This includes a basic paper trail and a manner in which the votes can be audited and verified, among other basic things. But the reality of this all is that in many many states, voters are still facing the same issues with respect to potentially stealing elections. Just because there was a big win in 2008 doesn't mean that the same vote theft and shenanigans that went on in 2000, 2002 and 2004 are gone. In fact, many other countries still use the same paper in a locked box as their means of voting - and they have the winner declared pretty damn quickly as well.
But I guess when the companies that make and run the voting machines for the overwhelming majority of the votes are major contributors to one of the political parties, that is integrity enough. We should just trust them, right? It's only one of the most basic rights and it's not like elections have consequences, right?
Let me preface this conversation by stating that I supported Senator Frank Lautenberg's re-election campaign during both the primary and general elections last year, but...
1) ...after seeing him speak in public numerous times at a dramatically reduced level of performance than in the past...
...and...
2) ...after last week's gubernatorial election results...
...and...
3) ...assuming that the aspiring Governors that are currently serving in the State Senate and State Assembly are not going to be willing to rescind the power that the Governor currently has to fill vacated U.S. Senate seats, I think that Democratic Party leaders, electeds, and rank-and-file members should reach out en masse to Senator Frank Lautenberg and ask him to resign his seat.
The tea party went to Washington yetserday with people demonstrating and protesting on Capitol Hill. Reports say that Americans for Prosperity were the driving force behind the organizing:
ThinkProgress has video of AfP workers handing out signs and talking points to the Tea Partiers the group shuttled in from other areas. According to one AfP staffer, the group paid for 40 buses to bring protesters to today's event.
They said they brought 25 buses from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Congressman Rothman took some time to speak with protesters that were his constituents and Steve Lonegan had this observation on Rothman choosing to speak with them:
"We thank the congressman for having the guts to come out here - whether we agree with him or not," Lonegan said, and many in the crowd voiced agreement.
Late yesterday, Hopeful posted a diary asking that you contact Rep. Adler's office with respect to the House "robust public option/Medicare+5" bill that Speaker Pelosi was hoping to bring for a vote.
We also found out that Reps. Steve Rothman (NJ-9) and Albio Sires (NJ-13) may also be on the fence, so we are asking that if at all possible, can you call all three of their offices and urge them to support the Speaker and 70% of Americans for REAL healthcare reform.
Here are their numbers, both in DC and here in NJ:
John Adler:
DC-202-225-4765
NJ-856-985-2777
NJ-732-608-7235
Steve Rothman:
DC-202-225-5061
NJ-201-646-0808
*************
I'm told we may have until around 2PM today, so anything you can do this morning is extremely helpful. And as Rosi said last night:
If you live in their congressional district be sure to tell the staffer.
If you don't live there, but work there, or spend vacation time or money there, tell them that. And of course, be brief and polite to the staffer who takes your call.
If you know somebody in the district, please shoot them an email with the phone number - you can make a difference this morning.
Also, if you could tweet this and post to your Facebook status, that would be great too. After all, elections have consequences, right?
Congressmen Rothman and Garrett faced off on CNN over the health care debate following the President's speech last week.
Congressman Rothman said the speech changed the healthcare debate dramatically, but Garrett said the President made a case he's made since day one. Garrett said what Obama is saying isn't in the Senate or House plans that are being considered and said he actually reached out to the President after the speech to hand him a packet with over two dozen Republican bills and suggestions. He made that statement in response to Rothman saying he's waiting for GOP ideas, to which Rothman said Garrett didn't offer any specific programs on his website about insurance companies dropping people when they're sick, providing competition so insurance companies can't keep raising rates and no suggestion of what to do with American citizens who are uninsured. Then Rothman made the case for the public option, to which Garrett attacked the house bill. Have a look.
Our interest here, however, has to do with the Washington custom of earmarks, the practice of lawmakers adding appropriations to budget bills for favored projects in their state or district. In total, earmarks often represent billions of dollars in federal spending. Earlier this year, Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Bergen, proposed a $15 million earmark for Insitech. That's a lot of money for a non-profit trying to attract firms to do business with the army. The earmark has not been approved yet, but the new federal budget does not start until Oct. 1.
Here's where things get interesting. A spokesman for Rothman told the Daily Record last week that she didn't know anything about the earmark. InSitech's CEO said he couldn't talk about it, and spokesmen for Picatinny and Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, who normally proposes earmarks for the base, said they were unaware of it.
How fascinating that a proposed expenditure of $15 million in federal money is so easy to lose.
That's a lot of money for no one to know anything about. There has to be more to this story, because something doesn't add up. And how does Frelinghuysen have a significant amount of money earmarked for his district and he has no idea bout it? That's effective representation.
Congressman Rothman has been holding his town halls around the district to talk to residents about the healthcare reform bills. Here is some video of people that were voicing their opposition to the plans, where the Congressman says very clearly that he has not taken a position on whether to support or oppose the plans that are out there:And here is video from Whitehouse.com of the town hall the Congressman held in Wallington. Rothman isn't alone for the Democrats that aren't yet on board apparently. John Adler isn't sold either:
Several times throughout the meeting Adler made it clear that he was OPPOSED to the health care bill and would vote AGAINST it.
Congressman Pallone and others held a press conference call yesterday to discuss the impact our broken health care system is having on Seniors and the importance of passing the health insurance reform that follows President Obama's Health Insurance Guarantees. It looks like the Congressman may need to start making calls to his own colleagues here in New Jersey to make sure that happens.
Congressman Rothman announced the upcoming dates and locations of his listening tour around the 9th district. They're listed on his Congressional website. But these events have the potential to be unlike any in past years, because of a concerted effort to disrupt any public discussion from occuring. Via Think Progress:
The lobbyist-run groups Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks, which orchestrated the anti-Obama tea parties earlier this year, are now pursuing an aggressive strategy to create an image of mass public opposition to health care and clean energy reform. A leaked memo from Bob MacGuffie, a volunteer with the FreedomWorks website Tea Party Patriots, details how members should be infiltrating town halls and harassing Democratic members of Congress:
- Artificially Inflate Your Numbers: "Spread out in the hall and try to be in the front half. The objective is to put the Rep on the defensive with your questions and follow-up. The Rep should be made to feel that a majority, and if not, a significant portion of at least the audience, opposes the socialist agenda of Washington."
- Be Disruptive Early And Often: "You need to rock-the-boat early in the Rep's presentation, Watch for an opportunity to yell out and challenge the Rep's statements early."
- Try To "Rattle Him," Not Have An Intelligent Debate: -The goal is to rattle him, get him off his prepared script and agenda. If he says something outrageous, stand up and shout out and sit right back down. Look for these opportunities before he even takes questions."
Think it's a joke, check out what they did to Congressman Lloyd Doggett in Texas and Senator Arlen Specter in PA. Congress members need to be prepared because the wrong reaction will live on youtube much longer than the discussion they are trying to engage in. It's one thing to have a discussion about the issues with your representative, it's quite another to astroturf a crowd with people that have no intentions of discussing anything at all. And it's a shame too, because some people are bringing up legitimate concerns, but the party of 'No' continues to overshadow them too.
As members of Congress headed home for break, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed out their version of the healthcare bill. They wanted to arm members of Congress with the facts, so they put out district by district breakdowns:
The Committee has prepared, for each member, a district-level analysis of the impact of the legislation. This analysis includes information on the impact of the legislation on small businesses, seniors in Medicare, health care providers, and the uninsured. It also includes an estimate of the impacts of the surtax that is used to pay for the legislation.
America's Affordable Health Choices Act would provide significant benefits in the 7th Congressional District of New Jersey: up to 18,200 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 8,100 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D; 800 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs; health care providers would receive payment for $30 million in uncompensated care each year; and 21,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.
You can see the benefits by district for each member of Congress:
You can see the full bill text and a summary put out by the committee as well. If you support this bill, your member of Congress needs to know about it. If you call, get your member of Congress to take the pledge. Our representatives are being inundated with phone calls and emails opposing healthcare. We need people who support the healthcare overhaul to start putting some action behind the talk, otherwise we'll be counting the time until the next chance to do something about healthcare.
Congressional Quarterly has analyzed the roll call voting patterns of members of Congress since 1953. The three principal studies involve:
The frequency with which lawmakers vote with the president when he clearly indicates his preferences (Presidential Support).
The frequency with which they vote with their party, on occasions when a majority of Republicans oppose a majority of Democrats (Party Unity).
And the frequency with which they show up and cast "yea" or "nay" votes (Voting Participation).
And here are the NJ members on the House side:
Pres Support
Party Unity
Participation
John Adler
88
86
97
Rob Andrews
96
99
99
Rodney Frelinghuysen
58
80
99
Scott Garrett
15
98
97
Rush Holt
96
99
98
Leonard Lance
69
74
100
Frank Lobiondo
77
65
100
Frank Pallone
96
99
96
Donald Payne
88
99
96
Bill Pascrell
96
95
89
Steve Rothman
96
99
98
Albio Sires
96
97
97
Chris Smith
77
64
97
And the numbers for our Senators:
Frank Lautenberg
97
100
99
Bob Menendez
97
100
99
Lance and LoBiondo are two of only sixteen members to participate in 100% of the votes. Only thirteen other Republicans gave less support to President Obama than our very own Scott Garrett. Smith and LoBiondo are sixth and seventh for the lowest party unity with Lance ranking 22nd. Menendez and Lautenberg are both tops in party unity with 100% support.
What a surprise, Scott "Mr 12-1" Garrett held down the no vote for the NJ delegation, this time opposing the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act.
Democrats are in blue, and Republicans are in red.
Once again, the cheese stands alone. The bill passed 321-105. Let's see what Garrett opposed:
The GIVE Act aims to more than triple the number of volunteers serving in the country from the current 75,000 to 250,000. The Act will also create a new Summer of Service program with stipends for students that can be used to pay for college; it establishes Youth Engagement Zones, a new service-learning program to help bridge partnerships between community based organizations and high schools; it forms four new service corps, including a Clean Energy Corps to encourage energy efficiency and conservation measures, an Education Corps to help increase student engagement, achievement and graduation, a Healthy Futures Corps to improve health care access, and a Veterans Service Corps to enhance services for veterans; finally, it includes a Call to Service Campaign to launch a national campaign encouraging all Americans to engage in service and to observe September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Oh what a terrible idea. Thankfully we have Scott Garrett to stand up to all things that would help people out. Congressman Rothman was proud of his vote in favor of the bill:
"With the nation facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, I cannot think of a better time to encourage Americans to be part of the solution to the many challenges we face than through volunteering," said Rothman. "At a time when our public needs are growing and our resources for meeting those needs are declining, we must encourage Americans of all ages to help their neighbors."
And what could those additional volunteers do?
"If there were more volunteers we could have more families come in (to the Center for Food Action), but right now we are handling all we can help," said Susan Strauss, a six-and-a-half year volunteer at the Center for Food Action in Englewood, New Jersey. "I like to be able to help people, and volunteering this way is instant gratification - someone puts a meal on their table for their family because of what we do. I think you get more out of volunteering than you give."
So in conclusion, Garrett doesn't want the government to pay for anything, but he also doesn't want volunteers to do the work either. Make sense?
With the help of the New Jersey delegation, the party of no kept their streak in tact today opposing a bill that would help families stay in their homes by avoiding foreclosure:
Democrats are in blue, and Republicans are in red.
The measure passed 234-191. There were seven Republicans in Congress who supported the bill, none from New Jersey. Here's a description of the intent of the bill they opposed today:
To prevent mortgage foreclosures and enhance mortgage credit availability.
Three New Jersey districts are in the top 50 district nationally for 2009 foreclosures: NJ-03 has the 13th most, NJ-01 the 14th most, and NJ-02 the 44th most. What's more, the 2009-2012 numbers project an even bleaker future. This mortgage relief bill is badly needed.
So the question arises: Will NJ Republicans vote for a mortgage relief bill to help thousands of families struggling in their districts? Or will they continue to kowtow to Rush Limbaugh and sell out their voters? Time will tell, but don't count me among the optimists.
So with his district ranked 44th in 2009 foreclosures, Frank "the moderate" LoBiondo turned his back and walked the party line. He was joined by Leonard Lance, Chris Smith, Rodney Frelinghuysen and of course Scott Garrett. Keep making New Jersey proud guys.
"President Obama is exactly the kind of leader we need in the face of our nation's significant challenges. What we heard tonight was a president who makes it his responsibility to talk straight with the American people and who has a vision for how we can renew the American Dream for the 21st Century.
"These are the toughest times many have ever faced, with millions of families in my home state of New Jersey and all across the country worried for their financial security. They want their government focused on solutions, not political theater. That is why, whether we agree or disagree on certain policies, it is our responsibility to work together to take action that makes a difference in people's lives.
"President Obama has laid the foundation for a comprehensive response, addressing each of our current challenges and rebuilding a nation that can be stronger than ever. I stand ready to continue working with him to bring about badly-needed change in our economic situation and to create a 21st Century economy befitting of our great nation."
Steve Rothman:
"This evening President Obama outlined his comprehensive plan to address both the economic and fiscal crises that are gripping our country. The President's plans are clear and reasonable. He is determined to get our country moving again and in a much better direction. I share his confidence in the American people and our ability to overcome all the challenges that face us. America's best days are ahead."
Rush Holt is very specific in his statement:
"The President has demonstrated again - as he did during the debate over the economic recovery bill - that we cannot have long-term economic growth without investing in science research.
"The President also showed that he recognizes that we can't fix our economy if we don't fix the health care system. As it is now, our health care system adds needless costs, inequality, and inefficiency that hobbles our economy. My guest tonight in the House gallery - Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, President of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - understands this as well as anyone, rightfully calling for comprehensive health reform to cover the uninsured, improve the quality of care, focus on prevention, and bring spending under control."
Will update when I get more. Wonder what the Republicans will say.
Democrats are in blue, and Republicans are in red.
Regarding the Economic recovery vote, it passed with absolutely no Republican support in this new era of bi-partisanship by a 244-188 margin. Americans United for change ripped the NJ GOP opposition to the plan, leaving out Scott Garrett who also voted no:
Thanks to the extraordinary leadership of President Obama and Speaker Pelosi, the U.S. House has acted quickly and decisively to move forward this major economic recovery plan that will put millions of middle-class Americans back to work and back spending money again. This was perhaps the most historic vote in Congress since the vote to authorize the war in Iraq. Yet, amid a crippling economic recession that has cost millions of Americans their jobs and threatens millions more if nothing is done, Representatives Frelinghuysen, Lance, LoBiondo and Smith all chose to put partisan politics and the failed policies of the past over the struggling families they represent. President Obama reached out to Democrats and Republicans alike and set aside partisanship and ideology to craft a bold measure to get America back to work. It's sad that these Representatives are still clinging to petty partisanship and the same failed, well-worn ideology of Bush 'trickle-down' economics that got us into this mess to begin with.
The delay of the digital transition vote failed by a vote of 258-168. It wasn't a party line vote and in NJ, Congressman Adler voted against, while Congressman Lobiondo voted for. Congressman Payne did not vote on the bill. I'm not sure what the delay would have done, it's not like there is going to be more money available in four months.
Frank LoBiondo once again took a ride with Scott Garrett and Rodney Frelinghuysen opposing fair pay for women. I'm sure women are very thankful for the lack of support:
Adler
Andrews
Holt
Pascrell
Payne
Rothman
Sires
Lance
Smith
Frelinghuysen
Garrett
LoBiondo
Democrats are in blue, and Republicans are in red.
Frank Pallone voted for the bill on Jan 9, but did not vote this time. Both Senators Menendez and Lautenberg supported the legislation in the Senate. Capitol Quickies shed some light on why they needed a second vote in the House:
The House of Representatives on Tuesday had to vote a second time on the bill, after the Senate broke out from the bill a more controversial, related proposal the House had lumped in that would allow women to get compensatory and punitive damages if the equal-pay law is violated.
It now heads to President Obama's desk for signature.
Jim Papa Jim Papa began his career working for former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) in the Senate Democratic Technology and Communications Committee. He moved to the House in 1998 to become Communications Director for Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and later served as Staff Director of the Office of the Assistant to the Democratic Leader. He has also served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) and, in 2007, he was asked to serve as Director of Member Services under former House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel.
Shelly O'Neill Stoneman Shelly O'Neill Stoneman is the Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ) and has served in his office since 2003. She directs his legislative agenda and staffs him on the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, as well as the Subcommittee on Defense.
And there has been news that the President Elect might tap a Nutley resident and Rutgers graduate to head up NASA:
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, 57, a decorated fighter pilot who held senior positions in the military before retiring in 2006, advised the Obama campaign on military and space affairs and has become a serious contender to head the space agency, Discovery News and the Houston Chronicle, among others, reported today.
Gration, who received a degree in mechanical engineering at Rutgers, signed up for the Air Force through the ROTC program at the university.
"Soon we will have a new president who has committed himself to reforming our nation's health care system so every American can access affordable and quality health care." said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J. "The bill we are considering today makes a down-payment on that promise."
This bill was passed without a veto threat looming as was the case with the previous administration. Maybe that was motivation for Rodney Frelinghuysen to switch his prior no vote to support healthcare for children. Here's how they voted on this one:
Rothman said it is his "intention" to make a motion at the Bergen County Democratic Organization's executive committee. Ferriero is also expected to be there to defend himself and make the case for staying.
"I will be there Monday night and will speak about my beliefs and reiterate my position that Joe Ferriero must immediately resign as chairman," Rothman said. "If he does not resign immediately, that the executive board recommends to the county committee that she (acting Chairwoman Kay Nest) call a county convention for the purpose of removing Joe as chairman."
As it stood late Friday, support for Rothman's Dump Joe Now effort appeared to be waning. Many elected Democrats say they want to stick with an earlier, Jan. 15 exit for Ferriero, a date that they agreed to during an informal party gathering last month. To suddenly shift gears and move up the resignation demand, officials say, would be tantamount to "going back on our word,'' as one official told me.
Going back on their word? How about the word they've given to the people that many of them have been elected to serve? Clammyc reminded us on Friday that the Republicans protected their indicted leaders too. Stay with me below the fold for more...
Meanwhile, Rob Andrews is having a Sarah Palin moment, with an explanation that leaves major questions unanswered (If the airlines gave Andrews a check for his clothes and he signed it over to his campaign - what happened to the clothes? If Andrews kept them, then doesn't he have to claim them as being a gift from the airline?) on what would normally be a stupid little story. And four of the remaining fourteen members of the Jersey delegation to Congress worked together to pull down $2 million for St. Peter's College in Jersey City.
Yes, this is the kind of "pork" that Dick Zimmer wanted to cut. Far from being "pork", this is a program that has immediate consequences for New Jersey - plasma is used to purify water, and our growing population will need more purified water in the very near future. Beyond that, it will help create a truly world-class research center in Northern Jersey. If New Jersey wants to stop its brain-drain, it needs to build regional universities that can draw the best and brightest and keep them here. This is an important step in the right direction, and will likely draw private investment dollars to help keep down the cost of higher education in the future.
