Here's my business card...

Thanks, Larry!

Obama makes good on promise - J.V. Martin School celebrates new facility coming

Alleged Mistress Kathy Karrasch seen with Mark Sanford

Ever hear of Kathy Karrasch? Our governor has.

Here's a photo - courtesy of LasVegasNow.com - showing South Carolina's soon-to-be divorced Mark Sanford chumming it up with Karrasch and Nevada's Governor Jim Gibbons.

This was taken at the National Governors Association’s White House dinner.

Both Republicans. Both have experience with divorce.

The story focuses on Gibbons, but here's the Sanford part:

Governor Sanford is currently going through a divorce after admitting to an affair. Earlier this week, Sanford praised his state’s Attorney General for attempting to resurrect the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. In a statement on Yucca, Sanford said, “We’d thank the Attorney General for helping us bring this back-room Washington D.C. deal into the light and taking legal action to make sure the 23-year bipartisan Yucca Mountain compact is honored by President Obama and Congress.”

What does Karrasch have to say when questioned about being with the Nevada governor?

Humbert also caught up with Karrasch, and after repeated denials that she attended the conference in Washington, she said, “It doesn’t matter who I spent time with this weekend. I spent time with Arnold Schwarzenegger this weekend. Does that matter to you?”

It may matter to the wives of these men you spend time with - if they're still around. It should matter to the people who fall for the taglines of faith and family when GOP candidates use them.

Gibbons may be in trouble without the photo, however.

This story says he sent 867 text messages to Karrasch on a state-issued phone. How quaint.

I have to tell you. If you Republicans keep arguing that your cemented on faith and family, you're going to continue the GOPocrisy.

EPI: Address jobs now, deficits later

One of the biggest political barriers in the way of a major jobs creation effort is concern over the federal deficit. This concern is misplaced: The fact is that we can't reduce the deficit without first creating jobs for the millions of Americans who are out of work.

EPI has come together with the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which focuses largely on long-term fiscal issues, to stress that the U.S. must Address jobs now and deficits later.

EPI President Lawrence Mishel and Peterson Foundation CEO David Walker co-authored an op-ed, which was published February 24 in Politico. "With more than a fifth of the work force expected to be unemployed or underemployed in 2010," the authors stress, "there is an economic and a moral imperative to take action."

While Mishel and Walker may not share the same perspective on many policy issues or the proper role of government, they agree that the severity of the current jobs crisis means that "Today's high deficits will have to go even higher to help address unemployment."

So many jobs have been lost that the country entered 2010 with fewer jobs than it had a decade earlier. A survey conducted for EPI late last year found that one in four American families had suffered a job loss. Within the private sector, one out of every 20 jobs has been lost since the recession started in late 2007.

We now need more than 10 million jobs to get the country back to pre-recession levels of employment. The situation would be far worse were it not for the Recovery Act, but still it's clear that much more needs to be done. Earlier this week, Mishel testified before the House Committee on Financial Services where he warned that unless Congress acts quickly and at a sufficient scale, "high and damaging unemployment will continue for years." EPI maintains that the Senate's $15 billion jobs bill is too small and of questionable efficacy. EPI's American Jobs Plan proposes spending $400 billion to create 4.6 million jobs in one year.

In their Politico piece, Mishel and Walker also agree on the need to develop a plan for addressing structural deficits, which are projected to persist even once the economy has recovered. But they argue that spending on job creation must come first.

Mishel and Walker said they co-authored the piece in an effort to change the thinking about job creation and deficit reduction, which too often are misrepresented as opposing goals.

Their op-ed is available on Politico and on EPI.org.

SCDP: Selling Out South Carolina

Joe Wilson flew back to Washington this week after the President's Day recess, and it didn't take him long to turn back to Washington's ways. He cares more about partisan gain than about what South Carolina voters want. The Economist magazine says that Republican Rep. Paul Ryan's budget "slashes" Medicare, as well as raising the retirement age and making deep cuts in Social Security. Joe went on MSNBC to discuss health care and was asked point blank if he agreed with Ryan. His response? "Yes, I do". Tell Joe not to sell out South Carolina for his Washington buddies.

This isn't surprising; Joe has supported privatizing Social Security since his first day in Congress, and he has voted repeatedly to privatize Medicare. He says he's about representing you, but he's really about the party line and partisan games. Tell Joe not to sell out South Carolina for his Washington buddies.

Jay Parmley
Executive Director
South Carolina Democratic Party

Dyer: Join Me at the Kitchen Table...

Friends,

As I travel this district and meet with supporters like you, it is clear that the issues concerning you the most are those that are discussed around our kitchen tables—the issues affecting our families and our day-to-day lives. That’s the way it is with my family. We come together at the kitchen table to discuss the issues facing us each day, and we work to figure out the solutions to our problems.

As we continue on the campaign trail, I will share my thoughts on those issues that are of most importance to our families. Please take a look at my first “Kitchen Table Talk” by clicking on the link below or visiting my website, and stay tuned in the coming months while together, we work to tackle the tough issues we face each day around our tables.

Jane Dyer

Kitchen Table: Introduction from Jane Dyer on Vimeo.

ES&S buyout: The Diebold "Special Persons" List

In the ES&S acquisition contract for Diebold's Premier Election Systems, the following short list of employees are given special treatment. This list is interesting both for who is on the list and for who is NOT on the list.

You can discuss this in our forums here:
http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/8/80902.html

While one might expect to see certain individuals who are intimately tied to intellectual property get golden parachutes and non-compete agreements, this list includes some -- but not all -- of the programmers with intimate knowledge, and also includes some of the PR hacks (Mark Radke), an Internet disinfo person, Rob Pelletier -- see our special report on some of these guys:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/diebold-PRmachine.pdf

The special people also include a former state elections director who bailed over to Diebold after helping implement a statewide buy (Cathy Rogers, of Georgia).

What's interesting about the contract clause is that there is no time limit on the special treatment. Usually there is a cap on the time period.

Never mind where BBV got the contract. Corporations prone to leaks sometimes insert identifiers into their confidential documents like unique words or typos. I don't want to inadvertently out the source. Perhaps this contract is or will become public in the SEC documents, since Diebold is a public company. At any rate, we have the contract, and in it is this requirement:

In the event that any employee on list is terminated, for any reason -- EVER, because there is no time limit on this -- then ES&S has to notify Diebold in advance, in writing; and in the event that any employee on the list quits -- EVER, because there is no time limit on this -- then ES&S has to notify Diebold immediately to allow Diebold to put the employee on retainer.

So these guys need to be on a short leash. In other words, they know stuff.

I am unfamiliar with a few of them, like John Davenport and Tim Murawaski. Some of these guys seem to be techs that handled some Ohio work. Let me know what you know, and/or dig into the Internet and public records research to see what you can unearth. I'm working several additional angles on other areas of the contract as well, including information that can't yet be publicly released.

The Diebold "special persons" list:

Larry Calvert
Robert Chen
Ken Clark
John Davenport
Randy Deabenderfer
Lois Doneson
Alex Guedea
Jessica Hiner
Talbot Iredale
Troy Lanier
Steve Moreland
Tim Murawaski
Robert Pelletier
Ian Piper
Mark Radke
Kathy Rogers
Ross Underwood
Archie Williams

Now the above is not unheard of in acquisition contracts, though it is unusual not to put a cap on the time limit. The collection of special persons is interesting.

Let me know if you have anything to share about any of the above names.

Bev Harris
crew@blackboxvoting.org

Burton: NO AMERICAN IS IN LOVE WITH WAR

Recently I have been accused by my opponent of loving universal war. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have served this county for years because of my respect and love for the people of America and in particular South Carolina.

I have a deep profound love for the peace and stability of this great county. No American is in love with war, and it is incredibly callous to consider that anyone would.

When we find ourselves in a circumstance that we presently face in the Middle East, it is important to look at the situation with wisdom and intelligence to make sure we learn from our experiences and leave it in such a fashion that will allow peace to reign in areas of conflict.

I support our brave young men and women in uniform and I trust my commander-in-chief, he has laid out a wide course of action. I agree with his plan to leave Iraq and then to slowly disengage in Afghanistan so as not to destabilize the area. Pakistan has nuclear capabilities and we can not afford to make mistakes.

Some people will try to paint a picture of me, but before you allow such nonsense to dominate the political debate, I ask you to look over my position to see exactly what I stand for.

I am for a safe and secure America that can prosper in the future; and that together we have the same visions for our district. Remember that it is Deeds, Not Words that get things done.

Very Respectfully,

Robert Burton

Robert Burton for Congress

Rep. Carl Anderson to host community meeting in Browns Ferry

Rep. Carl Anderson is hosting a community meeting for his constituents in District 103 Monday at Browns Ferry Elementary School.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

Anderson is expected to talk about the 2010 census, help with reducing utility bills, appliance rebates, help with medicare, the nature conservancy and State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex.

Free light bulbs, trash bags and fans will be handed out.

Entertainment will be provided by the Carvers Bay High School Step Team and The Mind Boys. Dinner will be served.

There is also a free drawing for gas cards, a CD player and a television.

Sheheen Urges House to Make Targeted Cuts to Preserve Core Government Functions

Columbia, SC -- Today State Senator Vincent Sheheen, candidate for governor, called on House budget writers not to cut critical funding for education in the state budget and to raise the cigarette tax to the national average. Sheheen issued the following statement:

"These are tough budget times, but we need to make necessary cuts to the budget without sacrificing things that are critical investments for our future -- and education is one of those things," said Senator Sheheen. "We owe it to our children to keep teachers in the classroom."

Sheheen: Exciting News for Job Growth and Energy Conservation in South Carolina!

(Originally posted on his blog)

This week the state senate is moving forward on a bill, S. 1096, that I cosponsored with several other senators to create jobs and cut energy usage in our state. This groundbreaking law would allow our local electric cooperatives to partner with customers to rehabilitate energy-inefficient homes. The electric cooperatives would help customers finance home improvements such as weatherization, insulation, and upgrades to heating and cooling units.

According to an economic study, over 4,500 new jobs would be created by 2020 and over 7,000 jobs by 2030. These jobs will include contractors performing weatherization, HVAC installers, energy auditors, and more. Homeowners will also see increased disposable income as a result of decreased energy bills. The jobs will be dispersed throughout the state, bringing much-needed economic growth to many of our rural areas.

And the energy savings would be tremendous! A 20% reduction in residential consumption would save 2,700 gigawatt hours per year. This would mean $270,000,000 in energy savings to consumers annually. This effort would mean significant reductions in greenhouse gases produced by residences in South Carolina.

Outside the box thinking is just what we need to get South Carolina moving again. Energy conservation can equal job creation, and this bill will help achieve it.

Special thanks to our South Carolina Electric Cooperatives for their leading role in making this project a reality. Let's work together to create green jobs in our state!

“Bridging the Past … Moving into the Future”

A Political Forum/Reception Commemorating Black History Month

“Bridging the Past … Moving into the Future”

Whittemore Park Middle School

Conway, South Carolina 29526

Friday, February 26, 2010

6:30 p.m.

This event is free and opened to the public

For more information and/or to make a monetary contribution

please contact GeFranya at (843) 450 – 8058

Sebelius Invites Insurance Company Leaders to Discuss Health Insurance Premiums

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today invited insurance company chief executive officers to a March 3 meeting at HHS to discuss their companies’ insurance premiums. The CEOs of UnitedHealth Group Inc., WellPoint Inc., Aetna Inc., Health Care Service Corporation and CIGNA HealthCare Inc. along with leaders from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have been invited.

Text of the letter delivered to insurance company CEOs is below:

Dear ______,

Across the country, health insurance premium increases are impacting American families and business owners, and experts indicate that premiums will continue to rise. In recent weeks, we have learned of premium increases of nearly 40 percent in one state and we know significant premium increases are not isolated incidents. I am concerned about these increases, which make it harder for people to access the health care they need, and eager to hear the justification for these increases and steps we can take to create a more stable system that keeps premium costs down for all Americans.

To that end, I will be hosting a meeting with insurance company executives and hope you will accept this invitation to join us on Wednesday, March 3 at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C at 11:30 AM. Our conversation will benefit from your experience and expertise.

I hope this meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss how health insurance reform can bring down health care costs and fix our broken health insurance system. President Obama has offered a health insurance reform proposal that begins to give middle class families and small business owners the health care security they have been losing over the past 16 years. This plan was informed by our discussions with a wide variety of stakeholders over the past year including representatives from NAIC. Now, as we move forward, we welcome your thoughts and ideas about how reform can ensure all Americans have the stable, secure, affordable health care coverage they need and deserve.

We all share a commitment to fighting fraud in our health care system, driving down health care costs and implementing reforms that will add value to our health care system. I look forward to a productive conversation on these and other issues. Should you have any questions regarding this meeting, please contact my office at (202) 690-7000.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Sebelius
Secretary of Health and Human Services

Vermont's Leahy urges for Senate action on Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act

Here's an e-mail sent from U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, urging people to contact their senators to further action on the recent House vote on the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act.

The House just passed its version of the The Health Insurance Antitrust Enforcement Act. It's time for the Senate to act, too. E-mail Your Senators Today!

Last fall I wrote you about the sweetheart deal insurance companies have had since they were exempted from federal antitrust laws in 1945. Shielded from this scrutiny, the exemption has helped the insurance industry to put profits before people, cherry-pick customers, and deny coverage to patients when they fall ill.

They've had a great setup. Last year alone, the top five U.S. health care insurance companies made $12 billion in profits while dropping 2.7 million Americans from their insurance rolls.

More than 43,000 LeahyforVermont.com community activists responded to my message by urging their representatives to eliminate the antitrust exemption and force insurance companies to play by the same, good-competition rules as virtually every other business in America.

Our voices broke through the health insurance lobbyists who seem to be everywhere you look around Washington these days, and TODAY the House of Representatives voted 406-19 to pass its version of the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act.

Now it's up to the Senate to take up this bill and send it to President Obama's desk to be signed into law.

Please click here to urge your Senators to pass the House version of the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act -- so President Obama can sign it into law.

The health insurance industry should compete on a level playing field just like every other business in America, large and small, so that consumers know that the price they're being quoted is the product of a free and fair marketplace.

Like most Americans I'm frustrated with the slow pace of progress towards comprehensive health care reform, though I remain hopeful we'll get the sweeping reform we need soon.

But it is unclear whether or not the final health care reform bill Congress sends to the President's desk will include a provision to end the health insurance industry antitrust exemption. Even if it does, it could be severely weakened during the final round of negotiations in Congress.

That's why we must act now to pass the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act as a standalone bill.

Please click here to urge your Senators to pass the House version of the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act -- so President Obama can sign it into law.

Ending the health insurance industry antitrust exemption will promote competition and consumer choice, though it is not the only reform we need. But it's a critical component of reform, and one I believe is best achieved by passing the House version of the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act into law as soon as possible.

Thank you for taking action.

Sincerely,

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator

P.S. After you e-mail your Senators, please forward this message to your friends & family -- and urge them to speak out in favor of the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act too.

Henry Brown votes for Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act

Talk about bipartisanship...

With a vote of 406-19, H.R. 4626 - The Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act - passed today, with U.S. Congressman Henry Brown supporting the bill. It puts the health insurance industry in check.

But there's more than meets the eye here... Does Brown really support "competition" in the health care industry? Does he like the fact that costs can be cut? Does he really want health care insurance companies held accountable?

I think not. He voted no on House Resolution 1098.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4626) to restore the application of the Federal antitrust laws to the business of health insurance to protect competition and consumers.

However, the bill does remove the antitrust exemption. It looks to me Brown will tout his support of the bill, but selectively forget to mention he voted no to removing the exemption of antitrust laws. Read here:

The House has approved a bill co-authored by U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Ivy, that would remove a federal antitrust exemption enjoyed by the health insurance industry since 1945.

The measure, the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act, was passed Wednesday afternoon in a vote of 406-19. Perriello introduced the measure with fellow freshman Democratic Rep. Betsy Markey of Colorado.

Perriello said the bill would restore competition to the health insurance industry, improve quality, increase consumer choice and drive down costs for consumers.

“It moves us in the right direction to put patients and doctors back in the driver’s seat,” Perriello said in a speech on the House floor. “It allows us to restore the basic sense of competition in this country. And it says, for once, working and middle class families are going to come out ahead of the special interests. Consumers are going to come out ahead of the greed mentality.”

Virginia's governor decries stimulus, but wants more money

How funny is it? Too much for some, I see. But to me, it's downright sad. Here, we have GOP governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell wanting more stimulus money for his state. Kudos to Amanda Terkel of ThinkProgress.org for exposing more GOPocrisy.

During his gubernatorial campaign, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) repeatedly criticized the Recovery Act, saying that although it was “massive,” he didn’t think it would “have a stimulus effect.” From the Virginian-Pilot in 2009:

Republican Bob McDonnell is the lone critic [of the stimulus], saying “This bill contains significant categories of spending that may do little to help the economy.”

McDonnell has praised GOP congressional members who voted against the plan, saying the increased debt “is not going to be good long-term for America,” but he says he believes Virginia should collect its share of the stimulus anyway.

However, now that he’s in office and facing real budget challenges, he’s singing a different tune. On Monday, McDonnell proudly “announced that Virginia will receive a total of $24 million in federal funding to advance health information technology” — money made possible by the stimulus, which McDonnell conveniently failed to mention. McDonnell’s spokesman insisted that the previous governor, Democrat Tim Kaine, applied for the funds, but that didn’t stop McDonnell from touting them.

Yesterday, McDonnell went even further and asked for more stimulus dollars:

– McDonnell said he would “support Congress extending the federal stimulus bill to help states cover rising health care costs, a potential infusion of funds that Virginia lawmakers hope will help close a more than $4 billion budget shortfall.” He added that because Medicaid costs have “just grown so fast, until we have some federal health care reform that really addresses cost, if the federal government is willing to help us for a short period of time, that would be fine.”

– In a meeting at the U.S. Capitol, McDonnell urged the state’s congressional delegation to “help him secure stimulus funds to help build a Rolls Royce manufacturing plant in Prince George County.”

Apparently, McDonnell has concluded that the stimulus is now able “to help the economy.”

Read ThinkProgress’ report on the GOP’s stimulus hypocrisy here.

Come prepared for March 1st Wacc. Dems town hall

March 1st, the Waccamaw Neck Dems will feature a town hall with three Democratic SC-1 congressional candidates. Please, get familiar with the info below and come prepared with questions.


From Robert Burton:

The most important issue facing the people of South Carolina’s First Congressional District is the unemployment rate at 10% and the rising statewide unemployment rate of 12.1%, placing South Carolina third worst in the nation for unemployment.

I want you to know that I will do whatever it takes to get us back to work. I will find solutions for our District’s growing unemployment rate.

I have already reached out to business leaders in the district and have held discussions seeking their input and value their opinion. Through these discussions I have put together a plan with my main objectives:

• Tax Credits for hiring new employees
• Accelerated amortization on plant and equipment that promote the production of jobs
• Lowering the federal tax rate on small businesses to stimulate domestic investment and job growth
• Searching for and acquiring opportunities in Technology and Energy jobs.

I will pursue these initiatives and others that will get us working again as well as pushing the federal and state government on long term investment in our people through education. Better education means quality jobs for our residents and is most important for the future of our work force and for area growth through companies seeking to relocate. This is also vital to our district’s long term solution to being able to compete internationally.



From Dick Withington:

We have stated some basic principles in support of the Democratic Party on the Mission page. I generally am supportive of the Party Platform. I will work closely with S.C. Reps. Jim Clyburn and John Spratt.

As I meet with the People and think more about our government, I am getting the sense that our elected officials at all levels are catering more to the needs of "special interests with money" than they are to the needs of the people. Right here in Myrtle Beach, I think government pays more attention to the needs of the big hotel owners and the tourism industry than to the residents. Things have slowed down a bit, but I think our real estate developers are not paying their fair share of the impact costs stemming from their construction projects.

My first Priority will be to represent the interests of the Citizen first, not Business. And I do hold an MBA. We just need a balance.


From Robert Dobbs:

Whether you are a Democrat, Independent, or Republican, you have to be sick and tired of the "politics as usual" that has taken over South Carolina and our Nation.

In order to build a lasting foundation for America’s economic prosperity and security, we need to organize around the core challenges facing Americans and their families:

• Create jobs and rebuild our economy
• Keep families in their homes and not in foreclosure
• Health care reform that helps families and not insurance companies
• Better fund our education system

By acting together, we can overcome the obstacles that for too long have prevented real change on the critical issues the citizens of the First Congressional District face day in and day out.

Now is the time to leave behind the status quo and build support for real solutions. I ask you to join my campaign and begin the fight for the First Congressional District for real change!

What we don't need in Congress are more long tenured bureaucrats, professional politicians, or people looking to enhance their retirement to run for office.

• No elected official in Congress should be in office for more than 12 years and I would term limit myself;
• No elected official in Congress should participate nor receive a pension on the backs of the taxpayers, therefore I will not participate in the Federal Employee Retirement System as your Congressman;
• No elected officials in Congress should be voting for pay raises when the rest of the country is in chaos financially, the pay I go into Congress at is the pay rate I stay at and any raises voted on by Congress would be returned to the Treasury;
• It is about being a citizen's representative and should health care reform pass, I would participate with the same plan as the rest of Americans.

Stimulus package put 2.1 million to work?

By Pat Garofalo - ThinkProgress.org

For months, conservatives have been claiming that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, i.e. the stimulus) is a “boondoggle” that “failed” and did not create “one new job.” But last week, the New York Times’ David Leonhardt noted that economic research firms estimate that ARRA created or saved 1.6 to 1.8 million jobs. And today, the non-partisan Congressional Research Office placed the estimate even higher, saying that ARRA is responsible for up to 2.1 million jobs in the 4th quarter of last year:

CBO estimates that in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2009, ARRA added between 1.0 million and 2.1 million to the number of workers employed in the United States, and it increased the number of full-time-equivalent jobs by between 1.4 million and 3.0 million…CBO also estimates that real (inflation-adjusted) gross domestic product (GDP) was 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent higher in the fourth quarter than would have been the case in the absence of ARRA.

CBO calculated that without the stimulus package, the unemployment rate would be up to 1.1 percent higher. It also said that unemployment is higher than analysts predicted after passage of the ARRA due to “greater-than-projected weakness in the underlying economy rather than lower-than-expected effects of ARRA.”

Sheheen: Million dollar month

We're on the brink of reaching a fundraising milestone this month: one MILLION dollars.

With your help, Vincent will be the first Democratic candidate for governor to hit the million mark, which is a testament to lots of hard work and support from folks like you. Will you contribute today to make this our million dollar month?



Thousands of people -- people from all 46 counties -- are supporting Vincent Sheheen in his campaign to be the next governor because we are ready to be proud of South Carolina again. Not only will Vincent be a governor who will work tirelessly to bring jobs to our state and to improve our schools -- he'll also be a governor who will represent the everyday people and values that make this state special. We're tired of feeling defeated and disappointed by our leaders. Our state motto is, "While I breathe, I hope." With Vincent's leadership, we can restore hope in South Carolina.

Will you make a donation today and help us reach our goal?

Your contribution is vital to helping us fuel the aggressive campaign we have to run to win this election. We couldn't have made it this far without you, and we thank you in advance for your generosity today.

Thank you for all that you do,


Trav

Trav Robertson
Sheheen for Governor

Abortion Coverage Ban, no exceptions being pushed in S.C. state house

Yesterday, the SC House Ways and Means committee adopted an amendment proposed by Representative Rex Rice banning state insurance plans from covering abortion IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.

This is an unacceptable and heartless attack on women's access to healthcare, and we need you to speak out by asking the Chair of the committee, Representative Dan Cooper, to strip the amendment from the budget.

Click here to email Representative Cooper.

If the amendment is not removed, state employees will lose insurance coverage of abortion--which they currently ONLY have in cases of rape, incest, or when necessary to save the life of the woman. Attacking women's access to healthcare just to score political points is the worst kind of cynicism. Doing so in a year when families all across South Carolina are struggling to make ends meet is unconscionable.

Thank you for speaking out,

Jessica Bearden
Director of Public Policy - Planned Parenthood

Barber's actions call for televised city council meetings

Last week, I did a post on the situation that took place at the Georgetown City Council meeting between council member Brendon Barber and formal mayoral candidate Marty Tennant.

I believe it was uncalled for. Mr. Tennant asked a valid question. When you spend millions of dollars and the interest arises of where it comes from, it presents a problem. If you say there are undesignated funds and people want to know where, then answers need to come. People want answers to what they see as questionable actions.

So, when Mr. Tennant decided to speak at the council meeting and address the issue, it seemed Mr. Barber wanted it to stop.

When Tennant got up to speak, he started addressing Barber personally.

“Let’s talk about the $21 million. You brought it up, so let’s talk about it,” Tennant said to Barber.

Barber objected by saying Tennant should have been addressing council as a whole.

“Brendon, you just brought my name up while I was sitting back there,” Tennant fired back.

Mayor Jack Scoville banged the gavel but then Barber told Tennant “you don’t want me to step from behind this podium.”

“Pardon me?” asked Tennant.

“You heard what I said,” Barber answered.

Tennant then left the room while saying he does not want to be involved in a situation where “a councilmember says something like that.”

This is a prime example on top of the many others of why we need televised city council meetings. People are deserving of seeing their council members in action. In return, the council members are held accountable by the people who put them there, so why not let them see you do your job - or lack there of.

The people in the city need to see what transpire in the council room. If people can't make the meeting, they can sure TiVo it. It would be best to push televised meetings as a primary goal given the events that have transpired.

If Mr. Tennant felt threatened, he is right in his thoughts. If it were said to me, I would take it the same way.

There is no reason for any citizen - whoever they may be - to be treated the way Mr. Barber treated Mr. Tennant. When valid questions arise, the answers need to come, whether they hurt or not.

Mr. Barber, you represent all of the people in the City of Georgetown. I urge you to refrain from personal sentiments and the actions that transpired and deal with the public as they come to each and every council member for answers.

As frustrating as some people may be, it is you, Mr. Barber, who wanted to sit on city council. Questions from city residents come with the territory.


(Note: I held a town hall for the candidates during the election. For more on what Marty was questioning, visit here. There are various videos of the town hall.)

Southern whites and Obama, part II: What about North Carolina?

By Chris Kromm - Facing South

As I wrote last week, Barack Obama is a popular president -- just not in the South, a region where his extremely low approval ratings, especially among Southern whites, pull down the national averages.

In fact, while Obama's ratings have largely stayed positive in every other part of the country, in the South they nosedived as early as March 2009, suggesting Southern whites never really gave Obama much of a chance.

That broad snapshot is interesting, but you might be thinking: The South is a diverse and changing region. What about a state like North Carolina -- a place considered more politically moderate than, say, Alabama, and a Southern state Obama eked out victory in 2008?

To investigate, I looked at the state-level survey data put out by Public Policy Polling, our reputable local pollsters. Every month, PPP has polled Obama's approval ratings in North Carolina including break-downs for race.

Tracking his net approval ratings (those who "approve" minus those who "disapprove"), here's how the trend lines look for black and white* North Carolinians from January 2009 until now:



Chart: Institute for Southern Studies, 2010. Source: Public Policy Polling.

The N.C. polling data tells us some striking things:

* N.C. WHITES GAVE UP ON OBAMA QUICKLY: As in the overall South poll, in the beginning many white North Carolinians signaled to pollsters they'd give Obama the benefit of the doubt: In January 2009, 61% approved of the Obama transition. But by February, all bets were off: Obama's net approval went into negative territory among N.C. whites, and has continued to steadily sink ever since.

* BLACK SUPPORT HAS REMAINED SOLID: Mirroring national polls, the support for Obama among African Americans in N.C. has been strong and unwavering: Net approval has rested around 80% ever since Obama came into office.

* A GROWING RACIAL DIVIDE: The result of these two trend lines is a growing chasm between blacks and whites in North Carolina (as in the South generally) about Obama. In January 2009, the white/black gap over approval of Obama's transition was 43 points. By last summer, the approval ratings divide ballooned to an over 100-point difference between how blacks and whites in N.C. perceive the Obama presidency. It now stands at 110 points.

So much for that "post-racial" future.

* NOTE: Given the growing racial/ethnic diversity in N.C. and the South, I would have liked to have seen results for Hispanics/Latinos, Asians and other groups. Public Policy Polling did include an "other" racial category in their state polls, but the sample ended up being too small for the results to be reliable (average margin of error over +/- 20).

A national PPP poll this month [PDF] found 76% of self-identified Hispanics approved of Obama's performance (net approval: +62). Even if the figure is slightly lower in N.C. and Southern states, it still supports the idea that whites in general -- and Southern whites in particular -- are what's been dragging Obama's poll numbers down.

Cooper: Help Us Spread the Word

It's been just over a month since I declared myself a candidate for the office of Lt. Governor of South Carolina and the support and encouragement I am receiving is overwhelming.

I have been traveling around and speaking with people all over our state, and the one thing that is painfully obvious is that the citizens of South Carolina are looking for a new direction from their elected leaders. This campaign will bring that new direction to our great state, but we can't do it without your help.

I have a very simple request and it won't cost you a dime -- help us spread the word about our campaign to your friends on the internet.

We are honored to have nearly one thousand followers on Facebook but we think we can do much better. With your help, we intend to double that number by the end of this week:

• If you are on Facebook, please click the image on the right to visit our Facebook page and then click the "become a fan" button at the top of that page.
• Chances are that you have several friends who share your concern about the direction our elected leaders have been taking us and we are asking you to find five of your friends and invite them to join you on our Facebook page. Under my picture, you'll find a button called "Suggest to Friends" that allows you to invite your friends to become a fan of my page.
• There's one more thing you can do to help us. At the bottom of every article on this website is a series links to share that story on the internet. Please click here to go to this story on the website and click the Facebook link at the bottom to post it on your wall and let your friends know that you are not satisfied with the way South Carolina is being run.

Thank you so much for your support. This is going to be a long and difficult campaign, but with your support, we can and will prevail.

Fighting for those who need a comeback in Georgetown

People here in Georgetown often ask me why I am who I am. Why do I stand for what I stand for. Why not follow the crowd. It's plain and simple.

The beliefs I have are fundamental. My father told me when I was a little boy, starting to get interested in politics, that it didn't matter what political party I supported - just as long as you stay true to yourself. To this day, I am doing just that.

I fight and argue for the people who need a comeback. In this day and age, people are struggling. And to be honest, it's going to take more than politics to get us of the mess we are in. It's going to take us. Whatever our talents are, we should use them to help others in need in this moment of uncertainty.

I will do that with this column.

For months, I have been visiting The Maryville Diner. Located on 1730 South Fraser Street, it's not far from where I live. My family and I routinely eat there because the food is just spectacular. Owner Suzann Jordan is a mother, a wife and a caregiver. You can feel the warmth as soon as you walk inside. They love children and take their time with all that walk through the door.

The staff is kind and courteous. Hardly do I ever go without a filled cup of drink - a pet peeve of mine. The food fills the plate, no matter what you order. It's good ol' home cooking at its best. And... They serve breakfast all day. So, for those still wanting eggs and grits at 5:00 p.m., ask for it.

She has a son named Marcus Jordan. A fellow steelworker trying to make ends meet by helping his mom keep a good small business alive. Mark is a good friend of mine. As with me, I see the pain in his eyes in dealing with what we are going through. No need to expand on it. These are the people we as a community need to help. It's up to us to do the hard work.

The Democratic members in the Senate passed a jobs bill recently, with five Republicans supporting the bill - largely focused on small business. While it's a step in the right direction, the people who feel the Democrats are not doing a thing to help business need to reevaluate their argument.

Locally, we can put politics aside and spend our money within our city, our county and our state. Keeping small businesses afloat takes us - the locals - doing our part in buying from them. We need to take ownership our community and help those who fall on bad times - no matter what they believe or who they vote for.

Mrs. Jordan can be seen walking up and down the diner floor, checking on patrons as they eat. And sometimes, she is known for surprising you with a dessert during your meal. My favorite? The banana pudding. Out of this world. The old "Huddle House" hasn't seen good times like this in a while.

Specialty nights range from baby back ribs and steak to seafood platters. Every night is different, however, the food does not disappoint. The regular menu is to die for. The gravy on turkey and Texas toast with fries is just breathtaking. I could eat that three times in one sitting - it's that good.

I do my best trying to help others locally. It started back last year when I frequented The Humble Crumb. I wrote a blog post on it and spread it like wildfire on the Web. I have done the same for Mrs. Jordan and her business. If you visit my blog, you can search Maryville Diner and find the story.

What The Jordans do not know is that I have e-mailed Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (shown on the Food Network) this story, along with a plea to come to the diner. I ask that you readers out there do the same. Maybe it'll work. I am willing to try. The e-mail address is DDDinfo@mac.com.

Let's fight for the people who need a comeback. And Mrs. Jordan, I hope for the best, and yes, "everyone loves a diner girl".

SC-1 Democratic candidates in town hall meeting March 1

Greetings fellow Democrats,

I have some exciting news for you! Join the Waccamaw Neck Democrats on Monday, March 1, 2010, 6 PM at the Pawleys Island Childcare Center, 323 Parkersville Rd. Pawleys Island, SC 29585. We are hosting our Democratic first district Congressional candidates in a town hall meeting. Come prepared to ask them good questions. Col. Robert Burton and Robert Dobbs have confirmed and who knows, we might have another surprise or two up our sleeves!

In other news, according to our state Democratic Party precinct reorganization information, we have until March 5 to turn in our paper work. For those of you who didn't make the precinct reorganization meeting last Saturday and still want to participate in our county party as an officer or as a delegate to the county convention on March 20, please contact GCDP Chair Hannah Cromley at HannahAnnCromley@aol.com

As always, write or call with questions.

Susan Y. Smith
121 Lakeshore Drive
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
843 235 9937
843 833 3919 (cell)

S.C. to receive millions for children's health care

Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that South Carolina is among ten states announced today that will receive $100 million in federal grant funds to improve health care quality and delivery systems for children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health
Insurance Program (CHIP).

The grants, which will be awarded over a five year period, were funded by the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA). The money will help states implement and evaluate provider performance measures and utilize health information technologies such as pediatric electronic health records and other quality improvement initiatives.

“We all have a stake in the health of our nation’s children,” said Sebelius. “Exploring new technologies and initiatives will help ensure our kids get the high quality care they need and deserve.”

South Carolina's first-year award will be $2,214,263, with a five-year total of $9,277,361.

DeMint, Graham, Brown bash stimulus, but say it's vital to creating jobs

GOP Hypocrisy.

It's local, it's statewide and it's national. Will people realize the truth, even if it smacks them in the face - many times?

U.S. Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham - who made a run of it bashing the stimulus as a wasteful excuse to spend money while not producing jobs - said it was vital in stimulating the economy - and yes, even producing jobs.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) Lobbied For Tens Of Millions In South Carolina Stimulus Funds. According to the Georgetown Times, a business coalition called the North Eastern Strategic Alliance worked closely with DeMint to secure millions in stimulus funds for the I-73 corridor highway in South Carolina. [Georgetown Times, 5/31/09]

-Senator DeMint Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): Would Be “Crazy” Not To Accept Recovery Package Money. During an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Graham was asked whether South Carolina should “take the [stimulus] money,” to which he replied, “I think that, yes, from my point of view, I — you don’t want to be crazy here. I mean, if there’s going to be money on the table that will help my state, but I’ve got a job to do up here, and that is to try to help people and not damn the next generation.” [CNN, 2/11/09]

-Senator Graham Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]

-Senator Graham Attacked The Recovery Package For Missing “The Mark A Long Way. We Increased New Government; We Did Not Increase New Jobs.” [ABC News, 2/15/09]

Congressman Henry Brown was even in on it. In a story today, Brown is showcased again for "working" towards making I-73 a reality, but let's all forget the truth because it doesn't matter.

If Brown worked so hard for the grant - made available by stimulus funding - then why didn't he vote for it - the stimulus bill - when offered.

Brown, in a prepared statement, said the funding “has been a long time coming.”

The representative, who will be leaving office in January, said I-73 has been one of his big concerns during his decade in Washington.

“I have worked my entire Congressional career towards making I-73 a reality and this grant is another important step in that direction.” said Brown.

No, Henry. If you want credit for the money being handed down, you need to admit it actually wasn't you who made it happen. It was your fellow Democratic colleagues who voted for the stimulus. You should be praising them. It was a long time coming... Thanks, Dems and Obama.

Rep. Henry Brown (R-SC) Lobbied For Tens Of Millions In South Carolina Stimulus Funds. According to the Georgetown Times, a business coalition called the North Eastern Strategic Alliance worked closely with Brown to secure millions in stimulus funds for the I-73 corridor highway in South Carolina. The Times also reported: “McGill noted that about a thousand to 1,200 people showed up at an appreciation dinner for U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, R-Hanahan, last week. They did that, McGill said, because ‘The man’s delivered for us. Our Congressional delegation has delivered.’ He credited Brown, Reps. Jim Clyburn and John Spratt, and Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint for working hard for South Carolina interests. ‘You’re talking about a one-two punch,’ McGill said. ‘Those fellows know how to deliver.’” [Georgetown Times, 5/31/09]

-Congressman Brown Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]

I would challenge the Democratic state senator (Yancey McGill) to show me where Brown "delivered" when in fact he voted twice against the funds being marked to the state.

Furthermore, the reason people "showed up" is because they are led to believe such. If the truth was told that Republicans on Capital Hill have a "No Stamp" attitude on the very agenda that would push job creation, there would be no appreciation dinner. There would be disapproval.

The ones who delivered where Democratic. And that's true.

SCHA: Priority Legislation in S.C. State House

Bill #	Description	Sponsor	Position	Status
H 3199	Behavioral Health Restructuring	Harrison	Oppose-As Am	Medical Affairs Committee
H 3305	Combats Federal EFCA “card check”	Bedingfield	Support	Set for Special Order
H 3584	Cigarette Tax	Harrell	Support	Senate Calendar
H 4282	Prohibits Texting While Driving - trauma	D.C. Smith	Support-With Am	House floor
H 4538	Establishes the SC Health Information Exchange (SCHIEX)	Crawford	Support	House LCI Committee
S 0424	State Sovereignty, amended to oppose Federal healthcare reform	Bright	Oppose-As Am	House Returned to Senate
S 0642	Prohibits Texting While Driving - trauma	Alexander	Support-As Am	Senate floor

(The South Carolina Hospital Association puts together this information.)

Every Child Matters says 'Let's get them all in the Room'

On Thursday, February 25, the White House is holding a health care summit. (ALERT: President Obama has officially released his proposal for health care. To read more, click here.) Listed below are the Senators and Representatives who have been invited to the summit. This summit provides an opportunity for bipartisan conversation regarding this vital issue, and it is important that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are present. Please call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, ask to speak to your representative and encourage them to attend the summit. Here are some talking points to consider:

• This health care summit offers the opportunity to set a new tone in Washington.
• Children need elected officials to work together across the aisle to pass a meaningful health reform bill that supports their healthy development.
• We hope that you will attend this meeting to represent the needs of our state's children and families.
• With so many Americans unemployed and deep cuts to state budgets, help for children and families cannot come soon enough.
  

Here are the representatives that have been invited:

Senator Jon Kyl, R-AZ, Republican Whip
Representative George Miller, D-CA, Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA
Representative Henry Waxman, D-CA, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee
Senator Christopher Dodd, D-CT, Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
Senator Chuck Grassley, R-IA, Ranking Member of the Finance Committee
Senator Tom Harkin, D-IA, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
Senator Richard Durbin, D-IL, Majority Whip
Senator Mitch McConnell, R-KY, Republican Leader
Representative Steny Hoyer, D-MD, Majority Leader
Representative Dave Camp, R-MI, Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee
Representative John Dingell, D-MI, Chair Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee
Representative John Kline, R-MN, Ranking Member of the Education and Labor Committee
Senator Max Baucus, D-MT, Chairman of the Finance Committee
Senator Harry Reid, D-NV, Majority Leader
Representative Charles Rangel, D-NY, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee
Representative John Boehner, R-OH, Republican Leader
Representative James Clyburn, D-SC, Majority Whip
Representative Joe Barton, R-TX, Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee
Representative Eric Cantor, R-VA, Republican Whip
Senator Mike Enzi, R-WY, Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee

Homeland Insecurity ...Why new investments in children and youth must be a priority for the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress

Holleman: The Choice is Clear and I Need Your Help

Last week, I joined other candidates for Superintendent of Education for two joint appearances, one before the Teachers of the Year from all over South Carolina and a second before School Board members from across the state.

I was the only candidate to oppose tax credits and vouchers that take funds from our public schools and undercut public education. The two leading candidates for the Republican nomination openly support tax credits, and the rest either support tax credits and vouchers or will not oppose them. These schemes once again divert South Carolina's attention from the hard work of improving student achievement, are bad fiscal policy for the state budget, and are harmful for both public and private schools.

As The State and The Charlotte Observer reported about our debate before South Carolina's Teachers of the Year: "Frank Holleman, who is running for the Democratic nomination, drew the most applause when he said anyone running for the post should support public education and not programs that give parents vouchers or tax credits to send their children to private schools."

My opponents' support for tax credits or vouchers guarantees them significant financial contributions from out-of-state voucher backers who have sent large sums of money to pro-voucher candidates in past elections.

To counter this effort to undercut our public schools, I need your help. Please go to my website to make a contribution, or send it to Holleman for Education, P.O. Box 9362, Greenville, SC 29604.

We all have to stand up for public education, and we have to stand up now.

Sincerely,

Frank Holleman

DeMint catering to 'freedom loving Americans'

In a blast e-mail to supporters of the teabagger U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, he wanted people to see his speech he gave at the recent CPAC held Thursday. DeMint, who routinely finds time to party it up with teabaggers, made note that he's not in Washington to "make friends" - and it also seems he is not there to pass laws either.

I had the privilege of speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference yesterday.

As I joked in my speech, I didn’t come to Washington to make friends…and so far I haven’t been disappointed.

But the relationships I have built with so many freedom loving Americans are more valuable to me than any I could create in Washington.

I am thankful for the support that so many of you have offered to me, and I want to share this video with you.

Please take the time to click thru to my website and watch the video.

Sincerely,

Jim DeMint

So, is DeMint equating the people who show up at these rallies he speaks at with racist signs, guns strapped and ready to woo it up as "freedom loving Americans"?

I kind of have a different view on it. I see freedom loving Americans as the ones who actually know what our laws and statutes actually mean. I see them as non racist.

Jim DeMint came to Washington to protect the status quo. He came to protect the interests of big business. He came to benefit from a taxpayer check while doing nothing to earn it.

You be the judge. Check who donates to him. Check how he votes. Both have O's in them. One could have $10,000 and the other could have a bunch of NOs.

Either way, he's not there for the people of South Carolina - or for The United States of America.

Georgetown Dems are urged to participate in local structuring

This Saturday, the Georgetown County Democratic Party held their precinct reorganization. To be honest, I would have hoped for more of a turnout than was received.

This election cycle is one of the most important ones we Democrats have faced in this state. It's an opportune time to change the Red State Doctrine that has controlled - dictated - this state for decades.

However, seeing the minimal participation this Saturday, we could probably just give it to them.

It's going to take a magnitude of participation that we saw in 2008 to even be considered a threat. I trust that many of you feel we need to change this state. In order to do so, we have to get involved in the process. Forget the past. It's time to work towards the future of the people of this state.

Our county convention will be held on March 20, 2010, at 10 a.m. It will be at Bethel AME Church in the city of Georgetown. If you missed the precinct reorganization this weekend, please contact your chairwoman, Hannah Cromley, at (803) 665-8939 or hannahanncromley@aol.com.

Our politics start local. We feel the brunt of what the GOP does right here at home. It's time to work for change right here in S.C.

DeMint responds to letter I wrote on Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009

Generic, I know, but worth sharing...

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for S.1584, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, Senator Jeff Merkley, of Oregon, introduced S.1584 on August 5, 2009. This legislation would make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against any individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

You may be interested to know that under existing laws, such as the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991 and the Equal Opportunity Act of 1995, an employer is prohibited from discriminating against prospective or current employees based on non-conduct related activities.

Agencies, such as the Office of Personnel Management, have interpreted the prohibition of discrimination to include discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Currently, S.1584 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. While I am not a member of this committee, please rest assured that should the legislation come before the full Senate for debate, I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Thank you again for sharing your views with me. Please feel free to contact me in the future with any issues important to you or your family. It is an honor to serve you and the people of South Carolina.

Sincerely,

Jim DeMint
United States Senator

City council member 'threatens' citizen at meeting

At a Georgetown City Council meeting held earlier this week, Democratic city council member Brenden Barber can be heard saying "you don't want me to step from behind this um, podium, all right?" to former Republican mayoral candidate Marty Tennant. When Tennant responds with "pardon me" to Barber, the city councilman states "you heard what I said."

Mr. Tennant's response to the situation can be found here.

Video provided by The Georgetown Times, and it's appreciated.



If you look in the room, it's not full to capacity. Not many are going to know what transpired. What we all need in this city is transparency. We need televised city council meetings. We need to see what transpires between people as they deal with the elected leaders.

Here's hoping this provides further action for the need of televised meetings of our city council.

Georgetown Dems: It's Time To Build Our Party

It's almost time for one of the most important elections in South Carolina's history. Our Republican-controlled state is struggling to survive while elected officials continue to play politics and neglect the needs of working South Carolinians. It's time to change the direction of our state. It's time for South Carolina to have a Democrat in the Governor's Mansion.

If you would like to bring more jobs to South Carolina, improve education and restore integrity in our state, then you should attend your local precinct meeting on Saturday, February 20, at 10 a.m.

Precinct meetings are the first step in getting more Democrats elected in 2010! During these meetings, Democrats all over South Carolina will join with their neighbors to reorganize their precincts. This includes electing local party officers and building a grass roots structure in your county party which is critical to winning this year's gubernatorial election.

Are you ready to get involved?

Click here to find the location of your local precinct meeting or call your county party chair.

Proof that the Recovery Act worked

From the Economic Policy Institute:

A stark before-and-after picture

EPI Vice President Ross Eisenbrey tracked monthly job loss data from the start of the recession until today. The chart he assembled shows the most severe months of job loss occurred in the months immediately preceding the Recovery Act taking effect, when more than 700,000 jobs were being lost each month. The injection of Recovery Act investments into the economy brought an immediate and sustained reduction in monthly job loss tallies, he showed.

EPI President Lawrence Mishel made the same argument during a debate on PBS NewsHour, where he stressed that that monthly job losses were down to about 35,000 by the end of 2009. "This wasn't by accident," he said. Mishel added that the reason the jobs crisis remains severe is that "we were in a really deep hole." With unemployment projected to be around 8% two years from now - an unusually high level that was never even reached during the past two recessions - Mishel said we actually need to do much more to create jobs.

"All administrations - Republican or Democrat - in a recession tend to run deficits," Mishel said. "We have a huge deficit because we have a huge recession. A lot of people are out of work and are not paying taxes."

Economist Josh Bivens said that GDP data, like job loss data, offered more compelling evidence of the positive impact of the Recovery Act. During a podcast interview with The Nation editor Christopher Hayes, Bivens said that GDP patterns presented "a stark before-and-after picture." During the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, GDP contracted at a 6% annual rate, the worst six-month decline on record. By contrast, in the second quarter of 2009, which included significant Recovery Act spending, GDP contracted by less than 1%. It has grown each quarter since then.

Hayes said Bivens offered "as clear an explanation of the effects of the Recovery Act as I've heard." Asked about the weakness of the Recovery Act, Bivens replied, "It goes away too quickly." Most Recovery Act spending will be completed by the middle of this year, a time when unemployment is projected to be near 10% and the country will still need 10 million additional jobs to return to pre-recession levels of employment.

Not all job creation efforts are created equal
This great need for more jobs means that any job creation effort adopted must be large enough for the magnitude of the current problem. Unfortunately, the job creation tax credit recently proposed by Senators Chuck Schumer and Orrin Hatch is insufficient. In an opinion piece published on EPI.org, W.E. Upjohn Institute economist Timothy Bartik argued that the Schumer-Hatch proposal has "several questionable design details." Bartik said that the proposal attempts to avoid some of the steep costs of tax credits for new hires, in part by limiting the credits to workers who have been unemployed for at least 60 days, and applying the credits only through 2010. "If we want to effectively encourage job growth through a tax credit, we need a program that tightly targets that goal with a large enough tax credit to affect employers' hiring decisions," Bartik wrote.