President Obama’s Weekly Video Update – Working To Fulfill Promises

In this video update President Obama talks about how the budget he sent to Congress this week will begin to fulfill promises he made as a candidate …

Top 10 Facts About President Obama’s Budget

TOP 10 FACTS:  

WHAT DOES PRESIDENT OBAMA’S BUDGET DO FOR YOU? 

Yesterday, President Obama delivered to Congress a budget outline that lays the groundwork for our country’s economic recovery and future growth and stability. Included in this budget are significant efforts to reverse the record deficits and debt that were largely brought on by years of reckless borrowing and irresponsible governing. While there is no denying a tough road ahead, the President’s budget invests in key areas that will continue our efforts to ease the pain for Americans and provide a plan for long-term recovery, including: 

1. Returns to an honest budget that accounts for anticipated costs, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, AMT, Medicare doctor payments, and responding to natural disasters. 

2. Cuts the deficit the President inherited ($1.3 trillion in 2009) by half by 2012. 

3. Makes tough choices, demonstrating how the President will take on powerful special interests and pay for his priorities: health care reform, tax relief for 95% of Americans, clean energy and other priorities.  

4. Reinstates pay-as-you-go budgeting, strengthening the rule so that we pay for what we buy, which helped reign-in deficits in the 1990s and led to a budget surplus. 

5. Restores fairness to the tax code, including tax cuts for 95% of Americans making less than $250,000 a year and tax cuts for college expenses and retirement savings. Allows tax rates to go back to Clinton-era levels for those at the top of the tax bracket. 

6. Proposes health care reforms to improve quality, efficiency and accountability of health care in order to control costs and provide resources to expand access to these vital services. 

7. Moves us toward energy independence and addresses global warming, by investing in clean energy technologies, industries, and jobs. 

8. Renews and restores our education system to expand access for America’s youth, including additional funding for the Early Head Start program, Head Start, and Pell Grants. 

9. Rebuilds America’s infrastructure, through investments in high-speed rail, increased security at major ports, investments in clean and safe drinking water, and expanded access to broadband to increase education and health in rural areas. 

10. Reforms federal contracting by taking steps to clean up the process and create more transparency ensuring that taxpayers get the best deal for the expenditure. 

Note: Prepared by the Office of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, 2/27/09 

Americans United for Change Ad Catches Essence of Radical Right Wing GOPers

Last month, right-wing talk radio host Rush Limbaugh went on Fox News to talk about President Obama’s plans to turn our country around. Rush said: “Why would I want that to succeed? I don’t believe in that. I know that’s not how this country is going to be great in the future, it’s not what made this country great. So I shamelessly say, no, I want him to fail.”

It seems that Rush’s friends in Congress have taken his words to heart — saying “NO” to plans that will help America’s struggling families at every opportunity they can.

They said “NO” to creating or saving 3.5 million jobs. They said “NO” to investing in education, transportation, health care, and clean energy. And they said “NO” to providing tax relief to 95 percent of working Americans.

Of course, the vast majority of Americans aren’t saying “NO.” We all want the President to succeed — because if President Obama’s policies fail, America fails.

Republican leaders need to make a choice: to stand with the extreme views of their party’s de facto leader, Rush Limbaugh, or work for the solutions and change that Americans overwhelmingly voted for in November.

Make sure they know about that choice. Watch our new ad and send it to your friends:

http://www.americansunitedforchange.org/no

Former Virginia Congressman Gives Out Faux Checks

Memo to Virgil Goode: You’re Not In Congress

Goode Presents Faux Checks for Local Projects Passed by Congress

Ex-Congressman Virgil Goode seems to have missed the message voters sent last November when they voted him out of office.  The former Representative was out in Congressman Tom Perriello’s district yesterday, claiming credit for funding for local projects and presenting faux checks to local officials.

“Someone needs to break the news to Virgil Goode so here it goes: you’re not in Congress,” said Jessica Santillo , Southern Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Goode’s desperate attempt to claim credit for these projects is strange and inappropriate at best.”

The projects were included in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009.

Background:

• The Franklin News Post reported that Former Rep. Virgil Goode announced Thursday that three grants totaling almost $1.5 million will be coming to Franklin County . [Franklin News Post, 2/27/2009]

• Goode also reportedly presented faux checks at Estes Center in  Chase City and at the HBR-Historic Boydton Renaissance.

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Obama Administration Submits First Budget to Congress

I’ve been reviewing President Obama’s budget for Fiscal Year 2010 … and beyond … the budget begins with an assessment of the financial condition the prior administration left our nation … running record deficits (as far as the eye can see) and a national debt that has topped $10 trillion … it looks like President Obama’s  budget seeks to honestly account for costs that have been “understated” or “off balance-sheet” or “supplemental”  …   some are saying that this budget is a blueprint for getting our Nation out of its fiscal mess …  the budget includes investments that should result in long-term economic growth … opens more access to affordable healthcare, invests in clean energy technologies and addressing climate change to bring down the cost of energy … and more access to both early and higher education … on first read of the 134 page overview put out by the Office of Management and Budget … I’m impressed … click here to check it out for yourself … it offers us all “A New Era of Responsibility” while “Renewing America’s Promise”

Obama Administration’s Expanded Tax Credit for First-Time Homebuyers

 

Treasury Department Touts Expanded Tax Credit for First-Time Homebuyers

Credit Offers Up to $8,000 to Qualifying Taxpayers Now

Latest Move in Swift Implementation 
of Administration’s Recovery, Stability, Affordability Plans

Washington, DC – In an ongoing effort to deliver on swift implementation of the Obama Administration’s recovery, stability and affordability plans, the U.S. Department of the Treasury touted today the availability of an expanded tax break for first-time homebuyers – a provision under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that will make up to $8,000 available now to qualifying taxpayers who buy homes this year. 

Northern Trust Golf Tournament One Small Example of Excesses That Led To Financial Crisis and Bailouts

One example of the seeds of the current financial crisis being sewn was reflected at last week’s PGA Tour event the”Northern Trust Open” … it was formerly  known as the “Nissan Open” … in 2000 and the winner’s check was a very substantial $558,000 … but 2 years ago Northern Trust (based in Chicago) became the title sponsor of what was originally called the L.A. Open … why? … because management at Northern Trust agreed to increase the total purse to astronomical $6.3 million … in a story in Bloomber.com

John O’Connell, a spokesman for Northern Trust, said in an e-mailed statement that sponsoring the golf tournament and related events “is part of a business decision regarding an annual event to show appreciation for clients.” He declined to provide details of what the company spent on the events. 

… with that kind of response it’s no wonder Northern needed bailout funds of some $1.6 BILLION from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) …. and I guess to continue to “show appreciation for clients” and … professional golfers … now I love the great game of golf … and can appreciate the talent shown by folks like Phil Mickelson … but … his payout alone makes it obvious that the officers and the Board of Directors of the Northern Trust all need to be replaced … check it out …  

1	Phil Mickelson	-15	F	+1	63	72	62	72	269	$1,134,000
2	Steve Stricker	-14	F	-4	68	66	69	67	270	$680,400
T3	Andres Romero	-13	F	-1	66	70	65	70	271	$327,600
T3	Fred Couples	-13	F	-2	67	70	65	69	271	$327,600
T3	K.J. Choi	-13	F	-2	66	69	67	69	271	$327,600
T6	Mark Calcavecchia	-12	F	-2	70	69	64	69	272	$203,962
T6	Rory Sabbatini	-12	F	-1	68	67	67	70	272	$203,962
T6	J.B. Holmes	-12	F	-3	73	67	64	68	272	$203,962
T6	Luke Donald	-12	F	-3	66	69	69	68	272	$203,962
T10	Scott McCarron	-11	F	E	64	68	70	71	273	$157,500
T10	Brendon de Jonge	-11	F	-4	69	70	67	67	273	$157,500
T10	Dustin Johnson	-11	F	-1	66	70	67	70	273	$157,500

Virginia Senator Edd Houck Releases General Assembly Issues Survey Results

Virginia Senator Edd Houck  (17th)

Thank you to everyone who completed my 2009 General Assembly Survey.  The response was the largest in my 26 years of service.  I appreciate my constituents taking time away from their busy schedules to share their thoughts on these important bills and budget items impacting the Commonwealth.   It is my sincere hope that more individuals will participate in the future.  Below, please find this year’s results:

QUESTIONS:                                                                            

• Withdrawal from Rainy Day Fund   
  YES  81.8%   NO 18.2%
• Reduction in K-12 Funding  
  YES  23.1%    NO  76.9%
• Increase in cigarette tax      
  YES  73.9%     NO  26.1%
• Closure of psychiatric hospitals  
  YES 17.2%   NO 82.8%
• Early Release for Non-violent offenders
  YES  66.4%   NO  33.6%
• Elimination of salary increases for state employees
  YES  62.9%    NO  37.1%
• Cut state agencies’ budgets by 15 percent  
  YES  63.8%    NO  36.2%
• Providing tax incentives for energy efficient systems  
  YES  72.7%   NO  27.3%
• Ban smoking in all bars and restaurants  
  YES  69.1%  NO 30.9%
• Ban illegal immigrants from attending public universities  
  YES  80.3%  NO 19.7%
• Allow the Governor to serve two consecutive terms  
  YES 72.6%  NO 27.4%
• Requires background checks on individuals purchasing gun at shows
  YES 80%  NO 20%
• Allow individuals to vote early without an excuse
  YES 51%  NO 49%

Note: As a resident of Senator Houck’s 17th District I know first hand the benefits of having a dedicated public servant representing my region in Richmond … I applaud his outreach efforts that this survey represents a part of …

ESPN’s Mt. Rushmore of Sports Winner Is …

ESPN’s Sport Center has been conducting a state versus state contest to determine the one with four sports figures that might deserve to have their images engraved in stone similar to the Presidents on Mt. Rushmore … click here to see more  … listed below are the four sports figures for Virginia and the overall winner … Illinois …

ESPN’s four figures on Virginia’s Sports Rushmore:
Arthur Ashe (Richmond) – The three-time Grand Slam winner is the only African American man to win the single’s Wimbledon title (1975).
Bruce Smith (Norfolk, Virginia Tech Hokies) – The Pro Football Hall of Famer is an 11-time Pro Bowl defensive end and the all-time NFL sack leader with 200 sacks.
Sam Snead (Ashwood) – The seven-time major champion is the PGA Tour’s all-time wins leader with 82.
Lawrence Taylor (Williamsburg) – The ten-time Pro Bowl linebacker won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.

The four figures on Illinois’ Sports Rushmore are:
Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs) – “Mr. Cub” was the 1958 and 1959 NL MVP and a 14-time All-Star.
Mike Ditka (Chicago Bears) – “Iron Mike” was a two-time NFL Coach of the Year and the first tight end ever inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) – The five-time NBA MVP won six NBA titles and was Finals MVP each time he won a title.
Walter Payton (Chicago Bears) – “Sweetness” was the 1977 NFL MVP and a nine-time Pro Bowler.

Video of President Obama’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress

h/t: C-Span
Note: you can check out the text of the President’s speech in an entry below … while I was watching the speech live and stayed busy twittering … I’d add that most observers gave the President’s speech well deserved high marks for everything from content to delivery …