Reid: GOP is 'making love to Wall Street'

By GottaLaff

Harry says the Rushpublics are "making love to Wall Street" . That dovetails nicely with how Wall Street is screwing us, now, doesn't it, so at least it's not unrequited:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) accused Republicans Wednesday of “making love to Wall Street.”

Reid charged that Republicans are stalling action on a Wall Street reform bill because “they are having difficulty determining how they’re going to continue making love to Wall Street” by resisting banking regulation.

Please read the whole thing here. Again, apologies for the abbreviated posts. I'm struggling with tech issues on my end.

Frank Luntz’s New Talking Point: “Checkbook Tax”

By GottaLaff

I have a talking point for Frank Luntz: Shut up. I doubt he'll include that one in his memos, though. He's too busy making up new misleading catch phrases that will be picked up by candidates which will then be picked up by punditiots which will then be picked up by news dee jays.

And that's how Frank's shiny new talking points become part of the political lexicon:

Since when have corporations ever paid taxes, fees or penalties? Employees end up paying in the form of lower salaries and benefits. Customers end up paying in the form of higher costs.

And in this case, every account holder will be forced to pay higher fees on their checking account and savings account. That’s you, my friendly reader. Can you say “checkbook tax”? I can, and I think lots of candidates will be saying it come November.

What was once the ever-popular “taxpayer-funded bailouts,” which is dead wrong, will now be "checkbook tax":

[H]e’s replaced it with the new claim that taxpayers will still pick up the tab when big institutions pass on costs in the form of a “checkbook tax.”

Watch for it on a Tee Vee Machine near you!

Senate Democrats Crafting Democrat-Only Immigration Reform Plan

By GottaLaff

(Edgar Rios, left, and Marcos Gonzalez rally against the Arizona immigration bill before it was signed into law Friday.The Associated Press. Via)

Who do these Dems thing they are, leaders?

A trio of leading Democratic Senators on Wednesday began working on contingency plans for pushing a Democrat-only immigration reform bill if they are unable to convince Republicans to join the effort this year.

Why, one might mistake them for people with... spines:

An emerging immigration proposal by three Democratic senators calls for more federal enforcement agents and other border security-tightening benchmarks before illegal immigrants could become legal U.S. residents.

And who exactly are these spunky senators? Harry Reid of Nevada, Charles Schumer of New York, and Robert Menendez.

The benchmarks include additional Border Patrol officers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to combat smuggling; more ICE inspectors at work sites; an increased number of ICE officers assigned to detect fraudulent documents, and better ways to determine fakes; more personnel to check for contraband at ports of entry; additional resources to prosecute drug and human smugglers and illegal border crossers, and for deportations.

How could this possibly work? Targeting employers who hire undocumented workers? What? That's unheard of!

And there is nothing in there about racial profiling. They obviously didn't think this through.

Before the benchmarks are met, the Department of Homeland Security could begin registering, fingerprinting and screening illegal immigrants, and considering them for an interim legal status. That would allow them to work in the U.S. and travel outside it.

But... but... they didn't include anything about skin color or hair or shoes! This will never work. It's not nearly racist enough.

Oh, Rushpublics? Time to get the cots out. It's filibuster time.

Republicans Poised to Allow Senate Debate on Financial Overhaul Bill

By GottaLaff

All I've gotten so far is a news alert from Fox:

Republicans Poised to Allow Senate Debate on Financial Overhaul Bill

So forcing the Party of No to actually stand up and filibuster in front of the whole wide world worked. Remember this day, Dems.

UPDATE, via another e-mail:

	WASHINGTON (AP) Republicans say they are ready to allow financial overhaul bill to be debated in Senate.

UPDATE:

Sen. Richard Shelby, the top Republican on the Senate Banking committee, said he has assurances that Democrats will adjust his banking regulation bill to address concerns that it perpetuates bailouts. [...]

But McConnell and other Republican critics are now focusing their objections on Dodd's proposal to create a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau within the Federal Reserve.

Reid Schedules Another Vote on Financial Reform

By GottaLaff

The definition of insanity...

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has scheduled a cloture vote on financial regulatory reform for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, but there is no indication that the outcome will be any different than what occurred on Monday.

Oh, but I kid the Majority Leader. The Party of No will re-expose their obstructionist ways as financial reform, for the time being, continues on a treadmill to nowhere.

Perhaps visual aids would help. Reid should present a big photo poster of the GOP holding hands with bankers in a heart-shaped frame.

Senate Republicans Vote to Block Debate of Financial Oversight Legislation

By GottaLaff

The Democrats may have been blocked-- again-- by the Party of No, but they made it loud and clear on the Tee Vee Machine that even a loss is a win. Why? Because now America will see who sides with Wall Street, and who sides with them.

Via an email alert from the New York Times:

Senate Republicans, united in opposition to the Democrats' legislation to tighten regulation of the financial system, voted on Monday to block the start of floor debate.

The vote was 57 to 41, as Democrats fell short of the 60 votes needed to cut off a filibuster of the motion to proceed to the bill. One Democrat, Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, sided with Republicans apparently out of concern over a provision related to tightening the rules on derivatives trading.

Debate is blocked. Nelson voted no. Welcome back to the GOP, Ben.

Bernie Sanders just confirmed what I said above, saying, "We were vindicated," and this proves the Republicans are, indeed, the obstructionists we know them to be.

The Tea Baggers are getting nervous

By GottaLaff

Hey chums! Want to join me in some fun? Check out how jittery the Tea Tantrumers are getting.

Via an e-mail, with the subject line: Urgent! Bailout Bob is at it again.

A message to all members of Tea Party Nation

Bailout Bob Corker, (RINO-TN) is at it again

The liberals have three major agendas they want passed this year. The first was health care, the second is financial overhaul and the third is cap and tax.

While the liberals were able to take over 1/6 of the economy with healthcare, they are now trying to take over the remaining 5/6 with "financial reform" legislation.

This bill, written by Chris "Countrywide" Dodd, is a permanent bail out of the financial sector. It provides for advance funding for government take overs of banks. Although Corker denies this, it is a permanent bailout.

Until now, all 41 Republican Senators had stood firm, providing a filibuster that the liberals could not break. Now, that is changing. Corker has been signaling his willingness to work with Chris Dodd. This bill does nothing for the American people. It will only allow the government to control even more of our economy.

Corker needs to hear from all of us, regardless of whether you live in Tennessee. Call his offices as soon as you can and tell him not to compromise with Chris Dodd, and not to support this "financial reform."

Nashville 615-279-8125

Knoxville 865-637-4180

Memphis 901-683-1910

Chattanooga 423-756-2757

Tri-Cities 423-323-1252

Jackson 731-424-9655

Washington DC 202-224-3344

Send this email to your friends and encourage them to call Corker's offices. The Obama/Pelosi/Reid axis of fiscal evil are on the move again and Bailout Bob Corker is the one vote that could stop this.

Call him today!

Republicans soften opposition to financial reform

By GottaLaff

Just when I thought the Party of No was trying to make financial reform hit a brick Wall St., I see they're maybe, possibly, kinda, sorta relenting a teeny weeny tad:

(Reuters) - Republican lawmakers on Tuesday took a more conciliatory tone toward Democratic proposals to crack down on Wall Street as the U.S. Senate delayed debate on a financial reform package until next week.

The change in rhetoric could signal the two sides are moving closer to a deal after months of wrangling over how to overhaul regulations in the wake of the financial crisis.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd said lawmakers have reached agreement on 80 to 90 percent of the reform bill.

"We are all optimistic that this can be fixed," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

Good ol' reliable, reassuring Mitch McConnell, he's always been my go-to guy for hopey changey stuff.

Color me skeptical, but it's hard to believe the G No P softening on anything. Stalling, maybe. Kvetching, definitely. Obstructing, absolutely. Softening? Mmmmnotreally.

However, they may have finally realized how quickly and drastically America will turn on them should they continue to pal around with the very corpobots who transformed us into the United States of the Homeless.

Video- President Obama's Weekly Address: Holding Wall Street Accountable

Kyl Says Republicans Ready to Cooperate on Financial Reform

By GottaLaff

Wait, what? Why, I had my eyes opened today! It turns out the GOP actually does know the word "cooperate". Who tutored them while we weren't looking? All that surreptitious home schooling may have actually paid off:

Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) on Sunday said Republicans are eager to cooperate with Democrats on financial regulatory reform legislation, the next major item on the Senate agenda.

Apparently, they also learned the words "poll numbers", "consequences", "elections", and "fail".

They have yet, however, to fully comprehend the meaning of the words "hypocrite" and "disingenuous".

Senators release bipartisan immigration bill plan

By GottaLaff

What is up with e-mailed news alerts today? They're coming in faster than Mark Sanford ethics violations!

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) today laid the framework for a comprehensive, bipartisan immigration overhaul bill that would include tougher border enforcement, a path to legalization for the millions of undocumented immigrants across the country and the creation of biometric Social Security cards to ensure that illegal workers cannot get jobs.

The announcement of the plan, which brought immediate praise from President Obama, comes days before a pro-immigration march scheduled for the nation's capital on Sunday.

Full story at: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/bipartisan-immigration-reform-plan-proposed.html

And here we go. Time for another round of smears, fear mongering, and endless punditiocy.

Obey Announces Partial Ban on Earmarks

By GottaLaff

Is this another one of those "compromises"?

In an effort to hold off a total moratorium on earmarks, House appropriators announced Wednesday morning that they would reject all earmark requests that benefit for-profit companies.

Obey claims it will mean “1,000 fewer earmarks.” Nancy Pelosi has floated the idea of a total ban on earmarks. The GOP went for a yearlong ban.

Obey said he would hope that the policy would break the appearance of a link between campaign contributions and earmarks.

Here's the money line:

But, he said, “You will never break totally the appearance of a possibility of a nexus as long as the Congress doesn’t pass campaign finance reform legislation.”

Yeah, good luck with that.

Without effective campaign finance reform, true democracy is about as realistic as a birthday wish.

Get filled in on the details here.

"Restoration of majority rule": Tom Harkin, Jeanne Shaheen eye filibuster reform

By GottaLaff

Finally, it's possible that a Democratic meme is about to be born. Steve Benen has a good piece up about reforming (what has become the abuse of) the filibuster :

Harkin and his new co-sponsor will kick off a new effort to allow the legislative branch of the government to function again. A press statement from Harkin's office reads:

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) will be joined by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) at a press conference this afternoon following the introduction of their bill to reform Senate rules that have been abused by the minority to create record gridlock. Senator Harkin introduced a similar bill in 1995, when the Democratic Party was in the minority.

"In an economic climate that has been devastating for Americans, it's time for the Senate to get moving on a jobs bill, on financial regulatory reform, and on health care," Senator Harkin said. "The minority party has ground Senate business to a halt by abusing the rules, and it's time to reform the process."

In the 1950s, there was an average of one filibuster per Congress. Last Congress, motions were filed to end filibusters a record 139 times, and they continue at a similar pace through 2009 (67 cloture motions last year).

[...]. Harkin proposes a new procedural model: the first go-around, the minority could demand a 60-vote majority, as is the case now. But if 60 votes aren't there to end debate, a week or so later, 57 votes could bring the bill to the floor for a vote. If 57 votes aren't there, it drops again and again, and after a month or so, a bare majority could approve cloture.

Benen makes a great point:

Also note, the existence of the legislation creates an opportunity for a larger public debate.

Then he makes an even better one:

My suggestion to Harkin's office is to come up with a helpful frame for the debate. I recommend: "restoration of majority rule."

Easy to understand, hard to challenge, and appealing. Let's run with it and help the Dems control the message for once.

Filibuster reform bill headed for Senate floor facing uphill battle

By GottaLaff

First of all, everything is an uphill battle these days. Second of all, well, I have no second of all. How's that for pithy? Yep, this flu hasn't affected my brain cells at all....

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) intends in the next few weeks to introduce legislation that would take away the minority’s power to filibuster legislation. [...]

Harkin believes senators in recent years have abused the procedural move.

Harkin’s bill would still allow senators to delay legislation, but ultimately would give the majority the power to move past a filibuster with a simple majority vote.

His staff said the bill would be introduced sometime before the Senate’s current work period ends on Feb. 13.

It takes 67 votes to change Senate rules, so, good luck Tom.

Several liberal activists as well as Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) this week have called for filibuster reform to make it easier for legislation to pass.

So how exactly would Tom's idea work again?

Under Harkin's bill, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), 60 votes would still be necessary to cut off debate on an initial procedural motion. If senators failed to reach 60 votes, a second vote would be possible two days later that would require only 57 votes to cut off debate. If that also failed, a third vote two days after that would require 54 votes to end debate. A fourth vote after two more days would require just 51 votes.

Well, as long as Traitor Joe's behind it, how could it lose?

VIDEO: Newt Gingrich backs President Obama

By GottaLaff

Newt Gingrich sided with the president. The former Speaker of the House cited Obama’s courage in trying to enact “dramatic, bold reforms” in education.

No wonder the ConservaNuts are banging heads with Newtie.

Out-of-pocket health costs up 34 percent

I hope the President is paying attention because some of the lesser Dems are trying to screw this up every chance they get.

BETHESDA, Md., June 3 (UPI) -- U.S. adults with employer-provided health coverage faced an average $729 in out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and co-payments in 2007, researchers said.

The study, authored by researchers from the National Opinion Research Center and Watson Wyatt Worldwide for The Commonwealth Fund, found that employees' annual out-of-pocket healthcare expenses increased by 34 percent from 2004 to 2007.

In 2007, adults with employer coverage paid an average of $729 in out-of-pocket expenses for medical services, the study said.

"The years from 2004-2007 were a period of economic expansion, yet rising healthcare costs still eroded the value of employer-sponsored coverage," lead author Jon Gabel, a senior fellow at National Opinion Research Center in Bethesda, Md., said in a statement.

Video- President signs military spending reform

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

14,000: Number of Americans losing health coverage each day

By GottaLaff

Via Think Progress:

As the Wonk Room points out, “the stimulus is no substitute for health reform. Congress must now turn the page to reforming the health care system, dragging conservatives kicking and screaming across the finish line.”

This one is close to my heart. One of my kids has Crohn's Disease and takes 13 pills a day. Our insurance bills are around $20,000 a year. (We used to be covered by Writers Guild, but no more, for various reasons.) I won't go into all the details, but you get the picture. And yes, we have COBRA. So...

I'm all for dragging, pushing, urging, or otherwise aggressively cajoling any and all conservatives who are resistant to major reform. I'll even throw in a please.

John Sidney McCain's 3 little words

By GottaLaff

"Reform, Prosperity, Peace"? Oh, really:

Reform:

1. McCain pushes energy conservation, oil exploration: In a proposal that critics say clashes with his environmental credentials, McCain says the United States should tap some 21 billion barrels of proven oil reserves which are left untouched because of a federal moratorium on exploration and production.
2. Obama jabs McCain's tax cuts.
   

Prosperity:

1. I "really don't understand economics". (OPEC President Chakib Khelil does not rule out oil prices reaching $200 a barrel, even though supply is adequate, because the market is driven by the dollar's slide, Algerian government newspaper El Moudjahid reported...}
2. Religion Dispatches - McCain's Prosperity Preacher

Peace:

1. John Kerry, on a conference call today: "He's really defending a policy that is indefensible. He's proving every day that he doesn't understand Iraq, or the Middle East, or the war on terrorism." McCain is embracing " George Bush post 9-11 war of choice strategy," of which he is "Washington's biggest supporter." McCain "failed to learned the lessons of 9/11. He is the candidate of the Iraq War mindset, a mindset that completely misunderstands and dangerously underestimates the threats of the 21st century."
2. McCain sings 'Bomb, bomb Iran'

More like "Sameness, Distress, War".