In the new health care bill released in the Senate, among other provisions, two are that insurance companies can no longer discriminate based on preexisting conditions (guaranteed issue), and individuals will be required to buy insurance (individual mandate). If they don’t, they will be subject to a $95 penalty in 2014 and it goes up to a $750 penalty in 2016. To understand why this penalty is insufficient, we first need to understand why these two principles don’t work unless both are in place…
On 11.16.09, In Bill Bradbury 2010, Environment, By admin
Vice President Al Gore, Nobel Peace Laureate and tireless advocate for the planet, joins Bill Bradbury, Oregon’s leading voice in the fight against global climate change and Democratic Candidate for Governor, for a candid discussion about Oregon’s New Frontier of Green Jobs.
The event is at 11 am Thursday November 19th in Portland Oregon.
Already the Solar Manufacturing Capital of America and the Green Building Capital of the World, Oregon is poised to become the World Leader in Sustainable Industries. Join these two distinguished guests and a panel of Oregon’s top innovators for a dynamic discussion of what’s ahead…
Registration Closed
On 11.11.09, In Funny, By admin
It’s the middle of the week and I’m sure we could all use a good laugh by now, so here’s your Wednesday funny a la Jon Stewart.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The 11/3 Project | ||||
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On 11.06.09, In Environment, Event, By admin
Powershift West is TODAY! Over 500 young leaders from all over the west coast will be joining YOU to learn about solutions to the climate crisis and grassroots organizing skills!
If you still haven’t registered this is your last chance:
http://www.west.powershift09.org/register
Here’s what you need to know to be prepared for the weekend:
*Check-in is in the EMU Lobby.
*Keynote speeches start at 7:00pm on Friday, don’t miss out!
*Bring: a pen, a notebook, a reusable mug and lots of energy.
*Look over the conference program ahead of time to select which workshops and panels you want to attend (there’s a lot to choose from!).
*Download the conference program now! http://west.powershift09.org/blog/conference-program-available
Those are the essentials!
Read on if you want all sorts of other details:
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*Prepare for a rockin’ dance party on Friday night. (Join the facebook event)http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159168154484&ref=nf
*Bring a rain jacket as it will be raining most of the weekend.
*Please allot 15 minutes to find parking if you’re driving. South of campus is your best bet. Read the signs so you don’t get a ticket.
*There will be “commons space” where you can share, trade, express, learn, and meet other leaders. Stay tuned for the location and time.
Charles Denson, Jeremy Blanchard, and Zach Stark-MacMillan
PSW09 Core Organizers
west@powershift09.org
http://west.powershift09.org
Most other states aren’t envious of Oregon’s tax structure which relies heavily on an unstable income tax. Recently it’s weaknesses have been underscored by a weak economy. While income taxes are progressive (taxing the wealthy instead of the poor) they have one major drawback, when the economy suffers the taxable income decreases, making our State legislature struggle to find funding sources for our most needed social programs. Facing an $852 million dollar cut in the state budget, Democrats worked diligently last year to pass Tax Fairness legislation. The increase in taxes will only affect those who can afford it; wealthy Oregonians sharing the burden while our poor economy recovers. According to Defend Oregon 97.5% of Oregonians won’t see their taxes increase.
Without hesitation conservative ideologues quickly responded by creating the maligned group Oregonians Against Job Killing Taxes. Acting under their deceptive name, they gathered enough signatures to put the tax increases on the ballot.
So here’s the facts:
- A “no” vote will cut 3 million dollars from the University of Oregon’s budget. Making another tuition increase imminent.
- A “Yes” vote will preserve public services we need most including education, health, and safety.
- A “Yes” vote will tax those who can afford it, wealthy Oregonians making over $250,000 a year.
- The Oregon Corporate Minimum tax has not been increased since 1931. A “no” vote will keep it at $10. Fact: Adjusted for inflation $10 in 1931 would be equal to $140 in 2008.
- A “Yes” vote will raise the Corporate Minimum tax to $150, preserving funds for social programs.
Sometimes the boundaries of the University give us the perception of being in a protected square unaltered by the difficult times around us, but this recession has already hit our campus hard. Students, including myself, have seen a 7.9% increase in our tuition and the threat of another hike is very real. Classified staff that we rely on are being forced to take furlough days equal to pay cuts and our professors are underpaid compared to universities of equal size, seriously threatening our schools ability to hire and retain the best teachers.
A “no” vote will only exacerbate the problems we as students already face; increasing our tuition, and cutting programs and services we need most.
In January vote “Yes” on measure 66 and 67. Your vote will count.
Sign the pledge:
Your Vote Counts!
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Today House Democrats unveiled their Health Care bill which includes a “robust” public option. Fueled by ressurging confidence from progressives on the left, House Democrats are moving forward with what is clearly the most comprehensive health care plan to date. Unlike the Baucus bill which leaves millions without insurance, the House bill will cover 96% of Americans extending coverage to nearly 45 million uninsured. Forcing private for-profit insurance companies to compete with a public option will reduce costs without sacrificing quality – a win-win scenario. New regulations and requirements will make insurance companies cover those with pre-existing conditions, cap out-of-pocket expenses, and protect people from being dropped when they need it most. The bill will also allow parents to keep their children on their plans until they are 26, giving us young folk time to find a job with benefits.
At first glance the price tag seems daunting coming in at an estimated $896 billion dollars, however Democratic leadership has made it clear that it won’t add to the deficit. To cover its costs the bill will raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans (those earning $500k individually, or $1 million combined), instead of taxing what have become known as “cadillac plans.” Increased tax revenue led the congressional budgeting office to predict that the bill will reduce the federal deficit by $30 million over the next 10 years.
Loading ...In an effort at transparency, Democrats have agreed to publish the 2000 page bill online for a period of 72 hours starting Monday. This means we can expect floor debate on the bill as early as next week.
The “no party” is already attempting to frame the bill as a government takeover of the health care industry, which worked early on when we were just becoming educated on the issue, but now with over 60% of Americans in full support of a public option it seems like a losing strategy. Hopefully some Republicans will have a change of heart when it comes time to vote, if not for bipartisanship, than just to prove that they’re empathetic human beings. Given the saliency of the issue if the “no party” chooses not support the bill and it’s successful, than we can expect several years of Democratic leadership on the Hill and in the White House.
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Right now, Congress is considering cap-and-trade, which would limit the amount a pollutant can be used, in this case, carbon. Companies would need to have carbon credits to pollute, and the credits represent one ton of carbon dioxide. If companies wish to increase their pollution, they would need to buy credits from those who pollute less than their credits allow. All these policies might be better than nothing, but that says very little. A carbon tax is the better solution, due to its incentives and the fact that it treats the disease, not the symptoms.”
On 10.23.09, In Health Care, By Erik Erlandson
WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) – The health reform bill making its way through the House of Representatives will include a public insurance option, but negotiations are continuing on the details of the plan, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Friday.
“At the end of the day we will have a public option” in the House bill, Pelosi told a news conference.
Some thought electing a comedian would make a joke out of congress, they were wrong. As it turns out Al Franken, the Freshman Senator out of Minnesota, is handling his new position with the professionalism and respect it deserves. That’s more than we can say about some of his Republican colleagues, thirty of which voted against his Rape Amendment. The bill would end any government contract with companies that force women to sign agreements preventing them from fairly suing their employer after being sexually assaulted. Jon Stewart did a good bit pointing out the moral deficiencies of the Republican members who voted against the bill.
Today, Senator Franken’s hard at work again, trying to make sure this country gets adequate health insurance.
It’s nice to have at least one Democratic Senator that asks serious questions, even if he’s a comedian.
With the 2010 mid-term elections not far away pundits have their eyes on the Governor races in Virginia and New Jersey; their outcomes might be an indicator of how successful Democrats will be next November.
Creigh Deeds
During the Obama campaign, students from across the nation bussed to different states, phone-banked for representatives in district’s that weren’t their own, and effectively worked together breaking traditional boundaries in an extraordinary effort that gave us a majority in both houses of Congress and a democratic president. This year the University of Oregon College Democrats will extend the paradigms established in the 2008 election by helping elect Creigh Deeds, the democratic candidate for governor in Virginia.
As Olympia Snowe so delicately put it last week, one person can make a big difference in politics. If Mr. Deeds Republican opponent were elected, it would be a clear reversal of the momentum we all worked so hard to achieve. As Democrats living in the 21st century, we have an opportunity to help make sure this doesn’t happen. If you’re available Sunday Oct 25th from 1pm-3pm you can help phone-bank for Creigh Deeds, and prove to the pundits that 2010 will be a good year for Democrats.
Welcome to University of Oregon College Democrats.
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