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As taxpayers, we deserve a more transparent process for funding projects |
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by Jim Hansen on
3/23/2006
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We the American taxpayers deserve transparency in how our public funds are spent. Because Congress is so close to the special interests that fund their campaigns, Congress slips all kinds of special deals into appropriations bills through a practice they call “earmarking.” It is long past time for Congress's earmarking system to be overhauled, to make it clearer to the public who is paying the bills and to ensure open and objective criteria are applied to how projects are prioritized.
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Our govt. is now drawing from pension funds to avoid hitting debt limit |
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by Jim Hansen on
3/6/2006
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It should be a wake up call to Congress that the US Treasury Department has now started drawing from the civil service pension fund to avoid hitting the $8.2 trillion national debt limit. Congress is accountable for letting the national debt climb to this unacceptable level. Yet, Congress's response appears to be to just raise the debt ceiling and go on with business as usual so as not to upset the big money interests that are reaping the benefits from our nation's debt crisis.
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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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