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The Nebraska Legislature is finally doing something right. From Paul Fell's blog
Thursday, March 24, 2011 Roaches Can Be A Real Bear When the Citizens United decision came down from the United States Supreme Court a little more than a year ago, we warned that a proverbial Pandora's box had been opened on the subject of campaign financing. We likened it to cracking open a roach motel.
We were far from the only ones to say similar things, on either the left or right.
With that idea in mind, it's actually somewhat refreshing to see the action that the Nebraska Legislature took on Wednesday to force some light onto the subject on campaign finance activities in Nebraska.
For those readers who missed the story, unanimous, bipartisan, first-round approval was given to LB606, a bill introduced by state senator Bill Avery, a former political science professor. This bill, if passed would force outside groups who attempt to skirt Nebraska's campaign finance laws to publicly disclose their spending, if they attack or support candidates directly, or distribute campaign advertising within thirty days of an election.
For our readers who don't know Nebraska very well, in the past the state has often hedged towards bi-partisan or non-partisan politics. For example, in Nebraska, voters can even register officially as "Non Partisan" or "NP", a designation at least one of our staff members has chosen for most of the last 20 years.
State Senator Avery is also a registered "non-partisan", yet there have been accusations thrown his way that attempt - and fail - to appear to make him out to be some kind of liberal who is intent on attacking Nebraska's campaign finance system.
This isn't a surprise to us, either, unfortunately.
The main group that Sen. Avery is attempting to force to do business in a more open fashion is a right-wing group known as "Americans For Prosperity", funded in part by the multi-billionaire Koch brothers. If the groups that the Koch Brothers support have proven anything over the past few years, it's that they'd be willing to call Mother Theresa a whore to her face if they thought it would help make them more money. Sliding a few more dollars towards those who oppose a simple state senator from Nebraska should be a piece of cake for groups like theirs, compared to the political battles they've fought in the public eye over the past few years.
It is interesting to note that zero - meaning not a single soul in the Nebraska legislature - voted to do what the Koch Brothers and "Americans for Prosperity" wanted, and kill Sen. Avery's bill, in this round.
We'd like to say that will be the end of this issue - but the actions of AFP and the Koch Brothers in the recent past have shown they believe everyone and everything is for sale, including elections.
Would full disclosure of who funds which nasty mailer or advertisement change the minds of all that many people? We're not entirely convinced it would.
It is the RIGHT thing to do in politics, however, so we are 100% in favor of that.
For now, we'll be glad at the turn of events in the Nebraska Unicameral, and we hope state Sen. Avery's bill becomes law. As most of us know, nothing makes the cockroaches run and hide like a little light. Posted by Staff at 8:36 AM 0 comments Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz // // //
Thom are going to take up the challenge or do you know you don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to the democRATs.
It's OK jsut through in the towel you know theres no hope for these RATS. Join us in taking over the Greens we could really use your help.
Our leaders today are becoming like tribes primates, conquest barbarians. They Idolizes the super rich.
Remember ~ Genghis Khan, Caesar etc. The arrival ?
Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul. (Mark Twain)
Radioactive particles are accumulating in our atmosphere only to eventually come down and burn up the vegetation. My understanding is that One speck of plutonium will kill you by eating up your red blood cells electrocution style ) Nuclear power a violation of nature? These plants must be shut down all over the world. Spreading these plants from sea to sea will only speed up the heating process and a good chance this planet and civiliztion will die out.
There are thoses who want to set fire to our world. We are in danger, There is only time to work slowly, There is no time not to love.( Denna Metzger.)
Hobbies, First of all, please use spell check, Second, where do you get Clinton's net worth? He is worth about $35~$38m depending on where you get your information, Nothing spectacular in this day and age. Think in terms of sports or entertainment personalities. I am speaking for myself, no one else. I don't get where you are coming from. I ilke Bernie Sanders, who do you like? What do you think of Republicans? Surely Decomrats aren't the only rats in the trap. I support Democrats, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. I can't support any Republicans, especially the newer Tea Party types. Like it or not, we have a choice of two parties with a chance of winning public office. Neither perfect, both corrupt to varying degrees. Ralph Nader is not a viable option, Debate him for what practical purpose? Who provides the best foundation to build on? For the average person, the Democratic party is built on the bedrock of Social Security, Medicare, worker's and civil rights. The Republicans are built on a foundation of quicksand. Hop on with them and you are going down fast.
I would like to fire an ectoplasmic slime ball of epic proportion at Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Walker Bush, their progenitors, and their heirs and assigns forever.
XXXXX
Miss dnarndem:
It’s apparent to me I’m having a discussion with an uneducated buffoon. You would rather change the subject, attack me and avoid a discussion of facts. Eleanor Roosevelt stated, “Great minds discuss ideas. Average mind discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” I’m sorry to say Miss dnarndem, you fit in the latter category.
I welcome any reader to pick up any history book to verify the facts I’ve written. Unlike you, I’m more interested in the truth than trying to win an argument.
Truthdig Radio: Dennis Kucinich Battles Libya Bombing
http://www.truthdig.com/podcast/audio/truthdig_radio_dennis_kucinich_battles_libya_bombing_20110323/
Hi mblockhart,
Here is an excerpt from the War Powers Resolution of 1973: President can send U.S. armed forces into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or if the United States is already under attack or serious threat.
The Libyan Adventure fails on the terms of both counts.
The War Powers Resolution though ratified twice, and over a presidential veto. Still does not supercede the wording of The U.S. Constitution. It actually gives the President too much additional power. This brings to mind that the sitting President has neglected his duties to the U.S. Constitution, and has committed an Act Of War, in violation of Article one Section eight of The U.S. Constitution. The 112TH Congress shall now have to take him to task, on this serious infraction, along with the Citizens of each individual State.
I'm hoping that this helps. thanks.
so I see Thom is avoiding my challenge of last night. Thom if your a true progressive prove why backing the democrats will help us when it hasn't in the last 1/3 of a century Thom debate some one like Ralph Nadar maybe you won't because your afraid to. Please prove me wrong. By the way Thom even though I am a fan I do not intend to stop egging you on till you either come up with a truely loggical reason to back these Bennidect Arnolds like Clinton a man who entered the presidentcy with less then $1,000,000.00 and within less then 8 years of leaving office was worth more then $100,000,000.00. I hope your reason for staying with these political spousal abuser is because you are some sort of victom of political spousal abuse and not because your hoping to accomplish what good old boy Bill did on a smaller scale.I f this is your reason progressives are truely in alot of trouble. You brought this sinicism on yourself by being condencending to all us progressives that have challenged you on your support of these democRATS. If you truely beleave in your support for these lying pigs you would being a better answers then your tried and failed approach of taking over this corrupt party.
The verdict is out on our Electorate - they were suckered big time into electing this brood of snakes! Now the question is - will they be smart enough to get rid of them? Will they also remember what they did longer than one election cycle? If not, say goodbye to America as we all once knew it!
I believe you got your history lessons from rep bachmann of minn!!!
None of your statements are correct. Suggest readers don't take it from me but get a GOOD American History book and read up the FACTS for themselves.
But I know what will happen when you challenge bicyclingjroad - he'll just state you read a commie liberal History book! And that Reagan never tried to kill gadaffy with one of our 1 miilion dollar missiles (hey wasn't he a republican?) that directly led to the Lokabeee terroist bombing that killed close to 300 people!
Selective history is NO history. Just Bunk.
These Republican incarnations of a richman's robinhood are nothing more than stooges of wealthy special interest. This pathethtic role, coupled with their scary " I'm Ronald Reagan" delusion, makes them dangerous, but also ultimately self-destructive. Political representation of 1% at the expense of 99%, which by the way the Tea Party folks are members of the latter, makes it reasonable to surmise that a prompt intervention will reverse this anti-democratic insanity. Medication should be large doses of fact-filled information. This DON'T TREAD ON DEMOCRACY tough love reality will bring Tea Party members out of their Murdoch induced Bachmann-like stupors and subvert future voting while sleepwalking. At this point our band of merry political hacks can move on to a Napoleon fantasy world and live together in exile on a remote island. They deserve this adult time-out after all of their wreckless self puffery and resulting damage to DEMOCRACY. Only one question remains, will there be enough food on the island for Christie?
Yes, we have some hooded robbers, governors who are hiding their evil doings from the sight of their citizens. But let's reveal their intentions--shine the light on them. New Jersey has a recall process; Maine and Ohio have state-wide intiative processes. Encourage citizens in those states to right the wrongs of these robbers of the people. And social networks exist to organize such endeavors with minimal expense.
So, I would be interested in knowing what state that now has a Republican governor, is not being taken to the rich cleaners. Tom talks about three. I live in Michigan where there are huge huge questionable things going on. And then, look at Wisconsin and Florida. So, how many states are being handed over to the wealthiest few and leaving everyone else in the dust. It certainly isn't three. Oh, and where are the jobs?
Rural Activists; Believe me, I share your anger with what is taking place in this Country right now, but the time to have been angry was last November! We have a Constitution, even though it it hard to recognize, this contract is so we do not have to act like the people of Libya or Egypt ect ect. Maybe this is exactly what the people of this Country needs to open their eyes in 2012! Maybe after a couple of years of being ruled over by a tyranny we will show up at the voting booths.
Mathboy with regards to the daily poll. None of the links above go to the poll. However, if you go to www.thomhartmann.com it is on that page.
Ok, I'm going to try to sound like a republican and see if I get it right: Qadafi caused the earthquake in Japan, because God is mad at gay people. He did it by putting a big stick in the ground and banging his head against it. Qadafi also caused the tsunami, because God is mad at people who might at some future point in time think about being gay. He caused the tsunami by spinning counterclockwise in an office chair. And of course Qadafi is causing the radiation leaks because God hates people who get abortions. Also, Qadafi is hiding Saddam's weapons of mass destruction under his bed, which is why we have to take his bed out, and in order to take his bed out, we have to take him out, because he's sleeping in his bed.
We're just lucky we have nuclear physicist Ann Coulter to bring some sanity to this discussion. Ms. Coulter tells us that nuclear radiation is not only safe, but it prevents cancer, whooping cough, and it cures the galloping never-get-overs. Nuclear radiation is nutritious. I mean, have you ever heard of anyone who was exposed to nuclear radiation who got a cold? No you haven't, and it's because God likes people who are exposed to radiation. The only reason that Americans have been losing their jobs, health insurance, and houses, is because they're not exposed to enough nuclear radiation, so God mistakes them for Muslims and ruins their lives. It's their own fault. My sources tell me that Ms. Coulter has already moved downwind of the Japanese nuclear power plants, to take full advantage of the amazing health benefits of nuclear radiation, and in fact she is chowing down on nuclear radiation even as I write these words. Oh yes, and before I forget to mention it, although qadafi has killed far fewer innocent people than George Bush or even Barak Obama, the thing is, the innocent people that Qadafi killed were more important than the innocent people that our military has killed, because God liked the people that Qadafi killed, and He is completely indifferent to the people that our military kills.
Ok Fox Corporation, now will you give me a job reporting the news?
Once again the super rich and their standing armies behind them are once again taking us all to the cleaners. It seems our unhappy leaders of great wealth have nothing else to do but bring about the lowest practice of degenerating mankind with its brutal, barbarian cruelty that is incomprehensiible, not to menton divid and conquer.. Meanwhile the world is on the blink of self-annihilation. One has to wonder at times if civiliztion has been a mistake. We work so hard to build a working society, to share with each other the game of life and to bring about happiness wonder and love in the world. This is what we should be reflecting to the rest of the world, How well love can work. Imagine !
COME ON AMERICA! Let's GO! It's time to take it to the streets NOW while the world is watching us. We have one of the most corrupt and illegitimate governments in the world. Our government has been bought and paid for by corporations since the very beginning of this Nation. When will people read their history and realize this has been going on since before the signing of the constitution! Citizens have been fighting this for CENTURIES. This is nothing new, now it just seems like corporate colonization of our minds has created a public with the memory and attention span of goldfish. Divest from the system! Maybe we should all stop paying our mortgages, credit card bills, electric bils, etc. until we get results! I've had enough, I'll see you in the streets!
The Robin Hood mythos has proved ultra-durable over the centuries. Use the existing framework which is ingrained in the collective unconscious.
No ... Walker, Christy etc. are NOT "Robin Hood". They are the equivavlent to the Sheriff of Nottingham, the evil lackey of the billionaire Prince John (of Koch Estates?)
The evil Governor of Nottingham, enslaving and ripping off the poor for the benefit of himself and his corporate lord & parton, the evil Prince John (who conspired to have the real king "Uncle Sam" locked in a dungeon).
Today's ROBIN HOODs (in WI) are the ones spearheading the recall elections. Or the WI-14 who fled the Sheriff's sheriffs across the state line to Sherwood Forest, IL.
As Joseph Yoda Campbell might have said..."The power of myth should you use."
When the hell are the people in this country going to get up and take back the country from corporate powers? Seriously, this is the time! The people of the Middle East and North Africa have set a pretty good example for us, yet few are taking action. We need to rise up NOW while our government is proclaiming that killing peaceful protesters is unacceptable. Have people forgotten about the real history of this country, how people have been SLAUGHTERED because of corporate control of the government? Hasn't anyone read the history of We The People who have been fighting elitists since before the signing of the Constitution? Let's start taking to the streets, march on the Capitol and deliver our List of Grievances which includes the end of corporate power and the obliteration on Monopolies (just for starters). Capitalism perpetuates poverty, and the corporation greatly exploits this. Revolution NOW people! This is the time.
P.S. A great study guide to learn about the rise of corporate power and the control of the elitist class can be found at the Women's International League For Peace and Freedom: http://www.wilpf.org/CPOWER_10sessions
You'll be amazed and outraged! Maybe you'll finally DO something about it!
In searching for the daily poll (still haven't found it), I discovered that people are apparently making member blog posts under the impression that they're simply commenting on the day's show. This really buries the blog posts that try to say something less ephemeral.
I'm not surprised to hear that synthroid is the most prescribed medicine. Half the women I know are on it.
Today's governors rant video should be posted so we can share it on Facebook and/or blog! Thanks!!