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What's wrong here?

I know that to most of the readers of this site, this kind of paradox is nothing new or startling given the politics of the U.S. today... but I just had to take a moment to vent my frustration.

TODAY IN THE NEWS:

Former President Jimmy Carter gets into a shouting match with Sudanese security services when they wouldn't let him meet with Darfur refugees from the ongoing conflict. Yeah, the guy that the current regime has labeled as disrespectful is the one sticking up for the rights of those in a whole other part of the world.

Meanwhile... President Bush vetoes a bill that would supply an estimated 4 million U.S. children with access to medical care. The State Children's Health Insurance Program is a joint state-federal effort that subsidizes health coverage for 6.6 million people, mostly children, from families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford their own private coverage. The cost of this additional spending was to be covered by raising the federal cigarette tax by 61 cents to $1 per pack.

(note: The Senate approved the bill with enough votes to override the veto, but the margin in the House fell short of the required number.)

 

 

Wednesday, October 3, 2007
by imaginary liz

Topics mentioned:

1   imaginary dana said on October 3, 2007

Yes, my inbox has been booming with emails from loads of political orgs about the veto from the monkey. Outrageous! If you're motivated to act, here are a couple of options.

Those freedom hating pinko-commies over at MoveOn sent this mail for local Seattle folks:

In the coming days, Congress will try to override Bush's veto with a two-thirds majority—the Senate already passed the bill with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority and the House was close. Our goal is to pressure a few more Republicans to stand up to Bush—enough to pass the children's health bill.

If not enough Republicans buck Bush to overturn the veto, the Democrats have promised to keep sending the bill to Bush, each time increasing the pressure on vulnerable Republicans to support health care for our kids. This battle is over the philosophical question of whether or not we should make sure everyone gets health care—and it will set the stage for fights to come.

Please join us at a "Rally for Our Children's Health Care" to show we're outraged that Republicans are blocking health care for our children—and to set the stage for fights to come:

Where: Congressman McDermott's Office (on street) - 7th & Olive (in Seattle)
When: Thursday, Oct 4 2007, 5:30 PM

Click here to RSVP:
http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=41110&&id=11324-4152207-JQpgnj&t=3

And Dr Howard Dean sent a link to this online petition:
http://www.democrats.org/page/speakout/RejectBush

Go forth and make a difference!

2   Imaginary-Kiku said on October 3, 2007

god that veto was ugh, just so maddening! I mean, he's literally saying he doesn't care about children, and for what? So big cigarette corporations can sell a few more packs? Corruption, thy name is Bush!

3   imaginary embracey said on October 3, 2007

Speaking of Darfur, I highly recommend the amazing documentary The Devil Came on Horseback. If it's playing in your city, see it. If it's not, look for it on DVD later this year.

Just be ready for a sad, terrifying, rage-inducing dose of the pitiful truth.

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