In class today, Prof. Tofias said that whoever posted this story first would be his favorite student or something, so I'm going for it.
The article talks about the difficulties of fund-raising, the amount of time it takes to raise money, and how demeaning it extensive it is. It fits in really well with what we've been talking about this week. Good stuff!
Strategic Voting in Congress
A game theoretic analysis of the coordination problem facing moderate Democrats on the healthcare reform bill.
AND more strategic voting being contemplated in the Senate (via Marginal Revolution).
AND more strategic voting being contemplated in the Senate (via Marginal Revolution).
Six Reasons Why Barack Obama is Still the Favorite to Win in 2012
We always here the news about possbile GOP candidates who would be ready to trump Obama from his Presidential seat in 2012, but this author believes he still has the advantage, and that when it comes down to it, he'll probably win a second term. Check it out.
Massa's situation
It will be interesting to see whether Massa actually goes through and resigns this evening, or whether he rescinds his resignation. It seems like he doesn't want to resign, but feels like this is his way of getting his voice heard seriously.
congress vs. the federal reserve
This presents us with an inside look into public banking policy. Congress has the means to change the system, but the question is will the courts uphold any changes to the previous independence of the Fed. If congress changes the status quo what will that mean to you and I who have to trust the banking system? What that mean to insurance? Not that long ago Congress had an issue with their own bank that failed. If they cannot run their own bank how do they expect to run the banks of the nation?
Getting the Ball Rolling on the Repeal of DADT
A group of Democratic Senators introduced legislation to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military.
Personally, I am eager to see this antiquated policy repealed and hope that it has the votes it needs to pass. However, the article states that "neither Lieberman nor Levin said they were assured of having 60 votes to push it through the Senate" which is worrisome.
Here's an op-ed from one of the bill's sponsors (who is the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee), Senator Carl Levin, if you're interested.
Personally, I am eager to see this antiquated policy repealed and hope that it has the votes it needs to pass. However, the article states that "neither Lieberman nor Levin said they were assured of having 60 votes to push it through the Senate" which is worrisome.
Here's an op-ed from one of the bill's sponsors (who is the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee), Senator Carl Levin, if you're interested.
The Presidents Proposal on Health care
I think since there has been so much debate about what is really in the healthcare plan I would add a link to the President's proposal so people can get an idea of what is actually in it. I think there are some good ideas about trying to get insurance companies to spend more on patient care than bonuses or advertising, I am curious as to how they would enforce such a thing. I also think that the democrats are demonizing the insurance companies as well for political gain. I think health care costs go up because technology improves, and people want the best care and that can become expensive. I think some companies are abusive and obnoxious, however this problem is more than just insurance companies, it is the amount of malpractice insurance doctors must carry, the fact they must perform more tests than are needed usually to prevent the possibility of being sued as well. These all add to the cost of healthcare and once again pre-existing conditions being covered could be abused significantly. I do not like insurance companies and if we can get them to stop some of their abuses, a student mentioned connecting costs to credit scores, etc.., but if they cannot compete with government plan the type of healthcare we get could be much worse than what we get now.
do you know where you stand?
A very interesting survey. It is disticly british, but it also reflectes our views here as well. I took this survey and the results were a little suprising, you may not realize whereyou really stand. I thought i was mid right, only to find i was slightly right and very idealistic in nature. I would take the time to see where you really are, it will suprise you.
Leaked documents reveal GOP plan to use scare tactics to raise money
Documents left in a hotel room revealed plans for the republican strategies in 2010. The strategy is to scare people away from the possibility of a "trend towards socialism." Several caricatures of key democrat officials were found as well, including the "Obama as the joker" used by the tea parties.
I think its unsavory to see campaign ads bashing another candidate, and makes me want to vote for them even less because they have to deface the opponent to make themselves look better. A fear campaign, to me, seems to be an ignorant strategy.
I think its unsavory to see campaign ads bashing another candidate, and makes me want to vote for them even less because they have to deface the opponent to make themselves look better. A fear campaign, to me, seems to be an ignorant strategy.
The One About the Okie and the Congressman
So this proves it, seems like history must be cyclical. As the article reminds us history/Congress buffs, the salaries of Congressmen have not been reduced since 1933; the whole Great Depression and New Deal thing. If the bill passes it should prove to be an empathetic gesture towards the common man in this time of economic recession that should help to bolster the prospects of incumbents in Congress in the midterm elections. With this as the measure of the bill's incentive, it seems likely that it will indeed pass but we'll see I guess.
The Use of Reconciliation 1980-2008
My friend (and sometimes co-author) Brendan Nyhan wrote up a nice blog post on the historical uses of Reconciliation in the Senate this past April. With Obama urging on the Democrats to pass healthcare reform, it seems timely now.
Job Losses Blamed on the Weather
This is new. Goldman Sachs says the blizzards in February kept employers and prospective employees from getting to the office. That makes sense. Goldman Sachs bases their claim on the 1996 snow storms that pummeled the East Coast. Further, the report claims the current 9.7% unemployment rate will be bumped up to 10% when Friday's news hits. However, that 3% translates into 100,000 job losses because of the storms, alone. 100,000 people might have gotten jobs? That seems like an awful lot of folks, but I guess when you think there are roughly 200 million people in the labor force, a hundred large isn't so many? Apparently, we will see the tide turn when the weather warms up, as is forecast this week. It'll be interesting to see if that pans out. Otherwise, as the article notes, the Democrats are going to have it even tougher in the November mid-term elections.
The Democrats Try and One-Up the Republicans
Nancy Pelosi has tapped controversial Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA)to replace Charles Rangel as Chair on the House Ways and Means Committee. Though there was some jockeying to get someone else in there, Stark’s seniority will be respected.
The most interesting thing about this article, to me anyway, is the seeming incongruous statements by Rangel and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Executive Director Melanie Sloan. On one hand, Rangel says he tried to tender his resignation to Pelosi “from the very, very beginning.” Well, maybe she was simply waiting to see if anything would come from the investigation. Then, Ms. Sloan gives full credit to the Democrats for “forcing” Rangel out before they could be accused of being “soft on ethics” by the Republicans. I wonder, would Rangel have been ousted eventually if the Republicans had not threatened to force him out by use of the privileged resolution?
The most interesting thing about this article, to me anyway, is the seeming incongruous statements by Rangel and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Executive Director Melanie Sloan. On one hand, Rangel says he tried to tender his resignation to Pelosi “from the very, very beginning.” Well, maybe she was simply waiting to see if anything would come from the investigation. Then, Ms. Sloan gives full credit to the Democrats for “forcing” Rangel out before they could be accused of being “soft on ethics” by the Republicans. I wonder, would Rangel have been ousted eventually if the Republicans had not threatened to force him out by use of the privileged resolution?
President Obama, Democrats will use reconciliation to pass health care bill if not given an up or down vote
The article details the President I believe demonstrating his inexperience in leadership. This problem cannot be solved by bullying tactics.I think the up or down vote will be painted as fraudulent by republicans and the public will believe them. I understand something needs to be done, however this is going over a cliff with the American public. The bill has popular, and solid provisions that many people can agree on, such as malpractice reform. The problem many have is that they do not want something they feel is forced on them, see the Vietnam war for an example. I am not saying that the healthcare bill is as bad as the Vietnam war, I used it as example as something major forced on the American public. Scott Brown wether you think he was a RINO or not was elected to stop this bill because many provisions are not popular, and many feel we are already in debit too much now. This bill helped elect a republican to Ted Kennedy's seat, Scott Brown signed 41 after his name during his campaign in Massachusetts. He pledged himself as the one vote to block the healthcare bill when 60 was needed. This overall bill is not popular and the American public will greatly resent having a major shift in healthcare policy passing with 51 votes. Reconciliation should not be mentioned at all for something this important. I think that this will cause a major shift in the next election toward the republicans and even more gridlock. Obama still has the power and moderate approval ratings, he can get something done but this is too much, too fast.
Rangel to Give up Chair – Maybe
NBC News says he's done, Rangel says otherwise.
Either way, I think it's too late. Republicans get to make ads painting him as trading Caribbean vacations for access.
UPDATE: And he's gone.
Either way, I think it's too late. Republicans get to make ads painting him as trading Caribbean vacations for access.
UPDATE: And he's gone.
Thoughts on Healtcare Reconciliation and Senate Rules
This article sheds some light on the Senate rules of reconciliation and Senate procedures.
Senator Lincoln Gets a Democratic Challenger
This will be a tell tail race, if he loses to his own parties challenger. This also could turn out to be in the Republicans favor, let the Dem/s fight it out, and then target the voters as the only Viable candidate
Tommy For Senate?
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Politico and several other political news sources are reporting that Fmr. Gov. Tommy Thompson (R-Elroy)is considering making a run for U.S. Senate against 3 term U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (just he considered running in 2008, 2006, 2004, 2000, and 1998).
On paper one would think that this is a viable race for the state GOP, a popular moderate governor, with 95% name id running against an incumbent in an anti-incumbent year.
Yet one one looks closer you can see some problems for the GOP, as Governor at the same time he made welfare reform his signature issue (used as a model for President Clinton's welfare reform) Gov. Thompson created a massive new entitlement program for the poor (Badgercare) and a state child-care program (Wisconsin Shares), you add that with his fervent support of Milwaukee light-rail (anathema to the likes of Charlie Sykes and Mark Belling) his support of high speed rail (something his fellow Republicans on the ballot are against) and his support of health care reform, one gets the sense that he may not exactly be a "Tea Party" conservative, and in a three way primary a "true conservative" may upset him.
Then again it is quite possible that his Wisconsin "charm" would win out.
On paper one would think that this is a viable race for the state GOP, a popular moderate governor, with 95% name id running against an incumbent in an anti-incumbent year.
Yet one one looks closer you can see some problems for the GOP, as Governor at the same time he made welfare reform his signature issue (used as a model for President Clinton's welfare reform) Gov. Thompson created a massive new entitlement program for the poor (Badgercare) and a state child-care program (Wisconsin Shares), you add that with his fervent support of Milwaukee light-rail (anathema to the likes of Charlie Sykes and Mark Belling) his support of high speed rail (something his fellow Republicans on the ballot are against) and his support of health care reform, one gets the sense that he may not exactly be a "Tea Party" conservative, and in a three way primary a "true conservative" may upset him.
Then again it is quite possible that his Wisconsin "charm" would win out.
No political A-bomb. Maybe Chernobyl?
Turns out some members of Congress used some major historical disasters as political analogies this week a little frivolously. Those light-hearted politicians, always waxing poetic with human tragedy. While most are no Michael Richards; Kramer of Seinfeld fame, it seems that politicians and their political rhetoric can get a little dicey when events of immeasurable human suffering are used as the metric. It just goes to show the power of public opinion in these sort of things and the vulnerability we've discussed in regards to largely stand alone members of Congress.
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