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Americans want spending limits in campaigns |
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by Jim Hansen on
2/26/2006
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Interesting case in the US Supreme Court today which addresses the free speech implications of campaign spending limits. Regardless of the outcome, however, there is a workable solution in some states which strikes a good balance.
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Congress complicit in turning US ports over to foreign companies |
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by Jim Hansen on
2/21/2006
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The problem with our government contracting out port security at major US ports to Dubai World Ports is consistent with the way a lot of important US operations have been handled to benefit well-connected corporations. Congress is acting shocked, but it has let it happen and should look at its own complicity.
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Hiding $1.3+ Trillion from the Budget |
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by Jim Hansen on
2/20/2006
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Through sleight of hand, the Administration's budget does not show the cost of making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent. Rather, it assumes they will not end in 2010 and puts them into the base. This hides over $1.3 trillion in costs. It is deceptive and Congress should be open about what it costs.
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Rep. Loretta Sanchez exposes Congress's lack of leadership |
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by Jim Hansen on
2/19/2006
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Rep. Loretta Sanchez spoke at the annual Frank Church Banquet in Idaho last night. Her leadership in the US Congress gives her a unique perspective to ask some tough questions about why Congress is piling so much debt on American families, whether Americans are more secure with all the new Homeland Security bureacracy it has created, and how immigration policies can live up to the values we care about.
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Discouraging people from answering the call for public service is wrong |
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by Jim Hansen on
2/15/2006
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Discouraging good people from answering the call for public service is wrong. The people of every state deserve to have competition of ideas expressed in public elections. Unlimited private financing and vicious personal and partisan attacks are symptoms of a disease that discourages healthy competition. We must remedy the disease, not just bemonan the symptoms.
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Remembering the discrimination against my ancestors, I will vote no |
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by Jim Hansen on
2/14/2006
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As an Idaho voter, I will vote against the proposed amendment to Idaho's Constitution that would exclude some Idahoans from the civil rights associated with marriage. My ancestors came to Idaho shortly after our state constitution was adopted. They were American citizens but were not allowed vote, or hold office, or even serve on a jury.
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What happens when workers aren't paid a decent wage? |
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by Jim Hansen on
2/9/2006
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It should come as no surprise that the Transporation Security Administration is seeing very high turnover. It is symptomatic of priorities in Washington DC these days. Those who actually do the work are discounted.
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Who is Congress accountable to in dealing with our huge trade deficit? |
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by Jim Hansen on
2/8/2006
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A lot of people in Idaho are aware of our nation's growing trade deficit - especially those who run small businesses - are wondering where is the leadership we need to deal with it? Does Congress have the backbone if it is also dependant on campaign contributions from some of the interests that benefit from imbalanced trade?
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