By Padmini Arhant
A special day to thank the people for their love, compassion and actions that positively impact the recipient’s life. In this respect, the nation is thankful to the brave men and women in harm’s way for their sacrifices in many different ways, most importantly their precious life. Within the community, there are many benevolent individuals dedicating their time and resources for others’ welfare. They deserve acknowledgment by the members. Then the family unit, where the relationship is strengthened with genuine care, affection and understanding for each other unconditionally recognized in a subtle or profound manner.
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Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
Why should launching wars and cutting taxes for the rich require only 50 votes while saving lives requires 60?Join me in calling for an end to this unfair system. Tell Majority Leader Reid to modify the rules of the Senate to require only 55 votes to invoke cloture instead of 60. Fill out the form below to sign the petition today!
The Senate health care bill is currently under scrutiny requiring 60 procedural votes to qualify for the Senate voting process. At present, the democrats have 58 votes in favor with two independents unclear and the remaining Republican votes unanimously opposed to the bill. I’ve confidence in the (I) U.S. Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders with his support to alleviate the suffering of millions in Vermont and across the nation.
While the Democrats laying out the facts and figures, the Republican lawmakers are meticulously scanning for flaws in their defense to block the anxiously awaited health care legislation.
Senate version of the health care bill proposes $848 billion allowing coverage for 31 million uninsured Americans with a CBO (Congressional Budget Office) assessment confirming an impressive $130 billion cost savings otherwise a massive federal deficit reduction over a decade.
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Fellow Progressive Democrats, why is it I send my money, contributions to OFA and it ends up being spent by the DNC. Can we trust the DNC to be “Progressive?” I am not sure about this. What do you think? The Blue Dogs are part of the DNC. Will the DNC put pressure on the Blue Dogs? Is anyone at the DNC loyal to OFA members? I should not have to question this but due to the poor performance of our Senate politicians, I must ask this of you? The Senate leadership does not appear to be carrying ¼ the load that the Speaker of the House carries. I think we need to see a list of what democrat politicians are members of OFA. When did they become members of OFA? We elected President Barack Obama and in some cases, without support from certain democrats. I know Hillary worked hard for us after the primaries. Who can we trust? Who can we trust? If you are not happy over this summers progress, tired of delays, wondering why we are constantly asked to man phone banks? It kind of sound like we are rushing around the city putting out fires yet we care less whom the arsonist is? If this is the case, you are thinking like me. If I am off course, please explain it to me.
In order to assist other progressive activists in moving health care reform -- including a public option -- forward, I have prepared a report entitled Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise: The Public Option as the Best Insurance of Health Care Coverage and Cost Control. As indicated by its Executive Summary (below), this report includes comprehensive (searchable) content, commentary, and hyperlinked references. You may download it in Microsoft Word format here ...
http://douglasdrenkow.com/docs/healthy.doc
If you have trouble downloading the file, I can e-mail it to you as an attachment (less than 1 MB in size).
I hope that by virtue of its thorough and comprehensive examination of the medical, economic, and political dimensions of our health care problems and proposed solutions, the information in this report will lead any reasonable person to conclude that of all the plans being considered by Congress with significant public support as well as any realistic chance of being passed, the public option is the best means of insuring health care coverage and cost control.
Guns at rallies, Attacks, Using the N word, calling Obama a Nazi, chanting Nazi slogans and even attempting to attack elected officials as they try to moderate the Health Care town halls, it seems the press is moving very slowly to understand who the FEW, the Minority, screamers, racists and right wing nut job, home grown terrorists really are.
Just reported: the SEIU obtained a Tea Party startegy via a Right Wing mobilization conf call.
The summary: Just destroy Obama's plan at any cost....No reasons....just be the party of NO
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/seius-notes-on-a-tea-party-strategy-conference-call/
Soon as we got a Democrat in the White House, a bunch of Senators claiming to be Democrats rushed to show how independent they are, declaring they won’t necessarily vote in support of the President’s agenda that he was elected to enact. As a Hoosier, I’ll put Indiana’s Evan Bayh (pronounced “Bye” or “Buy”) at the top of the list.
Mr. Obama is right to allow politicians to vote their “consciences” (oxymoron is obvious). Where he’s wrong is in promising to raise money for them. I won’t give one penny to support ANY Senator who fails to toe the line and earnestly help the President do what he promised. Many promises were made. If they’re not kept because Democrats in the Senate support powerful banks and other lobbies against the people who support Mr. Obama’s agenda, then Bayh-Bayh to them come the primary.
If self-described Democrats in the Senate refuse to push through the President’s agenda, then it’s up to us to FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL. I won’t give money to or raise money for Evan Bayh or Arlen Spector or any of the approximately eight others who have declared themselves “independent” of this cause.
They want our money and votes only to betray us to the powerful lobbyists who own them. We need to start work right now finding better people to run against them in the primaries and start raising the money they’ll need to win.
We kept McCain and Palin out of the White House. We certain can put Bayh, Specter and those other eight “independent” Democrats OUT of the Senate. CHANGE is coming to America.
Rupert Murdoch and his Faux News netword have every right to refuse to air the president’s news conference touting his first 100 days in office.
The White House has every right to refuse to grant press credentials and access to the White House press area to “Fox News”, not out of any retaliation but ONLY because the company really does not meet the requirements to be defined or qualified and journalists.
Even now, when the president’s remarks haven’t been written, we all can predict the Fox News response and “analysis”. That’s not news, it certainly isn’t analysis, and it is even a response because it’s prepared BEFORE the statement it claims to be answering.
We have every right to boycott Murdoch's businesses and their subsidiaries and programs.
Below is an article in the Detroit Free Press
March 17, 2009Levin, others oppose adding gas permits to budget debateBY ANDREW TAYLORASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- Michigan Democrat Carl Levin and seven of his fellow Democratic senators are opposing speedy action on President Barack Obama's bill to combat global warming, complicating prospects for the legislation and creating problems for party leaders.
The eight Democrats disapprove of using the annual budget debate to pass Obama's "cap-and-trade" bill to fight greenhouse gas emissions, a measure that divides lawmakers, environmentalists and businesses. The lawmakers' opposition makes it more difficult for Democratic leaders to move the bill without a threat of a Republican filibuster.
The budget debate is the only way to circumvent Senate rules that allow a unified GOP to stop a bill through filibusters.
"Enactment of a cap-and-trade regime is likely to influence nearly every feature of the U.S. economy," wrote the Democratic senators, mostly moderates. They were joined by 25 Republicans. "Legislation so far-reaching should be fully vetted and given appropriate time for debate."
It takes 60 votes to overcome a filibuster in the Senate, but Democrats and allied independents currently control 58 seats.
Under a cap-and-trade system, the government would auction off permits to emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The auctions would raise almost $650 billion over the next decade, with the cost passed to consumers as higher energy prices.
The proposal is highly controversial, especially in heavily industrialized regions where people get their electricity from coal-fired power plants. Obama's promise to use most of the revenue to award $400 tax credits to most workers hasn't quelled the controversy since the increases in utility bills could easily exceed the amount of the tax cut.
The other Democrats who signed the letter, addressed to the chairman and top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, were Robert Byrd, West Virginia; Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas; Mary Landrieu, Louisiana; Evan Bayh, Indiana; Ben Nelson, Nebraska; Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania, and Mark Pryor, Arkansas.
The 25 Republicans were led by Sen. Mike Johanns of Nebraska.
The House and Senate budget committees are slated to vote on the resolution next week, with Senate debate scheduled for the week of March 30. (end of article)
As part of the Obama “team“, I have received several emails urging me to support the President’s Budget. I do not support it in its entirety, for the reasons given in the above article. “Cap and trade” should be debated separately on its merits and not pushed through as part of the Budget bill. If it stays in, I trust that Senator Levin will vote against it, and I hope my other senator, Debbie Stabenow, and my congressman, Gary Peters will do likewise. This budget need not be swallowed whole. Long-term goals and their proper implementation should be properly debated. What’s the big rush?
Calling All Artists, Creative Types, Fun People and Other Superheroes Meeting at Specialtys Cafe in Santa Clara was enlightening. We turned the corner in the cafe into the meeting area to see a bunch of tables covered with butcher paper, crayons and miscellaneous other stuff: big fluffy brushes, cat musician statues, pine cones, press-on lights and turkey feathers. All tools to inspire and motivate brainstorming. Our host Janet, AKA Jon, got our creative juices going.
Meet with like-minded friends and neighbors for an lively brainstorming session on what we can do to start creating the change we want. Expect to come away with specific, achievable and fun objectives; small steps and short term goals with long term results.Our first event was a lot of fun, and people came away with a better sense of where they wanted to contribute their time and energy. Since we have a mix of new people and people who were at the first meeting, we will blend the same kind of brainstorming with coming up with at least one small, easy step we can each take toward achieving our contribution goals. We will stick with things that personally intrigue and energize us, to make it easier to take those steps.We need all of us, with all our various interests, abilities and experiences to make this a great nation and a good world, whether times are good or bad.
Meet with like-minded friends and neighbors for an lively brainstorming session on what we can do to start creating the change we want. Expect to come away with specific, achievable and fun objectives; small steps and short term goals with long term results.
Our first event was a lot of fun, and people came away with a better sense of where they wanted to contribute their time and energy. Since we have a mix of new people and people who were at the first meeting, we will blend the same kind of brainstorming with coming up with at least one small, easy step we can each take toward achieving our contribution goals. We will stick with things that personally intrigue and energize us, to make it easier to take those steps.
We need all of us, with all our various interests, abilities and experiences to make this a great nation and a good world, whether times are good or bad.
It kind of worked. By having people write their notes in crayon on the tables, it put most of the group on the same wave length. Silicon Valley, the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, United States of America and the bay area in general, have over 100 active BarackObama.com active groups. Most groups are within an hour drive of each other. We are concerned that ideas and work may be duplicated because each group is isolated. We could strategize more efficiently and work towards results if people interested in the same topic connected.
We broke into four groups of 4-5 and brainstormed together. My groups spent the part of the 20 minutes or so talking about how we could find out what other regional groups are working on. How to merge interests and resources? We also discussed specific ideas people want to champion such as converting from oil to solar energy.
After 20 minutes, everyone got up and switched groups. So by the end of the meeting, you talked with at least 12 people, a majority of folks who showed up. Many had participated in the Santa Clara economic recovery meeting at the library mentioned in the San Jose Mercury News article, "Weekend 'Stimulus Parties' Bring out Obama Faithful Across the Nation" by Denis C. Theriault. The group plans to meet monthly, so it'll probably get a lot done over time.
Over 20 humans and 3 dogs met the first Saturday of February to talk about the Obama Administration's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, at that time known as the economic recovery plan.
fixing the economy is like our getting our new puppy. you get an older one to help entertain the new guy. she takes off gets hit and you gotta pay the vet bills. Plus all the normal puppy work.But now you're obligated, so bear down and learn to enjoy it. No turning back. It'll get better. So come see our new dogs, and we'll watch barack.Most People are talking about shooting for noon. and hanging out for an hour or two. my original idea was an open house, but maybe that defeats the purpose of networking between y'all. Anyway i'm excited to network. My ideas on the stimulus plan line up with Obamas call to winterize homes. I'm into energy policy, This seems like this is a good way to flex this Organizing for America system and see if it works.
fixing the economy is like our getting our new puppy. you get an older one to help entertain the new guy. she takes off gets hit and you gotta pay the vet bills. Plus all the normal puppy work.But now you're obligated, so bear down and learn to enjoy it. No turning back. It'll get better. So come see our new dogs, and we'll watch barack.
Most People are talking about shooting for noon. and hanging out for an hour or two. my original idea was an open house, but maybe that defeats the purpose of networking between y'all. Anyway i'm excited to network. My ideas on the stimulus plan line up with Obamas call to winterize homes. I'm into energy policy, This seems like this is a good way to flex this Organizing for America system and see if it works.
Our host, Tod, started us out by playing Governor Tim Kaine Answers Economic Recovery Questions video. The next few hours we spent talking issues important to Silicon Valley in specific and America in general.A couple of the action items we took away was to contact (e-mail, phone, snail mail) our US Congress representatives and other influential congress people in other states.We could focus on whatever topics interested us most but the main goal was to encourage them to support the stimulus bill. Most non wealthy people can afford to wait out the bad economy without work from our government.
Below are pictures of some human participants and a couple dogs. The long haired Dachshund puppy was the host dog and the black terrier, Culo, was the visitor dog.The meeting ended with a homemade berry and oatmeal dish, salad and pulled pork. A very nice Mountain View CA meeting all around.
Hi,
I am very happy that Barack Obama and Joe Biden were elected to be our next President and Vice-President. Yet there now exists a great deal of work to be done to help our country recover from the economic tail-spin it has developed. As one of those people directly affected by the problems, I know we have to do something, now.
In a strange turn of events, my wife and I bought a house and found out I was losing my job on the same day last November. At the end of February, the microbrewery I worked for will be forced out of the historic location it has occupied in Pittsburgh's North Side for over 20 years. They already closed the brewing section, and the restaurant will close at the end of the month. Partly this was due to rising costs of supplies, and partly it was due to an increase in rent. The effect is the same, though, no matter what the cause: almost fifty people lost their jobs. Combine this with the current economy and you have a mess.
Unfortunately, my story is not unique.
Well, it is time we did something about the mess all of America is facing. Let's find a way to get people like me back to work. The economic package on Capital Hill will not be a fix-all, but it is a start in the right direction.
The House Republicans should not be celebrating. They should be ashamed. With the country spiraling deeper and deeper into a financial crisis, they stand by and do nothing.
Changes were made to the Bill to obtain their support. Then they turn around and still vote against it. The changes made to the Bill to obtain their support were not changes that I wanted to see. I think there should be funds for reproductive counseling. I think there should be a lot more money for infrastructure and a lot less money in the form of tax cuts. But I was willing to accept that compromise is necessary when trying to work together honestly to reach agreement.
House Republicans believe that the free market can solve the enormous problems we are facing now. Then I think the free market should be employed in their districts. There should be no federal money spent in the districts of the Republicans that voted against the stimulus package. Let them use the free market. The rest of us could use those funds for schools, bridges and other "shovel-ready" projects in our districts.
Though we were small in number we were large in ideas and heart. Below are the policy issues and that we developed.
Policy/Issues (Education, Healthcare, Environment,
& Economy)
Education
1) Fully invest in teachers
2) Increase standards for school infrastructure
3) Better defined federal standards & oversight
4) More funding
5) College initiatives for low & middle income families
Healthcare
1) Universal Healthcare Access
a) Prevention
b) Maintenance
2) Cost control
a) Less control by insurance companies
b) More emphasis on medical decisions by providers
3) Increase Nurses/Doctors
a) Educational opportunity
b) Incentive to practice in low-income & rural areas
Environment
1) Education-awareness/marketing
2) Better regulations on industries
a) Manufactures
b)Transportation
c) Oils
d) Mining
3) Green energy/solar-tax incentives
4) Incentive to use local goods
5) More widespread incentives for recycling
Economy
1) Higher expectations for businesses
a) Auto industry
b) Banking & Mortgage industries
c) Health insurance industry
d) Media
2) Incentives to keep jobs on U.S. soil – no “outsourcing”
3) More outreach and information for small business development and success
4) Education/Information for current and future homeowners
My first novel is coming out in April. Finally, It took me ten years, but I guess that is not uncommon, unless you are related somehow to the publisher or your name is synonymous with Paris Hilton or Sarah Palin. They don't even have to write. In fact, they can't write, but that is not the point is it. They are news. They sell issues or time. And that is what we have allowed our literary life to be filled with. Have you been to Borders or Barnes and Noble lately? How is it that you can spend two hours there, drink a Latte, and end up buying a couple of magazines? Among all the books, 'new issues' are not. I have seen some hardcovers in that section at least three years old. The lead in Gondola (what they call those funny book-holding cabinets) usually has a whole collection of stuff I cannot even consider picking up to page through, much less buying. Serial killers, Catholic or Biblical code mysteries, and supposedly revealing books by Washington pundits. Finding new paperbacks, which are at least affordable (as long as they are not the new 'tall' ones) is the work of a sleuth. Here and there, hither and yon, you find some. Go to the sections like Mystery, Science Fiction or Literature and all the books are spine out. You cannot see the covers unless you pull them out of the rack. I just sigh and move on. I want the cover to draw me in and then the explanation on the flyleaf or back to convince me. Usually I only read the first page, to gauge the true metal of the author, while I am standing in line, waiting to pay. I never bring books back. I read all the ever more dire and restrictive signs about bringing stuff back but pay no mind. I am not a receipt keeper so I have an ever-growing library. I have a section of 'I didn't like that thing' over by the back wall. It now takes up almost a fourth of my library! I can't even give them away or loan them out as then I would have to recommend them.
Anyway, I got the "Advance Uncorrected Proofs" in the mail yesterday. On the same day came the Library of Congress copyright. I liked that. The coincidence, I mean. The book I have written is called 'The Boy.' It is a paleolithic novel set, appropriately, 25,000 years ago. Jean Auel started the genre, at least in numbers, about twenty years ago with her 'Clan of the Cave Bear' novel. Mine is much more hard science than her rather mystical presentation. I liked her book. Even as an anthropology professor. I liked the fact that people would be drawn to imagine the past. But my novel, although set back there, is all about honor, integrity, endurance and survival. It is pretty neat, as I have discovered in the many re-readings required to fully go through the edit process (which is long and hard, hard hard). And it is timely as hell with respect to what has happened to us and what may come later on.
Now I have to get a website. Hell, I have just learned how to blog, so how am I going to design a website? But life demands that we continue to change. So change I must. God is laughing because my novel is set to hit the stands on April 15th of next year! According to my calculations, fully considering this collapsing economy, that means my novel should be out just in time to be swallowed up and used as a fire-starter around the nation. Maybe I should change my calculations. If I tweak them a little bit, maybe I can get into the summer and at least be able to reflect back on how "I coulda been a contender."
Speaking of God's peeling laughter from on high, Ann Coulter has had to have her mouth wired shut! Do you know how astounding such an event is? That is almost as big as when Larry Flynt (publisher of that awful porno magazine called Hustler) was shot through the torso and lost the use of his private member for the remainder of his life! Now talk about a laughing cruel God! It's not Larry but the Ann situation is good enough. She is not really right wing, or Nazi, or any of the other things they say about her. She made it doing what she does. It did not require her belief, only her understanding of what might outrage a good part of the nation. The small part that is not outraged, and is certifiable, well, those are her buyers (the weird Aryan books) and watchers (occasional television interviews). She was into that long bare 'Cougar' leg well before Hasselbeck, Palin or even Faith Hill. And Botox. And surgery. I wonder if any of them have ever bothered to go back and read that old novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray," by that whacked out genius Oscar Wilde. It deserves reflection, in their cases. Faith was something else on The View this morning (I'm a writer and it plays in the background, for Christ's sake!). Ten thousand dollar shoes. And the legs. Then she stands there singing in that skirt, with her legs spread provocatively wide apart. That style of 'my crotch in your face' aggressive stage work was actually invented by the husband of Shania Twain (probably spelled that wrong). She was a great hit, years back, standing there and looking like she would do the whole male (and quite possibly female) part of the audience. Shyna dumped the husband a bit later, but not the style. Faith seemed okay when she spoke though. Maybe her husband will be allowed to stay on awhile.
My book, "The Boy," is the first of a four book series. The others are The Warrior, The Shaman and The Chief. But I won't get to see them in print unless The Boy is some kind of hit. At least I can now say that I am a novelist and not just one of those Hollywood hacks. House tonight was the usual drivel that has been coming through the producer's staff filter lately. Shame. Come on David, get a handle on things.
..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
Graham Long for US Congress; Help Defeat GOP Bushco incumbant Pete King on Long Island, NY 3rd Congressional District
Graham Long spends every day at work seeking solutions to Long Island's challenges. As an economic development advisor, working with Nassau County, he helps to shape a better future for Long Island.
This is his first run for public office.
Born and raised on the island, he is concerned, along with so many others, that he will not be able to afford to stay in his hometown.
With a background in suburban planning, historic preservation, & government, his goal is to restore the unique character of the island that has always been the frontier of America's future.
Graham is a regional planning specialist, and has worked with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi on his initiatives to reduce our tax burden, create senior and next-generation affordable housing in our downtowns, strengthen our economy, and preserve our environment and the history and character of Long Island.
He has extensive background in both planning and government, starting out as an intern with The White House, working for the director of the President's National Economic Council in 2002.
While in Washington DC, Graham acted as Advisory Commissioner for the District of Columbia, focusing on regional planning, controlling development, and transportation infrastructure.
Since then he worked as an operations manager for the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City. After the current administration in Washington proved to be drifting away from the challenges our nation faces, Graham returned to Long Island and became active in local government issues.
He holds a B.A. in American Studies, concentrating in economic development and regional planning, from The George Washington University.
His family hails from Franklin Square, and Graham is a graduate of Locust Valley Central School District. He continues to reside in his hometown.
Visit and Bookmark Graham's website here:
http://grahamlong2008.com/
Graham Long is challenging Congressman Peter T. King for his long-held seat in the 3rd Congressional District.
While Mr. Long has never held elected office, he is no neophyte to the governmental arena, beginning with his work as an intern with the White House, working for the director of the President's National Economic Council in 2002 and acting as advisory commissioner for the District of Columbia, focusing on regional planning, development and transportation infrastructure. Mr. Long stated that "After the current administration in Washington proved to be drifting away from the challenges our nation faces, I returned to Long Island and became active in local government."
He currently works as an economic development advisor and regional planning specialist for Nassau County, working "to restore the unique character of the Island that has always been the frontier of America's future." His initiatives have served to help reduce the tax burden, create senior and next-generation affordable housing in downtowns, strengthen the economy, and preserve the environment, history and character of Long Island. These county issues, said Mr. Long, also apply to more local governments.
Concern for Long Island's economic base has led Mr. Long to the realization that "We need to bring in high-tech research and development industries and to steer our economy in a new direction that is centered on 'green' industries, building a renewable energy network, and rebuilding and reworking our crumbling infrastructure." Long Island has the educated workforce to do that, Mr. Long added, but the economy must provide that workforce the affordability to live here. Affordable rental and condominium units in the downtowns, which are often near public transportation, will serve to encourage seniors and young adults to remain on Long Island and will promote greater use of trains and buses, thus reducing traffic, as well as gasoline usage, he said.
Mr. Long believes property taxes can be reduced not only through increased federal and state aid for our schools, but also through restructuring and consolidating local government to make the system more efficient.
Mr. Long said he is running as the candidate of change, and that Rep. King is "the candidate for the status quo." The fact that he has never run for, nor held, political office serves to his advantage, Mr. Long believes, because, "I'm not beholden to any special interests. We can no longer trust the politicians in Washington to fix the problems they helped create in the first place."
If elected, Mr. Long said he vows to help Long Island preserve the legacy, neighborhoods, landmarks and environmental resources "that make our Island unique and attractive" while continuing "to grow responsibly and bring more development into our downtowns, encourage clean energy industries to come to Long Island, and rebuild and enhance our [public and private] transportation network."
In regard to international affairs, Mr. Long said, "We must encourage the next president to re-deploy our combat forces in Iraq, give our troops the benefits and breaks they deserve, and increase our troop levels in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda is regrouping." The U.S. should reduce combat forces in Iraq, he said, while continuing to work as peacekeepers, which could provide our nation with greater international support. Mr. Long said he will also seek to reverse the current trend in Washington to export our economic base, which he said, has "left us with an unstable economy and a government based on borrowing."
Mr. Long stated, ""I am thrilled and honored to have the support of Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Diane Yatauro and former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger."
At press time, Mr. Long has also received the endorsement of the Nassau Women's Democratic Caucus and the Alliance for Retired Americans.
Mr. Long is running on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines. He holds a BA in American studies, concentrating in economic development and regional planning, from George Washington University. He resides in his home city of Glen Cove.
The full text, two pages, is at http://forteplan.com/obama/foreclosure_solutions.pdf (or .doc)
The basics here:
In the worst case, of an actual foreclosure and title revision/transfer back to the lender, the people stay - the occupants stay - and they become tenants with first option to rebuy in a reasonable contract.
Show me a vacant, run-down, becoming-delapidated house and yard that is selling well !
Show me a neighborhood full of such homes that is working out well for the lender-foreclosure-owners !
Read the outline, and consider that this saves everyone money and stress - AND - it increases and fuels the economy in other ways, for jobs and for businesses that sell things that homeowners, or home occupants and tenants, do buy, but that rats and cockroaches never seem to buy!
Go figure.
(Why are bankers seeming more and more to be so stupid when it comes to financial management and planning?)
