When Harry Kelber, the 96 year old relentless labor advocate and editor of The Labor Educator speaks, the leadership of the AFL-CIO should listen. A vigorous champion for the rights of rank-and-file workers vis-a-vis their corporate employers and their labor union leaders, Kelber has recently completed a series of five articles titled
The reaction: Silence from [...]
Green Party Watch
Advocates celebrate, but critics warn: A few details—like, er, funding—have yet to be worked out.
Mon May. 30, 2011 3:15 AM PDT
As Gov. Peter Shumlin took his spot on the granite steps of the Vermont State House, a row of people fanned out behind him wearing bright red t-shirts proclaiming, “Health care is a human right.” The slogan sounded noble, and wildly unrealistic. Until the governor spoke
“We gather here today to launch the first single payer health care system in America,” began Shumlin, a Democrat who has been governor barely four months. “To do in Vermont what has taken too long: have a health care system, the best in the world, that treats health care as a right, and not a privilege.”
Moments later, the governor made history, signing a law that sets Vermont on a course to provide health care for all of its 620,000 citizens through a European-style single payer system called Green Mountain Care. Key components include containing costs by setting reimbursement rates for health care providers and streamlining administration into a single, state-managed system. To move to single-payer, the state will need a waiver from the federal government, which under the federal health care reform law would become available by 2017; Vermont is asking the administration to let it get there even faster, by 2014.
The push for single payer system in Vermont was built slowly and methodically over the last decade, but has moved with remarkable speed since Shumlin took office in January. A few weeks after the new governor’s inauguration, the Democratic-controlled Legislature convened a rare joint session to hear from Dr. William Hsiao, a Harvard economist who has been involved in designing health care systems in seven countries. Last year, the legislature commissioned Hsiao to analyze the costs and benefits of various health care options, ranging from single payer to a fully privately managed system. The soft-spoken economist told a packed state House that a single payer plan would be about 25 percent cheaper for consumers, businesses, and the government than the current system of private health insurance, saving about 0 million in just the first year.
The data emboldened Shumlin, the legislature, and the single-payer advocates who had organized throughout the past decade, even as Shumlin’s Republican predecessor dismissed their ideas. Last fall, Shumlin had campaigned on twin themes of job creation and health care reform, and he often cited his experience as the owner of a successful travel business. (“I know firsthand that the biggest obstacle to job growth is the 10, 20, 30 percent increases in insurance premiums.”) He slammed the current “unsustainable system that will … bankrupt us.”
Single payer advocates have been a constant and visible presence around the state. The independent Vermont Workers’ Center launched its “health care is a human right” campaign in 2008—inspired, said health care organizer James Haslam, by the desperate calls the Center was receiving on its workers’ hotline. “It was becoming more of a health care hotline,” he said. The group’s members went door to door, conducted numerous forums for legislators and organized health care rallies that drew thousands.
Health care providers also spoke up. Dr. Deb Richter, a family physician, moved to Vermont in 1999 from upstate New York, where she despaired at seeing her patients getting sicker and even dying as a result of problems with health insurance. As chair of Vermont Health Care for All, she gave 500 talks around the state, and helped bring along many reluctant health care providers. Richter was beaming when I saw her in the State House lobby last week. “I feel ecstatic,” she told me. “It’s like giving birth.”
Shumlin, a wiry, hyper-energetic lawmaker who often insists on shaking every hand in the crowd, staked his gubernatorial candidacy on single payer. It was a bold and risky move. The former president of the Vermont Senate, he was narrowly elected governor last fall after winning a five-way Democratic primary by some 200 votes, and defeating a popular Republican Lieutenant Governor by just 2 percent. Shumlin pointedly ignored the national Democratic strategy of tacking to the center, and instead championed progressive issues, from abortion rights to closing the state’s lone nuclear plant, to health care reform. I asked him why he’d hitched his star to single payer.
“It’s first of all a huge jobs creator, secondly we can’t sustain the current system – we are spending money faster than we are able to earn it,” he told me before heading outside to sign the bill. “So we think it’s an economic development issue as well as a human right.” But when I asked whether Vermont might a national model, the governor sounded a humble note. Major questions – such as how the program will be funded—have yet to be worked out. “You know, we are launching an ambitious effort here,” he said. “We want it in place by 2014. But I don’t think we should ask anyone to follow us until we figure it out. And that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Opponents have focused on the unknowns in the reform effort. Not a single Republican in the House, and only one Republican in the Senate, supported the bill. Republican Rep. Patti Komline, assistant state House minority leader, told me, “When people ask questions like how much is it going to cost and who’s gonna pay for it – they say, ‘Well this bill is more fact finding and information gathering.’ Which doesn’t make it very historic.”
Physicians for a National Health Program has also been ambivalent about the bill, saying Vermont’s law “is much more modest in its actual reach than a single-payer plan would be.” Richter, a past president of the organization, responded, “You have to think positive and continue to take action to try to get to next level and the next step. Some of the criticisms are over details that haven’t yet been worked out.”
Organized opposition to Vermont’s health reform was relatively muted in the last few months, and was mainly led by insurance agents. But advocates are bracing for an influx of national money and media. “There are definitely people who want to see this fail. We cannot let that happen,” said House Speaker Shap Smith. “We need to work together to show the way for the entire country.”
Shumlin’s early success on health care has caught the attention of. In April, Congressional Democrats asked Shumlin to appear opposite Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker before a Congressional committee. In a rebuke to Walker, Shumlin talked about his approach to Vermont’s fiscal challenges. “I don’t start with collective bargaining, and I don’t start with my public pensions. I start with the true costs. In Vermont—and this is true of most of the states of the country—health care is my biggest rising cost.”
On this muggy late-May day, Shumlin reveled in the success of his signature effort. He walked over to shake hands with a group of University of Vermont medical students, conspicuous in their white lab coats. Therese Ray, a first year medical student from Denver, told me that as a result of single payer, “I will absolutely stay in Vermont.” Another med student, Larry Bodden from New Orleans, said he grew up in an uninsured household. “My family had a deep seated fear of having to go to the doctor because we didn’t have insurance. I look forward to Vermonters not having that fear.”
Gov. Shumlin suddenly called for the several hundred people who had gathered to come closer as he signed the bill. “Everybody in,” he shouted.
“Nobody out!” came the reflexive reply, a call and response version of a slogan of the grassroots single-payer campaign. Shumlin chuckled, then made the single-payer bill the law of the Green Mountain State.
David Goodman is a contributing writer for Mother Jones and coauthor of Static: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders and the People Who Fight Back. For more of his stories, click here.
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 30 in 2011). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States.
It was first enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, later it was extended (after World War I) to honor Americans who have died in all wars.
At ACVDN we pause to honor all who have served, protected and passed our freedoms down the line for us to enjoy today. We hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day and pause for a few seconds to remember those who made it possible.
Amherst Virginia News
USA NEWS
Celebrating In Tight Times
The cost of gas and travel are thru the roof but if you are looking for a place to picnic, fish, swim or just watch the river you won’t have to break the bank traveling. Check out these great locations and celebrate Memorial Day in Amherst County.
Monacan Park. Amherst Counties favorite; many have caught nice catfish out of the James. Located off of VA state route 130 on Monacan Park Road. The park is located beside the James River, and has a boat ramp and a dock for access to the river. It also has a childrens playground, and a covered picnic area. Restroom facilities round out the offerings. A great place to have fun for a day. Just before entering the Park you decend a huge hill on a slightly curvey road that opens into a lush river valley. There’s plenty of shade and cool river drenched breezes. Remember to take a folding chair and you’re almost in heaven. Gas motors are allowed and sometimes you’ll see happy people in tow on skies trailing behind the boats.
Mill Creek Lake. This lake is a 190 acre watershed lake. You cannot use gas motors here. Quiet electric driven motors maintain silence and preclude oil leaks. There is a boat ramp for access to the lake, as well as picnic tables and grills. There are restrooms and a playground for your children. Located off Va State route 60 west at 238 Mill Creek Road, Amherst, Virginia.
Stone house Lake Park. This lake is 41 acres. It offers a boat ramp for access to the lake. Offers a picnic and playground area for children. Offers restroom facilities as well. No gas motor here. Located at 294 Stone house Lake Park, Amherst Virginia.
Thrashers Lake Park. A 36 acre lake with a boat ramp for access to the lake. No gas motors here. It offers picnic tables and grills as well as restroom facilities. Located at 223 Thrashers Lake Road, Amherst Virginia.
In addition to these beautiful bodies of water there are walking and biking paths and vinyards waiting for your visit.
If you live in central Virginia and are looking for a one day trip destination the Blue Ridge Parkway might be just the ticket.
Woodhaven Lakes, a Private Camping Resort Woodhaven Lakes is a year round private camping resort. With 1756 acres of resort including seven man made lakes, you can find all kinds of outdoor actvities and fun.
Travel east on Route 60 for about a Third of an hour and you can connect with the James River State Park. From the traffic circle in amherst take 60 toward richmond. When you cross the James River past Gladstone and leave Nelson County look directly to your left and there is the sign for the Park. Leave the bridge take the first left and the river road leads you to the Park.
James River State Park, six miles down river from Bent Creek, opened June 20, 1999. The park has three miles of river frontage, 1,500 acres of rolling farm meadows, three fishing ponds, beautiful vistas, 15 miles of hiking trails and quiet forests.
The park has primitive camping, regular camping, a camping lodge (bunkhouse), cabins and lodges. This park has three campgrounds. Two of them, Branch Pond and Canoe Landing, are open year-round for primitive camping. There are primitive restrooms in each campground. Red Oak Campground has 30 regular sites with water and electricity and a full service bathhouse with laundry facilities. The campground, about 1.5 miles from
the primitive campgrounds, is open annually from March 1 to first Monday in December.
They have camping sites and cabins for rent and some of the best views and water fun available anywhere. Choose any of Virginia’s State Parks for an exciting get away. These are the best deals for fun and an affordable get away in the state of Virginia.
Lynchburg News
World News
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Campbell County News
Nelson County News
Sports News
Happy Memorial Day from the gang at Amherst County Virginia Democratic News
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised You will not be able to stay home, brother. You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out. You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and skip, … Continue reading
republican-elephant.com
Here is what Mitt Romney should say at his official announcement in New Hampshire on Thursday:
I’ve been running…
Chip Forrester, Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, issued the following statement in commemoration of Memorial Day Weekend:
As we pay respects to those who have died in pursuit of preserving this great nation — from the Revolution to the Civil War and forward — let us honor these fallen soldiers and their heroic efforts to protect freedom by resolving to end the war in Afghanistan.
With the killing of Osama bin Laden fresh in our minds, there is no better tribute to the 1,500 soldiers slain over the last decade in Afghanistan than to hasten President Barack Obama’s troop withdrawal plan and start bringing home those legions of brave men and women.
We should never forget the sacrifices of our American servicemen and women. This Memorial Day, we should honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by remembering and supporting fully the new generation of warriors and veterans who have served this country fighting for the same cause.
BACKGROUND
The Hill: U.S. House narrowly defeats effort to scale down Afghan war in close 204-215 vote. [The Hill, 5/26/11]
Bipartisan Tennessee delegation, consisting of Democratic Reps. Jim Cooper, Steve Cohen and Republican Rep. Jimmy Duncan, vote to end Afghan war. [U.S. House Clerk roll call, 5/26/11]
The Nation – Villarreal and his Democratic colleagues [in the Texas House of Representatives] protested in vain [in early April] as the House passed perhaps the most radical state budget bill in US history.
[The Texas Legislature — which Molly Ivins aptly called “the national laboratory for bad government” — infused with Tea Party zeal to eliminate government after the 2010 election,] voted to balance the ledger without raising revenues, axing billion from current spending levels—about one-fourth of the state’s current spending, and some of the deepest cuts contemplated anywhere in the country.
Spending cuts to public schools, already among the nation’s most poorly funded, could mean some 100,000 teacher layoffs, pre-K programs decimated and schools closed. Huge cuts to Medicaid could push an estimated 60,000 senior citizens out of their nursing homes. “We’re already as a state fiftieth in per capita spending,” said another young San Antonio Democrat, Representative Joaquin Castro. “So you’ve got to ask yourself…at what point is this budget akin to asking an anorexic person to lose more weight?”
The fiscal crisis caught most Texans unawares. For the better part of a decade, they’d had their collective egos puffed up by BusinessWeek, Fortune, Forbes, The Economist and CNBC proclaiming Texas as the economic miracle of the nation. Governor Rick Perry, a friend and disciple of Grover Norquist, had just won re-election by extolling the wonders wrought by tax-cutting, deregulation and the aggressive courting of jobs from higher-tax states like California, Michigan and Illinois.
[For the last decade] Perry has been the chief mad scientist in Texas’ bad-government lab, seizing every opportunity to gut social spending, pander to the culture-warriors and enrich his high-rolling corporate sponsors. In 2003, with a conservative legislature feloniously purchased by Tom DeLay and associates, Perry led a revolution to deregulate, privatize and tort-reform nearly everything. “Texas is open for business,” his campaign happily proclaimed when the dust had settled.
Three years later, with the lawmakers deadlocked over a school finance plan that would somehow meet State Supreme Court standards, Perry engineered a massive “tax swap,” slashing property taxes and replacing them with a modest business tax that left the state with a [-] billion annual “structural deficit” going forward—and a handy excuse to keep cutting programs to make budgets balance.
This year, when the massive debt was announced, Perry’s right-wing allies could not contain their glee. “The bottom line is there are no excuses now,” exclaimed Republican Senator Dan Patrick, a talk-radio host and founder of the Tea Party Caucus. “It’s a perfect storm, in a positive way, for conservatism.” In his inaugural speech, David Dewhurst, three-term lieutenant governor, turned it into a cheer: “We pronounce the word C-R-I-S-I-S as ‘opportunity.’”
Dan Patrick and David Dewhurst were referring to the “Starving the beast” strategy. This is a fiscal-political strategy adopted by American conservatives in the 1970′s to create or increase existing budget deficits via tax cuts to force future cuts and eventual privatization of Medicare, Social Security, Public Education and every other public service.
Texas has long been as politically and culturally influential as California. If that’s not often recognized, it’s for a valid reason: the influence Texas exercises pulls other states backward. “People used to say that the future happens first in California,” Krugman writes, “but these days what happens in Texas is probably a better omen. And what we’re seeing right now is a future that doesn’t work.”
Read the full story at The Nation.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Friday, May 27, 2011
Libertarians say restore freedom, repeal Patriot Act
WASHINGTON – Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle issued the following statement today:
“Yesterday, Republicans and Democrats in Congress joined hands to renew several provisions of the Patriot Act. These provisions are unconstitutional and violate our right to freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
“These provisions should be repealed, and if they’re not repealed, they ought to be ruled unconstitutional by the courts.
“Anyone who believes that Democrats care more about civil liberties than Republicans ought to be disillusioned by this renewal. It has become painfully clear that the Obama administration is indistinguishable from the George W. Bush administration.
“The plain injustice of these search provisions is compounded by the secrecy that surrounds them. In some cases, Americans — even members of Congress — aren’t permitted to know the legal interpretations that govern how these searches may be implemented. And of course there is the infamous ‘library records’ provision, which prohibits targets from telling anyone that they were ordered to turn over records to the government.
“I don’t believe that these violations of our rights are making us any safer. I think it’s security theater. And I’m certainly reminded of Benjamin Franklin’s words, ‘Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.’
“Our Constitution guarantees our rights. It doesn’t make an exception for ‘fear of terrorists.’ It’s time to end these violations of our rights, and repeal the Patriot Act.
“We can never perfectly protect ourselves from foreigners who hate us. One useful thing we can do is to try to stop antagonizing foreigners. Our government should stop invading and bombing their countries and stationing troops in them. It’s time for a non-interventionist foreign policy.”
For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.
The LP is America’s third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.
Hey Hey Hanksteristas! I have not been able to log into my blogspot account on my home computer and it’s been crampin’ m’ stylin’… Sorry for the glitchin’… Hoping to be back on board this weekend! Bad blogger! Bad!
-NH
A press release from the Green Party of the United States:
Puerto Rico’s colonial status must be replaced with self-determination and independence, say Greens
Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on ecological sustainability and global warming:http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-ecological.php
WASHINGTON, DC — The Green Party has joined Puerto Ricans protesting a proposal by Gov. Luis Fortuño to construct a [...]
Green Party Watch