Jesse A. Weissman's Blog
About the Author
As a longtime Democrat who has been concerned by those Democrats who truly felt they were--or will be--disenfranchised Democratic voters due to the current Democratic Party primary system, I propose for all the Democratic Party leadership: Institute a 50-State, Same-Day Presidential Primary, for all future Democratic Party presidential primaries--effective as of the 2012 presidential electoral process, in which only verifiable, previously registered, Democrats--not same-day-as-the- primary "registered Democrats"--would be allowed to participate. Read More »
This is an urgent call for an end to the bitter infighting between the Obama and Clinton campaigns and for serious reconsideration by some of their supporters who vow to vote for McCain in the general election if their favorite Democratic presidential candidate--Clinton *or* Obama--loses the Democratic presidential nomination.
It is very important that all Democrats--whether they are Obama *or* Clinton supporters--remember that both Clinton *and* Obama would make an excellent president who would put an end to Republican warmongering while realistically and effectively addressing and resolving the serious domestic crises confronting our nation, to the betterment of not only our nation and our fellow Americans, but ourselves as well. Read More »
It is very important that all Democrats--whether they are Obama *or* Clinton supporters--remember that both Clinton *and* Obama would make an excellent president who would put an end to Republican warmongering while realistically and effectively addressing and resolving the serious domestic crises confronting our nation, to the betterment of not only our nation and our fellow Americans, but ourselves as well. Read More »
The following essay, "McCain's numbers still don't add up,"
http://the carpetbaggerreport.com/archives/14988.html, is from another online political blog, The Carpetbagger Report, I frequent and occasionally comment on.
The Carpetbagger Report
March 23, 2008
McCain's numbers still don't add up
"When it comes to taxes, John McCain wants to make Bush's cuts permanent, and slash the corporate income-tax rate from 35% to 25%. In all, according to the McCain campaign and the Congressional Budget Office, McCain's plan would cost *an additional $400 billion a year* (at a time of already huge budget deficits), and at the same time the senator is also vowing to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term. Read More »
http://the carpetbaggerreport.com/archives/14988.html, is from another online political blog, The Carpetbagger Report, I frequent and occasionally comment on.
The Carpetbagger Report
March 23, 2008
McCain's numbers still don't add up
"When it comes to taxes, John McCain wants to make Bush's cuts permanent, and slash the corporate income-tax rate from 35% to 25%. In all, according to the McCain campaign and the Congressional Budget Office, McCain's plan would cost *an additional $400 billion a year* (at a time of already huge budget deficits), and at the same time the senator is also vowing to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term. Read More »
After posting my most recent post asking for a stop to the bitter infighting between supporters Clinton and Obama, I'm very disappointed in seeing tonight's Countdown with Keith Olbermann, in which I was baffled to see and hear my state's senator, Hillary Clinton, equate herself to the Republicans' presidential nominee, John McCain, as better commander-in-chief material and seeming to endorse McCain as president over Obama if she does not win the Democratic presidential nomination. So much for her previous declarations of unity and being honored to be a fellow Democratic presidential candidate with Obama. Read More »
As a lifetime Democrat who will turn sixty-five tomorrow, I urge all my fellow PartyBuilder members to stop the infighting whether you are supporters of Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton and support and vote for the Democratic presidential nominee whether it will be Barack or Clinton.
As a current constituent of Senator Hillary Clinton, I have the highest regard for her work as the junior senator of my state, New York, and, though I was disappointed in her votes on Iraq, I am very pleased that she is personally responsive to all my e-mailed concerns to her whether on domestic or foreign policy. Read More »
As a current constituent of Senator Hillary Clinton, I have the highest regard for her work as the junior senator of my state, New York, and, though I was disappointed in her votes on Iraq, I am very pleased that she is personally responsive to all my e-mailed concerns to her whether on domestic or foreign policy. Read More »
For all PartyBuilder members, whether Obama or Clinton supporters: Watch tonight's Democratic Presidential Debate on CNN at 8 PM ET; 5 PM PT.
The California Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee are sponsoring http://www.cheneycare.org otherwise known as http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org calling on all Americans to sign their petition urging all presidential and congressional candidates and Congress to support HR 676--an expanded and improved Medicare-for-All that: Read More »
Have you, like me, recently had technical difficulties such as posting links while writing your PB blog posts after the recent PB Web site's system change?
Remember to contact the PartyBuilder's Technical Problems and Comments Department, whose link is on the bottom of every PB Web page, detailing in clear, succinct, and respectful language, the exact technical problems you are experiencing and include the browser and operating system you use in your communication for the PB technicians to better assist you. I sent a notice a few hours ago to that department and hope they could resolve this problem, shortly--but they need input from all of us to determine the true extent of the problem.
Hope this helps. Happy Holidays to all!!
Remember to contact the PartyBuilder's Technical Problems and Comments Department, whose link is on the bottom of every PB Web page, detailing in clear, succinct, and respectful language, the exact technical problems you are experiencing and include the browser and operating system you use in your communication for the PB technicians to better assist you. I sent a notice a few hours ago to that department and hope they could resolve this problem, shortly--but they need input from all of us to determine the true extent of the problem.
Hope this helps. Happy Holidays to all!!
The following excerpt is from an article in the December 2007 issue of The American Prospect magazine (November 10, 2007, Online Posting) http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=hold_that_tax
"Hold that Tax"
by Paul Starr who is coeditor of The American Prospect magazine and author of the recent book "Freedom's Power: The True Force of Liberalism"
"It seems so reasonable. particularly to many Democrats. To solve the long-term shortfall in Social Security, why not tax all earnings instead of the first $97,500? Wouldn't taxing pay above that level be the economically progressive and fiscally responsible way to solve Social Security's problems?
"Prodded by Tim Russert at two Democratic presidential debates this fall, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and John Edwards agreed that it was indeed the thing to do. None of them challenged Russert's premise that Social Security faces so dire a prognosis that only a big tax increase or cut in benefits can solve the problem.
"Let's think carefully about this. Do Social Security's problems need to be addressed now by a tax increase? How many tax increases can the next president expect to get through Congress? And what would be the impact of taxing all earnings on the long-term political viability of Social Security?
online Read More »
"Hold that Tax"
by Paul Starr who is coeditor of The American Prospect magazine and author of the recent book "Freedom's Power: The True Force of Liberalism"
"It seems so reasonable. particularly to many Democrats. To solve the long-term shortfall in Social Security, why not tax all earnings instead of the first $97,500? Wouldn't taxing pay above that level be the economically progressive and fiscally responsible way to solve Social Security's problems?
"Prodded by Tim Russert at two Democratic presidential debates this fall, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and John Edwards agreed that it was indeed the thing to do. None of them challenged Russert's premise that Social Security faces so dire a prognosis that only a big tax increase or cut in benefits can solve the problem.
"Let's think carefully about this. Do Social Security's problems need to be addressed now by a tax increase? How many tax increases can the next president expect to get through Congress? And what would be the impact of taxing all earnings on the long-term political viability of Social Security?
online Read More »
From Stars and Stripes Pacific Edition, Thursday, December 6, 2007
Link
Excerpt from "Opinion: Helping inform candidates' views on torture"
by Joseph P. Hoar, and David Maddox, Special to Stars and Stripes (Marine General Joseph P. Hoar (retired) was commander in chief of U.S. Central Command from 1991 to 1994. General David M. Maddox (retired) was commander in chief of U.S. Army Europe from 1992 to 1994.)
"We have watched with growing concern over the last several months the manner in which the issue of torture has been raised in the presidential campaign--in debates and on the campaign trail. We recognize that campaigns are often more about scoring points against opponents than responsibly staking out affirmative positions. In too many instances, the debate about interrogation methods and prisoner treatment has lacked an understanding about the impact that torture (or as some have termed it, "enhanced interrogation techniques") has on the safety of American military personnel and the values they fight to defend. Read More »
Link
Excerpt from "Opinion: Helping inform candidates' views on torture"
by Joseph P. Hoar, and David Maddox, Special to Stars and Stripes (Marine General Joseph P. Hoar (retired) was commander in chief of U.S. Central Command from 1991 to 1994. General David M. Maddox (retired) was commander in chief of U.S. Army Europe from 1992 to 1994.)
"We have watched with growing concern over the last several months the manner in which the issue of torture has been raised in the presidential campaign--in debates and on the campaign trail. We recognize that campaigns are often more about scoring points against opponents than responsibly staking out affirmative positions. In too many instances, the debate about interrogation methods and prisoner treatment has lacked an understanding about the impact that torture (or as some have termed it, "enhanced interrogation techniques") has on the safety of American military personnel and the values they fight to defend. Read More »
Phillip Longman, author of the book, "Best Care Anywhere: Why VA Health Care Is Better Than Yours," wrote a similar article in the Octobor 2007 issue of "The Washington Monthly" magazine, Link, "Best Care Everywhere: Here's An Idea: A Civilian VA for the Uninsured, and Maybe the Rest of Us," in which he proposes using the current "much-maligned Veteran's Health Administration (that) has become the highest-quality health care provider in the United States," and its "best-in-class VistA electronic medical record system" for the U.S. military, as the basis for a national civilian health care system for the nation's uninsured and, perhaps, everyone else by making health insurance mandatory for all (similar to John Edwards' health care proposal) with subsidies for those who can't afford the cost: Read More »
In an e-mailed letter to me this morning from U.S. Senator Russ Feingold in his capacity as the honorary chair of the Progressive Patriots Fund, he stated his intention to introduce two censure resolutions (as his alternative to impeachment) "aimed at holding President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and other administration officials responsible for the destructive path down which they've taken our country...." The following is the complete text of his e-mailed message to me:
"Dear Jesse,
"On 'Meet the Press' this morning (Sunday, July 22, 2007), I announced that I will introduce two censure resolutions aimed at holding President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and other administration officials responsible for the destructive path down which they've taken our country. It's clear to me, and millions of Americans, that the time has come for accountability--on everything from the disastrous war in Iraq, to refusing, time and time again, to follow the rule of law. Members of Congress can no longer stand by and allow the White House to shred the Constitution, and thumb their noses at the American people.
"Over the recent months and years, we've learned that this President, and his administration, have used mistruths, spin, lofty-rhetoric, hyped-up intelligence reports, and scare tactics to drag this country into a war that can only be described as the worst foreign policy mistake in our nation's history. In addition, the administration, in an attempt to justify this mistake, has repeatedly distorted the situation on the ground in Iraq. As a result, the administration has dangerously weakened us in our efforts to fight those who attacked us on 9/11.
"What's equally dangerous is the blatant disregard President Bush has shown for the rule of law on which our country was founded. Last year, I introduced a resolution to censure President Bush for his failure to abide by the Constitution when he implemented his illegal domestic wiretapping program and for misleading the public about whether his administration was following the law. With your help, public scrutiny in
"Dear Jesse,
"On 'Meet the Press' this morning (Sunday, July 22, 2007), I announced that I will introduce two censure resolutions aimed at holding President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and other administration officials responsible for the destructive path down which they've taken our country. It's clear to me, and millions of Americans, that the time has come for accountability--on everything from the disastrous war in Iraq, to refusing, time and time again, to follow the rule of law. Members of Congress can no longer stand by and allow the White House to shred the Constitution, and thumb their noses at the American people.
"Over the recent months and years, we've learned that this President, and his administration, have used mistruths, spin, lofty-rhetoric, hyped-up intelligence reports, and scare tactics to drag this country into a war that can only be described as the worst foreign policy mistake in our nation's history. In addition, the administration, in an attempt to justify this mistake, has repeatedly distorted the situation on the ground in Iraq. As a result, the administration has dangerously weakened us in our efforts to fight those who attacked us on 9/11.
"What's equally dangerous is the blatant disregard President Bush has shown for the rule of law on which our country was founded. Last year, I introduced a resolution to censure President Bush for his failure to abide by the Constitution when he implemented his illegal domestic wiretapping program and for misleading the public about whether his administration was following the law. With your help, public scrutiny in