Published in the Macomb Daily Tuesday, August 31. 2010
Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
The present day controversy over the building a mosque two blocks from New York’s Ground Zero reminds me of a saying my mother taught all of her six children and grandchildren that applies to the 41B District Court race in Macomb County.
“Because you can doesn’t mean you should” is what Momma Murray used to say when we would bully one of our siblings or do something else that was clearly just plain mean-spirited. She would take the time to explain to us that morality was sometimes just as important as superiority. She would tell us to think through whether we were doing the right thing the wrong way or doing wrong by insisting on always being right.
Such is the debate over whether a mosque should be allowed so close to the site of America’s worst mass murder. From a constitutional viewpoint, owners of private property have the right to build almost anything they want so long as it meets local community building codes. But what of a community’s moral obligation to prevent the long-term fracturing of itself by not listening to the current cries of a wounded spirit by ignoring the wailing of a not-yet healed soul from within that same community?
The same goes for local politics. You are sometimes judged by the company you keep. Current 41B District Court Judge Sheila Miller is running for re-election against attorney Carrie Fuca. Fuca has learned to be fiercely independent and does not rely on the old school political machine to determine her judicial destiny, which is a strong reason for my endorsement of her candidacy.
Judge Miller is a fine person, but she is not listening to cries of disenfranchisement from a community that supported her when she first got here. Her local mentor and political handler, Ed Bruley, has individually done more in recent history to disenfranchise blacks than any local group ever has. In 2001, when drawing Macomb County’s commission districts, Bruley split the black community in into three commission districts, a practice generally called gerrymandering. In January 2010, he did it again, but this time split the communities into two different, but substantially larger, districts. It is no secret that Miller gets her political marching orders from Bruley, and that fact alone makes her suspect.. She should not allow herself to be the face of the exception to his rule.
I couldn’t agree more with those who say blacks should not just vote for blacks simply because they are black, which is why I supported and worked the polls for Jacob
Femminineo over Alisha Baker for charter commissioner. Baker was not an independent thinker and let Bruley dictate her political path and, unfortunately, Miller may have made the same mistake. Femminineo turned out to be far less of a partisan charter chairman than some originally assumed, and while the end product was not without its “black holes”, under his leadership, the charter commission proved itself an independent body.
Whether Miller is “one of us” is utterly not the point and should not be the basis of how blacks cast their vote. Blacks should not vote for a candidate just because the candidate is black no more than whites should just vote against a candidate because the candidate is black. For justice to be served, justice must be free from prejudice and political influence, which is why it is important that Fuca be given serious consideration by the black community. It boils down to conduct, character and one’s company over the content of a candidate’s color, and on that basis, Fuca’s independence ensures she will get my vote.
The same goes for the proposed mosque in New York. There is something sacred about that site that should not be sullied by creating an invisible wall of animosity that will remain far longer than any of the present-day high brow justifications based primarily on constitutional principles. Sometimes in life and politics, the principle is just so plain and simple: Because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Democratic Socialists of America Influence Macomb County Politics
The following is a letter I sent requesting that the secretary of state and the Macomb County Clerk look into why Fred Miller, Brian Brdak, and former Macomb County Commissioner Bob Gibson appeared to have attemtped to not disclose that the Democratic Socialists of America conducted a fundraiser held on their behalf on May 14, 2004.
July 22, 2010
Ms. Terry Lynn Land
Secretary
Michigan Department of State
Lansing, Michigan 48918
Ms. Carmella Sabaugh
Macomb County Clerk
40 North Main
Mount Clemens, 48043
Re: Campaign Finance Report Query:
Dear Ms. Land and Ms. Sabaugh:
On or about February 6, 2007, the Democratic Socialists of America published an online account of a fund raiser held on Friday, May 14, 2004, for State Representative candidate Fred Miller and Macomb County Commissioner candidates Brian Brdak and Bob Gipson.
To the best of my knowledge, and after a review of online campaign finance documents provided by each of your offices, I have not been able to confirm that the fundraiser, sponsored by the Democratic Socialists of America, was directly reported by State Representative Fred Miller, Commissioner Brian Brdak or former Commissioner Bob Gibson.
This letter is a request that your offices investigate whether the fundraiser and the donations derived from the fundraiser were reported to your respective offices as is required by law.
To aid in your response to this request for a formal investigation, please be advised the following was posted on the Democratic Socialist of America’s website on February 6, 2007:
“DSA Hosts Successful Fundraiser for Macomb County Democrats
On Friday, May 14th, Detroit DSA hosted a wine and cheese fundraiser for three Macomb County Democrats: Brian Brdak and Bob Gibson (who are running for the Macomb County Commission) and Fred Miller (who is running for the state legislature). The three are protégés of former U.S. Representative David Bonior. Our support for them is part of a strategy of creating a "farm system" for developing progressive candidates in Macomb County. The fundraiser was held at the home of David and Teena Green. We collected a total of $5980 from 36 different contributors.”
Prior to that, on the same Democratic Socialists of America website, the following announcement of the impending fundraiser was published:
“Our local will also be hosting a wine and cheese fundraiser for these candidates on Friday, May 14th from 5-8 PM. The fundraiser will be at the home of David Green (28292 Harwich Drive in Farmington Hills--near the intersection of Middlebelt and Twelve Mile Roads). Please plan to attend-- and bring your checkbook. Those unable to attend the fundraiser may still contribute to these campaigns. Simply make out separate checks to Brian Brdak for County Commissioner, Friends of Bob Gibson, and Friends of Fred Miller. Write "DSA Fundraiser" on the memo line of each check, and mail to:
Detroit DSA
28292 Harwich Drive
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334.”
Mr. David Green, then and current chairman of the Detroit Democratic Socialists of America, allegedly resides at the above referenced address. His phone number, as published at the time, was 248-761-4203. His number has also been posted as 248-855-3169.
Mr. Green is reported on Brian Brdak’s 2004 campaign finance report as an individual donor only in the amount of $500.00. Mr. Green is also reported on Mr. Gipson’s campaign finance report as having only individually donated $500 to Mr. Gipson’s campaign. The date for those donations is May 14, 2004. A review of filings on the Macomb County Clerk’s website reflects that neither Brian Brdak nor Bob Gibson filed the requisite “Fundraiser Schedule 1F” form as utilized by the Macomb County Clerk.
Additionally, to the best of my knowledge, there is no reference to a Democratic Socialist of America fundraiser held by Mr. Green at his residence on State Representative Fred Miller’s finance disclosure reports filed for the correlating period. Mr. Miller does have a fundraiser listed on the state’s campaign finance website, the address for which is listed as “Need To Know, MI” for that same date, but it unclear as to whether that fundraiser was actually sponsored by the Democratic Socialists of America and held at Mr. Green’s residence in Farmington Hills. Also, I have been unable to find a city called “Need to Know” in the state of Michigan.
It would be greatly appreciated if your offices could look into this matter.
Respectfully,
Gregory Murray
July 22, 2010
Ms. Terry Lynn Land
Secretary
Michigan Department of State
Lansing, Michigan 48918
Ms. Carmella Sabaugh
Macomb County Clerk
40 North Main
Mount Clemens, 48043
Re: Campaign Finance Report Query:
Dear Ms. Land and Ms. Sabaugh:
On or about February 6, 2007, the Democratic Socialists of America published an online account of a fund raiser held on Friday, May 14, 2004, for State Representative candidate Fred Miller and Macomb County Commissioner candidates Brian Brdak and Bob Gipson.
To the best of my knowledge, and after a review of online campaign finance documents provided by each of your offices, I have not been able to confirm that the fundraiser, sponsored by the Democratic Socialists of America, was directly reported by State Representative Fred Miller, Commissioner Brian Brdak or former Commissioner Bob Gibson.
This letter is a request that your offices investigate whether the fundraiser and the donations derived from the fundraiser were reported to your respective offices as is required by law.
To aid in your response to this request for a formal investigation, please be advised the following was posted on the Democratic Socialist of America’s website on February 6, 2007:
“DSA Hosts Successful Fundraiser for Macomb County Democrats
On Friday, May 14th, Detroit DSA hosted a wine and cheese fundraiser for three Macomb County Democrats: Brian Brdak and Bob Gibson (who are running for the Macomb County Commission) and Fred Miller (who is running for the state legislature). The three are protégés of former U.S. Representative David Bonior. Our support for them is part of a strategy of creating a "farm system" for developing progressive candidates in Macomb County. The fundraiser was held at the home of David and Teena Green. We collected a total of $5980 from 36 different contributors.”
Prior to that, on the same Democratic Socialists of America website, the following announcement of the impending fundraiser was published:
“Our local will also be hosting a wine and cheese fundraiser for these candidates on Friday, May 14th from 5-8 PM. The fundraiser will be at the home of David Green (28292 Harwich Drive in Farmington Hills--near the intersection of Middlebelt and Twelve Mile Roads). Please plan to attend-- and bring your checkbook. Those unable to attend the fundraiser may still contribute to these campaigns. Simply make out separate checks to Brian Brdak for County Commissioner, Friends of Bob Gibson, and Friends of Fred Miller. Write "DSA Fundraiser" on the memo line of each check, and mail to:
Detroit DSA
28292 Harwich Drive
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334.”
Mr. David Green, then and current chairman of the Detroit Democratic Socialists of America, allegedly resides at the above referenced address. His phone number, as published at the time, was 248-761-4203. His number has also been posted as 248-855-3169.
Mr. Green is reported on Brian Brdak’s 2004 campaign finance report as an individual donor only in the amount of $500.00. Mr. Green is also reported on Mr. Gipson’s campaign finance report as having only individually donated $500 to Mr. Gipson’s campaign. The date for those donations is May 14, 2004. A review of filings on the Macomb County Clerk’s website reflects that neither Brian Brdak nor Bob Gibson filed the requisite “Fundraiser Schedule 1F” form as utilized by the Macomb County Clerk.
Additionally, to the best of my knowledge, there is no reference to a Democratic Socialist of America fundraiser held by Mr. Green at his residence on State Representative Fred Miller’s finance disclosure reports filed for the correlating period. Mr. Miller does have a fundraiser listed on the state’s campaign finance website, the address for which is listed as “Need To Know, MI” for that same date, but it unclear as to whether that fundraiser was actually sponsored by the Democratic Socialists of America and held at Mr. Green’s residence in Farmington Hills. Also, I have been unable to find a city called “Need to Know” in the state of Michigan.
It would be greatly appreciated if your offices could look into this matter.
Respectfully,
Gregory Murray
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sending only black students on a school field trip sends wrong message
Sending only black students on a school field trip sends wrong message
Ann Arbor Field School Trip Sends Wrong Message
The recent Ann Arbor-based Dicken Elementary School field trip to the University of Michigan to meet Alec Gallimore, an African-American aerospace engineering professor, justifiably has caused an uproar that may find its way to the Michigan Attorney General’s office. While it was a great idea to introduce students to Gallimore, who is also the director of the university’s propulsion lab, the plain truth was that to exclude non-black students was blatantly discriminatory.
The real tragedy is that white and other ethnic students weren’t allowed to witness a repudiation of a renewed and widespread attack on blacks, where stereotypes are the weapon of choice. Just as President Barack Obama’ address to the nation’s schoolchildren caused panic amongst a few who did not want their children to see a successful black man who coincidentally leads “our country,” the children from Dicken who were excluded would have seen an accomplished, educated successful and productive black man whose life should be an inspiration for all children, regardless of race.
Those excluded students would have seen a counter to the general characterizations often posted on the Macomb Daily’s website about all blacks as being lazy, self-indulgent, promiscuous, un-educated, welfare oriented, marauding hooligans who are destroying the fabric of Macomb’s quality of life. History teaches us that as resources and services get tight, there is a tendency to find a group to blame for all manner of things, and blacks and Latinos seem to fit the bill as an easy target of frustration for those who feel their way of life is slipping away, hence the cry of “Let’s take our country back!,” a country that we stole from the original Americans in the first place.
Let some of the Macomb Daily bloggers tell it, blacks have been nothing but leeches on “society,” a society where the benefits of citizenship were largely reserved for certain members of this country until a war and several federal legislative acts put a stop to what possibly would have been an eternal damnation of blacks to perpetual servitude to others based solely on race.
You can try to do a right thing the wrong way and have a discriminatory result. I affirm that excluding those children was discriminatory, which is different from a racist intent, which is when you purposely do the wrong thing the wrong way hoping for a bad outcome for the target of the act.. There will and should be some consequence to this fumbled attempt at enlightenment, but the Dicken principal should no more be fired than the white principal of that St. Clair Shores high school who sent a letter home to black parents only regarding their children’s alleged lack of academic achievement.
All children, and an ever growing number of adults, should be exposed to the many contributions that blacks made then and make now to the country, but not in such a shallow fishbowl. Some will say that even black history month, which no one is forced to observe, is discriminatory. It is not because no one is obligated to celebrate the contribution blacks have made to this country. Without a month that blacks carved out to acknowledge the positive aspects of our history in this country, whites too probably would not know the significant contributions blacks have made to this country besides that of being America’s forced labor market for more than two centuries.
So when you turn on your air conditioner this summer or go to the movies theater, say a silent thank you to Fred McKinley Jones (http://www.blackinventor.com/pages/fred-jones.html), another black engineer who, in 1939, made the first air conditioner ever for, of all things, the United States government (ever heard of “Thermo King?).
Ann Arbor Field School Trip Sends Wrong Message
The recent Ann Arbor-based Dicken Elementary School field trip to the University of Michigan to meet Alec Gallimore, an African-American aerospace engineering professor, justifiably has caused an uproar that may find its way to the Michigan Attorney General’s office. While it was a great idea to introduce students to Gallimore, who is also the director of the university’s propulsion lab, the plain truth was that to exclude non-black students was blatantly discriminatory.
The real tragedy is that white and other ethnic students weren’t allowed to witness a repudiation of a renewed and widespread attack on blacks, where stereotypes are the weapon of choice. Just as President Barack Obama’ address to the nation’s schoolchildren caused panic amongst a few who did not want their children to see a successful black man who coincidentally leads “our country,” the children from Dicken who were excluded would have seen an accomplished, educated successful and productive black man whose life should be an inspiration for all children, regardless of race.
Those excluded students would have seen a counter to the general characterizations often posted on the Macomb Daily’s website about all blacks as being lazy, self-indulgent, promiscuous, un-educated, welfare oriented, marauding hooligans who are destroying the fabric of Macomb’s quality of life. History teaches us that as resources and services get tight, there is a tendency to find a group to blame for all manner of things, and blacks and Latinos seem to fit the bill as an easy target of frustration for those who feel their way of life is slipping away, hence the cry of “Let’s take our country back!,” a country that we stole from the original Americans in the first place.
Let some of the Macomb Daily bloggers tell it, blacks have been nothing but leeches on “society,” a society where the benefits of citizenship were largely reserved for certain members of this country until a war and several federal legislative acts put a stop to what possibly would have been an eternal damnation of blacks to perpetual servitude to others based solely on race.
You can try to do a right thing the wrong way and have a discriminatory result. I affirm that excluding those children was discriminatory, which is different from a racist intent, which is when you purposely do the wrong thing the wrong way hoping for a bad outcome for the target of the act.. There will and should be some consequence to this fumbled attempt at enlightenment, but the Dicken principal should no more be fired than the white principal of that St. Clair Shores high school who sent a letter home to black parents only regarding their children’s alleged lack of academic achievement.
All children, and an ever growing number of adults, should be exposed to the many contributions that blacks made then and make now to the country, but not in such a shallow fishbowl. Some will say that even black history month, which no one is forced to observe, is discriminatory. It is not because no one is obligated to celebrate the contribution blacks have made to this country. Without a month that blacks carved out to acknowledge the positive aspects of our history in this country, whites too probably would not know the significant contributions blacks have made to this country besides that of being America’s forced labor market for more than two centuries.
So when you turn on your air conditioner this summer or go to the movies theater, say a silent thank you to Fred McKinley Jones (http://www.blackinventor.com/pages/fred-jones.html), another black engineer who, in 1939, made the first air conditioner ever for, of all things, the United States government (ever heard of “Thermo King?).
Monday, March 22, 2010
Socialists of Detroit Work With Bonior and other Macomb County Democrats
Rep. David Bonior (D-Mich), the former Democratic Whip in the House, shares a stage with Detroit Democratic Socialists of America Chair David Green (right).(Photo courtesy of David Green )
Mobilized in Motor City -- In These Times
The link above is an article detailing the association between Dave Bonior and the Democratic Socialists of Americas' Detroit Chapter/
Features » December 25, 2009
Mobilized in Motor City
How Detroit DSA works in the Democratic Party to effect change.
By Seth A. Maxon
In 1998, thanks partly to the work of Detroit DSA, a living-wage ordinance passed on the ballot in Detroit with 80 percent support. Since then, the group has led other successful campaigns to establish a living wage in the cities of Warren, Eastpointe and Ferndale, and in the counties of Wayne and Macomb. Tags activists politics SHARE THIS ARTICLE Democratic socialists in southeastern Michigan can do something most of their counterparts across the nation cannot: they can boast of electoral victories. Moreover, they possess a level of influence within the Michigan Democratic Party of which many American leftists dream. And they’ve done it all without compromising their beliefs or values.
Their success has come from working with, instead of against, local Democrats.
“It starts out with relationships,” says David Green, the chair of the Detroit chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the organization that is a descendent of the Socialist Party of Eugene Victor Debs. He continues, “Mark Brewer, the chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, has a very good relationship with us. He’s spoken to our local several times. The chairs of the county parties, several of them are close friends as well.”
Since 1998, Detroit DSA, with about 250 members, has successfully partnered with local county chairs and other Democratic Party officials to promote and elect several progressive candidates to the Michigan state legislature. One of these candidates, State Rep. John Espinoza, was even elected in the heavily conservative “Thumb” region of the state. In 2004, with the backing of Detroit DSA, Espinoza became the first Democrat and the first Latino ever elected to represent Michigan’s 83rd District.
The secret to their success, says Green, is thinking strategically.
“As a small organization, how can we make a difference? We leverage our forces. We put our efforts towards a progressive Democrat challenging a Republican, or a progressive Democrat challenging a centrist Democrat [in a primary]. “
“We don’t pick symbolic victories,” Green says, “We pick things we can win.”
After deciding whom to support, Detroit DSA carefully chooses tactics that will have the greatest impact, all of which are based on the leftist tradition of on-the-ground, grassroots action.
Green holds initial fundraisers for progressive Democratic candidates in his own home, where he invites friends and allies to come meet the candidates and contribute to their campaigns. These fundraisers bring in several thousand dollars, which, according to Green, is more than enough to get a fledgling statehouse race off the ground, providing crucial support to underfunded progressive candidates entering politics for the first time.
To build on the initial fundraising push, a core of Detroit DSA goes door-to-door to distribute literature and answer questions about their candidates. These activists also participate in phone banking and email campaigns. As part of this effort, Green instructs his members not to identify themselves as DSA members, to avoid the knee-jerk reaction many still have toward people who self-identify as “socialists.”
Indeed, Detroit DSA has come under fire from Republicans and Democrats for being a “socialist” organization. Earlier this year, the pro-free-market, Michigan-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy asked the question, “Are socialists deciding close state house races?” In addition, in previous elections, Detroit DSA candidates have been “red-baited” by both Republican opponents and mainstream newspapers. Detroit DSA’s support became an issue in another statehouse race, in which the Republican candidate commissioned robo calls that accused her opponent, Democrat Vicki Barnett, of being a socialist.
Such red-baiting, though unsuccessful (both Barnett and Brown went on to win their elections, the former by a landslide), has prevented Detroit DSA from getting involved in higher profile races. The group offered to support progressive Democratic candidates in two congressional races in 2008: Gary Peters (9th district) and Mark Schauer (7th district), both of whom went on to victory. Green says that the candidates themselves were happy to have Detroit DSA’s involvement, but that “handlers” from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) refused the support, for fear that the candidates would be red-baited or branded as socialists.
Commitment to social movements
Despite the organization’s involvement in electoral politics, Detroit DSA has not given up on its commitment to social movements.
Over the past decade, the group has successfully waged six local living-wage campaigns in southeastern Michigan, utilizing many of the same methods they use to get out the vote. In 1998, thanks partly to the work of Detroit DSA, a living-wage ordinance passed on the ballot in Detroit with 80 percent support. Since then, the group has led other successful campaigns to establish a living wage in the cities of Warren, Eastpointe and Ferndale, and in the counties of Wayne and Macomb.
In 2006, Detroit DSA also led a successful anti-sweatshop campaign at Wayne State University, which thanks to the group’s efforts, no longer sells merchandise made in sweatshops.
Green insists that the social movement activism is as important as Detroit DSA’s electoral work.
“If all we did was work on electing progressive Democrats, we’d be guilty of some of the accusations our opponents give us, that the DSA is just an appendage of the Democratic Party … that we’re political hacks. If all we do is movement work, that’s kind of naïve. The way change happens in this country is by winning elections. That’s how you gain power and make change. You have to have both.”
Looking to the future
Green is confident that the DNC’s rejection of his organization’s support will change. In the 2008 cycle, support from Detroit DSA helped to push progressive candidates over the top in close races, in traditionally Republican regions, and in races where their candidates were red-baited. They continue to lead living-wage campaigns and other social movements that mainstream Democrats can support without controversy.
The upcoming 2010 elections are particularly important for Detroit DSA. Three-quarters of Michigan’s state senators are up for re-election, and the new census numbers will mean the legislature (where Republicans in the senate have a thin majority) has to redistrict the state. With Detroit DSA’s support, Green says, the Democrats can help avoid Republican dominance and gerrymandering.
Through it all, though, he says, the democratic socialists will stick to their guns and stay committed to long-term progressive change.
“We have to continue to be progressive so people will say, you know, it’s worth working with these people. And we can handle any flack that comes from the right wing. That takes a little backbone, a little experience … and it doesn’t happen
More to come....
FR/ED's (Fred Miller/Ed Bruley) association with the same group. Ed Bruley is running to become a regent at for Wayne State (please see the refernce above to the campaigns the DSA admit they have conducted at Wayne State University.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Democrats Cite 2 New Pledges as They Press Health Bill - NYTimes.com
Democrats Cite 2 New Pledges as They Press Health Bill - NYTimes.com
Democrats Cite 2 New Pledges as They Press Health BillBy DAVID M. HERSZENHORN and JEFF ZELENY
Published: March 17, 2010
WASHINGTON — The drive by House Democrats to pass major health care legislation gained momentum on Wednesday, as Representative Dennis Kucinich, Democrat of Ohio, announced that he would support the bill after previously opposing it, and Representative Dale E. Kildee, Democrat of Michigan, said the abortion restrictions were sufficient to win his vote.
House leadership aides said they expected to release the final legislative language for the measure on Wednesday afternoon, setting up the possibility of a decisive vote on Saturday. House Democratic leaders have said lawmakers would be given 72 hours to review the legislation before voting on it.
Even as Republicans stepped up their criticism of the bill, Democrats said they were making progress in securing the 216 votes needed to approve it.
Mr. Kucinich, at a news conference at the Capitol, said he still favored a fully government-run Medicare-for-all system, like those of many European nations. But after coming under intense pressure, including a visit on Monday by President Obama to his district outside Cleveland, Mr. Kucinich said he did not want his objections to stand in the way of the legislation.
“If my vote is to be counted, let it count now for passage of the bill, hopefully in the direction of comprehensive health care reform,” he said. He added, “I believe health care is a civil right.”
He also said his vote was in part to further Mr. Obama’s top domestic priority, the health care legislation. He is the first lawmaker to publicly declare his intention to switch to voting yes from no.
Mr. Kildee voted for the House health care bill in November, after Representative Bart Stupak, also a Michigan Democrat, succeeded in winning passage of an amendment imposing tight restrictions on insurance coverage for abortions.
Mr. Stupak and Mr. Kildee are viewed as close allies, and Mr. Stupak has said he would oppose the legislation because it now uses the Senate provisions on abortion, which he has called insufficient. Mr. Stupak also warned that as many as 11 other abortion opponents would join him in voting against the bill.
But in a statement, Mr. Kildee said he was satisfied that the provisions in the health care bill passed by the Senate would prevent the use of federal money for insurance coverage of abortions.
His announcement that he would support the legislation gave a big lift to House Democratic leaders who have been working to assure abortion opponents that a vote for the bill would not change existing federal policy, including the law known as the Hyde amendment, which bars the use of federal money for abortion in most cases.
"For those who know me, I have always respected and cherished the sanctity of human life,” Mr. Kildee said in his statement. “I spent six years studying to be a priest and was willing to devote my life to God. I came to Congress two years after the Hyde Amendment became law. And I have spent the last 34 years casting votes to protect the lives of the unborn.”
“I have stood up to many in my party to defend the right to life and have made no apologies for doing so,” he continued. “I now find myself disagreeing with some of the people and groups I have spent a lifetime working with. I have listened carefully to both sides, sought counsel from my priest, advice from family, friends and constituents and I have read the Senate abortion language more than a dozen times. I am convinced that the Senate language maintains the Hyde Amendment, which states that no federal money can be used for abortion.”
Mr. Kildee added that there were important reasons to support the measure. “We must not lose sight of what is at stake here — the lives of 31 million American children, adults, and seniors-who don’t have health insurance,” he said. “There is nothing more pro-life than protecting the lives of 31 million Americans.”
Mr. Stupak reiterated his intention to vote against the health care bill on Wednesday. But Democratic leaders no longer appear to be counting on his vote.
Mr. Kucinich became the first lawmaker to publicly declare his intention to switch to voting yes from no.
At his news conference, Mr. Kucinich said his vote was intended partly to protect Mr. Obama’s presidency. The health care legislation is Mr. Obama’s top domestic priority, and Republicans have made defeating it their top goal.
“In the past week it’s become clear that the vote on the final health bill will be very close,” Mr. Kucinich said. “I take this vote with the utmost seriousness. I’m quite aware of the historic fight, which has lasted the last century.”
He added, “The president’s visit to my district on Monday underscores the urgency of this vote.”
In a private conversation aboard Air Force One, traveling to Ohio on Monday, President Obama pressed Mr. Kucinich for his support for the bill. The White House did not know what the congressman had decided until earlier on Wednesday, when his aides advised administration officials and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of his plans.
While supporting the Senate bill, Mr. Kucinich said he did not like the procedure that might be used to pass it without an up-or-down vote in the House.
“I don’t like much of anything about this process,” Mr. Kucinich said.
Explaining factors he had considered in making his decision, Mr. Kucinich said, “We have to be very careful that the potential of President Obama’s presidency not be destroyed by this debate.”
Robert Pear contributed reporting.
Democrats Cite 2 New Pledges as They Press Health BillBy DAVID M. HERSZENHORN and JEFF ZELENY
Published: March 17, 2010
WASHINGTON — The drive by House Democrats to pass major health care legislation gained momentum on Wednesday, as Representative Dennis Kucinich, Democrat of Ohio, announced that he would support the bill after previously opposing it, and Representative Dale E. Kildee, Democrat of Michigan, said the abortion restrictions were sufficient to win his vote.
House leadership aides said they expected to release the final legislative language for the measure on Wednesday afternoon, setting up the possibility of a decisive vote on Saturday. House Democratic leaders have said lawmakers would be given 72 hours to review the legislation before voting on it.
Even as Republicans stepped up their criticism of the bill, Democrats said they were making progress in securing the 216 votes needed to approve it.
Mr. Kucinich, at a news conference at the Capitol, said he still favored a fully government-run Medicare-for-all system, like those of many European nations. But after coming under intense pressure, including a visit on Monday by President Obama to his district outside Cleveland, Mr. Kucinich said he did not want his objections to stand in the way of the legislation.
“If my vote is to be counted, let it count now for passage of the bill, hopefully in the direction of comprehensive health care reform,” he said. He added, “I believe health care is a civil right.”
He also said his vote was in part to further Mr. Obama’s top domestic priority, the health care legislation. He is the first lawmaker to publicly declare his intention to switch to voting yes from no.
Mr. Kildee voted for the House health care bill in November, after Representative Bart Stupak, also a Michigan Democrat, succeeded in winning passage of an amendment imposing tight restrictions on insurance coverage for abortions.
Mr. Stupak and Mr. Kildee are viewed as close allies, and Mr. Stupak has said he would oppose the legislation because it now uses the Senate provisions on abortion, which he has called insufficient. Mr. Stupak also warned that as many as 11 other abortion opponents would join him in voting against the bill.
But in a statement, Mr. Kildee said he was satisfied that the provisions in the health care bill passed by the Senate would prevent the use of federal money for insurance coverage of abortions.
His announcement that he would support the legislation gave a big lift to House Democratic leaders who have been working to assure abortion opponents that a vote for the bill would not change existing federal policy, including the law known as the Hyde amendment, which bars the use of federal money for abortion in most cases.
"For those who know me, I have always respected and cherished the sanctity of human life,” Mr. Kildee said in his statement. “I spent six years studying to be a priest and was willing to devote my life to God. I came to Congress two years after the Hyde Amendment became law. And I have spent the last 34 years casting votes to protect the lives of the unborn.”
“I have stood up to many in my party to defend the right to life and have made no apologies for doing so,” he continued. “I now find myself disagreeing with some of the people and groups I have spent a lifetime working with. I have listened carefully to both sides, sought counsel from my priest, advice from family, friends and constituents and I have read the Senate abortion language more than a dozen times. I am convinced that the Senate language maintains the Hyde Amendment, which states that no federal money can be used for abortion.”
Mr. Kildee added that there were important reasons to support the measure. “We must not lose sight of what is at stake here — the lives of 31 million American children, adults, and seniors-who don’t have health insurance,” he said. “There is nothing more pro-life than protecting the lives of 31 million Americans.”
Mr. Stupak reiterated his intention to vote against the health care bill on Wednesday. But Democratic leaders no longer appear to be counting on his vote.
Mr. Kucinich became the first lawmaker to publicly declare his intention to switch to voting yes from no.
At his news conference, Mr. Kucinich said his vote was intended partly to protect Mr. Obama’s presidency. The health care legislation is Mr. Obama’s top domestic priority, and Republicans have made defeating it their top goal.
“In the past week it’s become clear that the vote on the final health bill will be very close,” Mr. Kucinich said. “I take this vote with the utmost seriousness. I’m quite aware of the historic fight, which has lasted the last century.”
He added, “The president’s visit to my district on Monday underscores the urgency of this vote.”
In a private conversation aboard Air Force One, traveling to Ohio on Monday, President Obama pressed Mr. Kucinich for his support for the bill. The White House did not know what the congressman had decided until earlier on Wednesday, when his aides advised administration officials and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of his plans.
While supporting the Senate bill, Mr. Kucinich said he did not like the procedure that might be used to pass it without an up-or-down vote in the House.
“I don’t like much of anything about this process,” Mr. Kucinich said.
Explaining factors he had considered in making his decision, Mr. Kucinich said, “We have to be very careful that the potential of President Obama’s presidency not be destroyed by this debate.”
Robert Pear contributed reporting.
Senate approves $17.6 billion job creation bill - Mar. 17, 2010
Senate approves $17.6 billion job creation bill - Mar. 17, 2010
Jobs bill on way to Obama for signature
By Tami Luhby, senior writerMarch 17, 2010: 11:43 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Congress put the final seal of approval on a $17.6 billion job creation bill on Wednesday.
The measure, which has gone through many twists and turns in the House and Senate in recent weeks, now heads to President Obama for his signature. It passed the Senate Wednesday by a 68 to 29 vote.
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The legislation will:
-- Exempt employers from Social Security payroll taxes on new hires who were unemployed.
-- Fund highway and transit programs through 2010.
-- Extend a tax break for business that spend money on capital investments, such as equipment purchases.
-- Expand the use of the Build America Bonds program, which helps states and municipalities fund capital construction projects.
The bill is a slimmed down version of an $85 billion bipartisan measure crafted by the Senate Finance Committee last month. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., stripped out these four measures and put them into a separate bill, saying he hoped lawmakers would pass it more quickly. The new bill passed the Senate on Feb. 24.
However, it then had to go to the House, which added two provisions to pay for the infrastructure spending and corporate tax breaks. Its amendments require foreign financial institutions to give the Internal Revenue Service more information to help it catch tax cheats, and delays a tax break for foreign interest payments. The House sent it back to the Senate in early March.
Job creation focus
The president and lawmakers have vowed to push measures that will spur job creation, as the economy continues to lose jobs and the unemployment rate stubbornly remains at 9.7%. But the initiatives are having a tough time getting through Congress.
Wednesday's measure has been criticized by some lawmakers and economists as having little bang for the buck.
The centerpiece of the legislation is a hiring tax credit crafted by Senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. The bill spares businesses from paying Social Security taxes on new hires who had been unemployed for at least 60 days. This tax, which comes to 6.2%, could save companies a maximum of $6,621.
Companies who retain these new employees for a year can claim an additional credit of the lesser of $1,000 or 6.2 percent of the wages paid to the employee in 2010. The measure's estimated cost is $13 billion over 10 years.
Some economists say the credit will prompt the hiring of 300,000 workers, while others say it will only help at the margin because companies won't hire unless they see an increase in demand, regardless of tax incentives.
Additional initiatives being considered include giving more tax breaks to companies and funneling more money to the states, which are contemplating big spending cuts to balance their budgets. Others, however, are concerned that these measures will only add to the sky-high federal deficit. Democrats counterted that the legislation is fully paid for.
Meanwhile, the deadline to apply for extended unemployment benefits runs out in coming weeks. The House has to consider a roughly $140 billion bill that would push back the deadline until year end, extend a bevy of expired tax measures and send the states $25 billion to help fund its Medicaid obligations.
In the House, several jobs bills are forming, while Senate Democratic leaders say their next jobs initiative will be targeted at small businesses.
"This is just the first, certainly not the last, piece of legislation we will put forward," Schumer said.
Jobs bill on way to Obama for signature
By Tami Luhby, senior writerMarch 17, 2010: 11:43 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Congress put the final seal of approval on a $17.6 billion job creation bill on Wednesday.
The measure, which has gone through many twists and turns in the House and Senate in recent weeks, now heads to President Obama for his signature. It passed the Senate Wednesday by a 68 to 29 vote.
Facebook Digg Twitter Buzz Up! Email Print Comment on this story
The legislation will:
-- Exempt employers from Social Security payroll taxes on new hires who were unemployed.
-- Fund highway and transit programs through 2010.
-- Extend a tax break for business that spend money on capital investments, such as equipment purchases.
-- Expand the use of the Build America Bonds program, which helps states and municipalities fund capital construction projects.
The bill is a slimmed down version of an $85 billion bipartisan measure crafted by the Senate Finance Committee last month. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., stripped out these four measures and put them into a separate bill, saying he hoped lawmakers would pass it more quickly. The new bill passed the Senate on Feb. 24.
However, it then had to go to the House, which added two provisions to pay for the infrastructure spending and corporate tax breaks. Its amendments require foreign financial institutions to give the Internal Revenue Service more information to help it catch tax cheats, and delays a tax break for foreign interest payments. The House sent it back to the Senate in early March.
Job creation focus
The president and lawmakers have vowed to push measures that will spur job creation, as the economy continues to lose jobs and the unemployment rate stubbornly remains at 9.7%. But the initiatives are having a tough time getting through Congress.
Wednesday's measure has been criticized by some lawmakers and economists as having little bang for the buck.
The centerpiece of the legislation is a hiring tax credit crafted by Senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. The bill spares businesses from paying Social Security taxes on new hires who had been unemployed for at least 60 days. This tax, which comes to 6.2%, could save companies a maximum of $6,621.
Companies who retain these new employees for a year can claim an additional credit of the lesser of $1,000 or 6.2 percent of the wages paid to the employee in 2010. The measure's estimated cost is $13 billion over 10 years.
Some economists say the credit will prompt the hiring of 300,000 workers, while others say it will only help at the margin because companies won't hire unless they see an increase in demand, regardless of tax incentives.
Additional initiatives being considered include giving more tax breaks to companies and funneling more money to the states, which are contemplating big spending cuts to balance their budgets. Others, however, are concerned that these measures will only add to the sky-high federal deficit. Democrats counterted that the legislation is fully paid for.
Meanwhile, the deadline to apply for extended unemployment benefits runs out in coming weeks. The House has to consider a roughly $140 billion bill that would push back the deadline until year end, extend a bevy of expired tax measures and send the states $25 billion to help fund its Medicaid obligations.
In the House, several jobs bills are forming, while Senate Democratic leaders say their next jobs initiative will be targeted at small businesses.
"This is just the first, certainly not the last, piece of legislation we will put forward," Schumer said.
Wal-Mart Announcer Tells All Black Customers TO Leave the Store
Wal-Mart investigating racist store announcement | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Last Updated: March 17. 2010
Associated Press
Washington Township, N.J. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. officials are reviewing security tapes to try to determine who used a southern New Jersey store's public-address system to tell "all black people" to leave.
Shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday at the Washington Township store, a male voice calmly announced: "Attention Wal-Mart customers: All black people leave the store now."
Witnesses say customers and store employees looked stunned. Management later apologized.
Company spokeswoman Ashley Hardie says the incident was "unacceptable." The retailer is looking to prevent it from happening in the future.
Washington Township police and the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office also are investigating.
Last Updated: March 17. 2010
Associated Press
Washington Township, N.J. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. officials are reviewing security tapes to try to determine who used a southern New Jersey store's public-address system to tell "all black people" to leave.
Shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday at the Washington Township store, a male voice calmly announced: "Attention Wal-Mart customers: All black people leave the store now."
Witnesses say customers and store employees looked stunned. Management later apologized.
Company spokeswoman Ashley Hardie says the incident was "unacceptable." The retailer is looking to prevent it from happening in the future.
Washington Township police and the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office also are investigating.
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