Capitol Thoughts
Political Kudos / Faux Pas
“The Beacon of Change” / “Nine Years of Denial and Still Counting…”
—By Michael R. Harris, Jr. — D.C. Bureau
Political “Kudos”: The Beacon of Change
WASHINGTON– Since 1984, the “Badger State” of Wisconsin has given its 10 Electoral College votes to Democratic Presidential candidates, but with the ever brewing population change in Wisconsin, there seems to be a struggle between conservative values and progressive ideologies. Over the course of the last year, the 30th state to join the union has seen major political changes with constituents: Labor unions gathered roughly 1,000,000 signatures to recall their sitting governor, a Republican, but failed in that effort; the strategic nomination of seven term Congressman Paul Ryan as the Vice Presidential candidate on the Republican ticket and the subsequent loss within his home state; the Democratic victory of President Obama. Wisconsinites are a true testament to the concepts of social change!
Image by policymic.com
Seven-term Congresswoman Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin swept the state November 6th when election results gave her a seven point victory over former four term Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson. The Senator-elect made history for being the first woman selected to serve in the office in the state, and as the first openly gay senator. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin was one of the 118 gay and lesbian leaders elected to serve their constituents on election night, which National Action Network hopes is a sign that America is moving towards a more progressive path. Baldwin is led by her moral compass on a cornucopia of legislative issues she has sponsored. While in the House of Representatives, the Senator-elect has sponsored legislation such as the Veteran Jobs Act of 2012, Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012, No Child Left Behind Initiative, Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2011, The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act and host of others.
Image by Wisconsinwatch.org
Born and raised in the district she has represented for the past decade, Representative Baldwin has been an everlasting advocate for the LGBT community and women. The soon to be Senator has been a triumph of hope and has made a tremendous impact on her constituents, while reaching across the aisle to work with various party members for the common good. The esteemed congresswoman will join 18 other women to the United States Senate for the 113th Session of Congress, which will be a record number of women on the Senate floor.
National Action Network is an advocate of the LGBT community and the empowerment of women. Over the past year, National Action Network has pushed for civil rights for all Americans including honoring the Human Rights Campaign, standing with proponents of Marriage Equality in Maryland and standing with NOW and Planned Parenthood for women’s rights. We believe Tammy Baldwin is a political pioneer and will be a “Beacon of Change” to the evolution of our country!
Congresswoman Baldwin has led a campaign that is unparalleled to most during the general election season. During her run, Baldwin received endorsements by local newspapers and community leaders which contributed to her win. Tammy Baldwin’s story is one of inspiration, a community activist that wanted change for her community and did something to ensure proactive prosperity. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, we salute you and wish you the best of luck for your first six year term.
Political “Faux Pas”: Nine Years of Denial and Still Counting…
Image by Brent-Goodman.blogspot.com
WASHINGTON—Nine years ago the 45th Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, enlightened the world about the harmful dangers of the greenhouse gas effects, carbon dioxide emissions, crippling ozone layers and natural disasters that might occur if we didn’t limit our excessive use of energy. Although America and its international neighbors have experienced world devastations that some attribute to climate change, members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have yet to push for comprehensive legislation to preserve the earth and address global warming.
Tuesday, November 13th a conservative think tank held a conference regarding the very idea of global warming and why climate change played such a large role in the general election after hurricane Sandy devastated the Northeast. In 2010 Republican Congressman Bob Inglis of South Carolina lost his congressional seat some believe due to his commitment to remedy global warming. This exemplifies the authority and “strong hold” fossil fuel corporations have on congressional leaders to never go rogue on their financial agenda. Global warming seems to be becoming as much of a political game than an earth changing phenomenon.
In 2009 President Obama tried to push legislation on global warming in Congress, but adjudicated for a less extreme measure. The President placed a cap on power plant emissions and in return swapping credits that allowed utilities to produce more. The legislation passed in the House of Representatives, but died in the Senate due to both republicans and democrats who did not agree with the Presidents views on global warming.
Throughout the past 9 years, Congress has held numerous forums on Global Warming, but conservative congressional leaders and interest groups deny its mere existence. Conservative interest groups have constantly discredited science and have turned to the Holy Bible, spouting scripture like Luke 21:11, Ezekiel 13:11, 11, Isaiah 28:2, 2 and Genesis 1:26 which all proclaim the weather and climate change is the will of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Image by Image by studentmedia.uab.edu
Tuesday, November 13th the House of Representatives voted and passed the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act barring to comply with any taxation on American Airlines, regarding the emission gases used flying to and from the continent. Congress will however have to revisit the idea in the year 2020, according to the International Civic Aviation Organization (ICAO) in hopes of reaching an international agreement.
Although Global Warming has been a very divisive topic for some politicians, the President has made his short and long term agenda clear for Americans regarding this issue. Restoring the economy, lower unemployment rates and fixing the looming fiscal cliff expiring in a few months are main legislative priorities. The President has said, “If… we can shape an agenda that says we can create jobs, advance growth, and make a serious dent in climate change and be an international leader, I think that’s something that the American people would support.”
The National Action Network strongly disagrees with “naysayers” of the presence of climate change and global warming. Furthermore, as citizens of the United States and of the international community it is our civic duty to protect and preserve what has been bestowed upon us. The members of Congress who have blocked any progress on preventing climate change receive this edition’s political faux pas.