The last year has been full of discussion about the growing disparities in pay in the United States. But there is at least one sector where wealth is going up instead of down.

That sector?

Congress.

An article for the New York Times reports that members of Congress’ earnings have continued to go up during tough economic times, causing some to question their effectiveness.

The fact that rich people are in Congress isn’t usually that big a deal. But when Congress struggles mightily to take care of the economic business of the country — from the recent payroll tax extension fight to the debt limit fight — it starts to seem pretty evident to the average, everyday voter that members really don’t understand the economic problems their constituents face.”

Can rich members of Congress really represent the average American?

BREAK OUT THE CHAMPAGNE!!! IT”S TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!

Those crazy Republicans and Democrats in Washigton have actually agreed on something!!!

OH… but wait… it appears those crazy folks may have agreed on something  that might be just a little too CRAZY.

The crazy thing in question is The Levin-McCain bill, part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

Opponents of the bill (ranging from the ACLU to the hacktivist group Anonymous) have expressed worries that the legislation would empower the military to detain citizens of the United States without charge or trial provisions.

Now it looks likely to be passed this week, as President Obama has backed down on a former promise to veto it.

Necessary addition to national security? Or threat to individual liberties? Decide for yourself; the full text is here.

Just some light reading for the 220^th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

Image from NPR!

The clock is ticking.  Super Committee nears deadline, with what to show?

Clinton visits Burma and NPR gives us a rare look at the country’s new capital.

Do Republicans send better emails?

It’s baaaaaaack: new episodes of Arrested Development!

Photo courtesy of the New York Times.

President Obama can’t seem to get folks in Washington to listen to him. So he has decided to try his luck elsewhere…

For weeks he has been striving to get Congress to support  his plan to create jobs in the US… with lukewarm reception.

Now he is exploring alternatives to the American Jobs Act, tacitly admitting the bill is unlikely to pass through Congress.

The President will be touring in Las Vegas and Denver, hoping to pressure Republicans in Congress into passing the bill, rallying citizens under the mantra “We can’t wait,” for lawmakers to act.

Polls have shown that the main goals of the bill are widely supported- 63% approve according to a recent Wall Street Journal poll.

The bill, which can be read in its entirety here, focuses on cutting payroll taxes, extending unemployment benefits, funding new road construction, and providing a tax credit to returning veterans.

Opponents of the bill have cited concerns ranging from the proposed level of spending ($447 billion) to the targeted industries losing tax benefits, which include the oil industry.

Opposition has not been limited to the Republican party. Some Democrats are queasy.

“I have been very unequivocal…No more tax cuts,”

said a Democratic Representative from Oregon, Peter A. DeFazio.

Clearly the President has a long road to travel before his Jobs Bill will be passed.

From Wikipedia

Remember Election 2008? We know it was soooo long ago but if you are feeling nostalgic, get ready:

2012 is getting a blast from the past. Joe the Plumber is running for Congress.

Joe Wurzelbacher quickly (randomly) became the centerpiece for John McCain’s presidential bid after questioning Barack Obama on his tax policy. The nick name “Joe the Plumber” came to symbolize real hard working Americans, or at least that’s how it was intended.

Now he wants to work in Washington as a Republican representative from the 9th district of Ohio.

What do you think? Is this just a run to extend his 15 minutes of fame, or do you think this plumber would be a good representative? Either way it’s always good to have a plumber handy.

Image thanks to Wired!

Possibility of a government shutdown?  Haven’t we seen this show before? #dejavu

President Obama is ready to leave behind No Child Left Behind.

Perhaps you already heard that scientists and the speed of light – but did you hear about the physicists and the invisibility cloak?

Ending modern-day slavery…one app at a time.

Oh, and watch out!  A satellite’s falling to the earth.

Thanks to Politico!

Congressional Republicans will soon be adding two more names to their lineup, after Democrats lost special elections in New York and Nevada earlier this week.

Nevada’s 2nd district unsurprisingly went red and sent former state Sen. Mark Amodei to the lower chamber.

The GOP’s win in New York’s 9th district was a little harder to swallow for the opposing party. Disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner was the last to hold the seat in the longtime Democratic stronghold.

Among one particular group of voters, NY-9’s power switch is being touted as a referendum against President Obama.

What it does indicate is there are some serious problems with messaging to the Jewish community from the administration.”

]]> http://www.usdemocrazy.net/2011/09/16/congress-adds-more-red/feed/ 0 http://www.usdemocrazy.net/2011/09/10/its-the-jobs-stupid/ http://www.usdemocrazy.net/2011/09/10/its-the-jobs-stupid/#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:59:31 +0000 Ceejay http://www.usdemocrazy.net/?p=14101

Image from the Washington Post

On Thursday night, President Obama gave a much anticipated speech to Congress about his plan to reduce unemployment – The American Jobs Act.  Your trusty USDemocrazy bloggers have rounded up some of the coverage for you.  Watch, read, listen, enjoy!

Don’t have a half hour to watch the President’s Thursday night speech?  How about 2 minutes?  CNN gives you the highlights.

How the American Jobs Act will (or won’t) impact people of color.

The markets were certainly listening – the Dow Jones takes a dip.

Perspectives on Obama’s plan and the “woman-cession.”

Let the rallies begin!  As he promised, Obama presents the plan to the people.

And just in case you have some extra time, check out the full video from Thursday’s speech, enhanced with some super cool graphics from whitehouse.gov.

Thanks to CNN!

We hope you enjoyed your vacation, now fix the country. Congress is back to “work.”

Speaking of disappointing performances…President Obama’s ratings hit a new low.

Texas on fire, again. Wildfire tearing through the drought-struck state.

Feeling queasy? There might be a solution!

And, in theaters this fall…

Image thanks to the Telegraph!

Divided government strikes again: Senate and House split on Republican debt ceiling bill.

Worldly advice – global lessons for the US on debt crises.

Title IX or Title NIX-ed?

The answer to the question on everyone’s mind – what happens when the Glee kids graduate?!

Would adopt this little “Kitler“?