YOU AIN'T GOT THE ANSWERS! Kanye West gets real with Sway in the morning

Kanye West gets real with Sway in the morning  I GET KANYE BUT WE AIN'T GOT THE ANSWERS. I understand what he is saying and he is correct. However, he has to pray as a Christian, to find his way. Sway is telling him to do things from scratch and Kanye is saying he shouldn't have to come up the rough side of the mountain at his current level and status. What he should do is collaborate and form a collective of people in his peer group, and go from there. However, this action will take enormous levels of cooperation within the collaboration. He has to create his own platform to control the means of production in his fashion arena. And then he should write songs about his struggles. People need to catch this, what he is saying, because we all face these barriers as we expand and make and achieve our highest goals.
Kanye West is a genius.

Study Says Men Are More Satisfied With Marriage When They Have An Attractive Wife

Study Says Men Are More Satisfied With Marriage When They Have An Attractive Wife

This 11 minute video shows us everything we need to know about Fukushima | The AntiMedia.Org

This 11 minute video shows us everything we need to know about Fukushima | The AntiMedia.Org

Seoul Times: Chinese Eat Baby Soup For Sexual Power

Chinese Eat Baby Soup For Sex | DeafCube

According to DeafCube, the Seoul Times reports that eating human babies is at an all time high. Poor people in the country are reportedly selling their fetuses for an artful dining experience and for "sexual power" and health reasons.

"An email report received by the Seoul Times confirmed that news with several vivid and appalling pictures of human embryos and fetuses being made into a soup for human consumption," DecafCube reports.

The babies are boiled with expensive herbs and chicken for about eight hours. It is considered a delicacy that may be purchased from a restaurant for about $4,000 US. Taiwanese babies are sold to restaurants that provide this dish for $70 US, the Seoul Times newspaper reports.

The Seoul Times reports the story under "letters to the editor" section of the online newspaper. It is unclear whether or not the newspaper verified and vetted the information published in the letter-to-the-editor section before publication.

EXPOSED! The High Priestess Of Hell!!! (start at 20:11)

The Beverly Hillbillies Season 5 Episode 8 - Jed In Politics/Granny Makes Soap!

Cashing Out: What happens to your 401K during the debt ceiling crisis and other pertinent matters

Besides Social Security benefits being delayed Baby Boomers are wondering whether or not to get out of the market all together. Although anyone involved would hate to see a run on banks and the resulting disaster many retirees, 60 and older feel as if they would not recover financially if their nest eggs took yet another hit like in 2008. One even timetabled his cash out at the 14th or 15th of October.

According to Market Watch of the Wall Street Journal:
The government is expected to hit the current federal debt limit on Oct. 17.  If the debt ceiling IS NOT increased, the government will be limited to spending only cash on hand and coming in the door.  The Treasury Department will have to decide who gets paid and who gets left in the lurch. (It's looking like the poorest, most defenseless are targeted).

Interest payments on the existing federal debt will get top priority. According to the site, a Social Security spokesman said that the agency will began issuing its warning to retirees and other inquiring parties after consulting with Treasury officials.

Similar warnings could be issued to recipients of just about any kind of federal benefit, of course. But the roughly 46 million people who receive Social Security retirement and spousal benefits represent a large, often vulnerable and particularly politically active slice of the citizenry.

Stop fighting the president and Obamacare through the pocketbooks and wallets of the poor. We do not have the financial cushion of the rich. They can afford to take the hit, we cannot. But, while we fight this good fight, apparently another good fight awaits.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations are considered controversial in that no one can be told the details of said agreements and negotiations because they are deemed classified. In the past, member nations who tried to get similar trade agreements together would publish a draft of what they are working on but the TPP decided not to do so because, again, when a draft of a work-in-progress is published the people who are affected by the agreements complain or want input. So goes the decision to keep the TPP secret. Because of the current government shutdown, Pres. Obama could not attend the latest rounds of negotiations and discussions in Asia this month.

“We very much view stakeholder input, whether through our cleared advisers or other stakeholders, as absolutely critical. We’re at a stage in TPP where we’re going to have to make difficult decisions. I imagine that not everyone will be 100 percent pleased with every decision, but we can guarantee that we will seek your input, we will consult with you. We won’t make these decisions in isolation. And we will be proactive about getting your participation in this process," said Michael Froman, a U.S trade representative.

I understand that inclusiveness can be viewed as bogging down a fluid process in that we all have different learning speeds and some people intend to push their agenda using deception and lies. The biggest problem with the TPP outside of the secrecy of it is that it allows global corporations to sue the federal government if it does not stick to the TPP agreement. Furthermore, there are said to be enforceable rules and laws against the American People lest they decide to exercise their right to free speech—that these people may be detained indefinitely without trial.

So far there are 12 (and growing?) nations involved in the international trade agreement and in order to ratify this agreement all parties must be in agreement. I hear some of the leaked portions of the agreements will force the employees of global corporations to accept the rule of the corporation (do what massa say do) and will have the force of an international court and U.S. government on the side of the corporation. Currently, if a big corporation impedes on the rights of the little people, the U.S. government could be called upon to intervene and make a decision whether or not rights were trampled or if laws are being broken in the form of a U.S. Attorney's Office or another regulatory agency inquiry.

The country's other trade agreement partnership, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is "a proposed bilateral free trade and investment agreement between the United States and the European Union," according to the website fairworldproject.org.

Because trade between the U.S. and E.U. has already been liberalized over the years and accounts for one third of global trade and nearly half of the world’s GDP, many of the contentious debates of TTIP will revolve around the non-tariff barriers (sometimes called “trade irritants” by big corporations). Non-tariff barriers include many laws and public safety measures designed to protect a country’s citizens but which make trade between countries more complicated. Negotiations on TTIP or (Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement) TAFTA began in July 2013.

A comment by "Chuck" on October 7 sums up the issue of controlling U.S. laws.

"I have read bits here and there about the TPP. From what I gather it's far more about control than trade. Other nations will have say on laws here in the USA that they do not like, like 2nd ammendment/cap&tax, mining/drilling rights. Corporations will have the ability to make laws( like they are doing with this corporate boondoggle called tpp) It involves internet controls, ending free speech the corporations and Gov don't approve of and to a point eliminating borders including free travel for just about any person or terrorist out there. That is a "small" part of it."

The whole agreement is unclear to me and others because it is a secret to but a few and they are sworn to secrecy. This secret trade agreement  is upsetting to congressional committee members. I will provide links so that you can think this matter through for yourself. If it seems one-sided against the TPP, it is because the TPP has yet to bring its details to light for public debate so I am limited in what information I provide. I found an old Democracy Now! video from last June and a very suspect and crazy website (in my opinion) that may shed some light on the debate at hand.

The Pale Horse has a rider - the Koch Bros. AND THEIR GOP ROBOT SLAVES (they are the reason we don't have)

Veterans, seniors, orphans and widows, face service disruptions due to the government shut down. And, it will worsen if debt ceiling legislation isn't very soon passed. President Barack Obama during a speech Thursday morning at a Rockville, Maryland construction company, said an "economic shutdown will delay" benefit checks in November.

Now get this: benefit checks are not welfare. They are the social security dollars pulled from your earnings each time you get a check. The government takes that money and saves and invests it in the Social Security Fund. My late ex-husband earned each one of those dollars. AND I KNOW THAT HE DID BECAUSE I WAS THERE. I suffered there right along with him as we raised our disabled daughter. We were hospital parents because she was a hospital baby. It's a tough road, ask someone about it. Apparently this means nothing to the Koch Brothers and the Tea Party they fund. They want to kill me and my kids because they don't like President Obama's politics. Really?

Anyway, President Obama said a government shutdown is different that economic shutdown in that, the economic shut down is worse. A budget must be passed by October 17 or benefit checks will be delayed in November. Call your congressmen and women and bank now.

"I want to spend a little time on this- raising the debt ceiling...it is paying for things we've already bought. This time they are forcing the United States to default on their obligations. If the shutdown doesn't work we will put a laundry list of consessions (forward) and if we don't get it well let the country default. As reckless as a government shutdown is, an economic shutdown that results from default is worse. Social Security checks go out on time (this month) but in an economic shut down, they don't go out on time. The same for disability payments. Everybody faces real economic hardships. It will affect companies and workers. Every economists out there is saying the same thing. We've never done it before. People outside of congress are saying do not do this," Pres. Obama said.

The longer the government is shut down the worse economically it will be for the People of America. Without money to spend on everyday items, stores will lose business. Think about where you shop. You won't have money to go there. If that big box chain doesn't get your dollar as it always has, then it will cut its budget as well. Budget cuts go deep.

 First, hours are cut, then people, then positions. Middle management is next. District and regional managers will feel the cut—that is about $60 to $80,000 or more per year. They won't go shopping. Then, the advertising budget will get slashed for these stores we can't patronize anymore. Television and radio stations will cut the the cost of their airtime in order to stay afloat or they may cut personnel or both. All media outlets get money to fufill personnel contracts from ADVERTISEMENT BUDGETS. When that budget goes America will be in horrible shape.

The whole bottom wrung of society will begin with the upper middle class. Any one below that rung would have become homeless long ago. And we all know homeless people aren't cable television viewers who count. They watch at the library where they sit all day before going back to their spot on the sidewalk, alleyway or other dark corner.

So what though, huh? The old and disabled and the orphan and the widow can go jump in the lake for all we care. We work for a living.

Again, where you work depends on operating costs. A company has to cover daily, weekly, monthly operating costs—like payroll and insurance premiums for employees. These costs are covered by extended bank credit and loan usually. Like before, if the banks say no to loans to cover operating costs, your employer will close shop. Why should he take a financial hit. Good luck finding work at the big box chain because they aren't hiring anymore because we didn't get our benefit checks on time and had to pay a lot of fees et cetera. We do not live linear lives People. We live circular lives in that one thing depends on another. If too many of us fall way we will destroy society as we have come to know it.

The president said the longer we have the government shut down the worse it will become economically. On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew released a report stating that the economy is dangerously close to the debt ceiling and action must be taken.

"I want you to understand what is happening: I passed a budget that cuts deep but we will take the Republican budget level as proposed, The Senate passed it no strings. Democrats were unhappy with it but we went along. There are enough Republicans and Democrats today to pass the bill on an up or down vote. The shutdown will end today. The only thing that is keeping the government shut is U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R), won't allow a yes or no vote as to not anger extremists," Pres. Obama said.

According to news reports, House Republicans recently changed a House rule disallowing a motion for a vote on the budget.

Relaying what he heard with his own ears, President Obama said, "one House Republican said, 'We're not gonna be disrespected! We have to get something out of this— and I dont even know what that even is!'"

Pres. Obama continued by saying the current government shutdown is unlike the ones past in that it has nothing to do with deficits, spending or budgets only the Obamacare healthcare law.

Okay, now back to the dubious Koch Brothers. Here is what I found on Wikipedia about their political activities:

The brothers contribute to a variety of conservative, libertarian, and free-market individuals and organizations. They have donated more than $196 million to dozens of free-market and advocacy organizations. Tax records indicate that, in 2008, the three main Koch family foundations contributed to 34 political and policy organizations, three of which they founded, and several of which they direct.

David H. Koch was a Libertarian Vice-Presidential candidate in 1980. He advocated the abolition of Social Security, the FBI, the CIA, and public schools.

Citizens for a Sound Economy was co-founded by David Koch in the 1980s. According to the Center for Public Integrity, the Koch Brothers donated a total amount of $7.9 million between 1986 and 1993. In 1990, the brothers created the spinoff group Citizens for the Environment.

 In 2004, Citizens for a Sound Economy was renamed FreedomWorks, while its affiliated Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation became Americans for Prosperity (AFP). Since then the Koch brothers have given more than one million dollars to AFP.

At an AFP rally in 2009, David Koch said "Five years ago, my brother Charles and I provided the funds to start the Americans for Prosperity, and it's beyond my wildest dreams how AFP has grown into this enormous organization."

 AFP is the political arm of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, for which David Koch serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Americans for Prosperity created Patients United Now, which advocated against a single-payer health care system during the 2009-2010 healthcare reform debate. Both FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity have provided support for the Tea Party movement.

An organization with ties to the Koch Brothers, Freedom Partners, gave grants worth a total of $236 million to conservative organizations, including Tea Party groups like the Tea Party Patriots and organizations which opposed The Affordable Care Act prior to the 2012 election. A majority of Freedom Partners board of directors is made up of long-time employees of the Koch brothers, and has been called "the Koch brothers' secret bank" for its function as a vehicle to provide large donations to external organizations that advance causes supported by the Kochs.

Koch Industries describes itself as being committed to free societies and free market principles and as supporting those who champion these things. As of 2011, Koch Industries' political action committee has donated more than $2.6 million to candidates.

BUT WHERE DO THESE GUYS GET THEIR MONEY? YOU AND ME. LOOK AT WHAT THEY OWN:
Koch Industries, Inc. /ˈkoʊk/ is an American multinational corporation based in Wichita, Kansas, United States, with subsidiaries involved in manufacturing, trading and investments. Koch also owns Invista, Georgia-Pacific, Flint Hills Resources, Koch Pipeline, Koch Fertilizer, Koch Minerals and Matador Cattle Company. Koch companies are involved in core industries such as the manufacturing, refining and distribution of petroleum, chemicals, energy, fiber, intermediates and polymers, minerals, fertilizers, pulp and paper, chemical technology equipment, ranching, finance commodities trading, as well as other ventures and investments. The firm employs 50,000 people in the United States and another 20,000 in 59 other countries.

The Koch brothers support primarily Republican candidates, who received over 80% of their political donations from 2005-2009, and in 2010 they supported California Proposition 23 (2010). The brothers pledged to donate $60 million in the 2012 election season to defeat President Barack Obama.

And they are still chasing, fighting the President of the United States and no one has explored arresting these gentlemen for acts of treason and sedition against the U.S. government. But I have to suffer, become homeless and starve. Me and my kids. Really?

Want to help me help you? Call these 15 robots controlled by the Koch Brothers—of which I am sure they are afraid:

CALL THEM!

October 17 is Day of Destruction | Call these Congressmen and women

 If there is no budget passed by October 17, Orphans and Widows will be homeless and starving, seniors will go without. Anyone who gets any kind of government benefit will go wanting. 

What? You don't care because you work for a living? Do your elderly parents work? What about grandma and big ma? I'm glad you work cause they will be at your house - all of them!

What happens to your employer if the government is still shut down? You get laid off or fired. Your owner can't get operating costs to fund payroll—he's not taking the hit financially and you wouldn't either if you had to decide.  He or she will close where you work. You won't get any unemployment benefits. No money means no money. There are children right now on the picket line in Washington D.C. because their daycare is closed. (I wonder how mommy and daddy dealt with that if they had to work?) There are pregnant working women who receive Women Infants and Children vouchers for milk, cereal, juice and formula who are under threat that they won't get those vouchers anymore. An article quoted said infant formula in Wisconsin is $15 and last three days (no you cannot water down formula).

Still don't want to march on the faction of garbage or raise your voice in your own defense? Okay. Well.  Guess what your life will be like when you are not able to escape it everyday by running off to work. Think about it. Relatives have been living with you for several weeks now. Things are getting crowded and tense and everybody is worried.

If you have anything of value, you will have to fight to protect it. Violence will visit your household. Scarcity drives people to do desperate things. What about people managing habits? No strip clubs, chick on the side, basketball, live or televised sports events, gym, childcare, food, video games, electricity, running indoor water, ability to flush one's toilet etcetera on top of no cigarettes, beer or whiskey (we know the other hard drugs exist but shall remain nameless. Detox is ugly). Imagine living in a household with a person going through withdrawal, fits and shakes. 

Oh, and to get Obamacare, you still have to pay insurance premiums. If you cannot afford it, then there is state-based insurance, maybe. Each state gets federal dollars to defray the cost of state-based health insurance. Every aspect of our life is touched by the federal government— even the indigent who visit the hospital emergency room in lieu of a regular doctor visit. So, good luck with the shakes and all and diabetic comas and convulsions. Some of us are chronically ill and need on-going medical attention.

These people will touch your lives. Get it? Bad times may not see you but bad times will see someone you have to be around, so this tomfoolery with the government will affect you.

If you live in any of these states, please reach out and call these congressmen and women and tell them enough already. Stop asking about Obamacare Law - that horse has left the gate. It cannot be defunded unless you take the money out of the hands of the People who need it—like the garbage faction is now doing. Restore our government to us and raise the debt ceiling. You can google any of these people to get phone numbers and other contact information.

Twerk it! Hundreds set twerking world record in New York

How Obamacare works | October 2013

HHS reveals Obamacare coverage prices for federal exchanges - Brett Norman and Jason Millman - POLITICO.com



More on Affordable Care Act  (Obamacare)

Obama, Holder & Comey - photo op

President Barack Obama receives an update on the Washington Navy Yard shootings investigation from FBI Director James Comey, left, and Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. in the Oval Office, Sept. 17, 2013. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, far left, and Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, also attended the meeting. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Read Black Twtterati News

10 Black child geniuses you should know

10 Black child geniuses you should know

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE CONFIRMATION OF RICHARD CORDRAY AS DIRECTOR OF THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU

State Dining Room THE PRESIDENT: Well, for decades, the middle class in this country was the engine that powered the economy, and that allowed us to all grow together. Hard work paid off. Responsibility was rewarded. It was that basic bargain that made this country great -- that no matter who you are or where you came from, you could make it if you put in enough blood, sweat and tears. But over time, a winner-take-all philosophy began to take hold and it delivered huge rewards to those at the very top, but left everybody else working harder and harder just to stay afloat. A lot of families took on more debt just to keep up. Mortgages were sold that people really didn’t understand and, in some cases, couldn't afford. The financial sector was able to make huge bets with other people’s money. And that strain of irresponsibility eventually came crashing down on all of us. Now, I ran for President to restore that basic bargain. I ran because I believed that our economy works best not from the top down, but from the middle out and from the bottom up, where you’ve got a rising, thriving middle class and ladders of opportunity for everybody. So four years ago, even as we were working on restoring the economy and dealing with the immediate crisis, we also wanted to figure out how do we set new rules for the road to make sure that a few bad apples in the financial sector couldn't break the law, or cheat consumers, or put the entire economy at risk. And I was fortunate even when I was running for President to have some friends like Elizabeth Warren, who had already done a lot of academic work on this and had a whole series of ideas about how we might start making sure that consumers were treated better, and as a consequence, take some of the risk out of the system. And because of those conversations and that work, and because of some terrific efforts by other members in Congress, we were able, for the time in history, to get a consumer watchdog on the job -- to look out for the interests of everyday Americans. And I am very proud to say that last night, Rich Cordray was finally confirmed -- (laughter) -- by the United States Senate to keep serving as America’s consumer watchdog and as the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. So we’re very pleased about that. (Applause.) I first nominated Rich for this position two years ago this week. (Laughter.) He was eminently qualified. He had the support of Democrats and Republicans from across the country. A majority of state attorneys general from both parties -- Rich’s former colleagues -- called on him to be confirmed. And for two years, Republicans in the Senate refused to give Rich a simple yes-or-no vote -- not because they didn’t think he was the right person for the job, but because they didn’t like the law that set up the consumer watchdog in the first place. But without a director in place, the CFPB would have been severely hampered. And the CFPB wasn’t able to give consumers the information they needed to make good, informed decisions. Folks in the financial system who were doing the right thing didn’t have much certainty or clear rules of the road. And the CFPB didn’t have all the tools it needed to protect consumers against mortgage brokers, or credit reporting agencies, or debt collectors who were taking advantage of ordinary Americans. As a consequence, last year, I took steps on my own to temporarily appoint Richard so he could get to work on their behalf. And Americans everywhere are better off because he did. And thanks to not only Rich, but his terrific team -- I know many are represented here -- we’ve made real strides, even despite the fact that the agency was hampered by the confirmation process. And I would argue that part of the reason we were able to finally get Rich confirmed today is because he’s shown through his leadership and because of the very hard work that everybody at the CFPB has already done that this is making a difference in the lives of the American people -- a positive difference day in, day out. It’s hard to argue with success. So, yesterday, Richard was officially confirmed. I want to thank Senators from both parties, including Senator Reid, Senator McConnell, Senator McCain, for coming together to help get Rich confirmed. And obviously, Elizabeth, who wasn’t a senator when she thought this up, but is now a senator -- she was poking and prodding people for a long time -- (laughter) -- to help make it happen. Senator Reid’s leadership, in particular, was obviously instrumental in getting this done, and I couldn’t be more grateful to him. And together, we’re giving Americans a guarantee that the protections they enjoy today will still be around next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, and for years to come. While we’re on the topic of nominations, I also want to thank the Senate for agreeing to give my other nominees who’ve waited far too long the votes that they deserve. These are all highly qualified men and women who are just ready to go to work for the American people -- for students and for seniors, for veterans, for middle-class families. Special interests, they’ll always have their lobbyists. They’ll always have the capacity to tilt the system in their favor. But middle-class folks deserve leaders who are going to stand up for them as well on a day-to-day basis, in the trenches. So let me use this opportunity to remind people of what the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under Rich’s leadership can do and has done already, even in some difficult circumstances. Today, if you want to take out a mortgage or a student loan or a payday loan, or you’ve got a credit reporting agency or debt collector who’s causing you problems -- maybe they're not playing by the rules, maybe they're taking advantage of you -- you have somewhere to go. The CFPB has already addressed more than 175,000 complaints from all across the nation, giving people an advocate who is working with them when they're dealing with these financial institutions that may not always be thinking about consumers first. Today, as part of the CFPB’s “Know Before You Owe” efforts, students and their parents can get a simple report with the information they need before taking out student loans. And more than 700 colleges have joined to make this information clear and transparent. It’s making a difference. And by the way, if you’ve noticed that some credit card forms are becoming easier to understand than they used to be, that’s because of the work of Rich’s team and other folks across this administration have done to make sure that people understand the kinds of debts that they're taking on through their credit cards. Today, veterans have access to tools that they need to defend against dishonest lenders and mortgage brokers who try to prey on them when they come home from serving their country. Today seniors are better protected from someone who sees their homes or their retirement savings as an easy target for get-rich-quick schemes. And thanks to the hard work of folks at the CFPB, so far 6 million Americans have gotten more than $400 million in refunds from companies that engaged in unscrupulous practices. So this is not just some abstract, theoretical exercise. Families, many of them hard-pressed, have money in their pockets, maybe, in some cases, saved a home or were able to send their kids to college, because of the work that Rich and his team is doing right now. And that’s money that oftentimes families didn’t have the power to recover before. So Americans are better off because of what Rich has done as our consumer watchdog and his outstanding team is doing each and every day. And, by the way, that’s just the tangible benefits that we know of, that $400 million in refunds. But part of what happens is when you've got a watchdog, people don’t try as many things. And everybody starts tightening up their practices because they know somebody is watching. And so that has ripple effects throughout our economy. So Americans everywhere are better off because of the work that these folks have done. And now that Rich has gotten the yes-or-no vote he deserved, businesses and consumers have more certainty than they did before that this will continue. So we've come a long way over the last four and a half years. Our economy is growing. Our businesses have created 7.2 million new jobs over the past 40 months. We've locked in new safeguards to protect against another crisis, and we are making sure that we are doing everything we can to change the incentives inside the financial system and try to end tax-funded -- taxpayer-funded bailouts for good. And even though more work remains, our system is fairer and it's more sound than it was when the crisis hit. Of course, we've still got a long way to go to restore that basic bargain, to restore that sense of security that too many middle-class families still are fighting to rebuild. But if we just keep letting people like Rich do their jobs, if we let all these incredible young people know that you're going to keep on going for a long time, you're building something that will last beyond our government's service and we'll be providing protections for generations to come -- and if we keep focused on that North Star -- a rising, thriving middle class, an economy where prosperity is broad-based -- then I'm confident that we're ultimately going to get to where we need to go. So I want to thank everybody. And I just want to give Rich a quick chance to say something. (Applause.) MR. CORDRAY: Thank you. I want to thank the President -- this President, in particular, who has believed in us from the beginning. I want to thank the Senate and the senators for the chance to persevere and be confirmed as the director of this Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. All I ever asked for, all I ever worked for was to have a chance to have an up-or-down vote on the merits, and I thank them for that. For nearly two years, as the President indicated, we have been focused on making consumer finance markets work better for the American people. Today's action -- the action -- I was sworn in by the Vice President this morning, and the Senate confirmation -- means that there will be certainty for those markets and for the industries we oversee. For me, it also reaffirms that our central responsibility is to stand on the side of consumers and see that they’re treated fairly, just as the President described it. It’s something that people deserve. It’s something that they want and need. And we’re there to try to provide it. We will continue that essential work and each one of us -- those of us here and those of us in Washington and around the country who work for this new Consumer Bureau, including most especially myself -- we’re grateful for the opportunity that you’ve given us to serve our country in this important way.

Supreme Court decision Disappointing: Atty. Gen. Holder

Statement by the President on the Supreme Court Ruling on Shelby County v. Holder (what we should care about instead of ___________).

I am deeply disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision today.  For nearly 50 years, the Voting Rights Act – enacted and repeatedly renewed by wide bipartisan majorities in Congress – has helped secure the right to vote for millions of Americans.  Today’s decision invalidating one of its core provisions upsets decades of well-established practices that help make sure voting is fair, especially in places where voting discrimination has been historically prevalent.

As a nation, we’ve made a great deal of progress towards guaranteeing every American the right to vote.  But, as the Supreme Court recognized, voting discrimination still exists.    And while today’s decision is a setback, it doesn’t represent the end of our efforts to end voting discrimination.

 I am calling on Congress to pass legislation to ensure every American has equal access to the polls.  My Administration will continue to do everything in its power to ensure a fair and equal voting process.

Editor's Note: Now, my dear sweet Republic, in light of this Supreme Court decision, what in the world could be of more importance? The People should consider where today's decision will lead us as a nation. The right to vote is a lynch pin in our identity as a Nation.

What do we instead find ourselves discussing?

What is the point of voting Democrat: Entitlements may have to change - Ginger Gibson - POLITICO.com

President Obama to Democrats: Entitlements may have to change - Ginger Gibson - POLITICO.com
Both parties seem to have the same idea: F**k the poor, the elderly, the disabled, widow and orphan.
I hear them say through the media: We need to keep our money we make because we are the job creators and the tax payers. So no tax hike, no closing of loopholes. We have done enough for America, no more.
So, in the future we will be funding our lavish lifestyles by not paying taxes or next to nothing in tax. We should keep our money.
That is what I hear. I hear the wealthy in this country asking a poor person for a handout.
All of us would have more money if we paid no sales tax, no rent, no car note, no insurance etc.
These neo-conservative voices on the Hill sound like children at play. They give no thought to their actions and are greedy and selfish. They are not about to trade the trinkets they own for the lives of Americans. Harsh. I guess Sarah Palin was right and now comes the Death Panels.
Wow. Never saw it coming.

Pres. Obama's Early Education Plan for Children

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

February 14, 2013

President Obama’s Plan for Early Education for all Americans

“In states that make it a priority to educate our youngest children…studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, form more stable families of their own.  We know this works.  So let’s do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind.”

                                                                                                President Barack Obama

                                                                                                State of the Union, February 12, 2013

The beginning years of a child’s life are critical for building the early foundation needed for success later in school and in life.  Leading economists agree that high-quality early learning programs can help level the playing field for children from lower-income families on vocabulary, social and emotional development, while helping students to stay on track and stay engaged in the early elementary grades.  Children who attend these programs are more likely to do well in school, find good jobs, and succeed in their careers than those who don’t.  And research has shown that taxpayers receive a high average return on investments in high-quality early childhood education, with savings in areas like improved educational outcomes, increased labor productivity, and a reduction in crime. 

In his State of the Union address, President Obama called on Congress to expand access to high-quality preschool to every child in America.  As part of that effort, the President will propose a series of new investments that will establish a continuum of high-quality early learning for a child – beginning at birth and continuing to age 5.  By doing so, the President would invest critical resources where we know the return on our dollar is the highest: in our youngest children.

·         Providing High-Quality Preschool for Every Child:  The President is proposing a new federal-state partnership to provide all low- and moderate-income four-year old children with high-quality preschool, while also expanding these programs to reach additional children from middle class families and incentivizing full-day kindergarten policies. This investment – financed through a cost-sharing model with states – will help close America’s school readiness gap and ensure that children have the chance to enter kindergarten ready for success.

·         Growing the Supply of Effective Early Learning Opportunities for Young Children: To expand high-quality early learning opportunities in the years before preschool, the President will call for a significant investment in a new Early Head Start-Child Care partnership.  Competitive grants will support communities that expand the availability of Early Head Start and child care providers that can meet the highest standards of quality for infants and toddlers, serving children from birth through age 3. 

·         Extending and Expanding Evidence-Based, Voluntary Home Visiting: Voluntary home visiting programs enable nurses, social workers, and other professionals to connect families to services and educational support that will improve a child’s health, development, and ability to learn.   President Obama has already committed $1.5 billion to expand home visitation to hundreds of thousands of America’s most vulnerable children and families across all 50 states.  The President will pursue substantial investments to expand these important programs to reach additional families in need.

The President’s Commitment to Early Education

A zip code should never predetermine the quality of any child’s educational opportunities.  Yet studies show that children from low-income families are less likely to have access to high-quality early education, and less likely to enter school prepared for success.  By third grade, children from low-income families who are not reading at grade level are six times less likely to graduate from high school than students who are proficient.  Often, the high costs of private preschool and lack of public programs also narrow options for middle-class families.

High-quality early childhood education provides the foundation for all children’s success in school and helps to reduce achievement gaps.  Despite the individual and economic benefits of early education, our nation has lagged in its commitment to ensuring the provision of high quality public preschool in our children’s earliest years. The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that the United States ranks 28^th out of 38 countries for the share of four-year olds enrolled in early childhood education.  And fewer than 3 in 10 four-year olds are enrolled in high-quality programs. 

Preschool for All

·         The President’s proposal will improve quality and expand access to preschool, through a cost sharing partnership with all 50 states, to extend federal funds to expand high-quality public preschool to reach all low- and moderate-income four-year olds from families at or below 200% of poverty.  The U.S. Department of Education will allocate dollars to states based their share of four-year olds from low- and moderate-income families and funds would be distributed to local school districts and other partner providers to implement the program.  The proposal would include an incentive for states to broaden participation in their public preschool program for additional middle-class families, which states may choose to reach and serve in a variety of ways, such as a sliding-scale arrangement.

·         Funds will support states as they ensure that children are enrolled in high-quality programs.   In order to access federal funding, states would be required to meet quality benchmarks that are linked to better outcomes for children, which include:

o   State-level standards for early learning;

o   Qualified teachers for all preschool classrooms; and

o   A plan to implement comprehensive data and assessment systems.

Preschool programs across the states would meet common and consistent standards for quality across all programs, including:

o   Well-trained teachers, who are paid comparably to K-12 staff;

o   Small class sizes and low adult to child ratios;

o   A rigorous curriculum;

o   Comprehensive health and related services; and

o   Effective evaluation and review of programs.

·         The proposal also encourages states to expand the availability of full-day kindergarten.  Only 6 out of 10 of America’s kindergarten students have access to a full day of learning.  In order to ensure that our kindergartners spend the time they need in school to reach rigorous benchmarks and standards, funds under this program may also be used to expand full-day kindergarten once states have provided preschool education to low- and moderate-income four year-olds.

·         Under the President’s proposal, investment in the federal Head Start program will continue to grow.  The President’s plan will maintain and build on current Head Start investments, to support a greater share of infants, toddlers, and three-year olds in America’s Head Start centers, while state preschool settings will serve a greater share of four-year olds. 

Quality Early Learning for Our Youngest Children

·         The President will also launch a new Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program, to support states and communities that expand the availability of Early Head Start and child care providers that can meet the highest standards of quality for infants and toddlers, serving children from birth through age 3.  Funds will be awarded through Early Head Start on a competitive basis to enhance and support early learning settings; provide new, full-day, comprehensive services that meet the needs of working families; and prepare children for the transition into preschool.  This strategy – combined with an expansion of publicly funded preschool education for four-year olds – will ensure a cohesive and well-aligned system of early learning for children from birth to age five. 

·         The President is proposing to expand the Administration’s evidence-based home visiting initiative, through which states are implementing voluntary programs that provide nurses, social workers, and other professionals to meet with at-risk families in their homes and connect them to assistance that impacts a child’s health, development, and ability to learn. These programs have been critical in improving maternal and child health outcomes in the early years, leaving long-lasting, positive impacts on parenting skills; children’s cognitive, language, and social-emotional development; and school readiness. This will help ensure that our most vulnerable Americans are on track from birth, and that later educational investments rest upon a strong foundation. 

Building on Success

President Obama has committed to a comprehensive early learning agenda for America’s children that begins at birth and provides the support and services needed to set them on a path of success in school and in life:

·         Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge: The Early Learning Challenge has rewarded 14 states that have agreed to raise the bar on the quality of their early childhood education programs, establish higher standards across programs and provide critical links with health, nutrition, mental health, and family support for our neediest children.

·         Head Start and Early Head Start: President Obama has made historic investments in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs to reach an additional 61,000 children.  Under the President’s leadership, enrollment in Early Head Start in particular has nearly doubled.  The Obama Administration has also implemented needed reform in the Head Start program by identifying lower-performing grantees and ensuring that those failing to meet new, rigorous benchmarks face new competition for continued federal funding. 

·         Supporting our Federal Child Care System: The President has proposed new investments to expand access and quality in the Child Care and Development Block Grant.

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