No comments

The Election and the Future of Progressive Politics

  By Health Care, Labor, US

Soon after the clock ticks 8:00 in California we will see a solid, and perhaps extraordinary, victory for Democrats from top to bottom, from the Presidency to Senate to the House and maybe even down to the State House in Pennsylvania. Those of us who have worked long and hard and hoped for a revival of progressive politics in America will celebrate this victory tonight and for weeks to come. But while this election victory is critical, what we do with our that victory will most determine what kind of future there is for progressive politics and our country. Continue reading

No comments

Another outrageous McCain robo-call–and what it shows about the campaign

  By Politics, US

I just this moment got a call from the McCain campaign. (I once signed up with the Bush campaign in 2000 so I can see what they were saying. I’ve been paying for that ever since.) So the new word is that Obama’s share the wealth tax plans “threaten your social security and medicare” beause Obama wants to use tax money meant for social security and medicare for other purposes. Not only is this a out and out lie, Obama has, at least in the past, called for increasing the upper limit on social security taxes as a way of strengthing the system. I have to say I’m tired of “objective journalists” who conclude that the two campaigns are both stretching the truth. Obama has gone a bit far once or twice in picking on something McCain said and running with it. But the McCain campaign has simply lied, again… Continue reading

No comments

How you and the Obama campaign can turn the PA House of Representatives bluer

  By Pennsylvania, Politics, US

I’ve been following the Pennsylvania polling quite closely, but not primarily because I’m concerned about the Presidential election. If we all keep doing our jobs, Obama is going to win Pennsylvania. What’s really intriguing me however is how well Obama is doing in the suburban counties around Philadelphia. According to the Quinnipiac poll released at the beginning of the week, Obama is up 57-39 in Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Bucks counties. That is putting us into the realm in which Obama could have long coattail for candidates down ballot, including those running for State Representative. Continue reading

No comments

My cousin got married!

  By Sexual and gender equality

My first cousin Ira got married last week. So why post it here? Because his marriage would not be legal in Pennsylvania. And it may not be legal in California soon. I don’t generally cry at weddings. But I teared up at this picture. I hope it won’t be long before my cousin could get married in Pennsylvania. In the meantime, if you want to help preserve marriage equality in California go to http://www.noonprop8.com Continue reading

No comments

Nine percent of Americans are satisfied with the direction of the country tonight

  By US

Originally posted at YPP I haven’t had to write an essay examination question in about a year and a half. But I want to write one today. Nine percent of Americans are satisfied with the direction of the country tonight. Who are they and why are they satisfied? Extra-credit: How will they affect the Presidential election? Continue reading

No comments

Health Care policy on the air

  By Health Care

Today, at noon, I’m going to be appearing on Labor to Neighbor, the radio show hosted by my friends Pat Eiding and Janet Ryder of the AFL-CIO on WURD 900 am I will be talking about the Health Care For America Now campaign, about the McCain and Obama health care plans, as well as about health care reform efforts in Pennsylvania. You can listen on the web at http://900amwurd.com/2008/. Continue reading

No comments

Rally on Thursday: Can you count on your health insurance?

  By Health Care

Everyone—except those at the higher reaches of the conservative movement in America—acknowledges that far too many Americans do not have health insurance. And most people understand that this has costs for all of us. Nationwide, about twelve percent of our insurance premiums go to cover the costs of the uninsured. But that problem might not be the most severe problem with health insurance in America today. A deeper issue may be the efforts of insurance companies to deny coverage care to people who actually have insurance. Health Care For America Now (HCAN) is holding a rally tomorrow to address this issue. For more on HCAN see my earlier post. Continue reading