Government by and for the People, next Joke

This what we voted for, really? 

It is long past time for a serious discussion. Discussion requires listening, inequitable tax codes, regressive sales and use taxes to allow special exemptions and corporate tax reductions has been revealed and no one was listening. Lawmakers don't lack courage, they have plenty of courage when it comes to special interests rewards.

 They have plenty of opportunity to reverse or stop the fiscal wreckage or correct legislative boondoggles and excesses . They enact legislation that takes effect four-six-eight years down the line, the results won't show immediately and by the time it does they will be term-limited out with racy new positions given by those whose favor they curried with legislative special treatments.

Take a roll call of past legislators and government political appointees and check out what they are doing today, with and for who?   It is so difficult to believe, the voters have been stomped on, beat up, totally violated and yet they vote for the sane public molesters time and time again.

In 1998 the voters passed Arizona Proposition 200, also known as the Clean Elections Act. Many of the people chosen by the voters have fought and tried to destroy the Act every since. Turning to this week the Senate rejected a bill to ask the voters to end the Clean Elections Act, then two Republican Senators changed their votes and on reconsideration the measure asking voters to repeal the public campaign funding system was passed and will go the 2016 ballot.

Was there anything wrong with the Act? Couldn't it be amended and fixed? Why if it has been working since 1998 have the political powers finally mustered enough strength to destroy it, who or what is behind it, certainly not the voters who placed it into law?

Another case of voter abuse, is the voter mandate on school finance adopted by the voters in 2000. When the Legislature decided it didn't want to follow the voters requirements, they just ignored them. The Courts have ordered the State to comply with the voters adopted measure.

What has happened? The Governor and the Legislature just spit in the voters eye and rather than make up the voter approved funds for schools, more financial cuts and demands without money for schools to do more. Yes, with less!

In 2000 the voters in Arizona were fed up with the results of how the Legislature was drawing the voting district lines and gathered signatures to put Proposition 106 on the ballot delegating the power to draw congressional and legislative district boundaries to an Independent Redistricting Commission. The voters decided they wanted an independent commission to complete the redrawing of lines every ten years after the census was completed by the Federal Government.

Behold the voters spoke again, and what has the Legislature done every since?

Fought tooth and nail to get back to their old ways of gerrymandering districts to favor their political needs and retain political power. Once again, right up to today, the choice of the people has been rejected to the point taxpayer dollars are being spent to challenge the decision of the voters in the Supreme Court of the United States.

The elected representatives of the people want to overturn another initiative sponsored by the people and get back their selfish, self-serving ways. Another case of slapping the people governed in the face.

Some how the people keep giving the keys to the government in Arizona to the elected people that pick and choose what voter decisions they like and will accept. Long overdue time for discussion? In Arizona we have what the dark money has bought, what we pay for with our tax dollars and so far what we as voters are allow to have by the political powers in Phoenix.

GOP won't give up tearing down Social Security & Medicare

The News is GOOD

After rising for a decade, the number of Americans experiencing 

financial distress from their medical bills has started to decline, 

a new survey has found.      The result provides new evidence 

that the Affordable Care Act, by providing uninsured people 

with health insurance, is also improving their financial security, 

a major goal of the law.

Michael Hiltzik

LOS ANGELES TIMES-January 19, 2015michael.hiltzik​@latimes.com

The disability program is facing a fiscal crisis that could force a cutback in crisis that could force a cutback in disability payments of about 20% starting next year; Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky) and other Republicans have signaled that they won't accept the customary remedy for similar situations, which involves reallocating some payroll tax revenue from the old-age fund to cover disability's near-term shortfall. Instead, they're demanding a full-scale fiscal rebalancing of Social Security, which in practice means benefit cuts for everyone -- disabled, retirees and their families.

A large proportion of Paul's own constituents would be harmed by his approach. In 2013, his home state of Kentucky had the fourth-highest disability rate in the country -- more than 225,000 residents, or 8.2% of the population -- fostered in part by low educational attainment and lack of gainful employment opportunities. (What has Paul done to alleviate those conditions?)

The most cynical aspect of this attack is  that it comes from some lawmakers who were helped by Social Security in their own lives. The roster includes Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who received Social Security benefits during his college years, after his father's untimely death, and now thinks that the nation can't afford to keep paying them as currently scheduled.

Another is Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), the sponsor of the House rules change, whose father died when he was 2 and then was raised by a single mother on Social Security and veterans benefits. Now he talks about Social Security going "bankrupt," which is flatly incorrect, and promotes a measure aimed at cutting benefits for all. This is known as climbing the ladder and pulling it up behind you. If Reed, Ryan and Paul get their way, the only option left to the rest of us will be to hold tight. ###

EARNED BENEFITS PROGRAM-Social Security

A wedge is attempting to be built pitting older generations against younger ones and trying to convince our grandkids to settle for less than what they deserve, which is a secure retirement that they earn through their work.

Every effort to curtail the onward existence of Social Security comes with the pitch to younger people, "it won't be there when you are ready to retire". 

The question, if so many people recognize and understand that by not increasing the minimum wage (most propose to $10.10 an hour) it is draining state and federal poverty programs keeping full time workers incomes so low they can't even support themselves let alone a child or a family, why is the Republican opposition so furious?  Do the Republicans really want people on "the dole"? 

Originally "the dole" was considered a government program for the unemployed, today the Republicans think any government program directed to combat poverty levels and help feed poor people such as food stamps or school free lunch programs are being wasted on people lacking initiative and just plain lazy "folk".

Of course government corporate assistance, special tax breaks, subsidies, farm programs for corporate farms are not the dole!  Money directed to private businesses and corporate, even foreign corporations, represented by millions of dollars paid to unregulated lobbyists and front groups is not government welfare.

So what does the minimum wage have to do with Social Security and the Republican opposition?  The GOP dependence on the financial favors of a few huge campaign money machines and shadow "unconnected not for profit advocate groups" may have a little bit to do with their opposition.  How many elections would the GOP win without the dark money blasting and distorting Democrat policies and values? 

Time after time every poll and expression of public opinion supports and favors Democrat ideals and positions of issues.  Yet the confusion, and constant negative rhetoric has taken a toll on election results as in Statehouses, State Legislatures and the Halls of Congress itself. 

Changes advocated for Social Security, Medicare and opposition to lifting the minimum was all have to do with profits, the amount of money the fat cats get to keep.  Payroll taxes in the percentage of paid wages are lower with lower minimum wages, increase the minimum wage more taxes would be collected for the Social Security Trust Fund for Medicare. 

It's the payroll taxes!  Think about it, higher pay, less people on the government dole, cut spending on government assistance programs, more chance to balance the federal budget, bring down the deficit, more money for the expanding Medicare rolls,  and protecting the earned benefits of Social Security.

Voucher out Medicare, snake oil solutions for future Social Security benefits and maintaining high corporate profits all the while pointing, yes, giving the finger to the working poor!  No solution to immigration without allowing low wage guest workers, no path to citizenship for millions living under the cover of darkness, and absolutely blocking every effort to empower people's the right to vote.

Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)

On the other hand, less than a third (31 percent) of Americans 65 and older favor the law. A lot of their opposition may be rooted in the misconception that Obamacare “cut” Medicare. And, of course, there’s the fact that people in the 65+ age group have access to Medicare and don’t face many of the problems the law was designed to solve - like being turned away by insurers because of pre-existing health conditions or paying sky-high premiums because of age.  {I got mine attitude}

Retirees, disorganized, not equipped for legal battles are being attacked.

• The Alliance for Retired Americans
 

Friday, December 19, 2014

<Mostly members are retired union members from various labor organizations who have joined together under one alliance.  This a direct reprint which I will add comments.>

****

Paul Ryan’s Way of Cutting Medicare to Reemerge in New Congress

The next Republican budget will look a lot like those written by exiting House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), the incoming House Budget Committee Chairman said last Friday. That would mean eliminating deficits in 10 years by calling again for massive cuts to the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), who takes the reins of the U.S. House budget panel in January, told reporters he will “build on” Ryan's proposals by devising ways to put more federal benefits programs under the control of states. Ryan will take over as chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

Price said a Republican-controlled Congress can now advance policies pioneered by Ryan, including his controversial Medicare plans. Those plans would cut Medicare by limiting beneficiaries to a set amount of money every year to buy private health care insurance. Known as "premium support," the program would mark a dramatic shift from the current Medicare system, under which the federal government helps pay for all medical services that an individual uses.

<In short, here is a voucher for health insurance, now go negotiate a health plan for yourself.>

“‘Premium support’ is vouchers and would gut Medicare and shift costs to seniors,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “It is another way of saying, ‘Here’s a nickel, you’re on your own for the rest of your health care costs.’” More from Reuters at http://tinyurl.com/nuuhany.

<Alliance for Retired Americans sponsors "Letters to the Editor" and awards a special pen to members who get published and forward their information to the organization.>

Budget or another Topic on Your Mind? Write a Letter to the Editor

Letters to the editor are a terrific way to get our message out.

===================================================

Huffington Post December 15, 2014

When the Senate approved the omnibus spending bill to prevent the government from shutting down, it also delivered a blow to some retirees who collect pensions. In a little-discussed provision of the bill, certain multi-employer pension plans were given the go-ahead to reduce pension checks to current recipients by up to 60 percent. 

<Watch this, also Koch Industries major employers are looking for ways to limit or reduce employee pension benefits.>

===================================================

Huffington Post December 19, 2014

The United Steelworkers union negotiated a series of collective bargaining agreements stipulating that retired employees "will receive a full company contribution towards the cost of [health] benefits." The union believed the benefits were guaranteed for life. The company contends it could take away these benefits whenever it chose--which it did in 2007.

The retirees challenged that action. The retirees won in the lower courts, and now their case is pending before the Supreme Court.

<Watch this, many retirees whose benefit includes company paid health benefits, may not be guaranteed for life as they thought.>

====================================================

The Speech That Could Make Elizabeth Warren the Next President of the United States

The Warren for President Movement already has a campaign slogan:

"The Best Candidate Money Can't Buy!"

Democrats don't like Wall Street bailouts. Republicans don't like Wall Street bailouts. The American people are disgusted by Wall Street bailouts

And yet here we are, five years after Dodd-Frank with Congress on the verge of ramming through a provision that would do nothing for the middle class, do nothing for community banks, do nothing but raise the risk that taxpayers will have to bail out the biggest banks once again...So let me say this to anyone who is listening at Citi[group]. I agree with you Dodd-Frank isn't perfect. It should have broken you into pieces!

If this Congress is going to open up Dodd-Frank in the months ahead, then let's open it up
to get tougher, not to create more bailout opportunities. If we're going to open up Dodd-Frank, let's open it up so that once and for all we end too big to fail and I mean really end it, not just say that we did.  Instead of passing laws that create new bailout opportunities for too big to fail banks, let's pass...something...that would help break up these giant banks.

A century ago Teddy Roosevelt was America's Trust-Buster. He went after the giant trusts
and monopolies in this country, and a lot of people talk about how those trust deserved to be broken up because they had too much economic power. But Teddy Roosevelt said we should break them up because they had too much political power. Teddy Roosevelt said break them up because all that concentrated power threatens the very foundations up our democratic system.

And now we're watching as Congress passes yet another provision that was written by lobbyists for the biggest recipient of bailout money in the history of this country. And its attached to a bill that needs to pass or else we entire federal government will grind to a halt.

Think about that kind of power. If a financial institution has become so big and so powerful
that it can hold the entire country hostage. That alone is reason enough to break them up.

Enough is enough.  Enough is enough with Wall Street insiders getting key position after key position and the kind of cronyism that we have seen in the executive branch. Enough is enough with Citigroup passing 11th hour deregulatory provisions that nobody takes ownership over but everybody will come to regret. Enough is enough,  Washington already works really well for the billionaires and the big corporations and the lawyers and the lobbyists.

But what about the families who lost their homes or their jobs or their retirement savings the last time Citigroup bet big on derivatives and lost? What about the families who are living paycheck to paycheck and saw their tax dollars go to bail out Citi just 6 years ago?  We were sent here to fight for those families. It is time, it is past time, for Washington to start working for them!  The conventional wisdom is that to win white working and middle class voters, politicians need to move towards the center, meaning towards a more corporate approach. But in a world of growing inequality, stagnating wages, and a fading belief that with hard work your children can have a better life than you had, that may no longer be true.         Senator Elizabeth Warren   United States Senate  December 12, 2014

Senator Elizabeth Warren correctly points out the political system in the United States has become heavily weighted down for the wealthy and many Democrats have forgotten our goal is to protect working families against these forces of massive money campaigns.

If there is one thing that people understand, either they have money or someone else does and that leaves them out of the main stream of American Life.  How much longer will the poor continue to pay the penalty?

Miles Mogulescu Entertainment attorney, writer and political activist 
December 13, 2014  Huff Post Politics Writes
Elizabeth Warren represents a new politics in which, by challenging the power of the oligarchy, she has the potential of reclaiming the white working class for Democrats and uniting them with the coalition of professionals, single women, gays and minorities who elected Obama. She is the first major national politician in decades who is willing to openly challenge the power of the Wall Street oligarchy, in the manner of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who declared, "They are unanimous in their hate for me -- and I welcome their hatred."

With the increasingly dominant power of big money in politics, could Warren defeat Clinton, Inc. and then go on to defeat what is likely to be the near unanimous support of the Wall Street and corporate elite for her Republican opponent? It's hard to say. But the nation is in too much trouble to settle for a Democratic or Republican candidate of the corporatist status quo. If there's any hope, it's that once in a while the power of organized people can defeat the power of organized money. Elizabeth Warren represents that hope and it's the only thing worth hoping for.                                                                                                                                 

It transformed the conventional wisdom about American politics that the main divide is between left, right, and center, when it is really between pro-corporate and anti-corporate. Her declaration that neither Democrats nor Republicans (meaning the voters, not the Washington politicians) don't like bank bailouts rings loud and true. Tea party supporters don't like bailouts and crony capitalism any more that progressives do.

Everyone is asking the same question: Have Democrats Failed the White Working Class?

Democrats seem to be winning the majority of minority voters and losing white voters and not just in the South.  The question keeps getting louder from all corners. how do the Democrats win back their votes?

Remember the so called "Reagan" Democrats?  Today many with roots to the same White middle class working folks who are responding to economic and cultural forces that serve to drive these voters away from their New Deal Democratic home.  

Black, Latino and White workers are facing diminishing work opportunities.  Since the 1970s federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination started to be seriously enforced as jobs declined.  Jobs shipped overseas for lower paid wages, new robotic plant modifications requiring fewer workers and lets face it, more women and elderly in the work force have all contributed to less hiring as the population continued to grow.  

The globalization, automation of production coupled with millions of workers from all over the world seeking work have one way or another found their way into jobs and an underground work force.

Times have changed and more families find they need two incomes to stay in even the lower middle class.  People are living longer and Social Security retirement ages have been lifted forcing workers to remain in the work force longer to receive maximum benefits.

As all these forces led to diminishing jobs, organized labor and the unions lost membership and the push on their members to stick with the Democratic party.
The question should not be have the Democrats failed the White working class, the question is how do the Democrats win back those lost voters without "turning off" the new voting block of "voters of color".

I want to add in my opinion the movement of workers away from their families and the support that is given has led to the breakdown of working-class families.
Flowing from that breakdown the consequences of family splits, spiritual support with family support and pressure have left big holes and additional financial burdens on these folks.

As younger workers scattered across the country to seek jobs it has taken a huge toll on that network of moral support and resources for those White working-class people that felt comfortable with the values of the Democratic party.

So I feel the question is, how, when and where do Democrats put their coalition of working class voters back together?  Is someone like Senator Elizabeth Warren, Hillary Clinton, Senator Sherrod Brown or Senator Bernie Sanders up to the task of rebuilding the Democratic Party?

What really burns my toast here in Arizona.
The statement from Robert Graham, Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party:
"Democrats had an underwhelming primary. Untested candidates means an unenthusiastic electorate. Even the media had little to report during the Democrats' process of secretly hand-picking nominees, and no publicity in a statewide election means doom. Everyone likes a good fight, even within the party. Democrats could only find one candidate for the biggest seat in the state. Republicans, in contrast, were able to watch a thoroughly competitive primary involving six candidates have a healthy discussion about the issues. In addition, Democrats handed the treasurer’s seat over to the Republicans by failing to produce a nominee."
<Note as well as the State Mine Inspector a statewide elected office where Democrats failed to have a candidate.>

What Chairman Graham points out and Democrat should take notice and start working now for the 2016 Arizona elections.

You can't win a game if you don't field a team!

Start building the bench by recruiting and training candidates over the next year. Starting with the Legislature in 2016 and building for the next statewide election in 2018.

{Isn't it telling that in Arizona every state official with the exception of two Corporation Commission members out of five are elected in the non-presidential, "off-year", low voter participation elections.}

Can Democrats Crawl and Scratch Back by 2016?

Democrats across the country stood for Nothing and Lost Everything!

No surprise Democrats lost this last election, they were campaigning on a losing strategy.  Since when does running against the leader of your party, President Obama, campaigning against your values and accomplishments equal electoral victory?

Stepping back blaming a disappointing voter turn-out, the worse since 1942 when we were fighting World War II, without looking at the message we were delivering to all U S citizens just doesn't wash.   <"That dog don't hunt, North or South.">

Here in Arizona we had the best ground operation that we could throw money into, dedicated, educated and well-financed young workers from around the country were transported here to protect candidates unwilling to acknowledge Democrat's progressive agenda and accomplishments.

We need to remember and remind the Republicans that President Obama was elected and re-elected by far greater number of people than accepted Republican candidates this election.

President Obama and the Democrats in Congress were STOPPED time and again by the far-right Republicans determined to defeat Obama by spending taxpayer dollars for useless lawsuits.  The Republican Congressional machine in the House were making laws, over 50 alone to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which if ever reaching the Senate and passed would have been seen a Presidential Veto with no hope of a legislative override.

President Obama and the Democrats offered programs that would have spent money helping the economy expand and grow, against extremist Republicans talking about impeachment and actually shutting down the Federal Government throwing money away without any plans to help the country.

The Republicans were elected but didn't win the 2014 off-year election.  The Democrats lost because they didn't present enough reason to kill voter apathy which led to lack of voter turn-out.  Democrats ran from President Obama, used ill-advised strategies, lacked leadership on progressive issues and did not standby the Democrat Party's principles.

Running from election victories two years previous was the same as campaigning against yourself.  Success denied is confessing to a crime you didn't commit.

Line up the real wins for the American people:
•    That there was 55 months of job growth under Obama versus multiple years of job loss under Republican leadership.

•    That even though the economy is doing better, it isn't doing as well as it could be because Republicans continually block job bills that could put millions back to work rebuilding America's decaying roads, bridges, etc.

•    That Democrats strongly support scientists and their work to stop the man-made destruction of our planet by controlling air and water quality, but the Republican Party does not even address the issue.

•    That Republicans want to proceed with their oil and gas donors' plans to construct the Keystone Pipeline, even though it would damage the environment and have minimal job growth.

•    That the millions of people who have healthcare and access to doctors outside of the emergency room for the first time, would lose their coverage if Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act.

•    That Republican governors blocked Medicaid Expansion in numerous states, keeping their state from getting billions of federal dollars in addition to bankrupting many hospitals.

•    That Democrats are fighting for a minimum wage increase, while Republicans are opposing giving employees a raise.

•    That while Republicans say they want to lower the deficit, they consistently increase it under their leadership in contrast to Democrats who decrease it when in office.

•    That old, white, Republican men feel that controlling women's health decisions, economic equality and family planning is their job, not the woman's right.

•    That Democrats fight for the programs American citizens want and need such as Social Security and Medicare, while Republicans want to privatize them, and eventually eliminate them.

Where in the list of real accomplishments do the Democrats need to hold their head in shame?  Time after time when pollsters ask the American Voters where do they stand on these important issues, the voters overwhelmingly support the Democrat positions.

Right here in Arizona where the Democrat registered voters are now in third place behind Republicans and "other" voters, Independents, what is the road to winning again?  It certainly isn't following the same old worn-out slogans and finding leadership willing to hit the streets as proud supporters of Democrat values.  There is plenty of work to be done so we best get started.

Democrats across the state need to use our resources and people to engage our friends, neighbors and family members registered as Independents and find out where their political views actually fall.  We know how to use the information, collect and input into the VAN, prepare ourselves for meaningful contact door to door in 2016.

At the same time every area in the state needs to hold "mini Democrat conventions" adopting local platforms allowing our voters the opportunity to express themselves and direct our candidates the values that are important to us.
Issue conferences, talking and adopting resolutions and directions for future election discussions.

It is time to listen and bring together our fellow citizens seeking to broaden our base, using the opportunity in the next few months to engage and involve otherwise "bystanders" into our political tent based on a broad cross-section of hopes and visions for Arizona's future.

Getting right down to it, as an experienced Democrat activist is pleading, now is the time to start the 2016 campaign.  It is two year's work that can't be done in less time!

Sorry state of Public Education in Arizona

Do you really need to think twice about the rank of Education in Arizona?

Read this copyrighted story.  Search really deep, which candidate for Governor do you really think has some answers and determination to improve public education in Arizona.  One who has been working along those lines for years, Fred Duval or ethically challenged businessman Doug Ducey.  <Google:  Doug Ducey and COLD STONE CREAMERY: Failed Franchisees Attack.>

Arizona’s teacher salaries rank among the lowest

By: Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services October 6, 2014 , 8:32 am

Read more: http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2014/10/06/arizonas-teacher-salaries-rank-among-the-lowest/#ixzz3FwHvty9T

If the ongoing political debates about education funding have not convinced you, a new study might: Arizona is the sixth worst place in the nation to be a teacher.

The report by WalletHub says the average starting salary for teachers, listed as $31,874 for 2012-13 school year by the National Education Association, is the 44th lowest of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia. And that ranking comes even after accounting for the lower cost of living here than many other places.

It’s also not great for those who stay in the profession, the study says, with median salaries for all Arizona teachers at No. 48, also measured against the cost of living.

The pupil-to-teacher ratio, listed at 21.3 according to the National Center for Education Statistics, is worse than anywhere but Utah and California. And it compared with a national average of 16.7.

And WalletHub cites NEA figures showing that Arizona spends only about $1,250 per state resident on education. Only Idaho comes in lower.

About the only thing in the WalletHub rankings that kept Arizona from being lower than 46th overall is that there’s probably good job security here.

The personal finance website figures that Arizona will have among the higher percentages of school-age population of all the states by 2030. More children equals more demand for teachers.

Jill Gonzalez, a WalletHub staffer, said there’s a reason these statistics matter.

Consider class size.

“If I have a child I know struggles with learning, then that’s definitely something I want to take into consideration,” she said. But Gonzalez said for some parents, class size won’t matter.

Teacher salaries present a different issue, particularly in Arizona’s ability to recruit.

“If this is a teacher right out of school looking for somewhere to teach, it might matter more to them than someone with a family and who can support themselves in other ways,” Gonzalez said.

One place Arizona is not in the bottom 10 is in what WalletHub calls teacher wage disparity. Gonzalez said this is the difference between salaries at the 90th percentile level — near the top — and those at the 10th percentile level. That measures whether there’s room for wage improvement.

Arizona is No. 38 nationwide.

The report comes as questions of school funding have taken center stage in courtrooms and the gubernatorial race.

Key is the ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court that during the recession state lawmakers ignored a 2000 voter-approved mandate to adjust aid to schools each year for inflation.

The exact amount missed is still being litigated. But Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper said just resetting basic state aid to what it should have been had legislators complied with the law all along totals $317 million.

If and when the state comes up with that cash, that will make another $279 per pupil available, on top of the approximately $7,550 a year per student from all sources.

That does not count an additional $1.3 billion that schools claim they are owed for the years the state ignored the inflation funding formula. While that would be a one-time infusion, it translates out to close to an additional $1,150 per student.

Both Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Fred DuVal and Republican Doug Ducey say they want to put more money in the classroom though they differ on how to do that.

Read more: http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2014/10/06/arizonas-teacher-salaries-rank-among-the-lowest/#ixzz3FwHOIgOB