“Today’s display on the steps of the Supreme Court was not the America envisioned by our Founders.” Isn’t it fascinating that for a Republican Party that is so fond of reference to the Constitution and our Founding Fathers, that they clearly have no clue as to the intent of our Founding Fathers?
Month: June 2012
SCOTUS Rules Affordable Care Act Constitutional!
— DNC Secretary Alice Germond
Thursday was a momentous day for millions of Americans and our country as a whole. All three branches of government have now agreed that President Obama’s health care law is the right thing to do.
1. The court ruled that the individual mandate is constitutional as a tax.
2. Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the majority to uphold Obamacare.
3. The court provided guidance on Medicaid reimbursements to states.
Americans will no longer be faced with lifetime limits on coverage, have their insurance withdrawn arbitrarily, or be turned away because of a pre-existing medical conditions. Young people will be able to remain on their parents’ policies, the doughnut hole for seniors is no longer a nightmare, and, perhaps most important, the fear that a health problem will bankrupt American families is gone.
Yes, history has been made, but this is not just about winning. Today is also about moving forward to make real, sustainable, and positive change in the lives of everyday Americans. We are 130 days away from Election Day. To assure the victories like we had today, we must continue to work hard on behalf of our President.
Passing the Affordable Care Act was the right thing to do. The Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act was the right thing to do. Re-electing President Obama is the right thing to do.
Attached to this email, you will find the President’s remarks from earlier today (or watch the videohere) and Today’s Talking Points. Please continue to share this information with your networks and friends.
Fired up and ready to go
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REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON SCOTUS AFFORDABLE CARE ACT RULING.pdf 58K View Download |
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TALKING POINTS JUNE 28TH.pdf 256K View Download |
Transportation Bill w/Student Loan Rate Extension Amendment Passes House
Berkley Pleased Student Loan Rates Won’t Double On Nevada Middle-Class Families, and Glad Designation of Interstate 11 From Las Vegas to Phoenix Included in Transportation Bill
Las Vegas – Today, U.S. Senate candidate Shelley Berkley released the following statement upon House passage of the bill to stop student loan rates from doubling on Nevada families and to re-authorize the surface transportation program, which included a provision designating Interstate 11 from Las Vegas to Phoenix:
“I’m pleased both sides of the aisle came together today to stop the student loan rate from doubling on Nevada middle-class families. As the first person in my family to go to college, and as the mother of two sons, I know firsthand how important affordable education is to building a middle-class life, and that is why I’ll continue fighting to keep college affordable so that future generations of Nevadans have the same opportunities that I did to go to college, get a good job and raise a family.
“I’m also glad that the House approved legislation that will make Interstate 11 a reality. Connecting Las Vegas and Phoenix, the last remaining major metropolitan areas not linked by a modern highway, will boost our economy, create good-paying jobs in Nevada and make it easier for visitors to travel to the greatest tourist destination on earth.”
BACKGROUND
Berkley Voted To Authorize Transportation Programs And Extend 3.4 Percent Interest Rate On Student Loans. In 2012, Berkley voted for the conference report on the bill that would authorize federal highway, mass transit and safety programs through fiscal 2014 at current levels with inflationary increases for certain programs. It would provide $21.2 billion for the Highway Trust Fund, $80 billion in contract authority for programs administered by the Federal Highway Administration in fiscal 2013 and 2014, and $21.3 billion for programs administered by the Federal Transit Administration. It also would extend the 3.4 percent interest rate on subsidized federal student loans through July 1, 2013, reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program through Sept. 30, 2017 and provide for the distribution of penalties paid by those responsible for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill to Gulf Coast states for environmental restoration activities. The conference report was adopted 373-52. [HR 4348, Vote #451, 6/29/12]
Language Was Added Designating Route Between Phoenix And Las Vegas As interstate 11. According to the Las Vegas Sun, “a joint committee of Congress inserted language officially designating a route between Phoenix and Las Vegas as Interstate 11…Passage of the legislation, which could come later today, wouldn’t provide funding for I-11, but it would put the route in line for federal dollars to upgrade U.S. 93 to interstate highway standards. The designation is part of the $120 billion bill to renew transportation funding in the United States for the next two years. Current funding is due to expire this weekend.” [Las Vegas Sun, 6/29/12]
Berkley Co-Sponsored Bill To Extend Student Loan Rate Reduction. In 2012, Berkley co-sponsored HR 4816, which would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans. The bill would be funded by closing tax loopholes for big oil and gas companies. [HR 4816, 4/25/12]
Seeking Shelley Berkley BFFs
— Cindy Trigg, Douglas County Central Committee Chair
I am looking for a small group of rapid response workers. Volunteers who are willing to recruit helpers and volunteers to aid the Berkley campaign whenever they’ll need help in phone banking, putting boots on the ground going door-to-door, etc. Hey ladies … this is a great opportunity to lose that last couple of pounds walking door-to-door for Shelley.
The key is that these volunteers MUST BE WILLING TO DO THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE UNTIL IT’S FINISHED. If you cannot find the volunteers to help with the “assignment” you’d need to finish it yourself.
This is different from signing up with the Berkley campaign. These initial volunteers for this group should be campaign tested. This group will take direction from the Berkley campaign, however, we’ll need to be strong enough to say or relay facts about our communities, things that we know does and doesn’t work.
We know our communities. and we will work our butts off for Shelley. but we need to let them know what works well for candidates in our counties and precincts. For example, folks in Winnemucca know that spending time walking (or more appropriately, driving) from door-to-door in the outlying precincts doesn’t do a whole lot for us. Something else we’ve learned is that highway signs and billboards lift the spirits of volunteers, brings volunteers in, and give us a sense that the candidate we are working for has a presence.
I’m hoping to recruit FIVE core volunteers from each of the CD2 rural counties, Douglas, Carson City, Churchill, part of Lyon, Winnemucca and Elko. This is not an exercise in resume building. It is, however, a 90-day sprint from Aug. 1st thru the election. It won’t mean you’ll have to miss your child’s wedding, but we will have to be prepared to work hard at consistently supporting our candidate.
We will elect Shelley Berkley as the Senator from NV but we have to make sure the rural counties are not ignored. Time, money and distance make it very difficult for the federal candidates. When we can’t physically get our candidate here, we’ll work to set up Skype meetings and teleconference calls to give voters more access.
But, to do that, we need your help! Step up and volunteer to help. Reach out to those who you know will do the work. If you’re willing to volunteer as one of Shelley’s BFFs, send a text with your information or call Cindy Trigg at (775) 338-1561, or send Cindy an email: f4trigg@aol.com.
What Does “Conservative Judicial Activism” Look Like
— by Erin Neff, Executive Director, ProgressNow Nevada
The majority on the U.S. Supreme Court continues to stridently put politics above justice as it finishes its radical term this week.
Today the court upheld the most controversial aspect of Arizona’s immigration law — the portion that all but sanctions racial profiling. While the court did strike down the majority of the law as unconstitutional, some of the conservative justices wanted to uphold the entire thing.
And Justice Antonin Scalia, a Reagan appointee, used the bench to speak out about President Obama’s recent executive order giving “dreamers” (those who would qualify under the DREAM Act) a path to citizenship.
How is that blind justice?
This is the most radical court in history. The majority — Reagan and Bush appointees — issue opinions that break court rules and shatter common sense.
How else can you explain corporations are people?
Today the court upheld its horrific Citizens United opinion by overturning an attempt by Montana to try to regulate the unfettered corporate money in its political system.
This radical Roberts Court is the precise reason Sheldon Adelson can spend tens of millions of dollars to try to impact the presidential election. It’s the reason the Koch Brothers, Karl Rove and their affiliated “non-profits” have spent multiple millions on ads calling for the repeal of health care reform.
In Nevada, these groups have spent $4.4 million on TV ads calling for the repeal of Obamacare. They’ve outspent supporters of health insurance 4-to-1. Citizen’s United will never create an even system because it allows those with the money to speak the loudest.
On Thursday, the court is expected to announce its decision on the Affordable Care Act as corporations and their puppet on the presidential trail scream for repeal.
We know there’s power in people. And we’re thankful Obamacare has insured 22,000 young adults and 750 people with pre-existing conditions right here in Nevada.
Check out this video thanking Obamacare for providing access to health coverage for millions of Americans. Watch it and share it. Together we can stand up to the corporate money. Together we can stand against a radical court. And together we can say Thanks Obamacare.
Rural Nevada Democratic Caucus 