location of performance; and (8) a unique identifier of the recipient and any parent entity. The site must allow users to conduct separate searches that distinguish between awards that are grants, sub-grants, loans, cooperative agreements, and other forms of financial assistance and awards that are contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, task orders, and delivery orders. [S. 2590, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 9/7/06; Became PL 109-282, 9/26/06] SEE THE DATABASE HERE

Obama Passed Into Law Legislation Requiring Lobbyists To Disclose Their Bundling Activity, Making Him Unpopular Even Among Other Democrats. Obama sponsored an amendment to require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged. The amendment was passed by unanimous consent and attached to the Senate ethics bill, which was signed into law on September 15, 2007. The New York Times wrote, "The disclosure idea's lead sponsor, Senator Barack Obama... 'has not been the most popular person in our caucus in the last couple of weeks,' said a Democratic aide involved in deliberations over the bill." [S. Amdt. 41 to S. 1, S. Amdt. 3, Submitted 1/11/07, Agreed to By Unanimous Consent, 1/18/07; S. 1, Signed into Law 9/14/07; New York Times, 1/20/07; CQ, 9/15/07]

FOREIGN POLICY

Obama Passed Law Requiring Comprehensive Nuclear Threat Reduction Strategy To Secure Weapons And Usable Nuclear Material. "Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced that a provision authored by Obama and Senator Hagel (R-NE) in the Senate and advanced by Schiff in the House requiring a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction plan passed as part of the omnibus appropriations bill. This provision requires the President to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for ensuring that all nuclear weapons and weapons-usable material at vulnerable sites around the world are secure by 2012 from the threats that terrorists have shown they can pose. The Senate passed the omnibus appropriations bill last night and the House approved the same bill today. It will now be sent to the President to be signed into law…The Comprehensive Nuclear Threat Reduction provision requires the President to develop a strategy that will: ensure that all nuclear weapons and weapons-usable material at vulnerable sites around the world are secure by 2012 against the threats that terrorists have shown they can pose; ensure adequate accounting and security for such materials on an ongoing basis thereafter; include a plan for expanding the financial support and other assistance provided by other countries, particularly Russia, the European Union and its member states, China and Japan, for the purposes of securing nuclear weapons and weapons-usable material worldwide; and outline the progress in and impediments to securing an agreement from all countries that possess nuclear weapons or weapons-usable material on a set of global nuclear security standards, consistent with their obligation to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540." [Obama Press Release, 12/20/07]

Obama Passed Legislation To Keep Weapons Of Mass Destruction Out Of The Hands Of Terrorists. In 2006, Obama was an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. It also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. The legislation was included in an appropriations bill that was later signed into law by the president. [Congress, S. 2566, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 456, 5/25/06; Provisions included in H.R. 6060/P.L. 109-706]

Obama Passed Law to Promote Relief, Security, and Democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2005, Obama sponsored the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006. The bill would set forth specified U.S. political, social, civil, and economic policy objectives (policy objectives) with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and obligated a specified minimum amount of foreign assistance funding for FY2006-FY2007. [S.2125, 12/16/05, Become Public Law No: 109-456, 12/22/06]

HEALTH CARE

Obama Passed An Amendment Into Law That Pressured The EPA to Comply With New Lead-Paint Regulations After Seven Years of Delay. In 2005, Obama passed an amendment, which became law, to the FY 2006 Department of Interior Appropriations Act prohibiting the use of funds in the bill to delay or contravene implementation of an existing but unmet statutory requirement passed by Congress in 1992 that the EPA rewrite regulations on dispersal of lead paint by home remodeling contractors by October 1996. As of July 2005, the regulations still had not been written. Weeks after Obama’s amendment passed the Senate, Obama received commitments in writing and during a Senate hearing that the EPA would comply with the law. According to an Obama press release, "In 1992, Congress required the EPA to write regulations relating to the dispersal of lead paint by contractors during home remodeling by October, 1996. As of July 2005, these regulations still have not been written. In April, Administrator Johnson stated that to address the problem of lead paint poisoning, the EPA ‘will determine what additional steps may be necessary, including regulation’ despite the fact that the 1992 law does not say the regulations are optional." [SA 1061 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 6/28/05, Obama Press Release, 7/25/05; H.R. 2361, Became Public Law No: 109-54, 8/2/05]

EPA Finally Published Nine-Years-Overdue Proposal For Lead Paint Regulations Four Months After Obama Passed Legislation And Held Up EPA Nominations. Building Products wrote, "The EPA recently published long-overdue proposed regulations that affect contractors working on older houses that contain lead-based paints. The regulations, if adopted, would require that contractors be trained in lead-safe work practices and be certified by the EPA. The rules also would impose protective standards for those working on houses with lead paint. In 1992, Congress directed the EPA to write regulations that would limit lead paint pollution during home remodeling by October 1996. By last summer, with no sign of the new regulations, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-III., introduced more legislation designed to encourage the EPA to publish the rules. When that didn't work, Obama announced in the fall that he would block the appointment of every nominee to top EPA jobs until the agency produced the new rules. The EPA finally announced the proposed regulations Dec. 29, 2005." [Building Products, March-April, 2006]

Obama Passed A Law Requiring The Defense Secretary To Report On The Pentagon's Efforts To Prepare For Military And Civilian Personnel For A Possible Influenza Outbreak. In 2006, Obama sponsored an amendment to the FY 2006 Defense Authorization Act that required the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the Pentagon's efforts to prepare for pandemic influenza, including pandemic avian influenza, including status on the procurement of vaccines, public health containment measures that could be implemented on military bases and other facilities; surge capacity for the provision of medical care during pandemics; surveillance efforts domestically and internationally and how such efforts are integrated with other ongoing surveillance systems; the integration of pandemic and response planning with those of other Federal departments; collaboration (as appropriate) with international entities engaged in pandemic preparedness and response. [SA 1453 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 11/18/05; S. 1042/H.R. 1815, Became Public Law No: 109-163]

Obama Passed Legislation Providing $25 Million In Funding For Avian Flu Research And Containment Efforts By U.S. Agencies In South East Asia. "The amendment calls for greater investment in our preparedness efforts by providing more than $3 billion to build a stockpile of antiviral drugs and necessary medical supplies...Obama first introduced legislation in April requiring the United States to stockpile antiviral drugs...In May, Obama worked with a bipartisan group of Senators to appropriate the $25 million called for in the Foreign Assistance Act authorization bill. This money is currently being used by U.S. agencies in South East Asia to combat and contain possible outbreaks of avian flu." [Obama Press Release, 1/12/07]

ENERGY

Obama Passed Legislation Creating A Tax Credit For The Installation Of E-85 Fuel Pumps. In 2005, Obama introduced legislation that provided a tax credit for up to 50% of the cost of installing an E-85 pump. Obama passed the tax credit as an amendment to the 2005 transportation bill. The amendment was not included in the final version of the bill but was signed into law as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The AP reported, "Under the provision, gas stations would get a tax credit to install equipment accommodating E-85 - an ethanol-based fuel alternative that its promoters say is up to 50 cents cheaper per gallon than unleaded gasoline. The credit would cover 30 percent of the installation costs at a given station up to $30,000...Freshman Sen. Barack Obama introduced the tax-credit measure in the Senate in the spring, and it was co-sponsored by Illinois' other Democratic senator, Dick Durbin. Obama also worked for the credit's inclusion in the energy bill as one of the conferees preparing the Senate-House conference committee report..." [AP, 7/27/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58; S. 918, 109th Congress; SA 670 agreed to, 5/12/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58; S. 918, Referred to the Committee On Environment and Public Works]

Obama Passed An Amendment Into Law To Fund Research For Hybrid/Flex Fuel Vehicles. In 2005, Obama sponsored an amendment, which was signed into law, to the Energy Policy Act that established an applied research program to improve technologies for the commercialization of a combination hybrid/flexible fuel vehicle; or a plug-in hybrid/flexible fuel vehicle. The program would provide grants with preference to proposals that achieve the greatest reduction in miles per gallon of petroleum fuel consumption, achieve not less than 250 miles per gallon of petroleum fuel consumption and have the greatest potential of commercialization to the general public within 5 years. [SA 851 to HR 6, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 6/23/05; H.R. 6, Became Public Law No: 109-58]

EDUCATION

Obama Passed Legislation Into Law Making Black Colleges Eligible For $15 Million In Federal Funding. In 2007, Obama introduced legislation that would make a predominantly black institution eligible for federal grant money. The legislation was written into the "The bill would define a PBI as a college of at least 1,000 undergraduates in which Blacks represent 40 percent or more of the student body. At least half of all undergraduates also must be low-income or first-generation students. The legislation would provide a minimum grant of $250,000. Jackson, another NAFEO board member, says Medgar Evers could find immediate uses for the funding." [S. 1513, Referred to HELP Committee, 5/24/07; H.R. 2669, Became Public Law, 9/7/07; Diverse Issues In Higher Education, 6/29/07]

Obama Passed Into Law An Amendment Establishing A Grant Program To Support Summer Curricula That Emphasize Math And Problem Solving. In 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment, which became law, to the America Competes Act that established a competitive state grant program to support summer learning opportunities with curricula that emphasize mathematics and problem solving. [S.Amdts. 924, Agreed to by unanimous consent, 4/25/07; S. 761, Incorporated into H.R. 2272, which became P.L. 110-289, 8/9/07]

MILITARY ISSUES/VETERANS

Obama Passed An Amendment, Which Became Law, Preventing The VA From Conducting A Review Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Cases Aimed At Reducing Benefits. In 2005, Obama was an original cosponsor of an amendment that became law preventing the VA from conducting a review of cases, without first providing Congress with a complete report regarding the implementation of such review. In November 2005, the VA announced that it was abandoning its planned review. "Obama had several generations of veterans in mind, he suggested, when he joined fellow Democrats Richard Durbin (Ill.), Patty Murray (Wash.) and Daniel Akaka (Hawai'i) Sept. 22 on a successful amendment to block the Department of Veterans Affairs from reviewing case files of 72,000 veterans rated 100-percent disabled by post-traumatic stress disorder…VA officials believe some PTSD claims have been decided for veterans without proper documentation. They announced their massive review only after the VA inspector general studied 2,100 randomly selected cases of PTSD disability awards and found that 25 percent lacked documents to verify that a traumatic, service-connected incident occurred…But the Senate's amendment would bar the VA from conducting its case review until it justifies the program to Congress." [SA 1864 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote, 9/22/05; Became Public Law No: 109-114; Military Update, 10/3/05]

Obama Passed Legislation, Which Became Law, Improving And Increasing Services For Homeless Veterans. In 2006, Congress passed a Veterans Affairs Committee bill which included several provisions originating in Obama's SAVE Act (S. 1180) and Homes for Heroes Act (S. 3475). "The legislation...includes a number of proposals from legislation Senator Obama had previously introduced (S.1180, the SAVE Act and S.3475 the Homes for Heroes Act) to expand and improve services for homeless veterans. The bill permanently authorizes and increases funding to $130 million per year for a competitive grant program to provide homeless services to veterans. It greatly increases a successful program to provide rental vouchers to homeless veterans. The legislation extends programs to providing treatment for veterans with mental illnesses and other special needs. And it permanently extends VA's ability to transfer property it owns to homeless shelters." [S. 3421/P.L. 109-461; S. 1180, 109th Congress; S. 3475, 109th Congress; Obama Press Release, 6/26/06]

Obama Passed Legislation Extending Tax Credits For Military Families By Allowing Service Members Deployed In War Zones To Apply Non-Taxable Combat Pay To The EITC. In 2006, Congress passed legislation based on a proposal sponsored by Obama, Kerry, and Pryor that extended tax credits for military families by allowing service members deployed to war zones to apply their non-taxable combat pay toward the Earned Income Tax Credit. The amendment was introduced during debate on the Senate’s 2006 tax reconciliation bill, ruled out of order, but later included in the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act, which passed both chambers and became law on December 22, 2005. [H.R. 4440, Became P.L. 109-135, 12/22/05; SA 2616, 109th Congress]

Obama Passed An Amendment, Which Became Law, To Require The VA To Conduct A Campaign To Inform Disabled Vets Of Disparities In Compensation And Explaining Their Rights To Seek Review. In 2005, Obama was an original cosponsor on an amendment requiring the VA to conduct a campaign to inform veterans in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Connecticut, Ohio and New Jersey about their right to seek a review of their past claims. Specifically, the legislation required the VA to send letters to all veterans currently receiving disability who live in six states with a past history of below-average disability compensation, informing them of the past disparity, and explaining how to request a review of past claims and ratings and how to submit new claims. The VA was also required to inform all other veterans whose past claims may have been properly denied of this disparity by other means such as broadcast of print advertising. States whose average annual disability compensation payment was less than $7,300 qualified as below average. In 2003, Illinois veterans received an average of $6,802. The amendment became law on November 30, 2005. [S. Amdt. 1865, Passed by Voice Vote, 9/22/05, to H.R.2528, Signed by the President and Became Public Law No: 109-114 on 11/30/05]

HOMELAND SECURITY/DISASTER RESPONSE

Obama Passed A Law Initiating A Long Overdue Investigation Into FEMA Failures And Response To Trailers Contaminated By Formaldehyde. “U.S. Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Barack Obama (D-IL) lauded Congress’ passage of their proposal to launch an investigation into reports that housing trailers contaminated with formaldehyde were provided to Hurricane Katrina victims. This provision, which is contained in the Omnibus Appropriations package soon to be signed into law, will initiate a long overdue investigation into why the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) failed to prevent the contamination or investigate the allegations.” [Obama Press Release, 12/21/07; H.R. 2764, Became Public Law No: 110-161]

Obama Passed Legislation Prohibiting DHS From Entering Into Open-Ended, No-Bid Contracts For Emergency Response Activities. "Legislation authored by U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) that will stop the abuse of no-bid contracting in the aftermath of a disaster was included in the final Department of Homeland Security funding bill likely to pass the Senate today. After Senate passage, the bill will go to the President's desk to be signed into law...After Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency used emergency authority to enter into open-ended, no-bid contracts. What was meant to be temporary stop-gap authority ballooned into wasteful contracts that lasted many months and wasted significant federal resources. Obama and Coburn legislation will stop this practice by restricting the use of emergency contracting authority only to urgent needs in the immediate response to emergencies...On three separate occasions, Obama and Coburn have passed legislation in the Senate that would end no-bid contracting with Gulf Coast reconstruction funds. Legislation that would have specifically prohibited no-bid contracts with Gulf Coast reconstruction was stripped from a previously passed funding bill." [Obama Press Release, 9/29/06]

Obama Passed An Amendment Into Law Creating A National Family Locator System. In 2006, Obama passed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act that required the Department of Homeland Security to create a centralized family locator system through which family members can contact their lost loved ones during disasters. The amendment, which was signed into law as part of the final version of the bill, was based on legislation Obama introduced immediately after Hurricane Katrina. [SA 4573 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent, 7/13/06; H.R. 5441, Became Public Law No: 109-295; S. 1630, 109th Congress, Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs]

WORKING FAMILIES

Obama And Hatch Passed Legislation To Protect Individuals' Rights To Continue Donating To Charities And Religious Organizations During Bankruptcy. In 2006, Obama was an original cosponsor of a bill that protected individuals' rights to continue donating to charities and religious organizations during bankruptcy proceedings. The Hatch-Obama bill responded to a court ruling that above-medium income debtors in Chapter 13 bankruptcy could not deduct charitable contributions, including religious contributions, from their payment plans. The ruling was based on an interpretation of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA). Hatch and Obama authored S. 4044 to ensure that all individuals in bankruptcy, no matter their income, would be able to continue giving to charity and their church. The bill passed the senate by unanimous consent and was signed by the president. [S. 4044, Signed 12/20/06, Became Public Law No. 109-439]

REALITY: BAMA "STEPPED FORWARD" AND STRENGTHENED THE CASE FOR HIS PRESIDENCY BY LEADING ON ETHICS REFORM

Washington Post: Obama Deserved Credit For Assembling And Passing "Strongest Ethics Legislation To Emerge From Congress Yet." The Washington Post wrote in an editorial, "The final package is the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet...Mr. Reid, along with Sens. Russell Feingold (D--Wis.) and Barack Obama (D--Ill.), deserves credit for assembling and passing this package." [Washington Post, Editorial, 1/20/07]

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: Obama Stepped Forward, Did a Wonderful Job. "And finally, Senator Obama. I chose personally Senator Obama last year to work on ethics and lobbying reform, and he's done a wonderful job. He's stepped forward. He's been a leader with Senator Feingold...And I admire and respect his stalwartness in moving forward on this." [Press Conference Transcript, Federal News Service, 1/18/07]

Madison Capital Times: Obama's Work On Ethics Legislation Strengthens Case For Presidency Candidacy. In an editorial, the Madison Capital Times wrote of Obama and Feingold, "The two senators are sponsoring groundbreaking ethics legislation that they say will improve upon Senate Bill 2349, the lobbying disclosure and ethics measure that the Senate passed in March 2006. 'Our goal,' say Feingold and Obama, 'is to restore the public's faith that Congress places its interest ahead of special interests.' The bottom line is that this is a real reform. No one will be surprised that Feingold's name is associated with this effort. But the fact that Obama is so willing to be a part of it will only strengthen the case for consideration of his potential presidential candidacy." [Madison Capital Times, 1/12/07]

Dayton Daily News: Obama Ethics Amendments Got Reform Bill "Watered Up." The Dayton Daily News wrote in an editorial, "Indeed, the bill goes further than Democrats even promised during the campaign. This was one of those rare occasions when a reform bill is introduced, then, rather than get watered down, gets watered up. This fact has been widely attributed to the work of Sens. Barack Obama, D--Ill., and Russ Feingold, D--Wis. They proposed reforms that the other senators -- while reportedly not happy about -- decided they couldn't oppose in the current political environment." [Dayton Daily News, Editorial, 1/24/07]

Obama Was Named Democrats' Point Person on Ethics. Under the headline "Obama is Democrats' point man on ethics," the Chicago Tribune wrote, "As Democrats attempt to capitalize on the perceived ethical shortcomings of Republican congressmen and staffers, party leaders have tapped Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to be their point man to carry the message of ethics reform during the midterm election year. Obama begins his assignment Wednesday when he joins Democrats at the Library of Congress to unveil proposals intended to limit the influence of Washington lobbyists on politics and policy. The task is the most visible--and potentially partisan--role Obama has taken as he begins his second year in office." [Chicago Tribune, 1/18/06]

REALITY: OBAMA ALSO PASSED SWEEPING ETHICS LEGISLATION IN ILLINOIS

Obama Passed Illinois State Gift Ban Act "Heralded As the Most Sweeping Good--Government Legislation in Decades." In 1998, Obama passed the Illinois Gift Ban, which prohibited legislators, state officers and employees, and judges from soliciting or receiving gifts from a person or entity with interests affected by government. The Chicago Tribune called it wrote, "an ethics and campaign finance package heralded as the most sweeping good--government legislation in decades." The law also required greater campaign finance disclosure and limited the uses for which raised money could be spent. [HB672, 3R P 52--4--1, 5/22/98; PA 90--0737, 8/12/98; Chicago Tribune, 8/13/98; Chicago Independent Bulletin, 6/4/98]

Illinois Campaign for Political Reform: Sponsors Of Ethics Legislation "To Be Strongly Commended" For "Bipartisan," "Landmark Legislation." The leaders of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform wrote, "The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform applauds the Illinois legislature for passing the bipartisan campaign finance and ethics package...the bill's sponsors, state Sens. Kirk Dillard (R--Hinsdale) and Barack Obama (D--Chicago), and state Reps. Gary Hannig (D--Litchfield) and Jack Kubik (R--La Grange Park), made campaign finance reform in Illinois a reality by forging areas of common ground. With the support of legislative leaders, both parties and houses moved beyond their differences to pass this landmark legislation. All are to be strongly commended." [Chicago Tribune, 6/20/98]

Ethics Reforms Championed By Obama "Revolutionized" Illinois Politics. The New York Times reported, "The disclosure requirement 'revolutionized Illinois's system,' said Cindi Canary, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. By giving journalists immediate access to a database of expenditures and contributions, it transformed political reporting. It also, she said, 'put Senator Obama on a launching pad and put the mantle of ethics legislator on his crown.'" [New York Times, 7/30/07]

Mendell Called Ethics Reform Obama's "First Major Legislative Accomplishment;" The Bill Did Not Sit Well With Some Of His Colleagues. In From Promise To Power, Mendell wrote, "His first major legislative accomplishment was shepherding a piece of campaign finance reform in May 1998. The measure prohibited lawmakers from soliciting campaign funds while on state property and from accepting gifts from state contractors, lobbyists or other interests...The bill was not a watershed event anywhere but Illinois. It essentially listed Illinois, a state with a deep history of illicit, pay--to--play politics, into the modern world when it came to ethics restrictions. The bill gave Obama a legislative success, but his public criticism of Springfield's old school politics did not sit well with some of his colleagues who already considered the Ivy League lawyer overly pious." [From Promise To Power, 124]

REALITY: OBAMA EXPANDED HEALTH CARE IN ILLINOIS

Obama Passed Bipartisan Legislation That Expanded Health Care Coverage To 154,000 Residents, Including 70,000 Children. As a state senator, Barack Obama sponsored and helped pass legislation that expanded and made permanent Illinois' KidCare program by raising eligibility from 185% to 200% of the federal poverty level. The legislation provided coverage for an additional 20,000 children and 65,000 more Illinois adults in the first year, and by 2007 had expanded health care to 70,000 kids and 84,000 adults. In its endorsement for his Senate race, the State Journal--Register wrote, "Obama brings similar common--sense views to improving health care in America -- for example, as a state senator he championed the successful KidCare program that assists thousands of children of the working poor." The bill was sponsored in the state House by Sandra Pihos, a Republican and passed 42--13. [93rd GA, SB 130, 3R P 42--13--2; Signed into law 6/30/03, PA 93--0063; Chicago Daily Herald, 7/2/03; Blagojevich release, 1/9/07; Blagojevich release, 4/13/07; Kaiser family report, 5/07; State Journal--Register, 10/29/04]

Obama Passed Health Care Justice Act; IL's Largest Health Care Coalition Applauded Obama's Leadership In Passing the Bill. In 2004, Obama was chief sponsor of bill creating the Health Care Justice Act, providing that the State of Illinois shall implement a health care access plan that provides uniform benefits for all Illinois residents by establishing a Bipartisan Commission that is required to submit a report to form the basis for the health care access plan to: "1) Provides access to a full range of preventive, acute and long--term health care services; 2) Maintains and improves the quality of health care services offered to IL residents; 3) Provides portability of coverage regardless of employment status; 4) Provides core benefits for all IL residents; 4) Encourages regional and local consumer participation; 5) Contains cost--containment measures." The Journal Register wrote the bill was "amended to make full access to health care a goal instead of a policy and to strongly encourage, instead of require, the state to implement a health--care access plan." The bill passed. When the bill was funded in 2005, Jim Duffett, executive director of Campaign for Better Health Care, the largest health care coalition in Illinois, said, "We applaud the leadership of Governor Blagojevich, state Rep. William Delgado and former state Sen. Barack Obama, who were the chief sponsors of this act." [93rd GA, HB 2268, 5/19/04, 3R P; 31--26--1, 6/24/04, Sent to the Governor; Lexington Herald Leader, 1/18/07; State Journal--Register (Springfield, IL), 6/15/04; Campaign for Better Health Care release, 7/31/05]

REALITY: Obama Began Calling For A Phased Withdrawal From Iraq In November 2005

11/22/05: Obama Called for A Phased Withdrawal From Iraq, A Commitment To Having No U.S. Bases In Iraq Within a Decade. "First and foremost, after the December 15 elections and during the course of next year, we need to focus our attention on how reduce the U.S. military footprint in Iraq. Notice that I say 'reduce,' and not 'fully withdraw.' This course of action will help to focus our efforts on a more effective counter-insurgency strategy and take steam out of the insurgency...Second, we need not a time-table, in the sense of a precise date for U.S. troop pull-outs, but a time-frame for such a phased withdrawal. More specifically, we need to be very clear about key issues, such as bases and the level of troops in Iraq. We need to say that there will be no bases in Iraq a decade from now and the United States armed forces cannot stand-up and support an Iraqi government in perpetuity - pushing the Iraqis to take ownership over the situation and placing pressure on various factions to reach the broad based political settlement that is so essential to defeating the insurgency." [Obama Speech, 11/22/05]

12/8/05: Obama Said He Supported A Phased Withdrawal To Avoid Security Vacuum; Said War In Iraq To Blame For Terrorist Problems. Obama favors starting 'a phased withdrawal process' of troops next year. The process would be based on what happens with the elections, he said. 'What we're engaged in is a difficult balancing act here…Having gone in, how do we step back but ensure that there's not such a vacuum that either chaos occurs or jihadists take over critical areas that can make huge problems elsewhere? The irony, of course, is that there really wasn't a terrorist problem before we went in. There is now.'" [State Journal-Register, 12/8/05]

1/8/06: Obama Said It Was Important To Start Phasing Down Troops. The Sun-Times wrote, "Obama said 'if we don't see significant political progress' over the next six months or so, 'we can pour money and troops in here until the cows come home but we are not going to be successful.' It is important, Obama said, 'to start phasing down the troops' and 'to give the Iraqis more ownership.'" [Chicago Sun-Times, 1/8/06]

4/13/06: Obama Said U.S. Should Start Phasing Down U.S. Troop Presence In Iraq By The End Of The Year. At a town hall meeting, Obama said, "'If I continue to see what seems to be the case right now--an inability and unwillingness on the part of the various factions to want to live together--we can't be in a position where we're in the middle of a civil war...If we're not seeing a government that is actually committed to working together, then I don't see how our presence there can be helpful,' Obama said. Even if a new government is formed, Obama said, by the end of the year 'our job as the police and army of Iraq should be complete. We will have done our task and we should start phasing down our troops.'" [Chicago Tribune, 4/13/06]

REALITY: Press on significance Of Obama’s Ethics Reform Legislation

Obama Was A Key Player In Assembling And Passing The 2007 Ethics Reform Law, Which Curbed The Influence Of Lobbyists And Was Described As The "Most Sweeping Since Watergate." In the first week of the 110th Congress, Obama joined with Senator Feingold to introduce a "Gold Standard" ethics package. Many of the Obama/Feingold bill's most important provisions were included in the final ethics reform package passed by the Senate in late January: a full ban on gifts and meals from lobbyists including those paid by the firms that employ lobbyists; an end to subsidized travel on corporate jets; full disclosure of who's sponsoring earmarks and for what purpose; additional restrictions to close the revolving door between public service and lobbying to ensure that public service isn't all about lining up a high-paying lobbying job; and requiring lobbyists to disclose the contributions that they "bundle" - that is, collect or arrange - for members of Congress, candidates, and party committees. The Washington Post wrote in an editorial that "...Mr. Reid, along with Sens. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), deserves credit for assembling and passing this package." In September 2007, the AP reported, "President Bush signed a bill Friday that will require lawmakers to disclose more about their efforts to fund pet projects and raise money from lobbyists, a measure that backers call the biggest ethics reform in decades...Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. had pushed for the bundling provisions..." [S. 230, 110th Congress; S.1, Became Public Law 109-110-81, 9/14/07; AP, 9/15/07; Washington Post, Editorial, 1/21/07]

NYT: 2007 Ethics Reform Bill "Quickly Sent A Ripple Of Fear Through K Street" And Was "Already Changing The Culture Of Washington" Before It Was Signed Into Law, Beginning With "More Dutch Treats And Fewer Steak Dinners." "The new law has quickly sent a ripple of fear through K Street...Stanley Brand, a longtime Washington defense lawyer who usually represents Democrats, said the law was a sea change. ''It should send shivers down lobbyists' spines,'' Mr. Brand said. ‘It is a minefield now...President Bush has not said whether he would sign the bill, but it is already changing the culture of Capitol Hill in myriad ways, beginning with more Dutch treats and fewer steak dinners...One lobbyist, who would speak only anonymously to avoid attracting the attention of prosecutors or rivals, said he had started sending himself date-stamped e-mail to create a record of every phone conversation he had with a lawmaker. Then he stopped making campaign contributions...For lobbyists -- who live at the nexus of contributions and favors -- it is an alarming trend. ''They might as well just pull up the paddy wagon outside the Capital Grille,'' one lobbyist said, referring to a clubby steakhouse near the Capitol that is a well-known K Street hangout. [New York Times, 8/7/07]

Good Government Groups: Ethics Reform "Shouldn't Be Belittled." The good-government groups that criticized Mrs. Clinton took issue with her comments about the ethics reform bill. While she voted for it, she has suggested that the legislation was not a landmark change and that Mr. Obama was hardly alone in championing it. Fred Wertheimer, president and chief executive of Democracy 21, which promotes campaign finance reform, said the bill contained some of ''the most important and comprehensive ethics and lobbying reforms since the Watergate era.'' Meredith McGehee, policy director of the Campaign Legal Center, said: ''I think it should be seen as the decent, credible and substantial legislation that it was. It shouldn't be belittled.'' [New York Times, 1/15/08]

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: Obama Stepped Forward, Did a Wonderful Job. Senator Reid said, "And finally, Senator Obama. I chose personally Senator Obama last year to work on ethics and lobbying reform, and he's done a wonderful job. He's stepped forward. He's been a leader with Senator Feingold...And I admire and respect his stalwartness in moving forward on this." [Press Conference Transcript, Federal News Service, 1/18/07]

Washington Post Said Obama Deserved Credit For "Strongest Ethics Legislation...Yet." The Washington Post wrote in an editorial, "The final package is the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet...Mr. Reid, along with Sens. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), deserves credit for assembling and passing this package." [Washington Post, Editorial, 1/20/07]

Chicago Tribune: Obama and Feingold Pressured the Senate Into Adopting Tougher Ethics Reforms. "After Democratic and Republican leaders introduced their bipartisan working version of an ethics plan, pressure from Obama and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) inspired them to open the measure up for some tougher restrictions." [Chicago Tribune, 1/19/07]

Dayton Daily News: Obama Ethics Amendments Got Reform Bill Improved Instead of Watered Down. The Dayton Daily News wrote in an editorial, "Indeed, the bill goes further than Democrats even promised during the campaign. This was one of those rare occasions when a reform bill is introduced, then, rather than get watered down, gets watered up. This fact has been widely attributed to the work of Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Russ Feingold, D-Wis. They proposed reforms that the other senators - while reportedly not happy about - decided they couldn't oppose in the current political environment." [Dayton Daily News, Editorial, 1/24/07]

REALITY: Significance Of Obama’s “Google For Government” Bill, Which Was A Landmark Effort In Bringing Transparency To Federal Spending And Was Passed Against Strong Opposition

Providence Journal: Coburn And Obama “Deserve Credit For Fighting Doggedly For This Legislation.” “What a great idea: Create a searchable online data base of federal grants and contracts, identifying the members of Congress behind the spending, so that citizens, even on their home computers, can easily determine where, how and why the government is spending their money. A bill to do just that, sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., with the bipartisan support of such heavy hitters as Republican Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., Democratic Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and John McCain, R-Ariz., has passed the Senate and may soon become law…For a time it looked dicey. In an impressive display of the arrogance of power, two of Congress's most egregious kings of pork - Sens. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska., and Robert Byrd, D-W.Va. - secretly put a hold on the legislation. After citizens groups smoked out this betrayal of the public, Byrd and Stevens backed off…That may be why liberal Democrats have joined with conservatives on the bill. It presents an opportunity to break the deathgrip of incumbency. Coburn and the co-sponsor, Sen. Barak Obama, D-Ill., deserve credit for fighting doggedly for this legislation.” [Providence Journal Editorial, 9/20/06]

The Google For Government Bill Was A “Fine Accomplishment” And “Passed Largely Because Of The Bipartisan Leadership Of Tom Coburn, R-Okla And Barack Obama, D-Ill” “The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act is a fine accomplishment. It will create an earmark database that the public can easily access on the Internet. The bill passed largely because of the bipartisan leadership of senators Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Barack Obama, D-Ill.” [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 10/15/06]

REALITY: Falsely Implied That Obama Has Not Been Committed To Immigration Reform, And Neglected To Mention The Key Role He Played In Major Debates

Gannett: “Low-Ranking Obama Front-And-Center On Immigration.” In an article entitled, “Low Ranking Obama Front-And-Center On Immigration, Gannett News Service reported, “When the president sat down with eight senators to strategize about immigration last week, the group represented the Senate's elite on the issue. Among them were the top Democratic and Republican leaders, those from border states, two Hispanics and those with a history of involvement with immigration legislation. And then, there was Sen. Barack Obama, Illinois' junior senator, who ranks 98 out of 100 in seniority in the Senate. He is not on the Senate's Judiciary Committee where immigration legislation originated and the state he represents is closer to the Canadian border than the deserts of Mexico…Alejandro Lugo, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois who studies border issues, says Obama's recognition of a border control problem coupled with a practical solution will play well if people are paying attention.” [Gannett News Service, 5/1/06]

Kennedy And McCain, Authors Of Immigration Reform Bill, Thanked Obama As One Of Small Bipartisan Group Of Senators Who “Stood Together To Make This Legislation Possible.” McCain said, “After several weeks of extensive debate and consideration of numerous and complicated amendments, the Senate is about to move to final passage on S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act…I also commend the Senate Leadership on both sides of the aisle for their efforts to ensure that the Senate addressed this important issue and gave us more than adequate time for a thorough debate. This is a proud moment for the United States Senate, as we have conducted good work and returned to orderly traditions of the legislative process as envisioned by our founding fathers…And of course, I commend Senator Kennedy, who is perhaps the leading expert on this difficult issue…I also want to thank Senators Brownback, Lieberman, Graham, Salazar, Martinez, Obama, and Dewine for their shared commitment to this issue, and working to ensure this bill moved successfully intact through the legislative process.” In a speech on the Senate floor, Kennedy said, “I thank those of our bipartisan group who stood together to make this legislation possible--Senator Graham, Senator Salazar, Senator Martinez, Senator Hagel, Senator Durbin, Senator Lieberman, Senator Brownback, Senator Obama, and Senator DeWine.” [McCain Press Release, 5/25/06; Congressional Record, 5/26/06]

Illinois Coalition For Immigrants And Refugee Rights Praised Obama For Leadership In Moving Congress Towards New Immigration Laws. “Fred Tsao, policy director for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, praised U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for their leadership in moving toward new immigration laws on Capitol Hill. But ‘we must demand similar leadership from the president and the speaker of the House,’ he said. ‘We need real comprehensive immigration reform that will allow the undocumented to gain legal status, bring families together, respect hard work and help students realize their dreams.’” [Chicago Sun-Times, 4/24/06]

Obama Passed Amendments To The Senate’s 2006 Immigration Bill That Would Have Established An Employment Verification System And Protected American Workers From Losing Jobs To Guest Workers. In 2006, Obama passed an amendment t

GOP trying to Sqash Palin Abuse of Power investigation

Michael Oakes — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:40:34 EDT

Here's a real news item about the GOP trying to squash the Abuse of Power investigation on Gov. Palin. Perhaps you can write these so called reformers and tell them to stop obstucting justice.http://www.newsweek.com/id/157439