The Tipping Glass » politics

Dearest Washington

Kyle — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:13:27 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, stand and behold. A brisk arctic wind permeated the very gates of hell Tuesday: Washington actually did something.

This isn’t a partisan piece. Neither an indictment nor an endorsement. Merely an observation that for once, as if by magic, something actually happened in a place where for so long nothing has. For that I would like to eloquently congratulate you, Congress, for your accomplishment. For finally achieving what you had ceased for so long to actually do: anything.

I ask you, Congress, what does it say about you? What does it say about you when the average constituent is so fed up with your politics that your policies become irrelevant? What does it mean when this citizen, at least, is so dissatisfied with the status quo—where the argument becomes more important than the issue—that he is satisfied with simply something, anything, happening?

Congratulations, Congress. On your watch, in the backdrop of your bickering, we have soldiered headlong into the most stifling recession since the great one. We have trudged-on through deserts, and mountains, and poppy fields in wars on two fronts. Seen natural and economic disasters come and loom on our doorsteps, and at our dining room tables.

For us, the budget is as real as the check we stretch to meet it. For us, deficits accrue at 16% annually, and surpluses appreciate at two-and-a-half. For us, there will be no bail-out; no six-figure bonus. For us, inaction is not an option.

So allow me to commend you, Washington, for getting back to work. And allow me to remind you that for many, the task of getting back to work is far more daunting than putting Parliamentary tactics into action. For many, your bitter partisan differences would be inconsequential, were they not the biggest obstacle between some of your citizens and a sustainable future.

And so again, as a nation, we find ourselves at a crossroads. A place where the future looks uncertain, and how we got here, and where to go, become equally difficult to ascertain. Remember that in these moments in history—not necessarily the more stable ones—great things have been done. Great problems have been met with great ideas. Great men have been born of Great Depressions.

Remember that in the long run, regardless of where you stand on the issues, what truly matters is that we somehow work together toward something better. To fix what is broken. To get back to work.

And so, don’t laud yourself Washington. Don’t revel in whatever victories or defeat you’ve claimed. There’s no time for glory speeches or ticker-tape parades. No time for wrangling with the politics of ill will. No time to stand back and ponder your legacy and what this might mean in its scope. America is out of time and patients for politics. It’s time now, to get back to work.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Dearest Washington

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The Maruchan Candidate

Kyle — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:01:30 +0000

When the Supreme Court ruled that there would be no restrictions on political campaign contributions from corporations, unions, special interest groups, and well…whoever else wants to get into a candidate’s pockets for that matter, free enterprise reached new legal heights in this country. Today you can buy your own candidate.

Just when you thought laissez faire capitalism was under the gun, and campaign reform might be around the corner, the Supreme Court hits us with a curve that would make Tim Lincecum jealous (bad baseball jokes, anyone?).

So if you wanted campaign reform? Well, you got it. All jokes aside, if this ruling stands, the game has completely changed in Washington.

The backlash has been stiff, and in a dramatic change of pace, both parties have been somewhat united in their criticism. Yes, in a time when partisanship is at an all time high and disagreement across party lines has verged on Parliament-style fisticuffs at times, it seems that for the most part the parties get along in opposition to this one. Those in Washington who seem to like the outcome of the ruling have generally stayed quietly in the background.

A recent ABC News / Washington Post poll might suggest why. The decision, it turns out, is massively unpopular in the general public. More than 80% of Americans said they oppose the Supreme Court decision. That kind of number is almost unheard of in a political poll.

But I’m not here to pick sides. No, I’m just here to make observations. Just here to look across the political landscape and paint you a picture.

A very likely scenario that could play out in coming elections is that certain candidates will end up with primary funding sources—be they corporations, unions, or special interest groups—that will essentially bankroll their campaigns. Allow me to artfully construct some of the possibilities:

The Political Pipeline Candidate, R-WY
Primary campaign contributor: Exxon
Campaign credit line: $365.5 million
About the candidate:

The Political Pipeline Candidate grew up in Alaska. Over the course of his life, he invested his profits from the Alaska Permanent Fund in high-risk oil speculations that eventually amassed him a fortune. He is an uncompromising man. He now owns a ranch in Wyoming and has invested heavily in the state’s blossoming natural gas industry.

He signed with Exxon for the 2010 Senatorial election, on a staunch conservative platform. The record-breaking contract included a stunning million dollars for every day of the election year, with an extra half-million dollar signing bonus thrown in for travel expenses. Early reports suggested that the company added the half million to avoid ‘non-monetary campaign donation’ violations which could have resulted if they would have simply provided him with trips on corporate jets. Other stipulations of the contract include a clause which states that for the duration of the campaign he must keep a well-trimmed handlebar mustache, mandatory photo ops with Daniel Day-Lewis, and a bonus if he wins requiring T. Boone Pickens to build a stadium for the acceptance speech.

The Red White and Green Candidate, D-OR
Primary campaign contributor: Siemens
Campaign credit line: $97 million
About the candidate:

With a stump slogan like “It’s not easy being green, but we’re not going green because it’s easy,” this candidate’s intentions are clear. Born and raised in Portland, OR, she comes to the table with big plans for energy reform, sustainability, and green technology.

Once marginalized as a single-issue candidate, she received a huge boost when she was granted a nearly $100 million endorsement from Siemens, the modern industrial behemoth, looking to capitalize on growing demand for green energy. With over $1 billion invested in green energy and smart grid technologies, Siemens jumped on board with the Oregon Congresswoman, calling the partnership “a symbiotic relationship” in which Siemens could establish itself as a major player in the green energy sector with a political face in Washington, and the Democrat from Oregon could assert herself as a serious political contender with the kind of financial backing that no previous “green” candidate has been able to muster from the relatively small startup companies that dominate the green energy marketplace.

Already the move has created controversy in the environmental community, as spontaneous protests have formed outside of Siemens’ oil and gas plants around the country. When asked to comment on how this outcry could affect her campaign, she said: “Who would have thought environmental groups could be so difficult to please?”

The Maruchan Candidate, L-OH
Primary campaign contributor: Maruchan
Campaign credit line: $33,500
About the Candidate:

Not to be confused with “The Manchurian Candidate,” the 1960’s film about a brainwashed assassin, this fiscally frugal candidate is breaking ground and making waves in the two-party system. The new realities of corporate campaign sponsorship presented deep philosophical dilemmas for this newcomer on the political scene. For this Libertarian from Akron, OH, running on a party platform that preaches “Smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom,” the new political realities presented a potential slippery slope of conflicted interests.

He hit the political scene with a message of strict conservative fiscal policy. And from the gun, his eyes have been set on the Representative seat for the 13th Congressional District of Ohio. After much deliberation with his staff about whether to take any sort of major corporate campaign sponsorship, they decided to reach out to companies that represented the kind of economic responsibility that he was campaigning for.

“To be honest, we didn’t exactly have companies knocking down our door to contribute,” he said. “So we decided to reach out, and when Maruchan came back with their offer, everyone was excited. I feel like it really speaks to our college base.” The ramen noodle company chipped in just a fraction of what some of the major corporate giants have put forward—a fact that hardly concerns this eager young politician. “We are Libertarians, and someone gave us money! We’ll take what we can get, and you watch, we’ll make it stretch.” And ironically enough, we are actually watching.

God bless America. Or what’s left of it, anyway.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

The Maruchan Candidate

Senator Spotlight – Barbara Boxer, CA

Katrina — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:23:37 +0000

Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat
California
Senator since: 1992
Next up for election: 2010

Where does she stand on the issues?

Gay Marriage:
In 1996, was one of 14 Senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act.

Abortion:
Senator Boxer authored the Freedom of Choice Act in 2004.

Healthcare:
She has written a bill to make health insurance tax deductible and another bill to let any American buy into the same health insurance program that members of Congress have.

Death Penalty:
Boxer has been a consistent advocate of the death penalty until recently. In 2006, she introduced a bill calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.

The Middle East:
In 2002 voted against the use of force in Iraq.

Stem Cell Research:
Is an advocate of Embryonic Stem Cell research.

What about her personal life?
Senator Boxer has been married to Stewart Boxer for 48 years. They met at Brooklyn College. The couple moved to California in 1965 to raise their two children, Doug and Nicole. They have four grandchildren-Zachary, Zain, Sawyer and Reyna.

Senator Spotlight is designed to give the every day person a look a concise look at their senators – where they stand on the issues that matter. If you would like for something else to be included, let me know!

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Senator Spotlight – Barbara Boxer, CA

Senator Spotlight – Kirsten Gillibrand, NY

Katrina — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:26:29 +0000

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat
New York
Senator since: 2009
Next up for election: 2010

Senator Gillibrand was appointed by the governor of New York to take the place of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton when she resigned to take her place as Secretary of State.

Where does she stand on the issues?

Gay Marriage:
Has said that she is for gay marriage, but legislatively, is seeking to make civil unions, not homosexual marriage, legal on a federal level.

Abortion:
Senator Gillibrand is pro-choice.

Healthcare:
Voted for the most recent version of President Obama’s Health Care Bill in the Senate.

Death Penalty:
I have unconfirmed reports that she is for the Death Penalty.

The Middle East:
Voted to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, however, has no published stance on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Stem Cell Research:
Voted to have tax payer dollars pay for Embryonic Stem Cell research.

What about her personal life?
Gillabrand graduated Magna Cum Laude from Dartmouth College in 1988, and received a law degree from the UCLA school of law in 1991.

Born and raised in upstate New York, Senator Gillibrand now lives on the banks of the Hudson River in Hudson, New York, with her husband, Jonathan Gillibrand, and their two young sons, five year old Theodore and one year old Henry.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Senator Spotlight – Kirsten Gillibrand, NY

Senator Spotlight, Arlen Specter, PA

Katrina — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:56:01 +0000

Senator Arlen Specter, Democrat
Pennsylvania
Senator since: 1980
Next up for election: 2010

Where does he stand on the issues?

Gay Marriage:
In 1996, voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, but later called for it to be repealed.

Abortion:
Says that he is personally against Abortion, but is a supporter of a woman’s right to choose.

Healthcare:
Voted for the most recent version of President Obama’s Health Care Bill in the Senate.

Death Penalty:
Supports the death penalty, but has sought to narrow the requirements for applying it to a crime.

The Middle East:
In 2002, voted for the Iraq war.

Stem Cell Research:
Wants to lift the restriction on embryonic stem cell research.

What about his personal life?
Senator Specter was a registered member of the Democratic party until 1965, when he changed parties in order to challenge the Democratic District Attorney of Philadelphia. He remained a part of the Republican party until 2009, when he chose to go back to the Democratic party.

Specter was treated with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2005 and 2008. He is currently in remission.

Senator Specter lives in Philadelphia with his wife Joan. They have two sons, Shanin and Steve, and four grandchildren, Silvi, Perri, Lilli, and Hatti.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Senator Spotlight, Arlen Specter, PA

We are Strong, We are Resilient, We are American

Katrina — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:24:47 +0000

We are Strong, We are Resilient, We are American

This was one of the phrases that closed Wednesday night’s State of the Union address given by President Barack Obama. It was written to him in a letter, and I couldn’t agree more. However, in his speech to a joint session of congress, I failed to see how his policies have and will make us strong.

“The worst of the storm has passed,” were the words he used to describe the economy. I’m not sure that he is accurate in that statement. I haven’t done the research on this, but I haven’t seen the economy recovering. Ask anyone who is looking for a job. Mr. President, if you’re going to tell us that things are getting better, please have some facts to back it up.

The one fact I do remember him presenting was his statement that two million people are working as construction workers, teachers and police officers because of the recovery act. Perhaps that served to provide some jobs. But the jobs provided did not offset the unemployment rate which rose steadily over the year. In my job, if things get worse, but I tell my boss that things could have been even worse than they are if I hadn’t done something, I’d still probably get fired.

There will be new jobs in 2010, though. President Obama is going to create his own version of the New Deal. Putting unemployed Americans to work building up the infrastructure of the US. If he took a good look at history he would see that it was WWII which brought us out of the depression, not President Roosevelt’s policies. The president who successfully brought us out of a recession was Ronald Reagan – maybe he should take some advice from him.

I did have a revelation about our President, though. When it comes to giving money to Americans, he wants it to be a one time deal. He calls them tax cuts, but technically they’re tax credits. It is a one time amount that is given to some Americans, and there is no obligation for the Federal Government to give them that money again. That is not a tax cut. However, when it comes to taking money, he doesn’t want to require one time fees from companies like the banks which took stimulus money, he wants to impose fees which do not have a specific end date in sight. Is that fair?

Don’t worry, though, President Obama is working to alleviate the “burdens” of the middle class. I would likely be considered lower middle class. I have cable. I have three televisions in my home and my husband and I both drive reliable, foreign made cars. The burden is that people in our country have begun to feel entitled to a lifestyle that is beyond their means, expecting the government to help them out with that. Owning your own house is a privilege. Having a college education is a privilege. Having healthcare is more important than an iPhone and cable, so perhaps these “burdened” middle class folks should re-evaluate their spending, rather than looking to the government to bail them out.

I finally agreed with something he said when he spoke about energy. Building safe, clean, nuclear plants. Good idea! Opening some off shore drilling for oil. Haven’t the Republicans been asking for that for years? And then he started to talk about his energy bill and climate change. And that some folks want to disregard the overwhelming evidence about it. Does he not remember that recently it came out that the overwhelming evidence he is talking about very well may be completely false?

Just when I thought I could take no more, he attacked both the Republican party and the Supreme Court. During the State of the Union address. Which was broadcasted across the country. First of all, he is wrong about the Supreme Court decision. The Supreme Court did not turn over the part of the finance bill which dealt with foreign companies, only domestic. Companies from foreign countries will not be investing in our elections.

Second, he spoke, seemingly to both parties, telling them that they should put aside their differences and vote based upon merit, to not “just say no because you can.” Then he mentioned that since the Democrats have an overwhelming majority in the Senate that people expect them to solve problems. But because the Republicans are requiring 60 votes to pass things in the Senate, it is also their responsibility to govern, instead of just saying no all the time. I’m pretty sure the Republican Senators know that it is their responsibility to govern. I’m surprised there were no outbursts at that statement, as I know many of the Republicans there likely cringed at that statement.

The recent election in Massachusetts should have been a sign to President Obama that support for the Democratic party is waning and that he would be well served to focus on some bi-partisan legislation – or at least a speech that does not inflame everyone who is in the Republican party, and, I’m sure, many of the undecided voters as well as some Democrats. President Obama, I was not impressed.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

We are Strong, We are Resilient, We are American

Senator Spotlight – Barbara Mikulski, MD

Katrina — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:37:17 +0000

Senator Barbara Mikulski
Maryland
Senator since: 1987
Next up for election: 2010

Where does she stand on the issues?

Gay Marriage:
Voted no on a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.

Abortion:
Is for abortion, and voted against prohibiting minors from crossing state lines for an abortion and also against requiring that parents be alerted in such cases.

Healthcare:
Voted for the most recent version of President Obama’s Health Care Bill in the Senate.

Death Penalty:
In 1993 supported a bill which would have replaced the death penalty with sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Middle East:
Was one of only 11 senators to vote against the use of force in Iraq in 2002.

Stem Cell Research:
Voted to increase research on the use of embryonic stem cells.

What about her personal life?
Mikulski was born and raised in East Baltimore and after receiving a Master’s Degree in Social Work, worked as a social worker for Catholic Charities.

She was the first woman to win a senate seat in her own right – not having replaced a deceased husband or being appointed by a governor.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Senator Spotlight – Barbara Mikulski, MD

Why Scott Brown Won More than a Senate Seat

Katrina — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:55:20 +0000

As I have previously admitted, I am a conservative republican. Those words are ones which I have been a bit reluctant to say over the past few years, but, once again, I am quite proud. Yesterday was a victory for my side, in more ways than just the gain of a senate seat.

In the last presidential election, the state of Massachusetts voted for Obama by 26 points. I doubt McCain even spent much time or money campaigning there and do as he did with Maryland, just count it as a loss and concentrate on greener pastures. This normally very left leaning state has not voted in a Republican senator since 1972. I wasn’t even born. My parents hadn’t even met yet. That was a long time ago.

This victory shows the unrest with our current political environment. Brown has declared that he will vote against the current healthcare legislation. The same healthcare legislation that the majority of Americans oppose, a fact which the Democrats are ignoring. Brown has broken up the Democratic filibuster proof majority in the Senate, which means that the Democrats will actually need to put forth bi-partisan legislation to get anything done.

And the greatest thing that this victory shows is that the pendulum is swinging back. For the past year the Republicans have been witness to what can happen when they screw things up so bad that the American public has no confidence in them. And it hasn’t been pretty. I just hope that they take this knowledge and use it to their advantage for the upcoming elections. This is hope. This is change. And I hope this is the change that we remember in 2010.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Why Scott Brown Won More than a Senate Seat

Senator Spotlight – Scott Brown

Katrina — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:32:05 +0000

Senator Scott Brown, Republican
Massachusetts
Senator since: 2010
Next up for election: 2012

Senator Brown was elected yesterday in a special election, and will take over the duration of the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s seat. Kennedy was the second most tenured senator when he passed away in August 2009.

Where does he stand on the issues?

Gay Marriage:
Personally believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman, but thinks that States should make the decision on the matter based upon what their constituents want.

Abortion:
Opposes Partial Birth Abortion and believes that other methods of abortion should be regulated.

Healthcare:
Thinks that all Americans should have healthcare, but opposes the current plan.

Death Penalty:
Some crimes merit capital punishment.

The Middle East:
Supports a two-state solution in Israel, and insists that Iran give up all nuclear ambitions.

What about his personal life?
Brown is married to Gail Huff, and together they have two daughters, Ayla and Arianna. The family practice as Protestant Christians.
Brown is also a long time athlete, and has competed in many triathlons. In 1982, he posed semi-nude in Cosmopolitan.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

Senator Spotlight – Scott Brown

More Money?

Katrina — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00:32 +0000

“I think it is important, though, to recognize if we keep on adding to the debt, even in the midst of this recovery, that at some point, people could lose confidence in the U.S. economy in a way that could actually lead to a double-dip recession.” – President Barak Obama

President Obama made the above statement during an interview with Fox News recently. He was talking about adding tax incentives for companies who hire new employees now, hoping to stem the rising unemployment rate (which was over 10% last time I checked). My question is, when do you say no, President Obama? When do you admit that spending more money than any other administration ever has – even in time of war – isn’t working, and go with a new strategy?

Of course adding more to our National Debt is going to decrease already near non-existent confidence in our economy! As it stands, my great great grandchildren will be paying for this stimulus that isn’t stimulating anything. Our economy is worse today than it was a year ago.

President Obama: Stop spending money!!! It’s not working!!!

I admit, this post was a bit of a rant. I haven’t researched his plan for tax credits to employers yet. I’m too busy thinking about the amount of the national debt.

Katrina Meistering is a self proclaimed conservative Republican. If you disagree with her opinions, she’d love to hear what you have to say! Also, if you would like to offer a differing point of view on the Tipping Glass, let us know and we’ll consider adding you as a writer.

This is an awesome post from The Tipping Glass

More Money?