Tag Archives: congress

Business/Economics, U.S.

Government Incompetence & No Economic Recovery for U.S.: Congress screws over the Postal Service, 3,600 offices to close

The USPS lost $8.5 billion in 2010.  It lost $3.8 billion in 2009.  So far this year the USPS has lost $2.2 billion.  The result; the United States Postal Service will make public a list of post offices that could be closed this year, as many as 3,653.

The United States Postal Service does not make money off taxpayers, they are solely funded by the postage they charge.  The problem is that Congress controls the postage they are allowed to charge, and so far Congress has refused to allow postal rates to reflect the actual operating cost of the USPS.

On top of that, Congress overcharged the USPS $75 billion for the Federal Employees Retirement System plan.  The Postmaster General asked for that money to be returned, but Congress refused (you think they already spent it?).

As a result of incompetence (or is it on purpose?) by our elected officials in Congress,  thousands more USPS employees will lose their jobs.

International, U.S.

U.S. Congress to increase President’s “War Powers”

“The President has the authority to use all necessary and appropriate force during the current armed conflict with al Qaeda, Taliban, and associated forces pursuant to the authorization of the use of military force.”-2012 Defense Authorization Bill

U.S. Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, from California, has submitted the fiscal year 2012 defense bill (aka Authorization for the Use of Military Force).  The bill expands the powers of the President to wage war, in the name of fighting terrorism.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the bill gives the President too much war making powers, and does not provide a clear end game policy.

 

 

Opinion, U.S.

9/11 First Responders & Survivors considered Terroists under new Health Care law

In January, 2011, President Obama signed into law a bill passed by Congress, supposedly to give 9/11/2001 emergency first responders, survivors and other people involved with the recovery and clean up efforts, health care for problems connected to the toxic debris of the the collapsed World Trade Center.  Those people are now considered terrorists.

The law is called the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010” (aka HR 847).

Any first responder interested in receiving medical care under the new law must be investigated by the Department of Homeland Security for links to known terrorists:  “No individual who is on the terrorist watch list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security shall qualify as an eligible WTC responder. Before enrolling any individual as a WTC responder in the WTC Program under paragraph (3), the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall determine whether the individual is on such list.”-H.R. 847,  SEC. 3311  paragraph 5

In regards to ‘survivors’: “No individual who is on the terrorist watch list
maintained by the Department of Homeland Security shall qualify as a screening-eligible WTC survivor or a certifiedeligible WTC survivor. Before determining any individual to be a screening-eligible WTC survivor under paragraph (1) or certifying any individual as a certified eligible WTC survivor
under paragraph (2), the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall determine whether the individual is on such list.”- H.R. 847, SEC. 3321 paragraph 4

Even if you think forcing applicants to go through a terrorist background check is OK, when you read the complicated law it becomes clear that what the Federal government is doing is trying to make it as difficult as possibly for any 9/11 first responder, or survivor, to qualify for medical help.  In other words, yet another lie from our government to our citizens.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Proof that Congress is Above the Law: Insider Trading. Idaho Senator Crapo Involved

Ever wonder why our Federal government does little, or nothing, when it comes to finance reform, or investment reform?  Maybe it’s because they’re getting rich from insider trading.  And it’s legal for them, but not for us.

Members of Congress participate in a 9-11 remembrance ceremony on the East Front steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on September 15, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg Photo via Newscom

It is against the law to buy and sell stocks based on information that the general public is not privy too, unless you are a member of Congress, or a Congressional Staff member.  Can you say legalized corruption?  The Wall Street Journal recently reported that congressional staff members are making stock trades that are directly related to their jobs.  What a deal!  Your job is to create laws and policies, that regulate the investment industry, and as a result you to know all kinds of details that the public would never know and allows you to make trades based on that info!  And, you make it illegal for anyone else to do the same!

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 13: U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) listens during a hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill November 13, 2008 in Washington, DC. The hearing was focused on 'Oversight of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act: Examining Financial Institution Use of Funding Under the Capital Purchase Program.' (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Senator Mike Crapo (R), Idaho

A staffer, Karen Brown, working for Idaho’s Senator Mike Crapo (R), is reported to have made several trade deals with Bank of America (a leading home fore-closer bank), making her an investment gain of 43%.  When asked by the Wall Street Journal about it, Senator Crapo said the trades were made by Mrs. Brown’s husband, and that she would be amending her disclosure forms to show that.  The problem with that answer is that, as of October 23rd, Karen Brown’s latest disclosure forms shows her making additional Bank of America stock purchases.

This year, Represenative Brian Baird (D), of Washington, tried to get Congress to pass a bill that would make it illegal for them to do insider trading.  In the House of Representatives only 9 members endorsed the bill.  In the Senate no one endorsed it.  That should tell you that they all need to be fired!

Idaho, Opinion

Vote Local, Screw National!

Elections are coming up. Local, state and national. Which elections affect you the most? Local of course! Those City and County buffoo… officials affect your day to day life directly. Your State Legislature also has a direct impact on your life.

The Federal Congressional gang does impact us, but indirectly, by coming up with Federal domestic (national) laws, policies and regulations. Then there’s the  President of the United States. He can plead with the Congress, and then sign into law, or reject by veto, anything Congress sends his way. Meaning his impact is as indirect as the Congress. The President’s true authority is in Foreign Affairs, not in Domestic Policy.

So why do so many people in the U.S. vote during presidential elections, and so few vote during non-presidential elections?  Here’s some statistics from the most recent General Elections: 2008 presidential elections saw 56.8% voter turnout, compared to 2006 non-presidential elections of only 37.1% (www.infoplease.com). In fact, since 1970 voter turnout for non-presidential elections has remained stuck in the upper 30% range.

Those stats are the average for the whole country. How about locally? Here in Bannock County, Idaho, in the May 2010 Primary Elections only 22.97% of registered voters voted (www.co.bannock.id.us).  Hopefully many more people will vote in the up coming General Elections.

I hope it’s more than the 2006 non-presidential General Elections. In that year the state wide voter turnout in Idaho was in the 40% range (elections.gmu.edu). You might think that’s not bad, but compare that to the 50-60% range for the 2008 presidential elections (elections.gmu.edu). I’d like to see 60% turnout in general non-presidential, local elections.

Stop putting your hope into the Congress and the President of the United States! Send a big message to Washington D.C. by putting your voting power where it will have direct impact on your home state and your hometown. Lets see huge turnouts for local elections!