The Politics of Jamie Sanderson

We Succeeded Again!

2012-01-27T13:44:00.000-05:00

We Succeeded in Stalling H. 3408

This morning, the Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee held H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act, in subcommitte, delaying passage of this bill for a 3rd time! We have successfully pushed back against this intrusive and potentially detrimental legislation.

This morning, 40 advocates filled the committee room and listened while 2 labor attorneys (one representing the State of South Carolina) spoke against the passage of H. 3408. They called this bill "too much government" and agreed that H. 3408 "is the opposite of 'employment at will.'"
H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act, will remain in subcommitte until another subcommittee hearing can be scheduled.

Tell Them members have been instrumental in slowing down the process of this bill and showing a strong opposition to this type of intrusive legislation.

We have sent 2,300 emails urging Senators to "Vote No"
Consistently filled the committee rooms with advocates opposing H. 3408 (more than 70 advocates have joined us in committee hearings)
Provided solid testimony and support from the business, health care, labor, education, and legal communities to strike down this bill

Thank you for your continued support and effort to help stop this extreme and unnecessary bill.

Please take a moment and thank Senators Hutto and Nicholson for their continued opposition to H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act.

MegaVote: SC 1st, 1/23/2012

2012-01-23T23:45:00.001-05:00

Recent Congressional Votes House: Debt limit disapproval Editor's Note: President Obama is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 24 at 9 pm EST.
Recent House Votes
Debt limit disapproval - Vote Passed (239-176, 2 Present, 16 Not Voting) The House voted to block a $1.2 trillion increase in the $15.2 trillion debt ceiling. With the Senate unlikely to approve a similar measure, the increase will automatically take effect January 27, 2012. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Nikki Haley's 'Right to Work Partner' Suffers Major Defeat in S.C.

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

South Carolina's governor could possibly be seen today licking her wounds. Not only did state Republicans vote against her presidential candidate of choice, she couldn't even deliver her county to Mitt Romney.

But as the Republican carnival pulls out of the state and heads down Interstate 95, the real question is whether people are fed up with corporations dictating to people. Let's look at some of Haley's comments when endorsing Romney.

“One of the reasons we’re bringing jobs to South Carolina is that we have the lowest unionization in the country, and I want to keep it that way,” she said at a Jan. 6 rally in Tilton, N.H. “Barack Obama doesn’t appreciate right-to-work states. Mitt Romney appreciates right-to-work states … and I need a partner in the White House.”

What Romney - and Haley - appreciate is the ability to fire people when so desired. They also appreciate minimally adequate wages. So, when South Carolina selected Newt Gingrinch as their Republican presidential choice, I began to think back to the ads ran against Romney spelling out his demise and "vulture capitalism" at Bain Capital.

Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is leveling a forceful new attack on rival Mitt Romney, calling the Republican front-runner's private equity firm "exploitive." Gingrich made the remarks Tuesday before a gathering of business leaders in Columbia, S.C. The former House speaker describes the Bain Capital model, in at least some instances, as "leverage the game, borrow the money, leave the debt behind and walk off with all the profits."

Now, let's educate the people on what exactly right-to-work laws are - and they are not about giving people the right to work anywhere they want.

Right-to-work states are those that bar unions from deducting dues from worker paychecks as a condition of employment. Unions see right-to-work as a bid to undermine union financing, capacity to organize, and political clout. Romney has used South Carolina, which is a right-to-work state, and New Hampshire, which is considering ways to become one, as testing grounds for how such a debate might play out nationwide.

Basically, a union shop in the state of South Carolina has to represent all workers in that shop, members or not. The law provides for people to ride the backs of union members who pay dues and participate in union activity without putting in the time or money. Those workers are sometimes labeled "scabs" by fellow workers. However, if people would understand what these laws were designed for, it would be a different story.

Let me give you some coded language here.

Conservatives see the current campaign cycle as a rare opportunity to undercut union political clout. After historic gains in 2010 elections, Republicans hold the governorships and new legislative majorities in a number of strong union states, including Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Moreover, labor unions bankroll opposition to the sweeping pro-business agendas that undergird Republican orthodoxy.

How do you feel knowing you are guinea pigs in a Republican test lab? These Republicans want you to beg businesses instead on collectively having a voice to negotiate for better wages, better health care and safer work policies.

Do you care about having a job that pays fairly and allows you to take care of a family, a house, a vehicle and provide food on your table or will you just settle for scraps, work two or three jobs and call it the American way?

Mitt Romney, Nikki Haley and former president George W. Bush think the latter.

Let us look at how many states have this regressive law, shall we?

Twenty-two states, predominantly in the old Confederacy, already have “right to work” laws—mostly dating from the McCarthy era. “Right to work” (RTW) does not guarantee anyone a job. Rather, it makes it illegal for unions to require that each employee who benefits from the terms of a contract pay his or her share of the costs of administering it. By making it harder for workers’ organizations to sustain themselves financially, RTW aims to undermine unions’ bargaining strength and eventually render them extinct.

And the goal?

Like most business initiatives that purport to help the little people, this one starts with cutting workers’ wages. RTW is supposed to be a tool for luring manufacturers from one state to another. As the Chamber of Commerce explains, “unionization increases labor costs,” and therefore “makes a given location a less attractive place to invest new capital.” By giving up unions and lowering wages, workers increase their desirability in the eyes of manufacturers. This is the corporate lobby’s idea of economic policy: have people in every state compete for the lowest wages and crappiest benefits. Some location will inevitably win out, but in the end everyone’s wages will be lower and the number of jobs in the country will be exactly the same as before. If you wonder how income inequality got so extreme, look no further.

But even as a policy of “immiseration makes growth,” it doesn’t work. According to statistical studies (which I compiled in a paper for the Economic Policy Institute titled “Does ‘Right-to-Work’ Create Jobs?”), the impact of RTW laws is to lower average income by about $1,500 a year and to decrease the odds of getting health insurance or a pension through your job—for both union and nonunion workers. But while RTW succeeds in cutting wages, it fails to boost job growth.

South Carolina was used as a testing ground to see whether right-to-work laws and propaganda would fly. People here must have listened to the ads and news reports on Bain Capital.

Why?

A right-to-work governor in South Carolina lost Saturday night - and ran into the dark, not to be seen with the candidate she flew to New Hampshire to endorse.

Gabby

2012-01-22T18:35:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Here at EMILY's List, we've been proud of Gabby for a long time. Proud of her when she ran, as such a young woman, for the state legislature in Arizona. Proud of her when she ran for congress -- every time. Proud of her during her last election, when she talked about her positions on things like health care and border security, and was re-elected by constituents who realized that Gabby Giffords was the real deal: tough, resolute, and more focused on doing what was right for folks in Arizona than on political expediency.

But never have we been more proud of Gabby then over the last year. In the face of unimaginable tragedy and pain, she has shown courage and strength -- limitless strength, it has seemed. We are so proud of Gabby's remarkable, and ongoing, recovery. In the face of personal grief and challenges, she has reminded all of us of the power we have to get through the worst of times. We are so proud of her dignity, and her deep responsibility to her community.

You have been with Gabby through thick and thin -- join the EMILY's List community in thanking Gabby for all she has done. Click here to send a personal note to Gabby.

Gabby, because of her great desire to do what's right for her constituents, has decided to step down from Congress this week so that she may focus solely on her continued recovery. We thank Gabby for her service in the House of Representatives, but we also know that Gabby's service is not over. Gabby is that rare person: a leader who transcends her job and with every action she takes sends a beacon for the rest of us to follow. With every step I see Gabby take -- steps I know she has worked hard to take -- my resolution to honor her determination and grit, her grace and dignity -- grows.

We pledge to Gabby: EMILY's List is always behind you, wherever your path takes you. And we will honor you every day by working to make sure that strong, determined, bright young women of integrity and joy know that they can be leaders at every level of government, right up to the highest -- and that they feel the strength of the EMILY's List community behind them, as Gabby has.

And we thank Gabby, for so many things. Thank you, Gabby, for never wavering in your pursuit of jobs, security, and the opportunity to bring up healthy families on behalf of your constituents. Thank you for letting us see, in your partnership with your husband Mark Kelly, a marriage of true equals who delight in each other's differences. Thank you for hiring a staff of men and women of all ages who share your extraordinary energy and sense of purpose.

We will be sending our thank yous from the EMILY's List community to Gabby over the next few days -- click here to add your own message, we will make sure it gets to Gabby.
Above all, we thank Gabby for letting EMILY's List walk with her every step of the way. In big cities and in small towns throughout this country, hundreds of thousands of EMILY's List members have been inspired by her, and felt, in ways large and small, a part of her efforts to make this country better and of your many, many victories.

We are humbled by Gabby, we are inspired by Gabby, and we promise to carry on her dedication to public service every day. Thank you, Gabby.

Stephanie Schriock
President

The Democratic Women Are About to Clean Up

2012-01-22T13:05:00.002-05:00

Details of 2012 Republican Primary Debate Sand Sculpture Demolition

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Democratic Women of Horry County are excited to announce they have secured the rights to demolish the Republican Primary Debate Sand Sculpture, a visible and much talked about feature of the 2012 debate hosted by the South Carolina GOP and televised by Fox News. Built by Team Sandtastic of Sarasota, FL, and sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB, the sand sculpture features six candidates who were vying for the Republican Presidential nomination leading up to the January 16^th debate. Dubbed ‘Mount Myrtle’, the sand feature is located across the street from the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Hotel and Convention Center and encompasses over 700,000 pounds of sand. A team of five sand sculptors took several days to complete the sand sculpture but the Democratic Women of Horry County are ready to excavate the site in just a few hours.

“We were glad to see the Republicans come here and create a buzz for Myrtle Beach, but it will be nice to get back to normal.” said Sally Howard, long-time Democratic Party leader and President of the Democratic Women of Horry County. “After nearly two weeks of a constant bombardment of television commercials, radio spots, robo-calls and candidates popping up everywhere, we wish these campaigns safe travels on their way to Florida,” Howard noted. Saturday’s primary election ends a wild primary season in South Carolina in which two nationally-televised debates were held and two candidates dropped out of the race before the primary election. “The candidates did a lot of talking, and now we’ll clean up in the aftermath,” said Howard. “In the words of Margaret Thatcher—If you want something said, ask a man…if you want something DONE, ask a woman.”

The next primary election is in Florida and only a small field of candidates are expected to survive Saturday’s primary election. Howard proposed the demolition ceremony to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. As a charitable gesture on behalf of the community, the Democratic Women of Horry will be making a monetary donation to Mothers Against Violence, a community-based effort committed to reducing local crime rates. The sculpture will be demolished at 11:00am on Monday, January 23rd.

For more information call (843) 455-1936 or email sallyphoward@aol.com .

Mitt Romney's taxes

2012-01-21T22:22:00.000-05:00

It's a long-held political tradition for presidential candidates to release their tax returns.

This week, the drumbeat for Mitt Romney to release his returns has steadily grown louder. First, he said he wouldn't release them. Then he said he would -- after this year's tax season. And when asked at Thursday's debate if he'd follow precedent and release more than one year's worth, the best answer he could muster was an awkward "maybe."

Maybe?

He hasn't released his tax returns yet, but we do know some things already -- and they're pretty outrageous.

Check out the five things everyone should know about Mitt's taxes, then add your name to call on him to actually release them.

Every GOP presidential nominee for the past 40 years has released their tax returns. Even some of Mitt's biggest supporters, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, have called on him to level with voters on this issue.

Why so shy, Mitt?

Perhaps it's because he stores part of his money in the Cayman Islands, a "notorious Caribbean tax haven." Or because even with a net worth of as much as $250 million, he manages to pay a lower tax rate than most middle-class Americans. Maybe it's that when he says he's "unemployed, too," he forgets to tell you he's been making millions off his Bain investments at the same time.

We think voters should know the whole story.

So take a look at the top five things we know already, then sign on to make sure we find out the rest:

http://my.democrats.org/Five-Things-to-Know

Thanks,

Brad

Brad Woodhouse
Communications Director
Democratic National Committee

Does Tim Tilley Aspire To Be A Politician?

2012-01-21T21:55:00.000-05:00

It seems local businessman and "known Republican" Tim Tilley is being groomed for a political office of some sorts. House Seat 108? Seventh District? Georgetown County Council?

It's funny a businessman not known for his political actions has now been building a political resume faster than he's helped in getting the Georgetown port dredged.

Stay tuned.

Nikki Haley Fails To Deliver Mitt Romney Primary Win

2012-01-21T21:47:00.001-05:00

Aw shucks, Nikki. It looks as if you have no clout. The people who elected you as their leader did not follow in your footsteps and effectively defeated Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

And by double-digit percentage points. So much for Haley's influence over South Carolina. I mean, a former Alaskan governor - Sarah Palin - swayed more people in South Carolina than Haley could.

Not a surprise. She's almost front row at any jobs announcement a company has, however, a no show when Romney made his speech tonight.

Cut and run.

The Georgetown port knows all too well about that.

Tim Tilley Votes Today - For People Who Care Nothing About Georgetown's Port

2012-01-21T14:21:00.000-05:00

The Georgetown Times probably meant to capture a photo today of Georgetown Port task force chair Tim Tilley, a known Republican. And by looking at this photo on the right, taken when Newt was in Georgetown, he's a happy Republican.

But is he happy knowing he is on a task force with a make-up of bipartisan people all the while he supports Republicans determined to do nothing at all about jobs in this county or state? I assume so.

When will they meet again? No word. I suppose it was all talk. More, Tilley's actions prove he's for Republican policy. He donated heavily to First Congressional District stooge Tim Scott. And in return, Tilley somehow gets some spot on a board.

Tim Tilley has yet to prove he's for the working people of this county. He has yet to prove he is determined to see the port fully active again. He hasn't done anything to show me he's capable of making sure the Georgetown port is heavily focused on by these Republicans he votes and donates to.

Oh well. You get what you ask for when you choose such people.

US Congressman Jim Clyburn Will Also Be at SC Forward Progress Event Tonight

2012-01-21T13:49:00.000-05:00

From Lachlan McIntosh:

US Congressman Jim Clyburn will also be a special guest at our event tonight. Congressman Clyburn is scheduled to arrive at around 8:00 PM. The celebration will run from 6 PM until 9 PM and other special guests include Governor Jim Hodges, Former DNC Chairman Don Fowler, Former SC Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler, State Senator Brad Hutto, State Rep. Bakari Sellers and State Rep. James Smith.

SC Forward Progress invites you to celebrate the long awaited departure of the Republican Presidential candidates!

For almost a year South Carolinians have endured enough extreme rhetoric, pandering, and GOP drama to last us for a long time.

It’s time for them to go and for us to celebrate!

Special guests: Governor Jim Hodges, State Senator Brad Hutto, State Representative Bakari Sellers, State Representative James Smith, and Don and Carol Fowler!

·         What: Primary Watch Party
·         Date: Saturday January 21, 2012
·         Time: 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM
·         Where: World of Beer (upstairs) 902 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
·         Host: SC Forward Progress (www.scforwardprogress.com)
·         Free admission

Important Election Information: South Carolina and Barcelona-owned Scytl/SOE

2012-01-21T11:43:00.000-05:00

By Bev Harris - Black Box Voting

100% of South Carolina election results will be routed through Barcelona-owned Scytl/SOE before being released to the public.

Pass it along: Watch Black Box Voting 4-minute Protect the Vote Toolkit video to deal with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3_xFb1sWKU and check in at http://www.blackboxvoting.org for important updates.

Tell Walmart: Treat Warehouse Workers with Respect

2012-01-20T17:07:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, our friends from Warehouse Workers United challenged Walmart to save jobs and adopt a Responsible Contractor Policy. They rallied in Mira Loma, California outside of Schneider Logistics, a Walmart contractor that is planning to fire more than 100 workers at the end of February. The move comes after workers participated in a lawsuit to recover stolen wages. These workers deliver millions of pounds of goods every year, moving items from warehouses to Walmart shelves across the country.

I'm proud that members of OUR Walmart, UFCW Local 770, and UFCW Local 1428 joined the demonstration. Now, Im asking you to stand with Warehouse Workers United and tell Walmart to treat all employees with respect. Please sign the petition and stay tuned for more developments in this ongoing struggle.

Sincerely,

Phillip Meza, UFCW Local 1428 Member Organizer
Albertsons Supermarket

Celebrate the end of the GOP primary with SC Forward Progress!

2012-01-20T17:04:00.001-05:00

SC Forward Progress invites you to celebrate the long awaited departure of the Republican Presidential candidates!

For almost a year South Carolinians have endured enough extreme rhetoric, pandering, and GOP drama to last us for a long time.

It’s time for them to go and for us to celebrate!!

Special guests: Governor Jim Hodges, State Senator Brad Hutto, State Representative Bakari Sellers, State Representative James Smith, and Don and Carol Fowler!

·         What: Primary watch celebration
·         Date: Saturday January 21, 2012
·         Time: 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM
·         Where: World of Beer (upstairs) 902 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
·         Host: SC Forward Progress (www.scforwardprogress.com)
·         Free admission

South Carolina Smackdown

2012-01-20T15:33:00.000-05:00

Facts were sometimes used as blunt instruments as the four remaining GOP presidential candidates hammered away at each other in the last debate before Saturday’s South Carolina primary.

Santorum and Romney tangled on the Massachusetts health care law. Santorum wrongly claimed it was a “government-run” program. Romney erred when he said everybody was covered by private insurance, ignoring Medicare and his own expansion of Medicaid.
Santorum also fouled up when he claimed the state has “the highest health insurance premiums of any state in the country.” Seven states and Washington, D.C., were higher in 2010, the most recent year for which figures are available.
Gingrich claimed Romney appointees “funded” an abortion clinic. The truth is that an autonomous state agency approved a tax-exempt loan — not direct taxpayer funding — and Romney said he wasn’t aware until after he left office.
Gingrich, slamming Jimmy Carter, said “unemployment went to 10.8 percent.” It did — nearly two years after Ronald Reagan took office. But it never exceeded 7.8 percent under Carter.
Gingrich claimed that “none” of the ideas on the website of his Center for Health Transformation resemble Obama’s program. Actually, we found a call there for an individual mandate, which Gingrich himself repeated as recently as last May.
Romney slammed Gingrich’s claim to have “helped” Reagan create jobs, saying Reagan mentioned Gingrich only once in his published diaries. That’s true. Reagan wrote that the young congressman’s 1983 suggestion to freeze spending “would cripple our defense program,” and he rejected it.
Ron Paul, a physician, claimed medicine “worked rather well” in the early 1960′s. That was before Medicare, when in fact rising health care costs were forcing many of the elderly onto public assistance or charity care.

Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed on our Web site:

Desktop users go here

Mobile users go here

More on Bain Capital Draining Georgetown Steel Plant

2012-01-20T02:21:00.000-05:00

Food stamp recipients can't have it both ways

2012-01-20T01:02:00.000-05:00

The latest Republican garbage being thrown on South Carolina's streets and airwaves has to do with "food stamps" and those on the food assistance program. However, people on the program haven't been heard from - until now.

Most said they never expected to need food stamps, but the Great Recession, which wiped out millions of jobs, left them no choice. Some struggled with the idea of taking a handout; others saw it as their due, earned through years of working steady jobs. They yearn to get back to receiving a paycheck.

"I could never have comprehended being on food stamps," said Christopher Jenks, who became homeless in his home area of Minneapolis-St. Paul after a successful career in sales and marketing.
He refused to apply for several years, even panhandling on a freeway exit ramp before finally giving in. A few months ago, while living in his car, he began receiving $200 per month.

"It's either that or I die," said Jenks, who grew up in a white, middle-class family and lost his job in the recession. "I want a job. So do a lot of other Americans that have been caught up in this tragedy."

But these people who are just now speaking out should of done so a long time ago. Instead, they sit back and let these assholes dominate the airwaves - and the legislature - with their ideology, plans and ultimately their laws.

One example is the usage of African-Americans being the main people on the program. Not so. But listening to these jerkoffs, the herd follows. So, instead of people knowing the facts, the blindly follow the rich white man wanting to be president - and planning to eliminating the program in which whites benefit greatly from.

In 2011, more than 45 million people -- about one in seven Americans -- received benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the most ever. Fewer than 31 million people collected the benefits about three years earlier.

Forty-nine percent of recipients are white, 26 percent are black and 20 percent are Hispanic, according to census data.

Shhh... That's truth. It just slapped you in the face. Oh, and the debate tonight mentioned veterans. Really, you think Republicans care about the veterans? Truthfully?

Linda Miles is grateful to have food stamps, although she's not happy about why she needs them. An Army veteran with a master's degree, Miles, who is black, was laid off as a substitute teacher in Philadelphia amid deep budget cuts. After facing an empty refrigerator for too long, she recently started receiving $200 per month in food aid.

"Food stamps are essential, especially with the economy in the shape it's in," she said. "I pay taxes. I don't steal anything from the government. I paid my dues to society; I'm a veteran. You took something from me by taking away my job. I wouldn't need food stamps if you hadn't taken my job."

Here's the thing. Miles ought to know Pennsylvania's Republican governor doesn't give a damn about her.

Republican Gov. Tom Corbett has announced a major assault on the food stamp program that feeds 1.8 million Pennsylvanians, including 439,245 in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare announced that on May 1, people under 60 with more than $2,000 in savings or other assets will be barred from receiving food stamps. People over 60 would have a $3,250 cap.

Let's face it. People who are otherwise doing well do not speak up or support publicly such programs, but God forbid when they do actually need it. They'll scream and shout. A little too late. The vultures are already feeding. You may not steal from the government, but these Republicans do not mind at all stealing from you.

The basis of the GOP deficit plan is to do away with food assistance. Who needs it. When you people vote in such assclowns, you tell them they are right.

Republicans are ramping up their push to reduce the deficit on the backs of the poor. The Republican Study Committee, the House GOP's conservative caucus, is lobbying party leaders to include big cuts to food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other welfare programs for the poor.

Be careful what you wish for. You may get it - then suffer when it's not there. People need to show more support for such programs. Instead of falling for the mantra, how about educate yourselves on the reasons they exist.

Your Efforts on H. 3408, The Refusal of Care Act, Worked!

2012-01-19T13:59:00.003-05:00

Tell Them members worked through the night and sent nearly 700 emails in 16 hours, asking members of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee to send H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act, back to subcommittee for further review, research and debate.

This morning, members of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee did just that.

Tell the Senate Medical Affairs Committee to vote "No" on H. 3408

H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act (also called the Freedom of Conscience Act), will go before the subcommittee next Thursday, January 26th. We need to pack the room again and show that there is strong opposition to this bill. If you are interested in attending, please let us know.

Until then, please continue to send a message to the Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee and telling them to "Vote No" on this intrusive bill.

GEORGETOWN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS CALENDAR

2012-01-18T21:36:00.000-05:00

GEORGETOWN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMENS COUNCIL

Monday, January 23, 12 noon at the Georgetown Library 405 Cleland Street

EVENT SPONSORED BY BRITTAIN FOR CONGRESS, JOHN HILLIARD, JACK SCOVILLE

Monday, January 23 6PM Steelworkers Union Hall 1515 Butts Street

Meet and greet dinner to introduce Preston Brittain, candidate for Congressional District 7

PRECINCT REORGANIZATION MEETINGS

Saturday, January 28 10AM

Check previous email for location of your precinct's meeting

Come out and join your fellow precinct members in beginning to organize for this crucial

election year

GCDP MONTHLY MEETING

Monday, February 13 6PM Steelworkers Union Hall 1515 Butts Street

Guest Speakers- Laura Storey, OFA Regional Field Director

Kyle Watson, SCDP Representative

Come out and find out what the OFA and SCDP are planning for us this election year

GCDP COUNTY CONVENTION

Saturday, March 24 at Bethel AME Glisson Center 417 Broad Street Georgetown

Registration 9:30AM Convention 10AM

Save the date, convention plans are underway and will be announced soon

Questions or comments, contact Nancy at 843 240-3396

Watch the State of the Union in Pawleys Island

2012-01-18T19:39:00.002-05:00

President Obama will give his State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 24th -- his last before the 2012 election.

Don't watch it alone. In Pawleys Island, folks who support the President will be coming together to watch the address and talk about the agenda he lays out -- then plan out how to organize locally in the coming months to spread the President's message and keep growing this campaign.

Can you make it to the party in Pawleys Island this Tuesday?

Here are the details:

What: State of the Union watch party in Pawleys Island

Where: 242 Fieldgate CIrcle
Pawleys Island, SC 29585

When: Tuesday, January 24th
8:00 pm

There's not just a party in Pawleys Island -- there will be thousands of these parties all across the country that volunteers have planned and organized to connect with one another and step up the work where they live.

This year ahead is a big one -- and in what I promise will seem like no time at all, it will be November. What we can accomplish between now and then depends on how well we grow this organization. And it's going to take all of us working together.

On Tuesday, folks in thousands of neighborhoods are meeting up to do just that.

As the President is setting the agenda for the direction he hopes to take our country -- and the Republicans draw closer to choosing a nominee -- it's on all of us to take our local organizing to the next level.

RSVP for the watch party on Tuesday and step up now in Pawleys Island:

http://my.barackobama.com/State-of-the-Union-2012

Thanks,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director
Obama for America

Tell Them Members Send Nearly 1,000 Emails Against H. 3408 - The Refusal of Care Act

2012-01-18T19:10:00.000-05:00

Tell Them members filled the room and spoke against H. 3408 - The Refusal of Care Act

Tell Them members have stood in opposition to this bill in an unprecedented manner. Over the past 3 days, our network has provided:

Nearly 1,000 emails to members of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee
20 testimonies providing arguments against H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act
Over 30 advocates in attendance during the subcommittee hearing (this filled the entire room and forced the bill's supporters into the hallway)

While the committee ultimately passed H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act, out of subcommittee, they did so with numerous reservations. Our emails and testimonies sparked a lot of questions from the Senators, as well as some lengthy discussion about employer vs employee rights, insurance policies, and emergency situations.

H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act (also called the Freedom of Conscience Act), will go before the full Senate Medical Affairs Committee tomorrow at 10:00am. Please send a message to key members of the committee and tell them to send H. 3408 back to subcommittee for further review and research.

Tell the Senate Medical Affairs Committee to send H. 3408 back to subcommittee

Be the first to watch Tell Them's new video showing how H. 3408 - The Refusal of Care Act could infringe on your rights as a patient.

Celebrate the GOP Presidential Candidates' Departure January 21

2012-01-18T17:20:00.000-05:00

SC Forward Progress invites you to celebrate the long awaited departure of the Republican Presidential candidates!

For almost a year South Carolinians have endured enough extreme rhetoric, pandering, and GOP drama to last us for a long time.

It’s time for them to go and for us to celebrate!

Special guests: Governor Jim Hodges, State Senator Brad Hutto, State Representative Bakari Sellers, State Representative James Smith, and Don and Carol Fowler!

Cash bar with other drink and menu items available

Donations to SC Forward Progress are appreciated but not required and are not tax deductible

PRECINCT REORGANIZATION LOCATIONS FOR GEORGETOWN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

2012-01-18T17:04:00.001-05:00

If you are unable to attend, please contact Nancy at 240-3396

JANUARY 28, 2012 10AM

ANDREWS LIBRARY 105 N Morgan Avenue Andrews

Andrews

Andrews Outside

Potato Bed Ferry

BROWNS FERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL       7292 Browns Ferry Road      Browns Ferry
            Browns Ferry
            Choppee

CARVERS BAY LIBRARY 13048 Choppee Road Hemingway

Carvers Bay

Folly Grove

Pleasant Hill

GEORGETOWN LIBRARY 405 Cleland Street Georgetown

Black River

Georgetown 1

Dreamkeepers

Georgetown 3

Georgetown 4

Georgetown 5

Kensington

Penny Royal

Spring Gully

Winyah Bay

WACCAMAW LIBRARY 24 Commerce Drive Pawleys Island

Murrells Inlet 1

Murrells Inlet 2

Murrells Inlet 3

Murrells Inlet 4

Pawleys Island 1

Pawleys Island 2

Pawleys Island 3

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PLANTERSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER 1458 Exodus Drive Plantersville
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Pee Dee

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SANTEE COMMUNITY CENTER 1484 Mt. Zion Road Santee

Bethel

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Steelworkers President James Sanderson on Ed Shultz

2012-01-17T08:51:00.000-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Nikki Haley's Poor Judgement and Disrespect

2012-01-16T15:36:00.001-05:00

Fellow Democrats,

On the day that the country and the state of South Carolina celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Republican Governor Nikki Haley chose to break bread with Texas evangelist, David Burton, who has fought to take all reference to Dr. King out of the Texas public schools text books.

He not only disrespects Dr. King, but he uses Jesus Christ to justify every far right position that he can dream up.

Poor judgment and disrespect, two character traits we have come to expect from Republican Nikki Haley, and she has met our expectations once again.

Call her office at 803-734-2100, and tell her that her actions are disrespectful.

If you want to learn more about the man who Nikki Haley believes was worthy of celebrating her Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with, watch below:

Nikki Haley celebrates MLK Day with historian who believes he doesn't belong in history books

Sincerely,

Dick Harpootlian, SCDP Chairman

Our fundamental rights

2012-01-16T13:15:00.000-05:00

Today we celebrate a great leader who fought hard to make sure that all Americans, regardless of the color of their skin, could fully participate in our Democracy. The most fundamental right Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for was the right to vote.

And today, those rights are under attack.

This year, 34 Republican state legislatures introduced bills designed to turn voters away from the polls who cannot produce specific types of state issued ID. If all of these bills pass, roughly 21 million voters will lose their right to vote. And, it's no coincidence that most of those voters are minorities, students, and elderly voters who vote Democrat.

That's why, today, we are supporting Rep. Keith Ellison's two bills to protect the right to vote.

Sign on as a citizen co-sponsor today to protect the right to vote by making sure election boards cannot require state ID and allowing voters to register the same day they go to the polls.

Rep. Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, explains how these bills affect voters in a recent post on Daily Kos:

In Indiana, 12 nuns were denied the right to vote in the last presidential election because they didn't have "updated" identification. The facts that some of them had old passports, they were in their 80s and 90s and didn't drive--or that they're nuns--seemed not to be a good basis for affirming their identities.

These are not isolated incidents. They are part of the largest effort to disenfranchise voters since the Jim Crow era, almost exclusively targeting youth and minority voters.

To stop this attack on voting rights, Rep. Ellison introduced two bills to curb voter suppression. The Same Day Registration Act would require states to provide for same day voter registration for a federal election. The Voter Access Protection Act would make sure election officials cannot require photo identification in order to cast a vote or register to vote.

Add your voice and become a citizen co-sponsor of these two bills today.

Don't allow this year to be the first in our history that we shrink the size of the voting public, instead of expanding it. Make this Martin Luther King Day count, and sign on to protect voting rights.

Thank you for all that you do,

- Levana

Levana Layendecker, Communications Director
Democracy for America

Stop H. 3408 - The Refusal of Care Act

2012-01-16T13:00:00.000-05:00

H. 3408 - "The Refusal of Care Act" Up For Vote On Wednesday

H. 3408 - The Refusal of Care Act (also called the Freedom of Conscience Act) has been scheduled for a hearing in front of the Medical Affairs Subcommittee on Wednesday, January 18th, in South Carolina.

It's all hands on deck to show that there is serious opposition to this bill passing. Please help.

Please help by sending a message to key members of the committee and tell them to "Vote No" on H. 3408.

Tell Committee members to "Vote No" on H. 3408

H. 3408 - The Refusal of Care Act would allow health care professionals and institutions to deny patients information and services about reproductive health. The language of this bill is so broad that it allows anyone to deny services for any reason - even prejudice.

This bill relinquishes a patient’s right to complete, unbiased medical information. A physician should share all treatment options with their patients, and together, make the best medical decision possible on behalf of the patient. This bill would allow refusals for any drug (including contraceptives, HIV medications, cancer medications and attention deficit disorder medications), based on a doctor’s or pharmacist’s personal beliefs. Click here for more examples where H. 3408 could infringe on patient's rights.

Tell Committee members to "Vote No" on H. 3408

Georgetown County Dems Create Vida Osteen Miller Scholarship Fund

2012-01-15T22:28:00.000-05:00

The Honorable Vida O. Miller is a former South Carolina State legislator (1996-2010) from the Georgetown/Pawleys Island area, and prior to that she was a Georgetown County School Board Member (1988 – 1994). Long a supporter of public education, Miller received the “Champions for Public Education” award in 2008 from the South Carolina School Board Association for local and statewide work for public education. She was also honored by the General Assembly Women’s Caucus with the founding of the Vida Osteen Miller Scholarship Fund to encourage and inspire well-rounded, dedicated young women who are planning to continue their education at state schools. In 2011 she received the highest civilian honor in the State of South Carolina, The Order of the Palmetto, which recognizes lifetime achievement and service to the state.

The Georgetown Democratic Party now thanks her for her achievements and service by establishment of another college scholarship. Part of the application process involves writing an essay, “The Importance of Public Education to Our Nation”, which is a very appropriate topic for this longtime public servant. If you are interested in promoting scholarships for deserving students, in honor of a true public servant and loyal supporter of public education for all, you may donate to this fund by sending checks to the Georgetown County Democratic Party – noting Vida Miller Scholarship Fund, PO Box 2497 Georgetown, SC 29442. Please be sure and mark your checks for the scholarship, and tell high school seniors about it.

Jim DeMint Reveals the Truth: We Have to Beat Them

2012-01-15T19:43:00.000-05:00

Speaking at their Tea Party convention in Myrtle Beach today, the useless Sen. Jim DeMint stated the obvious - which had been stated and proven ever since President Obama took office in 2008. They have no intentions of working together with Democrats and only want their policies and ideas put into law.

DeMint drew a standing ovation for his speech, declaring there could be no compromise between conservatives and liberals. We have to beat them,” he said. He urged conservatives to unite as a party, and not to “nip at the heels of someone who’s voting record isn’t perfect.” DeMint was the first speaker of the weekend, to be followed by Rep. Joe Wilson, Rep. Tim Scott and many others. Some of Sunday’s topics included “Raging Elephants” and “Sharia Law.”

No topics, however, are mentioned by the media that include the jobless, the Georgetown port, the uninsured or Interstate 73.

So, it seems these sickos are just in it for the taxpayer-funded paychecks - and their pensions you fund, too. Enjoy what you vote for. Maybe talking about "Raging Elephants" can help you pay a bill or something.

Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/01/15/2603266/debate-demint-starts-tea-party.html#storylink=cpy

Gingrich Focuses On Charleston, Not Georgetown In Local Speech

2012-01-15T19:02:00.002-05:00

I could say I told you so.

Mentioning the Georgetown Port Task Force chair as a "local Republican" should have given it away. Georgetown is screwed - and always will be because people here don't give a damn about manufacturing anymore. If they do, they sure don't speak publicly about it. They treat it like a disease. Bars and shops that attract the few seems to be the main focus these days.

And with Newt Gingrinch speaking at local restaurant Land's End today, it proves that.

He spoke of the ports other times during his speech but when the word “deepening” was used he referred to Charleston, not Georgetown. He said an energy policy he would try to implement as president would generate enough money to “modernize” the two ports and to help pay for the creation of I-73. Gingrich said he hopes he is elected so one day he can “stand by the newly deepened Port of Charleston” and watch as goods are shipped to China.

He could have done so when he was a lawmaker, designing the Contract with America. These people who flock to such pathetic politicians are to blame, too. You'd think they'd do enough research and fact checking in their lives to not give people like Gingrinch the time of day.

Speaking of China, during a question and answer session, Gingrich was asked what he would do to persuade companies such as Apple to stop manufacturing in China and return those jobs to America. Gingrich, calling it a 'good question' said liberals pass legislation that force companies to relocate overseas. He said the tough regulations manufacturers” must adhere to “drive companies crazy.”

What a bunch of BS. And people fall for this hook, line and sinker. No wonder met close to the water. Gingrinch thinks of people as fishes.

Here are some facts for you to feast on.

America's technological standing peaked at 95.4 in 1999; by 2007, it had declined to 76.1. China's standing rose from 22.5 in 1996 to 82.8 in 2007. In that year, the U.S. had also fallen behind the European Union. South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Brazil, India, and China are all increasing their technological capacities, while the U.S. position degrades.

That American technological supremacy has declined alongside its manufacturing supremacy should come as no surprise. 'The proximity of research, development, and manufacturing is very important to leading-edge manufacturers,' a report from President George W. Bush's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology warned in 2004. The continuing shift of manufacturing to lower-cost regions and especially to China is beginning to pull high-end design and R&D capabilities out of the United States. (Not surprisingly, the Bush White House did not publicize this report.) The report recommended that the U.S. make its research and development tax credit permanent. It has not. Once the world's most generous, the U.S. research and development tax credit is now lower than those of 17 other nations.

Decoupled from domestic manufacturing, the tax credit no longer pays for itself as it once did. If our innovation system discourages an invention from being manufactured in the U.S., says Susan Butts, senior director of external science and technology programs at Dow Chemical, then American industry will not generate the taxes 'that fund the federal investment in research.'

Executives of U.S. manufacturing companies understand that they are up against not just foreign companies but mercantilist nations. As Wayne Johnson, director of worldwide strategic university customer relations at Hewlett-Packard told a 2008 conference sponsored by Bush's Office of Science and Technology Policy, 'We in the U.S. find ourselves in competition not only with individuals, companies, and private institutions, but also with governments and mixed government-private collaborations.'

And some more...

Consider, for example, the crucial role that a company called Foxconn plays in the American economy. Scarcely any Americans had heard of Foxconn until a wave of worker suicides shook its immense factory complex in China's city of Shenzhen last spring. Within the space of a few months, 10 workers inside the company's walled-off Longhua industrial village, a 1.2-square-mile development where 400,000 employees live and work, killed themselves.

What made the stories particularly troubling, though, were the revelations about Foxconn's place in the American industrial system. It's at Longhua that Apple's iPhones and iPods are manufactured (which is why Longhua is also referred to as "iPod City"). At Longhua and Foxconn's other Chinese factory complexes, 937,000 employees also make computers for Dell, games for Nintendo, and several products for Hewlett-Packard. Indeed, the number of Foxconn employees who assemble these companies' products often exceeds by a wide margin the number of workers these companies employ directly in the United States. At Apple, the ratio of Foxconn employees at work on Apple products to U.S.-based Apple employees is 10-to-1: 250,000 Foxconn workers to 25,000 Apple workers. The same ratio exists at Dell.

...

But in 1981-1982, workers in the private sector, roughly 25 percent of whom belonged to unions compared to just 7 percent today, had more power to defend their pay levels than they do now. The same goes for health-care costs. According to a September survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust, employee insurance premiums rose by 13.7 percent in the preceding year, while employer contributions dropped by 0.9 percent. Employers have been free to impose the costs of the recession and the costs of doing business on their workers -- and keep all the proceeds for themselves.

The hiring that is going on, moreover, isn't located in the higher-wage manufacturing sector, which has been declining steadily as a percentage of the workforce as a result of both offshoring and productivity increases.

We are, in effect, trading good jobs for lower-paying jobs. According to a survey this summer from the National Employment Law Project, only a third of the jobs lost in 2008-2009 were in industries paying less than $15 an hour, but fully three-quarters of the job growth in 2010 came in these same low-wage industries. Among the industries that grew in 2010, the top three occupations were retail sales clerks, cashiers, and food preparers with a median hourly wage of less than $10.

And to blame "liberals" for this is absurd. I suppose we all tend to forget who supports the full frontal push of the free - and not regulated - markets. Here's a little more truth.

The United States government did not have to stand idly by while the nation's industrial base was disassembled. It could have preserved and promoted key industries and supply networks by creating favorable credit policies, tax incentives, local content rules, and tariffs to punish currency manipulation from countries like China. For that matter, the U.S. could have created more flexible trade rules when it helped to craft the World Trade Organization.

The top five U.S. exports to China between 2005 and 2010 were oilseeds and grains (mainly soybeans), waste and scrap, semiconductors and other electronic components, aerospace and aircraft parts, and resin, synthetic rubber, and synthetic fibers. Two of these export sectors depend heavily on U.S. government support—Defense Department procurement, in the case of aircraft parts, and federal farm subsidies, in the case of agricultural exports.

And, yes, even Presidents Clinton and Obama have failed slightly on trade deals. But, this guy you listened to today has already been proven to be hypocritical.

Appearing on a conservative talk radio program, Gingrich praised the Clinton-era North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), taking the decidedly internationalist view that it was positive because it created jobs in Mexico.

Whether the economy or even the job market overall benefited from the agreement has been the subject of intense debate ever since, but most economists agree that the trade agreement has resulted in the loss of many low-skill jobs to Mexico.

What Could South Carolina Do With $11.3 Million?

2012-01-14T19:30:00.000-05:00

Republicans talk about wasteful spending. They preach fiscal responsibility to the masses.

To live by what they say, however, proves hypocritical.

The Republican presidential candidates – and their political action committees filled with secret donors – have spent $11.3 million on S.C. television ads, an unprecedented amount for the GOP primary. Seventy-five percent of the money was spent to buy advertising this week and next. That means, in the Columbia market alone, average viewers are likely to see a political ad 182 times by the time they cast their votes next Saturday, Jan. 21.

What could South Carolina do with $11.3 million? Why not ask an unemployed person? How about a teacher? Better yet... Ask a person without healthcare and is homeless. Ask a person with cancer who can't afford chemotherapy.

Forget it. Republicans do not care. They'll waste money on themselves. As long as it benefits them, the sky is the limit.

Don't believe me? Facts are hard to dispute. Let us look at some.

South Carolina’s former Governor Sanford, who issued a budget for next year before leaving office, proposed a 5 percent salary reduction for all state employees with annual salaries over $35,000, and would require all state employees to choose two holidays without pay. It is unclear whether current Governor Haley will support these cuts.

Oh, and I guess with all the cuts to this and that, they could add $11.3 million to the $913 million surplus.

Right? I mean, just sit on it all and do nothing while people hurt and suffer because government is only for the people we elect - and to collect taxpayer-funded paychecks.

The Truth About Mitt Romney and Bain Capital

2012-01-14T18:57:00.002-05:00

Conservative Media Reporting on Haley's Failures

2012-01-14T06:47:00.001-05:00

Fellow Democrats,

The conservative National Review magazine released an article yesterday about Republican Nikki Haley's failed first year as Governor. The National Review reports that even former Republican Governor Mark Sanford, the person who encouraged Haley to run, is disappointed in her.

Even the conservative national media is finally catching up with the reality South Carolinians are already living: Nikki Haley is a disaster for our state.

The South Carolina Democratic Party's efforts to inform voters about the real Nikki Haley are paying off. We continue to work every day toward the only goal that can change things for the better in South Carolina: electing South Carolina Democrats in 2012.

You can read the National Review's full article by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Dick Harpootlian, SCDP Chairman

Keeping America's Promise

2012-01-14T06:45:00.000-05:00

WHAT’S IN THE NEW HOUSE ESEA REAUTHORIZATION BILLS?

2012-01-14T06:35:00.000-05:00

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has released two new draft ESEA reauthorization proposals – the Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act. The proposals are expected to be considered by the Committee in a “mark-up” (where they will debate and amend the draft), which could take place as early as the end of this month.

NEA is very concerned that the drafts walk away from the traditional federal role of ensuring that every student has equal opportunity and access to a quality education regardless of where he or she lives. We must find an appropriate balance of federal and state roles by refocusing on strong state accountability systems while continuing to maintain a sharp federal focus on equity across state and district lines. Overall, we are concerned that the drafts tip the balance too far toward the states by failing to provide for a clear federal role in ensuring equity for students most in need, namely children living in poverty, English language learners, and students with disabilities.
Specific pros in the drafts include:

Continuation of the disaggregation of data to track achievement of minority students and students with special needs
Reduction in some of the federal micromanagement of accountability systems
Allowing more locally-developed models for turning around struggling schools, rather than a narrow, prescriptive list from a federal level
Allowance for more appropriate testing of students with disabilities so an IEP team can decide what assessment is educationally appropriate for a particular student
Better alignment of academic standards and assessments for English Language Learners.

However, the drafts also have some very troubling provisions, including:

Allowing the potential for federal funds to flow to private schools through vouchers
Eliminating requirements that states maintain their level of spending on K-12 education
A continued reliance on standardized testing to measure student achievement without consideration of the multiple measures needed for an accurate and effective accountability system
Capping the amount of funds that can be used to reduce class sizes
Problematic federal mandates in the area of teacher evaluation
Eliminating almost all language protecting collective bargaining and the ability of educators to have a voice in teaching and learning condition.

NEA believes that any reauthorization proposal must be judged by how well it focuses on equity, supports educators, supports struggling schools, and helps ensure that public education thrives.

Take Action Today: Educators working in schools and classrooms across the country are the best and most effective voices to ensure a good ESEA reauthorization bill. Your experience and expertise are critical to the debates in Congress and policymakers need to hear what you have to say. Contact your Representative today to give your thoughts about what will work best for your students and school.

It's here - Global centralization of elections, privatized

2012-01-14T06:30:00.001-05:00

By Bev Harris - Special to the Blog
Black Box Voting

In a major step towards global centralization of election processes, the world's dominant Internet voting company has purchased the USA's dominant election results reporting company.

When you view your local or state election results on the Internet, on portals which often appear to be owned by the county elections division, in over 525 US jurisdictions you are actually redirected to a private corporate site controlled by SOE software, which operates under the name ClarityElections.com.

The good news is that this firm promptly reports precinct-level detail in downloadable spreadsheet format. As reported by BlackBoxVoting.org in 2008, the bad news is that this centralizes one middleman access point for over 525 jurisdictions in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, KY, MI, KS, IL, IN, NC, NM, MN, NY, SC, TX, UT, WA. And growing.

As local election results funnel through SOE's servers (typically before they reach the public elsewhere), those who run the computer servers for SOE essentially get "first look" at results and the ability to immediately and privately examine vote details throughout the USA.

In 2004, many Americans were justifiably concerned when, days before the presidential election, Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell redirected Ohio election night results through the Tennessee-based server for several national Republican Party operations.

This is worse: This redirects results reporting to a centralized privately held server which is not just for Ohio, but national; not just USA-based, but global.

A mitigation against fraud by SOE insiders has been the separation of voting machine systems from the SOE results reports. Because most US jurisdictions require posting evidence of results from each voting machine at the precinct, public citizens can organize to examine these results to compare with SOE results. Black Box Voting spearheaded a national citizen action to videotape / photograph these poll tapes in 2008.

With the merger of SOE and SCYTL, that won't work (if SCYTL's voting system is used). When there are two truly independent sources of information, the public can perform its own "audit" by matching one number against the other.

These two independent sources, however, will now be merged into one single source: an Internet voting system controlled by SCYTL, with a results reporting system also controlled by SCYTL.

With SCYTL internet voting, there will be no ballots. No physical evidence. No chain of custody. No way for the public to authenticate who actually cast the votes, chain of custody, or the count.

SCYTL is moving into or already running elections in: the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, India and Australia.

SCYTL is based in Barcelona; its funding comes from international venture capital funds including Nauta Capital, Balderton Capital and Spinnaker.

Here is the link to the press release regarding SYCTL's acquisition of SOE:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/scytl-acquires-soe-software-becoming-the-leading-election-software-provider-2012-01-11

Elite Republicans Want To Keep Your Money, Protect Donors

2012-01-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

How many times have you wanted to laugh when you've overheard Republicans talk amongst themselves?

Plenty? I have on numerous occasions. One such topic I hear them discuss is unemployment benefits. If only the truth would ever come out. Well, I will share a little - but no names.

When I was unemployed for almost two years I had to check in multiple times at the Workforce Center here in Georgetown. We'd gather in a group and have out sheets checked - and checked again - to see whether we were actively searching for a job. The people in those groups were not all liberals. Matter of fact, a few that were with me one time were what I consider pronounced Republicans. They wore it proudly, so to say.

I laughed back to my vehicle that day. I couldn't help it. Silly conservatives. They bark and spit at and on people for this but file right into line for the same benefits.

So, I find it odd none of those pronounced Republicans are barking against this ridiculous mess...

New policies at South Carolina’s Department of Employment and Workforce require people to accept job offers that pay incrementally less than their previous wages – eventually leading to minimum wage – and reducing the number of weeks someone let go for misconduct can receive benefits.

Department director and Maj. Gen. Abraham Turner told a state Senate committee Thursday that the policies begin immediately, but technology upgrades needed for the job-offer-acceptance plan are expected to take six months.

That's right. Republicans in this state think we are all at fault and just sit on our asses as we collect checks to go buy a Playstation 3 or Xbox. Yeah, not to forget we roll on 23"s either. Nice and shiny.

The "technology upgrades" aren't free, my friends. Trust me.

“We’re trying to prohibit that person drawing unemployment from sitting back and not aggressively going after the jobs,” said Turner, who took the agency’s helm in September. “The jobs are there.”

Really? Even when the unemployment rate has decreased a little? And what is your definition of "aggressively going after jobs" here in S.C.? Should people beat down the doors to the local Burger King? Demand that line cook job?

The jobs were not there. Not when I was unemployed. I can pretty much assure you that the jobs needed to support people in this day and age are not there now. Wait, to be American means we have to work two or three jobs - according to George W. Bush.

Under the policy, the longer someone is unemployed, the lower the salary they must accept in a job offer. After four weeks, they must take a job offering 90 percent of what they were making. The percentage drops every four weeks, to 70 percent after 16. After federally paid extensions kick in at 20 weeks, it would eventually drop to minimum wage.

Minimum wage. First, the state has no minimum wage law. Second, the federal minimum wage is $7.25. That rate would apply at 20 weeks. The South Carolina minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage for tipped employees. Basically, you are being forced into the service sector.

Democratic state Sen. Leventis called it social engineering.

“What you’re about to do with folks is disestablish all the credentials they’ve ever had. Now they’re in food service when they used to be making $80,000 a year and will never be viable to compete in that area again because South Carolina decided to do a social experiment.”

However, elite Republicans like Kevin Bryant think otherwise.

“I was raised that there’s honor in hard work, no matter what it is,” said Sen. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson. “It’s honorable to take a minimum-wage job if that’s all there is.”

Then you take one and give up your lawmaker salary. Give up your health care, too. A person making minimum wage can't afford that. Live on one income at the minimum wage rate. Then tell the bill collectors it's "honorable" and see whether they let you keep your power on, your house or your car.

Ah, but Bryant doesn't have to worry about all that nonsense. He's more worried about paying for unemployment insurance as a business owner. That's pretty much what it comes down to.

Republicans do not want to pay for anything that doesn't involve/benefit them personally.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a federal-state program jointly financed through Federal and state employer payroll taxes (federal/state UI tax). Generally, employers must pay both state and Federal unemployment taxes if: (1) they pay wages to employees totaling $1,500, or more, in any quarter of a calendar year; or, (2) they had at least one employee during any day of a week during 20 weeks in a calendar year, regardless of whether or not the weeks were consecutive. However, some state laws differ from the Federal law and employers should contact their state workforce agencies to learn the exact requirements.

So, the next time you notice a pronounced Republican in the unemployment line, ask them how it feels knowing they voted for people who consider them lazy and worthless.

'Vulture' Capitalism: Bain Capital Hurt Georgetown

2012-01-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

Dogs Against Romney; Gordon Gekko For Romney will appear at College of Charleston Forum

2012-01-14T01:47:00.000-05:00

Most of the Republican candidates for President will appear on the campus of the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC Saturday, January 14 at noon to participate in a taping of the FOX News broadcast "Huckabee".

Beginning at 11:00 AM, "Dogs against Romney" will protest Governor Mitt Romney's well known mistreatment of his family dog and 'Wall Street' character Gordon Gekko and friends will campaign for Romney outside Sottile Theater. Gekko believes that Romney is his soul mate and will encourage Republican voters to support the former Bain Capital CEO.

South Carolina Forward Progress will sponsor both events.

Will 'Local Republican' Tim Tilley Support Georgetown Port with Newt Gingrinch?

2012-01-13T19:17:00.000-05:00

It's still quiet. Not a burp from the Georgetown Port Task Force. However, the chairman is making his politics known in the paper, but proven here months ago.

Newt Gingrich will be in Georgetown at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. He will speak to a group of people in a “town hall” sort of forum at Lands End Restaurant in Georgetown. The restaurant is on U.S. Highway 17 North at the L.H. Siau bridges. The gathering is open to the public, according to local Republican Tim Tilley.

Now, I wonder whether or not our Georgetown Port Task Force chair Tim Tilley will get Newt Gingrinch to support our port, seeing the government doesn't need to do anything for people?

Mitt Romney needs to be told 'No Way!'

2012-01-13T03:21:00.002-05:00

Not interested in American Politics or the current GOP Primaries? Forward to someone who is!

Mitt Romney is almost guaranteed to be the most destructive President this country has ever seen.

His leadership at Bain Capital has ruined the lives of thousands, both the employees of the companies he plundered and stock market investors who were fed misleading information.

He consistently refuses to release tax returns, which is probably the result of the fact that he's hiding millions in offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes on interests earned.

Lastly, and possibly most disturbing, Romney is a Mormon. A church which has went above and beyond in recent months to convince the American public that they are "just like you." Their "I'm Mormon" commercials and billboards have been aired or displayed in virtually every city in the country. There are a lot of things that people do not know about the Mormon faith, things which every voter should know.

We at No Way Romney, an independent-expenditure only committee, are committed to informing primary voters across the country about what dangers could result by electing Mitt Romney.

We need your help.

Please visit http://nowayromney.org and learn more about Romney. Additionally, take a moment to listen to our newest Robocall audio which is being currently being sent to voters in South Carolina. Hear it here: http://goo.gl/9i1Rb

Beginning on Friday afternoon, you can register voters whom you know are supporting Romney on our site (http://nowayromney.org) to receive one of the informative calls that we have created.

Thank you for considering the future of our great country.

Gordon Gekko for Mitt Romney

2012-01-13T03:18:00.000-05:00

'Right to Work' Is Bad for America

2012-01-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

http://www.righttoworkisbad.com/

Voting In The The S.C. Republican Primary Could Affect Dems Participating In National Delegate Selection Process

2012-01-11T08:17:00.000-05:00

Columbia, SC – By attending the Precinct Reorganization meetings for the South Carolina Democratic Party, you are voting in the Democratic Presidential Primary for President Barack Obama.

Due to this fact, if someone is interested in participating in the National Delegate Selection process, precinct leadership or delegate positions within the Democratic Party, they are not allowed to also vote in the Republican Presidential Primary.

These rules are stated in the Delegate Selection Plan and State Party rules (specifically V.3). Both sets of rules can be found on our website, www.scdp.org.

If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to contact the Democratic Party at 803-799-7798.

Welcome to the 2012 S.C. Legislative Session

2012-01-10T14:07:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the 2012 Legislative Session
and the new Tell Them

Today, the South Carolina Legislature resumes its legislative session, and we at Tell Them are excited to begin a new year.

Tell Them reached a significant milestone in 2011 when the network grew to more than 10,000 members. Our focus on prevention has resonated with mainstream South Carolinians committed to creating a stronger, healthier state.

Over the past few months, we have made numerous updates to the Tell Them website in order to better facilitate direct communication between our members and our elected officials.
The new tellthemsc.org has a variety of new features, including:

Young People's Bill of Rights: Tell Them believes that every young adult in South Carolina deserves the right to uncensored reproductive health education and access to services. We have developed 9 key rights that we strive to protect.
Get Local: Visit your regions’ page to learn more about the issues currently impacting your community and the actions you can take to have your voice heard.
Learn the Facts: Use this new section get the facts about the economics of teen pregnancy, access to reproductive healthcare, comprehensive sex education, and more.

We will be using this new website, expanded field support, outdoor and print advertising and social media to educate the public, and ultimately lawmakers, about serious threats to basic individual rights.

One of these very real threats in South Carolina is the H. 3408 – The "Refusal of Care" Act, also known as the "Freedom of Conscience" Act. This legislation would give health care professionals the legal right to put their moral and religious beliefs before the health and well-being of their patients.

You can alsodownload some examples of how this legislation will affect patients in South Carolina. Our top priority this session is defeating the passage of this bill, and we need your help to be successful.

Click here to take action now on H. 3408

It’s going to be a busy year for Tell Them and one we hope you will want to share with us.

~The Tell Them Team

Mangled Facts in Manchester

2012-01-08T04:59:00.000-05:00

The GOP candidates fumble some claims just hours before they'll face off again

Truth took a punch or two at the first of two GOP debates before New Hampshire’s critical presidential primary.

Romney, talking about taxes, said federal, state and local government consume 37 percent of the economy today compared with only 27 percent when John F. Kennedy was president. In fact, taxes now consume only 27.4 percent of GDP.
Paul blasted Gingrich for avoiding the draft during Vietnam, and Gingrich said Paul had a “long history” of inaccuracies. The truth is Gingrich was both a student and a father at the time, and probably would have failed the physical anyway, according to his stepfather, an Army man.
Santorum said the term “middle class” implies class warfare and is one “I don’t think we should be using as Republicans.” The fact is his own campaign used it in an Iowa flyer, and he has used it in the past himself.
Paul attacked Santorum as a “high-powered lobbyist.” Santorum was never registered as a lobbyist, though he earned more than $200,000 working as a consultant for a lobbying firm and an energy company.

Candidates also recycled some false or doubtful claims we’ve gone over before. Romney repeated his misleading claim that his firm Bain Capital invested in businesses that “have now added over 100,000 jobs.” Huntsman again claimed Utah was “No. 1” in job creation while he was governor, which isn’t true according to the standard statistical measure for employment. And Santorum again put words in President Obama’s mouth by claiming that the president “supported” the results of a disputed election in Iran.

And finally, Gingrich, Santorum and Romney were all a bit confused about which sports teams were playing an important game on another network. Perhaps they had more important matters on their minds.

Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed on our Web site:

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Lobbyists Own Tim Scott

2012-01-08T04:22:00.001-05:00

South Carolina Republicans always need a stark reminder about their failing politicians. Here's a specific example: Tim Scott.

The First Congressional District GOP lawmaker is owned by and owes lobbyists. He'll pay them back with votes and/or legislation favoring them of course. Here are the totals so far...

Bought and paid for. Nothing like screwing the people who don't have millions of dollars, right?

Republicans Continue Push To Waste Your Money With Voter ID

2012-01-07T16:04:00.000-05:00

Republicans in the state of South Carolina are still fuming over the recent Justice Department decision to block the state's Voter ID law. And just why would they be upset? Well, it's because they don't want the mass influx of people who voted during the 2008 presidential cycle to vote again.

Governor Nikki Haley, however, disguises it.

“It is outrageous, and we plan to look at every possible option to get this terrible, clearly political decision overturned so we can protect the integrity of our electoral process and our 10th Amendment rights,”

Doesn't truth matter though? There are no cases in South Carolina validating such a law. More, the absurd money being spent isn't accountable - meaning the law isn't paid for.

I also supply the proof from our state, not just data compiled by others not living here.

H3003fiscalimpact

iSideWith.com May Show Who You Support in 2012

2012-01-06T15:02:00.000-05:00

Taylor Peck sent this in to me:

I am a long time reader and big fan of your blog. I wanted to introduce you to a new website I created, iSideWith.com that matches users with the 2012 presidential candidates based on their views on current political issues. Keeping track of each candidate and where they side on each issue can be overwhelming and the break-neck speed of this year's GOP Primary is creating one of the more overwhelming voting environments in modern history. With the South Carolina primary fast approaching it is important for voters and undecided voters to see how each candidate's views compare to their own.

To participate, users go to www.iSideWith.com, answers a series of questions and “weigh” which issues are the most or least important to them. After they have completed the questionnaire a unique algorithm compares their answers to those of the candidate’s and lists, by percentage, which candidates they agree with the most. iSideWith then encourages users to share and compare their results with friends and family through Facebook Connect and email.

Nikki Haley slipping away to campaign for Mitt Romney

2012-01-05T14:40:00.000-05:00

This week, Republican Nikki Haley is campaigning in New Hampshire for Mitt Romney's campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination. South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian released the following statement and video about Haley's travels:

Instead of rolling up her sleeves and getting to work on South Carolina's problems with jobs, education, and taxes, Nikki Haley is jetting to New Hampshire to play politics and mingle with the national press and pundits. It's clear Nikki Haley is already done with all of us here in South Carolina and is planning her national political career. I hope she'll bring us back a t-shirt that says "Nikki went to New Hampshire and all I got was this lousy tee shirt (and a lousy Governor)."

Georgetown County Board of Elections and Registration Regular Meeting Agenda

2012-01-04T19:48:00.000-05:00

Agenda

Regular Meeting

Georgetown County Board of Elections and Registration

303 N. Hazard Street

Georgetown, South Carolina

January 05, 2012

Immediately following the 10 am Canvass

Notices of this meeting have been made in accordance with 1976 Code of Laws of South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.

Call to Order Dean Smith, Chairman

Approval of Minutes: Joyce Gunter, Secretary

Regular Meeting – November 10, 2011

Canvass Meeting – November 10, 2011

Recount Meeting – November 16, 2011

Canvass Meeting – November 23, 2011

Approval of Agenda Dean Smith, Chairman

Public Input Dean Smith, Chairman

Unfinished Business: Dean Smith, Chairman

Pawleys Island 2 Move
Presidential Preference Primaries

New Business: Dean Smith, Chairman

Adoption of schedule for 2012 meetings
Poll Worker of the Year – Selection of the recipient

7. Reports to Commission: Donna Mahn, Director

Budget Status
SCARE reminders
Voter ID Update

8. Executive Session (If required) Dean Smith, Chairman

9. Adjournment

GEORGETOWN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY JANUARY MEETING

2012-01-04T14:14:00.001-05:00

GEORGETOWN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY JANUARY MEETING

Monday, January 9, 6:30PM

Georgetown Library 405 Cleland in Georgetown

Guest speakers Brandon Upson and Jonathan Sweeney, SCDP Regional Field Coordinators

Topic- FOCUS FOR 2012

Please plan to attend this first monthly meeting of this VERY important election year.

EVENTS CALENDAR and ANNOUNCEMENTS will follow and be discussed

at this meeting on January 9.

If you should have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at

843 240-3396.

Do Any Politicians Care?

2012-01-01T18:33:00.001-05:00

I was sent a call to action by a group I am part of supporting some of the same causes I do. It asked me to remind Congress to represent the 99 percent. Now, in this day and age, do you really think politicians care?

Kinda hard pressed to give a thumbs up, too?

You'd think spoiled brats such as these would even give in one day, but no. With all the corporate money guaranteed as long as lawmakers support their measures, you can pretty much forget them caring about the 99 percent - or anyone without loads of money and clout in the lobbyist circle.

And you know something? That's sad. It's sad because people are led by those perceived to know more and have more. When those same people are led to destroy themselves, it becomes depressing. For those who have to suffer, it becomes deathly.

The income disparity in South Carolina alone shows that. With the lack of health insurance and minimally adequate public education on top, this state truly does show politicians care nothing about the 99 percent.

The new year starts fresh for some, but for others it is just another day. Another day in misery, turmoil and despair. Another day where politicians frequent their campaign bank accounts more so the soup kitchens.

Do any politicians care? I can't afford to have that question answered in a positive manner.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

2011-12-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

Boeing Can Cut Jobs Without NLRB Involvement

2011-12-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

The recent hoopla over the National Labor Relations Board complaint filed by union leadership over Boeing moving work to Charleston, S.C., was painted as a "job killer" by Republicans. More so, the same Republicans wanted to protect Boeing's interests rather than qualify union members and their issues with the company.

But, as Republicans tend to do, they overlook facts and give you - the people - bits of what you need so you'll fall right in line. To them, the NLRB was going to end jobs.

Below, you'll see Boeing can do that just fine without any NLRB involvement. This comes from the beginning of 2011.

LONG BEACH - Stung by dwindling domestic demand and efforts to slow production, Boeing said it plans to cut 900 more workers from its local C-17 workforce by late 2012. The downsizing, announced late Wednesday, is the latest in a series of reductions to Long Beach's once-mighty aerospace industry, where employment has dropped from more than 20,000 in the 1990 s to less than 7,000 today. And it comes on the heels of a painful year in which more than 1,000 local Boeing jobs were outsourced, transferred or simply cut amid a company-wide restructuring program.

However, Boeing wasn't really "stung" and they weren't slowing production. They found it cheaper elsewhere.

Global aircraft manufacturers, Boeing received final approval on Wednesday from the Chinese Government confirming a $19 billion aircraft agreement. The contract involves a delivery of 200 aircraft comprising of 737s and 777s over a period of three years (2011-2013). The agreement with the Chinese government was part of a trade deal which took place amid an official visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to the US. During the state meet, Jintao announced that the Chinese government would invest a total of $45 billion in US products and services.

The truth and nothing but.

Love makes a family

2011-12-23T10:59:00.002-05:00

Wow. YouTube said on Monday that more people watched me speak about my two moms than any other political video this year. More than 18 million people in total!¹

Testifying before Iowa's state legislature was the best way I knew to fight back against attempts to codify discrimination into our state constitution and protect my moms' marriage. But I never imagined that my speech would touch a chord with so many people.

Frankly, I've been overwhelmed and humbled. And most importantly, I've been inspired that so many strangers care about protecting my family and families like mine. So to spread that inspiration this holiday season, MoveOn members have joined me in creating a new online project: Love Makes a Family. Hundreds of families of all stripes have sent in Love Makes a Family holiday photos and we've put together a great video featuring them.

I'm strong enough to admit that I choked up a little watching it. Check out the video and share it with your friends and family today to help make sure that all families are treated equally in 2012.

VIDEO: The Holiday Family Video Every American Needs To See

Watch the video

One of the things that I have learned along this amazing journey is how simple acts like sharing a video have a huge effect on people. I've gotten so many emails from people who saw my speech and were moved so much by it that they changed their perspective on marriage equality. Simply put, love opened their hearts.

It's why I am so excited about this Love Makes a Family video. We can touch people's hearts and change the conversation about equality for all families with something as easy as hitting share on Facebook. Can you help me change a few more hearts by sharing the video right now?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268949&id=34119-9315970-DEEeKzx&t=5

Thanks for spreading love this holiday season.

Zach Wahls

P.S. I've been so honored that so many people shared the video of my testimony, and I'm working overtime to finish my book about all of this, appropriately titled "My Two Moms"—please check it out!

Source:

1. "Son of gay parents, Obama comedy speech, Perry campaign ad top YouTube 2011 political videos," The Washington Post, December 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=268950&id=34119-9315970-DEEeKzx&t=6

MegaVote: SC 1st, 12/23/2011

2011-12-23T10:55:00.002-05:00

Recent Congressional Votes House: Motion to go to conference; Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 Editor's Note: The First Session of the 112th Congress has come to a close. The House is scheduled to convene the Second Session on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. The Senate is scheduled to convene on Monday, January 23, 2012.
Recent House Votes
Motion to go to conference; Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (229-193, 11 Not Voting) With this vote, the House rejected the Senate's two-month extension of the Social Security payroll tax reduction and requested a conference to consider a yearlong extension. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) stated he would not call the Senate back into session. The standoff ended later in the week when the House agreed to pass the two-month bill and the Senate agreed to name conferees to work out a yearlong extension. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

What Would Haley Do With E-mails If Not Caught?

2011-12-22T17:40:00.000-05:00

Shady South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. What would she have done if it wasn't for the scrutiny over deleting governmental (and public) e-mails?

The Post and Courier recently reported on controversial emails obtained from a state agency that revealed Haley’s influence over a nonpartisan, taxpayer-funded committee she established to decide how South Carolina should implement the federal health care overhaul.

Let us all remember this. Haley and Republicans have a track record in this state. Nothing has significantly changed as far as who runs the show here. So, whether we all know we're being screwed or not, how many of us will eventually get tired of Republicans running out of lubricant?

They already dip into your wallets and pocket books. They meddle in women's choices. They just about want to control your thinking process... wait, they already do.

I strongly believe Haley would delete as much as she could so there would be no track record. Funny, others are getting the picture she's not the "transparency queen" often touted on the campaign trail.

Ashley Landess, a conservative political operative, pointed out that Haley promised voters her administration would "fight for accountability and transparency." "When you run on a platform of fully open, transparent government, you better be the most open elected official at the table every time without exception," said Landess, an architect of Haley's most notable victory while in the Legislature, roll-call voting.

Gov. Haley Falsely Claims Occupy Was Invited To Speak

2011-12-20T16:03:00.000-05:00

Governor Nikki Haley Falsely Claims that Occupy Columbia was Invited to Make a Public Statement to the Budge and Control Board

(Click here to watch this video)

The video above shows Governor Nikki Haley falsely claiming that Occupy Columbia had been invited to make a public statement at a Budget and Control Board meeting, at which they proposed new regulations aimed at evicting Occupy Columbia. We are still waiting on the invitation.

In reality, Melissa Harmon called the Budget and Control Board yesterday and requested to make a public statement. I know this because I was sitting next to her when it happened and tweeted about it. When they did reply to her, she was told explicitly that we could not make public statements and instead would have to submit written ones. We did not choose to submit written statements, as the Governor stated.

Maybe the Governor should check with her staff about these things before speaking to the media. If she did intend for us to have that opportunity then she should consider slowing this down and allowing adequate time to hold public hearings.

With solidarity,
-Will from Occupy Columbia, a member of the 99%

We the occupiers, declare the political system broken! We are the people's lobby! We are the 99%! And you cannot evict an idea whose time has come!

MegaVote: SC 1st, 12/19/2011

2011-12-19T16:19:00.002-05:00

Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Balanced Budget Amendment Senate: Balanced Budget Amendment Senate: Defense Authorization, FY2012 Senate: Reid-McConnell Amdt.; Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 Senate: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2012 Senate: Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012 House: Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 House: Iran Sanctions House: Defense Authorization, FY2012 House: Intelligence Authorization, FY2012 House: Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012 House: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2012 Upcoming Congressional Bills House: Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011
Recent Senate Votes
Balanced Budget Amendment - Vote Rejected (21-79) The Senate rejected the Democratic balanced-budget amendment that would have taken Social Security off the books and prohibited Congress from cutting taxes for millionaires if the cut increased the deficit. A two-thirds majority is needed in both chambers to send constitutional amendments to the states for ratification. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Balanced Budget Amendment - Vote Rejected (47-53) The Senate rejected the Republican balanced-budget amendment proposal that would have required a two-thirds majority in both chambers to increase taxes and limited federal spending to 18 percent of the countrys economic output. The August debt limit law required both chambers to consider balanced-budget amendments before the end of the year. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Defense Authorization, FY2012 - Vote Agreed to (86-13, 1 Not Voting) The Senate cleared this $662 billion measure for the president that authorizes defense policies for the current fiscal year. The House passed the bill the previous day. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Reid-McConnell Amdt.; Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 - Vote Agreed to (89-10, 1 Not Voting) The Senate approved this amendment to H.R.3630 that replaces the House bill with the Senates compromise bill. The amended bill would extend by 2 months the Social Security payroll tax cut and benefits for the long-term unemployed. The deal also includes a provision directing the White House to expedite the decision on the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The bill subsequently passed by unanimous consent. It is unclear as of press time if the House will pass the Senate bill. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2012 - Vote Passed (72-27, 1 Not Voting) The Senate cleared this bill to provide $8.6 billion in disaster relief and to combat Social Security fraud, sending it to the president for his signature. The House passed this bill the previous day. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Agreed to (67-32, 1 Not Voting) The Senate gave final approval to the conference report for this $915 billion "megabus" spending bill that provides funds for the rest of the fiscal year for the remaining nine annual appropriations bills. The nine bills are the Military Construction-VA, Defense, Energy-Water, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior-Environment, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations appropriations bills. The House passed the bill the previous day. The president is expected to sign the bill. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Recent House Votes
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (234-193, 6 Not Voting) The House passed this Republican version of the payroll tax extension bill. The bill would extend the Social Security payroll tax cut for one year, prevent Medicare payments to doctors from being cut more than 27 percent, and overhaul the unemployment benefits program. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) called the bill "dead on arrival" in the Senate. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Iran Sanctions - Vote Passed (410-11, 12 Not Voting) The House voted to strengthen sanctions against Iran that are intended to deny the regime resources to develop nuclear weapons. The Senate is unlikely to pass the bill. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Defense Authorization, FY2012 - Vote Passed (283-136, 14 Not Voting) The House passed this $662 billion measure that authorizes defense policies for the current fiscal year. The Senate cleared the measure for the president the next day. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Intelligence Authorization, FY2012 - Vote Passed (396-23, 14 Not Voting) The House gave final approval to this bill authorizing funds for 16 intelligence agencies for the current fiscal year. The amount is classified, but it is estimated to be around $78.6 billion. The Senate passed the bill on December 14 by unanimous consent. The president is expected to sign it. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Passed (296-121, 16 Not Voting) The House passed the conference report for this $915 billion "megabus" spending bill that provides funds for the rest of the fiscal year for the remaining nine annual appropriations bills. The nine bills are the Military Construction-VA, Defense, Energy-Water, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior-Environment, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations appropriations bills. The Senate gave final approval to the bill the next day. The president is expected to sign it into law. Rep. Tim Scott voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2012 - Vote Passed (351-67, 15 Not Voting) The House passed this $8.6 billion bill to provide additional disaster relief funds to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers and to combat Social Security waste. The Senate passed the bill the next day, sending it to the President. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Upcoming Votes
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 - H.R.3630 The House is scheduled to vote Monday night on the Senate version of the payroll tax extension bill.

Why Dredging The Georgetown Port Goes Beyond Georgetown

2011-12-18T21:00:00.000-05:00

By Jamie Sanderson

It's been a while since we've seen or heard from the Georgetown Port task force. Whether they may be working back-room deals with lawmakers or they've given the issue a break until the new year, the dredging of the Georgetown port must not be forgotten. Not so much for the county, but for the state and country as well.

This country was the mecca for manufacturing at one point in history. Before the globalization of of our economy, we heavily relied on physically making what our minds produced. However, this notion of making and building such innovations has lost out to cheaper labor and efficiency. Having the Georgetown port sit almost idle hurts our efficiency as a county, state and country in the global market.

With our port fully functional, the manufacturers of steel, paper and a host of other products would benefit. Not only in profitability, but in keeping/adding jobs in our county. Plus, it is well known to many that businesses have eyed us for potential growth if only we dredge the port.

But why has the idea of manufacturing escaped us? If people held on to the importance of it as those who did in the 1940s and 50s, the dredging of our port would not be an issue. They'd realize the government was there to help them, push for the funds and not take no for an answer. Being passive and suggesting the "free market will take care of itself" is totally preposterous and absurd in today's global business world. Yes, people benefit from such a notion, but it is a few and the massive amount of others are on the outside looking in.

Let's face it. No economy is bigger than America's. None. If the economy was allowed to run freely, without any regulation at all, it would be in far worse shape than it is today. America would continually run with higher employment - and current numbers would be considered low. Plus, one sector cannot employ everyone. Can you imagine the service sector creating enough jobs for 150 million people?

Lawmakers on both sides of the isle have continually stumped on and around factory floors in this great nation only to leave the speech - and support - behind. This country cannot survive without manufacturing. Our population is too big. And those same lawmakers - as well as the people who live in this country - need to realize that.

This country has pushed toward more of a service-sector economy, forgetting the manufacturing sector almost all together. This push/thinking cannot be allowed to continue. Yes, we should be viewed as the greatest innovator, but we should also make those great innovations. In the 1940s, government invested in microprocessors. This resulted in making them scalable, and affordable to the mass market. The dredging of our port locally would help us as a country in delivering some of the greatest innovations made right here in Georgetown and likewise affordable to the mass market.

This Christmas, a lot of people will be opening gifts. Some may receive an Amazon Kindle. Let's all note that when you realize you have it in your hands, the purchase of it added to the trade deficit. It's foreign made. Matter of fact, a host of products developed in the United States are foreign made. Does this excite you? Seriously, do you all enjoy knowing a massive amount of what you consume is not made here? The drawbacks of being a consuming-minded service economy.

But how did we get here? How did the methodology develop where we not need manufacturing in this country? Well, those of the 1940s, 50s and 60s ought to not look far. Matter of fact, a mirror will do. It was those of that generation who worked hard in factories and pushed their children towards college and hopefully out of another generation of mill work. In the process of pushing their children, they grew up and there emerged a leadership class in both the public and private sector that no long valued manufacturing. Do you really think lobbyists, lawyers and service professionals really understand and relate to people in the mills? Better yet, how many do you think have actually gotten their hands dirty?

Manufacturing is our country's future. Dredging the Georgetown port will help secure that future here locally and abroad. It will allow us to compete globally. It will provide better opportunities to those who need jobs and those who wish to provide them. While there is a place for the service sector, it cannot replace the manufacturing element of this great nation. Supporting our port and allowing for local manufacturers to use it will only strengthen us here and around the world.

We don't need a task force - or a politician - to tell us what we already know, but are afraid to act on. The Georgetown port means life or death to this community in regards to manufacturing. When politicians talk about creating jobs in Georgetown, then the first place of interest should be our port.It is there where this county can begin stamping its mark on the global market.

Scott Walker Must Go

2011-12-18T15:12:00.000-05:00

We're on the verge of achieving something truly remarkable: triggering a recall election for a Republican governor who began waging war on the middle class from the moment he took office.

Scott Walker must go, and with your help, he will.

Wisconsin Democrats have gathered more than 507,000 signatures for their recall petition and only need a few thousand more. But Walker and his right-wing benefactors are challenging those signatures and launching a multi-million-dollar ad campaign to discredit the recall. New campaign finance reports show that Walker raked in more than $5.1 million since July, more than half from out-of-state backers like the Texas billionaire behind the infamous "Swift Boat" ads against John Kerry.

We can't let them get away with it and let this important opportunity slip through our fingers. We're so close.

If we raise $75,000 before December 31, we'll have the resources to fight back. With your donation of $3 or more, we can meet that goal and beat Walker.

Like all Americans throughout the country, the people of Wisconsin need jobs and relief from this difficult economy. What did they get from Walker? Attacks on teachers' bargaining rights and rewards for political benefactors.

Walker has made his priorities clear. He's choosing to give $2.3 billion in tax breaks over the next decade to the super-rich, while at the same time cutting $900 million from schools.

Wisconsin deserves a governor who works for the people, not for the powerful. If we can get Scott Walker out of the governor's mansion, we'll send a strong message to Republican governors across the nation that they can't get away with ignoring the plight of ordinary Americans while imposing their extremist agendas.

We've got an incredible opportunity before us. Let's not let it go to waste. Join with me today and help get one of the most egregious governors in the nation out of office.

Sincerely,

Mark Giangreco
Democratic Governors Association

Nikki Haley Wastes Federal Money, Time

2011-12-14T18:11:00.000-05:00

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley can cut public education, ruin social services and meddle in port dealings, but God forbid she get caught wasting money.

Well, God allowed her to screw up - and get caught.

Gov. Nikki Haley dictated the conclusions of a committee charged with deciding how the state should implement federal health care reform before the group ever held its first meeting, public documents show.

Now, some of those involved in the dozens of meetings are calling the entire planning process a sham that wasted their time and part of a $1 million federal grant.

In a March 31 email thread that included Haley, her top advisers and the committee member who eventually wrote the report, Haley wrote, "The whole point of this commission should be to figure out how to opt out and how to avoid a federal takeover, NOT create a state exchange," which is eventually what happened.

A central part of the federal health care overhaul, an exchange is a marketplace where various insurance plans eventually will be sold.

The emails were released to the newspaper Friday afternoon in response to a Nov. 16 public records request to the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

The newspaper had made a nearly identical request of the governor's office in May, but the office did not include the emails in its response.

No wonder Haley wants to delete e-mails. How about that for ya. People are so easily fooled in this state.

"Oh my God, we just threw $1 million away here," said Frank Knapp, who participated in the meetings as president of the S.C. Small Business Chamber of Commerce. "This confirms this whole thing was an effort to justify the million-dollar grant, but the reality is they had no intention of even exploring whether the state should establish an exchange -- which is exactly what the grant called for."

Why does Haley care? She isn't losing any sleep over it. Remember, this is federal money. No need to make government look good.

Occupy Columbia Wins in Court

2011-12-14T16:52:00.002-05:00

Occupy Columbia Wins in Court

U.S. Judge Grants Injunction Allowing
the Occupation to Continue

Today U.S. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie granted an injunction that protects Occupy Columbia's first amendment rights, including a 24-hour occupation of the State House grounds.

We will have more to say on this when the written decision becomes available in the coming days.

With solidarity,
Occupy Columbia
www.OccupyColumbiaSC.org

Sherrod Brown: Whose side are you on?

2011-12-14T16:47:00.002-05:00

There’s a fight going on for the soul of our country. On one side: powerful special interests seeking to use their economic might to trample the middle class. On the other side: working men and women just trying to carve out a good living and make a better life.

Each of us has to take a side -- and I know whose side I’m on.

I’m on the side of Ohio’s nurses, teachers, cops, and firefighters -- that’s why I helped to fight, and eventually defeat, Governor Kasich’s attempt to strip them of their basic bargaining rights.

I’m on the side of working people who can’t seem to get a fair shake -- the consumers getting ripped off by fly-by-night lenders, the homeowners struggling to save their homes from foreclosure, the middle-class families who see a lucky few getting ahead and then refusing to help others follow in their footsteps.

And I’m on the side of millions of Americans whose right to vote could be taken away if Republicans are allowed to change election rules in states across the country.

I know you’re on the right side, too. And I’m glad to have you on my team. Because, in 2012, what we do to build a strong progressive campaign organization will determine the outcome of this fight and the fate of our middle class.
One day at a time, one supporter at a time, we’re building a team that can stop the special interests and win one for working Americans.

Thank you for being part of that.

Sherrod

DFA: 99% T-shirts are here!

2011-12-13T20:10:00.002-05:00

We're not seeing Occupy Wall Street in the daily news, but Occupy and the 99% movement are still going strong and building every day.

This holiday season we can help spread the message that "We Are the 99%" with a last minute gift for yourself or anyone left on your list.

Order your "We Are the 99%" presents today!

Each order is a contribution to DFA , so you can support our efforts to fight for the 99% everyday -- while also showing support for the movement in your local neighborhood.

The DFA store is run by Dem Sign and they'll process your order and ship your purchases, so you can get your order in time for holiday gift-giving.

Browse the "We are the 99%" t-shirts, bumper stickers and yard signs here.
Thank you for everything you do.
- Jim

Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America

Crossroads GPS Twists Facts in Senate Ads

2011-12-13T20:07:00.000-05:00

Conservative group distorts Warren's bailout role, Nelson's health care demands

Crossroads GPS distorts the facts in TV ads that attack two Democratic Senate candidates for their roles in the Wall Street bailout and the federal health care law:

The well-heeled conservative group says Elizabeth Warren was appointed to oversee how tax dollars were spent for bank bailouts that "helped pay big bonuses to bank executives." That's absurd. Warren chaired a bipartisan watchdog panel that held hearings, reviewed data and wrote reports to Congress on the effectiveness of the program, but had no control over how banks spent their bailout funds. Bonuses fell under a special "pay czar" at the Treasury.

Another ad says Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson "demanded a payoff" for voting for the new health care law and was "accused of selling his vote, cynical what's-in-it-for-me-type politics." That insinuation of personal corruption is false. Nelson demanded nothing for himself. He also denied seeking the provision the ad actually refers to, which would have benefited Nebraska over other states.

Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed on our Web site:

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MegaVote: SC 1st, 12/13/2011

2011-12-13T20:01:00.000-05:00

Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Cloture on the Nomination of Richard Cordray to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Senate: Motion to Proceed; Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011 Senate: Motion to Proceed; Temporary Tax Holiday and Government Reduction Act House: Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2011 House: Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 Upcoming Congressional Bills House: Payroll tax cut extension House: Defense authorization House: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2012
Recent Senate Votes
Cloture on the Nomination of Richard Cordray to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection - Vote Rejected (53-45, 1 Present, 1 Not Voting) The Senate failed to reach the sixty votes needed to move forward on the nomination of Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The CFPB, which was created by the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory overhaul, is responsible for overseeing financial products like home loans and credit cards. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Motion to Proceed; Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011 - Vote Rejected (50-48, 2 Not Voting) The Senate rejected a motion to move forward on this Democratic proposal to reduce the employee share of the payroll tax from 4.2 to 3.1 percent for 2012. The employer share would stay at 6.2 percent. The payroll tax funds the Social Security trust fund. A law passed in December 2010 is set to expire at the end of 2011 that reduced the employee share from 6.2 to 4.2 percent. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Motion to Proceed; Temporary Tax Holiday and Government Reduction Act - Vote Rejected (22-76, 2 Not Voting) The Senate rejected a motion to move forward on this Republican proposal to freeze the employee share of the payroll tax at 4.2 percent. The proposal offsets the cost by freezing federal pay and reducing the federal workforce by attrition. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Recent House Votes
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (241-184, 8 Not Voting) This bill would require congressional approval of federal regulations that are expected to cost the economy $100 million or more or have a significant effect on consumer prices. Currently, regulations take effect unless both Congress and the president approve a resolution disapproving of them. The White House opposes the bill. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (268-150, 15 Not Voting) This House-passed bill would prevent the EPA from revising air standards concerning dust from farm operations for one year. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. The White House has also issued a veto threat. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Upcoming Votes
Payroll tax cut extension - H.R.3630 The House is expected to take up a payroll tax bill this week. Defense authorization - H.R.1540 Congress may wrap up work on the conference report for the 2012 fiscal year defense authorization bill. Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2012 - H.R.2055 Congress may also wrap up work on this $900 billion omnibus spending package that combines the nine remaining annual appropriations bills. The current stopgap spending bill runs out December 16.

Tarryl Clark Introduces You To 'The Grinch'

2011-12-12T12:51:00.000-05:00

As the holidays approach, each family has their own traditions that they enjoy every year. My family’s annual tree cutting is often with filled with snowball fights, a feisty debate about the best type of tree, and hot cider with friends.

We all know the story of how the Grinch stole Christmas but now he has competition from the Tea Partiers in Washington. As we all start planning our holidays in this tough economy, the Tea Party Congress wants to take $1,000 out of our pockets when we need it most. I don’t know if Boehner, Bachmann and company ever read the children’s story but they sure seem to be aiming to steal Christmas from us. In these tough times the last thing we can afford is to have our taxes raised especially during this holiday season.

We can’t wait for John Boehner’s heart to grow three sizes someday; we need to protect our hard working families today!

Right now the Democrats in Congress are attempting to stand up to the Republicans, but Boehner and his Tea Party cronies refuse to even give an inch. They are unwilling to ask part of the 1% to pay their fair share to cover the costs of these critical tax cuts.

Once again, the Tea Party is protecting their billionaire bankrollers and refusing to work for middle class families in this country. In a few short weeks, all of us will see less in our paychecks when we, and the economy, need it most.

This is why I ran against Michelle Bachmann in 2010 and its why I am running to make sure that there is one less Tea Partier in Congress next year. We can’t afford a Representative who puts their personal agenda ahead of the well-being of our country, as well as the families and communities in their district.

I for one wonder what ever happen to putting your country first. For the Tea Party it has become put the Koch brothers first and maybe country second. Even their own economists say that if we don’t extend the payroll tax cut, our country’s economy will go into a recession and much needed jobs will stop being created.

This is a wonderful time of the year when families and communities gather and celebrate – there is no reason for the Republicans to act like the Grinch! It’s the time of year to come together and move our country forward.

Thank you,

Tarryl

P.S. We can't let John Boehner get away with one-uping the Grinch! These tax cuts are critical to keeping our families out of another recession, and creating jobs to help us recover from the last one.

Contribute $5 or more today to help me send the Tea Party a message that can't play politics with our families and our jobs.

USW: Tug of War Between the 1% & 99%

2011-12-12T11:18:00.000-05:00

Occupy Columbia: The People's Lobby

2011-12-11T14:52:00.002-05:00

Georgetown Port Dredging Talk Is Dead?

2011-12-11T03:35:00.000-05:00

I suppose the people around here are talking a holiday break in regards to the Georgetown port. Funny, a lot of people who rely on that port can't even afford to have a holiday.

But if you glance around, you'll hear chatter of a different port dredging initiative... Savannah's.

Here's to keeping the Georgetown port dredging an issue in the state - and to making sure those on the task force don't think others have forgotten.

GEORGETOWN DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S CHRISTMAS PARTY REMINDER

2011-12-11T03:28:00.002-05:00

CHRISTMAS PARTY MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 6PM AT THE STEELWORKERS UNION HALL

COME JOIN YOUR FELLOW DEMOCRATS FOR FELLOWSHIP, REFRESHMENTS,

AND CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

GUESTS INCLUDE -

SC HOUSE DISTRICT 103 ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES

CARL ANDERSON

JACQUELINE WILLIAMS

SC HOUSE DISTRICT 108 ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE

JARROD OWNBEY

US CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7 CANDIDATES

PARNELL DIGGS

GLORIA BROMELL TINUBU

QUESTIONS CONTACT 240-3396

More Baloney at ABC/Yahoo! Debate

2011-12-11T03:26:00.000-05:00

False and misleading claims were flying again at the latest Republican presidential candidates’ debate in Iowa.

Romney falsely claimed that no president before Obama had cut Medicare, and that Obama favored pre-1967 borders for Israel.

Gingrich said he opposed cap-and-trade, even though he once spoke favorably of it, if combined with other measures to curtail carbon emissions.

Perry again falsely accused Romney of writing that the Massachusetts health care law should be a model for the nation, and once again made an apples-to-oranges comparison to make his Texas job-creation record look more impressive.
And Bachmann recycled a bogus claim about projected job losses under the new federal health care law.

Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed on our Web site:

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Haley Sours In South Carolina

2011-12-11T02:46:00.000-05:00

You'd think people could smell it before they vote for it, right. No, not in this state. People vote for their own punishment - and enjoy it until they get bopped on their heads.

Our "esteemed" governor is a prime example. People here have begun to sniff out the sour smell here.

Only 34.6 percent of those surveyed -- 1,073 registered S.C. Democrats, Republicans and independents -- said they approved of Haley's job performance, according to the poll.

Far more, 43 percent, said they disapprove of the way the Republican is handling her job as governor. The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

Haley's approval rating is lower than that of President Barack Obama, a Democrat, according to the poll. Obama has a 44.8 percent approval rating in strongly Republican South Carolina, according to the Winthrop poll.

Wow. Just wow. Just think, though. If people would actually give a damn about the direction of this state and vote in people who aren't about living it up in Europe and having fancy shin-digs out of state, we'd probably have something positive to talk about.

And no, having Nikki Haley show up to steal the spotlight at press conferences announcing jobs does not count as being positive. It's distracting people from her miserable failures.

Elizabeth Warren is gutsy

2011-12-11T02:26:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth always talks about this tremendous grassroots support as the most rewarding thing about being a candidate, but it brings more than personal satisfaction: Grassroots energy is what it will take to win this race.

I hope you'll watch the video and help build the energy for this fight. We're going to need every ounce of grassroots energy we can get to defeat the big banks and lobbyists lining up against us.

Share Your Student Loan Horror Stories at OccupyStudentDebt.com!

2011-12-11T01:43:00.000-05:00

As you're probably already aware, ForgiveStudentLoanDebt.com has teamed up with the folks behind the new PBS Documentary - Default: The Student Loan Documentary - on a new online photo journal project called OccupyStudentDebt.com.

There, people from all walks of life, from recent grads to people in their 60s and beyond, are courageously sharing their student loan horror stories for all the world to see, in an effort to put human faces on the ever-growing student loan debt crisis in America.

Those who have been following the efforts of ForgiveStudentLoanDebt.com for nearly 3 years now are fully aware of the devastating toll these enormous debts have on not only ourselves, but our families, friends, and neighbors. Unfortunately, those who are personally unaffected by the student loan debt crisis are mostly unaware of the gross inequities and predatory practices that are standard operating procedures for the student lending industry and that's why we've decided to embark on this educational campaign to demonstrate exactly why we're engaged in this fight to restore sanity to the way in which we fund higher education in this country.

If you haven't already participated, now's a great time to submit your photo, story, poem, work of art or any other visual demonstration of your student loan debt and the negative affect it has on your life. You don't have to share your name or even show your face - how you participate is completely up to you, but please participate in some way, shape or form!

You can also help spread the word by posting links to OccupyStudentDebt.com on your Facebook profiles, tweeting about it (use the hashtag #OccupyStudentDebt), sending emails to your friends and families about it, or any other way you choose to help educate our fellow Americans about this looming crisis that poses just a great a threat to our fragile economy as the housing bubble.

Thank you, as always, for your dedication to the cause. Without your support and active participation, this crisis will only get worse.

Our number one priority is to educate the public about why student loan debt matters and why something must be done to address it before it's too late!

Participating in OccupyStudentLoanDebt.com is a great way to accomplish just that.

All my best,
Rob Applebaum

The Trikki Nikki Newscast

2011-12-10T12:29:00.000-05:00

http://www.scdp.org/trikki-nikki-newscast/

New French Speaking Mitt Romney Ad Launches in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina

2011-12-10T12:16:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK – AmericanLP, a new Democratic Super PAC, announced it is launching a new advertising campaign designed to mock Mitt Romney and the current state of the Republican Party. AmericanLP has produced a new ad entitled “French Mitt Romney.”

The ad can be seen here:
FRENCH SPEAKING MITT ROMNEY

The ad consists entirely of footage of Mitt Romney speaking French with text transcripts scrolling below of actual quotes from Romney endorsing liberal positions on abortion rights, gay rights, global warming, gun control and state-run mandated healthcare.

AmericanLP founder TJ Walker explained the ad:

“The quotes running in the ad appear to be actual transcripts of Romney speaking in a current political TV ad, but they are actually out-of-context quotes from Romney collected over the years. But if it’s one thing we know about Mitt Romney, he whole-heartedly approves of using out of context quotes in political advertising. In fact, belief in out-of-context advertising appears to be the only political principle Romney has NOT flip flopped on, so we’re sure he will love this ad.”

Walker continued, “This ad is payback for Republicans mocking John Kerry for his French-speaking abilities in ads like this one in 2004 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDq8bEjhs7Q. Let’s face it, since 2000, the Republican Party has become the “Stupid Party” and nothing says ‘hoity-toity elitist intellectual’ like the ability to speak French.”

“So our goal here is to remind GOP primary and caucus voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina that Mitt Romney is a left wing radical who has, in all likelihood, hung out with socialistic, atheistic cheese-eaters like Jean Paul Sartre.”

A one week national TV ad buy has been purchased for the “French Romney” commercial to run on MSNBC, CNBC and Bloomberg TV. Additionally a one-week ad purchase was made for the ad to run on prominent news sites and political blogs throughout Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

THREATS TO EDUCATION AND THE ECONOMY LOOM: SENATE TO VOTE ON DANGEROUS BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENTS

2011-12-09T15:24:00.000-05:00

The Senate is set to vote next week on several versions of a Constitutional Amendment that would require a balanced budget. One proposal by Senator McConnell (R-KY), which is cosponsored by all Senate Republicans, contains a severe global spending cap, requires a two-thirds majority vote in Congress for increasing any revenues, and a three-fifths majority for increasing the debt limit.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the global spending cap would force Congress to cut all programs by an average of one-fourth by 2018. The second proposal, by Democratic Senators Udall (CO), Baucus (MT), Manchin (WV), McCaskill (MO), Nelson (FL), and Nelson (NE), does not contain the spending caps or supermajorities for raising revenues and the debt limit.

However, it, like all balanced budget amendments, would still be devastating for education funding and other priorities.

Overall, any balanced budget amendment would result in the largest cuts in federal spending in modern history. It simply will not be possible to achieve the spending levels required under any balanced budget amendment without massive cuts in education, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs that meet crucial national needs. A balanced budget amendment would damage the ‘automatic stabilizers’ in our economy. It would raise serious risks of tipping weak economies into recession and making recessions longer and deeper, causing very large job losses.

Take Action Today: As educators, NEA members have a unique perspective on the importance of investing in education and protecting the most vulnerable in our nation. The stories you can share with policymakers about the impact of spending cuts on your students, colleagues, and communities can be very powerful. Tell Congress to oppose a balanced budget amendment.

Occupy Columbia Speaks Up for Unemployed

2011-12-06T23:00:00.000-05:00

Occupy Columbia Speaks Up for Unemployed

December 8th - 4:00pm at Finlay Park,
March to SC DEW Office

Occupy Columbia will hold a march in solidarity with unemployed workers and the National Mobilization for the Jobless and Jobs this Thursday at 4 p.m.

Unless Congress acts now, lifeline aid for nearly 2 million US workers who have lost jobs will be cut off Dec. 31 as the extended unemployment insurance benefits expire. In South Carolina alone, 30,400 will lose unemployment benefits. Occupy Columbia calls on SC's congressional delegation to vote to extend unemployment insurance benefits before Dec. 31.

Occupy Columbia will join clergy, community leaders, unemployed workers and concerned working families at a press conference outside of the S.C. Dept. of Employment office. After the press conference, the Occupiers will march to the State House to rally for jobs.

For jobless South Carolinians, and local communities hit hard by long-term unemployment, not extending these weekly benefits ($230 average) will remove more than $7 million a week from our local economy. Jobless workers should not pay the price for Wall Street's recklessness.

WHO: Unemployed workers and community leaders of the Columbia area

WHAT: 4 p.m. March from Finlay Park to SC DEW office for 4:30 pm press conference
WHEN: December 8, 2011

WHERE: SC Dept. of Employment and Workforce 700 Taylor St. Columbia, SC

With solidarity,
Occupy Columbia
www.OccupyColumbiaSC.org

We the occupiers, declare the political system broken! We are the people's lobby! We are the 99%! And you cannot evict an idea whose time has come!

Mick Zais Ensures Failure For South Carolina's Children

2011-12-06T18:19:00.000-05:00

As usual, Republicans play to politics and grandstanding more than doing the right and needed thing. Case in point? Why, how about Mick Zais.

Zais has recently accomplished two failures. First, he decided it's best to not participate in the newly created Green Ribbon Schools, a program created to recognize schools saving energy, reducing costs, fostering wellness and offering environmental education. Second, he snubbed his nose at federal funds needed for schools in the state.

Millions rejected

Superintendent of Education Mick Zais has rejected tens of millions in federal dollars, irking members of the state Board of Education and education groups:

• In May, Zais said he would not apply for the latest round of the “Race to the Top” federal grant. South Carolina narrowly missed winning the grant money in previous rounds. The Palmetto State and eight other states would have competed for $200 million in grants, ranging from $10 million to $50 million each. Zais also opted out of competing for a piece of $500 million from another round of “Race to the Top” money for preschool programs. Zais said he turned down the money because it came with federal strings attached and would result in unwanted federal intrusion.

“The Race to the Top program expands the federal role in education by offering pieces of silver in exchange for strings attached to Washington,” Zais said in May. “More federal money for education will not solve our problems. Schools need less, not more, federal intrusion to increase student achievement.”

• In August, Zais and Gov. Nikki Haley refused to go after $144 million in federal money from the federal Education Jobs Fund. The money was to tide over school districts following the Great Recession and help curb a growing tide of teacher layoffs. South Carolina was the only state that did not get its share of the money, which eventually was parceled out to other states. Zais said using the one-time money to pay for recurring expenses, including teachers’ salaries, was unwise budgeting.

“South Carolina can meet our educational challenges without micromanagement by the federal government,” Zais wrote in a letter to a U.S. Department of Education official. He concluded the letter by asking the department to take South Carolina’s portion of the money and use it to reduce the national budget deficit. Instead, it was divided among other states.

Mick Zais is an embarrassment to the state of South Carolina - as about Republicans are - and actions like those above are not only serious in nature, but spell disaster down the road.

MegaVote: SC 1st, 12/5/2011

2011-12-05T15:22:00.000-05:00

Recent Congressional Votes Senate: National Defense Authorization Act, FY2012 House: Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act House: To reduce Federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions and by terminating the Election Assistance Commission House: Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011 House: Regulatory Accountability Act Upcoming Congressional Bills House: Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011 House: Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011
Recent Senate Votes
National Defense Authorization Act, FY2012 - Vote Passed (93-7) The Senate passed this bill authorizing $662 billion in defense spending for the current fiscal year. The bill contains provisions requiring suspected terrorists to be held in military custody and places sanctions on Iran. The House passed its version of the bill in May. A conference committee will meet to work out a compromise bill. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Recent House Votes
Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act - Vote Passed (235-188, 10 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would build in a waiting period between the time workers file petitions to unionize and the time the vote occurs. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio To reduce Federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions and by terminating the Election Assistance Commission - Vote Passed (235-190, 8 Not Voting) This House bill would terminate taxpayer funding of presidential campaigns and conventions. Public funding began in 1976. The bill would also eliminate the Election Assistance Commission, which was established in 2002 to help states to update their voting machines. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (263-159, 11 Not Voting) This bill would allow the Small Business Administration to intervene in the regulatory process when small businesses are affected. The Senate is unlikely to act on the measure, which is also opposed by the White House. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Regulatory Accountability Act - Vote Passed (253-167, 13 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would require federal agencies to choose the "least costly" option when writing new federal regulations. Agencies would also be required to provide indirect cost estimates and predictions of job gains or losses. The White House opposes the bill. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Upcoming Votes
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011 - H.R.10 This House bill would require congressional approval of regulations estimated to cost more than $100 million per year. Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 - H.R.1633 The House is scheduled to take up this bill preventing more stringent farm dust regulations from being promulgated.

Tarryl Clark presents 'Community'

2011-12-04T20:55:00.002-05:00

Evangelical Consistency and the 2012 Elections

2011-12-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

By Jim Wallis

One of the greatest failures of Christians in this country is when they don’t think and act as Christians first. Instead, they think first as Americans, consumers, partisans, and sometimes even as Red Sox fans.

This leads to bending over backward to justify un-Christian behavior and attitudes to fit these other identities. The biblical name for this behavior is idolatry.

Now, Christians can and do identify as Americans, consumers, partisans, and even Red Sox fans (the latter being my particular temptation!). But, it should never be our first or primary identity. Those other identities should all be subservient and accountable to our identity in Christ.

A piece by Michelle Goldberg in Newsweek chronicles some evangelical voters in Iowa trying desperately to contort their values in order to justify supporting Newt Gingrich. She quotes Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council as saying, "Under normal circumstances, Gingrich would have some real problems with the social-conservative community… But these aren’t normal circumstances."

In other words, this guy clearly doesn’t stand for our values but we are ready to jettison those in order to make sure our party wins the 2012 election. Newt Gingrich’s three marriages – serving his first wife divorce papers while she was suffering from cancer, and cheating on his second wife while leading the impeachment battle against Bill Clinton for lying about his sexual sins – would normally be disqualifiers for family values conservatives. Later in the article, Ralph Reed discusses evangelical support for Ronald Reagan, our country’s first and only divorced president, and says, "These voters believe in forgiveness, they believe in redemption."

In other words, some people are willing to forget anything and turn a blind eye toward what they would otherwise see as moral failures, as long as they can count on faithfulness to political or party ideology. Moral consistency is the clear loser in such political calculations.

Unfortunately, many people who go to church on Sunday are more influenced by what they see on cable TV than by the Bible. I hear that lament from pastors all the time. Too many of their congregant’s political priorities are determined by a party or ideology – not the Word of God. Their identities are shaped by marketing and media campaigns that manufacture a view of the world in order to maximize their own power and profit.

The antidote is simple. Christians need to read their Bibles more. It makes a difference.

I was surprised, as were many others, when a headline in Christianity Today a few months ago read, “Survey: Frequent Bible Reading Can Turn You Liberal.” While many studies have shown a correlation between frequent church attendance and conservative political views, a new study from Baylor shows that frequent Bible reading increases opposition to the Patriot Act and the death penalty, while broadening one’s concern for social and economic justice.

In fact, Baylor set up a five point scale to measure Bible reading frequency. Participants were asked, "How important is it to actively seek social and economic justice in order to be a good person?" Each point moving up the Bible reading scale correlated with a 35 percent increase in Christians who would agree with that statement.

Frequent Bible reading doesn’t correlate with any neat political category. Concern about abortion and gay marriage also increase with regular reading of the Bible. Christians must and should engage, struggle with, and be accountable to the scriptures. It is what keeps us honest, ensuring that we are Christians before we are Americans, consumers, partisans, or Red Sox fans.

The good news is that while stories about Tony Perkins, Ralph Reed, and other evangelicals ready to jettison their core beliefs in pursuit of political power tend to make headlines, it’s not all evangelicals.

A new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute in partnership with Religion News Service asked what different Americans favor or oppose when it comes to reducing the federal deficit. Here is what’s surprising: 58 percent of white evangelicals now oppose cutting federal programs that help the poor, 72 percent oppose cutting federal funding to religious organizations that help the poor, and 60 percent favor raising taxes on those that make more than $1 million a year, in order to help reduce the deficit.

Those startling results are very important and should cause Republicans to reconsider their position on deficit reduction and begin listening to a significant part of their electoral base. Even more importantly, it might get them to start reading the Bible more.

Jim Wallis is the author of Rediscovering Values: A Guide for Economic and Moral Recovery, and CEO of Sojourners. He blogs at www.godspolitics.com. Follow Jim on Twitter @JimWallis.

Nikki Haley, Tim Scott Snub Workers Yet Again

2011-12-01T10:09:00.000-05:00

So Boeing and its biggest union may have cleared the way for the National Labor Relations Board lawsuit to be withdrawn. However, listening to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and First Congressional District Rep. Tim Scott, it was all Boeing's doing.

Gov. Nikki Haley's spokesman issued a statement congratulating Boeing on "their win."
"[T]oday's actions confirm two things we've said all along: the NLRB is nothing more than a rogue agency run by the President's union backers; and that when the feds attack a company in South Carolina they can expect us to fight back, and expect us to win," the Republican governor said, according to the statement.

U.S. Rep. Tim Scott, a Republican whose district includes Boeing's North Charleston campus, said the agreement "hopefully dissolves the lawsuit, but when we're talking about the NLRB, we can't assume anything."

You can tell 1) Haley's spokesman is a novice and completely pumps out the Republican mantra and 2) Tim Scott is just in the clouds, you know, la dee da.

Both Haley and Scott are clueless. The union had a valid complaint. That part is evident. It took Boeing to concede and deal with union workers to make such a deal. But to expect these two to value workers would be wishful thinking.

Nikki Haley Makes Light Of Dire Situation In S.C.

2011-12-01T09:48:00.000-05:00

Why would Nikki Haley make light of these conditions?

• The state's unemployment rate is five percent or higher.
• All South Carolinians do not have health insurance.
• Funding for public schools, colleges and universities is not sufficient enough for 21st-century standards.
• The state's rural infrastructure is in adequate.

Reps. John King of Rock Hill and Wendell Gilliard of Charleston wrote a bill that would ban state government workers from using Haley's widely parodied telephone greeting "so long as certain conditions exist in South Carolina."

The bill bans any requirement that state workers use the greeting or a similar one "connoting the advantages of or a general pleasant demeanor in this state so long as any of the following conditions apply."

Those conditions listed above were mocked in a way by Haley when she called out the media for reporting on such a bill.

"Out of all of the legislation proposed and all of the agenda items that we are working on related to jobs and the economy, is this really the bill that your news outlet thinks the people care about?" she said in a statement.

Yeah, we get it. Haley doesn't want us to know the truth.

Nikki, people care about the conditions and the dire situation this state faces. While you fly to Europe, party in New York and mingle in Texas, the state you govern rots because of you and your policies.

Hundreds Of Economists Who Get It -- Stand With #OccupyWallStreet

2011-12-01T09:32:00.000-05:00

On November 13th 2011, economists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst drafted an open statement to the Occupy Wall Street movement pledging their support. Since then, more than 250 economists from around the world have added their names. Read more at econ4.org

Occupy Economics from Softbox on Vimeo.

The War on Women Continues

2011-12-01T00:46:00.000-05:00

In Mississippi this month we fought back against the Tea Party’s War on Women and won! This crucial victory stopped a draconian bill that would have not only ended our basic rights and reproductive freedoms, but went so far as preventing doctors from saving a woman if her pregnancy endangered her life.

This was just the opening salvo of their renewed War on Women. With inaction on job creation and deficit reduction dominating the headlines, our Tea Party Congress has been quietly opening a new front in their assault on women’s rights.

Stand up with me, for your daughters, your granddaughters and all of the women you care about ! Give $10 or $15 today to send me to Washington to protect the progress women have made and continue to work toward protecting the health of all women.

Conservatives want all insurance companies to pay for a man’s Viagra, but at the same time to permit hospitals to refuse emergency abortion care to women who would die without it. These are the priorities of the Tea Party and if they get their way it will set the clock back on the progress we made in the last 40 years.

This is about life saving treatments that the Tea Party’s agenda seeks to destroy. Their agenda is far reaching including even preventive medicine. As women, we could be refused mammograms, and birth control could be denied because of a company’s religious beliefs. They've put our healthcare in their crosshairs, trying to put basic contraception out of reach for millions of women.

I spent years working in our communities, including developing pregnancy prevention programs, and I can tell you that increasing access to contraception is key to reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions in this country.

I need your help to make sure that the progress women have made is not undone for millions. Contribute now to help me raise $2500 and hit my month end goal.

As a woman, I know our economic freedom depends on being able to prevent unplanned pregnancy and conservatives shouldn’t be taking this away from us. Access to free contraception has the promise of empowering millions more women across our country, but we must fight to protect this.

Please join me today in protecting the important advance we have made, and help send me to Congress where I will continue our strive towards true equality.

Sincerely,

Tarryl Clark

Unemployedworkers.Org Will Deliver Petition to Congress! Please Sign Now!

2011-11-26T15:40:00.001-05:00

This coming Wednesday, Nov. 30, we'll be delivering our Petition to Congress to Renew Federal Unemployment Insurance for 2012.

Already, tens of thousands of Americans have signed our Petition.

Will you take just a minute to read and sign the Petition to Congress now?

At an event on Capitol Hill Nov. 30, with Members of Congress and unemployed workers, we'll be joined by our friends from USAction.org and MomsRising.org to deliver our combined online Petition to Congress signatures. Right now, those signatures total well over 30,000.

In the next 72 hours we hope to add many thousands more.
Please take a minute to read and sign the Petition to Congress now.

The federal unemployment insurance programs that are the primary lifeline for eligible long-term jobless workers are set to expire Dec. 31 -- unless Congress acts to renew them for 2012.

These programs are just as vitally needed now as when they were enacted in 2008 and 2009. The extensions of federal unemployment insurance have helped more than 17 million unemployed job-seekers in the last three years.

And recent Census data show that these critical benefits kept more than 3 million Americans from falling into poverty in 2010 alone.

Please read and sign the Petition to Congress to Renew Federal Unemployment Insurance for 2012.

If Congress fails to act, nearly 2 million unemployed Americans will be cut off from this emergency lifeline in the month of January alone. Millions more would be cut off in subsequent months -- more than 6 million during 2012.

Indeed, if Congress fails to act, it will have devastating consequences not only for millions of Americans and their families, but for our fragile economy and struggling communities across the country. The Economic Policy Institute recently estimated that allowing the extensions of unemployment insurance to expire would result in the nation losing more than a half a million more jobs.

Please Sign the Petition to Congress. Tell them to renew federal unemployment insurance through 2012 now!

Tell the Leaders and Members of Congress that they must act now to renew federal unemployment insurance through 2012, and take additional steps to help avert layoffs, create good jobs, end discriminatory job market practices that exclude the unemployed, and get real help to long-term unemployed workers including those who have exhausted unemployment benefits.

Sign the Petition to Congress Now!

Many thanks.   And please share the Petition widely!

The UnemployedWorkers.Org Team
Mitchell, Chris, Maurice, Judy, Christine, Rebecca, Mike, Rick, George, Claire and Norman

www.Unemployedworkers.org

Mick Mulvaney: The Ultimate Koch

2011-11-25T06:45:00.001-05:00

South Carolina's tea is a little tainted, folks.

Mick Mulvaney is owned by corporate interests. And despite what he tries to sell to the people in his home state, he's too busy doing the deeds of those who have bought him.

Koch Industries is just one. Here are a few snapshots. The column to the right of the date is the money amount.

You can download an Excel spreadsheet detailing the numbers behind the iWatch News and Center for Responsive Politics report HERE.

Tea Party Freshmen Made Turkeys Out Of People

2011-11-23T18:41:00.000-05:00

Don't just take it from me. I have always stated the obvious. These elected cronies people fell in love with in 2010 are nothing more than scam artists.

On her website, Rep. Diane Black asks constituents to join advisory panels in her Tennessee district. “I believe the best ideas to solve our nation’s problems will come from people like you,” Black writes, “not Washington bureaucrats and special interest groups.”

Black is one of the new Republicans who rode a wave of anti-Washington sentiment into town in 2011, a self-identified member of the tea party wing that has been cast as a new kind of conservative— fiery, unwilling to compromise and determined to downsize the government. But while many say Black and her companions have created a split in the Republican Party, it is not visible among the companies and interest groups that are donating to members of Congress.

You can download the full set of PAC contributions to Tea Party Caucus Freshmen here: http://bit.ly/uUJOAk

Read the full report by Center for Public Integrity staff writer Aaron Mehta and Center for Responsive Politics senior fellow Bob Biersack here.

Who is November's Scoundrel of the Month?

2011-11-21T17:15:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, but here in Washington, the turkeys have been on parade all month. We’ve caught politicians gobbling up corporate dollars, others cooking up lies, and even a presidential candidate offering a half-baked attempt to subvert our election laws. Thankfully, you can call out this boorish behavior by naming one of them CREW’s Scoundrel of the Month!

November’s nominees:

	Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH): One of the Most Corrupt Members of Congress, Rep. Schmidt accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in free legal services from lawyers hired by a special interest group. She also may have lied to congressional investigators about the matter.	[ VOTE ]
	House Committee Leaders: More pay-to-play games in Congress. Our research revealed that chairs and ranking members of many House committees are raking in campaign cash from the very industries they are supposed to be monitoring and regulating. How often do you think these members bite the hands that feed them?	[ VOTE ]
	The Super Committee: The brief three month existence of the super committee turned out to be a boon for its members and a bust for Americans. Committee members’ PACs saw a 62% increase in contributions when compared to 2009. Americans saw a 0% increase in the effectiveness of Congress.	[ VOTE ]
	Herman Cain: He may want to be a different kind of candidate, but he still has to play by the rules. We caught Mr. Cain’s presidential campaign taking in $40,000 in illegal corporate contributions from the Wisconsin-based Prosperity USA, Inc. We've asked the FEC to take a closer look.	[ VOTE ]
	FEC Commissioners: And speaking of the FEC, there’s yet another scandal at the already dysfunctional agency. This time we uncovered how the three Republican commissioners are working in conjunction with right-wing activists. It’s time for President Obama to step in and clean house at this thoroughly inept agency.	[ VOTE ]

Who will earn a place on the wall of shame alongside the likes of Rupert Murdoch, Sen. David Vitter, et al? Cast your vote between now and noon eastern time Monday the 28th and we’ll announce the winner on our Twitter feed (so make sure you’re following us).

Thank you for your support,

Melanie Sloan

MegaVote: SC 1st, 11/21/2011

2011-11-21T15:41:00.000-05:00

Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations House: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 House: Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations House: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States Editor's Note: The Senate and House are in recess this week.
Recent Senate Votes
Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations - Vote Agreed to (70-30) The Senate gave final approval to this "minibus" spending bill that combines the 2012 fiscal year Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation-HUD appropriations bills. The bill also contains a continuing resolution to keep the rest of the government funded through December 16. The president signed the bill into law the next day. The nine remaining annual appropriations bills may be combined into one bill after the Thanksgiving recess. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Recent House Votes
National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (272-154, 7 Not Voting) This House bill would allow citizens with a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun across state lines. The bill's future in the Senate is unclear. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Fiscal 2012 Agriculture Appropriations - Vote Passed (298-121, 14 Not Voting) The House passed the conference report for this "minibus" spending bill that combines the 2012 fiscal year Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation-HUD appropriations bills. The bill also contains a continuing resolution to keep the rest of the government funded through December 16. The Senate passed the bill later in the day, clearing it for the president. The nine remaining annual appropriations bills may be combined into one bill after the Thanksgiving recess. Rep. Tim Scott voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States - Vote Failed (261-165, 8 Not Voting) The House fell 23 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass this balanced-budget constitutional amendment. Under the terms of the August debt limit law, both chambers are required to consider a balanced-budget amendment by the end of 2011. The Senate is expected to consider the proposal in December. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio