Election 2012: Odds and Ends

 

 

-Mitt Romney evidently has millions stashed away in banks in the Cayman Islands. Now my image of the banking there is a place that is used to launder money, avoid paying US taxes or hide money from other family members. Why in the world would good ole clean-living Mitt feel compelled to put money in the Cayman Islands? No wonder he doesn't want to release his tax returns!

-Did Santorum really win the Iowa Caucuses? Reports coming in from Iowa say that counting the results again show Santorum winning by 34 votes. This is not Mitt's week.

-The famous "Mitt Momentum" isn't all that it is cracked up to be in the Press. The latest "New York Times/CBS Poll" has Mitt just seven points ahead of Gingrich. Romney has 28% and Gingrich has 21%. Folks, that is not a huge lead nationally for someone who just won two states.

-The same poll said that an amazing 75% of American Republicans claim it is still too early to make a full commitment to any candidate. Remember, Mitt has been campaigning for six years for this nomination.

-Openly Gay congressional candidate Mark Takano running Congress in Southern California was just picked by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Fund as one of 18 priority candidates to take over Republican helded seats. This is a victory for Takano and means enormous held from the National Democratic Party.

-Don't pack too many clothes for the National Democratic Convention in Charlotte, North Caroline. The Democratic National Committee has announced that it will be only three days this year! It will end with Obama once again giving his acceptance speech in a huge stadium! This time it will be the 74,000 seat Charlotte Panthers football edifice! (Photograph from Denver Speech)

-There is talk of a possible Newt momentum in South Carolina. Romney's lead has been cut in half in the latest CNN Poll. Romney is now at 33% and Gingrich is at 23%. Despite all the noise from the great evangelical/ Pentecostal coalition endorsing Santorum he is not showing much movement is at 16%. Newt is emerging as the anti-Romney.

-President Jimmy Carter (photograph) said that Newt is using 'subtle racism' in his campaign in South Carolina. This is what the former President had to say:

Former President Jimmy Carter says Newt Gingrich knows exactly what he is doing when he uses phrases like "food stamp president" and talks about the poor learning a work ethic. Carter says this rhetoric is "appealing to the wrong element in South Carolina."

"Newt Gingrich is probably as enlightened as I am about being gratified that we're in the desegregation years in the South," Carter said to CNN's Piers Morgan.

"When you emphasize, over and over, welfare, food stamps, and ‘Why don't the black people get jobs," and if I'm president, I'll make sure they turn toward a work ethic, rather than an ethic of welfare and food stamps, that’s appealing to the wrong element in South Carolina," the former President said on CNN

-Towleroad.com said in yesterday's blog that over 70 Mayors from across America will soon announce their support for marriage equality. The coalition will be CoChaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.

-Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water, Sarah Palin shows up again! She said if she lived in South Carolina she would be voting for Newt. Obviously pleased with the 'kinda endorsement' Newt said she would play a key role in his Presidency. Another reason to love President Obama all the more!

-One of the LGBT community's great friends, New York Democrat Maurice Hinchey, has announced he will not seek re-election after twenty years in Congress! Thank you, sir for your support over the years.

-At the last Fox News debate, the network worked with Twitter to see if people felt the different candidates were giving 'straight answers' or ducking. Romney did terribly. You clearly would want Mitt on your Dodge Ball team! You have to look at this one.

Environment: Congressional Failure To Protect Our Natural Resources

 

 

One of the grave consequences of having the GOP control the House of Representatives is that our environment, wildlife and natural resources are taking a beating. Digging in their heels, even when industry approves of the changes, the fringe in the Republican Party is blocking many actions that would protect our heritage. Even the President had to be pushed on the Tar Sands question and its huge environmental impact.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has listed the "The Top 10 Dumbest Things Congress Did in 2011". Click on the article to see all ten but here are the top five from that list. Also if you go to the NWF website they will tell you actions you can take to help stop the insanity.

5. Gulf Coast: Still Not Made Whole

We’re just a few months from the 2nd anniversary of start of the Gulf oil disaster, yet Congress still has not acted on legislation to make sure BP’s fines and penalties are reinvested in Mississippi River Delta restoration.

4. War on Next-Generation Light Bulbs

Just a few years ago, President George W. Bush signed bipartisan legislation to encourage energy-efficient light bulbs. Industry gets certainty, consumers save money, America cuts its carbon footprint: Everybody wins! But extremists attacked the standards and when they couldn’t win votes, they snuck the Dim Bulb Act into must-pass budget legislation. “Big companies like General Electric, Philips and Osram Sylvania spent big bucks preparing for the standards, and the industry is fuming over the GOP bid to undercut them,” reported Politico. Everybody loses!

3. Push Pipeline First, Ask Safety Questions Later

Facing concerns from conservationists concerned about protecting critical wildlife habitat, landowners concerned about getting their land seized, and public health advocates worried about water supplies, the Obama administration delayed a decision on the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline from the Canadian border to Texas. But before a revised route could even be drawn up, Big Oil’s Congressional allies tacked a political rider onto the payroll tax cut extension moving through Congress right now that would force a decision on the pipeline within 60 days.

2. Protecting Tax Giveaways for Big Oil

Big Oil has already banked a staggering $101 billion in profits in 2011, and as NWF detailed in Conservation Works, Congress can save more than $100 billion by closing tax loopholes for special interests like the oil and gas industries. But time after time, purported Congressional concern about the deficit came in a distant second to catering to Big Oil donors and lobbyists.

1. Fiddling While Our Climate Burns

Our world has now seen 321 consecutive months with a global temperature above the 20th century average, meaning we haven’t seen a below-average temperature month since before The Goonies came out in 1985. Extreme weather records fell, with NOAA reporting 12 disasters of at least $1 billion in damage here in the U.S. Through November, 2011 has been the 11th-hottest year on record. If the pace keeps up, it will mean each of the last 11 years (2001–2011) will have been one of the 12 hottest on record. The Arctic continues to warm, melting sea ice and pushing several polar bear populations to the brink

LGBT Candidates: Four For Victory

 

 

Hard as it is to believe, the general election is just 11 months away. In fact, in many places they will have already voted in early voting. The time to act and support our LGBT candidates is now so they have the early resources to effectively compete against well-funded opponents. This year we have four really special new races at the Federal level featuring well qualified candidates who deserve our support. All of these folks have been endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund as credible and viable candidates.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin: Without question this is one of the most historic races in the history of the LGBT community. Congresswoman Baldwin is attempting to be the first open LGBT American to serve in the United States Senate. But then, Tammy is used to making history. She was the first woman from Wisconsin ever elected to Congress and was the first lesbian to serve openly in that august body. She is likely the Democratic nominee but faces an extremely tough race in the fall against the Republican candidate. They are already 'gay-baiting her' in the race. She needs your money and resources now.

State Representative Marko Liias: This young man is running to be Washington State's first openly gay member in Congress. He would represent the First Congressional District. As a businessman he served on the Mukilteo City Council before he was appointed to the Washington State House of Representatives. After being elected in his own right, he gained great attention for his work on the issues of transportation, environment and education. Liias is one of the new breed of politicians that represent 'Main Street not Wall Street.' He needs our early support.

State Representative Mark Pocan: After serving in the Wisconsin House of Representatives for a dozen years, Mark Pocan is running to replace Tammy Baldwin the United States Congress. He was cited by his peers in the House as "Best Legislator" - a hard honor to achieve. Pocan's name is on almost every piece of progressive legislation in that comes out of the legislature. For six years he has sat on the powerful budget writing Joint Finance Committee. As a union member he has been in the forefront of fighting Republican Scott Walker's anti-union policies. Pocan is among the best running anywhere and he needs our support now.

Mark Takano: This will not be the first time this civic-minded Harvard graduate has run for Congress. In 1992, he came within 550 votes of winning this Riverside, California area Congressional seat. Not to be discouraged, he continued to be of service and was elected to the Riverside Community College Board of Trustees where he has served as President. He has won re-election four times to this seat and distinguished himself in the eyes of the public. He is now running in the election for Congress to the 41st District again in the Riverside area. Takano has a great opportunity to be the first openly LGBT person elected to Congress from California. We must support this historic and important race.

Congress Gets Wealthy And The People Get Poorer; Top Ten Most Wealthy Members of Congress

 

 

The "Washington Post" has published an article "Growing Wealth Widens Distance Between Lawmakers and Constituents". Written by Peter Whoriskey, the article illustrates how those serving in Congress have a huge income growth versus the people they serve in their states and districts. The journalist writes:

But the financial gap between Americans and their representatives in Congress has widened considerably since then, according to an analysis of financial disclosures by The Washington Post.

Between 1984 and 2009, the median net worth of a member of the House more than doubled, according to the analysis of financial disclosures, from $280,000 to $725,000 in inflation-adjusted 2009 dollars, excluding home ­equity.

Over the same period, the wealth of an American family has declined slightly, with the comparable median figure sliding from $20,600 to $20,500, according to the Panel Study of Income Dynamics from the University of Michigan.

You can read the entire article by clicking here. A sidebar to the article has a list of the 25 wealthiest members of Congress. Here is the top ten(after we removed two names on the list that are no longer in Congress) rounded off to the nearest million! Click here to see all twenty-five.

1. Congressman Darrell Issa (R - CA) (photograph): $448,000,000

2. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX): $380,000,000

3. Senator John Kerry (D-MA): $232,000,000

4. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA): $193,00,000

5. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI): $174,000,000

6. Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO): $143,000,000

7. Congressman Vernon Buchanan (R-FL): $136,000,000

8. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): $101,000,000

9. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV): $99,000,000

10. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ): $86,000,000

Barney Frank Is Not Done...

 

 

Since being elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1972, Barney Frank has been servicing his state and the country as an elected official for close to forty years. In his own unique, witty, combative and take-no-prisoners style, Barney has left his mark in American history. Clearly in the realm of LGBT history he will go down as one of the great leaders of our time. In the progressive movement, he has been a major force for change. As head of the Banking Committee in Congress, the Dodd-Frank bill is landmark legislation.

Congressman Frank loves being on the 'inside' of establishment politics. He has little tolerance for anyone operating out of traditional political boundaries - especially massive grassroots organizing or marches. Barney believes with all his will that the answer to the nation's (and LGBT) problems can only be solved in the traditional political process. In service to that deeply held belief, he sometimes chose the safety and opinions of his Democratic Party leaders over that of those who would advocate that those leaders show stronger leadership on LGBT issues.

His embracing of Clinton's DADT policy put an end to any hopes of anything significant for LGBT military personnel at that time. His advocacy for removing Transgender from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is another example. For Barney, those actions were practical and realistic decisions but for others his support for those policies was viewed as a devastating setback.

Then there are those days when, working on the 'inside', Barney yielded more progress than organizing could ever hope to accomplish. At other times, it felt he was making pushing that rock up the hill harder for those on the outside.

Barney is unique. He has strong opinions. The congressman never has strayed from his values and principles no matter what others thought of those beliefs or strategies. Truth, as he knew it, was all that mattered and he was principled in keeping to those truths. For that he has my deep admiration and respect.

Most importantly, Barney is not dead. Simply because he chose to leave Congress does not mean we will cease hearing from the feisty, funny and opinionated Mr. Frank. He will continue to be outspoken. My guess is he will be a fixture on this year's campaign trail for others. Don't be surprised if the Obama Administration finds new uses for his considerable talents.

Barney is still here and will be still be a major force in progressive politics.

Five Possible Actions For The Occupy Movement

 

 

The parks are slowly being cleared out by the police and the movement is moving more unto university land. Many are wondering what is next for the economic justice movement. Those who have put their bodies, resources and safety on the line are having long and serious discussions about what are the next logical steps. While not participating in those decision making circles, would love to throw out five ideas for possible action by the movement. Maybe it is possible to do one or two of these ideas. Do you have some ideas for action? Leave them in the comment section!

1. Congressional Offices: Pick a time every week to get dozens if not hundreds to stand outside (or inside) Congressional offices around the country demanding jobs. If people can't make it to the offices then every week thousands should send their resumes to their Congressperson or just a simple email that said "jobs and economic justice" Flood their offices with these emails. Special focus should be given to those in leadership positions in Congress who are not creating jobs, coming to terms with poverty or reforming America's financial system. Make sure the press and media understand it is about their failure to accept leadership or responsibility for our current status in America.

2. Boycotts: Pick a corporation that hasn't paid any taxes or one that is making obscene profits while America is suffering and have an all out boycott. You can only boycott one or two to be effective. But an all out boycott say of General Electric or Exxon would have a powerful effect. Americans will only buy from those who are standing by our sides and attempting to put America back to work and end poverty. There is no room in today's America for corporate tax-dodgers.

3. March of the Unemployed: Organize Marches of the Unemployed to the State Capitols around America. Have the hundreds/thousands without jobs line up single file and present to their government their resumes and demand jobs.

4. Reach Out America: Pick one day next spring and have people all over America go door to door to ask them to join us in our effort to make the country great again by putting people to work, ending poverty and reforming our financial system. Have one thing you can ask them to do when you knock on your neighbors' doors. Especially canvass in the districts of those politicians who have refused to hear our demands.

5. March on Washington For Jobs: Next spring, working with all of our allies including LABOR, have a massive march on Washington for jobs. Go all out and attempt to have over a million people demand governmental action for 1. Jobs, 2. Ending Poverty and 3. Financial Reforms.

LGBT: Will You Match Me For Tammy Baldwin?

 

 

Today I am sending a contribution of $100 to Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin through the Victory Fund to help her become the first open LGBT person ever in the United States Senate. Wouldn't it be spectacular if we made Tammy's week and 100 of you all would match my $100?   If it would be easier for some of you make any size contribution you can make to her campaign but I will still need my 100 people to match me.

Please join me.

Yes, times are tight but this race is one of the most significant in LGBT history. The Religious Right will raise millions in attempt to defeat her and pick up a Republican seat. If they succeed they will proclaim loudly the false notion that an LGBT candidate cannot get elected the United States Senate. This must not happen. In this time and this place we have the ability to change the world, make history and elect one amazing advocate to the United States Senate.

So share this blog with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Join me in making sure Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has the money she needs, early and up front to do the win. Together we can make history.

Click here and join me in my contribution. Surely there are 100 of you out there who are able to do it within the next seven days. Click here.

Election 2012: Elizabeth Warren for United States Senate

 

 

Every Blue Moon or so we are fortunate enough to have a person run for office who, without a doubt, will be an incredible public servant. Such is the case with Elizabeth Warren who is running for United States Senate in Massachusetts. If she wins the Democratic Primary, she will face incumbent Republican Scott Brown next November.

If a candidate were to be created that would reflect the passions of Occupy Wall Street it would be Elizabeth Warren. When the TARP hearings were held by the Congressional Oversight Panel, she brilliantly and always on mark asked the tough questions. She grilled Secretary of Treasury Tim Geithner so intensely that he almost lost it in the hearing room. Warren knew her facts, dug for the truth, refused to put party ahead of the people and distinguished herself in the process.

She has become the voice of the people and the powerless who are suffering in this moribund economy. However, even with her articulate voice she has not resorted to demagoguery nor slogans. Warren lays out the facts, refuses to budge and demands action based on knowledge and not ideology. Rarely in all my years of public life have I seen a person who is more needed than Warren at this time.

Put this watchdog in the United States Senate. By electing her, we champion an advocate for us all. One that will make us proud of her considerable knowledge and passion. Write that check to her today and send it off immediately. Just click here.

Impressions.....by David Mixner

 

-The National NAACP National Convention held a session on LGBT rights which was a huge breakthrough for the organization. Moderated by CNN's Don Lemon and on the panel was Wanda Sykes, Julian Bond and NAACP National Chair Benjamin Jealous. Watch the video above for an enlightening discussion.

-The William Institute at UCLA continues to do outstanding research for the LGBT community. In a recent study they found that 25% of all LGBT employees have experienced discrimination within the past five years. A very high 33% are still in the closet at work. Clearly the community has a lot of work to do.

-On another survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a report showing that only 30% of American LGBT workers have access to same-sex partners benefits. Who says we don't need ENDA?

-Openly gay candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination Fred Karger is like the energizer bunny. He never runs down. He has now reached the 1% point in the new Zogby poll. Not impressed? Well it is the exact same percentage as Newt Gingrich and only 1% behind Pawlenty and Santorum. Go, Fred!

 

-Good Ole Arkansas never disappoints. The center of rampant homophobia has not lost touch with its racism either. McGehee High School's senior with the highest GPA was Kymberly Wimberly (photograph) and thus earning the spot of class valedictorian and speaking honors. Not so fast in the celebration! Kymberly is African-American and the school administration was not thrilled with that option so appointed a white student with a much lower GPA to be co-valedictorian. Here is a report on the lawsuit filed by her parents:

According to the equal protection lawsuit Kymberly’s family has filed, administrators and teachers routinely discouraged Black students, who made up nearly half of the high school’s enrollment this year from taking honors and AP classes.They would use school-wide assemblies to make the course work sound daunting, then pull individual White students aside to encourage them to sign up for the more rigorous classes. As a result, Kymberly was the only Black student in her AP literature class and one of two in her calculus class.

-Am very grateful for all the kind words about my one man show "From the Front Porch...." and the money we were able to raise for good causes. The talented team made me look good. New York Magazine even placed us in their famous Approval Matrix! Thanks everyone.

-Incumbent Republican Senator Dick Lugar is facing a tough challenge from Tea Party candidate State Treasurer Richard Mourdock. They think Lugar is too liberal for the Republican Party. In a new Basswood Research poll they were virtually tied.

-You gotta love my New York Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchaz (photograph). After the strike he told management that he would be willing to restructure his own lucrative contract to make more room for other talent. That is the essence of team spirit. Go, Jets.

 
New York Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez!

-Karen Ocamb of LGBTPOV has a really good interview with new Equality California's Executive Director Roland Palencia. Take a minute and read this excellent interview .

-The Italian Parliament voted against basic LGBT rights. Marriage was not even involved with the vote. The vote as 293 to 250 to deny Italian LGBT citizens basic protections from discrimination.

-Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry will face his first electoral test this weekend in Colorado. The Republican Party has added his name to their straw poll at the State Convention. Perry will be speaking at the Convention.

-President Obama continues to lead Governor Mitt Romney by 4% in the Public Policy Polling in the state of Virginia. All the other Republican candidates run considerably further behind the President.

-What had looked like a tight race is opening up for Michigan's Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow. In the latest poll she has a 9% lead over her nearest Republican opponent.

-The same poll showed President Obama leading Mitt Romney by 5% in Michigan which is a state that historically been good to the Romney family over the years.

-A list has just been released of the "cleanest countries in the world." Do you think Norway , Iceland, Sweden or Finland won the title?

-Think you are having tough economic times? Poor George Washington was struggling with such financial difficulties that he had to borrow $200 to travel from Mt. Vernon to New York for his own inauguration. Part of my summer reading is Ron Chernow's "Washington, A Life" and it is simply brilliant.

-BroadwayWorld.com polled theater goers and its readers about what Broadway musical they most would like to see made into a movie. The runaway winner with 71% of the vote is "Book of Mormon."

-Talented actor Lee Pace is heading from Broadway's "The Normal Heart" to be in the hottest movie in town - "Lincoln." The movie, with a script by Tony Kushner, is to be directed by Steven Spielberg and will star Daniel Day Lewis as Honest Abe and Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln.

-Openly Gay Mayor Sam Adams of Portland, Oregon has announced that he won't seek re-election.

 

-The Grand Old Oprah can be too happy with Rosie O'Donnell saying her new show might just save Oprah's struggling network, OWN. Hmmmm.....

-July was the hottest month ever for Washington, DC and Philadelphia! Many cities along the East Coast had the hottest days in their history including Newark at 108 degrees. Poor Dallas has had 30 straight days where the temperature has been above 100 degrees. Kill me.

-Daily Kos has an impressive list of 90 accomplishments of President Obama's that are not reported by the media.

In the "oh please God, no" department, actor and right wing Republican Kelsey Grammar is thinking of running for Mayor of New York City. (via JoeMyGod).

-HSBC reported a record $11 BILLION profit and also announced at the same time they will lay off 30,000 plus workers. Is that lovely .

-To help us stay cool in this summer's brutal heat this baby hippo puts on a water ballet for us. Enjoy!

VIDEO: Nancy Pelosi Gives Powerful Speech Amidst The Insanity

 

 

 

The temptation of the last week is just to tune Washington out. The entire circus is almost too painful to watch as a small group of right wing Congress people holds the entire nation hostage for their narrow agenda. Watching traditional Washington Republican Speaker John Boehner being forced to dance to the tune of the inmates was indeed a very sad spectacle. At times this past week it has seemed dark and hopeless and one had every right to fear for the direction of America.

On Saturday Nancy Pelosi rose and restored sanity to the asylum with a powerful and right on target speech. Be sure to listen.