Greetings,

On Saturday, April 10, 2010 the Nye County Democratic Party will be holding its Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at the Nevada Treasure Resort in Pahrump.  The evening begins at 7:00 pm.  Our speakers will be; Senator Harry Reid, Congresswomen Berkley and Titus, State Treasurer Marshall and State Controller Wallin.  We will also have candidates for office speaking.

Tickets are:  $40.00 each/$70.00 per couple/$300.00 per table.  You may call me at 775-910-3494 to order tickets or you may send a check to:  1201 S. Hwy 160, Suite 105, Pahrump, NV 89048.  If you would like the tickets mailed to you, please enclose a SASE otherwise you may pick them up at the door. 

We need to get an accurate count for dinner for the caterer, so please contact me as soon as possible if you will be coming.

We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Kathleen L. Bienenstein,

Chair, Nye County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Committee

All Nevada voters should be aware of the following information. For those of you who may not know, Sue Lowden is running for Governor of Nevada. Currently she is running for the Republican nomination in the upcoming Primary election to run on the Republican ticket in the General Election in November.

I received the following from Friends for Harry Reid:

For Immediate Release                                                                                   Tuesday, March 9, 2010

CONTACT: Zac Petkanas, Deputy Communications Director, (702) 278-2120

Lowden’s Casinos A Dangerous Place to Work

Cited 221 Times by OSHA for Safety, Health Violations, Some Involving Exposure to “Bloodborne Pathogens”

LAS VEGAS – As a casino executive, Sue Lowden has proven that she will do anything to make a buck. As previously reported, she broke the law to deny her employees health insurance and even gave her CEO husband six-figure bonuses while slashing the jobs of hundreds of her workers.

Now, we learn that under Sue Lowden, casinos owned by Archon Corporation were dangerous places to work.  In fact, during the years she was a casino executive, the Sahara, Hacienda, Santa Fe and Pioneer Hotels and Casinos were cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at least 221 times.

Fifty-two of these violations were classified as serious. Four of the total 221 were repeat violations.

Her casinos were also fined 35 times for workplace safety violations.   Clearly she didn’t learn her lesson because one of these fines cost the company $12,400 for a repeated violation, when she repeatedly failed to keep workplace floors free of nails, splinters, holes, and loose boards at the Hacienda.

Of the other 221 violations, one includes a 2001 violation that resulted in a $1,680 fine after it was found they had violated a requirement that explosion-proof wiring must be used in areas where dangerous quantities of flammable vapors are sprayed.  Another includes a $4,500 fine at Sahara in 1994 for not providing employees medical evaluations following a report of a blood borne pathogen exposure incident. Yet another in 1992 resulted in a fine at the Santa Fe for failing to label hazardous chemicals.

“It looks like Sue Lowden will stop at nothing to make a buck, even if it means breaking the law and putting her employees’ safety on the line,” said campaign manager Brandon Hall.  “If she isn’t even willing to look out for the people who helped her make her $50 million fortune, how can Nevadans who don’t know her at all believe she’ll actually fight to protect them?” [Read more →]

Recent Senate Votes

Temporary Extension Act of 2010 – Vote Passed (78-19, 3 Not Voting) The Senate passed this bill that provides short-term extensions of a number of programs that expired February 28, including unemployment benefits and federal health care subsidies for jobless workers. The bill was quickly signed by the President. Sen. John Ensign voted NO……send e-mail or see bio Sen. Harry Reid voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act – Vote Passed (262-153, 16 Not Voting) The House passed this legislation that would establish the first federal safety standards on seclusion and restraint in schools, allowing for restraints in cases when there is immediate danger to the student or others. The bill now heads to the Senate. Rep. Shelley Berkley voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act – Vote Passed (217-201, 14 Not Voting) The House approved this bill that would provide $13 billion in payroll tax relief over 10 years for employers who hire unemployed workers and extend through 2010 a law that allows small businesses to deduct up to $250,000 in qualified expenses. The bill goes to the Senate. Rep. Shelley Berkley voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act – Vote Passed (262-153, 16 Not Voting) The House passed this legislation that would establish the first federal safety standards on seclusion and restraint in schools, allowing for restraints in cases when there is immediate danger to the student or others. The bill now heads to the Senate. Rep. Dean Heller voted NO……send e-mail or see bio Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act – Vote Passed (217-201, 14 Not Voting) The House approved this bill that would provide $13 billion in payroll tax relief over 10 years for employers who hire unemployed workers and extend through 2010 a law that allows small businesses to deduct up to $250,000 in qualified expenses. The bill goes to the Senate. Rep. Dean Heller voted NO……send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act – Vote Passed (262-153, 16 Not Voting) The House passed this legislation that would establish the first federal safety standards on seclusion and restraint in schools, allowing for restraints in cases when there is immediate danger to the student or others. The bill now heads to the Senate. Rep. Dina Titus voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act – Vote Passed (217-201, 14 Not Voting) The House approved this bill that would provide $13 billion in payroll tax relief over 10 years for employers who hire unemployed workers and extend through 2010 a law that allows small businesses to deduct up to $250,000 in qualified expenses. The bill goes to the Senate. Rep. Dina Titus voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

Note that Congressman Heller voted against business deductions for  hiring unemployed workers.

Today, the last day to file for election, Majority Senate Leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, filed for re-election to his fifth term as Senator.

Reid also noted his accomplishments, including winning federal dollars — more than any other state per capita — to help homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages and dealing with foreclosure. He also touted his role in pushing the Senate to pass a jobs bill and defeating Republican opposition to extending unemployment benefits.

[Source: Las Vegas Sun]

Sue Lowden released a new TV Ad titled “One Size Fits All”, where she uses falsehoods and distortions to undermine Sen. Reid’s hard work reforming our broken health insurance system to ensure quality, affordable medical care for all Nevadans.

In her TV ad Sue Lowden says:

As a mom I know one-size-fits-all clothes don’t fit, aren’t comfortable and are seldom a bargain. So why does Harry Reid want to force one-size fits-all government health care on us? Harry Reid thinks Washington knows best. But I think we the people know best.

Senator Reid answers:

FACT: THE SENATE HEALTH REFORM BILL PRESERVES THE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM WHILE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, QUALITY COVERAGE FOR 518,000 NEVADANS AND ENACTING BADLY-NEEDED INSURANCE INDUSTRY REFORMS

PolitiFact: “By Any Reasonable Definition, There’s No Way That The Democratic Plan Could Be Considered A Government Takeover.” In February 2010, PolitiFact wrote, “Many Republicans have said the Democratic health care plan is a ‘government takeover’ of the nation’s health system. The phrase has appeared in at least 700 newspaper articles in the past six months, according to a Nexis search. It’s been a powerful weapon for the GOP opposition because it conjures images of a sluggish, state-run bureaucracy … By any reasonable definition, there’s no way that the Democratic plan could be considered a government takeover. Indeed, its primary approach is to set up new systems to encourage private health insurance companies to provide more coverage and better services. The cornerstone of the Democratic program is actually the status quo. The majority of Americans would continue to get health coverage the way they do now — from private insurance companies. That coverage would be paid for the same way it is now — by private employers and individual premiums. That’s not a government takeover.” [PolitiFact, 2/24/10 (emphasis in original)]

PolitiFact: “Once again, we are faced with over-the-top rhetoric about the health care plan. It’s perfectly legitimate to raise questions about the plan and the government’s role, but it’s wildly incorrect to label it a government takeover. Yes, the plan would expand the government’s role, but it primarily would continue to rely on private insurers for the vast majority of Americans. And, for people who have trouble getting coverage, it would create a marketplace so people could shop for coverage from private insurers.It’s ridiculously false to call that a government takeover. For this one, we need to strike a match and set the meter ablaze. Pants on Fire!” [PolitiFact, 2/24/10 (emphasis in original)]

Las Vegas Sun: Senate Health Care Bill Is “An Important Step Toward Providing Health Coverage For Every American.” In a December 2009 editorial, the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “Just after 1 a.m. Monday, the Senate turned back a Republican filibuster attempt on health care reform legislation, opening the way for its expected passage this week. Although not perfect, the bill is a tremendous achievement and an important step toward providing health coverage for every American … More than 30 million Americans, including 518,000 Nevadans, who don’t have insurance will become eligible for affordable health care under the plan. The legislation would provide tax credits for individuals and small businesses to help them pay for insurance coverage. The bill lays out a deficit-reduction plan, and it should ease the burden taxpayers and people with insurance carry because of the uninsured, the costs of whose use of public medical services and hospital emergency rooms currently are passed on to taxpayers and people with insurance. The legislation also would prohibit providers from denying people insurance because of pre-existing conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, ailments that afflict millions.” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 12/22/09]

What say you now Ms. Lowden?

The candidates are registering to run this week. To run any election campaign requires money. Where is the money coming from for this 2010 election cycle. It is early but here is the current count of the top contributors here in Nevada:

 That is the big donors. Now how are the various candidates doing raising money for their campaigns. Remember, the candidate list may not be complete because candidates can file for election to an office through next Monday.

You can almost tell, this early who the viable players will be in the 2010 election, just by how much money they raise.

Among the Republicans running for Senate they are: John Gregory Chachas, Sue Lowden, Danny Tarkanian,  and Sharron E. Angle.

Among the Republicans running for District 01 it is:  Craig O Lake Jr

Among the Democrats running for District 02 it could be either Jack Schofield or Ken McKenna. Neither has raised a dime to run on, however. Trigg and Reeves have both dropped out of contention.

Among the Republicans running for District 03 they are: Joe Heck, Robert Lelie Lauer, or John Guedry.

As time goes by in the months ahead the picture may change, depending upon who will attract more money from donors.

[Source: Center for Responsive Politics]

Senator Jim Bunning, former major league baseball pitcher, is, I repeat, a real jerk. The Kentucky Republican once again prevented a vote on a bill that would extend eligibility for enhanced unemployment benefits and subsidized health insurance for laid-off workers by 30 days.

If Congress fails to pass an extension, the National Employment Law Project estimates that 1.2 million people will lose their benefits in March. Bunning’s action could cause thousands of people to miss their unemployment checks starting this week, though it’s likely that Congress will pass an extension within the next two weeks that will retroactively cover their losses.

Bunning, who is not running for reelection and apparently not acting with the blessing of GOP leadership.

The cocky SOB is snubbing the national news media. ABC tried to talk with him today catching him as he left his office. Bunning told them “I’m not talking to anybody” walking toward the elevator, shooting a middle finger salute to the ABC reporter.

[Read more →]

Here is a summary of FactCheck’s assessment of yesterday’s White House Healthcare Summit:

Senator Lamar Alexander said premiums will go up for “millions” under the Senate bill and president’s plan, while President Barack Obama said families buying the same coverage they have now would pay much less. Both were misleading. The Congressional Budget Office said premiums for those in the group market wouldn’t change significantly, while the average premium for those who buy their own coverage would go up.

Alexander also said “50 percent of doctors won’t see new [Medicaid] patients.” But a 2008 survey says only 28 percent refuse to take any new Medicaid patients.

Senator Harry Reid cited a poll that said 58 percent would be “angry or disappointed” if health care overhaul doesn’t pass. True, but respondents in the poll were also split 43-43 on whether they supported the legislation that is currently being proposed. [Read more →]

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that the president did not believe the public option had the votes to pass the Senate even through reconciliation. It was, not surprisingly, not included in the president’s final bill.

Though the White House and Democratic leadership in the House have pronounced the death of the public option, advocates for the provision are not giving up efforts to get it passed via reconciliation in the Senate.

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is targeting seven Democratic senators who have yet to sign a letter urging Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to go down this route.

The target list includes Sens. Chris Dodd (Conn.), Evan Bayh (Ind.), Mark Warner (Va.) and Jim Webb (Va.), Russ Feingold (Wisc.), Herb Kohl (Wisc.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo).

The Wellpoint news may prove to be an effective catalyst to getting recalcitrant senators on board.

In 11 states where WellPoint is “active,” individual premium are expected to rise by double digits. Those states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

[Source: Huffington Post]

These guys need to be jacked up!

Marla Turner sent a message to the members of Thinking Liberally on Facebook. I want to share it with you all.

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Subject: Important Events Taking Place This Week

Hello Liberals!

Several important events are taking place this week on Capital Hill. It is in all our best interests to be as engaged as possible for what could be the beginning of the end for an unregulated health insurance industry and the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy.

To get ready for health insurance reform actions this week, I recommend reading Noelle’s diary at Daily Kos. http://www.facebook.com/l/06a26;www.dailykos.com/story/2010/2/21/132029/805?new=true. In it she outlines the following three things that all of us can do right now to support health care reform.

1. Tell your Representative to sign on to the Perriello-Markey bill to repeal the antitrust exemption for insurance companies. This is a very easy call: insurance companies shouldn’t be allowed to collude to set prices: they should have to compete for business fairly. Period. http://www.facebook.com/l/06a26;action.progressivecongress.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=857

2. Tell your Senator to sign onto the Bennet letter in support of a public option. They can join twenty of their colleagues who have signed on this week, including Sen. Schumer – who, as the chair of the Senate Rules Committee, knows a fair amount about Senate process and how to get this done procedurally. http://www.facebook.com/l/06a26;action.progressivecongress.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=858

3. Be one of a million voices for health care: pledge to make calls on Feb 24 for members of Congress to fix and pass the health care bill. Sign up now at http://www.facebook.com/l/06a26;www.moveon.org/r?r=86481&rc=vm.mailto

MONDAY 2/22:

The White House is expected to release the details of the newest health care reform proposals. Although both President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have thrown their support to the public option, the version coming out tomorrow is not expected to contain it. Instead, it is likely to include a recommendation of utilizing the budget reconciliation procedure (for the public option) in order to bypass a potential Republican filibuster in the Senate.

You can find the details tomorrow at http://www.facebook.com/l/06a26;www.whitehouse.gov.

TUESDAY 2/23:

Testimony begins on repealing DADT. Speakers include the Army’s Gen. George Casey and the Air Force’s Gen. Norton Schwartz. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway, who is said to oppose changes to the policy, will testify on Wednesday. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen says he believes DADT unfairly forces gay and lesbians in the military to “compromise their integrity” by pretending to be something they’re not. Listen to who says what and let your representatives and senators know where you stand.

Proceedings can be viewed on http://www.facebook.com/l/06a26;www.cspan.org.

WEDNESDAY 2/24:

All hands on deck! This is the 1,000,000 Voices Virtual March, a joint project by MoveOn, HCAN, DFA, SEIU, and Progressive Congress which aims to bombard Congress with 1,000,000 contacts in support of health care reform. This is timed to occur the day before the start of President Obama’s bi-partisan summit.

Sign up now and on the 24th, you’ll be able to use their tools to contact Congress and the Senate – and to take action of your choice, whether by calling, emailing, faxing, or writing. It’s simple, painless, and takes about a minute. DO IT – we need you.

Sign up here to participate on Wednesday: http://www.facebook.com/l/06a26;www.moveon.org/r?r=86481&rc=vm.mailto

THURSDAY 2/25:

The bi-partisan summit President Obama requested begins. Obama says that the summit will test Democratic and Republican lawmakers’ ability to solve not just the health care reform debate but other problems, too. Republicans consider the summit to be a trap. In a sense, I think they’re right. Because if they continue to play the role of obstructionist, they’ve outed themselves to the American public. And the insurance company rate hikes that took place last week give those in support of health care reform a great starting point to kick off this event.

The summit begins at 10:00 a.m. EST and will be broadcast live on C-Span. Check your local listings or visit http://www.facebook.com/l/06a26;www.cspan.org.

The ante has been upped and we’ve got to stay engaged to see these things through. Thanks in advance for hanging in there through this long message and for doing your part. Together, WE make the difference!

As always, be well and do good,

Marla

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