The WAWG Blog

Republicans Try to Reduce Postal Service, Kill Postal Workers’ Union – Last month, anti-worker Republicans quietly pushed H.R. 2309 through Committee vote, mandating $3 billion in cuts to the U.S. Postal Service. The bill would close facilities, end door-to-door mailbox delivery service for 90 percent of American households and businesses, and lay off as many as 200,000 workers. Like the actions taken by extreme right-wing legislators in Wisconsin and Ohio, H.R. 2309 would also gut postal workers’ collective bargaining rights.

This bill fails to address the true cause of the Postal Service’s financial woes – the 2006 Congressional mandate to pre-fund future retiree health benefits, a burden faced by no other government agency or firm.

The bill is headed for a vote in the full House of Representatives any day now, and that’s why it’s critical Congress hears from you TODAY (House switchboard: (202) 224-3121).

The clock is ticking – please make your phone call now to stop H.R. 2309!

Fox News Gets Court’s Okay to Misinform Public – On February 14, a Florida Appeals court ruled there is absolutely nothing illegal about lying, concealing or distorting information by a major press organization. The court reversed the $425,000 jury verdict in favor of journalist Jane Akre who charged she was pressured by Fox Television management and lawyers to air what she knew and documented to be false information. The ruling basically declares it is technically not against any law, rule, or regulation to deliberately lie or distort the news on a television broadcast.

On August 18, 2000, a six-person jury was unanimous in its conclusion that Akre was indeed fired for threatening to report the station’s pressure to broadcast what jurors decided was “a false, distorted, or slanted” story about the widespread use of growth hormone in dairy cows.

The court did not dispute the heart of Akre’s claim, that Fox pressured her to broadcast a false story to protect the broadcaster from having to defend the truth in court, as well as suffer the ire of irate advertisers. Fox argued from the first, and failed on three separate occasions, in front of three different judges, to have the case tossed out on the grounds there is no hard, fast, and written rule against deliberate distortion of the news.

The attorneys for Fox, owned by media baron Rupert Murdoch, argued the First Amendment gives broadcasters the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on the public airwaves.

96% of Oil Violations Unpunished in Texas – A study of 80,000 violations for gas and oil drillers shows that no penalties or fines were levied on 96 percent of them in the state of Texas. West Virginia, a state with 56,000 wells, issued 19 penalties last year. And Wyoming, the center of Rocky Mountain energy, collected $15,500 in fines in 2010.

Pennsylvania, the most aggressive about fining violators, sought penalties for more than a quarter of the violations found last year. It levied fines for 4 percent of the violations, with the penalties totaling $3.7 million. The largest of those was a $900,000 fine against a drilling company that contaminated the water of 16 homes.

That was less than the profits the company makes in three hours.

Some states don’t even track key enforcement data, so regulators don’t know which companies have already been fined repeatedly.

Texas College Republican Calls Assassinating Obama “Tempting” – The same day authorities arrested a 21-year-old Idaho man for allegedly firing a semi-automatic rifle at the White House, the leader of the University of Texas College Republicans tweeted that the idea of assassinating President Obama was “tempting.”

Lauren Pierce authored the offending tweet and quickly backtrack calling it a “joke.” She should have stopped talking right there, but didn’t. In an interview with ABC News she continued that an attempted assassination would “only make the situation worse.”

The rest of the College Republican leadership doubled-down on the remark. Vice President Cassie Wright said “I don’t really see anything wrong with it.”

Federal Prosecution Of Financial Fraud Falls To 20-Year Low, New Report Shows – Public mistrust for banks may be at an all-time high, but federal prosecution for certain financial crimes is down to a 20-year low.

The federal government is on track to file just 1,365 prosecutions for financial institution fraud in fiscal year 2011, according to a new report from a watchdog group. That would be the lowest number of such prosecutions in at least two decades.

The falling number of fraud prosecutions is striking given what many claim is a strong pattern of financial-sector misconduct in recent years, culminating in a housing crisis characterized by alleged rampant mortgage fraud and improper foreclosure, as well as the weakening of the national and global economy.

The TRAC report, which compiles Justice Department data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, notes that 2011’s relatively low number of financial fraud prosecutions is only the continuation of a trend spanning more than a decade.

A Short History of Gingrich’s Influence Peddling –

• Helping To Secure Health IT Earmarks For GE, Microsoft, IBM
• The Ethanol Lobby’s “Consulting” Contract With Gingrich
• Lobbied To Deregulate Insurers, While Accepting Hundreds Of Thousands From Health Insurance Corporations
• “Sharing Resources” With The Oil Industry’s Top Lobbyists
• Sold His “Strategic Advice” To Lobbying Giants Like The U.S. Chamber Of Commerce

Education Cuts are Hurting Our Kids – Three months into the school year, lawmakers and parents are angry about the effects of the $5 billion cut from schools by the Texas Legislature.

The cuts have resulted in fewer teachers and larger classes.

About 6,500 waivers were sent to the Texas Education Agency to exceed the 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio for kindergarten to fourth-grade, almost triple last year’s number, said state Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, vice chairman of the public education committee.

Classes are even larger in the older grades, which aren’t subject to the cap.

Regards,

Jim

Republican Texas State Rep. Joe Driver to Plead Guilty to Felony – State Rep. Joe Driver, who candidly acknowledged pocketing taxpayer reimbursements for travel paid by his campaign, will enter a guilty plea on abuse-of-office charges, a third-degree felony, a top prosecutor said Tuesday night.

Last year, Driver acknowledged that for years he had been submitting identical receipts, for airfare, fancy hotels and other expenses, to his campaign and to the Texas House of Representatives. The Garland Republican admitted to the double-billing in an interview but said he thought it was appropriate — until a reporter asked him about it.

Congressional Bill Would Use Military Rather Than FBI and Law Enforcement to Investigate Terrorism – The U.S. government already has broad authority and strong tools to disrupt, detain and prosecute international terrorist suspects under current criminal law. Sections 1031, 1032 and 1033 from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 would limit the ability of the FBI and local law enforcement to investigate terrorism suspects. In addition, our federal courts have convicted more than 400 people of terror related crimes, while military commissions have only convicted 6. Congress should focus on strengthening established and effective counterterrorism tools, not weakening them. The defense bill would also mandate military custody for most terrorism suspects — a policy that the Department of Defense, retired military leaders, and national security experts oppose. Forcing the transfer of terrorism suspects to military custody could have devastating effects on counterterrorism operations and undermine efforts to secure actionable intelligence from terrorism suspects. The NDAA would also unwisely restrict the transfer of Guantanamo detainees, even those who have been cleared of any wrongdoing, and undermine our criminal justice system. Under these provisions, we will continue to wrongly hold men in prison, keeping the failed experiment of Guantanamo open. Keeping these provisions in the NDAA would risk U.S. national security by jettisoning effective counterterrorism strategies in a misguided attempt to appear tough on terrorism. It is morally bankrupt.

Tell Senators Harry Reid and Carl Levin to put America’s safety first. Urge them to strip away dangerous provisions on the defense bill that perpetuate some of the country’s worst mistakes in the struggle against terrorism

Asheville, NC Police Snatching People Off the Streets – On Nov 2nd over 100 people took to the streets of Asheville, NC in a fun, spirited and family friendly march to show support for Occupy Oakland and their general strike. People of all ages from toddlers to grandparents participated in the march carrying banners reading, “We are all Scott Olsen” and “Asheville is Oakland, Oakland is Asheville”. Though the APD did little to stop the march, they did bring out dozens of officers, including the forensics team and undercover officers to video and photograph Asheville residents expressing their First Amendment rights. The APD has done this sort of unconstitutional surveillance for years at all types of protests. However this time is different. Starting Saturday Nov 5 the APD began grabbing Occupy Asheville participants off the streets that they claim they identified from police footage of the march. So far 7 have been arrested, and the police say there are many more arrests on the way. They are being charged with resisting public officers, impeding traffic and unlawful assembly. One person has an additional charge of wearing a mask in public. If marchers were breaking the law, why did they not arrest us on November 2nd?

This is a truly frightening assault on the right to protest in this country. The APD is utilizing the very same tactics that the repressive regimes of countries like Iran, Libya, and Egypt have used against their people.

Republican Rep. Joe Walsh Melts Down, Screams At Constituents – Freshman Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) is known for his anti-Obama rhetoric on cable television and his inability to pay his child support payments. But during a recent meeting with constituents in his Chicago-area suburban district, Walsh lost his cool when several attendees asked about why banks have so much power in government. At one point, Walsh even threatened to a eject a man who calmly asked Walsh about the revolving door of bank lobbyists infiltrating Congress and financial regulatory agencies.

Walsh at one point screamed, “don’t blame the banks … this pisses me off!” After several constituents accurately pointed out that bank lobbyists occupy key positions within Congress, the SEC, and other oversight bodies that are supposed to supervise bank practices, Walsh began sticking his finger close to his constituent’s faces, yelling, “quiet for a minute or I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Kay Bailey Hutchison Tried to Overturn Net Neutrality – Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), apparent hater of the Internet, decided she had enough of America using it to easily gain access to information, news and Nyan Cat. So she demanded that Congress overturn the FCC’s Net Neutrality rules. She lost. After the House of Representatives voted to overturn the legislation that was passed last year, Hutchinson picked up the flag for the Senate and began crusading against the single greatest innovation ever. Senate rejected the measure 52-46, ensuring that the original Obama-backed ruling will be upheld, and our corporate ISP overlords can’t charge for premium access to select websites. [Imagine trying to organize and Occupy effort and being relegated to slower access speeds.]

Republican Debate Audience Cheers Waterboarding – The audience at Saturday night’s Republican presidential debate erupted into applause at the mention of waterboarding, an interrogation technique that is often described as torture. The National Journal‘s Major Garrett asked Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain to respond to a Vietnam veteran who said he believed torture was wrong in all cases.

“Mr. Cain, of course you are familiar with the long-running debate we’ve had about whether waterboarding constitutes torture or is an enhanced interrogation technique,” Garrett noted. “In the last campaign, Republican nominee John McCain and Barack Obama agreed that it was torture and should not be allowed legally.”

“I don’t see it as torture. I see it as an enhanced interrogation technique,” Cain replied as the audience expressed approval.

Garrett then turned to Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann for her response.

“If I were president, I would be willing to use waterboarding,” she explained as the crowd cheered wildly.

Regards,

Jim

Galveston County Democratic Chair Was Denied His Right to Vote Today – From Lloyd Criss:

Today I went to my voting precinct today at City Hall in La Marque to vote on the Constitutional amendments. I produced my voter registration certificate. Every person in the room knew who I am. The people in charge looked on the computer and said I had to produce a driver’s license or a voter ID to be eligible to vote. I was not allowed to vote. What worries me is how many others through the process of this election were denied the RIGHT TO VOTE due to the ignorance or incompetence of those in charge of this election. Someone needs to know about the law and the rights of voters if they are to conduct elections and I am not talking about the innocent voting clerks and judges at the precinct level. They were just following instructions from above. I do not know who exactly is at fault, but I believe they should be held accountable.

Alaska Militia Member Found With Ricin Instructions – An Alaska member of a fringe militia group was apprehended at a Canadian border crossing after she was purportedly found to be carrying an illegal firearm and a large cache of papers relating to the production of ricin as well as handwritten directions for constructing crude explosives.

Court filings assert that Morgan is a high-ranking member of the far-right Alaska Peacemakers Militia — an organization with a checkered legal past. Five other members have been accused by authorities of plotting to seize and assassinate Alaska state troopers and U.S. judges.

Other extreme-right militia groups have also studied the potential of using ricin as a biological weapon. Last week, two Georgia militia members were charged in federal court with scheming to produce and use ricin in bioterrorism attacks aimed at undermining federal and state governments

Many Companies Pay No Income Taxes – The corporate tax rate is supposedly 35%. But an examination of 280 of the nation’s largest corporations suggests that many aren’t paying anything close to that. The real tax rate paid by a slew of major corporations averages closer to 18.5%, according to a study released Thursday by two tax research groups. The report issued by Citizens for Tax Justice and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy paints the corporate tax code as wildly inefficient, filled with loopholes and subject to the influence of lobbyists who carve out special provisions for the companies they represent.

The study looked at 280 companies in the Fortune 500 that were profitable for all three years between 2008 and 2010. The results: 111 companies paid effective tax rates of less than 17.5% over the three-year period; 98 paid a rate between 17.5% and 30%; and 71 paid more than 30%. The average rate? 18.5%. Some companies paid zero. And 30 actually owed less than nothing in income taxes over the three years. How does that happen?

At the root of the problem is a system of inverted incentives that encourages corporations to lobby for special tax breaks — and politicians to insert them into the tax code. Corporations pay lobbyists. Lobbyists convince lawmakers to add tax breaks. Lawmakers modify the tax code. According to the study, utility Pepco Holdings and conglomerate General Electric have the highest negative income tax rates. Pepco’s profits totaled $882 million over the three-year period, while the company had a negative tax rate of 57.6%. GE earned $10.5 billion, with a negative rate of 45.3%, according to the study.

US Bank President on Peoples’ Financial Problems: “Get Over It!” – The economic environment has seemed pretty unfair in the last few years. The rich keep getting richer while everyone else struggles to find jobs, pay their bills and keep their homes. Companies are cutting benefits, health care and food costs are skyrocketing. CEO’s are receiving huge bonuses, even after they nearly failed and had to be bailed out by the government.

And U.S. Bank President Richard Davis has heard all that grumbling before. His answer?

“Get over it!”

Addressing the a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Davis said that being prepared was the key to making it through this recession. If it’s raining, he counseled, “get an umbrella.”

“Everybody’s breaking the rules, blah blah blah,” Davis said at one point, admonishing the assembled business leaders to “get over it.”

Regards,

Jim

Republican Committee in Virginia E-mails Graphic Featuring a Zombie President Barack Obama With a Bullet Hole in His Forehead – A Halloween-themed graphic featuring a zombie President Barack Obama with a bullet hole in his forehead provoked widespread outrage and the attention of the Secret Service Monday after a local Republican committee in Virginia used it to scare up interest in Halloween parade political activities. The montage, a banner on a mass email to Loudoun Republicans, mingles seasonal images including a jack-o-lantern, a disfigured U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi and a throng of flesh-hungry zombie Obama supporters.

Foreclosure Firm Mocks Their Victims – On Friday, the law firm of Steven J. Baum threw a Halloween party. The firm, which is located near Buffalo, is what is commonly referred to as a “foreclosure mill” firm, meaning it represents banks and mortgage servicers as they attempt to foreclose on homeowners and evict them from their homes. Steven J. Baum is, in fact, the largest such firm in New York; it represents virtually all the giant mortgage lenders, including Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.

A former employee of Steven J. Baum recently sent snapshots of last year’s party. In an e-mail, she said that they showed an appalling lack of compassion toward the homeowners — invariably poor and down on their luck — that the Baum firm had brought foreclosure proceedings against. She added that the snapshots are an accurate representation of the firm’s mind-set. “There is this really cavalier attitude,” she said. “It doesn’t matter that people are going to lose their homes.” Nor does the firm try to help people get mortgage modifications; the pressure, always, is to foreclose.

Let me describe a few of the photos. In one, two Baum employees are dressed like homeless people. One is holding a bottle of liquor. The other has a sign around her neck that reads: “3rd party squatter. I lost my home and I was never served.” My source said that “I was never served” is meant to mock “the typical excuse” of the homeowner trying to evade a foreclosure proceeding.

A second picture shows a coffin with a picture of a woman whose eyes have been cut out. A sign on the coffin reads: “Rest in Peace. Crazy Susie.” The reference is to Susan Chana Lask, a lawyer who had filed a class-action suit against Steven J. Baum — and had posted a YouTube video denouncing the firm’s foreclosure practices. “She was a thorn in their side,” said my source.

Bank of America Trying To Stick Taxpayers With A $74 Trillion Bill By Moving Derivatives Into FDIC-Insured Accounts – And this is why we’ve been screaming about regulating derivatives! Bank of America Corp. (BAC), hit by a credit downgrade last month, has moved derivatives from its Merrill Lynch unit to a subsidiary flush with insured deposits, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation. Now you would expect this move to be driven by adverse selection, that it, that BofA would move its WORST derivatives, that is, the ones that were riskiest or otherwise had high collateral posting requirements, to the sub. Bill Black confirmed that even though the details were sketchy, this is precisely what took place.

And remember, as we have indicated, there are some “derivatives” that should be eliminated, period. We’ve written repeatedly about credit default swaps, which have virtually no legitimate economic uses (no one was complaining about the illiquidity of corporate bonds prior to the introduction of CDS; this was not a perceived need among investors). They are an inherently defective product, since there is no way to margin adequately for “jump to default” risk and have the product be viable economically. CDS are systematically underpriced insurance, with insurers guaranteed to go bust periodically, as AIG and the monolines demonstrated.

Companies Charge Outrageous Prices for Drugs During Shortages – The number of prescription drug shortages tripled between 2005 and 2010. Besides having serious consequences for people’s health and well-being, drug shortages drive vendors to charge outrageous prices for drugs that are normally affordable when in stock. One report found that price-gouging vendors mark up prices on drugs in short supply by 650 percent, on average. Another report about these “grey market vendors”—companies that inflate prices of drugs running in short supply—found that a leukemia drug whose typical contract price is about $12 per vial was being sold at $990 per vial. At the extreme, a drug used to treat high blood pressure that was normally priced at $25.90 was being sold at $1,200 due to a drug shortage.

The Good News: Today, President Obama signed an Executive Order that will help prevent shortages that lead to this type of price gouging. The order directs the Food and Drug Administration to expand reporting about situations that might lead to drug shortages, and also to work with the Department of Justice to investigate illegal price gouging.

Regards,

Jim

Republicans Blocking Measures That Would Be Good for America – Here’s just a short list of some of the bills that Republicans have blocked, or attempted to block, since Obama became President:

Tax on Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas – A bill that would have eliminated a tax break that companies get when they ship jobs overseas. Republicans blocked this, allowing companies to keep the tax break they receive when they ship jobs to other countries.

Political Ad Disclosure Bill – Would have required all donors to political campaigns to reveal themselves. Republicans blocked this, not once but twice.

Subpoena Power for the Committee Investigating the BP Oil Spill – Give subpoena power to the independent committee responsible for investigating BP’s roll in the oil spill. Republicans attempted to block this.

The Small Business Jobs Act – would give LOCAL, community banks access to billions of dollars to loan to small businesses. Republicans blocked this, then attempted to block it a second time and failed.

The DREAM Act – Gives immigrant youth who were brought here as children a path to citizenship by earning a college degree or serving the military for 2 years. Republicans blocked this.

Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – Would have repealed the law that forces gay and lesbian services members to lie about their sexuality and gives the military the right to discharge soldiers based on their sexuality. Republicans blocked this many times and Democrats were finally able to pass it with the support of just 2 Republicans.

Senator Franken’s Anti-Rape Amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill – Makes it so that women raped overseas while working for foreign contractors have the right to have their case heard in an American court instead of having their case mediated by the company they work for. Only Republican men voted against this, but it passed.

Benefits for Homeless Veterans – Would have expanded benefits to homeless veterans and homeless veterans with children. Republicans blocked this.

Affordable Health Care For America Act – Prevents insurance companies from discriminating against you on the basis of “pre-existing conditions”. Requires that insurance companies spend 85 cents of every dollar that you pay on your actual health care. Limits health insurance companies profit margins. Republicans blocked this for months before it finally passed and have vowed to repeal it if they are elected.

Health Care for the 9/11 First Responders who got sick from being at Ground Zero – Would provide billions of dollars in health care to help the 9/11 First Responders who were at Ground Zero on 9/11 and are now sick because of it. Republicans blocked this.

The Jobs Bill – Offsets the payroll tax for 1 year for companies that hire new employees, or people receiving unemployment insurance. Also gives other tax incentives to companies hiring new employees. Republicans attempted to block this.

Wall Street Reform – Puts stricter regulations on the banks, preventing them from becoming “too big to fail”. Curbs reckless spending practices that caused the banking crisis. Republicans attempted to block this.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – Pumped billions of dollars into state and local Governments to prevent us from sinking into a second Great Depression. Republicans opposed this but now want to take credit for the parts of it that we know are successful.

Oil Spill Liability – Raises the liability on what companies can be made to pay to clean up after an oil spill. Republicans blocked this.

Immigration Reform – Republican suggested comprehensive immigration reform until Obama supported it. Now they’re rabidly opposed to it and even voted against their own legislation. Republicans blocked this.

Unemployment Extension Bill HR-4213 – Would provide additional aid to the millions of Americans still on unemployment who are just trying to support themselves and their families. Republicans blocked this bill for 8 weeks before it finally passed. Republicans blocked this for 8 weeks before it finally passed.

Fair Pay Act of 2009 – Also called the Lily Ledbetter bill. Requires that women receive equal compensation to men for doing the same work. Republicans attempted to block this.

And the Republican filibuster of the Defense Appropriations Act included blocking the following: Report identifying hybrid or electric propulsion systems and other fuel-saving technologies for incorporation into tactical motor vehicles. Protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation. Improvements to Department of Defense domestic violence programs. Department of Defense recognition of spouses of members of the Armed Forces. Department of Defense recognition of children of members of the Armed Forces. Enhancements to the Troops-to-Teachers Program. Fiscal year 2011 increase in military basic pay. Improving aural protection for members of the Armed Forces. Comprehensive policy on neurocognitive assessment by the military health care system. Authority to make excess nonlethal supplies available for domestic emergency assistance.

So the next time someone tells you that the Republicans care about the American people, just give them this list of the bills Republicans tried to block.

Regards,

Jim

Koch Brothers and Cancer in Arkansas

New Film Exposes Connection Between the Kochs and a Small Community Dying of Cancer

Suffering in the Shadow of Koch’s Dangerous Chemical Plants

Film Alleges Koch Industries’ Dumping of Toxic Chemicals is Killing People in Arkansas

The Kochs and Cancer In A Small Town

Ian Masters interviews Robert Greenwald

Koch Brothers Exposed for Cancer Causing Pollution

Koch connection to cancer deaths?

Killer Koch Cancer Connection

Koch Industries Gave Thousands To Mike Ross While Poisoning His Constituents

Film Shows Epidemic of Cancer Downstream from Koch Industries Plant in Arkansas

Koch-Owned Georgia-Pacific Plant Linked To High Cancer Rates, Film Alleges

Koch Industries plant linked to cancer epidemic in Arkansas community (video)

Film exposes cancer epidemic downstream from Koch Industries plant

Koch Brothers Exposed: Cancer Risk In Crossett Arkansas Blamed On Georgia Pacific

See the video here.

Regards,

Jim

House Republicans’ Spending Cuts Destroyed 370,000 Jobs – Last spring the GOP succeeded in passing massive spending reductions as part of a continuing resolution that kept the government operating. According to a new report from the Center for American Progress, those cuts will result in the destruction of roughly 370,000 jobs.

The Republican Party Hates Bikes – Over the past few months, as Republicans have focused their attention on cutting what they see as wasteful government spending, they’ve zeroed in on a surprising new target: bicyclists, and the programs that serve them. Only $928 million per year is devoted to what’s known as a “transportation enhancement” program, which provides funding for projects—including rails-to-trails conversions, bike lanes, and bridges—that make cycling safer, and thus more viable as a commuting option. But as Congress gears up to reauthorize the massive transportation funding bill this year, Republicans are arguing that states shouldn’t be forced to use scarce transportation funds to encourage bike commuting.

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) told the Washington Post, “We can no longer have silly priorities get in the way of real needs.”

States spend only about 1 percent of all transportation funds on projects devoted to cycling or pedestrian improvements. Yet Republicans see this as an area ripe for cutting. Over the summer, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) targeted DC’s nascent Capitol Bikeshare program, which provides cheap rental bikes at subway stations and other strategic locations in the Washington Metro area (including northern Virginia) to encourage bike commuting. The program has been wildly successful and has inspired other cities to replicate it as a good way of reducing traffic congestion and air pollution (not to mention obesity). But Cantor sees only waste.

Eric Cantor Cancels Lecture When He Finds Out That the Public is Invited – U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, the Republican majority leader in the U.S. House, canceled his scheduled speech at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business because if was going to be open to the first 300 people who showed up. Cantor wanted the audience restricted since he was going to be talking about how to keep the top 1% at the top.

Drilling and Oil Field Services Company CEO Gets $100 Million Cash Plus Another $26 Million in Stocks to Leave Post – Eugene Isenberg, the outgoing CEO of Nabors Industries, will be given a $100 million cash payment as he drops the CEO title but remains chairman of the board. The $100 million cash payment is more than the $72 million in net income the company reported for the third quarter of this year.

Put as an hourly wage for a working stiff on a 9 to 5 job, that’s something like $48,000 per hour.

The drilling and oil field services company said in a filing with the SEC Friday night it will take a $100 million contingency liability in the fourth quarter related to the payment to Isenberg.

The filing makes reference to pay information on pages 29-31 of Nabors’ most recent proxy statement, where a table seems to indicate Isenberg also would realize another $10.1 million in stock options and $16 million in stock shares.

Gun Instructor Refuses to Teach Liberals, Obama Voters, Muslims – A radio ad for a concealed handgun class at Keller’s Riverside Store in Mason, located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, is causing controversy.

“We will attempt to teach you all the necessary information you need to obtain your C.H.L.,” the ad stated. Forty-five seconds in, the advertisement added a disclaimer.
“If you are a socialist liberal and or voted for the current campaigner in chief, please do not take this class. You have already proven that you cannot make a knowledgeable and prudent decision as under the law.”

The ad continues, going on to say,”If you are a non-Christian Arab or Muslim, I will not teach you the class with no shame; I am Crockett Keller, thank you and God bless America.”

Republican Texas Land Commissioner Pushes for Confederate Flag on Texas License Plate – Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson urged a state board on Thursday to move ahead with consideration of a controversial license plate displaying the Confederate flag.

Most News Outlets Fail to Issue Correction to Incorrect Story About Expensive Government Muffins – After initially giving solid coverage to an incorrect story about the Department of Justice paying $16 per muffin at a meeting, only 37 out of 223 articles published on the story issued a correction. Media Matters also showed that both print and broadcast were culpable for a lack of correction, with major network morning and evening news shows failing to issue any follow up on the initial story when its validity was in question.

Regards,

Jim

There are only four countries in the entire world that have a more unequal distribution of wealth than the United States. And how is that working for Zimbabwe?

Here is a letter I sent to the White House today:

RE: Dinner with OWS members

Mr. President,
In the past, you have offered to sit down at dinner with a few of those who have contributed to your election or re-election. Well, I think there are some people in cities around the country that you should invite to come talk with you, but they probably can’t afford to contribute to your campaign.

Please consider reaching out and inviting some of those from Occupy to meet and talk with you. Here is a suggested list:

U.S. Marine Scott Olsen, or his room mate or father, the Iraq vet who was wounded by another American in a peace officer’s uniform in Oakland.

Sergeant Shamar Thomas, the Iraq veteran from NY who chastised the NYPD for attacking unarmed Americans and was recently clubbed by a NY peace officer.

Jan Rodolfo, Midwest Director, National Nurses United, a Chicago Nurse manning a first aid station who was arrested as part of a Occupy Chicago crack down.

David DeGraw, one of the key individuals involved in the movement from its inception.

Jess Lagreca, the OWS protester who was interviewed by FOX News and FOX was too embarrassed to use the footage.

These, and others, are the Americans you should be listening to, the 99% – not just some small group of lucky contributors.

(Maybe after listening to them, he will remember why he was elected.)

29 bills; 28 votes unfavorable to consumers; 1 vote “present, not voting”

Access to the Courts – Cut off all debate and precluded any amendments on major so-called tort “reform” legislation, which further restricts citizens’ legal rights and remedies.

(HB 274 / RV 846 / HJ, p. 3199-3200) Voted: Unfavorably.
Preliminary passage of so-called tort “reform” legislation, which further restricts citizens’ legal rights and remedies.

(HB 274 / RV 847 / HJ, p. 3200-3201) Voted: Unfavorably.
Enables wrongdoers to escape responsibility by pointing the finger at an empty chair third party after deadlines have passed.

(HB 274 / RV 850 / HJ, p. 3213-3214) Voted: Unfavorably.
Empowers the legislature to approve Supreme Court rules regarding early dismissal of lawsuits without presentation of evidence.

(HB 274 / RV 854 / HJ, p. 3218-3219) Voted: Unfavorably.
Empowers the legislature to approve Supreme Court rules to speed up the resolution of smaller cases.

(HB 274 / RV 855 / HJ, p. 3219-3220) Voted: Unfavorably.
Passed, as amended, major so-called tort “reform” legislation, which further restricts citizens’ legal rights.

(HB 274 / RV 857 / HJ, p. 3220-3221) Voted: Unfavorably.

Auto Insurance – Requires auto insurers to report on data mining technology they use, provides for administrative penalties for any violations that are discovered, and requires the Texas Department of Insurance to report to the legislature on these activities.

(HB 1951 / RV 943 / HJ, p. 3503-3504) Voted: Unfavorably.
Requires auto insurance companies to cover the cost of replacement for a child safety seat following a moderate or severe collision.

(HB 1951 / RV 978 / HJ, p. 3630) Voted: Unfavorably.

Homeowners and Auto Insurance – Allows insurers to force vulnerable policyholders into binding arbitration, taking away their constitutional right to a trial.

(HB 1951 / RV 936 / HJ, p. 3442-3443) Voted: Unfavorably.
Prohibits insurers from basing employee, agent, or adjuster compensation on the denial or delay of claims payments or cancellation or non-renewal of policies.

(HB 1951 / RV 937 / HJ, p. 3444) Voted: Unfavorably.
Requires insurers to provide coverage and payment for the days policyholders are subject to an emergency evacuation order.

(HB 1951 / RV 939 / HJ, p. 3490) Voted: Unfavorably.
Creates a prior approval regulatory system that requires home and auto insurers to submit their rates to the Texas Department of Insurance and receive approval by the commissioner before they go into effect in the marketplace.

(HB 1951 / RV 940 / HJ, p. 3499) Voted: Unfavorably.
Refunds or provides premium discounts to policyholders who have been overcharged and adds interest at 18 percent.

(HB 1951 / RV 941 / HJ, p. 3500-3501) Voted: Unfavorably.
Punishes home and auto insurers who charge excessive or unfairly discriminatory rates with an administrative penalty of $100 per policy.

(HB 1951 / RV 942 / HJ, p. 3501-3502) Voted: Unfavorably.
Bans the use of credit scoring by carriers selling personal insurance.

(HB 1951 / RV 944 / HJ, p. 3509-3510) Voted: Unfavorably.
Prohibits insurers from putting arbitration clauses in insurance policies, thereby preserving the constitutional right to trial by jury.

(HB 1951 / RV 945 / HJ, p. 3511-3512) Voted: Unfavorably.
Changes the insurance commissioner from a position appointed by the governor to one decided through a statewide election, making the commissioner directly accountable to the voters.

(HB 1951 / RV 946 / HJ, p. 3516-3517) Voted: Unfavorably.
Requires homeowners and auto insurers to list the top variables they use in determining a policyholder’s premium.

(HB 1951 / RV 977 / HJ, p. 3627-3628) Voted: Unfavorably.

Protecting Polluters – Removes provision that would have immunized polluters with government permits.

(SB 875 / RV 1431 / HJ, p. 5453) Voted: Unfavorably.

Windstorm Insurance – Final passage of legislation reforming the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and restricting policyholders’ legal rights and remedies.

(HB 3 / RV 139 / HJ, p. 626) Voted: Unfavorably.
Streamlines TWIA procedures by providing for the automatic renewal of windstorm insurance policies as long as the property is insurable or until the policy is cancelled.

(HB 3 / RV 84 / HJ, p. 439-440) Voted: Unfavorably.
Preserves full legal rights and remedies for policyholders insured through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, putting them on an equal footing with other policyholders across the state.

(HB 3 / RV 85 / HJ, p. 442-443) Voted: Unfavorably.
Ensures availability of windstorm insurance coverage, preventing cherry-picking of policyholders in less desirable parts of the coast.

(HB 3 / RV 86 / HJ, p. 443-444) Voted: Unfavorably.
Streamlines claims handling problems within the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association by establishing a “single adjuster” program where the underlying property insurer’s adjuster reviews and adjusts the claim.

(HB 3 / RV 88 / HJ, p. 446) Voted: Unfavorably.
Preliminary passage of legislation reforming the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and restricting policyholders’ legal rights and remedies.

(HB 3 / RV 89 / HJ, p. 447) Voted: Unfavorably.
Preserves legal rights and remedies, extends deadlines, and creates protections for active duty members of the United States Armed forces who are deployed overseas and whose homes have been affected by a wind-related catastrophe.

(HB 272 / RV 925 / HJ, p. 3372) Voted: Unfavorably.
Caps windstorm insurance agent commissions at 10%.

(HB 272 / RV 927 / HJ, p. 3376) Voted: Present Not Voting.
Protects policyholders’ rights in the appraisal process regarding the extent or cost of damage to the property.

(HB 272 / RV 929 / HJ, p. 3379) Voted: Unfavorably.
Creates transparency for an expert panel, which plays a large part in determining the outcome of policyholders’ disputes about windstorm coverage.

(HB 272 / RV 930 / HJ, p. 3381-3382) Voted: Unfavorably.

Regards,

Jim

Every Republican Senator Voted Against the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act – Late Thursday night, the U.S. Senate held a critical vote on the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act. Sadly, because of political gamesmanship- reflected by the fact 100% of the republican senators supported extending a filibuster- supporters of the bill were denied an opportunity to have a vote on the actual substance of the legislation itself. Senators voting to block the bill chose politics over the pressing need to support public education and public safety. They prevented the Senate from being able to even discuss the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act, putting educational quality and the safety of our cities and towns at risk. Senators Kay Hutchison and John Cornyn of Texas voted against teachers and first responders. Tell them what you think about what they did.

Mitt Romney Wants Homeowners to Be Foreclosed On So Investors Can Buy – Presidential front runner Mitt Romney can’t understand why everyone is so uptight about the “housing crisis.” After all, it’s really a great opportunity for investors.

Speaking to the major Las Vegas newspaper before the Nevada debates, Romney stated that no one should be working on a way to help homeowners keep their homes. Instead, they should just get foreclosed on. That way, investors can pick up houses at fire sale prices and just rent them to the former home owners instead.

It’s a magnanimous approach from a man who just announced plans to quadruple the size of his mansion in California. For homeowners desperately underwater, not so great. They not only lose all of the money that they have already spent on their home, but they will be at the mercy of investors who can pick up their residences for cheap and set up any sort of rent they want, knowing they have a new glut of renters who have no option to buy and no hope but to find a place for their family to rent.

Bank of America’s Practices Are At The Nexus Of The Foreclosure Crisis – Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan raised eyebrows recently when he excitedly cheered for faster foreclosures of Americans’ homes. Despite being found to be a major user of error-ridden “robo-signing” foreclosure practices last year, the mega-bank only briefly halted its foreclosure proceedings nationwide. It is also facing lawsuits by multiple states over its mortgage practices.

Herman Cain Fought Against Stricter Drunk Driving Laws – While leading the National Restaurant Association, Herman Cain served as the industry’s lobbyist-in-chief, leading the charge against laws that could harm the food service business. One of his signature causes: stopping stricter drunk driving laws.

When Cain took over as CEO of the NRA in 1996, anti-drunk driving groups were leading a campaign to lower the blood alcohol limit for a DUI to .08 across the country: the equivalent for a 170 pound-man of about five beers in two hours. The majority of states used a .10 limit as their standard, which advocates argued was an insufficiently tough deterrent and left plenty of still-dangerous drivers on the road.

Enter the restaurant industry, whose members with liquor licenses faced diminished business as a result of the changes. Led by Cain, they lobbied hard against .08 changes at the state and federal level.

Harris County Sheriff Deputies Health Insurance, Life Insurance and Retirement Under Attack – See the plan to reduce the Harris County Sheriff Deputies health insurance, life insurance and retirement.

Regards,

Jim