Trade deals must protect workers, environment: Obama
By Doug Palmer
Fri Dec 19, 5:10 pm ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081219/pl_nm/us_usa_obama_trade

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States will insist on strong protections for workers and the environment in future trade deals, President-elect Barack Obama said on Friday as he introduced his nominee to be chief U.S. trade negotiator.

Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk "will help make sure that any agreement I sign as president protects the rights of all workers, promotes the interests of all Americans, strengthens American businesses, and preserves the planet we all share," Obama said at a news conference in Chicago.

The focus on what Kirk described as a "values-driven" trade agenda is a nod to labor groups who helped elect Obama and have fought many losing battles against trade deals that they believe encourage U.S. companies to move jobs overseas.

Obama has promised one of his first acts as president would be to call the president of Mexico and prime minister of Canada to begin negotiations to "fix NAFTA" by adding stronger labor and environmental provisions.

But Obama's stance could complicate efforts to complete the seven-year-old Doha round of world trade talks if it means the United States will be adding new demands to those already difficult negotiations. ...

Although Kirk is little known in global trade circles, Obama said the 54-year-old lawyer's experience as a big city mayor from 1994 to 2001 prepared him to be U.S. trade representative.

"Ron helped steer one of the largest economies. He's seen the promise of trade, but also its pitfalls, and he knows there is nothing inconsistent about standing up for free trade and standing up for American workers," Obama said. ...

John Sharp to seek US Senate seat
12/08/2008
By APRIL CASTRO / Associated Press
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D94UO7O00.html

Democratic former Comptroller John Sharp said Monday he'll run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison the next time the seat goes before the voters.

Sharp, 58, said he will file the required paperwork to begin raising money and campaigning on Jan. 1. Hutchison said last week she is forming an exploratory committee to run for governor in 2010, two years before her term ends.

"I will be a candidate whether the election is in 2012 or any time before then," said Sharp, who made two unsuccessful runs for lieutenant governor. "Texans face tough challenges that call for innovative solutions, and that's what our campaign is all about."

Hutchison, whose Senate term expires in 2012, has said she may leave the Senate as early as next year to campaign. If that happens, Republican Gov. Rick Perry would appoint a replacement to the seat until a special election is held.

Other possible Democratic contenders for the seat are Houston Mayor Bill White; former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, who lost a 2002 Senate bid to John Cornyn; state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio; state Rep. Richard Pena Raymond; and Dallas state Rep. Rafael Anchia.

On the GOP side, state Sen. Florence Shapiro is raising money for a possible run while former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Michael Williams, the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission are thought to be contenders.

Sharp, who was close friends with Perry when they were students at Texas A&M, was widely expected to oppose Perry in the 2006 gubernatorial election. But Perry appointed Sharp to lead the Texas Tax Reform Commission that ultimately wrote the state's new business tax.

As chair of the commission, Sharp was instrumental in crafting the new tax code that had befuddled state officials for decades. While the tax helped get the state out of court trouble that threatened to shut down public schools and cut property taxes by a third, the tax has been a disappointment to small business owners and has not generated the amount of revenue expected. The business tax is expected to be revised during the upcoming legislative session.

At the time the proposal was unveiled, Sharp called it the "the best, fairest, most broad-based, comprehensive system to reduce property taxes that I have ever seen in 20 years that I've been around this process."

Sharp started his political career as a state representative from Victoria. Four years later he became a state senator, serving on the Senate Finance Committee. He was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission in 1986. He was elected state comptroller in 1990 and was re-elected in 1994.

Voting Information For Hurricane Ike Evacuees [Texas]

----- Original Message -----
From: Sondra Haltom, TDP Political Director
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008

Subject: Voting Information For Hurricane Ike Evacuees

Attention All Democrats:

Many voters have been affected by Hurricane Ike. Some may not be able to return to their homes before Election Day and others may find that their local polling location has been damaged and they will need to vote elsewhere. There are options available to these voters which vary depending on the circumstance. Whether you are in an affected county or your county is sheltering Hurricane Ike evacuees, please be aware of the voting options available to you and help facilitate that information to others.

QUEEN’S COMMENTS ON MY FAVORITE ECONOMIST, DEAN BAKER
Well, I’ve spent this entire day writing and posting almost exclusively  put-downs of Sarah Palin, John McCain and their campaign–all true and verifiable facts, but nasty nonetheless.  This is necessary because we must match their attacks 3 to 1 to keep the propaganda under control and their BS to zero effectiveness.  It does matter what goes out into the blogosphere.  But now as it nears my bed time, I’ll make my last post a more cheerful one and on a topic that I like–economics and Dean Baker whose opinions I most often agree with.

                             **********************************************************

Dean Baker is the co-director of The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).  He is the author of “The Conservative Nanny State:  How the Wealthy Use the Government to Stay Rich and Get Richer”   www.conservativenannystate.org .  He also has a blog,  ”Beat the Press” , on American Prospect where he discusses the media coverage of economic issues.

NOTE:  IF YOU GO TO DEAN’S CONSERVATIVE NANNY SITE YOU CAN DOWN LOAD A PDF VERSION OF HIS BOOK–worth the read and it is definitely an exception to the rule that “nothing is free”  –as long as you don’t print it out and waste paper.

Here is the link to Dean’s blog:  http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/beat_the_press

Now about that article which I just read in Truthout:
http://www.truthout.org/100608B

 QUEEN’S COMMENTS on:  “If the shoe fits, wear it.”

I continue to get validation for my homilies about the Republican newspeak strategy again and again:  Look to what they are claiming that others are doing and you can rest assured that the shoe most likely does not fit their opponent nearly as neatly as it fits them.

Amazing, isn’t it the nerve (stupidity?) of Sarah Palin to try to make Obama into a terrorist because of the remote connection between Barack Obama and terrorist from the ‘60’s? (William Ayers is a man who committed his crime when Obama was 8 years old, a man who had lived a life of 30 years as a decent citizen before Obama ever met him.) Yet, Sarah Palin has much closer connections to a terrorist organization.

For you see, Joe Vogler, the founder of the group of which Todd Palin was a member from 1995 to 2002, had planned to appear before the United Nations to denounce United States “tyranny” before the entire world and to demand Alaska’s freedom. The Alaska secessionist had persuaded the government of Iran to sponsor his anti-American harangue. Yes, Iran.

Here is the interesting story regarding Sarah Palin’s involvement with this terrorist group. It was written by David Talbot and recently appeared in Salon. It is legitimate and easily verifiable by many sources. It might explain why Ms Palin decided to pull back on her attacks of Obama and his association with William Ayers.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/

The Queen has also posted a few items on this topic as well. Here is one link:

Forget the kitchen sink and throw the bathroom toilet at them:

http://iflizwerequeen.com/?p=629

Last night in the debate Obama mentioned that McCain's would tax Americans for their healthcare.  Tonight on Olbermann, Bob Herbert on the New York Times was on the show talking about this same issue and both were expressing surprise that more people were not hollering about it.  The Queen also wonders the same thing.  Two days ago on Oct 6, I posted the following on my website.  [I swear, sometimes I think that some of the pundits actually read my website.  Tonight Herbert actually even used by $12,000 figure that I used an example for insurance for a family of four.  I know it's probably just a coincidence. . . ]

 http://iflizwerequeen.com/?p=622

QUEEN’S COMMENTS

There are two cynical and “more of the same” points to John McCain’s heathcare plan.

1.  McCain would tax health benefits for the first time in the history of our nation.  Right now, if you get health benefits from your company, those benefits are not taxed.  With McCain’s plan, those benefits would be taxed.  In other words, whatever value the corporation you work for wants to attach to your health benefits, it can and will.  So, if you make $60,000 and your company says that your health benefits for you and your family are worth $12,000 (family of four), then voila!  The income that you are taxed on becomes not $60,000 but rather $72,000!

2. McCain’s plan would dismantle state-based regulations and tie the hands of people who are involved in consumer protection.

More of the same looking the other way while corporate America robs Americans blind.  If you think that the gymnastics performed by healthcare insurance companies to deny claims now are bad, then you better hang onto your St. Christopher medal if McCain is elected.  The only “rights” that consumers will have under McCain’s Republican leadership will be the right to make insurance companies richer than they already are.

Happy Birthday to our favorite Congressman

Today, October 8th, is Congressman Dennis Kucinich's birthday, and all of us in the campaign are pausing for just a moment to say "Happy Birthday, Dennis. Thank you for all that you've done over the years and all that you continue to do."

If you'd like to say "Thank You" too, consider supporting his campaign as a way to do that.

There won't be any big, lavish parties today. No champagne corks popping. No fireworks and no glitz. Not his style. Not ours. And most likely, not yours either.

Instead, it’s a day filled with the joy of knowing him, the smiles and laughter that come from sharing priceless stories about his younger years, and the gratitude we have for his service to our nation and his commitment to our people. Plus, a chance to offer our best wishes for MANY more years.

So, on this special occasion, please consider showing your appreciation for Dennis Kucinich and his work in Congress by making a contribution to his campaign so we can keep him right where he belongs - in Washington. D.C. - representing, defending, and fighting for Americans here in Ohio and all across the nation.

If you would like to wish him well in person and you plan to be in the Cleveland area, consider attending one of these upcoming events:

Sunday, Oct 12, join us at Dennis' Annual Supporter Appreciation Picnic with Deidre Hall. Free of charge, but please make reservations now.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, "An Evening with Melissa Etheridge." Reservations required.

We'd love to see you, and so would Dennis and Elizabeth!

The entire campaign staff.

http://iflizwerequeen.com

QUEEN’S COMMENTS ON PRIVATE HEALTHCARE INSURERS

And what is your reason again why we should support or even trust private healthcare insurance companies instead of a non-profit healthcare insurance company?  We know that it is NOT because they are trustworthy, that’s for sure.  You betcha.

Aetna,located in Hartford, Connecticut has $1.831 billion profits in 2007. In 2007 Aetna applauded itself for its low “medical loss ratio”—the percentage of revenue it loses to paying for healthcare. In the fourth quarter of 2007 that ratio was 79%. What that translates is the Aetna spends less than 80% on healthcare by avoiding unhealthy enrollees and keeping a lid on services. [Get it? As long as a healthcare organization is privately held, the customers who submit claims or who apply for membership will always be in competition with the shareholders and the company’s CEO’s. And guess what ordinary Americans, you will lose every time. Your odds of winning are better in Las Vegas.]

Every time McCain starts blathering about earmarks, I am reminded of an experience that a friend and I had in a small town in Arizona a few years ago.  We were traveling with her husband and a friend of mine cross-country from Albuquerque to Santa Monica along the old Route 66 highway.  We had stopped for gas and while “the men” were checking the cars fluids, my friend and I went inside the store to horse around.  Most of the merchandise in it looked to have long expired its shelf life.  At the back of the store was a plastic tub with pigs ears.  We each took a pair and were dancing around in the back of the store with our “earmarks”.  It wasn’t long before we were asked to leave. [I've been thrown out of much classier places than that store--believe you me.]

I was thinking today:  perhaps I could send Senator McCain a pair of pigs ears and he could do a little angry dance for added emphasis whenever he goes into another of his self-righteous tirades against earmarks.

BACK TO THE REAL TOPIC OF POLITICS:  McCain continues to make an issue out of earmarks, which are only a teeny tiny part of the overall federal budget. The big ticket items are entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and defense spending, which together represent much of the federal budget; earmarks are just $16 billion out of a more than a $2 trillion budget.

Another way to put it:  Why focus on the ears when they are such a very small part of the hog?

The other day I posted my concerns regarding how the audience will be chosen tonight.  I'm especially concerned since Gallup, a GOP biased polling company is in charge of the audience selection.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT ASSURANCES ARE BEING MADE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AUDIENCE IS 50/50 AND NOT A SET UP LIKE THOSE TOWN HALLS THAT THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN TRIED TO SET UP IN JUNE?

I am concerned.

http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/elizabethberry/CGQ7

In a previous post I provided a link to Pinocchio Politics.  Even if you don't order a nose, it still is a great site to find the latest news about the latest lies, and God knows, it's not that easy to keep up with them all.  Remember, if you get a smear email, it is your duty as a citizen to respond with the truth.  If you can't reply to the sender, then write a rebuttal and send it on to your friends warning them about the piece of trash going around. [BUT DON'T SEND THE ORIGINAL.  That just clogs up the bandwidth, and gives the liars press that they don't deserve.]

http://www.pinocchiopolitics.org/

Here is a picture of a Pinocchio Posse in action.  This is a group of New Yorkers outside the United Nations the day that the Republican nominee for VP was there meeting several foreign dignitaries.  (She took time off from her Foreign Policy World tour at Epcot Center in Florida to meet them a few of these foreign dignitaries such as one of the Queen's favorites [not] Alvaro Uribe.)

http://iflizwerequeen.com

QUEEN’S COMMENTS ON DeConcini’s Remarks

DeConcini, who himself was one of the Keating Five, reported to Evan Brown of PolitickerAZ.com that Keating Five is “fair game” as an issue in the presidential contest.

The big issue according to DeConcini is that McCain should not have been at that meeting with the regulators that first time because he had a conflict of interest. McCain had taken three trips with his family that had been paid for by Keating  AND McCain didn’t report that his wife has $350,00 invested with Keating.

SOURCE:  http://politickeraz.com/evanbrown/2437/deconcini-says-keating-five-fair-game

Keeping in mind that DeConcini (a Democrat) is a man who has his own axe to grind.  .  . after checking out the facts in the WIKI on the Keating Five, the Queen is inclined to agree with DeConcini. The WIKI source certainly seems to substantiate all of DeConcini’s accusations and more:

DeConcini is correct. McCain was the only one of the five who had close social and personal ties to Keating.  In addition, McCain’s wife and her father had invested $359,100 in a Keating shopping center in April 1986, a year before McCain met with the regulators.  McCain, his family, and their baby-sitter had made nine trips at Keating’s expense, sometimes aboard Keating’s jet.  Three of the trips were made during vacations to Keating’s opulent Bahamas retreat at Cat Cay.  McCain did not pay Keating (in the amount of $13,433) for some of the trips until years after they were taken when he learned that Keating was in trouble over Lincoln.  In 1989 Phoenix New Times writer Tom Fitzpatrick opined that McCain was the  “most reprehensible” of the five senators.

Here is the link to that 1989 story if you are interested.  The Queen found it quite interesting and well-written, not to mention funny and entertaining as well.

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1989-11-29/news/mccain-the-most-reprehensible-of-the-keating-five/