Major Political Changes in the USA

[DudeAsInCool]

Bush Numbers Up - But People Want Out of Iraq

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/12/07/...in1107196.shtml

[DudeAsInCool]

U.S., Under Fire, Eases Its Stance in Climate Talks

MONTREAL, Saturday, Dec. 10 - The United States dropped its opposition early Saturday morning to nonbinding talks on addressing global warming after a few words were adjusted in the text of statements that, 24 hours earlier, prompted a top American official to walk out on negotiations.

http://nytimes.com/2005/12/10/internationa...artner=homepage

[DudeAsInCool]

Gay cowboys hit U.S. screen, but no rings just yet

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A gay cowboy movie won rave reviews on Friday as mainstream Hollywood embraced the tale of Marlboro men in love, but for most gay Americans the acceptance symbolized by marriage remains a distant dream.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051209/film_n...HBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-

[Wolfie]

Senate blocks attempt to allow drilling in Alaska refuge

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate blocked oil drilling in an Alaska wildlife refuge Wednesday, rejecting a must-pass defense spending bill where supporters positioned the quarter-century-old environmental issue to garner broader support.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/21/arc...g.ap/index.html

To quote Nelson: HAA HAAA! :bigsmile:

Tagging the ANWAR drilling with the military and Katrina relief budget was a dirty trick designed by Ted "drillem and killem" Stevens. I am glad it backfired on him.

Drill this, Ted! alternatingFU

[Wolfie]

Americans back Bush on wiretapping, Cheney insists

Mr Cheney, however, dismissed the idea that Americans were concerned about a potential abuse of power, saying that any backlash was likely to punish the President's critics, not Mr Bush.

http://smh.com.au/news/world/americans-bac...5032081437.html

Of course, we all know how much in touch Mr. Cheney is with the American public from his regular undisclosed location. :rolleyes:

[DudeAsInCool]

Republican Budget Cuts - Student Aid, Medicare for Elderly/The same guys who wanted an increased military budget!

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 - Nearly one-third of all the savings in the final budget bill comes from student aid, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday.

Under the bill, college students would pay higher interest rates on loans. Many banks will receive lower subsidies. And the Education Department will work with the Internal Revenue Service to ferret out students and parents who underreport incomes on financial aid applications. The budget bill is estimated to save $39.7 billion over the next five years. Student aid accounts for $12.7 billion of the savings, or 32 percent.

Not since 1997 has Congress made such an ambitious effort to slow the growth of benefit programs. The legislation includes these changes:

¶States would have sweeping new authority to impose premiums and co-payments on millions of low-income people covered by Medicaid. States can also scale back benefits for many recipients.

¶For the elderly, it would be more difficult to qualify for Medicaid coverage for nursing home care if they transfer assets to their children or other relatives for less than fair market value.

¶Medicare would freeze payments for home health services and reduce payments for medical imaging.

¶Welfare recipients would be subject to stricter work requirements. States would be subject to new financial penalties unless they put more people to work or further reduce the number of families receiving assistance.

¶Aid that helps states collect child support from absent parents would be reduced.

The Bush administration worked closely with Republicans in Congress on provisions that affect student aid. But Education Secretary Margaret Spellings declined to comment until the bill cleared a final hurdle on Capitol Hill.

Republican negotiators said virtually all the cuts in student aid would be borne by banks and other lenders, an assertion sharply disputed by Democrats and college administrators, who said that two-thirds of the savings would be at the expense of students and their families.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/politics/22student.html

[Wolfie]

Report faults Homeland Security management

Inspector general also questions ability to oversee contracts

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Weaknesses in FEMA's response system during Hurricane Katrina were just one symptom of major management challenges at the Homeland Security Department, an internal report issued Wednesday concludes.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/29/hom...a.ap/index.html

Another Bush appointee screw up. Are we at all surprised? <_>

[Wolfie]

Once again brought to you by the Department of Obvious:

Poll: Half believe Congress is dirty

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- About half of U.S. adults believe most members of Congress are corrupt, a poll released Tuesday suggests.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/03/pol...mage/index.html

[Wolfie]

Lobbyist admits to kickbacks, fraud

Abramoff agrees to cooperate in Washington corruption probe

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former high-powered lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion charges, agreeing to cooperate in a federal corruption probe in Washington.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/03/abr...index.html#joke

I could not have said any better than Fark:

Media reports that Abramoff last seen heading toward fan with a bucket of something stinky

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Wolfie]

Cheney: NSA eavesdropping critical to U.S. security

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a robust defense of the nation's post-9/11 domestic eavesdropping program, Vice President Dick Cheney on Wednesday said the tool is "critical" for U.S. national security.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/04/cheney.nsa/index.html

They could not have picked a better stock photo for this particular story. Of course, being full time in his undisclosed location photo opportunities can be rare.

[Wolfie]

Bush talks Iraq with former Cabinet officials

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- President Bush reached Thursday beyond his tight circle of trusted aides to solicit views on Iraq of former secretaries of state and defense, including some who have publicly criticized his policy.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/05/bus...reut/index.html

Main topic being: How come none of you yes-men morons stopped me?!?

[Wolfie]

Dozens of lawmakers jettison Abramoff donations

Republicans make up three quarters of those donating funds

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush and numerous lawmakers hastily jettisoned campaign donations linked to lobbyist Jack Abramoff on Wednesday as Republican Party officials pondered the impact of a spreading scandal on their 2006 election prospects.

"I wish it hadn't happened because it's not going to help us keep our majority," conceded Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Ohio.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/05/abr...t.ap/index.html

Only senility would explain saying something THAT retarded IN PUBLIC!! Either that or the rest of the GOP seem to be coming down with what Bush has.

I am not sure if I should be mad or laugh my ass off.

[DudeAsInCool]

Schwarzenegger proposes huge spending in key speech

SACRAMENTO (Reuters) - A year after picking a bitter fight with legislators that he ended up losing at the polls, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a massive 10-year spending plan on Thursday aimed at winning back Californian support ahead of his November re-election effort.

Addressing legislators in his annual "state of the state" address, the Republican governor proposed $222.6 billion in spending on schools and infrastructure over the next decade that would include a record $68 billion of new debt.

Speaking at the state capitol before a legislature dominated by Democrats he once ridiculed as "girlie men," the former movie star and bodybuilding champion outlined a long-term vision of spending to improve and expand the state's schools, roads, water supply and public safety.

"The people, who always have the last word, sent a clear message: Cut the warfare, cool the rhetoric, find common ground and fix the problems together. To my fellow Californians I say -- message received," Schwarzenegger said.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle....WARZENEGGER.xml

Go Arnold! If the rest of the Republicans are smart, they will begin thinking like Democrats

[Wolfie]

DeLay finished as majority leader

Texan says he will not try to regain post, will seek re-election

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Tom DeLay announced Saturday he will not try to reclaim the House majority leader post he had held for three years, but the Republican said he will seek re-election in his Texas district when his term expires in November.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/07/delay/index.html

That's really bad when your own party decides you are a liability. Delay and Lott should start thier own company: Discarded GOP Leaders Inc.

[DudeAsInCool]

GOP Scrambles to Offset Being Labeled the Party of Corruption

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10756433/site/newsweek/

It's way too late - actually it's pretty sad. Is there any doubt that

the Dems will take over Congress?

[DudeAsInCool]

Verizon to Halt Pension Money for Its Managers

Verizon Communications, the nation's second-largest phone company, said today that it would stop making contributions to the guaranteed pension plan covering 50,000 of its managers and offer them 401(k) plans instead.

More Companies Ending Promises for Retirement

The death knell for the traditional company pension has been tolling for some time now. Companies in ailing industries like steel, airlines and auto parts have thrown themselves into bankruptcy and turned over their ruined pension plans to the federal government.

Now, with the recent announcements of pension freezes by some of the cream of corporate America - Verizon, Lockheed Martin, Motorola and, just last week, I.B.M. - the bell is tolling even louder. Even strong, stable companies with the means to operate a pension plan are facing longer worker lifespans, looming regulatory and accounting changes and, most important, heightened global competition. Some are deciding they either cannot, or will not, keep making the decades-long promises that a pension plan involves.

http://nytimes.com/2006/01/09/business/09p...artner=homepage

Of course the CEO's will not cut back on their huge bonuses and parachutes - let's face it, these guys are PIGS!

[Wolfie]

Texas court declines to dismiss DeLay charges

Former House majority leader denies wrongdoing

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The state's highest criminal court on Monday denied Rep. Tom DeLay's request that the money laundering charges against him be dismissed or sent back to a lower court for an immediate trial.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/09/delay.ap/index.html

Dosen't look like he is smiling for photo ops anymore.

[Wolfie]

Attorney: $115,000 paid to DeLay's wife fair

An attorney for U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on Monday said that $115,000 was a reasonable price to pay the congressman’s wife to determine favorite congressional charities and compile information on each one.

http://www.khou.com/news/local/politics/st...e.63267241.html

:I value your imput:

[DudeAsInCool]

Dick Morris: The Country Is Turning Left

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/The...ris/011106.html

About time :good job:

[Wolfie]

Rep. Ney under pressure to resign chairmanship

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert is trying to force out Ohio Rep. Bob Ney as chairman of the House Administration Committee, a week after Justice Department documents linked Ney to a bribery scheme involving convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/13/ney...p.ap/index.html

Its like a GOP shooting gallery out there.

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

[Wolfie]

Dick Morris: The Country Is Turning Left

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/The...ris/011106.html

About time :good job:

Ditto. :bigsmile:

[Wolfie]

High court upholds Oregon assisted-suicide law

6-3 majority says state powers trump federal rules; Roberts' first dissent

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court upheld Oregon’s one-of-a-kind physician-assisted suicide law Tuesday, rejecting a Bush administration attempt to punish doctors who help terminally ill patients die.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10891536/

In an absolutely SHOCKING development Chief Justice Roberts' vote sided with the Bush administration!! :rolleyes:

[Wolfie]

No evidence of pump price profiteering: Bodman

Apr 30, 2006 — By Chris Baltimore

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration sees no direct evidence of profiteering by big U.S. oil companies and is doing all it can to tame near-record prices, U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said on Sunday.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1907119

Shocker of the week, ain't it?

[DudeAsInCool]

The country has gone through a number of changes since we started this thread -- what become crystal clear is that the Bush administration has gone from having a high approval rating to a sinking ship in just a short amount of time - and he is taking the whole Republican Party with him. The latest polls:

Just 33 percent of the public approves of Bush’s job performance, the lowest of his presidency. That compares with 36 percent approval in early April. Forty-five percent of self-described conservatives now disapprove of the president.

Just one-fourth of the public approves of the job Congress is doing, a new low in AP-Ipsos polling and down 5 percentage points since last month. A whopping 65 percent of conservatives disapprove of Congress.

A majority of Americans say they want Democrats rather than Republicans to control Congress (51 percent to 34 percent). That’s the largest gap recorded by AP-Ipsos since Bush took office. Even 31 percent of conservatives want Republicans out of power.

The souring of the nation’s mood has accelerated in the past three months, with the percentage of people describing the nation on the wrong track rising 12 points to a new high of 73 percent. Six of 10 conservatives say America is headed in the wrong direction.

Source: MSNBC

[DudeAsInCool]

Bush's Numbers Sink Again - How Low Can They Go?

WASHINGTON — President Bush's approval rating has slumped to 31% in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, the lowest of his presidency and a warning sign for Republicans in the November elections.

The survey of 1,013 adults, taken Friday through Sunday, shows Bush's standing down by 3 percentage points in a single week. His disapproval rating also reached a record: 65%. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.

Read more:

Source: USA Today