If your Democrat senator didn’t get some sort of sweetheart deal from Harry Reid in exchange for a yes vote on the healthcare bill I think you owe them a phone call to find out why. Of course, if they didn’t get some sort of bribe are they really the sort of person you want to send back to Washington? I mean after all if they can’t get exemption for their state from having to fund Medicaid like Ben Nelson (D-NE) did, or $300 million like Mary Landrieu (D-LA) did, or even avowed Socialist Bernie Sanders (S-VT), who got a break on the Medicaid funding, are they really smart enough to hold the job they have?

Sure, I can understand why a freshman senator like Al Franken (Comedian-MN) couldn’t get something. I mean after all he hasn’t paid his dues yet and besides, he has one of the biggest symbols of our broken medical system, the Mayo Clinic, in his state. No sense rewarding him since they are a part of the problem.

C’mon, Democrats, I know you can unite behind this cause. If your Senator doesn’t have enough clout or isn’t smart enough to figure out how to wrangle some sort of bennie out of Harry Reid (Mormon-NV) maybe it’s time to replace them. Hell, even Blue Dog Dems in the House can get Nancy Pelosi (Aging Hippie-CA) to throw them a bone every once in awhile for their vote, so I would think a Senator should be able to figure out how to get it done.

Oh, as far as the Senate is concerned, you see American people aren’t really concerned that you are bankrupting this country and saddling our great-grandkids with a mountain of debt; what really impresses us is what it takes to buy your vote. Of course, the vote of the average American comes much cheaper. A building with your name on it to remind the good folks back home what a heck of a job you are doing is normally sufficient.

Yes sir, I sit in absolute awe of the truly unique ways you come up with to get that little million dollar earmark worked into a defense bill that goes for building a nice bike path in your district. We didn’t need that money for defense and besides, those silly little terrorists will be so worn out from riding their bikes on that new path all day that they won’t be able to carry out some sort of attack.

Yup, when I grow up I want to learn just how it is I can go up to somebody and get them to take millions or billions of dollars from a bunch of unsuspecting fools and give it to me and all I have to do in exchange is nod my head and agree.

One last question. Why is Bernie Madoff in jail instead of the Senate?

H/T JamieWearingFool

If your Democrat senator didn’t get some sort of sweetheart deal from Harry Reid in exchange for a yes vote on the healthcare bill I think you owe them a phone call to find out why. Of course, if they didn’t get some sort of bribe are they really the sort of person you want to send back to Washington? I mean after all if they can’t get exemption for their state from having to fund Medicaid like Ben Nelson (D-NE) did, or $300 million like Mary Landrieu (D-LA) did, or even avowed Socialist Bernie Sanders (S-VT), who got a break on the Medicaid funding, are they really smart enough to hold the job they have?

Sure, I can understand why a freshman senator like Al Franken (Comedian-MN) couldn’t get something. I mean after all he hasn’t paid his dues yet and besides, he has one of the biggest symbols of our broken medical system, the Mayo Clinic, in his state. No sense rewarding him since they are a part of the problem.

C’mon, Democrats, I know you can unite behind this cause. If your Senator doesn’t have enough clout or isn’t smart enough to figure out how to wrangle some sort of bennie out of Harry Reid (Mormon-NV) maybe it’s time to replace them. Hell, even Blue Dog Dems in the House can get Nancy Pelosi (Aging Hippie-CA) to throw them a bone every once in awhile for their vote, so I would think a Senator should be able to figure out how to get it done.

Oh, as far as the Senate is concerned, you see American people aren’t really concerned that you are bankrupting this country and saddling our great-grandkids with a mountain of debt; what really impresses us is what it takes to buy your vote. Of course, the vote of the average American comes much cheaper. A building with your name on it to remind the good folks back home what a heck of a job you are doing is normally sufficient.

Yes sir, I sit in absolute awe of the truly unique ways you come up with to get that little million dollar earmark worked into a defense bill that goes for building a nice bike path in your district. We didn’t need that money for defense and besides, those silly little terrorists will be so worn out from riding their bikes on that new path all day that they won’t be able to carry out some sort of attack.

Yup, when I grow up I want to learn just how it is I can go up to somebody and get them to take millions or billions of dollars from a bunch of unsuspecting fools and give it to me and all I have to do in exchange is nod my head and agree.

One last question. Why is Bernie Madoff in jail instead of the Senate?

H/T JamieWearingFool

For those opposed to the current versions of health care reform moving through Congress it might be enjoyable to see the Democrat versus Democrat circus currently underway in Washington. Both parties are susceptible to the joys of circular firing squads, but the Democrats are embracing the concept with exceptional glee of late as liberals and moderates in the Democratic caucus brawl over the shape of health care reform legislation. But at the end of the day there’s several reasons why it’s highly likely all 60 members of the Democratic caucus will vote to move the bill forward.

1. The Senate is not voting on a final health care bill. Yes, passage of health care reform by the U.S. Senate would be a historic milestone, but just a milestone. What emerges from the Senate will go to a conference committee where the final health care reform bill will be drafted. This makes it easier for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to muster the necessary votes. For example, Senator Ben Nelson who is threatening to vote against allowing a vote on the legislation unless it’s abortion language is modified, can make it clear he’ll vote “aye” now to keep the health care bill alive, but he’ll vote against it if the conference committee doesn’t address his concerns. The liberals who are claiming the legislation is a bail-out of the insurance industry can make the same claim: “I’ll vote for it now, but it needs to get better in conference.”
2. Liberals opposing the bill don’t vote. With the exception of Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats, most of the complaints have come from liberals outside of the Senate. Former Governor Howard Dean was the first well-known liberal to call for defeating the Senate health care reform bill. he was soon joined by Keith Olbermann of MSNBC and folks at the Daily Kos blog. The AFL-CIO and SEIU are also making noises about killing the bill and starting over. But killing the bill would require liberals to tell millions of Americans that preventing health insurance companies from denying them coverage isn’t adequately progressive. Or that preventing carriers from dropping insureds when they get sick isn’t sufficiently liberal. Or that eliminating annual and lifetime caps on insurance coverage is unimportant to liberals. Or that making health insurance accessible and affordable (through subsidies) for millions of the currently uninsured fails to meet the definition of “good enough.” Liberals will complain. They’ll whine and threaten. At the end of the day, however, it’s unlikely any liberal wants to go down in history as the vote that postponed health care reform for a generation (see reason #4, below). Mr. Olbermann gets paid to talk so the commercials on his Countdown show don’t run together. He doesn’t have vote in Congress. Neither does Governor Dean. What they say matters only within the bubble known as cable news. Having a vote in Congress is a responsibility the pundits lack, but lawmakers take very seriously – seriously enough to keep health care reform legislation moving forward.
3. Liberals are upset over more than just the public option. While dropping a “robust” public option from the Senate health care bill is generating the most recent complaints from the left, threats to defeat the bill result from several disappointments. Many liberals support a single payer system and see a government-run health plan as a compromise. They look at the requirement for everyone to purchase health insurance and ask a reasonable question: what is to stop carriers from gouging the public? (Hence proposals for requiring high medical loss ratios). Then there’s efforts by anti-abortion groups to use health care reform to insert language that goes beyond the current status quo embodied by the Hyde amendment. Some progressives also are upset pure community rating is absent from the bill and the fact Health Savings Accounts will survive the reform effort. As the end game approaches, it’s not surprising that passions rise and frustration bubbles over. Especially for liberals about to vote for what they consider disappointing legislation, venting their displeasure is to be expected. Venting displeasure, however, is not the same as blocking health care reform.
4. Liberals won’t get a better bill any time soon. Progressives were understandably delighted by the 2008 election results. President Barack Obama had a demonstrably liberal voting record and still won in what can legitimately be called a landslide. Democrats had substantial majorities in both houses of Congress. What was overlooked is that the Democratic Party (and the president) is more centrist than true liberals like to believe. In fact, nearly one-third of the Democratic Caucus are also members of the Senate Moderate Dems Working Group. Anyone not trying to sell Viagra and auto insurance (which leaves out Mr. Olbermann) has known for months that health care reform would be shaped by these moderate Democrats Senators. And if liberals think they’ll be replacing these moderates with more liberal Democrats they’re spending too much time in a different space-time continuum than the rest of us. The chances of liberals taking the seats of Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor (Arkansas), Evan Bayh (Indiana), Ben Nelson (Nebraska), Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Kay Hagan (North Carolina), or Clare McCaskill (Missouri) any time soon are extremely slight. The reality is that Republicans are likely to pick up several seats in the Senate and House in 2010. Historically, the mid-term elections go poorly for the party in the White House. What this means is that for liberals, the current Congress is as good as it gets. Starting over would likely result in reforms even more moderate than what’s being considered today. That’s why Republicans are doing everything they can to slow down the health care reform process. They know the longer the process takes the more likely health care reform is likely to fail and that future attempts will be more to their liking. Liberals in the Senate know this. The Governor Deans of the world can ignore this fact, but lawmakers have to deal with reality, not the fantasies of ideologues.
5. There’s always tomorrow. To think that whatever health care reform legislation President Barack signs into law health care reform legislation early next year will end debate on the issue for the rest of his Administration is naive. As Republicans gain strength they’ll seek to modify whatever is enacted. Democrats will attempt to expand reforms through more targeted legislation. Whatever health care reform bill emerges from Congress this session should be viewed as a foundation for future political fights, not the end of them.

Could health care reform fail because of attacks from both the left and the right? Yes. Is it likely to fail because liberals join Republicans in torpedoing health care reform? Not really. I don’t envy Senate Majority Leader Reid his task, but my guess is he’ll soon have the 60 votes needed to bring health care reform legislation to the floor of the Senate. Then if some of the liberals want to make a symbolic vote against the reform package they can go right ahead. Once the bill is brought before the Senate It only take 51 votes to move the legislation forward to the conference committee.

Of course, whether whatever health care reform legislation the conference committee can draft will secure enough votes is still very uncertain. But we will have the chance to find out.

I haven’t been writing much of late. The Senate debate has simply been too predictable to merit much comment. The partisan attacks could have been scripted months ago. The votes unsurprising, and the difficulty Democratic Leaders face in fashioning a 60-vote majority is to be expected.

Consider: Republicans charge the Democrats will destroy Medicare. The fact that not long ago it was the GOP wanting to eliminate waste and abuse from the program seems to be forgotten. Democrats, meanwhile, seem incapable of understanding the relationship between medical costs and insurance costs. Listening to their claims that cracking down on evil insurance companies will lower health care spending is disappointing. It would be nice if now and then a Senator would acknowledge that medical costs drives up premiums and not vice versa – a wish not likely to be realized any time soon.  I heard on the radio last week (sorry, not sure what station) a lawmaker complaining that health insurance companies use actuaries, an unfair advantage they wield to the detriment of consumers.

But in the past few days some ideas seem to be gaining traction that could mix things up considerably. One proposal is to allow 55 through 64 year olds to buy into Medicare. The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein seems to be the first blogger to report the Medicare buy-in proposal is “attracting the most interest” as an alternative to creating a new government-run health plan to compete with private carriers. The under 65 cohort would not get basic Medicare coverage for free nor does it look like this approach includes subsidies not already on the table. It simply is a way to create access for some Americans to a public health plan without creating a new public health plan. And as with the public option, participation by 55 year olds would be voluntary.

That the idea of a Medicare buy-in option is gaining traction would seem to indicate that chances for a “true public option” are diminishing. Even liberal bloggers like AntonRobb at Benzinga.com are reaching this conclusion. “… proponents of the public option may be compelled to get behind this plan as an alternative. The severeley (sic) comprised … versions of the public option that have any chance of passing … would probably be worthless and probably do more damage politically to the Dems than good,” he writes.

The other interesting idea to emerge is to, as CBS News describes it, “establish national health insurance options, which would be administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) but operated by private, nonprofit insurers ….” Since the OPM already administers the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP), which insures members of Congress and their staffs among others, this alternative to a public option is being viewed as the equivalent of opening up the FEHBP to non-government workers. (Incidentally, although the CBS reports implies the plans would be administered only by nonprofit carriers, this is far from certain. None of the other news reports mentioned this restriction – and there are for-profit carriers participating in the FEHBP.)

The “what’s good for Congress is good for the public” approach seems to appeal to moderate and conservative Democrats who have been objecting to the creation of a new government-run health plan run by the Department of Health and Human Services. As CBS notes, Senators like Ben Nelson describes this proposal as an alternative to, not a version of, a public option.

The import of these proposals go beyond the fact that new ideas are on the table. It also shows the influence likely to be wielded by the “gang of 10” Senators formed over the weekend. These 10 Senators, five liberals and five moderates, are charged with hammering out a compromise on the public option, according to MSNBC. While focused on the public option, it is likely this group of lawmakers will be called on to bridge the chasm that separates liberal Democratic Senators from their moderate and conservative colleagues. Remember, liberals have long claimed that health care reform without a public option is no reform at all. So if the gang of 10 manages to find a way to remove a government-run health plan from the legislation while still keeping liberals on board, they will position themselves to fashion compromises on other divisive issues as well.

(For those interested, the gang of 10 is comprised of Senators Sherrod Brown, Russ Feingold, Tom Harkin, Jay Rockefeller, and Charles Schumer from the liberal wing of the party and moderate Democratic Senators Tom Carper, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln, Ben Nelson and Mark Pryor).

As noted above, the momentum building behind the Medicare buy-in and an FEHBP-type proposal is that the public option is not going to make it into the Senate bill. Not with a trigger. Not with an opt-out. Instead it appears the public option won’t be in the legislation at all. This should mollify Senator Joe Lieberman who has promised to vote with Republicans against bringing a health care reform bill to the floor if it contains a public option.

All of this also makes clear the strong desire of Democrats, regardless of their ideology, to pass health care reform. The New York Times reports on various lawmakers’ description of President Barack Obama’s message to Senate Democrats on Sunday. “He reminded us why we are here. He reminded us why we run for office. And he reminded us how many people are counting on us to come through.” “Decades from now this will be the kind of vote you remember. It will be written in the faces of children and families who are relieved of the burden of anxiety and sorrow.”

Democrats consider this a historic moment. While grasping it carries political risk in the upcoming 2010 elections, failing to seize the opportunity poses even greater dangers. And the crushing of a dream many of these lawmakers have held for decades.

There are still controversies that could scuttle health care reform. And there will enough political charges and counter-charges bandied about to satiate even the most verbose pundits. But Senators are serious about finding a path to passage and it is increasingly likely they will pass some version of health care reform before years-end. Of course, this will only set the stage for the real work to begin: the House-Senate Conference Committee likely to convene shortly after New Year’s Day.

In a time where both parties, post presidential election (or birth-certificate-verification-failure, as some describe it), are failing to appeal to the sane among us, the Democrats and Republicans alike should be concentrating on grass roots efforts to get in touch with real people – as opposed to fake people, AKA polls – on an individual basis, and not just so-called “movements” and “collectives.” Both have been trying. Neither have had much success.

Republicans, seeking to combat their lack of relevance on substantive issues, have released a new onslaught of attack ads, boldly calling upon their newest playbook (from 2004) and recruiting the aid of whatever MTV music video director happened upon the unemployment office this month, backed up by the Fox News Christmas Party Band. Huckabee wasn’t invited to play bass this year. Pesky commuted sentences.

At first look, the ad doesn’t serve them well. At second, it becomes a bit laughable. Anything after that requires whiskey consumed from a beer bong. Upside down and preferably in a hot tub. They seem to have shoved their fingers down their ear canals to prevent themselves from being confronted by the truth; that the efficacy of any message is lost when honest appeals to constituents – or even would be constituents – are replaced with carbon copies of retired ideas. How are ditto machine companies doing these days?

If your aim is to broach to the topic of Health Care Reform, then for God’s sake, talk about health care reform. There’s plenty to talk about: obstructionism, deceit, corporate funded opposition and support, cuts to medicare, abortion, wasteful spending, triggers, opt in or outs… There’s a catalog of legitimate pros and cons, which play to the both parties’ respective bases -  in a senate bill that is as fluid as the lines of money fueling the efforts to promote it or kill it.

But, once again, that is not the alley the GOP has chosen to go down. Here’s the approach chosen to be the focal point on the Alaska Republican Party’s page.

OH MY GOD MARK BEGICH IS JOHN KERRY!!! AND THE PRESIDENT IS THE LITTLE GIRL FROM THE RING!!! GET BACK IN THE TV!!!

Oh, wait, never mind. They’re just being “original”. This must be part of Michael Steele’s master plan.

We are strong because we are diverse.  And it’s through our diversity and commitment to these shared principles that we will reach out and welcome more communities into our Party.  The focus of my chairmanship will be to take this message to neighborhoods and communities across the country.

-Michael Steele, on his blog, previously entitled “What up”, briefly “Change the Game”, now simply “Steele’s Blog“

Well, if these other… Similar ads, paid for by the RNC, are any indication of this diversity and individual outreach… The name of the blog might be changing again sometime soon. To a different name. Check them out for yourself, and ask, is the GOP really concerned about your state? About Alaska? On a person by person level? Is this the message Republicans seek to take to communities? Because they just tried to cut and paste my state into a generic template that evidently constitutes their “big tent.” They’re not bothering to go door to door to learn your name. They just expect that you’ll drive by the one giant marquee that they leased for the month.

I’m sorry, but it rings of “integrity” about as much as George W. Bush having his signature stamped onto letters to fallen soldiers’ families. And I’m not okay with that.

Wow.

Attention RNC: I don’t want a one party system. I’m also not too worried about that, considering the unquenchable need of the Democratic party to trip over each other and fall down many, many flights of stairs, usually headfirst. But, more importantly, I want a healthy Republican party. I love discussion, crave debate, and embrace disagreements, so long as all are productive, respectful, and honest. Last I checked, good ideas didn’t generally register party affiliation. We could argue what camp they generally fall within, but that’s another matter entirely. The best solutions arrive when everyone is working towards the common good of the people they represent, and especially when they work to understand the plight of the everyday worker and family. I don’t see that happening right now to any extent that would satisfy me, on either side – but in fairness it seems to be a lot more prevalent with the Republicans. It should also be said that this is somewhat ubiquitous as the role of the party “out of power.”

But, come on folks, pretend you’ve got thick skin until you’ve evolved accordingly. This is a new breed of shameful. One quick trip to your youtube page reveals just how uninspired you are. Why would we trust you with local issues if you don’t offer us the courtesy of taking note of each location, apart from the next? You’ve essentially branded the GOP as a band on tour opening every concert with “Hello Cleveland!”

This is offensive. These ads are as out of touch as they are devoid of passion; of true commitment to the people.

You want successful outreach? Reach out. We’re right here.

The question is, do you even know where that is?

Public support is rapidly sinking for an obscenely anti-life Senate health care bill supported by the Obama administration.  Lifenews.com reports today on a poll, from the reliable Rasmussen group, that 56 % of the public now oppose the bill– the lowest level of support in nearly two dozen tracking polls since June.

The measure passed a crucial procedural vote Saturday night with the support of self-professed pro-life Democrat Senators.

Kansas legislators from both parties (particularly in the Senate with their long 6-year tenure) have often played this game–  campaigning as pro-life, but after election, acting as if pro-life is just a preference, not a priority.  These pro-life pretenders fail to aggressively offer life-protecting measures, instead, focusing on personal ambition, upcoming committee appointments, and big donor interests.  When citizens beg these pretenders to take leadership and push a decisive measure to a vote, they swing like a weather vane, mumbling about “respecting the process” and “not being obstructionists.”

Such were the ramblings from certain U.S. Senators last week, lamented Concerned Women for America’s president Wendy Wright,  who were

“…under pressure to stop the health care procedural vote on a bill that will fund abortion, ration health care, prompt doctors to leave the profession and cause millions of Americans to lose their health coverage… [some ] tried to have it both ways, [saying] they opposed the bill yet at the most crucial time when only one Democrat senator could have changed or killed the bill, they supported it.”

The top priority for the pro-life movement  is now stopping the bill’s massive abortion funding through the public option and the affordability credits.

As has been the case for months, Democrats favor the plan.   The latest Rassmussen poll numbers show support from 73% of Democrats, with opposition by 83% of Republicans and 70% of unaffiliated voters.

The Senate bill passed on a strict party line vote, with the minimum 60 votes  coming from the Democrats, including eight Democrats who supported a recent pro-life  amendment to stop abortion funding through the Indian Health Care Improvement Act: Evan Bayh (IN), Robert Byrd (WV), Robert Casey (PA), Tim Johnson (SD), Mary Landrieu (LA), Ben Nelson (NE), Mark Pryor (AR) and Harry Reid (NV).”

On the October 7, 2009 episode of Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Mr. Olbermann devoted his entire time slot to a special comment on health care. This is perhaps the best plea for health care reform I have seen. His comment hits home because in January 2010 I will no longer have health insurance, and I was diagnosed with an incurable disease in late August. Here is the full episode.

Today, October 15, is the Blog Action Day, an annual event that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. By doing so, the blogging community effectively changes the conversation on the web and focuses audiences around the globe on that issue.

Blog Action Day was founded by Collis & Cyan Ta’eed in the summer of 2007. With the support of their team at Envato in Australia as well as numerous volunteers, they recruited over 20,000 bloggers to write about the issue of Environment on October 15, 2007 – making the first Blog Action Day an immediate and quite unexpected success.

This year’s theme is climate change. Climate change threatens all of us. Small increases in average global temperatures can have devastating consequences such as rising sea levels, loss of Arctic habitat, extinctions, increasingly intense hurricanes, and drought and famine.

Fortunately, we can make a difference.

On September 30, 2009, Senators Barbara Boxer and John Kerry introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, which requires that the United States reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. Our senators, Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, are sitting on the fence about the bill. Several Arkansas conservation groups have been working hard to change that.

Do you support the federal climate change bill? If so, here is a list of 5 easy things you can do to support Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act:

1. Join Arkansans for Clean Energy Jobs Facebook page! Visit: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Arkansans-For-Clean-Energy-Jobs/129866993202?ref=ts
2. Sign a postcard urging Senators Lincoln and Pryor to support the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. Postcards are available at the offices of Audubon Arkansas (4500 Springer Blvd., Little Rock 72206), Sierra Club – Arkansas (1308 W. 2nd, Little Rock 72205), and Repower America (1401 W 6th. St. Little Rock, 72201 )
3. Write to your local newspaper saying that you support Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.
4. Call or email Senators Lincoln and Pryor. You can reach Senator Lincoln by calling 1-800-352-9364 or clicking http://lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm. You can reach Senator Pryor by calling 1-877-259-9602 or clicking http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/.
5. Attend a 350 event on Saturday, October 24, 2009. October 24 is the International Day of Climate Action. Millions of people across the world will host 350 events in support of climate action. In Arkansas, Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Conway will host a 350 event. For more information about the Arkansas events, click on the city. For more information about 350, visit www.350.org.

Our opponents, funded by Murphy & Lion oils, are submitting letters to the editor everyday. They have a Facebook page called Arkansans Against Cap & Trade with over 3,000 members!

Let’s tell our senators that Arkansans care about the environment. Support Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act today!

1 Sky Arkansas and other allies will host a Senate Phone Banking Party this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Nature’s Water (275 E. Huntsville Rd.) in Fayetteville. Come with a fully charged cellphone and tell your Senators to support clean energy legislation!

1 Sky has a great tool that makes calling Senators’ offices very easy. Please check out the tool at http://www.1sky.org/call and call your Senators today.

Feel free to bring food if you would like. For more information, contact Ryan Denham, 1 Sky Arkansas State Organizer, at (479)685-4348.

Glenn Greenwald over at Salon makes a lot of sense (I found his commentary while reading The New York Times online):

They should convene a panel for the next “Meet the Press” with Jenna Bush Hager, Luke Russert, Liz Cheney, Megan McCain and Jonah Goldberg, and they should have Chris Wallace moderate it. They can all bash affirmative action and talk about how vitally important it is that the U.S. remain a Great Meritocracy because it’s really unfair for anything other than merit to determine position and employment. They can interview Lisa Murkowski, Evan Bayh, Jeb Bush, Bob Casey, Mark Pryor, Jay Rockefeller, Dan Lipinksi, and Harold Ford, Jr. about personal responsibility and the virtues of self-sufficiency. Bill Kristol, Tucker Carlson and John Podhoretz can provide moving commentary on how America is so special because all that matters is merit, not who you know or where you come from. There’s a virtually endless list of politically well-placed guests equally qualified to talk on such matters. . . .

All of the above-listed people are examples of America’s Great Meritocracy, having achieved what they have solely on the basis of their talent, skill and hard work — The American Way. By contrast, Sonia Sotomayor — who grew up in a Puerto Rican family in Bronx housing projects; whose father had a third-grade education, did not speak English and died when she was 9; whose mother worked as a telephone operator and a nurse; and who then became valedictorian of her high school, summa cum laude at Princeton, a graduate of Yale Law School, and ultimately a Supreme Court Justice — is someone who had a whole litany of unfair advantages handed to her and is the poster child for un-American, merit-less advancement.

Earlier this summer, the NRA gang (which includes Republicans and not a few Democrats now) tried a tactic that’s worked pretty well for them lately: attaching gun rights measures to completely unrelated legislation.  The Credit Card Bill was signed into law with a measure allowing gunowners to bring their weapons into national parks.  (I guess Smokey the Bear has more than forest fires to be afraid of now.)

This time, Senator John Thune (R-SD) attached a measure allowing gunowners to cross state lines with concealed firearms to the defense spending bill.  Harry Reid, up for reelection in a pro-gun state, allowed the measure to come to a vote on the floor of the Senate.  And many, many Democrats went along for the ride.

Progressive Democrats needed forty votes to filibuster the measure.  But would they get them?

Little did they know they could count on the support of Mark Pryor, the junior senator from Arkansas.  Since his appearance in last fall’s Religulous, Bill Maher’s anti-religion  documentary, Pryor had not exactly been a favorite of many on the left.

He actually said, without any apparent sense of sarcasm, “You don’t have to pass an IQ test to be elected to the United States Senate.”

Well, when it came time for the vote, Pryor voted with his liberal colleagues against an absurd gun measure and affront to states’ rights (which should have concerned Republicans but did not.) Of course, when he realized that ailing Senator Byrd wasn’t going to show up to cast a vote in favor of the measure, Pryor switched his vote to yes.

I suppose you could call that waffling.  But for a senator from such a conservative state, I call it political courage.  He publicly showed the NRA, that when it comes down to the line, they cannot depend upon his vote.  That’s a difficult action to take in a political environment in which the supposedly liberal party (the Democrats) has retreated from a defense of common-sense gun-control measures.

Lots of Democrats, many from states much less conservative than Arkansas, casually strolled into the chamber to vote in favor without thinking twice.  So whenever I hear anyone castigate the Arkansas Democrats as the “Walmart twins,” I’ll have a special place in my heart for Walmart #2.

Photo from Senator Mark Pryor’s website.

Hat tip: ARRA News Service

You can help Rep. Boozman get his message across to Obama and The White House by clicking this link and email it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

Last night on Real Time With Bill Maher, Jeff Sharlet, the profiler of The Family:

BJ Sams and Tom Brannon say goodbye ahead of Sams' final morning broadcast on Friday. Click for video.

After more than 50 years in broadcasting (“Fifty-six,” he’ll remind you), BJ Sams is signing off tomorrow. His final broadcast of “Today’s THV This Morning” happens Friday.

This morning, before tomorrow’s busy farewell, he spent some final moments with his long-time “This Morning” co-host and sparring partner Tom Brannon, who commissioned a special “long-distance dedication” for his pal. Click here to see video of the segment, and be sure to check out tomorrow’s show for BJ’s final moments on air in Arkansas.

More Video

It’s been a month of tributes. Click for video of BJ with:

Alyson Courtney | Former co-host Robyn Richardson and her surprise | Chris Olsen | The Peabody Hotel | Leslie Heizman | Former co-host Beth Ward | Derrick Rose | Liz Massey | Dawn Scott | His Top 11 Quotes | Arkansas Children’s Hospital | Mark Pryor | KARK | Capital Hotel | Alyson, BJ & Tom at 6:30 p.m

See more on the Official Retirement Page

Previously

BJ Sams to retire

BJ Sams honored at Media Fellowship luncheon

Charles Crowson to co-host

Somehow I’ve gotten myself on Sen. Mark Pryor’s email list.  Probably it was by sending him an email a while back, complaining he was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sen. Ben Nelson.

Regardless, I got a kick out of his most recent missive, containing his summary of his legislative activities.  There are 3, presumably listed in order of importance:

1. He got the Corps of Engineers to waive some fees for use of Corps-maintained lakes and such, so Americans can afford a vacation in these tough economic times.  This required the writing of a letter.
2. He got an amendment to the Switchblade Knife Act of 1958 passed, protecting owners of “assisted-opening” pocketknives from undue government intrusion.  (“A pocketknife for many Arkansans can serve as an entire toolbox, and the government really has no business taking that away from them.”)
3. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, he held a hearing examining competition in the health care sector.

Pocketknives and fishing fees.  Somebody tell the Architect of the Capitol to start planning which buildings to rename in honor of Sen. Pryor’s pathbreaking career.

Note that in reporting on his health care hearing, Pryor manages not to say anything whatsoever about, much less take a position on, the issues actually holding up health care reform legislation.

Finally!  It looks like the Arkansas Republican Party has decided to use its new website for more than a fancy newsletter.  Yesterday the state party announced its Health Care Action Center which places weapons in the hands of voters to war against Democratic attempts to impose a government run health care system on the American people.

You’ll find phone numbers to every Congressmen’s and both Senators’ offices along with pdf files containing suggested scripts for phone calls.  Another pdf file on that page lists “Health Care Talking Points” to combat the non-stop rhetoric spewed from the White House and their Democratic allies.

Another page linked to the Action Center is a file containing 5 sample letters to the editor.  You can take one of these word for word, use it as a starting point to write your own, write some combination of the 5, or start from scratch, but please take the time to communicate your desire to stop the government takeover of our health care system to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in a letter to the editor today.

You can also find email links to every member of Arkansas’ congressional delegation in the Action Center.  We need to overload their email systems and make them understand we don’t want a government run health care system.  The party has included a link to suggested text to include in your emails, tailored to each Representative and Senator.  (I just spoke with Congressman Ross’ office in Pine Bluff and was told there is no truth to the internet rumors that Ross has sold out to the Obama administration.)

The President and his Socialist allies are pushing this power grab hard.  Obama was rumored to have told one Democratic Senator who opposes Obamacare, “You’re going to ruin my presidency.”  Look for full-scale Chicago style politics on Pennsylvania Avenue over the next few weeks.  To combat the sure to come mob style strongarm tactics they’ll employ, we need everyone to do their part.  Make Arkansas Democrats afraid to sell out to Socialism by letting them know they’ll be out of a job in 2010 if they do!

Oh, I’m pressuring them alright!

Here‘s the email I received from Obama’s permanent campaign website:

John – Take a look around Arkansas, and you’ll see small business owners struggling, overwhelmed by skyrocketing health care costs. They’re not the only ones — but as the backbone of our economy, they’re a key constituency with the ear of our elected representatives. And their voices are absolutely critical to our campaign. Every day, special interest lobbyists in Washington spend millions to pressure your senators, Senator Blanche Lincoln and Senator Mark Pryor, to oppose reform. But we can counter their influence by demonstrating that the folks who drive our economic growth are depending on them to deliver reform in 2009. I’m a small business owner, and I’d like to add my name to a letter declaring my support for health care reform. Not a small business owner? Chances are, you know one. It could be a family member, friend, or neighbor — or the person who cuts your hair, or owns the local hardware store. Forward them this email, or reach out personally. Talking to someone you know has more power to persuade than any television ad. In recent years, small businesses in Arkansas have been paying more and more for insurance that covers less and less. Small businesses are essential to the nation’s economic recovery, but they can’t grow and create jobs if they’re bearing the weight of skyrocketing premiums. Getting more signatures on our small business letter will have a tremendous impact. We’ll bring the signatures to public events and show the letter to members of the press — and believe me, your senators will pay attention. Small business owners have a crucial role to play in this debate — can you spare a minute to help enlist them in our campaign? And if you own your own business, add your voice today. http://my.barackobama.com/businessletter Thank you for your continued support, Jeremy Jeremy Bird Deputy Director Organizing for America P.S. — Not a small business owner? In addition to passing this message along to any you know, sign your name in support of the President’s health care principles today.

Perhaps the President should think about putting together a workable health care reform package instead of remaining committed to cramming a government run program down our throats. It’s a certainty that if Lincoln and Pryor’s constituents supported Obama’s health care takeover, the Senators would already be lined up to support it as well.

The President needs to remember he works for us.

UPDATE 3:16 PM CST (7/24/09)–1 more Republican signed (87 so far), ALL Democrats still refuse to sign the pledge!

UPDATE 8:09 PM CST (7/23/09)–3 more Republicans signed (86 so far), NO Democrats have signed the pledge!

UPDATE 7:23 PM CST (7/22/09)–2 more Republicans signed (83 so far), still no Democrats taking the pledge.

UPDATE 12:18 PM CST (7/22/09)–3 more Republicans signed today, still no Democrats taking the pledge.

UPDATE 3:39 PM CST–78 Republicans have now signed, still not a single Democrat

UPDATE 1:17 PM CST–Statement from Senator Blanche Lincoln (see below)

As of 12:16 pm CST, only 76 of the 535 members of Congress have signed The Responsible Health Care Reform Pledge being promoted by Let Freedom Ring, Inc.  Here’s the pledge:

It’s simple and straightforward.  Read and understand the yoke you are placing around our necks and give us ample time to examine it for ourselves before you limit our choices and place our health care system at the mercy of federal bureaucrats.

Not a single Democrat has signed the pledge! Ask yourself why?

We also need to ask why every Republican hasn’t signed yet.  Call your Congressmen and Senators and ask what’s keeping them from taking this pledge.

Early this morning, I contacted the offices of both my Senators, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and my Representative, Marion Berry.  I identified myself as a constituent and a blogger and was referred to their press secretaries.  None of the three were available so I left a detailed message on their voice mail asking for a statement as to whether they intend to sign the pledge and, if not, why not.  Three hours later, I have yet to receive statements from any of the three.

I’ll update this post if I hear from any of the three.

Statement from Senator Lincoln’s office “Senator Lincoln shares the concerns of most Americans about the outcome of the current health care debate. As a Member of the Senate Finance Committee, she is working on a daily basis to write a health care reform proposal that will stabilize health care costs, quality, and coverage for all Arkansans and all Americans. This process will leave her well-versed on any proposal put forward by the Senate Finance Committee. This committee is charged with the responsibility of paying for health care reform and Senator Lincoln has made clear that she will support a plan that does not add to the deficit and does not raise taxes on hardworking Arkansas families.”

*Thanks to Senator Lincoln’s Press Secretary Katie Laning Niebaum for responding!

Still no pledge to sign, and no explanation why not but at least the Senator’s office makes an effort to her constituents.

Rep Marion Berry (D-AR)

As the President and his super majority in both houses of Congress lead us farther and farther down the perilous path toward Socialism, the American voters are beginning to arise from their slumber and realize this isn’t the change they thought they’d get when they voted last November.  Recent polls show Obama’s approval numbers plumetting, Americans trust Republicans more than Democrats, and a majority of voters willing to vote the Republican ticket for Congress in 2010 in a generic ballot.

The shift in the American mood has caught many Democrats from conservative states flat-footed.  Following Obama’s January inauguration, these politicians bought the party line that the election gave them a mandate to completely reorganize the United States into something more closely resembling Venezuela, Cuba, or the old Soviet Union.  Self-proclaimed Blue Dog Democrats marched in solidarity with the left-wing radicals of their party as they quadrupled the federal deficit and helped enslave future generations to mountains of new US debt.  As you might imagine, the public’s evaporating approval of Obama is rubbing off on those Democrats who want their constituents to believe they’re fiscal conservatives.  So what’s a Blue Dog Dem to do?

Sen Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

Judging from my Congressman and Senators, they’re sitting on the fence until the last possible moment.  Yesterday I called the offices of Congressman Marion Berry (D-AR-01), Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR).  I asked for each of their positions on the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA aka “Card Check”) and the Health Care Reform legislation currently making their way through Congress.  Their responses were noncommittal and vague, worthless really.  Pryor’s office informed me the Senator was waiting to see what came out of committee before making any statement.  The young lady I spoke with in Lincoln’s office informed me the Senator had not made a public statement on either of these pieces of legislation.  Congressman Berry’s aide with whom I spoke told me Berry was waiting to see what happened with “Card Check” legislation in the Senate before taking a position.  The best news I received from any of the three was Berry’s office’s response on the House Democrats’ health care bill.  I was told they were reading the “chronically long” bill and wouldn’t be able to take a position until they’d sorted through the 1,018 pages to see what’s inside.

Sen Mark Pryor (D-AR)

At least Berry’s reading the bill.  That’s the best I could get from both my Senators and my Representative, all Democrats, on two key pieces of legislation.  Even when asked what conditions would need to be met to earn or lose their support, none of the three would step up and give specifics.  Best I can tell…they’re not taking a stand, at all.  Their sitting on the fence as long as they can in the hopes of correctly judging the dominant political winds at the last possible moment.

To me, such a political strategy demonstrates a lack of conviction.  I want elected officials who will stand on principles rather than sit on fences.  So I thought I’d ask some of the potential Republican candidates who will challenge Lincoln and Berry next year to see if they’re standing up for their principles or polishing the top rail of this fence as well.  I emailed Rick Crawford, Curtis Coleman, and Tom Cox and asked the same questions.  Crawford has announced his intent to run for Berry’s seat next year, while Coleman and Cox are interested in unseating Lincoln.  Though I haven’t heard back from Cox, Crawford and Coleman quickly responded.  Read on and you’ll see these two Republicans who wish to represent you in Washington aren’t fence-sitters.  They’re willing to take a stand based on principle.  To avoid redundancy and for brevity, I’ll cover Coleman’s response to the Health Care legislation and Crawford’s response to “Card Check.”

Curtis Coleman

I knew Coleman had posted on Obama’s desire for a government health insurance earlier on his website, but that post dealt primarily with the inevitable end of private insurance if Obamacare becomes reality.  Today Coleman informed me of a new, more comprehensive post he released on the subject.   Here, he blasts Senator Lincoln for cosponsoring the original bill with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) in the Senate during the 109th Congress.  He goes on to state the government “will completely control your health care.”  Coleman also notes something in his paper that inexplicably escapes virtually every Democratic politician.  Though the Dems like to try and sell their Socialized medicine saying the government will pay for everyone’s health care, Coleman emphatically states “Of course the government won’t be paying for your health care–you will be.  The government only has the money it takes from you.”

Health care needs to be reformed, not destroyed. And destruction of the finest health care in the world is exactly what this seemingly harmless little “public health insurance option” will do.–Curtis Coleman

Rick Crawford

That doesn’t sound like Coleman has any doubts where he stands, unlike his Democratic rival and her Democratic colleague.  Now let’s take a look at what Rick Crawford has to say about the inappropriately named Employee Free Choice Act (aka “Card Check”).

In Crawford’s reply to my questions, there was no hesitation, no equivocation.  “I do not support the Employee Free Choice Act, or Card Check. I’m against denying anyone the right to a secret ballot – a critical element of a representative republic such as ours. That’s the fundamental issue – a secret ballot,” he states.  This one statement displays a glaring contrast between Rick and his opponent, Marion Berry.  While Berry sits on the sidelines, waiting for the battle to be nearly over, waiting to make up his mind, the left-wing zealots pushing this legislation are gaining strength in their efforts to force virtually all American workers to pay extortionists in the form of union organizers.  Vocal, steadfast opposition from Berry would show courage and conviction in standing up for his constituents.  The worst part is that Berry isn’t hesitating in order to make the right decision, but to make the decision that involves the least amount of political risk.  That’s not leadership, it’s self-serving political preservation devoid of the hindrance of any principles or moral base.  Crawford, on the other hand, stands tall and clearly states his position based on his belief in what is best for the country and his would-be constituents.

The Republican candidate for Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District described the adverse economic impact Card Check will impose also–especially on low-income Americans.  The suffering Americans will endure will come in the form of higher prices and higher unemployment when American companies are forced to 1) raise prices for their products, 2) move their operations offshore, or  3) both.  If we force companies and jobs overseas through this legislation, the federal government will see a net decrease in tax revenues as a result.  Then where do you think they’ll come to make up their shortfall?  That’s right, us!  So even though Card Check won’t directly charge us a tax, in the end it will cause tax rates to increase to cover the cash crunch created by the Democratic geniuses who pushed this through.

Crawford closed his response to my questions with the following statement that addresses the history of union thuggery that will almost certainly be encouraged if this bill becomes law.

If pro-union groups are so convinced that a union shop is the best choice for American workers, it ought to be an easy sell. Rather than implement strongarm tactics, let workers enjoy the sanctity of the secret ballot without fear of reprisal. If unions are such a great deal, pro-union groups should have no doubt what the outcome would be. –Rick Crawford

I think we can safely infer from Crawford’s response that he’s not sitting on the fence either.

Unlike their Democratic incumbents, Crawford and Coleman know where they stand on these important issues and they’re not afraid to let the people know.  We need real leaders in the Senate and House, real leaders who will stand for what’s right, not just what’s politically expedient.  Our Democratic Senators and Representatives are showing themselves to be anything but leaders.  They’ve voted too many times as lap dogs for Pelosi and Obama, instead of conservative Blue Dogs.  It’s time we had real conservative leaders representing Arkansans’ conservative values.

Contact Berry, Lincoln, and Pryor and let them know if they won’t stand up for Arkansans, there are folks who are willing to send them home when their terms are up.  Next year for Berry and Lincoln, 2014 for Pryor.

Congressman Marion Berry 2305 Rayburn H.O.B. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-4076 (202) 225-5602 FAX

Senator Blanche Lincoln 355 Dirksen Senate Building Washington, DC 20510-0404 Phone: (202)224-4843 Fax: (202)228-1371

Senator Mark Pryor 255 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2353 Fax: (202) 228-0908

John Allison III Cabot, AR US
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

As Matt wrote on Friday, a majority of the DC City Council Members wrote a letter to Arne Duncan expressing their strong support of the DC voucher program, including expansion of the program beyond those currently using scholarships.  The WSJ has yet another great editorial on the topic.  It says, in part:

Earlier this year Illinois Senator Dick Durbin added language to a spending bill that phases out the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program after next year. The program provides 1,700 kids $7,500 per year to use toward tuition at a private school of their parents’ choosing. Mr. Durbin’s amendment says no federal money can be spent on the program beyond 2010 unless Congress reauthorizes it and the D.C. Council approves.

The D.C. Council’s letter shows that support for these vouchers is real at the local level and that the opposition exists mainly at the level of the national Democratic Party. Mr. Durbin has suggested that he included the D.C. Council provision in deference to local control. “The government of Washington, D.C., should decide whether they want it in their school district,” he said in March. Well now we know where D.C. stands. We will now see if the national party stands for putting union power and money above the future of poor children.

Will others who’ve offered DC local control as a reason for opposing the voucher program now come out in support of it?  (I’m looking at you, Kevin Carey.)

Unfortunately, even as vouchers benefited from the support of the DC City Council, Senator Durbin was busy introducing new, onerous regulations on the program in an appropriations bill last week.  In particular, his measures would require participating private schools to take the DC public school test rather than a nationally-normed standardized test, even though they may not have the same curriculum as DCPS.  His measures would also require the Secretary of Education to prohibit voucher students from attending any private school that was not deemed “superior” to DC public schools.  The language is unclear as to whether that means the average DC public schools, the best, the worst, or what. 

You know, this may not be such a bad idea.  Maybe no DC public school students should be forced to attend a public school that is worse than average.  How about if we offer them vouchers?

Wait, I’m sure that was not the intent of the new Durbin measures.  The clear purpose is to strangle the program with reasonable-sounding but truly crippling regulation while the entire program is eventually eliminated. 

Senator Feinstein attempted to remove the Durbin measures in the full committee and Senators Landreau and Byrd joined her in that effort.  But they failed on a tie vote.  It was particularly disappointing to see Senator Mark Pryor vote with Durbin.  Pryor has to be careful not to move further left than his Arkansas constituents as he follows the national leadership or he could finally face a serious challenger for re-election.

On June 26, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) by a vote of 219-212.  This landmark climate change legislation requires that the United States reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2020. ACES also requires electricity providers to produce 20% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Representative Vic Snyder voted yes on the bill. Representatives Mike Ross, Marion Berry, and John Boozeman voted no. Now the bill is under consideration in the Senate.

First, Eddy and I would like to thank the following businesses for signing a letter to our congressional delegation, telling them we want this bill passed!

• Viridian (Chris Ladner – Little Rock)
• Nmf, Inc./ Addision Shoe Company (Martha Jane Murray – Wynne)
• Colliers International (Ramsay Ball)
• Trio’s Restaurant (Brent Peterson – Little Rock)
• Sun City Solar Energy of the Ozarks (John Gerrard)
• Lilly’s Dim Sum Then Some (Kathy Webb – Little Rock)
• Adam Weeks Law Firm (Adam Weeks – Little Rock)
• Capi’s Restaurant (Capi Peck – Little Rock)
• Hoo Knows Biz2Biz NWA (Janie Pritchett-Clark)
• Natural Environments (Bill Ball – Little Rock)
• Shuffield Family Farm (Christian Shuffield – Little Rock)
• Natural Food Store (Perry Ambrose – Searcy)
• Laughing Stock Farm (Josh Hardin – Grady
• Good Things Boutique (Jessy Lang – Fayetteville)
• Terra Tots (Bernice Hembree – Fayetteville)
• Electric Transportation of Arkansas (Dale Bevans – Little Rock)
• Jammin Java (Brandon Karn – Fayetteville)
• The Green Corner Store (Shelley Green – Little Rock)
• Crossroads Green (Gerald Cound – Little Rock)
• The Inn at Bella Vista (Bill Williams – Bella Vista)
• The B. Williams Golf School (Beverly Williams – Bella Vista)
• Salt of the Earth Landscaping (Jonathan Wilkins – Little Rock)
• DBLD Sustainable Lighting Design (Derry Berrigan – Rogers)
• All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning (Josh Liljenberg – Rogers)
• Liberty Solar Solutions (Chuck & Susan Stewart – Hot Springs Village)
• Nest Handmade/TBS (Brianna Johnson Moore – Hot Springs)
• The ROOT Cafe (Jack Sundell – Little Rock)
• The Station Grocery & Deli (Holly Ingebo & Casey Pierce – Little Rock)
• Green Power Videos (Bob Nagy – Hot Springs)
• Taylor/Kempkes Architects, P.A. (Anthony Taylor – Hot Springs National Park)
• MESA Landscape Architects (Mark Robertson – Little Rock)
• Chidester Engineering, PLLC (James S. Chidester – Cabot)
• Solar Source Consulting (Frank Kelly – Little Rock)
• Sun City Solar Energy of the Ozarks (John Gerrard – Springdale)
• Coldwell Banker (Georgia “Peach” Holland – Eureka Springs)
• La Quinta Inn & Suites (Toni Luetjen – Bentonville)
• Mountain Air Natural Beds (Joyce Robertson – Fayetteville)
• Corrugated Pallet Group (Brian P. Down – Fayetteville)
• Winds of Change Leaseholding, LLC (Nathan Wilson – Humphrey)
• Two Moons Ranch (Andy Cheshier – Booneville)
• Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects (Joe Stanley – Little Rock)
• Smith’s (Whetstone Company) (Dan Glidden – Hot Springs)
• Premier Staffing, Inc. (Mary Segraves – Little Rock)
• Programming & Design Associates (Jeanne Neath & Paula Mariedaughter – St. Paul)
• Promolife, Inc. (Yvonne Segal – Fayetteville)
• Smith Insurance of Helena, Inc. (Kevin A. Smith – Helena-West Helena)
• Frank A. Rogers and Company (Will Rogers – West Memphis)
• HERS, Inc. (Ron Hughes – Little Rock)
• Digital Hearing Systems Corp (Tony Miltich – Rogers)

Do you own a business and support this historic climate change bill? If so, it’s not too late to sign the letter. Email Eddy Moore (lemthree@gmail.com) or me (ueda.nao@sbcglobal.net), and we will add you to the list of Arkansas business leaders who support ACES.

Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor need to hear from you! Sign the letter telling our senators that Arkansas businesses support clean energy and green jobs!

For more information, contact Eddy Moore at lemthree@gmail.com or (501)772-5426.