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Congress

Afghanistan: A Whole New Approach

Jim Wallis | Posted 10.29.2009 | World

Read More: Capitol Hill, White House, President, Relief, President Obama, International, Indigenous, Council, Washington, War, Oxfam, Muslim Countries, Collateral Damage, Surge, America, Dick Cheney, Muslim, World Vision, Counter Insurgency, Terror, Development, Faith, History, Tragedy, Afghan Government, Democracy, Counter Terrorism, Special Forces, Religious, Terrorist, Richard Stearns, Congress, Unmanned Drones, Religious Leaders, Foreign Policy, Urgency, Moral Issues, Occupier, Arab, Taliban, Military, Afghanistan, Terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance, D.C., Casualties, Faith-Based, World News
Jim Wallis

When you massively intervene in a country as much as the U.S. has in Afghanistan, you can't responsibly just walk away. We must lead with what works -- development.

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Congress and TBTF: Bring in the Bomb Squad

Joshua Rosner | Posted 10.29.2009 | Business

Read More: Fed, Tbtf, Finance, Regulation, Treasury, Congress, Obama, Fannie and Freddie, Contingent Capital, Business News
Joshua Rosner

This bill is one more act of sleight of hand by a Congress that, to the detriment of the public, fails to see that banks are there to serve the public good and can be regulated with such a goal.

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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Wants an Exit Strategy out of Afghanistan

Kathleen Wells, J.D. | Posted 10.30.2009 | Politics

Read More: Obama Afghanistan, Democrat, War on Terror, Afghanistan, Pakistan, President Obama, Obama Administration, Congress, Taliban, Jim McGovern, Osama Bin Laden, Afghanistan War, Al Qaeda, Iraq War, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Bush Administration, Congressman Jim McGovern, President Bush, Barbara Lee, Us Troops Afghanistan, Politics News
Kathleen Wells, J.D.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee gained international acclaim for being the only member in Congress who courageously voted against the authorization of the use of force following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

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An Historic and Emotional Moment

Rep. Earl Blumenauer | Posted 10.28.2009 | Politics

Read More: Congress, Hate Crimes, Barack Obama, Earl Blumenauer, Oregon, White House, Matthew Shepard, Human Rights Campaign, Mike Quigley, Politics News
Rep. Earl Blumenauer

Today, after too many years of delay, President Obama signed into law a bill that makes it a federal hate crime to assault people based on sexual orientation.

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Giving Credit Where Credit Will Do: How the Banks Have Changed the Rules Halfway Through the Game

Nelson Montana | Posted 10.29.2009 | Business

Read More: Credit Cards, Consumer Debt, Bankruptcy, Bailout, Visa, Finance, Economy, Mastercard, Banks, Interest Rates, Money, Congress, Business News
Nelson Montana

The way it stands with credit card companies these days, you might be better off dealing with loan sharks. At least they'll warn you before breaking your legs. The banks sneak up behind you and do it.

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Early Reports: Stimulus Saved, Created 388,000 Jobs

USA Today | By Brad Heath and Matt Kelley, USA TODAY | Posted 10.28.2009 | Business

Read More: White House, Job Losses, Bush, Economy, Grants, Jobs, Congress, Obama, Reports, Stimulus, Recession, Unemployment, Economic Policy Institute, Stimulus Package, Report, Job Creation, Business News

States have reported using stimulus money to create or save more than 388,000 jobs so far this year, buttressing the Obama administration's claim that...

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It's the Economy, Stupid: U.S. Can Cash in on Clean Energy Legislation

Rob Perks | Posted 10.28.2009 | Green

Read More: Congress, Climate, Green Jobs, Dirty Energy, Environmentalism, Clean Energy, Climate Legislation, Climate Bill, Global Warming, Green News
Rob Perks

New analysis shows that adopting comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation could create up to 1.9 million new jobs.

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California Would Lose Seats Under Census Change

New York Times | SAM ROBERTS | Posted 10.28.2009 | Politics

Read More: 2010 Census, House of Represenatives, Congress, Census Bureau, Reapportioning Congress, Seats in Congress, Demographics, Senator Vitter's Census Proposal, Senator David Vitter, Politics News

A Republican senator's proposal to count only United States citizens when reapportioning Congress would cost California five seats and New York and Il...

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An Entire Generation at Stake

Janet Murguía | Posted 10.30.2009 | Politics

Read More: Population Reference Bureau, Poverty, Latinos, Children, Credit Programs, Economic Health, Early Childhood Education Programs, Opportunities, Obese-Children, Social Well-Being, Hispanic Children, Congress, Immigration System, Juvenile Justice System, U.S. Citizens, American Dream, Reformed Juvenile Justice System, Success, Education, Graduate From High School, U.S. Population, Health Insurance, Adult Jails, Political Power, Health Care, Fair Housing, Diversity, Politics News
Janet Murguía

Today, more than one-fourth of Latino children live in poverty. Three-fifths live in low-income families. One in five does not have health insurance. Only 55% graduate from high school.

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2010: The Year Main Street Sticks It to Wall Street and Washington

Don McNay | Posted 10.27.2009 | Business

Read More: Mid Term Elections, Upheaval, Congress, Kentucky Guardianship Administrators, Hank Paulson, Lobbyists, Bailouts, Consumer Spending, Big Money, Roger Ailes, Lawrence Summers, Arianna Huffington, State Legislature, Cnbc, Economic Pain, Unemployed, Lexington KY, Spending Cuts, Wall Street-Washington, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Timothy Geithner, Kenneth Feinberg, Inside the Beltway, McNay Settlement Group, Incumbants, Republican National Committee, City Council, High Unemployment, Ky, Willie Stark, Democratic National Committee, Pay Czar, Fox Business News, Clu, Anger, Louisville, Million Dollar Round Table, Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan, Bonuses, Czars, Jefferson Airplane, Small Business, President Obama, Congressional Elections, 2010 Elections, Washington, Main Street, donmcnay.com, Tea Parties, Msnbc, Unemployment, Tea Baggers, All the Kings Men, Rural Journalism, Financial Crisis, Housing Crisis, Running for Office, President Bush, Richmond, American College, Incumbant Politican, Personal Finance, Msfs, Chfc, Small Towns, Kentucky, Don McNay, www.mcnay.com, Structured Settlements, Layoffs, Wall Street Bailouts, Wall Street, Vanderbilt University, Robert Penn Warren, Self Dealing, Eastern Kentucky University, Fox News, Certified Structured Settlement Consultant, Glenn Beck, Cssc, Too Big to Fail, Bill O'Reilly, Business News
Don McNay

If anyone has ever dreamed of being an office holder, 2010 is the year to do it. There are going to be several situations where voters elect a complete unknown, just to express their anger about the incumbent.

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Media's Credibility (Not Public Option) Is What Is Dead

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.28.2009 | Media

Read More: Democrat, Committee, Public Option, House, Msm, Congress, Reform, Media, Democrats, Mainstream Media, Democratic, Baucus, Chris Weigant, Health, Public Option Is Dead, Harry Reid, Max Baucus, Health Care, Senate, Healthcare, Reid, Bill, Media News
Chris Weigant

The media has been pushing the "public option is dead" theme for so long, it's no wonder they're so astonished by yesterday's news that a public option will be included in the Senate bill.

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Breaking Up the Big Banks, and Why Congress Won't Do It

Robert Reich | Posted 10.27.2009 | Business

Read More: Treasury Department, Congress, Robert Reich, Too Big to Fail, Bank of America, Larry Summers, Paul Volcker, Barack Obama, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Wall Street, Financial Crisis, Banks, Glass-Steagall Act, Timothy Geithner, Bear Stearns, Citigroup, Break Up Big Banks, Breaking Up the Big Banks, Breaking Up Banks, Business News
Robert Reich

Two ideas are floating around Washington regarding how to handle 'too big to fail' banks, but only one is supported by the Treasury and the White House. Unfortunately, it's the wrong one.

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New Study: Online Congressional Townhall Meetings Can Move Voters

Micah Sifry | Posted 10.26.2009 | Technology

Read More: E-Democracy, Online Townhalls, Congress, Congressional Management Foundation, E-Govt, Townhall, Technology News
Micah Sifry

Using cheap and easily accessible technology, members of Congress can effectively connect with their constituents -- including those are typically more cynical about politics -- and hold serious and valuable discussions.

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"Too Big To Fail" Legislation Is On The Way

New York Times | STEPHEN LABATON | Posted 10.26.2009 | Politics

Read More: Goldman Saks, Congress, Economy, Bailouts, Obama, Too Big to Fail Bill, Legislation, Ben Bernanke, Aig, White House, Bailout, Federal Reserve, Lehman Brothers, Bofa, Treasury, Gop, Consumer Protection Agency, Financial Crisis, Paul Volcker, Wall Street, Citigroup, Bank of America, Derivatives, Ben Bernanke Federal Reserve, Democrats, Recession, Barney Frank, House, House Financial Services Committee, Senate, Barack Obama, Tim Geithner, Banks, Bonuses, Too Big to Fail, Executive Pay, Politics News

A senior administration official said on Sunday that after extensive consultations with Treasury Department officials, Representative Barney Frank, th...

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Independent Voters Shifting Away From Obama, Democrats

RealClearPolitics | Salena Zito | Posted 10.25.2009 | Politics

Read More: Realclearpolitics, Independent Voters, Intependents, Congress, Real Clear Politics, Rasmussen, Liberals, Jim Webb, Obama, Approval Rating, Democrats, Virginia, White House, Conservatives, Barack Obama, Bailout, Voters, Health Care Reform, Opinion Polls, CNN Poll, New Jersey, Demographics, Opinion Polling, Republicans, Politics News

A poll of opinion polls shows Americans' attitudes are changing rapidly. They are less and less thrilled about the country's direction and Congress, ...

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A New Crossover Hit: "Break Up the Big Banks"

George Goehl | Posted 10.24.2009 | Business

Read More: Elizabeth Warren, Congress, Campaign Finance Reform, Wall Street, Showdown in Chicago, Michael Moore, Financial Reform, Too Big to Fail, Mortgage Crisis, Obama Administration, Financial Crisis, Alan Greenspan, Sheila Bair, Bankers, Banking Regulation, Banks, Banking Crisis, Business News
George Goehl

We've reached an incredible moment when Alan Greenspan, Michael Moore, FDIC head Sheila Bair and Elizabeth Warren are all singing the same tune: calling for breaking up the big banks.

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Friday Talking Points [99] -- Misdirection

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.26.2009 | Politics

Read More: White House, Pentagon, Troops, Medicare for All, Rumor Mongering, Guantanamo, Monopoly, Reform, Alan Grayson, Dscc, Pentagon Budget, Roger Ailes, Nixonian, Charles Schumer, President, Magic, Military, Bailout, Emanuel, Midotw, Nancy Pelosi, Ailes, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Health Care, Reid, Public Option, Olympia Snowe, Democrat, Congress, Playing the Victim, Close Gitmo Now, Rumor, Stage Magic, Democrats, Barack Obama, Rage Against the Machine, Executive Compensation, Calls, Schumer, Mddotw, Rahm Emanuel, Wasted, Health, Weiner, Harry Reid, Nixon, Healthcare, Senate, Orchestra Pit Theory, President Obama, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Fox, Obama, Democratic, Media, Grayson, Friday Talking Points, Republican, Pelosi, Snowe, Enemy, Organizing for America, Misdirect, Guantanamo Bay, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, Orchestra Pit, Victim, Robust Public Option, Anthony Weiner, Trigger, Trust Busting, House, Tom Morello, Victim Card, War, Ad, Opt Out, 1000 Hours, Defense Appropriations, Enemy of America, Misdirection, Wall Street, Chris Weigant, Health Insurance, Health Insurers, 300000, Fox News, Medicare, Chuck Schumer, Executive Pay, Torture, Morello, Politics News
Chris Weigant

The real head-scratcher for serious media-watchers right now is what the "war" between the White House and Fox News was meant to distract us from this week. The "war" itself is laughable, for a number of reasons.

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Congressional Fail: Don't Let Congress Take Credit

Harry Moroz | Posted 10.23.2009 | Politics

Read More: Consumer Protection, Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, Congress, Senator Dodd, Credit Cards, Rep. Maloney, Credit Card Accountability Responsbility and Disclosure Act, Financial Regulation, Politics News
Harry Moroz

Even as consumers suffer the housing crisis and an abysmal job market, they face the prospect of hundreds or even thousands more dollars of credit card debt because of Congress.

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Citigroup Taxpayer Ownership Doesn't Prevent Lobbying

Bloomberg.com | Jonathan D. Salant and Lizzie O’Leary | Posted 10.23.2009 | Business

Read More: Citigroup Tarp, Tarp, Congress, Bailout, Consumer Protections, Lobbyists, President Obama, Bank Lobbyists, Bank Bailout, Lobbyblog, Citigroup Lobyists, Citigroup, Business News

Citigroup Inc., which has yet to repay $45 billion in federal assistance, has more lobbyists than any other company who registered to try to shape leg...

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Let's Be on the Right Side of History

Deepak Bhargava | Posted 10.22.2009 | Politics

Read More: Health Care Reform, Congress, Immigrants, Latino Vote, Medicaid, Health Care, Immigration Debate, Politics News
Deepak Bhargava

Faced now with an incredible opportunity to reform health care, we must ensure we are on the right side of history and our truest values of inclusion.

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Car Dealers Exempt From New Consumer Protection Agency

Steve Parker | Posted 10.22.2009 | Business

Read More: Walt Minnick, White House, National Automobile Dealers Association, North Dakota, Congress, California, Mike Castle, John Campbell, President Obama, Cfpa, Cars, Federal Reserve, Federal Trade Commission, Mississippi, Consumer Financial Protection Agency, Delaware, Travis Childers, House Financial Services Committee, Business News
Steve Parker

The House Financial Services Committee approved a key amendment Thursday, 47-21, to keep automobile dealers exempt them from a new government consumer protection agency.

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The Public Option is Dead as a Doornail

Earl Ofari Hutchinson | Posted 10.22.2009 | Politics

Read More: House Democrats, Congress, Senate Finance Committee, Rahm Emanuel, Public Option, Nancy Pelosi, Ahip, President Obama, Health Care Reform, Health Insurers, Max Baucus, Pharmaceuticals, Politics News
Earl Ofari Hutchinson

The public option epitaph was written months ago during the more than two dozen secret meetings that Obama and his aides had with the insurance industry and pharmaceutical bigwigs.

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NoEscalation.org: Can the Peace Movement Reach President Obama?

Robert Naiman | Posted 10.25.2009 | World

Read More: John Murtha, Barnett Rubin, Rahm Emanuel, President Barack Obama, Afghanistan Escalation, Congress, Joe Biden, David Obey, Afghanistan War, World News
Robert Naiman

Congress fights over whether we can "afford" to provide every American with quality health care, but every health care reform proposal on the table will likely cost less than McChrystal's endless war.

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Want Healthcare Reform? Pick Up The Phone.

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.25.2009 | Politics

Read More: President Obama, Senator, Obama, Reform, Democratic Party, Telephone, Pelosi, Call to Action, Switchboards, 2010, Nancy Pelosi, Health Care, Re-Elected, Reid, House, Contact, Congressmen, Democrat, Congress, Call, Democrats, Representative, Organizing for America, Barack Obama, Election, Pick Up the Phone, Congressman, Elections, Self Interest, Chris Weigant, Phone, Health, Hcr, Blue Dogs, Harry Reid, Healthcare Reform, Senate, Healthcare, Politics News
Chris Weigant

Yesterday, over 300,000 people picked up the phone and called Congress demanding health care reform this year. The phones ringing off the hook certainly did not go unnoticed by Congress.

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Congress Gets in the Act on Coal Ash

Rob Perks | Posted 10.21.2009 | Green

Read More: Kingston, Epa, Congress, Tennessee, Coalspill, Coalash, Tennesseevalleyauthority, Dirty Coal, TVA Coal Ash Pond Disaster, Green News
Rob Perks

Kudos to Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) for bird-dogging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the need to regulate pollution from coal-fired power plants.

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