Stand Up for College Accessibility and Affordability
We have witnessed a great deal of excess and greed from the halls of Wall Street of late. They’ve fractured our economy, they’ve gorged on our tax dollars, and yet they seem to have the same wanton attitude of irresponsibility that got us here in the first place.
We can’t let them instill this malfeasance in our system of higher education.
Currently, huge government subsidies are shelled out to banks for offering “student loan programs,” loans that cost the federal government billions of dollars, put students into dire financial straits during and following college, and line the pockets of Wall Street executives. The government already offers a direct loan program, but often this isn’t enough to cover the ever-rising cost of university education. By moving to a program of only direct loans, the government can cut costs, students can enjoy reduced interest rates and more forgiving repayment terms, and American education can be put back into the hands of those that care.
The security of this nation depends on a well-educated populace. We can’t expect to overcome the challenges of tomorrow if greedy loan officers are standing between our youth and the knowledge they’ll need to move this nation deep into the 21st centruy and beyond.
So please, take the time to visit BarackObama.com to let the Education Committees in the House and Senate know how you feel. And it never hurts to give your own Senators a ring:
Debbie Stabenow: (202) 224-4822
Carl Levin: (202) 224-6221
Small Steps to a Greener Tomorrow: Reynolds Recycled Wrap
Here is a simple step you can take to save energy, reduce waste, and help ensure a better tomorrow for generations to come: buy recycled aluminum foil.
There are undoubtedly several varieties of recycled aluminum foil products, but the gorilla in the aluminum room, Reynolds, has stepped into the fray with their latest product, Reynolds Wrap Foil from 100% Recycled Aluminum. What’s the big deal? Let’s take a look at their process to see.
- Post-consumer aluminum is collected
- Scrap is melted into bars called “ingots”
- Ingots are melted and filtered
- Liquid aluminum is cast into sheets
- Sheets are cut to size, spooled, packaged, and distributed
The first step reduces landfill waste, the third step ensures a safe, pure product, and the entire process uses about 80% less energy than the process of purifying and preparing new aluminum. And not only that, but the packaging is also made from 100% post-consumer recycled material, creating a loop that ensures the enduring value of recycling. All this, plus the product is just as durable as “virgin” aluminum.
Still not convinced? Well, head on over to http://www.reynoldsrecycled.com/ and perhaps pick up a coupon for $0.50 off along the way.
Oh, and for good measure, this process takes place in the United States, as well. All Reynolds products are made in the U.S.A.
Stand Up for Healthcare Reform
Next week, Congress will begin making the actual decisions about what reforms will make it into this year’s healthcare bill.
Our actions over the next few days and weeks will be critical in building the support we need to win.
Meanwhile, conservative groups have launched a new assault on inclusion of a public healthcare option like Medicare. Their million-dollar ad campaign claims that healthcare will be rationed and “bureaucrats” will “decide the treatments you receive.” It’s an old message that you and I know isn’t true, but it will stick if we don’t fight back with our message of “Choice, Competition, and Comfort.”
Do you have the following:
-Computer
-Speakers (working and hooked to the computer, of course)
-Internet access
If so, you can join Democracy for America and MoveOn for an emergency briefing on this critical issue.
Last time Democrats tried to pass comprehensive healthcare reform, it failed. And it failed in part because the opposition was better organized and spread a bunch of lies that progressives weren’t prepared to rebut.
It’s up to us to not let that happen again. This time, we all need to be well-armed with the critical information to keep the right from blocking change. Gov. Howard Dean, M.D. will give us an inside look at the battle for real health care reform—and the secrets about what it’ll take to achieve a historic victory.
With a key Senate committee meeting on Tuesday to start shaping legislation—plus the right wing’s escalating attacks—this couldn’t be more urgent.
Join other concerned progressives and Dr. Dean Monday so we can help over 40 million uninsured Americans.
Here are the details:
What: Emergency Online Briefing with Dr. Howard Dean (Organized by MoveOn and Democracy for America)
When: Monday, May 4, 9:00 P.M. ET
Where: MoveOn web site (click here)
Stabenow on Chrysler’s creditors
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the President’s announcement concerning Chrysler:
“Like families and workers across Michigan, I am disheartened by today’s news. It’s outrageous that after workers, management, and a majority of bondholders came to the table and negotiated in good faith, a small number of hedge funds and creditors refused to compromise and now Chrysler is forced to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
“I am confident that Chrysler will emerge from bankruptcy, with its strategic partner Fiat, as a revitalized, viable company. Also, I am gratified that the deal announced today will protect the health care and pension benefits of our auto workers and retirees. Yet, we understand that there will be more pain to come for people in Michigan. The White House has committed to helping workers who lose their jobs and the communities that are affected. I am focused on working with the President to bring tangible assistance that those families and communities need to survive this turmoil. And I will fight to keep as many jobs in Michigan as possible and preserve our communities.
“For those on Capitol Hill and Wall Street who don’t seem to understand what this crisis is all about, I’m here to tell them that it’s about people. It’s about families. It’s about communities and jobs. This is about saving our manufacturing base. I understand that we’re fighting to preserve our way of life in Michigan, advance the middle-class in America, and rebuild the backbone of our economy.
“The global economic crisis has demonstrated that we must build things in America. I will work every day to make that happen and create jobs here at home.” - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
Unfit to Judge
How do you feel about the United States engaging in torture?
That’s what I thought.
Let Congress know how you feel about one of the men responsible for the infamous torture memos being appointed a federal judge by his good buddy, George W. Bush.
Dear Mr. Steele
“Let’s be honest, Senator Specter didn’t leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record.” - GOP Chairman Michael Steele
Well, the ethics behind Specter’s switch aside, Mr. Steele seems to have contradicted himself in his two-sentence quote. It seems that deciding to leave a party based on your voting record is exactly the same thing as doing so based on your principles, since, as a Senator, you typically vote on your principles. If he left because of his “left-wing” voting record, then it stands to reason that he left, if only indirectly, because of his “left-wing” principles.
But it was a valiant try, Chairman.
Getting set up
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