The American Dream -- we all know what it is, but President Barack Obama has put it into words for us. In his 2011 State of the Union speech, President Obama told Congress and the nation:
"As contentious and frustrating and messy as our democracy can sometimes be, I know there isn’t a person here who would trade places with any other nation on Earth. We may have differences in policy, but we all believe in the rights enshrined in our Constitution. We may have different opinions, but we believe in the same promise that says this is a place where you can make it if you try. We may have different backgrounds, but we believe in the same dream that says this is a country where anything’s possible. No matter who you are. No matter where you come from."
But since 2010, from Washington to Lansing, the American Dream has been under vicious attack. The idea of America as "a place where you can make it if you try" is eroding, as more and more protections for working families are dismantled. Livingston County Democrats know that the future of working people will be on the line in the November election and we are gearing up to Defend the Dream during the 2012 election campaign.
Livingston County Democrats will kick off the 2012 election season next month with their 29th annual Winans Dinner with the theme "Defend the Dream." A great line-up of invited guests highlights the evening.
The event, set for Friday, May 11, includes U.S. Sen. Carl Levin as the top invited guest, as well as Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. Democratic nominees for the Michigan Supreme Court, Bridget McCormack and the Hon. Shelia Johnson have confirmed that they will attend, as well as Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing.
Candidates for state and local office will also be on hand, including Shanda Willis, candidate for the state House from the 42nd District, and Shawn Lowe Desai, candidate for the state House from the 47th District, as well as Matt Evans, candidate for Livingston County Prosecutor.
The event is the Livingston Dems' most important fund-raiser of the year. Funds from the dinner will help support Democratic candidates up and down the ticket Defend the Dream of America as a place where "you can make it if you try."
Tickets are $50 per person through April 30 and $60 per person after that. The event, which begins at 6 p.m., includes a cash bar, snacks, dinner, and a silent auction. Vegetarian options are available with advance notice. You can order tickets on-line through ActBlue.
Call (810) 229-4212 or email livcodems@gmail.com for more information.
Showing posts with label Carl Levin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carl Levin. Show all posts
Friday, April 20, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Levin Sheds Light on Link Between Gas Prices, Speculators
If you're like me, you get a lot of emails from politicians, some asking for money, others keeping you up to date on their activities. Some you open, glance through, and forget about. A few make an impact.
Sen. Carl Levin most recent email -- on gas prices -- fell into that last category. Republicans have been trying to make hay against President Obama as gas prices have risen in recent months. Estimates are that as much as 56 cents of the cost of each gallon of gas is due to speculators. And 80 percent of the trades made on a barrel of oil are made by speculators, according to testimony to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by Levin.
The excessive speculation distorts the relationship between supply and demand. As Levin explained, speculation keeps prices from falling when demand is low because speculators are betting that the price will eventually go back up, even if demand is low right now.
"Nowadays, that relationship is largely absent. There is no shortage in the supply of oil globally, and the United States is producing more oil than it has in a decade. Last year, the United States actually exported more gasoline and other petroleum products than we imported. At the same time, U.S. demand for fuel actually sank," Levin's email said.
"Under normal economic conditions, rising production and lower demand should mean lower prices. Instead, prices are more volatile than ever. One key reason is that speculators are playing too large a role in the oil market. If we are to get a handle on oil prices, we have to curb excessive speculation."
So why doesn't Congress do something? Turns out it already has. The Dodd-Frank Act passed in July 2010 told the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to establish trading limits to prevent speculators from dominating markets and distorting prices. The CFTC wrote the rules, but they are not yet in force because the financial industry has filed a lawsuit to stop the new rules and throw them out permanently.
Levin last week worked with a group of 18 other U.S. senators to file a brief with the court in support of the rules imposing limits on speculators. The brief stresses that the Dodd-Frank Act required limits on speculators, limits that were first put in place in 1936.
Lots of money is at stake, and the financial industry will be well-funded in this court fight. Levin is right to highlight that speculators are driving up the cost of oil.
Sen. Carl Levin most recent email -- on gas prices -- fell into that last category. Republicans have been trying to make hay against President Obama as gas prices have risen in recent months. Estimates are that as much as 56 cents of the cost of each gallon of gas is due to speculators. And 80 percent of the trades made on a barrel of oil are made by speculators, according to testimony to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by Levin.
The excessive speculation distorts the relationship between supply and demand. As Levin explained, speculation keeps prices from falling when demand is low because speculators are betting that the price will eventually go back up, even if demand is low right now.
"Nowadays, that relationship is largely absent. There is no shortage in the supply of oil globally, and the United States is producing more oil than it has in a decade. Last year, the United States actually exported more gasoline and other petroleum products than we imported. At the same time, U.S. demand for fuel actually sank," Levin's email said.
"Under normal economic conditions, rising production and lower demand should mean lower prices. Instead, prices are more volatile than ever. One key reason is that speculators are playing too large a role in the oil market. If we are to get a handle on oil prices, we have to curb excessive speculation."
So why doesn't Congress do something? Turns out it already has. The Dodd-Frank Act passed in July 2010 told the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to establish trading limits to prevent speculators from dominating markets and distorting prices. The CFTC wrote the rules, but they are not yet in force because the financial industry has filed a lawsuit to stop the new rules and throw them out permanently.
Levin last week worked with a group of 18 other U.S. senators to file a brief with the court in support of the rules imposing limits on speculators. The brief stresses that the Dodd-Frank Act required limits on speculators, limits that were first put in place in 1936.
Lots of money is at stake, and the financial industry will be well-funded in this court fight. Levin is right to highlight that speculators are driving up the cost of oil.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Levin Is Right: Filibuster Must Fall
Sen. Carl Levin is right -- the days of the filibuster in the Senate should be numbered.
Levin was speaking after two separate incidents of Republican shenanigans regarding the U.S. Senate's filibuster rule. The first was Sen. Richard Shelby's attempt to hold up all of President Obama's nominee until a French company received a military contract that would help his district. And the latest is an attempt to block an Obama appointee to the National Labor Relations Board, Craig Becker. Becker had a majority vote in favor of his routine appointment, but not the 60 required to break a filibuster.
Levin told the Huffington Post that this abuse of the filibuster can't continue.
"I think it will either fall of its own weight -- it should fall of its own weight -- or it will fall after some massive conflict on the floor, which has happened in the past where there have been rulings from the chair that have led to reform," Levin said.
Republicans, of course, complained to high heaven that George Bush's appointments to the highest court in the land deserved "an up or down vote" but now they have no qualms about holding up the lowest level appointees about whom no questions have been raised, except that Obama appointed them.
Levin is right. Senate rules need reform. But hoping something will fall of its own weight someday isn't good enough. Somebody needs to give it a stiff push.
Levin was speaking after two separate incidents of Republican shenanigans regarding the U.S. Senate's filibuster rule. The first was Sen. Richard Shelby's attempt to hold up all of President Obama's nominee until a French company received a military contract that would help his district. And the latest is an attempt to block an Obama appointee to the National Labor Relations Board, Craig Becker. Becker had a majority vote in favor of his routine appointment, but not the 60 required to break a filibuster.
Levin told the Huffington Post that this abuse of the filibuster can't continue.
"I think it will either fall of its own weight -- it should fall of its own weight -- or it will fall after some massive conflict on the floor, which has happened in the past where there have been rulings from the chair that have led to reform," Levin said.
Republicans, of course, complained to high heaven that George Bush's appointments to the highest court in the land deserved "an up or down vote" but now they have no qualms about holding up the lowest level appointees about whom no questions have been raised, except that Obama appointed them.
Levin is right. Senate rules need reform. But hoping something will fall of its own weight someday isn't good enough. Somebody needs to give it a stiff push.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Levin: Cheney Admitted to Authorizing Torture
You'd think that trying to save the American auto industry and thousands of Michigan jobs would keep a senator so busy that he would have time for nothing else.
But if the senator is Michigan's Carl Levin, you'd be wrong.
That's because the Democratic chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee has also had time in recent days to keep an ear open to what the out-going Bush-Cheney team has been saying on their failure to America tour.
Specifically, Cheney's admission in a televised interview that he authorized water-boarding, a recognized form of torture since at least the Spanish Inquisition.
MSNBC's Rachel Maddow heard the interview, too, and called in Levin for an appearance on Wednesday (Dec. 17, 2008)
The rawstory has a story and the video of Levin's appearance. Levin plans to turn over his committee's report to the Obama Justice Department and urged creation of an independent commission, which, he said, could lead to indictments.
That's Levin -- working to save the economy one day and to save America's international reputation the next.
But if the senator is Michigan's Carl Levin, you'd be wrong.
That's because the Democratic chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee has also had time in recent days to keep an ear open to what the out-going Bush-Cheney team has been saying on their failure to America tour.
Specifically, Cheney's admission in a televised interview that he authorized water-boarding, a recognized form of torture since at least the Spanish Inquisition.
MSNBC's Rachel Maddow heard the interview, too, and called in Levin for an appearance on Wednesday (Dec. 17, 2008)
The rawstory has a story and the video of Levin's appearance. Levin plans to turn over his committee's report to the Obama Justice Department and urged creation of an independent commission, which, he said, could lead to indictments.
That's Levin -- working to save the economy one day and to save America's international reputation the next.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
There IS a Difference Between the Political Parties
Not everyone pays attention to politics on a daily basis. They have other concerns --family, school, jobs, and so on. Other people are just cynical about politics. There's no difference between the two parties, they say.
If Michigan people want to know if there truly is a difference between the parties, the possible vote on a loan to the auto industry is a good issue to examine.
Michigan Democratic Sen. Carl Levin has been one of the leaders. Republican Rep. Mike Rogers hasn't had much to say. What little he did say I had to force out of him.
But others in his party are actively fighting the proposal -- and threatening to filibuster it. Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby of Alabama seem to be hoping that the American auto industry goes under. If that happens, the difference between the parties will be framed in the starkest of terms -- one party stood up for American jobs, the other tried to kill them.
I wonder what the damage will be to Republicans in Michigan if (heaven forbid) the Alabama senators do succeed in sinking the auto industry loan. I don't see Mike Rogers standing up to them. I don't see Saul Anuzis talking sense to them.
Who's sticking up for you and your jobs, Michigan?
If Michigan people want to know if there truly is a difference between the parties, the possible vote on a loan to the auto industry is a good issue to examine.
Michigan Democratic Sen. Carl Levin has been one of the leaders. Republican Rep. Mike Rogers hasn't had much to say. What little he did say I had to force out of him.
But others in his party are actively fighting the proposal -- and threatening to filibuster it. Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby of Alabama seem to be hoping that the American auto industry goes under. If that happens, the difference between the parties will be framed in the starkest of terms -- one party stood up for American jobs, the other tried to kill them.
I wonder what the damage will be to Republicans in Michigan if (heaven forbid) the Alabama senators do succeed in sinking the auto industry loan. I don't see Mike Rogers standing up to them. I don't see Saul Anuzis talking sense to them.
Who's sticking up for you and your jobs, Michigan?
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Levin Wants Answers on Military Pundits
Was the Pentagon using TV pundits to spread its propaganda about how well the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are going?
That's what The New York Times claims in a story on Sunday (April 20, 2008).
Now Michigan Sen. Carl Levin wants some answers. Levin has written the Pentagon demanding answers to what looks like an attempt by the military to unfairly influence the information Americans get about the war they're paying for.
"While the media clearly have their own shortfalls for paying people to provide 'independent' analysis when they have such real and apparent conflicts, that doesn't excuse the Department's behavior in giving both special treatment and valuable access to analysts who provide commentary in favor of DoD's strategy, while not offereing similar access to some other analysts and cutting off access to others who didn’t deliver as expected," Levin wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Times' story indicates that military analysts hired by television networks to give unvarnished views to the American public on the wars are actually beholden to companies that profit from continuing the war. Furthermore, they are given special privileges by the Pentagon, such as special briefings, access to classified information, and trips to Iraq. Sometimes, these special briefings even include officials who have influence over contracts that are awarded.
In exchange, the TV pundits -- retired miliary officials -- are expected to provide favorable comments in their TV appearances. Those who don't are cut off from the privileges.
Levin's intervention merited the attention of The Times in editions for Saturday (April 26, 2008), as well as media watchdog sites such as Media Matters.
After Levin's letter, the Pentagon announced it was suspending the briefings.
But that shouldn't be enough for Levin. He needs to get to the bottom of what was going on, as he usually does.
That's what The New York Times claims in a story on Sunday (April 20, 2008).
Now Michigan Sen. Carl Levin wants some answers. Levin has written the Pentagon demanding answers to what looks like an attempt by the military to unfairly influence the information Americans get about the war they're paying for.
"While the media clearly have their own shortfalls for paying people to provide 'independent' analysis when they have such real and apparent conflicts, that doesn't excuse the Department's behavior in giving both special treatment and valuable access to analysts who provide commentary in favor of DoD's strategy, while not offereing similar access to some other analysts and cutting off access to others who didn’t deliver as expected," Levin wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Times' story indicates that military analysts hired by television networks to give unvarnished views to the American public on the wars are actually beholden to companies that profit from continuing the war. Furthermore, they are given special privileges by the Pentagon, such as special briefings, access to classified information, and trips to Iraq. Sometimes, these special briefings even include officials who have influence over contracts that are awarded.
In exchange, the TV pundits -- retired miliary officials -- are expected to provide favorable comments in their TV appearances. Those who don't are cut off from the privileges.
Levin's intervention merited the attention of The Times in editions for Saturday (April 26, 2008), as well as media watchdog sites such as Media Matters.
After Levin's letter, the Pentagon announced it was suspending the briefings.
But that shouldn't be enough for Levin. He needs to get to the bottom of what was going on, as he usually does.
Friday, April 25, 2008
So Who REALLY Supports the Troops?
Over half the members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors of a new G.I.-bill for our troops who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Guess who hasn't.
John McCain. And Republican Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan's 8th Congressional District.
The measure will return to the original intent of the World War II-era G.I. Bill, covering the full cost of a college education rather than only 60 to 70 percent. It is being pushed by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, as well as other major veterans organizations.
But McCain and Rogers are not on the list of sponsors, although both Democrats Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow are.
Isn't this a no-brainer? Shouldn't we be thanking our troops, many of whom are serving two or three tours of duty, with a G.I. Bill equivalent to the one that many of their grandfathers took advantage of? The $2 billion pricetag surely cannot be the reason. We spend that in a week in Iraq.
More and more we are hearing calls for bipartisanship. Certainly support for our returning veterans is one thing Democrats and Republicans should be able to agree on.
You can visit the IAVA page and send an email to Rogers telling him to put our money where his mouth is on supporting the troops.
Thank a vet for your freedom. Send him or her to college.
Guess who hasn't.
John McCain. And Republican Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan's 8th Congressional District.
The measure will return to the original intent of the World War II-era G.I. Bill, covering the full cost of a college education rather than only 60 to 70 percent. It is being pushed by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, as well as other major veterans organizations.
But McCain and Rogers are not on the list of sponsors, although both Democrats Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow are.
Isn't this a no-brainer? Shouldn't we be thanking our troops, many of whom are serving two or three tours of duty, with a G.I. Bill equivalent to the one that many of their grandfathers took advantage of? The $2 billion pricetag surely cannot be the reason. We spend that in a week in Iraq.
More and more we are hearing calls for bipartisanship. Certainly support for our returning veterans is one thing Democrats and Republicans should be able to agree on.
You can visit the IAVA page and send an email to Rogers telling him to put our money where his mouth is on supporting the troops.
Thank a vet for your freedom. Send him or her to college.
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