Government: More
Another Woman on the Supreme Court May Position More Women to Enter Politics and Government
Nichola Gutgold writes: It is unusual for male power figures to refer to their role model status, because men and boys do not need proof that powerful positions are open to them. The reality is that politics and the Supreme Court remain overwhelmingly male enterprises.
Read More...The Increased Importance Of The Violence Against Women Act In A Time Of Economic Crisis
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was a watershed piece of legislation that is as crucial now as it has ever been. Since its enactment 15 years ago, VAWA has provided critical, sometimes life-saving, assistance to countless survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This legislation shed light on the national problem of violence against women, and marked a bipartisan commitment to confront and end domestic and sexual violence.
Since that time, we have responded with better laws, social support, and coordinated community responses. I was proud to work on the original VAWA bill, and am pleased with all it has accomplished. Our communities and families are safer today because of this law. As we begin to consider the reauthorization of this vital law, it is important to note that, for all we have accomplished, there is more work to be done. The problem of domestic and sexual violence persists, and in a time of economic crisis, the victims of this violence are even more vulnerable.
The Violence Against Women Act has transformed our criminal justice system, improving the legal and law enforcement response to the complex issues of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It has evolved to better address the needs of underserved populations and includes critical new programs focusing on prevention and on the needs of young people.
The importance of VAWA could not be clearer than it is today as our country copes with a troubled economy. The safety net VAWA has provided survivors over the years is now a lifeline for many. The economic pressures of a lost job, home, or car can add stress to an already abusive relationship. The loss of these resources can make it harder for victims to escape a violent situation. And just as victims' needs are growing, state budget cuts are resulting in fewer available services, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, counseling, and childcare.
These services can mean the difference between life and death for some victims. I advocated for increased funding of VAWA programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I was pleased that the Recovery Act included $50 million for the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants program, which has helped people across the country find a safe place to live.
Read more »
Is Congress exempt from "many" laws including one against sexual harassment?
Lawmaker Loopholes? A FactCheck.org Q&A regarding, as they termed it, the latest e-mail rant against Congress, tackles some of these 'false and outdated' claims:
Q: Is Congress exempt from "many" laws including one against sexual harassment?
A: No. The latest e-mail rant against Congress — proposing a "28th Amendment" to the Constitution — is full of false and outdated claims.
A chain e-mail (see below) claims members of Congress can retire after one term with their same pay and, while serving, pay no Social Security and exempt themselves from some laws, e.g., sexual harassment and health care legislation. A 28th Amendment to the Constitution is proposed barring Congress from enacting laws applying to its members and not equally to the "citizens of the United States."
Are the facts right?
Subject: An idea whose time has come
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that Congressmembers could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn’t pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered … in all of its’ forms.
EPI Snapshot: Basic Truths About the Deficit
The Economic Policy Institute has released a copyrighted newsletter entitled: Straight talk on the federal budget deficit.A few paragraphs:
"Some little-known facts about the federal budget deficit: It grew slower than was expected just a few months ago, stimulus spending accounts for only a small sliver of its total, and the leading health care reform proposal would provide coverage for most uninsured Americans without adding a penny to its total. Although the federal deficit is commonly dangled as the reason to block further public investment or comprehensive health care reform, that argument ignores some basic truths about the deficit."
"On August 25, the White House released an updated estimate of the federal budget deficit, which shows it now totals $1.6 trillion or 11.2% of GDP. This is $262 billion less than what was estimated in May. The Congressional Budget Office showed a smaller improvement. In anticipation of that release, EPI produced a series of reports (see below) examining the roots of the deficit and the potential impact that health care reform would have on it."
Don’t blame Obama
"For all the criticism President Obama has received for running up the deficit, it turns out that Obama’s policies have been a very small factor in the expansion of the federal budget deficit. Bush-era policies, including aggressive tax cuts and spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, have added significantly more to the total."
Paying Attention to the Beige Book
While we may be very aware of the Federal Reserve and their banks, the term Beige Book may not be as familiar. But their reports may be increasingly of import to an anxious public. Here's their own definition:
Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions by Federal Reserve District
Commonly known as the Beige Book, this report is published eight times per year. Each Federal Reserve Bank gathers anecdotal information on current economic conditions in its District through reports from Bank and Branch directors and interviews with key business contacts, economists, market experts, and other sources. The Beige Book summarizes this information by District and sector. An overall summary of the twelve district reports is prepared by a designated Federal Reserve Bank on a rotating basis.
Making Home Affordable
The US Department of the Treasury and the Department of Housing and Urban Development has launched a website for consumers seeking information about the Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable loan modification and refinancing program. MakingHomeAffordable.gov offers features including interactive self-assessment tools that will empower borrowers to determine if they're eligible to participate and calculate the monthly mortgage payment reductions they could stand to realize under the Making Home Affordable program.
First announced by President Barack Obama in February, Making Home Affordable will offer assistance to as many as 7 to 9 million homeowners making a good-faith effort to make their mortgage payments, while attempting to prevent the destructive impact of the housing crisis on families and communities. MakingHomeAffordable.gov is a joint effort of the Department of the Treasury and HUD. "Education and outreach is central to the success of our Making Home Affordable program," said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. "Putting resources and tools directly in the hands of homeowners will expedite the process of delivering relief to responsible borrowers, and stabilizing the housing market is central to our overall economic recovery."
LINKS * MakingHomeAffordable.gov
Recovery.gov & Tracking Jobs Created, Saved
President Barack Obama has many times referred the electorate to consult a new government website, recovery.gov. That site is now operating and can be consulted for the following features:
"As the centerpiece of the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability, Recovery.gov will feature information on how the [Recovery and Reinvestment] Act is working, tools to help you hold the government accountable, and up-to-date data on the expenditure of funds.
"The site will include information about Federal grant awards and contracts as well as formula grant allocations. Federal agencies will provide data on how they are using the money, and eventually, prime recipients of Federal funding will provide information on how they are using their Federal funds. On our end, we will use interactive graphics to illustrate where the money is going, as well as estimates of how many jobs are being created, and where they are located. And there will be search capability to make it easier for you to track the funds.
"The first incarnation of Recovery.gov features projections for how, when, and where the funds will be spent — which states and sectors of the economy are due to receive what proportion of the funds. As money starts to flow, far more data will become available.
Another website used by Obama has created a states map that identifies the number of jobs that should be created or saved as part of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
"As the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act begins to effect, communities across the country are beginning to evaluate the impact on their local economies, and how best to quickly and efficiently put people to work. The map (that can be found at the website link below) provides a state-by-state look at how many jobs are expected to be created or saved by the plan. Roll over your state to see how President Obama's economic recovery plan will benefit your community:
How Many Jobs Will be Created or Saved in Your State?"Already a number of projects have been identified that will help get local economies moving again. Tampabays10.com reported on a local project that will account for some of the 207,000 projected Florida jobs that will be created or saved by the plan."
